Tag Archives: not writing

The Lame Day of October!

Posted on October 31, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again, I am posting Late and Lame, as I sit here not even that early (for me) on a Saturday morning with no Lame Post Friday blog post in mind.  I may be coming down with a cold, or my allergies may be particularly bad.  Who can tell?  Never mind my petty problems; on with the blog post!

Even Christmas dresses up for Halloween at my house!

I am actually not sure where this shirt is now, but it has worn away to the point where I dare not wear it myself.  This is a picture from some years ago.  Santa Claus currently has a scarf with silver skulls covering his Christmasy appearance.  Regular readers know I have sadly fallen down on my Halloween duties this year.  I went to a party yesterday at a friend’s house and had a lovely time.  I may put together another costume to participate in a Trunk or Treat down at Meyer’s Park later today.  No promises.  For one reason, if this is a cold and not just allergies, I had best keep it to myself.

He looks cheerful enough.

I don’t know where this vampire is, either, but isn’t he cute?  I am sure he is packed away somewhere and will make another appearance at a future October.  In the meantime, I am pretty much ready to get on to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I will probably prepare for these holidays by taking a nap.

 

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The Lovely Lit Lounge

Posted on October 30, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

While I was at the Halloween Bazaar in Liverpool, NY last Saturday, I wandered across the street to the Liverpool Lit Lounge, a small independent bookstore that just happens to carry my sister Diane E. Young‘s books.  I should not say “just happens;”  Diane and the owners of the store made it happen.  Anyways, I have been wanting to stop in there, and since they sell coffee, it seemed like a good idea to make my way over.

Unfortunate shadow, but we can’t always help these things.

My sister said she has long admired the house the store is in.  The owners purchased it, fixed it up and are living in the upstairs.

I’ll need to get another shot from across the street so you can really appreciate it.

I did not look for a book to purchase, because I had to get back to my sister’s vendor table at the Bazaar, but I did walk around a little.  There are places to, you know, lounge.  If I lived in Liverpool, I would go to the store and write.  Regular blog readers know I do not do enough writing.  I mean to do something about that.

I draw your attention to Wednesday Wine Club.

I chatted up the owners as I bought the coffee, telling them whose sister I was.  Diane will be having a book signing there Nov. 21.  I encourage residents of Liverpool and the surrounding areas to attend.

The coffee was excellent.  The owner asked did I want her to leave room for cream.  I said no, I trusted her that it would be yummy enough without.  She assured me that it would be, and it was.

Liverpool Lit Lounge is located at 514 Oswego St., Liverpool, NY.

 

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I’m Just a Little Mixed Up

Posted on October 26, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I can’t quite decide if this is a Monday post or a late Sunday post.  I think I will go with late Sunday, because I do not have a real post in mind.  For one reason, my phone with the pictures in it is across the room, and you know how far away that can be sometimes (at least, some people are now rolling their eyes and huffing in scorn, but I know others are nodding their heads wisely in sympathy).  The phone is charging, and it really needs it.  When I returned from my far away adventures, I left my charging cords in the car.  Only I didn’t know it and wasted an inordinate amount of time searching again and again in the bags I had brought in.

“I know I brought the cords!  I REMEMBER putting them in a bag,” I wailed to myself.  And I just now realized I was spelling it “chords” like music.  In fact, it was music to my eyes when I found them (I know that is not really that expression, but I had to go with the play on words, you must see that I had to).

He’s saying, “Good grief, it’s almost Halloween!”

I throw in a picture to pep things up.  That vintage Santa Claus resides year round on the landing of my stairs.  Right now he has a Halloween scarf draped around him, after sporting my Kentucky Derby hat for a few months.  It reflects my mixed-up point of view, and life, that certain seasonal decorations adorn my house all year.

And I have babbled on for over 250 words.  Good enough for a placeholder post, I say.  Perhaps one more picture.

I put a spell on you!

The black and gold caftan is one of my go-to costumes.  Here I am being a silly wizard, but not for Halloween.  However, that is a story for a different blog post.

 

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Help from Skeletons on Slacker Saturday

Posted on October 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s going to be a Slacker Saturday and that is all there is to it.  I can’t even think of anything to say.  I can’t even bear to look at my phone to see if there are any pictures I have neglected to use.  Oh dear.

Somebody waiting for me to make a good blog post.

I think this picture was taken at an antique/second hand place that is now closed.  It is so sad to me when places I like don’t stay open.  At least I still have a picture of a skeleton to pep up a Slacker Saturday post.  And I see he is drinking a cuppa.  I have had a cup of coffee.  Perhaps another, or a cup of tea will pep me up as well.

A little color, for continued cheeriness.

I add another shot of fall foliage, because I am still reveling in the autumn colors.  I shall take a walk later, to enjoy more of it.  If I can manage to so bestir myself.

Can I roust myself out of the muck?

As you may have guessed, I am in something of a funk today.  However, it is early, especially for a Saturday.  I will try to get something done today, even if it is only to find some small bit of happiness on an October day.  I wish the same for all of you.

 

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Another Late Post, More Artwork

Posted on October 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was about to start this post, “I jumped out of bed all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” which would not have been entirely inappropriate since I also write fiction.  I pondered whether I had dragged, heaved, coaxed, or wallowed myself out of bed, eventually concluding that this was not really the point.  The point is: it is Tuesday morning and I am doing Monday’s blog post.  My late posting habit continues.  Quick, throw in a picture to pep things up!

I try a different perspective

I remembered after I took this one that I do not know how to turn a picture 90 degrees.  I lead with this one because I feel it is symbolic of how my life sometimes feels like it is turning sideways.  Does anybody remember the independent films Sideways with Paul Giamotti and Thomas Haden Church?  It was hilarious, and wine was prominently featured.  I should watch it again  to see if it could teach me any life lessons.

The classics hold up.

I segue from my messed up life back to the Herkimer High School seniors’ artwork.  I was a little surprised to see Snoopy, but I guess Peanuts has never really gone away.  Batman, of course, is continually being reinvented.

Peace, among other things.

It is very nice to see the Peace sign still prominently featured.  And I guess that is a good note to end on.  The real reason I dragged myself out of bed (picked a verb!) was to finish my article on the Herkimer Town Board for the Daily Sentinel.  Then I hope to meet friends for a late breakfast or early lunch (I was not clear on which) Pellettieri Joe’s in Utica (yes, I know, I could call it Brunch, but I feel that is something you have on a Sunday. I don’t really know about these things).  I guess I can call this a writing warm-up.  Thank you for participating.

 

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The Seniors Are At It Again

Posted on October 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well I am back to my old bad habits of posting early(ish) the next morning for the previous day’s post.  I had such good intentions yesterday (Sunday).  I sat down to make a poopy Wrist to Forehead Sunday post when I thought of taking a walk to pep myself up and make a Pedestrian Post.  Then I remembered the Herkimer High School senior had once again painted their parking spaces.  I could take pictures of that!  I set out in high spirits.

Maybe I’ll come back and take better pictures., especially of that one-eyed blob.

It felt so good to walk. This was a great idea!  Then I thought I should walk for two miles.  For one reason, my sister Cheryl wants to go see some trolls in Tupper Lake (cue jokes about dating prospects in Tupper Lake), and it is about a two mile walk.  I should be sure I can walk two miles.

A little better view of these two.

I went to the high school first, which my Garmin told me was about a third of a mile.  I tried to get pictures of all the painted spaces, but there was a car parked in one.  Also, as I tried to get more than one space in a shot, I don’t think I did justice to them.

Well, one does what one can after all.

My two mile goal had not sounded so bad, but my hip started hurting after one.  Oh dear.  It was such a difference from when I started out and it felt so good!  I decided to just go home.  But that little voice in my head kept nagging at me to go two miles.  As I got closer to home, I kept looking at my Garmin and pondering.  I went around an extra block.  And then I walked past my house.  I made it for two miles!  Yay me!

And then I felt too tired to make a blog post about it.  So I read a book, fooled around on Facebook, did a couple of puzzles in a puzzle book… And put off my blog post till just now.  On the brighter side, I am over 350 words and the post is more than just me whining about not making a post.  Additionally, I have several more pictures to share.  Will I make my Monday blog post on Monday?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my day.

 

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Am I a Blogger or a Mouse?

Posted on October 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Looking through my phone in hopes of doing a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post, I realized I never used the pictures taken at the Elks Lodge the day a few of us wore our Minnie Mouse ears.  Bonnie, the friend who bestowed the ears upon us, had brought some snacks, and Jack made ice cream drinks.  A number of members showed up for the ice cream drinks without the ears, although Bonnie did bring an older pair of ears she happened to have, in case anybody wanted to wear them.

I thought I looked cute.

I had just purchased the polka-dot skirt at a thrift store that afternoon.  The shirt I had purchased for the second performance of A Revolutionary Murder, my most recent murder mystery.  The socks, shoes, pearls, and purse were already part of my wardrobe.  I guess it’s the theatre geek in me that loves to get dressed up at any excuse.

I think we all looked cute.

And here are me, Michele, and Bonnie, the three Minnies of the day.  We enjoyed the drinks and the company.

Even Minnie likes to put her feet up.

I told everybody I was going to be Maxie Mouse, Minnie’s more fabulous cousin for Halloween, but that means I have to find a really flashy outfit to go with my ears.  Oh, you think I probably already have some glitter in my closet?  It could be!

At any rate, this must do for my Wednesday blog post.  This morning I wrote my article about the informational meeting I attended in Herkimer last night, so I have performed some writerly chores today.  However, I must get back to work on the next murder mystery.  And there is that novel I told people I was going to write.  I’d better stop mousing around and have at it!

 

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Intrepidly Tripping Through Tuesday

Posted on September 30, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’ve had something of a stressful Tuesday, although that does not have the charm of alliteration.  That is my quite own fault; I am a victim of my own incompetence.  Never mind.  Let me make some semblance of a blog post.

I haven’t used this one in a while.

In fact, I was relieved this morning to wake up and remember that it was Tuesday instead of Monday.  Then I remembered I had yet to write my story about Monday’s Ilion Village Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel.  The meeting had been preceded by a Public Hearing on a proposed moratorium which is rather controversial.  A great number of Ilion residents attended, many of them voicing opinions.  It was a difficult story to write, but I managed it.

The controversy is over use of the former factory, but it is too complicated to cover here, in addition to not being totally fun.

I spent some time driving around Ilion getting pictures to go with the story about the regular board meeting, in which they talked about some abandoned properties they hope to refer to Herkimer County Landbank.  Back home, I attempted a little housework.  Eventually I took a walk.  It was a lovely day for a walk.  I made two stops along the way, to pay my school taxes and deposit a check in the bank (my payment for August stories for the Sentinel, by the way).

Right now I am trying to get my blog post done before I’m off to another meeting to cover for the paper.  This one is an informational meeting about a feasibility study for a road in East Herkimer.  I think it will not be controversial.

I don’t have many good Herkimer pictures in the Media Library.

I really feel like an intrepid girl reporter this week (older readers know what I am talking about: from a 1940s screwball comedy or cheesy horror movie).  I also have a budget hearing in Frankfort to cover on Thursday.  Will I have time for any Mohawk Valley Adventures amidst all this reporting?  Will I have time for more housework?  For the answers to these and other intriguing questions, stay tuned to Mohawk Valley Girl!

 

 

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I Do Love Halloween

Posted on September 24, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t know what my problem is, but it seems I have one.  I was about to forget to make my Thursday blog post.  I think I can manage a Throwback Thursday.  Then I must, I really must at least attempt to do something useful.  I keep telling myself that no life is wasted, because one can always stand as a bad example to others, but that really leave a whole lot of unfilled time in an existence.

This would be a profitable use of my afternoon!

I thowback to October 2016 and a nicely decorated front porch.  Frankentree was not yet out of control.  I am not yet decorated for Halloween, but as it is still September, I shall not beat myself up over that.

I love that scarecrow lady peeking out!

I leap ahead to 2020, which is still a few years ago, and another good decorating year for me.  Will these pictures inspire me to get my Halloween house together?  I can only hope.

I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!

And yet I fear my own lack of oomph.  I am like the half-buried skeleton and the dried up plant in the background.  I never did my container garden this year so do not have any dead plants to decorate with now.  You see how I fail to plan ahead.  However, one cannot change the past; we can only go on from here.  At least I have made a blog post of over 200 words. As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Caffeine Can’t Help Me Now

Posted on September 22, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, here it is, a post without any pictures. I forgot to take any, and Richfield Springs is too far to drive this morning to rectify the omission.  I mean, I could find other things to do in Richfield Springs and make another trip there, but I have to go to Rome for a VA appointment at 10 and wanted to make my blog post before then, blah blah, woof woof, oh, just get on with the post, Cindy.

Have some more coffee, me!

I put in a picture anyways.  In fact, I have had a couple cups of coffee, but I used up all the oomph in that caffeine writing my story about last night’s Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel.  Full disclosure:  I broke the mug pictured the other day by not paying attention when I thought I was setting it safely on the counter.  It was one of Steve’s favorites!  Only the handle broke, though, so I will glue it back together and display it on a shelf.

That was a distraction.  I was going to write about breakfast/lunch at Cassidy’s Diner at Richfield Springs, NY with my swimming group yesterday.  Some of us had breakfast, some had lunch.  It was quite delicious.  I think the best thing for me to do is to return to Cassidy’s, have another delicious meal, take pictures, and write a blog post exclusively about Cassidy’s.  I shall bill this as a Tired Tuesday post and scurry off to my VA appointment.  I wonder if I can get some advice on how to make the effects of caffeine last longer.

 

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