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Post by papaof2 on Aug 23, 2017 13:29:37 GMT -6
Gave our granddaughters bird house kits one Christmas that they visited us. They were probably 5 and 8 at the time - old enough to hammer nails and wield a paintbrush. Set up the kerosene heater to warm the garage to have a place to assemble and paint the kits. When we visited them in the spring, I took a post hole digger to set posts for their birdhouses. The blades were sharp but I deferred to my much younger son-in-law to do the digging ;-) A few weeks later I heard about the excitement when birds started building a nest in one of the birdhouses. I got to enjoy their enthusiasm in making something and their excitement of having "renters". They thought I was a "cool grandpa" twice in 4 months that year ;-)
Duffy's Diner and the size of the cake slices are based on the Marietta Diner in Marietta, Georgia. The Greek family has six restaurants in the area: the Diner (open 24/7 year round and always has a line on Thanksgiving and Christmas), a primarily Italian restaurant, a steakhouse, a fish restaurant. Yeero Village (can you guess?) and most recently a Mexican restaurant. We've been to most of them numerous times with a couple we've know for many years. If we get dessert we split it 4 ways. All the foods we've tried are excellent and each location has it's own "personality". The Diner is almost always bustling and can be crowded at times. Pasta Bella (Italian) is a little more laid back. The steakhouse (Cherokee Cattle Company) is quieter than the diner but sometimes has similar lines. The Marietta Fish Market tries to be a bit more upscale but lacks sound-deadening so is too noisy to reach their goal. The Mexican restaurant (Casa Grande) usually has a younger clientele and lots of kids. With a Federal prison in Atlanta, I don't think I'd have chosen "Big House" as the name ;-)
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 23, 2017 16:01:10 GMT -6
Chapter 7 - Parts
"Mr. Williams, you've not been here in a while."
"Your location is a bit of a drive for me, Hiram. I need a favor." "Anything short of my firstborn."
"He's involved. Someone cut the cables and stole the battery from Duffy's backup generator..."
"I wondered why it took so long for him to get lights back on. Sammy welded up a cage for the battery on the generator here. It takes two sizes of wrenches - one SAE and one metric - to get the cage off but we have the tools available. That gen is an Onan?"
"Have a picture of the spec plate on my phone."
"That's the next size up from what we have. Let me check the catalog."
"Paper catalog?"
"Works without power and is easier for some of the older folks to use. Computer plus catalog means two people can be looking things up at the same time. This is it. I'll write the numbers down and have Sammy go check the stock."
"Not checking that on the computer either?"
"The hit on the power smoked the computer with the catalog and the stock records. I have the UPS you recommended on all the other computers but the UPS for that one was backordered. Just hope Bill Green can recover the hard drive."
"Bill is very good at what he does."
"Also very expensive."
"I'm not surprised. He mentioned having something like twenty grand tied up in the recovery computer and software."
"And I thought these computers were expensive. I'll call him when the phones are back up."
"Duffy mentioned no cell service. No landline either?"
"Nope. And no internet. I think today's lightning did some major damage at the telephone office. Sammy! Need you up front!"
"Yes, Pop?"
"Check whether we have these cables and this battery."
"On it."
"Duffy is paying for this, Paul?"
"I'm paying for parts, as Duffy comped our meal because we helped him secure the patio dining area and I got his generator started. Duffy will feed Sammy for his labor."
"If we have the parts, Sammy will be out of here like greased lightning! That's his second favorite place to eat - second only to his mother's home cooking."
"I can understand that. I've tried some of Gladys' cooking at the covered dish affairs and I'm hooked."
"We got 'em, Pop. Take this out to your vehicle, Mr. Williams?"
"Sammy, these are going to Duffy's to replace the cut cables and stolen battery on his generator. You'll need some tools. He said that he'd feed you in exchange for your work."
"See you later, Pop!"
"Hiram, is he running between the raindrops?"
"Either that or going fast enough to create a bow wave of air that keeps the rain off him. You just made his day."
"Probably made Duffy's day as well, as he will be able to open again in the morning."
"That too. You want this on your account or pay now with cash or check? With phone and internet down, I can't take a chipped credit card."
"I have cash."
"Thought you probably would. Thank you, Mr. Williams. For the business, for making Sammy happy and for keeping our best restaurant open."
"You're welcome."
"You're finally back, Gramps! What took so long?"
"Kasey, the lightning that took out the power got the computer they use for parts lookup and stock records. Hiram had to look up the generator parts in a paper catalog then send someone back to physically check the shelves for those parts. That takes much more time than entering a model number on a computer and getting the parts list, prices and quantity in stock."
"The power hit is that bad?"
"Look around. Do you see any businesses other than Duffy's or the auto parts store with lights on?"
"No. No traffic lights either."
"If Hiram didn't have a generator, he wouldn't be open. He also said that his phone service - cell and landline - were out as is his internet service. We should go back to the Trauma Center and check on Laura then head home before the rain gets worse. The river is the dividing line between the counties and neither local bridge is that high above the flood line."
"We can't get home?"
"We might have difficulty getting home, Kasey, but we can get there. I can check river status with the ambulance service at the Trauma Center. They watch the weather and the river status because they might need to switch between a road ambulance and an air ambulance or the reverse as conditions change."
"I don’t wanna sleep in the car!"
"We don't plan to, Alex. We're at the visitor drop-off. You go on inside and visit with Laura. I'll park then check with the dispatcher before I come up."
---
"Hello, Mr. Williams. You're not in need of an ambulance are you?"
"No, Lisa, just the river status so I can plan how we get home."
"Not so good here. The rain started about five miles north of us and has been torrential at times. The river is within two feet of both bridges here. County 107 is 20 miles out of your way but the current radar shows the rain won't be up there for another hour or so. Considering how the river rose locally, I'd expect the same up there. The bridge there should be above water for maybe three hours."
"Thanks. You do a good weather summary."
"Hello, Love."
"Hello, Mr. Williams. Wanda said that Laura would like to see us for a few minutes."
"A very few minutes. Both bridges here will likely be over-topped before we could get to them. I can go north to County 107 because the very heavy rain is moving slowly to the north and the bridge there should be OK for perhaps three hours."
"If the river is already that high here, there will be serious flooding if it rises another foot."
"That's another thing that concerns me. The rain in the north will eventually be in the river here as Lisa's radar showed the system to be more than 50 miles long - something about two storms merging. It will likely still be raining here when the runoff from the north gets here. That will flood portions of both counties."
"It's been years since we had any flooding!"
"Something like 50 years if I remember my County history. Very few will be prepared for that. After all the consolidation and reorganization of rescue and recovery resources, people and equipment needed on one side of the river are probably on the other side of the river with tonight's alternate route the only way to get those resources where needed."
"That will add more than an hour to their response time."
"If the phones are working again by then."
---
"Dad, Laura would like to see you and Mom. You have about five minutes."
"OK, Sarah."
"Hello, Laura."
"Hello, Carla and Paul. Thank you for the care you're giving all the girls. I know, they're all family but Paul certainly has reason to not want any of them in the house."
"Laura, they didn't cause the problems."
"I know. I must also thank you for looking into Dave's legal needs. I don't know what's happened to him in recent months."
"Did he bring any prescription bottles?"
"At least two. You think the medications…"
"I don't know but Pete Davis will have someone looking into it. Laura, do you still have a key in a magnetic holder under the pressure tank in the well house?"
"Of course."
"When the Sheriff's Office finishes their investigation, we'll check for any medications Dave may have brought. I'm sure Pete or his choice of defense lawyer will be able to get Dave's medical records but I'd prefer to have the bottles so the meds can be tested to verify they are what they are labelled as."
"Sounds good. I see Wanda by the door so time's almost up. The Trauma Center has been running on its emergency generator since shortly after you left and I can't see the parking lot for the rain. Is it really that bad out there?"
"Yes. The bridges locally will be closed within minutes if they're not already closed because of rising water. We'll take the long way back on County 107. The rain is moving that way but the water there shouldn't be a problem for maybe three hours."
"Then you need to go now. Call and let me know that you get home safely."
"The lightning strikes that put the Trauma Center on emergency power also took out the telephone office and darkened most of the city. The cell and landline phones are out in the area and there's no internet service. We'll get word to you if we can but don't worry if you don't hear from us tonight. If the river floods as badly as it did some years ago, we may not be back for several days."
"Understood. Take care of all the girls."
"We will. I might like them a little bit."
"Says Paul Williams as he dons a rain suit so he can bring the vehicle around and they won't get wet going to the car. Thank you so much for coming. I feel better just knowing that everyone is being taken care of."
"You might get to see your famous family on Channel 9's 'News at 10'."
"I'll twist Wanda's arm to get her to let me stay up late."
"Glad you're feeling better."
"Me too."
Knock. Knock.
"Time's… You're already dressed to brave the weather. I heard about the video interview. I'll bend the rules a little but I'll stay with Laura to ensure it's not too upsetting."
"You mean so you can watch it!"
"Nurse Williams, are you impugning my professional veracity?"
"No, Nurse Jeffers. Just this one item."
'"No comment."
---
"It's really raining hard out there!"
"It is, Alex."
"Paul Williams?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Joe Tanner…"
"What can I do for you, Sheriff Tanner?"
"I was told you read people like a book. Is my need that obvious?"
"Yes."
"Are you driving your big vehicle?"
"We're in the SUV."
"OK. SUV, but with that tricked-out Suburban, it stands for Super-sized Utility Vehicle. Do you have a pintle hitch for it?"
"I have a pintle hook that fits the class 5 hitch. The vehicle and hitch are rated for 18,000lbs but with a pintle hook I will only tow 12,000lbs at highway speeds or 18,000lbs at lower speeds."
"The National Guard is setting up for flood relief on your side of the river but the supplies for half the state are in the consolidated Guard Camp over here. They have a 15,000lb trailer with water processing equipment, generators, fuel, MREs, jon boats and more that needs to be across the river but no running vehicle with a pintle hook."
"We're headed for County 107 and we have a little over two hours to get across the bridge there."
"The camp is about three miles from the bridge. The road is paved and well above the flood line."
"Give me a map and some type of identification signal."
"One red, one white and two blue ribbons to tie to the roof rack. When challenged, the countersign is "SHTF" because that's what we'll have if we get all the predicted rain up north. I wish I had some way to keep the guys at the road block at the second bridge dry. They had a couple of empty blue porta-potties but the wind blew them away."
"There's a four-man tent in the back of the SUV. If you can move some of the concrete barriers into position, they can tie it off to those and it won't move. Just remember that the "P. Williams" on the tent is me. I'd like to get it back, including the poles and tie-downs."
"I'll take it. You'll get it back or the Wilkins County Sheriff's Office will buy you a replacement. Here's the map you asked for."
"OK, I know where that is. There's nice little fishing lake a couple miles beyond the Guard Camp."
"God speed."
"Can we go now, Gramps?"
"Yes, Alex."
"You didn't do 'can' and 'may'."
"Because we couldn't go when the Sheriff was getting my help with a problem here but we can go now."
"So I got it right by accident?"
"I think so. Maybe five minutes for me to get through the rain and to the covered pickup area."
"We'll be there."
---
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Post by kaijafon on Aug 23, 2017 19:54:04 GMT -6
my granddad died when I was one. I do remember him. Tall and always helping people. I wish I could have gotten to know him for a lot longer.
thanks for the moar!
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 24, 2017 0:10:59 GMT -6
Be wary of very young memories. Most adults only have actual memories starting at age 6 or so, except for traumatic events. I remember fighting the nurse trying to put what had to be an ether mask over my nose and mouth. From family records, my tonsils were removed when I was 4 - so I was younger than the typical 6 but it was a traumatic event. I could not describe the nurse today but 60+ years tend to dim some memories. I can say with some assurance that I was a cute kid at that age - I even have a few pictures to prove it. I use pictures from age 9 and earlier as my profile photo on facebook. It is me, just a somewhat younger me ;-) If no one recognizes me from the pictures, that's OK. Some were made at my maternal grandparents' house which no longer exists (lost to urban renewal 15-20 years ago). I remember the fence around the chicken yard behind the house, because it was still there when I was in high school. I remember the fence in front of the house because I got a long cut in my left leg from a wire that was sticking out of the fence. I was wearing shorts and running back from playing with the girl who lived next door. I might have been 5 or 6 at the time and would not have remembered it well except that the scar was a reminder well into adulthood.
One of my wife's grandmothers told of her family moving from Georgia to Alabama in wagons *verified from other sources) but from birth, census and other records she was only one and would not have known that the women and children slept in the house of whomever gave them shelter for the night and the men slept under the wagons. Think about it - a one year old would be asleep before the men bedded down for the night and would have been asleep when they woke in the morning so she would never have seen them there. She had memories of what her older siblings had said about the move but not memories of her own. One year olds do not have words to describe things. They recognize faces and some foods but not actions like sleep or the difference between sleep and death.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 24, 2017 15:21:20 GMT -6
Chapter 8 - Getting Home
"Are we there yet?"
"Sorry, Gigglebox, but we're not even halfway there. The heavy rain makes for slow travel and I'm watching for the sign and the road to the Guard Camp."
"That last flash of lightning illuminated a sign on the right that had 'Guard' on it. I couldn't read the miles."
"Likely a mile or less, Love. Let me turn on some of the lights on the roof rack."
"That's like daytime!"
"Alex, that much light power will run down the battery at these speeds so let me drop back to just one light on each side."
"Another sign. One KM on the right."
"That's just over a half mile. I see signs and a gate. I'll kill the roof lights so the guards aren't blinded."
"Your business, sir?"
"Sheriff Tanner said 'SHTF'."
"And it is. Both bridges in town are covered and we may lose the lower bridge. The trailer is on the left. Do you need guides?"
"First let me try the rear lights and the camera. I think they'll work but I could use some 'last few inches' eyes on the ground."
"Understood."
"That's good, sir. The ring is down in the hook but I would like you to verify it."
"It's secure. No safety chains?"
"No chains on this trailer. Lights only if you have a military connector."
"I have an adapter from my seven wire connector to yours. We should have taillights when I plug it in."
"You have them."
"OK. In order, brake lights, left turn, right turn, hazard flashers."
"All good, sir. Thank you so much for doing this. All the budget cuts have left our vehicle readiness at less then 20%."
"The Guard on the other side of the river will probably be helping people I know. Glad to help."
"The water is now five feet from the bridge. You have about 20 minutes to get there."
"After the first half mile or so, I'll be at an acceptable speed. Ladies, the ride will be jerky and bumpy until we're up to a proper speed on the better maintained road in Scott County. Expect it to be bad until we're on the other side of the bridge."
"Th-is is aw-ful!"
"I sa-id jer-ky."
"In spa-ades!"
"We're across the bridge and can go a little faster here. I'll drop the trailer off at the Guard Armory a couple of miles from us. They gave me a hitch lock for the pintle ring and a boot for one trailer wheel - not that there are many people who could tow this away."
"How much longer?"
"Maybe an hour, Kasey. I think your early supper has you hungry again. Carla, have you checked pain levels recently?"
"When you got the trailer. All got a half dose of what they're on, except for Kasey's eye drops which were the full thing. It's hard to halve a drop."
"You're silly, Nana!"
"I see smiles and hear giggles so that must be a good thing."
"It is."
"Gramps, it's dark out here."
"No street lights out here, Alex. Normally, there would be some yard lights for the outbuildings on most of the farms. However, I've not seen anything lit up so I'm guessing most folks don't have any backup power"
"Did the lightning get things here?"
"Possibly, Kasey. There are several distribution substations in town as well as out here but there's a big highline down-conversion station closer to the river."
"Highline? Down-conversion?"
"Kasey, those are electrical distribution terms that may not be in a dictionary at the house. Highline refers to the high voltage lines that take power long distances. They could be carrying half a million volts or more."
"Half a million volts? Do they glow in the dark?"
"They don't glow, Alex. I'll try to find a good explanation with pictures, charts and diagrams when we get home. The down-conversion stations convert the very high voltage to something the substations can handle - usually less than 100,000 volts. The substations convert that to the 7,500 to 25,000 volts that goes out to the transformers you see on the power poles or in the green boxes on lawns in the city where the power lines run underground."
"That sign has "Armory" on it."
"That's where we're going, Alex."
---
"Mr. Williams?"
"Yes."
"I'm Sergeant Ames. Amos Thatcher said to say 'SHTF' and 'Thank you'. If you can help me chock its wheels, we can unhitch the trailer. We have people here tonight for security and we'll have more at daylight to unload."
"Excellent, Sergeant."
---
"That was quick!"
"Alex, it's much faster to park and disconnect than to connect and test."
"Connect and test?"
"Connect the ring to the pintle hook and test that it is locked. Connect the lights and test that they all work. Taillights, side lights, brake lights, turn signals. Then do the short pull and stop to test that the pintle connection is secure and the tow vehicle can start and stop the weight of the trailer."
"Hey, that house has lights!"
"You might know the people who live there."
"We're home?"
"Yes. Let me back into the garage and you won't be walking in the rain."
"I can wait."
"Me too."
"Love, maybe cornbread and milk for their late snack?"
"And yours, Mr. Williams?"
"Of course. It's your cornbread. I'll get the takeout containers."
"Takeout? It's been in the car a long time. Is it still OK?"
"Kasey, tell me how this container feels?"
"It's cold! How?"
"A little fridge that runs off the engine's alternator when the engine is running or off the coach battery when the engine is off."
"Wbat's a 'coach' battery? Someone who leads a team of batteries?"
"I think that might be a 'battery coach' but this refers to a different kind of coach, as in a motor coach - a bus size RV. The battery provides power for things in the vehicle so using them when you're stopped won't run down the battery that's used to start the vehicle."
"Can we… May we have the cake?"
"Good save, Alex. The cake is up to your mother."
"Girls, first the cornbread and milk. It there's any room left, I'll consider the cake."
"Yes, Momma. That probably translates to 'no cake tonight'."
---
"Mrs. Williams, I updated the meds chart. I think they'll need something a little after midnight and again around five or six."
"Thank you, Mr. Williams. Those times sound about right. What will you do about the workers tomorrow? They can't call to find out whether you have power to do the work."
"I think the four-seater ATV might be a good choice to go make contact and bring those who can work back here. Bobby is close enough for Kasey and Alex to go knock on the door and ask. Maybe Matt Dixon? He's about twice the distance to Annie's house. What if we send them there first and they can all walk back together?"
"Starting with Matt would be good. Bobby won't feel like he's the rope in a tug of war if there's another boy in the group. I don't hear the generator."
"I used the remote switch to turn it off. The battery bank is fully charged and the only real loads we have tonight are an efficient chest freezer and a chest freezer converted to a very efficient fridge. I left the motion sensors active but turned off the cameras because there's not enough light to get a decent image unless the 500 watt light is on outside. We're in 'low power' mode so we don't appear to have unlimited power. I noticed several houses that had brought in their solar walkway lights to provide limited lighting in the house."
"Those are not as good as having several fallback power options but they're easier to use and safer than open flame lights. Will you open the diverter valve on the stream that runs through the upper pasture and start using the hydro generator?"
"I've been giving that some thought. If the outage runs more than a couple of days, we'll need that power to conserve the LP and gasoline the generator in the powerhouse runs on as well as the diesel for the bigger gen behind the barn. I'll check the fuel usage daily and decide in three days."
"How many alternators make up that hydro generator?"
"Three 12 volt CS130 85 amp alternators but their output drops to about 65 amps when they heat up under load. That's still about 2500 watts so it's an appreciable percentage of the solar array's power that goes directly to the flooded 12 volt battery bank. The fourth alternator is a 48 volt 85 amp unit that can be run into the charge controllers to provide a more controlled charge of either the flooded or the AGM battery bank. It provides about 4400 watts so a little more than the solar panels put out. It's a good option when we have multiple rainy days as we'll have stream power for more than a day for each half inch of rain we get. Even if the stream is providing fewer CFM than the maximum, it runs all day so we get 24 hours of charging instead of three to six hours when we depend on the sun."
"But solar doesn't require you to handle runoff."
"Correct. That's not a problem when we're growing certain crops but can lead to lots of mud if the water isn't needed for irrigation."
"You'll read for a while?"
"Until we're through the first batch of meds."
"Goodnight, Mr. Williams."
"Goodnight, Mrs. Williams."
---
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Post by kaijafon on Aug 24, 2017 17:54:26 GMT -6
Thank you !!!! Always a good read!
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Post by headlesshorseman on Aug 25, 2017 18:43:40 GMT -6
Great reading!
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 25, 2017 21:55:56 GMT -6
Posting may slow down for a few days. I'm doing some research for events in a future chapter and it's taking longer than I expected. Here's the next one.
Chapter 9 - Monday Morning
"Good morning, Kasey."
"What's good about it, Gramps?"
"The breakfast that's being fixed, maybe a good morning kiss on your nose, the opportunity to go out to collect teenage boys and bring them back with you."
"Huh?"
"Remember that the phones don't work?"
"The big storm yesterday."
"Correct. The only way to tell the crew that's been working here that we have a generator to provide lights and run power tools is in person. You and Alex can walk down the road and knock on doors to see if Matt Dixon and Bobby Thompson are available to work today. There are some others in the group but none of them close enough for you and Alex to walk to."
"What about the others?"
"I'll go out on the four seater ATV to check on and collect those who can work here today."
"All of them won't be here?"
"You think some of the families could have storm damage that needs attention before they go somewhere else to work?"
"Maybe. Was there any damage here?"
"Nothing obvious other than the power being off, but I haven't covered all the property. I'll also walk through the garden at some point today."
"Garden? Can … May I go?"
"So you are awake, Alex."
"Un huh. Just waiting to hear another reason to get up."
"OK. Is tickling this foot reason enough?"
"Stop! I gotta go!"
"You know where it is."
"You're mean!"
"No, I was just reading your body language."
"What body language?"
"Your 'if I move I'll hafta get up' body position."
"Not fair!"
"No different than it was ten years ago. You get up when called or foot tickles may find you."
"Why didn't you tickle my foot?"
"Kasey, your broken rib is more tender than her bruising and you jerking your foot away from me will hurt."
"Really? I thought it was just getting hugged and lifting things that hurt."
"Let me do a quick one finger test on this foot."
"Ow! You're right. I won't ask for that again."
---
"Gramps said we could go out and collect boys and bring them back with us this morning!"
"What?"
"Sarah, the phones don't work and two of the kids who've been doing the work here are within walking distance. Matt Dixon is about a half mile down the road and Bobby Thompson is half way back from there."
"There are no sidewalks! They'll be walking in the road! Are you crazy?"
"Sarah, have you heard any cars go by?"
"One or two."
"Were they flying down the road?"
"No. One of them is going slow and doing a lot of stopping and starting."
"Non-locals don't know this road exists. Locals don't fly down the lane-and-a-half road. They know that tractors may be on the road at any time. The stopping and starting are the sounds of mail delivery. I expect to get notification any sec…"
Beep! Beep! Beep!
"What's that?"
"That's the Mail Minder. It goes off when the door of the mailbox is open…"
"Why do you need that? Can't you just look out and see if the flag is still up?"
"We don't have outgoing mail every day, so the flag isn't useful as an indicator. The alert device also has a light that comes on as a reminder. The light stays on until you reset it. If we're in the garden we may not see or hear Tim's truck so the light tells us to check the mail."
"Now I remember."
"Do you also remember walking and riding your bike on this road to visit your friends?"
"That was different. I was older than they are!"
"Sarah, you were allowed on the road alone when you were ten."
"I was?"
"Check the pictures in the blue frame."
"My tenth birthday - my new bike! And I rode it to Olivia's house for a sleepover."
"Olivia, who lives a mile away, not the half mile the girls will be walking."
"She's still here?"
"When her husband was killed in a plane crash about five years ago, Olivia and her kids moved back here. Her parents died in a multi-vehicle pileup on the Interstate about two years later and she has stepped up to running the farm. She's doing a good job of it and we're proud of her."
"But there are coyotes out there!"
"Only where they can be close to cover…"
"What about the runoff ditches on each side of the road?"
"Walk out to the mailbox with me. You can see more of the road from there."
"See any place the coyotes could hide?"
"No. The ditches look freshly mowed."
"The County has them mowed quarterly to keep them open for runoff. Doug Jeffers has the contract which includes this road because he lives at the far end and has a mower with the articulated arm that can cut at any angle. When the coyote problems started, he told the neighbors that he would cut it every six weeks if they would provide fuel for the mowings the County didn't pay for. Even at $3 a gallon for agricultural diesel, that's a very small cost for the safety of people - especially for the kids."
"So the mowing is better than when I was walking and riding my bike out here."
"Yes."
"Sorry, Dad. My mouth got ahead of my knowledge again."
"Is it possible that your constant exposure to terminal stupidity at your very liberal academic workplace might have biased your judgement?"
"I think that's the most erudite way I've ever heard anyone say 'den of liberal idiots'."
"The knowledge I gained and the degrees I earned while working my way through college should have some daily application."
"How many degrees is that now?"
"If you're truly interested, you can go count them when we're back inside."
"On the fireplace wall in the library?"
"Correct. There's something in the mail for you."
"Who knows I'm even in the area?"
"Maybe someone who saw a car with California plates at Laura's place when they drove by one day last week?"
"The farmer's eyes that always notice changes?"
"Yes. Let's go back in and you can have privacy to open your mail."
"Privacy?"
"The return address has 'Lover' in it."
"Dad! That's not 'Lover'. It's Olivia L. Overstreet. 'Overstreet' is her married name."
"I know. We were at the wedding. I just thought you needed a little teasing."
"You're bad!"
"You're smiling."
"You're trying to make this feel like home. Thanks, Dad."
---
"Girls, if you want your own rooms, remember that we have five bedrooms here. You do not have to move but you have the option."
"Mom, I'll take my old room just to get away from Dad's snoring."
"I wanna stay where I am. Gramps' snoring is like the rain on the metal roof when I sleep in the cabins at Girl Scout camp. It puts me to sleep if I wake up."
"Alex, I think that's the only time anyone has ever said something positive about his snoring."
"She's right, Momma. It's better than yours. I wanna stay here, too."
"OK, Kasey. If the snoring gets too bad, either or both of you can use one of the other bedrooms."
"Only if Kase is with me."
"OK by me, Alex. I'm getting used to having someone close enough to touch when I wake up in the dark."
"You, too, Kase?"
"Yes, Squirt."
"Alex, you didn't complain about being called 'Squirt'. Are you feeling OK?"
"Momma, being called 'Squirt' makes some of the scary stuff go away. I might change my mind later."
"Then you're still you. You want to get dressed to go 'collect boys'?"
"We can?"
"I think you've already heard this at least once: you may."
"Yes. Momma. C'mon, Alex. I gotta look good for Bobby."
"Girls, nothing on your hair and no makeup."
"But Momma…"
"Those rules apply as long as you have stitches."
"How long will that be?"
"You didn't listen to the doctor's instructions?"
"I guess I didn't listen close enough."
"She said she'd check them in a week. You can ask about other things then."
"If you get to see the doctor."
"What do you mean, Dad?"
"Will the doctor's office be open if power is still off in a week?"
"It'll be that long?"
"The AM station at 690 has a generator and they are broadcasting for 15 minutes every hour …"
"Why not all day?"
"Alex, there are several parts to my answer. First, they have limited fuel for their generator. Second, where do the service stations store their fuel?"
"The filler things are in the driveway so it's underground?"
"Correct. Third, how do you get gasoline into your vehicle?"
"With the hose at the pump."
"Fourth, how does the pump move the gasoline?"
"I said 'pump'. Is it like the pump on your well that has an electric motor?"
"Yes. Can they pump fuel when the power is off?"
"If they have a generator?"
"That's a big if, Kasey. Do you remember which businesses had lights on yesterday?"
"The restaurant and the auto parts place. There's a gas station on the corner but it was dark."
"So where would the radio station get gas for their generator?"
"Wherever they have power."
"The latest newscast said the power is out over an area that's at least 80 miles east to west and 40 miles north to south plus some isolated areas beyond that. Current reports of damaged infrastructure include the highline down-conversion station, at least a half dozen substations and the telephone exchange that serves us and the people across the river in Wilkinsville. The electrical grid is designed to survive some lightning but at one point yesterday the storm was delivering more than 2,000 strikes every 15 minutes. Repair estimates are ten days or more to get a portable exchange trailer in at the telephone exchange and three to four weeks to get most of the phone and internet service back up. There are also power and telephone lines down because of fallen trees. They don't know how much damage they'll have from the flooding as the river isn't expected to crest until midnight or later."
"Are they using the stuff from the trailer you took to the Armory?"
"Yes, Alex. Locals have been providing vehicles to move what the Guard can't move. Three tractors went by with multiple wagons just after daylight this morning. I think it's reasonable to assume that they were heading for the Armory."
"How would they know to go there?"
"Several kids were out on their dirt bikes last night to notify those who could help."
"How would they know?"
"I walked down to the Thompson's and told Annie and Bobby. Bobby rode out to notify some others and they spread out with the message."
"Paul Revere on a dirt bike?"
"Paul and Paulette Revere. Four guys and two girls. Speaking of Bobby, you girls should head on out and tell Matt Dixon about power being available to work today and then tell Bobby as you come back this way."
"Which house?"
"Kasey, cross the road so you'll be facing traffic - if there is any - and read the names on the mailboxes. Although you'll probably find people who can direct you as most have been outside doing chores for a while."
"I remember - you get up when it's still dark."
"When we're caring for animals. Having the animals elsewhere and sleeping late yesterday felt like another day on vacation."
"Nana, 6:30 isn't 'late'."
"It is later than 5AM."
"Kase, I don't think you can win this argument."
---
"Hi. Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Matt Dixon."
"Matt! Someone out front looking for you."
"Mom, I'm busy!"
"I think you'll want this interruption."
"I don't know who you are but I'm glad you're looking for me!"
"I'm Kasey Gentry and this is my little sister Alexis. Paul Williams is our grandfather. He said to tell you that he has a generator so there's power for lights and power tools if you can work for him today."
"Mom?"
"Get your gloves and go. You've lost enough time this morning that you can ride your dirt bike if you have helmets for both of them."
"I do."
"Get the helmets. You help one of them and I'll help the other."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Girls, there are foot pegs here and here. I don't know if Alexis can get her arms around Matt to hold on so Kasey behind Matt and Alexis behind Kasey."
"OK."
"Either of you ridden like this before?"
"No."
"Yes."
"Kase, you didn't ride with Aaron Jenkins?"
"Once. Never again. He's crazy!"
"Does Mom know?"
"Oops!"
"We can talk later. You do get to hug the hunk."
"Yes!"
"So Kasey knows how to hold on if nothing more. Alexis, hug your sister like you love her. I'll try to give you a better ride than Kasey had her first time."
"We need to tell Bobby Thompson."
"I'll stop there."
---
"That was fun, Matt!"
"Go ask Bobby. We'll wait in case he can't work and you can ride with us."
"OK."
Knock. Knock.
"Hi, Alex! What's with the helmet?"
"Bobby, Gramps has a generator for lights and power tools if you can work today. We went to tell Matt Dixon first and we came back on his dirt bike."
"Mom?"
"Yes, Bobby?"
"I'm going to Mr. Williams' to work. He has a generator."
"And you plan to take your dirt bike so Alex can ride behind you?"
"If she's willing…"
"Get your helmet!"
"OK, Alex."
---
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Post by kaijafon on Aug 26, 2017 1:36:53 GMT -6
oh sweet! bike rides! MOTOR bike rides! awesome!
thanks
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Post by gipsy on Aug 26, 2017 8:32:31 GMT -6
Nice update
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Post by headlesshorseman on Aug 26, 2017 12:47:48 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 26, 2017 17:38:27 GMT -6
Chapter 10 - Back to Work
"That was fun, Bobby!"
"Ask if you can go riding with me again. There's a nice place for a picnic behind our house."
"What about the coyotes?"
"I have my rifle in the scabbard on the bike and I'll have a handgun if we go in the woods."
"You have guns?"
"I can't legally buy one, but I had gun safety classes in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts then Mom had Mr. Williams teach me how to shoot. I got the .22 rifle when I was ten and my late Dad's pistol when I was 13."
"I've never been around guns much."
"At least you don't start off with 'Guns kill people' like all the other California people I've met."
"Dad has some guns. His line is 'People kill people' 'cause it's been that way since Cain and Abel and they didn't have guns."
"I think I'll like being with you."
"Me too. If we go riding again, no one can complain if I can hug you."
"I sure won't complain!"
"Alex."
"Yes, Gramps?"
"Let Bobby stow the helmets so he can get to work. You will see him later when we feed the crew."
"Yes, Gramps. See you later, Bobby."
"See you, Alex."
---
"Dad, did you intentionally send the girls to Matt Dixon's house first?"
"Worked, didn't it, Sarah? Kasey is totally distracted from Bobby because Matt is older and has a truck - his grandfather's truck that Matt and his Dad have spent about two years restoring. Matt's a very careful driver because he's taking care of a one-of-a-kind family heirloom that has hundreds of hours of his time invested in it."
"Sometimes you go the long way around to take care of family but it'll be nice that they're not squabbling about a boy on a dirt bike."
"Speaking of alternate transportation, I should get an ATV and go check on some of the other kids."
"Paul, all of them don't need checking. Three riders on horses."
"Mr. Williams, will we be working again?"
"Yes, Debbie. I have a generator for lights and power tools."
"Kelly, today you get to help…"
"Power tools?"
"Not these tools for a 9 year old but you can ride out and tell Sue, Mike, Allen, Rose and Rob. They can get here by car or horse. Don't take any shortcuts through the woods because of the coyotes. We did coming over because Denise and I are armed - you're not."
"Got it. I saw what happened to those sheep at the Smith's place."
"Tell Dad that we'll be working all week. We'll be back before dark today."
"OK, Debbie. Have fun. I saw Matt's dirt bike."
"I see him out there ogling one of Mr. Williams' granddaughters. Even with the bruises and stitches, she's still in the top ten beauties in the county. Glad they don't live here or Denise and I would have some real competiton in the Miss Scott County beauty pageant."
"Considering who Bobby is talking to, Rose's sister would too."
---
"You're not going out on the ATV, Love?"
"Kelly Kilgore is now my messenger."
"Considering how much she wants to be part of the work crew that will please her. Having seen her and that horse move together, she can do it faster on horseback than you could on the ATV."
"That makes for two positives. She gets to 'work' and it saves gas we might need later for the generator."
"You're thinking weeks to months to get the power back up?"
"The electric co-op doesn't have the funds to rent enough big diesel generators and provide fuel for them to provide power for all their customers for months. If the damage includes multiple transformers and pieces of big switchgear, they won't have enough spares to replace all of it as they only stock a limited amount of spare equipment. Some of the pieces might be standard items but some of them are custom built. How long to get something from elsewhere in the country? How long to get something custom built? Some of the transformers are from elsewhere in the world. How long to get those here and how much longer to build and ship them if they're not a stocked item?"
"So no co-op power for months?"
"Possibly."
"We're OK here, but what will that do to local businesses?"
"From the lack of lights when we left Duffy's, it appears that almost none of them had a generator before the outage. I'll guess that only a few had the cash on hand to buy a generator and that the few generators available locally went very quickly. Other than the farms and the few other businesses that have gravity dispensed or hand pumped fuel tanks on site, where would they get fuel for a new generator unless they siphon it from ther almost empty vehicle? Where will those who have a generator but only five gallons of fuel get more fuel?"
"So some of the first generators should have gone to the gas stations?"
"Yes, although that probably didn't happen. People who live out from town often live by the 'fill on half' rule but how many others push it even after the 'low fuel' light comes on? Those people can't go 40 or more miles to get gas or anything else. Without phone or internet, a business with a generator can power the cash registers but it will be mostly cash or check as they can only take credit cards if they have an old manual credit card machine and some forms and the customer has an embossed card - many of the chipped cards are not embossed."
"That puts a major crimp in local commerce. You mentioned to Kasey that we don't 'carry wads of money'. We do have a 'wad' in the safe."
"And in several less obvious secure places. We should start carrying a bit more cash just in case. Maybe $300 each in twenties and smaller."
"$300 in twenties is almost a 'wad'."
"True. Say two fifties and $160 in twenties in the money belt and the rest in your wallet?"
"That works. What about the grocery stores and pharmacies that have perishable items?"
"Remember to include the people on insulin and other meds that need refrigeration. The produce at the groceries will keep for a few days. The milk products other than cheeses will only keep for at most a few more days without refrigeration. A big generator would work for one store but we're looking at a trailer-mounted generator to power 70 feet of meat and milk coolers and three aisles of freezers. If they could bring in some refrigerated trailers, they could use a freezer truck to store frozen foods and make ice to keep the store's fridges cool. Refrigerated trailers could also be used to store meats and milk products but they should be in separate trailers. Rental on the reefers or the big generator and fuel for the either will increase the cost of food. The best option would be for several stores to combine stocks and just have one generator or one set of trailers at the largest store."
"Gramps, there's a Sheriif's car out front."
"Thanks, Alex."
"Does it have anything to do with Daddy's bail thingy?"
"I'll ask about the bail hearing."
Knock. Knock.
" Why are you here, Amos?"
"You've probably heard what's on 690AM."
"We have."
"Their estimates are RCG,"
"So how much worse is reality than the rose colored glasses view?"
"It will take months to restore power. The highline station lost a huge transformer that was made in South Korea. Building and shipping a replacement will take at least three months, probably longer. Many of the businesses in Wilkinsville will die in three months and some of the people will be hungry long before that."
"Amos, have a seat and a cup of chamomille tea."
"OK, Carla. But why?"
"Paul and I were just talking about the situation and I made some notes while we spoke. Take a deep breath, let it all out and then read this list."
---
"This is all helpful. Can you also drain the flooded areas faster?"
"If you can get permission to flood part of the state park south and east of Wilkinsville. From memory I'd say that you'd be flooding out some wildlife breeding areas but nothing on an 'endangered' list. The Park Commission should be able to determine how much water release is acceptable."
"How do we release the water?"
"There are levees that protect a couple of roads to the park. Drop those levees by ten feet or so and that should reduce the water level here by three or four feet."
"Which university taught you that?"
"None of them. That tidbit is from working with the Corps of Engineers on a similar project on the Missouri River some years ago."
"I'll go call this in and see if the Guard can power one gas station."
"You might want to put up big signs about hours of operation and any limits on buying."
"And put a couple of Deputies there to enforce that. Thanks, Paul. You're telling me how to help other people. Do you folks need anything?"
"Were the courts open for Dave's bail hearing?"
"Not yet. The Courthouse generator is manual start instead of automatic and it wouldn't start this morning. If it had started, the transfer switch from line power to generator power has a locking breaker. Judge Wilson has a key, as do several other people but Judge Wilson is one of the people stranded at home by the flooding. He has backup power and a County radio and said not to send a boat unless the courthouse had power as he didn't want people trying to climb steps in the dark if the elevators weren't working and while the original wood paneling in the courtrooms is a marvelous example of local craftsmanship it makes them too hard to light with kerosene lamps."
"How are things at the jail?"
"Their generator ran about ten minutes and went up in a cloud of smoke. They moved the prisoners to the older part of the building that uses key locks on the cells instead of the electric locks in the newer part of the jail. One of the techs brought in the battery from his car and some other electronic bits to jury-rig something to get all the cells unlocked because the fail-safe of the electric locks unlocking on power failure didn't work. They cook with propane so that's OK but they'll be out of fresh food soon without power for the fridges and the freezers. Some things will be OK without refrigeration such as eggs and cheese but not the milk or meat. You sure you don't need anything?"
"Thanks, Amos, but we're good for a while."
"Your 'while' is probably long enough for an extended outage to only be an annoyance."
"Our granddaughters don't even think it's an annoyance yet. The lack of phones meant that we sent them down the road to tell a couple of the closest kids that I had a generator and they could be working today. They returned with each holding on tightly to the boy driving the dirt bike."
"The older one only has eyes for Matt and the younger one for Bobby?"
"Correct."
"At least they've chosen some good kids."
"We agree. I expect to get asked about a picnic very soon."
"That little lake behind the Thompsons'?"
"That's my guess."
"That's where I took Sadie on our first 'date'. I think I was 14 and she was 13 - that's about the ages of these kids are, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"One more thing - Duffy is singing your praises for getting his generator going and Sammy's praises for welding up a cage to secure the battery. Duffy's set up a buffet to feed the people who are staying in the high school gym because their houses were flooded. I told him to use the canned foods in the school cafeteria. He's adding his usual touches of spices and condiments. The sleeping arrangements aren't great but there are showers and the food is excellent."
"What about the water supply?"
"The treatment plant is running on generator. They have fuel for about a week. They and the Trauma Center have priority on getting fuel when tankers get here from outside the dark area."
"What about Scott General?"
"On generator and think they have two weeks of fuel. They're also on the fuel priority list."
"You said 'dark area'. Guess that's a good description. The radio said 80 by 40 miles…"
"Actually more than twice that, maybe closer to three times. Partly from interconnect damage and partly from storm damage. The reports we've gotten are from scattered areas and are very sketchy. Things could be worse than we know."
"So more than 50 miles to a working gas sttaion?"
"That distance is increasing by the hour. The ones closest to the dark area are selling three or four times their normal amount of fuel - even at $6 to $10 per gallon - and can't get another delivery scheduled fast enough. Most have sold out of gas cans, as have Walmart, hardware stores and home stores. Lots of people who start walking back to their fuelless vehicle with a can of gas discover how heavy five gallons of gas is after less than a hundred feet."
"Much easier to to carry a 50lb kid who can hold on than a 45lb gas can with an uncomfortable handle. And some of them are discovering that their vehicle suffers from some poor engine design choices and will need a mechanic's attention before it will start again if you let it run out of gas."
"I didn't even think about that! I did caution the deputies to watch the gauge and their location and plan to refill before it drops to a quarter tank. Better to have them make an extra trip back than to lose the use of a vehicle because it needs a mechanic or have it stranded out of radio range. The County radio system is partially working but not all of the hilltop repeaters survived. The maintenance shop thinks they'll be able to get all of them checked by the end of the day but spare parts might be a problem."
"If the problem is loss of power, the solar panels and batteries on the trailered roadside information signs might be a source of parts. Other than that, we don't have much in the way of solar power equipment available locally."
"You bought a trailer load from that solar shop in the state capital, didn't you?"
"Yes, but I heard that the old man was very sick and none of the kids wanted the responsibility of a one person business. I don't know if that shop would still be open or if you might be looking at a very long drive to get solar parts."
"I'll add those things to my list. Thanks, Paul. See you later."
"See you later, Amos."
---
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 26, 2017 19:05:35 GMT -6
Will it turn out that even three months is bein' overly optimistic?
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 26, 2017 19:19:29 GMT -6
Will it turn out that even three months is bein' overly optimistic? They don't yet know the extent of the damage. Just as the damage in Texas is still being evaluated, an accurate evaluation of the damage in and around Scott County will take time - and they don't have any TV trucks on site. So far, there's been no mention of any aerial reconnaissance being available or expected.
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 26, 2017 19:53:11 GMT -6
Nice to see that they're not in a hurry to use up resources, such as gas, just to have the "luxuries" right off the bat. Wonder of they'd be willin' to "loan" a gennie to a local gas station in return for more fuel, or maybe just to keep things workin' for the locals. I went to town after work this afternoon and was contemplating not gassin' up, but with 120 miles on the tank, and the speculation about oil prices spiking with the storm in TX, I burped the tank to take a whole 7 gallons. Just 'cause I have about 30 gallons on hand for running my 2 2KW Generacs and my 5KW Honda, I could probably get by using 2 gallons a day if I wanted to just use the Honda to pump water once a day and run the little ones alternating to use each gallon or so tank, but I see no need to have juice all day every day. Instead of gettin' 2 weeks use that way, it should be easy to last 3 weeks. I just don't dare run out when my dearly beloved wants easily made coffee first thing in the morning.
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Post by gipsy on Aug 27, 2017 8:40:21 GMT -6
Well we will see if people learned anything from Katrina. There are already 75 reported incidents of price gouging, like $99 for a case of water, also at least two looting incidents one of which ended not so well as the homeowner was still home.
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 27, 2017 13:50:25 GMT -6
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 27, 2017 18:42:44 GMT -6
Chapter 11 - Going Shopping
"Mr. Williams, that's a lot of money."
"It is, Mrs. Williams. I expect to use cash as a bargaining chip for my purchases today."
"And what might those purchases be?"
"First to Hiram's Auto Parts for vehicle and generator supplies. Oil filters and air filters for everything from the riding mower to the tractor to the SUV. Add enough oil for several changes, including the generators as they may see a lot of use if power is out three months or more. Spare V and serpentine belts and water hoses as appropriate. Then to the state capital to see if the solar shop there is still open or might be closed but looking to unload their inventory. If they're closed, I think the solar panels, charge controllers, inverters and batteries might be available at very reasonable prices."
"Isn't there a discount auto parts place there?"
"There is, but you must spend time seperating the cheap junk from China from the good stuff. Hiram seems more expensive because he only stocks the good stuff. Buying from him is a better use of my time and keeps the money in the US."
"Good reason for buying locally. How much solar are you looking for, Paul?"
"To double what we have installed and have about that much more as spares. We have three more people than we've had since I added the solar system and we'll need more power for a number of things - including running the well pump for more showers, washing more clothes, even charging toothbrushes, tablets and laptops."
"The powered toothbrushes to clean around the girls' braces. Tablets for Kasey and Alex. Sarah's laptop. You didn't mention cell phones."
"Until either the telephone office or that trailer Amos mentioned is providing landline service they can't test the cell service. Even if landline service is restored the cell sites won't work without power. The telephone exchange has a big diesel generator and I think Justin said they have a month of fuel… What's so funny?"
"I jusr remembered Justin's last name! He should be in the tractor business."
"If it weren't his grandfather's name, I think he'd go by his initials or his middle name instead. He's been teased about 'Justin Case' since we were in elementary school back in the dark ages."
"It seems we may be in the 'dark ages' again. So the telephone office should have power available when the other equipment is repaired?"
"Yes. Guess that's another place to get priority for fuel when it's back up. There's a cell tower up on Dawson's Bluff that has solar panels on it and might provide cell service for us but the other towers need either AC power or fuel for their generators. There will be fewer people with working cell phones when the power's been off more than a couple of days so we shouldn't get any 'System Overload' responses until power is restored over most of the area."
"Fewer working cell phones because they have no way to charge them."
"Correct. We have several ways, including the little solar charger that takes two days to charge my phone when it's turned off."
"You mentioned that it probably wouldn't deliver half the power it claimed."
"It doesn't. More like a quarter of the claimed power. It's fine for the digital camera as we can leave it hooked up until we need to use the camera."
"And you aren't concerned about the false claims because it was a door prize at the elementary school carnival last fall and you didn't expect anything because you never win door prizes. Then they called the ticket number for the $100 prize and totally destroyed your losing streak."
"I guess even a blind squirrel occasionally finds an acorn."
---
"Gramps, what did the Sheriff say about Daddy?"
"The generator at the courthouse wouldn't start and generator for the jail went up in smoke about ten minutes after it started so they don't have power either. They moved the people in the jail to the older section that they were planning to use for a 'Museum of Law Enforcement'. The cells there have old-fashioned key locks that don't need power. The judge who would have held the hearing is one of the people stranded at home by the flooding. He has radio contact with the County and said not to send a boat to rescue him as he's fine and to keep the courthouse closed because it's too dark to work in there without power."
"So radio is the only thing working?"
"Until they can do major repairs on the telephone system."
"Phones can work if you don't have power at your house?"
"Yes. The first US telephone exchange was opened in New Haven, CT, in 1878, before people in that city had electricity in their homes. Until the Rural Electrification Act was passed in 1935, much of the rural US did not have power. If those people were to have a phone, it had to be powered by the telephone office."
"So now everybody has to have power for their home phones?
"Not the wired phones, just the cordless ones or the 'all in one' packages."
"'All in one'?"
"Those are the packages that have phone, TV and internet in a bundle. They only get phone service back if they have a power source for their house and the local fiber system has power at the terminal near them. I don't have figures for the other carriers but the in-home router for Uverse has a battery backup that's good for about three hours. This outage is now beyond ten times that."
"So if you just have old-fashioned phones and dialup internet it works if your house doesn't have power?"
"If your laptop is charged, you can use it by candlelight."
"Huh? Oh, that was a long way to say 'yes'."
---
"Kasey, go tell the crew that lunch is ready."
"Yes, Nana!"
"She's excited about lunch, Mom?"
"Sarah, she's excited to have a reason to talk to Matt. Alex is somewhat more patient, as she seems to be OK with waiting until Bobby is at the table."
---
"After lunch, I'll be driving to the state capital to check on some supplies. Would Alex or Kasey like to go with me?"
"Me, Gramps!"
"OK, Alex. Kasey?"
"There's some things I can do to help in the barn."
"I didn't offer to pay you for working."
"That's OK. I'm family so it's kinda working for myself."
"OK. Rob is the safety coordinator so pay attention to what he tells you about clothes to wear for working, which safety equipment to use and the proper way to use the tools."
"Yes, Gramps."
---
"Gramps, you know why Kasey wants to work, don't you?"
"Fasten your seat belt first."
"It's done."
"I think that 'why' is spelled M-a-t-t."
"You think right. I have a question about a boy…" "Yes?"
"Well, it's… uh… I … I never had a boy ask me to do anything with him before!"
"Until Bobby asked you today. Did you say 'yes'?"
"Kinda."
"How can you 'kinda' say yes?"
"He said there was a nice place for a picnic behind his house and I said I'd like that!"
"OK, that's 'kinda' saying yes. Did you talk about a day or time?"
"No."
"Then you talked about doing something but it's not a 'date'."
"Momma said I can't date until I'm 14, same as Kase."
"Then don't call it a 'date'. Say it's an invitation to lunch or whatever meal is appropriate to the time."
"You won't tell Momma I asked you?"
"Gigglebox, I'm honored that you trust me with your secrets. Bobby is a good kid and I know that he'll be very proper with you. I think you should bring the subject up indirectly. Maybe at lunch tomorrow you could say something about you'd rather be having a picnic and Bobby could mention that they have a great place for picnics behind their house."
"You're sneaky!"
"No, just doing what worked for your mother when she was 13 and the boy she liked was 15. She did let him chase her until she caught him."
"You helped Momma set up a picnic with Daddy?"
"I thought he was a good kid so I made things work for them."
"He has been pretty good until recently."
"I think you need a hug but I can't reach that far across these bucket seats."
"That's OK. Knowing that you have a hug for me makes it better."
---
"Mr. Williams, you say you're one of Dad's customers?"
"Yes, Andrew. Look for 'Paul Williams'."
"You were a good customer! We've closed the shop but still have a little inventory. What are you looking for?"
"Several things. If you'll consider a discount for cash, we can each take a cart to the warehouse."
"I'm already seeing 40% off everything."
"Let's go look."
---
"The MSRP is $17,538. Less 70% makes it $5,214. Less 10% for cash makes the total $4,692.60."
"Call it $4700 and you don't have to make change."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Williams! You need help loading this?"
"It will go faster if there are two of us."
"How do you want things loaded?"
"I'll disconnect the trailer and you can use the forklift to load the first pallet of solar panels in the bed of the truck. Yes, they'll fit - it's an eight foot bed. Then batteries around the edges so they can be secured to the bed rail. Then I'll hook the trailer up and the second pallet can go there. We'll secure the remaining batteries around the edges of the trailer."
"You can tow this much?"
"Up to 12,000lbs with this trailer."
"The batteries are heavy but the entire load isn't even close to your limit. What about the other things?"
"There's room for all the electronics and the lighting on the back seat or on the floor in front of it."
"The inverters are the heaviest boxes so them on the floor and the others on the seat?"
"Correct."
"Now I can tell my sisters that the warehouse is empty and the shop can be sold or leased to someone."
"Thanks for your help, Andrew."
"Thank you for the business."
---
"Are we going home now?"
"Just one more stop."
"Where?"
"The mall…"
"Yes!"
"You don't know where in the mall I'm going."
"Doesn't matter. I'm going to the mall and Kasey isn't! Which stores?"
"Probably Macy's and maybe The Gap for clothes for you and Kasey. Probably Macy's and the sporting goods store for shoes for both of you."
"We're gonna live with you forever?"
"Not forever but probably for several weeks. Longer than you'll want to be wearing the same clothes all the time. And you can also help me do some shopping for your mother."
"That would make her happy. She hates shopping at Walmart even if it's the only place available."
"I remember that from when she was a teenager. She wanted some Nike shoes but not if I bought them at Walmart. I took a Dick's Sporting Goods bag with me and transferred the box from the Walmart bag to the other bag. She never knew. Now you know one of my secrets."
"I'm not gonna tell her! I think it's great that you were smarter than she was when she was a teenager and you're still smarter than she is about some things."
"You're a teenager. Do you think your mother might be smarter about some things than you are?"
"Not fair!"
"Parents have been smarter than teenagers since the first child turned 13."
"Even Cain and Abel?"
"Was one of them a real pain?"
"Heart stopping pain."
"You do realize that you sound like me?"
"That's a good thing, until it bugs Momma so much she starts getting loud with 'Must you be so much like Paul Williams?' I look like you so why wouldn't I be like you?"
"A pretty version of me."
"Yeah. You are kinda old and wrinkled."
"'Old and wrinkled'? I'll remember that when you want help with a picnic."
"Gramps, I was teasing!"
"So was I. We're at the mall. I'll set the alarms on the truck and trailer and we'll go shopping."
"Hold my hand?"
"I always like holding hands with a pretty girl."
---
"Gramps, you spent a bunch of money!"
"I'm taking care of family. Is there a better way to spend my money?"
"You're the best grandfather ever!"
"But you don't know all the grandfathers in the world."
"Then you're the best one I know."
"Wait before you grab that door handle."
"Why…"
BEE-Doop! BEE-Doop!
"Because I would have turned off the alarm system so you didn't wet your pants."
"Gramps!"
---
She took the pillow I offered and was asleep with her head against the window in less than five minutes. With her running down this quickly, they'll all need a while longer for their injuries to heal. Although I had a list of sizes, brands and colors from Carla, I wanted input on the clothing from one of the girls. Kasey got 'working' time away from Alex and Alex got shopping time away from Kasey. Good for both of them and the clothes are needed.
I'll need to work out a solar sytem design that uses some of what I purchased today and a safe place to store the other pieces. With two inverters I can split the house and barn loads on separate inverters and only provide power to the barn as needed. That will ensure there are no lights left on in the barn to drain the batteries unnecessarily. These inverters are newer and the specs say they are more efficient so I'll get more useful power out of them and less power going to heat up the electronics inside the boxes.
We're home. Alex is still asleep. The work crew is gone so I'll back into the barn and unload solar things tomorrow when I have plenty of help.
"Alex?"
"It's dark, Gramps. Where are we?"
"In the barn. I parked under cover and will unload the big stuff tomorrow when I have many helpers. Right now, I could use some help with these bags."
"Bags? The clothes! I'll help!"
---
"Paul, did you buy out the stores?"
"No, Love. Just got everything on your list and a bit more."
"A dozen roses! You romantic goof! We have all kinds of flowers!"
"But the roses that you like won't grow here."
"I love you, Mr. Williams!"
"I might like you a little, Mrs. Williams."
"You goof!"
"Momma, when do they come up for air?"
"Could be a long time, Alex. They've had years of practice."
"He really made Nana happy, didn't he?"
"Yes, Kasey. A special remembrance when it's not birthday or anniversary but 'just because I want you to have them'. That's how people who've been married 45 years stay married that long."
"It's sure worked for them."
---
"Sarah, this stack is for you. Kasey, this one is yours. Alex has already laid claim to hers."
"Why all the stuff, Dad?"
"Sarah, you won't be driving for a while. I'm sure you'd like a little variety in your wardrobe."
"Thanks, Dad…"
"Victoria's Secret?"
"Kasey, you should thank the girl you called 'little sister' in front of Matt this morning. She remembered that you had asked for something and your mother said only if it came out of your allowance but you were too embarrassed to go in the store and buy it."
"The purple set, Alex?"
"Yes, Kase."
"She went in and bought it, Gramps?"
"Yes, Kasey."
"Do you know what it is, Gramps?"
"Alex said it was dainty, delicate, feminine and purple. She didn't say what it was. Should I ask you to model it?"
"No!!"
"Then remember your manners."
"Thank you, Alex, and I won't ever call you 'little sister' again. Come here for a hug!"
"I think we need to talk, Kase."
"Second bedroom upstairs."
---
"You went in Victoria's Secret by yourself?"
"Yes, Kase. I'd told Gramps that there was something you wanted that wasn't on the list and he said for me to get it. The lady at the register asked me if I was sure of the size and I told her it wasn't for me but for my sister who was 15 and had real curves."
"Thank you again."
"You're welcome again. You and Matt made any plans yet?"
"You weren't here! How do you know?"
"You never volunteer for dirty work. If wanted to be near him that bad, you were gonna try for some time away from Mom."
"He mentioned a place for a picnic behind Bobby's house."
"So did Bobby."
"You have a date?"
"No, I just told him that I'd like that."
"If both of us were going on a picnic with a couple of boys, Momma wouldn't call it a date because I'd be there to watch you and you'd be there to watch me."
"We can talk with Matt and Bobby tomorrow. If Momma's hard to convince, Gramps will help us."
"Gramps? How does he know about it?"
"I never had a boy ask me to do anything with him before. Momma woulda been screaming crazy if I asked her about it so I asked Gramps while we were driving. He said he likes Bobby and he'd help if I asked. I'm sure he'd do the same for you."
"You asked Gramps about a boy! You are definitely not the little sister."
"Gramps loves us and is always taking care of us. Who better to ask when it was just the two of us and Momma couldn't possibly hear when I knew she'd go crazy?"
"When did you get so smart?"
"While you were riding with Aaron on his dirt bike."
"That was dumb. Did you tell anyone?"
"No. I said we'd talk later."
"I'm glad we did, sis."
"No more 'Squirt'?"
"Only if you ask me to."
---
"Love, what's going on with our granddaughters?"
"Paul, the big sister has just discovered that the little sister is braver and more mature in some areas than she is. I've heard an occasional raised voice but in the "Really?" or "You did?" voice that matches teenage girls talking about relationships with teenage boys. Are any picnics scheduled yet?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"Any requests for a picnic yet?"
"No, but I'd expect the topic to be brought up tomorrow. You're reading expressions?"
"Alex had that 'I'm gonna pop if I can't tell someone' look when you were bringing in the bags. She squirmed through supper like a two year old. She looked much better after she and Kasey had their talk. At supper she acted so much like Sarah did when she'd asked you about a picnic with Dave."
"Alex doesn't yet know how much like her mother she is in some ways."
"And she's fortunate that she's so much like you in other ways. Patient with Kasey about 'little sister'. Asking you about a boy because you were the practical choice. Buying some probably very skimpy lingerie for her older sister at Victoria's Secret because it was the store that had it. She looks like you and she sometimes thinks and acts like you."
"A prettier version of me."
"Perhaps, but I happen to like this version of you."
---
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 27, 2017 22:02:50 GMT -6
Thank you, sir. Glad you kept this goin' after the first chapter. Feel free to keep posting this one for another year or so.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 27, 2017 22:25:10 GMT -6
The latest post is Chapter 11. I have outlines (or a little more) through Chapter 17. That's 6 days of posting. At this point, no promises beyond that - although I have a list of unanswered questions about the situation. Some of those questions might get a one line answer but others might need at least several hundred words. The chapter count is at 17 because one chapter had grown to more than 4400 words so I split it. With Chapter 11, the total posting is about 23,700 words and we're not yet to the end of the third day.
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Post by kaijafon on Aug 28, 2017 16:58:04 GMT -6
and is there something WRONG with that? ? NO! absolutely there isn't!!!!!
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 28, 2017 17:44:11 GMT -6
Perhaps a little like James Michener's volume of words describing the formation of the Earth as the start of one of his novels? He's a bit wordy.
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Post by headlesshorseman on Aug 28, 2017 19:52:49 GMT -6
The latest post is Chapter 11. I have outlines (or a little more) through Chapter 17. That's 6 days of posting. At this point, no promises beyond that - although I have a list of unanswered questions about the situation. Some of those questions might get a one line answer but others might need at least several hundred words. The chapter count is at 17 because one chapter had grown to more than 4400 words so I split it. With Chapter 11, the total posting is about 23,700 words and we're not yet to the end of the third day. It is going to cover a year or so isn't it?
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 28, 2017 22:05:51 GMT -6
The Kindle version of "An Accidental Family" was 173,500 words with copyright, dedication and index. Chapter 12 finishes out Monday for 25,300 words in three days of story. At that rate, we'll be at 173,500 words in less than seven days of story. Don't know that my arthritic hands will hold up for that. I woke up much too early this morning because they were hurting. I may have to limit myself to 500 words a day or something. That will seriously impact productivity as my "something for later" notes (dialog/action that's much later in the story) sometimes run 500 words. An example would be the table conversation that breaks the ice about a boy-girl picnic was written a couple of days before the chapter that includes that meal. And now you'll be looking forward to a future chapter but you don't know which one ;-)
Chapter 12 - Time to Restock
"Paul, vehicle coming into the yard."
"I have the 12 gauge but the shape is a Sheriff's cruiser."
BEEP! BEEP!
"YOU STILL UP, PAUL?"
"Yes, Amos. Come on in."
"You come out, Paul. I may get a little loud as we speak."
"OK, Amos."
"Sorry if the horn woke the kids but I assumed you'd answer the door after dark with a shotgun."
"Correct assumption. The horn on that vehicle should be changed to something that sounds less like a Yugo and more like a law enforcement vehicle. What's important enough to warrant a trip out here after dark?"
"The Children's Home needs you to take your animals back."
"Why?"
"Jason Widrick wasn't aware of how much water the animals need until they started pumping it by hand. There's a reason they had a 500 gallon storage tank - the low flow of the well can only deliver enough water for people and animals for a day if there's power to run the pump most of the night to fill the tank for the next day's needs. They can meet the people needs with the hand pump but don't have the people to pump all night."
"That well was rated at better than 8 gallons a minute so the tank could have been filled from empty in a little over an hour. What happened?"
"They don't know what happened or when. The pump was running a lot at night when Jason took over managing the Home. I'll hazard a guess it's something the previous management did - or failed to do - and that they weren't completely truthful about the condition of the facility."
"I left the trailers there when I delivered the stock so that's one less thing to take time tomorrow. It's too late to do anything tonight but my work crew will be here in the morning. They can help me unload the truck and trailer I left in the barn earlier today. Then there'll be room to take enough of them to the Children's Home to collect and load animals. But it will probably be 9AM or later before we get there."
"Jason said just so you got the animals tomorrow. They'll feed and water them in the morning and do the morning milking."
"Then the timing will work out."
"You'll have enough water for them, Paul?"
"Part of the stuff to be unloaded tomorrow is enough solar gear to double the size of the system. We'll be OK to run the well pump most days. If we have fuel, I can fall back on a generator as needed. Without fuel, there's the stream in the upper pasture that's been piped to the paved washdown area by the barn for water and it can be diverted to my little hydro generator."
"That area is where you butchered animals?"
"Yes, primarily because it's easy to clean the concrete and we have almost unlimited water for doing the washdown."
"The stream is flowing pretty strong after all the rain?"
"Amos, a half inch of rain puts enough water in that stream to run the hydro generator for a day."
"So you have backups for the backups?"
"We have two sources of power that do not require fuel. If there's lots of sun, we use solar because the stream will be small. If there's rain, we use the stream because there is no sun. The additional batteries should give us between four and six days of autonomy so we can always wait a couple of days before starting a generator unless we need major power such as the worm-drive Skil Saw."
"That's a power-hungry beast but almost nothing slows it down."
"As long as the blade is sharp. You need anything else, Amos?"
"No, Paul. I'm just enjoying being somewhere that the people aren't asking 'When are YOU gonna get the power back?' and 'When are YOU gonna get us more food?'"
"That's not your job, Amos. Your job is helping maintain a bit of civilization so other people can make those things happen. Speaking of power, it's on at the state capital and out maybe a mile on this side of the city limits. That's still a long ways from us but if you can get status reports and a list of needs to the Governor, he does have people and supplies available in maybe a third of the state. It's strange that the storm got that far and then just stopped like a switch had been turned off."
"Having power at the capital is the only piece of good news I've heard all day. There's a pipeline terminal there! You think maybe…"
"I think you need to know which states that pipeline runs through so you'll know if the pumps elsewhere have power. Although there should be a depot that stocks some amount of fuel at the terminal. That could mean this part of the state won't be forced to wait on gas and diesel coming from New Jersey."
"I'll see what I can find out tomorrow and maybe send a Deputy with a list of questions and one of needs to the Governor's Public Safety liaison officer. It would be nice to get a regular delivery of gas and diesel even if it's only one tanker a week - we'd have fuel for the first responders, the hospitals and some essential businesses like Duffy's and Hiram's. I guess I'm still bummed by the guys that tried to crash the line at the gas station and came in shooting. The guys had .22 rifles and the Deputies had 12 gauge shotguns with slugs so you know how that ended - but the cruiser was sitting there wih all its lights on! It really bothers me that the stupid level is getting this bad so soon after the event."
"Leland and Leroy Jones?"
"How'd you know?"
"You mentioned the stupid level getting worse."
"Those boys have been headed for something deadly since they were 11 and 12. I don't know how their grandmother controlled them when she was alive but no one else could get through to them after her death - not even seven years in prison. Sorry to take my frustations out on you, Paul. You're one of the community anchors and don't deserve having me vent on you."
"You need to vent, Amos, and I rarely bite."
"Your terrible sense of humor is back. I guess it's punishment for bothering you this late in the day and disrupting what little schedule you have. I'll have a Deputy at the Home tomorrow at noon to escort you home as I'm guessing you'll be pulling three trailers."
"The same three I used to get all the animals there in one trip. Part of my work crew will be getting the truck and trailer unloaded and part will be getting the newly refurbished facilities ready for occupation. There's more work to be done here but we can move cows from one side of the barn to the other as needed and they're happy to be outside on any nice day."
"Your whole schedule has been turned upside down by someone else and you just calmly plan around it. How do you do that?"
"Partly something I was born with, partly practice and partly not drinking 30 cups of coffee a day as a Sheriff I know usually does."
"There is that last thing…"
---
"You look thoughtful, Love. Bad news?"
"Annoying news. The well at the Children's Home can't supply enough water for people and animals by hand pump. I'll be bringing the animals back tomorrow."
"Is all the work finished?"
"The cleanup and structural repairs. Some of the updates and part of the modifications remain to be done. If the weather is nice, the animals can be outside and we can do some of the inside work."
"But you did get the interiors and exteriors painted?"
"The last thing on the paint list was the fuel tanks and they were finished Friday morning. That's all done and it had time to dry before the rain got here Saturday."
"Then you've made good progress with the essentials and the 'nice to have' must now be fitted into the work of caring for the animals."
"That about sums it up. While I'm out getting animals tomorrow, will you take Sarah and the girls out to survey the flooding? I need to know what conditions are like elsewhere and seeing that will help them put things in perspective - they're not home but being with us means that they are in a good place. If one of the bridges is open, take them to see Laura. Also ask about what care Laura will need when she's released from the hospital. We do have extra bedrooms and we'll have live-in help for a short while."
"You'll have the truck so I'll take the SUV. I can get farther in it than any other civilian vehicle in the County."
"Good choice of vehicle. The tractor can go through deeper water but it can only carry a couple of passengers and those not all that comfortably. The others all asleep?"
"Alex mentioned falling asleep on the way back today. I agree with your assessment of their status - they need more time to recover."
"Do we have our bedroom back yet?"
"Not yet. Kasey and Alex headed there about an hour ago."
"Then we should do likewise. Tomorrow may be a very long day." ---
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Post by kaijafon on Aug 28, 2017 23:15:25 GMT -6
This is really getting good! thanks so much!
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