Oh... my.

Adventures.

<3

 

Happy 8th Anniversary.

It's a long story.

All I can say, is... for some reason, I'm still alive.

Many Doctor's at that time, were very surprised by 

that.

Yet... 

Allyson and I, took off for Texas, the next morning.

; )

I'll be writing about 'that' adventure... soon.

; )

oh my.

; )

Beyond Grateful...

for 

Every Day.

Every Friend.

Every...

Loved One.

<3

Love to You,

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Priceless.

<3

 

Country Roads...

Bugged out, yesterday morn...

took a ride to Vining, Iowa.

<3

{about 35 miles West of The Rabbit Hole.

Vining's Population...

54, or so. }

; )

Every Spring, around this time, Vining holds a benefit 

Auction, for The Town Hall Building.

I've attended that Wonderful... little Town's Auction, for Decades.

: )

{another... 'Iowa's Best Kept Secrets' ; ) }

Oh My... Used to bring Huge Loads Home, from there.

; )

I've sadly... missed a few years, with all of 'Messes' here... in Fairfax.

{IDOT, and Fairfax... City Hall.}

: (

Decided to head there, yesterday...

for 

'Old Times'.

; )

Deliberately drove Jethro... instead of The Ford.

Until... I can get The Rabbit Hole, Raised... out of the ashes,

 hadn't better drag anything 'Home'.

; )

If...

I'd had driven The Ford...

well, there were a few things, I... most likely...

would've brought

Home.

; )

So... Enjoyed the Day.

Sun... on my face.

: )

Listening to The Awesome Auctioneer's Chant.

<3

They had two rings goin'.

Believe... they should've had three, or four!!!

; )

I'll bet they were 'selling' long after dark!!

; )

So Much!!

Vining, Iowa... is a tiny, tiny... Town, nestled in a Valley.

It's an old, old.... Czech Community.

<3

That little old

'Best Kept Secret',

 well....

; )

There was a Day... not long ago, 

that little Shed... would've been headin' to Fairfax.

; )

Cute...

Cute...

Cute...

; )

and probably Built Better than many 'Homes' these days.

; )

Called Pal, Dale... concerning the Stoneware.

He's 'The Expert' when it comes to Stoneware.

; )

They all sold for about 3 times what Dale felt they should.

; )

That's often how Auctions work. 

Things either sell for pennies on the dollar, or for Far More than retail.

Yep...

Things 'Sell' according to 'Who' is in Attendance, and how 'Much'... They 'Want' It.}

; )

Always, always... interesting to watch.

<3

Love that Old... Vining, 'Town Hall'... Building.

<3

Above is the Mural, in front of the Stage.

<3

Sadly... there wasn't a 'Market' inside, this year.

The Clerk told me... there hasn't been one, for a few years.

: (

Can't find Vendors.

I get that.

: (

The Good News, they were serving Great Food, like Always...

 Baked Goods... and,

Kolaches.

; )

I... enjoyed a Poppy Seed Kolache,

{Mom's Favorite <3}

after walking through 

All of The 'Outdoor' Consignments.

; )

Holy Smokes!!

BIG Auction!!

; )

It was Great... seeing So Many Enjoying The Day.

<3

'Children'... of All Ages.

<3

Ran into several... Old... Friends.

: )

Was called a 'Young Lady' by the Man... Jethro, and me, parked behind.

; )

{He liked the 'Sound' of Old Jethro.

 : )

me.... too.

 ; )

Growly... Throaty.... and, maybe... a bit, Ornery.}

; )

The Vining Auction was a lovely 'Escape'. 

<3

Didn't buy a thing.

Did bid on one item.

{that would 'fit' in Jethro}

It... brought about three times what I could sell it for.

; )

That's GREAT!!

<3

 So Want that Little Fundraiser to Go On, and On... and On.

<3

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Peace.

Indeed.

: )

Polly's Funeral was Beautiful.

Had lovely visits with Polly's Family, and Bank Family.

The Bank... had The Flag, at Half-staff, in Polly's Honor.

<3

She will be deeply missed.

I'm hitting The Road, today.

Country Roads.

Back Roads.

'Peace'.

: )

Adventures...

are

 Good for The Soul.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Amen.

Those... damned bridges.

 

; )

This...

'This'

is why I Love Fairfax State Savings Bank, and... often refer to 'Them', as 'Family'.

<3

How many 'corporate banks'... 'on-line' banks....

would close their doors

to

Honor...

anyone?

Think about that, when you choose a bank.

'Family'

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Tuesday... was Full of Surprises.

Pal, Bill... and I...

 met at the upcoming Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

Estate House.

Checking on the Estate Family's 'progress'.

; )

They're working on the Home... 'updating', as it will be for sale.

It's been a LONG process for them.

Such Good People, they've had so much trouble finding Contractor's that keep their word.

: (

It's sadly... been a Mess for The Family.

: (

Bill, and I... did what we could, yesterday... but, until the Home is finished, it would be futile for us to 'do'.... much.

We brought in tables, so we can begin to sort... when we can, and, pulled out a few Fun Things, that were on the surface.

: )

Love... the above early 1900's Photo.

<3

: )

Oh My!!!

<3 <3 <3 

Finding That... Little Truck, in the garage, well...

: ) : ) : )

It's missin' a wheel... but,

 Who Cares???!!!

<3

Perhaps, we'll run across it, as we sort.

; )

if not...

Who Cares!!!

It's Adorable!!!

<3

I was intrigued by a cool... old, wooden 'suitcase', in the basement.

Asked Bill... to grab it, and see what it held.

It... was heavy.

?

; )

That... was a Surprise!!!

<3

We'd Never Seen One!!

COOL!!

; )

Traveling Piano/Organ!!

; )

Don't know... at this point, when... this 'Sale' is going to be.

The Home... has to be 'finished' before we can do our Job.

; )

It's Going to 'Happen', we assured The Estate Family.

{They worry. ; ) <3}

One Day... at a Time.

; )

We won't let 'em down.

<3

There's MUCH... at this Sale.

The Garage... is Packed.

The Home, Is... as well.

; )

Stay Tuned.

After leaving the Estate Home, received a text, from Pal, Gayle.

We were supposed to get together, last Saturday, after Michael's Celebration of Life.

When I received the news... of Polly's passing, during Michael's Memorial....

well,

I, uh... pretty much melted.

Forgot all about meeting with Gayle.

: (

Sunday morning, called Gayle, apologized for not hooking up.

 Gayle... understood.

<3

Gayle... knew Polly, too.

Through 'The Bank'.

I... directed Gayle to 'The Bank', several years ago.

She was in a mess. I Knew... Fairfax State Savings Bank, would help her, if they could.

: )

They did.

<3

{There's a Huge Difference between 'corporate banks' and 'Family Banks'.}

Gayle... was also, heartbroken.

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

Called Gayle, as I was leaving The Estate Home, Tuesday.

Told her... I could meet up, for lunch... if that worked for her.

It did, we decided to meet at a Hy-Vee Grocery Store, that was between the two of us.

: )

Have a little lunch, visit. 

; )

The Hy-Vee 'between' us, is one I've rarely visited.

It's a Great Store, but... 

not in my

 'Stomping Grounds'.

As Jethro... and I... pulled in, off of the Highway, to the 

'Hy-Vee' entrance...

noticed a truck, nearly stopped, to my right,

and another... nearly stopped, to our left.

I chose...

to 

Brake, Jethro.

A 'Three Way Stop', perhaps.

?

 Jethro, and I... braked.

behind us, well...

a 

Big, New... Mopar Truck, and his driver...

LAID 

on his horn.

uh oh....

; )

That kind of attitude REALLY bothered John.

; )

me, 

not so much.

but...

That Attitude...

bothered,

 Old... Jethro, Tuesday.

uh...oh.

The Dodge Truck... held Tight to Jethro's bumper, into Hy-Vee's parking lot.

Jethro... took offence, to the Mopar's 'Crowding'.

uh oh.

He... kinda put his wheels down.

; )

So did his driver, when the Mopar Truck parked.

These... aren't the 'Days'... to screw with Jethro, or... his driver.

I... bailed out of Jethro, Stogie... In Hand.

; )

Walked... Eye to Eye, with that Dodge Truck... sitting under Hy-Vee's portico.

Apparently, the driver... had ordered his groceries 'online'.

; )

The driver... rolled his smoked windows down, about a third, as I was standing next to his door.

I.. asked the driver...

kindly, respectfully...

"where's the fire? 

: )

are ya.... in a hurry?"

: )

He... lowered his head, wouldn't look me in the eye, and said...

"no... I'm not in a hurry."

hmmmm.

then,

 I... looked across the parking lot... asked the mopar driver, 

"so... what was 'That' all about?"

His reply... 

"It wasn't a 3 way stop, you shouldn't have stopped."

: )

my reply...

to the mopar driver,

"Sir, I'm not familiar with this area. I saw a truck pulling up to a 'T' intersection in front of me.

 On my right, noticed another truck, sitting at my left, 

I was searching for a 'Sign', when I slowed down, 

I... didn't want to get 'Hit'."

silence.

silence.

silence.

: )

I... wished the mopar driver, to have a 'great day'.

Bless his heart.

; )

he...

wished me, the same.

; )

These aren't the days... to get cocky, with me, or anyone...

I'm a little, or a lot... thin skinned, 

'These Days'

; )

many, many... are.

Just... sayin'.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

'Heart'

Polly had posted the above, 'Heart' video.. one night, long ago, on FB.

<3

Love That Tune, Too!!

I tagged Polly in my post, Thanking her... for Posting It!!

It inspired me to 'Do' my hair... like we did 'then'.

; )

'BIG HAIR'!!

Jump in The Truck... and Drive!!

; )

Gonna Miss...

That

Girl.

Fairfarren...

Polly Girl.

<3

I... Miss You, Too.

Polly will be Deeply Missed by All who had the Gift of Knowing Her.

Polly, has been one of my Sweetest Friends, for decades.

<3

She was a Rock... at Fairfax State Savings Bank, and... has Always, Always...

looked out for me, and Mine.

Polly knew my account number by heart.

: )

If I was ever in a bind, Polly would say...

"Don't worry Barbie... We Gotcha!!"

<3

; )

{There's Many Reasons I refer to Fairfax Bank, as 'Family', 

Polly was One of Them.}

Polly has helped me navigate through the IDOT, and Fairfax City Hall messes, so many times.

<3

I'm very backward when it comes to computer issues, Polly... was a Genius.

 All I had to do... is ask her for a helping hand, it was 'Done'.

<3

When John passed away, Polly, and The Bank... were Here.

<3

When Polly answered the phone, at The Bank... oh my.

: )

We'd 'Visit' for a long, long... time.

<3

Polly Loved Antiques, she'd watch my FB, if I posted something she liked...

or, if she happened to see something she liked on the lawn, while passing by,

within minutes of her seeing it, I'd get a message from Polly...

"That's MINE... Barbie!!"

: ) : ) : )

Hahahahahaha!!!

Polly fell in Love... with the Tin Flowers, back in '22.

; )

Above was our last exchange.

One of our last, long.. visits, Polly said when she retires, she wanted to do...

what I do.

: )

Get in The Business.

<3

She was so Excited.

<3

{I... kinda tried to Warn her...; ) A 'Gypsy's' life... can be Quite 'Interesting'.}

Heartbreaking... that Polly didn't get the chance.

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

Our last conversation... will haunt me, for a long... long, time.

I'm going to post a Tune... above this post, that Polly had posted on FB.

It made us Both...

Smile.

: ) : )

Polly is going to be So Deeply Missed.

Prayers... for All who Loved...

Polly.