Tag Archives: Mohawk Valley adventures

Lame Old Woman

Posted on August 1, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello, everybody, and welcome to Lame Post Friday, the day I do a silly post and do not apologize for it (that’s my new description for today. I like it).

It really is a Friday for me, because I am not working Saturday. Woohoo! Overtime is nice, but I like time even better, if you see what I mean. I didn’t even have any overtime today, which meant I could sleep in to a leisurely 5 a.m. I felt like a new woman!

Now that it is after work, I am feeling like the same old woman as usual. Well, these things happen, especially at my age (middle). I do not despair of thinking of something to say.

I was going to mention that I have some Mohawk Valley adventures planned for tomorrow. However, I am uncomfortably aware that I have not yet blogged about last weekend’s adventures, nor yet a few adventures I had prior to that. I use the silly verb “blogged” instead of “written,” because I have in fact written about some of them. The paragraphs reside in my notebook (the paper, spiral-bound kind) (do they even still make a computer called a notebook?), awaiting further work.

Wait a minute, I did blog about one adventure. OK, you pedantic sorts (and I know some of my friends are; hell, I’m something of a pedant myself), I wrote a blog post about it. That was yesterday’s post about eating a hamburger at Jerry’s Place in Hartwick. I wish I had another hamburger to eat tonight. Oh well, one can’t have everything.

One virtue I insist upon for my silly posts is that they be brief. This post is over 250 words. I call that respectable. Happy Friday, everyone.

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Posted in blogging, humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, lame post, Mohawk Valley adventures, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Burger Bliss

Posted on July 31, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last week I got a craving for a hamburger. Not just any hamburger, but a GOOD hamburger. A juicy, beefy, yummy burger on a bun with stuff. “Stuff” was not well defined in my craving. It may have been lettuce and tomato, or maybe cheese and bacon, perhaps mushrooms, onions, or something unusual. You know, a good burger.

I got such a burger Saturday at Jerry’s Place in Hartwick, NY. Steven and I were in the midst of our adventures, which ranged among Richfield Springs, Cooperstown, Fly Creek, Burlington Flats, and points in between. At one point we were very hungry, and there was Jerry’s.

“It’s the place with all the lunch boxes,” Steven said. The walls are lined with vintage lunchboxes. The rest of the decor is pure Americana, including models of old cars and a statue of Elvis.

Steven ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger while I got and M.O.S., which had caramelized mushrooms and onions topped with Swiss cheese. Steven also got a chocolate shake, because he noticed that it was served in a mason jar. I got a bottle of water, because I feared dehydration.

We made our orders at the counter and were given a plastic magnetic letter to put on our table. It did not take long for someone to bring us our food. It was quite yummy. We could have gotten ice cream for dessert, but the burgers were pretty filling. We left feeling well-fueled for further adventures.

Jerry’s Place is located at 6635 St. Hwy 28, Hartwick, NY, phone number 607-547-1037. You can visit their website at http://www.jerrysplaceny.com/ and you can Like them on Facebook.

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Posted in humor, personal, Restaurants and tagged burger, food, Jerrys Place, Mohawk Valley adventures. Bookmark the permalink.

We Interrupt this Scattered Saturday to Make a Blog Post

Posted on July 26, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been adventuring all afternoon after getting up at 3:30 a.m. and working overtime, with the result that I am too tired to compose a proper blog post (what a surprise, me not making a proper post. Say it ain’t so!). I will go with my usual Scattered Saturday method and give a brief overview of what we did.

We headed to Richfield Springs, NY to go to the Richfield Springs Historic Association Museum and Exhibit Hall. We knew it was located at 134 W. Main St., but you know, Main Street in any town can be long. We missed it the first time through but noticed a Farmer’s Market going on. We turned around and parked near that. We figured it was a nice day for a stroll down Main Street in any case.

The Farmer’s Market had some interesting looking vendors. I would have liked to purchase some cheese or produce, but since I was not sure how long it would have to stay in my hot car, I refrained. On down Main Street we went. Richfield Springs is a charming little village. I pushed the button to get a Walk signal just about the time a fire engine was turning onto Main at that corner.

The fire truck was followed by roughly 8,764 motorcycles (no, I didn’t count them, but I thought that number was closer to the truth than “a bazillion,” which is what I started to type). It must have been some official ride for something, although I never found out what. Still, it was fun to see all the motorcycles. I do love a parade.

When we finally found the museum, it still lacked ten minutes till it opened. Luckily we had noticed a store a couple of doors down called “Finders Keepers.” It was easy to kill some time wandering around looking at antiques, collectibles and, well, one man’s trash. Then we were on to the museum.

I’ll write more about both Finders Keepers and the museum later. For now I’ll just say we had a great time and both places are definitely worth another visit. We walked back to the vehicle feeling that if that was all we did, it would not be a bad afternoon’s adventure. As we reached our vehicle, I noticed a lady walking down the sidewalk.

“Hey! That’s Aunt Mary!” I didn’t mention that my Aunt Mary and Uncle Ted live in Richfield Springs, but they do. I had gotten their phone number from my mother thinking we might call and stop by at some point. As it turned out, we would not have had a chance to do so, but Aunt Mary and I had a nice little chat on the sidewalk.

Our adventures continued and included Pail Shop Vineyards, Jerry’s Place, Dyn’s Cider Mill, Rustic Ridge Winery, and a whole lot of driving through windy, hilly country roads. We had a wonderful afternoon.

And now I’m tired. I’m having a cup of coffee, which may revive me somewhat. One might think I could then write a better blog post, but I don’t think this one is contemptible. Or do I flatter myself? No matter. I’m over 500 words. I’m going back to enjoying my weekend with my husband. Happy Saturday, everyone.

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Posted in area attractions, humor, personal, Scattered Saturday and tagged blog post, Dyn's Cider Mill, farmer's market, Jerrys Place, Main Street, Mohawk Valley adventures, museum, Pail Shop Vineyards, Richfield Springs Historic Association, Richfield Springs NY, Rustic Ridge Winery. Bookmark the permalink.

It’s Only Lame Post Friday, After All

Posted on July 18, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having a simply dreadful time. This is at least the fourth time I have logged onto WordPress in the last hour and I cannot seem to compose a blog post. Even a lame one. What, I ask, is my problem?

I know, a lot of you have been asking that question for years (you know who you are).

Full disclosure (I use that phrase a lot, don’t I?): It’s not a “real” Friday for me. I have to work tomorrow. Of course overtime can be a beautiful thing, especially when one has already spent the money (who, me, not stay within my budget? I daresay I might if I had one, but let’s leave that alone for now).

I mentioned in yesterday’s post that I have a fun adventure planned for tomorrow. At least, I hope it will be fun. It involves some nice friends and helping a worthy cause. What’s not to like? Tonight I have rehearsal for Roxy, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre, another Mohawk Valley adventure.

Now that I think about it, I seem to remember a few other adventures I never wrote about. Must think back and try to remember those; I don’t suppose it is too late.

All this by way of introduction to a very brief whine about how I can’t seem to get my brain to write anything substantive TODAY! I feel certain that this is not an uncommon phenomenon among writers. Perhaps I could overcome it if I sat here and tried. Unfortunately, I do not have time for such exertions right now. I must scurry to rehearsal, and when I get home I must hustle to bed to be up early tomorrow.

As I said, I feel dreadful about it. But not too dreadful to post this piece of nonsense. I hope you’re all having a marvelous Friday.

I Haven’t Even Mentioned What I’m Wearing

Posted on May 17, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Goodness, do I ever wait till this late on a Saturday to make my blog post? I suppose sometimes I do, but those are the days I am at this point gearing up for an evening of relaxing at my house with my husband and dog. It is my favorite way to spend a Saturday or almost any evening. However, this evening, adventure beckons.

A month or two ago, we went to dinner with friends, then a show atIlion Little Theatre, then for drinks afterward (I may have written a blog post about it) (I just checked: two, in fact). It was such a delightful evening that when the final show of the season came around, one of the people involved (believe it or not, it wasn’t me) suggested we do it again. Naturally Steven and I jumped on board.

Knowing this was happening, why did I not make my blog post earlier? That is a good question. Well, I was kind of busy. I went to the laundromat and worked on my novel. By “worked on my novel,” I mean I wrote my sister the novelist a letter lamenting my plot problems (which passed the time nicely at the laundromat), then sat at home, staring at pages of novel and notes, thinking, “What the hell am I going to do with this?”

I finally began to write one of those back cover blurbs, to try to get an overview of the thing. I think it was helpful. Tomorrow I will look at it again and try, try, try to figure out what to do next. Maybe I’ll call the novelist sister and get her advice. Or maybe that will be another stalling tactic.

In any case, I must leave soon for tonight’s adventure. I had meant to write a really fast, three sentence post, then try to do an unprecedented second post later tonight. However, I think this one can count. See you on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

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Posted in blogging, humor, personal, Preview of Coming Attractions, writing and tagged blog post, dinner, Ilion Little Theatre, laundromat, Mohawk Valley adventures, not writing, novel, preview of coming attractions, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Saturday Adventures

Posted on April 16, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had an afternoon of Mohawk Valley adventures on Saturday with my sister Cheryl.

We drove to Little Falls for an an exhibit opening at Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts. I always feel artsy when I say I’m going to an exhibit opening. We had parked at the Shops at 25 West, since we also intended to visit there and at the Little Falls Antique Center.

I’ll write more about the exhibit in a later post. For now I’ll just say. these openings are very popular. At times the crowd made it difficult to really appreciate the art. We enjoyed what we did see, then looked at The Selective Eye gift shop which Cheryl had not seen before. We spotted a couple of good Christmas presents, but I mustn’t say what in case… that person happens to read this post. I even saw a few things Steven might like to purchase for me.

I plan to return to MVCA when I can take my time and enjoy the exhibit. It’s all very well to feel artsy, but I also like to look at the art.

Next we walked across the street to Little Falls Antique Center at Stone Mill. We spent some time browsing there at at The Shops at 25 West. Cheryl was particularly interested in looking at old lanterns. We saw a few but not exactly what she had in mind. I took a particular interest in looking out the windows at the canal. A lot of the winders there have beautiful wide window sills.

“If I had windows like that in my house,” I said, “I”d put cushions on them and sit there with a book.” I suppose I’ll have to move into a converted factory if I want to implement that interior design inspiration.

I was also interested in some of the items available from the Alpaca place. Cheryl knows where they are located. Perhaps we can make a trip there one day soon, for future blogging purposes.

After we left Little Falls we were feeling peckish so we stopped at Crazy Otto’s Empire diner in Herkimer. Cheryl had never eaten there before, so I was happy to introduce her to one of Steven’s a my favorite spots. When she ordered her grilled cheese sandwich the waiter asked if she wanted fries.

“It comes with the best homemade chips,” I told her. She agreed they were good, and she nicely shared them with me. I had conservatively ordered an English muffin, in case my stomach was still bothering me (I know2, the chips were probably not the best thing on a bad stomach; let’s see YOU resist Crazy Otto’s homemade chips!).

We had a really fun afternoon. It’s always fun to go adventuring with a sister.

Too Many Meanderings

Posted on April 14, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I had some Mohawk Valley adventures on Saturday. I started to write about one of them this morning, and I got bogged down. No matter, I thought. I can dash off an overview of the afternoon the cover each adventure individually as the week progresses. That did not seem to be working out either. After staring into space and questioning my life choices, I remembered: Monday Mental Meanderings. I can just follow my recalcitrant mind around the page a little, hit Publish and call it a day.

In my defense, I was doing some magazine work. I was revising and polishing (or do I flatter myself?) my articles for Mohawk Valley Living magazine, for which the deadline is tomorrow. I got them emailed out, for once forgetting to courtesy copy myself. In my detriment (I guess that’s not the opposite of defense; does anyone have a better suggestion?), I should have gotten those articles done last week and they’re not such brilliant prose at that.

My overall plan is to work more on my writing. Better blog posts, finish that novel. And that play. And the other play. Oh, and at least one interactive murder mystery. And here we come to my problem: I have too many potential projects. My mind won’t seem to settle on any of them. It skitters hither and thither. It — dare I say it? — MEANDERS!

This has become a rather circular post. I can’t seem to write, so I offer a Mental Meanderings Monday. The reason I can’t write is that my mind is meandering. Got that? If so, I shall hit Publish and call it a day.

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Got One Thing Done!

Posted on March 22, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s another Scattered Saturday post, as I reach the end of the day and must publish SOMETHING before my husband gets home from work and we begin an enjoyable evening together. Once again I had myriad plans to do this that and the other thing, and blog topics ranging from the marvelous to the perfectly acceptable… and here I am, kind of wishing I had made another pot of coffee instead of just heating up the 3/4 cup that was still in the pot.

Where was I? Ah yes, nowhere in particular. When we last left our heroine (that’s me), she was on her way to what promised to be a very fun evening of friends and theatre (OK, enough with the third person, it’s awkward). It was a fun evening, which ended way later than my normal bed time. As a result, I woke with a headache and got a slow start to my morning.

I managed to write a few post cards and finish two letters. Tabby, my dear schnoodle, and I walked to the post office. Oh, what a nice walk. Still chilly out, but we survived. Then I headed into Rome, getting a later start than I had envisioned.

My destination was my parents’ house, where I intended to attempt to register for the Boilermaker on their computer (a more reliable machine than my desktop). The original plan had been to have a couple of Mohawk Valley adventures along the way, but registering was the only one I had. Yet what a satisfying experience it was!

The Boilermaker, for the initiated, is Utica, NY’s 15K road race. Oh, it is an experience and then some. This will be the fourth time I have run it. Come to think of it, I need to write a whole blog post just about me registering.

In the meantime, Steven is home and I must get on with my Saturday night. I hope you’re all having an enjoyable weekend.

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Posted in humor, personal, Scattered Saturday and tagged blog post, Boilermaker, Mohawk Valley adventures, Rome NY, utica boilermaker, Utica NY. Bookmark the permalink.

Not Like a Snake Eating its Tail

Posted on March 16, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Earlier today I was in the midst of a Mohawk Valley adventure and I was narrating in my head and I narrated the phrase, “I continued to narrate in my head…” And that amused me so much I stopped narrating in my head and contemplated how writing a blog has changed my inner monologue. I thought when I wrote my blog post I would mention how I narrated in my head that I was narrating in my head.

Just a quick question: is this like a snake eating its own tail? In other words, is it a sign I’m reaching the end of my usefulness as a blogger? SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

I believe in fact it ain’t so, but doesn’t it make a good lead for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post?

Steven and I had rather a delightful afternoon and evening yesterday. So delightful that I have had a bad headache all day today. At least, I’m guessing it is because I drank too much wine. I’m kind of hoping it is, because that means it will go away eventually. But it is a little embarrassing to admit to all and sundry that I overindulged (listen to me, all and sundry, like I have that many readers! Get over yourself, Cindy!).

So, yes, this is Yet Another Post About How I Can’t Write A Blog Post Today. I’ll keep it short. After all, perhaps my readers are having a Wrist to Forehead Sunday too and who wants to read a long blog post? Not me. Hope to see you Monday, when I hope NOT to type, “I had meant to write a real blog post today, BUT…”

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I Say: Better than Whiskey

Posted on February 7, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, so we’re all agreed that it’s all right if I do foolish posts till the play is over on Sunday. Um, I may also need Monday to recover from the cast party. In any case, today is Lame Post Friday, so we knew I wouldn’t be sweating it too much if today is, well, lame.

I had hoped for a marginally non-lame post. I thought I might do a minor preview of coming attractions, especially since I am planning to have at least one Mohawk Valley adventure tomorrow before the play. This quickly became a source of stress to me when I realized that although I plan to have an adventure, I do not actually have an adventure planned. How about a little half-baked philosophy about that?

Sometimes the best adventures are unplanned. I can’t think of an example offhand, but I’m sure that is a well-known contention, beloved by many. Or is it just a rationalization for people who have not planned? How many times have you said, “Well, that was an adventure,” just to make yourself feel better? Oh, I suppose YOU never did (you know who you are). I’m not talking to you.

And here is another half-baked philosophical question: Why are some people so down on rationalizations when sometimes they make you feel so much better? Aren’t mental gymnastics better than drugs? Shall I rationalize that faux pas or just have a shot of whiskey? MMmmm… whiskey. Better not have any of that before tonight’s performance.

For local readers I will just repeat: it’s Busybody at Ilion Little Theatre, Ilion, NY. Click on the link for more information (I was so proud of myself when I learned how to make a link). And happy Friday, everyone.

Mohawk Valley Girl