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Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2014 13:52:21 GMT -6
Enjoy while it lasts. There are a couple more chapters in the pipeline, but mostly empty outlines after that.
I have red and green M&Ms and some chocolate covered pretzels in the Hav-a-hart muse trap, but no luck yet :-(
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Post by kaijafon on Dec 29, 2014 15:12:15 GMT -6
Thank you for the Moar!!!
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Post by kaijafon on Dec 29, 2014 15:13:33 GMT -6
Enjoy while it lasts. There are a couple more chapters in the pipeline, but mostly empty outlines after that. I have red and green M&Ms and some chocolate covered pretzels in the Hav-a-hart muse trap, but no luck yet :-( I've found that Lay's potato chips is something my muse just loves.
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2014 15:26:42 GMT -6
Perhaps I should get a bag of Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles when I'm out?
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Post by freebirde on Dec 29, 2014 16:23:47 GMT -6
Chips might work or a bowl of buttery, salty popcorn with a chunck of sharp cheddar cheese. I think your muse is not a sweet one but a savory one
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 30, 2014 23:03:44 GMT -6
I tried a combo: tortilla chips, then Bleubell Cookies n Cream ice cream. Not sure which worked, but themuse was back for a little while.
---------------------
Chapter 166 - Tuesday, 1 June, morning
"Rise and shine, girls. Mike is already working on chores."
"Yes, Grandpa. What's for breakfast?"
"Something different, Terry, but I think you'll like it."
"What is it?"
"Not until chores are done and hands are washed."
"OK."
~~~
"You didn't bring in as many eggs as usual, Abby."
"Mister Gene, one of the hens got real mean when I tried to get her off the nest."
"I think I know which one. She's been getting broody, but we don't want any more chicks at the moment. Should we plan on chicken and dumplings tonight, Bill?"
"I think that would be a good ending for that hen."
" Do we hafta help kill and pluck her?"
"You don't have to help with the killing yet, Terry, but you're big enough to help with the plucking."
"But hot wet feathers stink! Can I skip eating the chicken if I don't pluck it?"
"That's one of the smells of providing your own food. If you don't help pluck, you don't eat chicken tonight or tomorrow or the next day, if there's any left - and you can't have eggs those days."
"But what would I eat?"
"Spinach, squash, green beans, collard greens..."
"I'll help pluck."
"Can I help kill it?"
"Yes, Mike. Do you want to wring its neck or chop off its head with a hatchet?"
"I don't know if I'm strong enough to wring its neck with the snap of my arm like you do, Grandpa."
"It's not so much about strength as it is about technique."
"How I swing my arm makes a difference?"
"Yes. We'll go outside and you can practice with a piece of wood the right size on the end of a short rope."
"Can I do it now?"
"No. We'll do that when you get home today. You don't have time now - you have other chores to finish before breakfast."
"OK."
~~~
"What smells so good?"
"Blueberry waffles, Mike."
"I don't remember having waffles before."
"I don't get the old waffle iron out often, Abby, but I thought you might like something different - and it's close to the pancakes that you beg for almost every other day."
"Where'd the blueberries come from?"
"Sandra and I canned them last year, Terry."
"It's kinda like we have a Grandma too, when we get the good stuff she made."
"I guess it is."
~~~
Ding! Ding!
"School bus, kids. Remember your homework and lunches."
"Bye, Grandpa."
"Bye, girls."
"Bye, Dad."
"Bye, Mike."
"Is the sketch done, Mike?"
"Not yet, Sherrie, but I think I'll finish tonight. If it seems like I'm staring at you and Josh today, I'm looking at details like freckles and eyelashes so I get them right."
"Not a problem, Mike."
"You need a boost today, Abby?"
"Thanks, Josh."
"Everyone seated?"
"Yes, Miss Alice."
"Giddyup!"
~~~
"Has anyone seen Paul?"
"Miss Alice?"
"Yes, Joey?"
"I heard he hurt his ribs. Maybe he fell off the horse he found and is trying to break? If he hurts very much, he probably won't be back at school this week."
"Thank you, Joey."
~~~
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 30, 2014 23:07:39 GMT -6
Chapter 167 - Tuesday, 1 June, noon
"You need to nap today, Abby?"
"Yes, Mike, but you don't hafta sit by the door and keep watch."
"No, I don't 'have to' but I plan to anyway."
"You're nice. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Abby."
"What are you doing here, Joey?"
" Did you really bust Paul's ribs with a bat?"
"No, but you might want to check behind you."
"What are you gonna do with that bat, Sherrie?"
"Put it back in the closet unless someone gives me a reason to use it - again."
"You hit Paul?"
" Do you really need to know?"
"Maybe not. See you later."
"Thanks, Sherrie."
"I'm just looking out for my interests. If you get in a fight and your drawing hand is hurt, the sketch of Josh and me won't get finished this week. Since school ends Friday, I don't know when I'd have a chance to get it. I want you able to draw."
"Yes, ma'am. As you ordered, ma'am."
"I understand why Abby likes you so much, Mike. You care enough to skip lunch to guard while she sleeps, you thought ahead to carry water for the half bath, and you're funny. If you say anything about what I just said, I'll claim we never spoke - I just want you to know that I also think highly of you."
"Thank you, Sherrie. Josh mentioned something about maybe being able to make guns in the machine shop. Do you know if he's been successful?"
"He test-fired the lever action .223 prototype yesterday - but don't tell anyone. He wants to do more testing and then have them available at Trade Day."
"That's great!"
"Josh is very happy with the first one. He hopes to have five or six more finished before Sunday."
" Does he need any help? I don't know much about building rifles, but I've learned a lot about finishing wood - assuming he's using wood stocks."
"He could use some help with sanding and staining the stocks. I'll tell him you're interested. Would you consider a rifle as payment?"
"I would, but I don't know if I'm ready for a gun with that much recoil. Maybe I could try it sometime?."
"I'll ask."
"Thanks, Sherrie."
~~~
"Hello the house!"
"Hello, Bill. What brings you this way?"
"Carl, I need to pick Mabel's brain a bit."
"Something about one of the girls?"
"Yes, Mabel. I think you know what we found at Marion, but Terry didn't see anything and Abby just noted in her journal that the school seemed 'kinda scary'."
"And you wonder how they didn't see the things that were going on at the school?"
"Exactly. At other times they seemed to pick up on much less brutal things than that."
"How many of those 'other times' involved someone they knew?"
"Now that you mention it, all of them."
"Most children only know of things that will directly affect them, a family member or someone they know well. We know that a seer's - what should I call it? - 'range', maybe? - anyway, both the physical distance and the degree of acquaintance that a seer can work with increase with age and experience. We don't have much historic documentation of ages and associated distances because the efforts to keep information within the affected families often resulted in people taking their knowledge to the grave. Things have improved a little in the past 20 years or so, as a few of the families have become less secretive and more willing to share."
"So 'kinda scary' was a good description, considering the distance and the lack of connection to any person there?"
"I understand that none of the people from here were harmed. That makes Abby's description very good as it had no local connection. The ability usually peaks around puberty and then wanes but considering their ages and abilities, Abby and Terry may be a couple of the rare lifetime seers. Lexi might be as well - she knew that Kate was 'more alive', even if she couldn't explain what she 'saw'. Some of the things she saw when she was with Abby and Terry may have been influenced by their abilities because the two of them are older and stronger than she is. We'll have to wait and watch as her abilities mature to know if she'll be a lifetime seer."
"If the kids will become more aware over time, what keeps them from being overwhelmed by the things that happen around them?"
"You remember seeing a lesson plan in the book Abby took home, Bill?"
"Yes."
"Because you're family - I know, distant kin, but you're still family - I think you should work with Abby and Terry. Talk to Kate about whether she would want to borrow the book and work with Lexi or have Lexi in class with the other two for an hour or two a week. In either case, you should start with the lessons on 'filtering'."
"Making the ability selective?"
"Selective to person, place, and/or type of event. As they get older, even direction - as in North or East."
"That narrow a list of things they'd respond to?"
" Depends on circumstances. If a family member is away in bad weather, being more 'tuned in' to that person and their location would give greater range for that person and would block out the guy who hit his thumb with a hammer, while still noticing someone thrown from a horse."
"I guess there are a lot of hit thumbs and stubbed toes as compared to more serious events. They can learn to screen out the noise but still get the useful information?"
"You hit the nail on the head, Bill."
"Thanks, Mabel. Looks as though I have some 'homework' to do before the kids get home."
"Be sure to let me know if you need more information."
"I will."
~~~
"Abby?"
"Yes, Mike?"
"Just checking that you're awake. Class starts in about five minutes."
"You put a pail of water in the half bath again today!"
"Just in case you needed it."
"Thanks, Mike. I'd hug you for being so nice but I don't think you'd get over being embarrassed in time to go to class."
"Probably not."
"I'll give you a rain check on the hug - at least until we get home. You're turning red again and I haven't even hugged you yet."
"I know."
~~~
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Post by ydderf on Dec 31, 2014 5:45:09 GMT -6
Thank you for the new postings. if your muse remains recalcitrant you could threaten to send it to visit me in the great white north if you like.
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Post by kaijafon on Dec 31, 2014 14:51:25 GMT -6
yay! Your Muse is back! thank you!
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TraditionalMW
New Member
Unexpected somethings are unexpected
Posts: 5
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Post by TraditionalMW on Dec 31, 2014 17:36:07 GMT -6
Really enjoying, thank you for sharing!
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 1, 2015 14:46:54 GMT -6
Chapter 168 - Tuesday, 1 June, afternoon
"Mike, Sherrie said you're interested in helping with my latest project."
"Yes, Josh. I don't know much about the metalworking part of it, but I can put a decent finish on wood."
"Can I talk with your Dad when we get to your house? He'll probably want to know what I'm doing and what parts of it you'd be doing."
"As far as I know, he's home today but might be out doing chores somewhere. You plan to walk home from our house?"
"I want all your family to load up in a wagon and come to the shop with me so I can get opinions on some other things I'm thinking of making for sale. Some of them will need painting or other finishing and while I plan to ask the other kids at Uncle Carl's if they want to work on these things, Abby and Terry might want to also."
"Starting your own business, Josh?"
"I guess. There's lots of things that were made in China that we can't get now, so I plan to make longer lasting versions of them for sale or trade. Aunt Mabel gave me some ideas; y'all may have more."
"You'll have a table at Trade Day?"
"Yes."
"You should have samples of things you might make on display and ask people what else they might need. Have a pencil and paper to write their ideas down."
"Good idea. Thanks, Mike."
~~~
"Mike, you need me to show you which hen it is?"
"Thanks, Abby."
"If you think you can get over being embarrassed, I'll give you the hug here in the chicken house and no one else will see."
"OK, I guess..."
"Hey! You said hug - you didn't say anything about a kiss!"
"It was just a peck on your cheek. You'll survive."
"You coulda warned me."
"You might've run away and I can't run fast enough to catch you right now."
"Oh yeah - your ribs."
"And some other bruises that hurt when I try to run. Go find your Dad so Josh can talk to him. Grandpa said to look for him mending the fence around the goat area. Take some deep breaths and you won't be quite so red when you get there. He might think you're just excited about helping build rifles."
"Maybe."
~~~
"Let me get this straight, Josh. You're offering Mike one of the rifles you're making in exchange for him shaping and finishing stocks for some of them?"
"Yes, Mr. Simmons. If Mike does the finishing, I can have more time to do the casting and machining of the metal parts. I've completed one rifle, so I know how much time is required to finish a stock. My time would be better spent doing the metal work. I asked the other kids at Uncle Carl's but they're only interested in painting some of the small things I plan to make. They think the stocks are too much work. Mr. Mason, if Abby and Terry are interested, I might have some work for them."
"It seems that you've thought of just about everything, Josh. How would Mike and the girls get back and forth to the shop?"
" During the school year, they could ride home with us and I'll bring them back in a buggy. The rest of the time, I can come get them and bring them back."
"Abby?"
"I'd like to see what we'd be working on before I say 'yes', Grandpa."
"Me too."
"I'd like for all of you to come to the shop so I can show you what I have planned and where you'd be working. That way Mr. Simmons and Mr. Mason can see where you'll be and what you'll be doing. I'd also like suggestions on other things that you think are needed that I might be able to make."
"Kids, to the bathroom then get Rose out of her stall and over to the buggy. We can all ride over now."
"Yes!"
~~~
"I saw Grandma Betty using one of these - it's a jar lifter for canning."
"You're right, Abby."
"Why is the top of the barrel made this way?"
"That's a scope mount, Mike. Not knowing what's available, this one is designed to work with several different kinds of scopes."
"What's this?"
"Terry, it's for trimming a horse's hooves."
"This seems lighter than some of the others like it."
"I cast some of the juicers in aluminum and some in iron, Mike. The aluminum ones are much lighter."
" Do you have some kind of mark to put on things so people will know that you made it?"
"I hadn't thought about that, Abby. I guess I should have something that identifies me as the maker. Who could I get to design that?"
"Mike's doing the sketch of you and Sherrie. Tell him what you'd like in the logo and he can draw up some samples."
"You OK on that, Mike?"
"Yes, Josh. I just need to finish the sketch first."
"Yeah. Sherrie is getting kinda antsy about that because school's almost out. If you were coming here to work, getting the sketch to her wouldn't be a problem."
"I'll talk with my Dad tonight and let you know tomorrow."
"That's fine."
"We'll talk with Grandpa tonight."
"OK."
~~~
"Time to kill the chicken, Grandpa?"
"Time for you to practice the move to wring its neck."
"Hold the head like this, then swing and twist. When you get it right with the piece of wood and rope, you'll feel the snap."
"Like this?"
"A little less arm motion and a faster stop."
"Like this, then?"
"Twist your wrist a little more."
"The rope came off!"
"The rope is attached by some thin string. When you get the motion right, the string breaks."
"How do I get the hen out of the nest?"
"Your hand isn't big enough to cover her head completely, so slip this piece of black sock over her head to make her think it's dark and so she can't see you reaching for her with both hands. Tuck her body under your left arm and bring her out. Now grab her head in your right hand and do the motion you did before. Remember to follow through and to back up - she'll be running around like a chicken with her head cut off."
"Yucky joke, Grandpa."
"But you laughed, Abby."
~~~
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 1, 2015 14:49:47 GMT -6
Chapter 169 - Tuesday, 1 June, evening
"Grandpa, do you think Josh would let me work on the rifle stocks, too?"
"Are you thinking you'd like a bigger rifle, Abby?"
"That and I like working with wood."
"You understand that a bigger rifle will have more recoil and be less comfortable to shoot?"
"Yes. You have rubber pads on some of your rifles. Could I get one of those?"
"The recoil pads I have only fit certain stocks. You would need to have the butt of the stock match whichever recoil pad I have available."
"If I made the stock, I could make it to fit."
"And you'd need to cut the stock down a little so it would fit your body."
"I could figure that out from the stock on the .22. Do you have a scope that will work on it?"
"Possibly. Why do you want a scope? Going deer hunting, maybe?"
"It just seems important to learn to use a scope with that rifle."
"You were absolutely correct the last time you had a 'seems important' comment, Abby. From you, that's an excellent reason. I think you could do a good job of the detailed woodwork needed to fit the stock to the rest of the rifle, but Josh would probably need some convincing. You should show him some of the things you've carved and see if he likes your work."
"So I should take some of the whistles and other things?"
"I think your necklace with the letters of your name carved from a single piece of wood, a whistle and the recorder would be very convincing. You could even play a tune on the recorder."
"Which tune?"
"Something fun might be good. You know a number of songs - pick one or two that you like."
"You're smart, Grandpa."
"I know - some of your smarts rub off on me every time you hug me."
"You're silly, too."
"I guess that's the downside to having your smarts rub off on me - some of your silliness rubs off at the same time."
"Grandpa!"
~~~
" Dad, how much does a .223 rifle kick? More than the .410 shotgun?"
"More than the .410, Mike, but not a lot more. If I show you how to lean into the recoil, you might be OK with it. You're thinking of taking Josh up on his offer of a rifle for your work?"
"If me working there is OK with you."
"You wanting to work is fine, as long as it doesn't impact your school work when school is in session or your chores year round. I'm proud of you for seeking out work."
"Thanks, Dad."
"You also have some work to do outside."
"Outside? My chores are done."
"Well, I guess it's only important if you want to eat tonight."
"Eat? Oh, yeah. I kill the chicken today!"
"For your first time, change into some old clothes - you may not want blood on what you're wearing."
"OK."
~~~
"Slow down, Mike."
"Slow down? But I didn't get the head off. How will doing it slower help?"
"Remember that I said it's the abruptness of the stop, not the speed of your arm?"
"I remember, Grandpa. It was another word I had to look up in the dictionary."
"Try it that way. Remember the twist of your wrist."
"It worked!"
"Now you can pick up the chicken and I'll hang it by its feet to drain the blood. The water in the big pot is heating, so we'll be ready to use the hot water to loosen the feathers after the blood has drained out."
" Do I hafta pluck it, Grandpa?"
"Same deal as the last time you asked, Terry. No pluck; no eat."
"I guess I hafta."
~~~
"Will you get the sketch finished tonight, Mike?"
"I think so, Abby. There's only a little more detail to finish around the eyes."
"It looks just like them."
"That's what it's supposed to do."
"I know. You've done a great job on it."
"Thanks, Abby."
~~~
"Is this chicken so good because we did the prep and the cooking? Except for you burning off the pinfeathers, Grandpa."
"I think that you asked that about making pizza, Terry. Do you remember my answer then?"
"Yes. It was 'yes'. So I guess tonight it's 'yes'?"
"Yes, although I can barely understand you through all those giggles. I didn't think that string of 'yes' was all that funny, so maybe your giggle box is turned over? Do I need to turn you upside down to fix it?"
"Un huh!"
"After we finish eating and the dishes are washed. I don't want any of those dumplings to leak out when you're upside down."
~~~
"Homework finished, kids?"
"Yes, Grandpa, and we brushed and flossed. Can we get two chapters?"
"Since I got you headed to bed a little earlier than usual, you may have two chapters. Does one of you want to read?"
"I want you to do all the voices."
"Me too."
"Me three."
"OK. Two chapters, with voices. Starting with the chapter where the dollar bill is."
~~~
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TraditionalMW
New Member
Unexpected somethings are unexpected
Posts: 5
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Post by TraditionalMW on Jan 1, 2015 15:00:50 GMT -6
Loving this so much! and Happy New Year!
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Post by kaijafon on Jan 1, 2015 15:25:47 GMT -6
thank you! a wonderful way to begin the rest of the day!
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Post by 2medicinewoman on Jan 1, 2015 16:26:43 GMT -6
Great chapters. This is such a heart warming story. Almost old-fashioned in fact. A boy kissed me when I was 7 yrs old.. I thought it was gross. Things sure change fast. LOL
Thank you for more story and more memories and smiles.
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Post by mourningamerica on Jan 2, 2015 16:31:35 GMT -6
Dear papaof2, friend, mentor, guide, and model:
I came across your story quite by accident last year. I read it, loved it, and joined the group for the sole purpose of commending and thanking you for your art. And then, I forgot it once again. How sad that I lost opportunities for refreshment and renewal from your marvelous tale. Yesterday, again by accident, I came across the site again, and found how wonderfully far you have advanced in your amazing book. I spent most of the day thrilled by the endless events and people and circumstances which form your imaginary world.
Now, more than two years after you began this amazing piece, I must smile as I re-read your first words to us: "I had an idea for a story and have a few chapters done. I'm new to writing PAW fiction, so you may be watching someone swing at the ball and run up the third base line". Oh friend, how can we convince you that you have scored so many "grand slam home runs"?
Today, I felt a compulsion to attempt to thank and praise you with a few lines which I might find from my muse--but I am infinitely less artful than yours, for I am not as worthy as you. We, your readers, have been amazed at the sheer determination by which you have persevered, despite grave illness, computer problems, household crises, and even perilous surgeries. Nothing has stopped you. Nor has your vision of harmony, and love, and selflessness been destroyed or dimmed by the myriad challenges before you. How, we wonder, have you been able to carry on despite the variety and magnitude of your trials! I was prompted to search out Luke 6: 43-45 to find the answer:
Luke 6:43-45 (King James Version)
"For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
Appreciating that Heaven itself served as your source and muse, and that you were only capable of writing such a loving, virtuous story because you, yourself, were virtuous and loving, I inquired, humbly, for I am not an artful scribe, if there was some way that I could attempt to express, for myself and your many fans, our profound gratitude for your gifts to us. I recorded the following. I fear it is not worthy of you, but it is the best that my frail head or hands can make. And it is given with the highest possible esteem and well wishes for you and yours now and forever. He Wrote Just as He Lived I lift my head above the page, To find my eyes are filled,With tears of joy and faith renewed, My hopes and needs fulfilled. The selfish girl or venal man Will never know my thrill.For only those with loving hearts, Will see in you God’s will. Our world is filled with fears and doubts And agitated hearts. The earth and all its seas declare From God we’ve grown apart. That source from whence all blessings flow Now bows His head in shame. At just how 'oft vast multitudes Both curse and mock His name. And, yet, within the gloom and sin,Your vision never strayed.Of a “patchwork” family choice and kind,From a small “remainder” made. Forgive, we pray, our selfishness, (We beg, “a little more”.) Forgetting all the sufferings, Which brought you to death’s door.The time yet comes, be it near or far, When you must rest your pen, And wait for Heaven’s renewal,Before you write again. Then, angels of the just and kind, Your praise and honor shall give. As they declare to God and man, “He wrote just as he lived.”
[No rights reserved--if you find any merit to these verses, use them as you will.] Please take care of yourself. Please tell your family how much we appreciate your sacrifice, your unstoppable courage, and your amazing imagination. God bless you and yours, forever. Mourning America
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 2, 2015 16:53:16 GMT -6
Thank you!
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Post by mourningamerica on Jan 2, 2015 17:42:31 GMT -6
You are most welcome. I note that, due to my shortcomings, I have revised the post three times since you read it! Ah, my fumbling fingers and weak mind. NOW, I believe, it more properly expresses my admiration and gratitude.
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 3, 2015 12:14:57 GMT -6
Chapter 170 - Wednesday, 2 June, morning
"Can we have waffles again, Grandpa?"
"No, Terry. Breakfast today will be eggs, sausage and biscuits, but not until morning chores are finished."
"Could we fix extras and put some cheese with it and have sausage, eggs and cheese on biscuits for lunch?"
"So the other other kids will think you stopped by McDonalds for take out?"
"Huh?"
"I'll explain later. You have chores to do before we eat."
~~~
Ding! Ding!
"School bus, kids."
"We forgot to fix lunches!"
"Mister Gene did that for you."
"Thank you, Mister Gene."
"Thanks, Dad."
"You need a boost this morning, Abby?"
"Thanks, Josh. Grandpa said we could work with you, but I want to show you something before I tell you what I want to work on."
"I'm OK with seeing samples of a prospective employee's work."
"This one you listen to."
Tweet!
"This one you also listen to."
"Hey! That's 'Coming Round the Mountain'."
"This one you look at."
"How do you carve a name out of one piece of wood?"
"You just look at it closely and remove the bits that aren't part of the name."
"You definitely have my attention, Abby. What did you want to do?"
"I want to work on the rifle stocks."
"There's a lot of detailed work to fit them together."
"Josh?"
"Yes, Sherrie?"
"I don't think the stocks you showed me have as much detail as the name necklace does."
"You're right, Sherrie. Abby, you can try fitting a stock before you do any of the other work. If you like it and I like your work, that can be what you and Mike do."
"Thanks, Josh."
"Abby?"
"Yes, Miss Alice?"
"May I see your recorder?"
"Yes."
"This is good work, Abby. Do you think you could make maybe 20 of these before school starts again in the fall?"
"If Mike and I both work on them."
"Miss Alice, I can use a long drill bit at the machine shop to hollow out any type of wood they want to use. That should speed things up over having to find hollow pieces to use or drilling it out by hand. If there's a standard spacing and size for the finger holes, they could be drilled also. I could make a jig to hold the piece so the holes always get drilled in the same place and to the same size. That would speed up that part of it and they'd just have to carve the mouthpiece."
"Thanks, Josh. I'll have to see what kind of payment we can arrange for the recorders. Abby, if you could have the recorder and some of your other carvings on your table at Trade Day we could see what people think they are worth. Remember to play your recorder from time to time. It's one thing to see a musical instrument. It's a very different thing to hear it making music."
"I can do that. You really think people would buy them?"
" Did people enjoy the music and dancing at your Aunt Kate's wedding?"
"I did!"
"And how many people wanted to dance with you?"
"A bunch!"
" Did you just tell me that many people liked the music?"
"Yes."
" Doesn't that mean that at least some of them may want to make music?"
"Yes, Miss Alice. It's just as well we call you 'Miss Alice' on the bus - you're always in teacher mode."
"Maybe you're always in 'learner' mode?"
"Grandpa did call me 'curious girl' the other day 'cause I'm always asking questions."
"That's a good thing. You stay curious and you'll always be learning. I'll guess that you saw your Grandpa whittling something and you asked him to teach you."
"I did. He showed me some things and had me read a book on woodcarving and one on knife sharpening. The carving book is where I found the whistles and the recorder."
"Where did you learn to make the necklace?"
"The book had a thing on carving animals following each other, but it works for anything you want connected together."
"It works for anything for this smart girl. George is a whittler but he's never done anything this detailed. Would you be willing to demonstrate the recorder to the class today?"
"But I haven't been practicing anything."
"You played well when it was just demonstrating the recorder for Josh. Just imagine that you're doing that again."
"I guess I can do that."
~~~
"Class, we haven't had any music this session, but I have an idea for the fall. I've asked Abby to play her recorder for you. If you like the sound it makes, I'll arrange to have enough made for each person to have one."
"Recorders are dumb - you can't play any real songs on them."
"Yeah, they're just for little kids."
"I don't think you've heard a good recorder player. Abby, please play for us."
"My uncle does that song on the guitar. I didn't know you could do it on a recorder."
"I never heard a recorder that sounded that good. Where'd you get it?"
"I made it."
"No way! You gotta have a whole bunch of machines to make something like that."
"My Grandpa has a book on woodcarving and the instructions are in that book. That's also where I learned to make whistles and connected carvings like my name necklace."
"You can't do that."
"Abby, here's piece of birch. It should carve pretty easy. Make something."
"Thanks, Josh."
"Why doesn't my knife make shavings like that?"
"It's probably not been sharpened the right way."
"How do you know what to cut out and what to leave?"
"You either see what's in the wood or you don't. I can't help with that."
"Why don't you look at us when you answer a question?"
"I'd have to stop carving if I looked away. I know how sharp my knife is and I want to keep all my fingers. Miss Alice, this sample just has the letters outlined, not separated, but I don't think you want to spend an hour watching me whittle. This is for you."
"What's it say, Miss Alice?"
"A-l-i-c-e. Thank you, Abby. For the gift and for the demonstration."
~~~
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Post by kaijafon on Jan 3, 2015 15:00:33 GMT -6
that was some quick carving! I have tried but just do not "see what is in the wood". I can manage to sharpen the end of a stick though. lol!!
thanks!
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 3, 2015 15:46:38 GMT -6
I can't carve much more than sharpening a pencil, but I've seen some very capable carvers/whittlers at work. I can do sturdy woodwork with power tools.
I find carving wood as interesting to watch as the grandkids found watching weaving on a hand loom. They talked to the weaver for quite a while and had to try moving the shuttle across and back. Had the price of a productive hand loom (output bigger than a pot holder) not been prohibitive ($$$), they might have gotten a shared Christmas gift that year. The spinning wheel and a bag of freshly sheared wool would have been in the future ;-)
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 4, 2015 14:34:58 GMT -6
Chapter 171 - Wednesday, 2 June, noon
"I don't care how badly you want a name necklace. I won't let you disturb Abby when she's asleep."
"But it'll only take a few minutes..."
"And a few minutes for each of the other kids in line behind you. The answer is still 'No'."
"He's not that big. Just push him out of the way."
"You listen what Mike says. You go away!"
"Oh Jeez! It's the Chinese soldiers. I ain't gonna argue with them."
"Thank you, Joe."
"You welcome. You take care Abby. She important."
~~~
"Abby? You awake?"
"Yes, Mike. Was someone yelling in the hall earlier? I thought I heard someone, but then it got quiet."
"There was a line to ask you about making name necklaces. When I said 'no', they said they'd push me out of the way. Joe told them to 'go away' and the other Chinese soldiers backed him up. The line disappeared. If you have samples out Trade Day, I think you'll have lots of potential customers."
"But you coulda been hurt!"
"Not likely. Sherrie was also there watching over my drawing hand because she wants the sketch finished this week."
"Should I make some necklaces with the names of some of the kids in class?"
"And probably the kids at the Blacks' house. The younger girls do look up to you."
"I'll make them for Terry and Lexi, too. They can all be walking advertising for me."
"That's good, Abby. Are you OK with missing lunch again?"
"I brought a biscuit with sausage and honey."
"That sounds like something Terry would fix."
"I borrowed the idea from her."
~~~
"Class, do you remember what I said before we went to lunch? That you were not to bother Abby while she napped? Don't bother to answer - I was watching from the end of the hall. I know what happened and who was involved. Some of you will be taking home a note to your parent or other caregiver. I can almost guarantee they won't be happy with you. If you're thinking of tossing the note, it requests a reply and if I don't get a reply - or I get one that you wrote - I'll stop by to see your parents on the way home tomorrow. I don't think any of you want to deal with the repercussions of that."
"Miss Alice, what's 'repercussions'?"
"There's a dictionary behind you, Martha."
"Yes, Miss Alice."
"Sherrie was there with a baseball bat. What you gonna do about her?"
"Joey, do you remember me saying that I was watching? Sherrie was there to protect someone else, as were Joe and the others. I'm very pleased that some of the more responsible students took charge of the situation. I understand that Doyle is lonely in his little fenced-in world. Should ask his uncle if there's room for you?"
"No, Miss Alice. Just forget that I said anything. Sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my brain."
~~~
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Post by ydderf on Jan 4, 2015 16:34:09 GMT -6
Thanks, you make me grin with some part every chapter. I sure am glad to see your muse has settled down. Good you found the correct muse treat.
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 4, 2015 17:24:01 GMT -6
Problem is, I tried so many muse treats that I'm not sure which one(s) worked. I have one more chapter in the current week, then a chapter for a week in the future (really be nice if I knew what triggered the muse for that one - then I'd always be a week ahead of the readers), but the days from current to that point are missing :-(
Guess I'll have to start over with treat ideas and keep a journal. Neither tortilla chips and salsa nor baklava seem to be working today...
Maybe your withdrawal symptoms won't be too bad ;-)
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Post by freebirde on Jan 5, 2015 5:16:45 GMT -6
Don't bait your muse trap with rum, tequila, ect., you will get an inferior muse. Thank you for your story.
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