The Journey.

Insanity.

; )

Posted the above... on FB when Fairfax fined me 104,000. for having 6 Chickens...

and an Old, Tom Turkey.

oh, and, Our Beloved Scout. {Horse}.

Their 'timing' was very interesting.

I... was deeply questioning a 'Walking/Bike Trail' next to Highway 151.

They.... didn't like that.

We'd had Critters here, for over 40 years without a Single Complaint.

Horses... a Cow... 30, plus... Geese,  Chickens....

{So did our Councilwoman Wainwright, across Stallman Dr.}

I... asked the former Mayor to Grandfather us in.

His reply... at a Public Council Meeting...

"I would never consider that."

; )

That... Bernie,

: )

Bless his heart.

Miss. Scarlett... and the Old Drysink Cupboard.

<3

That Wonderful.... Old, Old... Sharpening Stone, that I bought from Dear Friend,

 Lyle Hanson, one of the last times we visited.

<3

The Children... {of Every Age} are so drawn to it.

: )

I... think of Lyle, every time I look at it.

: )

Lyle... was Scrapper, like Dad.

He knew Dad... pretty well, they were Friends, but... not at Auctions, over Scrap Iron piles.

; )

Lyle... told me one day... he remembered an Auction near Belle Plaine, 

where he was sure to see Dad, but was Delighted 'Marion Conner' hadn't shown up at.

{Dad was his Fiercest Competitor, back in the early 1970's... for Scrap.}

Lyle... said, he thought he'd be 'Cleaning Up'... at that Auction, 

until...

he saw a little girl, standing next to The Clerk, and Auctioneer....

looking Mad as Hell.

{Lyle said... he'd Never Seen a Child Look So 'Serious'!!}

Hahahahahaha!!!

Bidding... 

against him,

on every single 

Scrap Pile.

: )

Dang.

{Folk's tell me, to this day... I look Mad, when I'm bidding.

: )

Guess... it's a 'habit'. 

I remember thinking, back then... I can't 'look' like a 'child',

'behave' like a child,

 I have to be Serious, to be Taken...

'Seriously'.

; )

I Miss... Lyle.

He... had an Artist's Eye.

Dad, never had that.

It was all... pretty much, 'Scrap'.

Looking back, I remember Dad... 'Scrapping' things, that should've been Saved.

<3

Lyle... Had a Gift. 

Grateful... He Saved So Much... from 'Scrap'.

<3

My last visit... to Lyle's... was a Beautiful...

 Sunday Morning.

Son, Justin... rode Shotgun, with me.

{He was just a Teen. <3}

Lyle... lived Deep in The Woods, near the Beautiful little town, of Vining, Iowa.

<3

Lyle... didn't have a phone, he was pretty much, off grid.

: )

Farmer's and Neighbor's would line up... on Lyle's road, on Sunday Mornings, to see what he'd brought Home, from Auctions... Thursdays, and Saturdays, prior.

: )

{Lyle's Place... was Fun. : ) }

That... Sunday, Lyle... spent a bunch of time... with, me, and Justin, standing at the tailgate of our old...Ford.

: )

We were Swappin' Stories... about Dad, and... life, in general.

: )

I noticed Men... standing by the road, wanting Lyle's attention... told Lyle so.

: )

{You Better Take Care of Those People!! Money!!" : )}

Lyle, said... 

"They can wait. I'm enjoying our conversation."

I was told... Lyle took his Life, about a week later.

Dropped me to my knees.

Somehow, it never set right with me.

: (

Had a few conversations... with the Tama County Law Enforcement...

Dear LORD... I wanted them to Investigate Lyle's Death.

they did.

: (

; )

<3

; )

Merry Christmas....

July 31.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.