Monday, March 28, 2022

Updated April 1st!!!. Open thru April 3 With Special Hours. Below is A Thimbleful... of The Rabbit Hole.




Rabbit Hole will be OPEN  
9 a.m. 'til 6 p.m.
Daily!
March 31-April 3.

Located at 
101 Williams Blvd.
Fairfax, Iowa.

Scroll down for images.

UPDATED April 1st!!

Had a Grrrrreat Day Yesterday!!

Great Seeing So Many Happy Faces!
and...
Dear Friends!!
<3

Still Working on Getting Things Out!!

Come Dig!!
Wear Your Grubbies...
and...
Bring a Truck!!
; )




March 31.

Open at 9 Bells!
Daily!!!

Updated End of Day One.

It Was a GREAT Day!!!
<3
Thanks, So Much...
to Everyone, Today.
<3 <3 <3 

I'm headed to bed.
; )

Open in the Mornin' at 9, 'til 6.
: ) 
oh my.
<3
{I'll post All about This Day, later....
: )
I'm...tired, tonight. 
<3}


and...
Grateful.
<3



Pulled an All-Nighter...and STILL...am not Done!!!
Came up to the house at 6:30, this morning to take care of Peanut...
heading back down the rabbit hole, at 7.

That Sewing Area... is Insane!
; )
It All...Is!!
Hahahaha.
; )

We got a little Snow...It's Beautiful...this morning.
The Highway is moving like normal...
Busy, busy.

I'll be working on the rabbit hole, for a Long, long...time.
Be prepared to dig...and ask for prices.
The stickers, are being Very...Naughty.

Better get back To It!


UPDATED March 30.

Scroll down for images.
Didn't get any today...
worked outside, as the weather held...pretty well.
<3
Helper Brandon and I...moved Mountains.

You'll Still...have to Dig, ; ) 
so...
Wear Your Grubbies!!

If something isn't priced, ask me...
had issues with tags not sticking, it was drizzly most of the day.

Heading back down The Rabbit Hole, tonight...
came up for air...
another Red Bull...and more Aleve!!
Hahaha.
Still Unpacking Estate Items.
Oh My!
; )









There are SO Many...Old, Old...Picture Frames, Prints, and Paintings.
oh....my.
It's been Interesting finding places for them.
They are So Cool!
I've been placing them in front of Vignettes, like an open Shadow Box.
<3


When I get to The Sewing Area...{It's Insane} Small Space...LOADED...
It'll be fun handling the Lace.
Love It.
<3




Above are a few images of The Rabbit Hole.
Made some good strides, today.
Need to make many, many...more.

Have The Primitive, Sewing, and Christmas...areas to deal with tomorrow.
Figured, if I allowed each area 2 hours, it'll be a 10 hour day.
That's doable.

Ran out of steam, tonight.

The Outside...is gonna be, what it is.
Too much wind, today.
Rain...tomorrow.

It Is...What It Is.
; )
 Scroll down for Details, and more images.
; )

UPDATED March 29.

'The Rabbit Hole' is Located at 
101 Williams Blvd. Fairfax, Iowa.

Hours for this Opening Weekend are
9  a.m 'til 6 p.m.
Daily!

This is a Very Soft Opening.
Have only shared this here, on Blogger,  FB, and Instagram.
There's a HUGE Reason, for That.

The Rabbit Hole has been closed for 3 years.
Beginning when IDOT was to start road construction on 151, and through it's completion.
When they got done...well, let's just say...it was difficult for me to go back there.
Still is.

I've been trying to put the pieces together again...it's been a slow process.
It's not close, to what it was...before.
The 'Iowa Hurricane'...was tuffer on The Rabbit Hole, than we thought.
It's a Miracle...it's still standing.
<3

The Rabbit Hole became a storage area...over the last few years.
There were barely pathways.
Many Partial Estates, have landed there.

Many things...Folks will have to Dig, to get to.
Many things, will need cleaning.
It Is...What It Is.
; )

I've never dealt in 'perfection'...
if you're seeking that, probably won't find it here.
; )
If you have a Creative Spirit, you'll have Fun...diggin'. 

There will be some fixtures that are not for sale, at this time.
Still trying to figure out what I'll need to have, to get it back on it's feet.

There will be some things, I'd never wanted to part with, as well...
that I'm letting go of.

The weather for this weekend looks damp, and chilly.
The Rabbit Hole is heated, but there's tons outside to dig through.
Dress Warm.
; )
No White Gloves...
; )
'Grubbies'.
; )

Here's a list of a few things outside.
I'll try to get images tonight.

Picket Fence, Concrete Birdbaths, Old Toys, Kids Wagons, Water Troughs, Roll of Old Wire Fencing, Old Farm Hand Tools, Metal Patio Tables, Concrete Table, Old Doors, and Fragments, Grinding Stones, Misc. Statuary, Steel Wheels, Bottles, and Jars....
I, could go on...and on.
and...
on.
; )
oh my.


March 28.


Nearly done...with the Front Greenhouse.

Dear Friend, Patti... delivered MOSS....today.
; )

I, really should've been born in The South.
That Moss...runs through my veins.
: )
<3
 Knocked the big chunks off of many things today.
Don't wear your white gloves, to The Rabbit Hole.
Just....sayin'.
; )

When I began...sorting, here....there were barely pathways.
Barely.
Haven't been Open, for nearly 3 years.

EVERYTHING...is Covered {was} in IDOT Grinding Pit...
Dust.
 from across the road.

Some...still is.

Watching the weather...
have to get busy Outside, soon.

There's no way, I can take images of everything.
No way.

Understand...
This...
is a teeny, tiny...thimbleful.
oh my.
; )







Above are old...old, bottles from one of earliest Homes, in Amana, Iowa.
They need a bath, but are very cool.
; )

















The back...Greenhouse, won't get touched...this go-round.
No...way.

There's So Much...
well...
I can't begin to describe it.
Truly.
; )

Thought of Peg, a Million Times, today.
<3

Told Daughter, Liz...earlier, that There's No Way....
I can get this all done.
Need another Month.

She's so Much...like her Dad.
<3
Liz, said...
"You'll get done, what you get done. That's good enough."
; )

Indeed.

Love to Ya...
Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Jammed with Alison Krauss Tunes, all Day, while working.
Her 'Voice'...is The Voice, of The Rabbit Hole.
<3 <3 <3 }

When I advise Folk's to Not Wear Their 'white gloves', down The Rabbit Hole,
I mean it.
; )




Sunday, March 27, 2022

Jason Aldean - Amarillo Sky (Official Video)

Farm Hair... Don't care.


This is what's written on the back of my hooded sweatshirt.
; )
It was More...than Fittin' today.
Most, every day.
; )

My Style, for hair...resembles Kramer's...from the 1990's sitcom, 'Seinfeld'....
most days.
Truly.
This day...would be no different.

Pal, Cheryl...popped out.
Bless Her Heart.
<3
She, I could tell...like I knew she'd be...was perplexed.
: )
This is a Mountain, and...certainly not like, The Rabbit Hole, before...
IDOT.

I have no images....tonight.
Needed moss, and grit...to finish a project in the Greenhouse, where I'd intended to take images...today.

The moss, a Dear Friend, was to bring...today, didn't happen.
She'd lost a Wonderful Friend, the day Scout left us.
Today...was her Friend's Wake.

She called me, this evening...as I was walking out the rabbit hole's door, wanted me to come join her, and her family, for supper.
: )
That...I did.
Farm hair, dirt...and all.
: )

We had a wonderful evening...reflecting on the Amazing Folks, and...Critters, The Lord...has brought into our lives.
<3
How, Very Blessed...
We All...Are.
<3
{We're Irish...quite a Tribe. ; ) }

No Pictures, tonight.

Love to Ya.
Prayers...for All.

Barb C.

{Many things crossed my mind, while driving a few short miles, on Highway 151, last night...to meet my Irish...Friends.
One, that gave me pause.

The IDOT is making Accommodations for Fairfax's Trail...on land, they Condemned from us, and Others...back...in the 1990's, too. 
They Took It...under the guise of 'Highway Maintenance and Road Improvement'.
They aren't supposed to Take...an Inch More of Land, through Condemnation that isn't Needed...'Necessary', for The Purpose of  'Highway Maintenance, and Road Improvement'.

'Trails'...are Not Included in That necessary 'Purpose'.

IDOT seems to Use That Term...
it seems...
Loosely...
Broadly.
Fraudulently. 
Often.
and,
'Wrongfully'
just...
sayin. }




 

Shifting Gears in a Peterbilt 18 Speed Transmission with Whistling Turbo

Shiftin' Gears.


Dave...one of Scout's Friends, and ours...
brought me Kolaches, yesterday.
; )

Dave...adored Scout. 
Scout...adored Dave.
<3

Worked down the rabbit hole, as long as I could...yesterday afternoon, and evening.
My eyes...are so swollen from tears, my contacts...are fried, from them...I could hardly see.
Would've worn my glasses, but the prescription is for driving, so...kinda dangerous trying to walk with them.

The Mayor called yesterday, asking how I was doing, which...was nice, until...he started asking me questions about the IDOT.
oh dear.

He doesn't seem to 'recall'...many things.
Things, I offered to show him, in his own words, and others... in their emails.
'refresh his memory'

Ya know...That...always get's my blood boiling.
I Can...handle The Truth, no matter what it is.
Lies, on the other hand, well...they make me kinda crazy.

Offered to show him All of their email exchanges, in IDOT's Public Records.
Fairfax's...too.
He, wasn't very interested.

I always stay civil, so does he...
but...
our conversations tend to get a little 'heated'.
Reminded The Mayor, it isn't 'personal', but....
we're fighting for our lives...here....
because of Fairfax's/IDOT's Wrongful Trail Accommodations.

He understood.
or...
he said, he did.

I'm shiftin' gears, today.
Have to.
So Much...to get done, by March 31.
So much.
No time for tears, or...anger.
none.

I've posted on FB, that Folk's should be Prepared to Dig...Wear Their Grubbies, and Bring a Truck.
That's...a Fact.

Getting a late start, today...
but, like they say...
"Better Late, than never."
; )

Pal, Cheryl...just called, asked if I could use a hand.
This time...I'm takin' her up..on her Kind Offer.
<3

Images, tonight.
; )

Love to Ya...
Prayers, for All.

Barb C.


 

Saturday, March 26, 2022

In The Garden - arranged for solo violin - ViolinSolos.com

Everybody's Horse.

 Laid Scout to Rest..
yesterday morning.

Willy, from up the road, came here with his backhoe.
Willy, is a long time Friend, of Son, Justin.
His Family also has Horses.
This isn't something Willy is used to doing.
It was very difficult for him, I know.




Justin...couldn't be here. He, just couldn't.
{Justin didn't want me present, either.}

Willy called me, when he arrived, about 8 a.m., told me if I'd rather not be present, that would be just fine.
There was no way...I wouldn't see Scout, through...this last step.
No Way.
<3
Always have been there for Every Critter, I could.
They'd All be There...for me, I...know, if They...could.
<3 <3 <3 

I wanted to be there...for Willy, too.
He knew Scout.
<3

It was so cold, and windy...I couldn't stop shaking.
Don't know...if it was from the cold, or...grief.
Probably...both.

Told Willy, I didn't think...watching Scout being laid to rest, could be more difficult than thinking about him laying in the pasture, all night, volunerable...it was a tuff night.

Scout was covered by an old feather tick, that I put over him, to keep him warm, yesterday morning.
When Scout went down...the blanket stayed perfectly on him.
; )

As I walked to the pasture, to meet Willy, the School Bus pulled up.
The LAST thing...I wanted to see.
Those Children, and George...the Bus Driver, Adored Scout.
Fed him apples, daily.
{I didn't want Those Children...to see Scout, Gone.}
: ( : ( : (..........

George, opened his window, and said... "Well...he passed away, didn't he."
It was All I could do, not to melt.
Then...
The Windows of the Bus....all began to open.
The Children, were sticking their Smiling Little Faces, through them...
Telling me How Much They LOVED Scout....and he was The Best Horse EVER!!!

oh my...God.
oh..my God.



After George, and The Children...pulled away, went to stand beside Scout, and Willy.
A few times, I truly thought...I was going to go down.
Had to find a place to sit...a couple times.

Willy did such an amazing job.
He was careful...with Scout. So...gentle.
<3
The blanket and Beautiful...Alfalfa Hay, our Farmer Friend..., Kevin, has furnished Scout with, over the decades...was his bedding, that blanket...somehow, perfectly went with Scout, and formed a pillow for Scout's head, and neck.
It was like Scout was just taking a nap, a luxurious nap, with his Hay, and a Feather Pillow.
<3 <3 <3 
I asked Willy to cover Scout, in his Hay...before he buried him.
He caringly did.
<3

After Willy left, found my way to the house.
I, couldn't stop shaking.
It was hours, before the chill...left my body.

Early afternoon, heard someone at the door, it was a young Man, Joe...that picks up our dumpster.
oh my.
I invited him in,...he burst into tears.

He brought Scout Apples, with every pick up.
Scout knew Joe's Truck...and would come Running to him...every time he came, over the years.
Joe, was absolutely heartbroken.

He wasn't the only one.
I received calls, and messages from Folks, I know...and barely know...
who were equally as heartbroken, as Joe.
Some, mostly Men...were sobbing inconsolably.
Sending me pictures, and videos...of Their Time, with Scout.
<3

Found myself, having to be The Strong One, because...these Folks...were Lost.
just...
Lost.
: ( : ( : (..........
Some...were sobbing so hard, I couldn't understand their words.
but...
grief...
doesn't need words.

I knew Scout was Loved.
but...
what I didn't understand, was that for SO MANY....Scout, was such a Light, for them.

They all shared their experiences with Scout, and What He Meant To Them.

I've always taken that for Granted, I guess.
When Folks would stop by, and ask...over the years, if they could bring him an Apple, or pet him...
well...that was so foreign.
Glad they asked, but...Of Course!
: )
We always encouraged Folks...to Say Hello, and Visit with Scout.
: )
{Apples would be Greatly Appreciated by Scout. ; ) }

I've always had Horses, and Critters, in my life.
So Many Of These People, have never.
They'd never touched a Horse, or...even been close to one, before...Scout.

I'd, never imagined that.
Couldn't imagine...that.

Scout...was such a Rock Star.
; )
He was Mr. Personality.
: )
He Loved Everyone.
He'd Whinny, and Be So Excited to Meet People, {and Their Treats!!}
: )
He'd put on quite a Show..for them.
<3 <3 <3  

Part of me...wants to fight Fairfax, again...about getting another Horse.
They told me with the Chicken Fiasco, when...Scout passed, we couldn't have another Horse, here.

People NEED a Horse, to be able to Visit With.
They...do.
<3

The thing is, there will Never be another 'Scout'.
He...was one of a kind.
{They All...Are. <3 }

and...so much is happening now, still...with IDOT, and Fairfax...I, don't think I can take anything on.
Gotta get through these Messes.
: (

Did want to say...a few things about what we believe 'happened' to Scout.

This...was So Sudden.
Scout...at 26, was The Picture of Health.
He...probably...could've been with us, another 10 years.

A Neighbor called, the day Scout passed away, said she saw him Rolling.
Horses like to Roll.
then...the next day...Scout didn't finish his Supper.
The next morning...he was down.

I'm pretty sure, Scout twisted an intestine, when he was rolling.
Farrier, Rick...said that's the number One cause of death, in Horses.
We lost Babe, White Albino Quarter Horse Stallion, that was only 3, that way...22 years ago.
He was in Vet's care....and they couldn't save him.
: (

There was no fixing that, had The Vet been there...on the 24th.

What I've tried to explain to Folks, after...thinking this all through....
trying to soften this horrible time, is that Scout...had a Life, few Horses get.

That Pasture...was His Domain.
He was never sick...Never saw a 'Sale Barn'...after he came to be part of our Family, 20 years ago...
Didn't have to 'work'...just Hang Out.
: )
Be Loved and Spoiled.
<3

Having Horses, all of my life, I...Knew...the next 10 years...should he have them...
would have gotten harder, and harder, on Scout.

Horses, are like people.
Their teeth get bad, can't eat as much...they get thin, and frail.
THAT...is why I never wanted to really remember...Scout's age.

Every Summer, going into Fall...these last few years, I tell Justin, we've got to keep Scout's weight up, and watch him closely.
Winter's get harder, and harder...on elderly Horses, and...people.


So, tho...it's too soon for us, to lose him...
{always would be}
Scout...lived the Best of His Years, with no trouble, until...there was.
It was very quick.

My heart is Broken...for All, who Loved Scout.
There will be people, I know...for a long time, coming...looking for him.
That...breaks my heart, too.

I want to Thank...
Rick Elson, our Farrier, who is one of the Kindest, Gentlest Horsemen, I've ever known.
Rick, truly is The Horse Whisperer.
He took such Great Care...of Scout,  over the last 20 years...and is so wise.

Dr, Christine, {'Mona Lisa' ; ) } from River Basin Equine, who...has also...caringly looked after Scout, over the decades.

Theresa, from Abraham's Equine Clinic, for helping me So...on the 24th., concerning Scout's arrangements.

Mayor Frieden, tho..we don't see eye to eye, on several things, he was helpful on the 24th.
{when the chips are really down, we are... still...
'Fairfax'.}

Thanks, again...
to Everyone, who Loved...and Spoiled Scout.
<3
I'm So...Incredibly Sorry, 
For Your Loss.

Scout...was Everyone's Horse.
'Friend'.
<3

As I said Good Bye, to Scout...yesterday, told him to tell John, and All of our Critter Family, "Hello"...for me.
<3
Heaven...I, Know...is a Beautiful...Beautiful...Place.
<3

Fairfax Councilwoman, Kate...sent the below to me, yesterday.
{we don't see eye to eye, at City Hall, on some things...
 but, again... this is...still, 'Fairfax'.}



Love to You.
Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Special Thanks, to Pal, Steph...who came to visit the night Scout passed away.
<3
and...
to Everyone, who's called, and stopped by.
<3}




Thursday, March 24, 2022

Simply Iowa Scout. 8/1/21

With Deepest Sorrow.














Our...Scoutaroo...
passed away this morning, at 10:30.

I was with him, and gave him what comfort I could.
This was unexpected, very sudden.
The Vet couldn't get here quick enough.
Sadly, I don't think she could've helped him.

Folks, always ask Scout's age.
I...would never say.
Mainly...because I...didn't want to think about it.
He was 26.

That's a long life.
<3
He was always healthy...fat, and sassy.
and...
Spoiled, as he deserved to be.
<3

Many Folks, are going to be brokenhearted....who come to visit Scout, bring him apples, and carrots.
He...was MUCH LOVED...in our area.

I've tried to call the ones I have numbers for, so they aren't in shock when they stop by.

We're so appreciative to those who were So Kind, and Caring...
over the decades.

Scout...will be Deeply, Deeply...
missed.