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Post by willallen on Jun 9, 2014 9:46:18 GMT -6
Great new chapter. I can feel the tingle of that 'lectricity about to start.
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 13, 2014 19:26:30 GMT -6
Question for my readers: Would changing from the four-times-a-day format to a format that only noted time of the most significant events change the flow of the story? I.e., Do you need to know what they had for breakfast if the event of the day is having a picnic and going swimming at lunch?
Do you have a preference?
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Post by millwright on Jun 13, 2014 20:55:13 GMT -6
You don't tend to do get mired in the details on things...so it's what works for you as far as being a vehicle for information and plot development.
As long as things aren't just a repetitious filler, it don't matter to me.
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 15, 2014 20:38:46 GMT -6
Chapter 69 - Friday evening
"I could use some help from my assistant cooks."
"What do you need us to do, Aunt Kate?"
"Wash your hands, then I need someone to dip the chicken pieces in milk, then roll them in flour..."
"Fried chicken? Yummy! I'll do it."
"Now we all know how much Abby likes fried chicken. I also need someone to dip the okra and roll it in corn meal."
"Me!"
"OK, Terry. You can do that. The applesauce just needs to be poured from the jar to the serving dish."
"Even I can do that much."
"It's yours, Mike."
"What can I do?"
"Lexi, you can start setting the table."
"OK."
"Can I help cook the chicken?"
" Do you remember the things I told you last time, Abby?"
"Un huh. Don't lean over the skillet. Use the long-handled tongs to turn it when the first side is golden brown and to take it out of the frying pan when it's done. Let it drain on the newspaper on the big platter."
"What about the okra?"
"Pretty much the same but it doesn't take as long to cook, so I don't put it in the other skillet until I turn the chicken the first time."
"You're getting good at this."
"You and Uncle Jack are getting married Sunday and Grandpa will need someone to help him cook."
"I think your Grandpa could probably manage quite well by himself but I'm sure he'll like having another cook in the house."
"Two cooks when my cast comes off, Aunt Kate. I can't do all that Abby does with my cast on, but I do watch and listen."
"That you do, Terry."
~~~
"Terry, Abby said you wanted to know about getting power back on."
"We all do."
"Abby wants to visit hydro plant. Do you?"
"Me."
"Me."
"Me."
"I'll check with Harold Dennison about how they did tours in the past. It will be at least a couple of weeks before the generators are running."
"We get power then?"
"No, not until all the lines have been checked and repaired. I think Abby did some arithmetic on what I told her earlier today."
"I did. It's probably gonna be at least three or four weeks before we get power back here."
"That much longer without 'lectricity?"
"It's been more than seven months, Terry. Why does another month seem so long?"
"'Cause up until this month I didn't think we'd ever have 'lectricity again, Grandpa, and almost nobody even talked about it any more. But the more you talk about it, the more I miss it."
"I guess that's a pretty good answer."
~~~
"When you kids finish the dishes, get your pajamas on and brush your teeth. I might read more than one chapter."
"Two chapters?"
"Maybe, Abby."
"Three chapters?"
"You're pushing your luck, Lexi."
"I'm going."
~~~
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mommasue
New Member
Only slightly strange .
Posts: 16
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Post by mommasue on Jun 16, 2014 13:58:53 GMT -6
Question for my readers: Would changing from the four-times-a-day format to a format that only noted time of the most significant events change the flow of the story? I.e., Do you need to know what they had for breakfast if the event of the day is having a picnic and going swimming at lunch? Do you have a preference? Sent from my IdeaTabA2109A using proboards I just enjoy reading it, so how ever you are comfortable writing is fine with me.
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Post by kaijafon on Jun 16, 2014 14:30:36 GMT -6
I like the learning aspects but you write how YOU want to write
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 16, 2014 19:03:04 GMT -6
Chapter 70 - Saturday morning
"You're up early this morning, Abby. I think you're excited about your party."
"I am, Aunt Kate. I think it's gonna be fun to have all the kids here and play games."
"Remember that we still have our baking to do and we'll have students here for cooking lessons."
"I know, but you coulda waited 'til after breakfast to remind me. Do I know any of the students?"
"I don't know if you do. They're all neighbors of Sam Green."
"That's the far end of the school bus route we were on. I don't think I know anyone who lives there."
"Breakfast is on the table and the stove. After we eat, all you kids can get dressed and we'll get ready for our baking and their lessons."
"OK. Sausage! Yummy!"
"And some other things you like."
"Thank you, Aunt Kate."
~~~
"I need someone to take care of students' horses."
"Coming, Aunt Kate. C'mon, Mike. We have fun stuff to do."
"Right behind you, Abby."
~~~
"Kate, what did you mean by 'map the stove'?"
"I meant 'map' in its most literal sense - a drawing that shows where things are. In the case of a wood cookstove, the map tells you which areas of the cooktop and the oven are at what temperatures. Here's the map for this stove."
"There can be that much temperature difference in the oven?"
"And it you're not careful about building and maintaining the fire, the differences can be even greater."
"I just thought that you got the fire going and the oven to temperature and it would stay there until the fire went out. No wonder I had things that were raw and things that were burnt. I have been very spoiled by having an oven that only had to be turned on and set. This lesson on mapping is worth what you asked in payment even if I learn nothing else."
"We're not done with the lessons. I think you'll get useful things in the next hour as well."
~~~
"Kate, I remember my grandmother bemoaning the fact that she couldn't pass wood cooking down to her grandkids. Now I agree with her. I'd love to be able to do the apple pies with flaky crust that she cooked in that old wood stove that I'm now barely able to boil water on."
"Are you trying to make the crust with vegetable shortening?"
"Yes."
"You should get some lard at Trade Day. It makes much better pie crusts."
"Are you sure you're not kin to my grandmother Mary McCann? You sound just like her."
"No kin as far as I know, but the pie crust recipe I use was written by my grandmother when she used this stove."
"I'm convinced. I'll be looking for lard tomorrow."
~~~
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Post by kaijafon on Jun 16, 2014 19:12:53 GMT -6
my grandma made great pie crust. I cannot. lol! Thank you!
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 16, 2014 19:55:02 GMT -6
Chapter 71 - Saturday noon
"After we eat lunch, all my assistant cooks need to get quick showers and wash their hair to get pumpernickel smell off."
"I'd rather smell birthday cake - and eat it, too!"
"We're just having a light lunch, Abby, but you must have some real food before you get a sugar high from cake - or those overdone peanut butter cookies that were left."
"It's OK if the cookies are a little crunchy. They're just about perfect if you soak them in milk long enough."
"I'll be doing 'water police' today as there is limited water for the shower. Someone forgot their chore of pumping the tank full."
"I thought it was Abby's day."
"I thought Mike was doing it."
"The chore calendar lists Abby."
"I'm sorry, Abby. I said I'd do it 'cause today's your party but I didn't change the calendar and I didn't remember when I checked the calendar this morning. I'll do it now."
"No, Mike. I'll just enforce short showers for all of you. Water added now will just make what's already in the tank cold. After all the cooks get showers, you can pump the tank full and maybe it'll be warm enough to use by the end of the day."
"Yes, Miss Kate. After the wedding, do I call you ' Miss Kate' or 'Mrs. Turner'?"
"Either one will be fine, Mike."
"Mike, I'll help you pump after the showers are done."
"Thanks, Abby, but I said I'd do it for you."
"But it gets done faster if we both work on it and we have a party in a little while. I'll do the well pump and you can do the transfer pump."
"OK."
~~~
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 16, 2014 19:59:17 GMT -6
Chapter 72 - Saturday afternoon
"Time for the three-legged race! Everyone get with your partner."
"Blossom, what's a three-legged race?"
"Little Bud, they tie your partner's right leg to your left leg - like this - and then we try to run. I think your big partner Kyle may make it easy for you."
"That's right. I just want Sherry to stand with her left foot on my right foot and hold on to my leg while I run."
"That'll be fun!"
~~~
"Line up for 'Drop the Penny'."
"This game isn't fair. It's a lot longer drop from my hand than Sherry's."
"You have better eye-hand coordination, Josh, so the difference in distance makes it even."
"Yes, Miss Kate."
~~~
"'Pin the Tail on the Donkey', Abby?"
"Look again, Bobby."
"That's a rodeo poster with a horse."
"Look closer."
"That's a real horse - I saw it in the pasture!"
"That's Aunt Kate's horse Max - and that's her in the saddle."
"That's cool."
~~~
"What's the board with the animal pictures on it?"
"What my teacher called 'concentration', Kyle, but with pictures so little kids can play it."
"That's neat. Whose idea to use pictures?"
"Terry."
"She's smart like you."
~~~
"The game is called 'I Want' and starts with the birthday girl saying something she wants, such as 'I want snow for my birthday'."
"You're silly, Aunt Kate."
"Wait 'til you hear everyone put in their 'want' and then try to repeat all the things others have said. Abby, you start."
"I want a horse."
"Terry?"
"I want my cast off and a horse."
"Sherry?"
"I want ice cream and the cast off and a horse."
"Bobby?"
~~~
"Aunt Kate, how do we divide the cake for the candles?"
"We won't divide it - this strawberry jam cake is from your Aunt Mabel."
"Strawberry!! Yummy! Thank you Aunt Mabel."
"You were willing to share the other cake but I know how much you love strawberries; besides, aunts always do special things for nieces."
"Can I be your niece too?"
"Lexi, is that forever or just until your birthday next month?"
"At least until my birthday, but I think forever might be nice, too."
~~~
"After everyone finishes their cake and milk, you can open your presents, Abby. Be sure and tell us who it's from and what it is if it isn't obvious."
"OK. Two more bites of cake - and maybe another slice?"
"No more cake, you'll have enough of a sugar high."
"OK. Closest box. From Bobby and Kyle. There's oodles of vegetable and flower and herb seeds. Thank you."
"Next box. From Grandpa. A Swiss Army knife and a certificate. Let me get that open - he's gonna teach me how to use all the tools in the workshop! Thank you."
"Next box. It's kinda long and skinny. From Mike. It's a leather scabbard for my rifle. With a shoulder strap. What's the other straps?"
"To tie it to a saddle."
"I didn't know you could do leatherwork like this."
" Dad's been teaching me."
"Then part of the thank you goes to you and part to Mister Gene."
"Next box. It's heavy. From Aunt Kate. It's a journal with pens and pencils. Thank you."
"Now you can keep your thoughts and your stories a little safer, Abby. The journal won't get picked up to be used to light the oven as a loose piece of paper might be."
"Thank you for saving that story."
"You write stories, too?"
"Yes, Mike, but just for me. They're not very good."
"I'll bet they are good, but they're your stories to keep or share."
"Thank you, Mike."
"Next box. It's small and light. From Terry. It's earrings! But my ears aren't pierced."
"They were Grandma Betty's. She wanted you to have them. She hid them in Raggedy Ann's apron strings so Crystal wouldn't find them."
"Thank you, Terry."
"Abby, we can pierce your ears later today. We have alcohol and hydrogen peroxide to keep them clean."
"Thank you, Aunt Kate. Crystal let someone at the trailer park do her ears but she didn't keep them clean. She had to see Doc Wilson twice to get them better."
"Then I don't think you'll need to be reminded about cleaning, but I'll probably check."
"That's OK. I might get busy and forget. Next box. Also small and light. From Lexi. It's a locket. Are the pictures you and your mother?"
"Yes. You're my big sister now and I know Mommy would have loved you, too. I didn't mean to make you cry, Abby."
"Thank you, Lexi. I just didn't know how much I was loved and by how many people."
"The envelope is the last one, Abby."
"It's from Grandpa and Uncle Jack. A certificate for Royal to service Rose and the foal will be mine. I get a horse!!! I get a horse!! I get a horse! Thank you, Grandpa. Thank you, Uncle Jack. Thank you everyone for coming to my party and giving me the best birthday I've ever had."
"Since we have so much cake, I'll wrap a slice to take home with you if anyone wants one."
"Kate, you know everyone in the valley has heard about your cakes. None of them will say 'No'."
"Thank you, Mrs. McNabb, but only one of the cakes is mine."
"Mabel was one of the go-to bakers here before the power went off. You and the girls being so good with wood-stove baking has brought you to the forefront. That reminds me. Abigail, this envelope isn't about your birthday. It's a 'Thank You' card."
"Mrs. McNabb, it says I own a saddle and harness trained four year old mare!"
"Sam already told you that we owed you for our lives and I knew Bill would never ask for anything of value so I made the selection for him. She's the gray horse that was tied behind the wagon. Her name is Buttermilk and I can tell from your Grandpa's grin that he can tell you where that name came from."
"But that's the horse you rode Thursday."
"That's right, Abby, but I think ownership of any horse should go to the person who can best control that horse. I can handle Buttermilk, but very few other people can and I sometimes have difficulty with her. I was going to warn you Thursday about how stubborn that horse can be, but you already had her following you like a puppy. I think it very appropriate to make a gift of this horse to the person who can best control her."
"'Thank you' doesn't seem like enough."
"That's all you need to say, Abby. I look forward to seeing you riding Buttermilk. I will take slices of cake to Jerry and Sherrie, if that's OK?"
"Please do. I know Aunt Kate won't let us have more today and there'll be wedding cake tomor... oops!"
"That's OK, Abby. Today that's not a big 'oops' as I think everyone in the valley already knows. You just can't keep good news off the grapevine."
~~~
"Bill, look over this list and tell me whether any of these people have stopped by the house to talk with Abby or have talked with her at church or Trade Day since the Chinese troops surrendered."
"None that I know of, Sam."
"I think some folks need to be reminded of their manners."
"What do you have in mind?"
"If they're not prompt in giving thanks for a life, they might not be prompt in paying for the use of my steam or wood gas tractors for spring plowing or harvesting. I need to adjust my priorities a little to remind them of theirs. I'll check with you again at Trade Day."
~~~
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Post by biggkidd on Jun 16, 2014 22:06:01 GMT -6
This is a great uplifting read thanx
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Post by kaijafon on Jun 17, 2014 12:22:40 GMT -6
so she is gonna have TWO horses!!! yay!! thanks so much!
and yep sometimes people need to be reminded of good manners
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 18, 2014 11:29:43 GMT -6
Chapter 73 - Saturday evening
"Would you like something special for your birthday supper, Abby?"
"Banana pancakes with peanut butter on top and sausage on the side, Aunt Kate?"
"I think that can be arranged. After we eat I'll give you a few minutes to write in your journal while the other kids clear the table and wash dishes."
"Thank you."
~~~
"Grandpa, how long until my new horse is born?"
"Abby, I think that's an encyclopedia question, because there are other things you need to know about breeding horses and caring for pregnant mares and their foals."
"Look under 'horse'?"
"Yes. I think that volume is labelled 'Ha - Hu'."
"It is. There's lots of pages about horses."
"Go in a couple of pages. Look for 'breeding and gestation'. There should also be a section on 'care of foals'."
"It says Royal can 'cover' Rose when she's ready. How do you know that she's ready?"
"Remember when you asked me about Rose flipping up her tail to Royal?"
"You said that was one of the things that indicated she was ready. When does it happen?"
"Not having a breeding stall in the barn, we'll put them together in the pasture this week. You tell me how long after that."
"It says 340 to 370 days. That's a year!"
"Let's do a comparison. Human babies take nine months and a newborn foal is much larger than a human baby."
"That makes sense. Why do you say 'foal' instead of 'colt?"
"'Foal' is the term for any baby horse. 'Colt' is a male. 'Filly' is a female. And yes, it takes about a year, depending on the breed."
"There's stuff about feeding a pregnant mare and things you need a vet for. Do we have a vet?"
"No. Jake Cochran in Marion was the closest vet, but he didn't survive. Your Uncle Carl is very knowledgeable about horses, so you can ask him for help."
" Don't you have to pay the vet?"
"Normally you have to pay the doctor also, but Doc Wilson is family and didn't charge anything for caring for you and Terry. I don't think your Uncle Carl will either. I suspect he'll be asking you to work with the pregnant mare they have because you're so good with horses."
"We barter services?"
"Yes, smart girl. I think you may have found one way to pay for some of your college expenses."
"Just talking to the horses?"
"Knowing what to say, how to say it and what the horse's responses mean are a lot more than 'just talking to the horses'."
" Doesn't everyone do that?"
"No, Abby. That's one of your unique abilities. I don't know anyone else who even comes close."
"Supper's ready!"
"As soon as we wash hands, Kate."
~~~
'I'm not sure how you write a journal. I've read books where people say 'Dear Diary' but I don't think I should say that 'cause it's not a diary that's just about me but will be about the other people in the family and the people we know in the valley and maybe some of the stories I write. Guess I should tell you about me. I'm Abigail Williams (Abby to my family). This journal and the pens and pencils were one of my birthday gifts today. Tomorrow, 9 May 2021, is my birthday and I'll be nine years old, but we had the party today because Aunt Kate and Uncle Jack are getting married tomorrow and they didn't want my birthday to get lost in the wedding stuff - they're nice like that. I said I'm Abby to family, but other than my sister Terry the rest of the family isn't blood or marriage family - we just happened. Terry asked Grandpa if we were an accidental family and he said we came together by divine purpose. I'm not sure about 'divine purpose' as Grandpa is the only angel we've ever known. I just read back over what I wrote and maybe I should use pencil instead of pen so I can change things easier - I don't think I'm telling this very good. Grandpa just said to brush my teeth and get ready for bed and that means time for our chapter of Little House so I'll write more tomorrow. Well, maybe not tomorrow - Aunt Kate and Uncle Jack are getting married and Lexi is the flower girl and me and Terry are junior bridesmaids. I still haven't told you how we got here or who the rest of the family is. Maybe Monday.'
~~~
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Post by notchman on Jun 18, 2014 13:58:49 GMT -6
How about "Abby's Journal"? Then you can either put a day of the week, or a date for the timeline like "7/16/22", or just leave it as "Abby's Journal".
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Post by kaijafon on Jun 18, 2014 19:15:01 GMT -6
Thank you!!!
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Post by ydderf on Jun 19, 2014 6:08:46 GMT -6
One of my favourite stories and it looks like it will go on for a long time.
Thank you papaof2
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 19, 2014 21:06:39 GMT -6
Chapter 74 - Sunday morning
"Rise and shine!"
"It's too early to be so sparkly, Aunt Kate."
"Is it too early to have pancakes, Terry?"
"Never! Everybody outta my way!"
"I think you can go a little slower than that."
"Yes, Aunt Kate."
"You have reason to be 'sparkly' today, Aunt Kate. You're getting married."
"Yes I am, Abby. And I'll have some very special people as part of my wedding."
"Are you sure you want 'trailer trash' in your wedding?"
"Abby, you and Terry never have been and never will be 'trailer trash'. You may have lived where circumstances placed you, but you are not the place you lived. You're both very impressive people - where you live has nothing to do with it."
"I love you, too."
~~~
"Everyone remember your wedding clothes and shoes."
"Is that four or five times you've reminded us, Kate?"
" Dad, I'm so excited that I can't remember whether I've reminded you at all - or if I've thought of everything."
"The Blacks will be here soon and we'll have a two buggy plus Trade Day wagon convoy to church. Mabel and Alice have written check lists for everyone - even me."
"I didn't know that."
"Last Sunday I asked Mabel to make a checklist for us, since she provided most of the clothing. She probably even has a count of socks by size and color."
~~~
"Hello the house!"
"Hello, Carl, Mabel, Alice. I think everyone has their stuff together for today, but I'll let Mabel and Alice do the final checks on the wedding finery. I've already checked the things for Trade Day."
"I'm glad you asked me a week ago, Bill. I've had time to think about some little things that might be needed and I got with Sara Wiseman to be sure the dresses and flowers would go well together. Abby, where did you get those earrings?"
"They were Grandma Betty's. They were hidden in the apron strings of Terry's Raggedy Ann and I was to get them when I turned nine. Aunt Kate pierced my ears for me after the party yesterday. They're still a little tender but she said they looked fine."
"Those diamonds are beautiful - and probably at least a quarter carat each."
"They're real diamonds?"
"Yes, Abby. Real diamonds and the mountings and posts are gold. Your Grandma Betty was very particular about getting the real thing in her jewelry."
"I never knew any kids who had diamond earrings."
"Maybe you didn't know any that the adults around them considered responsible enough to take care of nice jewelry. You do now. A very responsible girl named Abigail. And she has a very responsible sister named Teresa who kept those earrings hidden for so long."
"I guess I should let Terry wear them some when she gets her ears pierced."
"That's exactly what I expected you to say. Abigail Williams, you are a joy to know."
"Thank you, Aunt Mabel."
~~~
"I hear you humming your 'happy song', Abby. What's up?"
"Mike, Aunt Mabel just told me that Grandma Betty's earrings are real diamonds and the posts are gold."
"Wow! I didn't know kids got real jewelry."
"Terry said that Grandma Betty said I could have them when I was nine - that's the same age as the rifle."
"I guess if you're responsible enough to have a gun then you're responsible enough to take care of diamonds. Today's your birthday. Do you feel any older than yesterday?"
"No. I wonder why she picked nine instead of eight or ten or twelve?"
"Maybe your Grandpa knows. He knows about most everything."
"I'll ask him when we back home today. I think we're gonna be busy with Trade Day and then the wedding."
" Do I hold your hand when we walk in and out?"
"No, just do your arm like Aunt Mabel showed you."
"OK."
~~~
" Debbie, you and the kids not going to church today? Didn't think you'd want to miss the wedding."
"Sherrie and I aren't, Sam. She was in her role of 'Little Miss High and Mighty' this morning and asked me if 'those trailer trash girls' would be in the wedding. I told her she wouldn't know until later because she wasn't going and I was going to stay here to be sure she stayed in the house doing chores and not in the tree house reading romance novels. And she got her mouth washed out with the lavender soap, with the promise of it happening again if I ever heard 'trailer trash' again. Those girls have proven themselves as more responsible than some of the adults and I won't allow anyone to speak badly of them."
"I love it when you get going on a cause, Sis. I have to agree that the lavender soap is bad. I had to shave with it once and thought I might throw up from the little that got on my lips. Is Jerry going?"
"He wants to look for a small pistol at Trade Day but isn't sure what will fit his hand. I don't know that he'll find anything."
"I'll walk around with him. Anyone who has a gun available will be more willing to talk with an adult. Jerry's proven himself responsible in the animal chores. I think he might be ready for a weapon other than the rifle Sherrie didn't want."
"I can get a pistol, Uncle Sam?"
"We can look, Jerry. There may not be anything that fits your hand and some days there just aren't any decent guns available."
~~~
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Post by crf78112 on Jun 20, 2014 5:53:22 GMT -6
Some people learn quick, some learn slow and that's not just the young'uns either.
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Post by ydderf on Jun 25, 2014 9:24:41 GMT -6
Thank you
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 26, 2014 20:49:35 GMT -6
Chapter 75 - Sunday noon
"Before dismissing this morning's service, I want to invite everyone to the marriage of Jack Turner and Kate Mason later today. That service is scheduled for 4PM so as to not impact Trade Day. There will be a reception following the wedding."
~~~
"Alice, would you want the kids at the one room school to have the opportunity for a tour of the hydro plant when it's running?"
"They'll give tours?"
"They did before and Dad said he would look into it for the girls. If they get the tour, I think the people at the hydro plant would also be glad to have the kids at school interested in how it works."
" Definitely a 'yes' on that."
~~~
"Kate, I don't remember seeing Jewish-style breads on your table before."
"Sara Wiseman made those when she took the woodstove cooking lessons. I don't have a Kosher kitchen so the bread's not Kosher. She asked if we could trade it for her. There's a list of things she wants."
"This list looks to put her in competition with you."
"No, because her baking will be Kosher and Isaac's congregation will probably take all she can bake initially."
"I have some measuring spoons with me. I'll take this loaf that smells so good."
"Remember to go by their table and look at Isaac's leather goods. He does excellent work."
"Thank you, Kate. I wondered where we'd find good shoes. What does he take in trade?"
"Probably fresh fruits and veggies - most of us don't have space to grow all the foods we like."
"Think he'd want pecans? We still have a lot from last fall."
"If he doesn't take all the pecans, I'd love to have some to bake with."
"I think we have enough for everyone. I'll have Chad bag them up for next week. Does it cost anything to have a table here at Trade Day?"
"Just your time and effort."
~~~
"Grandpa, why are all these people thanking me now? They got out of the caves days ago."
"I think Sam Green put the fear of starvation in them today, Abby."
"I don't understand."
"He talked to all the people who were in the caves or had family in the caves and asked whether they'd thanked you yet. If they said 'No', he told them that if they didn't have time to say 'Thank you' for a life saved, he didn't feel they could be trusted to pay him at harvest for plowing he did now so they were at the end of his list and he'd didn't know if he'd have time to do their plowing. I expect Sam will be by to see how many people listened to him."
"Eleven so far."
"How do you know, Mike?"
"Mr. Green offered me a sack of goat feed if I'd make a list of the folks who just wanted to thank Abby."
"That seems like high pay for that job."
"It's important to me, Bill, so it's worth the cost. Should have been twice that many."
"Hello, Sam. Well, if they're not here soon, they won't get to speak with Abby until after the wedding - the wedding party will be going in the church to get dressed in about 20 minutes."
~~~
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 26, 2014 21:53:36 GMT -6
Chapter 76 - Sunday afternoon
"Bill, I see Carl and Mabel and their charges, but not Ed or George."
"They're in the balcony, Jack, hidden in the empty cardboard boxes and watching for trouble."
"You have a reason to expect trouble?"
"No. The girls haven't had any bad dreams but Ed and George wanted to be the 'suspenders' part of the 'belt and suspenders' security today. You won't see most of the ROTC members either. There are several two-man patrols outside who are going in different directions at apparently random times to provide a continuous patrol around the church. They'll also be active during the reception, but will then be backing up the inside teams who'll be in full dress uniforms. Every weapon is live, including the 1911 on my uniform belt. I don't know where Mabel found them, but the girls have ankle or thigh holsters for their handguns. They've not had opportunity to do firing practice with that configuration, but they do feel safer when they have a gun handy. I'm hoping that all today's excitement is centered around a couple saying 'I do', but I don't think we've seen the last attempt on people who are just trying to get life back as close to normal as they can."
"I'll put one in the chamber and top off the magazine, also. I'll be watching to see how Mabel hid those holsters."
"Mabel's a very good seamstress. You may have to ask the girls where their weapons are hidden. Ask Lexi first. Your daughter may be willing to do 'show and tell' but Abby and Terry may be somewhat more modest with you."
"I think I'll just ask Kate. That way I won't embarrass myself or the girls."
"Good idea. By the way, don't be surprised at the number of people on your side of the church. Mabel got the word to several families and they'll ensure your side is well attended."
~~~
"Miss Sara, where did you get the real rose petals? I was the flower girl in my Aunt Lizzie's wedding in Texas, but the petals and the flowers were just bits of colored paper."
"Lexi, I have some Knockout roses that bloom early in the year and some roses and other flowers in a section of our greenhouse. The flowers for your hair also came from the greenhouse."
"They're so pretty - and they smell so GOOD!"
"Pretty flowers for all the pretty ladies."
"I'm not pretty."
"You haven't taken a good look at yourself in a mirror lately, Abigail Williams. Come here. Stand right there. Turn you head just a little to the right. Tell me how you feel about getting two horses for your birthday."
"Oh, wow! I never expected... It's so great!"
"Look at the smiling girl in this mirror."
"That's me?? But I don't look like that. My nose is too long and my eyes are too pale..."
"But the girl in this mirror is you. You look exactly like that. Your nose is just right and turns up on the end. Your eyes are a unique color - and they change when you're happy or sad or angry."
"But my hair is too short...
"The flowers seem to be made for your hair color and length."
"But..."
"No more 'buts'. No excuses. Along with her positive personal qualities, Abigail Williams is a very pretty girl."
"Thank you, Miss Sara."
"You're welcome. Remember to keep that smile in place today."
"OK."
~~~
"Lexi?"
"Yes, Aunt Mabel?"
"When the first song starts, you walk slowly down the center aisle and spread small handfuls of the rose petals just as we practiced."
"OK."
"Terry and Bobby, you start down the aisle when Lexi is six rows ahead of you - that's the pew with the red bow."
"OK."
"Mike and Abby, you start down the aisle when Terry and Bobby are six rows ahead of you - again, that's the pew with the red bow."
"How do I hold my arm?"
"Like this, Mike. Then Abby attaches herself to you like this."
"OK. I got it now."
"All of you, remember what you do when you get down front. Lexi, you go sit in the seat by Patricia. The rest of you walk on up to the tape marks I showed you earlier."
"Then Mr. Arnold and Cousin Alice?"
"Yes, Terry. They follow you. When everyone else is in place, Kate will be escorted down the aisle by Bill. One last instruction for everyone - go to the bathroom. Even if you don't think you need to go, try anyway. The church has a septic system and several people worked on getting the flush toilets back in service this week."
~~~
" Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Katherine Elizabeth Mason and Andrew Jackson Turner. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"Her mother and I do."
~~~
" Do you, Jack, take Kate to be your lawful wedded wife, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
" Do you, Kate, take Jack to be your lawful wedded husband, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Traditionally, a token of some type has been passed between partners to signify their new relationship. What token do you bring. Jack?"
"A ring."
"Take Kate's hand and repeat after me..."
~~~
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
"In addition to the bride and groom, today's ceremony has another member. Alexandra Turner, would you please join us?"
"Patricia, he said 'Alexandra'. Am I in trouble?"
"No, Lexi. This is something special. Go on up."
"Alexandra, as the person who will be providing a mother's care for you, I want you to know that you are an important member of this family. I want you to wear this locket with pictures of all three of us in it as a reminder that we will always be a family."
"I love you, too, Mommy."
"Ladies and gentlemen, let me be the first to introduce Mr. & Mrs. Jack Turner and Lexi."
"Jack, Kate, other members of the party. I managed to charge my digital camera from the Isham's solar system for their ham radios so we can capture the pictures. When the hydro plant is running again, we'll have electricity to run a computer and printer and make you prints. I promise, no more than ten minutes."
"OK, Will. I know you've done this before, so I'll give you ten minutes."
~~~
" Dancing, Penelope? With a Baptist minister? Well, I never."
"Elsie, remember it's a Methodist church. And they used the Presbyterian minister."
~~~
"Carl, you were just as handsome as he is and you swept me off my feet when we danced."
"Actually, I swept you feet out from under you when I stepped on your shoe and I had to catch you to keep you from falling to the floor."
"You remember it your way and I'll remember it my way."
"Yes, dear."
~~~
"Kate's dancing with Bill and Jack's dancing with Lexi. His mother isn't available so he kept the dance in the family by dancing with his daughter. How sweet."
~~~
"May I have the next dance with the second prettiest lady in the room?"
"Oh, Grandpa, you're just teasing me."
" Do you think the line of boys who were behind me want to dance with your Aunt Mabel?"
"I guess not - but why me?"
"What did Mrs. Wiseman tell you earlier?"
"That the pretty girl in the mirror was me - but I guess she had some kind of special mirror."
"No, just a side mirror off an old truck. Absolutely nothing special or magic about it. Tell me, is Terry pretty today?"
"Very."
" Do you look like Terry?"
"I guess. People always guess that we're sisters."
"Then if Terry's pretty, you must be pretty because you look like her."
"Well... But... You see..."
"No, Peanut. You have to see. Terry's pretty - you just said so. You look like Terry - you just said so. You have to accept that you're a very pretty girl."
"But I don't do lipstick and eyeshadow and stuff."
"Furniture made of good wood doesn't get painted. You let it's natural beauty show through. You don't need paint either. A smile, maybe, but definitely not paint."
"You're silly, Grandpa."
"And you have partners for the next half dozen dances, starting with your Uncle Jack."
"Oh."
~~~
"May I have this dance, Abby?"
"Yes, Uncle Jack."
"Your Grandpa seems to have said something that made you happy."
"He said I was the second prettiest lady here and I thought he was teasing me."
"He's not. Brides are always beautiful, but you are a close second to Kate today. She even mentioned it to me when Will was posing you kids for a picture."
"She did?"
"Yes, pretty girl - but this pretty girl also a shooter and a brave girl and a smart girl and a dowser and a baker and two or three other things that I don't remember at the moment."
"Thank you, Uncle Jack."
"I'm going to position us in front of Mike so he can cut in. He wanted to dance with you first, but the grownups got in his way so he went and danced with the girls he didn't think the others would notice, like Amanda and Sherry."
"He's nice like that."
~~~
"I was next, Allen!"
"No, Kyle, I was!!"
"If you two want to fight, go outside. I won't dance with either of you. This dance is yours, Mike."
"OK!"
~~~
"May I cut in?"
"Yes, Mr. Green."
"I heard what you said to those two boys, Abigail. You are a very impressive young lady in many ways."
"It just seemed like the right thing to say. I don't want people fighting over me - I'm nothing special."
"I have to disagree with you on part of that. You're very special in a number of ways - your dreams that keep people safe, your shooting that keeps people safe, how hard you tried to take care of Terry. There's a lot of 'special' in you and it's wrapped in a very nice package."
"You, too, Mr. Sam? People have been telling how pretty I am all day. I'm not pretty, I'm just some trailer trash with a family that tries to make me feel good."
"Abby, look behind me."
"I see a bunch of boys."
"Why are they over here?"
"Maybe for the punch or to be close when the cake is cut."
"No, those tables are for the dirty dishes. They're not here for food or drink, they want to dance with you."
"Why?"
"Wouldn't you want to dance with the smartest and most handsome guy here?"
"I did. Grandpa and Uncle Jack."
"Those boys want to dance with the smartest and prettiest girl here, but your Aunt Kate has a long line waiting for her and you're the second prettiest."
"But..."
"Just smile and enjoy it, Abby. You might discover someone you like in that line."
~~~
"I'm glad Aunt Mabel had these flat shoes. My feet would really hurt if I'd been in something fancy."
"Was there anyone you didn't dance with, Abby?"
"I don't remember, Terry. Maybe not all the grownups - but I think all the boys and most of them several times."
"For sure several times with Mike!"
"He was sweet. When I was getting tired, he'd cut in then suggest something to drink - which he already had on the table."
"I saw him get in line for the wedding cake and the groom's chocolate cake."
"He shared with me. He's kind and considerate. Mr. Sam said I might find someone I liked in the line of boys that wanted to dance with me. Sherman is kinda nice, but the one I liked the best wasn't in line - he was by my side when I needed him."
"You've got a thing for Mike!"
"He's the nicest boy I've ever known. I think I need to talk to Aunt Kate."
"It won't be Aunt Kate, they're honeymooning at their new house. Lexi is staying with us 'til Saturday or Sunday."
"Maybe Cousin Alice or Aunt Mabel, then. I'll go ask if I can see one of them tomorrow."
" Did you see Kyle and Patricia dancing nose to nose?"
" Didn't Lucy try to break them up?"
"No, she was busy doing the same thing with Allen."
~~~
"Everyone, I know I'm curious about some of these big boxes, so I'm going to prevail on Jack and Kate to open them."
"Alex, we certainly didn't expect anything like the outpouring of gifts we've received."
"Jack, the community has never been able to repay Bill even a tiny amount of the time, effort and materials he's invested in keeping us alive - primarily because he won't let us. However, he can't refuse what we give his family, so we just opened the floodgates. I suspect there's more stuff than you can get back in your wagon, so Sam has his big wood gas truck available to haul things. There was a list you made of things your new house needed. Some of the envelopes contain a line from that list and a note from the people who took care of it. For example, the hay has been cut and baled and is in the barn; your garden has been tilled and a load of manure worked into the soil."
"I don't know how to thank you."
"Just say 'Thank you' and tell Bill that we won't allow you to give any of it back. One more thing, Jack. You move and open the boxes and let Kate keep up with the cards. Don't be surprised if some of the boxes move or give off sounds."
"I'll start with this small box. A bar of handmade soap - with a note that the shower is working and the tiny little pieces of the contract we signed to pay for that work. Thanks, Ed and George."
"Another small box with sweet corn seeds and a note from Sam Green. Thanks for the plowing, Sam."
"An envelope with a note - the pen is mightier than the sword or the pencil as it can contain a sow and three piglets and it's already on the back of Sam's truck. Thanks, Alex."
~~~
"I see why I'm moving the boxes - this one is heavy."
"All the boxes with red, white and blue ribbon are, Jack. They're a bang-up gift from the ROTC group."
"Bang-up, Arnold?"
"A thousand rounds each of .308, .45, 22LR, and 12 gauge in various loads from birdshot to slugs."
"Thank you. Could I get a little help to load this set of boxes on the truck?"
"When you finish opening the others."
~~~
"A bag of rabbit feed and a note - 'Rabbits and hutch are already loaded'. Thanks, Doc."
"This is one of the boxes that makes sounds - sounds like chickens scratching so I won't open it and have to go chase them. The note says 'More on the truck. Love you both, Dad.' Thanks, Bill."
~~~
" Dad?"
"Yes, Kyle?"
"You were right."
"That's an unusual response from you. About what? And sounding like a parent, watch your driving."
"Oops. That happens a lot when I get to thinking while driving."
"It's good to know that you're thinking and Ace can get home from here without directions but I'd rather not get slapped by a low-hanging limb."
"OK. Back in the center of the road. What you were right right about - even with short hair, Abby's a lot prettier than Lucy Stedman. But after seeing how Mike watched over Abby at Trade Day last week and how they were looking at each other instead the bride and groom during the 'I do' part today, I may not ever be on Abby's radar as anything more than a friend. Maybe Lucy's getting better - she wanted to sit with us during church and at the wedding but didn't crowd me or grab my hand. During the reception she wanted to talk about school and stuff - and she didn't mention me being cute in the wig one time. Then I think Lucy went all ga-ga over Allen when she danced with him. And I think Patricia likes me."
"As far as the changes in Lucy's behavior, perhaps having some serious competition got her attention."
"I guess. I'd never seen Abby in anything but jeans or khakis and with her hair pulled back and I thought she was pretty then. In that dress and with the flowers in her hair she was probably prettier than everybody but the bride."
"Since you mentioned Patricia, I guess you're looking forward to school starting next week?"
"Kinda. It was fun being around other kids at Abby's party yesterday and at the wedding today. I didn't know how much I missed it until I got to do it again. Before you say anything, I know that Lucy and Patricia will be at the new school. Abby and Terry will probably be there. Although Mr. Mason could do homeschooling for them, I think he wants them to have time with other kids too."
"I have a son who's looking forward to school starting?"
"No, two sons. I had fun too."
"OK, Bobby. Have the two of you worked out how you'll share the driving?"
"One over and the other back, unless some of the kids we pick up on the way can drive a buggy. I know Lexi can but I don't know about any others."
~~~
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Post by ydderf on Jun 26, 2014 22:16:02 GMT -6
All I can say is THANKS for the new posts.
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Post by kaijafon on Jun 27, 2014 14:13:58 GMT -6
thank you!!!
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Post by biggkidd on Jun 27, 2014 16:41:58 GMT -6
Great always enjoying this one.
Larry
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 27, 2014 21:41:27 GMT -6
Chapter 77 - Sunday evening
"Is that everything, Jack?"
"I think so, Sam. The wagon is full and there's very little room left on your truck. I'm glad the ROTC people offered to come out with us and help unload as well as help with loading."
"Me too, Jack. That pen with the sow and piglets is really heavy."
"Bye, Mommy. Bye, Daddy."
"Bye, Lexi. You be good for your Grandpa."
"Aren't I always good, Daddy?"
"Can you count the number of times you sat in the green 'time out' chair last week?"
"I'll try to do better this week."
"I know you will. We'll see you on Saturday."
~~~
"It's nice to be riding and not driving. I'm glad Hal volunteered to bring the wagon."
"Yes, Jack, and I'm glad there'll be lots of hands to help unload. Speaking of unloading, we didn't bring any food."
" Don't worry, Kate. Mabel and Carl brought out several loads of 'necessities' earlier this week. Abby, Terry, Lexi and Mike helped them put things away in the kitchen, made the bed and put out towels in the bathroom. Other than not having power for the fridge, your house is ready to move in."
"I wondered where the kids were that day, but Dad had some story about Mabel doing last minute things with their clothes for the wedding."
"That was partially true, Kate. Mabel made a thigh or ankle holster for each of the girls."
"I didn't know that, Sam."
"I had hoped that you did, Kate. I wanted to know what kind of holsters Mabel had hidden so well. I'll let you ask the the girls when we see them again."
~~~
"Kids, bed time. Get your pajamas on and brush your teeth."
"Can we get two chapters, Grandpa?"
"Yes, Abby. I promised that for your birthday. I think there might be time for three chapters if my dance troupe doesn't zonk out early."
" Dance troupe, Grandpa?"
"You kids spent more time dancing than the grownups did. It seems that my granddaughters are very popular."
"We were just being us."
"Just being yourselves means being some pretty terrific people that other people want to be around."
~~~
"Gene, I could use a little help with the kids."
"So they didn't make three chapters?"
"They made two chapters and begged through their yawns for number three. I think I lost one kid per paragraph in the third chapter. That's OK, they had fun today and got to spend time with other kids. I think I'll have Abby and Terry go to the one room school so they can be with the other kids. We can work on catching them up to where they should be in school during the summer."
~~~
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