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Post by patience on Nov 7, 2012 21:06:51 GMT -6
Great story! I am always looking forward to more. Thanks for the effort you put into it.
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Post by papaof2 on Nov 11, 2012 16:30:49 GMT -6
Thanks for the comments. I have outlines for several more chapters, just don't know when they'll get done.
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Post by papaof2 on Nov 25, 2012 17:33:43 GMT -6
Chapter 14 - Friday evening
"Finish eating, girls. You have something new to learn before dark." "It's too late for school."
"Not school. A homesteading lesson." "About what?"
"Cleaning guns."
"Do we hafta?"
"If you want to shoot, you must also do maintenance every time."
"I guess we hafta." "I thought learning about tools was important to you."
"A gun's not a tool!"
"It can be a tool for gathering food or for protecting you from a predator."
"I guess - but I never saw anyone cleaning their hammers and saws."
"Tomorrow you can ask Ed and George if they clean their tools." "You won't win this argument, Abby." "You're probably right, Terry. Show us what to do, Grandpa."
"What's always the first step?"
"Check if it's loaded."
"Good, Abby. Check the pistol. Release the magazine, then check the chamber. Press the pin at the back of the slide... "
"It came off!"
"That's what it's supposed to do. Now you can remove the spring and the other parts for cleaning."
"What do we use to clean it?" "Soft cloth patches, a special solvent if available or kerosene, rods to pull the patches through the barrel, some light oil when needed. You watch me and remember that I'll be quizzing you later - including taking the pistol apart and putting it back together."
Both girls listened well and remembered the process. Abby was a little uncertain at first but did manage to disassemble, clean, and reassemble the gun in a reasonable amount of time. Terry talked me through it in about the same time. They will need help getting their hands clean tonight - I think mechanic's hand cleaner may be required.
"My hands are really dirty. Will a shower help?"
"You need this hand cleaner for your hands. You only need a little. Rub it in thoroughly, then rinse with water. Then you follow that with soap and water. No shower tonight. The water isn't warm yet - maybe tomorrow."
"How do you know the water isn't warm?"
"I checked the thermometer on the end of the barrel."
"I didn't see a thermometer."
"You're not as tall as I am, either. Tonight you can try washing from a pail as I told you about earlier today."
"What about Terry?"
"She can too, if you can help her. There's not room in the bathroom for all of us and she can't lift the pail to rinse herself." "I'll help her."
"When you both finish, brush your teeth and I'll read another chapter."
"Can we have two chapters? We'll stay awake and listen."
"So you've decided that the story is interesting, Terry?"
"Yes. I'm about the same age as Laura, so it could be about me."
"I don't remember reading about Laura going shooting..."
"Only because they didn't have a gun that would fit her hand. Laura wanted to know about everything."
"Very good, smart girl. You two need to finish so we'll have time to read even one chapter."
"I'm helping Terry dry off now. We'll be there in a minute."
"Snuggle in and I'll read the next chapter."
"Just one chapter?"
"Yes, but I think you'll ask questions and we'll spend so much time talking about the story that there won't be time for another chapter."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. 'Every evening before he began to tell stories, Pa made the bullets..."
"Made bullets?"
"I said you'd have questions. The gun Pa had didn't use cartridges like the ones I have. They poured some gunpowder down the barrel, then pushed a cloth patch and the bullet down the barrel on top of the gunpowder. Abby, can you get the encyclopedia volume with 'Fe-Fo' on the back?"
"'Gun' isn't in one of the 'F' books."
"You're right, smart girl, but Pa's rifle is a 'flintlock' and there's a diagram of one in that volume."
"You're right, Grandpa. The pictures show how to load the rifle and how they made bullets. A gun with cartridges is a lot easier to load."
"Yes, Terry, and you don't have to worry about the cartridges getting damp when it rains. When you use loose gunpowder, you must be very careful to keep it dry or it won't work."
"Can we shoot more tomorrow?"
"Yes, Abby. Probably as much as you want. Ed and George brought more ammunition for the 25 pistol and I have plenty for the 22 rifle. They may be back to finish the springhouse - if so, I may have to work with them."
"Can we help?"
"You can ask, Terry. I'm not sure how much help either of you can be with the materials they'll be moving."
"Read the story."
"OK, Abby. 'Every evening before he began to tell stories, Pa made the bullets for his next day's hunting. Laura and Mary helped him...'"
"'... and you wouldn't have been scared by a screech owl.' That's the end of chapter three and bed time for you two."
"Tuck us in and kiss us goodnight?"
"If you can be in bed before I count to ten. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Si..."
"We're done!"
"Silly kids! I think the blanket needs to be straight enough for both of you to get under it. Let go of your corners long enough for me to do that."
"Uh .. thank you, Grandpa."
"You're welcome, Abby. Uncover your forehead if you want a goodnight kiss - the blanket is too fuzzy and tickly to kiss it."
"Your whiskers tickle too."
"That's what my wife said."
"You miss her a lot, don't you?"
"More than I can say, Terry."
"I'm sorry, Grandpa - I made you sad again."
"Not you, Terry. Being reminded of a little thing that I had forgotten makes me sad"
"Abby, group hug!"
"Thank you, girls."
"Goodnight, Grandpa."
"Goodnight, girls."
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Post by kaijafon on Nov 26, 2012 17:57:08 GMT -6
awe! so sweet! thank you!!
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Post by nancy1340 on Nov 29, 2012 21:09:36 GMT -6
Thank you
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 7, 2012 9:46:16 GMT -6
Chapter 15 - Saturday morning
Going to bed with the sun does have its advantages - I don't need an alarm clock most days. Abby complained about my whiskers last night, but I would have been shedding the beard soon because it's getting too warm. Be nice if I had something more modern than my grandfather's straight razor. Guess I'm fortunate that he lived long enough to teach me how to use it without slitting my throat. My face will suffer - especially under my nose and on my chin - until I get back in practice. I'll fire up the stove for breakfast and put some water on to heat while I get things ready and strop the razor. Wonder if I'll be done before the girls are awake?
"I smell bacon!"
"Good morning, Abby. Is Terry up yet?"
"She's in the bathroom. What happened to your face, Grandpa? It's all scratched and bleeding!"
"I shaved this morning, but I'm a little out of practice after letting my beard grow during the winter."
"You didn't hafta shave because I complained last night."
"I didn't, Peanut. I usually let my beard grow in the winter to keep my face warm and shave it off in the spring when the weather warms up."
"Grandpa, your beard's gone. What happened to your face?"
"Terry, Abby. Come let me show you."
"That knife looks mean."
"It's not a called a knife, Terry. It's a straight razor. It belonged to my grandfather and he taught me how to use it."
"Looks like he didn't teach you very well."
"That's not the case, Abby. All the cuts are from me being out of practice. I'll do a much better job in a few days."
"I'll be watching."
"I told Doc you'd be watching everything I did - looks like I was right."
"Breakfast is good. Can we go shoot some when we're done?"
"Yes, Terry. Thanks to Ed and George, we have plenty of ammunition for the pistol. I will limit how much you shoot because I don't want you complaining about your hand hurting."
"Why would my hand hurt?"
"Every time a bullet goes out the barrel, that same amount of force goes back against your hand - think of it as being hit by a small hammer."
"You're smart, Grandpa. You explain how everything works."
"Not everything, Terry, but I have learned a lot over the years."
"We need the guns and ammo and targets. Anything else?"
"Maybe change out of your pajamas, Abby?"
"Oops! I'm in a hurry to go shoot and I forgot."
"You can brush your teeth as well. If Ed and George don't get here before we leave the house, I'll leave a note for them. Although they'll probably guess where we are from the noise."
"The guns are kinda loud, even with the earplugs."
"Think how much louder they would be without earplugs, Abby, and how that loud noise could damage your hearing."
"You're always taking care of us, Grandpa. I'm glad we're family."
"Me too, Terry, even if it seems that we came together by accident."
"So we're an accidental family?"
"I'd rather think that we're a loving family that came together by divine purpose, Abby."
"I like that, too."
"Hello the house!"
"Hello Ed, George."
"Mr. Mason, we have the materials to finish the springhouse. Looks like you're ready to go to the shooting range again."
"We are, as soon as the girls finish dressing. Abby was in such a hurry she headed for the door in her pajamas..."
"Grandpa!"
"It's OK, Abby. I remember how excited I was to get to shoot when I was your age. I still look forward to going to the range or going hunting."
"George, do you need anything from me before we leave?"
"No sir. If anything changes one of us will come up to the range."
"We'll be back in about an hour - sooner if their hands give out. If you see smoke coming from the cookstove, grab a potholder and retrieve the bread."
"You're baking bread again?"
"Part of what we're taking to the picnic at the church tomorrow."
"We know who we want to share a table with - your bread is great!"
"Thank you, George. You're welcome to join us. You plan to drive or walk?"
"Dad's not up to walking and he doesn't want to use fuel that may be needed later for the tractor. We'll be in a wagon. Could we give you folks a ride?"
"I was concerned that the girls would fell dusty and dirty if we walked, so I'll take you up on the offer."
"We'll be here early so Ed and I have time to find places in the balcony before everyone gets there. 8AM OK with you?"
"Since I asked you to be on watch, I don't have much choice, do I? We'll be ready."
"Will the girls be armed?"
"If they do as well today as they did yesterday."
"Knowing how you teach, I'm comfortable with that - although I don't know any other kids their ages that I can say that about."
"They are unusually intelligent and responsible. I can't imagine what I've done to deserve them."
"Putting up with me, Ed, the Trotter kids and dozens of others in Scouts and 4H and whatnot earned you some good kids for a change."
"But I enjoyed that..."
"And you put up with a lot of shenanigans. You're the uncle or father or grandfather everyone wished they had at one time or another. I need to say 'Thank you'."
"Me too, Mr. Mason."
"You're welcome, George, Ed. Girls; get your shoes and socks on."
"No, Grandpa. It's socks and shoes. Socks first."
"You know what I mean, Terry. Cover your feet."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"I see how detailed they are in word usage. I'll guess that carries over to things like the shooting range."
"It carries over to just about everything, George. If I were reading to typical kids, they would get two chapters of the Little House books for a bedtime story in the time Abby and Terry get one chapter. They ask so many questions that we only manage one chapter in that much time."
"Sounds like fun, Mr. Mason. I always enjoy being around smart kids and watching their minds work."
"We're ready, Grandpa."
"Get your assigned loads and we'll go shooting."
"Do we set the targets out like before?"
"Just the animal targets, Terry. I'll put the human targets in different place so what's behind those targets is different today."
"But that makes it harder."
"Practice isn't supposed to be easy, Abby. "
"And you told us to always check what's behind a target before we shoot, even if we've shot at that place before."
"Very good, smart girl. When there's shooting, neither people nor animals stay in place unless they know they're under safe cover."
"What's 'cover'?"
"'Cover' is being in a place that bullets can't reach you, like behind a big rock. Another word you need to know is 'concealment', which means that you can't be seen, like being behind those blackberry bushes. You can't see through them, but if someone hears you or thinks you're there a bullet has no problem getting to the other side."
"Is being behind a car cover?"
"Good questions, Abby. A car is cover only if you're beside the engine and the person shooting at you is straight across from it. The rest of the car doesn't have enough metal in it to stop most bullets."
"Then a wagon or a house wouldn't be cover either."
"Unless the house is brick, Terry. Brick can stop most bullets."
"Your house is brick."
"No, our house is brick."
"Group hug!"
"Goggles and earplugs, girls."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Abby, you set up here and I want you try shooting the .22 while lying down. That's called the 'prone' position."
"Why?"
"Couple of reasons. Your body is in a more stable position so you can hold the rifle steadier and shoot more accurately than when standing. You also make a much smaller target lying down than standing up."
"You think someone is gonna be shooting at us?"
"I don't think so, but better to be safe than sorry. You're going to get some of the military training I had and I'll give you the reasons behind it. Knowing why something is done never hurts."
"You're right, Grandpa. The target doesn't move around as much when I'm on the ground."
"Is the target actually moving?"
"It's on the ground, so no. I can hold the rifle stiller when I'm lying down."
"That's right, smart girl."
"When do I get to try it?"
"When you cast comes off, Terry. Meanwhile, I'll show you some other positions you can shoot the pistol from."
"OK."
"Girls, time to collect the targets and the empty shells."
"Do we hafta?"
"Only if you want to come to the range again."
"OK."
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 12, 2012 13:59:34 GMT -6
Chapter 16 - Saturday afternoon
"Mr. Mason, the springhouse is finished. We left a thermometer in it so you can see how cool it gets. The water from the spring is 51 degrees. Evaporation from the concrete block may drop that a few degrees. It won't be the 38 degrees of an electric fridge, but 50 degrees beats having milk go bad in a couple of days."
"Thank you, Ed, George. That sounds good."
"It really is cold in here! And without any 'lectricity."
"That's why people have built and used springhouses for hundreds of years, Terry. As long as the spring keeps running, we'll have a cool place to keep food."
"Did Laura have one in the Little House?"
"We'll have to keep reading and find out, Abby."
"That's not fair! You know but you won't tell us."
"Peanut, part of the enjoyment of a book is the anticipation of what's going to happen. If I tell you now, you won't enjoy the book as much."
"She has your nickname, Ed."
"You're 'Peanut', too?"
"Yes, Abby. Our sister Alice is also named for her favorite sweet."
"Is she 'Honey'?"
"Yes, Terry. Mr. Mason, there's more proof that they're family. There's been a 'Peanut' and a 'Honey' in almost every generation. Don't worry - we won't use your nicknames except when it's just family. By the way, how did you do on the shooting range today?"
"These are my targets."
"Squirrels at 20 feet with one hand? That's very good, Terry."
"Thank you, George."
"These are mine."
"Squirrels at 50 yards, Abby? That's also very good."
"Thank you, Ed."
"I'm proud of both girls. They worked hard at seeing the big picture and telling me whether or not it was safe to shoot at a given target. They even saw the people targets partially hidden by brush or trees."
"You made it a lot harder today, Grandpa."
"And both of you were up to the challenge, Abby. I'll allow both of you to carry a weapon when we go to church tomorrow, but expect some questions before we go out the door."
"Just like being in school again."
"Ed, George, thank you for the work. Will you stay and eat lunch with us?"
"Yes, sir. We'll always stay for your bread."
"I wanna sit by George."
"I'm by Ed."
"You boys OK with that arrangement?"
"I can't think of anything better than being in the middle of family. How about you, Ed?"
"I agree. Let's eat."
"You mentioned being in school, Abby. What grade are you in?"
"I should be in fourth grade and Terry should be in second grade, but school stopped when everyone got sick, so I didn't finish third grade and Terry didn't finish first grade. But Grandpa said he would be our teacher starting Monday and we might get through two years of school if we have classes next summer too."
"If you work as hard at learning as you do at other things I've seen you do, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you completed two school years in one year."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Me too?"
"Yes, Terry. You too."
"Grandpa, did you tell them to say that?"
"No, Abby. I've said nothing about our homeschooling plans to Ed or George."
"Are we really smarter than other kids?"
"Smarter and better able to focus on the tasks you're given."
"How?"
"Most likely, something you inherited - just as you inherited your unique eye color."
"Why?"
"Perhaps there's some task that needs your special abilities and someday you'll learn what that task is."
"You don't know? But you know everything!"
"I know the 'hows' of a lot of things. I certainly don't know many of the 'whys'. For instance, I don't know why I wound up with the two of you, but I'm very happy that it happened."
"Because we needed someone who would take care of us and teach us and love us even when we didn't get things right."
"I like that answer, Terry."
"Mr. Mason, Alice was just a few months away from getting her degree in elementary education. If you need her, I'm sure she'll want to help. Knowing that you're teaching might even be the push she needs to get her 'one room school' plan in motion."
"Thank you, Ed. I'll keep that in mind, but I think Abby and Terry may be almost self-teaching once they're pointed in the right direction. Let me work with these two for a week or so and I'll pass along status each Sunday. A one room school for all grades - sounds like we're back in the days of the Little House books. Any idea where the school would be located? It needs to be central to all the kids and ideally within walking distance. That would give Alice some hands-on experience in a very different setting than she expected to teach in."
"We'll have report cards?"
"No, Abby. Just a few words on whether you're doing OK with me as teacher or if I think someone else might do a better job on some parts of your education."
"The house on the Miller place is about in the center of the farms here and is in good condition. It has a fairly new wood stove for heat, a hand-pumped well for water and a new septic tank system, so those items are covered. There's not much land, so it can't be a working farm but the kids could have a small garden for learning."
"That sounds ideal, George. I'll mention the idea to others tomorrow and you do the same. Have Alice mention it to one of the preachers and they can announce that plans are being made and parents should talk to Alice. Also mention that they should provide some payment in goods or time to support the teacher and cover upkeep on the building."
"But someone else as a teacher won't love us like you do."
"Not even someone who's family and has the same nickname, Terry?"
"I forgot - we do have more family. Can all of us do a group hug?"
"We should visit here more often, Ed. This is the happiest place I know."
"You're right, George."
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veer
New Member
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Post by veer on Dec 13, 2012 12:08:55 GMT -6
Really enjoying this story! Keep up the good work!
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 26, 2012 1:38:32 GMT -6
Chapter 17 - Saturday evening
"Girls, you need to choose clothes for tomorrow."
"Do we hafta go? I don't wanna walk that far."
"Abby, we'll be riding in a wagon with Ed and George and their family."
"What do we wear?"
"Something nice, Terry - a dress or a blouse and skirt. You can pick a barrette or a ribbon for your hair. Since we have a ride, you can wear dressy shoes."
"Will we know anybody there?"
"Abby, we already talked about Alex Trotter and his boys being there..."
"Duh... I forgot."
"And there's some family - remember that we're riding with the Blacks."
"We're cousins to them?"
"That's what George said, Terry. Mr. Black tracks their family tree so you can ask him for details on the way to town. And you'll get to meet Alice Black, who might be your new teacher if plans for the school come together."
"But what it the new school doesn't work out?"
"I still have the homeschool materials, Abby. I promise that you will have school somewhere."
"OK. My clothes for tomorrow are on the chest. Will you help me with my hair and the ribbon in the morning?"
"Of course."
"Show me how to work the shower. Terry can't stick her arm out to keep the cast dry - the water will splash out."
"That's what these two long skinny plastic bags are for. I'll bag her arm and pull the strings snug on her arm above the cast. There's a small towel at the top between the two bags to catch any leaks."
"You're smart, Grandpa."
"I get it from my smart girls. Some of your smarts rub off on me every time you hug me."
"You're silly!"
"No, I enjoy teasing my favorite grandkids."
"But aren't we your only grandkids?"
"As far as I know, so you must be my favorites."
"It's another argument you can't win, Abby."
"I know, Terry - but it's a nice argument to be in!"
"Into the shower, girls. You might still have time for one chapter tonight."
"OK, we're hurrying."
"Don't hurry. Get clean, but don't dawdle. You can try the different settings on the showerhead one time; then get busy with the soap."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"You smell fresh and clean - and maybe something else?"
"We used some of the lev... lav... nice smelling powder."
"That's 'lavender', Terry, and my wife and daughter both liked it."
"Did I make you sad again, Grandpa?"
"No. Knowing that someone else likes what they liked makes me happy."
"Can we get two chapters tonight?"
"Nice try, Abby, but any chance of a second chapter was lost to the six different settings of the handheld shower."
"How did you know?"
"The different patterns sound different when they hit the tub and the shower curtain."
"So you know how many times we went through them?"
"Twice for Terry and three times for you."
"I think we're lucky to get one chapter tonight, Abby."
"You're right, little sister. Please read, Grandpa."
"I think you'll like this chapter; it's about how they celebrated Christmas."
"We didn't have Christmas last year. No money to buy things and no place to buy them and no one gave us anything."
"Let me dry those tears, girls. We'll have Christmas this year. We might even learn of gifts we could make in this chapter."
"Really?"
"Have they mentioned buying much so far, Terry?"
"Just basic stuff like flour and sugar and cloth and gunpowder."
"So they had ideas about things they could make for each other?"
"I guess."
"Listen close; you may want to borrow their ideas You have plenty of time to make things - Christmas is months away."
"OK."
"End of chapter 4. Brush your teeth and go to bed. We need to be up early in the morning because the Blacks will be here with their wagon at 8AM."
"Why so early? We could walk if we left then."
"Abby, because this is the first big gathering since the fever, I've asked Ed and George to be on watch in the church. They'll be in the balcony where it's mostly dark and we're going early so they can conceal themselves before other people get there."
"'Conceal'? Like when you're hunting and you hide so the animals can't see you?"
"Yes."
"You think something bad is gonna happen?"
"I don't know, Terry, but my girls with unexplained abilities - such as dowsing - felt a need to know how to shoot before we went, so I'm taking precautions."
"OK. How do we carry the food?"
"I have several styrofoam coolers. They're light and they will keep things cool for several hours. The food and the coolers are all in the springhouse and we'll bring them to the front porch in the morning so we'll be ready to load them in the wagon. Scoot to bed."
"We'll get there faster if we walk."
"That's true, Peanut."
"Come tuck us in?"
"Whenever you want me to."
"Always."
"You might change your mind when you're older, Abby."
"If I ever do, I'll tell you - but I think I'd miss it. Kiss me goodnight?"
"On your forehead."
"Me too?"
"Your forehead too, Terry."
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 27, 2012 13:34:32 GMT -6
Chapter 18 - Sunday morning
"I think you two are excited about today. I planned to wake you when breakfast was ready but you're already up."
"You're right, Grandpa. I can't wait to see the other people."
"Me too."
"By chance, are some of the 'other people' named Trotter?"
"Grandpa!"
"That's what I thought, Abby."
"I need help with my barrette."
"Mickey today, Terry?"
"He matches the red in my dress."
"You're done."
"Do my ribbon, Grandpa?"
"The blue one, Abby?"
"You said it matched my eyes."
"That it does."
"Hello the house."
"Morning, Carl."
"Morning, Bill. Are these our newly discovered family?"
"This is Abby and this is Terry."
"One look at their eyes is all I need to convince me they're family. George said they both can dowse - that ability also runs in the family."
"How are we related?"
"Tell me what you know about your parents and grandparents and I'll work out the relationships on our way to town."
"Betty Taylor was our grandmother."
"Betty Jackson Taylor - that's where you get your 'Jackson blue' eyes and probably some other things. Ed and George were impressed with the good questions you asked about well drilling and your shooting skills. Did you know your grandmother was a state champion skeet shooter?"
"I knew she had a little gun in her purse and the rifle she gave to Momma to give to Abby when she turned nine - but she never told us about anything else."
"Betty was very good with all types of weapons."
"Can you inherit knowing how to shoot?"
"I don't think so, Abby, but you might inherit eye-hand coordination and the patience to practice - both of which contribute to being a good shot."
"Girls, remember not to look for Ed and George in the balcony. We don't want to give away the fact that they're there."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"i'm surprised you girls agreed to that so quickly. Most kids are curious about anything out of the ordinary."
"Grandpa said that us wanting to learn to shoot before we came made him more cautious which is why he asked Ed and George to be there. Since they're there partly because of us, we have to help protect them."
"How do you keep up with these wise-beyond-their-years kids, Bill?"
"I'm fortunate that they put up with me being old and slow."
"We'll always 'put up' with you. You take care of us like we really were family."
"Out of the wagon, girls. Let Ed and George find their places. You can talk with the other kids while we wait."
"OK."
"Hi, Abby."
"Hi, Kyle."
"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Valley Church. I'm Reverend Watson and this is Reverend Greene. Lacking power to run computers and printers, today's order of worship is on the chalkboards set up at the front of the church. My wife, Ann, will be playing the piano for us. If others have instruments and would like to help with the music, please see her after the service."
Did I just see motion behind that chalkboard? Yes - and in the aisle by us. Ouch! The burst from that AK has left my ears ringing - that's odd: some of it sounds like a train whistle.
"Hold it preacher. The three of us are looking for Rob King. He's supposed to have set dynamite on the dam so you'll be hostages to serve us or we blow the dam and drown all of you."
"Rob's dead."
"Who said that?"
"I did."
"You're Mason, aren't you? Too old and too poor to join the MAG. What did you do to Rob?"
"Nothing. He blew himself up trying to get through a gate."
"Never happen. He's an expert - been handling explosives for years."
"He drove a delivery truck for the blasting company. He never set the charges."
"This one is one of his kids. Come here girl. I'll get the truth out of you."
"Let her go. She's not his kid. She's related to his girlfriend."
"I've heard enough from you old man!"
"You hit Grandpa!"
Pop! Pop!
Bang! Bang!
Boom!
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Post by nancy1340 on Dec 28, 2012 23:35:19 GMT -6
It was a little hard to understand exactly what happened in the last part of this chapter. Guess I need to learn to read shorthand story telling. LOL
Thanks
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2012 10:05:56 GMT -6
If you've ever been in a major automobile accident (I was in an original VW Beetle that was T-boned by a pickup truck) everything happens at once and you're only able to sort through it later. Some things you simply don't remember.
Being present at a gunfight of any type (even if you're not being shot at) would be similarly overwhelming - there's a reason the military does live fire training.
I wasn't sure about creating the feeling of "Someone tell me what's going on here" but it appears that I did.
John
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Post by hardtrailz on Dec 31, 2012 9:39:55 GMT -6
I thought that description was perfect. Confusion, loud noises, chaos....hard to do with the written word, but it comes right across to me.
Reminds me of Batman...Pop Boom Blam Woop
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Post by patience on Dec 31, 2012 19:39:22 GMT -6
I've got the Pop, Pop being the girl's .22 pistol, and the rest coming from Ed and George. That puts all 3 of the intruders on the ground. Hopefully, the one who hit the old man is still living so Mason can beat the crap outa him.
LOVE IT! Keep it coming!
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 1, 2013 12:51:44 GMT -6
I was able to do a little more over the holidays. The real world will begin to intrude again tomorrow :-( I do have outlines started for the next couple of chapters.
Chapter 19 - noon Sunday
"Dad?"
Guess I'm dead and have wound up in the same place as Kate. That doesn't seem right - my head hurts too much to be in Heaven.
"Is Grandpa gonna be OK?"
Is Abby dead too? Wait - she's asking if I'll be OK. Maybe I'm not dead? But how did I hear Kate's voice?
"Everybody back up and let me work."
"Doc?"
"Welcome back, Bill. You took a nasty lick on your head, but recognizing my voice bodes well for you not having any brain damage. Thanks to your training and planning no one else from the community was harmed."
"Training? Planning? I thought I heard some loud noises just as everything went black."
"Rob King's brother Walt beaned you when you tried to protect Abby. Bad move on his part. Terry fired two rounds with her .25. Shooting from her level put both rounds into his leg below the bottom edge of his bulletproof vest - sufficient reason for him to let go of Abby. Ed and George took out the two guys behind the chalkboards when they raised their weapons. When Walt went for his pistol, Carl was sitting down and able to fire both barrels of his sawed-off 12 gauge under the bulletproof vest as Terry had done. Your firearms training for Abby and Terry and your planning for them to be armed and for Ed and George to be in the balcony ended the problem."
"Dad."
"Kate, how did you get here?"
"On the train."
"Train? I thought I heard a train whistle but decided it was just my ears ringing from the burst from the AK."
"You did hear a train whistle. Dad, I want you to meet the engineer and my fiancee, Jack Turner."
"Since you got Kate here safely, Jack, the two of you have my blessing."
"Thank you, Mr. Mason, and I'm pleased to meet you, sir. Kate told me life around you could be interesting, but I never expected gun battles."
"Grandpa, are you OK?"
"Grandpa?"
"He takes care of us like we were family, so he's our Grandpa Mason."
"Kate, this is Abby and her sister Terry. I'll let the girls explain to you while we eat lunch."
"Daddy! Daddy!"
"Over here, Lexi."
"Is this my new Grandpa? He looks like a Grandpa."
"He will be as soon as Kate and I are married."
"Who are they?"
"These are your new cousins. This is Abby and this is Terry."
"Hi. I'm Lexi and I'm almost six years old."
"I never knew anyone named Lexi before."
"Her name is Alexandra, Abby. Lexi for short."
"Like us. I'm Abigail and she's Teresa, but Momma only used those names when we were in trouble."
"Me too. Daddy calls me Alexandra when I do something bad."
"Wait a minute. You said there is a train?"
"Yes, Dad. Jack was taking a double major in mechanical and electrical engineering. One of the mech professors got him interested in the local Steam Rail Society. Before things went bad, he'd been helping restore a couple of old steam locomotives that can burn wood or coal. When things seemed to have stabilized, they got a crew together and put assembled a train with stock cars, flat cars, sleeping cars, coaches, and a rail laying car to try to get here."
"Electrical engineering? Any hydro-electric?"
"I co-oped at a hydro plant."
"Do I have a project for you... "
"Not today, Bill."
"Doc, you pick the worst times to interrupt."
"No, I interrupt when you're trying to do too much, too soon. The hydro project, local phone service and local mail can all wait. You spend the next few days quietly recovering from that blow to the head because, without power for a CT, I can't check for a bleed in your brain. You can spend that time getting to know your future son-in-law and newest granddaughter."
"Yes, Doc."
"OK, Dad. You didn't let me have a rifle until I was ten or a pistol until I was fourteen. Tell me how you came to train and arm a seven and a nine year old."
"It's a long story..."
"I plan to be here a long time."
"Well, it started when Alex Trotter stopped by the house to ask a favor..."
"Before you start that story, Bill, I want you to eat something and take this medication."
"Yes, Doc. I'll just go over to the tables..."
"Let me help you, sir."
"Thanks, Jack. I'll be OK when the world stops spinning. Guess I really did take a hard knock on the head."
"I know the foods you like, Dad. You sit here and I'll bring you a plate."
"Thanks, Kate."
"Can we help?"
"With three helpers, I think we can get everything in one trip: me with the plate, Abby with the bowl of soup, Terry with the glass of tea and Lexi with the slice of carrot cake."
"I could get used to service like this."
"Only until you're better, Dad. The rest of us will get our food and then you can tell the story."
"You were so brave, Abby. You didn't cry or scream - you just looked for a way to get loose."
"Thank you, Kyle."
"Wow, Terry! You took on the guy with the big gun."
"He hurt Grandpa and he had Abby. I had to help them."
"You were really brave."
"Thank you, Bobby. We need to get back to Grandpa. Maybe I'll see you again soon."
"... and that's how I became 'Grandpa Mason' and we wound up in a gun fight today."
"I think you're right, Dad - Abby and Terry have unique abilities."
"Why are you crying, Abby?"
"We'll miss you, Grandpa."
"Miss me? Why?"
"When your daughter moves back in her room, there won't be a place for us."
"I'm not moving back in, Abby. Jack and I are getting married and we'll live on the farm next to the Trotters. You still have a place to stay and you're welcome to come out and visit Lexi and your Aunt Kate and Uncle Jack."
"We have two Uncle Jacks now. And we can see the Trotters."
"Two Uncle Jacks?"
"Doc Wilson's late wife was a distant cousin to Abby and Terry. Because of the age difference, the girls called them Aunt Maude and Uncle Jack."
"I never knew Doc Wilson's first name - everybody calls him Doc. Abby's comment about the Trotters - do I hear puppy love?"
"That's what I thought at first, although there may be more to it than that. Their grandmother Betty found her future husband the first day of fourth grade. She went home after school and told her mother to learn to like Sammy Taylor because Betty was going to marry him."
"Guess I should keep an eye on Abby when she's with us. Terry too?"
"Probably."
"Speaking of school, Lexi will be six in June. I have a few home schooling materials, but only for the primary grades."
"I have home schooling materials through high school. Carl Black's daughter Alice was just a few months away from her degree in elementary education when the university closed down last year and there's been discussion of starting a one room school in one of the empty houses. The details of supporting a teacher and maintaining the school building and property haven't been worked out."
"I should have guessed that you would be prepared for just about everything."
"Growing up on a farm, I learned to be prepared for bad weather, poor crops, and the like so I've always put back a broad range of things."
"I'm glad you did and that you and Mom taught me to be prepared. Jack's from a similar background. Having some preps with us and a lot of knowledge, Jack and I were the core of the group of students and staff that survived at the university. Between the school of engineering and the school of agriculture and veterinary science, we had knowledge, tools and materials to keep the small group of survivors alive in the aftermath of the fever. I knew that there would be water and arable land here. We brought both draft and food animals and some feed and vet supplies with us, as well as animal drawn equipment. We based our decisions on 1850's technology because it was unlikely that anything newer would be viable. I heard Doc Wilson's comments about power and phone service. Do you think that's possible?"
"I thought we might be able to do limited power - a few hours a day. With the number of people you brought and the skills they have, I'm sure of it. One generator running during the daylight hours, with power to each section of the valley for a couple of hours a day should be possible in the next month. Having power for even a couple of hours a day should keep the telephone office running on batteries the rest of the day, once the battery plants are fully charged."
"Mr. Mason, do you have an official title here?"
"No, Jack. I'm just another old retired guy with a garden."
"From what I've seen and heard in the few hours I've been here, I think you should be the mayor and the sheriff and maybe a few other things. Lots of people respect your opinion and want your approval before implementing their ideas. You may not have been elected, but some of the people here owe you their lives."
"I didn't do anything special..."
"No, just trained, armed and positioned an unusual but extremely effective defense force against an adversary of unknown strength. You took into account the girls' unique abilities and paid more attention to their concerns than any of us would have. I, for one, would vote you in as mayor or sheriff or county manager or whatever title covers all the things you're involved in."
"Now Alex..."
"He's right, Bill."
"You're ganging up on me too, Doc?"
"You bet. The locals who've known you for years accept that you're the most knowledgeable person in the valley and the one most likely to keep all of us alive in the long run. We just think that an official title would be appropriate now that others are coming into the area."
"I don't want a job, Doc. I just want to be retired..."
"... and enjoy your family. I know, Bill. I doubt that you'll be putting in more than a few hours a week, other than your pet projects like power, phones, mail..."
"You win, Doc. Come up with some title and swear me in."
"In a couple of days, Bill. You'll look better at the swearing in ceremony if that goose egg on your head isn't so obvious and you can stand up without getting dizzy. I think you should go home and rest. Carl said that they'd be ready to leave soon and that there's room for all your family in the wagon if they want to go out to your place. Alex and I will find places for the other people to stay and temporary facilities for the animals they brought."
"Kate, Jack. Do you have time to come out?"
"We'll be on our horses so we'll have a way back; Lexi will probably want to ride with Abby and Terry. She has a 72 hour bag, so she should have everything she needs if she wants to spend the night with them - it's been a long time since she's had a sleepover with anyone. The train is good long distance transport, except for the smoke and ash. Really wish I could get a shower."
"Grandpa has a shower that works."
"How?"
"When Ed and George put in the well, they also set up a small solar water heater and an insulated tank. We don't have unlimited hot water, but it can handle several reasonable length showers before the tank must be pumped full again and the sun left to its task of heating the water."
"I'll get our 72 hour bags, Kate. I'm glad you convinced us to come here; what little I've seen of this place is already better than you said it would be. Not sure if I'm ready for my almost six year old to be learning to shoot, although it appears that she couldn't have a better teacher."
"That will depend on Lexi's maturity and your agreement. Just remember that the more we appear to have, the more we become targets for others. Having power back on will be a major step in returning to the level of technology we once had, but it also makes us much more visible."
"And you didn't say, but those willing to take at gunpoint aren't likely to be concerned about what they do to others - regardless of age or gender. I'll ask Lexi if she's interested in learning - probably a foregone conclusion after she hears the full story of today's events from Abby and Terry - and let you determine when she's ready."
"Thank you, Jack. I appreciate your confidence in someone you've just met."
"Just met is true, but I've heard much about you from Kate. I'll admit to taking some of it with a grain of salt, but I'm now of the opinion that she toned most things down so I would believe her. There are several things I'd like to know more about."
"Doc said for me to take it easy for a couple of days. Think that will be long enough for your questions?"
"Yes sir. Where can we bunk?"
"Kate can have the fold-out sofa in the living room. The bunkhouse out back is small but clean and there are linens in the chest at the foot of the bunks. If the weather's nice, there's an outhouse behind the barn. The only working shower and toilet are in the house."
"You have a flush toilet? Guess I missed that in your explanation earlier. I don't know how you did it, but you're 50 years ahead of everywhere else we've seen."
"Nothing anyone else couldn't have done. Why don't you and Kate take a walk around the place to get your bearings when we get there? An engineer should be able to find the solution to the flush toilet pretty quick."
"Kate said you would test my abilities. Guess it's time to go look and learn."
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 3, 2013 15:31:08 GMT -6
Chapter 20 - Sunday afternoon
"You killed a bad guy, Terry?"
"No, Lexi. I shot him in the leg to make him hurt enough to let Abby go. When he pulled his pistol to shoot me, Mr. Black killed him with the shotgun. I think I'm gonna be sick again..."
"Lean over the side of the wagon and I'll help you."
"UUURP! UURP! Thanks, Abby."
"Here's some water, Terry."
"Thanks, Lexi. Where'd the water come from?"
"My BOB."
"Who's Bob?"
"My Bug Out Bag. Daddy says to always keep it with me 'cause it has everything I need to take care of me for three days."
"Is that like Grandpa having extra food in the pantry?"
"Yeah, but we don't talk about the stuff like that unless it's people we trust. You're almost family since Daddy and Kate are getting married when they find a preacher."
"There are two preachers in town."
"I'll tell Daddy."
"Since you were meeting at the church, Dad, I take it that there is a preacher in town?"
"There are two: Baptist and Presbyterian."
"Is there any government operating? Jack and I want a marriage license."
"Never had much official government around here. There was a Justice of the Peace that handled marriages and assorted licenses - including hunting and fishing - but he didn't survive. If you want a church wedding, I don't think either preacher will have a problem with the lack of a license - as far as I know, people were getting married long before the government started charging them to do so. Would you like to try on your Mother's wedding dress?"
"You still have it?"
"She had it cleaned and prepped for long term storage in hope that you would want it."
"Where is it?"
"In the closet in my bedroom. Go try it on. Let me know if you need help."
"Dad, can you help with the zipper?"
"There you go. You're as beautiful in that dress as your Mother was."
"Oh, Dad. I guess Mom's still looking out for me."
"That she is. Would you like to look over the family's collection of wedding bands to find some for you and Jack?"
"I didn't know you and Mom had any jewelry."
"Just family heirlooms: rings from your grandparents and great-grandparents."
"They're beautiful! I've never seen any designs like these."
"Your great-grandfather Willard Lloyd had a hobby of silver and gold jewelry design. He created all of these."
"I like this one and I think Jack will love this design. I want all the girls to be bridesmaids. Do Abby and Terry have anything appropriate to wear?"
"Not in keeping with your dress, but the treadle sewing machine is by the living room window and there are a few patterns. If we can find appropriate fabric..."
"Alicia Jenkins told me that someone made her wedding dress and the dress for her flower girl. Was that Mrs. Black?"
"Mabel did some sewing for others. We just need to ask the girls if they want to participate and then ask Mabel if she has fabric."
"Thanks, Dad. Help me get out of the dress before Jack comes back in and sees it?
"Sure. I think you can reach the zipper there. I talked with Abby and Terry about making clothes for them in the future and I have their measurements. If you can get Lexi's measurements, we can go over to the Blacks and see what Mabel has. I'm sure Lexi will want to explore the area."
"Lexi has unbounded curiosity. How did you know that?"
"She just seems a lot like her new cousins."
"I don't think Abby and Terry are the only ones with unusual abilities..."
"Can I come in?"
"Sure, Jack. Kate has been planning your life for you."
"As long as those plans include her being with me, I'm OK with that."
"We can have a church wedding, Jack."
"That's good."
"And I want all three girls as part of it."
"I don't think you could keep them away."
"You're probably right, Dad. Let's go tell them."
"Abby, Terry, Lexi. Come into the house."
"Are we in trouble, Grandpa?"
"Have you done anything to be in trouble about, Abby?"
"I don't think so, but you sounded serious."
"Kate has a question for the three of you."
"OK."
"Girls, Jack and I plan to be married soon. We want you to be junior bridesmaids."
"With fancy dresses and shoes and flowers and stuff?"
"Yes, Terry. All the fancy 'stuff'."
"YES!! But where will we get dresses? Can you sew those, Grandpa?"
"If I can get a pattern; but first we ask Mrs. Black because she made wedding dresses for people and she may have fabric and patterns."
"My new Grandpa can sew? I thought sewing was a girl thing."
"I made sails for a boat I once owned."
"Oh, I didn't think about sewing for anybody but girls. I guess someone has to make clothes for guys too."
"Very good, smart girl."
"Daddy calls me 'smart girl' too. I'm gonna like being here."
"Mr. Mason, I think you just sealed your relationship with Lexi. With her blond hair and blue eyes, she's often seen as 'pretty girl' but she loves being noticed for her abilities."
"Grandpa calls us his 'smart girls', too."
"From what I've heard, Abby, he does so for very good reasons."
"I'm sure Kate remembers the way to the Blacks' place. The five of you could walk over now and be back before dark. At least a couple of you should be armed - we've had a problem with wild dogs."
"Kate and I have handguns, but I'd prefer a shotgun under the circumstances."
"Kate knows where I keep the 12 gauge and the shells for it. I plan to do as Doc said and rest."
"OK, Dad. If you're stopping, I know you're not feeling well. I'll get you a glass of water and you can take the medication Doc gave you."
"Yes, nurse. Remember the shotgun."
"I have it. We'll see you in a couple of hours."
"Bye, Grandpa."
"Bye, Abby."
"Bye, Grandpa."
"Bye, Terry."
"Bye, Grandpa."
"Bye, Lexi."
It seems Jack was right about what's important to Lexi - she's already claimed me as her new grandfather. Think I'll nap 'til they get back.
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Post by hardtrailz on Jan 4, 2013 11:07:32 GMT -6
Thanks for the Chapters
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 5, 2013 10:07:42 GMT -6
Chapter 21 - Sunday evening
"Girls, remember to be quiet until we know whether your Grandpa is awake."
"Yes, Uncle Jack."
"He's awake."
"How can you tell, Abby? You haven't even looked into the room."
"I don't have to look, Aunt Kate - just smell!"
"Fresh baked bread! You're right; he's definitely awake."
"And there's beef stew plus a little something for dessert."
" Dad, you shouldn't have done so much."
"Nonsense. I felt very good after my nap, so I started doing something I enjoy - the bread. The stew was easy - just opened some jars that we canned last year, dumped them into a big pot and let it heat while the bread finished baking. Since the day cooled off a bit when the rain came in and I didn't remember any of you having rain gear, I thought having the kitchen warm from the cookstove might be something you'd enjoy."
"Yes, we're all a little wet. Girls, grab a towel in the bathroom and go to your room to dry off and change clothes."
"Where's my bag?"
"Come with us, Lexi."
"OK."
"Kate, you take the bathroom and Jack can use my bedroom at the end of the hall."
"And to think I questioned Kate's insistence that you were always prepared, even when other people weren't. I would offer to eat crow, but I think the bread would taste much better."
"Grandpa, why didn't we get to help you make bread?"
"I couldn't wait for you today, Terry. If I had started the bread this late, you would have been asleep before it was finished. You can help next time."
"Me too?"
"Yes, Lexi. You too if you're here."
"Bring your plates here and I'll serve the stew. The pot's too big to put on the table."
"Let me do that, Mr. Mason. You've been up for a while."
"OK, Jack. The ladle is all yours."
"Can I say the blessing?"
"Yes, Lexi."
"God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food and for my new Grandpa who bakes yummy bread. Amen."
"Amen."
" Dad, Mrs. Black insisted on giving me a bridal shower and on making the girls' dresses as a wedding gift. I can't do that with Mr. Black laid up."
"Yes you can, Kate. They've been trying to pay me back for getting their harvest finished two years ago after Carl broke his leg. The shower is an unstoppable event in any case, the dresses won't impact their survival resources, and I know it will please Carl and Mabel to be doing something for you, especially since I haven't allowed them to do anything for me in return for the harvest. Knowing Mabel as I do, she's probably already planning your reception as well."
"OK, Dad. I know when I'm outgunned. Mrs. Black has the pattern for Mom's wedding dress and it includes bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids, and flower girl dresses that match. She even has some girls' shoes that will fit."
"If everyone has had all the stew and bread they want, I have something special for dessert - apple pie, made with apples from the trees on the south side of the property."
"It's yummy!"
"Very yummy!"
"Uncle Jack, grownups don't say 'yummy'!"
"Terry, they do when something is this good."
"You're silly."
"Lexi tells me that sometimes."
"It's been a long day for the girls. I think they need showers and a bedtime story. Lexi, we're reading the Little House on the Prairie books and will be on chapter five of the first book. If you don't know the story, you can ask the other girls when you get in bed. Because of all that went on today, I'll give you a while to talk after you're in bed. If you can't settle down in a reasonable time, I'll fix some medicine that might help."
"Is the medicine yucky?"
"Not too bad, Abby."
"I'm first in the shower."
"Not tonight. You need to show Lexi how the shower works and she'll need help with how long she can stay in the shower."
"I hadn't thought about that."
"Remember that you'll also be helping Terry. That puts you last."
"I understand."
"Thank you, Abby."
"That's another way you say 'I love you', isn't it?"
"Helping those who need you is also saying 'I love you'."
"I'd do a flying hug but I don't think you can catch me. Hug me real tight?"
"Of course, sweet girl."
"'Sweet girl'?"
"You are being sweet to take care of others before yourself."
"I'm just being like you."
"Thank you for the compliment, Peanut."
"Are they asleep yet, Dad?"
"They've settled down to whispers without giggles, so not yet asleep but getting quieter. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some bad dreams tonight. There's milk in the double earthenware pot on the back porch and there's cocoa in the canister and sugar in the bowl on the table. The camp stove is set up so the milk can be heated quickly."
"Your 'medicine' is hot chocolate? I guess that won't be 'too bad'. I think you're going to be OK - at least your quirky sense of humor seems to be fully functional. Your conversation with Abby brought back memories of some of my conversations with you. You called me 'sweet girl' when I tried to be like you. Thanks for being there for me so many times."
"That's what family does."
"But there are so many who aren't there for their kids. I don't know whether my dorm mates were more jealous of the home made goodies I got in the mail or of the easy conversations I had with you and Mom. It seemed so strange that some of them never heard from their families."
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 8, 2013 14:32:36 GMT -6
Chapter 22 - very early Monday
"No! Don't hit him!"
"Terry."
"Let her go!"
"Terry!"
"I'll shoot!"
"Terry, you're having a bad dream."
"Grandpa? I'm gonna be sick..."
"Here's the trash can. Let me help you."
"Hold me. Don't ever let me go!"
"I have you."
"What's going on?"
"Terry had a bad dream."
"Mine wasn't too good but it didn't wake me up."
"Who's there?"
"Lexi, Terry had a bad dream."
"Hi, Grandpa. If you're here, we'll be OK."
"All of you come to the kitchen with me."
"We get medicine?"
"Something to help you sleep."
" Does it taste bad?"
"I think you can manage it, Terry. I'll get the pot from the porch. Abby can open the canister on the table and Lexi can take the lid off the sugar bowl."
"It's so bad it needs sugar?"
"He's teasing us, Lexi - this is the stuff to make hot chocolate."
"I said it didn't taste too bad."
"Grandpa!"
"I thought I heard voices..."
"The milk will be hot shortly, Kate. Why don't you go out and wake Jack? No reason he should get to sleep through Terry's bad dream."
"You're awful sometimes, Dad."
"Just sharing the joys of having children in the house. Besides, being reminded that there are three adults around will help calm the girls. If the bad dream recurs, I'll try not to wake anyone else when I wake Terry. I think the other girls will be OK to sleep through a little noise."
" Daddy, Terry had a bad dream and Grandpa fixed us hot chocolate."
"I see. My Mother fixed hot chocolate as a remedy for bad dreams when I was a kid. Do the cocoa and sugar really help or is it mostly the process - doing something familiar, having time with a caring adult?"
"Mostly the process. There's a little caffeine in the cocoa which is definitely not a calmimg influence, and you need to limit the sugar so they don't get a sugar high, but the distractions of stirring a mug of cocoa and getting some lap time generally work wonders on a kid's bad dream."
"It works on 'big kids', too, Dad. I kept cocoa mix by the microwave in the dorm so I could give hot cocoa and hugs to people upset about grades, relationships, and even the occasional bad dream."
"Terry's been still for a while. I think she's asleep. Abby and Lexi, back to bed."
"Tuck us in and kiss us goodnight? We didn't get that when we went to bed earlier."
"Yes, Abby. I'll do that after I get Terry in bed."
"OK."
"Me too?"
"If that's what you want, Lexi."
"I wanna be just like your other grandkids."
"I think I'd rather have you be Lexi than be another Abby or Terry."
"You really mean that?"
"Yes. I like who you are and who you are becoming."
"I really like being here with my new family."
"All tucked in. Kiss on the forehead for each of you. Terry probably won't remember, but you can tell her if she asks."
"Yes, Grandpa."
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 14, 2013 17:38:01 GMT -6
Chapter 23 - Monday morning
Do I hear pots and pans? Guess Kate has been up for a while.
"Good morning, sir."
"Jack? I expected to find Kate in here cooking."
"I'm a frustrated chef, so I cook whenever I get the chance. Kate's been outside getting the fire going in that stove and I'm ready to take everything out to cook. Eggs, bacon, and pancakes OK?"
"They're all fine by me and the pancakes will please Abby and Terry - just remember to have peanut butter on the table."
"Peanut butter?"
"Abby's preferred pancake topping. Terry will want honey and Kate will want maple syrup."
"You have maple syrup?"
"Left side of the pantry, top shelf, about halfway back."
"I see the syrup, the honey and the peanut butter. There's no brand on the peanut butter label."
"I mixed it from peanut butter powder in the LTS stock."
"Mountain House?"
"Lindon Farm."
"How much do Abby and Terry know about your stored foods?"
"They have an idea of how long the three of us could survive on them and that it's not something they tell others about. After nearly starving while with their cousin, they're very aware of being careful with supplies and information. They were involved in planting the garden and know how much work was required to get it started. They'll also be involved in the ongoing maintenance - weeding and the like."
"Me too, Grandpa?"
"Good morning, Lexi. Yes, you too if that's something you want to do, but you will be expected to work as long as Abby and Terry do."
"Like taking care of the horses, Daddy?"
"Yes."
"And can I learn to shoot and clean the guns like Abby and Terry?"
"If you do exactly as your new Grandpa says."
"I promise. Cross my heart. When do we start, Grandpa?"
"I think a short safety lesson after breakfast. If you listen and can show me that you paid attention, we'll do more later."
"OK. Can I help with breakfast?"
"While your Daddy is cooking, I'll get out plates and things and you can set the table."
"OK."
" Do you want apple juice, milk or hot chocolate?"
"No orange juice?"
"Sorry, Lexi, but no more orange juice for perhaps a long time."
"Apple juice."
" Dad, you should be in uniform for the swearing-in ceremony."
"You think so? I won't do things any different whether I'm sworn in in bib overalls or a military uniform."
"But you look in charge when you're in uniform."
"Guess I better try it on to see if it still fits."
"I saw the pictures from the July 4th parade a couple of years ago. If anything, you're thinner now than you were then, so it'll be fine. Go try it on."
"OK."
"Oooh! you're handsome in your uniform, Grandpa."
"Thank you, Abby. But I'm the same person when I'm in overalls."
"Mr. Mason, the other ROTC members will certainly appreciate the ribbons and medals you have. I see a lot more of your service record than Kate ever told me about."
" Don't know why they insisted on making such a big deal out of things. I was just doing my job."
"I see at least three that indicate action well beyond 'doing your job'. I understand why Doc Wilson and Mr. Black were eager to have you in charge. You certainly get my vote and I'm sure those who came with us will agree. Wait a minute! Your nametag is W. B. Mason - would that be 'Wild Bill'?"
"Now where did you hear that name?"
"When I told my uncle, Joshua Turner, where Kate was from and that her father was Bill Mason and retired military he told me to tell 'Wild Bill' what he never had the chance to say: 'Thank you for his life and the lives of the other six men in his patrol.'"
"How is Josh?"
" Doing well. He got a medical discharge and became a gentleman farmer who collected antique farm implements. Now he has a successful horse and oxen powered farm that provides work and food for a number of people. His place was our original bug out location. When things stabilized some, we went back to the university campus to collect things that could help production at the farm: more heirloom seed, some implements, and some animals."
"What about the leg he lost?"
"He gets around so well on the prosthetic leg that most people don't know it isn't original."
"'Wild Bill', Dad?"
"It's a long story..."
"I think you said that about something else."
"After the girls are asleep."
"We wanna know too, Grandpa."
"It's not a pleasant story. I'll tell your Daddy tonight, Lexi, and he can decide how much you should know. I'll also limit Abby and Terry to only knowing that much of the story until all of you are older."
"But, Grandpa..."
"No buts, Terry. You and Abby are having a hard time dealing with what happened at the church. No stories that lead to more bad dreams."
"OK, I know you're taking care of us but we wanna know everything about you."
"Maybe someday. When I get back in my working clothes, you girls can come help me check the garden. When we finish that, Lexi can have her first gun safety lesson."
"Can we help with the lesson?"
"Yes, Abby and Terry. I think that can be arranged."
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 25, 2013 19:08:57 GMT -6
The real world is impacting my writing again ;-)
I haven't abandoned the story, just don't have enough "creative" time to continue.
Maybe in a week or two...
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Post by kaijafon on Jan 25, 2013 20:48:24 GMT -6
Thank you for the story. We understand about "Real Life" getting in the way. Take care of what needs taking care of...we'll be here when you're able to add to the store!
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 28, 2013 17:23:55 GMT -6
Chapter 24 - Monday noon
Lexi seems to be fitting in as a "country girl". She wanted to learn about feeding and watering the rabbits (Abby and Terry had her do most of today's animal chores), she wanted to "go find the chickens" when Abby and Terry mentioned that there were chickens in the woods (I think that might be a good project for tomorrow if the weather stays nice), and she was a very attentive student during the gun safety lesson. Abby and Terry gave most of the "disassemble and clean" lesson and did it well; I'm proud of my smart girls. We've packed a picnic lunch and Jack and Kate will go with us to the shooting range.
"Lexi, I want you to set the small animal targets where the pink tags are. Abby and Terry will set the bigger animals and I'll set the people."
"People?"
"Remember the part about always knowing who or what is behind your target?"
"I gotta do that already?"
"If you want to shoot."
"Was he this hard on you, Abby?"
"It gets harder. He sometimes kinda hides some of the people behind the shrubs and stuff."
"So this is the easy lesson?"
"As easy as any of these lessons are."
After that somewhat reluctant start, Lexi did almost as well as Abby - her arms just aren't long enough to do really well the .22 rifle. She did OK with the .25 after Terry showed her it could be done with one hand and Abby showed how much better it is when you use both hands. I think Jack is impressed with his newly discovered little Annie Oakley - I certainly am. The side chatter about learning to hunt for food seems to have piqued Lexi's interest. She wanted to know what kinds of game you can get with the guns she's shot (raccoon or maybe a little bigger with the .22).
Then she wanted when she can move up to something that can "do a deer". I used Jack's 30-30 as an example weapon. I told her that she must be able to hold it while in a standing position; that's a real challenge as she can barely lift it and Abby can't yet hold it steady in that position. However, they know that they will eventually learn to hunt large game - at least deer and wild pigs.
Their names and today's date are on the paper targets so they'll have something to compare with next time. I'll move them to the metal "turnover" targets soon, as our supply of paper targets is limited.
After picking up the brass and the targets, the girls practiced "stalking" wild game by trying to sneak up on me from the far end of the range. After a few tries marred by stepping on dry leaves and twigs, they're learning to watch where they step. Abby almost succeeded until she was so sure she had me that the giggles started leaking out when she was about 15 feet behind me - at least they're having fun while they learn.
I promised them some more fun for the afternoon. Lexi's as excited about getting to play in the barn as Abby and Terry were their first time. It's good that she has a change of clothes, as I know how dirty the three of them will be. I warned Jack about it, but I don't think he understands the level of dirt that little girls can acquire playing in a barn. I'll have Kate check each of them over before they get out of the shower later.
I was a little concerned about our sometimes very independent Lexi, but she understands the reasons behind the "you can’t be outside unless there's an adult with you" rule - seems there were packs of wild dogs in Texas, as well, and a child she knew there had a narrow escape. Our new normal has some hard lessons - it's always good when the kids are smart enough (mature enough?) to learn for the experience of others.
"Grandpa, you gotta tell us about being 'Wild Bill'".
"Terry, remember what I said before. I'll tell Jack tonight and he'll decide how much of the story Lexi should know. That will also be how much you and Abby know so you don't let some detail slip."
"We can keep secrets."
"But it's easier if you don't have to. No more argument."
"OK. Can we go play in the barn now?"
"If Jack can keep watch - I'm ready for a nap."
"I'll take them out, Mr. Mason."
"Are you OK, Dad?"
"Just a little tired, Kate, and I plan to do what Doc Wilson said - at least for a few days. When the girls come back in, they'll need to be checked before they get out of the shower. You never wanted to do that much scrubbing after playing in the barn and neither did Abby or Terry. I expect the same reluctance from Lexi."
"I remember you sending me back to wash my hair a second or third time. I'll check them."
"Thanks, Kate."
" Dad, do you want me to start supper while the girls are outside?"
"If I'm not awake in an hour or so, wake me and I'll start on it. If the girls come in soon enough, they can help with the cornbread."
"We can?"
"Yes, Lexi. Making cornbread doesn't take as long as the breads that rise, but you will have to come in early enough to get cleaned up and still have enough daylight to cook by. The solar tubes light the house nicely during the day, but they don't work by moonlight."
"You're being silly again, Grandpa."
"No, Terry, just practical - trying to get many tasks completed without using the kerosene lamps or lanterns."
"I remember. There's no more kerosene after what we have is gone 'cause we need 'lectricity to make it."
"Very good, smart girl."
"Daddy said you might know how to get the 'lectricity on. Do you?"
"I know the principles and the process, Lexi. I think your Daddy does also. We just need enough trained people to keep things going once we get it started."
"Like pushing a swing? If you don't keep pushing it stops, but you gotta push at the right time to keep it going and push straight to keep it from going wonky."
"Wonky? That's a good description, Lexi. I like being with my smart girls. You three try not to do anything wonky while you're in the barn. You've been told what areas are safe to play in and which areas to stay out of."
"OK."
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Post by kaijafon on Jan 28, 2013 22:01:08 GMT -6
Thank you !!!! I hope things in Life are doing better for you!
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Post by nancy1340 on Jan 29, 2013 20:36:37 GMT -6
Thank you.
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