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Tag Archives: COVID

Lame for the Deadline?

Posted on March 12, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is Yet Another Late Lame Post Friday Post. It is almost another feature here at Mohawk Valley Girl. I am feeling sad this particular Saturday morning, because the winter storm the weather forecasters threatened seems to be materializing. It’s not that I do not enjoy a Saturday spent at home, I do. But I need to have some Mohawk Valley Adventures!

Regular readers may remember that I write for Mohawk Valley Living magazine. I got the gig because Sharry Whitney, one of the publishers, read my blog. Every month I try to come up with something, sometimes coming embarrassingly close to the last minute.

Last month I had nothing, due to being sick. I am kind of sort of recovered now but have yet to return to my adventuresome ways. What to do?

I do have one or two places I could write about, places I have been to prior to getting sick. But I always like to visit a place just prior to writing. Then again, perhaps that is just me wanting to go out to eat or shop.

It is easy to beat myself up for not planning ahead, but no amount of planning would have made me recover from COVID any quicker. Then again, a certain amount of planning might have helped me get my article written despite COVID. Perhaps I can plan to do better in the future.

In the meantime, I am over 200 words. I guess I’ll call this a post.

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And They Have a Dog!

Posted on February 13, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I began my Valentine’s Day weekend by shopping at a new place for a gift for my husband Steven: Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast in Herkimer, NY.

One does not usually think about a bed and breakfast as a shopping destination, but I saw on Facebook that Grand Colonial was opening their gift shop to the public on Friday and Saturday just for the occasion. I was naturally delighted to check it out, especially as they said they carried locally sourced items. Additionally, I am seeking a topic for an article for Mohawk Valley Living magazine. A local B&B might fit the bill.

The first thing I saw when I walked in the door was the nicest dog! I barely remembered to shut the door before I went over to let him. His name is Brick, and he loves people.

A rare still moment.

Linda Costanza and Michael Martin, two of the owners, could not have been nicer. When I told them I wanted to write about their place, they showed me around and answered all my questions. I took a lot of pictures. If I can’t write the article, I can definitely get another blog post or two out of it.

A lovely display.

I also accomplished my intention of purchasing a present for my husband.

I almost purchased something for myself as well.

They said they could offer testers of the Berkman 1802 products, but such things could not be left just out these days, due to COVID. Sadly, COVID has wrought havoc on their business. Problems continue as, for example, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown goes virtual for their annual inductions. Obviously, these kinds of precautions are necessary during a pandemic, but I feel we are justified in saying, this really sucks (pardon my French).

Just a few more choices.

I think it was pretty smart of the folks at Grand Colonial to use Valentine’s Day to call attention to themselves and bring in a little gift shop business. I asked if the shop was open to the public at other times. Linda said anybody interested could give them a call and they would be glad to open.

“Ooh, private shopping by appointment,” I said. That would actually be a perfect way to shop during COVID times.

For anybody who wants to stop in for Valentine’s Day, the Grand Colonial will be open tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located at 112 W. German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-982-5004. You can visit their website at https://grand-colonial.com/. You can also Like them on Facebook.

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Posted on January 26, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been sitting here, clicking back and forth from “Add new post,” thinking that I just cannot write another post about not being able to make a proper blog post. Which is silly, because of course I can; I do it all the time. Additionally, it is Monstrous Monday. Why shouldn’t I make another post of monster pictures and random remarks? Yet, I feel I should be making more posts about the Mohawk Valley.

A common complaint.

My lack of Mohawk Valley Adventures is really getting on my nerves. It is largely because of these COVID times. My beloved community theatres are dark. Some of my favorite local businesses are closing their doors, we hope temporarily. Community events are rare or virtual. Why am I going on about this? We all know it.

This was in The Emporium in Herkimer, taken during a past adventure.

The other reason for my lack of adventuring is that I went back to work. My body and brain really got used to sitting home. And, it just this minute occurs to me, I am NOT used to learning a new job. I was over nine years at by last job. No wonder I am so tired!

I’m buried in difficulties!

Or am I just making excuses?

I suppose I am. However, I have gotten up to 200 words, my rather arbitrary goal. I will look about me for more local topics for future posts. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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This Is Not Really a Post

Posted on January 7, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not want to miss making a post nor yet to make a late post tomorrow, but I am taking a bloggers sick day. I am feeling quite ill as I sit glued to my television watching what could quite possibly be the death of our democracy. Doesn’t that sound embarrassingly melodramatic? But I feel few would disagree.

My day did not start out so great, either. My new job is in a nursing home, and I arrived to find a number of residents tested positive for COVID. Additionally, we are understaffed due to COVID. I am not fully trained so wonder if my presence is helping or hindering. Still, I do my best to make a contribution. Of course we are all following strict protocols to stay safe and stop the spread.

I can’t do anything but stare at the television and feel awful.

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Lame Post New Year’s

Posted on January 2, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

We had a delightful New Year’s Eve with the result (but really, who knows where to place blame and what good does it do anyways?) that I had a wanging headache this morning. Once the headache passed, we had an enjoyable New Year’s Day. Now I must make my blog post. On the brighter side, holiday or not, it is Lame Post Friday.

I have been thinking about writing a post pondering the idea of New Year’s Resolutions. New Year’s Resolutions have fallen into disrepute. Some people proudly proclaim that THEY do NOT make New Year’s Resolutions. The more honest admit to setting self improvement goals when appropriate, in disregard to what the calendar may say. Others just let the statement stand, along with the implication that they are perfect, with no need for resolution to improvement.

The other day at work, a lady was asking about New Year’s Resolutions. She said she liked them, because she liked the idea of a new beginning. I, personally, like them, because it makes me feel that I can improve myself and my situation.

This year, I have heard the thought that we should let up on ourselves and not add the pressure of Resolutions to our current COVID anxiety. This is a chance, the thinking goes, to be gentle with ourselves.

How about this for a New Year’s Resolution: I resolve not to judge others for whether they do or do not make a New Year’s Resolution. I will even refrain from judging them for judging me, as they may, for my making and failing to keep mine.

And as others have said, may your Happy New Year outlast your New Year’s Resolutions.

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It’s Not COVID!

Posted on November 16, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Although that would make me relevant to current headlines, wouldn’t it? See, you can find an upside to anything. My upside right now is, it is just a cold, it will be over soon. My downside is, this will be another not very good blog post. But as regular readers know, I like to post every day, so let’s see what I can come up with.

I haven’t reached mine yet, but stay tuned.

I have been spending most of the weekend watching Snapped on Oxygen. Today is the Greed Marathon. Earlier this week was the Ex-Best Friends Marathon. They probably had a different marathon every day, because they were working up to some landmark episode, but alas, I did not make a note of them.

“You’re sick? Get back!”

 

I have long bought into the mentality that when you’re sick, you have to just keep going as best you can.  Of course, there have been times when I said, no, dammit, I need to take a day to nurse myself!  But I never thought too much about keeping my germs to myself.  In my defense, my bosses were not too worried about it either.  “Get yourself in here! You have to work!”  is what a distressing number of them said.

But the times they are a-changing, as the song goes.  I feel sick?  I am doing the right thing to stay home alone and watch Snapped!  However, as my headline says, it is not COVID.  I took my temperature, and I don’t have most of the symptoms. This is good news for me.  I should feel fine in another day or so.  Then I will be out of the house,  on job seeking and bloggable adventures!   As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Maybe Not Balanced, But a Good Lunch

Posted on July 9, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven and I just had a delightful lunch with our friends, Phyllis and Jim.  Was wine involved?  Could be!

A truly delightful couple.

We met at Applebee’s in Herkimer, NY.  In general, Mohawk Valley Girl prefers to stick to locally owned businesses.  On the other hand, local people work at Applebee’s.  Why should I not support them?  Oh well, right or wrong thing to do, we met at Applebee’s.

Jim in a mask.

Naturally we wore masks on our way to the table.  I was intrigued by Phyllis and Jim’s masks.  They told me they  were their granddaughters’  artwork and had come from a website called artsonia.com.  I do not put it in as a link, because I have not yet checked it out myself.  That may have something to do with the second or third glass of Cabernet Sauvopignon, but let us not worry about such things now.

Applebee’ s was concerned with social distancing, with some booths blocked off.  This is always good to see.

We did not sit there,.

We talked about the problems of businesses reopening.  Were our facemasks enough to stop the spread of COVID-19?  We can only so the best we can do.  Phyllis observed that if we cannot have time with the people we love, we do not have anything.  I had to agree.

Other bloggers can make these mirror selfies work! Me, not so much.

When we got back home it was still pretty warm.  I put on a shirt Jim had given me.  I felt the snowman motif was appropriate for our current situation.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable lunch.  I agree with Phyllis: we need time with those we love most!  Let us strive to maintain a balance from our own mental health and the physical health of all!

 

 

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A Gem of a Store

Posted on July 6, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I noticed on Facebook that The Rose Quartz Stand was open from eleven to three.  I had been meaning to stop down there since retail started to re-open, so I decided to celebrate my Fourth of July by helping support a local business.

Lots of merchandise in a relatively small space.

The Rose Quartz Stand is a gem and mineral shop.  They have a lovely little retail space on Main Street in Herkimer,  but they do most of their business at shows and festivals.  Unfortunately, these have all been cancelled due to COVID.  I thought I would do what I could, with a purchase and a blog post.  Additionally, I love the little stone animals you can buy there!

As I browsed the aisles, I chatted with the owner.  He admitted they were taking a hit with all the cancellations but agreed that people’s health (including his own!) was more important.  We both kept our masks on and kept our distance.

I could look at them all day!

I love looking at all the different stones.  Some are supposed to have certain qualities, but I am not very knowledgeable about these things.  I admired some beautiful Herkimer Diamonds.   I could seriously consider taking up jewelry making, just to use such fabulous raw materials.

There are even more skulls and animals than these.

I hesitated over some skulls but eventually purchased a small animal (full disclosure: I don’t know what it is) (hell, I’m no zoologist), a frog for Steven, and a plastic dinosaur just because.

Aren’t they nice?

The Rose Quartz Stand is located at   105 South Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-868-5199.  They are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  For more information,  you can visit their website,  www.therosequartzstand.com.  You can also Like them on Facebook.  I did!

 

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