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Post by cashless1 on Jan 10, 2024 19:06:26 GMT -6
CHAPTER 20
Gabby has been grinding wheat into flour and mixing it with white flour, to get our systems used to the extra fiber, in whole wheat flour,
I was fishing today, and I could have sworn I heard an airplane. I got under a tree to keep out of sight. When I told the group about it, they wanted to know where my hidden pot patch was. I seriously do not think they believed me. That was a month ago and we have not seen it again.
It is about time to harvest the wheat and then corn. George did not plant oats this year, my bin is almost full, from last year. We got a call on the radio about a trade, they would meet us at Jans trading spot, tomorrow. Same procedure 4 people from each side. The meeting was very productive, we got a Jersey bull calf and 2 Boar pigs in exchange for our last steer, when the weather cools off some. They will call when they want the exchange. They got the better part of the deal, but I wanted the bull. And Don and I each need a boar. And it creates good relations. And I wanted to get rid of the steer. I ask them if they knew where we could get some bio diesel? He did know a guy that was making small batches and would check for me. And if the guy with the fuel wanted to talk to us, they would bring him when they picked up the steer, if we were agreeable. We agreed, in fact we were thrilled with the idea.
We saw a real live sheriff and deputy today, we ask for identification, and they did not hesitate. Both had picture IDs and acted like cops. They wanted to know how we were doing, and George said we are getting by, then they wanted to know how we had managed that, I told him we have a few good neighbors. And are working with them as much as possible. and it is working for everyone. He wanted to know about trading. I did say we have made a couple, but nothing major. I did finally tell him about the sow we traded for and some honey. He said he thought he knew the beekeeper, and he was a good honest man. He wanted to know about any other trades. I told him we had a trade set up, but they wanted everything, and in numbers we could not produce. He was kind of demanding. So, there was no deal. The deputy ask was his name William. George jumped in before I could answer, and said that might have been it, why? The sheriff said it is probably good you did not deal with them. They had been known to get to know people, and their strengths and weaknesses, and taking everything, they have at the point of a gun. I ask who his second in command was? He said Bo. I guess he could tell by my expression, he said but they have been taken care of. They are no longer a problem for anybody. There was a lot of that going on at first, but things are getting better now. The town is still not a safe place for anybody, but we are working with the feds to clean things up. Is there anything you folks need? George said we need news, we have had no information for a long time, what is going on around the country? The sheriff said he was not sure about the rest of the country, but our area is getting better, slowly but these things take time. If your people are doing ok, that is good. Some are just barely hanging on; we are not getting much help from FEMA. They are useless. The troops we have do help but there are not enough of them to do much. They are concerting their efforts on the city’s. Once that is done, they will spread out into the rural areas, and before you ask, no I do not know how long that will take. I ask about fuel, but they did not have any to spare. He said he would be back, when he could with any news he COULD share. Before he left, he did say, you have the right to defend yourselves, just be careful. And do not go overboard.
When we took the news to the group, they were thrilled, but had more questions, we could not answer. It did lift everyone’s spirits but also posed a lot of unknowns. There was no body to help us, if we needed help, but we were kind of used to that. We did get a call to meet the beekeeper and his friend, same procedure our 4 and there 4 plus the man with fuel. We met and everything was ok. All he was interested in was beef and we were all out I was not getting rid of any Heffers.
Jan dropped a bomb shell on me last night, SHE IS PREGNANT. I guess we had been lucky so far, she ran out of birth control a long time ago. And we had been careful, we thought. We had not thought about a baby in our planning. Jan is training Kay how to help deliver the baby. Jan is confident it will be ok, I am not. Gabby is elated, I am scared. And Fred just smiles a lot.
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Post by gipsy on Jan 10, 2024 19:59:27 GMT -6
Fine update, thanks.
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Post by prepguy on Jan 10, 2024 22:18:50 GMT -6
All caught up again. Good story
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Post by feralferret on Jan 10, 2024 23:17:53 GMT -6
Thanks for the new chapter!
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Post by eyeseetwo on Jan 11, 2024 1:00:16 GMT -6
Thank you!
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Post by cashless1 on Jan 14, 2024 15:22:56 GMT -6
CHAPTER 21
We need more solar power but have not found any in our area yet. We checked a few abandoned houses where we knew they had babies but never found a single cloth diaper. Evidently everybody used disposables, it was good we even found what we did.
Winter is slowly giving up its grip on the world, we are all making plans for the summer, that is our busiest and most productive time of the year. The sheriff came back today, he said they were getting a few deliveries in town, the army is escorting the trucks, but they still get shot at from time to time. Most of the trouble in town has been eliminated. There are not many people left, a lot have died and a lot have left or just disappeared. It is sad to see all the destroyed property and abandoned homes. There is not very much repair work being done, there is nothing to make repairs with. Then he ask if we had any garden seeds we could spare? The town was clearing a few vacant lots and planned to try to grow gardens. I told him I would talk with the wives and see what we could spare. He ask if we had power? I said a little, but none to spare. He handed me a radio and charger and said to call him and let him know, if we did have seeds, and he would pick them up he did not want others to know what we had or where we were. Then he ask if there was anything we needed? All I could think of was cloth diapers, and baby clothes. He said he would check and let me know. When I got to the house I called for a meeting. Everyone came in and I told them about talking to the sheriff, and him wanting seeds. Jan was skeptical at first, until I told her he was going to check on diapers and baby clothes. That was all it took. The girls are counting seeds to see what we could do for them. We had plenty of dried beans and seed corn. Field corn is not as good as sweet corn, but if it is picked while tender it is not bad. We are keeping enough garden seeds for 2 plus years for ourselves. All said and done, the town gets a bushel of corn and a bushel of wheat, I gallon each of navy beans, pinto beans and 2 quarts of green beans that is all the bulk seeds we can spare, they are getting cabbage tomato pepper and onion and carrot seeds, they are hard to count but it is around 100 seeds of each. We went through the root cellars and have a couple bushels of potatoes and sweet potatoes. That is all we are comfortable giving away. Kay made copies of planting instructions and seed saving directions. She also copied down what had to be kept separated to prevent cross pollination.
I radioed the sheriff and he will be here tomorrow. We had everything gathered up and waiting when he got here. He was very thankful for the seeds. He had 3 garbage bags of baby things for Jan. It made everybody happy with the trades.
The girls took the bags in the house and started separating things out. None of the diapers were new but most were in good shape. There were baby blankets plastic pants and clothes of all sizes, there was even a card of diaper pins. Jan is relieved, the washing machine is running, and they are making any needed repairs. I do not know what the hurry is, but I am not saying anything.
We are already thinking about future trades. We will save a lot more seeds next year things like peas, squash, melons, and anything else we can think of. We are sure there are other things in town we will need in the future. If they follow the instructions, we sent they should be able to expand their gardens next year and maybe have a surplus in the future. It will take a few years to accomplish but it is possible, if they do it right. We got another Jersy calf today, it is a Heffer.
The sheriff comes out periodically, he says things in town get worse every day. The whole town stinks, a lot of people dug out house pits and others just crap where they happen to be, they just go behind a tree or in somebody’s shed or garage. Petty theft is bad and people are tired of it, they shoot thieves and do not care who it is. You get caught you die. There is no fresh water and a lot of people have died drinking bad water, and no medical help. He said a lot of people are not willing to work, but they are dying out, if you don’t work you don’t eat. In fact, a man was shot and killed last night for stealing water out of another man’s rain barrel. People are desperate. When the army escorts in a couple of supply trucks they must stand guard while we try to pass out food fairly.
I offered him some lunch. He said if we had a little something extra, he would appreciate it. Jan said it would be a few minutes and nothing fancy, he said that would be fine. She heated up some left-over stew and homemade bread with fresh butter and a large glass of milk. His eyes bulged out when he saw it. I told him to help himself, we had just finished before he got here. He had 2 bowls of stew and was looking at the pan. I ask if he wanted more, he did, but said no thanks but another glass of milk would be nice if we had it. I ask when was the last time he ate? He said I had a little yesterday. I ask if he would like some eggs and milk to take with him, and I thought he was going to cry. It must be bad living in town. Jan got a dozen eggs and 2 quarts of milk and a loaf of bread for him to take home, and he did have tears in his eyes. Before he left, he wanted to know if we needed anything. He said he would get it for us even if he had to steal it himself. I told him no we would not want him to do that. George told him if things got worse in town to come out here, he would have to work his ass off but would be warm and have a full belly. And not worry about getting shot at, well not as often anyway. Then the sheriff did cry. I told him he was welcome to stay here and be kind of a go between town and us. We did not have a lot. but there were things we could trade in small amounts. If the town would let him have a little gas for his travels. He ask what we had? George told him we have a little, of a lot of things. He thanked us for the fine meal and the groceries Jan given him and said he would be in touch.
I ask George why he offered him a place to stay? George said he can live with me, and an extra hand would be nice, I am not getting any younger you know.
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Post by gipsy on Jan 14, 2024 15:41:44 GMT -6
Fine update. Thanks
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Post by prepguy on Jan 14, 2024 23:26:24 GMT -6
Thank you. That was a good update
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Post by eyeseetwo on Jan 15, 2024 0:53:10 GMT -6
The desperation is what knocks me between the eyes in your story. Sadly the “give me dats” seem to outweigh the folks willing to do what they are able to and ask for help learning new essential skills. Thank you for continuing your story.
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Post by ydderf on Jan 16, 2024 15:23:12 GMT -6
caught up Thanks for your workmanship
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Post by cashless1 on Jan 18, 2024 9:22:58 GMT -6
CHAPTER 22
We have not heard from the sheriff for a couple of months. But Jan did give me a son, and everything went ok, and they are both doing fine. The garden is looking good and the field crops are all doing ok. We have bred the pigs and one milk cow; the bull has been with the heifers for a month in the pasture.
The sheriff rolled in this morning. He had been shot, we got him out of his car and into the house where Jan took over. It was a shoulder wound, the bullet had not hit anything vital it was through and through, but he had lost a lot of blood. But he will survive if the wound does not get infected. After she treated his wounds, Jan gave George some bandages and told him she would come and check on Bill tomorrow. Bill said there are some things in my cruiser for you guys, all I have of my own is my clothes and a few firearms help yourselves, and thank you. George took him to his house and got him situated before he fell asleep. George fixed a pot of soup, for when Bill woke up, in case he was hungry. The soup was not even done when Bill woke up, he said the smell woke him up and he had to go to the bathroom. George pointed down the hall and said second door on the right. Bill did not hesitate. He came back out, and was amazed George had running water and a flush toilet. George said all the comforts of home. George ask are you hungry? Bill said I do not think I will ever be, not hungry again, George set the table and put the soup and a loaf of bread on the table and told Bill to dig, in while I he get the milk and butter. Bill did not say a word until his bowl was empty for the third time. Then ask do you eat like this all the time? George said no I usually have meat and potatoes with a side, but I was in a hurry tonight. Was the soup, ok? Bill said the 2 meals you people have given are the best I have eaten in a year. George said wait till breakfast. I must straighten up things Jan will be here early in the morning to check your holes. Do you want coffee or tea for breakfast? Bill said I will have whatever you do, I do not want to be any more trouble than have to be. And what do I have to do to pay you back for all this? George said just help where you can, if you see something that needs done, do it. If you have a better idea about how to do something say so. Do you need any help getting washed up or anything? Bill ask does the shower work? George said yep, but not until Jan says it is ok, I am sure she will keep you on light duty for a couple of weeks.
After Jan had fed Junior and ate herself, she went to check on Bill. In his travels George had rounded up a couple old bicycles, and that was a favorite mode of local travel. She rode over to find both men sitting in the recliners talking. George said I was just telling Bill how we have been doing things since the SHTF. Jan checked Bills wounds and told him he was very lucky the bullet went straight through his shoulder and did not expand; he would have matching dimples one front and one back. Bill ask about getting a shower. Jan told him to come to our house for a shower, we have a hand-held shower nozzle, she did not want him getting his wounds wet. She ask if they had breakfast? Bill spoke before George had a chance, Yes Mam, biscuits, and sausage gravy, with eggs over easy on top, best breakfast ever! She said come over and get a shower afterwhile, we have a load of your clothes washed and hanging on the line, and everybody wants to know what is going on in the outside world.
After his shower Jan bandaged his wounds and put his arm in a sling, she said he didn’t really need the sling but, it would remind him to take it easy. Randy wanted to know what was happening? Bill said I do not know where to start. I said start from the beginning; we have all day. Bill started out saying it was terrorists that crossed the border illegally that started shooting trucks. The news media got a hold of the information and spiced it up to meet their own agenda, as usual. People, out of fear started killing anyone that looked or sound different. There is so much hatred in this country, people do not DISLIKE anyone that they do not agree with, they HATE them. There have been killings over politics, religion, skin color, and everything else. There is no way to control it, or to stop it. The feds tried, but what do you do with millions of outraged people settling differences with guns? After the trucks stopped running, the shortages started, people died because there was very little medical help, people were starving to death, and you could be killed over a can of beans. We tried arresting people, but we had no way to feed them after we locked them up, and there was no court system, so we had to release them. We knew it was wrong, but hoped they would get shot, trying to steal from the wrong victims. And so far, that is what is happening. The power is out all over the country, the only potable water is from home owners’ private wells, with hand pumps. Sewage systems failed; Disease is rampant. The best thing to do is to hunker down and stay away from people and defend your selves, Like you all have done here. From what I have heard, you are better off than 99% of the world. Kay got up and said I cannot take any more of this I am going outside. It was a depressing speech, but we needed to know the truth, even if it scared us, Don ask about the seeds and plants we gave the town, Bill said most of it was eaten before it could be planted. It was a waste of time to even think it would work. But I guess if you are starving it is hard to think about the future. All I can say is we tried. Bill wanted to know what we were short on the most, in unison everybody said toilet paper, then several other things were mentioned. Bill was making a list, I ask why, he said he would see if he could get some things for us. He would try to get in contact with the delivery people and see what he could get. I ask isn’t that stuff for the town? He said I have seen them stomp all over some things to get at the food as it is unloaded, they do not care about hygiene they want food. I told him if he could get it, I would like to get more chlorine bleach for our water filtration system. It was about time for lunch, most of us went outside while Jan and Dee got things ready. I gave Bill a short tour and he was impressed, he did not ask a lot of questions, he just absorbed what I showed him. He did ask how we formed our group? I told him we did not form a group we are just neighbors helping each other. No single couple, could do it all, by themselves. By pitching in and working together, we are surviving. He corrected me by saying you are thriving not just surviving.
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Post by gipsy on Jan 18, 2024 10:25:41 GMT -6
Fine update. Thanks
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Post by prepguy on Jan 20, 2024 7:06:08 GMT -6
Thank you for the updatw
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Post by ydderf on Jan 21, 2024 12:05:59 GMT -6
Thank you
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Post by cashless1 on Jan 22, 2024 19:51:16 GMT -6
CHAPTER 23
We dropped the conversation and went inside for a meal of hot chili and cornbread, with diced onions on the side and a glass of milk. And there was even an apple pie to top it off. Bill ask if we had a wheelchair to get him back to the truck, he had not eaten this much in the last, FOREVER. George told him to wait till supper, there are a couple t bone steaks thawing on the counter. I explained we do not usually fix things like steak, we usually have things like soups, stews, and casseroles that we can be fixed the next day if there is any left. Steaks and single servings create too much waste, or not enough to satisfy everybody. We do have plenty, but we do not waste anything, if we can help it. And soup and stew are not as time consuming to fix. The girls got Bills clothes folded for him and they went back to George’s house.
George ask how Bill was going to contact the supply trucks? Bill said they would contact him on the radio the day before they were supposed to arrive, and he would meet them on the way into town. Bill was healing nicely, and Jan told him he was free to do what he wanted, but to take it easy, and if it hurts, stop doing it. Bill finally got a call from the trucks and went to meet them the next day. He did not get anything this trip but did give the lead driver his wish list. The driver said he would see what he could do, but no promises. Bill fit right in, he was not afraid to work, and getting dirty did not faze him. The garden is just about done, and the hay loft is full. The cows all seem to be bred and we have a bunch of hogs ready for butcher. George is picking the crops, and we are all tired, but it is a satisfying tired. Bill got a radio call from the trucks he will meet them tomorrow, and I will follow him in the truck, just in case. The trucks arrived right on time, the last truck stopped, and they started handing out boxes and bundles it only took a few minutes, and they were gone, Bill and I loaded everything in my truck, and we headed home. There was a crowd waiting on us when we got there. We handed out the goods and the women were all thrilled they had 4 cases of feminine hygiene things. And several big bundles of TP, a case of mixed spices and one of yeast, soap and 5 cases of bleach I had requested. Everything was divided and put away, and we were all in a good mood. It seemed like a lot but there are 11 adults and a baby to take care of, so things go fast. Jan told Bill she appreciated everything he had got for us, but we really needed canning lids and rings for next year, we have enough jars to last a lifetime.
Bill had been raised in this area and been a deputy for several years before becoming sheriff, so he knew where to look for the things we needed. He would leave and when he returned, he would give us the things he had found. Some things were not available no matter where he looked. He said his best finds were in small towns. Dollar general, and hardware stores were the best, no food, but if you dug through the debris there was a lot of good things. He came in one day with a case of canning jar flats that is 480 flat lids, the rings are reusable but not the lids, another time it was a case of 12 bottles of dish soap, and only 1 bottle had leaked. We had been making our own lye soap, but occasionally he would find a couple bars of soap, that the girls claimed them as their own. He seldom found guns or ammunition.
When the snow started Bill quit salvaging, he did not want to leave tracks leading back to us. When the last supply trucks came through for the year, we butchered and delivered 6 hogs to them. We don’t know if they gave them to the town or kept them for themselves and we did not care. We did not cut them up we just cut them in half. We are going to butcher the old sow; she is fat and should produce a lot of lard and make good sausage. The farm is still not making any money, but you cannot ask for everything. And money is worthless anyway.
We are getting low on LP and are looking for wood cook stoves, there is one in the old storage building on the property. We still need 2 more. Bill is going to look for stove pipe when the weather breaks. And he has several other items on his list. We do not know how much more he can go looking, we are getting low on gasoline too.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG it got up to 50 degrees today, the girls are starting garden plants, and we have been going over the farm equipment. George said he will plant 2 of our fields with corn this year, and the other in wheat, he is concerned about the fuel going bad. Bill got a call on the radio from the supply truck driver he will meet them tomorrow. We had not asked for anything but Bill wanted to talk to the drivers and the escorts, we are desperate for news, and any info they might have. We were waiting when they arrived and bill ask for a meeting with the whole group. After we talked for a while the leader said this may be the last trip. I ask why? he said there is not very much left to bring, the powers that be are talking about ending all deliveries. Things are bad all over the country. Bill ask them to stop on their return and let us to know about how things are in town, any info would be great.
It was only a couple of hours when Bill got a call the trucks were returning and wanted to talk. As normal we were early. When they got back the escort leader was mad. He said the people in town were the most ungrateful and rude A holes he ever delt with. I ask what happened? He said there were only about 25 people waiting for us, and when we opened the trucks their head honcho looked in the first truck and started screaming, he said we do not need shit paper we need food now what do you fools have we can eat? And started to push me out of the way so he could get in the truck. Our people started pulling weapons, and dumb ass said you are outnumbered, now drop your guns. That was his last words. Sarge shot him and everyone scattered. We closed the trucks and left. Do you want some toilet paper? I said sure do, now that you mentioned it. He did not want to take it all the way back and said we could have it all if we wanted it. Of course, we wanted it, they followed us most of the way home and stopped under the canopy of an old gas station and we unloaded both trucks, Bill said he would baby sit with our treasure, while I went and got help and the other trucks and trailers. Everybody wanted to know what happened to Bill. All I said was hook up to the trailers and let’s go we have a pickup to make. Counting Bill, we had 6 men 2 women and 2 of our biggest trailers. When we got back to Bill, he was ready to start loading. We did not even look at what we loaded we just grabbed boxes and put them in the trailers, when they were loaded, we started on the trucks, we did not get it all, George said he would wait for our return. When we got home, I pulled the tractors out and we unloaded things into the pole building, as soon as we got unloaded, we went back for the rest. When we got back home again, we just tarped the trailers and quit for the day. We knew we had a bunch of TP and a few light boxes but that was all we knew for sure. After doing the chores and supper we all just crashed.
The next morning, we got our chores done and started sorting things out. It was just a scattered mess. George said this is not working, lets unload the trailers on the ground and load a trailer for each house, and make a pile for me. I will get mine later. We ended up making a pile for George in the shop, we started with TP it was light and bulky, a third on each trailer and a pile on the floor for George, after a while we had room to sort things out, dish soap over here, bleach over there, and so on. When the trailers were loaded, not stacked but loaded. Each household went and unloaded. Bill went to help Don and Randy, so George helped me and Fred, the girls have to put it all away, it is all done we took George’s share and got it pilled in his house. He has a lot to put away too. There was a lot of things, but not a lot of ready to eat food. We did get a few cases of pork and beans, and some peanut butter and quite a bit of off brand fruit, there was even some salt and sugar, and other odds and ends. We rested a day and helped the women put things where they wanted.
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Post by feralferret on Jan 22, 2024 21:27:00 GMT -6
Cashless1, thank you.
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Post by gipsy on Jan 22, 2024 21:37:44 GMT -6
Fine update. Thanks
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canoeguy
New Member
Posts: 40
Member is Online
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Post by canoeguy on Jan 23, 2024 8:34:27 GMT -6
Thank you. This here is a fine story. Waiting to see what comes next.
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Post by prepguy on Jan 23, 2024 21:16:00 GMT -6
Thank you for the update
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Post by ydderf on Jan 24, 2024 6:53:27 GMT -6
Thank you
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Post by cashless1 on Jan 25, 2024 17:59:53 GMT -6
CHAPTER 24
Tomorrow we are going to town and try to get some wood stoves. We had discussed it and decided to see if there was anybody in town, that was willing to work, and wanted to move to our neighborhood. There is safety in numbers. Bill had checked the neighborhood and there were some houses that should work.
George and I drove down the center of the street and I started honking the horn, it did not take long to draw a crowd. While they were waiting to see what we wanted, the rest of our group snuck into empty buildings to stand guard, while I talked to the towns people. When everybody was in place, I told the town people we were here to get some wood cook stoves. A big guy stepped up and said those stoves are ours, what will you give for them? I said nothing, we wanted to get the stoves and see if anyone wanted to join our group in the country, but they must be willing to work. Big guy said you cannot take our people away from us. I told him I am not taking anyone. They will leave on their own, I am just giving them a ride to their new homes. He did not like it but said OK I will pick them; how many do you want. An elderly woman walked up and said, I would like to go; I know I cannot do a lot, but I will try my best.
Big said take her she is old and worthless; she is just an eater. I looked at her and said, I want 6 couples; will you pick them please Mam. She ask do you want couples or families? I said both, I do not care, if they are willing to work and get along. She started pointing and calling out names. A couple of people said they would stay. When she had the 6 she called, I told them to go to their homes and get as much stuff as they could carry, and I will wait here Big yelled at one man and said you are not going anywhere, I will kill you first. When he started to walk away. I told him to sit down in the street, He told me to go f--- myself. I waved my arm in the air and Bill shot him in the leg. That got people’s attention, I said I have several men watching you, now let us all sit down and wait for the ones that are leaving to return. When they got back, we had 13 adults and 8 children. I said load your things on the trailer and get on. and hold on to the little ones, I will drive very slowly, I told the eater to get in the truck with me. George was in the back of the truck with a shot gun. I told the people sitting in the street to stay where they were for 30 minutes or be shot. I ask the elderly lady what her name was? She said Eve Jones. Ok Eve I am pleased to meet you and I am Leo; do you know where the stove shop is located? She pointed the way; it was only 8 blocks. When we got there, I ask everybody to unload the trailer. George was on guard, so I took the men inside the broken door to look around. The display area had been trashed, just for meanness. In the back we found what we wanted I picked out 8 cook stoves and the men got dollies’ and wheeled them out and onto the trailer, then we got piping and fireplace tools trivets, cast iron skillets and other odds and ends, the trailer was almost full. I called Bill on the radio and told him where I was at and to come here, as soon as the others got here, we loaded up in the trucks and trailers, front and back and it was crowded, but no body complained. As we got close to home, I told Bill to do his thing, he stopped and waited to make sure we were not followed. Then I radioed Jan and said 20 13 8 all she said was ok. Bill waited for half hour before he came back. Jan had a big pot of stew and fresh bread waiting for us. I had the whole group go in the garage where Jan and company had set up tables and benches after they ate their fill. Fred ask what 20 13 8 was all about? I told him 20 minutes 13 adults and 8 kids. We left the kids with Jan and Eve, and took the adults to go house shopping, it was only 3 miles on a dirt road. The houses were all like each other, and fairly new each had an acre of ground and a well. We let them look as a group and when they had decided who would stay where, I told them to get their things off the trailer, and we would take their men back to get the kids, and some water to wash up with and some drinking water. We will pick them up in the morning for breakfast and, to get them some supplies, they all agreed. after we got them, all delivered, I went to talk to Eve. I ask where she wanted to live, she did not care as long as it was warm and dry. I ask if she would mind sleeping on our couch for one night. She said as tired as I am I could sleep on the floor and thank you for letting me come here. Jan got her a pillow and blanket while I got her things for her. Jan showed her the half bath and said that would have to do for tonight Eve said this will be fine. She went to wash up and was ready for bed. The next morning, we made the rounds loading everybody up, and went back to the garage to eat. The women had breakfast waiting, and everyone ate and there were no complaints. It was a nice morning, so we all went outside, to plan out the day. It is going to be rough for a while, first is transportation, I am tired of being a bus driver. The men loaded the trailer as the women brought out the things Jan was sending home with them. I said as soon as they got a chicken house and pen Built, I would hatch some chicks for them, and next year, I might be able to loan them a milk cow, we will see. I got a small generator out of the barn and several buckets, for their water, we can wire the pump to the generator at one of the houses, they will have to carry water for a while. I told them all, the genny is for the well pump only. We are short on gas and cannot find any more, the gas is getting old anyway, so they will not have electricity. They had no water or electricity in town so that was ok. Randy volunteered to loan them his truck, he did not use it anyway. Don set up a CB radio and small solar panel and battery for them. We have been busy getting them set up, they got the wood stoves put in and operating, we gave them a load of wood to share. Next week we will all be cutting firewood. One of the men came and got the tractor to plow a community garden. He will be back for the disk later. Jan and Dee gave them seeds and plants to get them started. I ask Bill if he knew where to get more canning jars without going house to house. He said Dollar gen. And the true value had them, all he took was the box of lids, the jars came 12 to the case and had lids and rings with them. He said he had found reusable jar lids and ask Jan if she wanted them? She had never heard of them but said bring them, and we will try them. They did work and there were spare seals for them. The original seals were supposed to be good for 10 times.
It is going to be a busy summer helping them with their garden and teaching them to can and store food. None of the men had guns. I ask why and they said, the big guy took them, because they did not need guns, he had his own security team. We got them shotguns or rifles and some ammo, but not very much, until we know them better. I had talked to Eve about moving in to George’s house he had a spare room, and could do the heavy work, if she would do the cooking. She thought that would work, I ask George and he was thrilled. Now we have 6 at my house counting the baby, 4 at Dons and 3 at Georges all in walking distance. And 12 adults plus 8 kids one road over.
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Post by gipsy on Jan 25, 2024 21:06:05 GMT -6
Fine update. Thanks
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Post by ydderf on Jan 25, 2024 21:17:56 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by cashless1 on Jan 29, 2024 16:20:14 GMT -6
CHAPTER 25
The new group was not as big a problem as I thought they would be. We did help when needed. 2 of the new women already knew about gardening and canning. All they needed was jars and canners, witch Bill found for them, I had quit asking where he got the things we needed. The houses they moved into were completely furnished, we do not know where the people went, they just took their clothes and left. The refrigerators and freezers were clean and propped open, so evidently, they planned to return, that could be a problem later, if they did return.
Eve was not as helpless as we thought. After she started to get regular food, she was a go getter, she kept George and Bills house taken care of and helped here when needed, and with the new neighbors. It only took her a few weeks to get their kids in line and helping the adults with chores.
We got our wood kitchen stoves installed Georges and Dons were simple, ours was not, we had to dig down, then cut a hole in the concrete roof, then do some fancy patch work and back filling, but it is done. In the summer we will move the stove to the garage, it will make the house too hot and too damp. When we are canning there is steam coming off the pressure cookers constantly,
The cave house is nice, but every time you open the door it seems like a pint of moisture comes in. Cool walls and ceilings and warm air do not mix well.
We decided to loan one of the milk cows to the neighbors, the little ones need milk, Kay showed a couple of the older girls how to do the milking. She told them the cow had to be milked twice a day every day or she would go dry, and that meant no milk for a year. And I did hatch chicks for them, only 50 but that will give them eggs and some fried chicken. When their hens start laying, I will get a rooster from Don for their flock. When I grind feed, one of them comes and gets a couple of barrels full for the cow and chicks, along with some hay and straw. I know it sounds like we do a lot for them, but the better they get established the less we will have to do, and they do help us a lot. When you get 11 men, plus teenagers together you can do almost anything. The women take turns coming over and grind flour and cornmeal, we still have enough salt, but when Bill is out gathering, he grabs every saltshaker he finds.
Bill also brought back a case if good whiskey. None of us are really drinkers, but things happen, we had a cookout planned for Sunday, the women had been making side dishes and a couple of men from our new neighbors were preparing the meat, everything came out perfect. Until Bill opened the case of whiskey, and proposed a toast to, BETTER TIMES TO COME.
We all imbibed, maybe a little too much. I ask Bill what the worst part of his job as sheriff was, over the years, He toasted my question, and said, going to the homes of the three deputies that had disappeared, explaining to the wives that the searches had come to a dead end. They were presumed dead. With everything that was going on, the searches had been canceled. They did not have the manpower to continue the search. Then he broke down and cried like a baby. That ended the party, everyone went home, in a different mood, than when they arrived.
I waited a couple of days, before taking Bill to the pole barn and showed him the things we had taken from the attacker’s bodies. Three of them had on police uniforms, and Bill looked at the clothes, and the names of his men were sewn in the waist band of the trousers. Bill said his men would never do something like this. I told him we have pictures of the bodies, and he wanted to see them. I went to the house and got the cell phone we used to photograph the bodies with. He took the phone, with shaking hands and scrolled through the photos. Then he named all four of our attackers. They were all well known to the authorities. They all had records, as long as your arm. Then he said he was surprised Phill Strum was not with them, he always ran with that crowd. I thought for a few minutes and told him I had killed Phill. And the details about it. When I said Kay was his wife and was there when I shot him. He said that answered a lot of questions. He dropped the subject, and so did I. There must be something in the water, two of our new neighbors are expecting, and Jan is too. We also have 10 cows bred and several pigs. I have lost track of the number of chickens. Just about everyone has a small flock.
We went into town today, we only took four people, The town is deserted, over half is burned to the ground. There is dust and ash in the streets, and no tracks bigger than the ones left by a stray cat. We have gone back in time 50 years. One good thing is the stink is gone. We would love to find a couple of draft horses, but that is not likely. During the warmer months the women all wear sun dresses, mostly made from old curtains. Of an evening the guys just rinse out our tee shirts in the rain barrel and hang them up to dry overnight. We don’t want to run the washing machine any more than necessary. There is not very many commercially made things on our storage shelves anymore. The girls do amazing things in the kitchen, they are even making vinegar, and apple cider. We are always looking for more breeding stock, it is not good to inbreed the livestock, it does not affect the birds as much. Our new neighbors have built a smoke house for each community, and they like to hunt for deer, which are getting to be a problem. We have been making jerky and smoking salami, just for snack food.
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Post by gipsy on Jan 29, 2024 16:41:27 GMT -6
Fine update. Thanks
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