'Solid'.

I've spent more time with Dr. Christine, at River Basin...

these last several weeks with Miss. Peanut, than I have in the last 25, plus... Years

with The Horses!!

; )

Admiral... Babe, Bucky... and Scout.

<3

In January... Peanut weighed 77 pounds.

I... weighed her today, 55.6 pounds.

: (

Had to buy Peanut a new collar.

She's always worn... Polly's Collar.

<3

It won't fit anymore.

They gave Peanut an injection of fluids, today..

that's the 'hump' above her shoulders.

Peanut... is going back, in the morning, early... for more tests.

I... could've left Peanut, there, tonight...

 but, no I couldn't.

<3

Peanut... is blind, has been, since she was a Pup.

Peanut... is a 'Shelter' rescue.

<3

There's no way... I'd ever leave her alone, in a cage... in a strange environment.

Not happenin'.

One of the very first Vet's I worked with, as a Teen, was Doc Hanna, in Springville, Iowa.

Doc was a Large, and Small Animal Vet.

<3

Remember Doc telling me how much 'Better' Animals heal, in their Home Environment.

: )

He'd send our 'Critters'... Home, shortly after surgeries.

Gave detailed instructions for their Care.

<3

Doc Hanna, taught me so much... about Caring... for Animals.

<3

Hopefully... we'll have some answers tomorrow.

Sold a Darling... Early... {1880's} Amana, Iowa... Table, to a Sweet Gal, from Iowa City, this late afternoon.

; )

'Kyli'... is a Nurse.

{knew it the minute I met her.}

; )

Kyli... LOVED That Old... Walnut Table.

<3

{this... is why I 'do' what I 'do'}

<3

The Love... of Old.

<3

Below... are mostly, memories... that popped up today.

: )

Folk's say... you shouldn't look back.

; )

I... respectfully... disagree.

Being in the moment... is Very Important.

{especially when you're going down a flight of stairs, doing laundry, or... sweeping out the back of a FUSO Box Truck. : ) }

Living for the Future, is... important, as well.

: )

the thing is...

Nobody...  is promised 'tomorrow'.

When I look back, well... I'm grateful.

: )

There's been a whole bunch of 'things' over the years...

that sure could've changed my way of thinking.

When I look back, and 'see'... 

: )

I'm still... pretty 'solid'.

<3

In Spades!!

Hahahahaha!!

: )

; )

<3

<3

It's 'All'... About 'The Journey'.

; )

Fact.

; )

<3

<3 <3 <3 

<3

I've... Never Ever Forgotten Those Who've Stood With Me...

in 'The Rain', when... I knew, very well...

they had Far Better Choices.

Never Will.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for

All.

Barb C.

<3

Spoiler... Alert. : )

; )

Priceless.

<3

Take It... Easy.

Above... is a Sweet, little old Rabbit, that Pal, Dale dropped off last week.

; )

I live... where 'The Rabbit Hole' is. Sometimes, customers get upset when they find things they'd like to purchase, here... that aren't 'for sale'.

I... don't sell 'Gifts'.

Ever.

<3

People don't know... it's difficult to differentiate, the 'line' between The Rabbit Hole, and Home.

Impossible, really... 

; )

They... pretty much 'meld' together.

<3

I've been 'Gifted' with some Wonderful Treasures, from Dear Friends, over the years.

Some... will Always, as long as I'm alive... be held.

There are some 'things'... Friends have sent with me, that... will be sold.

: )

They know it, I... know it.

We 'Know'... I'll find 'The Hands' they were truly meant to 'find'.

<3

{It's a 'Rabbit Hole'... thing. ; ) }

{You either 'understand it'... or, Ya don't. ; ) }

The Love of Old... Soulfulness.

<3

Still battling with Miss. Peanut's issues.

: (

She's still hangin' on.

<3

Many have asked... how old... Peanut is.

She's young.

; )

about...

 7

More tests, and fluids, tomorrow.

Thursday... more tests.

<3

; )

Indeed.

Indeed.

Always...

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

(Hy-Vee Grocery Store... had a 'Pie Eating Contest', 11 years ago on this day.

; )

There were a dozen, or so... contestants. 

A few... were mighty big dudes.

; )

I never had a doubt who 'The Winner'... would be.

; )

Daughter, Liz, may never eat Apple Pie, again...

but, 

By God...

Liz Showed'em The Way Home!!}

; )

<3

<3

One Day... at a Time.

Summertime.

: )

Love seeing the Volunteer... Brown-eyed Susan pop up all around The Rabbit Hole, every year.

<3

Like Queen Anne's Lace, and... Purple Asters, they put on quite a show... this time of year.

: )

Plans changed yesterday... after visiting with Dear... Renate, on the phone.

Renate's moved in, partially... just.

Renate brought The Kitties from the apartment, Friday... 

they are NOT... adjusting well.

: (

Bud, and Renate... lost their Two... Beloved Kitties, in the Fire, nearly two years ago.

Bud, and Renate were devasted.

Their Home, was a total loss, as well.

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

Like so many of us understand the deep Love of Our '4' legged 'Children'. 

: (

Then... Bud, suddenly passed away.

Oh my.

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

Renate, well... I have no words.

: (

Bud, and Renate never had '2' legged Children.

Their Kitties, Pups, and Each Other, were Their Lives.

<3

Renate adopted two Kittens, last year.

They've been Such a Blessing to her.

<3

After Renate shared how traumatized The Kitties are, with this 'Move'...

told her, perhaps... we should wait a week.

; )

Let The Kitties get adjusted. 

<3

The LAST thing, in my opinion... those Kitties need, are Strangers in the house, moving furniture, and making all sorts of Racket.

{Renate is keeping The Kitties in her bedroom, with her... and everything they need, but they haven't eaten... and are hiding, even from Renate.}

: (

We Can't let ANYTHING.... happen to Those Kitties.

<3

Renate thought, that might be a good idea.

: )

There's no hurry.

: )

We'll Get'er Done, when the time is right.

<3

{Those 'Kitties' will have to kept in Renate's Bedroom, while we're moving things,

 whenever we come.

; )

Dear God... we Can't Let Anything... happen to them, or have them 'Slip' outside.}

Was sharing Miss. Peanut's awful, seemingly never ending mess, with Renate.

: (

Bud... Loved Peanut.

<3

Renate, too... but, Bud... really Spoiled her.

; )

This 'Move'... has Got to be so Incredibly Difficult, for Renate.

: (

Heartbreaking.

As we were going through thoughts, yesterday...

of

 Bud, and Beloved 'Children'...

oh dear.

We both melted into a Big Old Pool of Goo.

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

{Hate It... When That Happens!! : ( }

Oh... dear.

Peanut was doing better, yesterday...

today, she's worse than ever.

: (

Damn It.... Damn It... Damn It!!!

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

<3

I keep hearing my Dad's advice, in my head... concerning the 'sick' 'Critters', I cared for... when I was young.

How Frustrated I would be, when... some... just couldn't thrive, no matter how hard I tried, and tried.

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

Dad would ask me... if I knew in my heart, I'd done my best for them.

I'd tell him, yes... yes, but... 

He'd say...

"If you know in your heart, you've done your best, that's all you can do. Have no regrets."

<3

I... don't know... at this point, if.... I've Done my Best.

: (

That's What's So Frustrating.

: (

Is there Something... I'm missing.

Is There Something More.... I should be Doing.

: (

Heartbreaking.

: (

I know... Christine, Peanut's Vet, is at a loss, as well.

: (

She wants an update in the morning, hope there's one to give.

I'm not a fan... of The Twilight Zone.

{It's Scary... almost, too real.}

The above... episode, "The Hunt"... always touched my heart.

: )

It... came up, a couple of nights ago, I... switched the channel.

Couldn't watch it.

It's a good one, but... really, really... hard to take.

I've made it very plain to The Lord, since I was very young... if our Beloved Animal's aren't allowed in Heaven,

I... don't want to go there, either.

; )

The Lord Knows... He'd better send me to where The Animal's are, because... 'Heaven'... wouldn't be 'Heaven' for me, without Them.

<3

Welcome... August.

<3

Let Miss. Peanut outside around 4 a.m. this morn... oh my.

; )

It rained most of the day... yesterday, it brought in Cooler Weather.

<3

When I opened the door, that Cool Air Embraced us like an Old...

 Welcome Friend!!

; )

Left the door wide open...  still is.

<3

Love It!!

<3

Took Peanut to see Christine, yesterday.

We were there for several hours.

Christine took more images, and bloodwork.

I... was actually hoping Peanut's white count would be elevated.

It wasn't.

Again... Everything came back Good, and even better, than her previous tests, yet... she's lost another four pounds.

I... gotta tell ya, we're all very frustrated.

Peanut is eating, but... only a few tablespoons of food, a few times a day.

: (

Her teeth are fine. Christine took more extensive images of her head, and chest.

Nothing abnormal.

Christine gave Peanut an injection of steroids.

{I... am not a fan of steroids, but...at this  point, well... we're kind of out of options.}

She's eating a little, this morning.

: )

One Day... at a Time.

<3

The Great Staff, at River Basin... LOVES Peanut.

; )

She's Such a Good Girl.

<3

Was going to write about my visit with Long Time... Neighbor, May... yesterday.

: )

We had Such a Lovely Lunch, at Edith Lucielle's. 

May is from Ireland. Over the years, she's invited me to visit Ireland, with her.

: )

I... never could. 

Too many obligations at 'Home'... always, but... sure enjoy listening to May, concerning her young Life... in Ireland.

: )

I... never really knew May's age. I... don't 'see' people by their 'age', mostly 'see' people by their 'being'.

: )

May is 84, going on 30.

<3

Amazing Woman.

; )

May... Loved John, and... Loves Justin, and 'J'.

<3

Over the years, about 40 of 'em... we've appreciated each other.

<3

May said...

"Barb... sure Miss Your Sales... here. Seeing people Crowd on Memorial Day Weekends, and in the Fall."

{That kinda surprised me. Always worried about our Neighbors, during the Events, here.

Didn't want them to be inconvenienced, in any way.}

May... enjoys poking around The Rabbit Hole, even when I'm not there.

: )

It's another world.... for sure.

; )

May said... she was concerned with all of the Wild Grape, customer's won't be able to 'see' the wares.

: )

Told May... 'That's Just The Way I Want It.'

; )

Reminded May, if people can't 'see' in, I... can't 'see' 'Out', and what's become of our Land, and 'Neighborhood'.

; )

Told May... the 'Right' people, always, always... 'Find' their Way to The Rabbit Hole.

; )

May, agreed, and... totally... Understood.

<3

Contractor's are coming in, in the next several weeks, to try to make

'Repairs'.

If... they get everything 'Done'... maybe, I'll be able to pull 'The Fall Harvest Sale' together, in October.

No promises, at this point.

'Summer'... has gotten away from me.

It's been 'Hurry Up, and Wait'... for weeks.

It Is... What It Is.

; )

Stumbled across the above, this morning.

; )

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

I don't personally have a 'Therapist'... 

Guessing, if I did... 

the above, would be Fittin'!!

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!

; )

Was thinking the other day, 

{that's always dangerous. : ) }

I... do, actually have Many... many 'Therapists'.

; )

'Old... Fords',

'Backroads'....

and,

The Rabbit Hole, when I can 'Find' it.

; )

Indeed.

: )

<3

Pal, Bill... and I, are going to visit Dear... Renate, {Bud} today.

<3

Her New 'Home'... is done.

We're going to help move some things, for her.

<3

This is extremely difficult for Renate.

She Misses Bud, So.

We All... do.

: (

Unbelievable... how 'Life'... can change forever, in the blink of an eye.

You'd think, after going through so many, many... losses, and changes... over a lifetime, we'd get used to them, somehow.

Speakin' for myself, 'change'... life's 'upheavals', don't ever soften when they 'hit'.

Better get crackin'.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

; )

{Received a little information, yesterday afternoon, that...

kinda brought out the 'Ornery' in me.

; )

That's Never, Ever... a 'Good' time to 'Post'.

Hahahahahahahaha!!!}

oh...

dear.

: )

Get'er Done.

<3

Grandson... Justin, got his 6.0 Rockin' and Rollin'!!

: )

Justin's Pal... Antone, has been such a Great 'Partner in 'Crime'!!

; )

Those Boys...

are Having So Much Fun...

working on that Old...Ford.

: )

Priceless.

<3

I... had an 'Interesting' day... yesterday.

Great Day.

: )

Spent a little of it with a Dear Neighbor.

<3

She's from Ireland.

<3

I'll write about our beautiful visit, tomorrow.

: )

Miss. Peanut, has been eating a little, she's heading to see Christine, tomorrow.

{River Basin Equine, and Pet Clinic}

Hopefully... we'll get to the bottom of 'why'.

I've been pretty busy lining up Contractors, to get things 'Fixed' around Home, and The Rabbit Hole.

That's been a 'Journey'.

oh... my.

Hahahahahaha!!!

; )

Been a little more, than 'crazy'.

; )

It Is... What It Is.

At the end of the day... I'm confident, we'll...

 Get'er Done.

; )

{We Always... Do.}

: )

Stay Tuned.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Priceless.

: )

Oh my... Started this post, yesterday. : )

; )

So....

True.

The below... popped up, last night.

Made me smile.

; )

Had to re-post.

'Share'... because it rang so incredibly true.

: )

Suppose it might been seen as a 'backhanded' compliment.

; )

I've always taken it... as a 'compliment'.

<3

; )

<3

Below... are a few responses from Pals.

: )

<3

{Kevin... posted the above. : ) }

: )

Pal, Kevie... was so Kind to drive the Loaded Ford to Gold Rush, in Rochester, MN. in 2017.

: )

{Bless His Heart!!}

: )

It was Kevin's First... 'Rodeo' headin' to a Show...

'Simply Iowa'

Style.

; )

Kevin has done Shows far longer than I have, but...

he... has never Done a Show, quite the way we 'do'.

; )

Hahahahahahahaha!!

{Always... an Adventure with

'Simply Iowa'.}

; )

Warned Kevie... to watch his speed in that Little Ford.

'He'll get away from Ya... in a Hurry'.

; )

Somehow, we got separated in traffic, in Cedar Falls, or Waterloo.

{Kevin was following me, in The FUSO. {Box Truck}

The next thing I know... Kevin, got pulled over for Speeding, in Cedar Falls.

{oh... dear.}

Gratefully... The Officer showed Kevin 'Mercy', let him go... with a warning.

<3

I'm guessin' she took a look at The 'Loaded' Ford, and... felt a little Pity.

: )

<3

{Kevin has the 'Gift of Gab'... I'm guessin' that didn't hurt.}

; )

Dear Pal... Micca, 'Junk Jubilee' Promoter, sent me the above, yesterday.

: )

<3

Sure Miss Micca, and The Junk Jubilee 'Family'.

<3

LOVE Junk Jubilee, and 'Jingles'.

Great EVENT!!

<3

Don't Miss It!!

It's at The Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines...

The 4 H Building.

<3

I've dropped all of the 'Away' Events, for now.

Need to get that Old... 'Rabbit Hole' back on it's feet.

: )

{The Iowa Department of Transportation, and The City of Fairfax, Iowa...

has kept me quite 'busy' for over eight years, with their Wrongful 'Shenanigans'.

: (
Again...

Beyond Grateful for Lawyer Meardon.

Without Charles... I might not be writing this.}

Am doing the below... Event, it's only 5 minute's away from The Rabbit Hole.

Very Good!!

<3

{Close to Home... and Miss. Peanut. More on her... tomorrow.}

<3

Pal, Bill... is also setting up at Vintage Market Days, again... this Fall.

As we were visiting, yesterday.... we were both wondering what we're going to take, in September.

???

I... finally decided to take... a little snippet of The Rabbit Hole.

No 'Theme'... just... a 'Snippet'.

; )

Old... Old...

'Whimsy'.

; )

A 'Reflection'... of The Rabbit Hole.

Most Likely... Vintage Christmas, as well.

Little Early, but then... 

I LOVE 'Christmas', Year Round!!

<3

Bill... has So Many Things, and Styles to choose from, oh dear.

; )

I'm Certain... his Booth with be Crazy Good!!

and

Crazy Fun!!

; )

; )

Above... is Denise.

<3

Bought The AMAZING early... 1960's

'Cow Jumping Over The Moon' Lamp, from her...

this morning!!

<3 <3 <3 

It's INCREDIBLE!!!

Original Shade... in Perfect Condition!!!

<3

I asked Denise, where she found it.

{ Always like to keep as much 'history' with Pieces, as I can.}

; )

Denise said...

"It was mine. I grew up with it. <3}

Oh My Gosh!!!

<3 <3 <3 

said...

'That Shade... is Perfect!!"

Denise, said...

"My Mother... Made Sure Our Things were Always... Cared For."

: )

<3

Told Denise... it's heading to 'The Rabbit Hole', and... it'll be Happy There.

<3

The Rabbit Hole... has kind of an Old...

 'Fairy Tale' Vibe... goin' on.

; )

Told her, that I was going to price it, but... if it Never Sold, I'd be very Happy.

<3

She was Glad... I Appreciated It So!!

<3

That...

I DO!!

<3

Indeed.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Was thinkin' about the many, many... Loads, over the years.

: )

Tho... following The FUSO with a Cupboard strapped on the back, in 2017... 

was Kevie's...

 'First Rodeo'.

: )

{Hahahahahaha!!!}

Not mine.

: )

or...

Farmer Friends, Lynn, and Lea's...

or...

Wanda's...

{Gatherings}

or...

Daughter, Liz's.

; )

One year... we strapped Massive Church Windows on the back, that Dear Pal... Barry, sent with us to Gold Rush.

: )

oh my.

; )

Get'er Done.

Safely.

; )

Trust me...

Dad taught me how to Load a Load, and Tie It Down.}

; )

No Worries.

; )

<3

<3

Oh my.

Began writing a long post, earlier...

A 'Good'... Post.

; )

Thought... rather than rush through it, should take a little time.

; )

That's what I'm doin'.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

; )

<3

{Love It... when 'The Moon Jumps Over The Mountain'.

: )

Love It... Even Better, being from Iowa...

when

'The Cow... Jumps Over The Moon'.}

; )

<3

Trust me... on this one.

: )

'Indeed'

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Hot... and Sultry.

Took a stroll this evening to check on the Tomatoes, and Herbs.

At 6:15, it was still 90 degrees in Fairfax.

You could almost cut the Haze of humidity with a knife.

Late July... in Iowa.

; )

'Sweltering'.

Picked quite a few little Tomatoes that were more than ready.

They're very Sweet.

<3

Snipped a few Herbs, as well 

Their Scent is Intoxicating.

<3

The 'Jungle'... is Happy.

; )

Pretty.

<3

Pal, Allyson invited me to go to the Hiawatha Farmer's Market, with her... this morning, then... grab Brunch at Edith Lucielle's.

Don't know if it was the Heat... or my worry, and lack of sleep, concerning Miss. Peanut, but...

I was in rare form this morning.

Wasn't up for a CROWD, the Crazy Parking, and Insane Traffic!!

GADS!!!

It was a ZOO!!

; )

It's a Good thing Allyson was driving.

; )

had I... been driving,

 would've said...

"No Thanks"... and a little more, when I saw that 

Insanity!!

oh.... my.

; )

Did get a little sassy, while we were making our second lap... trying find a place to park, while stuck in a mile long traffic jam.

{I'm not usually... this 'sassy'.}

; )

said...

"I can tell Ya this much... right now, there's Not One Thing... inside that Farmer's Market that's worth this much Frustration." 

We found a place to park...

; )

We did buy some Heirloom Tomatoes.

Allyson bought some Wax Beans... 

All of the Produce looked pretty good.

It was pricey, in my opinion, but... those People Work very Hard doing these Events.

It's not just the 'Event' costs, just like Antique People, who do Shows.

It's all of the work, and cost... that's endured Long Before... the 'Event'.

At least with Antiques, ya don't have to worry about 'Time'.

These Farmer's have a very small 'window' to do business.

I'd much rather pay a little more, at these Market's for 'locally grown', and support Small Business.

Yeah... I've been on my last nerve... for quite a while.

{Dad would refer to it as being a little "Owly".}

<3

Poor Allyson.

; )

We had the same, Sweet Waiter, at Edith Lucielle's, this Noon, who waited on me, on John's Birthday.

: )

He walked up to me, and asked...

"Black Russian... for Ya Today??!!"

: )

Hahahahaha...

Told him, didn't think... I'd better.

: )

Water was Just... Fine.

; )

Allyson and I... had a lovely visit.

Allyson is a Huge Animal Lover, too.

<3

She knows how difficult, and worrisome it is when our 4 legged Children are suffering.

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

Not certain what this week is going to bring.

Have Much to Do...

but 'much'... will depend on the weather.

Christine, Peanut's now... Vet, will be back in her Clinic. She was gone most of last week.

I'll be calling her, in the morning.

Peanut did eat a little, last night, and a little... this morning, and late afternoon.

: )

Encouraging... maybe.

One day... at a time.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

 

Indeed.

; )