Tag Archives: Utica NY

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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Another Good Breakfast

Posted on July 31, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I met my Elks friends for breakfast at Marr Logg Restaurant in Utica, NY.  We had eaten there before and liked it.  I liked that I knew exactly where it was, having driven by it many times back in my National Guard days.  OK, I didn’t know EXACTLY where it was.  I knew which street it was on and drove slowly till I found it once again.

Bonnie held my leftovers while I took the picture when we left.

I was the first to arrive and staked out a large table.  There was an even bigger table with a Reserved sign on in, but I knew that wasn’t for us.  We never reserve.  For one reason, we are never sure how many of us are going to arrive.  I sat down, got coffee and glanced at the menu.

“I’m happy to see you’re open on Sunday,” I told the waitress.  “I often feel like breakfast on a Sunday and can’t find a place that’s open.”

She encouraged me to come, and said if the parking lot looked full to come in anyways.  “Sometimes eight people are meeting, and they all drive their own cars, so it’s not as busy as it looks.”  I promised to remember.

I was happy to see some friends show up soon, and Bonnie was REALLY happy to see the waitress with the coffee.  So was I, quite frankly.  I had been up since before six and hadn’t had a cuppa.  Of course I was quite indecisive as to what to get.  Everything looked so good!  At last I settled on two eggs over medium, hash browns and Italian toast.  I ended up taking most of the hash browns home. When I saw the omelets others had ordered, I made plans to order one of those next time.  At one point I had to take a picture of the chef I had taken a picture of last time.

A very patriotic fellow.

I remember taking a picture of him the other time we had been there.  I wonder if  I can find it in my Media Library, because I believe he was dressed differently.

There he is!

I love when a restaurant or other business dresses something for the season!  I will certainly suggest returning to Marr Logg in the fall to see what attire the chef spots then.

Marr Logg Restaurant is located at 1130 Culver Ave., Utica, NY.  They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and for breakfast only on Sunday.

 

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The Boilermaker Blues

Posted on July 10, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Lame Post Friday post!  I am waiting for my new smarter-than-me phone to charge a little more before I head out to the Health and Wellness Expo for the Utica Boilermaker 2026.  Normally this blog would be All Boilermaker All The Time at this point, as I dealt with last minute training and carbing up, Boilermaker Butterflies, decisions about what to wear, where to park, and anything else I could come up with to dither about.  Regular readers know, that will not happen this year.

My feet failed me now.

Those are my sneakers in 2020, a virtual Boilermaker year.  Running was a great solace to me during COVID shut-down.  I have long relied on walking and running to supplement my anti-depressant drugs, counseling, etc.  These days I keep giving myself a good talking-to when I start to feel sorry for myself over the way my body has betrayed me this year, because for heavens’ sake, it could be much worse.

I waited till way too late in the game to transfer my bib or get a medical deferral. Partly because I was spending time immobile and incommunicado, partly because I kept hoping there would be some miracle.  That was silly of me, but then, you know me.  Silly.  I emailed the race director on Wednesday and told him my tentative plan to pick up my bib and glass, then go to the race after-party on my crutches and drink beer with the finishers.  He emailed back that he thought it was a great idea.  How sweet was that, that he took time to email me back!

Not the best picture.

The Boilermaker gives you a glass instead of a t-shirt.  This is from the first time I ran the Boilermaker in 2010.  I have not run it  every year, but I have run it several times (please don’t ask me to do the math!).  Sorry the picture is so dark.  I first had to wander around my messy house looking for a place to take the picture at all; I couldn’t be bothered to worry about the lighting as well.

I see I am over 350 words with neither a random observation nor a bit of half-baked philosophy to show for it.  What is Lame Post Friday coming to?  On the brighter side, it is just about time to take off for the Expo.  Another glass to drink my chocolate milk recovery beverage out of, if I am ever able to run again!

 

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Not Just Monsters: Parades and Players!

Posted on July 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I did a few posts on Mohawk Valley Adventures, and now I am back to doing a Tired Tuesday post.  In my defense, do I really need to defend myself?  I am just keeping my spirits up as best as I can while attempting to be at least marginally entertaining in my daily blog.  Let us see what I can come up with for today.

“Now this won’t hurt a bit. Of course I am a colossal liar.”

I don’t know who the two women are, but the man is a young Christopher Lee in Horror Hotel, also known as City of the Dead. Both titles are misnomers, though, because it involves an inn in a village, but it is a pretty entertaining creepy movie.  I have not seen a creepy movie in a while.  I unhooked my DVD player in hopes of getting it worked on, but the place in town that works on these things seems to be out of business, alas.

Any excuse to wear my tiara!

I did not want to make this post all about monsters, so I throw in this from a few years ago.  I am all set to participate in the DooDah Parade with Ilion Little Theatre (ILT),  part of the Ilion Days festivities.  ILT has not participated these last few years, which I find sad, but groups need people to take charge and get these things organized.  My friend Kim was a mover and shaker in days past, but she, alas, moved away. I myself am not much of a mover or shaker currently.  Perhaps that will change, but not in time for this year’s DooDah Parade, I’m afraid.

Another tiara shot!

And speaking of things I’m not up to this year, here is a shot from Four Old Broads on the High Seas, the show I was in with Players of Utica last year.  Will I ever be on the stage again?  One can hope!  In the meantime, at least I made another blog post.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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For Pete’s Sake!

Posted on May 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday morning I met a few of my Elks friends for breakfast at Marr-Logg Restaurant in Utica.  I may have mentioned that a group of us meets every Thursday at various places in the area. We enjoyed a very good breakfast.  I only took one picture, but I think it makes a pretty good story (or perhaps I flatter myself).

I kept looking at a figurine standing up over the counter on the other side of the restaurant.  The lighting was not bright, and I was wearing an older pair of glasses, so I could not see it very well.

“I don’t know what that doll is,” I finally said.

“It’s the chef,” Michele said.

“Oh, that’s its hat, not its head.  Silly me.”  It also had flowers for eyes and was holding a flag.  “I think I have to take a picture for my blog.”  I went across the restaurant to do so, explaining to a waitress who happened to be standing there.

Isn’t he cute?

“He’s all dressed up,” she said.  “His name is Pete.”

“It is not!”  the man behind the counter said indignantly.  I did not ask for the whole story, but I was amused by the man’s indignation.

Marr-Logg Restaurant is located at 1130 Culver Ave., Utica, NY, phone number 315-797-7730.

 

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Where Have I Been? Where May I Go?

Posted on April 16, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

With apologies for missing my Wednesday blog post, I attempt another Throwback Thursday.  I have done a few things this morning, not many of course:  took a mile and a half walk, met friends for breakfast, talked to my parents, met with a contractor (long story, not very interesting)… OK, I have not done much.  I have a hair and toenail appointment this afternoon and a murder mystery rehearsal this evening (preview of coming attractions).  I certainly hope I remember to take a couple of pictures at rehearsal for a Post-Rehearsal Post.

Now what did I do with that little silver purse?

This is a picture of my bestie Kim and me at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  I actually have some better 1920s outfits now, and I am always hoping to add more. Note to self:  make the next murder mystery a 1920s theme.  I thought I would throw back to businesses previously visited, but of course I cannot get away from my theatrical (not to say drama queen) nature.

Cheers to a Cute Little Blonde!

Here is a local business I need to return to soon, Heelpath Brewing in Frankfort.  The Cute Little Blonde mentioned in the caption refers to the wine Kim is drinking, from Rustic Ridge Winery in Burlington Flats.  That would be more of a drive for me to visit, but it is a delightful place.

The bunnies were still there last week!

Now here is a place I have been recently and intend to return to today: Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I go for their weekly tastings, for a naughty sip and some pleasant conversation.  I must see what they are tasting today.

I have cheered myself up, thinking of these places I have been to and can go to again.  I miss my Kim, who has moved halfway across the country, but perhaps she will return for a visit sometime.  In the meantime, there is no reason I cannot enjoy some Mohawk Valley Adventures with other friends or even on my own.

 

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I Didn’t Waste My Walks

Posted on March 25, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a kind of a Terrible Tuesday, which is not one of my features, but now I am all set for a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post.  For anybody who didn’t know, this is when I share previously unused pictures from my cell phone.

Spring IS coming!

I saw these snowdrops on my cool-down walk after my run on (going to the calendar to check) Yikes! Friday!  How have I not been running since Friday?  Why the hell am I thinking?  Obviously I am not thinking (that is pretty much always the answer to “What were you thinking?”).  But I digress.

The picture did not turn out as well as I had hoped.

I paused to take a picture of a birds nest in a tree on Mohawk Street in Herkimer, NY (where I live) during a longish walk I took on Saturday.  So I have been getting some exercise if not running.  Incidentally, I took two longish walks in the pouring rain on Sunday (it was not raining when I left the house), which quite wore me out.  Apparently I am less resilient in my old age than I was in my younger days.  Alas!

Apparently not the road less traveled.

I add this picture purely for the sake of having three illustrations.  It is a battered street in Ilion, which I photographed as a possible accompaniment to my article for Sentinel Media about the Ilion Village Board of Trustees Meeting on Monday.  This and several other roads will soon have work done on them, as was discussed in the meeting.

One might say that the road picture is symbolic of my life:  not a smooth path, but it just might take me somewhere.  Also, a bare road will be an encouragement for me to get back to running.  I believe I mentioned that I am registered for the Boilermaker 15K in Utica in July.

 

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Lame is the Answer

Posted on January 31, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear, I wanted to make my Lame Post Friday blog post before going out adventuring today, but I sit here at my Chromebook feeling headachey and dull.  Where’s that sparkling personality I thought I had?  And here we come to the ugly truth about me.  Never mind.  I want to make a blog post and I will.   Quick, throw in a picture to lighten  up the mood.

Who could be uncheered by a snowman?

I have not seen any snowmen recently.  It has not been warm enough for the snow to pack, unfortunately.  The caption, by the way, is an homage to Winnie the Pooh.

You KNOW I am going to enter!

Here is a sign I have not seen in a while, because I have not been running.  I really want to start again, but with below zero wind chills and ice on the roadways, I keep putting it off. I have been saying I am going to run the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY this July but have not yet registered.  I heard open registration started, so I better get moving on it.  It will be good for a few blog posts anyways.

Bittersweet is the word.

I close on a melancholy note.  I shared this picture on Facebook this morning after it showed up in my Memories.  The mugs were a Christmas gift from my sister Cheryl, the Queen of Christmas, to my dearly missed husband Steve and me. I said that I rarely use these mugs, but perhaps I would today for a cup of hot cocoa.  I recently purchased the necessary ingredients.  Hmm, that motivates me to get out the door and get on with my errands and adventures.  I can return to a steaming mug of hot cocoa.  Maybe I’ll add a shot of moonshine from Dikin Durt Distillery, just to give a local business a shout-out.

 

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Lots of Cars at Dave’s!

Posted on August 15, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tuesday I went to one of the last Cruise-Ins at Dave’s Diner in Schuyler.  Dave’s is closing as of Sept. 1, to the dismay of many, but, hey, folks are allowed to retire!  My late, beloved husband, Steve, and I used to stop there on our way to Rome or Utica, usually for a great breakfast, although their lunches were splendid as well.  Tuesday I had a delicious burger before walking outside to enjoy the cars.

Yes, they stretched for a long line!

I later found out that trophy was the People’s Choice from the first year Dave had the Cruise-In 25 years ago.  The winner has returned to proudly display the trophy every year since.

I LOVE classic cars!

 

Yes, there were two long rows of cars.

I walked up and down the rows of cars a few times, because more kept arriving.  A couple of the owners said if it had not been so hot, more cars may have shown up.

Back when cars had style!

 

If I had a car this cool, I would take Bonita for a ride.

A couple of cars had cool passengers.  After getting a shot of the skeleton, I noticed Chucky.

“I’m Chucky, wanna play?”

Then I said, “Oh, you have Tiffany too!”  The lady said, “Of course!”  Of course I took another picture.

The couple that slays together, stays together!

I’m not really a huge fan of the slasher flicks, but my husband and I rented the original Chucky movie (Child’s Play) (on video; that’s how old that is!) and were entertained by it.  Years later I saw Bride of Chucky in a theatre (it may have been second-run) and urged it on Steve.  I just love that Jennifer Tilly!   But I digress.

Two more Tuesdays remain for Dave’s Cruise-In, and two more weeks to get a good meal at Dave’s Diner, 2251 State Rt. 5, Utica, NY, phone number 315-735-4332.

 

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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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