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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 23, 2022 17:16:56 GMT -6
Chapter 34
They met back at the parking lot and went over to Long Horn Steakhouse for lunch.
"Did you get your packet?" Billy asked.
Carrie rolled her eyes. "Yes, and I've got a gazillion things to do; physical, shots, background check, drug test, paperwork to fill out and on and on. I don't think this is going to work, us two riding to school together. I'm going to have some odd hours at times. I'll have to talk to Mom about getting my own car. What about you?"
"The faculty advisor scared me at first. The actual program doesn't start until the Fall semester. However, I can begin with the Spring semester, take those classes, and pick up the fall classes. When I start my second year, I'll be on schedule. I bought the textbooks so I can study ahead."
"Well, we've taken the first step, now let's order. I'm starving." Carrie said, picking up a menu.
Saturday was overcast but no precipitation, and it was Range Day. Everyone from Bluff View and Bear Head Point participated, and Jacinta was there too, for re-familiarization with pistols and verifying their zeros with their long gun. It would culminate with a cookout that afternoon. Gil and Grace did their firing first because Gil was smoking Baby Backs and Grace was finishing up some side dishes. Everyone brought something also. When the firing was completed and the brass policed, everyone headed to Gil and Grace's. The weather was in the sixties to they mostly stayed on the deck, the men at least. The women were in and out helping Grace and Mollie. Finally, Gil sprayed the ribs one more time with the mixture of Jack Daniels, apple juice and honey and called everyone to eat in thirty minutes. Everyone scrambled to bring the food out to the tables and get drinks set out. Brad and Colt held big trays to hold the steaming ribs that Gil was taking out of the smoker with the long tongs. The meat practically jumped right off the bones. Everyone's mouth was watering, smelling the aromas. Finally, Gil gave the blessing and everyone dug in. Most started out with half a rack. If they wanted more there was plenty of meat waiting. All you had to do was give the rib bones a little twist and the bone slid right out. Only the occasional comment was heard, the people were too busy eating. Finally, Glen crossed his knife fork on his plate and set back, hands rubbing his stomach.
"Hoss, this is almost as bad as Thanksgiving. I'm gonna have to run up and down a few hills to get ready for that."
One by one, People finally put their silverware down and wiped their mouths.
"Gil, Ladies, you out did yourselves. I need to find a tree to crawl under and sleep the rest of the afternoon." Brad groaned.
"Well, I think we have one more thing to do. Billy, if you please."
Billy got up from his seat next to Carrie and went into the house. They all heard the garage door open and from the corner came a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in the brightest orange paint job anyone had ever seen. Trace and Sarah got up and stood behind Carrie.
"Carrie, that's your early birthday present." Sarah said.
"Dang, if you had paid $2.00 more you coulda had it painted orange." Colt grinned.
Carrie sat there with her hands over her mouth, staring at the Jeep.
"Well girl, go down and check it out." Trace said, grinning.
Carrie got up and weaved through the tables and down the stairs to the Jeep, where Billy still stood. She put her arm around Billy and laid her head on his chest.
"It's beautiful." She said, sniffling.
"Well, get in, try it out."
Billy opened the door for her and she sat in the driver's seat, looking around inside.
"I put together a roadside emergency kit and got you a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher. It's all in the back." Billy said.
"Get in." Carrie said.
Billy looked at Carrie.
"GET IN! Let's go for a ride." Carrie said, starting the Jeep.
Sarah squeezed Trace's arm as the two teenagers drove off.
Billy asked Gil if he and Carrie could get the turkeys this year. They wanted to use bows. Gil shrugged and told him fine, then turned and grinned. They went out early the next morning and came back with two big toms. Carrie even helped Billy clean them. Gil shook his head. For the cost of two homemade wooden arrows, which they recovered, they got two birds that cost twice as much this year at Walmart as they did last year. They'd bought twenty-five turkeys for the Thanksgiving boxes but still, even with the discount, were twice as expensive as last year. He was keeping a closer watch on the people within the Lands and made sure they weren't doing without.
The day before Thanksgiving, the Courtneys landed at the airstrip in the R44. Gil and Grace were waiting with a Gator to take them and their baggage to the guest house. Once they were settled, Steve and Angela walked over and had coffee with Gil and Grace.
"So, what's been going on around here?" Steve asked.
"Nothing much." Gil answered. "Just preparing for winter and planning for next year."
"Oh, tell him about helping the Sheriff's Department catch those hijackers!" Grace said.
"We didn't do much, just flew air cover and directed the Deputies to where the hijackers were hiding the truck. It was Brad that did that."
"That's why I like where we are. The bad guys are mostly in the cities and far away from us." Angela said.
"Don't be so sure." Gil said. What if some enterprising crook spots you buying a lot of stuff during one of your monthly buying trips, then proceeds to follow you home? Do you carry, Steve?"
"Not normally, but I will now."
"I don't mean to scare you Angela, but it's important you maintain situational awareness. You two would probably be better off doing your shopping in or around Clarksville, have it delivered to that helicopter service you used and have them deliver it if you can't carry it in the R44. It will be expensive, but you can afford it and your money is losing value every day."
Steve nodded. "Angela, we'll take a trip this week and set it up."
Steve went with Gil to fill the wildlife and guinea feeders. Gil drove over and showed the windmill system he'd set up to water the garden and the fields with river water, then drove up to the Aging Cellar and showed Steve what he had stocked. Gil took him around and showed him a few other improvements they had done and went back to the house. When they walked in they smelled frying food. Walking into the kitchen, Angel was using a pair of tongs to remove fried catfish from the frying pan.
"What's cookin'?" Steve asked.
"Fried catfish, with Cole slaw and freedom fries."
Steve turned to Gil. "Aren't you worried about the mercury and such in the water?"
"No, fish in this stretch of the river have been tested by UT and they say they are safe to eat." Gil replied.
"Good! I'm hungry." Steve said.
"Well, eat your fill. After dinner you can help me brine the turkeys."
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Post by gipsy on Feb 23, 2022 18:54:47 GMT -6
Thanks for the fine update.
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Post by cavsgt on Feb 23, 2022 18:56:27 GMT -6
As always very very very good story.
Thank You Phill
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Post by udwe on Feb 23, 2022 20:23:49 GMT -6
Great addition! Loved Carrie's outfit!
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Post by texican on Feb 23, 2022 20:50:11 GMT -6
n,
Thanks for the multiple chapters.
Texican....
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Post by iamnobody on Feb 24, 2022 9:17:39 GMT -6
i'm sitting here, can't get the image of a dancing parrot singing " all my exes live in Texas" out of my mind.
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Post by solo on Feb 24, 2022 9:51:57 GMT -6
I really enjoy reading your writing and I spend most of my day, ashamedly, pressing the reload button on my browser.
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Post by texican on Feb 24, 2022 15:29:09 GMT -6
i'm sitting here, can't get the image of a dancing parrot singing " all my exes live in Texas" out of my mind.
iam, You definitely have a way with words. Texican....
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Feb 24, 2022 16:47:42 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 24, 2022 22:31:33 GMT -6
Chapter 35
Gil and Grace were up early the next morning. Gil started the coffee and poured freeze-dried tomato dices in a bowl and added water to re-hydrate them while Grace pulled the dough out of the refrigerator for Angel Biscuits. Angela and Steve were coming over for breakfast at 0700. Grace was going to let the kids sleep as long as they wanted. Gil got the large cast iron frying pan out and began cooking sausage patties, plus put a tray of bacon in the oven to cook. Grace saw Sandy at the deck door, her tail wagging and went to let her out, only to see she was wagging her tail for Steve and Angela. She let Sandy out as the two came up the steps and held the door for them to come in. Quickly, Gil transferred the coffee to a carafe and set cups on the island, then went back to turning the sausage. Taking the bacon out of the oven, Grace slid the biscuits in
"I love that bed in the guest cabin. Where did you get it?" Angela asked.
"Gil built that. I love a Captain's bed."
"I like that you can keep spare bedding in the drawers."
"Omelets to order! I'll start cooking when the biscuits are about done. What'll you have Angela?"
"Sausage, tomato and cheese?"
"You got it. Steve?"
"Bacon, tomato and cheese."
Grace got out two types of jelly and a jar of strawberry preserves, then laid out silverware. Gil had plates stacked next to the stove. Gil took a look at the biscuits and waited five more minutes before starting the omelets. When Grace pulled the biscuits out Gil was plating Angela's omelet and started on Steve's. That was quickly done and sitting in front of Steve before he could get butter and jelly on his biscuit. Gil then started on Grace's omelet. She liked cheese, tomato and bacon so hers was quickly done. Gil piled bacon, sausage crumbles, tomatoes and cheese on his. Sitting down with the rest, Gil buttered a biscuit and started eating.
"These biscuits have yeast in them?" Angela asked.
Grace grinned. "Gil calls them 'Cheater Biscuits.' You can make the dough ahead of time. It will keep in the refrigerator four or five days as long as you have the dough covered with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out."
"They are delicious."
Billy walked in and Grace started to get up.
"Sit Mom! I'm just going to scramble a couple of eggs."
Billy heated the frying pan back up and poured a little bacon grease from the bacon pan into the frying pan. After cooking his eggs, he took a couple of sausage patties and three slices of bacon and put them on his plate, along with two biscuits.
"Do you want some jelly Honey?" Grace asked.
"Yes please."
Grace handed him the jar and Billy took some out then handed the jar back. Getting a glass out of the cabinet, he poured himself a glass of milk and stood at the island eating his breakfast.
Mollie came in and poured herself a cup of coffee. Gil grabbed his plate and got up to give Mollie his seat. He finish his breakfast standing with Billy at the island. When they finished Gil and Billy rinsed their plates and placed them in the dishwasher.
"I've got to go check the furnace." Gil said.
"I'll do the one at the greenhouse." Billy replied. "I told Allie I'd take care of the chickens this morning since she'd be cooking."
Gil nodded and went out the door. Billy pulled on a jacket and took a Gator to go to the greenhouse. On the way, he was about to pass Colt and Shannon headed for the house as Colt waved him down.
"Billy!" Shannon shouted through the truck window. "Is your Mom up yet?"
Billy grinned. "Are you kidding? She was up before the bobcats quit stirring."
Shannon grinned and waved and they went on to the house. Billy removed the ashes, added wood and closed the damper a little. Going into the greenhouse he checked the thermometer. Seventy-eight degrees. Closing the door, he drove over to the chicken coop. Food and water were good and the sawdust didn't need refreshing so he took an egg basket hanging on the wall and gathered the eggs. He took the eggs over to the canning house and dry cleaned them with a piece of steel wool and set them in cartons pointy-side down and set them on the counter with the other eggs. As he was about to close the door, Mollie called him on the radio and asked him to bring back two dozen eggs. Billy grinned to himself and went back in, grabbing two of the cartons. He went back to the house and took the eggs to the kitchen, already bustling with women moving from one thing to another. Making himself as inconspicuous as possible, he slipped out and checked the Great Room. No one was there. He slipped out the porch door and headed for the shop where he looked through the glass panes in the door and found the men sitting around and his father stoking the wood stove. As he was about to open the door his mother called for him on the radio. He went back to the kitchen.
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Can you go up to C3 and get me a couple of bags…oh heck! Bring a case of potato dices. I'm running out anyway."
"Okay."
"Billy opened the door to leave and a grinning Carrie followed him out. They got into the Gator and headed up the ridge.
"Good morning!" Carrie grinned.
"Good morning. When did you get here?"
"Just a little while ago. Mollie said you had gone to take care of the chickens."
"Yep. A man's work is never done." Billy grinned.
As they neared the shelf, he turned off that security zone and soon arrived at the door.
"I've never been here before." Carrie said.
"You haven't? Well, stay close to me and maybe the cave rats won't jump on your legs."
"CAVE RATS!" Carrie squealed.
"Don't worry. I've only been bitten a couple of times. It doesn't hurt for long."
Billy go out of the Gator and Carrie just sat there. "I'll wait for you."
"No, come on. It's safe, I promise."
Billy unlocked the wooden door and the blast door, then flipped on the lights. When they came out of the tunnel Carrie gasped.
"It's like a little kingdom. A cave kingdom!"
She held on to Billy's arm as they walked through the main chamber. All of a sudden, Billy jumped and stomped his feet. Carrie squealed and twirled around, looking for the rats. Billy was red faced he was laughing so hard.
"YOU LIAR! THERE AREN'T ANY RATS!" Carrie cried out, slapping Billy on the arm.
Trying to get his breath, Billy sat in one of the chairs next to the fire pit. Holding his ribs, he started to regain his composure.
"Who built this. I mean, I'm sure your father had something to do with it." Carrie asked.
"We've all chipped in at one time or another."
"It's like its own little world here. Can I look around?"
"Sure." Carrie walked around, checking out the kitchen area, then opened a door to a sleeping area, noticing the name on the door.
"Does everyone have rooms here?"
"Yep."
"Where's your room?" Carrie asked.
Billy led her to the steps going up to his room, Carrie following him as he climbed the stairs, opened the door and went inside. She looked around.
"Needs a bigger bed but it will sleep two."
Billy looked at her in surprise.
"Not yet, ridge runner, but some day."
"They turned and went back down the stairs to the dungeon and got the case of potato dices, Carrie shutting off lights as they came back through. Billy locked the security doors and they headed back down to the house. When they got back to the kitchen Sarah looked at Carrie.
"Where did you get off to?"
"I went to help Billy." Carrie said.
"Help him with what? Mollie asked grinning.
"To keep the cave rats off me." Billy said and started laughing again, holding his sides.
"RATS! WHAT RATS?" Grace asked.
"Momma, Billy told me to stay close to him because the rats would jump on my legs and bite me. Then he stomped his feet and shouted. I almost peed my pants!"
Mollie grabbed the edge of the counter, laughing, Grace was grinning.
"Billy, go to the shop and stay with the men. We'll call you when we need you." Grace said.
Billy went out the deck door, closing it and shutting off the sounds of laughter coming from the kitchen.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 24, 2022 22:34:53 GMT -6
Chapter 36
Jacinta came in carrying Carmen in a cage.
"You can let her out, Jacinta."
"Grace, maybe later. There are people and pets she hasn't seen before." Jacinta set the cage near the hearth and the twins and Sandy converged on the area.
"GET BACK YOU SCOUNDRELS!" Carmen screeched as Sandy tried to sniff and the kids were trying to get their hands through the cage.
"CARMEN! Be nice! They just want to meet you."
Carmen bowed her head and said, "Pleased to meet you."
Sarah watched in awe, standing with her mouth open.
"I have never seen anything like that! Can she carry on conservation?"
"Not really. She picks up on a lot of emotions and senses things. She really is a big d-u-m-m-y at times." Jacinta replied.
"YOU'RE A DUMMY!"
Mollie chuckled. "Best let her be. Who brought the cranberry sauce?"
Yeast rolls were pulled out of the oven and placed in warming baskets and the women started placing the food on the table. Grace called Gil on the radio to tell him to bring someone else in so they could carve the turkeys. Brad got up and went with him. When Gil went through the door Carmen squawked and said, "GUARDIAN!"
Gil stopped and looked at the cage, then at Grace and then to Jacinta.
"Did you teach her that, Jacinta?"
"No, I don't know where she picked the word up."
Bewildered, Gil went into the kitchen and started carving a turkey and placing the meat on a platter. Brad did the same. When the turkeys had been carved, Mollie called in the rest of the men. Everyone took their seats at the huge table and Gil gave the blessing. As the dishes of food were passed around, Jacinta and Carmen were on his mind. "Could Carmen sense something or had the Sagartotisa visited her?" From the moans a half hour later, everyone must have enjoyed their dinner. Leaving the dish cleanup until after they had dessert much later, the food was put away and everyone retired to the deck. The sunny, sixty-two degree day was nice. Jacinta brought Carmen's cage out and opened its door. Carmen hopped out and walked back and forth on the deck railing. Billy went out to the shop and came out with a log end about fourteen inches across and four inches thick he had attached a piece of five-fifty cord to and hung it on a branch. He went back into the shop and came back with a set of six throwing knives.
"Okay, guys! Let's see what you've got!" Billy shouted.
Billy threw first, all three blades sticking into the wooden block, each about two or three inches from the other. Colt went up next and stuck two knives, the third hit but didn't dig in and fell to the ground. Glen was next. His hits were a little closer together than Billy's.
"Let Jacinta give it a try." Gil said, grinning.
"Jacinta?" Several people said, looking at her.
Jacinta looked at Gil and he nodded back. Jacinta walked out to the group of men and Billy handed her three knives. Gauging the target, and flipping each knife to find its balance, she took three steps back and concentrated on the target. She held the knife up next to her right ear then quickly threw the knife, her left arm going back to keep her balance. The knife struck dead center. The next two knives were so close to the first it would have been difficult to run the blade of a throwing knife between them. The men and women all cheered.
"I'll bet she can't handle what I've got!" Glen said, heading to his truck.
He came back with a spike tomahawk with a hickory handle and went in front of the target. He threw it and it stuck the target dead center. Retrieving the tomahawk, he handed it to Jacinta, smirking. Jacinta felt the balance of the head and shaft then backed up a bit more. When she threw the fighting axe there was nothing but a blur and loud "THUNK", and the tomahawk was stuck in the tree, the target hanging by the five-fifty cord in two pieces. There was a roar from the men and women.
"How….how did you do that?" Glen asked.
"It was easy, Your throw began a small split, I just finished it off. I throw knives and fighting axes once in a while to relieve stress."
"Man, get this lady a mead and don't get her stressed!" Trace shouted.
Everyone laughed and headed for the coolers.
As the afternoon wore on, many made trips inside to try the desserts. Finally Gil went in and started cleaning up dishes. Grace and the rest of the women came in and ran him out. They could get the things cleaned up faster if no men got in the way. Food was divided up and placed in carry-out boxes and slowly, people started leaving. As Jacinta got up and put Carmen in her cage, Gil asked her to stay a bit, then went inside the house to talk to Grace.
"I'm taking Jacinta up to the Chamber. I want to introduce her to the Sagartotisa."
"Okay."
Gil had Jacinta set Carmen's cage inside and to come with him. They got into a Gator and headed up the ridge. Jacinta said nothing as Gill unlocked the wooden and blast doors and entered the tunnel. When Gil turned on the lights in the main chamber, Jacinta looked around.
"What is this place?"
"It is a place of refuge for the people of Bluff View."
"Sagartotisa, will you meet with us?"
Slowly, a wall of mist grew in front of the fire pit and the Sagartotisa appeared.
'I have seen you…in my dreams." Jacinta said.
"Yes, Jacinta Velasco. I have drawn you within our folds to be of assistance to the Caomächter."
The Sagartotisa held up her hand and Jacinta and Gil closed their eyes. When they opened them, now they had the whole history of The People from the beginning.
"Jacinta, do you so swear to faithfully serve and protect the People and the Sacred Lands and to support the Caomächter as his Deisceavána?"
"I so swear Sagartotisa."
"Then so be it. It is time for you, Caomächter and you, Deisceavána, to meet the Sagartotiso, my father."
Out of the wall of mist came an aged man dressed in buckskin clothing , his head adorned with a simple beaded headband, much like the one worn by the Sagartotisa. Looking into Gil's eyes, he spoke.
"Caomächter, you have done well, but evil is spreading across the lands that surround us again. I am here to bestow powers upon you and your Deisceavána, one of which is the power to read the hearts of those you encounter. The other powers will be known to you when you require them."
The Sagartotiso held his hand up and chanted for about a minute, then slowly faded into the mist as did the Sagartotisa. Gradually, the mist dissipated.
"Well, I can't say I've ever encountered anything like that before." Jacinta said. "I understand what I'm supposed to do, but what is 'Deisceavána'?
"It's kind of like an executive secretary, colleague, something like that." Gil replied.
"Do I get to fight?"
"Jacinta, I'm afraid there will be a time coming when we'll all have to fight."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 24, 2022 22:38:05 GMT -6
Chapter 37
Billy was helping Gil move pallets of firewood to each of the houses and stocking up the wood in the greenhouse furnace shelter. There was an alarming weather front that was pounding Colorado and it was a toss-up if the jet stream would move enough for them for them not to be too affected by the weather. It was historically too early in the winter for them to be getting snow but they had several consecutive days of the temperatures dropping into the low twenties and not getting over thirty-five in the daytime. If they didn't get higher temperatures or the jet stream didn't move they system further north, they could get at a minimum, freezing rain. Everyone in their area of influence (The Lands) had been forewarned and steps had been made through the Church to see the People had supplies to weather the storm for several days. Allie and Grace were busy issuing out supplies from the Chamber inventories to make sure the Bluff View people were covered. Grace asked Jacinta to come in and stay in the guest house until the event was over. She would be too isolated at her cabin if something happened.
Jacinta showed up that afternoon with a couple off duffel bags and three peculiar looking cases. Grace asked Jacinta to let Carmen stay in the house while Jacinta was out helping the others. Carmen was now accustomed to the twins and Sandy completely ignored the bird. Grace placed a thick towel on the back of a chair and the twins could sit for hours talking to Carmen and Carmen seemingly answering them and singing to the two young ones. They even got their pillows and blankets and took their nap at the foot of the Carmen's chair, she taking a little nap also.
Colt and Trace made sure all the vehicles were fueled or charged. Glen and Jarrod came over to get their Jerry cans filled for the hovercraft and the Mototractors. Gil and Brad put the "illegal" chains on the trucks and either kept them in garages or tarped them down. Just in case, Gil got more pairs of the crampons out and issued them out for all the adults. Ice melt was in place at each home and at the equipment barn.
Gil stood at the corner of the greenhouse with Jacinta, looking around.
"Come on." Gil said.
They walked down to the methanol still building and made sure the doors were secure and the bags of sawdust outside the building were tarped and the tarps secured.
"Well, I can't think of anything else. Larry is doing an extra milk run today and that pretty much covers everything. If the People are shut in for two or three days, they should be relatively comfortable."
One of the things Gil and Brad had done the day before while they were forming their weather plans was go to Tractor Supply and get two of the truck mounted snow plow blades for the two E-pickups. They spent a good part of the afternoon mounting everything but now had two trucks ready with sand spreaders that held a mixture of sand, salt and furnace ashes. Billy had spent the day mixing up extra mix and tarped it over near the equipment barn. Gil called the men on the radio to meet him at the equipment barn.
"Everyone done?" They all gave an affirmative.
"Okay, no use in hanging around here. We should start getting something around daylight, or before, in the morning. Keep your radios charged. Brad, you're the closest to the greenhouse. If you could take care of the furnace there, it would be a big help.
"No problem. I'll be going out with Allie to take care of the chickens anyway."
"Brad, I can come help if needed. Just give me a shout." Colt said.
"Oh, does everyone have the ice chains on their Gators?" Gil asked.
Brad nodded. "We put them on those that are at the charging station too."
"Good. Well keep your radios on the chargers and we'll see how this turns out."
This unusual weather event couldn't have come at a worse time. They were supposed to deliver the Christmas boxes the next night but they would be late doing that. Hopefully they brought just as much joy to recipients, if not the mystery.
When Gil walked up on the deck, he saw the furniture was moved back and covered and a tarp was laying on the deck covering a walkway from the door to the steps. Another tarp was draped over the deck rail to cover the steps later. Whatever type of precipitation they received, all they had to do was peel the tarp up to clear a walkway to the steps. The tarp on the steps, when removed, would give them a place to sit to put on their crampons if they had an ice storm.
Inside, Mollie was stirring a pot of beef stew while Grace put another pot of coffee on the stove.
"Everything okay?" Grace asked.
"Yep. We're as prepared as we can be. The only thing left is to feed the livestock this evening and sit back and wait."
Gil poured a cup of coffee out of the carafe, emptying it. Rinsing the carafe out, he set it on the counter by the stove to be filled when the coffee had finished perking. Gil took his coffee into the Great room and turned on the TV and tuned to the Weather channel. It wasn't looking promising. The southern portion the weather system dipped down almost to El Paso and the jet stream was bottoming out around Del Rio, Texas. This could immobilize the whole southeastern area of the country. To make it worse, a high system had formed off the coast of North and South Carolina that could hold the system in place once it got over Tennessee. Well, Bluff View was set up pretty good. He was more concerned about the Arthurs and the Griggs. Chet might have to dump a couple of milkings or make a lot of cheese if they weren't on top of it. He'd made sure Larry had chains for the milk truck but he was prepared to assist him with the E-trucks if needed. He would conduct a radio net check this afternoon to make sure everyone was prepared.
The aromas of the beef stew simmering and fresh bread baking made Gil relax. Eyes heavy, he pulled back on the lever on his Lazy-Boy and shut his eyes.
"Dad, Dad!"
Gil's eyes snapped open.
"You said you wanted to go with me to feed the livestock." Billy said. Gil got up and they put their coats, hats and gloves on. Billy drove them up to the pasture and they fed the cattle and pigs extra rations.
"Help me with the tarps."
They untied the rolled up tarp and secured the bottoms. It would give the cattle a warmer place out of the wind. They did the same with the pigs. The pigs didn't waste any time getting into the warmer area where Gil and Billy had laid out extra hay for bedding. They poured extra sweet feed into the feed troughs and went back to the house and fed the greenhouse and house furnaces. They walked into the house just in time for dinner.
Gil walked out on the deck before turning in and nothing was falling yet, although the temperature had fallen fifteen, almost twenty degrees since sundown. Gil covered the steps and went back in.
Gil awoke at 0500 to the sound of tapping on the windows. Getting up, he pulled on a sweatsuit and his moccasins and went downstairs. After putting on a pot of coffee, he opened the deck door. Rain was falling, mixed with sleet bouncing off the furniture. Icicles we already forming on the edge of the roof. Gil shook his head. This was going to be a mess.
Grace was up at 0600 and found Gil drinking coffee in front of the TV. One of the forecasters was in front of a map that showed the weather front just past Asheville and was going to be held in place for three to four days. They also called for ice and snow. Getting a cup of coffee, Grace stood behind Gil and listened to the forecast.
"This is going to be a mess!" Grace said.
"Yeah, but I think we are ready."
"What do you want for breakfast?" Grace asked.
Gil drained his coffee cup. "You know, I think I'd like to have some of those big horsehead biscuits with country ham, egg and cheese."
"Hmmm. That sounds good. Breakfast sandwiches it is."
They both walked into the kitchen as Mollie came through the porch door and Jacinta came through the deck door carrying Carmen's perch and Carmen riding on her shoulder with a little rain cape on.
"Cold! Cold!" Squawked Carmen.
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Post by cavsgt on Feb 24, 2022 22:56:25 GMT -6
Well I almost got to bed early tonight. Good job well worth staying up for.
Thank You Phill
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Post by gipsy on Feb 25, 2022 8:18:35 GMT -6
Thanks for the update. The weather will slow down the bad guys.
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Post by iamnobody on Feb 25, 2022 8:40:54 GMT -6
A person can definitely feel the evil spreading over the land in real life too.
And the cave rats! Billy pretending he had one on his leg. Carrie screaming. I didn't pee my pants but I about spewed my breakfast all over the computer screen.
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Post by udwe on Feb 25, 2022 20:55:05 GMT -6
That was really funny! (Cave rats!)
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Feb 26, 2022 9:48:30 GMT -6
Cave rats had me grinning thanks. Makes me remember a time when I convinced my son that he had to watch/prepare for snow fleas.
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Post by CountryGuy on Feb 26, 2022 11:15:50 GMT -6
I'm like some junky, I find myself hitting refresh like every hour to see if the next installments have posted... oh well worse addictions to have
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 26, 2022 15:35:22 GMT -6
Chapter 38
"I'd say good morning but Carmen would just contradict me." Jacinta grinned. "Can I place Carmen near the hearth?" "Of course!" Grace said.
Everyone watched as Jacinta went over to the hearth and sat the perch on the floor to the side, pulling a sheet of a newspaper out of her rain jacket pocket. Spreading the paper out, she sat the perch on the paper. Jacinta reached up and removed the rain cape from Carmen who immediately jumped down to the perch. Ruffling up her feathers she spread her wings and said, "Ahhhh."
Mollie shook her head. "I swear, that bird is smarter than some of those checkout people at Walmart."
"Carmen hates the rain, especially if it is cold, and wouldn't go out this morning to do her business. When she's done, I'll clean up the paper." Jacinta explained.
"Carmen is house broken?" Grace said in surprise.
"Now I know that bird is smarter than some of those clerks at Walmart!" Mollie said, grinning.
Gil chuckled and placed the big frying pan on the burner to heat.
The biscuits went into the oven and Gil started frying ham. He ended up frying three packs of ham. He hoped there was biscuits and ham left over, He liked ham biscuits even if they were cold.
Gil made a net call and everyone reported they were doing fine. He looked outside and they only thing that had changed was the icicles were longer, much longer. Gil walked under the small portico and broke the icicles off and tossed them into the yard. Going back in, he walked into the Great Room, sat in his Lazy-Boy and picked up his book.
"Guardian." Said Carmen.
By lunch, the rain and sleet had not let up and they were beginning to hear trees creaking and branches snapping, Gil estimated there was at least a half inch of ice on the branches. Gil put on his Gortex rain suit and went out to check around and throw some wood in the furnace. He didn't see any trees that looked in danger of falling. Going back into the house, Mollie had soup and grilled cheese sandwiches ready. Gil called Brad and asked him if he'd seen any damage. Brad reported here were some branches down near the Aging Cellar but that was all. Gil spent the rest of the afternoon wiping down and re-oiling his guns and reading. The twins were binge-watching old Disney movies, Billy was studying college textbooks and the women were in a marathon Scrabble game.
When Gil and Billy were coming back from feeding the livestock, the snow began to fall. The road wasn't too bad, the chains kept them from sliding, but tomorrow could be different. If the weather didn't break, the snow would only insulate the ice and it could be around for days. They'd do a light plowing with one of the trucks in the morning down to the main road and check the highway. The almost silent E-Gator went through the gate and traveled down the edge of the ridge beneath the crystalized tree branches. It was amazing something so pristine and beautiful could be so deadly in a second.
After servicing the furnace, Billy and Gil took off their crampons on the deck steps. Going inside, Gil got a cup of coffee and Billy made a cup of hot chocolate.
"How is it out there?" Grace asked.
"It's started snowing, ice is thick. We'll make it all right."
Gil mentally attributed it to a childhood fascination and excitement to newly fallen snow, but he awakened early the next morning again. After pouring the coffee into the basket of the percolater, he tapped the basket on the counter and checked the level. Grace made a perfect tasting pot of percolator coffee. She would dump out a can of new coffee and put the perfect amount into a plastic bag made with an impulse sealer and seal it. All Gil had to do was tear the top off the bag and dump it in the basket. If he tried it by hand, it was a coin toss whether the coffee was going to be on the happy edge of good or the ghastly side of bad.
He set the coffee pot on the burner and went to the deck door. He looked out and turned and went to the "junk drawer" in the sideboard and got a tape measure. Stepping out under the portico, he extended the metal tape, reached out and pushed it down into the snow. Eight inches. Well, that measurement wouldn't last long. The flakes looked as big as coffee cup saucers and were coming down fast and heavy. He looked at the wall thermometer and it showed twenty-three degrees. Whoever had said it could get too cold to snow should be standing next to him here in East Tennessee right now. Gil went back in, wiped the moisture off the tape and returned it to the drawer.
By the time it quit snowing that afternoon, they had received fourteen inches of snow. Gil and Billy took the two E-trucks with the plows and cleared the drive all the way to the main road, cleared the roads and parking lot at the Church and cleared the drives to Trace's house and the Livestock pasture. Carrie rode with Billy after her house had been cleared. They cleared the roads to everyone's house. Afterwards, Carrie came back to the house with them for hot chocolate. Trace and Sarah came to pick Carrie later on and it being Christmas Eve, enjoyed eggnog with the Conners. Billy and Carrie slipped off and exchanged small gifts, he giving her a small silver heart-shaped locket necklace and she giving him an intense kiss and a new wallet. When they returned to the Great Room, Grace and Sarah were smiling at each other.
"What?" Asked Carrie.
"Do you think we should give them their present now?" Grace asked Sarah.
"JUST DO IT!" Screeched Carmen.
Grace went upstairs and came back down with two boxes, handing one to Sarah. Sarah handed her box to Carrie and Grace handed hers to Billy. The two tore the paper off the boxes and took the tops off. Inside each box was a long sleeved jerkin that fell just below the tops of the hips.
The hides to make the jerkins had been smoked to give them some water resistance. Each jerkin had two breast pockets and two waist pockets below where the belt tied. The pockets had a flap that was held closed by a deer antler toggle button. The belt had double hand forged rings sewn at one end of the belt and on the belt were two loops that ended up opposite each other when the belt was tied. The two donned the jerkins and Mollie showed them how to tie off the belts.
"What are these for?" Carrie asked, pointing to the loops.
"To hold these." Jacinta stepped forward, holding out two boxes about eighteen inches long, wrapped in foil paper.
In each box lay an ATC Model 1 Tomahawk with a hickory handle and an antler handle skinner knife. The hickory handle of the tomahawk and the antler handle of the knife were inlaid with a small gold eagle’s head. Also in Carrie’s box was one inch wide headband with a two hole cord lock.
“What’s the headband for?” Carrie asked.
“You said sometimes your hair got in the way when shooting your bow.” Jacinta explained.
"What does the eagle's head mean?" Billy asked.
Jacinta looked a Gil. "It is the mark of the Guardian."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 26, 2022 15:38:03 GMT -6
Chapter 39
The rest pf the people began drifting in around 1200 from the frigid weather for the pot luck Christmas Dinner. Gil cooked two prime rib roasts and all the ladies contributed with vegetables, breads and desserts. Gil made sure plenty of beverages were available, including beer he had purchased several days before. Glen liked the beer they had and complimented Gil.
"Glen, have you tried any of the IPA beers they're making these days?" Brad grinned.
Glen scowled. "I can't bring myself to do it. Every time I hear 'IPA,' I associate it with transexuals playing with their nipple rings."
Colt snorted beer through his nose and howled, bringing the women running in to see what was going on, only to find the men laughing with tears in their eyes.
"Now THAT'S a mental picture that's not going away for a long time." Gil said.
"I'm sticking with mead." Trace said.
"I swear, from now on, every time I see an IPA beer, that vision is going to pop into my head!" Brad managed to say between his gasps for breath.
They all sat around that afternoon just relaxing with family and friends and having discussions on whatever topic popped up. Billy and Carrie came down the stairs dressed in their matching jerkins, with their skinners and radios on their belts, sans tomahawks, Billy was carrying his 870.
"Dad, Carrie and I are going to feed the livestock."
"Okay, be careful."
Billy and Carrie took an E-Gator up the plowed drive. As they neared the pasture enclosures Billy saw a lot of tracks around.
"I think we have a coyote prowling. Let me open the gate. Come around and get in the driver's seat." Billy said, his eyes swiveling
Billy got out, taking the shotgun and looked around as he approached the gate. Unhooking the chain, he waved to Carrie and she pulled up. Getting in the passenger seat, he motioned Carrie forward. They took care of the cattle first, giving them extra bedding, hay and feed. As they went over to the pig pen, Billy saw a flash of movement as a coyote tried to run from the bushes and across pond but fell and was having difficulty regaining its feet. Quickly taking the shotgun off his shoulder, he fired two rounds off 00 buck and the coyote lay still. Now he had a dilemma. If he left the coyote on the ice and the ice melted, the body would contaminate the drinking water of the livestock. Handing Carrie the shotgun, he went to the shed and got out a bush axe. Cutting a slender willow, he trimmed the branches off and began tying together lengths of baling twine that were in the shed and made a noose at the top of the willow pole. Getting as close to the edge of the pond as he could, he was able to slip the noose over a leg and tightened it, pulling the coyote toward the edge of the ice. Once he had the coyote on shore, he dragged it over to a tree. Tripling the strands of the twine, he hung the coyote in a tree.
"Why did you do that?" Carrie asked.
"Maybe the coyotes get the idea this is a bad place to mess around in."
Billy walked around but he could only see the tracks of the single coyote. They fed the pigs and put out extra bedding then headed back to the house.
The days leading up to New Year's Day was mostly filled with the murmurings of the women preparing for the party while the men worked in the greenhouse, cleaned up fallen branches and trimmed ice damaged trees. The ice and snow were almost gone and things were getting back to as "normal" as it got around Bluff View.
January 6th, Carrie had her orientation day before her classes started on the 14th. She had all her fees and books paid for and had the mandatory clothing purchased. Her physical, background investigation and all the prerequisites done and she was looking forward to getting started.
Billy, on the other hand, wouldn't start until the Spring semester. He studied every night and paraphrased note pages on his computer of every paragraph in his textbooks. Billy found that when he did this, just skimming his notes refreshed his brain quickly. When he was in class, he could add notes on what the teacher emphasized or use his highlighter to mark what mattered to the teacher. He already understood that college professors were always right, even though what they taught was sometimes opinionated because of personal or political beliefs. He would ignore them and regurgitate what they wanted but highlighted in green the correct areas in his notes.
Gil and the guys pulled maintenance on the equipment, distilled more methanol and spread manure from the livestock pens. They brought firewood back from Bear Head Point and even hauled firewood to Jarrod and Glen until they had enough wood to last them until next fall. The snow began on the 20th of January.
Actually, the snow began as it got dark on the 19th. They had fair warning. Gil had been watching the Weather Channel and filled the wildlife and guinea feeders and moved to the chicken coop and filled the bins with feed for the automatic feeders. They'd emptied ashes in all the furnaces and made sure the furnace enclosures all had plenty of wood. Grace called Larry, or rather Rose, and doubled up on their milk order. Gil or Reverend Jim visited the Church members and made sure they were prepared for the winter storm. Grace talked Jacinta to coming to the guest cabin and staying until the mess was over.
Gil and the guys got all the E-vehicles plugged in and those that used them frequently exchanged them for fuel powered Gators. The rest of the vehicle's fuel tanks were topped off, ready for use.
Carrie ran into the snow as she was getting off of I-81. She made it home before it got bad but the roads were quickly covered with snow. Gil was stoking the fireplace when Jacinta arrived with Carmen. Jacinta carried in the perch and sat it near the fireplace but out of the way, placing Carmen on the perch.
"It's starting to snow." Jacinta said, sitting her shoulder bag down.
"Well, it looks like it will be just snow and no ice this time."
Jacinta headed to the kitchen and Gil sat down in his chair.
"Guardian." Carmen said.
Gil looked up at the parrot and shook his head, then picked up his book.
Grace and Mollie were sitting at the dinette table talking when Jacinta came in.
"Did you swim today?" Grace asked.
"No, the water temperature was forty degrees. That's a bit too cold for me unless I have a dry suit on, and I don't have one. My leg has built back up enough so I really don't need to. My runs and hiking are sufficient exercise."
They heard Carmen say "Uh Oh! Then they heard the beat of her wings. They looked and she had landed in front of the deck door.
"HEY! Gotta go! Gotta go!"
Jacinta got up and opened the door for her and when Carmen saw the falling snow, she said, "Oh No!," and backed away from the door and flew to her perch.
"Can I get a sheet of newspaper?" Jacinta asked.
Grace got her the paper and Jacinta placed it under the perch. Carmen tucked her head under her wing and let loose two big splats of poop. Pulling her head from under her wing, she ruffled her feathers, shook her body, and began singing.
"Irene good nighhhht, Irene good night. Good night Irene, good night Irene, I'll see you in my dreammmmmssss." Mollie started laughing. "Where in the world did she learn that?"
"I guess from YouTube. Sometimes I leave the computer on and she watches the wildlife videos, but sometimes other videos come up no matter what you've searched for."
Billy came downstairs and peeked out onto the deck.
"It's really coming down. Carrie called. She got home safely."
"Good. You aren't going up there tonight, are you?"
"No, we decided to stay at home tonight."
"Dinner will be ready in an hour. We're having Bacon-Potato soup and BLTs."
"Okay Mom, thanks.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 26, 2022 15:39:15 GMT -6
Chapter 40
The next morning they awoke to eight inches of fresh show and breaking clouds. The storm moved through much quicker than they expected. By the time they finished breakfast, the sun was coming out so the men were preparing the snow removal equipment. The began on the driveway and cleared all the way to the highway, and a stretch on each side of the drive on 344 so when the trucks came through to clear the highway, they wouldn't get snow tossed back onto the drive. By the time they had cleared all the areas, the temperature had risen to thirty-eight degrees, Carrie had called the college and they were closed for the day and would resume classes the next day. She came down to Billy's house and they spent the rest of the day together.
Gil called Glen and Jarrod to make sure they were all right. Both said they were fine. Jacinta went down to the greenhouse with the other women and worked with them for the morning while Gil sat at his computer grimly looking at his investment accounts. He was making money on paper but if you looked at the real numbers and added in inflation, he was suffering a two percent loss monthly on the value of his money. He might as well spend it.
He went down to the greenhouse and checked the furnace. It was in the low forties and with the windchill at thirty-seven degrees, was not a toasty day. Going into the greenhouse, he told Grace to get with Allie and start making a shopping list, he needed to spend some money. They'd make a run to Sam's and COSTCO but anything else they needed, put it on the list. Gil found Brad, Trace and in the forge building with one of the 3hp hit and miss engines.
"What's going on?"
"Trace has come up with an idea. We can build a small trailer, place a hit, and miss engine and a 4" self-priming centrifugal pump on it and we could use it for another means of pumping water out of the river in case there is a problem with the windmill. We were coming up with a list of parts we are going to need." Brad said.
"Where are you going to find a pump that size?"
"Oh, you can get them through that industrial supply place in Knoxville. They are commonly found in factories connected to electric motors to boost fire suppression systems. They'll be fairly easy to adapt. Might even find a used one. I figure we can get most everything we need for building the trailer at that pull-apart salvage place outside of Knoxville and pick up a pump while we're down there. I'll make some calls so we don't have to run all over the place."
"I know where we can get a twenty-five gallon beer keg to use for a fuel tank." Colt said.
"Well, have at it. Don't forget hoses. Get new stuff. If need be, order firehoses and connectors from a fire hose supplier. Just hand Grace the invoices."
Gil got a tractor out and he and Billy attached the wood chipper and spent the rest of the morning chipping the branches they had piled up from the ice storm damage cleanup a few weeks ago. Billy loaded up a Rokon and some tools and was headed out To clean out some springs he'd found on the other side of the ridge from the dairy farm. Gil decided to go in to Tractor Supply to pick up the cases of mineral blocks he'd ordered. They went through them frequently and wanted to get some out near the springs Billy was going to clean.
On the way to Tractor Supply, Gil decided to stop in at the diner to grab a cup of coffee and to gab with the locals to get a feel of what was going on in the community. When he walked through the door, he saw Harry Adams sitting at a table. Harry waved him over.
"Come and sit down Gil. I was just about to order breakfast." Harry said.
Gil took a seat across from Harry and Alysia Campbell, the waitress came over with the coffee pot. Gill turned his coffee cup over and Alysia filled his cup.
"What'll ya'll gentlemen have this morning?"
"Alysia, I'll have four eggs, a stack of pancakes and a plate of biscuits and gravy." Harry said.
Gil stared at Harry.
Harry looked up from the menu.
"I know. It looks like I'm gaining weight, but my mind keeps telling me I get heavier as I got older because there's a lot more information in my head. So, I'm not fat… I'm really intelligent. My head couldn't hold any more information, so it started filling up the rest of me."
Alysia almost choked to keep from laughing.
"Harry, you need to go in and see Doc Adams. Your meds are throwing you off." Gil said, grinning.
Alysia, regaining her composure, asked Gil what he would have.
"Just the coffee, thanks."
"How'd you fair the storm?" Harry asked.
"No problem. It was better than that ice storm back last month." Gil said.
"Yeah, I just set in front of the fireplace cracking and picking out the meat from hickory nuts for Sally. Kept warm and stayed at home." Harry said.
"I heard that Herb Parsons moved down to Alabama." Gil said.
Harry nodded. "Yep, faster than a Democrat vote count change at 2:00 am."
"Why'd he move?"
Harry looked around then lowered his voice and leaned forward. "I think that Dickerson fella had something to do with it. You know, like in that movie, gave Herb an offer he couldn't refuse."
"Dickerson just moved here. Do you know where he's from?"
"I don't know, outta state somewhere. I think I heard Indiana."
"Well, I need to be getting to Tractor Supply. Enjoy your breakfast, Harry."
Gil went and picked up the cases of mineral blocks he favored and headed back home.
Gil dropped the cases of blocks in the shed at the boat house so Glen and Jarrod had access to them also and went to the house. Grace and Allie were sitting ar the table with a legal pad. Mollie was in the Great Room with the twins listening to them read from their books to her.
"What are you working on?" Gil asked.
"Our shopping list." Grace asked. "Gil, how do you like the lemonade I make?"
"It's great, delicious."
"Well, I ordered a box of the lemon powder off of Amazon to give it a try. It's called True Lemon. I called the distributor in Maryland to see if they would sell it directly. They will, but only if we buy it by the case and there is a fifteen case minimum."
"Well, order it then."
"I did, and they have lime powder also so I bought fifteen cases of that."
"Sounds good. How about the shopping list for Sam's and COSTCO?"
"We're just about finished."
"Okay, well, let me know when we can go. I'll be in the shop."
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Post by ncsfsgm on Feb 26, 2022 15:41:26 GMT -6
Chapter 41
Gil glued the maple blocks together and set the clamps. He did up four more because the other women had asked about the wood bowls after Gil had made the bowls for Grace. It wasn't hard except for the final trimming and finishing the bowls. Turning the outside of the bowls took no time but he had to be meticulous when doing the insides. He'd let those dry for two or three days. Going back into the house, Grace said lunch would be ready in a few minutes and to wash up. Gil went into the bath and washed his hands and face, then headed out to the kitchen.
Do you want to go to Sam's after Lunch?" Grace asked.
"Sure, that's fine.
Jacinta wants to go with us. She wants to pick up some things."
"Okay. Is Mollie going?"
"No, she's staying here to babysit the twins and Carmen."
Gil chuckled. "You better keep an eye on that bird. It's no telling what kind of things she'd teach the kids."
As they were finishing lunch, Jacinta came in with Carmen. Carmen was wearing a rabbit skin cloak with a hood.
"Helloooo." Carmen said.
Jacinta took Carmen and her perch over next to the fireplace and laid a sheet of newspaper out. Setting the perch on the paper, Jacinta put Carmen on the perch and took off the little cape.
"Now you be good."
"Come on baby make it hurt so good…" She sang, bobbing her head to a beat.
Gil chuckled. "Added a little Mellencamp into her repertoire, I see."
Jacinta rolled her eyes. "I only play his songs that don't flaunt his left-wing idiocy."
Gil went and hooked up the twenty foot enclosed trailer and they left for Knoxville, stopping at Sam's Club first. Grace looked at her list and they methodically went down the aisles. Laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, dryer sheets, dish detergent, scrubbing pads, general purpose cleaner, paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups, aluminum foil, food wrap, more TP, more paper towels, feminine pads until their two carts were full. Jacinta got pretty much the same thing, just not as much. They went through self-checkout, loaded the things into the trailer, and started all over again. Grabbed a couple of cases of canned pizza sauce,, contractor's bags, barrel liners and kitchen garbage bags, she checked the price on coffee and calculated the price per ounce and put fifteen cans on the cart. Four gallons of Odoban were loaded as well as diapers. Several four-packs of toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss. They went through checkout and unloaded the carts into the trailer.
"Jacinta, all this stuff is going to get mixed up so keep a list of what you are buying and we'll sort it out when we get home." Grace said.
Going back in, Grace zeroed in on the produce area, mainly on the apples and pears. She selected several bags of selected bags of each variety and four cases of pineapples. A few of the pears, apples and pineapples would be eaten but most were to be freeze-dried. Gil walked by the meat cases but there section hadn't been very good lately and it wasn't any better now. They had better quality in their freezers at home. He did pick up a box of a hundred 90% lean hotdogs. Grace went back and got the restaurant size containers of mustard and catsup. Several boxes of gallon size tea bags went on her cart also. Gil picked through the wines and made up three cases of selections.
Grace finished her list to replace rotational stock and ambled through the aisles, occasionally adding something else. Finally, she looked at Gil. "Are you ready to go now?"
Gil rolled his eyes and pushed his cart to checkout. When they had the trailer loaded Gil returned the carts.
"What do we need at COSTCO?"
"I don't know." Grace said. "But I will know when I see it."
Gil shook his head and cranked the truck.
At COSTCO they picked up more coffee, olive oil, Top Ramen, bacon crumbles, four large containers of Parmesan cheese, a case of maple syrup, two two-count packs of Jiff, four large bottles of Tabasco and Texas Pete sauces, three gallons of popcorn oil, and two 72 ounce containers of Gatorade powder Grace looked around but everything she saw they already had plenty in storage. Gil did pick up several packs of D, C, AA, AAA, 9-volt, and CR2032 batteries. They checked out and loaded the purchases in the trailer.
"Where to?" Gil asked, as he started the truck.
"Bed, Bath and Beyond. I want to pick up shower curtain liners." Grace said.
Gil waited in the truck while the two women were getting the liners and looking at every other item in the store. Finally they came back out with bags in both of their hands and put them in the back of the Suburban.
"Anywhere else?" Gil asked.
"No." Said Grace. "Let's go home."
They had plenty of help getting the trailer unloaded and either stored in the pantry or up in the chambers. Grace had all the coffee placed in the basement so they could repackage it into mylar bags. Mollie had a chicken roasting so Grace enticed Jacinta to say for dinner. Gil went back out to the shop to check the maple blocks and to sharpen his lathe chisels and gouges.
When Grace called Gil to dinner, Gil walked into the house and saw the twins sitting on the floor facing Carmen's perch, Carmen was entertaining them with her dancing and her bird imitations. Gil got the two washed up and headed to the dining table.
"I want to hire Carmen as a permanent babysitter. The twins have been sitting there for the last two hours, mesmerized while she's been singing and talking to them." Grace said.
"I think you'll have to work out contract negotiations with Jacinta." Gil grinned.
"Oh, I don't think you want her around her too much." Jacinta said. "She has her cranky moments when she'll fly out and attack crows for no reason whatsoever."
"Yep, that's a female for you." Gil said, just before the dish towel hit him up beside the head.
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Post by cavsgt on Feb 26, 2022 17:08:00 GMT -6
Well you once again proved your mastery of the written word. I have no idea how you keep coming up with new characters and situations.
As always Thank You for all of your hard work. phill
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Post by udwe on Feb 26, 2022 21:55:46 GMT -6
Loved the dish towel bit!
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Post by gipsy on Feb 26, 2022 22:42:40 GMT -6
Works for me. Thanks for the update.
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