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Post by canoeguy on Jul 15, 2023 6:51:43 GMT -6
This is my first time doing any creative writing since Jr. high school. I hope you enjoy it.
Gordon Smith sat reflecting on his life choices. Most of them were good but the best one was getting out of the city, way out. As in moving to the northern part of Michigan's lower peninsula. It had been three years since he bailed out after finding his wife was a cheating tramp. In spite of his leftist communist union parents telling him to stay with her.
The property was an old “weather research station” he picked up for pennies on the dollar. it had enough poured concrete buildings so he did not have to build anything. He simply hunted down what he needed and fixed things up. One thing he found was an old Gravely model L two wheel tractor with several attachments. A little elbow grease and some parts made the machine run like new.
It was early November and the garden was long since harvested and put up. He stocked up on things to get by during the winter, his latest novel was published. It met the usual criticism of not being woke. But it was selling very well, enough that it could not be ignored by the media. A boycott was started that proved to be ineffective and someone or group tried to hack his accounts all to no avail.
Gordon had very good security but right now his mind was on the upcoming firearm deer season. While it was perfectly legal for him to hunt with a centerfire rifle or handgun he preferred his 12 gauge single shot rifled slug gun loaded with a hand cast 1 ounce slug. Yes, he had rifles but the slug gun served him well in the tight woods. Gordon loved reloading and had several presses for different loads and gauges. Two presses were dedicated MEC slug presses. One in 12 gauge and one in 20 gauge.
He drove into town to see his friend Ray at his gun shop. He called out “Ray are you in here!” Ray called back “Yeah, is that you Grodo?” Ray was the only person who could get away with calling him Gordo. “I have a list of reloading supplies and cash in my pockets.” “Well, be careful you don’t get robbed, mr money bags.” Ray began filling the order and when he was done he told Gordon “I would like to trade for this instead of taking cash.”
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Post by CountryGuy on Jul 15, 2023 7:31:20 GMT -6
Nice start CanoeGuy. Can't wait to read MOAR!
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Post by sniper69 on Jul 15, 2023 7:59:50 GMT -6
woohoo, another story starting.
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Post by gipsy on Jul 15, 2023 9:09:52 GMT -6
Good start
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 15, 2023 18:42:30 GMT -6
The chance of not paying cash grabbed Gordon by his wallet and he asked Ray "What do you have in mind?” Ray told him “Things are really bad in the city and my sister, the nurse and her two daughters want to move back here. The problem is housing is in short supply and my one bedroom place is too small for all of us. If you take them in they will work for their keep or I will apply the right boot of correction and they will work for their keep.” Gordon knew that Rhonda was a hard worker to be in the nursing trade but he did have one question “What about the children’s father?”
Ray got a sad look on his face and told him “He died a couple of years back in a traffic accident, it seems a fellow had a heart attack while driving home and broadsided their car. The girls were unhurt but Joe was killed outright.” Gordon could feel the man’s grief and He told Ray “When they get here, bring them out to my place, I’ll have rooms ready for them.”
Ray told him “They should be here tomorrow morning. They are not coming empty handed. Sis has a box truck loaded with supplies so you won’t be caught short.” Gordon and Ray were loading up the order into Gordons Suburban when they were approached by Sheriff Jake Venter. “Now what are you boys up to?” he asked. “Hello Jake, just loading up Gordons order. Then we are heading over to the Waffle Shop for coffee, got time to tag along?”
“Sure I got some news to share with you boys but you’re not going to like it. Having some coffee may help it go down a little better.” The three men reconvened at the waffle House. Shelly walked over to them and took their orders. Once they had been served the Sheriff told them “Expect an influx of lowlife from the city. Things are bad, the whole country is coming apart at the seams. Government is helping this along with more and more woke policies.”
Ray spoke saying “We should have known this was coming, my brother just split California with his whole church. They are headed for some place in the midwest.” Gordon chimed in “Now you guys know why I moved up here from the city. It won’t be long until those places are unlivable.”
“We need a town meeting, I will talk with Pastor Jonas and see if we can use the church.” the Sheriff added. “We also need to organize and prepare people for no more stuff coming in from the outside.”
The three men began making a list of who needed to be contacted and why. The first thing the Sheriff did was organize a posse to escort Ray's sister and his nieces out to Gordon’s place. Since she was a trauma nurse her skills would be invaluable to the community. They would gather again in a few days. Time was not on their side.
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Post by feralferret on Jul 15, 2023 18:58:25 GMT -6
Not messing around. The water is already swirling in the toilet bowl.
Good start. Thanks.
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Post by gipsy on Jul 15, 2023 20:38:46 GMT -6
Clockwise or Counterclockwise?
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Post by feralferret on Jul 15, 2023 20:50:25 GMT -6
Clockwise or Counterclockwise? Depends on northern or southern hemisphere. Coriolis effect. If northern, counterclockwise. |
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 17, 2023 9:50:08 GMT -6
Gordon arrived home about noon and decided it was time for lunch. He went to his crock pot and got a bowl of chili and a big chunk of corn bread. As he ate his mind began making lists of what needed to be done before things totally shut down.
Medical supplies for the long term needed to be stocked for the community.
Livestock needed to be increased.
Solar power for the few that did not have it.
Fuel for running machinery as long as possible. He made a note to call today for additional fuel tanks and fuels for his little “pretend farm.”
Make sure everyone who could be armed and that they had lots of ammo.
Communications. CB radios perhaps. Something that did not need government permission to use.
Since he would soon have small children living with him homeschool materials and age appropriate books. This would be needed by everyone with children.
The list went on and on.
He took a break and got the bedrooms ready for his new tenants. Next he went out and checked his feed supply for the animals. He called the feed and seed store and put in an order for more of everything. He even got a line on some useful livestock such as a couple of mules, more chickens, meat rabbits, ducks and turkeys.
The animals and feed would arrive in two days. All of these would increase food production capabilities if done properly. Gordon looked at the clock and went outside to begin his evening chores, while working in the barn he tuned the radio to his local AM news station.
They gave the weather report and the local high school sports activities after that the announcer informed him of a program change. “Due to the political views of the program customarily heard at this time, the show has been canceled. Please stay tuned for a new and more balanced broadcast.
What came on next was an offense to freedom. The program was a Chinese sponsored propaganda show. The host started with the usual greetings about how peace loving they were and they only wanted help but in the months to come we would be asked to give up essential liberties for the good of the planet. The host spoke about Washington being in full agreement with the goal of one world government and a new, proper social order.
It was no shock to Gordon that Washington was in on this. The current administration had stacked the deck and now the American people would be expected to cover the bet. Not an ideal situation in his mind. As he was fuming a semi-truck pulled into the drive followed by the sheriff.
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Post by iamnobody on Jul 17, 2023 9:55:02 GMT -6
I had to triple check this was a fictional story and not real.....
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 17, 2023 10:25:41 GMT -6
I had to triple check this was a fictional story and not real..... I just look at the news and turn it into a story. Got me an appointment with the principel in Jr. High school. Seems the teacher didn't like stories about surviving nuclear war. |
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Post by feralferret on Jul 17, 2023 19:31:35 GMT -6
"Seems the teacher didn't like stories about surviving nuclear war."
Tell the principal that it is OK with you if he doesn't want to survive. 
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 18, 2023 8:46:24 GMT -6
The big rig pulled to a stop and the driver stayed in the cab. Sheriff Jake got out of his car along with Ray and met with Gordon, who was armed with a rather large semi auto 10 gauge shotgun. “What brings you two out this way?” asked Gorden. “Well, we got some extra supplies for you since you will be caring for my family.” Ray was smiling as he opened the back of the truck. They started unloading after telling the driver to remain inside.
It did not take much over an hour to unload and sort everything. The load consisted of LTS foods, ammo, reloading supplies, first aid and other medical supplies. Ray told him “one of the guys from my military days was able to get this stuff to me. And since you are taking care of my family I had it shipped here for your use. Don’t worry about the driver blabbing, he is an underling of my friend and knows he was not here and this did not happen.”
Gordon asked, “What about the town meeting?” The Sheriff told him Sunday after church. The woman’s society is fixing lunch for everyone.” “That’s a good idea. I hope other people are getting ready for what’s coming.” It took the rest of the day for the men to move the supplies to their respective places. This left Gordon to do evening chores after dark, not his favorite way to do things.
He grabbed his 10 gauge semi auto shotgun and an ammo belt with slugs and buckshot. It was necessary to be armed after dark due to the feral hog problem in the county. He lit a kerosene pressure lamp and went about his business. The goats gave voice as it was past their normal milking time. The rest of the animals were grateful just to be fed. As Gordon completed his chores he heard the grunting of what he assumed was a feral hog.
Shining his lantern outside he could see the outline of a very large hog that he assumed was a bore. There was no doubt about it being feral. His 10 gauge carried his favorite load of OOO Buckshot and slugs. Unfortunately , the hog spotted Gordon and objected to his existence. Gordon returned the favor by means of three well placed 10 gauge rounds. He reloaded his shotgun and picked up his empty hulls as they were not cheap.
He waited a few minutes before approaching the beast just to be sure it was dead. He called a local farmer, Vince Morton who was an experienced hog man for advice. He told Gordon he would be right out to help him. On arriving Vince was shocked at the size of the hog and asked “Do you have a way of moving this critter into the light?” Gordon told him he had his two wheel tractor that would likely drag the hog to where it needed to be.
Model L was the term commonly used to describe all of the Gravely line of two wheel machines. But Gordon’s was indeed an original 1948 model L. He hooked a chain around the hog and put the machine in gear. Much to the amazement of Vince it did pull the hog into the lighted yard. Vince looked the hog over and decided he needed to get it to his butchering shed for this job. So the two men loaded the hog onto the flat bed trailer so it could be turned into pork products.
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Post by rep1270 on Jul 18, 2023 9:09:48 GMT -6
Thank you for the update. Ralph
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Post by gipsy on Jul 18, 2023 9:42:43 GMT -6
Lots of good eats there.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jul 18, 2023 15:38:31 GMT -6
i cut a lot of brush with a Gravely as a boy. My Grandfather made sure I had something to do to keep my young butt out of mischief. |
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 19, 2023 18:13:55 GMT -6
The next morning Gordon felt like he had not slept at all. His encounter with the hog and late chores had him going to bed far later than was healthy and today his new farm mates were due to arrive. He made his way to the kitchen area and lit the Perfection kerosene cook range and started coffee. He thought to himself “How can you survive the apocalypse without coffee.” While the coffee was brewing Ray pulled in followed by a large box truck. His new house mates had arrived.
Rhonda climbed out followed by the twins Amber and Andrea both hid behind their mother unsure about the stranger in front of them. “Girls, don’t be rude, this is Mr Smith. He is a friend of mommy and uncle ray. He is offering us a place to live in exchange for helping with chores.”
The twins were still not sure so Gordon asked them “Would you like to meet the animals?” This got the girls attention and they walked to the barn. What was being called a barn was a concrete structure, its original purpose lost to time. Amber was the oldest of the twins by two minutes and the more adventurous of the two. She asked “Mr. Smith, may I please try milking the goats?
Gordon was mto one to discourage a child from trying to work. “Sure sweet girl, let’s get you a stool and a bucket.” It took a couple of tries but she got the hang of it. Meanwhile Andrea was telling the chickens a story. Gordon asked her “Would you like to help collect the eggs and feed the chickens?” Andrea said “Yes, please!”
Gordon was pleased that the twins had taken a liking to the animals right away. Over time he could see them becoming an asset to his little farm. A good thing too, as survival depended on everyone working together. He helped Amber carry the milk buckets up to the house while Rhonda helped Andrea carry the egg basket.
They went inside and Gordon asked “Who wants breakfast?” Both girls chimed in “ME!” Due to the stress of their journey Gordon decided some comfort food was in order. He made waffles, eggs and bacon with orange juice for the twins and coffee for the adults.
As they finished eating a Pruis pulled into the drive and an overweight woman got out and approached the house. She hammered on the door demanding to be let in or else. Gordon called out to her “Identify yourself!” She refused and said “I work for the new government and you are guilty of oppressing women and children.”
Since there was no way she could break in the door of his castle, Gordon called the Sheriff and told him what was going on.
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 19, 2023 18:15:16 GMT -6
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Post by rep1270 on Jul 19, 2023 19:16:10 GMT -6
Thank you for the update. Ralph
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 19, 2023 19:22:46 GMT -6
Sheriff Jake Venter was not a happy person. Being called out before his morning coffee had that effect on him. Due to this he was accompanied by Deputy Sarah Clayton. This was to keep the Sheriff from playing the shoot, shovel and shut up game. He called out “County Sheriff’s office, what is gouging on here?”
Her response would have floored most Deputies but Sheriff Jake Venter was not most deputies. He simply tasered her. “Now let’s try that again, shall we?” The woman indignantly spoke “I am Agent King X235. My pronouns are They/Them. I am an investigator for the New World Emperor XI. This man is oppressing women and girls. I demand you arrest him.”
The sheriff thought “This is what we get for closing the insane asylums. Allright lady you are under arrest for trespassing, menacing, filing a false police report, making terrorist threats and making the Sheriff angry before his cup of morning coffee. Deputy load her up and take her to jail.”
Gordon asked “Sheriff, we have coffee and breakfast inside you are welcome to rest a bit until the deputy returns.” The girls made sure that the sheriff had the same thing they did for breakfast as well as a never ending cup of coffee. He told them “Thank you girls, the breakfast was yummy. Gordon I sent the deputy in so we could talk. I have a favor to ask.” Gordon knew that he would not ask frivolously “Sure what’s up?”
“I want to place Sarah out here with radio gear and supplies so she can help keep an eye on this part of the county. This morning proves my theory that our government has not only surrendered to whackos but their friends in the UN orchestrated this whole mess. I don’t believe this is the last we have heard from this New world Emperor or his cronies. In fact I believe our President is in on it.”
“Well, I have enough room for her and now I have enough solar power but I could use some more diesel for the generator and kerosene for the cook stove. “ The sheriff said not an unreasonable request. How does 500 gallons of each sound? Gordon told him “That will work.”
Gordon gave the girls a tour of the insides of his buildings showing them the power equipment and his workshop. When they came back they started to unpack all of the stuff the girls bought from home. Among their possessions were books and games. Everything that one would expect from a nine year old girl and some that were uncommon. Namely an assortment of Tabletop Roleplaying games. Gordon asked Rhonda “Aren't they a little young for these?” Rhonda told him “No, their father started them playing with him just before he died. All of those books are from his lifelong collection.” Gordon was familiar with all of them. Another box was full of plastic miniatures. Some painted but most were not. It. He thought “No wonder these girls are so bright. I will have to brush up on the rules and run a session for them.”
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Post by iamnobody on Jul 20, 2023 7:44:07 GMT -6
Great story. Very, very realistic. Er I mean I am so glad this is just fictional and something like this would never happen here in this country......
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 20, 2023 12:06:36 GMT -6
As the sheriff was driving home he got a phone call. He did not recognize the number but he did recognize the voice. “Jake, meet me where the catfish bite back in one hour.” Jake knew the spot and proceeded to change direction. If this man was calling him things were bad.
He arrived early and parked his Sheriff’s Department SUV so it was out of sight from the road. He checked his weapons and headed to the spot where the man told him to meet him. Jake was packing heavy for a Sheriff, he had his S&W .40 caliber semi auto pistol on his hip and a .357 Revolver in a shoulder holster as well as a 30-30 carbine. These were his personal weapons that he was most familiar with.
He heard a voice from his past, the voice of a friend and patriot. “Hello Jake, it's been a while.” “Yeah, it has Wylvin, what brings you here?” Wylvin may or may not be the man’s real name but it was the only one Jake knew of. “I have news, old friend, your little community is on the radar of freedom’s enemies. The farce that calls itself the UN is controlled by China and you standing up to that second rate social worker has drawn the ire of the enemy. They are sending a small force to harass and intimidate you into submission. Now I need a favor, my special camp trailer is in town at the U-Store It. I would like you to bring it out here and to help me set up my operation. In return I will share information and see if I can get you some supplies.
Jake told him “I can do that. Expect me back by late afternoon. I want to bring one more person into the loop on this” Wylvin asked jake “Do you trust him?” Jake said “absolutely.” He replied “bring him.”
Jake stopped by Gorden’s and told him what was happening and asked for his help. Gordon agreed and they set off to move a rather unique camp trailer. While this was happening Agent King X235had been released and was meeting with its handler.
“Agent King X235, your orders were to win Gordon Smith and company's trust. You went in tossing your weight around and got arrested by the local Sheriff. Your disobedience to the Emperor has harmed his plans for this rural community. As punishment you are to be euthanized on the spot. Employ your final measure. Your family will be cared for” Agent King X235 dutifully bit down on a poison tooth and died a horrifying death.
Gordon pulled the trailer with his big truck and parked where Jake instructed him to park. Wylvin helped them set it up including a concealed satellite dish. About that time the three men heard something or someone busting through the brush.
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Post by gipsy on Jul 20, 2023 13:15:34 GMT -6
Somebody forget to spray the cliff repellent again.
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Post by 223shootersc on Jul 20, 2023 18:24:54 GMT -6
Somebody forget to spray the cliff repellent again. You know that's right! Old big Clif! |
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Post by canoeguy on Jul 21, 2023 14:05:57 GMT -6
Out of the brush stepped a woman with three children. They looked like death that was reheated. She could barely speak but told the men “Our so-called new friends have taken over Petoskey. They have been seizing farms and businesses. Shooting the rightful owners and their families and installing their people. There are American troops helping them.
Jake and the sheriff were between a rock and a hard place. They would not turn them away but they were not sure where to take them. The Sheriff spoke up “We can’t just let them roam free, they have seen too much.” Gordon thought for a minute and suggested “How about having them stay at one of the empty houses in town?” The sheriff replied “Probably as good a choice as any. Let’s get them out of here. They have seen too much as it is.”
They stopped at the local real estate office and asked Al “Know of any places that are for sale due to back taxes?” Al moved to a filing cabinet and pulled out a folder telling the men “Take your choice I got keys for all of them.” It wasn’t long before they found the displaced family a furnished house. The Sheriff told them “We will get some food and other necessities in here in a while you folks just relax a bit.” He left them some canned goods so they could have a simple meal.
Gordon asked Jake “How are we going to supply these people?” Jake laughed and said "Come with me I know who can help us. You see Gordon this ain't the big city, when there is a need these people will step up." The two men drove to the church and were greeted by Pastor Jonas. “Well, what brings you two out here today?” “Jonas we have an American refugee family that has to be outfitted. We were hoping that the women could start a pounding.”
The pounding is an old tradition that churches have used over several generations to meet physical needs. Jonas had a lot of time in the Pastorate and one thing he learned was to let his wife work. It was not long before food, clothing and other necessities started to show up by the carload.
Gordon had never seen anything like this before. There were as many cars in the parking lot as it could hold. A group of very large teenage boys were unloading cars as fast as they could work. Teenage girls and adult women were organizing the donated goods. This is the pounding. A living demonstration of the Gospel that Gordon had never seen before.
Gordon had never seen anything like this before. His church experience had been one of self help and living your best life now. His confidence in this community surviving went way up. By the time they were done the family had food, clothing, sanitary supplies and everything needed to start a new life. This made Gordon question everything he thought he knew about God and his people.
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