Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Yes.... we are.... Holdin' on. : )

Today...
The Hatter.... has worn many... many... hats.
oh my...
so many... new endeavors...
and Mountains... to climb.
but...
like George and Tammy sing...
{above...}
so Beautifully...
We're Gonna Hold...... On!
Many Irons in the Fire....
a couple...
that will Interest... Immensely....
The Antiquers...
for sure....
Mark Your Calendars
for the Third Weekend.... in June.
It's going to get...
Crazy.
: )
Love....to ya...
and...Thank You....
: )
for the continued Prayers....
: )
Please....
Keep those Amazing Wings....
Beating...
for...
All....
who suffer... today.
Barb C.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Frozen...here... on the ladder of my life.

I can't light...
no more of your darkness....
all my pictures...seem to fade, to black and white...
I'm growing tired....
and time, stands still...
before...me.
Frozen... here...
on the ladder of my life....
Too late to save myself...from falling.


oh my...
what perfect... lyrics....
I couldn't have written them... better... myself.

The Junk Jubilee... was Wonderful...
I can't sing enough Praises.... to Micca... the Promoter...
Everyone... was so kind....
It was Such a Gift.... to see... and Squeeze.... so Many... Friends....
the Event, was Over the Top...
Mark... and I decided to come back...
in November.
He was very impressed, too. : )
It was tuff....
getting set up.....
We left home... at 4:30....
hit some bad weather....
arrived at 7....
unloaded in the rain....
I was in my stocking feet....all day...
didn't want to ruin my shoes.... wading through water....
then... we worked 'til.... 9 that night.... setting up...
then...
what a Blessing it was... that my Friend, Jo...{and Bob}... let us stay with them...
The old Farm House... Jo... moved to... is... like Heaven....
the moment... I walked in the door....
I felt.... like I was in Heaven....
It's...amazing.... she and Bob... have made it.... so beautiful....
It's... like... a Cottage..... so warm... warn cozy....
They took such...great care of us....
Jo did shows for years...
she knows.....
It wasn't until...this morning..... I figured out.....
why... I was so...sooooo...taken by the old Farm House....
there were
no... worries....
inside those walls....
none.
What a Wonderful....
Gift.
Friday.... was Crazy.... at the Show...
I nearly sold out of concrete.... so had Liz...bring the loaded Ford... with the rest....
{nearly sold out of that...too... }
then.... a couple approached me.... wondering if I had any way to get a Huge...Cupola back to Cedar Rapids....
As a matter of fact... I had a Flatbed Ford...en route... that would be running home... empty.....
I loaded that thing.... by myself....
{Mark was busy with customers...}
{I'll deliver it...tonight..}
while Liz was taking care of Scarlett.....
I wanted them back on the road.... as it was getting late.... by then...
I worry about a Load...like that...in the dark....with her driving...with Little Miss.... : )
We all unloaded the concrete....
and loaded the Big...Beautiful Farm House Cupboard....
that had sold...
Friday... was C R A Z Y
and...I H U R T
by the end of that day....oh my... 
Foolishly.... we stayed up... 'til 2 a.m., Saturday morning....
all of us...taking a Moonlight Ride...
through all of Jo's Land...
Beautiful..
{35 acres.... then...I told  Bob... to take us...around again... oh my. }
on their Gator...
then....we visited around a Big Bonfire...
I never wanted the night...to end...
but...
wish... I would have ended it...sooner...
had to be at the show by 7:30.
 Saturday morn... to finish resetting...
oh my...
it was Crazy.... Busy....
Insane.... Crazy.... Busy.
Then... we reset...again... Saturday nite.....
didn't get back to Jo's until 10:00
Thankfully... we didn't have to be back at the show...Sunday... until 9.
but...
at 4..... we began loading...
It took us 6 hours...to load...
I called Mark, on the way home....
and asked....
"What in the World...took us..so long.???"
He didn't know....
oh my... we sold like crazy....
we should have been out of there... in 3....
We did have to carry things...a bit further, than at any of our other shows.....
so... maybe... that was part of it...
We didn't stop...for breaks.... I...still... don't know... what took us so long....
Storms... came through Des Moines...Sunday afternoon... but not bad....
we only heard what Folks told us.....
Never listened to the radio, or t.v.
We had no idea.... the Storms... we were driving into... on the way home....
oh my...
The FUSO.... and I... had a whirlwind.... to battle through.....
It's so high profile....
Sometimes...struggling...to go 45 mph.
Blinding Rain...
Big Bolts...of Lightning....
When I got home... it was after Midnight.....
I saw the 26 foot tent, behind the rabbit hole.....
looking like it was a Hot Air Balloon.... waiting to take off....
the winds.... were at least 60 mph.
I tried to tie the corner leg down.... got hit in the face.... by a pole....
then.... just turned.... and walked away.
grabbed my luggage....
came inside...
where the door was blown open.....
{but...everyone was fine... inside.... } but was faced by......
more.... upheaval....
on...many... many levels...
oh my...
I... took care, of what I could....
then...
sat down...on the bed....and wept.
closed the bedroom door ...
Polly.... and I...
 went to bed.
I woke up...
at about 8.....
sobbing....
in my sleep....
my pillow...was soaked....
still am.... as I write this...
I hear the tent poles... still banging... outside... from the Still...
Howling... Winds.
I can't even...go outside.... and look....
I won't
I don't want to see it...any...of it.....
I...don't know... if the green houses are standing....
I don't want to know....
{just heard... 90 mph winds... came through.... yesterday.... just south west of us.....{near Norway, where Mark lives.... his place is fine... : ) }
 and the tornado sirens went off.... here at 5, yesterday afternoon.... oh my. }
My camera... went away...with the drysink.... that sold...
I'll get it back, today... or..tomorrow... or...some time......
I took many images... of the Beautiful... Beautiful.... Show.
wow... wow...wow....
So Many... Creative...Spirits...
Amazing.
{I had to laugh... our Sweet Neighbor...at the show.. Brooke... who is in her early 30's...
said to me...
"How... do you do this...? I have watched you... the last couple of days.....
you never stop....
just keep going...and going.....going....
I'm soooo tired...... I don't understand...how you have the energy... to keep going.... ???
and... never stop..."
I laughed....
: )
the trick is...
to just... keep going....
whether you have the energy...or not....
{I lost that... a long, long...time ago......}
You just keep going.
Because...
that's the only choice... I have.
There are.... no other options.
You Get 'er...
Done.
Love to ya...
Barb C.
{and... no worries....
I won't be 'frozen on this ladder'.... for too long....
I don't have that...
'luxury'....
Most of us... don't. }

{I...just need...a 'moment'. }





Wednesday, April 23, 2014

No WiFi where I'm staying in Des Moines... : (

I'll be posting a little from my phone, on FB....
Simply Iowa and Barbara Conner....
otherwise... I'll see ya... Late Sunday Night...
or Monday Morn.
Have a Lovely Weekend....
Filled.... with Blessings...
and...
Hope to See Ya...
at Junk Jubilee!!!
{Keep those Wings... Poundin'.... : )
Liz...will be checking in on John....
several times... throughout the days....
Bless Her Heart!!!!
He's still very tired...and weak....
but.... moving Forward.
as we all must.}
Love...to ya....
Barb C.

yeah.... All I Need.... is This Concrete...... That's All I Need.... : ) {and... flowers.... }

oh my...
as I wrote, in last night's post.....
I... may have a FULL Load....
but... always seem to be able to squeeze just a 'little' more in...
{I may need a Gallon of Vaseline...for this...Junk Jubilee trip... : ) }
I needed this load....
but...by 11:00....
I was tired... already...
I take John, into radiation...
then... pick up flowers....
then...
I'll try and figure out... where I'm going to pack.... some of this Wonderful... Grungy.... New, Old Stock.... Concrete Statuary....
(Bunnies... Turtles... Fairies... Geese... Deer.... Welcome Stones....Frogs...Children....Snails...Gnomes...Saints...and yes... Lynn... The Very Last..... of the Piglets!!!
{I found... 4...more... who knew???}
 all Covered...in Years...and Years... of Moss!!! }
{it ought to be raining... by then... : ) }
Laundry...to do..and pack...
Truck to fill up with Fuel....
oh my....
: ) 
oh...my.
{hope those Boots.... are ready to Start Walkin'... when the alarm goes off.... about 3:30 tomorrow morn....
then... a 2 and a half... hour drive...
then...
Unload this....
and
a 16 foot enclosed trailer.... and Mark's extended Van...
Oh Boy!!!
{then... Build... a House....
and... Furnish it... 
oh yeah...
Livin' the Dream!!! } 
{when Liz was helping me load... last night.... she didn't realize, Mark was coming too....
She  thought, I was going alone....
She said... "WHEW!!!.... I was kind of worried about ya.... going by yourself....but...I didn't want to say anything...  I'm So Glad...Mark is going.... !"}
I am too.....
we'll be helping each other.....
It's so Great.... having an extra pair of hands.... 
Love to ya...
Barb C. 


This AMAZING Vintage Wall Fountain... is a Gem!!!!
It's about 5 feet tall.....
Wowza....
He had to ride Shotgun....
oh my.

oh my...
where oh where.... do I put concrete....
{and... flowers.... ? }
: )
{no worries.... : ) }

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Big... Truck is Loaded... Heavy.... for Junk Jubilee..... : ) {sigh....... : ) }

oh my....
Thanks...So Much....
to Daughter... Liz...
We Racked and Stacked... the FUSO....
tonight....
a...Heavy... Heavy... Load... 
Headed for Des Moines...
Dry Sink....
Doors....
Farm Junk....
of All Shapes.... and Sizes....
Cupboards....
Tables...
Grinding Stones...
Garden Gates....
Primitives...
Primitives...
Primitives....
Victorian...
The Wooden Bath Tub...
Oil Paintings...
Chairs...
Gnarly Concrete Statuary....
Wash Tubs...
along with... Many....
Galvanized... Wonders....
oh my....
I could go...on...and on.....
: ) : ) : )
I always feel like Steve Martin...
in 'The Jerk'....
when I load....
"All I Need... is This Chair.........
: (
That's All I Need....
and...
That Lamp....
This Chair... and that... Lamp....
: (
and...
That Urn...
Yeah...
This Chair... that...Lamp... and the Urn...
That's All I Need.
 : (
and... 
The Old.... Window...
: (...
This Chair... That... Lamp.... The Urn....
The Old Window...
and...
That... Door...
Yeah...
That's all... I Need... : ( "
oh my....
May God... Help...
anyone... who attempts... to help me...
Load...a Truck. : )
yeah...
I... and the FUSO.....
are Loaded... Heavy...
{I Guarantee.... I'll be throwing a Whole Bunch More.... on.... before... I pull out of the drive... : ) }
I posted the image... of the Blue Boots....
because....
I finally... have my feet up...tonight....
: )
and... it feels.... soooooo good.
That image...
brought a Smile to my Face....
{not... an easy task.... these days... it seems.... }
I... Immediately thought... of the above tune....
It was the first song... I learned to sing.....
{I was 3.... : ) }
I had...to post it...
Love to ya...
See Ya... at Junk Jubilee....
Opens...
Friday at 10....
{runs through Sunday! }
With Bells On...!!!
{or.... blue.... Cowboy Boots.... : ) }
{maybe... barefooted... : ) } 
Love... to ya...
Barb C. 
{ Are Ya Ready Boots??? Start Walkin'!!!
Those words....will be rollin' off my tongue...
4:00...
Thursday Morn....
for that...
I...am... Sure. }
{I Pray... they are...
Agreeable. : ) }


Easter..... Such a Lovely.... Day... : ) and... a Reminder....Big Sales... in Fairfax... this Weekend!

It was Such....
a Beautiful.... 
Day.
: )
{Don't Miss.... The Big Sales...in Fairfax, This Weekend!
{Mark and I will be at Junk Jubilee.... }
B.J. is having an ESTATE SALE
at 331 Highland
Fairfax, Iowa...
Friday Eve...
at
5:30 
Then...
Saturday 9 'til 5...
and Sunday... 9 'til 2!!!
{Lots of Great Stuff!!!!}
Then...
There is a HUGE FARM Auction...
at the Historic...
 'Rogers Farm'
at 11906 West Cemetery Road...
Fairfax, Iowa...
Starts at 9 a.m. 
{Get there Early!!! There is TONS of Stuff!!! }
Saturday!!!
{Don't Miss That!!!} 
Hope to see you in Des Moines.... Too!
Love to ya...
Barb C.










Monday, April 21, 2014

Simply... Iowa.

Took a drive....
Saturday...morn...
Went to pick up...the doors, I'd made an offer on....
an hour drive..... 
I was looking...forward to.... : )
It was a Beautiful.... Day....
When I got to the Old House.... met with Ron... 
{the owner}
at the New House... on the hill....
He was, just setting down... to feed Edie....
His... Beloved... Wife...
of 50 years....
: )
They worked, side by side.... over the years....
had their own businesses.....
then... they decided, 12 years ago... to buy these 35 acres....
with the buildings... falling down..... and the old house.....
to... reside in... while they worked.... non stop... side by side.... 
building their Dream Home....
: )
Then..a couple years ago.... as they were clearing timber.....
Edie had a stroke....
one...of four.... she would have over the next year and a half....
Edie was in a Rehab Center... until Ron said.... "No More....
she's coming Home"....
He's taken care of her.... the last eight months.....
in the partially finished basement... of the new house....
I sat there... at their kitchen table....for a long time.... visiting with them.....
oh my....
: )
Ron told me...to take a 'Tour'... of their work...
upstairs.... 
: )
It's going to be... something... else.....
: )
I saw... as I walked through... all of the unfinished rooms....
they had so carefully thought out.....
The new...doors... still in their packages.... waiting to be hung....
the wiring.... run... waiting... to be.... finished....
So Close.... 
their Dreams.... are so.... Close...
yet...
so far....
so...very...far.
Ron... can't leave Edie... for very long....
unless.... she's sleeping....
then... he goes out... and cuts brush.... and timber.....
He calls that... his Therapy.
Ron...is a Master Carpenter....
he created a special 'lift'... for Edie... for her baths.....
and... put a chair lift... in... so they can go upstairs...where, in the unfinished house... he created a Therapy Station.... for Edie... to work on walking....
oh my....
Ron... needed to stay with Edie....
so.... I went on... and got the doors...out of the Old House....
asked him... if it would be o.k. if I took a few pictures....
{he thought I was Crazy.... who would want to take pictures... of that Drafty.... Crumbling.... Old Farm House? : ) : ) : ) }
As... I walked through....
The Old Darling.....
oh my....
so many thoughts... danced through my mind.
It was built, in the late 1870's or early 80's...
The Man...who built it.... I was told... by Ron...
was a Military Man...
{like Ron..who Served in the Navy}
He built it... Over the Top....
had 16 buildings.....
and it was quite...a Farm. : )
Now...
I carry the Beautiful.... Beautiful... Old Entry Doors... away....
ones... that a Team of Horses... brought... in.....
It was heartbreaking......
I wished....
the Ford... and I... could have loaded the whole house..... on it's little bed....
to say....
I was Melancholy....
would be an understatement.
I walked the perimeter....
saw the Rhubarb... that was planted.... a hundred years ago... or better....
poking it's Head Up.... just outside the door....
then, was drawn... to an Old.... Tree...
The Bark....
is incredible....
{I had noticed it... on the last trip.... Fascinating...oh my.
Ron said.... it's coming down... before Fall... : ( }
I had to swipe a chunk of the Bark.... that was falling off.... to put down the rabbit hole...
 by Virgil's Cupboard....
When I shared that with Ron, and Edie...
They Both.... Rolled their eyes... : )
oh dear... : )
It was a long...drive...home....
That Evening.... 
when...the day... was done.....
 I sat... and thought about the day....
I put my head...in my hands....
and wept.
oh my...
oh...my.
Those... Old... Iowa....
Back Roads....
can take you.....
to places....
you never... dreamed of.
Love to ya....
Barb C.




This Old House.....
has really.... seen it all.....
The Summer Kitchen....
His.... Cap.
The Parlor...
Living Room
Dining Room....
Upstairs...
Upstairs Bedroom....
where...at one time.... you could walk out... on the upper porch.
: )
Bedroom....
I Loved... all of the Old Wallpaper....
I...could have moved in...to this Old House....
a Quick... Scrub.... leave the paper... that was holding tight....
and Furnish It...
with what.... it was meant... to be Filled With!
Victorian... High Post Beds....
in their Original...Dark Alligatored Finish...
with Gnarly Old Crazy Quilts.... Layered... upon them....
Empire Chests....
Step Back Cupboards....
Filled with Ironstone... and Chipped... Stained...
Romantic Staffordshire.....
Gnarly.... Tattered... Victorian... Furniture....
Grungy... Oil Paintings...
: )
In the Summer Kitchen...
there would be a Dry Sink....
a couple Scrub Topped.... Work Tables....
: )
Crocks.... and Jugs.... Canning Jars... lining... the Open Shelving....
Masses... of Wooden Bowls.....
an old Wood Box.... {Like The Awesome one... I have that's all hand Dovetailed...}
Filled with Wood.... and Cobs!}
: )
The Kitchen....
would have.... a BIG....Wood Burning Cook Stove....
a Big.... Kitchen Clock......
Keepin' the beat....of the Day....
: )
A 7 foot Harvest Table....
Miss Matched... Chairs....
3 Old Step Back Cupboards....
A Big... Dry Sink.... : )
and... 
LOADS...of Cast Iron... Cookware!
and...
and Apron... hanging from... an old hook... by the door. : )
You see....
what these images.... show...
I see...
all of the above.
: )
yes.... it was...all... right there....
: )



Upstairs, bedroom window....
It was originally.... 
a Bay Window....
Hallway.... between the bedrooms....
I...Love.... the Wallpaper.
as found.
going.... down.
The porch... off the Summer Kitchen... : )
The wall.... inside the tiny... porch....
{LOVE THIS!!! }
The Beautiful...
Beautiful...
Doors...
{They.... are Sold... }
The Screen Doors....
{on Hold... through today. }
The Tree....
oh my.
It Stands..... just behind... the Old House....
if only...
it could talk. : )
The Bark....
is... Amazing.
Ron, and Edie....
Love Birds...
Ron is 78... Edie... 74....
Ron...even cuts Edie's hair....
said after her brain surgery.....
there was so much glue, in her hair.....
he couldn't bare to pull on her hair.... it hurt her, so.....
He shaved it all off....
oh my....
These two...
are something... else. 
I Pray.... they get their Dream.... 
finished....
well...
I guess...
in many ways....
they already... have.
: )

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Home!

John found his...way...
Home...
yesterday afternoon... : )
He's still....short of breath....
but... Much Better!
Lots...of Antibiotics.... and Breathing Treatments...
They are continuing his radiation, and are Pleased...
the mass is SHRINKING!!!!
{Thank You.... my Dear... Little Angels... : ) }
We just have to keep a close eye.... on his temp.... and watch for infections....
I just got his Breakfast...to him....
He requested...only one egg... and toast...
this Morn... : (
last night....
he ate so.... little...
less than half... of his normal... plate.
That.... is Hard... for me....
I...know... it's to be expected....
but...oh dear...
I want to see...his Old...Healthy... Appetite....
I met him.... in the middle...
this Morn...
threw on...with  his... tiny request....
 some of Lynn and Lea's... AMAZING BACON...
{John..Loves That!!! }
some Hard Cheese....Chunks....
and... a Sliced Tomato ....
 with Dill...and a little Olive Oil... : )
{and...a Big Glass...of O.J. : ) }
Sunshine...in a Glass!!!!
As I was cooking....
The Intoxicating...Aroma.... from the Bacon....
Wafting...throughout the Kitchen.... : )
I thought... how Blessed we are....
to have such.... wonderful food...
at our fingertips...
John's Friends, Dean and Marilyn .....provide us... with Beautiful...Free Range... Farm Eggs.....
{From..the Happiest... Hens... : ) }
and... our Friends.... Lynn and Lea's...Bacon... wow.....
Good... Stuff.....
: )
I'm back on the road...this Morn....
back...to the Farm... I had gathered from...the other day...
I had left an offer... on a pair of doors.....
{Amazing...Doors... from 1880.... oh...my... }
from the Old Farm House... that will...sadly ... torn down.... before long.
He...said... he'd call.... when he had a chance to get the openings boarded up....
I had no idea..it would be...so soon...
I...look forward... to the drive....
It's a Beautiful...Day....
and...where I'm headed.... is near my old stomping grounds....
where...I spent my Most Favorite Easter.... of all time....
43 years ago....
on a day.... much... like... today....
I.. try and sneak away....on Easter....
when everyone's bellies... are full......
and visit... that Old...Farm House.... that, is also... long gone....
but... it will be Forever... in my mind.
I see it... standing....
just as it did...
the first time... I laid eyes...on it....
That Beautiful... Easter Sunday... : )
I...may have to... miss it... this year....
but...
today's visit....
will be a gift....
I'll get a few images.... before...this one... is also....
a 'Memory'....
Love to ya...
Barb C.
{I used to ride.... my Pony... Little Joe.... to the Lazy 'H'.... when I was a little girl....
just after... we had moved....from my Favorite...Place... on Earth.....
I'd tie...Joe.... at the door... of the Saloon... and Grill....
Plug the Juke Box.... with a quarter...
sit... at the counter....
and listen to the above tune...
Over...and Over.... and Over.....
{oh my... the poor Ladies... that worked in the Kitchen. : )
they were...so kind. : ) }
I was 8 years old....
what they must have thought..... : )
but... they never said a word. : ) }


{Just picked up... John's Breakfast...plate...
He Ate Every... Bite!
: ) }








Thursday, April 17, 2014

Draggin' the Line... { and...draggin'... my butt.... : ) }

Justin....called me... this late Morning....
one of mine... and John's Long Time... friends... had called... him... and wanted me... to call...
about an Old Farmstead.... 50 miles from here..... that had a bunch of Junk....
at it....
I did...
then...
bailed in the Ford....
and had him... 
Full Throttle... Wide.... Open....
all the way...
{with the exception.... of a mile stretch...of the deserted back roads.... 
where....
I met a Deputy Sheriff.... : ) 
{that little Ford.... must have an unseen... radar. : ) }
It was such a gift.... to dig.... 
get my hands.... dirty....
be...tired....
from loading....
visit.... with.... Salt of The Earth....
type...
Folks...
{The Man... who had the century and a half.... Farmstead...
was taking care..of his... Beloved Wife... of 50 years....
she has had... four... strokes....
They are in their 70's... and... are something... else.
: )
oh...my.
: )
We... had many 'notes'.... to compare.
oh...my.
Simply...finding... The Road.... again...
was such a Gift... in itself.
oh my....
I....sooooo need... Inventory....
Junk Jubilee... is Next Weekend... in Des Moines....
Mark and I... are going to Be There....
and we Need.... to have Great Stuff!!!!
It was such a Blessing.... to gather... some...
 Awesomeness....
Farm... Grunge...
Strange.... and Unusual....
Gnarliness...
: )
Lynn and Lea... gathered for me... as well...the last couple of weeks...
 Bless Their Hearts....
: )
I... feel....
 Finally... feel....
I'll have a Load.
a Great... Load.
: )
John... gets out of the Hospital... in the Morn....
: )
He is doing So Much... Better... : )
Thanks.... to The Angels... : )
It's going to be...touch..and go...
but...
I have No Doubt....
He's Going to Get Through This....
: ) : ) : )
{Keep Those Beautiful.... Wings...Beating!!!!
: ) : ) : ) }
I can also... tell you...now...
Along with
 Gold Rush... 
Mother's Day Weekend...{second weekend, in May...}
at The Fairgrounds....
 in Rochester, MN.
Then...
The Memorial Day Weekend Sale....
here... down the Rabbit Hole... the end of May....
I will be conducting.... 
A Sale...
in June....
Dates... to be announced.....
{later...June... }
This... Will Be...a BIG One.
Totally...
UNIMAGINABLE....
on Every.... Level...
{I'm Not.... Exaggerating... in the least. }
It will be held...
in a 
7500 square foot....
Structure...
{we will need every... inch.}
of the most...
INCREDIBLE ....
pieces.... you could... begin... to imagine.
Trust Me.
There will be things there....
Lots...and Lots... of things there....
that we thought...
no longer... existed.....
or... didn't know... they ever... existed...
{yes.... I'll be posting... images...
Late May....
Early...
June.
but....
hold back.... on the liquids....
before you
view them....
: ) }
oh...my.
I... thought.... the last sale.... I had....
that was by... 'invitation... only'....
was a 'once...in a lifetime'... sale.....
I...Truly... Did...
and.... there would Never.... be anything.... like that...
 ever.... again....
this.... is that....
Times....
 FIVE.
{at.... least. }
Stay tuned....
{This.... may also be.... by 'Invitation... Only'. 
That... is something... I haven't decided.... yet...
 If.... you want to be included....
call me...
319 241 1348
or send an e-mail.... }
Those.... who attended... the last...
You... are...Automatically... Invited!!!.....
You... are... my Trusted... Friends... : )
'Family'.
I'll be calling on you....: )
but... If... You don't hear from me... Call Me!
{as you know... life... is a bit... crazy... around here... : ) }
: )
You.... Will Want to Be...There.... 
You...MUST.... Be There....
I'd...be sad.... for you.... if you miss.... this...
I'm just..... the one... that pulls it together....my interest.... is minimal...
I Wish... I could be.... a Participant...
but... not now.... : )
I...just want... Everyone Else... to take in.... and Prosper...
from this Amazing.....
'Opportunity'.
One....
like we will Never.... see again.
{this... I..am... sure. }
wow.
: )
{and... Pray... for me....
these....next 60 days... are going to be... 
a Wild... Ride.}
Love... to You...
my Angels...
: )
Barb C.



yes... the Lilacs... are Budding....
Life...
is good.
When I got Home.... this Eve....
I watered....Pal, Val's.... Plants.... : )
and carried in... the Darling....Vintage... Cast Iron....
Settee...
oh my...
Seriously...
how Cute.... is This....
: )
There is a handful.... of Garden Chairs..... left....
I'll be kinda sad.... when they all.... go away....
I... absolutely...
Love Them.

The... Chariots.

As I left the Hospital...
late... last Eve....
Walking... through the cold wind....
following the same...path....
to the car...
my feet have stepped.... a hundred times...before...
maybe... even more... than that.
most... certainly....
more than that.
then....
up...the elevator...
where... my fingers... have pushed the buttons.....
again... and again....
I... looked down... and saw a drop...on the ground... from the malt... I had just taken to John.....
I wondered... how long it would be there.... how many visits....
before... I wouldn't see the speck....anymore....
and... would I always... remember.... this trip... and that... spot.... every time...
I travel this path... for the rest...of my days?
Even... when the traces of it.... are long.... gone.
then...
found my way....
to Jethro....
climbed in... the trusty... chariot....
that has carried me....
so many times... on the last many trips....
always... waiting.... like a faithful...
Friend.
{I began thinking...of all of the 'chariots'... over the last many decades....
that have swiftly... found their way there....
somehow...
seems... my mind... is racing... on every... trip, to this.... destination....
they...always... get me there.... but... sometimes.... I wonder...how.
The old...... trucks...The 61 ton truck...... the 67 Chevy....rusty...old mustangs...an... old fire bird... or two.... even...the car hauler... a time or two.... on a couple of emergency.... runs... to Mercy Hospital...for Dad...
and...so... many...many... more. }
oh my....
As...I turned the key....
the radio... was playing... the above tune.
I...just sat there.....
listening...to the powerful... engine.... rumble....
providing... some... 'throaty'...  bass..... to the beautiful tune....
so....
obediently....
waiting... for me...to give it... it's next...order.
Home...
lets... find our way....
Home...
he knew the way....
didn't miss a step.
Love to ya...
Barb C.
When...John brought..this 'chariot' home.... he was in 'need'....
Seems... we all are... in one way...or another... around here...
: )
As...I sat... looking at Jethro...that day....
 I saw him... done.... and perfect.
What.... I never imagined....
is putting a walker... in his trunk....
or... carrying Mom's ashes.... on the passenger seat.....
no...
I...never....
imagined... that.





This... I thought... was one of the Worst Days.... of my life....
It was the day after.....
a rainy night....
Jethro.... and I... found a ditch.....
oh my...
an...ugly... ditch.....
but... he flew through it.... and planted his hooves... right back... on the road.....
then...carried me.... 75 miles home.... in blinding rain....
with the front end... hanging to the ground....
an...Amazing.... Sure Footed.... Steed...
Looking at this... remembering... how Sick... and Heartbroken.... I felt....
I realize...
There are much 'worse'...days....
than.... this....
much.