Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Toys... Toys... Toys!!!
Made my way to The Rabbit Hole, this afternoon.
There's been so Much...consuming what's left of my brain...lately,
haven't been able to get to it.
: (
Plan on being Open June 25, and 26.
When I walked in the door, it was cool, and dark...inside.
oh my.
The Rabbit Hole...is Truly, Another World.
<3
A tune by Aerosmith Popped Right Into My Brain.
Hadn't Thought of it...for Years.
; )
'Toys In The Attic'.
; )
Hahahahaha!!!
Perfect.
The Rabbit Hole, today, reminded me....of the 'Toys In The Attic' Album Cover.
; )
Felt like I was walkin' through it.
Another...
World.
; )
Needed to visit 'Another World'.
desperately....today.
oh my.
; )
I'd forgotten Brandon, and I put the Old Carousel Horses UP HIGH... after The Pop Up Sale.
One...nearly touches The Rabbit Hole's 10 foot ceiling.
; )
Love Them!!!
<3
The Fountain...was completely dry.
So Hot...and Dry.
: (
Got it Flowin'...again.
; )
Put some Cool...Fresh Water...in the Old Trough.
The Fish, I know appreciate that.
Sadly, during the Pop Up Sale....one of The Koi/Gold Fish...passed away.
Something got him.
Dragged him...nearly to The Hen House, where I found him.
; (
Heartbreaking.
Tried to remember how long they've lived Down The Rabbit Hole.
They were just an inch or two...when I rescued them from Walmart.
They are Huge, now.
about 9-10 inches long.
Close as I could come with a date...is about 12 years.
oh my.
I buried him...under The Maple Tree, by The Rabbit Hole.
Seems...there's been a lot of loss, around here, for far too long.
Back to Back...to Back.
oh my.
There's been many, many...Blessings, too.
<3
Those Fish...all of The Critters, really....have a pretty Good Life, here.
<3
It's so damned difficult...when they leave us.
Heartbreaking.
On The Road...tomorrow.
Long Haul, with Pal, Allyson, and her Sister, Bethany.
Allyson, and I...are taking The Ford, Bethany is driving separate.
Big Job...to Get Done.
; )
Thursday I'll be working at the Upcoming Marion, Iowa...Living Estate Sale.
{July 21-24}
Friday...I'm working Down The Rabbit Hole, so It can be Open...
Saturday, and Sunday!
MUCH is Comin' IN.
oh....
dear.
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers, for All.
Barb C.
{When I wrote about Dad...and all of The Things...he taught me... sat down last night... remembered One of His Most Important Teachings.
Dad...had the Amazing Ability to Sniff Out 'Bullshit', from a Mile...away.
; )
Sadly, sometimes...I have to get a little closer.
WHEW....!!!!
; )
That 'Bullshit'...when ya get a little Too Close, will Most Certainly Clear Your Sinuses.
Hahahahaha!!!
: ) : ) : )
Yeah....BOY!!!
; )
{ I'm learnin' Dad. ; ) I'm Learnin'. <3 }
Sure Wish...Dad were Here.
<3
Somehow...
I kinda believe...
He Is. }
<3
Monday, June 20, 2022
Memories.
Went to spend Father's Day with Son, Justin...and Son in Law, Adam...and Family, yesterday.
Picked up a Pile of Grub...and had quite a Feast.
; )
Did a lot of thinking...and remembering, while visiting.
It was a pretty day.
When I got home, couldn't shut my brain down.
Kept thinking about Dad.
All of the struggles.
When I was five...Mom, and Dad divorced.
Money was tight.
There was none...really.
Very, very...little.
Dad, was homeless.
He slept in his old Truck.
On the weekends, he'd come get me...and rent a Hotel Room, for us.
We always stayed at The Magnus Hotel, or Taft...Hotel, in Cedar Rapids.
Both Hotel's were Beautiful.
I'm sure...outdated, even back then...but, I thought they were Incredible.
<3
There were old, old...cage elevators in The Magnus, don't remember if The Taft had the same, or not.
Very noisy...a little scary.
; )
The hallway to our room...was tall, and narrow.
The rooms also had tall ceilings. 10-12 feet tall...I'd guess.
Each room, had a tall door, with a transom window...above the door.
Some transom windows would be open, to other rooms, I noticed...when we'd walk down the long, tall...narrow corridors, I'd know...there were other people...in those rooms.
There was only one bathroom, on each floor, we all had to share.
It must have been one of the most difficult times, in Dad's life...but, I never knew it.
: )
He always made 'Life'...an 'Adventure'.
<3
Just being with Dad...meant 'contentment', where ever...'we'd' be.
Being Together, was Enough.
; )
Dad never knew a 'Stranger'. : )
He made Friends, quickly...everywhere we went.
<3
At The Magnus, there was a Lovely...Elderly Woman, who was always at the front desk, the weekends Dad, and I stayed.
; )
On one of the visits there, she gave me the above Doll.
<3
I didn't have any Dolls.
We always had Critters.
<3
Who needs a Doll, when you have Wonderful..Living, Best Pals.
<3
The Critter's went away, when Dad, and Mom divorced.
I've always cherished That Doll.
<3
{Took the Dolly...out of Mom's China Cabinet...this morning, and held her in my hands.
It's been a Long, Long...time, since I've held her.
Too long.}
<3
Priceless.
All of the Men...who were on the floor, Dad and I were...were always so kind.
I remember Dad visiting with them, often...talking about Old Times, when they were kids.
: )
Dad would take me to The Dragon Restaurant, for Suppers, and The Butterfly Cafe, for Breakfasts.
<3
{Dad ordered Chop Suey, at The Dragon. Always. His Favorite!!
Egg's Over Easy...at The Butterfly. ; )
Dad must've spent nearly every penny he made, during the week...over those weekends.}
We'd sometimes... go to the movies, in the evenings. Sometimes...we'd go fishing, by The Cedar River.
I'd 'Live'...for The Weekends, with Dad.
oh my.
<3
Over the years, Mom, and Dad...would get back together, life...would be good, for a while, until it wasn't...
All of it, all over....again.
oh my.
The strange thing, is...I don't have many bad memories, of my childhood.
That's credited...I, know...
to
Dad.
<3
Loved my Mom, so did Dad.
<3
Always.
Some things...just don't work.
When I was driving to Justin's...a tune came to mind...my favorite, from when I was little.
When I arrived at Justin's... Adam, brought up that Very TUNE!!
I...couldn't Believe It!!
; )
That Tune... came out...during another 'split', between Mom, and Dad.
1971.
At that time...I had another Pony, Dad...bought me.
His name was Joe.
Dad, had me during the summer, that year...a lot.
<3
Dad hired an Elderly Lady...in Shellsburg, Iowa...to watch over me...while he worked. Her home was near where Dad was cleaning up a Massive Amount of old Farm Machinery.
Took most of the Summer, to scrap it all.
Where the Lady lived, in Shellsburg, I could keep Joe.
<3
Used to ride him to what was, 'The Lazy 'H' ' Saloon.
; )
I'd tie Joe out front, and with quarters, Dad gave me...I'd sit there...and play my Favorite Tune.
'Take Me Home Country Roads', on the Jukebox, over, and over.
; )
Those poor Ladies, that worked there..must've nearly lost their Mind's...when they'd see me come in.
They all...were So Kind.
<3
The Lazy 'H', was also... a Cafe.
Had Great Food, and Pie!!!
; )
I didn't want to spend my 'Music'...money, on food, tho.
; )
I'd just sit there....in the side booth, next to the Jukebox... listening.
Soakin' It All...In.
<3
Wasn't long...on many of mine, and Joe's Visits...
a slice of Pie...would 'appear'...that they'd made some... 'mistake'...with.
: )
Sometimes...a 'mistaken'...order of Fries, or Burger.
<3 <3 <3
God...I Love Iowa.
<3
Small Town...
Iowa.
<3
'Memories'
Love to Ya.
Prayers, for All.
Barb C.
{ to those, who somehow...like to 'Think'..children are 'resilient', 'They'll Get Over It'...ya better 'Think', again.}
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day.
There's been So Much...going on, for so long.
I think of Dad...so often, during these difficult times.
In the brief...23 years we shared together, he taught me...so much.
Dad gave, and Taught me The Most Important Things, anyone...could.
Respect...
Self Confidence...
Wisdom...
Hard Work Ethic...
Integrity...
Empathy...
Common Sense...
Humor...
'The Golden Rule'...
and
gave me...
Two... of the Most Important Gifts.
His Time,
<3
and...
Unconditional Love.
<3
With Dad...Life was Always an Adventure.
; )
Always.
Mom told me often...Dad, worshiped the ground I walked on.
<3
I felt the same, about Dad.
; )
He always thought I could do Anything.
Hahahahahaha!!
He made sure...when I had the choice to 'Sit it Out, or Dance'...
to 'Dance'.
<3
The word 'impossible'...wasn't in Dad's vocabulary.
He taught me that...by
Example.
<3
I remember so many, many times...when I was little, when times got Tuff,
Mountains...were in front of him...
watching others, turn around and walk away from them, believing they were 'impossible'...
then watch Dad,
Move Them.
All by himself.
<3
If Dad set his mind to something...
He'd figure it out.
When Folk's would tell Dad, "It can't be done"...
I'd watch Dad grin...he'd get a twinkle, in his Blue Irish Eyes...
and, Do...what they said..."Couldn't".
He'd never brag about his accomplishments.
but...
my heart, sure swelled...watching him.
<3
I...was Always Proud of Dad.
He Worked...So Hard, but...never forgot to have a little Fun, too.
Shenanigans. Always....Shenanigans.
'Adventures'.
<3
Dad...lived life, 'His Way'.
<3
Dad always accepted Folks, just as they were.
<3
He had Friends...from every walk of life.
<3
We never had much money...but, I always felt 'Rich'.
<3
Looking back, now...over my life, I can't Imagine...where I'd be today, without having
Marion Conner, for my Dad.
{Makes me cry.}
Happy Father's Day, to All of The Wonderful 'Dad's'...
in this old world.
Hope Y'all Know, what Blessings You Are!!!
<3
Love to Ya.
Prayers, for All.
Barb C.
{Dad...always gave me a lot of responsibilities, as well.
From the very beginning.
I...never felt like a 'Kid'.
That was Just Fine...with me.
; )
Used to do Dad's Bidding, on Scrap Iron, at Farm Auctions, when I turned 7.
He'd leave me there...with directions on what to bid on, and how much...to go on each pile.
Introduced me to the Clerks, and Auctioneers, and asked them to make sure...to pay attention, when I was bidding.
; )
I always stood up front, by the Auctioneers, {still do.} with a 'Serious'...look, always.
Didn't want anyone to think I was a 'Kid'.
; )
This Is Business.
All 'Business'.
Hahahaha!
Dad's friend, Lyle...who was also a Scrapper, told me one day...many year's ago...how he couldn't Believe...at those Farm Auctions, a little Girl, was out bidding him, on pile, after pile...of Iron.
He said... "You looked Mad as Hell, bidding. Serious as Death!!"
Hahahahaha!
{Still do, Folks tell me.}
Told Lyle... "Hey...Dad gave me a Job to Do. ; ) There was No Way....I'd ever want to disappoint him.
: ) He Trusted me. <3 "
Dad taught me how to drive...when I was 7.
Cars, Trucks, Tractors....
had to sit on a phone book, until I was 9...then, I was Tall Enough.
He taught me how to run a Cutting Torch... Saddle Horses, how to Fish.
Change a Tire...Change Oil...Shoot a Gun, clean, and take care of them...
Certainly taught me how To Load...a Truck.
; )
and...
have a
Lot of Fun.
; )
I...could go on, and On.
What a Blessing Dad was.
He prepared me for 'Life'...mostly.
The Best...he could.
Priceless.
<3 }
Friday, June 17, 2022
Lovely Evening.
Met with Pal, Bill...at Melody, and Steve's Beautiful Home.....this evening, to settle up Don, and Joan's Estate.
<3
Had No Idea...they'd be Serving us such a Beautiful Supper.
<3
Bill couldn't stay, so...I had his share of Melody's Amazing Sangria.
; )
Steve grilled steak...it, was GREAT!!!
He even made my plate...for me.
{I was pretty tired. Think they both picked up...on that. oh dear. : ) }
<3
Steve's Such a Sweetheart!
Whatever we needed during the sale...Steve was On Top of It.
So Kind.
Melody...too.
<3
She's a Gem.
<3
oh my.
<3
: )
It's Sure Been a Pleasure working Melody's Parent's Sale.
Such Kind, and Caring...Folk.
<3
; )
They were Pleased...with The Sale.
; )
Us, too.
; )
I spent this day working in the house.
Purchased one of the lovely Beds at the sale.
Had to get the old one out...which required a LOT of movin' and shakin'.
oh my.
My poor old bed...needed to be retired.
Bought it long ago...for John.
His back...was so bad.
It was an adjustable bed...we were in hopes, he could tolerate.
No dice.
: (
There wasn't a bed made... that John could sleep in, after he injured his back....decades ago.
Lazy Boy Recliner's.....were John's 'Bed'...of Necessity...after his back injury.
: (
I used to sleep in my Lazy Boy...next to his.
Now..I often sleep in John's.
<3
I never really liked it, that adjustable bed... but...it was such a hassle getting in, so heavy...just lived with it.
It was time, long overdue...for it to go away.
Helper, Brandon...came out, and helped tear it apart.
Then...I cleaned, and cleaned.
Can't wait to climb into it's Beautiful replacement...tonight.
; )
It's gonna be awhile.
Trying to catch up on laundry.
{Don't worry...Wanda. ; ) <3 No more Quick Tumbles. ; )}
Everything got so far behind....while working on The Estate Sale.
We'll be starting on the next Sale, Monday.
{July, 21 - 24, 2022 }
I'm gonna put some 'Roberta'...on, and soak...in a Hot...Hot, Bubble Bath, while...
the washer and dryer are doin' their thing.
; )
oh.....
my.
; )
Have a Meeting, in the morning...I need to be 'Awake' for.
Hahahahahaha!!!
; )
No... Worries.
; )
Love to Ya.
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
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