Crazy... Days. Good Ones.

It's been a Crazy... Couple of Days.

; )

oh... my.

; )

Friday.

Josey Wales... {May God Bless That Man} 

Corridor MPO, Fairfax, 'Email'... 

Grandson, Justin's 2 hour Haircut...

{'J' wouldn't let me get an image of his New... Do. He looked Great!! I... believe, he was very Happy with his New Look!! 

Handsome Lad.}

: )

Work... Late Lunch with 'J' at the New 'Vos Que Quereis' restaurant, in Fairfax, 

{very good... Venezuelan food!}

Met with Pal, Allyson, at CSPS Hall, in New Bo, in Cedar Rapids for an Amazing Concert, at 7...

Home, around 11:30, Friday Night.

; )

The Concert was GREAT!!

Blues/Southern Rock!!

: )

Brandon Santini, and his Incredible Band, were Awesome!!

LOVE The Harmonica!!

; )

LOVE The Guitar!!

They were All Amazing Artists!!

; )

Holy Smokes!!

: )

Those Southern Boys... Know How To 'Play'.

; )

: )

New Bo was Jumpin'... last night!!

Wow!!

Allyson, and I arrived about an hour before The Band started, at 8, to get Good Seats.

; )

I ordered a glass of Pino, then headed outside to smoke a stogie, about 15 minutes before The Band started.

As I was leaving the CSPS Hall, said 'Howdy' to The Doorman.

: )

He said...

"Are you Entertaining Tonight??!!"

: )

He caught me so off guard...

: )

All I could muster, was a 'Smile', and...

the reply...

"many... often find me 'entertaining'... I believe, at times, 

; )

{The Iowa Department of Transportation, their 'Engineers'... Fairfax, Iowa, 'City Hall'... The Corridor MPO, The Iowa Attorney General's office, 'Family', every now and then.... and several I've pissed off on FB, over the years, to name a 'few'. ; )}

but...

no..

I'm not 'entertaining' anyone... 

Tonight."

; )

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

Lord... Lord.

; )

Was Grateful... Allyson invited me to join her at CSPS last night.

: )

Great... Escape.

We had plans to 'Run'... today, but The Concert was a last minute 

'Plan'.

Great

 'Plan'.

; )

Allyson... has been Such a Gift, 'Blessing'... in my life, over the last 20, plus...

years.

<3

I'd like to say we're like 'Sisters'... but, I feel like I'm her

 Old...

Crazy...

'Auntie'.

: )

and, for some reason...

like Nephew, Billy...

Allyson likes to 'Take me Around'.

<3

I'm not as 'Open Minded' as Allyson, is.

: )

I... tend to dig my heels in.

{crazy... old auntie.}

; )

Gratefully... Allyson, and Billy...

put 

up

with

my

'Insanity',

and...

love me,

anyway.

<3

Today.

Saturday.

I... didn't capture any images on our Travels.

It was raining, and... I didn't feel like it.

; )

{crazy... old auntie. ; ) }

Allyson picked me up... at 9 a.m.

We bought Fuel.

{Allyson, nearly.... filled her RAV up with Diesel.

Uh Oh!!

; )

Allyson 'Caught It' before All Hell Broke Loose!!}

; )

{Wish I would've 'caught it' in Paducah, about 25 years ago, after leaving Nashville.}

; )

{It turned out Fine, but what a ride.}

Allyson, and I... travelled many miles today.

Headed to Amana, Iowa...

then...

Kalona...

then, 

visited Pal, Bill...

at his Store, in Cedar Rapids, then...

back to Allyson's Home, where we fixed a Lovely... 

late afternoon

'Supper'.

; )

Allyson's Sis, Bethany... joined us for a Great Meal, and...

Vigorous Conversation!!

<3

Priceless.

; )

<3

Allyson, holdin' up... Two of the Coolest 1960's, or early... 1970's...

Hanging Lamps, I've Ever Seen!!!

: )

Pal, Bill... had them.

Oh My.

So Cool!!

; )

The first image... is of a few... of the Great Finds, from Amana, and Sisters' Garden, between Iowa City, and Kalona... Iowa.

There's...

More.

: )

{stay tuned}

<3

Check Out...

Brandon Santini.

: )

Attend, if you can...

Local, and Traveling Musicians.

'Artists'.

; )

They'll Impress.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

I... don't 'vent' on my blog, for the most part, like I do... on FB.

{try not to}

My 'blog'... is much like The Rabbit Hole.

<3

{off limits}

I'm venting... here, and now.

: )

uh... oh.

; )

<3

Pushin' Midnight.

Today... was Quite a Day.

; )

Just... pulled in at Home, a few minutes ago.

It's pushin' Midnight.

Have to be up early, in the Morn.

On The Road... again.

; )

I'll have to bundle today, and tomorrow all in one, 'tomorrow'.

: )

'This Day'... has went from one extreme to the other.

: )

All Good.

<3

Stay Tuned.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{The Moon... is Beyond Beautiful, again... tonight, in Iowa.}

<3

<3

It Is... What It Is.

Last night The Moon was Amazing.

<3 <3 <3

; )

{notice the roll of TP in the lower left corner?? 

: ) 

something's got my allergies goin'.

TP is my 'go to'.

don't think I've ever... bought a box of tissues.

TP is Much gentler on my nose.

; )

remember Mom... gettin' All Over my Case for having a roll of TP on my Truck's dash, way back in

 'the day'.

hahahahahahahaha!!!

'Not... Lady Like.'

<3

{driving an old Truck, hauling scrap iron, and car bodies... 'is'??}

hahahahahahaha!!

: )

Mom didn't mind me 'having' it... 

{Mom never bought a box of 'tissue' either.}

: )

Mom, had a 'problem' with me 

'advertising' it.

hahahahahahahaha!!!}

<3

'It Is... What It Is'

; )

Spent the day workin' at The Rabbit Hole.

'J' was Huge Help.

He's a Worker Bee.

<3

Took a stroll through the shop, as well.

Oh my.

Much to get Done.

again...

It Is... What It Is.

; )

For now, have to concentrate on getting ready for the Contractors.

Outside.

After we'd had Enough... for today, we headed to the store.

Justin needed some new jeans.

: )

Being a 'Worker Bee'... he goes through 'em pretty quick!!

: )

My mind is always racing... when I get to The Rabbit Hole.

I can 'see'... it done, but... it's gonna take some time.

First things first.

'Outside'.

; )

Didn't get the e-mail sent to Fairfax, and The Corridor MPO, today.

Have to gather a little information... before I put on my 

'Hat'.

; )

{They Love Me... So. }

<3

bless their hearts

; )

It Is...

What It Is.

: )

oh.... dear.

Justin's coming tomorrow, to help... more.

I'm gonna be keepin' That Worker Bee Busy, for quite a while.

; )

We have a lot of Fun, too.

; )

We have a Die Hard Mutual Love Affair of Old Ford Trucks.

<3

A few years ago... Justin was diggin' Dodge Trucks.

That....

was scary.

: (

He's Seen The Light!!

Yippee!!

<3

Love hearing his stories about Romeo... 

{his beloved Horse}

That Romeo, is so Smart!!

Always Into Something!!

: ) : ) : )

Romeo got out the other morning.

He didn't go anywhere, but he snuck up behind Justin at about 4 a.m., while he was doing chores, and Scared The Daylight out of Justin!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

Then... Romeo wouldn't let Justin catch him.

: )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Justin Sr. said he could see them running all around the yard...

Just when 'J' would get within arms reach, of Old Romeo....

Romeo would put his Head in The Air...

and Fly!!!

Hahahahahahaha!!!

: )

{Lord... I Remember Those Days!!

It's FUNNY... when It's not Happening to You!!!}

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Priceless.

; )

The Moon, is putting on a Beautiful Show, tonight...

as well.

<3

Before long...

about a month, from now...

it'll be a 

Harvest Moon.

<3

oh...

my.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

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