The Hen House... is...Purged...oh... my....

 

 

oh...my... Lord....

Maurina...and I...

have totally... Gutted... The Hen House...

oh my...

When we first opened the door....

it was a SOLID... Wall...

{remember... I just... Gutted the Greenhouse!

oh DEAR!

It all... Had to Go...

Somewhere!!! : ) }

Maurina keeps saying...

in total Bewilderment...

as she stands... gazing... into the Growing... Mountain...

just outside...the Hen House Door...

"I can't believe... all of this... was inside... this Hen House..."

: )

oh my...

We Have... PILES....

of Gnarliness... Strewn... outside....

Everything... from Victorian Glass...

to Mid Century...Draperies!

There was Civil War Era... Fragments...

and Depression Era... Paper...

Old Books.... Lighting... Kitchen...Gadgets...

Cupboards... Workbenches...

oh my...

I'll have images in the Morn...

ran out of daylight...

oh...dear...

Don't Miss The Fall Harvest Sale...!!!

and...

Bring...

A...

Truck!

: )

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{just poured a glass...of Whiskey....

Trust me...

after...today...

I need it...

whew...

I'm...

Breathless!

Cheers!!!! }
{for the record... I am...into 'Wine...and Roses'...
and...
Cuervo Gold... Margaritas...
and...
Champagne.... when it's...called for... : )
but...
after a day... like today...
it's
Yukon Jack....
Blended...
Whiskey...
all... the way... Home... : ) }
{I do...'turn my nose up'... to 'Beer'...
what can I say...
: ) }
 

 

 



Gathering...for The Fall Harvest Sale... October 3rd thru 6th!

This little Jug...was made around the turn, of the last...century....
I bought it... a month ago...and brought it...inside...  loved the Owl... for Fall...
It will be on The Fall Harvest Sale....

I'm... gathering....

and pulling....

from an Old...Barn....

and...

even...

my...

House...

{don't know... exactly 'what'... yet...

maybe... an Early Cupboard... or two... Stoneware...

Wooden ware....

but...

there will be a pile...}

Friends... and Neighbors... are bringing things...

as well....

oh my...

The Buildings...are Full...

The Shop...is Full...

and...I have no idea... what's coming in...

but... it'll be Fun...Affordable... Old...Stuff...

: )

See more info...on the right...

under The Events...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

The Beatles - The Long And Winding Road [w/ lyrics]

The Long... and Winding...Road...

 

I sat... at the laptop... this Morn...

digesting... Strong...Swill...

The last... many days...

and...the ones...

that lay...ahead....

My head...in my hands...

as... my brain... covered...more miles...in minutes... than all of our old vehicles...

combined... ever have...

I raised my head... glanced out...the window...

and saw this....

: )

 

 

 

I took this and the below... images... as I was driving home....

Saturday...

So many things... people...and memories... flooded my brain...

as I drove.... the hour...away....

my eyes...kept...falling to...the shoulder... of the highway....

and... remembered... riding on Horseback.... bareback... along this road....

took us... 2 days....

long...days.... to ride...these 60...plus... miles...

I was...thirteen.... again... when...I was...fourteen....

the last time...

I was 15...

My Beloved... Horse... I rode... was killed... that year...

struck by lightning...

the year after...

my Best Friend...

who rode... with....on this journey....

was killed... in a car accident...

I was one of her Poll Bearers...

I'm glad... I didn't know then...what I know...now...

The Highway....

the road....

always... makes me think....

My Saturday drive... was a very...difficult one...

on many...many...levels...

but...a 'healing'... one... as well...

I had someone...say to..me...Saturday...

she thought my Dad... was a "Bull Shitter"...

and...told Tall Tales....

I was proud... of myself...

: )

'The Hatter'... kept his...'shit'... together....

{I was...very afraid... he might... not... given the place...he was...put....and nearly... didn't... go... Saturday...because... of him...always... wearing his emotions... on his sleeve...}

I... listened... to Dad's... stories....as well... growing up...

 but... more importantly.... I Lived... many of them... at his side....

I told her... she obviously... didn't know the same Man...I did...

He...was...

 a

 'Big Fish'....

I suppose... some...wouldn't believe... my stories... either...

couldn't comprehend.... riding 60 miles.... bareback... along...a major...highway....

 just two... little girls....

{13...going...on 40}

camping out... along the road....

anymore... than Dad...teaching himself...to fly...a little Aeronca Champ... plane....

and flying it between a bridge... and the river....

Dad.... didn't... 'Tell Stories'....

He...Lived them...

ahhhh.... the long and winding...road....

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{these...stories... are a couple... out of thousands....

every day...

is...

an...

'Adventure'...

The...Journey...

There are many stories... within...these...

minute... by....

minute...

all...Fact...

I couldn't begin... to make these...up....

neither... could....Dad...

They wouldn't begin...to hold a Candle... to The Truth....}

 

 

 

whispers...

Hearts...

I have gathered hearts... for years...

well...

for over 25 years...

since I lost...Dad...

I see them... in most...unexpected places...

exactly... when I need to... most...

they are like...little 'winks'... from him...

that touch me... find me...

in my darkest...hour...

I don't clean the webs...away... and.. keep adding to them...

{this...is an old image... there have been...many others...added... }

as...they come...to me...

sometimes... in the form...of a scrap...of aluminum foil...

or... an old...locket... that just happens to catch my eye.... in a very unexpected place...

maybe... a leaf... that somehow found it's way... inside...

with a gust...of  wind... through a Snow Storm...

Today...

for the very first time...

I pulled one... from the mass...

It was the early...Harness Brass...

at the top...

to the back...of the gnarly old... heart...pincushion...

I have gathered...several... here and there...

over the years...

but...

that...one...

found me...

just when I needed it to...

I do... believe... Dad... had his hand... in mine...today...

and... sharing the story... with... one of my Dad's...Favorite Girls....

{I haven't really... spoken to her... in 26 years....}

and...the little...heart...Horse Harness...Brass....

was meant to be...

and...giving her... the message... that I know...

Dad...sent through me... to her...

How Very...Much...

he Loved and Admired her...

on every... level...

She... meant..more than she ever knew... to him...

{He'd Sing...her Praises...to me... as we...traveled together... when I was young...}

She...was Deeply...Loved...

Dad...was Humbled...by her Strength....

and Accomplishments....

I felt... as she is... fighting a battle now...

she needed to hear...

that she is... Stronger... than she may... realize...

Dad... always... always... knew it...

so do I....

It was...a Beautiful... Day...

in every way....

Love to ya...

Barb C.

 

 



Traces...

Yesterday's...Treasures...
These Old...Old... {late 1800's } cloth covered books... came from a Lovely...
Amish Woman's Home...
She was delighted.. that I...loved all of her things...
as much...as I would so... love to keep everything from her....
I explained to her... I have to sell...
however...
I assured her... I will find the most... perfect... Homes... for these treasures....
From...the tiny sewing basket... to the beautiful... Pearl Buttons....
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a difficult... journey...today...

Wish...I could say... it would be... back breaking work....

no...

I have to address.... matters... of the heart....

I have struggled with it...all night...

and... most of my adult...life....

A journey......on Dad's...behalf....

I can feel him...here... with me....

Pray for me...

: )

Love to ya...

Barb C.

 

This Little Light of Mine

Shades of Gray... The Fall Harvest Sale... beginnings...

Got the Old Sign...repainted...front and back.... yesterday....
It's Smiling...at Everyone...
Rolling Down...151!!!

 

 

yes...
this is going to be...
a Great....Sale... : )

 

I found some Gnarly...Old...Old... Handmade.... Pieces....
and...some very Cool... Knives.....
We're Digging...and Digging!
Had a Huge...Storm Blow Through...last night...
I tied the tent down....
on every corner...
 stacked a Pile...of Iron Screw Jacks....at one corner... wired them all together...and to the post...
a Tree... a Huge...Concrete Column.... and a Fence Post... to the others...
Thank God.... for...
W I R E...
It's still standing...
{I didn't even want to look.... as the Sun...came up.... I heard them talking about The Storm Damage...and 'debris'.... that's all over.. the area.... this morn.... : ( }
she's holding water.... on the side....
but she made it through 60 to 70  mph winds....
or better....
 

 

It's been fun....transforming the Tent....
from Mad Hatter...
to
Early...Iowa... Farm....
ahhhh...
Primitives....
Old...Tin... Baskets.... Feed and Seed Sacks.....
Graniteware...
Crocks...
and...
Loads...
of Straw!
{All....The Buildings...will be OPEN this Sale....
along with Several Tents....
and...
The Entire...
Lawn! }

 

The Old...Sow... is so...very Content...
nose... buried... in...Old Linens....
: )
I adore... this Old...Gal....
I reworked her...from the Mad Tea Party...display....
to... The Farm... House....
: )
She is...Happy... any which way...
I have two... that are for sale...
and...one...
that will Forever... be The Door Greeter....
at The Rabbit Hole...
Love... These... Hogs!

 

Fun...California...Folks!
from
Eton Studio
They popped in...on their way Home...
to Californy!
We Loaded Them Up!
I let them Dig...through the Sheds....
oh dear... : )
No Worries....
There will be...LOADS.... coming in...and some things... Buried.... that will be unearthed...
{I haven't seen...in Years.... }
at The Fall Harvest Sale...
This...Sale... Is Gonna Be...a Big One!
Wear Your Grubbies!
and...
Bring a TRUCK!!!!
{Truck... and TRAILER! Like My Californy...Friends!}

 

Tiffany...and...
Henry...
: )
I was Delighted to meet... 'Henry'... yesterday....
Two Weeks...Old!
and ...Absolutey... Precious!
Tiffany is...  Friend...Maurina's... Darling Daughter....
what a Gift...it was...to have them...stop by...The Rabbit Hole....
Maurina... popped out... a few days ago... as I began... taring things apart...for preparation... of The Fall Harvest Sale...
and...
refused...to leave me....
She has come...every day.... and busted butt....
She's gutting...The Hen House....
and... will be bringing things...to The Fall Harvest Sale....
I haven't seen...Maurina... for...ever....
what a Blessing...she has been...
Like...Carolyn....
and...our Peg...
she keeps my feet...to the fire...
I tend to Fall....Down...The Rabbit Hole... and play...with the Toys...
get...sentimental..... remembering....
where things...came from....
and... ponder... about their 'journey'....
{I drive...Peg...Nuts!}
Speaking...of Peg... Please...continue to keep her..in your Prayers...
she... is going through a 'rough patch'....  and...needs them...so....
: )
and...
I hope...with me...you'll Pray... for All... who Suffer...
I can't...watch the news...anymore....
I just...Pray....
and...play....
down the rabbit hole...
: )
{ I also... Thank God.... for All...of the Gifts...and Blessings....
yes... things... are a tuff....
but...
 We are All... so Very Blessed.... in...so Very...Many...Ways.... : ) }
Love...to ya...
Barb C.

{as I was painting...the Fall Harvest Sale...sign....
a friend... from years ago....
stopped...as he was driving past...
I've known him...since I was 16...
He asked what I was up to....
Lord... I was a Mess...
Dirty...bare feet... wearing... the day...before's... clothes....
no... make up....
sweating...
{it was...HOT...}
hair...pulled up...in a Messy...Twist....
{oh dear.... and...I have put on...MANY...Pounds....oh dear...}
we visited.... as I kept...painting..away....
we said...our "Good-byes"....
he began...to pull away....
stopped....
and said...
"Hey...Barb... you sure are lookin' good"....
THAT....
made my day....
I know... I'm not....
yet...
I bowed....The Mad Hatter... Curtsy... and Thanked Him....
tho...
my first...inclination...was to Fiercely...Argue...the fact...and tell him to go directly to get his eyes....examined!!!
instead...
I...took...that compliment...
I needed... it...
and...felt...Blessed...by it....
You...Never...know...what a Kind...word.... can do...for a person....
I told him...I loved him... for that...
: )
Tell somebody... they're 'Lookin' Good'... on your travels... today...
and watch 'em...SMILE! }
 

Fall Harvest Sale... October 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th... 8 a.m. 'til Dusk...Daily...

Fall Harvest Sale

October 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th...

8 a.m. 'til Dusk...

Daily...

Friends and Neighbors

will be Filling The Lawn...

The Buildings will be Brimming...

with Old... Treasures...

Early Iowa...

Farm and Farmhouse...

Pieces...

Linens...Lace...Clocks...

Cupboards... Harvest Tables....

Quilts... Concrete Statuary...

Primitives... of every shape and size...

Early...Glass...Silver, and Silverplate..

Feed Sacks... Nesting Boxes...

Oil Paintings... Prints... Crocks...

Woodenware....

always...at affordable prices...

Wear Your Grubbies...

and

Bring a Truck...

Located on Hi Way 151

Fairfax, Iowa...

{look for the '49 Ford Panel Truck on the curve}

 



Keep Growing...

 

I slept in...

this morning...

It was a long...last week....

It felt so...good... with the cool... sheet... wrapped around me...

and Polly... snuggled up...next to me....

when I awoke...

the Hot... nights... a thing... of the past....

It feels...like Fall...

finally...

My mind...has been whirling....

this morn...

with the conversations... I enjoyed... with folks...

throughout the last many days...

and... thinking back...on the discussions...

I have had... with friends...{Mentors...} who are long... gone...away...

Eudora... Libby...Dad... Chery...

and those... I haven't seen... for so long...

yes...I hear them...

I don't know... if it's because... I am a bit weary....

or...

at a 'Turning Point'...a 'Cross Roads'...

in my life...

that sends my mind... and thoughts... so...very deep....

I sat...and explained... or...didn't...

I tried...

to a dear friend... Saturday...

to put my finger... on exactly... what I am... reaching for...

but... could only show her... by gesturing... in thin air... feeling...'it'...or something...

that was so...close... yet... I can't quite... grasp it...

Thinking about it now....

it was like... Scarlett... in Gone with the Wind...

having a reoccurring Dream...

and running through the 'mist'....

searching... for it... but... never quite.... finding it...

When she was asked...what was she searching for...

she said...she didn't know...

"It was hidden in the Mist"....

I have visited...with The Lord... in depth...

about it...

I watched... Joel Osteen... this morning...

a wonderful... sermon...

"Keep Growing"...

I think... that's all... I can do...

keep...busy....

keep...working....

keep...thinking...

keep...

growing...

and.. hopefully...

catch up...with whatever...

 is

hidden...

in

The Mist...

and...always... be so...very...

Thankful...

for those...

here and...beyond...

that... listen...

guide...

and...

encourage...

Love to ya...

Barb C.