Late August... Eve.

Took a stroll this Evening.

Just a short one.

It's So Beautiful this Evening.

 was...

until the mosquitos 

won the battle.

; )

Haven't fired up the Grills... this year.

I'm not much of a Griller.

but...

I'd better get crackin'... with it, or... it's not going to happen.

Maybe... after some of the Repairs get done, this Fall, I'll invite a few Pals over, for a Cook Out.

Seems silly firing up the grill for just one.

As I was sitting under John's Old Oak, this Eve....

was listening to the Cicadas, and hearing the Old Oak's Acorns... 

hit the Tin Roof, now and then...

reminded me...

 'Fall'... is at hand.

Planted some Ground Clover... in an old pot, this Summer.

: )

It's Happy.

<3

I've been down for the count, today.

Had an asthma flare this early Morn.

Was out of steroids.

{ hate using any kind of steroid}

I rarely use them, but... when I need them, I need them.

Had to wait all day after I called my Doc, to get them.

My fault, should've been keeping better track.

I can get by... without a lot of things... in life.

'air'... 

ain't one of  'em.

: )

Back in Business... tonight.

: )

Have to get back to The Corridor MPO.

'Trail People'. 

Have many, many... questions about what they've been 'Up to', lately.

???

I'm watching them, and Fairfax... like a Hawk.

Have to, since we've been so wrongfully Butchered, for their Love.. of 'Bike Trails'.

They aren't transparent... they seem to like to get 'things done'...

before anyone knows what's 'happening'.

at least...

that's been my experience, with them all, for years.

: (

I'll shoot off an e-mail, to them... tomorrow, when I'm firing on all

cylinders.

; )

Yeah... 

Don't see bikes on IDOT's... and Fairfax's 'Bike Trail'..

{Suicide Trail}.

Multi Million Dollar...

Wrongful...

'Project',

Mainly see, side by sides... and snowmobiles.

; )

Our Tax Dollars... well spent.

; )

bless their hearts.

<3 <3 <3 

Was looking at FB Memories, a bit ago.

: )

The Waylon Jennings Tune, 

'Amanda'

popped up.

: )

Love that Tune.

Always have.

There's something so raw, and honest, about it.

<3

Perfect for a Lovely.... 

Late August...

Eve.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Mountain Movin'...

We're Movin' Mountains.

; )

Trimming... Cutting Brush, and getting things ready for Contractor's...

that'll be coming in, to do Repairs, beginning the first part of September.

Pulled the Lovely... Garden Set from the front greenhouse, today.

: )

It belongs to Dear... Farmer Friends, Lynn, and Lea.

<3

Also... moved the Massive Victorian Urn... as well.

; )

That... was a Trick.

It took three of us to move it.

We're guessing it weighs between four, and five hundred pounds.

I bought it decades ago... it's never been for sale.

I'll never forget the day... I bought it.

It was at an Amazing Estate Sale, in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

There was Ton's of AMAZING Concrete, and Garden Statuary.

Literally.

Had it All Sold, if... I could get it bought.

I spent three days, and two nights sleeping at that Victorian Home, to be Number One, at the Estate Sale.

When other Dealer's found out I was there... they joined me, to get an early number.

The Race Was On.

; )

Got every piece I went there to get.

Daughter, Liz... came there every day, to hold my spot so I could come Home, shower... and change clothes.

: )

Poor, Pal... Dale, and Pal, Mark... were right behind me.

They helped me Load...

Oh Boy!!

Lord... Lord!!

Everything was Beyond Heavy, but that Urn.

; )

It was buried in the ground about two feet, and... Full of Dirt.

That was Fun, digging it out... and emptying it.

Yeah...

Boy.

; )

My Client wasn't interested in The Urn, but I sure was.

; )

{It's HEAVY... ; ) }

We got 'er moved without much trouble, today.

Slowly... and Carefully.

; )

Gizmo... Supervised.

<3

: )

Was Sad to hear of Dolly's Passing, today.

What a Woman.

What an Inspiration.

<3

She was So Incredibly Talented, on So Many Levels.

and... 

S M A R T.

Holy Smokes.

; )

Tho, Dolly was in several Movies, my FAVORITE 'Dolly' Movie was 

'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'.

: ) : ) : )

Dolly, and Burt Reynolds... were So Good Together!!

: )

Dolly Rocked... in that Movie!!

: )

<3

Priceless.

; )

<3

In the early 1990's I sang in a Band.

We'd Play... at Bars, and did a few Weddings.

I'll never, ever... forget a Wedding we performed at.

It was at a Country Club.

I was the only female vocalist.

It was a 5 Piece Band.

We had regular 'Set' Tunes.

Stan, the Band Leader, walked up to me... just as we were getting ready to play, said... The Bride had called him aside, requested a tune she wanted played for

 'The Bride, and her Bridesmaids' 

Dance.

Just 'The Girls'.

Stan said... "It's not one we've rehearsed before... but told her we'd do it."

: )

Asked Stan... what she wanted hear.

'Jolene'.

I... looked at Stan, and said...

{almost.... breathless, because 'Jolene'... was THE LAST Tune, I'd Ever Expect a 'Bride', to Request.}

"are you SURE.... she asked for 'Jolene'???????"

{in a whisper}

He... nodded his head, 'Yes'.

?????

Stan asked me if I knew the Tune.

{The Boys in The Band, were pretty much 'Vintage Rock', I... was the 

'Country' part of The Band, and 'backup'.}

Still in a bit of shock, I.... stammered, a....

"Yeah... I... 'know'... 'The Tune'."

????????

We pulled it off.

: )

The Bride, and her Girl's... were Happy.

They all Danced Barefooted on the Old... Wood Dance Floor.

: )

I've Always Wondered... what 'Story' was behind The Bride's Request...

'Jolene'.

?

: )

Fairfarren... Dolly.

Thank You.

Thank You.

Thank You.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

One of my Most Favorite 'Dolly' Tunes, was... and is,

'The Mule Skinner Blues'.

<3

The Lone... Morning Glory.

Grandson, Justin... and I took on The Rabbit Hole Jungle, today.

: )

We trimmed, and trimmed.

I... noticed a Lone...

Morning Glory that climbed up a Milkweed.

: )

We had to save All of The Milkweed, and... The Morning Glory, of course.

<3

<3

Used to plant many Morning Glory Seeds, in the Spring.

Had intended to, this Spring.

Didn't happen.

A lot... of things haven't 'happened' down The Rabbit Hole, that used to...

'before'.

The above... was totally devoured by Wild Grape.

Couldn't see the bird bath, or statue.

; )

'Jungle'... indeed.

: )

The Ford... has Quite a Load on it this afternoon.

We're seein' a little Daylight.

: )

It'll take us several weeks to get things pulled around.

Much longer, to get The Rabbit Hole, back in order.

My mind... has been a bit distracted, for about 8 years.

12 years, really.

8 years... hard.

So...

I'm taking my time, easing back into the

 'Life'

I used to know...

'Before'.

The World has kept Turning, all of the years I've been consumed.

I... know, 'things' will never be the 'same' as they were.

Nor... should they be.

It's a different 'World'... now.

<3

<3

Pal, Dale... called after he returned from Gold Rush, last week.

He was So Excited to bring me something he'd found there.

: )

Sadly... I've been a Pool of Goo....

we Finally got together today, for a late lunch, early supper.

: )

Dale found a Vintage... 1970's, or so...

Ford Mustang Jacket he thought I HAD To Have!!!

Hahahahahaha!!

Dale said... when he saw it, he Flipped!!

"It was BLUE... With White Stripes!!! Just Like Jethro!!"

: )

Hahahahahaha!!!

: )

We... Crazy Antique People, look out for each other.

We Know... what we all Like.

; )

Dale's Very Good... at Watching Out for his Pals.

<3

'Family'

<3

It fits like a Glove.

Looking forward to wearing it this Fall/Winter.

{It'll be 'Interesting' paired with a Vintage... Fur Collar.}

; )

Indeed.

<3

<3

bless their hearts.

What a Mess.

'Journey'

; )

Again... if Lawyer Meardon wasn't On Board this 'Crazy Train', fighting 'Goliath', 

{The Iowa Department of Transportation, and Fairfax, Iowa... 'City Hall'}

I'd be Pushin' up Daisies.

That...

 makes me Angry.

'We' as a People... shouldn't have to Bring in The Best Attorney in The State, to fight against the Government We Pay... to Protect 'Us' from Fraud.

oh dear...

; )

{my humble... opinion.}

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{The Alison Krauss Tune, above...

IS

The Rabbit Hole's

'Tune'.

'Voice'.

<3

Has been for Decades.

Perhaps...

I should've been 'listening' 

closer.}

<3

one moment... at a time.

: )

Was invited by Friend, Jodi... to a benefit for 'Kyles Miles'... the other day.

It took place yesterday.

I've been keeping pretty close to Home, lately...

but felt... this 'Cause' was important.

<3

There was a Huge Turnout.

: )

<3

Kyle... took his life, 12 years ago... at only 15.

: ( : ( : (

Kid's... are dealing with So Much.

: (

'Progress'... in my opinion, hasn't been 'good' for Kids, young and old.

: (

Pal, Jodi... is So Involved with Helping People.

<3

She just went through brain surgery a couple of months ago.

Had a meningioma tumor removed...

Mom, also... suffered from a meningioma.

Mom's was inoperable.

Jodi... reminds me of Mom, in many ways.

; )

'Piss Cutters'.

; )

: )

Jodi has been dealt some pretty Tuff Cards, over the last few years.

Her Husband, John.... had a debilitating stroke, a couple of years ago.

Jodi... brought John 'Home'... she takes Care of John, at 'Home'.

<3

Jodi's had some Good Friends, and Family... step up, to help...

but, 

it's mostly...

'Jodi'.

; )

<3

{and... their Farm was nearly destroyed by the 2020 derecho.}

The key... in my mind, to the above...

"You 'wake up'... Every Morning."

; )

Many... don't have that opportunity.

<3

<3

So Many... Many... are Struggling, 'these days'.

I'm kind of struggling to 'write' 'these days'.

There's a tune... that kinda fits.

Imagine that.

; )

'Music'...

Poetry set to Tune.

<3

'Beautiful Things'.

: )

Yes... 'The World', in my experience....

is so 

Incredibly 'Hard'....

on 

The Most 'Beautiful' Things.

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

Here's The Good News...

We Woke Up This Morning.

; )

There's a Battle to be Won.

; )

God doesn't pick weak Soldiers to Fight His Battles.

Doesn't seem fair, I know...

Trust me... on this one.

: )

We'll keep taking it one day at a time.

; )

One inch... one 'moment'... at a time.

: )

<3 

<3

Yesterday.

Began writing a post... about 'Yesterday'... today.

Saved it as a draft.

There's simply... too much.

; )

: )

<3

Wild Hogs Saloon

Walford, Iowa.

; )

: )

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{the above image is not Miss. Peanut's Paw.

; )

She had much daintier feet.

<3

Had to be... Spook's. 

He's a BIG Boy.

<3

Made me Smile... when I saw it, last night... by the back door.}

; )

<3

<3

Pretty... Late August Day.

'

Just got Home... a few minutes ago.

It's been a pretty day, sadly.... they are getting noticeably 

shorter.

Have no idea... how Summer has slipped by so quickly.

Met with several Folks... throughout the day, and evening.

I'll write about all of that... tomorrow.

; )

Ready to decompress.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Stay Tuned.

I hate wearing glasses.

Dodged wearing them... for years.

; )

Gratefully... when I was nearly BLIND, 

 {not really, but have astigmatism...

that at, 16... would allow me to see Three Moons, instead of One.

; )

'Contact Lenses'... became a 'reality'!!}

; )

The bad thing... about 'contacts', 'tears' will Tear The Hell Out of Them.

'Tears'... melt contact lenses.

: (

{my experience... over the years}

Been wearing the above...

Sons a Bitches... for a few weeks.

: (

It's been a long... day, workin' at Home.

; )

I'll be posting a little more, tomorrow.

; )

Been workin' on the house... and, putting things back 'together', after The Boys helped put 'Christmas' away.

It's a slow, slow... process.

One day...

at a time.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

We're All... Mad, 'Here'. ; )

This day... has been a 'Mad'... day, to say the least.

If... I could've stayed away from people, well...

let's just say...

today, shouldn't have been a 'Peopley' day.

I was either cold as ice...

or an absolute puddle.

There wasn't much in between.

This was one of 'those'... days, if I could've...

would've stayed locked inside.

but...

wanted to get Peanut's ashes Home, as soon as they were available, which...

was this afternoon.

I'd hoped they'd be ready this morning.

Wanted to get that 'drive' behind me... as early as possible.

When I learned... that wasn't going to happen, I... just sat here, thinking.

{that's rarely...a good thing. ; ) }

The Boys helped strip 'Christmas' from the house... yesterday.

Was gonna leave it up.... but, decided.... over the weekend it was time to 

put it all away.

'J'... did make me laugh, while we were taking everything down.

He said...

"So... are we gonna be putting this All Back Up, in November???"

: )

Reassured him... "No."

; )

A Dear... Neighbor called, about then, he asked what I was up to.

Told him what The Boy's and I were doing.

He said...

"Well... You're going to do Something... for Christmas, aren't You???

A... small tree, 'something'???"

: )

I assured him, that I'd do 'something'.

: )

Had another crazy dream last night.... about a Neighbor.

Nondescript, like the one with Jim.

{I've never had a 'dream'... about the Neighbor, either...}

Ever.

As I was sitting here, this morning... 'thinking'...

thought I should just pick up the phone, and call him.

I'm guessing what made me dream of the 'Neighbor'... is the way Jim passed away, which was the same way... Brother, Larry... and Dear, Peg's 'Michael' passed.

They each passed away alone, in their Homes.

The Neighbor... and I have had many, many... conversations, over the last several years.

We've sparred... big time over 'Fairfax'.

; )

Lord... Lord.

We've locked horns... over the years, concerning 

'Bike Trails'.....

and

much, much... more that 'happens' at 'City Hall'...

 AKA 'Harper Valley PTA'.

I dig in pretty deep, but... to his credit, I believe...

 he's... been, pretty truthful.

He used to call about once a week.

Haven't heard from him... in a while.

We had a pretty heated chat, a while back, figured he'd had enough of 'The Facts'....

concerning

'Fairfax'.

; )

While taking Miss. Peanut back and forth to the Vet, our path went past the Neighbor's house.

I noticed... over the days, the Neighbor's truck hadn't been moved.

{Even mentioned that to Peanut, a time or two.}

???

so...

gave him a call, this morning.

Gratefully... 'he' answered.

: )

Sadly... he's in a Nursing Home.

His health has been poor over the last few years, but... he's always been determined to get back on his feet.

Turns out... he was bitten by his cat, a while back.

The bite got infected, and the infection spread throughout his body.

It's been an ugly mess for the Neighbor.

Hated to hear that, but was glad... to 'hear' it from him.

: )

We may argue... and spar, but... he's a Critter Lover... not mean spirited.

: )

He was so happy I called.

Said it meant a lot... to him.

; )

I sure wish him The Best.

He needs to get back Home, on his Feet.

Told him,

I... just wouldn't feel right Pickin' on him, the way I so enjoy...

 while he's convalescing in a 

'Nursing Home'.

; )

That's...

 just...

'Bad Form'.

: )

So... there was a bright spot, in this day.

Gotta be Grateful.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Indeed.

; )

'Busy'... is a good thing.

The weekend was a pool of goo.

The house isn't right... without Peanut.

Sometimes... I feel like she's right beside me.

<3

Peanut... was never far from me.

I've been very selective about receiving calls, over the weekend.

Not because I don't appreciate kind thoughts, but....

I'm having big trouble keeping from melting down.

One of the calls I screened, on Saturday... was an unknown number.

I listened to the message, didn't recocognize the 'voice'.

I called the Man back, turned out it was my Nephew, Jimmy.

{Sister, Chery's Son.}

Apparently I didn't have his number in my phone, or it had been changed.

Jimmy... didn't sound like 'Jimmy'.

Didn't expect to hear, what I heard.

Sadly... Jimmy found his Dad... my Brother in Law, Jim, deceased, at Jim's home Friday.

Jimmy is the Only Child, of Jim, and Chery.

They were a very close Family.

<3

I was closest to Chery... out of all of my siblings.

Spent a lot of time... with Jim, and Chery... until Chery passed away, in 2003.

Jim... was a kind Man. Easy going.

: )

He loved to sing... and was very, very... good.

Jim had a Beautiful Voice.

I remember... as a child, when we'd visit.... the 'visit' always ended with Jim pulling out his guitar, and singing for us.

: )

Sometimes... I'd join him, as did Mom.

<3

Mom always requested Jim play the tune...

 'Yellow Bird'

<3

At Mom's Celebration of Life, I asked Jim... to please bring his guitar, and 'Play'... for Mom.

<3

It was Beautiful.

<3

Jim Schafer's Celebration of Life....

will be at a later date.

Jim... will be Deeply Missed.

Picking up Miss. Peanut's ashes, tomorrow.

Been working on the house... trying to keep busy.

The Boys, and I... will be working on, and around The Rabbit Hole, this week.

Much to get done, before repairs can begin.

Contractor's are coming in, early September.

'Busy'...

is a good thing.

Indeed.

Love to Ya...Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

{The strange thing... Friday, early... morning, had my alarm set, to get up 'early', 

to take Miss. Peanut to the Vet.

I... didn't sleep well, throughout the night.

but...

had a dream, with Jim, Mom... and Dad in it.

: )

I've never had a dream with Jim in it.

Rarely dream of Mom, more often dream of Dad.

The dream... was nondescript. Nothing 'big'... just, us all visiting.

; )

but...

it struck me funny, that morning, that Jim was in my dream.

When Jimmy called, guess it all fit.}

Fairfarren... Jim.

<3