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Post by papaof2 on Jul 29, 2013 10:15:29 GMT -6
The biopsy wasn't as good as might be hoped for. Being caught fairly early, I have a couple of options for treatment. I'll see a medical oncologist (surgeon) and a radiation oncologist in the next couple of weeks.
Getting old isn't for the faint of heart ;-)
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Post by kaijafon on Jul 31, 2013 22:16:44 GMT -6
I'm sorry to hear that! I'll be keeping you in my prayers and thoughts. May God grant you the strength to endure this hard time and help your body to heal.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 1, 2013 10:03:35 GMT -6
Thank you.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 2, 2013 22:48:34 GMT -6
Chapter 41 - Friday afternoon
"Kate, do you remember your mother talking about the high school drama club presenting 'Romeo and Juliet' as it was originally cast at the Globe Theater?"
"Yes, Dad. She seemed to have enjoyed that, although not all of the actors were as enthusiastic about it."
"Think you could handle that for perhaps a dozen people?"
"You're planning something?"
"Just following up on an idea that Lexi gave me earlier today."
"She wanted to play dress-up with the costumes and props?"
"Yes."
"I would have too, at that age. I'm guessing that you won't be using costumes from that period. There are enough other things for at least fifteen people. I think that what you want will be easier than the equivalent for a stage production. How old is the youngest actor?"
"Twelve."
"That might be a problem."
"I think I know the answer to that problem. I also need to get a wig form out of the barn."
~~~
" Did Mr. Hal forget his horse?"
"No, Abby, he traded it to me for some shooting lessons."
"Can we ride him?"
"Lexi, it's 'her', not 'him' and her name is Rose. I'll have to see if there's a kid-size saddle that fits her before any of you can ride alone."
"I shoulda looked closer..."
"A saddle doesn't fit all horses?"
"No, Terry. Horses come in different sizes and shapes, so one saddle doesn't fit all of them perfectly."
"Can Rose pull the buggy?"
"Yes, Abby, she's also harness trained."
"Can we practice driving the buggy?"
"When can we go riding?"
"Chores first, girls. Lexi needs help getting her clothes off the line."
"I can reach them if she has a basket."
"I'll get the basket. Thank you, Abby."
"You're welcome, Lexi."
~~~
"Grandpa, can I learn to ride a horse while they're doing chores?"
"You've never ridden a horse, Terry?"
"No."
"You may find trying to ride with one hand is harder than trying to drive the wagon with one hand."
"I wanna try, Grandpa. Can you hold on to Rose so she doesn't run away if I can't do the reins?"
"Of course. For your first lesson, I'll just walk Rose around in the corral while you get accustomed to being in the saddle Let's go get the saddle from the tack room."
"How do you know which saddle to use?"
"This time it's easy - Hal included the saddle he's been using on Rose and it's marked with her name. It's way too big for you to use the stirrups, so you'll only be riding with an adult or when someone is holding the reins. If we didn't know there was a saddle specifically for Rose, we'd need to measure her to see whether there's a saddle that fits. I've been saddling horses since I was 12 years old, so I can usually get close just by looking. When you get big enough to saddle a horse yourself, I'll show you how to determine which saddle would fit best."
~~~
"Ready to go, Kate?"
"Yes, Jack. I have paper and pencil to make a list of things our new place needs."
"Can I go too?"
"Of course, Lexi. It's your house too."
"And ride Rose?"
"No, you'll be riding with me. I don't know if there's a kid-size saddle that will fit Rose and the two of you don't know each other well enough yet for you to be riding her."
"OK, Daddy. Help me up."
"First to the bathroom, then get your BOB."
"The outhouse is closer."
"Just don't scream if you see a spider."
" Daddy! I'm a big girl. I don't scream at spiders anymore."
" Daaaddeeeee!!"
"It's OK, Lexi. The little Blue Racer lizard is out now."
"I don't need to go anymore."
"Then why are you standing with your legs crossed? Go use the one in the house - and remember your BOB."
~~~
"Abby, I'd like you to try lighting matches again. And there'll be a new target to try if you do well with the matches."
"OK, Grandpa. I love shooting the rifle at little targets!"
"Can I go too?"
"Of course, Terry. I don't think you want to stay in the house until we get back and you certainly can't walk up to the range by yourself."
"Not even with the gun?"
"Not even with the pistol. There might be more dogs than you have bullets."
"Yeah - it only has six bullets and Crystal said there was ten dogs in the pack at the trailer. I'm glad you're taking care of us, Grandpa. What's in the other bag?"
"The new target I want Abby to try if she does well lighting the matches."
"The match holder is different, Grandpa."
"Yes, Abby. This one will hold ten matches. I want you to practice until you can light nine out of ten."
"That sounds hard!"
"You got one out of three the first time you tried. I think you'll do very well with a little practice."
"Can I shoot too?"
"Yes, Terry. Remember that we cleared enough space to have two shooting lanes. I'll help you with the goggles and ear plugs while Abby gets hers on. Tell me if you need help reloading the pistol."
"OK."
~~~
"Which room is mine, Daddy?"
"You can have the one next to ours or the one across the hall. They're about the same size, but the one across the hall has two windows."
"The one with the windows, 'cause it'll be bright and sunny. There's no bed in here! Just a sofa and a TV that I can't watch 'cause there's no 'lectricity."
"Check the other bedroom, Lexi."
"It's got a big bed! There's room for Abby and Terry to stay with me."
"Then I'll make a note to have that bed moved to your new bedroom."
"Thanks, Momm... Kate"
"You're welcome, Lexi."
"That's just one more item at the end of the long list we've been making."
"Yes, Jack. We need a number of things to make the house livable, not to mention what's needed for the garden, farm acreage, barn, horse pasture and so forth. From a comfort standpoint, we need to have someone check the woodstove and chimney, plus the septic system and I'd like to have Dad's conveniences of a flush toilet without carrying buckets of water and an always ready shower."
"In the interim, we have a couple of the solar heated camping shower bags that we could use. Makes for a shorter shower, but they warm up fairly quickly in the sun and no new plumbing required. At least the hand pump on the well out back still works. Time to go, Lexi."
"Show me how you steer Royal without hands, Daddy."
"I will, but you remember to hold on tight. He often turns more quickly than he does when I use the reins."
"I'm holding on with both hands."
"And I have my arm around you."
~~~
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Post by kaijafon on Aug 3, 2013 15:00:49 GMT -6
Thank you SO MUCH!! I hope you are doing better!
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 18, 2013 16:13:42 GMT -6
Chapter 42 - Friday evening
" Dad, I've been thinking about Hal's comments on giving woodstove cooking lessons. You OK with me making up a bunch of bread and maybe some cakes and cinnamon rolls as samples for Trade Day?"
"Yes, Kate, as long as you bake enough pumpernickel to leave one loaf here."
"You have rye flour and molasses?"
"There's rye in the basement, along with hard and soft wheat and some corn if you need more cornmeal. You'll need the Diamant grinder, which is at the back of the pantry. The molasses should be near it. If you don't remember the settings for each grain, your mother's notes are with the grinder."
" Do you know how many people were at church and the picnic last Sunday? I wasn't paying much attention to them - my attention was on old and new family members."
"I think Alex said there were about a dozen tables set up. No idea of the actual number of people who were there."
"I'll plan on four loaves of each bread, three sheet cakes and four dozen cinnamon rolls. Jack can help me cut them into sample size pieces as we need them and any uncut items can probably be traded as premium goods."
"You need some signs to advertise your wares and services, both at the table and elsewhere on the lot."
"I'll do the layout and ask the girls to help with the coloring tomorrow."
"There are markers in the cabinet under the TV."
~~~
"Can I go shooting tomorrow, Grandpa?"
"Me, too."
"Me, three."
"You do remember that there are only two shooting lanes?"
"Yes, but if we do the rifle and the pistol two can shoot at the same time."
"That sounds like something we can do, Abby. Who goes first?"
"We could guess a number like last time."
" Do you all agree that closest goes first and next closest is second and last has to wait?"
"Yes."
"I only heard from Abby. Terry?"
"Yes."
"Lexi?"
"You know we all agree on everything, Grandpa!"
"Well, not everything. There's at least a difference of opinions about pancake toppings and the shape of cornbread."
"OK, I agree."
"Zip your lips and then think of a number between one and ten."
"Lexi?"
"Six."
"Terry?"
"Eight."
"Abby?"
"Four."
"My number was three."
"What can I do while everybody else is shooting?"
"Terry, I think your Aunt Kate will need help from all three of you tomorrow. Do you remember Mister Hal talking about her giving cooking lessons?"
"Un huh."
"She plans to do a lot of baking tomorrow and will need help grinding flour, measuring, mixing, kneading and getting firewood. She plans to do bread, cake, and cinnamon rolls, so there might also be some immediate rewards for helping."
"I wanna lick the mixing spoon for the cinnamon rolls!"
"No, I do!"
"No, me!"
"I guess that means I get to scrape the mixing bowls for the cakes and the frosting."
"I think we better work out a way to share or Grandpa gets most of the good stuff."
"You're right, little sister. What would be fair, Grandpa?"
"If two of you are at the shooting range, whoever is here working gets first choice."
"Can we all help at the same time? Then we can share from whatever is made."
"Maybe, Terry. How much attention does the bread need?"
"Mix it, knead it, let it rise, punch it down, let it rise again."
"How much bread is to be baked?"
"Aunt Kate said four loaves. It takes two hands to knead the dough, so me and Lexi can do two loaves and then the other two."
"She did say 'four loaves', Abby, but you missed the rest of what she said. It was 'four loaves of each bread'. Those breads will be wheat, rye, and pumpernickel. Now how many loaves are you working with?"
"That's 12 loaves. There's only six bread pans. So me and Lexi each do three loaves, then wash bowls and stuff while they cook. Then we mix up the others and wait for the pans to cool to so we can wash them and put the dough in them for the next six. Then we wash the bowls and stuff again for the other things we're baking."
"What else is being baked?"
"Cinnamon rolls. That dough needs to be rolled into snakes so it can be sprinkled with cinnamon and curled into rolls. Terry can do that with one hand while we knead the bread dough. Cakes - and frosting for the cakes and cinnamon rolls. The ingredients for everything have to be measured. Terry can get out the measuring cups and spoons we need. She can pour from the cups after the stuff's been measured and we can all do some of the mixing. You usually need two hands to measure with a spoon."
"Who moves the firewood?"
"Me and Lexi can carry a full box between us. Terry can bring half a bucket of kindling. We don't need much kindling but we'll need a bunch of firewood 'cause the fire will be going a long time to get that much stuff baked. All that stuff won't fit in one oven. Will we use both stoves?"
"No, just the one outside. We don't want the house so hot we can't sleep."
"Then we'll be cooking a long time. It takes about an hour for the bread to bake. We might need another box of firewood. We could get at least 30 minutes on the shooting range every time there's bread in the oven."
"I see why your Grandpa keeps calling you his smart girls. You've been paying attention to how things are done, you know what's required even when it's not obvious - like the amount of kindling versus firewood - and you do good planning, getting each person where they can contribute the most. Plus working out how to get range time while you're cooking. I'm glad I'll have such good helpers."
"Thank you, Aunt Kate."
"You're welcome, Abby."
"Sounds to me that she's gotten a lot of her Grandma Betty's organizational skills. I think some of those also rubbed off on you during the summers you worked in the bakery, Kate."
"I think you may be right, Dad. But some of that I got from you and Mom."
"Glad to know I had at least a little influence on my daughter. Abby, you did very well planning the baking, but that still leaves us with three shooters and two lanes."
"Aunt Kate said we could help with the signs. Whoever isn't shooting can work on a sign. Are there enough signs that we can do our own?"
"Abby, I think three signs might be just about right."
~~~
" Dad, could you help Jack and me with who might be able to do some of the things on our 'fix the new house' list?"
"Alex Trotter is our woodstove and chimney expert. I think he'd be happy to barter for some fresh baked goods - his late wife was a great cook. I also need to ask a favor of him and Kyle. Jack can go after you finish baking tomorrow and should take the girls with him. They can get some practice driving the buggy if he's OK with that."
"As much range time as the girls are getting, I'm guessing the favor is that they be armed at church but that it not be obvious."
"Yes. I think you know my ideas for not being obvious. Ask Alex to ensure the word is passed to this list of people. Plumbing is the Blacks' specialty. I know Carl's arthritis is making writing difficult, so Kate might trade some time entering family tree and animal breeding info for the plumbing work. I think the only persuasion he'll need is to see your precise writing on this list. I have plenty of barrels, some PVC pipe and a little lumber for supporting the barrels, so they won't have to provide everything."
"What about mowing and planting the pastures?"
"Sam Green has Wally's steam tractors and the old Ford tractor that was converted to wood gas. He can probably do that work for you - he has all sorts of implements for the Ford: plows, discs, a power sickle, even a hay baler. I think he'll take firewood in trade, as he needs it for the steam and wood gas vehicles. You could also try bartering firewood with Ed and George - their well drilling rig runs on wood gas."
"Jack, you said you weren't getting enough of a workout just pushing the girls on the swing. You can start clearing the trees behind the new house and making them into firewood to use for barter - as well as increasing our stock of it. Based on how much wood Dad used last year, I'm guessing that we have enough already cut, split and seasoned for this winter but we'll certainly need it next year."
"Me and my big mouth..."
~~~
"Girls, come help with supper."
"What smells so good?"
"I'm baking some fish with dried lemon, parsley, and oregano. It's almost ready, so time for you to set the table and get the beverage pitchers out of the spring house."
"Terry can reach the knives and forks. I'll get the plates and glasses down for her then Lexi can help me bring the pitchers in."
"Just the milk and the sun tea, Abby."
"OK."
"Lexi has the tea. I brought the cold water too. The milk pitcher is almost empty."
"I think you girls must have inhaled that milk."
"It's just so good, Aunt Kate!"
"Have you ever had goat's milk?"
"Sometimes, at the trailer park. It's good, Grandpa. But I think they ate the goat after the lights went out."
" Did you ever milk the goat?"
"Miss Lucie showed me how and I tried when I was six but my hands weren't big enough then. She wanted me to try again just before the lights went out but I didn't get to."
" Did she tell you about the work to take care of a goat?"
"Un huh. She had me do everything, even clean the stall one time - that's really yucky! But it's worth it to have fresh milk."
"Would you be willing to do the work and milk the goat every day if we had one?"
"I think so."
"'Think so' isn't good enough, Abby. Either 'yes' because you're sure you will do it every day or 'no' because you're sure you won't do it every day."
"Can I teach Lexi - and Terry after her cast comes off? Then we could share the work and the milk. If I can do that, then my answer is yes."
"You certainly have your Grandma Betty's streak of horse trader in you, Abby. I'll see if there are any goats available at Trade Day."
"Fresh milk every day! Thank you, Grandpa!"
"You're welcome, Abby, but you might want to wait on thanking me until we know whether there are any goats available."
"You know how to do everything, Grandpa. I'm sure you can find us some goats."
~~~
"You girls want to help with grinding the grain into flour for tomorrow's baking?"
"Me."
"Me."
"Can I do it with one hand?"
"I think you can do it with one hand, Terry, you just may not be able to grind as much as those using two hands."
"I'll do what I can."
"I know - you're all very good about doing whatever you can to help."
"Where's the grinder thingy?"
"It's in the pantry, Lexi, but it's probably too heavy for you to move it safely. I'll get the grinder, the three of you can help Kate get and set out some containers for the flour we grind and Jack can bring up the buckets of grain - the rye is on the second shelf of the third rack and the hard and soft wheat should be the same level in the next two racks."
"Can I do all the flour for the bread?"
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Lexi, but I doubt that even Abby will grind more than one cup tonight. Grinding grain is hard work."
"I wanna try."
"OK. Kate will check the recipes and tell you how much of each type of flour is needed. We'll start with the rye. There's a specific fineness that the flour should be ground to and the grinder must be set correctly for each type of grain to get the proper flour texture."
"Would it be different for corn? Cornbread is kinda rough compared to cake."
"Very good, Terry. The settings are different - even between bread flour and cake flour - so we keep an index card with the settings we use for each grain in the box with the grinder. It's faster to use those settings than to grind a little, see if it's right, adjust the burrs, then do it again."
"How do you set it?"
"Here's the picture in the manual, Abby, and here's what the real thing looks like. See the adjustments the arrows in the picture point to?"
"Un huh. Looks like you don't move them much for a lot of difference in what comes out."
"You're right. You also must be careful not to adjust them too tight as it can damage the burrs. I have a spare set, but we must be careful with them because we can't get any more burrs for perhaps a long time."
"Who gets to go first?"
"We'll do it by age. When that person gets tired, it will be time for her to get ready for bed."
"That's not fair!"
"That's very fair, Lexi. When you decide to stop grinding, I think story time might be your favorite place to be."
"That's already our favorite place."
"Time to grind. Put a bowl under the grinder to catch the flour. While Lexi turns the crank, one of you pour in the grain - slowly, because you don't want it above the 'Fill to here' line."
"Unh! It got lots harder to turn when you put the stuff in it, Terry."
"Still think you can do the flour needed for all the bread?"
"Maybe..."
~~~
"How'd they do, Kate?"
"Lexi got almost a cup, Terry just over a cup, and Abby did two cups. Pretty good for their first times. Most people have no idea how much work this is."
"That's why we had the electric motor attachment for the grinder, but now we're back to the methods of a previous century."
"You go read to the girls, Dad. Jack and I will do the rest of the grinding."
~~~
"Story time, girls. Get your pajamas and brush your teeth."
"You're silly, Grandpa! We don't brush our teeth with pajamas."
"No, you don't, Lexi - but you know what I meant. I could decide not to read tonight."
"We're doing it! Just a minute."
"OK. I'm counting seconds. One. Two. Three..."
"We're supposed to brush for two minutes."
"I'll count up to 120, Abby."
~~~
"... 118. 119. 1..."
"We're done!"
" Did you take the clock with you to watch the seconds?"
"No. Grandma Betty told us that saying 'One. One thousand. Two. One thousand.' was close to counting seconds."
"You're right on time, Abby."
"The 'One. One thousand.' thing really works?"
"I was counting off the seconds on my watch and you're in time with it."
"I didn't know I could do that."
"There are probably a lot of things that each of you doesn't yet know that you can do. Life's all about learning and discovering."
"And you're gonna be our teacher and director of discovery. Read to us, teacher."
"OK. Just one chapter because I already see yawns."
"You gotta tuck us in and kiss us goodnight."
"After the story, Abby."
"OK."
~~~
Neither Lexi nor Terry made it to the end of the chapter. Abby's starting to nod but her eyes are still partly open. Guess I'll be reading this long chapter again. Time for bedtime carry.
"Jack, Kate. I have a couple of kids who are out of it. Could you help me get them to bed?"
"The grinding really wore them out, Dad - each of them kept going until she couldn't turn the crank another time. I'm certainly glad to take a break from it. I'll get Terry, Jack can get Lexi and you can steer Abby so she doesn't walk into a wall."
They're down. Kiss on the forehead for each of them, even though they probably won't remember it. Lexi gets one from Jack and each of them gets one from Kate. We've become a very close family in the past couple of weeks.
Abby's internal clock does well with counting seconds. Wonder how she does on time-of-day? Something to check tomorrow. Probably should check Terry's clock sense as well.
~~~
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Post by kaijafon on Aug 19, 2013 16:00:05 GMT -6
wonderfully sweet chapter! thank you!!!
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 6, 2013 20:14:56 GMT -6
Chapter 43 - Saturday morning
"Time to get up, sleepyheads. The biscuits are ready."
"It's too early for breakfast, Aunt Kate."
"Not if you want to help with the chocolate cake and cinnamon rolls, Terry."
"Chocolate cake! Yummy!"
"What are you yelling about, Terry?"
"C'mon, Abby. We're baking chocolate cake!"
"I'm coming!"
"Me, too!"
"First the three of you need to stop long enough to eat breakfast. The biscuits are hot and there's honey, maple syrup, strawberry preserves..."
"I want peanut butter."
"Already on the table, Abby."
"Thank you."
~~~
"We're ready to bake cakes."
"Not yet, Terry. Go change out of your pajamas, get aprons, and wash your hands."
"Yes, Aunt Kate. What do we bake first?"
"We'll do the breads first, as the oven needs to be a little hotter for them and it's already hot from baking the biscuits. When the breads are finished, we'll let the fire burn down a little so the oven can cool to the right temperature for the cakes."
"How do you know what temperature it is in the oven?"
"I'm doing it the easy way, Abby - with an oven thermometer. If I didn't have that, I'd be using one of the methods listed the manual for the wood stove. Look on page nine."
"They say you have to check a bunch of places to know what the average temperature in the whole oven is. I only see one thermometer."
"You have to move the thermometer a lot - and wait for the temperature in the oven to stabilize each time after you close the door. My grandmother mapped the oven and stove top temperature zones a long time ago. There's a chart in a zippered plastic bag for each stove. Here's the one for the stove in the kitchen."
"Cakes cook at 325 but I don't see numbers like that on the chart."
"How do you know the temperature for cakes, Abby?"
"Grandma Betty let me help make a birthday cake for Terry one time. I got to read the numbers on the recipe and set the oven before we started mixing the batter."
"That was a modern oven with a thermostat to set the temperature and it's made so the temperature stays even in most of the oven. Wood stoves don't have thermostats and how you build the fire can affect how evenly the oven heats. The damper setting also affects the maximum temperature the oven can reach. The letter 'A' tells us where the oven is the average temperature, and the numbers with a plus or minus tell us which areas are warmer or cooler than the average. Since there can easily be 25 degrees difference between a warmer and a cooler spot, we can have something baking at 325 and something else baking at 350 if we know the oven's map."
"So that's why you have different breads at different places in the oven when we're baking."
"Correct, smart girl. Part of what I will be teaching in woodstove cooking is how to map the stove - oven and top - and how to make the best use of the uneven heating the stove provides."
"You're smart, Aunt Kate."
"Not smart, Terry - just paid attention to my grandmother and mother when they were cooking and canning on the wood fired stoves."
~~~
"The recipe calls for milk, but we drank it all last night."
"You drank the fresh milk, Lexi. We can use the milk we make from powder for cooking."
"I made up a gallon earlier this morning, Kate. It's in the springhouse."
"Thanks, Jack. Abby, would you go get the milk?"
"On my way. Can't wait to lick the bowl for chocolate cake."
"Terry, the measuring cups and spoons are in the drawer to the right of the sink. Lexi, the mixing bowls are in the lower cabinet to the right of the drawer."
"Got mine."
"Me, too."
"Put them on the counter for me."
"Here's the milk."
"Thank you girls. Abby can measure the liquids. I'll help Lexi with the dry measures. When I tell you to, add that ingredient to the bowl while Terry stirs. We'll do a similar process for each thing we bake. I know you want to go to the shooting range today. Your Grandpa has already taken everything up there and it's ready for first two of you after the cake pans go in the oven and the mixing and measuring things are washed. There's a poster on the dining table for each you to work on while the other two girls are shooting. Your Grandpa will explain the rotation when the first two get to the range and they'll tell Terry when they come back. You'll also have to wash your hands very well when you come back from the range - we don't want anything we cook to smell or taste of gunpowder."
"You're silly!"
"No, I'm very aware of how that scent stays on your skin. There's a brush and some special hand cleaner you can use to get most of the shooting residue off your hands."
~~~
"I thought we were making a chocolate cake. Why does the recipe have 'vanilla' in it?"
"Because some flavors help make other flavors better. A little vanilla makes the chocolate taste better. There's a lot of art in cooking things that taste great. Part of the cooking lessons will be the little things that make a big difference in how the finished product tastes."
"We're getting free cooking lessons!"
"I wouldn't call it free, Lexi. We're almost paying the same as other people - hauling firewood, doing the measuring and mixing, and washing dishes."
"You're right, little sister, but we're also having fun - we get to lick the bowls!"
"If we get to them before Grandpa does..."
~~~
"Lexi, do you remember Abby lighting matches?"
"Un huh."
"The target is the line where the match head changes color."
"You just wanna scrape across the top of it?"
"Exactly. If you can do it, I'll explain later why this type of practice is important. I want you to get as much practice time as possible today. I can explain after dark, but you can't see to shoot after dark."
"OK - you always give good explanations. I know the rifle shoots straighter farther away than the pistol. Does that mean I gotta be real close to light a match with the pistol?"
"With the rifle, Abby consistently lights 10 out of 10 matches at 30 feet but only 9 of 10 at 40 feet. I think you might have similar success with the pistol at maybe 10 feet and 15 feet. I want you to try lighting matches with the pistol while Abby practices with the rifle. You both are to try shooting from the standing, sitting, and prone positions."
"That's gonna be hard when we only have 30 minutes."
"I'm aware of the time limits, Abby, so everything will be ready each time two of you come to the range. Thirty minutes standing this time and the next position on your next trip up here. I have my watch, so I'll tell you when to go back to baking. Next trip will be Abby and Terry, then Lexi and Terry. If it goes on long enough, we'll start back with Abby and Lexi and continue the pattern. If I think any of you need more practice than you have time for this morning, we'll come back up here when you get back from the Trotters' place."
"OK."
~~~
"Why did you stop shooting, Abby?"
"Isn't it time to go back?"
"In about 30 seconds. After seeing how good your sense of time was in counting seconds last night, I wondered whether you were aware of longer time periods. It seems that you keep good time - just like an expensive watch. Come here and let me listen to your brain so I can hear what its ticking sounds like."
"You're silly, Grandpa, but you make all sorts of things fun."
"I'm glad my girls are having fun today."
"It'll be even better when we start on the cakes and cinnamon rolls: yummy icing!"
"Remember that the cakes and rolls get their full share before you get any."
~~~
"We can start the next batch of bread now."
"No, you can scrub your hands until I'm satisfied with how clean they are, then you can get your aprons on and start measuring and mixing."
"This hand cleaner looks and feels like the stuff Grandma Betty used on her cake pans."
"Abby, I can promise that it only looks like the shortening she used. Get your hands closer to your face and take just a little sniff."
"Yuck!"
"When you're used enough soap and water to get that scent off your hands, I'll consider them clean enough for cooking."
"How will I get just one hand clean after I get a turn shooting?"
"I'll help you, Terry."
"Thanks, Abby."
"I like the sign you did, Terry. That shade of blue is my favorite color."
"Thanks, Lexi."
"Grandpa said we were going to see the Trotters. Do you know why, Aunt Kate?"
"Yes, Abby. He has a list of things he wants some other people to do and the list includes Mr. Trotter and Kyle. I think you may have to help persuade Kyle to do what your Grandpa wants."
"How could I make Kyle do anything?"
"We'll talk about that later. You have bread to mix."
~~~
" Daddy, what's that noise?"
"Sounds like someone on a horse riding for his life. You girls get inside and down by the beds - stay away from the windows. Kate, get your rifle. I have the shotgun."
"That looks like Hal."
"I think you're right, Kate, but you get behind the corner of the house just in case."
"OK."
"Sergeant Mason! Sergeant Mason!"
"He's up at the range, Hal. Why the hurry?"
"He's gotta see the intercepts we got about 30 minutes ago!"
"I'll go get him, Uncle Jack. I'm the fastest runner."
"I think you're correct, Abby. Just tell him Hal rode in with fresh intercepts and I'm sure he'll be here quickly. Hal, let's get your horse cooled down and get some water for him. And for you as well."
"Thanks. What smells so good?"
"I'm working on your idea of giving wood stove cooking lessons and will be handing out little samples of three kinds of bread plus cakes and cinnamon rolls tomorrow at Trade Day."
"I'm not sure we'll have a Trade Day tomorrow - or ever again. That's why Sergeant Mason needs to see these."
"See what, Hal?"
"What we've heard so far this morning, Sergeant Mason. It seems to be plans to disrupt the candidate introductions tomorrow after church - possibly permanently. Your name was mentioned several times, along with Mr. Trotter, Mr. Black and the Doc. I don't think it's safe for you to be there tomorrow."
"Give me a few minutes to review these, Hal, then we'll do some planning and get the others involved."
~~~
"Kate, I think you should go ahead with your cooking plans. Us having a table of samples set up will make things seem normal tomorrow. The girls will all need some time on the range with the new targets. We'll continue shooting while you're cooking and go back up to the range after you've seen the Blacks and Jack and the girls have been to the Trotters. Jack should take one of the freshly baked loaves of bread with him to smooth the negotiations for stove and chimney work. I think it best to send you and Jack out so I appear to be unaware of the situation. We'll let the Blacks and Trotters start spreading the word. You'll be taking individualized copies of tomorrow's agenda for the candidate introductions. The Blacks and Trotters will pass them along to those who need to know. We had a set of key words that were used for communications whenever there were escapees from the old prison work farm out on County Road 71 and I'll use those codes again, in case a copy falls into the hands of the MAG or the Chinese. Hal, I want you to drop off Doc Wilson's copy and also give a verbal update to the other ROTC members in town. Here's a list of requests for the Ishams to carry back with you. You can take it easier on your horse on the way back."
"You really say a lot sometimes, Grandpa!"
"Terry, this time I just condensed our immediate plans into one long paragraph - but it covers a lot of work for many people. I know that you missed a range session while we were planning but the first batch of bread is out of the oven and another batch is in. As soon as the next batch of batter is mixed, I want you and Abby up on the range. I have some explanations about why you've been shooting at matches and about the new targets I want all three of you to practice with."
" Do we still get to do the cakes and stuff?"
"Yes, Lexi, but the icing may have to wait until later today."
"OK."
~~~
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Post by kaijafon on Sept 9, 2013 21:47:41 GMT -6
Thank you so much! sounds like some real action soon!
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Post by philipinoregon on Sept 10, 2013 15:21:28 GMT -6
Thank you Papaof Two... Between Summer regular work, my own medical issues and extra jobs, I lost where this was... I am so glad I took time off, of re-building the new Hard Top for myold Isuzu Amigo, to catch up with this...
I pray your health issues are being medically improved, with guided hands by our Healer above,
philip
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 2, 2013 20:31:54 GMT -6
Chapter 44 - Saturday afternoon
"Hi, Kate. How did things go at the Blacks' house?"
"Better than I could have hoped for, Dad. Mr. Black has pages of abbreviated notes that he wants transcribed to the 'official' records - both family and animals - and they will handle our current and future plumbing needs if I can give him a couple of hours a week until the work is finished. Mrs. Black also had a gift for Lexi - the pink-handled .25 automatic she once carried. Except for the handles, it's the same model that Terry has. Her comment was 'Any child Bill Mason describes as a little Annie Oakley is ready to have her own firearm'. There's also 1500 rounds of ammo for the girls to share."
"Then things did go well. When can they do the plumbing for you?"
"George wants to go by the house and see the layout so he can plan the complete installation before they acquire any materials. I'm pleased to have someone put that much thought into their work."
"George and Ed do good work, which is why I suggested you ask them first."
"They're also pleased that they won't be the ones trying to decipher Carl's writing."
"I can understand that. Did you want to give Lexi the pistol when they get back?"
"She asked you about getting her own pistol earlier today, Dad, so I think you should present it to her. Getting it directly from you should also remind her to practice what she learned about safety."
"I like that idea, Kate. I just hope she isn't disappointed later when I can't perform another miracle as quickly."
~~~
"Thanks for bringing this information out to me, Jack. I'll see that all the people on the list get their copies today. Kyle, there's a request for you as well."
"Me? I thought only grownups were involved."
"You'll be twelve on the 9th of next month..."
"May 9th? That's my birthday, too. Maybe we can have a party together. What kind of cake do you like?"
"Yellow cake with chocolate icing. I think having a party together might be fun, Abby."
"Work before fun, Kyle. Apparently Mr. Mason thinks you're mature enough to share some of the grownup responsibilities, so here's your assignment."
"What?? No way I'll do that!"
"I don't think Grandpa would ask anyone to attempt something they can't do. Let me see that note."
"Here, Abby! You can take it back to him!"
"That's not so bad. I can't change my birthday, Kyle, but I don't have to share my party with someone who won't help others."
"But Abby, it's so embarrassing!"
"No. It's different and none of the other people will think anything unusual is going on. I like the idea."
"I think it's a good plan, son."
"Now you're all ganging up on me."
"You know, Kyle, I think you'll make a cu..."
" Don't say it, Dad or I won't do it!"
"OK, Kyle. I won't say it, but don't be surprised if someone else does."
~~~
"Grandpa, we all got to drive the buggy both ways today!"
"Who is the best driver, Lexi?"
"Abby, then me, then Terry. I think Abby and Terry woulda been real close if Terry didn't have the cast on."
"Kate, how are you at running a party for a shared birthday?"
"Shared birthdays, Jack? Who?"
"Kyle Trotter and Abby on May 9th. They've agreed on a yellow cake with chocolate icing. I don't know you'll manage two sets of candles."
"Kyle agreed to do what I asked?"
"Yes, Mr. Mason - although Abby did threaten him with being uninvited to her party if he didn't help."
"It seems our jeans-and-sneakers tomboy also knows how to use her persuasive abilities."
"Grandpa!"
"You put the needs of the community first, Abby. I'm very pleased with the way you stepped in and helped resolve things."
"Can we do the rest of the baking now, Aunt Kate?"
"Yes, Terry. The recipes and all the ingredients are on the counter. Wash up, then Abby can read the recipe and you can make cakes. When they're in the oven, your Grandpa wants you back at the shooting range."
"Before you start, I have something for Lexi."
"For me, Grandpa? What?"
"Something you asked for earlier today."
"A little pistol and it has pink handles!"
" Do you remember how to handle it safely?"
"Point it away from everyone. Finger outside the trigger guard. Safety on. Drop the magazine. Check the chamber."
"I think you may be ready to have your own firearm, Lexi. There's an inside the waistband holster for it."
"I don't think the IWB holster will work, Dad. She's so slim those jeans won't stay up with even the little extra weight of the .25. Lexi, I think there's a belt in your BOB."
"I'll go get it!"
~~~
"Arnold, what's that noise?"
"What noise, Hal?"
"Sounds like 'putt-putt-ching' and it's coming from somewhere close to the railroad depot."
"Get the others and all of you get your weapons."
"It's a motorized rail maintenance cart. My Dad showed me one at the Rail Museum."
"Thanks, Alyssa. You have binoculars?"
"Yes. Two people on it. Looks like one adult and one child."
"You and Hal get behind cover. I'll meet the cart."
"Hello. Is Bill Mason here?"
"Who's asking?"
"I'm Gene Simmons and this is my son, Mike. Bill was my sniping instructor. If you have a medic or a doctor, I need their services to get a bullet out of my arm."
" Doc Wilson is just up the street. I'll get him."
"Thanks, Hal. How did you get shot Mr. Simmons?"
"Some men wearing camo that I didn't recognize were scavenging the area and started shooting when I warned them away. They got me with one lucky shot. I'm a decent shot with one hand when the rifle is resting on a sand bag, so I held them off with Mike reloading magazines and changing them for me as needed. After I got three of them, the rest apparently decided that whatever I might have wasn't worth dying for."
"Could you read any nametags?"
"Looked like they had been marked through or painted over to make them unreadable."
"I think we know who they are. There's a small group of Chinese troops camped in the forest near the lake. Sergeant Mason said he thought they were wearing Chinese urban camo."
"Chinese?"
"When Doc Wilson is finished with you, we'll take you out to Sergeant Mason's place and let him explain."
"Can you take the things I brought? I'm sure Bill has a lot put back, but I don't want to impact his supplies. Does he have room for two more people?"
"He has two or three beds available in the old bunkhouse."
" Doc, this is Gene Simmons. He served with Bill."
"You boys help him over to my office. The operating room is primitive but the solar tube Bill gave me provides good light. From the looks of things, Gene, it's been several hours since you were shot."
"About ten hours, Doc."
"The only painkiller I have in quantity is morphine. You OK to take it?"
"Never had a problem with it before."
"OK. You know what you weigh?"
"About 190."
"I can promise that this will hurt, even with the morphine."
"Just give me something to bite on."
"Here's a towel."
~~~
"Is my Daddy gonna be OK?"
"Yes, Mike. When Doc Wilson is satisfied that the incision is secure, we'll take you and your Dad out to see Sergeant Mason. You can meet Sergeant Mason's grandkids."
"Any boys?"
"No, three girls."
"Yuck!"
~~~
"Hello the house."
"Hello, Arnold, Hal. What brings you out here."
"Someone who says he knows you. In the back of the wagon."
"Gene Simmons! What are you doing here?"
"Looking for place to bunk while I heal. Bill, this is my son, Mike. Mike, this is Sergeant Mason - a man I owe my life to several times."
"Not that big a deal, Gene. I was just doing my job. Jack, Kate, girls. Come on out. There's someone I want you to meet."
"What are girls doing with guns? Grandfather Al always said that girls can't shoot."
"Mike, your grandfather never knew any girls who had a teacher like Bill Mason. I think you should hold your tongue until you see what they can do."
"If I hafta."
"You 'hafta'."
"Gene, the girls were on their way to the shooting range when we heard the wagon approaching. Let's get you and Mike settled in the bunkhouse and Mike can go up with us."
"The ROTC troops said something about Chinese troops?"
"I'll explain when we get back. I'll also explain why I think the girls need range time."
"I know, Bill. You never did anything without good reason. I'll nap until you get back."
~~~
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
"You just lit five matches with five shots! How'd you do that?"
"You wanna try? There's five matches left and you just scrape across the top of them."
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
"You got one out of five. Not bad for your first try."
"So how did you do your first try, Abby?"
"One out of three."
"They can do it with those toy pistols?"
"Those pistols aren't toys, Mike. You do better a small weapon that you can hit the bullseye with than a big one that you can't hit the barn with. Terry and Lexi are both very good with them. I'll put fresh matches in the holder so they can show you. It's Lexi's first time with her new pistol - she got it today - but she'll still do OK with it. When they finish, we have to get back to baking the cakes and cinnamon rolls."
"You shoot and cook?"
~~~
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Post by kaijafon on Oct 3, 2013 1:44:33 GMT -6
"You shoot and cook?"
LOL! I think someone just "fell in love"! hahaha!
thank you!
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Post by philipinoregon on Oct 7, 2013 11:39:43 GMT -6
Thank you!!!! Great writing, and timed good also, I had run out of reading material! How did YOU know that? !!!!
Philip I pray, all is well...
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Post by crf78112 on Oct 7, 2013 18:20:11 GMT -6
"You shoot and cook?" Works for me. My Mother shot her last deer at 81 just 6 months before going to be with Jesus. And cooked right up til the end. Both of my parents taught my sister and 4 brothers how to shoot and taught us USMC style. I was a squad leader in boot camp and after our first day of shooting was also an "assistant" shooting coach. I have seen this same reaction more than once as friends and family saw my mother, sister, daughters and nieces shoot. Yep, boys can be so dumb can't we.
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 7, 2013 19:14:41 GMT -6
Having a daughter with a Master's in Engineering from GA Tech, I'm aware that a girl can be softly feminine but still be a unique combination of a power-user of high tech, a flower gardener, a tough boss, a good parent, and a decent cook.
It seemed appropriate that one or more of my "writing children" be no less.
The IQ above 130 is also from her. When we got the IQ equivalents from various college entrance exams, she didn't want to know the number, so we didn't write it down and the paperwork was tossed - but some things are easy to extrapolate.
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 8, 2013 18:06:42 GMT -6
A short chapter before I head off for surgery tomorrow.
Chapter 45 - Saturday evening
"How'd it go at the range, Mike?"
"You were right about waiting to see what they could do, Dad. Abby lit five out of five matches with her .22 rifle. Terry and Lexi can do it with their .25 pistols, too. Terry lit five of five and Lexi lit three of five with a pistol she was shooting for the first time."
" Did you try?"
"Yes, but I only lit one out of five with mine."
"So you don't have a problem with some girls having guns?"
"Not when shoot better than me - but Abby, Terry and Lexi do 'girly' things, too, like baking."
"That reminds me of your mother - she could shoot and cook."
"They're baking cakes and stuff for Trade Day tomorrow. Been a long time since I had any cake - can I get a sample, Abby?"
"That's what we're baking, Mike: samples. Aunt Kate is gonna offer classes on cooking with a wood stove and the samples will prove how good she is."
"No, Abby. They prove how good we are. All three of you helped with today's cooking. Mike, I think we can manage some samples for dessert tonight."
"Can I do that class with one hand, Kate? Mike and I are both tired of my rather limited cooking skills. Beans and rice will keep you alive but they can get boring."
"Working with one hand is not a problem, Mr. Simmons. Terry is limited by her cast but still manages to help with almost everything."
"When do the classes start?"
"As soon as I find out how many people are interested enough to pay for the class. I'll take payment in supplies of many kinds: flour, sugar, spices, finished products that we use, canned or dried foodstuffs, firewood, treated fuel, fresh meat, milk or eggs. I haven't yet decided about pre-65 silver."
"A real Trade Day, then?"
"Yes, just be careful trading with Abby - she's drives a hard bargain."
"Aunt Kate!"
"Just telling the truth, Abby. You usually get the best end of any bartering you're a party to."
"I had to be really good at trading when we lived with Crystal. Sometimes that was the only way me and Terry got any food. Things are a lot better now."
"I appreciate these hugs girls, just remember to be gentle on the ribs you bruised the other day."
"We just wanted you to know how much we love being here, Grandpa."
"'Grandpa'? Are all these Kate's kids?"
"Lexi will be, but Abby and Terry have a very different story. Either of you want to tell Mr. Simmons?"
"You tell him, Terry. I'll try not to take over in the middle of the story."
"OK, Abby. Well, we were living with Momma's cousin Crystal, but she got shot..."
~~~
" Dad?"
"Yes, Mike?"
"Why would anybody have called Abby and Terry 'trailer trash? They're smart and they're really nice."
"Sometimes people assume that where kids live or how they dress is their choice. After their mother and grandmother died, they were sort of shuffled off to the trailer park to stay with a distant relative who really didn't care about them, so they were dirty, ragged, and probably hungry most of the time. Could you have seen past ragged clothes and dirty faces to find the nice people you met today?"
"Maybe."
"What if your friends all called them 'trailer trash'?"
"That woulda been hard. But they're not ragged or dirty and they don't look hungry now. What changed?"
"The family they're a part of. Mr. Mason obviously cares about them and he's made sure that they are fed and clothed and taught. Do you remember them being excited when talking about driving a tractor and driving the buggy - even about school starting back? Abby and Terry don't have to hear Mr. Mason say "I love you" to know that they are loved and respected as individuals and that he would do anything for them. They've blossomed under that kind of care. I doubt that any of the kids who called them 'trailer trash' would even recognize these two confident girls as kids they knew from school."
" Does who you live with really make that much difference?"
"All the difference in the world, Mike."
"I'm glad I'm with you, Dad."
"Me too, son."
~~~
"Mr. Simmons, Aunt Kate said to come to the house and wash up for supper."
"We'll stop by the outhouse on our way, Terry."
"You don't hafta. Grandpa's toilet works."
"A flush toilet?"
"See the blue barrels? He catches rain in them to flush with. The barrel on the back of the house makes hot water for showers."
"You gonna make me take a shower, Dad?"
"After supper, Mike. Plan on it and be sure to wash your hair."
"Yuck."
~~~
"Gene, the bathroom is on your left. The cornbread will be ready in a couple of minutes and everything else is hot."
"Bill, I haven't seen a spread of food like this in months. How'd you do it?"
"Sandra and I had always canned or dried some of what we grew, along with some of the game I shot, plus we traded for things from a neighbor's greenhouse. Soon we'll have fresh foods from our garden again."
" Do Abby and Terry garden, too?"
"Yes, Mike. They helped sort the seeds and plant them."
"Sort seeds?"
"Go ahead and wash up, then you can ask one of them about sorting seeds while we're eating."
~~~
"I don't believe this meal: chicken, green beans, fresh applesauce, hot cornbread - how'd you bake cornbread without getting the kitchen hot?"
"Mr. Simmons, we use the stove that's outside. Grandpa said it they always used it in hot weather and for canning and baking a lot of stuff 'cause it would be hot for so long. We carry the firewood and kindling from the woodshed to whichever stove needs it."
"You cut and split wood, too, Abby?"
"Not yet, Mike. Grandpa says we're not big enough to use the ax or the saw. Maybe when I'm 11 or 12."
"How old are you?"
"I'll be nine next month. Terry is seven and Lexi is almost six."
"I was nine last month. We'd be in the same grade if we were in school."
"Cousin Alice wants to start a one room school, just like in the Little House books."
"Little House? Isn't that about a girl?"
"It was written about a girl's adventures growing up in the 1800's, but her Pa was a hunter, trapper and farmer and there's stuff about her brothers in it, too. We get a chapter every night for a bed time story. You wanna listen?"
"Maybe."
"'Scuse me."
"Yes, Lexi?"
"Grandpa, can I say the blessing?"
"Of course."
"God is great. God is good. Thank you for hot cornbread and our new friends. Amen."
"Amen."
" Did you have a question about the garden, Mike?"
"Yes, Dad. Abby, your Grandpa said something about sorting seeds before you planted them. Why did you do that?"
"Grandpa called it 'companion planting'. Some of the bugs that eat crops don't like certain flowers. If you plant the right flower next to a veggie, the bugs will leave the veggie alone because they don't like that flower."
"You're smart."
"No, Grandpa just teaches us about everything."
"Can he teach me, too?"
"If you're willing to work as long as the girls work, Mike, you can learn along with them. You want to help with icing the remaining cakes and the cinnamon rolls?"
"If they can learn to shoot, I guess I can learn to cook."
"One more thing before you go to work. Mike wanted a sample, so I'll cut the yellow cake with chocolate icing that the girls finished while supper was cooking."
"Yummy! Thank you, Aunt Kate."
"You're welcome, Terry."
"Can we stay here forever, Dad?"
"Can you learn to wash and dry dishes and wash clothes?"
"I can to get desserts like this!"
~~~
"Girls, remember that we'll be leaving for church early tomorrow. Each of you needs to get appropriate clothes out tonight. Kate, do they all need showers?"
"Unless they want to smell like chocolate and pumpernickel tomorrow. Either scent might be OK, but I don't think they want that combination. That means washing your hair also, girls. Abby, if you'll help Terry with her hair, I'll help Lexi. I'll also be watching the time for each of you so you don't use all the warm water. Mr. Simmons and Mike might want to take advantage of the shower as well. The water isn't hot because Jack and I each showered earlier in the day and the tank hasn't fully recovered, but the water is warm enough to be comfortable."
"Thank you, Kate. I would like to shower and Mike has been told that he will. Mike, I'll need you to help me until my arm is back to normal."
"What do I need to bring from the bunkhouse, Dad?"
"I'll go with you and we'll make up a kit for each of us."
"OK."
"When the kids are all ready for bed, I'll read the next chapter of Little House to them."
"Remember to do the voices, Grandpa."
"I will, Terry."
~~~
"I'm back, Bill. Being well fed, freshly bathed, and treated like family by the girls, Mike only needed a couple of minutes to get to sleep."
"That's good, Gene. Knowing what might happen tomorrow, do you and Mike want to go with us or stay here? You're already wounded and this is not your fight, so I have no problem with either choice."
"Bill, there's no way I'd miss out on a possible chance to do something for you and I'd never be able to convince Mike that he shouldn't be somewhere that the girls are going. From what I've learned today, the people you could be facing may very well be associated with the group that shot me. I'm in."
"That's about what I expected you to say; I just wanted to be sure."
~~~
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Post by crf78112 on Oct 8, 2013 19:37:50 GMT -6
Wishing you well on your surgery, will be praying for good reports.
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Post by philipinoregon on Oct 9, 2013 15:22:38 GMT -6
PapaOf2,
I pray the surgery was successful. Thank you for taking the time to add a chapter,
Yours, in Christ Jesus,
philip
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Post by freebirde on Oct 9, 2013 15:27:03 GMT -6
Just dropped and caught up reading. I hope you are out of surgery and doing well! If you can't do it yourself, ask someone to pop in and give us an update.
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Post by kaijafon on Oct 9, 2013 15:38:45 GMT -6
thank you for the chapter. I hope your surgery went well and you are recovering nicely!
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 12, 2013 12:13:33 GMT -6
Back home from surgery. Things went about as expected, except that the prostate was twice as big as the doctor thought it was from the ultrasound - fist size instead of two walnuts. Robotic surgery, so I was home the next day, but I'm too sore to do much - getting from lying down to sitting up (and the reverse) is bad - and the doc and I don't agree on the proper level of painkiller. The bloating and swelling should go down when my colon wakes up - hopefully today or tomorrow.
Thanks for all the concern.
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Post by kaijafon on Oct 12, 2013 15:54:41 GMT -6
ouch! please take care of yourself and get plenty of rest!!! I hate it when you get a doctor that does not understand pain levels.
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Post by crf78112 on Oct 15, 2013 16:39:15 GMT -6
Been off the net for a few days but certainly happy to hear you are out and sort of about. I'm an onery old cuss and having a Dr tell me "It's not so bad" just frosts my soul. Wishing you well and a speedy recovery.
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 18, 2013 9:25:34 GMT -6
The swelling proved to be a bowel shutdown. Just got home from three days in the hospital to get things moving again. Now on a liquid to soft diet, six small meals a day for a while; but I am up and moving (slowly).
Always good to have a spouse who says "If what you want isn't in the pantry, I'll go get it."
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Post by kaijafon on Oct 18, 2013 16:23:28 GMT -6
oh my goodness! you take it easy!!! and no cheese!! are raisins allowed? I've always found that when I get .... em...clogged up.... raisins and a hot cup of coffee seem to break it all free! Take care!!
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