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Post by bretf on Jun 9, 2021 6:51:42 GMT -6
Chapter 25
Kevin watched until the man and Cindy disappeared into the house. Maybe, no, probably, the man was Charley, Cindy’s husband. Shaking his head at himself for having been drawn in by her looks, he finished the last pea vine. While doing it, he muttered to himself, “Forget how easy she is on the eyes. Something rotten is going on over there. Very rotten.”
The dogs looked at him expectantly as he spoke.
“Yeah, you guys see it, don’t you?”
They raised their ears and cocked their heads as they looked at him. Their tails moved back and forth, sweeping the ground.
He got out of his chair, wrapped his arms around the pile of vines, and dropped them in the wheelbarrow. After rolling it to the garden, he dumped them on the small compost pile he’d started, and returned the wheelbarrow to the shed. He picked up another bucket, and following a detour to the house to top of his coffee cup, he sat down to shell the peas.
The dogs perked up, again looking down the lane. Kevin smiled ruefully. “So, is it distraction time? If it is, she’s running late. Or they haven’t got to the good stuff yet.” He watched for Tammy’s car to come into view. “How’ll she do it this time?”
When the car came into view, Kevin was taken aback. While he did know the car and its driver, it wasn’t Tammy. Shooting a glance at the dogs, he said, “Maybe I was wrong and it really was just a coincidence last night. And she just wants to ramp up whatever our relationship is. What do you guys think?”
They didn’t offer an opinion, running to meet the approaching car.
“Thanks for nothing, guys.”
The car pulled to a stop behind Kevin’s truck. He stood and walked towards it as the door opened. Jack and Jill enthusiastically greeted the driver. So enthusiastically, they were making it hard for her to get out of the car.
“Guys, give her breathing room,” Kevin said. “Good morning, Janice. This is a surprise. What brings you out here? If it’s something to do with work, you could’ve called.”
“Morning, Kevin. No, it’s not work. I told you yesterday I love chickens and wanted to see yours. I didn’t have anything going this morning so decided on sooner rather than later. I hope I’m not imposing.”
“Not at all. I was just going to shell the peas.”
“Show me your new girls and I’ll help.”
“That’s a deal I won’t pass up.”
As Kevin started for the pen, the dogs ran ahead, leading the way. Janice laughed. “How are Jack and Jill doing with the birds?”
“They’re very intrigued,” he said and he told her about their antics since pulling into the chicken hatchery the day before.
After seeing the hens and laughing at the dogs’ reaction to them, Janice said, “Okay, let’s shell those peas. I haven’t done that for years.”
“Sounds good. I’ll get you a lawn chair.”
“And a cup of coffee?” Janice asked.
“Of course.”
When Kevin returned with the items, Janice was in his chair, working on the peas. “Thanks,” she said, taking the coffee. “Do you want your chair back?”
“Naw, you’re good,” Kevin said, setting the second chair close enough both could reach the peas, the bowl, and the bucket to hold the spent pods.
Janice took a sip of the coffee and nodded towards the neighbors’ place. “It appears to be moving in day. I hope the movers are just hired hands and not your new neighbors. They look pretty shady.”
Kevin picked up a pea and looked where Janice indicated. The two thugs were getting something out of the truck. “I’m not sure how they tie in. But I’ve seen them before.”
“Sit down and tell me about it.”
He did, telling her everything that’d transpired with the group since the home had sold. Almost everything. He left out embarrassing parts involving Cindy, only telling Janice an attractive younger woman would be the lady of the house. During his telling, Janice asked questions and made comments until she was sure she had as full a picture as Kevin could paint. When he was finished with the telling, the peas were all shelled.
“You better watch out, Kevin. It sounds like something fishy is going on over there.”
“I agree,” he said.
Janice studied him, waiting. When he didn’t say more, she said, “Okay, now what do we do with these peas?”
He told her, offering her a portion in payment for her help.
She accepted and they went to the house to take care of them. After the drying racks were full, she asked, “Will you show me your garden now? We always had one and other than weeding, I enjoyed it. Especially the eating part.”
They left the house, Kevin automatically checking the activity next door.
“This is a great garden. I wish I could grow one, but of course, living in an apartment, it’s not possible,” Janice said.
“You’re welcome to anything from mine.”
“I’ll take you up on that. But only after I earn a portion. Do you need to do anything to it now? I’ve got plenty of time to help.”
“Yeah, I’ve got a couple of things to do. I have twenty blackberry plants to put in and I wanted to plant more corn. I like to do that where the peas were and take advantage of the nitrogen. It’ll mature late but make it before fall.”
“Blackberries? They spread like crazy. Where are you going to put them?”
He nodded in the direction of the neighbors’ place and said, “Along the fence row.”
Janice smiled. “Good idea. Hopefully they’ll grow fast. Let’s plant the corn first. Get your seeds.”
When Kevin returned with the seeds, Janice had the row ready, having cut a furrow in the dirt with the hoe. They each filled a cupped palm with seeds, placed them, and covered them with loose dirt. They met in the middle of the row.
“So now you water them in?” Janice asked.
“Yep. I generally water the entire garden on the weekend.”
When the irrigation water was flowing, Kevin got his shovel and the berry plants. Janice was great help, placing the plants in the holes Kevin dug and patting the soil in around them.
Janice stayed another hour, helping him water the new plants and monitor the water in the garden. She also pulled the few weeds she saw. As she drove away, a bag of fresh peas on her car seat, Kevin stood and watched. Janice was a good friend and it’d been enjoyable spending time with her in a common activity.
What would it be like, to be partnered with such a woman, he wondered wistfully. Tammy certainly wasn’t that woman, even though she’d stirred desires in him he hadn’t experienced for a long time. But maybe the right woman was out there and he just needed to meet her.
A loud noise from the neighbors’ place drew his attention. He looked and automatically felt the pistol under his jacket. “If I live long enough to meet her.”
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Post by iamnobody on Jun 9, 2021 7:33:04 GMT -6
What would it be like, to be partnered with such a woman, he wondered wistfully. I feel his thoughts! Its been years since I became a widower and I'm not even 1/16 inch closer to finding a good woman. All I am seeing are the "Cindys" and the "Tammys" and there are lots of those.
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Post by ydderf on Jun 9, 2021 9:19:16 GMT -6
Thanks Bretf for the new chapter. Just so you know I would read your work even if there were no cliff at chapters end.
A thought, re: iamnobody's post,I met my current wife on match.com 18 years ago still working well. My first wife was a party girl after 4 years the partying restarted. My second wife had a heart attack and died in my arms. The third/current wife (the one I met on match.com) is a good friend as well as a good wife. The moral, keep looking.
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Post by texican on Jun 9, 2021 13:15:18 GMT -6
Janice was a good friend and it’d been enjoyable spending time with her in a common activity.
What would it be like, to be partnered with such a woman, he wondered wistfully.
Most guys are asleep, stupid and blind to what is right in front of them.
Kevin needs to wake up and smell the roses or is it Janice's perfume up close.
Brett?
Texican....
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Post by iamnobody on Jun 9, 2021 15:46:05 GMT -6
A thought, re: iamnobody's post,I met my current wife on match.com 18 years ago still working well. My first wife was a party girl after 4 years the partying restarted. My second wife had a heart attack and died in my arms. The third/current wife (the one I met on match.com) is a good friend as well as a good wife. The moral, keep looking. Oh, I haven't given up on women. I'm just done actively looking for a woman. I have found that it it is a total waste of my time that I could be using for known productive things. I have tried 5 different online dating sites, including match.com none could match me with any woman closer than 8 hrs away and I was a paid member. I have had many women offer me no strings attached sex, ages 20 to 70. The 70 year old was actually a "rich widow woman" who wanted to be my "sugar momma" and take me traveling with her and I was to be her "boy toy". 2 women offered to share my bed with me at the same time. Another 2 women offered to let me watch them have sex together. I have resisted all those sinful temptations. And for the past 1+ year with women wearing masks so that only their eyes are visible, I can't see a woman nor adequately hear a woman except when she screams "stay back the social distancing". I have looked in churches, in stores, at work. All I find are Cindys and Tammys. I am in a rural, conservative area and this is all I still find.
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Post by 9idrr on Jun 9, 2021 20:50:30 GMT -6
Bret- is this really a worthwhile woman for our boy or are you throwin' me another curve...? Either way, sir, please keep up the good work.
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Post by solo on Jun 10, 2021 8:02:13 GMT -6
Janice was a good friend and it’d been enjoyable spending time with her in a common activity.
What would it be like, to be partnered with such a woman, he wondered wistfully.Most guys are asleep, stupid and blind to what is right in front of them. Kevin needs to wake up and smell the roses or is it Janice's perfume up close. Brett? Texican.... CALLED IT.... LOL
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Post by bretf on Jun 12, 2021 19:55:34 GMT -6
Thank you all! I always appreciate the comments and speculations. More than one has given me ideas on moving the story forward I hadn’t considered before. I have a basic idea and seeing different viewpoints helps me, sometimes making me shift directions even starting a new thread. I hope I can make it interesting for you all.
IAN: Yeah, Cindys and Tammys abound. I saw them, but the good ones are out there too, just not as obvious. Never give up hope; one appeared for me at a rough time.
Ydderf: cliff? This ending? Naw, but maybe I can work a few in before I finish this tale. Agree on keep watching, they’re out there.
Tex: yeah, we sure can be, asleep, stupid, and blind. Maybe Kevin can wake up, or maybe he’ll get further intoxicated by scents other than the roses. Time will tell.
9 and Solo: It’s kinda like what I told Tex. Thanks!
Sorry, the next chapter is close but not quite ready. I thought I'd get to it today, but I had a chance to go fishing. It was no contest. We went back to the lake I visited recently. This time, I was with my brother and parents. And we had my brother's boat. It was a wonderful day of fishing, but...
My folks are over 90 YO and feeble. We took the little giant ladder for them to climb in while on flat ground. With brother in the boat and me pushing, we got Dad up and seated on the side of the boat. Then brother manually got him the rest of the way in. Mom got in on her own, but...
We had a great time fishing and even did a lot of catching.
On the way back to the boat ramp, Mom turned numb in many parts of her body. Once the boat was on the trailer and on flat ground, brother and I had to physically get her out of the boat and on the ground. She gets these episodes all too often. The docs have had various guesses as to what causes them but nothing definitive. Mini strokes? Migraines? Parkinson's?
At least this wasn't a bad one. There have been a couple when she didn't know anyone. It's heart wrenching to sit across from her at the table for ten minutes with her being quiet, the when she talks, saying, "I don't know you." This time she knew us and where we were. She just didn't recall getting the boat loaded and getting in the pickup.
On the drive home, Dad told us how decades ago, he and Grandpa (Mom's dad) told us all as soon as they caught up cleaning fish, it was time to stop and head for home. As he cleaned one this afternoon, brother and I cleaned sixty five. We had to joke with him, it's our nature. We decided as much as we like fishing, we weren't going to keep catching until he caught up with cleaning. We'd never get to go home.
It was a wonderful day. Another day with my folks. And it was a sad day. Another day where I wonder if it's the last time we do this together. Maybe it is. And if so, I'll cherish it like those long ago memories of going there with Grandpa and Grandma.
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 12, 2021 20:02:47 GMT -6
Far too many days we can't repeat, so enjoy when you can.
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Post by 9idrr on Jun 12, 2021 20:17:52 GMT -6
Each day is a treasure. Glad you've gotten to enjoy another with family.
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Post by texican on Jun 12, 2021 21:10:09 GMT -6
bret,
As we get older we realize what really is important in life - Family. It is outstanding that you had a day fishing with your parents and brother.
Spend as much time as you can with your parents. One day you will become the parent to your parents. This is the way life is and was better understood by past generations.
My 89 years old mother lives with us. My wife's mother lived with us until she passed over. She was surround by daughter (my wife, our grandson, me and the nurse. Love knows no bounds during such times as it should be.
Texican....
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Post by iamnobody on Jun 14, 2021 10:31:19 GMT -6
IAN: Yeah, Cindys and Tammys abound. I saw them, but the good ones are out there too, just not as obvious. Never give up hope; one appeared for me at a rough time. Things are getting rougher every day. There seems to be some relief to the restrictions here in the USA BUT in my opinion that is just like a lull in the storm, the eye of a hurricane where you look up and see blue sky, then WHAM!. We get hit harder the 2nd time around. My opinion is that we are all going to soon be living in our own real PAW situation due to all the different things happening. Maybe a woman will come climbing down off the mountain in the middle of PAW. But with my luck she will be a lesbian and not like men. lol
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 14, 2021 17:44:07 GMT -6
A few will be like us - old, cheap, pay things off and keep them almost forever, as in replaced my wife's Camry when it hit age 20 and repairs would have been more double what it was worth. My previous truck was 18 when the better half said "You need a new truck" so I said "Yes, dear" and the new truck is now almost 14. The house is paid for, there's money put back for several years' property taxes and we could camp in the house without benefit of commercial utilities for quite a while - the sewage treatment plant is several miles horizontally and 700 feet downhill from us. Got an old 20lb propane tank? Let's make a small woodstove that will fit in the 48" by 31" firebox of the huge '70's design fireplace and we can heat a room with less wood than the fireplace needs. Once you get a ton of masonry warm, the room stays comfortable for a long time ;-)
Not exactly looking forward to buckets of rice, beans, spaghetti and cans of Yoder's cooked ground beef but just a little this-n-that of spices can provide some variety. You do have paper cookbooks and paper copies of Carla Emery's "The Encyclopedia of Country Living" (50th anniversary edition is less than $30 with shipping) plus "Where There Is No Doctor" and "Where There Is No Dentist"?
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Post by iamnobody on Jun 15, 2021 7:33:39 GMT -6
I love beans and rice. They are cheap, filling, healthy and tasty. On my budget and with the cut back in work hours over the last year, that is a big plus. One day is beans and rice, then beans and pasta, then beans and potatoes. Don't forget the home made cornbread to go with it. Some hamburger or chicken as the meat. YUM! YUM!
And those 3 books are wonderful reading. Mine are showing wear after all these years. A lot of useful info in those books.
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 15, 2021 14:38:03 GMT -6
There's also a bucket of cornmeal ;-)
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Post by bretf on Jun 16, 2021 5:50:54 GMT -6
Chapter 26
The garden wasn’t completely irrigated but Kevin shut the water off. He’d finish in the evening, time allowing, or the next day. It was time to go shopping. Friday had been payday.
After earmarking what he still owed for the guns, he had a decent amount of cash that wasn’t needed to cover bills. Staying away from The Watering Hole and making his own meals, he could spend it on preps. But he wouldn’t go hog-wild; he didn’t have enough for that.
The thrift stores would be open for a few more hours yet. That would be the place to start, to check for canning jars, storage containers, tools, and he didn’t know what else.
Actually, the thrift stores would be second. The pawnshop was certainly open. He wanted to take care of his obligations there first thing.
Looking at Jack and Jill, he had a quick mental debate on whether or not to take them along. He didn’t like making them wait in the truck. Not one bit.
On the other hand, he recalled the day he’d left them home and Tammy had shown up. He was certain he’d locked the doors but they were running free when he returned. What would happen if she showed up and let them out again? They didn’t like her and he was pretty sure she returned the feelings. Especially after last night. What would she do if she got them alone?
And what about someone from the neighbors’ place? He had vivid memories of the first time he’d seen Charley’s thugs. And you better control those f’ing mutts if you don’t want ‘em hurt. Or dead. The dogs were sure to guard their home.
Nothing he owned was worth their lives. “Come on, guys. Let’s go to town.”
Kevin entered the pawnshop and looked around. Two men were working behind the counter, including the man who’d sold him the guns. The man Kevin wanted to talk to was dealing with a customer so Kevin wandered around while waiting. He was drawn to the tools but didn’t see anything he needed. He drifted to the gun display, not that he was planning on buying another.
The customer left with his new to him amplifier. The shop proprietor walked down the counter to where Kevin was browsing. “How ya doin? Ya lookin fer a gun?”
“Un, no,” Kevin said, turning and looking at the man.
With a piercing gaze at Kevin, the man said, “No, I spose not. Let’s go to the end of the counter.” The words were accompanied by a head bob in the direction he wanted Kevin to go. They stopped where it’d be difficult for anyone to hear their conversation.
“I wanted to give you the rest of the money I owe you,” Kevin said, holding several bills out.
The man didn’t take it, instead, studying Kevin. “I see you’re packing. But it might not be enough.”
“What, why?” Kevin asked, confused.
“I keep my ear to the ground and I’ve been hearing some things. Yeah, asshole didn’t get sprung, but from what I hear, ya might have worse problems. By the way, I mentioned to Sis that I saw ya. She sends her regards.”
“Worse problems? What’re you talking about?”
The man’s forehead crinkled as he scrutinized Kevin. “I hear ya got new neighbors.”
Kevin was taken aback. “How would you know that?”
“As I said, I keep my ear to the ground. And it might surprise ya, but I make contact with a few unsavory folks.”
It didn’t surprise Kevin. The man himself didn’t look all that respectable. “So what are you hearing?”
“Let’s just say them ain’t a bunch of Boy and Girl Scouts what moved in by ya and leave it at that. And I think ya need a backup, a pocket gun.”
“I’ve already got a pistol.”
“Yeah, fer now. But ain’t ya ever heard, if ya got two, ya got one. If ya got one, ya got none. Somethin happens, ya could be without that piece.” He pointed at Kevin, directly at his concealed pistol. “Tell ya what. I got another pistol I’ll give ya fer what I paid. It’s easier hid, but close up, packs a helluva punch.”
“I really don’t need another gun.”
The man’s piercing look seemed to weigh and measure Kevin and read all his thoughts. “Believe me, ya do.”
Kevin left the pawnshop with less money than he’d planned and his pocket weighted down. Rather than go to the thrift store, he drove to the gun store and bought more ammo. Of course, the new pistol was in a different caliber than the pistol he already had. From there he went to the gun range. There was no point in owning a gun if he wasn’t familiar with it.
Dave was there and walked Kevin through the pistol, the care and firing of it. Then he set Kevin up to get some shooting in and familiarize himself with it. Kevin noted Deputy Johnson was there again, her shots perfectly fired. He nodded to her and took the stall two over from her. After placing his ammo on the bench, he opened his cell phone, scrolled through it, and set it beside the ammo.
Loading the gun, he fired several times, reloaded, and fired again. He missed the target when it was at the end of the range. With each shot, he brought the target closer until it was at a range he could consistently hit it. As the pawnshop man had indicated, it was a close-range pistol.
Kevin pocketed his spent brass and the pistol, gathered his phone and remaining ammo, and turned to go. Deputy Johnson gave him a nod which Kevin returned as he went past her.
Jack and Jill were beyond excited when he got back to the truck. Smiling he scratched their ears and then pushed them away. “Yeah, I missed you guys too, now let me in.”
When he was situated with his seatbelt on, Kevin checked his watch. There was still time to hit at least one thrift store before heading home. “Tell ya what guys. We’re gonna make one more stop then we’ll head home. We’ll go for a nice walk when we get there.”
Jill flicked her tongue out, giving him a slurpy across the face.
“Easy,” he said, wiping his face and then shaking his head.
Kevin made the short drive to the nearest thrift store, parked, and went inside. He went first to the tool area. There was nothing he needed or even wanted very bad. As he made his way to the section where jars and storage containers would be if any were to be had, he stopped in his tracks.
Racks of clothing were hung, racks he customarily walked past. On the end was a Filson wool vest. He’d wanted one for a long time but couldn’t justify the cost. Figuring it was a futile gesture, he checked the tag, then checked again, making certain he’d read right. Not believing the price, he removed the vest from the hanger and tried it on. It fit perfectly. Even with the pistol and shoulder holster. He put it back on the hanger and checked the price one more time. He didn’t return it to the rack.
He stood there, thinking of various prep sites he’d read. Along with the three B-s, many recommended extra, durable clothing. Looking down the rack with new awareness, he saw many items he could use. Especially clothing for working outside, being exposed to hot and cold. Moving from section to sections he made mental notes of several items he’d come back and check for later. Two weeks later, after his next payday. As it was, after buying the pistol and ammo, the vest was all he could afford.
But he did continue to the area he’d been heading for. There were no canning jars. There was another popcorn tin. He could still afford it. He laughed at himself. But I can’t afford the sack of beans I was going to buy to put in one. Next payday.
He paid for his purchases, still amazed at the price, and left the store. The dogs were as happy to see him as they’d been when he returned to the truck at the gun range. They greeted him with a slurpy on each cheek.
When Kevin arrived home, he was pleased to see the moving van gone. Hopefully, the thugs had all left with it. Not all of them, he told himself. Charley’s SUV was still there. Cindy’s sports car was gone. Is it too much to hope he went with her?
Kevin got a bucket and went to the chicken pen, wondering what he’d find. The hens were in the run, scratching and pecking away. They had enough food and water he didn’t need to do anything with them until the next day. He went inside and ducked into the coop. His face broke out in a wide smile when he looked in the nest boxes. Six eggs.
He went to the house, looking at the garden as he passed. There was time to start the water but he didn’t plan to stick around and monitor it. It could wait until morning. He’d promised his pals a walk. He put the egg bucket beside the sink and went back outside.
“Okay, let’s go. You know, despite getting new neighbors, this was a pretty good day. We got to spend time with Janice. We finished the peas, got corn and the berry vines planted. Paid off my debt. Found a great vest. Got to spend a lot of time with you. This was a pretty darn good day.”
He felt the weight of the new pistol, recalling the conversation with the man at the pawnshop. Looking at the quiet home next door, he added, “We better savor every good day we get. God only knows how many more we’ll have in the near future.”
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Post by sniper69 on Jun 16, 2021 15:00:09 GMT -6
Bret thanks for the latest chapters. Makes me wonder if Kevin will have any interest in the lady deputy or Janice.
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 16, 2021 15:44:49 GMT -6
If Kevin is interested in the lady deputy, he would have good backup ;-)
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Post by texican on Jun 16, 2021 19:13:03 GMT -6
If Kevin is interested in the lady deputy, he would have good backup ;-) pp2, Speaking from experience, I take it. Just how many decades have you been married and still remember such? Janice is the best bet for the dogs like her and you can not get a better recommendations and she knows gardening and no telling what else. Now the Deputy could give him viable intel as well as the pawn shop owner so at least be friendly. Yep, Kev definitely needs to smell Janice's perfume up close to get the ball rolling. And Kev does have a home large enough for the dogs and Janice. Wouldn't it be a shame if the house next door went up in flames. Yep, a guy dressed all in black threw a couple of molotovs into the house which the dogs were raising hell about and Kev calls the sheriff's department about the perp running away and Kev will be fighting the fire when sheriffs department gets there. Being a good neighbor. Bret? Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 16, 2021 21:00:42 GMT -6
No, nothing as obvious as a molotov.
A girl who drives a red convertible probably has a lot of scented candles for different seasons - one of those candles might fall over and light some spilled high-octane Jamaican rum and cause a fire... If the rum botlle were knocked over in someone's haste to leave, it might produce a trail of fire for many feet...
Kev could say "I heard a vehicle leaving fast and then I smelled smoke so I went looking and saw fire but I had to come back home to get a hose so I could put some water on the fire."
Excellent reason for the house being fully involved when the FD got there.
Tex, more than 50 years - and we still like each other ;-)
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Post by ficreader on Jun 17, 2021 5:27:48 GMT -6
I love it. You should also add that Dogs love to cuddle and when you are sad give you the strength to continue on. Im thinking with the love of 2 dogs Who needs a woman around ? Coming from a man thats been married for 40 years and currently has 8 dogs. And then there's this: (not that I'd trade my wife off, I'll go for balance) WHY DOGS ARE BETTER THAN WOMEN Dogs don’t ask what are you thinking. Dogs don’t cry. Dogs love it when your friends come over. Dogs don’t care if you use their shampoo. Dogs think you sing great. A dog’s time in the bathroom is confined to a quick drink. Dogs don’t expect you to call when you are running late. The later you are, the more excited dogs are to see you Dogs will forgive you for playing with other dogs. Dogs don’t notice if you call them by another dog’s name. Dogs are excited by rough play. Dogs don’t mind if you give their offspring away. Dogs love red meat. Dogs can appreciate excessive body hair. Anyone can get a good-looking dog. If a dog is gorgeous, other dogs don’t hate it. Dogs don’t shop. Dogs like it when you leave lots of things on the floor. A dog’s disposition stays the same all month long. Dogs never need to examine the relationship. A dog’s parents never visit. Dogs love long car trips. Dogs understand that instincts are better than asking for directions. Dogs understand that all animals smaller than dogs were made to be hunted.
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Post by ficreader on Jun 17, 2021 6:46:30 GMT -6
On the topic of the "American Made" Big Three car companies. I am of the opinion that although the have their headquarters here in the US the are actually primarily made over seas ad imported here. All in the name of "saving money". Therefore I don't consider them American Made anymore.
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 17, 2021 12:27:26 GMT -6
When CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) came along, Ford moved production of the their big passenger vehicles (Ford & Mercury sedans) to Canada or Mexico so those vehicles wouldn't be included in the "US made vehicle" averages. That was an easy way to push the "average fuel economy" number upward.
It's all about the bottom line until the buyer needs repair parts - which they might buy from another vendor in China who can make it even cheaper.
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Post by iamnobody on Jun 17, 2021 12:57:53 GMT -6
The way things are going....
I expect in the future that American babies will even be made in China. A man and woman will have their sperm and egg shipped to a China baby factory. There they will be united and a baby produced.
That way the woman won't be bothered with carrying the baby for 9 months.
There will be 2 options. A new born baby or a baby already out of diapers. The baby out of diapers will cost more though.
No guarantee that you will get the correct baby back or that the baby will be "lead free" or have other poisons in them.
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Post by papaof2 on Jun 17, 2021 13:33:07 GMT -6
The Nazis tried raising "crop" babies with no human contact other than bottles and diaper changes - many of the infants died because they needed physical contact with caring people - the typical holding and cuddling that a baby gets from parents and older siblings. There are proven historic - as in survival of the species - reasons for the nuclear family. Most children raised in a "traditional" family come to consider the community around them as a larger "family" as they get older and that's part of what makes them responsible citizens.
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