The Tree... is...done...

I hung... the Old Wreath... Bud made me... on the Newel Post....
as...always....
: )
When I see it...
I think of...Bud... and his... Beautiful... 'Love'...
Renate....
{Renate's Antiques... Amana...}
I...added... some of my Favorite... Vintage...Ornaments... and...Beaded Garland...
and...of course.... a handful...of...tinsel... : )
{sigh....}
It takes... a Village... at Christmastime...: )



 

There...is Someone...I Love... woven...throughout... this... Tree...
Old...Trucks... Old...Plates...an Old..Cello... Rudy... Mad Hatter's Hat... Old...Farm Toys...Horse Harness.... fragments...
a tiny...Gnarly...Ironstone...pitcher...I got... from...my Sweet Friend...Scarlett Scales... and Ford... Parts... : )
 yes... along with the Ribbon...from Gifts...long... ago...
and...the ribbon.... I used... to tie... ornaments... the year... my Sister... Chery... went 'Home'...
I...remember... tying... those ornaments... and...cutting all the ribbon... that year...
My Heart...was so... Heavy...
I..knew... that Christmas... would be...Chery's... last...
{she didn't quite...make it...'til... Christmas.... }
I didn't want to believe it...
I...wouldn't let...anyone...tell me... not... even..her...
it would be...her last...
I...took care of her... the few, short months... before... she passed...
with the condition...
I...would be there... to Help... her Live...
Not...
 help...her die...
{I had never...used ribbon...to hang ornaments... before... or after... that year...
when I run across those... tied... with that ribbon... I know... it's...
Our.... Memory... }
This... Tree...
Is...
My...Memory...Tree...
a Giant...
Memory... Tree...

 

Knew... I needed something... between Rudy... and the Cello...
Yeah...
The Old...Tin...Silhouette... Weather vane....
Perfect....

 I have The Tree done...

but...

The House... is in need...

I have an Open House...beginning next Friday...

in The Rabbit Hole...

and....House...

: )

Somehow...

I'm not...rattled...

: )...

It is... what it is...

Folks will get to see....

what a Crazy.... Workin' Woman's...

lifestyle...

is...

Those... who will attend...

 Know... me...

Personally...

or..through... the blog..or face book...

: )

They Know... I'm a bit...

round the bend...

and know...

I run hard...

Yep... There will...be Critter Hair...

and...

Spider...Webs...: )

along with...

a whole lotta... soul...

: )

I Welcome... Everyone......

With Open Arms....

: )

Like...Daughter, Liz...reminds.....

'Those that care... don't matter....

Those That Matter...

Don't Care...'....! 

Hope to see ya...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.
This...post... and... The...Tree...
make me...weep...
this Eve...
I...never knew...
that... an Old... Christmas Tree...
could... be...so...
'touching'...
 guess... this one...
isn't really a Christmas....Tree...
it's a ...
'Memory Tree'...
oh my...
It Is....
All...
About...
The Journey....



Half Way... Home... : ) Gettin'....It ...On... : )

yeah...

I need...somethin'...

between the Cello...

and Rudy...

The Tree... will be done...

tomorrow...

: )

{I do...love Playin'...in The Tree... : ) }
{Especially... with Marvin... serenading... in the back of my mind... : )
oh...my...my...my... : ) yeah... }

Then...

on to...

The Rest... of The House...

: )

Open House...

at The Shop...

The 6th through the 8th...

11 'til 5....

Open House...

in The House...

Friday... the 6th...

5 'til 9...

I'll have things for sale...

there...

as well...

Hope to see ya...

: )

Barb C.

The Day... has finally... arrived... : )

The Day....has Finally...Arrived...

We're Pulling... 'Christmas'...out...

in the House...

as I sat here...this Morn...

filling my veins...with Caffeine...

in preporation...

 Classical 'Battle... Tunes'...

were streaming through my mind...

as..it is...

quite a Challenge....

getting this... job..done... : )

but then...

The Above...Song..

Kicked Those....Straight...out of my....Soul...!!!!

: )

Whew!!!

I can hear...the Bells Ringin'...

and The Old Tree Singin'....

"Come on Girl...

: )

Come on...

Let's Get It On"...

Whew!!!

I'll have this...on Continuous Play...

All...Day!!!

Love to ya!!!

Barb C.

The Marvelous...Toy...

The Marvelous Toy...

oh my...

I have watched both of these little ones... from the time they could walk...

be drawn...to this...

Old... Old...

Tiny... Chain and Gear Driven...

Sharpening Stone...

I have written about the little stone... over the years...

It is a sentimental... treasure...

 Justin was a teenager... and was with me... when I bought it...

He remembers... that day... well....

My Friend... Lyle... had it... who was a friend... of my Dad's... too...

a Junk Man...

He lived way out...in the Country...

very secluded...

with Piles... of Scrap... Iron.... and Fragments...of such...interesting things....

: )

I bought it from Lyle... that Cold... January day... because.... it reminded me so... of Dad...

Lyle... Loved it too...

Thought it was so unusual...

We had such a Great visit...that day...

Reminisced... about old times....

That was the last time we saw Lyle...

He went 'Home'... just days... later...

So... now... I see Dad...and Lyle...

when I look at this little gem...

What Joy... they would have... watching these two...

with...Every Visit...

be so..intrigued... with this, what they think...

out of Everything.... in the House...

is... the Most...

Marvelous... Toy....

They took turns... without any argument... between them...

making the little Grinding Stone...

Whirl!!!!!

I felt... like Dad...and Lyle... were right here...

with us...

: ) : ) : )

Hope You...had a Lovely Thanksgiving...

as...did we...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

The Turkey's Cookin'!!!

 The Dressing...Squash... Corn... Garlic Mashed... Potatoes... Cranberry Relish...

and the rest... of the ...Goodies...

are.. waiting... on the Sideline...

: )

 

and...

Miss. Scarlett... is Snuggled in Gamma's... Bed...

Watchin' Sponge Bob...

oh yeah...

Life...is Good...

Happy Thanksgiving... to You...

and Yours...

: )

Rockin' and Rollin' with Thanksgivingness!!!

I worked...'til late, last night..in the shop..

Then..got groceries...

then..

came home... and started...

COOKIN'!!!

Oh My..

I LOVE...The Holiday Season...!!!

I get to spend a little Time...

with the my Old..Friend...

The 'Superior' 

Old...Stove...

Yeah...yeah... we work together...

a little... every day...

But... Not Like...

Thanksgiving...

and Christmas!!!

then...

We Dance!!!

I Love...to Cook...

{almost as much...as I Love...to Eat! : ) }

I make big messes...

and...Delicious....

Food...

{if... I do... say so... myself...}

: )

Polly and I took a Stroll...bright and early...

Gathering Herbs...

for the Stock...

I use that liquid... in both..

the Stuffing and Gravy...

I put the giblets in... then... garlic... onions...celery...a few carrots... orange rind...

Fresh Sage and Rosemary... salt... pepper... Old Bay seasoning...

LORD....! LORD!!!

The Thanksgiving...Aroma in Here Is Soo Intoxicating...I Can't Stand IT!!!

 

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing... Baby...

oh my....



'The Baby'...{that's her name..} was sitting in the highchair... watching me Race around...
Sooooaking up the Sun...this Morn...
ahhh... to be a cat...

 

Bud and Renate... brought Bushels of Apples for Scoutaroo....

from their home... in Amana...

this Fall...

and I felt so guilty... not taking some of them...and making...something....

{no time...}

Everytime I walked past the Boxes...Full...of them...

I felt like I was wasting...

This morn...I asked John to bring some up... and I'd see... if I could salvage... any of them...

 I washed... peeled and cored them... cut off all of the bad spots...

I did about four quarts... in no time...

they taste... Amazing...

Way better...than store bought.... and...no wax...

They are different... I was afraid they'd be soft... but...they're not...

They almost have a 'Pear'... flavor to them.....

I have the Dutch Apple Pie...in the Oven now...

{That Is ALSO... Smellin' Mighty Good!!! }

Now...I'm getting the Squash... put together, for Pie...

I cooked them...last night....When the Apple comes out..

The Pumpkin Squash Pies... Go In!!!

I'm only making two...I was going to make 4....

but... I think... there will be Plenty...

 

The Apples...looked..and Smelled...
Wonderful...
I already... miss... late...Summer....
 

Hope you have a Wonderful Thanksgiving...

and eat...Waaaaaaay Too Much!

Love, to ya...

Barb C.

Mama's.... Turn.... : )

Pies...are done... prep...is...done.... Dining Room...is done...enough...

It's  only 7:30... but...I'm tired....

I'm sitting...

Listening to Roberta... serenade me...with 'Killing Me...Softly'...

sipping a Glass... of Gnarly Head.... Chardonnay....

{or...two... : ) }

Candles...lit....

at the Old...Harvest Table...

{only me... and Harold...could Love... {and Ed...}

I...Love Thanksgiving... Eve....

life... is good...

The Coat of Many Colors... my Friend... gave to me...

My Sweet Pals...

Mary Sellon... {Dark Horse Antiques... } and her Husband, Tom...

came to visit... last night....

We had Such a Wonderful Visit....

We had Pizza and Beer.... {Awesome Star Bar... Bloody Marys... for Me!!!}

and... a Lot...of Laughs...

No Body...

Laughs...like Mary...: )

As I sat... and watched the two of them... I saw... what a Perfect Couple... they are..

: )

Mary... was telling Wonderful...Funny... Stories...

and Tom... was reliving them... with her...

It was... tho... he could finish her sentences... but... didn't...

his eyes... did...

and...Gleamed...

Love Birds...

: )

Mary...also brought me a tote... of clothes...

She is such a Sharp Dresser....

and... knows... I am...the opposite...

I had...commented... a year or two...ago... How Beautiful...the Coat she was wearing was...

all of the Beautiful stitching... almost... like Crewelwork... embroidery...

she gave it to me... yesterday....

along with... all sorts...of Lovely Clothes...Shoes... and Boots...

oh my...

I don't buy clothes... much... and wear them... 'til they are rags...

I...can put old stuff... together... in displays...

but... when it comes to 'dressing'...'displaying' myself...

well... I mostly wear Black....

that's...easy... : )

{or...something...completely...Off The Wall... like... Flowered...Dresses... and Flannel.. Shirts...a Denim Jacket... Striped Socks... and Blue Cowboy Boots...

oh dear...

I was about in tears... when I slipped the Coat on... this Morn...over my old flannel...

It's...So... Beautiful...

I called Mary... right away... and Thanked Her...again : )

Tho... it seems... I'm constantly Struggling... financially...

I told her...

"A Thousand Dollar Bill... wouldn't have meant more..."

Gifts...

Friends....

yes... they are...

Gifts...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

 

 



 

 

 

Liz popped out... and took an image of the back.... All of the Mirrors... in the House... are 'Ghost Mirrors'...
{trust me... there's a reason for that... : ) }
Then...Liz...twisted a French Braid... in my Hair...
{I told her...I was getting the itch...to Cut It All Off!!! Go Short...and Spiky!!!!
She grabbed the brush... and said...
"Don't You....Dare"...
oh my...
This...Coat... is soooo...
Beautiful...
Love It!

Tom, Mary...and I...
It's a Blur...
but it was a Fun...Blur!!!!
Mary...has a Gift...of putting...Clothes...together...
Even when she was going through chemo...
oh my...
She had a different wig.. for every occasion....
She came to a show... in a Blond Wig... I didn't know her!!!
She...always... sports... Darling Hats... and Awesome... Clothes...
She... knows How to Strut!!!
{and...back it up...: ) }
She sent hats... for Peg... when she was going through chemo... as well...
and offered... wigs... to her as well...
Mary... is a Gift...
with a Big...Heart...
{and Laugh... : ) : ) : ) I LOVE to hear her...
Laugh!!! }
I posted... the above song...
for Mary...
She...Is...Beautiful...
In Every...Single... Way...
 

Heart...of The Farm...

It was fun...playing... in the rabbit hole... today...

: )

I have many Mountains to move....

When I found my way...to the Primitive area...

I saw a pile of things... I had thrown there... after the last sale...

knowing... somehow... I wanted to keep them close... at hand...

Old...Rope.... an Implement Seat...

{that's Not For Sale... I bought it from Mark... it has a Heart... in the center... I'm using it...for display.... only...

There are several... other...Wonderful... Old Iron Seats... that are... available...}

As I stood...and stared...at the pile...

I thought...

'Heart of The Farm'...

I hung...the old seat...from some iron hooks...

on an old door... that leads... to The Primitive area...

The Wonderful... Old Door...was brought to me... by the last Heir... of an 1850's Farm...

near Vinton, Iowa... several years ago...

He had to let the Farm...go... it was Heartbreaking...

 but... he wasn't going to leave... the Old... woodwork... that had been created...from the Native...Iowa... Walnut... on the Farm...

by his...Family...

I...have kept this door... in his Memory....

I wound...the old rope.... round and round... the seat... in a loose... heart...fashion...

I placed a couple of  Heart Harness Brasses... on the old... frayed...and knotted workhorse......

and a tiny... Cross...

: )

I cut...a few of the tall grass...Autumn...survivors... just outside...the rabbit hole...

and felt...

that... was enough....

simple...simple...simple...

yet... soulful...

with a Powerful...

Stance...

{it's the feeling you get... when you stand next...to it...

not something.. that can be captured...with an 88.00 camera... }

It... says... a lot... to me... if no one else...

When I look at these things...

I see... Heart and Soulfulness...

Hard Working...Hands...

Devoted.... Horses...

Craftsmen....{a.k.a. Farmers...Homesteaders...}

 building... hand planing... and pegging...rough cut lumber... to build...and finish...structures...

from their

 Native Timber....

oh...my....

and...the tiny...

Cross...

: )

That's what gave them... the Strength...

to carry on...

simple... simple... simple...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

 {I visited... over the last... couple days... with some... amazing souls...

Jan...Val... Pegadoo...Liz...some Sweet Gals...who simply...found their way... to The Rabbit Hole...

 and... Little....Miss. Scarlett...

Grounding...

so...

Very...

Grounding..}

Love 'em...

{just... saw I missed a message from... 'Home'..

"Do Not Flush The Toilet!!!... Sewer Service is Coming in the Morn!!!!"...

oh my...

yeah...

It's the Little Things... that make a House... a Home...

: )

Love It...

: )

{Thank Goodness... for The Out Houses... I Dragged Home... Years Ago... : )  and caught Heck...for... : )

Seriously...

I would... Happily... go back to those days...

yeah...

They Stink... in the Summer...

and... I always wondered... if there were... Spiders... in those holes... : /

{I was never approched...but... I always... 'Wondered'... : ) }

but.. they are far...from the House....

and... Chamber Pots... are doable... in the Winter...

I HATE... the Waste... of Water...

some day... we'll be Beggin' for the Water... we thought we Had to Have

 to Shower by... every day... or several times...a day... that went... down...the drain..... 

No Worries... for This Old Girl...

I Have Options...

and...

I Know How to Use 'em... : )

God Bless... our Mother Earth...

She... has Stood...Waaaaaay More... than She...should be asked...too...

and...I am Blessed..with a Bladder... that would make a Camel... drop to his knees...

Life... is... Good...

: ) }



I'll be in the shop... 12 'til 4 today... workin'... have a long way to go... but... you're welcome to come... dig... : )

It's Chilly....

this Morn...

if... you come...

wear your Long Johns... for rootin' outside...

: )

Picked up...this Cool... Shrine... last eve...
oh my...
{and some other... treasures...{Thanks, Jeff.. for callin'... : ) }

Love.... the little Composition Cow...

I found, yesterday... eve...as well...

sooooo

Sweeeeet!

There are Three Things...

I have rollin' around in my purse...at all times...

Loctite Super Glue.. {in my opinion...The Best!}

Carmex Lip Balm... {in my opinion... The Best...!}

{I pray I never confuse...the two... {oh dear..}

and... of course...

Patchouli Oil...

: )

In my... opinion... The Best...{for me... }

{You either Love It..or Hate It...

I find... the ones that Love it... are pretty Fun...People...

and...the ones...who hate it...

well... I don't spend too much time with them... anyway... : ) }

 

 

Friday... I put the Glue to the test...

I had broken...a heavy drinking glass...{a New One... of course...an Old One... Never would have done this... They Shatter... This... Chunked... {John's Milk Drinking...Glass...I...like the Paper Thin... Old...Old...ones...} while my hand was inside it... washing it...

{I HATE It When That Happens!!! }

It was a Deep Cut... and felt like it went into the knuckle...

It bled...and bled...

I kept pressure on it... and put some polysporin...in it...

but...it was a Mess...

It was in such a bad spot... that every time I moved it... it opened up...again...

I knew... a band aid... of  any kind... would never hold it...

and...I certainly... can't afford to go to the Dr.

So... I remembered...someone telling me...how Super Glue... works...in a bind... to hold skin together...

Now... This was Clean... it bled out... had there been any dirt...involved...I never would have attempted it....

it would have stayed...OPEN....

I called Mark... I thought it was, him... that had told me that...

It wasn't... however...he, too...had heard this trick...

My fear... it wouldn't work...and I'd have to put acetone... on it...to remove it...

{oh dear...}

I went ahead... and tried it... so far...so good... : )

I Am NOT RECOMMENDING THIS...to anyone...

but... for this case... and being... it was..me... {I'd never put this on anyone... or any critter...}

Knowing... I had so much work...to be done... and no other options... accept...keeping it....perfectly still...

I went ahead...

so far...

so good... 

and I haven't had to reapply... {it didn't burn at all... like I was sure... it would...}

 

 

I'm working in the shop...today...

12 'til 4...

it's in a Transitional State...

so...

If you can stand the chaos...

I...can stand the Company...

: )

Love to ya...

Barb C.

 

oh...my...my...my.... : )

Oh...My...

I have had...

Much... Fun...

Playing with my

Three...

Favorite...

Passions...

: )

Old...Soulfulness...

Vintage... Christmas...

and...

My..Precious...

Bathing....Fantasies...

{I...Hold Dear... My Bath...Time...

 : )

It's My Escape...

LOVE IT!!!

Who Knew???

 for an Old...Tom Boy... like me...: )}

Whew...

Bubbles..

Lots... and Lots...

of...Bubbles...

oh...

yeah...

: )

This was...a Fun...Vignette... to set... : )

Candles... Blazin'...

Wine...Coolin'...

oh my...

Life... is Good...

So...Very...Good...

: )

I Love... the Old Tin Tub... so much...

I Had...to Include... it.... in The Christmas...Cheer...

I have a MILLION... miles to go...

down...the rabbit hole...

Then...

The House...

{oh dear...: ) }

Don't Miss... The Christmas Open House...

It's gonna be...

Fun...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

yeah... Santa Baby...

Eartha Kitt...

: )

Perrrrrfect...

: )

 

oh my...
if...
I didn't know...
it would be so painful....
I'd Be Divin' In!!!
I'm Diggin' Those...Awesome...
Bubbles!!!
 

You can barely see it...
but...the Amazing...
Worn...Red Velvet... Organ Stool...
next to The Tub...
oh yeah...
That... should have Champagne... glasses... resting... upon it..
then...
Life... would be...Perfect...
and...
The Bubbles...
would be... soft... and gentle...
oh...yeah...
I am...
a Goddess...
: ) : ) : )

I...Love... Beautiful... things...

It was a cold... and rainy day....

I...was off... and running... early...

a Dear... Friend... is moving...

she... I would guess... is in her 80's...

I...have known her...and Loved her... for years...

She... and I..met...

down the rabbit hole... shortly...after I opened...

maybe...15 years ago...

She was a dear...customer... and..now...

a Friend...

: )

She was a Designer...for years...

and has an...Amazing...Eye...

I admire her... so....

Her life...has been an Incredible... Journey...

{Really...}

I...wish... she'd record...her stories.. they... are really... somethin'...}

It was difficult... seeing her...today...

she has let go...of so much... this year...that she adored....

: (

Sometimes... I feel... like I am looking at myself... when we visit...

I know... my day... will come...too...

when I have to...'let go'...

People... like us...

who...have so many... Memories... attached... to our possessions...

we... have a difficult time...

letting go...

We...see... The Journey... and Friends... in each piece...

a Soulful.. thing...

Like...myself...she was never bothered... by Imperfection...

she knew... as do I...

That's... Life....

My hope... is... I can always...keep this...or a...roof... over my head...

until... I go Home... : )

Then.. I told the kids...

Call an Auctioneer...

and pick up...a check....

{Liz...already has asked me... "MOM!!! What am I Gonna Do... When You Die????"}

: )

I have names...on some of the things... for friends... Loved Ones...

the rest...

let it go...

Let...someone else... as crazy... as me... and my...Friend...

Love it...

{and... they know better... than to tell... me... before...that time... I can't keep... my stuff...

I'll Give It All Away...

before... anyone... tells me... I 'Can't ' have my things... treasures... around me...}

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{I brought home... some Beautiful... things... from my Friend... I'm going to sell... for her...

{Beautiful....things... : )

my Friend...is very Blessed... to have Children...and Grandchildren... who are helping her...

above and beyond...

Many... don't have that...

I hear... some very sad stories...}

Then...I went CRAZY... playing...down the rabbit hole... oh my...

the Open House... is gonna be... a...

'Lid...Flipper!!!'

: ) }

I don't know why... the above...song... came to mind...

 maybe...it's because...

some of the things...I brought Home...

had lived here... long...ago...

{old... friends...}

after... all... of the ...years...

I'm...still... in love... with it...

: )

and...

'Beautiful Mess'...

that's an...Everyday... kinda... thing...for me...

love it...

love it...

love...

it... 

Walkin' around... in a haze...I can't think straight... can't concentrate...

Go to work...and I look...tired...

put my shoes... on the wrong feet...

Losin' my mind... I swear... 

It might be the death of me...

but...

I... Don't... Care...

: )

behind... my coffee... cup...

I just .... : )

Spending All...my Time... with this...

Beautiful...Old... Soulful... stuff...

oh my...

There's Nothing...Else... I'd rather...do... : )

Yes...

This...

is... a

'Sweet Addiction'...

: )

{I could... have worse...

 Much...Worse...}

: )

 

 



Secrets... from an Old... Desk....

I watched a Documentary...

this Eve...

about Lincoln... and The Gettysburg Address...

It... was difficult...to watch... on many levels..

They read a letter... a woman had written... from the Battlefield... after the skirmish....

She said...Wounded Confederates... and Union Soldiers... as they were piled in.. to the make shift... areas...to be treated... laying... side by side...

talked to each other... like they were Brothers...

She spoke... of seeing human limbs...that were amputated...

piled... by trees...

The Earth...was Saturated... with Blood...

Sad...so...Very...Sad....

My Heart...was Heavy...as I climbed the stairs.... 

The House... was...dim... and quiet...

I stood... on the landing... peering into the dining room...

I...looked around... at the Civil War era... pieces...

that were all... looking back... at me...

From the Civil War Bit... I found recently... in a pail... that was filled with iron fragments... in a Barn...that was heading to the scrap...yard....

{I knew... there was something... in that pail... before I started... digging in it...I could...feel....it...}

to...the Staffordshire... and Soft Paste... Platters...

Books... and... Pottery...

Quilts... and Coverlets...

The...Old... Harvest Table...

yes...

they... had lived through...that...War...

but...

I was pulled... to another room...

a spare room... that I rarely visit...

where...I had taken The Old... Tiger Maple Desk...

I won the bid on... last year... at Jan's Sale...

Seems... that piece... has many Secrets...

 When I want to feel..

'Soulful'...

I find my way..to it...

It...Speaks... Loud...

I walked into the room...

and began...gently pulling all of the 'Secret' Compartments... out...

one... by one...

As my hands... ran across... each piece.... I could feel... the 'History'...

It's so... beautifully... hand constructed... and finely...dovetailed...

It... Drops... Me...

I remember... when I first saw it...

It was in a corner... in my friend, Jan's Basement...

We were 'staging'... her Sale....

The Old Desk... was dirty... and partially stripped...

She had bought it...many years ago... and had planned on finishing it...and putting it in her Home...

She knew... how... Early...and Wonderful..it was... too...

But... she never got around to it...

Tho... Everything... on her upper two levels... of her home... was...AMAZING...

I felt... to do this piece... justice... it, should be...upstairs....

I cleaned it all up...

and we...carried it around the house...

Up...a Hill...

took it up... two flights of stairs... and across the house...

then placed it... in one of the bedrooms...

{have ya ever lifted... Maple...??? It's Heavy!!! }

: )

I LOVED IT!!!

and planned on bidding on it... the moment...I saw it...

but... to be Fair...

It... needed to Shine...

If...my bid... got it... it would be meant to be...

{Tho...I was pretty sure... my bid... wouldn't touch it...}

A LONG...story short...there was only one...other bid... and it was below... mine...

I Couldn't Believe It!!!

I actually...felt bad...

I knew.. how much Jan...Loved it...

and told her... she didn't have to accept my bid....

She asked...if I was going to keep it....

and...Yes... I was...

she said... to go ahead...

: )

When Jan...showed me...all of the hidden compartments... I was stunned....

If...she hadn't...I'm not sure... I would have found them...

When...it called to me... again...this Eve...

I was thinking...about The Civil War...

The Secrets...

The Letters...

The Precious... Jewelry... Photographs... that may have been hidden inside...

When the War...was raging.... no one... was safe...

The White House... was nearly taken...by Lee....

Though... this piece... predates... the Civil War... by a few decades...

I knew... during the Unrest... this piece... came in... Handy...

I do...so... Love... these Old Souls....

I...truly... do...

Survivors...

that hold...Secrets...

they'll...never... tell...

I hope..you'll listen to the song...above...

As my hands... caressed... this old soul...

I thought...

if...

it could speak...

it would.. sing...this... tune...

: )

I'll always... keep it...

with me...

Love to ya...

Barb C.