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Post by texican on Dec 27, 2018 19:30:10 GMT -6
Just to keep the record straight... the project was to replace a 68 year old bath tub and troublesome drain with a new shower stall. Once the tub was wrestled out it became clear that old studs, joists, and flooring required repairs as well. As mature and intelligent individual PPB, I would expect you to remember that whenever you start a project that delays and interruptions and unknowns will crop up.... Sometimes in the past a wiseman quoted this as a scientific fact.... Now if I could just remember his name.... Murphy was his name.... Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 27, 2018 19:37:15 GMT -6
Isn't there a quote somewhere about "from the ground up"? ;-)
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Post by texican on Dec 27, 2018 20:52:25 GMT -6
Thanks PPB for the chapter....
The larger the group the greater the amount of work and management....
Texican....
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Post by kaijafon on Dec 29, 2018 12:12:42 GMT -6
Just to keep the record straight... the project was to replace a 68 year old bath tub and troublesome drain with a new shower stall. Once the tub was wrestled out it became clear that old studs, joists, and flooring required repairs as well. As mature and intelligent individual PPB, I would expect you to remember that whenever you start a project that delays and interruptions and unknowns will crop up.... Sometimes in the past a wiseman quoted this as a scientific fact.... Now if I could just remember his name.... Texican.... Oh he said that many times before but decided to tackle it anyways... it needed done. We just know NOW to quadruple the time and effort projected instead of triple. lol!
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2018 21:18:58 GMT -6
Sort of like delegating work. You double the numbers and use the next larger unit of measure.
If you can do something in 1 hour, you double the number to get 2 and use the next time unit so your 1 hour project will take 2 days when delegated. Think about the longer things - 5 days become 10 weeks and 2 months become 4 years ;-)
And you wondered why government-sponsored projects take so long?
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Post by pbbrown0 on Jan 2, 2019 14:27:25 GMT -6
OUT OF THE STUMP POST # 90
There were about eight or nine adults huddled together in the great hall trying to put together a scenario that made sense of the report from Bill and Stephanie. Liam and Joe agreed that it sounded like almost a small battalion in the convoy this time and once again they were moving like they did not have time to waste. There was speculation about why so many were following hard on the heels of the previous convoy. About all they could agree on was that there was trouble brewing somewhere. It was possible that the first convoy was deployed as quickly as possible and the larger group was following after a little more time to get better prepared. Even that notion wasn't a certainty, and it did nothing to answer the questions about the reason for the troops heading west.
Michael was puzzled about why so many were heading west along this road. Tricia's husband had addressed some security issues with a few minor settlements along the road in this area with far fewer troops. There wasn't much that would normally be considered important to any government authorities or military for quite a long way along this road. Michael had not lived here very long, but from what he remembered, there were other major routes available that would seem easier and faster for moving a large number of troops any distance to the west from the nearest population center, or what had been a population center. Steve recommended that they simply re-post the watch and not change anything about their methods or schedules. Their approach seemed to be working for gathering information, but they had not heard from the Island through Tricia or Yakov for over a month. Until they had more information to work with, there were too many unanswered questions for them to decide differently.
Michael was outside later that day and spoke to Jeff and Jenny when they returned from their watch to the north of the Haven. He asked them about how the snow cover farther north from the Haven in the mountainous forest compared to that in the lower elevations to the south. Jeff thought for a moment before he spoke. He showed only a hint of concern in his response. Michael caught himself wondering if he was just reading too much into Jeff's expressions.
“Michael, I wasn't up here for the bad part of the winter a year ago, so I don't know how to compare. I think it normally snows more up here than down in the lowlands where we were living, but it is considerably deeper than I am use to seeing. The snow is fairly deep under the trees except where it has collected on the conifer leaves. Near those trees is also where you can see most of the scratching where dear and other animals can get down to what might be underneath. Out in the open places, it is maybe a little deeper than under the hardwoods. We stay away from that because we just can't tell how deep it might be from place to place. Or where it might have blown into a low spot. The crust on top is pretty firm, but it's not worth the risk of punching through and getting buried in a hollow you didn't realize was hiding under the snow. We've been on the southern watch too and I guess it isn't as deep there, but it's still deeper than I was remembering most years at new Sidon.”
“I've been following Jeff's lead on things like that, Michael. He is always thinking through what is and isn't safe. He said he tries to learn from the animals, too. They don't want to take unnecessary risks and neither do we. I have noticed something, though. Some of the snow, well it just looks dirty, somehow. This may sound odd, but I think it depends on where it is coming from.” Michael noticed a note of concern in Jenny's voice.
Michael and Jeff both looked surprised. “Okay, Jenny. It does sound odd, but you seem to have noticed something no one else has mentioned. Why don't you explain what prompted your thinking that”
“Well you know how sometimes the snow comes in from the north and sometimes from the northwest? Even when it's cold the sun on the snow sometimes warms up the surface just enough to form a crust on top. Then when we get some more snow, the snow on top can blow around a bit before the sun comes out, again. Anyway, I noticed around some tree trunks, where the deer and other animals haven't scratched it up that there is sometimes a short swath of whiter snow down wind from the trunk where the wind carrying the dirty snow was split or blocked by the trunk. At first I thought it was just the shadows playing tricks on my eyes, but now I think there really is something about which direction the wind is blowing when the snow comes in. When it comes in from the north it just looks whiter. When the snow blows in from the northwest it looks grey. ”
Michael asked Jenny to show him. She led them to a place where the trees were more open and had them look from several angles. When they looked carefully they could tell that Jenny had a point, and the grey hues were not due to shadows. Finally Michael scooped up two hands full of the less white snow and they headed back to the lodge. When they got there he filled a large glass canning jar with the snow. “I want to let this melt and see if we can see what kind of dirt is in it.” That night it started snowing again just before dawn. There was very little wind; just a steady snow falling down. It snowed steadily through the next day.
When the snow let up late that afternoon the sky was still overcast with a uniform layer of high thin clouds. They could sort of make out where in the sky the sun was, but could not quite make out the round disk of its light. It was hard to tell if it would snow more, but with so little wind, it did not look like the clouds would clear. By morning it was snowing lightly again. Michael talked to some of the folks who had lived in the area a long time. They confirmed the patterns he had remembered about the winter of two years ago which had been a hard one. Even that hard winter had not seemed as overcast as this year. The way Michael remembered it there were some brief spells even up here on the mountain when the snow had melted, at least in patches. With the overcast continuing the snow wasn't melting as much between snows this year. When the jar of snow melted it did not reveal anything spectacular, except it was full of cloudy water. Michael noticed a subtle and unfamiliar smell in the water he had placed it on the mantle over the fireplace. He would have to wait to see if it would reveal any secrets when the water finally evaporated.
Two and a half weeks after the Burns family showed up, another family, the Russo family found their way to the farm house, with their two children. Claude and Maria had a small vineyard to the southwest of the Van Hoosen farm. It was quite isolated and well off the main road, which explained why they had been missed by the earlier efforts to find isolated groups of survivors.. They had managed tolerably well the previous year as they had a sizable garden in addition to their grapes. Only tolerably, though because without fresh seeds many of their garden crops had not come back well this past spring. They had found themselves relying more and more on the perennial grape crop, but found that the wildlife in the area, were encroaching on their efforts to feed themselves. Claude and his wife Maria had tried to sustain themselves more and more on less and less, other than the wine, so their children Benito and Theresa could have better nourishment from the dwindling supplies of garden vegetables.
When it became clear the supplies of food for the children were not going to last through the winter, they had first headed north to the main road and then east . When they arrived at the farm house, Claude was pulling a hand made sled loaded with what home canned vegetables they had left, along with a few other supplies. From the looks of it they still had enough food to last all four of them several weeks. Michael and a couple of others were impressed that they made the decision to set out looking for help before heir supplies ran out rather than waiting until they hit the bottom of the barrel in mid winter.
The number at the Haven had now grown to over forty and their housing was comfortable but full. It didn't take long for this group to build a few more beds for the new additions. The Russo family were hard working people and were very eager to learn how the Haven group had fared so well. Claude, an Anglicized version of Claudio, was at first embarrassed at his failure to be able to feed his own family from their land. He soon learned he was not alone. The Burns, too, were determined to learn how they had failed, while a group of novice farmers had done so well on “non-arable land”.
The jar Michael had placed on the mantle with a sample of the grey snow had eventually dried, but Michael was still clueless. There was a crusty grey residue in the bottom of the jar. The thin layer of sediment was stiff, but it crumbled when he tried to remove it. It felt unusually gritty when he rubbed it into a powder with his fingers. There wasn't enough for him to detect a distinct odor with the water gone, but he didn't want to sniff too hard and suck some unknown dust up his nose. He finally decided to stop worrying and accept that there were things he did not know or understand about what was going on in the world right now.
As the winter progressed, it simply stayed grey and overcast. It was a cold winter, but not with noticeably colder temperatures than the winter two years previous. One difference, however, was the consistent lack of clear sunny days between weather fronts. The egg production of the chickens was down to almost nothing, but the rabbits along with some late cockerels were supplying supplemental meat,. Michael had also decided to slightly reduce the number of male goats in the herd. The snow, had continued to accumulate and was not melting off appreciably between snowfalls. As a result the snow was steadily getting deeper. By late February it was getting harder and harder for the watch teams to get to their positions, even with snow shoes and being very familiar with the easiest routes to and from their posting areas. Because of the difficulty traveling in the snow they were sticking to the same routes to and from their watch posts. They also had become embedded in their routines of using the same location day after day for keeping sentinel. Their small sheltering spots were covered and masked by the accumulated snow, while affording them a reasonably broad view of any approach areas. The constant snow cover also made it very clear if any animals or two legged wanderers might be venturing into their assigned field of view.
They had already been making adjustments to the watch schedule because of the time it was taking for the replacements to get to their posts to relieve the previous sentries. One evening when they were working on the schedule for the next few days, Liam pointed out that they were going to need to take three of the women out of the rotations before long. Before he could say more, Colleen jumped in to protest that she was not going to let a little queasiness get in the way of doing her part to protect the Haven.
Liam moved and put his arm around her. “Sweet lass, there is not a person here who doubts for a minute that you are more capable and more willing than most anyone here to do your part to protect our Haven Family. You have proved that to all of us many times. This, however is not about your abilities or willingness to share the load. This is about your new responsibility that no one else but you can carry. Each of us, including you, may be perfectly capable of helping and protecting each other in a number of ways, but you are the only one who can nurture and protect our precious baby right now. That must be your new number one priority, even though until now your priorities have been focused on helping everyone else. The same is true for Rebecca and Stephanie, too. Because you three need to shift your priorities, the rest of us need to adjust ours, too. When circumstances change, we all have to make adjustments. That is just a matter of basic wisdom and common sense on the part of everyone.”
Those who were listening were quiet for a moment. Liam didn't normally say too much, except for expressing an opinion about tactics or practical safety precautions. They were not expecting him to address an emotionally charged subject like gender politics with such clarity and unarguable logic. At the same time it was clear to all, from his words and his voice, that he was expressing something that he felt very deeply. Once they considered Liam's statements, they all realized that there was no need for further discussion of that issue or questions about how it would be addressed.
It was early March when something unexpected happened. Joe and Martha were on the southern watch together, and they returned to the lodge early during their watch, just before supper, with news about someone at the farmhouse. A military vehicle, one of those with a row of very large wheels along both sides, had made it's way to the farm house from the east in spite of the deep snow on the road. It had circled around to the back as if the driver knew where the driveway went around between the house and the barn/garage. Several people had emerged and held up a large improvised white flag attached to a pole and waved it back and forth several times before they stuck the pole down into the snow and trooped into the house through the back door. Just before entering the house one of the group and turned and waved toward the woods where Joe and Martha were watching as if to beckon them to come to the house. Joe and Martha couldn't be sure because the visitors were heavily bundled, but they thought it might have been Tricia who was waving.
There was some discussion during supper and even more after supper about this news. They had been in contact with the Island community in this manner multiple times during the fall, but the visits had stopped when the winter snows began to build up. Even though it was already March, there had been little sign of the snow melting or the cold weather beginning to fade. It was agreed that it did not make sense to send a large greeting party after dark. The visitors had made it obvious that they were familiar with the set up. There were provisions at the farmhouse for them to eat and make themselves reasonably comfortable for the night. It was decided to still post the normal night watch on the south tonight and send a greeting party after sun up. The next morning Michael along with the two relief sentries and three others set off toward the farmhouse. When they met up with the two standing watch, Michael asked the two who had been there through the night for an update. They didn't have much to report except that the visitors had started a fire in the fireplace and had stayed inside the house. Michael asked them of they would be willing to stay a little longer on watch along with the two who had come to relieve them, at least until he signaled and all clear after meeting with the visitors for a while.
Soon Michael, Steve, Pete, and David were making their way carefully across the field in their snow shoes. When they got to the back door, Michael did not bother to hail the occupants or knock on the back door. He simply entered the back mud room, removed his snow shoes and stomped the snow from his boots and trousers. The rest of the group were following suit, but before they got out of the mud room, Tricia was already wrapped around Michael's neck hugging him. Michael was hugging back, when he realized that Tricia was now pregnant. Before he could congratulate her, he was startled by Steve's rushing past Michael and Tricia and shouting.
“Rob! Great to see you, Buddy!”
Rob and Steve were now wrapped in a tight bear hug. Michael eased his embrace of Tricia and had a brief flashback to the night, just about one year ago, when Michael and his friends had discovered these three frightened and half starved wanderers in this same house. While Tricia gave Steve a hug, Michael, too, greeted Rob, then looked around at the other men present. Yakov was not with, them and Michael did not recognize any of the other men who had spent the night there. Michael slipped an arm around Tricia's shoulder and gave her a smile and a wink before he looked to Rob and Tricia with a concerned look.
“Rob, Tricia, I think we first need a few introductions, and then you probably need to fill us in on what's been happening. I'm curious as to why, exactly y'all showed up here just now.”
Rob started the introductions. “Michael Green, this is Colonel Anatoly Shepelevich....”
Shep stepped forward and extended his hand. “Please, just call me Shep, Mister Green. My titles are of no significance here and my name is probably awkward for you.”
“How about we both get past the formalities, then and you just call me Michael. Rob, unless there is a compelling reason, let's just stick to first names. That works for me.”
“You have a good point there, Michael. Let me start over. Everyone, this is Michael. This house was his wife's house before they married. This land belongs to him and Rose, his wife. Michael created the Haven.. A year ago he literally rescued Steve, Tricia, and me from starving. He took us in as guests in his home, just like he had with a number of others he rescued, when things started turning bad. He built the main lodge, which you have not yet seen, up on the mountain without anyone's help, anticipating...”
“Rob, my friend, whatcha say we get through the introductions first. We can set around spinning yarns after we get to know each other better.”. Michael had shifted into his Texas drawl when he interrupted Rob, and then he gave Rob a smirky grin.
“Rob paused and grinned back. “Okay, Michael. Shep, here, was an officer in the Russian Army who was sent here with his unit of men to assist the local authorities in dealing deal with the crisis in America over a year ago. The politics involved in that were convoluted and at this point moot, so we should save that for a later discussion. After Shep and his men got here they began to reevaluated their mission. and managed to reorganize the facilities on the Island, with a lot of help from Steve and many others. All of you remember Steve, as well as David from when they were back at the Island. This is Frank, who we usually refer to as Doc. Doc is a medical doctor and a member of the Island community who was brought there as one of those needing refuge when things went bad.. This is Grigory, and this is Nick. They are also members of the Island community. They were among those sent over here with Shep's military unit when the trouble started. Finally this is Carl, another member of the Island community. He was a late comer to the Island community, and his story is also complicated. I think we can save that story for later, too”
“Before we go further,” Michael interrupted, again, “Why is Yakov not here?”
Shep spoke up. “Michael, please do not be concerned about Yakov's absence. I can see why you would wonder about Tricia being here at this time without him. I needed to come and meet you, but it was important for Yakov and Tricia's Uncle Ilya to stay at the island to help keep things stable while we came to ask for your help. Each of us who came were needed here for a reason, but many efforts are still needing attention on the Island.”
“Well, alright them. Let's sit down and see if we can sort through things a bit. What is going on Shep?”
Shep looked at Michael and then to his own group. Then he turned to Steve. “Steve, you remember our discussions about the end of the bronze age? I believe this is much worse.”
Michael glanced at Steve and saw his brow deeply furrowed. Then he glanced around the room and saw a number of puzzled looks. “Shep, I'm afraid you may need to bring the rest of us up to speed on that last one. It appears the content of that conversation hasn't make its way around the gossip mill just yet.”
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Post by texican on Jan 2, 2019 16:32:19 GMT -6
Michael glanced at Steve and saw his brow deeply furrowed. Then he glanced around the room and saw a number of puzzled looks. “Shep, I'm afraid you may need to bring the rest of us up to speed on that last one. It appears the content of that conversation hasn't make its way around the gossip mill just yet.”
Oh PPB,
Post a chapter and end it with a huge kliff....
That is just cruel....
Hopefully, the tub is in and another chapter will follow....
Thanks for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by kaijafon on Jan 2, 2019 20:19:50 GMT -6
huge cliff there!!! lol! he just tells me that "something" is coming...... hahaha!
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Post by texican on Jan 2, 2019 21:25:12 GMT -6
huge cliff there!!! lol! he just tells me that "something" is coming...... hahaha! K, When the new dear wife can not find out, then it must be really bad.... Oooohhhhhh, will have to wait and suffer until revealed.... Texican....
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Post by pbbrown0 on Jan 10, 2019 16:13:38 GMT -6
OUT OF THE STUMP POST # 91 “I apologize to all of you about that. I am still trying to put all the pieces together myself concerning what has been happening, and I have only told a little of it to those I brought with me.” Shep took a moment before he continued. “Let me start with the conversations with Steve that I mentioned.” “Several thousand years ago there were nearly a dozen thriving civilizations that were around the Mediterranean where Asia, Africa, and Europe all meet. These civilizations, or nations, if you will, were very distinct and unique. Starting about two hundred years ago artifacts of the existence of each of these civilizations were being discovered and examined individually by different archaeologist. Those reading about what was written were perplexed about why all of them separated and distinct as they were, seemed to have all ended at about the same time. Then a theory was suggested that the invention of iron and its use in weapons had radically tipped the military balance of power among these nations. For lack of a better explanation that theory prevailed among historians for many years. It was referred to as the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age.” “Like many of the other speculative theories that became generally accepted by academics during that era, this theory persisted among academics, even though facts that were discovered later did not support that early speculation. A system of highly specialized and interdependent economies had developed in that part of the world among those civilizations. A more careful assessment of recent discoveries points to an array of coincidental disasters and other events disrupting that system of trade. Evidence has been recently discovered that there was a period of significant changes in the weather patterns, causing widespread food shortages. This was concurrent, or nearly concurrent with a number of major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Multiple key cities within that system experienced significant destruction of buildings and infrastructure among these nations or civilizations. Wars among and between the various empires took place, and further shifted the powers and fortunes of these empires. The impact and outcomes of those wars were more severe because the trade inter-dependence among these civilizations had become extensive and complicated. One nation attacking another may have realized too late that they had badly damaged the ability of that other country to produce the very riches that attacking nation wanted. All of these factors combined resulting in extreme pressure on sociopolitical foundations of those civilizations. The net result was a major breakdown in the general functioning of all those societies and empires within a very short span of time. After that collapse it was several centuries before any nation emerged with comparable levels of societal functioning.” “Shep, when you and I talked about this before, you told me about earthquakes in an unprepared place and a coincidence with a significant weather event disrupting distribution channels. We talked about the unexpected impact from those disasters spreading to other parts of our country and then impacting other countries” Steve paused before continuing. “When we talked about the cascade effect, I thought you were just pointing to the analogy as a way of saying the troubles in our country could have a big impact on other countries, too. I really thought that was mostly about your sorting through the rationale for your country sending you and your men over here to help out. I think what all of us are wondering now is why you think it was urgent to come here to meet with Michael now, rather than waiting for the winter weather to improve.” Shep took a few deep breaths before continuing. “When we made those changes at the Island, Steve, I did it to help both my own men and to some degree those people whose leaders were failing to provide for their needs. After you left, I used my military experience to remove those leaders who were an immediate threat to the survival of the others. Later when my position at the Island was supported and strengthened by the new regional military authority, I was not told by my superiors that protecting the people at the Island or in this area was my primary goal. I was given a mission to protect the resources being produced by “my workers” on the Island. I cooperated, because I was offered legitimized authority and some additional resources which I thought would allow me to provide better protection for the people I had been protecting. Now more disasters and political maneuverings are threatening to make things much worse than before. I understand the effects and see how it is changing the attitude of my superiors. Now I am concerned that I will not be able to protect the Island much longer. I helped them throw off one bad ruler, and now I fear they face a more desperate and demanding master.” Shep turned to Michael. “The situation is changing rapidly, and we are in danger. If we do nothing, the food we worked to produce will be taken and many will starve or get sick and die. That is the way it has been going everywhere. In the cities gangs fought gangs for resources. Many people were killed and each gang lost people as well as their own resources. The military came in with more powerful weapons and stepped into the gap where the civilian governments had failed, and more people died while more resources were used up and lost. Governments conspire against governments. They raise armies to protect their resources from other governments, while they claim it is to protect their people. Those armies also require resources. Armies clash and both armies are at least partially destroyed. No one wins, many die, and everyone loses Countries and former countries everywhere, desperate for resources, have been assembling armies to fight for the resources in both neighboring and distant countries. Armies need resources to function and if their resources run low that shortage becomes a priority which threatens even their primary mission.” “Shep, we are still a bit in the dark here. I understand the principle of what you are saying about people fighting each other for food and how devastating that can be, but you seem to be inferring some other things we don't know about. Tell us what you know that we don't know.” Shep paused and got a far away look in his eyes, like he was peering through the walls to an unknown scene a thousand miles away. Michael was looking around the table at the others present. Everyone seemed deep in thought, but no one was speaking or asking questions. Finally Michael spoke again. “Shep, you said you need our help, but you have been talking mostly about about fighting over resources and military actions. I hope you are not expecting us to join up to bolster your military force at the Island. That's a fool's errand, and we will not go there. I am also unwilling to be a slave supplying provisions to some ambitious military commander. I will tell you right now that is not going to happen. ” Michael was calm and spoke quietly, but the strength of his convictions was very clear. There was a palpable tension in the room for just a moment as they waited for Shep's response. “I agree completely with you on that, Michael.” Several heads around the table snapped out of their trance with Shep's next statement. “I am going to leave my position as commander of the Island facility. If I stand and fight to protect those at the Island, many of them would stand with me, and others on the Island would resist our efforts to protect them from our current superiors. If that happens those standing with me will die, along with many others. I am not a coward, but neither am I a total fool. If I surrender our resources to the military, most who remain there on the Island will die also. If I join with my superior's forces in their military campaign, I am certain that I and those who follow me will die also for a fool’s errand, as you said Michael. There have been growing problems within the community on the Island. I was very careful to pick who I brought with me to this meeting. It seems that too many people are simply unwilling or unable to learn from past mistakes. I have not been telling anyone, until now, much at all about the intelligence I have received from my general about military actions and coordinated strategies being prepareded. They will soon be taking, by force if necessary, any and all supplies they can find to support their new military strategies. But lately when armies go to war, it seems that nature itself has declared war on warriors.” “All over the world, the pattern is repeating itself. Every time one army tries to move to capture a major resource two things happen. First, another army moves quickly to stop them, and second, in the midst of the “clash of titans” a natural disaster breaks loose destroying the armies involved. It could be earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes clusters of tornadoes, even massive electrical storms disrupting electronic targeting systems. It is like nature itself intervenes and everyone looses. Yet the military planning goes on preparing for something even bigger and more decisive for the next encounter. The regional military heads here or elsewhere do not seem to be able to read the handwriting on the wall. This country is seen by the rest of the world as a land rich with natural resources. Multiple alliances are planning a decisive multi-pronged attack to take that treasure, and the military leaders here know it. They are planning to counter that attack with everything they can muster. Please, Michael. I need help. I have come to ask for help for myself and at least a remnant of my people.” “Shep, are you saying that a lightening storm defeated a pair of clashing armies.? How is that possible?” Doc sounded cautiously incredulous at that idea. “Doc, The leaders are discounting the bizarre occurrences, and they want to control what their worker bees know. Here is some of what I know. A technologically and numerically superior military force attacked another array of smaller armies in west central Africa. Their intention was to capture what they considered an easily defeated resource rich region. Reports from the survivors indicated that an electrical storm beyond anything they had ever seen began just as the major battle commenced. They also reported that the stronger army seemed to be targeting its own units along with its enemy. In the end very few on either side survived the battle. In another instance on the Indian-Pakistan border two armies faced off against each other and engaged in a massive battle. In the midst of the battle an unprecedented typhoon swept up the Indus valley and stalled over the battle zone devastating both armies. Some may dismiss those as a freakish chance events, but there have been other examples. Through all of this the military leaders seem to be ignoring the fact that both the whole Pacific Rim and the Great Rift Valley are waking up like ravenous bears coming out of hibernation. There are countless volcanoes along your own western coast region that were classified as dormant or no longer active which have suddenly become unmistakably active belching out ash plumes high into the atmosphere. One of those in California that had been considered dormant if not dead erupted violently; almost without warning. The volcanic activity from southeast Asia to New Zealand is non-stop and intense. For all we know the Atlantic Rift is waking up, too, but no one appears to have the ability to monitor that any more. As for me, I would hope that I can be objective enough to recognize the patterns, before I act the fool like Pharaoh and scoff at the seriousness of the tenth plague.” “This is beginning to sound almost apocalyptic.” David spoke for the first time in this meeting. He had been standing off to the side and listening. He barely even realized he had spoken his thoughts out loud. “Is that what you are trying to tell us, Shep?” Shep looked over at David and said quietly, “Marilyn calls it Armageddon.” Tricia tipped her head and asked, “Since when have you been talking with Marilyn, Shep?” “Since he realized how foolish the world he is living in has become.” Now it was Carl's turn to break his silence. “David, I don't know you or your background, but you have a brain, Think about what Shep is saying. You need to choose wisely in times like these. Your survival depends on the choices you make.” “Look around you, Tricia” Shep was calm and gentle as he spoke to her. “Everyone I brought here from the Island has been talking with Marilyn at least some. We may not yet be simply accepting everything that she is saying, but we sense there is wisdom in what she says. We are all interested enough in what she has to say to keep talking with her, aren't we?” “So, let me guess. Marilyn has been talking with y'all about things predicted in the Bible and you're starting to connect the dots?” “I don't know about the others, Michael, but yes, Marilyn has been talking with me about that. However, we have been talking about much more than simply the predictions in the Bible. There is a level of wisdom and truth there about … well about life itself that most people seem too foolish or arrogant or misguided to accept. I don't know how far the others that came with me have gotten in their talks with Marilyn, but I will cut to the bottom line. All the foolish arrogance, selfishness, and ugliness of men toward each other has been piling up. For all our arrogance about creating a better world, man is still dominating man to his harm. Even the way we try to feed the population ends up twisting and bending nature in ways that do as much harm as good. We haven't seen the worst of the consequences of that pathway, yet. I have seen enough of the truth to know that the path most of the world is following is not the path I need to follow, and I want nothing more to do with that system.” Michael now had a knowing smile on his face and a gleam in his eye. “If you want nothing more to do with that path, Shep, what is it that you really want from us here?” Shep held Michael's gaze for several seconds before he spoke. When he spoke the normal sternness in his voice was missing. “Michael, I have listened to what Steve, Tricia, Rob and the others told me about you. What I heard was not just what you accomplished here, but how you went about it and the reasons you had for making this place into a Haven. You were following a path that you did not design or dream up on your own. I suspect all of that fits in with that same wisdom that Marilyn has been talking about with me. Michael, I have come to ask if I can go back to the Island and persuade a few who are willing, like Marilyn, Yakov, Tricia, Rob and a few others to come back here. We need to work together with your help to find the right path through this Armageddon. I think you and Marilyn can both help the rest of us to understand how to find that new pathway. I am ready to let go of the foolishness and deceptions. Will you let some of us come here to help you in any way we can while you help us learn this path you are on?” Michael was clearly concerned, but his voice was calm and steady. “Shep, it is my understanding that there are nearly a thousand people on the Island. How do you expect us to feed that many people here?” “Michael, I do not expect there will be that many willing to leave there. I think most there will think their chances are better staying together there and depending on the support from the military. I understand the importance of keeping the Haven a secret. Even the men who came to this house before with Yakov were only made aware of you as a small group of survivors hiding in the woods who had food stored in this house. Other survivor groups that some of your people went out to help do not know where those helpers came from. I think your original concept for this place must be protected. If you allow a few of us to join you, our finding those willing to come with us must be done very discreetly. Our departure from the Island must draw as little notice as possible. We may even need to misdirect the attention of those who stay there. Michael, I know this is a big thing that I am asking of you, but I must return to the Island soon to avoid undue suspicion. I trust you will let me know as soon as you can decide”
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Post by texican on Jan 10, 2019 18:40:14 GMT -6
PPB,
A twist that cares a lot of validity....
God's wrath is due upon our earth due to the vileness and evil that walks across the earth....
The Haven will expand and with good people....
Thanks for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Jan 10, 2019 21:18:40 GMT -6
As always, sir, good stuff. That sweet young thing must be givin' you some real inspiration.
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Post by texican on Jan 11, 2019 1:45:10 GMT -6
As always, sir, good stuff. That sweet young thing must be givin' you some real inspiration. 9idrr, You slick tongue dude, you.... That got to earn at least another chapter.... Texican...
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Post by kaijafon on Jan 11, 2019 20:19:28 GMT -6
Ok, I'm gonna say a bit about the actual story and plot.
Shep is asking a HUGE thing from Michael. Plus I have to wonder about space for more food and people room. Is there enough in that valley for an expansion that may double or more the population???
(guys, my guy doesn't consult me about this stuff, so I gotta ask here....)
and you may want to think about WASTE!!!!!!! I mean, I don't know what kind of numbers MAY be allowed to come, Michael may say "you and 10 others" or NOPE, ain't gonna happen.... but IF he does ...whatcha gonna do about WASTE>>>> hint: human manure compoost.... yes that comPOOst is on purpose. hahaha
and ya need to make some outside showers...hahahaha!!! (sorry people, inside joke)
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Post by 9idrr on Jan 11, 2019 20:30:08 GMT -6
Aw, come on now, Texican, you gotta admit that we might all harbor just a bit of envy that he won the hand of that beautiful young maiden. Us old guys gotta have some dreams, right?
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 11, 2019 20:31:16 GMT -6
Why is it that almost everyone wants someone else to be responsible for their end product? You produced it; you resolve it ;-)
Wanna borrow a shovel?
Anyone with a welder, some low pressure tanks and the drawings for a methane generator? With humans and penned animals, you might have a way to power cooking with gas... (apologies to "We Interrupt This Program")
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Post by texican on Jan 12, 2019 1:28:44 GMT -6
Aw, come on now, Texican, you gotta admit that we might all harbor just a bit of envy that he won the hand of that beautiful young maiden. Us old guys gotta have some dreams, right?9idrr, and such dreams are not permissible to be posted here for you would get in trouble, but the rest of us would enjoy the reading.... Texican...
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Post by texican on Jan 12, 2019 1:31:16 GMT -6
Why is it that almost everyone wants someone else to be responsible for their end product? You produced it; you resolve it ;-)
Wanna borrow a shovel? PP2, At this point, those remaining should know how to use a shovel to dig a hole to do business in or at least pour it out of the bucket into the hole and even cover the hole back up... Don't you think?.?.?.? Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 12, 2019 14:47:00 GMT -6
Why is it that almost everyone wants someone else to be responsible for their end product? You produced it; you resolve it ;-)
Wanna borrow a shovel? PP2, At this point, those remaining should know how to use a shovel to dig a hole to do business in or at least pour it out of the bucket into the hole and even cover the hole back up... Don't you think?.?.?.? Texican.... We would hope so, but there will always be those who want to be no closer than "arm's length" or greater to their end products. And don't suggest reusing cloth wipes when the toilet paper runs out. I have a bag of never used "shop cloths" in the basement for future need. The iron pot out front would lose its flowers and be used for boiling rags.
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Post by texican on Jan 12, 2019 16:29:29 GMT -6
PP2, At this point, those remaining should know how to use a shovel to dig a hole to do business in or at least pour it out of the bucket into the hole and even cover the hole back up... Don't you think?.?.?.? Texican.... We would hope so, but there will always be those who want to be no closer than "arm's length" or greater to their end products. And don't suggest reusing cloth wipes when the toilet paper runs out. I have a bag of never used "shop cloths" in the basement for future need. The iron pot out front would lose its flowers and be used for boiling rags.PP2, The important question that remains unanswered is: Who is going to be loading the iron pot and boiling the shop towels? Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 12, 2019 17:27:35 GMT -6
That answer is easy, Tex - everyone old enough to do so responsibly. They'll be given the alternative of using leaves or their finger.
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Post by texican on Jan 12, 2019 22:02:40 GMT -6
That answer is easy, Tex - everyone old enough to do so responsibly. They'll be given the alternative of using leaves or their finger. PP2, have used leaves before on the deer lease when the TP disappeared out of my back pack.... Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 13, 2019 0:04:53 GMT -6
That answer is easy, Tex - everyone old enough to do so responsibly. They'll be given the alternative of using leaves or their finger. PP2, have used leaves before on the deer lease when the TP disappeared out of my back pack.... Texican.... Then you'll appreciate the story of one of my wife's male cousins (teenager at the time) who used the nearest convenient leaves - only to find out later that they were poison ivy. Does that give you cold chills? My wife is also sensitive to poison ivy - fortunately discovered by contact with her arm - so I scan the place for anything with a 3 leaf cluster and I have a good weed killer that I use on it. Dead bits are later collecting while wearing nitrile gloves - which are then rolled inside-out and tossed. The weed killer doesn't kill English ivy (almost nothing does) but it does discourage it from growing wherever you've sprayed it.
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Post by texican on Jan 13, 2019 0:28:04 GMT -6
PP2, have used leaves before on the deer lease when the TP disappeared out of my back pack.... Texican.... Then you'll appreciate the story of one of my wife's male cousins (teenager at the time) who used the nearest convenient leaves - only to find out later that they were poison ivy. Does that give you cold chills? My wife is also sensitive to poison ivy - fortunately discovered by contact with her arm - so I scan the place for anything with a 3 leaf cluster and I have a good weed killer that I use on it. Dead bits are later collecting while wearing nitrile gloves - which are then rolled inside-out and tossed. The weed killer doesn't kill English ivy (almost nothing does) but it does discourage it from growing wherever you've sprayed it. PP2, Morale of the Story.... Don't use leaves, but grasses even if dead.... Texican....
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Post by htfiremedic on Jan 14, 2019 9:47:42 GMT -6
Is it too soon to cry MOAR?
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