Can't get past... this one.

: (

Love to Ya...

Prayers...

for 

All.

Barb C.

 <3

A Little More 'Country'...

Pal... Allyson is pickin' me up.. this afternoon.

On our travels, a while back... through my Old... Stomping Grounds, in Benton County, Iowa...

was telling her about a Painting, Pal... Bill gifted me with, long ago.

I looked up the Artist,

 Helen Snow-Miner.

{1872 - 1948}

She was an Amazing Woman.

Lived near Keystone, Iowa... on a Farm.

{my 'Happy Place'... when I was little. <3}

She was quite famous for painting Animals, especially Horses.

I read an article about her, that said... Helen tamed Farm Animals, encouraged them to come inside the house... always carried sugar in her pockets for them.

: )

{My... Kinda Gal!! <3}

Many Horse's were brought to her Farm... to have their portraits painted.

Many... from far away, 'Race Horses'.

; )

Helen... was encouraged early on, to move East, and get formal schooling.

She declined... said, she preferred to stay on The Farm, as she was content being a Wife, and Mother... to her two Children, and... stay with her Beloved Animals.

<3

; )

Found that Helen lived near Luzerne, Iowa... when she passed away.

Not far from Keystone, Iowa... in Benton County.

Very close... to where Son, Justin lives.

Helen was laid to rest... at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine, Iowa.

{Just 4 miles from Justin's Home.}

Allyson, and I drove past that Lovely... Cemetery, the day we were Skippin' through Benton County.

I pointed it out to her... told her about the Painting, and Helen.

: )

Allyson called, last week... wondered if I'd like to go back, and see if we could find Helen's Grave, then...

go for Supper, at The Wonderful... Old, 'Lincoln Cafe'... in Belle Plaine.

; )

{I was telling Allyson about The Lincoln Cafe, and how it hasn't changed since I was little, when Dad and I would sometimes stop...

for a 

'Bite to eat'... as Dad would say.}

; )

Every Friday... they have 'All You Can Eat Walleye'.

; )

It's Amazing!!

; )

So are their Homemade Pies!!

; )

{That... Perked Allyson's Ears Up!!

'Homemade Pie!!'

Yippee!!}

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Hoping my back can take a walk through The Beautiful Cemetery.

Eeeeek.

: (

It's 'better'... today, and... along with Coffee, taking some Aleve.

Hopefully... 

it'll hold up.

Dang.

; )

Looked at a possible 'Living Estate Sale', on Tuesday.

Got Such a Kick... out of The Gal!!

She was an Actress, and a Music Instructer.

Very... Very... 

Animated... and Flamboyant!!

Full of Life, and Energy!!

<3

FUN!!

; )

As we were parting ways, she asked me where I'm 'From'.

Told her... I've lived my life within a 50 mile radius of Cedar Rapids.

She paused... said, "Hmmm... That's surprising. 

You've never lived in 'The South'?"

Nope.

but...

Do, Love The South!!

; )

{Bill was Grinning!! He said... "But she has a LOT of 'South' in her!!!"

Hahahahahaha!!!

We'd just taken a quiz, the other day... about 'Southern Slang'.

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Bill was Shocked at how I Knew... Every Single Meaning!!

; )

Especially... the 'Bless Your Heart'... 'meaning'.

; )

{There's Two... 'Meanings' for That One. ; ) }

The Gal said... "You've never lived in 'Southern Iowa'... even??"

Nope!!

But... my Dad, was born, and raised... there.

; )

{I'm Tellin' Ya... once Ya get South of 80, in Iowa...

{excluding Iowa City}

EVERYTHING 

Changes!!

Hahahahahaha!!

She Agreed!!

; )

Dad must've rubbed off on me... a bit.

; )

<3

The further 'South' I go... oh my.

; )

I pick that Southern Drawl... Up, Quick... without knowing it!!

; )

Daughter, Liz... used to get teased in Nashville, because of her 'Yankee' accent.

Hahahahahaha!!

Not Me!!

; )

I Slipped Right In There... 

; )

Never knew... I was 'Bilingual'!!

Hahahahahaha!!

For the record, in my opinion... there's Many, Many... level's of

'Southern Accents'.

; )

Many!!

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Back... O U T.

Long Morning... in Iowa.

I reached out to my 'Loved Ones'... South of 80, this morning...

when I noticed the track Storm's were taking.

They were coming out of Chariton... Iowa, early.

{Dad's... 'Home' area.}

Farmer Friends... Lynn, and Lea, were Narrowly Missed, by a Horrific Band of Tornado's...

South of Sigourney, Iowa... a few years back.

The 'Storms' that come out of 'The Southwest'... can be quite wicked.

Gratefully... everyone, made it through.

: )

<3

There's water ponding... all around me, it came inside, yet again, this morning... here.

We've had a Lot... of  Rain over the last couple of days.

{Thanks... Iowa Department of Transportation, and Fairfax, Iowa... City Hall.

'Former'...'Fairfax'

'City Hall'.

bless their hearts.

all... 

for a 

Wrongful...

 'Suicide'... Bike Trail' next to Highway 151.}

; )

$$$

; )

Sadly... not much I can do about any of it, 

my back... is O U T.

: (

believe... 

I must've twisted... a little 'wrong', yesterday...

when tarping 

The Ford, in a big hurry.

: (

All it takes... is a 'Twist', for my back to say...

"I Don't Think So... Scooter."

 ; )

Hahahahaha!!!

Was telling Grandson, Justin... that story, earlier.

The 1983 accident, on 151, pretty much... 

set the pace, for what... I can, and can't 'do'.

; )

I can Lift... a Ton.

; )

it's the little, tiny... 

'twists'

that do me in...

Every Single Time!!

; )

Yeah... Boy!!

I don't 'feel' it... until the next day.

Hahahahahaha!!!

Yikes!!

; )

Felt It...

Big Time, 

this morning, when I crawled out of the sack.

; )

oh my.

Justin... asked if I was going to 'Town' this morning.

{He... never asks for Anything. 

<3 

Knew... if he was asking, he... needed a ride.}

<3

{there was a part of me... since Justin... has his License, now...

and, with my back... 

O U T, 

to...

just...

 Throw Justin.. 'The Key' to Jethro.

<3

{The Ford... is Loaded, 'Sally'... needs a battery.}

Then...

thought about who 'I was' .. at 16, when driving 

Old...

Mustangs.

: )

'Grandma'... found her feet.

; )

Justin... was very Patient, while waitin' for

Grandma... to get 'herself'...

'together'.

; )

<3

{'back out'... is an interesting 'journey'.}

oh dear.

Justin... gathered up what he needed, in 'Town' to make 'His Ford'...

BLAST

Music...

!!!!!!!!

; )

<3

That's... Mighty Important Sh!t... when you're 16, or...

63.

; )

Music...

is a 

Big Deal

inside

Your

'Driver'

; )

<3

Big Deal!!

<3

{Lawyer Meardon... taught 'Alice'... much.}

; )

Stay tuned...

these last several days have been very interesting.

: (

'Fairfax'...is quite a mess.

: (

We've known that, for a long time.

: (

Promised Folks... over the last few days...

I'd do what I can, for them.

; )

'Fairfax'... needs help.

<3

In my humble opinion, 'Bullies'...

 can't be allowed to continue to 'run' our Little Town.

: (

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Stay Tuned.

: )

<3

<3

'Life'... Indeed. ; )

<3

<3

; )

{oh dear... stay tuned.}

: )

Fish... was Extra Active, the other day.

: )

Just missed capturing him doing a Major...

Back Flip!!

Glad... I got to see it.

: )

<3

He's a Character. 

; )

a bit...of a 

Ham.

<3

Love the above... scene.

; )

'Life'... 

Indeed.

; )

What a Ride!!!

<3 <3 <3

; )

Been a Stormy Day... in Iowa.

Got Soaked to the Skin, this morning, trying to tarp the load... on The Ford.

; )

We're gonna get hit... again, tonight.

Ya Can't Stop...

Mother Nature.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Fun!!!

What do Iowa... Rural Kids do, after Work... on a Hot, Sultry...

Summer afternoon?

: )

They take their Horse, {Romeo} and Best Friend... 

'Gizzy'

{German Shepherd}

for a Swim... in their Pond!!!

<3

: ) : ) : )

Thanks... so Much, to Justin Sr's Gal, Christy, for capturing these images.

: )

Priceless.

<3 <3 <3 

'Simply... Iowa'

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Treats!!! ; )

After planting... yesterday, sat with 'Fish'.

<3

Yes... his name is 'Fish'.

: )

Never can remember how long he's lived at The Rabbit Hole.

Thinkin' he's goin' on 18.

<3

Folk's ask me if I bring him inside, in the Winter.

Nope.

Have two stock tank heater's that keep him Cozy... over the Winter.

: )

After a long day, it's very relaxing... to visit with Fish.

: )

Peanut... oh my.

; )

What a Life.

<3

Cooked up 10 pounds of chicken hind quarters for her, yesterday afternoon.

Made bone stock, for her as well.

She's having problems chewing her kibble, so thought a softer, food... might be helpful.

: )

The Vet says it's nothing to worry about, but... I thought it couldn't hurt... to soften her meals up a bit.

Peanut... Loves It!!

; )

Planted a few tomato plants early, early... this morning, before the rain hit.

then...

had a little 

Fun.

; )

Met with a Dude... late morning, who had a 1966 Mustang Grille, with The Pony...and Corral.

: ) : ) : )

Then...

stopped for Brunch...

at 

Edith Lucielle's.

{My Favorite Old Stomping Grounds!!}

; )

Just me... and The Old Boy.

; )

; )

Love It!!

; )

<3

They Make a MEAN...

Bloody Mary!!

; )

Prime Rib Salad.

; )

{I... always have them add a 'few' ONIONS'!!}

: ) : ) : )

Jethro and I stopped at D.Q.

on 

6th. St. S.W.

Cedar Rapids.

; )

I ordered a medium cone.

HOLY SMOKES!!!

I'd Hate to See Their LARGE!!!

WOW!!!

Above...

is

 The Real...

TREAT!!

; )

1966 Ford Mustang Grille... with The Pony, and Corral!!

I NEVER Knew... the piece around The Pony... is referred to as 

a

'Corral'!!

{Thought I Knew Everything... concerning 'Mustangs'!!}

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

It was a Treat meeting The Dude who had it.

oh my.

: )

He Had MANY... Many... Mustangs!!!

WOW!!!

He'd even Met 

Carroll Shelby!!

WOW!!!

WOW!!!

; )

I was Star Struck!!!

Oh My!!

; )

The Dude asked me if I was going to put the grille... in Jethro.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

ah...

no.

; )

"I'm gonna hang it in my bedroom."

; )

Pretty certain he thought That was as Funny, as I did...

 when he asked me about putting it in Jethro!!!

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!

; )

We had a Wonderful... Visit!!

It's Great when ya run into someone who's as 

Craaaaaaaaazy about Old Mustangs, as you are!!!

: )

He, his Wife...and Daughter...

 {They named their Daughter... 'Shelby'. ; ) <3 }

are 

All...

 Crazy, like me!!!

Love It!!!

: )

The Cool... Old Grille was 100.00

; )

I... don't buy much, for 'me'...anymore.

figured...

I could spend a hundred, on far less.

; )

Love It!!

<3

FUN!!

; )

The above popped up on FB, yesterday...

; )

made me 

' : ) '

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

One Day... at a Time.

; )

Stay Tuned.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Spending The Morning... in Nature.

Gathered a few Herbs, and Veggies to plant, yesterday... on my travels.

Tho... the 'Beds' are a mess, I'll get them cleaned out, and planted...this morning, before it gets Cookin' outside.

We've been getting rain... over the last few days, and it's warming up.

Humid.

Sultry.

{Makes The Corn... Grow. ; )}

Normally... I'd have had all of this done, and... the Yard, wouldn't be quite the Jungle it is, but...

I've been a little busy.

; )

Above is a Volunteer Flower, that popped up in the Tiger Lilies.

: )

googled it.

It's a 'Creeping Bellflower'

Looked it up... oh dear.

; )

Seems many find it intrusive, invasive... and see it as a 'Pest'.

{It's found the Right Home, Here!!}

: )

There are some Upsides, to it... as well.

It's completely edible, Beautiful...  and the Pollinators Love It!!

; )

The Key... is to Keep It In Check!!

Hahahahahahaha!!!

; )

I'll do my best.

; )

We're Chemical Free, here... so, again, I'll do my best.

; )

I'll get done, outside, what I can... this morning.

Then...

have much catching up to do 'Inside'.

but...

first, 

Coffee.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Tuesday... Tuesday... Tuesday.

'Tuesday'...

and, 

'The Sale'.

oh my.

Always say, I learn something at every Estate Sale.

This one, was no different.

Not sure that I 'Learned'... something, but...

certainly 

'Felt'

something, I never have... before.

This Estate... was different, from all of the others.

The Couple who lived in the Home we were working at, had moved here from Southern, Iowa...

three years ago, to take care of the Wife's Brother, in Cedar Rapids.

He was suffering from severe Parkinson's Disease.

The Couple... {Linda, and Chuck} had no more... than moved into their new Home, hadn't even unpacked boxes, when Linda was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

: ( : ( : (

Linda... sadly, passed away within three months.

Chuck... as anyone would imagine, was devastated.

 The Home... sat, with boxes everywhere.

Never unpacked.

When we came in... Chuck was preparing the Home, to be resold.

Gratefully...

Chuck, met a Lovely Woman, through their Church, and remarried, not long ago.

After getting to know them, I'm pretty certain... She... saved Chuck's life.

<3

{God... Works That Way. <3}

So... Bill and I, began unpacking.

Bill... in the garage, me... in the Home.

I've always said, you get to know a person... during these Sales, through their possessions.

I... got to 'know'... Linda.

<3

I... So would've liked her.

: )

I... could tell, how Incredibly Kind, and Loving... she was.

: )

but...

it was so Bittersweet.

: (

I... struggled, often, while unpacking those boxes.

Thinking... about when Linda, and Chuck... packed them, so carefully...

they had not a Clue, Bill... and I, would be 'unpacking' them.

: (

I... tried very hard, to place things... 'Stage'... the Home, as I felt...

Linda would've.

: )

Linda Loved... the color 'Lavender'.

Learned that... right away, as I began unpacking her 'Life'.

: )

Chuck had painted their Bedroom 'Lavender', for Linda... when they first moved in.

<3

That room, tho... it had to be packed Full, for the Sale, I... really tried to make it reflect 'Linda'.

: )

Linda's Sister in Law, came through... just before the Sale.

: )

She confirmed everything I 'Felt', concerning Linda.

<3

'Good Vibes'.

<3

She was very happy with the way we'd set the House up.

I... was grateful for her kind comments.

This one... was Tuff.

yet...

I'm so Happy for Chuck, and his Lovely... also, Kind... and Caring...

'Wife'.

<3

The Sale... turned out to be much bigger, than we'd anticipated.

There was so much, we hadn't seen on our 'walk throughs'.

The Garage attic, with not only Books, that we'd anticipated... but Ton's of Household.

: )

Oh My.

Grateful for Gayle, and Grandson, Justin.

<3

{been a bit longer...

than 

a

'week'.}

; )

While working on the Sale... I'd been getting calls from Contractors, wanting to set up appointments.

There... was Simply, No Way... I could do Anything, but work on that Sale, period.

Made appointments, as soon as I could, which... was 'Tuesday' after.

Peg's Daughter, Sarah... also, reached out to me, wanting to know if I wanted anything of her Mom, and Dad's.

: (

I'm... still... reeling, about Peg's... Michael... Passing away, so Suddenly, in January.

: (

I feel so incredibly sorry for Sarah.

: (

She wants to get everything done, concerning Michael's Home, as quickly as possible.

I... couldn't get to Sarah, any sooner than 'Tuesday'.

Tuesday... Tuesday... Tuesday.

: (

Set up an appointment with one of the Contractors...

 Tuesday morning, at 7 a.m.

I walked outside, around 6:30... to see Trash... Strewn across the entire frontage of our land, and on South... for a hundred feet.

Oh... no.

: (

Grabbed a trash bag... picked up Everything, except what was all over Highway 151.

{sorry... I wouldn't risk my life... for it. ; )

Eventually that, too... blew in the yard. It's All picked up, now.

'J' helped, with the second 'Clean Up'. }

I examined some of the trash... found names.

; )

Asked Son, Justin... if he knew who the people are.

; )

He did.

Gave the Neighbor a call.

; )

He came right over, after checking his security cameras.

Seems the Garbage Dude slung a bag of trash too high, it came off of the Garbage Truck, when he got on 151.

; )

{great place for a 'Bike Trail'... Fairfax, and IDOT.}

The Neighbor was Very... apologetic.

: )

'No... Worries'.

: )

Just... not something I needed, 'Tuesday' morning.

Got the appointment done, then.. Justin and I headed to the 'Sale' to meet with Folk's who were picking up items.

I... bought some concrete stones, for landscaping... that Justin, Gratefully loaded, and... unloaded for me.

: )

Came back Home... unloaded, then... went to meet Sarah.

: )

That was Tuff.

Very.

: (

Sarah... hates being at Michael's.

: (

I... hate it...too.

: (

Pal, Dale... met me at Sarah's Home, where she had some things she wanted me to take.

We filled his Bronco, and The Ford... between both places.

So... many, many... memories.

Sarah... took in Michael's two Pups, when he passed away.

Teddy, and Charlie.

<3

As we were standing outside, Sarah told me, a couple of weeks ago, Teddy was outside, with Sarah's Beloved, Bill.

Bill turned around, and Teddy was gone.

Bill called Sarah, at work... said Teddy was nowhere to be found.

Sarah Raced Home... to look for Teddy, she found him....

horribly crushed, deceased, on Mt. Vernon Road, where they live.

Oh Dear LORD!!!

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

No Words.

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

{I've been 'there'... too many, many times. }

No Words

: (

Lot's of Tears.

Lots, and Lot's of Tears.

: (

 

That little Cupboard, is coming back... 'Home'.

<3

Have No Idea... where I'm going to go with everything Sarah sent.

Was thinking, this morning... I should do a 

'Peggy Jo'

Room, at The Rabbit Hole.

: )

<3

Before we went to Michael's...

Sarah Gifted Dale with one of Peg's Birdhouses.

<3

Dale... So Loved Peg.

: )

Sarah doesn't part with Any of Peg's 'Art'... but, she wanted Dale... to have that little Birdhouse.

<3

So Kind.

<3

I... could write more, but...

I, really...

can't.

I've been spending a little time, this week... at The Rabbit Hole.

Not 'doing' much.

Mainly...

Soaking It In.

Watching... The Fountains.

Feeding... 'The Fish'.

<3

Decompressing.

There's been too many 'Roller Coaster Rides', for too long, for too many.

Had a Nice... Couple stop by The Rabbit Hole, yesterday.

They Loved It...

; )

The Wife said...

'How Much She Loved... The 'Gnarliness'.

: )

'It's like another World.'

I... call The Vines, a 'Cloak'... 

Shielding us, from The Ugly 'World'.

; )

They Both...

Agreed.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3