Tag Archives: blogging

Pre-Rehearsal Waste Not Want Not

Posted on February 20, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am going to attempt a nice little Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post before my rehearsal for Prescription: Murder, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre.  I have looked over my lines, but I have just a bit of a headache (can’t get through a post without whining at least a little, can I?), so that didn’t go too well.  Sipping hot tea, which I am currently doing, may help.

Do you know this guy?

I burst right in with the most striking picture I have.  I noticed this guy when I was on my way to the read-through for Prescription: Murder.  I drove around the block to take a closer a look, then came back the next day when the sun was up so I could take a picture.  It is outside the now defunct Remington Arms factory in Ilion, NY.  A developer may be purchasing the site to, you know, develop it, so I hear.  I hope this fellow doesn’t put them off.

This was last week; there is more snow now.

Back to the subject on many people’s minds these days:  All that damn snow.  I got this shot walking by Meyers Park in Herkimer.   I tried to zoom in on the pavilion to get the pretty lights but was unsuccessful.  I was also interested in the partially buried branch.  Under the heading It Takes So Little To Please Some People.  That is a saying my brother and sisters and I used to have, when we wanted to feel superior.  I could write a whole blog post about that, come to think of it.  What is wrong with being easily pleased? It means you get to feel pleased more often!

Another attempt at the buried branch.

I do enjoy winter scenes, especially the bare branches of the trees.  I will try for a Pedestrian Post with Pictures later this week (preview of coming attractions).  For one reason, I need the exercise!

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

It Snow Joke that I’m Tired

Posted on February 19, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I did not make my Tired Tuesday post yesterday, because I was, you guessed it, tired.  I actually did less Tuesday than I did on Monday.  Monday I cleared my driveway twice.  By “cleared my driveway” I mean I took off the top layer of fluffy stuff and cleared the plow pile-up as best I could.  Also I did a shovel-width on my front walk, in consideration of pedestrians, who usually end up walking in the road anyways, but I can’t help that.

For anybody not in the area, I just mention in passing that the Mohawk Valley has been pummeled with snow and ice since… I was about to say Saturday, but it got bad before Saturday.  Things were also bad on Thursday, because my rehearsal was cancelled (regular readers may remember I am in a play at Ilion Little Theatre), but I can’t remember other than that.  Listen to me whine.  I’m in a house with power, sipping hot tea while my furnace works away, and I don’t have to go to work.  Let’s count our blessings, shall we?

This was in March 2017, but you get the picture.

I throw in a picture to pep things up.  My deck actually looks different now, because I did not put the things on it away in the fall.  In my defense, my life fall apart in 2023 and I have not yet picked up all the pieces.  The ones I do pick up, I keep dropping.   I do not mean this as more whining; only, I try to cut myself a break sometimes instead of beating myself up, which has ever been my habit.

On the other hand, some might argue I deserve, maybe not a beating, but perhaps a stern talking to sometimes.  For example, Monday and yesterday I toiled mightily trying to get the ice off my front steps, at least for a wide enough space for me and the mailman to get up and down safely.  In my head I kept saying, “2005, Cindy.  You’ve had since 2005!”  2005 was when we moved in and had the porch roof replaced.  Steven and I are (were) big porch sitters.  The roof fellow did not put the gutter back.  I felt sure we could do it.  Perhaps we could have.  Perhaps I still can.  These thoughts did me no good as I managed to clear some for the ice.

I was relieved there was no mail on Monday.  Tuesday when I heard the mailman, I stuck my head out the door, quickly remembered I was in slippers and the porch was covered in snow, craned my neck around the door and asked were the steps OK and assured the mailman I tried, I tried!  He said I did great and it was a losing battle.  I thought that was very nice of him, because I really had not cleared all that wide a space, and his feet are bigger than mine.

Somebody got some fun out of the snow!

I close with a jolly picture, to give us cheerful thoughts.  It has not been warm enough for snowman building, and the wind chill has been prohibitive, but weather changes eventually.  If I manage to build a snowman, I will certainly write a blog post about it.  Once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Will Go Back to Back in Time!

Posted on February 18, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I neglected to do a post about the great new antique place I found:  Back in Time Collectibles & Crafts in Richfield Springs, NY.  I found it quite by accident.  I was headed for the library, which of course I drove right past (anybody who knows me is not surprised).  Turning back and finding the library, I saw Back in Time and could not resist checking it out.

One lump or two?

As soon as I walked in the door the collection of tea cups caught my eye.  My sisters, mother, and nieces have had a few fancy tea parties.  It is actually my turn to host one.  I don’t know if I could dare purchase and use such beautiful old cups!

You know I looked at the jewelry!

Vintage jewelry, on the other hand, I rarely hesitate to wear, unless I am going someplace where I may get too rambunctious.  Regular readers know I do not always behave with the proper decorum of a woman my age.

Something for the Disney fans.

Full disclosure:  I am not a Disney addict, have never been to World or Land, and I don’t love Mickey Mouse.  If anybody feels the need to cut my acquaintance because of this, I will understand.  I took the picture, because I like to include pictures I think people will like.  Also, there is a lot going on here:  Hot Wheels and PEZ, for example.

Tins I can get into! Not literally.

I do like tins.  Actually, I have too many tins.  My late husband Steve and I were in the habit of picking them up at rummage sales and such, because we thought we would put Christmas presents in them.  “Put a present in a present,” was Steve’s motto.  It didn’t always work out.  For one reason, we couldn’t always fit a present to a tin.  For another, sometimes the recipient would say, “Oh, here’s your tin back!”

I did not buy any Christmas presents at Back in Time.  For one reason, I was there in January.  When I buy Christmas presents that early, I tend to forget them by December.  I bought a sweet tiny frog for myself.  Steven used to collect frogs.

Back in Time Collectibles & Crafts is located at 112 Main St., Richfield Springs, NY, phone number 315-858-6003.

 

1 Comment

Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Mention of Mohawk Mall on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on February 17, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I drag my attention away from a City Confidential on Roku TV to make a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  Most of the Mohawk Valley seems to be iced it.  I tried to shovel a layer off the driveway while sleet fell on me, laughing at my efforts.  At least somebody was feeling jolly.  There is no need to dwell on these things.  I wanted to give a quick shout-out to Mohawk Antiques Mall, one of my favorite spots, which I visited a few days previously.

I had not stopped there in a while.  Full disclosure:  I mostly stopped because I was pretty sure they would have a current issue of Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I do not know how much longer I will be writing for them, but I had a nice story in February’s issue about Back In Time: Collectibles Plus Crafts in Richfield Springs, NY (not to self: make a post about them soon!).  After picking up the magazine, I walked over the whole store, hoping something would tempt me to buy.

I’m sure I need a hat like that.

Further disclosure:  I have to watch my money these days, and I have pretty much zero space in my house to put cool things found at antique stores.  I took a picture at a new vendor.  That is, new to me.  I think I mentioned I had not been there in a while.  One great thing about these antique malls:  you can visit again and again and almost always see something new.

Ooh, those are nice!

Another vendor caught my eye, and I thought it was clearly a local artist.  I quickly saw that this was indeed the case.

I LOVE local art!

In fact, I follow Chickadee Hollow Studio on Facebook (I follow lots of local places I haven’t been to yet), so I was delighted to see some of their stuff.  I’m afraid my pictures are a little blurry.  I must go and get better pictures.  And make more space in my house so I can purchase something!

Mohawk Antiques Mall is located at 100 E. Main St., Mohawk, NY, phone number 315-219-5044.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, personal, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Slacker Saturday due to Snow

Posted on February 16, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am not doing very well as a blogger these days.  Right now I fear I shall not be able to make a decent post.  And yet one must try (one as usual being me).

I think the snow is even deeper this year..

I add a picture to pep the post up.  I found this picture in my Media Library in February 2021.  I have been experiencing some discouragement over the amount of snow these days.  Of course I must be grateful for help I have received in clearing my driveway and getting my car un-stuck (perhaps you have read my blog post about such experiences).  Well, one can feel different ways at the same time.  It’s called multi-tasking, and I hear it is something we are supposed to do.

“One more thing.”

I change the subject with another picture from my Media Library.  I was supposed to have a rehearsal for the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre, Prescriptio: Murder,  but it was cancelled due to weather.  The play is the first episode of Columbo, so it is one I was very interested in being involved in.  I will be mentioning it in many future blog posts no doubt.

Performance dates are March 28, 29, 30 and April 4, 5, 6, Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Scattered Saturday and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Heard PKs Was a Good Place to Eat

Posted on February 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have forgotten to mention a great place to go for breakfast in Herkimer:  PK’s Pub.  Steve and I used to love going to PK’s for dinner — always saving room for dessert! — so I was sure breakfast there would be good.

No, I don’t have booze for breakfast. Usually.

The first couple of times I went I enjoyed my favorite breakfast sandwich, once with just egg and cheese, once with ham egg and cheese.  Then I tried the special of French toast with strawberries and cream cheese.  YUM!  The other day I stopped in hoping that was on the special board and it was. Yay!  I ordered it as soon as I sat down.  I took out my notebook and started a letter to a friend while I waited.

The people at the table next to me were having a lively discussion.  When I became annoyed by the bright sun beaming through the window into my eye (I know, so wrong to complain about the sun!), I moved one seat over, which brought me closer to the discussion.

“I’m not trying to get closer to eavesdrop, ” I felt I needed to reassure them.  “I just want to get in the shade.”

“Anyways, you’re writing,” one of the ladies pointed out.  Then they noticed I was writing in cursive and the discussion switched to how kids aren’t taught that any more and can’t read it.

“So we can write in code,”  I said.  “Anyways, with my handwriting, even some people who can read cursive can’t read it.”

One of the ladies said her handwriting was terrible too, and we all had a laugh about writing in code.  When I left, they said to let them know when my book was published.  I admitted I was only writing a letter (why am I not writing a book?).  They suggested a book comprised of conversations overheard, and I said they may have something there.  At least it would give me a good excuse to go out for meals or drinks more often!

PK’s Pub is located at 221 King St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-3494.

 

3 Comments

Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

What Kind of a Wednesday?

Posted on February 13, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I waited till quite late in the day on Wednesday to make a blog post and I am wondering if I should go for a Wuss-Out Wednesday, a Way-Back Wednesday, or a Mid-Week Monsters post.  Regular readers (if I still have any) are probably betting on the Mid-Week Monsters.  I do love my creepy crawly friends.

Aren’t they fun?

Here is a multi-purpose picture.  It is Monsters, obviously, and it is Way-back, since it is from October 2016, AND it is a shout-out to a local business, because it was taken at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit, NY,one of my favorite places.   I mean Pumpkin Junction, not Sauquoit although I am sure Sauquoit is a perfectly nice locality, although my computer seems to think it is not a word.  However, my quarrels with autocorrect are well known and we will not revisit them at this time (good God, is “autocorrect” usually underlined?  Why do I not remember these things?)

I’m thinking that fellow does more coffee than treats at the So Sweet.

Here is another picture from 2016 from another local business.  The So Sweet Candy Shoppe has moved to Clinton from Utica, but they still offer a delightful variety of treats.  I just don’t imagine the skeleton is there now as their Valentine’s Day decorations are probably up.  Still, I thought he fit in with the post.

I am in general not a fan of multi-tasking, preferring to concentrate on one thing at a time in hopes of doing it right (not always likely when I am involved), but I have included monsters, pictures from the past, shout-outs to two local businesses, and I have even wussed out to a certain extent.  I think this blog post has done more than its fair share of work.  If it has entertained anybody as well, I am more than content with my efforts.]

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, Mid-Week Monsters, personal, Way Back Wednesday, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I’m In The Play!

Posted on February 12, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had meant to make a Pre-Rehearsal Post, then thought maybe a Post-Rehearsal Post would be better, because I could take a picture of said rehearsal.  Of course I neglected to do so.  Never mind, I’ll just bill it as a Tired Tuesday post and drive on.

I hope at least some of my readers will be interested to find out that I got a part in Prescriptiom: Murder, the play I auditioned for at Ilion Little Theatre last week (perhaps you read my blog post about it).  I was very excited to be offered the part I wanted:  the wife that gets murdered!  I have two scenes, then I can spend the rest of the play in the dressing room crocheting.  I had a similar experience in And Then There Were None, back in 2011, before my blogging days.

A scene from auditions.

Here are two actors that are also in the cast, reading for two different parts from the ones they got, but I wanted to throw in a picture to pep things up.  I’m tired, remember?

The read-through went pretty well.  I am looking forward to working with the other actors, some of whom I have worked with before, some I have not.  It is one woman’s first play ever!  I will certainly do more blog posts about the play, eventually turning this blog into All Prescription: Murder All The Time.  Of course I hope you will stay tuned.

 

2 Comments

Posted in community theatre, humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Blow it at Blogging and Shoveling

Posted on February 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again I went the weekend without making any blog posts.  Alas!  I did some writing of post cards and letters both Saturday and Sunday.  I sometimes wonder if that is not my real writing mission, because people seem to enjoy hearing from me, despite my often atrocious handwriting.  I feel any small comfort or pleasure we can give another person is worth the effort.

Different neighbor, same favor, greatly appreciated!

Speaking of giving to others, I have the best neighbors.  Yesterday I woke up to more snow than I have seen at once this winter.  I have been pushing off the top fluffy layer as it falls, so out I went, feeling I would be up to the task.  I may have been, but a fellow across the street was snowblowing his mother’s driveway, and he came over and did mine!  The above picture is from last year, when a different neighbor came to my rescue, because I did not take a picture yesterday.  People are wonderful!

My Chromebook is underlining “snowblowing,” which I find odd, because what else would you call it?  However, it reminds me of a question I had when I went to post on Facebook about my good fortune.  Should I say he snowblew?  Snowblowed?  Both are underlined.  I believe my Mom usually says, “Dad got out and snowblowed.”  A Facebook friend who is a college English professor posited, “Snowblought.”  Another completely sidestepped the issue with, “Provided snow removal.”  These are the things that occupy my mind.

I say there are worse things to dwell upon.  Earlier today I got to thinking about a character in a book who I suddenly felt so sorry for.  There are days when I just feel bad over every sad thing that ever happened.  It is not very productive.  So I will continue my snowblowing meditations (please tell me why my computer does not consider “snowblowing” a word, when “snowblow” is certainly a verb) (oh dear, my Chromebook just underlined “snowblow”).

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Before Dinner Lame

Posted on February 8, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

It looks like I have made it to another Lame Post Friday.  It only remains to be seen (does that sound like I am looking at a dead body?  Asking for a friend) whether or not I can finish the post ON Friday.  Friends are picking me up for dinner in less than an hour.  I usually do not take so long to make a blog post, especially a lame one such as I contemplate making this evening.

Watching for my friends?

This picture did not turn out as nicely as I had hoped.  It is my Elliott Ghoul and Godzilla looking out the window.  I caught sight of them as I came down the stairs one day and thought Godzilla looked so cute, I had to take a picture.  Full disclosure:  It is not actually Godzilla.  It is just some dinosaur that I think my late husband Steve or I won in a claw machine some time ago.  However, since I like to make him dance around while I sing the Blue Oyster Cult song that goes, “History shows again and again how nature points up the folly of me-en… Go, go, Godzilla!” I feel free to call him Godzilla.

A cool guy pouring good booze.

And here is a unused photo from a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY, of which I have a few.  I really meant to write about this one, because it was stuff from a New York State distillery.  Perhaps I still can, but not today.  For one reason, I have to make sure I have time to get ready to go and watch for my friends.  I really can’t count on Elliott and Godzilla to let me know when they are here.

However, I see I am approaching 300 words, which is very nice for a Lame Post Friday post.  If only I could think of a clever headline, my life would be perfect!

Oh well, I guess nothing is perfect.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in blogger's sad day, historic site, humor, Lame Post Friday, Mid-Week Monsters, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →