Tag Archives: friends

Another Late Post, More Artwork

Posted on October 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was about to start this post, “I jumped out of bed all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” which would not have been entirely inappropriate since I also write fiction.  I pondered whether I had dragged, heaved, coaxed, or wallowed myself out of bed, eventually concluding that this was not really the point.  The point is: it is Tuesday morning and I am doing Monday’s blog post.  My late posting habit continues.  Quick, throw in a picture to pep things up!

I try a different perspective

I remembered after I took this one that I do not know how to turn a picture 90 degrees.  I lead with this one because I feel it is symbolic of how my life sometimes feels like it is turning sideways.  Does anybody remember the independent films Sideways with Paul Giamotti and Thomas Haden Church?  It was hilarious, and wine was prominently featured.  I should watch it again  to see if it could teach me any life lessons.

The classics hold up.

I segue from my messed up life back to the Herkimer High School seniors’ artwork.  I was a little surprised to see Snoopy, but I guess Peanuts has never really gone away.  Batman, of course, is continually being reinvented.

Peace, among other things.

It is very nice to see the Peace sign still prominently featured.  And I guess that is a good note to end on.  The real reason I dragged myself out of bed (picked a verb!) was to finish my article on the Herkimer Town Board for the Daily Sentinel.  Then I hope to meet friends for a late breakfast or early lunch (I was not clear on which) Pellettieri Joe’s in Utica (yes, I know, I could call it Brunch, but I feel that is something you have on a Sunday. I don’t really know about these things).  I guess I can call this a writing warm-up.  Thank you for participating.

 

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Community Theatre on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on September 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I worked box office at Ilion Little Theatre for the last performance of Blithe Spirit, the first production of the 2026-27 season.  I thought I would run into difficulties, since many people are purchasing their tickets online and things are being done through a Tablet.  Yes, I have had a Tablet of my own for some years now, but I am not especially adept at it.

I was at first inclined to say, “I can’t learn it! I won’t learn it! Give me something else to do!”  But then I got over myself and agreed to try, and realized we could help each other. It did not seem as complicated as I had feared.  Then I ended up selling concessions, because I was more able to stand up for longer periods of time than at least one of the other volunteers.  Isn’t that awesome for me?  I did not audition for the play, because I was on crutches at the time and did not know how soon I would be off them.  By the time of the play, I could stand up for unspecified lengths of time.

This is how I should feel.: Yay!

I did not get any pictures of today’s play, but here is a picture from Four Old Broads on the High Seas, the play I was in with Players of Utica in 2025.  The woman in the foreground had the part I would have liked had I auditioned for Blithe Spirit.  In fact, I feel pretty sure the director would not have given to part to me over her.  But if she had NOT auditioned, and I HAD…  well, we can What If all day long.

Another appropriate photo.

The fellow in the middle was in the play today too, playing quite a different part from what he played in the Four Old Broads production.

One more picture!

And here is the little chippy my husband killed me for in Prescription: Murder.  She was also in Blithe Spirit.  That is one of the things that is so fun about community theatre: you see the same actors in different parts, and they are your friends, so you get to hug them after curtain call.

 

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It’s All About Lame Old Me!

Posted on September 26, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh crap, I have not made my Lame Post Friday blog post yet and it is almost one in the afternoon.  What is wrong with me?  I guess I have been a little busy.  I kind of alternate between running around doing things and sitting in my house in a huge funk, saying, “I Can’t Even.”  And I tend to spend more time doing the latter.  We must do something about that.  I speak with the Royal We, because I suppose in this case, I must help myself.

Who could be un-helped by blingy Minnie Mouse ears?

Here is a picture of me, all ready to help myself.  Is this not the picture of a woman who, in fact, Can Even?  I think so.  I only wish my mind were not so blank of something to blog about.

Hold on to your hat!

 

How about we make this post all about me?  I am taking care of myself today by getting my yearly mammogram.  Full disclosure:  before I got a mammogram last year it had been some years before I had had one.  However, it has been a year and a day since my last one.  I was amused to note I am getting my boobs squished on Dolly Parton Day (9/25, or nine two five), although Dolly would rather be known for books than looks.  I think that makes this post also a PSA:  hey, ladies, get your yearly mammograms!

And later on, I may strut my stuff!

After my mammogram, I will look for something fun to do.  The picture above is a rehearsal for a play I was in last year, which was of course fun, but such activities are not available to me today.  I include the picture, because I think I look cute (or do I flatter myself?).

Cheers to ME!

Yes, this is what I am likely to do later, lush that I am.  A glass of Chardonnay with friends.  If I cannot find any friends to hang out with, my knitting needles and an episode of Dateline or Columbo will have to do.  Happy Friday, everyone!

 

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Breakfast at Bridge Street

Posted on March 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

This week my Elks friends and I went to the Bridge Street Diner in St. Johnsville, NY for breakfast.  I had never eaten there, although my late, dearly loved husband Steve and I used to drive through St. Johnsville frequently, when we went to visit his family.  I allowed get-lost time, which I did not need for once.  OK, I drove by the street at first, because I did not see it in time.  It was easy enough to backtrack.

Who doesn’t like a diner with a chicken on the window?

I was early, so when I went in I sat at the counter to enjoy a cup of coffee and some conversation with a guy that worked there.  Actually, I had thought to work on a letter to a friend, but the guy behind the counter was chatty, and I appreciate chatty people.

I purchased a raffle ticket to benefit Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter.  They are hoping to purchase a fancy trap which is good for catching particularly skittish animals.  The guy I was talking to told me a story about how they recently borrowed one for a runaway beagle and it was very effective.  They were raffling off two coolers of cheer.

Lots of booze! In high quality coolers!

I was happy to donate to such a good cause.  I said if I won one of the coolers, I would have to have a BIG party.

My friends soon showed up, and we had a delicious breakfast.  It was well worth the drive from Herkimer to St. Johnsville!

Bridge Street Diner is located at 10 Bridge St., St. Johnsville, NY, phone number 518-568-8018.

 

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Potato Pancakes for Breakfast at Boulevard

Posted on March 21, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

My group of friends that meets weekly for breakfast decided on Boulevard Diner in Whitesboro, NY this week.  I had been there once a long time ago, and I know it has a very good reputation, to I was happy to go there. I knew right where it was, too.  No problemo!

Of course, just because I know where it is does not mean I know how to get there.  In my defense, things  can get a little confusing in the greater Utica area.  It was 2011 when I stopped driving in that area on an almost daily basis.  Also, I have a terrible sense of direction in addition to not reliably knowing my right from my left (that’s a thing, you know, it’s not just me).

Cool clock.

My friends were already there when I found the place but had not ordered yet.  I had no idea what I wanted but found several tempting items on the menu.  I ordered last, which turned out to be a good thing.  Bonnie, who ordered just before me, got Potato Pancakes.  Potato Pancakes!  I didn’t see that, and I don’t remember ever seeing it on a breakfast menu.  I got that, too.  They were delicious.

Before we left, I had to try to win a duck out of the claw machine.  My late, dearly missed husband Steve was really into those machines, so I give them a try once in a while in his memory.  I put two quarters in, realized it needed a dollar, could not find two more quarters. I went back to the table where Michelle nicely gave me two quarters.  I won a duck!

I didn’t have a striped one!

I told Michelle the duck was half hers, but I took it home.  I think she was as pleased as I was that I won it.  Later that day I found I did so have two more quarters, so returned her investment.  Maybe the next time I win a duck in a machine, I will give it to Michelle.

The Boulevard Diner is located at 24 Roosevelt Dr., Whitesboro, NY.

 

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Short Shout-Out

Posted on March 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went to the Home Town Diner in Mohawk, NY, this morning, where I enjoyed breakfast with friends.  I was amused as I drove towards the diner when I saw a dog sticking his head out of the sunroof of a car.  I would have liked to get a picture of that, but I was driving.  I probably would not have been quick enough if I had been riding or walking anyways.  But it gave me a good laugh.   I paused on my way in to take a picture of the sign.

I went there for lunch once.

I got my favorite breakfast sandwich, this time on an English muffin with sausage, egg, and cheese.  I debated for a while between ham and sausage. I’m a little surprised at myself I did not compromise on bacon.  No matter.  There will be other breakfasts.

The omelets my friends got looked good, with different options for fillings.  I considered sausage gravy and biscuits but habit won.

I guess this has not been much of a blog post, but at least I can give a shout-out to a local business.  I wonder where else I can go in making my small contribution to the local economy.

Home Town Diner is located at 150 W. Main St., Mohawk, NY.

 

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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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Another Good Breakfast

Posted on February 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursdays I usually meet a few of my friends from the Elks Club for breakfast.  Looking back at the last couple of blog posts, I see I eat out a lot.  Well, one must eat after all, and why not put some money into the local economy as well?  So I was happy to drive to Little Falls to Ann Street Restaurant and Deli.

It looks like they still have their Christmas decorations outside.

The sign says, “Restaurant and Deli,” but their Facebook page is “Ann Street Deli,” and I usually hear it referred to as Ann Street Deli.  I add this purely for information’s sake. I remembered to take a picture before going in, so I would have an illustration for my blog post.  I have eaten at Ann Street many times, for breakfast or lunch.  It is a very popular spot, for good reason.

I had one of my favorites: a sandwich with egg, ham and cheese on a grilled hard roll.  One of my companions asked for mayonnaise on his sandwich (I forget which kind he got), and I said, “Oh yeah, put mayonnaise on my sandwich, too!”  I got into putting mayonnaise on my breakfast sandwiches in the army.  A friend who was from Alabama used to do it, and when I was in Georgia, the Waffle House automatically brought a packet of mayo with your sandwich.   I thought it was a southern thing.

Of course I had coffee and a glass of water.  And I enjoyed some good conversation.  Looking around, I saw that Ann Street is a gathering place as well as a restaurant.  There were a lot of groups of various sizes enjoying each other’s company as well as a good breakfast.

Ann Street Deli is located at Canal Place, Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-823-3290.

 

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Not a Competition on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on February 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been busy all morning thinking I was not getting anything done, then not getting anything done.  It is not easy being me, but it is mildly entertaining.  I pause in my inactivity for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  It is frigidly cold out today, as it was yesterday.  I ventured out yesterday and intend to do so again today, to go to the Elks Lodge for some fellowship and perhaps a glass of wine.  I will bundle up.

Look how chubby my cheeks are!

The coat I am wearing used to be Steve’s, although he rarely wore it.  He was more of a jacket guy.  One of our rummage sale finds, I think.  I do not remember where we got the hat, but it is one of those hood-like things that wreaks havoc on your hair-do.  Luckily, I rarely do my hair.  The scarf is one I made, using up several stray balls of yarn.

The reason I took the picture is that a friend posted a selfie on Facebook of him with a winter hat pulled all the way down over his face.  Then he put glasses on and took another picture.  It was very amusing, so I got inspired.  I posted the above selfie and told him to eat his heart out.  Then I said it was just kidding; it was not a competition.

I guess that little story is no reason for me to swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead.  Never mind.  It is a blog post.  I’m posting it.  Once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Good Breakfast!

Posted on November 21, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

This morning I had a good breakfast at the Home Town Diner in Mohawk, NY.  I was meeting some friends and had suggested the place.  We ate there once before and enjoyed it.

It’s a nice place.

I did not take any pictures; this is from when I ate there the first time, by myself.  I love to go out for breakfast.  My favorite thing to order is a breakfast sandwich, which I had this morning:  ham, egg and cheese on an English muffing, yes please!  A couple of my friends had omelets, which looked pretty good.  The hash browns looked tempting, too.  Maybe next time I will ask my friends if I can get a picture of them around the table.  In case any of my blog readers think I am making it up and I really don’t have any friends.

Also from a previous visit.

The last time I was at the Home Town Diner I had waffles with fruit, which was the special that morning.  Yum!  I did not see any breakfast specials on the board, but I know they often have good lunch specials.  Note to self:  go to the Home Town Diner for lunch.

We lingered over coffee, chatting.  It was a very pleasant morning.

The Home Town Diner is located at 150 West Main St., Mohawk, NY, phone number 315-927-4149.  You can follow them on Facebook to hear about their specials.

 

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