Tag Archives: mom and dad

Monday Tribute to Mom

Posted on May 12, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Alas, I broke my streak by not posting yesterday! In my defense, I was celebrating Mother’s Day AND my Mother’s 85th Birthday with family. It was a delightful day, but I did not take any pictures. I think I have at least one of my mother in my Media Library, though.

One of everybody’s favorite couples.

Here are my Mom and Dad at Asteroga Ale House in Herkimer, NY. We were gathered for a yummy meal with good company. just to give a quick shout-out to a local business.

A mother/daughter pair.

And here is my niece Kimberly with my sister Cheryl, who were present at the time as well as at yesterday’s gathering.

A grandma and her grandson!

Cheryl is also a grandmother. Here she is with her grandson Sheppy on the Adirondack Railroad, on a trip when they invited me to join them. I am trying to get them to go on the Richfield Springs Scenic Railway with me sometime.

Another lovely picture.

Speaking of grandparents, here are my Mom and Dad with Jenna, another of Cheryl’s daughters. This was taken at my sister Diane’s house in Liverpool. Diane was there yesterday, too.

At Christmas and all year long, we love Mom!

I close with a Christmas tribute to Mom. My mother did this and did not even realize it spelled “Mom” till Cheryl accused her of signing her work. Mom changed it, but we made her change it back and like her to put it up every year.

So a belated Happy Mothers Day to all Moms, including pet moms, step-moms, and those that just love somebody with a mother’s love. And to be up to date, happy Monday.

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Posted in humor, personal and tagged Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Asteroga Ale House, birthday, blog post, blogging, family, herkimer ny, late post, mom and dad, Mother's Day, Richfield Springs Scenic Railway, sister Cheryl. Bookmark the permalink.

A Lot of Help from my Family

Posted on June 13, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

A long time ago, my father did the laundry, and my mother marveled that she had been visited by the Laundry Fairy.

“The Laundry Prince,” Dad corrected her in a dignified tone of voice.

Well, the Porch Prince and two Lawn and Deck Princesses visited my house yesterday while I was at work, performing miracles for which I am very grateful. And a little ashamed, because I feel as a homeowner I ought to be taking care of these things myself. However, we all need help sometimes, and I am so blessed to have a family that helps me. After all, I often quote the song, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” My family are my best friends!

I do not have before pictures of the porch, but it was in sorry shape. It was concrete that had been eaten away by erosion, largely because Steve and I never replaced the gutter which the guy took off when he repaired the porch roof after we had just moved in. One of those things we always meant to get to but really only remembered about when it rained. I really wanted a wooden porch, and Dad had an idea to use the concrete steps as a base for building one. My Dad can build or fix anything!

He is amazing!

My sister Cheryl, one of the Lawn and Deck Princesses, sent me pictures. That was when I realized she was going to do something about Frankentree. I knew she wanted to, using the chain saw she had recently purchased (and not being one to perpetuate the Mohawk Valley Chainsaw Massacre) (I add for the amusement of my horror-movie loving readers), but I had rather thought she would pick a day when I would be there to help. She texted, “Too late!”

Who knew it could look like that?

I may have a a before picture of Frankentree. I guess I will have to give him a new name, since he looks all of a piece now.

This is from 2020.

The tree had only gotten more out of control, with a lot of the lower branches dying off. The lawn, also, has gotten out of control, largely because I have allowed the daisies and other invaders to grow unchecked. Mom and Cheryl cleaned out all under and around the tree, as you can see. They left the daisies, because some blooms remained, but I will be cutting them back soon. Cheryl suggested that I dig them up and replant them closer to the porch.

My back deck, too, has needed some work. It was covered with leaves from the tree which gives it so much shade. My two Princesses performed miracles there, too.

I may actually get to deck sit this year!

My three benefactors were waiting for me when I returned from work. They showed me everything they had done and offered suggestions for what I should do next. If only I could think of some way to properly thank them! They already have plenty of afghans. Any suggestions?

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Posted in humor, personal and tagged back deck, blog post, blogging, family, Frankentree, front porch, homeowner, mom and dad, sister Cheryl, yard work. Bookmark the permalink.

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.

Lots of Fun on Scattered Saturday

Posted on July 30, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh it has been a Saturday! It has in fact been the sort of Saturday in which I often wait till Sunday to make my blog post. Judge me if you are so inclined.

I began the day as a pretty much Scattered Saturday. I went for a run. I had a video appointment with the VA. I drove to Rome, NY to my parents’ house. I helped my mom and dad with a few lawn and garden chores. With their help I loaded their bottles and cans into my car. I returned said bottles and cans with my friend Kim (plus more of my own and hers). I had a late lunch with Kim at Yetty’s Pizzeria in Herkimer. We went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor. I came back home, made some popcorn, and started watching cheesy horror movies. Have I left anything out?

He is so cute!

At Yetty’s in Herkimer, NY, we had Piel, a bartender we have had before and loved. He is so fun and nice! We had a delightful time.

I loved her hair!

After our fun time at Yetty’s, we stopped at Valley Wine and Liquor for a wine tasting of Glenora Winery of the Finger Lakes. Gabby was the poured. She graciously agreed to let me take her picture.

I see I have attained 200 words or more. Score! I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

The Flooded Basement Blues

Posted on June 29, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I WAS writing a post all about a cheesy movie I saw, but I’ve been a little distracted.

It has been raining in a ridiculous fashion in the Mohawk Valley. Today, we flooded.

It was one thing when my street looked like a river. A little scary, but I could just stay in the house. It was a little more worrisome when the basement flooded. Well, I’ve been meaning to throw away a lot of that junk anyways. Now I’ll jolly well have to.

But it was a completely different animal when I started to hear a buzzing noise down in the basement.

“What’s that noise?” In a loud voice. “What do I do?” Even more agitated.

I did not, nor even consider for a moment, sloshing through the water for a closer listen. For one thing, the water is over knee deep. I can swim, but still. I have since been told that I was absolutely correct for such restraint.

As usual for a woman with my age, experience and sophistication, I called Mom and Dad. I suppose I am both a Mama’s and a Daddy’s Girl, but it cannot be denied that my parents know many things. I don’t think their basement ever flooded, but they probably know somebody who’s had it happen to them. My sister, for example (oh, wait a minute, I know her, too).

Mom said call Niagara Mohawk, they would send somebody.

“Steven! Get me the number to Niagara Mohawk!”

Of course we meant National Grid. For you younger readers (if any), National Grid used to be called Niagara Mohawk, in my opinion a far superior name. I mean, you can say NiMo, but are you likely to say NaGri? I, for one, am not.

So I called. They are sending someone. I later found out that we are also number 251 on the list for the Herkimer Fire Department (Steven called when I wasn’t looking).

So now I am waiting on my front porch for the NationalNiMo person. To relieve my feelings a little, I write a blog post about it. I don’t mean to treat my readers as unpaid therapists, but I must confess, I do feel a little better.

So that is my Friday Lame Post for the week. I hope you have enjoyed.

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Posted in flood, homeowner, humor, personal and tagged blogging, herkimer ny, lame post, mohawk valley, mom and dad, national grid, niagara mohawk, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Briefly, About the Bread

Posted on March 31, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to have the nerve to write Yet Another Post About Why I Can’t Write a Post Today. Then I realized I didn’t have anything to say but the first sentence about having some nerve. Instead, I will give yet another shout out to some of the best bread in the world.

I am, as usual, at my mom and dad’s house for the holiday (Easter) (for any wise-ass who just said “Duh!” I put it in case somebody reads the post at a later day and wonders. Sheesh!). My mom always cooks a veritable feast, and it is hard to know what I can contribute. Ever since I moved to Herkimer, NY, it is no problem. I just drive out to the Heidelberg Bakery and get some awesome bread.

I drove out Rt 28 shortly after 7 a.m., when they open on Saturday. I wanted to beat the crowd. I guess I should have beaten the crowd another day, because they were out of my favorite, Sourdough. However, I chose Pumpernickel, 100% Whole Wheat and Multi-Grain (they were having a three-for special) and was happy with that. Then I turned my attention to the baked goodies.

I guess I don’t want to say too much about the baked goodies, though, because Steven and I have already eaten those. In case anybody who is at Mom and Dad’s for dinner reads this, they might be jealous. Then again, anybody who reads this who is not at Mom and Dad’s might be jealous not to have any of Mom’s good dinner. Sorry; I can’t please everybody.

I can, however, keep my post short, because today is Easter. I’m going to enjoy the holiday. I hope you are, too.

Mohawk Valley Girl