Saturday, August 1, 2026

Welcome... August.


<3

Let Miss. Peanut outside around 4 a.m. this morn... oh my.
; )
It rained most of the day... yesterday, it brought in Cooler Weather.
<3
When I opened the door, that Cool Air Embraced us like an Old...
 Welcome Friend!!
; )

Left the door wide open...  still is.
<3
Love It!!
<3

Took Peanut to see Christine, yesterday.


We were there for several hours.
Christine took more images, and bloodwork.
I... was actually hoping Peanut's white count would be elevated.
It wasn't.
Again... Everything came back Good, and even better, than her previous tests, yet... she's lost another four pounds.

I... gotta tell ya, we're all very frustrated.
Peanut is eating, but... only a few tablespoons of food, a few times a day.
: (

Her teeth are fine. Christine took more extensive images of her head, and chest.
Nothing abnormal.

Christine gave Peanut an injection of steroids.
{I... am not a fan of steroids, but...at this  point, well... we're kind of out of options.}
She's eating a little, this morning.
: )

One Day... at a Time.
<3

The Great Staff, at River Basin... LOVES Peanut.
; )
She's Such a Good Girl.
<3

Was going to write about my visit with Long Time... Neighbor, May... yesterday.
: )
We had Such a Lovely Lunch, at Edith Lucielle's. 
May is from Ireland. Over the years, she's invited me to visit Ireland, with her.
: )
I... never could. 
Too many obligations at 'Home'... always, but... sure enjoy listening to May, concerning her young Life... in Ireland.
: )

I... never really knew May's age. I... don't 'see' people by their 'age', mostly 'see' people by their 'being'.
: )

May is 84, going on 30.
<3
Amazing Woman.
; )

May... Loved John, and... Loves Justin, and 'J'.
<3
Over the years, about 40 of 'em... we've appreciated each other.
<3

May said...
"Barb... sure Miss Your Sales... here. Seeing people Crowd on Memorial Day Weekends, and in the Fall."
{That kinda surprised me. Always worried about our Neighbors, during the Events, here.
Didn't want them to be inconvenienced, in any way.}

May... enjoys poking around The Rabbit Hole, even when I'm not there.
: )
It's another world.... for sure.
; )

May said... she was concerned with all of the Wild Grape, customer's won't be able to 'see' the wares.
: )
Told May... 'That's Just The Way I Want It.'
; )
Reminded May, if people can't 'see' in, I... can't 'see' 'Out', and what's become of our Land, and 'Neighborhood'.
; )

Told May... the 'Right' people, always, always... 'Find' their Way to The Rabbit Hole.
; )
May, agreed, and... totally... Understood.
<3


Contractor's are coming in, in the next several weeks, to try to make
'Repairs'.
If... they get everything 'Done'... maybe, I'll be able to pull 'The Fall Harvest Sale' together, in October.
No promises, at this point.
'Summer'... has gotten away from me.
It's been 'Hurry Up, and Wait'... for weeks.

It Is... What It Is.
; )


Stumbled across the above, this morning.
; )
Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

I don't personally have a 'Therapist'... 
Guessing, if I did... 
the above, would be Fittin'!!
; )
Hahahahahahaha!!
; )

Was thinking the other day, 
{that's always dangerous. : ) }
I... do, actually have Many... many 'Therapists'.
; )

'Old... Fords',
'Backroads'....
and,
The Rabbit Hole, when I can 'Find' it.
; )


Indeed.
: )
<3

Pal, Bill... and I, are going to visit Dear... Renate, {Bud} today.
<3
Her New 'Home'... is done.
We're going to help move some things, for her.
<3
This is extremely difficult for Renate.
She Misses Bud, So.
We All... do.
: (

Unbelievable... how 'Life'... can change forever, in the blink of an eye.


You'd think, after going through so many, many... losses, and changes... over a lifetime, we'd get used to them, somehow.

Speakin' for myself, 'change'... life's 'upheavals', don't ever soften when they 'hit'.

Better get crackin'.
; )

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


; )

{Received a little information, yesterday afternoon, that...
kinda brought out the 'Ornery' in me.
; )

That's Never, Ever... a 'Good' time to 'Post'.
Hahahahahahahaha!!!}

oh...
dear.
: )

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Get'er Done.


<3


Grandson... Justin, got his 6.0 Rockin' and Rollin'!!
: )
Justin's Pal... Antone, has been such a Great 'Partner in 'Crime'!!
; )

Those Boys...
are Having So Much Fun...
working on that Old...Ford.
: )
Priceless.
<3

I... had an 'Interesting' day... yesterday.

Great Day.
: )
Spent a little of it with a Dear Neighbor.
<3
She's from Ireland.
<3
I'll write about our beautiful visit, tomorrow.
: )

Miss. Peanut, has been eating a little, she's heading to see Christine, tomorrow.
{River Basin Equine, and Pet Clinic}

Hopefully... we'll get to the bottom of 'why'.

I've been pretty busy lining up Contractors, to get things 'Fixed' around Home, and The Rabbit Hole.
That's been a 'Journey'.

oh... my.

Hahahahahaha!!!
; )

Been a little more, than 'crazy'.
; )

It Is... What It Is.

At the end of the day... I'm confident, we'll...
 Get'er Done.
; )
{We Always... Do.}
: )

Stay Tuned.

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3


Priceless.


: )




Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Oh my... Started this post, yesterday. : )


; )

So....
True.

The below... popped up, last night.
Made me smile.
; )
Had to re-post.
'Share'... because it rang so incredibly true.
: )
Suppose it might been seen as a 'backhanded' compliment.
; )
I've always taken it... as a 'compliment'.
<3


; )
<3

Below... are a few responses from Pals.
: )
<3
{Kevin... posted the above. : ) }

: )

Pal, Kevie... was so Kind to drive the Loaded Ford to Gold Rush, in Rochester, MN. in 2017.
: )
{Bless His Heart!!}
: )

It was Kevin's First... 'Rodeo' headin' to a Show...
'Simply Iowa'
Style.
; )
Kevin has done Shows far longer than I have, but...
he... has never Done a Show, quite the way we 'do'.
; )
Hahahahahahahaha!!
{Always... an Adventure with
'Simply Iowa'.}
; )

Warned Kevie... to watch his speed in that Little Ford.
'He'll get away from Ya... in a Hurry'.
; )

Somehow, we got separated in traffic, in Cedar Falls, or Waterloo.
{Kevin was following me, in The FUSO. {Box Truck}

The next thing I know... Kevin, got pulled over for Speeding, in Cedar Falls.
{oh... dear.}

Gratefully... The Officer showed Kevin 'Mercy', let him go... with a warning.
<3
I'm guessin' she took a look at The 'Loaded' Ford, and... felt a little Pity.
: )
<3
{Kevin has the 'Gift of Gab'... I'm guessin' that didn't hurt.}
; )




Dear Pal... Micca, 'Junk Jubilee' Promoter, sent me the above, yesterday.
: )
<3

Sure Miss Micca, and The Junk Jubilee 'Family'.
<3
LOVE Junk Jubilee, and 'Jingles'.
Great EVENT!!
<3
Don't Miss It!!
It's at The Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines...
The 4 H Building.
<3

I've dropped all of the 'Away' Events, for now.
Need to get that Old... 'Rabbit Hole' back on it's feet.
: )
{The Iowa Department of Transportation, and The City of Fairfax, Iowa...
has kept me quite 'busy' for over eight years, with their Wrongful 'Shenanigans'.
: (
Again...
Beyond Grateful for Lawyer Meardon.
Without Charles... I might not be writing this.}

Am doing the below... Event, it's only 5 minute's away from The Rabbit Hole.
Very Good!!
<3
{Close to Home... and Miss. Peanut. More on her... tomorrow.}
<3

Pal, Bill... is also setting up at Vintage Market Days, again... this Fall.
As we were visiting, yesterday.... we were both wondering what we're going to take, in September.
???

I... finally decided to take... a little snippet of The Rabbit Hole.
No 'Theme'... just... a 'Snippet'.
; )



Old... Old...
'Whimsy'.
; )
A 'Reflection'... of The Rabbit Hole.
Most Likely... Vintage Christmas, as well.
Little Early, but then... 
I LOVE 'Christmas', Year Round!!
<3

Bill... has So Many Things, and Styles to choose from, oh dear.
; )
I'm Certain... his Booth with be Crazy Good!!
and
Crazy Fun!!
; )



; )



Above... is Denise.
<3
Bought The AMAZING early... 1960's
'Cow Jumping Over The Moon' Lamp, from her...
this morning!!
<3 <3 <3 

It's INCREDIBLE!!!
Original Shade... in Perfect Condition!!!
<3

I asked Denise, where she found it.
{ Always like to keep as much 'history' with Pieces, as I can.}
; )

Denise said...
"It was mine. I grew up with it. <3}

Oh My Gosh!!!
<3 <3 <3 
said...
'That Shade... is Perfect!!"
Denise, said...
"My Mother... Made Sure Our Things were Always... Cared For."
: )
<3

Told Denise... it's heading to 'The Rabbit Hole', and... it'll be Happy There.
<3
The Rabbit Hole... has kind of an Old...
 'Fairy Tale' Vibe... goin' on.
; )
Told her, that I was going to price it, but... if it Never Sold, I'd be very Happy.
<3
She was Glad... I Appreciated It So!!
<3
That...
I DO!!
<3


Indeed.
<3

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Was thinkin' about the many, many... Loads, over the years.
: )
Tho... following The FUSO with a Cupboard strapped on the back, in 2017... 
was Kevie's...
 'First Rodeo'.
: )
{Hahahahahaha!!!}

Not mine.
: )
or...
Farmer Friends, Lynn, and Lea's...
or...
Wanda's...
{Gatherings}
or...
Daughter, Liz's.
; )

One year... we strapped Massive Church Windows on the back, that Dear Pal... Barry, sent with us to Gold Rush.
: )
oh my.
; )

Get'er Done.

Safely.
; )

Trust me...
Dad taught me how to Load a Load, and Tie It Down.}
; )

No Worries.
; )
<3



<3



Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Oh my.


Began writing a long post, earlier...
A 'Good'... Post.
; )

Thought... rather than rush through it, should take a little time.
; )

That's what I'm doin'.

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


; )
<3
{Love It... when 'The Moon Jumps Over The Mountain'.
: )
Love It... Even Better, being from Iowa...
when
'The Cow... Jumps Over The Moon'.}
; )
<3

Monday, July 27, 2026

Trust me... on this one.


: )
'Indeed'
<3

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


Sunday, July 26, 2026

Hot... and Sultry.


Took a stroll this evening to check on the Tomatoes, and Herbs.
At 6:15, it was still 90 degrees in Fairfax.
You could almost cut the Haze of humidity with a knife.
Late July... in Iowa.
; )
'Sweltering'.


Picked quite a few little Tomatoes that were more than ready.
They're very Sweet.
<3

Snipped a few Herbs, as well 
Their Scent is Intoxicating.
<3



The 'Jungle'... is Happy.
; )
Pretty.
<3



Pal, Allyson invited me to go to the Hiawatha Farmer's Market, with her... this morning, then... grab Brunch at Edith Lucielle's.

Don't know if it was the Heat... or my worry, and lack of sleep, concerning Miss. Peanut, but...
I was in rare form this morning.
Wasn't up for a CROWD, the Crazy Parking, and Insane Traffic!!
GADS!!!

It was a ZOO!!
; )
It's a Good thing Allyson was driving.
; )
had I... been driving,
 would've said...
"No Thanks"... and a little more, when I saw that 
Insanity!!
oh.... my.
; )

Did get a little sassy, while we were making our second lap... trying find a place to park, while stuck in a mile long traffic jam.
{I'm not usually... this 'sassy'.}
; )
said...
"I can tell Ya this much... right now, there's Not One Thing... inside that Farmer's Market that's worth this much Frustration." 

We found a place to park...
; )

We did buy some Heirloom Tomatoes.
Allyson bought some Wax Beans... 
All of the Produce looked pretty good.
It was pricey, in my opinion, but... those People Work very Hard doing these Events.
It's not just the 'Event' costs, just like Antique People, who do Shows.
It's all of the work, and cost... that's endured Long Before... the 'Event'.
At least with Antiques, ya don't have to worry about 'Time'.
These Farmer's have a very small 'window' to do business.
I'd much rather pay a little more, at these Market's for 'locally grown', and support Small Business.

Yeah... I've been on my last nerve... for quite a while.
{Dad would refer to it as being a little "Owly".}
<3

Poor Allyson.
; )

We had the same, Sweet Waiter, at Edith Lucielle's, this Noon, who waited on me, on John's Birthday.
: )
He walked up to me, and asked...
"Black Russian... for Ya Today??!!"
: )
Hahahahaha...
Told him, didn't think... I'd better.
: )
Water was Just... Fine.
; )

Allyson and I... had a lovely visit.
Allyson is a Huge Animal Lover, too.
<3
She knows how difficult, and worrisome it is when our 4 legged Children are suffering.
: (...........

Not certain what this week is going to bring.
Have Much to Do...
but 'much'... will depend on the weather.

Christine, Peanut's now... Vet, will be back in her Clinic. She was gone most of last week.
I'll be calling her, in the morning.

Peanut did eat a little, last night, and a little... this morning, and late afternoon.
: )
Encouraging... maybe.
One day... at a time.

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.
 

Indeed.
; )



Saturday, July 25, 2026

Double Edged Sword.

; )

I... haven't been 'doin' much of anything, for the last few weeks.

Peanut... has been my MAIN concern.

She's not doing well, and... I don't like to leave her.
Haven't written about Peanut, lately... because, frankly...
I don't want to.
: (
This 'world' is in such a mess, hate to put more sadness on anyone.
: (

Peanut... is holding on. I... don't know... how she is.
: (
We just can't find the reason... she's struggling so.
: ( : ( : (

It's Heartbreaking...
to not be able to find the 'reason'.
: (
And FIX IT!!
: (



'Feelings'... 
are a double edged sword.

<3


Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.



<3

 (Feeding Miss. Peanut a liquid diet... through a syringe, today.
'Bone Broth'.
She won't touch any kind of 'food'.
Trust me... I've Tried Everything.
EVERYTHING.

The 'Vet's' are all at a loss.
: (
Somehow... maybe... it's a bad tooth, they didn't catch, or an obstruction... in her throat, they haven't caught.
???

Peanut... lets me shoot the liquids inside her mouth. 
{Tail Wagging <3}

We're Missing Something.
: (

Peanut has lost... nearly 15 pounds.
: (

It's Heartbreaking.}

Friday, July 24, 2026

Simply Iowa... at It's Very Best. 'Small Town'... Iowa. Priceless.


<3 <3 <3 

Above... is actually a HUGE BARN SALE!!
; )
Holy Smokes!!!
{Insane. ; )}

So Much FUN!!
; )
{trust me. ; )}


Sure Wish The Old Gypsy Ford... was back on Her Wheels.
; )
I'd Love to Enter Her... in that 'Car Show'.
; )
<3
Hahahahahaha!!!
; )
'Priceless'.



The above... popped up this afternoon.
; )
<3

Indeed.
; )

Grandson, Justin... and Antone, are still workin' on the 6.0.
; )
They'll Git'er.
<3
; )

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


; )
<3

{OMG... Grandson, Justin... just called, as I was writing this post!!
He's hookin' me up with one of his Diesel Gods, we may... have a New 7.3 for Gypsy...
and...
a
6 Speed 'Manual' Transmission!!! 
; )
HOLY SMOKES!!!}

Fingers Crossed!!!
; )

Thursday, July 23, 2026

The 'Pick-Up'... Man.


Grandson Justin... cut brush for me today... then went Home with his Dad... bailed in the Ford 6.0, he's been working on, 
was heading here... to work on the 6.0,
had a flat tire... on his way, his Pal... Antone, picked 'J', and his tire up...
they went back to 'J's Home...
fixed the tire, put it back on... then, they headed to the Shop...
to fix the 6.0's ball joint, what he'd intended on doing before the flat.
; )
{That Kid... has been 'Gifted'... with The Conner 'Luck'...
 it seems.}
; )
<3
'Shenanigans'.
; )



'J' called when they arrived, wanted me to come to the Shop... and check the 6.0 out.
; )

He's pretty proud of it... and all of the work he's done to it.
: )
He should be.
At only 16... he's Quite a 'Man'.
; )
Justin's getting Very Good... at working on these Old Trucks!!
<3


Those ball joints are giving Both of The Boys a Run for their Money!!
; )
{Gizzy... was workin' hard, too. ; ) <3}

I... tried to help them... the best I could, but... I know just enough to be dangerous.
; )
Told them... when I finally left the Shop, around 8:30, I was Certain... they'd Figure it Out.
; )
Grabbed 'em a Pizza... so they wouldn't Starve to Death.
<3

Bless Their Hearts!!
<3

'J'... had been dating a Girl... not far from where they live.
Met her a few times, she seemed very Sweet.
; )
A couple of months ago, 'J' told me they'd broken up.
I... asked him what happened.
He said... "She didn't like that I spent so much time working on the Trucks, and Fishing."

Made me smile.
; )

Yeah... if I could give a Girl any advise, it would be...
"Don't Ever ask a 'Country' Boy... to 'Choose' between Her,
and
His... Old Trucks, and Fishin'."
; )
'That'... is a Losin' Game.'
; )

The Brad Paisley tune below...
pretty much... says it all.
; )


Just... sayin'.
; )





Indeed.
<3

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Another... Beautiful July Day in Iowa. ; )


'J'... Gizmo, and me, picked a little Sweet Corn, for Neighbors this
 Beautiful... Cool...
July Morn.
; )

The Old... Gypsy Ford, found her way Home...
this morning, as well.
: ) : ) : )
Hahahahahahahaha!!!!
<3

; )


<3


; )

Yeah... I'm guessin' many, if not most... could begin to understand why...
I LOVE these Old Fords So Much.
; )

Well... at the end of the day, it isn't for anyone else to... 'understand'.
; )
{It would be a futile challenge... to try to 'understand'... at best.}
; )

I can tell Ya This... My Heart Swelled when I saw That Hauler Pull In...
this morning, with Gypsy Standing Tall and Proud, on the Bed.
<3 <3 <3 

Told The Boys...
"She's Even COOLER... Than I Remember!!!!!!!"
<3

Yes... yes, sadly... she's gonna need some 'Work'.
; )
That's o.k.
; )
{Don't We All!! Hahahahaha!!!}

So GLAD She's HOME!!!!!!
: )

Below is a video I captured while watching Gypsy being so very, very... 
Carefully unloaded at 
'HOME'!!!!
: )

Funny thing, the Young Man, who delivered Gypsy... grew up in the House where Gypsy has been sitting.

Small World...
Indeed.
; )

Happy Day!!!
; )


<3 <3 <3 

Was doin' a Happy Dance, this Beautiful July Morn.
: )

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.