Friday, October 9, 2026

Always, Always.


Above is an image I treasure of a Country Road, in Southern Iowa, that was found in an old scrapbook. 
Think of Dad, every time I see it. 

Yesterday, while traveling to Ottumwa, Iowa... with 'J', and The Ford, we visited a lot about Dad, and how much 'J' and my Dad were alike. 

Workin' on Old Trucks, anything... with an engine. 
I looked at Justin's hands, while we were having lunch at Bubba Q's, hahahahaha. 
His hands, like Dad's are permanently stained with old oil, and grease... from twisting wrenches in the depths under hoods of All Sorts!! 
Made me smile. 

Justin was my photographer, yesterday... while driving throughout Southern Iowa. 
I'm still one eyed, so... thought I'd better keep 'it' on the road. 
hahahahaha!! 

Justin captured some Great 'Iowa' Images, that I posted yesterday. 
{Thought about stopping at Farmer Friends, Lynn and Lea's, but.... It's Harvest Time, and They Have Much Going On!! }

We stopped at an Amish Grocery, on the way home. 
That's where we ran into those Adorable Jack Russell Terrier Puppies!! 
Oh my. 
Talk about Heart Melting!!!
Precious!!!

I miss Peanut so Much, it wasn't easy to not scoop them All up, and bring them Home. 

Somehow, I know the 'Pup' who needs to come Home, with me, will, someday.
The Right Ones... Always Have. 
Always.

Plans over the last few days have changed, as our Dear Neighbor, May... informed me her Husband, John, had passed away. 

John has been ill for several months. I, was very concerned for May. 
May, and their Son, Paul... have taken care of John, at Home, up until a week, or so... ago. 

I didn't know John, like my John, and Son, Justin did. 
John, and I would visit, every now and then... He was a Good Man. 
Scottish... All The Way!! 

May, is Irish... I enjoy just Listening to her Speak. 
I've always known what a kind, and gentle Strength she has. 
Amazing Woman. 

Day before yesterday, 'J', and I went to the store, put a box of food, and things together for May. 
Don't know if it's 'Irish', or 'Iowa', maybe... it's everywhere...
when you know there are no 'Words', 'food'... always helps. 

Knew... May would be having Family, and Friends... stopping by. It's nice, when you're so exhausted, heartbroken... to not have to think about entertaining. 

I remember how Grateful I was, when John suddenly Passed, for Dear Friends who brought food, and helped prepare food for his Celebration of Life. 

Your mind is in such a Blur... when life as you've known it, shatters. 

John, May... and Paul, have been such Wonderful Neighbors. We Love Them So. 
I've Assured May, we're Always Here. Always. 

It's funny, John and May Always, over the many decades called John, "Johnny". 
Always. 
My John, was very close with May's Wonderful Brother, Pat. 
Every time Pat would visit, from Ireland, he spent a great deal of time with John, here at the Shop. 

They so enjoyed visiting. 
Good, Good... People. 

We'll be keeping a close eye, on May. 
Both 'John's ' would expect no less. 




We've always felt so Incredibly Blessed to have John, and May as our Neighbors.
Friends. 
Blessings.

Love to You.
Prayers... for All.

Barb C. 

{Fairfarren... John. }


Workin' on It.

I'd planned on having a post written by noon, today, however....
I'm chalantin' a little slow... today. 
Hahahahaha!! 

Stay Tuned!! 
Barb C.

Thursday, October 8, 2026

A Pretty October Day, in Iowa.


It was a Beautiful October Day, spent on The Road, with Grandson, Justin... and The Ford. 

Too much to write about, this Evening. 
I'll catch up, in the morning. 

The last couple of days have been filled. 

It was Wonderful finding 'The Road', today. 
Grateful, Grandson, Justin... Rode Shotgun!! 
Oh my. 

Enjoying Iowa's 'Fall Harvest'... 
and....
Puppies...
In one day, is a True Gift. 

Dare I say it...
?
"Simply Iowa".

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C. 





Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Imagine... if you will.

When I watched the below video...
The first thing that popped into my head, was...
'Imagine... if that was a Mustang... in Another 'small town', or... better yet, an F250 Ford, with a Tuned 7.3 
Powerstroke Diesel, with a 12 inch Lift, and Black Smoke Rollin' Coal outta...Tall Chrome Stacks.'
hahahahaha...

Hmmm. 
oh... dear. 
I could... actually 'Imagine'...
That. 
No alcohol... needed. 
My 'fuel' would be Anger, and Injustice.

Hahahahaha!!! 

{ For the record, I'd happily ride with that Gal. She's One Hell of a Driver!! I'm Impressed!! Yeah Boy!!  }

{ Wonder if she had Wrongful Bike Trail Accommodations FU her home, and land... too??}
hmmmmmmm???

Somehow... I do believe, there's a little 'More' to 'This' Story!!
Hahahahaha!!
{ when I say how Grateful I am... for Josey Wales, 
{Lawyer Meardon}
trust me, 'above'... well. 
'Crazy Train'... Holdin' The Rails!!
Hahahahaha!!! }

Guess my Pal, Kevin... didn't have to imagine too far, either. 
Hahahahaha!!!


Oh... dear.

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All. 

Barb C.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Priceless.


Meet my Sweet little Pal, who met me by the drive Gate, this afternoon. 
Precious. 



Stopped by the Fairfax, Casey's on the way home, a bit ago. 
Retired Fairfax Postmaster, Rick... and another Kind Neighbor, were visiting at a table near the Refreshing Beverages. 
hahahahaha!! 
I asked The Boys, what They thought... would be a Fitting Toddy, after a Long Day in 'Home, Sweet... Home'.
{Fairfax}
Hahahahaha!!
They gave me a few... Fun... suggestions, and Shared some of Their Fond Memories concerning 'Firewater'... Hahahahaha!!! 
but, I landed on Blackberry...
Crown. 
It's Seasonal, and... reminded me of my Mom. 
Mom enjoyed Blackberry Mist, now and then. 

Rick asked me what I planned to mix it with. 
I... thought, for a moment, then replied...
"Ice."
Hahahahaha!!! 
We All Laughed!! 
Oh... dear. 


Indeed.

Yesterday received a text from Rosie, one of my 'River Town ' Gals.
She asked me how I've been, and if I received a package from her. 

I don't check the mail, like I should. 
These last many weeks have been pretty crazy. 
I tend to put out Fires, as they come. 

There's been many 'Fires' lately. 

Felt so bad, I hadn't received, and more than that, Thanked Her for the package. 
{Rosie, and her Sis, Linda. }
Damn it. 

Had 'J' pick up the mail. 
There It Was... 
The Beautiful Gift they sent, in memory of Peanut...
Long ago.
Love... Love... Love. 

I don't know which I Love More... The Beautiful Framed Heart. 
The Beautiful Note...
or, the Incredible Package Rosie wrapped it in. 
All of It, is Absolutely Priceless. 
As Are Those Crazy... Wonderful... Caring Girls. 
Priceless.



Love It. 


It's so strange, I'd just posted my Favorite Image of Susanne, Rosie ... and Linda, the other day, all the while a Beautiful Package from them was waiting in the neglected mailbox. 

Damn it. 

I called Rosie. We had a Long, Heartfelt ... Visit. 
Texting, isn't my gig. I need to 'Hear' a Voice.
Was Grateful to Hear Rosie's. 
Priceless. 
Love Those River Town Gals. 

Also, in the mail, was a Beautiful Card, signed by my Beloved Fairfax State Savings Bank...
'Family'.

I often Praise... Fairfax State Savings Bank. 
Above, and So Many More Reasons Why, are Why. 
Most, can't comprehend that, because they've never had a Family relationship, with a bank.
Hahahahaha!! 

Make No Mistake, I'm not a high roller. Hahahahaha! 
This Bank, 'Family'... Love us, because we work hard, and do what we say, just like They do. 
Yes, it's a Mutual Love, and Respect. 
Priceless. 
{Sure Miss our Polly, and Don. }


I tend to put things off, like grief, until I have time, mind... and heart, to deal with it. 

That might sound cold, to some. 

Here's what I know. 
Grief... Is Crippling... to me. 

Kinda like Scarlett, in Gone With the Wind, I'll think about that, tomorrow. 
Which, I do. 
On my own time. 

There's always so many Fires, 'Obligations'... but eventually 'Grief' catches up. 
Always. 
I've learned throughout my entire life, 
ya can't outrun...
Grief. 
Eventually... ya gotta find a Rabbit Hole, dive in, and melt into it. 

Love to You. 
Prayers for All. 

Barb C. 




Monday, October 5, 2026

Priceless Gems.

Picked up the Mail... today. 
Oh my. 
It's been... awhile. 

Most, as usual, was trash. 

but, oh my... 
There were some Beautiful Gems, inside. 
Priceless.
I'll write about them, tomorrow. 

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C




Sunday, October 4, 2026

Autumn Sunday.

That Rhonda... Always posts the Best, on FB. 
Had to share. 
Love.

Autumn Days.
Above in Blue, is Autumn Leaves...
by Nat King Cole. 

Haven't heard that Beautiful Tune, in a long time. 
What a Gift it was, when it popped up the other day. 
WOW, just... WOW. 
oh... dear. 

It's been a crazy October day, today. 
We're pretty used to them, around here. 
Hahahahaha!! 
Below are a few of them, from over the years. 
Oh my. 
Good Times. Long Days, and Long... Nights. 


We had ALL Sorts of Fun... Hanging The Moons, that year... for The Fall Harvest Sale!! 
Hahahahaha!!


We Often Worked by Ford Headlights, setting up for the October Sale. 
Yeah Boy!!! 

Love. 
Those Crazy... Wonderful... Gals, from River Towns!! 
Hahahahaha!! 
Absolutely Priceless!! 

Indeed. 

Hoping, Neighbor... Paul, will have my old laptop on it's keys, soon. 
Posting with my android, is interesting... to say the least.
hahahahaha!!
He's working on it... Bless his heart. 

I'd replace it, with something new, if I DIDN'T Have to Set Another Computer Up!! 
GADS!!! 
I'm Not Geared for 'devices'. Period. 
Frankly, I'm closer to living 'Amish', than I am in the 'New' world. 
Oh... my. 
Actually, some of the Amish I know, are more tech savvy, than me. 
Hahahahaha!! 
Oh.. Dear!!

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C. 


Saturday, October 3, 2026

Beautiful Treat.


Pal, Allyson... invited me to be her guest at the Cedar Rapids Country Club, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of
'Red Cedar Chamber Music'.

It was Such a Treat!! 
What a Wonderful Gift, 'Red Cedar' is to So Many. 
They play for Children, and Elderly Communities, as well as Huge Formal Events. 
Incredible.

The Cedar Rapids Country Club, was Beautiful.

After looking at the images I captured, yesterday...
wondered if the above doors were the one's that replaced ours. 
?
Look about the right size. 
?
{If so... I like ours... their 'old ones', they 'pitched'...
'better'. hahahahaha!}
{Grateful!!}

About 100 people attended. It was interesting meeting some of them. Many were Incredible Artists, and Musicians.


The Cedar Rapids Country Club put on a Lovely Feed!!

I'm always Speechless, after listening to Red Cedar Perform.
Words can't express their Amazing Talent. 

Below, is the last tune they performed, yesterday, minus the clarinet, which... wasn't missed, in my opinion, by Their Amazing Performance. 
Oh My.


So Wish... they had a recording of the music from the Ken Burns, 'Civil War' piece, they performed, yesterday. 
It's new, to them. 
Created for Violin, and Cello. 
They Brought Tears to my eyes, when they performed it. 
{Gads!! No Tears!!}
Oh My!!!
Pal, Allyson.... Gasped, when they began That Tune. 
It was INCREDIBLE!! 
The most Soulful, 'Haunting' version, I've ever heard. 

If, and when... Red Cedar's version of it, comes...
I'll most Certainly be sharing it. 

So Grateful to Allyson, for the invite. 
It was a Beautiful... Treat. 

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


Thursday, October 1, 2026

Magical Seasons of Iowa.


I'm often asked which Season is my favorite. 
The truth is, I love All of Iowa's Four Seasons. 
Spring, is so Beautiful, full of new Life, and Hope. 
Summer, is Beautiful... as the days stretch longer, with cool, refreshing evening's that feel so good, after a long, hot day. 
Fall. It's Beautiful, as well. The Trees and Harvest, put on quite a Show. The crisp... early mornings, always feel so good, when you open your eyes, in the morning, bundled up .. in bed, before the furnace fires up. 
Coffee, to me... Always tastes a little Richer, those first few crisp Autumn Mornings. 
Winter, is incredibly Beautiful. It's the Season when everything... seems to rest, and renew. 
There's nothing more Beautiful, in my opinion, than a Clean, Fresh Blanket of Snow. 

I... do get a little melancholy in the Summer, when the day's begin to shorten. But... am always thrilled, in the Winter, when they begin to grow longer. 
It always amazes me, in late December, how just a few minutes a day more... of Sunlight, can be felt. 


True. 

Pal, Allyson... invited me to a Gathering at The Cedar Rapids Country Club, tomorrow. 
I've never been there. 
I've heard it's very nice. 
I do have a few pieces of it... tho. 
Hahahahaha!!
When we were building the addition on the house, a Friend salvaged 4 Huge Doors, from The Cedar Rapids Country Club, that they were replacing, and pitching. 
John turned them into Pocket Doors. Two are in the Bathroom, the other two, are the ones pictured. One, opens to John's Room, the other to the Bathroom. 
They Were Perfect... at The Perfect Time, for us. 
So, we have a little of The Cedar Rapids Country Club, right here at home 
Hahahahaha!!
{can't Imagine, and can't let my mind Think... of what was destroyed, when the White House East Wing, was bulldozed. We built our addition with Antique Salvage. Salvaged Churches, the Balcony came from an Opera House. Can't think about it. Absolutely Heartbreaking.}
{but... I can, and Will... Vote, about it. I don't like to let politics touch this blog, or The Rabbit Hole. }

Indeed. 

I've spent this Rainy... Fall Day, still at rest. 
My eye is maybe... getting a little better. 
It's certainly not as painful as it was. 
Grateful for That. 

One Day at a Time. 

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.
Yup.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Welcome October... my Old Friend.


For Many Years, 'before'... 'Fairfax/IDOT' wrongful Bike Trail Accommodations... were a thought, 
The Rabbit Hole would be Hoppin', about now. 
Oh my. 
The FUN... So Many Would Have, the First Weekend in October!! 

Dear Friends, and Neighbors would Gather... and have Quite a Time!!! 
We'd be Running from Dawn 'til Long After Dark!! 
Holy Smokes!!! 
Hahahahaha!!
Pure INSANITY!! 

Our Peg, Farmer Friends, Lynn and Lea... Pal, Mark... Pal, Dale... Brandon, Val, Dear... Budwardo, and Renate, along with So Many, Many More... over the years had Crazy Times, here. 
Wonderful... Crazy Times. 

Things will never, ever be the same again, but... hopefully, '27... will bring the Memorial Day Weekend Sale, and Fall Harvest Sale... back. 

Grateful to Lawyer Meardon, for that, and So Very Much More. 

Unless you've battled eminent domain, and condemnation... with Government entities that have immunity to fraud, well... stay tuned, the book is coming. 

{ in my humble opinion those State, and Federal 'entities' who desire, 'Enjoy'...  immunity to 'Fraud', are those.. who are Intending to Commit 'Fraud'.
hmmmmmm.
My humble opinion...
 but, what do I know??}

I remember All of us Working So Hard, in preparation.
We'd be Exhausted before the Sales Opened!! 
Hahahahaha!!
but, it was always a Good... Exhaustion. 
I'll Always Treasure Those Memories!! 

If it wasn't for that Old Rabbit Hole, I may never have known some of The Finest People in my life. 
{ Eeeeeek!! Getting a little teary eyed. Can't be Doin' That with this eye!!}
Dang!! 

Told The Boys, today... this Fall, and Winter are going to be busy for us. 
We've got a tremendous amount of repairs, and catching up to do. 

I need that old Rabbit Hole, as much as it needs me. 
We've been estranged... far Too Long. 

It's always been my 'Sanctuary', even on our worst days. 
There's something about The Rabbit Hole.. that comforts. 
I call it 'Soulfulness'. 
It has a Way... of Killin' the Blues.
Indeed. 


One day at a time. 

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.