ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on May 27, 2022 10:21:47 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by imahic on May 27, 2022 15:21:33 GMT -6
Thanks for the update. Great story.
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Post by ncsfsgm on May 30, 2022 14:15:08 GMT -6
Chapter 23
Christmas Eve, they loaded the second basket of fruit into the Gator and drove it to the oak tree. Brian set the basket out on the ground and they stood there off to the side and waited. A few minutes later the small Howler came out of the brush and stood there. Then it slowly and cautiously made its way over to the basket. The adult Howler came out into the open and stood there, just watching the smaller one take an apple out of the basket and gnaw on it. Brian tugged on Jenna's jacket, pulling her toward the Gator, got in and left. Early Christmas morning, Brian woke up spooned behind Jenna. He slowly ran his hand up the top of her leg, over her hip and onto her stomach.
"Want me to give you and early present right now?" Brian said, kissing her neck.
"Nah anh. There is a tradition to uphold," Jenna said, grabbing his hand.
"What tradition?" Brian asked, leaning up on an elbow to see her scoot out of bed.
"Presents are given around the tree, you know," Jenna grinned, "Like a normal family. Save that present for when we come back this afternoon and won't have my parents looking on."
Brian made coffee, began loading up all the presents for the McGinnas to head down there for the day. Harley couldn't decide which toy he wanted to take so Jenna handed him one of the net pet stockings filled with treats and toys and he was satisfied. Carrying the stocking out to the truck in his mouth, he jumped in and waited for Jenna and Brian to finish loading the presents.
Millie and Sally were busy doing preps for their brunch while Hiram was out tending to the dogs. Brian stoked the fire in the fireplace and added another log. When Hiram came back in, they all got their coffee and gathered around the Christmas tree to give out presents. When Haram brought out the envelope with the cruise confirmation in it, Sally and Millie both jumped up, hugged and kissed Hiram. They were all giddy the rest of the morning. After all the wrapping paper was cleaned up the women finished putting together the brunch. Hiram took the bag of trash out to the cans and Brian was left by himself in the den. Brian took a look at the confirmation letter and was surprised it was for a stateroom with a king-sized bed for three occupants.
Jenna and Brian finally left around 3:00. As they were driving home, Brian told Jenna what he saw on the confirmation letter.
"Why wouldn't they all sleep in the same bed?" Jenna asked.
"I don't know if I could sleep in the same bed with my sister. It would be awkward."
"Well, I think it's fine if they share Daddy. Aunt Millie is practically a mother to me too." Jenna replied.
"But Hiram,….sleeping with his own sister…"
Jenna burst out laughing. "Brian! Aunt Millie is MOMMA's sister!"
"Oh well, in that case, do you have a sister I don't know about?"
"Not on your life buster! Just because my parents have a polyamorous relationship doesn't mean I'm going to have one. I'm not sharing you with ANYONE!
As the days got colder, Brian and Jenna moved their Krav Maga training into the enclosed patio. Brian would build a fire in the firepit before they went on a run so it would be fairly comfortable in there, although still cool. He had purchased thick exercise mats so their bodies wouldn't be slammed onto the stone paver floor. Brian had her focus on front kicks to the groin, bearhug/takedown defenses, and knife defenses, of course using a rubber knife. She didn't hold back on anything. The groin protector he put on after running was barely enough to keep him from being injured. Jenna attacked like a wolverine and zoned in only on putting down her attacker. Sometimes Brian had to step back and let her get her head back into what they were supposed to be doing….practicing.
Joe had left before Christmas to visit a sister in Iowa. Jeremy showed up New Year's Day, right after Joe, bearing gifts for all.
"I wish you could have spent Christmas with us." Brian said.
"Yeah, I had to tie up some loose ends and anyway, I wanted you and Jenna to have your first Christmas here by yourselves."
"We were hardly by ourselves, with the McGinnas and the Howlers."
"What happened with the Howlers?"
Brian told Jeremy about the fruit baskets and the Howler's reaction.
"Well, you've gotten farther with them than anyone else has. Just be careful."
"Are you making any inroads with your, uh, projects?" Brian asked.
"In some areas. In others we're holding our own.
"Did you have anything to do with that stuff that happened in San Diego?"
Jeremy looked at Brian; "Ronald Reagan once said, 'When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat'."
Brian nodded. "Well I guess that made a dent in the drug smuggling."
"A small dent. Have you seen Joe?"
"I think he's back, but I haven't seen him."
I believe I'll up down to see him." Jeremy said.
"Take the Gator if you want, and take his present. He ducked out before we could give it to him."
Jeremy knocked on the trailer and it was opened a few moments later by Joe, who was moving slowly.
"How are you doing?" Jeremy asked.
You catch a 7.62×39mm round in the plates and see how you'd do."
"No thanks. How's Gary?"
"He's fine, just a little shrapnel. What's that?"
"Little present from Jenna and Brian. Open it up. It think it sloshes."
They had used the plan many times. Use a decoy flotilla of illegal immigrate boats to draw the Border Patrol craft up the lake and run the drugs across under the cover of darkness. The silent low-riding boats were slow, but they would have plenty of time. As the boats neared the international border that ran roughly down the center of the lake, four Javelin missiles impacted on the boats, scattering debris across the water. There were no survivors.
Jeremy's phone beeped. He pulled it out and looked at it.
"Carlos finished the job."
"What's next?" Joe asked.
"We need to bring the heat to the Senator."
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Post by gipsy on May 30, 2022 14:49:19 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by CountryGuy on May 30, 2022 15:09:30 GMT -6
Bringing the heat in more ways than one... You go Hiram, ya 'ol kinkster...
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Post by texican on May 30, 2022 18:14:54 GMT -6
"Want me to give you an early present right now?" Brian said, kissing her neck.
Jenna grinned, "Save that present for when we come back this afternoon and won't have my parents looking on."
Sounds like something to look forward too.
Texican....
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Post by ncsfsgm on May 31, 2022 5:20:18 GMT -6
Chapter 24
It became a weekly thing to pick up half-bushel baskets of whatever fruit they could get and leave it at the oak tree. Sometimes the variety wouldn't be that great so they just increased the quantity, as long as the basket was full. The Howlers became more accustomed their being nearby, Brian realizing this when the larger Howler came and picked the basket up while they sat near the Gator, about twenty meters away. They didn't try to take pictures. If the pictures ever got out, they would bring down more attention than they ever wanted to have. They just watched in amazement and didn't try to get any closer than they had been.
Jeremy and Joe were picked up by a helicopter a few days later to take care of some business, leaving Brian and Jenna alone around the Lodge. Jenna helped Brian build the hot bed frames, a project both enjoyed. First, they built a wall to block the prevailing winter winds. Brian made it functional, but Jenna made it also decorative. Next, Brian dug down about 8 inches deep in each bed area then laid down thermostatically controlled electric cable in 6 to 8-inch long loops. This was covered with 2 inches of sand, then hardware cloth was laid over this to protect cable. Finally, 6 inches of good soil was laid down over this. Then Brian built the bed frames over this out of cedar and banked soil up around the sides. Wanting something besides electricity to keep the plants warm at night, Brian assembled a ring of 4 inch black PVC pipe around the inside of each frame and half-filled them with a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze. This would absorb heat during the day and release the heat at night. The automatic thermostats would kick in if the temperature fell too low during a sudden freeze. Ratcheting stay arms were added to the glass sashes to keep the frame open for working or to partially open the sash to keep the plants from overheating when the temperature rose above 45 degrees. They tested the temperature in the beds for a few days and were pleased the south-facing sashes were allowing plenty of the meager sun's rays to heat the beds.
Jenna confiscated an area in Brian's new shop to start seeds. Brian built her tables and frames to hang the grow lights from. Seed heating mats were placed under the seed starting trays to fool the plants into thinking the shop was sunny and spring-like. The seeds were sprouting nicely and as soon as they could, they'd be moved to the hot bed to get them acclimatized.
During their work on the beds, they hadn't noticed anything, but they were being observed.
Three nights later, Harley jumped up from his bed in the Great Room and gave out a low growl. Brian looked up and took his pistol off the side table next to his chair and his Mag-Lite, commanded Harley to stay and went to the door. Brian looked out, but didn't see anything, then went out on the porch. Using the Harris Technique, Brian shined the light around the yard, sweeping across the backs of what looked to be three large retreating Howlers. He stepped out into the yard and searched around then finally saw the bodies, There were four of them, all with their heads turned at impossible angles. Brian went back in, grabbed his phone and hit the speed-dial button for his father, the phone automatically going secure. When Jeremy answered, Brian said, "Dad, I have a problem."
Hearing what had happened, Jeremy told Brian someone would be there within the hour. "Let them handle everything."
Forty minutes later A large, blacked-out helicopter landed and six guys came to the porch.
"Where are they?" The first man asked.
Brian led them over to where the bodies lay. The men unfolded body bags, pulled them up around the bodies and began carrying the bags to the helicopter.
"We spotted their car. We'll take care of it. Don't speak to anyone about this."
Brian answered, "Okay."
The turbines of the helicopter wound up and it was soon headed toward the gate. Brian went back inside.
"What did they do?" Jenna asked.
"They took the bodies and are getting the car I guess the men came in."
"The Howlers did that?"
"Jenna, the way those guys necks were broken, I don't think anyone or anything else could have done it."
"Do you think they were protecting us?"
"I don't know, but just to be on the safe side, I'm going to go in and get four baskets in the morning.
Brian kept his ears open but not much was said about the disappearance of the four men. All were recent residents of the area. Their abandoned car, however, was found parked at a natural gas well up near Booneville Lake. No one ever came out and questioned them about the men.
Brian and Jenna's Saturday morning shooting practice intensified. Joe got hold of a heavy loader and bermed a 3-gun course area and began training Jenna and Brian. Brian had shot 3-gun before, but only for fun. The recent events made it more serious now.
Plants were being transplanted to the hot beds and Jenna started more. Her idea was to stagger the plantings so they had a continuous harvest throughout the summer. Jenna had worked out the right combination of compost and Miracle-Gro and the plants loved it. When danger of the last frost was gone, they began planting the tomatoes and beans. Cool season vegetables like cabbages and carrots, broccoli, lettuce, spinach and Brussels sprouts had been planted earlier and they hoped to get a harvest off of them before the weather got too hot, then plant again in the latter part of the summer for a fall crop. Brian put together a misting system not only for irrigation but to also keep the plants cool in the hot summer.
Brian's father was in every few weeks for "R & R" and enjoyed helping in the garden. He showed up one Sunday afternoon with a guy named Dave Richardson. Jeremy said Dave was retiring and Jeremy wanted to give him a job helping out around the place. Dave seemed a little young to be retiring, but he seemed like a good guy and he started to work. Actually, Brian could use the help. He had begun cleaning up the deadfall in the forest around the property and an extra hand would be nice. He had already gotten a good bit of firewood from his endeavors and Dave showed him how to go about it a little more systematically. They used a map and overlayed it with a one-acre grid system and they could tint in the areas they cleared as they went along. This was about more than gathering firewood. The climate was changing and forest fires were more prevalent now. The mismanagement of forests and the lack of removing debris that caused the hot fires in the liberally governed western states had taught them a lesson. Brian had purchased a log hauler and another tractor just for gleaning the wood. Another hidden concern was the safety of the Howlers. Forest fires were a danger to them also.
Brian had a cabin built for Dave at a site Dave selected down near the south pasture in a little cove that was isolated but near enough everything. A well was bored and the four room cabin went up quickly. Brian wanted to prepare Dave and got him aside one day to talk to him about the forest creatures.
"Dave, there's something you should know. You might see or hear some strange things here…."
"Jer already told me. I'm originally from northwest Oregon. We had them up there too. We didn't bother them and they didn't bother us. Don't worry, I won't shoot at them. There's plenty of two-legged critters that should be shot in this world before them."
Brian purchased a towable firewood processor and they soon had large, weatherproofed stacks of firewood around the property.
When the vegetables were ready to be harvested, Millie and Sally came down and helped do the canning. With the three of them, it was quickly done. Jenna had worked the harvesting so that canning day was on Thursday. They would have everything prepared and would quickly get it done. Although it was hot work, the cool patio and abundant iced tea helped them endure it. When the pinto beans came in, they canned some and Brian built a screened drying bin to further dry the rest of the beans for storage.
An idyllic calm had settle on the Lodge, but they were ever aware of the storm clouds brewing.
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Post by udwe on May 31, 2022 5:56:50 GMT -6
Always...the storm clouds!
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Post by gipsy on May 31, 2022 8:24:03 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 May 31, 2022 11:48:20 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by imahic on May 31, 2022 17:59:00 GMT -6
As my dad used to say "Much obliged"
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 2, 2022 19:19:30 GMT -6
Chapter 25
Do you have everything on tape?" Jeremy asked.
The young man grinned. "Technically it is solid-state drive, but yes, I've got everything."
"Are you going to be able to distribute it safely?"
The young, pimply-faced technician grinned. "I'll have this bouncing through a minimum of 26 nodes and 8 countries. As far as anyone is going to be able to tell, the stream will be coming from Faulkton, South Dakota, population 826. Let the damn crooked FBI chase that down!"
"Okay pull the gear out when they leave and clean up. Let's go Joe. We're RTB."
Jeremy and Joe came in on a STOL at the south pasture strip Sunday afternoon. Brian and Harley were waiting for them. Jenna was back at the Lodge grilling venison pinwheels for snacks when they guys got back. Beer, Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky were available.
Jeremy and Joe threw their B-4s into the cargo box of the Gator and climbed in.
"Are you back for a while? Brian asked his father.
Jeremy chuckled. Yeah, I want to watch the explosion from a safe zone."
Brian didn't ask what explosion his father was talking about. It would probably be obvious when it happened.
Brian pulled up next to the covered patio and parked. The smell of the cooking meat was obvious and made each man's mouth water. Jeremy went in and gave Jenna a hug.
"What are you cooking? It smells delicious!"
"It's a recipe I modified. Normally, you butterfly out a flank steak and smear it with a mixture of roasted garlic, anchovy paste and Cajun spice, then roll it up to cook it. I substituted the beef for venison. Get a drink. There's Scotch, Irish whiskey and beer, or if you want there's iced tea in the fridge inside. Ice is in the cooler."
"I think I'll have a bit of the Irish." Jeremy said pouring the whiskey in a glass.
Joe poured himself three fingers of Scotch, neat.
"How's Dave doing?" Jeremy asked Brian.
"That guy is a hard worker. We've cleaned up six acres of deadfall and diseased trees so far. That only leaves 3,294 acres left to clean up."
Jeremy laughed. "Well, that keeps you off the street corners on Saturday night."
"Yeah, but we are accumulating a hell of a lot of firewood." Brian said.
"Jenna, any of your cousins up to making some money?"
"Are you kidding me? What do you need?"
"Round some of them up and we can get them set up to sell firewood." Jeremy said.
"Give me a couple of days." Jenna replied.
Jenna took the meat off the grill and cut the rolls into pinwheels, then into quarters and put them on a platter. A handful of wooden skewers were added and she set the platter down in front of the men.
"Man! That is good!" Joe said.
Jenna grinned as she watched the men wolf the meat down.
Jenna's six cousins showed up about the wood cutting job. Brian got them all out on the patio to speak with them.
"I need some help cleaning up deadfall, dead trees and damaged and diseased trees. I guess you've heard or seen the big fires out west that are eating up millions of acres. Part of the blame is not maintaining the forest, keeping the debris cleaned up. We have a map with overlays showing what acres have already been cleared. As we clear an area, we mark it off one the overlay. What I will do for you is buy a dump bed truck and trailer, chainsaws and whatever other equipment you need, including safety gear. I will pay you all a salary until you start selling wood. I know there isn't a big call for firewood in the summer, so basically, you're starting a firewood distribution company. I'll help you get set up and once you start selling wood, 75% of the profits, after expenses, go to you, 25% goes to the Lodge. This is Dave Richardson. He's your 'go to' man. If you have problems, see him first. He also maintains the map. He'll go into town with you and start purchasing equipment starting tomorrow morning. I'll let Dave coordinate with you for the rest. Dave."
Brian listened to Dave a couple of minutes then went into the garden. Jenna was pulling what few weeds were sprouting up. There weren't many because they had mulched heavily, not just for weeds but also to retain soil moisture. Jenna had Brian's Sangean radio playing country music and didn't pay any attention to Brian being there. Brian went to the garden shed and brought out the roll of woven fence wire and began cutting it into 12' lengths to make a tomato trellis. Jenna came over and helped when she was finished weeding. Once they had the number of lengths they needed, Brian drove in the 2x4 stakes along the rows to support the trellis. They took a length out, secured one end to the stakes on one row with large zip-ties then bent it over and secured it to the stakes on the adjacent row, forming an arched tunnel. They covered two 25 foot rows this way. Cloth strips would be used to secure the tomato plants to the wire. Brian had added manure compost to the hole when they transplanted the tomato plants. On top of the compost was about three inches of sandy soil. When the roots hit that compost in a week or two, they would have to adjust the ties on the plants because the plants would take on an unbelievable burst of growth. When they had zip-tied all the wire to the stakes and the wire lengths to each other, they went through tying the plants up and pinching off suckers.
The green beans were already running up their trellis and the melon vines were beginning to run. Jenna walked down the row of cabbage, checking for cabbage worms. Brian walked down the four corn rows and the stalks looked healthy. They would tassel soon and they would be enjoying fresh corn before long. Brian got to the end of the row and took a garden spade to dig a hole. He was checking the moisture of the soil at root level. It looked like he had the timing of the soaker hoses right. Brian had spent a few hours building a zoned manifold system to deliver water to the garden areas via the soaker hoses. There was plenty of galvanized pipe and threaders and cutters in the shop he had used. The addition of shut-off valves allowed them to water the whole garden, individual zones or even just individual rows. Buried under the mulch, the soaker hoses allowed sufficient water to the plants without loss through evaporation.
That evening after dinner, Brian, Jenna and Jeremy were sitting on the covered patio enjoying the cool evening. Brian and Jeremy had removed the window panels so the night breezes would penetrate the sitting area through the screens. Jeremy had brought his notebook computer out and had it set up on a table to stream Fox News The big news of the night was two of the biggest adversaries of the Conservatives in Congress were caught on hidden camera having sex with what looked like underage boys. This time the media couldn't move fast enough to cover it up because it had been broadcast all over the internet, to major news organizations and dozens of porn sites. The cry went up by hundreds of people for the Congressman and Senator to be charged with numerous crimes. They were soon to resign from government service and efforts were made to take their congressional pensions away.
When the news stream was over, Joe walked through the door.
"You missed it Joe." Jeremy said.
"I was standing outside listening." Joe said.
"Wow! Those two should be tarred and feathered. If it were anyone else I'd feel sorry for them with all the shame and ridicule they are going to go through." Brian said.
"The gay lobby will still support them." Jenna said, disgusted.
"Don't feel sorry for those lowlifes." Joe said. "There's a lot more out there that need to be exposed."
"Speaking of being taken….the plane will be here in the morning to pick us up." Jeremy said.
"I need to talk with you." Joe said.
Jeremy got up and they walked toward the barn.
"That must have been the explosion Dad was talking about." Brian thought.
Brian was partially correct. He would not foresee the shitshow that would be forthcoming.
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Post by gipsy on Jun 2, 2022 19:55:47 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by imahic on Jun 2, 2022 22:09:00 GMT -6
If only that happened in today's world. Nice cliff hanger. Thanks for the update.
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Post by udwe on Jun 4, 2022 21:55:49 GMT -6
Thanks!
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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 Jun 5, 2022 15:17:13 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 6, 2022 23:26:16 GMT -6
I've been a little slow getting anything written lately. My computer was giving me problems so I bought a new one. Of course, everything got screwed up from that. I got the new, custom built laptop in and woe and behold, it had the newer USB connectors on it, which required adapters. I ordered those, got them in and attempted to transfer my programs and files over to the new computer. Couldn't get it done using a high-speed transfer cable so I had to use the wi-fi transfer method, which took several hours. After getting everything transferred, then came the "getting used to" the differences between Windows 11 and Windows 10....and there is a difference. Finally got everything set up to where I'm comfortable. I'm off to the races!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 6, 2022 23:28:44 GMT -6
Chapter 26
Hiram had gone up to Fort Smith so Brian took Jenna, Sally and Millie to Waldron to do a little shopping and to take them to lunch. A new Chinese restaurant had opened and they served dim sum, which Brian liked instead of ordering off the menu. They had a nice lunch and Brian dropped them off at Walmart while he went to the Back 40 Farm Supply Store. Sally wanted a couple of new spatulas and a measuring cup and Jenna was looking to see if they had powdered buttermilk in stock. Jenna found the buttermilk powder and picked up two cans. Rejoining Sally and Millie, they were just browsing through the garden section. All off a sudden Jenna was jerked around and was half-facing a guy with a knife, She’d had her purse strap over her shoulder and across her chest and he’d tried to cut the purse strap off, but the strap had two small steel cables in the seams to prevent such an occurrence happening. Jenna went into attack mode and the guy ended up on the floor next to the lump charcoal, unconscious, with a broken nose, and blood pooling next to his head. Store security was quickly there and secured the man until the police arrived. Jenna called Brian and he was there in a matter of minutes.
“What happened? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. A guy tried to cut my purse strap and snatched it but it’s that new concealed carry purse I ordered. He ruined the strap!”
“I’ll buy you a hundred of them. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, Honey. He never knew what hit him.” Jenna giggled.
An officer walked over to them.
“Ma’am, you are free to go. We have your statement and pulled the security video which clearly showed what happened. What did you call that….whatever you did?”
“Krav Maga.”
“Weren’t you terrified?”
“Scared, yes, terrified, no; my husband trained me to deal with attackers using various weapons. Besides, he was just a dumb meth-head whose stupidity made them more of a threat to himself than to me."
“Well, be careful out there. More and more of this type thing is happening every day.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Brian said.
“Wait! We’ve got to pay for our things.”
“Here, take the keys. I’ll pay for it.” Brian replied.
Brian carried the purchases out to the truck. When he got in he grinned.
“I swear! I can’t take you three anywhere!”
“Hush!” Sally said, “or I’ll hit you on the head with my new spatula!”
Jenna giggled. “And where were you when that guy tried to get my purse?”
“The spatula was in the bottom of the cart. You had him on the floor before I could reach it!”
Brian sighed. “What am I going to do with you women?”
“Well, I’ll a little far into my years to get frisky.” Sally said.
“But Jenna’s young enough that if you kept her barefoot, pregnant and at home, she couldn’t be off getting into trouble.” Millie said, grinning.
“Aunt Millie!”
“She does have a point, Dear.” Sally grinned.”
Thursdays morphed into canning and dinner days. Hiram was a pretty good cook in his own right so he and Brian collaborated and came up with a meal for the women after a hard day of canning. They made the women cool off on the patio while they finished the cooking for their evening meal. Truthfully, the women would can every day for the treatment the men gave them. They were putting away an abundant amount of food, so much that Sally decided not to put in a big garden next year. The Washita Lodge garden easily provided food for both families. Jenna had been putting together a mixed basket of fruits and vegetables for their forest neighbors. It was funny, after Christmas, the Howlers began leaving the empty baskets under the oak tree. Brian thought it strange also, but it did keep him from having to buy the half-bushel baskets. It seemed the Howlers loved the Moon and Stars watermelons. Those, Brian had plenty of. The women canned a lot of pickled and candied watermelon rind, and Brian ate a lot of the super-sweet melons, but he still had enough to put at least one with the basket. He’d set the melon on the ground next to the basket because there wouldn’t be enough room for the rest of the treats otherwise. He and Jenna watched one day when the two Howlers came and picked the food up. The smaller one easily picked up the 25 pound melon and gently cradled the melon it its arms as they headed through the brush.
Jenna wanted to try freeze-drying some of the produce so Brian ordered a freeze dryer. When it arrived, it weighed as much as a medium sized refrigerator. It wasn’t something you moved into the kitchen for canning every Thursday, so he and Jenna went into town to a building materials dealer on the edge of town. A man sold his garden sheds on sale there and he agreed to custom build a 12x20 building for them. It only took a couple of weeks to deliver it and it was perfect for freeze-drying and dehydrating the foods. Brian had an electrician come out and run power out to the building and Brian laid down some good vinyl flooring and built work tables for the freeze-dryer and the dehydrators. They also purchased another impulse sealer, Mylar bags of various sizes and another vacuum sealer for the prep area.
Jeremy stayed around for three weeks before he took off again. He had only been gone a couple of days when Brian received a call from their lawyer, Harold Gibson.
“Brian, I need you to stop by the next time you’re in town. You need to see something we’ve found.”
“What about in the morning?”
“That would be fine. I’ve got an opening at 10:00 if you can come in.”
“I’ll be there.”
The next morning Jenna and Brian went to Mr. Gibson’s office. They were immediately escorted into Mr. Gibson’s office.
“Good morning Brian, Jenna. Please let’s sit over here where it’s more comfortable.”
Mr. Gibson took a file folder off his desk and they went over to a small sitting area with a coffee table separating a leather couch and two arm chairs. They took a seat on the couch, Mr. Gibson taking a chair across from them.
“Anthony Philmore, the Trust accountant, was reviewing property records at the county clerk’s office and found something I had forgot about entirely. Prior to your Grandfather’s death, he offered a conservation group a parcel of land that they failed to come through with the money. Tony had wondered why your property taxes were so low and was seeing if the land had been over valuated. This is what he found.” Mr. Gibson said, handing Brian a sheet of paper.
“Six thousand acres!”
“Well, more like 6,495 acres to be precise. The taxes are low because it will never be developed for residential or commercial use. That’s one of the stipulations for the lower taxes.”
“Where is this property?” Brian asked.
Mr. Gibson pulled out a survey sheet and an old aerial photo and slid it over to Brian.
“Why this is right across from the Washita tract!”
“Technically, it is a part of the Washita tract.”
“Well, I’d like to get this surveyed and a more recent aerial photo taken.” Brian said.
“I’ll handle it. What are you planning to do with it?” Mr. Gibson asked.
“Well, I’ve got an idea, but selling it is definitely not in my plans. Thank you Mr. Gibson.”
“Just call me Harold. Looks like we’re going to be working closer than we have.”
“Sorry about that. I’ve been slowly working my way into these things. I’ll be more attentive.”
“That’s fine. I’ll get a survey started. How big of a photo do you want?”
“How big can they make it?”
“Oh, they can run them off on a digital plotter these days.”
“Well, give me two about three feet wide. One with the final survey on it.”
“I’ll have it done.”
They all shook hands and Brian and Jenna left.
“What are you planning to do?” Jenna asked.
“Depends what the final survey shows. Do you like to fish?”
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Post by kiwibutterfly on Jun 7, 2022 2:11:58 GMT -6
Thank you
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Post by gipsy on Jun 7, 2022 5:54:39 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by cedarlake on Jun 7, 2022 9:45:13 GMT -6
Chapter 26
Jenna wanted to try freeze-drying some of the produce so Brian ordered a freeze dryer. When it arrived, it weighed as much as a medium sized refrigerator. It wasn’t something you moved into the kitchen for canning every Thursday, so he and Jenna went into town to a building materials dealer on the edge of town. A man sold his garden sheds on sale there and he agreed to custom build a 12x20 building for them. It only took a couple of weeks to deliver it and it was perfect for freeze-drying and dehydrating the foods. Brian had an electrician come out and run power out to the building and Brian laid down some good vinyl flooring and built work tables for the freeze-dryer and the dehydrators. They also purchased another impulse sealer, Mylar bags of various sizes and another vacuum sealer for the prep area.
Wondering if a sketch/drawing is available for viewing? I'm having a hard time trying to visualize this. Counter or counters along the side walls or a long counter down the center?
Please feel free to show the locations and layout of the various pieces of equipment.
Did he build this in conjunction with the idea of a future outside kitchen, canning area?
Thanks, Cedar Lake.
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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 Jun 7, 2022 11:03:39 GMT -6
Do the howlers also like fish? Thanks
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Post by gipsy on Jun 7, 2022 11:28:15 GMT -6
Guess we will find out
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 7, 2022 14:05:24 GMT -6
Chapter 26
Jenna wanted to try freeze-drying some of the produce so Brian ordered a freeze dryer. When it arrived, it weighed as much as a medium sized refrigerator. It wasn’t something you moved into the kitchen for canning every Thursday, so he and Jenna went into town to a building materials dealer on the edge of town. A man sold his garden sheds on sale there and he agreed to custom build a 12x20 building for them. It only took a couple of weeks to deliver it and it was perfect for freeze-drying and dehydrating the foods. Brian had an electrician come out and run power out to the building and Brian laid down some good vinyl flooring and built work tables for the freeze-dryer and the dehydrators. They also purchased another impulse sealer, Mylar bags of various sizes and another vacuum sealer for the prep area.
Wondering if a sketch/drawing is available for viewing? I'm having a hard time trying to visualize this. Counter or counters along the side walls or a long counter down the center?
Please feel free to show the locations and layout of the various pieces of equipment.
Did he build this in conjunction with the idea of a future outside kitchen, canning area?
Thanks, Cedar Lake.
I can only draw flies in the summertime, so let me see if I can describe this.The building is 12'X20', with two windows and a door on one side. Flanking the doors and windows are 18" shelves. The opposite wall has the 24" deep Formica covered work benches along the entire length with enough room for two freeze driers and three dehydrators. There is room between all of them to take the trays out/off to empty and stack them. Eight GFCI outlets are spaced down the wall above the bench. Eight feet above the floor on the dehydrator.freeze dry side of the room are four 12'x24 inch windows to allow for cross-ventilation. In the center of the room is a 9' work island with more storage space for vacuum seal and Mylar bags. The island also has four GFCI outlets. Approximate cost of the building is $19,000, minus any sweat equity He wants to put into it.
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Post by cedarlake on Jun 7, 2022 19:11:07 GMT -6
I can only draw flies in the summertime, so let me see if I can describe this.The building is 12'X20', with two windows and a door on one side. Flanking the doors and windows are 18" shelves. The opposite wall has the 24" deep Formica covered work benches along the entire length with enough room for two freeze driers and three dehydrators. There is room between all of them to take the trays out/off to empty and stack them. Eight GFCI outlets are spaced down the wall above the bench. Eight feet above the floor on the dehydrator.freeze dry side of the room are four 12'x24 inch windows to allow for cross-ventilation. In the center of the room is a 9' work island with more storage space for vacuum seal and Mylar bags. The island also has four GFCI outlets. Approximate cost of the building is $19,000, minus any sweat equity He wants to put into it. Thank you for the written description, it makes it so much clearer how every thing is arranged. I worked with blueprints and drawings for 45 years, so this helps out a lot. Cedar Lake
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