Tag Archives: coffee

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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Walk Before Work

Posted on May 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a walk first thing this morning and took a few pictures, thinking I could make a quick Pedestrian Post before tackling my Saturday.  A little rain was misting down, but I did not let that discourage me.  At first I did not see anything photo-worthy, but crossing the new bridge on German Street, I looked down at the water and said, “Hey.”

It was moving fast.

I realized I had never looked over that side of the bridge, because the old one was blocked off on that side.  I like all the stones.  I continued on German and crossed over to walk by the high school.  I was disappointed to see a couple “No Pets Allowed” signs.  What, if I get a dog, I can’t walk him or her by the high school?  Bummer!

I should have moved a little closer.

On the other side of the school, over the footbridge, is a path into the woods.  I have run or walked on that but feared today it would be too muddy.

I missed it when it was all flowers.

I took a picture of this tree recently.  I wonder if I could find it in my Media Library.

I found it!

I was all excited about the buds, although this is not the best picture of them.  Heck, I am nobody’s photographer, although I call myself a writer with at least some truth (or do I flatter myself?).

Alas, I was not close enough to smell them!

The last picture I took was of some lilacs.  I love lilacs!  I want to get some shoots from my sister Cheryl or my mother and plant some in my yard.  Perhaps it will happen this year.

In the meantime, I have a house to clean and donations to bring to the Elks Lodge for the Veterans.  Do you suppose it would be all right if I had another cup of coffee first?

 

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Once Again, I Hope to Break a Lame

Posted on March 29, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to further interrupt my bout of All Prescription: Murder All The Time for a Lame Post Friday post, but I fear it will be a Blogger’s Sick Day as well.  What a headache I am getting all of a sudden!  On the brighter side, it is more lightheadedness than pain.  Let us by all means count our blessings.  A nap did not help.  Perhaps some coffee?

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

I have only gone over my lines once so far today.  That does not seem like enough.  Oh dear.

Picture to denote passage of time while I look over my lines one more time.

I just looked over my lines again, but I am not sure it did me any good.  However, it seems the coffee is ready.  I did not put a picture to denote passage of time while I got a cup (I think it is funny when I do that, but perhaps I flatter myself).  The picture is me at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer at one of their tastings. The pourer often has to take a picture to show their boss that they are so pouring samples.  I always let them take mine, cheese-eating grin and all (only I don’t say cheese) (see what I did there?).

I just wore that skirt yesterday. The slippers are worn out.

The coffee is steadying my nerves as well as helping my headache.  Or perhaps it is getting the blog post done that helps.  However, I am still a bundle of nerves, seeing as tonight is opening night for Prescription: Murder, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre (ILT) (perhaps you read some of my blog posts about it).  I encourage myself with a rehearsal shot from one of my stage triumphs, The Busy Body, which ILT put on some years ago. You may think I am flattering myself by saying “stage triumph,” but everybody said I was very successful in the part.

In any case, I have rattled on for over 300 words.  I had better make sure I have done everything I need to do to get ready for tonight.  I’m sure it will be fun.

 

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Pre-Rehearsal Mental Meanderings

Posted on March 25, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I begin again as a daily blogger.  Today will be a Monday Mental Meanderings. For one reason, I am too old to do Middle-aged Musings.  It’s funny how fast you move from middle-aged to old.  Oh well, as my sister Diane says, Time is relative, not our relative.

It seems he has been there for some time.

I thought I should put a time-related picture just then but could not find any clocks in my Media Library.

AAAaaand then I just sat here with nothing to say.

That is as far as I got this morning.  It is now almost four in the afternoon and I have to start thinking about getting to a dress rehearsal for Prescription: Murder, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre.  Friday is opening night.  I think I need to study my lines some more.

I think this is my new favorite picture of myself.

That picture was to denote the passage of time while I heated up leftover coffee from this morning.  I read my lines out loud while it heated and then while I drank it.  I have not had as easy a time learning my lines as I usually do.  Do you suppose my brain is getting too old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!!

Now I have blathered on for over 200 words and must deem that all right for a Monday Mental Meanderings post.  I’m afraid for the next week this blog will be All Prescription: Murder All The Time.  Oh dear.  I’d better check again to see that I have all my stuff together (no, not my act!  Regular readers know I NEVER have my act together!).

 

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When In Doubt, Add Coffee

Posted on March 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

And now my headache is back.  I begin my Lame Post Friday Post with a whine.  It is too early yet for wine, which might help my headache but could also cause a worse one tomorrow.  Ah, the trials and tribulations.

Random picture to denote passage of time while I go put on coffee.

I had tea instead of coffee earlier this morning, which is usually fine.  I had a headache, which got worse after I ate breakfast and took some Migraine Relief (with the magic ingredient caffeine, as a boss of mine used to say).  After lying down for a while, my head felt better, so I went for a run.  I did not run yesterday due to a back ache (YES all I do at my age is feel pain in various parts of my body.  Either you know what I am talking about or you eventually will).

Where was I going with this?    What a dull, boring post!

 

The inspirational bumble bee.

I looked for a more exciting picture to pep up the post and found this from The Mustard Seed in Little Falls, NY, thus adding a shout-out to a local business.  The bumble bee is part of their logo, because of the story that aerodynamically speaking, the bumble bee should not be able to fly, but somehow does.  Thus, the owner of the Mustard Seed never lets anybody tell her what she can and can’t do but somehow does what she does.  I have not been to the Mustard Seed in a while, but it is a very fun place to shop.  There are several fine places to shop in Little Falls.  I must take a drive there soon.

Don’t I look like a little devil?

I close with the wine I mentioned in the first paragraph.  I was wearing that shirt and drinking white wine yesterday, but my hair does not look like that these days.  I started to grow it out when I knew I was going to audition for the play I’m in (perhaps you have read my blog posts about that).  It will probably not stay long.

However, this blog post has gotten a little long for a Lame Post Friday post, approaching 400 words.  And I think the coffee I put on earlier is done.  Can headache relief be far?  In any case, I thank you one again for tuning in and hope I have managed to be at least mildly entertaining.

 

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I Hop to the Java Shop

Posted on March 12, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went to the Java Shop a few times when it was on Main Street in Herkimer, NY and liked it but had not yet visited their new digs on Mohawk Street.  I finally corrected the omission yesterday.

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

I confess one reason I had not visited yet is that there is only street parking, and I am not good at finding a parking space.  Of course this was the case on Main Street too, but I find parking easier on Main Street than Mohawk.  I guess that’s just me.  Also, the Main Street location was easier walking distance from my house.  I can still walk to Mohawk Street, but it is farther and I have to cross Route 5.  I know, the trials and tribulations of being me.  Some of you are probably playing miniature violins or whistling, “It’s a Hard Knock Life” (you know who you are).

No gumballs in the gumball machine, but I like it.

I ordered an egg sandwich on an English muffin and after some debate decided on regular coffee.  I was going to get fancy and try a latte but decided against it at the last minute.

Plenty of seating.

I sat at a table and started a letter to a friend while I waited for my sandwich.  There is a section with couches, which would be nice to sit at if I was only having coffee.  I wanted to take a picture, but with the sun shining in through the windows, I was afraid it would not come out.

I enjoyed my breakfast very much.  The coffee was delicious, but I must return one day to try one of them there lattes.

The Java Shop by Cucina Berto is located at 402 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-717-7724.  You can find them on Facebook.

 

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Walking into the Weekend Once Again

Posted on March 8, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m pretty sure I’ve used that headline before, but perhaps my readers will forgive me.  If not, well that is a silly thing to hold a grudge over, isn’t it?  Oh I know, you’re not mad, only disappointed.  Now I’m getting silly.  I had coffee instead of tea this morning.

Do Not Enter into silliness? Say it ain’t so!

I have been getting out walking almost every day this week, so I thought a brief Pedestrian Post would keep me in the daily blogging habit for another day.  I actually took this picture some days ago.  I was on my way to the Herkimer Elks Lodge.  I joined recently and have met some very nice people.  I hope to participate in some of their projects.  If nothing else, it will make for some good blog posts.

Not as clear as I had hoped.

On another walk, I noticed some bird prints and paused to take a picture.  That extended my walk, because I dropped a glove and did not notice it till I was two or three blocks away and had to go back.

Some guys from the press conference.

Just to show you I have not only been taking walks and hanging out with the Elks, I share a picture from a press conference I covered for Sentinel Media Company.  Regular readers may recall I cover a couple of village and town board meetings for them.  I like to pretend I am an intrepid girl reporter from a 1930s or ’40s movie, although I am really none of the three.

I do not know what the rest of my weekend will bring, but I hope something blogworthy.  In the meantime, I approach 300 words and hope I have been at least mildly entertaining.  I wonder if there is any more coffee…

By the way, I fixed the headline.  It originally read, “Walking into the Weekend,” which I had indeed used before.

 

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Coffee and Cops, What’s Not to Like?

Posted on March 3, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

 “Cheese it, it’s the cops!”  is what I usually say when I see a police car, quoting numerous cartoons from my childhood.  However, I really have great respect for the police and often enjoy talking to them.  I had a great opportunity to do so last Friday when the Town of Frankfort police department hosted Coffee with a Cop at Stewarts.  I walked in and announced to the first cop I saw that I was there to have coffee with a cop. He handed me a gift card for a 12 oz. cups of coffee.

Coffee with a Cop aims to bring communities closer to their police departments, where they can learn about each other in a relaxed atmosphere.  The aim is to increase trust and cooperation between police and the people they serve.

They were very nice about posing for me.

 I asked how the officers enjoyed policing in Frankfort and received a very positive response.  Officer Louis Romano praised Frankfort as a close-knit community.  The department has a wide area to cover, as the Town of Frankfort took over policing for the Village as well as the Town of Frankfort as of Jan. 1, 2025.

Police officers cover the gamut of crime including domestic violence, burglary, and traffic offenses.  The force patrols approximately 100 miles of roads within the town.  Homelessness seems to be less of a problem in Frankfort than in surrounding villages, but the officers are equipped to deal with that as well.

The Chief of Police with a friend.

Several Frankfort residents stopped to talk to the policemen while I was there, sometimes to ask questions but more often just to shake their hands and thank them for their service.  Mayor Justin Smithson was present at the beginning of the event.  I was sorry I missed the Rock-n-Roll Mayor, but perhaps I will catch him at a future event.

Another photo op.

     The police officers were quick to hand gift cards to anyone who entered Stewarts, giving everybody a chance to have coffee with a cop.  Many of those present expressed the hope that this will become a regular event in Frankfort and in surrounding villages as well.

 

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The Real Dangers of VD

Posted on February 5, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I meant to blog about my snow adventure on Sunday when I wanted to attend a matinee performance of The Dangers of VD at Ilion Little Theatre.  I shall correct the omission now.

Spoiler alert! I did get to see the show!

I arrived early, in hopes of getting a cup of coffee before curtain;  I was in need of a stimulant. Also, I hoped for a chance to chat with some theatre friends I have not seen since December.  I love my theatre peeps!  My favorite parking spot, at the end of the little traffic circle underneath a tree was available.  I would be a little in the snow, but that would be OK..

No it wasn’t.  I got stuck very easily.  The two friends I was meeting, Kelly and Lisa, parked sensibly in the lot as I got out and surveyed the damage.  Kelly offered to push, but I suggested we go inside and see if more muscle was available.  Our friend Bob happily came out to help, assuring us this was more to his taste than working box office (I don’t blame him; of all theatre jobs, I hate working box office!)

Mere pushing did not help, but eventually we found a shovel.  Bob dug, we pushed, or rather they pushed; I was very little help.  For one reason I was wearing clogs.  I thought, house to car, car to theatre, let me wear comfy shoes!  Silly me!  Eventually another hefty young man helped push, and my little car was free. Yay!  Still time for my coffee!

I moved into the parking lot which turned out to be not as well-plowed as it could have been.  There was one space left.  There was a little snow, but surely it would be OK.  You can call my Shirley if you want, because I got stuck again!  Luckily Bob had not gone back into the theatre, so he dug and pushed again.  He was so nice about it!  I tried my cardboard under the tires trick, which had availed on Saturday, but all that happened was the spinning tires pulled the cardboard from back to front

Finally a nice young man came out of one of the houses across the street with some stuff to put under the tires.  Then a friend of his pulled up in a car and jumped out to help.  With the help of the three pushers, I was free!  I had the window down so they could tell me when to gas it, so I called out my profuse thanks as I carefully backed out of that benighted parking lot.  Part of me wanted to just drive home and cry, but I did want to see my friends in the show, so I drove around the block to park in the street.

Alas, there was no time for my coffee!  The director was giving the curtain speech as I walked in.  She politely inquired about my stuck car.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said, which got a laugh.  Kelly and Lisa had saved me a seat, which was good, because it was almost a full house.  I enjoyed the show very much; I sure needed the laughs!  And at intermission, I finally got my cup of coffee.

 

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