Heavy... hearted.

Amishman, Mahlon, called yesterday.

He's coming bright and early... tomorrow morning to take down 

The Old...

Ash Tree,

 in front of the house.

: (.......................

Dear Friend, Bud... told me several years ago, I was gonna lose The Ash.

It's lived much longer, than Bud... had predicted, gratefully.

; )

I always Thank... Lawyer Meardon, for Saving...

The Ash... and The Locust, in front.

: )

The Maple... and The Pet Cemetery Pine Tree.

<3

 The Iowa Department of Transportation was going to 'Take' Every Single Tree, in front, for Fairfax's Wrongful Bike Trail.

{They Took So Many... They Never Should've.}

: (..............

I've been doin' my fair share of 'Boo Hooin'... coming to grips... with The Ash's loss.

but...

it's a different kind of sadness.

When 'Life'...

 'Mother Nature'... 

'takes',

it's sad.

: (.............

yet...

somehow...

understandable.

but...

when an

 'Entity'... 'Takes', 'Butchers'... so Incredibly Wrongfully,

Intentionally......

'Fraudulently'...

{in my very, very... humble opinion.}

That... is a Violation, on a Very, Very...

'Personal'

Level.

Grateful... The Ash has held on, as long as it has.

<3

{tomorrow's gonna be tuff.}

The Great News, Mahlon is Confident... the 

Beautiful... Old Locust, standing next to The Ash... can be trimmed up, and saved.

<3 <3 <3 

Another Tree Trimmer, thought it should come down, too.

: (

Mahlon, couldn't quite understand... that.

; )

<3

I don't trim much of The Gnarliness... away...

around our 

Land.

<3

The Bittersweet... and Wild Grape.

<3

They're like a Warm Cloak... protecting us, from Highway 151, and what the 'former' Council, and Mayor, in Fairfax... 

called...

'Progress'.

I'm very protective of it all.

<3

If there was ANY Way... to save, that Old...

Ash, 

I would.

<3

{The Emerald Ash Borer... reminds me much... of IDOT.

'Bastards'.... 

in my very... humble opinion.

bless their hearts.}

Mahlon said... he's surprised we have any Ash Trees left, around us.

: (...............

After the 'Iowa Hurricane', in 2020.... so many, many... Tree's were taken.

: (

They say... 65, to 70% of the Trees, in Cedar Rapids, were lost.

More than 100,000 Trees.

: (.........

{Fairfax, is 5 miles from C.R. We were in 'Direct Hit', as well.}

We were Very... Blessed, 'here'.... on our little slice of pie.

<3

The Iowa Department of Transportation...

'Took'

far more of our Trees, with their 'Wrongfulness', than the 

2020 Derecho did.

: (

Mahlon's gonna trim up several Trees, while he's here.

: )

It's gonna be difficult... gazing out the windows, while I write... 

after tonight,

 not seeing my

 Old Pal.

: (.....................

; )

Indeed.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

yeah...

The 2020 Derecho... has nothing, on The Iowa Department of Transportation.

; )

The Horrible 2020 Derecho, lasted about 45 minutes, with Wind Speeds...

around 140 mph, sustained.

This battle with Fairfax, and The Iowa Department of Transportation...

has lasted close to 10 years.

; )

Crazy Train.

{now Ya know Why... I Sing Lawyer Meardon's... Praises.}

; )

 

Grateful... for 'The Mascots'.

; )

The Simply Iowa...

'Mascot'.

<3

{One... of many. ; )}

It's been a long... day.

Rather Toasty... for May, in Iowa.

I don't enjoy 'breakin' a sweat'... 

with such... little effort, this early in the year.

; )

When Jethro, and I... pulled in a bit ago, 

noticed the 

Little... Angel, again.

{He Always 'Greets' us, at the end of the day.}

<3

Found The Angel... in St. Augustine, several years ago... while traveling with Pal, Allyson.

: )

A few years ago, there were Men doing backhoe work, here.

They... sadly, hit the base, 'Pool' that 'The Angel' was standing in.

Made me pretty sad, until... I really 'looked' at The Angel.

: )

He's got a broken right arm...

Just... like Mine!!

: )

He's been Kicked in The Gut, too...

Just like Me!!

: )

He's got a Broken Wing...

: )

Just like Peg, and I... always said, 

'We, Too... Have!!'

<3

{Peg, and I... would Joke, and say... how 'Our' 'angel wing's'...

{if... we had them}

{Hahahahahaha}

were down to

 'Pinfeathers'.... Smokin'... Smoldering.... and Singed, from gettin' 

Way Too Close to The Gate's of 'Hell'.

; )

<3

Hahahahahahaha!!!}

; )

Most Folk's would see... a broken angel.

I... see a 'Warrior'.

<3

'Survivor'.

; )

To me... that 'Angel', is more precious, 

'meaningful',

than he was...

before, the backhoe's mishap.

; )

<3

; )

Indeed.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Soulful... Treasures.

Friend, Cindy... former owner of 'Smokehouse Antique Mall,  Amana, Iowa'...

has moved to Montana.

She's closing up her Home, in Cedar Rapids... 

and having a Sale, over the weekend.

There's 'Estate' items, from her Family... along with 'Moving' items.

I... was Flyin', today.

Had so many, many.... obligations, didn't think I could attend. 

When my 'day' ended, called Pal, Dale, asked him... if he'd made it to Cindy's Sale.

He had not.

Dale was actually 'At' Cindy's old Store, in Amana.

; )

Told Dale... if he wasn't doin' anything, we should head over.

; )

Dale... was here in 20 minutes.

; )

We had such a Lovely Time, at Cindy's Sale.

: )

Cindy, and I... go Way Back.

; )

I'll Never Forget the times we shared in Nashville.

'Heart of Country'.

; )

Holy Smokes!!

; )

{I'm certain, Downtown 'Nashville' remembers us, as well.}

; )

Cindy's Sale... has some Beautiful... 'Treasures'.

: )

Dale... found many things.

I... gathered a few.

; )

Love... Love, Everything.

The late 1800's Foot Warmer, is such a Gem.

It's case... is so beautiful.

The Needlepoint top, is... simply soulful.

<3

I've never seen one, like it.

It's complete... with the handmade tin water reservoir.

You'd fill the tin reservoir with HOT water...

then, rest your feet on the Beautiful... Needlepoint.

'Treasure'.

<3

The Fun...

Paul Hanson, Lamps...

; )

{Hollywood Regency}

<3

When they were placed on Cindy's 'Holding' table...

heard Cindy say...

"Barb Is Here!!".

: )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

{Priceless.}

; )

<3

20.00 for the pair.

<3

I'll have to get them re-wired...

but, Seriously???

How Cool!!

<3

{Thought of Pal... Gail, so often, at Cindy's Sale. ; )}

Love... the Beautiful, early 1900's, I'm guessing,

 Girandole Mirror.

<3

As Much as I Love... Early Iowa... Farmhouse Primitives, 

oh my...

fall all Over myself, for the Goopy, Fringed... Mirrored... Prismed...

Tasseled...

Worn Velvet...

'Victorian'

Gnarliness.

; )

'Simply...

 Iowa'.

; )

It was So Great... visiting with Cindy, this late...

afternoon.

; )

Gonna Miss That Girl.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Treat me Nice. ; )

<3

Justin 'J'... and I, moved Many Mountains, today... 

at 

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa Estate Sale.

{Memorial Day Weekend}

; )

We're staging the Home.

Everything is packed in boxes.

{They've been 'remodeling' so... everything is packed up.}

We're Un-Packin'.

; )

We brought the Bed, and Furniture from the lower level, up, today.

; )

Justin... reminded me, without sayin' a word...

I ain't 16 Anymore!!

Hahahahaha!!!

; )

{39... and holdin'. : )}

Bill, started sortin' The Garage, yesterday.

; )

The Garage... is PACKED!!!

; )

2013 Ford Edge Rims, with Nice Tires!!

; )

Justin... was Pulled like Magnet, to Steel...

to 

the 

Vintage Yamaha Bike.

; )

{That Kid... is Drawn to Anything with an Engine!!}

; )

<3

Lawyer Meardon... wants me to keep a watchful eye on the West Cemetery Road, and Bridge Project, that 

Fairfax, Iowa's hired... engineer, his firm... has designed at the North side of our Land, with Help... from The Iowa Department of Transportation.

: )

{bless their hearts}

Grandson, Justin... and I, took a little stroll... on Fairfax's.. and The Iowa Department of Transportation's 'Bike Trail'... along Highway 151,

 {that 'isn't' according to them All}

this morning, before heading to 

'The Cedar Rapids Estate'... 

captured many, many.... many images.

here... are, a few.

; )

{While 'strolling'... thought of something, Brother, Sonny... told me, long ago,

when I was a Teen, about Grandson, Justin's age.

; )

{Sonny... was a Huge 'Chip' off of Dad.

 ; ) 

Sharp... as a Tack, and Quick. 

; )

Very... Very... 'Quick'.}

: )

Sonny said... "Sis, you'll always know... when someone is tryin' to pull a fast deal. 

At first... they'll try to confuse ya...

'Dazzle' ya... with their supposed 

'brilliance'.

; )

When that fails...

they'll attempt to 'Baffle' ya,

 in desperation...

with their 

best

'Bullshit'."}

; )

{tho... I'm no 'engineer', believe... I can see exactly where Fairfax's Bike Trail... is going to be.

What I don't 'see'... is Access to our Land, on the East side.}

??????

We have some Major Plans, for that land.

; )

I've asked Fairfax's hired engineer, countless times about that access.

{It's recorded}

That's what Lawyer Meardon... is also, 'concerned' about.

; )

Bless His Heart.

Without Him, our Barn... and Much More Land, would be Gone, for This...

Wrongful...

Fairfax/Iowa Department of Transportation...

'Bike Trail'

Mess.

: (

{All of This Waste, in my very, very... humble opinion, 

is about a 

'Bike Trail'

and...

Money.

Millions, and Millions.}

; )

but...

what do I know?

; )

It was quite an interesting 'walk'...

'Stroll'...

this

 Morn.

; )

oh yeah...

Fairfax... Really Needed a 65 foot Bridge, over this little Creek.

{The Old, was 22 feet. Lasted over a hundred years.}

Fairfax... Really Needed a Massive Bridge, over this... tiny little Creek, 

in my opinion...

because, 

A Bike Trail... wouldn't fit, On, and Under... a tiny little Bridge.

A Bike Trail... that leads directly from The Iowa Department of Transportation's Wrongful Highway 151 Bridge, in front of our Home.

; )

My... oh my.

; )

{who... knew??}

; )

It'll be very interesting, when we put the 'before'... and 'after' images...

Side by Side.

; )

While visiting with Lawyer Meardon, the other day...

he advised me to 

'Be Nice... to Those Contractors.'

; )

Reminded Lawyer Meardon... that, I'm Always 'Nice'...

to 

Everyone.

<3 <3 <3

 until...

I catch them in a lie.

Game Over.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Had many, calls... concerning Fairfax's last City Council Meeting.

Seems, the last part of that meeting, was...

oh.... my.

; )

I... almost, attended that Council Meeting.

; )

Knew better.

: )

Love It!!!}

{Stay Tuned on 'That' Front, too.}

; )

Above... is Fairfax's hired engineer, and me... 

{and Lawyer Meardon!!}

: )

Brother, Sonny... too.

My Dad, Too.

<3

; )

It Takes a Village, 'Warriors' to fight against 'Goliath'.

The Iowa Department of Transportation, Federal Money, and State Funds, our money... being trusted to those, who... sadly, in my opinion, should never be trusted.

: (

Money.

: (

remember...

for Years, 

Fairfax, and IDOT denied there was a 'Trail'.

; )

Money...

The Root of All... Evil.

Moving... Forward.

Met with Dear Friend...

Renate, yesterday, bright... and early.

Renate was asked by 'Service Master', the company who cleaned up after their horrific... tragic...

 fire, to come, decide...

what they could pitch of the Amana Furniture.

I... asked Renate, "Which piece's would Bud be o.k. with 'trashing'???"

We both agreed, in Unison...

'None of It'.

<3

; )

It's All Coming 'Home'.

<3

; )

to...

'Amana'

<3

What Renate doesn't 'keep', for her Home... will be sold, and placed in appreciative hands.

<3

That's how... Bud, and Renate... 'Roll'.

<3

It was difficult, for Renate.

Very.

She hadn't seen any of the above, since the day of the fire.

Bud... wouldn't let her close to it.

<3

Much... can be cleaned.

Surprisingly, none of it smelled of smoke.

We were both Grateful... for that.

Not sure... how much, Renate will want to keep.

She's so incredibly heartbroken, it's so painful for her to see their 'Memories', in such a state.

I... get it.

Guessing... most of us do.

: (

Renate treated me to a Lovely... Breakfast.

: )

The Server made a mistake, on Renate's pancakes.

<3

She brought Renate...

'Mickey Mouse'

Pancakes.

: ) : ) : )

Perfect.

Simply...

Perfect.

<3

{Loved to See Renate Smile, especially... after such a difficult morning.}

<3

I'm working at The Cedar Rapids Estate, today.

Shooting for Memorial Day Weekend, for that Event.

; )

Images soon.

; )

Then... I'll be setting my sights on 

The Rabbit Hole.

<3

Having a 'soft' re-opening over The Fourth of July... weekend.

The shop won't be 'done'... by July, guessing it'll take me a year, at best.... to get caught up... from the last many, many... many years, that Fairfax, and The Iowa Department have kept me 'away' from it.

'Consumed' my life.

{again... 'This' should Never, Ever... Ever... 'Happen' to Anyone, so incredibly Wrongfully.

Once I get my 'Life', and The Rabbit Hole in order... to The State Capital, I'll be headin'...

Lawyer Meardon's Incredible 'Evidence' in Hand.

; )

The Book... is Coming.}

; )

There's much I haven't shared, concerning this wrongful mess.

Stay Tuned.

; )

Want to Thank Everyone who Attended Vintage Market Days 'Eastern Iowa'.

It was Great!!

Wonderful Promoter, and Staff.

Great Fellow Vendors...

Super Shoppers.

: )

<3

Grateful.

: )

Better Git!!

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

One Day... at a Time. ; )

The Lovebirds.

<3 <3

<3

Bud, poured the water... on, what he believed, was a futile attempt, in saving them.

yet,

 Bud... Never Gave Up.... 

'Hope'.

<3

{You should SEE Those 'Plants'... 'Now', that Bud, and Renate... 'Saved'.}

<3 <3 <3 

It's gonna take another day, or two...

to

write about this day, and the couple... before, this one.

: )

Stay Tuned.

{may have to save this... for 'The Book'. ; )}

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Pretty Day... in May.

Took 'The Day' Off...

Yesterday.

; )

Have a Busy Day... ahead.

I'll be posting this Evening.

Meeting with Dear Renate... {Bud} this morning.

It's going to be an emotional morning.

We're looking at what was 'salvaged' from Bud, and Renate's devastating fire.

Losing Bud... after the fire, and having to make so many, many... decisions, well...

I'm Proud of Renate, for her strength.

<3

I... know, Bud... is at her side, always.

Always.

<3 <3 

Above... are the Wild... 'Volunteer' Strawberries that have found their Home, at The Rabbit Hole's Entrance.

<3

They are Amazing.

'Nature'.... is Amazing.

Woke up in the night... to hear a quote, on an old... 

show.

Made me Smile.

It's So.... True.

: ) : ) : )

"Two Gypsies can't look each other in the eye...

without 

Laughing."

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

I'll expand on That... a bit later.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Spring... Vintage Market Days 'Eastern Iowa'... History.

Arrived at VMD, around 8:30 this Beautiful... 

Mother's Day Morn, 

began Fluffin' The Booth.

; )

We'd left it in a bit of a mess, last night.

Was Grateful to see, Pal, Bill... and Steph had moved the Big Arch, front and center, while I was strapping down the Gazebo, on The Ford.

They Placed It... 

Perfectly!!

<3

Certainly not as Impressive, as The Beautiful Gazebo, but...

it was Much Better, than a Gaping Hole!!

; )

{LOVE Those Garden Arches!!}

: )

It was Pure Torture... setting up across from Our Lovely...

Paducah, Kentucky...Neighbors.

; ) 

Seriously!!!

???

: )

'Chocolate Moonshine'.

{seriously???}

They Have AMAZING Fudge, and Treats!!!

GADS!!

; )

Fun Folks!!

All of our Neighbor's were Amazing.

; )

<3

: )

Sold Many, Many... Mushrooms, of All Shapes and Size, over the last 3 days.

: )

The above, Young Man, Connor, picked my Favorite, today.

; )

Love That Teal Blue.

; )

Was Sooooo Excited to purchase the above, from Fellow Vendor, 

and Pal...

Dori.

<3

Have the Mirror image, of the above... 

Post Card... size.

The Post Card... dates from the early 1900's.

I've Treasured that old Post Card, for decades.

Keep it under a cloche, in the lower Bath.

<3

Don't believe the 'painting' or, 'print' of a painting, is as early...

No Matter.

Love IT!!

<3

Have a Perfect Spot, for the much Larger 'Painting'.

Love It.

<3

So Grateful...

Helper, Brandon, and Justin 'J'... were able to help me load out.

; )

Tho... there wasn't a lot left, it was still... a lot of work.

We got 'er Done.... Quick.

: )

<3

I'll write, in more detail... about VMD, tomorrow.

; )

I'm a bit 'Done'... for this day.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Had an Interesting encounter, today... with a Gal.

; )

She stopped in front of the booth, and said...

"Barb!!!... Do You Remember Me!!??"

{always love it, when I'm asked that.}

; )

Uh.....

She said... "I'm Tina, from 'Linn Junction' days."

<3

{I... Lived on Horseback, in Linn Junction.}

{THAT WAS 50 Years Ago!! 

Several 'Lifetimes'... ago.

Miles, and Miles... and, Miles... ago.}

; )

Yes, I did recall... Tina.

; )

<3

then...

 I asked 'Tina'...

"How... in The World, did You... recognize me????"

; )

Tina's reply...

"Barb, you look exactly the same!! You haven't changed One Bit!!"

: )

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

; )

Bless Tina's Heart!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

Apparently, to Tina...

I haven't 'Changed a Bit'... since I was 12 years old.

; ) ; ) ; )

Love It!!

<3

We Exchanged Many Hugs, and Memories.

; )

got... a little,

'misty-eyed'...

too.

Priceless.

<3

Always think of my Best Friend, Dorene, when I hear the above tune.

<3

Dorene, and I... Lived on Horseback, in the 1970's.

We were Inseparable.

: )

Dorene lived in Linn Junction, {N.E. Cedar Rapids} where I rented pasture for our Horses, Ponies... and Mules.

<3

We rode Horses... from Dawn, until Dark, every day we could.

; )

I was one of Dorene's Pallbearer's, in 1979, after she was tragically killed in a head on crash, on Highway 151, between Springville, and Marion, Iowa.

I've visited Dorene's Grave, most... every year, since.

; )

<3

so... often, wonder...

'Where', and 'Who'... She'd 'Be' 'Today'.

<3

<3 <3 <3 

Happy Mother's Day!!

We'll be Celebrating Mother's Day...

at

'Vintage Market Days'...

from 

10 'til 3!!

; )

Come... Join Us!!

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Vintage Market Days... Eastern Iowa, was Smokin' Hot All Day!!

Didn't have time for images, today... but, the Sweet Gals, above...

asked me if I'd get a picture of them, together... in the Simply Iowa Booth.

; )

Of Course!!

<3

It was a Fast and Furious Day.

; )

Had to run Home... and Load More on The Ford, around Noon.

ZING!!!!!

; )

Thank God, for Pal, Bill.

; )

He watched over my Booth, and his... while I Flew Home.

{Gratefully, I'm only 5 miles from the Show.; ) }

When I woke up this morning, noticed I'd missed a message from one of the Gal's who measured 

The Beautiful Garden Gazebo, yesterday.

Called her, early... this morning.

She was So Funny!!

; )

She said... she hadn't slept all night, thinking about that Gazebo!!

Said... She Had to Have It!!

; )

Told her... I could deliver it, after the Show, today.

: )

Thanks to 'The Twisted Sisters'...

<3

Pal, Steph... and her Hubby Marc, who... Just... 'happened' to show up, at the end of the day,

{'Lucky Them'... Hahahahaha!!}

<3

and 

Bill,

we made Quick Work, of getting The Gazebo down, and loaded.

{Talk about an 'A' Team!!! Holy Smokes!!!}

<3 <3 <3 

Priceless.

<3

We Really Should have a camera at these events.

'Behind the Scenes'

; )

What a 'Show'.

; )

<3

What an Amazing... Group of Dear Friends.

<3 <3 <3 

'Family'

to

me.

<3

Bill, and I had The Gazebo... delivered before 5.

The Show closed... at 4.

That's Quick.

; )

Very.

Thanks... to So Many Helping Hands.

<3

Vintage Market Days... 

'Eastern Iowa'...

Day 3...

Here We Come!!!

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{I gotta tell Ya, I've sure met some Wonderful Folks, at this Event.

; )

Becky, the Promoter...

Awesome Vendors....

the 

'Customer's'

have been 

Over The Top, as well.}

<3

<3

The Love of Old...

runs deep.

<3