Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine had come to some conclusions late in the evening by the fire. She was in a relatively safe place now. This was a strange conclusion for her mind to come to considering the recent events, but she was looking at now through a different perspective. For potentially the next four years she had a boss who would help protect her from the outside, and real friends who would help nourish her inside. She had a job she loved and the freedom to do it the way she knew she needed to. She also had two people she could talk to about what she went through and knew who she really was once.
One of the things she took as a good sign was during the campfire, a spontaneous sing along started up, not an unusual thing at a camp fire with beer and such. The unusual thing was she joined in. It had been years since she raised her voice in song. The music was coming back. The pieces of the old, old her were resurfacing from deep within her. She was shocked. She thought he had destroyed all of that. Even when she wasn’t singing last night, her fingers were trying to move with the songs. She had forgotten how much she missed it, how it used to fill her with joy.
When she heard Henrik was thinking of going into town for another round of food buying, she offered to go with him since Paige wasn’t going to be able to lift stuff and was staying behind to play radio with Andrea. Sabine had a couple errands she wanted to do in town as well. Taking the ginger wookie wasn’t a bad idea depending on the neighborhood the places were in.
Sabine also wanted to start some other shopping. Christmas would be on them and she had money to burn if she was honest with herself. Between her brothers SGLI, all her deployment money, plus not spending much in the past few years, she had more than a nest egg. She wanted to start looking at Christmas presents for her friends, and herself. She hadn’t celebrated Christmas in many years. She finally felt like it and wasn’t going to dampen these positive feelings. It had taken too long to feel again, she didn’t want to go back to numb and scared again.
One of the things she took as a good sign was during the campfire, a spontaneous sing along started up, not an unusual thing at a camp fire with beer and such. The unusual thing was she joined in. It had been years since she raised her voice in song. The music was coming back. The pieces of the old, old her were resurfacing from deep within her. She was shocked. She thought he had destroyed all of that. Even when she wasn’t singing last night, her fingers were trying to move with the songs. She had forgotten how much she missed it, how it used to fill her with joy.
When she heard Henrik was thinking of going into town for another round of food buying, she offered to go with him since Paige wasn’t going to be able to lift stuff and was staying behind to play radio with Andrea. Sabine had a couple errands she wanted to do in town as well. Taking the ginger wookie wasn’t a bad idea depending on the neighborhood the places were in.
Sabine also wanted to start some other shopping. Christmas would be on them and she had money to burn if she was honest with herself. Between her brothers SGLI, all her deployment money, plus not spending much in the past few years, she had more than a nest egg. She wanted to start looking at Christmas presents for her friends, and herself. She hadn’t celebrated Christmas in many years. She finally felt like it and wasn’t going to dampen these positive feelings. It had taken too long to feel again, she didn’t want to go back to numb and scared again.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik and Sabine piled into the big grey Cherokee. The road was empty this early on a Sunday. Sabine played with the radio until she found something decent to listen to. She could see Henrik was deep in thought.
“So, what’s going on in that melon of yours? You look like the gears are whirling.”
Henrik wasn’t sure where to start. He wasn’t sure how much to spill to Sabine. He trusted her. Hell, she saved Paige and stood ready to kill to protect her, so it wasn’t necessarily about trust. It was about not wanting to admit his fears and vulnerability.
“If the Sergeant Major is right, I don’t know how bad it’s going to get as far as food and other things.” He paused for at least a minute. Sabine didn’t talk, she just waited. Finally Henrik continued. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been poor or hungry. It’s something I hope you never went through. I refuse to let Paige go through it. I don’t want to live through it again.”
Sabine was taken aback by the bitter vehemence in Henrik’s tone. He was normally the big happy-go-lucky friendly guy unless someone pushes his buttons. This other side, the pointed, intense and protective person she had not seen of him in this abstract. Standing next to Paige’s unconscious body, sure, but this is different. She could see the untapped well of rage and violence bottled up inside of him. She knew in that very moment, he would be willing to do almost anything to anyone to protect the ones he loved. She knew it because she recognized it in herself.
“So, I take it the plan is to start buying food, as much as we can as often as we can to build a buffer for when the prices and availability go up?”
“That was my thought. The paranoid part of me worries about when things get short, what everyone else is going to do. We have plenty of room in the barn to store stuff but I don’t want everyone to know what we have. I want to look for other hard to get stuff and pick it up as well. I told Paige some of what I was worried about and had her start a list of automotive and other stuff we need to get, and keep getting while its available. She gave me a ‘right now’ list for this trip and is working on more. I think for the next couple of weeks, we will be going into town a lot. Before it was weather, now it’s trying to be ahead of the curve.”
Sabine sat and pondered on this while Henrik drove. She started adding to her list in her head of things to start getting. One thought was barter material might be more valuable than money. What things could she get now that will go up in value without taking up a lot of space or making them vulnerable? This was her mental puzzle as they drove.
“So, what’s going on in that melon of yours? You look like the gears are whirling.”
Henrik wasn’t sure where to start. He wasn’t sure how much to spill to Sabine. He trusted her. Hell, she saved Paige and stood ready to kill to protect her, so it wasn’t necessarily about trust. It was about not wanting to admit his fears and vulnerability.
“If the Sergeant Major is right, I don’t know how bad it’s going to get as far as food and other things.” He paused for at least a minute. Sabine didn’t talk, she just waited. Finally Henrik continued. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been poor or hungry. It’s something I hope you never went through. I refuse to let Paige go through it. I don’t want to live through it again.”
Sabine was taken aback by the bitter vehemence in Henrik’s tone. He was normally the big happy-go-lucky friendly guy unless someone pushes his buttons. This other side, the pointed, intense and protective person she had not seen of him in this abstract. Standing next to Paige’s unconscious body, sure, but this is different. She could see the untapped well of rage and violence bottled up inside of him. She knew in that very moment, he would be willing to do almost anything to anyone to protect the ones he loved. She knew it because she recognized it in herself.
“So, I take it the plan is to start buying food, as much as we can as often as we can to build a buffer for when the prices and availability go up?”
“That was my thought. The paranoid part of me worries about when things get short, what everyone else is going to do. We have plenty of room in the barn to store stuff but I don’t want everyone to know what we have. I want to look for other hard to get stuff and pick it up as well. I told Paige some of what I was worried about and had her start a list of automotive and other stuff we need to get, and keep getting while its available. She gave me a ‘right now’ list for this trip and is working on more. I think for the next couple of weeks, we will be going into town a lot. Before it was weather, now it’s trying to be ahead of the curve.”
Sabine sat and pondered on this while Henrik drove. She started adding to her list in her head of things to start getting. One thought was barter material might be more valuable than money. What things could she get now that will go up in value without taking up a lot of space or making them vulnerable? This was her mental puzzle as they drove.
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sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Paige looked at the paper in front of her. She had several plans laid out, all the way from Primary, which was living here, being in the military for another ten plus years, retiring and moving forward from there with Henrik, down through the base closing, Henrik going elsewhere, her having no job and going to her grandfather’s place to regroup and reevaluate the next phase of her life. This last level was the emergency plan. She figured what was really going to happen would be somewhere in between.
She was looking at what she could do to tip the odds in her favor. Sooner or later, she needed to talk with Henrik. Not just a chat, really talk. Both were on the downward side of their military careers. She loved him. She though he loved her. She needed to make sure. This will have a major impact on all of her plans. She was raised to be fairly self-sufficient and could make it without him. She didn’t necessarily want to, however.
If Her Grandfather’s place was her emergency location, when she talked to him, she better tell him. She really needed to talk with him in case they told her about the attack and injury. She needed him to know she was alright. She also needed to know if he was OK. The more she thought on him the more she missed his gruff and no-nonsense manor. She was sure he and Henrik would get along.
She was thinking all of this while she did her stretching and strengthening exercises. She had to get back healthy. She usually had no problems. She was strong, fast, and able to defend herself, except not very well right now. She needed the ribs to get better. She would track down the combatives guy on base to figure out some work-arounds while she healed. It was a shame Violet wasn’t here all the time. She would have a ton of things to teach her to make the most of her frame and reach.
Paige broke down and cleaned the M11 pistol she had with her. She needed to get used to carrying it around. The Sergeant Major didn’t rescind his earlier directive, nor pull the official concealed carry permit. She would run a few mags on base next week. It had been awhile since she had shot this pistol and didn’t want to be rusty.
She was looking at what she could do to tip the odds in her favor. Sooner or later, she needed to talk with Henrik. Not just a chat, really talk. Both were on the downward side of their military careers. She loved him. She though he loved her. She needed to make sure. This will have a major impact on all of her plans. She was raised to be fairly self-sufficient and could make it without him. She didn’t necessarily want to, however.
If Her Grandfather’s place was her emergency location, when she talked to him, she better tell him. She really needed to talk with him in case they told her about the attack and injury. She needed him to know she was alright. She also needed to know if he was OK. The more she thought on him the more she missed his gruff and no-nonsense manor. She was sure he and Henrik would get along.
She was thinking all of this while she did her stretching and strengthening exercises. She had to get back healthy. She usually had no problems. She was strong, fast, and able to defend herself, except not very well right now. She needed the ribs to get better. She would track down the combatives guy on base to figure out some work-arounds while she healed. It was a shame Violet wasn’t here all the time. She would have a ton of things to teach her to make the most of her frame and reach.
Paige broke down and cleaned the M11 pistol she had with her. She needed to get used to carrying it around. The Sergeant Major didn’t rescind his earlier directive, nor pull the official concealed carry permit. She would run a few mags on base next week. It had been awhile since she had shot this pistol and didn’t want to be rusty.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you 
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Andrea was working on the radio set up in the barn. She needed to tweak the antenna some more but that would have to wait for Sabine to come back. Andrea sure as hell won’t be climbing the rope to the rafters to work the antenna.
Andrea remembered as a little girl, climbing the rope in gym class. She always hated it. She forced herself to persevere. She always made it to the top, but always with her eyes closed. Heights were one of her weaknesses. She could do it, but didn’t like it. She did however like watching her fellow classmates as they climbed. She would watch their butts as they wiggled up the rope, shouting encouragement all the way. It was one of the reasons she came out to the barn while Sabine was working out. It was the simple pleasure of watching the form in action.
Andrea knew Paige was worried or upset when she came to the barn. She had a clipboard with lots of notes.
“Do you have the radio up and going yet?”
“Yeah, for the most part. I figured to tweak the antenna a little more when our spider monkey gets back. What’s up? Better yet, what’s wrong?” Andrea moved towards her friend.
“I’ve just been thinking too much about what the Sergeant Major was talking with us about. I thought I had another ten years and a few moves left before I needed to think about what to do after the military. He’s got me worried.”
Andrea could see this had Paige all spooled up. She was really pinging.
“Paige, we have time. He said these things could happen, not that they are for sure happening. Even if they are, he was talking five years or more. Relax! We can work through this!”
Even as she tried to calm Paige down, she was catching some of what Paige was feeling. What did she want to do after the military? She hadn’t really thought about it. She was more of a ‘I found my home in the military and I’m staying’ kind of person. She didn’t really make plans. She made too many of them as a kid, and growing up, only to see them fail or be derailed, leaving her disappointed and bummed out. Her solution had been to stop planning, that way she never was disappointed when they didn’t happen. She knew it was a very childish attitude, but until now, it kept her mostly happy. Would her retirement be enough to keep her comfortable? What would she do? She shook herself. That was a worry for another day.
“Let’s get you hooked up on this radio. How much do you remember?”
Andrea threw herself into someone else’s problem, it was easier than facing her own.
Andrea remembered as a little girl, climbing the rope in gym class. She always hated it. She forced herself to persevere. She always made it to the top, but always with her eyes closed. Heights were one of her weaknesses. She could do it, but didn’t like it. She did however like watching her fellow classmates as they climbed. She would watch their butts as they wiggled up the rope, shouting encouragement all the way. It was one of the reasons she came out to the barn while Sabine was working out. It was the simple pleasure of watching the form in action.
Andrea knew Paige was worried or upset when she came to the barn. She had a clipboard with lots of notes.
“Do you have the radio up and going yet?”
“Yeah, for the most part. I figured to tweak the antenna a little more when our spider monkey gets back. What’s up? Better yet, what’s wrong?” Andrea moved towards her friend.
“I’ve just been thinking too much about what the Sergeant Major was talking with us about. I thought I had another ten years and a few moves left before I needed to think about what to do after the military. He’s got me worried.”
Andrea could see this had Paige all spooled up. She was really pinging.
“Paige, we have time. He said these things could happen, not that they are for sure happening. Even if they are, he was talking five years or more. Relax! We can work through this!”
Even as she tried to calm Paige down, she was catching some of what Paige was feeling. What did she want to do after the military? She hadn’t really thought about it. She was more of a ‘I found my home in the military and I’m staying’ kind of person. She didn’t really make plans. She made too many of them as a kid, and growing up, only to see them fail or be derailed, leaving her disappointed and bummed out. Her solution had been to stop planning, that way she never was disappointed when they didn’t happen. She knew it was a very childish attitude, but until now, it kept her mostly happy. Would her retirement be enough to keep her comfortable? What would she do? She shook herself. That was a worry for another day.
“Let’s get you hooked up on this radio. How much do you remember?”
Andrea threw herself into someone else’s problem, it was easier than facing her own.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik and Sabine returned from their trip to find Andrea and Paige hard at work in the barn. Paige was working on something on the bench while Andrea was making notes and measurements at the radio. Andrea looked up as they drove in.
“Good, your home Sabine. I need some help. The antenna isn’t quite right. Where I told you to put it isn’t working well. Can you skooch up the rope and do some adjustments for me?” She batted her long eyelashes and put on her prettiest pouty smile
Sabine looked at her and grinned.
“We need to unload all this stuff and get it put away first. It wouldn’t be right to leave it all to Henrik to do and Paige isn’t allowed to lift shit.” She glared over at her. “You hear me? No lifting yet!”
Paige walked over, amazed at how stuffed her Cherokee was. She looked over at Henrik.
“What? Nothing strapped to the roof?”
Henrik grinned at her.
“I was afraid of rain.”
The next hour or so were spent putting things away, inventorying and making the next sets of lists. It was too close to dinner time then to do much.
After dinner, Sabine and Andrea went to the barn to adjust the antenna. Paige said she would be out in a little bit to try it out.
Andrea noticed Sabine was wearing gloves to climb the rope. She normally didn’t.
“What’s up with the gloves?”
“Fingers are a little sore, don’t want to lose my grip.” Sabine tried to blow it off, but Andrea wasn’t having any of it. She came over and before Sabine could stop her, she pulled one of the gloves off. The ends of Sabine’s fingers were cut up, red and swollen.
“What the hell have you be doing? Playing tug of war with barbwire? The North Koreans trying to get your potato salad recipe?” She took Sabine’s ungloved left hand, turning it and looking at the damage.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll heal up pretty quick and I’ll show you why soon enough.” She tried to get her hand back and put the glove on. Andrea hadn’t let go yet. “Come on, we need to fix the antenna.” Sabine tugged again and Andrea let her have her hand back.
“You’re going to tell me about it when we are done, right?”
“Yup, now, what’s the deal with the antenna?”
“Good, your home Sabine. I need some help. The antenna isn’t quite right. Where I told you to put it isn’t working well. Can you skooch up the rope and do some adjustments for me?” She batted her long eyelashes and put on her prettiest pouty smile
Sabine looked at her and grinned.
“We need to unload all this stuff and get it put away first. It wouldn’t be right to leave it all to Henrik to do and Paige isn’t allowed to lift shit.” She glared over at her. “You hear me? No lifting yet!”
Paige walked over, amazed at how stuffed her Cherokee was. She looked over at Henrik.
“What? Nothing strapped to the roof?”
Henrik grinned at her.
“I was afraid of rain.”
The next hour or so were spent putting things away, inventorying and making the next sets of lists. It was too close to dinner time then to do much.
After dinner, Sabine and Andrea went to the barn to adjust the antenna. Paige said she would be out in a little bit to try it out.
Andrea noticed Sabine was wearing gloves to climb the rope. She normally didn’t.
“What’s up with the gloves?”
“Fingers are a little sore, don’t want to lose my grip.” Sabine tried to blow it off, but Andrea wasn’t having any of it. She came over and before Sabine could stop her, she pulled one of the gloves off. The ends of Sabine’s fingers were cut up, red and swollen.
“What the hell have you be doing? Playing tug of war with barbwire? The North Koreans trying to get your potato salad recipe?” She took Sabine’s ungloved left hand, turning it and looking at the damage.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll heal up pretty quick and I’ll show you why soon enough.” She tried to get her hand back and put the glove on. Andrea hadn’t let go yet. “Come on, we need to fix the antenna.” Sabine tugged again and Andrea let her have her hand back.
“You’re going to tell me about it when we are done, right?”
“Yup, now, what’s the deal with the antenna?”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
It was late evening when Paige finally got an answer on the radio.
“Redbeard, this is Sprout. Redbeard, this is Sprout.” Paige tried for the umpteenth time.
“Sprout, this is Redbeard, Go.” She heard her Grandfather’s voice. It was scratchy and tinny but there was no mistaking it. He was listening exactly as he said he would. He didn’t seem too worried in his tone. Now that she was in contact with him, she didn’t know what all to say. She had thought of a thousand things, but she didn’t want to dump it all on the open radio. She needed to know he was ok, and she needed him to know she was ok. The rest can come later. What to convey now, and what to leave for later?
“Redbeard, this is Sprout. I’m working a PACE plan in case the boat sinks. It’s sprung a few leaks. Echo is you. Repeat Echo is you.”
Andrea and Paige sat there listening to the empty air for a few moments, then his voice came back over the speaker.
“Sprout, are you looking for a bail bucket or a beach?”
Paige had to think about his reply for a moment or two, then she understood. Was she asking him for a place to end up at, or did she need him to come get her. A small part of her wanted to tell him to come get her, and be that safe little girl, without all the worries and cares now in her head, but only a small part. She was stronger than that. She had to be strong for herself and for him. He was so proud of her, and she knew he would be disappointed if she just gave up and ran away. He would still love her, but he would be sad for her. Later they would have to go see him. Henrik would love his house and those two would get along great, she thought to herself. Her reply was short and succinct.
“If it comes to Echo, a beach.”
His reply came right back.
“Copy. Redbeard is at ‘Hole in the Wall’ with Sundance. Give a shout and we will leave a light on.”
That’s why she hadn’t been able to get in touch with him! He went to visit Zed! She loved Zed! He was such a riot! He showed her how to sneak up on the wild things in the woods whenever they went there to hang out! It was a shame about Marta. She was always cooking up something wonderful in the kitchen. She was the one who taught her all about the honey bees and how you can watch them working and they won’t bother you unless you startle them.
She forgot how much she missed them all. When the trouble is over, they had to go visit.
“Don’t expect me, but that’s why it’s Echo. Stay safe Redbeard.”
“You too, Sprout.” Came the reply.
“Redbeard, this is Sprout. Redbeard, this is Sprout.” Paige tried for the umpteenth time.
“Sprout, this is Redbeard, Go.” She heard her Grandfather’s voice. It was scratchy and tinny but there was no mistaking it. He was listening exactly as he said he would. He didn’t seem too worried in his tone. Now that she was in contact with him, she didn’t know what all to say. She had thought of a thousand things, but she didn’t want to dump it all on the open radio. She needed to know he was ok, and she needed him to know she was ok. The rest can come later. What to convey now, and what to leave for later?
“Redbeard, this is Sprout. I’m working a PACE plan in case the boat sinks. It’s sprung a few leaks. Echo is you. Repeat Echo is you.”
Andrea and Paige sat there listening to the empty air for a few moments, then his voice came back over the speaker.
“Sprout, are you looking for a bail bucket or a beach?”
Paige had to think about his reply for a moment or two, then she understood. Was she asking him for a place to end up at, or did she need him to come get her. A small part of her wanted to tell him to come get her, and be that safe little girl, without all the worries and cares now in her head, but only a small part. She was stronger than that. She had to be strong for herself and for him. He was so proud of her, and she knew he would be disappointed if she just gave up and ran away. He would still love her, but he would be sad for her. Later they would have to go see him. Henrik would love his house and those two would get along great, she thought to herself. Her reply was short and succinct.
“If it comes to Echo, a beach.”
His reply came right back.
“Copy. Redbeard is at ‘Hole in the Wall’ with Sundance. Give a shout and we will leave a light on.”
That’s why she hadn’t been able to get in touch with him! He went to visit Zed! She loved Zed! He was such a riot! He showed her how to sneak up on the wild things in the woods whenever they went there to hang out! It was a shame about Marta. She was always cooking up something wonderful in the kitchen. She was the one who taught her all about the honey bees and how you can watch them working and they won’t bother you unless you startle them.
She forgot how much she missed them all. When the trouble is over, they had to go visit.
“Don’t expect me, but that’s why it’s Echo. Stay safe Redbeard.”
“You too, Sprout.” Came the reply.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Earlier that day, as Henrik and Sabine got into town, they decided their order of shopping. Sabine had at least one or two stops she wanted to do, as did Henrik.
“OK, Henrik, I was thinking. What do we do if we lose power at the house? I know the base has generators and back-ups but, you guys keep telling me how bad the winters can get around here.”
“We had the power go out several times last winter. Depending on how long, how much snow and how cold, we can do several things, the most extreme of which is putting a tarp or some blankets across the railing between the living room and the kitchen level. The kitchen and upper floor get cold so we avoid that area. We use the fireplace in the living room for heat. We can crack a window and cook on the hearth with one of the camp stoves in addition to the top of the fireplace. Unfortunately, it was built for warmth, not cooking. We sleep in the basement using our extra bodies to provide the extra heat”
“I guess it’s good you have a king size bed down there to have room for all of us. I’m sure Andrea wouldn’t mind the additional cuddling.”
“Yup, and I have several spare sleeping bags stashed away so we should be good. I also have another six cords of wood being delivered this upcoming week.”
“Where in the hell are we going to put that much wood?” Sabine knew there was already a cord in the wood rack at the back of the house.
“A friend of mine showed me a trick he saw in Bosnia. You stack it ends in around a tree, then cover it with a tarp. The tree gives it more weather cover and makes it easier to find in the snow.” Henrik then switched to a different topic. “So where’s our first stop. The Big Box store is going to take up the most room, so I figured to do it last.”
Sabine gave him the address. He took it and thought for a moment.
“Hey, there’s a place near it that might have the bow stuff I’m after. Maybe drop you here,” waving the slip of paper, “and I’ll run over there and get what I need, then swing back for you.”
Sabine saw the logic of it. Besides, he would probably be bored, just standing around while she shopped and tried things. She wanted it to be a surprise anyway.
“Sounds good.”
They pulled up in front of their first stop. The neighborhood was an older one, but still well kept. The sign over the door was a little cryptic unless you knew what to look for or knew the name already. ‘Gambaldi’s’ was the name in faded neon, set into the wavy pattern of an undulating musical staff.
Sabine wasn’t sure when she last stepped into a real music store. This was the style she liked best. No big fancy store front, no daily specials and uneducated wait staff looking to push the bargain of the week. This was a musician’s store, not a browsers store. She could smell and feel the wood. This was a specialists’ store. No el-cheapos to be found. This was a stringed instrument player’s haven. Martin, Guild, Gibson, Taylor and a dozen other lesser known brands hung along the walls.
Sitting behind the counter was an older gentleman. His salt and pepper beard was well trimmed and there was a twinkle in his eye as he watched her walk up to the counter.
“What can I help you find today?” His accent was a little familiar but she couldn’t place it. A bit of a back east tone.
“I’m looking for a good 12 string.”
His face lit up, then he looked at her hands. He reached forward on the counter with both hands out palm up. “May I?”
She realized he wanted to see her hands. She lay her hands into his outstretched hands. He felt them for a moment, then pressed them palm to palm, measuring hers against his. He seemed to come to some conclusion, released her hands and sat back.
“You said good. That’s a moving target. Good sound? Good looks? Good beginner? Then there is new vs used, and as always, somewhere in there is price. So, whatcha after here young lady?”
“Right, not cheap. Good sound, I am looking at investment grade, not campfire beater or beginner.” She sounded more confident than she felt.
He nodded then walked off, retrieving a couple for her to try. He brought a Taylor and a Martin, both of which were new, set up well, and sounded quite good, even when her fingers stumbled. She was trying simple things. It had been too long to try any fancy guitar work. She played them back and forth until finally deciding they just didn’t feel or sound right.
“Anything else decent?” She asked the man, who had left her alone to play, without going too far. At her question, he nodded his head. He had been watching her as she played. There was passion and love in her fingers, the way she moved her hands. He decided to pull the other one down for her to try. He walked towards the back of the shop, returning with a single additional guitar.
She could tell it was old, but well loved. She tried to place it. Her brain kept telling her she knew this guitar, or at least its model. That’s when her brain pulled up the picture in her head. John Denver!
“Is that a…” She hesitantly asked, not even completing her question.
“1971 Guild Westerly F-612. It’s in pretty good shape, recently gone through by our luthier to keep it in top shape. You have the hand size and the arm span to play it. Give it a try.”
He handed her the guitar. It was, not so much electric when she touched it, as it was more of stroking a living thing. The wood was warm and comforting. She could almost imagine hearing all the music it had played over the years, all at once.
This model was the famous one of all the guys from the seventies she had listened to over the years. John Denver was one of its most famous players! Carefully she settled it into place, her fingers hesitantly finding their place. The first strum seemed to take a little rust off. As she started playing it, testing it to see if it fit her, or, more like did she fit it, the instrument seemed to warm up, ringing clearer and more insistent as she went. Before she knew it, she had been playing for a half an hour, her fingers aching but in a good way. She knew she had to have it. It was what she needed.
She looked up at the guy behind the counter.
“I’ll take it.” A smile was plastered on her face.
“Good! It’s been waiting for you here for the last fifteen years.”
His answer puzzled her.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s been here at the shop for the last fifteen years. I don’t just show it to anyone. Only the right customer. You are the right one. You better take good care of her. She will play sweet for you as long as you do.” He coughed a moment. “So, let’s get you hooked up with all the supplies you need for her.”
Her fingers ached and were a little bloody, but she didn’t care. She smiled at least this pain was healthy, it was the first time in a long time seeing her blood did not make her want to cry. The music would not get her beloved guitars smashed over her head. She could play it, share it and get her skills back. She did almost cry.
The old man acted like he did not see this. He knew she needed the guitar. It would heal her and carry her forward as it healed him and carried him through so many times for so many years. It was time to pass it on. She would love it. He had to say goodbye to Haniel.
Half an hour later, and several thousand dollars poorer, Sabine had a huge shopping bag full of strings, stand, tuner, and other care components for both her new 12 string and the little Taylor Baby Mahogany she picked up as a small travel and campfire guitar
“OK, Henrik, I was thinking. What do we do if we lose power at the house? I know the base has generators and back-ups but, you guys keep telling me how bad the winters can get around here.”
“We had the power go out several times last winter. Depending on how long, how much snow and how cold, we can do several things, the most extreme of which is putting a tarp or some blankets across the railing between the living room and the kitchen level. The kitchen and upper floor get cold so we avoid that area. We use the fireplace in the living room for heat. We can crack a window and cook on the hearth with one of the camp stoves in addition to the top of the fireplace. Unfortunately, it was built for warmth, not cooking. We sleep in the basement using our extra bodies to provide the extra heat”
“I guess it’s good you have a king size bed down there to have room for all of us. I’m sure Andrea wouldn’t mind the additional cuddling.”
“Yup, and I have several spare sleeping bags stashed away so we should be good. I also have another six cords of wood being delivered this upcoming week.”
“Where in the hell are we going to put that much wood?” Sabine knew there was already a cord in the wood rack at the back of the house.
“A friend of mine showed me a trick he saw in Bosnia. You stack it ends in around a tree, then cover it with a tarp. The tree gives it more weather cover and makes it easier to find in the snow.” Henrik then switched to a different topic. “So where’s our first stop. The Big Box store is going to take up the most room, so I figured to do it last.”
Sabine gave him the address. He took it and thought for a moment.
“Hey, there’s a place near it that might have the bow stuff I’m after. Maybe drop you here,” waving the slip of paper, “and I’ll run over there and get what I need, then swing back for you.”
Sabine saw the logic of it. Besides, he would probably be bored, just standing around while she shopped and tried things. She wanted it to be a surprise anyway.
“Sounds good.”
They pulled up in front of their first stop. The neighborhood was an older one, but still well kept. The sign over the door was a little cryptic unless you knew what to look for or knew the name already. ‘Gambaldi’s’ was the name in faded neon, set into the wavy pattern of an undulating musical staff.
Sabine wasn’t sure when she last stepped into a real music store. This was the style she liked best. No big fancy store front, no daily specials and uneducated wait staff looking to push the bargain of the week. This was a musician’s store, not a browsers store. She could smell and feel the wood. This was a specialists’ store. No el-cheapos to be found. This was a stringed instrument player’s haven. Martin, Guild, Gibson, Taylor and a dozen other lesser known brands hung along the walls.
Sitting behind the counter was an older gentleman. His salt and pepper beard was well trimmed and there was a twinkle in his eye as he watched her walk up to the counter.
“What can I help you find today?” His accent was a little familiar but she couldn’t place it. A bit of a back east tone.
“I’m looking for a good 12 string.”
His face lit up, then he looked at her hands. He reached forward on the counter with both hands out palm up. “May I?”
She realized he wanted to see her hands. She lay her hands into his outstretched hands. He felt them for a moment, then pressed them palm to palm, measuring hers against his. He seemed to come to some conclusion, released her hands and sat back.
“You said good. That’s a moving target. Good sound? Good looks? Good beginner? Then there is new vs used, and as always, somewhere in there is price. So, whatcha after here young lady?”
“Right, not cheap. Good sound, I am looking at investment grade, not campfire beater or beginner.” She sounded more confident than she felt.
He nodded then walked off, retrieving a couple for her to try. He brought a Taylor and a Martin, both of which were new, set up well, and sounded quite good, even when her fingers stumbled. She was trying simple things. It had been too long to try any fancy guitar work. She played them back and forth until finally deciding they just didn’t feel or sound right.
“Anything else decent?” She asked the man, who had left her alone to play, without going too far. At her question, he nodded his head. He had been watching her as she played. There was passion and love in her fingers, the way she moved her hands. He decided to pull the other one down for her to try. He walked towards the back of the shop, returning with a single additional guitar.
She could tell it was old, but well loved. She tried to place it. Her brain kept telling her she knew this guitar, or at least its model. That’s when her brain pulled up the picture in her head. John Denver!
“Is that a…” She hesitantly asked, not even completing her question.
“1971 Guild Westerly F-612. It’s in pretty good shape, recently gone through by our luthier to keep it in top shape. You have the hand size and the arm span to play it. Give it a try.”
He handed her the guitar. It was, not so much electric when she touched it, as it was more of stroking a living thing. The wood was warm and comforting. She could almost imagine hearing all the music it had played over the years, all at once.
This model was the famous one of all the guys from the seventies she had listened to over the years. John Denver was one of its most famous players! Carefully she settled it into place, her fingers hesitantly finding their place. The first strum seemed to take a little rust off. As she started playing it, testing it to see if it fit her, or, more like did she fit it, the instrument seemed to warm up, ringing clearer and more insistent as she went. Before she knew it, she had been playing for a half an hour, her fingers aching but in a good way. She knew she had to have it. It was what she needed.
She looked up at the guy behind the counter.
“I’ll take it.” A smile was plastered on her face.
“Good! It’s been waiting for you here for the last fifteen years.”
His answer puzzled her.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s been here at the shop for the last fifteen years. I don’t just show it to anyone. Only the right customer. You are the right one. You better take good care of her. She will play sweet for you as long as you do.” He coughed a moment. “So, let’s get you hooked up with all the supplies you need for her.”
Her fingers ached and were a little bloody, but she didn’t care. She smiled at least this pain was healthy, it was the first time in a long time seeing her blood did not make her want to cry. The music would not get her beloved guitars smashed over her head. She could play it, share it and get her skills back. She did almost cry.
The old man acted like he did not see this. He knew she needed the guitar. It would heal her and carry her forward as it healed him and carried him through so many times for so many years. It was time to pass it on. She would love it. He had to say goodbye to Haniel.
Half an hour later, and several thousand dollars poorer, Sabine had a huge shopping bag full of strings, stand, tuner, and other care components for both her new 12 string and the little Taylor Baby Mahogany she picked up as a small travel and campfire guitar
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sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
My father had a matched pair of 1974 Guild 6 and 12 string Dreadnaughts, complete with the herringbone trim, and later a Martin D-28, as well as a bout 60 or 70 others over the years. I have two of his last guitars and gave a good friend his last Martin since she will play it more than I can. I have a Guild d-25 Mahogany and a Taylor 12, and can't make much more than noise most of the time.
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Grouchy Granny
Deceased
Absolutely wondermous!
Keep up the good work! I can't wait till all the pieces come together.
Keep up the good work! I can't wait till all the pieces come together.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik spent more time than he expected at the archery store. Well, it was a sporting store, but their archery section was one of the best in town. He had been here before when he got his and Paige’s compound bows last year. He went straight to the back, where the archery section was. He showed the man there his list from Veronica. The grey-haired guy nodded thoughtfully and started pulling stuff from the case and shelves. Henrik watched and saw he was pulling more than what was on his list and called him on it.
“Son, you are specing out a real recurve hunting rig and supplies to keep it running. I figured you wanted enough to take care of this rather than half-assing it and coming back in a month pissed off.”
At this, Henrik nodded. He wished he had brought Veronica with him, but he didn’t think this guy was steering him wrong. He would have him explain the additions after they were pulled.
The pile was large. In addition to the bow itself, there were four extra strings, a good quality sight, a quiver that mounts on the bow, upgraded arrow rest, and a host of other stuff. Henrik looked at all this and made a snap decision.
“Set up another full set for my girlfriend.” He remembered her draw length so it was a simple matter to double everything. He also bought a ludicrous amount of arrow shafts, fletching supplies, field tips and broadheads. With Paige’s skills, she could make the arrows they needed easily, but just in case, he bought sixty arrows for each of them.
When the guy rang up the total, even with a very generous military discount, the total was the single largest purchase he had made other than a car. He started questioning his rational, wondering if he was going too far. He reminded himself none of this stuff has an expiration date and he could be working with it twenty years from now, when everything will be ten times the price. He remembered Paige showing him an ad from the early seventies for a Colt Gold Cup target pistol for two hundred dollars, and telling him the same gun now would be closer to two thousand dollars. Buy once, cry once.
He paid for everything and took it out to the Cherokee. He was able to fit the stuff into one of the pull out drawers under the cargo platform Paige had built in the back. This kept everything out of sight and out of the way for the groceries they were getting next. He had to scoot back over to pick up Sabine. Hopefully whatever she is buying will fit in the other drawer.
“Son, you are specing out a real recurve hunting rig and supplies to keep it running. I figured you wanted enough to take care of this rather than half-assing it and coming back in a month pissed off.”
At this, Henrik nodded. He wished he had brought Veronica with him, but he didn’t think this guy was steering him wrong. He would have him explain the additions after they were pulled.
The pile was large. In addition to the bow itself, there were four extra strings, a good quality sight, a quiver that mounts on the bow, upgraded arrow rest, and a host of other stuff. Henrik looked at all this and made a snap decision.
“Set up another full set for my girlfriend.” He remembered her draw length so it was a simple matter to double everything. He also bought a ludicrous amount of arrow shafts, fletching supplies, field tips and broadheads. With Paige’s skills, she could make the arrows they needed easily, but just in case, he bought sixty arrows for each of them.
When the guy rang up the total, even with a very generous military discount, the total was the single largest purchase he had made other than a car. He started questioning his rational, wondering if he was going too far. He reminded himself none of this stuff has an expiration date and he could be working with it twenty years from now, when everything will be ten times the price. He remembered Paige showing him an ad from the early seventies for a Colt Gold Cup target pistol for two hundred dollars, and telling him the same gun now would be closer to two thousand dollars. Buy once, cry once.
He paid for everything and took it out to the Cherokee. He was able to fit the stuff into one of the pull out drawers under the cargo platform Paige had built in the back. This kept everything out of sight and out of the way for the groceries they were getting next. He had to scoot back over to pick up Sabine. Hopefully whatever she is buying will fit in the other drawer.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you. Around 1981 we bought an very good, expensive lawn mower (push) for 250.00, thought wow! That same mower now is out of our price range for sure. I looked them up 20 yrs ago and that same mower was just under $1,000. Hate too see what it is now.
