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Post by gipsy on May 8, 2022 7:44:55 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by kaijafon on May 8, 2022 10:06:38 GMT -6
I think he could still go around buck nekkid
she won't mind; either "she's"
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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 May 8, 2022 10:24:40 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by imahic on May 8, 2022 15:12:59 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by ncsfsgm on May 8, 2022 17:38:49 GMT -6
Chapter 7
Brian went to the Farmers Coop in Waldron and asked one of the clerks if they knew of anyone who sold horses. He was told there was a farm down in Boles that trained and sold horses. Brian drove south and was not quite to Boles when he spotted the sign for Silver Creek English Golden Retrievers. He decided to ask them if the horse farm was reputable. As he drove up to the kennel and outbuildings, a man came out a kennel door.
"Good morning, I'm Brian Cassidy."
"Yeah, Jenna told me about you. I'm Hiram McGinna. How can I help you?"
"Yes, I was looking for a couple of riding horses and I was directed down to a farm in Boles. Do you know anything about them?
"Oh yeah, George Carson. Raises some of the best horses around. Man's as honest as the day is long. He'll do you right."
"Okay, that's good. I just wanted to check with some local and make sure I wasn't walking in blind. I appreciate your advice."
"Don't you want to say hello to Jenna?"
"No sir, that's oka…"
"JENNA! SOMEBODY'S OUT HERE!"
"Jenna came out the kennel office door and walked over."
"Yes?"
"Brian here is going over to George's to buy a couple of horses."
"Hi again." Jenna smiled.
"Why don't you ride over with him and make sure Hiram treats him right."
"But I thought you said…."
"Let me put the two puppies away and I'll be right back." Jenna, trotting to the kennel.
"That girl knows her horses and will make sure you get good stuff."
Jenna came back out and she and Brian got in his truck. Brian turned around and headed back to the highway.
"Sorry about this. My father thinks he's doing me a favor by pushing me at men. I'm not that way."
Brian remained silent.
"You're not going to say anything?"
Your sexual orientations aren't any of my business." Brian replied.
"NO! I didn't mean it that way. I mean I don't want a relationship right now. I just go along with my father. That way there's less complaining about me getting to be an old maid."
"Very well."
Jenna pointed out the horse farm to him and he pulled onto the long driveway. In about a quarter mile the pulled up to a house. Jenna and Brian got out of the truck as young woman came out on the porch.
"Glory, this is Brian, he's looking to buying a horse." Jenna said.
"Ohhhh, finally got you a man?" Glory grinned.
"NO! I just showed him how to get here."
"What type of horse are you looking for Brian?" Glory asked.
"Actually, I'm looking for two riding horses."
"Oh? Does your girlfriend ride too?"
Brian flushed. "I don't have a girlfriend."
"Oh really?"
"Glory, just show him some horses!" Jenna said brusquely.
"Testy, testy!" Glory said to Jenna, waving her finger at her.
"Glory led them out to the paddock and showed Brian the six horses they had available.
"Could I see that bay over there?" Brian asked.
Glory whistled and the horses trotted over to them. She slipped a halter over the bay's head and brought her out.
"This is a good filly. She's got great stamina and loves to run. She's four years old and has been shod recently and gentle too."
Brian checked her mouth for any problems and stroked her flanks.
"Want to take her for a ride?"
"Yes, I would."
Glory led the horse to the barn and stopped in front of the tack room.
Glory got a bridle out of the room and told Brian to pick a saddle. Brian picked out a saddle and a blanket. Setting the saddle down, he smoothed the blanked on the horse's back and set the saddle. Glory watched closely as he tighten the cinch and straps and adjusted the stirrups. Brian knew what he was doing.
"Why don't you pick another one out and we can ride them down the trail for a bit, trade horses, and you'll be able to check both out." Glory recommended.
"What about the buckskin?"
Glory got the buckskin and saddled him. They got on the horses and headed down a trail along the fence. Jenna stayed at the paddock fence with her arms crossed, watching them.
When they returned, Brian was riding the buckskin. He grinned at Jenna. "Both horses are great!"
"Would you like to take them with you today?" Glory asked.
"No, I've got to arrange for hay to be delivered and I need to stock up on feed, plus, I don't have a livestock trailer." Brian said.
"Oh, we have hay here for sale at $7 a bale and we can deliver it. We also have straw for bedding. You can get horse feed at the Farmers COOP in Waldron. We can deliver the hay and straw this afternoon and the horses to you tomorrow. I'll go get their records and make up a bill of sale.
"Wait? Where can I buy tack for them? Also, I'll need enough hay and straw to last me through the winter.
"If the gear you used is acceptable, I can sell that to you. We break in saddles and sell them too." Glory said.
"Yes, add them to the bill please." Brian replied.''
"She's been very helpful." Brian replied, watching Glory walk to the house.
"Yes she has, hasn't she?" Replied Jenna.
Brian shelled out slightly more than he had made in a week in St. Louis then he and Jenna left the horse farm.
"Is there more than one kind of horse feed? Brian asked as they got near the kennel drive.
"Just keep driving to the COOP. I'll show you what to get." Jenna said.
Jenna showed him the feed he should use since they would have plenty of pasture grass and picked out a feed scoop.
"This is a two pound scoop, Give each horse one scoop a day. If for some reason they can't graze, then give them seven pounds of hay per day."
Brian came away from the Farmers COOP with a feed scoop, three 100-pound bags of horse feed two halters and two lead ropes. He loaded the bags of feed with ease and they headed back to the kennel."
"Thank you for your help today Jenna."
"You're welcome."
"Maybe you could come over sometime and we could go riding."
"I thought you and Glory would have already a ride planned."
"To tell you the truth, I find Glory to be a little bit pushy. I'll have to watch it around her."
Brian pulled up to the kennel and Jenna got out.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Jenna said. Walking to the kennel with a slight smile on her face.
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Post by gipsy on May 8, 2022 17:44:01 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by udwe on May 8, 2022 19:40:23 GMT -6
Getting better!
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Post by 9idrr on May 8, 2022 20:19:28 GMT -6
Please feel free to continue. :^)
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Post by ncsfsgm on May 9, 2022 6:54:59 GMT -6
Chapter 8
Brian unloaded the horse feed in the feed room and hung the bridles with their lead ropes in the tack room. He went to the house and into the kitchen to get a glass of tea and smelled the ripening apples. Going to the pantry he picked up the bag and went back out the door. Going to the garage barn, he rolled a Rokon out and started the engine. Placing the bag of apples on the cargo carrier, he headed to the far tree line. He got to the large oak and hung the bag up, eyes searching the forest. Seeing nothing, he cranked the Rokon and headed back to the Lodge.
When he got back to the Lodge, he pulled the pack of eight chicken legs from the fridge and sat it on the counter. Getting out the cast iron chicken fryer , he sat it on the burner and added frying oil. By the time he'd breaded the chicken, the oil was hot. He carefully placed four legs into the pot and fried them to a golden brown. Placing the cook ones on paper towels to drain, he placed the last four in the fryer. When they had finished cooking he added the legs to the plate to drain and cut the burner off. He would let the oil cool, strain it and save it until next time. He left the chicken out and went to the outdoor furnace. The firebox and ash pan were clean so he laid down a bed of wood and built a fire on top. Once it caught he would add more wood. Meanwhile, he went to the smoker next to the built-in grill on the patio and check it out. It had been cleaned and looked serviceable, as far as he could tell. He was thinking of picking up a pack of turkey legs and smoking them. He loved smoked turkey legs. Going back to the furnace, he added more wood and adjusted the vents. It would keep the lodge warm without having to use the fireplace, and would for a couple of days.
The hay and straw were delivered and the two strong young guys loaded it all in the hay loft of the barn. John took some bales of straw and covered the floor in a couple of stalls for when the horses arrived the next day.
Brian went back to the Lodge and ate a couple of chicken legs and put the rest in the refrigerator. He liked cold chicken. He might think about getting some chickens. He'd have to build a chicken coop for them. Going to his computer, Brian began looking for chicken coop plans. He found the plans for a 19th century chicken coop, downloaded the plans and started making a list of the tools and materials he would need.
At nine the next morning the horses arrived, Jenna leading the way. Briefly, Brian wondered why, then remembered she had access to the gate. They went directly to the barn paddock and lead the horses out of the trailer out into the open area. Turning them loose, the horses frolicked around in their new home then settled down to grazing. Brian and Jenna leaned on the fence and watched them.
"You should get some carrots. They like carrots and apples." Jenna said.
"I'll get some and put carrots on my list to grow next year." Brian said lazily.
"You're going to plant a garden?"
"Sure why not?"
"Well, you don't seem like……nothing."
"I don't seem like nothing?"
"That's not what I meant. Just forget it."
"Jenna, I apologize. I didn't mean to upset you."
"I'm not upset. It's just, well, you don't seem like the Farmer in the Dell type. I can't figure you out."
"Nothing to figure out. I've got a new life and have to adapt. There are things I don't know and have to get wise to. If you see me doing something wrong, please let me know."
"We'll you did put the straw in the stalls instead of hay."
"I'm not completely ignorant. I read all about that one time in a Roy Roger's comic book."
Jenna rolled her eyes. "You need to work on your comedy routine."
"I need to go into town and get some materials to build a chicken coop."
"Wow, you're really going all out!"
Brian shrugged. "I like fresh eggs. I'm getting tired of powdered eggs and well water."
Jenna giggled. "Jer gave us a can of those one time. They're not bad if you don't have anything else to eat. I'd rather have fresh eggs too. How big are you going to make it?"
"Come on, I'll show you."
Jenna followed Brian to the Lodge and went in. Brian picked up the sheets he had printed out.
Brian, this says it will hold 34 chickens! You can't possibly eat that many eggs!"
Brian shrugged. "Don't plan to. I'll start out with about six hens and a rooster. It will give me room to grow."
Jenna laid the plans down. Well, I've got to get to work. I'm training a couple of new puppies."
"Thanks for your help."
"I'll see you around."
Brian walked with her to her truck and watched her drive off. He went back inside and got the keys for the FC-170, his shopping list and pulled the truck out of the garage. Driving it over to the well house, he rinsed the dust off of it and slowly drove it down the drive and headed for the grand metropolis of Waldron to the combo Ace Hardware and building supply. Getting into Waldron, he went on past the hardware store and went to Harps first to pick up a couple more bags of apples and some carrots.
One thing you could say, the hardware store had every tool he needed, and then some. He gave them his lumber order and while they were loading it, went inside and began collecting the other things on his list. After getting the power saw, he had to have power, so he got a 3500 watt generator, and the list snowballed. He hadn't realized a chicken coop would cost this much. On the way out of town he filled his newly purchased 5-gallon gas can and headed home. He backed the stake-bed back into the garage because it was supposed to rain the next day and he didn't want everything to get wet. Going into the house, he grabbed two chicken legs and a Mountain Dew and sat down at the laptop to read up on rising chickens.
Two hours later he got up and stretched. He looked at his list and the notes he had made on his list. He still had feed and oyster shells to buy, feeders, waters, he needed to have some place to store the feed…. he was going to have to eat a lot of eggs and chicken to break even on this project! It suddenly dawned on him he'd left the apples and carrots in the cab of the stake-bed. He walked out to the garage and carried the apples and carrots to the root cellar and took one bag of carrots to the barn. Dumping the carrots into a bucket, he took one out, hung the bucket on the wall and walked to the paddock fence. Whistling to get the horses' attention, they came trotting to him. Breaking the carrot in half, Brian fed each horse their treat. He rubbed them for a bit, they seemed to enjoy that. Finally giving them their last pat, he left them for a while. He would be back put them in their stalls before dark.
It was raining, not heavily, just enough to be aggravating. Nevertheless, Brian put on his rainsuit and headed for the barn. He didn't know if the horses like to get out in the rain or not, but he would leave the stall doors open and they could come a go as the pleased. When he opened their doors they walked to the paddock end of the barn alley and stared out at the rain, the looked at Brian as if to say, "You've got to be kidding me!" Brian chuckled and gave each a half a carrot. He got a brush out of the tack room and brushed each down. He knew they enjoyed it because you could see them quiver a little as he ran the brush over their backs. Brian put the brush away and went back to the house. As he walked in his cell rang. He pressed the receive button and he heard two beeps.
"How's it going Brian?"
"Pretty good Dad. I bought two horses."
"That's good. Everything quiet?"
"As a mouse. Say, you failed to mention about the cleaning lady and the Carsons."
"Oh yeah, that slipped my mind. They are such a constant I don't think about things like that. They are great support. The reason why I called, there will be a plane coming in tomorrow at 0700 with a package. Take it and put it down in the gun room."
"It's supposed to be raining tomorrow, Dad."
"Doesn't make any difference, he flies in any weather."
"Okay, I'll be there. Do I need to pop smoke?"
"Yes. Red is the color of the day."
"Got it."
"Okay, you take care. I hope to see you in a couple of weeks."
"Okay Dad, Bye."
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Post by gipsy on May 9, 2022 7:03:12 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by udwe on May 9, 2022 20:42:42 GMT -6
Thanks for the addition!
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Post by ncsfsgm on May 10, 2022 9:55:55 GMT -6
Chapter 9
Brian shuffled around in the misting rain as he waited for the plane. Although it had rained for a couple of days the pasture was still firm. The soil was gravelly and drained quickly. He was hoping adding manure compost to his garden would help it retain moisture better. Jarred out of his thoughts by the sound of the plane, he popped the smoke grenade and held it up. He saw the plane about a mile away as it made its approach. Setting down, it taxied up to him. Brian stayed clear of the propeller and went around to the pilot who opened the door and handed him the package. The package was a little heavy but he quickly took the it and got away from the plane as the pilot pivoted the plane around and began his takeoff run. It took the same path as before and disappeared out of sight.
Brian took the package back to the Lodge and put it in the secret gun room and made a cup of hot chocolate, opened his computer and browsed sites on raising chickens.
When the rain stopped Brian pulled the Jeep stake-bed out between the barn and the hedge row and began unloading the lumber, organizing it in stacks by lumber sizes. That accomplished, he headed to the tool room in the equipment shed to get a set of post hole diggers. As he was about to open the door, Brian glanced over and there laying on the ground behind the 3-bottom plow was a set of post hole diggers for the tractor, still with patches of Allis-Chalmers orange paint. Brian looked it over, then dragged it out in front of the shed. He brought the tractor over and after a few twists and turns, figured out how it attached to the three-point hitch and the PTO. After getting it connected, he drove the tractor over to his grand construction site and shut it down. Taking another look at the plans, Brian drove three of his 2"x4" stakes into the ground, forming a 45 degree angle. then measured over parallel to the hedgerow and drove in another three stakes. He cut two lengths of 2x4 to connect the three stakes, forming a corner. He had just finished forming the other corner when he heard a vehicle driving up. It was Jenna.
"Morning! Layin' out your chicken coop?"
"Morning. Yep. How are you this morning?"
"I'm fine. Jenna answered. "Yes you are," thought Brian.
Jenna watched Brian measure over and drive in another stake, then straighten up.
"What brings you around this morning?"
Well, this morning is "Me" time so I came over to tell you Mama wants you to come to dinner."
"Me time?"
"I need some time away from the puppies, refresh my soul a little."
"I didn't realize puppies sucked your soul out of you." Brian grinned, putting on his tool belt.
"They don't really. I just need time away once in a while."
Brian finished driving in his stakes and cut some more pieces of 2x4 , leveled and nailed them onto the stakes.
"What time?" Brian asked.
"What time for…oh you mean dinner?"
"Yeah." Brian said, stringing out mason line.
"12 o'clock, of course."
Brian looked at her. "Oh! That dinner!"
Jenna gave him a confused look.
"Sorry, I lived in the city too long. What you call dinner, to city folks would be lunch. Dinner to them would be your supper."
Jenna shrugged.
Brian drove a nail into the level 2x4 and tied it off, leaving about a three foot tail then cut the string. He did the same on all sides. He took his 100' tape measure and ran it across the string box to check the squareness.
"Need some help?"
"Yeah. I don't have enough hands."
She held the tape measure and he adjusted the strings until he had his string box square. They measured and marked the post holes with a set of hand post hole diggers until all the holes were marked. Jenna untied the strings and coiled them up while Brian brought the tractor over. She guided him back then he lowered the auger and dug the holes. When they had finished digging, Brian dumped a half of a bag of two inch gravel into the bottom of each hole and added a pressure treated 4x4 post. They put the strings back up and leveled the posts and secured them in place with 1x4s and stakes. When they had finished it was almost lunch….er…dinner time.
"We need to wash up and go or your Mom might get perturbed." Brian said.
They went to the Lodge and Brian let her use the washroom while he dusted off and washed his hands in the kitchen sink. They went out and she got in is truck with him and they took off down the drive. "She must be planning on coming back." Brian deduced.
When they got to her house, Jenna's mother, Sally, and her Aunt Millie were setting the food on the table. Hiram walked in and took a seat at the head of the table.
"Go on, take a seat Brian!" Hiram said.
Brian pulled out Jenna's chair and sat her down then took a seat. Sally and Millie grinned at each other.
Hiram said grace and bowls and platters we passed around. Sally had cooked meatloaf. There was boiled potatoes, green beans, squash and cornbread to go with it.
Jenna picked up the pitcher and pour tea in Brian's glass.
"Brian is building a chicken coop." Jenna announced.
"Oh, what kind of chickens are you gonna have?" Sally asked.
"I don't know right now. I'd like to find some Leghorns." Brian replied.
"Jenna, don't the Claybornes raise Leghorns?"
"Yes Mama. I'll help him get some." Jenna replied.
Sally and Millie talked back and forth about different things as they were eating. Brian kept his mouth shut unless answering a question. When dinner was over. Brian thanked them and he and Jenna left, Millie and Sally watching from the kitchen door as they left.
When they got back to the Lodge, Brian got the wheelbarrow, a shovel, mortar hoe and a small trowel and took them over to the truck. Pulling a water hose from the well house he dumped a bag of pre-mixed concrete into the wheelbarrow, mixed up the concrete and shoveled it around the post. Taking the trowel, he sloped the concrete above ground around each post to let the water drain away while Jenna mixed another bag. In a couple of hours they were done.
"Thanks for the help Jenna. I would have been here until dark getting this done."
"I enjoyed it. It's something different than I'm used to."
Brian rinsed the wheelbarrow out and they cleaned the drying concrete from the tools with a wire brush. Putting the tools away, they went to the Lodge and Brian got them a glass of iced tea.
"You need a dog." Declared Jenna.
"Yeah, maybe in the future."
"No, you need a dog now to keep you company. They are a great comfort to have around."
"I'll think about it. You want to go riding?"
"Sure!"
They emptied their tea glasses and sat them beside the sink.
Down at the barn, Brian whistled and the horses came running up.
"Did you name them yet?" Jenna asked.
"The Buckskin I call 'Buck'."
"Oh! How original!" Jenna said, rolling her eyes.
"The Bay's name is 'Dolly'."
"I like that name."
They fed each a half a carrot and brought them into the barn alley. Taking a stiff brush, they brushed them down and followed with a soft brush. Brian check their hooves to make sure they were free from gravel and dirt. They placed bridles on them, followed by the saddle pads. Brian glanced over at Jenna as she carefully smoothed out the pad, making sure there were no wrinkles. He helped her lift the western saddle and placed it on Dolly's back. Next, she fastened the back cinch and when she went to tighten the cinch, you could see Dolly's chest expand, Jenna hauled off and punched Dolly in the side and as Dolly exhaled, finished tightening the cinch. Brian smiled as he finished saddling Buck. "She knows what she is doing."
The led the horses outside and Brian watched as Jenna mounted, then adjusted the stirrups for her. Getting on Buck, they trotted toward the main gate at the highway but turned and went through a gate into the west pasture and road along the tree line, circumventing the forest.
Back at the barn, they dismounted and walked the horses around a bit to let them cool slowly. They stripped off the saddles and pads and hung them up to dry. Walking them to the water trough, they let them drink their fill. Since they'd had access to water all day, Brian wasn't worried about them overdoing it. They pitched some clean alfalfa hay into their feed troughs and groomed the horses, all the while talking about nothing.
When they had finished, Brian walked with her to her truck.
"I had a fun time today." Jenna said.
"Hey, I had you working most of it!"
"I know. It was still fun."
Jenna hesitated, started to say something, then started to get into her truck. "I'll see you later." She said.
Brian laid his hand on her shoulder. "I don't know too much about this area. Is there somewhere I can take you out to dinner? You know, for helping me today?"
Jenna's smile lit the air. "Why don't I come over and we can cook something together. I'll bring the fixin's.
Brian grinned. "Saturday night okay?"
Jenna grinned. "Perfect!" Quickly kissing him on the cheek Jenna jumped in the truck and waving, went down the drive.
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Post by gipsy on May 10, 2022 10:46:56 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by biggkidd on May 10, 2022 15:43:37 GMT -6
Now why can't I have a good woman show up out of the blue like that?
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Post by gipsy on May 10, 2022 15:52:06 GMT -6
Remember this is fiction.
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Post by CountryGuy on May 10, 2022 17:44:09 GMT -6
Ahhh snap... Boy's in for it now...
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Post by bluefox2 on May 10, 2022 19:44:02 GMT -6
Ahhh snap... Boy's in for it now... Yep. She done got him to swallow hook, line, and sinker.
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Post by ncsfsgm on May 11, 2022 8:39:58 GMT -6
Chapter 10
The board and batten siding went up quickly. Brian built the trusses and had those up in a short time. The hard work was getting them up over the wall but he figured it out. Once he got the roof sheathing on things went faster. Turning the skill saw blade around backwards, he cut the roofing and screwed it into place. Next to go up was the wire on the run, which took some trickery, but he got it up tight and secured. He built the doors and used a couple of old windows he found in the little loft of the garage barn for the coop and the feed room he had added to the plans. It was easier to go ahead and build the feed room than have a pre-built shed bought and delivered. It was almost like he knew what he was doing. Using mostly screws in the construction made things go a lot faster. Nesting boxes were constructed and the outside doors from them covered with pieces of roofing material. Thursday afternoon, his butt balanced on a sawhorse, Brian sat back and looked at his project he had just finished painting with paint that was as close to the color of the other buildings as he could get. Now he had to go get the waterers and feeders at the Farmers Cooperative but first he got a bale of straw to cover the floor in the coop and line the nesting boxes.
Friday morning Brian hitched a trailer to the truck, drove to the Farmers COOP and bought two treadle feeders, a drum waterer, chicken feed, oyster shells and several more bales of oat straw. He got the 35 gallon waterer and the feeders fill in the coop, now all he need was the chickens. He called Jenna.
"Jenna, it's Brian. You mentioned you knew where I could get some Leghorns?"
"Yes, are you finished with the coop already?"
"Yep, all ready to go. I'm just short a few chickens."
"Come on over and I'll take you. Bring some cash."
"Got it."
Brian drove up the drive to Jenna's as she was carrying two pet carrier cages out of the kennel.
"Put these in the bed. Gotta have some way to transport the chickens." Jenna grinned.
Brian put the cages in the truck and Jenna jumped in. By her directions, they were at the farm in about fifteen minutes. Jenna picked out six young hens and a rooster they put in the cages. Brian paid the lady and they took them back to the Lodge. Brian carried the cages into the run, and one-by-one released the chickens. Obviously, they were accustomed to treadle feeders because they immediately went over and started eating.
"Nice setup." Jenna said, looking around. "Was this in the plans?" Jenna asked, pointing out the added feed room.
"No, I added it. I didn't want to have to carry feed from the barn feed room."
"Well, aren't you a smarty." Jenna grinned.
"Shucks ma'am, twarn't nothin'."
Jenna giggled. "Stop that! You'll have me checking to see if you have all your teeth."
They loaded the pet carriers into the truck and Brian took Jenna back to the kennel.
"Come on in, I want to show you something." Jenna said, taking one of the cages out of the truck. Brian grabbed the other one and followed her in. She set her cage down and said, "Follow me."
They went through another door and six puppies were running around playing.
"So these are English Golden Retrievers? You're right, they are a lot lighter than the ones I'm used to seeing." Brian remarked.
One of the puppies stopped playing, dropped the ball from his mouth and looked at Brian. It ran toward him and Brian squatted down to pet the puppy. The puppy jumped up and started licking Brian's face.
"That's Harley. He's picked you."
"What do you mean he's picked me?"
"The best dogs pick their owner, not the other way around." Jenna said, grinning.
Hiram walked in. "Doggonnit! You were right! Harley picked him! Brian, looks like you have a new dog."
Brian scratched the puppy. "I guess. How much is he?"
"Naw, you go on and take him."
"I insist! You've spent time and money feeding and training him. He is trained isn't he?"
"Oh yes!" Jenna said. "Harley SIT!" Harley sat and looked up at Brian.
"Again, how much is he?" Brian asked.
Hiram rubbed his chin. "Well, he isn't a pure Cream, as you see he is got a red tint to him. I'll let him go for $600."
"I'll get you the cash and bring it over today."
"Just give it to Jenna the next time she's over."
Brian squatted and petted the puppy, who jumped back up in Brian's knees and wagged his tail. "Well boy, we need to go get you some things then."
Jenna left and came back with a large envelop. "Here are his papers, shot records and tags. I can go with you to the COOP and show you what feed to get if you want."
"Yes, I'd appreciate it."
Jenna got a collar and leash and put them on Harley. She walked with him out to the truck and got in.
"You best go on." Hiram said. "When she's got something on her mind, she don't hesitate."
Brian grinned. "I'm seeing that."
They went to the Farmers COOP in Waldron and Brian got a small bag of puppy chow and a larger bag of food for when he would soon transition to adult food. Jenna picked out some treats for him and with Harley's assistance, picked out some toys. Water and food bowls, a bed as well as grooming items and shampoo were added to the cart . Brian picked up a new collar for him and a sixteen foot retractable leash also. Brian stopped by the bank, got the money, and handed it to Jenna. She didn't want to take it but Brian insisted. Reluctantly, she took the cash, folded it, and put it in her shirt pocket.
"What are we eating tomorrow?" Brian asked.
"I thought we'd keep it simple. Steak, potato and salad with cheesecake for dessert."
"Sounds good to me. I'll chill a bottle of wine."
Jenna grinned. "I can't wait!"
Brian dropped her off at her house and took Harley home.
As soon as they got to the Lodge, Harley jumped out of the truck and began marking his territory. Brian went in, with Harley on his heels and set up his water and food bowls. After filling his food bowl, Brian laid the bed out in a relatively clear area at one edge of the room. Harley walked around the room, sniffing everything. When he found the chair Brian normally sat in, he tried to use his nose to push the bed over closer to Brian's chair. Finally, he went around and grabbed the bed with his teeth and dragged the bed up next to Brian's chair. Brian grinned the whole time, watching the dog's antics.
"Come on boy! Let's take a tour of the place."
Harley raced to the door and waited for Brian to open it. Jumping down the steps, Harley wait in the yard to see which way Brian was going to go, When Brian turned toward the outdoor grill to see if he had enough charcoal, Harley stayed ahead of him. Brian took him to the chicken coop where Harley seemed fascinated with the chickens. They continued to the barn where Harley met his first horse. He sat as the curious horses came up to the paddock fence. Dolly sniffed at Harley as she waited for her carrot. They seemed like they would get along all right so they headed back toward the Lodge. A thought ran across Brian's mind, changed directions and went to the garage. Rolling out one of the Rokons, he lifted Harley up and placed him on the cargo carrier. He then lifted Harley off and sat him on the ground. Patting the cargo carrier, Harley jumped up on it. Brian took a treat out of his pocket and gave it to Harley and praised him. Setting him back down, Brian cranked the bike, got on and patted the carrier again. Harley jumped right on. Brian rode slowly around the yard then up to the gate and back. Harley seemed to enjoy that. When they got back to the garage, Brian snapped his fingers and Harley jumped off. Brian put the bike away and they walked back to the Lodge.
"Jenna was right, boy. You are a great comfort to have around."
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Post by gipsy on May 11, 2022 10:08:25 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by accountant on May 11, 2022 13:54:55 GMT -6
Everyone should have a dog.
A.
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Post by bluefox2 on May 11, 2022 16:27:26 GMT -6
Everyone should have a dog. A. Every dog needs a good human.
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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 May 11, 2022 20:07:41 GMT -6
Thanks for the update
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Post by udwe on May 11, 2022 21:05:50 GMT -6
Thanks! Great addition!
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Post by solo on May 12, 2022 11:05:38 GMT -6
A few good chickens and a good dog. Life is good. With Jenna, life will be better!
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Post by ncsfsgm on May 12, 2022 11:35:44 GMT -6
Chapter 11
When Brian woke up the next morning, Harley was laying on the rug next to the bed. As soon as Brian threw the covers back, Harley was on his feet, wagging his tail, or his tail was wagging him. It was hard to tell. Brian took a quick shower and got dressed, Harley sitting there in the bedroom, watching him. They went downstairs and Harley went over and sat beside his feed bowl.
"Hungry Buddy?"
Brian gave Harley the plastic cup of food then put on a small percolator of coffee. By the time the coffee was ready, Harley had eaten his food and was dancing around the porch door with a tennis ball in his mouth. Brian poured a cup of coffee and walked out with him. Breathing in a lungful of the clean air, Brian slowly walked toward the chicken coop while Harley patrolled for killer attack possums. He peeked in the coop and all except for a couple, the chickens were sitting on the roosting bars. Brian walked around and checked the nesting boxes and checked for eggs. There were two. He decided to wait another hour and check again at 7:00 since the chickens hadn't really started stirring yet. Brian decided he needed to get a basket or something to gather eggs in. He didn't want one busting in his hat. Walking down to the barn, he opened the stall doors and the horses scrambled out, eager to romp around the paddock. Brian turned back toward the Lodge and Harley came running toward him with the tennis ball in his mouth. Harley laid the ball on the ground in Brian's path and Brian picked it up and threw it across the yard. Harley scrambled after it and came trotting back, head held high and proud of his accomplishment. This time Brian held his hand out and Harley dropped the ball in it. Brian chuckled and threw the ball toward the front of the porch steps. When he reached the steps, Harley was laying on the porch panting, with the ball between his paws. Brian stepped around him and opened the door. Harley snatched up his ball and followed Brian in.
Brian made breakfast as Harley waited rather impatiently, for some of the good smelling bacon cooking in the pan. Brian did relent and fed Harley one slice, one half at a time. After eating, Brian cleaned his dishes and put them away and made sure the kitchen was clean. He checked the half-bath and made sure it was clean then went to the barn to muck out the stalls. Harley went on a sniffing patrol around the property. When he was finished, Brian walked out to where he was planning to put a garden in the Spring and looked around. It was close enough he could water the garden with sprinklers. He needed to begin adding some of the manure from the compost pile to the garden plot and get the soil turned. They hadn't had any freezing temperatures yet so he might get away with planting some clover to enrich the soil. Brian got the tractor out and hooked the 3-bottom plow up and turned the soil up in a 30'x70' area. He called Harley back in and they rode into Waldron to the Farmers COOP and purchased clover seed, and then on second thought, got Harley a second bed to put in his bedroom. Going back home, he broadcast the seed and got a trailer out and loaded it with manure/compost. Spreading it out over the garden, he then used the disc harrow to further till the soil. Brian put the equipment away and looking at his watch, was surprised it was 2:00 PM. They went back to the Lodge, Brian cleaning his boots off on the boot scrubber next to the steps and went in. He gave Harley a Milk Bone an put a couple of bottles Chardonnay and Merlot in the fridge to chill. Leaving Harley inside, he went out to the covered patio area to add chunk charcoal to the grill. The grate was clean, they had always cleaned it after cooking so all he did was take a soft bristled brush and dusted off the countertop. Opening a cabinet, he took a can of grill spray and sprayed the grate and wiped the excess off the surrounding bricks. He took the can of charcoal lighter out and set it on the counter, then added the charcoal to the grill. Everything was ready. He went back inside to a peeved Harley, who soon got over it, and sat down to research what he could plant in his garden.
At 4:00 PM, he shut the computer down and went to get a shower and change clothes. Harley followed him and guarded the bedroom door. He trimmed his beard and mustache and beard a little and got his shower. Selecting a collared shirt and jeans, he dressed and slipped on a pair of moosehide moccasins then went into the kitchen. Selecting a couple of wine glasses out of the china cabinet, he washed and dried them and left them on a counter. What else? He guessed he was ready. Jenna didn't say what time she would get here, but he hoped it was soon. He was a little anxious.
At 5:15 Jenna called.
"Brian, do you have butter and sour cream?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Okay, good. I'll be over in a bit!"
When she ended the call, Brian paced around and finally got the bottle of Chardonnay out, opened it, the set it back in the fridge. At 5:45, Harley jumped up and ran to the door, tail wagging frantically. Brian went to let him out and followed. Jenna was just getting out of the car. Going down the steps to help her carry everything in, Harley beat him to the car. Jenna took a large market basket containing the food out of the back seat, handed it to Brian, then reached in a came out with a smaller basket.
"This is for you to gather eggs in." Jenna smiled.
Brian slapped his forehead.
"I meant to gather eggs this morning at 7:00!"
"Well, let's put these things in the kitchen and go get them."
They went inside and put the salad in the refrigerator and left the steaks on the counter. Brian wet the potatoes, covered them in Kosher salt, wrapped them in foil and placed them in the re-heated oven. Harley led them to the chicken coop and they gathered 8 eggs in the basket. Going by the outdoor kitchen, Brian lit the charcoal before they went inside. After pouring glasses of wine, Brian looked at the steaks.
"My God! I haven't seen lomos this big since Uruguay!"
"They're tenderloins." Jenna said.
"The Spanish word for tenderloin is 'Lomo.' If I'd known you were bringing these I would have made some chimichurri sauce."
"What's that?"
"It's a sauce made of parsley, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper, oregano and a little lemon juice. It's great with Lomo."
"Let's go back out to the patio. It's nice outside." Jenna said.
They went out and Brian retrieved chair cushions out of a deck box.
"So what did you do today?" Jenna asked.
"Oh, I mucked out the stalls, and plowed up a garden.
Jenna stared at him.
"Brian, I've become fond of you, but I'm perplexed. I want to know who the hell you are and what you are doing here. Are you some kind of government agent like your father? Are you, or were you married? Have kids? What makes you tick?"
"Why do you need to know all that?
"Like I said, I've become fond of you. I'm hoping we can take it beyond fondness, but I don't want to get blindsided if whatever you're doing here is over and you just up and disappear."
Brian looked at her and took a sip of wine. Sighing, he told her of his time in St. Louis, what had driven him here, his identity change and his acceptance of having a new life.
"So, if you think that getting chickens, horses and plowing up a garden is some sort of elaborate cover to hide my real mission here, then quit reading into everything. I too would like to know and spend more time with you. I'm here permanently and am trying to make it my forever home. I'm now just a simple country boy trying to survive."
"But you won't pass for being from around here. You have all your teeth."
"How do you know that?" Brian grinned.
Jenna put her wine glass down on the patio, got up from her chair and went over to Brian. Holding his face in her hands, she kissed him, snaking her tongue into his mouth, counting his teeth. Ending the kiss and standing upright, Jenna grinned. "Yep, still got 'em all!"
"How do you know I'm even a man?" Brian grinned.
"Oh, I'll find out…..in due time."
Brian got up and checked the grill. "The coals are ready."
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