Jamey Johnson - In Color

Heaven... must be a Wonderful Place.... indeed.

This is... Gerald Edelman...

Peg's Dad. : )

After listening to all of the Memories.... so many shared, today.....

 I couldn't help...but smile.

Gerald... and so many... Folks... like him... have been such a Gift, to this World.

John knew Gerald's Brother, Bob... very well... they were longtime Friends. : )

I... had only met Gerald a couple of times.... but... Peg shared many stories... with me, over the years.

: ) 

My mind... drifted..as the Minister... spoke.... 

I... thought of John.... my Dad.... 

oh my...

Heaven... must be... a....

Wonderful... Place.

They don't make 'em.... like...

 These Boys.....

anymore.

Love to ya...

Barb C.


I played the above tune....
because... it...was what was rolling through my mind....
throughout the day.
It's a story... of a little one, and his Grandpa... looking at old...
Black and White... Photographs....
Grandpa's.... 'Journey'...
I didn't realize it...until just now....
but, I learned something...today.
: )
Liz and Miss Scarlett... attended Gerald's Funeral.. with me...
Scarlett sat between me...and Liz.
We sat...near the back..... of the Sanctuary.
They had a projector.... showing... old Black and White... images...
of Gerald's life.
Scarlett... stood tall.... to watch it.
She Lit Up.... Loved the photos.
Fought... to watch... as people... stood in front of us.
They...were of....
Family.... Friends... Pets... Toys... Love... Life.
: )
Scarlett... at 3... didn't understand... exactly.... what was transpiring....
yet...
I... believe... she did.
: )
Scarlett saw... what we all... should have seen.
What we all.... should Strive... for.
: )
The Journey.
a...Beautiful... Journey....
filled with Life...Love... and Happiness.
yes...
I learned.... something...today.
From a Very... Special... Little...Tutor....
: )
and...I'd be willing to Bet...
Gerald... would have said....
"You should have Seen Them...in Color!!!"...
We...still can.
: )
Lesson... Learned.
: )
Yes, Heaven... must be a Wonderful....Place... indeed.... : )
and....
this place... might be ruff... and tuff.....
but...
By God.... we can See It... in front of us....
In Color.
A Gift.
: ) }

Deliverance - Banjo Duel

oh... my.

This is my Dad....

and my Beloved Best friend...

Dolsey.

I rescued her once...

She... rescued me... forever...after.

I...was about 16...when I captured this image...of them...

: )

The Old Chevy...Truck..... behind them....
 was my 'Chariot'... 

Junk Hauler...

{Scrap Iron}

back in the day. 

: )

The Rings...were shot.... 

It Belched Smoke... on demand....

: )

Big Smoke... 

{Got pulled over.... one time.... and the Cop said...

 "Get this Thing Fixed.... or I'm gonna Cite ya.... next time... for 'Pollution'!!!" 

: ) 

but.....

Very handy.... when a couple of...awful Boys... were tailgating me...and Dolsey........

honking their Ridiculous little horn.....

in their Shiny MG Convertible...

{top... down... : ) }

: ) 

They got stuck...in the Fog.... for half a mile..... ; ) after I floored it.... 

{knowing the Fog.... it would Blast out the tailpipe... : ) }

I carried a two gallon jug of oil.... with....at all...times.

When the Lifters...started tappin'.... I'd dump a little oil in....

and he'd be good.... 

'quiet'...

for a while.

: )

Some 'Yahoo'.... had changed the Factory.... 'three in the tree'.... shifter....

to an 'after market'....shifter... on the floor.

The linkage.... was a Mess....

It would Bind Up.... at the Most... Inopportune...Places... and Times.

{When it was Raining... 10 Below Zero...or the Snow was Deep.... }

I don't know how many times... I had to crawl under it... and get it back in sync...

with the big...old screwdriver.... I always carried under the seat.....

just to keep on going.

Too.... many.

Dad came home...with a newer...Ford Truck...one day....

 and I upgraded.

: )

He sold the Old White Chevy.... to some Boys... from near Anamosa, Iowa.

I wasn't happy about the Sale.

The Old Chevy had it's problems... but... it had a Strong.... 292... engine...

{just needed a new set of rings... }

and... always got the Job...Done.

: )

The worst part...was....

Dad... sold the Old Chevy... 'on time'...

 : ) 

 to these 'Boys'.

I raised.... an eyebrow..... 

oh my.

I didn't know 'em.....

I'd heard of them.... around....

and.... really.... didn't trust 'em.

They lived... back in the Hills.... I was told.......

not.... easy to find....

and....

 had a reputation.... of being...pretty   tuff....dudes.

Dad... Trusted....Everyone.

He...was a very... kind...Man.

{that some folks.... would tend to take advantage of. }

Dad... assured me....

 "You...still have the Title....: )

and... you can't go by what others say.... I...think these Boys...will pay...: )"

well....

They didn't...

: )

Months... went by.

We heard through the Grapevine......

they had wrecked the Old Chevy....

and...simply.... refused to pay.

oh...my.

Dad was renting The Ford Car Hauler.... from John....

so I could haul Car Bodies.... to the Scrap Yard.

It was a Jewel....

John built it....

It had a 18 foot Flatbed....

with a hydraulic winch and hoist....'tilt bed'.

: )

{I'm not sure, I had met John yet... I...was 16.}

I was so.... unhappy.... about this 'Deal'... and how these Boys... had taken advantage... of Dad...

Finally... I'd had enough... I was going to find the Old Chevy..... and bring him Home.

or...

the Cash.

Dad sold it to them... for 650.00

they owed 500.00

We... were Broke.

Dad.... asked me... to 'let it go'....

It...wasn't worth.... the trouble....that might transpire.

uh...

That wasn't gonna happen.

It couldn't...

we...

 Needed that money. 

I didn't know how bad the Old Chevy was wrecked... but... the engine... was kind of rare.

I was offered 400.00 for the engine.... if I could get it to the buyer.

I grabbed the title...bailed in... the Hauler.... 

and headed for the Jones County Sheriffs Department... 

{Anamosa} 

I...thought.... surely.... they would go with me.

I told them the story... had the Title... in hand......

{I hate to admit it....but...the reputation... of those Boys... had me a bit... on edge.}

They wanted nothing to do... with those Boys....at the Sheriff's Office.

but...kindly....

gave me directions... back in the Hills..... to where they lived.

: )

oh my.

: )

The Hauler and I.... took the winding....hilly.... muddy.... back roads....very....slowly.

As we were coming down a hill....

I saw the Old Chevy.... sitting.... next to the ditch....off to the left.....

in front of an old.... forlorn....

Farmhouse....

with a falling down...

 decrepit.... Porch.... attached...

On the porch...

sat three...old rocking chairs.....

on the rocking chairs...

sat three men....

that looked like...

 they had come straight out of the movie....

'Deliverance'.

{Sporting....Scruffy Beards.... and Bib Overalls....}

I parked the Ford Hauler....

on the left side of the mud road....

just... past the Old Chevy.

Put the brake on.....

engaged.... the power take off.....

got out....

and began... letting out... the winch's cable.....

It seemed like Miles...of cable.

 I had to have enough.... to get through the ditch.....

and wrap around the Old Chevy's front axle.....

so I could drag it... onto the road..... 

{The nose... of the Old Chevy... was smashed....

 so...

 I knew, I couldn't hurt it... anymore, than it was.

I didn't want to go further on to their property.... so didn't even take the Old Chevy... out of gear....}

It seemed to take forever.

I never looked the men....in their eyes....yet... I knew.... exactly where they were.

{they... never stopped 'rockin'...

I swear.... I heard Banjo.....pickin'.....}

I just kept pulling on that cable.

Then.... I quickly....quickly....

dashed up through the ditch....

wrapped and hooked the cable....

and...slowly... 'trotted'.... back.....to the waiting Ford....

and began.... winching the Old Chevy....dragging it.... through the muddy ditch....

 and on to the road.

I got it straightened around.... raised the Massive bed....

and pulled the Old Chevy.... up.... and got 'im loaded.

Threw a couple binders on....

{just a couple.... : ) 

Just...enough.... to get me down the road....

 I put more on.... when I was on 'higher ground'.... ; )...... } 

Those Boys... never quit 'rockin'....

They... never spoke a word.

Neither did I....

but...

I was Movin'.... Briskly.

I...wouldn't say.... I was 'afraid'.....

but....

I wasn't going to waste....any time.

: )

Dad...was right....

You can't 'Judge' folks....

by what others... say.

To this day....

I can't say a bad word....

about those Boys.

After all.... they didn't do a thing... to me...

except...

not pay....for an Old Truck. 

{that we came out.... Good...on......in the end...with. }

: )

I got to thinking about Dad... and our 'Journey'... tonight....

as...Peg... just lost her Dad....

This story... came to mind.... for me.

I'm sure.... Peg.... could share some.... Interesting stories....

as well.... : )

I'm going to his... Funeral... in the Morning.

Our 'Dads'.... have Provided Us....with..... some Amazing Stories.

We... are.... Blessed.

: )

May The Good Lord....

Bless Them !!!

: ) : ) : ) 

Love to ya...

Barb C. 

{I'm Sure... our Dads... and John.... are having some... Interesting... Conversations.... in Heaven.

about their....

'Girls'.... }

{oh.... dear. }

: )
{This story...may sound like.... it's more about my 'journey'... than Dad's.
: )
not so....much.
If it hadn't been for the way... Dad raised me....
 Trusted me....
Allowed me... to put the bit... in my teeth....and run....
sometimes.... stumble...fall...and skin my knees....
I wouldn't be... who I am.
John... was the same way. : ) <3
I will Forever... feel Blessed and Grateful...
for Them..... sharing my Life... with me.
{I...can't imagine... 'living' my life.... with people....
who held the reins... back. }


I went to Gerald's Funeral.... today.
: )
It was Lovely.
I enjoyed... hearing all of the stories..... seeing Peg.... and her Beautiful.....
Beautiful....
Family.
{ We Do....Love them....So. <3 }
Sounds like... Peg didn't fall far from the Tree. : )
oh my....
They all... Know How to Live. : )
Love to ya...
Barb C. }

Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream (1958) Edit

The Rabbit Hole.... under Snow....again.

Brrrrrrrrrrr.

Warmer.... days. 

oh....my. 

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK - THE LAST WALTS - LIVE 1967 (HQ-856X480)

Down... the Rabbit Hole.

Polly and I.... found our way, down the rabbit hole.... 

today.

: )

We began putting the carnage... back... together.

: )

in...about a 10x10 area.

I...ran across... some...pretty....wonderful....

old... treasures.

: )

The Burlap... Bag... 'Rocket Brand'.... is fun.

I...put out.... some of the Amana...Books...

Brought in... some... interesting....pieces....as well.

 Some things... I... truly don't remember... 

: )

It was like.... 'Christmas'! 

I...wrote a long..... post... last night, then....

decided.... to crawl out of bed....

 and remove it.

It was.... 11:11....when I opened the lap top.

It was the right thing.... to do.

As Polly and I... found our way back to bed....

I...said....to her....

"too.....sad".

it was.

If.... I ever write a book....

I'll share it.... then.

There is enough sadness... these days....

without finding it... here.

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

{As I worked...

'Played'...

 down the rabbit hole.....

today...

the above tune... rang in my ears..... 

: )

As...I found my way... through.....

it...was kind of like... 

a Waltz.

A Waltz....

 that....seems.... only I.... can enjoy...

 down the rabbit hole.

Others....tend...to get so.... overwhelmed....

 : )

when.... it's turned..... upside.....down....

and...

inside...out.

to me...

It's a Dance. : ) 

a....

Beautiful....

Dance. }

Vintage Amana Books.....
found a 'resting place'....
: )

Found these.... Gnarled out.... spinner gourds..... that had been hidden....
by... a little... Mouse.
: )
I...need to send them...to Peg.
: )
She'd get a Chuckle... out of them....
{oh...dear... <3 }
{ Her Mad March Hare.... Eyes...
would...
Roll! : ) }

Found.... several.... unusual....old feed sacks. : )

Somehow... when I loaded today's images....
this one....
popped up.
: )
This... always...makes me smile. : )
New Orleans....
memories.

Trimmed up.... several Amana Rug... fragments.
Love 'em....

This... is a Wonderful.... Piece.... of Iowa... History.
: )
It's an Early... 'Milking Stool'....
hand made....
with an old 'Tug Strap'...fragment... from a Work Horse Harness....
 fashioned for its 'hanger'.
: )
Farmers... liked to hang their Milking Stools... in the Barn.
It makes a Sweet Shelf.... for the Amana Rug... fragments. 

Also... ran across.... several Amana Textiles.
They would sew their initials... in the corners.... as they sent their Laundry out....
{Communal Wash Houses]
This one... is Early....
all hand hemmed. 

I don't know... if this.... is Amana.
It's pretty Fancy.... yet.... measures the same, as the Amana Covers.
about 6 feet square.
and...was tucked away...
with all...of the Amana Textiles. 

Ran across.... several Beautiful... Monogrammed... Runners....
while sorting.... today.
I rolled them up.... and tied them, with Vintage Ticking....
: )

Patsy Cline- Back in Baby's Arms (lyrics)

The Ford.... is Home.

oh...my.

 : )

He's... Better... than New.

<3 <3 <3 

The New...Used... Rear End....

was an Upgrade. : )

It's a Posi... 

: )

He....Purrs.... like a Kitten. : )

Thanks.... to Justin...and Kevin...

for Handling The Ford....

sooooooo.....

 Carefully. 

<3 <3 <3 

{I...can't tell ya... how Good... it felt.... 

to drive him Home.

: ) : ) : ) }

Lady Antebellum - Compass (Full Song with Lyrics)

Following... my 'Compass'....

 The Heart...

It gets.... itself battered...  bruised....and... broken...

when exposed, to...

'Open'....

 to... 

the

 Journey.

but.... 

seems....

it's always up...for the ride. : )

no matter.

Out of all of my 'senses' .... I lean on... in troubled times....

looking back...

I ultimately... wind up...following my Heart.

Sometimes... to a fault.... some may say.

but, then...

 I have no regrets.

I...suppose....my life could have been different.,... 'easier'... in some respects...
if I'd followed...my 'pride'... 'experience'.... my....'head'....

allowed them....

to lead the way.

When I ran across this quote...this Morning.... it struck me.

I...am struggling....so... to find my 'legs'.... 

My Mind...races.... 

Pride.... ridicules me....

and... all of my 'experience' throughout my life....

has never prepared me... or left me... anything, like this... to draw from.

so...now... I'm left...

to...lean... on the one thing....

I know... will never 'lie'... to me... leave me... with regrets....
or... steer me... wrong.

My Heart.

: )

I... can't 'think' my way out of all of this.

{I've tried... for months. }

so...

with every step... I take, every... move... 

I'm letting my Heart... be my guide.

my....

'Compass'...

I...might fall flat on my face....

but... I'll fall.... without 'regret'.

knowing....

the choices I make.... are from the purist part of me.

: )

You...can't go wrong.... 

'forever'...wrong.... 

if you... simply.... let your Heart...be your guide.

Here we go.

: )

Pray for us. <3

Love to ya....

Barb C.

my....
Compass.
<3

Celine Dion - Because You Loved Me (Official Music Video)

Images.

<3 <3 <3
I'm the only one.... left...... in this image.
Mom.... my...Sister, Chery.... John.....
and...
me.

John... took this one. : )
I was soooo Mad.... {hate to have my picture taken. }
oh my....
He hated it.... when I got Perms.
: )
He called me... a 'Burr Head!'....
I... got 'em.... anyway. ; )
He bought me... the Black Leather Jacket.... for Christmas....
I LIVED.... in that...Jacket. : )
Nearly.... died in it... in '83.
{it.. hangs... in the closet.... never far...from me : ) }
: )

John's 'Selfie'....
Long... before anyone knew... what a
'Selfie'... was.
{taken...about....35 years ago. }
: )
This... is what John looked like... when I first...met him...
and... he never ever... changed...one bit....
 in my eyes.

This is what I looked like, when we first met. : )
You'd never know... there were 17 years... between us.
I... have always looked much older, than my years....
John... always looked much Younger... than his.
But.... looks...aren't the important thing....
It's where your 'Head's At'....
John and I were Friends....
from the first time we met.
We Believed... in the same things.
Shared mutual... thoughts....
and Values.... from day one.
yes...
 we 'Understood'... each other.
There were a few times... when we... didn't.... but.... we always....
worked through them.
There...weren't any other options.... for either of us.
Quitting...
 Failure.....
 well.... they... weren't 'options'.....
for us.
We'd... always 'bend'... a little...for each other.
Find... Common Ground.... and move forward.
A Friend.... sent me an article...a 'Study'... about Grieving....yesterday.
It... made me cry.... and... understand... why, I feel the way I do.
Somehow.... knowing... that others, even a very small percentage of people....
understand....this.....
was...comforting.
They called it... 'Complicated Grief'....
{yes.... of course.... this is....
everything... in our Lives.... have been. : ) }
I, know.... some of my friends.... probably think... I'm 'depressed'.....
: )
It's not that simple.
There is no pill.... or therapy.... that will... ease this.
Even if there was.... I'm not sure.... I'd take it.
Our Journey... makes us...who we are.
This Loss..... will change me. It already has.
It...will continue....to do so.
I find myself.... in a very...difficult... situation.
I... am nearly out of time.... financially.... to 'grieve'.
Guess.... this will be a Major Test.... for my heart and soul.
Can... I find my feet.... can.... I take on....each day.....
will I be able to 'stand'.....
?
Seems.... I'm being hit.... from every direction.... on a daily basis.
If...anything could go wrong.... it has.
but.... with every Blow....
that would have dropped me... before.....
well....
I'm so numb.... the Blows.... are almost.... laughable.
They...all... Pale... in comparison.... to the Real....Blow.
: )
I'm not...asking anyone.... to feel sorry.
I....simply...had to say this, so.... maybe... you'll understand..... why.... I am...the way I am.
Forgive me.... for my.... insanity. : )
Love...to ya....
Barb C.

I took this 'selfie'.... a while back......

what I didn't share.....

were the images... below... I captured before this.

: )

we..... never... walk alone.

One of the feelings.... I miss...
is...
'Feeling'.
Feeling... the Aura.... of people.
I...know, this sounds strange.
but....
I...could always....always... 'feel'...
'happiness'...
 'sadness'....
'energy'....
around...people.
I'm so numb..... : )
well....
I...can't 'feel'...that..... anymore.
I'm...sorry...for that.
but...then, maybe.... it's a Blessing.

Mary Hopkin - Those were the days

Happy Places....of yesterday.

This image... and the four... below....

are of...

Happier....Days.

at.... my...

'Happy....Place'.

'Michael's'... 

Rochester, MN.

These are a Thimble... full..... of

 'The Days'

There are Hundreds.... More.

Times... I nearly fell off  my Chair... Laughing.

Once....after being... asked to please... 'quiet down'.....

 {oh dear... } 

I Stormed Out!

{We had started... having a Really 'Happy Time'...Long.... before we made it to Michael's...

that night....

 oh... Dear.... 

and...I...was... dedicating.... that Evening....to Amy Winehouse.....

she..had just... passed away. 

oh... my. oh...my.... 

Had my Make Up... and Hair... Stacked....High! 

We.... were All... having... quite...a... 'time'... : ) }

I worried about my behavior... at my Happy Place.... all Winter.

{One of our friends... at the Table...that night... Assured me... 

They'd Never Let Me Back...In! }

oh dear....

oh...dear......

Praying... Michael.... would find it... in his Heart... to Forgive... me... in the Spring.

{After all... What would I...Do... if I was Barred... from My Happy Place????!}

I found my way... to Michael's... 

Saw Michael... Graciously....Greeting his.... 'Sane' Guests....

one.... by.... one....

then...

there I stood.... 

dirty.... tired.....

a Mess.

: (

{my Stomach... was Churning.... so... afraid... he'd put me on the Run... }

I.... slowly walked up... to him.....  and asked him....very... sheepishly.....

"So... are you going to feed me...tonight? : ) "

He looked at me... smiled....

and said...

"Why Wouldn't I? : ) "

I said.... "well..... I was pretty Naughty.... last Fall.... "

: ) : ( : ) 

He smiled.... leaned over.... and whispered in my ear....

"Girls... just want to have.... Fun. : ) : ) : ) "....

: ) : ) : ) 

yes.... those.... were The Days. 

and...

Yes... we....all....

simply.....

want to have....

Fun. 

We... thrive... for those... 'moments'.

<3

: (

oh my....
Last Thursday....early....early.....
Jethro... and I... took a little trip.

I received a call.... last week, from my Friend, Michael Pappas.

The Owner, of Michael's Restaurant... in Rochester, MN.

Also known.... as....

my....'Happy Place'.....in Minnesota. 

He... floored me... when he said, 'Michael's'.... had served it's last meal....

New Year's Eve.... and... they were having an Auction.... on the 12th.

oh my....

{I...had to sit.... down. }

He... didn't want me...to miss it, knowing... how very much.... I enjoyed... 'visiting' there.

oh my.

The Ford... is down.... The Rear End.... is toast.

Liz's car... is on the blink....

She has Sally...

The Fuso... is Loaded.

I... don't drive Jethro... in the Winter....

but...

I... couldn't miss.... this Auction.

and....a chance... to say.... 'Good Bye'.... to yet.... another.... 

'Happy Place'....

Nashville.... The Opryland.... Heart of Country....

now....

Michael's.

oh my....

The Times.... we shared, at all of those....

Wonderful....

Happy...

Places.

The Grandeur.... The Beauty....

Nothing.... 

No Place.... could ever buffer... what we go through,

setting up.... at The Shows....

like... the above.

They.... were... the 

'light'.... at the end of the tunnel.

When....anyone would ask.... where I liked to eat... in Rochester...

I always said...

"There is only one Restaurant in Rochester,
 and that's 'Michael's'.... "

always will be, for me. 

Guess.... I'll have to pack my own food... from now on. 

It's 180 miles.... to Rochester, from Home.

Jethro...and I.... made it... in quick time.

We pulled in.... before 9 a.m. 

I thought.... if I got a lot bought... I'd just have to make a trip back.

I... honestly.... just wanted... 'something'... to remember my Happy Place....

and...wasn't concerned... about a 'load'.

I stayed... until 10 that night.... and...got little bought.

I tried... but... things were bringing three times... what I expected them to.

Good...for Michael, and his family.

: )

I... bought a few little things, for Liz...

 {She and Kristi... have been helping me... since they were 8 years old....at Gold Rush...

 : ) 

and... have also... Enjoyed... Many...Wonderful Meals.... next to Mama..... at Michael's.... }

I filled Jethro.... up....with what I had managed...to gather...

 then... when I got ready to go Home....

Jethro... said... "No"....

I thought it was his battery....

{Thought I'd left the lights on....and it...was well...below...zero, outside.

 I now know... it was the starter.

 Some nice Minnesota Men.... and Friend, Dan.... helped me... get him....rollin'..... : ) }

I was soooooo Wiped Out.... Tired.... when I headed South.

As I was leaving Rochester.... I hit, something, in the road... a 'metal'....something....

Thought it had torn up the front end.....

but.... thankfully.....

when I found a station.... and examined him.... there were no injuries.... to the tire.... or body.

Then... as I was approaching Cedar Rapids.... about 1...a.m. I ran across a Huge... Doe....

that had been killed.

: ( : ( : ( 

She was in the middle of the highway.... on the Interstate....

I was so.... afraid... someone... would come along, and hit her...again.... I called 911.....

then... waited and worried.... until... I was sure....everything... would be o.k.

oh my.

What a day.

I... just found out, yesterday.... we lost a Dear.... Sweet Friend.... that day.

Part of Our Antique.... Family.

My Heart...Aches.

Prayers... are sent... and have...been... sent.... every day.....for a long....long....time....

 for my Friend... and Family....

along... with All.... who Suffer.... every.... day.

There.... are Many..... Too.....Many. 

I just visited with Mary Sellon.... who wanted me to...

 Thank You....All... 

for 

Your Continued Prayers....

Mary, is Home.

Praise.... The Lord.

They don't know... yet, what is going on.... but....

She's.... Home.

A Miracle.... 

I stood outside...... remembering..... all the Good Times.... we had... walking through those Big Bronze.... Doors.
I... could almost... almost.... hear our....ghostly.... laughter.
The doors sold for... 3000.00
hmmmm.... : )
evidently... they never understood....
the meaning... of....
'Priceless'...
most... never will.

This image...doesn't show it....
but...
it was Wall to Wall... Bidders.
and... over 17000 lots.
Big....Auction.

I was fascinated...by the 'Behind The Scenes' of Michael's Restaurant.....
The Kitchens... and Bakeries... where...HUGE...  Big Business.
WOW!!!
This image... is a tiny portion... of the 'Behind the Scenes'.... of this Magnificent Restaurant....
wow.
They Sold...Everything.... down to the fixtures....
Sounds like... this prime location.... will be part of the Mayo Clinic.
Sad.... sad....sad.............

The Massive Water Pitcher... was something I had admired....
from our first visit.... nearly two decades ago....
I... meant to own it.
I...refrained.... from buying other things.... so, I could Hit This Hard.....
I did.
It...didn't happen.
I...went as high...as I dare.
I...was the back bidder.
That tells me, with the Crowd they had... I did... a pretty good job.
Just... not... quite.... good.... enough.
it...was my best....
and...that's all... I can do. : )

My Friend....
: )
Michael Pappas.
Owner... of  'Michaels'
{Michael's and his Family's Business.... since 1951....}
oh my....
: )
I smiled... and laughed... when I first saw him....as our eyes met....
: )
had to....
 : )
 he...looked so...sad.
: ( : ( : ( .........
 I had... to...somehow.... 'lighten up' our... last meeting.
 : )
I 'Smiled'....at him....
'Grinned'.... ; )
  and said...as he stood with his 'Buddies'....
 "Why...Micheal... : )  I didn't recognize you... with your clothes on!!! : ) "
{They... all got a Big....Laugh... out of that...
 then... I clarified. : )
: ) : ) : )
I... owed Michael... that.... Laugh.  : )
After all... of the Smiles...
laughter....
 happiness...
He and...His Staff......
had Allowed us...to have....
enjoy...
over the Years... : )
oh my. }
Michael's Restaurant is... very Formal.
Enchanting....
Beautiful....
: )
Every time.... we visited.... Michael's....
Michael.... Personally... Greeted us... in a Suit.
and... always... always... Remembered... us.
: )
It... never mattered, how...I was dressed.... Michael, and his...Wonderful Staff... treated us...
like Queens. : )
{sometimes.... I was a Mess... after working.. hard,
 Grubby......
after  unloading...and setting up.... at the Show. }
: )
{there were Girls.... in Gowns... at Michaels.... sitting with us Girls... in Flannel.... and Bibs. }
: )
It was Such a Gift.... to walk through the doors.... and be...
'Taken Care'.... of. : )
Enjoy.... Amazing... Food....and The Best... Margaritas... on Earth.
and....
Doting... Service.
yes....
my.... 'happy'.... place. : )


The Gold.... Coin... at the top...of the page.....
has a Story.
My Memory..... of the Day.
As I waited, throughout the day..... for items, I was interested in...to sell......
I sat.... alone....kicked back.... on one of the Settees... in The Entry.
Reliving... The Good...Times.... : )
 The Ringmen......
{there were Many.... with Three Auctioneers Going. }
would... come, and sit across from... me..... and visit.
They were from all over the Country.... each had... interesting Stories.... to share....from where they were from.
One by one.... they asked me... 'Mine'....
I shared with them.... my Story.... from 'Michael's'....
As.... I was leaving.... one...of the Ringmen....ran up to me....
and placed the Gold...Coin.... in my hand.
He, said... he'd found it.... on the floor.... and... he didn't think... there was one... other person... there....
that, would... Appreciate...it More.
: )
He... was right.
 : )
He was from Kentucky....a True.... Southern Boy. : )
I.... looked at him... and said...
"Thank's... for being so kind.... to an old... Yankee....Girl. : ) "
Love.... to ya...
Barb C.
{Thanks.... so Much.... to my...Sweet Northern Iowa... Friends.... for helping me... Unload... Jethro.... in The Cold. : )
Love Ya. <3 }

Ella Fitzgerald - My Funny Valentine

My... Valentine.

<3 <3 <3

I...was Blessed... to visit with...

Miss. Scarlett....

Justin 'J'... Justin, Liz... and Katie....

today.

My Valentines.

Happy Valentine's Day....

to You...

and Yours.

Love...

to ya...

Barb C.

{Miss. Scarlett... spent the night... with me. : )

 I captured these 'Valentine'... images... as she...and her Mama... were leaving. <3

My....

Valentines.....

Scarlett...Polly and I...laid in bed... last night.... eating Pounds... of Valentine's...Candy...

and... watching Cartoons. : )

Hope Your... Valentine's Eve... and Day....

was as Grand. <3

oh my...

: )  }

Alice's Theme - Danny Elfman (Lyrics, HD)

The Hatter.... said to Alice... "Why is it... you are are either Too small... or... too Tall? " : )

I... have often...Wondered...

that...

myself.

: )

I...had written a Long...Post...

yesterday...

but, after I read it...

it was so...Crazy.... 

well....

even 'The Author'...

was Dizzy... 

Then...today's 'Story'...

 well... 

on top of the days prior....

ha.

: )

No One... would believe any of it.

oh...dear.....

I Just... got Home.

I'm tired.... so...tired. : )

Jethro and I...covered hundreds of Miles... today....

and endured...

much.

I'll try... tomorrow, to somehow....

put all of the Events... into some...sort of fashion....

that won't make us...all...

feel...

like we had a Bad Spill... 

Down the Rabbit Hole.

This image, I posted....

is of a New Friend... I met today.

A...Kindred Spirit....

: )
{Please... Click on the Image... and See....
where The 'Lines'....are. : ) }

I asked her to 'Pose'.... next to Jethro.

: )

He, was parked... perfectly....

but... the Truck.... two doors down... well... 

not so much.

I watched folks... try and Squeeeeeeze in, beside him... then....

back out.

I noticed the old... Valet Sign.... by the door....

and placed it in the 'half' space....

to protect... the Old Boy.

{The Lord...Only Knows.... what would have 'Transpired'.... 

had there been a 

Door...Ding. 

oh....Dear. : ) }

You'll understand... it all...

after...I....

figure it all... out.

Yes.... sometimes... I wonder....

why is it....I'm either Too small....

or...

too...Tall.

: )

and... 

Why is... a Raven....

like a Writing Desk?

: )

Love to ya...

: )

Barb C.

{My 'New Friend'...and I agreed... neither one of us... could ever Remember each other's names....

so....

She... is now known...simply... as 'My New Friend'....

To her... I'm 'Dan's Friend'. : )

Works for Me!

I promised My New Friend... I'd post images of 'The House... John Built'.

: )

I will...

in the next few days. 

: )

oh my...

What a Gift... she was....today. : )

There were... many.

I...am Blessed. <3 }

along with a Lot of......Insanity...

The Last... Leg... of 'My Long...Journey'....

involved...

a 911 call. 

{but...that was just 40 miles... from Home. }

yeah....

it's all about...

The Journey.

: )
{ It..... may be the 15th.... before.... I can write.
: )
It's been 28 years... today....
since I lost, my Dad.
My...First... 'Best Friend'...
: ) : ) : )
and... my 'first'...
Valentines Day....
after Losing John....
My 'Rock'.....
well....
well...
: )
well.
: )
yes...
if you could...
please...
simply...
Give me...
a...
 'moment'.}