Tag Archives: Mohawk Valley adventures

NoBLOG Oblige

Posted on August 31, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

That second word is pronounced Oh-bleezh.  You know, like Noblesse Oblige.  The title was suggested to me some years ago by one of my more intellectual friends.  I am finally getting around to using it.  I see that I last posted on Tuesday.  That is not as bad as I thought it was; I thought I had gone a whole week.  Still, four days without posting after a six-day streak (as counted by WordPress; I have no idea how it would go by my calendar) is not good for a would-be daily blogger.

No BLOB Oblige?

I throw in a picture to pep things up.  I have mostly been sitting around like a blob.  I wake up every morning determined to change. As the day wears on, I find I am still the same stinker.  I try to do a few things here and there, though, so maybe I can make a little progress.  Oh dear, have I written the same blog post before?  I fear so, numerous times.

He was the best adventure partner.

Here is a picture from October 2016, when I figured out how to add pictures to my blog.  That is my late, dearly missed husband Steven at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit.  I feel an October picture is appropriate, because today feels SO fall-like, right down to my allergies making me miserable.  Yet there is comfort in allergy misery, because I love fall.

Janus Daisy?

Looking for a third picture to round things out, this two-headed daisy caught my eye.  I look ahead and I look back.  Today I will strive to look ahead and move on with things, particularly moving on to making more substantial blog posts.

 

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Love That DikinDurt!

Posted on August 17, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I used to make it to all the tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  It was a great way to start and to continue the weekend.  These days I am not so consistent, but when a great local producer like DikinDurt Distillery is tasting, I am there!

I arrived early and stood chatting with the guys behind the counter, hastening to get out of the way when I noticed someone wanted to make a purchase.  This is my problem with living alone:  I go all day with only myself to talk to.  This is not easy for an incurably social person such as myself.  I went on to some good conversation with Kayla, who was pouring.

She was really nice.

For hard liquor they are allowed to give you three regular tastes or six itty bitty tastes.  I went for three regular tastes, starting with the bourbon.  I have never been fond of bourbon, but lately at tastings, I have found a few I liked.  I really liked the DikinDurt stuff.  I suppose my tastes are changing in my old age.  That should keep things interesting.  I went on  to the Toasted Maple Moonshine, which I have previously liked quite a bit.  This time it tasted sweet to me.  Kayla pointed out that it doesn’t taste so sweet after the berry-infused flavors.  Quite true, of course.

I ended with Mohawk Valley Fire, and my tasting note is, “Oh yeah!”  I am constantly recommending this to people drinking Fireball.  Kayla recommended mixing it with apple cider and a splash of apple juice for an Apple Pie drink.  I know some people who would love something like that.  For myself, I will probably use it to flavor some iced coffee one afternoon.  I love a glass of iced coffee on a summer afternoon!

Kayla also suggested I visit DikinDurt’s tasting room in Newport, which is open Fridays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 9 p.m..  I have been meaning to do this, especially as there are a few other places in Newport that are worth a stop.  I just do so little adventuring on my own these days.  Perhaps it is time to change that.

 

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I Do Do a Blog Post

Posted on August 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, this is embarrassing.  I last posted on Sunday, and today is Thursday.  I just didn’t do it.  The opposite of Nike’s famous slogan?  Never mind.  The point is, I felt I couldn’t just quietly start over again with a normal post but wanted to post a kind of I’m sorry for being such a schlub then try to follow up later today with a “real” post.

The winter of my discontent?

I’m calling this a Non-Sequitur Thursday so looked in my Media Library for an unrelated photo.  My deck sure doesn’t look like this these days.  For one reason, it is covered with junk, most of which actually could belong there if I cleaned it up and arranged it in a pleasing fashion.  And of course there is no snow; I suppose if I did not mention that somebody would chime in in a didactic fashion pointing it out (you know who you are).   Will this post be a lament of Things Not Done This Summer?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

“After all, somebody has to clap as I walk by.”

Just to remind myself I did so do stuff this summer, I share one of my favorite rehearsal shots from Four Old Broads on the High Seas, the play I was in at Players of Utica (perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it).  The fact is, we never do all that we plan or want to.  The point is to enjoy what we do do (teehee: I said doodoo).

And another picture of me!

I know: the picture of plastic poo would have been a good one to share at this point, but I did not feel like searching for it.  Instead I share this fun picture of me before the Pride Stride 5K in Little Falls in June.  I later gave the skirt and wings to my great-niece Evie.  They didn’t really fit me, although I stretched a point for the sake of being a well-dressed runner (see what I did there).

Ooh, look at me, over 300 words.  I have got my blogging mojo back!  All I need is a headline and I am on my way!  That is, my way to more Mohawk Valley Adventures to blog about.  And maybe to clean off my deck.

 

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I Did the DooDah

Posted on July 22, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a real Mohawk Valley Adventure Friday when I attended the Ilion DooDah Parade.  The Parade is a major event of Ilion Days, which ran from July 12 through 20 this year.  I was there to cover the event for Sentinel Media (regular readers may remember that is my part-time writing gig), but I ended up riding on a float, so I participated as well.  I took a number of good pictures, so I may have more than one DooDah post.

Cool car, nice fellow!

This was the Grand Marshall of the parade, Yasushi Takase. He was an American Field Service (AFS) exchange student his senior year in Ilion in 1975, and returned for the 50th reunion.   I got his picture after the parade, so it was good I rode on a float till the end.

The view from the front.

You can’t read it very well, but it is the post number from the Herkimer American Legion. I boldly asked if I could ride with them, and they graciously allowed me.

Other Legions were represented as well.

It was the Ilion Legion, however, who gave me a bottle of water, which I sorely needed by then. I had been walking up and down in the hot sun, taking pictures, and talking to people who were lining up for the parade.

I didn’t think the Baby Boomers had ever left.

I wondered if I should have asked to ride with this group, since I am technically a boomer.  Really the tail-end of boomerdom.  I guess I fit in better with the Legion, being as I am a Veteran.

The most colorful group!

What I really should be is a Happy Hagg! I once asked if I could join them, and they were very welcoming.  I just need to learn the dance, figure out a costume, and go to some of their practices.

Look how cute they are!

This was our view off the back of the Legion float (it was a trailer with chairs on it, really).  I’d like to have one of those sunflower hats.

I am afraid this has not been a very coherent account of my evening at the parade.  Full disclosure:  I am back from rehearsal for the play I am in (you may have read some of my blog posts about it) and I am very tired.  However, I am approaching 400 words.  I say OK.  Happy Monday, everyone!

 

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Well, It’s Wednesday

Posted on July 3, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was afraid this would be a Wuss-out Wednesday, but here I am Wednesday evening, typing in a few words.  No promises that they will be particularly entertaining words, but we can’t have everything.  I had hoped to have a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday but found I do not have many pictures in my phone that I haven’t used.  I found two, so maybe this can be a Wussy Waste Not Want Not Wednesday.  It still has the charm of alliteration.

I kind of feel like that tree.

I took this picture a while ago when I was taking a walk.  The tree has since been nicely cut up and is being removed.  I am not sure which storm it came down during.  We have had a few.  I feel pretty grateful that I have not had much damage to my own property.  My yard has a few trees.  I would not care to have any of them fall on me.

I do like flowers.

This used to be a bank, but it has been closed for some time now.  I was pleased to see the flowers blooming so took a picture to cheer myself up.  I feel sad to see buildings sitting empty, but I am no entrepreneur to try to fill any of them.

I guess I need to be taking a few more pictures.  I would like to be having a few more Mohawk Valley Adventures but am a bit preoccupied with the play I am in (perhaps you read my blog posts about it).  Still, the blog must go on!  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Does Anybunny Still Read My Blog?

Posted on April 21, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I did my Saturday post Sunday morning and now it is still Monday morning as I attempt to make a Sunday post.  Late morning if you must know (you know who you are).  I hope my readers are still tuned in, and I hope to get into more Mohawk Valley Adventures soon.  I’m afraid I have been hoping that for a long time, but sometimes miracles happen.

Hippity hoppity!

I confess I do not have much to blog about, right now perhaps because yesterday was Easter Sunday.  I drove to Rome, NY to my parents’ house and saw a number of family members.  We had a lovely time.  I took three walks in addition to the short run I took before I left Herkimer.  I’m still fat and out of shape.  Go figure.

Anyways, the cake you see is the bunny cake my mother made.  She has been making bunny cakes for Easter since I was a little girl and she saw how in a magazine.  We do love our bunny cakes.

Luckily not all 40 candles.

This bunny cake doubled as a birthday cake for my nephew-in-law Dan.  I never know when anybody’s birthday is, but my mother happened to mention it to me earlier in the week, so I brought him a Batman duck. He got better presents from closer family, but I thought I would give him a little token.  After all, I rarely give birthday presents at all, and I don’t like to show favoritism.

I am feeling rather tired after my celebrations and numerous walks yesterday, but I do not despair of doing anything blogworthy for Monday’s post.  Will I make it Monday?  Will I make it Tuesday?  Regular readers could probably hazard a guess.

 

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This is Surely a Lame Post

Posted on April 11, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, so the blogging has not been going very well post-Prescription: Murder.  I have not been having very many Mohawk Valley Adventures.  I have been getting out to walk and even taken a couple short runs, but nothing worth making a Running Commentary or Pedestrian Post about (as if that ever stops me).  Now I sit, typing into my Chromebook on Lame Post Friday, thinking, surely I can manage at least a Friday Lame Post (and I will call you Shirley if I decide to).

In my case, they have done their job.

I thought I would throw in a picture to pep things up.  Yes, I have been brain dead for some time now, as regular readers may have noticed.  I have been writing letters, which I suppose counts.  By My Rules for Me, Any Writing Counts.  But I have not been, for example, making entries in the TV Journal or even my Running Journal (yes, I have multiple journals and am thinking of adding a few more to fail to write in).  For a week or more I made a daily blog post.  I hope to get back to doing that.

Cheers to Mohawk Valley Adventures!

I scrolled further down my Media Library, looking for a Mohawk Valley Adventure I could aim for.  This is my friend Kim at Rock Valley Brewing Company in Little Falls, NY.  Alas these adventures are always better with a friend, and Kim moved far away.  I wonder what other friends I could find to get into trouble with.

Then again, coffee is always nice.

Another place I haven’t been in a while is Joseph Putrello’s Coffee Barista Bar in Utica.  Will I venture as far as Little Falls or Utica today?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my morning.

In any case, I have at least written to the extent of a Lame Post Friday blog post.  One has to start somewhere.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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A Spring-ish Post

Posted on March 17, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I still have no Mohawk Valley Adventures to blog about, but I have a few spring-ish pictures that I can share.

First spring-ish picture.

I have been taking walks almost every day, in addition to my runs, and I have been appreciating the return of bare sidewalks.  I was even more delighted when I looked down and saw these blossoms.  I don’t know what they are; I don’t think they are crocuses, usually the first blooms we see.  This was yesterday afternoon.  Today I wondered if any of my crocuses were up.  I ventured out to see.

They look a little sad.

There was nothing but last year’s grass out front.  Out back I saw these white flowers, but I think I saw them too late for a good picture.  I don’t know what these are either; I didn’t plant them, they just showed up (kind of like me at the Elks Club).  Then I saw some green poking through last year’s leaves.  I left all my leaves, because I read somewhere it was a helpful thing to do for certain bugs and critters.  Any excuse for me to be lazy!  However, this was where I had planted some daffodils a few years ago, and they usually come up.

Yay! Daffodils!

I pulled away the leaves and was delighted to see green and yellow.  I walked around the yard, looking for any other bits of green trying to poke up but did not find any. However, I am encouraged by what I saw.  Oh, I KNOW it will get cold and probably snow a couple more times, so you can just stop shaking your head at me with that superior smirk (you know who you are).  I am enjoying the here and now.

And I am enjoying the fact that I am over 300 words with this blog post.  I think that makes seven days in a row.  I wonder what else I can accomplish.

 

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Post Now, Slack Later

Posted on March 15, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have blogged every day since Monday, posting in the morning about the previous day’s adventure.  This is what I used to do when I first started blogging, I think.  If I can remember back to 2011.  Wow, I have been blogging for a while, haven’t I?  All this by way of introduction to a Slacker Saturday post.  It seems funny to call this a Slacker Saturday prior to 7:30 in the morning.  How do I know how much I am going to slack in the coming hours?  OK, it is a pretty safe bet I will not get much done.  My point is, if I do not make a blog post now, I am afraid I will not make one before the end of the day.

Which poop do I feel like today?

I threw in a picture from my Media Library to pep things up.  Pepping up with poop?  Regular readers know how much I enjoy alliteration.  Anyways, you can plainly see it is fake poop.

I do not know how many Mohawk Valley Adventures are in store for me today, if any.  I really need to get some work done around my house as well as working on my latest murder mystery, Recipe for Murder Royale. Yes, it has a title now, as well as a cast of characters and a good (or do I flatter myself?) three pages of script.  That reminds me, I need to email the places we are doing the mystery for and tell them the title.

One of my favorite murderous bunches.

I throw in a picture of another murder mystery for your further entertainment.  This one was supposed to be a 1920s theme, and I had quite a bit written on it, but I just couldn’t make it work.  I do not despair of finishing it eventually (preview of coming attractions).

We all get carried away sometimes.

I wanted to add a third picture and could not resist making the silly caption.  If I get extra ambitious today, perhaps I will have a Mohawk Valley Adventure and make a second Saturday post.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

 

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Recipe for a Blog Post Anyways!

Posted on March 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Sunday I went to the Herkimer County Historical Society where they were celebrating the launch of their new cookbook, Home Town Recipes From Our Table to Yours!  They had several of the recipes represented, and encouraged me to sample whatever I wanted.  Yum!

I just love the cover!

Alas, I did not take any pictures other than of the cookbook itself, but I sampled carrot cake, rhubarb cake, and chicken wing dip.  I can’t wait to try those and other recipes in the book.

While there, I chatted with Cassie Castle about this spring’s murder mystery, which I am supposed to be writing to benefit the society.  Naturally I am having trouble with it.  However, Sunday morning when I noticed the cookbook launch and decided to attend, something clicked in my brain.  As I washed the dishes and did a few other chores, in my head a voice was saying, “Cookbook… cookbook.”  And the next thing I knew I was making notes and starting a script with the tentative title, Recipe for Murder.

Of course there are still several hurdles to get over before I am once again murdering for fun and non-profit.  For one thing, I need to field a cast.  Oh yeah, and finish the script.  Maybe if I make one of the recipes in my new cookbook, I can get even more inspired.

If you are interested in purchasing Home Town Recipes From Our Table to Yours! you can contact the Herkimer County Historical Society at 315-866-6413.

 

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