Pretty July Morning... in Iowa.

The above popped up this morning.

That.... was quite a day.

There were just narrow pathways through the Old... Victorian.

It was sad.

I knew the Woman.. who used to live there.

She was a Lovely Lady.

Sadly... seems, she was very troubled, tho... you'd never know it.

I've learned over the years...

Many, are fighting battles few ever know about.

Most... Everyone, has a 'Story'.

It's a Pretty Morning in Iowa.

: )

It's gonna get Toasty, today... and all week they say.

So Love... the Early... Summer Mornings in Iowa.

<3

before...

It Gets Cookin'.

; )

Taking Miss. Peanut to see Christine, Scout's old Vet, this morning.

I'd completely forgotten she'd expanded her clinic to Small Animals, a while back.

She's Amazing.

Hopefully... she can figure out what's ailing Miss. Peanut.

<3

<3

The above... made me laugh, this morning.

; )

Pal, Bill... and I were just talking about this, 'subject' last week.

; )

We're both 'Taurus'.

: )

Calm... easy goin'... slow, and steady.

Docile... for a long, long... time, when prodded.

: )

then...

someone makes a mistake of waving that 

'Red Flag'.

Oh... dear.

Bill... has only seen me

really, really...

 'Angry'...

once.

He reminded me of that 'encounter'... the other day.

That... got ugly, in a Big Hurry.

The man had tried to 'Bully' me once, got in my face...

screaming so loud, my hair blew back... from his breath.

When the 'man'... stormed away, I told his friend,

who was standing there... with Pal, Bill...

to let his 'pal' know...

I'd given him his first, and last 'free pass' with such disrespect.

The man's pal, said...

"Oh... he talked that way to his Grandmother, all the time. Called her horrible names, treated her horribly."

: (

I... knew his Grandmother, very well.

Hearing about the abuse she'd suffered, from her 'adult' grandson, whom... she'd been caring for, for years...

 made my blood boil.

: (

True to form... the 'grandson', a few weeks later... pulled the same 'stunt' again, with me.

Stepped right into my face, and started cursing, and screaming.

{Pal, Bill... again, was there, as was the 'grandson's' friend.}

that time...

I... stepped right back into the 

'grandson'.

Nose to Nose...

literally.

Gave him... a Huge Dose of his own 'medicine'.

{ooooops.}

The 'grandson'... didn't quite know what to do.

He was stunned, to say the least.

He turned tail... 

smart move.

Sometimes, sadly... you have to speak to some people in a language they're familiar with, and 'understand'.

While Miss. Peanut and I were sitting under the entryway, this morning,

the tune above came to mind.

Watching the Huge Traffic on Highway 151, reminded me of the lyrics in the above...

Otis Redding tune.

"Watchin' the Ships Roll In, then... Watch 'em Roll Away... Again.'

; )

I've often referred to living next to this stretch of 151, as like living next to The Mighty Miss.

Not nearly as Beautiful... as The Mississippi, but...

equally as dangerous, if you aren't acclimated to it.

'Respect' how powerful it is.

Oddly enough, when the Highway has been closed, at different times, over my life....

it's kind of eerie.

almost,

Too... 

quiet.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

My Church.

Slipped away... for a while, today.

: )

'God's Country'...

My Church.

<3

Simply...

Iowa.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

May God Bless... The 'Lazy Freeloaders'.

: )

The Old... 'Old... Man in The Wind' Rocker, that sits under the 

Entryway.

; )

Bought it from Pal... Jan, Long ago.

; )

Grandson, Justin...  moved it the other day, when I asked him to clean out the mud...

from the last big rain.

{Thanks... IDOT, and Fairfax. 'bless your hearts'. Your 'wrongful' ...

{in my opinion}

Suicide 'Bike Trail'... has been a horrible, wrongful mess for us. }

Justin... forgot to put the Old... Man, back, where he's been resting since 2014.

That's o.k. ; ) Figured the 'Old Man'... probably needed a little Sun on his face, too.

; )

We 'All Do', in my opinion... 'these days'.

: )

Carried the 'Old Man' back... under the entry, this morning.

Peanut... wasn't happy navigating around the Old Rocker.

<3

Called on Scout's Vet... this morning.

She's going to take a look at Peanut.

Not until next Tuesday... morning.

Grateful... Christine could get her in... at all.

<3

Need another opinion.

; )

Indeed.

<3

Polly... and Mama Cat.

; )

That... was a Picture!!

<3

Those Two... Never got along.

; )

They did... the months after John passed away.

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

We all did, somehow.

Grief... isn't just for humans... to endure.

Sadly.

<3

Critters, too.

<3

Sent the above, to Grandson, Justin... this morning.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!!!

<3 <3 <3 

<3

<3

<3

<3

May God Bless...

All... 

of 

Those

 'Priceless' 

'Lazy'...

'freeloaders'

Who've Loved Us...

No Matter What,

Throughout

our

lives.

; )

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

2010... thru 2012, 'Simply Iowa'... posts, are quite a Good Read. : )

I've been searching for days... to find the below image of Dear Friend, Deb.

; )

Told Deb's daughter... Cassie, about it, yesterday.

Asked Cassie's permission to post the image of Deb, that I did... yesterday.

{Finding images.. isn't easy on Blogger. : ( }

Cassie thought it was Fine.

<3

Me...

knowing Deb, well... she looked more like one of 'us', than 'Deb', in that image.

: )

Deb... was Always so 'Put Together'.

She was Beautiful... and, cared about her appearance.

Always.

<3

This... is My Favorite Image of Deb.

<3

Captured it... in May/June... 2010, here... under John's Old Oak.

<3

<3 <3 <3 

That's My Girl!!!

; )

'Deb Patterson'... in a Nutshell.

; )

Deb... was Beautiful, but... make No Mistake...

yeah, don't let her 'Beauty'... Fool Ya.

Hahahahaha!!!!

; )

Deb... was a Fighter.

; )

Feel So Incredibly Blessed to have Known Her.

<3

This Old... 'Sh!t'... and 'The Rabbit Hole' have brought the Most Amazing People into my life, over the decades.

<3 <3 <3 

Re-reading... my posts, over the years... trying to Find 'Deb'...oh my.

Blessing, after Blessing... after... Blessing.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{They played 'Willie' at Deb's Service, yesterday.

Two Tunes.

'Georgia on My Mind'...

and,

'Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys'

; )

Love them Both.

<3

I'd have to talk Deb into including Waylon, with the second Tune.}

; )

<3

The Love... of 'Old'.

Began writing this post... the other Morn.

There were so many... many... things racing through my brain, 

well...

couldn't seem to put everything into words.

Still... can't.

Went outside... sat under John's Old Oak, Miss. Peanut... not far behind.

{She's still... struggling. I've been jumpin' through every hoop... I can think of to keep her perkin' along.

One... day at a time.}

As I sat there... watchin' the Early Morning 'Highway 151' come alive with traffic, watching...

people hurrying on their way... getting to where they needed to be...

all of them... so unaware... 

there were eyes watching them, cloaked... in an old flannel robe, sippin' iced coffee, wondering...

where...

 they were all rushing to.

Was thinking about Friend, Deb Patterson, who passed away on July 3rd.

: )

The Stories.

; )

A couple, or three... years back... Deb attended one of our Events... here.

{Deb... never missed an 'Event' here, if she could help it. : )}

After Deb was done scoping everything out... I sat down next to Deb, we visited for a long time, like we always did... when we could get together.

I... was admiring Deb's Beautiful Rings.

; )

Deb... Loved Turquoise.

Me Too!!

: )

Was telling Deb about how PO'd I was... . about losing one of my Favorites... after preparing a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Took my rings off... to dress the turkey, after cleaning up...

one of my favorite Turquoise rings had disappeared.

{seriously...}

Looked Everywhere.

In the trash, in the turkey...

searched the floor.

It was Gone.

The other's were there, but... not the Turquoise.

Warned the Kids... to be careful.... while eating the turkey...

as, there Might be a Ring... in it, somewhere!!

: ) : ) : )

Nope...

Never found it.

Deb thought it was Mighty... Funny!!

Ha! Ha!

; )

The next day... Deb came back to visit us.

; )

When we began to visit, Deb held out her hand...

and said...

"Pick One!!"

{In Deb's hand... were Two Beautiful Turquoise Rings}

Told Deb... I Appreciated her Kind Gesture, but... I... couldn't accept.

<3

Deb... Insisted.

: )

Couldn't Believe Deb's Beautiful Ring fit my right middle finger, like a Glove!!

{Ya feel Naked... when ya lose a ring.}

As we were sitting there, admiring the Ring, Deb... asked me the name of the 'fragrance'...

'perfume', I always wear.

Deb...said she LOVED It!!

I... Burst Out Laughing!!!

Told Deb... that, it's not really a 

'perfume'

: )

It's an essential oil.

'Patchouli'.

: )

Deb asked where she could find it, because she Had to Get Some of That!!

{Again... I Roared!!! ; )}

Told her to be Very Careful...

; )

People around you will either LOVE It...

or

Hate It!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

There's No In Between!!

; )

Typical Deb, said...

"I don't Care what Anybody 'Thinks'...

I Love It!!"

<3 <3 <3 

Told Deb... where I 'Used' to buy it, but...

 Dear Friend, Gail...

made my need to 'Buy' Patchouli again, in my lifetime...

Unnecessary!!!

<3 <3 <3 

Tho... I Rarely... 're-gift' Anything, knew... Gail would be Fine, if I shared a little of her Amazing Gift, with Another... Dear Friend.

<3 <3 <3 

; )

Ran inside... grabbed Deb a Bottle of my Favorite Potion.

; )

Warned Deb... as I dabbed a 'drop' on each of her wrists, then ran my Patchouli oiled fingers through Deb's hair.

: )

 Deb...

"No More... than 'That' when You Wear It!! This 'Potion' is 'Potent'!!"

Hahahahahahaha!!!

; )

Priceless.

<3

Below... is the old Bottle of Patchouli I carry in my purse.

While... sitting here, the other day...

looking at Deb's Beautiful Ring, that nearly took my finger off, while loading The Ford, for Vintage Market Days... in May,

I... by hand, straightened the band, out... as much as I could, and wrapped it around the little Patchouli bottle's neck.

; )

It can rest there... until I get it repaired.

Seemed fitting.

; )

<3

Our Deb.

<3 <3 <3 

I'll be writing... more about Deb, in the next few days.

No way... I can tell all of the 'Stories' in one post.

; )

Good Times.

Many.

Attended Deb's Service today.

Had such a Great Visit, with Dan... and The Kids.

<3

Deb... was Beautiful...

Inside, and Out.

<3

So Incredibly Grateful... 

for

The Love of Old.

; )

<3 <3 <3 

Sooooooo....

'Deb'.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Last visited with Deb, in person... at Vintage Market Days, in May.

: )

We had a Lovely... Visit.

<3

Showed Deb the picture... of her Beautiful Broken Ring, told her Not To Worry, I'd get it Fixed, and Sized!!!

<3

Deb Laughed!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

; )

{Found my other ring... in a Junk Drawer, long after I lost it. The Junk drawer is situated under the cutting board in the kitchen, it must've slipped in there, when I was cleaning up after the turkey.

Gads.

Placed it... back on my right middle finger, but... Loved Deb's Ring... So...

tho, it was a little loose, on my ring finger... it still 'fit'.

: )

Big Mistake.

Because... it was a little loose, that allowed it to get 'Hooked' on The Ford's bedrail.}

: (

While visiting with Dan... and The Kids, they shared how much Deb Loved 'Willie', and the tune...

'Georgia on My Mind'.

<3

: )

<3

{Stay tuned... for mine, and Deb's...

'Smokin' Story'.

; )

That's.... a 'Good One'.}

hahahahahaha....

; )

A Thousand Times... indeed.

A Thousand Times... 

Over.

<3

Still workin' on 'yesterday's' post.

It's a tuff one, but... a Good one.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Indeed.

I've been struggling all day, with a 'post'.

Some 'days'... there's simply, too much to 

'digest'.

Stay tuned.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

: )

Dearest Warrior... Deb.

<3

<3

Was so incredibly saddened to learn of Deb's passing, last night.

If ya think... I'm a 'fighter',

{hahahahahahaha!!!}

 well...

I drop to my Knees, when standing next to Deb.

I've told Deb so... all of the decades I've known her.

<3

The word...

'Inspiration'

falls.... quite short.

Deb, and I... visited often.

; )

We tried... to straighten the world out, best... we could.

: )

{We had a Lot of Fun... tryin'. }

; )

<3

Amazing 'Human'.

Huge Loss...

for us all.

Sending Prayers... to Dan, and their Beautiful Children.

<3

<3

Fairfarren... Deb.

The 'Stance'. Priceless.

Oh... My Gads!!!

The Above... made me LAUGH this morning!!

Hahahahahahaha!!!!

I... was actually Thinking The Very Same Thing, the last several early...

Toasty... 'Mornings'... while Sippin' Strong Iced Brew...

on the old... limestone bench, with Miss. Peanut...

just outside the door... in my, uh... 'undies'!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

{I Thank God... for The Vines that Shroud The Entryway!!

; )

In my defense... my 'undies'... aren't Nearly as Skimpy as some 'Bikinis' Girls wear 'These' days... in Public!!}

: )

Never the less... 

I could Scare The Hell... outta Some... for Sure!!

: ) : ) : )

Hahahahahaha!!!!

; )

Haven't turned the 'Air' on... in the House, yet... this year, so... Appreciate the Early Mornings.

; )

It stays pretty Cool, in the New side of the House.

; )

Tall ceilings. John built this side 4 feet in the ground.

That's Huge.

; )

and...

he Insulated this side...

Beyond!!

; )

I... try not to use the Air, because... it makes it so difficult to work in the Heat, after 'Chillin'... in the Air.

When John... was here, we had to run the Air.

He... couldn't take the heat.

He... suffered a Heatstroke, years ago.

Once... that 'happens'... 'Heat' is a Big Problem.

: (

Mom... also suffered a Heatstroke, long ago.

She'd Wilt... when it got Hot... outside.

Her House... was like a Freezer, in the Summer.

; )

Remember visiting Mom, and Dad... in the Summer, and seeing Dad sitting on the sofa, all wrapped up in Blankets!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

Dad... worked outside, in the Heat... every day, no matter how Hot... it got.

but...

he was careful.

Always had Plenty of Water... on hand, and... he'd find shade... to work under during the Hottest times of the day.

I... can take the Heat, but like Dad... have to find Shade, and a Breeze.

; )

Helper, Brandon... suffered a Heatstroke several years ago... while he was working at his Parent's Home.

: (

He's never been the same, since.

Bad... bad... bad.

: (

Miss. Peanut was Up... for a little stroll this morning.

<3

She's still... struggling, but... we're takin' it one day at a time.

; )

: )

Peanut's Nose... got to goin' next to Scout's Barn!!

; )

Certain she got a whiff of the Family of Groundhogs who've lived there for years.

; )

<3

The Sweet Corn is Growing by Leaps and Bounds!!

Ya can Almost Hear It Growing!!

; )

The oldest has tasseled, and the silks are showing.

; )

Son, Justin... had better get the fence around it pretty soon, or the Raccoon will be having a Feast, in No Time!!

Wowza!!

That's a LOT of Sweet Corn!!

<3

We're sharing with Neighbor, Tom... who planted it.

; )

I'm guessin' we'll be 'Sharing' it with Many... if we can keep the Raccoon out of it!!

; )

Ran to the store... yesterday, to grab grub... to fix for The 4th.

; )

and...

 get Miss. Peanut some things, that might entice her to 'nibble'.

She ate a little.

<3

Today...

so far...

no dice.

{Yes... I've been in contact with the Vet.}

So... frustrating.

: (

I... fixed myself a Huge Batch of Guacamole... 

{Love Fresh... Guac!! <3}

Enjoyed...

Chips... Salsa, Guac... and Red, White... and Blue...

Peanut M&M's!!

; )

along with... 

an 

Ice Cold... Cuervo Gold... Marg, or two, under John's Old Oak.

; )

{Fully Dressed. : )}

Happy 4th!!

Perfect!!

; )

Yesterday... was looking at the image of Dale, and his Wife...

Leanne, at The Mt. Vernon 4th of July Show.

: )

then... started looking at the 'Rest'.. in the image.

The Ford...

The FUSO...

The People.

<3

'Wai....Wai... Wai.... Wait........ a Minute'!!!

Holy Smokes!!!!

Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Enlarged the image.

HOLY SMOKES!!!

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!

I'd Know That 'Stance' ANYWHERE!!!

Have NO Idea... how I've Missed John being in this image... for Years!!!

?????????

I have few images of John.

He HATED having his picture taken.

When he Knew... I was capturing him, he'd Flip me Off!!

Hahahahahahaha!!!

: ) : ) : )

That's John's 'Signature' in most Pics.

; )

John... Rarely attended 'shows' with me.

Rarely.

Not John's 'Gig'.

; )

Guessin', I must've asked John if he'd help me 'Load Out', that 4th of July.

???

<3

{That's Pal, Mark... in The Bibs!! We often shared booths. : ) }

Also... Guessin'... I must've Bribed John... with Somethin'... Pretty Good, to get him There!!

Hahahahahahaha!!!

; )

The Above... is Priceless!!

Priceless.

; )

I'm visiting with Dale, and Leanne...

{Do di doot di do... : )}

John...

is standing there, next to The FUSO...

Ready to Load.

me...

Goofin' Off... 

{The Conner 'Gift of Gab'... oh dear. ; ) }

John... never said a word, or seemed frustrated, at the time...

but...

His

'STANCE'

Says it All...

in the above image.

; )

<3

May God Bless... That Man.

: )

Oh... my.

; )

Here's The Deal...

: )

in my...

humble defense.

; )

I... believe, John...  

'Understood'

as 

Much...

as 

I...

did.

; )

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.