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Post by paulk on Sept 4, 2021 18:14:47 GMT -6
There is hardly anything worse than a sour stomach. Hope it passes quick. Thanks
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 4, 2021 21:30:12 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 Could this be the start of another story? The Dalles, Oregon had a mass poisoning in 1985 by the followers of a "guru" in the area. It was covered in an episode of the "Forensic Files" police case recreations. --- US Congressional Record. Download full article from: en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Town_That_Was_PoisonedThe poisoning was investigated thoroughly by county, State and Federal health authorities. The investigation pointed directly to the food from salad bars in eight restaurants in the town. Another two restaurants without salad bars were implicated, although fewer cases from these two restaurants were reported. The poisoning occurred in two waves in September of 1984, with an astronomical 450 cases reported on the weekend of September 23. The poison was salmonella typhimurium. The town was The Dalles, OR.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 5, 2021 9:51:56 GMT -6
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 ncsfsgm on Sept 5, 2021 9:54:34 GMT -6
Joshua and Ben had pulled in the 50-year-old double box wagon in and were replacing the nuts and bolts on it. The hardware was so corroded that the bolts just sheared of in a couple of tries, plus Ben's strength made it easier to do it that way, rather than cutting them with a saw. Joshua was sorting out the correct length and size of high corrosion resistant hardware they were replacing the old hardware with. As each section of the wagon was taken apart it was laid aside and further disassembled and marked for the correct hardware to reassemble it. Joshua pulled the rusted brace and reinforcing corner plates off and sandblasted them clean of old rust. After cleaning, he would powder coat them or use them for patterns to make new ones.
"This wagon will be stronger than new when we are finished." Ben said.
"Yep, with this hardware and a coat of fresh paint, this wagon will last another 50 years." Joshua said as he began carrying the steel wheels over to the sand blasting area.
"Are we going to paint the wheels yellow?"
"Might as well. We've got all that John Deere paint we can use."
Cal walked in to see the wagon gear and the puzzle laid out on the floor.
"Don't worry, we'll have it back together and ready for use in about three days." Joshua laughed."
Cal chuckled. "I should hope so! Ben, would you make some house and apartment door letters and numbers for the new cabins on Glen Road? Start with 40. They haven't started construction on the apartment building yet so there's no hurry on the letters."
"I already have a set of letters made up and I'm pretty sure I have the numbers too."
"Great. What is your next project Joshua?"
"I was thinking of a sickle mower. We can test it during the first hay cutting."
"We got the catalytic combustors in. We'll start scheduling installing those this week also." Ben said.
"Remind me why we are doing this?" Cal asked.
It takes the smoke coming out of the furnace and burns the impurities out, leaving only carbon dioxide and water vapor to be pumped out the chimney."
"Right. Joshua, you two have your hands full. Do you need any help here."
Joshua scratched his chin. "Well…"
"Look, if you need someone, find 'em and give them a run."
"I know someone!" Ben said. Odell Chalmers. He's my age, strong as an ox and he's smart too. He doesn't have a regular job and works at different things to take car of his Mamma. He'd be good at this forge work."
"Well, give him a chance and if he works out, let me know and we'll give a job."
"I 'preciate that Cal." Joshua said.
"While it's on my mind, there are some tanned cow hides with the hair removed down in supply. They'd make some nice farrier aprons. If you can find someone to make them, see Charlie and she can get them out for you.
"That would be good, Cal. Aggie has sewn leather before."
"Well, there are also a couple of heavy-duty sewing machines in supply, made for sewing leather too I bought from a shoe shop going out of business. Might come in handy."
"It would. Thanks."
Cal got back to the house, only to meet Siobhan and Mary coming out the door.
"We're going to get furniture and things to furnish Gale's cabin. Alice will be here when the kids get out of school."
"Okay. Ae you having the furniture delivered or do I need to go pick it up?"
"No, we're going to Barclay's They'll deliver and send extra people to unload and position it."
"They should, after all the money you've spent there."
Cal went down to the woodworking shop and did a light sanding to the wine rack he'd been working on as a "make-busy" project. The six-bottle rack would look good on Gale's counter. After applying the last coat of polyurethane, he closed the paint room door and headed back to the house in time for the kids to come home.
Craig tapped the side of the bucket and the horses' heads jerked up and began walking to the barn. He was leaning on the fence when he felt an arm wrap around his waist.
"Are you playing hooky?" Craig asked.
"I wasn't busy so Casey let me off early." Sophia said, kissing him on the cheek."
"You must like these horses as much as you are down here." Craig said, turning to her.
"There's that too." Sophia said.
As the horses went into their stalls, Craig closed the paddock doors.
"Can we take a buckboard down to the lake Saturday afternoon and have a picnic?"
"I suppose we could categorize that as 'Training the Horses. Are we going out Saturday night?"
"I can't. I'll be working the dinner shift."
"Well, I guess I'll need to get my kisses at the picnic then." Craig grinned.
"Daddy, I need to show you something." Amy said.
Amy took Cal's hand and led him into the art room. There, on the easel, was the completed painting of Carrie and Greta.
"Amy, I think this is your best work yet!"
"Can we take it over to Shire Hill?"
"Why don't we wait until tomorrow afternoon? I can get it framed for you tomorrow."
"Okay."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 5, 2021 9:56:15 GMT -6
Gale made her first stop in Winnemucca, Nevada. The Mercedes G-500 had no problems pulling the U-Haul trailer. She checked in at the Holiday Inn Express and took a nap before looking for a place to eat dinner. Gale called Siobhan and told her where she was staying and where her next stop would be. She should be at the Ranch Saturday afternoon, just two more days. It was going to be interesting working on the Ranch. Siobhan was so open and down to earth but Cal, he seemed enigmatic. Yep, this was going to be interesting.
Siobhan came back early enough to help Alice finish dinner. It was simple enough…pork BBQ sliders with Cole slaw and Freedom Fries. Cal had four himself. Judy and Alice ate with them, the kids considering it a party. When they had finished eating, Judy quickly herded them into the Rec Room and got them interested in a game. Cal sat down at the breakfast bar and talked to the women as they wiped things down and filled the dishwasher.
"Did you get everything this afternoon?" Cal asked.
"Yes, I'll wash the extra linens and towels when we're through here."
"Food?"
"Tomorrow. We're having a 'party' there tomorrow and it won't take long to get everything prepared. If she stays in Salt Lake City like she said, she'll be here by early afternoon on Saturday."
"What time does that frame shop open? I'm taking Amy's painting of Carrie in to get it framed."
"It opens at 0830. What do you think of her painting?"
"I think it is the best she's done yet. The detail…she's really learned to bring out the emotions of the subjects."
Cal got a bottle of wine and poured Alice and Siobhan a glass. They put the new linens and towels in the washing machine before sitting down in the Great Room to relax.
"What time do the deliverymen get to Gales?"
"They promised 1000. After that, it will only take a couple of hours to get finished. Sandy is taking care of condiments, DeeDee is taking care of some fresh fruit, milk and eggs, Casey is on call for anything we forget."
"And I just finished a wine rack. I'll bring up the rack and wine when I get back from the framers."
"Wine glasses….better pull a pack out of supply. I didn't get any." Siobhan said.
Dec turned off the excavator and ran his hand down the wall.
"Not bad." Thought Dec.
After seeing what Cal had done at the mesa, Dec had it in his mind to do the same thing, except on a smaller scale. He had Diana come look at what he had done so far and she said he was fine on the location of the support columns. He had widened the tunnel entrance after determining what all he wanted to put in there. Borrowing Diana's vent borer, he installed vents in the first room and a blast resistant door. After installing the An NBC air filtration system went into the first room and he would also place one in the last room to cover the square footage. He wasn't in a big hurry. This was more or less a hobby project for him. Anyway, he could only go as fast as the excavator could move the rock. He was recovering some gold, but it didn't excite him. I really only added more work as he had to scoop the paydirt up, process it, and eventually take it over to Cal's to melt it down into ingots.
"He repositioned the excavator and started on the next room.
Cal placed the paper-wrapped framed painting in the truck and headed back to the Ranch. He pulled in at the General Store and went in, walking up to Sally at the counter.
"Sally, has Siobhan called about anything she needed up at the new cabin?"
"Yeah, I've started a box over there. I was waiting to see if she would call again."
Cal looked into the box. A tape measure, a small hammer, picture hanging hardware, masking tape and a screwdriver set.
"I'll go ahead and take this."
"Okay, Cal"
Cal drove to the house and placed the painting in the art room and got six bottles of assorted wines out of the cellar. Placing the wine in the truck, he went and got the wine rack out of the woodworking shop.
The deliverymen were just leaving as Cal arrived at the cabin. He carried the tote of wine and the wine rack into the kitchen and placed the wine in the rack. Cal turned and scanned the living area and thought it looked very nice. Siobhan and Mary came out from the bedroom area.
"Sally said you picked up the things from the store." Siobhan said, repositioning the wine rack.
"Yeah, they're in the truck. I'll be right back."
Cal brought the box of items back in and sat it on the counter.
"What next?"
Siobhan shrugged. "I think we're through. At the last minute I remembered Gale saying what all she was bringing, and pictures were part of it."
Siobhan took Cal on a walk-through of the cabin. In one of the bedrooms, Siobhan had placed a cabinet with large drafting pads and office supplies and a desk with office chair.
"I just mirrored your office. She has a printer table already." Siobhan said.
Cal looked at his watch. "If she's on schedule, she'll be between Elko and Wells about now. Well, if you don't have anything else for me, I'm going down to the fields. Sylvio and the guys are plowing today."
"Make sure you're back when Amy gets out of school. She's excited about giving Carrie the painting.
Cal smiled and nodded.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 5, 2021 9:57:13 GMT -6
Cal stood by the maintenance truck as the two tractors with disc plows quickly turned the soil. Another tractor with an 18 foot wide disc harrow followed behind. Sylvio walked up to Cal.
"The soil is looking better each year Señor Cal."
"Yes, with the cover crops, manure and compost we add to the soil each year, the soil is getting richer and richer. Our crops should do very well this year. What are you planting in this field?"
"We will plant wheat in this one. We will plow the corn field next."
"How long would it take to plow a field this size with horses?"
"It would takes us three times as long, using four teams, and if you had enough plows."
"How many disc plows do we have?"
"We only have two disc and three mold board ploughs, which roughly do the same thing. What we need are more disc harrows to soften the soil before planting."
"I'll get to looking."
Cal drove directly to the forge and found Joshua and Ben still working on the wagon.
"Ben! In your spare time…"Cal grinned. "Do your internet thing and find me some horse-drawn disc harrows."
"Will do, Cal"
Cal watched a few minutes as they reassembled the wagon box. He looked at his watch and headed for the house. Amy would be coming home soon.
He was sipping on iced tea and talking to Siobhan when Amy came rushing through the door.
"Did you get the painting framed?" Amy asked excitedly.
"Yep. It's in your art room."
Amy ran into the art room and came out with the painting.
"Let's go!"
Cal looked at a grinning Siobhan.
"We'll be back soon."
Cal opened the tailgate and Amy laid the painting on the floor. She ran around the vehicle and climbed in. Starting the vehicle, they moved out on the road and headed for Shire Hill. Cal called Carrie on the way and said Amy needed to talk to her. Carrie said she'd be at the barn.
Amy quickly got out of the truck was practically hopping up and down waiting for Cal to open the tailgate. When Cal had unlocked it, she gingerly took the painting out. As they neared the barn hallway, Carrie came out.
"Carrie," Amy said. "You said you loved the sketch I did of you and Greta. I did a painting for you to hang in your apartment."
Carrie tore the paper off of the painting and stared at the painting, eyes misting.
"Amy, it is beautiful. Come on, let's go hang it!"
Cal followed as they went into the apartment. Carrie took a picture off the wall and hung the painting in its place. Stepping back to stand beside Amy, she took in every detail of the painting.
"Amy, this is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me." Turning, Carrie gave Amy a big hug.
"Can I take one more picture of you Carrie?"
"Of course."
"Dad, give me your phone….and I need those two hay bales moved outside."
Cal grabbed a bale in each hand and dragged them outside. Amy stood there, gazing over the paddock, framing the picture in her mind.
"Over here, Dad."
Cal moved the hay bales and stacked them where Amy indicated. She adjusted the bales and had Carrie sit atop the bales. Having Carrie turn slightly, Amy adjusted her hat. Amy stepped back and looked at the image on the screen. Going to Carrie again, she pulled a strand of Carrie's hair out from under her hat and curled it in front of her ear. Amy looked at the image in the phone again and moved away a little and to Carrie's left front.
"Now, don't move." Amy said.
Amy took several photos, each time moving a couple of feet in a semi-circle around Carrie. She sent all the photos to her phone, which she had forgotten to bring.
"Okay, you can get down now Carrie."
"Amy, you don't have to paint me again!"
"Carrie, Momma and Daddy both said the picture of you and Greta was the best I'd done yet. If I want to get even better, I need to practice. I choose you as my current subject."
Carrie looked at Cal, who nodded slightly.
"Well Amy, I am honored you want to paint me."
On the way back to the Ranch, Cal looked at a grinning Amy.
"Amy, I am so very proud of you!"
"Daddy, I love painting and drawing, but it really makes me feel good when I watch their eyes as they study my finished work."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 5, 2021 9:57:50 GMT -6
Gale arrive a little after 1300 on Saturday. The Monitoring Room had announced her entry so Cal and Siobhan were waiting on the porch for her.
"Hello! Siobhan said as Gale approached the stairs.
"Finally! I thought the last 5 hours would never pass!" Gale grinned.
"Have you eaten? We were just about to sit down."
"I'm famished! I didn't want to stop until I got here."
Siobhan led them inside.
"Whatever you cooked smells delicious!" Gale said.
"It's Elk roast."
"Oh? I've never eaten Elk before."
"You'll find it is just as delicious as it smells.
"We can move into the dining room if you like." Siobhan said.
"No, this is fine." Gale replied.
"Where are your children?" Gale asked.
"Their Grandmother Hatley has taken them to town, no doubt spoiling the dickens out of them." Siobhan replied
Cal pulled a baking sheet of yeast rolls out of the oven and transferred them to a bun warmer basket. Siobhan dished up Elk roast and vegetables and sat them on the bar.
Getting the homemade butter out of the refrigerator, Cal sat the rolls and butter in reach of Gale.
"Would you like iced tea with your meal Gale?" Siobhan asked.
"Yes, thank you."
There was silence as rolls were buttered then Gale took her first bite.
"OH! This is delicious!
"On occasion, Siobhan does a pretty good job." Cal said.
"Hush you! On the other hand, you are a better cook at some things than I am."
Gale had a little more broth and vegetables and another roll and then surrendered.
"Gale sighed. "I usually don't have that much for lunch, but that was mind-boggling!"
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cal, you do the dishes. I'll take Gale up to the cabin."
"Yes Dear,"
Gale looked at the two in surprise.
"Don't think he does this all the time. He's just being facetious." Siobhan laughed.
Cal's phone rang.
"Cal? Ben. Look, I've found a guy up in Alberta that has at least five or more horse-drawn disc harrows, The ad says some of them are good, some could probably be used for parts. Sounds like he has a lot more stuff too."
"Okay, See if you can get a phone number and call him. Set up sometime after Monday for a visit so we can inspect everything. Thanks Ben."
"No problem, Cal."
Two hours later Ben called back.
"Cal, I got hold of this guy, Glenn Albert. He say's to come any time. This Thorhild, where he's located, is not even a town. It was downgraded in status back in 2009. There is no airfield, no rental cars. Closest airport is Edmonton, about an hour's drive south."
"Okay, good work Ben. Edmonton is only about a three and a half hour flight from here. Get car reservations for us in Edmonton. Joshua, you, and I will be flying up Tuesday morning."
"Okay Cal."
Gale was raised a Lutheran, and didn't go to church all that much when she was in San Francisco, but Siobhan invited her to go Sunday and she was happy she went. The Reverend had a great message and everyone she met was friendly and invited her to the lunch they were holding at the Community Center.
When Gale went into the Community Center, she spied Siobhan and Alice arranging food pans.
"Hi Gale! Glad you could come. Wait, I'll be through here in a second and I'll introduce you around."
She was introduced to dozens of people and then the Reverend blessed the gathering and the food. People began lining up to get their food, so she got in line. When she had her plate, Diana invited her to sit with her and her husband at table shared with Andy and Ellen.
"Well, Gale, how do you like it here so far?" Diana asked.
"It's a little overwhelming. It is nothing like San Francisco. Everyone is friendly and always asking what they can do for you instead of what you can do for them. And this place…this ranch, as you call it, It is like a small town. How did it get started?
"It is all Cal's doing." Andy said. "He's not satisfied unless he is building to make the area better. Hell, when we were in the Army together, he was either improving the fighting positions or making a hooch more livable. He gets antsy if he's not doing something."
"So, you've known him a long time?" Gale asked.
"Oh yes, long before he came here. I remember when this spread was one caretaker's house and a little cabin." Andy replied.
Gale thoroughly enjoyed herself that afternoon and believed she made a good decision to accept the job.
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Post by gipsy on Sept 5, 2021 11:03:36 GMT -6
Now we get to figure out who Gale will pair up with. Thanks for the updates
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Post by paulk on Sept 5, 2021 11:25:51 GMT -6
Thank you again! Hope you are feeling better.
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Post by freebirde on Sept 5, 2021 11:49:25 GMT -6
Now we get to figure out who Gale will pair up with. Thanks for the updates Odell? Surprised no stage coaches yet, rebuild one as a stretch stagecoach to use as school bus.
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Post by udwe on Sept 5, 2021 21:22:00 GMT -6
Great! More please!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 7, 2021 3:03:37 GMT -6
Cal met Barry coming out of the utility room.
"Problems?" Cal asked.
"Nope. I shut down the wind generators and engaged the water wheel, checking its operation and seeing how well it keeps the battery bank charged. Also, I added motion activated censors to the hallway lighting. That will save us some power."
"Good. I'll need to get with you later. We're doing some new excavations with 20 foot ceilings. We need to see about lighting."
"Okay, Cal. Just let me know."
"Yankee Echo Golf this is Piper November four eight zero seven niner requesting landing instructions.
"Roger Piper zero seven niner. Come left to two eight niner for approach on final. Winds are 320 at 10."
"Roger." "Must not be very much traffic for a straight in approach."
Cal touched down and taxied to transient parking. While he was getting refueled, Joshua and Ben went to get the rental car. They finally got out of Edmonton, traveling north on 28 until they got to 827 the straight to Thorhild. After asking a couple of people, the finally found the Albert place. Ben pulled into the drive and stopped beside an old farmhouse.
An old man came out on the porch.
"Mr. Albert? I'm Cal Coleman, here to see the horse drawn disc plows."
"It's good to see you. Come on with me. I'll show you what I have. They slowed their walk to keep up with Mr. Albert and walked with him down to an old equipment shed.
"I've got 5 good plows I've fixed up and there's three more I was working on. Most of the rest I use for parts." Mr Albert said.
Cal and Joshua looked over the plows and were pleased with what they were seeing. Cal glanced at the other equipment in the shed.
"Is any other of this equipment for sale?"
"Sure. See anything you like?"
Cal and Joshua, followed by Ben, walked through the old machinery . Some of it had the original paint showing.
"What would you take for everything in the shed?"
"Everything?" Mr. Albert said, rubbing his chin. "What about $6,000?"
"I'll give you three ounces of gold. That's a little more than what you're asking, but you can keep the change."
"I guess you bought you a shed full of horse drawn equipment young fella."
"These are my assistants, Joshua and Ben. They'll be back here on Monday to get the shed cleared out. He'll bring you the gold then, if that's all right."
"That will be fine. Looking forward to seeing you back."
The three left for Edmonton immediately.
"The stuff in that barn was worth more than $6,000. Ben said.
"Ben, the man wanted six thousand, Cal agreed. Everybody's happy."
"I don't think that old man has seen $6,000 in years." Cal said.
"Those plows aren't going to be hard to get in the shape. I counted seven harrows too." Joshua said.
"The corn pickers look in good shape, and so did the combines. We need to take closer look at the hay balers." Cal said.
"We're going to have to build another shed to keep these in." Joshua said.
"No, What we'll do is build an equipment barn down near the horse barn and start putting the repaired equipment in there and store this stuff on the Carlton place and as it's restored, move it to the equipment barn.
"Sounds good, Joshua said."
The pulled into Edmonton and started looking for trucking companies that would ship the equipment. They found a company that had plenty of flat bed trailers and would be able to handle the job. They also found a crane service that would be on call.
In a couple of hours they had everything set up and flew back to the Ranch. They landed at eight o'clock that night in a light rain.
The construction crew had held off on starting the cabins because of the rain. It was only a few hours of rainfall at night, so they held off until the next day. Two cranes were lifting logs and stacking them on two different cabins. They would begin on the roofing in three days. At the same time, electricians were drilling holes and dragging wires through the logs. Cal observed the workers for a while then left. He went by the forge to find Joshua and Ben finishing up the wagon. It was painted John Deere green with the metal wheels painted yellow.
"Where do you want this, Cal?"
"Take it down to the wagon barn." There's one more stall open. I'm getting the equipment pole barn started next week. It'll take 3 or 4 days. We'll move all the useable equipment to the equipment shed from the wagon barn over there.
"How big are you building the shed?"
"It'll have to be at least 150 feet long."
"At least. That guy's shed up in Alberta was about 25 feet deep."
"Yeah, that's what I'm going for."
Cal went back to the house and to his study.
The intercom buzzed. It was Charlie in supply. "Cal, I've got the list of goods to refill our shortages"
"Get a card from Cheryl and get a truck and go buy them."
"Roger."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 7, 2021 3:06:10 GMT -6
"You're kidding me! Are you sure?" Andy asked.
"I'm telling you. He was ready to kill the S.O.B.! He walked out of there and went to his office and typed up his resignation and had it on the Colonel's desk in less than half an hour. He is fed up!"
"Damn military politics…give him my number and tell him to call me."
"Okay Andy. I'll do what I can. He's one of the good guys."
Cal flew Joshua and Ben back to Edmonton to recover the equipment and to give Mr. Albert his gold. By the time Cal went back to pick them up, seven flat-bed loads had been shipped out. Joshua had set aside the equipment that could immediately go into use and ended up going out on the first two loads. Cal and Sylvio's crew unloaded the trucks as they came in and put the equipment away. The last truckload contained only parts and pieces. Cal flew back to Edmonton and picked his two smiling passengers.
As spring crept into early summer, the crops had been planted and Cal finally ended up with his 16 horses. Bill called and said to expect two men, Burke Chalmers, CMS, (RET)- A&P Mechanic, and Phil Moss - A&P Mechanic to show up. They would be part of his working group. Another pilot would be arriving after Bill got home.
Listen Chase, I know the higher-ups here are egotistical boot lookers but…"
"Colonel Tower, since the day I came to this task force I was told that intel was key to the success of the organization. These political toadies are quick to turn their heads if the information we have busted our asses to put together doesn't show this administration in a favorable light. People are going to die because of it and I'm not going to be around when the political shrapnel starts flying. You know they'll come up with their 'Select Committees' so they can point their fingers at the 'Lower Echelons' as the cause for the screw-up. No, I wish you luck fighting to keep your head above the slime in this cesspool, but you can color me gone."
Chase sat in his easy chair in his Arlington apartment and flicked the news off. It was criminal the way these politicians were acting. He reached into his wallet and took out the card with a phone number on it that Blake had given him yesterday and dialed the number…..
Chalmers and Moss had called Cal and told him when they would be arriving and Cal handed them over to Craig, Craig, with the help of Belinda and Mary, stocked two apartments for the two men.
When they arrived, Craig got them settled in and showed them around.
"Craig, Bill called this a ranch, but it seems more than that." Burke commented.
Craig grinned. "Well, they do raise beef cattle, but they also grow 90 percent of the food they consume."
"Those big horses. They use those for farming?" Phil asked.
"Not entirely. They are here for 'just in case."
Phil and Burke looked at each other.
Everyone was glad to see Bill home.
Siobhan spent half the day frying Schnitzel for his "Welcome Home" meal. She made sure there was enough so Bill could take some home to make sandwiches. He loved Schnitzel sandwiches with mustard.
While Gabby, Siobhan and Alice were preparing dinner, Cal took Bill into his study and closed the door.
"Well, Burke and Phil are here. I thought we'd be able to use some of the area in the mesa that's already been excavated, but the grade elevations are different. Diana has started outside on the airfield side and is excavating into the mesa. We're building a hangar separated from the mesa by a 50 foot wide tunnel and bulkhead to stop falling debris. I'm not sure what size planes you'll be working on, but the area will take a little less than a 50 foot wingspan unless you want to wheel them into the hangar and attach the wings."
"Sounds good Dad. What about working space for planning now?"
"Well, they'll be through with the hangar in a few days. You can use the conference room in the shelter for now."
Odell's face was turning bright red when the nut broke loose.
"GET 'EM ODELL!" Ben laughed.
"I'm glad you soaked these nuts overnight with penetrating oil!" Odell panted.
"Okay, let's pull the axle out and check those bearings. What that old man called 'restoring' was only putting lipstick on a pig."
Odell put the bearing puller on and started turning the shaft with a wrench and the bearing popped right out.
"Check it with the micrometer, boys. I don't want to be trying to jam a bowling ball through a keyhole."
Ben gauged the bearing and wrote the measurement down.
"We've got ten roller bearings and two sleeve bearings. This was a pretty good plow in its day." Ben said.
"Okay, lets lift this section on the saw horses so we can sandblast it." Joshua said.
Odell and Ben picked the frame up and lifted it on the over-sized saw horses in the sandblasting tent. Ben filled the hopper with steel grit and donned his protective gear. He entered the tent and Joshua stepped out, turning on the vacuum to capture the medium.
In a minute or two Ben stopped sandblasting and Odell entered the tent and they turned the frame to finish sandblasting. Once the piece was complete, it was moved outside to a surplus GP medium tent to be wiped down and sprayed with automotive primer. Another piece was put on the saw horse and the drill repeated.
"While Ben and Odell finished priming the pieces and parts, Joshua went to town to get the bearings. These discs and disc harrows were all different so they had to buy different bearings depending on the model and brand.
They did one more disc harrow before calling it a day. They just plain ran out of room. The primer had to cure 24 hours so they began disassembling another disk harrow and laid the parts on the floor of the shop.
Cal came by around three o'clock and watched them work a few minutes.
"I thought these discs were already refurbished."
"Well, that's what we were told. I guess you could say they were if all they were going to do was sit around and somebody take pictures of them. The bearings were caked with dirt and old grease, and most of the blades needed replacing. We had to do the full job if we're to ever get any long time usage out of them.
"Odell, how are you doing? You like this kind of work?" Cal asked, looking at Joshua. Joshua gave him a slight nod.
"I like it fine. It's interesting how everything goes together. We're taking these things apart much faster now that we know how everything goes."
"Well, I'll give you a full-time job if you want."
"I'd like that Mr. Coleman."
"Well, your first job, as a full-time employee, is quit calling me 'Mr. Coleman.' Call me 'Cal' like everyone else does."
Odell grinned. "Okay, Cal."
Cal pulled Joshua to the side. "How is it going, Joshua?"
""Good. It was slow at first, but it's getting faster as we learn the little tricks."
"Well, I'll let you decide what and when to rebuild something. Anything that you figure you'll use for parts, go ahead and disassemble it I'll build parts bins down in the equipment shed for those that can be quickly changed out."
"Sounds good. Well, we've got a few more bolts to break loose and then we're calling it a day."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 7, 2021 3:08:10 GMT -6
"Andy, this is Chase Morrison. Blake Harris gave me your number."
"Chase I'm glad you called. How are things in Tysons Corner?
"Sucking, like everything else in the Washington area."
"Blake told me you're a loose ends. I've got a job for you if you are interested."
"How far are you from the Beltway?"
"Oh, about 1500 nautical miles, give or take."
"I'll start packing my things today. Text me the coordinates and I'll see you in a few days."
"Roger that Chase. Looking forward to seeing you."
Gale brought up one of her Architecture, Engineering & Construction programs and integrated the data file Diana had given her earlier of the proposed excavation. With a few key punches the program figured stress points and beam dimensions. That was easy. As the excavation progressed, she would have to fine tune it a little. This might be the easiest money she ever made.
Brad Collins and Paul Reagan, both recruited by Bill, Showed up. Brad was the only married one of Bill's recruits and with the help of the Ranch women, were quickly settled in. Bill and his design team went to work formulating their program, making a list of equipment they'd have to purchase and projecting timelines. They even pulled Craig in to get his ideas on some things. Bill worked with and monitored Diana's team progress on the excavation.
Chase stopped for the night at a Holiday Inn as he entered Denver. The traffic had been heavy and he was tired. He put his bag in the room and went down to the bar to wet his whistle. Ordering a double Glenfiddich, he sat there and let the weariness melt away. He noticed the tenseness he felt the last few weeks in the Task Force was getting less and less. This was what he needed. Chase tossed down the rest of the scotch whiskey and headed back to his room. Checking the MapQuest app on his phone, he saw he only had a little over four hours to the restaurant Andy said he would meet him at. He'd time it so he could get lunch there.
Andrés, Antonio, Hernando, and Manuel, along with Cliff, were moving the equipment to the new tool shed on a flat bed trailer. Antonio was dying to try out the two disk terracing plow so Cliff let him hook up a team and plow drainage ditches down each side of the farm road to the fields. Sylvio got them back on track and got the rest pf the equipment moved.
Chase pulled into the restaurant around noon. He turned the Escalade's engine off and took a sip from the bottle of water he had sitting in the cup holder. Someone once said, "Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. Well. he had learned from his mistakes. He had bided his time while trying to put out cognizant intel reports to the Task Force on Terrorism, but to no avail. They always took the political path that gained them favor with the ruling administration. Chase had used intel assets that weren't supposed to be there or shouldn't be available, and sought out little sanctums throughout the United States. This one brought a great deal of interest because he knew a great many of the people living here. From what he could gather, and making educated lot of assumptions, this also was the best organized group he had found. Not only were they well set up, it seemed they were getting outside help, but he was unable to track down who was assisting them. All leads came to a dead end.
There was a tap on his window.
"Chase? Andy Murray. Let's go in and get some lunch."
Chase followed Andy into the restaurant, to be led by a waitress to an out of the way table. The waitress left menus and moved away.
"Glad you could make it. How was the drive?"
"Surprisingly good, until Kansas. From there on, it was a bitch."
"I can imagine. Look, this place has amazing food. Try the Elk burger with Freedom Fries. You can't go wrong."
Sophia came back and took their orders and returned immediately with two glasses of iced tea, condensation beading and slowly rolling down the sides.
"How long have you been here?" Chase asked.
"A long time, and it gets better every day. We started the security company a few years ago and haven't slowed down. Business has been good."
The way Andy looked at him, Chase held his questions for later. This wasn't exactly the most secure venue to be discussing the questions he wanted to ask.
They finished their meal and Andy paid the bill and left Sophia a nice tip.
"Follow me. We'll make a stop at the office where we can have a talk."
Chase followed Andy a short distance down the road and turned through a security gate and on to a two story building situated next to a small lake. Getting out of their vehicles, Andy led him to a secured door and punched in a code. Chase followed Andy down the hall to another secured door and inside. Chase recognized it for what it was. A SCIF. Andy pressed a button and turned to Chase.
"Have a seat. Let me give you the low-down of the Ranch.
Cal Coleman came by this ranch several years ago through an inheritance. He has slowly built the ranch up to accommodate his family and friends. It has evolved into several small businesses and joint ventures. Some people might consider him a 'Survivalist', an imprecise connotation. Cal is a realist and prepares for the current realities and possibilities. The security company is an actual enterprise. We have more business sometimes than we can handle. We had one intel guy that was beginning to work with the local law enforcement agencies, all of which are totally reliable. He was helping them set up a joint intel center here in Mesa County. Unfortunately, he was killed in an auto accident."
"Accident?"
"Yes, we did an intensive investigation. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"We have a good company here. We cover a large spectrum of security, from personal to electronic. I have two geniuses here that make NSA look like high school Atari programmers. They picked up your queries a few weeks ago and we knew you were taking a look at us."
Chase's eyes only showed a hint of surprise.
Chase looked at Andy and said, "Hornbeam."
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Post by NCWEBNUT on Sept 7, 2021 4:42:55 GMT -6
This story has me stopping and looking on the net for things I never knew existed, like the horse drawn equipment, and the real company's that produce it. Thanks for your efforts ncsfsgm
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Post by udwe on Sept 7, 2021 5:59:21 GMT -6
This is such a good story!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 7, 2021 6:17:26 GMT -6
Andy nodded his head. "Let's get some coffee."
They went into the break room and Andy poured the coffee into two ceramic mugs. Chase asked for the restroom and Andy pointed to the door. When Chase went in, Andy called Cal.
"You need to come to the Facility, ASAP."
"On my way."
Chase came back out and picked up his coffee.
"This is a nice place you have here."
"Wait until you see the rest of the Ranch." Smiled Andy.
Jeanie and Patty came in to get coffee.
"Jeanie, Patty, this is Chase Morrison."
"SQUIRREL!" Squeaked Jeanie.
Patty bent over laughing. "Sorry, private joke," Patty said, tears of laughter forming in her eyes.
"Chase, these are the two who noticed your 'interest'."
The atrium door to the break room opened and Cal stepped in.
"Cal, this is Chase Morrison."
"Chase, good to meet you." Cal said, shaking Chase's hand.
"Let's move back into the Room and continue."
When the room had been secured again, Andy turned to Chase.
"Would you repeat the code word you gave me?"
Chase looked at Cal. "Hornbeam."
Cal nodded. "How do you know that word."
"I was told a few months ago to use it if I encountered certain criteria. This seemed to fit."
"Intelligent deduction." Cal said. "How much do you know?"
"Not much. Just enough to keep my eyes peel and my mind open until I can find out more."
"Well, we're not really sure what our part would be in some future 'endeavors' either. I'll just say we've been bestowed with certain advantages that other groups such as ours might have. There seems to be several people within the government who are trying to maintain the Republic, in spite of this Administration. Whether you are here by design, or by chance makes no difference. Andy wants to continue the work on the Joint Intel Center so I assume that's going to be on you."
Andy nodded. "Yes among other things. Between you Chase, Patty and Jeanie, We want a tight grip of just what is going on in the country."
Chase nodded. "Sounds fine to me."
"Chase, we WILL pay attention to the products you put out. As much as possible, we want to share intel with the County Joint Intel Center." Andy said.
Chase nodded. "Well, that's more than I got in the Task Force."
"Good. Andy, why don't you get Chase settled in. I'll get Belinda up to his apartment after he's unpacked and fill in the blanks on the things he's short of." Cal said.
Andy nodded and stood up as Cal left.
"Well, let's get you up to your quarters and get you unpacked. I'll issue pass codes and I.D. badges and get you to the range tomorrow." Andy said.
"Range?"
"Get you qualified for CCW in Colorado."
"I have one from Virginia." Chase said. "I still hold my Federal."
"Well, you might be all right then. I'll have Jeanie monitor it to make sure it isn't pulled. Most of the time, unless you've really pissed someone off, they forget about it."
Chase eased up on his run and turned around. It was quite a difference at being used to running at 500 feet above sea level and going to 6700 feet. It was going to take him a few days to acclimatize. He finally slowed to a walk at the Recreation Center and stopped to do his stretching exercises. Going into the Center, he looked over the weight machines and tried out a few before going to the stair climber. That didn't last long! He finally walked back to the apartment and put on a pot of coffee. Looking at his watch, he sighed. "I need to adjust my morning schedule." Back East, he would have already been out the door with a mug in his hand. He hadn't even seen anyone stirring yet. He pulled out a frying pan and cut a slice of bread from the loaf that had been in the bread box. Buttering the bread on both sides, he took a glass and cut a circle in the middle of the bread. He put the bread in the hot frying pan and cracked an egg into the hole. When the bread was toasted on the bottom, he flipped the whole thing over. Taking out a plate, he slid the concoction onto the plate and poured another cup of coffee. Picking up the remote, he turned the TV on to a Denver news station.
"Nothing changes…" Thought Chance, as he chewed his food. "Same crap happening here as back East, just in smaller doses."
He finished his breakfast and washed the dishes. After his shower he put on a pair of khaki pants and a blue bush shirt, leaving it un-tucked to cover the pistol.
Chase went outside to the mini-garage and got out one of the electric vehicles. It looked like a regular 4-runner, but had an electric motor. Unplugging the charging cable, he took off for the Facility. He was early, but Andy was already there.
Andy grinned. "Raring to get started, hunh?"
"You do realize that this is Thursday morning, don't you? That means that my brain doesn't start functioning until noon or until I get two quarts of coffee in me."
"Bull, I saw you out and about before daylight. Were you waiting for the French and Indians to attack?"
"Never beyond the realm of possibility! So, what's the local and state situation?" Chase asked.
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Post by gipsy on Sept 7, 2021 7:13:44 GMT -6
Thanks for the update
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 7, 2021 7:59:53 GMT -6
Cal was just getting washed up for dinner when his radio toned.
"Cal, I have a Citation 20 minutes out. Pilot says his passenger needs a face-to-face." Mike said.
"Roger, on my way"
Cal walked into the kitchen. "I've got to go to the airfield. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I'll keep a plate warm for you." Siobhan said.
Cal got to the field just as Mike turned the runway lights on. Watching as it touched down, Cal didn't recognize the aircraft, which wasn't surprising. None of his "sudden" visitors seemed to come in the same aircraft twice in a row. The aircraft was taxiing up the taxiway and came to a stop in the parking area, shutting down the engines. `Mike shut down the runway lights and left the taxiway lights on. The airstair came down and a man motioned for Cal to come aboard. Cal boarded the plane and saw Bob Gillum sitting at a small table.
"It's been a while Cal."
"Yes, what's up?"
"You picked up Morrison?"
"Yeah. That going to be a problem?"
"No….as a matter of fact, it'll probably make things easier in the long run. We just have to rearrange our seating chart."
Cal nodded in understanding.
"Anything we can do for you?"
"Yeah, there is. I don't need anything right now, but I'd like access to full I.D. kits in the future. My sources are getting weak."
"Not a problem. Just give me a shout."
"Thanks Bob."
"Well, that's all I have. Morrison is a good man, wily too. He reads source info like no one I've ever known. Too bad those idiots on the Task Force didn't recognize that."
Cal watched as the airstairs were raised and the engines revved up. As the plane taxied out to the runway, Mike turned the lights back on. Cal watched as the aircraft took off and turned east.
Cal and Nick watched as the hands moved the stock up the loading ramp into the truck.
"Pretty good sale, Cal." Nick said.
"Yeah. I think keeping the numbers down is keeping the prices high." Cal commented.
"Well, they want your beef. It's prime. They're making their money too."
"How are the calves looking?"
"They're doing fine. As long as we can get them under shelter this winter during the storms, we'll have a good sale come Spring."
Cal walked into the building and an older woman brushed by him. "Give this to Chase"and slipped Cal a flash drive, then continued on out the door. Cal surreptitiously slid the drive into his pocket and continued to the Snack Bar to get a bottle of water.
On the way back to the house, Cal stopped by the Facility and handed the storage device to Chase.
"A lady slipped this to me down at the stockyards. Said to give it to you."
Chase nodded and called Jeanie and handed her the drive.
"A full check on this, please."
"Come on, Mister, Sam's has a pre-Thanksgiving sale on turkeys."
Cal looked up from his desk. "Who's going?"
"Just you and I. Helen and James are taking the kids to the pool."
Cal shut down his computer and went out to the kitchen. Siobhan was making a list.
"What else are you getting?"
"Spices, some hams…if they are decent and a bag of fish sticks. Brigid is in a phase."
Cal grinned and shook his head. "I think she likes the tarter sauce more than the fish sticks."
"Oh yes! Tarter sauce!" Siobhan added it to her list.
Cal got his hat and coat and went out to get the Suburban. With the mood Siobhan was in, they might need the extra cargo space.
They got to Sam's and Siobhan took a shopping cart, then put it back and grabbed a flat-bed cart. She loaded ten pounds of brown sugar, a case of white vinegar, big bags of white corn nibblets and Baby Lima beans, hot sauce, two pork shoulders, six hams and seven turkeys, a case of chicken broth, and a large bag of fish sticks.
"What are you planning?" Cal asked.
Most of the turkeys are for Thanksgiving. I want you to smoke two turkeys and two pork shoulders and make Brunswick Stew for next Sunday."
"That's a lot of stew."
"And we have a lot of people." Siobhan shrugged.
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Post by paulk on Sept 7, 2021 8:47:29 GMT -6
Thank you so much!! You tell such a great story.
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Post by freebirde on Sept 7, 2021 10:13:26 GMT -6
Tartar sauce is not hard to make. Mayo, little mustard, garlic powder, onion flakes/powder, sweet relish (dill relish if you prefer). Make/mix in a sealable bag, cut one corner to use as a piping bag to fill containers then toss the bag for easy clean up. Adjust amounts to taste. Never had any last long enough to go bad, so don't know shelf life. Never tried freezing, so don't know if it works.
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Post by iamnobody on Sept 7, 2021 11:22:49 GMT -6
I'm loving the realistic situations in these “fictional” stories.
I'm old enough to see the corruption at ALL levels of government – Federal, State and even local. Most government people, men and women, stink badly from their quest for money and power. Most forget that they are employees of the people, and not owners of the “peon” people.
Corporations, companies, businesses are the same way. They attempt to trample all over the peoples RIGHTS. The company I work for, just a few short years ago, if you were attacked while on the clock, and you defended yourself, you were fired. Someone finally got a lawsuit into court and the company got their fingers slapped. Now they say it is your right to defend yourself and this is how they recommend you do it. Now at work, they spend lots of time asking their workers if they have suicidal thoughts and the company has resources to help you. And educating you on all 2 million genders. I couldn't get my actual work done each day due to the politics.
Around here the stores and companies have help wanted signs everywhere but are complaining that no one is coming in to apply. 1 grocery store had a $1,000 bonus for hiring. They say it is due to lazy people not wanting to work but refuse to listen to people trying to tell them the reason why. People won't work for them due to the companies making their employees get the vaccine and wear masks. The people are saying NO. If a person wants to get the vaccine, that is their choice and right to.
As for all the situations in the stories about women doing the guy dirty, well, I applaud the people on here that have a wonderful marriage of many years. I do envy you .
But in today's society 80% of divorces are started by the wife, not because of abuse or adultery but because she is no longer happy. On average 30% of children are calling the wrong man daddy because the woman was unfaithful and knowingly allows the man to think the child is his. 1 in 8 has an STD, 3 STD are caught by just kissing and 3 STD are incurable. I'm not looking for sex without marriage but on the other hand, I know enough to not put my private parts into a meat grinder.
I am a “conservative” Christian. My late wife was too. Dresses / skirts to the ankles, no revealing clothes. There was NO sex between me and her before marriage. I didn't know it til after her death, but the no sex before marriage only applied to between me and her. Sex with other men was okay.
Again in the “conservative” Christian churches, I heard a discussion about a wife that committed adultery on her husband. The husband filed for divorce. These Christian women were arguing with the men about the adulteress wife being entitled to AT LEAST ½ of the man's possessions and his wages and if she could get more, great for her. When I asked these Christian women how that belief lined up with the bible, they said that nowadays was different from the bible and evil should be rewarded by her taking everything from the husband.
So I believe from experience the many instances written about in these stories of the woman doing dirt to men are very lifelike.
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Post by NCWEBNUT on Sept 7, 2021 11:44:39 GMT -6
Again in the “ conservative” Christian churches, I heard a discussion about a wife that committed adultery on her husband. The husband filed for divorce. These Christian women were arguing with the men about the adulteress wife being entitled to AT LEAST ½ of the man's possessions and his wages and if she could get more, great for her. When I asked these Christian women how that belief lined up with the bible, they said that nowadays was different from the bible and evil should be rewarded by her taking everything from the husband. So I believe from experience the many instances written about in these stories of the woman doing dirt to men are very lifelike. I could spend a hour talking about this very thing, its also why my retirement is not as funded as it should of been, its also why I remain single and will the rest of my life, And yet women don't get why some Men want nothing to do with them any more.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 7, 2021 12:03:10 GMT -6
Cal took a piece of ¾ in plywood and laid it in the back of the K5 and set the hot 24 quart stock pot on the plywood. Bracing it with cement blocks, he drove slowly to the Community Center and sat it on a stove. He turned the gas burner on and brought it back to a boil then turned it off. I should be just about right to eat when they got out of Church.
Siobhan waited on Cal in front of the Church with the kids so they could all go in together. When they sat down, Cal glanced around and saw Chase sitting in the left rear of the Church.
Again, Reverend Lambry gave maybe an unorthodox sermon, but it was insightful. His family slowly left the Church with the crowd and saw Chase standing outside. Cal smiled and shook his hand.
"Good to see you here Chase."
"Oh, just getting the lay of the land. Andy told me about the service and the lunch afterward and rumor has it you make a killer Brunswick Stew."
Cal chuckled. "Well, let's get up to the Community Center. I may need to warm it up a bit."
Cal helped Siobhan get the kids seated in the Suburban and Cal followed them up to the Center. Cal heated up the stew enough to get it steaming and carried it out to place on the trivets Siobhan had laid out. Charlie went to the storage room to get out paper bowls and didn't think there would be enough. She immediately sent Gary to bring another huge pack from Level 3.
The smell of the food had everyone's mouths watering so the Reverend quickly said the Blessing and elbows were knocking to get their plates and bowls filled.
Chase sat at a table off to the side and observed. I was like watching one of his family reunions when he was a boy. Sadly, most of the family had died out or drifted away and he rarely saw any of them anymore. He waited until the line died down then got up and filled a bowl with Brunswick Stew and grabbed a cup of iced tea. He turned to go back to the table and it was taken. Looking around, he saw a seat and went over.
"Is this seat taken?" Chase asked the woman next to the empty seat.
"No! Sit down, please!"
Chase sat his bowl and cup down and noticed he didn't have a spoon. He started to turn away and the woman held up a spoon.
"I have one I'm not planning to use." The woman smiled.
Chase smiled back and took the spoon. "Hi, I'm Chase Morrison."
"Hi back. I'm Gale Morris…. without a son. Oops! Bad joke, hunh?"
Chase tasted the stew and savored the flavors.
"Isn't that great Brunswick Stew?" Gale asked. "It makes every other I've ever tried seem dead!"
Chase nodded. "It is very good. I can't remember having any better."
"So, do you work here?" Gale asked.
"Yes, I work at HTR Security as an Analyst."
"Oh, good. Okay Mr. Analyst, analyze this stew and tell me what's in it."
Chase took another bite. "It has smoked turkey, smoked pork, white corn, Baby Lima beans, tomatoes, russet potatoes, onions, either chicken or turkey broth, vinegar, brown sugar, a little mustard, catsup….."Chase took another bite. "…garlic, black pepper, crushed red pepper, a dash or two of Texas Pete….and I think I taste a hint of lemon."
"Wow! You are a regular culinary detective!"
"What do you do here?" Chase asked Gale.
"I'm a Structural Engineer, working on a project here."
"Excuse me. I've got to get another bowl of this." Chase said.
Chase refilled his bowl and started to return to his seat, but a lady had sat down in his seat and was talking to Gale. He shrugged, grabbed another spoon and another cup of tea and went out on the patio, sitting on the edge of the fire pit to eat his stew. As he ate the stew he looked around. "I think I'm going to like it here." He thought.
Finishing his meal, Chase stood up and went back inside. He saw a trash can and dumped his bowl and spoon and went over to refill his tea. He turned and saw Cal waving him over.
"How was the Brunswick Stew?" Cal asked.
"To be truthful, it is the best I've ever had."
"Would you like some to take home with you?" Siobhan asked.
"Sure!"
"Well, let me go dish a quart up for you right now because it will be gone before you know it!"
"Cal, I've really enjoyed today. I reminds me of the family reunions I want to as a boy."
"Well, we hold these 'reunions' every other Sunday and here, we're all family." Cal smiled.
Siobhan came back with a quart container filled to the brim. "I put your name on the top. I'll put it here on the table and you can pick it up when you leave."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"Look, there's still Country fried Steak, garlic potatoes and green beans cooked with country ham bits and there's a stack of carry-out boxes over there Pack a couple of meals for yourself and you can microwave them for a quick dinner. Don't forget to pour lots of gravy over the steak!" Siobhan said.
Chase grinned. "Thanks, I will."
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Post by gipsy on Sept 7, 2021 12:08:43 GMT -6
Thanks for the update
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