Always... an Adventure, at Heart of Country.

<3

Always get a little... sideways, this time of year.

Many... reasons, I suppose.

We did Heart of Country... in Nashville, from 2001, 'til the last 'Heart', in 2014.

It was the Most Difficult Show, we ever did, but...

 for so many reasons, it was 

The Most Rewarding.

<3 <3 <3

There's still 'Tailgate' shows going on.

No more...

'Heart'.

: (

Many Friend's are heading to Nashville, now.

: )

I... could've signed up with a 'Tailgate' Show, when Heart was no more...

They are Amazing Events, as well.

but...

Nothing Like 'Heart of Country'.

There will never be another 'Heart'.

It.... was Truly, 

The 'Grand-daddy'.

: )

Pegadoo... along with Many Friends, joined together, at Heart, that year.

Over the years... Many Pal's would join us in Nashville, over Valentine's Week.

The Opryland Hotel.

; )

Lord... Lord, did we have Fun!!

; )

It was Beyond... Grueling Work.

Long Hours.

Stressful...

oh my.

; )

but, we... 'Played' as hard as we worked, at the end of each day.

; )

Above... is our last 'Heart' Booth, in 2014.

<3

Captured the above image... one morning after rolling back in, at Home...

from 'Heart'.

; )

I could write a book, with only 'Heart' stories.

; )

Always thought of the Bob Seger tune, 'Turn the Page', when I got Home from 'Heart'.

; )

Heart of Country was held at The Opryland Hotel, in Nashville.

{If you've never been to The Opryland Hotel, google it. 

It's a BIG Deal.

'Big' is an Understatement. 

In my opinion, the years we did 'Heart', were 'The Glory Days'.}

The first time we attended... we got lost trying to find our room.

; )

Not good, when you've been loading Trucks, for Days...

in the Bitter Iowa Cold,

 and...

 after driving 12 hours, to get there.

There's nearly 3,000 rooms, at The Opryland.

All under one roof. 

It's like Another World.

A

Glorious 'World'.

<3

Beyond... Beautiful.

<3

Promoter, Libby Kramer... Knew What She Was Doing, holding 

'Heart' there.

{Libby... was an Amazing Woman. Miss Her. 

I... admired her, so.}

<3

I'll never forget calling, then... 'Show Partner', and Friend... Julie, asking her if she'd consider going as far as Nashville, and 'do' Heart of Country.

: )

I was scrambling... trying to find an 'Event' for this time of year.

 Called Libby Kramer, 'Heart of Country', thought I was calling one of it's 'tailgate' shows.

 They were all listed in a Country Home magazine, I'd been reading.

Libby, and I talked... for nearly an hour, before she informed me I wasn't talking to a 'tailgate' promoter, I was speaking to

 'Elizabeth Kramer'...

 'Heart of Country'.

I Laughed, said... "I'm so sorry, seems I've wasted your time!!!

; )

 I've heard Much... about your Amazing Show, it's Incredible, I've heard. 

but...

 we're from Iowa, and... don't have any 40,000. cupboards."

; )

Libby replied, "Barb, we don't need another 40,000. cupboard, we need to be diverse.

If you'd like to join us at Heart of Country, let me know."

<3

When I asked Julie, about considering 'Heart', she was flabbergasted.

Hahahahaha!!

Julie, was SURE I was 'Mistaken'.

 Julie, and her Mom... had attended 'Heart' as a Treat, a few times over the years.

Julie...was sure, 'Iowa' wouldn't 'Fit', or... be considered for 'Heart of Country'.

{'Juried' event.}

well...

I assured Julie, we have a Booth, at 'Heart'... if she wanted to make the trek.

; )

We made the trek.

; )

Pulled in at The Opryland Hotel, in a 1981 Ford F350, loaded like The Beverly Hillbillies,

with the

16 foot Trailer, in tow, also... Loaded, 'beyond'.

; )

An Opryland Hotel Valet... walked up to The Ford, asked me if I'd like him to park my Truck.

: )

{There were Limos, and Cabs... sharing the Beautiful... Opryland Hotel's Main Lobby Entrance, with The Ford, and Trailer.}

Hahahahaha!!!!

I Laughed, and... said, 

"Thank You... Sir!!!.... but, no.

: )

 This Old Boy's... clutch... is kinda 'temperamental'...

; )

believe we'll 'check in', and... I'll get him 'parked'."

{I believe... the Kind Valet, was Very Grateful. <3}

; )

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

<3

{thinking back... it mighta been kinda Fun, watching The Kind... Valet, trying to park... The Old Ford.

Getting him outta second gear, mighta Fun... watching, Too!!!

; )

but...

that, would've been kinda... naughty.}

; )

There's much more... to this 'Heart of Country' Year One... 'story'.

<3

: )

Always, Always... Wonderful 'Adventures' at Heart of Country, at The Opryland Hotel, in Nashville.

; )

Priceless.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{For the record, at the 'First Heart' Show we attended, my Favorite Cupboard, at Heart of Country, that year...

 Sold... 

on

 'Preview Night'

 for

 68,000.

 Sixty Eight Thousand Dollars.

; )

oh... my.

Somehow... maybe it occurred to me, a little... back then,

'It's not what you know...

It's more about,

'Who'...

ya know.'

but...

what do I...

know? }

<3

Words to Create by.

I've Always been a Huge Fan, of Patsy Cline.

<3

Patsy... sadly, died in a plane crash the year I was born.

Her Music, 'Art'...  has lived on, and on.

<3

Discovered Patsy's above quote... a dozen years ago, or so.

Like Patsy's 'Art', her above... may be one of my Favorite Quotes.

; )

'If Ya can't do it with 'feeling'...

don't.'

In my opinion, those are words to live by.

Certainly... words to 'create' by, or.. don't.

; )

Big Week... 

ahead.

oh my.

; )

Life... in my humble opinion, is all about 

'The Journey', 

and the

'The Details'...

 within.

; )

From the tiniest... to the Grandest, and Gnarliest.

; )

Ultimately, if those 'details'... don't have 'feeling', well...

again,

in my opinion, 

they'll always be seen, heard...

'felt'...

'come off'...

 a little

'flat'.

Patsy... was a Wise Woman.

'True Artist'.

To my knowledge,

Patsy...

 never

 'sang'

 'off-key'.

<3

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Sunday... mornin'.

Wrote a long post... last night, concerning... Polly, above.

<3

{ I rescued Polly, once...

She Rescued me, a Million Times.}

and...

how Grateful I am, for The Amazing People and Critters, who I've been So Blessed to have crossed paths with, on this 'Journey' called 'Life'.

<3

Between the 'Memories', and Tequila, wound up deleting it all.

It got way too deep.

<3

; )

Hope... to re-write it, soon.

What a Ride.

What a Ride.

: )

Crazy... Busy Week, ahead.

Seems many are wound pretty tight, these days.

We're livin' in The Twilight Zone, and Ridin' The Crazy Train back and forth, to it.

oh...dear.

; )

All we can do, is Hold On Tight, and be Grateful...

 we're

 Still in The Game.

; )

Be Grateful... for Those who are Riding With.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

 

Changes... gads.

Indeed.

; )

I've been in a Tizzy... today.

: /

YouTube, as of yesterday... took the 'blogger' button away, that I use to share music.

: (

I'm Not... a computer whiz, by Any Means.

{Ask Pal, Bill. : ) He Laughs when I struggle to 'copy and paste'. 

Hahahahaha!!!

; )

Hey...

I Live in 'The Old World'. Not much interests me, in this... 

'New' one.}

: )

I was Determined... to figure out the Music Issue.

Music, is a Big Deal, to me.

<3

Poetry... set to Tune.

<3

I... believe, I may have figured it out.

; )

The Music, I hope... will now be inside the posts.

We shall see.

: )

Ran across the below images, today.

Found the above late 1800's oil painting at a Wonderful...

Mt. Vernon, Iowa... Estate Sale, around 20... years ago.

<3

It hangs in the kitchen.

: )

Love that old Painting.

Beloved Best Friend, at Rest.

<3

After 'beloved' Polly... passed away, 

took in Sweetie, above.

<3

10 years ago... or so.

One day... when I was walking by her, it Struck me.

The Painting, and Sweetie... were So Close.

<3

Sadly... Sweetie passed away, 6 years ago, or so.

We... didn't have enough time together.

but, the time we shared, Sweetie was Spoiled Beyond.

Deservingly So.

<3

I'm gonna post this, we'll see if music will play, when the above is 'clicked'.

??

Love to Ya... 

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Truth.

; )

Just... sayin'.

I... could've spoken out at last night's Fairfax's  'special' council meeting.

I chose to remain silent.

; )

Bless their hearts.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Walking To New Orleans (Remastered)

Time will Tell.

<3

Love the above image.

This day has slipped away from me.

At least the day's are getting a little longer.

: )

Spring... will be here before we know it.

Many busy days ahead.

Another 'special'... city council meeting, this evening.

Oh Boy!!

Fairfax is a very sad... place.

Feel so incredibly sorry for our Mayor, and three of the Council members.

Can't imagine putting up with death threats, and being called filthy names while shoveling their sidewalk, by... a city official, no less.

: (

A Sheriff's report was filed... 

Unbelievable.

They've, in my opinion... been beyond bullied, just like our former City Administrator, was,

 I was told.

{He resigned after 5 months, was given a 25,000. severance package, and was forced to sign a confidentiality clause.

The good news, for him... I've heard, he's in California, as a city admin. I'm certain a much better work environment.}

Fairfax, Iowa... City Hall... is very toxic, in my opinion.

: (

Many have told me... when people get this ugly, there's something much deeper going on.

Time will tell.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Al Pacino's Iconic Final Speech (Full Scene) | Scent of a Woman

my Dad's 'rules'

Indeed

; )

Dad... was a wise Man, in my opinion.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

At the end of the day....

 

"My Very Dear Wife" - The Last Letter of Major Sullivan Ballou

Yes... indeed.

yes...

indeed.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Folk Alley Sessions: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band, "Ashokan Farew...

Welcome... February.

Sippin' on some Strong Brew... this Chilly Iowa Morn.

Snow... is gently falling outside the window.

Looks like Big White... Goose Down Feathers, falling from the sky.

<3

I like to watch 'Meet the Press', on Sunday mornings.

Get the week's news... in a somewhat manageable dose.

; )

This morning, what really struck me... on 'Meet the Press', wasn't all of the politics, chaos, and division, but...

an interview with Ken Burns.

I've always admired Ken Burns, and his Amazing Work.

He said many, many... things, that made me 'think', this morning.

Few, in my opinion... can stand back, look at 'History' and pack a Whole Lot of Time, and extremely difficult situations concerning our Country, and World... into a 'Nutshell', 'Documentary',

that help People 'Understand', like Ken Burns.

One of my Favorite Ken Burns documentaries was

 'The Civil War'.

It... was Beyond Impactful.

Mr. Burns... truly brought the dead, to life on all sides.

I've been chewing on the happenings of our Country, feels like our 'Journey', over the last few decades is like a Clock's Pendulum...

that seems to swing more, and more... 

erratically with each passing year.

{often refer to it as 'The Twilight Zone'. : )}

Mr. Burns... in a way, addressed that, this morning.

Tho... I may feel like the sky is falling, Mr. Burns pointed out 

how much more 'division' our Country, and the 'World' has endured

over 'History'. 

He said something else, concerning his 'personal' 'Journey'.

"We are often made by the tragedies we suffer."

'That'... hit 'Home'.

It's so True.

It's only when we stop growing, that we'll no longer have growing pains.

It appears... we're in another 'Growth Spurt'.

; )

Remember... many years ago, a Friend... that I worked with was telling me that her teenage Son... 

was growing so fast, his bones ached horribly.

He grew from 5'5 to 6'4... very rapidly.

'Growth Spurt'.

Mr. Burns reminded the watchers... how divided our Country was during The Civil War, 

and Vietnam.

Far more... divided than we are today.

Growth Spurts, are often painful.

but...

necessary, if we wish to continue

Growing.

Understanding... doesn't make the pain go away, but...

it gives me a little 

'Hope', that we'll be a bit taller, at the end of this 

'Growth Spurt'.

One Day... at a Time.

one...

'Round' at a Time.

one...

'Inch' at a Time.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{If Ya have a few minutes, and can watch the Ken Burns interview on today's 

'Meet the Press', I believe you'll understand what I'm trying to say.

: )

I ain't no 'Ken Burns'.}

; )

<3

Perhaps... the reason I love 'Old' so much... 

and often refer to 'Old', as being 'Soulful'...

is knowing, 'feeling'.... the 'History' these pieces have endured, and survived.

<3

They've taught me much... over the years, brought me a lot of comfort.

'Hope',

'Strength'...

and,

'Promise'

<3

Aretha Franklin performs Rock Steady.mp4

Round Two... Here We Come.

; )

; )

; )

{Stand 'Long'}

<3

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!

: )

Ran across the above, yesterday.

Edith Lucielle's Bait Shop and Wing Shack, had posted it on FB.

 I... had to share.

; )

Nephew, Billy... commented on my 'share'.

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

<3

Seems... Billy knows his Old... Auntie, very well.

; )

: ) : ) : )

'Round Two'...

Here We Come.

It's a Full Moon tonight, inviting 'Round Two'... in.

{February}

; )

oh...

dear.

Time to Saddle Up, and Ride... Hard, yet... again.

'Round Two'... 

Here We Come.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer (Audio)

One Day... at a Time. {One 'Round' at a time.}

Above is a piece Sweet Minnesota Friend, Marianne...

created for me, from some 1860's Iowa City, Iowa... newspaper fragments I'd found in an old trunk, at a Farm... Dad, had once lived at, back in the 1940's.

<3

Treasure.

<3

Wrote a long post, last night... then, once again... deleted it.

It was about Farming, 'Farm Life'... in the 1800's.

: )

Don't have much time... to write now, have a lot to get done.

but...

wanted to answer a few Questions, concerning Gary, and Pals.

I had inquired about having Gary committed back in December, after he and I last spoke.

Seems, it's not like it used to be, when 2 people can get help for someone who is mentally ill.

{In Iowa}

Seems, those with mental illness can decide for themselves if they should stay, or go... 

at a Hospital.

Doesn't make sense to me.

It's like asking a Drunk... if he's o.k. to drive.

My opinion.

Pal, Gayle... is heading Home today.

She's doing Well.

<3

Peg's Daughter, Sarah... posted a Beautiful Image of Michael, today.

<3

Michael's Memorial... will be at a later date.

<3

Miss. Peanut... is perkin' along.

Pretty much... back to her Frisky Self.

<3

<3

<3

Don't know why... I've been deleting posts.

: (

Guess there's been too much on my brain, this January.

{can't believe we're through January.}

Between the News, Fairfax, IDOT... so much sickness, day to day... 'life', and... death, this month.

It's difficult to 'escape' from it all.

Nothing seems to make any sense... these days.

I ain't The Lone Ranger... feeling the way I do,

I... sadly know.

Many... are struggling, and suffering.

: (

'One Day... at a Time'.

One

Day

at

a

Time.

<3 <3 <3 

oh my.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{posted 'The Boxer', by Simon and Garfunkel, above this post.

; )

Perhaps... it's not about taking life 'one day at a time', 'these' days...

it's more about thinking like a 

Boxer.

Take 'these days'... 

'One Round'

 at a time.

January...

'Round One'

was one Hell of a Fight.

{Still Standin'. : )}

Round Two...

{February}

Oh Boy!!

; )

We Need to be more like Muhammed Ali...

'The Greatest'

 'These Days'. }

; )

<3

{ make no mistake, I... don't belong to any organized religion, or any political 'bullshit'.

I am concerned, on many, many.... levels.}

Joe Diffie - Ships That Don't Come In (Official Music Video)

Choices

Spent most of this day... on the phone, calling Homeless Shelters in Iowa City, 

and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Tho... they couldn't share any information with me, about who... they'd seen, I begged them, to please watch out for Gary, and... please contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department, should they see someone matching Gary's description.

: )

A bit ago, saw Gary's Son, Kevin's... post, that Gary has been Found.

<3

Praise God.

<3

My Heart... Breaks, for ALL concerned.

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

In... my humble opinion, as Much.... as I Love, Gary, he...

shouldn't have the 'choice' to refuse 'help'.

: (

Sadly... Iowa doesn't have place's to 'Help' Gary... anymore.

They were voted away... several years ago.

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

Mental Illness is a Problem, That Must Be Addressed.

so...

Gary 'refused' help.

He's still on the streets. 

Penniless.

Homeless.

Gary... isn't, in my opinion... in his right mind.

Seems that doesn't matter.

He can make the choices for himself.

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

I Pray... for Gary, and his Loving Family.

<3

Barb C.

{Please understand... I'm Beyond Grateful, Gary isn't Frozen... somewhere.

<3

: )

<3

My... heart aches, for the way things are, and have been... concerning healthcare, elder care... and mental illness, for far too long.}