Feist - We're all in the dance

Blessin's

Came across the above quote, today....in my images.

Sat, and thought about it, for awhile.

It's so true.

Made be think back....on the 'People'...I've been so very Blessed to have met, throughout my life, sometimes...

only shared a few moments with, and...others...shared years.

<3

{Called a few of them, today.... <3 }

While visiting with each of them...over the years...I remember being so inspired.

As most Folks know, who... have known me, for more than a few minutes....

I, have no problem...talking to Folks, whenever, or...wherever. 

{Kinda like Dad, that way...I guess.  I've never known a Stranger. <3 }

: )

I find People...Interesting...and, most often...we have far more in common, than not.

I, truly...believe, every person who cross our paths, are meant to.

No coincidences in life.

Like the old saying goes..

"We meet people for a reason.

They're either a 

'Blessin' '

or...a 

'Lesson'."

; )

Both...reasons, are really 'Blessings'.

<3

{tho, sometimes....it takes awhile to fully understand that. ; ) }

I've kept myself, pretty sheltered, from People...over the last several years.

Been too tangled up...in my own 'Cage'.

While I was setting the Memorial...the other day, taking everything down, that had been there for years, to make room... 

I looked up...on the wall...

and gazed at the Old...Old...Mirror Frame.

: )

I, remember well...the day I found it.

We were in the midst of building on, to the house.

I was on a buying trip...in Savannah, Il.

The weather was Ugly.

It was misting, sleeting, freezing...then, Snowing, and Blowing... like Crazy.

The roads were slick...and, the wind was howling out of the Northwest.

Loading, the Old...Ford, Ton Truck...was no fun.

The Big...Mirror Frame, wouldn't fit in the cab, so had it strapped down tight, against the back of the cab, in the box of the Ford, before I began to load everything else.

{I...had a Huge....Load, that night.

It was a long...white knuckled drive, home. ; ) }

I, knew exactly....where the Big Mirror Frame, would go, in the house.

It's over 5 feet tall...and, would be perfect...centered on the East wall, under the tallest window.

: )

I was so grateful...to have found it. I'd been searching, for the perfect piece, for months.

{It's hung there, for over 20 years.}

John...looked at it, when I carried it in, late...late, that night.

He asked if I was going to have a mirror cut for it.

Nope.

Told him... that's what I liked about it, best.

When I see it, I don't see a reflection of myself.

I, see...much Deeper, than myself.

Too often, our own reflection...gets in the way of seeing what's truly...important, in Life.

Told John... that's something, we should be reminded of, often.

Easy...to forget, at times.

That old Mirror Frame, is a great 'reminder'. 

<3

{when I see, the Memorial...re-set,

 I see The Old Mirror, as much as I see Michael. 

Priceless. }

I left it...right where John and I...placed it, all of those years ago.

It's still... as perfect today, as I knew it would be...the first time I saw it, in Savannah.

<3

 It's a windy, blustery... Halloween, day.

I'm staying inside, and working.

The Wind...is so unsettling.

Have many projects, to work on... 

It's...really been a Pleasure, working,,,,on them.

You probably have no idea... how Wonderful, that feels, to say.

<3

: )

It feels Good, to 'work'...on these 'projects', and...not have it feel like 'Work'.

<3

My Friends, That....is Such a Blessing.

Truly...

a 

'God Thing'.

<3

Love to You...

Prayers...to All.

Barb C. 

Stay

The Cameo.

Yesterday....I finally made up my mind, to set Michael, the Archangel....

and create a Memorial...for our Loved Ones.

I was so excited...when I learned from my Friend...Patti, whom I was going to sell...The Angel, to...

{I...simply couldn't put a price on the Angel.}

 The Angle, was actually... 'Michael'.

Patti had no way of knowing...how Special... 'Michael' is, to me.

Then...that same day, out of the blue...a Friend, I haven't spoken to...in a year, sent me a link, to Gabriel...a young man, who decided to try to Give....the Beautiful Church Altar, away, instead of breaking it up...and throwing it, away.

Blessings....

Blessings.

I moved the Altar, into the house...that day, by myself.

No two wheel cart, no one to help.

but...

I was so Excited, and...the weather was threatening...

where there's a Will...There's a Way.

<3

Got it inside....then, went to pick up Michael.

He's heavy, and fragile.

{Two requirements...of Most Everything....I'm Most Drawn To!!! }

Got him loaded on the Ford...carefully strapped and padded, then...

had to get him off of the Ford....into the house, and up..onto the Altar.

I, spoke to Michael...throughout our Journey.

said... "Michael, I hear you're a pretty Tuff Dude, I'm puttin' ya to the Test."

: )

By Golly...we made it.

<3

but...then, as the days passed....

I began to question....myself.

Should I put this Memorial...together.

After all...I love the house, the way it is.

I, don't like 'change'...much.

Would...'This'...be...'Too Much'?

Maybe, I should let them go... to Patti...after all.

Thought about asking others, for advise...

then, thought better of it.

It had to be my decision.

I created a 'Memorial'....for our Loved Ones....years ago.

Did I really want to disturb that?

I kept thinking about it.

Then...came to the conclusion....if, I didn't try....it, and let them go....

I'd always wonder.

So...

Yesterday, was the day.

I cleaned the house....took everything apart....

Moved...Mountains, really.

I finally got the Altar, in place...then, decided...: )

I wanted the original 'Memorial' Piece, On...the Altar, then...

Michael, on top of that.

: )

Hahahaha!

{oh my. That's a Tall Order, for a Gal...whose body, took a tumble down the basement stairs, a couple of years ago. ; ) }

Never the Less...

It had to be done.

: )

So...I called Son, Justin.

: )

He's a Mountain of a Man.

<3

Unfortunately.. he'd left for the day....and was over 20 miles away.

He offered to help me, this morning....

: )

I, said... "Justin...when you wonder where you get your 'Impatience' from, it's from your Mother."

Told him...I'd figure it out.

: )

My biggest fear, was picking Michael Up...and over my shoulder, and having to tip him back so far....so I could set his base...as high as my chin...on the higher Altar, and... him be off balance, {with his Wings, and all. <3}and we'd Both...wind up Backwards...Broken, on the concrete floor!

Oh My!

Hahahaha....

then...I thought...

If....

I could get his base, on the second Altar, could...I, without dropping him, or breaking him...

 have the strength, to carefully....stand him Up.

Again, I had a chat...with Michael.

: )

Said... "Let's Do This."

<3

It all happened so fast, without a Hitch.

Done.

Wow.

Just like That.

Then... I put the Old...Wrought Iron...Candelabras, up on the Altar, our Beloveds, One...by One, Joined Michael.

<3

Cleaned up the smaller candelabras,

 {everything....so Needed to be cleaned.}

Started to put the rest of the house, back in order.

Started resetting the area, where the Memorial...used to be.

but...ran out of steam.

I'll finish everything...up, today.

Still have some touches to do...with the Memorial.

but... at least, it's set.

: )

I lit all of the candles, last night, and sat....looking over the Memorial.

 

It wasn't...until I put out the Big...Candelabras...did I 'See', the Most Amazing Blessing, of all.

The Trees.

The Trees...peeking through the windows.

<3 

How many, many...times, over the last several years, did I pull in, at Home....

sit...in the driveway, and...stare, at those Trees.

Thinking... a year from then, or two...they'd all be gone, for Fairfax's wrongful... Trail.

How...many, many...nights, did I sit, in the exact spot, where I was sitting, last night night, thinking...they'd most likely....be gone, and I should savor every last moment, with them.

yet...

They Stand.

<3 

It took a Mighty Fine... Lawyer,  'Person'...to Save Them.

I've thanked him, over and over.

I, don't believe...he has any idea, how Truly...Grateful, I am.

I did Everything Possible, in my Power, to Stop This.

It...wasn't enough. 

So, Yes...I'm Grateful. 

If...the Trees would've been lost, to the 'Hurricane', I...could've lived with that.

Losing them, for something, so unjust....morally, and...lawfully, would've been a lot to bear.

Many, sadly were taken, for those purposes.

When I woke up...this morning, I checked my phone, to see the news, that had transpired...in this crazy world, while I slept.

After, a few minutes of that, a Joel Osteen Video...popped up.

: )

I, wound up listening to two.

Both of them... were based around 'Time'.

I, found that interesting...because, the last post, I wrote...was titled...

"Time will tell."

Oh my.

What an Absolute... Blessing, he was, speaking of God's Word...Promises, today.

<3

Within a matter of moments, a Wave....came over me.

I...finally, Finally....'See' the 'Cameo'.

: )

What a Blessing, Tremendous 'Gift'...that Is.

<3 <3 <3 

Just....That Fast.

Just...like moving Michael. 

It was like a Switch Turned On!!!

WOW!!!

<3 <3 <3 

Are the legal battles, over.

No.

Right is right, wrong...is wrong.

but...

God, will make the crooked roads straight, His Way.

In His...'Time'.

They will Be, how He...decides they will be.

When John was building The Rabbit Hole, he asked me, how I wanted it to be.

I, told him... to build it any way he chose.

To...simply, build me a 'Box'.

 : ) 

I'd Take It From There!

<3

Finally, Finally....

I can 'see'...the 'Cameo'.

<3

I, So Thank Patti, for planting that seed.

<3

I, So....Thank God, for His Promises.

His...Blessings.

There's Much Beauty, in those ashes.

Time....Will Tell.

Thanks so Much...to Everyone, who's been keeping me, in their Powerful...Prayers.

I, Pray...for You All, as well.

We need them Desperately...

Love...to You.

Barb C. 

"Killing The Blues" by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss from Raising Sand

Time...will tell.

I was thinking this morning...

What a Beautiful Gift....

'Being Heard', is.

I, remember...over the years, dealing with Dr's....for Mom, how the Best Ones...

always 'Heard'...Mom's concerns.

My...beloved Dr., who took Mom, and John....on, as Patients, near the end of their lives...

was such a Blessing....to us all.

<3

I, remember...every time, he'd visit with Mom....he'd drop to one knee, beside her wheelchair.

<3

Mom...was blind, but....that didn't matter to him.

He'd look into her eyes, as if she could see him.

He always...spoke directly to her.

<3

Mom, often... had difficulty coming up with her words, because of a brain tumor.

Our Dr., would...patiently wait, until...she could finish her thoughts.

<3 

{Makes me cry...just thinking about....how, Compassionate he is.}

Dang.

 

I, often refer to him...as a 'Saint'.

: )

I was thinking....about what I'd written, about the 'Good'...People, in my life...

the other day.

They've helped me, so.

They're all professional people, who do their Jobs, very well.

but....

They, are So Much More...than That.

They...are Compassionate People, First.

That's a Big...Deal.

They listen, and...hear.

That's...a Big....Deal.

I...feel guilty, for getting so angry, 'frustrated'...with the IDOT Engineers, sometimes.

I, know...they're sharp.

The ones I've dealt with...seem to be very nice people.

It's so damned frustrating, when they don't 'hear'.

Someone...told me a while back, she'd never seen anyone, who could go from 0, to 100, so fast, with my temper.

: (

It's not...my temper.

It's frustration.

Something...I truly, need to work on.

I...can't stand, waste.

Especially...when it could've been so easily avoided.

Every day....I try, to figure out, how....to look at things, that are not very pretty, and...find the beauty.

It used to be so easy.

I could always find the beauty, in what so many others, would dismiss.

{Dad, showed me...by example, how to do that. <3 }

It's not easy...anymore.

That's...frustrating.

When everything, is so ugly, and...there's no ability, to see through it.

Can't seem to Find...that gem, nugget...of beauty, anymore.

Something....to build on.

It worries me, sometimes....that I'll never be able to 'see'.

I, too...can do my Job, but...it's not the same, anymore.

It shows.

{at least...to me, it does.}

A person...can run on fumes, for a long....time.

But...they won't run well.

Certainly...not their best.

That's why...I'm so Grateful....for those around me, that can still 'see'.

I, know...so many...have their own Mountains.

Yet, somehow...they keep moving them.

Maybe, there's hope....yet.

: )

I should make an appointment, and go see the 'Saint'.

: )

Last time I saw him, after my horrible bout with asthma, from the concrete dust, we visited...for a long....time.

: )

He, too...saw me go from 0, to 100, when he asked me about this Road Mess.

hahahaha...

{Glad his Awesome Nurse, Lea... took my blood pressure, Before....this 'subject' was brought up. 

ZING!!!! hahahaha... }

oh my. 

Had a Lovely...lunch, with my Dear Friend, Patti, on Sunday.

She, lost her Husband...a few months ago.

My heart...is so broken, for her.

We're both, trying to prop each other up...these days.

<3

Even, Patti...with all of her Hurt, goes from 0, to 100, in Warp Speed, when we discuss what's happening here.

She inspires me, in so many ways, and...tries to encourage me, by saying....she sees the rabbit hole, sitting in the middle of this carnage, as a 'Cameo'.

 <3

She...can still 'see'.

I think of the Alison Krause tune, " Can't Find My Way Home", often.

That's how I feel.

I, can't find my way...'Home'.

Everything...seems so foreign.

I'm grateful...the IDOT is replacing our septic system, that was broken...with this project.

Makes me sad...too, because...what's left, that's not been disturbed, soon...will be, for that.

I, often...wonder, when this is behind us, will...I be able to find my way...

'Home'.

Does 'Home'... even exist...anymore.

Guess...only time...will tell.

Love...to You.

Barb C. 

Crazy...Train. oh...my.

John...shared this with me, on my FB page.... two years before he left us.

It...popped up, this morning.

<3

I, remember the Day...John....walked out into the center of Stallman Drive, behind his Shop...

and, stopped a guy, that had been Rippin' Down...the street, on a crotch rocket...

over and over, about...90 mph., on the 25.

John...was smokin' a Lucky....

then, as the guy stopped, in front of John...

John, flicked the Stogie, and told him....what the meme says.

Maybe...a little more.

: )

" 'Tomorrow' isn't a day...you'll ever have to worry about...if ya don't slow down.

If...you should hit one of my Kids, or one of our animals...

'Tomorrow', won't be a concern of yours."

That, guy...was a whole lot more 'respectful'....

after that visit.

: )

John...had Such...a Way with Words.

or, maybe...the Lack of Them.

<3 <3 <3 

John...was a 'Poet'...

Indeed.

<3

Before...

in front of our Home.

It wasn't perfect, after the last 'IDOT Condemnation'....in the 90's.

but...

we had a 'Ditch'.

The IDOT Took All...of That Away, along with Any Protection...

from the Most Dangerous Stretch of 151,

 This Time... 

So They could Accommodate Fairfax, with their Suicide...Trail.

oh...my.

; )

 

The water... for the First Time...in my Life, living here....

{40 years.}

has been flooding over Stallman Dr.

with their Trail Accommodations.

The road, behind the rabbit hole.

{Stallman Drive}

oh my.

{Exactly...what I warned the Boys, from IDOT District 6..about, over a year ago...

before they broke ground.}

; ) 

Remember....

I warned them all...

"Water doesn't Run Uphill...Boys."

: )

Common Sense, once again....Rules, over an Engineering Degree.

oh...my.

 ; ) 

It's a Shame...They Spent All Of That Money...

for an Obviously...

 worthless....

'Degree'.

: ( 

Oh..dear,

Like...I told, Newman...from District 6, IDOT....when we walked this, long...before they began to Butcher.

"Trucks....won't be able to make this Turn."

{I, used to drive Semi. 

I, know a little...about how sharp...they can turn. 

Obviously...Engineers who sit behind a desk...have 

No...Idea. : ( 

oh my.

Across from the rabbit hole.

When I went to The Bank...today, I was informed...they were worried about the rabbit hole, the other day.

{Last Thursday}

Seems, where it's Flooding, across the road, the IDOT's Folks...

had a Line...

Pumping...Floodwater...

 across Stallman Drive, onto...

The Rabbit Hole.

Uh...Oh.

: (

The Water...Flood Water, was the THIRD Time...This Year, OVER Stallman.

{That's Never Happened....Before The Wrongful Trail Accommodations. EVER.}

Next Time...I'll be getting a Phone Call, from them.

So...I can Be There...Front, and Center.

: (

I...tried to Spot the IDOT...Boys, today.

oh...dear.

There Shall...be NO More...of That Wrongful Pumping....On To The Rabbit Hole.

That...Filthy, Wrongful...Floodwater, had Best Stay South of The Rabbit Hole.

See all of those... 'lines'.

That's from water....from the New...Highway, and Wrongful... Trail.

The Elevation...is So Much...Higher, for Fairfax's Wrongful...Trail.

: (

We're in a 'Basin'...now.

Boys...Boys.

Hate to say it....

but...

"I...told ya...so."

<3

This...

is the Culvert, 

next to the rabbit hole, newly...under our driveway... 

that the IDOT's Engineers....expect water to 'Run Uphill'...to.

; )

Bless Their Hearts.

<3

{hahahahaha...oh....my. ; ) }

Dang...

what a

Mess.

Remember...

I, tried...

tried...

Tried.

oh...dear.

{Hope...your 'Wrongful'...

'Through The Back Door'....

'Suicide Trail'...

that You,

{The IDOT} 

built 'Wrongfully'...

for Fairfax....

Works out Better...for ya, than the Culvert,

 that will never accept Water, that Flows...Uphill.

oh my.

{Don't hold your breath....Boys. 

You All...Have No Idea, How Very Much...

I'd Love to be Wrong...on That One.

Shame On You.}

The above...

is a FB Share, that John...posted on my page, today...

the year before he left us, in 2013.

<3 <3 <3 

Hahahaha...

<3 

Oh My.

It popped up...this morning.

<3 

God...Only Knows, how Much...I Miss Him!!!

<3 

John...Understood, 'The Crazy Train'.

; )

Holy Smokes.

<3

oh my.

What a Ride.

<3

Love to Ya....

Barb C.

{John...had a 6th. Grade Education... ; )

I, have an 8th. at best.

: )

<3

Trust me, on this...

these Boys, with engineering degrees....worry me.

They would, John...too. }

Common Sense...

is something books can't Teach.

Ya have to Live...It.

<3

; )

Alison Krauss — "Can't Find My Way Home" — Audio

Trust The Process.

 Oh my...

I think of this....often.

So many are struggling, and under Pressure...these days.

We just have to remember...at the end of the day...or, days....

{Months...Years. ; / }

It may not have been comfortable...or, easy, but...

altimately....it will have been worth it. 

Looking back, if one chooses....to see the Good, it'll shine bright.

It is...a 'choice'.

I've been struggling a Lot, with the Crushing...Pressure....and, Darkness, especially over the last 6 years.

The last 4, tho...I never dreamed, could Possibly be more Crushing, than the 2, prior.

 Losing John, in 2014, and dealing with that trauma...

has been...insanely difficult.

In 2014, 15, and 16...

Lost Mom, then...John, then... Sister in Law, Shirley, then...Larry, my Brother, was found dead..in his home, then...Sonny, my other Brother...died in a car accident, then...Polly, my Beloved Hound, and Best 4 Legged Friend, then...Peg, my Best....Friend, then...3, of 4...of John's Beloved Cats.

Then...

The City of Fairfax, along with the IDOT, took our land, wrongfully....for a walking trail, that they denied existed...for nearly 2 years, until..they couldn't.

The footwork, and time...consumed fighting their deceit...was, and...is, exhausting.

Then..a lawsuit, got it stopped.

but...

it didn't.

The IDOT Breached our agreement, and built Fairfax's trail...anyway.

I, watched them...day in, and day out...take, butcher....and destroy, everything John and I worked our lives away for.

Wrongfully.

The Rabbit Hole, is in Shambles.

Our Home...is in Shambles.

{Friends, who've actually seen what they've done here...tell me, our place...is unrecognizable.

It's True.

We've been butchered, and put in harm's way....all for a Trail, next to 151, and a poorly designed Stallman Drive, that adjoins the S.W. portion...of our land, by The Rabbit Hole.

It's all...been addressed, documented...over, and over...with the IDOT District 6 Engineers. }

Our Home....has flooded three times, this year, solely, because of this wrongfulness.

I haven't been able to wash clothes, in our home...for 6 months, in fear of more flood issues.

We've lost...so much, that can never, ever....be replaced.

Then...a Hurricane, hit.

{Forgot....there was a little something called 'Covid'...that also, reared it's ugly head, and...stopped any sort of business, for a long time. Still...is. }

I can't begin...to tell you, how difficult it is, some mornings...to get out of bed.

but...

when I look around, and...see So Many, who...are Also, May God Bless 'em...

Struggling, too...that somehow....also, find their feet, every morning...no matter how the Earth is Trembling, under them....are Inspirations.

<3

The sad thing...is, speaking for myself....when ya get Crushed so Hard, from every direction....for so long,

it's difficult to see....past my own mountains.

I've been trying so hard, to be Grateful..for Everything.

I've had so many Friends, who are also Struggling, offer to lend a Hand, Ear...Heart.

<3

I've got a Lawyer, that....is, well.... very 'Good'.

He reminds me of my Family Dr. {who's a Saint. <3 }

Our...Long Time, Insurance Agent...is very... 'Good'. 

Lord...what would I have done without her, through the basement flood, and storm.

There's an Agent, in Idaho...whom, I've never met....that's been such a Blessing, through this mess.

She's... been Incredible.

The Amish Man, who put our roof on, in April...

is beyond overwhelmed with work...after the Storm, but...today, reassured me, he'd take care of ours.

: )

I, told him...to take care of himself.

Our roof is patched, and waiting...for him, and his Crew. 

I, know...he'll get to it, as soon as he can.

: )

May God Bless...Anyone, Everyone...who can Ride This Crazy Train...with me.

; )

I feel so guilty, at times...that I've had to lean on them...so hard.

They All have Mountains.

There's so many Blessings.

Countless...Blessings.

It's a lot easier...to see the difficulties, sometimes, than it is to see the Blessings.

Even...through these troubled times, as I've written...before, I do...see how important the difficulties are.

It's not much fun...while being crushed, but...that Wine, I...know, will be all the sweeter, in the end.

No matter what.

Learning, and growing....is a huge part of this Journey.

Being pruned, cut back....is a part of  the process of 'Life'.

It can be mighty painful, but...necessary, to be the best...we can be.

Learning to embrace these 'cuttings', with 'Grace', and 'Gratitude'.... is something, I struggle with.

Grief, has had me in it's grips...for a long time.

There's nothing to do about it, but...be Thankful...for those who shared my life, and that I had the opportunity, to Love Them...and, be Loved, by Them.

They leave a gaping...hole, in my heart.

I, do believe....They are still near me, and...we'll all be together again...someday.

I'll be missing them, until that day.

The other...wrongfulness...that has left my soul twisting, is something...I know....I can never fix.

Never...make 'right'. 

Neither...can those, who've inflicted it.

Even, if....Everything, could be turned around, there's been so much...irreparable damage, well...there's nothing on this planet...that could ever...make these 'Wrongs'...'right', again.

It's in God's Hands.

It...has to be.

Somehow...I know, it'll all work out.

Whatever it may be.

I'll continue to fight, with the strength God has Blessed me with.

and...try, to be more....Grateful, for things...situations, and People, I can not....understand.

It's not for me to question....these, 'prunings'.

: )

Every 'Cut'..is here, for a reason.

When we brought the big Fountain...to the rabbit hole, yesterday....

{Thanks, So Much...to Son in Law, Adam, his Dad... Mitch...and Little Jack. <3 }

I, thought...how Beautiful....it would be, to the rabbit hole.

Sadly, after we placed it, my heart....just sank.

The Fountain...was So Beautiful, sitting where I'd bought it, 

but...

looked so....Broken, and forlorn...next to the IDOT Battered...Butchered...rabbit hole.

Instead of the Beautiful Fountain......

Lifting the Rabbit Hole, Up,

The butchered surroundings, of the rabbit hole, brought the Beautiful...Fountain,

 down to the rabbit hole's...ugly, IDOT's butchered level.

As I turned away, I thought....I, should just sell the Fountain.

It deserves...Better, than This.

I'm remembering, today....I should be Grateful, The Lord....has placed that Beautiful...Beautiful Fountain, in my hands.

<3 <3 <3  

He's Placed So Much...Beauty, in my hands.

{People... Critters,...Love...Health. This, very...Day. <3 }

It's my job...to use the Blessings, and Gifts, He...has given me, to create.

I, just....have to focus on The Blessings, and let The Lord...focus on the rest.

It's sometimes very difficult, my Friends...when it's in your face.

Please, Pray...for me, and Everyone....

as I do...for You...

and All, who are Struggling, Searching, and Suffering.

<3 <3 <3 

Love, to You.

Barb C.

Priceless....

 

Whitney Houston - Greatest Love Of All (Official Video)

Old...Things.

 As I walked...around the rabbit hole, this Evening....

I saw so...much 'Old'.

Beautiful, Old.

<3

Love...to You, 

Barb C. 

Your Love - Dulce Pontes, Ennio Morricone • Once Upon a Time in the West

The Journey. oh...my.

Last week, a Friend called, who's cleaning out a house, near us.

There were several Garden pieces she'd set aside....for me.

<3

There, were also....several beautiful pieces of Furniture.

With the events, pretty much...all being cancelled, and...the rabbit hole, in such a shambles, so...broken...and, weary, I....really wasn't sure, if I should purchase anything.

I knew, the woman who had lived in this house.

: )

She...is such a kind, and creative...spirit.

So...thought I'd better go, and take a look.

I, was grateful....my Friend, thought....to call me.

<3

{I'm keeping the Big....Fountain. 

When...my soul, is right....again, I'll need to put the rabbit hole, back together.

It's gonna need some Beauty. 

It...deserves...some 'Beauty'. 

When I look at it, now...

I, can't seem to find, any...vision, inspiration...

but...I will. }

My Friend, had sent a picture...of this 'Angel'.

In her image...the Angel...was holding a huge bouquet of flowers.

I, thought...the Angel, was a Girl.

I...don't part with Angels...these days, when they find their way to me.

but...

with times...the way they are, most everything...I look at, must....be let go of, should I purchase them.

The Angel...was far more Beautiful... than the images. The Angel...came from a Catholic Church, most likely made in the early 1900's.

I, have a Dear Friend, whom...I knew....would love to have it, along with several of the pieces from this home.

This beautiful...piece, really.....is stunning.

Found a home for it...right away.

<3

This...is a twin, to the one I have in the front greenhouse, down the rabbit hole.

It, too...has found a Home.

The Corner Cupboard...will come home, with me.

It's for sale...

I, found a home...for this...old Stepback, as well.

Many of the things, I purchased...last week, found new homes, within hours.

Two Friends....were very interested in the Angel.

I, could easily....price everything....except, the Angel.

As I was visiting with one of the interested Friends, whom is Catholic...

I asked her, thinking this Angel....is a 'Girl', what she might have been holding in her hands.

My Friend said... "Barb, I think this Angel is 'Michael' The Archangel."

oh my.

That's when I knew...why, I couldn't come up with a price.

<3

Tho, I Love...All Angels, Michael....is my Favorite.

He's a Warrior, who fights against evil.

I told both of my Friends, who are interested in 'Michael', right now, I'm totally surrounded by it.

Most of us...are, these days.

: (

I, just....need to hold on...to him, for a bit.

Have him here, as a reminder, at a Glance....to never forget Who...is in Charge.

<3 <3 <3 

As most people know....who, know me.....

I don't belong to any organized religion.

I've studied with several....since I was a child, but....

for myself, I...prefer a personal relationship...with The Lord, and...pray, that He guides me.

John, was the same way.

<3

Nothing...against, anyone...or any Religion.

<3

Just...seems to me, too many wars have been fought over who's right, and who's...wrong.

The last thing, I...believe....God, would want.

That's just...me, talkin'.

<3

As I sat in John's recliner....late that evening, processing, about 'Michael'....

 my phone...sitting next to me, clicked....telling me, I had received a message.

Another, Dear...Friend, had sent me a link...that had a Free Church Altar, about 100 miles away.

I messaged that person...and told him, I'd sure love to have it, and...would be Happy to pay for it.

He, said...that wasn't necessary, he just needed it picked up.

I...assured him, I would be there...the following day.

{and...Thanked...my Dear Friend, for sending me the link. <3 <3 <3 }

When I went to leave, that morning... the Ford was covered in snow.

I, scooped the snow out of it's bed.... and off of the cab, and hood.

bailed in....

 the battery was dead.

: (

Then...I couldn't get the hood open.

Had to finally...tie the inside hood latch up, with a strap...to the steering column, and....finally, open the hood.

: )

Grabbed Justin's Jump Pack, from the Shop...and, got the Ford Fired Up.

: )

Things...like this, used to really....get me goin'.

: )

Sometimes...they still do.

but...

mostly, I understand, if I'm being slowed up, there's a reason.

<3

When I got to my destination...near Des Moines...

there was the Young Man...waiting for me.

: )

He, and his Friend, had the Altar loaded....on the Ford, in a Blink of an Eye.

The Young Man's name....is 'Gabriel'. 

oh my.

<3

I, said...."You Have No...Idea, How Grateful...I am, getting this Altar."

Told him...about 'Michael', and...what I plan to do with them.

Then, paid him...for the Altar.

He, flatly....didn't want any money, he said...it's not in good shape, and he was going to break it up, and pitch it...

but...

thought...he'd try to give it away, first.

<3

I, told him...again...how Grateful, I was, and...how very Much I Appreciated Him....Saving The Altar!!!

I'm going to make it a Memorial...for John, Dad...Mom...Sister, Chery.... Larry, Sonny, Shirley, All of our Friends, and Beloved Animals....with Michael the Archangel.

They...were All...'Warriors'.

 <3 <3 <3 

When I got Home...

didn't have help...to unload, on this end...but, got it in, and got Michael...Home, later.

<3

I'll have to do some rearranging, but...it's going to work...just Great.

<3 

I'll send Gabriel a picture, when it's complete.

<3

I was thinking about the movie...'Once Upon a Time in The West', last night.

Dad, took me to see it, when I was little.

I remember...what an impact, it had on me.

I've so often thought...of 'Harmonica', throughout my life.

I, suppose, some might think, it's not a movie...that a child, should see.

Sadly, I see so many parallels...in today's world.

Wish...children didn't have to see so much of this....either.

There are far too many 'Franks'...and too many, like 'Mr. Morton'.

I've had my Fill of them, over the last few years. 

Guess...some things, will never change.

I've thought about, how the trials, and...'Storms', of our lives, should be embraced, because...without them, our legs...would be weak.

After all...

'It's the Weights...on the Old Grandfather Clock, that make it Go."

Without them, the old...clock, would be worthless.

'Grain must be ground...to make bread.'

It's...all about the Journey.

It Truly...Is.

Love...to You, 

Barb C.

{Dad...always loved the music, from Once Upon a Time..in The West.

<3

 I'll post one of the Tunes, above.

It's...hauntingly.... beautiful.

It never fails...to bring tears to my eyes.}