Don't Blink.

<3 <3

 

Too many good-byes.

Attended Peg's 'Michael's' Celebration of Life...

today.

<3

Michael told their Daughter, Sarah... he didn't want a funeral... when he left us, he wanted us all to have a

 Party.

"No Tears".

; )

<3

Sarah arranged Michael's Celebration, at 'Parlor City', in New-Bo.

{Cedar Rapids}

It was Lovely... and Packed.

: )

Michael... was Much Loved.

<3

I... ordered a Margarita, in Honor of Our Peg.

<3

They had live music... which was Great.

; )

 Spencer, Michael, and Peg's Grandson in Law...

put together a Wonderful recording of Michael's Voicemails, to them all... over the years.

<3

{I saved Michael's last one, to me... before he passed away. It...was So... 'Mike'. 

So... Funny!! <3}

Michael... never 'came around', after losing Peg.

He was horribly, horribly... grief stricken.

We visited often, after Peg passed away.

My heart... broke for Michael.

We all find comfort in knowing, they are Together...

again.

<3

It was Wonderful seeing Peg, and Michael's Daughter, Sarah...

her Beloved, Bill, and All of the Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren.

<3

Had... a Long visit with Michael's Brother, Greg.

{Tears. <3}

Sarah, is the Pretty Girl, in the striped shirt.

<3

She's.... so much like Peg, and Michael.

<3

The last many years have been very difficult, for Sarah.

As I was visiting, my phone rang.

Almost... didn't answer it, but... it was a Dear Pal.

Wasn't prepared for the news he was about to share.

Seems, a Sweet Friend, of ours.... suddenly passed away, this morning.

Younger than us.

He said... he didn't know much, yet...

just that she woke up early this morning, didn't feel well...

her Husband took her to the ER, where she passed away, shortly after their arrival.

I'd just visited with her... the other day.

It was her Birthday.

My heart... is sick.

She had so many.... Plans, for The Future.

Called Pals, Steph, and Patti... broke the news to them.

We All Loved Her, So.

The three of us, met... for Supper, tonight.

All... trying to make some sort of sense... out of 'Life'.

There is... no such thing.

Life is short.

Nobody...

is promised

'tomorrow'.

I'll be writing about our Sweet Friend, after everyone is notified.

She... was an Amazing Woman.

<3

and...

one of the FEW people on this planet...

that got by with calling me,

"Barbie"

: )

<3 <3 <3 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Secret... Gardens.

Above... is dried Lily of The Valley.

<3

Wrote about it, in the post below.

It's Beautiful, to me...

Especially, in the Winter, when Snow is Flyin'.

; )

Welcome... Spring.

We've went from 14 degrees, to nearly 80 degrees, in less than a week.

; )

March Madness!!

Simply...

'Iowa'.

; )

<3

Today

 is

 The First Day

 of

Spring!!

Things are gonna start getting Mighty Crazy, in the weeks to come.

Many changes... coming to The Rabbit Hole, this Spring, Summer... and Fall.

oh...boy.

; )

It's gonna be a process, but... a Good Process.

; )

I've already warned The Boys.

; )

The Lily of The Valley, will be up... soon.

<3

It grows freely around the house, and Rabbit Hole.

<3

It's scent is Intoxicating.

<3

I usually gather enough to fill a few small vases in the house. 

They actually dry, quite beautifully in the little vases.

Very... Dainty.

<3

Around Christmastime... seems I'm always drawn to the little dried 

Lily of The Valley

bouquets.

<3

'Promise'

of

'Spring'.

 The Lilacs, will be budding soon, as well.

<3

We have several... old, old... varieties near the house.

They probably were planted here, in the 1950's.

Peg, and I... started a couple of their little babies near The Rabbit Hole, many years ago.

They... are Quite Large, now... and Such a Blessing when they're in Bloom!!

; )

Haven't planted Morning Glory, for several years, around The Rabbit Hole.

Out of all of the Flora, Morning Glories are my Favorites.

<3

Stunningly Beautiful...

<3

Their vines, are wild... and unruly.

 <3

Used to Love... taking early morning walks to The Rabbit Hole, just... as The Morning Glories were beginning to

'Smile'.

{well... they always made me 'smile'. : )}

Have some seeds, that I bought a while back... hoping, are still good.

I'll get them soaking, before long...

 hopefully, they'll come to

 'Life'.

<3

'Wake Up'.

; )

We've got Much... work to get caught up on, this year.

'One Day... at a Time'

; )

'Spring'

is such a 

Wonderful Time.

New... Life.

New...

Beginnings.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Love the Darling image, above.

Dear... Minnesota, Pal...

Rhonda, posted it.

Had to Share.

<3

{We're working on The Cedar Rapids, Iowa... Estate Sale, it will be held in Mid April.

Stay Tuned!!}

; )

We're Still... in The Game.

 

"Most Folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." Abe Lincoln

Been doing much 'soul-searching', 

for so incredibly long.

'Life'... down the rabbit hole, over the last many years have been filled with nothing but 

uncertainty.

Constant...

Shifting...

Sand.

While processing, over the last many months, especially...

over the last several weeks,

was kind of reminded, 

little by little...

"isn't 'this' exactly what you wanted?"

???

"Adventures"

: )

Oh Boy!!!

; )

I... Got 'em... Boy!!

; )

Many, many... many, 

'Adventures'.

{yes... 'the book' is coming.}

Hahahahahaha!!!

Posting a few of my favorite quotes, below.

<3

The above... reminded me of Dad, the first time I read it, long ago.

<3

Watched Dad... 'play' the 'hands' he was 'dealt', while growing up...

No matter how ugly, 

Dad, always 'played' his 'hands' with a Smile,

 and

with

 Mischievous...

 Irish 'Twinkles' in his eyes.

: )

I... have struggled with being so 'light hearted'.

Tend to take things, 'hands' very... seriously.

Often wish... I could be as 'Easy Goin' ' as Dad was.

<3

{many think I am, hahahahahaha!!! 

They didn't know...

'Marion Conner'.}

; )

Ultimately...

the above, in my opinion, is one of

 The Best Pieces

 of

 Advice, one could ever receive.

<3

; )

The above... quote, hangs on the fridge.

Has... for decades.

<3

: )

It's Beyond... True.

The above...

well, 

if....

I ever decide to get a

 Tattoo...

; )

<3

<3 <3 <3 

Found the above...

long ago.

Ran across it, again... today.

<3

Exactly... what I, and... I'm guessing, many...

need to read, today.

; )

One day... at a time.

One...

moment, at a time.

: )

Many changes are coming... 

for me, and... many.

All we can do, is...

'Play the hand we're dealt, like it's the hand we wanted.'

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Abe Lincoln

<3

Today...

I'm making my mind up to be 'Happy'.

; )

perhaps...

be...

 a little more

'Marion Conner'...

and a little less,

 his

 'Daughter'.

; )

Look Out!!

: )

Hahahahahaha!!!!

{Don't say I didn't Warn Ya!!}

; )

Indeed. ; )

Indeed.

; )

 

Diggin'.

: )

{fact}

It's been much Fun... looking back at the posts Folk's are looking at, here...

on

Blogger.

: )

 The above, along with many, many... old posts, 

popped up today, as they have for a long time.

<3

I can see, which 'posts' Folk's are reading, daily.

<3

Believe it or, not...

this, old... 

'Simply Iowa' blog, has been 'seen', to date...

by close to three million.

Guessin' some, maybe... many... might be bots.

: )

I'm no computer guru, as we All know.

; )

Who Knows???

: )

Yesterday... 

the below...

popped up.

<3

It brought me to my knees.

<3

I can't Find... The Words, to Thank... So Many, over So Many Years...

for 

'Carrying' me.

<3

Today...

is

Granddaughter, Scarlett Belle's 15th. Birthday.

<3 <3 <3 

Priceless.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Cleaned up this post... at about 4 a.m, Thursday morn. 

Gotta 'shift gears'. 

; )

Sometimes it's difficult to find the good in each day, but... 

it's worth diggin' for.

; )

It's There, it's there.}

; )

<3

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

<3

Let the Shenanigans Commence...

Wishing All...

a

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

<3

Being Irish...

St. Patrick's Day has meant much to us Conners. 

; )

The Good News... 

if Ya wear a pinch of Green, on St. Patrick's Day, 

no matter where Ya come from, You're 'Irish' on

St. Patrick's Day!!

; )

{if Ya don't... You'll just get a 'pinch'.}

: )

St. Patrick's Day... has been Especially Special, to us Conners, as Sister,

Jo Ann, and Son, Justin...

Celebrate 

St. Patrick's Day...

Birthdays.

<3

Called, Justin... this morning to Wish him a 

Happy Birthday.

<3

Told him... the St. Patrick's Day, in 1985....

he decided to come into the world, 

was nothing like this

St. Patrick's Day.

{4 degrees, post Blizzard}

St. Patrick's Day...

1985, was 

BEAUTIFUL!!

The Sun was Shining, 

70 degrees...

John, and I.. were taking in that Beautiful Sunday, toolin' around in the Trans Am, 

with the windows 

Down!!

until...

Justin decided he'd like to join us.

; )

<3

Seems like Yesterday.

<3

Hope All reading this, 

Enjoys This St. Patrick's Day...

and 

The Day is Filled 

With

Many, Many...

Shenanigans.

; )

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

At the end of the day.

At the end of the day...

well, there's so many roads untraveled.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Happy Birthday... Dad.

 

Happy Heavenly Birthday...

Dad.

{Marion Conner Sr.}

<3

There's not a single day... that goes by, I don't think of Dad, 

a

 Dozen Times, or more.

<3

Can't begin to Imagine... what my life would've been like, if

Marion Conner wasn't my Dad.

; )

Dad took me with him... everywhere he could.

{from the time I was an infant.}

Junkin'... Scrappin'... Farm Auctions, Horse Sales, Junk Yards...

Lord, Lord... we'd get into some tight spots.

; )

but...

with every 'tight spot'...

I watched Dad figure out a way... to get us out of 'em.

Dad... had Much Determination.

Never saw a Mountain, he couldn't somehow...

Move, if he wanted it moved.

; )

I've watched other Men, look at the 'Mountains', and walk away.

"Can't be done... Marion."

: )

They... didn't know Dad.

I... did.

{better than anyone on the planet.}

Dad... would never get discouraged, he'd just keep on workin' until...

the 

'Mountain'

was moved.

Loved bouncin' down the Iowa back-roads with Dad, in those old Trucks.

; )

The Stories... he'd share.

Oh... dear.

<3

I could listen to the same story, over and over...

and...

over, again...

yet,

Hang on Every Word!!

<3

Dad would get to laughing so hard, with some of 'em...

he could barely Speak!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

Dad's eyes would Sparkle, 'Twinkle'... while sharing some of the

 'Best Stories'.

; )

{an 'Irish' thing. ; ) }

To say Dad... lived a 'Colorful Life', would be a 

Huge...

Understatement.

<3

Most... probably wouldn't believe some the 

'Shenanigans' he got himself into.

: )

I can Vouch, for Many of Them.

I... was right there, beside him, when 'Many' Unfolded.

; )

You'd never want to 'Dare' Dad, 

unless...

you were prepared to see it get 

Done.

; )

Dad... was a Lucky Man.

<3

He... lived life, 'His Way'.

<3

Free Spirit.

Easy Goin'.

 Kind...

 almost, to a fault.

{if that's possible}

: )

Dad... never met a 'Stranger'.

<3

He was a Great Man.

A Great...

'Dad'.

{that makes me 

'The Lucky One', too.}

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

The Ides of March.

March 15th is Dad's Birthday.

Remember Mom teasing him, because he was born on

 'The Ides of March'.

: )

She'd say... in her Spookiest Voice, 

"Yes... Beware of The Ides of March!!"

<3

; )

Dad.. would hang his head, then... nod, and agree...

that

Mom probably should've heeded that 'Warning'!!

Hahahahaha!!

: ) : ) : )

Those Two... 

<3 <3

; )

Grateful... every day, I was Blessed to have Them, for my Folks.

<3

They couldn't live together...

for very long,

but, 

they couldn't live apart, 

for very long...

either.

Those Two.

<3

Quite... a 'Love Story'.

: )

Mom... was 'Full Blooded Czech', Dad... claimed he was 

'Shanty Irish, and Slop Bucket Dutch'.

: )

<3

Both were a hundred percent accurate.

Mom, was 100% Czech.

Dad... was Most Certainly 'Irish', and... a little Dutch.

; )

{Dad... also, had a little 'French' in his history...

 that, sadly, he'd never acknowledge, or speak about.

In my opinion...

after learning so much, over the years...

concerning Dad's 'French' connection, his long time ago...

decision 

was,

'rightfully so'.}

Love The Month of March.

<3

It's Crazy.

Old Man 'Winter', is Fighting 'New Life'..

 'Spring'.

{in Iowa}

He sends...

Big Winds...

Blizzards, Rain... Tropical Weather, then...

Freezing, again... and again.

then,

'Spring', eventually wins the battle, around the first of April.

; )

'Spring' sends 

'Warmth', and Old Man 'Winter', well...

he's had his run, and... is done.

; )

The month of March... to me, in Iowa...

represents 

'Life'.

a constant....

 Roller Coaster... 

ride.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

 

The Book... Is Coming!!

There's been So Much to digest over the last few days.

I've written several posts, then, saved them as drafts, instead of posting them.

There's So Much.

; )

Good... and, the not so good,

 at best.

: )

'Life'.

Stay Tuned...

eventually,

The Book... 

is coming.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Iowa... is Anything but 'simple'.

Nephew, Billy... called last night.

Billy, and his Family... live in D.C.

 As we were talking...

I was watching the weather warnings on tv.

Huge Storm's had been rolling through our area.

Fairfax, was spared... but South, and East of us... got hit pretty hard.

Huge... Hail.

: (

{It's snowing as I write... 34 degrees.

The last several days have been like late Spring, in Iowa.

Insane.

70 degrees.}

Billy grew up in Cedar Rapids, he remembers how Crazy... Iowa can be.

{There's Nothing 'Simple'... about 'Iowa'.}

Billy, said... the 'Wall Clouds'... he'd see on rare occasions used to make him nervous.

; )

They make me a little 'nervous' too.

One, in particular... really made me nervous.

; )

Was telling Billy, about the day... I picked up a Big... Old... Store Cupboard, from Pals...

Monica, and Dean...

near Vinton, Iowa.

{about 30 minutes Northwest of Fairfax.}

Hadn't seen Monica, and Dean...

 Forever.

so...

after Dean and I got the Cupboard loaded, on The Ford...

we began to 'Catch Up'.... 'Visit'.

; )

It was a HOT, Hot...

 Muggy..... 

'Sultry'

day.

As we visited... 

things began getting very 'still'.

That's... never good.

No 'bad' weather was predicted....

but, 

if Ya live in Iowa, for a long time, You Know...

You can 'Feel'...

Trouble Brewing.

It's very unsettling.

We All...

 'Felt' 

'Trouble'.

All of a sudden, we All Decided it was Time for me to get Down The Road.

; )

The top image is what I was heading into... the closer The Ford and I...

got to Home.

'Son of a B!tch!!!'....

was

 All

 that was running through my mind.

The Ford Grew WINGS!!!

<3

Hammer Down!!!

Holy Smokes!!!

{The Fastest 'Ride'... That Old Cupboard will Ever Know.}

Knew... we Had to Beat That Rain!!

The Wonderful Old Cupboard was all in Original Varnish.

{'Sh!t!!! If it had been old paint, wouldn't have been so worried.

Knew... what 'Big Rain' would do to that surface.}

{SH!T!!!!}

: ( : ( : (

It's a Good Thing... I used to Run 'Poles', and 'Barrels' with The Horses.

; )

When I pulled in the drive, at Home...

don't think The Ford actually came to a Stop, before I Bailed Out... Ran, at a Dead Run to The Henhouse... Grabbed a Tarp, then Ran... back to the Naked Cupboard!!

Just... as I was throwing the tarp over the Cupboard...

The Sky Let Go!!

Buckets, and Buckets... and Buckets...

 of Rain!!

Holy Smokes!!!

I... looked like a drowned rat, but...

The Old Cupboard

was

Spared.

<3 <3 <3 

'For The Love... of 'Old'.

<3 <3 <3 

oh...

my.

Much to get Done... today.

Hopefully... will have the phone all fixed up by tonight.

Working at The Cedar Rapids Estate, too.

; )

The Fun Never Ends!!

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Love It.

 

Redneck... crazy.

'Anger Management'.

Woke up this morning...

thinkin'...

'I... may need some 'anger management'.

; )

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Who Knew?!?!

; )

oh... dear.

; )

Yesterday... was a pretty good darned day.

: )

Visited with Lifesaver Pal... Gail.

<3

She's been Such a Blessing in my life, over the last 30, plus... years.

 Love, and Admire her... So.
<3

Can Always... count on Gail to be honest, and straightforward.

I... may not always take her advice, but...

I know, she'll never sugar-coat her thoughts, or valuable opinions, to appease me.

Not... Gail's Style.

<3

That's Priceless.

; )

She's...

'Priceless'.

<3

On the way to the Estate house, yesterday... thought I'd better grab some lunch.

Couldn't decide where to stop.

Went Waaaaaaay out of the way, before I finally landed at the Hy-Vee Grocery store, near the Estate house.

Remembered former Fairfax, Iowa... mayor, 'Bernie' telling me about the Great Chinese food, at that particular Hy-Vee.

{Bernie, calls often, these days... for some reason.} 

???

While walking into Hy-Vee, the Cart Dude... complimented me, about Old... Jethro.

: )

{It was Such a Beautiful, Sunny... Day!!}

The Cart Dude... wanted to know All of Jethro's particulars.

: )

Told him, Jethro's... 'Story'.

Told The Dude, Jethro's gettin' a little rough around the edges, these days...

 kinda like the driver.

: )

Walked into Hy-Vee, went to the Chinese area, and...

who do ya think was standing there.

???

Hahahahahaha!!!!

BERNIE!!

Hahahahaha!!!

{Ya... can't make this Sh!t... Up!!!}

We chatted for a minute, thanked him for the recommendation.

; )

Sat down... and ate lunch.

Visited with the Lady... who was bussing tables.

: )

She told me all about her Children, and her Sister.

: )

Lovely... Lady.

I opened up my fortune cookie, as we were visiting.

It took me back, to another fortune cookie, I opened long, long... ago.

; )

A Dear Friend, and I... had just left The Twin Cities, after doing a Long, and Grueling... 

Show.

We stopped to grab some lunch at a Chinese restaurant, after loading out.

I opened my fortune cookie, read it...

looked at my Pal, and said...

"I'll trade ya."

She said...

"but... I haven't even opened mine. Sure you want to trade?"

'yes... I do.'

: )

She opened hers, read it... and said...

"No... you Really don't want to trade me."

I... assured my Pal,

'yes....

I'm certain, I... do.'

; )

Turned out, we both had the same 'fortune'.

They read, something... like this.

"Impending Doom lies ahead."

We both... just sat there, and stared at each other, and... our 'fortunes'.

We... mustered up the 'legs'... to walk to The FUSO, then... sat inside it, quietly...

for what seemed like a long, long... time.

My Pal, called her Husband, told him about it, he advised us to stay in Minneapolis.

{yes... he was Freaked Out... Too!! Hahahahaha!!}

We were brave, thought 'what the hell'...'bring it on'.

{We'd already been to hell, and back, doing that show. ; )}

We made it Home, safe... and mostly... 'sound'.

; )

Yesterday's 'fortune'... was pretty much, spot on.

"Life to you is a dashing and bold adventure."

; )

I... reckon, so.

; )

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Infrickindeed.

; )

Went on to work...

'dashing... and boldly'.

Hahahahahaha!!!

Couldn't get much done, without Bill.

Need tables set.

Came Home... and, foolishly... looked at FB.

: (

FB is fine... but, the 'Memories' that pop up daily, often, ain't so much.

Some, are wonderful... but, the last eight, to ten years...

well, Fairfax, and IDOT have consumed massive parts of the 'Memories'.

that's... 

where the 'anger' steps in.

: (

There's much going on, that... I'm not quite ready to share with the world, just yet.

Know...

I'm really trying to rope that anger in.

; )

Not that I'm angry, or have regrets... 

concerning my decisions.

The anger stems... from where it all began.

Had to laugh... a little, when a 'Memory' popped up from 3/9/24.

"I do not burn bridges...

I just loosen the bolts 

a 

little

bit

each 

day."

; )

Pal, Gail... sent me a WONDERFUL Package, it arrived yesterday.

A MUCH... Needed One.

{Bless Her Heart!! <3}

Inside, was a Darling Tea Towel.

<3

On it, reads...

"I Can Go From Southern Belle

To

Redneck Crazy...

Faster Than You Can Say

"Bless Your Heart"

: )

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Gail Knows Me WELL!!!

{It's a 'Taurus' Trait. ; ) }

God... Knows How Much I Love That Girl!!!

<3

I'll keep workin' on the anger management.

{Two condemnations with IDOT would drive most anyone 'round the bend.

Trying to survive in Fairfax, Iowa... is, another 'adventure.

bless...

all of their hearts.}

Better get Crackin'. 

Nursin' a bit of a hangover.

Yee Haw.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Gail, with her Dad, and Pal... Michael.

<3