Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Pop up that fast? That dangerous to the entire group? Ambush?
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Surely you recognise our old friend, Clifford?
Perhaps not; he seems a bit of a chameleon, no?
I'm sure clarity will be delivered soon but I think I need my heatable neck brace. This one caught me flat footed & I think I strained my neck.....
Last edited:
ted
Veteran Member
I agree, my head is still spinning...LOL
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you so much Pac,
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#240
"Hey!...……… what's going on. They are turning the wagons around, ……. why?"
Dory turned her shocked face toward Gary.
"If you would shut up for a minute, I'd tell you. You run your mouth faster than a carnival barker, and when your mouth is running away with your good sense, you can't hear a blamed thing." Gary walked back to his team and climbed up on the seat.
"I'm gonna follow them, and you can stand there and listen to yourself piss and moan from here to Sunday." Gary clucked to his team and pulled out around Dory's out fit, leaving her standing there.
Dory's team, used to following, obediently started up and fell in line behind Gary.
Dory was in the wind up to a magnificent hissy fit, when she realized her team and wagon were leaving her behind.
She started to holler and swear, and then realized that she'd better save her breath for running. Three times she got to the lead team, got them stopped, and before she could get back to climb up on the wagon, the team started up antsy to be close behind the leader, and she was left trying to out run them to get on board.
Gary was keeping close tabs on her, and when Dory stopped running and walked dejectedly as the wagons pulled away from her, he stopped.
Dory slowly drug herself up on the wagon seat and Gary started off, Dory had to grab for the reins in a wild flail of hands and arms, and was nearly pulled off the seat for her troubles.
Because she had been arguing with Gary and not getting herself ready to travel, she had only a third of a canteen full of water to drink, and a full canteen thirst.
Several times Dory considered pulling even with Gary and asking what the blazes was going on, why were they backtracking, and then she figured it was best to let him simmer down. She conveniently forgot her part in the yelling match.
Gary had the distant wagons in sight, and teams that were accustomed to traveling together stepped quicker to rejoin their sisters.
They didn't stop for lunch, traveling straight through as rapidly and safely as they could. In two days time they were back in the city of Belnap, conferring with the rest of the clan and friends.
The announcement that they were returning South, caused a big flutter in the community. George took one good long look at his and Millie's new store investment and declared he wasn't leaving. Millie stood by her man with unwavering faith, and sadly waved Clora goodbye when the time came.
The doctors Ammon conferred with one another and decided they didn't have the get up and go to retrace their steps. Most naturally, if Bruce and Trish didn't go, Phoebe refused to budge. Seamus wasn't unhappy with the idea, he went to pray about the situtation and was told to stay put. So he did.
Andy and Donny shook their heads no, they weren't interested in leaving. They had the beginnings of a good horse business that they didn't want to throw aside.
Dory visited with her sisters, surprised they had given up the Inn so quickly, and found them happy to stay and care for the families they were working for.
Gary stayed off by himself, waiting for the trek to continue, ignoring the hubbub of socializing that was going on in the small window of time allotted by Mark.
Early the next morning the South bound wagons pulled out of Belnap with goodbye waves and maybe a few tears.
They stopped at the burned homesteads, combed the ashes more thourally, rescued several overlooked items now that the ashes were cool. Mark dug around and retrieved the urns, packing them in his wagon to be considered later.
The further South they traveled, the less Tess and Clora were affected by the crippling headaches. The smaller clan was almost back to the crossroads when they met up with Corbin and a huge train of wagons.
To say that Corbin and Clara were surprised and astonished, was putting it mildly.
Corbin graciously allowed them to purchase many items that were needed from his grocery stock, and they waved as they parted.
The smaller group of wagons traveled hard and fast. It was absolutely essential they reach the retreat in time to seed a fall garden.
The retreat was empty. Oh, most of the furnishings were there, and there was still food in the storeroom; but there was no sign of the three young couples that had stayed behind.
Gary was disappointed to the max. He had high hopes to find the rest of his squad members, and see how they were doing. He still felt responsible for their well being and training, and was an unhappy returning camper.
Clora sank down in a kitchen chair and surveyed the interior of 'her' house with disgust. It was filthy with the dust and dirt of unuse and abandonment.
Rennie and Toby went to their house and aside from critter tracks and droppings, it was the same as they left it more than a year and a half ago.
Honey was anxious to investigate Bruce and Tricia's house, practically dragging Milo at a run. There was evidence that the house had been lived in, perhaps several months ago, but the house pigs were long gone.
"Pigs," Honey said disgustedly, "but Milo, this is a heaven sent opportunity. Our own place. I got so used to having our own house, I was not looking forward to co-habiting with your parents once again. I want my own place." she repeated loudly and stubbornly.
"Well," Milo pushed his hat back and rubbed his forehead, "it's ours, I guess. I don't see any reason why we couldn't live here, are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Honey said forcefully, and then turned to smile at Milo. "A new baby is noisy and I believe your parents have earned the right to peace and quiet."
"True," Milo acknowledged with a small laugh. "You are a pretty smart lady, do you know that?"
"I do know that," Honey fairly purred, "it makes quiet times when the grandkids go visiting their grandparents."
"Aha! Now the truth comes out; but I like the way you think." Milo gathered up Honey and gave her a long kiss.
Right on cue, there was a long suffering voice that said, "geese, their kissing again."
"Hey!...……… what's going on. They are turning the wagons around, ……. why?"
Dory turned her shocked face toward Gary.
"If you would shut up for a minute, I'd tell you. You run your mouth faster than a carnival barker, and when your mouth is running away with your good sense, you can't hear a blamed thing." Gary walked back to his team and climbed up on the seat.
"I'm gonna follow them, and you can stand there and listen to yourself piss and moan from here to Sunday." Gary clucked to his team and pulled out around Dory's out fit, leaving her standing there.
Dory's team, used to following, obediently started up and fell in line behind Gary.
Dory was in the wind up to a magnificent hissy fit, when she realized her team and wagon were leaving her behind.
She started to holler and swear, and then realized that she'd better save her breath for running. Three times she got to the lead team, got them stopped, and before she could get back to climb up on the wagon, the team started up antsy to be close behind the leader, and she was left trying to out run them to get on board.
Gary was keeping close tabs on her, and when Dory stopped running and walked dejectedly as the wagons pulled away from her, he stopped.
Dory slowly drug herself up on the wagon seat and Gary started off, Dory had to grab for the reins in a wild flail of hands and arms, and was nearly pulled off the seat for her troubles.
Because she had been arguing with Gary and not getting herself ready to travel, she had only a third of a canteen full of water to drink, and a full canteen thirst.
Several times Dory considered pulling even with Gary and asking what the blazes was going on, why were they backtracking, and then she figured it was best to let him simmer down. She conveniently forgot her part in the yelling match.
Gary had the distant wagons in sight, and teams that were accustomed to traveling together stepped quicker to rejoin their sisters.
They didn't stop for lunch, traveling straight through as rapidly and safely as they could. In two days time they were back in the city of Belnap, conferring with the rest of the clan and friends.
The announcement that they were returning South, caused a big flutter in the community. George took one good long look at his and Millie's new store investment and declared he wasn't leaving. Millie stood by her man with unwavering faith, and sadly waved Clora goodbye when the time came.
The doctors Ammon conferred with one another and decided they didn't have the get up and go to retrace their steps. Most naturally, if Bruce and Trish didn't go, Phoebe refused to budge. Seamus wasn't unhappy with the idea, he went to pray about the situtation and was told to stay put. So he did.
Andy and Donny shook their heads no, they weren't interested in leaving. They had the beginnings of a good horse business that they didn't want to throw aside.
Dory visited with her sisters, surprised they had given up the Inn so quickly, and found them happy to stay and care for the families they were working for.
Gary stayed off by himself, waiting for the trek to continue, ignoring the hubbub of socializing that was going on in the small window of time allotted by Mark.
Early the next morning the South bound wagons pulled out of Belnap with goodbye waves and maybe a few tears.
They stopped at the burned homesteads, combed the ashes more thourally, rescued several overlooked items now that the ashes were cool. Mark dug around and retrieved the urns, packing them in his wagon to be considered later.
The further South they traveled, the less Tess and Clora were affected by the crippling headaches. The smaller clan was almost back to the crossroads when they met up with Corbin and a huge train of wagons.
To say that Corbin and Clara were surprised and astonished, was putting it mildly.
Corbin graciously allowed them to purchase many items that were needed from his grocery stock, and they waved as they parted.
The smaller group of wagons traveled hard and fast. It was absolutely essential they reach the retreat in time to seed a fall garden.
The retreat was empty. Oh, most of the furnishings were there, and there was still food in the storeroom; but there was no sign of the three young couples that had stayed behind.
Gary was disappointed to the max. He had high hopes to find the rest of his squad members, and see how they were doing. He still felt responsible for their well being and training, and was an unhappy returning camper.
Clora sank down in a kitchen chair and surveyed the interior of 'her' house with disgust. It was filthy with the dust and dirt of unuse and abandonment.
Rennie and Toby went to their house and aside from critter tracks and droppings, it was the same as they left it more than a year and a half ago.
Honey was anxious to investigate Bruce and Tricia's house, practically dragging Milo at a run. There was evidence that the house had been lived in, perhaps several months ago, but the house pigs were long gone.
"Pigs," Honey said disgustedly, "but Milo, this is a heaven sent opportunity. Our own place. I got so used to having our own house, I was not looking forward to co-habiting with your parents once again. I want my own place." she repeated loudly and stubbornly.
"Well," Milo pushed his hat back and rubbed his forehead, "it's ours, I guess. I don't see any reason why we couldn't live here, are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Honey said forcefully, and then turned to smile at Milo. "A new baby is noisy and I believe your parents have earned the right to peace and quiet."
"True," Milo acknowledged with a small laugh. "You are a pretty smart lady, do you know that?"
"I do know that," Honey fairly purred, "it makes quiet times when the grandkids go visiting their grandparents."
"Aha! Now the truth comes out; but I like the way you think." Milo gathered up Honey and gave her a long kiss.
Right on cue, there was a long suffering voice that said, "geese, their kissing again."
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Gary was keeping close tabs on her, and when Dory stopped running and walked dejectedly as the wagons pulled away from her, he stopped.
Dory slowly drug herself up on the wagon seat and Gary started off, Dory had to grab for the reins in a wild flail of hands and arms, and was nearly pulled off the seat for her troubles.
I couldn't believe it! we've had gunfire and now, perhaps, realization?
Well that's possibly over optimistic: perhaps some maturity? Finally?
Oh yes, sorry; the rest was all good too but I was pretty sure these two would take each other out, so-to-speak. No, not on a date.
Thank you, Ma'am.
Dory slowly drug herself up on the wagon seat and Gary started off, Dory had to grab for the reins in a wild flail of hands and arms, and was nearly pulled off the seat for her troubles.
I couldn't believe it! we've had gunfire and now, perhaps, realization?
Well that's possibly over optimistic: perhaps some maturity? Finally?
Oh yes, sorry; the rest was all good too but I was pretty sure these two would take each other out, so-to-speak. No, not on a date.
Thank you, Ma'am.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Griz,
Don't give up hope. These two maybe approximately close to one another in location, but they are a 'loooong' way apart.
Don't give up hope. These two maybe approximately close to one another in location, but they are a 'loooong' way apart.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
I'm not that much of a romantic, dear lady: I'm actually surprised they're still in the cast of characters. I fully expected them to do each other in a while ago but you probably have something dramatic planned .....
Carry on; you'll tell us when you're ready
Until then;
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#241
The men put the hard worked horses away, finding items in the barn to be approximately the same as when they left. "There are still oats here, among the mouse droppings," Milo was peering in the metal tank that served as the supposedly mouse proof container.
"I find this beyond strange," Toby was muttering. "The horse manure is long gone dried up, so no animals have been here for a long time."
"No other animals around, no chickens or goats," he added for Mark's benefit.
"Ask me if that hurts my feelings," Mark smarted right back
"I can see how broken up you are," Milo laughed. "Ya know sumpthin? It feels good to be here. I didn't think I cared one way or the other, but this feels comforting."
"Yeah," Toby agreed. "Well, it's gonna be the mystery of the ages; what happened to the guys we left here. It looks like they skeedaddled two weeks after we left."
Gary had a black scowl plastered all over his face; he didn't want to hear any criticism of his men. Gary felt that reflected back on him as their leader, but the facts were facts and the houses were empty.
Horses were given a small amount of oats and turned out to pasture. Gary volunteered to walk the fence line and check that the fences were tight. He needed to be out by himself and do something, anything that didn't involve other people.
Honey and Rennie worked out a system of childcare while the other woman cleaned house enough for cooking and eating. Happy hearts hummed as they swept, wiped, polished and lovingly settled in home.
Dory and Clora repeated the same work in the main house, concentrating on the sink, counter, stove, and tabletop. All the time she was wiping and cleaning, Clora was puzzled at the suspended state of all the cooking utensils. Silverware and plates in the cupboard, frying pans, pots and of course Grandma Evie's beautiful Griswold in royal splendor on the wood burning stove.
The men put the hard worked horses away, finding items in the barn to be approximately the same as when they left. "There are still oats here, among the mouse droppings," Milo was peering in the metal tank that served as the supposedly mouse proof container.
"I find this beyond strange," Toby was muttering. "The horse manure is long gone dried up, so no animals have been here for a long time."
"No other animals around, no chickens or goats," he added for Mark's benefit.
"Ask me if that hurts my feelings," Mark smarted right back
"I can see how broken up you are," Milo laughed. "Ya know sumpthin? It feels good to be here. I didn't think I cared one way or the other, but this feels comforting."
"Yeah," Toby agreed. "Well, it's gonna be the mystery of the ages; what happened to the guys we left here. It looks like they skeedaddled two weeks after we left."
Gary had a black scowl plastered all over his face; he didn't want to hear any criticism of his men. Gary felt that reflected back on him as their leader, but the facts were facts and the houses were empty.
Horses were given a small amount of oats and turned out to pasture. Gary volunteered to walk the fence line and check that the fences were tight. He needed to be out by himself and do something, anything that didn't involve other people.
Honey and Rennie worked out a system of childcare while the other woman cleaned house enough for cooking and eating. Happy hearts hummed as they swept, wiped, polished and lovingly settled in home.
Dory and Clora repeated the same work in the main house, concentrating on the sink, counter, stove, and tabletop. All the time she was wiping and cleaning, Clora was puzzled at the suspended state of all the cooking utensils. Silverware and plates in the cupboard, frying pans, pots and of course Grandma Evie's beautiful Griswold in royal splendor on the wood burning stove.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
The ones who stayed, up and went, odd. Thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#242
Dragging himself back to the barn after an extensive check of all the retreats perimeter fences, Gary went to sit on the bench Seamus had crafted.
Rightfully thinking that if it held both Seamus and Phoebe, it would hold him.
Resting, he had a thought pop into his head. What about the long gone couple's apartment in the barn. Although he didn't fancy himself emotional or prone to flights of fancy; Gary had to face the fact that there was no way he wanted to go back to the suite where he and Jainy had lived. Too soon, too new and too raw.
Rubbing his chest over his heart to ease the ache he was feeling, Gary got up to investigate the apartment. It was perfect, he decided. It was some messy and stale smelling, but cleaner than living outdoors and the very best part, it was quiet and away from the crush of people.
He laughed out loud when the idea came to him that he was a hermit and the apartment could be called the 'Hermitage.' All the furniture was solid and sturdy if it held Seamus and Phoebe, and large sized Gary didn't have to worry about breaking any dainty lady foo-foo chairs; as he thought of them.
No. this was the perfect place. Away from the remembrances of Tess and her young boys, which would happen, if he chose to stay in the house, nothing to remind him of David and Scotty.
There was also absolutely no reason 'THAT' woman would ever need to darken his door. No reason at all. It was perfect for a cranky old man that just wanted to be left alone.
Clora, Tess and Dory went through the remaining rooms with a critical eye. They were basically untouched from the time the main family had left to go trekking.
Clora and Mark opted to use their original suite of rooms; they suited the couple just fine. Tess avoided the rooms she and Ben had shared, instead choosing the small suite that had been Gary and Jainy's. It was right next to the atrium, on the left hand side as you walked in the front door, away from Mark and Clora's rooms off to the right.
Dory had to inspect every suite and smaller rooms in the same wing as Tess. Finally she settled on a small suite across the hall and down two doors from Tess.
Bringing in her pitiful amount of clothes and personal items, Dory sat on the bed and hugged herself. She was tired. But never mind, they needed to eat and if she was tired, the older couple must be exhausted to the bone.
Clora had a dutch oven full of stew on the stove, warming. She was sitting at the table with her hand under her chin, asleep.
Mark came in from inspecting his domain. The men that had stayed behind, had used glass from the assorted cabins to repair the shattered glass in the main house, and he was thankful. It was a chilly night in July, and he went to stand close to the wood stove.
Dragging himself back to the barn after an extensive check of all the retreats perimeter fences, Gary went to sit on the bench Seamus had crafted.
Rightfully thinking that if it held both Seamus and Phoebe, it would hold him.
Resting, he had a thought pop into his head. What about the long gone couple's apartment in the barn. Although he didn't fancy himself emotional or prone to flights of fancy; Gary had to face the fact that there was no way he wanted to go back to the suite where he and Jainy had lived. Too soon, too new and too raw.
Rubbing his chest over his heart to ease the ache he was feeling, Gary got up to investigate the apartment. It was perfect, he decided. It was some messy and stale smelling, but cleaner than living outdoors and the very best part, it was quiet and away from the crush of people.
He laughed out loud when the idea came to him that he was a hermit and the apartment could be called the 'Hermitage.' All the furniture was solid and sturdy if it held Seamus and Phoebe, and large sized Gary didn't have to worry about breaking any dainty lady foo-foo chairs; as he thought of them.
No. this was the perfect place. Away from the remembrances of Tess and her young boys, which would happen, if he chose to stay in the house, nothing to remind him of David and Scotty.
There was also absolutely no reason 'THAT' woman would ever need to darken his door. No reason at all. It was perfect for a cranky old man that just wanted to be left alone.
Clora, Tess and Dory went through the remaining rooms with a critical eye. They were basically untouched from the time the main family had left to go trekking.
Clora and Mark opted to use their original suite of rooms; they suited the couple just fine. Tess avoided the rooms she and Ben had shared, instead choosing the small suite that had been Gary and Jainy's. It was right next to the atrium, on the left hand side as you walked in the front door, away from Mark and Clora's rooms off to the right.
Dory had to inspect every suite and smaller rooms in the same wing as Tess. Finally she settled on a small suite across the hall and down two doors from Tess.
Bringing in her pitiful amount of clothes and personal items, Dory sat on the bed and hugged herself. She was tired. But never mind, they needed to eat and if she was tired, the older couple must be exhausted to the bone.
Clora had a dutch oven full of stew on the stove, warming. She was sitting at the table with her hand under her chin, asleep.
Mark came in from inspecting his domain. The men that had stayed behind, had used glass from the assorted cabins to repair the shattered glass in the main house, and he was thankful. It was a chilly night in July, and he went to stand close to the wood stove.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you dear lady.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Ordinarily I could do that in a few minutes but I did a computer upgrade recently and my old copy of VISIO doesn't play w/ WIN10
and although I upgraded that too, I never got around to loading the new version or porting the file so 
.....sorry.The good news is there are a host of readers following this tale who have way better memories than I so I'm sure someone will respond anon.
On the other hand, one could take this as a reason to go back a couple of hundred thousand words and re-read until you find the answer; I think it may have been in the previous segment, Repeat or Repent, but I may be wrong. This is my incentive to try to get my new VISIO sorted out next week.
Do let us know when you find out though; my memory could use a little jog too.
G.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#243
When Dory and Tess got to the kitchen, Clora was still asleep and Mark was stirring the stew.
"Dad, this place gives me the creeps. I can see where some work has been done, but the majority of the place looks like it did when we left> Why? What happened to the three couples?" Tess shuddered as though she had a chill.
"And the temperature. This is North Carolina in July, by my reckoning, and it's cold."
"It is that," Mark conceded, "most unusual, but the heat and humidity will be here soon enough; then we can complain about that. I have plowing the gardens scheduled for tomorrow; the ground seems moist and if two of us plow, one cultivates and one harrows, we should be able to get a fairly good sized area ready to plant in short order."
"Has Ma looked for the seed we left here?" Tess was looking out the window. "Hey Dad, there's smoke coming out of the barn chimney."
Mark nodded. "Gary has spoken for the barn apartment." He didn't see the need to elucidate any further, and no one asked any questions.
"When we get the gardens ready, the boys and myself need to bring in wood, so don't obligate us for any duties for a week or so. This time, I believe we will skid in tree lengths so they are here in the compound. That way we can work them up under the relative protection of the group. I find it highly unusual that the retreat has been empty, and no one has claimed it as their own."
Clora had been listening and gave a shoulder shrug and a yawn. "I don't have any feelings one way or the other, no information," she concluded with another yawn.
"Goodness I seem sleepy, it seems like I can't catch up on my sleep. Do you want biscuits or corn bread with the stew?"
"Which ever is chosen, you are going to sit while Dory and I make supper," Tess announced.
Three little boys wanted corn bread and honey, and they tipped the vote in their favor.
When Dory and Tess got to the kitchen, Clora was still asleep and Mark was stirring the stew.
"Dad, this place gives me the creeps. I can see where some work has been done, but the majority of the place looks like it did when we left> Why? What happened to the three couples?" Tess shuddered as though she had a chill.
"And the temperature. This is North Carolina in July, by my reckoning, and it's cold."
"It is that," Mark conceded, "most unusual, but the heat and humidity will be here soon enough; then we can complain about that. I have plowing the gardens scheduled for tomorrow; the ground seems moist and if two of us plow, one cultivates and one harrows, we should be able to get a fairly good sized area ready to plant in short order."
"Has Ma looked for the seed we left here?" Tess was looking out the window. "Hey Dad, there's smoke coming out of the barn chimney."
Mark nodded. "Gary has spoken for the barn apartment." He didn't see the need to elucidate any further, and no one asked any questions.
"When we get the gardens ready, the boys and myself need to bring in wood, so don't obligate us for any duties for a week or so. This time, I believe we will skid in tree lengths so they are here in the compound. That way we can work them up under the relative protection of the group. I find it highly unusual that the retreat has been empty, and no one has claimed it as their own."
Clora had been listening and gave a shoulder shrug and a yawn. "I don't have any feelings one way or the other, no information," she concluded with another yawn.
"Goodness I seem sleepy, it seems like I can't catch up on my sleep. Do you want biscuits or corn bread with the stew?"
"Which ever is chosen, you are going to sit while Dory and I make supper," Tess announced.
Three little boys wanted corn bread and honey, and they tipped the vote in their favor.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#244
Early the next morning, all men were front and center, ready to start the plowing. Milo was teamster on the plow, Toby on the cultivator, Gary on the harrow, and Mark was the guard until one of the men needed spelled from the rigors of the hard work.
The garden was a weedy shambles; appearing unworked and unused from the time the majority of the clan had left. Ugly scars from the raiders that attempted to overrun the retreat, were still visible.
"Tell me something," Milo stopped for a breather, "didn't we garden in here the summer before we left? If so, why am I seeing spent brass; I was sure we had picked up all the previous empties."
"I believe so," Mark was examining the ground closely. "I don't think we would have left as many as are here. So there must have been a battle, but I don't see more damage to the buildings than had occurred before we left."
The rest was cut short by the temperature, the cool breeze uncomfortably cold on sweat wet men. "Isn't this July? Or did we spend more time getting here than we thought and we're into winter?" Toby joked.
"Our coming back was quicker, just right at three months," Mark said absently, as he was checking the spent cartridge's. "We're at least 3 weeks and possibly four weeks ahead of where we were in the trek to Iowa."
"I've got to say however, no more moves. I think Rennie would shoot me if I suggested it. As far as I'm concerned, our ladies have been super about all the upheavals, but it's difficult on them and the children." Toby put his vest back on, he was feeling chilled.
"Preach it brother," Milo grinned with his joke. "It so happens I got the very same words last night. So what ever comes, happens or doesn't happen, this is Honey's line in the sand. Really guys, we have lost so much," and Milo looked around at the assembled men; "that the next time Tess feels that she needs to pull up stakes, we are not going."
"Ditto," Toby nodded vigorously.
Gary shrugged, he didn't care one way or the other. "No nevermind to me, as long as there is food and relative peace, I'm happy."
"Stay away from Dory," Milo couldn't resist. "She's bad for your health."
What Gary said was low down and unrepeatable.
The other three laughed. And then laughed harder when Gary glared fiercely. "I'm going back to work, I don't like you guys;"
Everyone went back to work grinning.
The ladies were busy inside. Tess and Dory had the meager amount of seeds sorted out on the table. "This is a disaster in the making," Tess said quietly. "How are we going to stretch these few seeds?"
"We have wheat berries in the store room," Clora said from the sink, "maybe oat berries also. I haven't had a chance to check over the food stuffs in there, but I will as soon as I get done here."
"I don't see Rennie or Honey, …... or their kids, here offering to work." Tess tartly observed. "isn't it time that they all showed up to help?"
Dory got suddenly busy counting the fascinating onion seeds, keeping her head down and her expression neutral. "I need a roll of toilet paper, there's a way to make a seed tape so the seeds are evenly spaced and not all bunched up. Do we have any?"
"Maybe," Clora said doubtfully. "I'll look in the storeroom.
Early the next morning, all men were front and center, ready to start the plowing. Milo was teamster on the plow, Toby on the cultivator, Gary on the harrow, and Mark was the guard until one of the men needed spelled from the rigors of the hard work.
The garden was a weedy shambles; appearing unworked and unused from the time the majority of the clan had left. Ugly scars from the raiders that attempted to overrun the retreat, were still visible.
"Tell me something," Milo stopped for a breather, "didn't we garden in here the summer before we left? If so, why am I seeing spent brass; I was sure we had picked up all the previous empties."
"I believe so," Mark was examining the ground closely. "I don't think we would have left as many as are here. So there must have been a battle, but I don't see more damage to the buildings than had occurred before we left."
The rest was cut short by the temperature, the cool breeze uncomfortably cold on sweat wet men. "Isn't this July? Or did we spend more time getting here than we thought and we're into winter?" Toby joked.
"Our coming back was quicker, just right at three months," Mark said absently, as he was checking the spent cartridge's. "We're at least 3 weeks and possibly four weeks ahead of where we were in the trek to Iowa."
"I've got to say however, no more moves. I think Rennie would shoot me if I suggested it. As far as I'm concerned, our ladies have been super about all the upheavals, but it's difficult on them and the children." Toby put his vest back on, he was feeling chilled.
"Preach it brother," Milo grinned with his joke. "It so happens I got the very same words last night. So what ever comes, happens or doesn't happen, this is Honey's line in the sand. Really guys, we have lost so much," and Milo looked around at the assembled men; "that the next time Tess feels that she needs to pull up stakes, we are not going."
"Ditto," Toby nodded vigorously.
Gary shrugged, he didn't care one way or the other. "No nevermind to me, as long as there is food and relative peace, I'm happy."
"Stay away from Dory," Milo couldn't resist. "She's bad for your health."
What Gary said was low down and unrepeatable.
The other three laughed. And then laughed harder when Gary glared fiercely. "I'm going back to work, I don't like you guys;"
Everyone went back to work grinning.
The ladies were busy inside. Tess and Dory had the meager amount of seeds sorted out on the table. "This is a disaster in the making," Tess said quietly. "How are we going to stretch these few seeds?"
"We have wheat berries in the store room," Clora said from the sink, "maybe oat berries also. I haven't had a chance to check over the food stuffs in there, but I will as soon as I get done here."
"I don't see Rennie or Honey, …... or their kids, here offering to work." Tess tartly observed. "isn't it time that they all showed up to help?"
Dory got suddenly busy counting the fascinating onion seeds, keeping her head down and her expression neutral. "I need a roll of toilet paper, there's a way to make a seed tape so the seeds are evenly spaced and not all bunched up. Do we have any?"
"Maybe," Clora said doubtfully. "I'll look in the storeroom.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I checked here and no way could I go back to scanning papers until I read these chapters lol. Thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#245
Abby, in her calculated measure of independence, traveled more West than she anticipated. Her days were long and hard, and she had no clear destination, and that was the problem.
Abby was three weeks out, then she stopped in a sweet, shady grove of trees next to a small stream. "Day of rest," she called out to her horses, and they were anticipating a stakeout in the tall prairie grass.
Abby had a bath, did her laundry and cooked her supper. It was almost dark when the jingle of harness interrupted her quiet life.
From a quarter mile away, she could tell who it was.
Jerry couldn't believe his eyes, in fact he thought her an apparition. Driving slowly into her camp, he wasn't sure if he was happy or sad. Of all the people to run into, he never expected to see Abby.
Good manners had him pulling somewhat close to her wagon, but a person waited for an invitation to come join the already established camp; it was just one of those unwritten rules of the road.
"Come have coffee," Abby stiffly invited, and watched as Jerry cautiously got down. He was limping, and Abby took note, but said nothing. Going to her grub box for another cup, Abby filled the tin cup about halfway and offered it to her former beau.
"Thanks," Jerry remembered his manners while looking at Abby but pretending not to look at her. "What brings you to this part of the woods?" he inquired, carefully testing the rim of the hot cup on his lips.
"I thought you had taken off North," his deep voice rumbled, "you're a long way South. In fact, I don't think we're all that far from the Missouri, and it's wide and deep down this far."
"Really, it's been cold enough that I thought I was way further North. I supposed that I was up into the Dakotas."
"No, you'd have to cross the Missouri to get over there. It is kinda unusual that it's chilly like it is." Jerry tried a sip of the boiling hot coffee.. "How the thunder did you get this so hot?"
"The usual way," Abby laughed, "at least it's not as strong as Clora's brew."
"You got that right, that's some potent stuff, I swear it turned my hair curly," Jerry smirked. It was a joke so out of character and unexpected, that Abby just stared at him for moments.
"Oh," she said nonplussed, "you made a joke, I didn't realize."
Jerry had longish, curly hair peeking out from under his hat, it had been several months or longer since he had a haircut, and Abby thought he looked rather handsome and dashing. Not that she would ever breathe a word about that to him.
Abby, in her calculated measure of independence, traveled more West than she anticipated. Her days were long and hard, and she had no clear destination, and that was the problem.
Abby was three weeks out, then she stopped in a sweet, shady grove of trees next to a small stream. "Day of rest," she called out to her horses, and they were anticipating a stakeout in the tall prairie grass.
Abby had a bath, did her laundry and cooked her supper. It was almost dark when the jingle of harness interrupted her quiet life.
From a quarter mile away, she could tell who it was.
Jerry couldn't believe his eyes, in fact he thought her an apparition. Driving slowly into her camp, he wasn't sure if he was happy or sad. Of all the people to run into, he never expected to see Abby.
Good manners had him pulling somewhat close to her wagon, but a person waited for an invitation to come join the already established camp; it was just one of those unwritten rules of the road.
"Come have coffee," Abby stiffly invited, and watched as Jerry cautiously got down. He was limping, and Abby took note, but said nothing. Going to her grub box for another cup, Abby filled the tin cup about halfway and offered it to her former beau.
"Thanks," Jerry remembered his manners while looking at Abby but pretending not to look at her. "What brings you to this part of the woods?" he inquired, carefully testing the rim of the hot cup on his lips.
"I thought you had taken off North," his deep voice rumbled, "you're a long way South. In fact, I don't think we're all that far from the Missouri, and it's wide and deep down this far."
"Really, it's been cold enough that I thought I was way further North. I supposed that I was up into the Dakotas."
"No, you'd have to cross the Missouri to get over there. It is kinda unusual that it's chilly like it is." Jerry tried a sip of the boiling hot coffee.. "How the thunder did you get this so hot?"
"The usual way," Abby laughed, "at least it's not as strong as Clora's brew."
"You got that right, that's some potent stuff, I swear it turned my hair curly," Jerry smirked. It was a joke so out of character and unexpected, that Abby just stared at him for moments.
"Oh," she said nonplussed, "you made a joke, I didn't realize."
Jerry had longish, curly hair peeking out from under his hat, it had been several months or longer since he had a haircut, and Abby thought he looked rather handsome and dashing. Not that she would ever breathe a word about that to him.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks Pac!!!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Big thank you for tonight's addition.