Yep.

Love the Above...

Waylon Tune.

<3

Always Crazy, but... never 'intentionally' hurt, anyone.

In my 'book', 'intention'... is a big deal.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

 

Spring... 2026

Simply Iowa... will be at Vintage Market Days, for the first time, in May.

It... will be the Only 'Away' from 'The Rabbit Hole', event,

this year.

Excited to be a small part of it, and will bring what reflects 

'The Rabbit Hole' best.

<3

It's an Incredible... Event.

Believe it's a Great Advertising 'tool', as it's held only 5 minutes from Home.

My intentions... are to pull The Rabbit Hole,

 out

 of

 The Iowa Department of Transportation's... and Fairfax's 'Ashes', they've left us with.

It'll take us.... much time, to do so.

That's The Direction... I must head, and solely focus on.

It's been 8 years... of Fighting.

6... years, of brutal... Fighting.

{not concluded, just...yet.

 may... have to open up a few more wounds.

may have to...

Totally...

Switch directions, yet... again.

Yeah...

'dealing' with IDOT, is like standing on

 Shifting Sand.}

{this should... never, ever... ever, 'happen' to Anyone Else.

ever.}

Get Back...

to

 The Basics, and Regular, 'Set Hours'...

There.

<3

{The Rabbit Hole... Needs me, as Much as I... Need It.

'These Days'}

<3

As I've written, on earlier posts...

many, many things will be changing this year for

The Hatter, and...

Rabbit Hole.

Still... can't get into all of the changes, or... the reasons why, 

but, stay tuned.

<3

When I can, will.

<3

Sadly... so very... sadly, 

am dropping 

'Gold Rush', in Rochester, MN.

and...

Junk Jubilee, in Des Moines.

No more 'away' 'Shows' for Simply Iowa.

It's been a Heartbreaking Struggle, making this decision.

The 'Customers'... I've gotten to know, over many, many... years, are Far More than 'Customers'.

They are like Family.

<3

Frankly... my 'Customers' understand me, Far Better... than my 'Family'.

: ) : ) : )

We all... 'Understand' one another, with our Crazy... Love, and Passion...

for

Old.

<3 <3 <3 

Promoter, Micca, her Beautiful... Sis, Shelly... from JJ, oh my.

<3 <3

They, and The Junk Jubilee Family, are The Best.

When Times were Tough... 

They Were Always 'There'... for Simply Iowa.

Always.

<3 <3 <3 

Gold Rush...

oh my.

: )

Began doing Gold Rush... in the 1990's.

; )

81 Ford Ton Truck... 15 foot enclosed trailer...

Daughter, Liz... and her Best Pal, Kristi, were my 'Porters'.

<3

They were 7, and 8.

<3

: )

We'd leave Fairfax, at 3, or 4 in the morning... to get to Rochester, by 8, when we were allowed to unload, at that time.

'Back in 'The Day'.

: )

{The Girls, would have their pillows all around them in the Ford's cab... slept, most of the way.

Remember my neighbor's at Gold Rush saying... 'I have have Grandchildren that age... I've never seen Them Work... That Hard, or Behave... That Well!!"

<3

'Iowa' Girls... are Workers.

<3

'Little Women'.

; )

{We had a Lot of Fun... Too. : ) }

Kaye, and Richard... 

{Promoters}

are two of The Finest Promoters I've ever known.

They Don't Stop...

They Don't Quit.

; )

They've had Many Obstacles Thrown in Their Paths, over the decades, but...

By God, They Always Roll Through Them.

<3

Kaye, has been a Huge inspiration, over the decades.

<3

Unless... you've been a promoter, trust me... you could never understand the Pressure.

Don't know how any of them do it, and...

 Do It...

 So Incredibly Well.

; )

 Procrastinated... 

Agonized...

making the 'calls', last month.

: (

 I'll explain, more... when I can.

<3

Yes... 

The Book, is coming.

; )

I'm going to Miss, So Miss... my Neighbors, Friends.... 'Family', at both

Junk Jubilee, and Gold Rush.

this...

is the right road, for... 

'Simply Iowa'.

<3

Indeed.

Been playin' with a Clock, my Pal... sent with me, the other day.

: )

He was so frustrated with it. He couldn't keep it running, yet... he Loved it so.

He, said... "Take It!! I'm Done!!"

; )

well...

believe...

I've got it goin'.

; )

If it keeps... Marchin' Along, through the night,

 believe...

it'll be ok.

; )

I'll give him a call, tomorrow... see if he'd like 'The Beauty'...

back.

; )

Love to Ya..

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Partial... Ron White 'Plane Crash' video.

Look it up...

in it's entirety.

trust me...

it's worth it.

; )

<3

 

'Storms'...

<3

<3

<3

: )

Pal, and Neighbor, Kathy... posted the above last evening.

; )

I was on the phone, with a Business call, when the hail hit Fairfax.

; )

The Gal... I was talking with, said...

"I can 'Hear' that hail... maybe you should find 'Shelter'...

 the basement.???!!!"

; )

Told her...

'Bring It On'!!

; )

{didn't hear sirens, yet... 

frankly... if I had, I'd still say...

'Bring It On.'.}

; )

Reminded me of the Ron White 'skit', concerning the near...

 'Plane Crash'.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!!

{Hit Somethin' Hard... I don't want to Limp Away from 'This Wreck'!!"

; )

Hahahaha!!!

oh.... dear.

; )

{I'll try to post that clip, above this post. ; )}

Was Greeted this morning, by a Beautiful Woman, wearing a Long... Black.. Lacey Dress, 

with

 an

 Old... Flannel Shirt, over it.

; )

<3

The Beautiful Woman... 

was holding a 

Starbucks Chocolate Latte' with an Extra Shot,

 in one hand...

and...

a

Beautiful Check, in the other.

; )

'Storms'...

will come, and go...

but,

 guarantee...

'Mother Nature'

ain't got

Nothin'

on 

'Iowa' 

Girls.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Checked Old Jethro, for hail... damage, this morning. 

He... was gratefully, spared, as were the Greenhouses.

<3

'Blessed'}

<3

Battling 'Flooding' concerns, since The Iowa Department of Transportation wrongfully butchered us, for Fairfax's Bike Trail.

Big Rain, coming in... again, tonight.

: (

When... I say, so sadly... I hope they 'Rot in Hell' for what 'They've' wrongfully 'done', here.

Believe it.

; )

'bless their hearts.'

Looking forward to visiting The State Legislature.... in Des Moines, 

concerning this 

Wrongful Mess, that shouldn't 

'happen'

so...

incredibly...

'Wrongfully'

ever, ever...

again,

to

Anyone.

: (

'Fraud'...

isn't

Acceptable.

Period.

Grateful... 

So Incredibly... Grateful,

Lawyer Meardon

 keeps

METICULOUS

Documents.

: )

<3

Praise God!!

; )

<3

'TikTok'

; )

A Dear Friend... called the other day.

He's a Clock Collector, like me.

: )

We go Way... Back.

He's bought several Clocks from me... over the years.

Many... I sure didn't like 'parting' with.

{Those Damned... Bills.}

; )

always... 

knew.

they were going to a Great Home, when he purchased them.

: )

My Pal, is 'thinning out'... his Collection, he asked me...

if I'd like to find 'Homes' for a few.

; )

Picked up... several, yesterday.

; )

The Above... Two, will be staying 'Here', with me.

<3

The Tall... Oak Kitchen Clock, is a Gilbert.

Late 1800's.

It's called 

'The Iowa'.

<3

My Pal... bought it from me, decades ago.

{That 'One'... was very Difficult to let go of. 

Very... Rare.}

<3

: )

So Incredibly Happy, It's found It's Way...

back,

Home.

<3

; )

The Ansonia, 'China', well...

I've never owned a 'China'.

They... are Amazing.

<3

I... won't let that one 'go', either.

<3

Grateful... to my Pal, for Blessing me, with it.

; )

The above...

Early, Grandfather...

was a consignment.

It didn't want to 'Run', when it was brought to The Rabbit Hole, but...

I played with it, over and over...

It...

Finally, became 'agreeable'.

; )

It found a Wonderful...

'Home'

<3

I'm no 'Clock Repairman', by any means...

but...

I like to 'play' with them.

; )

Old Friend, Richard Arnold, from Iowa City...

used to walk me through, the 'Old Clocks'.

<3

He helped me 'Troubleshoot', over the phone, often.

; )

Learned so much... from Richard.

<3

Richard... was a Gem.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Double... 'Indeed'.

Enjoyed a Lovely...

'Sunday', in God's Country.

<3

<3

<3

Spook... couldn't decide if he wanted to be outside, or in.

; )

Neither could...

Gizmo.

<3

They... mostly, just wanted to be where The Other Kids were!!

: )

Meadow... is riding much better.

; )

Romeo... understands that.

He's a Smart... Horse.

Very.

<3

Willow, and Meadow... 

; )

Little Justin, who... isn't so 'little' anymore, were enjoying the Day.

They Begged me to go in the Argo.

; )

{On any Other day... I would've went. ; )

Movin' Bill... : )

well...

I'm still...a bit 'Stoved Up'!! GADS!! : )}

Hahahahaha!!!

oh...

dear.

; )

Love how The Girls... braided Romeo's Mane.

<3

{I remember... 'those days'. <3}

We enjoyed a Beautiful Meal... Fun, conversation...

: )

Sadly... my mind, drifted.

Try not to bring... the 'ugly' world, here.

Some days... it's very difficult, not to.

When I look at these Kids... Critters...

'innocence'

well...

I get really...

angry.

: (

Indeed.

Double...

'Indeed'.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

'Easter'... Round Two.

Indeed.

; )

Headin' to 'God's Country'... today.

Celebrate Easter... with The Kids, and Critters.

<3

Wound up giving away the big batch of Baked Beans, from last Sunday...

it...

Just wouldn't be 'Easter'... without 'em.

; )

Whipped up another batch, this morning.

The Beans on the left... are Bush's Baked Beans.

The right...

are mine.

{I use Bush's Baked Beans... for 'the beans'... 

then...

add

 All Kinds 

of 

Magic.}

; )

Gave some to Allyson, last Monday... she Loves Them.

<3

They don't look like they'd be Thick... but, oh... Yes, They Are.

; )

I'm....

So... Into Those Beans!!

Hahahahahahaha!!!

{The Kid's are... Too!! ; ) <3 }

Along with two pounds of Bacon... added three Smoked Pork Hocks.

; )

Oh Boy!!!

; )

Better get Crackin'!!

Love to Ya...

Prayer's  for All.

Barb C.

'The Book'... is coming.

When my aching... frickin' eyes... 

opened,

yesterday morn, Bright and Early...

6 a.m., or so...

it crossed my mind,

 Holy Smokes...

Pal, Allyson... and I, have a 'Day Planned'.

{My Body... was so Sore... from Wednesday, and Thursday's Mountain Movin'...

Gads.

; )

I'd intended to sleep in the La-Z-Boy, but...when I 'crawled' upstairs... to get a glass of water, 

around midnight...

Miss. Peanut followed me.

She went Straight to my Bedroom door.

Refused to leave it.

; )

 gave in, lifted her onto the bed, and collapsed there, too.}

: )

My body... wouldn't move, without PAIN, but... thought,

'What Time'... is Allyson picking me up... this morning??'

Called her... around 7 ish,  left a message.

She... called me back, before I had to move a muscle.

{Praise God!!}

: )

I was Praying... she wasn't planning on... an 'early morning'.

'Praise God'...

She Wasn't!!!

Allyson said... she'd pick me up, 

'a little after Noon.'

<3

; )

figured... 

'that'... might be 

'doable'.

; )

Soaked for hours... in a Hot, Hot... Hot...

Bubble Bath.

; )

Leaned... heavily, on my Old Pal, 'Aleve'.

<3

'Aleve'... has gotten me through many 'Miles'.

'Mountains'.

; )

I was still...

Stiff as a Board, when Allyson picked me up...

 but...

Truly, enjoyed The Day.

<3

'Simply' Iowa.

<3

Iowa is So Beautiful.

: )

I've edited this post... many times, while writing it.

; )

oh...

dear.

; )

'The Book'... is coming.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

What a Ride....

; )

<3 <3 <3 

Hahahahaha!!!

No... It Is Not.

: )

Hahahahaha!!!

; )

{yes... It Kinda... IS!!! : ) }

I'll write about This Beautiful... {painful} day, tomorrow.

; )

some days...

there isn't enough 'Aleve'...

 Hot Water, and Bubbles... 

to 

Kill the Ill.

; )

Hahahahaha!!!

Pal, Bill... is most likely hurting more than me.

: (

Grandson, Justin... most likely...

Is Havin' Fun... Fishin', or... Workin' on an Old Ford.

<3 <3 <3 

; )

Stay Tuned... I'll Fill Ya In,

 tomorrow.

; )

<3

'Today'... has been painful, from my toes to my teeth.

oh...

my.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Indeed.

<3