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

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

Trust me... on this one.

: )

'Indeed'

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

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.

; )

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.}

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!!!

; )

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.

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.

Beautiful... Sunday in July.

Sunday Morn... was Beautiful.

: )

The First time in days, and days... it was 

'Cool'

in the morn.

; )

Sat under John's Old Oak... from 7 ish.. to nearly...

10 ish.

; )

There was a gentle breeze, that kept the bugs away, oh yeah.

; )

Was surprised by what I thought was fog... early, then... realized it must be the smoke from Canada.

: (

Prayers... for Canada.

<3

Can't imagine how bad it must be... for our Canadian Friends, and Friends... from Up North.

: (

<3 

Miss. Peanut was enjoying the Morning, as well.

; )

She lounged... most of the time, but...

when she heard Dogs barking in Fairfax... 

{It's very quiet, here... early Sunday mornings. 

You can Hear The Town... with no Highway 151 traffic.}

Holy Smokes...

When Peanut heard those dogs...

: ) : ) : )

She was At Full Attention!!!

of course...

 I had to add a little Fuel... to

The Fire!!

: )

{Seeing Peanut... get excited, was such a Gift. ; )}

Kept asking her...

"Where's Those Dawgs??!!

Watch'em... Girl!!! Watch'em!!!"

; )

That... Miss. Peanut Did.

; )

<3

Priceless.

Wasn't sure... how I was going to celebrate John's Birthday, this year.

Decided to take a ride to Palo, Pleasant Creek Park... where I'd captured the image of John driving Sally around The Lake.

; )

John... Loved to Fish there.

; )

{me... not so much. I referred to it as 'Lake Empty'!! 

Hahahahahaha!!!

; )

John had Much Better 'Luck' fishing there, than me.}

; )

<3

When Jethro, and I... took the turn onto Highway 94, to get to Palo...

there were

'Road Closed' 

signs.

: (

Two thoughts... ran through my mind, while sitting at that 

'Stop' sign.

1. 'Let's see... how 'closed' the road... truly is.

; )

2. Let's jump back onto Highway 100, and Find... 

The River, 'The Cedar'....where John and I Loved to Fish, way back... in 'The Day'

; )

Jethro, and I... opted for the second.

; )

Headed to The Old River Road, next to the Cedar River...

 where we liked to hang out... 

sometimes, fish...

back in 'The Day'.

; )

We'd often go there on John's Birthday.

He... wasn't into 'Birthdays', or... Parties.

; )

John... was a 'Simple Man'.

<3

Pulled Jethro down the boat ramp...

let him get a little taste of that old...

river water.

; )

Above was on John's Birthday, back in 2012, or so.

He wanted to go to The River, that Evening.

Who did we run into???

: )

Justin... and 'J'.

; )

By Chance!!

<3

The Boy's were fishin'!!

I climbed in the back of Justin's Ford... and watched them all Enjoy a Beautiful...

 Evening.

<3

We liked to park, next to the roller dam, on The Old River Road.

Just... sit there... and watch the River... Roll.

; )

Seemed fitting, to visit on John's Birthday.

If he were 'Here'... I'm guessin', we'd be spending 'His' Day...

Exactly...

like this.

<3

I'd always fix John... whatever 'Birthday Supper' he wanted.

; )

Sometimes... we'd go 'Out'.

It was All... John's  Choice.

'His Day'.

; )

Jethro, and I... decided to go to Edith Lucielle's for a late lunch.

Sadly... John never got to see his Old Stomping Ground, and... mine, turn into a

 Wonderful... Fun, Restaurant.

When we were young, it was 'Squaw Creek Tap'.

It was in the neighborhood where he grew up.

John... was Never... a 'drinker', or... a 'Bar' Dude, but...

he knew most Everyone who was, in the area.

; )

John... really liked the Lady who used to own it, back then.

He, always said... how much he admired her.

: )

Hard Working... Woman.

{If Ya own a Bar... or a Restaurant, it's... Hard Work.}

When Jethro and I pulled in, at Edith Lucielle's...

a bunch of Biker's were also, coming in.

: )

John and I... are, were... about as 'Merle Haggard'... as anyone can be.

'Bikes'... were never our 'gig'.

; )

Somehow...

knew, Jethro and I... were in The Right Crowd.

; )

I ordered a 'Black Russian'... for John.

; )

John... rarely drank a drop, but... when he did, he liked a Black Russian, or... a VO and Coke.

John... LOVED a Good Tenderloin.

He... didn't like the ones that were flattened out, to the size of a dinner plate.

He liked a Tenderloin that was Thick... and Juicy.

John would've LOVED Edith Lucielle's.

; )

As I was leaving... The Biker's were leaving too.

; )

I asked them... if I could capture an image of them, with Jethro.

; )

They were All Over It!!

; )

: )

Asked them... to give John a 'Wave'...

; )

{John... had a Very Special 'Wave'.}

; )

<3

When The Biker's started up their Bikes, one... had a Tune playing Loud, and Proud.

'Simple Man'.

; )

A Black Russian is made with Vodka and Kahlua.

Picked up a small bottle of Kahlua, and a pack of Luckies...

Sunday afternoon.

Sadly, couldn't find Lucky Strike 'Straights', like John smoked.

{non-filter}

so...

picked up a pack of 100's.

; )

John... RARELY ran out of Stogies, but... when he did, he'd ask for one of mine.

He'd break off the filter... before he'd smoke it.

Always.

; )

Me, on the other hand, have had to smoke a few of John's Luckies.

; )

Never learned how to keep the tobacco off of my lips, like he did.

He.. was The Master at Smokin' Luckies!!

; )

In John's Honor... I've broken off every filter of those 'Luckies'.

; )

Think... maybe, I'm gettin' the hang of it.

; )

When we got Home...

fixed a few... too many of those 

'Black Russians'.

; )

{They Grow... on Ya!! : ) }

While going through 'Memories'... had to laugh, when this one popped up, again.

; )

Made me think of when John was going through that Horrible radiation therapy.

: ( : ( : (

The kind Ladies... who were there, every day... to check John in, 

one day... came walking up to us with a Lovely... Men's Coat.

; )

{John... wore what he wanted. He... Liked his old worn Flannel Coat, that was pretty ragged.

John... was known to duct tape his Favorite Boots, rather than have to break another pair in.

That's How John Rolled.

'His Way'

<3 <3 <3 

and...

John never gave a 'Sh!t' about what anyone thought.

; )

<3 <3 <3

{that's called...'Freedom'.}

; )

John, and I... looked at the kind offering, from the Ladies.

: )

I accepted the coat, Gratefully... on John's behalf.

; )

{donated it, later.}

: )

<3

Indeed.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

<3