The Beat Goes On...

Quite a day, yesterday.... Sweet, Janet and her Darling Sis, Linda, made the trip from Wisconsin, to shop... It's always so wonderful to see 'em! They never fail, to come visit us in Rochester... {Gold Rush} It was a Hot, Sultry day... Steph, and her Darling Daughter, Page, came over to help load a cupboard, for Janet.... Then we went to enjoy a late lunch.... Had a great, long overdue visit... Steph bought a house, nearby, in Fairfax... Check out her blogs... {stephanie brandenberg studios} {fern hill} .... About the post, last night... It's all about 'Life'... I get spinning so fast, I forget to look around...{I'm watching a Spider spin her web, at this very moment... It's amazing} Our incredible Journey through life, is always full of surprises... Just when ya think you have it all figured out, you realize how naive you truly are... And oh, how little you really know... The good thing is... as you are faced with unexpected circumstances, you learn, and grow... {melt down, first... then, stop, look around, get you bearings, and realize... "The Beat Goes On"}... Maybe, it's my age...I would think by now, nothing would surprise me... Well... that's what I get for thinkin'! About being an 'Old Soul'...and Premonitions... I have always been an Old Soul... from my first thought, I can recall.... I know an Old Soul, when I meet them, as well... And, I believe, we all have premonitions... its just, do we choose to see them, or ignore them...{ and are we watching for them... some folks call it intuition... or, an Angel's whisper... I, personally think of it, as a 2x4 in the forehead...wielded buy Angels...if I choose to ignore...} The phrase, 'It is, what it is", has been repeatedly sent my direction, for almost 2 months... It seems to be coming from everywhere... This has been the 'dot', at the end of so many thoughts, and wonders....While I was laying in bed, this morning... I realized, life truly 'Is, What it Is'...and, that's o.k. No worries... Life is good....very good... As time marches on, so must we... Hope everyone has the most Amazing Day.... Barb C.

Premonitions....

Are you an Old Soul?... Do you believe in 'premonitions'?... I am... and do...{ should have paid more attention to the signs...} Some may say I'm 'round the bend'... and they would be absolutely, correct... It's been an unbelievable day... and, there truly, is, no more I can say...ah, except... The Beat Goes On.... God Bless.... Barb C.

I Did My Best... But The Mad Hatter Came Out, in Me....

Oooh.... I did my best... Wrote my very best, professional letter... so, as to not get off track, with an emotional outburst.... Ooooh... I almost made it..... { I get quite passionate, when the object in jeopardy, concerns a loved one, an animal, or something we have worked our selves to death for...and especially what is 'right'... it's an American thing...} I wasn't going to bring up the word 'encroach'... but, after being belittled, by one of the council members... well... all bets were off...{ Have I ever mentioned... at the Very Top, of my priority list, Stands, the Word... 'RESPECT'... it costs nothing, yet... is priceless...I do my best, to give it... and when I'm on the receiving end, of the opposite... Well... Meet The Mad Hatter, Baby....oooh boy....} You would have been proud of me, tho... I didn't say one naughty word...{I still can't believe it... Angels... Angels...} I am a vocalist... used to sing in a band, and at weddings... so I have a pretty good set of pipes... As the Councilman, rolled out his sarcasm, and smirk... I sat there, and listened, 'til he was finished....{ I could feel the Mad Hatter, emerging from somewhere deep in my soul... oh my... I blew... very quickly, and precisely...Eyes locked on his... I wasn't backing down.... and my pipes were singin! I repeatedly called him 'Sir', and stayed on track.... pointed, and respectful...{just a little on the 'loud' side....I didn't know I could talk that fast... and, get my point across, without taking a breath! I think all of the council's hair, was blown back a bit... It was a good thing I brushed my teeth, before I went}....I'll be attending more meetings...{ just to make sure, this proposal goes through, correctly... 2 more readings....}In my Mad Hatter siege, I said, "you folks would never see me... if you wouldn't threaten our way of life... a simple way... live, and let live...all we want to do is work, pay our bills, and breathe"....I think that's when the word 'encroach' slipped out... well, was fired out...like 'buck shot', out of a 12 gauge... oh my.... I was assured, our property is 'grandfathered in'....Well... what about everyone else... I say, if you own property, it's yours to the property line.... Period....{ thankfully, a dear friend of mine is on the council... she is a very calm, and sensible woman... and kept me from doing further damage...} Bless her heart....Thanks to everyone, for sending Angels... I know it was them, that kept me from jumping over the council's table... They all said, it sure was a good thing, I read that newsletter...{ I'm sure they meant it....} I told them, twice... it was the Hand of God, that brought it to my attention... I truly believe that...

I do Love this town... Good people... trying to keep everyone happy... I told them, they really should keep in mind, this is a small town... that's what makes it attractive, to so many...Maybe they should work on keeping it that way...

Oh well... back to 'life'... I hate confrontation...{ I have been 'churning' for 48 hours...} But... I would hate myself, if I stood by, and didn't protect our Livelihood... Some of the folks in town, who have always thought I was 'Mad', now know it as 'fact'... Oh well... like Alice says...

all the best people are...

Barb C.

'Encroachment'....The 'Frog Story'....

My mind has been whirling, all afternoon, about this word...after visiting with our very sweet, and knowledgeable, City Clerk... When I used this word,{encroachment... encroaching...} for my definition, of changing set backs, for fences, from '8' feet from the property lines... to '25'.... Our City Clerk, corrected me, immediately..."This is not 'encroaching'..." Hmmm....It sounds like the City is Encroaching... Her reaction, got me thinkin'... Am I mistaken... Am I using this word, out of text? So, when I got home, the first thing I did, was look up the word 'Encroach'...{I told her, this morning, I'm not too bright... I'm no Lawyer, after all... Just seems to me, if we are paying taxes... tons of taxes, on this property, on every square inch of it... well, I thought, we should be able to use every square inch of it...the fence should really be 'on' the property line... after all, we maintain it... every square inch of it...{along with the City's and State's land, John mows...}I asked her, what the land would be good for, the 'set back' area... she thought we could enjoy it, as a yard...{we are taxed, 100% Commercial, on our entire property... every inch of it... even the creek bottom.... I do a lot of sweating, twice a year...Every inch, is very precious...} hmmm I'll tell the Farmer that... he can't use his set back area, to grow anything... I can't use mine, to sell anything... we're talking thousands of square feet...between 6,000 and 12,000... oh my....} So, after looking up the definition... I find... I was using the word, exactly, the way it was intended... Here's what I read, for the definition... En-croach 1. To advance beyond proper, established, or usual limits: Make gradual inroads: 2. To trespass upon the property, domain or rights of another, esp. stealthily or by gradual advances. Hmmm. Yep, I think I was using the word 'Encroaching' correctly. This is truly what I meant to say... The 'Gradual Inroads'.... Yeah... That's it... Have you ever heard the 'Frog Story'? Oh, I'm sure you have.... this seems fitting... There once was a Frog... He was asked, if he'd like to bask, in a wonderful pool...{I'm sure it was a Big City pool} He was thrilled... He bailed in... the water was lovely... it kept getting warmer, and warmer... ahhhhh.... it was like a wonderful Sauna... Ooops... 'til he was cooked... That Sauna, was soon boiling....You see... we are like The Frog... We trust others, to control the fire... That's all well and good, until it isn't... Wake up... Speak up... I'm NOT ASKING FOR MORE!{ I'm asking for, much, much less...} I'm asking, to be left alone, in my little Lily Pond...This is Our Piece of Dirt... Just let us live, and survive... Fairfax, is a small town... I have lived here, going on 30 years... It has grown, by leaps and bounds...Other folks want a small town life, too... The funny thing is, once they live here, they want Big City Rules... I say, if you don't like it... the Big City would Love to have you back.... I'd love you as a neighbor, but, leave the baggage, at the City Limit Sign... I'm going before the Council, tomorrow night... I didn't have time to get on the agenda... oh well... I'll wait, and speak at the end of the meeting... I thank God, for bringing this, to my attention... I am the Passive Frog... Usually throw this little paper away... Too Busy! But... not yesterday... I was pitching mail, and when I got to this... something said, "You had better read it..."... oh my... God does work in mysterious ways... My stomach hates this... but... my Heart says it's the right thing to do.... These folks, know all the 'ins and outs'... but... I know what's right, and what's wrong... I may be no Lawyer, but I'll do my best... Like my Dad would say... "Just do your best... that's all you can do... If you have done your best, there will be no regrets..." I'll keep ya posted... {put me in your prayers... it's me against the 'Giants!' ahhh... what the hay... a few more battle scars... I'm gettin' pretty used to 'em...} Barb C.

Illinois Bound...

Headed South, to make a delivery... then East... across the Mighty Miss. Have a very diverse day, ahead... City Council, is making changes to the codes, and will be having a hearing, tomorrow night... Seems when changes are made, and more is added,to 'clarify'... the People lose... So, I'm going to City Hall, look over the proposed changes, and see how much we are{potentially} going to lose... I have been asked to run for council, a time or two... have been flattered, just to be considered... but, have always declined... Why.... We have much more power, sitting on this side of the room... 'The Peoples' chair... We tend to forget that... We The People... have a voice... we should be using it... Then, down the road... Have a harvest table to get, and a few other things... then, back to Cedar Rapids, to help a friend, with some business... It's going to be a 'Brain Rattler', today... I just want to have a peaceful day... After I wrote this...'a peaceful day'... I turned to my Streams... realizing, I will be confronted today, by Giants... I hate confrontation... just when life seems to be perkin' along... a brick is thrown in your path, of contentment... Why is that? Ah, yes... It's those pruning shears, again... They clip, and cut.... a painful thing... but, after the pruning, we grow and grow... Vigorously... Tho, I know I would so much enjoy the day, just letting my mind wander, down the highway... I would not be learning much... I have a feeling... there's gonna be some serious gardening going on...I'll put it in God's hands... He knows exactly what I need, today... A little trim, here and there, I'm ready! Hope Everyone has an Amazing Day! Barb C.

Vintage Concrete Fountain...

This was one of my favorite purchases, yesterday... Love the Gnarliness, of the moss, that has dressed it's surface, perfectly... Found it at the show, in Bishop Hill... The little boys, seem quite content, in their new home... the South Green House, at the shop... Barb C.

Antique Shoppin' 'til we were Droppin'!

We Started out at 6:00 a.m. and it's going on 9:00 p.m..... We had a GREAT Day! Our first stop was at Apple Ann's Show, in Alpha, Ill. { Alpha... first stop... hmmm... there is something Biblical here....} It was an adorable show... Very fun! Great prices... Allyson bought some wonderful stoneware bowls... and 2 neat old Cane Fishing Poles... I bought all sorts of stuff... Everything from wonderful lace, to an Alabaster lamp... The weather was amazing... and people were crawling all over!

Our next stop was Bishop Hill... It was a wonderful show... It was difficult to find a place to park!!! Tons, and tons of people! This is Michelle, and her Darling Mom... They are the Sweetest Girls... I bought a huge stack of heart shaped cake tins from them... I could have bought soooo much more.... Their Ironstone prices were wonderful... { the punch bowl is haunting me... only 125.00.... what was I thinking....} You must go visit their store, in Dubuque, Iowa! 'Willows' 471 W, 4th Street... {563- 690-1593} If you love country, you will Love Willows!

Here is Dale and Allyson... We were quite the trio! Had a wonderful time, and we are thinking about taking a trip to Brimfield, this Fall...... Just for fun! Yeah!!! We'll see... I'll have to do some serious saving up!

This is just a blink, of the Bishop Hill Show... It was amazing!

Here's Mary Ann... { Erenbergers Antiques... 'F' Street Amana, Iowa... {319-622-3230} She had sold, and sold... She has an amazing store... It's a 'Must See', if you Love Early American Country....

I bought this darling, old, old iron legged wash bench... I'm so glad I snagged it, when I did... I saw one person, after another, try to buy it... I also bought the old pillow, ticking...that is resting on top of it...Love it's form...

Bought the gnarly 3 drawered stand, and the wonderful drawer, that is resting on top... I Love The Drawer... it is covered in the most beautiful, Victorian velvet fabric... oh my...

Ahhh... Ziggys... This darling shop, is in Galesburg, Illinois... I have shopped there, for years.... Never leave, empty handed... Today was no different... Bought this wonderful, 1960's, blue and white coverlet, from one of my favorite Gals... It has Angels On it!!!! Be sure and stop, at Ziggy's, when traveling through... He's on the Main Drag... You can't miss him... He's always open... and always has something new in!

Funny... I was just talking to Joan, {anything goes here} about stone fruit...I never can buy it... too expensive... I found 7, beautiful pieces, today, 2 wonderful clusters of grapes... a peach, lemon, orange, pear, and banana at our last stop... for 12.00.... All of it... Oh my... It now belongs to Allyson... She is starting a collection... What a wonderful, affordable start....

I have many more treasures to unpack... it was a great day... I love all of the places we stopped... Found some great Garden... a darling old glider, with tulips in the seats...one of the most darling fountains... beautiful glass...and, a 7 foot harvest table, that I have to go back to Illinois, to retrieve...We all brought back treasures... Ran in to so many folks, I knew... Wanda and Terry, from Gatherings, Anamosa, Iowa...{gatherings iowa} She said after reading yesterdays post, couldn't get the vision out of her mind... me, with a wet 'T' shirt... It is a scary thought.... Try being the one, in the 'T' shirt.... She was haulin' loads and loads out, too.... Larry and Linda... 'Painted Pony', Susan Shire, Gwen, The Moffit's... and sooo many more... { I woke up, and was horrified! I didn't mention Matt and Sarah... or Colleen... Daryl.... See... this is what happens... when you get old... brain lapses... ahhhh... they know I love 'em...}It was a good day...

Hope your day, was even better!

Barb C.

Dale, Allyson and I... are headed for Bishop Hill!

We are leaving, in the wee hours... I really shouldn't be writing, and sippin' UV Blue, and ginger ale... I should be in the shower...and then in the sack... However... I wanted to fill you in, about this darling show... It's in Western, central Illinois, and is very sweet...I am sure, we will have a wonderful time... always do! It's primarily Country... but fun... on the small side, but, always has good quality! I spent today, workin' in the shop... and Green house.. it was pretty toastie... So... around 3, I was filling up the fountain, in the green house... and sweating... my eyes were burnin' from all the sweat... I hadn't had a soul in... so... I turned the hose on me... from the top of my head, down to my toes... as luck would have it... a customer pulled up... Here I am... looking like a contestant, for the 'Simply Iowa Wet 'T' Shirt Contest'.... oh my... Lucky me... it was only our Banker's wife... pulling up, in her Lincoln SUV....Really... Lucky me... it was our Wonderful Banker's wife... Donna...{ Small town Banks... Gotta love 'em... I really Gotta....} Donna was also, my Junior High Home Ec, teacher...{she looks younger than me... I hate her!} { No... really... I love her...} I was still, quite embarrassed... she was wonderful, and found a gnarly old planter, that her dear husband, will hate... and blame me... so... it was a gift...no one argues with a gift... and certainly won't hold a grudge... I delivered it, to their home... then, came home...I spied Sally... she was calling my name... grabbed some great CD's, put the top down, and hit the road! Sally and I took a spin.... went to see Dale... and Mark...I am trying to get rid of my Farmer's tan... for the first time, in a long, long time... I have a Muscle Shirt on... No one covered their eyes and ran... so, I must be o.k. Have I said, how much I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!.... Oh my.... I feel totally LIBERATED!!! I had 2 people, at the gas station, this afternoon, say how much they like the car.... All I could say is...ME TOO!!!!... I asked John to take me for a spin, tonight, he declined, said it was too hot, outside... Oh well... If it's just me, and Sally... We'll be just fine... Hope Everyone has a GREAT SATURDAY! Barb C.

Oh My... Those Texas Boys... Where Do They Find Their Stuff....

You must.... check out {leftovers antiques} they follow me... I follow them... Their Christmas Ornaments are the most darling little things.... I just came up for lunch, and checked out their blog.... I about fell over... Someone, spent a lifetime, making them...and then obviously cherished them... they appear to be in perfect condition..... they are Simply...Sweet... Where do they find this stuff? Barb C.

It is... What It is....

the right side, crown piece is gone...

it has heavy wainscoting, for the back... with great old paint...

these are the flour bin hinges, and the mouse chew...

inside the flour bin... a few spidies, but good...

red paint, on the side.. this may be the original color, or on top of the white... John was helping... we had to unload the entire truck, to get this to the tail of the FUSO... he wasn't waiting for me to dissect this cupboard... the white smear on the flour bin side,{directly under the drawer} is spray wax... I wanted to slick up the old bin, to help it slide...

this is the base side... cut out for a trim board...

Janet wanted to see some detailed images, of the old farm cupboard, I bought on the 4th... It needs a bath... it needs hinges on the bin... they are rusted through... we will put the 2 door latches on...{ closest match we have of them}for the quoted price.... the hinges would be extra... it has some red paint, on the left side... It measures, 59 inches wide, and about 6 feet tall, and 20 inches deep...It still has it's original dough boards... and is sound... no dry rot... just a few mouse chews... The bin, is dirty, but, sound... the drawers are heavy, there is nothing flimsy about this old cupboard... I'd say it is from the turn of the last century... It is... what it is... in my opinion, for the money... it's a 'no brainer'....That's just me... I don't mind scrubbing an old cupboard... Actually... I enjoy it...But... That's just me...

Barb C.