Tag Archives: walking

What’s a Ghoul to Do?

Posted on September 23, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post.  I was hoping to make this post when I was driving away from Ann Street Deli on Sunday and had occasion to wonder if I am not too obsessed with all things Halloween.  Specifically, do I see decorations where none are intended?  Looking at the picture, I think I could be excused for thinking this is some sort of ghoul.

Is he scary or just unhappy?

If I ever fix my outdoor spigot and get a hose, I am going to look for this sort of doodah to wrap it around.  I wish I could have a whole blog post of things that unintendedly look like spooks, but alas, this was the only one I found.

While taking a walk yesterday, I found only one thing worthy of stopping and taking a picture of, and it is not all that great of a picture.  I saw they had planted grass where they recently tore down a building next to Pete’s Tavern.

I peeked my phone through the chain link fence for the shot.

It is always nice to have more green space in the village.  I made myself take the walk, because I was feeling rather down yesterday.  I think I have mentioned that my depression is really kicking my butt these days.  However, one must persevere (one being me in this case, but I encourage perseverance in others as well).  With that in mind, I shall take myself off to swim this morning: exercise and sociability.  Stand up against that, depression!

In the meantime, I shall keep an eye out for more Halloween-like pictures.

 

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Pre-Swim Post

Posted on September 21, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have shared various parts of my fitness journey here, my walks and runs, and years ago when I went to the Mohawk YMCA I seem to recall making a couple of elliptical remarks (a play on words when I was on the elliptical machine).  I thought my well-wishers would like to know I had gotten a year’s membership at the Y which allows me use the facilities in Little Falls and Mohawk, NY (I feel I should specify the state for the benefit of anybody just now tuning in).  So far I have only been swimming in Little Falls, but I have enjoyed that quite a bit.

I finally remembered to take a picture of the building.

What, you didn’t think I was going to take a selfie of me in a bathing suit, did you?  Well, it may come to that eventually.  I had been tempted to join for quite some time now.  One of my Elks friends swims almost every morning, and it is not only good exercise, apparently it is also a very sociable thing to do.  Some of them meet for lunch sometimes, and even for dinner at Christmas.  Regular readers know how I live to be sociable.

It turned out to be quite affordable (at least I could afford it) to purchase a year’s membership, and I can also take advantage of weight rooms, exercise machines, and various classes.  So far all I have done is swim.  We are not supposed to swim laps, unfortunately, so I mostly walk back and forth, swish around, and do some of the exercise I learned in Physical Therapy.  And chat with my fellow swimmers.  I was delighted to find that I was already acquainted with a number of them.  And I have made new friends.  Of course I swim without my glasses on, so it is not guaranteed that I will recognize my new friends when I see them outside the pool, but hopefully they will recognize me and help me out.  It is amazing to me how often you do not recognize people when you see them in a different setting anyways, or is that just me?

Anyways, this is my Monday blog post, a shout-out to the local Y.  I encourage everybody to get what exercise they can, according to their abilities and the facilities available.  We’ll call this my Public Service Announcement for the day.

 

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Only 485 Miles To Go!

Posted on September 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

My well wishers will be pleased to hear I am walking again and attempting to do so on a regular basis. I keep meeting with setbacks, like having a cold or digestive upsets, and you know how these things are: you miss a day and it is so easy to miss two or three.  I have walked for the last six days in a row, so I will make bold to do a Pedestrian Post in lieu of my usual Monstrous Monday.

I had meant to do a Pedestrian Post with Pictures so took my phone with me, but I was soon so absorbed in walking that I was disinclined to stop and take pictures.  I do enjoy the act of walking, and when I can look around and enjoy the scenery and weather, it is even better.  I suppose it would make a better blog post if I could share the scenery with you, but we can’t have everything.  I will, however, explain my headline.

Earlier this summer, when I put aside my crutches, I started to think I could go back to walking.  As I pondered the idea, the song started playing in my head, “And I will walk 500 miles, and I will walk 500 more!”  Regular readers know my love of keeping journals.  I could keep a 500 mile walking journal!  Considering I would not even be able to walk a mile to begin with, this journal would no doubt last me a long time.  I found a large notebook I had not written anything in yet.

Oh dear, this does not seem to go with the preceding paragraphs, does it?

I started to get uncomfortable looking at all the prose with no pictures so threw in the one I did take on my walk.  I was walking with a bottle of water and in the direction of the spring, so when I finished the bottle I was all set to get a refill.  So I guess this is a Pedestrian Post with One Picture.

Regarding my grandiose dream of 500 miles, I hate to have to tell you when I started towards it, because the miles sure are adding up slowly.  In my defense, I point to the aforementioned setbacks.  Also, I do not count all my walking, for example when I walk to the post office or the Elks Lodge.  This is because I have a tendency to forget to turn off my Garmin on these walks, so they do not get counted correctly anyways.  The beauty part about that is, my body still benefits from the walk.

I petted one sweet dog on this morning’s walk.  I want to start taking my walks as soon as I get out of bed.  Maybe I will be watching the sun rise soon.  I wonder if I can get a good picture of the sunrise.

 

 

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Thanks, Lisa and Valley!

Posted on August 29, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have not been going to as many tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY as previously, but yesterday, I noticed that Adirondack Winery was there, so I had to make the trip down and see my friend Lisa, who I knew would be pouring.  It was a warm walk, but I needed the exercise.  I may have mentioned how grateful I am to be able to walk again.  I bet you thought I was going to whine about the heat (you know who you are).

She’s awesome!

Even though I am quite familiar with the product, I was happy to sample again.  There were also a couple of new wines to try!  I started with the Cabernet Sauvignon, one of my favorite flavors.  This one rated my ultimate accolade of “yummy.”  As regular readers know, I am not a sophisticated oenophile (I pronounce it “oh-nee-oh-file”).  I found the Pinot Gris a little sweet for my tastes, but then I tend to like my liquor bone dry.

Pina Colada was a new one for me (the Pina should have a tilda over the n, but I do not know how to do that on my Chromebook, or anywhere else for that matter) (as regular readers know, technology eludes me).  It tastes just like a Pina Colada!  It was amazing!  Sweet or not, that is a great summer drink!  I found the Strawberry very strawberry-y. Hey, my Chromebook is not underlining “strawberry-y.”  I guess it agrees that should be a word!

As always I found the Lavender delightful, the wine and the story behind it.  The owner of the winery invented it, because his wife so loved all things lavender.  I told Lisa of a conversation I had with a charming 12-year-old girl once where we were talking about lavender and rolling the “r.”  It sounds better when you say it than when you type it.  The Blueberry was also yummy: fruity but not too sweet.  I mentioned that 1,000 Islands Winery also makes a Blueberry wine.  I will have to get a bottle of both sometime and have a taste-off.  Perhaps sometime when I have another W(h)ine and Cheesey Party.

The last thing I tried was the Lavender Lemonade, two parts wine and one part lemonade.  I decided I liked the straight wine better, but for a summer party this would be OK.  I took a recipe for Serenity Lavender Lemonade, which is a little more complicated.  I also took a flier about the winery in Lake George and the Queensbury Tasting Room.  I would like to get a group together to visit one or both!  With a designated driver, of course.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 South Caroline St., Herkimer, phone number 315-867-5800.  They have tastings almost every weekend.  You can follow them on Facebook or check out their website at shopvalleywine.com.

 

 

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A Walk of Some Lame

Posted on August 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would do a kind of a combination Lame Post Friday and Pedestrian Post this morning.  When I discovered I had left my Garmin plugged in overnight, I took that as my sign I should walk right away.  It was prior to 8 a.m., an excellent time for a stroll.

Regular readers know I have not been walking as much as previously and I have not been running at all.  I recently started to get back into a routine of walking every morning, only to come down with a nasty cold or sinus thing that sidelined me, followed by a stomach thing more recently.  Yes, I am whining a lot, stop playing that miniature violin (you know who you are)!

The wreckage of my running dreams?

I felt delightful this morning, and moreso as I began to walk.  I decided to walk downtown and try to check the progress of the demolition of a building on Main Street.  The above picture was taken a week or more ago, when the building had just come down.  They are hard at work clearing away all the debris.  There is another condemned structure, but apparently the village lacks the funds for more demolition.

Another view.

I did not bring my phone with me so did not take a picture of what is currently there.  Perhaps later when I go to have a drink at Pete’s Tavern or the End Zone.  Uh, I mean when I go down to shop at Collis Hardware or Mohawk Valley Community Market (see how I slide in plugs for local businesses?).

I walked for a mile and a quarter and it felt great.  Now I have blogged for over 250 words, and that doesn’t feel too bad either.  Time to get on with my Friday!

 

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Still Tired, But It’s Not Tuesday

Posted on August 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I suppose nobody is surprised to see me making my Tired Tuesday post on Wednesday morning.  I was tired on Tuesday, but more to the point I inadvisedly opened a fiction book I had picked up earlier that day at one of those Little Free Libraries, Celebrity In Death by J.D. Robb.  It is one of those murder thrillers, heavy on the procedure without skimping on the characters and with a large dose of Hollywood glamour.  I think, “Why can’t I write shit like that?” while being completely caught up in the ride.  This is why I must not read fiction very often.  I cannot put it down.

There’s the culprit!

I happened to be at the Little Free Library at Town of Herkimer Park because I went to said Park to take a picture to go with my story about Monday’s Herkimer Town Board meeting.  That picture is still in my phone, which is across the room charging.  I may use it later today in a Waste Not Wednesday post (preview of coming attractions) (you see how optimistic I am about making Wednesday’s post ON Wednesday).  I had a couple of books I did not plan on reading so thought to put them in the “library.”

After placing the books and getting the picture, I took advantage of the walking trail, putting in a half mile.  I had stopped walking entirely while I suffered that bad cold or whatever it was I was whining about so annoyingly last week.  I must build myself back up.

And now I am over 250 words.  Woohoo!  Almost caught back up in blogging!  Now to drink tea and read fiction.

 

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Waste Not, Want Not, If Only I Could Whine Not!

Posted on August 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I knew I would be happy to do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post this week.  My cold still plagues me with a terrific headache and a nasty throat.  Yes, I am still whining and crying about it.  I always say, go with your strengths.  I had two cups of hot tea with lemon and honey this morning and ate the lemon slices.  I read that somewhere: you eat the lemon skin and all after it soaks in the tea.  The skin is soft and you get all that vitamin C.  I guess it hasn’t kicked in yet.  Never mind that; on with the blog post.

That’s me: all falling apart.

I took a picture of one of these broken trees from another angle some months ago but doubt I can find it in my Media Library, at least without an intensive search.  I have long thought of going through my Media Library month by month and making an index, a task which becomes more daunting as each month passes.

School’s Out! But not for long!

I noticed when I drove by the school the other day that the seniors’ parking spaces had all been painted over white.  I look forward to see what next years’ seniors will paint.  That made a nice few blog posts.

They grow up so fast.

I took this picture just because I was so fascinated by how the sidewalk was being encroached upon, but now I find it emblematic of my life.  My path forward is constantly blocked by obstacles.  In April I was walking or running daily, looking forward to the Boilermaker 15K and trying to get other stuff done.  Then my body betrayed me and I spent time on the couch, on crutches, etc. (perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it).  I get on some medication, finally start physical therapy, things are looking up!  Then I get this nasty cold with a killer headache!

AAAAaaaand I am back to whining and crying.  You see how I am.  But at least I have made a Wednesday blog post.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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No Monsters, But Monday Mosey

Posted on August 10, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

My well-wishers will be pleased to know I started walking again.  Today I took my cellphone with me so I could do a Pedestrian Post with Pictures in lieu of my usual Monstrous Monday (no promises about Tuesday).  I had neglected to charge my Garmin so paused for a cup of tea before I headed out.  I was still well ahead of the heat of the day.  I strolled down German Street, feeling pleased that I could.  I must say it is so wild to me to feel perfectly capable of walking down the street when two months ago I couldn’t make it to the bathroom without lying down halfway and taking a break (for those of you who thought I was done whining about my aches and pains, I do not know why you got your hopes up).

Trees are so cool!

I had noticed the branches of this tree on a previous walk and thought it would make a good picture.  I’m nobody’s photographer, but for purposes of this blog, I will have to do.

Alas, that you probably cannot read the sign.

Just to give a plug to a local business, Raindrops on Roses Bed and Breakfast.  They also have a wine tasting room with a garden (perhaps you read my blog posts about it).  They sometimes have music in the summer.  I know this, because they recently had to cancel one due to weather.  I must watch for another.  For one reason, it would make a good blog post.  For another, wine.

I do like to see running water.

I paused to take a picture while going over the bridge which was recently replaced there.  Very nice.  It wasn’t such an inconvenience going around while they were working on it, but it is always nice when these projects are finished.

Still known as HCCC or H-trip-C to locals.

I also took a picture of the college sign.  I took other pictures as I continued to walk, but I see I am over 300 words now.  I thought as I was going that more than three would be too many but also thought I could always use them in a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post.  It is nice to have plans for the rest of the week.

 

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Real Flowers on Tired Tuesday

Posted on July 22, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear I have waited till late in the day (for me) to make my Tired Tuesday blog post.  I really do not have much to say, because I do not want to go on about my health woes (and they are currently quite woeful, although I have some hope) (oops, I went on a little bit). I went for a little walk today, to the post office to mail a letter to a friend which, incidentally, I took way too long to finish, then to the Elks Lodge, to visit to whichever friends might be there.  On the way, I took one picture, which I will now share.

Oh dear, I did get part of me reflected in the door!

I must go by there again and focus more on the flowers.  I took the picture because in a recent post I shared a past picture of some flower in front of a place on the other side of Main Street.  These are even better, because they are real flowers.  I suppose one would expect the Department of Environmental Conservation to use real flowers, but one can never count on these things.

Full disclosure:  It was not easy for me to walk as it has been previously. I say this even though it constitutes whining about my physical ills.  I consider that it is OK on a Tired Tuesday post.  I shall hope for a better blog post tomorrow, and as always., I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Too Lame to Perambulate

Posted on June 20, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Lame Post Friday blog post.  I am still posting from my living room couch, gimping around my house on crutches for my basic needs.  Of course I count my blessings, because I AM able to gimp around on crutches, at least for short periods of time.  And there is still food in my house.  I can’t say I have it goin’ on, but at least I will survive till such time as I do.

Enough of my foolish situation.  On with the blog post.

Where is Juan Valdez?

I share a picture in hopes of pepping up the post.  This is a neighbor’s lawn decorations which I saw on one of my Pedestrian Post with Pictures.  When I was still a pedestrian and not a gimp (you see I can’t help but hark back to my petty problems).  When I am once again able to perambulate, how happy I will be.  “Perambulate” is a word my late husband Steve and I used to use when we had a dog, because dogs quickly learn the word “walk.”  They also learn the phrase, “go for a,” so I would say, “Shall we indulge in a perambulation?”

“Did she say perambulation?”

Here is our second dear little doggy, Spunky.  I miss having a dog, although with my current state of immobility, I suppose it is a good thing I do not have one.

Only I’m not wearing leggings or fuzzy socks.

I end with a picture which is close to my current view, although I am trying not to cross my legs much, to facilitate blood flow and such-like.  This is actually from last December, when I was showing off my new slippers, which my parents gifted me.  I hope to leave my couch and my house soon.  Will I be Mohawk Valley Adventure-bound?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my weekend.

 

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