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Post by udwe on Mar 3, 2018 21:47:11 GMT -6
Love it and yes I know what you mean, I've seen it in lots of faces, including my own kids!
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 5, 2018 0:47:55 GMT -6
Chapter 69 - More From Mother Hen
"Love, if you ladies can get Laura and Sarah packed and delivered to Laura's place, I'll go get Dave."
"I think the five of us can manage that, Paul. You're taking the copy of the NYT?"
"Yes. Dave needs to see that himself and we can discuss the other details on the way back. I hear a dirt bike. I think it's the one Jensen rode when she picked up some things previously. I'll step out and wave her in."
"Mr. Williams, sir. Permission to enter?"
"Come ahead, Corporal. What brings you here?"
"Thumb drive of encrypted files for you, sir."
"Thank you, Corporal. Could I tempt you with iced tea or a slice of pecan pie that was baked yesterday?"
"Both, sir!"
"Come to the kitchen and have a seat at the table. Girls…"
"We heard, Gramps. I have the pie and Kasey is pouring the tea."
"Thank you!"
"This is so good!"
"Jensen, take your time and enjoy the food while I check what's on this drive. I may have a reply for you to take back."
"I will enjoy, sir, and I'll stay until you tell me I'm finished here."
Interesting. The doctor that Dave's been seeing for his facial pain has ties to the CIA. He was involved in some of the carbamazepine mind control research.
Do Dave's records from that clinic indicate any injections? Yes. About a week before his behavior changed. That might be the smoking gun. Need to cross-reference the "Patient Trial M2371" description of the injection to the actual drug used. Is the dosage comparable to the "based on body weight" range of putting Dave into the suggestable state? Need another reference for that. Is it on this laptop? Yes. Scroll down the ml/bodyweight chart to about what Dave weighs and the dosage matches! Print out a couple of pages for Dave to see when we discuss this. The family should also see these. I'll send copies to Mother Hen for review. I'd request that local law enforcement and the state's Medical Board be involved but I think they'll keep this under wraps because of pressure from the CIA. Mother Hen does have other options. Save to thumb drive with AHBNW encryption and Jensen can take it back. She's not that much older than Kasey and it sounds as though they're getting along well. Getting to know a female soldier might be a positive for both granddaughters as we get deeper into firearms training. Back to the kitchen.
"Corporal?"
"Yes, sir?"
"A thumb drive for you to take back with you. Tell Major Green that I said 'Thank you' for providing messenger service. And thank you for being the messenger."
"My pleasure, sir. Sitting and talking with another girl and having home made pie feels like I'm getting paid."
"Have a safe trip back."
"Thank you, sir. Bye, Kasey. Bye, Alex."
"Bye, Erin."
"So you're now on a first name basis with one of our soldiers?"
"She's not a soldier, she's just 19."
"She's a soldier, Kasey. She may not have seen combat in some distant country, but she's had the training. She knows how to fight unarmed or with a knife, how to use many firearms and some types of explosives, how to navigate by map and sun or stars…"
"She just seems like a nice senior at my high school."
"Choosing to be a soldier doesn't keep you from being a nice person. It just makes you a nice person with training to handle the not-so-nice people in a number of ways."
"That sounds like some of the things you've said in the firearms lessons."
"Correct, Alex. Being firearms literate and carrying a weapon don't make you less of a nice person. They make you a nice person who's more likely to stay alive and unhurt."
"Sally did pretty good with her crutch."
"She did, but you should also remember that she's had more of the classroom lessons on weapons and self defense than you have. I've seen her many more days than I've seen you in the past couple of years."
"There is that."
"Both of you asked to stay here and not go to Laura's house again for a while. That means your Nana is going to help them get moved in. Remember that both of you should be armed when all of us leave. There are gun racks by or over each outside door so there's a convenient place to put your rifle."
"You're scaring me, Gramps!"
"No scare intended, Kasey. I just want you to be very aware of what's going on outside. The cameras and motion sensors will give you some notification of problems, as will the goats. Keep the doors locked and your eyes and ears open. The house may look deserted when four vehicles leave and there might be someone watching who would take advantage of that."
"We have animals and a big garden so they might think we have a lot of food?"
"Correct, Alex. If anything happens, you know how to bar the doors, close the shutters from inside and get to the shooting positions on the roof. Doug Jeffers and your Nana might hear a call on the CB and someone will hear a call on the County Radio if you need help. I don't think you'll need to do any of that but you need to be aware of all your options for staying safe."
"Including the shelter in the basement?"
"That's also an option."
"That's a lot, Gramps. I'll try to remember all of it."
"Me too."
"I think you'll both do OK. Time for me to kiss your Nana 'Bye' and be on my way."
"You'll let us know when you're on the way back?"
"Of course, Alex."
---
"Momma, where do you want these things put in the van?"
"Kasey, you and Alex grab the top two boxes and follow me out there. Maybe there are some clean spots big enough to put all this stuff in."
'Kase, you didn't tell her?'
'No. It's a surprise.'
"OK, Momma. We got the boxes."
"I'll open the front door and… What happened to my van? There's no blood!"
"This was one of Nana's 'special projects' for the work crew. We spent several hours with a lot of different cleaners she had for each area - seats, carpet, the ceiling…"
"Matt said it was the 'headliner'."
"You knew what I meant."
"Thank you, girls. I'll thank the others when I see them again but you can thank them for me when they're back here working again."
"That'll be tomorrow, Momma. We'll be plowing new gardens and expanding old ones for people out here. Gramps had mentioned doing that in Wilkinsville but he never heard back from the Sheriff there."
"Tractor or rototiller?"
"Maybe both. Tractor first if needed; then tiller. Small plots tilled just with someone running the tiller. Bigger ones with the tiller mounted on the back of the tractor. I'm sure we'll know which ones are 'small' and which ones are 'bigger' by the time we get home."
"I'm sure you will, Kasey. Did your Gramps give you instructions about staying here by yourselves?"
"Yes, Momma. From watching cameras to listening for motion detectors and goats to who we can call on the radio. And that we're to be armed while all of you are gone."
"Then I think you're as prepared as we can make you. Help me get the other things loaded. I see that Laura and your Nana are finished with loading Laura's things."
---
"Your Gramps gave you instructions?"
"Yes, Nana. Kasey wrote them down and they're on the fridge."
"Very good. Remember that I won't be back until after dark and your Gramps probably won't be back much sooner."
"We know, that's why we have our rifles. Bye, Nana."
---
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Post by texican on Mar 9, 2018 1:27:57 GMT -6
PP2,
Got to read all the way thru Chapter 25....
Thanks for the story....
Just when is the other shoe is going to faaalllll....
Only PP2 knows....
Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 12, 2018 0:22:29 GMT -6
As the vision in my left eye worsens, I'm tentatively scheduled for surgery (cataract and partial cornea transplant) near the end of April. I'm spending more time getting fewer words written as working with mostly one eye becomes annoying rather quickly (even working with 18 point type). I have two more chapters almost ready but there may be a l-o-n-g break before the one after that. It was two months before the surgeon would consider writing a prescription for new glasses after the previous surgery. There's also the possibility that glasses won't provide enough correction for the astigmatism - they didn't for the right eye which is why I've been trying to get accustomed to a hard contact. So far I'm doing well for a old retired guy but some days are not as good as others - the contact was back in its case in a little over five hours today and I was looking for the bottle of artificial tears to wash the half dollar out of my eye ;-)
I'm not abandoning the story but it may seem that way if there are no more chapters for several months. As I said, two more chapters almost here but neither is long.
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Post by accountant on Mar 13, 2018 12:03:30 GMT -6
PP2, We'll all try to keep the MOAR monster distracted until you get back to doing your share of battling with it. Take care of yourself. p.s. Look at me. I'm a full-fledged member now!!! WOOOHOOO!!!
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 16, 2018 14:24:36 GMT -6
Chapter 70 - Getting Dave Home
"Here to get your son-in-law, Mr. Williams?"
"If Dr. Barton has released him, Mandy."
"He signed the release about an hour ago. Do you want to wheel him down or do you need an orderly?"
"It sounds as though you're short on people so I'll take a wheelchair up and bring him down."
"You're correct about people as 20 per cent of the staff didn't come in this morning. That's been increasing about two per cent each day. We'll probably run out of auxiliary bodies before we run out of fuel for the generator."
"How many willing volunteers could you use? I know some possibly available workers in their late teens."
"I won't ask them to work the off shifts but we could use a dozen on the day shift. They could be taking food to the patients or emptying trash or getting dirty bedding to the laundry and clean bedding back to the linen closets. How will they get here?"
"Various ways. Some on horseback, others by horse and wagon, still others on a wagon pulled by a very small tractor, maybe a few on dirt bikes if they have the fuel. I'll see a half dozen or so tomorrow when they come to our place to work and I'll ask if they are interested. They can check with others they know. Some will be working on their home places but some may be available. I should tell those who are interested to be here after daylight and ask for you?"
"Excellent! If only three or four show up, we'll still have another body working on each floor."
"Should they bring a lunch?"
"No. For as long as we can, we'll feed those who work."
"No promises on takers but I will ask tomorrow."
"Thank you, Mr. Williams. There's wheelchair behind the reception desk."
"I see it."
"You're pushing the wheelchair, Paul?"
"Yes, Dave. When fuel is hard to get and 20 per cent of the staff doesn't show, you can probably guess who makes up most of that 20 per cent."
"Those on minimum wage - the ones who push wheelchairs and deliver meals."
"Correct. You're in scrubs. I think it's safe to assume that's because the ER cut your clothes off. Anything you need to take with you?"
"The bottles of antibiotics and pain killer. My keys and ID are in the same bag. I know they're getting very limited supplies so I'll leave the plastic pitcher and glass. They have "Dishwasher Safe" labels so those items can be reused if needed."
"Then have a seat and I'll get you to the truck. I have some reading material for you on the front seat and you can start on that while I return this wheelchair."
"Will do."
---
"This headline and article are correct?"
"Yes. I've gotten supporting information from the local Guard commander and another source."
"Then we'll be here four years?"
"Based on currently available information. Tell me about your interaction with the doctor who prescribed the carbamazepine for you."
"The clinic wasn't handling sharps and bio-hazard materials correctly. Several times I saw dogs tearing into bio-hazard bags and at night people were rifling the unlocked sharps containers for possibly usable needles. I told the doctor about it twice then reported the clinic to the County Health Department when they didn't clean things up. The clinic was warned once, fined twice and then told to clean up or lose their business license. They did finally get the proper locked containers outside and regular pickup of the materials."
"I think you made an enemy of someone with ties to the CIA. I have another agency looking into what happened. You need to read the documents in that envelope and so does your family."
"OK."
---
'Cookie from Marshal Dillon.'
'Cookie here.'
'Pickup completed. You know how long the trip is. See you then.'
'I know. Cookie out.'
'Dillon out.'
---
"I was given mind control drugs?"
"In tablet form. Were you ever unconscious at that doctor's office?"
"Once. He said that the injectable version of the drug worked faster but often put the patient to sleep for a short while."
"Then you did get the injection and apparently were given some delayed commands while you were unconscious. Not something anyone would know to look for unless they had access to some of the research you have there."
"Thank you for finding out what happened. Do the oth… No, they don't know yet as you said they needed to read this. Why didn't you tell them?"
"I thought you should be the first to know what happened and I needed to verify that you had been given an injection by that doctor."
---
"Paul, do they make tires from petroleum?"
"Yes, Dave. Synthetic rubber is a petroleum product. If we still had internet access, you could look it up on Wikipedia."
"So tires will be among the things that will be included on the ration cards when they are issued?"
"Along with rubber gloves, rubber hoses and rubber boots. Carla and I are OK on those things, as we always have spares plus the truck, the SUV and the trailers all use the same size wheels and tires and they were replaced about five months ago. The old tires still have usable tread; I just don't like to run them close to the wear indicators. Those tires are in the barn loft."
"But we probably won't be able to get anything other than the most common tires in the near future?"
"I think you're right. Hiram mentioned that his last order of parts and tires never came in. If I'm not mistaken, your hybrid van uses a special tire."
"It does and an auto parts store out here probably doesn't stock them. I planned to replace the tires on both vehicles later this year but I guess that won't happen now. You have wood heat. Will you be able to get parts for the chainsaw?"
"If not, we have axes and other saws we can use."
"Hand saw a tree?"
"Think bigger. It's an eight foot long two-man saw and both people use both hands. Not as fast as a chainsaw but just as effective when it's sharp."
---
"I'm staying in the cabin?"
"No, you get the mini-suite in the basement because Carla wants you close enough for us to hear if you need help. You'll be going in and out the man door down there. If the girls are OK with having you at the table for meals, you'll eat with us. If not, your meals will be placed between the airlock doors to the basement."
"That's better than I expected. Do the girls still want to talk with me?"
"Yes, but we need to work on that schedule. You'll meet in the cabin because it has the table that's closest to a door if whoever you're talking with decides she wants out. At some point, Sarah and Laura will also be talking with you. I don't know when or whether it will be one or some combination of them with Carla or me or both as chaperone."
"I'm just glad they're still willing to talk with me."
"I think they may be even more willing after they read these documents."
---
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Post by udwe on Mar 16, 2018 21:39:13 GMT -6
Just goes to show what some people will do to cover their rears.
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 17, 2018 1:02:44 GMT -6
Remember that "Mother Hen" will be taking action instead of local law enforcement. Some of Paul's references to previous activities of that organization sound like "pest control".
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Post by texican on Mar 23, 2018 18:51:18 GMT -6
How many unsuspecting individuals have been secretly tested by the PTB? ? ? ?
Way to many....
Thanks PP2 for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 24, 2018 19:22:41 GMT -6
I have this chapter and one more in the somewhat slow pipeline. Have notes for the next day or so of the story but probably won't get more than one chapter a week done for a while. Not sure how long a break I'll be on after the eye surgery. Meanwhile, I have an idea for another story - divorced former military guy getting back to his farm roots after a devastating event related to his most recent job but caused by other people and not something he could fix. I have an outline for the first four days or so of the story. Absolutely no promises on this one. As slow as I'm moving on "Voicemail" right now, I wouldn't inflict a "one chapter a month" story on the readers. Maybe when "Voicemail" reaches a its conclusion - or at least a stopping place.
Chapter 71 - Things Are Looking Up
"Mom, I'll help you collect Dave's things to take back."
"Thanks, Sarah, but that can wait until we've gotten Laura and you moved in and the animals checked. From the looks of the feed pails, someone was here this morning. Laura, there's a note on the table. You should see what it says."
"There are a stack of notes here! I'll start with the top one."
'Mrs. Gentry, Mama and I took care of the goats and chickens this morning. We took half the milk and the other half is in your small fridge along with the eggs. Lisa.'
"The goats and chickens were cared for this morning by my neighbor Linda Jackson and her daughter Lisa. There's a note about what they did from every day they were here! And I was worried about the goats. It's so nice to have good neighbors!"
"And you have some very good ones. You arrange the perishables in the fridge to your liking while Sarah and I bring in more things from the vehicles."
"I'll do that."
---
"That's the last of it, Mom. You sit for a few minutes while I pack Dave's luggage so you only have a couple of things to deal with."
"OK."
"Have a cup of sassafras tea with me, Carla."
"Sounds good, Laura."
---
"Mom, Dave's stuff is in the back of your SUV. I heard Dad on the CB telling the girls he was on his way home."
"Thanks, Sarah. Looks like Paul and I will both be getting there after dark. I didn't think to tell the girls to start supper so I guess we will be looking for a supper we can prepare quickly when we get there. It's been a long day. Maybe the Mountain House freeze-dried lasagna but with less water than the instructions say so it can be plated and eaten with a fork instead of served in a bowl and eaten with a spoon? "
---
'Miss Kitty from Marshal Dillon.'
'Kitty here.'
'The noise tells me you're on the road. Headed home?'
'Correct.'
'So are we. See you there. Dillon out.'
'Kitty out.'
---
"Will the girls want to see me tonight?"
"I don't know, Dave. We'll have to see what they choose to do when we get there. If they come out to meet the truck, I think they want to see if you're truly OK. I wouldn't read any more than that into it. Whatever they do, let them lead."
"Understood."
---
"Motion detector, Alex!"
"It's Gramps's truck."
"Is Daddy with him?"
"We can go see."
"OK."
"Daddy! You're alive! Where can I hug you that won't hurt?"
"Anywhere but this spot."
"I'm glad you're here!"
"Me too, Daddy!"
"Girls, I think it might be easier for Dave to move if you release him from your hugs and just hold his hands. He might also be able to breathe again."
"Yes, Gramps. Sorry, Daddy."
"Nothing to be sorry for, Kasey. I'm very happy that you want to see me."
"Come on in. We have supper almost ready. Daddy, you're across the table from us as the judge said."
"OK, Kasey."
"Motion detector, Gramps!"
"Your Nana, Alex. I'll go see if she has anything that needs carrying."
"Any ideas for a late supper, Paul?"
"Yes, Love. Whatever the girls are working on. They seem to have anticipated us being somewhat late to start cooking."
"Their reactions to Dave?"
"Both ran out to hug him with 'I'm glad you're alive' comments."
"He's eating with us?"
"He's 'across the table' as Alex remembered from the judge's ruling."
"Excellent progress!"
"It is. It's been a long day but things are looking up right now."
"That they are. I'm curious about what the girls are attempting for supper. Grab one of those bags so we can get Dave's things to the basement in one trip. Then to the kitchen!"
---
"Smells good, girls!"
"Thanks, Nana. We're celebrating Daddy being here. Pork chops, french cut green beans, baked sweet potatoes, biscuits and iced tea or coffee."
"You two have been busy."
"Better than sitting and worrying about what might happen while all of you were out."
"Did anything happen?"
"Just the goats getting noisy when the weeds across the road moved."
"Paul, do you think…"
"Most likely coyotes. It's too dark to see them across the road now but I'll bring up the outside lights in the yard if I hear the goats. And I'll ensure all the motion sensors are on."
---
"Gramps, have you talked to the lady near our house lately?"
"We have a sched for tonight at 10PM my time, when it's dark along the path between us. No guarantees that we'll be able to hear each other as propagation is affected by weather - even the temperature at times, solar activity - the number of sunspots and other things and by whether she has power and is still at her house."
"Power?"
"Still at her house?"
"Kasey first. 'Still at her house' because Major Green told me there have been some wildfires in that section of California. With limited resources - remember that people can't come from all over the country to help fight the fire, they have no choice but to let some areas burn while they concentrate on stopping the spread of the fires at choke points they can man. Alex, 'power' because the fires have damaged some of the electric distribution network. I don't have details on either but Mack might have that information if she's on the air tonight."
"Can you ask her now?"
"Kasey, what time did I say?"
"10."
"What time is it here?"
"8:30."
"Is it dark in California now?"
"Not yet."
"You two go brush and floss and get your jammies. When you come back, you can make lists of specific questions you have for Mack."
"Yes, Nana."
"I also have some questions."
"Dave, I can tell you that as of one week ago, your house was OK and the gas and water were shut off by the on-foot crew checking resident status and your power was turned off by your neighbor who used her key to get in and turn off the main breaker."
"That's a relief, even if we can't get back for a long time. Any word on my truck?"
"Minor cosmetic damage from a tree that fell."
"We just squeaked through that one!"
"You did."
"You mentioned fires?"
"When people build houses in the woods and don't clear the fallen leaves and branches, nature eventually does its own cleansing. That's why the wildfires are so bad when they happen. The forest floor has been accumulating burnable matter for years and has a huge supply to use when a fire does get started. Other than the smells, it's not much safer than living in a refinery except that people usually don't smoke at a refinery and they don't build campfires."
"That's pretty harsh."
"Life in the woods is harsh. We have the trees and brush cut back for a distance from the house so a fire in the woods won't reach the house. While they clearcut the front part of your property, the back of your house is what - maybe 25 feet from the nearest tree?"
"That means if… if any of the trees along the line caught fire, it would spread in both directions and a falling limb or tree could ignite the house!"
"Still think my description was harsh?"
"Not nearly so much as before. I need to clean out under my trees and get the neighbors to do the same. And cut back the trees or maybe have some of them taken down."
"Some of the tree-huggers might try to block that, but ask the company that holds your homeowner's insurance about rates with and without the trees. And have their agent contact the tree-huggers with prices. At least two insurance companies have been successful with civil suits against people who blocked tree clearing which would have prevented fire spread. The losers wound up paying for the fire damage and injuries."
"I didn't know that."
"The media in California is very much controlled by the liberals and the tree-huggers. Those decisions didn't make the evening news and might have been found at the bottom of page 11 of the third section of the Sunday paper."
---
"We're done!"
"When you were six I would have been reaching for your bellybutton to see if you were 'done'."
"I remember that, Daddy!"
"Me too!"
"I don't want my bellybutton tickled but I do want to sit by you."
"Me too."
"While you girls are snuggled in, I want you to read these documents. If there are things you don't understand, just ask."
"Who is Carlton M. Landers, III?"
"The doctor your Daddy saw about the pain in his face."
"The one at the place where the dogs got into the garbage?"
"Correct, Alex."
---
"Mind control drugs?"
"Yes, Kasey."
"They could tell you to do stuff and you wouldn't know they'd done it?"
"Yes, Alex. Even telling someone to commit suicide to ensure there was no obvious trail back to the person who gave those commands."
"Daddy, I'm glad you couldn't shoot straight!"
"Me too!"
"Me too, daughters. Paul, is there anything that can be done about him?"
"Dave, I sent some inquiries up the line. I'll let you know when or if I hear anything."
"Good enough."
---
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Post by udwe on Mar 24, 2018 20:46:48 GMT -6
Really love this story!
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Post by 9idrr on Mar 25, 2018 17:47:47 GMT -6
Sir, please feel free to "inflict" upon us your chapter a month. More would be great, but I'll settle for whatever amount you choose to post. It's never fun to wait too long, but it's always worth it.
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Post by texican on Mar 25, 2018 17:49:18 GMT -6
I have this chapter and one more in the somewhat slow pipeline. PP2, You could always use a pig in the pipeline to make the flow easier.... Thanks for the Chapter.... Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 30, 2018 20:39:53 GMT -6
This is the last completed chapter. I have one or two more in outline but I find I'm spending more time at the keyboard and producing fewer words. I'm hoping that the surgery on the second eye will be as successful as on the first eye - 4 more weeks until surgery. No promises of when I'll get another chapter posted.
Chapter 72 - More News From the West
"Gramps, it's almost 10. You gonna call Mack?"
"Kasey, I'm 'gonna' listen for her. If I don't hear her in ten minutes, I'll call her."
'K0X%# $rom %#6R#%.'
"What's that, Gramps?"
"Kasey, I think that's Mack. Look at the framed license over the radio."
"Your license starts with K0X but what else did she say?"
"The noise from the lightning not far from us is stronger than her signal so it pretty much wiped out the last two letters of my call and most of her call."
"You can carry on a conversation like that?"
"Not very well. Let me answer her and see if she can use CW or one of the digital modes that are more immune to noise."
'T$is i# K0X%#. M#ck, ca# $ou g# digit%#?'
'I thin# tha$@% yo#, Pa#%. Go ##35. G$ 7#35. Go #03#'. #o 703#.'
' Ro#er. 703$. $0#5. 7#35.'
"But now you're on the computer! You're not talking to her."
"Kasey, I'm letting my fingers do the talking. Look at the screen."
[Paul, I have several things for you. First, the wildfires got your daughter's house. However, when they put out the map of the evacuation areas, I checked with her neighbor Sue and we went through and collected photo albums and other things she remembered Sarah mentioning. It's all in the truck which is now parked in my back yard along with Sue and her husband in their RV. Can't say that we saved much but maybe a few of the important things. Second, did they know Dr. Landers? If they didn't know him personally, he's the guy with the $million plus Bugatti Veyron that's advertised to hit 252MPH and it seemed that he tried to do that whenever he was driving it. Anyway, yesterday he was headed up a hill on the Coastal Highway at a very high rate of speed when he apparently lost control in a curve and hit the guard rail at an estimated 200MPH. The guard rail gave way and they scraped the pieces up from several hundred feet below.]
[Thanks, Mack. Dave and the girls are here with me and they're reading as you type. Our daughter is taking care of her mother-in-law who is at her place recovering from surgery. I'll let them know later tonight. Do you have damage from the wildfires?]
[Just the power being out. We're on limited solar power plus a generator as needed. We're fine.]
[Good to know that you're OK.]
[You too. 73.]
[73.]
"'73'?"
"Alex, that's a 'goodbye' left over from the days of ham communications being primarily in Morse code. Probably a left over from the days of Western Union telegraph operators sending messages over the telegraph lines."
"Do you know the history of everything?"
"Just the things that interest me."
"Like I said: everything."
---
"I think Sarah should know the status of the house tonight, so we'll drive over and tell her. That also means she and Laura can see the additional documents. Dave, I'd like for you to stay here and be on watch. There's a .22 over the back door and a 12 gauge by the front door. If you hear the goats, turn on the outside lights and look for coyotes. Alex, Kasey. If you want to go, you'll need to change clothes. We traveled with you in jammies when you were much younger because we knew you'd be asleep before we reached our destination. Not so true for you two now."
"Yes, Gramps."
---
"Sarah, what's that noise?"
"Looks like Mom's SUV. Wonder what's up that they drove instead of using the CB?"
"We'll know when they tell us."
"Momma, it's awful!"
"Un huh!"
"What's awful?"
"The house!"
"Dad, what happened? I think they're too upset to tell me more."
"It's good that you're already sitting down…"
"They said 'house'. Wildfires again?"
"Correct. Mack, the ham that's been providing me with information from there, told me about it tonight. When she saw the proposed evacuation areas, she and her husband drove over to meet your neighbor Sue and asked if there was anything she could help save from your house…"
"I'd told Sue where the birth certificates and other important papers were."
"They got those and as much else as would fit in Dave's truck…"
"Where is it now?"
"The truck is parked in Mack's backyard along with Sue and her husband in their RV."
"There's nothing left?"
"Mack said local news video showed the wind blowing burning shingles from a house in the next block and they ignited the line of trees behind the houses on your block and it went up like so much charcoal lighter."
"Then we're lucky that they could save anything."
"Mack said they were hustled out of the house by the fire crews who were checking every house because they knew they wouldn't be able to contain that next block more than a few minutes longer."
"Paul, would you help me brew some chamomille tea? I think we all could use something calming."
"Sure thing, Laura. I remember where the cups and spoons are so I'll get those."
"I'll get the tea while you do that and could you then fill the cast iron whistling tea kettle? It's heavier than I'm comfortable lifting."
"I'll get it."
"Alex, Kasey?"
"Yes, Nana?"
"Do you want to stay with your mother tonight?"
"Un huh."
"Me too."
"I hear the tea kettle so to the table for tea and your Granny G might have something you can sleep in."
"I do, Kasey. I have lots of 'granny' gowns…"
"Yuck!"
"And some of your Poppa Harry's old extra large rock band tee shirts."
"KISS?"
"AC/DC?"
"Finish your tea and we can go look. You do have toothbrushes as the still-wrapped 'Frozen' and 'Spiderman' brushes that you left several years ago are in a drawer in the upstairs bath."
"Our house may have burned but we have two other places that feel like 'home' 'cause the people there have everything we need."
"That's definitely a 'big sister' comment from my younger sister. You're pretty cool to just be 13."
"Thanks, Kase."
"Laura, Sarah. I have some additional background on what caused Dave's outbursts. Read these and I'll try to answer any questions you may have."
"OK."
---
"The doctor at the doc-in-a-box is CIA?"
"He had some CIA connections."
"'Had', as in the past tense?"
"Yes, Sarah. His very loud, very expensive and very fast Bugatti seems to have gotten away from him on a hill on the Coastal Highway. He took out a guard rail at an estimated 200MPH and they scraped up the pieces several hundred feet below."
"Good riddance."
"That seems harsh, Sarah."
"Have you read this, Mom?"
"No."
"Read it. I think you'll agree."
---
"Sarah, I second your 'good riddance'. You and Laura need to be thinking about having your sessions with Dave. Paul and I will be available as chaperones and when you're comfortable in Dave's presence, we can ask the judge about unchaperoned sessions."
"Mom, I want a chaperone for the first session. After that I'll tell you whether I'll want a chaperone in the future."
"Same for me, Carla. Considering what's in these documents, I'm amazed that any of us survived. Not just because he's my son, but Dave must have some very strong character traits to have not done more than he did."
"I agree, Laura. Alex and Kasey, do you want me or your Gramps to drive over and get you in the morning?"
"Can we decide that in the morning and let you know?"
"You can, Alex, but your decision needs to be early enough for us to get you if you want to go out with the work crew that will be starting and expanding gardens. You know what time they usually get there."
"Some days before all the chickens are awake."
"That's why you must let us know early enough."
"We will, Nana."
"Then your Gramps and I are on our way home."
---
"Paul, was Mother Hen involved in the good doctor's demise?"
"I passed along all the information I could put together and that vehicle is very high tech with computer controlled electric power steering, electric shift transmission, automatic braking, even being able to 'call home' to the factory if needed."
"And the factory can call the car?"
"To provide updates anywhere in the world."
"Do they update all the vehicles at the same time?"
"No. Those vehicles are equipped specifically for each buyer so any updates must be tailored to that vehicle. Only one of those vehicles was updated in the past 72 hours. I'm sure you can guess which one."
"I can. How appropriate that a monster of human mind control found himself at the mercy of someone controlling the 'mind' of his very expensive toy."
"And if anyone should question whether there was a vehicle problem, the documents about what he did to Dave will be found in his office. It might be that Dr. Landers chose suicide over being arrested."
"Nicely covered."
---
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Post by 9idrr on Mar 30, 2018 21:03:42 GMT -6
Thanks for this chapter, sir. If you can only put up one thing a week, I'll be glad to see that. Hell, how long has somebody been leavin' me hangin' to find out what happened to Manic and Modgirl?
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Post by texican on Mar 30, 2018 21:22:44 GMT -6
PP2,
Good Chapter....
The bad doc meet his fate....
Thanks,
Texican....
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Post by udwe on Mar 31, 2018 5:35:44 GMT -6
Thank you. That's one person who won't be messing with anyone's mind again. I have to agree "Good Riddance"!
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Post by papaof2 on Apr 8, 2018 15:37:18 GMT -6
Not sure whether I'll get another chapter finished before the scheduled eye surgery. Enjoy!
Chapter 73 - Monday, 17 June - Planting Sally
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
"Good morning, Mr.Williams."
"Good morning, Mrs. Williams. Nice to wake with you on my shoulder."
"Nice place to be. Should we get up and be ready for the girls to call from Laura's?"
"I think each of them has someone they want to see today."
"Most likely. I should plan on coming as you'll have the crew out working on gardens?"
"Correct. I'll be driving the truck and some of the crew may be in the bed but we don't have another vehicle that can tow the tractor."
"If you put those under 18 in the cab and those 18 and older in the bed you'll be legal. Otherwise I might have to write you a ticket."
"Never happen. Amos didn't include ticket books with the badges."
"You goof!"
Knock! Knock!
"Morning, Dave. Come on in. We're working on breakfast."
"Looks like both of you are dressed for outside work, Paul."
"We're taking a crew of mostly teenagers around to start and expand gardens for people in the immediate area. Depending on the type and amount of work to be done, we may have one group using the tractor and another group using the big roto-tiller. We'll be starting just down the road because they're close and that means it's a good place for a shakedown of the process. We can walk back and get things that were forgotten or overlooked."
"What are you planting?"
"A little of all the heirloom seeds I have if we're even close to the right planting dates. Some things might have done better if planted sooner, others if planted later but all they do much better in the ground than in a seed can. With the difficulties of getting commercial crops grown, harvested, processed and transported here, having anything growing in your garden is a plus. Any plants that are left to go to seed out of this year's plantings will eventually be processed for next year's gardens."
"You're looking to feed people for more than just this year."
"Correct. With the recovery delays that exist, it would be foolish to expect even half of normal production of anything in less than five years. I have fuel and the kids are working on their families' and their friends' gardens in return for limited cash payment but that payment can also be taken in food. I want these kids and their families to survive but they need to be involved in making that happen. Plus the more places that have food growing, the less likely that an isolated event will wipe out a major source of food and leave many people hungry."
"Better 20 plots each producing 5 bushels of corn than one plot producing 120 bushels of corn because of the value of the redundancy."
"That's it. Production is more efficient if it's just one crop and everything is geared to that crop's needs but survival is more likely with multiple plots and each of those producing a variety of things."
'Miss Kitty from Cookie.'
'Kitty here.'
'Two to go.'
'30 minutes for pickup. Are you armed?'
'Didn't think about it last night.'
'You will be. Kitty out.'
"Carla, was that Alex?"
"Yes, Dave. She's very good with communications."
"She sounds so much older."
"She's had some experiences that gave her opportunities for growth and maturity."
"Nice way of saying I tried to kill them."
"Not intentionally. And they know that."
"I'm beginning to understand that."
---
"Eat fast, Paul. I hear a dirt bike."
"Just another couple of bites, Love. I've task the early birds with helping load the tractor and checking that all the items on my list are either loaded or ready to be loaded. You'll get the girls while we do that?"
"Yes."
"What am I doing?"
"Dave, you're staying here and keeping watch. The coyotes have been bad this year and while having a half dozen or more people out in the yard usually keeps them away from the animals, they'll probably be back a few minutes after we leave. The first stop is just down the road at the Thompsons' so we can check for having everything we need for the day while we're close enough to get anything not already loaded."
"Everything?"
"Packed the cooler last night. Added ice while Carla was cooking breakfast this morning. I have my weapons and most of the kids are armed. Carla will take rifles for Alex and Kasey."
"Rifles?"
"They're both coming along nicely in the firearms training and anyone outside needs to be armed because of the coyotes and the possible two-legged predators."
"Two-legged?"
"We've stopped people trying to steal from the garden at night. There are signs up about 'Knock and ask to work for food' but some prefer not to work. One of the night visitors left with a butt filled with rock salt."
"Ouch!"
"Yes, for several days."
---
"That's everything on your list, Mr. Williams."
"Thanks, Matt."
"Where's Kasey?"
"We learned late yesterday that their house in California was lost to wildfires. The girls wanted to stay with their mother last night. Mrs. Williams will be back with them soon."
"OK. I shouldn't mention the house?"
"Only if they bring it up."
"Does that mean they'll be living here?"
"For the next three or four years. I won't even attempt to guess beyond that."
"I'm kinda conflicted. I'm sad for their loss but I'm really glad they're staying here!"
---
"Paul, they move like those rifles were something they carried every day."
"They do carry them every day, Dave. Whenever they're outside. I haven't yet had them on the shed roof shooting coyotes but probably this week."
"They're good enough to do that?"
"On paper targets. We'll see how they do on dangerous animals."
"Coyotes are dangerous?"
"Anytime there are enough of them. Just one when they're carrying rabies."
"I'll be paying more attention to goat noises and moving grass today."
---
"Bobbyyy!"
"Yes, Sally?"
"My crutches are stuck. Get me out of here!"
"Didn't your Uncle Paul tell you not to try walking in the freshly tilled areas?"
"But I wanna help with the seeds!"
"And how much help are you sitting there and not able to move?"
"I'm sitting 'cause I held the seed can with both hands so it didn't spill and when I let go of both crutches I landed on my butt."
"Think you should have listened to Uncle Paul?"
"Yes. I'll just do the outside rows. But you gotta get me out of here!"
"Hand me the seed can."
"OK."
"Can you get up now?"
"No. The crutches are too far away."
"Are you sure you'll stay on the outside? If not, I'll let you sit there while we water the seeds in…"
"Bobbyyyy!"
"OK. Your crutches back on 'dry land'. One arm under yours and the other under your knees. You stand and hold on to me while I hand you your crutches,"
"Thank you, Bobby. It's hard when I can't do ANYTHING!"
"You can do around the edges. It's not as visible but that work needs to be done."
"I guess."
"I know. Perk up. I could tell Timmy Matthews' cousin about you peeing on your hand and he can tell Timmy…"
"Don't you dare!"
"Then take this seed can and finish where you can work."
"OK. I will. You better not tell anybody about me peeing on my hand."
"If you're good."
"You're awful!"
"That's just part of the rules for being a big brother to a little sister."
"I guess you're not too bad most of the time but all the rules seem to be in your favor."
---
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Post by 9idrr on Apr 8, 2018 16:04:46 GMT -6
Thanks for posting this chapter. I'm sure you'll be glad to get the eye problems behind you. Good luck.
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Post by texican on Apr 10, 2018 19:54:31 GMT -6
PP2,
Thanks for the chapter....
Remember, watch where you tinkle when you tinkle....
Texican....
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jkhs
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by jkhs on Apr 11, 2018 18:58:42 GMT -6
PP2, I found your story a few weeks ago and finally got completely caught up. Excellent writing, I’m enjoying it immensely. Good luck with your upcoming eye surgery, hopefully it’s successful and you have a quick recovery.
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Post by sniper69 on Apr 12, 2018 20:41:21 GMT -6
Thank you for another chapter, it is appreciated!
Your eye surgery is going to go great!
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Post by papaof2 on Apr 14, 2018 13:38:30 GMT -6
I have outlines for maybe two more chapters. Not sure how much I'll get done. The muse for the other story I'm working one (the muse with orange hair. not green hair) has been prolific and I'm approaching a novel's worth of notes and ideas. Not sure where that one will go as I got another chapter's worth of idea for that story from some youtube videos today. It's an idea that I would have responded to with "Impossible" or "Prove it" last year but I have links to video of at least three working examples. Are ya' hooked yet?
Back to our story in progress.
Chapter 74 - Giving
"Mr. Williams?"
"Yes, Mrs. Williams?"
"You're finished here?"
"Except for some cleanup."
"Matt's house next?"
"Correct. We may not get off this road today but everyone that's big enough to control the tiller will get at least a few rows of experience with it."
"That will speed things up tomorrow because we can have someone using the tiller continuously until a plot is finished."
"Even more so if Matt has gotten his Simplicity tractor running."
"He hasn't said?"
"He said he had some questions for me when we're at his house to work."
"Collect your crew for lunch. Everything is on the picnic table. They can wash up at the pump."
"I'll tell them,"
---
"Work crew, I have an opportunity for you."
"What kind of opportunity, Mr Williams?"
"The opportunity to give to people who can't give back."
"Huh?"
"Scott General needs some volunteers to pick up the work of people who can't get there for lack of fuel. Nothing glamorous, just doing some of the necessities: delivering patient meals and retrieving those trays, getting bedding and scrubs to the laundry area and clean things back to the linen closets. Just basic grunt work that the hospital can't function without."
"I guess they do need help as a couple of people who worked there live down the road from us and their car is out of gas 'cause we helped them push it off the road."
"Denise, at least you don't have a fuel problem."
"We don't, Rob. Debbie, should we ask Mom and Dad? I think we need what we're making working for Mr. Williams but we could go there one day a week and it wouldn't make a big difference in our pantry."
"Mr. Williams, will they feed us?"
"Denise, Nurse Brown said lunch for as long as they can manage it. Hours are whatever portion you are available in 'after daylight to before dusk' because she doesn't want you out in the dark. No off hours for volunteers."
"Mike, how much gas for that round trip with the Simplicity pulling the wagon?"
"Sue, I'd guess about a half gallon but we'd need to test that. That's still a couple gallons a month if we're there one day a week."
"What if we got five or six people to go and each chipped in a little gas? It may be more than two gallons a month but each person would be out less than a half gallon of gas for the month."
"Debbie, it won't make much difference in gas usage whether the wagon has five people or ten, so if we can get a bigger group the gas per person would be less. Maybe a quart of gas each for the month if we have ten people?"
"That's less than I'd use for four round trips on the dirt bike. Count me in."
"Me too, Matt."
"OK, crew. You have Matt and Bobby. Debbie and Denise will ask at home. Mike and Sue didn't say 'No' to the group using the Simplicity and wagon so you're up to six people. Are there others who might be interested?"
"I know a couple."
"Me too."
"Rob, Rose. Does your 'couple' include you?"
"No, Mr. Williams. I'd be number 11."
"If Rob's 11, then I'd be number 12."
"Thanks to all of you. I'll let you work out the days you plan to volunteer with the other people. Let me know when you'll be at the hospital and we'll schedule the other work around when you're available. I do need the animal crew tomorrow morning to get some cows and chickens to the Children's Home now that their well problems are resolved. That would be Bobby, Mike, Allen and Rose."
"Me too, Gramps?"
"You too, Alex."
"What about the other gardens?"
"I won't ask Rob to tow the trailer with the tractor but the smaller trailer with the tiller, hand tools and seeds shouldn't be a problem behind the SUV. I'll have the sketches for some of the 'tiller only' plots for tomorrow so Rob can take the crew to do those while some of us are moving animals."
"Will we be doing this forever?"
"Rose, I want all of you to read this article from the New York Times and then we can discuss it."
---
"Three or four years to get power back here, Mr. Williams?"
"Mike, I think that might be the optimistic view. It's certainly an incentive to have as much land as possible producing food near the people who need that food."
"If every family has a garden, they will have something to eat at least part of the year. But what about firewood when the chainsaws run dry?"
"Kasey. that picture from Trade Day?"
"It's here, Gramps."
"Handsaws, Mr. Williams?"
"A two-man tree felling saw, Bobby. Not quite as fast as a chainsaw but it can take down a big tree. If you look closely, it's being supported by two #2 wash tubs."
"That's a big saw!"
"About eight feet from handle to handle. Properly sharpened and set, saws like this took down many trees each day. You will need axes and wedges for some of the work but this was one of the lumberjack's primary tools."
"You can teach us how to use that?"
"Not that one, but the two in my workshop. Without power and fuel distribution, the LP trucks won't be making deliveries and more people will be heating with wood."
"We have a couple of fireplaces but having an insert or a small stove that fits in the firebox is more efficient. Where would we get those?"
"Maybe weld something up from some steel plate, Matt? I did download several free plans for a small wood stove that's made from a 20lb propane tank so that might fit in the firebox."
"We have some of the older tanks that they no longer refill. Teach me how?"
"First, you unscrew the fitting on the tank, then fill the tank with water and leave it in the sun for a couple of days to displace any propane that might remain in the tank. Ask me after you've done that."
"I will."
---
"Everything loaded?"
"Yes, Mr. Williams."
"Then to Matt's house and our work there. There's the tiller work to expand the existing garden and the tractor work to plow some new ground for a second garden."
"I have a surprise for you, Mr. Williams."
"Yes, Matt?"
"The Simplicity tractor is running and the single plow is attached. If I knew the optimum settings, we could use that for some of the work."
"I can help you with that but there's someone with much more hands on experience if he's available."
"Who?"
"Darren Thatcher. He rebuilt a Simplicity and used it for all the garden work of a 4H project. He can tell you the best angles and speeds for all the attachments in local soil. I'll check on his availability when I'm back at home. If he's available tomorrow, he can be your advisor on using the Simplicity for the things it is capable of."
"So we'd still have tractor capability tomorrow?"
"Remember that it's a small tractor. No ganged plows and not as deep in one pass as its bigger brothers. It can do similar work, just not as fast as they can - but still faster than a horse or manual digging."
"You think we'll be plowing with horses before it's over?"
"I think we should give horses and oxen serious consideration. The Simplicity doesn't use much fuel but gasoline isn't something we can produce. We can grow grass, hay and grain to fuel the animals. We'd have to train animals to work in a team and either have implements intended for farming with animals or build the forecarts that the Amish use to pull ground driven implements."
"Ground driven? Oh, the ones powered by the turning of the lugged metal wheels as they move across the ground. Where would we find those?"
"Most likely rusting away in an old barn or along a fence somewhere. What does everyone remember about seeing old equipment off to the side of the road or behind an out building? The Historical Society probably has one of each in at least semi-working condition but doing serious farming that way would require more than one mower or baler. You might be taking parts from two or three old machines to make one that works but that effort might be worthwhile. If horses can pull a sickle mower, they'd be harvesting their own food."
"Then they can pull a hayrake and a baler and get it packaged for storage."
"I think you're getting it, Matt."
"I think I'm getting pun-ished."
"That too."
---
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Post by udwe on Apr 14, 2018 20:46:16 GMT -6
This story makes me laugh and cry. So I think it's a wonderful story!
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Post by texican on Apr 16, 2018 22:02:01 GMT -6
PP2.
Thanks for the chapter....
Everyone is learning and realizing that the going will be labor intensive...
Texican....
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