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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 4, 2022 15:08:53 GMT -6
Chapter 167
After feeling pleasantly fed, Gil paid the bill, left a good tip and escorted the ladies out the truck to head home. Shirley was walking down the street and walked over to them.
"So what did you do to the Mayor? He's walking around on cloud-9." Shirley said, grinning.
"Well, if you don't know then he's good at his word. See you later Shirley."
They got I the truck and headed home.
"Look, I don't want it getting around that I had anything to do with getting the Mayor's his grant. It was a risk, but I hope I can keep my name out of it."
"Why?"
"It is not the whistle that moves the train. I got them their money. Let them come out heroes or zeros. It's all on them. I've got enough to be proud of at Bluff View."
MSNBC NEWS ALERT
"The body of Senator Roy Jackson, one of the Democrat Senators from Maryland, was found floating off of Hart Miller Island late this afternoon, his boat nearby. Local authorities have yet to determine the cause of death. Senator Jackson was instrumental in putting together the failed bill to give citizenship to an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants currently within the United States."
Colt gently laid the crossbow across the tree sand safety bar and slowly flipped the safety off. Aligning the sights on his target area, he slowly squeezed the trigger as the doe's tail flipped. The bolt flew true and went all the way through the chest and buried itself into the ground. The doe went about twenty yards and went down.
"Good kill!" Billy said.
Billy shimmied down from a close-by tree and waited for Colt to climb down.
"You got the stuff?" Colt asked.
Billy patted his backpack and started walking beside Colt to the deer. Billy took out the foldable single tree with the block and tackle system and they quickly strung the deer up and field dressed it.
"You find the bolt?" Billy asked.
"Yeah, but the head is shot."
" We got plenty more where than one came from. I'll go get the cart." Billy said, soon returning with the game cart.
After getting it tied down, they worked their way around the edge of the ridge and along the river until they came to the fields and headed up the east side.
"She's big." Billy said.
"Yeah, at first I thought it was an antler less buck. I want to turn it all into jerky and pemmican." Colt said.
"You won't hear me squalling. Dad makes great jerky and pemmican."
They wheeled the carcass to their cleaning area and finished skinning the deer. Billy slit open a couple of contractor bags and lined the back of the Gator with them, then took the deer carcass up to the storage chamber to cool for a couple of days before cutting it up.
Gil watched as the women headed for the range for crossbow training then turned and headed for the shop. He pulled out one of the rough-cut Walnut boards and ran both sides through the plainer. After trimming it to size, he cut the board to lengths then planed the boards down to ½ inch. He set up the dovetail jig and began cutting the box joints.
"What's up?" Brad said, walking in.
"Making boxes for whiskey. What have you been up to?"
"I filled the feed silo up. Weatherman is talking cold rain before the weekend."
"Yeah, I saw it on the report this morning." Gil said.
"Seems you been replaced on the news by fishing Senators."
"Good. Hand me that dovetail saw."
"You ready to do some more smoking? I've got a hankering for some pork BBQ."
"Sure, I'll get a couple of butts out tonight to thaw and we can do them up before the rain gets here. Now you've got my mouth watering."
Brad chuckled. "Good. I'll stop by the house and tell Grace you said to pull out a couple of butts."
"Tell her four, and make sure to pull out the last two from the Spring."
"Roger that."
After Gil had finished cutting the dovetails he left everything on the bench and went to the house.
"Oh No! Not pork roast, fried potatoes, turnip greens and cornbread again!"
"Shut up! You know you love this meal, you big goof. You smell like sawdust. Go get cleaned up."
"Yes Ma'am."
For some reason, Alan loved turnip greens and Alana hated them, but she loved spinach, so Grace always had her a small serving when she cooked greens. Of course the promise of strawberry shortcake made cleaning their plate more desirable. When they had finished, Billy took the twins into the Great Room while Gil and Grace cleaned up the kitchen.
"I want to make a run to Knoxville." Grace said.
"What do we need?"
"Just the usual rotational things plus vinegar, reading glasses, I think we need more spare sets of rain gear, baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap, sewing and medical scissors, and if we can find them, some of those surplus wool Army blankets."
"You got some Idea in your head?"
"We've got several bolts of denim. Mollie and I want to try make blanket lined denim ranch coats for everyone."
"Okay. Who's going?"
"Just you Mollie and I. Sarah's going to watch the twins."
"Okay. We're going in the morning?"
"Yep."
Then we'd better turn in early and get a good night's sleep." Gil said, wagging his eyebrows.
"Maybe, but you might be too tired to drive in the morning."
Gil reached to grab her she giggled and ran for the Great Room to get the twins ready for bed.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 4, 2022 15:13:00 GMT -6
Chapter 168
Tate and the crew were digging out the roadbed on a section of 344 that had developed low spots and potholes. They were removing old roadbed material and packing new in. A flash to his left caught his attention and turning his head, saw a car racing toward them with several police cars chasing it. Checking to his right to see if any traffic was coming, he backed the excavator up to block the clear lane. The car came speeding on. It broke through the orange barriers in the closed section and dove into the slight depression he had dug, slamming against the two-foot wall of the excavation. He waited while the police screamed up and LE were swarming around the depression. Four officers jumped down and checked the driver and passengers of the car.
"Two are alive. Call a bus!"
Tate shut down the engine and just sat there next to the three ring circus, watching. The ambulances arrived and took the three occupants away, escorted by the police. Glen Wells walked over to the excavator.
"Can you get that car out Tate?"
"You care how I get it out?
"Not especially."
"Watch out then."
Tate swivel the excavator around and moved to the front of the car. Rotating the breaking spike down, he pushed it through the windshield to its fullest extent and lifted the car, causing a considerable crease in the roof. He moved forward and dropped the car in the closed lane."
"That okay Glen"
Glen chuckled. "That's fine Tate."
"What dd they do?"
"Home invasion up in Price Heights."
Tate nodded.
A flatbed came and hauled the car away as Tate got back to work. Tate rubbed his hand across the holster on his hip before starting the engine.
Gil laid the stencil on the wood lid and scorched the River Bank label onto the wood with a propane torch. A guy in Knoxville had cut the stainless steel stencil on his laser cutting machine. Gil did the six box lids and set them aside. He'd give them a fine sanding and finish them with tung oil later.
"Dad, your satphone is ringing."
"Okay Billy. I'll be right in."
Gil went to the house and picked up the satphone. The text message indicator was illuminated.
C U Sunday PM
"Well, I guess I better be home." Gil thought.
"Can you ride to town with us this afternoon?" Grace asked.
"Who's us?"
"Mollie, I, and the twins."
"What's happening?"
"Betty is interested in a couple of bolts of cloth we have excess of."
"And you want me to babysit for you while you are wheeling and dealing?"
"Oh no!. Betty wants to see them. You can piddle around or something can't you?"
"Yeah sure, but…"
"Please? I….I feel a little safer if I know you are nearby."
"Okay, I can kill time in Oh Henry's and make some phone calls."
Gil parked at Betty's and walked the three blocks to Oh Henry's and sat at a table.
He was erasing junk messages when the Mayor sat down in the seat across from him.
"Gil, isn't there anything we can do in appreciation of you getting the grant put through? Maybe a nice write-up in the Rogersville Review?"
"Nope. Ecclesiastes 11:1.
"Uh…I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
"You go to church Mayor?"
"Well, yes. But I don't have the verses memorized."
"Well, I guess you could interpret that verse to say, 'Cast thy bread upon the water, and after a time, thou shalt receive it back, and more along with it.' I expect you to do great things for the town, Mayor. Don't let me down."
"Oh No! Of course not! We will be worthy stewards."
"I'm sure you will be."
"Again Gil, thank you from all the citizens of Rogersville."
"Don't mention it. And I mean that."
"Yes, yes! Mum's the word."
The Mayor scrambled off and Gil shook his head, going back to deleting junk mail.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 4, 2022 15:15:12 GMT -6
Chapter 169
Gil heard the aircraft before he caught sight of it. It came from the direction of Rogersville then suddenly the long cowling of a Porter-Pilatus broke through the misty fog and few over the chicken coop, banking slightly to the left and flying on down the river. He soon heard it return and slow as it lined up on the runway. The big tires touched down and the plane reversed prop and stopped within 100 feet. It slowly taxied up in front of the hanger and shut down.
"I never figured you'd fly a plane in here Bill."
Bill stuck out his hand and grinned. "Any chance I get to play with the big-boy toys, I do it."
"Want to go up to the house?"
"No. This won't take long. I'm sending you a twenty-foot sealed shipping container. I want you to bury it if you can, but accessible. It has been sprayed with a rubberized coating but there's a big pond liner you can further protect it with also. This is one of those 'Break Glass In Case Of Emergency' things. There is a resupply for a light infantry company inside it to cover 30 days of combat. Just keep it safe for us."
"When is it coming?"
"Wednesday."
"Okay, I'll arrange for an excavator to put it in."
"Well, I wish I had more time but I have another stop to make."
"Okay Bill. I'll take care of it."
Gil watched as Bill started the engine and taxied down to the turn-around, locked his brakes and revved the engine. When the tail lifted off the ground, he released the brakes and the plane shot down the runway. Like one of the Ospreys he'd seen along the river, the plane soared up and over the ridge, turning towards Kingsport, disappearing into the mist..
Gil gazed around, trying to think on where to emplace the container. An idea struck him. Jumping into the Gator, he headed over to the sawmill. About 40 feet beyond the shelter was slope heavily covered with Wait-A-Minute vines. They stayed green all year round so they'd help with concealment. They could dig back into the slope and bury the container, throw a shed in front of it…. concealed.
Gil drove down to the Home Depot in Morristown to pick up two five gallon buckets of foundation sealer and a roll of perforated drain pipe with the sock. He had Billy paint four 8x8 8-foot oak beams with the foundation sealer to set the container on. He had gravel, so all he needed was the container and the hole dug. He'd wait until after the container was delivered before digging.
Gil contacted Don and negotiated for Tate to come over and dig the emplacement and set the shipping container in. Tate came the next day and dug a level space back into the bottom of the ridge and Gil, Brad and Colt hauled gravel, leveled the bottom of the excavation and cut drainage pipe to be laid once they had the container in place and covered with the pond liner. The men then pre-fabricated the base for an 8x8 shed that would but up against the front of the container. They had the floor and walls ready to put up quickly once the container was buried and in place. They hauled various lengths of the lap siding from the old house and had it ready to cut to length. Everything was ready, they just needed the shipping container.
When the container arrived the next day, Tate lifted the container off the flat-bed with the excavator and let the driver leave. With a couple of guys on guy ropes steadying the load, they moved the container to the emplacement site. After setting the container on the timbers and making sure it was level, they covered the container with the pond liner that had been strapped to the top of the container. They laid the drainage pipe and covered that with two feet of gravel, finishing filling around the container with soil. After tamping the soil in around the container, Billy and Carrie brought leaves from the surrounding forest and covered the exposed soil. They quickly moved the shed floor in front of the container and erected the walls. Two men were measuring and cutting siding while two were nailing it on. The wall siding was cut to contour the slope of the land, concealing the front edges of the container. Billy went into the woods and dug up even more roots from the Wait-A-Minute vines and buried them around the container. They had the roof and all done before dark and left the excavator where it was for the night. Tate would take it back in the morning.
Gil had gone into town to do some banking business and decided to stop for a cup of coffee. He had just pulled out his phone when a woman walked up to his table.
"Mr. Conner, I'm Debra Gibbons with the Rogersville Review. I like to work up human interest stories on prominent citizens in the area for the paper. I've had several people suggest they would like to know more about you."
"Well, first of all, I'm not a very interesting person, except maybe to my wife and kids. Then there's the fact I have an aversion to the media, ALL media, and I am a private person who likes to be left alone."
"Mr. Conner, there's still the fact that rumors and stories are floating around about you. I just want to set the record straight."
"And what, pray tell, are those rumors and stories?"
"Well, theories about the strange planes flying in and out of your property, weird watercraft, some that even fly, gunshots heard at odd times, a secured compound with a security gate, and I could probably go on. When I ask law enforcement about you they clam up faster than a televangelist can say 'send money'."
Gil smiled weakly. "Well, I hate to bust everyone's bubble, but my story is simple. I came to this area with a lot of bad times and memories from the war and other things. I wanted solitude. I found it on the land my grandfather, Jim Connor, left me. I live there quietly with my family and some friends. Yes there are some strange planes there. They are STOL aircraft. Short Takeoff and Landing. I don't have enough runway space for a bigger aircraft. The watercraft are hovercraft, and yes, one is able to fly a few feet above the water. The gunshots are from a range I built for recreation. We are hunters too. As far as a 'secured compound, my inheritance brought me a bit of money, along with the woes. I'm sure you are aware that the rate robberies and home invasions in the area have risen dramatically.
I settled here to harness my demons. Each of us have our own demons to bear. Hardly ever are they the same. I can't begin to understand other's peoples demons and they damn sure wouldn't be able to understand mine, so writing about them wouldn't do anyone any good except feed the intrusive minds of the busy-bodies. But I will say this, time and distance will heal most scars, whether it's from warfare or women."
"So, there is a mystery woman out there somewhere?"
Gil chuckled. "No, and don't ever say anything like that around my wife. She'd be all over you like white on rice if she were to hear you impune my integrity."
"So then, what is the mystery behind Gil Conner?"
"Ms. Gibbons, I'm sure you could go all the way up Highway 11 to Bristol, asking every man the same question, and you'd get the same answer. "Why the hell is it any of your business'?"
"Touché ,Mr. Conner, but there are many men willing to talk about their lives."
"Yeah, it's a shame that those with less to boast about do it the most."
"Ouch! The rapier pierces again. But your statement is telling. Well, I tried. I'll buy the coffee next time."
"Nice talking with you Ms. Gibbons." Gil grinned, turning the voice recorder mode off on his phone.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 4, 2022 15:16:23 GMT -6
Chapter 170
Gil walked into the Great Room where Grace had "Pete's Dragon" playing on the TV for the twins. Gil handed her his phone and said, "Press play."
Grace listened to the conversation, smiling.
"Well, you answered her questions without fully answering much of anything. Now, what about this 'Mystery Woman'?"
"You, My Dear, are the mystery woman. Sneaking into my domain in the middle of the night, capturing my heart and giving me a family I don't deserve."
"Come here you silver-tongued devil and give me a kiss."
Gil got a call from Steve informing him that he and a crew would be there to evaluate and update the sensor system within the next couple of days. Gil thanked him and made sure one of the E-Gators would be available for their use.
Billy had just passed his evaluations for the 9th grade, a full year ahead of his age group, so Grace gave him a month off his studies. Actually, it would be more than 45 days because he wouldn't start studies until after the 1st of January. Billy was excited to have the free time and was anxious to help out wherever he could.
Gil had decided to do a little re-arranging and studied burying another shipping container underground to store all the aging whiskey. Picking an area between Mollie's cabin and the equipment barn, Gil ordered another rubber paint coated container with doors on one end from Jack's father-in-law and had Tate dig him out a hole for it. Tate carefully skimmed the first ten inches of soil, which the locals called "leaf mold," which was nothing more than rich decayed leaves and forest debris, and set it aside to mix in with the compost. While Tate was excavating, Brad and Trace ran eight cedar logs through the mill, turning seven of them into square beams and one into planks. Gil's idea was to put an overhang over the container to keep the rain off and to provide shade to keep the sun off the doors to maintain the coolness in the container. Liberal amounts of foundation sealer was applied to the foundation logs and the non-exposed portions of the rot resistant overhang logs. The steel in the container would rust out before the cedar would rot.
As they were putting the pond liner over the container, Steve and his crew arrived. Billy had been delegated to accompany them around so he jumped into a Gator and headed to the airfield as the helicopter was landing, Gil shortly following. As they blades shut down, Steve got out and walked toward Gil.
"Hi, we're here to talk to you about your vehicle's extended warranty." Steve said.
Gil chuckled. "My ass! How's it going buddy?"
"Couldn't be better!"
"I though you were getting out from under that company."
"Edging my way there. I still own the major portion, but by March, they can have it all. That's why we're here….getting you a good deal on some new stuff while the getting' is good."
"Billy is going to accompany your crew around. He has the location of every sensor and rabbit path in the area memorized, so I thought he might be some help."
"Thanks, I've got a couple of guys who weren't out here before. What are you building over there?"
"An aging cellar for my finest."
"Great! I hope there will be samples."
"There will be. I'll let you get to your work. I want to finish this up today. Ya'll be back in for lunch."
"Okay Gill. I'll see you later."
Gil cut cedar planks and framed in the ends and sides of the overhang to make a planter box and filled it with dirt. Going up the hillside, he spotted the dead stems of Ostrich Ferns and dug them up, planting them in the box. These grew long fronds that would droop over the sides of the overhang.
Grace and Mollie had pulled pork sandwiches and Freedom Fries when everyone came in for lunch. Allie, Shannon and Sarah, under Mollie's tutelage, had made an apple cobbler with whip cream made from powder out of the LTS foods.
"I almost don't want to go back out." Steve said, patting his belly.
"Don't." Gil replied.
"Nah. We've got a little more to do on the survey. We'll fly back this afternoon. There's some equipment we need to pick up, then we'll be back in the morning."
"Okay. We'll be busy moving kegs and barrels." Gil said.
That afternoon, Gil, Trace, Brad and Colt moved eight twenty gallon kegs and ten two gallon kegs to their "Aging Cellar," which freed up a lot of room in the storage chamber. When they had everything moved, Gil took an used open-ended keg and set it in the "cellar" and filled it with water.
"What's that for?" Brad asked.
"Humidity." Gil answered.
"So, that's why you had the insides painted with the rubber paint too?"
"Yep."
"When's it going to be time to 'sample' it again?" Colt asked."
"Two weeks. I'll let you guys know."
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Post by cavsgt on Jan 4, 2022 16:28:10 GMT -6
Your story telling ability has me in awe. You keep coming up with more and more story lines and people that all fit together like a jig saw puzzle. Please keep it coming as you have us all hooked.
Thank You Phill
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Post by gipsy on Jan 4, 2022 17:45:36 GMT -6
Thanks for another fine update.
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Post by udwe on Jan 4, 2022 20:11:45 GMT -6
Another great addition! Keep going!
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Post by rep1270 on Jan 5, 2022 10:12:55 GMT -6
Thanks for the update. It is a great story as all of them have been. Thanks Ralph
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 5, 2022 13:34:01 GMT -6
Chapter 171
Gil smiled as Billy left the house with Sandy and his 20 gauge. They had discussed the quail and pheasant populations and decided they needed a little thinning. Gil gave Billy the go-ahead and told him to bring back six quail and two pheasants, total. They would go out a couple of days before Thanksgiving and bag a couple of turkeys together.
While he was thinking about it, Gil called and ordered a breeding pair of pheasants to get some new blood. He wanted to keep the population going and had even swapped some of the acreage in order to have better habitat for them and the quail.
"Gil, have you been listening to the news?" Grace asked.
"There is little that the agitprop media puts out that interests me."
"Well, it seems as though several Democrat congress critters are resigning to 'spend more time with their families'." Gil chuckled. "More likely they are starting to hear the blade dropping on the guillotine. Wasn't there something the other day about several members receiving bouquets of tulips or something?"
"I thought you didn't pay attention to the news!"
""I think I heard it on the truck radio."
Gil's phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hello Mr. Mystery man."
Gill waved frantically at Grace and put the phone on speaker mode.
"Ms. Gibbons, how can I help you?"
"Good. You're already offering to help. I need to talk to you and your wife."
Grace grinned and nodded."
"Of course, but I don't know when we'll be back in town."
"That's okay. I can come to you. When would you and your wife be available?"
Gil looked at Grace. She mouthed 'Thursday evening.'
"I think Thursday evening is open, say around 8:00?"
"That's fine. I'm looking forward to it."
Gil pressed the end call icon and looked at a laughing Grace.
"You are scared to death of her, aren't you?"
"No, I just don't trust her. People like her write what they want to climb the next rung on the ladder."
"Well, it won't hurt to see what she wants."
"I guess."
Shannon won another bid on a cargo container. She wasn't expecting much but at least she won. She figured she could at least get back scrap prices for it. When it arrived from Delaware, the container was unloaded and she signed for the shipment. Breaking the seal, she pulled the shipping documents and read them over, then called Gil.
"Gil, I got a container in. I think you should see this."
"I'll be right down."
Gil locked up the Chamber and drove the Gator down to the bottom of the ridge.
Gil read the documents and grinned.
""Well, we won't be selling these. This has been on my mind for a little while."
"What is it?"
"What we have here are two disassembled windmill water pumping systems, you know, like you see out west."
"What are you going to do with them?"
"With these things, we might be able to use river water to irrigate the garden and greenhouse instead of well water. I'll have to dig in here and get the manuals out and see what the max head is."
Gil went and got the tractor and put the fork blades on the bucket to pull the pallets out of the container. He set the pallet on the ground the walked around and finally found the manuals under the plastic on the back of the pallet. Cutting the plastic wrap with his multi-tool, he loaded the pallet back into the container and closed the doors.
"Okay, you owe me $2586.00 then."
"Come up to the house and I'll pay you."
They rode the Gator back to the house and while Shannon gabbed with Grace, Gil went to his office and got the money and went back downstairs.
"Shannon says you have some windmills." Grace said.
"Yep, two of 'em. I'm going to read through the manual. I might be able irrigate the garden and greenhouse with river water instead of aquifer water. If the windmill has enough power, We might be able to pump it to a raised water tank, giving us enough pressure to use the sprinklers. Exciting isn't it?"
Grace rolled her eyes.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 5, 2022 13:35:22 GMT -6
Chapter 172
Debra Gibbons arrived at 1955 Thursday evening. Grace buzzed her through the gate and Gil met her at the door. The twins had just gone to bed and Billy was in his room so it was just Grace Gil, and Ms. Gibbons in the Great Room.
Ms. Gibbons started. "I'll come right out. This has nothing to do with a story….per se. Even though no one is talking, I can read between the lines. I know you had a great deal to do with the city getting the grant. I'd like you to become a Secret Santa, sort of, if you're willing."
Gil sat there looking at her, hand rubbing his chin. "I'm listening."
"There are a few families in this town that need help. They've come on hard times through no fault of there own and are too proud to accept assistance. I'd like them to receive some help in a way they couldn't refuse it. I will not be keeping any notes nor writing any stories about this"
"How long is this to last?" Gil asked.
"Through Thanksgiving and Christmas."
"And you have the families identified?"
Ms. Gibbons opened up the briefcase she carried and pulled out a handful of manila folders. She picked up the first one and opened it, handing it to Gil.
Gil looked at the first page. The first page detailed the difficulties the family of three was having. Stapled to it were biographies of each family member. Their height, weight, and even clothing sizes were listed.
"Were you ever in the military?" Gil asked her.
"Ms. Gibbons smiled. "407 MI detachment."
"Some of this information is not supposed to be releasable due to the Privacy Act."
"Santa has a lot of helpers."
"So, what do you need from me, besides financing?"
Ms. Gibbons reached into her purse and pulled out five $100 bills. "I'm willing to chip in. We have a few other donors but with the economy the way it is, I don't know if we can cover the five families I've selected."
"I assume you have a list of needs for each family?"
"It's in the folder."
"I'll see what I can do."
"I'll be transferring funds as donations come in."
"What is in this for you?"
She paused for a second. "Every day I see people trying their hardest to make a good life for their families. I want to help, but I can't do it on my own. A lot of civic and religious organizations are doing the best they can, but it isn't going to be enough. This five families stuck out because they aren't giving up. In the folder that you're holding, the father is working a low-paying day job at the Speedway down in Bulls Gap while his wife works as a maid at the Super 8 across the street. He is a highly regarded diesel mechanic but got laid off."
"Okay, I'll go through these files and see what we can do."
"Thank you Mr. Conner." Ms. Gibbons said, her eyes watering.
She closed her briefcase and stood up.
"Don't go." Grace said. "Stay and have some coffee or perhaps some tea."
"No, I really must be going, but thank you."
They walked her out the door and to her car. Just drive up to the gate slowly and it will automatically open." Grace said.
"Thank you."
They watched as she went down the drive.
"She seemed sincere." Grace said.
"Yes, she did. Well, want to do it?"
Grace grinned. "Yes, let's do!"
Grace call for a coffee klatch with all the other women. After she told them what was going on, they each read the files in turn and took notes. Their next step was to come up with an items list for them to put together a Thanksgiving meal box. They didn't have much time so some of the items would come out of their storage. Items to prepare a complete meal, to include a turkey and a ham were assembled for each of the five families. Gil figured out the cubic footage and made plywood boxes and Carrie painted them in a Thanksgiving theme and the lid was topped with a muscadine vine wreath with holly leaves on the lid. Two days before Thanksgiving, each family received a box at their front door in the night, announced only by a knock. When the knock was answered, no one was there, just the box.
Colt surreptitiously took videos of the doors being answered for later viewing.
Thanksgiving was even more meaningful this year. Everyone had participated in the secret project and a sense of pride was felt by everyone. As the held hands around the table, each felt bless and gave thanks for what they had.
"What did you do Billy? Shoot the big tom?" Brad asked.
"Dad told me to. He said it was time some young tom moved up in the pecking order, no pun intended."
After dinner, the food was placed in the warming oven or refrigerator, dishes were cleaned and the men sat in the Great Room lazily sipping whiskey and watching the football games while the women excitedly planned Christmas for the five families.
"Don, Tate mentioned Ben was getting behind on the repairs at the shop."
"Yeah, Ben is good, but he's getting on in years. We had a differential go out in one of the trucks the other day that's going to put him even more behind."
"Could you use a good mechanic to help him out?"
"I wish I could find one."
Gil handed Don a slip of paper. "Call this guy and check him out….don't bring my name up."
"When are you going to do the windmill, Gil?" Trace asked.
"Ahhh….not until the Spring. We'll run things as usual. It'll give me the time to figure up the concrete for the base and the amount pieces and parts we'll need. Man, Alabama is eating them alive!"
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 5, 2022 13:39:19 GMT -6
Chapter 173
Gil walked out on the deck with his cup of coffee and breathed in the crisp air, Looking at the ridges bathed in colors of the deciduous and coniferous trees on the slopes, blending to make a natural colorscape, he sighed. If only the rest of the world was as peaceful as what I see at this moment. Gil thought.
Gil turned and walked back inside to the smell of ham frying.
"You want to make the pancakes?" Grace asked.
"Sure," said Gil, setting his cup on the counter. Taking out the canister of Pancake mix, he measured enough for them….and maybe a couple of more and added the reconstituted powdered milk. Getting out another fry pan, he let it heat up and added bacon grease. Once the pan was hot enough, he ladled the batter into the pan.
"What do you have on your agenda today?" Gil asked.
"Finishing up the Secret Santa gifts. Are you going to make the boxes for us?"
"They're finished. Is Carrie going to paint them?"
"Just the food boxes. We'll wrap the present boxes with foil wrapping paper and put a big bow on it."
"Those are going to be hard to sneak around."
"Oh, I'm sure you sneaky Pete soldier-boys will figure out a way to get them delivered."
Gil just gave a grunt.
"What are you doing today?"
"I need to go pick up pipe and pieces and parts at the Co-op for the windmill project this morning. This afternoon, I promised the guys they could help me test the aged whiskey."
"Uh oh! Is this going to get nasty?"
"No. They'll only have a little sip from each barrel so I can get their thoughts."
"Well, I'm sure all of you will come back a wee glassy-eyed."
"Maybe so….but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Where's the platter?"
After breakfast, Gil headed into town. The weather, well it was just there. A front had move in and had turned into one of those dreary, grayish, misty days when you could barely see the tops of the ridges. Almost, but not quite, like looking through frosted glass. It was a little clearer next to the ground. It was one of those days that made you want to go back home and huddle next to the fire and read a book. But Gil had his schedule to keep so he kept the nose of the truck between the white lines and waved when he was waved at and took the irregular turns (according to Grace) to get to the Farmer's Co-op. There, he purchased four 100' rolls of 1" polyethylene pipe and assorted polyethylene pipe fittings. He needed about twice that much but he didn't bring a trailer with him. He would have a lot of pipe to bury but if he put the windmill next to the river along with a 3000 gallon water tank on a 20 foot platform, that would put the water flowing with a drop of almost 75 feet. Heck, that was enough to power an undershot water wheel….he'd keep that in the back of his mind for later. As he was loading everything in the back of the Power Wagon, Chief Ray Dalton pulled up in front of him, effectively blocking him in.
"Something wrong Ray?"
"Now why would you say that, Gil?"
"You got me blocked in."
"Oh, That's so you can't leave until Will Tatum can get here."
"What's the Sheriff want?"
"We'll tell you when he gets here. He's on his way."
Gil continue to load the truck.
A couple of minutes later Sheriff Tatum pulled in and got out of his car.
"Morning Gil."
"Morning Sheriff. What's going on?"
"Gil, Ray and I want to ask you to be a reserve law enforcement officer."
"For which department?"
"Both."
"Now, how is that going to work and why?"
Oh, you won't be directing traffic or writing tickets and such, you'll be kind of our on-call militia."
"Now there's a name that could get me put on a watch list." Gil said, frowning.
"Okay, okay. We won't call it that. You're our reserve. You are highly trained, you hold a federal carry license…"
"I'm not the only one around here that has a lot of training and carries a fed. Palmer, Carter, and Bennigan do too."
"We know, and we want them in also.
"So what will be our responsibilities?"
""Back us when needed, you see something, do something about it….legally, of course."
"I'll talk to the other guys, but we'll see."
"We appreciate it and we need a couple of bottles of that River Bank too Gil."
"Now Sheriff, you know I can't be making that except for personal consumption,"
"I know, but for the public's safety, we'll need a couple of samples to test to see that it doesn't contain any chemicals and such of a danger to the body and soul."
"Well, I can attest to the soul part but it's as pure as the purest spring water."
"We'll have to judge that ourselves."
Gil grinned. "I'll make sure you get a couple of samples then."
"We'll see you later Gil."
Gil watch them drive off, shook his head and drove back home.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 5, 2022 13:44:00 GMT -6
Chapter 174
Gil pulled up next to a shipping container and unloaded everything, the Chief's and Sheriff's request swirling through his mind. He'd talk to the guys this afternoon. When he went into the house, he went to his office and set aside two of the walnut display boxes of the River Bank to take with him the next time he went to town.
He went down to where Mollie and Grace were working on what looked like lists in the kitchen nook.
"Getting it together?"
"We're done. We just need to wrap the big boxes and they'll be ready to go tomorrow night."
"What about trees?"
"Actually, there will be three boxes you guys will be delivering to each family. One for food, one of presents, and one with a 4-foot free and ornaments."
"We're going to need more manpower."
"Well, I kinda clued Tate in on this and he's willing to help and there's Billy too."
"Okay, sounds doable."
"The girls will be here after lunch to start wrapping everything."
"You need me for anything?"
"No, you guys do your hairy-chested whiskey testing and we'll finish this up."
Gil chuckled. "You mean 'stay out of our hair'?"
"I didn't say that, you did."
"Yes Ma'am."
Gil went out to his shop and checked his equipment list for the windmill installation and checked numbers off. He's still have to buy more parts and pieces, but he had plenty of time. He looked around and made a couple of notes in his notebook. A trip to Knoxville was needed after Christmas to pick up more steel and welding supplies. If he could buy enough, they would deliver the steel themselves. He could add some rebar to the order. There was always a use for rebar.
After lunch, Gil drove down to the Aging Cellar and Brad, Colt, Trace and Tate were waiting on him. As Gil got out of the Gator, he looked at Tate.
"Don said for me to come down and be a witness."
Gil chuckled. He unlocked the doors and they went in. Taking an auto-siphon and a tube of red plastic shot cups out of a box, he set up five cups and pulled the bung from the first barrel. He drew the whiskey into the siphon tube and placed ½ ounce into each cup and they all tasted it. He wrote down their comments. By the time they had finished the eighteen various size kegs, there were five placid, slightly red-eyed individuals seated on stump seats around the outside of the cellar.
"Tate, you don't hold a federal firearms carry license, do you?" Gil asked.
"No just state."
"Colt, Brad, and Trace. The Sheriff and Police Chief want those of use with feds to be reserve officers."
"Now you're making me feel like Barney Fife." Brad said. "Do we get one bullet too?"
Gil chuckled. "No, nothing like that. If you see something, do something, but legally. You'll have arrest powers and basically back up the town and county law enforcement."
"Okay. I could do that. We do that anyway. Do we get to handle school crossings too?" Colt asked.
"No. Nothing like that. Just keep eyes and ears open and be prepared to assist."
Tate looked a little dejected. Gil made a mental note to see if Bill could do something.
Gil felt like they were playing cops and robbers, sneaking around people's houses late at night. Except instead of taking, they were dropping of boxes of Christmas cheer. When the last parcels had been delivered, they made their way back to Bluff View and the impromptu celebration party Grace and the ladies had put together. As they raised a toast to those who care, Tate said. "This is special, for once in my life during Christmas, I feel like I've really done something to bring cheer into the lives' of people we don't even know. I hope we can do this next year."
They all looked at one another and nodded.
That night, Sheriff Will Tatum and Chief Ray Dalton were both aggravated, at first, when they answered the doorbell late at night and no one was there. But their frowns magically turned to smiles when they saw the walnut box sitting by their door.
All the families were up early Christmas morning to do their family things, but all congregated back at the Conner's for an afternoon dinner and enjoying everyone's company. Gil handed out to each man presentation boxes of River Bank, which they sipped, while the ladies imbibed Strawberry Wine.
Gil came down stairs to find Grace standing in the kitchen door looking into the dining area. Gil walked up behind her and wrapped her in his arms.
"What are you thinking?"
"Is there some way we can extend the dining area out more, like onto the deck or something? We really need a longer table when we have everyone here for dinner."
"I'm sure there is. I'll call Boyd Haskell and see if he has any free time to come up and take a look. One way or another, we'll have you a bigger dining room before out next big gathering. How long of a table are you wanting to put in here?"
"Can you build a twelve foot table?"
"Wow! Yeah, I suppose I can, and the same width?"
"Yes, the width is just right."
"Oak okay?"
"Yes, the same stain and all."
"Okay. I know what I'm doing on my snow days now."
And for Gil, the snow days started early. On New Years Day, they awoke to six inches of snow covering Bluff View.
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Post by gipsy on Jan 5, 2022 16:10:07 GMT -6
Thanks for another fine update.
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Post by cavsgt on Jan 5, 2022 16:58:18 GMT -6
There should be a way to show you just how much we appreciate all of your hard work. You are a master of telling the story while putting just the right amount of detail.
Until you are better paid here is another THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by paulk on Jan 5, 2022 19:59:08 GMT -6
Thank you! I enjoy your writing so much.
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Post by udwe on Jan 5, 2022 21:31:22 GMT -6
Thanks, story is getting better all the time!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 6, 2022 16:10:33 GMT -6
Chapter 175
Billy was combing the Beggar Lice out of Sandy's fur when Gil walked into the Great Room.
"Man, she really got into them!" Gil said.
"Yeah, she went and stirred up the quail down near the southern feed plot." Billy replied.
Gil chuckled and continued to the kitchen and got a Klean Kanteen out of the fridge and took a long drink.
"Debra is stopping by in a bit." Grace said, coming in from the dining room.
Puzzled, Gil looked at Grace and recapped the bottle.
"Your incomprehensible Ms. Gibbons, Sweety."
"Gil grunted, opened the fridge and got a smoked venison meat stick out and sat down at the dinette."
"What does she want?"
"She wants to give you the rest of the funds collected from the Secret Santa Project."
The gate buzzer sounded on the control panel.
"Speak of the devil." Gil muttered.
Grace walked over and buzzed her in. A few minutes later Grace guided her into the dining room where Gil had remained seated.
"Meat stick?" Gil offered.
"Yes, I believe I would. Thank you."
Surprised, Gil got up and took the container of meat sticks out of the fridge and set it on the table. Grace brought Debra a cup of coffee with cream and sat it before her. Debra reached into the container for a meat stick and bit the end off of it.
"Gil, can I show her the video?" Grace asked.
"Sure."
Grace brought her laptop to the table and showed Debra a compilation of the filmed Secret Santa visits to the five families at Thanksgiving and Christmas. A tear formed in the corner of her eye.
"I can only imagine how they felt when they opened those boxes. Oh, and it seems three of the men have suddenly found good paying jobs in the area."
Gil drank his water, otherwise he kept his mouth shut.
"Grace your husband is the most inscrutable man I have ever met."
Grace leaned back from the table in mock surprise. "I don't know how you can say that! He warms right up when I rub his tummy."
Both women started giggling as Gil blushed.
Debra stopped giggling and looked at Gil.
"I'm not the bad boogeyman you seem to think I am. Yes, I'm a media writer, reporter, whatever you want to call me. I'm also a stringer for the Tennessee Star. I don't report the news, I do human interest stories where I can write emotions in. If I were reporting the news, my emotions and opinions would have no business in a news report."
"Okay, maybe you aren't so bad after all." Gil said with a glint in his eyes.
Debra reached into her purse and brought out a thick envelope and laid it in front of Gil.
"As promised, there are the rest of the donations for Operation Secret Santa."
"Operation Secret Santa? I didn't know you were calling it that." Gil said, sliding the envelope over to Grace.
Let's start and account at Community Bank. Tell Gerald we want an interest bearing checking account and if they don't offer it, we'll move our accounts to somewhere else. Match whatever is there for next year."
"You're going to do this again next year?" Debra asked.
"Of course, and you are going to be the bird dog who finds us worthy people, that is, unless you win a Pulitzer and run off to New York or somewhere."
"Oh no, my roots are too deep here. But Operation Secret Santa would have been a good story the Star would have bought in a heartbeat."
"Then write it." Gil said. Just no names and I want to read it before you send it in."
"Of course! I did write up a kind of draft…just for practice. I'll polish it up and bring it over."
"Great, we're having a cookout Saturday afternoon. Bring it over and eat with us." Grace said.
"Absolutely!" Gil said. "I'm cooking chitlins. You like yours stump-slung and fried or spigot-washed and boiled?"
Debra's face turned pale.
"Gil! Stop it! Debra, he doing kabobs and veggies. Please come."
Debra glared at Gil. "I'll be here."
Gil chuckled and took a bite off another meat stick.
"Gotcha." He said, grinning.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 6, 2022 16:12:35 GMT -6
Chapter 176
Boyd Haskell called and said he had some free time Saturday to come up and see what Gil wanted done. Gil persuaded him to come up in the afternoon and stay for the cookout also. Billy and the men helped set out the patio heaters and a few more chairs under the retractable deck awnings. Grace asked they put out three of the foldable 36" patio tables and their chairs also. Carrie brought out plastic tablecloths to put on the tables with Billy's help. While the women were inside cutting up vegetables to be grilled and making fresh baguettes, Gil slipped quietly to the basement with Billy and brought back bottles of mead and the horn mugs. Billy filled the mugs for the men and poured a soda in another one.
Gil raised his mug "An abwesende Genossen! Gruß!" ("To Absent Comrades! Salute!")
“Gruß!"
Grace poked her head out of the door and announced Boyd's arrival. Gil went through and guided Boyd back to the deck and poured him a mug of mead.
"This place turned out really nice Gil. What did you want to do?"
Gil walked him over and explained what Grace wanted.
"You see that's going to take about five feet off you deck. Do you want us to extend the deck out also?"
"That would be great, as long as it doesn't look like a patch job."
"No problem. What about the covered outdoor kitchen?"
"Leave it like it is, if you can make the deck extension kind of blend in."
"No problem."
"Gil, start the grill!" Grace shouted.
"Happiness, and the duties my wife gives me, are inseparably connected." Gil grinned.
Grace and Mollie brought out the kabob skewers and the vegetables and Billy began tossing the vegetables in the grill basket while Gil handled the kabobs. The men stood around and made rude and socially unacceptable comments about Gil's grilling abilities, which Gil replied with a covertly offered single-finger salute. The ladies came out with plates, silverware holders, napkins and baskets of warm baguettes. Mollie and Shannon came over with large serving bowls and the vegetables were put in one and Gil stripped the meat off the skewers into the other. When everyone was seated and the blessing said, it was elbows and appetites after that, along with cheerful commentary. Debra looked around and was amazed at the familial atmosphere displayed. This must be heavenly being around these people daily.
When everyone had left, Gil, Grace and Debra were sitting at the dining table. Grace slid a file folder containing Debra's article over to Gil. He opened it up and started reading the two pages. Reading down the page, his eyes locked on the last paragraph...
"Where once these stealthy warriors used their skills to protect this nation, this night, they used their techniques to bring happiness to a few in need. Where we once paid these brave people to risk their lives in service of their country, this night, their payment was the joy they saw in a child's eyes when they saw what their Secret Santas had left."
Gil laid down the paper and cleared his throat. Getting up, he went to the fridge and got out his water bottle and took a long drink. He walked over to the Berkey and refilled the bottle, replacing it back on the door of the fridge then turned back toward the table.
"That's good."
A surprised Debra looked at a grinning Grace.
"See? I told you he was a big Teddy Bear!" Grace said giggling.
"Hush women, or you'll be put to the stocks!"
Debra grinned. "So, I have your permission to send this in?"
"Yes, you really did a good job. Thank you."
Debra gave a sigh of relief. "Well, I need to get going. I want to send this out to the Star editor tonight."
"Thank you for coming Debra, and don't be a stranger." Grace said.
They walked her out to her Jeep and watched as she drove down the drive.
"See? She did pretty good on that article." Grace said, climbing the steps.
"Yeah, it was nice." Gil agreed.
The Farmer's Almanac said it was going to be a hard winter. January 20th brought another four inches of snow, which brought them to one inch over normal for the year. It didn't last long but it gave him a little bit of time in the shop to work on the dining table. He had planed several boards before he was able to get the quality woods he wanted. He started on the top first, planing and cutting the boards to get them ready for gluing. Once he had the top glued and clamped, he and Brad milled oak logs until he found a couple that would make good legs. He had cut the beams into four-foot lengths to be turned on the lathe and had them kiln dried. Gil let Grace pick out the turning style and he made a pattern. Taking a whole day to sharpen his lathe knives, Gil made sure everything was ready before he even attempted to start. He didn't like to stop and start when doing turnings.
Brad picked up one of the six the table legs Gil was getting ready to stain.
"Dang Hoss! This table is going to weight a ton!"
"Eight hundred and seventy eight pounds, more or less." Gil said, grinning. "That's why I made it to be taken apart."
Brad picked up a rag and helped Gil finish staining the wood.
"I'll let this sit the rest of the day and start applying the finish tomorrow afternoon." Gil said.
"I'll help. When are they going to start on the dining room extension?"
"Boyd says Monday, if the weather holds. If it doesn't, well, Grace will just have to pout."
They bagged the rags and set them outside and went to the house. Grace and Allie were sitting in the Great Room talking.
"Well, your table is almost done. I just need to put the finish on." Gil said.
"I'll wait to see it when it is finished, so I'll be surprised." Grace said.
"What's for dinner, Allie?" Brad asked.
"I've got a pot roast in the slow cooker."
"Let's go, I'm starving."
Gil followed Grace into the kitchen and got a drink of water while Grace stirred the beef stew.
"I'll plate this while you get the kids."
"Yes Ma'am."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jan 6, 2022 16:13:56 GMT -6
Chapter 177
Gil was thankful that since they had been sworn in as Reserve LE no one had been in the position to use their authority. The Sheriff's Department was keeping more patrols out on roads to the interstate and the Highway patrol was keeping a watch in the interchanges so things were quiet for now.
Gil stayed out of the way and watched as the workmen put the final touches on the extension and managed to get the logs stained to the exact color of the house. They had sloped the roof over the extension and added a skylight, giving more light to the dining area. Grace was excited as she watch everything they did. The other half of the crew had finished the deck and were just about done with the steps. This was going to be nice. He needed to check to see if there were powered awnings that would extend the extra five feet to cover the new part of the deck. He'd call that afternoon.
Gil called and yes, they could custom build and install the awnings. They would even buy the used awnings off of him. They had been selling as much used equipment as they were new these days.
On the first of February, Grace wanted to have a house warming meal to reveal the new extension, not that everyone hadn't already seen it. The women decided to make homemade pizza to eat. The men were detailed to get the new dining table in and set up and with more than a number of grunts got it put together. Gil had purchased nylon furniture sliders and glued them to the bottom of the table legs so it was easy to move the table to the exact place Grace wanted it, and without marring the floor. The men went off to celebrate in the Great Room while the women continued preps for the pizza. They would actually use the outside wood-fired pizza oven that Grace had begged for and had used only a half-dozen times.
Gil went out and checked the pizza oven, adding a little more wood to it. The men followed him out to get some fresh air.
"Smells like snow." Brad said.
"Yeah.: Gil agreed. "I was looking at the NOAA weather site and if the jet stream dips any lower we're going to be in for some cold weather. With moisture drifting out of the Gulf, we could be in for a few inches."
"I thought it felt different too, so I fed the stock a little more feed." Billy said.
"Good thinking. What's that thermometer read, Colt?"
Colt looked on the wall. "Twenty-nine degrees."
"Well, looks like I'll be checking my guns tomorrow for carbon residue."
"I'll probably clip my toenails." Brad said.
"Be ready for snow removal on the driveway when, and if, it stops snowing." Gil added.
It was getting colder so they went back in to wait for the women to start putting the pizzas together.
Trace woke with a start. He didn't hear any 'night noises.' Sliding the pistol out of its holster on the night table, he slowly got up and crept to the window in the kitchen, staying in the shadows.
Snow. There was a good bit of snow and it was still falling. He looked at the clock and it showed 0400. Crap! He wouldn't get back to sleep now. He turned on lights and put on a sweat suit. Going to the stove, he put on a tea kettle full of water and set up his coffee pod coffee maker used by high-end campers. It was pretty neat. You put one of those coffee pods like you use in a Keurig machine it, placed the water container on top, pour boiling water in, place a cup under the outlet hole then press down on the plunger. It even sounded like a Keurig machine as the water squirted through the pod. Best of all, it didn't use electricity. Tate selected a pod of hot chocolate and put the water tank in place and waited for the kettle to start whistling. Picking up the TV remote, he turned on the TV to a Kingsport channel to see what was going on with the weather. Didn't look too bad, but it didn't look all that good either. He'd probably receive a call from Don around 0600 telling him not to come in.
The pot whistled and Tate made his hot chocolate, taking it over to his chair and picked up his book. Jacking up the footrest, he changed the channel on the satellite receiver to some mood music and opened his book.
Don called at 0615 and told Tate they weren't going out that day. Tate told him when the snow stopped he'd go down and use a Bobcat to clear around the buildings and equipment. Don told him he'd meet him there.
Gil woke up at his normal time and something was different. He pull on his pants, moccasins and sweatshirt and slipped down stairs. He turned on the deck light and saw the snow, then glanced at the snow gauge. Ten inches. A few flakes were still falling. He turned the light back out and made his way into the kitchen and set the percolator up and turned on the TV. He tuned in to weather channel and they talked like it was a snowmageddon, but he didn't see anything about I-40 or I-81 being closed so it wasn't that bad. People should just keep their butts at home and stay warm by the fire, That thought drew Gil over the fireplace and he uncover the glowing coals and with a little kindling, got the fire going. He flipped the switch on the heat-a-lator and soon warm air was blowing through the vents into the room. Hearing the coffee perking, he went back into the kitchen and turned the burner off and poured the coffee into a carafe then started another pot. It was going to be a two-pot morning.
Tate glance up from his book and looked at his watch. 0530. He marked his page, stretched and got up. He put the kettle back on and rinsed the coffee maker off and selected a k-cup of Columbian. He turned on an induction burner on and set the cast iron frying pan on it then set the convection to 375 degrees. Getting a package of country ham and the eggs out of the refrigerator and two frozen biscuits out of the freezer, he began making breakfast.
Thirty minutes later, taking the last bite of the buttered biscuit smeared with strawberry preserves into his mouth, Tate read about the snowstorm on his tablet. The interstates were open so it was going to be the local roads most effected by the snow. He got up and looked out at the snow and there were only a few flakes still falling. After cleaning up his dishes and wiping everything down, he went and took a shower, pulling out fleece-lined jeans, thermal underwear and his heavy boots and socks, he took a hot shower and dressed. Pulling on a flannel shirt, he got everything tucked in and put his gun in the waistband holster. Putting on his trappers hat and the RefrigiWear parka and gloves, he headed for the construction yard. His truck had no problem making it and he parked it out of the way. Going into the building, he checked the fuel and oil in the Bobcat and started it, letting it warm up while he raised the garage door. Clearing out from in front of the door, he shut it and started moving the snow to the southwest corner of the lot.
Grace came down the stairs yawning.
"How much snow did we get?"
"Ten inches, maybe a little more. I'm going to check the furnaces."
"Okay, I'll wait 'til you get back to start breakfast. Oh! Can you bring back a dozen eggs from the canning house?"
"Yes Dear."
Gil put on his winter wear and got the Gator out of the garage and drove around to the house furnace. He added wood and made a note to remove the ashes today. The greenhouse furnace was in good shape and he added as much wood as he could and set the damper. He quickly checked for varmint tracks around the chicken coop and made sure they had food and water before going back to the house. After putting the Gator back in the garage, he carried a snow shovel back to the deck and cleared it and the steps before stomping the snow off of his boots and going inside. Grace had already laid the "snow blanket" on the backdoor floor so he took his boots off and placed them in the drip pan. Billy came downstairs with his cold gear on and started putting on his trapper's hat and parka.
"Where are you going?" Gil asked.
"To clear out Grandma Mollie's place then go check the stock."
"Go ahead to Mollie's but come back here for breakfast before you check the livestock. You fed them extra last evening. They can wait a little while."
"Yes Sir."
Gil walked into the kitchen, set the eggs on the counter and poured a cup of coffee from the carafe.
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Post by cavsgt on Jan 6, 2022 16:39:24 GMT -6
THANK YOU!!!!!!
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Post by gipsy on Jan 6, 2022 17:27:35 GMT -6
Thanks for the update
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Post by udwe on Jan 7, 2022 13:05:32 GMT -6
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by CountryGuy on Jan 7, 2022 14:24:56 GMT -6
Loving this story!
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Post by paulk on Jan 8, 2022 11:34:25 GMT -6
More! More!!
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Post by ydderf on Jan 8, 2022 12:55:48 GMT -6
Thank you
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