Tag Archives: herkimer ny

Family, Food and Fun at Asteroga

Posted on May 9, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Wednesday night I walked down to Asteroga Ale House in Herkimer, NY, to meet some members of my family for dinner.  It was half price burger night. I got there a little early so sat at the bar and sipped a glass of wine while I waited. My sister Cheryl and my parents soon showed up, and we sat at a table.  We were joined by Cheryl’s daughter Kimi, Kimi’s boyfriend, Matt, and his daughter Athena.  We were a merry group, having a lot of laughs while we enjoyed our meal.

Kimi and Athena.

I had a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and red onion, well done.  Athena had the same but no tomato, and added waffle fries to hers.  Mine came with homemade chips and a pickle.  Athena is particularly partial to pickles, as am I.  Kimi opted for a Reuben and regular fries.

Athena and Matt.

I forget what kind of burger Matt got, but it had an onion ring on top.  Cheryl got the bacon-mushroom-Swiss burger.  That sounded yummy.  Mom got the same, and Dad got an Italian burger.

Mom and Dad.

I did not take any pictures of the food.  Quite frankly, I was too interested in eating it.  My dining companions graciously agreed to have their pictures taken for the blog.

Cheryl and Kimi.

I took half my burger and some of the chips home, for future enjoyment.  It started to rain when I walked home. I often say, I ain’t sugar; I won’t melt.  Lately, however, I begin to wonder:  would I melt like the Wicked Witch of the West?  At least this time I survived to make the blog post.

 

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Was That You, Steve?

Posted on May 2, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I really like the idea of Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, even if I make said post early Thursday morning with one ear tuned to the coffeemaker (come on, fella, bring me that magic elixir!).  I am seriously tired these days and not really sure why.  Could I be working too hard?  Doubtful, but my employer is welcome to think so.

Can you see it?

When I first looked at this photo in my phone, I wondered why I took a picture of part of my car and the street in the rain.  Then I looked at the solar lamp and remembered:  When my friend Kim and I were sitting on the front porch last Sunday, we saw a beautiful cardinal.  This time I had my phone handy and took a picture, three in fact.

He’s on the porch railing this time.

I think I am showing these in reverse order of when I took them.  I was unable to really zoom in, alas.  Still, I was happy to see him.  I love the legend that cardinals represent loved one who have passed (I suppose “gone over the rainbow bridge” is just for pets, although I like to think that Steven has been reunited with our beloved poochers).  I wonder if maybe the cardinal is not the loved one himself (or herself) but a messenger sent from the loved one.   That lets the cardinal be his own person as well, or I guess his own bird.  If you see what I mean.

In the middle of the railing on this one.

It was very comfortable sitting out on the porch Sunday, watching the rain fall and talking.  If the cardinal was sent by my late, dearly missed husband Steve, I am not surprised.  He loved to sit on the front porch, and if he could have joined us, no doubt he would.

 

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Run Before Murder

Posted on April 27, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Remember Saturday Running Commentary?  I would get up on a Saturday morning, go for a run, then write a blog post about it.  I have recently re-started running AGAIN, and I would like to do a Saturday Running Commentary post.  For one reason, if I do not make my blog post this morning, there is every chance I will not get to it later.  I do not want to break my streak!  Um, that is, my streak of blogging. I have never actually been streaking; sorry if that gave you an unfortunate mental image.

When I woke up this morning, I thought I would not run.  I must recruit my energies for Deadly Night Life, the murder mystery being presented at Salisbury Grange this afternoon.  However, after drinking some coffee and contemplating my day, I decided to go.  It could be a short run.  It will never be a fast run.  I could do this.

I thought I would run the way I walked to the Elk Lodge on Thursday.  It was an indirect route, amounting to about a half a mile.  Then I could keep going till it was a mile.  At least I would go a mile.  Maybe more.  Maybe 20 minutes.  No pressure.  Up to German Street and turn right.  I went as far as the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal, one of my favorite places to walk or run.

The spots are a little faded now.

I did not “Step, “March,” “Tiptoe,” etc. as advised by the printing at each painting.  I may do so if I ever walk the path with my great niece and nephew.  I continued to go through the County Office Building parking lot, so I could defy a couple of Do Not Enter signs.  Regular readers know how I love to do that.

Running past the Elks Lodge (which I cannot find a photo of in my Media Library, nor can I find a Do Not Enter sign), I saw a lady walking a cute dog.  I called good morning and asked if I could pet her dog.  The poocher was certainly eager to be petted.  The lady said it was a good reason to take a little break from a jog.

“It encourages me to keep going,” I told her.  We wished each other a nice day and moved on.  It is always a good run when I get to pet a dog.

I continued past my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners, going close to the 1834 Jail, so Chester Gilette could look out the window at me.

I thank whoever put him in the window!

I ended up running for 20 minutes.  I can’t tell you how much over a mile it was, because my Garmin is across the room from me, and I am recruiting my energies.  I have a murder mystery today, you know!

 

 

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Monday Mosey

Posted on April 23, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Earlier this evening, I sat here, logged in and looking at a blank “Add New Post” screen, with a mind equally as blank.  Finally I decided to go for a walk with my phone and take some pictures for a Pedestrian Post.  I did not have as many photo ops as I had hoped, but I did manage to get a few.

You can’t really see how lovely the green is.

 

It was a beautiful sunny evening.  Unfortunately, the sun was in a bad place for some of the pictures I would have liked to take.  Maybe I could have gotten some evocative back-lit silhouettes (holy crap, I spelled that right at the first try!), but I am not such an artsy photographer, especially with my cheap-ass phone.  I tried to capture a tree with the leaves just unfurling, with not much success.

I just now learned how to rotate a photo!

 

As I walked up Maple Grove, I saw a commemorative stone where a house used to be, till the flood of 2013.  I did not think it would be commemorating the house, which was not an historic structure.  I guess it marks the project of flood abatement.  Anyways, I took a picture.

My main purpose was to walk by the spring.  I was drinking out of a bottle of water that I wanted to finish and refill.  I am feeling rather dehydrated today.  Too much salty food, I suppose.

One of my favorite places to stop during a walk or run.

I continued my walk, trying to take a couple of different turns from previous walks I had mapped.  I like to post the map on Facebook and my friends say what they think it looks like.  Sometimes I make a psychological analysis or prediction based on what they see.  Analyses and predictions for entertainment purposes only, I hasten to add.

Things are more interesting when I go on longer walks and runs.

I went for a run this morning but did not map it.  I just re-started running on Sunday (after beginning again then stopping again etc).  I feel pretty well exercised for the day, I suppose.  And I have made a blog post of over 350 words.  I call that not bad for a Monday.

 

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But for Some, Coffee IS Happiness

Posted on April 19, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

On the brighter side, I have not made an early morning blog post in a while, have I?  As usual, I am too lazy to go back and check.  Yesterday was a true blogger’s sick day, made hideous by a migraine.  I left work and sought my bed only to find sleep elusive and pain pervasive.  Eventually it went away, leaving me a limp, fairly brainless rag.  Perfect conditions for a Non-Sequitur Thursday post made on Friday morning.  Ooh, that’s right, it is Friday.  We like Friday.

Actually not yet, but I am on my way there, I hope.

In fact, I have not yet had my first cup of coffee, but I think the maker is done making its noises.  Ah, yes that first hot sip…

Random picture for you to enjoy while I sip.

That picture caught my eye because of the yellow flower, but now I see it also includes one of the fingerless gloves I purchased from Herkimer Handknits last summer at Brookwood Market. (what, “fingerless” and “Brookwood” are not words?  My Chromebook underlined them in red.  Also “Herkimer Handknits.  What’s that all about?).  The picture was taken at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  So now I have given small shout-outs to three local businesses.  Brookwood Market has not opened yet for the summer, but Fratello’s is, of course, year round, and you can find Herkimer Handknits on Facebook.

Where was I?  Nowhere in particular, I suppose, but did I not say this was a Non-Sequitur Thursday post? And I am over 250 words.  Score!  Back to my hot beverage, and I hope you found this at least mildly entertaining.

I comfort myself with the thought.

Even coffee cannot make everyone happy.  It can be a difficult world, but I feel it is worth the effort.

 

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A Fine Start to the Weekend

Posted on April 13, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t always go to the tastings at Valley Wine and Liquors in Herkimer, NY, but I had to go yesterday, when they were sampling F%&*(ing Good Wine (they spell out the word on the bottle).  Who could resist?  I have also been inconsistent in making blog posts about the tastings I have attended.  However, in chatting with Dave, the pourer (is there a technical term for that person?  I think there is, but I do not know it), I mentioned my blog, and he seemed so impressed that I feel almost obligated to write this post.

He was very cool.

Alas, he had only one wine to sample, Pinot Grigio, but I liked that quite a bit.  Pinot Grigios tend to be  almost middle of the road to me, even semi-sweet at times.  This one was dry and tasty. I purchased a bottle, for future consumption with my sister who also likes dry wine.

Luckily for me, Dave was also pouring samples of Talk House canned cocktails.  Talk House is a bar on Long Island, actually more than a bar but also a venue for music and events.  A female entrepreneur wanted to bring the taste of Talk House to the world.  I remarked how canned cocktails are a wonderful thing for going to the beach, on picnics, etc.  Cans are safer than bottles, and the cocktails are already mixed.

I tried Blood Orange and Grapefruit Tequila, the latter earning my ultimate accolade of Yummy.  Although I am not big on vodka, I also tried Cranberry, Lime, and Hampton Mule Vodka.  Dave also mixed a little of the Lime with the Hampton Mule, because that is the way he likes it.  My favorite was the Hampton Mule, but it was not something I would crave.  I purchased a four-pack of the Grapefruit Tequila.  If it gets warm enough for porch sitting next week, I am all set (this weekend is predicted to be cold and rainy).

As I paid for my purchases, I chatted with the cashiers, saying how this was a fun way to start the weekend.  I like to try something new, but even more I enjoy chatting with the pourers, who are always friendly and often full of stories about the products they sell.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-867-5800.  They have tastings most Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

 

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This Blog Post Is Nothing to Howl About

Posted on April 6, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have the dreaded Type It In Backspace It Out Disease (or should that be the type-it-in-backspace-it-out disease?  Discuss amongst yourselves) (and my computer seems to think “amongst” is not a word.  Go figure).  Where was I?  Ah yes, Lame Post Friday.  Once again it is actually Friday as I make my Lame Post Friday post.  If I can keep from backspacing it out and saying to hell with it.

Ah-ooooooh!

I personally have not howled on a Friday in a long time.  A quiet glass of wine is more my speed these days.  I am currently enjoying one, by the way.

Wine. It isn’t just for Fridays any more.

I looked in my Media Library for a picture of me enjoying a glass of wine and found this one.  It was from a Sunday last summer.  My friend Kim and I had gone to Brookwood Market in Herkimer, NY, where I purchased fingerless gloves from Herkimer Handknits and we both purchased bouquets from another vendor whose name escapes me. We adjourned to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, where we put our bouquets in water and had some wine and food.  I will be happy when Broodwood Market opens again this year (preview of coming attractions).

A different drink.

I share this picture to remind myself to get to work polishing the script for our next murder mystery, Deadly Night Life,  to be presented at Salisbury Grange April 27 (another preview of coming attractions).  This is a shot from Shooting at the Grange, which we presented last April.

So I have rattled on for over 250 words.  Regular readers know I consider that respectable. Will I get to work on that murder mystery? Will I have more wine?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my evening.

 

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Look, Crocuses!

Posted on April 3, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

So no late but daily posts this week.  Once again I have no defense.  Today I am not sure I even have time to make a decent post.  However, I have a few pictures I took the other day of crocuses in my yard and I want to share them.  Perhaps I could just share the pictures and bill it as a Wordless Wednesday.  It is Wednesday, isn’t it?

Yay!

I had gotten a couple of blooms earlier in March, before that big snowstorm that made me eat my words about not shoveling again.  These are in a different spot and more crocuses in the same place than I have seen yet in my yard.  I put the bulbs down the first fall after we moved in in 2005.  My plan was to add bulbs every year and eventually have the yard covered.  Instead, I have only the original bulbs and what they have reproduced on their own recognizance.

Second verse, same as the first!

I took two shots, trying to get a different angle, but I am afraid they look remarkably similar.  Then I noticed a lone bloom elsewhere in the yard.

A brave bloom to give us hope.

Then I went out front to see if any had bloomed out there.  I was rewarded with another crocus.

Isn’t it beautiful?

The weather has gone cold again this week, although the nasty weather predicted for today seems to have passed at least Herkimer by.  Phew!  Can warm spring weather be far?  I hope not!  In any case, I am over 200 words and still have time to get ready for work.  Woohoo!  I’m a blogger again!  Perhaps not a daily blogger, but you can’t have everything.  At least I have crocuses!

 

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Too Tired to Post on Scattered Saturday!

Posted on March 31, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I broke my streak of days in a row posting by neglecting to post anything yesterday.  In my defense, I have no defense.  These things happen, and we must make the best of them.  I took a nice long walk yesterday, ending up at the End Zone pub in Herkimer, NY, one of my favorite watering holes.  I confess to enjoying a daytime libation on a Saturday.  Anyways, I wasn’t driving.  I did not take any pictures, but perhaps I have one in my Media Library.

Here’s one!

This, unfortunately, was not the bartender yesterday.  It is Tino, son of the owner and somebody I am always happy to see, though, so I felt free to share the picture again.  My friend Kim joined me at the End Zone.  After she enjoyed a glass of Moscato, we went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.  Ooh, I think I took a picture of the pourer on my phone.

She was nice!

Her name was Leigh, and she was pouring all sweet wines, so Kim was happy.  I personally prefer dry wines.  We were especially taken with some carrots she had as decorations. She laughed and said for things she had picked up at the dollar store, they had gotten more attention than the wines.

I must get to the dollar store, although I have far too many decorations in my house as it is.

After the wine tasting, we went to Heelpath Brewing in Frankfort, NY (was it a Freudian typo that I first put “Hellpath”?  My obsession with Halloween and horror!).  It was such a pretty, sunny day, I wanted to sit in a place with lots of windows to look out.

Cheers, Kim!

This is a picture from a different visit, but we sat in the same seats.  We had a very fun afternoon, and I am only sorry I did not write about it yesterday.  But I think you for tuning in today!

 

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Two Walks and a Library Visit

Posted on March 28, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl
Two Walks and a Library Visit

I did not make a blog post early this morning, because I went for a walk.  I brought my phone with me, in case I saw anything I could take a picture of, but, alas, no photo ops.  It was the first time I had walked since Saturday, though (today being Wednesday, although I wonder if this should count as my Tired Tuesday post), so I was glad I made a bit of an effort.  I took another walk this evening (afternoon?  Kind of a grey area) (the sky was grey, too).  This was a walk with a purpose, as I went to Basloe Library to print out my work-in-progress murder mystery, Deadly Night Life.

One of my favorite places.

As I walked down my street, I saw a male and female cardinal.  Steve and I had seen a cardinal couple a few times while sitting on our front porch.  I wondered if it was the same couple.  Steve always loved cardinals.  Whenever I would see one when I was out running, and I often did, I would tell him, and we would speculate about which departed loved one had paid us a visit.  Now I wonder if Steve is the one sending the cardinals to say hello.  It is a comforting thought, anyways.  Alas, I did not think to pull out my phone and get a picture.

The picture of the Basloe sign, by the way, is from my Media Library.  I do like to have some sort of illustration.  It was a pleasant visit to the library.  The kind ladies there helped me get my script printed out.  We chatted about the need to see physical pages for some editing chores.  I did not take the time to look for a book, unfortunately.  Then again, now I have a reason to return to the library soon.

 

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