We're Ready to Roll... at Vintage Market Days.

You can 'click' on the images... to enlarge.

; )

The 'Market'... is Full of Energy, and Beautiful.

<3

Know... We'll All be Restocking... Daily.

; )

'Simply Iowa'... 

is

Ready to Roll.

; )

Have some pricing to do, before the Market 'Opens' in the Morn.

; )

other than that...

We're Ready.

; )

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

The above image, along with the two... below, are Pal, Bill's Booth.

<3

We're Side by Side!!

: )

Bill... has an Amazing Eye.

; )

Bill will be bringing Ton's More, Daily.

; )

Hope to See Ya!!

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

I always post a Tune... that 'Pops' into my head, while writing.

Somehow...

'Bad Co.'

'Ready for Love'... 

came to mind, while I was driving Home... from finishing up the Booth, tonight.

???

It kinda surprised me.

Haven't thought of that Tune.. for a long time.

Almost... posted an Alison Krauss 'Tune', instead.

{She's So... The Rabbit Hole's 'Voice'.}

<3 <3 <3 

Something... more, 'fitting' for the 

'Simply Iowa' Booth's post, perhaps.

; )

but...

that would've been against how I 'do'.

'Roll'.

; )

Love It.

<3

; )

{like, Patsy Cline, said...

"People in Hell... want ice water, that don't mean... they're gonna get it."

; )

I'm still chewin' with IDOT, and Fairfax, Iowa... City Hall...

along with a Beautiful...

Event.

<3

Gonna be leaning Hard on

Iowa's State Legislature...

very soon.

; )

'Simply Iowa'

: )

But... First.

The Vintage Market...

'Simply Iowa' 

Booth, is Comin' Together!!

; )

Above are Vintage French Books, and Vintage Books, from Sweet Virginia.

: )

There's a Lot of 'Virginia' in The Booth.}

: )

{Love the Beautiful... Deeply Carved Claw Foot Desk/Table.

<3

It dates from the late 1800's, to early 1900's.

Those... sweet, little, old... concrete Piglets, make Perfect Bookends.}

Simply...

'Iowa'.

; )

Taking a few more Treasures, to The Booth, today... along with

FLOWERS!!

; )

Yesterday... well, was gonna write about it, last night...

hahahahahaha...

I was

 exhausted.

{Bag... of Bones}

: )

Concrete Floors, aren't good for me.

; )

Never have been.

After runnin' and luggin' on 'em all day, every muscle, and joint in my body Hurts.

: )

Just Standing... on concrete, all day is tuff.

Yeah... Boy.

; )

One of the reasons I've Always had Vintage Rugs, in our booths, over the years.

They help.

<3

So... was Up, bright and Early, yesterday morn.

Shortly after grabbin' a stout cup of Brew...

the phone rang.

?

Couldn't Imagine who would be callin' that early.

???

It was Tree Trimmer, Mahlon. 

: )

He's Amish... and a Great Guy!!

Mahlon was hoping to be here, Monday, before I started loading for Vintage Market Days, or next week.

He happened to be fairly close to Fairfax, yesterday...

so, he asked if yesterday morning would work, he could be here in half an hour.

Told him... I'd make it work... but, I wasn't dressed, and hadn't had a MUCH Needed Bath!!

: )

Told Mahlon, I'd throw some clothes on, and if could Hold His Nose, and, not get too close to me...

'Come On'!!!

: ) : ) : )

He Roared!!!

{Love to Make Amish Men Laugh!!

: ) : ) : )

They're Always So... Serious!!}

: )

Got dressed, went out to The Ford, and started working on things for the show, while waiting for Mahlon, and his Driver.

: )

It's been several years since I'd seen Mahlon.

He hadn't changed a Bit.

; )

He gave me some Good News. Mahlon thinks we can save One.. of the Big, Beautiful Trees in front of the house.

<3

Sadly... not the other.

I showed Mahlon, a few others, that were 'Gone', that needed to come down, sadly.

Mahlon, said...

"That's an Elm... have Ya looked for Mushrooms??"

{'me' look for Mushrooms?? I'm totally 'Blind' to Them. : (}

Mahlon... took one step, and said..

"Look!! There Ya Go!!"

WHAT!!!

: )

Yesterday, was my Birthday.

<3

What a GIFT!!

<3

<3

Told Mahlon, he should keep them, since He Spotted Them.

He'd Have No Part of It... 

: )

Mahlon said he'd walk 30 Miles for a Morel, but 'These' were 'mine'.

; )

Mahlon said he's found about 9 and a half pounds, this year.

I asked him if he sells them, "No... he said, I give what we don't eat.. away, to Friends.

 They are such Blessings."

That...

They

Are!!

; )

Scrambled a couple of Justin's Hen's... Farm Fresh Eggs with the Two... Big, Fat... 

'Blessings' 

for my

 Birthday Breakfast.

'Blessing'.

<3

Above is Becky, 'Vintage Market Days' Promoter.

<3

What a Doll.

: )

Pal, Bill... 'blabbed' it was my Birthday, yesterday...

{gads}

Becky gave me a 'Vintage Market Days' 'T'.

<3

; )

Better Get Hoppin'!!

; )

{but  first...

Coffee...

'Aleve'..

 and 

a

 Hot, Hot... Bubble Bath.}

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Thanks to Justin 'J'... for helping me load, fast... and furiously, yesterday morn.

: )

He's a Keeper!!

<3

Becky said... yesterday, 

"It's your 'Birthday'... and 'Here' Ya Are!!"

Hahahahaha!!!

Told Becky, think most every 'Birthday', and 'Mother's Day'... 

I've been on the road.

; )

That's what 'Gypsies'... 'do'.

I'm bettin' 'She'... understands That, well.}

; )

Vintage Market Days... Set Up Day 1.

Grandson, Justin... and I were Flyin', yesterday morn.

; )

The Ford was Wound Up Tight!!

; )

Brought in two loads. We ran to South Amana, to pick up The Beautiful Concrete Goddess!!

; )

<3 <3 <3

Pal, Bill... helped us set up the Gorgeous Iron Gazebo.

We also set up the Massive Garden Arch.

; )

Just... wanted to get 'The Bones' set, yesterday...

; )

I'm loading another... Pretty, Pretty... Garden Arch, this morning...

along with Load's of 'Fluff'.

: )

{smalls}

; )

It was Great... seeing so many Pals, yesterday... also, setting up.

; )

Great Group of Folks!!

Met some New Folks, too.

Several of them... commented how Much... they Loved that little 

Flatbed Ford.

<3

Me Too.

<3

He's 'Family'.

: )

Decades ago... when I gave John a ring, was kind of hurt... that he didn't wear it very often.

I... finally asked him why.

John said... he never wore rings, in his line of work, as he'd seen several Men, over the years, lose their fingers because of a 'ring'.

I understood.

<3

When he quit working on cars, he put on his ring, and never took it off.

<3

: )

I... learned, yesterday... first hand,

 {no pun... intended}

how incredibly right, John was.

Gratefully... when I hooked my ring, on The Ford's bed, the Beautiful ring, 

Friend, Deb... gave me, let go...

before my finger did.

; )

It was Still mighty painful.

; )

Pulled on my hand... arm, and shoulder... so hard... before the ring let go, I'm still...

'feelin' it today.

; )

Spun me around, like a Top!!

; )

but...

Still Have My Finger...

intact!!

; )

Grateful!!!

<3

Better Get Hoppin'.

; )

It's Show Time!!

: )

{Vintage Market Days

May 8 thru 10!!

Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.}

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{I've had Quite and Interesting Morning, already... as I write.

I'll tell Ya All... about 'It', this Evening.

Hahahahahaha!!!

: )

Gotta Fly!}

; )

There Is a Place... like No Place on Earth.

"There is a Place... like no Place on Earth. 

A land full of Wonder, Mystery, and Danger.

 Some say, to survive it, you need to be as Mad as a Hatter...

which, luckily...

I am."

; )

{Lewis Carroll 'Alice in Wonderland'}

<3

Yesterday was a little 'round the bend...

; )

Late afternoon, as I was heading to the store, noticed an SUV parked by The Rabbit Hole.

Then, saw a young Man... walking towards me, and Jethro.

It was a nice young Man, who'd stopped here a wile back.

We visited for a long, long... time, that day.

He Loves...

'Old'.

Especially Bottles, and Books.

; )

He dug through the 'Dug Bottles' from Jerome... on his last visit, took a pile Home.. with him.

; )

Told him...to go ahead, and dig around, I'd be back... in a few.

; )

When I returned... noticed his vehicle was still parked by The Rabbit Hole, figured he'd call me if he found something he couldn't live without.

; )

Three hours later...

Received a text, from the young Man, whom... I figured had left, without finding anything, this visit.

I was mistaken.

The young Man's name is Scott.

: )

I've been working inside, and around... The Rabbit Hole, the back door... was unlocked.

; )

Scott... 

found his way 'inside'.

; )

He said...

"I didn't realize there were 'things' INSIDE... the building."

Hahahahahahaha!!!

I Roared!!.

'oh.... yes.'

; )

Told him... I'm only Open by Appointment, and The Rabbit Hole, itself...

 isn't 'open'... just yet.

Scott went Wild... over The Rabbit Hole.

<3

Said it was The Coolest Store he'd Ever Seen!!

Hahahahahahaha!!

{told Scott... he should've seen it 'before' IDOT, and Fairfax.

He knows the story, filled him in, on his First... visit.}

Scott said, he was so worried, when he was heading here, and saw the horrible construction on the North end of our Land.

{West Cemetery Road}

said...

his heart absolutely... Sank.

: (

After our first conversation...

concerning the IDOT, and the Fairfax Battles, he thought sure...

they'd taken The Rabbit Hole, but... he kept driving, and

 Found...

'The Rabbit Hole', still standing.

<3

{Told Scott, we have Lawyer Meardon, to Thank... for That.

; )

Scott remembered 'Lawyer Meardon's' Part in This Mess.'

; )

He saved our Land, Scout's Barn... and The Rabbit Hole, when Fairfax's hired engineer wanted to run Stallman Dr. right through it.

: )

{the book is coming}

Scott said... as we stood outside The Rabbit Hole, with his Treasures,

"I... look at that building, then... remember being inside... it's like it's Not Possible.

It's like... when you step inside, it goes On...and On... and On.

Never Ending"

; )

{I hear that... often. ; )

that's why it's lovingly referred to as...

'The Rabbit Hole'.}

; )

He went on, and said..."I'm sure... all the time I spent inside, never found the end of it!!"

"I've Got To Come Back!!"

; )

Told Scott... to give me a little time.

I'm shootin' for The July 4th. Weekend, to formally...

re-open to the Public.

'Regular Hours'.

; )

Starting to set up... today, at 'Vintage Market Days'.

Stay Tuned!!

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{It takes a Special kind of Person, to 'Understand' 'The Rabbit Hole'.

Scott... gets it.}

; )

Let The Fun... begin.

<3

I've been on the phone, most of this day.

oh my.

Have Much... to get done, for Vintage Market Days.

Starting 'Set Up' tomorrow.

Show Opens...

on 

May 8.

It's nice that we have some 'Time'... to 'Set'.

The way I procrastinate... 'Time'... is Good.

; )

We Always 'Pull it Off'... no matter.

: )

Get 'er Done.

: )

This is our first time, at this Event.

Grateful... to be included.

: )

The Vendor List... 

is 

Impressive.

Amazing People.

The Promoter, is Wonderful.

{Becky}

Very easy to work with.

; )

The Event's we've stayed with, for decades...

were the ones who had, and have...

 Incredible Promoters.

; )

My Hat... has been Tipped to Them All, year, after year.

: )

Unless you've 'Promoted' an Event, Ya have No... Idea.

; )

It's like Herdin' Cats!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

{my opinion}

; )

Put together a list... this morning, of everything that needs to be done, for this event.

{between phone calls}

oh... my.

; )

It's 

'Show Time'.

; )

Let The Fun...

begin.

<3

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{was thinkin'...

 'this'...

preparing for 'Vintage Market Days'... might be easy, if...

those phone calls, today... weren't from

 Every Side of The Universe!!

'Life'.

; )

The 'Extremes'... are very interesting to navigate.

; )

Ask... any Good, 'Show Promoter'... 

they'll tell ya.}

; )

At the end of the day...

; )

Too many miles.

; )

<3

{Above is an old image... it made me laugh, when it popped up.

; )

Was thinkin' about the Young Man, having such little Faith...

in The Ford's hauling ability before loading the Garden Gazebo.

The Ford may look small... 

but, 

He can Haul.}

; )

Sharin' the same pasture.

Beautiful Spring Day...

in Iowa,

for a 

'Ride'.

; )

Spent about 4 hours... on The Road, with The Ford.

<3

{I Gotta Tell Ya, That Little Ford, 

is very 

Difficult to Hold Back!!

; )

He Loves to RUN!!!

'Quick'!!}

; )

; )

Met with my Friend's Son, and Sweet... little Grandson, today, in deep Southern Iowa, to pick up a load.

: )

My Friend's Son... was a little perplexed, when I backed The Ford... into his building.

He thought I'd be bringin' a 

'Flat Bed' to pick up this...

'Load'.

; )

Told my Friend's Son...

"That's what I did."

; )

He... shook his head, said... he'd expected me to be pulling a flatbed 'trailer'.

; )

If... that young man, only knew...

The Load's, that little... 25 year old Flatbed Ford has 'Hauled'.

; )

and

Continues... 

Faithfully... 

to.

; )

Believe... we may have made a 

'Believer' out of him... after we were loaded.

; )

<3

When The Kentucky Derby, rolls around, 

can't help... but think of 

Admiral.

<3

I hated school.

Felt... it was a waste of time.

My 'Life' back then... revolved around Horse Sales... and Auctions.

Farm Auctions, buying scrap, for Dad, and the Horse Sales.

'City Folks', and 'schools', didn't fit in, 'understand'... 

my

'lifestyle'.

; )

{Country Girl}

One... bright, sunny... Spring Day, I ditched school.

; )

{Couldn't Stand.... being in a 'Classroom' on Such a Beautiful Day.}

: )

Didn't bother to grab my bridle.

I'd trained Admiral... so well, he didn't need a 'bridle'.

<3

A piece of twine, or... a rope, would suffice.

; )

What I didn't count on... was a Cedar Rapids Gazette photographer, capturing mine, and Admiral's 

'Escape'.

oh... dear.

Busted... when The Sunday 'Gazette' came out.

uh...oh.

{Mom... was Not Happy!! Nor was The Principal, at Roosevelt Jr. High.}

uh.. oh.

That was the tipping point, when I decided to move away from 'Home', quit 'School', and get my GED.

Done, and Done.

; )

To this day... I've Never regretted my 15 year old 'self's'

 'choices'.

Not Once.

; )

We Finished that 'Ride' in The Lead.

; )

<3

; )

<3

There's 'Somethin'... about a Horse.

<3

I bought Admiral... when he was a weanling.

He was 4 months old, I was 12 years old.

<3

'We' grew up together.

; )

Several Folks, over the years... have asked me about Admiral.

; )

 my reply...

"He was my first Love. Some days... I 'Like' Him... More than my Husband!!!"

; )

That... always got a Laugh!!

; )

<3

Admiral... passed away, at the age of 26.

He was laid to rest... here, at Home.

<3

Admiral... and Scout, share the same 'Pasture'.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{the book is coming}

<3

Grateful.

So Incredibly Grateful to All of 'The Thoroughbreds'... in my life, especially...

on

'Derby Day'.

<3

In my opinion... being an old 'Horse Trader' from decades ago...

; )

God... 'fine tuned' horses,

 then...

He labeled

His Very Best...

'Thoroughbred'

<3

I.. was Blessed to have Known, Loved... and Grew Up... with one.

; )

He's buried here.

<3

Admiral... was a Winner.

<3

His bloodlines went back to 'War Admiral'.

yet, he was just my Beloved... Horse.

'Best Pal'.

; )

<3

What a Race.

; )

<3

Things that make ya go... 'Hmmmmmmmmm.'?

Spent the majority of the day... yesterday, workin' in the front Greenhouse.

The pump had quit in the Stock Tank... Fountain, found an extra pump while cleaning.

That was Good. Got it goin'. Made The Fish...  Happy.

; )

Then... cleaned out the Fountain in the Greenhouse.

Got it goin.

; )

Moved Many Mountains, yesterday.

That Old Concrete Snail... is an Armload.

; )

He's not for sale.

I've had him a long time.

<3

He can't take 'weather'... anymore. He's pretty fragile, but... he watches over the Greenhouse, just fine.

; )

Heading back there, shortly... 

Keep pickin' away at it.

; )

Was pretty busy, yesterday... Folk's poppin' in, as I worked.

Nice Folks.

Before I started to work, went to the North end of the property, 

where Fairfax is tearing out West Cemetery Road, and the little bridge.

: (

It's sickening.

We, in my opinion... didn't need to replace that little bridge.

We're getting along just fine, without it, but then... Folk's wouldn't be making Millions, by replacing it.

{my humble opinion.}

: (

Lawyer Meardon wants me to keep an eye on this project.

At this point... Fairfax has the East side of our property landlocked.

: (

As I was capturing images, a Man came walkin' up to me...

pretty 

'Boldly'.

I put my hand out, to shake his hand... introduced myself, 

: )

told him... as I pointed towards our Barn...

" I own that 'Land'."

; )

He... softened up, after that.

: )

I asked him where the culvert is, going under Stallman Drive, by our Barn.

Seems there isn't one... any more, according to the Man.

Hmmmmm???

I asked him where the 'Flood' Water's gonna go.

???

He said... he 'thought' according to Fairfax's hired engineer, 

it's all going to go to the North.

{The Creek Runs... Southernly.}

Hmmmmm.

That oughtta make our Neighbor's to the North... real happy, if... indeed that's true.

; )

{I... personally don't believe that, but... time will tell. It always... does.}

Asked him where the drive is... giving us access to our property on the East side of our land.

He seemed confused about that, too.

Hmmmmmm.

He said... that's not in his work plans.

{Boy... does That sound Familiar. ; ) How Many Times... have I heard IDOT say those exact words. }

Another Outfit, will be handling that side of this 'project'.

; )

Hmmmmm....

The Man... pointed out where the New Road is going to be.

; )

I... just stood there, looking at the 'Elevation'.

; )

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!

; )

West Cemetery Road, and Stallman Drive corner... looking North.

Cemetery Road, looking South to Stallman Drive.

That's Scout's Barn.

Lawyer Meardon saved Scout's Barn, and our Land, from this project.

It would be GONE without Him, for 'This Mess'.

Looking East on West Cemetery Road, Highway 151 intersection is at the corner.

'Before'.

I don't want Folk's to Ever Forget... what the 'Before' was.

Before.

Don't want Folk's to Ever Forget... how tiny that 100 year old Bridge 'was'.

and...

Never forget The Millions, that are being spent to replace it with one 3 times as long, and wide.

; )

'Bike Trails'.

Hmmmmmmmm.

Had the 151 Bridge never been elevated so high, for a 'Trail' for 'Fairfax'... under it, that wasn't Supposed to be, according to our Recorded Agreement, with The Iowa Department of Transportation...

well... 

West Cemetery wouldn't have Had to be moved, and... there'd be No Reason for a Monster West Cemetery Road Bridge.

yep...

; )

It all ties together, again... in my 'Humble Opinion'.

; )

Hmmmmmmmm.

Think of All of The Money that tax payers would've saved.

Think... of All of the Drainage issues, we, and I believe, now... other's would've been spared.

Hmmmmmmmm.

; )

My Old... Crystal Ball, tells me...

'Elevation' is gonna be a Big Problem, for Many.

but...

what do I know.

???

{I'm an 8th grade dropout.

Certainly... not an engineer, or a lawyer.}

Once it's DONE, The City, like IDOT... will say,

'So What'.

It's Done...

Now.

; )

Bless their hearts.

Believe me, I've tried, and tried... to warn The City of Fairfax, and... Neighbors.

Very Sad.

Busy Day...

ahead.

Have a Dude giving me estimates, today.

The Sweet Gal, who bought the 'Horse & Hound' sign... is on her way to pick up.

Have to unload The Ford, heading to Southern Iowa, in the morn.

Ready for another 'Road Trip'.

Get the Hell outta Fairfax, for a bit.

; )

Love to Ya... 

Prayers for All.

Barb C.