Tag Archives: coffee

Love That Parking Lot Art!

Posted on October 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

The late blog posts continue as I share more Herkimer High School senior artwork in a Tired Tuesday post. Why am I so tired?  Operator Error as usual.  It is discouraging to feel I have only myself to blame, yet it is also empowering, because in that case I must also hold the means to correct my ills.  But this is half-baked philosophy more suited to Lame Post Friday.  Let us get on with today’s, uh, I mean yesterday’s blog post.

Hearts and stripes forever!

Now a patriotic tune is playing in my head.  You know, “hearts and stripes,” like “stars and stripes”?  I need more tea.  Maybe a cup of coffee.  My coffee supply is low, but perhaps I have enough for a cup.

Picture to denote passage of time while I put on coffee.

I scavenged and scraped (how’s that for alliteration?) the last of my coffee from the can and had enough for four (two) cups.  I do not think I mentioned that I have a new coffee maker.  I was tired of waiting a half hour or more for my morning or afternoon Java. I got a five-cup instead of a twelve-, and it is the cutest thing!  It will be less handy when I have people over, but how often does that happen?

And I just this minute realized I used a picture that features  “Dunkin'”, arguably better known for their coffee than donuts these days.  Don’t you just love it when Fate takes a hand for the better?

More stripes, and I’ve seen that blog before!

The space on the right looks busy, but intriguingly so.  I must get back and take individual pictures.  If I keep to my usual rule of three pics per post, this could last me till the snow flies!

 

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Caffeine Can’t Help Me Now

Posted on September 22, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, here it is, a post without any pictures. I forgot to take any, and Richfield Springs is too far to drive this morning to rectify the omission.  I mean, I could find other things to do in Richfield Springs and make another trip there, but I have to go to Rome for a VA appointment at 10 and wanted to make my blog post before then, blah blah, woof woof, oh, just get on with the post, Cindy.

Have some more coffee, me!

I put in a picture anyways.  In fact, I have had a couple cups of coffee, but I used up all the oomph in that caffeine writing my story about last night’s Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel.  Full disclosure:  I broke the mug pictured the other day by not paying attention when I thought I was setting it safely on the counter.  It was one of Steve’s favorites!  Only the handle broke, though, so I will glue it back together and display it on a shelf.

That was a distraction.  I was going to write about breakfast/lunch at Cassidy’s Diner at Richfield Springs, NY with my swimming group yesterday.  Some of us had breakfast, some had lunch.  It was quite delicious.  I think the best thing for me to do is to return to Cassidy’s, have another delicious meal, take pictures, and write a blog post exclusively about Cassidy’s.  I shall bill this as a Tired Tuesday post and scurry off to my VA appointment.  I wonder if I can get some advice on how to make the effects of caffeine last longer.

 

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A Pause in Writing to Blog

Posted on September 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s a late post week, I suppose, although it is not too late to turn things around.  Only I can’t look that far ahead.  It is early-ish Tuesday morning (these things depend a great deal on perspective), and I am taking a break from the story I am writing for the Daily Sentinel about last night’s Ilion Village Board meeting.  Sometimes these stories are an interesting challenge, because my editor does not want over 800 words.  I am at 793 right now, so that is OK, only I think my lead is a little, well, leaden.  So I hopped over here to chatter on for a bit and try to wake my brain up.  I am on my second cup of coffee, so that should help.

Where’s Juan Valdez when you need him?

As you may have guessed, this is a Monday Mental Meanderings.  I meandered so far away on Monday, I didn’t make my blog post till Tuesday.  In fact, I did little or nothing of note on Monday.  You’ll have that.  Will I improve things on Tuesday?  We shall see.

Oh, there’s a thought!

As I jumped back to my Media Library for another illustration, I saw this.  It was taken at Saturday Spreads in Frankfort, NY.  Check out the notebook, complete with purple pen!  That is what I must do today: Go someplace and write!  Yes, yes, I know, I ought to be able to stay right here and write.  Well, maybe that will work out this time.  I will try it both ways and report back.

In the meantime, I am over 250 words.  Score!  Back to my journalistic duties.

 

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Yet Another Stop at the Java Shop

Posted on September 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I got a late start this morning but stopped for an early lunch at the Java Shop.  I had thought to make it a late morning snack and get an Everything Bagel with cream cheese but decided to go lighter with a Caesar Wrap Sandwich with grilled chicken.  To drink I had an iced Dalgona with almond milk, which the lady at the counter told me was lighter than whole milk.  Then she told me the sandwich came with either chips or a cookie, and light when out the window. I chose an almond and white chocolate chip cookie.  She put it in a paper bag, so I could save it for later, which I did.

A favorite stop.

While I waited for my drink and food, I worked on a letter to a friend and looked at a screen on the wall that showed ads from local businesses.  Of course Mohawk Valley Girl loves to support local businesses.  I made plans to stop at a couple more between my lunch and my physical therapy appointment that afternoon.

The sandwich was delicious!  I ate both halves.  Normally I like to eat half and take half with me, but since I was on foot and planned additional stops, I thought it would travel better in my stomach than in a to-go container.

I show the flower box outside again, just for the sake of having another picture.

I greatly enjoyed my lunch, and the little frisson of virtue that comes with patronizing a local business.  Also, I did eat the cookie later in the day.  It was yummy.

The Java Shop is located at 404 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.

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Sour Stomach on Tired Tuesday

Posted on August 25, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I said I was going to keep making posts using pictures I took at Community Day at the Town of Herkimer Park on Saturday, but my phone is across the room charging, and I am too lazy to go across the room and try to add pictures to my Media Library.  Also I am a little sick to my stomach.  I am just too careless about what I eat and drink.  In my defense, coffee.

What my stomach sometimes feels like after coffee.

I’m afraid coffee is not solely responsible for my digestive woes. Regular readers know I enjoy a glass of wine.  Then there was last Friday, when I went into PK’s Pub, having just been talking about fish fries, and a fish sandwich was on Special… I am only human.  Oh dear, my stomach hurts just thinking about that fish sandwich.  But it sure was delicious.

What I would look like if I only ate things that did not disagree with me.

Sometimes the most innocent-sounding of foods will disagree with me, like a plate of scrambled eggs.  What’s that all about, body?  I guess this happens when you get old.  I keep saying, I can live with the wrinkles and the turkey neck, and I never minded the grey hair.  But the digestive issues are going to Do Me In.

And what’s this blog post all about, me whining about my stupid stomach?  Is this another symptom of getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

Never mind: I am over 200 words.  I shall bill this as a Tired Tuesday and drive on.  As always I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Another Stop at the Java Shop

Posted on August 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I treated myself to a late but excellent breakfast at the Java Shop in Herkimer, NY.  At least, it was late for me.  I had been up since 5:30 (not an unusual time of rising for me), finished my article about the Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel, and driven out to East Herkimer to take an appropriate picture.  This brought me to almost 9 a.m.  I decided to treat myself, put a little money into the local economy, and give myself something to blog about later.  This is how I multi-task.

I did not take this picture till I left.

I ordered the Drink of the Week, which was Raspberry Cheesecake.  I opted to have it as an iced coffee and, alas, forget what the other options were.  Fine reporter I am!  I had had two cups of regular coffee earlier, as I worked on my article but hoped the ice and extras would fool my stomach into thinking I had not had that much coffee after all.  Dylan, the young man getting my drink, opined that you cannot have too much coffee.  My brain and my soul agree, my stomach not so much.  I also got an Everything Bagel with cream cheese.

As I sat I worked on a letter to a friend, trying to remember if it was The Java Shop or Shoppe.  I always set the scene when I write a letter.  I checked the sign as I left, also taking the picture, which I have neglected to do the last few times I have been at the Java Shop.  My previous picture had some glare on it. I also noticed some outside seating.  Nice!

A place to sit another day.

The Java Shop is located at 402 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  They are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p. m.

 

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Another Good Breakfast

Posted on July 31, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I met my Elks friends for breakfast at Marr Logg Restaurant in Utica, NY.  We had eaten there before and liked it.  I liked that I knew exactly where it was, having driven by it many times back in my National Guard days.  OK, I didn’t know EXACTLY where it was.  I knew which street it was on and drove slowly till I found it once again.

Bonnie held my leftovers while I took the picture when we left.

I was the first to arrive and staked out a large table.  There was an even bigger table with a Reserved sign on in, but I knew that wasn’t for us.  We never reserve.  For one reason, we are never sure how many of us are going to arrive.  I sat down, got coffee and glanced at the menu.

“I’m happy to see you’re open on Sunday,” I told the waitress.  “I often feel like breakfast on a Sunday and can’t find a place that’s open.”

She encouraged me to come, and said if the parking lot looked full to come in anyways.  “Sometimes eight people are meeting, and they all drive their own cars, so it’s not as busy as it looks.”  I promised to remember.

I was happy to see some friends show up soon, and Bonnie was REALLY happy to see the waitress with the coffee.  So was I, quite frankly.  I had been up since before six and hadn’t had a cuppa.  Of course I was quite indecisive as to what to get.  Everything looked so good!  At last I settled on two eggs over medium, hash browns and Italian toast.  I ended up taking most of the hash browns home. When I saw the omelets others had ordered, I made plans to order one of those next time.  At one point I had to take a picture of the chef I had taken a picture of last time.

A very patriotic fellow.

I remember taking a picture of him the other time we had been there.  I wonder if  I can find it in my Media Library, because I believe he was dressed differently.

There he is!

I love when a restaurant or other business dresses something for the season!  I will certainly suggest returning to Marr Logg in the fall to see what attire the chef spots then.

Marr Logg Restaurant is located at 1130 Culver Ave., Utica, NY.  They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and for breakfast only on Sunday.

 

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Stop Typing, Me, and Start Writing!

Posted on July 25, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Late and Lame Post.  I neglected to make my Lame Post Friday blog post on Friday, and here I am prior to 7 a.m. (I slept in) on Saturday, listening to my coffee lazily brewing, and thinking it would be good for me, if for nobody else, to try to type in something (as Truman Capote famously said, “That’s not writing, that’s typing.”

My current state of mind.

I throw in a picture to pep things up, as I like to do at these times.  I did not want to take the time to search my Media Library for either a coffee cup nor my one picture of typewriters (note to self: get more pictures of typewriters), but this one caught my eye.  It is me as the alleged murder victim at the end of A Revolutionary Murder.  I was supposedly blown up by a cannon (“canonized” as one cast member put it), and we all thought it would be funny if I came out at the end looking like this.

Ah yes, books.

Scrolling down my Media Library I came across this picture of the Little Free Library on the walking trail at the Town of Herkimer Park.  I put a couple of books in the Little Free Library at Valley Wine and Liquor yesterday when I stopped by for a wine tasting (good wines, yum!).  This is to remind me that I have not yet written that novel, although I have made a few false starts.

I guess it’s time to get myself going.  At least I have made a blog post, lame as it is.  Will I write anything today?  Will I even type another blog post?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my weekend.

 

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Throwing a Little Wild

Posted on June 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another post from the couch.  It is a good day for a Throwback Thursday, I think.  I had a chance to go to breakfast with my Elks friends (the Breakfast Club, the son of one of the members calls it, I like that) but feared my leg would not cooperate.  I am in better spirits these last two days, because I managed to brew some coffee.  Two cups yesterday, and I am on my second cup today.  AAAhhhh!

Behind the coffee cup is my biggest fan.

I just scrolled all the way down and all the way back up my Media Library and could not find the picture of the coffee mug I am using.  I settled for Dyn’s Cider Mill, so I can plug an area business.  I just looked at their Facebook page and saw a post from July 2025 saying they would be closed for the upcoming year.  I wonder if that means they will be open sometime in 2026.  I can only hope.  And hope if they do open I can make my way over there.

I do not currently feel fresh as a daisy, alas.

I said this was going to be a Throwback Thursday, so I share this picture from June 2017 of my lovely front lawn daisies.  I missed the daisies and my peonies this year. Who knew the season for them would be so short?

A dignified group, yes?

This is a kind of guerrilla theatre group I was in in 2019, Mummers Along the Mohawk.  We performed at the Great American Irish Festival, the last year it was held in the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort, NY. What fun it was.

The house had no tenants.

This was in 2020, a barren year for activities, theatrical or otherwise.  But I see I took time to decorate my front yard.  Why did I not do that again? Note to self: decorate the front lawn.  After I get rid of the dead daisies and peonies.

I see I am over 300 words.  That’s pretty good.  Coffee, theatre, daisies… I could bill this as a Non-Sequitur Thursday, too.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Would Coffee Help?

Posted on June 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I am having a difficult time making my Lame Post Friday post.  I do not want to go on about my health woes, but I have some pain that comes and goes (mostly comes), and it keeps coming especially strong every time I sit down at my Chromebook to write.  Could it be psychosomatic?  I fear my post will be dull and boring so I am subconsciously trying to keep myself from making it?  It could be, but then, what am I subconsciously trying to prevent myself from doing the rest of the time?  Also, I am almost always afraid my posts will be dull and boring, yet I make them anyways.  Once again I say, what the hell, me?

At least she dies happy.

I add a silly picture to pep things up.  I personally have not had coffee or tea since Friday.  No wine, either (SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!!).  When I do finally have a cuppa, I expect to enjoy it.

Pretty!

I add the Luna Moth because it is beautiful.  I was happy to get a picture of it while I was supposed to be working.

Who, me?

While searching for a third picture, I found Candice DeLong of Deadly Women and other true crime shows.  Last night while I was clicking around RokuTV, I found Deadly Women and watched a couple of episodes.  It is a total re-enactment-fest, which I don’t particularly like, but I loves me some Candice DeLong.

Reading over this post before I hit Publish, I think it reads like I haven’t had coffee in a week.  Maybe I’ll try for a caffeinated post tomorrow.

 

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