Sunday... at The Auction....

It was quite a day....

I was up...and rollin'... by 4:30.... a.m. 

oh my....

It was raining... there was ice... here and there....

Then... The Wind....

oh my.

I don't remember the last time... I had a wind burn.

The wind... was relentless.....

most of the day. 

I gathered everything.... from.... an Old....Model T Tailgate...

to...

Fresh Duck Eggs.

: )

It was a pretty tuff Auction,,,,

seems... many Folks...have learned to appreciate... 

worn... and well loved... pieces...too.

: )

I found myself... sitting on my hands... often.

: )

Yet... some Treasures... slipped past... the others. : )

The Ford...and I.... came home... with a Heavy... load.

I bought a Big... Old Galvanized Farm Cart....

that... Thankfully... as I was struggling with it...to get it on the bed...of the Ford....

a Kind... Young Man.... offered a Hand....with. : )

{Angel! } 

It is Sooooo Cool. : )

I..had a Lovely... time... at the Auction... I go...every year.

The People... are... so down to earth.... 

Refreshing. 

Ran into...some Friends...there...too.... : ) it was Good... to see them... : )

The Duck Eggs... are Amazing. 

Had a couple... for Breakfast... this Morning....

They are so rich.... 

One... is Plenty. 

: )

{Hadn't eaten a Duck Egg... since I was a little girl... 

They taste the same, as Chicken Eggs... to me...except.... they are Bigger... and Richer... }

I bought 4 dozen... thought they'd be Great... for Easter. 

They keep... better... than Chicken Eggs..... they have a thicker shell. }

I found a Wonderful...Old...Old... Kraut Cutter.... with a Heart.... cut out.

It was a Market.... where the Auction was.... I bought several... wonderful 'Smalls'...there....

Had they been on the Auction... I wouldn't have been able to bring them home...

Things...were selling... High. 

I'm so Thankful... for what we have...piled in the Barn...and Sheds. 

oh my...

If I had to buy for the shop... at Auction.... well... I...couldn't do it.  

Thankfully.... the rabbit hole... will be.... Full... at Opening.

now...

if I can just... get it all... pulled together.

: )

oh my.

Love to ya...

Barb C.

This is sooooo cool.
The image... is not.
This is the Model T Ford Truck Tailgate.....
LOVE IT!!!
I Stepped Up...for it....
had to.
had....to. : )

I was so Happy... this little Vintage Sand Box....Toy Truck.... slipped through... the Auction....
They are getting so hard to buy.

it was a Heavy... Load.

LOVE this Iron Bowl.... and Lid... from Cedar Rapids!

One cam Never have... too many Pig Feeder Pans!!!!
{Got a few Chicken Feeders...as well... : ) }

This...is a Keeper.
Dad was Born and Raised... in Derby, Iowa.
so...
Anything that says 'Derby'... finds it's way.... to the House! 

Love this.... Small... Kraut Cutter....
It Has a Heart!!!
I'd Love to Keep it...
but... it will find it's way.... to the rabbit hole.
{I'm keeping the Derby Box. I can't have... everything. : ) }

Best Buy... of the Day!

The Duck Egg... is on the Left.
They are larger... and more Oval...
The Shells... are much thicker....too.
When I cooked two...this morning.... they reminded me... of Chicken Eggs... on Steroids!
To me... they taste the same... but... the whites... are much more stable... and the yolks... are Much... Richer....
I saw them being used, on a PBS Program... a while back...
Seems Duck Eggs... are Truly... the Incredible... Egg!

This Farm Cart...would be Wonderful... to change out... Seasonally...
I can see it... Filled with Flowers!!! {or... Pumpkins!}

This is a 'Parts Washer'... I'm going to give it a Good Cleaning.
It would be Great.... at a Wedding...or...Event... with Ice in it.... and drinks... or..even Food....
It's Cool!

I used this old Mail Box...for a Stool... at the Auction... to sit on...
{it was a LONG Day.... }
Carried it with...everywhere I went... in the afternoon....
: )
The Crazy Auctioneers... kept trying to Sell it... out from under me...
: )
oh my....
Auctioneers... are...a Very...Special... Breed.
{love 'em... : ) }

Jason Aldean - The Truth

The Truth....

I had a Dr.'s Appointment today.

oh my....

I never go to the Dr. unless.... I'm really.... really...sick.... 

then... I'll wait an extra day or two....

hoping I'll come out of it.

: )

I'm not 'sick'... but... when I called in for another refill... for my rescue inhaler...last week...

{I... go through... many... I've had asthma... since I was 14. It's nearly killed me... twice. 

I use my rescue inhaler... far more than I should...always have.}

The Nurse... {whom...I Adore...: ) }

said...

 "Barb.... we haven't seen you.... for a Long....Long.....time....: ) we'll refill this... but...

Dr. says he'd like to listen to ya.... When can you come in?"

{sigh....}

I made the appointment... last week...for today.

It's had me... on edge... since I scheduled it.

I was very... concerned...about this... 'visit'.

It's the first time... I've set down... with my Beloved... Dr. since John...passed away.
{Thank God... He was also...Mom and John's...Doctor...too. <3 They Loved Him. }

I... was so afraid..... I'd break.... when he stared asking me questions....

Not...about my health....

no...

my breathing.... is the same...as it's always been... it sucks. 

but... I know how to manage it... and.... get by. : )

no...

I knew he was going to ask me... 'the question'... 

the one.... that always....drops me..... to my knees.

I've never been a good liar.

In fact... be careful... what you ask me... you will... get the truth.

If... I'm prepared.... like I was...today... with him...

I can be...a little sarcastic... and funny.

Dance around...'the truth'... : )

The last time I saw him...in his office... I wasn't smoking....

{yes..it's been awhile. : ) }

He asked... "And... you're Still not Smokin'... : ) : ) : ) "

: )

"No... I'm Smokin' Like a Stack! : ) and... Drinkin' more, than some... say... I Should...Too!!!"

: ) : ) : )

He Laughed....and said...

"Be careful... : ) Go Easy... on that stuff.... : ) "

: ) 

I said....

"Come walk with me... for an hour... or a day..... I'll have you...Drinkin' and Smokin' Too!!!

: ) : ) : ) 

Just as soon as This World... is Good...again.... 

I'll take your advise... and... take'er... easy...on my 'self medicating'...  : ) "

He...looked at me...shook his head...and... and chuckled.... : )

He...told me... he understood. 

{He always... has. : ) What a Gift... that is.
They don't teach that... in Med School. : )  }

He and I... have traveled quite a Journey... together, these last 30 years....

few.... know me better. 

: )

but...none...of those roads...were as Rough... as the ones...we walked....together...

over a few short months...  last year.
As we were saying our 'Goodbyes '...

I told him... I Love him... : )

 He said... he Loves me..too... : )

oh my....

I'd made it through....: ) 

Made it out... with my Skin!!!

then...

 paid my bill....

: )

 I walked through the waiting room... heading towards the door... : )....

and heard a voice.... from the Past.

"Barb!!!!"

It was my Friend, Pat. : ) : ) : )

She's a writer....and photographer... she used to do a 'Food Page'...

She was a customer....for 'special'... vintage dishes... to display food on.

then...became a Friend... 

: )

 way back.... before I had the shop.

: )

I laughed.... and said... how Good it was to see her.... : )

and... how I Never come to the Dr.'s office... because...when I do... it's Then...I get sick!

What were The Chances...of running into her!!! : ) 

I shook her hand... told her... I had just Scrubbed... before I left the exam room...

 We were laughing....: )

 another...couple...was....as well... that were listening to our conversation....

Then....

Pat...

asked...

the... 'Question'.

"So...how...are 'you'.....doing?".....: (

I laughed....

and said....

"Well...this last year...has been a little ruff...: ) : ) : ) but... "

then...she started to say....

"Yes...I'd...read...."

I stopped her.... abruptly.

{I could feel... all of the 'wit'... that had carried me through....

 leave my body....and... the World... turned upside down...in the blink...of an eye. }

I said...

"uh oh....: (... uh oh..... Pat.... We can't talk about this."
 : ( : ( : ( ......... 

True...to the Hatter Traits....

I....wear my emotions... on my sleeve.

like.... a mood ring....
 {especially.......when I'm caught off guard....}

There was Nothing.... I could do....

to stop... the Floodgates.

I still...was holding her hand....

: )

told her... we'd have to visit...another time.

: ) : (......

and...found my way...out the door.

oh my....

I... know... my Friends Love me....

I...know... when I need them... all I have to do...

is pick up the phone.

but...

this... is the reason... I don't talk to anyone.

: )

If... they ask me... a 'personal'... question....

The Truth... always... comes out.

sometimes....

it's pretty... painful.

I..can get through.... if... they don't ask....

"How are you doing?"

but... because... they care, they always do. 

As Pat... saw...today....

The Truth comes out.... sometimes... in tears.....

when the words... can't be spoken.

So... for me... when we meet.... lets talk...about the Weather...

Junk...

Old Trucks...

Pretty Flowers...

and...Good Times...

just... don't ask me...for the 'Truth'.

Love to ya...

Barb C.

Davina and the Vagabonds "Black Cloud" Live at KDHX 2/24/12

Davina & The Vagabonds "Start Running"

Davina and the Vagabonds - Lipstick and Chrome

Davina and The Vagabonds Concert....

What a Fun.... Time. :)

My Friend, Allyson... bought me a ticket.... for the Event.

I Love this Band...

Friend, Marc B. introduced me  to their Music... a while back....

: )

I went right out....and bought their cd.

Had it playing down the rabbit hole... Allyson heard them...on one of her visits....

and Loved them...too!

She heard they were going to be playing at The Campbell Steel Art Gallery...in Marion, Iowa...

and invited me to go with her... and her Sis... <3 

what a Gift.

: )

Tho... my images from my phone... leave a lot...to be desired... it was an Awesome... Show.

My Friend... Marc... was there... Tony....Melody... {Image Nouveau Photography ...

{Melody... is Awesome... she's the Gal...who did The Mad Hatter... Shoot...for me! } 

and her...Hubby... : )

There were so many people... there... that I knew.... that came to our table... to say "Hi!"

I didn't expect to see anyone... I knew... there....  so... I wasn't looking. : )

I...guess.... I was oblivious... to my surroundings... 

{Too Busy.... watching the Band! : ) Whistling...and Whooping it Up! : )

oh dear.... 

{ask anyone... who... takes me... anywhere....

I...am kind of a 'handful'... in 'Public'... : )  

Especially... where Great Music...is Playing. : ) {oh...dear.... : ) }

This Band... has a Big New Orleans... style....... Jazz...Sound!

LOVED The Horns! 

I visited with Davina...during one of their breaks....  she is a Doll. <3 

Marc... bought me her latest cd....'Sunshine'...{How Sweet...is That! : )

 Marc, is my Dear Friend.... Stephanie's.... Hubby...and...my Long Time...Friend. : ) } 

Davina... had signed it for me. : )

I shared the story.... as she and I.... visited....of her earlier... cd... 'Black Cloud'.... 

{posted at the top... : ) It... seems... very.... fitting. }

and how... it touched me...so.... last year, earlier... in the evening : ) 

{I was going to purchase it... after the Show... but... Marc... surprised me with it.... : ) }

What a Lovely... comment... she... wrote. 

Seems.... she understood...... the meaning... of a 'Black Cloud'...too. : ) 

Our Server...was a Belly Dancer....

She was Awesome.... : ) : ) : ) 

yes... it was a very... fun...evening. : )

I'm heading out... early in the morn.....

so... better wrap it up.

Love to ya...

and... if you get the chance... to see this Band....

GO!

{Buy your tickets... early... They were Sold Out.... early.... here. }

They are headed to the UK... 

but...they do many Shows... throughout the Country...

They are from the Twin Cities....

and.... are Really... Somethin'. ! 

Barb C.

{When Davina... first came out....

She said....

"I am so Disappointed... that all of The Antique Shops... are Closed... here...in Marion...tonight!

I...LOVE Antiques!!!"

I Yelled!!!

"Mine's Not!!!

I have an Antique Shop!!!

We Could be there...in 15 Minutes!!!"

{normally 30... but... I was driving Jethro.... : ) }

She Stood Up...from her Piano.... and started walking off the Stage....

Davina.... was Ready to Come Slide... down...the Rabbit Hole!!!

It was...Hilarious!!!

: )

yeah.....

 you can't take me... anywhere... : )  

oh...my. : )

{It's kind of... sad.... in a way....

 When Artists... Play...'Perform'....

 they work... very odd... hours.

So...they Miss... a Lot... in the Cities.... they work.

I'll never forget.... I was working....down the rabbit hole... late... late... one Winter Night.

I was at the back... of the shop.... and heard the door open... up front.

{Yikes!!!}

I started.... making my way...to the front......saying......."Hello????"......

 I met up....face to face... with a Huge... Man... in a Big Black...Fur...Coat.....

in the center of the shop....

with him...were two... Beautiful... Young... Women.

Only he.. could speak English....

They were here... {Cedar Rapids}... performing... The Russian Ballet.

They were Russians.

He was the Conductor... The Girls..... were Beautiful... Ballet... Dancers.

: ) oh my...

They were out driving... and saw the lights.... from the rabbit hole....

and... just... stopped.

??????

: )

I...about fell over....

They were Lovely.... 

The Girls... picked out a couple... of little Treasures....

The Man... asked... "How Much?"....

I said...

"They are a Gift.... from Iowa. : ) <3 "....

They... were Very... Gracious.... : ) : ) : )

oh my....

what a Memory. <3

just think.....

 a 'little bit'... of the rabbit hole....

found it's way.... to.....

 Russia. : )

Priceless. <3 }

This is Davina.... She...and her Band... are...Cooool....Cats! : )

Our Server... was a Riot!
and.... a Darned Good... Belly Dancer! : ) : ) : ) 

War - Low Rider

Took a Little Trip....

A Sweet Little Friend...

called the other day.....

Asked if I'd like to join her.... on a 

Little Road Trip.... Thursday...

I thought about it..... and.... thought it would be fun....

: )

I hadn't visited with my Friend.... for a long time.
She and I...had a Lovely Visit.... stopped at some Fun Shops....
and Gathered... some Interesting Things!
: )
We took the Ford... and covered many miles... in little time. : )
I was running on about 4 hours of sleep.... oh my....
and... it was The Ford's.... Maiden Voyage... with his new rear end...
and.... bed.
: )
We heard a 'clunk'.... when we took off.... I... about had a heart attack....
but... never heard it again.... ; )
So... away we went... Fast....and Low... ; )
I'm working on the Shop...today....
The 11th, will be here sooner than we know.
: )
I'm going to put a Tent up... behind the Shop... and Fill It!
There will be Much.... to Dig Through!
Love..to ya....
Barb C.

Here are some of the 'Smalls'... I gathered yesterday.... on our Whirlwind.... trip...to Wisconsin.
Lots of Ghost Mirrored Items..... Worn Velvet.... and... Vintage Buttons. : )
{I'm on a Gnarly....Vintage 'Button Kick'...Lately. : ) }
I also bought... an Unbelievable... Twin Sized... Iron Bed. : )
and... the Most Soulful... Mid 1800's Blanket Chest.
The Early Chest...has the Most Wonderful.... Turned Legs....
Well... Three.... Wonderful... Early.... Turned Legs.....
and... One... Old...Gnarly 'Make Do'... foot.... that was attached a hundred years ago....
when the Fourth Leg... was somehow... broken.... along The Chest's 'Journey'....
LOVE IT!!!
: )
There is no lid, that too... was lost.... somewhere.... on the Journey.
: )
but....
It is Beyond... Primitive.... and  So Very.... Soulful.... all Hand Dovetailed... constructed... with Huge...Single Boards. : )
The 'Till'... is amazingly... complete.....
: )

My New... Old.... Bible...
from 1854.
My Friend... found it... and handed it to me. : )
She said... she thought I'd like it.
Yes... she knows me well. : ) 

Liz and I were playing down the rabbit hole.... the other day.
It's kinda funny.... There are some Massive things... there.... yet....
some of the teeniest.... tiniest... little treasures.....
One Never knows... what one.... may stumble across.... : )
These are little...vintage... Board Game pieces...
and a tiny... little Devotional.... <3 <3 <3
 {Love the Key.... I just gave one to a Friend... for her Birthday.}
I had never seen any..like the three I bought.... a while back..... with a Heart... at the top.
John.... created a few... from vintage tin.... for me... a few years ago.
I...thought, he was the only one... who had thought of that.
Then... I find these.... made a hundred years prior... to his.
Too.... Cool. <3

Alan Jackson - Mercury Blues

well.... The Estate Sale.... is off.

But... An Estate Sale.... will go on. : )

I went through all of the Buildings... again....today.

There....simply isn't enough... for me... to justify.... charging these Girls.
{I...really... could have used this work..... too. : ) }

: )

They... were sooooo sad. : (

I...said... "Don't be Sad!" : )

I felt... by the time... they paid me... well... there wouldn't be much left...for them.

But... I assured....them.... I wasn't going to leave them. : )
{I...Love these Girls... : )
 I...don't hardly know them.... but... somehow... I do. : ) }
: ) 

I guided them... on what to do....
and will continue... to do so.....

and... I'll be there... to help them... pull it all together....

No Charge. : )

I'm still....thinking Long... and Hard....

on that Old Pontiac.

 : )

{I...won't buy...anything early... from a Sale....

but...

I may... make an exception......with the Old... Pontiac.: )

They would love for me... to save it. : ) }

It was their Dad's...... he drove it to work... every day...for Years.
{He missed 6 days of work.... over 36 years... : )
yes... he... was a Working Man.
I... was Blessed... to have been Loved...by a couple of them... myself. : ) }
The girls.... grew up.... in it. : ) 

The Floors.... are gone.... but.... oh my.....

It's the Most....Wonderful.... Life Sized....Toy. : )

I'll take images...of The Sale.... and let you know... when the dates are set.

: )
There's some... very.... Fun.... Gnarly... stuff.... : ) : ) : )
and... LOADS of Tools!!!! : )

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

{Sadly... The Girls... threw... a Lot... away.... before they called me.
but... It's Still.... going to be a Good Sale.... to Attend! : )
I'll be there....shopping... after.... you all get through. : )
If... you ever... have to go through this...
 the First thing...you...and your Family....will want to do.... is Clean House!
Don't Do...It. ; )
Don't... Do It. : ) }

I had to post... 'Mercury Blues'....
it makes me think....
of That...Gnarly....Old Pontiac...
I'm so....
Craaaaaazy....About!!!
: )
: )
: )
{and.... who knew?
I am a Ford... Girl....
: )
but... that old Pontiac.... really...
 makes my Heart... Skip a Beat..... : ) }



1948 pontiac silver streak

Another Estate Sale.... is In The Works!

I just got home... from visiting with the Family....

Four...Daughters... that are... Awesome! : )

This Sale... reminds me... of what my Dad... would have had. : ) 

The Gentleman... that passed away... was 90... and there are some very....

Interesting....Treasures. : )

There is a 1948 Pontiac Silver Streak...Car.. there...

that I... am Totally... In LOVE with. : )

The Daughters said... their Dad... made a Point... of Firing it Up....... every year.

: )

It's... the Gnarliest... Old Car. 

oh my.

LOVE IT!!!

There are some very.... fun... old... Gnarly... things... there. : )

{and.. I... just scratched the surface... : ) }

oh my.

Stay...Tuned. : )

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{The video... above... shows a Silver Streak....
restored.....
: (
Honestly.....
The Old Gal... I Drooled... Over... today...
has this one... Beat...Hands...Down!
It's all... Original...
As Found. : )
oh my....
: )
yes....
it's...
Rat Rod... Style. : )
LOVE IT!!!!
{wait 'til you see.... the Images. <3 }

Linda Ronstadt - Love is a rose

Beauty... is in the Eye... of the Beholder.

I ran across this image, today.

It made me smile.....
I took this.... several years ago.... in the dining room.
It was a Beautiful... Sunny.... Day. : )

It's not the Roses.... that gave me a bit of cheer...this morning.....

tho... they are... Lovely. 

: )

It's the container.

The little old... paint pail....

I've picked these little pails up... over the years.

I'll never forget, the first...one.

I was digging in an Old Barn.... with the owners....

A...Lovely.... Elderly... couple.

: )

They had called me... to come see... if they might have some things... I would buy, for resale.

It was such... a Beautiful day.... 

They had a Lovely Family Farm.... nestled way...back... in the Country.

The first thing... I picked up...was a little...old... gnarly....

paint pail.

: )

I asked the Farmer... how much he'd like... for it.

He looked at me... like I'd Lost My Mind.....

: )

He said.... "Young Lady... do you mean... to tell me, you can Sell things like That??? 

If you can find Any Good... in it... Take It! It's going in the Scrap Pile!"

I... looked at him... kind of sad.....

I said... "Well.... I.... really wouldn't want to sell it.... I thought.... I'd find a Great Place...for it... in The House..... I Love It!!! : )..."

He... about fell off... the old metal stool.... he was sitting on.

His wife....immediately cupped her hand...over her mouth... attempting to conceal... her Laugh..... 

watching his....

reaction.

: )

I Thanked them both..... for the cute little pail.... <3 Told them...I'd Treasure it...always. : )

then...asked them.... 

"exactly... where is... your 'Scrap Pile'.... : ) "

I bought a nice...load of Gnarliness... from the Farmer...and his Wife.... that day.

Most of the things I bought.... were things... they had been piling on the scrap heap.

I was Thankful.... he called me... before the Scrapper came.

They were too.

I paid them.... a whole lot more.... than 'Scrap Price'....

The Folks... who come to the rabbit hole... are Thankful...too.

They see the Beauty... as I do. 

Yes... one Man's Scrap Pile....is Another Girl's... Treasure..... : )

yes....

Beauty...truly is... in the Eye... of the Beholder. 

: )

Love..to ya.

Barb C.

{The Best Treasure... was that 'day'.....

 The Laughs... Conversation... Reminiscing ...of days.... gone by..... 

Nearly every piece...I bought...from the Couple.... had a 'Story'... that, one...or the other would share.... as I held each item in my hands.

Sometimes... it would stir up an argument.....: )

as they would 'correct' each other's 'memory'... 

: )

 ahhhhh..... for the Love... of old. 

: ) }
{I found the above cd...the other day.
 It was the album I wore out.... when I first moved out...on my own....
 way back...in the day.
Love it..... still. : ) }

Roses are Red, My Love

A day... down the rabbit hole.

It's amazing... what an old Truck... can haul. : )

This one... was carrying a pair of Angel Wings. : )

My friend, Amy.... had left them for me.... the other night. : )

She...is an Angel. <3

I worked in the shop...yesterday.... I'm taring it apart.... and.... at the same time... putting it back...together. 

Liz and Scarlett came out... and helped get another cd player going. 

Oh my.... I have had trouble with them....

I...can't STAND.... not having the 'perfect' music playing there. 

It drives me Crazy! 

Once again... The Fountains are going.... and Alison Krauss... is the Voice... of the rabbit hole.

I really should be selling her cd's there. 

I have sold many...for her...over the years.  {well... the rabbit hole..has. : ) }

Yes.... all...was right with the world.... once the music... was playing. <3

I found some really...wonderful old things....as I was diggin' around.

Several..... neat....books.

One was dated 1817.

The woman who owned it.... signed it in 1821.

oh my....

Thomas Jefferson....was walking the earth... when 'Emma'...signed her book. : )

I get into trouble.... down the rabbit hole. 

I start looking at things... daydream... and reminisce... too much.

Peg used to yell at me... all of the time... : )

Liz, too... Liz calls my 'day dreaming'... or... getting off track.... messing around... too much....

'Shenanigans!'

hahahaha...

must be an Irish thing. 

somehow... the job...always gets done...tho. : )

Sometimes... in a very... round about...manner. : )

When I came up...to the House... I'd had enough...

it.... was pretty chaotic....in the shop...

{thank God... the music... is goin'... oh my. : ) }

I brought the laptop to the Old Harvest Table.... sat down....

and began playing music.... while I worked.

John's Favorite Cat.... Phil.... climbed up on the chair beside me....

and, from under the table... he started batting my hand.....

then... he kissed it... over and over.

He doesn't do this often....

seems.... only when....I need him... the most.

: )

What a Gift.... God gave us.... with Animals.

They Truly...are.. Angels. 

It was a year ago...today... Mom passed away.

I sure miss her.

but...

I know...she's in a better place....and... with Dad.

He Loved her... so. <3

She... Loved him... too.

I miss them... both. <3

I posted a tune... that reminds me of them... every time I think of it.

I... remember Dad... humming it... on so many of our 'Junkin' expeditions .... when I was a little girl.

When he hummed it.... I knew... he was thinking of her. : )

They divorced when I was 5... but... neither found another.

I...don't remember... them ever looking... at another.

They lived together off and on... until Dad passed away.

They... were 'Soul Mates'... <3

I'm thankful... Dad passed away, before Mom. 

She had health problems... and Dad... worried so... about her.

Couldn't bare the thought...of losing her. 

I remember him...sobbing....'inconsolable'  after she'd had a seizure.....

he....couldn't stand.... to see her hurting... or suffering.

It broke his heart.

I felt Dad... around us... on one of Mom's last Hospital stays.

I... saw his form... standing behind her....just...for a moment.

Several weeks later....when she was back on her feet....I shared that... with Mom. : )

It made her Happy.... knowing.... he was watching over.... her.

The day.... she was taken into intensive care....I went to her side....

I placed my hand... on her shoulder......

So many times... she had fought... her way back.... from such.... difficult... battles.

but...

this time... was different.

As my hand... caressed her shoulder.... I.... swear to you.... I felt Dad's hand....

slip...into mine. I could almost.... see it. 

I...knew.... Mom...was going Home.... 

she did... two days later.

She and I sang songs...laughed and visited... about Good Times.....

nearly... until... she went Home. 

: )

Love to ya...

Barb C.

The Victorian Buggy... is going to be Fun... for Spring!

I'm going to try and get a better image of this.
It's really... neat,

Found all sorts of... 'Littles'....

Philly...
John's other cats... couldn't care less about me. But... then... there's Phil.
God Bless... this... Guy. <3

Lesley Gore - It's My Party (1965)

Happy Birthday... Miss. Scarlett.

This is Number... 4.

: )

oh my.

Her party was at the Bowling Alley.

What Fun...they had.

: )

I...had the most Fun.... watching Scarlett....

and her Cake.

: )

As soon as she blew out the candles....

she gave the Cake...a Big...Lick!

: )

I...don't know what cracked me up... more....

Miss. Scarlett....licking the Cake...

 or... 

Little Devin's... 'Expression'.... watching it all....unfold... 

: )

Priceless. 

Love... to ya...

 Barb C.

{I see...Scarlett gets her 'Table Manners'....from Grandma.

: )

As Liz was cutting the Cake... Scarlett picked up her fork....

 and began... eating the Cake... from her... 'corner'... : )

oh my.

We all laughed... and began singing....

"It's My Party...."

: )

{sigh...... }

{Que...sera....sera. : ) what will be...will be. : ) <3

 Her Grandpa... and I would have agreed....

'Why...dirty another plate'.... : ) }

George Strait- A love without end, amen

Rodney Atkins - He's Mine (Official Music Video)

Happy Birthday... Justin.

Justin.... 

Our St. Patty's Day... Baby. : )

turned 30... today.

oh my....

how did the years slip away.

He was about 19 in this image... with old.... Scout.

: )

This image of Justin and Katie....was taken the same day.  : )

They were sooooo young. 

to me...

they still look the same.

<3 

I'm so Proud of Justin.... he works so hard.

and...Loves... his Family....so.... : )

<3

John was Proud of him...too. : )  They were very tight.

Very....Close.

I'm sure... this Birthday... was tuff.... for Justin... working in the shop. 

His first.....Birthday.... without his Dad.

Yep..... they were.... Tight. Spent every day together....

for the last many years.... working in the shop.

: )

What a Gift... that was.... for Both of them. <3

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

 The Song.... at the top....

{A Love without end... Amen.} was one of John's Favorites.....

: ) 

I... think... it reminded him... of Justin... and his own Dad.

: )

The second tune....

"He's Mine"...

is my Favorite. : ) 

That was sooooooo John...and Justin. : )

oh my.

Those Boys. <3 }

Tammy Wynette & George Jones ~ We Loved It Away

but... in each other's arms.... we... Loved it... away.

It's been a long day.

 : )

I...sit...tonight... listening to music...

: )

Poetry... 

set... to tune.

: )

I...landed... on the above song... because... it fit.

Perfectly.

: )

Love... to ya.

Barb C.

TOM T HALL - I LOVE (LYRICS)

Happy Birthday... Dad.

Today would have been my Dad's 102nd 

Birthday.

: )

It's such a Beautiful... day, here.... 

It's been so warm... the last week.

I wondered what the weather was like....

this day....

1913.

: )

It sounds like.. we... are not the only ones experiencing.... unusual.... Weather.

From the 14th through the 23rd... throughout the Midwest.... and Southern States....

mid to late March...1913... was a pretty rough time... 

Storms...Flooding... Tornadoes.... 

oh my.... 

There was a Devastating Pack of Tornadoes...{7 } that hit Nebraska....

and Iowa.... on Easter Sunday... {It fell on March 23, that year.}

I read some of the stories.... 

oh my. 

It made me wonder.... about the conversations.... that went on... in the Old...

Derby, Iowa Farmhouse...where Dad was born....

 that long... unsettling week.

It was his Grandparents Farm.... just a little East...of Derby.

Dad's Parents, and his two year old Brother, Ted...... where living there, then...too.

Sometimes... I think... we get so wrapped up... in the present.... day....

we tend to forget... where we came from. 

oh my.

I... miss my Dad.... every day.

He was such a Gift... in my life.

Love to ya... 

Barb C.

{As I was reading about the weather.... of 1913.... it reminds me a bit... of this year.

There was a Drought... a severe... Drought.

This Spring, here...in Iowa... feels... dry.

I'm kind of nervous... about a Drought. 

While searching Dad's 'Home Town'.... information... this morning...

I found an article....

{posted below}

from 1987.

The same year... and the one...and only time... I visited Derby.

Dad... had just passed away.

He, so wanted to attend the Family Reunion....they had planned... the year prior.

He spoke... often... throughout my life..., about The Derby Cafe.

and... The Sisters... who ran...it.

Our Family... ate there... the day of the Reunion.

I...never forgot it.

I've visited with Liz...about it... over the years....

said... if...I...were to ever have a restaurant... it would be like that one.

: )

I...remembered it a bit differently... than the writer, below.

When we walked in to the Old Cafe...

there were three Elderly Women.... hustling and bustling....

The old tables... were neatly set up for our large group.

They had two choices of meat....and many side dishes....

It was more.. like a Threshing Party.... served... Family Style.

You...either liked...what was prepared... or... you didn't eat. : )

{Trust me... The 'Home Style' Cooking..was Wonderful : ) }

It was a Hot day.... they had Ice Water... and Iced Tea.... in old Pitchers... on the tables....

and kept them full. : )

They offered us Coffee or Milk... to drink...as well....

yes... I...was impressed.... by the Down Home... feel.

The Ladies... had several Pies... for us to choose from...for dessert. : )

all...Homemade. : )

In the article below.... there are three buildings... mentioned...

{still standing...at that time.... in Derby.}

One... being the Opera House.

: )

I...was Blessed... several years ago.... when a Friend... brought me...

the original wooden sign.... from The Derby Opera House.

It's in the shape... of a Derby Hat.

: )

The Song....

'I Love'....

posted... above....

: )

is....

my...

Dad.  }

{except... for the 'Coffee... in a Cup'.

Dad... never drank... Coffee.... or...anything else.

: )

Simply...

'Milk.... in a Glass'. : )

<3 }