Category Archives: Waste Not Want Not Wednesday

Am I a Blogger or a Mouse?

Posted on October 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Looking through my phone in hopes of doing a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post, I realized I never used the pictures taken at the Elks Lodge the day a few of us wore our Minnie Mouse ears. Bonnie, the friend who bestowed the ears upon us, had brought some snacks, and Jack made ice cream drinks. A number of members showed up for the ice cream drinks without the ears, although Bonnie did bring an older pair of ears she happened to have, in case anybody wanted to wear them.

I thought I looked cute.

I had just purchased the polka-dot skirt at a thrift store that afternoon. The shirt I had purchased for the second performance of A Revolutionary Murder, my most recent murder mystery. The socks, shoes, pearls, and purse were already part of my wardrobe. I guess it’s the theatre geek in me that loves to get dressed up at any excuse.

I think we all looked cute.

And here are me, Michele, and Bonnie, the three Minnies of the day. We enjoyed the drinks and the company.

Even Minnie likes to put her feet up.

I told everybody I was going to be Maxie Mouse, Minnie’s more fabulous cousin for Halloween, but that means I have to find a really flashy outfit to go with my ears. Oh, you think I probably already have some glitter in my closet? It could be!

At any rate, this must do for my Wednesday blog post. This morning I wrote my article about the informational meeting I attended in Herkimer last night, so I have performed some writerly chores today. However, I must get back to work on the next murder mystery. And there is that novel I told people I was going to write. I’d better stop mousing around and have at it!

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Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and tagged blog post, blogging, Elks friends, Herkimer Elks Lodge, Minnie Mouse, not writing, theatre geek, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

What’s a Ghoul to Do?

Posted on September 23, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post. I was hoping to make this post when I was driving away from Ann Street Deli on Sunday and had occasion to wonder if I am not too obsessed with all things Halloween. Specifically, do I see decorations where none are intended? Looking at the picture, I think I could be excused for thinking this is some sort of ghoul.

Is he scary or just unhappy?

If I ever fix my outdoor spigot and get a hose, I am going to look for this sort of doodah to wrap it around. I wish I could have a whole blog post of things that unintendedly look like spooks, but alas, this was the only one I found.

While taking a walk yesterday, I found only one thing worthy of stopping and taking a picture of, and it is not all that great of a picture. I saw they had planted grass where they recently tore down a building next to Pete’s Tavern.

I peeked my phone through the chain link fence for the shot.

It is always nice to have more green space in the village. I made myself take the walk, because I was feeling rather down yesterday. I think I have mentioned that my depression is really kicking my butt these days. However, one must persevere (one being me in this case, but I encourage perseverance in others as well). With that in mind, I shall take myself off to swim this morning: exercise and sociability. Stand up against that, depression!

In the meantime, I shall keep an eye out for more Halloween-like pictures.

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Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and tagged blog post, blogging, depression, ghouls, green space, Halloween, Halloween decorations, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Not Exactly Guns n Roses

Posted on September 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post so looked in my phone for a few pictures I have not used yet. I picked three.

I got this one while the gettin’ was good!

This was one of the pictures I took to go with the story I wrote for the Daily Sentinel about the Ilion Village Board meeting on Monday. The chair of the Ilion Marina Committee said this sign would not last the winter so they would like to relocate it to the Ilion Fish and Game Club, who will undertake to restore it and display it there. Remington, unfortunately, is no longer in existence.

Nice!

Here is a picture from Herkimer, taken on a walk I took last Friday. There were several flower boxes in front of The Java Shop, which I have also written blog posts about. I do like to see flowers planted around town.

More pretty flowers!

Speaking of flowers, here is an attractive indoor display from my sister Diane’s house, taken when I visited her last week. She cut some blooms from her hydrangea bush then some of her oregano which had gone to flower and combined the two. I did not know oregano had purple flowers, but then I have not had an herb garden in some years and cannot recall if I grew oregano when I did have one.

I do like to take pictures just because something catches my eye, so I have something for my Waste Not Want Not Wednesdays. As always, I thank you for tuning in.

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Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and tagged blog post, blogging, flowers, herkimer ny, Ilion Marina, Ilion NY, Remington, sister Diane, The Java Shop, The Java Shop by Cucina Berto. Bookmark the permalink.

Dig That Funky Music!

Posted on August 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

This is in the nature of a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post, but it is really about a band I had been wanting to check out, largely because of its name: Uncle Charlie and the Meatballs. I finally got to hear them at Community Day last Saturday at Town of Herkimer Park in East Herkimer.

They were awesome!

They rocked out with classic rock tunes, such as an old lady like me loves. Unfortunately, none of my pictures turned out very well, hence my calling this a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday.

Of course I took the opportunity to dance.

By the time they started playing, I had run into my friends Kelly and Jim, so we made our way over and sat down at a picnic table. I stood up and danced my way over to take a couple of pictures. On my way back, I ran into another friend and stopped to chat, during which time I accidentally hit something on my camera which videotaped our feet. I believe I have mentioned my problems with technology. I erased the video, though, because we did not feel our conversation bore repeating.

I will be delighted to hear them again.

I did not listen for very long before I danced my way out, first dancing over to the tip jar and leaving a tip. I met another friend in the parking lot with (I think) his grandson. I mentioned that I had been dancing, at which the grandson immediately started boogeying down. Let’s hear it for the younger generation!

I follow Uncle Charlie and the Meatballs on Facebook, so I hope to hear them play again soon.

Just a Few Pictures

Posted on August 20, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, I am doing it: my Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post ON Wednesday! Um, no promises about Thursday.

Concentrate on the cheerful grin, please!

You could probably notice a number of things from this picture of my back yard, but I would also draw your attention to the fact that the grass has been mowed. By me. I really wanted to take a picture of the silly pumpkin, which has seen better days. I tossed it off my deck and it just happened to land on that trash can. I thought it looked cute, so I left it there.

A little too dark and blurry, I fear.

I took this picture when I treated myself to lunch at the Paradise Eatery in Herkimer, NY last week. The picture did not turn out very well. I guess that means I must eat there again soon.

Play ball!

This is the picture I alluded to in the post I made this morning, about a picture I took at the Town of Herkimer Park. The Town recently put up dugouts at one of the softball fields. I think they are very nice. I will be at the Park on Saturday, for Community Day from noon to 5 p.m. There will be a lot going on: food trucks, vendors, music and more. Check it out if you can. If not, perhaps you will read my blog post about it.

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Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and tagged back yard, blog post, blogging, Community Day, herkimer ny, Paradise Eatery, pictures, Town of Herkimer Park. Bookmark the permalink.

Waste Not, Want Not, If Only I Could Whine Not!

Posted on August 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I knew I would be happy to do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post this week. My cold still plagues me with a terrific headache and a nasty throat. Yes, I am still whining and crying about it. I always say, go with your strengths. I had two cups of hot tea with lemon and honey this morning and ate the lemon slices. I read that somewhere: you eat the lemon skin and all after it soaks in the tea. The skin is soft and you get all that vitamin C. I guess it hasn’t kicked in yet. Never mind that; on with the blog post.

That’s me: all falling apart.

I took a picture of one of these broken trees from another angle some months ago but doubt I can find it in my Media Library, at least without an intensive search. I have long thought of going through my Media Library month by month and making an index, a task which becomes more daunting as each month passes.

School’s Out! But not for long!

I noticed when I drove by the school the other day that the seniors’ parking spaces had all been painted over white. I look forward to see what next years’ seniors will paint. That made a nice few blog posts.

They grow up so fast.

I took this picture just because I was so fascinated by how the sidewalk was being encroached upon, but now I find it emblematic of my life. My path forward is constantly blocked by obstacles. In April I was walking or running daily, looking forward to the Boilermaker 15K and trying to get other stuff done. Then my body betrayed me and I spent time on the couch, on crutches, etc. (perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it). I get on some medication, finally start physical therapy, things are looking up! Then I get this nasty cold with a killer headache!

AAAAaaaand I am back to whining and crying. You see how I am. But at least I have made a Wednesday blog post. As always, I thank you for tuning in.

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Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and tagged blog post, bloggers sick day, blogging, headache, health, Herkimer Junior Senior High School, herkimer ny, Media Library, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Breakfasts and Beverage on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday

Posted on August 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post today. A quick check of my phone showed I had a few pictures I had not used, so let us see what I can find to say about them.

The road not taken.

I impulsively took this picture outside of Bridge Street Diner in St. Johnsville, NY after breakfast with my Elks Friends one Thursday. I wish I had zoomed in closer to the hill and bridge. The road is another way I could have taken to go home. I decided not to that day, because I wanted to make a stop in Dolgeville, which was the other way. Of course I first turned the wrong direction at the end of the street and went the total wrong way to get to either destination, but I soon righted myself. This is how I see new sights.

Speaking of breakfast…

Sometimes I fix myself an cheese omelet for breakfast. The shape of this one struck me as so unusual, I took a picture. I suppose I only could have cleaned off the coffee table for a better picture, but then the omelet would have gotten cold. The coffee table is still a disaster, but I am working on it. Slowly.

I was drinking wine at the time.

When I was at the Herkimer Elks Club after the car show on Saturday, a fellow at the bar ordered what sounded to me like “rum and coke.” No, no, it was this whiskey, Roe and Co. The bartender gave me a little taste. I liked it but not enough to get a serving like the one shown here. I made a note in my notebook (I never leave the house without at least one notebook) about it, as well as taking this picture.

This puts me over 300 words. I say, Yes! I leave the house soon for further Mohawk Valley Adventures. Or at least a walk to the post office, to mail a letter to a friend.

I Add to the Media Library

Posted on July 30, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Continuing my trend of posting the next morning for the previous day, I offer a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post early-ish Thursday morning. I must hurry to make the post, as I am not yet dressed (I am wearing a robe, just to spare anybody an unfortunate mental image) (you know who you are) but must get ready and leave soon to meet my Elks friends for breakfast. I was delayed by the problem of transferring photos from my phone to WordPress, thinking it was not successful, giving up, then deleting the extras when in fact I had transferred said photos three times. I add my technological problems, thinking some readers may say, “Thank God, I’m not the only one!” Although I am equally certain others will shake their heads in a superior, self-satisfied manner (0nce again, you know who you are).

This will not be the chef of this morning’s breakfast.

I took a picture of this cute little guy at Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta in Herkimer, NY recently. Alas, Yetty’s does not serve breakfast. But I may go there for dinner.

Some people finish books!

I took this picture at a recent Frankfort Town Board meeting. The board was honoring Vincent Palmieri, who has written two books about the Frankfort he grew up in. I must find these books and read them. They sound good.

They were fine, yes!

This is the Jake Lozo band, who I heard at the Ilion Elks Lodge after the DooDah Parade. They were awesome! I must go hear them when I will not be so tired and can stay longer.

I see I am over 250 words (thanks to my wordy first paragraph), and I still have time to make myself beautiful (I feel certain I flatter myself there) and meet the gang for breakfast. As always, I thank you for tuning in.

Pictures of Plants without a Plan

Posted on July 23, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not have anything particular to blog about today, unfortunately, and I have very little brainpower with which to blog. I do, however, have a couple of pictures which I just walked into my backyard to take specifically for the purposes of this blog.

So cheery and yellow!

I noticed this morning that I had some Black-Eyed Susans blooming. I was very happy, having missed my peonies, wild daisies, rhododendron, and Rose of Sharon (why do I capitalize Black-Eyed Susans and Rose of Sharon but not the rest of them? Discuss amongst yourselves). As you can see, I have not missed the Black-Eyed Susans by any means, because there are a number waiting to open. I hope to get a wider view later, showing the full scope of my Black-Eyed Susan patch.

More greenery growth.

Now this is a plant my late, dearly missed husband Steven and I purchased at a garden day or some such at the Herkimer Home in Little Falls, NY. I forget what it is called, if I ever knew (it is hard to say what I may or may not have known). It is not where we originally planted it, but it is much larger than the original growth. It used to have little pink flowers, but I have not seen any this year. I live in hope.

It seems every year I have great gardening plans, and every year I disappoint myself. But let us face facts: I do not really have plans: I have daydreams. Any time I make an actual plan, the plan goes to hell, pardon my language (I was going to say “the plan goes to pot,” which has the charm of alliteration, but then you might think I am talking about marijuana and it all gets too complicated). Well, never mind. I will enjoy what happens to grow and deal with what happens. And write a blog post or two along the way.

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Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and tagged back yard, black eyed susans, blog post, blogging, blooms, gardening, peonies, plans, rhododendron, rose of sharon, wild daisies. Bookmark the permalink.

I Hope this Blog Post Isn’t a Drag

Posted on June 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I looked through my phone in hopes of having a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, but I guess I am wanting not, because I only found one picture. However, it is an excellent picture to share during Pride Month, so here it is.

I was getting Divine vibes.

During the Herkimer’s Sprig Shop Crawl back in April, there was a vendor and craft sale at Herkimer College, sponsored by hosted by HOPE, an organization aiming to create safe spaces, increase visibility for LGBTQ+, and provide community resources. I was tired by the point in my crawl, so I did not look at all the vendors, but I did ask for a picture with this beautiful Queen. She was very gracious about it, and another woman nicely offered to take the picture so I could be in it.

When I tried to be a drag queen.

Back in 2019 I wrote a murder mystery about a group of Drag Queens (one of us killed Princess Dragomiroff). Even though Drag Queens are traditionally male, my friend Kim and I had to participate. Much later I heard that Drag is for everyone, so I feel encouraged. I would like to find out some more about Drag culture. To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar is one of my favorite movies.

We were a handsome couple

I can’t resist sharing another picture of my late, dearly loved husband, Steve. In drag or regular clothes, he was a delightful man.

So here is another blog post from the couch. I do not know if I can come up with enough memories to keep making posts till I am mobile again, but I intend to give it a try.