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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:25:31 GMT -6
Saturday, 25 December, 4:40AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Dress in the warm clothes in bed with me. Now boots. Glock. 'Nerd' light. Coat. To the basement. Still have a small fire left. Load the firebox as full as is safe. Back up to the kitchen. Coffee on to brew and water on to heat. Heavier coat. Balaclava. Ear flap hat. Serious gloves. Flashlight I can manage with gloves on. Outside. The snow has slowed if not stopped. That's good but it's likely colder. Three below. Absolutely colder. Hope the timer on the hose heater provided enough heat to be able to start the tractor. Sluggish but it's turning over. And it starts! Let it idle a little while. Check the blade lift. It's working. Now into the wind and move enough snow to allow chores to be done. One pass away from the barn. One back to it. Lift the blade and back inside the 'tractor room'.. Engine off. Gas shutoff closed. To the school and turn up the heat. It'll take a while to get to 68 inside. Back to the house. The cows won't need us for a little while. By then, I might be warm enough to go back out. Don't think the kids will stay on their new bikes long, even out of the wind. Get coffee. Take off my boots and stretch out with my feet on a register. Very nice.
"You've already been out, Mr. Wilson?"
"Yes. Mrs. Wilson. The paths are cleared. The heat is turned up in the trailer. The snow is much lighter but the temperature was minus three. Expect it to fall another degree or two after sunrise. We have chores to do but not until my feet are much warmer."
"I'd prefer some internal liquid warmth before braving the cold. You have water on for things other than coffee?"
"Always. I would be disowned by my children if I failed to do so."
"There's nothing you would ever do that would cause them to disown you."
"One can hope."
"You goof!"
---
"What are you wearing, Hazel?"
"Multiple layers of my clothes, Jack, plus my coat plus a huge Navy pea coat that was in the attic of the bunkhouse. It's big, a little musty and incredibly warm."
"I think you said a magic word there."
"I did. Warm. That's the most important quality of any clothing today. Bill has the other coat he found yesterday. It's even bigger than this one. I didn't look at the thermometer as we came in because I didn't want to know how cold I was."
"Minus three about 30 minutes ago. Probably dropped a little more by now. I saw the camper was next to the horse barn. Guess Dawkins and Childers decided to stay warm."
"The tack room isn't bad for a tack room but it lacks a bit for a place to live - like having all the air leaks sealed."
"True. At least they have the option. Speaking of options, I need to exercise the option of charging some batteries. We'll be hearing about the battery levels soon if I don't. Sarah, I'll get the charger running and connected to the barn system. Then we can get the bikes off the trailer and I'll check them while you put the name tags on them. When the barn batteries are charged, I'll move the charger to the house system. Good that I plowed or I'd be carrying the charger from place to place. The wheels aren't big enough for this much snow."
---
"The milking is done, Jack. At least there's no rush to get the milk refrigerated. If we left it outside long enough, we'd have ice cream. You ready to move the charger?"
"No. Probably another hour. Batteries were close to 50 percent. The continuous load of the heater for the tractor engine is more than the intermittent loads we normally have out here."
"You'll build a new 'warm place' for the tractor?"
"In the empty end of one of the Quonset huts. Well away from anything flammable. Be nice to have it now but we're doing other things until early afternoon. I think I'll check whether there's any internet access now. That's less than five minutes while I'm working on my next cup of coffee."
"Then grab a pail and back inside."
---
"Smells good, Hazel."
"You go wake the children. That might be just giving them permission to come down here as I'd expect them to be awake but still under the spell of the sleigh bells."
"Will do."
---
"And?"
"They were all awake, Sarah. But no one would be the first out of bed without permission."
"So a line at the bathroom."
"Yes. I mentioned there was another one down here but only got a couple of takers. Not sure where that came from."
"The smell of food will bring them all to the table soon."
---
"Daddy, what about the bells last night?"
"Lisa, I want you to listen to Amelia. She talked with me when I checked on all of you and she described where everyone was and what they were doing. Amelia?"
"Daddy had coffee in one hand and…"
---
"You really don't know why bells were ringing on the roof, Daddy?"
"Maddie, I could make some guesses but I do not know why."
"If you're making guesses, you really don't know. I guess it's good we all went to bed when we did."
"Wash up. Breakfast is ready."
"Yummy!"
'Even Santa takes a back seat to certain foods.'
'So he does.'
"So when do we open presents?"
"After breakfast, Maddie. You all get bundled up to go out to our tree and we'll pass out the presents that are under it. After lunch, there's something else for all of you but it can wait."
"What if we can't wait?"
"Sammy, you don't know where that 'something else' is so waiting is your only choice."
"I guess it is."
---
"All the waffles are gone. Go brush your teeth, change clothes, get shoes and get down here to get bundled up. Time for presents. Remember to pee or I'll sit you on the toilet and tickle you until I'm sure you're empty."
"He'll do it! Go pee."
---
"Recorders, Momma? I guess they're OK for the little kids but you can't play real music on them."
"Amelia?"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"This CD is by a group called 'The Mannheim Steamroller'. I'll play one song and I want you to listen carefully and tell what instruments they use."
"OK."
---
"They used a recorder for real music! I never heard anything but 'baby' songs and thought that was all they were good for."
"Now listen."
---
"You did 'Silent Night' on it! Why didn't they teach us good stuff like that at school?"
"Maybe because the music teacher didn't have time to teach 20 kids how to get more than basic sounds out of the instrument? Did any of them ever show you the things I used to vary the sound?"
"No. What you did is harder than just making the basic notes so it woulda taken longer. Show me how?"
"When your teacher tells me that all of you can play simple pieces well, we can talk about more advanced techniques."
"I guess I can wait."
"There are more packages to open."
"Yes!"
---
"The sneakers I asked for! And they're red!"
"You'll be wearing those in the house for a while, Maddie. I think the snow may be too deep for sneakers."
"You goof! I'd need boots up to my waist to go anywhere that wasn't plowed."
---
"Momma, Daddy. This is for you from all of us."
"Thank you, Jenny and Lexi and all our other kids. It seems light for such a big box."
"It's fragile."
"Then we shall open it carefully."
"A set of eggshell ornaments. There's a lot of work and love in this box."
"Look closer!"
"OK, Leah. These ornaments have faces!"
"All our faces, Momma. Aunt Hazel helped us with that. She made pictures with her phone then used Daddy's laptop to print them on the laser printer 'cause they could be glued without the ink running. Lexi glued the faces on 'cause she's best at that Jenny helped all of us with the painting and they both helped with gluing on the clothes. Aunt Hazel helped with cutting the cloth to make the clothes. Merry Christmas!"
"Let me put this box in a safe place, then all our kids come get a big hug from your Daddy and me. Yes, Sherry, you too. You're also one of my kids."
---
"Jack, if you'd help me hang the family."
"With pleasure. I think these kids did a great job of keeping this a secret."
"It's easier when it's a good secret and you don't hafta keep it very long. And you only hafta keep it secret from two people."
"That's very good, Rachel. I see our little thinker has been thinking about this."
"Un huh. Lots better than the secrets I used to hafta keep. Everything's better with my new family!"
"Even waking up to a cold house and you feeding the chickens?"
"Un huh. I know why the house is cold and that there's a bunch of people who can make it better and they love me enough to do the work. Feeding the chickens is how I show that I love them 'cause feeding the chickens means they have eggs to eat."
"Very good, little thinker."
"And I think the chicken in the oven should be done by now. Ready to work, kids?"
"Yes, Aunt Hazel."
"Yes, Grandma."
"Then start getting in your bundle of clothes. There's a tote for each of you to carry all your presents to the house. The recorders stay out here for now. Adults will help the younger ones with their totes."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
"You seem deep in thought, Jack."
"Yes, Sarah. It seems strange to have had more than 24 hours with no emergencies of any type. A year ago, that sentence would have sounded strange to all of us."
"I notice you haven't dropped your guard, with the charger being moved from building to building as needed, the tablets all charged and your Glock on your belt."
"I doubt that I'll be out of 'something's coming' mode for a long time. It's good that the kids can have a 'normal' Christmas with presents and food and singing."
"It's the closest to normal we've had in a long time, but no phone calls, no Christmas cards, no Christmas specials on TV and no SuperBowl in January. It's also eerily quiet with this much snow. I think I remember you mentioning being snowed in not too long ago. How deep is it?"
"Three feet, eight inches, when I measured by the chicken coop. The temperature is still in single digits and the wind chill is below zero. We should get the kids to their other presents. I doubt that they'll stay there long."
"What about lighting out there?"
"I ran the last long extension cord out there and hung a couple of droplights. Not great lighting, but OK after your eyes adjust from the glare of an all white landscape, even when it's just cloudy bright."
"The glare would be blinding if we had full sun."
"Which is why they make snow goggles which limit the amount of light getting to your eyes to prevent snow blindness."
---
"Kids, bundle up. One more thing for you to see today."
"If we gotta."
"You 'gotta', Hannah."
---
"This is the longest walk yet."
"Yes, Charlie. And the last time you'll be outside today - even wrapped in that big coat."
"I remember what Dr. Adams said. He was right. I'm a little tired."
"If needed, I'll carry you back to the house. I thought you'd want to be part of this."
"Un huh!"
---
"It's dark in here, Poppa!"
"Not so much dark as just not as bright as all the white snow outside. The skylights give enough light that you're not likely to walk into a truck…"
"You're silly!"
"But this light might help."
"My pink bicycle!"
"Check the name tags, Hannah. There's more than one. Be sure you get the one that's the right size for you."
"This one, Daddy! And the seat's just right!"
"Mine too!"
"And mine!"
"Kids, do you remember the 'Whose leg is longest? game?"
"You did that so you could get the right bike for each of us!"
"Yes, Michelle. Younger kids listen up. The training wheels will come off when it's warm enough to be outside and you show me that you can handle your bike without them."
"Yes, Daddy. Where'd the bikes come from?"
"Long story. The doctor didn't want Charlie outside at all but I knew she'd want to see this. She needs to be back inside where it's warm and I see several kids shivering but not willing to say that they're cold. You get the story when we're inside and you're wrapping yourselves around a cup of hot chocolate."
"Wrap myself around it?"
"It will be in your middle. You will be wrapped around it, Debbie."
"Daddy!"
---
"So he survived but his nieces and nephews didn't?"
"Correct, Alicia. We know that there are three groups who survived. Those with the right DNA who were not affected by either virus. Those who were inoculated by the first virus and thus not infected by the second virus. Those who were infected by the second virus but survived. He just happened to be in the small group that was infected but survived."
"But he didn't know us."
"He knew some of your sisters, Jenny. He thought the rest of you were probably pretty good kids. I think he was right."
"You would, Daddy. Having bikes will be good when we can ride out on the roads. That won't happen soon, will it?"
"Not soon, Jenny. You can't ride in the snow. Much of the winter will be too cold to ride. When things warm up in the spring, we don't know how many of the bad guys will have survived. It's also safe to assume that the County won't be out repairing the road damage caused by a very cold winter with lots of snow."
"So maybe not for a long time?"
"Correct. If it's safe to be out, you could use your bike to carry things. Remember us talking about trading with other people? If there's a Trade Day of some type within walking distance. you could carry more beans or tomatoes or pigs on a bicycle than in a backpack."
"Like having a basket on the handlebars?"
"Yes, Hannah. And a basket on each side of the back wheel and maybe on the seat and some other places."
"How would I ride that?"
"You wouldn't be riding. Think of it as a bicycle-barrow - a wheelbarrow with two wheels."
"I guess it could carry a lot of stuff."
"It can. More than most of you can push uphill - or control going downhill. If we do that, we'll be very careful about how much load is on each bike."
"Daddy, my headache is back."
"You've been up a long time and out in the cold longer than you should have been…"
"But…"
"No 'but'. I understand why you wanted to be out for the bikes. Medication for you, Charlie, and you can be in my lap or in the recliner. We'll keep you down here where it's warmer and there are people to keep an eye on you."
"Lap until I'm asleep, then the recliner."
"Take this."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Goodnight kiss on your nose."
"I love you, too, Daddy."
"Why is Charlie getting lap time?"
"Cyndy, Charlie was very sick while we were gone. The doctor wanted her to mostly stay in bed this week but the beds are upstairs where it's not as warm. She's been out of bed but spending a lot of time stretched out on the sofa or in the recliner. The doctor also said she was to stay inside. We made two exceptions to staying inside. First, the events in the school because she wanted to be with all of you. Second, the bicycles because she wanted to see the rest of you get the bikes."
"She knew?"
"All the kids who went to the hydro plant knew. They kept a big secret to surprise the rest of you."
"So she got out in the cold to see us be happy?"
"Yes, Cyndy."
"She loves us a lot."
"Yes."
---
Charlie's been still for a while. The frown is mostly gone so her headache is getting under control. Open the recliner and put her in it. She'll miss the physical contact but she can stretch out. Which she does as soon as she's down. Gotta love these graceful felines. No mental 'I love you' this time. She needs to rest. Put a blanket over her so she stays warm. Tillie curls up beside the recliner. I think Sherry and Charlie are now co-owners of a dog. Thinking of warm, I should check the furnace. It's been going full blast to keep up with the cold and wind. Coat. 'Nerd' light. Gloves. Down to the basement. Seems colder than my previous trip down here. Get more wood from the rack by the door. I see why it's colder. The weight of the snow has broken the latch and pushed the door open. That will require shovel work from outside to clear the door - and a better latch when the snow is cleared. Better than having raiders coming over the fence - house maintenance is 'normal'. Load the firebox. Then up for better outerwear and time with the shovels.
"You're going out again, Jack?"
"The weight of the snow broke the latch on the outside door to the basement and pushed it partly open. There's a reason the floors seemed colder - they are colder. Maybe 30 minutes to clear that with a shovel. An hour if it's frozen together and needs pick and shovel."
"I'll see what Bill and I can find to make repairs. We can work inside while you're outside. More than 20 minutes and you get one of us to spell you out there. We can swap out every 20 minutes as needed."
"Will do."
---
"I know it won't last, Sarah, but the snow has brought a nice break in the hectic lives we were living. Even today's problems seem ordinary."
"Aunt Hazel, problems from this much snow may seem ordinary to you, but I'm still trying to get my head around having three feet of snow."
"I guess it is challenging from your perspective, Sarah. I'm looking from the standpoint of someone who has ropes between buildings in the winter so you can find your way in a snowstorm."
"I can manage quite well without ever being in that position."
"Most of us would prefer not to be there."
--- "You're back in sooner than I expected, Jack."
"Temperature's down, winds up and it's snowing again. When my hands are warm again, I'll use the tractor to move what I dug out far enough away from the house that there's room to toss more snow in that pile. I think there'll be enough room for the rest of what's against the door. I'll plow again so we can do chores and I'll plow to the Quonset hut that houses the bigger equipment. The little tractor may not be adequate for the snow we'll likely have in the morning. I'll check with Dawkins about the weather when I'm at the horse barn."
"OK. Staying warm is the first order of business. We found a couple of possibilities for keeping the door closed with snow against it. You can see them when you come back in."
---
I'm done. Time to park this tractor and connect the heater. Also need to check the battery bank out here. Need to run the charger again before my outside chores are done. It can run while we do the animal chores and I can check the charge level as we work. Then move it to the house and top those batteries off. The forecast is clouds, snow, wind and zero or below temperatures for the next three days. The kids will have cabin fever so maybe get out 'Twister' and 'Limbo' for them and have Sarah start the recorder lessons. I'll teach a few guitar chords and some easy songs to the older ones. The guitar is big for them but a solid body cutaway is closer to a size they can manage than a thick acoustic body would be. More busy equals less bored equals fewer "she's breathing my air" responses to confinement.
---
"How's Charlie?"
"Almost a smile."
"Good, that tells me she's warm and she's not hurting. She'll rest well and rest helps her recuperate."
"Someone might think she was your child. And the weather will be?"
"More of the same. Clouds, wind, snow - another foot or more of snow tonight - and temperatures below zero. And it will continue for the next three days or so. The kids will have cabin fever. Maybe get out 'Twister' and 'Limbo' and start recorder lessons? If those lessons go well, I can teach the older kids a few guitar chords and some easy songs."
"Very good, Mr. Wilson! Things that burn off energy and things that let them be creative."
"Thank you. Mrs. Wilson. I should go see what Joe and Bill came up with for the door while I get warm. Then you and I will be doing animal chores before it gets dark. We can bring in the recorders and guitar then. Also the keyboard?"
"They'll be inside that long?"
"Yes. I plowed a path to the Quonset hut where the bigger equipment is parked. I hope not to need the big four wheel drive John Deere tractor to move snow in the morning but I'm not optimistic about that."
"Definitely plan on all the instruments. I have some sheet music and music books, including a 'Beginning Guitar' book. Perhaps something there you could use?"
"I'll look. Let me check with Joe and Bill. When I come back up here we'll go do chores."
---
"I agree that the temperature is dropping. It got colder in the time I spent milking. And there's another couple inches of snow."
"If it keeps snowing at this rate, well have much more than a foot of new snow by morning. We may be using all our fuel to plow snow instead of plowing for planting."
"We'll have the horses to fall back on if we must."
"Hello, 1850."
---
"Daddy, why is it dark? It's not even time to start supper and it's dark."
"Celia, the clouds are very thick so they block most of the sunlight. It's also snowing hard…"
"Again?"
"Yes, again. And it's windy and too cold for kids to be outside. And we can expect this type of weather to continue for several days."
"Was it like this when you were growing up, Grandpa Joe?"
"Not every winter, Celia. Maybe one winter in five or ten. If we could look at the weather data for the past few years, we'd know if this is one of the bad winters we got from time to time or if the stuff in the atmosphere is making this winter colder."
"But the internet is down and we can't find out."
"Correct. If we had access to a library. they might have the yearly weather summaries for the area. I don't think we could get to a library today."
"Maybe with a snowmobile?"
"That's one of the few things that would work, Celia, but no snowmobiles here that I remember."
"And it's too cold and dark to go look through the old buildings."
"Correct. And only a couple of people have clothing that's even close to being adequate for riding a snowmobile today."
"So we stay inside."
"Yes, but maybe you don't have to stay as bored as you sound. Go see what your mother's doing."
"'Twister'? I love it!"
"Go tell you brother and sisters. Don't wake Charlie. Let your Daddy see if she's ready to be up."
"Yes, Momma."
---
"That was one of their better and more involved hours, Mrs. Wilson."
"It was, Mr. Wilson. Including Charlie, even if her starting position was dictated by her limited ability to be in odd positions. She had fun and the others liked making sure she had fun."
"Her time in the cold to watch the others get bikes influenced more of them than just Cyndy?"
"It did, Jack. I saw two of them bending a leg to give her a place to lean a couple of times."
"They are pretty good kids. I heard you mention the recorders. Were they receptive?"
"About 50-50. All want to learn your advanced techniques. The younger ones will be happy - initially, anyway - just being able to make music."
"Maybe we should do some multi-part harmony. Easier for a group than the fancy fingering."
"Write it for me."
"How about these two songs I wrote out for Sherry, long in the distant past."
"Do you think she'll remember it?"
"We can ask. If she's willing, we'll play these two songs and let the other kids drift in."
"Sneaky, but effective."
---
"Momma, what's that CD?"
"No CD playing, Lisa. Follow your ears."
---
"Play it again!"
"Maybe after the next song. You remember how this one changes, Sherry?"
"Yes, Poppa."
"I didn't know you could do that with a recorder!"
"Didn't sound much like a recorder when both were playing."
"Teach me?"
"Me?"
"It's just basic elementary school recorder playing. Nothing fancy. No tweedle-dee-dees as someone called them."
"But it sounds good when there's more than one!"
"Do more make it better?"
"Mrs. Wilson, your class awaits."
"Thank you, Mr. Wilson."
---
"You and Sherry did well in getting the others hooked, Jack."
"Thanks, Sarah. I originally did some of the fun things to get Sherry to play the recorder well enough to get a passing grade at school. She discovered that she liked playing parts with someone. There's even a 'Dueling Recorders' sheet somewhere that I made up for her and the boy in her class who was almost as good as she was. They had fun with it and were on the PTA program one month. That got a lot more parent support for the 'stupid little instrument' their kids were learning on. Nothing like hearing what a 'master' can do with an instrument. She was the second grade's 'master' musician."
"But she'd rather make music with you."
"I have been known to slip music I like into the things I transcribe for the recorder. This one was for Sherry to play in the Talent Show. You might recognize both tunes."
---
"The one I know well - we almost always use it in the second year. But not with that run from 'The House of the Rising Sun'. That's very creative. Any complaints when she played it?"
"Just that none of the other kids had anyone who could write music for them. I gave a copy to the music teacher who finally recognized it when she played just a few bars one day."
"Well?"
"She opted to use it. The parents either didn't catch it or didn't care. The kids loved the way the music flowed."
"I do also. I'll use it as soon as my songwriter provides a paper copy."
"It's on one of the CD's. I'll have to search for it - unless you want to write it down as I play it."
"Go search."
"I'll check the furnace first. It's dark now and I know it's getting colder."
"Good plan."
---
Furnace is loaded. Someone will be doing this again before midnight. Good that we started the winter with more than 20 cords of wood. If we have a lot of near or below zero days, we'll make a substantial dent in the wood supply - much more than the four or five cords Joe remembered. But this weather isn't the typical winter - his one winter in five or ten is more likely, whether intensified by the nuke-raised particulate matter in the atmosphere or not.
I hope we're won't be experiencing a once-in-a-century event. That would keep things too cold to plant so late in the year that we might not have an adequate growing season. We'll need to do vertical planting in the greenhouse, where possible, to get more of many things started early. If we do the wholesale window replacement, we'll have materials to make cold frames or possibly another small greenhouse. I'd like to have a couple of 100 foot Quonset huts with clear roofs to use as greenhouses but don't think we'll find those. Our crops will be slanted toward things that provide the most food the soonest - preferably things that are cold hardy - this year and next, possibly longer. I should talk with Bill and Joe when the kids are busy elsewhere. I do NOT want to get any of the "I'm responsible for everyone" kids worried about the crops.
I hear the music of multiple recorders. Even if they're only playing scales, they're learning where the notes are and will be able to relate graphics on paper to physical locations on that piece of pipe with holes. We now have two on "Silent Night". One is Sherry because there's no hesitation in the playing. She's played in front of more than a hundred people so the size of the family isn't intimidating. Good for whoever is playing with her - they are in front of a large group. If you survive playing in front of any group, it's always easier the next time.
"I heard some good musicians as I came up the stairs from the basement. This group seems to be moving quickly with their playing."
"Play with me and Lexi, Poppa?"
"And transpose as I go?"
"You're the only one I know who can."
"OK. 1. 2. 3. Play."
---
"It's so different when you're playing, Daddy."
"I'm playing a different note and making those changes in my head as I play."
"They're doing 'F' and you're doing 'G'?"
"A little farther apart than that, Alicia. Too close makes for a sour chord."
"Teach me? What you're doing sounds good!"
"Maybe in a few months. First you must be able to play any piece of music in the recorder's range just by looking. You also must be able to tell me if there are notes the recorder can't reach and whether there's a workaround for that. If you can't do that, you won't be able to transpose and create harmony as you play."
"You're reading a bunch of notes and making the changes in your head and then playing what you remember?"
"Correct. Depending on the music, that could be two to five measures."
"I'm beginning to understand. Regular playing must be automatic - see the note and play it and for the right amount of time - before I'll ever be able to do what you're doing."
"Correct. There's a lot of practice to get to the point of reading well ahead of where you're playing. Did you notice that all the songs you've seen are on one sheet of paper?"
"No. But they are. Why?"
"If you must turn a page, you'll need to have a measure or two in your head so you can play while you turn the page and have time to read the first measure on the next page."
"Doing this will be a lot harder than it looks when you and Sherry are doing it."
"It was hard when I started, but Poppa said to keep trying. And he was right. After a while, I didn't think about turning a page - I just did it and kept playing what was in my head."
Nothing like having a kid tell another kid her age how she does something. If kid one can do it, kid two is comfortable with trying. Thank you, Sherry. And I'll tell you so you can hear me later.
---
"Need my assistant cooks!"
"Coming, Aunt Hazel."
"On my way, Grandma."
"Wash your hands first."
They'll be busy for a while. Time to get with Bill and Joe about crops and growing season.
---
"What's wrong, Daddy?"
"Nothing's wrong, Amelia."
"This is one of your favorite foods and you're mostly pushing it around on your plate so something is wrong."
"You read me too well. Bill, Joe and I had a long talk about the weather and how it may affect the growing season this year. Our best guess is that there'll be enough food for all of us, between the LTS foods we have and what we think we'll be able to grow. However, that comes with a 'gotcha'. To ensure that we have enough food for us and the animals, we'll be planting the crops that produce food quickly and in quantity. We'll also plant some cold-hardy things to extend the growing season a little. The best crops to plant for getting large quantities of food are not the ones you like the most. Beans of many types, potatoes and other things usually produce an abundant harvest. I see some 'Yuck' faces. Just remember that we'll have food, but not your favorites every day."
"Beans and potatoes are better than being hungry but they're kinda blah."
"Lexi, we'll use the spice cookbook to see how we can improve the taste of what we have, but spices are also limited to what we have stored."
"Can we grow some?"
"Rosemary for sure, Shannon. Some peppers. A few other things if we have seeds or can get cuttings from somewhere. Some of the spices will only grow in the greenhouse because they need a warmer place than where we are."
"Granny had a 'spice garden' in the window over the kitchen sink. Can we use any of those?"
"Thank you, Jenny. I don't think anyone paid attention to the wilted things by that window. When the snow clears, we'll check what's there. Some of those things could be freeze-dried by now. We should also check for seeds."
---
"Jack?"
"Yes, Sarah?"
"I talked with Aunt Hazel today. Barring the unforeseen, we'll start on your 'repair' after breakfast tomorrow. You know that Amelia wants to 'help' and learn. We'll probably have Charlie and Maddie involved as well and maybe some of the others - you can never have too many healers."
"What about plowing snow and the animal chores?"
"You plow in the morning. You and I do the morning chores. Uncle Bill can plow snow later, if needed. He and I will handle the evening chores. Dad and some of the kids will have furnace duty."
"You seem to have my day planned out. Any restrictions on me afterwards?"
"A few, but all short term. Some depend on how quickly the 'repair' goes. I'll explain the ones that apply when you wake up in the afternoon."
"OK, Sarah. How many more children do you want to have?"
"As many we can keep fed."
"More bodies can work more acres."
"Probably no more than four. I'm no longer 22."
"If you can manage carrying them to term, we do have some excellent potential babysitters."
"That we do."
---
"Supper is yummy, Aunt Hazel!"
"Un huh!"
"It's another of my recipes combined with one of Jack's recipes."
"Those are always good!"
"I'd say 'Yummy' but Rachel would tell me that grown-ups don't say 'Yummy'."
"Grandpa Joe, you're as silly as Daddy is."
"And you're smiling, Lisa."
"You're both good at that."
"Kids, the weather forecast for tomorrow is the same as it was today - snow, wind and very cold…"
"Yuck!"
"I know you're tired of being inside, Debbie. The forecast for the next several days is clearing and slightly warmer…"
"We can be out longer than ten minutes and not freeze?"
"Yes, Alicia. When the temperature is above 20, you might manage long enough to ride a sled a couple of times…"
"Sled? I didn't see a sled!"
"There are two in the loft area of the barn. We'll get them out when the days are warm enough. There are two hills that are the right slope for beginning sled riders. One will be the 'bunny slope' and you'll all start there. Those who show that they can control the sled will graduate to the 'big kids' hill. Remember that we have two sleds and many more kids than that. Instead of all of you being out in the cold and shivering while you wait for your turn, we'll take you out in small groups so you can watch someone who knows how take a sled down the hill then you can try."
"Who knows how?"
"Your mother. You'll be using her sled. Grandpa Joe. You'll be using his sled."
"You never told us that, Momma."
"Amelia, we never had enough snow where we lived before for a sled to work."
"Can we have races?"
"Sammy, we'll talk about advanced things like races after everyone learns to steer and stop a sled."
"OK."
"Is the sled big enough for more than one?"
"One person lying down, Maddie. Two or three sitting up. You'll get your first ride and early lessons sitting up. When you graduate to the 'big kids' hill, you get to try it lying down. You can go faster that way and you potentially have more control of the sled."
"Show me?"
"When it warms up, Rachel. You'll be riding with someone. You're not big enough or strong enough to control the size sleds we have."
"It's bigger than the saucer I rode?"
"Much bigger, Rachel. You'll see when we go out to do this. Remember that it's several days away - it has to warm up enough that you don't have your hands under your arms to keep them warm. You need your hands to hold on with and the bigger kids will need their hands to steer the sled."
"But we can't do it tomorrow."
"No, Paige. Not tomorrow. I'm telling you in advance so you have something new to look forward to when being inside all the time starts driving you crazy. When the table is cleared and the dishes taken care of, there are some surprises for all of you."
"More presents?"
"No, Shannon. Some fun things to do."
---
'"Game night" is working out well, Mr. Wilson.'
'Thank you, Mrs. Wilson. From "Hi-Ho-Cherry-O" to Chinese Checkers to "The Game of Life" there's something each of them likes. Not to mention having the grandparents playing with them. The little bowls of nuts have them snacking on some relatively healthy things.'
'Aunt Hazel still thinks tomorrow might be a good day for your "repair". Things may be going on in other parts of the world, but there's several hundred miles of enforced quiet around us.'
'I agree. Better now than after things start warming up and the snow melts. I'm not thrilled with plowing snow to be able to care for the animals but several feet of snow do make for a mostly peaceful day. We'd only have visitors if they came by air, snowmobile or snowshoes. We'd hear aircraft or a snowmobile but snowshoes would be almost silent - although the motion sensors should pick that up.'
'I've noticed that Tillie's place to do her business isn't that far from cover.'
'I'd go not farther than I had to if I were outside.'
---
"Bedtime, kids."
"It's too early!"
"One more round so I can win!"
"Not yet!"
"Five more minutes. Check the clock in there."
"Yes, Momma."
"Jammies, brush and floss. Story time."
"Do we hafta?"
"Yes, Michelle. You 'hafta'. Your mother gave you the five minute warning and those five minutes are up."
"But that was only a minute ago!"
"Check the clock, Alicia."
"Oh. It was five minutes."
"Five minutes isn't very long when you're about to win the game you're playing. Remember that ten minutes seemed like forever the first time you were outside in the cold weather we're having this week."
"Your mind doesn't tell time very well, does it?"
"Not for most people. That's why there have been clocks of some type for hundreds of years. Go do your 'before the story' things."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
More giggles as Dr. Dolittle talks with the animals. A couple of them are still spending time looking in Tillie's eyes. Shannon still spends a little time each day looking daggers at the marbles in the box. She does persevere at things that interest her.
All of them down with hugs and kisses. Set my alarm. Brush and floss. See if my wife is interested.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:25:56 GMT -6
Sunday, 26 December, 4:50 AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Sarah still has a little smile. She enjoyed having her ankles nibbled last night but I don't think she ever got loud enough to wake the kids. Get dressed. Get boots and coat. Glock on my belt. 'Nerd' light. Down to refill the furnace. Better check the battery charge while I'm there.
Firebox loaded. Batteries at 75 percent. If no sun by 8AM, I'll get the charger out unless it's warm enough for the 'A' team to do that. Up to the kitchen. Coffee and hot water on to heat. Bundle up and check the snow depth. Only six inches of new snow. I don't need to plow! May need to shovel a few places. I'll do that as I go out to check the battery bank in the barn. Down to 60 percent. Need the charger running here. I'll start that before I head back in. I've been out long enough for my fingers to be hurting. Need to be inside. Temperature on the back porch is three above. Still cold but slightly better than three below. Inside. Feels MUCH better in here. Shed the gloves, heavy coat and boots. Wrap my hands around a cup of coffee and put my feet over the warm air register. I could stay here for hours but I have a morning 'chore' as soon as my hands are warm enough.
Sneakers on for traction on the stairs. Up to wake the people that make my life great, starting with my wife.
"Hi, Sarah."
"Hi, yourself, Jack. Is that a cup of Earl Grey I smell?"
"Yes, your ladyship. But the cook failed to prepare the scones I requested."
"You goof! Being served hot tea while still in bed on a cold morning tells me that saying 'Yes' to your proposal was the smartest thing I ever did."
"Please remember that when you're working on me later today."
"I will. Go wake your children."
"Yes, your ladyship."
"You goof!"
---
All the kids are awake. After breakfast I'll check the outside temperature. If it's warm enough, the 'A' team can move the generator to the house when the barn battery bank is fully charged and the kids can handle the animal chores. If not, Sarah and I will get those things done.
"Need my assistant cooks downstairs."
"Coming, Aunt Hazel."
"Washing my hands, Grandma."
And the herd makes its noisy way down to the kitchen. Good that they're excited about cooking. Just another little piece of being able to care for themselves when they're older. Sherry did well when she was alone in the camper. She fixed something warm in the morning that she didn't mind eating cold later in the day. Smart kid. Hazel commented on Sherry being ahead of the others in her cooking skills. Did she get hooked when we went camping and I had her do most of the cooking? I should ask to satisfy my curiosity.
I smell cheese omelets. I'd guess the last of the eggs from all the blown eggshells. The set of ornaments with their faces is priceless. I think I like these kids.
"Come and get it!"
"On our way, Hazel."
---
"Jack, you're off caffeine for 24 hours. Your tea is decaf Earl Grey this morning."
"Yes, Nurse Hazel."
"You goof! Sarah and I will be doing the work on you today. Amelia, Maddie and Charlie will be assisting and learning. Sorry other perceptives, but there isn't room for more of you. If one of my assistants gets too tired to continue, I'll bring in someone else. Bill and Joe, the older kids need to be armed. Unless the temperature gets above 20, none of them will be going outside for chores but they need to be armed with three of the adults unavailable."
"Alicia, bundle up and you can talk me through the shutdown, disconnect and reconnect of the charger. I'll move it from the barn to the house and get it started here. I don't think you could manage it in this much snow and Amelia already has her assignment."
"Yes, Grandpa Joe."
"I can help with the milking. It's not as cold when you're in the barn by the cows."
"Thank you, Lisa. I think we should have two milkers this morning so you're only out half as long. Being by the cows or horses is warmer than being outside so I think we'll let you be out for that if it's 15 or higher. I'll check."
"I'll go."
"Me too."
"Thank you Jenny and Sammy. It's 15 degrees so bundle up and head to the barn. Lisa and Jenny take the warm water to clean the udders. Sammy can start mucking the stalls. Alicia and I will get the charger moved and I'll help Sammy with the mucking."
"What about the chickens?"
"Shannon, you can't put out feed or carry eggs when you're that bundled up. Today that chore needs someone older."
"I'll go."
"OK, Sherry. Who's your partner?"
"I'll go."
"OK, Michelle. We'll all go out together so I know how long you've been outside. If I say you've been out long enough, you'll be back inside until Hazel says all your fingers, toes, ears and noses are warm enough."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Guess that means I'm not needed for a while."
"Only on your bed, Jack. Go relieve yourself. Strip to your shorts before you get in bed."
"OK."
---
"Girls, go pee. We'll be here a long time."
"Yes, Grandma."
"Yes, Aunt Hazel."
---
"Jack, your hands need to be here and here. Amelia, one hand on Jack's left hand and your other hand here. Sit on the bed. You'll be here too long to do this standing up and leaning over. Charlie, one hand on Jack's right hand and your other hand here. You sit on the bed by Amelia. Maddie, you get on this side and your hands here and here. Sarah, your hands here and here. Jack, expect this to be liquid fire for a very short time before you're unconscious - that's why the girls are holding your hands in place. Their hands also provide more surface area for contact so you don't get burned because all the power was transferred to two hand-sized places on your skin."
"You have the conn."
"You goof! Go ahead, Aunt Hazel."
"My hands here and here. Girls, remember to keep your whole hand against Jack's skin. If you ease up so only your fingertips are touching, your fingers will get burned."
"Yes, Grandma."
"Yes, Aunt Hazel."
"Argh!"
"Is Daddy OK?"
"Amelia, big procedures always hurt. He probably won't remember that. You remember to keep your whole hand on his skin and his hand pressed flat on his skin."
"Yes, Aunt Hazel. My hands are getting really warm!"
"That's why your whole hand needs to be in contact with his skin. You don't want all that heat on your fingertips."
"I understand."
"He's sweating!"
"He's doing a lot of 'work' that you can't see, Maddie. He's providing most of the power for this repair. Think of running uphill on a hot day."
"That's hard to do!"
"That's equivalent to what he's doing now. I think we'll be here another hour or so. Maddie, take just your left hand off and use the towel to wipe his face. Then your hand back where it was."
"OK. I can see my handprint!"
"So you know exactly where to put your hand."
---
"Girls, we're almost finished. Wait until I tell you and only move the hand or hands I say. My hands off. Sarah, your hands off. Charlie, your hand off here then your other hand off his hand. Amelia, your hand off here then your other hand off his hand. Maddie, left hand off then right hand off."
"We left a lot of handprints!"
"We did, Charlie. All those hands helped direct the healing power where it was needed to re-grow the prostate and its associated parts."
"'Associated parts', Aunt Hazel?"
"Amelia, when we're back downstairs, you look in the bookcase for a book titled 'Gray's Anatomy' and I'll explain it to you."
"Yes, Aunt Hazel."
"Aunt Hazel, why was I last to let go?"
"Because this was a learning process for you and you needed to 'see' everything that happened, including what happens when the 'power' is removed."
"So we're in class today?"
"Yes, in class for perceptives who are ready for this level of learning."
---
"How many more kids will you have, Momma?"
"Your Daddy and I will be talking more about that. If we wind up without power and without fuel, more kids can work more acres of crops so maybe one a year for a while. If things get back close to what we consider 'normal', maybe three or four."
"We're gonna be using all the bedrooms!"
"Possibly. Your Daddy needs to rest. I want someone close in case he needs food or water when he wakes. There's water in the spillproof cup here. If he's hungry, we'll have some soup warming on the back of the stove. It's OK if you read, but stay sitting up. You may not be aware of it yet but you were also working during the 'repair' process. You're all a little tired. One of you watch for an hour and the other two go get naps. I'll be by to wake you and have another of you be on watch."
"I think I probably did the least work, so I'll stay and watch. Amelia and Charlie can go nap."
"You're correct, Maddie."
---
"Daddy's not eating with us. Is he OK?"
"Yes, Paige. He's very tired from what was done and he's sleeping now. He'll be fine. He'll be sore from the work that was done so he won't be picking any of you up for a day or two. He may have you sitting in a different position if he does lap time with you."
"Yes, Momma."
---
"Dry. Drink?"
"Daddy, here's some water."
"OK."
"Did I hear him, Maddie?"
"Yes, Momma. He wanted water, sat up enough for one sip and went back down."
"That's about what we expected at this point. The others have finished lunch. You go eat and tell them to decide who's next."
"Yes, Momma."
---
"Hungry."
"I'll tell Momma."
"Why are you running on the stairs, Amelia?"
"Daddy said he was hungry."
"Good reason. I'll take the soup up to him."
---
"What time is it?"
"It's afternoon, Daddy. The clock in here is stopped so I don't know exactly but the shadows are getting long."
"Thank you, Charlie. Go get your mother and she can help me get dressed. I know you'd try but I'm a little heavy for you to be helping me down the stairs."
"OK. I'm glad you're better."
"Thank you, sweetie."
"Why are you running down the stairs, Charlie?"
"Daddy wants you to help him get dressed and down the stairs."
"Good enough reason. I'll go."
---
"Welcome back, Jack."
"I feel like maybe half of me is back, Hazel."
"We tapped a lot of power from you today so I'm not surprised that you're tired. Think of running a marathon in Phoenix in August and carrying 50 pounds of kid on your back."
"Not sure I feel that good."
"You are up earlier than I expected so your recovery seems to be progressing well. We'll get some red meat and other things in you for supper and you'll feel even better."
"I am hungry. The soup was good but I could have finished off three bowls of it."
"Your body wasn't ready to process that much food then and it's still not. Tomorrow you can pig out."
"I might be able to wait that long."
---
"I'm glad you're up, Daddy."
"Thank you, Amelia."
"You were so pale and weak earlier that I was really worried about you!"
"And you didn't tell your mother or anyone else."
"Un uh."
"Very gently, sit on this leg. Now your head on my shoulder. Maddie or Charlie, do you need my other knee?"
"Both of us after Amelia but just one at a time. I don't think you can hold two of us - but we'll snuggle next to you."
"That's fine, Charlie. Who goes first?"
"Maddie."
"Charlie."
"Maybe I could do both of you then if you're snuggled under my arms and I'm not holding you in place on my legs?"
"That'll work. Amelia's already asleep?"
"She gets very wound up when I might be in any type of danger and she sometimes can't let go of it for a long time. This is much better than usual - she's asleep without tears. Let's give her ten minutes and I'll see if she'll let me put her down on the sofa."
"OK."
---
Amelia's down and covered. Now the other two beside me and under my arms. Five minutes and they're both asleep. That's strange. The three I expected to need the most time to wind down are asleep in minutes. Did something else change in me today? Did their being involved in the healing process for so long change their connections to me? Those are questions for Hazel - after the kids are in bed. Let these three have 30 minute naps and then wake them.
---
Sunday, 26 December, 8:10 PM
Bee-doop!
Another message from Tim - one that should not require a response.
{Jack. Updates from Israel. They're having difficulty understanding three feet of snow. It seems they expect we can put trailers in anywhere, anytime just with a heavy-lift helicopter. Some of them have difficulty understanding that we no longer have enough people to maintain the roads. I replied to their most recent email with a picture of Watson standing beside the snow-covered D-12. Maybe they will understand how deep the snow actually is and that we cannot pull either classroom or residence trailers through the snow to your location.
The other semi with tandem trailers and the load of fuels are on their way but I do not have an arrival date. Same problem as moving trailers for the new students: too much snow. You also need space to put them. Maybe put the trailers in one of the Quonset huts if you do some rearranging?
My HQ agrees with Dawkins and Childers that the weather will warm in the next week. There is disagreement about how much. When we have some level of consensus, I'll let you know. At the moment, I'll take what Dawkins and Childers say - ten degrees warmer - as they've been much closer than HQ, who's predicting twenty degrees warmer. If HQ is correct, expect a request to have space cleared for the mobile home and classroom by the end of the week.
If you need fuel for the frontloader to clear snow for a ten by sixty mobile home and another portable classroom, let me know. We can get 500 gallons in by helo. I'm sure you'll want the buildings inside your surveillance perimeter but I'm not sure where you'd put them to have reasonable access if there's more snow like this week. The mobile home and the classroom each come with a 500 gallon LP tank. Yet more space needed and more digging in snow-covered ground. I can supply some muscle for that if needed.
Can your water system supply two more adults and ten more kids and is your septic system big enough to handle them? If not, we can provide some big holding tanks as an alternative to the septic system. We can supply filters and storage tanks for using pond water but you'd have to come up with a way to keep the tanks from freezing.
Food is not a problem initially, as they're bringing their own frozen, dehydrated and freeze-dried Kosher foods. For the moment, frozen can go in a convenient snowbank, but I'm not sure where you can store the other foods. They think they're providing enough LP for heating and cooking but I suspect the solar array they're counting on to provide electricity for the furnace, the fridge and the freezer may be sadly lacking in capacity with the snow we've had and what we are forecast to have in the next month.
They were cautioned about the GG-183 outbreak and its mutations. All those coming - adults and children - have had DNA checks and their doctors are certain the people coming are immune.
Sleep on this and let me know what you think tomorrow. Tim.}
"Sleep on it", Tim? Better if I make notes as I think about things and then "sleep on it".
I need paper and pencil for this. Take the sketch I used to add our school trailer. Cut some paper to size for the mobile home, the new classroom and the LP tanks. Can't move the house or the barns so need to work around that. Don't want their classroom space under our bedroom windows. Need to be able to get to and from the barn, horse barn, pig pen, chicken coop, house, bunkhouse, school and cabin. Need room to get the tractor through to plow the next snowfall. Need to be able to get the current trailers out of the barn and the new ones in. Need to be able to get the LP truck out of the horse barn and to all the LP tanks.
"Whatcha doing, Daddy?"
"Trying to work out where we can put the students coming from Israel, Amelia. This is our current building layout. This is the mobile home they'll be living in. This is the new classroom that's configured with workstations for chip replacement. These are the LP tanks that will provide the propane that heats both spaces and that they'll be using for cooking."
"There aren't many ways to turn them and still get the tractor out of the barn."
"They also need water and septic tank connections. The Colonel is concerned that the solar installation they plan to use isn't big enough."
"This little box on top of each trailer?"
"Yes."
"That's not half as big as the solar panels at the barn and we charge the batteries there almost every day."
"And they think they can run a fridge and a freezer."
"We use the LP fridges 'cause we don't have enough power for the other fridge. Maybe bring in snow and make iceboxes like Grandpa Joe told us about?"
"That might be a solution, smart girl. We could let them use the Engel coolers that run on 12 volts but they're much smaller than would normally be used for two adults and ten kids."
"You had those for the apartment 'cause it was just you and sometimes one of us. They won't work very well for a dozen people."
"No, they won't. I'm making notes about several things the Colonel told me and I'll send him my list tomorrow. I'll write down all the things I think of tonight then sleep on it then read it over in the morning and see if I see anything differently then."
"Can we help?"
"I'd like my kids to get together and tell me what ten kids from another country will be doing when they're not in class if there's three feet of snow and they don't have proper clothes to be outside."
"Getting really annoyed with each other and saying 'She's breathing my air'."
"What would help with that?"
"Some of the fun and interesting stuff we've done. 'Twister', cooking, learning to sew, learning the recorder and some guitar - all the stuff that keeps us from fighting. Getting snuggles from you and the other grown-ups never hurts."
"Talk with your sisters. No one has said, so I don't yet know if the kids coming are boys or girls or some of each."
"Boys might get mobbed - especially if they're cute!"
"And who'd be doing the mobbing?"
"Oops."
"That's what I thought you'd say. No attacking the new students until we know what their backgrounds are."
"You're right, Daddy. I'm just thinking of all of us but we're different from most of the kids I've known. The ones coming from Israel may be like that 'most'."
"Correct. Especially if there are boys in the group, no going down to eat breakfast in a short gown or your jammie top and panties. I'll talk about this with all the others but you can tell them that we don't yet know who will be in the group. Even if I get a list of names, you probably won't know for certain which might be boys and which might be girls."
"I understand."
"Do I have a group that needs some 'in the same room' time?"
"Un huh!"
"I'll be there in a few minutes. I can read over what I've written and make notes on it on the sofa as well as any other place. You can snuggle, but I need my hands free to write."
"We can do that."
---
"Jack, I see that the ones who miss you the most were afraid that you would not recover."
"Yes, Sarah. Even with them being involved and seeing the work done, me being pale and sweaty at the end left them scared. We're working on 'in the same room' and some snuggles. They may need more time than usual for their 'goodnights'."
"Not a problem. They can sleep a little later in the morning. What is it that has you so occupied?"
"Planning space, water, sewer and maybe some power for a mobile home, a classroom trailer, two adults and ten kids."
"So we know how many and what they'll be using but not when?"
"When depends on the weather and my ability to fit the new buildings inside our surveillance perimeter."
"Not many options and still be able to get the tractor out and plow snow."
"That's one problem. They need water and septic connections. Tim can supply holding tanks for the septic and filters and storage tanks so we could use pond water if needed - but those tanks must be kept from freezing. I'm thinking that a small local storage of maybe four 55 gallon barrels might fit inside the mobile home. It would be warm enough not to freeze. I don't know if they're planning on having running water and normal showers but I'd guess they haven't yet reached complete understanding of the circumstances here."
"Maybe tell them to read the Little House books and expect to live in those conditions?"
"That may be my first suggestion. We know that the line crews aren't making much progress in this weather and the hydro plant is west of us so the snow is deeper as you go that way."
"Probably not a 'New Year's' present?"
"Well, some time in the new year - maybe after the spring thaw?"
"The girls will be demonstrating how to use the sun shower bags again?"
"The girls and/or Sammy - I haven't heard if the kids they're sending are girls, boys or some of each."
"Boys could generate some jealousy problems here."
"Amelia's comment was 'Boys might get mobbed - especially if they're cute'. I reminded her that not everyone has had the open talk about sex that she and some others have had and that the kids who were coming probably hadn't experienced the blue buses, either."
"And she promptly backed down."
"Yes. She's honest about her feelings but she does care about others. I think they'll all do OK with this, regardless of the gender of their students."
"This will be an interesting experience."
"As in the Chinese blessing/curse 'May you live in interesting times'."
"They're beginning to doze off. Time they were headed for bed. Kids. Jammies, brush, floss and then a story."
"Dr. Dolittle?"
"Vote with your hands. Dr. Dolittle? Hands down. Next book in the other group? Hands down. Dr. Dolittle wins - but you must be ready for bed before Jack reads."
"Yes, Momma."
"I'll read one chapter and then do that terrible 'chore'."
"Jack! But I am glad you're recovered enough to be making that joke again."
---
They're all down. A few needed more time than usual - the same few who needed 'time in the same room'. Nice to be loved that much. Back to my list of questions for Tim.
'Are kids male, female or some of each?
Same for their chaperones.
Do they have clothing appropriate for the weather? The kids need good winter clothing to get between the buildings; even better clothing to play outside in near-zero Fahrenheit weather - they use the metric system so that's -17 C or colder for them.
Did the person designing their solar systems know that they'd be used in frequent snow and possibly blizzard conditions? The solar system they have will barely provide lights. Can you provide LED bulbs for the mobile home and the classroom?
Will they be able to manage without freezer and fridge and with snow-cooled ice boxes and a small Engel cooler instead? See above comment on power.
Do they expect running water and real showers? The power is off and more than a hundred miles of three feet or more of snow will delay restoral even longer.
Can you provide more sun shower bags?
Do they expect a full service laundry to be available? We wash clothes when it's warm enough to use the gasoline powered washer outside or use the plumber's helper and a bucket. We dry outside on lines or inside the house on drying trees.
What are they bringing for the kids to be entertained with? My suggestions are books and people-powered games and musical instruments. There are no radio or TV stations broadcasting here. We do NOT charge handheld games for our kids - power is needed elsewhere, such as surveillance and keeping the tractor warm enough that it can be cranked to plow snow. We will not charge games for their kids.
If their kids have adequate clothing, we'll integrate them with our kids in doing chores. They should get the full experience of living on a farm.
If their chaperones have a problem with people - adults and kids - being armed most of the time, find some new chaperones.
They're under our protection while they're here and if we say "to the root cellar" they go with no arguments.
I think we can rearrange the equipment in one Quonset hut to make room for a couple of 40 foot trailers - when the snow is mostly gone. That would clear the barn and the newest tandem trailers can be there while we unload them. Unless you're doing some serious heavy-lift by air, you won't get an 80,000lb trailer here until there's much less snow. The fuel trailers can go at the back of the lot, well behind the horse barn. My placement of the new buildings takes the movement of trailers into account. They don't get to ask "Why did you put it there?"
I'll take the offer of fuel for the frontloader if I'm clearing snow before the fuel trailer gets here.
I'll take the offer of muscle for burying the LP lines.
Joe will know how many people the septic tank can handle. If it's big enough, we'll need muscle to dig sewer lines. I'm assuming that commercial power is more than a month away and the students are more like a week or two, so we'd also need to run a cold water line to each new building - part of the muscle work.
Be sure they know that they will only have running cold water. If we put some 55 gallon barrels in the buildings, they'll have water when everything outside freezes. We're using from the 400 gallons of water stored in the basement until things warm enough to refill those barrels from the well. A ten degree rise might be enough to get an hour of water flow in the warmest part of the day. Our best pump is 280GPH so an hour of pumping gets us about a week's worth of water - work it out at 2 gallons per person per day.'
Need to ask Joe what the person count is for the septic system. Better see if anyone is still awake.
"You're still up, Joe."
"Pondering how you'll get more trailers in here and more people cared for."
"So am I, as the sketch and 'paper doll' buildings indicate. I do have some questions."
"About what?"
"What kind of flow did the well provide when it had power?"
"About 20 gallons a minute."
"More than we can move on battery power with one pump. How many people is the septic tank rated for?"
"I think it's six bathrooms, but the specs are in this binder."
"Good to have all the information in one place."
"Grandpop was a firm believer in that."
"Six bathrooms, seven with low flow toilets. I'd guess that flushing with a bucket makes all of them low flow, so we currently have five. One of the toilets in the house won't be in use when the one in the school or the new classroom is, so probably call that four. That allows for two or three more if we're doing bucket flush. Using the sun shower bags cuts the water flow down considerably so we may be OK to add the mobile home and the new classroom. Possibly not a great idea after commercial power comes back and we could have more than 30 people taking real showers."
"I heard about the 'real showers' at the hydro plant. I think the girls were as almost as excited about that as they were the heated swimming pool in December."
"I certainly enjoyed showering without watching the water level in the bag. Back to my list for Tim."
---
That's done. I'll look it over in the morning and also ask the kids if they have anything to add. That reminds me - they should provide feminine hygiene products for any who might need them, including any girls who might be early starters. Wally World is not open. That's added. Add the other hygiene things: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, comb, brush. Winter boots if they can get them. Extra shoes. Spare glasses for anyone wearing glasses. Also contacts. Hearing aid batteries. Maybe that list is broad enough to remind them of other things.
Go check the furnace - I didn't hear anyone else down there. Coat. 'Nerd' light. Down to the basement. Open the firebox door. Someone was here a couple of hours ago. I was too engrossed in planning to notice then. Top it off. It won't need filling quite as soon in the morning but that's OK - the house will stay warmer.
Up to brush and floss and join my favorite snuggle partner.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:26:23 GMT -6
Monday, 27 December, 5:50 AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Dress in bed then shoes and coat. Glock and 'nerd' light. Down to check the furnace. Still a little fire left. Load it up again. One of us will be bringing a cart of wood from the woodshed today or tomorrow. Need to check how much we've been through so far to have an idea of how the rest of this winter may impact our firewood stock. Close the firebox and go check how much new snow we have.
Only a couple of inches. I won't be plowing this morning! Need to check the battery bank in the barn. The house bank was at 72 percent. I haven't been asking Bill or Hazel about the bunkhouse - they lived with solar for a long time and will know when it needs charging - and they know who to ask to get that done. Barn bank is at 65 percent. Better than the 50 it's been several mornings. I'd guess it's just a little warmer today. I'll check that as I go in.
Heat wave! It's in double digits - 11 degrees. A ten degree warmup from that will make the morning temperatures above 20 degrees and the kids can be back out for chores. And the afternoon sun - if we get sun - should get the jury-rigged well pump warm enough to work so we can refill the barrels in the house. I'll take the ten degrees that Dawkins and Childers have predicted. That would ensure we could pump water every afternoon that there's sun. Twice a week covers our needs now and would almost cover the needs if we had a dozen more people. I'll go wake the rest of the family - and send Amelia to wake Joe. After breakfast I'll ask the kids about other things to include.
"Good morning, Mrs. Wilson."
"Good morning, Mr. Wilson. Nice wake up. You may do that every morning."
"I'm a little more pleasant some mornings - such as when I don't need to plow snow."
"No new snow?"
"Only a couple of inches. And we're having a heat wave. The temperature is in double digits - it's 11 degrees."
"Certainly a heat wave after minus three."
"Even better that there's very little wind. There's a warming trend in the forecast. Dawkins and Childers say ten degrees by the end of the week. Their HQ says 20 degrees."
"They've been more accurate than the HQ forecasters so far, haven't they?"
"Yes. They're able to see both sides of the clouds - top from satellite, bottom by eye - plus wind and temperature but their HQ only has the top side, wind and temperature. Our forecasters are creating their 'historical' data each day. HQ is looking at the past ten years. Everything since the first nuke went off is 'new historical data' and the data from previous years is only a minor part of the overall picture."
"So ten degrees warmer and the kids can be doing animal chores again on Saturday or Sunday?"
"Probably correct. We'll check the thermometer and the wind speed and make our best guess each morning. Meanwhile, the potential students from Israel need better preparations than what I'm seeing and hearing. Here's a list of what Tim said. These are my responses. Tell me if I missed anything. I'll also ask the kids at breakfast and they can tell me what else they might want if they were gone from home for several weeks."
"I do love my husband. He's concerned about kids he didn't know existed a month ago."
"I'm concerned that we'll be responsible for them and I want them prepared for the conditions here - limited power, sun shower bags, no Playstation, very cold and so forth. Whoever is bringing them here may not have been completely honest with them about the conditions - if they even know or believe the conditions. We are living a mostly 1850 life in the 21st century."
"This looks very thorough to me. Wake your children and after they eat you can see what they can add to it."
---
"Hi, Amelia."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up. Can we go to the cabin?"
"Sorry, sweetie. No one-on-one today."
"OK. I just need a lot of being held."
"I understand. You're probably not the only one."
"I know. I saw how Maddie and Charlie were snuggled when I woke up yesterday afternoon. I can wait, I just don't want to."
"Get your socks and sweatshirt and go wake Grandpa Joe."
"OK!"
"I have more kids to wake."
---
"Amelia?"
"Yes, Uncle Bill?"
"I need the charger at the bunkhouse after breakfast if it's warm enough for you to be out. The battery bank is at 65 percent. Check with your Daddy first."
"I will."
---
"Kids!"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"Yes, Poppa?"
"When we were at the hydro plant, we were asked to teach some kids from Israel how to do the chip replacement. The plan is for those kids to be here in a week or two. I want you to think about what you would want to have with you if you were going somewhere for two or three weeks. You know there are no stores open here, so anything you might not think of until you got where you were going won't be available. If you don't think about it before you leave you won't have it."
"Food?"
"Lisa, they're bringing some food with them. I don't know how much yet just 'some food'. These are foods they usually eat so things they're familiar with. They might not want blue carrots."
"Until they tried them the first time!"
"What else?"
"My bear."
"My pillow."
"Some books."
"Some games."
"My recorder. I might find somebody as good as Daddy to play it for me."
"I love you, too, Maddie. What else might you want to have?"
"Tampons in case my period starts."
"Yeah, Amelia. That's a good one."
"What else?"
"Some …"
---
Monday, 27 December, 8:10AM
Twenty minutes later I have their list on the back of my original list. Now to type it up with their suggestions and send it to Tim, giving credit where credit is due.
And it's on its way. Maybe we'll make things a little better for the kids who come here.
---
Bee-doop!
I have a response.
{Jack. Your list is excellent. I've passed it up the line with all the attributions in place. The people involved should know where the ideas originated. Kids who just spent most of a week doing this at a distant location know better than anyone else what would make things best for another group of kids. Tell your kids that I said "Thank you". It's 0900 local which makes it 1800 in Tel Aviv. I don't know if we'll get a response today or not. I'll pass info along as soon as I hear from them.}
Could be tomorrow before we hear anything. The time offset will make it difficult to have real-time communications. Not so good for the kids unless their families are willing to get up early or stay up late. Need to set up a chart for the time difference - assuming they get here.
"Jack, would you come demonstrate some things on the recorder with me?"
"On my way, Sarah."
We have a couple who've moved up rapidly. I did hear some serious practice yesterday. The time they spent shows in their progress. We don't have anyone who can transpose as she plays - yet. I'd guess a month or so for Sherry to get there and Lexi won't be far behind her. I'll happily write out pages of harmony for these kids to work on. It's a form of discipline that can't be beat and music improves their abilities in other subjects. Now let's hear what they sound like together.
"You two sound good together!"
"They certainly do, Lisa. They've both been working on this a lot while they've been snowbound."
"Better to be learning something than to be beating my head on the wall 'cause I can't go outside."
"Good point, Sherry. I like how you and Lexi have worked together. When - maybe I should say 'if'? - the kids from Israel get here, I'll want some of you to introduce them to the things you do for fun. That includes music. Some of them might play an instrument. Some might want to learn."
"How many, Daddy?"
"Perhaps as many as ten, Lexi. Remember the things we talked about at breakfast?"
"Un huh."
"I made a list of the things I had questions about and a list of your ideas for making a trip to a distant place easier to deal with and sent them to the Colonel. He's sent them on. However, there's a nine hour difference between here and Israel. It's ten in the morning here but seven in the evening there. That means that the people who need to see the lists may have left work and won't see them until tomorrow morning, their time. That will be in the middle of the night for us, so any answer could come while we're asleep."
"That'll make it hard to call home."
"It certainly would. If they come, I'll post a chart of our time and their time so they'll know when they might find someone at home and not asleep - if making calls is possible. Remember that the phones don't work here. Any communication with home would be by the military radio."
"Not something I'd want to do, Daddy."
"Me either, Poppa."
"I need to ask the Colonel if the people in Israel know that we don't have phone service. That's something else for the kids who might come to be aware of."
To the radio. PreSel 407.
{This is Jack Wilson. I have a question that someone can pass on to Tim. I don't need to speak with him directly.}
{This is Watson. What's your question, sir?}
{Do the people in Israel - particularly the kids coming here - know that we don't have phone service?}
{It's written down and I'll hand it to him at first opportunity.}
{Thank you.}
Bee-doop!
A response this fast?
Press 'Message'.
{Jack. Your question about phone service has been avoided by all the people involved. I got someone up the line to quietly add it to the list of comments from your kids. We did get a response back from Tel Aviv. Someone is aware of the time difference and they want to make things work as smoothly as possible. Your lists will be shared with the potential students in the morning, their time - after midnight tonight for you. We'll relay any overnight messages after 0630 local tomorrow.}
"Those kids will know about all the things you're concerned about and all the things we think could be done to make the trip better, Daddy?"
"Yes, Crissy. We've sent them the best information we have. We hope the adults involved will be honest with the kids there…"
"Like you telling us about scary things?"
"Yes, Leah. Just like me telling you about the scary things so you'll know what to expect. Would you not want to go if you couldn't get a 'real shower' or would you be OK with a different kind of shower for a week or two?"
"I think I'd go either way but it's better to know what might be different."
"Do you think the kids there might feel the same way?"
"Some might. Some might not be willing to give up regular showers. They'd be very unhappy if they came here."
"Is it possible that we won't get the ten kids they said would be coming?"
"Un huh. Some won't be willing to try anything new or different."
"Do you want to guess how many we might get?"
"Maybe half of them - if they can back out now."
"We know that sometimes you can't get out of something you said you'd do. However, any that know all the things on the lists will be coming because they want to be here in spite of the conditions - like no real showers."
"They'll be easier to get along with because they know what to expect."
"And those of you who'll be doing the teaching will like that."
"Un huh!"
"But it'll be tomorrow before we know how many or who they are or anything?"
"Correct, Celia. Tomorrow, at breakfast."
---
"Daddy, Uncle Bill said they needed the charger run at the bunkhouse. Is it warm enough for me and Alicia to do it?"
"Let me check the thermometer out back. It's 18 degrees. That's below the 20 degree limit I set. You'd also probably not be able to get it cranked when it's this cold. I'll get the charger connected and running. In 30 minutes you ask me again. I'll consider letting the two of you go to the bunkhouse to monitor the charge level and then disconnect the charger and move it to the barn and run it there. You will NOT stay in the barn unless you're mucking stalls. The effort of doing that will keep you warmer."
"I see the time. I'll ask in 30 minutes. I should get fresh batteries out of the charger for the FRS radios?"
"Yes. I'm glad that you remembered that you should have radios with you."
"Before everything went crazy, I checked in with Momma when I got to someone's house and when I left so she'd know where I was and when I'd be back. This is kinda like doing that but I'm carrying the radio instead of using someone else's phone. I just hafta plug in the differences until they're a habit."
"Very good, shortstuff!"
---
"Next group on the sewing lessons schedule to the dining room. You have fabric to cut."
"Yes!"
"Sewing sounds like work, Alicia. Why are you so excited?"
"Daddy, I'm making a shirt for me and I get to use the pretty purple fabric!"
"I just heard your magic word: purple. Go have fun."
"We always have fun making things with Aunt Hazel."
---
'I overheard that exchange, Jack. Aunt Hazel is a real treasure.'
'She is, Sarah. There were good reasons for having multi-generational family homes. I'm sure that this kind of learning and its associated excitement was one of the best reasons.'
'Not to mention making the next generation self-sufficient in many areas. I went to high school with kids who couldn't sew on a button and who were amazed when I pulled my little sewing kit out of a pocket on my backpack and used one of the spare buttons at the hem of their shirt to make the repair. I don't think any of our kids will need help with a button after this series of lessons.'
'I noticed that Sammy was as excited as the girls.'
'Men were tailors to the kings and emperors of many countries. No reason for him not to learn. It does put him in that very small percentage of males who can thread a needle, let alone do something with one. I've never seen you with a missing button - or even a loose one - so I'd guess you're in that small percentage.'
'I am. I finished Sherry's Pilgrim costume for a school play when my daughter had spasms in her back from sitting too long at the sewing machine.'
---
"Daddy, it's been 30 minutes."
"OK, Amelia. The temperature is still 18, so bundle up, get armed and monitor the charge progress from inside the bunkhouse. Call on the radio before you leave the bunkhouse and I'll check the temperature and wind again."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
Bee-doop!
To the radio. Press 'Message'.
{Jack. We stirred up a bit of a hornets' nest by slipping in the comment about the phones not working. The original ten kids is now six kids, all girls, because the parents of the others refused to allow them to come. The six kids coming are all orphans so you may be spending more time dealing with emotional problems than training the first week or so. One of the chaperones may be OK but the other one seems to be from the same family as the house mother in the movie "Annie". Wish I had known sooner and could have given you the option of not doing this. The President has been informed and I'm sure this will not be a good day for some of the people he meets with. You have carte blanche for anything the military can do to make this work. If we can't do it or get it, remember that you have PreSel 1001. Info on the kids coming is attached: names, ages, DOBs, a little history - where known - and a picture of each of them.}
"Can we see the pictures?"
"When they get here, Charlie. First, I connect a thumb drive to the radio. It recognized the drive and the 'Data' light is flickering to show that information is moving. We'll know when it's fin…"
Bee-doop!
"And it's finished. Press 'Disconnect USB'. Display shows 'No drive'. Move the drive to the laptop and bring up the pictures."
"These look like the pictures they show on TV of somebody going to jail for a bank robbery."
"I agree, Michelle. These aren't very good pictures and the kids do not look happy to be there."
"What's the squiggly stuff at the bottom of each picture?"
"Lisa, that's their name, but in Hebrew characters. Here's the English version of the name."
"She's Sarah - like Momma!"
"And this one's Rachel!"
"Avigail?"
"In the Bible, King David's wife was Avigail. In English, you've probably heard 'Abigail'."
"This one's Bina."
"This is Devorah."
"Think 'Deborah', as in our Debbie."
"This could get confusing."
"It could. We'll see if any of them have nicknames that would make things less confusing for all of us."
"This is Judith. Is that like my friend Judy?"
"Yes, Sherry. Someone named Judith could have the nickname Judy."
"Can we do a 'Welcome' poster and have a party for them when they get here?"
"First, remember the time difference between where they live and here. Depending on how fast they travel, they might need some time to get accustomed to the time difference. We might be thinking about lunch but they might be ready to sleep. If they're not too tired, we'll do something special for them when they get here. If they're awake, it's easiest to adjust to a new time zone if you stay up until local bedtime. Then you're so tired you will sleep regardless of the time your body clock thinks it is. If they're too sleepy to stay up, they can just be carried to bed…"
"Like you did us coming here!"
"Yes, Crissy. Then they can wake on local time and start getting their body clocks adjusted. There is a 'gotcha' on the party - some families in Israel only eat Kosher foods, which have been grown and processed in certain ways. We don't have a Kosher kitchen and bacon is most definitely NOT a Kosher food. We'll need to know whether they have any dietary restrictions are before we plan food for a party. I'll make a note and ask the Colonel to find out whether the Kosher food they're bringing is because of the kids' choices or the chaperones' choices."
"Do it now?"
"As soon as we've looked through the history of each girl."
"OK."
---
"Daddy, that sounds bad."
"Yes, Crissy. I think there's more to this story than they told us. There are some additional pictures…"
"She has the 'baby whore' brand!"
"She does, Lexi. I think all of you have some idea how badly Bina was treated. I think it's possible that the others may not have been treated well. Lexi, I want you to pair up with Bina. You can show her how to use the sun shower bag..."
"So she'll see my brand and know this is a safe place to be!"
"Correct, smart girl. I think others of you will recognize some of these scars and know who you should pair up with. I don't expect you to be her lap and shoulder. I'll do that, as will Joe, Bill, Sarah and Hazel as needed. I just want each girl to know that no matter what happened to her, there's a safe place for her here. Seeing you happy and then seeing that you have similar scars will probably be all they need to ask how you got to be so happy."
"You're so smart, Daddy!"
"Thank you, Lexi, but maybe it's just that my kids' smarts rub off on me when I hug them?"
"I know; that's also where you get your silly."
"Do you think the kids in these pictures might like to be where the people tease and laugh as we do?"
"Un huh!"
---
{Daddy, the batteries in the bunkhouse are charged. It's been snowing harder. I don't think we can get the charger through the snow.}
{Amelia, I'll be there as soon as I get bundled up.}
"While I'm outside, I want you kids to ask Hazel what she knows about Kosher foods if we find that the students only eat those foods."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
Check the cameras. We have another couple inches of snow. Probably the heavy dump on the tail end of the clouds. Without cloud cover, we can expect things to be colder tonight. Boots, balaclava, hat, coat. Outside.
knock. knock.
"Hi, Daddy. I almost can't tell it's you with all the snow on your face."
"That snow and the wind that put it there are sending you back in the house as soon as you get the charger running at the barn."
"It is cold!"
"Without cloud cover, it'll be even colder tonight."
---
"It's running. Back to the house for you two. I'll muck the stalls. Your mother and I will do the milking and other evening chores and probably the morning chores tomorrow."
"We'll tell everyone."
Probably an hour plus for the charge out here. We'll need to clean snow off the solar panels in the morning - when there is sunlight. Little point in doing it now and having an inch of fresh snow on them in the morning. The angle of the panels means that more than an inch will slide off of its own weight most of the time. Having full sun for even a few hours will reduce the need for using the charger. I'll be waiting for the charger to cool enough to refill the gas tank when this bank is charged. Then to the house and start charging there. Nice that I can work on planning while I shovel muck. Shovelling the muck into a wheeled cart means I can roll it to the compost pile when the snow has been cleared from that path. I will be plowing snow in the morning.
Charging here is done. Stop halfway to the house and refill the tank. Gas can back in the shed. Charger to the house. It's connected and running. Inside and down to the basement. 70 percent. Maybe an hour or so. I'll be warm in time to come out and disconnect the charger and put it back in the shed.
"Cup of Earl Grey for you on the table and a chair by the register so you can warm your feet, Mr. Wilson."
"You are truly a queen among women, Mrs. Wilson."
"Maybe I appreciate how much your love our kids and how much you care about other kids. Having the right girl paired up with each of the new students for 'sun shower' instruction is the best possible way to get those kids to start the healing process - and telling about their healing helps our kids. If you weren't married, I'd marry you."
"Would my wife or your husband object?"
"I doubt it."
"Are you two at it again?"
"Miss Alexandra Moore, you've just earned yourself a tickle-til-you-leak session. However, you have a reprieve as I'm enjoying having my wife in my lap and my feet over a warm air register. But I will carry through today."
"I better go every 30 minutes so I don't leak."
"And she goes down the hall giggling, Jack. That's an incredible change from the first day she was here."
"The type of love she needs, when she needs it."
"And the right person deciding what those needs are. I see you watching the clock."
"Need to check the battery bank status. It's probably charged and the charger can go back to the shed. No clouds tomorrow means we can clean the solar panels and they'll pick up some of the load but clear skies usually mean colder temperatures so we'll be doing the outside chores. I'll probably be plowing snow in the morning but then we'll have a break for a few days. When we get more details on the new students' arrival, I’ll be clearing snow down close to ground level to allow moving the mobile home and new classroom into place. The warming that's forecast isn't enough to melt the snow but should thaw the water pump so we can refill the barrels in the basement. I mentioned that type of water storage to Tim so hopefully they can find us more barrels for the mobile home - they'll just be scattered through the space to spread the load. The new buildings will either follow a snowplow or something big like the D-12 CAT that got Tim and his troops back to base or they'll come in by air - a heavy lift chopper or two. That's also the way the additional supplies for us will come. I'll need to make paths and parking places for several things. When I get the paths cleared, I'll need Joe to move the trailers in the barn to the second Quonset hut. We'll still have organized storage for what's in them, they'll just be a little farther from the house - at least until we've sorted through the new trailers of 'goodies'."
"And you're getting helicopter delivery of fuel for the tractor and frontloader?"
"Initially just the frontloader. If the next fuel trailer gets here soon, we'll be OK on gasoline. If not, they can bring more by whatever method works. That's item two on my list for Tim. Item one is whether the Kosher food coming with the students is because they're Orthodox or their chaperones are."
"Go take care of the charger. I'll have another cup of Earl Grey ready when you come back in. You can enjoy it while you update the Colonel."
"I'll be back."
"Charlie's right. Your voice isn't deep enough. But you may serenade me any time."
---
Battery bank is charged. Charger to the shed. Me to the laptop and create a message. To the radio. PreSel 407 and send the message. Done. My boots off and my feet over the register. No wonder that foot's cold! There's a leak in my right boot. Not big, but enough to make a damp spot on my sock. Up the stairs for some dry socks. Feels much better! The damp sock over the edge of the laundry sink to dry. Let my boots dry a while and then look for the leak. Might be able to patch it for a while with some flexible sealant but need to replace the boots. Maybe when the trailer with winter gear gets here?
Bee-doop!
Let's hear what Tim has to say.
{Jack. We'll deliver fuel today. 500 gallons each of treated gasoline and diesel. I spoke with one of the chaperones - the one from "Annie", except that it's a male. The Kosher foods are for him and the other chaperone - female. As for the kids, he said "no one cares what these kids eat as long as they work". I don't think you and he will get along well. I'll include a body bag with the fuel drop. Should be there within the hour. Let me know when you have space cleared for the mobile home and the new classroom. If the weather stays clear, they'll be brought by truck as close as possible and then by heavy-lift helo. Probably the day after you say you're ready. I'll send a squad to do the digging for LP, water and septic plumbing. You are getting your "workstations on site" facility. Your suggestion to do wholesale chip replacement at a site, then take the extra spare boards to the next site and do board swap, then deliver the pulled boards to your crew for re-chipping on their way to the next site makes so much sense that many people are asking why didn't someone in the industry think of that. And the answers are too much bureaucracy, too many blinders, too much "never did that before".}
I don't think Tim cares what happens to that chaperone. If he's as bad as he seems, I'll introduce him to the body bag and tell him my instructions are to dispose of anything that doesn't help the learning process. But when backed up by multiple weapons and Dawkins and Childers to verify that he won't be the first to leave here in a body bag.
Need to mark places for the fuel bladders they'll be dropping off. The lift on the front of the big Deere might be able to move that much weight. I should go check that now and find some spray paint to mark the drop points - well out of the way if I can't move them. There is a 12 volt fuel pump we can use to get fuel out of the bladders and into the overhead tanks or the vehicles.
My boots are dry enough for some duct tape over the seam that leaks. Adequate for short trips. Out to the first Quonset hut. 'Nerd' light on so I can read the specification plate. It'll handle 6000 lb if there's a 2000 lb weight on the back of the tractor. Put the forks on the frontloader. Check its hydraulic fluid level. Move some weights to the back of the Deere. I'm out of the wind but it's still damned cold out here! Now the forks on the Deere. Check its hydraulic fluid level. Now out with spray paint. Red for the gasoline bladder. Yellow for the diesel bladder. I hear them in the distance. One big helo with both bladders. They're on the FRS.
{Thank you for the color coded drop zones. This is the easiest delivery we've done in months.}
Two minutes and they're gone. There's something taped to the diesel bladder. Tim wasn't kidding - it's a package of body bags. These can go in the house until needed. I'll be in the house getting warm for a while. The bladders will go near the raised 100 gallon tanks for each fuel. Pump the raised tank full using power and let gravity fill the vehicle you put under it. At least one fill-up is always available without power. I'll work on that when I come back out.
A beep from the FRS.
{Jack. Lunch.}
The perfect reason to stop and go inside.
---
"What's that package, Jack?"
"Body bags, Joe."
"And we need those because?"
"Tim doesn't think one of the chaperones and I will get along. Tim's comment was 'Like the one in charge of the orphanage in "Annie" but male'. I don't think Tim is concerned about that chaperone - especially with his answer about the Kosher food being for the chaperones and 'who cares what these kids eat as long as they do the work'."
"I already see sparks flying, Jack. Bill, better get the BAR ready. We may need to talk to this guy in a language he understands."
"Will do."
"Can we talk about more positive things while we eat?"
"Yes, Sarah. We just received 500 gallons of gasoline and 500 gallons of diesel. After lunch, I'll move both bladders closer to the overhead tanks and fill them."
"Move with what?"
"The big Deere, Joe. The front lift is rated for 6000 lb with 2000 lb of weights on the back of the tractor."
"I didn't remember it being that big."
"I didn't remember either, so I went out and read the spec plate."
"You'll get all the snow moved for the new buildings?"
"Forecast is clear and warming slightly - maybe ten degrees - this week. I'll get the fuel bladders in place then work on clearing the building locations. Those will need to have the building perimeters outlined in paint to provide the helos with a target if they come in that way. The outlines will also ensure I left space for plowing snow and moving trailers."
"Sarah told me what you wanted to do with the trailers. I think that will work. When the snow is under four inches, we can move most anything."
"I think I'll move snow in stages. The Deere's snow blade to move most of the snow then the Ford's blade where the Deere's too big then the frontloader for the spaces neither tractor will fit."
"Probably less fuel used than trying to maneuver the bigger tractors into the small spaces and the frontloader can scoop the snow and dump it elsewhere but the tractors can only push or pull it."
"That was my thought. Let's hope I'm right and that I'll spend most of my time on the Deere and the frontloader. There's no protection at all on the Ford."
"I get cold even thinking about that."
---
Bladders are moved and overhead tanks filled. I'm moving snow with the Deere and have some long snow rows ten feet inside the fences. Another 30 minutes and I'll go wrap myself around a cup of hot beverage then get on the Ford and do some work between and closer to the buildings. And follow that with enough time inside to defrost my fingers and feet after being out in the open that long. Then to the frontloader and get the bits neither tractor can. The snow rows aren't high enough to block the cameras or close enough to the fence to affect the motion sensors. Getting them all that size took longer than I wanted to be out here but is worth the time to maintain our security level.
Time to park this monster and go get warm.
Bee-doop!
Is Tim watching me? A message as I come in the door.
"Jack, Earl Grey ready in a couple of minutes. Take your boots off and go sit by the radio with your feet over the register there. I'll bring your tea."
"Have I told you lately that you are a queen among women?"
"Earlier today. Paper and pencil by the radio. Listen to the message and make notes."
"Yes. Mrs. Wilson."
To the chair by the radio. Warm air feels good on my feet! Anything warm feels good at the moment. Press 'Message'.
{Jack. HQ is now agreeing on the ten degree warm up this week. The buildings will come as far as possible by truck - currently about 100 miles east of us - then by helo. Expect the first one Wednesday around 1200 local. There'll also be a squad to provide muscle as needed. They'll have snowmobiles for their return trip and will leave a couple with you for use as needed. The second building should be there around 1500 local. The people will come by helo on Friday morning, current estimate is 1000 local. That should give the squad time to get LP, water and sewer installed and the buildings warm before the students arrive. If there are any problems, let me know.}
Looks as though things are moving well and staying synced. Wonder if the kids are coming in direct from Israel on Friday or if they're coming sooner and spending a day acclimating to the time change.
That's an email request. It's short enough to do it on the sturdy but not-very-friendly keyboard on the radio. Sent. Now to wrap my hands around this mug and get them warm again.
Bee-doop!
A response already? Press 'Message'.
{Jack. I spoke with Moses - the guy I already don't like. He said they'd fly in Friday morning and the kids would be working Friday afternoon. I told him it will take a little longer than that for them to learn the place and the procedures and he's adamant that they "not waste time or food on these otherwise useless little tramps". I won't have a problem if you tie him to a fence post and walk away. Your kids might - until they meet him. Have them all armed. The squad helping with plumbing will stay for a week - longer if you feel they are needed. Some of them used the hay bale room and will set it up again.}
Moses will certainly be greeted by an armed party. And the new kids with the "Welcome" banner and food. One wrong move and this Moses had better be able to find manna in our desert of snow because he'll be out in it alone.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Charlie?"
"That guy doesn't sound very nice. He probably wouldn't let the kids bring anything but clothes. We can share stuff with them and Grandma was telling us how she made a doll when she was our ages. Do we have corn husks and stuff like that for making dolls?"
"You should go get Hazel and we can talk about what you might have time and materials to make before the other kids get here."
"OK."
---
"Jack, what's this about making dolls for other kids?"
"Hazel, the kids helped me make a list of things they would have liked to have with them when they were at the hydro plant. That list was forwarded to the people in Israel. I want you to listen to Tim's comment on his conversation with one of the chaperones."
"OK."
---
"I think you're correct, Charlie. That person would not have let the kids bring personal things - if they have any. You come with me and we'll see what's in the attic that we could use. Get your coat."
"Yes, Grandma."
"Jack, I'd like to use your light."
"The 'nerd' light is on the doorknob of the basement door. I changed the batteries for a fresh set this morning."
"I don't plan to be up there long enough to run them down."
"I didn't think so, but the light has battery protection circuitry that drops the illumination to a candle glow when the batteries need charging. Enough light to find you way to the door but you won't stay long."
"Then fresh batteries are good."
"I don't think you'll find corn husks up there."
"We won't but there are several other things that we can use. I did a thorough search when we were looking for patterns and I know there's a pattern for a stuffed bear, a box of moving eyes, some furry material and some cotton batting for stuffing. They won't be making dolls but I think a cuddly bear might be just the thing for these kids."
"I heartily agree. You and Charlie go find parts and then you can recruit additional workers. I can feel all my fingers and toes now so I'm on my way out again."
"It must all be done today?"
"No, but the new buildings will be here Wednesday and I want time for you, Sarah, Bill and Joe to look over what I'll paint on the ground and see if I missed anything while there's time to make changes."
"Still planning ahead, I see."
"Easier than trying to decide where to put a ten by sixty mobile home in this lot when the trailer is dangling from a helo."
"Go move snow and paint outlines. We'll critique your work when you finish."
---
Monday, 27 December, 4:20PM
Hurrah! The snow is all moved, the building outlines are painted and there's enough daylight left for the other adults to tell me if this will work.
"Jack, your nose is too cold."
"Sarah, it's not the only part that's cold. The snow is moved and the building outlines are painted. Get with the other adults, bundle up and walk around the outlines I painted. See if I missed anything - walkways for people, getting the tractor and the trailers in and out of the barn, whatever. I'll pour hot water over a bag of Earl Grey and plant myself over a warm air register. I don't plan to move until all the parts are warm."
"I'll get the others."
---
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Maddie?"
"Won't you hafta move some cameras with a long skinny building there? The cameras are just a little higher than your head."
"Thank you, sweetie. We'll need to move one of the cameras there up higher. The other one should be on the far side of the mobile home the new students will be staying in. And there's a camera that will be looking at the top of the new classroom. That camera needs to be moved to the far side of the classroom trailer. You have a very good sense of what's visible where."
"Well, the buildings will kinda block what I can feel out there so I thought they'd block what the cameras see."
"You thought correctly. I'll put those things on my paper to-do list. The camera that needs to be moved up can be done tomorrow. The ones that need to be on a different building must wait until that building is here. The buildings must also be in place before I add the solar power for the cameras that are moved and any water pumps we might add."
"You don't seem surprised that I'm talking about what I can feel outside."
"Maddie, do you remember on the bus coming here? You told me there were three people on one side of the bus and five on the other. You were correct. Unless you tell me otherwise, I'll assume that 'feeling' still works for you."
"You don't think I'm weird?"
"I think you're a big help in keeping all of us safe. And all that 'keeping safe' comes in a very pretty package."
"I like it when you tell me I'm pretty!"
(I love you, Maddie.)
"I know! Where's Aunt Hazel?"
"The other adults are out looking over the building outline I painted to see if I missed anything - like people walkways, room to move things in the yard, whatever."
"OK."
"When Hazel comes back in, she may have something fun for you to do."
"What?"
"I'll let her explain."
"You're awful!"
"No, I'm awesome."
"What's the difference?"
"Dictionary behind you."
"You could tell me."
"You'll remember more of what you look up."
---
"Looks good, Jack. Other than blocking two cameras here and one there."
"I just had that pointed out to me, Joe."
"By whom?"
"Maddie. She asked me if the cameras would be blocked by the buildings because that would block her 'feeling' who was there."
"She did know there were others outside the bus, didn't she?"
"Yes. There are some amazing abilities in the kids we have here. I don't know if I'll ever understand how these things work, but I've completely accepted that they do work."
---
"Poppa, come look!"
"OK, Sherry. Where am I 'coming' to?"
"The kitchen."
"You've made good progress on the bears. I see that each has a red heart with a name on it."
"Aunt Hazel helped us with the names and with turning the bears right side out after we sewed the front and back together on the sewing machine. Now we stuff them and then we use whip stitches to close the hole we used to stuff them so the stitches don't show."
"I think you kids are enjoying sewing."
"We're making something for someone else! That's always a good feeling."
"Maddie, was I awful or awesome?"
"You were awful for not telling me what we were gonna do. Making these for kids who probably don't have anything of their own is awesome!"
"So you got a vocabulary lesson as part of your sewing class today?"
"But class here is more interesting and more fun than any other class I've been in."
"Did I miscount? I was told there were six kids but I see seven bears."
"The other one is for the nice chaperone. She probably didn't get much choice of what she could bring either."
"I like these loving, caring kids! I might even adopt them."
"YOU DID!"
"I did? Are you sure?"
"You're so silly, Daddy! I bet the new kids will love being with you as much as we do."
"We'll find out soon. The buildings will be here Wednesday. The Colonel is sending a squad to help with digging the trenches and placing the LP, water and septic lines. The kids will be here Friday morning. I want all of my kids armed on Friday. I haven't even spoken with the chaperones but I already don't like or trust one of them. The Colonel has spoken with that one and does not like him. He suggested I take the guy out and tie him to a fence post."
"He'd freeze!"
"The Colonel thinks that would be better than letting him be near you or the kids he's coming with."
"If Uncle Tim thinks he's that bad, I don't wanna be near him."
"Me either."
"You'll be there for the party…"
"We can have a 'Welcome' party?"
"Yes. With a banner and whatever foods Hazel thinks would work for the new kids…"
"Goody! I love parties!"
"The kids may be tired when they get here. Remember the nine hour time difference?"
"It might be lunch time for us but bedtime for them."
"Correct. They may also be tired from traveling…"
"I remember coming back from the hydro plant. It took forever!"
"These kids will probably feel like they've been traveling 'forever' as well, so we'll let them determine when the party should wind down. If they're yawning, they need to nap a little while and then be up until our usual bedtime…"
"They get a story?"
"Leah, I'll ask if they want to be part of our bedtime routine. They can be on the floor on pillows if there isn't room on the bed."
"If you're reading 'Dr. Dolittle' they don't need to see the book 'cause we make the pictures in our minds."
"Correct. We want these kids to feel welcome. It doesn't sound as if they've had much choice about coming here. The party and the bears you've made will be a big part of making them feel welcome. Remember that if they can learn to do the chip replacement, they'll be important people to their country and they should get better treatment from the adults."
"The Colonel kept telling us how important we were. I guess they'll be the same in their country?"
"Correct, Michelle. Very important. You finish the bears. I think this space might be needed for supper."
"You goof!"
"I love you too, Amelia."
---
I have some free time. How did that happen? Let's see if anyone is still broadcasting on shortwave. Small places with old hydro plants still have power Let's see what I find. To the time vs frequency list. Convert 1700 local to Zulu. Perhaps 20 stations that could be heard if they're on the air. Nothing there. Or there. Or there. Or there. The frequency for Radio Belize has something. Faint - maybe on much lower than usual power? Talking of the worldwide blackout. A village is using the national frequency on the transceiver that missionaries from the US left and getting power from the stream that provides their water using a waterwheel driving a car alternator and charging a battery. Not much change for that village other than no health care available via radio. Next frequency. Next. Next. Next. Next. Station in Tennessee. Strongly religious but doing some health and welfare traffic. Ronnie Paulson looking for her daughter Jenny and any other family members. They'll pause for five minutes on the half hour to listen for responses. That's ten minutes away. Need to ask Jenny if she's interested in contact with her mother.
"Jenny!"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"There's a radio station in Tennessee that's broadcasting messages for people trying to locate friends and family. A Ronnie Paulson is asking about her daughter Jenny and any other family members. Do you want me to contact her?"
"Will I hafta go with her? She threw me away once and I wanna stay with you!"
"In normal times, she'd have claim because she's your mother. After this long, I don't think that the Colonel would even let her talk with you unless you requested it. It's also possible that someone found her wallet and is trying to find someone to take her in. When's your mother's birthday?"
"Maybe in April?"
"When's yours?"
"December tenth."
"Where were you born?"
"Nashville."
"Tennessee or Texas?"
"I don't know. Is it in the Bible?"
"Maybe. Her birthday may also be there. Go get it."
---
"Nashville, Tennessee. St. Andrew's Hospital. Her birthday is April fifth."
"It's possible she's real. We'll find out if they hear me when I reply. I want you to listen and tell me if you remember her voice. Don't say anything when I'm talking to them. We don't want the person there to know you're here with me."
"OK."
---
{Tennessee Teacher from Wheat Farmer about number 372.}
{This is the Teacher. Do you know about the child?}
{I have a little information about a child that might be the one. Was the child born in November?}
{No. December.}
{Born in Knoxville?}
{No. Nashville.}
{What hospital?}
{St. Andrews.}
{Is the mother there?}
{This is Ronnie! Where is that useless little tramp? Is she eating everything on her grandfather's farm? Things that should be mine?}
"Jenny?"
"It's her! Please don't make me go with her!"
"In my lap."
{This is the Emergency Manager for the McKenzie Wildlife Preservation Area. Veronica Paulson is wanted for child abuse, child abandonment and possibly other charges. You can verify this via any military organization in your area.}
{Farmer, she just ran out of here screaming. Thank you for keeping a child safe and getting that bitch out of our hair. I'll let our local Guard unit know she's wanted. They're handing out water and get about a dozen of the "wanted" every week.}
{Thank you. Farmer out.}
"She'll go to jail?"
"Jenny, I don't know what they're doing with people like her. Without fuel to run the equipment they once used to repair the roads, they may have chain gangs out doing the work with picks and shovels."
"In the few letters she sent, I don't think she was ever working. That'll be a new experience for her."
"One she probably won't like."
"And she won't bother me again?"
"I don't think so."
"You are the best Daddy ever."
"Maybe just the best one you know."
"That too."
"I think you might be needed to help with supper."
"I hear them working."
"You join them. I'll move this chair out of their way."
"OK."
Anything else among these stations? Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. No. No. No. No. No. No. Maybe another day. We learned two things. Jenny's mother is alive and she should never get to see Jenny again. Well worth my time.
---
"Soup's on! Come eat!"
"Smells good!"
"And cornbread!"
"With honey!"
"Jenny, you seem a little sad."
"Daddy, can you tell her?"
"Sarah, I was scanning the list of radio stations and heard one in Tennessee doing health and welfare traffic - looking for family and friends. A Veronica Paulson was looking for her daughter Jenny. I see those tears, Jenny. Back in my lap."
"Yes, best Daddy ever."
"I asked Jenny if she wanted to find out if it was her mother or maybe someone who'd found a wallet and was looking for a family to attach herself to. Jenny got their old Bible and I got her place of birth. I did some questions for the man running the station there to ensure we were talking about the same Veronica and Jenny…"
"And she's the same as when she left me with Granny and Pops!"
"Yes, she is. Veronica got on the radio and was yelling Jenny for eating the food at her grandfather's farm, food Veronica should have…"
"She's not very nice."
"No, Shannon, she's not. I went into my official role as the Emergency Manager here and told them that Veronica was wanted for child abuse, child abandonment and possibly other crimes and they could check with any military unit for verification. The guy there responded that she had run out the door screaming. She doesn't know where we are or whether Jenny is actually with us. I'll have Tim put those charges through officially and Veronica will not bother Jenny again."
"Thank you, best Daddy ever."
"You're welcome, best Jenny ever."
"You're silly!"
"You're smiling. Think you can finish your soup?"
"And some cornbread with honey."
---
Need to put that email together for Tim. Names from the old Bible. Dates from it and the Family History. Note that she's in Tennessee today and that I'd said she was wanted. Send it. Done.
"Come help us stuff bears, Daddy?"
"Yes, Maddie. I'll help. Do you want a hard bear, a soft bear or a snuggly bear?"
"What's the difference?"
"About this much stuffing."
"Huh?"
"How does this bear feel?"
"Soft."
"I add this much stuffing. Now how does he feel?"
"Snuggly."
"I add this much more stuffing. Now how does he feel?"
"Hard."
"Which should they be?"
"Snuggly!"
"Then I take the extra out of the hard bear and put it in the soft bear to make two snuggly bears."
"These are just right!"
"Sherry, I thought that was the porridge and the bed, not the bears."
"Poppa!"
"I'll stuff and you can sew and we'll finish in time for a story before bed."
---
They're all down and hugged and/or kissed. Jenny needed a little extra time tonight. No surprise there. Got her hopes up just a little that her mother was still alive but she didn't seem to expect any better response than she got. Jenny is loved and appreciated here and she loves being the 'horse' person the other kids bring their questions to - even if I see her in serious conversation with Bill on a regular basis. Each question she takes to him broadens her knowledge and he enjoys watching the 'horse whisperer' grow in other areas of her life. I truly am in a great family. And it all started when I tried to keep someone out of a pool of gasoline.
"Mr. Wilson?"
"Yes, Mrs. Wilson?"
"Aunt Hazel said I should test you for functionality tomorrow night."
"That sounds like a great invitation. I'll be here."
"I thought you would."
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:26:48 GMT -6
Tuesday, 28 December, 5:10 AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Clothes. Shoes. Coat. 'Nerd' light. Glock. Down to feed the furnace. The house seems a little warmer this morning. Load the firebox. Back up the stairs. Check the temperature on the porch. 15 this early? It probably won't be above freezing today but maybe 25 and the kids can be outside a little while. I did leave the snow in front of the house for snowmen or snow forts or just snowball fights out in the open. They need the opportunity to burn some energy. 'Twister' helps but running or riding a bike would help more. Bundle up and go do the milking. Take the bucket of warm water with me for udder washing. That'll be iced over before I get back inside the house.
That's done. If it gets above 20, the kids can feed and water the chickens, gather eggs and maybe do some of the stall work. Jenny and Sammy are usually willing because "it's time with the horses" but most of the others aren't that excited. All of them will care for the cows because they want fresh milk but it's rarely a volunteer event. I think Lisa's becoming a 'horse person' and Sherry will be again when she gets past having to kill her horse to protect herself. I'll ask if she needs to talk more or just needs more time to work it out in music. I have seen her writing something but haven't asked. Another week, maybe?
Get the milk back inside. Seems odd not to be plowing snow. I can quickly learn to ignore that 'odd' feeling.
Bee-doop!
And what's the news this morning?
{Jack. Veronica Paulson tried to file charges of kidnapping against "The Emergency Manager of McKenzie" who doesn't exist. When she identified herself to the Guard unit to be able to file a complaint, they arrested her on the original child abuse and child abandonment charges Jenny's grandparents had filed. She'll be working for her keep. Probably doing road work, with pick and shovel. Thought you'd want to know. The semis for you and the LP and fuel trailers will be coming by heavy-lift helo starting around 1300 local today. Hope that gives you time to move the other trailers.}
"I need to move the trailers that are in the barn?"
"Yes, Joe. I'll help you get hooked up and give directions if you need them."
"Probably when I back them into the Quonset hut. It'll be tight for two trailers and the other machinery in there."
"We could move the other things out and let you pull the trailers through and then put the equipment back."
"That might be just as fast."
"Then let's move machinery."
---
An hour later that's done and things are better arranged in the hut with room to move most things without needing to move something out of the way. I'm cannibalizing a couple more highway signs to power the cameras that will be on the new buildings and the water pump in the mobile home. Joe's not sure why he bought as many of those signs as he did, just that he thought the 'lot' price would have been a good price for one so he went ahead and bought the lot of 20. Sarah would say 'serendipity' but I wasn't involved in that purchase. However it happened, the units have proven useful for the solar panels, charge controllers and batteries. Plus we have some trailers that will work for hauling small motorcycles, ATVs or snowmobiles. If nothing else, they'll be good storage places in the off season so ATV and motorcycle tires are not on dirt. I set up the panels, charge controllers and batteries in the sun and connected them - and the batteries are charging. That's all I need to power the cameras - and another water pump - when the new buildings are in place.
I should draw a trailer outline where I want each of today's trailers placed. Back to the basement for yet another color of spray paint. Take it to the kitchen to let it warm enough to be sprayable while I warm my fingers and toes.
Hazel has a group busy sewing and Sarah has a group busy with music, plus the ones doing their 'hour of reading each day'. Some of the older ones effectively get double that as they're helping the younger ones with their books. It's working. I heard Rachel go through several pages of "One Fish, Two Fish" with only a couple of prompts. Not bad for a four year old who's only been working on reading for a few months. On the other hand, she is surrounded by kids and adults who read for pleasure. She's trying hard to find out what she's missing. That kind of drive can make anyone successful.
I think I've pretty much written off the President's "New Year's gift" of commercial power. It's something we might see in the late spring or early summer, but maybe much later. Not here in the near future with the snow that's on the ground and the lack of fuel and drivers for State and County snowplows. I'm sure people closer to the hydro plant have benefited from the efforts to restore power. They have light, they may have thermostatically controlled heat, and they might have gasoline available at the nearest station. But everything other than electricity is dependent on things from places that don't have power. Food. Clothing. Shoes. LP. Gasoline. Diesel. More power plants need to be restored and soon - but the weather is preventing recovery where there are enough survivors to make a go of things. I'm not usually this down. Why today? Nothing bad is on the local horizon but I'm still down.
'Jack.'
'Yes, Sarah?'
'You're down. Hazel said to watch for semen poisoning in you. Come upstairs with me.'
'You're serious? "Semen poisoning" was something we joked about in high school.'
'With your prostate restored, your body needs to re-learn how to regulate semen production.. For now, I'll help you with your problem.'
'You'll have my problem well in hand?'
'Yes. Drop your trousers and underwear. On the bed on your side. I have two large towels.'
'Two towels?'
'You'll see.'
---
Sarah was right. I didn't believe her, but she was right. There is such a thing as semen poisoning. I do feel better. Much better. Also very empty. I hope she's right about my body re-learning. I'd rather not be doing this every day. The last thirty seconds were the most painful sexual experience of my life.
My outlook is better now. I had no idea there'd be 'side effects' like that. Maybe I should have asked?
---
"Poppa! Where are you?"
"Upstairs. On my way down."
"Play the other part with me?"
"This is what you've been working on?"
"You knew?"
"Hard not to notice when you play six notes, use a pencil on lined paper, play six different notes and use the eraser and then the pencil on that paper. Then play six different notes…"
"I get it. It was pretty obvious to you and the others just thought I was crazy."
"Aren't all people who write music a little bit crazy to spend so much time on one or two measures?"
"But it has to sound right!"
"A little bit crazy to spend so much time…"
"Poppa! Play."
---
It does sound good and I'd know how much work she put into this even if I hadn't seen her working on it. This is good composing. Not "good composing for a nine year old", but "good composing". She has two part harmony for two recorders and it's two pages long. We're collecting a crowd.
"That was good. Who wrote it?"
"Sherry."
"Really?"
"Yes. Do you remember seeing and hearing her play a few notes, write something, play a few different notes, erase and write and do it again?"
"You were writing music?"
"I thought only people with a college degree in music could do that."
"Crissy, anyone who knows the notes can write music. Putting the notes together so they sound good requires either a lot of training or a good ear for how the music sounds. Sherry has a very good ear. That's why you'd hear a few notes and then a few different notes and then a few even more different notes. She wrote two part harmony for two recorders. It's also two pages long."
"That's twice as long as what we've been playing."
"Play it again?"
"Ready, Sherry? Play."
The writing has been good for her. She has a little smile as she plays. I'll ask about the words when we're alone. I'm sure she has some. Thinking about crazy, I'm at least a little crazy when I have more kids than I can provide one-on-one attention to and we have six more who are probably as needy as the worst of these were when they came to us - but at most it was three at a time. There's more than one reason for practicing enough that playing music as written is automatic. It allows your mind to wander without most people noticing. Let's give the last half of the second page some transposition this time. A little surprise in Sherry's face but then the smile is back and this time it includes her eyes. This piece of music has a lot of potential. How do I get something copyrighted when most of the government's functions are non-functional? I'll have her put the copyright symbol and then sign it and date it and I'll also sign and date it. It may be years before the music industry returns but she should get credit for her work.
"Miss Sarah, will you play harmony while Poppa transposes?"
"Yes, Sherry. 1. 2. 3. Play."
This is excellent work. If you didn't know the composer's age, you'd still be impressed by it. The kids here are all a bit in awe of the music coming from these little pieces of pipe with holes in them.
"That was awesome!"
"Maddie, that was having good music to start with."
"It was still awesome."
---
We've made it to lunch with no alarms or intrusions. After we eat, I'll be out to direct trailer placement by the helos and then guide Joe as he gets them into the barn. The fuel trailers will go behind the horse barn. Nice to have had enough quiet time to think a number of things through the past few days. I'm sure it can't last but I have no idea what kind of problem to expect. That's a strange place for me - I've always known what to expect in a given situation. Having never been snowbound before might have a bearing on my expectations.
"Jack, you've hardly said a word. You're usually a better lunchtime conversationalist than that."
"Sorry, Sarah. Just thinking about what I'll be doing after lunch and trying to imagine what the next big problem will be. I don't have experience being snowbound and don't know what to expect."
"Unless you hear aircraft or snowmobiles or see someone on snowshoes, expect quiet. I guess you could add a snowplow or a big dozer to the things you might hear."
"Bill, I think I'd prefer aircraft to a snowplow or dozer. The land vehicle would leave a path open for less capable vehicles to use."
"True. We are expecting aircraft today?"
"Yes. Heavy-lift helos bringing in the two trailers of additional goods - including serious winter gear for all of us - plus LP, gasoline and diesel."
"The clothing would be good. The kids could be outside for long enough to burn off some energy."
"Same thing I was thinking this morning, Sarah. I was just hoping for the high to be 25 or so. They can be out using the limited winter clothing we have - in case the delivery didn't get here."
"My husband the SEAL - always with two or more plans. So far, he's kept us all alive and well. I think that's a good track record."
"As your father, I can certainly agree, Sarah."
Bee-doop!
Press 'Message'.
{Jack. First trailer should be there at 1315. Second trailer about an hour later. Fuel trailer and LP trailer about an hour after that.}
"My afternoon is planned for me. Joe, we'll have time to get each trailer in the barn and on its jacks before the next one arrives."
"I should check the fuel on the semi."
"The raised tanks are full."
"Can we help?"
"Amelia, none of you will be outside until all the trailers are parked in their final positions. You'll be allowed to help with certain things after the adults unload the trailers in the barn with the forklift that was left here last time. When the pallets are in the loft, you'll be allowed to carry things in the house - mostly serious winter clothes. Something that you could stay out in for an hour."
"Long enough to build a snowman!"
"Or a fort!"
"Or for you to be out doing chores when the temperature is below 20."
"Do we hafta, Daddy?"
"Do you want eggs and milk, Crissy?"
"We hafta."
---
Tuesday, 28 December, 3:40PM
The helos appreciated having the drop zones marked out and labeled: 1, 2 and F. The trailers came as 40 foot, LP, 40 foot and gas/diesel. They were in and out faster than they expected and we had 45 minutes between drops instead of their expected hour. Plenty of time for us with the paths clear and everything planned out.
Some of the kids are thrilled with the new clothing - especially Crissy and Cyndy after their "kinda snug" comments earlier. We'll be washing outside in the cold tomorrow and drying clothes on the clothes trees and on temporary lines over the bathtubs. The body lotion is also good as the cold and dry outside exposure plus the dry inside air when heating in temperatures this cold have led to some dry and irritated skin for all age groups. I think I saw some "over the register" humidifier pads on the inventory sheet. If they'll work with convection heating, those should be in place today. Need to read the instructions.
The humidifier pads are multi-layer. Peel them apart and just use one layer on one-fourth of the registers on the main level. There is an old hygrometer on the wall in the kitchen. I don't know if it's still accurate but it should at least give an indication of a change in humidity. We'll know in a few hours.
---
"Momma, can we wash clothes today?"
"Sorry, Cyndy. It's too late in the day for them to dry outside before dark and those getting showers tonight won't want the bathtubs cluttered with clothes hung there to dry. We'll start on washing the new clothes after breakfast tomorrow. Clothes for those dealing with 'kinda snug' will be done first. When the new winter clothes are sorted by size, I'll have each of you outside helping with what you're allowed to do in washing clothes."
"I'll be warm enough to stay out that long?"
"Yes."
"Goody!"
---
Supper was some of the recently delivered freeze-dried steaks. We're celebrating being alive and well and close to self-sufficient. If we didn't have help from the military, we'd be doing many things manually or with actual "horse" power - instead of liquid-fueled horsepower. The family that lived here in 1850 did manage that way - but with pot bellied stoves and fireplaces for heat; much better to have the newer (nameplate has 1910) wood furnace. We could manage with "horse" and people power, but would likely be working harder and not living as long.
Bill and Joe have been working out the best use of the fertilizer that was delivered today. I think that discussion may continue for several days. Hazel is excited about salt in the box of spices as it's not something we can make. There were salt blocks for the animals at Jenny's place and they were all moved here. Between what we purchased some months ago, what we've salvaged and what we've earned or been given we'll be OK for a couple of years if we can make a good kitchen garden and good bulk crops for people and animals this year. That's a big "if".
Getting a fourth of the family through bag showers each night works when the 12 volt pump is running but not when things outside are frozen. With the kids inside and the adults outside only the minimum time necessary, we can make that once a week for most of the kids and once or twice for the adults. I did need a shower after my 'repair'. I mentioned cold frames and greenhouses for starting and growing plants. I could build a "greenhouse" over that pump and it would warm enough to thaw and be used any day we had a few hours of sun. Sketch that out and put it at the top of my to-do list.
I hear little voices conspiring. I think tonight's story will be replaced by a request for a sing-along. That's fine. We can do "winter" songs as long as the snow on the ground is measured in feet. 'Jingle Bells', 'Frosty', 'Winter Wonderland' and some others. Need the recorders for a couple of kids, guitar for me. I think this should be another "unplugged" session to help them wind down.
---
They're down with hugs and/or kisses. They also asked for "Sherry's Song". No matter what title she was thinking of using, the others have bestowed that title on it. She was very pleased. I think a little of the bad of killing her horse is erased each time she plays it. When I kissed her goodnight, I asked if there were words and got a reluctant "Un huh". I'll give her a week before I ask to see the words. She may be ready to share by then.
I think my wife has some testing for me tonight. I should load the furnace then brush and floss and be in bed.
Furnace is loaded. My alarm is set. Now to see what Sarah wants of me.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:27:09 GMT -6
Wednesday, 29 December, 5:40AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Clothes. Shoes. Glock. Coat. 'Nerd' light. To the basement. Is the house slightly warmer than yesterday morning? I'll check the outside thermometer when I come back up to start coffee. Still a little fire left. Load the firebox. Definitely need a cart load from the woodshed. Maybe do that first thing so it doesn't get lost in the other busy-ness today. Furnace is good. Up to the kitchen. Coffee pot and water on to heat. Bigger coat. Balaclava. Hat. Outside and it's 18 degrees at the moment. The kids might get some time outside to play as well as wash clothes and do chores. To the woodshed. Load the cart. A little kindling. Some pieces the kids can manage when they load the furnace. The bigger stuff the adults load it with - especially at night. Back to the house. Inside and then down to the basement. Our temporary repair on the door doesn't allow opening it from outside. We'll work on that another day. Load the rack inside the door. Put the rest of what's on the cart on the rack outside the door. We're good for a few days. Cart back to the woodshed. I don't need to plow! Back inside, down to lock that door and back up to wrap my hands around a cup of coffee. When they're warm, I'll go wake the others. I don't think any of them would like my cold nose on them right now.
I'm warm. Up to wake my wife.
"Good morning, Mrs. Wilson."
"Good morning, Mr. Wilson. Nice wake up and very nice going to sleep!"
"Glad that I'm able to please you."
"Go wake your children and send Celia to wake Joe."
"I'll do that."
---
The kids are awake and getting dressed or in sweatshirts. I heard Bill and Hazel come in while I was waking Sammy. I sent the kids to wash hands and "Go help" which they all want to do. I should check the hygrometer and see it there's any change. Up 5 percent. That's good. Any increase is helpful. I'll mention the "greenhouse" for the pump to Joe and Bill and see if we should replace a few windows today to have the parts to do that.
---
Joe said we won't need to open a hole in the house. One sash of the windows that were broken survived. That's all I need to make the pump enclosure. Bundle up and go measure the window and the pump. There's some insulation board for the other walls of the enclosure. Maybe an hour to get this done. Still plenty of time before the first building gets here around noon. Having water for us and the new kids is important.
The "greenhouse" for the pump is in place. The glass is sloped to catch the maximum amount of sun. I borrowed a thermometer from the barn to monitor what's happening in this new box. It's already up 2 degrees. Ten degrees an hour increase and the pump will be thawed in a couple of hours. I'll check this again after the buildings arrive. Back inside where it's warm. Porch thermometer is on 21. There's no wind, so OK for the kids to do their outside chores - but quickly. That means two to do the milking. Two for the horses. Two for the chickens. I hear the washing machine running. Getting the sizing and excess dye out of new clothes doesn't require a long wash but may require some color sorting. That's why Sarah said she'd be out with the kids to do this. Their new outerwear will get a good test this morning. I'll send the kids out to do chores and keep an eye on the clock while I warm up.
"Lisa, Crissy, Jenny, Sammy, Leah, Hannah. To the kitchen."
"Yes, Daddy?"
"You get to test your new winter clothing. Lisa and Crissy on the milking. After you bring the milk in, you'll be cleaning those stalls. Jenny and Sammy on the horses. Feeding and cleaning the stalls. Leah and Hannah. Feed and water for the chickens and gather the eggs."
"What about the ones who usually do the chickens?"
"They're washing clothes. Would you rather have wet hands?"
"I'll do the chickens."
"Not all of you have an armed person with you so I'll be outside."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
The kids are in much less of a hurry to get back inside. Nice that they have clothing to match the weather. We have a half-dozen coming that probably do not have that clothing. Initially, they can use the hand-me-downs. Since the clothes are from kids the same ages, would that be hand-me-beside? Whatever. At least there is some used winter wear that will work for the trips between buildings. They'll need proper clothing to play outside. I'll make a list when they're willing to talk.
The milk and eggs are inside. Hazel will help the kids get those things put away. Sarah is waving me over to the washing machine.
"You need me?"
"Always! But the drain needs you now."
Check the drain hose. It's hard near the end. It probably froze while the rinsing and wringing were in process. Slap the end of the hose on the ground and we get a little ice and a lot of water. Get it back into the grey water drain.
"I didn't think it was that cold out here."
"You're better protected than previous mornings."
"I guess we all are. They haven't asked to go inside. When it finishes draining, you can turn the engine off. We're done for a little while. Will your box over the little pump work?"
"It's warmed up more than 5 degrees since I put the 'greenhouse' over it. We should be able to pump water to the barrels in the basement by late afternoon."
"What about the new kids?"
"I mentioned having some 55 gallon barrels in their trailer. If they get here, we can plumb them today and fill them in less than an hour tomorrow."
"They'll have running cold water?"
"I have several spare pumps. I can cannibalize another highway sign to get power for the pump."
"What about hot water?"
"What they heat on the stove. The girls have decided who should pair up with each of the new girls and show her how to use the sun shower."
"Kids with matching scars."
"Yes. Best way I know for them to show that this is a place where kids are loved and cared for."
"Even better than the 'Welcome' party."
"But needs more privacy."
"Girls, take the baskets inside and ask Hazel where these clothes should be hung."
"Yes, Momma."
---
"Some of our current kids need time with you, Jack, but you're not available when you are continually busy and the cabin isn't easily accessed."
"True. Hopefully things that I'm needed for will wind down after the new buildings are in place and cabin access will improve as the days warm. I may be doing 'more than one' again."
---
Wednesday, 29 December, 11:10AM
"Lunch before the buildings get here, Jack?"
"No, Hazel. Lunch right at 1:00 so it's just as the first building gets here. The kids will have a reason to be inside while that big hunk of metal is put in place. They can see a little out the windows - maybe more from upstairs."
"Good planning. I'll adjust the time so we're eating then. Both buildings at the same time?"
"No. The second one around three."
"I have some things they can cook for the party and we'll be doing that for about an hour - starting a little before three."
"Thank you. Much easier to keep them safe if they're already busy when a distraction gets here."
---
"Need my assistant cooks for lunch!"
"Coming, Aunt Hazel."
"Coming, Grandma."
"Celia, Leah. Go tell the other adults that lunch is ready."
"Yes, Aunt Hazel."
---
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
"What's that?"
"The helo delivering the mobile home for our new kids. You may watch from the windows here or upstairs. You may NOT be outside. You don't know how the wind might swing the building as it comes down so you don't know how to be safe outside. When you're tired of watching, finish your lunch."
"Yes, Daddy."
Tim's guys are on a helo that has snowmobiles strapped to its skids. They land and unload and the little helo is gone - well, little by comparison to the one bringing the mobile home. Better six of them on the guide ropes for the trailer than Bill, Joe and me. They're in radio contact with the pilot and loadmaster. It's coming in over the lowest buildings and they're turning it to line up the doors with the outlines of the steps. Another couple of feet. It's within a few inches of where I had it marked. The wheels are still under it so we can hook it to the back of the Deere and make small adjustments for the best placement of plumbing. Excellent delivery.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"Hello, Tompkins. Didn't know who to expect for this job."
"My brother-in-law had a mobile home lot. I've set and plumbed a lot of them. Your septic line is where the recently disturbed dirt is?"
"Correct."
"We should dig the trenches for this one and the classroom. You have a tiller?"
"In that shed. Can of gas next to it. Assorted picks and shovels also in the shed."
"The newest trench also has power in it?"
"Yes."
"Then we dig that end by hand and determine where we should connect to the water and sewer lines. The solar array on this trailer is much smaller than any you have. Should we run wiring for power from the house?"
"We'll do that the same as the school. It will terminate at a box in the house and have a pigtail with a plug that can go into an outlet in the kitchen. Any excessive load and we pull the plug."
"We'll do that for both of the new trailers. I see kids at the windows with sandwiches in hand. Go finish your lunch. We have this."
"Thanks."
That's the easiest plumbing I've done in some time. I've been out here almost an hour but I'm not cold. Nice to have the right clothing for the day. Back to my lunch.
---
"They're really fast doing the digging!"
"Michelle, it helps that they're much younger than the adults here are and that there are six of them. They're also trying to get the work done before the classroom trailer gets here - which is about an hour away."
"I guess those are good reasons."
"Why are they running power out there, Jack? We can't power their fridge and freezer with the system here."
"No, Sarah, we can't. I'm concerned about them having enough power for lights. I asked Tim to see if they could get LED bulbs for the mobile home and the classroom. We'll power lights in the classroom if needed. Lights in the mobile home are iffy. I'll put inline fuses in the plug so anything over 100 watts will blow the fuse and they'll lose power. They could have lights but not a fridge or toaster. I hope their heat is convection. We don't have power to run the forced air LP furnace in the house. It's a given their solar systems can't run one for either building."
"Could you install the unused convection heaters in those buildings?"
"They're designed for mobile homes so it's not difficult. I just don't plan to make things easy for stupid people."
"But you won't let the kids freeze."
"We can make alternate arrangements for them. We have an unused room with bunks in it. But they'd need a little time to be comfortable doing that."
"Unless one of them sees auras. She'd probably be ready to sleep on the floor to stay in the house with us."
"True. We'll know more in two days."
---
Wednesday, 29 December, 5:10PM
The classroom is in place - just as smoothly as the previous delivery. I did hook the Deere up and move the classroom a few inches to have clearance for plowing snow the next time. The LP tanks will be delivered in the morning - to the drop marked "F". I can move the empty tanks with the forks on the frontloader so they can be placed where I can fill them with the LP truck. The crew has already trenched for the gas lines to those locations.
The furnaces are forced air - and the BTU rating is not what it should be for winter here. They couldn't keep the space warm if we had commercial power. Is someone trying to ensure this effort fails? If so, I have an unpleasant surprise for them - we intend to make it be successful. And the "little tramps" will be respected citizens contributing to their country's progress. If not, we'll keep them and they can contribute here. I think the President could arrange asylum if not citizenship for any that are interested. We'll get a convection heater installed in the classroom tomorrow. My kids will be warm when they are out there. Tim needs to know the details. Write this out and then send it.
'Tim. Do any background checks you can on the people involved in the project - here and in Israel. I think someone is trying to ensure that it fails. I mentioned the undersized solar arrays. The forced air furnaces are also too small (BTU rating) to be adequate for heating the space in the winters we have here, even if we had commercial power to run them. If these buildings were "purpose designed" that purpose is failure. We'll install a convection heater in the classroom. My kids will be warm. They will also be armed.
I wouldn't expect the kids involved in a project critical to recovery to be called "useless tramps" by anyone in the project. Neither would I expect their food to be "who cares". The scars on some of them tell me they were used as some of the kids we've taken in were used. What the plotters don't know is how strong and resilient the kids who survived that are. My suggestion to the President was to get kids that had been on the buses or in the depots as the next crew to do chip replacement. It appears that we have a group of them coming here. Their names are Jewish but are they Israeli? Can you find out? I'm sure our kids can persuade them to give cheek swab DNA samples. Can you find ethnic origins and family connections that way? I'm almost ready to greet Moses with the 12 gauge and take off one of his feet based on what he's said thus far. Let me know that you're making progress before he gets here or you'll only get part of him back in the body bag.
If the kids aren't wanted in Israel, could someone in the US take them? Remember that I'm at my limit of kids I can care for. If these kids need "a person with a blue aura" I can recommend someone - assuming he's still alive.'
Save that on the thumb drive. To the radio. Drive in. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". Done.
I hear the sounds of happy kids cooking. That's a doubly good sound. They're happy and we have food. We will be working diligently to keep both of those things - happy and fed - true for the kids. I'm not sure how we'd add six more kids to our crew. We'd then have an entire class of recently-turned-nine kids playing hooky from third grade - although most of them would test higher than that academically and emotionally. Their end-of-year birthdays would make them the oldest kids in the class. I'm not sure I can manage one-on-one time for that many kids, even with the current kids scheduling some time with Joe and Bill - just not enough hours in the day. For sure we won't be doing it while there's this much snow.
Birthdays are something we've not made into big events, except for mine and Sherry's. We need to improve on that this year. I should talk with Sarah about that.
Am I just tired or is it semen poisoning again? Better ask Sarah.
"Sarah?"
"Upstairs, Jack. You need some medical care."
"I was going to ask if I did."
"I think it's partly semen poisoning but you also have fever. To bed as before. I'll take care of the one problem and then scan for other things."
---
I'm empty again. And it hurt just as much this time, but the painful part didn't last quite as long. And she's coming with an old fashioned mercury thermometer.
"Under your tongue. This is old fashioned but it doesn't require power - and it's accurate."
"OK."
"You're back to normal. Hazel didn't mention fever as a side effect. I'll ask her about this."
"You do that."
And supper is almost ready. Wash my hands and be ready to take my place at the table. And I have the 'twins' snuggled up on either side of me.
"Are you OK, Daddy?"
"Amelia, your mother thinks I am but is checking with Hazel."
"I just wanna be sure we didn't cause any problems when we helped with your repair."
"Sweetie, I think Hazel would have been aware of any problems as they happened. You did what was asked of you. You're not responsible for any odd things my body does while it's healing."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Charlie."
---
"Everyone to the table."
"Yes, Aunt Hazel."
"Yes, Grandma."
---
"Daddy, can we sit by you?"
"Yes. I think you also need some lap time to talk."
"Un huh."
---
"Amelia and Charlie come with me."
"Yes, Daddy."
"To the sofa in the unused bunkroom."
"OK."
"Snuggle in and talk to me."
"I guess it sounds weird, but ever since we helped with your repair we feel how you feel - especially if you're tired or sad. Or if you're really angry - like with the Moses guy."
"Does it scare you that I'm angry, Amelia?"
"Un uh. But it makes us sad when you're tired or sad."
"Because you can't fix it or because you don't know why I'm sad or tired?"
"Both."
"Amelia, do you remember being the only one awake when someone was shooting at me?"
"Un huh! That was scary!"
"Do you think we may have some connection other than this?"
(I love you, Amelia.)
"I never thought of that. We already had a connection. Then we had a stronger connection with the mental speaking. Then we looked in and 'saw' and 'felt' a lot about you so we have closer connections and we feel what you feel?"
"I think you need to ask your mother and Hazel. It might be possible."
"We'll ask. You are the world's best Daddy 'cause you don't think we're crazy when we ask things like this."
"How do you know I don't think you're crazy?"
"I can feel… I should ask Momma, shouldn't I?"
"Yes. Both of you. Go now."
---
Bee-doop!
A response from Tim? Or something else?
To the radio. Headphones this time. Press 'Message'.
{Jeez, Jack. Stir up two or three dozen hornets' nests next time! I'm getting the run-around from some of the official channels. Some of them very upset that I would "question the motives of an Israeli national hero". I think there are still some UN sleepers in places of influence. I agree with your evaluation of the way the mobile home and classroom were designed and equipped. I passed your comments up a couple of unofficial channels as well. They can process the swabs and do the DNA research. Tompkins usually has some of the swabs with him for collecting samples of unknown chemicals. He'll get some to you. Under the current Martial Law rules, I can grant asylum to anyone - and back it up with anything up to and including an Abrams. If any of those kids want asylum, we'll give it to them. If the mobile home can't be heated, where will those kids stay?
I'm sure anyone you recommended would be good but I like how you've cared for the kids you've taken in. Not just Lexi - I know enough about some of the others to know that you and your family have worked some miracles. I'd like for you to stay in the business of thaumaturgy. Tell me how we could help you manage six more kids. If we can't do it, I'll ask the President. Hold off on the 12 gauge for a couple of hours Friday. The squad I sent has seen the pictures of the scars. Any action they can justify falls under "enforcing Martial Law". I think you know how they'd be enforcing it.}
I wouldn't want to be in Moses' shoes Friday. I doubt that he'll last the day. I'll get the swabs from Tompkins and ensure the girls who've chosen someone to pair up with know where to find them.
What would work for me to manage six more kids? LP heat in the cabin would be a biggie. Quick to start. Easy to control. Better the cabin than one of the new spaces - my kids are all familiar with it. More clothes for the new kids and serious winter gear - same as the other kids have. Probably food for an extended period. I doubt that they'll bring more than subsistence rations for them. That should include some LTS plus beans, rice, corn for cornmeal, wheat for flour, potatoes if available - need to add to this list Toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, kids' OTC meds of all kinds. Toothpaste, toothbrushes and other similar things - probably repeat things from the list we sent before. Feed for the chickens, pigs, cows and horses. A physical on each girl - an exam by Columbo and a scan by Sarah and/or Hazel.
Type all this into a file on the laptop and work on it again later - later being sleep on it and read it over in the morning.
---
"Bed time. Jammies, floss, brush."
"Brush, then floss, Daddy."
"Just checking whether you were paying attention, Celia."
---
"Time to vote. Hands for Dr. Dolittle. Hands down. Hands for the next book in the series we've been working on? Hands down. Hands for finishing Dr. Dolittle before I ask again. Hands down. It'll be Dr. Dolittle until we finish the book."
---
They're down and the group of adults made the rounds for hugs and kisses. Amelia and Charlie both said they'd talked with Sarah and Hazel and want to talk with me tomorrow. We'll be doing that. Now to find Joe and Bill and ask about crops and the best use of fertilizer.
---
We've worked out a tentative plan for what will be planted where and how much of each thing. Also the best use of bagged fertilizer, the straw and manure mix from the barns and the cleanups from the pig pen and chicken coop. I'd like to have the kids involved in some of that but they don't have rubber waders to keep their clothes clean. Maybe in the future?
---
Time to feed the furnace and get myself to bed. My wife was giving me "Come hither" glances when she went up the stairs.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:27:33 GMT -6
Thursday, 30 December, 5:20AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Do my morning routine. Clothes. Boots. 'Nerd' light. Glock. Coat. To the basement for furnace duty. Might be a little warmer this morning? Firebox filled. To the kitchen. Coffee on to brew and water to heat. 21 on the porch thermometer. Warmest morning in some time. I expected cooler with the clear skies so maybe a little more than a ten degree warmup by Sunday. Still seems a bit odd not to be plowing. That's a habit I will gladly break. I see light in the bunkhouse. Bill and Hazel are awake if not up. I should go wake this crew. This morning I'll send Paige to wake Joe. The kids are enjoying those extra minutes of one-on-one.
"Good morning, Mrs. Wilson."
"Good morning, Mr. Wilson. Come back to bed and make a baby in me?"
"I thought we did that last night."
"I think we could use more practice."
"I'd like to, but my wife might wake the children."
"Unfortunately true. You have a raincheck until tonight."
"I'll take it."
"Go wake your children."
"As you wish."
"That voice you have perfectly."
---
They're up, to the bathroom, hands washed and on their way to the kitchen. Hazel came in as I sent Paige to wake Joe. Bill was a few minutes behind her. He'd been looking for his binoculars because there's something moving to the south of us. Need to bring up the map on the tablet. His estimate is about here. That's outside the range of any motion sensors but there's a camera that might be able to zoom in on that area. It's up and showing lots of untouched snow. Pan right. There are some marks in the snow. Skid marks from a helo? Capture a still with camera coordinates and angle. Pan right again. There's an Israeli flag over a UN flag. Those two aren't usually seen together. The morning sun is at a good angle to cast the shadows of their white tents. Capture a few more images. I'd guess Tim doesn't know they're there. Copy the images to a thumb drive. To the laptop for a decent keyboard. Create a brief note to Tim and include the images. Save it on the thumb drive. Move that to the radio. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile" and "SendImages". It's on its way and they probably don't know that we're aware of their presence. I think Tim was correct about the remaining UN presence in the US. He'll not be happy with this. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy Hazel's biscuits with some pear preserves. I agree with Sammy: it's dessert for breakfast.
Bee-doop!
I'd expect that to be a message from Tim. Probably an angry Tim when he's in charge of the area and didn't know who been dropped off out there. Headphones until I know what he's saying. I'm sure the little ears here have probably heard the words he'll be using, but they don't need to be reminded of that.
{Jack, Watson tells me my initial comments on the pictures you sent melted the snow for ten feet around the command tent. I'd not be surprised if he's correct. Officially, there's no one there so I can't do anything about them - a guarantee that there are still some UN plants in place. Going through some unofficial channels has a Forest Service plane headed their way with a load of orange fire retardant chemical for the fire that will erupt in their camp in about five minutes - a thermite cluster bomb dropped off by a passing helo. The fire retardant chemical is in two parts that are mixed as they leave the plane and it sticks to anything it touches. It's heavy enough to collapse tents and rough enough to render skis useless - whether skis on your feet or on the front of a snowmobile. Whoever is there will be on foot and building expedient shelters to replace what was burned or collapsed.
I've notified the squad with you to be on high alert. They're to shoot first and ask questions of the survivors, if any. You mentioned additional ammo a while back. When you get the front wall of the most recently delivered trailers, there are boxes of every caliber any of us have ever heard you mention - even that antique 45-70 lever action rifle hanging on the wall in the kitchen. We'll be monitoring the transmissions from that camp when the shit hits the fan and we'll follow up on who's been contacted - and in what language. Be nice if we had your tablet near it and could record enough to spoof their satellite comms.}
If they haven't dropped the thermite yet, I can phase the antenna array here to pinpoint that camp and also aim the satellite dish that way. Maybe I can get enough direct and reflected signal to collect the data needed for spoofing. Laptop to the radio. Sat program running. Aim the dish at terrestrial coordinates. Broadband record on. The antenna array to the tablet's RF connector. Broadband scan on. Good that the tablet just came off charge - all the additions running at max gain eat the batteries. Only need this for a few minutes. Some French words about "Where'd that helo come from?" Noisy enough that it's likely a handie-talkie. And it's on one of the UN tactical frequencies. Voices responding in French and German but mostly yelling "Fire!" I heard an explosion in the background - maybe the gas tank on a snowmobile? Encrypted message on their sat link. That's not the best encryption code choice. Three seconds to break it. They're reporting a massive air attack and many things on fire. Whoever Tim's working with planned this well - I hear the big plane in the distance. Terror in the handie-talkie voices as there actually is a bomber-size craft headed for them. One recognizes it as a fire fighting craft and is waving to them. I'd guess that makes him a better target. The one talking stops abruptly with coughing and spitting noises. He still has the push-to-talk button pressed and I'd guess he got a face full of a very nasty concoction. The sat link died in the middle of a message. Probably the antenna crushed by the weight of the retardant. I do have enough info to spoof their sat transmitter. I'll identify the aircraft involved as French and German when I send their fake after-action report of aircraft downed by RPG's and other things. That should generate enough interest to get someone out to inspect the area. That should also generate some turmoil in their ranks.
Tim needs my narrative of this. Write that up, include the how-to on spoofing the sat link and finish the bogus after-action report. Include a copy in the things for Tim.
Radio reconfigured to match theirs. After-action report sent. Have the automatic acknowledgement so they think it's genuine. Radio back to normal configuration. Sat antenna back to its usual skypoint. Ground antennas as they were.
Now to send it all to Tim. Thumb drive in the radio. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". It's in progress.
Warm my coffee that got cold while I was fighting an imaginary war. One biscuit left. I'll take it. Back to the laptop and backup the changes of the last couple of days on the external hard drive. Fairly quick if it's done frequently.
Bee-doop!
{Jack, I owe you a bottle of whatever expensive liquor you like best! That fake after-action report has gotten some people who shouldn't know anything about what's happening here very interested in the fire in that little stand of trees. Excellent way of flushing out the moles. I heard from Moses. Seems he's concerned that it might not be safe with "forest fires" in the area. Not details a chaperone would normally be privy to and certainly not this soon after the event. My unofficial channels have pointed out the obvious to some official channel people and we're now authorized for a search and destroy mission. More later.}
Being devious by appearing to be following their Standard Operating Procedure - and having a couple of incorrectly spelled words - makes the fake report look genuine. I don't know if Moses will come with the kids now. That's 50-50. Possibly coming with them because they need to keep up appearances and ensure the kids don't let anything in their history slip. Possibly not coming because he doesn't want to be anywhere the deception could be revealed. If they're here, we will learn their history. If he's here, I already have the body bag. Backup's finished. Need to check for the ammo in the tandem trailers and for the barrels to store water in the mobile home. I should have Joe and Bill check for ammo - they'd recognize any of the boxes for the older weapons. I'll go check for barrels and pipe.
"Joe, Bill. If the most recently delivered trailers have been emptied enough, there's ammo against the front wall of each one."
"What calibers?"
"Tim said everything they'd seen or heard mentioned - including the 45-70 on the kitchen wall."
"Guess I should get that rifle down and clean it. It probably hasn't been used in 30 years."
"I'll be checking on 55 gallon barrels for water storage in the mobile home."
"Four of the blue barrels were just inside the doors of one of the trailers, along with a couple hundred feet of CPVC pipe, joint cleaner, glue and a bag of fittings. They're now in the loft."
"Thanks. I'll move the barrels out to the mobile home and see where they could be placed to be mostly out of the way."
Not that I think that trailer will be lived in without major upgrades. But we could add a convection heater and just heat one bedroom and a bath - that would make it a good place for one-on-one. Closer to the house and quicker and easier to heat than the cabin. Need to think about that. If it's a residence, there are a couple of places to put a barrel and have it mostly out of the way. That's about 100 gallons of water - not the 200 gallons I wanted but adequate for a few days. We may be able to use this trailer for something other than storage. Do some measuring while I'm here. Four bedrooms but two are tiny and barely room to open the door with the triple-decker bunk in each room. The third is a little bigger than the first two but small by Manhattan apartment standards. The fourth has a queen bed and its own full bath. No question about who each room is planned for. Check that the alternate cold water faucet runs, but no others. Water heater is off. Each toilet flushes with a half bucket of water. Things are configured to work with the circumstances here. The bedroom with a queen bed and a bath would be a much nicer place for one-on-one.
What about the lights? Multiple fluorescent fixtures in the kitchen/dining area require too much power. Need to pull the breakers for those. I brought a box of 40 watt equivalent LED bulbs. The incandescent bulbs are all out and the LEDs are in. There is usable light in all rooms. Pull the breaker for the stacked washer and dryer. There isn't power to run them.
Check the classroom while I'm here. Pull the breakers for the overhead fluorescent lights. Four 40 watt tubes in each fixture are a bit much for what the kids will be doing and an unacceptable power drain. Replace the incandescent bulbs in the wall lights with 40 watt equivalent LEDs and those in the articulated lights at the workstations with 60 watt equivalent LEDs. The lighting is more than adequate.
---
My next task is getting the LP tanks in place. They should be here soon. Then the squad will get the LP lines run and buried and the classroom can be warm. The mobile home won't be. I'll let Moses discover that the solar design can run the forced air furnace less than an hour and be sure to record his complaints about incompetence. Then I'll present him with the documents that defined the conditions here - three feet of snow and 0 degrees F, which is -17 degrees C - and our concern that these buildings were not designed for those conditions. Be interesting to see who he tries to blame. If he says he doesn't care if the kids are cold, I'll deck him with the butt of my shotgun - if I'm faster than the troops. If he's German, I'd not be surprised if the kids have Jewish ancestry - but are not from Israel. Heinrich Himmler may be back with a different type of concentration camp.
---
Thursday, 30 December, 9:40AM
I need a cup of chamomille tea and time to wind down. Pack up the incandescent bulbs and put them in the attic. We might use them again someday. We also might be telling our grandchildren tales of "light" bulbs that produced more heat than light and we'd need a working example.
I'm warm. My tea is finished and I hear a helo. Dress to be outside and go check. Two 500 gallon LP tanks, as promised. As usual, delivered where I had it marked. Need the frontloader and a couple of slings. Better fill the frontloader fuel tank before I start work. Much easier to move it when it's powered. Tank's full. I'll be pumping the overhead tanks full again today. Forks just above the LP tank. Strap hooked to one fork and down around the tank and back up to that fork. Same for the other strap. Lift the LP tank and move it to the end of the classroom. Ease it down in the painted outline. Nice thing about painting on snow - the paint mostly disappears when the snow melts. Repeat for the other LP tank. Tompkins' crew has the first one mostly plumbed by the time I get the second one in place. Back to the Quonset hut with the frontloader. To the LP delivery truck in the horse barn. Still no scent of LP out here. Good that all the valves are sealing tightly. Squirt of starting fluid before I try this - the truck's been sitting in the cold for a while. A little hesitant but it cranks. Let it warm before I try to move it - need to let the air pressure build up anyway. It's in the green. Out to fill the two new tanks. I'll top off the house, bunkhouse and school tanks as well. I don't expect to add much to the house tank as it's only used for cooking and the little water heaters. I'd expect the bunkhouse tank to need more as it's used for heating, water heating and a little cooking. The school has had a few days of use at 'normal' temperature but has mostly been just warm enough that the pipes don't freeze. House tank at 90%, bunkhouse at 80%, and school tank at 95%. That's acceptable. Be nice if the bunkhouse were better sealed and insulated. That's a future project. Park this truck back in the horse barn. Check that all the valves are fully closed. Stop in and set the convection heater thermostat in the new classroom to 68 as I go back to the house. Set my alarm and come back out to check it in an hour.
Hazel has some of the kids working on lunch. I can cancel the alarm and write myself a note to make that check after we eat. I'm making enough other paper notes that I always have paper in my pocket or in hand. The smells tell me she's working on one of those great home made soups. I should check the thermometer again. It's 24. The kids can play in the snow after lunch and probably do the evening chores. We'll see how warm they are after playing outside for an hour. With proper clothing, some of them might learn to enjoy parts of winter.
"Hazel, Sarah. Do you have plans for the kids after lunch?"
"An hour of sewing with me for some. An hour of music with Sarah for others. Why?"
"The temperature is up to 24. The kids all have good winter clothing. I thought an hour building snowmen or forts or having snowball fights…"
"We'll tell them after they eat. They've done pretty well but cabin fever is beginning to set in. A few might want to ride bikes in a circle in the Quonset hut."
"Since we shuffled things in the huts to make them more accessible, they can ride a longer path than that."
"Then some of us outside with those playing in the snow and someone in the hut."
"I need to check the heat in the new classroom after we eat and then I'm free."
"As our resident bicycle mechanic, Jack should be with that group."
"Then we'll tell them after lunch."
"Tell us what?"
"Something that you will like to hear, Lisa."
"What's that, Momma?"
"After you eat lunch."
"What are we having?"
"I can smell home made soup…"
"With grilled cheese, Daddy?"
"Maybe. If you help Hazel cook it."
"I'll wash my hands."
---
Lunch went well. Something they all like. And they will go out warmed inside and out. Three fourths of them want "SNOW!" No surprise there. I'll take the others out to the bicycles, stopping by the new classroom to check the temperature - it's warm in here so set the thermostat down to 40 to keep pipes from freezing. I'm a little surprised that Rachel, Paige and Shannon opted for bicycles but maybe they just want to get past the training wheel requirement. The revised aisles are wide enough for a learner to negotiate. They won't be trying without training wheels in here - they need softer places to stop than trucks and tractors. I see them copying the 'big kid' start of having a pedal just past the start of the downstroke so they can get moving immediately. They're not doing badly on balance. Most of them are lost in the joy of being in motion. I hate to call time but they've had their hour. I'll flash the lights and walk out in the aisle.
"We hafta stop?"
"Yes, Rachel. You 'hafta'. You've been out here an hour. Time to be inside so we can check fingers, toes, ears and noses."
"Can we do it again tomorrow?"
"We have new people coming tomorrow. I think you'll be busy with a party."
"The party! Yes!"
"Maybe Saturday?"
"OK."
"Park your bikes as you found them so they don't get run over by a tractor."
"You can't see much that's close to you when you're sitting in the cab."
"And how would you know that, Hannah?"
"Oops!"
"You were all part of the talk about being careful around the farm equipment and that included not climbing on it unless an adult was with you and gave you permission and that permission was only good for that time."
"I remember."
"What should your punishment be?"
"I don't get to ride my bike next time?"
"I'll think about that. Park your bikes. To the house. We'll see about something warm to drink when we get inside."
"Yummy!"
---
Thursday, 30 December, 2:40PM
They're all at the table when there's hot chocolate available. All their peripheral parts were acceptably warm. That's good. We'll have them outside playing and doing chores as long as the weather cooperates. Thinking of the weather, I should check the greenhouse over the pump. Bundle me up and go back out. It's 41 in the box. Turn the pump switch on and it's running. It will run until the barrels in the basement are full. I need to come back out here and turn the switch off so it doesn't try to run when any pipes are frozen. Did I see a thermostat for a fridge in the workshop? If it works, I can put it inline with the relay coil and ensure the pump can't start when it's too cold. I've found another task without looking for it. First, find the thermostat then check that it works. There are a few lights out there and I have the little Fenix LED flashlight in my coat pocket.
Not sure why this was pulled from the old fridge except for the "waste not, want not" sign at the end of the workbench. The dial has numbers 1 through 10, not temperatures but I can make a chart. After the initial testing, the setting won't be changed. At 24 degrees, it's off. Wrap my gloved hand around the bulb and see if it warms up enough for the switch to go "click". No. Maybe if it's a little warmer? Slip it inside my glove. That's cold! 20 seconds and I have the "click". I'll put it in the pump enclosure for a little while and then turn the control until the switch turns on. That will be whatever the temperature in the enclosure is. I'll do that again a little after sunset when the enclosure has cooled some and see what number matches that temperature. Tomorrow I'll strap the bulb to the exposed pipe and wire the switch into the pump control circuit. Then we'll have freeze protection on the pump. In all the free time I'll have tomorrow. Better make a paper note of that and include the wiring sketch. Someone else can add it if I'm not available. Back inside and finish my notes. The switch clicked on the way to the house - that would be OFF on its way down to 24 degrees - and again a few minutes after I got in the house - that would be ON somewhere above the 41 degrees of the pump enclosure. Typical fridge temperature is 38 or so.
---
Thursday, 30 December, 4:40PM
Bee-doop!
Good news or bad news? Better use headphones until I know. Press 'Message'.
{Jack. Found two alive at the camp you spotted. Columbo says one may lose his arm because the hole the thermite burned can't be repaired. You were correct on the people - French and German UN troops. We gave them an up-close introduction to the thermite cluster bomblet and the one who'll be losing his arm became very talkative when he thought we might drop another one on him. They were in place to support Moses. If his plans couldn't make the training fail, they would attack you and ensure failure. Bill noticing 'something moving' came at a good time. The plane carrying the kids and their chaperones has left Tel Aviv and should be at Andrews AFB in a matter of hours. We didn't expect them until much later today but the flight to get them closer to us will be available. That flight will land at the closest airfield that isn't snowed in - I think it's a general aviation airport with a runway that's just long enough for the Lear to land on. The kids and chaperones will spend the night there and the helo will have them to you around 1000 local tomorrow. The one positive thing is that they'll have a day to adjust to local time before they get to you. More later.}
Still getting here at the same time but possibly better rested - and able to participate in a "party". I'll tell the kids. They can plan some games. If Moses doesn't like it, he'll be outnumbered and now unquestionably outgunned. We don't have anything Kosher, but Hazel has several things that would be familiar to kids from a Jewish family and more things that are almost always kid-approved. Regardless of background, there should be something for each of them. My "nagging feeling" is back but it's focused on the new kids. Wish that feeling was more specific - maybe like Maddie's "people on both sides of the bus". Not sure what to tell Tim other than something doesn't feel right. I'll tell him about the feeling and tell him to bring them regardless of glitches along the way. They need a place to feel safe. To the radio and use its keyboard.
'Tim. I'm not sure what it is but my "nagging feeling" - the one that had me on the roof with the Barrett during the initial water distribution - is back but focused on the new kids. Wish I something more specific to tell you. Regardless of glitches tomorrow, bring them here. They need a place to feel safe.'
PreSel 407 and press "Send".
---
I think the time outside tired the kids out. Most are reading or being read to. A few are asleep in the recliner or on the sofa. Shannon and Jenny are asleep on Sammy's shoulders again. Jenny needs some one-on-one time to tell me more but she's managing well for what she's been through. I wanted to tell them about the new kids but that can wait until supper. I should bundle up and take the fridge thermostat back out to the pump enclosure. Light enough to see my way but too dark to read the thermometer in the enclosure. There's a reason I have a flashlight in my coat pocket. The thermometer is on 37. Put the thermostat in the enclosure. While I wait, I'll turn off the switch for the pump to ensure it doesn't try to run when I know the air temperature is below freezing - and the enclosure will cool down quickly. Turn the thermostat control until I hear the "click". It's set for 37 degrees and I have the numbers for that and 41 degrees. Anything between those two can be interpolated if it's ever needed. Back inside. Coat and gloves put away. Make my little graph of numbers versus temperatures. I'll do the work tomorrow - probably with at least two girls running a constant stream of questions. That's good. The more they learn, the better prepared they'll be to care for themselves.
---
Hazel's cooking without calling in the kids?
"No helpers tonight, Hazel?"
"So many of them looked tuckered out that I let them rest. I'm making meatloaves using precooked canned ground beef. The mashed potatoes are powdered and the beans are freeze-dried. I doubled up on biscuits this morning - you didn't get the last one, just the one that didn't fit in this container. The rest will go in the oven in a covered pan with just a bit of water for the last five minutes of the meatloaf's cooking time."
"I thought you said 'precooked ground beef'?"
"It is, but the things I add to make the meat into a 'loaf' need to cook about fifteen minutes. That also ensures the entire meatloaf is hot. Everything else is ready in minutes once the water is hot. I enjoy doing extensive prep and cooking when I have help but I can also do food for a group with minimum effort."
"You certainly can. I should wake them now?"
"They have time to wash hands."
"Then I'll wake them and tell them."
'Hi, Lexi.'
'Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up but why are you whispering?'
'So I can do this. Hi, Jackie.'
'She likes your wake ups too.'
"Hi, Lexi."
"Hi, Daddy."
"Hi, Amelia."
"Hi, Daddy."
"Hi, Jenny."
"Hi, Sammy… uh Daddy."
'We need to talk when there's a place available.'
'Un huh.'
---
All up, to the bathroom as needed and hands washed. A few disappointed that they didn't get to "help" but Hazel's "I won't wake you to cook supper, only breakfast" resolved that. They like supper. It's comfort food and they also feel loved when they get the gentle alarm clock. I'll tell them about tomorrow.
"Kids, the Colonel told me that the new students are already on their way. They'll land at an Air Force Base that's big enough to handle the plane that's coming from Israel. Then they'll be on a smaller plane that can land at the closest airport that isn't snowed in. It's about 100 miles away and they'll be there before bedtime tonight. That means they'll have some time to adjust to the time change and should be able to enjoy the 'Welcome' party tomorrow. They'll be here around 10. Hazel has some recipes for things that a kid from a Jewish family will recognize and some things that most kids like. She'll need a lot of help after breakfast to have it all ready …"
"I'll help!"
"Me too!"
"Me!"
"Enough! I thought all of you would want to help with something. Hazel will divide you up in groups to work on the different things. The other adults will be available to help if you need us. I think the anticipation of someone new being here may be as bad as a sugar high so two chapters of Dr. Dolittle tonight."
"Yes!"
---
The kids were all asleep shortly after the group doing hugs and kisses made their rounds. I could use some quiet time mysel…
Bee-doop!
Message that shouldn't require a response. Use headphones. Press 'Message'.
{Jack. Definitely questionable things related to the kids. The plane from Tel Aviv got its eight passengers from a German military aircraft. Military radar showed that plane had come from Rome. Be suspicious of anyone coming with the kids. You probably have an excellent idea of who has had these kids. My guess is that if they actually are of Jewish descent, they belong to Jewish families from the US - but you probably decided that a couple of days ago. There is a squad on guard where the kids are sleeping. Moses and the other chaperone are under surveillance. She's very young - maybe mid to late teens? She seems to be afraid of him. She also doesn't trust anyone in uniform so hasn't responded to any attempts to start a conversation. We were able to retrieve some cigarette butts from the plane. Moses is the only smoker so we can check for a match to his DNA. We have the cups the kids drank from and will get DNA from them - sweet drinks are also sticky and that sticky holds lip cells nicely. We won't know who's who but should have IDs on any that have been listed as missing. You might be able to get them to respond to their real names - if we can ID them from the DNA. They'd all probably like to have showers after many hours in transit. There's limited emergency power from a military generator at the Motel 6 where they're staying but no running water. There's heat and light but the only water is bottled.}
About as I suspected. If Moses is aware of his backup being gone, he'll likely try to disappear before morning. The other chaperone sounds like someone who doesn't want to be there. Will she go with Moses or stay with the kids? That may be a question of "Better the devil you know than one you don't know". Her refusing contact could also be ensuring Moses doesn't suspect her of wanting to get away badly enough to leave him when they're in unknown territory. If so, she's a smart kid. We'll know in the morning.
Water on to heat. Down to load the furnace for the night. The sunlight today was a good thing - the battery bank is at 90 percent. Firebox is loaded. Up to turn off the tea kettle just before it whistles. Let the tea bag steep while I check for any stations on the air. List shows maybe 20 stations that could be heard at this hour - if they have power and someone to run them. Nothing here. Or here. Or here. Radio Vatican's English broadcast has someone with an odd accent reading the unusually biased world news. Someone in the background is speaking Mandarin. Not hard to guess who's in control of that station. Comment about being on generator "only until the PRC can restore the Italian power grid". You can't restore your own power grid. Let's see if anyone else is on the air. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Radio Malaysia? Right frequency, wrong accent. The PRC is repairing the Malaysian power grid? Stealing parts for China's grid, perhaps. Anyone else. No. No. No. Very faint. The frequency is the Voice of Damascus but the English has an Israeli accent. Guess they've cleaned things enough to be getting useful bits working again. They're running reduced power and limited hours to conserve fuel but they also know there's a much smaller listening audience. Go get my tea. Check a few more frequencies. No. No. No. Tennessee Teacher is still there with health and welfare traffic. I should make note of these Jewish sounding names. Myra Goldstein. Bina Wiseman - that might be a hit. Miriam Feldman. Sarah - last name lost in static. Another possible hit? Chava - and that fades past what even this good receiver plus big antenna can pull up out of the noise. Chava? Is that Eva? I have some name lists on CD but having the internet would be easier. I could search for "popular Jewish girls names" and get a list with their pronunciations, their English equivalents, their Biblical references and their meanings. Add to my paper notes and check the CDs for that list of names. My cup is empty. I should do the same for my bladder and then to bed.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:27:55 GMT -6
Friday, 31 December, 5:40AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Do my morning routine. Clothes. Boots. 'Nerd' light. Glock. Coat. Back to the basement for furnace duty. Firebox is full again. Open the damper a little and generate more heat. Could I partially automate the air inlets and the damper to provide limited heat control during the day? I have assorted micro-processors, servos, DS18B20 temperature sensors and other bits. Need a temperature sensor on the main level to know the temperature there and adjust things to hold it more or less steady. Maybe add a sensor on the firebox to know when the fire burns low to trigger a "reload" indicator? Probably a realtime clock to handle the setback at night. Not that I'm likely to get to that today. More paper notes. Brief sketch. Enough for me to build on but maybe not so good for anyone else.
Back upstairs. Coffee and water on to heat. Porch thermometer shows 21. The kids can do chores today. And get their hour playing in the snow or on bicycles. Maybe get the sleds out? If the good winter clothing fits, have the girls share that with the new kids so they can also be out playing. They're kids. They need "being a kid" time. I'll enforce that with the 12 gauge if needed. Up to wake the rest of the family. I'll send Alicia to wake Joe this morning. Those girls are now very much his "grandchildren". Sarah first.
"Hi, Sarah."
"Hi, Jack. Wouldn't you rather come back to bed and make a baby?"
"You tempt me, but I'd have soldiers pounding on the door before I'm ready to stop."
"So you would. We'll have several visitors today. Go wake your children."
"I'll send Alicia to wake Joe."
"They have gotten close, haven't they?"
"All three of those girls."
"You have water on to heat?"
"Should be hot by the time you're in the kitchen. Kids can do outside chores. It was 21 when I came up from feeding the furnace. I had an idea on how to automatically control the temperature during the day."
"Station one kid by the thermometer in the dining room and have her yell "\Warmer' or 'Cooler' to the kid by the furnace every 15 minutes?"
"No. One of the little electronic slaves to control the damper and the air inlets. It can't make the fire burn longer but it could sense when the fire is getting low and trigger a 'reload' indicator."
"In all your spare time today?"
"Maybe in the next week?"
"Go wake your kids."
And in minutes they're noisily heading down to help with breakfast. Hazel had set out things for waffles last night so she'll have happy helpers. Yesterday I finally noticed that Bill had put straw bales around the beehives in the fruit trees behind the barn to keep them warmer. That's good. We need our noisy natural pollinators to successfully grow food - for us and the other animals.
Bee-doop!
At this hour, I don't expect anything positive. To the radio. Headphones on. Press 'Message'.
{Jack. Moses went out a window at the motel during the night. Soldier with night vision was watching for that so Moses is being followed. When the other chaperone learned he was gone, she dissolved in tears. She's thirteen and the older sister of one of the younger girls. She looked older from the clothes and makeup. She identified all the girls. They are from Jewish families in the US. Some were on the blue buses in Brussels. List of names, DOBs and family members attached, along with current pictures and correct names. We don't know yet if any family members survived.}
Thumb drive in the radio. Press "RetrieveData". "Data" light is flashing.
Bee-doop!
That's complete. Press "Disconnect USB". Display has "No Drive". Thumb drive to the laptop. Open the list. I heard some of these names last night. Tim needs to know. The kids probably need some one-on-one time here before contact with family - if those that contacted Tennessee Teacher are actually family. I'll compose a message and save it to the thumb drive, then send it to Tim.
'Tim. Heard the following names in the "looking for family" messages on the not-politically-correct station in Tennessee last night. I know there's a Guard unit near there.
Myra Goldstein.
Bina Wiseman.
Miriam Feldman.
Sarah - last name lost in static.
Chava - faded out.
These are matches or partial matches to some of the names on your list. Need to know if the people looking for those kids are family or something else. Meanwhile, one of the kids has evidence of being in the same places as Lexi. The others were likely used badly. Whether the people looking via Tennessee Teacher are family or not, these kids need some serious attention before they leave here. You saw what a hard time Lexi had getting to the place she could tell you what happened. Expect the same for some or all of these kids. I don't know about the oldest one. She's the first I've encountered who is older than nine. No idea whether or how she may have been used. I'd expect much longer to get her to talk about things because kids that age are prickly all over about their privacy.'
Saved on the thumb drive. To the radio. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". Done. And all before breakfast. This may be a very long day.
---
"What are you doing with the waffle, Daddy?"
"It's a breakfast taco, Maddie."
"No. It's a waffle."
"Not if I put two strips of bacon in the middle and add some pear preserves and fold it in half. Now it's a breakfast taco. Stop! Our nine year olds may be able to manage this but all the younger kids will need help with adding 'just enough' filling so it doesn't squirt across the table when you bite into it."
"Oops!"
."I think that 'Oops' means you need to be washed down with the hose. Leah."
"Daddy! It's just on my fingers."
"And your plate. And here on your shirt. And…"
"OK. I made a big mess."
"Other kids. Do you want a cold shower or can you wait for help?"
"WAIT!"
"I thought so."
---
"It's good, Daddy!"
"Better if it's not on your shirt, Debbie?"
"Un huh."
---
Friday, 31 December, 8:10AM
"Jack, you do know what the cannibals tell their children about the missionary children?"
"Of course, Sarah. 'Don't play with your food'. This morning is an exception. I expect all these kids to be reminded of bad things that happened to them and they'll probably not be getting even the small amounts of adult time they've received the past week or so. They need some fun and even silly things to hang onto for at least the next week."
"You're right. They all left the table giggling, even those whose turn it is to wash dishes. You do read them well and plan in advance."
"Let's hope I can read the incoming kids as well. I'd give odds that the 13 year old has been treated badly but I don't think a prickly-about-privacy just-turned-teenager will share all that readily."
"Maybe if she sees auras."
"And that 'maybe' could also be 'maybe if pigs fly'."
"The perceptives did originate in Germany and there were many Jews there before WWII."
"It's possible, but I think it's on the slim side of what's possible."
"You're involved, Jack. Serendipity always follows you."
"Maybe. We'll know more in two hours."
---
"Kids!"
"Yes, Aunt Hazel?"
"Yes, Grandma?"
"Time to put the 'Welcome' banner up and put all the goodies on the table. We'll leave the dishes and plates covered until the helicopter is here. I see the disappointed faces of my favorite filchers. Fortunately for you, I found a few finger food features for filchers. They're on the kitchen counter but I'll be doling them out. No one gets a handful. Just a few."
"How'd you do all the 'f' words, Aunt Hazel?"
"I have a very good vocabulary, Sammy."
"You sure do."
---
Bee-doop!
Probably about the "delivery". Press 'Message'.
{Jack. Helo there in ten minutes. Single page document with current pictures and both initial and correct names. Investigation in progress in Tennessee. The squad I left with you will help with moving food as needed. The kids have a backpack each but that's it. More clothes and winter gear being located. That will be delivered as soon as we get it.}
"Print the pictures, Daddy!"
"First, a thumb drive to the radio to get the data. The 'Data' light is flashing. We'll know when it's fin…"
Bee-doop!
"It's finished. Press 'Disconnect USB'. Move the drive to the laptop. Open 'newkids.pdf'. Select 'Print' and two copies."
"Why two copies?"
"Too many heads to be in front of one piece of paper. First copy on the wall at the four and seven year level. Second copy on the wall at a better level for the rest of us."
"Miriam is a pretty name."
"It is, Jenny. She was an important person in Jewish history. You can ask this Miriam if she knows the history of her name as you know about yours. If not, I have a CD that has that information on it. To make things easier for the new kids, we have name tags for all of us. You're learning seven names and faces. They're learning almost three times that many. Sherry or Charlie. One of you needs to hold Tillie so she doesn't scare any of them. We know that Tillie won't hurt them but they don't yet know that. You know Tillie will want to meet all of them, so we'll do the same type of 'meet and greet' as before but inside this time. The new kids don't have proper clothes for this weather."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Yes, Poppa."
"Do I need to repeat any of that?"
"Un uh. You sometimes say a lot but it's mostly in short sentences so it's easy to understand."
"If Celia's OK with it, I'll assume all of you are unless you tell me otherwise. When we hear the helo, you may uncover the 'goodies'. You can present the bears when they're inside and sitting down. We'll explain that you made them using the names we were given initially."
---
"I hear it!"
"So do I, Maddie. Remember that you're going outside. Outside means armed. The good coats for all of you."
---
"Hello, Miriam. Welcome to our farm. I'm Mister Jack."
"You're blue! Hold me?"
"Of course. Grandpa Joe and Grandpa Bill are also blue."
"Bina! We're safe!"
"Hello, Bina. I'm Mister Jack. Welcome to our farm. If Miriam will let me put her down, I'll hold you."
"I'm down. She needs you more."
"In my arms, Bina."
"You're right. I feel safe."
"You're also shivering. Let Grandpa Joe or Grandpa Bill hold your hands and you two go inside. There are some special things for you."
"Hello, Sarah. My wife is also named Sarah. I think she needs to check you and Bina and probably the others."
"You know how we were hurt?"
"I saw pictures of the scars. There are other kids who live here now who have the same scars."
"But they're all smiling!"
"This is a place that replaces hurts with smiles."
"Then I'm gonna like being here."
"Go on inside where it's warm. Hello, Chava. I'm Mister Jack…"
---
They're inside and a bit amazed by kids who don't fear the men near them. I think Miriam and Bina saying 'Safe' probably broke the ice enough to get them inside. The named bears started the tears and they're all now in a lap or being hugged by two of our girls. A few more minutes and I'll explain about the sleeping arrangements. All of them in the same room. Miriam on the sofa and Bina with her if she wants to be. The others in the bunks or the bunk mattresses on the floor if they want to be closer together.
"What we gotta do for all this? You do all of us?"
"No, Miriam. Say 'Please' when you ask for something and 'Thank you' when you get it. The girls made you bears because they wanted you to feel welcome. Have they asked for anything?"
"No. But we hafta pay for everything we get. Food. Clothes. A bed."
"Not here. Go try the things on the table. The milk is fresh…"
"Me and Maddie did the milking this morning!"
"You hafta do that?"
"We all help with chores, Chava. Daddy keeps wood in the furnace. Jenny and Sammy take care of the horses most of the time because they like being with the horses. The little ones take care of the chickens and collect the eggs. Aunt Hazel teaches us about cooking - and sometimes Daddy does fun stuff with food."
"You don't hafta?"
"We get to help, Bina. Like making the bears…"
"You made these?"
"Un huh. Aunt Hazel had a pattern and she helped us cut it out and sew it on the foot sewing machine and Daddy helped us stuff them…"
"Only women sew!"
"The kings and emperors all through history had men tailors, Myra. Daddy's good at it."
"You know our names!"
"Daddy printed the pictures the Colonel sent him and they're on the wall so we can look when we go by and learn who is who."
"You do care!"
"Yes, Myra-in-my-lap. We care about you. We'll take care of you. I've asked the Colonel to find winter clothes for you. You might want to play in the snow and our kids will want to show you all the chores they do. Just watch Lisa when she's milking Petunia. She might squirt you with the milk."
"Your cow is named 'Petunia'?"
"One of them, Bina. The other one is Daisy. If you can leave your lap or your hug long enough the treats are still on the table. We'll put those away in about 30 minutes so Hazel and our kids can start on lunch."
"Can we help?"
"Are you able to stand and wash your hands?"
"Huh?"
"'Can' is being able to. I think you are. 'May' is having permission to, which is what I think you were asking."
"May we help?"
"Yes, Myra. Wash your hands - our kids will show you how we do that. Then ask Aunt Hazel what she needs you to do."
"We can call you Aunt Hazel?"
"You may."
"Oh. We're able to and we have permission. We'll be getting lessons of some kind all day, won't we?"
"You will!"
"Amelia's correct, Myra. We work lessons into many things we do. We have a one room school and you'll be included when we start lessons out there again - maybe on Monday. That's in addition to what you came here to learn."
"We had lessons on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day."
"You did?"
"Michelle, you should tell what those lessons were about."
"History - where some ornaments came from and how they decorated trees in the 1800's. And we made some ornaments. Jenny and Lexi showed us how to make ornaments out of eggshells!"
"That's not lessons! That's fun!"
"Daddy said they were lessons - and we did learn some things."
"I wanna be in your school!"
"We also had some music lessons. Lexi, will you and Poppa play with me?"
"Yes, Sherry. New kids, Sherry wrote this."
---
And the amazement grows as they get lost in the music.
"On recorders?"
"The song is two-part harmony for two recorders. Poppa can transpose in his head and create the third part. He's also really good on a guitar. And he's teaching us."
"Last call for the treats. We'll need the table for lunch."
"Gotta have another one of these."
"And these."
"Daddy, will you sing after we eat?"
"Yes, Lexi."
---
"While we eat, we'll go around the table and tell you how we came to be such a big family. Sarah?"
"New kids, I'm Miss Sarah to all of you. Not Mrs. Wilson. I met Jack a few months ago…"
"But you got all these kids!"
"Miriam, if you'll let me finish."
"Sorry, Miss Sarah. I don't get hit for interrupting an adult?"
"No hitting. Just a reminder about your manners."
"This is the best family ever!"
"As I was saying…"
---
"Charlie, are you sure you and Amelia aren't twins?"
"Yes, Myra. I'm sure. We didn't know the other existed until a couple of months ago. I know we look alike but we're distant cousins."
"You coulda fooled me."
---
"Kids, I had a request for singing earlier. I'll sing some things alone but I'll ask you to join me on other things. If you don't know the words, that's OK. When we're in 'lesson' mode, the words will be on the TV so you can sing along. Right now we're just in 'fun' mode. With all the snow outside, I think this song might be a good way to start."
'Frosty…"
---
And an hour later our new kids are all asleep under blankets or throws and all with their bears held tightly. That's fine. They probably didn't sleep well last night and your body needs time to adjust to a different time zone. Better if they stayed awake until bedtime but an hour nap will keep them going until then. I mentioned a sleeping place but none have asked to see it. Ease Bina out of my lap and onto the sofa. Go up and check the bunks in the other room. There are three of the two-high bunks plus the sofa that opens to a bed. All of them but Miriam could snuggle with another kid and fit two on a bunk. Enough pillows and blankets for them to sleep alone if they choose to do so.
I should check our daily maintenance items. Down to the battery bank. 95 percent. Even in winter, having sun on snow-free solar panels keeps up with our normal minimum loads of ignition for the stove, a few lights, charging the laptops and the tablets. Need to run the pump so the barrels down here are full - in case all the new kids want showers tonight.
Having a girl with the same scars demonstrate the sun showers may trigger a need for lap time. I'll go turn up the heat in the new classroom. I could take them out two or three at a time and use the sofa with the pull out bed. Guess I need to get Joe, Bill and the 'A' team involved in installing a convection heater in the big bedroom end of the mobile home so we can use that when needed by any of the kids.
Out to the pump. It's 42 in the enclosure now. Switch on. It does have automatic shutoff when the barrels in the basement are full but needs to have the freeze protection added. This should be done in 15 minutes or less. Inside to wake our new kids. I'll use the gentle alarm clock but on their foreheads. Miriam first so she can tell me what would be best for the others.
"Hi, Miriam."
"Hi, Mister Jack. That's a nice way to wake up. Do my lips next time?"
"That's something you must request. I'm sure that all of you have been treated badly and I won't intentionally do something that might remind you of those things."
"You're too gentle to remind me of any of those people."
"Same for Bina and the others?"
"This time. But they might ask for something else next time."
"They must ask."
'Will you make a baby in me? I know it would be good.'
'That isn't what you or any of the others need. You need some time talking with me about what happened to you and about "want" compared to "need".'
'You don't like me?'
'I didn't say that, Miriam. I said that you need to talk to me.'
'You're weird.'
'No, Miriam. He loves us.'
'How can he, Bina? We're just useless whores that no one wants.'
'He doesn't see any of us that way.'
'Bina's correct, Miriam. You'll learn more this week.'
'Well, at least you haven't hit us yet.'
'And I'm not likely to. I have others to wake.'
---
They're all up with the gentle alarm clock and all want lips instead of forehead next time. That's a repeat of all the other kids who were used. The mix of "love" versus "sex" takes a while to sort out. I'll have to learn what their groupings are so I can do the group and one-on-one sessions as appropriate. We need LP heat in the cabin as well as the mobile home so we can have three adults out with three kids at the same time. Better add that to my paper notes and get it to Tim soon. Lexi asked Bina if she'd like to learn how to use the shower bags. That's probably the best place to start. Bina will tell Miriam that Lexi is "just like me" and Miriam will tell the others and they'll accept another girl showing them how. That also makes them more comfortable with me. So far I'm only aware of Miriam and Bina saying that they see auras but a couple of others have been looking at Joe, Bill and me with non-sexual interest. Do we have more perceptives? Don't they have yellow auras? I'll ask Sarah to "look".
---
Sarah and Hazel will make a list of what they "see" in the new kids. It's obvious that Bina and Miriam see my aura, but Bina seems to see "more" than Miriam. Are there degrees of "seeing"? I'd expect the older girl to be more experienced and be able to see "deeper" - is that the right word? Another question for Sarah.
Hazel mentioned helping with supper and all of the kids are in line for that. I heard Lexi mention "shower" to Bina again and she offered some of her clothes to wear while Bina's were "in the wash". Assuming they survive that washing. All our new kids are dressed in clothes that are a bit threadbare. Need to get that request to Tim.
To the laptop. Pull out my paper notes. First the clothes and shoes for our new kids. List of sizes that Sarah handed me - current and future. Then some things from my paper list. Unvented LP convection heater for the cabin, although a vented heater could use the stove pipe the wood stove is connected to. The "weeks" of food supposedly sent with them would hardly qualify as the amount for subsistence for a week. The ones that I hugged have very prominent ribs. Add 30 percent to our generic foods list. We'll be OK if the crops do well. We'll all be hungry if they don't. I wonder if Bina is pregnant. Tillie was more curious about her than any of the other new kids. I'll ask Sarah to check them all for injuries and she can also check for pregnancy. Should I wait until I she answers that before I send the list to Tim? No. He can have someone working on these things and another pregnant nine year old won't be a major change for Columbo - nothing like getting the first one. When I give these girls their one-on-one or group time - I should ask Miriam which would be best - I'll also see how much family history they know and how much they can tell me about "home" and whether it matches up with any of the requests from Tennessee. I think that's everything. Save it to the thumb drive. To the radio and do the drill. It's sent.
Supper's ready. The kids that volunteered to "pair up" with someone are sitting beside that girl. Our usual table seating is a bit scrambled but Paige's question about that was answered with "Remember that we talked about this yesterday?" which got a subdued "Un huh". Myra's "You changed seats for us?" got several "Yes" responses. I see wheels turning in that girl's head. I think she'll be ready for whoever her "partner" is to ask about learning to shower. Lexi asked for help with the three bags so they can do bodies and hair. More for her than Bina as all the new kids have very short hair. Sarah will probably want to trim that better than its current hacked off look. And some ribbons or barrettes from Lexi's box to make them feel "girly".
Myra's with Charlie. Myra was the Devorah in the original list. I heard "shower" in their conversation and Charlie also asked for help with three bags. That's three gallons from each of our five gallon water heaters here - one on this level, one upstairs. Hazel said to use the water heater in the bunkhouse as they're OK tonight. She'd say that anyway - she's a grandmother and a great aunt and she's just acquired seven more kids to teach. We can do six more bags with the two gallons left in each of the three heaters. In an hour or so, we'll have five gallons of hot water in each heater. We can get four in this hour and the others in the next hour. Miriam is eyeing me but I think I'll have Sarah do that as her body is much closer to Miriam's body shape than mine is. That's a logical reason so Miriam won't be able to argue it tonight. Miriam can also try some of Sarah's clothes on - I can guarantee that mine won't fit. Judy's with Amelia. Chava is with Maddie. That's this hour. Sarah wants to be called by her middle name of Ellen - no confusion with my Sarah so that's good. She's with Lisa. Rachel wants to be called "Rae" - no confusion with our Rachel which is also good. Rae's with Jenny. I was a little surprised that Jenny jumped in on this but she has taken every opportunity to learn and grow. We'll be washing towels along with the new kids' clothes tomorrow - we don't normally have 14 bodies in the shower in one day. Good that the pump was thawed so I could refill the barrels in the basement. I'll be doing that again tomorrow. Also filling the gas tank on the Maytag in the morning.
---
"Thank you for the shower."
"Why are you thinking me, Bina? I just helped Lexi with the water for her shower."
"And mine. And you asked them to show us how to use the shower - which really meant show us their scars so we'd know they'd been where we were but they've found a much better place with you. She told me she's pregnant and that you weren't angry at her - you found her doctors to care for her and the baby! She's right. This is the best family ever! Can you tell me if I'm pregnant? I had two periods but then they stopped a month or so ago."
"I can't answer that, but Sarah can. She sees auras as you do and she's a healer. She can tell you what's going on in your body."
"I should go ask now?"
"When she finishes showing Miriam how to use the sun shower bag."
"Miriam said she was gonna ask you but she was gone and you were still here after I got dried off and dressed in Lexi's clothes and got back down here."
"She asked me, Bina, but I told her that Sarah's body shape was much closer to her body shape than mine and that's how she should learn."
"That's too logical to argue with! You read her good."
"I usually read kids pretty good. Including the things I see in your face and her face - plus some other faces that arrived here today. Things that won't happen. You need to talk about what happened to you…"
"Everything?"
"Yes, everything."
"But Moses…"
"Is being chased by soldiers. Moses slipped out of the motel during the night - that's why he wasn't with you. There's a very long story about that - definitely NOT a bedtime story and not something we have time for tonight. When we go out to talk - either you and me or maybe more than just you if there's group that wants to be together - I'll tell you a part of the story each time we're together."
"Not all at once?"
"I said it was a very long story."
"I think I'm gonna hafta listen closer. You say a lot in a few words. You don't yell at me and you don't repeat things unless I ask. You treat me like a real person!"
"You look real to me. You giggle if I go after your ribs…"
"Stop! Gotta pee!"
"Over there. Go."
"I'll be back."
"Your voice isn't deep enough."
"That's what my Daddy said. Will you be my new Daddy?"
"We'll find out if you have any family alive before I do that. Either go pee or I'll tickle you until you leak and your next shower will be with cold water. Tonight I can promise that it is very cold water."
"I'm going!"
---
'Sounds like you have one convert, Mr. Wilson.'
'Yes, Mrs. Wilson. How did things go with Miriam?'
'She may need to talk with you more than Bina does. She gave birth to a daughter two months ago. The Pope has the child.'
'That will be difficult, Sarah. Bina asked if I could tell whether she was pregnant. Her period stopped a month or so ago. The brand tells you where she was. I told her to ask you. I think all of them need scanning for injuries and possible pregnancy. If Bina's pregnant, should I have the two of them together?'
'I'll check Bina and talk with her about Miriam before I answer that. You think they can find Miriam's daughter?'
'Sarah, the better question might be whether she wants that daughter back.'
'Possibly, Jack. I'll talk with Bina and see how you should handle the two of them.'
---
"Are you two still lovey-dovey?"
"Bina, did Lexi caution you about asking certain questions?"
"A little."
"Then you know what to expect."
"Not my ribs! Not my feet! Not my knee!"
"OK. You can't breathe. I'll stop."
"You could tickle the pee out of someone!"
"It's not just a threat if I say it."
"I'll listen."
"Then listen when I tell you to go with Sarah so she can check you for any injuries you may have received and other things."
"Other things?"
"What you asked me about."
"Oh. Yeah. I'll go."
---
'She's pregnant, Jack. Maybe a week or so further along than Lexi. She went to talk with Lexi. After some time with you and with Lexi's support, I think she'll be ready to tell the others much sooner than Lexi was. But she does have a "Been there; done that" girl for support.'
'About what I expected. What about Miriam and her together?'
'After Bina tells Miriam that she's pregnant. You think Columbo can deal with having two pregnant nine year olds as patients?'
'Once he got past the first one, the next one is just something he's experienced before.'
'In that sense, you're correct. The idea is still a bit foreign to me.'
'To all of us. Have the others finished their showers?'
'Yes. You'll help with towels and other laundry tomorrow?'
'Already planned on it.'
---
"Mister Jack?"
"Yes, Myra?"
"Do you really read a story and do hugs and kisses every night?"
"I do every night that I'm available. Sarah and Grandpa Joe sometimes read if I'm tied up on other things. Grandpa Joe and Uncle Bill and Aunt Hazel also go by for goodnight hugs and kisses."
"And you do wake ups every morning like the wake up from our naps?"
"The mornings that I'm available. Grandpa Joe fills in when I can't be there."
"Can we be part of that?"
"Are you able to pucker up?"
"Oh. Yes, teacher. May we be part of that?"
"You must agree every night. I'll come to each bunk and ask. You must tell me 'Yes' if you want a goodnight kiss."
"This is the best family ever!"
"I'm calling bedtime a little early because we have more kids to get in place for the story and more kids to get settled in their bunks. There are enough bunks that the nine year olds can each have her own. If two of you want to cuddle up in one bunk with both blankets, you'll be warmer. It's cooler upstairs than down here…"
"Really cool when you're wet from the shower!"
"Did you pay attention to how quickly your partner went through the demonstration?"
"Not until I started drying off. Charlie was really fast!"
"Miriam gets the sofa. That means there's room for someone to join her if it works out that way. Jammies, brush, floss. If you didn't bring a toothbrush, we have some extras. When everyone is finished, come to the big bedroom. There's not room on the bed for all of you but there are pillows on the floor for some to sit on…"
"I want Judy's lap! She can have my spot on the bed."
"Paige, only if that's OK with Judy."
"Pretty please, Judy?"
"OK, Paige. Where do I sit?"
"Here."
"We may need to adjust where some other people are, Paige. Judy's a little bigger than you."
"We can't see the book from the floor."
"You don't need to see the book, Ellen."
"But Lisa was talking about the colors of the doctor's clothes…"
"It's all in words and in the picture you can paint in your mind with those words."
"I think your bedtime stories might be more like lessons in school."
"For now, just listen. We can talk about it more after I finish."
"OK."
---
"Lisa was right. I can see it in my mind when I close my eyes! This story is fun!"
"So not like 'lessons in school'?"
"Much better!"
"Everyone to bed. We'll be by to ask about hugs and kisses."
---
"Miriam?"
"Yes!"
"Turn off your excitement. Just a goodnight kiss. Same for the rest of you. Pay attention or it's foreheads only. Do all of you understand?"
"Yes, Mister Jack."
"Yes."
"If I hafta."
"You 'hafta' and so do the others. When I ask, you answer and if you say 'Yes' I expect just a little pucker."
"Better than no kiss and lots better than being hit."
"Bina?"
"Always!"
"Ellen?"
"I'm puckered."
"Myra?"
"Yes."
"Rae?"
"Always!"
"Chava?"
"Yes!"
"Judy?"
"Big pucker!"
---
They're all down and hugged or kissed or both - some of them multiple times. The new kids' response to our standard goodnight sounds like it's the best "goodnight" they've had in a long time. They need some good things in their lives. I left the Fenix flashlight in their room on its lowest setting. They need a nightlight tonight but probably not again. Something else I'll be explaining tomorrow. Go compose the message for Tim.
'Tim. Miriam is 13. She had a little girl about two months ago. The Pope has the child. I don't know if there's anything you can do about that.
Bina is pregnant, a week or so further along than Lexi. I'm sure Columbo will be thrilled. Sarah says Bina and her baby are both fine other than Bina being thin - but still better than the others because Miriam was well fed when she was pregnant and she passed things along to Bina. If it's not in the other documents, they are sisters and the last name is Feldman.
Have you heard anything about the posters of the health and welfare messages in Tennessee? I haven't mentioned that to any of the kids. If it's not true, they don't need the disappointment of finding out that someone was fishing.
These kids need clothes of all types, shoes and serious winter gear. List of sizes for now and future attached. Some of that "future" isn't far away. Other than Miriam when she was pregnant and the things she could pass along to Bina, these kids haven't been adequately fed and will be filling out - at least enough to hide their ribs. Go back and look at the pictures without clothes.
The food that came with them is subsistence fare for a week or so - about what the estimated training time was. Add 30 percent to our previous food needs to feed them until harvest. We have that but won't have much for next winter unless we have good crops of everything this year. There is no one to trade with and we'll have little to trade other than some of the things we grow. I don't think there'll be any excess milk with seven more milk drinkers here. I hope we can find someone with a bull to freshen the cows when they run dry - maybe a year and a half from now? I doubt that any frozen semen will be available then.
We need more places to have one-on-one time with the kids. I think Joe, Bill and I will all be busy providing time to talk for our original group of kids and for seven new kids - but they need privacy for that. The one-on-one sessions have been one of the best things to keep down friction between the kids - if Susie's snoring bothers someone we can change her pillow (that's a real example and why they need privacy to talk). The original kids need it once or twice a week, depending on what's going on. New kids that have been badly used often need some time every day for a while. I nearly always have the new kids for their first X sessions, X depending on the kid and her circumstances.
We'll put the last of the unvented LP convection heaters in the bedroom end of the mobile home. That heater is big enough to do the entire trailer but we only need sitting space and the bath for sessions that go badly, plus the bed for sessions that run late in the evening or when a kid cries herself to sleep (neither unusual for new kids or some of the shooting incidents). An LP heater for the cabin and another 500 gallon or so tank would help - LP is easier to use and heats faster than wood. A vented heater is fine as we can re-use the existing stovepipe.
I'm aware that much of this may not be available. Maybe I just need someone to vent to.
On the brighter side, each new girl was shown how to use the sun shower by the girl whose scars were the closest match, except Miriam. I told her that Sarah would show her as their body shapes were the most alike. I think being paired with an adult made her feel that she was seen as more than "another kid". We did get positive responses to the bedtime story and goodnight kisses for all. I think this is a group of good kids. I hope we can care for them adequately.'
Save that on the thumb drive. To the radio. Thumb drive inserted. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". It's done. Remove the thumb drive.
I could use some chamomille tea. Might as well brew a pot and finish it off as I work my way down the rest of my paper list.
"Sarah?"
"Sit, Jack. Your chamomille tea. More in the pot. Take off your shoes. Let me massage your neck and shoulders."
"Ahh! Have I told you lately that I'd marry you if you were available?"
"This week as a matter of fact. If you asked, I'd say 'Yes'. Deep breath. Let it all out. Again. You're worried about kids you just met today. Will you have food for them? Will you have clothes for them? Will you give them all the time they need?"
"Yes to all of that."
"You've managed to do that so far for a group of kids that has kept growing. Seven kids is the biggest growth spurt yet but I'm confident you can do this. The kids will be happy with hand-me-downs or flour sack shirts and dresses they make themselves. Shoes are more of a concern but aren't needed in the summer. They'll whine a little but they'll eat oatmeal for breakfast or cornbread and milk for supper if that's all we have. Strong people lived those lives here in 1850 and these kids are just as strong. You be there with a lap and shoulder when they need you and they can manage whatever life hands them."
"Yes, Ma'am, Drill Sergeant, Ma'am."
"You goof! You've been strong for all of us since David was killed. Losing county water, losing commercial power, people going crazy about GG-183, you teaching your 'bodyguards', the blue bus debacle, the attempts on your life, getting us here and so many things working in spite of circumstances. And you're still doing it. A 'greenhouse' for our alternate water pump, then you out there with that thermostat or whatever trying to work out a way to have it protected from freezing without relying on someone's memory. I didn't figure that out. Amelia found your note and sketch. She and Lexi went to 'How Things Work' to see what it was they'd seen in your hand and they worked out what you were trying to do."
"They're smarter than I am."
"No, they're just confident to explore things they don't yet understand - but only because you've encouraged them to learn and do. They wanted to install it and surprise you but I told them that we'd be too busy today and that they should ask you whether they really did understand what you were doing."
"I think there might be a detail or two they don't know from lack of experience, but they'll know those details when they finish installing it tomorrow - but with me there for verification. We only have two pumps with that capacity and I wouldn't want to lose one to an error in how the freeze protection was configured."
"I didn't think we had a surplus of the pumps which is why I told then to wait. They'll still be happy that you're letting them do the work."
"How many children in our former world could you have said that about?"
"Very few. We are raising a generation of self-starters."
"That's what this country will need. If we stay at this level or drop back to horse-drawn farming, we'll need capable, creative people who can get things done with what they have and make silk purses out of sows' ears."
"As the cost of the 'greenhouse' for the pump was scrap building materials, time and a few screws and the cost of freeze protection is scrap components and time I'd say you're making silk purses and your kids will be thrilled to be involved. Another cup of tea?"
"Yes. And I might even remember drinking this one. You are good for me, Mrs. Wilson."
"As you've been good for me, my kids and all the kids we've taken in. And you'll be good for the current group."
"Some days it seems overwhelming."
"So did moving here - and that was before we lost power and long, hot showers and found three feet of snow. We're still here. We're surviving. We're even thriving in some areas - consider how the kids from the blue buses and Lexi and Jenny have blossomed. I think that's thriving. I think you're responsible for most of that. I think you should stop worrying and go please your wife."
"If I'm doing that last thing, I don't think I'll be worrying about any of the other things you mentioned!"
"That's what I thought. I'll try not to wake any of the kids."
"Especially the new ones."
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:28:20 GMT -6
Saturday, 1 January, 5:40AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Hey! My watch says that today is 1 January. We missed staying up and bringing the New Year in. Guess we could have dropped a big snowball from the scoop on the frontloader - certainly no televised report of the ball drop in Times Square last night or of the fireworks on the Hudson River. I'll wish the others "Happy New Year" as I see them this morning. Meanwhile, do my morning routine. Clothes. Boots. Glock. 'Nerd' light. Coat. To the basement and reload the furnace. Back up to start coffee and hot water. Thermometer on the back porch has 23. Warmest morning in more than a week. Definitely get all the kids outside to play for a while. Almost no wind. The kids can do chores as usual today. We might not need the charger today. Back upstairs to do my "chore".
"Hi, Sarah. Happy New Year!"
"Nice wake up, Jack. We missed the ball drop last night?"
"Yes. And all the fireworks."
"You goof! Go wake your other kids."
"I'll start with our new kids. Some of them may need more time waking in a different environment."
"And our original crew can manage to wait for you if the others are loud enough to wake them."
"True."
"Hi, Miriam. Happy New Year!"
"Hi, Mister Jack. It's January?"
"Yesterday was December 31. Today is January 1. The calendar does that every year."
"You're silly!"
"You're smiling."
"I think maybe you're good at that. Wake Bina next. She tried to be 'mother' to the others."
"Get that sweatshirt and socks and put them on before you get up. It's cool in the house until the furnace catches up after it's been loaded with wood in the morning."
"Show me how?"
"When I reload the furnace later today."
"OK."
"Hi, Bina. Happy New Year!"
"Nice wake up, Mister Jack! We didn't stay up to see the ball drop! Last year was the first time I didn't go to sleep before it dropped."
"No ball drop without power and no TV to see it elsewhere if New York City had power to do the drop."
"But they probably didn't."
"You're correct. Very few have power anywhere."
"Hi, Ellen. Happy New Year!"
"Nice wake up Mister Jack. It'll be a real happy year if we can stay with you!"
"Until we can find a family who wants you, you'll be here."
"Hi. Myra. Happy New Year!"
"Nice wake up, Mister Jack. This is gonna be a great year with you!"
"Hi, Chava. Happy New Year!"
"Hi, Mister Jack. I'm fed and loved. It is a happy year."
"Hi, Rae. Happy New Year!"
"Nice wake up, Mister Jack. And I'll get it every morning this year!"
"I'll be here most mornings, Rae. I told you how that works."
"But somebody will wake me every morning. No yelling. No horns. No cold water. No belts. My year is gonna be happy."
"Hi, Judy. Happy New Year!"
"Hi, Mister Jack. Your wake up is a great way to start the year."
"Get your sweatshirt and socks and go see if Hazel needs help cooking breakfast. I have other kids to wake."
"You did us first?"
"Yes, Rae. In case you needed extra time or help remembering where you were and how you got here."
"That won't happen if you wake me. You give the best wake ups ever!"
"Go."
"Yes, new Daddy."
"You don't know that yet, Bina."
"You feel like a Daddy to me."
---
The usual wake up process for the other dozen plus. The kitchen is crowded but Hazel seems to have planned for it with several "prep" stations for different parts of breakfast so each group has the things needed for their part and space to work. I don't think any of the new kids are in "hafta" mode - they want to be part of the giggling banter that goes on when the kids are cooking. Things will progress from stove to table soon. I'll "prime the pump" about kids needing time to talk with an adult. The new kids with me, either one-on-one or in a group of two or three. The other kids with Joe or Bill. I'll light the stove in the cabin. I think I may have left the thermostat up in the new classroom yesterday. I'll go out and check. We'll plan on installing the last unvented LP convection heater in the mobile home today. That way we'll have places for three sessions if needed. I won't use the one room school because there's neither sofa nor bed.
---
Breakfast was well received. Our new kids haven't had meals as complete as last night and this morning in a long time.
"We can have milk and orange drink?"
"Today, Myra, because we didn't know what you like. In the future, milk most of the time because we have our own supply - Petunia and Daisy. We don't have a place to get more powdered orange drink."
"And that's why we'll have eggs a lot."
"Yes, Bina. Another thing where we have our own supply and walk to our store in the snow."
"No stores are open anywhere I've been."
"They're not, Rae. I'm teasing you. Someone walks to the chicken coop and gets eggs every day. That's our 'store'. Plan on listening a lot even if I only say a little."
"I gotta pay attention better."
"You just gotta learn how much Daddy can put in a few words."
---
"Kids, there are several things to be done today. Miriam and Bina need some time with me this morning. We'll be using the new classroom. I'll be talking with the rest of the new kids later today. If some of our other kids need time with an adult, I'll light the stove in the cabin. It will be warm enough to use in an hour or so, maybe sooner. When they can get to it, Joe and Bill will be installing a convection heater at the bedroom end of the mobile home. The 'A' team can help with the pipe for that…"
"You do plumbing?"
"Yes, Rae. We helped with the little water heaters in the kitchen and upstairs and the heater in the new classroom."
"But don't you get dirty?"
"Sometimes. It all washes off. And it's nice to know how things work."
"Bina, you're in Charlie's new coat. She may be out later when the day is much warmer but not now. I know Miriam also needs time to talk but I think Bina should be first."
"You're right, Mister Jack. Bina before me."
"Thank you, Miriam. Bina, you want to hold my hand?"
"You're good with scary stuff!"
"Am I scary or is what you don't want to talk about scary?"
"You were right, Lexi. He reads us really good. What I don't want to talk about, Mister Jack."
"Daddy, this bag has the change of clothes from the last time someone was at the cabin."
"Thank you, Crissy."
---
"This space is warm, Bina, so hang your coat and come sit in my lap. You've seen Lexi's scars and she's told you she's pregnant. You need to get to that point - so everyone knows that you're pregnant."
"Miss Sarah told you?"
"Do you remember talking with me about you might be pregnant? And I sent you to her to verify that?"
"Oh. I guess she didn't hafta tell you for you to know."
"Your circumstances were enough for me to be reasonably sure that you were pregnant. Sarah just confirmed what I thought. You need to tell the other kids. The medic - that's the military word for 'doctor' - needs to know."
"I hafta tell him?"
"You won't be telling him in person as Lexi did unless you choose to. He will want to examine you to be sure that he knows all about you so he can plan care for you and your baby…"
"Ariel Miriam. For my mother and my sister."
"You already have a name for her?"
"She's a person. She should have a name! Not just 'the baby' like they called Miriam's baby the whole time she was pregnant."
"Did she get to name her baby?"
"You're nice. You said 'her baby' and not 'the baby'."
"We're talking about a very specific baby. Miriam's baby. A baby with a mother who loves her very much. And I think her Aunt Bina might like her just a tiny bit."
"I do! But I never saw her."
"Did Miriam have a name that she wanted to use?"
"Un huh. Bethany Elizabeth. I put my hand on Miriam's tummy and talked to Bethany and called her by name but the people there called her 'Eve' - just like all the other girl babies."
"Were there any boy babies?"
"They were all named 'Adam'."
"Think you can tell me how you got to the place where all those babies were and the things that happened to you on your way there?"
"It's not as scary when I just fit in your lap and my head is on your shoulder. Momma and Daddy went to a meeting at the big synagogue in Nashville but they didn't come back and …"
---
This will not end well. Neither telling about their parents not returning nor telling what happened after they left the country. She's in hiccups. To the throne. Her hair is too short to be a problem. Let breakfast come back up? Not if I can manage it. I haven't been with her much. Let's see if I can manipulate those hormones in an unfamiliar child. Just a little. Hiccups are easing but there's still some digestive turmoil. Little tweak there - and she's relaxing a little. She sees auras. Will she hear me?
(I love you, Bina.)
(You can do it, too!)
"Let's get you up and back in my lap."
"That's my favorite place now!"
"Tell me who else you could 'think' things to."
"Grandpa Ephriam. Momma told me that even when I was a baby he always seemed to know what I needed and which foods I liked or didn't like. I was three or four before I understood that most other people couldn't hear me when I did that. It was kinda strange that they couldn't 'cause I'd always done it with Grandpa. Miriam hears him but only when he uses her name. I heard him when he was talking to Miriam."
"Maddie and Charlie also hear things that aren't 'aimed' at them."
"They heard us?"
"I don't know. Charlie can hear me from the gate at the road when I use her name. Charlie and Amelia can talk this way but Charlie says Amelia's words aren't as strong as mine. If they did hear us, they might tell me that they can hear you but they won't tell anyone else. Let's try something. You lie back on the sofa and let me get to your tummy."
(I love you, Ariel.)
"She heard you! I could feel what she felt! You are the best Daddy ever!"
"Maybe just the best one here."
"Best one ever in my life. And Ariel's. And Miriam's."
"Considering that Miriam is 13…"
"Fourteen in a month. February first."
"Thank you. We need to do birthdays and family trees for all our new kids. I think you and Miriam and perhaps the other girls with you have been used longer than most of our other kids. You may need longer to work out the hurts. You'll get lap and shoulder time as needed for that. That's something else we'll be talking about. What you 'want' compared to what you 'need'. 'Love' compared to 'sex'…"
"There's a difference?"
"Answer me this. Was holding you while you talked and cried 'love'?"
"Un huh!"
"Was it 'sex'?"
"No. Not even a kiss."
"Was it what you wanted?"
"No."
"Was it what you needed?"
"I guess it was. It hurt to talk about losing Momma and Daddy but it doesn't hurt as much now. You're gonna tell me I need to do this again whether I want to or not, aren't you?"
"Yes, smart girl. Probably several times."
"I'll tell Miriam and the others that talking with you makes some of the hurt go away."
"I think they might guess that when they see you."
"Huh?"
"Look in the mirror."
"I look different."
"Maybe you're not as scared? Maybe you don't feel as alone? Maybe there's someone besides Miriam who loves you for you?"
"Maybe all of that."
(And we can do this, new Daddy.)
(This is a secret until later.)
"It was with Grandpa Ephriam. It's a good secret and those are easy to keep."
"And now I'll ask you to tell me about what happened in Rome."
"Do I hafta?"
"Did you feel better before?"
"After almost puking. You stopped that?"
"Yes. I learned how from Sarah. Tell me about the trip to Rome."
"The plane was an Air Italy or something like that …"
---
The plane ride wasn't bad but everything after the airport in Rome was. Things came out in a rush - including breakfast. I wasn't fast enough to stop it but did get her to the throne in time. She's done - in more ways than one. Water drill. Fresh shirt. Back in my lap on the sofa. An hour nap for her and Ariel. She's trying to stretch out. Ease her down on the sofa. I can just make out her "baby bump". Gentle caress of that tiny girl. Kiss the bump.
(I love you, Ariel.)
(da da?)
Am I imagining things or did I have a response? Another kiss. Another thought.
(I love you, Ariel.)
(da da)
I'll think on this for a while. Bina said she heard things intended for others. When I wake her, I'll ask if she heard anything while she was asleep. Another 30 minutes or so for that. I think I'm living in a series of episodes of "The Twilight Zone". It's not bad, just strange - and well beyond anything I ever imagined was possible.
---
Time to wake Bina.
"Hi, Bina."
"Hi, new Daddy! I 'heard' you and Ariel! That's awesome! I gotta tell the others I'm pregnant so I can tell them that you can 'talk' with her!"
"I planned to ask if you had heard us. You need to think this through a little longer before you tell that. The others may want details that you haven't yet shared with me and you may find it hard to share those details with the others."
"You read us so good! Can we talk more today? I just can't wait to tell Miriam!"
"Not today. You're physically and emotionally tired from the talking you did earlier and the puking you did. Tomorrow is soon enough and I'll be checking that you're able to manage another session this bad before we have one-on-one time again."
"Yes, Daddy."
"I haven't adopted you."
"But you sound like a Daddy and you act like a Daddy. That's the place you have in my life now."
"It's still 'Mister Jack' when we're with other people."
"Even if someone else hears Ariel say 'da da'?"
"We'll work on that when and if it happens."
"OK."
"Get your coat. The shirt you wore out here is in a plastic bag to contain the mess and smell."
"It was kinda bad."
"Zip your coat. Grab the bag with the shirt. Back to the house. I'll leave the heat up out here because there might be another girl or maybe more than one who needs to talk."
---
"Shirt in the basket of dirty clothes, Bina. Leave it in the bag. Back and hang the coat where you got it from. Charlie shouldn't have to search for her coat, just as you'll not want to search for your coat when we get more clothing supplies here."
"Yes, Da… Mister Jack."
"You look different, little sister."
"Miriam, talking with Mister Jack about the things that happened to me makes the hurts hurt less."
"You told him about…"
"Most things, Chava. After I cried so hard I puked, he said no more today but maybe tomorrow. Sitting in his lap with my head on his shoulder is the safest I've felt since I was last with my Grandpa Ephriam."
"I remember you talking about feeling safe with him. Can I be next, Mister Jack?"
"Chava, I think I mentioned that Bina and Miriam would be out this morning. You were all treated badly but I think you know who was treated worst and needs me most after Miriam."
"We get to choose?"
"Does anyone know more about who should be next than you girls?"
"I'm gonna like being here!"
"Me too!"
"Me!"
"Enough! You go make a list of who should be next after Miriam and then next after that girl and so on."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
"Miriam, you'll be wearing Sarah's old coat. It's the best fit we have for you now."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
---
"Miriam, Bina told you where she was when she was talking with me. Do you want lap and shoulder, beside me with my arm around you or across the table and holding my hand?"
"I get to choose?"
"Yes. You choose where you're most comfortable telling about what happened to you - starting with your parents not coming back from the meeting at the synagogue. And you have the option of changing where you are while we talk."
"First at the table. Being in your lap would have us eye-to-eye and none-to-nose and I'd be thinking of lots of things other than my history."
"That's why you should have options. You need to tell your story much more than you need the things I see in your face. Those are what you want. Talking your hurts out is what you need. Needs always come before wants."
"You sound like a Daddy."
"I have more than a dozen children. I probably sound that way much of the time."
"It's a nice sound."
"Have you put off telling your story long enough yet?"
"I'd like to put it off forever but I don't think you'd let any of us do that. It started about three years ago, when we got a new rabbi…"
Being older than Bina when this started, Miriam was aware of things that didn't seem "right". She's been scared for a long time. The changes at the synagogue started small and the people who objected to those changes moved away. She never got to say goodbye to any of her friends, even her best friend Eva who lived two houses away. They left during the day when Miriam was at school. She knew the "moved away" wasn't true when she went to Eva's house and saw the dog's head in the doorway of the doghouse. Miriam went to check on Spot and found he was dead - with a hole in his head. She told her mother but was told not to make up stories - even though Miriam had blood on her jeans. It was almost a year after that before her parents didn't come home - and she's in hiccups. To the throne. Can I control this upset? Bigger body needs a little more hormone to do that. Just a little of the "my tummy doesn't feel good left". Now that's gone. Back to the sofa. Time for lap and shoulder for this girl.
"Thank you for keeping me from puking, Daddy."
"I'm not your Daddy yet. How do you know I did something to stop that?"
"I always go from crying and hiccups like that to puking. You musta done something to stop it. It's so much better without the burn and the bad taste!"
"Sarah is a healer. She taught me how to control most upsets. Some come up faster than I can handle."
"'Come up' - bad pun, Mister Jack!"
"Think you can tell me more now?"
"I can be 'little' and stay in your lap?"
"As long as you need to. I said that you should have options."
"OK, best Daddy ever. We were on an Air Italia plane and it was nice until we got to Rome…"
She and Bina were separated - that was hard for both of them. Bina got her brand and so did Miriam. Miriam's is 'FW' on the rocker - her period had started so she was a 'Fertile Whore'. The Pope liked her appearance - they were presented naked - so he took her and five other girls of that day's "harvest". He was often vicious and brutal with the other girls but seemed to like Miriam. When he learned she had a younger sister, Bina shared Miriam's room instead of being in the dormitory. Initially, the Pope only fondled Bina a little. When Miriam's pregnancy was confirmed, the Pope started using Bina. Timing was with them as he never knew her period had started. When the big shakeup started a few months ago, all the young mothers were to be disposed of. The Pope apparently did like Miriam and Bina as he got Miriam out of the "to be disposed of" group and both of them into the group coming here. And her baby being thousands of miles away and in unknown hands has her in tears and hiccups again. Up and to the throne in case my control isn't fast enou…
I wasn't. She's right in how fast that "comes up". Her short hair is a definite positive when this happens. She's finished. Water drill. Wash her face. Change her shirt. Back to the sofa and she gets back in my lap as soon as I'm seated.
"You need to be 'little' again?"
"Un huh. I can have a nap in your lap?"
"You may. Goodnight kiss on your nose."
"You do treat me like a Daddy would."
"Maybe I just know what you need?"
"And the back rub makes it even better."
Two minutes and she's asleep. I think an hour nap for this girl today. How long since she's had an opportunity to be "little"? The year she was "Grace's" favorite bed partner - sometimes he needed "meditation time" multiple times each day. First with Miriam then with other girls. The nine months she was pregnant. The months since then. Maybe two years or more? An hour of lap time and I'll see how she is when she wakes. Beep from the FRS radio.
{Jack, message from the Colonel. Not urgent but you should listen in the next hour or so.}
{Sarah, Miriam's session did not end well. She's asleep in my lap. About an hour.}
{Lunch will be ready if not in progress by then. More laundry?}
{Her shirt.}
{Put it with Bina's shirt when you come in. Someone will do those today so the smell and stains don't set.}
{Will do.}
What does Tim want that can wait an hour but needs my attention "soon"? The days of our lives seem to be the mundane interwoven with the potentially deadly.
Need to get exhaust fans of some type working here and in the mobile home. I think there were some wall-switch-size timers among the other electrical parts. Use those in place of the original switch so the original fan can run for 20 minutes or so and mostly clear the air in the bathroom after an event I can't control? That would keep the smell out of the rest of the space. Need to get with the 'A' team and walk them through adding the thermostat to the pump's "greenhouse" for freeze protection on the pump - maybe after lunch? Not as good as one-on-one time but something special just for them.
---
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Hour's up. Time to wake this Sleeping Beauty.
"Hi, Miriam."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up. I know. It's Mister Jack everywhere else but you are the Daddy in my life."
"Ready to help cook or maybe just eat? Lunch might be ready when we get back to the house."
"I'll cook if I'm needed. I'm for sure hungry!"
"Get the coat and zip it. Carry the bag with your shirt. When we're in the house, put it with the bag that has Bina's shirt from earlier today."
"Hers 'came up' fast like mine?"
"The second time. I managed to stop it the first time."
"Momma told me that me and Bina are a lot alike. I guess we are."
---
"Lunch is good!"
"Amelia, I think anything your Aunt Hazel cooks gets that response from you kids - and the adults."
"Thank you for the compliment, Jack. You get to share in this one as I used some of your ideas with this."
"You may do so all you wish, Hazel."
---
"Kids."
"Yes, Grandma?"
"Yes, Aunt Hazel?"
"After lunch we'll be baking bread. We'll mix the cornbread first. There are pans for corn sticks and muffins and the big skillets. We'll be using all of those - there are a lot of cornbread eaters here. While the cornbread bakes, you'll be mixing bread dough. Then you'll wait for it to rise, knead it again and we'll be baking that a little later."
"Rosemary bread?"
"Yes, Charlie. Along with some rye and some pumpernickel for the old men."
"I like it too!"
"OK, Sammy. I'll just say pumpernickel for the men."
---
"Mister Jack?"
"Yes, Chava?"
"We made the list of who goes next. Looking at Bina and Miriam, we all wanna be next but you said to list who needs it most so that's what we did."
"Thank you, girls. That's a very loving and caring way to handle this. I think I might like this group of kids."
"It's better than that. You love us! Nobody else ever had us deciding what's best for the others."
"Lots better! You even make us choose if we want a goodnight kiss every night. That's always 'Yes' for all of us but you still give us choices."
"I'll be taking someone out a little later. For now, you get to help bake bread while I go see what the Colonel wants of me."
---
Sarah didn't say it was scary for anyone but I'll keep the kids from hearing until I know it's OK. To the radio. Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. Several things, mostly positive. Moses was followed to Tennessee where he tried to contact the person who posted the request for info on some of the most recent group of kids. Moses was captured and is being interrogated - none too gently from what I hear. The person looking for the kids is Ephriam Feldman. He says he's grandfather to Miriam and Bina. He'd been running a primitive farm where people could visit and learn. All animal powered, with horses and mules for plowing and harvesting, cows and goats for milk, the goats pulling carts and much more. If they are his grandkids and they or any of the girls with them want to join him, we can arrange transportation. We want him to stay viable as a source of food and animals for farming. He'll be happier and probably live longer if he has kids with him - especially grandkids.
Power is v-e-r-y slowly coming your way. Absolutely no promises from me. It's taken them three or four times as long as they expected to get where they are today - about 75 miles from you at last report. It's taking longer with each mile they move out from the hydro plant. I don't think anyone there or at HQ did more in planning than say "X homes per mile, Y homes per day, Z days to get to <wherever>". True if it were a straight line, not winter and not several feet of snow. The distribution system is a tree and the branches keep branching off. The locals won't leave pockets without power in the winter so you can guess the slowdown as more distance is covered. One person suggested Labor Day for you to get power but that might be optimistic.
We now have pumps that can empty the underground tanks at most gas stations via their fill openings. We can provide you with gasoline and diesel as needed so plan on farming as many acres as you are physically able to handle. Let me know of seed or fertilizer you need or if you need extra bodies - your harvest may be helping feed my troops next winter and they can certainly help with the work of producing that harvest. Kerosene is also available if you need more.
The Seventh Fleet was in the Mediterranean and has coordinated a strike on the Vatican. They took out water, power and sewer lines and blocked access - even the "secret" tunnels and the storm drains - so no food is going in and people are only entering and leaving via St. Peter's Square. Some of the many requirements to lift the siege are the handing over of the Pope in irons, the dissolution of most of the Vatican Guard - to be overseen by a SEAL team from the Seventh Fleet, payment of restitution to all children harmed by the things they've sponsored and the handing over of all the babies in the Vatican - thought to be in the hundreds - with information on who the mothers are and payments for the long term care and support of those babies and their mothers. There's been much Biblical in their responses - weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Our new President has said we can wait longer than they can and has said the only fat people exiting the Vatican had better be the babies and the remaining children - any other fat people will be shot as mass murderers because they were eating what the babies and children should have had.
The Israelis are repopulating the people-deprived oil-producing areas and production will be restarted soon. We're on their list for the first 20 or so oil tankers that will be filled. They've agreed that we can test the quality of the incoming oil before sending them SCADA chips as payment.
The story of your kids has gotten to official channels in Tel Aviv. They think the concept of kids doing the work where small hands are needed is "an incredibly intelligent solution" to the problem. They'll pay you and the kids to train kids in Israel or at your farm if you'd prefer. As a last resort, they'll pay your kids to re-chip their boards at the rate of a barrel of oil for some number of boards. I don't think you or any of the kids are interested in going to Israel at the moment. I think you might consider training sessions - more than one, as they have some 30 volunteers. Some of the chaperones will be parents of the children and some will be military for security. After seeing video of the camp in the snow that was spotted by unassisted vision, the Israeli military has great respect for the "warriors" at your "fortress" - their words, not mine. They would provide Arctic-and-desert-rated trailers for lodging and classroom space, plus adequate food and clothing for those coming. After hearing about your responses to some of the things that happened at the hydro plant, my contact said "I never want him to even think I might mistreat a child". I'll guess that this offer might be acceptable to you.
Think about all this and give me answers where appropriate. If I know you as well as I think I do, you'll listen again and update the notes you made the first time. Then you'll sleep on it and revise your notes and comments in the morning and I'll get answers tomorrow. That's why it's not urgent but you needed to listen soon. Tim.}
I will be listening again and revising my notes today. And sleeping on it and then checking for further revisions in the morning. Miriam is a Feldman, which means Bina probably is as they claim each other as sisters. I can ask about a death or divorce in the family - or if Bina's name was intentionally changed. They can describe their grandfather. If Tim's contact can get a picture, that'll be even better. We can get DNA samples from all the new girls - didn't someone already do that? - Tim will know. Anyway, they can be compared to Feldman's DNA and verify family relationship. That's note number one.
Need to get the other girls through at least one session of one-on-one before they leave - if they choose to go. I'm confident that Bina and probably Miriam will go to be with family. I'll need to spend time with each of the others but I think they'd all prefer something closer to "home" and being in semi-familiar surroundings with kids they know will probably work for all of them, Getting all of them through a session of one-on-one is note number two.
I should get with Joe and Bill about how much land we could plant and harvest if we had almost unlimited fuel, seeds, fertilizer and a couple of additional - and much younger - bodies to help with the work. That's note number three.
Power has been off so long that we're accustomed to the lifestyle we're living. We may need more firewood. I should check for exactly how much we've used thus far and see if I can extrapolate that for a few more months of winter. We know there's more wood available where we got the most recent loads. That's note number four.
The new kids need to know about the siege at the Vatican. Miriam needs to know that her baby *might* be returned to her. I'll ensure that Tim is in the loop on where Miriam is so that can happen if her baby is located. That's note number five.
Doing training for kids who've chosen to be part of the process is what we thought we were planning to do. If our kids are willing to try that again, I'll arrange one-on-one with every incoming child and she (he?) will explain why she wants to be here. I'll still be in "take off a foot" mode if needed. That's note number six.
Time to take a break. Maybe a cup of chamomille tea while I think.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Amelia?"
"Put the cup down first."
"OK."
---
"What's the commotion, Jack?"
"I've been smothered with kisses again, Sarah."
"You probably needed it. These two have talked with me about seeing more of what's happening with you - I think their term was 'seeing deeper' - since they helped with your repair. Aunt Hazel says that's not common for young healers but they were involved in a long procedure that used larger amounts of power than most healers ever experience - let alone young ones. She and I are still doing some research in the books she has. We may have created some exceptionally sensitive perceptives."
"They could read other kids motives?"
"Possibly. Why?"
"I have a request from Israel to train up to 30 kids to do the re-chipping - a real request this time, from someone Tim knows in their government. The kids are volunteers, some of their parents will be the chaperones and they'll have military quality trailers for residence and the classroom - think something that's designed for the Arctic or a desert…"
"Really, Daddy? Someone who WANTS to be here and learn how?"
"That's what the Colonel thinks, Charlie. I would have a one-on-one session with each child to find out why she - maybe he, they haven't said - wants to be here and learn to do the work. I'll still have my shotgun close by in case a child is being forced to be here. If you read me so well now, Amelia, maybe you could also read another kid?"
"I dunno."
"I'll ask for some volunteers tomorrow and you can try to see how they feel about some specific things."
"Seems kinda weird, but OK."
"Charlie?"
"I'll try it, Daddy. What about Miriam and Bina and the others?"
"I may have some news about family for them tomorrow. Tim mentioned something that he'll have to get other people to work on."
"Family?"
"Not their parents, Amelia. More distant family. If it works out I'll tell them tomorrow. For now, it's a total secret."
"I understand."
"Me too."
---
Tim could get someone started on the DNA checks and a picture of Feldman today. That's short enough to do with an email from the radio's keyboard. Press "Create Message". Type it in. PreSel 407. Press "Send". That's done. Sub-part A of note one. The rest depends on Tim and the people he can marshal for this. Expand my notes. If Ephriam is the grandfather, then he will probably need some outside help - at least kerosene for lamps and perhaps some firewood in addition to food, animal feed, seeds and so forth. Add that to note number one and pretty it up tomorrow.
Bee-doop!
Press "Message".
{Jack. Someone is getting Feldman's DNA and picture now. Picture coming by radio. I'll get a copy to you ASAP. We'll have DNA results by morning.}
Add to note one that the testing is in progress and I'll soon have a picture. I'd like very much to be able to tell this group that there's someone who's family to some of them and is willing to take all of them in.
Bee-doop!
"Data" light is on. Thumb drive to the radio. It's in place. "Data" light flashing. And it's done. Thumb drive to the laptop. Two pictures: front and side. Need Miriam and Bina.
"Miriam, Bina. Need to see you in here."
"Yes, Mister Jack?"
"Do you know this man?"
"Grandpa Ephriam!"
"He's alive?"
"This man is alive. The beard hides much of his face so there's a DNA comparison being run to determine if he is related to you. I've told you about people assuming someone's identity to get food or a place to live. We'll ensure that he is who you think he is. We'll know in the morning."
"It's him."
"How can you be so sure, Bina?"
"He has one blue eye and one green eye. That'd be hard to fake."
"Hard, but not impossible. You could be correct but I won't let any kids I love go with someone I don't know."
"See, Miriam. I told you he loved us."
"After being out to talk with him, Bina, I know that too."
---
Look over the "who's next" list the girls created.
Myra
Chava
Rae
Judy
Ellen
---
I think Myra is first because she's the strongest perceptive among the remaining girls and the one they trust the most. From the pictures I saw, I think their list may not be exactly in the order of need. They put the girl they think is least injured first. It's possible she's so strong because she's been hurt the most. It won't be the first time I've seen that - Crissy trying to lead the others when she was slowly bleeding to death. Sarah and Hazel did the medical checks and there are no life-threatening injuries. Mind-threatening, on the other hand, I'll be finding out today.
"Myra, we need to talk. Get Lisa's coat. I think it will fit you."
"Just the two of us?"
"Unless there's a group of two or three you think should be together?"
"Un uh. It's kinda scary being alone with a man."
"Did Miriam or Bina look like they'd been hurt when they came back in?"
"No, but…"
"But what?"
"I don't see all the stuff Bina sees! I just see a little blue or a little red or a little green. I see a little blue on you but not enough to jump up in your arms."
"You've never had an adult perceptive spend time with you and teach you about your abilities. Sarah and Hazel can both help you learn to use the abilities you have. You can learn to see more."
"I can?"
"Ask Sarah or Hazel when we go back in."
"OK."
"Hang your coat. Would you rather be across the table and hold my hand or by me on the sofa or in my lap?"
"Where were the others?"
"Bina in my lap. Miriam across the table until she cried so hard she almost puked and then she needed lap time. She spent the rest of the time in my lap."
"I'll try your lap unless I get too scared."
"OK."
---
"Why'd you kiss your finger and put it on my nose?"
"A little girl kiss to reward you for being brave."
"My Grandpa used to do that! Hug me?"
"A hug for as long as you need. I think the others chose you because they saw you as the strongest of them and they thought that was because you were the one that had been hurt the least. I think you are so strong because you've been hurt the most but you love the others too much to tell them everything that happened to you."
"I-I-I'll g-g-get sn-sn-snot on your sh-sh-shirt!"
"You won't. I have a towel. If you did, I'd change my shirt. I don't hit kids."
"Y-Y-You d-d-don't?"
"No. I choose a punishment that appropriate to what you did. Getting snot on my shirt isn't your fault. If an adult doesn't see that a crying child is going to leave a trail of snot wherever she goes, that adult is either ignorant or stupid. That's their problem, not the kid's problem and they shouldn't take it out on the kid."
"Are you real?"
"As real as this tickle on your ribs."
"Stop! Gotta pee!"
"Over there. Go."
"You're not gonna watch?"
"Not unless you have a reason that I should watch."
"You're not gonna pee on me?"
"No, but I think you'll pee on yourself if you don't hurry."
"I'm going!"
---
"You're choosing my lap, Myra?"
"It's the best place out here."
"Tell me what happened to you."
"Momma and Daddy didn't come back from the meeting at the synagogue…"
---
Almost word for word the same as Bina's story but Myra didn't have a big sister in the Pope's harem and she wasn't treated nearly as well by the ones who had her. She's in hiccups. Start in the hormone control but get her to the throne anyway. Close but I made it. She had burning in her throat but it never came higher. A little more digestive settling down then a little water to drink and ease that burn. We've already been here almost an hour? She does have a very long story. Back to the sofa. An hour nap for this girl who's suffered many hurts.
Telling of losing her baby at about two months because of a gang rape and beating was the trigger for her almost puking. I was right - she has been hurt the most. Sarah mentioned the damaged ribs. Can those be fixed with a power boost from me? Sarah said they didn't affect Myra's breathing but she'll never want to be in anything form-fitting and have others see those irregularities. That we should do today or tomorrow. Need to talk to Sarah when we're back in the house. Myra's still unwinding. She's the slowest balloon yet in the process of deflating and snuggling against me.
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Time to wake this girl.
"Hi, Myra."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up! You were right about me being hurt and about me needing to talk. There's still some hurt but it's better."
"That kind of hurt doesn't work out easily. I think you'll need lap time in the future. Probably more than once. I also want to talk with Sarah and Hazel about the way your ribs healed. I think they can fix that in a few hours."
"Will it hurt?"
"Only a little when they start. You may be too sore to play 'Twister' or milk Petunia for a few days."
"I won't look funny then?"
"Not even in a bikini. You'll look like all the other skinny little nine year old girls with bee stings on their chests."
"Boobies!"
"Boobie wannabees, so bee stings."
"You even tease like a Daddy would."
"Maybe I have a lot of kids to learn on?"
"You're silly!"
"You're smiling."
"That feels good! I've smiled more since I've been here than in the last year. Can I stay with you?"
"Unless we find a safe place for you with either someone from your family or another nice Jewish family."
"Not my family. And I heard about a lot of Jewish families being killed."
"Will you trust me to find a safe place for you?"
"Yes. I need to tell the others to change the list."
"I could just read it from the bottom up instead of the top down."
"You read us really good!"
"Get the coat you used. Back to the house. Hang the coat where you found it. We hope to have new coats for all of you soon."
"Yes, new Daddy."
"I haven't adopted you."
"But you are the Daddy in my life."
"To the house."
---
"Sarah, need a minute with you upstairs."
"On my way."
"Can you tap my power to fix Myra's ribs?"
"You talked about that?"
"Yes. Along with how badly she was treated. Telling me of losing her baby at about two months to a gang rape and beating was the puke trigger. I just did catch it."
"You thought she appeared the strongest because she'd been hurt the most, didn't you?"
"I've learned from experience."
"And the rest of their list is in reverse order?"
"Yes."
"I'll ask Aunt Hazel about the rib repair. Myra will be sore for a few days…"
"I told her she wouldn't be playing 'Twister' or milking Petunia."
"You're thinking today or tomorrow in case the man actually is Miriam and Bina's grandfather."
"Yes. Where better if he does 'mind things' with Bina?"
"It's a primitive farm?"
"What we would be without gasoline and diesel - but by choice."
"They would learn much and be fed and loved."
"Yes."
"I'll ask Aunt Hazel."
"Meanwhile, I have some questions for Bill and Joe."
---
"Bill, you're saying that we could farm all of the acreage across the road if we had fuel and two strong young men?"
"Yes. If the weather is favorable, we'd have feed for the animals for at least another year and a year's limited selection of food for maybe 250 to 300 people. Much better off than now and many of those foods can be dried or canned to extend their shelf life."
"When do we start, Joe?"
"Clearing and patching the fields as soon as the snow is gone. Start some seeds in the house and/or the greenhouses in another month or so. We'll work with the typical ground temperatures for planting. Instead of assuming late March for cold-hardy planting, we'll be reading the thermometer, the ground temperature and the weather forecasts. There's a long stainless steel probe thermometer that was used to check the ground temperature. It should be in the workshop area of the barn. That's the best indicator we have of when it's safe to plant. And there's a chart of the different ground temperatures for different crops in the binder with the other info. Some of those pages were done with a fountain pen so we can see 'what worked when' for many years."
"You two are in charge of that. Tell me what you need and I'll pass it on to the Colonel. He's concerned that his troops may be begging us for food next winter."
"Then they don't expect a quick return of large-scale farming and food processing or the availability of trucks and drivers for widespread delivery. We might also be able to ramp up milk production. The milking equipment in the barn probably hasn't been used in 15 or 20 years. It's a given the rubber parts are too old to be used unless the storeroom has multiple sets in the original vacuum sealed cans. If we have the fuel, we could run the diesel gen and power the milking machine and the coolers in the barn. I think it's big enough for six or eight cows. We have barn space but need pasture for them and feed for the winter. Without the milking machine, we do have enough milk maids to handle eight cows. One group to handle the morning milking; another group to handle the evening milking. Most of the year we'd need to run a gen for the coolers."
"Joe, did anyone grow large amounts of hay? Would that come back up on its own in the spring?"
"Millard Brown had many acres in grass for pasture and hay. Even if only half of it was volunteer we'd have plenty for ten horses and eight cows."
"What about oats or the like?"
"Everyone who had horses probably had some COB on hand. We should go exploring on snowmobiles now or motorcycles after it thaws and note what we could load and bring back."
"Make me some notes about anything we might find locally and things that must be brought from elsewhere."
"We'll do that, Jack."
---
We might make a go of this place with enough fuel and farm hands. I'm a little less concerned about having food for us now that I have a military partner who's also concerned about next winter. I'll think on that for a while and get back to Tim when Bill and Joe have a list for me. Speaking of lists, I need to work the "who's next" list from the bottom up. I think Myra's had time to talk with the others by now. I'll tell Ellen it's her turn.
"Ellen."
"Yes, Mister Jack?"
"Get Sherry's coat. I think it will fit."
"Me now? I'm at the bottom of the list."
"You should have been next to Myra but you didn't know all that had happened to her. You need to talk more than Judy, Rae or Chava."
"Hold my hand?"
"It's scary to be going outside with me?"
"I just want to touch someone who reads us so good."
"Think you'll be able to tell me whatever I ask about?"
"Maybe."
"That's a good answer for now. Hang your coat. Do you want to be across the table and hold my hand, on the sofa beside me or in my lap?"
"Lap."
"Ellen, I want you to go back as far as you remember and tell me what happened to you."
"Momma and Daddy didn't come home…"
---
Almost a repeat of Myra's words but no pregnancy. She's not yet started her period. If only that could have been the case for Lexi, Myra and Bina. Ellen was also the victim of a gang rape and beating. Her telling that told me to be ready and I caught her digestive turnabout while it was still in the "My tummy doesn't feel good" stage. She's still tired from the emotional upheaval of telling me so nap time for her.
You prove your manliness to the gang by raping a nine year old being held down by other manly gang members? Best if none of those people ever cross my path. First they sing and then they sing soprano and then I take what's left of them apart in little pieces. She's stirring?
"You'd really cut their things off?"
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I wasn't aware that I was speaking out loud. I didn't mean to wake you."
"You weren't. Sometimes I 'hear' things when people are angry. It's nice to be woke up by someone who's angry that I was hurt. Will you make a baby in me?"
"Has your period started yet, Ellen?"
"Un uh."
"Then no one can make a baby in you?"
"Un uh."
"None of our new kids have spent enough time talking things out with me to be asking about 'making a baby'. Not you. Not Myra. Not Bina. Not Miriam. Judy, Rae and Chava haven't talked with me yet so you know they haven't spent 'enough' time talking. All of you need to work on some words that have been mixed up during the time you were used. You need to be able to separate 'love' from 'sex' and 'need' from 'want'. Did you want to talk about these things?"
"No."
"Did you need to talk about these things?"
"Yes."
"So wants and needs can be different?"
"Un huh."
"Was spending time with you in my lap talking with me and then for your nap love?"
"Un huh!"
"Was it sex?"
"Un uh."
"So those things can be different?"
"Un huh. We're doing vocabulary but it feels like you're saying 'I love you'."
"So maybe something you need even if you don't know that you need it?"
"Yes, teacher."
"You slept about 30 minutes. I think you need a longer nap."
"Kiss me goodnight?"
"On your nose."
"Goodnight, Daddy."
Less than a minute and she's asleep again. I think I was right about other "seers" in the group. That's a first for me - one of the perceptives "hearing" a strong emotion. At least it was a positive wake up for her. I have no idea how others might see it. Punning yourself now, Jack? How they might "see" it? I think my brain cramp is back. I'll talk with Sarah and Hazel when we go back to the house.
---
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. The gentle alarm clock for this one.
"Hi, Ellen."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up! I'll take two or three naps a day if you always wake me with a kiss on my lips."
"I hear a girl who wants 'other stuff' that I told her she wasn't ready for and she won't get from me."
"A girl's gotta try. There's only so many handsome and gentle guys out there."
"I think this girl can wait. There'll be a special gentle guy for you at some point and he may only be handsome in your eyes."
"I guess, maybe. Uncle Bill isn't all the great in looks but he makes up for it in how much he loves us. And Aunt Hazel seems to be wrapped up in him."
"Wrapped up for a very long time. Ask her how long they've been married."
"OK. Time to go back in?"
"You seem disappointed?"
"I gotta get out of your lap if we're going back to the house. It's the best place ever. I'm safe and loved and you think I'm pretty and you keep me from puking…"
"You knew I did something?"
"I puke real easy so you musta done something to stop it. I'm a very private person about most things but I'm very happy that you can do whatever it is that stops me from puking."
"So you're OK if I tell you we'll need to talk again?"
"Un huh!"
"Get your coat. When we're back in the house, remember where it should be hung. Sherry will be looking for it if she has outside chores later today."
"You don't know who's s'posed to do what and when?"
"I don't. We told the kids that they could work that out within the limits we set. Smaller kids do smaller animals. Bigger kids do bigger animals. There are specific times that milking should be done so the cows aren't so full of milk that they're in udder misery…"
"Bad pun, Mister Jack!"
"The horses, cows and pigs must be fed and they must be cleaned up after…"
"Raking up their poop?"
"Maybe a rake, maybe a shovel, maybe a pitchfork, maybe something else depending on the animal. It's all fertilizer for the crops we'll plant this year. If those crops don't do well, we won't eat well next winter."
"We're eating up your food!"
"Our food supplies and the crops we plan to grow this year allow for having additional people with us from time to time. Not a large number of people and not forever …"
"We gotta leave?"
"Only if we find a safe place for you with someone who's family or a family that you might enjoy being part of."
"Like staying at Bina's Grandpa's farm? I spent a week there with her one summer. It was awesome! If I can't stay with you, I'd wanna stay with someone like him."
"We're looking for safe places for all of you. I don't yet know for certain where that might be…"
"But it'll be safe 'cause you love us."
"Have I said that?"
"You don't hafta say it! If you couldn't control the puking, you'd have been cleaning up a really stinky mess - me. You love us enough to do that so you love us a bunch!"
"You've put this off long enough. Out of my lap. Get the coat, put it on and zip it. Back to the house."
"Yes, Daddy. I can't say that anywhere else but that's who you are for me."
---
"The coat's hung where I got it, Mister Jack."
"Thank you, Ellen."
"Jack, there's a message on the radio. It beeped about two minutes ago but I didn't use my flour-covered hands to try to listen."
To the radio. Headphones until I know what it's about. Press "Message".
{Jack. DNA check makes Feldman family to two of the girls. I'll assume that those two are Miriam and Bina. He has room for up to a dozen kids. The seven with you would be a good start if they're willing to go. Two of them would be with a family member. The others would be in a familiar religious environment. We can check and compare DNA more quickly now because we've moved some tools from "beta test" to "expedited field evaluation". Basically, they're accurate enough for most things and we can do the testing on-site.
The Vatican is trying to negotiate with Admiral Jackson of the Seventh Fleet. I think you can guess where that's going.
The first Israeli-run oil field is producing oil again. Just one well at the moment but they'll be bringing the others online quickly. Looks like we'll be getting oil if we can get it off the ships and to the refineries. And then to the distribution points.
The power restoral crews have moved a quarter mile since 0600 local today. In the process they restored power to 1500 customer locations but not all of them have anyone alive to use the power. There are crews of locals out pulling meters at unoccupied buildings to reduce the risk of fire. The meter goes inside the building if it's accessible or in doubled garbage bags near the front door if there's no access.
I checked my troops. I have four who grew up on working farms. Let me know how many people you need and when, along with any supplies needed.}
Add these things to my list that I should check over again later. I need a cup of tea. And my better half has a pot of chamomille steeping. To the kitchen.
"Sit, Daddy."
"Yes, Maddie."
"Shoes off. Your tea. A biscuit with pear preserves."
"And this is because?"
"I can't smother you with kisses by myself and all the others are working on baking bread. This is as close as one kid can get to smothering you with kisses."
"I'd say you did a very good re-creation of Amelia and Charlie's 'smothering'."
"Good. You looked like you needed it and Myra said you were having a long day."
---
Go back over my newest notes.
I'm sure the Vatican is discovering why all the officers and the enlisted call the Admiral "Stonewall". He's every bit as steadfast as his ancestor and namesake.
I'll tell all the new girls that we've found Miriam and Bina's grandfather. He has a farm and all of them are welcome. I'll want one-on-one at least once with the rest of this group before they leave - if they all leave - and I'll send a codeword protected file about the kids for Ephriam. I'll use Bina's full name as the key. Tim can arrange for the decoding when Ephriam gets the kids. I'll tell Bina to tell Ephriam that I wanted him to know that her full name is key - and there's more to it than just "Bina Feldman". I think he'll get the connection.
Oil production starting back in the mid East is a good thing. Now to get power on near a port so any oil coming to us can be unloaded and get that power to refineries and pipelines and inland distribution points to get it moving toward the final users. We need more small hands doing work here. Could our current group learn here and then work from Ephriam's farm? They would be closer to the power plants in the eastern half of the nation and I'm sure there are older boards in many of the plants that were run by some of the tighter-fisted conglomerates. That may now prove to be an advantage for restoring those power plants. When (maybe that's if?) the natural gas fields and pipelines are again functional - that depends on local power being available - some of the gas-fired power plants can be brought back online. Getting the big hydro plant at Niagara Falls running again would provide power for a large section of the country - after all the interconnections on that section of the grid are reset. Same for Boulder, Hoover and Grand Coulee. Also for the somewhat smaller TVA plants along the Tennessee River.
The power restoral is going as well as can be expected under the circumstances. There are no large crews coming from other states. People from out of state are feared because of GG-183. Even more so with the mutation.
Bill and Joe can work on crop estimates with four experienced farm hands. We should have three estimates: best case growing season, typical growing season, worst case growing season.
I should ask Tim about these kids doing the re-chip work at Ephriam's farm. Quick email from the radio's keyboard. Sent. Now to get with Bill and Joe and then the next girl.
---
Judy, Rae and Chava were progressively less intense sessions than with Ellen. None good, just not quite as much bad - each being there a month or two less than the previous girl.
All the girls know about the offer from Ephriam. Miriam and Bina were in happy tears - that's certainly a change for them. I think Ellen's description of the week she spent at that farm has the others willing to go. If Tim says a work area can be configured at Ephriam's farm, I'll mention continuing with the "learning" part of their trip here.
Bill and Joe had their new lists and estimates for me. I'll combine them with the original lists in a spreadsheet with blanks so the amount of available labor, fuel, seeds, fertilizer, rain and sunny days can be plugged in to get the production estimates under each set of conditions. With the answers color-coded: red numbers for worst growing season, green for typical growing season, blue for best growing season. Two bodies and a typical year or four bodies and a worst case year will keep us and Tim's people from being hungry. Four bodies and a typical year will provide a surplus, as will two bodies and a best case year. Two bodies and a worst case year means we can all expect to lose some weight - which some of the kids don't have to lose. The estimates are all plus or minus 10 to 20 per cent because of the particulate matter in the atmosphere but that's noted in large type - we'll have historical data for next year if we survive this year. We'd make it in a typical year with no additional bodies or fuel beyond what we already have but we'd have limited reserves. A long winter with planting starting late next year would have us all very thin before anything in the greenhouses was big enough to eat. The reserves we can produce with additional bodies and fuel will be a cushion for us and Tim's troops. I'll add some notes to this - including what could be done with only "horse" power and let Tim run through some "what if" scenarios of his choice. Maybe Dr. Springer would be more useful as a horse-drawn farmer? Include that with my other notes.
The spreadsheet and supporting documents on the thumb drive. To the radio. Thumb drive in. Display has "13GB Free". We have transferred a bit of data the past few days. PreSel 407. Press "SendFiles."
Bee-doop!
It can't have finished that fast. Nope. "Data" light still flickering. Guess I have an answer to the previous email. Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. More small hands are needed. They want to start on Niagara and Boulder. There are also some smaller plants in strategic locations - strategic militarily and otherwise. I'm confident most of your kids would not be enthusiastic about going out again. Re-chipping at the second plant that was mentioned when you were working with Shawn has not gone well. You can't bring in a generic group of kids, sit them down to four continuous hours of video and then put them to work. If your kids are willing, those boards and the new SCADA chips will be shipped to you and as many as are interested can work on the boards as they are available. I'm aware that these kids live on a working farm and have chores that affect whether all of you have food to eat. Maybe an hour or two per kid per day? And maybe a five day week? If they're interested, this would be a good time for the newest kids to learn the process as they'll have good teachers and plenty of boards to get experience on. If your kids are willing, the boards will be delivered tomorrow. Their production will be dictated by the real world of managing food-on-the-hoof to stay alive. I was privy to one conversation where a desk-driver was telling the President "If they can do the work, you should have them working 12 hours a day, seven days a week until this is done so I can meet my schedule". The first time he said it the President told him "This isn't a concentration camp. We don't treat children that way". The second time, the President took him to a meeting of other people planning power restoral and asked him to repeat what he'd said. He did. The President said "That's three times" and took out the guy's left knee. He left the meeting after asking "Is there anyone else who wants to argue with me about how we treat the children who are our best resource for restoring power?"
If the newest kids are interested in doing the work, buildings can be retrieved from the Guard base nearest to Ephriam. Those buildings have limited solar power but adequate for running the lights needed for the workstations. Ephriam has a spare wood stove and space for the workstation trailer. The kids would be paid in food, clothing, LP, firewood, seeds, fertilizer and kerosene. The clothes you requested for them earlier should be delivered in the next hour or so. Four pallets under a helo. Maybe the forklift can handle the snow remaining on the paths in your "fortress".}
"Fortress"? Only in the eyes of someone who hasn't been here. Everyone needs to know there's a helo coming - and they'll be here just before dark. Sarah and Hazel can sort the things on the pallets. Wonder if they found any shirts with the logo of that Israeli boy band I've never heard of but all the new kids love and have been talking about since they got here? I'm more interested in wool clothing, long underwear, boots and good outerwear. These kids will be outside when they get to "help" with the horses. I'm not sure what it is, but most girls seem to have an attraction to horses. If everything requested was found, the new kids can help with chores and all the kids can be outside playing in the snow together. Properly dressed, they can wait in line for the sleds. Sorting these clothes is first priority so they can be kids and have fun in the snow.
---
"Sarah, Hazel, Bill, Joe, all the kids."
"You need all of us, Jack?"
"Sarah, all of you need to know that a helo will be here within the hour. You, Hazel and our newest kids need to know that part of the load is clothes for them…"
"I can give Lexi back her shirts!"
"If all we requested was available. I'll get lights on in the barn so the things on the pallets can be sorted. I know everyone wants to help but someone also needs to help with supper. There aren't enough good coats for all of the older kids to be out working a long time, so all of you won't be out there."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
"I also have some additional news that might affect all of you. My kids. Do you remember that we came home to teach a group from Israel and they planned to use the videos of you doing the work for Shawn to teach other kids how for another hydro plant?"
"Un huh."
"Whoever was in charge of that doesn't know anything about kids or teaching. They sat the kids down to four hours of video and then put them at the workstations and said 'Do it'."
"That won't work! You gotta see and feel how the chips come out of the sockets and how it feels when they're lined up right to go in the sockets."
"Thank you, Lisa. That's exactly what should have been done. None of those kids are interested in going to a place with three feet of snow to learn how and most aren't willing to have anything to do with the people who did such stupid things. However, those boards still need to be done…"
"Can we do them here?"
"That was what I was about to ask, Charlie. If you're willing to do the work here, the boards will be delivered late tomorrow or early the next day. That's so they'll be here when you have time. Maybe an hour or two each day from each of you? If our new kids want to learn what they originally were told they were coming here for, we have some very good teachers and we'll have plenty of boards for you to learn on."
"Why would we wanna do that, Mister Jack?"
"Because many small hands are needed to do the chip replacement, Bina. If this is something you find that you can do and you'd like to help with the work, the military will set up another building like the one we have with workstations for board re-chipping. But this building would be at your Grandpa Ephriam's farm. You'd be paid for the work you do. Paid in food, clothes, seeds, fertilizer, LP, firewood, kerosene…"
"All the stuff to keep the farm going!"
"And keep you and whoever wants to go with you fed and clothed and warm this winter."
"Teach me, Charlie?"
"Me?"
"Me too?"
"Me?"
"All of you who want to learn will be included. We have six workstations because we'd been told there'd be six students. It's OK if we have seven students. We'll just have someone spend an hour in one-on-one learning and then they switch out with someone else. An adult will check each board. Even with practice, our team doing this didn't always get the chips fully seated. Your hands fit the space but my thumbs are stronger."
"You're silly, Mister Jack!"
"No, Rae. That's how we did it at the hydro plant. If you wanna learn how, you'll be helping lots of people get electricity back."
"We really can help, Lisa?"
"Un huh."
"Rae, they need small hands attached to people who are patient and can do careful work. Are there any kids like that here?"
"Miriam."
"Myra."
"Bina."
"Chava."
"Rae."
"Ellen."
"Judy."
"It sounds to me like you think all of you can do this."
"I think so too, Daddy."
"Me too, Daddy."
"And I have confirmation from a couple of the potential teachers. New kids. If you want to learn to do this, raise your hand. I see seven hands. Now I'll take each of you upstairs for five minutes and you can tell me why you want to do this."
"We hafta tell you why?"
"Judy, he made us do that when we said we wanted to go to the hydro plant and do it there. You'll understand when he's done."
"OK, Lisa. I'm ready, Mister Jack."
"Up the stairs, Judy. For the rest of you, ask Hazel about what help she needs with supper. I'll be back."
"Your voice isn't deep enough, Mister Jack!"
---
Thirty minutes later they've all had to think and explain why they want to learn. There's a level of "helping get the lights back on" for all of them. For Miriam and Bina, there's also "helping Grandpa with food and stuff". They're all much more mature than other kids their ages so their reasons are good enough to keep them going when the work gets boring - somewhere around board number six of each type of board. I should send a quick email to Tim.
To the radio. Use its keyboard for this. 'Our kids will do boards here. New kids all want to learn. I think they'll all go "home" with Miriam and Bina.' PreSel 407. Press "SendMail". That's done. First to the forklift and ensure it starts. Key on. Wait for the glowplugs. Done. And it starts. To the overhead fuel tank and top it off. Helo is maybe 15 minutes out? Forklift back in the barn where it will cool off more slowly.
Hazel has the space for the newest pallets marked out. I'll use the forklift to get the pallets in the loft and the pallet jack to get them to the final positions. Now that it's all planned out, I hear a familiar "Thump! Thump!" in the distance. Crank the forklift again and get it just outside the barn doors. There's the helo and it will put the pallets in the "F" block from before. That block can be accessed by forklift so that works for me. They're in and out in five minutes. I have an FRS radio in my pocket but they've been here so many times they just drop the load, wave and leave. First to separate the pallets. That's just the plastic overwrap. Cut the tape and roll up the plastic as I go. No one is making this now so whatever we can re-use will be stored for future use. Clear plastic can make row covers or little greenhouses or long, skinny cold frames. That's done. Now to move the pallets. I can read "LLBean" on one box. They did go looking for good stuff. That one's up. Back for more.
All four pallets are in the loft and positioned per Hazel's diagram. I cheated a little. Brought in some of the Walker's Shortbread chocolate Scottie dogs from one of the smaller boxes. Just enough for each person to have one cookie. Nice treat, it's chocolate and it's not big enough to spoil supper. I'll let Sarah pass these out while I go send a quick "Thank you" to Tim. Radio keyboard. Just a few words. Mention clothes and chocolate. Done. PreSel 407. Press "SendMail".
I hear an army of mumbles from the kitchen. Happy kids with chocolate cookies to munch on. I think the "That's really good!" came from Bill. Make that happy big kids also. I'm enjoying mine.
Hazel is marshalling her forces in the kitchen to do battle with hunger. I think that's scenario six of about twelve and each of the kids has a favorite although they seem to have fun with all of them. Sarah took Amelia and Alicia out with her. In spite of her pitiful whines, Charlie is still on Dr. Adams' "mostly inside" restriction. The 'A' team will check the battery bank and start the charger if needed then they can help Sarah sort things. Each has a tote to bring back the first load of "essential" items.
Bee-doop!
I don't think Tim would reply to a thank you note. Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. I've tried several scenarios on the spreadsheet. This may be the scariest thing I've seen yet. I'm aware of where food comes from but never thought about the growing of large quantities from the standpoint of what happens with too much or too little sun or rain or wind and when sun and rain are needed. I saw your option for diverting the stream feeding the pond to provide irrigation to part of your acreage but I understand the flow rate it has and what you'd need for all the acres you'd like to cultivate. Are there other streams or springs that could be diverted? If acreage is to lie fallow, its water should be put to use producing food - human or animal. Your figures on fuel needed to use the existing irrigation wells are very close to the maximum we could provide you and it's not enough. You mentioned a windmill pump at Jenny's place. Where could that best be used?
I've had my "farm boys" looking at what you've come up with and they see no flaws in your logic - other than saying "I think we may be hungry next year". I also think so and have some inquiries going on both official and unofficial channels. There must be something we're missing in stored food.}
I should reply but I'll use the better keyboard on the laptop and save it on a thumb drive for transfer.
'Tim. The country once had large stores of wheat and other grains but those were sold and given away until we probably only have what's left in the silos at the mills and along the railroad tracks in wheat-, corn- and rice-producing areas. Wheat must be milled into flour before use. People would probably rather have corn meal than dry corn so that needs to be milled. Until power is up and transportation is near "normal", grain will probably be ground in small batches near where it was grown, most likely at water powered antique mills that have been restored. There's one not far from where Sarah originally lived. I'm confident there once were mills in this area but I have no idea what may have survived - the National Parks Service and National Register of Historic Places websites aren't available. There's a corn sheller in the barn and I think I saw a grain mill in the attic - and I know we have one in the things we brought - but those are sized for family use, not an army. Dry corn can be soaked to make it edible in several ways but "bread" of some type is both nourishing and a comfort food.
Look for flour and corn meal in the grocery warehouses in larger cities. They typically had three to seven days of food for the city. Without power for heat, anything liquid may have frozen and burst, doing damage to whatever was stored below it. Those warehouses may have already been raided. Look for any large building with the logo of one of the big food conglomerates such as ADM or ConAgra. Those logos probably don't translate to "food" for most people.
Check where Amazon had their distribution centers. They'll have some amount of food, clothing and shoes plus cookware, OTC medications, books, fishing gear and possibly family-sized grain grinders. That's still not an ideal answer for 200-plus people but the best I can offer right now.
You'll need light in any old mill you find that can be used. The Amazon warehouses might have solar panels and AGM batteries. Harbor Freight and Northern Tools stores have a limited selection of solar panels and batteries. The big solar dealers are in Miami and Phoenix, neither of which is convenient to us. Auto parts stores usually have a stock of batteries of assorted sizes. Typically they don't have many of the marine/deep cycle variety but still batteries that might be useful. Look for the golf cart batteries - the T-105 and the GC2 are among the higher capacity batteries available (amp hours ratings). Also check golf courses and golf cart dealers.
I feel that I'm wandering from the original question but maybe there's something here you can use.'
Save to the thumb drive. Take it to the radio. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". Going. Done.
Supper should be ready soo…
"Daddy, come eat."
"On my way, Paige."
---
Saturday, 1 January, 6:50PM
"You said tomorrow for the boards, Daddy?"
"Late tomorrow or early the next day, Amelia. The Colonel said 24 hours from when we told him you were willing to do the work here. It was almost dark when I relayed that answer to him. If the plane with the boards gets here late in the day, it would be dark before they could transfer pallets to a helo and get them here. We no longer have bright yard lights so the helo won't be bringing a load after dark."
"I just can't wait to show the others how easy it is to change the chips with the ways we worked out!"
"You'll be waiting at least until supper tomorrow. Maybe until Monday morning…"
"Monday?"
"Today is Saturday. Tomorrow is Sunday and the earliest the boards could be here is near dark tomorrow. The next day is Monday and the boards might not be here until Monday morning."
"We need to do like we did in school and put the day and the date on a board somewhere."
"We'll be doing that as soon as school begins again. Maybe Monday."
"But the boards…"
"When the boards do get here, chores will be done before the boards. School will be one of your 'chores'. Someone will be working on lunch instead of the boards. I'll call breaks at least every hour when anyone is working on the boards, maybe more often. We've learned how long our original group can work without starting to make mistakes. We need to learn how long our next group can work without starting to make mistakes. We'll adjust the length of the work sessions and the total hours each of you works in a day based on what we've learned."
"We work as long as we don't have an 'Oops'?"
"I'll try to make the sessions end five or ten minutes before you might have that 'Oops', Charlie. Then you don't spend time doing the same board twice."
"It is faster Daddy's way. An 'Oops' means we all stop working while the boards all of us were working on are checked. That's at least 30 minutes."
"Correct. Better to take a break before you're so tired you reach that 'Oops'."
"But probably not tomorrow."
"Probably not, can't-wait-to-work Amelia."
---
I do like these "get it done now" kids. I suspect that at least a little of that will rub off on our next board repair crew. I'll let Tim know that some of the kids are excited about "doing". To the radio. Use its keyboard. Written and saved. Press "SendMail". Done
Even with the snow and quiet, I'm still in "something's coming" mode. I'm checking the cameras and motion sensors via tablet every hour or so. There's a light in the distance? Pan to center it in that camera. The ups and downs tell me that's a snowmobile headlight. Is there audio from that camera? Yes. That doesn't sound like a US-built snowmobile. The engine is too rough. China, maybe? Need a much better view to identify the machine in the dark. Coordinates for this camera? Sector 17-5. To the radio. PreSel 911.
{This is Jack Wilson. There's a snowmobile of possible Chinese manufacture headed northeast in sector 17-5. I noticed light moving when I checked remote cameras about a minute ago.}
{This is Watson. Item, time and location noted. We have a patrol near there. Wait one.}
I hear bigger engines via the mic on the remote camera. Maybe a pair of Sno-Cats? Probably converging on the target without lights. A hot engine is very obvious on FLIR. I'd guess the Cats are much better armed than the snowmobile. Whoever's on the snowmobile won't hear the Cats - he's making too much noise. I heard a solid "Thump!" and the snowmobile did some interesting motions before hitting a tree. The Cats have their lights on now. That is a Chinese snowmobile. I recognize the logo on the side. There were at least two riders - they're in cuffs and being marched to the Cats.
{Mr. Wilson. One of the riders has a picture of one of your new kids. He's asking if we've seen her. His accent is European - maybe Italian? Should we get them to you?}
{Yes. It's possible they're trying to kill these kids. I want to know who's behind it.}
{About 45 minutes, sir.}
{Thank you, Watson.}
---
Saturday, 1 January, 8:20PM
"Someone's looking for us, Mister Jack?"
"Someone the military has in handcuffs, Myra, and they'll bring those people here so I can find out who they are and who they're working for. They won't hurt any of you."
"Not when you're that angry with them and you already have the shotgun!"
"I may need for one of you to tell me if you know them."
"That'll be scary but easier if I'm with you."
"I'll be here, Ellen."
---
Bleep! Bleep! Bleep!
The cameras see what I'd already heard. The 12 gauge is loaded with buckshot and over my shoulder. The new kids are out front but all the coats have big fur-trimmed hoods so the people in the Cats can't tell who is in those kid-sized coats.
"Here's the picture, sir."
"Thank you."
"You're looking for this girl?"
"She's a fugitive from the Vatican Guard and wanted for attempted murder."
"Myra, do you know these people?"
"They're part of the gang that raped and beat me and killed my baby!"
"That's all I need to know."
Boom!
Ker-slack!
Boom!
"Kids, back inside."
"Yes, Daddy."
"She called you 'Daddy'."
"As a matter of fact, she did. Maybe that will help you understand the greeting you received. Now that neither of you can walk, I have a number of questions for you. If I don't like your answers, I'll take off another body part. Your other foot would be a good next step."
"You can't! We have immunity!"
"Look where your left foot was. Does that look like immunity to you?"
"You're crazy! You can't do this!"
"I just did. Who do you work for?"
"I can't tell you."
"I don't like that answer."
Boom!
"My right foot!"
"I told you what I'd do if I didn't like your answers. I keep my promises. Idiot number two. Who sent you?"
"We work for the Pope and the Emperor of China."
"You're ill-informed but truthful as far as you know. Where are you to take her?"
"Atlanta. There's a Chinese consulate there. They want to interrogate her before they kill her."
Ker-slack!
"That's good. You're still being truthful. What your name?"
"I can't…"
Boom!
"My right foot!"
"And you were doing so well there for a while. I'll move the shotgun to your knee. Your name?"
"Li Xiao."
"Any relationship to Li Xing?"
"My sister."
"Then you both have a common acquaintance. This is the shotgun that took out her knee. I've since advanced to bigger things."
---
"What did he say, sir?"
"That's the Mandarin equivalent of 'Oh shit' but with several exclamation points. Where is your camp, Li?"
"You have a map?"
"The one from your snowmobile."
"We're here."
"Wrong answer."
Boom!
"My knee!"
"I speak and read Mandarin. One more lie and you'll bleed out from the wounds before you get back to camp."
"Cave. Here."
"See how much easier it is if you just tell me the truth? Are other children wanted?"
"Yes. List in the folder."
"Are others out searching for them?'
"I don…"
Ker-slack!
"There are others but I don't know how many or where! Some on snowmobiles. Some on snowshoes."
"Tourniquets on both legs. For both of them. Keep them alive until they're back at camp. I want the others to see how I respond to my children being harmed. They'll both probably lose both feet and this one his leg from the knee down so the tourniquet is the best care you can give now. I'll assume you notified Tim."
"We did, sir. Multiple squads converging on the camp from several directions. Using handheld FLIR. Very nice tool for finding warm things on a cold day."
"Be sure this one tells the others what happened here. Allow them one message to their HQ. Bradford is fluent in Mandarin and any other dialect they're likely to use. He can fill in the blanks for their HQ if needed. I'm sure Tim will be out for bear by morning if not sooner"
"Sir. Always informative to watch a professional in action. I'm very glad that our patrol had just started. I wouldn't want to answer for having missed their camp - not with the Colonel's niece staying here and possibly being a target."
"Well done."
"Thank you, sir. Mount up, soldiers. We have some trash to deliver."
---
"They're gone?"
"Yes, Myra. They're gone. Our soldiers are surrounding their camp as we speak and they will have all of them either prisoners or dead very soon. Those people get to send one message back to their headquarters but there will be a soldier who speaks their language to ensure that they tell exactly what happened…"
"Even that I called you Daddy?"
"That's what I'd expect you to do if someone wants to hurt you. They should know how I will respond. I'm not sure what our soldiers will do with these people after they make their one call back to China but it probably won't be pleasant. I think some of these kids might need some lap time to wind down before I say 'bedtime'."
"Un huh!"
"Outside to talk or inside to be held, Myra?"
"Inside. I need a lap and a shoulder and you have the best lap I've ever been in."
"OK. Towel on my shoulder. Do I have another girl now?"
"I think Ellen needs a lap."
"OK, Myra. Ellen, my other lap and shoulder."
"You're silly but I understand."
"Little girl kisses for these two noses. Snuggle in and I'll rub your backs."
"That's nice!"
"Un huh!"
Just enough to help then unwind but not enough to put them to sleep. Amelia's OK because I was the only one doing any shooting and she could see out the window. I kept the prisoners in the snow so the blood would coagulate quickly and be easy to shovel away later. These girls' heart rates are down to normal.
"Myra, you OK now?"
"Yes, new Daddy."
"Ellen?"
"Yes, new Daddy."
"I think I heard Hazel in the dessert cabinet. Walk to the kitchen. Stop! I said walk, not walk over the others. All of you march to my cadence. One. Two. Three. Four. That's better."
"Mister Jack?"
"Yes, Bina?"
"I didn't know Myra was pregnant or that she lost her baby."
"Neither did anyone else. She kept that to herself so she wouldn't scare the others more than they were already scared."
"She told you?"
"When I told her that the others had put her first on the list because they thought she'd been hurt the least so she was strongest. But that I thought the strongest kids were the ones who've been hurt the most but survived. And she had been hurt the most."
"You are the best Daddy in the world!"
"Maybe just the best one here."
"That too!"
"Do you need lap time?"
"No. Just being in the same room for a while."
"Let's go see what surprise Hazel came up with."
"Is it chocolate?"
"I don't know, little chocoholic. Go ask."
---
Saturday, 1 January, 10:05PM
Bee-doop!
{Are all the kids OK? I'll guess that they are or I'd have heard from you as things happened.
You never find little things, do you, Jack? We took the camp with three casualties on their side, none on ours. They saw the two you'd been "talking" to and recalled their other troops immediately. Several of the ones who initially refused to answer any question became very talkative after we offered the option of being interrogated by you. There's something about four missing feet that frees their minds and loosens their tongues. We even have the coffee pot scuttlebutt. Some is likely totally wrong but you know there's almost always a grain of truth in the rumors. I've passed it all up the line.
I have one less Sergeant now but we know how the camp was missed. One of the Chinese troops called him by his given name and he went down with six almost simultaneous shots from my people. The one that spoke to him went totally incontinent then and has been very informative. You somehow manage to keep finding moles in my organization. That's good, but could you get them all at once so next time I'll be confident I'm talking with who I think I'm talking with?
I'm sorry they got by us but very glad you were aware of things that far out and could keep the kids safe.
Current ETA of the aircraft with the SCADA boards and chips is 1530 local tomorrow. You know that's probably cutting it close for getting a drop to you before dark so expect the pallet Monday morning unless you hear otherwise tomorrow.}
"Aircraft"? Not "airplane". Not "helo". Are the flying blimps? Yeah. Sure. My imagination is working overtime again. I need chamomille tea and maybe a neck massage from my wife. To the kitchen.
"Sit, Jack. Shoes off. Your tea is here. Relax while I massage your neck."
"Have I told you lately that you are a queen among women?"
"Yes."
"Would you marry me if I asked?"
"You already asked. Yesterday. And the day before. I said 'Yes'."
"You have magical hands."
"I have the hands of a healer and I'm familiar with where your tenseness originates."
"Seems like magic to me."
"Then you can help Hazel and me with 'magic' on Myra's ribs tomorrow. An hour or so for the procedure. She'll likely be in bed five or six hours afterward."
"You've talked with her?"
"Yes. She's willing to try anything you'll be involved in. Probably even more so after tonight's altercation. Was it useful?"
"Tim said they had very few problems at the camp. Those who initially refused to speak to them were given the option of having me as their interrogator. That seemed to lubricate their lips."
"No surprise there."
"All the kids are on the bed. Those still awake want you to read to them or sing to them."
"I think some songs. 'Jack Wilson Unplugged, bed time edition'."
"Sounds like a winner to me, except that you'll be carrying all of them to bed."
"First, get them in their beds and kissed goodnight. Then I sing from the hall. There are several songs appropriate for tonight. Most of them won't make it more than three songs. Those who do need some extra attention. Then another soft song or two."
"My husband, the incredible softie with kids who responds with a 12 gauge. Let's get them in bed. I want to listen to you sing."
---
All down and sleeping quietly. The usual group needed some extra time but they all went to sleep easily. How are these people getting here or were some/all of them here as sleepers? Obviously, the ones who wanted Myra got here from Italy. Did they come by the same route? Military airplane from Rome to Tel Aviv and then to the US? They'd have at least an idea of where these kids wound up, if not the street address. Are those records still available? Were there more of them that came in? Those are questions for Tim. To the laptop. Type it up. Include the names and places I heard tonight. Save to thumb drive. To the radio. Thumb drive in place. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". Done and gone.
I'm tired. I should be in bed. Do my bedtime routine. Check the furnace. Load it. Didn't I have an idea for a semi-automatic damper control? Yes. On this piece of paper in my shirt pocket. Maybe tomorrow. Same for the pump freeze protection. Back upstairs. Jammies. Brush. Floss. Set my alarm. Be nice to get more than five or six hours of sleep. Join my favorite snuggle partner.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:28:51 GMT -6
Sunday, 2 January, 8:10AM
"Good morning, Mr. Wilson."
"Good morning, Mrs. Wilson. Nice wake up but it seems bright for 6AM."
"But not for 8AM."
"But I set my watch…"
"And I turned off that alarm as soon as you were asleep. Yesterday was a long day for you. I don't know when you've listened to the histories of seven kids. And then carried out 12 gauge interrogation. And then calmed a couple of kids. You needed the extra sleep. You look much better this morning."
"Thank you, Nurse Wilson. I feel better this morning. I'd guess that I missed breakfast?"
"Except for the biscuits and pear preserves Hazel hid for you. Check the unused slow cooker on the dryer in the laundry room."
"As soon as I relieve myself and then get dressed. It seems very quiet downstairs."
"It's 26 degrees and all the kids are outside doing chores or learning about someone's chores. It seems Miriam has milked before and she got Lisa in the face with a squirt of milk instead of the reverse."
"Wish I'd seen that."
"I told Amelia to take your phone and keep an eye on Miriam. She got it."
"Amelia's happy. I'm happy. Lisa got some long-deserved payback. Sounds like a good morning."
"Go eat. There's a message on the radio but it's not urgent. I looked it up because the 'Message' light was flashing green and I've not seen that before."
"I've seen amber and red but not green. What's the definition?"
"You should go look."
"Before or after I eat?"
"Either."
"Then I shall eat first."
---
That's the last bite of biscuit. To the radio. Cheat sheet. "Message" light. Green is "notification of official visitor". Who and why?
Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. The Israeli foreign minister will be here tomorrow. He's in the US to meet with the President. He wants to meet with you to ensure they get everything right for the kids they'll be sending. I think they're dead serious about this being a positive experience for everyone involved. He'll also get the complete report about last night's incident - we video things like that on a routine basis - and he'll learn that the child they wanted was Jewish. He's Ibrahim Feldman - possibly a distant relative of Miriam and Bina? I doubt that they would know so I've sent a request to Ephriam for any family tree info he may have. I should have an answer this afternoon - but that answer could be that he has no records. More later.}
Having him here is a good sign. I don't know that any kinship with Miriam and Bina would be of great value now. It's not like he could be the subject of show and tell at school: "My great uncle is the Israeli foreign minister". If he's offering the girls an education, I don't know that the world will have recovered enough for Miriam to attend university in Tel Aviv in five years. I don't see that the kids being Jewish is a big deal. Someone was trying to harm a child under my care and I did what was needed. Whatever Tim wants to make of it is OK with me.
That's two - no, three positives in one morning. Sleeping late, Hazel's biscuits with pear preserves and an international visitor who seems to have good on his mind. You're still cynical, Jack. Maybe because I've been around too many politicians and too few statesmen? I'll hope Ibrahim is one of the rare breed with the latter name.
---
When the kids come back in, I should see who needs one-on-one time when. I think Myra, Bina and Ellen in that order but I'm not sure where Miriam should be. Judy, Rae and Chava are almost interchangeable for their second session. I'll ask Sarah, Myra and Bina about where Miriam should be in the sequence. I think the training will last through Friday so there will be opportunities for sessions later in the week. I need to work out some one-on-one with my kids as well. Sarah was right. I needed the extra sleep this morning especially if they'll be tapping me to power Myra's repair. I hear kids being called in for toe checks so we'll probably be starting soon. The delegation is headed my way: Hazel, Sarah and a somewhat apprehensive Myra.
"Myra."
"Yes, Mister Jack?"
"Do you trust me to take care of you?"
"Especially after last night!"
"Then maybe I'll take care of you when Hazel and Sarah fix your ribs?"
"Un huh. But I don't like needles. They always use needles to put you to sleep."
"No needles, Myra. Take off your shoes and shirt and lie here on the bed. Hazel and Sarah will be moving you so your body is in the best position for them to work on you."
"No needles?"
"No needles. Goodnight kiss on your nose in case you go to sleep while they're doing this."
"OK. That's kinda nice."
"Jack, your hands here and here. Sarah, your hands here and here. My hands here and here. Myra, we're starting now. You may feel our hands getting warm on your skin."
"Warm is good. The bed is cold."
"Yes, it is."
"Argh!"
"She won't feel anything else and she probably won't remember that surge of pain. Ellen, I need you now. You're almost exactly the same size as Myra and I need your ribs to model hers after. Undress like Myra and lie here beside her."
"OK."
"I'll be asking you to turn later when we turn Myra so her ribs will look right from all directions."
"I didn't know anybody but doctors at a hospital could fix bones."
"Hazel and Sarah are healers of a different type but they can do many of the things a doctor or hospital can do."
"That's what Amelia said when I asked where Myra was going. She can do this too?"
"She's learning. She can't do these things yet, but there are some things she can do to help. With three adults doing the work and two girls on the bed, there's not room for another person at this bed. I need to scan your ribs to see how they connect inside your body."
"Tickles a little, Aunt Hazel."
"I think that's because you're very ticklish, Ellen."
"I am."
"Now to take what I saw in you and apply it to Myra's ribs."
"Your hands are getting red!"
"Ellen, that's because of the power we're directing to move the bones where they should be. Some of the ribs were broken and they healed in strange positions. I'm breaking those ribs so I can put them where they should be."
"That's the 'snap' I hear?"
"Yes. Each 'snap' is a rib or piece of rib being broken loose from where it is. When the path is clear, I'll be putting them all back where they should be."
"Those funny things on her chest are gone!"
"Those are some of the rib pieces that were out of their normal places. There are also some that you can't see because they point inside instead of outside."
"They beat her hard, didn't they?"
"They did. As I'm doing this, I'm wondering if Jack hurt them enough last night. I think maybe I'd like to break a few of their ribs. On your left side, Ellen. Jack and Sarah if you can hold your hands in place while I turn Myra. That's good. Now to work on the rest of these ribs."
"Hazel, it seems strange to see a rib moving that much."
"Some were greatly out of place, Jack. This side looks and feels good from the outside. I'll scan it inside. This side is good. Hold her while I turn her again. Ellen, on your right side."
"I never thought I'd be a model for someone else's body."
"Ellen, sometimes we find that life has interesting things for us to learn and experience. Brace yourself, Jack. Her lung has grown around the rib that pierced it. She'll be on one lung while I'm fixing this and may wake because breathing is difficult. The rib is out of the lung. The hole in the lung is patched. Now I can break and move that rib. It's in place. Outside scan with my hands. Compare her to Ellen."
"Still tickles a little."
"That's good. Inside scan on each of them. Ellen looks fine but she'll be starting her period in a few days. Myra looks fine. Relieve a little more of the bruising from moving the ribs. She needs a little soreness to remind her not to do too much for a few days. Thank you for being my model, Ellen."
"You're welcome, Aunt Hazel. I get to do the most interesting things here!"
"You may dress and go back downstairs."
"OK."
"Let's get both blankets up on Myra. She needs someone on watch in case she's a little disoriented when she wakes. Amelia, Charlie or Maddie would be good."
"Charlie. Something she can 'do'."
"Very good, Jack. You'll have that mopey kid smiling as soon as you tell her. There's some high calorie cake hidden in the slow cooker. Go eat that after you send Charlie up."
"I'm on my way."
---
"Charlie."
"Yes, Daddy?"
"We need someone to monitor Myra while she's asleep. Will you go do that?"
"Yes!"
Now to get my cake.
Bee-doop!
Must you interrupt me just as I get to the good things, Tim?
Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. The aircraft with the boards and chips will be over your drop zone in 15 minutes. I didn't know they'd be flying all night.}
Time to finish the cake, wash my hands and get my coat. He's still using "aircraft". Guess I'll find out why in 15 minutes.
I hear engines, but no "Thump! Thump!" so not a helo. They're landing on the snow? Get my coat and go outside. I hear it but it's hidden by the bulk of the house behind me. What? They are using blimps! I guess it's reasonable to use them if the wind is low. They needs power for motion, not lift, so you could park one at 5000 feet and wait for morning. FRS beeped. Get it out of my pocket.
{Your cleared space isn't long enough for me to set down but I can let your load down. Wait while I pump some helium out of the lift bags and into the tanks to decrease the lift.}
If you don't vent the helium, you can adjust the lift to match your load with no loss of the lifting medium. This seems to be a 21st century blimp. I'd expect a compressor that could handle large quantities of helium to be heavy and a power hog but they've apparently solved some weight and power issues to be able to include it.
{The Colonel said you'd want details on the bird. There's a brochure about it taped to the pallet wrap. The inventory sheet lists a total of 563 "boards". They're hand-sized but very well packed. There are 8 boxes with a total of 3856 "chips". I haven't counted either but now you know as much as I do. They're on four pallets. Should be touching down about now.}
{The cable is slack.}
{If you can release the hook, I'll be out of here.}
{Hook is released and clear of the pallets.}
{I'll refill the lift bags I emptied before and we'll see you again when you tell the Colonel the work is completed. I'm not longer surprised about what we carry or where we deliver it. If the Colonel says you people are electronics techs, you're electronics techs.}
{I'm not, but a group of my kids are.}
{The ones having the snowball fight?}
{Yes.}
{I'm in the wrong business.}
---
First retrieve the brochure on the new bird. Put that in my inside coat pocket. Cut the tape and roll up the plastic wrapping. That will be stored with the wrap from yesterday. I think there will be several field uses for it. Back for the forklift. These can go on the other side of the loft. We'll be sorting boards and chips to get them all to their proper places in the new classroom. That needs more people. For now, I'll just get the pallets moved.
That's done. The kids are back inside. It's after 11 so they're probably working on lunch. Is that a box of dark chocolate? See if I can ease it… It's greasy. My gloves are sliding off the edge of the box. I see puncture marks on this side of the box. Looks like someone added something to the chocolate but it had an unwanted side effect - it shows. Get this box in a garbage bag and inside another box. Tim and/or some of his troops will be with our visitor today. I'll get it to one of them. Dark chocolate is targeting the kids. I'm in "shoot first" mode again. Tim needs to know before he gets here. Some nitrile gloves to protect myself and some bleach plus other things to wash my gloves. Leave them out here to dry. Broad marker for skull and crossbones on the box until we know what this is. Now inside and put a message together. To the laptop.
'Found a box of dark chocolate in the first pallet of boards. Noticed corner of box was greasy. On closer inspection, saw row of very small holes in side of box - think hypodermic syringe. Box is now in a plastic bag and an overbox with skull and crossbones.'
Save to the thumb drive. To the radio. Encryption key in. Thumb drive in. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile".
Bee-doop!
That was fast! And the "Message" light is red again. Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. I have a warning from a friend in the CIA. They think there's a mole - maybe two - at the hydro plant that shipped those boards. They don't think there's anything on the boards or chips but hold off until we get a crew there with infectious disease and nerve agent sniffers - think smoke detectors on steroids. They'll be coming in the foreign minister's helicopter. His bodyguards were quite happy to relinquish the helo when they saw your message. You being suspicious about something has put them well past paranoid. The hazmat crew will probably want your gloves for testing.}
A few days and I lose my good gloves? So it seems. Inside and disappoint some kids who are ready to work.
"What kinda plane was that, Daddy?"
"Not a 'plane', Alicia. A blimp or dirigible. A lighter-than-air craft. Look in 'How Things Work'. Here's the manufacturer's brochure on it. Keep up with that. I haven't read it yet."
"You're not talking about boards and chips, Daddy. What's wrong?"
"What's wrong, Michelle, is that there was a box of dark chocolate …"
"Where is it?"
"Bring it in!"
"Chocolate!"
"That's the response someone hoped you'd have. The corner of the box felt greasy when I pulled it out. Looking closer, I could see a row of very small holes on the side of the box. Like the holes a hypodermic syringe - the thing nurses use to give shots - might make. That box is now in a plastic bag which is in another box which is marked with skull and crossbones. The Colonel is sending a hazmat team to see what it might be and if it's on the boards and chips or just the candy."
"Somebody will be cleaning stuff up again?"
"Possibly, Maddie. If it's only on the candy and its box, they'll clean whatever may have been against the candy box and you should be OK. If they find things on the boards or chips that shouldn't be there, everything will be cleaned. They'll be here soon. We'll know the details an hour or so after they get here."
"Ready to work and gotta wait again."
"Sorry, Amelia. Better that we spot things before someone gets sick."
"I know. I just want the lights back on!"
"I understand, shortstuff. Right now you sound almost as impatient as Rachel."
"I guess I do. It's just that this is important! And it's important for Bina and the others to learn so they can help! And … and …"
"In my lap. Head on my shoulder. I know that you're on a one girl campaign to save the world, but you can't get it all done today."
"Daddy! I'm not like that!"
"You're not? The girl who almost yelled about 'important' - twice - isn't trying to save the world?"
"I guess I am. You read me so good!"
"I might like you a little bit."
"I know."
---
"Miss Sarah?"
"Yes, Rae?"
"Mister Jack really isn't Amelia's father?"
"Not her biological father. When Jack and I married, he adopted Amelia, Celia and Paige so he's their legal father."
"But he reads her and takes care of her like she was his kid!"
"Jack's very good with kids. He cares about them and most of them know that as soon as they see him."
"Bina said he was 'blue'. He doesn't look blue to me."
"Rae, I want you to step over here. Now look at Jack where all you see is him and the white wall."
"The wall isn't white. There's a blue shadow on it around him."
"That's what Bina saw. I thought you might have the ability from the way you were looking as Jack, Joe and Bill as though something didn't look quite right. Bina had the good fortune of being in a family that knew about seeing auras and they helped her develop that ability. While you're here with us, Hazel and I will help you learn more about your ability."
"The blue is good?"
"It means a loving, caring person. Darker blue means more loving and caring. If the edges are dark blue or purple, that person is very physical. Jack does hugs and pats and back rubs…"
"And goodnight kisses but he always asks and we hafta say 'Yes'. And good morning kisses but we had to tell him if we wanted more than a forehead kiss. And his lap is the best place to be if you're hurt or scared. No wonder Bina and Miriam were up in his arms if they could read all that!"
---
{Mr. Wilson. ETA 15 minutes. If nothing has been changed, we'll land where the trailers were dropped off.}
{Should have been no changes. I'll verify and notify you if needed.}
{Roger.}
Today we get hazmat instead of foreign minister. The kids would see hazmat as more important than a politician. Don't know that I can argue that. Dig out my older gloves to keep my hands mostly warm.
---
I hear a helo. Out to open the barn doors so they'll know where to head. The blades are a little longer than the one that was here earlier but they'll have about ten feet of clearance. Intense concentration on the pilot's face as he sets it down. He's in civvies so he's the usual pilot but this isn't his usual landing space.
"Mr. Wilson, I'm Sergeant Hastings. This is my hazmat crew. Can you provide running water?"
"Cold water at about four gallons a minute."
"Inside or outside?"
"Both. From the hydrant on the pump enclosure behind you, a hydrant in the barn or one of several in the house."
"We'll hook up at the pump but move 100 feet away to mix our chemicals as needed."
"I'll turn the pump on. I have the components to add freeze protection so the pump can't run when it's near or below freezing in the enclosure but that's taken a back seat to more pressing things."
"37 degrees? It doesn't feel that warm out here."
"It's not. That's only in the micro greenhouse of the pump enclosure. The pump is warm enough to pump water when the air temperature is well below freezing. We store 400 gallons of water in the basement to cover the times we can't pump directly from the well."
"It doesn't freeze there?"
"Wood-burning convection furnace down there. If we keep the main level of the house comfortable, the bedrooms upstairs are a little cool but sleepable and the basement is about 45 or 50."
"You have figured out how to live without power."
"It helps that this house was built before power was available out here. There are original kerosene lamps in their wall mounts with mirrored reflectors. There are a few modern touches - the solar tube in the kitchen provides some light on overcast days and excellent light when the sun is shining. Some of the windows have been replaced with double-pane windows. There are more double-pane windows waiting to be installed but single pane windows are better than a hole in the house at our current temperatures."
"That would be cold work and the house would get cold quickly. I noticed the curtains were drawn over most of the windows. Doesn't that affect your view for security?"
"Lots of cameras. More than are visible. Battery power with solar panels for charging."
"The helo's unloaded. Show me the package - and your gloves. Some of our testing is literally 'sniffing' as the equipment takes a sample from the board with a vacuum that draws air in through what looks like a coffee filter but a much tighter weave. Other testers use a few drops of liquid which changes color on contact with certain pathogens and chemicals. It also binds with anything loose on the surface being tested. That liquid is then vacuumed into a similar filter. The filters get multiple tests run on them in the things that look like dorm-size refrigerators. The filters are scanned with visible light of many colors plus IR and UV and any fluorescence is identified. The filters go under high magnification machine vision and any questionable item is flagged for human verification. The dry filters are then put in a solvent and the extracted liquid put through similar light testing. The extracted liquid in each case is divided and gets both machine vision examination and testing with a number of reagents for any chemical reaction. If you spread one drop of blood over the side of your barn, we'll find it and tell you the blood type. Given a dozen or so samples at that level, we can get the DNA profile."
"The box of candy is inside a plastic garbage bag in that box. The gloves are hanging over the wash sink in the middle of the barn. I dipped them in bleach, then rubbing alcohol then a borax and soapwort mix."
"Bernard, check the gloves."
"Nothing immediately obvious. I'll put the filters in the test boxes."
"Now a tarp down for this box and the bag inside it."
"Bag's out. Nothing obvious outside it. Bag is open…"
BLEEP!
"That's probably a GG-183 alert. I'll check the display. It is."
"That pathogen isn't a concern for the people here. Everyone is either immune by DNA or immune from the first variant."
"There are indications of some other things as well. They'll need detailed testing for verification."
"The pallet that box was on is over here. You can see the gap where I removed it and the stains where it dripped on the boxes immediately below it."
"On the positive side, those totes are waterproof so their contents are probably clean and the totes can be cleaned without opening them. They also have slightly concave lids so almost everything that leaked out of the candy box was caught in them. We'll need to clean the bottom of the totes immediately above the candy box location but any above that location just need a quick scan. Everything below gets scanned on all surfaces and probably cleaned as well. Were the pallets wrapped together?"
"Yes. That wrap is on the counter."
"I doubt that there's anything on it but the liquid from the candy box could have run down the side of a tote and puddled at the bottom. We'll check the pallet itself after we unload it and check all the totes. We have lights and running water out here so we're good to go. If we need to charge something, we can start the helo."
"Don't waste the fuel. For less than 100 watts, you can plug in here. More than that let me know and we'll set up a small gen - a 5 horsepower engine should provide all the power you need for charging. If you need more than that, there's a larger diesel gen. Tell me what you need and when."
"More like 200 watts and for a couple of hours."
"That outlet is supplied by the inverter on the battery bank out here. I'll send a couple of the kids out to set up the charger and let it run while you're here. They've been living with alternate power for several months now."
---
"'A' team."
"Yes, Daddy?"
They need the charger running at the barn. Be sure the gas tank is full. They may be out there for several hours."
"Coats and guns?"
"You'll be outside."
"On our way."
---
"This is the generator?"
"It's the charger for the battery bank."
"Funny looking generator. You kids get out of the way and let someone who knows what he's doing do this."
"But…"
Smack!
"I said get…"
Ker-slack!
"Corporal! On the ground! Touch that pistol and you die."
"Sarge!"
---
"What happened, Mr. Wilson?"
"Corporal. Tell the truth. Anything that I don't like will cost you body parts, starting with this foot."
"Sarge, he's crazy!"
"No, Dickens, I think he's an angry father. I see blood on that girl's mouth. If he were crazy, you'd already be dead. I suggest you give me a detailed and very accurate report on what happened here. I'll kick you in the nuts if I don't believe you. You'll lose a foot if he doesn't believe you."
"I told the kids to get out of the way. She starting giving me backtalk and I hit her."
"Mr. Wilson?"
"I think that Amelia was going to explain to him that the girls knew what they were doing as they helped build the charger and keeping the battery banks charged when we don't have enough sun is one of their chores."
"Get up, Dickens. You've lost your stripes. You're on latrine detail for the next month."
"I'll get you, old man! You cost me my stripes!"
"Sergeant, if you'll hold my weapons? Any time, Dickens."
"I'll carve you up! Argh! My arm!"
"No, that's your elbow. Use two fingers to remove the pistol and put it down while you can still walk."
"I'll kill you! Aiee! My leg!"
"No, that's your knee. I'll take the pistol. If you'd keep up with this, Sergeant?"
"Sir. I don't know where you served but considering what I just saw, you had to be one of the best then."
"Commander Jack Wilson, US Navy SEAL, retired."
"You may not be in uniform but you haven't retired. I'd like to apologize for Dickens' actions. He's part of the additional troops we got this week so I had no idea he'd…"
"Apology accepted, Sergeant. Amelia, let's get that lip cared for."
"We have a medic…"
"But he's not as good as my wife."
"Tell us how to do this before you go, Ma'am?"
"This is one of our chores. We'll be back."
"Amelia, your voice isn't deep enough."
"Daddy!"
---
"Sarge, do you remember hearing about a HALO team dropping in on a family and being carried out on stretchers and in body bags?"
"Very well defended fortress, Holder."
"Sarge, that was here! Those two girls took out two of the HALO team members that made it inside the house. Three other kids took out three more."
"They would have taken Dickens if the Commander hadn't been there?"
"Probably. I saw them practicing one day. Fast. Accurate. Dead serious about what they were doing. You heard how I addressed her?"
"Now I understand. I don't think any others of the new troops will question my orders to be polite to the civilians after they see Dickens. Even the pretty little girls are deadly. Medic, how's Dickens?"
"He'll have limited use of his elbow and his knee. Braces on both if braces can be found. Probably walking with a cane. I think that was a two strike medical discharge. Unless Dickens has family that will take him in, being discharged could be a death sentence. He has no skills but fighting and he won't be good at that now."
---
"He hit you but you didn't shoot him?"
"No, Momma. Not with Daddy there. It's too hard to wind down from shooting someone. He won't bother me or any of the rest of us."
"I don't think that any of the new troops who see Dickens will either. You sure you want to go back out and run the charger?"
"Yes, Daddy. I finally get to DO something!"
"When your mother is certain that the bleeding has stopped and she's also reduced the swelling to her satisfaction."
"Sit, Amelia. I'll check you again in five minutes."
"But…"
"I could send Lisa out with Alicia."
"I'm sitting."
---
"OK, Amelia. The five minutes is up. Move your mouth like this."
"Ow! It's still a little tender."
"It will be for about a day. If you still want to be the bearer of light, get your coat and gun."
"Yes, Momma."
---
"Ma'am, would you show me how you do this?"
"Here are the instructions we wrote. You want to do it from those?"
"Tell me if I miss anything."
---
"It starts easier if you have the choke on full. It's an old engine and you have to set everything."
"Yes, Ma'am. It does work better if you follow the directions. Now the switch?"
"Correct."
"How do you know it's working?"
"First is that the engine slowed down when you moved the switch to 'Charge'. That tells you there's a load on the engine - like you slow down when you're running and start up a hill. Second is the charge controller by the battery bank. It's inside this door. The display has 'Charging' and the amps coming from the charger."
"The two of you do know what you're talking about."
"We learned a lot when we helped Daddy build the charger."
"And when we did the plumbing for the LP fridges and the little water heaters."
"Is there anything you kids don't do?"
"We're not big enough to drive the tractor - yet."
---
"Did you learn anything, Holder?"
"Yes, Sarge. Those kids know more than I do. They've helped plumb an LP fridge and a water heater!"
"My Dad was a plumber. He would've loved knowing them. And he would have hired them on the spot - he was always complaining about trying to find good help. I don't think that the two of them could carry a 50 gallon water heater, but I'll be willing to bet that their soldered connections are neat and never leak. If they survive, our future will be in good hands."
---
"Need my assistant cooks."
"Coming!"
"Me too!"
And Hazel distracts all of the kids with the work of creating lunch. Even PB&J is a production with this many to feed. In spite of their limited one-on-one time, our new kids are very close to "normal". No surprise to me as I've had time with a number of the forced-to-be-strong kids. If one or two wanted to stay here, they'd be welcome. But better that they all go to a more familiar environment and be with someone who needs them to help with chores. Wonder how the cleanup is going?
Knock. Knock.
"Yes?"
"Sir, the candy has at least GG-183, meningitis and bubonic plague. I'm surprised that your gloves were clean. Tell me again how you washed them?"
"Three passes, Sergeant. Water with five percent bleach, then rubbing alcohol then a borax and soapwort mix."
"I'm familiar with bleach and alcohol but didn't know that borax was an anti-pathogen. I've never heard of soapwort."
"Soapwort is the bush in the tub on the sun porch. It was planted as an ornamental where we lived previously. The dried flowers, stems and leaves can be used as a very gentle soap. I mixed it and the borax together with alcohol because I wanted to get the grease off the gloves. If there's any anti-bacterial or anti-viral capability, it's news to me."
"Could I get samples of the borax and soapwort that you used? I'd like very much to have some higher level analysis done on what their other properties might be."
"Of course. I'll put a little of the borax we use for laundry in a sandwich bag and samples of the soapwort flowers, stems and leaves in separate bags. I'll include some seeds if you'd like to either grow your own or see if the seeds can be processed to provide something."
"Are you sure you don't work for the CDC?"
"Never. Just a soldier."
"A Class 1, Grade A soldier, perhaps. Not 'just a soldier'. I'll see that you get a copy of what we find."
"Thanks. Can you give an estimate of when you'll be finished? I have a dozen kids wanting to get started on board repair."
"Another hour for the exterior of all the totes. We'll then open each tote and check for any leakage into it. An hour plus for that. If there is internal contamination, we'll open each box in the totes and check the contents. We'll be eating MRE's for lunch and supper today."
"Not if the kids find out you're staying. If you'd like PB&J on bread they baked yesterday, we'll let them fix lunch for you. I'll check with Hazel on what her plans are for supper before I offer a second meal."
"Fresh bread? That would be a treat all by itself!"
"I'll ask the kids."
---
"We heard, Daddy. There are eight of them?"
"Yes, Maddie."
"You mix more peanut butter, Daddy. That much powder is really hard to get mixed evenly. We got the rest of it. What about the one you hit?"
"Amelia, he's in handcuffs and chained in one of the stalls. His hands are in front of him so he can eat. If you want to take a plate to him, I'll go with you."
"I don't like him but I don't want him to starve."
"Missing one meal won't cause him to starve."
"I'd feel better if he had food."
"OK, sweetie. I'll go with you. Coat and gun before you go out."
---
"Gentlemen, if you'd like to rinse off your hazmat suits under the animal shower? Lunch will be ready in five minutes. Sergeant, one of the kids wants to take food to your prisoner. I'll be with her."
"As long as you're with her. The Colonel would have my ass if anything happened to one of them after the previous incident with him."
---
"Why are you doing this?"
"You're mean and I don't like you but I don't want you to go hungry."
"I'm sorry I hit you. That's how I grew up. I thought everyone did that to teach kids."
"They don't. Daddy's never hit any of us. The only thing he even threatened a spanking about was being careless with the guns."
"I think you're lucky to be in the best family ever."
"That's what we keep telling him."
---
"Why was he crying, Daddy?"
"Because someone who doesn't know him and doesn't even like him still cares enough to want him to be fed. I don't think he's ever been treated that way before."
"I guess I kinda feel sorry for him. I've always had someone who wanted to take care of me."
"Remember that he's not the only person you've met who wasn't treated well."
"We have a house full of those people, don't we?"
"And how did they respond to someone caring about them?"
"They were surprised. They didn't believe it. Most of them were in tears. Kinda the same for him?"
"Yes."
---
"Sir? The bread was excellent!"
"Most of the kids want rosemary bread. That's an herb we can grow so we can use it freely."
"The kids bake bread?"
"Except for the in and out at the oven. We have a couple who're careful enough to do that but only under adult supervision."
"Sounds like they could mostly care for themselves."
"They probably could for a short while except for the things they're not yet physically big enough to do, such as plowing snow and splitting wood."
"They don't argue about what you make them do?"
"From their perspective, it's what they 'get' to do. If they show that they're responsible in doing something, they get to try something else. When they learned of the fiasco at the plant these boards came from, they asked if the boards could be brought here so they could do the work."
"I'm still trying to get my head around 21st century kids who do farm chores."
"One of the four year olds put it in basic terms. Someone loves her enough to put wood in the furnace so she's warm. She shows them that she loves them by bringing in eggs for them to eat."
"So chores aren't 'work', they're saying 'I love you'. Out of the mouths of babes. No wonder you've been successful here. Everyone wants to be here and to make things work."
"It's easier when the kids know that they're loved and that others need them. Not all of them are as good with the horses as Jenny and Sammy but they have someone to learn from. Not all of them are as good at the milking as Lisa and Crissy but they have someone to learn from. Some are better at cooking and all of them love learning about cooking. Others are better as one-on-one teachers from anything from blowing eggs for making Christmas ornaments to playing a recorder. And we have a couple who've started asking the adults to teach them to play chess."
"Then I'm out of my depth. I've never been much of a chess player. By the way, I think lunch shaved an hour off our completion time. The work's no less thorough; the men are just more enthusiastic. I'd heard from some of the other troops that you folks did gourmet meals - but I didn't expect that to apply to PB&J."
"If you're mixing peanut butter from powder, it's easy to add in a hint or two of spices."
"Whatever it was, we'll remember it. No wonder Watson mentioned that we were 'lucky to be here at meal time'. I should go and get status."
---
"When will they be done, Daddy?"
"Michelle, they've cleaned the outside of all the totes. Now they open each tote and see if anything got inside. If not, that tote goes in the 'clean' stack. If there's any contamination inside the tote, everything inside gets checked and cleaned as needed. I don't think you'll be working on boards before morning."
"Bummer."
"Better than being as sick as Charlie was at the hydro plant?"
"Lots better! That was scary for all of us."
"Can we go watch them work?"
"Only from an upstairs window, Amelia."
"But…"
"Do you want to get splashed with whatever they're cleaning off the totes?"
"Window is good."
---
Sunday, 2 January, 3:40PM
Bee-doop!
A message that shouldn't require a response. To the radio. The "Encrypted" light is flashing red. Plug the key dongle in. Ten seconds and the light is green. Headphones on. Now to see what Tim has to say. Press "Message".
{Jack. Your request to find how certain people got here has lots of CYA going on in official channels and lots of work and planning in unofficial channels. Think of another coup but this one at Cabinet and below levels. Not sure what another shakeup might do to the limited progress on recovery. Don't worry, your farm is without question the biggest asset this area has for basic survival and you will get priority on anything needed to keep everyone there safe and productive.
The window for getting the new kids to Ephriam may be closing as soon as Sunday. Anything you can do to get them ready to move and to work when they get there is now a critical need. I'm aware of the problems with the boards and I'm getting hourly updates from Hastings. We're in need of your thaumaturgy again.}
Not sure how many miracles I have left, Tim. I should get a cup of chamomille and work my way through the list of kids to see who should go out in what order - and maybe a guess at how long each will need. Maybe Bina and Myra together? Whatever gets all of them through a session of some type today so board lessons can start in the morning. Maybe have adults doing some of the chores tomorrow and the next couple of days so experienced kids are available for teaching? Better make a pot of tea. To the kitchen and put water on to heat. I do miss the electric cup warmer that once had a place of honor on my desk. Back to listen again and make paper notes. Encryption key out of the radio. Me and my paper notes to the kitchen to make tea and then work out who should be when.
Two cups of tea later - and another "smothered with kisses", this time by Alicia and Jenny - I have a list of who and when. And another list of questions for Tim. Take time to review the questions before I send them. We could be headed for some scary times - as if we're not already in an Apocalypse of sorts.
To the laptop. Create a longer message than I'm willing to type on the radio's keyboard.
'Tim. I need to know the last day to comfortably get the new kids to Ephriam. I think I can get all of them through a second "tell me about" session today and board lessons will start in the morning, probably interspersed with some chores and possibly more "tell me about" sessions. We'll adjust some chore schedules and may have adults doing some of the outside chores to free the experienced board crew to teach. I'd suggest at least two days of learning and practice before sending the kids out on their own, three or four days if possible to allow for them learning the "Oops!" time for each of them so they know how long they can work without errors before they must stop and take a break. The necessities of a working farm may provide some of that limit - more animals needing care and fewer kids to do that care. Someone needs to tell Ephriam how important the breaks are and he can enforce them as needed. I'll send a code word file of information about each girl to Ephriam so he'll know where each one is in being hurt and in her recovery. I'll assume that you can arrange for decoding at his end unless you tell me otherwise.
I do have more questions for you. List attached.'
Save to the thumb drive. To the radio. Drive in. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". Done
Joe and Bill are installing the convection heater in the mobile home. The 'A' team is running pipe for it. Nice to have someone small enough to fit under the trailer. I'll go turn up the heat in the new classroom. While I'm there, I'll check that everything needed for board repair is in place. On second thought, I should have Hastings' crew check the workstations for anything unwanted. Glock. Coat. To the board classroom.. Heat to 68. Go check with Hastings.
---
"Sir, I'll get two on it right now. Atkins and Webster. Follow Mr. Wilson."
"What are we looking for, sir?"
"Check the tools, the workstations, the stools, the articulated light fixtures, anything the kids might use or touch. UV and the like to check for things on the floor, walls and ceiling - including doors and windows. Consider this a murder scene and you're the CSI's."
"Understood."
---
"Sir?"
"Yes, Atkins?"
"You need to see what's in the toilet tank."
"I expected something bad. I see that you found it. Wish I had the perpetrator in hand. He'd be chained to the toilet and we'd tie a rope to the flush handle so we can remotely trip it until it reaches 23 flushes and then we'd see how quickly he could tell us about who set this up. The next flush would tip this glass container and the acid would eat through the thin aluminum of the cylinder below it releasing cyanide gas. Anyone in the bathroom wouldn't have the opportunity to even yell and the central heat would quickly spread the gas through the trailer. Anything else?"
"No, sir. Did you want us to check the mobile home?"
"Considering what you found here, yes."
"On our way."
Something else to pass along to Tim. Need to know where along the line of transit that was added.
---
"Sir?"
"Yes, Webster?"
"More for you to see."
Good thing I pulled most of the breakers. There are small but very high output heating elements wired into the synthetic fiber rugs in the kids' bedrooms. A fire in a mobile home is often a very fast-moving event. The kids might not have made it out of the bedrooms because of the toxic smoke from the smoldering rugs.
As I trace the wiring, I see that these are on a circuit that goes to the end bedroom. Any hidden panels in here? Yes. The "built-in" tables by the bed swivel out and there are numerous controls that weren't part of the original design - and all labeled in German. If all else failed, Moses would have set fire to most of the trailer with the kids in it - and them probably drugged in some manner - while he'd escape out the end window over the bed. That window being opened or broken out would have ventilated the fire and pulled it through his bedroom as well, effectively destroying most of the evidence.
I'll include what I know about Moses in the info for Ephriam. I should get the girls to do a sketch of him - individually and as a group. There's a program for that on my laptop - something that "followed me home" from my last assignment. Maybe Tim has or can get a picture?
"Gentlemen, well done."
"Thank you, sir."
---
Sunday, 2 January, 6:20PM
Hazel already has the kids working on supper? Look again, Jack. Your digital watch has 1820, not 1620. I was out in the new buildings longer than I thought. To the laptop. Write up what was found. Ask about a picture of Moses. I don't think he'll escape military custody but we've encountered too many moles to think escape is impossible. Mention what I plan to send Ephriam about Moses. Does Tim know how Ephriam is armed? Can he improve that? Maybe the new kids should get at least some abbreviated weapons training? Are small caliber weapons available for them?
"Jack?"
"Yes, Sarah?"
"Could you arrange something with a belt on a bicycle's back wheel driving the pulley on the grain grinder? Aunt Hazel remembers her mother having the same grinder but with an electric motor from a washing machine or something."
"Probably need to make a place to do that. A bicycle is a long piece to have in the house. Other than hiding food, is the laundry room being used?"
"Very little."
"Then we need a bicycle, a stand made of wood or metal to keep it upright, the tire removed from the rear wheel, the rear fender removed if it has one, a long drive belt and a way to mount the grinder on that framework so the belt tension can be adjusted. Let me see what I can sketch up and what parts are in the workshop in the barn. Whose bicycle do I steal?"
"That would be my old bike, Jack. It's been sitting up in the horse barn so long I know that it needs tires which we probably can't get, so use it. It's a three speed. Probably not as versatile as the ten-speed Sammy is so happy with."
"Having more than one speed makes it easier to match your pace to the grinder speed that works best for whatever you're grinding. A three-speed is fine. OK if I wait until daylight to go look for parts?"
"Yes, you goof! This is needed but not as urgently as board repair training for the other kids or freeze protection for the pump. You can also take time to decide who should spend time working on the bicycle with you. I'm sure the 'A' team will be outside at the pump as soon as you'll let them."
"The 'A' team to the pump when we take the first break from board work in the morning. I'll be in the classroom for the first couple of hours in case the hazmat team missed something…"
"How'd they find all that they found?"
"I told them to consider it a murder scene and they were the CSI's. I think they'd also be good at that."
"Does Tim know?"
"Yes. I want to put a package of info together for Ephriam and I'm asking Tim for a picture of Moses and any other info available about him. I'll also have the new kids work with the suspect sketching program on my laptop - both individually and as a group. Columbo needs to know that Bina is pregnant so he can prepare his counterpart near Ephriam's farm. Columbo has info and supplies and he can provide that info and details on locating supplies to the medic there. I need to get Bina to the point of telling the others that she's pregnant so she can tell Ephriam and that medic when she gets there. I'll also ask Tim if there's been any further info on the babies at the Vatican. I'm midway in the message to Tim that I started when I came in. I'll add to it before I send it."
"Come to the table. You can finish the message after you eat."
"On my way. What's the big pot going out the door?"
"Beef-a-roni plus spaghetti for the soldiers. They're set up in the hay bale room again, with a few more bales to make a table and chairs. Dishes and silverware went out in s box. Also the coffee urn. I told them not to plug it in or they'll be in the dark in an hour or less."
"Then they have a hot meal that actually tastes like it was made at home."
---
"Kids! Wash up and come eat!"
"Coming!"
"Smells so good, Aunt Hazel!"
"Things that I make by combining my recipes with Jack's recipes almost always get that response."
"It's yummy!"
"Also that one, Grandma."
"You're right, Cyndy."
---
"Everyone?"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"Yes, Mister Jack?"
"The hazmat crew checked the classroom and the mobile home today for anything that might be a hazard. They found a couple of things…"
"Meningitis?"
"The Black Death?"
"Not either of those. However, the toilet in the classroom was set to put out a cloud of poison gas when it was flushed 24 times…"
"But we don't flush the usual way."
"Correct, Alicia. Whoever put in that booby trap either didn't know about or didn't listen to the way we do things now. There was also wiring that could be controlled from Moses' bedroom that would start fires in the kids' bedrooms in the mobile home. He would have gone out the window over the bed and that would have provided air for a hot fire that would have burned up the evidence."
"He wanted to kill us?"
"He and the people he works for want to stop the board re-chipping. Killing our new kids in the mobile home would have slowed the process. Killing all of you in the classroom would have stopped it for a while…"
"I won't stop!"
"Amelia, we're not stopping. Everything has been checked. You'll be able to start showing your students how it's done after breakfast. Remember that I'll make you all take breaks. The newest students will need breaks more often than the teachers. During the first break, the 'A' team can help me with the freeze protection for the pump. During the next break, someone will be helping me make grinding grain easier."
"How you gonna do that?"
"By making the grinder foot powered instead of hand powered."
"Huh?"
"The handle on the grinder is attached to a big pulley that could be turned by a motor. Not having a lot of extra electricity, I'll connect an old bicycle to that pulley with a long belt. There'll be a stand that holds the bike upright and the back wheel off the floor. You'll be pedaling the bike to grind grain."
"I guess my legs are stronger than my arms."
"Yes, Maddie. You use your legs for walking much more than your arms."
"Daddy!"
"What about the snow?"
"No more snow for a few days. The temperature will also be warm enough for you to get out and play in the snow."
"YES!"
"You'll be doing that this afternoon. That will be one of your breaks. As we did at the hydro plant, if you're tired enough in the afternoon for an 'Oops!' then you'll stop work for the day. Miriam, Bina and our other students. We'll be pushing you a little after the first day because you need to know when you're approaching your 'Oops!' time. That's something you'll be disciplining yourself with. Just remember that any board that gets an 'Oops!' takes twice as long because someone else must check it - and usually all the other boards being worked on. If one of you is that tired, others may also be that tired."
"You're in more of a hurry than before."
"Yes, Myra. Transportation is getting more difficult. Anyone who wants to stay with Miriam and Bina's grandfather needs to be on their way no later than Saturday morning. Friday would be better."
"We do need to push them a little."
"Yes, Lisa. Not a lot but a little. We need to find each person's 'Oops!' limit. I'd also like for all of you to have some firearms training…"
"We get guns?"
"Ellen, that depends on how well you do with the firearms training - Grandpa Joe is very strict about who may and may not have a firearm - and we're limited by what is available in guns that will fit your hands. Let me clear my Glock. Each of you come up in turn and I'll help you point it at the wall."
"It's heavy!"
"I can't get my finger on the trigger!"
"It's too big!"
---
"Do you understand that there's a reason my kids have different weapons?"
"Whatever fits their hands."
"Correct, Judy. If you can't lift it or aim it, it won't help you protect yourself. Lisa, if you'd clear your pistol?"
"Yes, Daddy. It's empty."
"Now I want each of our new kids to try this one."
"It fits!"
"I can hold it up!"
"It's kinda small."
---
"For all but Miriam, what fits Lisa's hand will work for you. It's a little small for Miriam's hand."
"There's more to this than just point and shoot."
"Much more, Rae. You'll all get time with Grandpa Joe for lessons starting tomorrow. Some will be group lessons. Others will be just one of two of you with him…"
"We get to shoot tomorrow?"
"Perhaps, Chava. But not until you've memorized the four rules…"
"Memorize? Do we hafta?"
"Rachel learned them. If she can, you can."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
---
"My kids. Some of you get showers tonight. The pump was run today, so there's plenty of water stored in the basement. Youngest kids. Decide if you want an adult to wash you or help you wash. Remember that you'll finish rinsing in cold water if you don't watch the water level in the bag."
"You wash me, Daddy?"
"Me too?"
"Me?"
'Yes, Rachel, Paige and Shannon. I'll get the bags ready and we'll use the big shower upstairs. Remember fresh underwear. I'll get towels out."
"Goody!"
'They're excited about a shower, Lexi?'
'Bina, if all three of them want to shower together, Daddy will get in the shower with them and get his shower from all the splashing they do. Turn off that evil grin. It's just a shower…'
'Really?'
'Yes. Really. Playing around in the shower wastes the warm water so you'll get rinsed with cold water. And it's really cold right now. None of us has ever done that more than once. The little ones just get to do something special with Daddy. Sometimes he'll do two of the older ones if they need showers but we're running low on water. If you puke all over yourself when you've been out to talk with him, sometimes he gets in the shower with you to hold you up 'cause you're too tired to stand and wash by yourself.'
'He even does Daddy things in the shower!'
'He's the best Daddy ever.'
---
I feel better. I even took time to shave. Back to my message to Tim. Girls start firearms training with Joe tomorrow. As they're all nine or over, that will move a little faster than the original lessons. Are small caliber weapons - .22, .25, .32 - available? Also ammo. I'll tell the kids that they must be ready to go to Ephriam's by Saturday morning but we'll try to push them a little in training to find their 'Oops!' times and maybe have them ready to go Friday. I'll try to get Bina to the point of telling the others so she can tell Ephriam and the medic there. Columbo can share what he learned and what his sources are. Check my paper list for anything I might have missed. If it made it to the list, it's in this message. Save it to the thumb drive. To the radio. Thumb drive in. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". Done.
I have 30 minutes before the kids' story time. Check the list of non-US and not-politically-correct stations that might once have been heard at this hour. More than a dozen. That one's not on. Nope. Nope. Radio Damascus with Israeli-accented English. Running at higher power tonight. They have some sample chips from the US and have a nuclear plant running there. Good advertising for us and excellent progress for them. Who else might be there? Radio Vatican is silent. So is Radio Malaysia. The village in Belize is asking for insulin for a diabetic child. Unless they can make insulin from a sheep's pancreas, that child now has a fatal disease. I'll note the time, frequency and the request and pass it along to Tim. He may know of some source of help near them. Next? Nope. Nope. Nope. Tennessee Teacher is still on the air. He has a "thank you" from Ephriam Feldman to "Jack" for rescuing his granddaughters. You're most welcome, Ephriam, but I'll not answer that message. I do not want anyone to know where they are and when they might be joining you. Anyone else? Nope. Nope. Radio Beijing? Much weaker signal than before they went dark. Running from a military generator at lower power and for limited hours. Haranguing the US for bad SCADA chips? Sorry, but the chips were all made in Asia until very recently. You're suffering from a self-inflicted injury. Next? Nope. Nope. Nope. Note who was on the air this date and put the list back in the folder until another time. I'll tell Miriam and Bina that Ephriam knows that they are safe. That will make them feel better about him. All the kids should know that as it's good news all around. Something to share before I read so they can settle down before they head to bed. Use the radio keyboard to compose the message for Tim. Done. Press "SendMail". Done.
---
"Kids! Jammies, brush, floss. I have some good news to share and then you get another chapter of Dr. Doolittle."
"On my way!"
"Me too!"
---
"Everyone have their nest made?"
"I'm not a bird!"
"You sound like one on your recorder, Leah."
"Daddy!"
"You said good news, Mister Jack?"
"Yes, Miriam. The station in Tennessee that does family health and welfare messages had one from Ephriam Feldman thanking 'Jack' for rescuing his granddaughters. He knows you're OK."
"Why didn't you let us talk to him?"
"He wasn't on the radio, just someone reading his message. I didn't respond because we don't want to tell anyone where you are or when you might leave or where you might go."
"You think people are still looking for us?"
"I don't know that they are, Miriam, but I see no reason to tell them that you're alive or where you are."
"You are our new Daddy. You always take care of us."
"I might like you a little bit."
"You 'little bit' is about THIS wide!"
"Your arms aren't long enough, Miriam."
"That's as close as I can get, Bina."
"If two of my favorite exaggerators will find their seats, we'll see who Dr. Dolittle is talking to tonight."
"OK."
---
"To bed. The H and K patrol will be by to see each of you."
"H and K Patrol?"
"Yes, Celia. Hugs and Kisses."
"You're silly, Daddy."
---
Bee-doop!
Let's see which message this is in response to. Headphones. Press "Message."
{Jack. The info you requested on Moses is coming. You must be reading his mind. He was suddenly violently ill. Two soldiers carried him to the infirmary. Moses had a miraculous recovery. One of the soldiers shot the medic and the other soldier. Moses and the shooter got away on snowmobiles. Fortunately, the shooter was a lousy shot and neither injury is serious. The soldier helping Moses had obviously been planning this for some time as one snowmobile had a trailer loaded with survival gear: tent, food, stove, etc and the other had a trailer load of gasoline. Unless Moses knows where Ephriam's farm is located, I think he might head your way for another attempt on the kids. There are patrols out looking for them but white on white is difficult to spot.
We still think Sunday might still be an OK day for travel but Saturday would be better.
There's a hospital ship near Belize. They don't have a helo on board but they can provide directions on getting insulin from a sheep's pancreas. It's a primitive process so the family of the child will be adjusting the dosage each time they make a new batch but the family raises sheep and typically eats one a month. They do have a long term source of the pancreas. The family asked who came up with idea and they were answered with "Jack". They're a very devout Catholic family so you're now known as "Saint Jack". I don't think I've laughed that hard at anything in years!
I'll tell Columbo about Bina and he can collect the "how-to" and "where" information to forward to the other medic.
Other than requests for food and water, no responses from the Vatican. We know they have about 30 days of water stored and several years of food. The plan is to let cabin fever or lack of water cause them to do something we can leverage into surrender.
Someone will be in contact with Ephriam to see what weapons and ammo he has or needs. If he has something the kids can use we'll provide ammo for it. If not, we have a small collection from the thermite bomb group. I'd say the smaller calibers were backups or hideaways. There are five or six in calibers from .22 to .32.}
Now to get the info on Moses. Thumb drive in place. "Data" light is flickering.
Bee-doop!
Remove the drive. To the laptop. Almost a gig of data? Let's see what's known about Moses. Moses Stein aka Moses Wiseman aka Mikhail Himmler aka Abdul bin Muhammad aka another dozen names. Been arrested in nine countries. Escaped before trial in six of those countries. Been to trial and convicted of murder and/or terrorism and/or treason in three of those countries. Escaped from prison twice. Escaped from the van on his way to prison once. If I encounter Moses, he'll lose a foot to ensure he can't outrun any of us. Pictures with and without head and facial hair. With and without various types of glasses. With and without various fake scars and tattoos. This tattoo is permanent - it's in the seven most recent pictures.
The date/time stamps on these things tell me Tim didn't know Moses' history before he escaped. Otherwise, Moses would have been in chains. Too late to change that but not to alert Ephriam. Create a ZIP file with all this info. On the thumb drive. To the radio. AES 512 encrypt the file with Bina's full name. Copy that to a waterproof thumb drive.
I'll tell all the kids about Moses escaping in the morning. I'll use the one-on-one time to tell Miriam and Bina where they could hide the waterproof drive if they need to. First we get through tomorrow.
I'll ask Sarah to scan our younger girls to ensure we don't have an extremely early puberty in the group. With the number of nine year olds we have at puberty, I'm concerned that "something in the water" may also have affected some of the younger ones. Time to load the furnace and then get me to bed.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:29:16 GMT -6
Monday, 3 January, 5:40AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. I'll miss my watch and its alarm when the battery dies and there are no more replacements available. The battery typically lasts two or three years and this one is less than a year old - but the alarm gets a lot of use now which probably drains the battery quicker. I'd rather not listen to the ticking of the double-bell wind-up Big Ben now sitting unwound in the closet.
Dress in the warm clothes in bed with me. Then not-so-warm boots. Glock. 'Nerd' light. Coat. Down to the basement. Still have decent embers. Small pieces until there's flame. Now fill the firebox. Up to the kitchen. Coffee pot on. Water on to heat for tea and hot chocolate. Check the porch thermometer. 24 degrees. Might get up to freezing today but it might not. Still warm enough for kids to do chores and later play in the snow. Up to do my morning 'chore'.
From Sarah to Shannon, they were all pleased with the gentle alarm clock. I heard Hazel and Bill come in as I was waking the last few kids. They all heard her and headed downstairs to cook. A little part of that is hunger but a large part is the learning - and the sense of satisfaction when other people say "Yummy!" I hear the big hand beaters being cranked. Sounds like pancakes to me! I was the first one up but I'll be the last one downstairs. That's not the sound of beaters. That's two snowmobiles. Is Moses that stupid? Need everyone armed and in place or under cover.
"Everybody!!"
"Yes?"
"Two snowmobiles not far away. Moses escaped from custody last night and he and his accomplice left on snowmobiles. I don't know that it's them but we take no chances. Armed kids to your usual places. Joe and Bill with the bigger weapons. I'll be on the flat area of the front porch roof with the Barrett and the AR. FRS radios for all adults. Coats and shoes for those going to the root cellar. Let's do it!"
And in two minutes our armed kids are in their usual nearly invisible places. Joe has his 12 gauge and the bazooka in the barn loft. Bill has his 30-06 and the BAR in the horse barn loft. The views aren't as good as from the roof of either structure but those roofs aren't easily accessed in the snow.
The snowmobiles have split up. One coming to the gate while the other goes around back. That's not the best choice as Bill has a good field of view behind the barn.
Shit! They both have RPGs!
"Line the kids up so I can identify them and I'll just kill them. Otherwise I take out the house and burn the barns. I am not alone."
I see some of the kids coming out of the root cellar. I told them to stay in place.
"I see my little tramps are doing as I said. Flip those hoods back so I can see who's where. That's very good. Now I pick you off one by one. Bina fir…"
BOOM!!
So that's what a Claymore sounds like if it's pointed up. I wonder if the second one got off his RP…
B-R-A-A-P!
Apparently not. I don't think there's enough left of the one out front to identify except by DNA. Wonder how Bill's target fared?
"You have a stick for a crutch! Keep moving!"
"But I've been shot!"
"Keep moving or I'll shoot you again."
"Crazy old fart!"
"You're the one on one leg. Saw this one taking aim at the kids with a scoped rifle when the other one was telling them to remove their hoods. Seems I was just in time. Did the other one's RPG explode on launch?"
"No, someone set off the Claymores."
"What's your name?"
"None of your business. We'll destroy you before the day ends!"
"Bill, I think you have Moses - among his other aliases. Moses, I'm Jack and I'll be paying you back for the harm you've done to kids I care about."
"I'm not afraid of you, old man."
"You should be. You're having difficulty walking now. What if something happened to your other foot?"
"I have immunity."
Ker-slack!
Boom!
"You don't have a left foot. Who are you working for, where are they and how do you contact them?"
"You go to hell!"
"You'll be there sooner. Save a nice comfy chair by the fire for me."
Ker-slack!
Boom!
"Now you don't have a right foot. Are you interested in keeping your knees? I understand they can fit a decent prosthesis if you have your knee. Let me repeat the previous question. Who are you working for, where are they and how do you contact them?"
Ker-slack!
"STOP! I work for the Pope and the Emperor of China."
"You're as ignorant as the one I talked with a few days ago. How do you contact them?"
"Satellite phone. It works most of the time. It's on the snowmobile out back."
"Any codes?"
"#37915 to unlock it."
---
"I have it, Jack."
"Sarah?"
"I slipped back in the house to detonate the Claymores. When Uncle Bill stopped the other one, I checked out the remaining snowmobile. Lots of documents in Chinese characters and in German in the messenger bag behind the seat."
"You have no right…"
"You came on my property and tried to kill children under my care. I have every right to blow your head off and feed what's left to the pigs! You speak when spoken to and make me believe you're telling the truth if you want to live long enough to be taken into custody by the military."
"You can't do this!"
"Look where your feet used to be. I've already done it. Everyone behind the house. Barrett .50 is on your knee, Moses. It will do damage like the 12 gauge but I'm far enough away that any explosive in the phone won't affect me. Dial the unlock code. If the phone explodes, you'll die but slowly and painfully if the charge is as poorly done as the ones I've seen before."
"It's dialed. The display shows 'Active'."
"Call your boss. I want to talk to him."
'This is the office of the US Secretary of State. How may I direct your call?'
'This is Moses. I must talk with the chief now!'
'One moment.'
'This is Wilborn. What did you screw up this time?'
'Hello, Joshua Wilborn. This is Jack Wilson. Moses just tried to kill some children where I am. So far, his partner is in little pieces scattered across the yard and Moses is missing both feet. You're next. You should exert more control over the documents your underlings carry. There's enough in one folder to get you shot for treason. By the way, this conversation is being recorded and relayed in real time to the US military - the ones you don't have control over. Have a nice day until they catch up with you.'
---
"How did you know that was recorded, Jack?"
"Sarah, I handed Amelia my phone when I went upstairs and out on the porch roof. I told her to stay as hidden as possible but to use the open window so the phone could see and hear it all."
"You expected him to do all that he did?"
"I expected him to come here after the kids. I also expected him to do something stupid. He did come here in daylight on a noisy snowmobile. I think his anger or hate or obsession - or whatever it is - overrode any common sense he might have. If you want to surprise me, park a mile away, cover the snowmobiles with snow, walk in on snowshoes. That way I won't hear you or see you until you're very close. On the other hand, while riding the snowmobile up to the gate might be intimidating to some people, those of us with Claymores just see an easy target. I want the new kids to have the option of the baseball bats with Moses."
"I brought the bats with me."
"Thanks, Sarah. Kids, this person hurt you. You have an opportunity to hurt him back. The only limit is that I won't let you kill him. You don't need the load of a death on your conscience. Because of that, I may stop you before you're ready to stop hitting him. There's a bat for each of you. Two or three at a time. Leave room so you don't hit each other."
"Och! Not there! Madre de Dios! That hurt! Not again! Stop! Oh God! Make it stop!"
"I doubt that God can hear you. Your allegiance is to Allah. Kids, bats down. Bats down! BATS DOWN!!"
"Huh?"
"You were all very much engrossed in hitting him. You need to stop. Let's go back inside where it's warmer. We could finish breakfast. I'll go send the video to Tim. I'll scan these pages and send them also."
Start the auto-feed on the scanner. Plug a thumb drive in it for the scans to be saved on. Set "Moses" plus the current date and time as the page names. The time will increment by a few seconds between pages. Press "AutoScan". While that runs, I'll copy the video from my phone to the laptop. Copy that to a thumb drive. The scanner is still running. I'll start the video upload and then I'll go grab a quick breakfast. Then I'll come back to check the scanner.
"You're joining us to eat?"
"Yes, Sarah. While I wait for the scanner. It's on 'AutoScan' but there are a number of pages. Boysenberry syrup? This is excellent!"
"Rachel said 'Yummy!'"
"I'd have said that but she'd tell me that grownups aren't allowed to say 'Yummy!'.
"Daddy! I wouldn't do that."
"That's what you said last time, Rachel."
"I guess I did."
"No seconds, Jack?"
"I need to get back to the report for Tim."
"Are you going to leave that one out front to bleed out?"
"I zip-tied each leg as a tourniquet. He won't bleed out. He might freeze but Tim initially suggested tying Moses to a fence post and walking away."
"Then I would have said 'No'. Now that seems a reasonable thing to do."
"I'll turn him over to Tim. He can talk or Tim can threaten him with more time under the ball bat."
"But I don't wanna hit him now."
"And you need some lap time about that."
"Un huh."
"And so do the others. Bina and Myra get your coats. We'll do a little talking now."
"But the boards…"
"Aren't as important as you are."
"You are the best Daddy ever."
---
They all needed the "you got to hurt him back" talk. Miriam and Ellen. Bina and Myra. Judy, Rae and Chava. That group on the bed because I don't have enough legs - which they did finally smile about. It's almost lunch time so I guess board lessons will start after we eat. Alicia and Lisa are coming back from the classroom?
"Hi, Daddy. We put the tools and two of the easiest boards at each work station so we can show our student how to do it and she can match what we do."
"Thank you, girls."
"We though you'd be busy with the 'he hurt you' talk so we did the easy part."
"You thought correctly. I'll join you in the classroom after we eat. If the Colonel needs to talk with me, your mother will be there."
"OK."
---
Monday, 3 January, 12:50PM
"Board teachers and students. Get your coats."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
---
"With six workstations and six 'teachers', one of you will be sitting this out for a little while."
"I will, Mister Jack."
"Thank you, Miriam. Other kids, this is not a 'teacher at the chalkboard' type of class. This is a 'let me show you how I do this' class. Your teacher will explain about the tools and demonstrate how each is used. You'll then do what she showed you. From experience doing this work, your 'teachers' know the best position for the board to allow access to each chip and the best order for changing the chips. The chips have ID numbers and they're color-coded to make getting the right chip in the right place easier. You can see that this board is small compared to my hand. I can get one finger or a thumb on each chip but I can't get enough fingers in to accurately position a chip in its socket.. There's a very good reason the military name for this project is 'Operation Small Hands'."
"We're doing something the grownups can't do?"
"Yes, Rae. The boards were originally assembled in China by teenage girls. We need small hands to do this work and your small hands are 'just right'."
"The littler kids can't do this 'cause they can't stay inside the lines?"
"Very good, Myra. Even with the chip insertion tool, all the pins on the chip must be aligned with the holes in the sockets and they must be pressed in evenly. All the chips will get an 'insurance' press from an adult because some of the sockets are tighter than others and our original crew didn't get all of the chips fully seated. Remember that you're doing the work because you have small hands, not strong hands."
"Like the kids here do the chores - the little ones do little things and the bigger ones do bigger things."
"Yes, Ellen. Whatever they've shown us they are able to do. Chores will change as the kids get older and bigger. Celia can't manage a pail of milk now but maybe when she's nine or so. Until then, she'll have opportunities to help with washing udders and learning how to milk."
"I like how Rachel sees it - chores are 'I love you' with hands and feet."
"I also like that, Judy. I think it's a very good description of how things work here. All of you go pee. I know you're excited about doing this, but I don't want the session interrupted by 'Gotta go!' when you can't hold it any longer."
"You sound like a Daddy."
"I probably sound that way several times a day."
"It's a nice sound."
"Miriam, I have a different task for you while the others are learning board repair."
"Yes, Mister Jack?"
"These boxes with slots are the automatic testers for each board type. After the boards have been visually checked by an adult and all the chips given that insurance press, you'll be testing the boards. We can test up to six boards at a time. You turn the test box on and wait for it to test itself. The display will then prompt you for the six configuration boards. You insert each board when prompted and remove it when the 'OK' light turns on. After that you just insert the repaired boards and watch the 'Pass/Fail' light at each slot. The configuration boards are in this box. Can you work from my words or would you rather have me actually go through the motions with you watching me?"
"I love being treated like I'm smart! I made notes while you were talking. I'll try it that way."
And she goes through it without a hitch.
"These six boards are from the 'to be fixed' stack. See what the testing tells you about each of them."
---
"They all get the 'Fail' light. There's four numbers on the display for each of the boards."
"That's the failure code, which indicates which chip has an error in it. All of these codes start with a nine, which means that all the chips on the board should be replaced. We'll be doing that anyway, as the chips from China might have other problems that we don't yet know about."
"We might be throwing away good chips?"
"Those chips aren't known to be 'good', Miriam. We just don't know what's in them that might be 'bad'. Once the power is back on, we don't want another situation where someone can turn off all the lights."
"That makes sense."
"After the break, you should have some freshly re-chipped boards to test. The ones that pass get one of the 'CJW' stickers with today's date written on it and they go in the 'Completed' tote. Any that fail go in the red 'Check Me' tote and they'll be checked for mis-aligned pins, wrong chip in a socket and other things. The girls didn't have any in the 'Check Me' bin at the hydro plant. That's another reason for the short work times and frequent breaks."
---
It's been almost an hour. I'll call for a break and let them get into the "goodies" in the picnic basket I brought out earlier. More of the healthy snacks from Christmas. Chocolate milk. Part reward for working and part comfort food after the morning's upsetting incident. I should ask Joe if there are more Claymores. We should replace that piece of our defenses - as soon as I use the frontloader to bring enough dirt around to refill the hole in the driveway.
"Kids. Finish the board you're working on. Then it will be break time. Some of Hazel's 'goodies'."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Already, Mister Jack?"
"It's been an hour, Bina."
"I guess it doesn't seem long when you're working with a friend and learning."
"While you eat, I'll check the boards over and do the 'insurance' press."
There are two boards in the "Check Me" bin with mis-aligned pins. I though they might be having a little too much fun at one workstation. I warned them that any errors would have them with a different partner.
"Lisa and Myra."
"Yes, Daddy?"
"Yes, Mister Jack?"
"Is there anything wrong with these boards?"
"Not all the chip pins are in the socket."
"Will it work like that?"
"No."
"Must that work all be repeated now?"
"Yes."
"Are the pins on those chips too bent to be straightened and re-used?"
"I don't know. I'm s-s-sorry! Pl-Pl-Please d-d-don't hit me!"
"Myra, you know that I don't hit kids. I cautioned you and Lisa about having too much fun and not being serious enough about your work."
"I'm sorry, too, Daddy. I know better and I didn't listen to you. Does this mean I can't help teach?"
"It means you don't get to choose your student for the next session. You'll be with Bina and Myra will be with Charlie. If either of you doesn't remember how important this is, you'll be out of the learning process. Go tell your new partners why you are with them."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
---
"You do punishment that fits, Mister Jack."
"I try to, Miriam. I want my kids to learn why they should or should not do certain things and I think that punishment should reinforce what I want them to learn and remember."
"Myra will remember. Lisa's her new BFF and being separated is worse punishment than being hit. Lisa's in the same room but at the other end. They can't even whisper to each other!"
"So I do really hard punishments without raising my voice or my hand?"
"Yeah. What a real Daddy would do."
---
There are still some giggles from time to time, but that's normal with girls these ages. That's actually a positive - they're doing something that's "normal" for nine year old girls. Not being hit. Not hungry. Not afraid for their lives. Just being in "school" with other kids their age. Amelia is moving quickly with Chava. After lunch I'll have Chava learning about the testing and Miriam paired with Amelia for the board work. If I get two through the test position each day, they'll all have been through all six boards and the test position by Friday. Miriam and Bina started making notes as soon as they started working. Myra is doing that now. She's a great kid and a good worker but she was just too easily distracted by a new BFF that she chose and didn't have to beg permission to sit with. She still looks at the other end of the room occasionally, as does Lisa, but their looks aren't in sync so no eye contact and each failure now stretches the time before they look again.
knock. knock.
"Yes?"
"Daddy, Aunt Hazel said supper in about an hour."
"Thank you, Jenny and Sammy."
Hazel is encouraging that pairing? I'll ask about it later. Perhaps not all of Jenny's conversations with Bill were about horses?
"Kids. Finish the board you're working on. Then get your coat. I think you might want some time to play in the snow."
"YES!"
"The sleds?"
"Alicia, Michelle. Go ask Sarah and Joe if they'll come demonstrate the sleds."
"Yes!"
---
Everyone on the "bunny slope" where they discover there's more to a sled than snow and a hill. The snow isn't hard packed and it's deep enough that a low speed "Oops!" may put cold snow down your neck but it isn't dangerous. Lots of laughs and giggles. I went down with two little ones in front of me but I grabbed a limb higher than their heads and lifted myself off the sled. Even with both of them trying to steer they plowed into the snowbank at the bottom of the hill - laughing and screaming. We've burned Hazel's "hour" so back inside for supper.
"Everyone back in the house for supper. Stop in the mud room for boot scraping and coat brush down. Otherwise you'll be mopping up the water from the melting snow…"
"I'm stopped! I don't wanna be mopping up ice water!"
"Me too!"
"Me!"
---
A few colder than usual feet from snow in their boots that they didn't tell us about as they were instructed. No harm done this time and the wet socks and very cold feet are a more effective reminder than anything I can say or do. Feet dried and in dry socks as needed. Ten minutes over a warm air supply register. Hazel's "hour" until supper included the 30 minutes they've spent getting dry and warm. She has experience with weather like this - and worse. Her time estimates would include time for dry socks and warm feet. And the soup smells great. There's cornbread with crumbled bacon in it. A little easier to chew than "cracklin' bread" and just as good.
Myra and Lisa are sitting together at the table but they're not totally ignoring the others. Maybe they'll only need the one reminder. All the new kids seem a little more bubbly tonight. Is it learning to do something that could help many people or just the good feeling that learning something new can give? I'll hope for both but I won't ask until the end of the week. I hear the "Thump! Thump!" of a helo. Guess Tim sent pickup for Moses. Coat and 12 gauge and outside. That's the foreign minister's helo. Tim should have told me he was coming.
"Mr. Wilson?"
"Yes. And you are?"
"I'm Ibrahim Feldman. The Colonel has family tree information that he received from my cousin Ephriam. Miriam and Bina are distant family. I thought I had no family left in the US after the epidemic. The Colonel told me how protective you are of the children. I see the evidence in the snow. I'd like your permission to meet the girls."
"First, I ask them if they're willing. Second, I check you for weapons. Third, your bodyguards stay in the helo."
"That's reasonable under the circumstances. Ari, back in the helo."
---
"Miriam, Bina. The helo is the Israeli foreign minister. He's in the country to arrange getting some 30 kids here for the board re-chip training you started today. His name is Ibrahim Feldman and he say's he's a cousin to Ephriam."
"Grandpa Ephriam told us about him. Ask him what they did to a dog named 'Killer'."
"And what did they do?"
"Well…"
---
"I'll ask him."
"Mr. Feldman, tell me what you and Ephriam did to a dog named 'Killer'."
"He told them that story? Good that they can't tell the media. When we were about twelve, a neighbor had a really mean dog…"
---
"Come in, Mr. Feldman."
"Call me Ibrahim."
"Ibrahim, I'm Jack. If your diet isn't Kosher, we can offer you home made soup, cornbread with crumbled bacon and fresh milk or coffee. Bring your bodyguards and the pilot."
---
"He looks a little like Grandpa Ephriam."
"He does, Bina."
"Miriam, Bina. This is Mr. Feldman…"
"No, Jack. They're family. If they want to claim me, I'm Uncle Ibrahim."
"We don't have a lot of family, Mr. Feldman. Let us think about it for a while?"
"As long as you need, intelligent and cautious young lady. Introduce the rest of your family, Jack."
"My wife, Sarah. Her father, Joe. Her Uncle Bill and Aunt Hazel. New kids please stand. These came with Miriam and Bina. Judy. Myra. Ellen. Rae. Chava. Now the kids that Sarah and I claim, starting with the oldest. Sammy…"
---
"Jack, is there a test on remembering names? I do OK with adults but I've never encountered this many kids at one time. Miriam I can see is the oldest. Sammy is the only boy. Jenny is the only one with pretty red hair. Shannon is the youngest. If I had a week, I might get a few more - and one other thing: Charlie and Amelia are the twins."
"Kids, is six OK for his first try?"
"Yes!"
"We wore name badges when Bina and the others got here."
"Amelia's not my twin. We're cousins. We didn't know each other existed until a few months ago."
"Gentlemen. If Kosher isn't a concern take your plate and bowl to the kitchen. The stock pot is too big to put it on the table. Coffee is in the urn and milk in the pitcher."
---
"The Colonel mentioned that you had cooked for his troops several times. I can taste why they think highly of you. Ma'am, would you consider being the cook at my compound?"
"Thank you for the offer but I'd rather be teaching my grandkids and great nieces."
"I can't pay better than that. I'll just shut up and enjoy."
"Uncle Ibrahim?"
"Yes, Bina?"
"You sound like family."
"He does, Bina. I think he needs a hug."
"Me too."
"I think this may be the best day I've had in a long time."
"Sir?"
"Yes, Ari?"
"We've been here too long. It's too dark to fly back."
"You can use the mobile home that Moses provided. Joe and Bill added an adequately sized LP heater a day or so ago. Amelia and Alicia did the plumbing for the LP line. There is limited electricity for lighting. There is limited cold running water. Hot water you heat on the stove. Showers are done with the five gallon sun shower bags. The toilets flush with a half bucket of the water used for washing hands."
"And you use horses for farming?"
"Not while the stored fuel lasts, Ari. We do have six horses trained to pull implements and four for riding. Bill and Jenny are our primary horse wranglers. Bill because of his experience. Jenny because she knows these horses."
"The kids run things here?"
"No. The adults are in charge. The kids are encouraged to learn and do. The best milkers milk the cows. The cows are happier and they give more milk. I don't think Sarah objects to having Lisa and Crissy as our primary milk maids."
"No objections from me. The adults do cleanliness checks on a regular basis because we don't pasteurize the milk. Otherwise, the girls have the milking chore. Jenny and Sammy care for the horses, with occasional adult help with the mucking. The younger kids feed and water the chickens and gather the eggs. The older kids handle some of the pig chores, adults do the others. Jack and Joe are the usual ones who feed the wood-fired furnace in the basement, although several of the older girls can. They asked to learn how."
"Is there a reason some of the kids are armed and others are not?"
"Yes, Ibrahim. The kids must pass Joe's firearms safety course before they get range time. They must know the rules and they must follow the rules at all times. He's a good teacher but very strict. Those who learn and apply the rules get armed if we have a weapon that will fit that child's hand. Infractions are dealt with harshly. Severe enough and you're out of the course until it's run again. That will be this week for Miriam and the others. We might have one or two who've matured enough to try it again."
"Surely they can't do much damage with those toy guns."
"Not the one-shot damage your .44 can do, Ari, but five girls using those 'toy guns' stopped five raiders who parachuted to the roof here and tried to enter the house."
"Killed them?"
"No, Ari. I said 'stopped' because the raiders were alive and available for interrogation. That's much better than dead when you don't know who sent them. The kids have a hard time dealing with the fact that they did damage to someone - even some of the lower-than-dirt people they've had to shoot. I try to shield them from the necessity of killing someone but they could if needed. Do not be misled by the giggles and smiling faces. One of Tim's soldiers who'd seen them at the firing range described them as coral snakes - beautiful but deadly."
"We probably shouldn't be out exploring in the morning before you call us."
"We'll know if you are. Some of our hardware is old but very effective. Claymores. M1 with grenade launcher. WWII bazooka. BAR. Some of the surveillance hardware is very high tech. Some isn't. Tillie is an excellent watchdog and she wakes Sherry by pulling on her hand. That's truly a 'silent alarm'."
"Jack, I'm beginning to understand how you manage to thrive here. You have a working mix of 1850 and the 21st century and everyone is committed to making it work."
"Correct, Ibrahim. I should get Moses inside the barn. His Arctic clothing has been adequate for daytime temperatures but he'll need a more protected area during the night. Tim's troops have used a space in the barn where they built a room of hay bales and a tarp. It's reasonably warm if you have enough bodies in it. I'll check Moses' pockets and remove his belt and boots. I'll check his Arctic sleeping bag before I give it to him. He should be OK with that level of protection."
"What about blood in the sleeping bag?"
"I'll put him in a body bag but leave his head outside it. That also means no one here will have latrine duty with him."
"How the mighty have fallen."
---
Ibrahim and his retinue are in the mobile home. It was acceptably warm. The kids got their chapter of Dr. Dolittle and all are hugged and/or kissed. I don't remember hearing from Tim after I sent the info on Moses. To the radio. No lights. Check the emergency light that's also on that battery. It's good. Is the radio moved? Yes. A rawhide bone behind it? Was Tillie up here? She knows better. The power cable is disconnected. Plug it back in. Wait for the boot up display. Everything checks out. Multiple messages and data queued. Guess I wait. I'll go get Sherry. This needs to be resolved now.
'Sherry?'
'Yes, Poppa?'
'Need you in the kitchen. Tillie should also come.'
'Tillie?'
'I'll explain when we're downstairs.'
---
"First, Sherry, can you explain how Tillie's bone got behind the radio?"
"We were tossing it and she chased it between us. I had to pee and when I got back the others were gone. Tillie had her nose behind the radio and was trying to get on the counter. I told her 'No' and scolded her and she went and curled up by my bed. I didn't look behind the radio."
"I checked the radio because I didn't hear from the Colonel after I sent the info about Moses. We also didn't get a notice that Ibrahim was coming. I think you know how important this radio is to us - it's the only 'phone' we have. In the future, if you see anyone - including Tillie - moving the radio or touching the cables, tell me right away."
"I'm sorry, Poppa. I didn't think Tillie could hurt anything there."
"I put the power cable back in place and you can see in the display that we've missed multiple messages today."
"You need to tell everybody about watching the radio."
"I will. I just wanted to know what you and Tillie knew about it before I asked anyone else."
"Kiss me goodnight again?"
"Yes. I still love you. I'm just a little disappointed that multiple people were careless with something important. Up the stairs."
---
She's back in bed with a goodnight kiss and a back rub - sometimes that extra bit of contact is all she needs to go to sleep. And I've heard at least five "Bee-doop!" on my way up and down the stairs. Seems others did also.
"What's the deal with multiple messages, Jack?"
"Sarah, Joe. The kids were tossing Tillie's rawhide bone for her to chase it. It went behind the radio at some point. Tillie tried to get it. Sherry was in the bathroom when it happened and didn't know the bone was behind the radio. When she came out Tillie's nose was behind the radio and the other kids were gone. Sherry scolded Tillie and sent her upstairs. Tillie managed to disconnect the power cable while trying to get the bone. I wondered at Tim's lack of response to the incident with Moses and the lack of notification of Ibrahim's visit. So I checked the radio and found it off. And enough out of place that I looked behind it and found the start of my story."
"If any of us had been watching Tillie, she would have led us to the source of the problem."
"True, Sarah. But not true for the kids - and maybe they didn't want to admit throwing the bone in the house? Now to make note of what Tim has sent and see what else I should tell him."
Thumb drive in. "Data" light is flickering. Press "Options". Select "Messages". Select "Oldest First". Press "Save". Get "Options saved" on the display. Now to see the day in order. Press "Message".
{Jack. Watched the video - twice. If you need more Claymores, just say how many. Some of the people with Feldman are a bit too squeamish to deal with your interrogations. Feldman just commented "Miriam and Bina are in a safe place". If your family is involved, the best quality of any interrogation is that it's effective. If you're an ultra liberal, the interrogation should be polite. I think Feldman might have a different retinue very soon.
Bradford is running the scanned Chinese text pages through a pictogram OCR system - something he put together out of four laptops. In his words: "It's not a Cray but it's 20 times faster than I am". He's reading the German pages and dictating the English translation to another laptop while he waits for the Chinese translation.
I sent the pages about Wilborn and video of the sat phone conversation up both official and unofficial channels. Lots of CYA on the official channels. Lots of "Where's his office?" on the unofficial channels. You do know how to stir things up.
The baseball bat segment is one of my favorites. Feldman looked very thoughtful during that and asked me about it later. I told him it was one of the ways you helped the kids work out the hurts they'd received. He was mumbling "Genius! Absolute genius!" as he walked away. Part of the background I got on him was that he was a psychiatrist. I think you're uncovered a mental health professional who agrees with your empirical results.}
Press "Message".
{Jack. Feldman wants to meet Miriam and Bina. The pilot cautioned him that it was late for the trip over and back. I'm aware of the rotor clearance he's working with at your place and his choice to not fly after dark. Maybe they can use the mobile home or the hay bale room? Bag Moses and send him here on that helo when they leave. Bradford has some questions for Moses and we'll offer to let you or the new kids do the interrogation. Bradford told me I wasn't pronouncing a word correctly. What you do is "in-terror-gation". I can't argue the level of terror I've seen on some faces that encountered you and the kids with you.}
To the laptop and write up the "shaggy dog story". Now that things are resolved, I can laugh at that aspect of things.
'Moses is still alive but in a body bag to contain the blood and not require any of us to have latrine duty with him. He's in the hay bale room in Arctic clothing and sleeping bag so he doesn't freeze.. Feldman and company are in the mobile home. Miriam and Bina spent most of supper watching and listening to Feldman. They're now calling him "Uncle Ibrahim".'
I should ask Joe about how many Claymores are needed as replacements but that can be sent tomorrow. Save what's written to the thumb drive. Move it to the radio. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". Done.
It's a little early for me to be in bed. I'll give the not-politically-correct list another whirl. Nothing there. Or there. Or there. Faint Mandarin. Can I tune that better? Phase the antenna and sweep it 360 degrees. Strongest signal is to the east. Start recording this. That's just south of Tennessee Teacher. Is that patrol looking for Ephriam? The words "farm", "horses" and "goats" make me suspicious. Note the time, frequency and azimuth from here. Also the antenna phasing. I'll get this to Dawkins in the mor… No, I can get this to Childers now and he can set up a 24 hour monitor. Copy the audio I've recorded to a thumb drive. Print the page with details. Get my coat and the shotgun. Tablet in my coat pocket.
knock. knock.
"Yes?"
"I have some questions for you, Childers."
"Yes, sir."
---
There's now a monitor set up on that frequency with VOX so it will record when it detects voice. That will be forwarded to Bradford every hour. Excellent. We may not be ahead of the enemy but we'll be even or very close to even. Back to the house. The number of stars is amazing when there is no light pollution. Losing the view of the stars may one of the few downsides of getting power back on.
Send this to Tim. Note that Childers has a VOX watch on the frequency and everything recorded on that frequency will be sent to Bradford every hour. Nothing else I can do about that. Time to fill the firebox and then get my body ready for bed.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:29:45 GMT -6
Tuesday, 4 January, 4:20AM
Let go of my hand! You're wet! What? Where am I? Oh. It's not a dream. Tillie has my hand and is pulling me out of bed. Clothes. Boots. Glock. Coat. Now to follow Tillie to the back door. Nice to have a full moon. There's smoke coming from the barn!
"Sarah!"
"I've had better wake ups."
"There's smoke coming from the barn. I searched Moses and his clothes and sleeping bag so I don't know what he might have used to start a fire. You wake Joe. I'll wake Bill and Hazel as I go out. See if we have enough hoses to reach from the kitchen to the barn. If so, we have almost 400 gallons of water to use. I could use the frontloader to dump snow on any area I can reach that way. Grab an FRS radio and I'll keep you informed as I go."
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Bill!"
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Bill!"
"I'm coming. Where's the fire?"
"Smoke coming from the barn."
"I'll run a hose from here. Faster than from the house. You think Moses…"
"Probably did something stupid. If the fire is small, maybe you can contain it while I get the frontloader and dump snow on the fire. If he's awake and ready to shoot, the bucket on the frontloader provides a little protection."
"I'll get the barn door."
---
"Help!"
"Who's there?"
"Moses. I was cold and started a little fire on the floor. Now it's on my sleeping bag! Help me!"
"I'll save the barn and the animals first. If it saves you, that's just collateral saving."
"No! Me first!"
"No, first the animals that feed us and the barn that protects them."
"No! I'll die!"
"And I care? You out here, Bill?"
"Hay bale room. Stupid was cold and used steel handcuffs against concrete for sparks to start a fire but when he was asleep it reached his sleeping bag."
"Then this is what he needs"
"No! I'll smoth…"
"Should we dig his head out, Jack?"
"I halfway promised Tim he could have Moses later today."
"Guess we should. How much snow?"
"Maybe six inches when spread this far."
---
"I'll sue! You tried to smother me! I'll have your farm!"
"I put out the fire you started. Starting fires on other people's property is arson. That's another charge to be added to a very long list. Did you know the military uses firing squads now? I'm sure they'll tie you to the stake so you don't fall down until dead. You're probably cold again. I think you should be chained in the middle of this cleared area. The only thing you can burn here is yourself."
"You can't do this! I have rights!"
"You may get a choice of ways to die. You forfeited your rights to life or anything else when you put your sights on one of my kids."
---
"Back to bed, Jack?"
"Not for me, Bill. It's almost time to feed the furnace and do other morning things. Go enjoy 30 minutes of LP heated snooze."
Frontloader back to the Quonset hut. Back to the house. It's 24 out here. Down to the basement and refill the firebox. Up to the kitchen and start a pot of coffee plus water for other hot drinks. Go tell my wife what we found.
"Nice that the FRS was on VOX. I heard everything where you were. What about Moses?"
"He used the steel of the handcuffs against the concrete floor to create sparks and got some dry straw started. His 'little' fire got away from him when he went to sleep and was working its way up his sleeping bag when he woke up. The smoldering sleeping bag was the source of most of the smoke. Bill got the burning/smoldering straw with a hose he pulled from the bunkhouse. I got the fire on the sleeping bag and any possible long-term smoldering fabric with a bucket of snow. I'm sure Moses will be 'cold' again soon."
"Why was he on the concrete floor?"
"I didn't ask. He would have been fine on the hay bale bed where we initially put him. He's now chained to the center of a large cleared space. If he sets the sleeping bag on fire again, he can go up with it. Remember to caution everyone that we'll have limited water until the pump enclosure warms up enough to run the pump. It was 24 when I checked the thermometer on the porch. We will be able to pump water later today. The kids can do outside chores and they will get to play in the snow after lunch."
"They'll probably want the sleds. You know that Paige and Rachel will want you to let them 'run away' again. I think that's the most fun either of them has had in a while. Even with snow in their noses, mouths and ears they both came out of the snowbank laughing and giggling. Thinking back, they both loved the kiddie roller coaster so the sled is just a bigger version of that - and with snow."
"On a totally different topic, Sarah. When do you plan to trim the new kids' hair? I've seen your 'that needs fixing' expression when you look at them. And do you have a book of samples of 'very short but girly' hair styles?"
"Jack, I think you're leaning to read me as well as you read the kids. There are some old 'fashion' magazines in the attic. Some of the styles are dated but others are timeless - especially kids' hair styles. It's a matter of what looks best on each kid. A couple of those faces would look best framed with longer hair than they have but a more even trim and a little shaping would be better than the chopped off look they have now. Miriam may want something that requires some effort to look its best but the others will probably gravitate to something that can be toweled dry and maybe touched up with a brush or comb. They're approaching the age of being interested in their appearance but most of them are likely to trade appearance for more time to 'learn' or 'do'. Go wake your kids."
---
They're all up and headed downstairs. Got some panicked expressions when my response to "The water sounds funny" was "We're almost out of water" and that I'd explain later. They were much quieter than usual going down the stairs.
"'Splain about the water?"
"Rachel, the one we captured yesterday was in the barn so he'd be out of the wind and snow. He was on a hay bale bed which is warmer than the floor but he said he was cold so he made a fire on the concrete floor of the barn. When he went to sleep, the fire made its way to his sleeping bag. Tillie woke me up and took me to the back door where I could see smoke coming from the barn. I woke Sarah, she woke Joe, and I woke Bill and Hazel as I went to the barn. Bill brought a hose and doused most of the fire. I used the frontloader to put a bucket of snow on the burning/smoldering sleeping bag. The fire was out but most of our stored water was used for fighting the fire. Remember that the pump is outside because that's where the well is. When the pump warms up enough, we'll run it and refill the water barrels in the basement. Until then, we'll be careful with how much water we use."
"So not like when the County water went off and they gave out bottles at the park?"
"No, sweetie. Not like that at all. Come here for a hug. We must wait for things to warm up to have water at a faucet but we could go use the bucket at the old well. You OK now?"
"You telling how things work and your hugs fix most things, Daddy."
"Assistant cooks. I think this might be another day for omelets…"
"Yes!"
And they're back to almost normal. Water availability has been a major concern for some of these kids for months. Assurance that they would be able to find water was one of the reasons for having LifeStraws in the backpacks of those who went to the hydro plant. Having them keep up with that assurance was another piece of learning to be self-sufficient. It doesn't matter that only mine was opened so they could see and try how it worked. Now they know how to use it and that it works. Tossing some dirt in the water meant I had the opportunity to demonstrate using a coffee filter or a piece of tightly woven cloth to filter out "big" pieces before they got in the LifeStraw. The idea of drinking something that started out looking so bad got comments of "Yuck!" and "Eww!" but also surprised comments about "It doesn't taste like dirt".
knock. knock.
"Yes?"
"Permission to enter?"
"Where'd that come from, Ibrahim?"
"Hearing a diesel engine running in the wee hours of the morning and seeing you outside with that shotgun over your shoulder. I also noticed the water was running more slowly than last night."
"Moses started a fire to stay warm. Not a great idea in a barn. He went to sleep. The fire spread to his sleeping bag. Tillie woke me by grabbing my hand and trying to pull me out of the bed. I dressed and went with her. I saw smoke coming from the barn so woke the other adults. Bill took a hose to the barn and doused the straw. I used the frontloader to dump snow on the smoldering sleeping bag."
"So you're out of water?"
"Not out. Just a limited supply until the pipe to the battery powered pump thaws and we can refill the barrels in the basement and elsewhere. Less than three hours to refill everything but we may need to run the charger to bring the house and bunkhouse battery banks back to full charge."
"Anything we can do to help?"
"It's warm enough for the kids to do their chores. After breakfast Amelia and Alicia will set the charger up and it can run while they 'teach'. When the board class takes a break, the 'A' team will check battery status and move the charger if that battery bank is charged. Otherwise, they'll check again at lunch."
"You have little girls doing that?"
"They helped build the charger and they wrote the manual for it. Other than needing help getting the engine cranked when the temperature is below freezing, they can do what's needed."
"I'm beginning to see why these kids work so willingly. You treat them as responsible people, not just 'kids'."
"The biggest limit on what most kids can do is the limited expectations of the adults around them."
"Thank you, Dr. Wilson. The thesis for my doctorate was about a person's performance being limited by the lack of expectations of the people around them. You just condensed many pages into one sentence. You may not have a degree in a mental health field but you certainly have the knowledge to do the work."
"Just doing what worked for my kids."
"It obviously works for these kids as well."
---
"Kids, remember that the person responsible for each inside and outside chore may change when some of you are 'teaching'. That will continue through at least Thursday and maybe Friday. I'll tell you if we finish everything on Thursday."
"Yes, Daddy. Do we take care of the charger?"
"No, Jenny. The 'A' team will check that on their breaks and at lunch. When the pump warms up enough to be run, it will be on for at least two hours so the charger might be needed until lunch."
"OK."
"Teachers and students. Get your coats. Those with weapons will go armed."
"Gotta tell Uncle Ibrahim 'bye' first."
"OK, Bina. And Miriam. But I think he might want to see how this classroom is configured so he can be sure the one they plan to use will work as well."
"OK."
"Jack, you're not using the overhead fluorescent lights."
"Think of our circumstances and the tiny solar power system provided on this trailer. Two 40 watt bulbs in each of eight fixtures add up to 640 watts. We could only use those lights if we ran a generator continuously. The kids discovered that a mix of directional lighting and lower level area lighting works best for seeing the position of the chip to be inserted and its pins. The lower level lighting out here is 40 watt equivalent LED bulbs in the wall fixtures plus a few drop lights. The directional lighting is a 60 watt equivalent LED bulb in the articulated light at each workstation. The '40 watt' LED uses about 6 watts. The '60 watt' LED uses about 8 watts. With all the LED bulbs on out here, the load is around 100 watts. Just 25 percent more than a single fluorescent fixture. One 100 watt solar panel can almost keep up with that load on a sunny day. The lights do get turned off when they go to lunch so all the solar energy goes to recharge the battery bank."
"You've made the mental leap to 'very limited power'. Many of us are in military facilities that have their own power. Being here was good just to remind me that commercial power isn't available in most of the world. I'll make certain that those planning new facilities also remember that. We'll take Moses to the Colonel. I think he'll fit in the cargo area."
"I didn't think he'd be flying first class."
"Still better than he deserves but there's no place to tie him to the outside of the helo. Continue to take good care of our future, Jack."
"I will, Ibrahim."
---
I should go check the pump enclosure. The sooner we can start pumping water to in-use storage, the happier I'll be. Get my coat.
"Kids. I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm going out to check whether the pump is warm enough to be run."
"OK."
It's 37 in the enclosure. Turn the switch to "On". Pump's running. I hear water hitting the ground. There's a short hose out the kitchen window of the mobile home. One of Ibrahim's people is a mole.
I remember seeing a program on forensic technology where they heated cyanoacrylate glue to bring up fingerprints on a plastic garbage bag. Will that work on plastic water hose? We'll see. Inside to turn the water off. Pliers to touch as little of the hose as possible while unscrewing it. There's a metal drum that we use for burning trash. Put some of the glue in a bottle cap. Put a can of Sterno under it. Drape the hose over a dowel wedged near the top of the barrel. Cover it with a piece of scrap metal roofing. Light the Sterno. I have no idea how long it needs so set my alarm for 20 minutes and see if all the glue has evaporated then?
Back to the kids.
"Mister Jack?"
"Yes, Miriam?"
"When do we switch out on the board testing again?"
"After lunch. Someone wants to be next?"
"Me."
"OK, Judy. Tell me about what you've been doing so far today."
---
Judy will be on the boards a little longer. It's good that she wants to learn more but she needs to be able to do the chip replacement without constant referral to the chart. Wait a minute! I think one of Ibrahim's people is a mole. Did she recognize him and she's too upset to do good work?
"Judy?"
"Yes, Mister Jack?"
"I think something or someone scared you. Do you need lap and shoulder time?"
"Un huh!"
"Other kids. Take a break. There are different goodies today. Remember to save some for Judy. 'A' team. Check the charger."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
"Yes, Daddy."
"If I'm not back in 15 minutes, continue with what you were working on. Judy, get your coat."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
---
"It's not cozy warm in here but you can unzip your coat. Come sit in my lap and talk to me."
"It-It-It's Ari! He was on the blue buses with us sometimes! He was one of the 'teachers' at the Vatican!"
"Head on my shoulder. I have a towel so you can cry it out. I'll tell the Colonel and Ari will be stopped."
She's talking between sobs. I expected the stomach upset and it's just at the "My tummy doesn't feel good" level. He did more to her than she's admitted but she is telling about him. Maybe another session to get there. Need to add what she's told me to my notes for Ephriam when I type them up for Tim. She's had a 20 minute nap. She needs more but I think she'll be OK to be back in "class".
"Hi, Judy."
"Hi, new Daddy. Nice wake up. If we go with Bina, will her Grandpa wake us like that?"
"You should ask Bina how he wakes her."
"OK."
"Think you can go back to 'class'?"
"Un huh. You do good lap time."
"Get your coat."
---
The kids started back on their own. As I expected - they are great kids. The charger was moved to the bunkhouse. The pump is still running. When pump shuts off, I'll check the charge level at the house and see whether the charger needs to be moved back there.
All the morning chores were done. I should take time to write up the mole… No, first I should check for finger prints. Lid back on the Sterno can. Cover off the barrel. Let the hose cool to ensure I don't smear any prints that might now be visible - cooling won't take long out here. A pencil in each end of the hose and lift it out. I see something oval near each end of the hose. I think we have fingerprints. I did bring the phone out with me. Turn the hose for the best view of each print. Six pictures later I have all I can find. This piece of hose to a cabinet in the barn. Don't think it will be needed but just in case. In the house. Do the writeup. Transfer the pictures. Update the file for Ephriam. Save all those things to a thumb drive. To the radio. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile" and "SendImages". Done. Encrypt the file for Ephriam. Done. My nose is telling me lunch is near. Back to the board class and tell the kids to get to a stopping place.
"Daddy?"
"You sound scared, Maddie. What is it?"
"The water is kinda green."
"What?"
"I'll put some in a glass. See?"
"I see. Did any of you drink the water?"
"No, Daddy."
"No, Mister Jack."
"We need to check with Hazel about any water she may have used for lunch. Get your coats."
---
Hazel only used water from the faucet for the veggies. Until I find whether it's safe for the animals, that will be in a separate can. We won't be washing dishes either. Tim needs to know.
PreSel 911.
{This is Jack Wilson. Stop the foreign minister and detain his people. Ari was part of the blue bus network and a "teacher" at the Vatican. Someone contaminated our water supply with what looks like a copper compound. I'm in "shoot first" mode.}
{I'll get the Colonel. Doubletime.}
{I was informed on the run back over here, Jack. We're refueling the helo. They will NOT be leaving soon. The hazmat team will be on the helo again. When they determine what's in your water, there are several options for cleaning it. We have reverse osmosis filters that remove everything but they require more power than your biggest generator can provide. There may be some ceramic water filters and possibly a Berkey filter in what was sent to you. The Berkey is best for drinking and cooking. The ceramic might be OK, depending on what the contaminant is. Check any unopened boxes. I'll have someone checking here as well. If you saw color in a glass of water, then your inside storage barrels will need to be cleaned or replaced. If you find the filters there, you'd be OK for drinking and cooking until the hazmat team can determine what it is. But you also need water for animals, bathing and washing clothes. You might be tapping the pond. Ari is in cuffs. Ibrahim is pissed that someone is trying to hurt kids in his family. The pilot saw what you'd done to Moses when he was taken out of the cargo area. Said pilot asked to borrow some dry BDU's after I told him he was taking the hazmat team back to you. Don't know if he's involved or just that scared. ETA is 30 minutes.}
{I'll check the landing area. I'll have an FRS radio if they need to contact me. Remind the hazmat team that I can't provide clean water this trip.}
"Can they fix it, Daddy?"
"Probably, Alicia. While we wait on them, I want all the older kids armed and in coats. We'll be looking through any unopened boxes in the barn, in the trailers in the barn and then in the trailers in the Quonset hut. I'd like the adults to look for any type of water purification equipment in the attics of the house and bunkhouse."
"Do we need the LifeStraws?"
"Good thinking, Michelle, but we don't need them yet. If the hazmat team can't clean the well and the pump and the barrels, we might be using those. If you're thirsty now, we have milk that's safe to drink. There's also coffee for the adults and there might be some water in the tea kettle or pot on the stove.
"You said 'yet'."
"If the hazmat team can't make the well water safe to drink, we'll get water from the pond. That will need to be filtered and boiled and possibly some other things."
"What are we looking for in the barn and the trailers?"
"Charlie, anything that has 'filter' or 'Berkey' - spelled 'B-e-r-k-e-y' - on it. If it has 'water' on it, ask an adult to verify what it is."
"I'm ready!"
"Me too!"
"Me!"
"A 'you can get hurt' reminder. If you hear a helo, do NOT go outside to look. There's very little clearance for the pilot to land where he was before and there's no room for anyone to be in the yard. Any looking will be through a window."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
The kids are dispersed to the various locations and I hear the helo in the distance. Better to be landing here today than in the wind and blowing snow of not that many days ago.
"Mr. Wilson! I'm a charter pilot! I know nothing about the people I fly! Please don't kill me!"
"What's your name, pilot?"
"Jason Parker, sir."
"Can anyone vouch for your story?"
"I have paperwork in the bird. It's not much but it's all I have."
"Show me."
"This says 'four passengers'. I only saw three."
"There were only the three in the cabin with me. The one they called 'Ari' had some big luggage. Maybe they said four passengers to compensate for that?"
"Where's the luggage?"
"The big green piece was still in the helo when I did the preflight."
"Let's look at that piece. Joe, I need backup."
Ker-slack!
"You got it."
"Jack, that's a place to hide for hours!"
"Yes, Joe, and there's evidence that someone did just that. We may have an unwanted visitor on the property. Corral all the kids. Treat this as a 3AM intrusion. Shoot first and question the survivors, if any. I'll warn the hazmat team. Jason, where are the keys to the helo?"
"In my pocket."
"In my pocket now. You weapons qualified on anything?"
"No."
"Joe, get him in the root cellar with the others. I'll get back to my tablet and see what I can find."
While I'm inside, I'll update Tim.
PreSel 407.
{This is Jack Wilson. Is the Colonel there?}
{I'm here, Jack. I don't think the hazmat team would have an answer this fast so what else have you found?}
{Ari had a big piece of luggage in the cargo area of the helo. Big enough for someone to travel in. There's evidence it's been used recently. I suspect we have an unwanted visitor on the property. We're in lockdown and "shoot first" modes.}
{I think you'll have an answer soon, Jack. Ibrahim asked to borrow a shotgun and enough troops to hold Ari down.}
{The pilot is Jason Parker. See if you can find anything on him. He might be the terrified charter pilot he appears to be.}
{Ibrahim seems to be in "in-terror-gation" mode. I heard the 12 gauge and then a scream. There it goes again. You probably heard that one.}
{I heard. Good for Ibrahim. I see one of the hazmat team coming this way. Damn! He's down. Either a silenced weapon or something at a distance.}
{They have vests with plates under the hazmat suits. He may only be bruised. Get your own vest on before you go to him.}
{I won't be going. Joe used the frontloader's bucket as a shield and he's with him now. I saw a "thumbs up" from your man so he's not seriously injured.}
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
That's from the window Amelia is at. What do the cameras show out from there? That's an odd shadow. Not a shadow - someone in Arctic camouflage. She must have seen the shadow as he left that tree. A vest is good but it doesn't protect your knees. One bullet in one knee would slow or stop most people. I'd be willing to guess that half or more of those bullets found their marks. The snow's a little deep for dragging yourself through solely with your arms. I could let him bleed out, but I want to know who, from where, who he reports to and what he put in the water. I should update Tim.
{Amelia saw someone moving and took out one or both knees. I'll get the Barrett and be in position on the porch roof to watch for unfriendly motion. If you'd notify your troops to ask Amelia where the shooter is.}
{Sergeant Hastings is on his way to the door.}
Knock. Knock.
"Hastings?"
"Yes, sir. The Colonel said the young lady could show me where the shooter is?"
"Come upstairs with me."
"Sir."
---
"Amelia."
"Daddy!"
"I'll hold you but the sergeant needs to know where the shooter is."
"At the second fence across the road. Where there are three trees. He's under the one on the left."
"Let me get my binoculars. You're right. Did he drag himself with his arms?"
"Un huh. I shot both knees. Daddy always wants to ask them questions and he told me that killing someone is harder to deal with than just stopping them."
"Your Daddy is a very wise man and you are a very brave young lady, Annie Oakley."
"Annie Oakley, Daddy?"
"A famous female sharpshooter from a previous century. That's a big compliment."
"Thank you."
"We'll bring him in sir. I don't think you could manage the Barrett and the young lady at the same time. I'm not a sniper but I did qualify as 'expert' with a rifle. If he's in range of a .22, I should be able to do a center mass shot without practice."
"Just remember to be prone. Even with the excellent shoulder pad, this thing can floor the unsuspecting first time shooter."
"Sir."
{Hazmat team. This is Hastings. I'm on the roof with a .50. Approach the shooter slowly. His legs don't work but he still has his hands.}
And I should use the FRS radio to inform my crew.
{Everyone. This is Jack. Amelia stopped the shooter. I have Amelia. The Sergeant is on the porch roof with the Barrett. His team is going to collect the shooter. Stay in place until I say otherwise.}
{Sarge. He appears to be unconscious from blood loss. He's cuffed. Jenkins did first aid and we're headed back. Where do we take him?}
"Sir?"
"The hay bale room in the barn. Easier to clean up than anywhere else. I'll send my wife and her aunt to assist Jenkins."
"Sir."
{The shooter is secured and headed for the barn. Kids back in the house. Sarah and Hazel to the barn in case you're needed. Joe and Bill. I have Amelia and I'm on my way to the mobile home. You check for other kids needing a hug or lap time.}
"It's not cold?"
"Amelia, Ibrahim and his people stayed there last night. Judy was out there to talk with me earlier today. It's not cold. I think you need a long time in my lap."
"Un huh! And a nap on your shoulder?"
"Just some 'awake' time. I want to interrogate the one you shot. I'd like to get there before the hazmat team chops him into little pieces."
"Huh?"
"He shot at one of them - but they have vests with plates under the hazmat suits. He probably has a bruise but he's still walking on his own."
"What about the one I shot?"
"I don't know. Sarah and Hazel went to help the medic. The guy was in the snow a long time after he was shot because he'd shot at the soldiers and they approached him very carefully. Carefully also means slowly."
"He's dead?"
"Amelia!"
"Why'd you yell at me, Daddy?"
"I don't want you in hiccups or worse and you're not listening to me. You asked about him and I answered that I don't know. Asking 30 seconds later if he's dead hasn't changed what I know. Up and shoes and so forth. Then another hug. Then your coat and we'll go check on the shooter."
"Yes, Daddy. Sometimes you just hafta get my attention."
"I know, shortstuff."
---
The tattoos identify where he's from and who he's working for. I'll send pictures to Tim and he can pass them up the line. While Amelia got her calming down, the hazmat team identified copper sulphate. One gram can make an adult sick and ten grams can kill him. Much smaller doses to harm kids. They do have a formula for a chemical that will break it down to a relatively benign precipitate that can be filtered out of the water. While I took care of Amelia, Sarah and Hazel did some patching on the shooter. He won't be leaving under his own power but he will soon be strong enough for me to start an interrogation. Some of that has already been started because the soldiers guarding him were discussing whether I'd do what I did to Moses or start with his hands. Once all the kids were calmed - some needing more time and attention than others - they started back on the filter search.
One of the kids noticed "filter" on a box and when Bill opened it he found a Sawyer Products SP191 Point Zero Two Purifier Kit. The box has a $129.95 price sticker from REI. The filter needs a food grade 5 gallon or so bucket but we have those. It can do up to 170 gallons a day by gravity or can be connected to a faucet. Recommended pressure for a pump is 60 psi or less. Our primary 12 volt pump is spec'd at 25 psi, so we might get very clean water at four gallons a minute. Hastings says the copper sulphate molecules are bigger than the 0.02 micron filter element in that filter. We could use it on the contaminated water if we just used it for drinking and cooking but that filter would need back flushing frequently. If they can find the chemicals to precipitate the copper sulphate out of the well water, I'll add some of the slow sand filters that we used on the rainwater to the output of the pump to collect any bits of the precipitate that remain. I'll add a layer or two of landscape cloth to catch the worst of the precipitate. They'll be easy enough to change - and that change will be needed less frequently than the back flush of the Sawyer filter would be needed. The chemicals to precipitate the copper sulphate can also be used in the barrels and the precipitate should be small enough particles to run out through the hoses when we drain each barrel. I'll run that water through a filter to catch the precipitate and then use it for the animals. I do NOT want to dump six or seven hundred gallons of water if we can make use of it anywhere.
Back inside to pass along what I know to Tim. The Barrett is on the counter with the action open - my reminder that it doesn't need cleaning. That should be back in the case. I see the others had sandwiches and milk for lunch.
"Shortstuff?"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"PB&J OK for a late lunch?"
"With chocolate milk?"
"If we still have chocolate."
"We can't grow that, can we?"
"No. We'd need a very warm greenhouse and lots of light - and the seeds. None of which we have."
"So that's one of the things that will run out soon if we don't have power and oil to make diesel for the ships that bring the chocolate to us?"
"Not chocolate. Cocoa beans. They're very bitter. They go through many steps to make chocolate candy or the cocoa powder we use for chocolate milk and hot chocolate."
"So lots of things must be working and lots of people are needed who know how to do things. Is chocolate in 'How Things Work'?"
"Finish lunch and you may go look. If not, check the encyclopedia in the bookcase. I might have something about it on a CD."
"But that encyclopedia is almost as old as Momma is!"
"And your mother never had chocolate when she was a kid?"
"She did. She told me about getting it on her white Easter dress when she was four 'cause she couldn't wait to eat the chocolate bunny's ears. I guess chocolate could be there. Some things don't change much in how they're made?"
"Some things don't. They find new ways of combining things with chocolate - like bacon - but I think you'll find the process from bean to bar is much the same as it was when the encyclopedia was published."
"It's so old it probably even has stuff about farming with horses."
"You should look. It might make you almost as knowledgeable about that as Jenny is. If power isn't restored to most of the country, we could be farming with horses in a very few years."
"I'll go look."
---
Amelia's buried in 'How Things Work' and three volumes of the encyclopedia. Incredibly good researcher when her interest is piqued. I also have research to do. I'll be using the 12 gauge instead of a book.
"Will he live, Jenkins?"
"Ten minutes ago, I would have said 'Yes'. Now that you're here, that will depend on whether you believe his answers."
"That's all I need to know."
"Get away from me! I have immunity! I have rights!"
"You tried to kill my kids and me and my wife and her family and some kids who are staying with us. You already know that you're not immune to bullets. At this point you have no rights but you might get to choose how you die."
"You can't touch me!"
"I don't have to. The one that shot you is a nine year old girl. How's it feel to be taken down by a kid? You don't need to know which one. She's not the only good shot in the group. "
"What are you gonna do to me?"
"You probably heard about or saw Moses. It seems you should have asked for a urinal. That wet spot will be cold very soon. I brought my favorite interrogation tool. It's loaded with buckshot. My rules are very simple. I put the barrel against some body part you might want to keep and then I ask a question. If you don't answer or I don't believe your answer, I pull the trigger and we move to another body part. I don't know if there's an orthopedic hospital with power anywhere so I guess your knees may heal stiff and more-or-less straight. But you'll be able to shuffle along because you still have your feet. Remember Moses? Did you notice the empty place where his feet once were? I want you to remember that."
Ker-slack!
"The barrel is on your left foot. I'll ask questions and you'll give answers. As I said before, if you don't answer my question or I don't believe you, I'll pull the trigger and then move on the next question and another body part. I think you should have asked for the bed pan also. That can wait. Who are you, who do you work for, where are they and what did you put in the water?"
"The Colonel has orders…"
Boom!
Ker-slack!
"You don't have a left foot. The barrel is on your right foot. Once again. Who are you, who do you work for, where are they and what's in the water?"
"Cardinal Leo Valenchi. The Pope and the Emperor of China. Copper sulphate in the water - enough to kill all of you and all your animals! The Pope is trapped in the Vatican. The Emperor is leading the Chinese Army that is coming to rescue the Pope. They have submarines in the Mediterranean. They will destroy your Seventh Fleet!"
"You people are beginning to believe your own propaganda. The Seventh Fleet with some additional hunter-killer subs sank seven Chinese subs earlier today and captured three more. The Captains and intel officers of the captured subs have been very informative."
"They are loyal to the Emperor. They would never tell!"
"Remember the shotgun barrel on your second foot? They were no braver than you. Tell me which subs you think were there and I'll tell you which of them were destroyed and which survived."
And he tells all he knows. Not a great deal but probably more than we knew before. Good that I had the phone with me. I'll send the video the Tim and he can pass it along. Much faster than transcribing this conversation from memory.
"Jenkins."
"Sir?"
"Take care of what's left of his foot. Tim may want to speak with him."
"Sir."
I hear a small helo. It's dropping off a half dozen buckets.
"Things you need to clean the water, Hastings?"
"Yes sir. Chemicals scrounged from a seed and feed, a veterinary clinic and a lawn maintenance truck. We should be well along with the well cleaning in an hour or so. We'll put together batches of the chemical mix the right size for a 55 gallon barrel. Those will need about 30 minutes to take effect. We'll leave the unused chemicals and the formula in case you find other water that needs cleaning - maybe a stock tank or something?"
"We don't have any of those in use outside at the moment but he could have left a 'surprise' in some or all of them. Do you think the helo has room to take the shooter?"
"There's a basket on the other side. It's a windy ride but he does get to fly. I'll send a couple of men to get him."
---
Back inside. It seems that our board "class" is in session with Sarah keeping watch. Maddie has two students to fill the gap with Amelia out for calming. I'll see if she's ready to go back there after their afternoon break. Back in the house and to the laptop. Compose the message to Tim. Cover all the things I remember and what's noted on paper. Note that the "Cardinal" is on his way. Include the video. Save it to the thumb drive. To the radio. PreSel 407. Press "SendFiles" and "SendImages". And that's done.
Wait for Hastings to bring the clean up mix in barrel-size quantities. Plan for that cleaning process while I wait. The hose out the window of the mobile home gives me an idea. I can put some of the 55 gallon barrels in the bucket of the frontloader. I can use the hoses that go out to the laundry area to take the water from the barrels in the basement and the little water heater out to the barrels in the frontloader. At almost 500 lb for a filled barrel, I can easily move three barrels at a time with the frontloader. The water can go into the cistern behind the barn. It's normally used for rain capture but there'll be no water going to it until we have a thaw. It's used for the animals so this is a good use of the water. I can flush the bunkhouse barrels by running a hose from there to the cistern and letting the pump run long enough to move that many barrels of water. My afternoon is planned out for me. Possibly into the evening but that will require careful monitoring of the temperature in the pump enclosure. The freeze protection hardware needs to be installed. I'll see how Amelia is. Having something to "do" will probably help her with winding down from shooting someone.
---
Freeze protection is now in place. Amelia almost understood the wiring from the research she and Alicia did in "How Things Work" and the encyclopedia. Pretty good for a couple of nine year olds without access to the internet. She's almost smiling. That's good. She needed the additional one-on-one time even it was time together outside in the cold.
Hastings brought me the bags of chemical mix. To the basement, then the bunkhouse, then the mobile home, then the classroom and the one room school. By the time the chemical is in all the barrels, the 30 minutes for the first barrel will likely be up. While I wait, I'll get the other barrels and the frontloader in place near the laundry area. I've been appreciably more than 30 minutes getting this done - and Amelia has enjoyed doing the plumbing and other things she can manage. The pump enclosure is at 38 degrees. Turn that switch to "On". And I hear water going through the sand filter. At four gallons per minute, the 400 gallons in the basement will be flushed out in less than two hours. Send Amelia in to turn on the faucets feeding the hoses to the laundry area. And I hear water going into the barrels in the frontloader's bucket. Those faucets will be turned off when the barrels in the bucket are full. That's three 55 gallon barrels so 165 gallons total, being filled at four gallons a minute - that's a little over 40 minutes to fill them. That water will be taken to the cistern and then the process repeated twice more to have a single complete flush of the barrels in the basement. Then repeat at the bunkhouse and the other places - at long as the pump is warm enough to be run. For the last 150 or so gallons in the basement, I'll use some inline hose filters intended for use with pressure washers. They will catch any remaining precipitate in the barrels and everything after that should be clean. Hastings left some test kits to check whether the water is drinkable and how much precipitate remains in it. He said to use the ceramic filter for drinking and cooking water for a few days - until most of the precipitate has worked its way out of the well. If the water doesn't taste good, use the Berkey or even a Brita filter pitcher to remove the taste. Yet another thing or two to deal with but we're not boiling water from the pond to make it drinkable. Thinking about "something in the water" - did Sarah ever ask Hazel about whether GG-183 might have advanced puberty in the younger girls? Make a paper note and ask later.
Time to check the barrels in the frontloader. I see water running out of one of them - guess it's been more than 40 minutes. Faucets to the laundry hoses off. Coat on and back outside. I won't disturb Amelia - she's found something to take notes about. She'll have questions later. To the cistern. Dump this water. Back to the laundry area. Inside and just the cold faucet on now. I'll let the hot faucet run a little while on the last pass to ensure the water heater is clean.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, full-of-questions Amelia with pages of notes in hand?"
"You're silly!"
"Sometimes my serious kids need a little silly."
"Maybe I do. I was reading about horse farming and tractor farming. A tractor can plow and do other stuff a lot faster than horses. Does that mean we'd go hungry if we hafta use the horses to pull the plows and stuff?"
"Not hungry. You wouldn't have as much of some of your favorite foods because we'd be growing the things that produced the most food on the least amount of tilled ground. All of us, adults and kids, would be working long hours. From before sunup to care for the animals then to the fields until sundown then caring for the animals again…"
"Even Paige?"
"Yes. An adult or two would be with the horse or horses pulling the plow. Younger kids would be getting stones out of the field. Older ones planting seeds or maybe small plants started in the greenhouse. Eat lunch and everyone back to work until dark. Maybe take Sunday off from farming but the animal chores still must be done. During growing season, someone pulling or chopping weeds every day. Enough acres to feed this many people means there will always be weeds to deal with. If we get enough rain, we won't need to irrigate. If not, we'd be getting some water from the pond to water the most critical crops - for us and the animals…"
"Stop! We'd have food but life would be very hard."
"Yes to both of those. That's the life that was lived here in 1850. The story repeats in Jenny's 'Family History'. It might not be the life we would have chosen, but we can survive that way if we must. You need at least a hug and maybe some lap time."
"Both!"
"In my lap. Goodnight kiss on your nose."
Two minutes and she's asleep. She needed a long nap after the shooting but I was needed elsewhere. 30 minutes and I'll wake her so I can go back to being the "water boy". Need to also flush the little water heater and the cold water line upstairs. And the water heater in the bunkhouse. More paper notes. Do those things when I wake Amelia then go outside and move barrels.
---
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Amelia also needs room to stretch so the gentle alarm clock for her.
"Hi, shortstuff."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up! I feel better now."
"I thought you needed nap time earlier but I was needed outside. You did get to finish that nap."
"You're the best Daddy ever!"
"But you don't know all the other Daddies in the world."
"You're the best Daddy in my world."
"I love you too."
"I know."
"You want to go and see if you're needed in the classroom? I have barrels to move so I can pump more water to clean the barrels, hoses and water heaters in the house."
"I'll get my coat and go check."
"Wait while I flush the water heater and the hoses upstairs and I'll walk with you. We're still doing 'no kid outside alone'."
"OK."
---
The upstairs lines got their flush - as did the toilet that someone forgot. Amelia is back in the classroom and I'm moving barrels. It's 42 in the pump enclosure. I might get everything flushed today. Even with the sunshine, I should check the house battery bank after I park the frontloader at the laundry area again and start the water running into the barrels in its bucket. We don't usually have multiple pumps running for hours.
Down to 80 per cent. Two pumps will be running for at least another hour. Need the charger. Get it and the sound cover out of the shed. Top off the gas tank. I need to refill the gallon gas can the kids can handle. The five gallon can is also close to empty. Get the charger connected and running, then back to fill gas cans. Charger's running. Both cans in the wheelbarrow. To the overhead tank. Put about four and a half gallons in the five gallon can so it can easily be used to refill the smaller can. Fill the gallon can about 90 percent. Not likely to have expansion from heating this week but that's a good habit to have. Back to the shed. Gas cans inside on the shelf. Wheelbarrow against the wall. Did I just see a rat? Yes. Don't really want to shoot him but this pitchfork looks sharp…
Got him!
Not sure if the pigs will eat him so into the compost pile. To the chemicals area of the barn. Several types of rat poison. Best to have something that isn't attractive to kids. I think this will work. Start in the shed and then around all the other buildings? I'll ask Bill. He has more recent experience than the rest of us.
---
"A rat, you say? This will work well and while the smell attracts rats, it also keeps most kids away. I've seen you moving water to the cistern. You go take care of that. I'll get with Joe and we'll take care of the rats. I'll also take my Judge pistol with some .410 birdshot shells in it for any live ones we see. I'm not that fast with a pitchfork."
"It's all yours."
---
All the pumps, water lines, barrels and heaters are flushed. That's good as the well pump just shut off - it's 36 in the enclosure so we have freeze protection. The float switches in the barrels in the basement will turn the pump back on when their level drops and it's warm enough. I'll be checking this for a day or so but I think that's one more task automated. I should go check the furnace. I think that may have been sidetracked today. Back in the house. 'Nerd' light and…
"Jack, the kids reloaded the furnace after we ate lunch. It might need to be reloaded."
"Thank you, Hazel. I wondered if anyone remembered but thought that someone saying 'I'm cold' would probably have reminded them to check it."
"Shannon was the first to say 'There's no warm air here'."
"It's cooler at her level."
"What, Jack?"
"Convection heating, Sarah. Warm air rises. Your head is in a warmer space than her head. Squat here and tell me if it feels the same as standing in that space."
"You're right. There's enough difference to feel. I guess the little ones are cold at times."
"I wonder if I should get some of the ceiling fans working. They could push the warm air at the ceiling back down around the walls. I'll see about the one in the kitchen. If it makes a difference, I'll see about a couple more rooms. They will be on timers - on just long enough to stir the air. Wait a minute! Joe got some 12 volt RV ceiling fans from Leo. I think they're the very low power ones with brushless motors - they use less than one amp. Much better to have a 10 watt fan than a 50 watt fan."
"In all your spare time."
"I'll have a few minutes more spare time each day. Amelia helped me install the freeze protection on the pump today…"
"But I wanted to!"
"Alicia, with Amelia out for calming, I couldn't pull another 'teacher'. I think you know how much she needs one-on-one and 'in the same room' after she shoots someone. She got her time, the freeze protection work got done and the class had enough teachers to continue."
"I guess that was best for everyone but I wanted to know if we were right."
"Amelia, show her the sketch you two made and the changes needed for it to work as I wanted."
"We almost had it!"
"You did, munchkin. Better now?"
"Un huh."
"You want to reload the furnace?"
"Un huh!"
"Coat and down the stairs."
---
She's happy now. Doing something she "wanted" to do. I wish Ibrahim could have heard that exchange. Perhaps he'll have an opportunity in the future. Sarah told me the class is making excellent progress even with today's disruptions. I wonder how much seeing our kids take an intruder warning in stride serves to calm the other kids. Someone's shooting at us so the trained and armed ones go on watch and the others go to a safe place. I heard Miriam asking Joe if they could work on the "gun lessons". That's good. The more able they are to protect themselves the safer they'll be. Maybe more classroom things tonight and some range time tomorrow? Today is Tuesday. They might only get two days on the range but that's still much better than when they came here. I'll leave that in Joe's very capable hands.
I set the ceramic filter with its two buckets on the counter and filled it when I finished the flushing. It takes about 90 minutes for gravity to move five gallons of water through the filter. I think the Sawyer filter is twice as fast but this one is assembled and working - and we only need it for a few days. What's in the second bucket has no odor and very little taste. If Hazel's OK with it, it can be for cooking. If not, it can be used for washing dishes. I also filled the Berkey and what's come through it has neither taste nor odor so that water will be fine for cooking and beverages. I checked the water getting to the counter from the barrels in the basement using one of the test kits that Hastings left with us, then the water from the ceramic filter, then from the Berkey. They're all drinkable but going through another stage of filtration gets the slight cloudiness out of what comes from the faucet. I'll add the sand filters to the output of the pump tomorrow and see if it clears the water.
I would say "Play in the snow" but some of the kids are still checking the windows with an expectation of something bad. I think a "Jack Wilson, Unplugged" session might be a good alternative. I'll ask Sherry to bring her recorder and the music we've both written. I'll try transposing "Sherry's Song" to the guitar. I do have a choice of octaves to use. We should start playing and let the others drift in. We'll continue for an hour or until Hazel calls for her assistant cooks.
"Ready, Sherry? 1. 2. 3. Play."
Conversations elsewhere in the house are stopping and I hear footsteps headed this way. This time we have all the adults. What does Hazel have going for supper? We'll do some "performance" things - including the one with "House" in it - and some sing-along things.
"Lexi, if you'll play the second part."
"Yes, Daddy."
"That's like when you do three recorders but you're on the guitar!"
"I like it!"
"Me too!"
Sherry's smile has reached her eyes again. For this particular hurt, her music works better than anything I could do. I guess seeing that is also loving her as she needs to be loved.
The kids have lost track of time but Hazel just gave me the five minute warning.
"One more song and people will be needed for supper duty..."
"Sherry's Song!"
"With Lexi and the guitar!"
"Last song. 1. 2. 3. Play."
I see some fingers moving in sync with the music. There are a few who could do this but not all of them. I'll tell Sarah what I'm seeing so she can work with those who want to do more.
That song gets applause - again - and Sherry is blushing - again. Good that she's appreciated for both her writing and her performing. I think she'll learn to accept the applause. That will be happening over and over when the remaining people start getting together for social events at some point in the future. Barn dances on Saturday night? Sounds like something that would be enjoyed by many.
---
"What's this, Grandma?"
"Shepherd's pie, Cyndy."
"What's in it?"
"A shepherd. Grandpa Bill listened for sheep and when he heard some he caught a shepherd and put him in the meat grinder."
"Grandma! That's not what's in it!"
"Cyndy, what's in peach pie?"
"Peaches."
"What's in apple pie?"
"Apples."
"What's in chocolate pie?"
"Chocolate."
"What's in shepherd's pie?"
"Shep… Grandma!"
That has all of the kids giggling. Not quite a "Who's On First" routine but pretty good when your "straight man" is seven years old. I think it may be the first time Hazel has done that level of teasing with any of the kids. That's good. They need to know that she can also be very funny.
This is another of her "fix it alone" meals that lets the kids have a little time off from cooking when they've had a stressful day. An hour singing instead of cooking has all of them at least close to a smile. Dessert will be even better - she has out a large bowl, vanilla extract, sugar and a ladle. I see comfort food in the very near future. It's been a long day and I'm ready to enjoy any comfort food I'm offered.
---
"Shannon, Paige and Rachel will be helping with dessert. You need your coats."
"Coats, Aunt Hazel?"
"Yes, Paige. Part of dessert is outside. Bill, if you'd bring the bowl."
---
"Snow? Dessert is snow?"
"Snow is an ingredient, Shannon. The three of you take turns with the ladle until the bowl is full."
"OK, but it's a funny dessert."
---
"Bowl's full. Back inside."
"OK."
"Bowl on the counter. Is everything measured, Sarah?"
"Yes, Aunt Hazel. It should be ready for pour and stir."
"Rachel, you spread the sugar around in a circle."
"OK."
"Shannon, you pour the vanilla in like that."
"OK."
"Paige, you pour the milk in the same way."
"OK."
"Now a quick stir and into the bowls. Do any of you remember the line from 'Little House' about ice cream?"
"Huh?"
"The rich man has his ice cream in the summer…"
"But the poor man has his ice cream in the winter! We have ice cream made with snow!"
"Yes, Leah. And we call it 'snow' cream instead of 'ice' cream."
"It's good!"
"Making it was fun, Aunt Hazel!"
This is the first time our youngest three have seen enough clean snow to make snow cream. And I've never encountered a kid who didn't like it. I should go feed the furnace. I'd expect some of them to discover they're cold very soon and they'll be looking for warm places. Coat. 'Nerd' light. Down to the basement. Open the door to the outside and bring in more wood from that rack. Close and latch the door - don't want another snow intrusion. Reload the firebox. I'll be doing this again at bedtime. Back up the stairs. Coat and light in their usual places. And there are multiple kids huddled around the warm air registers.
"Hazel?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"What do you think of the water from the faucet, the ceramic filter and the Berkey?"
"The faucet water is like some we had when I was a kid. Strong but harmless mineral taste. OK for washing dishes and clothes and for bathing. From the ceramic filter there's still a little mineral taste so not OK for pasta, rice, potatoes or most beverages. I don't think it would be noticed with most other things. The water from the Berkey is almost perfect. It lacks any taste so seems strange when drinking it. That does make it perfect for cooking anything and all types of beverages."
"When the well has had a day or so to settle, I'll add the sand filter that should be better than the ceramic filter but it can work on running water. That way, all the water will be at that taste level. We can keep the Berkey filled for cooking subtle food flavors and making hot beverages."
"Sounds good to me."
"Joe, will you be able to work on gun safety with the new kids?"
"We have a session scheduled which should run until just before bed time. Otherwise we'd be trying to get a class session and range time for all of them in tomorrow."
"That's fine. We can adjust bed time as needed. You'll be inside or outside?"
"In the board classroom. It's still somewhat warm from earlier today and yelling out there won't disturb kids here."
"I know what you'll be doing."
"My gun class, get your coats."
"Yes, Grandpa Joe."
---
Having all the other kids yell "Bang!" when someone going through the rules and procedures gets it wrong isn't typical training but it does get the attention of the one who made the mistake. That really brings things home to them when they're handling the plastic guns and one forgets where the gun in her hand is pointed. I remember Joe telling me of Sherry taking that to the next level when one of the adopted kids was careless a second time and on the "Bang!" she dropped to the floor. That had an immediate and remembered impact on the entire class. Much better to be doing that elsewhere tonight. I haven't heard from the Colonel in a number of hours. Is the radio off? I see Tillie's rawhide bone in the corner so she's probably not to blame this time. On closer inspection, neither "On" nor "Standby" light is on. Do the universal action of flip the switch "Off" and back "On". No change. Check the cables. Everything is plugged in. Check the emergency light that runs from that battery - and it's very dim. Get a voltmeter from the basement. Check the pins on the power cable. Twenty volts. The battery is extremely discharged. Did we lose a solar panel in the shooting today? What does the charge controller show? Nothing. Either a panel or a cable or the controller. I can hope that it's not more than one of them. I'll be up on a ladder checking this.
"Joe."
"Yes, Jack?"
"Does the battery charger in the barn also handle 24 volt batteries?"
"Yes. Some of the bigger vehicles are 24 volts."
"The battery for the radio is almost completely discharged. I need someone to steady the ladder while I see if it's a cable or panel problem. Then bring that battery charger in and see if this battery can be charged. If not, I'll take apart another road sign for any needed parts."
"I'll get my coat."
"I'll get mine and the 'nerd' light."
"On a ladder with it nearly dark, Jack?"
"Our emergency communications are down."
"It's needed then - but you be careful."
"Yes, Mrs. Wilson."
---
Get the extension ladder hanging in the barn. Not convenient for us but also not convenient for anyone who might want to enter a window on the second floor. There's enough snow to dig pockets for the legs. It won't slide away. Up and look. There's a wire dangling from the panel. I can reach both ends of that. It's been cut but the edges of the cut are ragged. Did this get hit by a ricochet today? If a bullet from the intruder hit the bucket of the frontloader, it could have come this way. Hitting that much steel could have flattened part of the bullet and it might still have had enough energy to do this. I brought some MC-4 connectors and my Leatherman tool. Strip the ends and add one male and one female connector. Crimp them snugly. Connect them. After sunrise, I'll know if that's the only problem. Any damage to the roof here? Not that I see. That's also a daylight project.
Joe and I got the ladder back to the barn and he rolled the charger to the house. I don't want to be running the gas powered charger for the battery bank after dark so I'll select a low charge rate and see whether this battery has been discharged too far to recover it. The battery has been below its normal voltage range for several hours. If it was well cared for in its previous life, this might not be fatal damage. Charger connected. Plug it in Turn it on and select the five amp charge rate. Battery charge current is changing but at the rate I'd expect of a good battery. Excellent! One less thing to work on tonight. Voltmeter on the charger still showing 20 volts. Let's see what my meter shows. Twenty two volts. It is coming up slowly. I'll let it get to 28 volts before I turn the radio back on. The spec range is 24 to 32 volts but I'll allow for some "surface charge" that goes away very quickly.
We have 28 volts. Switch the radio "On". The voltage dropped to 26 volts. This battery may not be good after all but OK for use with the charger on it. While this boots up and finds any messages for me, I'll go pull another battery from one of the road signs.
"Battery bad, Jack?"
"Possibly, Bill."
"Joe and I will get another one. You're better used here to talk with the Colonel if needed."
"Thank you."
The "Message" and "Data" lights are both flickering. Need a thumb drive for something. It's in. Something big is coming. The "PerCent Complete" bar has almost stopped moving but "Data" is still flashing. Should I get the chamomille tea now or wait until I see what's there?
"Your tea, Jack. You still look a little cold from being outside and you definitely have the 'I'll be here a while' expression."
"I don't even know what's coming, except that it's big. The progress bar has never moved this slowly."
"Take off your boots. Enjoy your tea. You'll know when the data transfer is finished."
"That I will."
Bee-doop!
And it's finished. Display has "10GB free". That was 13GB the last time. What did they send?
I should do a "Why I was gone" message. Press "CreateMail".
'Battery down because cable from solar panel cut by ricochet earlier today. No one noticed radio being silent.'
Save that. PreSel 407. Press "Send". Done. I should read the messages in order. Press "Message" and "1".
{Jack. Heard about the fire from Moses. His version didn't match yours so I offered him time with the kids. His story now matches yours.
Ibrahim got a lot of info from Ari after the second shot. Seems the third round was aimed much higher. That's in some of the attached.
Your "Cardinal" gave his correct name and he's a Cardinal in the Vatican Guard. Info on him also attached. Your telling him which Chinese subs were destroyed and which surrendered was correct. How do you do that? The Pope was placed in St. Peter's Square in handcuffs and a loincloth shortly after the subs were neutralized. There seems to be an internal battle over the babies and information about them. The President has authorized low power, high accuracy munitions to do some damage in the square.}
I just have some knowledge about each of the Chinese sub captains and can make an educated guess which ones won't die for a lost cause. "Low power, high accuracy munitions" are backyard-flyable drones with a grenade or slightly bigger attached. What else do we have? Press "Message".
{Jack. We've located the chemicals the hazmat team needs to clean your water. Coming by helo. There's a basket for the "Cardinal".}
That's old news. Press "Message".
{Jack. Ibrahim also knows of the "Cardinal". That info is attached. Ibrahim is continuing the interrogation. I'll pass along anything he learns.}
There's still more. Press "Message".
{Jack. Ibrahim has been in touch with the people configuring the residence and classroom trailers they will be sending. Specs and pictures attached. It's big.}
Now I know what the big data transfer was. No more messages? I'm caught up for the moment. I should do some utility programming tomorrow. The automated damper and air inlets on the furnace. Maybe an alarmed status monitor for each battery bank? The charge controller should have disconnected the radio and set off an alarm when the battery voltage dropped. It didn't disconnect the radio and either didn't alert on low voltage or no one was in the house to notice the alert. I should check for a working solar charge controller on one of the road signs and I can add an ESP8266 to each charge controller to send status messages to the tablets via the wi-fi network. That's tomorrow.
For now, remove the thumb drive and take it to the laptop. See what's on it. There's a folder with Hebrew characters. Open that. There's an "English" folder here. Open it. Specs on residence and classroom trailers. Inside and outside pictures of both. The solar arrays look to be big enough this time. Read through the residence specs. Temperature specs: -40 to +60C. LP usage for heating based on outside ambient. 500 gallons should last through a winter like the current one. AC power usage - interesting but only useful if power was available. Battery bank specs. Inverter specs. The 240 volt inverter is OK for their appliances but we use split 240 for two 120 volt circuits and most things here run on 120 volts. Paper note on that. They're also assuming more sunlight hours than we've had. Need to increase the battery capacity to at least five days without sun - unless they can provide connectivity for our charger. Or add more solar panels - or both. We don't have running water for hot showers. They need to provide sun shower bags. They can teach the kids or our kids can teach them faster. Board re-chip classroom reads almost the same. The fluorescent lighting isn't needed and is a power hog. That should be LED bulbs configured as we are unless they can greatly increase the capacity of the battery bank and solar panels. Did these people even see Ibrahim's notes on how we do things here? Someone there may be thinking "warriors" and "fortress" but we're NOT a military installation with huge reserves of fuel - we're just a large family staying alive on a small farm. They have no water storage in either trailer. Another note. The drawings are in .dwg and .dxf formats. I can edit that.
Open the residence file. Change the specs of some items. All in 20 point red type. Add batteries here and here and increase the number of solar panels - also in red. Add 55 gallon water barrels here, here, here and here - also in red. Add the cabling for the batteries and the plumbing for the water barrels - in red. Add the outside connector for the charger - in red. Save as the same filename but with my initials added. Open the classroom file. Update the specs in red. Add the batteries, solar panels, water barrels, cabling and plumbing - in red. Remove the ceiling fluorescents. Add LEDs - in red. Add outside connector for charger - in red. Save it with my initials added to the filename. Copy those two files to "ImageData" on the thumb drive. Brief note to Tim about what wasn't updated in the original and my changes. Save that. To the radio. My meter shows the battery is at 28 volts. Send it all.
Battery voltage dropped to 24 volts during that long transmit session. A two volt drop with the AC charger connected would be acceptable. Four volts is not. Need to replace this battery with the one Joe and Bill brought back. The date stamp on that battery is nine months ago. That's almost new. AC charger off. Radio off. Charge controller off. Disconnect negative cable then positive cable. Probably doesn't matter here but can make a difference in the limited space under a vehicle hood. Old battery out. New battery in. Cables re-connected in reverse order. Charge controller on. AC charger on. It's charging and shows 27 volts. My meter shows 28 volts. Radio on. Wait for it to boot. It's receiving again. "Data" and "Message" lights flickering. Guess the message I sent got through. I need a "bladder break" before I start on whatever is coming in.
---
Press "Message".
{Jack. Ibrahim is not happy with the designers. He sent them updates earlier today and they sent the drawing and specs you have as "with all updates". He'll forward the updated drawings with a note of "Updated by someone who's living there. If you can't get this right, your replacement will."
More info in the "Cardinal" attached. There are rewards posted for some of these people. When - maybe that's if? - power, communications and banking are working again you will be eligible for some cash rewards. I'd suggest supplies instead of cash, unless there's some "Trade Day" type things going on and some of the traders would like silver or gold coins.
The fingerprints on the hose were Ari's. Running that faucet to deplete the clean water more quickly. Another nail in his coffin.
Speaking of coffins. Caskets and vaults are no longer being made or shipped. If a family wants something for their deceased relative to be buried in, they must provide it. They also usually dig and refill the grave. A few cemeteries still have a very limited number of surviving staff members. Would you call them a skeleton crew?}
Bad pun, Tim. I don't get exposed to much humor now so I'll enjoy that one. For the sakes of the kids who may be coming, I hope Ibrahim does have "or your replacement will" clout to get these things done. Otherwise we'll be using the facilities that are already here because we've put in the materials, time and effort to make them work. I should make a note of that and send it to Tim. He can pass it on to Ibrahim. Pointless to shuffle things here for different trailers unless they are *much* better that what we have. To the radio. Use its keyboard. Press "Compose".
'Tim. The residence and classroom trailers to be provided must meet my specs or they won't be used. The kids and chaperones can use the current mobile home. It has heat, water and lighting to our current standard of living - which is better than most people in this country and much of the rest of the world. The current classroom has adequate heat plus lighting configured for the purpose. We'll not be replacing things that work with something that's no more capable. The new trailers will be much better than what we have or they will be parked on the other side of the road.'
Press "Save". PreSel 407. Press "SendMail". Done.
---
I hear the "gun class" coming back in. They may need a little extra time to wind down.
"Mister Jack!"
"Yes, Judy?"
"Rae got the 'Bang!' tonight about where the gun was pointed. When she got it the second time Ellen dropped to the floor and Rae screamed and started crying. Ellen said Sherry told her about doing that."
"Yes, Sherry did that. Rae, do you need a hug?"
"Yes, Mister Jack! It was scary! With a real gun I coulda hurt somebody! I'll be very careful now."
"I'm sure you will be. Grandpa Joe's gun safety classes aren't like any others I know about, but the people who pass his training are very safe gun handlers. Most of them are also good shooters."
"He said we get to go to the range tomorrow. Do my two 'Bang!'s mean I can't go?"
"You need to ask him. He's our firearms instructor."
"He won't be mad at me?"
"Why would he be mad at you?"
"Because I didn't pay attention - twice."
"But now you understand how important those safety rules are, plus paying attention to what's in your hand and where it's pointed?"
"Un huh!"
"Go ask."
"Grandpa Joe?"
"Yes, Rae?"
---
That conversation ended well - with Rae sniffling a little and getting a hug. It's OK if there are some scary parts to the training. Holding the ability to harm someone else in your hand should scare you just enough to make you mentally review the four rules and be sure that you want to pull the trigger. A few tears along the way about not getting things right may ensure that this girl is a thoughtful shooter. But thoughtful also needs to be able to react very quickly - one reason for them memorizing the rules. Maybe two chapters about Dr. Dolittle tonight.
"Kids. Story time. Jammies, brush, floss."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
"I think some of you need extra time to wind down tonight so two chapters."
"Yes!"
---
They're all down with hugs and/or kisses. I saved Rae and Judy for last because of things that happened earlier today.
"Goodnight, Rae."
"Goodnight, Mister Jack."
'And my new Daddy who always makes things better.'
'Not where others hear you.'
"Goodnight, Judy."
"Goodnight, Mister Jack."
'And my new Daddy.'
'Not where others can hear you. You need more lap and shoulder time tomorrow?'
'Uh huh.'
---
"Jack, pot of chamomille tea on the table. Come tell me how your day has really been."
"Thanks, Sarah. First let me turn off the AC-powered battery charger on the radio's battery. That's done. There are some positives from today. Judy told me a little about Ari and admitted at bedtime that she needed more lap time. Rae was scared into a new level of responsibility and she talked it out with Joe. There are some conditions, but she gets range time tomorrow. There are some negatives. We had unwanted people on-site today. Amelia needed a lot of calming after stopping one of them. That reminds me. With number of nine year olds at puberty, did GG-183 affect the younger girls in a similar manner? In the shower, Shannon showed me how she can make her boobie 'stand up'. That's not something I'd expect to happen with a four year old."
"I'll get with Hazel and we'll examine all of them. I'm glad that you're aware of things like this. A pregnant nine year old is bad enough. Having it happen with a seven or four year old is beyond imagination."
"If you find early puberty changes, I'll tell Tim and Columbo that there's another effect of GG-183 that everyone should be aware of."
"I'm sure that will be well received. Even those who support early pregnancy for the one per cent won't like those ages."
"You do have one per cent kids and kids inoculated by the first version of GG-183. You'll have to remind me if we have a girl who survived infection."
"I don't think we have any. I'll also check the paper family trees tomorrow and I'll add notes on what Hazel and I see. I'll pass those observations along to you so you can add them to the electronic copy."
"That will work. I should load the furnace and we should be in bed."
"I'll brush and floss while you load."
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:30:15 GMT -6
Wednesday, 5 January, 5:30AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Warm clothes in the bed with me. Boots. Glock. 'Nerd' light. Get a coat on my way to the basement. Still have enough embers to get kindling going. Add bigger wood on top of that. It's going OK. Close the firebox door and up to the kitchen. Water for coffee and other beverages from the Berkey. Refill it from the ceramic filter's bucket... Maybe not. The water from the ceramic filter was used to wash dishes last night and the upper bucket was not refilled. I'll fill the ceramic filter's upper bucket from the faucet. Fill the Berkey from the faucet. These things aren't yet habit. Hopefully, these will not need to become habits. Porch thermometer at 26. I think we can expect another day of weather like yesterday. Preferably nothing like the unexpected things from yesterday. How's the radio's power? It's not charging! Maybe that bullet did other damage. For the moment, the battery is charged so it's not critical. I can check the voltage from the solar panel. My meter shows 32 volts with early morning sun - that's OK for an unloaded panel in a "24 volt" system. I'll go get another charge controller. Better if I wake everyone first. They won't want a cold nose or cold hands on them if I wake them after being out that long.
They're all up. Judy asked when we could talk. I think when they go to "class". I'll just say that she told me she needed time to talk and we'll do that while the others work on boards. Tell Sarah where I'm going now. Shouldn't be more than 15 minutes.
I'm back. Breakfast isn't ready yet so explain what I'm doing and why to six curious kids. Disconnect things from the original controller: radio, solar panel, battery. Take it down and use the same screws to mount the replacement controller. Wire it in reverse order: battery, solar panel, radio. Display shows "Charging" and a couple of amps. Not bad for morning sun.
"Why did you take the wires off and put them back the way you did, Daddy?"
"Amelia, because that's the order the manufacturer wants you to use."
"How do you know that?"
"Look on the back of the controller I took down."
"Oh. Pictures numbered 1, 2 and 3. What's the black stuff here?"
"I'll guess that's a part that didn't survive when the solar panel cable was cut by a bullet that may have hit the metal roof."
"Bullet?"
"Lisa, the person that was across the road was shooting at the hazmat team. Joe had the frontloader out and used the bucket as a shield to protect the soldier who was hit. If the shooter fired at the steel bucket, the bullet would have been flattened some and ricocheted off in the direction of the house."
"Did the bullet hit anything else?"
"I'll be up on a ladder to check the roof to see if the bullet might have hit it."
"In the snow?"
"Yes, Miriam. the ladder's feet will be deep enough in the snow to not move. I will NOT be on the roof unless there's damage that must be repaired."
"Show me?"
"Breakfast is almost ready so a very quick 'show' for all that have questions. Get your coats."
"Is the solar panel for the radio on the roof?"
"Yes, Bina, on the roof above where we're standing."
"I see it. The wires are different."
"Myra, one has a splice because that wire was cut by a bullet that ricocheted off the bucket of the frontloader. If you walk over here, you can see where the frontloader was parked. The shooter was across the road at the second fence, near that group of three trees."
"So a shot from there would have come like this and hit the machine's bucket and slid off going to the house. It had to be going up to hit that cable. If it hit the roof, it would be higher than the panel and two or three rows over?"
"Yes, engineer Amelia. That's a lesson from high school or college physics on 'the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection'."
"Huh?"
"The angle the bullet hit the bucket at - something like this - is also the angle it leaves the bucket at - something like this."
"Like the ball bouncing off the goal and into the basket?"
"Yes, Alicia. If you look along my arm, where is my finger pointing?"
"At the cable that was cut! And there's a shiny spot and a dark spot on the roof above that and to the right."
"Then the bullet did hit the roof. You go eat breakfast. I'll see how much damage - if any."
"Do we hafta?"
"Yes."
Get the ladder. Its legs in the pockets we made last night. Up as far as needed. The "shiny spot" is where the bullet slid along the metal roof and took off the snow. The "dark spot" is the flattened bullet. No apparent roof damage thanks to it losing a lot energy being flattened into a ricochet and more energy chewing through the number eight wire. Is the phone still in my coat pocket from yesterday? Yes. Take some pictures so I can explain what the curious kids saw. Done. Ladder down and take it back to the barn. Back inside. I'm ready for hot coffee and warm food.
"What was the shiny spot and the dark spot?"
"I'll show you pictures and tell you about them after breakfast. Some of you are in 'class' today. Judy told me that she needed to talk more so we'll be in the mobile home for as long as she needs to talk. Sarah will be with the class."
"OK."
All the kids have "needed to talk" at one time or another so they readily adapt when someone else needs to. They all know that "talking" gets priority over anything except life-or-death situations.
Maybe she can get it all out this session and that will encourage the others to ask. It's so much easier for them to get started talking when they've asked for it. This is Wednesday. Need to get all of them through a second "talk to me" session today or tomorrow. Along with range time for all of them. We can continue into Friday if needed. I just want them on their way to Ephriam on Saturday morning.
---
Wednesday, 5 January, 8:10AM
Chores are finished. The new kids all "shadowed" someone in their chores this morning. Milking is preferred to mucking - no surprise there, the adults feel the same way. Collecting eggs is easy except for the hens who don't like strangers - about half of them. Feeding the pigs is not high on the "want to do" list but is better than cleaning up after any of the animals. Those preferences have probably been true for kids since the first farmer told his kids to collect eggs. The inside chores are in progress and "class" is in session.
Judy is asleep in my lap after almost an hour of haltingly telling me what Ari did to her. I wasn't fast enough to catch it the first time so she had time in front of the throne. She got the water drill and a fresh shirt. I asked about a nap but she said it would be easier to keep talking than to start again. I was able to control her "tummy doesn't feel good" the second time. Ari's fortunate to be in Tim's custody. I'd be carving him into little pieces and it would be "death by a thousand paper cuts" - just with a knife instead of paper and jalapeno peppers rubbed into the cuts. I can picture that and I can almost hear him scream.
---
Wednesday, 5 January, 9:30AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. She's had an hour nap so time to wake this girl.
"Hi, Judy."
"Hi, new Daddy. I know. I can't say it anywhere else. I feel better."
"You also look better."
"Huh?"
"Out of my lap and look in the mirror."
"I do look different! Why?"
"Maybe there are people who can't hurt you again. Maybe you don't think you'll die today. Maybe there are people who love you."
"Maybe all of that. Especially the part about being loved. You took care of me when I puked!"
"I think I told you I'd take care of you."
"Un huh. And you do."
"I'll guess the others might be in a break. You want to go see?"
"I want to get back in your lap and stay here. I will go back to class if I hafta."
"You 'hafta'. Get your coat."
"Yes, new Daddy. I know. Last time for that."
"Yes. Go."
---
I should check the water coming from the well again. Get a test kit. Let the faucet run one minute to stir the water in the barrels. Get the sample. Cloudiness? Less than yesterday. That's good. Check for several contaminants. None present. Any scent? No. Taste? Still some mineral taste but not bad. More than we'll want for cooking.
Get the frontloader and some adult help to move the sand filter barrels we used before to the three foot high but very sturdy shelving in the basement. The pressure from the pump will move the water through the filter faster than the gravity flow rate of 5 to 20 gallons/hour per barrel. I think 25 psi will have no problem doubling the high end of that so we should still get close to our maximum pump rate of 280 gallons/hour with the eight sand filter barrels in parallel.
With Dawkins and Childers as the primary source of muscle, the very heavy barrels are in place and plumbed. Water from the sand filter is clearer and there's very little mineral taste. Hazel may want water from the Berkey for cooking some things but I think we'll be using water from the barrels for everything else - as soon as they're flushed again. Put the empty barrels back in the frontloader's bucket. Jenny and Sammy want to help. That's fine. They can handle the faucet on and off when I tell them. They want to know where the water is going and why. When the barrels are full the first time, they can walk behind the frontloader and see what I'm doing with that water.
Barrels are full. Faucets are off. To the cistern. Jenny recognizes it because there's one the same size in the same place by her grandfather's barn. She asks if this cistern has the pipe that goes to the kitchen garden. I'm not interested in moving that much snow so we'll ask Joe when we're back at the house.
Hoses in the barrels and the faucets are on including the upstairs bath this time to clear its hoses and the little water heater. Jenny and Sammy asked Joe about the cistern and he got down the binder of farm info - which Jenny said is just like her grandfather's binder. Perhaps the same people were involved in building both places? The cistern here has the same configuration. We have another option for watering the garden. I should explore both of those binders. There may be other things we should know.
Barrels are full again. Faucets are off. Jenny and Sammy are going through the binder with Joe - much more interesting than walking through the snow to an almost snow-covered cistern a second time. Water dumped in the cistern. Back for the last load from the house. Then the bunkhouse, the mobile home and the one barrel we added to the classroom.
---
Wednesday, 5 January, 2:40PM
Water's done. I missed lunch but I can make a sandwich if there are no leftovers. Bill said the 'A' team had checked the charge controller in the basement and got the charger out. The girls did need help getting it cranked - it's only 29 out here. They'll check it when they have the afternoon break. I think that might be a good time for them to stop for the day so Joe can have as much range time as he thinks these kids need today. I'll check with Sarah. If the kids are making good progress, she can dismiss class early and Joe can have most of the afternoon.
---
I caught Sarah as the class stopped for their break. She said there was one "Oops!" before they stopped so it's a good time to do something else. The gun class kids are happy to have an opportunity to go shooting. Bill and Hazel will be there as extra eyes. Sarah said she had some info for me but we should be upstairs.
"So something about GG-183 and early puberty?"
"Yes, Jack. Two things. Both the one per cent kids and those immunized by the initial virus are affected. The seven year olds in the one percent are approaching puberty early. No later than nine and perhaps as early as eight. Paige will also be early - probably eight, maybe sooner. The seven year olds immunized by exposure are weeks to months away - all of them by age eight. Shannon and Rachel are maybe a year or a little more away - by the time they're six, if not sooner."
"Damn! That's a lot of load for some little kids who've already had to deal with too much negative in their lives."
"We'll also need a very large quantity of feminine hygiene products or we'll be making our own."
"Better have tampons for the younger ones. They'd never be able to manage even a mini pad."
"True. I don't think we can make tampons."
"Not unless we get the factory about 150 miles from here running again. Wonder if they're 'just in time' or if they stock some finished products and some raw materials? If there is a supply of raw materials, they just need power and people."
"Isn't there a military installation near there?"
"There's a satellite comms facility. That could be on Tim's list of places for which commercial power is 'strategic militarily', which is a consideration in getting some of the smaller generating plants running before some of the larger ones. I should type this up - including the needed supplies - and get it to Tim. He can verify whether that plant is in one of the areas to get priority in re-chipping."
To the laptop. If I'm thinking as I type, I need a decent keyboard.
'Tim. I noticed some small physical changes in one of the younger girls and asked Sarah and Hazel to check them for other things that GG-183 might have affected. You and Columbo will both be thrilled by what they found.
Both the one per cent kids and those immunized by the initial virus are affected. We don't have a child who was infected by the second virus but survived, so no actual info about them but you should expect some changes. The seven year olds in the one percent are approaching puberty early. No later than nine and perhaps as early as eight. Paige is four and will also be early - probably eight, maybe as early as seven. The seven year olds immunized by exposure are weeks to months away - all of them by age eight. Shannon and Rachel were immunized by exposure and are maybe a year or a little more away - by the time they're six, if not sooner.
We'll need a large quantity of feminine hygiene products in the not-too-distant future. Better to have tampons for the younger ones. They can use them because the manner in which they were used before they came to us. Their bodies are too small to be able to manage even a mini pad in their underwear. We have a sewing pattern for the old fashioned pads but while the size could be adapted, those won't work for an active child. We can't make tampons. What's the status on power at the hygiene products factory about 150 miles from us? The military has a sat comms facility near there.'
"Sarah?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"How many boards have the kids completed and do you know which type or types?"
"Even with the disruptions, they've completed somewhere over 100 boards. Basically we have 12 kids working but at the speed of the slowest kid in each pair. I don't remember which board types but they're in separate totes so simple to go count."
"The speed will improve over time. I want to update Tim and Ibrahim on status. I'll go count boards."
---
Add to the message.
'The combined group of kids, meaning ten to twelve depending on other things going on, completed 129 boards in two shortened days. Remember that we've had some disruptions here. I think this would be perhaps half the speed my kids had at the hydro plant but they were much more recovered from the things that had happened to them and they had fewer disruptions, plus they stayed with one type of board until all of those boards were done. The production the new kids have is still better than the estimates. Another day or two of practice and I think they'll be fine to work mostly on their own but with an adult checking each board and doing the insurance press on each chip as Sarah and I have done. Most of them should have had experience on each board type and the board test boxes by Thursday evening - barring further disruptions.'
Save to the thumb drive. Eject it and take it to the radio. The charge controller is showing "Charged" and the radio is running on the solar panel. That's what it should be doing on a sunny day. Plug in the thumb drive. PreSel 407. Press "SendFiles". The amps from the solar panel increase to power the transmitter for the few seconds it's needed. And that's done.
---
Wednesday, 5 January, 3:20PM
I haven't checked the shortwave stations at this hour. Let's see what's on the list. Do the conversion to Zulu time. More than a dozen that might be there now. Nothing there. No. No. No. No. No. No. Tennessee Teacher is still doing health and welfare traffic. There are odd changes in signal level. Phase the antenna for a better signal. Still there but there's a pattern. That's Morse code! Turn on the BFO and get a decent "beep" to listen to. Does he know who hijacked his transmitter? BFO off and listen to the messages. List of supporters? Never heard that before. "Thank you" to an odd list of people and organizations. He's going back to the usual health and welfare messages but will repeat the list in five minutes. That's not his normal mode of operation. I'll write them down when he repeats that list. And he's starting the list again.
High Point Academy
Jacked Up Truck Lift Kits
Chinese To Go
Soldier's Surplus
Send A Flower
Help for Seniors
He knows. Apparently those holding the station aren't that knowledgeable of its operations. I'll pass this to Tim
PreSel 911.
{This is Jack Wilson. The station in Tennessee that does health and welfare traffic has Morse code superimposed on its transmissions and is also sending out a distress call disguised as an ad for their supporters. That's not the format they use. The first word of each supporter's name gives the following message: Hijacked. Chinese soldiers. Send help.}
{This is Watson. Atkins has gone for the Colonel, doubletime. He has audio of the message and will play it on the way back. I have that station on my list. I'll notify Dawkins to put a monitor on it. The monitor can also filter and decode Morse. Here's the Colonel.}
{Jeez, Jack. You get breaking news before the Joint Chiefs do. This is going to them on official and unofficial channels and directly to the base near that station.}
{Nothing special on my part, Tim. I just had a few minutes between projects and decided to see who was on the air at this hour.}
{I agree with Sarah. Serendipity doesn't just follow you. Sometimes it jumps up in your lap and licks your face like a puppy. Watson says the Morse is troop and ship movement orders intended to stop the siege at the Vatican. Thanks to you, we'll know where they'll be and when. I'll talk with the base commander who'll be responsible for rescuing the people at the station and have him "negotiate" with the Chinese soldiers until the attack in Italy and the Med starts. Then he can clean house. In response to the first half of your previous message: Oh Shit! Columbo said I wasn't loud enough and didn't have enough feeling in that. In response to the second half, there is a military warehouse that we can access. Get me a count of brands, sizes, styles or whatever needed for six months and we'll get that to you. If you're not sure, double your guess. That factory is supplied by the number three plant on my list. When your kids, new and/or old, finish 300 boards - Watson will provide a list with the quantities of each type that make up that 300 - the aircraft will be back to pick them up for the number two plant. The rest of those boards will go to the number three plant when they're finished. That area will have power whether the hygiene products plant has people and raw materials or not. The military installation does sat comms and missile launch watch. I'd ask how you know so much about current operations but you'd either say "No comment" or "You don't have clearance". In response to the third part of your message, excellent progress! If you run into Saturday with the board lessons, we'd be OK if we can pick up the kids before 1400 local. Thanks, Jack. I expect some other people will also be saying "Thank you".}
Maybe Tim is right. I should check my face for puppy slobber. Feels dry and looks OK in the mirror of the dark screen on my mostly useless smartphone.
The "Data" light is flashing before I can stand up. The thumb drive is still in place so let it collect whatever is coming in.
Bee-doop!
It's finished. Remove the drive. To the laptop. See what's new on the thumb drive. I now have "boardlist.txt". Open that. List of board quantities by type. Once all the kids have done ten of each board, they can specialize and get this list completed quickly - maybe by late Thursday. If so, the pickup can be Friday. Print the list so they can see how much progress they're making the next couple of days. I'll remind my kids of how they divided the boards out at the hydro plant and let them decide who does which boards here. I should print a copy of this list to post in the classroom.
Bee-doop!
Normally a "no response required" message. Let's see what it is. Press "Message".
{Jack. Something odd happened this morning a little before 0930 local. Ari started yelling about being cut and bleeding all over. Columbo checked him and there was nothing. Then Ari started screaming about the burning and to make them stop putting pepper in the cuts. Then he fainted. When he woke up about an hour later, he was looking at and touching his skin trying to find "the thousand cuts". Flashback to something? Replay of a bad drug trip? Columbo isn't sure - just that Ari is terrified of almost everyone and seems to have shrunk in on himself. If we could bottle that, it would be one hell of an interrogation technique - it's as scary as you taking off feet with a shotgun but leaves no marks.}
A little before 0930? That's the time a very angry Jack was thinking about doing exactly those things to Ari. I once wondered if I could control someone with my mind. Now it seems that I can if I'm angry enough. Was it the anger or just the level of emotion? Could I up the thought "power" on something like this as I do when I "yell"? I'll use the next unwanted visitor as my guinea pig. Could I think "fire" and have roast pig? Meanwhile, I should go feed the furnace.
That's done. Pull out my sketches for semi-automatic heat control. Check the totes with "Design Supplies" labels on them. Microprocessors? Yes. Three versions each of Arduino and PICAXE, two versions of Raspberry Pi, a $9 C.H.I.P. and a Parallax Basic Stamp - that last one has been around a long time. Servos? Yes. Two each of three sizes. Voltage converter? Yes. 10 to 35 volts in; five volts at three amps out. Only need that much current for the largest servo under load. LCD display for temperature and status? Yes. Have a 2 row by 16 characters and a 4 row by 20 characters. The 4 by 20 is serial, so it only needs two wires for power and one wire for data transfer. That simplifies cabling and it will work with any of the micros. Temperature sensors? Yes. DS18B20's will work with any of the micros. Flame sensor? I think an IR sensor will work. If not, I know about how often the furnace needs to be fed and the littlest kids are the first to say "I'm cold". Real time clock? Yes. Have a couple with backup battery. Which micro is easiest to program? If I'm doing code from scratch, the PICAXE or the Basic Stamp. If I can find someone else's code for most of what I want to do, whichever chip that code is for. I should see what's on the CDs in the "Program Snippets" box.
---
Wednesday, 5 January, 6:40PM
"Jack."
"Jack?"
"Jack!"
"Sorry, Sarah. I sometimes get 'in the zone' when I'm programming and I get a lot done because I've shut the world out. Other people do find that disconcerting - except the person paying for the programming."
"Since you've been 'in the zone' for a couple of hours, time to eat. Some of the new kids have requests for you but Amelia remembered how you looked when you were buried in programming before and she told me. I said not to disturb you until supper. I explained that it takes a while for you to get to that point and that breaking concentration may cost you as much as an hour to get back where you were. I waited for you to hit 'Save' so you were at a place to stop before I called you."
"Have I told you lately that you're a queen among women?"
"Last week. I also know that you need some time away from the worries of having 20-plus people to keep warm and fed. This much distraction will have you relaxed and better able to handle whatever the kids' requests are."
"True. I have the software to adjust the damper and air inlets and the hardware design for the microprocessor and servos to move those controls. The temperature should stay within a couple degrees of the set point as long as there's enough fire in the firebox. No going back to the basement in the morning to slow the fire after the house is warm. And it should help with the 'too warm in here' in the afternoon when the sun warms the south and west sides of the house. I think that will reduce the wood usage by a little. There are options for a solar intensity sensor and an outdoor temperature sensor - plus a real time clock - to allow the controller to respond to outside conditions as well as inside temperature and time of day. If I had an anemometer I'd add wind speed into the equation."
"You've written the 30 page manual on this 'smart' thermostat?"
"No manual yet. But no more than two pages. Most of the default settings can be changed from the display and numeric key pad that will be on the main level. A 'Menu' button to show the numbered choices. Plus and minus buttons to change values or times. A direct temperature input - just remember that there's only so much heat available before you must refill the firebox. A 'Setback' option that lets the temperature drop some number of degrees at night or if we'll all be away from the house for hours during the day. I'm thinking of many hours in the fields in the future if we do horse-drawn farming."
"Why are you laughing, Sarah?"
"An 1850's horse-drawn farmer with a 21st century solar-powered 'smart' wood-fired furnace?"
"You're right, that's funny. But the savings in firewood may make it worth being laughed at."
"Considering how you think things through, I have no doubt that the savings will be worth the effort. You will be doing some 'class' time explaining the programming and the practical physics to some curious kids. And then figuring out how to select maybe two to work with you because there's not room for more than that at any of the places you plan to build or install things. Thank about that while you eat. Now."
"Yes, Mrs. Wilson."
"You goof!"
---
I was "in the zone" as I was only vaugely aware of the kids being on the shooting range. Joe said they all did well in remembering the gun safety rules. Miriam had some instruction from her grandfather and some practice time with a .22 rifle. She did well with the rifle; the others did OK - practice makes the difference. They all did better than Joe expected for their first time with a handgun. I think part of that is them having more incentive to learn than most kids. The younger ones found that a .22 or .25 fits their hands. Miriam needed something bigger so a .32 worked for her. Need to get my list to Tim and see what they might have confiscated along the way. Today is Wednesday. They could get range time tomorrow and Friday and still be on their way to Ephriam on Saturday. Finish washing my hands and get to the table to see what the "Smells yummy!" is about.
I recognize the gray metal cans on the counter as military LTS foods but they don't equate to how this smells. I think Hazel did a little thaumaturgy tonight.
"Rachel, is it OK if I tell Hazel that supper is 'Yummy!' tonight?"
"Yes, Daddy. This is good!"
"I'll take that 'Yummy' as a big compliment, Jack, but I did borrow from one of your recipes."
"I'll accept supper as payment for that borrowing."
"You goof!"
---
"Some of you have outside chores - remember that 'no kid outside alone' still applies. Some have inside chores. Rae and Chava told me they needed to talk so we'll be in the mobile home as long as they need. If I'm not back in time for the story, Grandpa Joe or Sarah will do that."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Yes. Mister Jack."
"Rae and Chava get your coats and the bag of clothes."
"Yes, Mister Jack."
"The space won't be warm like the house but I was out here with Judy this morning so it's warmer than outside. You may want to keep your coat on until it warms up. Your other option would be in my lap and wrapped together in a blanket."
"Blanket!"
"Me too!"
"Blanket it is."
"I'll set the thermostat up. You two hang your coats. In my lap and I'll wrap a blanket around us. You've talked to me some but I think there's more - probably something that involved both of you."
"But you won't like us or want us here if we tell you!"
"Did you choose to do it, Chava?"
"No! They had shock sticks that really hurt! The shocks knocked out some of the kids."
"Tell me what they made you do."
"I don't wanna tell it."
"Did you feel better after you told me things before?"
"Un huh."
"Do you think it might work that way again?"
"If you say so."
"So."
"Mister Jack!"
"So you already feel a little better, Rae?"
"Un huh."
"Tell me about it."
"We were naked and one of us was tied to a chair with a big hole in the seat and the other one was tied under the chair with her face up…"
This didn't end well for Charlie when she related the story so best I start limiting the hormones that cause puking immediately. They're both in tears, sobs and hiccups but nothing more than a little "My tummy doesn't feel good". I can up the control and relieve that. They've both cried themselves to sleep. Much easier on their bodies than puking and being exhausted. It's too early for them to go down for the night, so a 30 minute nap. Then back inside for the bedtime routine, a chapter of the doctor and a few songs - "Jack Wilson Unplugged, bedtime edition" again.
---
Wednesday, 5 January, 8:20PM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Time to wake these two.
"Hi, Chava."
"Hi, new Daddy. Nice wake up. You did something to keep us from puking. I always puke when I tell about that."
"Remember that Sarah is a healer? She taught me how to control puking in upset kids."
"She did good."
"Hi, Rae"
"Hi, new Daddy. Nice wake up. Why didn't we puke?"
"Chava also asked that…"
"Miss Sarah taught him how to control puking!"
"I didn't know men could be healers."
"Most aren't, Rae. I had damage to my brain from an accident and when it rewired itself to work around the damage, some of the 90 per cent of our brains that most people don't use was awakened. Now, I can do some of the things the women healers do. Get your coats. We'll go back in. It will be bedtime soon."
"You'll read to us?"
"Yes."
"Sing to us?"
"Maybe two songs. But after you're in bed."
"Yes, Mister Jack who sounds like a Daddy."
---
"Bedtime. Jammies, brush, floss. One chapter about the doctor…"
"Two chapters?"
"Not tonight. Maybe something extra after you're all in bed."
"What is it?"
"After you're in bed."
"Daddy!"
"After you're in bed, Celia. I did say 'maybe'."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
Lots of giggles on this chapter. That's good. Some of them need the giggles for what they've talked about with me today and some need the giggles to help dispel the gloom that those conversations generated. Good for them to get it out but sometimes that positive doesn't last long enough to override the negative of remembering it again.
"To your beds. The Hugs and Kisses Patrol will be by to see each of you."
"You're silly, but it's fun to be here with you."
"You're pretty silly yourself, Bina."
"Mister Jack!"
"Lights out. Now you get the extra."
---
Three songs and they're all asleep. Sarah told me most of them were asleep before the second song ended. Judy, Rae and Chava were the last ones asleep. No surprise there. I should talk with Sarah and Hazel about my unintended mental connections this week.
"Sarah, Hazel. I have some questions. Probably better if we're downstairs."
---
"Your questions?"
"A couple of things happened this week that were unintended mental connections. When Ellen was asleep in my lap after telling me about the gang rape she'd experienced, I was thinking that if I had access to the ones that did it, I'd cut their genitals off. Ellen woke and asked "You'd cut their things off?" I apologized for saying it out loud and she replied that I hadn't spoken. It's just that she sometimes 'heard' things when people were angry."
"That's a very unusual connection, Jack."
"That's what I thought, Hazel, which is why I wanted to talk with both of you. The second thing was a message from Tim about Ari. A little before 930, Columbo heard Ari yelling about being cut and bleeding. Then Ari was screaming about pepper being rubbed into the cuts. A little before 930, Judy was asleep in my lap and a very angry Jack was thinking that Ari should die from a thousand paper cuts and that I'd rub jalapenos in the cuts while he was still alive."
"Jack, you're the reincarnation of someone in the family history! There's one male healer who was the defender of the clan in the early days when they weren't accepted by most people. He could inflict that type of pain and fear at a distance. He could also do the physical damage if required. I take it you haven't tried doing damage?"
"Not until we have another unwanted visitor who will be my guinea pig."
"I'd rather not have the visitor but I already feel sorry for him."
"Me too, Aunt Hazel. Tim already sees you as scary, Jack. What would he say if he knew about this?"
"Probably nothing. First, he wouldn't want the people up the line trying to use me as a super weapon. He's seen the spreadsheets about people, fuel, weather and food production. He wants us here so his troops will have food next year. Second and possibly more important, would you piss off someone who potentially could kill you from miles away and leave no trace?"
"The ultimate secret weapon."
"The ultimate assassin."
"Either and/or both. Anyone I use this on who survives will likely be too scared to ever tell what happened."
"I guess that's true. But you need to take out intruders with 'normal' weapons so no one suspects."
"If I know someone is there, I could keep him still long enough for a disabling shot and then interrogate him."
"That would work. Might get questions if there were a dozen of them."
"That might require some creative story telling."
"You're good at that, Mr. Wilson."
"Thank you, Mrs. Wilson. I should feed the furnace and get to bed. My alarm will be going off before I want to hear it."
"I'll do my 'jammies, brush, floss' while I wait for you."
Furnace is fed. My alarm is set. I'm in bed - 20 minutes earlier than most nights. I'll take it.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:30:43 GMT -6
Thursday, 6 January, 5:40AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Amazing - no alerts for more than 12 hours! I could learn to enjoy the quiet life. Now to my morning routine. Clothes. Boots. 'Nerd' light. Glock. Coat. Back to the basement for furnace duty.
Still enough embers to get the kindling going. Add some slightly larger wood and then stack it in. Up to the kitchen and start coffee and hot water. My mornings will be more difficult in a year or two. Without international shipping I'll be looking for other sources of morning caffeine. We might be able to grow sugar beets for sugar. If the bees survive, we'll have honey. I don't think pine needle tea will ever replace coffee or Earl Grey tea. And there's nothing that can replace hot chocolate for the kids.
Porch thermometer shows 25. We seem to be in a steady weather pattern. I should either ask Dawkins or go look at the satellite images. The sat images will take no longer than walking to and from the camping trailer at the horse barn - and being inside will be much more pleasant. Laptop to the radio. Bring up NOAA-11. That storm front is west of us but will likely be here in three days. I'm sure it will slow power restoral even more - not that I expect commercial power before summer. I should ask Dawkins about the storm's speed, wind and snow accumulations when I'm out later today. Perhaps this is Tim's reason for getting the kids in transit by Sunday. I think I'll still aim for noon Saturday. Anything that isn't finished by Friday afternoon shouldn't be critical. Saturday noon gives us a cushion. As long as all the new kids have worked on each board type and used the board test boxes, they'll be OK to do the board work at Ephriam's farm.
I'll certainly miss them - they are some incredibly loving, caring people to be so young and have such an unpleasant history. As much as I might want to, I can't care for every stray kid that comes by. At some point we just run out of space and food. Space we could double up on but food is an unmovable limit at the moment.
Tim needs to know the new kids' weapons requirements. To the radio. Compose on its keyboard. 'Need firearms for our new kids. Joe had them at the range yesterday and all did better than expected for their first time with a handgun. Six .22 or .25. One .32. Ammo. 500 rounds each? Holsters if something simple in a belt mount is available. Remember these are small bodies so something like the holster Amelia has would be best. NOAA radar shows snow to the west. Is this what's creating the Sunday time frame? Would noon Saturday be better? If so, I think we can meet that time.' Press "Save". PreSel 407. Press "SendMail". Done.
I see Bill and Hazel on their way to the house. I should already have done wake ups. Planning for seven kids to leave us does deserve adequate attention. Up to do my morning 'chore'.
No one objected to the few extra minutes of sleep. The "lullaby" concert seems to have been good for them - they're all smiling this morning. And the noisy herd makes its way down to the kitchen.
"You're later waking the kids than usual, Jack."
"Thinking about other things, Sarah. I checked the NOAA sat images and there's snow to the west of us. I'd guess three days away. It's probably Tim's reason for the kids leaving on Sunday. I plan to use Saturday noon as the time for them to be ready to go. If we do that, the storm moving faster and changing their travel to Friday wouldn't leave anything undone - the kids would just have less practice with the boards and at the shooting range. I also emailed Tim about handguns and ammo for the new kids. He may have guns taken from people who've been captured or killed. I'll ask Dawkins about the storm when I'm outside again. We need to plan for colder weather, more snow, etc."
"Back to the site up the road to cut more firewood?"
"I'm almost tempted but I think we have enough for this winter and perhaps the next one. Much better to be cutting and loading trees in warmer weather and having snow-free surfaces for walking, working and driving. I'm thinking more in terms of more inside water storage in all the heated buildings, maybe a warmer enclosure for the battery pump, a better way to warm the little tractor because it's the most fuel efficient way to plow the amounts of snow it can handle. The 4WD John Deere can plow anything that's not high enough to hide it but it's a large and heavy beast and burns a lot of fuel just getting itself from Point A to Point B. There's also the problem of where another three feet of snow could be stored until it melts. There are limits on the height and width of the snow rows because of the security cameras and motion sensors. Having the snow is good from the standpoint of irrigation. The land will be moist after all the snow melts and the stream that feeds the pond may be adequate for watering a portion of the land we plant."
"You expect another three feet of snow?"
"This storm looks very much like the one that snowed us in. That's one of the reasons I want Dawkins' take on it. Better to know in advance than to wake up and not be able to find the barn."
"And you're certain that all the 'bad guys' haven't yet surfaced."
"Correct. I'm still in 'something's coming' mode. I don't know why that's still with me but I never ignore it."
"Probably one of the reasons you're still here to tell me that you never ignore that feeling."
"I should also ask Tim if they ever found an LP heater and another tank so we could have LP heat in the cabin."
"We'll need to use the cabin?"
"If we have 30 kids coming back-to-back and are using the mobile home for lodging…"
"What about the 'Arctic-rated' trailers that were to be sent?"
"Sarah, I saw the detailed specs and plans on both yesterday - or was it Tuesday? Anyway, other than the room sizes for the kids, whoever did the design is still thinking commercial power most of the time. The drawings were in a format that I know so I edited both drawings, did the needed additions and deletions in red, changed the specification list - also in red and a larger type and saved the files under the original names with my initials added. I included some comments about the design and the designers. Ibrahim wasn't happy as he had sent the updated specs that morning and these were supposedly the 'updated' drawings. I told Tim and Ibrahim in email that we'll not move the existing trailers for something that's no better. The new trailers can be parked across the road to provide a habitat for small animals."
"Then we may need the cabin. Do your follow-up."
"If they haven't found anything. I can use one of the satellites to do the search - but LP tanks aren't all that obvious under three feet of snow. Another three feet of snow and I won't see them from above until April. Had I known what was coming, I'd have done the search before we left for the hydro plant and someone here could have been getting the tank and a heater moved and plumbed. Wonder if Joe knows of a place that might have what I'm looking for?"
"Send your follow-up to the Colonel and then ask Joe. But after breakfast. You may run on thought for the better part of a day but my body expects chewable nourishment."
"I'll make paper notes and be on my way down to the kitchen."
---
Joe mentioned three possible places. I'll check for any of them being in use. Miriam and Bina asked for time to talk today. Separately this time. I mentioned it to Sarah and I'll take Bina first. Kids are out doing chores so I'll go turn the thermostat up in the mobile home. It won't be as warm as the house but OK with two of us wrapped in a blanket as I did with Rae and Chava. Check with Dawkins on the weather while I'm out.
knock. knock.
"Yes?"
"It's Jack with a weather question."
"You want my opinion or the HQ opinion?"
"You've been more accurate. I see a storm almost the same as the one that gave us three feet of snow and it's about three days out. Tell me what you see."
"I see the same thing, but 'three days' is 72 hours from the same time today, not the end of the day Sunday as HQ thinks it will be."
"My plan was to have the kids ready to go to Ephriam's by noon Saturday."
"That may still be OK, but earlier would be better."
"So taking off at daylight and having time to get there and get the helo back before dark."
"Yes."
"Then we'll plan to finish up all the training on boards and time on the shooting range by Friday afternoon. If the blimp could take all of them and their few possessions, they could leave then, fly during the night and land first thing Saturday morning. Is that a workable scenario?"
"It's one of several I've heard mentioned. You should tell the Colonel that you can do an earlier departure for the kids. One more thing. Here are some aerial images of cabins with LP tanks. If you think one might have what you need for the cabin here, tell me or the Colonel and a squad will go check it. The helo that moved the fuel bladders should be able to move an LP tank and stove. You have pipe?"
"Yes, we have pipe and an experienced crew. I'll ask Joe if he recognizes any of these places. He's probably my best source of local info."
To the house with the images and let Joe decide which might be the best choice. Bina's waiting for me - or at least she's quietly buried in "How Things Work".
"Bina?"
"Yes, Mister Jack?"
"Get your coat."
"OK. Hold my hand?"
"Yes. Because talking with me is a scary thing to be doing or because you won't have this opportunity for many more days?"
"You read me too good! Mostly because I won't have the opportunity. A little because thinking about going anywhere else after being safe here is a little scary - even going to Grandpa Ephriam's."
"Inside. Hang your coat. In my lap. I have a blanket because it's not yet warm in here. You still need to talk about some things you haven't yet mentioned."
"But I don't wanna talk about them!"
"Do you remember having this conversation before?"
"Un huh."
"Was it better after you talked with me?"
"Un huh. But this is gonna be hard!"
"That's why you're in my lap and have my shoulder."
"Being with you reminded me of being with my Daddy! He was always gentle and caring like you and he read to us and sang to us. I've found a new Daddy who loves me and sings to me but now I gotta leave him!"
"Bina, you'll be making hard decisions most of your life. The hardest decisions are about the people you want to have in your life. You must make the choice between me and your Grandpa Ephriam. So must Miriam. Part of that will be based on 'want' and part on 'need'. I'll give you a list of questions to think about. I don't want an answer now. I'll give you a paper copy and you can put your answers on it. I also want you to rate the 'want' and the 'need' on a scale of one to ten. Remember, don't answer now. Who do you want to be with the most? Who wants to be with you the most? Who do you need to be with the most? Who needs you the most? Who can you teach the most to? Who can you learn the most from? Who will be most hurt if you're not with them? Who will be happiest if you're with them?"
"You ask hard questions!"
"I do. Your answers to these questions will affect your life and the lives of other people for a long time."
"Other people?"
"Would Ellen go if you didn't?"
"I think so."
"What about Myra or Rae or Judy?"
"Myra maybe. Rae and Judy maybe not. This is getting harder!"
"What about Miriam?"
"She'd go because Grandpa needs us and she knows I'd be safe here but she'd be very sad."
"And those tears tell me you would also be sad."
"I should do the questions and put numbers on them, shouldn't I?"
"I think you may have already made your choice but I also think seeing things on paper will help."
"You have two copies of this."
"Maybe I guessed that Miriam might have the same questions?"
"You are the best Daddy ever!"
---
She's answered all the questions and rated them. She's more than 80 per cent committed to go.
"Is 80 per cent sure good enough?"
"That's as good as most adults could do in similar circumstances. Remember that you'll probably be with someone who feels the same way."
"Miriam's also not sure about going?"
"Why do you think she asked to talk today?"
"I think you're right. I shouldn't say anything except that you'll have a lot of questions for her?"
"That will be fine. I've had some questions each time you've been with me."
"They just weren't as hard and they didn't affect as many people. Or as many people that I knew about."
"Before you get your coat, lie down on the sofa."
"Why?"
"So I can slide your jeans below your bellybutton just enough to do this."
(I love you, Ariel.)
(da da)
"She heard you again! Will you kiss her 'bye'?"
"I'll do it now."
(Bye, Ariel)
(da da)
"She heard you again!"
"Get your coat. Go tell Miriam it's her turn."
"Yes, new Daddy."
---
Miriam has come to talk and is gone back to "class". The conversation was almost verbatim my conversation with Bina. Miriam's rating of her answers also matched within a few points. They don't yet appreciate how much alike they are. I should go see if Joe recognizes any of the aerial views. Considering the wind, I should check the furnace again before I shed my coat. Get the 'nerd' light. Down to the basement. Reload the firebox. Bring more wood in from the rack outside the door. That needs to be refilled before the storm gets here. I'll do that before I go back up. To the woodshed. Fill the cart. Back to the house. Fill the inside rack. Rest of this load on the outside rack. Back for another load. Finish filling the outside rack. Check the rack at the cabin. Top it off and the cart is empty. Cart back to the woodshed. Me back inside through the cellar door so I can lock it from the inside. Up to the kitchen to get something warm to drink. My boots off and my feet over a warm air register. Much better.
"Any luck on the aerial images, Joe?"
"Two of them are places I know. This one is Cory George's hunting cabin. He was working at the courthouse as a Public Defender. He disappeared a few days into the second GG-183 outbreak. He either went to his Dad's place in the mountains of Carolina or he's dead. No one's been at the cabin since the snow started. You'd need heat to stay there and the snow is up against the chimney. The cabin is about the same size as the one here but better insulated and with the floor raised a couple of inches above the dirt. It may be easier to heat than the cabin here and the heater may not be as big as you need. The heater was replaced four years ago so it would last for years. This one is Peter Jakes' cabin. It's almost identical to the one here in age and construction and is just a little bigger. The heater should be more than adequate for the cabin here and is maybe ten years old. Pete and I exchanged email occasionally and when the second GG-183 outbreak came he left for this cabin. I don't know what may have happened since then. The snow is around the chimney here also, so no one has had heat on there for weeks."
"I'll tell Tim about Peter Jakes' cabin and that he may have died there. And that the Cory George cabin is second choice. They think the helo that moved the fuel bladders can move the LP tank and the stove."
"We have pipe?"
"Yes."
"Estimate of when?"
"Before Sunday or not for days."
"Another snow storm to match the previous one?"
"Dawkins thinks so. I can read enough of the sat images to know that there is snow coming and in about three days. He thinks Sunday morning to Sunday noon. His HQ thinks Sunday evening. You know who's been correct most often."
"We plan for snow on Sunday morning and have everything ready to go when needed."
"That's my plan."
To the laptop. Write this up using the coordinates on the images and the place names the locals know. That will improve Tim's maps of the local area. This image is Peter Jakes's cabin. This image is Cory George's cabin. Enter the coordinates and the cabin owners' names. Mark first and second choice and why. Include why the cabins are considered abandoned but caution that Jakes might have died in his cabin. Mention getting the kids earlier than Sunday. Noon Saturday is easy. Friday evening is possible if the blimp is available and can fly at night. To the radio. Thumb drive in. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". It's done. Small text messages get compressed to almost nothing and the broadband transmission is very fast.
Go look in the "Design Supplies" totes for the parts of my semi-automatic furnace control. The temperature sensors I want to use. I think I'll put the IR flame sensor on hold for the moment. The servos. The power converter. The display. The microprocessor I wrote code for yesterday. Breadboard the pieces. Get 24 volt power to it. Connect the laptop and load the micro with the code I wrote. The display starts with "Welcome to 1850" so it's working. The temperature sensors are showing the inside temperature with a difference of 0.1 degree F. Better than most home thermostats. Put a couple of drops of cold water on the "Indoor" temperature sensor to cool it off and the servo for the damper moves in the direction to open it. The servos for the air inlets move in the direction to open them. Hold the "Indoor" sensor in my hand and warm it up. I get the "beep" that tells me the "Set" temperature has been reached. The servos for the damper and the air inlets move the other way. Use the laptop to set the real time clock. The display now has the current time and date - including the day of the week.
"Thur, 6 Jan, 1121AM" is on the bottom line of the display. Hit the "Menu" button. Hit "1" to select "Temperature?" "+" takes it up. "-" takes it down. "Menu" takes you back to "Set: 68 Indoor: 65.1" on line one, "Outside: 65.2" on line two, "Setback: 0" on line three and "Thur, 6 Jan, 1123AM" on line four.
Now the setback. Press "Menu". Press "3" for "Setback". Get "4 digit time?" prompt. Press "1130". Get "* for AM, # for PM". Press "*". Get "2 digit degrees?" prompt. Press "10". Press "Next" to get the "Setback off" prompt. Press "Next" again to get "4 digit time?" prompt. Press "1230". Get "* for AM, # for PM". Press "#".
Press "Menu" to get back to the home screen. Line three now has "Setback: 10 1130AM". That's what I told it to do. Nice when your fingers get the code from your brain to the device correctly. Wait while the clock gets to 1130. And I hear servos moving. The "Setback: 10" is now flashing.
Press "Menu". Press "4" for "Set Date/Time". The date and time are still on line four. Line one has "+ and - to set time". "+" takes the minutes up one on each press or at one per second if held. After being held ten seconds, it goes to ten minutes per second. "-" takes it down the same way. Line 2 has "4 to select month". Line three has "6 to select date". The day of the week comes from the real time clock when it is set. Press "4" and the month goes up by one. Hold it for one per second and it's back to "Jan". Press "6" and the date goes up by one. Hold it and it does one per second for ten seconds then ten per second and it's back to "6". Press "Menu" to get back to the home display.
Press "Menu". Press "3" for "Setback". Press "0" and "Next" to clear the setback degrees and I hear servos moving. That also works. Press "Menu" and we're back to the main screen. "Setback: 0" is steady.
Press and hold "*" and "#". After five seconds, line three has "*** LOCKED ***" centered and flashing slowly. Press and hold "*" and "#" for ten seconds and line three has "Setback: 0". All the adults will know how to lock and unlock the key pad but only a few of the kids.
Now to mount this in a sturdy case with the display visible and the key pad accessible. It needs to be visible and in a safe place - where it won't be hit by a door swung open hard or a broom sliding down the wall or a hand hitting the wall as its owner goes through the door by that wall. All the cables are three wires. That simplifies which type cable to run but means the ends need good identification. Use the pTouch label printer to make labels for each end of each cable. "Damper Servo". "Air Inlet 1 Servo". "Air Inlet 2 Servo". "Inside Temperature". "Outside Temperature". "Thermostat Power". Jenny and Sammy want to help. Take the spool of cable to the furnace. Loop the end of the cable on a hook near the damper. Label it "Damper Servo". Bring the spool upstairs and loosely zip-tie the cable to pipes every three feet or so. When all the cables are in place, I'll pull the cable closer to the pipe and snug the zip-ties. Leave some slack and cut and tie off the controller end of the cable. Add the matching label at this end of the cable. Label the end of the cable on the spool "Air Inlet 1 Servo". Pull it down the stairs and fish it through the slack zip-ties as we go. Tie it off in the proper place. Label this end. Do the next cable. Label it "Air Inlet 2 Servo". Run one more cable to the furnace for the flame sensor I may add in the future. Use a Sharpie to write "Flame" on each end of the cable. One more cable in the basement. Start at the controller and feed it through the zip-ties. This one goes where the outside connections for the solar controller go through the wall. Compress the foam a little and run ten feet of cable out that same opening. Back up to the controller; cut and tie this cable and put the "Outside Temperature" label on it. Now a cable along the door and floor trim and into the dining room. To the far end of the wall and up next to the thermostat for the LP furnace. Cut and tie it and label it "Indoor Temperature". Tuck that cable behind the trim. Now for power. The current drain is low enough to use the military radio's battery as the power source. Cable tied off at the controller. Take it over and then behind a cabinet and tie it off at the battery. Label it "Thermostat Power" on both ends.
Now to mount the servos and their control rods to move the damper and the air inlets. My assistants were getting tired of running wire but want to be involved when there are power tools in use. The damper needs a fiberglass rod so the heat there isn't conducted back to the servo. Also need that servo mounted away from the heat. This spot is good. The metal is thick enough to take self-tapping screws in pre-drilled holes. Nice that cordless drills using lithium batteries stay ready for use for a long time between charges. Drilled. Screwed in. The end of a broken fiberglass fishing rod has a new life. Now the air inlet servos. They can be mounted on the furnace itself because it doesn't get hot here. Drill. Put in screws. Connect the control rods.
Connecting the wiring is next. Strip the cable ends and get the right cable to each servo. Use the solderless crimp-on connectors. Zip-tie the cables to the body of the servos for security. Snug up the zip-ties on the pipes as we go up the stairs. Now to connect the cables to the controller. There's a labeled screw terminal strip for each cable at the controller. Strip enough insulation from each wire in each cable to get it under the appropriate screw. It's all color-coded with red, blue and green wires in the cables and red, blue and green marker ink on the screws of each terminal strip. This should be easy for me to trouble shoot if it's ever needed. To the dining room to wire that temperature sensor. Outside to wire that one but my helpers disappeared when I grabbed my coat and headed out the back door. That one's done and mounted out of the sun about ten feet off the ground. Hopefully above the snow line.
Now the moment of truth. Connect the power cable to the battery. The display lights up for a few seconds. It also does that when a key is pressed. Line four has "Thur, 6 Jan, 1220PM". Lunch is running late today. Did Hazel choose to not tell me to get out of the way so the kids could cook?
I used an FRAM memory chip to store the settings when power is off. The real time clock has a backup battery so it keeps running whether the controller is powered or not. The date and time are correct. The "Wanted:" is still 68. "Indoor" is 63 - I think I need to feed the furnace again. "Outdoor" is 29.2. I should go reload the furnace and see what the servos do as the house warms.
Firebox is full. There is warm air coming from the registers. "Indoor" is up to 63.2. That's what we should see with more heat available.
"Grandma, I'm hungry!"
"Cyndy, I think you're always hungry. Now that Jack seems to be at a stopping place and our 'teachers' and 'students' are on their way here, we'll start on lunch. Sarah sent Amelia over earlier with a note about holding lunch because they were talking about some 'Oops!' moments. Jack can mix the peanut butter powder and he might do something special with it. We'll do an assembly line to put the sandwiches together. Go wash your hands."
Just a pinch of a couple of spices makes the peanut butter a special treat. It's in the spice cookbook but as a footnote on page 42. Only the careful readers discover this one. That's a lot of sandwiches but enough willing hands get them finished very quickly. We still have chocolate for making chocolate milk and that's the number one favorite beverage. I should check the spreadsheet but I think we may start limiting that to one meal a day. They can still have milk, just not chocolate milk. We'd be limiting it to once a week in a few months at the current rate of consumption. Better to go to once a day before once a week.
---
There's the controller's little "beep". "Indoor" is 68 and I also heard servos moving. That movement is done in steps so there are no great swings in temperature. The controller tracks the rate of indoor temperature change and that sets flags for how much to close the air inlets and damper as the desired temperature is approached. With the indoor temperature rising, at two degrees below the "Set" temperature it does a ten per cent reduction in air inlet opening and waits five minutes. If the temperature continues to rise at the same rate, it does another ten per cent reduction and waits another five minutes. If the temperature is still rising at the same rate it closes the damper 25 per cent and waits another five minutes. If the rate of rise slows down, the controller holds where it is for another five minutes and checks rate of rise again. If rate of rise has stopped or the temperature has started to drop, the damper will be opened ten per cent if it was closed any. Then the air inlets will be re-opened in increments. I expect to hear some back-and-forth servo movement for the next 30 minutes. Then it should be in monitor mode and will provide incremental opening of the damper and air inlets to provide more heat as the fire burns down.
I heard the servos again. "Indoor" is at 68.5. It shouldn't get much above 69 if my math is correct.
Some of the kids wanted to talk about why they started getting so many 'Oops!'. Amelia's nose looked cold so I checked and it was.
"Did anyone adjust the thermostat on the heater out there?"
"Momma said it was too warm and to turn it down a bunch."
"How much did you turn it down, Lisa?"
"Momma said 'a bunch' so I turned it all the way down."
"Get your coats. We'll go do some checking."
"OK."
"Lisa, what's the thermostat on?"
"40."
"Where is the silver mark for normal temperature?"
"Close to 70."
"This is my toolbox thermometer that needs no power. It's on the workstation. What's it show?"
"55."
"Do any of my kids remember the kero heater at the hydro plant?"
"You said we couldn't do fine work with cold fingers. It's too cold in here to do this right!"
"Correct. If an adult asks you to change the thermostat, you tell them what it's on and ask them where they want it set. You don't want it below 68 if you're doing this work. I'll put it back on 68 but I expect it will be an hour before it's warm enough for you to work in here. Maybe some time playing in the snow?"
"YES!"
"Go tell the other kids. I'll get the sleds."
---
Thursday, 6 January, 3:10PM
The students and teachers are back in "class". After being outside a while, 55 would have seemed warm. Sarah said she'd cut this session a little short to be certain they wouldn't have another "Oops!"
"Indoor" got up to 69.1 but has stabilized around 68.2. That's as close as many home thermostats and this one has much more to do to maintain the temperature. There's occasional servo motion but it's all small movements. That's what it should do when it approaches the desired temperature.
I should configure the "Setback" for tonight. Press "Menu". Press "3" for "Setback". Get "4 digit time?" prompt. Press "1030". Get "* for AM, # for PM". Press "#". Get "2 digit degrees?" prompt. Press "10". Press "Next" to get the "Setback Off Time?" prompt. Press "0520". Get "* for AM, # for PM". Press "*". Press "Menu" for the main screen. "Outdoor" is 28.6. It's getting cooler and it's a little early in the day for that. Is this a cold front ahead of the storm? I expect our next snow to also come with single digit highs and negative lows. I should ask Dawkins for detai…
Bee-doop!
To the radio. Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. The storm and the cold front are moving faster than expected. Saturday morning is now the latest for the kids to leave. We can get the blimp. I like your idea of leaving late Friday. Talk it over with the kids and see if they're OK with that.
Be prepared for severe cold as the highs will be single digits with wind chill near or below zero starting on Saturday. Overnight lows will be below zero. Expect 15 tomorrow morning, five Saturday morning and minus five Sunday morning. The snow will come in around 0200 local Sunday. Be sure you have plenty of firewood in or near the basement and keep the tractor warm - you'll need it.
A squad is at Peter Jakes' house. He is dead, apparently from hypothermia. The LP tank is empty. I'll guess he wasn't aware the tank was low and either didn't have another source of heat or couldn't get wood for a fire because of the snow. The squad will get things disassembled there and the tank and heater will be delivered to you today by helo. It will be a cable drop as the fuel bladders were. Stay warm.}
Need to let everyone else know about all of that - that will be when the "class" comes back in. "Keep the tractor warm?" What if I replaced the tarp in the hay bale "tractor room" with some of the foil-faced insulation board? Not much more trouble to move when moving the tractor in and out and definitely a safer and more stable material. Need to get Joe and Bill to help with that. We could do that now. It won't be any warmer tomorrow.
"Joe, Bill. Need some hammer and nails work."
"What's up, Jack?"
"Joe, we have more of the single digit weather coming before snow gets here early Sunday. I need to replace the tarp in the 'tractor room' in the barn with insulation board so I can safely use the wood stove out there to keep the little tractor warm enough to start."
"And it won't be this warm tomorrow."
"Probably not, Bill. Tim said 15 in the morning, five Saturday morning, minus five Sunday morning. Let's do it while we have daylight."
---
We're done - and just barely before dark. The tractor is in place. A fire is laid in the stove. We're as ready as we're likely to be. It's OK if supper is a little late so I'll go over what Tim told me with everyone before they start on supper. I heard the helo with the LP tank and the heater. They eased it down, I released the hook and they were gone. Another project for tomorrow.
Check the furnace controller. "Indoor" is 66. Need to reload. "Outside" is 24. It's falling fast.
Get my coat and the 'nerd' light. Down to fill the furnace. That's done. Can I get more wood into the basement and still get to the water barrels and the stored food? Another short rack might fit. There's one in the horse barn. Something for tomorrow. Better add that to my paper list along with installing LP heat in the cabin. Back up the stairs.
"Everyone, I had some good and bad news."
"How can it be both, Mister Jack?"
"Good for those who want to go to Grandpa Ephriam's. The weather is moving that trip to Friday evening because of the snow that's coming Saturday and Sunday. Bad for those staying here because we'll have a day less to spend with you than we expected to have."
"You say the sweetest things, Mister Jack!"
"I think you can get all the board class completed by tomorrow afternoon even if you have some range time tomorrow morning."
"They're complete, Jack. All of them have done at least six of each board type and they've used the board testers."
"Then they can have range time tomorrow before the wind gets here and maybe a special meal at lunch. The aircraft will probably be here late in the day tomorrow and it will land in the snow across the road. I'll be using the tractor to plow a path for you to get to it."
"What kinda airplane can land in that little field?"
"Not an airplane, Leah. An aircraft. The blimp that brought the boards here. Sarah, did they get the 300 boards on that list?"
"They've completed almost 400 boards but only 280 of what's on that list. They could do the other 20 in an hour or less in the morning."
"I need to tell Tim. The aircraft will also be doing a pickup on those boards very soon. They're back in the totes?"
"Yes."
"I'll need to get the pallets and some pallet wrap. I'll be using something other than pallet wrap to hold the two pallets together because hand wrapping isn't a tight as machine wrapping."
"If they're four foot pallets, just screw on some eight foot two by fours."
"I'll do that, Bill. The other things all of you need to know are about the weather. Very cold: 15 in the morning and that could be the high for the day, five Saturday morning, minus five Sunday morning. Very windy - wind chill below zero Saturday and into next week. Snow will come in around 2AM Sunday. It could be as bad as the previous snow. If the temperature numbers don't mean a lot to our kids, just remember how cold you were after being outside ten minutes."
"I remember!"
"Me too!"
---
To the radio. Press "Compose". 'Will have the 300 boards on the list completed tomorrow before noon. When do you want to get them?' Press "Save". PreSel 407. Press "SendMail". It's done.
Bee-doop!
{Jack. The aircraft must land for the kids to get aboard. Can you clear a path for the forklift or frontloader to the field across the road from you? If so, you could load the pallets to the cargo area of the aircraft when they get the kids.
When I passed the board info up the chain of command, I learned that there were "hidden" incentives associated with them. The kids have exceeded all the time requirements so more food and supplies coming your way. I was able to pass along things you'd mentioned and to tell them that replicating previous food types would be acceptable. Also trailers headed to Ephriam's farm. Someone there will contact him for specific needs for him, the farm and the kids, although you've covered their needs pretty well. More clothes in larger sizes and some maternity clothes in very small sizes. Columbo had a long list of baby/toddler supplies - including cloth diapers and a gasoline powered washing machine if Ephriam doesn't have one. He will be seeing much more laundry with seven kids added to his "family".
You're probably already aware of what another three feet of snow and high winds will do to the power restoral effort. They'll be backtracking to get everything working again out to where they were when the snow started. The people who have power are discovering that the rest of the country also needs power. With nothing coming in by train or truck, their already limited supplies of things that aren't produced locally are dwindling rapidly. It's more obvious when you have gas to drive to the grocery store but the store shelves are bare than when's it's just your pantry that's bare and you think the store is stocked. There's a dairy that has the milking machines and coolers running again, so they can provide milk, butter and cottage cheese but that's about the only food production other than individual greenhouses. It's winter and very little is growing.
Thanks to high speed data networks, most banks have all their data in a regional center and it's backed up every night. If your bank's regional center or its data lines aren't working, your local bank branch doesn't know how much money is in your account. Most people had very little cash on hand so they're hitting the open banks for cash - via a teller, not the ATM which needs a network connection to the regional data center. If a customer has paper records going back at least three months - in other words, they didn't buy into the hype of the "convenience" of not having paper records - the customer can withdraw up to half of the average balance of that timeframe. Some people are writing checks or using credit cards with the manual machines that do a paper slip. Even those methods are limited - ordering more checks or credit card forms was done online or by phone and that's no longer possible because the suppliers don't have power or phones. If it's a deal between people who trust each other, they are making trades or simply writing IOU's.
Thank all the kids for me. The "teachers", the "students" and the ones who did someone else's chores so she could "teach". I'm sure you and/or Sarah were in class with them most of the time so thanks to both of you. The other adults had to adjust schedules to deal with the changes having "class" caused, so thanks to them. This country will probably never know how much they owe your family. Some of that is "Eyes Only" and some you just don't want publicity about. When - if? - power restoral is completed and things are back near "normal", just be aware that many people in places of authority will know what's owed and will be receptive to any request you may have.
Watson just told me the aircraft ETA at your location is 1600 local tomorrow. You'll get paper confirmation and some security things to verify with the pilot. These kids are essential to the recovery plus I don't want you holding a 12 gauge on my foot and asking me why I didn't keep them safe.
Ibrahim is on his way back to Tel Aviv. I don't speak Hebrew but I recognized the tone of voice - and the volume. I think the people responsible for the trailers will meet your design specs - or their replacements will. Ibrahim now knows first-hand the difficulties caused by three feet of snow. He's getting our forecasts and was almost in unbelief when I told him that we have another storm that could add about that much more snow. He wants pictures to convince the people there. Dawkins set up a time-lapse camera to watch the mobile home and the classroom. One picture every 15 minutes with time and date stamp. He'll send each shot as it's made and make a video of the entire storm when it ends. More later.}
Is there a gate in the fence on this side of the field? I don't remember but the cameras can show me. I can’t see a gate because of the snow piled up there, but there's a track leading to the fence from the road and there are double posts in the fence on either side of that track. That's a gate. Need a tractor to get most of that but the frontloader to get near the fence and we'll be using shovels to clear the foot or so on either side of the gate. I'll get Joe and Bill to help me with that.
I should check the brochure on the blimp so I can get the exact dimensions to know how big the cleared area should be. Did I get that back from a curious Alicia? It's here by the laptop. I don't remember putting it there so she put it where I'd see it. I'll give her a hug for thinking that through. Will the Deere fit through that gate? I think so. It would be the fastest way to move that much previously untouched snow. I'll still want the frontloader near the gate. Bill's in his element on big machines so I'll show him what we'll be doing and he can drive the Deere. I have more experience in the frontloader than anyone else so I'll do the things it does best. Need to decide where to stack the snow when we clear the landing area - no point in moving it more than once. Finish my sketch, get the brochure and head for the kitchen and something hot to drink.
"Joe, Bill. The blimp will be here tomorrow about four. It will land in the field across the road. It needs space like this sketch so snow needs to be moved. Bill's best with the big iron, so…"
---
Two cups of coffee later, we'd worked out where to put the snow and the best sequence of clearing space. "Outdoor" is 25.7 so we'll do it now. Bill and I will be in enclosed cabs so we'll get the path cleared to the fence before calling Joe on the FRS and he'll walk over and join the shovel brigade. What we shovel out can go in the frontloader's bucket to be dumped and not need to be shoveled again. Then the Deere in the field to do the big clearing and the frontloader follows to even the edges.
---
That's done. We finished before dark but not by much. Now we're all trying to get warm with cups in hands and feet over registers. I went down and filled the furnace although three of the girls offered to - including Miriam, who said "Because you did stuff in the cold for us". There are some holes in the field that we'll be dealing with after the thaw - one hole big enough to hold most of one track on the frontloader until Bill lifted that side with the snow blade on the Deere. He is good with the big machines.
Back to check the controller. "Outside" is 21.6. I think we can expect the predicted 15 in the morning. "Inside" is up to 67.2. The servos are responding to the inside temperature's rate of rise. I love it when things work as I want them to! I may not need the flame sensor to know the fire is low. I could see about correlating the inside temperature's rate of fall with the outside temperature. I need more computing horsepower than a micro to do the initial number crunching on that. I could add a wireless link and capture what's going to the display. Put a bridge on the serial link to the display and use an ESP8266 for the wi-fi connection. Collect that with the laptop and use Excel to create a graph. Make paper notes. The kitchen is needed for supper.
I'll talk with Hazel and suggest sack "suppers" for the kids leaving tomorrow and one for the pilot. PB&J with some of the "goodies" the kids have helped make this week and the last of the decent apples. I think there are still some snack-size bags of chips. Chocolate milk in disposable water bottles and in a cooler packed with snow to keep it cold. They get to remember being loved on the way to their new home. I hope it's as good as Bina remembers.
"Poppa?"
"Yes, Sherry?"
"I have a question for upstairs."
"OK."
'Remember the "goodnight" song with the kids' name in it?"
'Yes.'
'Could you do that with the names of the other kids and something about them going to Bina's Grandpa's farm?'
'Do you have any words for my music?'
'Un huh. I wrote this.'
'I like it! The words need adjusting to match the melody here and here…'
'I couldn't come up with the right words. But I know you can!'
'For tonight after the story?'
"Un huh.'
'You'll sing with me?'
'Yes!'
'I'll put something together. Back downstairs.'
---
I see grey cans again but the smell is gourmet kitchen. Interesting combination but I think it will work well. Some of the kids are almost drooling. Seems this is an excellent choice for them.
"Jack, I borrowed from one of your recipes but also one of mine."
"Smells good to me and the kids who aren't cooking are crowding the door because they can't wait. I think it's a winner."
The kids all wanted seconds on supper so they got a little more. I think the good doctor has two chapters left. Neither is long so I'll read both tonight. The new kids started in the middle of the book but most of them read the chapters they'd missed so they'd know what the other kids were laughing about at times. After all are down, Sherry and I will sing the "Goodbye" song - more than just a "goodnight" this time.
"Kids. Jammies, brush, floss. If you get that done without dawdling, I might read the rest of Dr. Dolittle."
"YES!"
"Hazel, if you need help with the dishes, I'll be available when they're all asleep."
"Sherry told me what you're doing, Jack. Go make those kids' last night here a happy one."
---
Dr Dolittle is finished and put to bed. The Hugs and Kisses Patrol has made its rounds. Sherry slipped out of bed and is beside me in the hall.
"Ready, Sherry-berry?"
"Yes, Poppa."
I hear some sniffles as we sing. Some are sad to be leaving so many people who love them unconditionally. Being here has been a huge change from where they'd been and how they'd been treated. Rachel joined us to ask me to sing it again. I think our little thinker understands much more than we think she does. My kids are singing with me this time. The sniffles are louder. Seems we'll be doing laps and shoulders to get them to sleep tonight. That's probably a good thing - let them get through most of the emotion of leaving so they're not wrapped around some of us in tears and saying "I don't wanna go!" while the pilot waits. Myra asks for "One more time?" Yes, but it's the last time. Then the Hugs and Kisses Patrol will make a second sweep.
The new kids are settled down. I got "I love you, Daddy" from all of them. I may not have been "Daddy" for long but I was there with lap and shoulder when they needed those things. I read somewhere that "A father is an accident of biology; a Daddy is a lifetime of love." For me with these kids, that "lifetime" has been seven days. I think a little love may have leaked out of my eyes tonight.
Back to the mundane. Coat. 'Nerd' light. Down to load the furnace. Done. Need to fill the wood racks inside and outside the basement before the snow gets here - maybe Saturday? How's the controller? "Inside" is 67.6. I did get the reload done before the inside temperature dropped appreciably. "Outside" is 19.6. Tomorrow will be cold. Good that the tractor room was finished today. Status of the radio's battery with the extra load of the furnace controller? Not enough change that I can see it on the charge controller. That's what I expected. The furnace controller beeped and "Setback" is flashing. It's 10:30 already? I guess so as servos are moving to do the setback. Between getting the kids settled, then getting us settled, reloading the furnace and going back for another cup of chamomille tea - yes, it's past time I was in bed.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:31:09 GMT -6
Friday, 7 January, 5:10AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Get dressed. Boots. Glock. Coat and 'nerd' light on my way downstairs. "Inside" is 60.1. Not quite the 10 degree setback I planned for but close enough for the beta test. Need to know how that dropped during the night - what temperature when? "Outside" is 13.7. It definitely made 15 degrees this morning. Down to fill the firebox. Still have some embers. Kindling first - and we have a flame. Stack progressively larger wood until it's full. The servos did move the controls for maximum heat while I was loading the firebox, so the setback turned off as scheduled. Back up to start coffee and other hot beverages. Out to turn up the thermostat in the classroom. Then up to wake all. I'll do Sarah and my kids first and save the others for last so any tears can get a BFF response.
Very teary wake up this morning. Seven girls who've only needed a week to claim us as family. They'll be better when they're busy so I'm prodding them to get sweatshirts and socks and get to the kitchen. I also saved this group for last so Sherry and the others could put up the banner with "We love you" and all the new kids' names and the comments from each of our kids to them. The kids not involved in the class did that while the others were in class yesterday and left room for Amelia and the others to add their comments this morning. More tears but they're mostly happy ones. There are small gifts at each new kid's place. Alicia's purple socks that Ellen fell in love with. A pink shirt for Bina but I don't remember who it's from. All wrapped in birthday paper "because we won't see you on your birthday". Sounds like family to me. Breakfast is pancakes with candles in seven of the stacks - it seems Hazel was in on the birthday theme. We're all involved in singing "Happy Birthday".
---
Friday, 7 January, 6:50AM
Sarah reminds the "class" that they have boards to finish this morning so they're getting an early start. I remind them that it's cold outside and their coats need to be zipped, not just wrapped around them.
Back to the mundane. "Inside" is 63.4. The house is warming nicely. I didn't hear any complaints about being cold last night so the setback didn't drop the upstairs temperature too much. I didn't think that it would as I've been doing the manual equivalent. I should put the toolbox thermometer on a dresser or something tonight and see where it is in the morning. Make a paper note. Add adjusting the damper percentage to make the setback degrees accurate. Not critical, just me being a perfectionist. Well, duh! Why don't I just save the original "Wanted" temperature, subtract the "Setback" degrees from the original "Wanted" temperature and change "Wanted" to the new value? And reverse that in the morning? Much more accurate than trying to compute damper and air inlet close/open percentages. Better add that to my paper notes.
Get with Hazel about something special for lunch - since it will be their "Goodbye Dinner". I have a couple of ideas and she probably will also. We found some things we both think all the kids will like, they're not so rich that it might not be a good meal before traveling and we have all the ingredients.
---
"Jack, tell me about this furnace controller."
"Joe, I automated things we've been doing manually. It adjusts the damper and the air inlets based on the inside temperature, the outside temperature and how the inside temperature is changing - and in which direction. If you want more heat, you open the damper to let the smoke out and the air inlets to provide more fresh air to the fire. If you want less heat, you do the reverse. I just put the instructions in very simple terms and in a format a microprocessor can recognize. Think of a chain of 'Yes/No' questions. For example: Is the house warmer than the desired temperature. If yes, it needs less heat. If no, it needs more heat. With a wood fire, the simplest explanation is that the heat controls are the damper to slow the fire and the air inlets to limit the oxygen to it. Need less heat, close the damper and air inlets. Need more heat, open them. The key is controlling how much they are opened or closed - and when - to help maintain a steady heat output. My program makes those decisions and checks the inside temperature every five minutes to see what additional adjustments may be needed. A wood-fired furnace won't be showing a change in output any sooner than that."
"That explains the activity I hear immediately after the firebox is loaded and why it slows down as the furnace warms."
"Correct. The longer a load of wood lasts, the smaller and less frequent the control changes need to be."
"An 1850 heating system with 21st century controls?"
"The nameplate on the furnace has 1910."
"There's still a century difference between the heating system and the control system."
"True."
---
Friday, 7 January, 8:50AM
The kids have finished the remaining boards on the printed list. They're in boxes and sorted to the totes. Sarah sent the 'A' team to get me so I can put the totes on the pallets and wrap them. I screwed the two by fours to the pallets before I starting loading the totes the kids brought out. With the last totes in place, I wrapped the pallets and totes. I used more tape to secure the wrap than the machine that originally wrapped them - no surprise there. I put forks on the frontloader because it does better in the snow. The frontloader with the pallets in place is in the barn. That's ready to be moved to the blimp when it gets here.
The new kids are out getting range time before lunch. I didn't hear back from Tim about handguns and ammo for them. Maybe the Guard unit near Ephriam can help with that. I did want them to have range time with the guns they were to get so they'd know they could be accurate with those weapons. Too late to do anything about that now.
The "Goodbye Dinner" we're having at lunch will be ready when the kids get back in from the range. We'll have the kids pack their things - much more than what they came with - before they eat. There were some duffle bags in the bunkhouse attic in the same area where Bill and Hazel found the old pea coats. Joe guessed that some of the hands were ex-Navy and left those things because they didn't want to be reminded of the military. Those bags still work for packing clothes and shoes, just much smaller clothes and shoes than they were originally used for.
After we eat, I think some songs would be good - mostly light and fun stuff. Lap time if they want it. Leaving rested, loved and happy will make the trip seem shorter. At least they're traveling by air and the trip should be smooth.
---
Friday, 7 January, 11:10AM
The kids are back inside and the packing is being assisted by the kids who went to the hydro plant and learned how to get the most clothes into the least space. The "We love you" banner is still up from breakfast. I'll take that down after we eat and fold it to fit into a thin box for safe travel - they might want the reminder of other "family". The phone is charged so I can get a group picture and print two copies - one for here and one to go.
Hazel has the new kids helping with the non-obvious parts of lunch. When that's done, the other things come out of the oven and we have some mostly happy tears. Lots of hugging going on. I got them to sit at the table by reminding them that these things are better when hot.
---
They didn't expect the big cookie with "Bon Voyage" - which Miriam explained were the usual words for a cake or cookie at a party for someone taking a trip to a good place. I certainly hope this is a "good place" for this group of kids.
I think they've all eaten enough to make them sleepy. That's good. I'll play and sing and they can find someone to snuggle with. Rae and Judy are with me. Bina and Miriam with Sarah. Ellen and Judy with Joe. Chava with Bill. Most have one or more of our kids with them. Three songs and most are asleep. I'll do a couple more songs. Plenty of time for their food to settle before they fly.
---
Friday, 7 January, 1:50PM
Bee-doop!
Ease these two off me and see what Tim has to say.
Check the furnace controller on my way to the radio. 68.1 inside. 19.4 outside. Plan on five or lower overnight.
Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. Aircraft ETA your location now 1530. Respond if you can do earlier.}
With everything done except waking them and the final goodbyes, they can be ready in an hour. I'll tell him.
PreSel 407.
{This is Jack Wilson. Tell the Colonel the kids can be ready at 1500.}
{I'm here, Jack. The cold front is moving faster. The pilot wants to be far from here and that front's winds as soon as possible. He was out the door to do the last minute checks as soon as he heard "1500".}
{The field is cleared for landing. The pallets of boards are on the forks of the frontloader and ready to be moved. The kids are all napping after lunch so the meal should be sufficiently settled that they won't need barf bags if there's a little turbulence.}
{Excellent. He'll be there at 1500 if not a few minutes sooner. There's a box of small caliber handguns taken from various killed or captured people. You can decide who should get which weapon, if any.}
{I'll wake the kids and I'll tell Joe about the weapons. He's the shooting instructor and those things should come from him.}
---
All awake. Some teary eyes as they realize they may never see each other again. I asked Sarah if she could do a quick lesson in puke control for at least Miriam and Bina and that's in progress. I hope it's not needed but better if they're prepared. Joe takes each of the girls upstairs for a few minutes of conversation. Not smiling but calm and confident - they can care for themselves and the others to a degree.
Myra asks for the "Goodbye Song" again. They all snuggle with an adult or their BFF and sing along. Rae asks for it again but I tell them there are too many teary eyes and runny noses for them to sing and they should go wipe and blow before their chariot gets here. That got some smiles and they're doing as I asked.
They hear the engines and I get mobbed with "I love you, Daddy". A hug and a kiss for each of them. Remind Miriam to keep up with the group picture and the banner. I'm out to get the load of boards to the blimp and they're walking over.
Boards are loaded. The pilot hands me a small but heavy box. I hand the box to Joe and he passes out weapons. They're all semi-auto, so magazines filled but no round in the chamber. A little help with getting the holsters on their belts and they're ready to go. The kids thank Joe for teaching them and he reminds them to write thank you notes to the Colonel for the weapons.
And they're gone in less time than it took me to read back over that and check the spelling. And each one took a little piece of my heart with her. Our kids have lost their excitement over their newest friends going to be with "family" because they're no longer here.
Hazel is the ultimate grandmother - she has brownies in the oven so these mopey kids will have some comfort food. Something she mixed up before she and Bill came to the house this morning. When she heard the new departure time, she told Bill when to get the pans from their fridge and put them in the oven in the bunkhouse. She filled the tea kettle and the pot we use for hot chocolate and they were on the stove when everyone headed for the blimp. Back inside for them to warm up and get over a little of the sadness of a multi-person goodbye.
"Daddy, will we ever see them again?"
"I don't know, Lisa. If things get back to near normal, we might have phone service. If Ephriam has a phone you could talk to Myra. We also might have mail service. We have Ephriam's mailing address so you could write a letter then."
"Not just Myra. The others too. They're like family now!"
"I guess they are. Grandma Hazel knew you'd be sad, so she fixed some comfort food."
"Brownies! But the others didn't get any…"
"Don't rain on me, Maddie. Hazel baked one pan of brownies this morning before she came to cook breakfast with all of you. Those brownies will mysteriously appear in the other kids' sack 'lunches' when they eat tonight."
"You're silly! They won't 'appear' - they're already there!"
"Yes, Amelia, but they don't know that."
"What about the pilot? It'd be hard to smell the brownies and not get one."
"Jenny, Miriam has two sack 'lunches'. The other one is for him."
"OK. Then I won't feel bad about enjoying this brownie."
---
Check the furnace controller. 66.7 inside. Time to feed the furnace again. 'Nerd' light. Coat. Down to the basement. I need to get the other small firewood rack in here and filled today. Load the firebox. The other small rack is about the size of the one already in the basement. That's maybe two and a half days of wood on each of those. The one outside the door holds enough for another four or five days. If all the racks at the house are filled before the snow gets here, we'd be OK for eight or ten days without bringing more wood from the wood shed. I'll need to be out sooner than that to move snow but nice to know what our limits are.
I'll get with Joe and Bill. We could set the LP heater at the fuel drop on a pallet and move it to the cabin with the frontloader, then put it on the pallet jack to move it inside. Probably much easier than trying to drag it across a dirt floor. When it's installed and the LP tank is in place, I'll get the LP truck started so I can fill our newest tank and top off all the others. Better than waiting until there's more snow on the ground. The rest of our afternoon is planned.
---
"Can we help with the new heater in the cabin?"
"Alicia, when the heater is in place and the flue is connected, you can help with the plumbing. Remember that it will be cold out there. No wind but it's not been heated in many days. It will be the same temperature as outside. Currently that's 19 degrees."
"You didn't look at the porch thermometer."
"Remember that we have a little more information brought inside now?"
"Oh. The furnace thingy. It has 19.1 for 'Outside'."
"I don't think your body can tell the difference between 19 and 19.1."
"We gotta dress in all the stuff and work in gloves?"
"If you want to do the work."
"Who's gonna dig the trench for the pipe outside?"
"We'll scrape the snow off and then use the tiller with just two tines…"
"Like the satellite antenna!"
"Correct."
"How do you get through the wall?"
"With a long drill bit."
"Won't rain get in through the hole?"
"No, Amelia. For two reasons. First, the hole in the log won't be level. It will angle up from outside to inside. That way, any water will drip off the outside portion of the pipe. Second, after the hole is drilled, I'll enlarge the first couple of inches of the outside portion of the hole so we can use expanding foam to seal it very tightly."
"If the pipe's not under the dirt inside the cabin, how do you keep people from stepping on it or tripping over it?"
"With tapered wooden protectors…"
"Like the hoses in the basement?"
"Yes. smart girl."
---
Two hours later it's done, including filling all the LP tanks and leak checks with bubble solution. The "A" team is warming up by turning front and rear to face the heater every couple of minutes. I'm timing how long heating from outside ambient to an acceptable temperature takes. I expect we'll be using other structures but this one is a sturdy alternative if needed. Other than the door and the one window, it's mostly bulletproof - it takes a lot of energy to penetrate 15 inches of log. I expect a call to sup…
{Jack. Supper's ready. I hope you have a flashlight. There should be a full moon tonight but you won't see it through the clouds.}
{On our way, Sarah.}
If the clouds are that heavy, we can expect zero solar energy for a few days so more time running the chargers. And an adult doing the starting the first time with it this cold. I should also check the diesel gen tomorrow in case it's needed. Is there starting fluid in the shed? I think so. Something to check in the morning. I know there's some in the Quonset hut with the bigger machines. I'll ask Joe when the batteries in those were last charged. They'll need a full charge to survive the cold we're likely to have.
Hot soup and fresh-from-the-oven cornbread! I should check the furnace before I sit to eat and forget everything except "warm". 67.6 inside. 16.2 outside. The kids may not be doing outside chores in the morning if the expected wind gets here. I should put up a flag or a windsock to be able to read the wind speed. Mount something on a two by four and get it above the barn roof where it can be seen from our back door. Maybe 15 minutes and worth it for the wind chill information - but in the morning when I can see what I'm doing. Send two kids out for milking tonight so they're only out half as long and similar thoughts for other outside chores. I'll make my trip to the cabin to check its temperature after I finish supper and then shut that heater off. If it's not cozy warm, I'll still have a ballpark time for heating the space out there.
---
The cabin is at 55 after about an hour. Not bad when it started at 19. Once the inside edges of all the logs were warmed, the heater wouldn't need to be at full output to keep the cabin warm. That's something we likely won't be dealing with for a while.
Was that a snowflake? Point the flashlight up. Yes. We already have flurries and we're a long way from 0200 Sunday. I should check with whichever of our radio operators is up at this hour.
knock. knock.
"Yes?"
"Childers. It's Jack, with a weather question."
"I see you've already collected evidence of a forecast anomaly."
"Yes. Flurries and maybe more than flurries. How much snow, when and how much wind?"
"When is before midnight tonight. The Colonel has probably left you a message already, but the kids were delivered safely before the wind and flurries arrived at their destination. The blimp is on its way to the power plant and should be there before the snow is. They do have a safe place to park it. How much snow is three to five feet over three or four days. How much wind is 15 to 25 MPH with gusts to 40 or more. You didn't ask how cold but expect five to seven days of lows in the minus teens or lower. You may not have noticed in the dark, but we moved hay bales around the tack room for insulation and a wind break. They're tarped to keep them dry."
"That's fine. Do what's needed to stay warm and be able to work. As cold as it will be, I don't know if a 20 lb LP tank can provide enough pressure to run the heater in the camper at full output. There's a 100 lb tank in the shed with a fifteen foot hose. That should have enough vapor pressure even in double negative digits. It's on a wheeled cart. We should move it before serious snow gets here."
"Let's do it!"
---
They'll have a warm place to sleep and an acceptable place to work. Back inside and find some "warm" for me.
---
"Jack, several messages on the radio."
"Thanks, Sarah. I'd expect one from Tim on the status of the kids' trip to Ephriam's and one about the changes in the weather forecast."
"What changes?"
"We already have flurries, so I stopped to ask Childers about it. The 2AM snow on Sunday will now be here by midnight. That could be three to five feet over the next four or five days. Lows well below zero - in the minus teens. Winds 15 to 25MPH with gusts to 40. I planned to get another small wood rack into the basement before the snow got here Sunday. Guess I'll be doing that in the snow tomorrow and then filling all the racks at the house - but after I plow snow in the morning. Tonight's milking will be done by two kids so you're only out half as long. The full moon is covered by the clouds so whoever is outside will need flashlights or the 'nerd' lights hanging near the back door. If things are as cold as predicted, adults will be doing some or all of the outside chores, starting in the morning. I'll go reload the furnace now and again just before I go to bed. Tonight won't be much colder than we've had before, but the next few nights will be much colder. I'd suggest my kids double up in beds and use the blankets from both beds on the bed being slept in. Some of you already know about how much warmer it is with two bodies under doubled blankets."
"Un huh!!"
"Now to see what else the Colonel may have for us."
To the radio. Headphones on. Press "Message".
{Jack. First, some good news. The blimp delivered the kids safely to Ephriam's farm. He was in tears to see his grandkids and the other kids seem to be happy to be there. The pilot said to say "Thank you" for the best "sack lunch" he's ever had.' }
Those are both good news I can share.
{The blimp got the boards to the power plant before the weather got nasty. The boards are being installed as I speak. The pilot reported comments of "How'd they do that so fast?" and "I didn't know they had a factory running". He said they'd offered a warm place to stay and good light to read by in a few hours but getting the blimp to a place with good anchors was more important. I wonder how many people might be warm tomorrow because of the work all those kids did this week.}
More good news to share.
{The bad news is the weather moving faster and will be worse than the previous predictions. Childers will have the latest info, so check with him if the timestamp on this message is more than an hour old. Expect snow tonight around midnight. Cold - lows in the negative teens. Wind - steady around 20MPH and gusting to 40. Snow for the next four or five days with a total accumulation of more than three feet.}
Not good news and I've already shared it. The timestamp is more than an hour old and I checked with Childers when I was out. I should check the status of the snow. Turn on an outside light and I see bigger flurries. Serious snow by midnight for sure. I should be up an hour earlier in the morning to get a fire going in the stove in our newly remodeled tractor room. Then back in to load the furnace and warm up before I go out to move snow. We need firewood at the house but I can't pull the cart through more than a couple inches of snow. That is a project for immediately after I finish plowing the first time. The total amount of snow expected tells me I may be plowing three times a day to stay within what the little tractor can handle. It is the most fuel efficient snow mover unless we had a snow board for two horses to pull. We have horses but no snow board - I think I'd remember seeing one of those somewhere..
"The Colonel has good news and bad news."
"And?"
"The bad news you already know - cold, wind, snow. The good news is in two parts. First, the other kids being safely delivered to Grandpa Ephriam…"
"Yes!"
"Second, the boards were delivered to the next power plant and are being installed right now. Some people in that area will have power before sunup. That's something some of you and seven other kids accomplished this week."
"And we got most of the other boards done!"
"You did, Michelle. I don't think you'll be doing outside chores for a few days, so maybe an hour or two on the boards and a few hours in the one room school each of those days."
"School?"
"Was the school on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day all that bad?"
"That was fun!"
"You'll have the same teacher. Maybe she can make other learning fun?"
"I guess."
"Maybe."
"You can answer that question again after a few days of 'school'."
"I guess we hafta."
"You 'hafta'."
---
The furnace here was designed for serious winters. It's 13.5 outside and 68.1 inside. I checked the damper and air inlets and there's still room to open them more. We may be OK with lows in the negative teens - except for the amount of wood we'll be using. We're good for this winter but I also want to start next winter with 20 cords dried and split.
Thinking of fuel - how much fuel would a typical gas station have? A small place with two pumps maybe 5000 gallons of each fuel type? A busy station with a dozen pumps maybe 30,000 gallons of each type? I don't know enough about the area. Joe would know what was where and which stations might have had how much storage. I should take the estimated storage and divide by two because not every tank would be full. Make a paper note - build a spreadsheet to work it out and add it to a database of what might be available. Did any of the farms have large fuel storage on-site? If so, we could use their fuel and their machines if we have enough people to do that. Add that to my note.
Bee-doop!
Press "Message".
{Jack. The second power plant is up with two generators online. General McManus wants to eliminate all the "fluff" and just do farming and "essential" industries. "Fluff" includes many of the Federal Government's websites and personnel databases. I wanted your opinion before I answered him. I'll be here when you can call back.}
PreSel 407.
{This is Jack Wilson. Is the Colonel there?}
{I'm here, Jack.}
{Ask the General where he expects to convert corn into corn meal or wheat into flour. Some of the biggest grain mills are in some of the worst areas for power restoral - those areas powered by natural-gas-fired power plants that won't be back on line for a long time. The National Parks Service website will let you search for "working mill" and their personnel database will let you find who knows how to run those old water-powered mills. The National Register of Historic Places probably has more info on mills and the people to run them. We know that some of those people didn't survive but some probably did. If he argues with you, let me know. We'll find out just how good PreSel 1001 is.}
{I'll let you know.}
{What do your maps tell you about local farms?}
{Mostly grain and dairy. Why?}
{If we could field more people, we could get more acres under cultivation. If the animals have survived, we could also have large scale milk, butter and at least cottage cheese production. Joe tells me we could handle eight cows here if we could get feed for them now and we pastured them on some adjacent land after the thaw and if we can get replacement parts for the milking machine.}
{"Field" more people? Bad, Jack. Your puns run parallel to your thinking. For the milking machine, get me brands, models and part numbers. I have some people who'd give up sleep for a week to have fresh milk. If the parts are out there, they'll find them. I'll ask if there are others willing to become farmers - or if they'd rather be hungry.}
{We had that discussion with the kids this week. If we do things that produce the most food from the fewest tilled acres, you won't have all your favorite foods but you won't be hungry. Did get the question "Can we grow any of the spices?" which I thought was a very thoughtful response. We'll have some herbs and spices in a greenhouse and the hardier ones outside in pots.}
{My cook would love to have access to a selection of herbs and spices. I'll suggest he find things to trade with you. If any of those things have a caliber on them, I don't want to know about it.}
{I'm sure we can work something out when the greenhouses are producing.}
{I'll keep you informed on progress with General McManus.}
Do all the people above Tim's level wear blinders? They don't seem able to see more than what is touching the sides of their noses. We'll work that out as needed. Trades for herbs and spices? Claymores, grenades, what else could we use?
Bee-doop!
{Jack. The General is threatening me with charges of incompetence and insubordination for supporting "obviously useless power wasters" such as the Parks Service and the NRHP.}
{I'll check whether the other option works.}
PreSel 1001.
{This is Jack Wilson. We have a problem.}
{One moment, sir.}
{This is the President. What do you need, Jack?}
{General McManus seems uninformed on how corn becomes meal and wheat becomes flour. Most of the grain mills are served by natural-gas-fired power plants that will not be back online in the near future. I suggested to Tim that the National Parks Service and the National Register of Historic Places web sites and personnel databases could locate water-powered mills and people to run them. The General threatened Tim with charges of incompetence and insubordination for supporting "obviously useless power wasters".}
{I'll get someone on that immediately, Jack. I was confident that you'd only contact me about major things and feeding millions is major. If you don't hear something positive from the Colonel within the hour, contact me again.}
{Thank you, sir.}
{No, thank you, Jack.}
---
Two chapters of Little House tonight - the last one we read to refresh their memories and then the next one. I didn't remember the friends moving away, but that works as this is a story about real people who had similar things to deal with. They're all hugged and kissed. Some needed extra attention - especially Lisa who "never had a real BFF before". I'll ask Tim if we can set up a radio link or a limited email link for the kids to use.
My better half has a pot of chamomille tea and chair positioned so my feet will be over a warm air register. I should go feed the furnace before I get that comfortable.
Furnace is done. I think the furnace controller is worth the effort - I only heard "I'm cold" today after they'd been outside. Now for my cup of…
Bee-doop!
Press "Message".
{Jeez, Jack. Run over someone with an Abrams next time! General Coltrane called to tell me he was replacing General McManus, who'd been fired by the President, and to ask which of a list of agencies should have power as he had 30 agencies and power for twelve of them. I'm forwarding the list to you and you can send it back or call me with your choices.}
"Data" is flashing. Thumb drive in place.
Bee-doop!
That transfer is complete. Take it to the laptop. This one. None of the next five. These two. Yes. No. No. Yes. None of these. These four…
A cup of tea later I've checked the list twice - am I doing "naughty and nice" with this? Perhaps. I've had less than pleasant dealings with some of them. Also with this one but it's included because the information is important. Parks and NRHP are in the same location so my thirteen agencies are only twelve servers to get power. Note that. Save it to the thumb drive. To the radio. Drive in place. PreSel 407. Press "SendFiles". Done.
Back for another cup of tea. I hear servos moving. It's 10:30PM and the setback is active. Finish this cup. Set my alarm for earlier in the morning. Do my "jammies, brush, floss" routine.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:31:36 GMT -6
Saturday, 8 January, 4:50AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Clothes. Boots. 'Nerd' light. Glock. Coat. Back to the basement for furnace duty. Still have a little wood left. That would be enough to start rewarming the house if I could override the setback. That would be manual and only be in effect until the next scheduled change. Make a paper note and look at that later. I don't plan to wake any of the others this early so the temperature can go back up at 5:20. Out to the barn and get the fire going to warm the tractor. We have eight or nine inches of snow so far. That's a little less than two inches an hour if the real snow started at midnight. If that keeps up, we could have more than three feet by midnight tonight and I'd need the Deere to move snow in the morning. Fire's going. "Doors" are closed. I'll ask Childers.
knock. knock.
"Yes?"
"It's Jack, with a weather question."
"Come into our marginally warm radio shack."
"Much better than outside. We already have eight-plus inches of snow. If it started at midnight, that's almost two inches per hour. What should we expect?"
"Snow at that rate for 12 to 24 hours, then slowing to one inch per hour for the next 24 to 48 hours."
"Another three to seven feet?"
"Best guess. We don't get much info from locations west of us. The first repaired hydro plant passes along what's happening there but the cold front isn't a straight line and neither is the moisture - plus that plant is a long way from us."
"I'm just trying to decide when to plow and which equipment to use. The little tractor is the most fuel efficient but is limited to moving a foot or less of snow. The Deere can manage several feet but can't get into some of the smaller places. If we get more than a foot of snow between plowings, I guess I'll use the Deere to get the majority of the snow out to the ditch by the road and then use the Ford or the frontloader to clear in the smaller areas. We must have access to do the chores that involve caring for the animals. And we'd like to get school going for the kids again - especially important when they can't be out playing in the snow until it's been lowered enough that they don't get lost in it."
"I'd guess every 4 hours today with the little tractor and with the big tractor in the morning. Then see how fast it's accumulating."
"Typical weather forecast."
"Hey, I'm a radio operator! Weather was just a hobby until this year."
"Then maybe not a bad weather forecast for a radio operator. I have snow to move."
"Stay warm, sir."
---
I think we're looking at adults doing outside chores. Check the outside temperature when I'm back inside and my hands are warm enough to get my coat off. 58.3 inside. 4.2 outside. Give the tractor a full hour by the stove to warm up. I hear servos moving. It's 5:20. The warm air registers should be warmer soon. Yes. The electronic thermometer shows this one up five degrees from what it was. Start coffee and hot water for tea. I should have the chocolate milk and hot chocolate discussion with the kids this morning.
Bee-doop!
Let's do this with headphones. Press "Message".
{Jack. The National Parks Service website and personnel database are excellent resources. There is a working mill within 50 miles of you - I guess that's working after the thaw. There are several ADM and other food warehouses that appear to be undamaged from the satellite views. When the weather clears, we'll get squads to those buildings for a physical inventory. We know where storage silos are located for various types of grains and will also inventory those when possible. You are aware that a large number of people would starve if not for your knowledge and imagination?
General Coltrane asked if there was anything we needed. I told him the children near us might need warm beverages in the cold weather and extra supplies for hot chocolate and chocolate milk would be good. He was a bit surprised but also pleased that I was asking for things for civilians and said he'd see that extra was included in our next supply drop. Don't hold you breath on that, as most of the country is snowed in or soon will be.
Lots of scientific debate on "one-year-in-ten winter" versus "once-a-century winter" versus "particulate-matter-is-blocking-more-sun winter". Regardless, this is the worst winter in at least 30 years but you're probably aware of that. I hope you have adequate wood and LP for heating and cooking and fuel for plowing snow this time.
There was a large dairy farm near you but between the probable loss of people to care for the animals and now the probable loss of the animals themselves because they're snowbound, there may be nothing to salvage. Had I been aware of these things a month ago, we could have moved any surviving animals and their feed to you. Hindsight is 20/20 and many of us may be hungry this year.}
Unfortunately, Tim, you may be painfully correct. I'll just try to see that my kids are not among the hungry. If the ADM and other warehouses have staples, we get a cushion until harvest - something many people may be in desperate need of, especially if winter stays colder and lasts longer than usual.
I could put the chocolate limit off until I hear from Tim, but I think we'll go to every other day. Some of them can graduate to the orange tea while it lasts - I can guess who that will be. The younger ones may not want to give up hot chocolate although Celia does sip Sarah's creamed and sugared coffee on a regular basis. If all of them were drinking coffee, we'd quickly have a shortage of that as well. Does sassafras grow around here? With a little sugar or honey, that might be an option for some of us.
I should wake everyone and then go plow snow. Breakfast would be ready when I come back in.
---
My morning "chore" is done. I heard "I don't hear the others" twice and had to do some calming after reminding those girls that "the others" are living elsewhere. Move radio or email contact for the kids up a few lines on my paper notes and see what might be done.
Bundle up and out to plow. It's 34 in the tractor room. Much better than single digits - whether positive or negative - for starting old iron. It's a little sluggish starting but I wasn't that fast getting out of bed in the cold this morning. It's running. Slowly open the choke as the engine warms. Open both "doors" and pull the tractor out of the tractor room. Brakes on and I'm off the tractor to close the doors, then back on to head out through the yard. One pass by the chicken coop and that snow piled up ten feet from the fence. Across the drive by the gate, then open the gate and clear the path to the road by pushing the snow into the ditch. Back inside the gate and repeat by the house. This snow is dry powder and I can't push it fast. Did I see a snowblower in the shed when I killed that rat? If so and if it runs, that might be the easiest thing to maneuver on the walkways between the buildings. Finish the bigger paths, including to the horse barn and the pig pen. Tractor back in the barn. Walk up and close the gate. Check the shed. Yes! Looks like this snowblower clears about a 30 inch swath. Discharge chute swivels OK so not too rusted to use. Tank is empty. Did the last user run it dry or did the gas evaporate and clog the carburetor? Shift the drive system to neutral. This thing probably needs an oil change. Need to get it running and get the oil warm to do that. Get it out of the shed and into the much warmer tractor room. Let it warm while I go eat and get warm.
---
"Hi, best Daddy ever! I'll take your coat."
"Thank you, Lisa, but why?"
"You do the best wake ups, even knowing what I need when I don't."
"Giving you an extra hug because you miss your BFF?"
"And you know what a BFF is."
"Everyone wash up. Waffles in five minutes."
And Hazel can give the time on that because she has two cast iron waffle irons going on burners on the stove and the oven is on just hot enough to keep the cooked waffles warm. She's doing "Grandma" things again. As much as she enjoys cooking with the kids, she'll be doing it 20 years from now with the children of some of these kids. That won't be 20 years if Lexi stays with us. As much medical gear as is now at Tim's encampment, Lexi should be able to get a C-section and have minimal problems. Should. No guarantees. No promise of the medications still being potent in eight months. I hope the medic near Bina can get the same level of information and equipment. I do claim Ariel as one of my kids and her responses indicate that she claims me. Twilight Zone, here we come.
---
Saturday, 8 January, 6:20AM
"Kids, outside chores will be adult responsibilities today and possibly for the next few days. The temperature is in single digits - it's 6 degrees at the moment - and with the snow and the occasional wind the only place not below 20 degrees is next to the cow you're milking. For that chore, I'll ask Sarah to choose one helper so they can finish twice as fast. I'll ask Bill to choose a helper for caring for the horses. I'll feed the pigs and chickens and gather the eggs. Then I'll be trying to get the snowblower that I saw in the shed running. It will be easier to use on the walkways than anything else. While I'm out, I'll turn up the heat in our one room school and the board classroom. When I tell you those spaces are warm, school will be in session part of the day and I want our board 'teachers' to teach the other kids here who might want to help when the job is here and not at some strange place far away."
"School, Daddy? Do we hafta?"
"Amelia, you had school on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You've had a long break from school so it's time to start back. I'm sure your mother has some interesting lessons for you. Remember that music and sewing were included in your 'lessons' in the past. You might find that there are other interesting things to be learned."
"Maybe, but I'd rather learn about the snowblower."
"Sorry, but you're not big enough to handle it. It's another of the 'you must be 12 or older' machines."
"Maybe school won't be too bad."
"I see all of you looking out at the snow. I don't know if you'll get to play in it or not. We'll have between three and seven feet the next few days. Three feet on top of what's already there and all of you would get lost in it. Seven feet and you won't be able to see anything but snow out these windows."
"Really?"
"Yes, Leah. Really. Three feet of snow on top of what we already have will be about this high. Seven feet will be this high."
"That's higher than the doors!"
"Yes, Sammy. I'll be moving snow every few hours to ensure we can get in and out of all the buildings. I'll be moving some of that snow across the road near the collapsed barn because we don't have a place to put it over here."
"We should build an ice house like in my 'Family History'. Then we could keep stuff cold in the summer."
"Jenny, if we had materials to build with and we had enough insulation that would be something to consider. I might be able to find building materials but I don't think we'd find enough insulation to have walls two feet thick."
"I guess you can't get sawdust 'cause the steam sawmill in the Family History isn't running now."
"Does your book say where that was?"
"It has someone's name on it - Baker, maybe? There's also a pond where they got water for the steam engine."
"Does that ring any bells for you, Joe?"
"I know where Baker's Pond is. Not that we can get there in the near future. It's a little north of us and is fed by the same stream that feeds the pond here. We should go exploring when the snow clears enough to see what might be near the pond."
"I think a sawmill might be useful for making rough lumber for outbuildings and fences. A large circular blade could cut wood to size much faster than a chain saw - and the scrap wood is fuel for the steam engine if we get it all working again. I'll add that to my long list of paper notes about future work."
"Sammy, I'll help you with the horses. I think Jenny should help Joe find out about the sawmill."
"OK, Uncle Bill."
"Crissy, we'll do the milking."
"Yes, Momma."
"Other kids, you know the morning cleanup routine. Clear the table and help Hazel with the dishes."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Yes, Poppa."
---
The temperature is 6.4 - up from the 6.2 of earlier, not that I can feel the difference. Pigs are done. Chickens are much easier. Eggs to the house. Another cup of coffee and my feet over a warm air register. Last swallow of coffee and boots back on. Coat, hat, gloves and back outside.
The snowblower is electric start - AC, not battery. Check the spec plate. The inverter out here can handle the load and we'll be running the charger today because of the snow. Check the oil. It's at the right level. A little dark but doesn't smell burnt. Name plate says 20 weight above 10 degrees or 10 weight below 10 degrees. I'm guessing this thing is older than the introduction of 5W30 oil. I know we have some of that. I did bring the small gas can so half fill the tank. Choke on full. Drive in neutral. This thing hasn't been used in years so a squirt of starting fluid. Press the starter button. Pops a couple of time but doesn't keep running. The in-line gas valve is on. Turn it off and check the filter. Gas on the "in" side but nothing on the "out" side. Back to the shed to look for a replacement. There are two. Take one. Can I print one of these? It's typically some fine wire mesh in a plastic housing with barbed ports for the gas line. Need to look for wire screening in the workshop area of the barn. Back to the tractor room. I should feed the stove out here again. 34 degrees is a much better temperature for working on equipment than 6 degrees. Filter replaced. Gas valve on. Squirt of starting fluid. Press the starter button. It starts but it needs some TLC - I'll check the shed for a new spark plug after I finish the oil change. That should improve clearing this morning's snow accumulation.. Ease the choke open and let it get warm. Check the drive mechanism. Let it move itself outside to run so it doesn't fill the barn with exhaust.
It's been five minutes and I moved just a little snow to check that everything works. Auger off. Back inside. Kill the engine. Brick under one wheel to tilt it for optimum oil draining. It's warm enough to do this with bare hands so nitrile gloves to keep the oil off my hands and a 3/8" wrench to remove the drain plug. This old Folger's can - definitely old because it's a metal can - makes a good oil drain pan.
Drain plug back in. Spec plate says 20 ounces of oil. Let's see how well I can read the markings on the translucent side of the plastic oil "can". That's close. Give it a couple of minutes to drain through the engine. Check the level. Maybe another ounce. We only have one snowblower so I don't want to short it on oil. Done. I'll check for the new spark plug now. There were two in the shed so replace the old one and make a note on my paper list to look for more plugs.
Put a piece of blue painter's tape near the shift lever and use a felt tip marker to write 'Spark Plug and Oil Change - 8 January - CJW' on the tape. The engine's cool enough to refill the gas tank but I'll push it outside for that. Moved and filled. Is it warm enough for the recoil starter? Yes. Sounds better with the new plug. Now to clear the walkways.
---
Saturday, 8 January, 8:20AM
We now have access to all the buildings. When I got the doors cleared at the school and the board classroom, I set the thermostat up in each one. They will be OK for use in an hour or so. I cleared the cabin walkway last so the places to be used today would have time to start warming before I went back inside. To the shed. Engine off. Clear the remaining snow from the snowblower's moving parts. Refill the tank for the next time. Done. The snowblower's back in the shed and I'm looking for a warm place and a hot cup to wrap my hands around.
"Cup of Earl Grey on the table for you, Jack."
"You are a queen among women."
"You're just cold. Get your boots off and put your feet over the register. I'm sure you're burning many calories staying warm out there so have a breakfast taco - waffle with bacon and pear preserves."
"How'd you get it hot?"
"In the oven for a few minutes with some of the things Hazel has the kids cooking. One of today's lessons is baked beans."
"That's not the only thing that smells good!"
"She has them working on several things."
"All the walkways are clear and the building doors are accessible, even the cabin. The school and the board classroom are warming. Based on what accumulated while I was out, it's snowing about two inches an hour. I'll be out every four hours or so while there's enough light to plow. I'll be getting the Deere out in the morning if we have more than another foot overnight. The snowblower worked well for the eight or nine inches we had on the walkways, but I don't know how well it will work if there's more than a foot of snow."
"You'd need the frontloader again?"
"If we get two feet overnight. We don't have adequate outside lighting to move snow after dark. Maybe if the snowblower had headlights?"
"You don't have paper and pencil out to draw that up?"
"The snowblower would need a generator on it to power the lights or I'd be scrounging some smaller batteries and charging them frequently to power the lights. I'll make a paper note and think about it."
Bee-doop!
At least I've finished my tea and my breakfast taco. Boots back on and to the radio. Headphones because I don't know what to expect.
{Jack. The CDC did some analysis on your alcohol plus borax plus soapwort cleaning solution and wants to produce it in quantity. It's the most broadly effective anti-viral and anti-bacterial surface cleaner they've ever tested. You said there were quantities of the plant near Sarah's former residence?
The other kids are happy to be in a familiar religious environment and they're all calling Ephriam "Grandpa". When the snow stops and they can get equipment there to prepare a place for the board re-chip trailer, it will be delivered and installed. The kids there have asked for some kind of communications with your kids. I think that's an excellent indicator of how loved those kids felt with your kids.
The Guard set up a radio for Ephriam to coordinate the trailer delivery and installation and we can provide very limited email capability for the kids. Text only - no pictures - and messages of no more than 1,000 characters. Dawkins says he can set up a mail server for 500 people on a laptop with the "text only" restriction. He can tell you how to save that email to your laptop via USB. He also said you're probably sufficiently familiar with the POP3 email protocol to write your own mail creation and display program and set up each kid with their own password. The kids won't be getting instant responses. Their messages will be bottom priority so they may not get passed to the recipient until all other traffic has been moved - think overnight mail.
We're working on the ID scheme for peripheral civilian users. It will follow internet domain practices with your location being mckenzie.org and Ephriam's location being feldman.org. Military locations will be basename.army.gov. Civilians will be first initial dot last name to provide identification but not full names - you're j.wilson@mckenzie.org. Ephriam is e.feldman@feldman.org. Maddie and Michelle will be m.wilson1k@mckenzie.org and m.wilson2k@mckenzie.org. The "k" identifies the kids and simplifies setting message priority - the priority is in the ID and doesn't require a database lookup for every message. Very limited system but it's what we can implement now. Shawn at the hydro plant will be included as will Dr. Springer and the other "good guys" from the CDC, as well as some people that should be able to contact you without multiple relays. Dawkins will give you a copy of the list when the assignments are complete. Updates will be sent out as they happen.}
To the laptop. Think as I type.
'Tim. Soapwort was planted as an ornamental in most of the yards near Sarah's previous house and at the park. There were probably hundreds of the bushes there.
I planned to ask you if some type of communications could be set up because of things my kids have said. Yes, I've written email programs. I'll send screen shots of several and you can see if there's anything you'd like to use.
I see the predicted snow as compounding the existing roof load problems for any building that doesn't have a steeply pitched roof. The flat-roofed warehouses and other facilities have a limited snow load in their design and I have no way of determining that for any given structure. If the buildings had heat they might be able to melt the snow but we know that's not the case. I don't know if there's anything you can do about the potential loss and damage at this point.'
Save to the thumb drive. Open up the email programs and do some screen captures. Save them to the thumb drive. To the radio. Drive in. PreSel 407. Press "SendFiles" and "SendImages". Done.
I won't mention email to the kids until it's working. Meanwhile, I'll be running the gas-powered charger to get the batteries here up to full charge. The kids will be in the house today except for "class" of some type. What's the outside temperature? 6.7 - and the snow continues to fall. I'll plan for some sing along time later today to help with cabin fever.
Need to check the battery charge levels at each building and get the charger going. Coat. Hat. Gloves. Fill the small gas can from the five gallon can. Roll out the charger and fill its tank. Gas cans back in the shed. Charger to the barn. It's connected and running. I'll check that in 30 minutes. The "A" team helped build two chargers. Where's the other one? Maybe with the unopened boxes from the move? Ten minutes later I find it. To the shed for gas. To the house and this charger is connected and running. I should get the AC powered 24 volt charger to charge the radio's battery as needed. We need two of those - a small one for the radio's battery and the bigger one for the big iron. Make a paper note and think on that later. Did I see a Razor scooter in the camper? Some of them were 24 volts so that's a potential 24 volt charger - maybe one amp or so? It's not powerful enough to overcharge the battery, so it can stay connected most of the day. I should ask Sherry where they stored that charger. Another paper note.
Lexi, Jenny, Sherry and Sammy will be in "board" class with four of our "teachers" for about an hour today. If Sammy's hands are too big to do the re-chipping, he could be the one doing the insurance press on each chip. I think we should have all those capable of doing the work involved each day that we're snowed in. They'll be out of the house and "doing" something. That's an excellent antidote for cabin fever. All of them will get two or three hours of "one room school" with Sarah today. They need the structure of being in school and the learning and the little bit of "normal" they get from that.
Much as I hate to, I should follow the "board" class outside and check the charger at the barn. Coat. Hat. Gloves. They're similarly attired and they waste no time getting from the back door of the house to the nearest door of the board classroom.
I go to the barn where the Charge Controller is showing 90 per cent charged. This bank needs more time. Back to the house and check the battery status there. It's 95 per cent charged. As much as we need laundry done, it won't happen outside. I'm sure we moved the plumber's helper and buckets we used before. Probably with the other unopened things. Back to that area to look for them. We have kids who've never washed clothes that way and they need to learn how it's done.
---
Saturday, 8 January, 10:30AM
The hand-powered "washing machine" is in the house. Hazel will be running a hands-on class for those in the house who haven't used it. I have some time before either charger finishes so I should see if any of the stations on my list are broadcasting now. Do the time conversion. Maybe a dozen possibles. Nope. Nope. Nope. Very faint. Phase the antenna array to aim it. Still faint but a little better - it's just a language I don't recognize.
"Joe, Bill. Do either of you recognize this language?"
"Maybe Navajo? I had an older neighbor who'd been one of the code talkers in WWII. He taught me a few words and what they'd been used for. It's been a long time, but I think they're talking about an armed group on horses. Do you know where they're located?"
"Based on the frequency and the time of day, Joe, maybe several hundred miles? The antenna is aimed southwest."
"That's the right direction and distance for Arizona where there's a reservation. I'd need to hear much more before I could give you a decent translation."
"I'll ask Dawkins if he can set up a monitor on this frequency and record when it's active. Would a few hours be enough to tweak your memory?"
"Maybe."
"I'll ask him when I go check the charger at the barn."
"Could you also charge the bunkhouse batteries?"
"Bill, as soon as either the house or the barn is charged, I'll move the available charger to the bunkhouse. I'll move the chargers to the board classroom and the school as they become available. I should also check the cabin."
"Anyone else on the air?"
"I have a half dozen possibles but I'm not optimistic. If our weather is this bad, how is it elsewhere in the world?"
"Can't you see the satellite images?"
"I can see some of them, but I don't have the ground reports to go with them. I can guess that the clouds are most likely rain or most likely snow, but you can't always see ground conditions or temperatures through the clouds. I have a question for Dawkins and I'll ask him about weather elsewhere while I'm there. I'll check the rest of these frequencies later."
---
House and barn battery banks are charged. Bunkhouse and board classroom are in progress. Dawkins set up a monitor on the Navajo frequency. The list of the Colonel's troops has one identified as Navajo, so we may have another possible translator. Dawkins gave me a thumb drive with reported weather conditions in many places. I can search it on the laptop or print out any sections that might be needed. I'll ask Sarah if she could use the info for school. Back to my shortwave station list. Nope. Nope. Nope. That's not a frequency on the list but the last listed station I checked is in one of the amateur radio bands. The guy I can hear is using an amateur radio callsign as is the other - barely readable - person in the conversation. People well south of us are also having a once-in-a-long-time winter. Even those who live primitively - as in wood heat - are having problems staying warm: they can't get out to cut more dead trees or find deadfall. If we hadn't had plenty in the woodshed and the equipment and the fuel to add to it before the snow got here, we might be scrounging firewood in another month or so. I still haven't been out with a tape measure to see how many cords we have left. Get a long tape measure from the toolbox in the basement. Bundle up to go measure. Much easier to check the amount of LP in a tank.
---
We have four cords of the original split stock. I estimated that we had six or seven cords so we've used two or three cords so far - in less than a month of serious winter. Most of that has been used to heat the house, with a little for the cabin and a little for the tractor room in the barn. There's also the tack room Dawkins and Childers use. I should ask them if they know how much firewood they've used.
I'll ask Joe if he remembers how much split wood was out here. With 20/20 hindsight, we do need to know exactly how much wood we started with - something I could have learned in five minutes or less spent measuring initially. If we've burned three cords already, we could burn through more than half the wood in one winter. Maybe the tiny bit of savings from automating the damper and air inlets to limit heat overrun when the house is warming up is worthwhile. The double pane windows should be second priority after getting food crops planted in the spring. Unless we had a bucket truck with a tarp on a frame over the bucket - that could partially block the cold air that would get in the house while a window was being replaced. A bucket truck on snowshoes - great imagination you have, Jack. That ain't gonna happen.
---
"Lisa, my hands are too big to do this."
"That's OK, Sammy. Daddy said you could do the extra press on all the chips like he did 'cause your hands are stronger than our hands."
"It's OK if I only do that, Momma?"
"Yes, Sammy. That's an important part of the work and I think you'll stay busy doing that with seven people doing the re-chipping."
---
"Momma, this board doesn't look the same as the others."
"You're right, Sammy. Two of the chips were swapped. Everyone STOP!"
"Yes, Momma?"
"I want each of you to take a close look at the board in your hands and the color sketch for which chip goes where on that board. If it looks OK to you, ask the nearest 'teacher' to check the board."
"This one's not right, Momma."
"Who did that one, Amelia?"
"I did, Momma."
"Lexi, are you feeling OK? You look a little green."
"I think I'm gonna puke."
"To the throne. Maybe I can stop it."
"OK."
---
"Better now?"
"Un huh. Just a little 'tummy doesn't feel good'."
"Has this happened before?"
"Just the 'tummy doesn't feel good' yesterday and the day before. Lots worse today."
"I want you back in the house so I can check your temperature and Hazel can also check you over. This might be a delayed reaction to being pregnant but it might be something else. The rest of you can take a break. Sammy, put any boards that don't look right in the red 'Check Me' tote. I'll look them over when we come back out. Coats and things to stay warm going to the house."
"Yes, Momma."
---
"Aunt Hazel, need you to check Lexi."
"Our little mother does look a bit green."
"I didn't feel good and I did some of the boards wrong. I thought I was gonna puke but Momma stopped it. I just had 'tummy doesn't feel good' yesterday and the day before."
"You want me to check whether it's a delayed version of a normal side effect of pregnancy or something else?"
"Yes, Aunt Hazel. Jenny got the fever thermometer while we were talking. Under your tongue, Lexi."
"OK."
"Sarah, I would have expected this earlier in a typical pregnancy but we don't yet know what is 'typical' for a pregnant nine year old. I think we'll be learning many things over the next eight months."
"I think we'll have the opportunity to add an entire chapter to the book on healing."
"Your temperature is 101.8, Lexi. That's above normal. Lie down and let Aunt Hazel scan you."
"Yes, Momma."
---
"Ow!"
"I need to see why your leg is tender there, Lexi. I can't slide the leg of your jeans up that far. Let's get them off you."
"Yes, Aunt Hazel."
"Lexi, when did this happen?"
"I got stuck by a splinter on the sled. I pulled it out and poured some alcohol over the scrape."
"Next time, you ask for help. You can't see this place well enough to tell that part of the splinter is still in there. Bill, would you bring the 'vet kit' from the bunkhouse? I think the tools I'll need are in it."
"Yes, Hazel."
"'Vet kit'? You need stuff that you use on horses?"
"Not just horses, Lexi. Also the smaller animals. Its tweezers are different from the ones in the first aid kit I have for people and I think they'll work best for getting the piece of splinter out. I'll have Sarah doing pain control and Jack holding your leg still while I get the rest of the splinter out. Then I'll be washing the wound with alcohol - yes, it will burn even with Sarah doing pain control - that's why Jack will be holding your leg. I think we have enough broad spectrum antibiotics left from previous things to give you a good course of treatment."
"You need Jack's 'nerd' light?"
"Yes, Sarah."
---
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Maddie?"
"Momma and Aunt Hazel need you to help with fixing Lexi."
"On my way."
---
"That's a nasty wound, Lexi. Why didn't you tell us about it?"
"Aunt Hazel, I thought it would be OK after I got the splinter out."
"Remember that you have two people to take care of. Next time ask for an adult to check the places you can't see very well."
"I will."
"If you can hold that leg, Jack."
"I have it."
"Pain control, Sarah."
"In place. Lexi, I haven't done this for you before so I may have to adjust how much pain control I'm doing. If it's not enough, you tell me."
"Yes, Momma."
"Scalpel to open the skin up enough to expose the remaining piece of the splinter."
"Ow!"
"I'm raising the pain control, Lexi."
"That's better."
"Tweezers on the splinter. Hold the leg very still, Jack. Ease this out."
"Are you done yet?"
"No, Lexi. The splinter was long enough that it broke from some movement you did. I'll be making the incision a little longer. Up the control a little, Sarah."
"It's up."
"I feel you pressing on my leg but it doesn't hurt."
"Lexi, do you remember when Charlie was on the pain killer for the incision on the back of her hand?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"You may need some of that same medication for the next day or so."
"I don't wanna be fuzzy or asleep!"
"We'll adjust the dosage so you're not 'fuzzy'. If you tell us as soon as the pain gets bad, the medication won't put you to sleep. If you try to fight the pain for a couple of hours before you tell us, it usually will put you to sleep because you're so tired."
"Listen to Daddy, Lexi. He's right about when you should tell them you're hurting."
"OK, Charlie."
"What are you doing with the needles, Grandma?"
"Charlie, there's a little piece of the splinter that's deep in her leg and I can't reach it with the tweezers. I don't want to cut deeply enough to use the tweezers because that would need stitches to close it. I can use two needles as tiny tweezers and not make the incision bigger or deeper. And I have the last bit of splinter."
"That was deep!"
"It was, Charlie. And you can see the irritation along here and the infection here. Tighten your grip, Jack. I'm doing the cleaning."
"It burns!"
"Not for long, Lexi. Better now?"
"Yes, Momma."
"Now the bandage. I'll use gauze and tape and the tape will go around your leg so it stays in place when you move. You won't be back on the stool in the board classroom for a few days…"
"But I wanna…"
"I know. You 'wanna' learn and do. You may work standing up but not more than 15 minutes at a time, followed by a 15 minute break. This incision needs time to heal inside before we close the cut in your skin. I think you'll be also sleeping on your stomach and your other side. Jack, if you'd get the antibiotic and the hydrocodone. Start with two tablets of antibiotic every four hours while awake and then one every four hours tomorrow. Start with a half tablet of the hydrocodone and see how the pain is. I think this will be like the hand surgery on the other girls and hurt more after it has time to swell."
"Your medication and a glass of water, Lexi."
"Thank you, Daddy."
"That's bigger than the incision on my hand was. Bigger hurts more?"
"It can, Charlie. That's why Lexi started on the pain killer before I said anything to Sarah about removing the pain control she has in place."
"That's why Momma still has her hands there?"
"Yes. Probably for the next 15 or 20 minutes."
"'Cause the pills don't work when you swallow them. It takes a while."
"The medication has to reach your stomach and be digested to get it into your blood stream to get it to your brain to make the pain seem distant."
"It doesn't work where the cut is?"
"No, Lexi. Pain killers work by dulling your sense of pain. You're getting less than Charlie did because the things you eat and drink also affect Jackie."
"So you really have two patients, Grandma. One you can see and one you can't."
"Correct, Cyndy, and I must be aware of how the medication might affect each of them."
"Lexi, do you want to try getting the jeans back on over the bandage?"
"I don't think the legs are big enough, Momma. Maybe my jammie bottoms?"
"I'll get her jammies."
"Thank you, Maddie."
---
"I think my 'class' has had enough time for a break but they've spent that time worrying about Lexi. The table needs to be cleaned and I'll put water on for hot chocolate."
"Also check the cookie jar, Sarah. I did some baking in the bunkhouse last night."
"The peanut butter cookies smell good. No kids' hands in the cookie jar! I'll pass them out after lunch. You may have hot chocolate with lunch."
"Include me in the hot chocolate, Sarah."
"You were outside, Dad?"
"With a wood rasp and sandpaper. I found where that splinter came from and cleaned up the split wood in that area and the same area on the other sled. It also had a splinter waiting for a victim. I checked both sleds for other cracks and splits and touched up everything that needed attention. They're both good to go. I didn't want any of my other grandkids getting stuck."
"You really are everybody's Grandpa."
---
"Ow!"
"Lexi, I think you'll need a cushion under your thigh. Try this one."
"That's better, Daddy."
"Remember to take that with you when Sarah tells you it's time for school."
"School?"
"Yes. Probably two or three hours of school. Then there's a project that needs note takers."
"What kind of project?"
"I need two people to read through the binders about this property and the property Jenny's Grandpa had - maybe we should call that 'Jenny's Ranch'?"
"I like that name!"
"I thought my favorite red-haired girl might like that... "
"I'm the only one with red hair."
"So you must be my favorite."
"Daddy!"
"I need two people who can read through the pages about similar things, such as the cistern by the barn, and make notes on things that are the same and things that are different. One thing that is probably the same is the pipe from the cistern to the kitchen garden. I don't know what else may be the same or different and there's too much snow to look at either of the cisterns. Having water for the garden will be important when we have food growing there."
"That's part of us not being hungry next year."
"Correct, Maddie. One of many parts to keep us from being hungry. We'll also be farming some of the land across the road and we'll have some of the Colonel's troops helping us from time to time."
"They don't have food stored?"
"Michelle, the Colonel doesn't think that they'll have enough. If he can provide fuel and experienced farm workers, they'll be growing some of their own food. It's easier to restart farming on land that was used last year than to start on previously untilled land. That's why they'll be working the fields here."
"They have freezers or something?"
"Hannah, they've mostly been using foods that were dehydrated or freeze-dried so they'd last a long time, although they have limited power for a few refrigerators and freezers. We don't have the equipment for freeze-drying but we can build dehydrators that use heat from the sun. Not as fast as the commercial units but they work and it is something that we can build."
"Aunt Hazel has a lot of stuff in glass jars."
"Leah, if we can get the jars, lids and rings, we'll be canning part of what we grow. Some things are best preserved that way. Others are best preserved by drying. We'll be doing both when things get ripe. But that's months away. First we must get past the snow and cold so we can plant things. When things are planted, they'll need daily care. All of you will be involved in some of that care. The adults will be building the drying racks when the weather is much warmer."
"So we'll all be working all the time?"
"Not all the time, Sammy. We'll take time for some fun things. Those who don't know how to ride a horse can learn in the spring. Those who've never been a passenger on a motorcycle can learn how to do that…"
"There's more than just sitting still and holding on?"
"Yes, Lisa. Sitting still and holding on are basic but a good passenger can do a little more than that."
"Do we get to ride the dirt bikes?"
"That's a maybe, Sammy. Joe will be your instructor for all the motorcycle-related things and I think he might be just as strict about riding as he is about having a weapon."
"We better listen good."
---
Saturday, 8 January, 1:40PM
The peanut butter cookies were inhaled and all the crumbs licked up. I think I know which spices Hazel used but I'll ask her later to be sure.
All the kids are bundled up and on their way to the one room school. I should be out to move the battery chargers to the mobile home and the cabin. They can run while I plow and blow snow. The temperature is 9.3. No one is dawdling when they're outside. I should also check the wood racks in the basement and outside the basement door. Do that as soon as the snow is cleared so I can get the cart from the woodshed to the house.
---
Done with moving snow until the next time. The little tractor and the snowblower have been up to the challenge so far - but it's snowing harder. I thought Dawson said the snowfall would slow down? Better go ask him.
knock. knock.
"Enter."
"Dawkins, did I misunderstand about the hourly snowfall decreasing today?"
"That was the best available information when I told you, but there's more moisture moving in so there will be more snow. Between two and four inches an hour at least until midnight, then decreasing to one to two inches per hour. That will be true at least through noon tomorrow and possibly later in the day. I only know because of the limited reports we're getting from locations to the west of us. HQ's degreed meteorologists didn't see it coming and I sure didn't."
"You do a fair weather report - for a radio operator."
"I appreciate that you understand my lack of training. You mentioned replacing windows. Watson told me they found a Sno-Cat fitted with a bucket. He asked if you had a use for it as we don't - and no one wants to experiment with something that might tip over and bury them under several feet of snow."
"I'd like to see it. Two of us could go to the camp on a snowmobile. If the Sno-Cat will work for us, one of us could drive it and the other the snowmobile on the way back. Gas or diesel?"
"I'll ask."
{Watson, this is Dawkins.}
{Watson here.}
{Is the Sno-Cat gas or diesel?}
{Gas. The tank is full. Mr. Wilson can use it?}
{He wants to see it before he says "yes".}
{Now is good.}
"Mr. Wilson?"
"I'll get Joe as the other person and we'll leave in five minutes."
{He's coming with a second person so they can get the snowmobile back if they take the Sno-Cat. Leaving here in five minutes.}
{I'll notify the watch.}
"Thanks, Dawson."
"You're most welcome."
"Do you know how much wood you've burned this year?"
"About half a cord. The space isn't big but it's not well sealed."
"Understood. I'm trying to estimate how many months of firewood we have remaining with our once-in-forever winter conditions."
"Better you than me."
---
"Bundle up, Joe. We have a trip by snowmobile as our next project."
"Where and why?"
"To the military camp to look at a Sno-Cat."
"Perhaps nice to have but why now?"
"This one has a hydraulic man lift on it. If I can rig a tarp frame on it, we could replace windows without freezing everyone out of the house."
"We're not doing much else in the snow so we might as well. You'll be driving the Sno-Cat back?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll need extra protection for my face when I drive the snowmobile."
"We'll take FRS radios. We can't hear much when the snowmobile is running but we will be able to call home if needed."
"I can carry my shotgun on my back. What about you, Jack?"
"There's a mount for a long gun on the front of the snowmobile. Hazel, if you'll tell Sarah? I'd like to get there, look the Sno-Cat over and get back before dark."
"I'll do that, Jack. Here's a thermos of coffee for each of you and two bags of biscuits."
---
{Colonel, snowmobile coming to the main gate.}
{That should be Jack. Direct them to the motor pool and I'll meet them there.}
{Sir.}
"Mr. Wilson, the motor pool is that way. The Colonel will meet you there."
"Thanks."
"So you'll come visit me if the reward is big enough, Jack?"
"Or if my curiosity is piqued, Tim."
"I have no idea why this thing was cobbled together. It was found in a Quonset hut on the back side of the encampment. This area has been used for maneuvers for years, so the 'when' and 'why' may never be known."
"At least it has outriggers, but I think they'd need four by eight sheets of thick plywood to keep them from sinking in the snow. They might be OK as-is if you were working on ice instead of snow."
"Maybe the map of Thule Airbase that was under the seat is our answer. Definitely a place with ice."
"But how did it end up here, Tim?"
"A snafu in military logistics some years ago? Someone in Supply wanting a Sno-Cat at home?"
"I suppose either is possible. Let me check it out."
"Have at it."
---
"Everything works, Tim, but I don't think I'd put more load on the bucket than one person inside it and one window on the hooks. The attachment points on the Sno-Cat aren't as strong as on the big trucks the power companies use. The Sno-Cat chassis is fine but the lift construction and attachment are marginal."
"You can use it?"
"Yes. Maybe today. Certainly tomorrow if the wind stays calm."
"Then refill your thermos with coffee and go get to work."
"Thanks, Tim."
---
"That's a funny looking truck!"
"It is, Jenny. It's a Sno-Cat, which is made for moving people and materials over snow or ice. Someone added the bucket to it so they could work 20 feet above the ground in conditions that aren't ladder-friendly."
"Like snow and ice. The ladder could slide really fast!"
"Correct, Maddie. I'll park this in the Quonset hut with the most empty space and see if I can fit a tarp over the bucket so we can replace the windows without having an uncovered hole in the house while we're working."
"What did this newest toy cost us, Jack?"
"Not much, Sarah. The time to get to Tim's encampment, check out the machine and get back plus the gas for the snowmobile."
"You think it can be adapted to replace the windows without getting snow in the house?"
"Yes. I'll put it in the most empty Quonset hut and take some measurements then come inside and draw up the frame to hold the tarp. I'd rather work on this in daylight, so design now. Looking for materials and doing the work are things for tomorrow. We have tarps and plastic pipe. That and some brackets should be all I need. Unlike the snowblower, the Sno-Cat has headlights and there's a light on the bucket. I could work after dark."
"Hazel said supper in 30 minutes, so plan your design work around that."
"Detailed design needs more time than that so I'll park it in the Quonset hut and take measurements before supper. Design can be done after we eat. Does the furnace need to be fed?"
"I've been doing that, Jack. Most recently with Alicia's help. She handed me the firewood and I loaded the firebox."
"Uncle Bill can reach a lot farther back than I can. He also did the plowing 'cause it was snowing harder than yesterday."
"I forgot to mention the snow. Dawkins said we'll have two to four inches an hour until at least midnight, slowing to one to two inches an hour by noon tomorrow."
"Another foot or two by midnight?"
"Yes, Sarah. Looks like we'll need the Deere to plow in the morning. I'll check that it's parked so we can get it out of the Quonset hut in the morning."
"We?"
"Whoever is driving it may need someone else with a shovel to help clear a trench for the Quonset hut doors to open."
"I guess there is enough wind to make the snow drift against that end of the hut."
"I'll clear it when I'm out there tonight but more than a foot of snow will erase all traces of that clearing."
---
"Hot soup and biscuits! That reminds me, Hazel. Do we need to grind flour or corn meal?"
"I had volunteers when I asked earlier today. The new hasn't yet worn off the idea of riding the bicycle in the house. I expect it to get old after each kid has two or three times grinding grain."
"Probably a good estimate - unless we make a competition out of it. Maybe who can grind the longest? I don't think we'll try for grinding the most as that will have them racing along and over-speeding the grinder."
"Based on today's results, I'll make some estimates by age and come up with some prizes."
---
"Daddy?"
'Yes, Leah?"
"Do you need a lap helper?"
"I think that might be a good thing."
"I have three books and my bear."
"Come snuggle in."
Ten pages into the first book and she closes it to put her head against my chest. What's going on that she needs lap time today? I'll let her nap a little longer. I don't think 20 minutes will greatly affect her willingness to go to bed at the usual time.
The paper sketch is done. I think this will work if we have enough one inch plastic pipe… Did she just pee on me? No, she's still asleep. That leaked out when she moved her leg. I think we have a very early "growing up" event. Wake her gently.
"Hi, Leah."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wak… I'm wet!"
"I think you just got a very early 'growing up' event."
"I can have babies now?"
"Your body is partly ready, but I don't think these mosquito bites could feed a baby and I don't think you're big enough down here for a baby to get out. We'll talk about that more when we're upstairs."
"Alicia said you showed her some special stuff when it happened to her."
"We have some 'special stuff' for you also. I'll cover the stains with this towel while I get you to the big bath upstairs."
"We?"
"When I finish showing you things, you need to tell Sarah so she can help you keep up with when your period might be next time."
"Next time?"
"Every month for older girls and women. We don't know yet for a seven year…"
"Almost eight."
"Yes. Just a few months away. Arms around my neck and hold on when I stand up."
"OK."
"Why is Leah getting a ride up the stairs?"
"Celia, I'll explain later."
"OK."
---
"I hafta learn about the calendar so I'll know when I hafta have a tamper in my pocket?"
"Tampon, not tamper. Yes, you'll be watching the calendar. We still have a few small calendars so you can keep up with it yourself, although Sarah will probably be checking that you mark the calendar regularly."
---
"Will you help me put it in next time?"
"You did fine putting it in without any 'hands on' help."
"I'm busted."
"No, you just have mosquito bites."
"Daddy!"
"Let's get you into clean underwear and jeans. These clothes go in the bucket to soak so the bloodstains don't set. Remember to do that if it happens again."
"Yes, best Daddy ever."
"Here's your belt. Get your socks and shoes on then go tell Sarah about your 'growing up' event. She'll make sure the supply of tampons is adequate for all the girls who need them."
"Do girls usually get their period at seven?"
"A year ago, it was around eleven. The GG-183 virus changed some things in your body and this is one of them. You're not the only one. Rachel and Shannon will probably start by the time they're six. Do NOT tell them about that. Sarah will tell them when it's closer."
"Let them be little for a little longer?"
"Yes, sweetie, just as you were only told that you might start earlier than most girls."
"But not this early."
"We knew that eight was a ballpark number but couldn't say when for certain unless Hazel scanned all of you every day. I think you'd rather have her cooking for you than scanning you."
"Un huh!"
"Ready to go back downstairs?"
"I'd rather snuggle with you but you said I hafta to tell Momma."
"You do."
"Hold my hand?"
"Scary to be growing up so fast?"
"Kinda. But I'm not hurting like you said some girls do."
"Nothing hurts now. That might change tomorrow. If you hurt, tell Sarah or Hazel or Amelia or Maddie. They can help make it better."
"OK."
---
"Leah, why'd you change jeans this late in the day?"
"Her 'growing up' event, Sarah. I told her that she needed to talk with you."
"You had an excellent reason for changing, Leah. Let's go back upstairs to talk."
"Yes, Momma."
---
I should let Columbo know we're seeing the early puberty mentioned previously. I'll use the radio keyboard for this. 'Early puberty event. One girl, immunized by the original virus, three months shy of being eight.' Sent
Need to work out where the snow from the walkways gets moved to in the morning. Probably the ditch across the road.
I don't remember flooding being mentioned in either of the binders or in Jenny's "Family History" but a quick thaw in the spring has the potential to flood much of the area if we have long term snow accumulation. Joe's property is higher than the fields across the road so we have a few feet of protection there. An inch of snow melts down to maybe a tenth that much water. Ten feet of snow would be a foot of water and it all needs a place to run to. If the snow melts over a month or so, it would be equivalent to having good rain for the month. If it all melts in a few days, there will be flooding in the low spots. We should hope for slowly warming temperatures in March and/or April. The kids should be headed to bed.
"Kids. Jammies, brush, floss. Then to the big bed for a chapter."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
They're all down. Leah needed some extra time but a couple minutes of back rub put her to sleep. She and Rachel do need more calming than the others about many things. Wonder if that will carry over to being armed or shooting someone? Joe said Leah's hand was almost big enough for the .22 automatic. That tells me we'll learn how well she manages being armed and possibly shooting someone by summer.
"Back in your computer cave, Jack?"
"Transferring my tarp shelter design from paper to the computer. The materials database in the CAD program will tell me how much weight the lift and its attachment points are capable of handling and whether the pipe and tarp we have available will work for my intended purpose."
"Measure twice; cut once?"
"Design twice; cut once."
"Same difference."
"No, Sarah. The electronic version does what I tell it to, whether that's what I intended or not. I understand that the frame must be tall enough for me to stand under so it wouldn't matter if I used the usual 'inches' marker of the double quote for 'feet' on the pencil and paper drawing - I'll still think 'feet' when I cut the pipe to length. If I enter the height as seven inches instead of seven feet in the CAD program, it will draw a kitten height vertical frame and the slip-up is immediately obvious."
"It checks your work so you'll have a design someone else could build."
"Exactly. With the limited number of people we have to do building of any kind, having an accurate design is important. While we do have a few kids who'd look at the ruler when they were measuring the pipe for cutting and say 'This doesn't look right' we also have kids who are very literal and would cut the pipe to the length on the paper sketch."
"And you know you'll have some ask to help with anything being built."
"Almost always, Mrs. Wilson. I think I'll move all the supplies to the tractor room for measuring and cutting. At 34 degrees it's a much warmer space than the Quonset hut which will be at whatever the outside temperature is - probably another single digit low in the morning."
"Dawson said near zero overnight with below zero wind chill when he stopped by to get plates for himself and Childers. There's a big conference call that they are coordinating and only one of them can be away from the radio room at a time and only during the breaks the conference attendees are taking."
"I'd like to know more about that conference. I expect it will affect all of us in some manner."
"In all this snow?"
"I'd expect the snow has many people scared enough to be looking for future food sources. Tim will be providing fuel and manpower to help us grow anything that is nourishing and produces well here. Think about cheap chicken with rice soup. Lots of rice, very little chicken. I think we'll be getting our protein from other sources than beef, pork and chicken unless we can greatly increase meat production. Tim mentioned that there was once a dairy farm near us but he never said anything further. I'd guess that all the animals have died from either being snowbound and not fed or being unattended in a barn and not fed. The small number of pigs we have might be a start for breeding but we'd need some genetic diversity very soon."
"Sounds as though neither of those will work here."
"The one thing we could do is start chicken production by letting the roosters in with the hens - we do have a variety of breeds - and letting the hens set on a fourth or maybe half of the eggs. Having the electric incubators and brooders might give more production but anything electric is a trade-off in power and holding any eggs out to hatch is a trade-off with current food. The chicken coop is fine for the number we have now, but we'd need a much larger one and some automation - or maybe creative design - to be able to provide meat and eggs to a large number of other people."
"Creative design, Jack?"
"Ways to feed and water perhaps a hundred chickens, collect and clean their eggs, collect their poop to use as fertilizer…"
"A chicken farm without commercial power?"
"Yes. There should be some design ideas on the CD's with farming and ranching how-to information - some of those go back 200 years. Remember that there was commercial chicken production before electricity got to the farm. We'd be looking to use ideas from that time. We need ground space that we can see but that is downwind of the house and at least a couple hundred yards away."
"At least that far - maybe farther if we get hot summers in the future."
---
Bee-doop!
To the radio. Headphones because the kids are asleep. Press "Message".
{Mr. Wilson, this is Childers. We recorded the conference call and have a copy on a thumb drive for you. You might want to listen to it tonight. If you don't have a program that can skip the quiet times during playback, there's a copy of "QuietSkip" on the thumbdrive.}
I should get that and listen tonight. I won't tell Childers that he'd recognize a name if he clicked "About" in that program.
"You're going back out, Jack?"
"Childers recorded the conference call and has a copy on a thumb drive for me. He suggested that I listen to it tonight."
"You did say you wanted to know what it was about. Remember to be careful about what you ask for because you might get it."
"True. On the bright side, I do have a program that will skip quiet times during the playback so it could effectively provide some time compression. I don't think I'll speed up the playback as I think it's important to hear not only what's being said but how it's being said. If someone sounds like the Secretary General's 'I'm better than other people', we want to keep him as far away as possible."
---
knock. knock.
"Enter."
"You look a little green, Childers. Are you OK?"
"Still trying to deal with what I heard on the call and the images that were included. I suggest having a strong stomach and/or being near the throne."
"I was part of the cleanup team after a car bomb went off at a military daycare center. I have a much stronger stomach now than I did then."
"Then you may be prepared. The call lasted almost three hours but there's only about an hour of conference presentations. There were many breaks - and time taken to clean up."
"Understood. Thank you for making a copy for me, although I might not be saying that later tonight."
"I think you're absolutely correct."
---
I'm back inside and have a cup of Earl Grey in my hand and my feet over a register. The furnace controller did its setback about two minutes ago but warm air is still being produced. I have headphones on the laptop and can sync the images with the voice-overs. What is Joshua Wilborn doing on this call? He should be hanging from a lamp post on Constitution Avenue. Better make notes as I go. Back the audio up and note what he's saying and to whom. General McManus? The President canned him. Another note. Need to list who's with them and who's against them.
Put "QuietSkip" in "stealth" mode where it scans the quieter sections for low level audio. That group is trying to speak softly but a couple of them have too much alcohol in them to do that well. A couple of the military members are too vain to use hearing aids so voices near them are also louder. We seem to have a conference within a conference. Two, maybe three, bases with leanings that match Wilborn. Not good when some have armor and air support. On the other hand, they can only move by air at the moment and right now that means only the helos. Anything bigger can fly only if the tankers can fly to refuel them which is unlikely until the snow stops. Tim doesn't have to watch for an attack on his location until then. When I get these notes finished, I'll encrypt them with one of the location related pass phrases and send them to him with an email about the place.
Damn! Images from the Vatican. Dozens of babies beheaded and the bodies scattered over St. Peter's Square. But they're all boys. Where are the girls? Pictures of their beheaded bodies inside the Vatican. Some Vatican Guards were seen carrying out "laundry" baskets. The surviving girl babies were in them. There's a list of names. Is Miriam's daughter still alive? Search the list for "Bethany". "Bethany Elizabeth" is the third name. I'm sure Tim can contact the hospital ship in the Med. If not, I'll use my "hot line" again. Mark my place and lock the laptop. I don't want anyone else seeing these images or hearing the conversations unless they've been prepared for it. I need a pot of chamomille tea and I'm not yet half way through this. I think this will be a late night for me.
---
I'm two cups of tea and another 30 minutes into the conference. There's important stuff about food production in the main conference - raising cattle in Florida and Georgia - but there's deadly stuff in the quieter sections - people looking for ways to block power restoral. If I were interrogating any of them, they'd lose a foot and the barrel would move to their nuts. More notes for Tim. Include some excerpts from the "quiet" times with identification of the voices I know. He'll probably be sending these up his "unofficial" channels. I hope they get the same response as the things that got the former President out of office.
---
I'm done with the conference materials. It's well after midnight but better if I get what I noticed to Tim immediately. Encrypt with a passphrase we've used before. Plaintext message about the little restaurant with such good lamb chops. To the radio. Thumb drive in place. PreSel 407. Press "SendFiles" and "SendImages". Done. Now to wake Tim if he's asleep. PreSel 911.
{This is Jack Wilson. I need to speak with the Colonel.}
{I'm still up, Jack. I see my inbox is filling up so I'll guess that you noticed things we did not.}
{Read the plaintext message first. Also note that Miriam's daughter may be alive. One of the girl babies that the Vatican Guards were carrying out of the Vatican is named "Bethany Elizabeth". That's the name Miriam chose and it was written on some of the child's clothes. Can you contact the Seventh Fleet and find where the babies are headed?}
{If I can't, your other contact can. Give me five minutes while I get your responses decoded.}
{I'll be here.}
---
{Jack, you're stirring up the hornets again. The Vatican Guards refused to tell where the babies came from. At the moment, you know about them than anyone else. Could Miriam identify the mothers of the other babies?}
{I have no idea, Tim. Miriam didn't mention names but did mention that the Pope had a number of girls who were involved in his "meditation" sessions. She probably knows some names but we don't know if any of the other mothers survived. Maybe she could provide names and family locations?}
{I'll contact her in the morning. The people on the hospital ship were amazed that someone recognized a name on the list and knew who the mother was and where she was. I told them that the family was in a remote area of the continental US and that we'd see if they knew any other names.}
{The better hidden they are, the happier I'll be.}
{I agree, Jack. On a more mundane subject, will you be able to use the Sno-Cat?}
{I'll be assembling the tarp frame in the morning after we plow snow. We'll know soon after that.}
{Very good. Let me know if you have any ideas on producing more meat.}
{We could breed the pigs we have if we had another boar. We could start hatching more chickens if we had a commercial chicken building built from an 1830 design that needed no electricity. We'd be eating other things to replace the eggs that went to hatching and we'd also need chicken feed in quantity.}
{I think you just paid for the Sno-Cat. The only chicken operation I'm aware of was about ten miles from you. The buildings are probably no more than 50 years old, so couldn't work without power unless you have some more miracles available.}
{No miracles, but I do have some building plans from the early and mid-1800's. Heat would have been wood or coal and anything needing power would have been powered by a waterwheel or maybe steam. That other chicken operation might still have feed and/or medications.}
{Would the stream by you work for power?}
{Possibly. Speaking of the stream - do you have floodplain maps of the area? If the snow melts off quickly, we'll have the equivalent of a foot of rain in just a few days. We need to know which areas are likely to flood - bottom land is rich for growing crops but you don't want to be there when the floods come.}
{Watson has someone checking the maps. Most are in both paper and electronic formats. You'll get whatever we have. Go to bed. The maps are big and the radio system is still loaded from the fallout of the conference call. I'm looking at what you sent me and I think the unofficial channels will be even busier very soon.}
{Goodnight, Tim.}
{Goodnight, Jack.}
---
"Colonel, how did he get those conversations?"
"'QuietSkip' can do much more than skip the quiet parts of a voice recording. Bring it up and then click 'About'."
"C. J. Wilson?"
"Nothing like knowing the author. Click on the word 'stealth' in the 'About' box."
"There are more menus. I didn't know you could do that kind of filtering in software! No wonder he found what he did."
"He may not be in uniform, but he'll be on 'active duty' as long as he has family to care for."
"Nice to have our own NSA nearby."
"Seems that way at times. I need to check further on a little girl named Bethany."
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:32:03 GMT -6
Sunday, 9 January, 7:20AM "Good morning, Mr. Wilson." "Nice wake up, Mrs. Wilson. What happened to the alarm on my watch?" "I turned it off when I woke around five. I knew that you didn't get to bed until well after midnight and that you'd want full daylight before plowing snow. We have another 22 inches." "Need the Deere for the big areas. I think the snowblower can handle that much on the walkways if I go slowly." "Bill is out on the Deere. You can clear the walkways after you eat. Breakfast is in the crock pot on the dryer. You can check the messages on the radio after you eat. There are at least two but the light is amber." "I have an idea what one message is about. I found the name Miriam had chosen for her daughter on the list of babies taken from the Vatican. Tim planned to try to find status on Bethany and the other babies and to contact Miriam to see if she knew names or home locations of any of the other young mothers." "And who else would have known that name, Mister Serendipity?" "Only Miriam and Bina." I'm dressed and on my way to breakfast. Joe fed the furnace this morning, so several hours before we do that again. Outside is 4.6 degrees. The windsock we have up on the barn tells me the wind's about 10MPH so the wind chill is below zero. If we still had internet access, I could go to www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/windchill.shtml but I think that page is saved on one of the "weather" CD's. If we're to have this type weather for several days, I should print that and post it by the back door - along with the instructions on estimating wind speed from the angle of a flag or windsock. I think I saved the page from www.ehow.com/how_5856494_calculate-speed-angle-using-flag.html#ixzz2LSN59RpQ on the same CD. Inside the house is 67.9 and it will stay close to that until the fire burns too low. There's hot water for Earl Grey. Veggie omelet and biscuits. I've been in supposed "Five Star" hotels that didn't have food this good. I'd go back for seconds but there aren't any. Good that Hazel put my breakfast aside before all the eggs were gone. If we start hatching some of our current egg production, the omelet will be down to one egg - or we'll have oatmeal more often. I heard the Deere heading for the Quonset hut so Bill has done the biggest part of the snow moving. Finish my tea and bundle up to go out. First to the tractor room to get that stove going then to the shed for the snowblower. The heat is going in my future workspace. Now to get the snowblower out of the shed. Check the oil. It's good. Fill the gas tank. Closest AC power is at the barn so push the snowblower over there. Plug it in. Hit the start button. The engine is running so unplug it and coil the cord out of the way. Do the walkways to all the building entrances. Stop and turn up the heat in the board classroom and the school. Out to clear the cabin entrance. We're not using the cabin but it's easier to clear each day's snowfall than to find that we need the cabin and have six feet of snow in the way. --- I'm snowblowered-out. Back to the shed. Clean the snow off the snowblower. Gas it up again. It goes inside. The small gas can needs to be refilled. Use the five gallon can for that. Now it needs to be refilled. Put it in the two-wheeled cart and go to the overhead tank. Five gallon can is filled. Back to the shed. Put it all away. Lots of little things that add to the time each task takes. Back inside. Cup of coffee in my hands. "Message" is flashing amber. Boots off and feet over a register near the radio. Get out paper and pencil. Headphones on. Press "Message". {Jack. The President is doing some housecleaning today. Wilborn, McManus and a number of their cronies will be before a military tribunal by 1000 local. I'd expect a hanging or a firing squad by noon. The President is not only accurate with a handgun - he's very fast. He outdrew two rogue Secret Service agents this morning. He said it helped to be prepared and that I should pass along his "Thank you" for the heads up. I mentioned the lack of response to my queries about Bethany. Ten minutes later I got a call from the Admiral of the Seventh Fleet. The people who'd given me the run-around were present and the Admiral had a shotgun. He started repeating my questions and only the first one required the use of the 12 gauge. After the first foot was lost, the rest of the people were very willing to answer questions. I spoke with Miriam. She can identify some of the other mothers by name and city. She said identifying some of the babies would be easy because of their hair or eyes. She didn't know if others would have names written in their clothes. I have a couple of people working on finding the families mentioned. The new aircraft also comes in a solar-assisted version which has solar panels on much of the upper surfaces. The weight of the solar panels and electric motors is a trade-off of 30 per cent of load capacity to get solar capability. However, the solar range is only limited by how long the sun shines along your path and how long the crew can safely fly. The craft are not flying solar in the Northern Hemisphere but conditions improve as you get closer to the Equator. An aircraft will leave the Med with the identified babies at sunup tomorrow and fly the southern route to the US. They currently estimate 70 per cent of the trip by solar power. They'll land south of the snow and those babies will be gotten to family members who survived.} Solar powered intercontinental transport? Nice idea. Probably a little faster than a fast ship but not that great for air travel on the East to West leg. The West to East leg might be able to take advantage of the jet stream and make very good time going that direction. One solid positive - Miriam gets her daughter back and Ephriam can spoil his great granddaughter. What else does Tim have to say? Press "Message". {Jack. The President saw your proposals for increasing meat production. You have carte blanche on getting chicken production ramped up. If your 1800's chicken house needs trees felled to have logs for building, you can have as many of my troops as needed to do the work. When the next group of SCADA boards is finished, they'll be picked up for use at a plant close to a port with oil handling equipment and a refinery. If enough workers can be found, the pipeline from that refinery could be put back in service. Gas and diesel would be available at least 100 miles from the port. Having power back on at that location would put a huge segment of oil production and goods handling back in operation.} We need oil and food coming in right now. We might be exporting food in two or three years if things recover very quickly. Based on what I've seen thus far, I'd say it's reasonable to put the exporting of food out five or ten years. SCADA chips are an export now but only in exchange for the things we need the most - oil and food. Re-chipped boards might be an export in a few years. If they're planning to restore a port and one or more refineries now, those need to be in the southern part of the country - maybe on the Gulf where there is no snow? New Orleans would not be a good place to restore. Too many people would be clamoring for restoral of areas that have been under sea water for too long and we can't justify the continuous use of electricity to keep the now-flooded areas dry. Part of the port and one refinery - maybe at St. Charles? - might be an option but I don't know how much they have in port facilities. There's a nuclear plant near Savannah. Savannah has a sugar refinery - that will be a future need but first sugar cane or beets must be grown and harvested - and there is a refinery that produces asphalt but nothing to process crude into gasoline and diesel. Savannah is a port so they could handle moving goods in or out of the country. With those two possibilities mostly eliminated, I'd be looking at Port Arthur, Texas, as the port for the oil tankers coming from Israel and the refinery facilities to convert that oil to gasoline and diesel. Plus having port facilities for containerized ships. Not my problem to solve. --- Sunday, 9 January, 10:50AM Bee-doop! Now what, Tim? Headphones again. Press "Message". {Jack. Need some input from someone who won't be directly affected by the outcome. Competing factions are pushing for New Orleans, Savannah, New York City and Miami as the next power plant to get back online. All of them have port facilities. New Orleans and Savannah are listed as having refineries. Is there a best choice?} Were you reading my thoughts, Tim? To the laptop and write this up. 'New Orleans is likely too damaged to be recovered. There were more than a dozen refineries in Louisiana, most of them on navigable waterways of some type. The port facilities and a refinery might be recoverable but much of the living area is under feet of sea water. Not a place I'd choose. Savannah is near a nuclear power plant and is a port but be very careful of the word "refinery". There's a big sugar refinery at Savannah but it can't process crude oil. There may be an asphalt refinery but it doesn't convert crude to gasoline and diesel either. New York City has port facilities but the closest refinery is somewhere in New Jersey. Better get some maps and see how close the refinery is to the Atlantic Ocean. If their winter is anything like ours, no restoral work will be done for months. Miami has port facilities but there are no oil refineries in Florida. I think someone wants a warm place to work. My suggestion would be Port Arthur, Texas. There's a hydrogen/cogeneration power plant next to a refinery. It runs on natural gas from the refinery. Port Arthur does have port facilities and the large refinery. It's warmer there than in New Jersey and can likely be restored much sooner. The co-gen plant puts power next to the refinery so you wouldn't be dealing with miles of power lines between the power plant and the refinery. That would be a major time-saver in the recovery process there.' Save it to the thumb drive and take it to the radio. Plug it in. PreSel 407. Press "SendFile". Done. The tractor room is as warm as it will get by now. Out to cut materials for the tarp frame. My usual helpers are huddled around the warm air registers. Well, DUH, Jack. The furnace needs to be fed. Down to the basement Still have some embers. Some little stuff first and then add the big pieces of wood. Done. We have enough wood in the basement for a day or more so I won't be moving firewood here today - just put that on my mental list for tomorrow after we plow. Up to the main level and out to the workshop in the barn for materials. Tarp, plastic pipe, stainless steel washers and self-tapping screws, pipe joint glue, assorted pipe fittings, galvanized pipe strap, some nuts and bolts to hold the pipe strap to the Sno-Cat's bucket, some pipe cutting tools. The tarp and pipe under one arm. Everything else in a five gallon bucket for easy carrying. Spread out the CAD-printed version of my design. Lay out the pipe and cut it to length. Cut the tarp to shape. Temporarily put the pipe frame together. Test the tarp's fit on the frame. It will work. Glue the pipe frame together. Add the pipe strap mounting fixtures. Lay the frame on the cut tarp and fold the pieces as needed. Screws with washers to hold the tarp pieces in place. The tarp will extend out about a foot from the front of the bucket and will drape down over the back of the bucket. I think this will work. To the Quonset hut to mount it to the bucket. --- The tarp shelter works. I tried it against a window on the Quonset hut and it blocks the snow nicely. The Sno-Cat is back in the Quonset hut. Time for me to go back to the house and get warm while we discuss the best sequence for replacing the windows. "Your timing is good, Jack. Lunch in ten minutes." "Thanks, Hazel. Not my timing. I came in to get warm and we can discuss the order in which the windows should be replaced." "The tarp thingie works?" "Yes, Amelia. It works well if we don't have more wind than what we have today." "The rooms upstairs will be warmer?" "They should be but they won't be as warm as this level. The spaces near the windows should definitely be warmer." "Can you do the bathrooms first so I don't freeze when I open the shower door?" "Good idea, Amelia!" "Yeah!" "I was going to ask the best order for replacing the windows. I'll accept that the bathroom windows are high priority." --- I made notes while we ate. Bathrooms upstairs and on this level. Bedrooms. Then the main level. Then the basement windows if we have replacements for them. About what I would have done anyway, but much happier people if everyone has input about the process. "Show me how, Daddy?" "Me, too?" "I thought the 'A' team might want to be involved. I'll show you how but you won't be doing the work…" "But…" "No buts. Your arms aren't long enough to work from the bucket and you're not strong enough to move the old wood-framed windows. I will let you help with nails and screws and caulk and expanding foam from the inside of the house. Joe knows the house better than anyone else so he'll be my 'inside man'." "Bad pun, Daddy." "You set yourself up for that, Alicia, as well as me telling you what a 'pane' it is to replace windows." "Boo on your puns, Daddy." "They can happen any time you work with me." "More like every time." "One of you in the bucket for the first window and the other one in the house. You'll swap places for the second window. You can help inside with the remaining windows but I think you'll find the bucket is a small place for two bodies." --- Both girls decided that I was right about their arms being too short to work from the bucket and that the bucket is very crowded with two people in it, even if one of them is only nine. Joe's a good teacher so the 'A' team did most of the inside work other than physically moving the windows. I told them to let him show them how to remove the trim around the window but that they could not try that until we got to the basement. At the rate we're going, that will be tomorrow. I am pleased that we're moving as fast as we are. Marking the trim on the back side and leaving its installation until later means we get more of the big work done while we have daylight. Time for a break and we'll move to the windows on the main level. I may be moving some snow to have access to all those windows. --- I've used the frontloader and the snowblower near the house to make room to work. I'll use the snowblower near some of the basement windows tomorrow but some of that snow will be shovelled by hand. We're at a stopping place. Joe and I will help the girls put the trim back in place after supper and tomorrow we'll work on the remaining four windows on the main level and the basement windows. I heard a lot of servo movement as we took old windows out and put new windows in on the main level. The cold air gets through this level faster than it gets down from the rooms upstairs. I wonder how much longer we'll go between firebox refills when all the new windows are in place. The 'A' team did get in on the tail end of preparing supper. They didn't miss much because they've helped prepare all of these foods before. Our diet would be boring if Hazel didn't change up the pairings of veggies with other things. Having a good selection of herbs and spices also helps. Something prepared with cinnamon doesn't taste like the same basic dish prepared with nutmeg or ginger or oregano. She's a jewel and the kids love learning from her. --- "How do we get the pieces back like they were, Daddy?" "Easier when you have extra hands than when you're doing it by yourself, Amelia. We have enough hands - and tall people - to hold the bottom, side and top trim pieces in place and adjust them to fit together and so the reveal is even all the way around." "'Reveal'?" "Alicia, that's how much of this part of the window's structure shows on each side and at top and bottom. You're 'revealing' what's underneath the trim." "And it should be even to look the best." "Yes, smart girl. You reach good conclusions even if you can't reach the nails in the top piece of the trim." "Daddy!" "Yes, shortstuff?" "OK, I'm short." I did let them use the short stepladder to reach that top piece so they could say they'd done all the tasks. It's not the same as private one-on-one time but they do like hands-on learning. "When did you two last have showers?" "Thursday." "Friday." "I think you may want to shower to get the bits of drywall and sawdust out of your hair and off your skin before you go to bed. I'll help you fill the sun shower bags. One of you can shower upstairs and the other downstairs." "OK." "That's more hot water than last time." "The cold water is colder than last time. I'll shake the bag. What color is the indicator, Amelia?" "The 'just right' pink. Help me with my shower?" "You're a big girl. You can wash yourself. If your mother isn't available, I'll consider helping you with your long hair. Go ask. When you finish, you can tell us if the bathroom seems warmer or the same as before." --- "It was warmer upstairs." "Down here too." "So you benefited from the work you did today?" "Un huh. And I learned how to do a bunch of things - even move the bucket and drive the Sno-Cat from the bucket!" "That's not something you'll be doing without permission. You can't see under the bucket or what's behind you so you could set the bucket down on someone." "I understand." "Me too." "All my kids. Jammies, brush, floss. One chapter and then a couple of songs after you're in bed." "YES!" --- All in bed, hugged and/or kissed, and asleep after the third song. Tim mentioned boards for the next power plant. His next question will likely be how close the kids are to completing the boards that are here. "Sarah?" "In the kitchen, Jack." "How far along are the kids on the remaining boards?" "Maybe 60 or 70 still to be done. Why?" "Tim asked me earlier today which power plant should be powered up to get a port and refinery operational. I told him Port Arthur, Texas. There's a co-gen plant next to the refinery that runs on the natural gas from the refinery. If they can get fuel in for the startup generators, then the refinery and the power plant can be restarted." "Bringing oil to a port with a refinery minimizes transport. What about other port facilities?" "They can handle loading and unloading ships of all sizes. They just need power and people. How long to get those boards finished?" "If we have two kids at each of the six workstations and they turn out three boards per kid per hour, maybe three hours - including the breaks." "Let's plan for that then. I'll notify Tim when they finish. I don't know if they're flying anything until the snow slows down, but we can have all the boards labeled, boxed, sorted to the proper totes and on pallets by the end of the day tomorrow." "We'll do that first and then move to normal 'school'. Hazel can do more sewing lessons with the other kids." "Speaking of the other kids. How's Leah?" "She's annoyed to be dealing with tampons but so far she has no unpleasant bodily responses. She is much more snuggly than usual." "That's could be her change in body chemistry. She did ask if I needed a 'lap helper'. Perhaps that was part of her 'more snuggly'?" "I think that may be the least unpleasant side effect yet." "I should go reload the furnace. The 'A' team said the bathrooms seemed warmer after their showers. We might wake up to a slightly warmer house in the morning." "I'll take that. I'm sure you and Joe and the kids would be happier if loading the firebox happened less often." "I'd be very happy with getting another hour out of each load of firewood. That would say we're using about 20 per cent less wood. I'll make some written comparisons after the rest of the windows are replaced but the 'A' team's comments on the bathrooms and the reduced number of 'the sheets are cold' comments at bedtime tell me that the comfort level has increased. Happier kids with the same amount of firewood would also be acceptable." "Happier kids with less firewood used would mean less work for you." "True." --- There's more wood left in the firebox than previous nights at this time. I think the new windows are making a measurable difference. I'll make some paper notes and see how much wood we use tomorrow and then on Tuesday when we'll have had a full day with all the new windows. Time for me to brush and floss and join my favorite snuggle partner. ---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:32:34 GMT -6
Monday, 10 January, 5:20AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Do my morning routine. Clothes. Boots. 'Nerd' light. Glock. Coat. Back to the basement for furnace duty. I hear servos moving for the morning temperature change. There's some unburned wood left from the last load yesterday. The outside temperature was 4.2 when I walked by the furnace controller so we did improve the energy efficiency of this old house: the furnace used a little less wood overnight. Firebox is loaded.
How deep is the snow this morning? The forecast was for less than the previous night so maybe only the little tractor needed for moving snow. Go out and check. About ten inches. To the tractor room and get the stove going to warm the old iron before I try to start it. There's enough wood to load the stove this time but I'll be bringing the woodcart by here as well as the house after I plow. Fire is going well. Close the "doors" out here and back in the house. Wrap my hands around a cup of the coffee I started earlier to warm them before waking my usual group. I think I'll send Leah to wake Joe. He always wakes up smiling when one of the girls wakes him and he usually has her in a bear hug unless she's very quick. I think Leah would like that today.
They're all awake. Leah came back from Joe's room with a big smile. She got her first dose of the antidote for "snuggly". She hugged me as she headed to the stairs. I hugged her back and asked if she was OK. Her answer was "I am now". She'll need a little more physical attention than usual this week. I heard Hazel and Bill coming in as Leah headed down the stairs. That little girl will get two more hugs when she's in the kitchen.
"Joe, Bill, Hazel, Sarah. I need about 15 minutes of your time this morning. I dug out some old chicken farm building designs and printed a page or two of diagrams and description of each one. The size can be adjusted for the number of chickens we plan to have. Look over these and maybe we can talk after lunch."
"Chicken farming, Jack?"
"Yes, Sarah. I see chicken production as the easiest way to provide meat in the diets of many people - us and the Colonel's troops. He's offered labor to help build a non-electric poultry house - maybe that'll be houses? If we can grow or acquire feed, we can start by hatching a portion of the eggs we get now. I'm very aware that we'll have fewer eggs for human consumption for a while. After a couple of successful hatchings, we might be looking to give the extra eggs away."
"You'd want feeding and watering to be simplified even if they can't be automated."
"Yes, Bill. The watering nipples that provide flow when they're moved to one side would be ideal but I don't think there's a poultry supply out here."
"We had a good-sized feed and seed, Jack. Wally Beekins had some items for cattle because of the dairy but it's been years since anyone raised chickens commercially out here. Wally was a pack rat, though. If it didn't sell from the shelves out front, he moved it to the back room. You might find some chicken equipment from 40 or 50 years ago."
"Joe, I definitely want to visit the feed and seed. I'd also like to visit any old poultry farms that might still be standing. You can help me locate those places on a map and we'll go looking when there's much less snow. Mostly for ideas that someone local might have implemented. I think we could have nesting boxes that were slightly staggered vertically and have a gently sloped ramp that carries the eggs away from the layers. If not, someone will be busy collecting eggs when we have 50 hens."
"Can we eat the mean ones?"
"Shannon, we may need to have two sections to our chicken farm. One section for the 'nice' hens the kids can deal with and another section for the ones that need an adult to control them."
"As long as they don't chase me."
---
Back outside to move snow. First with the blade on the little tractor then back inside to get warm. When I can feel all my peripheral parts it's back outside to run the snowblower.
Snow is moved. To the woodshed and load the cart. To the house and load the outside rack. Use the FRS to get someone to unlock the outside basement door and Joe is there to help me fill the racks in the basement. Grab two armloads from the outside rack to finish filling the inside racks then I'm back outside so Joe can lock the door. I'll refill the cart and use that wood to finish filling the rack outside the house before I head to the barn and the smaller rack there. And by the tack room.
Firewood has been moved. I'll grab a tape measure from the barn workshop and see how much wood is left in the woodshed. Refilling all the racks at the house and barn has us down half a cord. Make note of date and time those racks were filled - both paper in my pocket and a notepad out here so I can determine how much we're using from either place. Back inside to get warm again.
---
Bee-doop!
A message that may not require a response. On the other hand, unless the "Message" light is red I respond to "voicemail" at my convenience. A direct call would have me running to the radio. I prefer this method. Headphones, just in case. Press "Message".
{Jack. Your response about the next plant wasn't what any of them expected. There was some serious CYA going on immediately after I passed your words along. As usual, your logic was impeccable. You already know my next question: when will the boards be finished?}
PreSel 407.
{This is Jack Wilson. Is the Colonel available?}
{I'm here, Jack. Thank you for the very polite ass-kicking you gave to some people up the line.}
{You're welcome, Tim. The kids started on the remaining boards after breakfast. The re-chipping should finish around lunch. The testing, boxing and loading onto pallets should be done before sundown. I doubt that the helo's are landing anywhere that isn't plowed and blown, so I'll assume pickup will be by one of the blimps when it's available.}
{You're right, Jack. The helo's are hard to land when they create their own snowstorm. The D-12 has seen service as a snow mover and the loose, dry snow remaining after the D-12 goes by is being cleared by an industrial leaf blower. We'll get a supply delivery either late today or first thing tomorrow. That will be pallets on a cable under the craft. The pilot can swing by your place and pick up the pallets of boards when he leaves here. He'll hand the pallets off to someone headed for Texas. Someone here will notify you when the craft is heading your way.}
{We'll be here.}
---
"Daddy, can I get lap time?"
"Climb up and talk to me, Leah."
"I need to snuggle."
"I have some computer things to do. You may have my lap while I'm doing that. Get your books and bear. It's OK if you go to sleep."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
"You have your nest made, Leah?"
"I want to turn this way for napping."
With a back rub and a goodnight kiss, she's quickly asleep. I did want to do some tweaking on the furnace controller actions so I'll do that while she naps. Maybe 30 minutes? I'll see if the gentle alarm clock works then.
---
I think I have all the changes I want, including the ability to override a setback. Need a USB cable and the laptop near the controller to do the update. Let's see how this little girl is.
"Hi, Leah."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up. Will I be wanting more snuggles like this every time I have a period?"
"Maybe. Talk with Sarah. Just remember that you don't have cramps."
"I guess this is better than hurting."
---
"Your 'lap assistant' helped again, Jack?"
"Yes, Bill. I did some tweaks on the furnace controller. Mostly me being a perfectionist. If you tell the controller to set the temperature back seven degrees, it should be exactly seven degrees not six or eight."
"I think that qualifies you for the 'perfectionist' label. I was impressed that it manages the heat overrun when the firebox is reloaded. Has it made a difference in the amount of firewood we're using?"
"Controlling the overrun saved a little. Replacing part of the windows has made a much bigger improvement. When we finish the rest of the windows, I think we'll be using 15 or 20 per cent less firewood and the entire room is warm, not just close to the register."
"I've noticed the kids in the floor are spread out more than they were. It's no longer cold if you're near the window. Do the double pane windows make that much difference?"
"They make a difference but the interior and exterior caulking and the expanding foam sealant have eliminated a lot of the air leaks that were around the old windows. Much better to keep the cold air out than to warm it after it gets inside the house."
"That all makes sense - especially when parts of the house are over 100 years old."
"Most of the windows we took out were worn enough to leak around the lower sash and between the upper and lower sashes - plus they should have been recaulked on the outside years ago."
"You're using caulk in a tube when it's this cold?"
"Silicone caulk that stays pliable well below zero. It will take much longer to set in these temperatures but I doubt that we'll have anyone outside leaving fingerprints in it."
"I don't think that will be a problem."
---
Monday, 10 January, 12:20PM
"We're done, Daddy!"
"I should poke you here to see whether that's correct."
"Not my belly button! Done with the boards, including the testing. Momma signed all the labels and we put the boxes in the totes by type. We did a bunch of boards!"
"If I remember correctly, Maddie, there were 283 boards to be re-chipped. All of you have been working hard to have all of them finished. Thank you."
"Why are you thanking us? We said we wanted to do the boards."
"Lisa, I'm thanking you because you did the work without complaining and sooner than I expected. It's always appropriate to thank someone for doing a task well."
"You'll be using a forklift to move pallets to the pick up zone?"
"Sarah, I'll be using forks on the frontloader. A tracked machine moves better in the snow. Guess it's time to feed the furnace and then plow snow so I can move pallets."
"Just the furnace. Hazel said lunch in ten minutes."
"I'll be back."
"Your voice still isn't deep enough but the expression is almost perfect."
We've used less wood today and it's still in single digits outside. I should plan on getting the window crew busy after lunch and get the other windows replaced. Firebox is full. Back up the stairs and wash my hands.
"Pot pies, Hazel?"
"I'm teaching the kids about making pie crust and better to make many small main dish meals than just a few desserts. That way they all get more practice making and rolling out crusts. There are more pies than people but they keep well. The filling is identified by the letter on the crust. 'C' for chicken, 'T' for turkey, 'B' for…"
"Beef?"
"Good guess, Amelia, but we used things you haven't had often - maybe not at all for some of you. 'B' for bison."
"We have buffalo meat?"
"Yes, Jenny. One of the unique LTS foods from the stocks at the Congressional shelter. This is one of the better things that was in that load of food, Jack. I let the kids try a little of the caviar and they asked 'Why does the blackberry jam taste fishy?'"
"I would agree with them on that, Hazel. Better to have the blackberry jam by itself and the roe with salmon or shrimp."
"You have a meat preference, Jack?"
"I think I'll give the younger ones a minute with their bison before I choose. It may not be to everyone's taste. Those who don't like it can have chicken or turkey and I'll take the bison."
"That's not gonna work, Daddy. Hannah's too busy eating hers to even say 'yummy'."
"That's OK, Debbie. I think all of them will be 'yummy'."
---
"I'd like to get the window crew working again later today. I have snow to plow and some pallets to move and my kids have school time today. We'll get together to work after class."
"Can we be in the bucket again?"
"One time each, Alicia."
"Isn't it cold out there?"
"Yes, Michelle, but I wanna know how things work and that's the only place to learn."
"Why?"
"Why'd you learn to do the pot bellied stove?"
"So I'd know how if I needed to."
"Same for me."
"What would you do in the bucket?"
"I don't know yet. When will you be in the cabin by yourself?"
"I don't know that either. I guess we're both just curious about stuff."
"Kids, clear the table. I'll go do the cold work."
"Jack, look at the drifts that are building up. I think we'll both be doing cold work. You help me get the doors open on the Quonset hut and I'll drive the Deere while you use the snowblower."
"I'm with you, Bill."
"Hazel, Sarah. If you wash, I'll dry."
"Thanks, Joe."
---
Snow is moved. Frontloader with forks to get pallets out of the barn and to the classroom. Totes stacked and wrapped in plastic. Two by fours to keep the two pallets together. Re-use the original strap. Loaded pallets in the 'fuel' area from before. I wonder how much wind that blimp can manage. Time to call Tim.
PreSel 407.
{This is Jack Wilson. We have a board pickup ready. It's in the 'fuel' area.}
{I'm here, Jack. Your "before sundown" has moved up to "after lunch". That's good, as you can expect pickup around 1530 local. There's also a "drop off" for you from General Coltrane.}
{We'll take almost anything offered, but why from him?}
{Read the note on the package. You'll also be receiving one of the few printed email directories. That service was up as of 0900 local today. There are a few passengers on the aircraft this time - including Miriam's daughter. That delivery is somewhat roundabout, but it will be made early tomorrow. If you can arrange a landing site, I know your kids will want to meet Bethany.}
{I have the brochure from the blimp's first visit. We'll make a landing space and outline it with flags of some type.}
{I'll tell the pilot.}
---
Monday, 10 January, 3:20PM
The space is cleared. With Bill on the Deere and me on the little tractor, it didn't take long to make the space. Our "flags" are towels on two by fours but readily visible, plus a couple of flashing red LED bicycle "tail lights" to mark the ends. Sarah heard both tractors running and asked what we were doing. I think she's as excited as the kids.
{We have a landing site?}
{Per the brochure you left. Flags on the sides; flashing lights on the ends.}
{Wish we got service like this everywhere we go.}
Sarah is holding the kids in the school until I tell her via the FRS radio that the craft is secure. We don't want small bodies running to a moving aircraft.
{He's parked, Sarah. Remind the kids that they'll be going in three at a time because of the limited space.}
---
'Daddy!'
'Why are you excited but whispering, Lisa?'
'One of the people is someone Bina told me about! They'll kill Miriam and Bina if they see them!'
'Which one?'
'The taller nurse. He's a guy in a wig. I can tell 'cause he needs a shave.'
'Thank you, sweetie. We'll fix this. Tell Alicia and Lisa I need them.'
'Yes, Daddy.'
---
"So you're the 'Jack' I've heard so much about. You're not so smart if I have you hostage."
"You should look out the cabin window before you decide who's the hostage."
"A kid with a toy gun riding a bucket truck? These windows are more than an inch thick. No danger for me there."
"Consider that each round of .22LR can chip away a quarter inch of that window. She has a ten round magazine and can empty it in less than ten seconds. The first six rounds make a hole in the window. The next four make holes in you."
"I can move faster than that."
"Not now."
"My feet won't move!"
"Now she can take time to put each shot where it will do the most damage."
"I can still duck… I can't move!"
"Welcome to my world. We do unique torture here. I think you might have many things to tell us - like who is with the other babies."
"I'll never tel... Can't breathe!"
"Who is with the other babies?"
"Dizzy!"
"Two more minutes and your brain starts to die."
"Vatican Guard. Dressed like me. Help me!"
"I'll let you breathe. Movement is not an option. Pilot, do you have handcuffs and leg irons?"
"Part of the security kit under the co-pilot's seat. How'd you do that?"
"A line from 'Red October': 'I was not here and this did not happen'."
"Security level understood. I'm surprised he didn't piss on himself."
"He would have. That's also being controlled. I'll provide a body bag to contain his mess until you can deliver him somewhere."
"My return path is near the Colonel's location. Is the snow deep enough to just push him out without landing?"
"No more than 20 feet up would probably be OK."
"Consider it done."
---
The fake nurse is secured in a compartment. I frisked him and found numerous weapons and several types of poison. Need to notify Tim and have him spread the word.
Alicia did get to use her new knowledge and Lisa was there to learn. I left the Sno-Cat near the house yesterday and it moves very slowly when being controlled from the bucket so Alicia could drive it to the blimp. I think she was more scared to be driving that monster than to possibly be involved in a shootout. At least being in the bucket meant she could see where she was going. Not true for her had she been inside the cab and using the normal controls.
I think Alicia and Lisa may need some lap time from being ready to shoot someone but they're usually the least affected by that. Much better than having Amelia or Maddie in that situation.
They all got to see and hold Bethany. It's probably best she's going to her mother. The crew here would spoil her rotten in a couple of days. We'll need rules about Jackie when she's born. Probably should talk that over with Sarah and see what should be included and how soon we should start talking about those rules. Bethany is a beautiful baby - having hair probably helps.
Finally shooed all the kids away from the blimp and it's on its way. I should notify Tim before we start on the windows. To the laptop and write this all up. Babies are being delivered to find and kill their mothers. Include what to look for. Mention the weapons and poisons found. Save to the thumb drive. Take it to the radio. PreSel 407. Press "SendFiles". Done.
Better check the battery level. To the basement. Yes, charger needs to be run. Might as well get both chargers out and check the other buildings while I'm doing this. Fill both chargers with gas. Start the one for the house. Plug in the AC 24 volt charger and let it top off the battery for the radio. Out to the barn. Battery here also needs attention. Second charger is running. Now to get the windows done.
---
"Alicia."
"Yes, Daddy?"
"Do you need lap time?"
"Holding Bethany was almost as good as being in your lap. I'm good."
"Lisa?"
"Me too, Daddy. Are all babies like that?"
"Some are. Some of my kids calm me just by being in my lap."
"Would Bethany work on you?"
"I don't know because I didn't spend long enough with her. Seems some little girls I know couldn't wait to hold her. Alicia, find Joe and Amelia and we might get the windows finished today."
"We get to do the trim in the basement?"
"Just one window until you demonstrate that you can do it without damaging the trim."
"I'll be very careful."
---
We're done, after me running the snowblower to clear space for the Sno-Cat near a couple of windows and using the shovel at a couple more. Replacing the trim is an after-we-eat project to ensure that all the windows were installed before supper. Both girls did well with removing the trim gently. Only one piece split and it had been cracked during the original installation. Some wood glue and clamps to fix it and we'll get back to that window in the basement tomorrow.
Along the way, I moved the chargers to the board classroom, the bunkhouse and the school. The cabin was at 98% so no charging needed. I'll be much happier when the snow stops and we have enough sun to keep the battery banks mostly charged. I did come up with another way to thaw the water pump. I found a foot square piece of half inch steel plate in the shed. It can be heated on the wood stove in the tractor room, in the oven when things are being baked or on top of the heater in the bunkhouse. When that plate gets to 200 degrees or more, it can be placed on the ground in the pump enclosure and will warm the space enough to melt things for at least an hour. A submersible twelve volt pump would be ideal if it could be put far enough down in the well to be below the frost line. I guess we're fortunate to have the pumps we do have and have a well that can supply all of us and the animals.
Supper is a casserole of mostly veggies and rice with a little of the meats not used for the pot pies at lunch. Hazel does manage a balanced diet over a couple of days. I think all of us should stay on the daily vitamin tablets to ensure we get enough of the trace elements.
The cooking lessons on pie crust did include desserts. Apple and peach pies. I'm sure the fruit was either canned or dehydrated but all the comments were "Yummy". Sammy's smile almost had the corners of his mouth together behind his head. I asked Hazel later and she said that Sammy had done one of the apple pies by himself. If I baked a pie that got as many "Yummy" comments, my smile would be behind my ears. Good for you, Sammy. I think you've found something you can excel in. A future business? "Sammy's Sweets" has a nice ring to it.
Tim mentioned the "drop off" for us. I used the forks on the frontloader to put those pallets in the barn and the forklift to get them in the loft but I never got back to see what was on the pallets. I also want to look at the new email directory. I'll get Sarah to go with me to look.
"Something from General Coltrane but no inventory and no explanation?"
"Correct, Mrs. Wilson. The email directory for the people the military has provided comms for is also out there."
"Email?"
"Even for the kids. Text only. Limited to 1,000 characters per message - think seven Twitter posts.. Low priority - sent after midnight when the day's essential communications are completed. The email addresses are assigned and I'll be setting up a laptop for the kids to use. Each email user will have his or her own account and password. I can see Lisa and Myra doing a lot of BFF email about everyday things - even the menus."
"I'm curious what the General might have sent."
"We should unwrap these pallets. Tim mentioned a note being included."
"You cut the tape and I'll walk around the pallet and roll up the plastic. You're saving this?"
"We may need row covers or small greenhouses or who knows what that could be made from plastic sheeting."
"And it's another useful thing that\'s not being produced now."
"Correct. Here's an envelope with my name on it."
"And the note says?"
'Tim told me the local kids needed warm beverages in the cold weather. I expect the adults caring for those kids also need something warm. The unmarked boxes contain 30 pounds of coffee, 100 pounds of coffee beans because they keep almost forever, 1500 bags of Earl Grey tea, 500 bags of other assorted teas, 200 pounds of cocoa powder, 1500 packages of pre-mixed hot chocolate and 200 pounds of sugar. The President said to stay warm.'
"We have hot beverages for several years!"
"That we do, Mrs. Wilson, and just in time. I was planning to start rationing chocolate milk and hot chocolate this week - down from daily to every other day or something like that."
"Still might not be a bad idea to talk about supplies no longer coming in and we want to enjoy some things for a long time. Maybe once a day for some type of chocolate? If you have hot chocolate for breakfast, you don't get chocolate milk at lunch?"
"Talk with Hazel. She probably knows more about what we're using than I do. I just scan the inventory and look for 'less than six months' or 'less than three months'."
"I'll do that. Be sure to add all this to our inventory."
"I will. Let's take the email directory inside. I'll explain what they're getting to the kids and each can get a slip of paper with his or her email address and the addresses of up to four other people. I won't set up any of their accounts to generate multi-recipient email, at least not yet. The little ones will need some help with choosing a password and definitely with spelling when they have mail to send, plus someone to read what comes to them. I think this might be the biggest incentive yet to work harder on reading."
"If they want privacy for what they send and receive."
"Limited privacy. The email program they'll be using has the ability to track selected words and phrases - that includes numbers. There are some things we don't want the world to know about - including where we are, how many of us there are, what supplies we have and some other things."
"You'll provide something similar for Ephriam's kids?"
"Yes. For the same reasons."
"Plus another private reason. Bina couldn't keep the secret about Ariel hearing your (I love you, Ariel.) and responding (da da). She only told me. I think it's wonderful that you could 'speak' to a baby that's only a month or so along. You'll do the same with Jackie?"
"I've done the gentle alarm clock for Jackie several times. Lexi says she can tell Jackie hears me. I haven't tried mental contact. Maybe the next opportunity I have."
"Let's go tell Hazel about coffee, tea and chocolate. Then you tell the kids about email. Then you can get all their accounts set up. You said another laptop?"
"Older and slower but fine for text email. No use of a printer unless they clear it with me or you. I have a large collection of older and smaller thumb drives - small by current standards but big enough for a year or two of text mail if they want to back up everything."
"A kid that's been around you for a week or two might consider a backup? Where did you get that idea?"
"Probably because I do it daily and sometimes more than once a day."
"And you have multiple backup devices - just in case."
---
"Email? I can write Myra? I can send her pictures?"
"Write only, Lisa. Words. No pictures. Don't try to write a book. The messages are limited to 1,000 characters. Your email will be using the same radio system the military uses for email. Your messages don't affect whether people live or die. Theirs do. Your email goes through after all the essential communications are done. Don't expect an immediate response. At best, you might get a response the next day. More likely, it will be two days. Let me give you an example. Today is Monday. If you write to Myra, she'll get it tomorrow - that's Tuesday. If she checks her email and replies on Tuesday, you'll get that reply on Wednesday - if you're checking your email each day."
"That's slow!"
"That's what can be made available for you, Lexi. This is for person-to-person communications. Not Twitter. Not Facebook. Not shared with the world. I was surprised when the Colonel mentioned that they were working on a way to do this because Bina and the others had asked if they could talk with you. Talking won't happen but you do have a way to communicate. I think they felt very loved when they were here if they want to stay in touch with you."
"I guess they did."
"Can I be 'thesmartestmichelle@yahoo.com'?"
"No. The ID's have been assigned to ensure no conflict and to manage the priority of messages. Michelle is 'm.wilson2k@mckenzie.org'. Maddie is 'm.wilson1k@mckenzie.org'."
"What's mckenzie.org?"
"Our location. The McKenzie Wildlife Management Area. Bina's Grandpa's farm is feldman.org. Bina is 'b.feldman1k@feldman.org'."
"What's the '1k' or '2k' for?"
"The 'k' identifies a kid and sets the priority of your mail. If you try to change your email address to get rid of the 'k', you won't be able to send email because that user doesn't exist. The '1' and '2' identify which kid when there's more than one of the same initial plus last name. The number also separates the 'k' from the name so a last name of 'bar' doesn't become 'bark'."
"We're second class users?"
"You are guests on a military system. Their system means their rules. It's more important to get the aircraft in place to take Bethany to Miriam than for you to tell Miriam how pretty Bethany is. If the aircraft doesn't fly, you don't get to see Bethany and neither does Miriam."
"That makes sense."
"We'll give you your ID and help the little ones with setting a password. We may also be helping them with spelling what they write and reading any mail they get. I'll connect a laptop to the big TV so you can all see how to do this. I know it's sometimes easier to learn if you do the things yourself, but this will show you where things are and how you get to them. I'll record this session and show you how to play it back when we finish. This is the program you'll use to send and receive email…"
"It's called 'Letters'?"
"Isn't that what you'll be sending? Not an instant message but a letter that takes a day to get there and the response also takes a day to get back."
"Like paper letters would be if the postman was really fast?"
"Correct, Celia. First you sign in with your ID and password. If it's your first time, you're asked for a password. I'm 'j.wilson@mckenzie.org'. That's new here so I must create a password. That password must be at least eight characters with a number and a capital letter included. My jobs have required that I have a longer and more secure password than that, so I'll be using a 14 character password…"
"What is it?"
"Passwords are private. Don't ask. Don't tell. Don't use passwords that are easy to guess. Jenny, don't use anything with 'Sammy' in it…"
"Daddy!"
"Don't use your birthday or the name of your dog or your favorite stuffed animal. If you can remember it, you might substitute numbers for letters. Then 'Tillie' would be '7i11i3' but that's only six characters…"
"It does kinda look like 'Tillie'."
"Which is why someone might guess that for your password, Sherry."
"Bummer."
"Do you know Tillie's birthday?"
"Yes, it's…"
"Don't say it. I know it and you know it but does anyone else here or at the Colonel's encampment or at Bina's Grandpa's farm know it?"
"No. But I already have it memorized so I won't forget it. The month starts with a capital letter so I just add the date - and I have more than eight characters!"
"And you could have the date before or after the month. Other kids. Don't use your own birthday. They're all marked on the calendar."
"I guess we should all ask you whether our idea for a password is good."
"Unless you want someone else to read your mail or send snarky mail from your account."
"We can all do it tonight?"
"Only if you give up the bedtime story, Lisa. I think the story is more important than email so we'll do this after breakfast tomorrow. You have time to think about a password that isn't obvious but that you can remember. If you write it down, someone else might find it."
"OK. In the morning."
"Bedtime routine - jammies, brush, floss."
---
They're all down, hugged and/or kissed and asleep. I'll go reload the furnace. 'Nerd' light. Coat. To the basement. It's a little warmer down here. That means the floors on the main level will be a little warmer and the rooms will be a little warmer. Nice to be able to feel the improvement from replacing the windows. We didn't burn as much of the previous load. That's good. Fill the firebox. Back up for a cup or two of chamomille while I enter all the IDs for our kids.
Bee-doop!
What do we have at this hour? To the radio. Headphones.
{Mr. Wilson, this is Childers. I saw you'd entered a password for your email. I'll guess that you'll be adding all your kids. Plug in a thumb drive and you'll get a download of the complete email directory in Excel and .csv formats. You should be able to extract all the mckenzie.org IDs from the file and add them with minimum typing. There are instructions on setting up a verification list so unknown email IDs are flagged for your attention. Kids may be less than perfect in copying all the characters of an ID so you get to check and correct if you recognize the destination. If you need to connect more than one computer to the radio, a USB 2.0 or 3.0 hub will work. Each of the kids will get the generic "Welcome" message' with some basic how-to instructions and some "do's" and "don'ts" - which you'll probably cover in your intro before they get the message.}
Excellent. Thumb drive in the radio. "Data" light flashing. It's done. Press "Disconnect USB". Remove the drive. To my primary laptop to have the info there. It's copied. To what will be the kids' computer. Copy the file and the instructions. Open the instructions. Four steps to add the "valid ID" check. Worth having when we have younger kids wanting to use email. Done. Extract all our IDs. Add them to the user list in "Letters". Each one can ask about his/her choice of password and then enter it and check for mail. I think Lisa is the most excited - she gets to contact her BFF. I think Lexi and Bina may be doing serious email as their pregnancies progress - who better to compare with than someone your age and near the same state of pregnancy? All of them have some interest in Bethany so that will be a topic of conversation. Tomorrow I'll ask Dawkins if Ephriam and I can exchange pictures. The kids will want to see whether Bethany looks as much like Miriam as they think she does.
---
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 16, 2016 18:33:31 GMT -6
Tuesday, 11 January, 5:20AM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. And I again repeat my morning routine. Clothes. Boots. 'Nerd' light. Glock. Coat. Back to the basement for furnace duty. Check the inside and outside temps as I go by the controller: 58.3 and 5.7. It did do the ten degree setback. The servos are moving for the morning temperature up-change. I moved that from 5:20 to 5:30 because it should take less time to warm the house now. I'll adjust that in ten minutes increments each day to get it "warm" by 6:30. There's enough wood left to get a noticeable increase in flame size when the damper and air inlets open. This is the first time I've seen that. Replacing the rest of the windows made a big positive difference. Positive in the house being more comfortable. Positive in using less firewood. Positive in having all those sashes to build another greenhouse. Enough wool-gathering. Fill the firebox. Go out and measure the snow. Less than four inches! To the barn and the stove in the tractor room. Yes! I did clean out the ashes and reload it yesterday. This should be a one match fire - well, one click of my Bic. And it is. Close the "doors". Use the snowblower while I wait for the old tractor to warm up. Turn the thermostat in the one room school up to 68. Clear the path to the cabin.
I'll get the eggs while I'm out… Dead chicken on the floor? Something dark under the nesting boxes by the window. It might be a raccoon and they can be nasty when cornered - this is a job for my Glock.
Bang!
"Damn! You shot me!"
"Hands up and show yourself or I can add 17 more rounds to that injury."
"It's cold and I'm hungry. You should share with those who don't have as much."
"No free lunches here. All my kids have chores but they don't work outside when the temperature is in single digits."
"Kids? How many?"
"More than a dozen and most of them armed. Also more adults and they're better armed than the kids."
"You some kind of crazy survivalist?"
"Just trying to be prepared for the unexpected - like you. Pick up the dead chicken. You can learn to pluck and clean it today."
"No way! That thing has blood on it!"
"Most living things have blood in them. It comes out when they're injured or killed. You're bleeding from your arm."
"I'm bleeding? I'll die!"
"Only if you do something stupid. Pick up the chicken."
"Eww! Gross!"
"Out the door. Try to not wet your pants when you're greeted by a half dozen guns."
---
"Heard one shot, Jack. You OK?"
"Yes, Joe. We appear to have a liberal who somehow survived this long without knowing that a chicken must be killed, plucked, butchered and cooked to make it edible. He has his education in hand."
"I think this may be fun. Kids, behind me."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"These kids have guns! I'll have DFCS on you when I get to a phone!"
"All the phones died weeks ago. The only authority is military. I'm the Emergency Manager for the McKenzie Wildlife Area and you're trespassing. I can turn you over to the military or I can shoot you for stealing food…"
"It's just a chicken! What good is it?"
"She was one of our egg-a-day layers."
"Eggs? They come from the grocery store."
"No stupid, they come from chickens. Michelle, would you check the empty nest?"
"Yes, Daddy. There's just one egg."
"That's not a real egg. It's the wrong color."
"Joe, would you cover him while I demonstrate?"
Ker-slack!
"That gun's real!"
"So are all the others out here. Here's the egg."
Smush!
"You broke an egg on my head!"
"Yes. One of the eggs that you think doesn't come from chickens."
"But… but…"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Senator Baldwin from Massachusetts."
"And you got lost from your party last night."
"How'd you know?"
"You wouldn't have lasted 24 hours out here. I'll check with Tim and see whether we put you out for pick up or feed you to the pigs. Kids, back inside. I'll get the eggs."
"Yes, Daddy."
"You have all these kids and you do chores?"
"When it's too cold for them to be out long. Responding to an intruder is more critical and they may be out but only as long as needed. Take him to the sun porch, Joe. Alicia and Lisa can back you up there. It's much warmer than out here."
"On our way."
I have the eggs. Also the backpack and snowshoes he had out here. I'll do some mental interrogation when I'm back inside. Eggs on the kitchen counter. To the radio. PreSel 911.
{This is Jack Wilson. Found someone in the chicken coop this morning. He claims to be Senator Baldwin from Massachusetts. He acts totally stupid about finding food. He had a backpack and snowshoes hidden in the coop. Backpack has a map of the area with this place highlighted. If you don't want him, I'll do 12 gauge interrogation and feed whatever is left to the pigs.}
{Jack, this is Tim. He's the third one that's turned up in a remote location this week. Maybe by HALO? We know that Baldwin died of GG-183. I'd like a turn at asking questions so leave a little of him.}
{I'll use the thousand paper cuts on him. It seemed to work well before.}
{You are a scary man, Jack.}
---
"Joe, tie him to the table. I'll need nitrile gloves, zip ties, a Bowie knife, a couple of scalpels, bolt cutters, a bone saw - check for the saw out by the smokehouse, a blindfold and some smelling salts."
"What about the blood, Jack?"
"It'll run between the slats of the table and there's a floor drain out here."
"What will you do to me?"
"Have you ever heard of death by a thousand paper cuts? It's a slow and very painful way to die. If you don't talk from the little cuts, I'll rub jalapeno peppers into them. I've been told that is extremely painful. If you don't talk then, I'll use the bolt cutters to take off toes and then fingers and then the bone saw to take off feet and then hands. The blindfold will keep you from knowing which part until I cut into it. The smelling salts will wake you up each time you faint from the pain."
"You're a monster!"
"No, I just respond as needed when people threaten my kids. You killed a chicken thus someone doesn't get their egg today. That's a threat so I find out what you know and then feed you to the pigs. That way you get to help feed the kids."
"You can't. I'm too important!"
"No. You're just another thug trying to hurt my kids. Did I mention how sharp my knives are? Just a touch of the blade can remove your clothes without marking your skin. Of course, it does even better on skin. Let me show you on this leg."
"Aiee! No! Stop!"
"Stopping requires knowing who you are, where you're from, who you're working for and some other things."
"I can't. They'll kill me!"
"They're not here. I am. I'll kill you very slowly and very painfully."
"Aiee! Stop!"
"Who and where?"
"I can… Aiee. No!"
"Who and where?"
"I ca…"
"Fainting doesn't stop the questions. A little ammonia near your nose should work. I see that you're back with me. I told you fainting wouldn't help. I think you might be insecure about the size of your manhood. I'll fix that for you. I just pull it out as far as it will stretch and use the big knife here…"
"Aiee! N…"
"We need the ammonia again so soon? What happened to the soldier who came prepared for war? I see you're back with us. You fainted before I made the cut. I want you to experience every second of this so I'll cut through it very slowly. Don't worry about the blood. You'll be dead from other injuries before you have time to bleed out."
"Stop! I'll talk! I'm UN. We came from Brussels. There are thirty of us. There's a map in the lining of my backpack. We have radio gear. Frequencies in the Bible I carry."
"Now that wasn't so hard was it? Anything else I should know before I feed you to the pigs?"
"Our contact is one of the President's advisers. I think the name is Caldwell but they only mentioned it once. General McManus is our other contact."
"McManus is no longer in the picture. He was either shot or hung yesterday. You can dress in the clothes out here. Then I'll zip tie your hands and feet and you'll be put out for pick up by the military."
"I'll kill you!"
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
"Did I mention that my kids are very good shots? That was one of those 'toy guns' you were thinking about. Yes, I can read your mind. Do you find that scary? Sorry that you can't get away - it's hard to do things when your shoulders and knees don't work properly. I think Tim will have a number of questions for you. Alicia, are you OK?"
"I need some lap time. I knew you'd left the knife out where he could reach it but it was still scary when he tried to cut you!"
"I need to get some things out of his backpack and tell the Colonel what I've found about him. Then you get lap time."
"OK."
Map scanned. Frequency list scanned. List of contacts and phone numbers? Scan it so they can do reverse lookup on the numbers and get addresses. Pictures of the backpack and the other things in it. Picture of him without the dark wig. Copy those to a thumb drive. Compose email and include the pertinent items. PreSel 407. Press "SendMail". Press "SendImages". A little more time than the email needed and the pictures are also transferred. I have a girl to calm.
"Alicia?"
"I'm here, Daddy."
"Let's use the recliner."
"OK."
This time a back rub puts her to sleep. Maybe 30 minutes? Yes. I hear work proceeding in the kitchen. She may be wakened in time for breakfast.
---
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Wake this girl.
"Hi, Alicia."
"Hi, Daddy. I feel much better."
"We should head for the kitchen and see if they left any breakfast for us."
"OK."
Comfort food again. Any morning that has a gunshot as the wakeup call is a good morning for pancakes. Hazel is already using the new stock of hot beverages as I see some additions to the tea cabinet.
Amelia needs some lap time. I was outside and there was a shot fired - even if I was the shooter. Who the shooter is only matters if she can see me when the shots are fired. She's in my lap as soon as I sit down. This isn't the first time I've eaten with her asleep in my lap and it probably won't be the last. I think our morning schedule is shot. We'll talk about email when things are much calmer.
---
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Time to wake the girl in my lap.
"Hi, Amelia."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up, like always."
"Think you can manage the rest of the day?"
"Un huh."
"When things seem calm enough, we can talk about email."
"Everybody wants to try it. There's so much we thought about after Bina and the others left. I can send mail to as many people as I want?"
"You may queue as many mail messages as you're willing to type. I can't guarantee they'll all be delivered the same day."
"I can do Control-A to select all the text, Control-C to copy it and Control-V to paste it to another message?"
"All those things work. Just be sure you don't copy and paste more than you intend to send to a secondary recipient."
"I gotta be careful with that."
---
Email is configured for all of them. I made the arbitrary rule of oldest goes first but the first time they only get to read messages. All of them were excited because "I have mail!" but that evaporated when they saw what it was. If they want to send a message, they must write it out on paper and get spelling and grammar approval from one of the adults. My alternate suggestion was that the laptop would be connected to the big TV and everyone could see what they're reading and writing. Those things should eliminate someone sitting at the computer "forever" while they compose a message. Sarah said she'd consider the longer messages as part of their homework if she did the checking. More schoolwork being done and the bottleneck at the mail computer eased - always nice to kill two birds with one stone. I should tweak the email program to list who has email each morning - and maybe how many and from whom. Having it display "l.wilson2k 2 from b.feldman1k" would be much better than a generic "You have mail" notification. That could be listed in two or three columns and not need to be scrolled - yet. They could trade off chores if one thought she had something "important" to read. A project for all my free time.
The clouds are clearing very slowly. It's a little brighter than an hour ago but certainly not full sunlight. I should check whether the charge controller sees enough sun to charge the batteries. Coat on and down to the basement. Controller says we're at 85% and charging, but that 2 amp charge isn't enough to handle the few lights we have on plus the laptop. I'll check whether we have enough sun to handle the recharge at noon. If not, someone will be taking the chargers around again today. Having a little sun might get things warm enough for the kids to be handling their outside chores again and the pump enclosure might be warm enough to run without taking the piece of hot steel out to it. On the more positive side, I probably won't be moving snow again today.
Bee-doop!
Do I need headphones? Use them anyway. Press "Message".
{If there's enough of your intruder left for me to interrogate, I'll send a snowmobile with trailer. I'll assume he's restrained or too injured to get away so will need the trailer because he couldn't hold on for the ride here. Let me know what time works for you. You know how long the trip is by snowmobile.}
He can send someone now. No reason for us to spend time watching this one.
PreSel 407.
{This is Jack Wilson. The prisoner is ready to be transported.}
{This is Watson. Someone is leaving now.}
---
"Small caliber wounds?"
"Alicia was part of the backup during interrogation. When I released him and offered him clothes, he grabbed a knife and Alicia responded quickly."
"And accurately. He seems a bit intimidated by kids with what he probably called 'toy guns'."
"He is. And he's learned that accuracy can be more important than caliber."
"A round centered in his eye like the one that was centered on his knee would have been instantly fatal. Thank you for teaching the kids to take prisoners."
"Joe did the teaching. It's easier for them if they only do damage that stops the target. I haven't had to comfort one after she killed someone, at least not yet."
"I've seen adults who couldn't handle that. I don't know how you'd calm a kid."
"I'd expect her to spend a lot of time in my lap crying it out - probably more than once."
"Better you than me. If you'll help me get him in the trailer?"
"Glad to help with trash pickup."
---
I hear water coming into the barrels in the basement so the pump enclosure is warm enough for the pump to run. It might be warm enough for kids to do outside chores. I should check that. A temperature of 19.6 is close enough to 20 when there's almost no wind.
"I need the 'A' team."
"Yes, Daddy?"
"You two OK to be armed and outside to run the chargers?"
"Un huh. More than one charger?"
"That depends on the charge levels at each location. Ask Bill or Hazel about the bunkhouse. Get coats and check in the basement here. I don't think there are more intruders but the one this morning didn't trip any of the alerts. I'll go with you outside to check the barn, the board classroom and the school. Then you'll be charging any building that is below 90 per cent. I'll help you get the charger or chargers started the first time. This tablet has the alert set to beep and vibrate. Also take an FRS radio with you. Do I need to repeat any of that?"
"Not when you do mostly short sentences. And I have pencil and paper so I can write down the level at each place. You want us to check the cabin?"
"I doubt that it needs charging but we'll also check for any uninvited guests."
"Got my coat. C'mon Alicia."
"Right behind you."
---
"Joe, Bill. I'm going out with the 'A' team to check the battery charge levels at each building…"
"Not without backup. I'll get my shotgun."
"I'll get the BAR as we go by the bunkhouse. Battery out there was at 85 per cent this morning and may be OK now that the sun is out."
"The more the merrier - and safer."
"How could someone get to the chicken coop without tripping an alert?"
"Possibly another HALO drop, Joe? They'd have to be good enough to land on a building and stay there until we shut off the monitors watching between the yard when someone goes out to do morning chores."
"The barn roof wouldn't be a great place to land but the shed roof on the chicken coop would be OK and the cabin roof isn't as steep as the house or barns."
"A good reason to be out in force, Bill. If we had sufficient power available and high end RFID equipment. we'd tag each person and allow them to move in the yard when the motion monitors are on. Probably not any time soon, though."
"Batteries here at 83 per cent, Daddy."
"Then the sun hasn't caught up with our current usage level. Outside, girls. We have more backup with us."
"That's always good. Even better after this morning."
"You sure you're OK to be armed and outside, shortstuff?"
"Yes, Daddy. I'm just paying attention to what's happening and how we respond to it."
"OK. To the bunkhouse for Bill to get his weapon of choice."
"And I'll write down the charge level."
---
'I thought they said a family with a lot of kids. I see two kids and a three-man patrol with serious firepower! And we haven't heard from Artie.'
'Keep your voice down. Whispers carry a long way. They haven't looked this way so they haven't noticed us yet. They're headed for the barns. We're OK for now. If they come this way, you take out the tallest one and I'll get the one with the machinegun.'
'What about the other guy and the kids?'
'That shotgun is a short range weapon. Don't worry about it at less than 20 feet. The kids are carrying toy guns so they can't do any real damage.'
'Did you tell HQ about Artie?'
'The message is queued. The next satellite pass directly overhead is an hour from now. That's the soonest we can notify them.'
'I really need to take a shit. I hate buckets!'
'Better than the outhouse and it's warmer in here than out there. The LP heater doesn't produce smoke so we're good to keep using it.'
---
"Barn is at 90 per cent. Board classroom is 95. School is 80. I'll help you get the chargers started for the house and the school. You'll check them in an hour and move the first one that finishes to the bunkhouse. That leaves the cabin…"
'Daddy!'
'What, Amelia?'
'There's something moving over the cabin's stovepipe.'
'You're right. That's hot exhaust from the stove. We're not using the cabin but I think you can guess who is.'
'More people like the one in the chicken coop?'
'Yes. We need to know how many there are. Bill, if you'd get the Deere? I think the blade raises high enough to be a shield. I'll get the frontloader. Its scoop does a good job of blocking bullets.'
'How will you get them out of the cabin?'
'Smoke them out.'
'Smoke?'
'The modern equivalent. I want the 'A' team to get the metal bucket that's by the back door of the house and the little roll of insulation that we had left from adding insulation around some of the basement windows. I'll help you cut a piece the right size to go in the bucket with the pink side to the middle. Then you get the Sno-Cat and take it to the left end of the cabin. They can't see out there. We'll be making noise with the Deere and the frontloader while you get the Sno-Cat in place to put that metal bucket over the stovepipe.'
'You'll tell them to come out or die of carbon monoxide poisoning?'
'I'll tell them once, Joe. If they don't come out, we'll knock on the door every ten minutes until they stop responding. I can hold my breath long enough to get them out of the cabin. Oxygen is the ideal remedy for CO poisoning but the only pressurized oxygen we have is in the welding tanks in the barn workshop. If we put them in the bucket of the frontloader, we can get them there easily and quickly. I think a plastic grocery bag will suffice as an oxygen tent.'
'Sounds good to me.'
'Girls, wait for the first machine to start before you start the Sno-Cat. We want them looking out the window and worrying about what's in front of the cabin.'
'I'll get the bucket.'
'I'll get the insulation.'
---
"YOU IN THE CABIN! Come out with your hands up!..."
Bang! Boom!
"We're protected from gunfire. The noise you heard at the stove wasn't the wind. The stovepipe is blocked. You can exit now or we'll carry your bodies out later."
Bang!
'We now have three holes in the door to repair. Check your watches. We'll call out to them every ten minutes until they stop responding.'
'Time noted.'
They responded with gunfire the next three times I told them to exit the cabin but not the fourth time. We used the time to get vests for all. Joe knows how to release the door latch from the outside so we'll do that and push the door open with a broom handle.
"Come out or we're coming in!"
There are some faint sounds from inside but nothing intelligible. Push the door open. There's a faint sound from behind the curtain for the emergency bucket. Wave Joe to the left and I'll go right. Bill has the center. Use the barrel of my shotgun to move the curtain.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
B-R-A-A-P!
He's too far gone to be accurate but Bill took him off at the knees so he's out of the game. This is the pistol shooter. A shotgun also responded the first time I called out. We need fresh air, so wave Joe and Bill out and I'll back out last.
Boom!
"DADDY!!"
Pop!Pop!Pop!Pop!Pop!Pop!
"DADDY!!"
'Told you to stay back, shortstuff. Glad you didn't listen.'
"Are you OK? I can barely hear you."
'Slug from his shotgun. Plate in vest stopped it. Like being kicked by a mule. Hurts to breathe. Tell Joe and Bill to get them outside.'
"Grandpa Joe, Uncle Bill. Daddy said to get them outside."
"Let me help Jack up and Joe can get the one behind the curtain. I'll check the one you stopped, Amelia, but I don't know that being outside will help him."
"I killed him?"
"He's not moving. That might just be the carbon monoxide. I can tell you more in a few minutes. Alicia, go get Hazel and tell her she needs the trauma kit."
"Yes, Uncle Bill."
---
"He's alive, Aunt Hazel?"
"Yes, Amelia. With Jack's 'oxygen tents' for them, they'll both survive. This one wouldn't be alive if he'd been facing you. As it is, he's lost one eye, part of his nose and several teeth. Had he been looking at you, most of those shots would have been fatal."
"I didn't wanna kill him; just stop him from hurting Daddy!"
"I'd say that was an appropriate response to someone who tried to kill your Daddy."
"I didn't do something bad?"
"No. You protected your Daddy when he couldn't protect himself. You did 'good'. But your Daddy might threaten him with letting you use him for target practice if he doesn't want to answer questions."
"But I don't wanna…"
"I know that, but he won't."
"I'll be as scary to him as he was to me?"
"Probably scarier. He didn't expect a little girl to be a better and faster shot than he was."
---
{Explain this to me again, Jack?}
{Tim, we were out checking for battery banks that needed charging. When we started to the cabin, Amelia noticed heat motion above the chimney. We assumed more of our early visitors. Bill got the Deere, I got the frontloader and the 'A' team got the Sno-Cat. Bill and I distracted them while the girls blocked the stovepipe. I told them to come out with their hands up or we'd carry their bodies out. They responded with gunfire.}
{l got that part. Tell me about Amelia and the Uzi the intruder says he was shot with.}
{Not an Uzi. I told the girls to stay back so they'd be safe. When I went in, the one with the shotgun got off one round at me - which the plate in my vest stopped although I went down. Amelia thought I was dead and emptied her .25 automatic as fast as it can cycle. All in the six inch circle of his face. If he hadn't turned when his partner moaned just before Amelia started firing, Hazel thinks most of those hits would have been fatal individually - and certainly together.}
{He can't speak very well with missing teeth and a mouth full of packing, but he's filling page after page with written answers. I may have mentioned that you have more than a dozen kids and all of them have some level of firearms training.}
{"May have", Tim? I'd say that you started your "in-terror-gation" with that.}
{No comment, Jack. We do have more information about who they represent and where this group originated. You'll get an encrypted message later today. The President has authorized some B2 missions and I don't think we'll see or hear from any of these people again.
On a totally different topic, the boards are installed at the plant in Port Arthur. Between the removed boards and the spares there, there are about 500 boards to be re-chipped. They are packaged as before in totes and on pallets. Delivery of the boards and the replacement chips is at your convenience - tell me when or even if your kids would be willing to start back on what must be boring work.}
{Boring after the first five or six of the same board. They mostly look at it as "I can help someone get power by doing this" or they would have quit long ago. Just keep them informed on where and when power is restored and how many people they helped.}
{The military airlifted some diesel for the plant's startup generators and they should be trying to start it as we speak. I'll see if anyone can give me a count of how many people get lights from the kids' work. Valero found enough qualified people that they expect to get the refinery running 24 to 48 hours after the power is back up. One tanker dock should be functional when the docks get power so they'll be ready when the first Israeli tanker gets here. There is also a crane dock for handling container ships. When the harbormaster's office has power, we'll learn the cargoes of the dozen or so ships that were trapped in or near the port. In getting this one location powered back up, the kids made a huge contribution to getting pieces of trade working again. Tell them I said "Thank you" and I'll probably be saying that again.}
{I'll tell them. It seems that the hospital gear Columbo acquired primarily because of Lexi has been useful for other people.}
{The naso-gastric feeding tube and supplies that Amelia's target is using for certain. His name is James Anderson and he's originally from Philadelphia. Any connection to your other problems there? Columbo thinks it could be days before Anderson will be able to manage anything by mouth. The hole where the teeth exited his cheek is sewn up but it leaks liquid when he tries to drink. Don't even offer him a toothbrush. He cringes from it.}
{I don't remember the name but I can check some of the info Joe collected. I'll let you know if there's a connection. Those injuries sound painful. I won't be pulling the start cord on the battery chargers for a few days but I just have an ugly bruise to show for my end of that confrontation. I'll tell the kids the progress in Port Arthur and see if any are willing to continue the work.}
{On another essential topic, we can get you supplies for chicken farming - nesting boxes, incubators, feed, etc. I'm sure the current incubators need power so tell me what they used in 1820 and we'll look for it.}
{In 1820 it was a "setting hen" or a "broody hen". You let some hens spend time with a rooster and then sit on the fertilized eggs to keep them warm. We can do that, but we'll need to replace the food value of the eggs that are being hatched. When the time is right, we could have as many of the hens as are willing trying to hatch eggs if we have a place for that many chicks.}
{How many chicks are you talking about?}
{Maybe as many as 12 per broody hen. First, assume that not all the hens will be interested. Some are broody and willing to stay on the nest three weeks to hatch the eggs. Others may stay a few days and then quit. In that case, you either have an incubator handy or you lose that batch. Second, assume that a few of the broody hens may be homicidal and kill the chicks as soon as they hatch. We'll only know those things by experience with the hens. When we find which ones are good brooders, we can make a separate "maternity ward" for them. We'll also need to have food and water near them and their diet should change when they're on the nest. If the internet still worked, I'd tell you to check out "The Chicken Chick" and some other sites.}
{You have how many hens now?}
{We have 20 - no, make that 19 after this morning. If half of them are broody, we have the potential to set at most a hundred eggs. No guarantee on the number that might hatch and this isn't the right weather.}
{So you'd need a bigger chicken building very soon after the first group hatches.}
{Correct. And more feed of the proper types. We can grow corn but it isn't ready for harvest in the three weeks it takes to hatch the eggs.}
{I think my food production education is lacking. Send me any info you have and any references - online or paper. The family of one of our raised-on-a-farm guys had a big chicken operation. He's Don Campbell. I'll talk with him and see what he knows about chicken production in the 1800s.}
{If fuel gets here from Port Arthur, we can still do some level of 20th century farming. If not, we'll be using horses and probably not eating nearly so well in quantity or variety as we're accustomed to.}
{You really are the bright spot in my day, Jack. Go talk with your kids. Maybe their answer will make me happier.}
{On my way, Tim.}
{Expect info on the intruders and Port Arthur later today.}
{I'll check.}
---
Tuesday, 11 January, 12:40PM
"Daddy, lunch is ready."
"You need to sleep through lunch in my lap, shortstuff?"
"I'd like to but Aunt Hazel said I hafta eat some lunch first. She even put it out on my plate and said she'll tie me to the chair until I finish it. I think she might."
"I agree with you - she just might. I have some computer things to do. You can join me in my computer cave after we eat."
"I'd rather go to the cabin."
"The cabin door is open and we're still waiting for the carbon monoxide to clear. I know you'd like more privacy to maybe get loud but the cabin isn't a good place right now."
"OK."
---
"Jack, where did the additional hot beverages come from?"
"Hazel, Tim mentioned to General Coltrane that the local kids needed hot chocolate in the very cold weather. The General also included things for the adults caring for those kids. I found some information that gave the President a heads-up on some of his trusted people and the quantities got larger."
"I guess the President has people who can find almost anything."
"I'm sure he does, Lisa, but there's one thing that there's a very limited supply of."
"What's that, Daddy?"
"People who can re-chip the SCADA boards. The last group of boards you completed was installed at a power plant in Port Arthur, Texas, and they'll be testing it today. If they get it running, there's a refinery next door. The port facilities include oil tanker unloading capability so they'll be able to get the oil from the Israeli tankers when they arrive. The port also has facilities for the big container ships. When power is back on at the docks, they'll check the cargo manifests of all the ships trapped there and see what might be worth unloading."
"We made that happen?"
"You and the kids you were teaching, Maddie. I don't know who actually did the work on each board. You all worked and all the boards passed the testing."
"How many people will get their lights back on?"
"Charlie, I think the population there was around 50,000 before GG-183 happened. Now they probably don't have even a tenth that many."
"So 5,000 at best but probably less?"
"Correct."
"That's pretty good for a dozen of us kids."
"It is, Sammy."
"Now they need someone to do the boards they took out of that plant?"
"Correct, Amelia. The Colonel said to ask you if you were interested in doing more boring work. You know how boring it is. Collectively, you've re-chipped hundreds of boards. You do the same things over and over but it's important to do it right every time - even if it is boring."
"I do that alphabetically."
"Alphabetically, Jenny?"
"Un huh. The first board is for someone with a name that starts with 'A', so it turns the lights on for Anne. The next on is for someone whose name starts with 'B', so it turns the lights on for Bianca. And so on."
"What do you do with 'Z'?"
"That one's for Zoe."
"And 'J' is for Jennifer?"
"No, 'J' is for Jack!"
"I need an answer for the Colonel. Raise your hand if you're willing to help. OK. That's all our trained kids - plus a few who aren't ready for this kind of work. Those may be doing different chores while our re-chippers are working."
"I can milk Petunia?"
"If you go out with an adult, Leah. A bucket of milk weighs almost as much as you do and your body isn't ready to carry that."
"Yes, Daddy."
"I have some computer work to do and you all know that Amelia needs a lot of lap time…"
"I thought you were dead, Daddy!"
"And you responded appropriately, shortstuff. The Colonel did mention to that intruder that I had more than a dozen kids who'd had some type of firearms training. Columbo had to dig out the roots of the teeth that guy lost. Now that guy has a lot of gauze packing in his mouth to control the bleeding. He can't talk very well but he's been writing out pages of answers to the Colonel's questions."
"You'll be there an hour, Jack?"
"Possibly more, Sarah. Amelia thought she had killed the intruder and I think she might need longer to get past that."
"I'll check on you in two hours then. And I'll ensure no one disturbs you before then - including the Colonel."
"Clear your place, Amelia, and we'll go to the cave."
---
"Get your nest made."
"I'm there."
"Little girl goodnight kiss on your nose. I'll rub your back."
She's still. Turn her so she's across my lap instead of wrapped around me. She's more comfortable that way and snuggles back against me. It's a little cool in here so wrap a throw around us. That's better. Set my watch alarm for an hour. Update the food inventory with the "what's been moved inside" lists from Hazel and Sarah. That includes the new beverage supplies. Did I ever ask Joe about sassafras? Add that to the notes in my pocket. I am keeping those more-or-less current. Note the loss of one hen. That changes projections of egg production and feed needs, but only a little.
I'll generate some chicken farm numbers for Tim. Number of hens "setting". Average number of eggs under each hen. Hatch per cent based on temperature. Glad I have the CD with that info on it - from Maine to California and Texas to Minnesota. I think we can compare this to a Minnesota winter for snow but we might be a few degrees warmer. Most assuredly not optimum temperatures for raising chicks. Let's plug in the 30 year average temps here. Minimum acceptable temps for hatching would usually occur in late March or early April in a normal year. I think no earlier than mid to late April this year Add some notes to the dates and numbers. Save the spreadsheet. Also save it to the thumb drive. Compose a message for Tim. All the qualified kids are willing to do boring work. Save it to the thumb drive. I'll send that when I'm back at the radio. Meanwhile, I'll work on the new and improved version of "You have mail".
---
Tuesday, 11 January, 3:10PM
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
Enough of that. Time to wake this girl.
"Hi, Amelia."
"Hi, Daddy. Nice wake up."
"Think you can manage the rest of the day?"
"Un huh. Rub my back after lights out?"
"Yes. Just enough to get you to sleep."
---
To the radio. Thumb drive in. PreSel 407. Press "SendFiles". Tim can plan for delivering boards here and play with the chicken numbers.
I'm at loose ends with no snow to move. Joe refilled the furnace while I was with Amelia. What's the outside temperature? It's 23 out there! Practically a heat wave after days of single digits. It's 67.9 inside. Being able to make small adjustments in the size of the fire means the controller can work with a very small deadband - just a couple tenths of a degree instead of the usual one or two degrees of on/off central heating. We might be disappointed to go back to LP central heat when - maybe that's if? - power is restored. Update the email status program on the kids' computer. Done. Pull out my list of shortwave stations. Do the time conversion. There once were 20 stations broadcasting to the US at this hour. See who might be on the air today. Not that one. Nope. Nope. Nope. Faint signal - that's where the codetalkers were. Phase the antenna that direction again. Someone speaking English today. Looking for anyone who can tell them more about the trucking situation. Dawkins monitors one of the FRS frequencies.
{Dawkins, this is Jack.}
{Sir?}
{Can you hear the station on 7213 LSB?}
{Yes. Do you know where they are?}
{Several hundred miles southwest. Joe thinks someone was speaking Navajo on this frequency the other day.}
{I have about four hours of recordings. The Colonel tasked the one Native American we have with translating it. I have a copy on a thumb drive for Joe.}
{I'll be out to get that in a couple of minutes. Can you contact the people talking now or a military unit near them to provide a status update?}
{We have the capability. I'll check with the Colonel for permission and any limits on what I tell them.}
{Very good. On my way out.}
"Not by yourself, Jack."
"Armed company is welcome, Joe."
"Dawkins said four hours of audio?"
"Yes. The monitor is voice activated so it gets any activity on the frequency. It's been running for a couple of days so a dozen ten minute exchanges a day would be four hours."
"I guess it would. Let's go get that recording."
---
We're back inside. Joe is listening with headphones to keep out the distractions. The kids aren't part of the distractions as they are in school but I'm back scanning the radio and Bill and Hazel are busy in the kitchen. The station in Tennessee is on the air. Still looking for family members in many areas. Also doing some "Thank you" traffic. One for "Jack and family" for getting Ephriam's great granddaughter to him. He didn't mention her name, which is good. I won't respond. The fewer connections other people know about, the safer all of us will be. I'll tell the kids and any responses will be over the military's encrypted email system.
Let's see what the weather satellites see to the west of us. Clearing skies. That means sunny and possibly warmer days but also may mean colder nights. With the clouds gone, I can see ground temperatures and perhaps make some educated guesses about the snow melting. Temperatures in the low- to mid- 30's a couple hundred miles to the west. If we get that, the snow will melt slowly and soak into the ground. I found the "Farmer's Almanac" for the current year among some of the previously unboxed books. They predict an early spring. We can hope, but I don't think Bill will have anything in the ground before April. When the snow does melt, we can start building the 1820 chicken house, or is that houses? I better re-read that info and see what the optimum numbers are for each structure with that level of technology.
---
"Bill, the ground temperatures to our west are in the low-30's. If we get that, how long for the snow to melt?"
"If the clouds don't come back, it might melt a couple of inches a day. More if it's warmer. What's our total snowfall thus far?"
"Seven feet, five inches, based on my day-by-day notes about the new snow depth each morning."
"That's 89 inches. Two inches melting a day makes it about 45 days - if we don't get more snow and it stays that warm."
"So mid-March or later?"
"Best guess. I'd expect more snow and cold before much of this melts. We'll be checking ground temperatures but I don't think we'll plant anything before April. Whatever is planted needs to be cold hardy and short season productive. I think we could have winter a month early this fall."
"When do we start letting some hens set so we can hatch a hundred chickens?"
"If you had a better building, I'd say mid-March. With the current building, I'd say April - and you need a place to put those chicks pretty quick."
"Tim has committed to providing labor to cut trees and build an early 1800's commercial chicken house. I think he sees commercial farming and easy transport as being well in the future. Better to have food production close by."
"Excellent idea to have food production near you. You have plans for those chicken houses?"
"The ones you saw the other day and more on these two CD's."
"I should go exploring."
"Use the laptop I set up for the kids' email. They won't be back inside for an hour or more."
"Will do."
---
"Jack, I see a couple of designs that might work."
"Which ones?"
"Number 607 and number 613. You should look at the sizes and see where you could put them and if you'd need to clear and fence more land to have them part of the main complex - and downwind of the house."
"Sarah and I have already discussed 'downwind'. Let me draw up some shapes in the same scale as this plot of the house and barns. Pencil and a ruler; then scissors. Now to find the best fit for these pieces."
"I think you'll be moving a fence."
"You're right, Bill. This would be the best location for one large or two medium size chicken houses. We can use their design of ropes and pulleys to open all the ports for ventilation on hot days and close them for security at night. The only power required is one human."
"You'll need to rework the motion sensors for this."
"And probably move a camera or two. If there's a camera on a chicken house, it will need another small solar setup. I could also add man door, ventilation port and chicken door sensors. I'd rather not discover another someone in the chicken house when collecting eggs. I am making paper notes as I talk."
"Jack, what happens if you lose those notes?"
"Most days I copy them to the laptop and a thumb drive before I go to bed. That way, I have a backup copy through the previous day. In the days when I had a working cell phone, I made notes on it as well as paper - sometimes just a picture of the paper with notes on it - and could back up the info on the phone to a thumb drive and/or the laptop."
"How will you move the fence?"
"If the high lift jack can get the existing posts out of the ground, we'll re-use them. If not, we'll cut them flush. We can try setting the new or re-used posts by pushing them down into the ground with the flat edge of the blade on the Deere. No holes to drill or dig, no sledge hammers to swing and no concrete needed. We take the wire loose before we jack the posts out and fill in from about here to here on the plot."
"Looks good, Jack. We just need seven feet of snow gone and the ground thawed so the work can be done."
---
End of Jack's War Part 2.
Author's note: Parts 1 and 2 total half a million words (500,264 including comments, the last time I asked Word how long it was) - that's a little shorter than "War and Peace". Although there are many open-ended things in Part 2, I have no specific plans for a Part 3. You shouldn't expect more about Jack in the near future.
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Post by darkwolf on Aug 20, 2016 8:01:28 GMT -6
Thank you so much for your story. It has kept me awake reading it for the last few days.
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Post by ydderf on Aug 21, 2016 8:40:09 GMT -6
Thank you Papaof2. I don't know what to say other than THANKS.
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Post by biggkidd on Oct 11, 2016 19:09:15 GMT -6
Another great story! Three in a row I know of so thanks again.
If or when you write more about Jack some interplay amongst the other characters would be good. Maybe some after dinner conversations of the "grandparents" or kid conversations or the gov / military. I think it would make for a more rounded out story. Most of what you have so far is more like a monolog. Please don't take these comments as criticism as that is most certainly not the intended purpose.
Once again thank you for sharing another great tale!
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Post by papaof2 on Nov 4, 2016 5:12:28 GMT -6
Another great story! Three in a row I know of so thanks again. If or when you write more about Jack some interplay amongst the other characters would be good. Maybe some after dinner conversations of the "grandparents" or kid conversations or the gov / military. I think it would make for a more rounded out story. Most of what you have so far is more like a monolog. Please don't take these comments as criticism as that is most certainly not the intended purpose. Once again thank you for sharing another great tale! Interesting that you want more of the side chatter. I've had two reviews of the Kindle version of "An Accidental Family" that didn't like the detailed interaction. Maybe there should be a "gun porn" rating for PAW stories? One AK-47 for mild violence with lots of people interaction and five AK-47's for a mostly "shoot-em-up" where every third word is "Bang"? ;-) I'm considering a sequel to "An Accidental Family" but so far it's just an outline and a prologue. I could have "Jack's War" (parts 1 and 2) ready for publication long before I could write a sequel to "Family" (several months to edit "Jack" versus a couple of years for a new story - I spent 2 years writing "Family"). "Jack's War" needs a lot of work to get it ready for publication so that won't happen soon - and in 3 weeks I'll be one-handed while recovering from shoulder surgery. I can think of several places where the other characters in "Jack" could be more involved (hindsight is always 20/20). Those are relatively small pieces of dialog that I could probably manage with dictation (Dragon Naturally Speaking is OK up to maybe a chapter but gets painfully s-l-o-w on larger documents).
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Post by gipsy on Jun 17, 2017 17:13:16 GMT -6
I am really hopping that there will be more to this tale.
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Post by papaof2 on Jul 4, 2017 13:46:44 GMT -6
Part 1 is now available in Kindle format: www.amazon.com/dp/B073Q4HFMGI plan to release Part 2 in Kindle format also, but there's at least one new character to be woven into the book and there are some "bridge" events to cover between Part 1 and Part 2. It won't happen until I'm recovered from the eye surgery as I'm doing copy and paste into Word with 18 point type to be able to keep up with postings on the forum - not a good way to be editing several hundred pages of story.
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Post by cgtech on Mar 22, 2018 13:48:04 GMT -6
Love your work papaof2, hope to see more in the future!
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