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Post by gipsy on Jun 18, 2022 6:33:03 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by CountryGuy on Jun 18, 2022 9:53:02 GMT -6
My faith is restored, she's a good girl and not a 'Dinger' lol
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Post by sniper69 on Jun 19, 2022 17:42:54 GMT -6
Hope none of the pics have any howlers in the background.
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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 19, 2022 19:57:22 GMT -6
Jason is done cupid has struck. Thanks
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 20, 2022 22:06:48 GMT -6
Chapter 37
It was in the low 40s when Jason began his run. He started off slow to warm up even though he had worn thin poly-pro underwear beneath his sweat suit. Before he got to the eight mile mark it was raining steadily, enough he had to wipe the rain out of his eyes often. By the time he arrived back to the trailer, he was completely soaked, in fact, soggy. He took off his sweats and shoes on the steps and went inside. The rain had turned into a cold downpour. Shivering, he stripped off the poly-pro and his socks, retrieved his shoes and threw the clothing into the washer. Jason took a hot shower and made a cup of tea. This was going to be good for Brian’s lake but it was nasty to be out in.
Jason turned on the TV and tuned to the weather channel. States to the northwest were taking a beating with a weather storm, a lot of snow and ice. This area was on the very edge of the storm system but probably would only see this damned cold rain. Jason took one of the Comice pears out of the fruit bowl and got his computer out to read for a while.
The horses weren’t too interested in venturing out into the cold rain so Brian fed them a little hay and gave each a half scoop of oats. On the way back to the Lodge, Brian checked the food and water and gathered eggs from the chicken coop. Going up on the porch, he pulled off his ankle-high rubber boots and rain suit before going inside. The smell of baking bread rushed his senses as he opened the door.
“It’s nasty out there!” Brian said.
“I made some hot chocolate. Want some?” Jenna asked.
“I think that would hit the spot.”
“Cassidy. No, we’re socked in here too. Park it at Belle Chasse or Ellington. I don’t think we’ll be getting ice and snow but we’re getting a hell of a lot of rain. Give me three or four days to let the runway area dry out.”
Jenna gave the étouffée a stir and placed the lid back on the Dutch oven. The rice was done and she placed out dishes on the table. Brian came back from adding wood to the outdoor furnace and took off his coat and hat.
“Man! What are you cooking? It smells delicious!.”
“Shrimp étouffée. I thought it would go pretty good in weather like this.” Jenna said.
They weather was still raw and cold. The first bite he took spread a warmth through his body. The heat from the hot sauce wasn’t hot enough to be distressing, but just right. Brian ended up eating two soup bowls the stew over rice.
“I’ve still got half of a pot of the stew left. I just need to make more rice.” Jenna said.
“God! It’s better the next day.” Brian said, leaning back in his chair and taking a big drink of iced tea to cool his pipes.
“How far do you think this rain will fill the lake up?”
“Depends on how long and how hard it rains. A few acres at the most, probably.”
Brian walked over and checked the weather station on the wall. “Unless the rain gauge has emptied already, we’ve received almost three and a half inches today.”
They finished the dishes and settled down in the great room. Neither felt like numbing their brain with the boob tube so Jenna put on some soft music and they read the rest of the evening.
“Have you eaten yet?” Freya asked.
“No, but aren’t you supposed to be in school?” Jason asked.
“I usually have two classes but one of the the instructors was out and they didn’t have a replacement for my second class. I stopped by the Country Express and picked up two BBQ plates.”
“Well, I could eat. Give me a call and I’ll meet you at the gate.”
Jason hung up. “That was Freya. She had only one class today.” Jason explained to Jer.
“Why don’t you just give her a gate code.?” Jeremy asked.
“I can do that?”
“Sure. Pick a five digit code, press #79, your code, then #79 again. When you hear the two beeps, press #841 to lock it in.” Jeremy explained.
“I’ll go do that now. Thanks Jer.”
Jason programmed in a code for Freya and 15 minutes after he got back to the trailer Freya called. He gave her the code to enter and she was there in about 3 minutes. Jason went out with an umbrella and helped her bring the food containers in.”
“When did you get a code for me?” Freya asked.
“I programmed it in a little while ago while you were on your way back from Mena.”
Freya kissed Jason on the cheek. “You know this means I’ll be around more often, don’t you?”
“Well, make sure you call ahead.”
“Why?”
“So many women, so little time. I have to pace myself.”
Freya pinched Jason on the waste. “You better not be!”
Jason tossed the plasticware and got them real silverware. Freya got two beers out of the fridge and they sat down at the dinette.
“Mmmmm. This is good BBQ!” Jason said.
“Tom Cruise liked it.” Freya said, picking meat off the rib bone.
“How’s that?”
“They filmed scenes in Mena when the made the move American Made.”
“Don’t think I saw it.” Jason said. “What’s it about?"
“It’s the story of Barry Seal, a pilot and drug runner for the CIA back in the 1980s. Cruise played Seal.”
“Never paid any attention to that movie. I did like his Mission Impossible movies though.”
Jason thoroughly enjoyed the five-bone serving of baby backs, the collard greens, steak fries, BBQ beans and cornbread.
They finished eating and tossed the containers in the trash compactor. Jason poured a couple of glasses of wine and they sat on the sofa.
“How was class today?” Jason asked.
“Pharmacology…it was a breeze. They canceled my Microbiology class this afternoon but I’m not worried. I’m carrying a 3.8 GPA now.”
“Aren’t you the smart cookie!” Jason said.
“Well, it’s easy when you’re interested in the subject, and we have instructors that make it so.” Freya said. “What did you do today?”
“Other than programming in your personal gate code and folding my laundry, absolutely nothing. I laid around and caught up on reading.”
“You didn’t mind me stopping by did you?”
“Not at all! I love having you around. You brought brightness to an otherwise dreary day.”
Freya scooted over and snuggled up against Jason, who put his arm around her.
“You could become habit-forming.” Jason said.
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Post by gipsy on Jun 21, 2022 6:02:48 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by solo on Jun 21, 2022 8:41:33 GMT -6
I hope my musings about red flags didn't change chapter 36 for you. But it was indeed a great chapter.
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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 21, 2022 9:18:24 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 21, 2022 14:30:07 GMT -6
I hope my musings about red flags didn't change chapter 36 for you. But it was indeed a great chapter. Not at all. Sometimes I like to feint with the right and follow through with the left.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 21, 2022 17:30:00 GMT -6
Chapter 38
The same cold, clammy rain continued for three more days. Enough rain fell that about 1/3 of the lake held at least three feet of water. Some of the fish habitats were now covered with water. Jason continued with his routine every morning, but cut his run to six miles. He took a quick trip into Fort Smith to Academy Sports and purchased a boot drier to dry his running shoes and to purchase another pair of shoes. That way, the low heat would be able to dry the wet pair out and he could just keep switching shoes.
Friday’s dawn showed broken clouds and freezing temperatures. Jason could see the morning light reflecting off the wind-generated ripples further down the lake. He stretched and took off up the trail until he hit level ground then opened up to a six minute pace. By 7:40 he was back, walking the run off. When he walked into the trailer his phone was ringing.
“Palmer.”
“Jason, Jeremy. I could use your help for a couple of hours in the morning.”
“You’ve got it. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up at 0630.”
“Roger that.”
Jeremy ended the call and Jason got his shower and got dressed. Going into the kitchenette area, Jason put on a tea kettle and selected a K-cup of Colombian. He sliced a couple of slices of bread and set them aside. Taking out the frying pan, he laid out four slices of bacon. While they were cooking, Jason buttered the slices of bread and taking a small glass, cut a hole out of the center of each slice. Jason finished cooking the bacon and laid the strips out on a paper towel to drain. He poured the grease out of the pan into his grease can and laid the toast and the cutouts in the pan to lightly toast. Flipping the bread over, Jason cracked an egg into each bread hole and cooked the eggs until the yolks were barely runny. Taking the eggs in the hole and the cutouts out of the frying pan, he place the K-cup in the coffee maker, poured the boiling water into the camper coffee maker, pressed down on the top and forced the water through the K-cup, making a fresh cup of coffee. He got the bowl of cut up melon out of the fridge and sat down to his breakfast.
He was sopping up the last of the runny egg with one of the cutouts when his phone rang.
“Palmer.”
“Good morning!”
“Good morning, Freya, headed to school?”
“Yeah, I’ve got a full day today. What are you doing tomorrow?”
“I promised Jeremy I would help him with a couple of things in the morning, but it will only take a couple of hours. Why, what’s up?”
“Would you consider going up to Branson to see a show?” Freya asked.
“Isn’t that about a three and a half hour drive? That’s a long day’s drive just to see a show.”
“We could…..we could stay overnight and come back Sunday.”
Jason was silent for a moment. “Is that something you want to do?”
“Yes.”
“Very well then. Jeremy is picking me up at 0630 and he said it would only take a couple of hours. If you want, you can wait for me here and I can get ready when I get back then we can leave.”
“That sounds good. I’ll be late getting back from Mena so I guess I’ll see you in the morning then.” Freya said.
“Okay. You have a good day. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Whew!” Jason thought.
Jeremy looked at the weather forecast. The temperatures would be down in the 20s again tonight so the pasture/airfield would be solid enough in the morning to take the weight of an aircraft with the grid reinforcement. He drove over to the Lodge and he and Brian put the forks on the tractors and checked the fuel and oils.
“Do you need any help in the morning?” Brian asked.
“No, I’m going to use Jason, get him a little more involved. You can sleep in and play with Momma.” Jeremy grinned.
The next morning Jason was waiting for Jeremy as he pulled up. Jason got into the truck and they headed out the gate to the Lodge.
“What are we doing this morning?” Jason asked.
“We’ve got a couple of pallets coming in and I want to get them offloaded and stored away. I’ve got two tractors we can haul them directly to the bunker without loading them onto a trailer then off-loading them.”
They parked the truck by the equipment shed and got the tractors out, letting them run a little bit to let the heaters warm up the cabs. Jeremy led the way down to the south pasture and they waited off to the side. At 0715, they saw the Arava pop through the small pass to the south and fly to the west then banked around to line up with the runway. Jeremy popped smoke and the aircraft slowed, made a couple of adjustments and touched down. Reversing its props, it came to a stop. As the clamshell was opened, Jeremy and Jason drove the tractors out, offloaded the pallets, Jeremy leading the way for the range. The aircraft clamshell was closed and locked and the aircraft turned around and took off.
Joe was waiting for them with the bunker door open and a pallet jack standing by. Jeremy set his pallet partially in the double-door and Joe used the jack to further move the pallet inside. Jason did the same. Jason followed Jeremy back to the equipment shed and parked the tractors. They had taken less than an hour.
As they drove up to the trailer, they noticed Freya’s car was sitting there.
“Well, she’s here early.” Jeremy commented.
“She wants to go to Branson today to see a show. We’ll be back tomorrow.”
Jeremy grinned. “That girl is going to get her claws hooked into you.”
Jason looked over as he opened the door. “Too late.”
Freya got out of the car as Jason walked up.
“I’m sorry Freya, I should have left you a key.”
“That’s fine.”
“Let me go change clothes. I didn’t even break a sweat.” Jason said.
Freya followed Jason in and waited in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water out of the Berkey. Jason was soon back out with an overnight bag in his hand. He handed Freya a key.
“There, you won’t be locked out now.”
Freya grinned and put the key on her keyring. Jason locked up and Freya got her bag out of her car and placed it in the back seat of the truck. Jason warmed the truck up and they headed for Waldron. He stopped at a service station and filled up all the tanks on the truck. Freya was watching as the gallons ticked away on the pump. When it was filled, Jason asked her if she wanted anything.
“No, I’m good. How much diesel does this thing hold?”
“It will hold 100 gallons. I only filled the auxiliary tanks.”
They drove out of Waldron and turned on Highway 23, headed for Booneville.
“What show do you want to see in Branson?” Jason asked.
“The Petersen Family. They are a very talented family.”
“Never heard of them.” Jason replied.
“Wait!” Freya pulled up her YouTube app on her phone and selected a video. It was the family playing ‘Blue,’ and a blond girl singing.
“She’s pretty good.” Jason said.
“They are wonderful! I watch every YouTube video I can find of them!”
Their talking made the trip go fast and they arrived at 12:00 noon in Branson. Jason had reserved a suite at the Branson Hillside. It had two bedrooms and it would give Freya a chance to discreetly back out of sleeping in the same bed as he, if that was what she wanted. They put their bags in the room and the concierge secured them tickets and gave them directions to the theater. The show didn’t start until 2:30 so they took a hotel car to a restaurant within walking distance of the theater and had lunch. They both had steak medallions with a garlic mushroom sauce and drank iced tea. Twenty minutes before the show started, they walked to the theater and got their seats.
The show was enjoyable and they were a very energetic family. All were very talented. Then they changed direction on Jason when the girl that played the fiddle started talking.
“We are so happy to be back here at Branson Country. Our next song is dedicated to the men and women in our armed services. When we were growing up, we moved about every two years with our father being in the Air Force. We met so many awesome men a women who sacrifice so much to ensure our quality of life and the freedoms we enjoy today, many of them made the ultimate sacrifice. This song, ‘More Than A Name On A Wall,’ was written by Jimmy Fortune and is one of our favorite songs.”
As Jason followed the words of the solemn song, visions of the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial filled his mind, and all the other small memorials he had been a part of through his time in the military. A tear formed in the corner of his eye and slowly rolled down his cheek. Freya looked at Jason and did a double-take. She took hold of his hand, interlaced their fingers and gently wiped the tear away.
When the show was over, They walked hand-in-hand out to the waiting car and got in. No words were exchanged until they got back to the hotel.
“Sorry for the display. When you are a part of something like that, you don’t want to think about the families left back home. It’s tough enough losing a buddy, so you try not to think of what the family is going through back home. Have you ever been to the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington?”
Freya shook her head.
“When you walk down the walk in front of the wall, you can feel the emotions of millions of people hovering in that dark slit in the ground. You can reach over and touch the black granite and a surge goes through your body. I have never been to a place that pulls so many emotions from your soul.”
“Did you enjoy the show?”
“Oh yes! It’s just that one song hit me when I wasn’t expecting it.”
“It shows you have compassion. I love you Jason Palmer.”
“Freya, you are everything I have dreamed about in a woman. I wake in the morning thinking about you and go to sleep with you in my dreams. I love you so much I want to run to the top of the dam at Washita Lake and scream it out to the world!”
“Why don’t you order some room service.” Freya smiled. “We’re not leaving this room until it’s time to go home tomorrow.”
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Post by gipsy on Jun 21, 2022 18:08:57 GMT -6
One down for the count. Thanks for the update.
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Post by bluefox2 on Jun 21, 2022 18:58:38 GMT -6
One down for the count. Thanks for the update. YUP. And for those who haven't seen the Wall do so. even if it is the travelling version. I have seen both. The description here is very true. I am of that generation although I did not go my two younger brothers did. thankfully their names are not on that memorial. It is very powerful. If you are a Nam vet and scared to go, don't be. You have brothers and sisters there who will stand beside you. I would stand beside you.
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Post by gipsy on Jun 21, 2022 19:15:09 GMT -6
Been there done that
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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 22, 2022 9:46:51 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by 9idrr on Jun 22, 2022 18:00:15 GMT -6
One down for the count. Thanks for the update. YUP. And for those who haven't seen the Wall do so. even if it is the travelling version. I have seen both. The description here is very true. I am of that generation although I did not go my two younger brothers did. thankfully their names are not on that memorial. It is very powerful. If you are a Nam vet and scared to go, don't be. You have brothers and sisters there who will stand beside you. I would stand beside you. Probably won't ever get around to it, ain't into travelin' much these days. Only reason I might get on a plane would be to piss on Hank's daughter's grave, if'n she was to go before I do. Sure is gonna be a long line for that.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 22, 2022 20:11:58 GMT -6
Chapter 39
Brian rode down to the dam to check the lake out. He estimated about 1/3 of the lake had water in it, however the overflow pipe was still far above the water level. He rode on around the shoreline to the small stream that flowed into the lake and it was flowing pretty good. Small rivulets were still flowing out of the hills from the water seeping down through the soil and flowing over the clay and limestone layers. Heading on around, he pulled up to his Dad’s place and knocked on the door. Jeremy was on the phone when he answered the door and just waved Brian on in.
“Okay, I’ll keep my eyes open.” Jeremy said and ended the connection. Brian heard the beeps as the phone went non-secure.
“The lake is filling up pretty fast.” Jeremy said.
“Yeah, but it’s going to take a while.”
“Maybe we’ll have a wet Spring.”
“I hope so. I really would like to get stocked by mid-July.”
Jason woke up spooned against Freya. She was sleeping soundly. He eased out of bed, grabbed his bag and went into the bathroom. After using the toilet, he slipped on a pair of Ranger panties, went back out to the sitting area and did his push-ups and sit ups. Freya stirred and opened her eyes, watching Jason with his eyes closed, silently counting off the repetitions. She sat up in bed and brushed her hair out of her eyes. Pulling her knees up, she wrapped her arms around her legs. Jason heard the rustle and opened his eyes.
“You are beautiful in the morning.” Jason said.
“Thank you Sir. You don’t look bad yourself.” Freya said, smiling.
“Hungry?” Jason asked.
“After last night? I’m starving!”
“It’s ten o’clock, let me call room service and order brunch.”
“Let me grab a quick shower.” Freya said.
“I’ll help you!” Jason said, with a devilish grin.”
“Oh no you don’t! We’ll never get out before the food gets here!” Freya chided him.
Freya took her shower, followed by Jason. Jason dressed in a pair of jeans, pullover shirt and slipped on a pair of Moose hide top-siders for walking around. The food came and was set out on the table for them. When the waiter poured the coffee, Jason tipped the guy and let him out. They waiter had laid out an assortment of juices, white wine spritzers and coffee along with Fruit Danishes, Coffee Cake and Spinach and Garlic Frittatas. Freya ended up picking up Coffee Cake crumbs with a wet finger, having devoured her half of everything.
“Feel better?” Jason asked, chuckling.
“Hush! I told you I was starving!”
“There’s still a strawberry Danish left.” Jason said.
“Ae you sure?” Freya asked, stabbing it with her fork before he could change his mind.
Jason poured more coffee into his cup and freshened Freya’s. He reached over and picked up a visitor’s packet on a side table and leafed through it. Finding what he was looking for, he wrote some things down on a notepad and placed the paper in his pocket.
“What’s that?” Freya asked.
“Just something I want to check on.”
Brian took the bunch of carrots out of the root cellar and dumped them in the bucket. Hanging the bucket back up, he took two carrots out and slapped them against the metal bucket. The two horses lifted their heads and trotted over to the barn. Brian fed a carrot to each and rubbed their heads. He got the brush out of the tack room and gave them a good brushing. When he finished, they kicked up their heels and trotted around the pasture, feeling better. Brian put the brush away and went to gather eggs. He carried the eggs to the Lodge where Jenna was doing laundry.
“Brian, could you get me another bottle of laundry detergent out of the storage room?”
“Sure. Anything else?”
Jenna shook another bottle. “And a bottle of the color brightener.”
“Coming right up.”
Brian subtracted the bottles off the inventory clipboard and carried them back to Jenna.
“How’s you Sam’s and COSTCO list?” Brian asked.
“We could use a few things.” Jenna replied.
“Let’s plan to go Tuesday then.”
Jason and Freya pulled in at the trailer at 4:00 PM. Jason got their bags out and placed Freya’s in her car. She unlocked the trailer door and went in, heading immediately to the bathroom. Jason heard the toilet flush and the faucet run before she came out.
“Do you want something to drink?” Jason asked.
“Just a glass of water. I’m going to have to get home and do some studying before class tomorrow.”
“Well, I enjoyed our weekend. Maybe we can do it again sometime.”
Freya put her arms around Jason and laid her head on his chest.
“It was everything I dreamed it would be.”
Freya pulled his head down and kissed him. “I love you. I’ll give you a call and stop by if you’re here tomorrow after school.”
“Okay. You be careful.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Jason watched as she backed up and turned around. Her tail lights slowly disappearing through the trees.
The next morning, Freya called Jason on the way to school. Jason waited about 30 minutes then went over to the Maguire house. He knocked on the door and Emma answered.
“Well hello Jason!”
“Mrs. Maguire, could I come in and talk to your husband?”
“Jason, call me Emma. Yes, please come in.”
Jason followed her into the den where Sean was seated, watching the news. When Sean saw who was there he used the remote to mute the TV.
“Have a seat Jason!” Sean motioned.
"Mr. Maguire, I fell for Freya the first time I saw her. Her beautiful eyes made me stop in my tracks, and I told myself that if I didn't attempt to meet her that I would regret it for the rest of my life. I’ve gotten to know her and have fallen head over heels in love. I’d like to ask you for your permission to ask her to be my wife.”
Sean rubbed his chin and stared at Jason. “How do you expect to support her?”
“Sir, I still do contracting jobs for the government, but I already have enough money invested and saved I wouldn’t have to work again. Freya would never have to go without.”
“Be careful, you might spoil her.”
“That’s exactly what I plan to do.” Jason grinned.
Sean chuckled. “Well, you have my blessing, and I assume Emma’s too.”
“Of course he has my blessing!” Emma said, wiping her eyes.
“You know Jason, there’s a 276 acre farm over next to the Fourche LaFave River that’s for sale.” Sean said. “The home place burned down a few years ago but they’ve been renting it out to run cattle on. I hear tell you could pick it up reasonable like.”
“Who would I see about that?”
“Alice Morris in town is the realtor.” Emma said.
“I’ll have a look at it.” Jason said.
Jason headed back to the lake and on the way through Waldron, saw the sign for Morris Reality. Luckily, Alice was in. Jason inquired about the property and was told that people around just couldn’t afford to buy it. The family wanted to sell and wanted $2621.00 an acre. Jason got a copy of the property map and said he would see her later.
He had other things to take care of right now.
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Post by gipsy on Jun 22, 2022 20:41:18 GMT -6
Takin bets that the next stop is a jewelry store. Thanks for the update.
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Post by texican on Jun 22, 2022 21:22:42 GMT -6
“Sorry for the display. When you are a part of something like that, you don’t want to think about the families left back home. It’s tough enough losing a buddy, so you try not to think of what the family is going through back home. Have you ever been to the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington?”
Freya shook her head.
“When you walk down the walk in front of the wall, you can feel the emotions of millions of people hovering in that dark slit in the ground. You can reach over and touch the black granite and a surge goes through your body. I have never been to a place that pulls so many emotions from your soul.”
ncs,
Have walked the Wall and what you wrote is what happens to you. When I think about the Wall, I can still see it.
So many great men and women lost in a war that we should not have been in for the war was managed by DC which lost the war. Just like Afghanistan which was lost by Biden.
Texican....
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Post by freebirde on Jun 22, 2022 21:46:51 GMT -6
Vietnam towards the end was not fought to be won, it was fought for the same reason most wars since then were fought, to remove the 'sheepdogs' from our society and to a lesser extent to find the useful 'wolves' to use as needed. That is also the reason the VA medical and support system is so underfunded and mismanaged. Parinoia or truth, depends on how close you look.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Jun 24, 2022 9:39:23 GMT -6
Chapter 40
Jason rode over to see Jeremy, taking the copied map with him.
“Hey Jason, what’s up?”
“Jer, I’ve got an opportunity to purchase some land that’s just south of here. I wanted to check it against your map and see where it is in relation to the Washita land.”
“Sure, come on in.”
Jeremy pulled out the aerial photo and they checked it against the map.
“Yeah, you see this strip here? That part is actually part of the Ouachita National Forest. That strip is only about ½ mile wide between the property you’re interested in and the Washita Lake tract. There is a trail here that goes to the dam from the area of your property. Looks like you have about ½ mile shoreline on the Fourche LaFave. Nice piece of property.”
“Jer, I’m going to ask Freya to marry me.”
“Well good for you! That will be a nice place to start out on.”
“That’s what I was thinking. I need to line up a builder, get a new well dug and see about setting everything off-grid.”
“Well, talk to Brian about the off-grid stuff. He found someone who’s excellent at that. He set me up here and I’ve not had one problem.”
“Good. I’ll get over and talk to him then.”
Jason returned to the trailer, called his Trust account manager, and had him free up $700,000 dollars for now. He would need more as they started planning the house, well, septic system and the off-grid power. He would call him when it was time to cut the escrow check and the payout. Walking into his bedroom, he opened the safe and pulled out the small box that held his mother’s engagement and wedding rings. The engagement ring held a 1 caret diamond and the wedding ring was loaded with diamonds. He’d need to talk to Emma to see what ring size Freya wore and probably have to get it resized. Replacing the ring box back in the safe, Jason drew a glass of water out of the Berkey and added ice. Leaning against the cabinet, his thoughts raced through his mind.
”I’ve been in this fight for longer than front-line troops usually are. I did it because America is in the middle of the Revolution that won’t be won for years. It’s going to be bloody and loved ones will suffer. I’ve finally found something tangible that I love with all my heart. I’m going to build something that I can insulate her from what is coming from the evil that is trying to sweep the right into the dustbins of history.”
Jason finished his water and placed the glass in the sink, retrieved the ring box and headed back to Waldron. On the way he made a call.
“Emma, this is Jason. You wouldn’t happen to know what size ring Freya wears would you?”
“Jason, she wears a size 7, like I do.”
“Thanks Emma. I’ll talk to you later.”
Jason drove by the realtor’s and made an appointment to go see the land the next afternoon.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where I could get a topographic map of the land would you?”
“Why yes, I have a printer I use that can print out maps from PDF files to a plotter. What maps would you like?”
She showed him a map with the topo sectors and he picked out maps that would cover from the river all the way up to old highway 17. He paid her and left, heading out of town up 71 to Fort Smith. Stopping outside of Fort Smith, he did an internet search for jewelry stores, found one that was rated 5 stars and headed for it. When he got there, he was pleased, at least with the façade, so far.
“I’d like to get a ring resized.”
“Certainly.” The assistant said. “What do you need it resized to?”
“A size 7.” Jason answered.
The man pulled out a ring size mandrel and slipped the rings, one at a time, on it.”
“Sir, these are already a size seven.”
Jason smiled.
“Do you clean jewelry?”
“Of course, would you like these cleaned? I can have these ready in about an hour.”
“Yes please.”
Jason gave him his information and headed to Sam’s club to pick up batteries. He purchased cards of Duracell AA, AAA, D & C cell, 9 volt, 2032 and A23s plus a battery organizer case. He had time so Jason headed over to Bass Pro and purchased a Lenser H19R Core headlamp. He wanted something with a few more lumens. Checking his watch, he headed back to the jewelry store, paid for the cleaning and headed back to Washita Lake. Feeling a little hungry when he got back to the trailer, he toasted a couple of grill cheese sandwiches and heated up a can of vegetable soup.
Jason putted around and did a little cleaning until Freya called on her way back home from school. She stopped by and Jason fixed her a light snack of cheese, sliced melon and water crackers.
“How was your day?” Jason asked.
“I got an ‘A’ on my project. Next week are finals.”
“So, where will that put you?”
“I’ll have an associate’s degree in Nursing. That will give me all types if avenues to pursue; I just haven’t decided which way to go. They are all interesting.”
“What do you have going on tomorrow?”
“Nothing really. I just have to start reviewing my notes and go back over the chapter questions. Why?”
“I need you to help me with something tomorrow afternoon.”
“What?”
“I’ll show you tomorrow.” Jason grinned.
“THAT’S NOT FAIR! Now I’ll be up all night wondering…”
“Maybe you could stay the night and I could soothe your inquisitive mind?”
Freya slowly started grinning. “I keep a go bag in my car.”
“Well, call your mother so she doesn’t worry.”
When Jason woke up the next morning, he got up and put on a pair of Ranger panties then dropped down to do his push-ups.
As Jason finished his last push-up, he hopped up and swung his feet around so that he was in a sitting position. Freya sat up in the bed as he went through his two hundred-fifty sit ups He started to sweat for the last hundred or so.
“Do you do this every morning?” Freya asked.
“If I can, and do at least a five mile run.”
“No wonder your abs are so nice and hard.”
Jason checked the temperature outside and pulled on a set of sweats and his stocking hat.
“I’ll be back in about a half hour.”
“I’ll fix breakfast.” Freya replied.
When Jason got back and had done his cool-down, he went inside and took a quick shower. The bed had been made so he stripped down and took his shower and got dressed, tossing the wet sweats into the washer. Going into the common area, Freya was taking two plates of pancakes out of the convection oven and added a plate of bacon and a bowl of scrambled eggs. She set the butter and a jug of maple syrup on the dinette table.
“Looks good.” Jason said.
“So, what do you need my help with today?”
“Patience, My Love. I’ll show you this afternoon.”
Freya scowled.
When they finished breakfast and cleaned up, they went for a walk. Ending up at Jeremy’s, he invited them in for coffee.
“The septic is in and the well is almost finished for your pad.” Jeremy said.
“I probably won’t need it for long.” Jason said.
“That’s okay. When you leave, I’m going to put one of those tiny houses there and use it for a guest house.”
Freya sat listening to the conversation….and frowning.
Jeremy saw her expression and stifled a grin.
Jason’s phone rang and he stepped out to answer the call.
“This is a beautiful place you have here.” Freya said.
“Thank you. Would you like the $2 tour?”
By the time they’d finished, Jason stepped back inside.
“Freya, we need to head back. My appointment has been moved up.”
With a confused look on her face, Jason guided her back to the trailer and opened the passenger door of the truck for her.
They drove out the gate and drove down to Parks and turned left. Driving down about a mile and a half, the pulled up to a locked gate where a Jeep waited.
“What’s this?” Freya asked.
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Post by solo on Jun 24, 2022 10:51:29 GMT -6
"What's This?" What's This? Freya, this was a fine read for a Friday. That is What's This!!! Thank you!
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Post by gipsy on Jun 24, 2022 13:49:11 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by imahic on Jun 24, 2022 21:58:45 GMT -6
Thanks for the update. I too have been to the Wall twice. It is a very solemn place and I've never felt such a strong sensation as I did there. I did not serve as Uncle Sugar said I was medically unfit for military service when I was called for the draft after I got out of high school. At that time (1971) I wasn't exactly disappointed but as the years went by I have also felt like I missed something if that makes any sense. I have the utmost respect for those of you who have served. Thank you all for your service.
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Post by biggkidd on Jun 25, 2022 7:20:58 GMT -6
He sure likes the cliffs!
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Post by bluefox2 on Jun 25, 2022 9:42:55 GMT -6
Thanks for the update. I too have been to the Wall twice. It is a very solemn place and I've never felt such a strong sensation as I did there. I did not serve as Uncle Sugar said I was medically unfit for military service when I was called for the draft after I got out of high school. At that time (1971) I wasn't exactly disappointed but as the years went by I have also felt like I missed something if that makes any sense. I have the utmost respect for those of you who have served. Thank you all for your service. Support from the home folks is very important to the troops. Just thank them when you see them and help out wherever possible.
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