Tag Archives: herkimer ny

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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Independence Day Run

Posted on July 4, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I noticed my Army t-shirt in a drawer yesterday, I made up my mind to have an Independence Day Run this morning.  I would wear the Army shirt and run up the hill to the Veterans Memorial at Herkimer College.  It was time to run up that hill again anyways, and it was the day to increase my run time to 44 minutes.  This was going to be great!

I was a little worried about how warm it was when I first got up.  We are having another muggy streak these days.  Oh well, what’s a little extra sweat compared to celebrating our country’s birthday?  I put on a wide headband in hopes of absorbing some of the sweat before it ran into my eyes and made a note to myself to look for some extra-absorbent, exercise-grade headbands for the future.

As I reached German Street, I met a lady taking a walk.  We exchanged good mornings.

“We gotta get out before the heat of the day,” I said.

“That’s what I’m doing,” she said. “It’s beautiful out!”

“Oh, it sure is!”

A short time later I was making a note to myself that I must run more hills.  I ran this one earlier this week (I don’t know when; remember that note to myself to go back to keeping a running journal?  I didn’t do it).  Today it felt as if I hadn’t run it in years!  Crap!  I was gasping for breath. But I persevered and at last I made it to the top.

It feels steeper when you’re on it, and it gets steeper after the curve.

And realized that it continued to slope upwards.  It is amazing to me how my body can detect the most subtle angles when running.  I took my mind off my troubles by continuing to ponder my plans for the Boilermaker Virtual 15K.  I hope to recruit a few friends to meet me along the way with water.  Once I figure out a route.  Various possibilities ran through my mind.

Soon I realized a slight problem.  It was taking a long time to get to the Memorial.  Would I be able to get back home in 44 minutes?  Should I run only for 44 minutes and let part of my cool-down walk take me the rest of the way home?  I would have water; I was carrying a 16 oz. bottle which I intended to refill at the spring.

At last I reached the Memorial!

It’s a lovely little area.

Going down Reservoir Road was a pleasure.  My body appreciates downslopes as much as it suffers on upslopes.  I finished my water shortly before I reached the spring.  A man was there filling a bunch of five gallon buckets, but he let me sneak in to refill my bottle.

One of my favorite spots in Herkimer!

He said he was getting water for his swimming pool.  “I’ve been drinking this water since I was nine years old!”

“I love it,”  I said.  “Thank you!”

I was getting closer to my goal but was further from home.  I ended up running 47 minutes. It is an increase of more than the recommended ten percent, but I think that will be OK.  Boilermaker,  here I come!

 

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Just a Little Local

Posted on July 3, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I saw on Facebook that Monday was Shop Small Day or the whole week was Shop Small Week or some such.  You know I never pay attention to these things.  In any case, for Mohawk Valley Girl, EVERY day is Shop Small Day.  Unfortunately,  I cannot shop every day, and I cannot always go small for what I need.  Well, we none of us can live up to our ideal (and if you are sitting there smirking because YOU always do, all I can say is that you probably need some better ideals) (you know who you are).

Where was I?  Ah yes, attempting to shop small.  One of the pages I follow encouraged us to share on Facebook pictures of our purchases.  I went to T&J’s Fruits and Vegetables in Herkimer earlier this week, but those vegetables are already cut up and in a salad.  Maybe I have one tomato left.

I’ll probably put it in an omelet or sammich tomorrow.

I also went to Valley Wine and Liquor,  also in Herkimer.  I am sipping a little wine as I type this.

Of course I use my Halloween glass year round! What did you expect?

To add a little more local, I got that awesome glass from Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit.

Today I drove to Little Falls, NY.  I had seen there was to be a new gift shop opening near The Cafe at Stone Mill.  I went to the Cafe first for a cup of coffee.  I cannot convey how much I have longed to sit in a cafe, sip coffee, and write.  I worked on a letter to my sister.

It is yummy coffee!

I thought about getting ice cream instead, since it was so hot out, but the lower calorie count won.  To tell myself it was not really ice cream but frozen yogurt would be mere quibbling.  Additionally, this is coffee by local roaster Joseph Putrello, and it is excellent coffee.

I already have one of those coffee mugs.

I did not purchase anything in the gift shop but intend to return.  After checking it out, I drove to Burke Park for the weekly Fresh Market.

It’s already on my calendar for next Thursday.

I spent more time at the market, and took more pictures. I hope to write more about it later.  In the meantime, I see I am approaching 400 words.  That seems good to me.  I hope to do more local shopping and buy more stuff soon.  And write blog posts about it.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Late Post, Good Run

Posted on July 2, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I begin my Thursday with  Running Commentary Post.  For one reason, I never posted on Wednesday, and this way there is an off chance I will make two blog posts today.  Additionally, I got back from my run less than an hour ago.  IT! COULD! WORK! (That was a quote of Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein)

I was ready to get up shortly after five.  Steven was still blissfully asleep, so it was a good day to start with a run.  When I looked out the window at the fog, my mind was made up.  I got ready quietly and off I went.

I have been running for several days in a row.  I really must go back to keeping a Running Journal so I can keep track of these things.  Yesterday I went for a long run up the hill to Herkimer College (previously known as HCCC), so I thought a shorter, easier run would be acceptable.

For most runs, I turn left out of my driveway and head toward German Street.  Today for something different, I turned right, going the way I go when I walk to the post office.  I went through Meyers Park, another familiar route for me.  When we first moved here and I started running again (after several sedentary years and gaining over 30 pounds), I made it a habit to always run through the park.  I went on really short runs in those days, but you have to start somewhere.

After the park, I headed toward Main Street.  I decided to keep going in roughly that direction till I had run for ten minutes then head home.  It would probably take me more than ten minutes to get home, what with following a different route, so that would be a good plan.

The plan worked fine.  I went on a couple of streets I don’t often go on (the village is too small for there to be many I’ve NEVER seen).  I admired several flower beds and envied a few screened porches.  I ran by my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.  I ran for 23 minutes.  To put that in perspective,  I ran 40 minutes yesterday,  33 the day before.

I still don’t have a plan for running my Virtual Boilermaker 15K,  but my training seems to be going  well.  I’m feeling pretty good about it.  Now to work on my writing!

 

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Shall We Blame My Attitude?

Posted on June 29, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have long maintained that it was useless to try to get anything done on a Sunday.  Once again, I have proven myself right.

Oh, I know all about self-fulfilling prophecies.  And please do not say, “Well, you never will with that attitude.”  For heaven’s sake, by that reasoning everybody can do anything they want if they only want it bad enough.  But let me not digress into these philosophical arguments with imaginary opponents.

I went for a long run this morning up a fairly challenging hill.  My first intent was to go for a slow, leisurely run, maybe even not very long, but I changed my mind as I went.  I told myself I could just run up the hill very slowly. Not that I ever at any time run very fast.

After a shower and breakfast, I made a tossed salad for the week.  I realized once again that my weight loss goals are more like daydreams, so once again I will renew my efforts at healthy eating.  Then I went to T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables for more tomatoes to make a macaroni salad,  which eventually I did.  More calories than the tossed salad, but so yummy and seasonal!

In the afternoon, I went with my friend Kim to the End Zone Pub and Grub.  We drank wine and I ordered the hamburger I had been craving for days.  I had French fries too, especially since Kim wanted to share those.  What was I saying about weight loss daydreams?  Oh well, as they say, tomorrow is another day.

Speaking of daydreams, you may have noticed that at no time did I mention writing.  I tried but failed.  I wrote a few paragraphs in the TV Journal and that was it.  But I mean to persevere.  At least I have managed a 300 word blog post.  An entertaining blog post?  Let’s not ask for miracles, not with my attitude.

 

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Scattered Non-Sequitur Thursday?

Posted on June 26, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Is it Thursday?  I got a few unexpected days off from work so am a little confused (cue unkind remarks about how this is not unusual). No matter.  Since Scattered Thursday is not a thing and Non-Sequitur Thursday is, we’ll go with that.

I went for a run this morning.  Virtual Boilermaker 15K, here I come!  A little later I went to AW Greenhouse and Garden in Little Falls, because I saw on Facebook they were having a sale.  I picked out a hanging plant and a couple four-packs of annuals.  I also grabbed a hunk of Garlic Cheddar Adirondack Cheese.  Yum!

Aren’t they beautiful?

I picked it for the cascading purple,  then noticed the other colors.  Lovely!  I will share pictures of the other plants when I get them, you know, planted.

Later this afternoon I went to the Hot Spot Salon and Spa in Herkimer for a pedicure.  Yes, I am quite incapable of painting my own toenails.  I think we have gone over this before.

I’ll be spending the next few days admiring my toes.

My husband, Steven, and I spent a nice amount of time in our deck.  We admired the weather and my container garden as well as my toenails.  And now I have managed at least 200 words of a blog post.  Phew!  Happy Thursday,  everyone!

 

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A Foolish Blog Post? My Foot!

Posted on June 25, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

We had a break in the weather and yet not a break in foolish blog posts.  Today is Wuss-out Wednesday and that’s all there is to it.

This is me relaxing.

This is the picture I tried and failed to get into yesterday’s post.  It is applicable to today, because I did spend some time lounging on the deck.  Perhaps this was not my exact view, but close enough.

I went for a run this morning.  I will soon be making more Running Commentary Posts, and talking about my plans to run the Virtual Boilermaker 15K in September.  As soon as I make some plans.  Regular readers may know that planning is not my strong suit.  In my defense,  very often when I make a plan, circumstances conspire against me and my plans come to naught.

My feet before running, just to add another illustration.

So this is turning into a kind of a feet-centered post.  I am thinking about my feet today, because I have a pedicure scheduled for tomorrow at my beloved Hot Spot Salon and Spa in Herkimer.  I hope to make a blog post about that.  I will be SO delighted to not have toe-colored toenails!  And, yes, I am quite incapable of painting my own toenails.  I have tried.

I hope to post something similar tomorrow!

Well, why not make a blog post about feet?  Most of us have two and pay little enough attention to them on a regular basis.  Tomorrow I may add a foot and make a post about my yard.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Back at the Bar!

Posted on June 18, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of my usual Wuss-out Wednesday Post, I thought I would talk more about Saturday’s visit to the End Zone Pub and Grub in Herkimer.  Regular readers may recall that I had just gotten my bald on and wanted to go out for a celebratory drink.  I contacted my friend Kim and made plans to meet.

I walked down to the End Zone.  No drinking and driving for me!  I walked in to see the bar stools spaced the recommended six feet apart.  I sat on one and ordered some wine.  I chatted up one of my favorite bartenders, Tino, and another patron while I waited for Kim.

Tino is behind the bar; I never got the other guy’s name.

When Kim got there, I moved a bar stool from beside the wall to a table that was opposite the bar.  This put Kim close enough for conversation but still socially distanced.

She had Moscato; I had Chardonnay.

We had a great time hanging out and talking.  I have missed going out!  Talking on the phone or via computer is not the same as in person socializing!

I also took a shot of Tino and Kim, for good measure.

End Zone Pub and Grub is located at  129 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-219-5796.  They are open from noon to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to midnight Sunday, and 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday.

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Blooms, Bald and Booze

Posted on June 17, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t know if anybody noticed that I did not post on Saturday or Sunday, but I totally had enough for a Scattered Saturday Post.  Perhaps I could do that now, instead of my usual Tired Tuesday.

I got up and went running.  Then I wrote a couple of postcards and called my parents.  It is nice to talk to Mom and Dad almost every day.  I did not talk long, however, since I wanted to get out early and get to Houle Flower Farm in Little Falls while they still had a lot of flowers for sale.  I did not need to purchase any; I was hoping to get some pictures to submit with my article for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.

I almost bought another bouquet.

After I got back home, I had my bald appointment at the Hot Spot Salon and Spa in Herkimer.  I blogged about that yesterday.  After I was bald, I met my friend Kim at the End Zone Pub and Grub, which had just re-opened the day before.

Of course we practiced social distancing.

The above picture is Kim.  After the End Zone we went to Asteroga Ale House, but I did not get any pictures.

It was a very fun Saturday, and I apologize for not blogging about it right away.  These things happen.  I hope you will all tune in again tomorrow for what may or may not be Wuss-out Wednesday.

 

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Where Is Nosferatu?

Posted on June 11, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I felt so happy when I realized I could make a Mid-Week Monsters Post today.  I am feeling so tired, and not for any good reason, but I do so love to be a daily blogger.  I also love monsters.

“Aaaaah! A monstrous mid-week!”

I open with my favorite,  Nosferatu.  I love this shot of him, because I think it looks like Canal Place in Little Falls.  Perhaps in reality it does not, but how awesome would that be if Count Orlock joined LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company?

Are we monsters? Or do we just play them on stage?

Here is a shot of the building I think Nosferatu is standing in front of.   It was taken at a rehearsal for The Tempest three years ago (yikes!  Has it really been that long?).  I’m the one in the middle, with the big hat.  I can’t remember who took the picture.

Hmmm, no. These windows are different.

This is not a monster, but I think it is quite possibly haunted.  It is the Lorraine Billings School in Herkimer, NY, a sadly derelict building.  I noticed it while searching my Media Library for more monsters.  I wondered if the windows were similar to those in picture number one.

“Hey, wasn’t this post supposed to be about me?”

Back to Nosferatu, and I do not believe I have any other pictures of such an arch.  Perhaps that could be a mission for me on a future walk:  to find a similar local setting for a future Monster Blog Post.  In the meantime,  I am over 250 words.  I call that OK, and I hope my readers were reasonably entertained.

 

 

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