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Post by cavsgt on Dec 16, 2021 13:22:08 GMT -6
NICE Thank You
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Post by gipsy on Dec 16, 2021 14:09:29 GMT -6
I see a few loads of toys that make loud noises in his future. Thanks for the update.
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Post by NCWEBNUT on Dec 17, 2021 18:09:51 GMT -6
More story Please
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 17, 2021 18:37:03 GMT -6
Chapter 140
When the Fellowship Hall Committee finally ironed out what they wanted, Grace and Mollie gave the list to Gil.
"Okay, I'll call the steel building company and get right on this."
Trace was helping in the greenhouse, taking dirt out of the beds and adding sterilized compost.
"Trace, what do you want in the house?" Grace asked.
"Well, I really like the furniture and the finish like you have in the guest cabin, but I'll need everything. Just hand me the bills and I'll pay them. Remember, I've been a rambling bachelor for a while. I've been traveling with a canteen cup and a spoon."
That evening, Grace and Mollie sat down and looking at Trace's floorplan, decided what to order as far as furniture, then made separate lists of everything for the kitchen, linens, towels, appliances, washer and dryer, just about everything you could need.
That weekend Trace went to a used office supply store in Kingsport and picked up a office desk, a chair, filing cabinet, storage cabinet and printer table. The builder's had just completed laying tile in his basement/office area and he wanted to get started setting up. The skies were looking all that great so he decided to take everything home.
After unloading everything, he went back into Walmart and stocked up on office supplies. After moving the desk around a couple of times, he finally found the place he liked and set up his workspace. He walked around a few times, studying the layout of the basement. After looking at his watch, he made his decision. He got in his truck and headed to Knoxville.
After loading the butcher block work table and the metal storage cabinet into the back of his truck, Trace made one more stop at Best Buy to pick up a multi-function printer and lots of ink for it. The cabinet and table were a chore to get in the basement. They were as awkward as they were heavy. The only big items left to purchase were the mattresses and mattress pads.
Mollie and Grace finished up with folding the last of the linens and towels and packed them in boxes to take over to Trace's place. Gil walked in and picked up a box with pots and pans.
"What else is left?" Gil asked.
"Just these two boxes of towels and linens. We'll bring them over." Grace replied.
"Well, I'm headed over, He's having the mattresses delivered and might need some help."
"We're two minute behind you."
Gil pulled up to Trace's and grabbed a box and took it into the kitchen and set it down. Trace came up and began placing the utensils in a drawer next to the stove. Gil brought the box of silverware in and began placing the tray and silverware in the drawer Trace indicated. Gil went back out and grabbed another box just as Mollie and Grace drove up in the Gator. They took the linen in and began placing it in the linen closet. Gil continued to bring boxes in and the ladies began placing things around the kitchen and other rooms.
"You need to get some pictures to hang in here, Trace." Mollie said.
"In time Mollie, in time."
Gil began collapsing boxes and putting them in the truck, while the ladies did their mother hen acts. Gil gathered the rest of the boxes up as Allie and Shannon drove up, bearing their little gifts to fill Trace's abode. Gil went and set on the deck to await his next orders. Luckily, the furniture store delivery truck arrived with the mattresses and tops. He helped bring in the king-size box springs and they stood it in the hallway outside of Trace's bedroom, along with the mattress and topper. They placed the queen mattresses outside the guest rooms. Trace tipped the driver and he left.
"What's next?" Gil asked.
"That's it, until the furniture arrives tomorrow. I'm going up to the Grocery Outlet and Food City and stock the pantry this afternoon."
"Don't buy any beef or pork, except bacon. I'll bring you a box up." Grace said.
"And I'll bring spices." Allie added.
If you think of anything you're short of Trace, ask before you buy. We need to rotate stock occasionally."
"Well, let's get out of Trace's way. He has things he wants to do." Mollie said.
Trace thanked them and watched as they left. Walking over to the Bose Wave, he put Enya's "Dark Sky Island' CD in and listened to it while he made out his grocery list.
The furniture arrived the next morning and it was all hands on deck. The men took tool boxes and put the beds together and carried furniture upstairs. The ladies, downstairs, unpacked cushions, placed the sofa, chairs and tables around, then swapped floors with the men who placed the heavier things around where Trace wanted them while the women made beds. They were done in a couple of hours. Grace opened the champagne she had placed in the refrigerator and got glasses down. Gil toasted Trace and his new house.
"Gil, can I use some of the stone blocks up on the shelf to build a fire pit?" Trace asked.
"Sure, no problem, but why don't you give Billy the job. He's an excellent pit builder."
"I'll do that."
Friday, a truck arrived at the gate with a package from "Bill". Gil let him through and met the truck by the equipment shed. The "package" turned out to be a 20 foot shipping container on roll-off truck. Gil positioned the driver and had him drop the container next to the equipment barn. Gil signed for the load and the driver left. After calling Brad, Gil broke the seal and opened the door. Pulling away 4" sheets of corrugated packing material, he saw half the container was filled with ammo and half with fiberglass cases stacked to the ceiling on top of the ammo.
Brad pulled up in a Gator and came around the shipping container.
"What's this?" Then he read what was printed on the ammo cases.
"Wow, this is the good stuff, M855. How much is here?"
"Don't know, won't know until we unload it." Gil replied.
Brad looked at the ammo crates, then walked along the sides of the container, guesstimating the number of ammo crates.
"I think you have over 75,000 rounds here, if they're all stacked the same."
"Well, like I said. we really won't know until we get it unloaded. I'm going to lock this up for tonight and deal with it in the morning."
"What's in the fiberglass cases?" Brad asked.
"I don't know."
Brad pulled a case out and undid the six latches. Inside, nestled in foam, were three M-16 rifles."
"Hey, these are the A2s. Heavy barrels, three round burst, way more accurate than the A1s."
"Okay, we'll sort it out in the morning. Let's lock this thing up."
Gil went to the house and was met by Sandy with the twins hanging onto her collar. Everyone needed either a kiss or a scratch behind the ears. Laughing, Gil went into the kitchen to find Grace stirring a pot of spaghetti sauce.
"About five more minutes on the pasta I've already fed the twins."
"Okay, let me take my boots off, put on my moccasins and wash up."
When Gil came back down, the twins were in their highchairs watching Billy slice seedless grapes and placing them in bowls on their chair tray.
"I thought they had already eaten!" Gil said.
"You know good and well those two will eat grapes no matter how much they've eaten."
Grace dished spaghetti pasta and poured sauce over it and set the plates on the table. Gil got the toasted garlic bread out of the oven and poured the wine and tea for Billy.
After the blessing, not much was said because it isn't polite to talk with your mouth full.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 17, 2021 18:38:32 GMT -6
Chapter 141
Saturday afternoon, Gil rode down and checked the construction of the Fellowship Hall. They had finished the outside already, putting faux siding on to match the siding on the church. The crews were now putting up shiplap on the inside and installing the stoves, one gas the other wood, and finishing the kitchen area and bathrooms. Gil had called Drake and had him do some upgrades to the solar/wind systems to make sure the battery bank would power everything for a minimum of 48 hours without recharging.
The sun had just set as Trace made the sharp right off of Hwy 113 onto Melinda Ferry Road when he saw the glow off to his left front. Something was on fire. He increased his speed and as he drew nearer he saw it was a mobile home. About 1/3 was ingulfed in flames. He quickly pulled off the road and ran the 75 yards to the front of the trailer, yelling and beating on the side of the trailer to see if anyone was in there. Several cars raced up, to include Reverend Jim.
"Did they get out?" The Reverend shouted.
"I don't know!" Trace answered.
"This is horrible!"
"Who lives here?" Trace asked.
"Sarah Miller and her daughter Carrie."
The volunteer Fire and Rescue showed up and started putting water on the mobile home. All Trace and the Reverend could do was stand and watch, the Reverend praying.
"OH MY GOD!" A woman screamed.
Trace and the Reverend turn and a woman and a girl around 9 years old came running up, both crying.
"SARAH, thank God!"
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I got a call there was a fire down here and I came as quickly as I could. Where have you been?"
"I took Carrie up to Walmart to get her a new coat. Oh! What am I going to do?" Sarah said, crying.
Trace tugged on Reverend Jim's coat sleeve. "Let me call Grace. These two don't have anything left. Grace has the guesthouse they can stay in tonight."
Reverend Jim nodded. Trace walked off to the side and called Grace and explained what had happened.
"Stay with them. Mollie and I will be right there!"
Ten minutes later Gil, Grace and Mollie showed up. Mollie went over to Sarah and took here in her arms. Carrie stood to the side, still softly crying.
"Everything we had was in there!" Sarah cried.
"Come on to our house." Grace said. "There isn't anything you can do here. You need to something hot into you."
Mollie got in the car with Sarah and Carrie and Gil and Grace led them back to Bluff View. Trace followed them up to the house and Mollie quickly put together plates for Sarah and Carrie from the leftover meatloaf meal they'd had for dinner.
The Reverend walked in as they nibbled at the food. Gil pulled the Reverend into the Great Room, Trace followed.
"What's their situation?" Gil asked.
"Sarah and Carrie have lived there for about a year and a half. Her husband was in the Tennessee National Guard and was killed in Iraq in a vehicle accident shortly after Carrie was born. Sarah has been working at Walmart."
Allie came in and Gil pointed to the kitchen. Allie changed directions.
Gil walked to the kitchen door and motioned for Grace to come in to the Great Room.
"Gil, they have nothing left. I called Allie and she's getting their sizes and going to draw out clothing for them from the stocks. They can stay the night at the guesthouse."
Gil nodded. "Okay, let them rest tonight, as much as they can and we'll see what tomorrow brings."
Brad walked in the door, followed by Shannon and Colt.. Allie had called Brad to go up to the dungeon with her to get the clothes.
"I'll go over to the guesthouse and start a fire in the fireplace." Trace said.
Trace went in to the guesthouse. A fire was already laid so all he had to do was light it. He waited until it was going good, then turned on the blower, quickly warming the cabin. He sat in a rocking chair and watched the flames until the front door opened and Grace, Allie, Sarah and Carrie walked in. Trace stood up.
"Oh good! You got a fire started. Sarah, this is Trace. Trace, this is Sarah and her daughter Carrie."
Trace nodded. "Ma'am."
"Come on girls, I'll show you where everything is." Grace said.
Trace quietly left the cabin and returned to the house, finding Gil and the Reverend in the Great Room with Brad.
"Son," the Reverend said, "I've seen that look on people's faces before. No need to blame yourself for anything. There wasn't anything anyone could do. Sometime bad things happen to good people and we do the best we can to help them."
Trace nodded, but remained quiet. Chapter 141
Saturday afternoon, Gil rode down and checked the construction of the Fellowship Hall. They had finished the outside already, putting faux siding on to match the siding on the church. The crews were now putting up shiplap on the inside and installing the stoves, one gas the other wood, and finishing the kitchen area and bathrooms. Gil had called Drake and had him do some upgrades to the solar/wind systems to make sure the battery bank would power everything for a minimum of 48 hours without recharging.
The sun had just set as Trace made the sharp right off of Hwy 113 onto Melinda Ferry Road when he saw the glow off to his left front. Something was on fire. He increased his speed and as he drew nearer he saw it was a mobile home. About 1/3 was engulfed in flames. He quickly pulled off the road and ran the 75 yards to the front of the trailer, yelling and beating on the side of the trailer to see if anyone was in there. Several cars raced up, to include Reverend Jim.
"Did they get out?" The Reverend shouted.
"I don't know!" Trace answered.
"This is horrible!"
"Who lives here?" Trace asked.
"Sarah Miller and her daughter Carrie. God help them."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 17, 2021 18:40:47 GMT -6
Chapter 142
The volunteer Fire and Rescue showed up and started putting water on the mobile home. All Trace and the Reverend could do was stand and watch, the Reverend praying.
"OH MY GOD!" A woman screamed.
Trace and the Reverend turned and a woman and a girl around 9 years old came running up, both crying.
"SARAH, thank God!"
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I got a call there was a fire down here and I came as quickly as I could. Where have you been?"
"I took Carrie up to Walmart to get her a new coat. Oh! What am I going to do?" Sarah said, crying.
Trace tugged on Reverend Jim's coat sleeve. "Let me call Grace. These two don't have anything left. Grace has the guest cabin they can stay in tonight."
Reverend Jim nodded. Trace walked off to the side and called Grace and explained what had happened.
"Stay with them. Mollie and I will be right there!"
Ten minutes later Gil, Grace and Mollie showed up. Mollie went over to Sarah and took her in her arms. Carrie stood to the side, still softly crying.
"Everything we had was in there!" Sarah cried.
"Come on to our house." Grace said. "There isn't anything you can do here. You need to get something hot into you."
Mollie got in the car with Sarah and Carrie and Gil and Grace led them back to Bluff View. Trace followed them up to the house and Mollie quickly put together plates for Sarah and Carrie from the leftover meatloaf meal they'd had for dinner.
The Reverend walked in as they nibbled at the food. Gil pulled the Reverend into the Great Room, Trace followed.
"What's their situation?" Gil asked.
"Sarah and Carrie have lived there for about a year and a half. Her husband was in the Tennessee National Guard and was killed in Iraq in a vehicle accident shortly after Carrie was born. Sarah has been working at Walmart."
Allie came in and Gil pointed to the kitchen. Allie changed directions.
Gil walked to the kitchen door and motioned for Grace to come in to the Great Room.
"Gil, they have nothing left. I called Allie and she's getting their sizes and going to draw out clothing for them from the stocks. They can stay the night in the guest cabin."
Gil nodded. "Okay, let them rest tonight, as much as they can, and we'll see what tomorrow brings."
Brad walked in the door, followed by Shannon and Colt.. Allie had called Brad to go up to the dungeon with her to get the clothes.
"I'll go over to the guest cabin and start a fire in the fireplace." Trace said.
Trace went in to the guest cabin. A fire was already laid so all he had to do was light it. He waited until it was going good, then turned on the blower, quickly warming the cabin. He sat in a rocking chair and watched the flames until the front door opened and Grace, Allie, Sarah and Carrie walked in. Trace stood up.
"Oh good! You got a fire started. Sarah, this is Trace. Trace, this is Sarah and her daughter Carrie."
Trace nodded. "Ma'am."
"Come on girls, I'll show you where everything is." Grace said.
Trace quietly left the cabin and returned to the house, finding Gil and the Reverend in the Great Room with Brad.
"Son," the Reverend said, "I've seen that look on people's faces before. No need to blame yourself for anything. There wasn't anything anyone could do. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and we do the best we can to help them."
Trace nodded, but remained quiet.
Grace, Mollie and Allie came back and made coffee for everyone. Trace had a cup then left. As he went my Sarah's car, he noticed their bags from Walmart were still in the back seat. The doors were unlocked so he took the bags out and carried them to the guest cabin. Knocking on the door, it was answered by Carrie, who waved him on in. Sitting the bags down by the stairs he saw Sarah sitting on the couch, staring into the fire and occasionally wiping her nose with a tissue. When Trace walked over and sat down next to her, she froze. Then when Trace put his arm around her and pulled her to him, she stiffened more. "Relax, just use me as a shoulder to cry on. I'll leave when you tell me."
Sarah relaxed and cried softly. Trace laid his head back and watched the fire flicker.
Two hours later, Trace jerked as he woke up, awakening Sarah.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up." Trace said.
"No, that's fine. I should get up and get moving. Thank you. Would you like to have lunch with us tomorrow?"
"Uh…sure." Trace said.
Trace watched as she slowly climbed the stairs then went out the door of the cabin, locking it as he left.
The next morning, since he going over that way, anyway, Trace gathered up the clothes and things he planned to store in his chamber bedroom. He loaded everything on the Gator he kept at his house now and drove to the shelf, glancing toward the cottage as he drove by. He opened up the Chamber and got his things stowed. Shoes and boots. He'd forgotten those. He had a spar pair of moosehide moccasins and a well broken in pair of Redwing boots he'd drop by later. He had ten minutes before he was to be at the guest cabin so he checked a couple of things then locked up and went down the ridge.
He knocked on the door of the cottage and Cassie opened the door with a smile.
Sarah looked over from the kitchen area. It's going to be another 15 minutes. Sorry, it's a frozen lasagna and I don't cook these very often. Normally I make them from scratch. Let's sit while we wait for it to finish. Trace sat in the rocking chair and Sarah and Cassie sat on the couch.
"So, what are your plans? Are you getting another trailer?" Trace asked.
"I don't know. If I get another trailer, I'll have to find an extra job. We were barely getting by on my Walmart salary."
Trace sat rocking slowly in the chair and thought for a few minutes.
"I'd like to make you an offer. Most of my adult life I've never lived in a house, or at least nor more than a couple of weeks. I can cook, but some people might not find it very appetizing. I could use someone who can cook and keep the house straight. There are no strings attached. You and Carrie would have your own rooms and bath upstairs, mine is downstairs. I spend most of the time in my basement office anyway. Maybe Carrie could do homeschool like Grace and Gil's son does. I will pay you $25 an hour, 40 hours a week."
"Could you let me think about it?" Sarah asked. "I will give you an answer as soon as I can."
They had a pleasant lunch and Carrie and Sarah made Trace sit while they did the dishes. They sat and talked afterwards, mostly wanting to her about Trace's travels. Finally, Trace got up to leave and both females gave him a hug as he went out the door.
Now why did I do that? Trace thought.
Still perplexed, Trace went over to Gil's and knocked on the deck door. Grace opened it and ushered him into the Great Room, where Gil was watching a fishing show.
Gil, Grace, I might have messed up.
"What's wrong?" Grace asked.
"Well, I was over at the guest cabin having lunch with Sarah and Carrie and I offered Sarah a job as my housekeeper because she doesn't have enough money to get a new trailer right away and I have those two spare bedrooms that I'm not using, but…."
"Slow down Trace!" Grace giggled. "That was a very nice thing you did. What did she say?"
"She said she'd give me an answer as soon as she could. I just don't know if I did the right thing. I don't want people thing the wrong thing about what she'd be doing there."
"The people in the church would think you did a good and honorable thing. That's what we do….help each other. Never mind what people will think." Grace said.
"Grace, would you take her shopping tomorrow, and not at Walmart because she'll want to take advantage of her employee's discount. Take her somewhere in Kingsport or Knoxville. Here's my credit card. Make sure they are both outfitted."
Grace took the card and glanced over at Gil, who was smirking.
"I'll take them. Sure you don't want to come along."
Trace's eyes widened. "No! I mean, I have things I have to do tomorrow. If you'll take them I think that would be better."
Grace grinned. "Okay, I'll take care of them."
Trace got up and left to go back to his house.
"That's interesting." Gil said.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 17, 2021 18:42:25 GMT -6
Chapter 143
Still perplexed, Trace went over to Gil's and knocked on the deck door. Grace opened it and ushered him into the Great Room, where Gil was watching a fishing show.
Gil, Grace, I might have messed up.
"What's wrong?" Grace asked.
"Well, I was over at the guest cabin having lunch with Sarah and Carrie and I offered Sarah a job as my housekeeper because she doesn't have enough money to get a new trailer right away and I have those two spare bedrooms that I'm not using, but…."
"Slow down Trace!" Grace giggled. "That was a very nice thing you did. What did she say?"
"She said she'd give me an answer as soon as she could. I just don't know if I did the right thing. I don't want people thining the wrong thing about what she'd be doing there."
"The people in the church would think you did a good and honorable thing. That's what we do….help each other. Never mind what people will think." Grace said.
"Grace, would you take her shopping tomorrow, and not to Walmart because she'll want to take advantage of her employee's discount. Take her somewhere in Kingsport or Knoxville. Here's my credit card. Make sure they are both outfitted."
Grace took the card and glanced over at Gil, who was smirking.
"I'll take them. Sure you don't want to come along?"
Trace's eyes widened. "No! I mean, I have things I have to do tomorrow. If you'll take them I think that would be better."
Grace grinned. "Okay, I'll take care of them."
Trace got up and left to go back to his house.
"That's interesting." Gil said.
An hour later Sarah and Carrie knocked on the deck door.
"Grace, could I speak with you for a moment?"
"Certainly, come on in."
"Grace, Trace has offered me a job to be his housekeeper. The salary is really good and he has separate bedrooms for Carrie and I upstairs and…"
"And you're worried about what people would think."
"Yes." Sarah grimaced.
"That's funny, Trace was here a while ago, almost having second thoughts about offering you the job because of what it might do to your reputation. Well, I'll tell you like I told him, don't worry about what other people think. Like Gil sometimes says, 'The people who know me, know me well, those who don't can go to hell!' "
Carrie put her hand over her mouth and giggled.
"So, you think it would be all right for me to accept the job?"
"I think it would be perfectly fine. Are you still going to work at Walmart?"
"Heavens no! With the salary he is offering me, I won't need to. While I'm thinking about it, Trace said something about your son being home schooled?"
"Yes, his scores are way above the public school averages and his school day is very flexible."
"Could we set up a time for you to show me how to get Carrie started?"
"Absolutely! Come over in the morning for coffee."
When Sarah and Carrie left, Grace went back into the Great Room.
"Gil, were we as reluctant as those two?"
"Those two what?" Gil said, watching his show.
Grace threw a sofa pillow at him, hitting him in the head.
"You know what I'm talking about!"
"I wouldn't call it reluctance. I think we were just being careful until we were sure it was what we wanted."
Tuesday, Sarah and Carrie, with Grace and Trace's help, moved them into Trace's house. The day before, Grace had taken the two females on a shopping spree in Knoxville and had them fully outfitted, and then some. Carrie's clothes mostly consisted jeans and polo and "T" shirts, but Grace insisted on some dresses for both. She even kidded Sarah about going by Victoria's Secrets and getting a couple of maid's outfits. Sarah sputtered and blushed.
Once they were settled in their rooms, Sarah came down and began putting dinner together, Carrie joining her a few minutes later. Trace retreated to the basement and finished putting together the metal storage cabinet and loading it up with gun related materials.
As soon as Trace walked upstairs he was met with a mouth-watering aroma.
"Wow, something smells good!" He said as he walked into the kitchen.
"It'll be ready in about 10 minutes." Sarah said. Carrie was setting the table.
"Okay, I'll go wash up."
Ten minutes later, Trace was sitting at the table with a plate Beef Stroganoff that was fit for a king. Sarah had made a salad, plus some crescent rolls too. She had even opened a bottle of wine from the fridge. When she asked if he minded, Trace laughed and told her that she could do whatever she wanted to as long as she cooked like that and his table was graced with two lovely ladies. Sarah and Carrie laughed delightfully.
"I can't remember the last time I laughed. I mean really laughed because I was happy." Sarah said as she took a sip of wine.
When the dishes were done the girls came into the den and sat down. Trace tossed Carrie the TV remote and they sat the rest of the evening reading and watching TV.
A few days later, Reverend Jim stopped by during his "rounds" to see Sarah and Carrie. Sarah told the Reverend Trace was working on the other side of the ridge. After talking with them for a few minutes, he continued his "rounds" and found Trace in the greenhouse helping out.
"Trace, in a period of just a few days a heavy-hearted and often teary woman is now telling me how good life is and I can hear the smile in her voice. Whatever you're doing to make her happy, keep doing it."
"I'll try Reverend."
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Post by ydderf on Dec 17, 2021 19:54:47 GMT -6
Seems there is soon to be another couple on the ranch,they likely need another 6 or 8 couples to be able to be well protected in an emergency. A full time rancher/farmer would be welcome to help with self sufficiency I'd think.
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Post by gipsy on Dec 17, 2021 20:47:09 GMT -6
They seem to have the farming bit down pat. More defense ability would be good though. Thanks for the update.
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Post by texican on Dec 18, 2021 19:37:21 GMT -6
de nobis fabula narratur n's signature which translate to: About us is the story told: Thus: "their story is our story". (Wikipedia) Texican....
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Post by udwe on Dec 19, 2021 21:47:24 GMT -6
KEEP GOING, PLEASE!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 20, 2021 15:29:59 GMT -6
Chapter 144
Gil and Billy threw their turkeys onto the back of the Gator and headed to their cleaning station next to the equipment barn.
"I think this will feed us all Thanksgiving. Billy said.
"These and the pork shoulder I'm curing and smoking." Replied Gil.
They cleaned the birds, packaged the giblets separately, and headed for the house.
"The hunters have returned successful! Break out the mead!" Gil bellowed.
"Take off your boots, successful hunters." Grace grinned.
"Yes Ma'am" was echoed.
"What do you want to do with the turkeys?" Billy asked.
"Put them in the cooler in the basement. Set the temp for 36 degrees. They'll be good up to when we put them in the brine." Gil replied.
Billy came back up then went upstairs, soon coming back with his shotgun.
"I'm going to see if I can get a goose."
"Okay Dear. Take a radio with you." Grace said.
Gil went upstairs and changed clothes. When he came back down he poured a cup of coffee and sat at the dinette with Grace.
"We'll need to add the leaves to the table. Reverend Jim will be joining us Thanksgiving.
Gil pulled two plastic cards out of his shirt pocket.
"Whoever sees them first, these cards for the Self-Funded Health Insurance through the Trust need to get to Sarah and Carrie."
"Sarah is coming over this afternoon. Just leave them here on the table."
"What's she coming over for?"
"She's bringing Carrie to talk with Billy about his study habits in home schooling, how to do her best."
"That's good. Billy could teach her a lot. While It's on my mind, I'll get out a couple of programed radios for them too. I'll leave them here on the table too."
When Gil brought the radios back, his radio beeped a call tone.
"Gil here."
"Gill, can you meet me at Charlie-3?"
"On my way."
When Gil got to the Dungeon, Brad had one of the fiberglass cases open and laying on top of the open case was an M16A3/M203 combination."
"I thought the cases contained M16A2s." Gil commented.
"After digging through them, only 4 cases contain the A2s. The rest are all A3s, four cases have M203 combos."
"Are there grenades for them?"
"Ten cases."
"Any more surprises?"
"Ten Cerakoated Integrally Suppressed 22LR Ruger Pistols and 12 each SOCOM762-RC2 and SOCOM556-RC2 suppressors with rebuild kits and...."
"Go on."
"Four cases of six M18A1s."
"Claymores!?"
"Yep."
"Anything else?"
"Not really. There's a case of 20 Kimber Stainless IIs and enough 9mm to fight Gettysburg again."
"Well, get an inventory to Allie." I'm wondering where this is leading. Gil thought.
"Let's make sure that everyone gets familiarization training on the A3s, without 203s, and maybe get in a range day if we can. Oh, let's get some good bipods for the rifles without the grenade launchers." "Roger."
The next morning Gil stirred the brine ingredients slowly until everything was dissolved.
"Now, we'll cover this and let it cool. This evening we'll place the turkeys in it and let them sit overnight. Tomorrow, Allie and Mollie are going to cook them at their houses."
"What does brining do to the turkeys?"
"Brining adds flavor and moisture to the meat. I brined the turkeys last year. Didn't you like them."
"They were delicious!. Can you do it for chickens too?"
"Sure. Okay, we'll let this cool down and after dinner tonight we'll put the turkeys in brining bags and pour the brine in. Tomorrow morning we'll deliver them to Allie and Mollie for them to cook."
They carefully carried the pot of brine down into the basement and sat it on a counter, then went back upstairs and began making the batter for pancakes. Alana would scream for blueberry and Alan loved the freeze dried strawberries in his.
When Grace brought them down, the twins clambered into their chairs and were ready to eat when they heard "pancakes." Billy got their bibs on and filled their sippy cups half-full of milk. He sat between them to make sure they used their little forks and not their hands to eat.
After everyone finished eating, Gil and Billy did the dishes while Grace was preparing vegetables for the next day's feast.
"Dad, I was reading articles last night about how the melting glaciers could raise the sea level as much as ten feet."
"I suppose that it's possible. But you have to remember this. Record gathering has been taking place in only a relatively short period in our present times. People are people and try to make sense of the information they gather. I call it 'Scientific Wild Ass Guessing' because no one really knows what is going on because they've never experienced these occurrences before. We may never know, and we surely won't know in our lifetimes until whatever happens, has happened. Many, to support their own agendas, claim the melting of the glaciers is caused by man-made global warming. That that is a popular cry these days. But you won't hear a peep out of them about the glaciers in Antarctica melting from the bottom up and the weight of all the ice is cracking them. They don't really have any proof that it is a natural earth change or what. They haven't live for millions of years to see the natural changes. They pick a supposition and run it in the ground, only stating the facts that support their position. Pay attention to the changes in the world and marvel at them.. You are experiencing something that is exhilarating, but at the same time, completely boring."
When they finished the dishes, Grace shooed them out of the kitchen so she had more room to work. Gil and Billy took the twins and went to check over the guns.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 20, 2021 15:31:43 GMT -6
Chapter 145
Thanksgiving morning, Billy and Gil were up early draining the brine from the turkeys and patting them dry with paper towels. Each called ahead and delivered a turkey each to Mollie and Allie, already in roasting pans. Gil had the ham already in the smoker and the coffee on before Grace and the kids came down the stairs. Billy had water on for the kid's oatmeal and they sensed today was a special day and each had an excited look in their eyes. Billy used a little honey in their oatmeal, which gave them less of a sugar rush than cane sugar and they were still happy.
"What do you need our help doing?" Gil asked Grace.
"Keep the twins from starting World War III. Everything is prepared. I have certain oven times I need to adhere to and everything will be cooked on time."
Grace went to the counter and picked up the list.
"Let's see….Mollie is bringing a turkey, pecan pie, and dressing; Allie is bringing a turkey, dressing, and green beans; Shannon is bringing apple pie, mashed potatoes, and winter squash. Sarah is bringing apple pie, sweet potato pie, and cranberry sauce; I've got the sweet potato casserole, honey-glazed carrots, and rolls. I'll get started on the bread dough after breakfast."
Sarah walked into the kitchen, started the coffee, turned on the oven and set the temperature, then took the cinnamon roll dough out of the refrigerator and sliced it up, laying the slices on a baking sheet. Carrie came down stairs and poured a glass of juice and set down at the table.
"Mom, I had the nicest dream last night. You and I and Trace were down on the river. It was warm and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We were throwing a frisbee around and had a picnic, and everything was so nice. I was so sad to wake up."
Trace came in and heard the tail-end of the conversation.
"Carrie, are you not happy here?"
"No, it's not that! Mom is so happy now, and that makes me happy and feel so good I always want to make sure you're happy, too so we can all be happy together."
That rattled Trace's brain housing group.
"Sweetie, I too am happy you two are here. I don't think this would have felt like a home if you weren't here. Any time you aren't happy, you tell me and we'll see if we can't fix that."
Carrie got up and hugged Trace.
"Thank you. I need a hug sometimes." Trace smiled.
Carrie pulled Trace by the arm over to Sarah, who was leaning against the counter drinking coffee, watching the interaction. "Mom needs hugs sometimes too." Carrie said, releasing his arm.
Trace reached and took the coffee cup out of Sarah's hand and set it on the counter. Placing his arms around her he gently pulled her to him and gave her a hug. Sarah closed her eyes momentarily and laid her head on his chest.
Stepping back, Trace grinned. "Now, is everyone happy?"
"We were before. That was just sugar on top." Carrie said, grinning.
They all gathered around the dining room table as Reverend Jim gave the blessing.
"Lord, we thank you for the bountiful food we are about to receive. Thank you for allowing our friends and family to gather here for another Thanksgiving of good food in these times we are experiencing. Let us not forget how very much we all have to be thankful for. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."
Nine adults and four children sat in the Great Room late that afternoon after eating. Their languor broken by the occasional dozing while watching a college football game. Finally, around 1730, the pies were cut and coffee was served. The women, rejuvenated, divided the food that was sent with the couples as they left.
When they got home, Trace built a fire in the fireplace and Carrie selected a movie for them to watch. Trace fixed a soda for Carrie and poured Sarah and him a glass of wine. He sat the drinks on the coffee table and sat on the couch, the ends being taken up by the females. As soon as he sat down, Carrie lifted up his left arm and scooted close to his side, keeping his arm around her. Sarah just moved closer. They sat and watched the three hour movie until it was finished then Carrie decided she would head to bed. Trace refiled the wine glasses and sat back down after stirring the fire with the poker and adding another log.
"Have you ever been married?" Sarah asked.
Trace stared into the fire, bad memories flooding his brain. "Once."
They sat in silence for a while until Sarah spoke again. "What happened?"
Trace sighed. "I found out her definition of her love for me didn't meet my expectations."
Silence.
"That was a very clear-cut answer, thank you for sharing with me. Good night." Sarah said, getting up and heading for the stairs.
Trace watched her get up. "Wait!"
Sarah stopped and looked at him.
"Please sit back down." Trace pleaded.
She slowly came back and sat on the couch.
"I met Clara soon after I got out of the service. She was working at a mortgage lender office and I met her at a cookout at a friend's house. I was working with the local police department training their snipers at that time. We hit it off almost immediately and dated a few months before I asked her to marry me. Long story short, I continued teaching sniper marksmanship to different LE organizations locally and across the state. It was about our third year of our marriage when I came home early after a successful completion of a contract and found out she was attending a company party. I knew the address where it was, got cleaned up and was going to surprise her. It was me who got surprised. It was more than food she was putting in her mouth when I got there. I pulled out my phone, took a few videos of what was going on around there, and left. I went back to the apartment, crammed all her stuff, in garbage bags and left them in the hallway and chained the door. First thing Monday morning I got an attorney and filed for divorce and an alienation of affection suit against the guy she was 'enamored with.' " As soon as the divorce was finalized I left and worked contracts until I landed here."
"I'm sorry I brought it up. I didn't mean to dredge up bad memories and hurt you."
"I would have told you about it sooner or later. It's better to speak out loud about it occasionally. It reminds me of how lucky I am to have you and Carrie around."
Sarah moved closer to him and Trace put his arm around her. They sat there gazing into the fire, paying little attention to the low sound coming from the TV.
"I'm getting Carrie her own laptop computer for Christmas, instead of having to use my old one." Trace said.
"You don't have to do that!"
"Yes I do. That thing is five years old. I was surprised it still ran when I turned it own. I don't know why I kept it. Hey, we really should get our Christmas shopping done early and I need help getting presents for everyone."
"Well, let's go Saturday to Kingsport, then the next weekend to Knoxville if we don't find everything." Sarah said.
"Yes Ma'am."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 20, 2021 15:34:04 GMT -6
Chapter 146
Saturday morning, Gil loaded up buckets of feed and went out to fill the game feeders. The daytime temperature was supposed to top out at 41 degrees, much lower then the average. The birds and deer would be looking for something to eat. While down in the southern-most area of the property he saw a hole in the side of a tree, about 15 feet above ground that was probably a wild bee tree. He'd have to tell Carl about that so maybe he could capture the hive. He filled the last automatic feeder and drove back along the edge of the property checking the sunflower seed heads. They were almost all eaten. He had noticed a lot of doves lately and assumed they had their fill also. After parking the Gator and plugging in the charger, he went down to greenhouse furnace and put more wood in and removed the ashes that had accumulated. Continuing his rounds, the lumber shed was his next stop. They'd used some of the lumber but another delivery could wait a bit. He was turning to go to the house when a UPS truck buzzed the gate. Gil saw on his phone who it was and buzzed the gate opened. He waited for the truck to come down the ridge.
"What do you have?" Gil asked, as the driver came to a stop.
"I've got 12 boxes from P. Henry Heirloom Seeds."
Puzzled, Gil took the boxes and started carrying them to the greenhouse. He signed for the delivery and went back into the greenhouse. The boxes seemed heavy for seeds and he wanted to check out the contents. The boxes were 16.5" x 13.25" x 10.75" and kind of large to be sending seeds in, unless you were buying a hell of a lot of them. Picking a box at random, Gil opened it. It wasn't seeds by a long shot, but four sets of PVS-14 Night Vision Devices mounted on ballistic helmets.
Bill Casey. Gil thought.
Gil got a roll of packing tape out of the work desk, resealed the box and wrote on the contents on the side. Going through each box he discovered there were twelve PVS-14s, twenty-four flash-bang grenades, twelve tactical vests, twelve shoulder holsters, Molle mag pouches, Camelbaks, more mags for the Kimbers and the M-16s. The rest of the space in the boxes were filled up with spare batteries for the NVDs and special gunsmithing tools, much of which he already had. Sealing up the last box, Gil went and got a Gator and a trailer and hauled the boxes up to the Chamber. After storing the boxes and locking the doors, Gil went to the house and checked the satphone. There was one text message.
"All for your use. Anything else you need let me know. Storage container coming to you this week for long-term."
Trace took Sarah and Carrie to the malls in Kingsport to shop. Gil slipped Carrie $100 when her mother wasn't looking and winked at her. Sarah picked up a couple of things for gifts at Burkes outlet. They found a nice decanter set for Gil at the Fort Henry Mall and a plush set of house shoes an a snuggle blanket for Grace. Carrie picket out a couple of learning toys for the twins. They had lunch at the Main Street Pizza Company before going back to Bluff View.
"Trace, do you have a minute?" Sarah asked.
"Sure, What's up?"
"Carrie. She told me she wants a crossbow for Christmas."
Trace chuckled.
"It's not funny. Why would she want one of those things?"
"I suppose it's because she looks up to Billy and he hunts with a bow plus he's been teaching here how to shoot with the 10/22."
"Where do you get those things?"
"I know a place that has the Tenpoint crossbows with the ACUslide cocking system. It would be much easier for her to draw back the cable."
"Billy is helping her with schoolwork this afternoon, can you go with me to pick it out?"
"Sure, no problem."
"I've got bipods on all the A3s. I'm taking Allie out tomorrow afternoon to zero and shoot a few targets with hers. Colt is taking Shannon out in the morning." Brad said.
"Okay. Bill is sending another CONEX for us to store, We'll unload it and store the stuff in the dungeon, but don't use any of it. Leave it all in the cases. It's for someone else's future use.
"Roger that."
The shipping container arrived from Bill and Gil had it off-loaded near the 40 foot containers. After the delivery driver left, Gil and Brad hooked the tractors to the CONEX and dragged it to the other side of the 40 foot containers where it wasn't noticeable. After cleaning up the drag marks, the put the tractors away.
"We'll haul all this up to the dungeon as soon as we can get Colt and Billy in here to help us, day after tomorrow. It'll go quicker that way." Gil said.
They went over to the greenhouse where Allie and Grace were working with Mollie gathering herbs to dry.
"You about through here?" Gil asked.
"Just about." Grace replied. "We just need to hang the rest of this oregano up."
"Okay. I'm going to check the furnace then load the kids up in your Gator and take them on up. You can bring my Gator."
"Okay Hon. I'll be right along."
Gil went outside but Brad had beat him to the furnace and was hauling out ashes. Gil went back into the greenhouse, got the kids strapped into their seats and headed to the house.
Gil got the twins inside and gave them a drink of water, then checked the pot roast in the slow cooker.
Alan and Alana got their favorite toy and sat by Gil's chair while he was watching the weather channel. Turning to a Fox News affiliate, the big story was two Democrat congresswomen being killed in a freak accident on the beltway, along with their bodyguards. Both were diehard practitioners of old style Fabianism and as far as Gil was concerned, America was better off without them. Ironic, them having bodyguards with them while they were constantly pushing for laws to take guns away from the average citizen. Well, they could rot in Hell now.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 20, 2021 15:36:29 GMT -6
Chapter 147
Carrie was fidgeting because she hadn't found a present for Billy yet. She finally went with her mother over to see Grace when she spied Billy going to the pasture one evening to feed the livestock.
"Grace, Carrie has something to ask you." Sarah said.
"Yes Dear, what is it."
I've been looking for a gift for Billy, something he could really use, but I can't find anything."
Grace grinned. "Well, you know Billy spends a lot of time in the woods. He could use several pairs of socks."
"Socks?"
"Yes. He likes to stay warm and dry. I was going to go to Bass Pro Shops and pick him up a couple of 4-packs of the SealSkinz Trekking Socks, but if you want to, I'll let you give them to him as a gift. He would really like that."
"He would?"
"I guarantee it!"
"Okay then. I'll get him the socks then. Can we Mom?"
Sarah smiled. "Of course. Trace might like some too!"
They were leaving as Billy got back.
"Hi Carrie! Want to go shooting tomorrow after modules?"
"Yeah! Can I Mom?"
"I suppose so."
Gil, Brad, Trace and Colt got the last cases from the conex stored in the dungeon. They used a tractor and the larger dump trailer and the MT-100 forklift in the chamber complex to move them inside.
"How did the range time go?" Gil asked the two guys.
"Shannon is better than I am on three-round bursts, and has a real good shot group." Colt said.
"Yeah, Allie is pretty good too. I wouldn't mind having her covering me."
"How did the suppressors work out?"
"Great!" They both said. "At least you couldn't hear the sound of full auto blasting up and down the river."
"I probably need to get Sarah to the range soon." Trace said.
"I want everyone to have suppressors for their kits and wear their vests when they're shooting to get familiarized where everything is stored." Gil said.
"Roger."
"Colt, are there IFAKs for all the vests?"
"Roger, and I made up five extras for quick exchange. They're set up as multi trauma IFAKS, with a few extras."
"Great. I hope we never have to use them, except to remove a splinter."
"Well look at you!" Laughed Sarah, as Trace pulled the tree through the door.
"Trace grinned. I couldn't help it. I saw it in the tree lot in town and thought it would look good in that corner over there."
"Wait, do you even have any ornaments?"
"Well, no, I though we could go to Walmart and get some lights and stuff. Where's Carrie?"
"She went up to Grace's."
"Well, I guess you and I need to make a trip to Walmart."
"Let me get my bag."
Laughing like two kids, they filled two shopping carts with tree decorations, garland, wreathes, cute stockings and every conceivable Christmas decoration they could put on the tree and around the house. Carrie came home and was thrilled at all the decorations and wanted to start decorating right then but Sarah said they would start after the dinner dishes were done and not before.
Dinner was simple and dishes were few so Trace and Carrie pitched in and the kitchen was cleaned up quickly. Trace got the tree placed exactly right, according to Carrie, and the decorating began. When Carrie began yawning, Sarah sent her to bed and told her they would finish up the next day. Trace bagged the trash up and poured them both a glass of wine. Sarah put on some Christmas music, turned down low, and they sat on the couch, enjoying the wine and the fire.
Trace looked at her and they both leaned toward one another, brushing lips, almost nudging each other slightly, only to lean further and reestablish contact. All that touched were their lips, as they sat side by side. The pressure of their lips increased, until seemingly welded together. Slowly they reluctantly pulled apart.
"This is dangerous." Trace said.
"I'm quivering, but not because of fear." Sarah replied softly.
Trace took the wine glass from her hand and took it to the kitchen with his. He went around turning off lights and making sure doors were locked while Sarah waited by the stairs for him. Taking her hand, they walked up the stairs together.
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Post by texican on Dec 20, 2021 16:01:25 GMT -6
Trace and Sarah are a couple now. Wedding to follow?
You can take wood ash and spread it around homes, buildings and sheds which will help to keep insects out.
Thanks n for the chapters.
Texican....
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Post by gipsy on Dec 20, 2021 17:29:03 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by gipsy on Dec 20, 2021 17:29:58 GMT -6
Trace and Sarah are a couple now. Wedding to follow? You can take wood ash and spread it around homes, buildings and sheds which will help to keep insects out. Thanks n for the chapters. Texican....
But what would it do to the soil PH? Screw up the plants?
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Post by paulk on Dec 21, 2021 9:29:58 GMT -6
More! More!
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Post by iamnobody on Dec 21, 2021 13:07:29 GMT -6
I will be looking for my next UPS delivery with a big smile on my face if it is marked P Henry Heirloom Seeds!
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Post by udwe on Dec 21, 2021 21:54:26 GMT -6
More, more, please!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 22, 2021 23:11:08 GMT -6
Chapter 148
Gil sat the percolator on the burner and turned on the TV to Fox and Friends. The first picture that came up were flames pouring from a building on a debris covered street. He turned the sound up and listened to the newsreader.
"Last night at approximately 10:45 a bomb, possibly several bombs, went off during a Christmas party attended by 200 democrat officials, labor leaders and other supporters. There is no official count of casualties at this time, but it is reported that dozens were killed or severely burned. A news conference has been scheduled by the Mayor's office for 10:00 am."
"Crap! Glad we're not doing any major traveling for the next week or so. This could really get out of control." Gil thought to himself.
Grace came down and saw the look on Gil's face.
"What's wrong.?"
"Someone blew up a load of communists last night."
Grace looked at him quizzically . Gil pointed to the TV and turned the sound up, placing the remote on the counter and getting the big cast iron frying pan out to heat up. Pulling a pack of country ham out of the refrigerator, he was peeling off slices when Mollie came in the door.
"Did you hear the news? What is this going to mean?"
Gil shrugged. "Less wasteful spending for a while, unless they don't get the message?"
"Gil this is serious! This may start a civil war!"
"Maybe riots in the Democrat held cities, but they, as usual, will be shooting themselves in the foot. Many Americans will consider the incident Karma, and will stand against police state tactics they will be wanting to initiate."
Mollie pushed him away from the stove and took over cooking the ham.
"This concerns me Gil. I wanted to go into town and get a few things, cream cheese for one." Grace said.
"Well, if it will make you feel any better, I'll go in with you, although Rogersville has never been a hotbed of insurrection for either the right or left side."
Grace nodded and got eggs out of the refrigerator and the biscuits she made weekly and frozen.
Gil heard the THUMP, THUMP of little butts sliding down the stairs and went to corral them up.
Back in Washington, the security camera recordings gathered from around the site of the explosion(s) didn't show what they just knew they would show…right-wing provocateurs planting explosives, but of left wing activists planting small charges for a false flag operation to blame the right wing "zealots." What the recordings did not show were men coming in and adding several more pounds of explosives and a mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide to the original small bombs. Captures of the films were anonymously leaked to all the press agencies, both right-wing and left-wing. Damage control was being initiated but the Democratic leadership, what was left of it, was having a hard time keeping the recordings under wraps once they hit the internet. Twitter, Google and Facebook were all claiming the recordings were fake but not before leading experts had already analyzed the recordings and found them to be authentic and unedited. The DNC launched an extensive campaign of fabrications.
Christmas morning was a riot. The twins were filled with excitement and Grace took care to take pictures of each moment. Billy's greatest delighted with the custom Realtree camo clothing and vest he received. He was also very pleased with the socks Carrie had given him. Gil received a new Outback hat from Billy and a zip-front burnished leather jacket from Grace. Gil gave Grace a bracelet with the kid's birthstones on it and a gift certificate for a full day treatment at the Belleza Salon and Spa in Knoxville. By the end of the day the twins were worn out and everyone was in a stupor, filled with good food.
Between Christmas Day and New Year's, the residents of Bluff View pretty much kept themselves to the immediate area. They had no reason to go into town for anything and really no desire. The news was filled with all types of conspiracy theories and bitter diatribes from the Democrats. Gil took to watching a few minutes of both the left leaning and right leaning stations to get their take on things. It surely showed the bias of the left and the blatant fabrications of the press to deflect the truth that was coming out. Then, in January, The offices of Pluto Press, a radical publisher in London, was completely destroyed. Following that, a press banquet in Washington was interrupted by small bombs. Immediately, The conspiracy theory bloomed out of the debris that there wasn't one "right-wing" journalist there that night. The truth was, the lift-wing organizers refused to invite any journalist not within their sphere of beliefs. Verbal attacks and counter attacks ensued for days after that until the left thought it in their best interests to tone it down. They were just digging themselves a deeper hole and their actions were broadcast throughout the country and world every day. People were beginning to see the true colors of the progressives and their supporters and began shying away from the flak and changing party affiliations.
Billy drove the tractor, cleaning up the snow off the driveway the three Gators didn't get as they traveled up the drive. Like last year, they received heavier than average snowfall, but it was barely a hiccup for the residents of Bluff View. They took care of their own and helped the Reverend with church members who might have difficulties. They cleared Trace's driveway and on down to the main road, then the church and Fellowship Hall parking lots. The County was a little slow on getting the roads cleared but most people hunkered down and stayed at home anyway.
Across the United States Democrat controlled cities and states continued to be mental illness cases masquerading as political operations. It was getting worse too. However, you only saw it if you looked at the news and read between the lines. In Hawkins County, they didn't see any of it. Hawkins was a Republican County and no matter what racial activist groups they brought in, there were less than two thousand people who didn't identify as white, and all of them worked for a living. There was no room for freeloaders.
The temperature was in the high 40s and the skies were clear so Gil got an M-16A3 out and took Billy to the range. Billy stringently adhered to the rules of gun safety without Gil reminding him. After going over the operations of the weapon and the steps they would take to zero the weapon, Gil handed Billy his ammo and walked him through the steps. Once he had the weapon zeroed, they moved back to the 100 meter line and fired five rounds, then the 200 meter line and fired another five rounds. At 300 meters, Billy was still making kill shots. They went back up to the 200 meter line and Gil handed Billy a suppressor and showed him how to attach it. Gil coached Billy into the prone position with extended bipod and had Billy fire off a full magazine using controlled, three-round bursts. Once Billy got used to the climbing recoil, he was placing all the rounds into the target. Gil gave him another mag and had him do the same thing.
"Billy. The only time you want to use just full-trigger-back-spray-and-pray is when you want to empty your mag and go for your pistol. They are too close for you to use the rifle sights. It's better to have controlled fire and get them at a distance."
Gil helped Billy police up his brass and close the range. They went back to the house and down to the basement while Gil watched and mentored Billy as he cleaned the weapon. Gil had him reload his magazines and place them back in the vest.
Security firms around northern Virginia and even as far away as California were doing a booming business. The New York Times, Washington Post and the Atlanta Journal, to name just a few, were all paying huge sums out of their profits to maintain security for their journalists. If an article was void of pertinent facts or leaned left a little, the writer was subject to reprisals. Unlike Liberals, whoever was doing this didn't include family members of the journalists in their reprisals. They were strictly left alone. More truth was being seen in articles lately. TV reporters weren't exempt either. CNN lost four satellite vans over a week's time.
Gil and the guys finally put up the clothes drying racks in the Chamber. Gil made the metal brackets so the racks would hang plumb and they drilled the holes and mounted them. They used oak frames for longevity and stainless steel wire for the clothesline. Turnbuckles were used to keep the lines taught. Cables were attached so that if the pulley system failed, no one would look like that had been through an egg slicer. A pulley system raised and lowered the frame. After inspection by the women, they ended up building two of the drying racks. The women opined the single rack wouldn't hold all the clothes on wash day.
As the new year slowly moved toward Spring, Democrat controlled areas were seeing huge up-sweeps in all crimes and people were bailing from those areas and migrating to more politically neutral and sometimes moving then again after seeing red states had less taxes and more freedoms then the Animal Farm areas they originally came from. Democrats were frantic. They were not only loosing voters, they were loosing their local tax bases and potential donors. The criminals began to have fewer targets with any assets and began thinking of moving to greener pastures also.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 22, 2021 23:13:40 GMT -6
Chapter 149
Gil took a chance and went ahead and plowed the cover crops under in the fields and garden. If the weather held, they would disk everything in a couple of weeks. The women were working in the greenhouse planting seeds in starter pots and getting them ready for the first plantings in the garden.
Gil went in town to the Co-op and Tractor Supply to see if anything new was being displayed. He picked up three plow shares for the moldboard plow and a 35 gallon drum of grease there, then went to Tractor Supply. Pulling up in front of the store, Gil saw Glen Wells and someone else pulling up in a patrol car.
"Hey Glen, what's going on?"
"I'm glad I caught you in town. I want to introduce you to Ray Hanscom. He just joined the force."
Gil held out his hand. Good to meet you Officer Hanscom."
"It's Ray, good to meet you too."
"Vermont?" Gil asked.
"Good ear. Yeah, transplanted….politics got too stupid and shed myself of the idiots. Woke up one day and the whole city had turned into stupid progressives. I swore to serve and protect but it is a waste of time protecting the terminally stupid. If I can't do my job I'll move on."
"Yeah, we're living in interesting times." Gil said. "I doubt you will have that problem here. The people around here show their true colors every day and say what they mean and mean what they say."
"That's good. I like it here so far. It's a nice, quiet town."
Glen looked at Gil and smirked. "We have our times."
The two officers left and Gil went inside Tractor Supply. He got a cart and picked up three bags of deer plot seed mix, six deer protein blocks, two poultry supplement blocks and two bags of oyster shells, two fifty pound bags of dog food, a couple of bags of dental chews and a large box of dog biscuits. After loading everything in the bed of the truck, Gil pointed the truck toward Bluff View.
Gil loaded the rechargeable batteries in the CD Boombox and began playing the David Arkenstone CD. Picking through the lumber, he found what he needed and began cutting the 2x6s to length and ran each board through the planer and joiner. After drilling the dowel holes, Gil glued the boards together for panels. This was his on-going blanket chest project for the Chamber. He was going to make a chest to sit at the end of each bed, needing to make four more chests before he could write complete to it.
Colt walked in while he was gluing the panel. "There was some trouble this afternoon in town."
"What happened?"
"Someone tried to hold up the Marathon station."
"Tried to?"
"Yeah, clerk shot one and Glen and another officer got the other one."
"Kill him?"
Colt shrugged. "The perp shot first."
Gil shrugged. "Saves the taxpayers some money. You didn't get a look-see at the perp's license plate, did you?"
"Ohio plates."
"It might be starting. We should make sure someone goes with the women into town from now on. Spread the work. Meeting at my house tonight at 2000."
"Roger."
"The situation in this country is getting worse every day. The strongly held Democrat cities are falling apart and are crime ridden. People are beginning to leave the cities and going elsewhere, and not all of them are good people. There was an incident in town today where someone with Ohio plates tried to hold up the Marathon. Both men were willing to use guns and both were killed. I think it's best if we didn't go into town alone for the foreseeable future. One person needs to have their eyes and ears open, and armed. Practice your Failure-to-Stop drills and let's keep everyone safe."
The satphone was flashing with a held message. Gil picked the phone up and brought the message up.
"WILL ARV 171300RMAR19 VIA HELICOPTER."
Gil deleted the message. "I wonder what Casey wants?" Gil thought.
The UH-60 came up the river from Cherokee Lake, landed momentarily on the airstrip, dropping Bill Casey off and took off to the northeast. Gill walked over to Bill…
"Been a while." Gil said, holding out his hand.
Bill grinned. "Things have been busy. Can we go into the hangar?"
"Sure."
When they entered the building Bill took a large envelope out of his shoulder bag and handed it to Gil.
"These are Federal CCW permits for all your adult people."
Gil looked at him in surprise. "How do we rate these?"
"Well, the way things are going, you just may need them. Your area has been lucky but as the scum start leaving the city's they'll wander off the interstates looking for prey. It's best for all if they don't make it back on the interstate."
Gil nodded. "I don't shoot to wound."
They heard the helicopter returning. "Need anything?" Bill asked.
"Well, we're burning through 9mm and 5.56 faster than I would have believed. The women have become excellent shots."
Bill nodded. "I'll get you some. Can you rig a conex for sling load?"
"Sure, no problem."
Bring that last conex down to the airfield and set it next to the runway. I'll message you on the delivery and we'll swap conexes, but it will be a night operation…nosey Nellies and all."
"Okay, no problem."
The helicopter landed and Bill climbed aboard. Gil watched as it cleared the ridge, heading east.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 22, 2021 23:16:46 GMT -6
Chapter 150
Glen Smith watched the tractors plowing from across the water. Whoever moved in there really set up a good layout. Glen slid back into the trees and took the trail around the hill to his house. It was about that time of month to go into town and get his shopping done. Going into his house, Glen got his large backpack out and his wallet. Changing out of the buckskins, he put on the coveralls and matching color baseball cap, checked to make sure he had his debit card, shrugged on the empty backpack, tucked his pistol out of sight and walked out by the small stream by the cabin. Pulling out a couple of Walleyes he'd caught earlier that morning, he dropped them at the base of the tree the eagles had nested in. The eagles sat next to the nest watching him. An hour later he was out on Highway 11, hitching a ride into town.
The men finished planting the oats and corn and put the equipment away.
"When are we planting the fields on the other side of the ridge?" Brad asked.
"We'll do those next week. You guys take off. I'm going to start a new batch of mead and run into town for some things. Colt, give me an hour and I'll pick you up."
Gil added the yeast to the honey mixture, transferred it into the carboys and closed up the doors. He drove down to pick up Colt and headed into town.
Glen pushed the cart over to the edge of the parking lot and began carefully loading his purchases in the backpack, keeping the lighter things back to load in last. After securing everything, he took the plastic grocery bags and the cart back to the front of the store, parked the cart in the corral and put the empty bags in the recycle bin. Shifting the pack and tightening the shoulder straps, Glen headed back home.
Gil laid the last bag of curing salt in the bed of the truck and he and Colt headed back home. Gil took a side road and headed up to Highway 11 when they spotted a guy wearing a huge backpack with his thumb out.
"I'll be damned!" Gil thought.
Gil braked and pulled over into the Big Lots parking lot and got out. The man shuffled quickly to the truck.
"Das ist ein langer Weg von Zahrid." Gil said. (This is a long way from Zahrid.)
The man quickly to a stop and stared at Gil.
"Conner?"
"Glen Smith. Everyone assumed you'd gotten sucked down in a sinkhole somewhere. It's good to see you!"
"You too." Glen said.
"You need a lift somewhere?"
"Yeah. I'm headed down around the dragstrip."
"Throw your pack in. We'll give you a lift."
Glen took the pack off and laid it in the back of the truck and got in the rear seat of the cab.
Gil went up to the stoplight at Highway 11 and waited for the green light.
"You have a place around the dragstrip?"
"It's on the river."
"On the river? Where about?"
"It's about 45 acres jutting out in the river where it turns south."
Gil and Colt looked at one another.
"You're right across the river from us."
"Were you out plowing this morning?"
"We were planting corn and oats. Well I'll be…."
Gil took the Melinda Road turn and Glen tapped him on the shoulder.
"The dragstrip is down thatta way."
"I know. I'm taking you by the house first. You have anyone waiting on you?"
"No. No one."
"Good. We'll fill you with a good meal too."
Glen remained quiet all the way to the house.
Glen helped Gil and Colt unload the curing salt into a shipping container and took his pack as he and Gil went to the house.
"This is a nice place you have here." Glen said.
"Thanks. You can leave your pack next to the door."
Grace and Billy were in the kitchen when the men walked in.
"Glen, this is my wife Grace and my son Billy."
"Pleased to meet you." Glen said.
Gil got a couple of glasses and two bottles of mead and they went out on the deck.
"Oh man, I haven't had mead since that monastery in Germany." Glen said. "What brought you to settle here?"
"My grandfather owned about three thousand acres along this side of the river. When he died, I inherited 400 acres of it. I decide the modern day Army wasn't for me anymore and came out here, met Grace and settled down. How about you?"
"Well, I married, a Thai girl. We had a son. He got wrapped up in doing good in school and the pressure got to him. He committed suicide and my wife went nuts. She soon followed my son. I wanted to crawl in a hole and get away from everything and bought the place across the river. The only problem, which really isn't a problem, there is no deeded access across the neighbor's land. I guess he's holding out for me to sell to him so he can sell both parcels to developers."
"Well, I've got an idea then. After dinner I'll take you across."
"You have a boat?"
"Something like that."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Dec 22, 2021 23:18:29 GMT -6
Chapter 151
After dinner, Gil pulled the hovercraft out and he and Glen towed it down to the river with the Power Wagon. Gil cranked the engines and backed it off the trailer. After attaching the wings Gil had Glen point to where the best place would be to approach his place. After Gil got seated, Glen, with his pack on, climbed in behind Gil. Closing the Gull Wings, Gil took a big loop in the field, picked up speed and cleared the hedgerow. Slowly sinking to the river surface he then slowly banked and headed for the beaching area Glen had pointed out. Reaching land, Gil shut down and Glen got out.
"It's getting too dark to show you around this evening. Why don't you come back over tomorrow and I'll give you a tour."
"Sure. I'd like that. Say about 10:00?"
"That's good. I'll see you in the morning." Gil watched as Glen disappeared into the trees then turned and got back in the hovercraft. He had enough light to navigate and headed back down river and got the hovercraft into the air to get over the hedgerow. Getting the hovercraft on the trailer and the wings stowed. He went back to the house and left the trailer hitched.
The next morning, Gil went over to Glen's landing and shut down. As he opened up the gull wing, Glen stepped out of the bushes. He looked like something out of a frontier novel. Wearing buckskins, he carried a black powder rifle and had a big grin on his face.
Gil grinned. "Jeremiah Johnson, I presume."
"My normal wear around here. I like to be comfortable."
"I hear you."
"Come on. I'll show you my home."
Gil followed Glen up the trail that wound its way up and around the hill and then dipped down to a grotto. Hidden under the trees on one side was a cabin.
"Good camo." Gil said.
"It keeps tax assessors at bay. Nobody wants to come back in here, so far. It took me several months to build this cabin with my own hands, but it was worth it. I wasn't able to get a good stove in here so I cook on the fireplace. The place is hidden and even smoke is hard to detect because of the way the winds blow down the river. By the time the smokes blows out of the hollow it has dissipated enough it is invisible. Sorry, All I have to offer you is spring water."
"That's all right, I'm good. You know, instead of walking into town, why don't you come across the river and we can take you, or if you have a driver's license, you could keep a vehicle parked over there."
"That's something I could think on. Where did you get that hovercraft?"
"Well, I bought it up in Illinois, but I'm thinking you need a different version, one to carry supplies. Come over sometime and I'll pull up their website and show you pictures. I warn you though, they aren't cheap."
"I'm not worried about money. Can't spend what I have. I don't really need anything much, basically staples and clothes now and again, so my money keeps growing. Yeah let's do that. If you don't mind me parking an old clunker over there, that would throw a log into Richardson's plant to slowly ease me out."
"No, I don't mind at all. This is really a nice cabin. It looks like it took a lot of work."
"Oh, it did! But it is snug and just right for me. Maybe if I can get the right hovercraft, I could get a small cookstove over here."
"I'm sure you could. Yeah, Just come on over and look at what they have to offer. I drove up there, which is west of Chicago, to pick it up. I'll help you get it back here. Do you have a phone.?"
"No, didn't have a reason for one before."
"I've got extra radios. I'll get you one and a solar charger for the batteries. Then you can call us if you need anything."
"I appreciate this Gil. Although my mind tells me I'm twenty, this 60 year-old body is proving I'm not. I need to make my life a little easier."
"I hear you Glen.
"Yeah, I want to get one of those composting toilets too. Digging a new outhouse hole every year or so can get bothersome as I get older."
"Well, We can take care of that quicker than getting you a hovercraft. It's Friday, why don't you grab what you need for the weekend and we can spend some time doing some planning."
"Glen nodded and got out a smaller backpack and put some things into to it. They walked back down to the hovercraft and went back over to Bluff View.
Gil and Glen spent most of the day Saturday on the internet checking out the things they talked about. Glen liked the UH-19XR-IC with cabin enclosure and wrote down the other options. They would have to wait until the following week to wire them a deposit and order. Next they looked for a wood cook stove and found just what he wanted. It was small but would fit his needs nicely. A composting toilet was next on Glen's list but it required 12 volts. Gil called Drake Simpson and let Glen tell him his power needs and wishes and Drake said he would design him an off-grid system. When they quit for the afternoon, Glen was grinning.
"You know, when I came here I did everything by hand and did without, just wanting to be by myself and not depend on anyone. But as I get older, I want to have a few more creature comforts. I like my little cabin but to have power in it would really be a blessing."
"You know, all our power is off-grid and we have no problems. Drake will design you a system that will power anything you want. You can even get a 12 volt refrigerator for your cabin and a water pump."
"I'm going to have to go back and do some measuring. I think I'll put in a bathroom with a shower stall. I'm going to have some trees to cut."
"Why cut down trees? Unless you're worried about aesthetics." Gil asked. "We can prefab everything here and take it over and put everything together."
"That sounds good, but I better not get the horse before the cart. I need to get that hovercraft."
"With the economy the way it is, they probably need the work and have you one in no time. Hell, they may have one gathering dust. When we go pick it up, figure on being gone four or five days.
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