A 'Win'.

With Miss. Peanut being so incredibly ill... 

I haven't gotten much sleep.

Sadly... that's all Peanut wants to do.

{Grateful... she's not been in horrible pain.}

The meds... the Vet sent home, have to be given every 8, and 12 hours, staggard. 

Peanut... won't eat or drink... so have to poke them down her throat.

One...med has to be dissolved in water, then put in a syringe, then... I squirt it down her throat.

The last couple of nights, when I could sleep, a bit... kept waking up, to see if Peanut was still breathing

To say... I've been a Pool of Goo, over the last week, or so... would be an understatement.

Been down 'This' road... too many... many times throughout my life.

I gotta tell ya, it doesn't get easier.

I've tried Everything I can think of, to get Peanut to eat...a little, or...

take a sip of water.

No Dice.

The thing is, ya can't let the 'Critters' know... 'feel'... how sad you are.

'Worried'.

They... 'Feel' that, and worry... about us.

<3

: (

They... don't understand... what's 'happening'.

and why...

they are being put through such Hell, when they already...  feel so sick.

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

It's heartbreaking... to say the very least.

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

{began the above post... yesterday.

Couldn't get through it.

It was a long day, and night.

many of them } 

Yesterday... early morning, my phone rang.

I... was up, had been, for a long time, but...

 was

 Nowhere... near ready to face 'People'.

On the other end, was an Amishman, 

from 

Dutch Brother's Construction, Delhi, Iowa.

I'd gotten a very good bid from Marvin, quite sometime, back...

for The Rabbit Hole's roof.

Marvin said... it would be July, before they could fit The Rabbit Hole in.

No Worries.

; )

I was stunned, yesterday morning... a Saturday... when I was informed they were standing outside the door... 

Ready To Go!!

; )

Grateful... but, oh... so incredibly weary.

Told the Nice... Young Amishman, Marvin had sent...

that... 'I'm in rare form, this morning.

Been nursing a very sick Pup'.

; )

He said... "Yes... that's.... the difficult side of Animals.

We... tend to outlive them. They.... don't live long enough.".

<3

{Eeeeek.... Pool of Goo. : (........................}

{IDOT, and Fairfax's damned wrongful suicide...

'Bike Trail' next to Highway 151... is good for something.}

{bless their hearts}

: )

: )

I... ran to CR, to grab some grass fed hamburger... for Peanut, while 

The Dutch Brother's worked.

{Grabbed some sliced chicken breast, as well. Peanut won't touch boiled chicken, canned food... prescribed food... or Anything, that's 'safe' for her to eat with her issues}

Those two... Young Men, had The Rabbit Hole's Roof... Done, in little over two hours.

: )

<3

Beautiful...

Job.

Grateful.

The Bad News...

Peanut... wouldn't touch the cooked hamburger, either.

: (

The Good News.

Peanut ate some of the sliced chicken, and... salmon...

I had here.

; )

Today... she's still eating small amounts of the sliced chicken breast, and...

drinking a little water.

; )

for 

'Today'...

I'll call 'that',

 a

 'Win'.

; )

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Tomorrow is... another day.

Back to the Vet... today.

Many more tests, and x-rays.

<3

'Hope'

<3

<3 <3 <3

; )

The Vet... said, getting Miss. Peanut's results, could take hours...

If I'd like to leave her, with them... until the results came in, they'd be Happy... to Care for her.

<3

I... appreciated their Kind offer, but...  Miss. Peanut came from a shelter, as a Pup... after being beaten blind, and nearly starved to death.

there was no way...

I'd leave her.

; )

<3

No Way.

More... tomorrow.

; )

Me, and... Miss. Peanut, are pretty weary... tonight.

We didn't get much rest last night.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

perhaps.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Long... day.

Long day.

Miss. Peanut, and me... stayed close to Home.

Long... day.

<3

The Meeting I opted out of, last night...

was HUGE!!!

; )

So Grateful to All Who Attended on 'Our' Behalf.

!!!

<3

We're living in Ugly times, these days... in my, humble opinion.

We're gonna have to Stand Up.

; )

: )

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

One Day... at a Time.

Spent a good portion of this day... at the Vet Clinic.

Haven't wanted to write much about it... 

{I... don't like thinking about it... myself.}

As a 'Parent'... you're only as happy as your unhappiest Child, whether they be Two,

 or

 Four legged, in this Family.

The Vet... did tons of tests, blood work, and x-rays.

Everything came back... pretty good.

???

Peanut... is not herself.

It's been a Long Day, for her.

: (

I was going to attend the meeting tonight, concerning Alliant Energy's Proposed Power Plant, that will be a mess for Fairfax, the surrounding Farms, and Communities.

Horrible mess on so many, many... levels.

{With it, should it be approved, would also bring as many as a dozen 'more' Data Centers to our area.

Unimaginable.}

: (

With Peanut... being so under the weather, I... can't leave her.

She's had enough stress today.

We both have.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Back... to Black... for now.

Had a Sweet Gal 'Do' my Hair...

yesterday.

'Mira'...

<3

Went to Capri Cosmetology School.

; )

Mira asked what I wanted 'Done'.

; )

Colored... layered... trimmed.

; )

Mira asked... 'What color, and how do you want the 'Style'???

I, said...

'Black'.. and, I 'Dig' 'BIG HAIR'.

: )

Showed Mira a few images... of what I like.

She said...

"That's... 'BIG' Hair."

Hahahahahahaha!!!

<3

Mira didn't style it... as 'BIG'... as I like, but she did Great with the Color!!

{If you're not used to Doin' BIG Hair...

it's a little SCARY!!!}

Hahahahahaha!!

{I've had a little... 'experience'. }

; )

17... here.

; )

Yeah...

I've Always had a 'Thing'...

for

'Big Hair'!!!

Hahahahahaha!

When Dad... saw my 'Hair' after I had it 'Frosted'... 

; )

He shook his head.

; )

Said...

"I... don't understand why anyone would do 'That' to their hair. Soon enough, it'll be doin' 'that' on it's own."

Hahahahahaha!!!

That's a Fact!!

; )

Several years ago...

at Capri.

; )

I... Dig 'Red', too.

; )

I... Dig 'Messy'... too.

; )

Me, and Steph.

; )

<3

7th and 8th Grade.

Flannels, and Long Hair!!

Think I was the Only Girl... at Roosevelt Jr. High that wore 'Flannel'.

; )

Me, and John's 'Cuz'... Duffy.

<3

Love That Man.

Duffy... Worshiped John.

<3

Know... if I, or the Kids... Needed Anything, Duffy would 'Be Here', with one call.

<3

'Big Hair'...

while traveling with Pal, Allyson a few years ago.

; )

About 1983.

; )

Black Hair... and 'Perm'.

Hahahahaha!!

John captured the above image.

He Hated It... when I 'permed' my hair.

He called me a 'Bur Head'!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

John captured the above image...

Just to Piss Me Off!!!

; )

<3

Big... Hair!!!

; )

Ridin' in Sally...

Big Red Hair!!

<3

Tonight... after Fairfax's City Council Meeting.

; )

{more on 'that'... later. : ) }

Had my hair pulled up in a Messy Bun, haven't played with my hair...

yet.

Was Busy... All Day.

Lord!!

'J'... and I, Moved Mountains, this morning, and early afternoon.

Sweat my Tail... Off!!

Dang!!

; )

I'll think about messin' with my 'New Doo', when I'm not under The Gun!!

; )

Indeed.

; )

Told Mira... I've had my hair Every Color, and Style under The Sun.

From 'Cornrow' braids, to Mullets.

{ never blond... just, never had the heart... to 'Strip' my poor hair, That Hard!!}

; )

I've had it so short on top, that I could Spike It!!

; )

but... NOT The Back!!

Wouldn't let Mira take more than an inch... off of the length.

; )

That's... my 'Security' Hair!!

<3

Mira... Totally Understood!!

<3

Guess... who Moved The FUSO, today???

; )

Asked 'J' to back it out of the drive, and park it.

He... wanted No Part...of That.

None.

He said...

"I'm not a 'Truck Driver'. No Thanks."

; )

I... asked 'J' how would he Know... he 'Isn't'... 

unless, he tried.

???

: )

After watching 'J'... Flawlessly... Jack The Old FUSO around, 

I'm... thinkin'

 He Is... 

a

'Truck Driver'.

; )

<3

{It's in our Blood.}

<3

I... never had a

Doubt.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Back to 'Black'...

for 

now.

; )

'Hair'... in my experience, throughout my life... is kinda like a 'Mood Ring', perhaps.

; )

Got a 'Haircut'... today.

Big Step...

; )

Stay Tuned.

; )

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

; )

<3

Happy Father's Day... to All of The Great Dads!!

Only have a couple of images, of me, and Dad... together.

The above... is my Favorite.

<3

The above is me, and Dad... in a nutshell, until the day he died.

; )

Mom always told me... that Dad 'worshiped the ground I walk on'.

; )

The feeling was mutual.

<3

Think of Dad... a Dozen Times a Day... 

at 

least.

; )

I remember... waiting for Dad to get Home, every evening, when I was a toddler.

Drove Mom... crazy, I'm sure.

; )

"When's Daddy coming Home??"

"How much longer... until Daddy gets Home??"

; )

Hahahahahaha!!

Dad and I...were inseparable, pretty much, since I can remember.

He took me with him... on every 'job', he could.

When I was little, often... I'd just sit in the Truck, while he worked.

Coloring, listening to the radio... or, reading.

: )

If it was nice... outside, I'd scope out the old Farm's where he'd be cutting up old Farm Machinery, for 'Scrap Iron'.

Often... there'd be a Creek, close by....

where I would wade... and watch the Minnows, and Crawdads.

; )

When Dad worked at the 'Sand Plant'... running a Dredge Line, he'd get me set up...  at one of the Ponds, next to where he was dredging, with a Fishing Pole, and plenty of bait.

; )

I'd spend the day... Fishing for Bullheads.

; )

Dad... pretty much, 'Turned me Loose'...

let me find adventures, and explore.

: )

I always felt safe, was safe... because Dad was close by.

<3

Dad... let me 'learn'.

<3

One of my first memories... of 'Learning', was when I was about the age I was in the above image.

; )

Two, or Three.

I was riding Little Red, {Pony} my 'Best Friend'...

Beloved... Partner in Crime!!

<3

{Babysitter <3}

Dad... was working on an Old Truck... or Tractor.

I... was riding Little Red, all around our yard.

I... noticed a Bee's Nest, under the overhang... of our old Quonset Shed.

It fascinated.. 'two, or three' year old, me.

??

 Asked Dad... about it, he said... 

"You'd better stay away from those Bees.

 : ) 

They probably won't bother you, unless you 'bother' them."

; )

 Kept riding Little Red, around... and around, but...

those 

'Bees'...

I'd never seen anything like them.

Rode Little Red, next to an old Tree, broke off a twig...

then...

Little Red, and me...

headed back, to the 

Old Shed.

Little Red and I... got close enough... so I could give that Beehive... a little poke.

Holy Smokes!!!

Next thing I knew...

Little Red... was Taking Me for a RIDE... Like He'd NEVER Done, Before!!!

GADS!!!

I Hit The Ground...

HARD!!!

GADS!!!

I... Ate a LOT of Dirt!!!

GADS!!!

Went Running to Dad....

Boo-Hooin'!!!

: ( : ( : (

Dad asked me, what happened.

I said...

"Little Red Bucked Me Off!!!"

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

Dad just stood there... 

; )

asked, 

"Were you messing with that 'Bees Nest'??"

"well, a little."

Dad... said, "I warned you about staying away from those Bees.

; )

You... didn't listen...

now,

 Poor... 'Little Red'... got 'Stung', 'hurt'...

: (

that's why... he 'ran'."

<3

Looking back, Dad... had to have watched every bit of my 'poor choices' unfold.

; )

yet...

he didn't intervene.

In my Eyes...

{that... aren't 'two, or... three...'  anymore.}

; )

 That's a Great Dad.

<3

Guarantee Ya, that was 'Difficult' for Dad to watch unfold.

<3

I could write a book, on mine... and Dad's 

'Adventures'.

; )

I think of Dad... Countless Times, a day.

: )

Always, Always... 

So 

Grateful,

 to be...

'Marion Conner's Daughter'

Always.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

: )

<3

Escape.

Pal, Allyson... picked me up at 9 a.m. this morning.

; )

We grabbed some Coffee, then... hit the road.

; )

Did a little Shoppin' near Kalona, Iowa...

then headed to Washington, Iowa.

; )

Such a Beautiful Town.

; )

; )

We were BOTH Blown Away, by this Amazing Restaurant!!!

; )

Over The Top... in Every Way Imaginable!!

; )

{In 'Washington, Iowa' ; )}

Beautiful...

Town.

<3

We had Fun... at Boxcar Treasures. ; ) 

Wait 'til ya see The Amazing... Quilt, I brought Home.

; )

Hahahahaha!!!

It's 'One of a Kind'!!

; )

Allyson spotted the Cool... Old 'Kremery' ... when we first arrived, in Washington.

; )

Knew, we wouldn't be leaving 'Town', without a 'Stop'.

; )

: )

Indeed.

; )

{Delicious Ice Cream... }

Our last stop... 

{before 'Trader Joe's', in Coralville, Iowa.

Allyson LOVES 'Trader Joe's. : )}

 was

'Sisters' Garden & Bloom'.

<3

{10 miles South of Iowa City, on Highway '1'.}

; )

Today... was a 

Day...

Filled with 'Treats'.

'Escape'.

; )

Grateful.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

May God Continue to Bless...

the 

'Fly Over'

States.

; )

<3

'Winks'

Yesterday... was a Beautiful Day, in the beginning.

'J', and I were gonna pick up a 'Load'... yesterday morning, but rescheduled for Monday.

So...

we put the New 'Brush Cutter' through its paces.

; )

It's Amazing.

; )

Cut's through over an inch in diameter trees without skippin' a beat.

; )

That's... 

What I'm Talkin' About!!

; )

After 'J' left for the day...

for the very first time, this year... 

found a seat under John's Old... Oak.

: )

Admired the fine work... The Tree Dude's did... carefully trimming him up.

; )

{He had a 'Widow Maker'... or two.}

; )

Such a Beautiful Tree.

<3

Never knew if he was a White Oak, or... a Pin Oak.

According to Google, he's a Pin Oak.

: )

According to the above Group, he's about 140 years old.

: )

<3

I've had the pleasure of sharing, about... 43 of those years, here... with him.

<3

If That Old... Oak could Talk.

; )

While 'J' and I were doing yard work... found the 'Moon' I thought was lost.

The Tree Dudes, had to take down a Bittersweet Vine, where I had the Old... Old, Moon and Star.

The Bittersweet had Completely taken them over.

After The Tree Dude's were done, all I could find... was the Star.

Figured the Moon, the Star was hanging from... must've been broken into Dust.

As I was walking by the Bittersweet, yesterday...

something caught my eye.

<3

It was The Moon.

; )

Had to fashion a new wire, to hang The Star... back on The Moon.

; )

'Together'...

Again.

; )

It was Very... Peaceful, sitting next to The Old... Oak.

{'J' tackling the poison ivy. It doesn't bother 'J'. 

Praise God!!

; )

'It' bothers Grandma, Big Time!!}

Yeesh!!!

: (

Yes... 'The Day'... was peaceful, until...

my phone started ringing.

'Fairfax'.

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

Folk's were bringing me up to speed, and asking for support, concerning two Big Messes, Fairfax is in the midst of.

: (

Had we not been through So Much, with many of the former council, former mayor...

and, 

The Iowa Department of Transportation, well...

I'd find All of 'This' difficult to believe.

Trust... me, I 'Believe', sadly... now.

: (

{Now... we have 'cameras' at City Hall, {such as they are} thanks to our New Mayor, Beer.

HUGE.

The former mayor, old council... and one, who is still on the council, fought recording Public Meetings, tooth and nail.

Can't imagine... why?????????}

{bless their hearts}

Very sad... about the above 'meeting'.

Not surprised.

{more on this 'meeting'... soon.}

: (

The above... is very worrisome, as well.

: (

Listened to the above... while sitting under The Old... Oak.

: (

Couldn't find a version of that video to share, here.

It broke my heart.

: (

It's been my experience... while dealing with local Government, 

Engineers...

and certain

State... officials, 

well...

they say one thing, yet... do something very different...

to get their 

'Way'.

The Man... who was speaking on behalf of the People, trying to stop a Huge Power Plant, just North of Fairfax, 

oh my.

: (.........

He, and other's have been saying.... 'We were never Informed, until Everything was nearly set in stone."

They feel Completely Blindsided.

Boy... does That... sound Familiar.

: (

That's how 'Big'... Works.

'Money'...

Works.

{ Lawyer Meardon... 'Asked'.... A LOT of Questions.

; )

So...did I.

When I get 'The Book' done, you'll be able to 'see' how our 'questions' were 'answered', through Many... Many... 'Public Records'.

In their 'own' words.

{perhaps... even Better, than a 'camera'. }

I... believe those 'Public Records' will also show... very Plainly, how our local Government... State Officials, and... 'Big Business'...

'Work Together'.

; )

{My... humble opinion.}

; )

You, The Reader... can decide.

I'll be attending the above Meetings.

Support... our little town, and The Good People, who are Trying So Hard to make Fairfax, a 'Better' Place to Live.

; )

Makes my stomach roll, every time I think about 'These Messes'.

: (

Makes me sip a Lot... of Tequila, too.

; )

Not funny... but, it's kept me out of jail.

{thus far}

; )

I'm just so sad, seeing, and hearing... these people struggle, the way I did... and do.

: (

It's...

absolutely...

unacceptable.

After 'J' left... yesterday, I went to Casey's to grab a couple pack's of Stogies.

Son, Justin... pulled in at Casey's right behind me.

: )

He, and The Kid's were headin' Home... for The Weekend.

<3

When I climbed back in Jethro, also... 

'Headin' Home'...

looked down, as I was shifting into reverse, 

noticed a 

'Feather'

resting under the Emergency brake lever, in the center column.

I... was taken back... for a moment.

{that 'Feather' wasn't there, when I parked.}

; )

Thought about it, for a second, figured Granddaughters... Meadow, and Willow... must've put it there, when I was inside Casey's with their Dad.

They Love Feathers!!

<3

; )

Called Justin, asked him... if The Girl's had left me a 'Gift'.

; )

Justin, replied.... "No, The Girl's couldn't come, this weekend."

Our 'Family'... 'Believe' in things 'unseen'.

; )

'Winks'...

<3

This Feather... is Gray.

I'm guessing, from a Mourning Dove.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

; )

<3