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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 11, 2022 8:41:13 GMT -6
SAVING GRACE
Chapter 1
Gil grabbed Grace as she slowly slumped over, picked her up and laid her on the couch. A nurse rushed in and broke an ammonia capsule and waved it under Grace's nose. Grace slowly shook her head and opened her eyes.
"Gil?" She whispered.
"You're all right. Do you want some water?"
She nodded. "Yes."
The nurse came back with a cup of water and a straw. Grace took a couple of sips. The doctor moved over and Gil got out of his way. The doctor checked her vitals and her pupils.
She's fine. She just fainted from the shock."
"Doctor," Gil said, "I don't care what it cost, I want her healed."
"Mr. Conner, we will do everything that is possible to see she comes through this. Just be aware, money can't always buy what you want."
Gil helped Grace sit up. Once she was able to walk, he helped her out to the truck and went straight back to Bluff View. Helping her into the house, He had her lay on the couch in the Great Room and covered her with an Afghan throw, a worried Mollie standing by. He ushered Mollie into the kitchen and explained what was going on, tears streaming down his face. Mollie was crying also.
"What are you going to do Gil?"
"I guess we'll have to see what the doctors come up with."
Mollie kept the twins out of the Great Room and found quiet activities for them. Gil set in a chair next to the couch holding Grace's hand and watched her in a fitful sleep. Mollie came back down to check on them.
"Can I fix you some lunch?" Mollie said softly.
Gil shook his head. "No, I'm not hungry."
"Sagartotisa, I plead with you. If there is ANYTHING you can do to save Grace, I beg for your help!"
"You must take her to the Healing Place, the place you call the Doodlebug Hole. There, I will help your mate."
Gil jumped up and started to pick up Grace but stopped and ran to the pantry.
"Mollie! Call Glen on the radio and tell him to meet me at his hovercraft!"
Gil went into the pantry and grabbed the bag with the folding stretcher and ran outside, pitching it into the back of the truck and opening the back door. Racing back in, he picked up Grace and carried her out to the truck, gently laying her in the back seat. Carefully closing the door, he drove as fast as he could, without disturbing Grace, to the HL craft, gently laying Grace on the deck and placed the seat cushion under her head. Running back to the truck, he grabbed the stretcher and jumped on the hovercraft. Fitting the earphones over her head, he cranked the engines and headed for the river. With the tachometers maxed out he quickly gained the shore at Glen's landing and raced up the bank. Coming to a stop at the hovercraft shelter, Glen raced over.
"What's wrong!"
"Help me! We've got to get Grace to the Doodlebug Hole."
"Wha…!"
Gil ripped the bag off the stretcher and unfolded it. Placing it beside Grace, they lifted her onto it, strapping her in. Glen took the lead and started up the trail as fast as he could. Fifteen minutes later they were over the lip and following the faint game trail toward the spring. The bushes begin to thin and as they neared the bottom the trail led them into a small, grassy glade. Over on the right side was a shimmering pool.
"Go over to the pool!" Gil said.
When they got to the pool a mist begin to fil the glade and the Sagartotisa appeared before them.
"Go, leave us. I will summon you when it is done."
"Wha…?" Glen tried to say, but Gil grabbed his arm and pulled him back up the trail. Once they were over the rim, Gil sat down against a tree.
"Gil, what the hell is going on?"
"I don't know how much time we have. Once this is over I will tell you everything.
They stayed there through the afternoon, the sunlight filtering through the leaves changing patterns and getting dimmer. Finally they heard a faint "WHUMP," like the sound you hear when you throw a match on gasoline soaked brush.
"It is done, you may return. Come alone.
"Stay here Glen!"
Gil hurried down the game trail as fast as he could. When he reached the glade, there sat Grace beside the pool, her legs curled under her and her head adorned with a narrow gold headband. Gil ran over to her and fell to his knees, eyes tearing.
"Are you okay?" Gil asked.
Grace smiled. "Yes, the Sagartotisa took the growth away. Gil, she told me everything, well, not that exactly 'told,' somehow she gave me a vision of the People, the History and your….our responsibilities here. I'm ready to go home now."
Gil helped her up and started to lead her back but she pulled on his arm.
"The Sagartotisa told me to attest to my love and loyalty to you in this special place. Caomächter, I so attest my love, faithfulness and fidelity to my Friend, My Lover, My Mate and My Guardian, until the end of time."
She then kissed him softly. "Please take me to our home my husband."
Gil led her up the path and met Glen at the rim.
"Is everything all right?" Glen asked.
Grace smiled. "Everything is wonderful Glen."
The three walked down to the hovercraft and on the HL craft was the stretcher, folded up and back in its bag.
"How did tha…"
"I'll come over and explain everything to you later Glen." Gil said.
Grace and Gil donned their comm sets and standing beside each other on the deck, moved down the slope and headed upriver to Bluff View."
The walked into the house and Mollie stood there in the kitchen, her eyes red and a wet tissue clutched in her hand.
"Grace…."
"Mollie, I'm okay."
"She helped you didn't she?"
"Who?"
"That woman, I can't pronounce her name, she came to me in my dreams when Bill died. She said we would bond and become one people. I haven't said anything because people would think I'm crazy or something."
"Well, she did help me and no you're not crazy. Did Billy call?"
"Yes, I told a fib and said you had gone to the greenhouse and left your phone here."
"That's okay. We'll just keep this between us." Now, let's get dinner going/"
"I've got cube steak thawing and potatoes rehydrating to make mashed potatoes." Mollie said.
"Good. Chicken Fried Steak, mashed potatoes, corn and green beans and we have a loaf of homemade bread. Let's do it!"
Gil was mentally exhausted to the point he was almost physically exhausted. He walked down past the shipping containers and into the woods. Gil sat down with his back against a tree and closed his eyes.
”Sagartotisa, will she have to leave? Is she destined to perish?”
”Caomächter, your anguish will soon fade and you will grow stronger. Your mate will have no other problems. Her condition laid long dormant since her birth. We cannot give the People eternal life, but we can stop diseases. Continue your responsibilities.”
Gil slowly opened his eyes and stared through the trees. "Nobody said it would be easy."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 11, 2022 8:42:40 GMT -6
Chapter 2
Billy came in the door. "Hi Mom!"
"Hi Honey. How was school?"
"It was good. I can't believe some of those guys. It's like they aren't taking this seriously……" Billy said, giving Grace and intense look.
"What's wrong Billy?"
"I don't know. You look…I don't know…more ALIVE." Billy said.
Mollie dropped a pan and turned pale.
Grace chuckled. Well, I do feel good, now that you're home. Why do you say the students weren't taking the training seriously?"
"They hit us with another quiz today. Over half the class miss three or more questions out of ten.
"Well, you don't pick up any bad habits!"
"I won't Mom. Where's Dad?"
"He stepped out. He should be back shortly."
"Okay, I'll go put my things away."
Grace looked at Mollie. She had regained her color but still couldn't quite smile.
Gil got up and walked back to the house. And got a drink of water out of the fridge.
"Billy's home." Grace said.
"Yeah, I saw his truck."
Billy came bouncing down the stairs.
"Hi Dad! You look tired."
"Lot going on today. How was school?"
"I was telling Mom, a lot of the guys aren't studying or not studying very much."
"Well, if they don't pass ground school they won't put them behind a yoke." Gil said.
"Then I might get more flight time. Can we go flying this weekend?"
"No, I want you to follow their syllabus and their schedule. Besides, I want you to help me with a project."
"Okay Dad."
Gil kept a close eye on Grace the rest of the weekend. She seemed none the worse from her ordeal. Gil had Billy out in the shop taking the bandsaw apart while Gil finished up the router. He would have to get a narrower set of grinding wheels to sharpen the router knives but first he wanted to finish the router and get the sets of knives that came with it cleaned up.
Sunday afternoon Gil was finally able to go see Glen and give him an explanation of what happened. When Gil finished, Glen stared at him.
"Well, that explains a few things, I think. I've had dreams too. The woman in the dreams told me I could eat the fish from the river. Now, I like to fish, but I don't eat them because of all the chemicals and mercury found in them. She told me in the dream that all the fish within the 'Sacred Lands' were free from chemicals. How can that be?"
"Glen, I don't know. All I know is that it seems like she cured Grace of the brain tumor. Grace has an appointment in two weeks to determine how much the tumor has grown. I believe the Sagartotisa got rid of the tumor, but I want Grace to hear it from the doctors.”
"Sugartotsa?"
"Sa-gar-to-tisa."
"Sagartotisa? What does that mean?"
"Shaman Priestess, or something like that."
"Well, these forests do feel somewhat different than other places I've been. Are we allowed to hunt and cut the trees?"
"Yes the bounty is for the People. Use it, but don't abuse it."
"Maybe that's what's driving Jarrod. All of a sudden he's suddenly developed a knowledge of plants he never had before and it's set loose a hunger in him to learn more. He's down in Lookout Mountain now taking classes on native plants."
"Is he coming back?"
"Oh yeah, he says he doesn't want to be anywhere else than here."
"That's good."
"Gil, I've run across some strange things in my lifetime, this is no stranger. But the fish? I'm thinking on catching a few and taking them down to UT and having them tested. If what the Sa…Sa..Sagartotisa says is right, we've been missing out on some fine eatin'."
"Well, she hasn't led me wrong yet. Well, I just wanted to let you know what was going on.."
"These 'Sacred Lands' have a boundary?"
"Yeah, I've got a map locked up in my safe. I kind of want you to be the unofficial caretaker from Bear Head Point all the way down to the shore across from Galbraith Church. One other thing. There are people, like yourself, who live within those boundaries. If the Sagartotisa doesn't think you belong, you won't last long, you'll die of something."
"That's good to know. I'm still kickin' so I guess I'm the right stuff."
Gil grinned. "I think you are safe."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 11, 2022 8:44:11 GMT -6
Chapter 3
"What are you going to do with another wood lathe?" Brad asked.
"Nothing, the one I have is better." Gil said. I'll clean it up and put a 4-Sale notice on the bulletin board at Tractor Supply and see if anyone bites."
"Need some help?"
"Nah, let's run that load of logs. That load at the lumber mill will be ready to come out of the kiln in a couple of days and there's no sense in going over there with an empty trailer.
They ran the truckload of ten foot logs and got some decent planks out of the lot. There was only about three loads of pine left and they would turn them into 2x4s and 4x4s as much as they could. The slabs were going to provide a lot of firewood for the furnaces this fall and winter, on top of approximately fifty cords waiting on Bear Head Point they needed to palletize.
The strawberries were ripening and it took everyone to keep up with them. The canning house was constantly in use freezing, freeze-drying or turning the strawberries into puree for making into jams later when things slowed down. The four peach tree's limbs had to be supported with poles because the heavy laden branches were in danger of breaking off. When those started ripening, all efforts would have to go into preserving them. The apples were almost as bad. Glen came over to help most days and relished the bags of freeze-dried fruits cheerily foisted on him by the women.
They had a lull before the green beans came in fully. They harvested the cucumbers constantly and kept them in the fridge until they had enough to make pickles and relish and even enough vegetables to make Piccalilli, although they had to buy the cauliflower at Food City. No one ate it much unless it was mixed with something else.
Glen never went down into the Doodlebug Hole to place the mineral blocks there. In fact, they never called it that again. After The Day, it was always called The Healing Spring. Glen knew of another spring he could dig out but it was a difficult walk there, so he went to see Gil.
"Gil, I don't feel right putting mineral blocks around the Healing Spring. I know of another place, but it's a difficult walk for me. Could you help me order one of those motorcycle setups like Jarrod has?"
"Sure Glen, let's go to the house and we'll look at everything online."
Gil went to the Rokon webpage and Glen selected the Mototractor with tow bar hitch, gun rack, single track trailer, a log skidder, and a trail maintenance kit. He didn't bother with the sidecar. Jack would ride behind him on the cargo deck. Glen gave Gil his credit card and Gil called the order in. It would take three weeks to ship it to Bluff View.
"Glen, you can use my Rokon until yours gets here if you want." Gil offered.
"Nah, I'll wait. How's Grace?"
"Better than ever!"
"I tell you, that put a scare into me." I was shaking when ya'll left."
"While I'm thinking about it. We found a super quiet muffler for the Rokon that works really well, you want me to order you one?"
"Yeah, do that." Glen said, pulling out his credit card again.
Glen looked around. "Where did Jack got to?"
He looked around and found Jack laying in a shadow by the deck door. Gil walked out and handed Glen his card. Why don't you stay for dinner?"
"I've got a Mulligan stew over there that I made last night. It is always better the next day."
"Grace came in. "Well, take this loaf of fresh bread Mollie made this morning. It'll go good with that stew."
"Grace, I don't want ya'll doin' without!"
"Glen, she made four loaves."
"Well, okay then. Well, Jack and I'd better get going. I'd like a little daylight on the porch after supper to finish a basket before it gets dark."
"Come on, I'll run you back down." Gil said.
They got into the Gator, Jack jumped in back and headed to Glen's hovercraft.
Gary got the report back from the investigators and looked it over. He took out the map Gil had given him and started plotting where each individual or family lived and marked their homes on the map with Post-It note tabs. One interesting note he saw was seventy percent of the people were members of the Bluff View Christian Church. He also saw there were four houses within the boundary that had no one living there. He'd have to discuss that with Gil.
The next morning Gil walked in to the office with two more cardboard tubes.
"Gary, I'd like you to take the information off the report and plot the locations on these maps."
Gary grinned and got his map out of the safe. "I've already started a preliminary map with temporary stickers. I was going to send Rachel down and get two or three blank maps copied."
"Well here's two. I'd like the home locations labeled with the family or individual name and a number referencing where they are in the report."
"I'll have Rachel start on it right away."
"Sagartotisa, is Rachel one of the trusted ones?"
"Yes, Caomächter."
"Gary, There's something else I need to talk to you about."
Gary put down his pen. "Yes?"
The Sagartotisa said you needed to relocate out to the Lands."
"Oh?"
"How much would that inconvenience you and your practice."
"It wouldn't hurt the practice at all. Where would we, uh, I live?"
Gil squinted and smiled. "You and Rachel have something going?"
Gary blushed. "Yeah sorta."
"Yeah sorta enough if I built a house with a home office with a separate entrance she'd be willing to move out there too?"
"She...uh…we are living together."
Gil grinned. "Well congratulations! Is there a ring in the future?"
Gary opened a desk drawer and set the ring box on the desk.
"Good. Now, I want you and Rachel to close up shop early Friday and come out to Bluff View. I'll show you where I'm planning to build. And you will be staying for dinner."
"What time?" Gary asked.
"Well, get there in time for a daylight walk-around to view the property."
"Okay."
"All right, I'll see you then. Oh, and the dress is casual."
Gil walked out of Gary's office and told Rachel to watch Gary because he ate pencil erasers.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 11, 2022 8:46:03 GMT -6
Chapter 4
"Where did you get these fish? Are these tank raised?"
"Not to my knowledge. I caught them in a stream northeast of here. Why?"
"It is amazing. None of the fish, even the catfish have any trace of manufactured or natural chemicals in their tissues. Most of the fish in the streams have at least mercury residue but I found none in any of the fish. Excuse me, I need to answer that phone."
Glen slipped out the door and made his way back to the truck. He hurried home because he knew Jack was pissed he had been left at home all alone. He'd stop and get him a pack of beef jerky on the way back.
Gil poured the last of the alcohol into the drum and screwed the filler cap on. After shutting off the propane to let the still cool down, he poured a little of the alcohol into a metal can and took it over to the fire pit. Lighting it with a match, the alcohol burned with a nice blue flame. The drum was a third full but he would finish filling it later when they culled the potatoes. Leaving everything to cool down, he locked up the Chamber and went back to the house.
The next morning they all gathered at the garden for harvesting. More green beans and garden peas. Two thirds were picking and one third were shelling peas, washing green beans, and cutting them up. When the pickers were through they moved into the canning house to help further process the beans and peas. Gil went over and checked the watermelons. He didn't try to grow the gigantic melons this year. They really weren't as sweet as the ones he let grow naturally. He'd have enough melons to cover the wine making, the pickled and candied melon rinds and enough to try another batch of watermelon whiskey He'd learned a few things since his failed attempt to make alcohol out of the watermelons. He was also trying a champagne yeast this time. He went into the canning house and took his turn lifting the baskets out of the canners. The women had worked up a food chart that they went by to determine how much food a family got according to the number of people in the family. This turned out to be fairly accurate except when they had big dinners together, then everyone pitched in anyway. There was still food they could use from the food set aside as surplus after giving food to the church food bank.
Gary called Gil before he and Rachel came out, giving Gil time to get there in a Gator to meet them on the drive about eight hundred feet after they turned off the highway. Both wore jeans and polo shirts and walking shoes. Gil walked them the around the lot, which was a little over an acre, that would gave them a client parking area and attached garage in the back, He told them he'd show them a picture of what he was thinking when they got to the house. They followed Gil through the security gate and on to the house. Rachel really loved the log home and Gary was impressed also. Grace and Rachel instantly formed a friendship and headed for the kitchen while Gil poured a mead for Gary. Gil hadn't said anything to Gary about Graces tumor but decided to do so now. When he got through with the story, Gary was astonished.
"Do you really think she cured her?"
"Yes I do. The doctors are going to think it is a medical miracle."
"What …what about Rachel? Will she be safe?"
"The Sagartotisa told me she can be trusted, so she's safe. The Sagartotisa can't make us live forever but we won't be bothered by disease. Grace had carried the malignancy since birth. It just decided to go haywire at this particular time."
Gary let out a big sigh of relief. Well, what's next?"
"We continue to fend off anyone who tries to take control of the Land, legally, if possible."
"And if we can't?"
"Then I have other means."
"Who else knows about this?"
"You, Glen, Grace and me. I'll bring the others in when the time is right."
"Gil? What is the website for the log homes?" Grace called from the kitchen.
"We'd better go in there. You need to look at the models with Rachel." Gil said.
Gary went in and sat next to Rachel and viewed the floor plans and discussed how they could tie in an office and still keep it looking "homey." They finally settled on a plan and Gil said he'd call Boyd and have him come up and work with them on the design. The Foundation would pay for the construction.
Billy came home the next afternoon, excited.
"Dad, Mom, the instructors are seeing how much more I know than the other students and asked me if I wanted to finish the course sooner. They said they could help me fast track my training and get a more intensive flying schedule. Normally, people take from three months to a year to get their license. I could easily do it in far less than that. They want to see if I can test out in the Stage One portion of the training and complete my first solo flight sooner. I would have to use their pay-as-you-go plan though. Pay after each class. I can't really legally get my license until I'm 17, but all I'll have to do is pass the FAA knowledge test and I can fly as long as I have a certified pilot with me until I'm 17."
"Okay, I'll go along with that. I'll set up a card for you." Gil said.
"What is the next stage of your training after you complete Stage One? Grace asked.
"Navigation, Cross-country flight planning, Flying by reference to only instruments, Flying at night, and Operations at towered airports." Billy answered.
Grace took a deep breath.
"Well, talk to the instructors and see if you can start testing out next week. I'll go to the bank tomorrow." Gil said.
Billy grinned. "Thanks Dad."
Billy took his lunch bag out of his pack and set it on the counter, then headed upstairs.
"Gil, do you think he can do it?" Grace asked.
"I'm sure he can. I've flown with him, remember. He's very conscientious."
"Gil, can you meet me down at my truck?"
"On my way Glen."
"Something's up," Gil thought, as he walked out the door.
Gil brought the Gator to a stop as Glen came over the riverbank. Gliding up to the garage, he shut the engines down. Jack jumped down then turned back to Glen to get his headset off.
"Gil, I took some fish down to the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee. I caught the fish from the Point all the way down to the campground. The graduate student was doing double-back flips and wanted to know whether the fish had been tank raised or not. The only thing I told him was that I had caught them in a stream northeast of Knoxville. They found no mercury or farm chemicals in any of the fish. Either the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Service is lying or there really isn't any contamination here on the Lands."
"I tend to believe the Sagartotisa than a government agency."
"Yeah, that's what I'm figuring too. Well, I need to get going and catch me a bait of catfish. I'm having fried catfish tonight!"
Gil chuckled. "Bon appétit!"
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Post by gipsy on Feb 11, 2022 9:11:33 GMT -6
What a great start. Thanks.
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Post by biggkidd on Feb 11, 2022 9:42:34 GMT -6
Healing people can really open a can of worms if word gets out! This should be interesting.
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Post by gipsy on Feb 11, 2022 14:04:25 GMT -6
Time for Steve to widen the sensor boarders, and Glen to keep expanding his safe zone. Also time to get Billy his own STOL for overflights. More claymores from his buddy Bill.
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Post by cavsgt on Feb 11, 2022 15:12:52 GMT -6
Don't know how you do it, another fantastic story.
THANK YOU
Phill
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Post by workhorse on Feb 11, 2022 18:44:06 GMT -6
Now what to about those empty properties.
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Post by bluefox2 on Feb 11, 2022 20:57:07 GMT -6
Now what to about those empty properties. Trust me with this author, there will be singles, or families that will arrive and fit right in.
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Post by udwe on Feb 11, 2022 21:15:01 GMT -6
You made my day! What a fantabulous start to a new story! (it really is a word, I read it in another book!)
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Post by CountryGuy on Feb 11, 2022 23:04:18 GMT -6
Now what to about those empty properties. hmmm maybe a farmer to run beef and dairy and chicken to larger scale to provide natural and healthy meats. Maybe the solar guy asks about taking up residence. A Dr and his nurse wife or female Dr and her nurse husband... building this community could see things like a dentist, baker, horse people... maybe some Amish or Mennonite types to bring their knowledge of the old world ways...
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 12, 2022 4:47:27 GMT -6
Chapter 5
Gil looked around and watched the activity. ”I think there is a better way of doing this.” He thought.
He walked out the door and saw Reverend Jim getting into his car.
“Reverend Jim!”
The reverend closed the door and turned to Gil.
“Yes, Gil, how can I help you?”
“I was just watching the workers and although they have plenty of space, because this is a multi-use building, they are always having to put up and take down their tables and work areas. What do you think about having a separate building or their crafts work and return use of the Fellowship Hall?”
“Well, it would alleviate some of the scheduling conflicts, and I think it would make them happier also. We really don’t have the funds right now to build the building.”
“Could you fund the bathroom fixtures and equip a break area with a convection microwave oven, a toaster oven and a couple of refrigerators?”
“Yes, we could do that.”
“Okay, I’ll get on the building.”
Gil went back inside and got everyone’s attention. He solicited ideas for floorspace size, bathrooms, kitchenette, table heights, etcetera. He had them narrow some ideas down to where they all agreed on what they needed. He already had a place picked out in the southwest corner of the property. Now to talk to the steel building people.
Jarrod amazed the instructor with his knowledge of plants. They had taught him some things, but he could walk through the forest and already give you the common and Latin names of the trees and plants and spout out a litany of their uses, both in the past and now. There was one guest instructor of Cherokee heritage who gave them a “walk through the forest” lecture of the medicinal plants in the area. One thing he did learn was there were several companies that bought forest herbs, and paid well. Not that he needed the money, but he really didn’t have any other use for the information. Jarrod hadn’t said anything, but when he finished these classes, he wasn’t coming back. In his off time, he did searches for books about the forest plants and their uses, even books that were no longer in print, which cost him a pretty penny. When the classes were finally over, he packed up and headed back to Bear Head Point.
Jack alerted to the sound of a vehicle. Glen got his Henry rifle and told Jack to heel and headed up the trail to Jarrod’s camp. As soon as he saw Jarrod backing the trailer in, Glen relaxed. He slung the weapon and helped Jarrod set the stabilizers and unhitch the trailer.
“Welcome back! Had enough book learning?”
Jarrod grinned. “Can’t ever have too much of that. They just didn’t have what I wanted.”
“Well, when you get set, come on down. I’m frying up some crappie with pan fries tonight.”
“Sounds good.”
Gil looked at the map. He want to take a look at the unoccupied houses and see what kind of shape they were in. The first he would look at was the site on the other side of Taylor Bluff his grandfather had let a research team use years ago. It was probably in bad condition and he would have to decide whether to tear it down and rebuild or not. It was four miles from the house to there by vehicle but only a mile by boat. He’d take the HL.
When he got there, there was a lot of encroachment by the undergrowth but the bones of the cottage didn’t look too bad. Usually, houses unoccupied would be vandalized with windows broken out and walls painted with ludicrous tags. There was a few pieces of old furniture and a heavy coat of dust on everything, but nothing here that a good cleaning and a new coat of paint wouldn’t take care of. The meter was pulled so there was no electricity, but he was thinking maybe changing it to solar anyway. He’d make a decision after he checked out the other properties and maybe get a packaged deal from Drake.
Gil was putting the final pieces of the bandsaw together, aligning the blade before making test cuts.
”Caomächter, it is time you spoke to the others and let them know their roles.”
”Just the men?”
”No, their mates should attend also.”
”What will be the duties of Brad, Trace and Colt and their wives?”
”The men are your watchers, warriors when need be. They will be for the Lands as they are with your local government police. The wives are there to support the men and the People, Occasionally, there have been women who have functioned as warriors.”
”What if they decide they don’t want to be a part of this?”
”I have looked into their hearts. They look to you and have pride in what they do here.”
”I will talk to them, but I’m afraid they’ll have a tough time accepting this.”
”Use your Chamber, I will assist you in convincing them.”
Gil talked to Grace and they decided to bring in Mollie and Billy first, so that night, after Alan and Alana had gone to sleep, Gil told them about his dreams, the Sagartotisa, and Grace’s tumor. Mollie had figured out most of it but Billy sat there with his mouth hanging open.
“It this true?” Billy asked. “I’m sorry I asked that. I feel it inside what you said is true and you have never lied to me. Now that I think on it, when I’m alone in the forest, I don’t feel alone. It’s like I’m….feeling the land. Maybe the Sagartotisa too. When I go to school in the mornings and turn onto the highway, it’s like I’m leaving a Land that is alive and am traveling in a dying land. I don’t know. That’s what it feels like.”
“Well, tomorrow night I will gather the others and tell them what I have told you.” Gil said. Mollie, can you stay here with the twins? I want Billy and Grace with me. We’ll hold the gathering in the Chamber.”
“Yes, of course I will.”
The next afternoon Gill made sure there were enough chairs in the Chamber. Grace had spread the word for everyone to be at the Chamber by 8:00 pm. Gil called Glen, Jarrod, Gary and Rachel and told them to be there.
“When everyone had arrived and was seated, Gil had Grace and Gary stand beside him as he told his story. Gil recited every contact he’d had with the Sagartotisa. When he was finished, Gil’s upper body started faintly glowing and the golden mantle with the crossed swords appeared. At the same time, Grace’s golden headband appeared as did Gary’s blue stole around his neck as Counselor.
“What does that gold covering with the swords mean, and Grace’s headband mean?” Allie asked.
“The golden mantle is the mantle of responsibility, the mantle of the Caomächter, the Guardian.” Grace answered. “My headband indicates I am the mate of the Guardian.”
“Gary’s blue stole. What does that indicate?”
“That he is the legal counsel of the Guardian and the People.”
The adornments slowly disappeared.
“Whew!” Said Trace.
“”You know,” Colt said, “I had a guy on my team that told me about a Shanwappom Shaman who wouldn’t directly fight the white man but would conjure up apparitions of big hairy men to scare the settlers away. I hope this Sapa…Sara…..whatever she’s called, doesn’t do that here. Can you imagine all the weirdos streaming here and running around try to catch a bigfoot or sasquatch or whatever?”
“The Sagartotisa won’t be doing that. We are the visible protection for the Sacred Lands. We function as Watchers and Protectors, keeping those, who would exploit the Lands for their own greed, away.”
“What is our role in all this?” Brad asked.
“As I said, Watcher and Protectors. Much like you do now as Reserve Police and Deputies. Mainly we will fight through the courts, but when necessary, we will use other means. The women have a part in this also. Not only in supporting your mates, but also supporting and protecting the People of the Lands, which doesn’t change much because you already do that.”
“This feels good, and safe” Shannon said.
Are there any other questions?”
No one had any because the Sagartotisa had already implanted in their minds the answers before they could ask the questions. Then someone noticed Rachel’s engagement ring and the conversation changed quickly. The men gathered together.
“Does this change anything?” Trace asked.
“Nope.” Gil answered. “Business as usual. Prepare.”
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 12, 2022 4:50:18 GMT -6
Chapter 6
The building crew came from Knoxville to put up forms to pour the concrete floor. Don's company had been contracted to do the earth work and had the site prepared when the crews arrived.
Using a set of blueprints provided by the supervisor, Gil drew in where the dividing walls would be. One part of the building would be walled off and have sound deadening applied for the splint makers; they had the bathrooms to wall off, then the open kitchenette. Gil estimated the lumber that would be needed, finding everything could be taken out of his lumber supplies, except for one thing. He wanted to cover the walls with ship lap. However, he could easily make it using his "new" industrial router. After figuring the board feet he needed, he installed the correct knives in the table router and got Colt and Brad's help to bring a load of six inch pine boards up and run them through. When Trace showed up, things sped up greatly. Two guys would run the ten foot boards through the router, one guy would take the board and stack it while another guy had another board ready. The work moved quickly, but they would need around seven hundred board feet of ship lap.
The concrete was poured for the building and all they had to do was wait for it to cure. Even though they used a curing additive, it would take a few days. This gave the men time to finish milling the ship lap and prepare to move lumber, supplies and equipment to the building site.
The ten foot ceilings in the building were perfect. As soon as the insulating mats were in the walls, the men began putting up framing for the bathrooms and the end wall that would separate the splint making area and the rest of the work area. The wall would also be where the kitchenette would be located. One of the church people had donated a pot belly stove and others some wooden Mission Chairs. The volunteer men helped do the construction and built special tables for the weavers to which Colt took a hand router and cut tool slots into the table tops to hold the common tools and knives used by the weavers. Gil called Drake and had him come up and install a PV and wind turbine system to power the building. Along with all that, Boyd had the house/office plan worked out with Gary and Rachel and Jack Dickson would be up Monday to start work on their house. Tate was doing the excavation for the basement now.
"With all that was going on, Gil had no idea when he would get to the unoccupied houses, then he stumbled upon Harold Davis.
Harold Davis was a semi-retired General Contractor. He was semi-retired because there wasn't enough building going on in the area. He couldn't afford to drive back and forth each day to the Knoxville area. Reverend Jim introduced Gil and Harold and when Gil found out what Harold had been doing for a living, he asked Harold if he could put together a crew to fix up houses.
"How good do you want them fixed up?" Harold asked."
"Harold, when you finish a house, I want you to ask yourself, 'Would I want to move in here'?"
"What about materials?"
"I'll supply them. You just give me a list. What I can't supply, I'll set you up an account at the building supply store."
They agreed on salaries and Harold started building his crew.
When all the ship lap was up, they snapped chalk lines on the walls in the Splint Room and drilled pilot holes spaced out to allow display hooks to be screwed into the wall to hang the hooped splints until needed. Small pegs were inserted into the holes and removed after the walls were painted. Once the building was complete, every day was like a block party. The women wove, joked with each other and gossiped. The men, in the other room and out of sight, took turns making splints and telling stories, often greatly embellished. The atmosphere drew in even more volunteers.
Billy came home that evening. He had made his solo flight, ready for his Stage Two training. Gil was cleaning the parts of the lathe when Billy came in.
"Dad, I soloed!"
"Great. Did you have any problems?"
"No Sir. The instructor said I was as smooth as a seasoned pilot."
"Well, don't let the praise cause you to get complacent. Keep focused.
"Also, my flight instructor said me going on fast track has caused some of the students to buckle down and are doing much better."
"Well, that's one of the things a good leader does, leads by example. Another one is to delegate. Get me a three quarters box wrench off the tool rack."
Billy grinned and got him his wrench.
"Sagartotisa, I need you to validate the members of Harold Davis' crew on whether they are trusted."
"Caomächter, all the members are trusted except one. He became ill soon after arriving at his workplace and took himself home."
"Is he…"
"No, he will live but will be compelled to stay away from the Sacred Lands."
"Why weren't the loggers effected?"
"They were summoned by you. Although most of them were from the bloodlines of the Cherokee, the first problem and they would have been compelled to flee."
"If you can do that, then why do you need a Guardian?"
"You are the human face of this plain, the representative of the Sacred Lands. Without you and the trusted ones here, others would come to seek the reasons for unknown illnesses effecting the untrusted and despoil the Land."
Harold called for Gil to do an inspection on the three bedroom cottage. Gil drove there this time. The drive seemed longer because of the twists and turns going through the hollows. The first thing he noticed was the tin roof had been replaced by a red metal roof. The brush had been pulled up and cut back away from the cottage. The outside was painted a light gray. Walking in, Gil ask Harold what all he had done.
"About what was expected on the inside, First, after an army of shop vacs, everything was washed down. We had to rewire the whole place and refinish the floors. There was no insulation so I had that blown in the walls and ceiling. Fresh paint. The fireplace is good, I had the well water tested and it's good. We replaced some of the plumbing, but that's about it. The only thing needed is electricity and furniture and you could move in.
"Good job. Have you taken a look at the next house?"
"Yes. That one's gonna need a little bit more TLC."
"Okay, well, carry on. Excellent job here. I like the metal roof. Any roof that needs replacing, let's go metal."
"Will do."
Gil went to the next house and yes, it was going to need more work. A porch on the front would be nice too. He'd talk to Harold about that.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 12, 2022 4:51:43 GMT -6
Chapter 7
"Gary, tell me about this house here."
Gary looked at the map then at his notes.
"According to the records, your grandfather leased that property to a Grady Harris in 1958. They established a dairy farm and ran it for forty years. He died in 1998, his wife around six months later. A couple of families have lived there but no one has lived in the house in almost ten years."
"See if you can find a family that is 'trusted', to re-establish the dairy."
"How am I supposed to figure that out…whether they are 'trusted'."
"Ask. If she won't talk to you then I'll ask her. When is the wedding?"
"Rachel and I decided to wait until the house is finished. We'll get with Reverend about getting married at the church."
"Then you two need to start coming to services on Sunday, let the people get to know you."
"We'll come Sunday."
Gil rode to the old dairy. There were a lot of repairs that would need to be made to the outbuildings, but the house would have to be done first. It was a little over five miles by road from Bluff View, not an easy drive. The property was located between two ridges, and had pastures and feed crop fields. There were a couple of old houses and buildings as you entered the hollow that weren't worth saving and would have to be torn down. The large two story house looked well weathered and he would have Harold tell him what needed to be done. For sure, it would probably needed rewiring and new plumbing. If it wasn't worth restoring, they'd tear it down. Harold drove up.
"What do you think?" Harold asked.
"You're right. It needs a bit of work. What's it like inside?"
"I haven't been inside yet, the door is locked." Harold said.
Gil tried the door and yes, it was locked. Reaching in his back pocket for his wallet, he pulled out a tension bar and a rake and had the lock open in about five seconds.
"Whoa! Neat trick!" Harold said, grinning.
Gil grinned at him. "Sunday School."
They walked into the foyer and off to the right was probably what was a living room. On the left was a large L-shaped den with fireplace. The rooms seemed to be chopped up. There were 7 rooms of varied sizes on the bottom floor. Going upstairs, the rooms were a little bigger but there were six bedrooms and no bathroom. Harold tapped the cracked walls with his knuckles.
"Plaster."
They walked back downstairs and Gil threw up his hands. "Rip it all out. Let's gut the walls and start fresh. You know it's going to have to be rewired and probably add insulation and we'd have to tear open the walls anyway. We'll replace it with sheetrock."
"This is going to fill several dumpsters." Harold said.
"Well, If we have to, we have to. Once we tear the plaster walls off we can see what we have to work with on the load-bearing walls and we can redesign the insides then."
"I'll order the dumpsters." Harold said.
"Harmony Hollow." Gil said.
"Hunh?"
"Harmony Hollow. That's what we'll call this place. Oh, and let's add a nice front porch."
""Gil, we're using up pine lumber fast. You want us to bring another truck load of logs over."
"Yeah, do that. We've still got three houses to fix up."
While Brad and Trace went to get the logs, Colt and Gil helped pick okra, squash, green beans and peas.
The next morning Glen's Mototractor arrived so Gil called Glen. Glen was over in no time and drove the hovercraft right up to the crates.. They helped him unpack the crates and inventory everything.
"Glen, fill two Jerry cans with fuel and take them with you too." Gil said.
Glen was about to start loading the bike on the hovercraft when Gil stopped him.
"You're not going to be able to carry everything over in one trip. Use the HL."
Glen drove his hovercraft back to the garage and brought the HL back. Gil and Colt helped him strap everything down and he was off, soon returning with the HL, got his hovercraft and went back to Bear Head Point.
Gil, Brad, Trace and Colt ran the load of logs and had the lumber stacked on the trailer. Gil called the lumber mill and they told him they had a kiln free so Gil planned to take them over the next morning while the guys got another load of logs. That would leave them with only one truckload left so they made plans to go ahead and get it milled that week.
Billy came home and announced he had night flying the next night and wouldn't have to go in until the afternoon.
"Well, I don't want you having to drive all the way home that late at night. Use the card and get a room at the Hampton in downtown. It's probably the closest to the school." Gil said.
"Okay Dad. Can I fill one of the one gallon jugs with water to take with me tomorrow? That city water tastes funny."
Gil chuckled. "It's all the chemicals they put in it. Sure, better fill the Berkey up now."
When Billy went upstairs Grace tugged on Gil's arm.
"Will he have enough money?"
"Grace, the card has a $25,000 limit. He's fine."
"Oh, okay."
"Grace, once Harold has the Harmony Hollow house gutted, I want you and one of the girls and maybe Becky Tatum too, to go over and look at it and come up with a useful design, especially the kitchen."
"Okay, just give me a heads up."
With those things checked off his mental checklist, Gil looked at his watch. The people at the basket shop would have left by now. He'd catch them tomorrow.
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Post by bluefox2 on Feb 12, 2022 8:22:29 GMT -6
Billy's comments in chapter 5 about the land being alive are spot on. Sometimes you can arrive somewhere and instantly know that it just "Feels Right" with no words being said. Other times you arrive somewhere and it just "Feels Wrong" with no words said.
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Post by gipsy on Feb 12, 2022 8:49:02 GMT -6
Fine update for sure. Wonder if Steve and Jimmy will be moving?
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Post by kansasterri on Feb 12, 2022 12:34:18 GMT -6
Billy's comments in chapter 5 about the land being alive are spot on. Sometimes you can arrive somewhere and instantly know that it just "Feels Right" with no words being said. Other times you arrive somewhere and it just "Feels Wrong" with no words said. Land talks to you if you listen. When I moved to Kansas it took me many years to be able to "hear" the land, as it was so different from California. But after a time I could tell at a glance the difference between dry but healthy, dry but unhealthy, etc. When i am working outside I LOVE to "hear" the land around me
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Post by udwe on Feb 12, 2022 21:40:06 GMT -6
Great addition, you, sir, are a fine writer!
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Post by bluefox2 on Feb 12, 2022 21:45:13 GMT -6
Billy's comments in chapter 5 about the land being alive are spot on. Sometimes you can arrive somewhere and instantly know that it just "Feels Right" with no words being said. Other times you arrive somewhere and it just "Feels Wrong" with no words said. Land talks to you if you listen. When I moved to Kansas it took me many years to be able to "hear" the land, as it was so different from California. But after a time I could tell at a glance the difference between dry but healthy, dry but unhealthy, etc. When i am working outside I LOVE to "hear" the land around me I learned that growing up in NH, and have tried to stay in tune over the years wherever I ended up. It is not just the land but everything around us.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 13, 2022 11:54:34 GMT -6
Chapter 8
Jarrod was sitting under the awning reading a book by A.R. Harding published in 1936 titled "Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants." After the eye-opening night at the Chamber, Jarrod's study of the flora of the area intensified and he had traveled over a great part of the 1500 acres of the Lands on this side of the river. Instinctively, he knew just where to find the plants he was seeking. So far, the plants he'd identified that had medicinal properties we abundant, but not in the quantities one would need for harvesting on a commercial scale. He wanted to travel over the other side of the river and trek the other 3400 acres of the Lands.
"Gil, we're accumulating a lot of sawdust. What do you want to do with it?" Trace asked.
Gil's eyes scanned the area, thinking, "Well, we had been running the sawmill only occasionally until this spurt of building. I hate to just compost it. The sawdust composts quicker when it has chicken manure mixed in with it. I tell you what. Let's build a rack out of the slabs over there to keep the bags off the ground and we'll bag the sawdust and lay them on the rack to keep them off the ground and tarp them."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll get some nail guns and stuff."
They soon had a rack put together that they estimated would hold about fifty large burlap bags of sawdust, then began milling the logs. They had about one third of the logs milled by lunch when Gil received a call from Harold.
"Gil, do you have time to come down to Happy Hollow?"
Puzzled, Gil answered, "do you mean Harmony Hollow?"
Harold chuckled. "I think you will be happy when you see this."
"Okay I'll be down in a bit."
"Guys, I need to go down to one of the restoration sites."
"Go ahead, we can manage this." Brad said.
Gil grabbed his Kanteen and left in his truck.
"I want you to look at this." Harold said, leading Gil inside the house.
The walls in the downstairs area had been completely stripped except for remnants of the wooden plaster lathe the men were going around removing.
"Check this out!" Harold said. "The wall studs on the inside walls are made of oak. The outside wall studs are made with 2x6 oak."
"Ouch! That's going to be hard to screw wallboard screws into. That oak will be like iron as old as it is. You'll break more off more screws than you'll get seated." Gil said.
"Well, the walls we build will be out of pine. As for the outside wall studs, we can drill pilot holes. It will take a little longer to put the sheetrock up, but not much."
"Save as many 2x4s as you can. If you need to, saw the nails off. We can clean them up later. Your dumpster bins are just about full, I see."
"Yeah, I've already called to have them picked up and bring out two more."
Gil walked over and looked at a window. "How many windows are there?"
"There are twenty windows."
"Let's replace them with double pane windows. Take these to the Re-Store place. How's the plumbing?"
"Needs replacing, of course you'll want a bathroom or bathrooms upstairs so it's better if we get rid of the old stuff anyway."
"Okay, this is looking good. Grace and a couple of women will be coming down to get ideas for the floorplan layout."
"I'll have hardhats waiting for them."
Gil was heading back home when he got a call from Gary.
"What's up Gary?"
"I believe I found you a dairy family. Husband, wife, four kids. Get this, two sets of twins, two boys, two girls, both sets Paternal and they check out by you know who."
"She talks to you, hunh?"
"She didn't use many words but said they were trusted."
"Can we meet with them? Just you and I?"
"I'll set it up. I'll call you."
Gil went on back to the sawmill and helped finish the load of logs.
The next morning Billy came home early.
"Why are you home so early?" Grace asked.
"Breakfast. No breakfast is as good as what you get at home." Billy grinned.
Grace smiled and began preparing oatmeal with strawberries, bacon, scrambled eggs and toast.
"How was last night?" Gil asked.
"Fine. I had to submit a flight plan to a certain airport. It turns out it had those pilot controlled airfield lights. The instructor had me tune in to the airfield's Unicom frequency, press the radio transmit button seven times in quick succession, and suddenly the entire airfield lit up like a Christmas tree. White runway edge lights, blue taxiway lights, red and white visual approach slope indicators and strobe-like runway end identifier lights. It was neat! Maybe we could use something like that here?"
"Maybe so. I'll look into it." Gil said.
"When do you have to go back? Grace asked.
"In the morning. We flew until 1230 this morning. We'll do cross country Navigation planning."
"What do you mean 'cross country'? How far is that?" Grace asked.
"Mom, a 'cross country' flight is only 50 nautical miles. I think my first flight is from the school to Hawkins and back."
"Oh. Good."
Gil sat there and grinned. Grace looked over and stuck her tongue out at him.
Gary called and said he had a meeting set up with the Arthurs at 10:00. Gil told him he'd pick him up. Gil finished his coffee and headed down to the sawmill. The rest of the guys were showing up about the same time.
"Guys, can you start on this last load without me? Gary and I have a meeting with some people this morning."
"Sure, no problem. We got this."
The family lived over near Baileyton, a nice area in the country. They were met on the porch by Chet Arthur and were invited in.
"I'd like you to meet my wife Mary. Mary, this is Mr. Gates and Mr. ….Conners, isn't it? Mr. Gates said you have a proposition for me. I'll tell you up front, I'm not interested in selling. This land has been in my family for over a hundred years."
"He's Gary and I'm Gil and I have no interest in buying your land, however my proposition is contingent upon you moving to a new location. You can do with your land whatever you wish."
"What is your proposition?"
"I want you to start a dairy farm." Gil said.
"Well, that's just about a losing proposition then. We are hardly breaking even. The milk companies are barely buying the milk and paying almost nothing for it. With prices going up the way they are, I don't know if we can keep going.
"Well, I guarantee you will make money, probably send your kids to college even. You'll be selling milk locally and like I said, you'll make a profit. I have an old dairy we're working on getting started back up and I need your family's expertise. There is a house that's in the process being restored and I'd like you two to come up and take a look."
Chet looked at his wife Mary, who nodded.
"Well, the kids don't get home until around four. I guess we could take a ride and see what you have. We'll follow you over."
They all got up from the table and went out to their vehicles. Gil tossed his keys to Gary. "Drive."
As soon as Gil got in the truck he called Grace.
"Grace, can you, Mollie and hopefully Becky meet me at Harmony Hollow?"
"Sure. In fact, Becky is here now. I'll have Allie watch the kids."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 13, 2022 11:55:49 GMT -6
Chapter 9
Rachel rode down to the new house. They were almost finished. The wood burning furnace had been installed and people were there installing solar panels. Men were inside installing granite counter tops. The would need to start thinking about furniture soon, real soon.
Grace and the girls arrived at the house just after Gil and the Arthurs. Harold brought out extra construction hardhats. The group moved inside and Gil began speaking.
"Harold and his people have gutted this in preparation to redesign the inside to our specifications. Downstairs here, I'd like you ladies to give Harold your input, especially you Mary, if you and Chet accept my proposition. Harold will layout and build whatever you want. Before, there was what I think was a master bedroom, full bath, a living room, a den, a pantry, and kitchen. Upstairs were six bedrooms and a couple of large closets. No bath. While you ladies walk around, Chet, Gary and I are going to go look at the barn and outbuildings.
They started at the empty outbuildings and checked their condition. Most were in pretty good shape for not having been used in a decade. They moved on to an empty concrete block building next to the barn.
"This is probably where the milk tanks were." Chet said. With a little cleaning, it could be used again."
They went on to the building next to it and you could see where pipes and such had been removed.
This was the milk barn." Chet said. "The cows were brought in through there."
They walked over to the big barn. It needed paint and a few boards replaced, but overall it was in pretty good shape.
"It would take a good bit of work. If we accepted, I could bring my farm equipment to use, but I might need another tractor and a few more implements. The pastures look like they need reseeding; there's a good stream here. It could be made to work. How many cows do you want to run?"
"I'm guessing ten or fifteen cows. We can add cows as needed."
"And the milk? How will it be distributed?"
"I'm planning on buying stainless steel one, two and four liter closable milk containers. We can get a cooler and a milk pasteurizer and a sterilizer. The customers can pick their orders or one of the church vehicles can pick them up for shut ins."
"Church?"
"Yes, the Bluff View Christian Church."
"Oh yes, I've driven by it. Nice lookin' church. Why are you doing this. I don't take charity." Chet said.
"I don't mind helping someone who's making an honest effort," Gil said. "Besides, I know what it's like to lose, or almost lose, everything that means anything to you. But that's beside the point. First, our community needs the product. The economy is getting worse every day and soon you would have gone under anyway. Now you'd be able to make a good living, provide for your family, and offer a product to the community. No one in our community goes hungry. We help each other and look out for each other." If the economy collapses, we'll probably be back to barter and trading for the things we want. You still will make a good living."
"Well, I need to talk it over with Mary and the kids. This would be a big move for us."
"I understand."
They went back to the house and the women were still chattering, walking and pointing. Becky was busy taking notes and making suggestions. Gil motioned to Chet and they went back outside.
"To be up front. This dairy farm is part of a 3400 acre tract that is owned by a foundation started by my grandfather. There's another 1400 acres across the river. I guess now, I kind of run the foundation. Everyone living on the land leases the right to be here, but the money is used to support the conservation of the land, wildlife, and the people on it."
"Nice area. It feels,,,.,different, but…nice." Chet said.
The women came out of the house still talking. Gil and Chet looked at each other and smiled."
"Chet. We need to talk." Mary said.
"Well folks, I guess that means we need to be heading home. I've got a feeling I'll be having my ears talked off on the way back."
"Hush!" Mary said, slapping Chet lightly on the arm, eyes shining. "We'll be talking to you Gil."
Gil watched as the couple moved to their truck and drove down the little farm drive.
"Mary is coming with or without Chet." Grace said, grinning.
Gil got back and found they had turned the lumber into two inch planks, which was just what they needed.
"I called the lumber mill and they have the other kiln free. I was getting ready to take this load over." Brad said.
"Good. I'll stay here and help clean up."
They got all the slabs cut up and palletized and were getting the sawdust cleaned up when Brad returned.
"You know, it would be nice if we had a 12" Straight Line Rip Saw here. I mean, we trim the boards with the sawmill, but it's slower. A rip saw would be more efficient."
Gil looked at Brad. "You sound very specific, like you might know where to find one."
Brad grinned. Jerry Hudson at the mill said he knows of one for sale. It came out of the woodworking factory that closed."
"Well, then it's your project. The only thing is, we might have to use a generator to power it. Those things would suck a battery bank down in no time." Gil said.
"I'll figure something out." Brad grinned.
The next morning Gil and they guys were loading the sixteen foot trailer with 2x4s and strapping them down to take over to Harmony Hollow.
"Gil, I just let the Arthurs through the gate." Grace said over the radio.
Gil and Colt were finishing tightening the cargo straps as the Arthurs, in two vehicles, drove up.
Gil pulled off his gloves and walked over as they were getting out.
"Gil, I wanted to introduce you to my whole family and to accept your proposal."
"Great! Now who are these good looking young people?"
"This is George. He's fifteen. Next is Jerry, he's thirteen. Then we have Sarah, she's fifteen, and last but not least, is Alice, she's thirteen."
"I am very pleased you took time to come by and I'm looking forward to seeing you all more often in the future. Say, why don't you all come for dinner after church Sunday? My whole family will be together then."
"How many children do you have?' Mary asked.
"We have two four year old twins, Alana and Alan and a sixteen year old son, Billy. Billy is in Flight School down in Knoxville during the day."
"Your son flies airplanes? George asked."
Yes, we have three planes here."
"I think we'll plan to attend Bluff View Sunday also." Mary said.
"You will all be heartily welcomed."
"Well, you have work to do and we need to start planning on what to move." Chet said.
"By the way, don't plan on moving appliances, The house will have all new major appliances." Gil said.
"Understood." Chet nodded.
Gil watched as they loaded into their vehicles and headed up the drive.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 13, 2022 12:00:33 GMT -6
Chapter 10
Gil left the trailer at the Harmony Hollow house and a tarp to cover the lumber in case it rained. After arriving back at Bluff View, he had the guys start loading a tractor with a bush hog to cut the pasture over at Harmony Hollow. He would go to the Farmer's Co-op and see about picking up pasture grass seed to dry plant the seed. They were supposed to get rain next week so they would get ahead of the game.
Jarrod squatted down and examined the patch of Asarum canadense, commonly known as Canada wild ginger. Native Americans used it to treat a number of ailments including dysentery, digestive problems, swollen breasts, coughs and colds, typhus, scarlet fever, nerves, sore throats, cramps, heaves, earaches, headaches, convulsions, asthma, tuberculosis, urinary disorders, and venereal disease. In addition, they also used it as a stimulant or appetite enhancer. The portions for each ailment swirled in his mind. He heard the low rumble of his Uncle Glen's Mototractor as it made its way into the hollow. Standing up, he waved to Glen, who changed course and came over to him. Glen had an old wooden handle folding shovel strapped on the front cargo shelf. Jack jumped off the rear cargo carrier and went over to Beau. Jarrod noticed Glen had spots of mud on his buckskins.
"What have you been doing, Uncle Glen?"
"I was over at Horsehead Spring cleaning it out. It's flowing pretty good now. What's this? Glen asked, pointing to the plants Jarrod had been studying.
"Canada Wild Ginger."
"What's it doing growing down here in Tennessee?"
That's its common name. Its native range is from the Great Plains east to the Atlantic Coast, and from southeastern Canada south to around the Fall Line in the southeastern United States."
"Good for anything?"
"It has a lot of medicinal uses."
"Humph. Well, I'm going fishing. You up to some fried catfish tonight?"
"Sure. I'll be down in a while."
Gil was placing out mineral blocks out near the Spring Pond when he sensed something. Something……
He started walking along the bottom of the ridge. A feeling was guiding him. He turned uphill slightly and entered an area of dense Holly bushes. Pushing through carefully he saw the darkened area of an opening about two and a half feet in height.
"Good place for snakes." Gil thought.
"Gil turned around and went back to the Gator and got a flashlight out of the buttpack behind the seat and returned to the hole. Getting carefully down on his hands and knees he shined the light into the hole. He could see an animal or animals had bedded there some time in the past. A bed of grasses and leaves practically filled the six foot wide area. Shining the light around the wall, on the left side he saw something sticking up out of the leaves. Backing out and finding a stick, he crawled back in and pushed the leaves and grasses around, uncovering the corner of what looked like a box. Pushing his way in a little more, he was able to touch the box but couldn't pull it to him. Wiggling in a little more, he got both hands on it and pulled it toward him. At first it wouldn't move. It seemed stuck in the soil. He finally got it moving toward the mouth of the cavity. It took a while. He would move it a few inches, then have to wriggle backwards, then pull it toward him a few inches more. He was sweating heavily when he finally got the box out of the cavity. The box seemed to be made of mostly wrought iron and had a heavy corroded lock on it. "Thieves must have stashed it here." Gil thought. He took a break then went back in to see if there was anything else. Taking the stick, he poked around to make sure no snakes were hiding in the bedding. His stick hit something and he raked the grasses and leaves away from the wall, spotting another box. Gil groaned and wriggled back in and started sliding the box out inches at the time. He had pulled the box toward opening just a few inches when he spotted a third box. "JEEZ!" Thought Gil, and continued slowly sliding the box toward the opening. Finally, he got the box outside and flopped down on his back, wiping the sweat off. "This could get to be like work!" He thought to himself. Finally, he crawled back into the cavity and eventually worked the third box out. He had to rest again when the box was out in the open. He squatted down and attempted to pick up one of the boxes, but he wouldn't be able to go very far with it. Gil placed the box one the ground and kicked leaves and debris over the boxes. "Well, If anyone found the boxes they wouldn't run far with them."
Gil walked back to the Gator and went back to the house. When he walked in Grace had a surprised look on her face.
"What in the world have you been doing? Wallowing in the pig pen?"
"I'll go take a shower." Gil said.
While Gil was washing his hair, his mind he was buzzing. He could dead lift two hundred pounds easily. He didn't think the boxes were more than two hundred pounds each but the lack of handles made gaining a purchase extremely difficult. He had a set of folding hand trucks with a 275 pound capacity that he would take back with him in the morning. He figured all three boxes weighed around six hundred pounds. It certainly wasn't a bone china collection.
After dinner, Grace and Gil were sitting in the Great Room.
"Mary is real excited about the house. Oh, and they home school their kids too."
"That's good. Those boys look like they'd do a good day's work."
"They all seem like nice kids." Grace said.
"Let's make sure they get a freezer also. We can stock them up on food for their 'Welcome' package.
"That reminds me, that shipment of bulk wheat should be in the middle of next week." Grace said.
"Well, I've got those heavy duty plastic barrels we can store it in."
"The boxes were from those who came to exploit the lands of the People. Use them to help in your efforts."
Gil awoke and looked at the clock. 0430. He got up and slipped on his shorts, t-shirt and moccasins, He'd use the bathroom down stairs. After making coffee, he sat down and thought of what needed to be done at the dairy. He'd use Chet's expertise to put together a list of dairy equipment he needed since he wasn't sure what equipment Chet was bring to the table. Gil did know he would need another tractor. When the Arthur family got moved in Gil would hold off on getting the other two unoccupied houses fixed up until the buildings at Harmony Hollow were repaired and painted.
After breakfast, Gil got the hand trucks and drove the Gator as close to the Holly bushes as he could. Hauling the boxes to the Gator one by one, he finally got them loaded and took them to the shop. The metal rims of the boxes were frozen and it would probably take a heavy hammer and a cold chisel to break it loose. He moved them to the side of the room and threw a tarp over them. There were other things he had to deal with today.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 13, 2022 12:01:53 GMT -6
Chapter 11
The Arthurs attended services Sunday and were welcomed by Reverend Jim preceding his sermon and by a vast majority of the congregation after the service. Gil and Grace were able to pry them away from the well-wishers and Gil gave them a tour of the basketry. Mary ooohed and awed over the baskets and was amazed at what they were doing and why. They convoyed to Bluff View and while Grace, Mollie and the Arthur females went to the kitchen, Gil and Chet sat on the deck sipping iced tea.
"Chet, how can we do the move. I'm sure were going to have to do something special about the cows."
"Well," Cher said, "I've been thinking on that. We need to move the cows in between milking times. We're either going to need to move our furniture and things one day, go back over the next day and milk the cows then move them, and then bring them over, or something."
"What if we did it all in one day?" Gil asked.
"I don't see how we can get that done." Chet replied.
"Hold on." Gil said, and went to the door.
"Grace, Mary, Sarah, Alice, could you all come out here for a minute?"
The women came out and sat in the deck chairs.
"Ladies, it seems we have some roadblocks in the moving schedule. Mary, just how much furniture do you need to move?"
"Well, all of it."
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, are their pieces of sentimental value you would definitely want to move, and could you move into a house with new furniture and leave the old things back on your farm, only taking those things of sentimental value?"
Mary's eyes welled up. New furniture?"
The girls were wiggling around in excitement.
"Gil, I told you we don't take charity." Chet said.
"Well, I don't consider it as such. I'd say it is an investment in the mental well-being of the people. Happy people will in turn make others happy."
"Mary, Grace and Becky will come over to your house in the morning and you're going furniture shopping. Chet, what time do you get through milking in the morning?"
"We'll be done and have everything washed up by 9:00.
"Well, when you're done, you and they boys come over to Harmony. Drake will be finishing up the power installation and you and the boys will need to see how to test and maintain everything."
"Chet and Mary nodded. The boys and girls were excited.
Drake and his men had finished running the test and had a green light on everything.
Gil, you could probably hook up a couple more chest freezers and still not have any perceptible drain from the bank. I'd say she's good to go." Drake said.
"Well, let me throw a wrench in the fan blade. This is the equipment we need to have at the dairy barn and processing house to run this dairy. I think my numbers are right but you'll probably want to do the calculations yourself."
Drake scanned over the documentation briefly, looking at Gil's numbers.
"Yes, this might take a completely separate setup. I'll run the numbers again but are you adverse to adding a backup generator to kick in if the bank gets too low?
"No, not at all."
"Okay then. When will you need to have this done?"
"Say, forty-five days from now?"
"That's doable. We'll need another battery bank building, probably a 12x14 with a generator shed attached."
"We'll get it done."
One of Drake's technicians was instructing the Arthurs in the care and feeding of the electrical system. When they were finished Chet and the boys came over to Gil. Chet was grinning.
"That seems easy enough. Why don't cities do this?" Chet asked.
"Can you imagine the size of the solar field you would need? You'd run out of land. Imagine a city like New York trying to run off alternative energy. You'd have more power outages than you could shake a stick at. Yes, these systems are relatively expensive, but you aren't depending on a power company that's going to rise your rates every time they can get away with it to satisfy their shareholders."
"What's next?" Chet asked.
Harold is going to start working on the outbuildings. I'll need you around here a little more often to share your expertise with him, and to make sure the work is done to your satisfaction. Oh, and make sure the insides of the milking and processing buildings are painted with epoxy paint. It is much more durable and cleans up better.
Chet nodded.
Gil went home and talked to Grace about her and Becky taking Mary and the girls furniture shopping.
"Take the Suburban. You're going to need the room. Let her get what she wants but make sure it's going to last. I'll be working in the shop.
Gil went out to the shop and uncovered the boxes. He picked one up and placed it on the heavy work table with the big vice in it. Clamping the box in the vice, he used the grinder to cut the old lock off the box. He then got a heavy ball peen hammer and a cold chisel and started trying to free the lid. He wasn't making much progress. He sprayed the edges of the box with CorrosionX and decided to let it sit for a while. Covering the boxes back up, he worked on the baby bed until dinner."
Chet walked over the pastures and was pleased at their condition. He and he boys were going to have to start working on the fences, There were posts to be replaced and some wire to be strung but they weren't in too bad of a condition. It was too late to plant feed crops this year, they'd start that in the spring. It would give them plenty of time to spread manure over the fields and get it turned under. This seemed like a dream. For once, they had everything, all together at one time, to make a dairy work. Smiling, he walked back to the barns to see what Harold's crew was doing.
Gil took the covering off the box and started hammering on the chisel again. He worked his way around the edges to the rusted hinges and started all over again. When he got to the corner, it gave a little. Gil started again where it had lifted up that tiny little bit and worked it up a little more. Working away all around the lid edge again, he started around again. With each tap of the hammer, the lid came up a little more. Gil put down the hammer and chisel and picked up the grinder and cut a little more than half way through the three hinges. He gain started tapping away at the lid edge and all off a sudden the hinges gave way and the lid popped loose. Laying the hammer and chisel down, Gil lifted the lid to see what looked to be a piece of animal hide folded over, concealing what lay beneath.
Billy was coming back from Chattanooga on one of his cross-country solo flights. He turned onto his approach to Dickinson Island. Altitude right, flaps set, speed good, everything looking good, when all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, the engine quit. Billy quickly called the controller and declared an emergency, checked everything again and tried to restart the engine. Resetting his flaps, he did some slow turns to bleed off altitude. Turning back onto his approach leg, he again aligned with the centerline and prayed. As he crossed the threshold, his wheels hit.
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Post by cavsgt on Feb 13, 2022 12:52:39 GMT -6
It is a good thing that you do not have this series finished. If you had this in book form I would never get anything done. As always Thank You for all of your hard work and time that you invest so we free loaders can enjoy your stories.
Phill
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