Tag Archives: writing

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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Once Again, Better Lame Than Never

Posted on September 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

No, I really did forget to make my Lame Post Friday blog post on Friday.  I thought sure I would make it and be caught up.  Then I forgot.  I think the euphoria engendered by the afternoon cups of coffee I had chased all thoughts of blogging out of my head.  Or I am just old and forgetful.  No, that can’t be, because I have always been forgetful.  Quick, throw in a picture before I get more bogged down in self-recrimination.

Sometimes things do blow up in your face.

This picture ought to remind me I was going to work on my latest murder mystery yesterday.  Instead I did not work on anything, except for a little house cleaning. However, every day is a chance to do better than one did the day before.  Will I do better?  I shall try.

A reward if I do better?

Returning to my Media Library, this caught my eye.  This baker in Little Falls, NY has wonderful bread and is only open on weekends.  I refrained from purchasing anything from them the Saturday of the Garlic Festival, because I already had some good bread from Hannaford’s in-store bakery in my freezer and did not want to get too far ahead of myself.  That bread is gone now, though, so this could be a Preview of Coming Attractions.

My readers, sitting around waiting for me to finish a novel.

I remind myself that I also need to get my house cleaned and decorated for the upcoming holiday.  Will I have a Halloween party?  Will I finish the murder mystery I am working on?  Will I treat myself to artisan bread and if I do will I have earned it as a reward?  For the answers to these and other questions, tune in next time to Mohawk Valley Girl!

 

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Pretend It’s Still Wednesday

Posted on September 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night I dreamed I neglected to make a Wednesday blog post early Thursday morning or even Thursday afternoon.  I do not know what day or time it was in the dream, but I searched for my computer, composing in my head, “Now I’ve done it, now I have done it.”  As is the way with dreams, I when I found my computer I could not log on properly or find where I wanted to go or anything.  Then I dreamed about something else.

Now it is prior to 6 a.m. (early by almost anybody’s standards) and I am sipping tea (the ubiquitous old lady tummy troubles) and wishing I had taken enough pictures for a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post.  I have gone to a couple of Mohawk Valley businesses but neglected to take pictures then either.  I used to post entirely without pictures but feel strangely loathe to do so now.

Something to feel a little sad about.

Looking in my Media Library for something to use for a Wayback Wednesday, I saw this and said, “Oh yeah, rats!”  A year ago I was preparing for this very race.  An invitation to register for it showed up in my email recently, and I sadly ignored it.  I am walking but not yet running.  I see my primary care physician next week and will ask her about the advisability of ever running again.

Unfortunately, I am not a night owl either.

I change the subject to something more cheerful, showing a present my late, dearly missed husband Steve gave me several years ago.  I need to find that mug.  It is in my cupboard somewhere.  The vampire is packed away with Halloween decorations. I will find him eventually.

I see I am approaching 300 words.  I am going to bill this as a Wuss-out Wednesday and drive on.  I will try for some kind of a Thursday post later today, but no promises.

 

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A Pause in Writing to Blog

Posted on September 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s a late post week, I suppose, although it is not too late to turn things around.  Only I can’t look that far ahead.  It is early-ish Tuesday morning (these things depend a great deal on perspective), and I am taking a break from the story I am writing for the Daily Sentinel about last night’s Ilion Village Board meeting.  Sometimes these stories are an interesting challenge, because my editor does not want over 800 words.  I am at 793 right now, so that is OK, only I think my lead is a little, well, leaden.  So I hopped over here to chatter on for a bit and try to wake my brain up.  I am on my second cup of coffee, so that should help.

Where’s Juan Valdez when you need him?

As you may have guessed, this is a Monday Mental Meanderings.  I meandered so far away on Monday, I didn’t make my blog post till Tuesday.  In fact, I did little or nothing of note on Monday.  You’ll have that.  Will I improve things on Tuesday?  We shall see.

Oh, there’s a thought!

As I jumped back to my Media Library for another illustration, I saw this.  It was taken at Saturday Spreads in Frankfort, NY.  Check out the notebook, complete with purple pen!  That is what I must do today: Go someplace and write!  Yes, yes, I know, I ought to be able to stay right here and write.  Well, maybe that will work out this time.  I will try it both ways and report back.

In the meantime, I am over 250 words.  Score!  Back to my journalistic duties.

 

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Late Typing, if Not Writing

Posted on September 14, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m up to my old tricks, missing blog posts and trying to make up for it the next morning (oh, here’s a Freudian typo: “typing” for “trying,” which of course echoes Truman Capote’s famous line, “That’s not writing, that’s typing.”  I fear it may be true).  I could not even manage a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post yesterday.  I cannot even say why.  My brain said no, and no arguments sufficed to get it to at least try.

Oh deer.

I throw in a picture to pep things up.  I confess to having rather a Wrist to Forehead Sunday but could not tell you why.  Just a mood, I suppose.  I could not do anything but read a book and doom scroll on Facebook.  I like some of the Reels, like We Rate Dogs and Stanzi Potenza.  Every so often I would pick up a puzzle book and do a Cryptogram puzzle or a deck of cards and play solitaire.  Now that I type it out, it does not sound like such a bad Sunday.  What am I complaining about?

Preview of Coming Attractions, I hope!

I cheer myself up with the reflection that fall approaches, and I will soon be noticing colored leaves and Halloween decorations.  Come to think of it, walks usually improve my mood if not my writing.  This is going to be great!  Once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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My Monday Mood

Posted on September 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just got hit by a bout of “Here I Am! Take Me Or Leave Me!”  It actually feels pretty good.  First I posted it as my Facebook status, then, having very little else, I decided to write my blog post about it.  Let’s see if I can get 200 words.  I can bill it as a Monday Mental Meanderings.  I can’t call them Middle-aged Musings anymore, unless I live to be over 120.  If so, I will leave instructions in my will for somebody to go back and re-categorize accordingly.  Perhaps I could do it myself on my deathbed.  I probably will not have much else to do at the time.

Yes, I am feeling a little silly.

I need more bling in my life.

Regular readers may recall the Minnie Mouse ears given to me by a friend recently.  She gifted a few other friends with different colors.  We are all going to wear them to the Herkimer Elks Lodge one day soon while Jack makes ice cream drinks.  Yum!

Politics must intrude.

I got hit with my merry mood after taking a shower kind of late in the day and putting on a cute outfit (or do I flatter myself?).  I have to cover the Ilion Village Board Meeting at 5:30.  These meetings have been lively lately, because many residents have attended to protest an AI Data Center which is proposed for the former Remington Arms building.  Remington Arms, for those of you who do not know, was a large gun manufacturer for over 200 years.  It was a terrible thing for the village when they closed.  I worked there for almost 10 years.

It is nice to see people getting involved with local issues, and they are not only talking about the data center but about other issues.  However, this blog is intended to be “totally fun,” so I will probably not write about them here.  I merely mention them in passing.  I will write about them for the Daily Sentinel, a paper out of Rome, NY.  That is my side hustle, a freelance reporter.  Doesn’t that sound cool?

I see I am over 300 words.  Score!  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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I Missed Monday!

Posted on August 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh no!! I am back to posting the morning after for the day before!  It is a very bad habit to get into, and eventually I just acquiesce in losing a day (ooh, according to my Chromebook, I spelled “acquiesce” right on the first try! That is the first thing I have going for me this morning!) (obviously I will take every win).

I pause to turn the fan on.  I am sipping hot tea, in deference to my bad stomach.  I do not treat it well.  I throw anything down there, with no thought as to quality or quantity.  This is why my weight loss goals remain daydreams.  Never mind that.  My goal right now is to make some semblance of a blog post, then go on to writing my article about last night’s Herkimer Town Board meeting.

Obviously not a picture taken yesterday.

I looked in my Media Library for an appropriate illustration and found something that said, “Herkimer.”  Perhaps I should have gone with the Herkimer College sign, but one is not always sure of the right thing to do in these situations (one being me).

I confess I did not have a very good day yesterday.  I was not feeling very well physically or mentally.  However, I managed to make it to physical therapy and to the meeting I had to cover.  I logged into WordPress but was attacked with a terrible case of I Just Can’t Even.  I feel sure there are other writers who are shaking their heads or their fingers in scorn, saying THEY never allow such considerations to keep them from their assigned writing duties (you know who you are).  I say shake what you like, including your booty or your groove thing (which makes for an amusing mental image). I myself am approaching 300 words. Score!  See ya on Tired Tuesday!  Oh crap, that’s today!

 

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Is There Such A Thing?

Posted on August 14, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not know what is wrong with me lately, but when I try to write, I am blank.  That is why I say I suffer from Writer’s Blank rather than Writer’s Block.  I do not feel there are stories inside of me unable to get out.  I feel there is a vast wasteland where my brain ought to be.  All this by way of introduction to yet another Throwback Thursday, because at least I hope I can manage some semblance of a blog post.

See the papers in those people’s hands? That’s all me!

To prove to myself that I did so write something sometime, I flash back to the last murder mystery I wrote,  A Revolutionary Murder, which was very well received both times it was performed.  In fact, I wrote two different endings to it, in case we had an overlap of audience.  Now that I think about it, it was during rehearsals and the second performance for this one that the pain in my leg started getting really bad.  I have not written much since.  Oh dear.

You may have seen this bunch before.

I search further in the past for more inspiration, October 2017 and A G.R.A.V.E. Murder. That was a fun one, and it featured my late, dearly missed husband Steve (he is the handsome man on the right).

I have been writing a few things here and there, entries in various journals (regular readers may recall I have several), blog posts, a very few letters.  I must strive to do better.  In the meantime, I am over 250 words.  A writer friend assured me, writing about not writing is still writing.  True?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

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