|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Aug 29, 2017 6:43:47 GMT -6
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Aug 29, 2017 17:28:32 GMT -6
Chapter 13 - Filling the Barn
Tuesday Morning
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
"Nana, what's that noise?"
"That's the battery-powered alarm clock, Alex."
"But it's still dark outside!"
'We get up early when we have animals."
"But your animals are at the Children's Home!"
"Only for a few more hours. Your Gramps will be taking part of the work crew to the Children's Home today to get the animals because without power their well can't provide enough water for people and animals."
"Why didn't they tell us sooner?"
"They have a large storage tank that the electric well pump filled. They didn't know they were running out of water until yesterday. The Sheriff was here after you girls were asleep last night to tell us about the problem with the water so your Gramps could start planning how to get the animals back. You will get to learn how to milk a cow, starting tonight and in the morning when this alarm goes off again at 5AM."
"5AM? I don't wanna learn that bad."
"You'll get to learn anyway. Every kid who lives on a farm with cows gets to learn."
"'Gets to'? Sounds more like 'has to'."
"That too. The animals need care so the available people give that care. You and Kasey are 'available'."
"Yuck! What are you laughing about, Momma?"
"I couldn't help overhearing about milking. I 'got to' learn how and now you will also. I think I've cautioned you to be careful about saying that you want things because you just might get them. You said that you'd 'like to learn how to milk a cow' and now you 'get to'!"
"Momma!"
"While you're learning about milking, you can also practice what you know about feeding chickens and gathering eggs. I doubt that we'll have any eggs tomorrow because of the unsettling process of moving the chickens to a new place but they'll still need to be fed on their regular schedule. You can also learn to feed the pigs."
"Yuck, Nana!"
"Then no bacon for those who think pigs are 'Yuck'."
"But they stink!"
"The bacon your Gramps is cooking smells OK to me."
"Me, too!"
"Sorry, Little Miss 'Me, too' but you've already said 'Yuck'. I think there's some tofu in the freezer that I can slice thin and fry for you."
"Tofu? Double yuck!"
---
"What do I hear?"
"Alex, that's part of the work crew. Finish breakfast and go get dressed for the day."
"Part of the crew?"
"Yes, Kasey. Two dirt bikes from just up the road. I expect Debbie and Denise will be on horseback again. Rob is the most distant worker and he will drive in and pick up the others on his way in."
"How do you know?"
"That's how they've done it most of the past two weeks. Rob will be driving because they don't have horses. If they did, this would be a good use for a horse-drawn wagon. Getting five or six people here in a single trip of one vehicle is efficient use of fuel."
"And most people don't have much fuel."
"Correct, Alex. Some of the farms around here and Doug Jeffers' construction business have their own fuel tanks on site because it's cheaper to buy in bulk."
"Who's going with you to get the animals?"
"The same crew who helped take them to the Children's Home: Bobby, Mike, Allen and Rose."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Alex, do you remember how to carry a chicken so it can't peck you?"
"For one, your arm around it kinda like this. For two, by the feet with them upside down."
"Get dressed. Wear jeans and a long-sleeved shirt for protection. Remember your gloves."
"On my way. Thanks, Gramps."
"I'm working, too, Gramps?"
"You're here, Kasey. Pay close attention to Rob's instructions. Another lapse in safety like yesterday and you will be in the kitchen doing laundry on a washboard."
"I'm sorry, Gramps. It won't happen again."
---
"I'll take the crew that moved animals before plus Alex to load the animals and bring them back. I need those of you left here to finish any essential work on the buildings here. Rob has the most experience with animals so he'll give out specific assignments. In addition to the mechanical work, the animals will need food and water available when they get here."
"Yes, Mr. Williams.
---
"Animal tamers…"
"You're silly, Gramps!"
"That's one of the things we like about working for him, Alex. He makes us laugh."
"Thank you, Bobby. As I started to say, if you have firearms with you, get them. The long guns can go in the clips on the back of the front seats. Handguns will go in the console. I'm old enough to qualify for a concealed carry permit so it's legal for me to trasnport handguns that way. You need to know that a couple of people tried to shoot their way to the front of a gas station line in Wilkinsville yesterday. Their Sheriff had deputies at the station and they stopped the shooters - permanently. I don't expect problems on the way to the Home, but we'll have trailers of livestock behind us when we return. If someone is willing to shoot others for gasoline, someone else might feel that way about more than a ton of meat. Anyone who doesn't want to go can stay here. Mike?"
"I'm with you, Mr. Williams."
"Allen?"
"Me, too."
"Rose?"
"Me, too."
"Alex?"
"I'll be safe with you, Gramps."
"Bobby?"
"I'm with you, Mr. Williams. And I'll keep an eye on Alex."
"Get your weapons and your gloves. The water cooler in the bed is full."
---
"Sarah, I'm going out to check the flooding closer to the river. If either of the bridges is open, we could check on Laura. You can ask Kasey if she wants to come with us while I check the oil and top off the tank of the SUV."
"Top off the tank? Oh, yeah - you have those big tanks out back. I'll ask Kasey."
"I see you're back alone. I think the visit yesterday made the girls confident that Laura would be OK."
"That's exactly what Kasey said. She did say that she'll go with us the next time."
"Then we can go."
---
"The river is really high! And there's some big stuff being taken downstream."
"I'm sure someone will be very disappointed to find out how well their Escalade floats. The Guard had mentioned being concerned about the lower bridge. Looks like the upper bridge caught most of the debris and it's closed but the lower bridge is open for one direction at a time."
"So we can get to the Trauma Center?"
"There and back."
---
"You're back, Carla."
"Yes, Wanda. Paul's collecting our animals back from the Children's Home and the girls are working so it's just the two of us."
"Go on in. Laura needs the company."
"Laura? You awake?"
"Yes, Carla. Just trapped in bed and feeling sorry for myself. The doctor said I could go home day after tomorrow but it'll be a week before I can do everything for myself and there's no one to take care of me! And what's happened to my animals?"
"Dry your tears, Laura. Your animals are fine. Jack and Linda Jackson and Lisa are taking care of your animals. You have a place to go. We have five bedrooms and Paul mentioned offering you a room and some live-in help for a while."
"Live-in help? I don't want to be a burden on you, Carla."
"Not on her, Laura. I won't be driving for a while so the girls and I will be here for at least a couple of weeks. We'll be your live-in help."
"Carla, thank you for the room. Sarah, thank you for the help. I didn't know what I was going to do with no one available to provide home nursing visits."
"What do you mean?"
"All the people being stupid about relieving themselves in the floodwaters and the other people being stupid about drinking flood water without filtering and boiling it. They've got a floor of sick people, even in the hallways on folding cots - here and at Scott General. That's why I'm still in the ICU - there's very limited staff to care for the regular patients. It's not public knowledge but Wanda told me what I'd need to know when I was released from here."
"That is bad. Do the Sheriff and the Guard know?"
"Wanda said they did. The Wilkins County water system is running at reducd capacity because all the debris in the river is partially blocking their intakes. What's needed is a boat or a barge with a crane to move stuff away from the intake. The Guard doesn't have boats or big enough water processing equipment to supply the water needs of all of Wilkinsville. Their planning was to provide relief for the flood plain area that people insist on building in, not everyone."
Knock. Knock.
"Sorry, ladies. Time's up."
"OK, Wanda. We have some things to think about. See you later, Laura."
---
"Mom, is that Duffy over at the ER?"
"I think so, Sarah."
"Duffy?"
"Mrs. Williams. So good to see you. My cook got careless chopping vegetables and chopped into his fingers. They are sewing him up. Other than hurting, he will be OK in a few days. Why are you here?"
"Laura Gentry, our neighbor and Sarah's mother in law, is in the ICU after surgery a couple of days ago. We were checking on her."
"Whether you are planning to go home or to come back for another visit, please do me the honor of allowing me to provide lunch for you."
"Thank you, Duffy, but we must say 'no' this time. There is a crew of teenagers working at our farm and we must return in time to finish lunch for them."
"Then at least stop long enough for me to provide them dessert."
"We can do that."
---
"Mom, choosing one cake out of the dozen varieties in that case was hard!"
"Sarah, that's why I suggested the chocolate cake. From what I remember of the kids at the house, they all consider chocolate to be one of the essential food groups."
Whoop! Whoop!
"Now what?"
"No other cars going this way, Mom. Guess you better pull over."
"Mrs. Williams? I'm sorry, Ma'am. I'm looking for Paul."
"Sheriff Tanner, he's at the Children's Home retrieving the animals we loaned them because they can't hand pump enough water for people and animals."
"I spoke with Sheriff Thatcher about needing help with our radio system. Most of the hilltop repeaters were damaged by lightning and Amos said Paul might be able to help us with restoring solar power on a few of them."
"I'll ask him but how will he contact you?"
"I have a briefcase portable radio that is configured for Wilkins County and Scott County Sheriff and Fire frequencies and the State Patrol's primary frequencies in this part of the state. It runs on AC or 12 volts. If you have a couple of minutes, I'll have a deputy bring it to you."
"We need to get home to feed the crew of kids that's working on the buildings and those who went to collect animals but five minutes won't make much difference."
"Thank you, Ma'am. I'll go call it in,"
"Mom, I see flashing blue lights in front of you now."
"But they're in the next block and there is no siren."
"This what you wanted, Sheriff?"
"Yes, Baker. Thanks for the quick response."
"Ma'am, do you want this in the back seat or in the cargo area?"
"Put it on the floor in the back seat."
"The number is on the case. Paul is Scott County 121 and Wilkins County 121. If he needs the State Patrol, use those IDs based on which county he's in. And thank you for your patience. Not having phone service and having limited radio coverage makes me want to have enough deputies to go back to officerss that walked a beat. At least there was someone within earshot most of the time."
"How much longer to get basic phone service back up?"
"They found more damage as they started clearing some of the obviously damaged equipment. That estimate is now six to eight weeks. Power is possibly in the four to nine month range as there's highline damage to the west of us. That storm system was packing F4 and F5 tornadoes out in the open spaces and some towers are down so the winds may have been even higher than the 318MPH of an F5. We're in better shape than some of the other areas hit by the storm. We have some wind damage and some flooding but an F5 just sweeps the ground clean - no buildings, no debris. I've kept you long enough, Ma'am. God speed."
"I think I want to be home very soon."
"Me, too, Mom."
---
"You'll have to wait here, Ma'am."
"What's the holdup, Deputy?"
"Stalled pickup in the middle of the bridge. No tow trucks available on the Scott County side and the only one here is the monster rig they use to upright semi's - but they're afraid it's too heavy for the bridge."
"Then let me put this in four wheel drive low and I can push it to the other side."
"Ma'am, are you sure?"
"Yes, Deputy Rawlings. You played defense for the Wilkins Warriors didn't you?"
"Uh, yes, Ma'am."
"If the driver isn't able to steer the truck with the engine off, you get in and do it."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Mom, you still have that 'Head Nurse' tone of voice."
"Sometimes it comes in handy. Now let's go slowly bend some chrome and plastic to make contact with solid metal to move that truck."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"You're welcome, Deputy."
"Mom, I'm beginning to understand why Dad has such unusual vehicles and why he's always certain that he can get home."
"If all your travel is on well-maintained paved roads, just about anything off an assembly line will get you from point A to point B. If your driving surfaces are somewhat different, you may need a purpose-designed vehicle."
"And the design purpose of this vehicle?"
"To get us home or to another safe place."
"It's working."
---
|
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Aug 30, 2017 7:52:25 GMT -6
YEP keep it up
|
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Aug 30, 2017 9:36:46 GMT -6
It does pay to have the right equipment.
|
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Aug 30, 2017 19:24:04 GMT -6
Chapter 14 - Noah in Reverse
"Gramps, why do you start off in second gear?"
"Alex, this truck has a six speed transmission to allow it to haul some very big loads and still get reasonable fuel milage. I only use first gear when the truck is heavily loaded or I'm towing a big load. The engine is a diesel which means it has a lot of power and can move heavy loads but a diesel has a limited range of useful engine speeds. To have the engine at its best speed for the load and the road speed, you must have the proper transmission gearing. Six speeds allow me to do that."
"Do all dually pickups have six speeds?"
"No. This is a custom vehicle, built to my specifications. Diesels don't have the 'pin you to the seat' acceleration of a sports car, but I can tow 18,000lbs with this vehicle. That would be seven of your mother's vehicle."
"That's a lot!"
---
"Hi, Paul. Sorry to dump this on you before you're ready for it."
"That's OK, Jason. I get to be Noah in reverse."
"Huh?"
"Because of rain, Noah took animals into a temporary shelter. Because of rain, I'm taking animals out of a temporary shelter."
"We should have you doing some of the Bible classes here on Sunday. You'd have the kids' attention as soon as you started speaking!"
"I think I'm more useful as an animal mover than as a Bible teacher. Kids, Mike planned this out so follow his lead. We don't want to forget something that makes us have to unload and unhitch trailer 2 to get to trailer 1 with that forgotten something."
"Yes, Mr. Williams."
---
"Mike, do you have all the animals?"
"Alex has the last two hens."
"The feed?"
"Have carts and shoulders lined up as appropriate."
"Then let's do it. Lunch should be ready when we get home."
"Yes, sir."
---
"Gramps, you're taking a lot longer between shifting gears."
"Remember that I mentioned diesels have lots of power but don't have great acceleration? The truck can move the three trailers but a kid on a scooter can beat us to the next corner. I also won't be going all that fast with a load this big and this long."
"That's why we have the Sheriff's car out front?"
"That's Deputy Colson but that's why he's with us - to warn other drivers of a large, slow moving vehic..."
Bang!
"What th… Alex, get the handguns out of the console then get down. Mike and Allen get your long guns."
"Not sure how much good a .22 will be."
"Semi-auto 12 gauge above and behind your seat, Mike. I can release the lock from here. Seven rounds of 00 buckshot."
Bang!
"They're coming up beside us!"
"Aim for the windshield and radiator. Keep shooting until they're discouraged or the vehicle is disabled."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"He's swerving!"
"Grab a handhold! If he hits one of the trailers we could be jerked across the road."
Thump! Wump! Wump! Wump!
"They've stopped. Anyone hurt?"
"I don't think so."
"All of you stay down while I check the shooters."
"Anyone injured, Mr. Williams?"
"Nothing that the adrenaline can't cover for the moment, Barry."
"I'll go right; you go left."
"OK."
"Oh, God! Someone help me!"
"Who are you?"
"Larry Jones."
"And why were you shooting at me?"
"Want your animals. Someone said no food coming in for months. We'll starve!"
"And my grandkids won't?"
"I don't care about them!"
"But I do. Deputy, I don't think any of the shooters survived this accident."
"I'll call it in, sir, and tell them we need the coroner's wagon."
"But I'll d…"
"Even LifeFlight wouldn't have helped him."
"Correct, Deputy. I just wanted him to die in as much terror as he had imposed on the kids with me."
"Yes, sir. I'll remember to never cross you about family."
---
"Are they dead, Gramps?"
"Yes. They didn't survive the accident. The driver lost control, hit the edge of the ditch and then over-corrected and sideswiped the truck and all three trailers. That spun him into the ditch and then upsidedown. They didn't have a chance."
I'll not tell them that the driver lost control when a couple of 00 pellets hit his cheeks and he let go of the wheel to grab his face. Mike doesn't need to know that he was the one who put them in the ditch.
---
"Mr. Williams, I had the front and rear cameras recording. If you will fill out the essential information on this accident report form, you can take the kids home. The driver was Larry's brother in law Dewey Cheatham. There are warrants out on both of them. If we need anything else, a Deputy will bring the paperwork out to you."
"Thanks, Barry."
"Just in case, I'll copy the camera recording to a thumb drive when we get to your place. Perhaps easier to explain what happened if you have video?"
"Yes."
---
"We can go home now?"
"After I check the truck and the trailers for damage, Alex. All of you may get out and stretch if you want but don't go near the other car. It's a crime scene and we don't want to contaminate it."
"Yes, Mr. Williams."
"Ow!"
"Who's the 'owie'?"
"Me, Mr. Williams."
"Yes, Rose?"
"It hurt when I tried to open the door."
"Show me how you moved."
"Like th… Ow!"
"I think you might have broken a finger or two. For now, I'll splint them with some supplies from the First Aid kit. My wife was a nurse and she can give a better diagnosis."
"Feels weird but it doesn't hurt as much."
"Nurse Williams will likely have something for pain as well. Those who want to see the dents come with me."
"They really hit this hard!"
"They did, Allen. The trailer fender is against the tire. I have tools here."
"A wrench?"
"A big pipe wrench that can get a bite on the metal of the fender and give me the leverage to bend it back out of the way."
"It's not like the others but it's not touching the tire."
"'Not touching' is all we need to get home. I have tools and equipment to do any further body repairs there. We'll need to check all the animals for injuries but there's no place to contain them here."
"One of the pigs is still squealing."
"He could be hurt or just scared. We can't fix either of those here. Load up."
---
"Nana, there's a Sheriff's car out front."
"Kasey, that should be the escort for your grandfather's animal rescue convoy."
"He has three trailers behind the truck!"
"That's how he took animals and feed to the Home so that's how he brought them back. Something's not right on this side of the truck."
"Carla, we need everyone to help with unloading. Some of the animals may be injured."
"What?"
"Show you video after we take care of the animals."
---
"That pig is still sqealing."
"We'll get to him as soon as we can. Put the piece of wood under the trailer jack and we'll disconnect the back trailer. I'll move the truck and the other two trailers up so we can get to the pigs. The third trailer is all feed so it can be tarped and left for now."
"Jack is down and hitch is clear."
"Get everyone back from the vehicles. OK. Five feet should be good. Open the trailer but slowly - you don't want to be chasing pigs across the lawn or into the road."
"This one can't run away! His ear is caught where the pieces of the trailer come together."
"Then he has good reason for squealing. Two of you grab his feet and I'll use this pry bar to get his ear out. Carla, does that need treatment?"
"Probably a couple of stitches and some antibiotic ointment. I have some self-dissolving suture thread inside. Two minutes."
"Take a deep breath, boys. If you thought he was hard to hold with his ear caught, he'll be much worse when I'm holding his head for him to be stitched up."
---
"The other animals are all OK, Paul, except for some ruffled feathers. What happened?"
"Let me plug this thumb drive into my laptop and you can see."
"I'll guess this is the rear facing camera from the Deputy's vehicle."
"Correct. The speed is down in the right corner."
"30 in a 55 zone. You did need an escort. Motion in the other lane?"
"Vehicle trying to pass us."
"That was a shot?"
"We have sound."
"Another shot?"
"Yes."
"Where did they hit?"
"One in the toolbox. The other one doesn't seem to have hit the truck."
"Shotgun?"
"Out the left rear window into the radiator and windshield to disable that vehicle or discourage the shooter."
"I see what happened to the side of the truck. You have bodywork to do on the truck and all three trailers?"
"Yes."
"That crash looks deadly."
"It was. To both of them."
"What were they after?"
"The animals. They'd heard no food coming in for months. It seems the rumor mill is running overtime."
"What a stupid way to die!"
"Sad, but true. I don't know about the others but I'm ready for lunch."
"Did you keep the kids away from the other vehicle?"
"Yes. At least 50 feet away. Told them it was a crime scene and we shouldn't contaminate it."
"Sneaky but effective. Tell them to wash up for lunch. We'll have it on the table in ten minutes."
"Thank you, Love. But first take five minutes to check Rose's splinted fingers. The nearest Xray machine with power is at County General so tell me if you can handle the damage or if she needs more serious care."
"Rose, come with me to check your fingers."
"Yes, Mrs. Williams."
---
"And your patient's status?"
"Dislocated finger. I can get it back in place but need you to hold the arm when I pull on the finger. I gave her 10mg of oxycodone and it will have taken effect by the time she finishes eating. No power tools for her for the rest of the day."
"Understood."
"After lunch, I have something for the kids and something for you."
"Treasures found while exploring the dangerous wilds of Wilkinsville?"
"Actually, yes."
"That should be interesting,"
---
"Chocolate cake!"
"That's what it looks like, Alex. The size tells me it's from Duffy's."
"That would be correct Mr. Williams. He was at the ER to get his cook's fingers sewed up after a close encounter with a large knife. He invited us to lunch but I told him another time as we had hungry kids coming for lunch. He insisted that we get dessert from him."
"And this cake makes the day for a number of kids."
"Probably anything chocolate would. Kids, I'll make the slices very thin. Mr. Williams won't want you so full you go to sleep standing up."
"You're silly, Nana!"
"But she's right about the cake, Alex. Neither of us could eat a slice as big as Duffy serves."
"This is so good!"
"That's what you said last time."
"It's just as good this time."
---
"Back to work for all but Rose. She gets medical treatment."
"Huh?"
"Mr. Williams will hold your arm and I'll pull that finger back into place."
"Will it hurt?"
"Some but that's why I medicated you before lunch."
"It doesn't hurt now and I feel really good!"
"We'll fix that. Ready, Paul?"
"I have the arm."
"OW!!"
"It's done, Rose. I'll put the splint back on and here's an ice bag. You're on the sofa or in the recliner the rest of the afternoon."
"But I gotta help…"
"No, you 'gotta' take care of this hand so you can work later. Alex and Kasey can fill in as needed."
"Yes, Mrs. Williams."
"You have something for me, Love?"
"Two things. Sheriff Tanner saw the SUV and did a lights and siren stop because he wanted to talk with you."
"That's always an unpleasant surprise. What did Joe want?"
"They need help with solar power for some of Wilkins County's hilltop repeaters in their radio system."
"If I replace some of the oldest solar panels with some from yesterday's purchases, there'll be some smaller panels about the size needed for the repeaters in both counties. How do I contact him?"
"Your other 'thing'. It's on the floor of the back seat."
"Then I should go look."
---
A small multi-channel radio. Frequencies listed are Scott County Sheriff and Fire, Wilkins County Sheriff and Fire and two that look familiar. State Patrol maybe? How much power does this need? That's good! Standby is 50ma at 12 volts - that's just a little more than the solar charge controllers. No problem leaving it on 24/7. Receive is one amp or less - that depends on the volume level. In the house we'll not have that anywhere close to the volume needed in a moving vehicle. Transmit is 5 amps. That's 60 watts input to the transmitter so it's a good power level and the 12 volt outlets in the various rooms are fused for 15 amps so this will be a plug and play. Is there an antenna? Yes. It's a magnet mount. It can go in the steel plate I mounted on the corner of the rain gutters for a mag mount CB antenna back in the day. Need a stepladder for that and the coax can be brought in via the feed-through I used then.
Everything is connected. Let's see if it works. F1 is Scott County Sheriff's Office. F2 is Scott Fire. F3 is Wilkins Sheriff. F4 is Wilkins Fire. F5 and F6 are State Patrol. F7 and F8 are labelled TAC 1 and TAC 2. Wonder which County? Start with F1.
'121 to Scott County.'
'Scott County. What do you need, Mr. Williams?'
'Radio check. I just installed the radio Sheriff Tanner sent me.'
'Read you OK, sir.'
'Thank you. 121 out'
'Scott County out.'
Now to see if Joe is available.
Go to F3.
'121 to Wilkins County.'
'Wilkins County. What do you need, Mr. Williams?'
'Radio check and Sheriff Tanner asked to speak with me earlier today.'
'Read you OK, sir. The Sheriff left a note that he would call you after 1900 today.'
'Thank you. 121 out.'
'Wilkins County out.'
"So you're now an official part of the Sheriff's Office in both counties?"
"So it appears. I also have access to the State Patrol."
"Well, Deputy Williams, does that mean you'll also get a badge and handcuffs?"
"I hope not. I'm being kept busy with family matters."
"And shootouts with mounted bandits attacking the stagecoach on its way to Dodge City?"
"I wasn't shooting. Mike had my 12 gauge.. The driver got pellets of 00 in both cheeks and took his hands off the wheel to grab his face, based on where his hands were when we checked the vehicle. Driverless vehicles don't do well on the roads around here. I just told Mike and the others that the driver lost control - not why he lost control."
"Good choice. What will you tell Mike if he asks for details?"
"That the driver made the bad choice of covering his eyes with both hands in case of flying glass. That's something you do with one hand and keep the other hand on the wheel. Same final result but less guilt for Mike. He's a strong kid but let's not make him responsible for the deaths of two outlaws."
"I think that will work. You'll be cleaning and reloading the shotgun tonight?"
"As soon as all the kids have left. Leaving it in the locked vehicle with the alarm on until they've all headed home is better than reminding them that it was used today."
"I rather like you, Mr. Williams."
"I like it when you tell me that way, Mrs. Williams."
---
|
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Aug 30, 2017 20:28:17 GMT -6
Thank you for a great chapter. Your efforts are appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Aug 31, 2017 8:04:23 GMT -6
Great update
|
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Aug 31, 2017 17:55:18 GMT -6
Chapter 15 - How Much Darkness?
"What ancient piece of hardware did you resurrect, Paul?"
"It's an older transistorized ICOM shortwave receiver that was their top of the line model at the time. It's very sensitive on the AM broadcast band. I'm using the 50 feet of clothesline as an antenna and should get semi-useful reception from across the country. The AM broadcast band will be better after dark and I'll try to get some stations just outside the damaged area in all directions to get a better overall picture of the status."
"More information than the County has?"
"Possibly. I can tell you more after I've listened and made notes - and compared notes with Amos and Joe."
"Just listening to US stations?"
"I'll also check the shortwave bands for some of the more reliable outside sources such as the BBC and Radio Vatican. I did renew my ham license a couple of years ago but I haven't bought any new equipment in a long time and the older tube-powered gear is something of a power hog. If I hear any ham conversations of interest, I'll note the times and frequencies and get my station set up for tomorrow night."
"Your power plans for tomorrow?"
"Getting at least 3,600 watts of solar panels in place. That sounds massive but it's just 12 of the 300 watt panels. Two of those will be replacing some of the original 50 and 100 watt panels on the powerhouse and the others will be covering the rest of that roof. After I hear from Joe tonight, I'll check with Amos on the status of the hilltop repeaters here and then I can sort the removed panels into stacks for each County and for us to keep - or maybe provide some neighbors with a little power. I can't create a big system with panels, batteries and inverters sized to run a well pump or fridge but could set up one panel and a vehicle battery to provide some LED lighting, power a CB radio for local communications and maybe charge a laptop - lots of people have a small inverter in their vehicle for charging things. Before cell phones, almost everyone here had CBs in the house and in their vehicles. We could probably find enough equipment in garages and barns to set up a local network that covered almost every house."
"I love my husband's creativity when he starts working on problems."
"I rather like your response to my creativity. How much longer will the girls be on the blowup mattress?"
"After being shot at today, I'd not be surprised to find Alex in bed with Sarah or us."
"I was surprised that she handled that as well as she did but you mentioned that she was more mature in some ways than Kasey."
"Regardless of maturity, that's an unexpected and scary situation."
"Should I start doing firearms safety training for them and some review for Sarah?"
"Not a bad idea. I'll bring it up to Sarah but I think she'll be receptive after seeing today's video. The girls do need to know how to protect themselves in some situations and I think Alex will be more than ready to learn how to shoot back."
'Wilkins 121 from Wilkins 201.'
"That sounds like Sheriff Tanner."
"I think so."
'121.'
'Go to F7.'
'Roger.'
'Wilkins 121 from Wilkins 201.'
'121.'
'Paul, my tech handed me a list of numbers and abbreviations. I'll read it off and you tell me if it makes sense to you.'
'Go ahead.'
'50W. 17.5Vmp. 2.9Imp. Need 2.'
'50 watt panel, 17.5 volts at maximum power point. 2.9 amps at maximum power point. I know that there are some 50 and 100 watt panels in what we'll be replacing tomorrow but won't be able to tell you how many I have or their physical sizes until we start taking the older panels down.'
'I'm just happy that you speak her language. Next item. 100W. 17.5Vmp. 5.7Imp. Need 2.'
'I have those written down. I'll get Amos' wish list either tonight or in the morning. If I don't have enough small panels to go around, you and Amos will have to draw straws on who gets what.'
'We can do better than that. The mobile units are all capable of working on either County's frequencies. With a little matching of the repeater coverage maps, we can manage on a couple fewer repeaters near the County line if we do some relaying between systems - there is some redundancy built into the two radio systems. We're two separate Counties but so many people live in one County and work or shop in the other County that it was to our advantage to spend just a few dollars more and have interoperability. Without phone service, that's been an extremely useful "more".'
'I should have a list for you by noon tomorrow.'
'I'll get with Amos so both of us will have the complete list of needed parts. Check in with whichever of us is available. He's Scott County 201.'
'I assumed that since you mentioned interoperability. The Fire assignments are similar?'
'Correct.'
'That's all I have, Joe.'
'Remember to go back to F1 so Amos can contact you. 201 out.'
'Roger. 121 out.'
"So you'll be the Sheriff's Solar Power Deputy in two Counties?"
"So it seems. Something smells good! You cooking or are you in teaching mode?"
"Teaching mode. Beef stew and cornbread."
"Excellent learning recipes. How much longer?"
"Maybe 45 minutes. There was some discussion about spoon versus fork for mixing cornbread - so Kasey's using a spoon and Alex is using a fork. Good experience for them and you can have all the cornbread you want tonight."
"Then I'll see what's on the AM broadcast band now and again around 9PM as the darkness line moves west."
"You even have headphones!"
"Don't want to distract our youngest cooks with the sound of a radio. They'd be asking to have it on most of the time and the additional power all day isn't in the current battery budget. Finding status and recovery information is essential. Listening to the radio isn't. We can charge phones, tablets or iPods for music as I'd expect most of the stations I find to be doing weather reports or damage updates."
"You'll have written notes?"
"Yes."
I should pull the list of 50,000 watt clear channel stations that I printed a year or so back. In the "Ham Radio" file drawer. It's in the "AM Broadcast" folder. There are stations across the country so I should be able to find the approximate edges of the area without power. Pull a US state outline map from the "Maps" folder. I'll mark where the working stations are and the empty spaces will give the "dark area". I'll use the list by frequency and work from lowest to highest.
After we eat, I'll check the list of "Shortwave Broadcasts to the US" by time to see who is on the air when.
---
I'm not sure whether my increased knowledge of the damaged area is a good thing or a bad thing. The working clear channel AM stations in Chicago, Nashville and Birmingham plus Baton Rouge and Corpus Christi define a ragged border of power to the east and south. To the north, Bismarck and Helena then to the west Boise, Salt Lake City, Carson City and Window Rock, AZ, make another ragged line of power. I'm sure there are more areas with power inside that circle but there are a limited number of clear channel AM stations that can be heard across the country and my clothesline antenna isn't the best choice. The antenna's orientation also favors stations to the southeast and northwest more than those in other directions.
The bits and pieces of weather reports from various parts of the US tell me the storm had an odd path. It started as a typhoon in the Pacific, moved east and made landfall in Mexico. Then it came across Mexico, moving north-northeast across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Then across Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and finally blew itself out in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and northern Arkansas with some lesser damage east of there. But it moved at an almost constant speed until it got here and then it stopped abruptly, like someone flipping a switch. Was this just a rogue storm or is there some truth in the rumors of HAARP being weather control? That's not something I'm likely to find out. The BBC reports referred to it as "an unusual storm" with "an unexpectedly wide and destructive path" so perhaps I'm not alone in my suspicions.
The station in Carson City mentioned coastal damage in California so perhaps the storm at sea was exceptionally strong? I'll spend more time on this tomorrow evening after I have a better antenna up. I'll try to get some of the less powerful stations in California for reports about Sarah's home area. I will have a choice of antennas that favor different directions. Perhaps even find a ham in the area for a "feet on the ground" report. Time to start a paper list of things to find out more about tomorrow.
1 With power off across the middle of the country can Sarah get gas to drive home? Highway status?
2 Any valid estimate on recovery time?
3 Will there be fuel for farming? For food transport?
4 People here heat with wood or LP. Will LP be available this winter or gas for chainsaws?
5 Will Sarah and the girls be here for the winter?
6 Will they empty the jail when there is no more food coming in? There are local farms but do they produce enough variety for a decent diet or is it mostly one crop farms? What about the state prison at the capital and the Federal prison one state over?
7 My initial quick survey only noted power in one refinery location - Corpus Christi. Baton Rouge has power but I don't remember whether they have a refinery and I can't check on the internet. What about the oil fields and the other ports and refineries in Texas and Louisiana? Oil can still come in on the east and west coasts but can they get it here and could we afford it if they did?
8 Will they be able to have school in the fall? We did some home schooling with our kids and still have those materials but will they be adequate for Kasey and Alex? That answer depends on us and the girls so we can get that answer figured out tomorrow without external input.
Time for a cup of chamomille tea and then to bed.
"Your tea, Love."
"Thank you, Love. Was I mumbling out loud or just so far away that you thought I needed chamomille?"
"You were very far away. I called your name twice before you looked at me so I could hand you the tea. Things are or will be bad?"
"Both."
"Talk to me. You'll feel better and I'll be better informed."
"This was no ordinary storm. The BBC reported it as 'an unusual storm' with 'an unexpectedly wide and destructive path'."
"How big was it?"
"This is my preliminary map outlining the area of outage. There are a limited number of clear channel AM stations and the clothesline isn't the best antenna but the stations marked give an outline of where I've verified they have power - on the air and not on generator. It's possible that I can't hear other stations that are inside the circle and I want to put up better antennas tomorrow to try for more AM station reports and maybe some reports from ham operators in or near the edges of the circle. But first we get the additional solar equipment installed so I'll have power to do that research. And there's this list."
"You are looking at the big picture. With what we have already canned and will freeze, can or dry from the garden and the stored LTS foods, we can feed ourselves plus Sarah and the girls for at least a year with no problems. Laura stocks similarly for herself so she would be OK if she's able to do the work at home. Alternatively, she could stay with us or Sarah and the girls could help her as needed. We have three water sources: the well, the rain cistern and the stream from the upper pasture. We do have excellent water filtering equipment."
"Fuel for farming next year is a concern."
"I agree, but you've done some 'no till' crops in the past. The yields weren't as good as the tilled equivalents but much better than not having those crops planted."
"True. We're probably in better shape than most of the neighbors and certainly than the majority of those in Wilkinsville. How much can we help them?"
"Not enough to feed all of Wilkinsville for a day, but we could see if there are enough tillers, fuel and hand tools available for some of the people there to convert lawns into gardens and partially feed themselves."
"I'll ask Amos and Joe if anyone is working on that."
"Finish your tea. You've solved enough of the country's problems for tonight."
---
|
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Aug 31, 2017 19:17:53 GMT -6
Thank you. Is a spoon or a fork better for stirring cornbread. I use a butter knife but my bowl has pretty steep sides. The edge makes better contact with the side of the bowl.
|
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Aug 31, 2017 19:27:36 GMT -6
for a quick story, he sure is showing that it isn't a quick story!!  'lists'...a necessary evil. And i only say that because after I make a list, I forget it at home or where I put it...only to be found months later...and I'm 'oh, I knew I forgot something' THANKS! |
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Aug 31, 2017 20:15:43 GMT -6
Thank you. Is a spoon or a fork better for stirring cornbread. I use a butter knife but my bowl has pretty steep sides. The edge makes better contact with the side of the bowl. I prefer a fork for mixing wet or dry ingredients. My wife prefers a spoon for mixing (other than scrambling eggs) but she does defer to me on making brownies. Collectively, we produce some excellent onion burgers - she mixes, I grill. We've been told that the only eatery that comes close is a little diner in Troy, AL. (Call a couple of hours before you come. We'll tell you which meat to buy and how much and where to get the baked beans and potato salad.) I prefer lather dispensers to liquid soap dispensers or a bar of soap but the stores want way too much for the lather dispenser 'refill liquid'. We buy the Publix house brand liquid hand soap, dilute it 50-50 with water, stir it gently for 30 seconds (with a fork) and Presto! we have lather dispenser 'refill liquid' That doesn't work with the SoftSoap liquid soap refill as it is too much water. I failed to log how many times the Dial lather dispensers have been refilled but it's easily in the dozens of times - there is a "fill to here" line on the back of the bottle. |
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 1, 2017 18:26:17 GMT -6
Chapter 16 - Power Up
2AM Wednesday
"No!! Don't shoot!!"
"Alex."
"No!!"
"Alex, it's Gramps."
"Gramps? It's dark! Where am I?"
"On the blowup mattress in our bedroom."
"Not in the truck?"
"No."
"There's not anybody shooting at us?"
"No, just a little thunder."
"Hold me!!"
"I have you. Let's go to the reading alcove and I'll turn on the light."
"We are inside. And I hear the rain and the thunder. But my dream was scary!"
"Your dream made the thunder into gunshots because that was what scared you during the day."
"But it seemed so real!"
"Your experience in the truck was real. The thunder triggered your mind to relive that event in a dream because it was the most recent loud noise you had heard."
"It's better when I'm with you. Hold me 'til I go back to sleep?"
"Yes. OK if I then ease you down on the sofa and let you sleep here with the light on?"
"Yes."
Ten minutes with her head on my shoulder and my arm around her and she's asleep. Hope the bad dream doesn't recur. Tonight's little thunderstorm is already moving away so maybe it won't be loud enough to disturb her again.
---
Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!
"What's that noise?"
"Same as yesterday, Alex. The alarm clock. It's 5AM and time for chores. Your turn to milk a cow again."
"Already? I'm tired and sleepy."
"You had a bad dream when a thunderstorm came through around 2AM."
"And you carried me over here so I could snuggle in the light until I went back to sleep. You're the best grandfather ever!"
"Maybe just the best one you know."
"That, too."
---
'Scott 121 from Scott 201.'
'121.'
'Paul, do you have an hour? It's important.'
'Amos, we're moving a little slower than usual today because the 2AM thunderstorm triggered a nightmare for Alex. Come on out and eat breakfast with us and we can talk while we eat or while I get the crew started on solar power work. After they're started, we can speak privately.'
'What's for breakfast? I'm running on coffee alone as I was contacted by the Guard before my alarm went off this morning.'
'Eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy unless you prefer cornbread and milk where we have two skillets of cornbread as Kasey and Alex disagreed on whether cornbread should be mixed with a spoon or a fork and each prepared a skillet her way last night.'
'Those girls know the way to an old country boy's heart! I'll try both. Be there in 20 minutes. 201 out.'
'121 out.'
"Ladies, we'll have a guest for breakfast so dress before heading for the table."
"Guest, Gramps?"
"Sheriff Thatcher needs to speak with me this morning and he's on his way now. I told him our breakfast menu and that Alex and Kasey had made cornbread last night and he wants to try cornbread and milk using both your recipes. That's a positive for him as it will keep him away from coffee for at least 30 minutes."
"Sadie will thank you, Paul. Amos lives on coffee."
"And where will he get coffee next month?"
"You think food transport will be interrupted?"
"Amos wants to talk with me because someone from the Guard woke him before his alarm this morning."
"That's guaranteed to be bad news of some kind."
"True. I think Amos could use a little bit of 'normal' and I think a little bit of 'normal' before I hear what he has to say would be good for me."
"You have diagrams for the panel replacements and the wiring changes?"
"Yes, Love."
"Then I can ride herd on the crew while Amos bends your ear. I'll assume that some of what he has to say is supposed to stay private."
"If I haven't already found out some of it from my radio research last night."
"True."
---
"Wash pail for the udders by the sink, Alex. Covered milk pail next to it, Sarah."
"Yes, Nana."
"Yes, Mom."
"Already have her doing the milking, Carla?"
"Amos, that's something she mentioned wanting to learn a couple of days ago. It's happened much faster than she expected. Alex got her first lesson last night. This is lesson two. Hopefully, she'll be able to keep the cow from kicking the pail over this time."
"She's getting to experience the real world of milking, not the pictures in the travel brochures."
"Exactly."
"Paul, we can speak after we eat. I should give these girls' cooking efforts my full attention."
---
"Which one is better, Mr. Thatcher?"
"More like strawberries and blueberries, Alex. I can't say that either is better. They're both good, they just have slightly different textures. I'd be willing to try them again another time to see if one is better then."
"Spoken as a true politician and cornbread lover, Amos. I've heard horses, dirt bikes and one other vehicle so the crew should all be here. Let me get them started and we can go to the library to talk. Here's something for you to read while I'm outside."
"What? How? Carla, where did he get this information and the map?"
"Something he put together in a couple of hours of listening to the radio last night. Is there a problem?"
"Only with the Guard's sources and their ridiculous ideas about secrecy. Some of the Guard's 'Eyes Only' info isn't as accurate or detailed as this is. I know that Paul was never officially in the military but was he in one of the alphabet agencies?"
"What's your security clearance?"
"TS4 when I left the Marines."
"Then I can tell you that he served but not which agency."
"Now I see why I'm the Guard's errand boy today."
"I noticed the folder you sat on while you ate."
"You were his partner while he was in Europe?"
"No comment."
"No wonder you're almost as good with firearms as he is."
---
"Love, I think the crew is good to go. Stack two 50 watt panels and two 100 watt panels for Sheriff Tanner. If Amos can find his list, make a stack for him. Then stack the rest by wattage on the empty shelves in the powerhouse."
"List is in my pocket. Here you go, Carla."
"Paul, I'll have the kids label and stack the smaller panels as they are removed. Those panels are a one person job as they're 20lb or less. The 300 watters need at least two people as they're about 50lb. The labelling and inventory sheets would be a good task for Rose as her finger is stiff and the hand is painful this morning so she should not be moving panels."
"Thanks, Love. To the library, Amos."
"OK."
"And I can relieve you of what has to be an 'Eyes Only' folder from the way you've been holding it."
"It is, but some of the information isn't as complete as what Carla says you gathered off the air last night. How'd you make the map?"
"Here's an outline map of the states. Here's my list of clear channel AM stations marked as on the air on commercial power or off the air. You mark their locations on the map and draw a line to connect the dots. You listen to the local news and weather to get local status. The stations that are on the air on generator power have local status which gives the storm damage there and the state of hospitals, water and sewage treatment plants and so forth."
"You were intel…"
"No comment."
"And very good at it. Does the Guard know anything that you don't?
"There are some things I planned to check on late today after I get a better antenna system up. Last night's survey was done using the clothesline as an antenna. It favors the wrong directions and it's too low for good reception. I plan to have better antennas and my ham station up for checking during the evening today. With the additional solar power, the added drain of the vacuum tube radio gear won't be a concern."
"Clothesline antenna? OK, revise my evaluation to clandestine intel gathering and reporting."
"No comment."
"That's OK. I'm comfortable with my evaluation. Your comments on the report, Colonel?"
"What, Amos?"
"Don't bother with a 'No comment' this time, Paul. I saw your doubletake. I also recognized the driving you did yesterday. That vehicle hit your truck and all three trailers and you not only stayed on the road - you barely got out of your lane. There are a very small number of organizations that teach that type of driving."
"OK, Amos. Does anyone locally have aerial or satellite images of the area the storm covered? Even the BBC described it as 'unusual' and 'unexpectedly wide and destructive' or something like that so there must be images available."
"Lieutenant Ferguson said he thought there might be images but they don't have the gear to get or print them."
"I knew those military budget cuts would come back to bite us in the ass - and they have. The weather satellite receiver I built some years ago is still on the shelf in here. Let me get a couple of the crew to help me with the antenna and we'll see if I can get anything from one of the NOAA birds or if there's anything else sending images."
"Anything else?"
"The Russians have a couple of recon satellites that are exact duplicates of one of the weather sats. If they're overhead, the access sequence is identical. That antenna system is in the barn. Rob and Mike are the biggest guys so I'll get them to move it and the tie-downs are still on the roof."
---
"Like this, Mr. Williams?"
"About four inches to your left, Rob. There are twist anchors that the bottom plate fits over."
"I see it. This one is locked."
"Mike?"
"This one is also locked."
"Then uncoil the coax and let it drop over the edge of the roof."
"That's all of it."
"Thanks, guys. You can go back to the easier work."
"I thought those big panels were heavy until we started moving this. Now the panels will be easy."
"Amos, I'll run the coax in via the feed through and we can go see if my homemade weather sat receiver still works."
---
"And the lights mean?"
"Red is power on. Yellow is sat detected and it gets brighter as the signal gets stronger. Green for image being received. The green is on because someone else has requested an image or we're at one of the scheduled download times. This download channel uses relatively simple technology intended for the general public to be able to access the weather images, so it takes a couple of minutes but it provides decent images."
"Where is this image from?"
"I'd guess Nebraska from the 'NE' on the portion of the image we've received. These 'rocks with arms' look to be collapsed highline towers. See the line they make?"
"How much wind to collapse one of those?"
"I'll guess the top end of an F5 tornado - over 300MPH although there is an F6 class for higher wind speeds - but you can't tell the difference on the ground."
"How do they replace those towers?"
"Best case? They assemble a new tower by bringing in big sections by truck. The sections are lifted into place by a Chinook helicopter that can lift 26,000lb."
"So it's mostly pre-assembled and goes together like an Erector Set?"
"On a good day with little or no wind. The downdraft from the chopper is bad enough. I have no idea how many towers might be down, how many component parts are available or how many Chinooks are available - although Boeing has built hundreds of them. You'll also need high rigging assemblers and fuel for the Chinooks and then fuel for the choppers that string the wire. Considering the darkness in areas of Texas and Oklahoma, the refineries there aren't running so fuel for anything may quickly become a concern in much of the country."
"There are some pages of price and availability projections by month and type of fuel."
"Probably optimistic for civilians because the prices will be up appreciably with some refineries down and even more if fuel is being trucked instead of moved by pipeline. Here are some maps from a couple of the pipeline companies. Without power in the circled locations, the pumps will be idle and no fuel will move."
"That puts us in a bad situation - along with most of mid-America."
"Are there some pages of questions?"
"The laser printed originals and the ones added by manual typewriter or pencilled on notebook paper as this folder came down the line."
"Some of the answers are obvious, some can't be answered and the rest need some thought. Do you have a return time for this?"
"ASAP, but I told them you'd put caring for people and animals ahead of it this morning because this is a working farm and you must work to eat."
"Then I'll put the folder in the safe and go check on power progress while I think about the answers. And I'll set up the receiver to get more sat images as well. Are you also the messenger to take this back?"
"Yes."
"Has anyone mentioned getting some of the people in Wilkinsville set up to have gardens? Tillers and fuel for the initial lawn turnunder and hand tools for planting, cultivation and harvest. There are acres of green grass there that could be growing potatoes, bean and squash."
"Good idea, Paul, but I haven't heard anything about it. I'll use the cruiser's radio to check with Joe and let you know."
"After that, you can go have some more cornbread and a cup of chamomille tea. I intentionally did not make coffee today."
---
|
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Sept 1, 2017 20:50:44 GMT -6
You're doin' a good job on this, just a bit slow. Wait... maybe talkin' about a voodoo doll of a wizard ain't necessarily a smart idea, huh?
|
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 1, 2017 20:58:34 GMT -6
Voodoo doll? Pins? No wonder mu hands hurt! Maybe I should just avoid this area...
|
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Sept 1, 2017 21:04:14 GMT -6
Nah, I think I know better than to mess with a wizard with a glowin' wand.
|
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 1, 2017 23:26:32 GMT -6
The wizard is from a couple of things when I worked in a "skunkworks" that created software for in house use (and sometimes fixed things that others had created and abandoned). My solutions then were functional but sometimes as out-the-box as some of the events in my stories. (i.e., a 5 to 1 speedup in processing email messages in two days of tweaking someone else's code). One of the other programmers started calling me "The Wiz" and I found that my ID on newly created systems was always "thewiz" and the family even started calling me "thewiz". The crowning glory was when I went back to college after I retired (the first time) and completed my Information Systems degree. One of my graduation gifts was a shirt with a wizard and the words "Official Wizard" embroidered on the pocket. I'd been "thewiz" for years but having a degree made it official so "Official Wizard". It seemed appropriate to have an avatar that matched the name so I did a little editing on a graphic from a CD of royalty free images. And I have the Wizard's hat (blue with gold stars) - something one of the kids got me for Halloween or that I picked up at Disney.
|
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 1, 2017 23:37:21 GMT -6
For those expecting another L-O-N-G story, it's unlikely. I have 5 more chapters almost ready for posting, a sixth chapter in the "needs editing" stage and a seventh chapter that's 3 lines of outline. That's a week of posting at the current rate. That will resolve some family issues but the ensuing months of the country's recovery are not included.
If you start whining I'll put cayenne pepper on one of your pacifiers but under a thin layer of honey and just the honey on all the others. ;-)
|
|
|
|
Post by pbbrown0 on Sept 2, 2017 5:15:34 GMT -6
Now THAT sounds like a great recipe for some hard candy! :-D
|
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Sept 2, 2017 5:50:52 GMT -6
Paul and Carla, hmmm.... shooter and spotter? Both in intel? or maybe spotter and shooter? (see what I did there?) nice new MOAR, much thanks offered! I think I'm gonna have to do something about these voodoo dolls.... <cough> |
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Sept 2, 2017 5:57:14 GMT -6
they just replaced a whole line of "high wires" and their poles/structures just south of town here this past year. The poles came in pieces and they used a really big crane to set them up. They are actually higher than the originals. But I don't think they are the biggest high wires possible. They are in pairs. A slimmer version bedded in concrete pads. pretty tall though. no chinook was used. |
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 2, 2017 11:53:51 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by freebirde on Sept 2, 2017 12:45:25 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Sept 2, 2017 15:39:59 GMT -6
For those expecting another L-O-N-G story, it's unlikely. I have 5 more chapters almost ready for posting, a sixth chapter in the "needs editing" stage and a seventh chapter that's 3 lines of outline. That's a week of posting at the current rate. That will resolve some family issues but the ensuing months of the country's recovery are not included. If you start whining I'll put cayenne pepper on one of your pacifiers but under a thin layer of honey and just the honey on all the others. ;-) Well, sir, I prefer only natural pacifiers, and I sincerely doubt that she'll let you near either with any pepper.  |
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Sept 2, 2017 18:22:51 GMT -6
hmmmm.... none of those pictures look like the things they set up here.
you're gonna make me get out there and take a picture, aren't you?
I'm closing my eyes on the pacifier comments!!!! TMI!!!!!
lol
|
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Sept 2, 2017 18:50:48 GMT -6
REALLY love your writing!
|
|
