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Post by gipsy on Sept 1, 2021 6:34:23 GMT -6
Good morning
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Post by paulk on Sept 1, 2021 11:55:56 GMT -6
Every time I think you are heading in one direction, you jump paths and I am again entranced. Wonderful. More, more please.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 1, 2021 14:26:14 GMT -6
Cliff leaned up against a stall and watched as Greg took the harnesses and collars out of the tack room and harnessed the horses. Leading them out to the wagon barn, Greg easily backed the horses up and hooked them to the footlift double bottom plow. Greg checked that everything was hooked up and jumped up onto the seat. With a command and a slight tap on the horses' rumps with the reigns, he guided the horses to the field and began plowing another section of the new pasture. Pedro came down and stood at the end of the wagon barn and watched as Greg plowed the rows. After Greg had made his fourth pass, Pedro went into the barn and came out leading another team and hooked his team up to the 7 foot drag disc. With everything hooked up and checked, with a 'chychk" sound from his mouth and a tap of the reins, he drove the team to the field and began discing behind Greg.
Teamwork.
Cliff walked back to the horse barn and saw Jesús, Antonio and Andrés cleaning out the used stalls with tine forks, cleaning the manure out of the wood shavings and filling the wheelbarrows. A large concrete bin had been built near the barn to hold the manure. Once a week, the manure would be moved to the composting area and run through the composter, or using the manure spreader, spread on the produce gardens and plowed under and a nitrogen-rich cover crop planted for the winter. That was where this bin full would go. That was scheduled for Friday.
Cal was doing a ride-around, looking at operations. Sylvio, Diego, Mateo, and Hernando were plowing up the corn, grain, and hemp fields and planting cover crops. They only doing this every other year. Last year they had used no-till farming and used a drill to plant the cover crop. This year, They had gathered all the manure and compost from the stockyard , their barns and feed lots and from Hurley's dairy farm and applied it to the fields after harvesting and now were plowing it all under. Each 100 acre field would take a while to plow with horses. They had better lay out a test field and see how long it would actually take.
Driving back toward the Horse barn, Cal saw Greg was almost finished plowing the ten acre field and the other two teams were soon to follow.
Cal saw Joshua's truck coming slowly down the farm road and stopped next to Cal's K5.
"They're lookin' good Cal."
"Yes they are. What are you up to?"
"Ben's got interested in those steam engines and has been doing some investigatin'. You want any more?"
"Sure, what do you have?"
"Well, There was a guy in Boone, Iowa that had set up a small farm museum there. He had and few farm implements. three Ransome and two Sims & Jefferies portable engines in his collection. Most of the small farmer's in the area have sold out to conglomerates. The younger generations are moving out for better paying jobs. Very few are interested in farming or its history."
"You're saying 'had."
"I'm getting to that. Anyways, This guy, Chester Makin, died a couple years ago. His wife just locked up the museum and it hasn't been open since. You might find some treasures besides those engines."
"Hm-m-m-m. I might, I was thinking about you putting me together a steam cleaner to clean the implements before they're put away. Think you could do that?"
"Yeah, I can come up with something. What about those engines?"
"Have Ben drop me off the information. If I go, I'll want you to go with me."
"Okay, Talk to you later."
Ben brought over his notes just before lunch. Cal went to his study, turned on his computer and brought up Google Earth, searching for Boone, Iowa and the address of the museum. He found a building on the outskirts of town. There wasn't a street view of the building though.
He looked up the town of Boone and its amenities. If he went, he'd be better off flying into Des Moines and driving to Boone.
Cliff decided he'd go down to the restaurant and eat lunch instead of a hotdog and a can of beans. He drove down and entered Casey's and was greeted by a smiling waitress.
"Just one?"
"Yeah, uh…" Cliff looked down at her name tag, prominently displayed on her ample chest. "Yeah just one, Sophia."
Sophia blushed and led him over to a small table and left him a menu. Cliff watched her walk off, noticing the sway of her hips. Turning his attention to the menu, he decided to try the Bison Burger with cheese and Freedom Fries. Sophia returned with a glass of water.
"Are you ready to order?"
"Yes, I'd like to order the Bison Burger with cheese and Freedom Fries."
"Do you want lettuce and tomato with that?
"Yes, please."
"Onion?"
Cliff grinned. "Yes, it's too soon to be kissing."
Sophia blushed as she wrote down his order.
"I'll have this out for you shortly."
Cliff watch her walking off again. "Umph!"
A few minutes later, Sophia brought out his plated meal and tea. She wouldn't look directly at Cliff.
Twenty minutes later, Cliff finished his meal. He paid his bill and left a large tip for Sophia. Sophia watched him as he donned his hat and went out the door.
Cliff returned to the barn to find the men sitting around eating their lunch in an open bay in the wagon barn.
"Cliff! You're looking awfully thoughtful. What's up Amigo?" Antonio asked.
"I just saw a waitress, Latina, down at Casey's."
"Oh-h-h Ho-o-o! Cliff is after some dark meat!" Andrés said.
Cliff's face turned dark.
"Oh wait Amigo! I was just joking! Are you talking about Sophia?"
"Yeah." Cliff admitted.
"Look, she's my prima… my cousin. If you want to meet her, come to Church Sunday. It will make a good impression on her Padre and Madre. Afterward, there is a dinner at the Community Center. I can introduce you."
Cliff relaxed. "I'll think about it.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 1, 2021 14:26:56 GMT -6
"Joshua, meet me at the airfield in the morning at 0600. We're flying to Iowa."
They landed in Des Moines at 0955 and arranged parking in the transient area. Cal rented a vehicle and the made the 50 mile drive in about an hour. They found the museum, and took a chance, knocking on the door the door of the house next door. An elderly lady came to the door.
"Ma'am, I'm looking for Mrs. Makin. Could you tell me where I might find her?"
I'm Mrs. Makin. Don't know whether I'm the one you're lookin' for."
"Ma'am, did your late husband own the museum next door?"
She looked morosely at the building. "Yes."
"Well ma'am, I'm interested in his collection."
"Why don't ya'll come on in."
They went in and she lead them to a sitting room.
"No one is interested in those old things any more. Town is drying up, people leaving, there just ain't any interest left."
"Could we take a look inside the museum?"
"Sure, let me get the keys."
They walked over to the building and she took them through a side door.
"This was my husband's work area. He'd just finished painting this old steam engine when he died. You should have seen Chess grinning at that thang chugged to life. Through here is the main display area."
There, sitting on the floor were five steam engines lined up, side by side."
"They once used these things back in the 20's to power threshers and hay balers. Chess got all of them working."
Cal and Joshua looked them over, Joshua giving Cal a slight nod. They looked at the other farm implements and tools displayed.
"Ma'am, I'd like to offer you a price for the whole lot."
"What are you willing to pay?" Mrs. Makin asked.
"I'll give you $85,000 for the lot."
"Land's sake. Nobody's seen that amount of money in quite a spell."
"I can have the money transferred to your bank account this afternoon."
"That quick?"
"Yes ma'am."
She looked around. Well, this stuff ain't doing nothin' but catchin' dust."
She handed Cal the keyring. "You've bought yourself a museum."
Cal took her down to the Boone Bank & Trust Company. And set up a wire transfer. Thirty minutes later, the transfer was verified by the bank manager. Cal and Joshua took Mrs. Makin back to her home and walked with her to her door.
"Mrs. Makin, Joshua here will be back up next week to arrange packing up and moving the items out of the building."
She nodded. "Clean out the whole building. Maybe I can sell it too."
They left Boone, headed back to Des Moines.
"You know those steam engines were worth only about $10,000 each." Joshua said.
"Nope. That engine he'd just finished was a Morris, made in Birmingham, England. It's worth $27,000. The Clayton and Shuttleworth you won't find for less than $27,000. With everything else thrown in…we got a good deal."
Joshua dropped Cal off at the FBO to get the plane refueled while Joshua turned the rental in. Cal filed his flight plan and they took off. Once they reached cruising altitude, Cal set the autopilot.
'I'll check the movers in the Des Moines area to see when we they can get out to Boone. I'll reserve you and Ben rooms at the Baymont near the Walmart. You'll have to pick up a rental vehicle in Des Moines. Same deal as before. Catalog everything and ship it back."
They arrived back at the Ranch at 1800 and Joshua helped Cal move the plane in the hangar.
The next morning, Cal was on the phone talking with shippers in the Des Moines area. He found one who would ship the equipment and crate up the smaller things. Cal set a time with them on Tuesday to get an estimate on what they needed in trucks and shipping materials.
Cliff wore a sport's coat and slacks to Church that Sunday. He sat toward the back, close to the wall, so he could observe the rest of the occupants. He saw Sophia sitting with what he assumed was her family. He tried to pay attention to the sermon, and what he did hear was good, but his eyes kept wandering to the seated Sophia.
"Hey Cliff!. Glad you could attend. Are you coming to the lunch?" Cal asked.
"Yeah, I think so."
Cliff saw the Claytons and walked over to them.
Carrie began to look all around in they sky and caught Jan and Jerry's attention.
"What ARE you looking for?"
"I asked Cliff the other day if he was coming to Church today and he responded with, 'When Pigs Fly!' "Funny, I don't see any flying around!"
"Ha… ha! You are really funny Carrie." Cliff said.
"Okay, let's get the food over to the Community Center. Cliff, you coming?"
"I'll be along."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 1, 2021 14:27:42 GMT -6
Cliff walked into the Community Center and looked around. He spotted Jerry and his family and made his way over to them.
"Boy! You are really going all out…going to Church, socializing at the Community Center… you turning over a new leaf, Cliff?" Carrie asked.
"No," Cliff said. "I came over to watch you eat and see if that's what's making your butt so big."
Jan giggled. "You two be nice."
"Jerry everything is going well with the horses. The guys are really taking to the plowing and such." Cliff said.
"Good. I'll have a couple more horses for you this week. Cal's buying a taller horse trailer so we can move the horses."
"Good, the guys could use another team."
Reverend Lambry got everyone's attention and gave the Blessing. Cliff sat down as people started forming the line to fill their plates. He watched as the line moved along and soon spotted Sophia and a couple of people behind her, was Mateo. Mateo smiled and winked his eye. When the line was down some, Cliff got up and joined the end of it. After getting his selections, he joined the Claytons at their tables.
The conversation was casual and soon everyone was finished eating, except for the boys. They headed for the dessert table. Cliff got up and dumped his picnic ware in the trash and looked around. He didn't see Sophia anywhere, so he went out the door to the patio and met Andrés coming in.
"She went down to the Garden, Amigo."
"What garden?"
Andrés led him to the edge of the patio wall and pointed to the gate into Serenity Garden."
"There."
Cliff went down and opened the gate. There were three paths branching into the garden so he took the middle one. He heard the gurgling of water as he came nearer the little stream. As he went further, he finally spotted her sitting on a bench. Cliff slowed his walk as he approached her.
She gave him a puzzled look and seemed to twitch.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
" Andrés chickened out. He said he would introduce me to you."
"This is not the old world. I don't need my relatives introducing eligible suitors to me."
Cliff backed up and started to turn away. "Sorry to have disturbed you."
"No wait, that's not what I meant. I am Sophia Becerra. What is your name?"
"I'm Cliff Patterson."
"Well Cliff Patterson, would you like to share my bench with me?"
"Yes, I would like to very much."
"So. I presume you work here at the Ranch?" Sofia asked.
"Yes, I manage the draft horses."
"Oh! I have heard of their beauty, but have not seen them."
"Yes they are beautiful."
"No! You answered wrong! You should have said, 'Yes Sophia, they ARE beautiful. Would you like to see them?'"
"Yes Sophia, they ARE beautiful. Would you like to see them?"
"Yes Cliff, I would very much like to see them."
Sophia stood up and looked at him.
"Cliff, this is when you're supposed to escort me to your vehicle and take me to see the beautiful horses."
Cliff stood up quickly and held out his arm. Sophia crooked her arm in his and they walked to the parking lot. Cliff led her to his truck and opened the door for her to get in.
Cliff pulled up to the barn and got out, quickly moving around the truck to open the door for Sophia. She took his arm again and they walked into the barn.
"This is a very nice barn." Sophia commented.
Cliff led her through a door next to the wash area and the horses were grazing in the paddock. Cliff whistled and the two closest horses walked over.
"They are very big!"
"Yes, big and strong." Cliff said.
Sophia stood there rubbing the horses' noses. "Why did you want Mateo to introduce us."
"Because he said he would."
She turned to him. "I saw you watching me in the restaurant."
"I was taken by you. I guess I left out a little bit about Mateo. Mateo offered to introduce us, and I agreed. I wanted to get to know you better."
"I am sure there are other women who would be willing to let you get to know them better."
"But I'm not interested in other women, I am interested in you."
"Then I suppose we should spend more time together, getting to know each other."
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Post by paulk on Sept 1, 2021 15:18:14 GMT -6
Thank you!
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Post by gipsy on Sept 1, 2021 15:31:57 GMT -6
Thanks for the update
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Post by cavsgt on Sept 1, 2021 17:53:49 GMT -6
Well 3 days and $600.00 later here I am all caught up on my story. I held off just a little too long on buying a new Lap Top and suffered through a crash of my old computer.
Once again Thank You so much.
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Post by paulk on Sept 2, 2021 10:45:13 GMT -6
Refresh, refresh. More please.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 2, 2021 13:51:33 GMT -6
Cal and Craig flew Joshua and Ben to Des Moines the next day. Joshua and Ben knew exactly what to do. Joshua had the contact numbers he would need and they would meet the packers the next day.
"Keep in touch Joshua." Cal said.
"Nightly Cal."
After refueling, Cal and Craig returned to the Ranch.
Greg filled the hoppers in the drill with winter rye and began planting. He was going to rotate with the other men so they would have a chance with the horse-drawn grain drill. After Antonio took over, he went back to the barn to check the harness. He'd seen a couple of harnesses that were looking kind of dry and needed oiling.
"Cal, I need a room to store gifts for the Christmas Party."
Cal left the room and came back a couple of minutes later and handed Siobhan a key.
"It's room 27, three doors down from the Infirmary. You're collecting early, aren't you?"
"Well, some of the mothers are already bringing them over. If they find a good deal they buy it instead. No one really wants to fight the Black Friday crowd and the Christmas shopping season will be in full swing then."
Thanksgiving was rushing upon them. Mainly, the women shepherded the preparations. Intense planning made sure everything was to their standards. The men did as they were told.
Cal smoked four turkeys and Siobhan baked two. In all, there was a total of Eight turkeys, 8 pans of dressing, huge pots of mashed potatoes,, squash, green beans, gallons of gravy and a couple of dozen different pies, and gallons of tea, coffee and milk. Jacque chipped in cases of wine, which gave the women slightly glowing cheeks in their final preparations. The Community Center was at capacity with the Ranch residents and neighbors in attendance. There were scores of sated people that that afternoon. Men sipping their "beverages" around the large firepit and women lazily talking about their preparations for Christmas. Greg hauled children, and some of the adults down to the lake and back with a horse-drawn hay wagon. Everyone took time to reflect upon and pronounce the things they were thankful for. For those who didn't imbibe in spirits, a "Turkey Shoot" was held at the range and a contest on who could light a kitchen match with a .22 rifle. Every so often, you would see someone look around, with appreciation, at the people of their little community.
After he got back from Iowa, Joshua went through each crate and picked out the things they could immediately use or refurbish for use. One of the treasures he found was a farrier's coke forge with a hand cranked blower and old, but high quality farrier's tools. To Joshua, those things were as valuable as the steam engines. He made swing-out mounts on his farrier's trailer, along with one for the anvil. Ben came up with the design for that. With the tool truck and the trailer, he was prepared for any farrier jobs. Cal thought he should be prepared to be able to do the same thing with a wagon, so Cal ordered a disassembled reproduction oak Springfield wagon for Joshua to modify at a future date.
Jerry and Carrie were able to deliver two horses per month to Cal. They were beginning to find Shires at lower prices than they had paid two years before. The economy was still stifled and breeders were having a difficult time selling their stock, and it cost a good bit to feed them.
They'd had a good harvest that year. The silos were filled and the grain that wouldn't wouldn't go into the grain silos was ground into COB and stored in the COB silos. Karen bought all her COB from Cal this year. She had switched more to working horses than show horses. Ranches needed the horses to work their cows, which at this time, beef was at a premium. She hired a cutting horse trainer and she and Dale swapped studs from time to time. Fully trained horses brought a better price. The people under the HTR umbrella were doing much better than most parts of the country.
The last canning "party" was done just after Thanksgiving. Jars were washed and sterilized and vegetables and meat were canned. Everyone's pantry was filled with the abundance harvested from the greenhouses. Most of the next greenhouse crop would be sold in the market by the General Store and to stores in town.
Cal purchased custom drive belt sets for all the portable steam and hit and miss engines. They already had a design on a water pump setup, driven by a steam engine, to irrigate their fields and pastures. A lot of their winter activities would be related to refurbishing equipment and finding innovative uses for it.
Bill got his first assignment to a fighter squadron at Hill, Air Force Base in Utah. Gabby was flying up almost every weekend to be with him. They all were looking forward to his coming home for the holidays.
River Junction Mall had finally leased out to full occupancy, so the other investors, as they promised, bought Cal's investment share out for $21.2 million, future dollar signs blinding them.. Cal came back and showed Siobhan the check.
"Are you sure you did the right thing, Cal?"
"Hey, I made 1.2 million. It was a gamble, but I came out ahead. Could I have made a lot more? Sure, but I don't have confidence a mall will be viable for long. That's why I wanted them to buy me out. It may turn out to be to their detriment. I could have lost 20 million. Now, they could lose a heck of a lot more. We've got enough money."
"Not if you keep buying steam engines." Siobhan grinned.
Bill came home and he and Gabby disappeared for a couple of days. Siobhan finally enticed them out with Bill's favorite meal, Schnitzel. A giggling Gabby came in and gave Cal a hug and disappeared into the kitchen with Siobhan. Cal poured Bill a drink and they they retired to the reading area.
"So, how are things Billy?"
"The flying is great, although they say our flying hours are being cut. Everyone is worried about the Democrat's next budget. I looks like if they have their way, the military budget will be cut to pay for the social programs they like to implement to buy votes. It's anyone's guess how many squadrons will be cut."
Cal tried to change the conversation to lighten up the glum atmosphere, but Bill kept going.
"The last time this happened, the younger pilots were RIF'd first because they required the most flying hours. I may be out of a job next year."
"How do you feel bout that? Cal said, watching Bill's reaction.
"Oh, I'll miss flying the F-35, but it just moves up the my timetable a bit. As we discussed before, I want to turn your 'Test and Evaluation' center into something real. I want to see, in conjunction with Bryan's team, if we can built a unique, electric powered aircraft. And, of course, I'll be closer to Gabby and you guys. I didn't want Gabby pregnant and flying as much as she has. Yeah, life will be a little different from the Air Force, but I'm not going down to Serenity and cry my soul away."
Cal raised his glass. "Here's to a brighter future!"
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 2, 2021 13:53:40 GMT -6
The new year came in and Mother Nature showed them just what she could do. She was probably sitting on a mountain top and saying, "You think last year was bad? Watch this!"
New Year's Eve day, the men were busy getting all the snow removal equipment ready and positioned for the coming storm. Greg and Jesús were putting in rebar-snow poles while Joshua and Ben were frantically cutting and painting more to cover the road to Shire Hill. Residents and neighbors gathered that night to welcome in a new year.
They were welcomed, however, the next morning with heavy snow and thirty mile an hour winds. No one dared to venture out. Siobhan took the time to gather the kids to help take the Christmas tree and decorations down. Alice and Judy stayed the night before in their shelter suite, so they there to give a hand also. Cal was delegated as the official mule to move the boxed decorations to a storage room in the shelter. Mid-morning, Alice broke away long enough to put on a large enameled Dutch oven of chili to slow cook.
Cal checked outside every hour or so and saw the snow was drifting and starting to come up on the porch. He went to a storage room in the shelter and came back with a snow shovel.
"Where do you think you're going?" Siobhan asked.
"I'm just clearing the porch off away from the door. It's beginning to drift pretty good." Cal said, as he put on his coat and gloves.
It only took a couple of minutes to move the snow but it was still going to drift. Cal dragged the wicker couch and chairs around for a make-shift snow fence and went back in.
Hanging up his coat and hat, he went over and stirred the logs in the fireplace with the poker and added another log.
Siobhan and Alice were making hot chocolate for the kids when a tone sounded on Cal's radio.
"It's Cliff, Cal. Everything is good down here. It's relatively warm. I just went out and cleared the snow to get to the furnace building and put more coke in the furnace."
"Good. Just hang in there until this stops. I'll give everyone a call when we start snow removal. Don't try and start with that ToolCat. We'll need a snow blower in there to start you a path."
"Okay Cal. I've got a good book and a pot of beef stew on. I'll talk to you later."
Cliff went out and checked the waterers in the barn and gave the horses some hay and a scoop of Cob. They wouldn't be grazing today. Later, after the horses had finished eating, he switched the horses, one by one, to an empty stall and cleaned their stall and threw the dung into the dump trailer parked in the aisle. By noon, he was finished. He went in and put a couple of dippers of the beef stew into a bowl, microwaved a couple of rolls, and sat at his dining table, reading his book.
Cal checked outside mid-afternoon and the wind had dropped a little, but the snow was still falling. He cleared the porch to the steps. The wicker furniture did a good job holding the drifting snow. He cleared the snow below the top of the furniture and went back in. It wasn't until 1800 that the snow and wind finally stopped. There was about 4 feet of Global Warming piled up outside. Too late now for removal operations. Then Jon called him.
"Cal, I can easily clear the main roads to the ranches. The snow poles are easy to see and I've got enough lights on the Oshkosh to light up Denver. I can at least do that and we can finish up tomorrow."
"Okay Jon. Just be careful and keep your radio handy."
John plowed the roads to the Circle B, the Vet Clinic and the Medical clinic first. He then cleared a path to the horse barn, allowing cliff to open the doors and use the ToolCat to move the snow away. John continued on over to Dale Greer's place then to K bar S and on to Shire Hill. By 2000, Jon was finished and parked the Oshkosh back in the Maintenance Bay.
The next morning everyone was out in full force. Barry took the Oshkosh up to the airfield and helped Mike and Craig clear the runway, taxiway and parking aprons. The ToolCats, snow blowers, BobCats and tractors were out and about clearing driveways and entrances to buildings. Snow was being dumped and pushed into cattle tanks and other areas that would catch and hold the snowmelt. Ben and Joshua went around and tended the furnaces. Nick and his hands made sure the cattle had access to feed and none were stranded. Adam and Sonia ran drones to make sure no one, including cattle, was stranded in the area. When everything was cleared, the Oshkosh and ToolCats were used to clear the paddock to allow the horses to roam. Life was back to normal.
School was opened the next day so Cal had Adam to run a drone route reconnaissance to see if the county roads had been plowed on the routes the bus took to pickup some of the neighbor kids. They hadn't, so Jon and Barry took the Oshkosh out and cleared them. When they got back they pressure washed the grime and ice off of the snow blower, did post operator checks and services then parked it away for the next storm.
Jacque had cleared off the apron and helipad in front of the hangar door using the EV with a snow blade on it. Taking the EV, he towed the helicopter out of the hanger and removed the wheels. After checking out the helicopter, he went back inside where he found Francine putting linens away in the closet. Placing his hands on her waist, he kissed her on the neck, causing her to shiver. Her hand came up and touched the side of his face.
"Enough time for that later. I thought we were going over to Cal and Siobhan's to ask them."
"But of course. I just wanted to smell and taste your perfume."
"I'm sure. I'll get my coat." They flew over and took an EV out of the shed and drove down to the house.
"He-l-l-o!" Francine called out.
"Come on in you two!" Siobhan called out from the Great room.
Siobhan walked toward them as they took off their coats.
"You want some coffee or something?"
Jacque shook his head 'no'. "Nothing for us, thank you." Francine said.
"The snow is beautiful out there, but it's so cold!" Francine said.
"I know." Siobhan said. I was just checking the weather and it is going to be really cold the rest of the week. This snow will be around for a while."
Cal came in from the shelter.
"Hey you guys. You fly over here?"
"Jacque shrugged. "Our drive is waist deep in snow."
"That backhoe with the front bucket will clear that."
"I believe I will go to the dealer and purchase a ToolCat with all the attachments we will use at the winery."
"Yeah, there are snow blades and blowers you can purchase."
"Francine and I have something we would like to discuss with you."
"Of course. Let's go into the Great Room."
They went in and took their seats.
"Cal, Siobhan, Francine and I wish to marry. Would you be willing to be my Best Man?"
"And you, Siobhan, will you be my Matron of Honor?" Francine asked.
"Absolutely, Jacque."
"Of course I will, Francine!"
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 2, 2021 13:54:10 GMT -6
Jacque and Francine were married in Mesa Interdenominational Church by Reverend Lambry on February 14. Afterward. Jacque took Francine on a 30 day honeymoon to Greece.
Bill came home for the weekend in late February right after they had cleared the runway from yet another snowstorm. That evening, he and Gabby sat down and talked with his parents.
"Well, It's pretty much a done deal. They'll start selecting people for the reduction in force in June. I have applied for direct transfer to the Reserves. If I get it, I'll probably be assigned to Hill with the 419 Fighter Wing under the 388th. I won't fly as much, but at least I will still be flying the Lightning IIs. When I have Reserve duty I can fly up in the Cirrus and be at Ogden-Hinkley Airport in 50 minutes. I can long-term lease a mini-hangar there and leave a cheap car parked inside to drive to Hill and have somewhere to store the plane."
"You need any help?" Cal asked.
"No, I can easily pay for everything out of my trust fund." Billy replied. "I believe this way, I get a bit of both worlds. I get to spend more time with Gabby and my family, and I still get to fly fighter jets, albeit not as much."
"Well, I guess it's the best you're going to get." Cal said.
"Believe me Dad, it will be better than what I have now. Our time, when we can't get into the air is filled with race relations training, sexual harassment training. Social awareness training…. and more. We're spending more and more time on obscure crap than we do actual training for combat."
"Well, I think you're doing the right thing for you and Gabby." Siobhan said.
Cliff walked into Joshua's blacksmith shop. Joshua and Ben were working on an old terrace plow.
"Joshua, are you familiar with an adjustable hoof cradle?"
"Naw, can't say that I am."
"Well, when you hold the horse's foreleg between your thighs for three or four horses, it get's tiresome, doesn't it?"
"It sure does."
"Well, let's say you had a stand that you could adjust the height of, that had a little cradle you could rest the horse's leg on while you worked on the hoof, wouldn't that be easier?"
Joshua's eyes brightened with understanding. He walked over to a corner and moved some things around and pulled out an old ratchet jack and brought it over. He then pulled out a worn disk plow blade and threw it on the floor, upside down. He picked up the jack and held it over the upside down disc blade.
"Your talking about something like this?" Joshua asked.
"Exactly. All you need to do is weld a bowed piece to the top and pad it. You'd have an adjustable stand that could be used to inspect the horse's feet and to work on them."
"Yeah, that's a fine idea!" Joshua said.
"Do you have another one of those ratchet jacks?"
"I'm pretty sure there is a couple more in the box of odd parts we brought back from Shelbyville."
"Good. I need one made to inspect the horses hooves and to tighten nails."
"I'll have it tomorrow."
"Thanks Joshua."
Gabby drove up just as Siobhan, Cal and the kids finished the snowman. Amy was wrapping a scarf around Frosty' s neck.
"Hey you guys! You're just now making a snowman?"
"The snow had to melt some. It was too powdery." Explained Amy.
"Okay kids! Let's go get some hot chocolate! Come on in Gabby and get warm." Siobhan said.
Cal went in and stoked the fire and flipped the switched on to the fan on the heat-a-lator.
"It feels nice in here." Gabby said, rubbing her hands together.
"What's the word from Bill?" Cal asked.
"They are on an exercise this week. Somewhere out of the state. He wouldn't tell me where."
"Gabby, it wasn't that he wouldn't, it's because he couldn't. It was because of operational security."
"Oh."
"That's the way things are in the military. Bill will tell you all that he can, but there will always be things he can't talk about. As a military wife, you have to understand that. It's for the safety of him and the men and women he works with."
"You guys want hot chocolate!" Siobhan shouted from the kitchen.
Cal and Gabby got up and went into the kitchen. The kids were at the breakfast bar having hot chocolate and a cookie. Siobhan poured Gabby a cup of chocolate while Cal poured himself a cup of coffee.
Gabby's phone chimed with an incoming text message and she pulled it up.
"Billy's request for transfer to the Reserves has been approved!" She shouted. "He will call me tonight!"
Siobhan came around the bar and hugged her.
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Post by gipsy on Sept 2, 2021 15:42:23 GMT -6
Thanks for the update. Very true to what is going on these days
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Post by udwe on Sept 2, 2021 15:46:45 GMT -6
Thank you!
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Post by cavsgt on Sept 2, 2021 16:21:46 GMT -6
THANK YOU
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Post by paulk on Sept 3, 2021 3:21:28 GMT -6
Again Thank You. More Please.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 3, 2021 15:42:57 GMT -6
Gabby stayed for dinner and the kids loved her attention. They really loved her. When bedtime came, she was quick to help get the kids ready for bed. When finally, the kids went down, Gabby and Siobhan went into the reading room and Cal to his study. Cal checked out a few things on the computer then shut it down. As he went into the Great Room Cal overheard Gabby telling Siobhan that Bill would be transferred to the Reserves on the 15th of March. Cal stopped suddenly. March 15… unconsciously, Cal's hand went to his shoulder and rubbed the old bullet wound. March the 15, the Ides of March.
During March Cal and his team had been in the province a little under two months and had great relations with the villagers. The girls of the village were now going to a new school, a small medical clinic had been set up and the people could now move about freely without the fear of being threatened by the religious zealots. You saw smiles on people's faces now instead of the morose stares they had when Cal's team had first entered the area. Cal had been on an inspection tour with one of the village elders when the sniper fired the single shot, whirling Cal to his left into the side of a building. Within ten minutes a nearby Apache helicopter had sliced and diced the sniper with its 30mm cannon as he headed through the rocks in a nearby ravine.
Cal's mind snapped back and he continued walking into the Great Room.
"Cal! Bill will be back on the 15th of March!" Siobhan said, smiling.
"That's great news! It will be good to have him back! "What are your plans, Gabby?"
Gabby blushed and looked at Siobhan.
Cal laughed. "Not that! I mean, do you two plans to get away or anything?"
"No, I haven thought of anything like that." Gabby said.
"Siobhan, why don't you work with her and set up reservations at Atlantis, Paradise Island for them for a week when Bill's schedule is ironed out. Our little 'Welcome Home' present to them."
Siobhan and Gabby began talking excitedly so Cal slipped out of the room and went to visit Del in the Armory.
Joshua walked into the barn carrying the bright yellow hoof rest and plopped it down in front of Cliff. "This what you need?"
Cliff took a closer inspection and was pleased, The handle for the jack had a clip holder and was chained to the stand, so the handle couldn't be lost. The yoke at the top of the jack was padded with leather, making it more comfortable for the horse. Cliff inserted the handle and jacked it up the approximate height the horse's hoof would rest and was satisfied.
"This is great, Joshua. Just what I needed! Thank you so much! Let's give it a try."
They went into a stall and Cliff adjusted the height to the horse and lifted her foreleg onto the yoke. It worked perfectly."
"Yep. This is just what I needed, Joshua."
"I saw what you were talking about. I've got Ben welding one now to put on my farrier trailer."
"Well, I've used them before and they work."
"Hey guys." Cal said, walking in.
"Hey Cal."
"What's this?"
It's a stand to put the horse's leg on when inspecting the hooves or replacing the shoes."
"Good idea. I like it. Everything going all right?"
"Just fine. The horses like to get out every day, but they like this warm barn too."
"Well, I'll get out of your hair. I needed to get out of the house for a while."
"Okay Cal. I'll see you later."
Cal was antsy. He had nothing really to do. Everyone was doing their job so he was left in a vacuum. He went to the sluicing room and there wasn't very much gold to process, maybe five pounds. Diana hadn't been excavating very much. There was still a lot of area she could but he didn't really see any reason to, except to make work. He told Diana to curtail operations until they decided on what to do with the newly excavated areas. He should take a look at that and come up with some ideas. He'd get a diagram of what had been excavated and give it some serious thought.
Cal sat down with Bill one afternoon when he was back for a weekend.
"So, have you given any more thought on you electric plane idea?"
"Yeah, I'm going to push forward. I think the idea has possibilities."
"You're going to need people."
"As a matter of fact, I've already got in contact with a couple of more pilots and three specialized mechanics who are taking the same route I am. One of the mechanics is a Chief Master Sergeant who is retiring."
What size facility do you think you'll need?"
"I don't know, really. Maybe five or ten thousand square at first."
What about 87,000 to start out and if you need any more, we'll figure out something."
"Holy crap! Heck yeah!"
"Well, you figure out the manning and equipment needs and I'll work on the facility at this end."
A week later, Cal held a meeting between Diana Campbell, Barry Martin, Jerry Sweeny, and himself. Cal had a large plan of the excavate areas on the table.
"Diana, this area of the mesa here. What would it take to get me 87,000 square feet with ceiling support columns 50 feet apart and a 30 foot ceiling?" Cal asked.
"Whoa! Outta my league. You're going to need a structural engineer for something that big." Diana said.
"Okay, Here's what I want to do. I want to build a facility of around 87,000 square feet of floor space. It will be used for testing and evaluation of airframes, Now, I know it's a little early figuring out the electrical needs, but Bill will be back and a week or so and you, Barry and Jerry, will work with him on that."
Cal pulled out a copy of the excavation plan with the area he wanted for the facility drawn in.
"Diana, here's the area I want excavated. As you see, most of it is already into spaces. All you'll have to do is clean out between them. I want an exit here, near the airfield. I get you a structural engineer to work with. Hold off on excavation until you two have gotten together."
Cal looked at the group. "I know there are a lot of unanswered questions. When Bill gets here we'll start firming this up."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 3, 2021 15:48:54 GMT -6
Bill came home on the afternoon of the fifteenth. As a geographical bachelor, he hadn't accumulated many possessions, so Gabby was able to pickup Bill and his few things and fly them back in the Cirrus.
Cal was grilling Elk steaks for dinner at the outdoor kitchen when Bill and Gabby. Bill split off to talk to his father while Gabby went to help Siobhan and Alice.
"Welcome back Bill."
"It's a relief to be back. It's like a breath of fresh air."
Cal chuckled. "I can imagine. Sam is in the process of building five cabins. And an 8ight room apartment. I know it sounds a lot, but they will probably be filled sooner or later.
Bill nodded.
"When you are ready, we'll sit down and talk about the facility you need. For now, relax and get used to not smelling jet fumes all the time. Enjoy the high desert air."
"Yeah the air is fresher here than in Ogden."
Cliff and Antonio were hot water pressure washing the equipment in the wagon barn when Sylvio came up. Cliff handed the pressure wand to Antonio and greeted Sylvio.
"Sylvio, could I have a word with you?"
"Of course, Cliff."
"Sylvio, I'd like your permission to ask Sophia out." Cliff said, tensely.
"Sylvio studied Cliff's face. "Cliff, I've seen your work, and that you are an honorable man. Yes, you may ask Sophia out."
"Thank you, Sylvio, for your trust."
"Welcome Cal! Come on in."
"Morning Sam. Is Gary around?"
"Yeah. He went out on the yard a little bit ago."
Sam got up to look out the window and Gary came through the door.
"Morning Cal."
"Morning Gary. You got minute?"
"Sure. What can I do for you?"
"I'm looking for a good structural engineering firm."
Gary sat on the edge of Sam's desk.
"Does it have to be a firm?"
"I don't care, as long as they are good."
"Well, my wife's sister, Gale is a structural engineer. She's worked on many projects in the San Francisco area for the last 7 years. She believes she has gone as far as she can in the male dominated firm she's with and is thinking of moving on. This could be what she needs while she's seeking a permanent place to hang her hat."
Cal nodded. "Well, I'm game. Talk to her. Tell her we'll provide her a place to live, because you're building it for me and if she has any complaints, it'll be on you."
Gary chuckled. "Okay, I'll call her tonight."
“Tell her to fly out to Grand Junction on Friday if she can, with a return on Sunday and I’ll reimburse her. Get her flight info and we’ll pick her up.”
"Cal, the last three houses are being disassembled and loaded on trucks. They'll be out in a couple of days." Sam said.
"What about the apartment building?"
"They'll start it as soon as the trucks are loaded. As a matter of fact, a couple of men are already notching logs right now."
"Okay, thanks guys."
Cliff sat at the table, waiting for Sophia come out and wait on him. She came out, bringing a glass of water and a menu.
"What would you like the drink?"
"Just the water, thank you. What I really want is t ask if you would like to go to dinner with me Saturday night…..so we could get to know one another."
She held her order pad against her chest and looked at him
"I would like that."
"Is 6:30 too early for you?"
"That would be fine."
"Do you have a break coming up so maybe we could sit and talk?"
"One moment."
Sophia went in the back for a moment and came back out. Casey peeked around the edge of the door and grinned.
"I asked your father if I could ask you out."
"You didn't have to do that, but I know he appreciated it."
"I think he did too. Do you like to dance?"
"Oh yes! I like it very much."
Central Station is supposed to be a good club. They play all kinds of music. Perhaps we can go dancing after we have dinner."
"That would be nice."
"What other things do you like to do?"
"Oh, I like movies, taking walks, seeing your horses…."
"Maybe we could walk down and you can see the horses again some evening."
Sophia smiled. "This place is not entorno propicio…how you say…a conducive environment for a conversation to get to know one another. I get off at 5:00. Could you meet me at the garden to talk?"
"Yes, of course. I will see you then."
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Post by gipsy on Sept 3, 2021 16:11:18 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by paulk on Sept 3, 2021 16:40:54 GMT -6
Thanks!
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Post by udwe on Sept 3, 2021 20:22:28 GMT -6
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Post by paulk on Sept 4, 2021 14:04:47 GMT -6
I am beginning to suffer withdrawal. More please!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 4, 2021 16:56:04 GMT -6
Sorry, I didn't get much done today. I got a "take-out" Chef's Salad today and ended up with the worst stomach ache I've had since I was a child. I'll do better tomorrow....
Gary and his wife picked up her sister at the airport, since she would be staying with them that weekend.
"How was the flight? Jenny asked."
"Not bad. At least it was relatively short. Tell me about this project, Gary"
"I don't really know that much. Cal said to bring you out in the Ranch in the morning to meet with a geologist."
"A geologist? What kind of project is this?"
Gary shrugged and kept driving.
Diana met them at the Maintenance Area entrance.
"Diana, this is My sister, Gale. Gale, this Diana Campbell, Geologist and Mining Engineer."
"Welcome Gale. Let's use the cart and I'll show you where we need your expertise."
Gale and Gary got into the cart with Dina and she took them where she wanted to start working. Diana pulled out an excavation plan and unrolled it.
"What is this place?" Gale said, looking around.
"I'll explain in a little bit. Now we are here." Diana said, pointing to a point on the plan.
"We are going to remove these walls and eventually, come out with around 87,000 square feet of floor space. I know we need some way to support the ceiling in such an expanse, That is why you are here."
"How high will the ceilings be?" Gale asked.
"Thirty feet."
"Is there a reason for that particular height?" Gale asked.
"No, I pulled that out of nowhere." Cal said walking up to them.
"Gale, this is Cal Coleman. Cal, this is my sister Gale." Gary said.
Cal shook her hand. "Gale, thank you for coming. As to answer your question. We don't really need the height. Twenty would work just fine. I always use the formula 'P for Plenty' so we never run out of anything, including space. We are going to use the space to test and evaluate airframes, and possibly build a plane powered by electric engines. This area will have an exit out next to the airfield."
Gale looked around. Well, since, at this point, it is a hypothetical, I can draw something up and adjust it as we go along. Diana, what about fractures and fissures?"
"There are none in this area that I have found. Any cracks I've found when excavating, we stopped and quit excavating in that area. What we have in this area is 70 feet of solid rock."
"Okay, this should be simple, knock on….rock, but it's going to take a lot of steel, and we'll have to figure out how to get it in here."
Cal nodded. I was thinking as much. If you can figure out the dimensions of what you need, we'll come up with a way to get it in here."
"Well then, I guess you've hired yourself a structural engineer. Is there a place I can work?"
"Cal turned to Diana. "I know Siobhan will show her a new cabin. We'll get her any supplies she needs."
"Well, I probably have all I need In San Francisco. I planned to leave the city anyway and I only have another month before I renew my lease on a furnished apartment. I can pack what I'll need immediately in a rental trailer and haul it with me on the way back." Gale said.
"Diana, when you get through showing Gale around, bring her up to the house. Siobhan will want to talk to her."
Cal was in his study when Diana and Gale came back.
Cal walked in and introduced Siobhan to Gale. "Siobhan, I'd like you to talk to Gale and show her one of the new cabins after I've had a few minutes with her. Diana, stick around. Siobhan will need you to help explain just how difficult it is to live in this desolate expanse.. Gale, if you would come with me."
Gale followed Cal into his study and took a seat.
"Gale, what was your salary in San Francisco?"
"$112,000 without bonuses."
"Well, I'm offering you $85,000. Before you say anything, you'll get free housing and utilities. Food is grown right here on the Ranch, You have use of electrical vehicles while here unless you decide to go into Grand Junction. You can get your vehicle converted to electric at a huge discount if you like, and we don't work on weekends unless there is an emergency."
Gale did the numbers in her head.
"I accept."
"All right, good. Now, I'm going to turn you over to Siobhan and Diana. They can give you the down to earth info from a woman's perspective. Siobhan tells me I'm a little rough around the edges sometimes."
Cal stood up and led her out the door into the Kitchen.
"Siobhan, see what she needs going to need and such. You know, that girly stuff." Siobhan stuck her tongue out at Cal. "Come on Gale, let me get you some coffee and we can talk."
Cal went out and got the Command Car out of the garage and let the engine run a little before putting it in gear and driving down to the new housing area off Glen Road. Two cabins were completed and the other three would be started on Monday, if Sam stayed on schedule. He'd have Ben put some house numbers on the houses next week. Driving over to the airfield he saw Becky and Craig preparing her SuperSTOL for flight.
"What are you two doing tomorrow?"
Becky looked at Craig, then back at Cal. "Nothing much."
You want to run someone to San Francisco tomorrow for me?"
"Sure. What time?"
"Well, let's feed her first. Why don't you two come over for lunch? I'll grill some steaks."
"Okay, we'll come over after Church."
Cal drove back to the garage and put the Command car away. Siobhan, Diana, Gary and Gale rode up in an EV34.
"We showed her one of the new cabins. She only has her bed, nightstands, dresser and a drafting table to bring. I'll fill in the holes on the other things."
"Good. What do you think Gale?"
"I think it might be nice working here."
Cal looked at Gary. "Gary, bring your wife and Gale for lunch at one tomorrow. I'll throw on some rib eyes and chicken. Gale, I'll have my people fly you back to San Francisco after lunch. That way you don't have to go through airport security and wait. They can have you back to San Francisco in two and a half hours."
"Thank you." Gale said.
"Okay. We will see you tomorrow for lunch then." Gary said.
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Post by iamnobody on Sept 4, 2021 17:32:32 GMT -6
Sorry, I didn't get much done today. I got a "take-out" Chef's Salad today and ended up with the worst stomach ache I've had since I was a child. I'll do better tomorrow....
Those take out salads are trouble
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Post by gipsy on Sept 4, 2021 17:38:47 GMT -6
No say it aint so. Lunch from a take out place was bad. How dare they. I expect you will sue and get enough to build your bug out shelter. Or not? Thanks for the update.
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