Pretty Day.

Pal... Allyson, and I had a Lovely... day, Thursday.

We headed East.

First stop was in Tipton, Iowa.

<3

I've always been fond, of Tipton.

Mom, and I... lived not far from there, in Cedar Bluff, Iowa...

when I was 5.

Loved Cedar Bluff.

The streets were dirt, there was an old... Corner General Store, and... the Cedar River, to keep me entertained.

I'll never forget the Church.

<3

Made nearly daily rounds, visiting Neighbors, whom... were mostly Elderly Folks.

<3

{Was probably a 'Pest'. : ) but, they did spoil me. : ) Cookies, and... Homemade Goodies.

 Frank, and Emma, an Elderly Czech Couple who lived up on the Hill.... would let me help them take care of their Goats.

<3

Emma was Always Cooking, or Canning.

Loved the scent of their old Farm House.

Emma always had Dill hanging to dry in her Kitchen.

Smelled So Good!!

; )

We then moved to The Cedar County Home, even closer to Tipton, where Mom was employed.

It was Amazing!!

We lived 'at' The County Home.

It was like HEAVEN!!
The Massive Building had polished marble floors, with a Huge Porch.

It was like a Farm.

'Plantation',

really.

<3

The Folk's living there, if... they chose, could Garden.

And Did They!!

It was Beautiful.

I... could even keep Stormy, my Pony... there.

<3

Again, since... the Folks who resided there, were Elderly, or... had some 'disability'

well...

I was treated like Everyone's Granddaughter.

<3

{yeah... 'spoiled'... just... a little, maybe.}

; )

 Loved Them All...

So.

<3

I remember Mom taking me to Tipton, a few times.

Shopping.

Oh Boy!!

That was a Treat!!

Such a Pretty Town.

Allyson, of course... wanted to visit The Bakery.

; )

That Girl Knows the Location of Every Great Bakery Throughout The Country!!

The World...

Maybe!!

; )

: )

We went on, to De Witt, Iowa.

Visited  Chairy Picker Antiques.

{Owner, Diane, reupholsters Chairs. Beautifully.}

Pal, Wanda... {'Gatherings'} has two booths there.

<3

Friend, Teresa, has a Booth there, as well.

{Big Daddy Mac's}

First time we'd been there.

Lovely Store!!

It was a bit early for Lunch, but... Allyson spotted a Cafe, across the street from Chairy Picker.

Looked Good to me.

; )

We enjoyed a Fabulous Lunch, then ended... sharing a slice of Very Rich...

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake.

Gads!!!

; )

We hit a few Huge... Home Goods, type Stores, then...

Crossed The Mighty Mississippi, into Illinois.

Landed in Coal Valley, Illinois.

Country Fair Antique Mall, and...

Dear, Dear... Pal, Tammy's 'Cottage'.

Tammy, and Allyson.

<3

Allyson had Great Fun, at Tammy's.

: )

Found some Amazing Halloween Items.

; )

She was Tickled!!

It was GREAT Seeing Tammy.

Been Far Too Long!!

<3

We went further East to Geneseo, Illinois.

There's a Great Antique Mall there.

C&S Antiques.

It's Grown So Much, since my last visit.

Awesome!!

Used to make a Run to Galesburg, Illinois, at least twice a month.

Hit Shop, after Shop.

Oh My!!

The little Purple Ford, would be Draggin' his mudflaps All The Way Home!!

: )

The Treat... after bustin' my butt all day, would be stopping at Jumer's Castle Lodge, on I-74 in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Sadly... it's gone, now.

Whichever Pal, who might be Riding Shotgun... 'with', Crammed in The little Purple Ford's PACKED Cab, 

would also be 

Ready...

for

'Jumers'.

: )

Prime Rib.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes...

French Onion Soup...

{possibly a Martini}

Killer Chocolate Cake.

GADS!!!

{John always Loved it, when I made The Galesburg Run.

I'd bring Half of Everything, 'Meal'... Home to Him!!

John might be sound asleep, when I'd come rollin' in...

often, it was Late.

No Matter.

I'd say...

"John... I'm Home, have your Food here, too late to eat??"

BOOM!!

He'd Come Flyin' Outta His Old Lazy Boy!!}

Hahahahahaha!!!

then...

crossed back over The Mighty Miss, headin' West... for Home.

Pretty Day...

filled with

Beauty.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Cousin, Sallie... is set up across from The Rabbit Hole, today, having a Craft Sale.

She wants me to stop by.

I'm moving very slow.

Twisted my back, yesterday.

: (

Meeting with Allyson, this Evening for a Concert.

oh dear.

Gonna try and soak my back into shape.

Not... good.}

oh...

dear.