|
Post by 9idrr on Dec 22, 2017 21:21:35 GMT -6
As always, sir, thanks. Hope all indicators point to a nice holiday season for you and yours.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Dec 22, 2017 22:03:45 GMT -6
As always, sir, thanks. Hope all indicators point to a nice holiday season for you and yours. Planning to enjoy it. Dinner with family from two states tomorrow evening. Christmas Day with friends of long standing. Too many in-laws within 25 miles translate to multiple get-togethers for our out-of-town kids during the few days they are here. May you have all that you need and at least a little of what you want.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Dec 24, 2017 15:43:16 GMT -6
Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Chapter 56 -
"Did I hear Kelly call you 'Gramps'?"
"Yes, Melissa. I'm 'Gramps' and Mrs. Williams is 'Nana' to all three of them."
"Me too?"
"It would be unfair for me not allow one kid in the family to do what the other three do."
"Huh?"
"Melissa, that's his long way of saying 'Yes'. You gotta listen close 'cause he can say a lot in one sentence and he usually says things in a way that makes you think."
"Thanks, Debbie. If he's family, I guess I'll just have to put up with it. Gramps, can I have a hug?"
"You may..."
"Now Melissa gets the 'can' and 'may' talk."
"That would be correct, Kelly."
---
"Did I hear 'custody' on the radio?"
"Yes, Charles. I contacted Sheriff Thatcher and Judge Wilson about Melissa earlier today. Wilbur said he'd have the custody paperwork finished tomorrow and Melissa will be your resposibility for as long as she wants to be there."
"Where else would she go?"
"She asked about staying here if you didn't want to keep her."
"She does have good people judgement. I sometimes think Debbie and Denise would move here just to get a break from horse chores."
"Here they could care for the cows and the pigs."
"I'll tell them about the pigs the next time one of them mentions wanting to live here."
---
'Scott 121 from Scott 201.'
'121.'
'Anything further on the possible MVA?'
'Driver missed the turn at Potter's Creek and didn't survive. I got some help with recovery this morning and the remains are in the truck. The driver's license gives positive ID.'
'Vehicle off the road?'
'Yes. Wilbur will have the custody paperwork ready tomorrow.'
'Excellent! What about a funeral?'
'Charles and Susan will talk with Melissa when they get her home with them. The ladies of all ages are currently either making lunch or washing the clothes and things that were in the car.'
'Needed work. You seem to have everything under control.'
'I have some very good help.'
'That you do. Write up the MVA report for me just so it's documented. Wilbur might want a copy of that as well.'
'I'm working on that report while the others are busy. Original and two copies?'
'Plus the copy for Wilbur. Heard anything further about Trade Day?'
'Not much, other than the teenagers think it might be an interesting place to browse through. But that will likely get us information about what's available as Bobby and Matt will be interested in machinery, power and communications of all kinds.'
'You're building your own army up there.'
'Maybe a squad. Not enough people for an army.'
'201 out.'
'121 out.'
---
"Susan?"
"Yes, new Mom?"
"There are some clothes upstairs that might fit Melissa. I want you to take a quick look and see if there's anything you want."
"Thank you! She doesn't have much with her and most of what Debbie and Denise outgrew has long since been handed down to someone else. Whatever Melissa is wearing now will be Kelly's next year."
"This tote has underwear - including some long johns, gowns and pajamas. This one has shirts, pants, shorts and a few dresses. This one has coats and jackets. Those bags have shoes and boots."
"These are the size she's in now and the next size up. She's covered for at least a year."
"That's the first thing I wanted to talk about. The other thing is her father's funeral. Paul says the injuries are severe enough to require a closed casket. I don't know if you'd want him in the cemetery by the Methodist Church or in the old family cemetery on your place."
"Our cemetery if we can get someone to dig the hole. Charles is a good enough woodworker to make an acceptable coffin. Would Reverend Carver be available to handle the service?"
"If he's not on CB, he has at least one neighbor who is; I think you'll find the handle to be obvious. Check when you get back home. Doug Jeffers has any earthmoving equipment you might need. He's 'Dust Farmer' and she's 'Mrs. Dust'."
"Terrible pun but excellent description! Did the kids come up with those for everyone?"
"All but the 'Marshal Dillon' and 'Miss Kitty' which were mine by accident in a passing comment I made to Sarah. But they fit and he's our local Deputy so those handles stuck. Let's get these downstairs and see if there's a small wagon in the barn that one of your horses could pull."
---
"Love, do they have a way to take those totes back with them?"
"The small wagon in the barn, Paul. Debbie's horse has done a hay wagon for the kids so this is similar. They'll just be going back on the roads instead of through the woods. That takes longer but it means that Melissa gets more time riding so she's excited about that."
"And the funeral arrangements?"
"Charles will build a coffin. They'll use the old family cemetery and ask Reverend Carver to handle the service. Could you ask Doug about digging the grave?"
"I'll go by there and talk to Doug. Melissa will discover that she has a large extended family. I won't say anything on the air until they set the date and time."
"Then we should go eat and keep the topics light."
"'School' is light for the adults but that may get some groans from the kids."
"That's when we switch to Trade Day and what things they would like to find or if they have something to trade off - like our jalapenos."
"I think that's a plan."
---
"A Trade Day to swap off surplus things is well and good, Paul, but we raise horses. That's not something we have a surplus of."
"That's true, Charles, but you need to look at the bigger picture. Are the grocery stores open?"
"I heard that the groceries in Wilkinsville had consolidated to one location and the Guard was providing a generator to keep things cold. But they're only getting a few deliveries so the stock is dwindling."
"So where will people get vegetables?"
"I've heard the kids talking about going with you next week to start or expand gardens for people here."
"Can those people get fertilizer at the Dawkins Bluff Feed and Seed?"
"If the Feed and Seed has fertilizer, if they can move the fertilizer home and if they have cash. But not without fuel."
"But you have a surplus of natural fertilizer and the means to deliver it."
"Manure?"
"Anything better that doesn't smell much worse?"
"Pigs and chickens provide rich fertilizer but the scent is hard to get out of your clothes and off your skin."
"You have horses and wagons. Line a wagon with plastic sheeting. Fill that wagon and take it to Trade Day. Maybe park downwind of the other vendors? See what you find that's of value to you. Then set a price per pound or gallon or wheelbarrow load and do some trading."
"Small deals could be done off the wagon at Trade Day and bigger deals could be arranged there and the items delivered by the other vendor or picked up when we deliver the manure."
"Momma, do we hafta talk about manure?"
"Denise, you were asking me about new underwear and feminine hygiene products yesterday. What did I tell you?"
"That we would have to be creative in finding or making things."
"Is trading manure for what you need a creative solution?"
"Lots better than doing without."
"Why don't you kids go write up a list of things you need or will need and some ideas on how to get them?"
"Yes, Nana,"
"How many of them said 'Yes, Nana'?"
"Dad, I think it was unanimous."
"While they're occupied with something semi-positive, I'll help you ladies clear the table and wash the dishes."
"You have him well trained, new Mom."
"His mother gets the credit - or blame - for that, Susan. I've just ensured that he stayed in practice."
"Mom, I don't remember Dad ever NOT doing this when he was home and not tied up in some classified 'project'. And usually taking the opportunity for some extra hugs and kisses."
"He is still a bit of a romantic."
---
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Dec 24, 2017 16:39:28 GMT -6
thanks great addition
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Dec 24, 2017 20:29:14 GMT -6
Look, the Santa with a magic wand left us a present! Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2017 17:50:45 GMT -6
In the on-going saga on my eye surgery, I had an appointment with the contact lens guy on Wednesday. He did some polishing on the edges of the contact and removed most of the "feels like a circular saw blade". I got in 9 hours of contact wear that day (best yet). He also wrote up the specs (bad pun ;-) for a slightly larger lens (as in 1 or 2mm larger) and with a slightly larger "optic zone" (the actual finished lens part of the contact) to help with "flare" - seeing a bright outline of the edge of the lens under some lighting conditions. UPS delivered that lens about 20 minutes ago. I'll try it staring tomorrow. First it gets the overnight soak in lens conditioner. Larger lenses are harder to remove so I'm hoping I won't need the little suction cup tool to remove the new lens :-(
I'm still aware the hard contact is in my eye but after the second set of lenses, I see better with the contact than with glasses. The final optical solution will be the contact lens for the multiple vision in the surgical eye (polyopia) and to correct my distance vision in that eye plus graduated bifocals as needed for closer vision. I may need similar things after surgery on the other eye, probably in April or May.
Between the contact and some off-the-shelf readers from Walmart, I can see to write today and my muse seems to have returned - at least temporarily. Maybe it was the jam filled two layer cookies from my younger granddaughter?
Chapter 57 -
"Seems very quiet, Love."
"Having six fewer people in the house with two of those being elementary school age does make a difference in sound level. Is that the Lieutenant's truck I hear now that the house is quiet?"
"That's what the camera shows. Compared to how noisy it was before, I'd say it's been in Doug's hands for a while."
"He's stopped at the gate."
"Probably waiting for someone to show so he can ask…"
"HELLO THE HOUSE! PERMISSION TO ENTER?"
"I'll go wave him in."
---
"Good afternoon, Paul."
"Good afternoon, Ian. You have that 'good new, bad news' look."
"I didn't know it was that obvious."
"We've had experience staying alive on little cues so perhaps we're more attuned to these things?"
"Makes sense. There is a list of 'good news, bad news' things. For me, Doug Jeffers worked his magic on this truck…"
"Carla noticed the difference. The two of you worked out payment?"
"Some .45 and some in-date MREs. We'll have several people using those for trade goods on Saturday. We'll also have some flyers up about restoral status as we know it. These are your copies of those documents."
"I notice there's no mention of the shooters."
"Not something we'll be sharing so anyone who mentions it will be considered a part of the problem."
"Your expected progress has slowed down appreciably. Any special reason?"
"Time lost to the shooters plus the recovery people pulled to fight the Mexican invasion…"
"So they're looking to take back Aztlan?"
"Yes. They're equipped with mostly Chinese arms and vehicles so there's now suspicion that the Chinese deploying 'Purple Moon' where and when they did was no accident. That's being looked at way above my pay grade."
"Understood. Any progress on the replacement equipment?"
"That information is in these documents that we won't be sharing."
"The progress in South Korea is excellent. Not so for China."
"Two of the Chinese companies are semi-independent and are producing things on time. The others aren't being as helpful. The President isn't happy with China and has people talking with them at high levels. DEFCON is up another level."
"Not something I wanted to hear. Any estimates on potential retaliation?"
"Under discussion by the President, the Joint Chiefs and Congressional leaders. There's strong sentiment in favor of a show of force with ships - including a missle cruiser and some missle subs - just off their coast plus some low-level passes by B2's. There's a fleet on its way with arrival expected in ten days or less."
"Then we'll make preparations for the possibility of being at war in ten days or less. Meanwhile, we'll also be getting as many gardens as possible started or expanded. The DEFCON information isn't restricted unless that changed recently as there are multiple web sites that display it so I'll pass that along to everyone I see at Trade Day."
"Do so. Without broadcast radio we can't keep the people informed. We found the FM broadcast trailer you mentioned but it needs repair parts that we can't obtain now. One of our radio guys says he can modify a military transmitter to cover FM frequencies but it's output is only 100 watts and it would have limited coverage."
"Limited coverage with the typical omni-directional antenna but low power directional antennas for the FM broadcast band can be built from copper wire and PVC tubing. Come with me to my ham radio filing cabinet."
"You have two drawers laneled 'Antennas'?"
"Yes. Ham radio operators have a wide spectrum of frequencies to operate on and different antenas work better for specific purposes. This is the one I was looking for. You can use the frequency chart to get close to the correct dimensions or you can plug the frequency into the formulas and get the length of each director and reflector. More elements give more gain and thus more distant coverage but more elements also limit the beamwidth. I'd say to try this four element design up on Dawkins Bluff. Take a map and a compass so you can aim the antenna at the intersection of these two roads. That should cover about 70% of the County's population."
"I'll have someone working on that as soon as I'm back in camp. I'm sure you're aware that the military mobilization and movement to the southwest border is diverting fuel from civilian users. Your Sheriff and the one in the next County had already started mounted patrols so they won't be impacted as much as those who don't have other transportation options. Many of the city cops have been on bicycles and that's expected to grow and create a shortage of the better bikes. Many of those who can't manage a bike are either on foot patrol or looking for other work."
"Amos and Joe have always been aware of transportation resources other than those requiring petroleum. Both have used deputies on bicycles for monitoring and managing parades and some road construction sites."
"I noticed that about half his cruisers have some type of bicycle rack on them."
"Something that generated a lot of kidding initially but the kidding went away when we had a rash of pickpockets and purse snatchers at Walmart. The deputies on bikes could catch up with those guys faster than they could get to their cars and drive away."
"Very effective use on non-traditional methods and procedures. Might they have had suggestions from you?"
"No comment."
---
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Dec 29, 2017 21:20:00 GMT -6
Sure am glad to read that they seem to be makin' some real progress with your vision problems. Last time I got glasses through the VA, the doc told me that I had the beginnings of some cataracts, but not to worry 'cause they could do surgery and fix me right up. Just haven't felt comfortable with the idea of somebody messin' with the only pair of eyeballs I was issued. Thanks very much for the new chapter. I really do appreciate what you've written here over the years, sir, but I'd give it all up if it'd make sure you were through with this eye thing with no more problems. Take care, my friend, if I may be so bold.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2017 22:43:21 GMT -6
My eye surgery was a combination of the partial cornea transplant and cataract surgery (replacing the lens with an intra-ocular lens or IOL) because the surgeon only wanted to invade the eye once. You might get a better selection of IOL (more accurate correction) if you had the cataract surgery months after the cornea transplant but the eye would have to be invaded again. The big difference between my eyes now is the surgical eye seeing a room lit by a 100 watt bulb and the as-yet-untouched eye seeing that same room lit with a 25 watt bulb - plus the Fuch's dystrophy (reason for the partial cornea transplant) causes loss of detail as well as light.
The glasses that partially resolve the multiple vision problem take a while to get accustomed to (any major lens change has that) but I'll spend the extra $$$ to have glasses to fall back on when my eye is yelling "Get that quarter out!"
Between Medicare and the supplemental plan my former employer pays for, I've had good care.
Sometimes the virtual friends can be as caring as those you can touch. There are times when friends can be more caring than family. I'll take all of them that I can get.
|
|
|
Post by crice118 on Dec 29, 2017 23:16:52 GMT -6
Does your eye need semi darkness, or light, if it needs light would it be better to have the daylight bulbs inside rather than fluorescent or incandent lighting? Will be praying for you as the eyes keep you involved and active and having medicare I would think you would want to remain as active as possible?
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Dec 30, 2017 0:56:29 GMT -6
I've been changing out incandescent bulbs for warm white LED bulbs (mostly for the energy savings) for several years. The difference between warm white and the bluish cool white does make a difference in visibility. The cool white LEDs have their place (flashlights), just not as long term lighting for me.
Remember that I'm the guy looking to have solar charged backup power for 10 or more hours so I'm very aware of how much power is used by each device we have (TV, cable box, fridge, etc).
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Dec 30, 2017 8:36:20 GMT -6
Sure am glad to read that they seem to be makin' some real progress with your vision problems. Last time I got glasses through the VA, the doc told me that I had the beginnings of some cataracts, but not to worry 'cause they could do surgery and fix me right up. Just haven't felt comfortable with the idea of somebody messin' with the only pair of eyeballs I was issued. Thanks very much for the new chapter. I really do appreciate what you've written here over the years, sir, but I'd give it all up if it'd make sure you were through with this eye thing with no more problems. Take care, my friend, if I may be so bold. I have had the surgery and it really is a great thing. Only a few days recovery for each eye. I now only need glasses to read
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Dec 31, 2017 18:36:19 GMT -6
This is the last finished chapter. I have a broad outline for the future but it's at the "one line for the chapter" level so it could be a while before the next chapter. Maybe next year?
Chapter 58 - The Red Book
"You've pulled out the red book, Paul?"
"Yes, Love. 'Nuclear War Survival Skills' by Cresson H. Kearny may be useful very soon."
"What did the Chinese or North Koreans do now?"
"The Mexican Army is invading the US southwest. They're equipped with mostly Chinese weapons and vehicles. DEFCON is up another level and there's discussion of at least a show-of-force with a fleet - including nuke-armed cruisers and submarines - off the China coast and some low level B2 passes over major Chinese cities plus warships in the Gulf of Mexico and off Baja California and B2 flights over Mexico City."
"The US forces that were diverted to battle the border intrusion are using people, equipment and especially fuel needed for power restoral. How much has that slowed things down?"
"The military's estimates are in these pages."
"Optimistic, aren't they, Paul?"
"They are. Some nine to twelve months optimistic unless the President authorizes more than the usual level of tactical response."
"Small nukes?"
"If the Mexican Army stays as close together as this intel has them, I'd say 'yes'. Given the prevailing winds, most of the fallout would be over Mexican territory. Remember that the President responded to the Mexican President's demand that Aztlan be returned with 'We will repel any invasion with all available weapons'. That would include nukes."
"Excellent reason to have the red book out. What else are you working on?"
"We need to speed up getting Kasey and Alexis ready for carrying and using a handgun. I'll let you continue that since you do it so well."
"And you'll be doing larger caliber rifles and more distant shots?"
"Yes, Love. We'll be using the head and shoulders targets as the girls may be shooting at people in the very near future."
"Recovery status outside the 'dark area'?"
"These pages…"
"Progress in California tells me that Sarah's house will probably have all utilities restored in the next couple of months. Not that they can get home except by air, if there are any cross-country flights from near us."
"Love, the possibility of civilian flights will decrease sharply when or if the Mexican Air Force joins the fight."
"So they'll still be safer here."
"Particularly so when local law enforcement here encourages the citizens to be armed and trained. Ever regret not buying that house on the beach in California?"
"Only when the temperature stays below 20 degrees and I'm looking at three-week-old dirty snow on the road."
"Agreed. The state-by-state info for the 'dark area' is at the back of this stack and is alphabetic. It includes power, refinery and fuel pipeline estimates and some guesses at road and rail transportation progress."
"Those last two are unquestionably guesses. How much of this can we share?"
"Anything in the yellow folder. The Guard will have flyers about those things posted at Trade Day. They'll also be trading for a number of things - mostly fresh milk and meat, eggs, and information. Their primary barter goods will be small caliber ammo and in-date MREs. Most people here are aware of the value of having no-fire-needed hot meals in their vehicles in winter. A quarter cup of water and 15 minutes makes those the easiest hot meal you'll find."
"And some of them are even edible."
"They're all edible, Love. Some are just easier to get past your taste buds than others."
"You goof!"
---
"On another local topic, your big school poster is hanging in the closet. See if it's what you wanted."
"You even created a logo for the school!"
"You should be uniquely identified. The little box has a hundred or so business cards and I can run off more if needed. This box has student enrollment forms - updated from the English language school form you used in Kuala Lumpur as you thought it covered everything you would need to know about the student, the parents, any siblings and their home life. It will give us a mini census of who's still here and how they're doing without power and maybe on limited food."
"I found that asking 'Is power available for computer-based lessons?' got more truthful answers than asking if they had electricity. Most of those parents understood the value of education and wanted to ensure we had the correct information about their child. The 'recent illness or weight loss' item almost always told us who needed food."
"We'll help where we can but some of that help will be with gardens they must maintain."
"Having the Guard's optimistic recovery estimates showing next summer at the earliest for close to normal food deliveries to the grocery stores should get them thinking about producing at least some of their food. You won't adequately feed a family of five on this year's hand-cultivated garden but it will keep them from starving. You'll be taking requests for garden work at Trade Day?"
"Within limits, Love. Those who have fuel will be contributing it to run the tractor and/or tiller. Those who have fertilizer - even for flowerbeds - will contribute that to their garden. I'll have a couple of barrels at Trade Day with signs asking for donations of any extra gardening hand tools for those who don't have anything. Also for files and whetstones to sharpen the tools that can be sharpened by hand. I'll ask Tom Patterson if he'll contribute his sharpening skills in exchange for help with his garden. He'd have a hard time doing garden work from a wheelchair so we'd need to put in some raised beds for him but the wheelchair has never slowed him down in sharpening a hoe or shovel or single bottom plow."
"He also does a good job on knives and scissors. Maybe he could set up a sharpening booth at Trade Day?"
"He'd need a source of power at the booth to do some of the sharpening but there are some things best done by hand. I'll ask if he's interested in setting up there. His home shop runs on water power from an overshot wheel that's powered by the spring on his property. That wheel also drives a car alternator to provide him with 12 volt power for lights and a fan. Maybe he could sharpen things for others or teach then how to sharpen things in return for their labor at his place?"
"We should talk to Tom. We should also ensure Trade Day has a bulletin board of items and services available elsewhere."
"If there's not something to use for a bulletin board, I have some exterior plywood that I could paint and hang for a bulletin board. Wonder if the locals are low enough on fuel to consider hiring a horse and wagon to move things? Charles could have a second wagon on display at Trade Day with prices by weight and distance - plus the cost of any helpers that might be needed if the sender and receiver can't handle the loading and unloading - and those prices should have the barter equivalent in flour, sugar, potatoes and whatever."
"Sounds good and probably will provide some hard work for teenage boys."
---
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 5, 2018 21:27:14 GMT -6
Chapter 59 - Comfort Food
"You're doing an 'almost instant' dinner."
"Yes, Paul. The Bear Creek potato soup mix is in the pot of boiling water and can simmer while the cornbread and biscuits bake."
"I should chop some of the bacon you cooked and froze earlier in the week?"
"About half a slice for each bowl. I'll grate the sharp cheddar."
"Can I help?"
"Kasey, you can ask about who wants hot or cold beverages with their soup and then set the table appropriately."
"Got it. The bacon smells good!"
"Much better than on a previous morning?"
"Yes, Nana. But I'm almost as antsy about tomorrow as I was about telling what happened. Gramps, can I snuggle tonight?"
"I think we can arrange that."
"Comfort food tonight, Mom?"
"It seemed a good time for it, Sarah. And Kasey has asked for some snuggle time."
"Typical of you to be reading the situation far enough in advance to have the menu match her outlook."
"That's part of the Grandmothering 101 course."
"You're getting as bad as Dad!"
---
"On the sofa, Kasey?"
"Gramps, I'd rather be in your lap in the big chair but we already know that doesn't work. Sofa with your arm around me?"
"Make your nest. Anything you need to talk about now?"
"No. Just be little and feel safe tonight. Maybe a lot of talking tomorrow."
"Remember that your sister is the 'been there; done that' person who might be a good choice for some of your talking."
"I will."
"Asleep already, Paul?"
"Yes, Love. After some silent tears and an on-going hug that almost restricted my breathing. I think she may have a difficult time getting started in the morning."
"You get her up to bed and I'll set our alarm a little earlier so we can do comfort food in the morning."
"Both top-of-the-stove waffle irons?"
"You're the only one I know who can actually use both of them without scorching at least a few of the waffles."
"I'll get those out after I get Kasey to bed."
---
"Gramps?"
"Yes, Alex?"
"I don't need to snuggle but will you carry me to bed?"
"I might be persuaded to do that."
"And a goodnight kiss on my nose?"
"That too."
---
"Dad, why such a scary book title?"
"Sarah, read these pages about the current political situation and then see if you still have a question."
"OK."
"Now I understand about the book but I wish I hadn't asked."
"It's always better to be informed and somewhat afraid than to be totally ignorant of possibly deadly circumstances."
"You're right, as is usual in situations like this. You probably have some kind of underground bunker for World War III."
"We just have a larger and somewhat better equipped storm shelter than most of the neighbors."
"I just remember that it's big inside and it smells better than any of the ones I had been in at another house - except at Laura's. You were involved in the design of that one too?"
"Harry was an architect and a civil engineer. He could do the design and specify the materials from a rough sketch of a structure I considered adequate for long term sheltering. Having more kids, I anticipated needing more space than he did but the basic design is the same."
"So we might be living underground for ten years?"
"Probably not here. Even a near miss on a military or industrial target isn't likely to send fallout our way. Recovery to pre-storm levels would be set back by years but we could manage on what we can produce and trade for locally."
"Even hot water for showers?"
"Ask Alex tomorrow. When Kelly was excited about getting a shower instead of bathing in a wash tub, Alex asked how we got hot water. She knows the details."
"I'll ask her. How do we keep from going crazy if there is fallout and we're inside for weeks or months?"
"Music, books, games, table tennis, pool table, workout equipment, lessons on knitting, crocheting, weaving on a hand loom, making clothes…"
"Learning how to make the things we wouldn't be able to buy."
"Correct. Plus learning to use a radiation survey meter to know where it is and isn't safe to be."
"There's more to that 'storm shelter' than I've seen, isn't there?"
"Much more. If Kasey doesn't need emotional support from both of us tomorrow afternoon, I'll show you then."
"I'll be here."
---
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Jan 5, 2018 22:26:00 GMT -6
A pair of chapters in less than a week! I almost feel unworthy, but I'm glad to see 'em. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 7, 2018 12:56:57 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Jan 7, 2018 21:52:28 GMT -6
Things are starting to get scary, just like the real world.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 8, 2018 16:24:59 GMT -6
Chapter 60 - Kasey's First Visit - Friday, 14 June
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
"Seems dark for 5AM, Love."
"It's earlier than usual because you're cooking comfort food this morning."
"Oh, yes. Time to get the old cast iron waffle irons out on the stove to heat while I mix the batter. You'll have maple syrup and pear preserves for toppings?"
"Plus apple butter, real whipped cream and Nutella."
"Ending your list with the king of toppings."
"For certain family members. While you tend the waffles, I'll handle the sausage and bacon."
"Kase. Kase, wake up!"
"Huh? What? It's too early."
"Take a deep breath and tell me what you smell."
"Sausage. Bacon. Waffles! I'll beat you to the table!"
"Comfort food again, Dad?"
"Saeah, I think it's working as we didn't call the girls but they're up and they're setting the table without being asked."
"Comfort food immediately before a potentially upsetting event. Considering the size of the stack, you're also planning to have it available later."
"Correct. Alex had an overall positive first visit. I'm hoping Kasey's first visit goes as well but we won't know for certain until it happens."
"Alex is going with you?"
"She told Kasey she'd go with her and hold her hand. I'll be on Kasey's other side and probably holding her other hand."
"She'll be well supported."
---
"It's OK to open your eyes, Kasey. The outside of your Granny G's house looks the same as it always has."
"Do I hafta look, Gramps?"
"You 'hafta'."
"But the inside…"
"Was cleaned to a standard that your Granny G would have approved of."
"The holes in the walls…"
"Were repaired and everything that needed it was repainted."
"Home Depot isn't open so where'd you get the paint?"
"It was here. We buy more paint than is needed so we don't wind up making another trip to the store because we need 'just a little more'. There was most of a gallon of each color needed."
"So you can't see that anything happened?"
"Not on the walls or floors. But we can see it on your faces."
"Do I hafta go inside?"
"Yes, you 'hafta'."
"C'mon, Kase. You should be able to do anything your little sister can do!"
"You're not my 'little sister'. You're my younger sister and you've already done things I couldn't or wouldn't do - like going to Victoria's Secret."
"Try. I'm out of the truck so you get out. If I grab your arm and pull you, you might land on your butt."
"And there's mud out there."
"Kasey, I could park by the pig pen."
"No! I'll try to avoid the mud."
"Kase, you're out."
"So I am."
"Hold my hand and we'll go inside."
"Gramps? Hold my other hand?"
"Of course."
"Kase, you're walking slower than I did - but you are moving. You're doing good."
Bang!
"What was that?"
"Sounds like it came from the house, Kasey. You two back in the truck. Alex, if I give you the 'go' signal, start the truck and let it idle away as we talked about before."
"But…"
"No buts."
"Yes, Gramps."
I don't see any other vehicle tracks or animal tracks or fresh footprints headed to the house from the road or the woods. Next I'll check the windows. Dave's on the kitchen floor!
Door's locked but I have a key. He's bleeding but the noisy breathing tells me he's alive. Did he… Damn! Shot himself. I was only a little concerned about suicide since he had been eager to meet with Alex but maybe the "can't remember" was too much for him this morning. Slice open his shirt. It's a sucking chest wound. Need Laura's big First Aid kit and some plastic wrap to temporarily seal that hole so he can breathe easier.
That sounds better. He's not bleeding much but probably needs an Xray and maybe surgery. Our house is on the way to County General. Need to tell Carla to be ready for a patient. Then get Dave on a blanket and poles stretcher. Then get the girls to carry one end of the stretcher.
'Miss Kitty from Marshal Dillon.' 'Kitty here. You sound like there's a major problem.'
'Dave shot himself as we were getting out of the truck.'
'Damage?'
'Unconscious. Sucking chest wound that's been patched. Some bleeding but not an artery.'
'You'll transport?'
'I'll get him on a blanket and poles stretcher and have the girls help carry him to the truck. Be at the house in a few minutes. See if County General can take him for possible surgery. If not, check with the Trauma Center. You can tell me where we're headed when I get there and you can start an IV.'
'Got it. I'll make calls and collect supplies. Will he need air evac?'
'Only if going to the Trauma Center.'
'Kitty out.'
'Dillon out.'
"Girls…"
"What happened?"
"Is he dead?"
"I think Dave's 'can't remember' may have overwhelmed him this morning and he just couldn't face either of you. He is alive and we'll find out more when he regains concsiousness. For now, I need both of you to help me carry the makeshift stretcher. Can you do that?"
"He'll die if we don't?"
"Probably. We'll take him by the house so Carla can do her ER Nurse thing and then to County General."
"I'll try."
"Me too."
"Here are nitrile gloves to keep the blood off your hands."
"Blood?"
"Yes, Kasey. People usually bleed when they've been shot. That's one of the reasons we need to move him quickly."
"OK. Let's do it."
"Looks bad!"
"It does. He needs a doctor to determine how bad so we need to get him in the bed of the truck. I have this end. Each of you squat at that end and use your inside hand to pick it up. Right hand for Alex. Left hand for Kasey. Stand up slowly on three. One. Two. Three."
"Heavy."
"You don't often pick up an adult so he seems heavy to you. To the back of the truck. When we get there, you two lift your end onto the tailgate and I'll slide the stretcher in. While I'm doing that, Alex comes back and locks the door. Then both of you get in the bed and sit beside him to hold him in place."
"Yes, Gramps."
'Miss Kitty from Marshal Dillon.'
'Kitty.'
'About a minute.'
'Park by the SUV. If time is OK we transport to County. If not, Guard will evac to Trauma Center.'
'Dillon out.'
'I see you're at the curve. Kitty out.'
"Don't die, Daddy! Please don't die!"
'kasey?'
"I'm here, Daddy."
'remembered… what I… made… you do… sorry… better off… with me… dead…'
"No, Daddy! I want you alive! Please don't die!"
"Kasey, you keep holding his hand and talking to him. He needs to know you're there."
"Yes, Nana."
"Paul, pulse-oximeter on his other hand. Need the shirt open to check his heart and lungs."
"Done and done."
"Blood pressure?"
"Cuff in place."
"Your evaluation, Love?"
"His pressure is down as is his oxygen level and his heart rate is up so he's lost some blood. I'll start an IV of normal saline and I think he'll be OK for the ride to County."
"Here's the saline and an IV kit."
"Paul!"
"Why are you here, Doug?"
"Heard the conversation on the CB. I'll watch the place while all of you are gone."
"You don't need to do that."
"You saved both our lives so you're stuck with us now. This is the least we can do for you. Go get that man the help he needs."
"Thanks."
WHOOP! WHOOP!
"Barry? I thought you were part of the County Mounty group."
"I was until Traveler pulled up lame when I went to saddle him this morning. I trailered him back to Charles and it seems I need to check the pasture as it looks like Traveler stepped in a hole. I heard the traffic on Charles' CB and contacted Amos. He said to provide escort."
"Then lead the way as soon as everyone is in the SUV. Sarah, sit here and talk quietly to Dave to keep him calm."
"Yes, Dad."
---
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 13, 2018 17:42:52 GMT -6
Chapter 61 - At Scott General Again
"Dave's status, Dr. Barton?"
"It's good, Mr. Williams. Was he holding the gun in his left hand?"
"The gun was on the floor when I saw him so I don't know for certain but he is left handed."
"That probably saved his life. Had the gun been in his right hand, he could have holed his heart and even Medivac might not have been fast enough. As it is, there's the entrance wound which has been cleaned and repaired, an injury to his right lung that should heal on its own, the bullet embedded in the back of his rib cage and maybe a concussion where he hit his head on something as he fell. Possibly the edge of the countertop? The bullet will remain in place as there's potentially more harm from opening him up to remove it than from leaving it. He'll be on antibiotics for a while and he needs to have someone watching him for a few days after he's released from the hospital. I expect the release will be late Sunday afternoon as I want to see the status of his lung and whether he has concussion symptoms after 48 hours."
"Restrictions on his activity?"
"Not lifting more than ten pounds until the stitches in his chest are removed. He'll need to be back in a week or ten days for that - although your wife is probably as good a judge of the state of healing as anyone here. If she can remove the stitches you won't need to make a trip back for that. I know that fuel has limited availability and any trip that can be avoided is a good option."
"I'll ask her."
---
"Hello, Love. How are Sarah and the girls?"
"Happy that Dave's able to talk with them in something better than the 'I… can't… breathe…' voice he had on the way here."
"Having the hole in his chest closed and being on oxygen both help with that. From what Dr. Barton told me when he saw me in the hallway, I can assume you gave the good
doctor the third degree?"
"I did, Paul. Was he willing for me to handle stitch removal?"
"He was. I saw him in conversation with Mandy Brown before I spoke to him so he probably got an earful from her."
"Good to have current nursing staff to back me up. When does Dave get out?"
"Sunday afternoon, after the 48 hour checks on his injured lung and the possible concussion."
"That's reasonable. We're still on for Trade Day tomorrow?"
"Yes, Love. I think Sarah and the girls are now comfortable that Dave will have good care. Sarah may want to be here with Dave but I think both girls will want to be at Trade Day. If you'll drop Sarah and Rob off here on your way to the high school, Sarah will have a chaperone if needed. Rob can sit outside the door and be inside in seconds - not that Dave is likely to be able to do much. I'll contact Rob on CB to tell him I have a special assignment for him tomorrow."
"How long do we stay today?"
"Until Sarah and the girls are too tired to stay awake or Mandy or the doctor comes by and evicts you. I think emotional exhaustion may get to them before Mandy does."
"You'll be leaving soon?"
"We still have chores that need doing. I'll assume that you'll either find food in the cafeteria or open a couple of MREs for lunch. The girls are OK with breakfast at any meal so pick a breakfast MRE for them and maybe the beef stew for you and Sarah. Should I put one of your frozen crock pot meals on to cook if Laura hasn't already planned supper when I get home? It will be ready by supper time and the 'Warm' setting on the crock pot will keep it at an edible temperature until you get home."
"If you use the crock pot, there's chicken parmesan that should be enough for all of us. What about your lunch?"
"Biscuits with bacon and sauage left over from breakfast. Quick. Easy. And they're even better with the pear preserves."
"You goof!"
"Call me when you leave here?"
"I will or I'll have one of the girls do it. Do we have nicknames for them?"
"Not yet. Let them work on that when they need a break from holding Dave's hand while he sleeps. I dipped into my stash of NiteCore keychain lights last night. Here's one for Sarah and one each for Alex and Kasey. I don't remember who has pockets on which clothing so I added a plastic alligator clip to the keyring. It can safely be clipped to a collar or elsewhere."
"Another bit of having whatever you might need with you."
---
"Mom, why are the lights flickering?"
"Sarah, I'd guess there's a problem with the generator. I don't think it's running out of diesel as a trailer of fuel for Emergency Services arrived Thursday. Here's something your Dad handed me for each of you. The low light level is good for more than 24 hours but the bright setting is good for at most 45 minutes."
"These are what he had at Duffy's!"
"Yes, Alex. As long as we have some light coming in the window, we won't use them except when I check the status of Dave's oxygen and IV. It's good that the oxygen distribution here is still a mechanical system that relies on plumbing. The IV is powered by gravity so it works when the power is off. Sarah, have your light handy. Girls, keep yours hidden until needed. Remember that we want to seem to have no more than anyone else."
"Where are you going, Mom?"
"To call Paul on the CB and see if he can come back to check the generator or get Doug Jeffers headed here to check it. The maintenance people have very little knowledge of the generator and problems other than a dead battery usually result in a call to the dealer in the state capital. That's a call we can't make so we fall back on local people with some knowledge. Paul is our local expert on electrical power and Doug is the diesel expert. Together they should be able to fix the problem or at least diagnose it down to the part level for a trip to the dealer."
Knock! Knock!
"Everything OK here, Carla?"
"Yes, Mandy. Sarah has a keychain flashlight and we've used it enough to check the IV drip and the oxygen flow. I'm on my way to the SUV to call Paul on the CB to see if he or Doug Jeffers can come check the generator."
"Good that we have some people who don't panic. Arthur is hiding under his desk whimpering "Was it a nuke?" over and over."
"Why don't you tell him 'Yes' and see where he hides?"
"You're awful, Nurse Williams!"
"Just looking for payback, Nurse Brown."
"With interest. What will you do for light when the battery in that little thing runs down?"
"Take it out to the SUV and recharge it. Maybe tomorrow."
"It'll last that long?"
"Twice that long if it stays at the 'nightlight' level. No more than the higher brightness levels are being used, 24 hours is a reasonable expectation."
"Wanda said something about 'an all night light' when she tossed something into my locker on her way out when she quit. I should go look while this flashlight still works."
"One more thing, Mandy."
"Yes?"
"Was anyone in surgery when the power went off?"
"No, thank God! We're only been doing emergency surgeries because we don't know when we'll get more supplies. Ether is stocked along with the more modern anesthesia products but none of the surgeons want to try using it."
"And certainly not with blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate and temperature being manually checked - assuming you still have non-powered instruments."
"We have enough. We took Arthur's directive about getting rid of 'old, inaccurate analog instruments' with a grain of salt and make a show of disposing of them on each floor. What Arthur didn't know was that the same group of old instruments was 'disposed of' on each floor and all the ones in good condition relegated to the janitor's closets in boxes labeled 'Sanitary Napkins'. Not a box Arthur would ever touch."
"I'm loving it! Go check your locker for the little flashlight. I'll go talk with Paul."
---
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Jan 13, 2018 20:02:30 GMT -6
Thanks for postin' this, sir. Appreciate that you're doin' this with the eye problems and hope you're progressin' at an acceptable rate.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 13, 2018 22:17:09 GMT -6
Thanks for postin' this, sir. Appreciate that you're doin' this with the eye problems and hope you're progressin' at an acceptable rate. As of this minute, I'm up to 8 hours on the most current hard contact which is very slightly bigger (1 mm or so?) than the previous lens. I use a suction cup tool to remove the lens as I can't easily get it out with the normal method of "pull the corner of your eye and blink" - difficulty in removal is the downside of having a larger than usual contact. However, I do see better with the contact than with glasses which can't do as much correction as the contact so I'm working on increasing the time I can stand to have "something in my eye" ;-) I see the contact guy in 10 days and we'll see what he thinks of my progress. I'll ask him to do the same "smooth and polish" he did on the edges of the previous contact. That made the previous contact more comfortable under my eyelid and I'm hoping it does the same for this one. More comfort = more hours of wearing before the lens grows to the size of a quarter... Be aware that there are (rare) days when my muse is insistent that I write and I get a lot done - just not always in sequence. Most of Trade Day was written in a matter of hours almost a week ago but my muse has been less helpful with the intervening days and hours, as those are coming about a paragraph or two at a time :-( Remember not to hold your breath between chapters ;-)
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Jan 13, 2018 22:35:27 GMT -6
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Jan 14, 2018 19:18:10 GMT -6
No, sir, ain't holdin' my breath, as you might decide you'd wanna see how I'd look smurf blue. :^) Hope the healin' continues with as little discomfort as possible.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 17, 2018 17:43:46 GMT -6
Chapter 62 - More Dirt on Arthur
'Marshal Dillon from Miss Kitty!'
'Dillon here. You sound upset.'
'The generator at the hospital sputtered to a stop. Mandy Brown says their normal process is to call the dealer but they're in the state capital and the phones don't work. We need you and/or Doug to check it.'
'I'm probably close enough to contact Doug but I doubt that he can hear you. Wait one.'
'Dust Farmer here. Heard my name. What do you need?'
'The generator at Scott General just sputtered and died. Shouldn't be out of fuel as they had a delivery on Thursday.'
'Could be old or dirty fuel especially considering the status of fuel supplies in general. I'll drive the equipment service truck as it has all the tools I'm likely to need and 150 gallons of clean and Pri-D treated diesel.'
'I'll stop at the house to pick up some electrical test gear and leave word where we all are and when we might be expected back. See you at Scott General. Dillon out.'
'Dust Farmer out.'
'Kitty out.'
---
"You're smiling, Nana. Being in the dark is something to smile about?"
"Kasey, having people with the knowledge and tools to fix 'in the dark' on their way here is something to smile about."
"Gramps?"
"He's one of them. He knows a lot about electrical and some diesel. Doug Jeffers knows a lot about diesel and some electrical. They should both be here in 30 minutes or so."
"You told the nurse?"
"I told Mandy and got a hug that almost bruised my ribs."
"I can understand that. Most of us don't like being in the dark except by choice,"
"And maybe by choice of company?"
"Huh?"
"Would being in the dark with Matt make it better?"
"Nana!"
"You're smiling."
"You're good at that."
---
"Well, DAMN!"
"You found something, Doug?"
"Several somethings that make me wonder what kind of idiot has been managing the maintenance on this generator. First, there have been no entries in the log book for well over a year…"
"What?"
"Last entry is October of 2016."
"Looks like Arthur Yates cut another 'unnecessary' expense."
"Someone should should take him to an OR and cut his head open to see if there are two brain cells to rub together. People's lives depend on this thing always working when needed!"
"What else?"
"The injectors are dirty because there is no fuel filter in the fuel filter housing. That was probably another 'unnecessary' expense."
"How long to get it going again?"
"At least a couple of hours to get the gen running but that's knowing I have good help. Longer to clean the dirty fuel but that can wait until we have power back on. Let's get the injectors out and to the service truck. A 30 minute soak in solvent and then a flush with clean diesel should work as they haven't sat this way for an extended period. Once they're in to soak, we'll install a fuel filter and then run a hose from the pump on the 150 gallon tank on the truck to the generator's reserve tank to fill it with clean fuel - looks like that tank hasn't been filled in a long time so more ignorance or laziness on the part of someone. Then we re-install the injectors and get the gen running on the reserve tank. Once the power is back on, we can take the time to pump the dirty fuel through the filter bank on the service truck and then back into the big fuel tank. Probably two or three more hours to do that. I'll add enough Pri-D to treat the amount of fuel the gauge shows plus 20 per cent for the fuel being unusually old and dirty and NO, you can't replace the Pri-D I'm using. I'm under orders from Wanda."
"Then I won't offer."
---
"We have lights!"
"We do, Alex. We should all thank your grandfather when he pops in to tell us that they've finished."
"Us and a bunch more people. I think most of the rooms on this floor have patients in them."
"Hello, ladies."
"Yuck! You're all greasy!"
"Alex, that happens when working on a diesel engine that hasn't had proper maintenance in over a year. There was much to be disassembled and cleaned."
"More nails in Arthur's coffin?"
"I photographed some of his 'cutting unnecessary expenses' memos with my phone. I think you'll appreciate this one."
"Cancelling the maintenance contract on the backup generator because it wasn't used regularly? What an idiot!"
"Doug had some other descriptive words for Arthur but I won't repeat them here."
"Mandy dropped by with scrubs, soap and a towel if you'd like to shower and change before getting back into the truck."
"Excellent idea and I know where the locker room is. Thank her for me. Laura is putting together her trademark lasagna for supper. Good thing that it keeps well as supper is more than an hour away for me and probably twice that long for all of you."
"Dr. Barton did plan to make late rounds today. Possibly not quite so late when vitals aren't being taken manually and by flashlight. We'll stay until he comes by and then I'll take these very tired girls home."
"See you there."
---
"Bedtime, girls. Brush and floss."
"Yes, Momma. Gramps, can I have some snuggle time?"
"Me too."
"After you brush. One on each side of me until you're ready to go to bed or until sleep catches up with you."
"I'm brushing."
"Me too."
"Do either of you need to talk or just snuggle?"
"Snuggle."
"Me too."
---
"Sarah, if you'll move Alex off this side, I'll carry Kasey upstairs and then come back for Alex."
"I have her."
"I have Kasey. Couple of minutes to get her tucked in."
"I'll go pull the covers back, Paul."
"Thanks, Love."
"Dad, should you be carrying them up the stairs?"
"Sarah, I stack hay bales that sometimes weigh more than either of them. It's much easier to carry a person who has an arm around your neck than the dead weight of hay. I may be getting older but keeping up a small farm is a better workout than any gym. Turn Alex so I can pick her up."
"Like this?"
"Yes. I'll be back."
"You goof! But you do have the voice almost perfect."
---
"Looks like you have both vehicles headed out, Paul. We'll still have two drivers?"
"As we discussed earlier, so you can drop Rob and Sarah off at the hospital and also have room for Annie and Sally to ride with you. Bobby and Matt said they had some things to take to Trade Day so their stuff will be in the bed of the truck and they'll be riding with me. There'll be room for the girls in either vehicle so they can make that choice in the morning. Whether hospital or Trade Day, it will be an all day destination."
"You've packed food?"
"Some more MREs in each vehicle and I asked Laura to bake extra biscuits in the morning to go with the extra cornbread she baked for supper. The bacon and sausage will keep in a cooler with ice. It's nice to have enough power to be able to make ice."
"It is. You think we'll need ice for the cooler?"
"The coach battery won't run the fridge in the SUV all day and the barometer and the weather sat images tell me we'll have a nice day tomorrow. Ice is the best option as ice in containers ensures we have clean water to drink. They may be flushing toilets with water from the pond near the high school but I wouldn't consider that water drinkable without serious filtering."
"The horses in that pasture."
"Plus whatever might be in there from the runoff. I have canteens for all and a seven gallon dispenser of well water for Annie and Sally if they don't bring their own. Sally will try almost anything but I think the canteens are somewhat big for her to have on her belt while she's on crutches."
"A small hydration pack might be ideal but I don't remember anything that small."
"I don't either, Love. Perhaps our memories will work better after a good night's sleep?"
"I see bed in your eyes, Paul, not sleep."
"Try not to wake the younger girls."
---
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 21, 2018 16:30:02 GMT -6
Chapter 63 - Saturday, 15 June
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
"Good morning, Love."
"Good morning, Mr. Williams. Did I wake the girls last night?"
"I don't think so but now is probably a good time to go do that. I hear noise from Laura's end of the hall so she's probably on her way to the kitchen. She seems to be healing well as she's been eager to cook and seemingly not unusually tired afterward."
"That was also my analysis and one reason I'm being a little slow getting up."
"One reason?"
"I also like snuggling with my head on your shoulder."
"Glad you still like that."
"My favorite place."
---
"Smells good, Granny G!"
"Thank you, Alex. Good enough for you to set the table?"
"We'll both do that."
"OK, Kasey. What's behind you being so bubbly this morning?"
"Oh, nothing."
"'Nothing' is her getting to see Matt all day at Trade Day!"
"Alex!"
"Well, isn't it?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"A bunch of 'kinda'."
"Enough, girls. Back on task."
"Yes, Granny G."
---
"Gramps, what's that noise?"
"I'd say a near-street-legal gocart. Still a small engine but it has working lights."
"You can tell all that from the sound?"
"Alex, the sound tells me it's Rob's gocart. I'm telling you what I remember about it."
"I wondered how you could 'hear' lights. Now I understand. Is Bobby coming here?"
"No. He and Matt asked for cargo space so I reserved some space in the bed of the truck for their items. I'll stop at each house to get them and their stuff. Are you going to the hospital or Trade Day?"
"Can I do both?"
"No, you can't. Whichever you choose will be all day. That also applies to you, Kasey."
"Yes, Gramps."
"I'm going directly to Trade Day. Your Nana will pick up Annie and Sally on her way out. She'll drop off Sarah and Rob at the hospital - Rob so there's a chaperone if needed as Judge Wilson directed. Then Carla will join me at our booth."
"Booth?"
"Some tables under a canvas shade tent. Looks a little like a booth at a medieval fair."
"You said Bobby and Matt had stuff to trade. What about us?"
"You may take some of the jalapenos to trade. Just handle them with rubber or nitrile gloves and keep them in plastic bags. Other things you might consider are any clothes or shoes you left here on a previous visit. I think the Guard will have plenty of 'normal is far away' information posted and people will be looking for the things they can no longer buy at Walmart."
"You'll be trading ammo?"
"Only the .22. Nothing big that someone might use to attack us."
"Food?"
"The jalapenos and the little bit of kale your Nana wanted planted and she's the only one eating it."
"That's not much."
"No, but the solar panels we'll have out will make up for it. If anyone asks you about them, tell them that I must approve any deal involving power, ammunition or communications. Your Nana and I will be armed both visibly and concealed. I also cautioned Bobby and Matt to be armed. The two-legged coyotes are still out there looking for anything they think they can take. A rifle or shotgun on your shoulder is usually a good deterrent."
"I'll be carrying a gun?"
"You and Kasey are at the level where your Nana and I think you can be trusted with a weapon. The ten shot .22 rifles for now as you have the most experience with them. You're still somewhat short of experience to be carrying a handgun."
"Kids out here grow up fast!"
"They have more opportunities to be responsible in life or death situations."
"Life or death?"
"How long will the chickens live if you leave them in the coop without food?"
"A week? Maybe two?"
"Good guess. What about the cows if you don't feed them?"
"Longer because they're bigger but not forever."
"That's good. What if they don't have water?"
You have a poster up about 'The Three of Life' and it has three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food. Is it the same for animals?"
"The idea is the same but the actual numbers vary by animal - remember that some camels have storage in their humps so their times will be greater than a horse. Back to what I was saying. If a four year old understands that the chickens' lives depend on her, isn't that a life or death responsibility?"
"Then learning to shoot the coyotes that kill the chickens is just part of that responsibility so she gets a .22 rifle when she's nine and when she's older she learns about your 'two-legged coyotes' and the need to protect other people from them."
"Very good, even if it did leave you out of breath."
"I guess I 'got on a roll' like Daddy says sometimes… HOLD ME!"
"I wondered when yesterday's events would catch up with you. Snuggle in for as long as you need."
"But Trade Day…"
"Can wait. Taking care of you is more important."
"Dad, what's going on? I heard Alex from upstairs."
"Sarah, she just reminded herself of something Dave often says and yesterday caught up with her. Kasey was almost screaming 'Daddy don't die' but Alex was quietly holding his hand on the way to the hospital. Alex needed to let all that emotion out and she's now doing that in these body-shaking sobs. Give her ten minutes and we'll see if she'll at least drink some chamomille tea to calm her down."
"You seem to be the best dispenser of calm."
"I've been practicing that for a long time."
"At least since I was a teenager."
"That's also true."
"I love you, Dad."
"I love you, Sarah. Seems Alex might get more than ten minutes as she's asleep."
"With all the energy she burned sobbing, I'm not surprised. If you hold her, you'll miss breakfast."
"If I put her down, she'll wake alone. I'll be here. I can have breakfast almost any day. I don't have that many opportunities to be there for a granddaughter."
"You're the best grandfather ever."
"Thank you, daughter."
---
'Marshal Dillon from Scoop.'
'Miss Kitty here. He's busy.'
'Just checking on times.'
'Yesterday caught up with Alex just before breakfast and he's the calming influence.'
'Understood. Take your time. Sally was ready to head to your house on her crutches "so we can go sooner". She's listening and understands. See you when you get here. Scoop out.'
'Kitty out.'
---
"Gramps, why am I here?"
"You asked me to hold you."
"I said 'on a roll' and it reminded me of Daddy and he was shot and in the hospital…"
"Alex!"
"What?"
"He was talking to you before you left the hospital last night."
"Oh. Yeah. Why was I so upset?"
"You held all your emotion in yesterday and this morning you couldn't hold it any longer. Feel better now?"
"Un huh. But we didn't have breakfast and Annie and Sally and Bobby and Matt are waiting on us and…"
"Alex!"
"What?"
"You're getting all wound up again. Annie called on the CB and Carla explained that yesterday had caught up with you. Not what happened; just 'yesterday'. She, Sally, Bobby and Matt - and anyone else in radio range - all know that something happened yesterday that you needed time to deal with. I may have missed breakfast but I did spend one-on-one time with one of my favorite granddaughters."
"We're your only granddaughters! We have to be your favorites - and probably your least favorites on a bad day."
"Favorites for now. We'll see what the day brings. There's chamomille tea and the Bel-Vita 'biscuits' if you want something mild for breakfast. Your Granny G baked real biscuits if that's what you want."
"Chamomille tea and real biscuits with pear preserves."
"There you go again, asking to have dessert for breakfast."
"Gramps!"
"To the table and I'll join you in a biscuit if you can find one big enough."
"Ugh! Bad puns before breakfast. I think it's gonna be one of those days."
---
Honk! Honk!
"It's Uncle Paul!"
"Sally, wait until he gets out of the truck before you try to run out there on crutches."
"Yes, Momma."
"You may go now."
"Yes! Hi, Alex!"
"Hi, little bundle of hugs on crutches. What's up with you?"
"Just checking on my 'big sister'. Momma told me what happened yesterday. That had to be scary. Squat down so I can really hug you."
"OK."
"Can I ride with you?"
"Ask your mother."
"That's what all the big kids and adults say. Will I ever get to do what I want?"
"Not nearly as much as you think we get to. Go ask. You might be riding in someone's lap."
"That's OK if I can be with you."
---
"Alex, are you sure you want a tag-along on crutches today?"
"Mrs. Thompson, she came running out to check on her 'big sister' and give me a hug. I think that's worthy of some tag-along time."
"I see why she likes you so much, Alex; you treat her like family. Sally, you may go with Alex. Listen to her today. If she says you need to stop to rest or eat or go pee, you do it or she can drop you off at my table and you'll be there the rest of the day. If you need to pee, explain the process."
"Yes. Momma."
---
"Your cargo, Bobby?"
"I have bits and pieces of several 90cc dirt bikes but they're all different brands. I want to trade for bikes or parts to make up a working bike for Sally and enough spare parts to keep it running for a while. I've seen some of the 'getting back to normal' information from you and it's probably gonna be a year before we have any real progress here. Sally could get to school or the dairy farm or some other useful places on a dirt bike and bring back a little cargo and do it on very little gasoline."
"Good planning, Bobby. You have specific brands and models in mind?"
"Matt and I made up a list of what we consider the top ten small dirt bikes for someone under ten with the pros and cons of each bike - plus notes about which parts from Brand X are interchangable with Brand Y. I don't know if anyone will have what I'm looking for but they might have it at home or know someone who has it."
"You are correct in the 'know someone'. That's probably the most useful thing we'll get out of today's trip to Trade Day - who might have what. The fact that someone is looking for items A, G and Q means that anyone with those items is more likely to be here next time. Remember to put a list on the bulletin board…"
"What bulletin board?"
"The one you and Matt will be helping me install when we get there. It's in the trailer. There are three sections; 'For Sale or Trade', 'Wanted' and 'Trying To Contact'. Without mail or phone service, some people have no idea where their family members and friends might be."
"Mom will want to put some notes on that last one. There are lots of folks she knew at church that we haven't seen or heard from since the power went out. I'm guessing some of them will be here today but having the notes in a common place makes it easier for the people who know to respond."
"Do you know what Matt has? He didn't ask for much cargo space."
"He said the main thing wasn't big but it was heavy and he thought it might be worth a good bit. He's also looking for bike parts and some parts for the old walk-behind tractor he found when he helped the Smiths clean out and tear down an old shed."
"Simplicity tractor?"
"That sounds right."
"They were popular in the 1950's and earlier. They could actually pull a single bottom plow if the ground wasn't too hard or rocky and you weren't in a hurry. They did OK in decent soil. Let's get your stuff loaded and head to Matt's. Sally's riding with us?"
"She was worried about Alex and asked if she could ride with her."
"She's a sweet kid. Glad she claimed me as her 'Uncle Paul'."
---
"A ten gallon milk jug, Matt?"
"Not the jug, Mr. Williams. Look at what's in it!"
"Where'd it come from?"
"My great-grandfather sold produce from his garden at a roadside stand that was where the school bus shelter is now. Everything was a dime or a quarter. My mom asked him why he priced things that way. His answer was 'I never have to make change'. He didn't trust banks so most of those coins went into this jug at the back of the barn. We've never used this area until Mom decided I should clean it out yesterday and she said I could have anything I found. I mostly found broken and rotted things but this jug seemed in good shape and when I couldn't move it, I got her to help me open it. When she looked inside, she told me the story of great grandpa. She said something about us being rich. Are we? I was gonna look for someone at Trade Day who knew about coins."
"Matt, the first thing you want to do is keep this a secret. Before the power went off, this dime was worth about $1.25…" "What?"
"Yes, $1.25 in current money. The quarters were worth about $3.15, the half dollars about $6.30 and the silver dollars about $13.50. These coins are 90 per cent silver and would have value without being US coinage. Silver is one of the two most used money backers, the other being gold. So, keep it secret. Don't tell anyone you haven't already told. I certainly won't tell anyone and I'm sure Bobby won't either. If you want to take a couple dollars worth of the dimes with you, that's OK. Just keep them separate from your other money and don't flash them. If you see an older person with something you want, very quietly ask them the price in 'junk silver'. If they don't know what you're talking about, just walk away. If they're interested in dealing, get me involved until you learn the current value of these coins. If they ask whether you have more, just say these were in a jar you found when you dug up a fence post to replace it and that you only found one container - which is true. Stay low key. You don't want anyone following you home. If you show or use the coins today, we'll stop at my place first when we come back and you'll both go home under cover of darkness. Tomorrow we'll sort, count and wrap these so you'll know how much you have."
"So we really are rich now! I'll count out 20 of the dirtiest dimes and take them in a little bag."
"Just remember that your 'little bag' effectively has at least $25 in it."
---
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Jan 21, 2018 19:58:35 GMT -6
Nice find! thanks!
|
|