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Post by gipsy on Apr 17, 2022 10:23:19 GMT -6
I agree about the shock. Thanks for the update.
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Post by motherhen on Apr 17, 2022 22:35:32 GMT -6
What a great story, looking forward to the next chapter!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Apr 17, 2022 22:41:02 GMT -6
Chapter 13
Hank split and stacked firewood until the middle of the afternoon. He didn't stop to eat lunch, he just wasn't hungry. Several times he had looked toward the porch expecting to see Jarvis sitting there. Finally, late in the afternoon, with storm clouds rolling in, Hank sunk the axe into the stump and went inside. He went back to the room he had been staying in, found sheets and made the bed. Going back to the kitchen, he lit one of the Aladdin oil lamps and made a tomato sandwich and drank a glass of water. He turned on the Sangean radio and listened to some news then tuned to the weather channel and set it for any weather alerts. He finally picked up his phone to call Diane when he heard a vehicle outside. Getting up and opening the door, he saw Diane hustling to get a bag out of the truck and rush to the porch, as it was beginning to rain.
"I didn't know if you were coming over tonight." Hank said.
"I think we need each other right now."
Hank took the bag of folded laundry from her and followed her into the cabin.
"Mr. Hollings called me today. He said he tried to call you but the call kept going to voice mail."
"Oh, I left the phone inside today."
"You cut wood all day?"
Hank shrugged."
"Anyway, the memorial service is at the funeral home tomorrow at 1:00 PM.
"Okay."
"Have you eaten?"
"I had a tomato sandwich a while ago."
"You need more than that! Go out to the truck. I stopped by Grady's and got two takeout BBQ plates. I'm starving!"
Hank ran through the large raindrops, snatched the two boxed meals off the seat and ran back in. Setting the meals on the table, he got two glasses down. Earlier, he had seen some individual packets of Country Time Lemonade and got two out of the cabinet. Dumping the powder into the glasses and adding the cold water from the faucet, made them each a glass of lemonade.
Diane came back from putting the laundry away.
"I put your laundry on your bed."
"Okay, thanks."
"They sat down and ate, Diane talking about the things she'd done that day.
"I don't have a suit for the service." Hank said glumly.
"Hank, Jarvis wouldn't want you wearing a suit. He would want you to be just the man you are. A shirt and khakis will be fine."
They cleaned up and went to sit down. There were only chairs so Hank sat back down next to the radio and Diane took the seat on the other side of the lamp and thumbed through a magazine. Finally, she got up and opened the door, going out on the porch. Hank watched her go out and a few minutes later, laid his book down and walked softly to the door. She was just standing there, watching the slow rain drip off the porch roof. Suddenly cold in the evening air, she shivered. Hank moved behind her, then wrapped his arms around her shoulders, warming her. She turned her head to the side and kissed his arm.
As the sky got darker and the air turned cooler, they stepped back inside the cabin. While Diane shut the door, Hank picked up the lamp and walked her to the bedroom.
The next morning, They both got up and did their individual dashes to the outhouse. When Hank came back, Diane had the bacon frying and had made up pancake batter. He washed his hands and broke the eggs as she was making the pancakes and slid them into the oven to keep them warm. When she was done, Hank splashed a little bacon grease into the frying pan from the grease can and scrambled the eggs. Diane got the bottle of syrup from the pantry while Hank buttered her pancakes. They sat down and enjoyed their breakfast, both feeling better that morning.
"I need to take a shower before the service." Diane said.
"Yeah, I should get a sponge bath too." Hank replied.
"Why don't we take our things to my apartment, take a shower and dress there?"
"Sounds like a plan." What time do you want to leave?"
"Probably no later than 10:00." Diane replied.
"Sounds good."
They got to the funeral home at 12:30. As they walked into the chapel there were wreathes on stands lined up on each side of the of the cloth covered table displaying the urn containing Jarvis' ashes. Hank felt bad. He hadn't even thought about flowers. Diane squeezed his arm and led him to the second row of pews from the front. People began filtering in until the chapel was about three quarters full. Finally, at 1:00, Mr. Hollings went up to the podium.
"Thank you all for coming. Jarvis didn't want a funeral. All he want to do is return to the land. First and foremost, he wanted to return to his family. He lost his wife several years ago and later on, his only child. Jarvis has been ready leave this Earthly plane for many years but felt a responsibility to the land his forefathers had protected. We will, I will miss Jarvis. He was an wise and kind man that are in short supply these days. If anyone would like to say anything in memoriam to Jarvis, please come on up. Seven people got up and said great things about Jarvis, Diane nudged Hank and whispered he should go up.
"I can't." Hank said, tears welling in his eyes.
When the service was over with, and everyone was filing out, Mr. Hollings came over to Diane and Hank.
"I need you two to follow me to my office."
"What? Why?" Hank said.
"I'll explain when we get there." Mr. Hollings said.
Mr. Hollings went up and spoke to the funeral director then picked up the urn, carrying it out with him. Diane drove Hank's truck over the Mr. Holling's office. When they went inside, a secretary ushered them into a conference room, where the urn sat on the table. The secretary asked if she could get them anything and Diane asked for two bottles of water. She soon came back with the water, followed by Mr. Hollings, carrying a couple of folders in his hand.
"I figured we could get this all done in one visit. To make it short and simple, Hank, Jarvis left you all his assets. He wants you to spread his ashes and to take up protecting the lands he and his forefathers have protected. This folder contains an accounting of all his assets, land surveys, investment accounts and banking accounts. Total value of just the banking and investment accounts alone are near 6.5 million dollars. Land values are attached to the surveys. Also in the folder is a letter to you from Jarvis. He told me it would explain where to spread his ashes. I'll miss Jarvis. He was a good man. If you need any legal help, please feel free to call on me."
Hank sat there in shock. He looked at Diane then to Mr. Hollings.
"I don't know what to say."
"Well, think it over for a few days and if you have any questions, please feel free get in touch with me. My card is in the folder. I took the liberty to transfer all the accounts to your name and did the land title transfers. You don't have to do anything but carry on Jarvis' legacy."
Hank nodded and got up. Handing the folder to Diane, Hank picked up the urn and carried it out. Diane drove home with Hank holding the urn in his lap.
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Post by biggkidd on Apr 17, 2022 22:59:23 GMT -6
I can understand how Jarvis felt.
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Post by 2t2crash on Apr 18, 2022 2:01:37 GMT -6
I have read that mishap report. Real life in writing there. Solo And I’ve had to load some tall cargo in C130s that required the flaps moved
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Post by gipsy on Apr 18, 2022 7:37:33 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by 2t2crash on Apr 18, 2022 16:43:35 GMT -6
All caught up and loving the story.
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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 Apr 18, 2022 18:35:06 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by ncsfsgm on Apr 18, 2022 19:01:18 GMT -6
Chapter 14
When they got back to the cabin, Hank sat the urn on a sideboard. He took the folder and went out on the porch to read through it. It was true, he had access to millions of dollars and had no idea what to do. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the rocking chair where Jarvis had once set. The Land. The land was forever under his protection. Hank opened his eyes and thumbed through until he found the envelope. Opening it, he unfolded the hand-written sheet.
<"Hank, if you are reading this, I'm back with Margie and Jerry. Since the day I found you under that Sycamore by the spring, I knew there was something special about you. I didn't really smell your smoke that day. I just felt someone was near where I had spread Margie's ashes. That's where I want you to spread mine-around that Sycamore. I don't have any kin left so I'm leaving everything to you. I trust you to protect the land like my family has because I've come to think of you as family. Take that girl and raise some sons to help you. Until another time. Jarvis."
Hank sat there with the letter hanging from his fingers. When Diane came out and stood beside him, he handed her the letter. Diane read it then folded it up and handed it back to Hank.
"So, what are you going to do?" Diane asked.
Hank sighed and looked at Diane.
"I guess I have to find someone to have sons with to protect these lands."
Diane squinted at Hank. "If that was a proposal, then it was pretty piss-poor."
Hank stood up and took Diane's hands in his. "Diane, will you marry me?"
Diane grinned. "Well, you aren't on one knee and I don't see a ring, but I will take what I can get. YES, Hank Simpson, I will marry you and have your sons!"
Hank pulled her into his arms and kissed her "I will go and get you a ring tomorrow."
"Hank, don't get anything big, just something so people know I'm branded."
"Why don't you come with me then. Help me pick out the ring."
"Well, I could call in and take a couple of days."
They left the next morning. Hank had his credit card but he went to Branson Bank where Jarvis…uh his account was and applied for a debit and a credit card. He was served quickly by his personal banker and they were soon on their way. Diane wasn't a jewelry kind of gal and wasn't sure where to find a jewelry store then remembered seeing one in the outlet mall. She directed Hank there. In the mall there was a Helzberg Jewelers and a Zales. Diane pulled him into the Helzbergs because it was closer to where they were parked. They were shown a tray of rings and it didn't take long for her to pick out a simple ring and get sized. The ring fit her perfectly as it was so Hank had it boxed, paid for it and was outtta there.
"You're not going to let me wear it?" Diane pouted.
"Nope. You wanted me on a knee with a ring in my hand so I'm going to do this right. I'll ask you again when we get home."
Diane was quiet for a moment. "Do you realize what you just said?"
"Hank turned his head and looked at her. "What?"
"You said '….when we get home."
"Oh." Hank said, stopping at a red light, his mind racing.
Diane watched him. "What are you thinking about?"
"Well, if the cabin is now my home, I need to make a few improvements." Hank said pulling away from the light.
"Where are we going?"
"Bass Pro. I'm tired of taking whore baths. Bass Pro has a propane fired shower unit. All I have to do is run a water hose to it. They also have a shower shelter to keep the wind off your tush when you're showering."
"Sounds cozy. Will two fit in it?" Diane grinned.
Hank grinned back at her. "Maybe."
The went into Bass Pro, got a shopping cart, and went straight to the camping gear. Hank found the tankless heater, the shelter and an empty 20 pound gas cylinder and were starting to leave the area when Diane stopped a soap display and was sniffing boxes of bar soap. Hank moved closer and saw the soap was made by a company called Duke Cannon. Diane stuck a bar under his nose and asked, "What does this smell like?"
Hank took a sniff. "Leather….and…I don't know. Something else."
"It's tobacco leaves!" Diane grinned. "I like it! And put two boxes of Duke Cannon Leaf & Leather Big Ass Brick Of Soap into the cart. They checked out and went out to the truck.
"Is there a water hose out there?" Diane asked.
"I haven't ever seen one." Hank replied.
"There's a Lowe's Home Improvement down the road. Stop there."
Hank put the bags and cylinder in the back of the truck and headed for the Lowe's. Hank bought a three fifty foot water hoses and a faucet manifold. Lowe's also had a gas cylinder exchange so Hank left with a full cylinder.
As they we just leaving the commercial area, Hank saw a sign for a log home builder and pulled in.
"What are you doing?"
"I want to see if they have any brochures with sample floorplans."
Diane got out and went in with him.
"Yes sir, can I help you?"
"Uh, I was wanting to pick up some brochures and floorplans to study." Hank said.
"Yes, we have brochures over here with all the popular floorplans in them."
Hank and Diane began picking out the pictures they liked.
I have a question. We have a small cabin and what I would like to do is somehow integrate it with a bigger structure. Is that possible?"
"Oh yes. We do that quite often. Owners find down the road they want a larger structure and we work with them to incorporate the original home with their dream home."
"Okay, good. We'll probably be in to talk with you later. Thank you for your time."
As they were leaving the parking lot Diane asked him why he wanted to incorporate two different structures.
"I want to keep the shelter a secret. Can you imagine me asking them to build a stairway to nowhere?"
"Ohhhh, right!"
Diane browsed through the brochures as Hank was driving back, drawing stars on the ones she liked. It was mid-afternoon when they returned to the cabin. The first thing Hank did was empty his pack and placed the urn down in it and added his e-tool. Taking Diane's hand, he led her down the zig-zagging trail to the spring. Walking under the Sycamore he stopped.
"This is where I first met Jarvis. I had my camp made up under this tree and he walked up on me. He said in his letter that Margie's ashes were scattered here. It's time his joined hers."
Hank took his pack off and removed the urn. Taking the top off, he walked around the tree, sprinkling the ashes as he went. After emptying the urn he unfolded the e-tool and buried the urn there also. Gil folded the shovel back up and replaced it in the pack. Taking Diane's hand in his, they stood there for several minutes thinking of Jarvis and praying he had found happiness. Shouldering his pack, they walked back up the trail to the top of the ridge.
Hank took the shower heater and the shelter out of the truck and set the shelter up, staking it down so any wind wouldn't tip over. He'd set it up around the corner of the cabin so no one driving up would get an unauthorized peek. Diane unrolled two of the lengths of the hose and pulled the end around the cabin to where Hank was working. After getting the gas cylinder connected, Hank connected the water hose to the heater. They walked around the cabin to the truck and Hank got the manifold and screwed it onto the faucet at the well head and connected the water hose to it. Hank went back to the heater and inserted the batteries for the igniter. Setting the temperature dial to 120, he lit the flame and waited for the unit to heat up.
"Diane, this isn't going to be a long hot shower like you'd have at home. The longer the water runs, the colder it's going to get. Just use short runs of water. Don't turn the temperature up or it can scald you on the first squirt. Here, try it."
Diane tested how long she could keep the water running and nodded. "I see."
Gil shut the heater and the water off. Going back inside, Hank stopped Diane on the porch and kneeled down.
Holding the opened ring box out, Hank asked, "Diane, will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Diane said, grinning.
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Post by gipsy on Apr 18, 2022 20:09:01 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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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 Apr 19, 2022 11:55:08 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by solo on Apr 19, 2022 12:23:52 GMT -6
Thank you! The transition begins.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Apr 19, 2022 15:06:54 GMT -6
Chapter 15
Diane got up the next morning and wanted to shower so Hank went out to get things ready. While the heater was getting to temperature, he hung a small rope between two trees to dry towels. Diane came out, wrapped in a towel and carried a pair of sweats to change in to. The shelter had a closable pocket on one side you could put clothing in to keep them from getting wet. While she was bathing, Hank took a walk around the property, looking around and daydreaming of the cabin he wanted to build. It had to be big enough for a future family and still maintain the original cabin there. He wanted it off-grid too. Standing there, he didn't hear Diane come up behind him.
"What are you thinking?" Diane asked, putting her arm around him.
"Oh, just trying to visualize how I wanted to place everything when we build our home here. I want it completely off-grid and big enough for our kids to grow up in."
"Our THREE kids you men?" Diane asked.
"You want three kids? Do you mean that?"
"Every. Single. Word." She said forcefully, punctuating with kisses on his lips. "I think it's the right number, and I think I've found the right floor plan too. Come on."
She led him to the porch and told him to sit down and went inside. Coming back out, she had a brochure in her hand. Unfolding it, she sat down on the bench beside Hank.
"This one has four bedrooms. There's plenty of space on the bottom floor. A wood stove could go here, the wood cook stove…"
"You want a wood cook stove?" Hank asked.
"Yes, I love them. As a matter of fact….." She went in and got her cell phone and swiped a couple of time and showed him a picture of a new wood cook stove.
"They are expensive but this would work just fine."
"You've got internet?"
"Silly. That cell phone tower down by highway 76 gives us all the internet we need."
"All right, then we'll go with this one. Internet hunh? I need to get a computer or a tablet or something. Want to take a ride?" "To Branson?"
"Let's go to Springfield. It's about the same distance."
"Okay, I'll go start breakfast and you get a shower."
"Yes ma'am."
On the way to Springfield, Diane kept looking at the brochure, dreaming in her mind how she would set up each room. They found a Best Buy next to Battlefield Mall where Hank picked out two Apple iPad minis and a Dell Inspiron laptop, plus an all-in one printer, ink, and paper. After a pause, he also picked up two Duracell PowerSource 1800 Peak Watt Gasless Generators. When they took their purchases out to the truck Diane asked him how he was going to operate them without power.
"The printer, I'll just set it up in the shelter. These so-called generators are nothing more than a battery bank. We can have one in the shelter charging while the other one is upstairs charging our phones, tablets and computers. When needed, I just swap them out."
"Okay, Einstein. Let's go over to the Bass Pro. You're going to need a jacket. It's going to get colder."
On the way to Bass Pro, they saw a sign that advertised a rustic home builder.
"Want to stop in and see if they have different floor plans?" Hank asked.
"Sure."
Hank pulled it and were immediately met by a friendly young man as they went through the door.
"Hi folks! How can I help you?"
"We're interested in looking at the floor plans of your models." Diane said.
"Well, We actually design the home the customer wants. I can show you some portfolios of the homes we have built, if you like."
Diane nodded and he guided them over to a large table. Taking some binders down, he guided them through a picture tour of how each of the homes were built and their final floorplan.
"So you don't use cookie-cutter plans?" Diane asked.
"No ma'am. Each home is unique to the customer's desires."
Diane looked at Hank then back at the salesman.
"Wait one moment."
Diane hurried out the door and came back with the brochure and opened it up.
"Can you build this with some changes?"
"Yes ma'am we can. What sort of changes were you looking at?"
"Well, there is already a small cabin on site. We'd like to incorporate it into a building plan."
The salesman got up and came back with a drafting pad and pencil.
"Well, the easiest thing to do, if you have the space on the property, would be something like this."
He drew a square, representing the cabin, then skillfully sketched in the outline from the brochure next to it.
The easiest way is to build a porte-cochère between the two."
"A what?" Hank asked.
A porte-cochère. It is a covering over the space between a house and a carriage house or a garage. Your driveway could come up under it and you can unload groceries or whatever and be out of the weather."
"Yes, yes, that would be good. How long would it take to build something like that?" Hank asked.
"Around six to eight months." The salesman said.
Seeing the look on the two faces, he explained.
"You see, we kiln dry the logs then individually build the house on our site, sans roof, then disassemble the structure and take it to the building site and reassemble it. Wait! I just thought of something!"
He went over to a shelf and pulled out a binder and brought it over to the table.
"The buyer for this nearly completed log home was killed in an auto accident before we could get it assembled on his building site. It is a little larger than your floor plan but they are quite similar."
He laid the binder down in front of Hank and Diane and they slowly turned the pages. The floor plan was similar, and Diane like it a little more than the one in the brochure.
"Yes," Diane said, looking a Hank. "I like this."
"So, what do we have to do?" Hank asked.
When they came out of the office, they were lighthearted. Instead of having to wait until the next summer to move into their home, they could be in by Christmas. The builders would be at the cabin Monday and survey the area to make sure where they wanted to put everything was large enough.
"Where were we going before we came here? Hank asked.
"To Bass Pro, to get you a coat."
"Oh yeah. Bass Pro."
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Post by gipsy on Apr 19, 2022 15:15:19 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by imahic on Apr 20, 2022 18:17:12 GMT -6
Another good one. Thanks for the update.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Apr 21, 2022 1:02:00 GMT -6
Chapter 16
They found a coat with a zip in liner for when it got colder and then stopped by Sunfest Market to pick up groceries. When they got back home Hank checked on the chickens and saw a fox run off from the coop. He'd have to keep an eye out for that scamp. Taking the eggs to the house, he cleaned and put them into an egg carton and set them next to the cooler.
"So, what do we do now?" Diane asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Okay, I mean. Are there any other buildings we need, a woodshed, or a shop building or something?"
Hank went outside and started walking around, looking. He looked at the woodpile, then looked at the wood he'd already split and stacked, then guesstimated the number of cords he had there. He started to get a picture of what he wanted. A shed to keep tools and such would be a good idea. He just needed to find some builders to put up a pole woodshed. Diane walked up next to him.
"What are you thinking?"
"Well, your ideas about a woodshed and a shop type building have merits. However, until they come and stake everything off, I won't know where to place them. But there are a couple of things we can do right now."
"What?"
"If you want that cook stove, you need to see how much time it takes to get it here. I need to see about a wood stove for the family room. Can you go get that copy of the floor plan? Let's sit on the porch and do some thinking." Hank said.
Diane brought out their tablets and they discussed furnishings while they scrolled through their tablets.
"Oh look! Elmira has vintage looking refrigerators too!" Diane exclaimed.
"Well, pick one out if you want. Use the credit card. The bank withdraws the balance on the card on the 25th of the month."
Hank found a wood stove he liked, well actually it was a woodburning boiler stove. It looked like a nice glass door wood stove but had connections to run a water line to it to provide hot water to the house. He had plans to use on-demand hot water heaters but in the winter they could open and close a couple of valves and used water heated from the stove. He was also searching for an Alternative Energy company to set up the power system for the house. He found one in West Branson and decided he would take a ride up there next the week after the builders had done their survey.
Saturday morning they got up and had breakfast. After they had cleaned up the dishes, Hank decided he wanted to take a closer look at the shelter. He lifted up the rug and door and they went down the stairs. Hank spun the wheel on the ship's door and went in, closely inspecting the door to see if it could be secured from the inside. He started with the communications bench built into the wall. There was a CB radio with the antenna disconnected, a Yaesu HF base station radio, charging stations with ten hand-held radios and a multiband receiver. A patch panel contained the antenna connectors for the radios. He would have to find where these cables came out of the ground so no construction would damage them. There were several binders, one of which was labeled "Antennas" on the shelf. He would have to check those out later. On a shelf in the common area were several wind-up and solar powered radios, presumably to be use once they were out of the shelter. A bookshelf contained many classics and books of wild edibles, Native American Herbs, The Special Forces Medical Handbook, Anarchist Cookbook, and several books on wilderness and urban survival. The seating was comfortable and would be a quiet place to just come and read. He walked to the kitchen area and looked through one if the cabinets. It was mostly filled with spices.
"Diane, we need to go ahead and replace these with fresh things if needed."
"Yeah, I'll come down and make a list."
One thing that surprised Hand was how dry it was down here. Then he heard the whirring of a fan and checked out the source. It was and NBC fan that he guessed was on a timer to come on. It was exchanging the air in the shelter at least once a day. In the kitchen pantry were dozens of #10 cans containing all sorts of long term storage foods. They went to the storage area and briefly looked at the foods stored there. There were also gallons of lamp oil and about a dozen Aladdin lamps with boxes of mantles for them. They went across the hallway to what Hank referred to as the Arms Room. There were five AR-15 rifles, two Remington .22 bolt actions, two Remington Nylon 66 .22 rifles, three Savage camp guns in .22 long rifle over twelve gauge, Two Ruger bolt action .308 rifles with scopes, two Remington 1100 12 gauge shotguns and five Remington 870 shotguns. Stacked around the walls and under shelves were thousands of rounds of ammunition in cases. Two cabinets contained dozens of magazines for the AR-15s, tools, bore sights, bore scopes and cleaning equipment.
The bunk rooms had clothing lockers but they were empty. In the bedrooms' closets and chested an assortment of men's clothing.
"We need to box these up and take them to a charity somewhere." Hank said.
"Why don't we just box the up and we can give them out to those in need. I can put a sheet with the sizes on the outside of the box. There's space in the store room for them." Diane asked.
"Okay. We can do that." Hank agreed.
Monday, Hank and Diane had their breakfast and showers early in anticipation of the arrival of the builder reps. Hank unhooked the shower water hose and was coiling it next to the shower shelter when he heard a truck pull up. He walked around the cabin to see four men getting out of a crew cab truck.
"Mr. Tyson?"
'Yes?"
"I'm Mark Cason, with Ozark Log Homes. We're here to verify the building site."
"Fine, did the salesman tell you what I wanted to do?"
Mark chuckled. "That was my younger brother Cary. Yes, He explained and showed me the sketch." This is a nice little cabin."
"Yes," Hank said, "It belonged to a great man who I inherited the cabin and land from. I want to keep it for sentimental value. I don't want anything disturbed about its location.
""I understand Mr. Tyson. Cary said you wanted a porte-cochère between the house and the cabin."
Hank nodded. "Please call me Hank. Yes, I liked the idea your brother came up with."
"Good. So, I suppose you would like the house facing this way? There is a beautiful view, as a matter of fact, these are magnificent trees. They definitely have to be old growth."
"To my knowledge, they have never been cut."
"Okay then, do you want the porte-cochère centered between the back porch door and the cabin door?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I want." Hank said.
Mark motioned two of the men to bring over a tape measure. They measured out the distance Mark told them to measure from the cabin wall.
"Do you want us to recover the cabin porch with the same max-rib roofing that the house will have?"
"Well yes, you'll do that?"
"Mr. Tyson…uh Hank, our company is family owned, full service and can offer you turnkey build. If you want a separate garage or other structure, we will build it for you. We can do the electrical, plumbing, septic and all. When we have completed the project, you'll be able to move in that day."
"I didn't know that. I've only thought as far as power goes. I was going up to West Branson this week to talk to a company about putting together an off-grid system."
"That would be Tony Baker with Mid-Missouri Solar. We've worked with him often. We can integrate him right in with the build."
"So, I just tell you what I want and you run with it?"
"That's right. We subcontract the work other than the actual installation of the logs themselves. The masons, carpenters, plumbers, roofers and painters are cousins of some form. Even Tony is a third cousin."
"Well, let's make it turnkey then. That takes a load off my shoulders."
"Okay then." Mark said. "Let us get busy and I'll talk with you more when we've do putting in stakes."
Hank went over to the porch where Diane was sitting, browsing her tablet.
"They can do this turnkey and handle all the building and subcontracting for us, even the shop and the woodshed."
"That's great! I was afraid having to find the plumbers and painters and such would slow things down." Hank chuckled. "He said the company is family owned, and every one of the contractors is kin in some way."
"I hope it speeds them up then."
When the men had finished driving stakes, Mark came back over to the porch.
"Hank, are there any other structures you needed built?"
"Yes, I want a 16'x32' shop and a woodshed built. I already see I'm going to have to move the wood I split to make way for the foundation."
"If you'll show me where you want them, we'll stake it out." Mark said.
Hank walked them over to an area about 75 feet from the corner of the southeast foundation stake.
"I'd like the woodshed here. You see how much I've already gotten split. I'll need something about three times the depth of that stack over there and Twice as long as the stack with just a gravel floor. I noticed you had some log siding on display in the office the other day. I'd like to use that on the sides and back. I was more or less looking at something like a pole barn type construction with the log siding to match the house."
"We can do that. And the shed?"
Hank walked them over to an area about 20 yards away and Mark and his men measured and staked it out.
"You want the log siding on this too?"
"Yes, and the roofs the same as the house."
"What about the cabin? It won't take long to re-roof it with the same roofing."
Hank thought about it a few seconds and told Mark to re-roof it also.
Hank and Mark watched the crew finish surveying and putting in stakes. As they were loading up the vehicle with their equipment, Mark walked back over to Hank.
"We'll have our crew come here Wednesday to build the woodshed so you aren't moving the wood more than once. As soon as the wood is moved, we can start on the house foundation. Do you want me to send you an addendum to the contract showing the extra building and the costs?"
"I'm not worried about the cost. Just add it to the contract and bring it out with you next time and I'll sign whatever I need to. I'd like to have my wife in her house before Christmas."
Mark smiled, tipped his hat and said his goodbyes and the crew left.
Turning to a smiling Diane he asked, "Tell me about the wedding you want."
"I want it simple. Neither of us have any family here. We can go down to the courthouse, get a marriage license and as long as you aren't any closer kin than a first cousin once removed we can be married the same day."
"Well, what do you say we go get married in the morning before the hard work starts? Sorry there won't be time for a honeymoon."
"I'm already on my honeymoon." Diane said kissing him. "I'm going to resign my position."
"What? I thought you loved your job!"
"I do, but I love you more. I love being in the forests but I've got all that here, plus you. I like the idea of working side by side with you building our home, plus I'm thinking about our first child."
"What! Are you pregnant?"
"Not yet, but that's something we need to work on."
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Post by gipsy on Apr 21, 2022 6:32:32 GMT -6
Thanks for he update.
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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 Apr 21, 2022 9:57:12 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by kaijafon on Apr 21, 2022 10:56:58 GMT -6
yeah having kiddo's does take work...
lol! thanks!
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Post by texican on Apr 21, 2022 14:59:19 GMT -6
Taking the eggs to the house, he cleaned and put them into an egg carton and set them next to the cooler.n, Eggs will keep longer if you just wipe them for that keeps the natural preservative on the eggs. That is what we do for the eggs that our hens lay.
"What! Are you pregnant?" "Not yet, but that's something we need to work on."Yep, just what all men like to hear. Texican....
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Post by udwe on Apr 22, 2022 18:58:16 GMT -6
Getting really good!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Apr 22, 2022 20:21:28 GMT -6
Chapter 17
Hank and Diane were at the courthouse when it opened and quickly got a marriage license. A magistrate was available and they were married within an hour and headed home. They spent the rest of the day planning and browsing the internet.
"I want to go over to Heritage Tractor In Lebanon tomorrow once they get started on the woodshed. I called and they have a John Deere Gator tricked out and a dump trailer for it. I can use it for moving the wood and for other chores around here."
"Well, I'll stay here while you pick it up. I'll keep the coffee hot for the workers."
"Okay, I'll leave early and be back as quick as I can." Hank said.
Hank left at 0600 the next morning and was at the tractor dealer when they opened up. After looking over the gator and trailer, the dealer salesman said they could deliver it the next week. However, Hank asked them if they had a trailer for sale they would haul the two items. They did and were more than happy to sell him an equipment trailer too. He was on his way back by 10:00 and stopped at an Advanced Auto and picked up three diesel cans and filled them before heading home. When he got back, the builder crew had the poles in place and were beginning to place the headers and roof structure on.
"They are moving fast." Hank told Diane.
"They've hardly taken a break. A truck dumped that load of gravel over there. It looks like they might be through with it today." Diane said.
Hank walked over to where Mark was talking to one of the workers.
"Morning Mark. You guys are really fast!"
"These men are experienced. They know what to do and do it with speed. The more work they do, the more they get paid. I see you've bought some new equipment."
"Yeah, I figured it would help me move the wood faster and have it for other chores around here."
"Good choice. We have a couple at the wood yard."
"Mark looked around. "Where are you going to keep it?"
"I'll park it beside the new shop building. I can throw a tarp over it."
Mark called the crew foreman over and excused himself as they walked off talking. Hank went back to the truck and off loaded the Gator and trailer. He went inside to get a pair of work gloves and began loading the cargo box on the Gator and the trailer with wood. He would load the wood ahead of time and be ready to start stacking as soon as they finished the woodshed. A septic company dropped off three porta-potties and two more trucks arrived with log siding and metal roofing. The leaves were falling faster now so Hank went to Walmart and bought a 40-volt cordless leaf blower and two extra batteries to keep the work area blown free. By mid-afternoon, when they had four rows of log siding on, one of the men got on the Bobcat and started spreading gravel on the shed floor. When they had the roof on, there was only two rows of siding left to nail on, and it was quickly finished. Diane came out and helped Hank start stacking wood. It was quicker for Diane to drive the gator and just load the trailer then dump the trailer and return for another load, leaving Hank to do the stacking. To their surprise, the shed crew pitched in and helped, also using the Bobcat bucket to haul wood. The six cords of wood were quickly restacked in the shed and the unsplit pile of wood was moved next to the shed. Two men got chainsaws out and cut down the four oak trees in the way of the foundation and cut them up into 15 inch lengths to be split. When they were finished, Hank stood back looked at the shed. Noticing something, he walked over to Mark.
"Mark, looks like the shed is bigger than I really needed."
"No, when I found out you got the Gator, I had the guys add twenty feet to it. Now you can park it out of the weather."
"Well thank you that will be a big help. I think there's room enough to put the trailer beside it too."
"There should be. Well, we'll have the crew out to remove these stumps and get the foundation dug in the morning. Do you know where the water line from the well head to the house runs?"
"I have no idea Mark."
"Well, well find it with the pipe locator and mark it. If we're lucky, it will be buried well below the frost line. I just don't want to be busting a pipe with the backhoe when we dig the foundation. Also, in the next couple of days, there will be two or three of loads of river rock for the chimneys and foundation delivered. If you've got a particular place you want them dumped, let me know."
"I don't really have one." Hank said. "Go ahead and put them where it's easy for the masons can get to them."
Hank went into the cabin and was pulling a delicious smelling pan of cornbread out of the oven of the wood cookstove.
"Are you ready to eat?" Diane asked. "I've got a pot of pinto beans ready."
"Heck yes!" Hanks said and went over to the sink and washed his hands.
Diane dished him out a bowl of beans and sliced a piece of cornbread. Hank sliced his cornbread, buttered it, then ate a spoonful of beans.
"These are good. What did you cook them with?"
"A smoked ham hock. I soaked the beans overnight with an 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda in the soaking water. I added garlic and onions and have had them simmering all day. You shouldn't suffer, or I should say I shouldn't suffer from you having gas."
"Well, they're about the best pintos I've ever eaten."
"I'm glad you like them. I've got fried apple pies for dessert."
"When in the world did you have time to make fried pies?"
"That was easy. I had apples soaking when you left this morning."
"Well, I won't blimp out on the beans then."
"Good. we can have beans left for lunch tomorrow. They're better the second day. I'll make fresh cornbread."
They spent the rest of the evening browsing the internet to get ideas on furniture.
"I like the oak furniture the Amish make." Diane said.
"Let me see."
Diane handed Hank the tablet and he scrolled through the selections.
"This is factory direct?"
"Yes, and I can get the finish I want. I'd like all the furniture for the bedrooms to have this Oak Acorn finish." She said, showing Hank a sample picture."
"Yes, that's nice."
"For everything down here, for all the oak furniture, I'd like to have this Oak Bel Air finish."
Hank looked at the sample picture and nodded. "Yes, it would lighten up things. What about the Family Room furniture?"
Diane took the tablet back and went to another website.
"Would this be okay? All of it is real leather covered. I'm thinking durability. Three kids can wear things out."
"I like leather. Yeah, they all look good. So, do you have a list compiled yet? It might take some time for it all to get here." Hank said.
"I'll make my list and make some calls. I'd like to enjoy Christmas in our new house, but being with you is more important. We can always celebrate here in the cabin. It is cozy."
Hank chuckled. "Okay, order what you want. Even if the house isn't fully furnished, as long as we have something to sleep on, I'd be satisfied in the new house for Christmas."
"Well, we have a few weeks. I'll see what we can get. You know this is going to cost a lot?"
"Sweetheart, It's our forever home. We're starting from scratch and I expect it to cost a bundle."
Diane went back to her research while Hank lit a couple of lamps. He sat down in a chair at the table and scrolled through preparedness sites, checking out articles and watching YouTube videos. He got up and got a spiral notebook and took notes as he went through. Finally, they connected their tablets to the charger and went to bed.
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Post by gipsy on Apr 22, 2022 21:11:28 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by imahic on Apr 22, 2022 23:23:03 GMT -6
Appreciate the update and looking forward to more chapters.
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Post by gipsy on Apr 23, 2022 17:40:15 GMT -6
Did we change writers in mid stream or did yo leave off a letter. Thanks for the update.
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