GOLD RUSH!!! Fairgrounds Rochester, MN. {and... That Damned Horse.}

Loading...at Home, was quite an event.

oh my. 

; )

I, pushed...and, shoved....loaded...and, loaded.

Drove 180 miles...North, to Rochester, MN.

I, Gotta Tell ya...

The Wind, Must...have been blowin' Strong...from the South!

 That, Old...FUSO, was Haulin' Ass!!! 

We were Passing Semis...on Two Lane Roads! 

That, rarely...happens. : ) 

He has a Tiny...little 4 Cylinder Diesel Engine.

 <3 <3 <3, 

but....

it Runs like a little Sewing Machine!!! : ) }

We had a Good...Load, on. : )

Five... of my Favorite...Girls.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

I, promised I wouldn't post this...picture.

I, Lied. <3 

I, Love...and, Appreciate Them...All, So Very Much. <3 

Saturday, wasn't so good, for Sales...until about an hour, before the doors closed.

Then...

BIG STUFF...

Sold.

oh my. 

The FUSO...will be much Happier, heading South. : )

<3 

That...

Damned...

Horse.

How, many times...over my lifetime, have I said That.

I, grew up...with Horses.

I, 'Know'...them, well.

<3 <3 <3 

Love Them.

I bought this one, on Friday.

Late..today, I pulled his price tag.

I'd priced Him...at half, of what most...other's would.

He, didn't 'sell'.

Tonight..

He's...Sold.

to, me.

<3

He's...

Coming

Home.

<3 

Reminds me, so....

of the Old...

Carousel Horse, John...bought for me.

{That, I was So Angry, at the time...he did. <3 

We needed Money, not..a Horse. 

John, thought differently.}

<3

Every picture...I had, time...to capture, today...

'That Damned Horse'

was

Stealing The Show!!!

<3 <3 <3 

yes, 

I, think...he's...kinda, 'Special'.

<3 <3 <3 

A, Friend...

'Fellow Dealer',

 came by, this afternoon....at Gold Rush.

He, wanted to 'Gift'...me with something.

<3

He, has Amazing...Things.

I've Loved...his Collections, for Decades.

I, have so Much...to get done, alone...I haven't been able to shop, or..visit.

When, I walked into his booth, I about...dropped.

 <3

EVERYTHING...

was...

Amazing.

<3 <3 <3 

He, and I...share, The Love...of 'Old'.

'Soulfulness'.

<3

Priceless.

{I, can't write, anymore..about 'this'...'Journey', today. It's a long...one. }

Yeah, I'm...Tired.

Had to pick up...the Amazing, Stained Glass...Clock Dial, I'd bought from Pal...Laurie, yesterday morning...

today.

It's very fragile.

As we were trying to figure out, the Best...way, for me to Carry It, to my building...

I spotted a Gal, looking at a Tiara, that Laurie...had.

Holy Smokes!!

I, told Laurie, if she passes, I'll buy it. : )

{It was nine dollars.}

It, would be Perfect...for Our Granddaughter's...Pictures!!!

The, lady...'passed'. 

{oh my. }

I, couldn't carry, the fragile Clock Dial, and....the Boxed, 'Tiara'. 

So, I told Laurie, to save the Box, and...I'd put the Tiara on my head, and take them to my booth.

I, forgot about the 'Tiara'...on my head, until much...later, when I was Complimented. : )

Hahahahaha!!

Here's... The Deal.

I'm...not a Princess.

I'm...

The 

Queen.

<3

We...

All...

Are.

<3

{Kings, and... Queens }

Love,

Yourselves...

Today.

: ) 

<3 

Love, To You...

Barb C.

{Please...Pray, for all..who Struggle, and...hurt. There are many. }

'When you say nothing at all' by Alison Krauss with lyrics

Headin' to Gold Rush! { Fairgrounds in Rochester MN.!}

Packing, and Gathering....this morning.

: )

oh my.

: )

We'll be in the Graham North Building, at The Fairgrounds, in Rochester!

Under The Visitors Banner, as...always. : )

Show runs Friday, thru Sunday!

Opens at 8 a.m. Daily!

Hope...to See Ya!

The last couple of days, have been, quite....insane.

Not, in a good way. 

: (

I spent several hours...yesterday with Scout, our Horse.

There's Nothing.... like a Horse's Gentle...Spirit, to calm a troubled mind.

They, always seem to know, when heart's are heavy, and your soul is searching.

: )

Scout... kept putting his head, over my shoulder, and... letting it rest there.

Hugging me, in his own...loving way. 

I, just...stood there, with him... for the longest time...loving on him.

Muzzle kisses, and rubbing his back.

: )

Feeling his mane...on my face, and smelling his wonderful....coat, was such a gift. 

: )

Should've been loading, but... I, simply...needed to spend time, with the Old...Boy, and...

decompress.

So, this morning....I have a lot to get done, in not...a lot of time.

The load I'm taking...isn't what I usually bring.

It'll be a different 'Simply Iowa'. 

Well, I need to get movin'!

Hope to See You, at Gold Rush!!!

Love, to Ya!

Barb C. 

Get Me Through December

Changing...of Seasons.

Saturday...

After picking up Sweetie's ashes, I stopped at Hoppy's in La Porte City, Iowa.

That's where our beloved...Vet, has his office.

Visited with Dave, and Shelly...for a bit, then...

headed for Home.

I missed my turn, and...was heading towards Palo.

I'd thought about going to see Kathy Zeller, she, and her Husband, Bill...

have a Wonderful Place, at their Home, in Palo, Iowa.

I've known Kathy, and Bill...for nearly 30 years.

Hadn't been to their place, for many....many...years.

With the 'Jungle', growing by leaps, and bounds, I'm in search of Garden arches, to hold the Wild Grapes, and Bittersweet...Up, and out of pathways.

I, knew...Kathy, might have a few.

: )

However...as I was driving, I'd talked myself out of going.

Just... wanted to get Home, and...retreat, with Sweetie.

Jethro, had other plans.

{Mustang}

Couldn't believe I missed my turn. 

It was a Blessing, to see Kathy's Gardens.

: )

She works Tirelessly in them.

<3

Just...the 'Peace'...I needed. 

Kathy rubbed her eyes, when she saw me standing at her Garden Gate. 

: )

Yes... it's been too long.

She, is Such...a Dear Soul.

<3 <3 <3 

As predicted....Kathy had a Huge Arch, that will work, in one spot.

I'll need to find a few more. 

Below, are a few images of Kathy's Garden.

<3

Much...more Spectacular in person. 

Not sure...of her Hours.

I went on a Saturday, I'd guess...she'd be around through the Summer, on Saturdays.

Palo, is a small town, once you get there, ask most anyone...where The Zeller's live, they'll point ya there.

It's Beautiful.

<3 

I so...enjoyed strolling through Kathy, and Bill's... Beautiful Gardens.

They, are Lovely...Lovely....People.

<3

Below... are a few images, I captured, while sorting...and packing, down the rabbit hole, on Sunday.

It was a busy afternoon. 

Had to get things cleared for a table that was leaving.

It was so..sultry.

Standing completely still, would bring sweat to your brow.

Turns out, a Tornado was sighted not far from us, that late afternoon.

That seems so rare, in August.

I was going through...tons of 'littles', from the Old...Victorian House, sale.

Takes me a long times, to go through the old...soulful. 

It's all...so beautiful.

I have a weakness for handmade...anything.

Love... vintage handwork.

This old, old...Sewing Box, has worn..velvet pin cushions on either side.

: )

It dates from the later 1800's.

So...precious.

: )

As I was making coffee this morning, stood in the kitchen...

and had a 'Wave'...of 'Fall', rush through me.

I'm not ready...for 'Fall'.

I, do...Love It, but....

not ready, to start thinking about Winter.

Not sure...exactly, what's happened to Spring, and Summer.

: (

This...year is slipping by, so fast.

: (

Daughter, Liz...and Miss. Scarlett, stopped by, on Sunday afternoon.

As Scarlett stood by the entrance to the rabbit hole, she looked like she'd grown four inches since I'd seen her last, just a few weeks ago.

Time Marches On.

Too Fast.

I'm heading to work...today.

Took the day off, yesterday.

 Needed to rest my spirit, a little.

Josey Wales, our Lawyer...

sent me an e-mail...about the Court mess, the city of Fairfax, is bringing against us, over our Chickens, we've had here...for over 30 years. 

{retaliation, for losing their suicide trail, along Highway 151. }

That'll be in early September.

oh...my.

This is Daughter, Liz... holding one of her Beloved, Barred Rock Hen's...Eggs.

Liz, was so Proud...of her Hens.

This, was in 1996, or 97.

Our Grandchildren, have also enjoyed the Chickens, and caring for them.

<3 <3 <3 

We've all, enjoyed the Fresh Eggs..those Beauties have provided.

I've again...went vegetarian...these Beautiful Eggs, are one of my major sources of Protein.

I've went back and forth, over the years....keeping meat, out of my diet.

I, just....can't eat it, anymore.

I, don't feel good....when I eat it, and... I, guess...I feel, if I can't bring myself to 'kill', anything...how, can I expect anyone to 'kill'...for me.

I, Love...Animals, so.

<3 <3 <3 

I don't want to have them... sacrifice, for me.

Well, have Much...to get done.

Better get hoppin'.

Love, to each and Everyone, today.

<3

Please...remember to keep all, who suffer, in your Prayers.

<3 

Barb C. 

{Posted 'Get me through December', by Alison Krauss, above.

It seemed the perfect tune...for today.

When I felt that 'Wave'...of Fall, this morning....it took me right to December. 

Skipped right over....Fall. }

Alison Krauss - But You Know I Love You

Blue...Sunday.

I sit outside, by the drive....

 and sip...my coffee, most...every Pretty Morning.

I, enjoy...the quiet, and...as the moments pass, watching the traffic pick up, seeing Folks, getting along, to where they need to be. : ) 

This morning, sitting there,

a Huge, Wave...of Sorrow, took me in her Grips.

: (

There's been a little, too much, this week.

Seeing, Peg's, Beloved...Michael, bringing so many of Peg's...Treasures, back...to the rabbit hole.

Looking in his eyes, and...seeing such Brokenness.

: (

Nothing...I can say, or do, to ease....his pain. 

: (

He, brought back, so many...many, wonderful memories...that Peg, and I shared.

oh, my.

Our...Peg.

This time...of year, several years ago, Peg....and me, headed to Gold Rush.

John.

: )

<3

The Man.

The Myth.

The...Legend.

: )

Sittin' under His...Beloved, Old...Oak.

Looking Over...His Kingdom. 

<3 <3 <3 

His...'Sanctuary'.

<3 <3 <3 

John, and...me, driving Miss. Sally, around The Lake.

John, and his Beloved...Nicky.

<3 <3 <3 

They are sitting at my Beloved Sister, Chery's...Memorial, we have here...for her.

<3 <3 <3 

John, Loved...Chery...So. : ) <3 <3 <3 

{If John, liked You...that, was Really...Something.

If, John...Loved You, well...That, was Priceless. <3 

John, carried Chery's obituary in his wallet. He, also had his former Father in Law's.

When John, Loved...and, Respected, someone, he Truly...Did. <3 }

John's last...Birthday.

We went for a drive... and ran across Son, Justin...Katie, and little 'J', at one of our 

'Long Ago...Favorite Fishin' Holes'. : )

That, was a Wonderful...Surprise. <3 

Our...Peg.

Just after doing a 'Shit Show'!!!

We were Covered in Mud!!!

Sweetie Pie.

What a Wonderful...Wonderful... Blessing, Sweetie was, in my life.

She saved...my life.

When I fell down the basement stairs... Sweetie, held the basement door.

It has a spring latch.

Had she not stood there, {I found out, later...Sweetie stood there, for nearly two hours.}

The door, would've latched.

I, couldn't have opened it.

I could barely...climb up the stairs.

It, was like...climbing a Mountain. 

I, saw...Peg, too.

She Ordered me...Up Those Stairs.

<3 

{Peg, had a Way...of getting me to Move, even...when, I really...didn't want to. : ) }

I remember... when I finally, reached the top....I laid on the kitchen floor, and...on the stairs.

My body, held....the door.

Sweetie, kept Kissing my face. 

: ) <3 <3 <3 

I, couldn't walk, couldn't... stand.

Had, to crawl...through the house, on my broken arm...and, didn't know it, at the time., my severely...

lacerated leg, to get to my phone...at the other end, of the house.

If...Sweetie, wouldn't have held that door, I, may have bled to death.

I'd been unconscious, for nearly...two hours, at the bottom of the steps.

{I, didn't know that, until a couple of days later. }

Sweetie, was an Angel. 

<3 <3 <3 

The last hours, of her life...were some of the most difficult hours, of my life, and hers.

Picking up her Ashes, yesterday...was a very tuff, ride.

I'd put off, going there, for months.

: ( 

A Friend, told me, recently... he always knows, when I don't want to do something.

I, dig my heels...in, and procrastinate.

Yes, I guess, that's true. 

I, get that... from my Dad, I suppose.

I, don't handle heartbreak, very well. 

I, try to avoid it, at all cost. 

: (

Brutie, and Sweetie, with Miss. Scarlett.

We, lost Brutie, last year.

: ( 

My Polly.

Before, Sweetie, came to live with me...

There was Polly.

<3 <3 <3 

She, also...saved my life.

: )

I, don't know...how I could've survived, here...without her, after John went away.

Another, Angel.

<3 <3 <3 

My Girl!!! <3 <3 <3 

Yes....it's been a very, 

Blue...

Sunday.

I worked all day, had to pick up, a big, metal garden arch, this morning.

 Got it set, when I returned home...then, went back to sorting, cleaning...and, pricing...

for Gold Rush.

 Worked on a little area, in front of the rabbit hole, for some of Peg's...Treasures.

<3

I, want to make a little Memorial area...for her.

The Truth, 

is....

John, and....Peg,... pretty much, control....every inch, of 101 Williams Blvd.

<3 <3 <3 

Our, Beloved, Critters 'Family'...too. <3 <3 <3 

Love, to You.

Barb C.

{Please, remember....to keep all who suffer, in your Prayers. 

There, are...many. }

"Killing The Blues" by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss from Raising Sand

Swingin' The World by the Tail...Bouncin' Over a White Cloud.

Started cleaning...smalls, from The Victorian House, Estate Sale, today...

Packing, for Gold Rush!

{At The Fairgrounds, in Rochester, MN. One Week, from Today! {oh...my. : ) }

A Young Man...pulled up today....with Totes Full...of late 1800's, and early 1900's...

'Dug Bottles'.

Love Them!!!

The Rabbit Hole...is PACKED Full, with 'New'...'Old'. 

Much, Much...

'Soulfulness'.

<3 <3 <3 

I, get myself...in a Lot...of Trouble, cleaning, and packing...

'Soulfulness'.

It takes me...forever.

: )

I, don't bring things Home...

that, don't...have 'soulfulness'. 

<3

I started cleaning the Vintage Cake Stands.

There, are...several.

I stacked them, one...on top of the other....

then, kept piling...more, 'soulfulness', on each of them.

<3

There was a box Full...of old, skeleton Keys.

: )

Whenever I see an old, skeleton key, I think of the story, in my 'Streams in The Desert', 

that reminds us,

 to not give up...

: )

'It may be the Last...Key, on the ring, that Opens The Door.'

: ) 

<3

I was also going through mountains...of handmade lace, and...vintage jewelry.

oh my.

I, have NO IDEA... how, I'm going to get Everything....on that old...Box Truck.

There's an Amazing...Collection, of Vintage Buttons, 'Fancy Pants'...Buttons, I have to get to.

The Buttons, that grabbed my heart, today....were the teeny, tiny...Pearl, 'Shell'...buttons.

<3

I, don't think...I've ever had such tiny...little buttons.

Priceless.

<3

Needless, to say...

I, didn't get too far, today.

: )

So Many...'Littles'. 

<3

oh...my. 

: )

{Had glue, and paint...an my hands. ; ) }

It's Totally...Insane, down the rabbit hole.

: )

Peg's...Beloved, Michael...brought me a Load.

: (

He's moving back, to Iowa.

: (

He brought, so Much...of 'Peg', back, to the rabbit hole.

My, heart's...pretty...heavy.

I'll find the most...Perfect, places...for all of it.

<3 <3 <3 

I, couldn't bare...to even take pictures, of her Treasures. 

So many, of them... Peg, and I...share such wonderful memories, with. 

: )

<3 

'Soulfulness'. 

<3

I, think...I'm going to divide Peg's...Treasures, between Friends, who...Loved, her So.

<3

Peg, would want that.

<3 

: )

So...down the rabbit hole, today...

I listened to 'Killing The Blues'...over, and over, as I cleaned, and packed.

You, must...listen to it, above.

Robert Plant, and...of course...

Alison Krauss.

<3 <3 <3 

Love, to Each...and, Everyone.

Please, keep all...who Suffer, in Your Prayers.

There...are many.

Barb C. 

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On