Thursday, July 9, 2026

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....
; )

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

A Thousand Times... indeed.


A Thousand Times... 
Over.
<3

Still workin' on 'yesterday's' post.

It's a tuff one, but... a Good one.
; )

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


<3

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Indeed.


I've been struggling all day, with a 'post'.

Some 'days'... there's simply, too much to 
'digest'.

Stay tuned.

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


: )





Monday, July 6, 2026

Dearest Warrior... Deb.



<3

Was so incredibly saddened to learn of Deb's passing, last night.

If ya think... I'm a 'fighter',
{hahahahahahaha!!!}
 well...
I drop to my Knees, when standing next to Deb.
I've told Deb so... all of the decades I've known her.
<3
The word...
'Inspiration'
falls.... quite short.

Deb, and I... visited often.
; )
We tried... to straighten the world out, best... we could.
: )

{We had a Lot of Fun... tryin'. }
; )
<3

Amazing 'Human'.
Huge Loss...
for us all.

Sending Prayers... to Dan, and their Beautiful Children.
<3


<3

Fairfarren... Deb.



Sunday, July 5, 2026

The 'Stance'. Priceless.


Oh... My Gads!!!
The Above... made me LAUGH this morning!!
Hahahahahahaha!!!!

I... was actually Thinking The Very Same Thing, the last several early...
Toasty... 'Mornings'... while Sippin' Strong Iced Brew...
on the old... limestone bench, with Miss. Peanut...
just outside the door... in my, uh... 'undies'!!!
Hahahahahaha!!!
{I Thank God... for The Vines that Shroud The Entryway!!
; )
In my defense... my 'undies'... aren't Nearly as Skimpy as some 'Bikinis' Girls wear 'These' days... in Public!!}
: )
Never the less... 
I could Scare The Hell... outta Some... for Sure!!
: ) : ) : )

Hahahahahaha!!!!
; )

Haven't turned the 'Air' on... in the House, yet... this year, so... Appreciate the Early Mornings.
; )
It stays pretty Cool, in the New side of the House.
; )
Tall ceilings. John built this side 4 feet in the ground.
That's Huge.
; )
and...
he Insulated this side...
Beyond!!
; )

I... try not to use the Air, because... it makes it so difficult to work in the Heat, after 'Chillin'... in the Air.

When John... was here, we had to run the Air.
He... couldn't take the heat.
He... suffered a Heatstroke, years ago.
Once... that 'happens'... 'Heat' is a Big Problem.
: (
Mom... also suffered a Heatstroke, long ago.
She'd Wilt... when it got Hot... outside.
Her House... was like a Freezer, in the Summer.
; )
Remember visiting Mom, and Dad... in the Summer, and seeing Dad sitting on the sofa, all wrapped up in Blankets!!
Hahahahahaha!!!
Dad... worked outside, in the Heat... every day, no matter how Hot... it got.
but...
he was careful.
Always had Plenty of Water... on hand, and... he'd find shade... to work under during the Hottest times of the day.
I... can take the Heat, but like Dad... have to find Shade, and a Breeze.
; )

Helper, Brandon... suffered a Heatstroke several years ago... while he was working at his Parent's Home.
: (
He's never been the same, since.
Bad... bad... bad.
: (


Miss. Peanut was Up... for a little stroll this morning.
<3
She's still... struggling, but... we're takin' it one day at a time.
; )


: )


Peanut's Nose... got to goin' next to Scout's Barn!!
; )
Certain she got a whiff of the Family of Groundhogs who've lived there for years.
; )
<3


The Sweet Corn is Growing by Leaps and Bounds!!
Ya can Almost Hear It Growing!!
; )

The oldest has tasseled, and the silks are showing.
; )
Son, Justin... had better get the fence around it pretty soon, or the Raccoon will be having a Feast, in No Time!!


Wowza!!
That's a LOT of Sweet Corn!!
<3
We're sharing with Neighbor, Tom... who planted it.
; )
I'm guessin' we'll be 'Sharing' it with Many... if we can keep the Raccoon out of it!!
; )

Ran to the store... yesterday, to grab grub... to fix for The 4th.
; )
and...
 get Miss. Peanut some things, that might entice her to 'nibble'.

She ate a little.
<3
Today...
so far...
no dice.
{Yes... I've been in contact with the Vet.}
So... frustrating.
: (

I... fixed myself a Huge Batch of Guacamole... 
{Love Fresh... Guac!! <3}
Enjoyed...
Chips... Salsa, Guac... and Red, White... and Blue...
Peanut M&M's!!
; )
along with... 
an 
Ice Cold... Cuervo Gold... Marg, or two, under John's Old Oak.
; )
{Fully Dressed. : )}

Happy 4th!!

Perfect!!
; )

Yesterday... was looking at the image of Dale, and his Wife...
Leanne, at The Mt. Vernon 4th of July Show.
: )


then... started looking at the 'Rest'.. in the image.

The Ford...
The FUSO...
The People.
<3

'Wai....Wai... Wai.... Wait........ a Minute'!!!
Holy Smokes!!!!
Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Enlarged the image.
HOLY SMOKES!!!
Hahahahahahahahaha!!!

I'd Know That 'Stance' ANYWHERE!!!


Have NO Idea... how I've Missed John being in this image... for Years!!!
?????????

I have few images of John.
He HATED having his picture taken.
When he Knew... I was capturing him, he'd Flip me Off!!
Hahahahahahaha!!!
: ) : ) : )
That's John's 'Signature' in most Pics.
; )


John... Rarely attended 'shows' with me.
Rarely.
Not John's 'Gig'.
; )
Guessin', I must've asked John if he'd help me 'Load Out', that 4th of July.
???
<3
{That's Pal, Mark... in The Bibs!! We often shared booths. : ) }
Also... Guessin'... I must've Bribed John... with Somethin'... Pretty Good, to get him There!!
Hahahahahahaha!!!
; )

The Above... is Priceless!!
Priceless.
; )

I'm visiting with Dale, and Leanne...
{Do di doot di do... : )}

John...
is standing there, next to The FUSO...

Ready to Load.

me...
Goofin' Off... 
{The Conner 'Gift of Gab'... oh dear. ; ) }

John... never said a word, or seemed frustrated, at the time...
but...
His
'STANCE'
Says it All...
in the above image.
; )

<3

May God Bless... That Man.
: )

Oh... my.
; )

Here's The Deal...
: )
in my...
humble defense.
; )
I... believe, John...  
'Understood'
as 
Much...
as 
I...
did.
; )

<3




Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Happy Independence Day... to All!!


Wishing All...
a
Happy, Peaceful...
Independence Day!!

<3



We've had so much Rain... and Storms, throughout the area.
Don't even want to 'look'... too far.
We're under a Flash Flood watch... until tonight.
It... reminds me so... of 2014.
: (

Sat on the old... limestone bench, by the entry door, this 
4th of July Morn.
Sippin' Strong Black Coffee...
Listening to the Birds.
<3

Water came into the Entry, last night... but, gratefully... didn't make it inside the House.
That's a Blessing.
Huge.


Miss. Peanut... didn't want to take a stroll, this morning...
so, we just took in the much Cooler weather, with the door open.
; )


John... and one of his Flags.
: )
John... collected very little, but...
He Loved His Vintage Flags!!
<3
John was Quite...
Patriotic.
<3



Seemed very fitting... the above image popped up this morning.
; )

Dale Beeks, and his Beautiful Wife...
Leanne.
<3 <3

We were set up at The Mt. Vernon Antique Show.
; )

Fun Times!!

I remember Dale riding his 'Bike'... straight off of the Highway... up the drive, and between the House, and Trees, during one of our Sales... here.
Hahahahahahaha!!!
: )

Hilarious!!!
Woke Everybody Up!!
; )
Loved It!!!

I have Zero... Plans, for this 
'Independence Day'.
; )
Like It.

Think I'll just hang out... with Miss. Peanut.
<3

Might Fire Up... The Grill.
??
Might... not.
; )

Bought a Watermelon the other day, maybe... I'll carve it up.
; )
Maybe...
I won't.
; )

'Independence'
at
It's...
Very
Finest.
; )

Hahahahahaha!!!

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


<3

It's going to be 2037 before Independence Day lands on a 'Saturday'....
again.
; )

I, actually Remember that Great 'Chicago' tune, from when it First came out...
in 1973.
; )
<3

Remember Well...
The 1976 Bicentennial.
; )

Oh My Gosh!!
Seems 'We' Celebrated 1776-1976 
The Entire Year...
in 
1976!!
It was a BIG DEAL!!
; )
HUGE!!
; )

For some reason... to me, this 'milestone', isn't nearly as 
'Brilliant'.

Grateful... for Our Country.
<3
'Freedom'!!
<3

Friday, July 3, 2026

Bittersweet


Above is a video... that Daughter, Liz captured during a Sale we had here, opening on 
July 3, 2015.
: )

{sadly... it seems, FB won't let me share it unless you're on FB.
: (
I actually got it to play... when I clicked to 'bypass' sharing with 'Friends'.
Clicked on the 'x' on the top right corner of FB's 'asking'.
then..
Ya have ta.. 'unmute' the video.
; )
A Social Media... expert, I ain't. : ) ??}
; )
{not certain... I 'want' to be. ; )}
{comes up on my Old Android... pretty Good. ?}

Pal, Jan... had brought a Wonderful Load... for a Sale.
{Jan... is Amazing. : ) }
<3

The FB video, that Liz captured...
 pops up... every year, around this time... on FB.
; )

It's bittersweet watching it, now.
<3

Several Dear Friends, on the video... and in the background, have passed away.

Seeing Dale Beeks, Play His Fiddle... for the Opening of The Sale, is Priceless!!
<3
{Dale... used to be in a Band {The Mississippi String Band}
 that played often in Waubeek, Iowa.
: )
Dale... so wanted me to come, watch them. Said... I would, but... never made it.
: (
When Dale would find a 'Treasure' that belonged to me... during a Sale...
 I'd say...
"No Money... I'll take it out in Shot's of Yukon Jack, when I visit You at Waubeek."
; )

Damn It... Dale!! Ya Left Us... Before I Could Collect!!
: (
Knowin' Dale... he'll be waiting for me, at The Pearly Gates, with a 
'Jug' in one Hand, and his Fiddle... in the other.
; )
<3
Seeing Jack Winter, and... hearing Dear Friend, Kate Hawkins' voice... 
is...
Truly Priceless.
: )
<3

That was Such a Fun Sale!!
: )

So Many 'Friends'.
; )

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Miss. Peanut... is perkin' along. 
<3
She's not eating much... but, we're takin' it 
'One Day... at a Time'.}
; )
<3


'The Mississippi String Band'.
; )
Pal, Dale Beeks... is 'The Fiddler'.
{not in the above... video. 
Dale's The Man... in The Middle!!}
; )

Great Man!!
; )

<3


Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Summer... in Iowa.



; )

Was going to be Open... at The Rabbit Hole, for a 'soft' Opening, this weekend,
but...
I...
don't think so.
: )

I'll blame it on the Heat... but, the truth is... with my back being O U T, then... Miss. Peanut struggling so, the last, nearly two weeks, oh my.
I'm so far behind.
Been meeting with Contractors... trying to figure out 'Messes'... 
{IDOT, and Fairfax, Iowa... 'Bike Trail'... Messes.}

It Is... What It Is.
; )

The Heat... is a Huge Factor.
The Rabbit Hole doesn't have 'air'...
{It does... but with the Greenhouses, it's futile.}
It feels 'Cool'... inside, at first... with the Tall Ceilings, but... within a few minutes... when it's this Steamy...
even with fans, it's... Hot.
; )

There's Tons... going on in Eastern Iowa... for the Holiday Weekend.
Amana, South Amana, Mt. Vernon... Iowa City, Monticello, Cascade... and More!!
There's No Shortage of GREAT Junkin' in This Area!!
{With 'Air'!!}
; )
Come Visit!!!
Support The Amazing 'Small Business' in our area!!
<3


Miss. Peanut... and I have been taking early morning walks.
<3
She 'asks'... me. 
<3
 As long as she does... I'll Happily Oblige.
; )
Whatever... she wants.
<3


Peanut likes to check out the Sweet Corn, our Dear... Neighbor, Tom... planted.
; )
{If we can keep the Raccoon out of it, we're gonna have a Nice... Crop.}
<3
Tom planted it, so... it won't all be ripe at once.
He staggered the plots.
; )

It's gonna be Mighty Fine Sweet Corn.
; )
Scout's Pasture is INCREDIBLE Soil.
<3



Miss. Peanut Approves.
<3



Helper Brandon... thankfully, mowed this afternoon.
Holy Smokes!!
The Sweet Corn isn't All that's GROWING like Crazy!!!
WOW!!


The First Rows of Corn.... Tom planted,
 are
 Tasseling!!
: )

Pretty.
<3


Spent the coolest 'hour' of this morning doing a little Yard Work, then...
came inside....
 when I began to sweat.
; )
{'perspire'}
: )

Sat down... started workin' on the Old... Clock, a Friend sent Home with me on Sunday.
; )

It was running Way.... Fast.
???
Waaaaaaay!!
{Holy Smokes!!}

Believe... I've got it figured out.
; )
again...

'Time'...
will 
tell.
; )

{Hahahahahahaha!!!}

It... Always Does!!

Summer, in Iowa.
<3 <3 <3 

Yeah.... Boy!!
; )

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


<3

{Old Clock's... are a Sickness. <3}





Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Simply... Iowa.


Me, and Miss. Peanut... took a stroll, very early... this morning.
; )

She's... not firing on all cylinders... by a long shot, but...
She wanted to Go for a Walk.
<3
: )


so...
we did.

<3

Admired the Sweet Corn, in Scout's Pasture.
; )
<3 <3 <3 

{one day.... at a time.}
; )
<3



<3 <3 <3 


It's a Toasty Day in Iowa.



Visited with a Dear... longtime Friend, for a bit, on Sunday.
; )
He, and his Family... live near us.
My Friend offered to show me a portion of their...
Beloved...
'God's Country'
<3
So... Beautiful.
; )
Such a Treat.









'Simply... Iowa'
; )
<3



<3

One Day... at a Time.
; )

Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.

Barb C.


<3