: )

; )

Love It...

So True!!

Was up... early, wrote a Long Post, then...

saved it.

This time of year brings back a whole lotta memories.

Too early in the day, to start looking back.

 

I can hear them pounding the piles... for the West Cemetery Road Bridge.

The ringing sounds like a broken old Church Bell.

oh my.

Heading to town, before it gets cookin' outside.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Be Kind to Yourself... and Others.

Took a stroll... this early July Morn.

; )

Visited the Herbs, and little Tomatoes.

<3

Been giving them sips of water... every Morn, during this 

Hot Spell.

<3

The Morning's are So Incredibly Beautiful.

Doesn't take long.. to work up a sweat by 10 a.m., tho.

{with little... to no effort.}

Farmer, Tom... says we'll be Pickin' Sweet Corn, in about 10 days, or so.

; )

Oh Boy!!

; )

Had a Bunch of Delicious little Tomatoes Ready to Go... this Morn.

They... were my Breakfast.

The above, are what I didn't devour while pickin' 'em.

<3

Sweeeet!!

: )

Trimmed a few Herbs, for later.

Oh My.

Their Scent is Intoxicating!!

<3

Heavenly!!

Had to laugh... when the above popped up, this morning.

: ) : ) : )

Seems, I never 'expect' it....

but, 

somehow... 

it never 

'surprises' me...

anymore.

: )

Maybe... I'm finally growin' up.

Hahahahahaha!!

; )

Have had a couple of Dear Friends, confide in me, lately, concerning some things they are going through.

One... shared the above.

 Made me kind of sad, when I read it, but...

in reality, I... get it.

: (

'Self Preservation'.

<3

I... always think of 'The Golden Rule', 

'Do unto others, as you would have done to you.'

in my opinion, 

it works...

both ways.

If you're kind... and caring, towards someone, and they aren't kind...

and

caring, 

back, well...

maybe, it's time to distance yourself from that type of relationship.

{my... opinion.}

One of my Favorite lesson's of all time, is...

'Be Kind to Yourself... and Others'.

<3

In That... Order.

Seems... simple.

It's far more difficult, than it might seem.

To many... putting themselves 'first'... seems selfish.

In my opinion, not so.

<3

'You can't pour... from an empty cup.'

; )

Sometimes... Ya have to

Give yourself... a little distance.

<3

Was having a conversation... with Grandson, Justin... the other day.

He's Huge... into Fishing, and Boating in the nearby Rivers.

{They are High... and Wild, these days.}

Shared with Justin... something Dad, Justin's Great Grandfather...

 shared with me, when I was far younger than he.

"If you see someone struggling in water, 'drowning'... don't get close to them.

Throw out a line, a preserver... whatever you can that will float, or they can 'grab'...

 hold on to, but...

Never, Never... get close to someone who's drowning.

They will pull you under, climb on top of you...

may, and most probably will..

 drown you both."

That... sounded so incredibly cruel, when Dad gave me that advice.

: ( : ( : (

but...

Dad was right, as he was...

 most

 Always.

<3

If 'You' drown, well... Ya can't help the one struggling, or anyone else.

I, personally... have never been one to 'Give Up'... on people, or most anything I 'believe' in.

{Guessin'... maybe that's why, Dad... had that 'chat' with me, so long... ago. 

: )

 He knew me... better than most...

Anyone. }

<3

'Distance'

'Self Preservation'

is

Real.

a...

Necessary

'Kindness'

to 

'Yourself'...

and

'Others'.

Never 'Apologize' or feel guilty..

 for that.

{in my opinion}

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

{Miss. Peanut... is holdin' on. <3 }

Shadow Pianos.

When Pal... Bill, stopped by last week, he dropped the above, off for me.

<3

Bill comes across some of the most amazing treasures.

; )

Bill... showed it to me, shortly after he purchased it, I asked him... to please let me know... when he decided on a price.

That... he did.

; )

'The Favorite Horse'.

<3

Late 1800's print.

<3

Looks Exactly... like 'White Cloud'...

'my'

Favorite Horse.

<3

{Shouldn't say that, I guess.

 Picking a 'Favorite'.... Horse, or any 'Critter' is like picking your 

Favorite 'Child'.

Impossible.}

<3

When I saw that 'Currier and Ives'... 

oh my.

: )

I've owned many over the decades. 

Love Them All.

Have kept.. a few.

<3

I've Never Seen... the above.

<3

{even has a 'Pup'... in the image. <3 <3 <3 }

; )

<3

The two late 1800's 'Currier and Ives' above...

were Christmas Gifts from Son, Justin...

long ago.

<3

Priceless.

<3

Took Miss. Peanut to see Christine, yesterday.

{Scout's longtime Vet, 'River Basin Equine'.}

<3

Peanut... is so... under the weather.

So... lethargic, here at Home.

: (

I've been working with her... day, and night.

Giving her water... through a syringe.

Peanut Refuses to eat... much of anything.

Maybe... a spoonful of whatever I can think to entice her with...

a day.

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

Of course... when we get to 'River Basin', Peanut... is like a 

Hurricane on a Leash!!

Holy Smokes!!

It took me, and Dr. Christine's Assistant, to get Peanut to the exam room.

: (

All Adrenaline.

Muscle... and Adrenaline.

: (

Peanut's blind, so... hearing other animals, and smelling the scents... 

she doesn't know who's a threat.

'Friend, or Foe'

: (

That Girl... Shifts Into 'Warrior Mode' with Everything she's got left, when we go to the Vet.

: (

Peanut... is so Good with People.

<3

She's So Good.... with being Poked, and Prodded.

<3

{Everyone... Loves Peanut. <3 

She wags her tail... while going through such torture, that she has no way of understanding...

'why'.}

: (

Told Christine...

"What you're seeing, isn't 'Peanut'.

She's... running on fear, and adrenaline.

She's a Warrior, here.

: (

At 'Home'...  she's lethargic."

: (

The above... is Not Normal Peanut.

<3

Christine... went over the other Vet's records... and tests.

{all tests, and images came back good}

Christine conducted a thorough exam, along with more bloodwork.

I've been thinking, maybe... Peanut picked up a strange virus, or...parasite.

???

Christine... tested, and treated... for everything she could, concerning the above.

<3

Christine... called this morning, to tell me Peanut's tests have all come back Good.

: )

: (

She wormed her, with a broad spectrum wormer, yesterday...

if...

it's a 'parasite', hopefully, we'll

 KILL IT!!

: (

We're all... at a loss, at this point.

: (

Again...

as a parent...

you're only as happy, as your unhappiest 

Child.

be

They...

2, or 4...

legged.

<3

; )

'The Unknown'

to me...

 is much like playing on a shadow piano.

No...

Resolution.

Unacceptable...

to my ears.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Pretty July Morning... in Iowa.

The above popped up this morning.

That.... was quite a day.

There were just narrow pathways through the Old... Victorian.

It was sad.

I knew the Woman.. who used to live there.

She was a Lovely Lady.

Sadly... seems, she was very troubled, tho... you'd never know it.

I've learned over the years...

Many, are fighting battles few ever know about.

Most... Everyone, has a 'Story'.

It's a Pretty Morning in Iowa.

: )

It's gonna get Toasty, today... and all week they say.

So Love... the Early... Summer Mornings in Iowa.

<3

before...

It Gets Cookin'.

; )

Taking Miss. Peanut to see Christine, Scout's old Vet, this morning.

I'd completely forgotten she'd expanded her clinic to Small Animals, a while back.

She's Amazing.

Hopefully... she can figure out what's ailing Miss. Peanut.

<3

<3

The above... made me laugh, this morning.

; )

Pal, Bill... and I were just talking about this, 'subject' last week.

; )

We're both 'Taurus'.

: )

Calm... easy goin'... slow, and steady.

Docile... for a long, long... time, when prodded.

: )

then...

someone makes a mistake of waving that 

'Red Flag'.

Oh... dear.

Bill... has only seen me

really, really...

 'Angry'...

once.

He reminded me of that 'encounter'... the other day.

That... got ugly, in a Big Hurry.

The man had tried to 'Bully' me once, got in my face...

screaming so loud, my hair blew back... from his breath.

When the 'man'... stormed away, I told his friend,

who was standing there... with Pal, Bill...

to let his 'pal' know...

I'd given him his first, and last 'free pass' with such disrespect.

The man's pal, said...

"Oh... he talked that way to his Grandmother, all the time. Called her horrible names, treated her horribly."

: (

I... knew his Grandmother, very well.

Hearing about the abuse she'd suffered, from her 'adult' grandson, whom... she'd been caring for, for years...

 made my blood boil.

: (

True to form... the 'grandson', a few weeks later... pulled the same 'stunt' again, with me.

Stepped right into my face, and started cursing, and screaming.

{Pal, Bill... again, was there, as was the 'grandson's' friend.}

that time...

I... stepped right back into the 

'grandson'.

Nose to Nose...

literally.

Gave him... a Huge Dose of his own 'medicine'.

{ooooops.}

The 'grandson'... didn't quite know what to do.

He was stunned, to say the least.

He turned tail... 

smart move.

Sometimes, sadly... you have to speak to some people in a language they're familiar with, and 'understand'.

While Miss. Peanut and I were sitting under the entryway, this morning,

the tune above came to mind.

Watching the Huge Traffic on Highway 151, reminded me of the lyrics in the above...

Otis Redding tune.

"Watchin' the Ships Roll In, then... Watch 'em Roll Away... Again.'

; )

I've often referred to living next to this stretch of 151, as like living next to The Mighty Miss.

Not nearly as Beautiful... as The Mississippi, but...

equally as dangerous, if you aren't acclimated to it.

'Respect' how powerful it is.

Oddly enough, when the Highway has been closed, at different times, over my life....

it's kind of eerie.

almost,

Too... 

quiet.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

My Church.

Slipped away... for a while, today.

: )

'God's Country'...

My Church.

<3

Simply...

Iowa.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

May God Bless... The 'Lazy Freeloaders'.

: )

The Old... 'Old... Man in The Wind' Rocker, that sits under the 

Entryway.

; )

Bought it from Pal... Jan, Long ago.

; )

Grandson, Justin...  moved it the other day, when I asked him to clean out the mud...

from the last big rain.

{Thanks... IDOT, and Fairfax. 'bless your hearts'. Your 'wrongful' ...

{in my opinion}

Suicide 'Bike Trail'... has been a horrible, wrongful mess for us. }

Justin... forgot to put the Old... Man, back, where he's been resting since 2014.

That's o.k. ; ) Figured the 'Old Man'... probably needed a little Sun on his face, too.

; )

We 'All Do', in my opinion... 'these days'.

: )

Carried the 'Old Man' back... under the entry, this morning.

Peanut... wasn't happy navigating around the Old Rocker.

<3

Called on Scout's Vet... this morning.

She's going to take a look at Peanut.

Not until next Tuesday... morning.

Grateful... Christine could get her in... at all.

<3

Need another opinion.

; )

Indeed.

<3

Polly... and Mama Cat.

; )

That... was a Picture!!

<3

Those Two... Never got along.

; )

They did... the months after John passed away.

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

We all did, somehow.

Grief... isn't just for humans... to endure.

Sadly.

<3

Critters, too.

<3

Sent the above, to Grandson, Justin... this morning.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!!!

<3 <3 <3 

<3

<3

<3

<3

May God Bless...

All... 

of 

Those

 'Priceless' 

'Lazy'...

'freeloaders'

Who've Loved Us...

No Matter What,

Throughout

our

lives.

; )

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

2010... thru 2012, 'Simply Iowa'... posts, are quite a Good Read. : )

I've been searching for days... to find the below image of Dear Friend, Deb.

; )

Told Deb's daughter... Cassie, about it, yesterday.

Asked Cassie's permission to post the image of Deb, that I did... yesterday.

{Finding images.. isn't easy on Blogger. : ( }

Cassie thought it was Fine.

<3

Me...

knowing Deb, well... she looked more like one of 'us', than 'Deb', in that image.

: )

Deb... was Always so 'Put Together'.

She was Beautiful... and, cared about her appearance.

Always.

<3

This... is My Favorite Image of Deb.

<3

Captured it... in May/June... 2010, here... under John's Old Oak.

<3

<3 <3 <3 

That's My Girl!!!

; )

'Deb Patterson'... in a Nutshell.

; )

Deb... was Beautiful, but... make No Mistake...

yeah, don't let her 'Beauty'... Fool Ya.

Hahahahaha!!!!

; )

Deb... was a Fighter.

; )

Feel So Incredibly Blessed to have Known Her.

<3

This Old... 'Sh!t'... and 'The Rabbit Hole' have brought the Most Amazing People into my life, over the decades.

<3 <3 <3 

Re-reading... my posts, over the years... trying to Find 'Deb'...oh my.

Blessing, after Blessing... after... Blessing.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{They played 'Willie' at Deb's Service, yesterday.

Two Tunes.

'Georgia on My Mind'...

and,

'Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys'

; )

Love them Both.

<3

I'd have to talk Deb into including Waylon, with the second Tune.}

; )

<3

The Love... of 'Old'.

Began writing this post... the other Morn.

There were so many... many... things racing through my brain, 

well...

couldn't seem to put everything into words.

Still... can't.

Went outside... sat under John's Old Oak, Miss. Peanut... not far behind.

{She's still... struggling. I've been jumpin' through every hoop... I can think of to keep her perkin' along.

One... day at a time.}

As I sat there... watchin' the Early Morning 'Highway 151' come alive with traffic, watching...

people hurrying on their way... getting to where they needed to be...

all of them... so unaware... 

there were eyes watching them, cloaked... in an old flannel robe, sippin' iced coffee, wondering...

where...

 they were all rushing to.

Was thinking about Friend, Deb Patterson, who passed away on July 3rd.

: )

The Stories.

; )

A couple, or three... years back... Deb attended one of our Events... here.

{Deb... never missed an 'Event' here, if she could help it. : )}

After Deb was done scoping everything out... I sat down next to Deb, we visited for a long time, like we always did... when we could get together.

I... was admiring Deb's Beautiful Rings.

; )

Deb... Loved Turquoise.

Me Too!!

: )

Was telling Deb about how PO'd I was... . about losing one of my Favorites... after preparing a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Took my rings off... to dress the turkey, after cleaning up...

one of my favorite Turquoise rings had disappeared.

{seriously...}

Looked Everywhere.

In the trash, in the turkey...

searched the floor.

It was Gone.

The other's were there, but... not the Turquoise.

Warned the Kids... to be careful.... while eating the turkey...

as, there Might be a Ring... in it, somewhere!!

: ) : ) : )

Nope...

Never found it.

Deb thought it was Mighty... Funny!!

Ha! Ha!

; )

The next day... Deb came back to visit us.

; )

When we began to visit, Deb held out her hand...

and said...

"Pick One!!"

{In Deb's hand... were Two Beautiful Turquoise Rings}

Told Deb... I Appreciated her Kind Gesture, but... I... couldn't accept.

<3

Deb... Insisted.

: )

Couldn't Believe Deb's Beautiful Ring fit my right middle finger, like a Glove!!

{Ya feel Naked... when ya lose a ring.}

As we were sitting there, admiring the Ring, Deb... asked me the name of the 'fragrance'...

'perfume', I always wear.

Deb...said she LOVED It!!

I... Burst Out Laughing!!!

Told Deb... that, it's not really a 

'perfume'

: )

It's an essential oil.

'Patchouli'.

: )

Deb asked where she could find it, because she Had to Get Some of That!!

{Again... I Roared!!! ; )}

Told her to be Very Careful...

; )

People around you will either LOVE It...

or

Hate It!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

There's No In Between!!

; )

Typical Deb, said...

"I don't Care what Anybody 'Thinks'...

I Love It!!"

<3 <3 <3 

Told Deb... where I 'Used' to buy it, but...

 Dear Friend, Gail...

made my need to 'Buy' Patchouli again, in my lifetime...

Unnecessary!!!

<3 <3 <3 

Tho... I Rarely... 're-gift' Anything, knew... Gail would be Fine, if I shared a little of her Amazing Gift, with Another... Dear Friend.

<3 <3 <3 

; )

Ran inside... grabbed Deb a Bottle of my Favorite Potion.

; )

Warned Deb... as I dabbed a 'drop' on each of her wrists, then ran my Patchouli oiled fingers through Deb's hair.

: )

 Deb...

"No More... than 'That' when You Wear It!! This 'Potion' is 'Potent'!!"

Hahahahahahaha!!!

; )

Priceless.

<3

Below... is the old Bottle of Patchouli I carry in my purse.

While... sitting here, the other day...

looking at Deb's Beautiful Ring, that nearly took my finger off, while loading The Ford, for Vintage Market Days... in May,

I... by hand, straightened the band, out... as much as I could, and wrapped it around the little Patchouli bottle's neck.

; )

It can rest there... until I get it repaired.

Seemed fitting.

; )

<3

Our Deb.

<3 <3 <3 

I'll be writing... more about Deb, in the next few days.

No way... I can tell all of the 'Stories' in one post.

; )

Good Times.

Many.

Attended Deb's Service today.

Had such a Great Visit, with Dan... and The Kids.

<3

Deb... was Beautiful...

Inside, and Out.

<3

So Incredibly Grateful... 

for

The Love of Old.

; )

<3 <3 <3 

Sooooooo....

'Deb'.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Last visited with Deb, in person... at Vintage Market Days, in May.

: )

We had a Lovely... Visit.

<3

Showed Deb the picture... of her Beautiful Broken Ring, told her Not To Worry, I'd get it Fixed, and Sized!!!

<3

Deb Laughed!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

; )

{Found my other ring... in a Junk Drawer, long after I lost it. The Junk drawer is situated under the cutting board in the kitchen, it must've slipped in there, when I was cleaning up after the turkey.

Gads.

Placed it... back on my right middle finger, but... Loved Deb's Ring... So...

tho, it was a little loose, on my ring finger... it still 'fit'.

: )

Big Mistake.

Because... it was a little loose, that allowed it to get 'Hooked' on The Ford's bedrail.}

: (

While visiting with Dan... and The Kids, they shared how much Deb Loved 'Willie', and the tune...

'Georgia on My Mind'.

<3

: )

<3

{Stay tuned... for mine, and Deb's...

'Smokin' Story'.

; )

That's.... a 'Good One'.}

hahahahahaha....

; )