The Firsts.

Was a difficult day... yesterday, for Renate.

It was the first time she'd been back to their Home... of 48 years, since it was pushed into a hole.

The first Contractor {Builder} we met with, at Noon, wanted to meet on site.

'The Firsts'

after 'Tragic Loss', are killers.

: (

There are SO Many... Many... Many...

'Firsts'.

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

Things, places...people, circumstances....

  you don't think about that are in your daily life...

then, when your 'Daily Life'... routine.... 'Isn't' anymore, it's... well,

debilitating.

I remember 'The First' time I went grocery shopping, just after John went away.

That...

was

Difficult.

Didn't know how bad it would be, until I got to the Ice Cream.

John... Loved his Ice Cream.

so...

Ice Cream was Always on The List.

: )

Haven't had Ice Cream in the freezer since he left.

Still think of John, every time I walk by the Ice Cream.

Told Renate... I wished we would've met with the first Contractor... elsewhere.

It was so cold... and, so difficult... but, then... as we talked, told her I was glad we'd met there.

: )

She got that 'First'... out of the way, with several of us... who care, close by.

<3

The next time... going back, won't be easy... for Renate, but, it'll be a little easier.

<3

We went to Renate's Beautiful... Apartment, that overlooks the Amana Countryside.

<3

Bud, brought back So Much from The House, Every Day....

 that, Renate cleaned...and cleaned... and Cleaned!!

<3

I'll never forget the day Bud and I... rescued 'The Plants'.

They were in the Beautiful Sun Room.

Bud... didn't want to.

He felt they were 'Gone'.

: ( : ( : ( 

I... kinda did, too... but, if there was a Chance, we should get them Out of That Horror, and give 'em a Drink.

<3

Told Bud... after All they'd been through, They Deserved a Drink.

: )

Bud... agreed.

<3

It got so Hot... in that Sun Room, from the fire... plastic bags had melted around Vintage Christmas Ornaments Renate had been sorting.

The Smoke... was Beyond.

: (

Then... the chemicals from the Firehoses, and... everything.

: (

Bud took The Plants... to the apartment. Renate cut the Plants all back, to nearly the soil level...

 then... put them in fresh soil, and borrowed pots, from their Neighbors. 

Look.!!!!!

Oh My God!!!

I Burst Out In Tears!!!

Gave Renate a Huge Squeeze!!

"YOU SAVED THEM!!! <3

'Phoenix Birds'!!!"

<3 <3 <3 

Renate has them All around her Kitchen.

They Are Happy, and Healthy!!

<3

One of the Mother in Law's Tongue, above...  is from a Cutting of the Plant...

Amazing Iowa Artist, Grant Wood's Mother, Hattie, was holding in his painting of her, titled...

"Woman With Plants'.

<3

It's one of my Favorite Grant Wood Paintings.

<3

Found the above... Years ago.

It's Huge, old.... {Fabulous : )}and, used to be displayed at The University of Iowa.

<3

Simply....

'Iowa'.

<3

Renate treated me to lunch, at The Hotel Millwright, in Amana, yesterday...

between Contractor appointments.

<3

Bud, and Renate... have sure spoiled me over the many years, with Supper invitations.

We've enjoyed some Amazing Food, Conversation... Atmosphere... and, best of all,

Smiles, and Laughter.

<3

I'm Certain... we've figured out All of The World's Problems, a time our two.

<3

Was going to attend The Fairfax, Iowa City Council Meeting, tonight.

but...

reconsidered.

The Mayor's lawyer... {City's hired lawyer} wouldn't allow me to be on The Agenda, tonight...

concerning Friday's letter to Charles Meardon, our Lawyer...

and, 

Fairfax's 

'Public Records'

; )

{stay tuned.}

 What I want to say, and... question...

will take more than 3 minutes, that 'Citizens not on the agenda', can speak.

{I'm guessing they know that. ; ) bless their hearts.}

; )

Guess I'll have to prepare a 'TikTok' version, for the monthly meetings.

; )

I... can do that.

: )

One Spoonful... at a Time.

; )

Just, didn't have enough time to 'chop'...

 as 'They' dropped that 'No' information, yesterday.

; )

Wonder if Fairfax's Nearly New Camera the City's Clerk is in charge of... is gonna 'Malfunction' again tonight???

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Renate and I talked for hours. We went over every detail of Bud's... John's... Dad's... last days.

Last... hours.

Last... seconds.

We went over every... 'Coulda... Woulda... Shoulda.'

We Combed Through... All of the,

'What If's'.

then...

 ultimately... 

we both concluded, Our Folk, Loved Ones, all lived their Lives, to The End, pretty much, 

'Their Way'.

: )

That's a Big Deal.

<3

A Deal...

we'd never want to change.

<3

; )