Magical Seasons of Iowa.

I'm often asked which Season is my favorite. 

The truth is, I love All of Iowa's Four Seasons. 

Spring, is so Beautiful, full of new Life, and Hope. 

Summer, is Beautiful... as the days stretch longer, with cool, refreshing evening's that feel so good, after a long, hot day. 

Fall. It's Beautiful, as well. The Trees and Harvest, put on quite a Show. The crisp... early mornings, always feel so good, when you open your eyes, in the morning, bundled up .. in bed, before the furnace fires up. 

Coffee, to me... Always tastes a little Richer, those first few crisp Autumn Mornings. 

Winter, is incredibly Beautiful. It's the Season when everything... seems to rest, and renew. 

There's nothing more Beautiful, in my opinion, than a Clean, Fresh Blanket of Snow. 

I... do get a little melancholy in the Summer, when the day's begin to shorten. But... am always thrilled, in the Winter, when they begin to grow longer. 

It always amazes me, in late December, how just a few minutes a day more... of Sunlight, can be felt. 

True. 

Pal, Allyson... invited me to a Gathering at The Cedar Rapids Country Club, tomorrow. 

I've never been there. 

I've heard it's very nice. 

I do have a few pieces of it... tho. 

Hahahahaha!!

When we were building the addition on the house, a Friend salvaged 4 Huge Doors, from The Cedar Rapids Country Club, that they were replacing, and pitching. 

John turned them into Pocket Doors. Two are in the Bathroom, the other two, are the ones pictured. One, opens to John's Room, the other to the Bathroom. 

They Were Perfect... at The Perfect Time, for us. 

So, we have a little of The Cedar Rapids Country Club, right here at home 

Hahahahaha!!

{can't Imagine, and can't let my mind Think... of what was destroyed, when the White House East Wing, was bulldozed. We built our addition with Antique Salvage. Salvaged Churches, the Balcony came from an Opera House. Can't think about it. Absolutely Heartbreaking.}

{but... I can, and Will... Vote, about it. I don't like to let politics touch this blog, or The Rabbit Hole. }

Indeed. 

I've spent this Rainy... Fall Day, still at rest. 

My eye is maybe... getting a little better. 

It's certainly not as painful as it was. 

Grateful for That. 

One Day at a Time. 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.
Yup.

Welcome October... my Old Friend.

For Many Years, 'before'... 'Fairfax/IDOT' wrongful Bike Trail Accommodations... were a thought, 

The Rabbit Hole would be Hoppin', about now. 

Oh my. 

The FUN... So Many Would Have, the First Weekend in October!! 

Dear Friends, and Neighbors would Gather... and have Quite a Time!!! 

We'd be Running from Dawn 'til Long After Dark!! 

Holy Smokes!!! 

Hahahahaha!!

Pure INSANITY!! 

Our Peg, Farmer Friends, Lynn and Lea... Pal, Mark... Pal, Dale... Brandon, Val, Dear... Budwardo, and Renate, along with So Many, Many More... over the years had Crazy Times, here. 

Wonderful... Crazy Times. 

Things will never, ever be the same again, but... hopefully, '27... will bring the Memorial Day Weekend Sale, and Fall Harvest Sale... back. 

Grateful to Lawyer Meardon, for that, and So Very Much More. 

Unless you've battled eminent domain, and condemnation... with Government entities that have immunity to fraud, well... stay tuned, the book is coming. 

{ in my humble opinion those State, and Federal 'entities' who desire, 'Enjoy'...  immunity to 'Fraud', are those.. who are Intending to Commit 'Fraud'.

hmmmmmm.

My humble opinion...

 but, what do I know??}

I remember All of us Working So Hard, in preparation.

We'd be Exhausted before the Sales Opened!! 

Hahahahaha!!

but, it was always a Good... Exhaustion. 

I'll Always Treasure Those Memories!! 

If it wasn't for that Old Rabbit Hole, I may never have known some of The Finest People in my life. 

{ Eeeeeek!! Getting a little teary eyed. Can't be Doin' That with this eye!!}

Dang!! 

Told The Boys, today... this Fall, and Winter are going to be busy for us. 

We've got a tremendous amount of repairs, and catching up to do. 

I need that old Rabbit Hole, as much as it needs me. 

We've been estranged... far Too Long. 

It's always been my 'Sanctuary', even on our worst days. 

There's something about The Rabbit Hole.. that comforts. 

I call it 'Soulfulness'. 

It has a Way... of Killin' the Blues.

Indeed. 

Killing the Blues

One day at a time. 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Boys... Boys.

Indeed. 

Grandson, Justin... and his Pal, Antone...

Had a little Fun Playing with 'J's Ford 6.0, last night.

Had to share the video he sent me. 

Priceless. 

Love It... And Those Boys!!

They Crack Me Up!! 

Boys... Boys.

{There went about 10. In Diesel!! Hahahahaha!!

'J's reply ....

" It's not about The Fuel Miles... It's about The Smiles per Mile!!" 

Hahahahaha!!!

'J' Is... His Great Grandfather's 

GREAT Grandson!!! Hahahahaha!! }

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C. 

Home... Sweet, Home.

Spent this Day...

'At Rest'. 

Watched old Perry Mason, Matlock... and Westerns. 

My breakfast, lunch .. and supper consisted of Peanut M&M's, and White Cheezit Crackers. 

{and eye drops every hour.}

Yeah... Boy!!

Hahahahaha!!

Livin' The Dream!! 

My Neighbor called this afternoon, the one I so enjoy Sparring with. He's Home, from the nursing home. 

Told him, I am very happy for him. As much as we lock horns, { Lord, Lord.} I sure wouldn't wish where he was at, to become permanent. 

That's a real 'Hell'. 

Told him I always had faith, 'he'd' find his way out. 

Hahahahaha!!!

He's Stubborn. That's a good thing. 

He called the other night, sharing his 'hopes' of getting the hell 'Out'. 

I... Quizzed him, a little... just to see how much he Truly had his mind together. 

Hahahahaha!!

That was interesting. 

He... was together enough, I'd vouch for him!! 

Hahahahaha!! 

I did ask him one question, that... gave him 'Pause'. 

{Many... should've, but 'One'... Really did.}

It was concerning the 'Hell' Fairfax has put me, and mine... through.

He did... answer, after a long, long... silence.

His answer, to my question was...

"Barb... I don't know."

Too little, too late, now. He made a huge mistake, but, respected his remorseful answer, which, I believe was honest. 

My question. 

"Why did you trust, and believe 'others' over what I tried to show you, and you refused 

to see?"

I'll help my 'Neighbor', anyway I can. 

I'd sure miss him, if he wasn't around. 

Hahahahaha!! 

It's gonna be a Long Haul, for him.

I'm Confident, as Stubborn as He Is, he'll make it. 

Gotta have Somebody to Lock Horn's With!!

Hahahahaha!!

{ Make no mistake, my 'Horns' are still in Action.

Fairfax, Iowa... 'City Hall'... and the West Cemetery Road Bridge Project. Uh oh.}

There's that little deal, concerning the IDOT'S wrongful Fairfax, Iowa 'Bike Trail Accommodations', on, and under the Highway 151 Bridge, that adjoins our Land. 

The one that ties into the multi-million dollar 'Fairfax , Iowa'... West Cemetery Road Bridge Project, on the North side of our land, that the Iowa Department of Transportation, also... have their fingers in 

???

Hmmmm. 

Oh... Fairfax. 

hahahahaha. 

'Home, Sweet Home'...

indeed. 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C. 

The Winner. yeah, Boy.

Believe... my Neighbor, a Whole Lotta Friends, and... me, myself... 'Understand' the above, Bobby Bare tune, incredibly well. 

Home.

So... Incredibly True. 

Fall... Vintage Market Days of Cedar Rapids, is History. 

It was a Wonderful Event. 

Sold far more than I'd expected. 

The Beautiful Garden Arch's, were a surprise. 

I needed them to set walls. This isn't the time of year, in Iowa, that 'Garden' is sought. 

Some, like .. myself, seek 'Garden' Year Round. 

Especially those, who are Yard Birds. 

Sold all of them, that were for sale. 

I, need the last two, to help rebuild the Rabbit Hole. 

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

{bless their hearts}

It's kinda funny... at nearly every Event, some Dear... Blog/FB Friend, comments... how they could Never 'bless' any of the above... 'hearts', after what They've wrongfully 'done'... here. 

Then, I 'explain' it to them. 

It's a Southern.... thing, that has more than one meaning. We all feel better, after I ... 'clarify'. }

Below, is a grouping of Vintage Tea Pots, that a Sweet Fellow Vendor, helped me add to, yesterday. 

When she noticed mine, she asked if I'd like a few more. 

Indeed. 

One can never have too many Vintage Tea Pots, down a Rabbit Hole. 

Hahahahaha!! 

Love Them. 

Love.

The Simply Iowa Booth, was pretty slim at opening, Sunday morning. 

I'd wanted to restock, like Everyone does, at Vintage Market Days, but ... between my eye, and pulling a muscle in my calf, while resetting, Saturday, decided to Save Myself!! 

Hahahahaha!! 

The above, little Girl, was Precious. 

She tried out Bill's Cool Wicker Chair, and ... one of mine, that's beyond Sweet. 

She liked Bill's Best!! 

Priceless. 

Can't Wait to see this Family's Whimsical Garden, they are working on. 

They shared a few images with me. 

Holy Smokes!!! 

They live close, to where Pal, Allyson lives. 

We'll be coming to Check It Out!! 

Wowza!! 

At the closing of the Event, there wasn't much left to pack. 

Grandson, Justin... and Helper, Brandon... were Very Happy!! 

We were packed, loaded... then, unload... at Home, by 5. 

That's Incredible. 

Grateful. 

Grateful to Vintage Market Days Promoter, Becky... and her Crew, for making this Event what it is. 

This doesn't just 'Happen'. It's an Incredible Amount of Work, and Investment. 

Becky, and her Crew.... took care of us All. Vendors, and Customers. 

Miccia Humphrey, and her Crew, at Junk Jubilee, in Des Moines, are also The Best of The Best.

Sure Miss being there, with them. 

'Family'.

Kae, and Richard Townsend, 'Gold Rush', Rochester, Minnesota. Oh my. 

I've never known ANY Promoter, who works harder than Kae, and Dick. 

They've been running down the road Hard, to Promote... long before 'Social Media' could reach millions with a few strokes on a keypad. 

WOW. 

Elizabeth Kramer, Heart of Country, in Nashville. 

Libby... was one of the Very Best Promoters I've ever known. 

I remember calling her, asking for business advice, way back. 

I always trusted her Savvy. Always. 

I remember reading her contact, for Heart of Country, that she sent to all of her Vendors, and Rolling, after I read it. 

Hahahahaha!!! 

Libby said, 

{Libby was a CLASSY Business Woman, Very Wise. I Loved, and Admired Her... So!!}

"Remember... Dealers, Bears make Money...

Bulls ... make Money. 

PIGS... Don't."

Hahahahaha!!!

In other words, 'Sharpen Your Pencils'!! 

Get Over Yourselves!! 

Love It... So TRUE!! 

Went to see my eye Doc, today. 

She said, we're Quite a Pair!!

Her, with her horribly crushed wrist, that's in a big, fat cast... and me, blind in one eye, and can't see out of the other, with my old glasses!!

Hahahahaha!

Dr. Fitzgerald seems to think this eye is healing. I've been struggling with it, big time ... oh Lord. 

One day, it seems better, the next... back to feeling like it has crushed glass, inside it.

{ 'today' is a crushed glass, very teary... day.}

Asked her if she thought I'd get my vision back. 

She said, 'that's what we're shooting for.'

Uh huh. 

hahahahaha!! 

Not Exactly what I wanted to hear. 

Hahahahaha!!

Oh my. 

Time. 

Time. 

Time.

GADS!!! 

It Is... What It Is. 

One day... at a time. 

Thanks again, to Everyone who Contributed to The Vintage Market Days 'Simply Iowa' Booth. 

Grateful. 

It Truly... Takes a Village. 

Love to Ya....

Prayers for All.

Barb C. 

I'm Home!!

With Everything... in this old world, that's happening...

I sure feel Blessed, at the end of the day, I'm 

'Home'. 

'Home' is a Big Deal, no matter... where it may be. 

Check out The Fun VMD Video...

Vintage Market Days Day 2!!

See the above video of VMD!! 

So Cool!! 

Such Fun!! 

Vintage Market Days... Day 3!! Oh Boy!!

Great Day 2 at Vintage Market Days!!

Spent yesterday morning in a Rush getting Friday's Crazy... put back together. 

It was a Good Problem to have, but a Fast and Furious problem, to say the least. 

Hahahahaha!!

Pal, Bill... along with Many Others... we're Busy!! 

Yay!! 

Everybody was Having Fun!!

Oh Boy!!

Good Times!!

Had a Great Surprise, when my Dear Des Moines Pal's, Sue and Hank Came Strolling In!! 

Love Those Two!!

Sweet, Carole, from Iowa City, visited on Friday. Loved seeing her, and her Family!! 

It's been Wonderful Seeing, and Meeting So Many Fun, Creative... Spirits!! 

When I pulled in at home, yesterday... around 5, headed straight to bed. 

Oh my. 

Wasn't feeling the best, at all. 

Looking forward to getting a little rest, this week. 

The Boys, Grandson, Justin... and Helper Brandon, are helping me load out this afternoon. 

It's gonna be quick. 

Much smaller load heading home. 

Grateful. 

Sold the BEAUTIFUL Drawered piece, so, nothing big coming back. 

Loved that piece. If I would've had room, here... it would've been a keeper. 

Love the above. 

Hahahahaha. 

So True!! 

{ask The Iowa Department of Transportation, and their District 6 'engineers', and...  Fairfax, Iowa... 'city hall', and their 'hired'... engineer.

Oh my... me, and Lawyer Meardon, are pretty good at figuring out 'Bridges'... especially, wrongfully built...

'Bridges'. }

Vintage Market Days... Day 3, Here We Come!!!

Vintage Market Days Day 1, History. Day 2... Here We Come!!

Pal, Steph... { and her Sweet little 'Bug'} met with me this morning at 8 a.m. at VMD to help with pricing Quilts. 

Steph, and her Mom, Patti, are experts on Textiles. 

{ Frond Design Studios, Fern Hill}

We got through them quickly. 

I know Vintage Quilts, but I go after a different style of Quilt, than what these were. {I say 'were' because 16, out 20 Quilts I took to VMD sold this morning.}

These Quilts were very Nice. I... prefer, 'darker'... Quilts, in Velvets, and Silk. 

Tho, I Appreciate All Handmade... Quilts, my interests have always leaned 'darker', and Victorian era. 

So Appreciate Steph's Help!! 

So Much!!!

VMD was Smokin' Busy... Today. 

Grateful for All Who Shopped!! 

FUN!!

Re-Stocking, in the morning. 

The Simply Iowa Booth, is annihilated. 

Totally. 

Didn't have the heart, or energy... to capture images at closing. 

I'll get before, and after images, in the morning, 'after' the reset. 

Yes... Great Day One!!

Day Two ..

Here We Come!!

Oh BOY!!!! 

Thanks So Much, to Promoter, Becky... and her Crew. 

They Work So Hard!! 

Great Folks!! 

Thanks So Much... To The Amazing Shoppers!! 

Oh My!! 

I put a few of them to Work!!

Hahahahaha!!

Priceless!! 

This 'eye', combined with my OLD Glasses, make things Very Interesting!! 

We're All... Kinda 'Family', when it comes to this 

'Love of Old'. 

Priceless. 

It's All... about 'The Journey'

There's Many Roads... on 'The Journey'.

Vintage Market Days... Plays The Best Music!!

Indeed. 

 Ya Had to be there. 

We Were All... Singing in my booth.

'Sweet Caroline' Brought Out The 'Pipes'!!

Hahahahaha!!

Priceless!! 

Vintage Market Days... Day One!!

Vintage Market Days 'Simply Iowa' Booth... done.

The Vintage Market Days, 'Simply Iowa' Booth is as done as it's gonna get.

So Grateful to Grandson, Justin... For All of His Help!! 

Grateful for the call, from a Sweet Friend, this week...  giving me the opportunity to bring some Beautiful Treasures to Vintage Market Days. 

I'll be pricing in the morning, before the Market opens. 

The AMAZING... Early... Two Piece, Painted...

Drawered Cabinet found it's way to 'Simply Iowa', late this afternoon. 

It's a BEAUTY!! 

Holy Smokes!! 

Somehow, It All Falls Into Place. 

What an Adventure... These Markets Are. 

Oh my. 

Vintage Market Days looks Absolutely Incredible. 

Hope You Can Attend!! 

It runs through Sunday!! 

We'll All be Adding More, Daily!! 

Below, is Pal, Bill's booth, along with his Pal, Mel!! 

Mel makes Amazing Jewelry!! 

Below, is a Fun Flannel, Polly, from Polly Ann's, 

Mt. Vernon, Iowa, created... and picked out for me. 

Hahahahaha!! 

Perfect.... Indeed.

Hahahahaha!!

Damned Straight.

I've had enough Fun... for today. 

Boot's are off, Toddy... is waiting to be poured. 

Cheers!! 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.


{The below, 'memory' popped up on FB, this morning.

What a Ride. 
Grateful... for The Right Lawyer. 

Lawyer Charles Meardon.

'Josey Wales', without Him, over these last, many years...

well, I most likely wouldn't be writing this. 

What... a Ride. 

Grateful for The Warriors in my life.

The Book... Is Coming... as is a visit with the

Iowa State Legislature. }