Tag Archives: coffee

Late Slacker Saturday, but Shout-Out for the Cats!

Posted on March 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

This will be a late Slacker Saturday post and no promises about a Sunday blog post.  I am on my second cup of coffee, which should help matters, but as the late great Fats Waller said, One never knows, do one?

Drink coffee, write. Only two of my goals for today.

I thought I would throw in a coffee cup as an illustration.  I purchased this one at Athenix Books and Brews, just to throw in another shout-out to one of my favorite local businesses.  I got the ghostie pen holder there too (should it be “ghosty” or “ghostie”?  My computer thinks both are wrong.  I suppose I could say “ghostly,” but I think my little guy is too cute for that) (But I digress).

Yesterday I did a few things and reminded myself to make a blog post, even if it was a Slacker Saturday post.  Alas, I did not get to it.  I wrote my weekly post cards and walked them to the post office (that makes it sound like they walked along with me, perhaps on little post card leashes) (why did auto-correct capitalize “Little”?).  A little later (left it lowercase that time) I went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor (another shout-out!), then brought an afghan to Mohawk American Legion, where I donated it to the HALO Lucky Paws Auction for Sunday (today!).

HALO (and here we come to the real shout-out of the post) is the Helping Animals Live Organization.  This is the 17th Lucky Paws Auction.  I have attended many in years past and won great stuff.  They get tons of great donations: baskets for any interest, gift cards from area businesses, and an afghan from me!  It takes place today, Sunday March 8 at the Mohawk American Legion, 45 West Main St., Mohawk, NY, with viewing beginning at 11 a.m. and drawings beginning at 2 p.m.  If any local readers read this in time, I encourage you to attend!

 

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Another Coffee Adventure!

Posted on February 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of this title yesterday, as I was writing my blog post, because I remembered that Athenix Books and Brews in Little Falls, NY, was opening the Brews component on Feb. 26.  I needed to get there soon and make a blog post about it!  I drank tea for my first cuppa at home this morning, then after completing a couple of other chores and errands, I headed to Little Falls.

Lots of choices!

I opted for a regular dark roast coffee with whole milk.  I couldn’t resist also getting an Oreo brownie.  I sat at a tall table wrote a few more lines on my murder mystery (preview of coming attractions)  while I enjoyed my treat.  As I sat there I noticed that it looked as if there were letters on the wood floor.  I could not make out what they were supposed to be until I got up and realized I had been looking at them upside down.  Normally I can read upside down, but I failed this morning.

It says Athenix!

I was very impressed with the craftsmanship.  The whole place looks wonderful to me.  Nick mentioned he had gotten a one star review that called the floors unfinished and not modern.  Another customer and I asserted that we love them.  They have character and add to the ambiance.

Cozy!

I sat at a tall table, but there are also some soft chairs and sofas to lounge on while you enjoy your beverage.  I plan to make this a regular stop.  I will sit at a table or one of the cushy chairs, sip my coffee or tea and write!

Athenix Books and Brews is located at 624 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY.  You can follow them on Facebook.

 

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I Get Adventurous with my Coffee

Posted on February 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

A lot of my Mohawk Valley Adventures involve food.  Well, I like to eat; I may have mentioned that my weight-loss goals are more like daydreams.  Never mind that.  It is also important to me to be sociable. I meet a group of my Elks friends every Thursday for breakfast at various area restaurants and diners.  This morning we went to the Java Shop in Herkimer.

At least you can read “Java.”

Oh dear, I knew I should have tried for a better picture.  In my defense, it was snowing this morning.  I have been to the Java Shop several times and am a great fan of their breakfast sandwiches.  I usually get regular coffee but decided to mix it up this morning with something cold and fancy.  I got a Delgano, which is whipped coffee with milk on the bottom.  SO silly of me not to get a picture of it!  I guess it is an excuse to return to the Java Shop soon.  I also got a breakfast sandwich with ham, egg and cheese on a roll.

Full breakfasts are also available. One friend got an omelet while another got eggs and toast.  The home fries looked delicious.  I noticed the shop does a booming take-out business, especially for the coffees.  There are a lot of options available, for coffee and for food. I greatly enjoyed my breakfast.  I only hope to remember to take more pictures the next time I am there.

The Java Shop by Cucino Berto is located at 402 Mohawk St., Herkimer NY, phone number 315-717-7724.

 

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Return to my New Favorite Bookstore

Posted on January 30, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I made it to Athenix Books and Brews yesterday, so I can make a real blog post today!  I am still anxiously awaiting the Brews part of the equation.  Nick, the owner, told me to watch his Facebook page, because the public will be invited to a tasting to decide which roast will be the Chosen Brew.  He said he sought out the best of the best: local, ethically sourced, etc.  That will certainly be worth another blog post.

Speaking of local…

I naturally asked where my sister’s books were.  I found Soulmates and Wednesday Wine Club by Diane E. Young on the Local Authors table.  I browsed the whole store, of course, and found another Fanny Flagg book as well as a self-help book I had previously gotten out of the library at a doctor’s recommendation:  Atomic Habits by James Clear.  I thought if I actually had my own copy of the book I might actually change some of my habits for the better.  No promises, of course.

Owner Nick Bennett designs and makes all his merch.

While there I got my free monthly t-shirt, because I am a member of The Keep.  I got a discount on the books too.

Other goodies for a future visit.

As I said, I browsed the entire store, including some lovely jewelry and tempting hats.  Shouldn’t everybody have a witch’s hat?  OK, I already have two or three, but there are different!  And I will never have enough earrings.

Athenix Books and Brews is located at 624 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY.  They are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.  And you should totally follow them on Facebook, because Nick is often posting something interesting about a specific book or progress he is making on the store.  Check it out!

 

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I Lollygagged About Making My Resolution

Posted on December 28, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Some people are making New Year’s Resolutions.  Others are loftily saying they refuse to have self-improvement dictated by a calendar; when they see something that needs fixing, they fix it.  Still others feel they are already perfect (you know who you are).  Of course, everybody must do what works for themselves.  Personally, I believe in making a New Year’s Resolution right around Thanksgiving.  Then you have a perfect excuse to overindulge during the subsequent holidays:  “I can eat these cookies; I’m going on a diet January 1st!”  Alas for me, I neglected to do so and had to overindulge with no excuse.

Random picture to denote passage of time while I get more coffee.

What could be more festive that Joan Crawford with an ax?  At least candy is seasonal.  For accuracy’s sake, I point out that I am nobody’s mommy.  I was Mama Q to the boys in my national guard unit, back in the early ’00s, but that was a long time ago.  But I digress.

I think New Year’s Resolutions can be a useful tool.  New year, new beginnings, new hopes.  They don’t always work, of course, but then nothing works all the time in every case. What a lot of pressure to put on a little bitty resolution, not to mention to our own psyches.   “I WILL improve my life, starting on this arbitrary date, and if I do not, I am clearly dirt!”  To me, that is not a helpful way to do it.  Then again, “I will NOT make a New Year’s Resolution, because they clearly do not work!  I will stay just the way I am, so there!”  Well, that is fine if you are one of those perfect people I mentioned earlier.  A friend once said she had some goals.  I like that.  Words matter, and to some of us, having a goal can seem much more attainable than a Resolution (the song about “A Resolution! On Independency!” from 1776  is playing in my head).

Some people have no perception.

I guess this has been a whole lot of half-baked philosophy, more worthy of Lame Post Friday.  Then again, many people find themselves confused about what day it is this time of year.  As regular readers know, I am no stranger to confusion.    I would like to just mention I have made this entire post with a whanging headache (autocorrect thought I meant “changing.”  I would like it to change!) (and autocorrect seems to think autocorrect is not a word, but does not change it) (again, I digress).  Thus I prove to myself that I can so make a blog post when I have a headache.  There goes another excuse!

My skull is screaming.

I close with a shot from The Screaming Skull, another beloved cheesy horror movie, with or without robot heads.  I see I am over 400 words.  Wow!  That must be some good coffee I made!

 

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Not a Pretty Post, but a Pre-Tea Post

Posted on December 20, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think I can do a Lame Post Friday post early Saturday morning.  It is just after six, and I haven’t had coffee yet.  Full disclosure:  I have been drinking tea rather than coffee most mornings in hopes of making my stomach happy, a forlorn effort at best.  Yesterday I had a nice time shopping at To Niche Their Own, a delightful little shop in Herkimer NY.  Alas, I neglected to take any pictures.  I must return and take a few in order to give them a proper shout-out.

The coffee I’m not having.

I throw in a picture to pep things up.  It took a bit of scrolling through my Media Library to find a coffee mug.  I must take a picture of one of the Christmas mugs I have been using lately.

Random picture to denote passage of time while I put on water for tea.

The thought of a hot beverage overcame me.  The above picture was taken a couple of summers ago, when Brookwood Market was still a thing. I forgot which vendor I got the flowers from, but the fingerless gloves are from Herkimer Handknits.  I can’t find a website or Facebook page for it, alas.  I also have a beautiful shawl I purchased from her.

But it’s so cute!

With little else to say, I share another photo.  This was taken at the sadly closed FarmHouse Restuarant, where I enjoyed many a delicious breakfast.  You can just barely see that it is a Christmas tablecloth in the background, so I am seasonal.

I guess this was another placeholder post, but what do you want on (OK, just after) Lame Post Friday?  Will I make a Saturday post on Saturday?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my weekend.

 

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No Blog November?

Posted on November 2, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in my gyrations to try for my first blog post in a week (and a day).  I have been in the midst of a deep dark depression (excessive misery) (AAAUUU!).

Now I pause because I don’t know how to spell OH.  Not everybody will get my tele-literary reference above, but there used to be a very silly show on Saturday nights called Hee-Haw!  They featured some very talented musicians, but I was there for the comedy, some of which was musical.  There was one recurring sketch with these old hillbillies lying around singing, “Gloom, despair, and agony on me!”  letting off a wail of despair at the end of each line.

If I was on one of my older devices, I could perhaps have found an appropriate illustration, but I have not figured out all the ins and outs of my Chromebook yet.  I am SO twentieth century!

Coffee always helps.

I am currently sipping coffee out of this mug.  It was Steve’s.

I’m sorry, I forgot where I was going with this blog post.  I guess I was just feeling kind of mortified that I have not posted in over a week and since I was taking a break to sip some coffee, I would try for a few words.  And I see I am over 200.  Score!

OK, my mini challenge to myself is to post every day in November.  Only a 30 day month, how hard can it be?  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Is It Halloween Yet?

Posted on August 23, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I thought surely I would be able to make a Lame Post Friday Post (I don’t mind it when I call myself Shirley). And here I am, Saturday morning, wondering why I didn’t.  Then again, sometimes “why?” is not a particularly helpful question to ask.  Far better to go ahead and just correct the error to the best of one’s abilities.  At least I have coffee.

A friendly face with a friendly beverage.

I just scrolled through my Media Library till I found a coffee mug.  I am not using this lovely mug today, a favorite of my late husband Steve’s, but I do not scruple to use it year round.  In fact it is almost time to start using Halloween mugs since for me the Halloween season begins immediately after Labor Day.

Speaking of Halloween, I need to start cleaning my house more thoroughly.  My sister Cheryl suggested I throw a Halloween party, as I have been known to do in the past.  That is, Steve and I threw them, but I feel sure I  am capable of hosting a party on my own.

Witchy would be happy to welcome folks to my house.

There are other reasons to get my house cleaned up and my act together. I will not list them here, although they may constitute some half-baked philosophy suitable for a Lame Post Friday post.  However, I see I am over 200 words.  I feel a Lame Post is best kept brief.  I shall strive for Some Sort of a Saturday post later.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Thirty-Three Minute Thursday

Posted on August 22, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I missed out on running a Two-Mile Tuesday and am not yet ready for a Three-Mile Thursday, but as I was running this morning, I realized a Thirty-Minute Thursday was within reach.  Then I decided to add another “Th” with three more minutes’ running, and felt I had a shot at a Running Commentary Blog Post.

If anybody has been paying much attention lately (I famously never do), I have not been blogging as regularly as I like to.  I like to be a daily blogger.  How I managed it before for long periods of time and keep falling short lately, I do not understand.  So it has been with my running.  I do not aim to run every day, but three to five times a week has often been doable.  Did I mention I missed a whole two weeks recently?  Oh well, these things happen.  All we can do is our best.  Or something like that.

I got a slow start this morning.  I had half a cup of coffee leftover from yesterday (waste not, want not) that I re-heated, then I made some more (I don’t have one of those fancy one-cup makers).  While it brewed, I scrolled Facebook.  A friend had posted a picture and said, “Do it anyways.”  Good advice. I commented, “OK, but I’m having more coffee first.”

Maybe it only seems steep to me.

There really isn’t much to say about the run itself.  It felt pretty good after a sluggish start.  I even ran faster at the end.  For one reason, I only wanted to go 33 minutes, not more.  I mean to start adding more spurts of faster running.  I think it’s called fartlek (teehee; I said, “fart”) or more boringly interval training.  Now, nobody needs to mansplain these to me or share helpful links. I am just going to run how I run and hope for the best.

 

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Ghoulish Memories on Monstrous Monday

Posted on July 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a problematic weekend, and the upcoming week doesn’t look much better.  And here I sit drinking hot coffee to make matters worse.

“Follow me! To the Graveyard!”

I quick threw in a picture to lighten things up. “Follow me!  To the Graveyard!” followed by an evil laugh is one of the things my Elliott Ghoul likes to say.  My late, dearly missed husband Steve and I picked up Elliott at a garage sale many years ago.  We used to put him in the attic November through September, then Steve used to at least turn him off when it wasn’t the season.  I leave him on year round, just for the sake of hearing a voice other than my own once in a while.

Where was I?  I just spent a ridiculous amount of time looking for a picture of Elliot Ghoul in my Media Library.  He stands in my dining room window, for the amusement of any passers-by who might notice.  He went off once behind me while I was on a video appointment with a VA doctor on the dining-room-table-top (long-time readers may remember it used to be a laptop).  The doctor asked what it was.

“Oh, that’s just my ghoul,” I was happy to explain.

And there’s my late sweetie-pie.

I add a picture of my late husband at a Halloween party, because it seems to fit the mood of today’s post.  I have 400 words of another post saved.  I started it yesterday, realized I did not know where I was going with it but knew it ought to go somewhere.  Will I finish it today?  Or ever?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my Monday.

 

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