drink a little drink... smoke a little smoke... : ) yeah... that song... still stands... : )

oh my...

Had an Awesome Old Cupboard...and a Gnarly...Painted White... Butcher's Block...

on the Ford... from Yesterday...

I had to get off...fast...this morn...to run...and get this Amazing Load...

all I can say is...

wow...

wow...

The Heart of Country...Booth... is going to...

Rock...and...Roll...

I hit an estate sale... {Thanks...Again...Gail... : ) }

{yeah... she won't admit it... but She's One...of the Biggest Angels I have ever known...

and trust me... I Know 'em... when I see 'em... : ) ... and...I've been...seeing a LOT of Them...Lately...

I Thank... The Lord... for Them....}

oh my....

gathered more amazing... gnarliness... there...

It was quite a day...

{Thanks...so MUCH... to Wanda, and Terry... for making deliveries...for me... today...

{more Angels... : ) }

I'm runnin'.... behind....

and speaking of...

'behinds'...

when I was lugging stuff into the house tonight...

like clockwork... before a show...

I slipped on the top step... by the door...

hands FULL of Amazing Gnarliness... and Soulfulness...

{one being a DARLING horn legged footstool... with writing on the bottom... that names the maker...from 1875...

I tried so hard...to save...IT....

But...

{no pun intended...}

I went flat... on my seat...

then

flipped head over heals...

down the concrete steps...

and came to rest...

upside...down.

Bags... Went...Flying...

It was Dusk...

and still light enough...for the neighbors to witness the insanity......

so I Hurried and gathered myself up...

Quickly! Quickly!

but...

I hurt... hurt...hurt...

Lord... every part...of my body... hurts...

Why...Oh Why... do I try and catch myself...

I pull every muscle... when I do....

then...

I hurt.. : (

Thankfully... none... of the Old Souls...I had in my arms... were broken...

nor...was the Sweeeeeet...Little Footstool... That FLEW...10 feet....out of my

Desperately...

Groping Hands!!!

what a mess...

So... after getting dishes... done.. and Cleaning up... Treasures...

getting them ready...to make...another..'Journey'...with me...

Yes...

The Song...I posted last night...

still... stands...

'Smoke a Little Smoke'...

There is something...about the lyrics...of this song...that hits me...

amazing...

song writing...

Poetry... set to tune...

 I..Get...It...

I...truly....do....

"Turn the quiet up...

turn the noise...down...

Let this old world...just spin around...

I want to feel it Swing...

I want to feel...it... Sway...

Put some 'feel good' in my soul...

Drink a little drink...

Smoke a little smoke...: )

Want a little more right...and a little less... left....

a little more 'right now'...

a little less 'what's next'...

act like tomorrow's ten years away...

and just kick back... and let the feeling flow....

yeah...

drink a little drink... smoke a little smoke..." : )

and...

I Make...No... Apologies...

none...

: )

and to those... who may... will...and do criticise...

{Bless Your Hearts... : ) }

; )

Come... spend a few days...

in...

'My World'...

You Are Always... Welcome... : )

{heck... One Day... may be sufficient... for you... : ) }

{and... 'has been'... : ) for many... }

{I'm saving the... Best... for the Book... : )

 but... You are Welcome... to come see it...

Live It...

First... Hand... : ) }

and yes... the Lord... knows I'm drinkin'... : )

{even He... enjoyed a little wine... now and then... : ) }

 I posted the above song... for you...

: )

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

ha... just realized... I'm still wearing my fuzzy... ear muffs...

oh.. my...

: )

{The Funny Thing Is...

I'll tell ya straight out... who I am... and what I do... all ya have to do... is ask...

or...read this blog...

: )

I'm...no angel...

 but... I sure am Blessed... to have so many... at my side... who...know that...

 and... love me...

anyway.

 I Never...

 Forget... That... : )}

{I think... who ever wrote the Cal Smith Tune... I posted...

MUST... have been... Irish... : )

uh... huh... : ) }

{oh my... just saw.... It was Bill Anderson... who wrote this... : ) Go Figure....

One of THE Best.... Singer...Song Writers.... Ever... : )

Irish... or... Not.... }

Nobody knows it better....... than me....

As the Ford and I made our way... through the Snow and Wind...

to a Friend's Shop...

this early... afternoon...

I was thinking...awfully hard... about everything.... I don't have....

I'm getting down to the wire... pulling a load together, for Heart...

and runnin' on fumes....

Last year... was tuff...

a lot... of time, was spent...with Mom....

I don't regret... nor would I change... a moment...

but... my work time... was cut short...

Two... of the girls...who were going to come to Nashville...

have had to cancel...

and... I know... how hurt... they are...

They are struggling... with Mountains... here at home...

and...I keep them... In My Prayers....

Liz...Linda, and I... are going to make the Trek... I wish... I had one more...

Money... for me... is tight... after last year...

to the point...I've had to let go....of some of my personal treasures...

but...

Thanks... to Several... Angels...

I'll have a Great Load....

When I Finally...sat down... this Eve...

{after unloading...then...re loading the Ford... making deliveries... loading...again... running into the WORST Roads... coming Home.. I have seen... in Years... {my camera wouldn't work... of all times... It was like the Ford and I...were driving in the Clouds... The Snow... was blowing so hard... across the hi way...for Miles...and Miles... Cars...and Trucks... in the ditches...many...were on their tops....

The Sheriff's Department... was busy... this late...afternoon...

 I couldn't see ... it was like... flying in a plane... through the clouds....The little, I could feel...and see... was ice...

it...was...bad. }

Once...I got close to Cedar Rapids... it wasn't quite...so bad...

Then...a Friend met me...at his Barn...{He reassured me... I called him, to cancel... I didn't want him to leave his house! He said... It looked pretty good, there... and to come on.... : ) } we dug out... some Incredible Pieces...

oh my...

Then... on to the Grocery Store...

we were out of...everything.

Then...

I fixed Supper...

put groceries...away...

ate...my supper...

Now...

I sit...

Diet or No...

It's Dirty...Martini...Time... }

When I sat down....

it seemed... all of the worries... went away...

and...I realized... how very Blessed I am... Not... to have the worries... my friends... who are staying behind... have to deal with....

and...

How Blessed I am... to have such.... Dear... Friends... who are helping me...

 fill my Heart of Country Load....

with things... I could have only Dreamed of gathering....at Amazing... Prices...

Blessings...to me...

and the customers...

at Heart.

wow...

Yes.. It's gonna be another... wild... and crazy... nail biting...trip... getting to Nashville...

but... then...

it always...

is...

Nobody knows it better...

than... me.

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{I have to unload... in the morn... reload... and go look... at more... Pieces...

Then...

I Really.... Need..to Get The Big...Truck... Loaded...

oh dear...

it's gonna be... a Crazy... Next... 10 days...
the next ten...
Cold... Days...
yeah...
drink a little drink...
smoke...
a little...
smoke. 

Pray... for me... }



Well.... I made my way... into the Arctic Tundra...

oh my...

It was 10 below....

when I went out... and Cranked... on The Ford...

yesterday Morn...

He rolled over...about as fast....as Polly and I do... when climbing out from under the

 Nice... Cozy.... Quilts... these last many Mornings...

But... the Faithful Ford... begrudgingly... Fired Up...

and Awaaaay we rolled!

I got a call... on a pair of Corner Cupboards....{along with some other...'Gnarliness... : ) }

 that had been dismantled, from a 1919 Home... in Cedar Rapids...

The Folks... who...carefully removed them....  were wonderful....

I told them... I'd buy them...but...I didn't want any part, of the removal....

I, have salvaged... many pieces, over the years... but... they were in houses that were coming down.... This was a remodel ....and I wanted No Part...of It...

I didn't want to have any responsibility.... for damage to the walls... that they were going to be restoring...

I gave 'em...my best advise....

on the removal... and if... they didn't make kindling out of them... I'd take 'em...

{Thanks, Gail... for the call... : ) }

They were perfect... he took it...slow...and easy.... and saved every piece...

: )

As I was heading over...to get them....

I had a thought...

an....Idea.... how to use these... in Nashville... at Heart of Country....

I was SO Excited... I called Peg....

and ran my idea...past her....

She was On Board!

{When the Mad March Hare.... gives a Thumbs Up.... to one of The Hatter's...Crazy... schemes... without thinking about it...for half an hour...

twitching her ears...and Flinging a Tea Cup...at my Head... while gazing...

 Cross Eyed...at me...

I know... it's a Great...Idea! }

The Booth... at Heart... is going to be themed...

'The Rabbit Hole... at Heart...'

and is going to be a Thimbleful... of the Gnarliness.... and 'wonder'... it always... fills me with...when I pass through the Doors.... falling...into... another... world...

A Little...Old Fashioned... Seriousness...

{just..enough...to keep ya grounded...}

 with a LOT... of Whimsy....

{that always... keeps the Mind... Smiling...

and... Intrigued ... : ) }

When they commingle....

: )

it's... Magic....

and.... somehow... in the slight...whisper...of 'chaos'...

 envelopes... me...and others....

{who... are as 'round the bend'...as myself...: ) }

with a feeling...of...

Comfort....

: )

I'm not going to share.... these... Mad... Ideas....

until...the booth is set...at Heart...

I'm saving... this... for the Show....

: )

I HOPE to See You There!!!

Heart of Country!!!

{Opryland Hotel...

{OUR HAPPY PLACE!!!

It's Always...70 degrees...

Waterfalls... Flowers...in BLOOM!!!}

February 13th.... 14th...and 15th!!!

{sigh.... }

Love...to ya!

Barb C.

insanity.....

: ) : ) : )

oh my...

: )

I gotta tell ya...

: )

This... COLD... Cold...

Weather... with The HOWLING WIND...

Blowing Fifty Miles an Hour...

Making the Drapes...Dance...Like John Travolta...
 in Saturday Night Fever....

 in my Bedroom...

Every Morn...

really...really... gives Polly and I...Little Incentive...

to roll outta the sack... in the morn...

: )

OH MY LORD!!!!!

I had a friend...quote me...today...

Reminding of a Positive.... Quote... Full of Energy....

I have reminded her of...... over the years...

I said...

Uh Huh....

"Ya want to hear... 'my' Bible Quote... for the last several weeks????

It's Not That One....!!!

It's...

'For Everything... There Is...a Season'... "

Then...I don't feel GUILTY... about being a SLUG!!!!

I just keep telling myself... I must...need this... down time...

 to gather myself... in thought...

Oh My!!!

I can't...function...

{John... ribbed me... saying...

 "I Thought You 'LOVED' The Snow!!!! : ) "}

grrrrrrrrrr...

Yes...I Love...the Snow...

I don't...love the Wind... 50 mile an hour... sustained... winds....

50 below... wind chill...

no...

I don't... Love... that...

This Winter... has tested me..

I don't... ever... in my life... remember... anything...like this.

EVER!!!!

I have a MOUNTAIN... of things... to get done...

but... my mind...and body... is as Frozen... as the Pond... across the road....

oh...my.

I have always said... we are either...

Very Tuff...

or...

Insane...

to live... in Iowa....

{thankfully...I...am Both... : )

an Iowan...I am...and...will stay.}

For Giggles...

I looked to see... what the temp...was in...Alaska... today...

: ) : ) : )

It was 45 degrees...

: )

it was minus... 4... here... this afternoon...
: )

and...30 to 50 below... wind chill...

last night...

Our House... Shook....

some folks... lost power....

I...thought... why... why.... do we live here....

It's Colder...than Alaska.... in the Winter...

Hotter than...Arizona... in the Summer...

{with the Heat Index...}

Then...I scrolled through...images...I have captured... over the years... : )

oh my...

This...Beautiful...State... at times... is...

 Severe...

but...

The Beauty...She Holds... is worth... the suffering....

Her... Black...Fertile...Soil...
 is Rich...
and Grows... anything...she's asked to....

The Hills... and Valleys... Timber... Rivers....

there is...No Place... on Earth... that could begin... to compare..

to...

Iowa....

We Feed...The World.

yes... I feel like a Ground Hog... .

these days...

but...

they will... pass...

and Spring...

will... come....

with All...of her...Splendor...

She...always does...

This Year...

I will... Rush... to her....

in my Old Flannel Shirt...

Striped... Knee High... Fuzzy Stockings....

Drop to my Knees...

and Kiss Her Feet!!!!!

Yes...

I Will...

All I can say to All...who are Suffering Along With Me...

"Hang In There...Baby... Hang....in There... "

'Spring'... is on Her Way!!!!
Yes...we are a Tuff... Gnarly... Bunch... here, in Iowa....
: )
A good thing...to remember... when pickin' a fight... : )
We fight... hard... and don't give up...
dig our heels in...
and...persevere...
yes...
we...
do...
we ain't... no... quitters... : )
{we are...a bit...around the bend...
: )
 another good thing...to remember... }
: )

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{I had to post... North to Alaska...

I...Had....to... }
Iowa... is... my
 'True...Love'...
and... as the song says...
that's...
Hard...
Hard...
 to find... : ) 



Sunday... Service....

I found the above, Paul Harvey... recording... while I was searching, for another letter, he wrote... back when I was young...

About... Wishing things... for a Child...

It's amazing...

but... took a listen to this...

and realized...

how..much... of a Blessing it is... and was...

when I first heard it... Waaaaay Back...

If...I had a 'Sunday Service'...

for everyday...

This... would be...it...

a reminder...

{I think.. it always has been....}...

but... that's just... me.

I've studied with many organized religions... throughout my life....

I took myself... up the hill... every Sunday Morning... when I was 5, and 6....

when Mom and I lived in Cedar Bluff, Iowa...

I remember... I sat... upstairs... the first few Sundays....

on the very back Pew....

and listened to the Kind...Man...... speak...to all of us...

{had no idea what a Pastor... was.... except... he was a Man...who stood in front of the all people... and told...such wonderful stories...and spoke.... with...such...conviction...and meaning...

and... He always... met me...at the Church doors...with a Smile...... and shook my hand... when I entered... : ) }

Then... I think... they figured out... I was there alone... one Sunday...

 from then on... I went with the Children...to the Sunday School Class....

I didn't mind...

tho... seems... I understood, both... equally... and enjoyed them all...the same...

: )

{but...really liked the Butterfly Stickers...I got... at Sunday School... when I learned Bible Verses... : ) }

When we moved to Cedar Rapids... I rode a Sunday School Bus...

to The Oakland Church of The Nazarene...

It would stop... in front of our house.... and I couldn't Wait...to see Pastor Howe...

 He... was such a Kind...Gentle Soul... : )

I was... 8 then....

and Hung...on Every Word...

{another... Great...Story Teller....}

Over the years... I have studied, and visited with... The Jehovah Witnesses, Baptist... Catholic...along with many...in between... They are all.... Wonderful...People...

but...

I could never..commit... myself...to any of them....

It wasn't 'The Word'... I had a problem with....

in my early 20's... I realized....

the one thing... other than God... they had in common.... was the one thing.... I couldn't get past....

They all... said... if I don't follow them... and their teachings... I wouldn't make it... to Heaven...

I thought about that... a lot...

I had studied... with so many... wonderful People...and...Knew... some wonderful...people... that, had many beliefs...and some... with none... that are on a 'journey'... I couldn't imagine... one group...or another... not getting to Heaven...

after all... we are all...His Children....

and Loves Us...All... the same... : )

So...

I just began... visiting with God... myself...

Not...just on Sundays... but... most every day....

{sometimes... I don't visit...often enough.... and find myself... getting weary... : ) }

I Love...and Respect... Everyone....

for me... this is what... I choose....

but... that's just... me.

God Bless....

Love...

to ya...

Barb C.

{the other thing... they also said... "Critter's don't go to Heaven"...

 God Knows.... I have a problem...with that....

: )

We have talked... about this...

He knows... when He calls me Home.... I'll go... where His Four Legged... Finned and Feathered Angels... reside...

The ones.. that possess Unconditional Love... that, sadly... humans... can't, but... we can...try...and learn from.

{well... there was One...Earthly Man...that was Filled with Unconditional Love...but  He's not walked the Earth...for a couple thousand years....}

{ I just told Mom that...the other day... when we visited about Heaven....

I said... if she doesn't see me... in Heaven...it may be, because there is another Heaven, for Critters....and...I'll be with them.... : )

God Knows.... Heaven...wouldn't be...'Heaven'.. without them...for me... and not to worry....}

I hope...you'll take a few moments...to listen... to the above 'Sunday Service'...

It's pretty... neat.
{I LOVE the New Pope... he is pretty...wonderful... Like... Pastor Howe...and so many...other, Amazing... Teachers... I have been Blessed...to 'hear'... : ) } 



A Good Day...is a Good Day... A Bad Day... Is a Good Story... At the End of the Day... It's All...Good.

I re posted this...on fb today...

I Love it...

Reminds me, of my friend, Ed...

Years ago... when we'd chat...

no matter...what troubles were coming down the pipeline....

he'd reply...

"Awww... Don't worry...

It's All...Good... : ) "

and... it is....

it truly...is.
{Ed...was the one... years ago...before it was everywhere...
Reassured me...many times...with the lines....
"It Is... What It Is"....
and...
"It's All....about the 'Journey' "
A Wise.... Man...
and a Beloved... Friend.}

I am grumbling...a bit... inside...today.

Seems... I can always... always... find 'good'... in most...anything...

if... you look hard enough... it's there....

but...

The Weather... this January...

is pushing me...to the edge.

The wind was Howling...when I got out of bed, this Morn....

I really....really... don't like that...

It's Cold... and Ugly....

Tho... The Sun... is Shining...

and, that... is a Blessing....

I started cleaning my 'Pit'... of a Bedroom...yesterday...

oh my...

You'd think a 14 year old... lived there!!!

I don't let the rest of the house...go.... like that...

but... my bedroom...

oh my....

As I was changing the bedding.... I realized.... how much I LOVE the Vintage Pillowcases... and Sheets... I've gathered over the years...

They are  so... Crisp... and Strong....

I keep all my bedding...in an Old...Iowa, Walnut...Linen Press Cupboard....

The bottom has two doors.... and shelves... that are packed with Quilts...and Sheets....

 so Full....I can't shut the doors...tight... : )

and yes... I NEED... : )

Every Single One of Them!

: )

 

The three drawers, on top... are filled with mismatched Pillowcases... many of them have hand made lace.... on the edges...

Polly has her own, Feather Pillow... but... she doesn't like the lace... her toenails get caught in it.... so... I have Flannel...or..simple cotton ones... for hers.... : )
It's always a 'Journey'.... cleaning my room....

I find... some Most.... wonderful... Treasures... there....
I have all sorts of 'Memories'.... stashed there... The Statue... I bought in New Orleans... Mounded with Beads.... and a 'Lei' from a Wild Night, on the Town...in Rochester, at Gold Rush... : ) The hair clip... I wore...as Maid of Honor... at my Best Friend's...Wedding... 20 some years ago...
 Gnarly Old Boxes... filled with Fragments... of things... that would mean nothing, to anyone else... but...are 'priceless'...to me....
Perfumes... Jewelry...fragments... Dried... flowers.... from days... Summer days... long...ago.

My Bedroom... kind of...reminds me...of the rabbit hole....

a secret place.... chaotic..... and dusty...filled... with all of my most...favorite Treasures... : )

{that... I hold dear... and are...so... over the top... Soulful...}

 

The sad part is....

I spend half of my life there... with my eyes... closed...

and... it's a catch all... for clothes....

I pitched and sorted.... yesterday....

I hope...to get it...done, today...

I have NO Desire... to go outside....

I can take the cold...

Once it gets so cold...

Cold... is Cold....

be it 10, or minus 20....

What I Can't.... Tolerate....

is the wind...

{It's unsettling to me... when it's this windy... on a Summer day...

let alone.... below zero... wind chill... }

I Pray... for a Break... in this system... for the Country....

seems... it's Ugly... all over...

Guess... it's giving me...time... to clean...

For Everything...

There is... a Season...

{Be Glad... when we move to... SPRING!!!

and...I Pray... for a Gentle... one...  }

Have a Lovely Day...

Barb C.

Deana Carter - Strawberry Wine

SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!! HOT...EARLY AUGUST... SUNSHINE!!!!

WELL...

I can now post... on my computer...

but... still have to beat it to death...

to load images...

I'll be working on my old one... 'til Blogger gets the Kinks out...

I HAD to post this image...

it's an old one...

but... oh my...

to see the Promise... of Sweet Summertime...

was Worth... Beating The Computer Up...

one...more....time...

{Don't Mess with a Midwesterner...Seeking SUNSHINE on a

COLD JANUARY DAY!!!!!!!! }

: )

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{This... Made Me SMILE!!! I Can Smell...The HOT August SUN!!! }

oh my....

Well...

I'm now working on my old laptop....

and... loading an image from John's images...

Blogger... and my computer, aren't seeing eye to eye...

Now...I can't even post from it...

Grrrrrr....

{I tweaked something last night... and messed it ALL up... }

So... I tried posting an image.... on this one...{Jethro} and instead of it taking half an hour...while beating my computer to death...

it popped right up... : )

oh my...

Just got off the phone, with Linda... she is Sooooo excited about Nashville...

I shared with her... a few... of the escapades... from Heart... over the years....

{Flat Tire... Exhaust...Debit Card.... Bridges...Ice...No Room.... One Queen Bed....for 4 people...yet.... once all the Dust Settles... and The Heart... Opens... Life...is... Good...: ) }

yeah...

It's All...About....The Journey... : )

oh my...

{and... She Still.... wants to Go!!! : ) : ) : ) }

{she can't say...I didn't WARN HER!!!! }

I need to go get my cards...and invoices picked up... then...bookwork done...

I'd like to dig in the Truck... and... find my way down the rabbit hole... for just a bit.... today...

I hope,You...have a Wonderful Day....

and... can find a moment, or two... to spend, down... your very own... 'rabbit hole'...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

 

 



Quiet Day....

It was so....cold today....

I decided to stay inside...

then...didn't get much done around here......

I visited with friends...from Near and Far....

seems... all of us are ready for Warm Weather... and Spring.

Peg is Perkin' Along... and is feeling good....

Mom...too...

I should feel guilty...I suppose...for doing... so little today...

but... I don't... : )

I know... in the near future... I'll be Dreaming, of a Day... like today.

yes...

For Everything...there Is...

a Season.

My mind was sorting through... the FUSO... and Rabbit Hole...

this afternoon...

thinking about what will be heading South... in just a few short weeks...

Made the Hotel Reservation... yesterday... while visiting with Susan...

I've had promoters from several shows...call, over the last couple of days...

wondering if I'd like to set up at theirs....

I tell them...

I won't have an idea, what the Calendar will be , until after Heart of Country...

Then... I plan to make some..BIG Changes... : )

They all sound Wonderful... and I assured them... I'd be Shoppin'... them, if not setting up! 

As I sit...and write... tonight... I, again...see the Frost... thick, on the Kitchen window...

I'm sure looking forward... to Spring.

This Winter...is getting Long...

if... we'd only have a few warm days... to help me remember... what it feels like...not to be... constricted by...layers of Clothes...

I'm hittin' the sack...

Snuggle with Polly...

and hope...to get into the Truck... in  the Morn...

Love to ya...

Barb C.



Bridge...

Went to a Funeral.... yesterday.

A Dear Friend's Loving Husband....

passed away...

Linda and I...go way back...

She is also... a Lover of...Old...

that's how we met... at one of my first Garage Sales...

long before I had the Rabbit Hole...

She, and her husband, Dick... were Over the Road Truckers...
We didn't see much, of each other, over the years... with them...putting...Millions of Miles... on the road... but... Linda... is one of those Friends... that, tho...you don't see, often... when you do...it's like...it was just yesterday, we last visited... : )

Dick was a Dear...Man.... and...Loved Linda... so.
They...were a Perfect...
'Team'... : )

At Dick's Funeral...

I sat... in the back row....

thankfully... next to a box of tissue...
and...across... from...the most... Soulful... Seeing Eye... Golden Lab.
: )
{They Know...
 Dogs...are such a Gift...
I'm sure the owner... never knew... what Comfort... his Best Friend... was... to the 'Puddle'... across the isle... : ) }

{I always... think... I can keep it together.. but... never do...}

A couple, came and sat next to me....

I knew them...also... from the Antique World....past.

They have always known me... through the shop...

and am sure... were surprised... how easily... the Old Hatter....

can be melted... into a puddle...

They asked me, how long I've known, Dick and Linda...

I started thinking... oh my....

it's been nearly 20 years... now...

I couldn't believe it....

I helped Linda... a year and a half ago... pull a Sale together...at their home... when Dick found out he was sick...

Then... last Summer... visited them... again...

during another Sale...

It broke my Heart... last Fall... when they sold... their Beloved... Truck...

I knew... I knew... then... it would be a hard... Winter.

When I got home....yesterday afternoon

I was drained....

I had sat with Linda... for about an hour... and...tried... so hard... to find the words... to comfort her...

but...

sometimes... they simply... don't exist ...

Love...and Time... are the best... healers...

I told her... I'd be calling her... daily... and bugging...over the next week or two... : )

I remember... when Dad...went 'Home'...and after the Funeral... when everyone, left....

 Mom was here...with me...

 The week after... was... rough...

It was quiet... so...quiet...

I had never felt... so lost, and alone....

I couldn't understand... why, the World... kept turning... and the days...were bright, and sunny....

it...almost made me... mad.

They shouldn't be...

like the Skeeter Davis Song...goes....

to me...

It was... the end of the World...
didn't it.... know that...?

 there should only be
 Darkness... Stillness... Silence...

anything else... was like a slap in the face...
a Betrayal...from the World...

When I sat... with Linda... yesterday...

She kept asking...how the Show went, in Anamosa... and what was next... on my agenda...

I said...

"Heart of Country... and... my Happy Place..."

: )

then...

I offered her... a seat, riding Shot Gun...
: )

On my way home... I thought... that was not, a good thing... to offer... but... I felt... like... it's the one thing... in the dead...of Winter... that helps me... get through... and I thought, it might be good... for her... too...

We just talked...moments ago... and she said...

"If you are serious, about me jumpin' in the Truck... I'd sure like to go...!!!"

I am... thrilled.

I can't put my finger on it...why... or how... The Beautiful... Heart of Country... always puts me... in such a 'Happy Place'... but..it does....

{I WARNED her...it's Grueling Work...

 and a Long...Journey...

{on many levels...}

many times... riding with The Hatter...

 a 'Twisted' one..

 at best....

She was...still... Ready...to Go...: )
{She... knows me... and the Drill... She used to do these events, too... : )
but she's never seen... This...One... : )}

I think...it must be, for many....their Happy Place...too.... 

This will be good... for Linda... I enjoy her company, so.... always have... she is a Gentle Spirit... and like myself... has a Passion... for Old, Well Loved... Things...

yes...

The Love...of Old... always...always... soothes... the Spirit.

I just got off the phone, with the Promoter, of Heart.... Susan.

She says... she can't wait to see us... and Welcomes...Us...

with Open Arms...

: )

{She always does...: ) {she is a Gift...an...Angel...} as does the Entire, Heart of Country...Family... : ) }

I sit here... now... in the Kitchen... the wind is howling... and the snow... is blowing so hard... I can't see further than... 50 feet...

yes...

I'm ready to head South...

Nashville...

and bask... in the Beauty... of The Opryland Hotel...
{if..only...for a moment...here and there... }

and see... Old Friends... once, again...

along with the most... Amazing... Pieces...of 'Old Soulfulness'....

: )

Love to ya...

Barb C.
{The Heart of Country... opens this year... as it has many times... over the years... on the Anniversary... of Dad's Passing...
February 13th...
His song... was 'Somewhere My Love'
I had it played... over and over... at his Funeral...
The First year... I did this show...
It Played....
Over...and Over... during the show...
: )
{This is a Country Music City... and to hear... that....{not... country...}
 well...
It was... a Big Wink...
from...Dad... : )}



Some Kinda... Wonderful... : )

Love... These...

Bones...

: )

When I first saw them... today...

the First Words...that came to my Brain...

were...

'Grand...Funk'...

: )

Then...

'Some Kinda Wonderful'...

: )

{I HAD to carry them... to The Old '49 Ford Panel...when I pulled up...at Home..

 so we could... all Dance...

 in

The New...

 Beautiful...

Falling...

Snow!!! }

see...below post...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

{it took 30 minutes... to load...this image... check fb for others... : ) }

What a... Ride... : )

Oh...My...

: )

This weekend... was a Trick...

: )

It all started... Friday...

I was going to take the FUSO... to the Auction...

He had a light load... for the Anamosa Show...
I thought... I'd have Plenty of Room... for new... Gatherings...

but... when John went to Fire him up...
to get him loaded...

the batteries.... we...Tired.....

and nearly didn't start....

so... he called all over... to find the batteries...
as Justin and I loaded...

{seems... they are hard to find... oh dear....}

I said...

"No Worries!!! I'll take the Ford...."

Then...the fiasco... with Augustine... being stranded....

and getting to the Auction.... just... in the nick of time...

It was a Late Night.... after loading...there... and...ccccccold.....

Saturday Morning.... The weather... was a Mess....

I had arranged for Liz... to help me unload the FUSO... Early... at the show.... so...I could help Dan,{Jo-Dan's} put tables out....at the show... {We knew... Jon, The Promoter's Husband... was under the weather....so...I had to get around... early...in order to help....} 

I had no idea... I'd have a second truck... here, at home...to unload as well...

so...

Liz and I... tried to work the particulars out... on the phone... bright and early....for her to help... drive...another vehicle...as well as unload....

I was so...tired... after a long night.... I was talking in circles....

We needed someone... to watch, Miss. Scarlett...
 Nick had to be to work... earlier, than we thought...

So... we thought she could bring her, to our house.... and John could keep an eye on her... for a bit....
but...

Liz had a Flat Tire... on both of their vehicles...

{they weren't the day before... : ) }

I was... heading to get Fuel... then...the show...... as we talked...
I said... "get there...when you can... I'll start...without ya...."

Liz... moved across town... and thankfully... John's brother... lives close... to her now, so... he pumped her tire up... she went... to have it fixed.... only to find... nothing was wrong with it...

maybe... the valve stem.... so, they replaced that...???

I headed to get Fuel... in the FUSO....

it was near 'E'...

I get...into town....
pulled up....

to the pump...

I could NOT...find my card... or my check book...

PANIC!!!

The Roads... were pure...crap...

I was on...'E'....
{one simply... does NOT let a Diesel... Truck... run out of Fuel... EVER!}

and had to turn the Truck around....

Pray.... I had enough Fuel... to get home...

and get... money...

I called John...and asked him to search the Ford... and my coat pockets... for my card....
I knew...I had them... when I paid at the Auction...
the night before...
but... I was digging in my purse... outside... in the Dark... it was COLD... {could I have lost them... in the dark??? In the Wind??? }

oh...my....

I got home...pulled the Big Truck... in the drive... RAN to the Ford... started Combing through the Cab....
then...

Liz called... as I...was frantically searching the Ford...

said... John had found my card... but... he was at his shop.... because... the house phone was dead... and couldn't call me....

I headed to his shop... RAN.... got my card... went back to Fuel Up...

{I have to kinda crawl under the FUSO to get to the tank....}

{Wind Blowing... Snow Flyin'...COLD!!! }

went to start the pump...
there was a note... taped to it...

 'Card Reader Broken'....
: )

Pulled to another pump...

It took the card...

but... pumped a nickel... at a time....

: ) : ) : )

oh...my... : )

Then... got on the road...

and they... were beyond...

U G L Y....

I called Liz...en route... and said... "DON'T TAKE THE BABY....ON THE ROAD!!!" so...John... went to their house... and watched....little Missy....and brought The Loaded Ford... to her...}

Then...
I was worried... about, 'My' Baby... on the road...

oh...my....

When I got to the show...
I was an Hour...Late...
but... still...

We all...helped each other...{BLESSINGS!!! Dan {Jo-Dan's} Barb and Dan... {Park Place Hotel Antiques, Marion...Sharon... Cecilia and Jon's Daughter, and Wanda, Gatherings...Anamosa, Iowa  along with so many others... Angels... : )}

 Mark... came, with his Daughter... Sarah... and we Hauled It...getting him...unloaded...

then... I spent... the day...and Evening... setting the booth...

It was tricky... getting home... too... and was after 11 before I hit the sack...

then...

up at 5.... to be back, for early bird... at 7:30...

{I got up... Sunday Morn... and realized... I didn't take my contacts out... the night before...

oh... dear...

My Eyes... looked like a road map....}

{still had some finishing touches to do... on the booth... oh my...}

{it's 90 miles... round trip.... from home, to the show...}

The Show.... was amazing.... yet... the crowd...was a bit... down...
I'm sure, due to the weather... on Saturday...

but... seeing...and visiting...with everyone... was... Wonderful...

Mark and I... did Fine....

We are Thankful... for Everyone... who Attended... and, like us... worked so hard... to get there...
The Promoters... Jon and Cecilia... {and Family....} Were Over The Top... WONDERFUL!!!
Some of the dealers... came from FAR...away.... and endured... A LOT.... yet... they were all... Troopers!!!!
it was...a bit... unsettling... tho...
all day...Sunday....

Everyone... kept telling me...

"You...look...so Tired....today..." : )

{Grrrrreat........: ) }

by the time... the show ended...

I was... shaky...

seriously....

I was trembly...

my knees.... were weak...

hands.... shaky...

I.... was a Mess...

I...truly... wasn't sure... I could go on.

Thankfully... Polly... {Polly Ann's Mt.Vernon, Iowa...} had Almonds... and Chocolate....

I had eaten... but... not enough.... and...had little coffee...
{Started a pot... then... left it... unplugged...no time... to get any... }

I was on a DEAD RUN... Friday....Saturday....and... Sunday Morn....

my body... said...

"ENOUGH!!!"

When the show ended.... I called Liz... to come back, and help load...

Nick...again.... was called in...

to work.

I said... come later... I'll keep packing... I don't care... if I'm the last one out the door...
 I'm not... in a hurry....

She... came anyway... with...Scarlett...

 {oh my... I couldn't have Scarlett there... it was a Zoo.... with everyone loading...}
 Liz said....

"I thought you'd have everything ready to load... by now..."
{It was an hour, after the show ended....there was No Way! }

I said..."Honey... this won't work.... we can't have Little Missy here.... go home.... I can do this..."

Just then.... Nick called.... he was home...: )

so...

Liz... took Scarlett.... 40 miles... home....
then...40  miles... back....
by then...

Mark..was all loaded... and done....

he took Sarah home...

and came back.... and helped me.... load...too...

: )

When Liz, got back... we made fast work of it... and had the Truck... loaded...in no time....

I insisted, on buying them Supper....

It felt so.... good.... to just sit down....: )

Then.... Liz and I... took both trucks home...

Bailed... in Sally...{The Mustang...}

and...I took her, a half hour... across town...

to her... home...

{as we sat in her drive.... I said....

"can I just... sleep... here...
 in Sally...
in...your drive....tonight????...

It's warm...
 the music...is good..." : ) }

oh my...

Then...I FINALLY... headed... Home...

Called Peg...

en route...

: )

I was hunting for a smoke... while visiting....

and realized... I must have lost them... somewhere...

between home.... and Liz's....

oh my...

{I parked... in our drive.... and searched Sally... for the pack, I had....to no avail... still chatting...}

I started Sally back up... and went... to buy... more...

{Last Pack....out of the carton... was the one...I had lost..}

I get to the store... still talking to Peg... Patty... was working there....

{I don't talk on the phone, usually...when at a store... but...Peg and Patty are friends, too...and we got the mutual 'Hello's'... from each of them...while... visiting... {small town stuff...: ) }

yes... she had a carton... but... it wouldn't scan...the code... was torn...

Patty said... {loud enough for Peg to hear...}

"THIS IS A SIGN....FROM GOD!!!! QUIT SMOKING!!!"

{by then...I was... pulling my frickin' hair out... }

 then... Patty searched for another carton...

there wasn't one...

{I...Told her...There Wasn't One...Before She Went to Dig!!! } 

{I let the Guy... who was watching the Fiasco...unfold... go ahead...}

Finally... get back... home....

get in the house...

open my purse...

and find...

my pack...of smokes... I had lost...

all... while talking to Peg...

oh...

frickin'...

my...

We visited... for an hour...longer...

We Both... Laughed... 'til we cried...

I was.....

Slap Silly.... MINDLESS!!!

I told her...

I'd LOVE...to have a Nite Cap...

but...

all I have in the house...

is...

Champagne...

and...

I was too tired...to open it...

It's sad....

when a 'Bed'... sounds more Inviting....

than a Glass...of Champagne...

: )

oh...dear....

I hit the sack...

when I awoke... this Morn...

my bed... looked like a bunch of Monkeys... had been Jumping in it...

all night long....

All the pillows were on the floor....

the sheets.... were at my feet....

the blankets...with them... in a ball...

the mattress cover... was pulled off...the ends...

and rolled up... underneath me....

what the heck...???

I looked at Polly...

and said...

"What The Heck?"

? ? ?

I took off... this Morn...made deliveries... 

stopped and visited... with a dear friend... who happens to live...next door, to a couple... who have a pair of cupboards, for sale...I went to see...

{Thanks... Gail.... : ) }

Then... on the way to the store... stopped... and found...

some...

Amazing...Chairs... and piled 'em on the Ford...
 When I saw them... the first words... that came to mind... were...
'Grand...Funk'...

{the 'Bones' of these Gnarly Chairs...are somethin' else...: ) : ) : )
yeah...they are...
Some...Kinda...Wonderful... : )  }
{see fb... I HAD to carry them... out, beside the '49 Ford... tonight...through the snow...
and capture... images of them...
 as The Beautiful...New Snow... was Falling...
{A LOT... of Snow... oh my... : ) }
am I Insane...
Crazy...
?
Yes...
but...then...
All The Best... People...
Are...
: )
Love to ya...
Barb C.
{Peg said... I had to share... all of this... weekend's Adventure... with you....
I told her... she has been with...on similar...adventures...
she said... "No...Barbara... Had I been with you... this weekend...
 I would have put a gun... to my head..."...
oh...
dear...
: )



The..Journey... : )

I'll have a Long.... Story to share with ya...

tonight...

: )

This was The Road... to The Show...

Saturday Morn...

oh my...

The FUSO and I....took it all in... 'Stride'...

{The FUSO:

Tall... Cab Over... Short Wheel Based.... Dual Wheeled.... Rear Wheel Drive....

 Diesel Sippin' Box Truck....

a.k.a.

'Hog on Skis'...

: )

Liz... followed... in the Heavily Loaded... Ford...

when she pulled in...at the Show...

she yelled...

"MOM!!!! Don't Ever Ask Me to Do This Again!!!! Five Years Ago... No Big Deal...

I was Thinkin' All The Way Here... NOW.... I Have Something To LIVE FOR!!!"

oh my...

What a Ride...

oh dear...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

The above tune... crossed my mind... as The Fusie and I were.... toolin' down the slopes... : )

Anamosa Show... Opens at 7:30... Be There!!!

I have no images... of the Show...

so you'll simply have to come...see.... for Yourself!

 It's Good!

It's Full...

Lots of Great Stuff...

at Really Good Prices!

Get There Early!!!

Our Booth... is 98% Done...

and Lookin' Pretty Darned.... Good!

: )

{wish I had flowers... but was waaaaaay too tired to stop...tonight...}

Thanks...so Much...to Liz...for Helping!

Along with Barb and Dan... Dan and Jo... The Promoters... and Family...

Load In... went Smooth as Silk!

{I'll tell all about... 'today'... next week... it was quite an adventure.... to say the least.}

I have to be up... and out the door... by 5:30...

so... I'm hittin' it...

{doin' laundry... now... oh my... }

Love...to ya...

Barb C.



It's...Show Time....: )

We got the Big...Truck loaded...this afternoon... for this Sunday's Show....

and...

I gotta tell ya...

it was...Chilly...

: )

Then... headed an hour south... to Duwa's Auction...

I had planned it all out... so I'd have an hour... to scour...the Auction... before it started...

The Ford and I...were Hummin' down the Interstate...

when... I saw a car... on the side of the road... with steam rollin'...

I pulled off... backed up... to see if they needed help...

He Sure... did...

Long story short...

I wound up... helping him... get his car... to a station... then taking him on to his job...

I felt so sorry for him... The Wind was Howling... the Semis... were Flyin'....

I simply... could not... pass him by...

His name is Augustine...he's from Ghana... originally... but has lived here, 12 years...

and works at The University of Iowa Hospital...

Such a kind...Soul...

: )

He said... "Nobody stops... for people... I can't believe you stopped..." I said...

"I stopped... because, I have been where you were... many times...and I was helped... by others...I know... how cold... you were...and how far... you'd have to walk...there was no way... I could drive past..."

{It was a Trick... making room in the cab of the Ford...{so embarrassing... } I have Packing Blankets... Packed Tight... inside...{amongst... other... 'things'... from my last...'outing'... oh...dear...}

I got him to work... just in time... but... nearly missed the beginning of the Auction....

I called Dwight... {Owner of Duwa's Auctions} and asked if he'd get me a bidding number....

He said he'd be Happy to.

{He and Junell... are such... Great Folk...}

I ripped my coat sleeve out...when I crawled under Augustine's car... to see where the leak was coming from.... so... I looked like a Mess... when I got to the Auction...

One of my friends...at the Auction... said 'The Ford' passed her, on the Interstate....

Like It was on Fire!!!

She said... "You must have been in a hurry...to get here...!!!"

I said... Noooo ... I didn't want my rider to be late, for work!

Thanks So Much...to Bud...and one of the Family... from the Estate... we bought so much from... for helping load...tonight...

oh my...

It was Cold....

I'm leaving the Ford Loaded... and put as much as I can, of the Auction Gatherings...in the Booth...

as found...

The majority I bought... came from one Estate...

There is some... Great Stuff... on this load...

It took a Long Time... to post this image...

Check fb for more images...

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

If the world is cold... make it your business, to build fires... : )

I reposted this quote, on fb today...

When I saw it... it reminded me... of Dad...

When I was a little girl...

 7 or 8....up until...I could drive... myself...  

Dad would leave me at the Farm Auctions...

to do his bidding for him....

We'd walk along the piles of Farm Scrap Iron...

that were to be sold...

he'd tell me, what he wanted to pay for each of them....

then... take me to see Orvie... {the clerk, at the auctions we went to....}

and tell Orvie... to make sure.. he didn't miss my bids...

I'd be taking care of Dad's bids...  

: )

The Scrap Iron... sold at the end, of the auctions... as a rule...

so... I'd have to wait all day...

In January...February, and March....

it's mighty cold...

Before Dad left...me, to go to cut iron, at the last Farm... we'd bought Iron at, the week or two prior...

he'd walk around... the old buildings... scrounge up... a barrel...find a place, out of the wind...

 then... gather old scrap lumber...

and start a fire... for me to stand by... if I got cold....

The other Men... would stand by it, as well.... throughout the day....

and keep feeding the barrel....

but....

it was always... Dad....

that started the fire....: )

I sure miss him...

He was a Cool.... Cat....
and...no...
they don't make 'em...
like my Dad...
anymore...

: )

Loading for the Show... in the Morn...

then... picking up a load... tomorrow afternoon...

oh boy!

It's gonna be a Busy....Weekend!

Don't forget...

Show on Sunday...the 19th

Lawrence Community Center

East Main Street

Anamosa, Iowa...

early bird 7:30 'til 9

then...

9 'til 3!

Love to ya...

Barb C.
{people...have mentioned, over the years... I look mad, when I bid...at an auction... : )
I figured out...why...
When I was little.... and bidding for Dad... against, the other Junk Buyers.... I knew... I had to look serious...stay focused... on the Auctioneer... and keep close, to him...
or they wouldn't take me seriously...and they might miss my bid....
so... guess... it stuck... : (
: ) }
{and...for the record... Dad...wasn't standing around a 'Burn Barrel'... after he left me... He was cutting Iron...on the Cold... Ground... and loading it...
He shoveled train car loads, of Coal... to make money... up into his late 60's.... and Scrapped Iron, on the Hottest and Coldest Days... you could imagine...until the day he died...
He worked every day... but Sunday, his entire life.
 I remember him heating water on the stove... then, putting it under the Old Ford... to warm the oil... so it would start...and he could work...
One Winter... when I had no work, nor did he...
{nor did.... anyone... }
he and I shoveled sidewalks... in town...for people.... just to make a few dollars... he was nearly 70, then....
I have Never...known any Man... that worked harder....
{John... is Runner Up.... I admired his work ethic... when I met him...
I have a hard time... respecting anyone... who doesn't... work...  }
and we struggled... for money... always... it seemed... but... I never felt 'poor'...
 I always thought... we were... Blessed....
so...very... Blessed....
: ) }



Cleaning...Cleaning... Cleaning! Show... This Sunday!!! Get There Early!

Worked in John's Shop... today...

Cleaning... and Slickin' some Old Gnarliness... up....

: )

I Do... so Love... that Job... : )

You really get to know something...

while 'Bathing' it...

: )

We're cleaning up an Old... Chick Incubator, and putting, gnarly... fat... legs on it...

so it will be Coffee Table height...

it's gonna be Cool... : )

Then... worked on an Old...McCormick  Seed Sorter...

It looks like a tall bench... it'll be Perfect... to put Spring Plants in...

cleaned on a Primitive...Cupboard.... it's ready to Rock... : )

I have very little... 'planned' for the Anamosa Show...

We're loading...Friday Morn...

I'll, like I always do...

Start Grabbin'... and Throwin' 'er On!

It'll be some fun stuff... : )

and...a Great Show...

always is... : )

{Lawrence Community Center,

{E. Main St.}

 Anamosa, Iowa

7:30 a.m. {early bird 5.00 }

9:00 a.m. 'til 3:00 p.m. 2.50

{get there EARLY!!!

They have Wonderful... Food... too... }

Hope to see ya...

Love..to ya..

Barb C.

{down 10 pounds... : )

the scale...and I... have become... friends...

 {as long... as it keeps...showing... lower...and lower...numbers...

we'll get along... just... fine... : )}



Diggin' Deep...

oh my...

Here is one of the Dormers... up....

It was so cold and windy, today....I didn't unload the other...

mainly...worked on projects....

Peg called... and is perkin' along with her treatments...

Three...More....Days!!!

{She Thanks...You All...From The Bottom of Her Heart....

 for the Continued Prayers...

 as do I... : ) }

I have received... calls today... and over the last week... of others... that are Struggling...so...

I...Pray...for All... who are in the Midst... of Trials... and...am Focusing on them... 'Well'... : )

I managed to get two images loaded, this eve....

the below..... is of the little thimbleful of treasures... from last night...

Love... love... love...the little Bear Autograph Album....

{love it all... : ) }

Busy Day...Tomorrow...

I'm gettin'...

My Game... On...

: ) : ) : )

for tonight...

I'm hittin' it...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.