Tag Archives: walking

More Flowers, While I Can Get Them

Posted on May 8, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Determined to have something to write a blog post about, I took my Tablet with me on my walk to the post office, and I took the long way there and back.  For another reason, snow is possible this weekend, and I wanted to get more pictures of flowers while I could.

I guess you can’t see things too well.

It was one of those bright, sunny days where I couldn’t really see the picture when I was taking it. The above was taken near my house.  I especially liked the blue chair with a plant on it.  I also liked the artwork in the windows.  I appreciate people’s efforts to decorate.

Determined flowers peeking through!

Regular readers may remember this as the house that previously hosted the Plant That Ate Bellinger Street.  A couple weeks ago I took a picture of a brave daffodil brightening the area.  Today I saw a few more daffodils and a couple tulips.  I was delighted.

I think this is my favorite tulip color.

I turned away from the post office, because I knew had seen some purple tulips on one of my morning runs.  I was going to continue along Church Street for some red tulips, but I saw a couple of kids on bicycles and did not want to get in their way so turned down Henry Street.

I was tickled pink!

I was glad I had gone that way when I saw a pink flowering tree.  I love flowering trees and have only seen white ones so far.

I like the green ones too.

One of my favorite things about spring is the delicate green of trees just beginning to grow their leaves.

Oh, OK, one more pink one.

After I took a picture of the green, I tried another of the pink.  Like I said, I can never tell which ones are going to look good.

Look at all the yellow!

As I walked down Park Avenue (ooh!) toward Meyers Park, I saw a burst of yellow in a flower bed I have photographed before.  It turned out to be dandelions, but they looked so pretty, I took a picture anyways.  These are my favorite dandelions of the year, before they turn into puff balls.  I think the bright yellow looks so cheerful.

This was the first half of my walk.  I took more pictures on my way home from the post office, but I think I will save them for tomorrow’s post.  It will save my from having Lame Post Friday.

 

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Sunday Stroll

Posted on May 4, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today was so beautiful I wanted to twirl around, arms outstretched, like Julie Andrews in that movie I don’t like but everybody else seems to.  What a clumsy sentence, just because I can’t mention a movie without injecting my petty opinion.  Never mind.  I took a lot of pictures that I would like to share.  On with the post!

There are actually two bushes like this.

I first wanted to go to a house on my street that seems to be unoccupied.  Perhaps the residents are merely elusive.  In any case, I took a picture of a bush on their front lawn and made bold to go up their driveway for a picture of some tulips I had noticed earlier.

I spy some hyacinth, too.

I continued down Bellinger Street in search of a magnolia tree I had not checked on lately.  I noticed a magnolia tree in full bloom on German Street during my run this morning so felt sure the other one would be photo ready.

I took two pictures and continued down Bellinger to St. Francis Church, where I had seen the Saint himself following Covid Protocol.

I appreciate those who set an example.

I also got a shot of the tulips in front of Francis.

I positively must plant more tulips in my own yard.

I continued on through Meyers Park to take a picture of the statue of General Herkimer.

This is a true patriot.

I walked down Prospect to Albany Street, where I saw a flowering tree.

I LOVE flowering trees!

I saw a person ahead so, with social distancing in mind, I ducked into the alley behind the stores.  This was delightful to me, because it is not a route I have taken in recent memory.  Imagine my surprise to see a Christmas decoration!

I often say we must take our joy where we can find it!

I continued on up Main Street and through the park by Basloe Library.  At the beginning of quarantine,  it was only when libraries closed that I said, “Shit just got real.”  However, I was able to enjoy some perennials in the flower beds.

Tulips next to daffodils: nice!

I leaned in to get a shot of some grape hyacinths in the same bed.

 

These tulips were a little further in.

I got home without further photo ops, then proceeded to my back yard, where there are some different flowers under my rhododendron. Previously there have been forget me notes, but I do not know what these are.

At least they are pretty!

I close with a shot of my one hyacinth, taken previously and inexplicably not used in a blog post yet.

SO delighted it came up again!

I understand the weather is not expected to be as delightful in the coming week.  However, I feel I can rejoice that I sufficiently appreciated today.  Happy Sunday, all!

 

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Walking Where I Run

Posted on April 30, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Determined to make a better blog post today, I put my Tablet into a shoulder bag and set put on a walk.  I had an idea to finally photograph a couple of the hills I sometimes run up.  Accordingly,  I turned left onto German Street and headed towards Herkimer College (previously known as HCCC).

Would it have helped to get closer to the slope?

Out Maple Grove is what I call a minor hill.  It is a bit of an effort.  I turned up the street that Y’s off Maple (alas, I cannot remember its name), where there is a steeper hill I sometimes run.  On the way, I tried to get a better shot of Maple.

Rats! You can’t see the slope any better!

This is steeper than it looks, when you are actually on it.

I walked up the steeper way, getting a little out of breath, and headed towards Lou Ambers Drive, for a shot of a really good hill.

Around that curve, and up a little more, is Herkimer College.

I did not walk up the hill but went down toward German Street,  pausing to take a picture of some green that caught my eye.

It does my tired heart good to see green.

A little further down is the spring I take a drink from when the weather is not too cold.

This is a godsend on long runs.

On the corner of Lou Ambers and German is Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, one of our favorite places.

We’ve been getting delivery from them lately.

I continued home, pausing only once more to take a picture of some daffodils.

They were in front of Trinity Lutheran Church.

 

It was a pleasant walk.  I shall have to run those hills again soon.

 

 

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In My Defense, Here’s a Blog Post

Posted on April 29, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

What is it with me and missed blog posts these days?  It is most embarrassing. I’m on furlough, for heaven’s sake; what else do I have to do but write blog posts?  In my defense, we are all on quarantine, rendering many Mohawk Valley Adventures impossible. In my prosecution (I truly cannot think of a good opposite for “in my defense” and would welcome suggestions), do I not have a vivid imagination?  Should I not be able to think of things?

That inner dialogue could go on all day.

I am afraid I am not making good use of my time at home.  There, I have admitted it.  It is a source of some mortification to me.  Additionally,  I am afraid I have written about that in this space before.  Can I think of anything new to say?  Maybe I could just add a picture to pep things up.

Full disclosure: I did not step on each of those colored spots.

Here is a sight I see a lot these days.  It is the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  I have been running and walking most days.  That is one thing I can feel pleased with myself about, although one could argue that I am not running as far nor as fast as might be expected.  I think I will not indulge in another self argument.

Preview of Coming Attractions

To further cheer myself up, I will remind myself of things I will be able to do again someday.  Meeples Mug House in Little Falls, NY, a board game cafe, was one of the first businesses to responsibly close for the pandemic.  It is one of the first places I want to go when quarantine is lifted.

So we have an apology, a self argument, a couple of pictures, and a plug for a local business. I’ll call that good enough for a late Tired Tuesday post.

 

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Signs of Spring

Posted on April 16, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

On today’s walk to the post office, I took a few pictures, so today won’t be a complete Wuss-out Wednesday.  It was cold but sunny, and I found a few signs of spring.

On a previous walk I had taken a picture of a lone daffodil trying to grow where last fall an invasive plant was growing.  That picture did not turn out well, but today I saw a couple more blooms so tried again.

Previous home of The Plant That Ate Bellinger Street.

 

Full disclosure: It did not eat the whole street.

Here is a picture of the invasive species, taken last August (perhaps you read my blog post about it).  It could have grown into horror movie proportions.  Maybe.

After dwelling fondly on memories of what might have been (meaning my ambition to write a horror novel), I turned around and tried to get a picture of the red buds on the trees nearer the road.

They looked prettier in real life.

I continued down Bellinger Street until I saw some lovely flowers in a front yard.

I positively must plant more perennials.

After mailing my correspondence (only one letter today), I continued my walk, hoping for more photo ops.  Then I remembered I wanted to get a shot of Olivia’s Happy Tails’ new location.  Full disclosure:  I have not patronized this business (I SO want to get a dog!), but they have sponsored Herkimer County Historic Society’s murder mysteries.

In the former home of the Evening Telegram!

I continued down the street and up Washington, where I thought I might as well give a shout-out to another local business: Carney’s Corners.  I have enjoyed many good subs and salads from Carney’s.

This may be a good idea for dinner tonight.

I decided to go by my favorite Historic Four Corners.  As I went, I saw a woman further up Washington singing on her front porch.  I did not get a picture, but I waved to her and she waved back.  Then I saw a tree with white flowers.  I love a flowering tree.

 

Pretty!

I said a prayer as I went by the funeral home, for those that cannot say a proper good-bye to their loved ones because of social distancing.

Spring flowers are such a comfort.

Back home, I remembered to walk out back to see if our daffodils had done anything.  They had.

I felt better for having taken a walk, and now I feel pretty good about sharing some spring time pictures.  Happy Wednesday, everyone!

 

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Is This a Blog Post to be Happy About?

Posted on April 15, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess this is going to be a Tired Tuesday post.  It’s Tuesday.  I’m tired.  But one must keep one’s spirits up.  At least, I am trying to do so.  For the main reason, I feel I should not be a burden on others with my anxiety and depression.

Earlier today I went for a walk to the post office.  I took my Tablet with me, thinking to take some cheerful spring pictures.  Alas, the wind blew coldly and I was disinclined to make any stops.  I was skeptical of my ability to get good pictures in any case.

Oh dear, this is not a cheerful post, despite my best intentions.  Well, we are many of us struggling with our emotions these days.  These days have such a weird, unnatural quality,  and the future is impossible to predict.  Additionally,  I am feeling a great amount of guilt about how little I am accomplishing during this period of enforced inactivity.

However, it does me no good to dwell on these negative thoughts.  What did I just say in the first paragraph about keeping my spirits up?  Yes, I am trying to do so.

One thing I can feel kind of sort of happy about is that I have made a blog post.  Perhaps not one of my best, but one cannot always meet the highest standard, can one?  Or can one?  Could I in fact meet the highest standard every day if I tried?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

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Whatnot Walk?

Posted on April 9, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is a new feature I am stealing from another blogger: Whatnot Wednesday.  Biff Sock Pow, a blog I follow, published a hilarious post today, titled Whatnot Wednesday: Intense Consecration.  Then he said we can play along:  make a blog post, tag it #WhattnotWednesday, link back to his post, share our link in his post.  I felt inspired to play along but could not think of what to make my post about.  Then I remembered I did not use all the pictures I took for yesterday’s post.  That’s pretty whatnot, isn’t it?

The water doesn’t really look like water, does it?

Yesterday I was writing about a walk I took.  I left off with some daffodils.  Next I walked over to the high school, which was right across the street.  Running along one side of the parking lot and behind the school is a stream.  I tried to get a good picture.

It was more picturesque before they added all the chain link, but safety first.

I often run over the little bridge behind the school.  I stopped doing that over the winter, because of course it froze more readily than the ground.  These days it is just fine for running purposes.

Kind of the view from the bridge.

It was not so easy taking a picture from the bridge, because of the chain link fence.  I was not able to get the angle I wanted.

Do you know what it is? I don’t.

I noticed the above machine on yesterday’s run, in the athletic fields behind the school.  It was almost as big a draw for me to photograph as the daffodils.  I’m hoping someone will tell me what it is.

Well, I think this is definitely better than a Wuss-out Wednesday post.  Any thoughts?

 

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Attempt at a Pedestrian Post

Posted on April 8, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I saw a couple of things on my run this morning I wanted to take pictures of.  Since people tend to like my Pedestrian Posts with pictures,  I set out this afternoon with my Tablet.  I wore my crazy old lady hat, which has a wide brim, and my prescription sunglasses.  It was one of those walks where the bright sun made it hard to tell if pictures were any good.  Luckily, I think I have enough for a good post.

I hope you can see the buds.

The first thing I saw was a magnolia tree with buds that looked close to blooming.  I do love a magnolia tree.

The picture doesn’t do them justice.

Next I saw some daffodils.  My own daffodils have yet to make an appearance, but once I got my crocuses, I feel hopeful for everything.

These were right near the daffodils.

I continued down German Street towards Valley Health, where some miniature daffodils had caught my eye.

Aren’t they pretty?

What fascinated me about these blooms was that they were surrounded by dried crap from last fall.  Nobody had bothered to cultivate them, so it seemed, yet they were determined to spread beauty and happiness.  Or do I credit flowers with more thought processes than they actually posses?  I don’t really know about these things.

A longer view.

I tried to get a shot of the tiered beds that held the daffodils, but I don’t know how successful I was.  But you can see all the brown competing with them.

And now a note about writing:  a common piece of advice is do not worry about mood; start writing and the mood will follow.  It is not always true.  As I write this, each word is getting just a little bit harder.  I feel I should not share that, because, well why bother you with my petty problems?  And yet, other writers may find it comforting.

Or not.  In any case, I am over 300 words, and I still have enough pictures for tomorrow’s post.  I’m going to call this a Tired Tuesday post and drive on.

 

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Late Post, But Here Are Some Crocuses

Posted on April 5, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

When in doubt, open with flowers.

This is embarrassing.  I completely forgot to make my blog post last night.  I was watching movies, chatting with my husband, drinking wine…  You know how these thing go.

Earlier in the day, I went for a longish run and fully intended to make a Saturday Running Commentary post.  I went for a long walk but did not bring my Tablet with me.  And that’s about my life these days.  Not a bad life, but not so good for blogging purposes.

The earth, however, continues to go about its business, and I was delighted to see that we finally got a few crocuses.

Look for it, it’s there!

A couple days ago I first noticed a little bit of purple and a few buds. I said, “Yay!”  Yesterday, I saw that some of the buds had bloomed too.

My favorites are the white with purple veins.

 

And one more off to the side!

The two lovelies I opened with are in the back yard. I always say I have to take my happiness wherever I can, and the crocuses make me happy.  Noticing last fall’s leaves which I still have to rake, less so.  Then again, raking is exercise that gets me out into the fresh air.  It might even make a good blog post.

 

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Walking on Wednesday

Posted on April 2, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I took my Tablet with me on today’s walk to the post office.  For one reason, I had noticed a couple of cheery sights on my runs, and I like to share a cheery sight.  I found a few other cheery things to photo as I went.   As usual, the sun made it difficult to know at the time if the photos were any good.  Let us see.

I must find some paint suitable for rocks.

These were across the street from me.  I also saw rocks painted like bugs outside of Valley Health but have not yet walked up there with my Tablet.

Ooh, you can even see my pinky sticking out while I snap.

I was delighted to see some sidewalk art.  I took a few pictures of it.

A little too much shadow on this one.

 

I especially liked this image.

 

And the walk leading up to the house.

I took a longish way to the post office and found a few more photo ops.

You can just about see the “egg.”

This house had other Easter stand-ups, but I was trying to get the little gold ball next to the chick.  It looked to me like a leftover Christmas ball, but perhaps it was meant to be an Easter egg.

I love, Love, LOVE crocuses!

I walked up these people’s driveway to get a good shot of their crocuses.  I am SO going to put down more crocus bulbs in my yard this fall!

There by accident or design?

I think this was an artificial flower and possibly blew there from somewhere else, but I liked it, so I took a picture.

I think the idea is to walk along the snake. Looks fun to me!

This is on the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  There are other fun areas painted, but this was the easiest to photograph today.  Someday I hope to bring my great nephew and niece on the path.  I’ll be sure to make a blog post about it when I do!

In the meantime,  I am enjoying my solitary walks.  I highly recommend exercise in the fresh air when possible.

 

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