Priceless.

<3

<3

I Knew...

when looking at that Beautiful, broken... Mustang,

what John... would make from him.

; )

Never a Doubt.

; )

<3

Jethro... carried us to every single... horrible, radiation treatment John endured.

Jethro...

at

 John's Celebration of Life.

<3

John, and I... had a mutual Love Affair, with Mustangs.

<3

Especially...

This One.

The one he named...

'Jethro'.

<3

<3

Rules....

; )

That's.... a Fact.

<3

: )

{shared the above... with Grandson, Justin... yesterday.

; )

Love It!!

The post had Roy Orbison, 'Pretty Woman' attached.

; )

<3

Love That... Too!!}

: )

The other day... took Justin 'J'... to lunch, after... we stopped to fill Jethro up.

While I ran inside... 'J'... gave Jethro a 'Fill'.

: )

When I returned, noticed a Young Lady... chatting with 'J'.

; )

She wanted to know the 'Story' behind Jethro's name.

: )

She, as many do, thought it came from 'Jethro' in 'The Beverly Hillbillies'.

{tho... I, 'Simply Iowa'... could understand that... 

that's not who 'Jethro' is named after. }

<3

John named 'Jethro', after Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the NCIS Character, Mark Harmon played.

John, and I were HUGE... 'NCIS' Fans.

; )

I don't think John... ever put two and two together, but...

John, and 'Gibbs'... were Cut from The Very Same Cloth!!

: ) : ) : )

{Daughter, Liz... is 'Ziva'... it's Uncanny.}

Below...

are a few...

of 

'Gibbs' Rules'.

; )

Gibbs, and I... would have to part ways, with Rule #13.

; )

Believe 'Gibbs' would've crossed #13 off of his 'list' if he ever had to 

fight...

'Deal' with...

Fairfax, Iowa... 'City Hall', and 

The Iowa Department of Transportation.

; )

{bless... their hearts.}

; )

#3, John... wouldn't have on 'his' list.

John was Very Private, when it came to 'Home'.

He wouldn't talk to anyone... other than his Closest Friends, or his Closest Family...

on a Sunday.

Sunday... was John's Day.

: )

His 'Home'... was his 'Sanctuary'.

<3

John wouldn't talk any 'business'... unless it was an Emergency,

'after hours'.

Period.

; )

Once John... walked inside the House, 

he was pretty much,

'Unreachable'.

; )

After I explained 'Jethro'... to the Young Lady, we parted ways.

: )

{She was So Sweet!!}

<3

'J' said...

"Grandma... she thought 'I' owned Jethro."

: )

I said...

"Why wouldn't she??!!

 ; )

 A Young... Handsome Man, like You...

Standin' next to A Handsome... Old Mustang?????"

: ) : ) : )

<3

{Sure wish John was here... He would've advised 'J'... to 'Spin a Yarn'.

; )

'Tale'.

; )

and, never... ever... admit,

 it's

 'Grandma's Mustang'.}

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

<3

'J'... will learn.

<3

; )

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

{Started this post, yesterday.

This 'day' has been a long one.

I'll write about 'today'... tomorrow, hopefully.}

<3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa... Estate Tag Sale!! May 28 thru 31!!

Workin' on The Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

Estate Sale, today.

; )

We've moved the dates from this weekend, to Next.

May 28, 29, 30 & 31!!

; )

Have a Crew... coming to help, today.

; )

Bill has been working on the Garage... he's finding All Sorts of Treasures!!

; )

We've been told there are Mountain's of Books, in the Garage's Attic!!

Oh Boy!!

This Home... is Full of Nice, Clean... Interesting...

Things.

Stay Tuned!!

Images Soon!!

The Ash... has Received a Reprieve.

<3 

'It's too wet, to take him down...

'today'...

 said the 'Tree Trimmer'.

; )

That...

statement...

Made My Day....

Today.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

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.