Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Lovely, good for Milo. Thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#318
When Mark reentered the house, Clora was standing at the stove, coaxing a fire to burn. She needed coffee.
"He and Toby are going to be good leaders, you've done a good job with them." Clora complimented. "I realize," and Clora held up her hand to stop Mark's protest, "that we are the same, never really ready to give up total control, but for our children's and grandchildren's sake; we need to step back and let them lead us onward."
"I'm not wired to do that," Mark grumbled with a very stubborn look at his sweet wife.
Clora merely nodded, but gave Mark a very pointed look.
"You don't have to say anything, I can feel that dart," Mark mentioned as he brought more wood to the fire. "I think we should move back into the house. Dory irritates the fire out of me; I'd really enjoy her finding a mate and moving far, far away. I must be getting old, I enjoy the grandkids coming, but enjoy them going, just as much. We have had such a busy, noise filled life, I like the quiet now. In fact, at the risk of hurting Tess's feelings, I want her and Dory to enjoy the barn apartment. Because," Mark stopped dramatically, "I believe we deserve peace and quiet."
"I'm not disagreeing, and I want to thank you for the sleep, I really needed that. I'm concerned that my health isn't good," and she was interrupted by Mark's snort.
"Ya think?" he asked acerbically, "Clora, you've slept more than 24 hours at one time, that's a pretty big clue. Honey, in order for us to rest more, we need to be here, out of the mainstream."
"Then let's move ourselves this afternoon, after," she said forcefully, "we have coffee."
Jerry looked quizzically at the back of Wyatt's disappearing wagon. "I guess he's in a hurry," he deadpanned. "Git up there horses, or we're gonna be left behind." The horses were used to being in front, and antsy at the unaccustomed change in routine.
Wyatt had his horses trotting, there was no one but him on the wagon seat and he was totally frustrated with the slow pace and continuous delays. He was absolutely convinced that absence WAS making the heart grow fonder. At least his heart was missing the saucy reddish brown haired Miss Tess with her infectious grin and three little pistols of children.
Chuck hadn't gone very far back toward the stopped wagons; before he spotted Wyatt and their remodeled hay wagon making fast time toward him. A small amount of time behind him, he could see Jerry and Abby's wagon, jolting along.
Donny brought up the rear, finally looking interested in the pace set by Wyatt. Now they were cookin, he thought. It was about time to make things happen.
Spook snored. Big tossed and turned in his bedroll, sending black looks at the sleeping wagon master. Finally, Big reached over and poked Spook in the arm, demanding that the man turn over. There was a gasping and snorting as the man changed positions, and the snoring lessened.
The entire wagon train heaved a sigh of relief and settled into sleep. Tilly giggled before she gratefully closed her eyes; and Big heard and smiled.
When Mark reentered the house, Clora was standing at the stove, coaxing a fire to burn. She needed coffee.
"He and Toby are going to be good leaders, you've done a good job with them." Clora complimented. "I realize," and Clora held up her hand to stop Mark's protest, "that we are the same, never really ready to give up total control, but for our children's and grandchildren's sake; we need to step back and let them lead us onward."
"I'm not wired to do that," Mark grumbled with a very stubborn look at his sweet wife.
Clora merely nodded, but gave Mark a very pointed look.
"You don't have to say anything, I can feel that dart," Mark mentioned as he brought more wood to the fire. "I think we should move back into the house. Dory irritates the fire out of me; I'd really enjoy her finding a mate and moving far, far away. I must be getting old, I enjoy the grandkids coming, but enjoy them going, just as much. We have had such a busy, noise filled life, I like the quiet now. In fact, at the risk of hurting Tess's feelings, I want her and Dory to enjoy the barn apartment. Because," Mark stopped dramatically, "I believe we deserve peace and quiet."
"I'm not disagreeing, and I want to thank you for the sleep, I really needed that. I'm concerned that my health isn't good," and she was interrupted by Mark's snort.
"Ya think?" he asked acerbically, "Clora, you've slept more than 24 hours at one time, that's a pretty big clue. Honey, in order for us to rest more, we need to be here, out of the mainstream."
"Then let's move ourselves this afternoon, after," she said forcefully, "we have coffee."
Jerry looked quizzically at the back of Wyatt's disappearing wagon. "I guess he's in a hurry," he deadpanned. "Git up there horses, or we're gonna be left behind." The horses were used to being in front, and antsy at the unaccustomed change in routine.
Wyatt had his horses trotting, there was no one but him on the wagon seat and he was totally frustrated with the slow pace and continuous delays. He was absolutely convinced that absence WAS making the heart grow fonder. At least his heart was missing the saucy reddish brown haired Miss Tess with her infectious grin and three little pistols of children.
Chuck hadn't gone very far back toward the stopped wagons; before he spotted Wyatt and their remodeled hay wagon making fast time toward him. A small amount of time behind him, he could see Jerry and Abby's wagon, jolting along.
Donny brought up the rear, finally looking interested in the pace set by Wyatt. Now they were cookin, he thought. It was about time to make things happen.
Spook snored. Big tossed and turned in his bedroll, sending black looks at the sleeping wagon master. Finally, Big reached over and poked Spook in the arm, demanding that the man turn over. There was a gasping and snorting as the man changed positions, and the snoring lessened.
The entire wagon train heaved a sigh of relief and settled into sleep. Tilly giggled before she gratefully closed her eyes; and Big heard and smiled.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
#318
When Mark reentered the house, Clora was standing at the stove, coaxing a fire to burn. She needed coffee.
"He and Toby are going to be good leaders, you've done a good job with them." Clora complimented. "I realize," and Clora held up her hand to stop Mark's protest, "that we are the same, never really ready to give up total control, but for our children's and grandchildren's sake; we need to step back and let them lead us onward."
*******
Mark stopped dramatically, "I believe we deserve peace and quiet."
*******
"Then let's move ourselves this afternoon, after," she said forcefully, "we have coffee."
Marching orders and a change of command, all in the works?
Last edited:
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Awwwwwww thanks 
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Such a wise person!
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
G, you know that you feel good with real coffee.
Doc cut me off of caffeine. So it is decaf now. Talk about the taste without the kick.
But so goes life.
Texican....
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#319
Clora got her mid morning coffee, got herself and Mark moved into the big house with their so few belongings, and she was working on their bounty of hog meat. A small rack of ribs was roasting in the oven, it's good aroma drawing Mark in from his study.
"I would have come help," he tried to say calmly, "I didn't realize Toby had brought over meat."
"Oh, but your just in time to turn the crank, I was looking for a strong, handsome man to operate the hand grinder," Clora teased, giving Mark her special 'look'.
"And you saved that especially for me, huh?" Mark teased right back, and Clora nearly slipped with the boning knife, she was so astonished. "Yes, I did;" she managed to say, and was rewarded with one of Mark's supremely satisfied looking 'looks'.
"See, we've almost forgotten how to tease and be loving towards one another, we've got a awful lot of stressful living under our belts and it's time to ease up. What did Tess say?" Mark washed his hands and started powering the grinder.
"She didn't want to expose the boys, in case there are lingering problems from the basement air. Dory looked like she was interested in coming here, but I watched Tess poke her in the ribs, and she backed down and said nothing." Clora smiled at the reaction Mark had.
"Good," he spoke as forcefully as Clora had about her coffee.
It had been a magical time of re-connection for the two of them this morning; holding hands and talking as they sipped the hot brew. Mark had been fretting about the impending attack; and Clora shook her head no. "There are only two left, and they went back towards the coast. What an unusual alliance of soldiers; I wish I could get a visual of what's happening out in the world, but it's closed to me."
"What does Tess see?" Mark was interested in all the information he could get.
"Wyatt," Clora said with a laugh. "He, Chuck, Jerry, Abby and Donny have joined up and are making their way here. Gary is almost back from his jaunt, and the surprise is Bruce, Pricilla and a lady named Tilly. They are trying to find a way across the Mississippi on their way here."
"More mouths' to feed," Mark grumbled, "although if Bruce is still alive, that surprises me. I expected him to be one of the first to die, the way he was promoting his delicate and sickened condition."
"Pricilla isn't cutting him any slack, she's making him doctor for food and coin to help their situtation. Would you be interested in knowing that Tilly and her soon to be husband are going to be our new cook and handy man?"
"Really, well that makes me happy for sure. I suppose we'll have to put up with Chuck, I don't know what I'll have to do to get that man to move on. He just rubs me the wrong way." Mark confessed.
"Maybe it won't be so bad," Clora comforted, she had an idea of what might happen, but the situtation was muddied in her mind. It was best to wait and tell Mark when she was more sure of the outcome.
"What I can't get over, is the fact that there might be parts of the world that haven't experienced the regression into pioneer times, as we have done here in the states."
"The prince obviously got here on a plane; he was way too autocratic and important to spend the travel time coming by boat." Mark was thinking as he refilled their coffee. "My nose is wanting to twitch and my chin itches, all signs that there is a big mystery and I'd like to know what's happening."
"I'm afraid it's closed to me, I'm not getting any clues. I don't believe Tess is either, or she would have said something." Clora lightly squeezed Mark's hand. "I guess we'll know when it's time for us to know."
"That's not quick enough for me," Mark complained, "but what can I do about it. Any solution I can figure out, involves me leaving and traveling to 'somewhere else' and frankly I'm not interested in doing that."
"Clora, is it alright to be tired of our hectic life? I'm here, I don't want to be called out into the great unknown. I want to sit and drink coffee with my wife in our warm kitchen and rest." Mark tried to sound pathetic, and almost got there.
"I think that's a good beginning," Clora laughed softly. She knew Mark would answer any call to uphold right and justice, he was just wired that way; but for now, all was good.
Clora got her mid morning coffee, got herself and Mark moved into the big house with their so few belongings, and she was working on their bounty of hog meat. A small rack of ribs was roasting in the oven, it's good aroma drawing Mark in from his study.
"I would have come help," he tried to say calmly, "I didn't realize Toby had brought over meat."
"Oh, but your just in time to turn the crank, I was looking for a strong, handsome man to operate the hand grinder," Clora teased, giving Mark her special 'look'.
"And you saved that especially for me, huh?" Mark teased right back, and Clora nearly slipped with the boning knife, she was so astonished. "Yes, I did;" she managed to say, and was rewarded with one of Mark's supremely satisfied looking 'looks'.
"See, we've almost forgotten how to tease and be loving towards one another, we've got a awful lot of stressful living under our belts and it's time to ease up. What did Tess say?" Mark washed his hands and started powering the grinder.
"She didn't want to expose the boys, in case there are lingering problems from the basement air. Dory looked like she was interested in coming here, but I watched Tess poke her in the ribs, and she backed down and said nothing." Clora smiled at the reaction Mark had.
"Good," he spoke as forcefully as Clora had about her coffee.
It had been a magical time of re-connection for the two of them this morning; holding hands and talking as they sipped the hot brew. Mark had been fretting about the impending attack; and Clora shook her head no. "There are only two left, and they went back towards the coast. What an unusual alliance of soldiers; I wish I could get a visual of what's happening out in the world, but it's closed to me."
"What does Tess see?" Mark was interested in all the information he could get.
"Wyatt," Clora said with a laugh. "He, Chuck, Jerry, Abby and Donny have joined up and are making their way here. Gary is almost back from his jaunt, and the surprise is Bruce, Pricilla and a lady named Tilly. They are trying to find a way across the Mississippi on their way here."
"More mouths' to feed," Mark grumbled, "although if Bruce is still alive, that surprises me. I expected him to be one of the first to die, the way he was promoting his delicate and sickened condition."
"Pricilla isn't cutting him any slack, she's making him doctor for food and coin to help their situtation. Would you be interested in knowing that Tilly and her soon to be husband are going to be our new cook and handy man?"
"Really, well that makes me happy for sure. I suppose we'll have to put up with Chuck, I don't know what I'll have to do to get that man to move on. He just rubs me the wrong way." Mark confessed.
"Maybe it won't be so bad," Clora comforted, she had an idea of what might happen, but the situtation was muddied in her mind. It was best to wait and tell Mark when she was more sure of the outcome.
"What I can't get over, is the fact that there might be parts of the world that haven't experienced the regression into pioneer times, as we have done here in the states."
"The prince obviously got here on a plane; he was way too autocratic and important to spend the travel time coming by boat." Mark was thinking as he refilled their coffee. "My nose is wanting to twitch and my chin itches, all signs that there is a big mystery and I'd like to know what's happening."
"I'm afraid it's closed to me, I'm not getting any clues. I don't believe Tess is either, or she would have said something." Clora lightly squeezed Mark's hand. "I guess we'll know when it's time for us to know."
"That's not quick enough for me," Mark complained, "but what can I do about it. Any solution I can figure out, involves me leaving and traveling to 'somewhere else' and frankly I'm not interested in doing that."
"Clora, is it alright to be tired of our hectic life? I'm here, I don't want to be called out into the great unknown. I want to sit and drink coffee with my wife in our warm kitchen and rest." Mark tried to sound pathetic, and almost got there.
"I think that's a good beginning," Clora laughed softly. She knew Mark would answer any call to uphold right and justice, he was just wired that way; but for now, all was good.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you so much pac. Helps get my mind off what's going on in our world.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Which, goats or big dogs, distressed Mark more? I vote for goats.
The dogs were all family protectors and otherwise useful.
Well that plus I'd much rather be cuddled up to by a dawg than a goat, ever!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#320
Wyatt almost ran over Chuck, not slowing down, but lifting a hand in acknowledgement that the hunter had game, as he pushed forcefully on toward the river ford.
Chuck turned around and made it back to where the two young boys were waiting on their horse. "You might as well come with us, that's the only way your gonna get any meat. We're headed for the ford, need to get across the river as soon as possible. You guys Ok with that?"
The one in front nodded yes and they fell in behind Chuck.
Thanks to Wyatt and his urgency, they made it to the ford yet that night. It was the same situtation as when they crossed the Illinois. Dangerous.
In the fading daylight and chilly on coming night, Jerry stared at the river. He didn't know what to think, the river was a major obstacle; one that he had intentionally brought into their trip. How many times could they cross without having a major problem or loss of life.
"Jerry?" Abby's soft low voice broke into his reverie. "It's not true, what your thinking."
"I can't help it; I have such a feeling of foreboding; I didn't realize there were so many rivers to cross; we shoulda gone down to St. Louis and made the one crossing, like we did coming to Iowa. It's a bad decision on my part."
"Jerry;" Abby broke in his self castigation, "Chuck and Wyatt came across the St. Louis crossing and they said it was so dangerous and rickety that they would never get on it again. They came East because the other route was so stripped of grass and clean water there was not a way to travel safe. If necessary, we need to keep traveling East and expect to find a more narrow portion of the river to cross. If you feel it is unsafe, then we need to find a more safe way to cross."
Jerry looked miserable in the oncoming dusk.
"Sleep on it tonight," Abby urged, "If you deem it too swift, then we go further east. No problem. We've been traveling so fast, we haven't had time to map out a good course of travel. Maybe we need to study the map in detail," she suggested.
"Ok, that will give us time to watch and observe travelers going across; I want to assess the danger. Thanks Abby, I hope I can live up to the faith you have in me," Jerry leaned over to give Abby a kiss for her staunch support.
Wyatt almost ran over Chuck, not slowing down, but lifting a hand in acknowledgement that the hunter had game, as he pushed forcefully on toward the river ford.
Chuck turned around and made it back to where the two young boys were waiting on their horse. "You might as well come with us, that's the only way your gonna get any meat. We're headed for the ford, need to get across the river as soon as possible. You guys Ok with that?"
The one in front nodded yes and they fell in behind Chuck.
Thanks to Wyatt and his urgency, they made it to the ford yet that night. It was the same situtation as when they crossed the Illinois. Dangerous.
In the fading daylight and chilly on coming night, Jerry stared at the river. He didn't know what to think, the river was a major obstacle; one that he had intentionally brought into their trip. How many times could they cross without having a major problem or loss of life.
"Jerry?" Abby's soft low voice broke into his reverie. "It's not true, what your thinking."
"I can't help it; I have such a feeling of foreboding; I didn't realize there were so many rivers to cross; we shoulda gone down to St. Louis and made the one crossing, like we did coming to Iowa. It's a bad decision on my part."
"Jerry;" Abby broke in his self castigation, "Chuck and Wyatt came across the St. Louis crossing and they said it was so dangerous and rickety that they would never get on it again. They came East because the other route was so stripped of grass and clean water there was not a way to travel safe. If necessary, we need to keep traveling East and expect to find a more narrow portion of the river to cross. If you feel it is unsafe, then we need to find a more safe way to cross."
Jerry looked miserable in the oncoming dusk.
"Sleep on it tonight," Abby urged, "If you deem it too swift, then we go further east. No problem. We've been traveling so fast, we haven't had time to map out a good course of travel. Maybe we need to study the map in detail," she suggested.
"Ok, that will give us time to watch and observe travelers going across; I want to assess the danger. Thanks Abby, I hope I can live up to the faith you have in me," Jerry leaned over to give Abby a kiss for her staunch support.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#321
Gary didn't urge his horse to hurry; the animal figured out by himself that they were headed back to the home barn. The pack horse, Ricky's horse and the dog all put their hearts into a solid day's travel.
"You guys wouldn't be interested in getting home, would ya?" he asked his gelding when they stopped for the night. The rangy sorrel rubbed his face on Gary's shoulder, leaving a scattering of stubby white hairs from his blaze.
The dog looked up from his resting pose and seemed to say, "I'm hungry."
"Ya, me too. We need a deer; come to think on it, I am hungry. It must be the cold air is sharpening my need to eat, what do you think?" he questioned the dog.
A couple of tail thumps got the mutt the last of the leg bones from the previous kill. "That's it Buddy, we need to be hunting."
During the night, Gary was to reflect on his prophetic words, only he felt he was the hunted, not the hunter.
Milo and Toby worked their way through the butchering of the huge hogs. "I think I'm beginning to understand Dad's aversion to Elk meat, only for me, it's these immense sows." Toby stood up to ease his aching back. "Maybe I shouldn't have shot two of them at once. This is a real pain in the back."
Milo laughed. "Remember the three that Dad shot back at the meadow. I think we desperately needed the meat, and Helga and Ma canned most of it and then Dad tried to act so sad when the trailer got shot up, and the meat was ruined."
"I'm proud of Robbie and Barry for taking up the guard duties; they both asked Lyric to come be a roving lookout, and ya know, I think they will do a good job." Milo was having a fit trying to use his right hand to cut the chunks of meat Toby was throwing on the table.
Honey and Rennie along with Dory and Tess were busy carrying, cutting and heating to can the pork. The largest bowls were filling with fat scraps to render down for lard, and the steamy canners were warming the kitchen in Rennie's house.
Try as they might, tiny bits of fat and meat fell, to be tracked all over the kitchen floor, causing Rennie to look distressed at the mess. Honey and Tess noticed, shrugging their shoulders in a 'it can't be helped' motion. Rennie had been pretty careful to keep all of the clan wide get togethers and butchering parties away from her spotless house, but now it was her turn to step up.
The triplets sat and talked with baby Mila, keeping her entertained. Everyone had a job and worked together for the good of the clan. Toby took three brimming bowls over to Clora and Mark, asking if there was curing powder and brown sugar in the storeroom.
Clora went to look, and father and son looked with satisfaction at the bounty of meat. "What happened to the catfish?" Mark queried.
"It soured, being out so long. The dogs don't even want to eat it, so I threw it out where I shot the hogs, hoping to bring in more. The fact that they are here, we might as well eat them if we can." Toby replied slowly. It hurt to lose any type of meat.
Clora returned with a paper bag of cure, "There is another, about half full, but that's it. I sure wish there were more. So maybe we need to cure as many hams as we can at once."
Toby nodded, "Yeah, I believe I could probably get another hog or two. Those bruisers must weigh about 600 pounds each. I know the house stinks, and Rennie is fluttering around trying to clean." Toby shook his head. "How did you do it Ma, ?"
"I like to eat," Clora said tartly, "that outweighs the need to be fussy."
Both men wisely clammed up. Toby made tracks back to help Milo finish the last porker.
Gary didn't urge his horse to hurry; the animal figured out by himself that they were headed back to the home barn. The pack horse, Ricky's horse and the dog all put their hearts into a solid day's travel.
"You guys wouldn't be interested in getting home, would ya?" he asked his gelding when they stopped for the night. The rangy sorrel rubbed his face on Gary's shoulder, leaving a scattering of stubby white hairs from his blaze.
The dog looked up from his resting pose and seemed to say, "I'm hungry."
"Ya, me too. We need a deer; come to think on it, I am hungry. It must be the cold air is sharpening my need to eat, what do you think?" he questioned the dog.
A couple of tail thumps got the mutt the last of the leg bones from the previous kill. "That's it Buddy, we need to be hunting."
During the night, Gary was to reflect on his prophetic words, only he felt he was the hunted, not the hunter.
Milo and Toby worked their way through the butchering of the huge hogs. "I think I'm beginning to understand Dad's aversion to Elk meat, only for me, it's these immense sows." Toby stood up to ease his aching back. "Maybe I shouldn't have shot two of them at once. This is a real pain in the back."
Milo laughed. "Remember the three that Dad shot back at the meadow. I think we desperately needed the meat, and Helga and Ma canned most of it and then Dad tried to act so sad when the trailer got shot up, and the meat was ruined."
"I'm proud of Robbie and Barry for taking up the guard duties; they both asked Lyric to come be a roving lookout, and ya know, I think they will do a good job." Milo was having a fit trying to use his right hand to cut the chunks of meat Toby was throwing on the table.
Honey and Rennie along with Dory and Tess were busy carrying, cutting and heating to can the pork. The largest bowls were filling with fat scraps to render down for lard, and the steamy canners were warming the kitchen in Rennie's house.
Try as they might, tiny bits of fat and meat fell, to be tracked all over the kitchen floor, causing Rennie to look distressed at the mess. Honey and Tess noticed, shrugging their shoulders in a 'it can't be helped' motion. Rennie had been pretty careful to keep all of the clan wide get togethers and butchering parties away from her spotless house, but now it was her turn to step up.
The triplets sat and talked with baby Mila, keeping her entertained. Everyone had a job and worked together for the good of the clan. Toby took three brimming bowls over to Clora and Mark, asking if there was curing powder and brown sugar in the storeroom.
Clora went to look, and father and son looked with satisfaction at the bounty of meat. "What happened to the catfish?" Mark queried.
"It soured, being out so long. The dogs don't even want to eat it, so I threw it out where I shot the hogs, hoping to bring in more. The fact that they are here, we might as well eat them if we can." Toby replied slowly. It hurt to lose any type of meat.
Clora returned with a paper bag of cure, "There is another, about half full, but that's it. I sure wish there were more. So maybe we need to cure as many hams as we can at once."
Toby nodded, "Yeah, I believe I could probably get another hog or two. Those bruisers must weigh about 600 pounds each. I know the house stinks, and Rennie is fluttering around trying to clean." Toby shook his head. "How did you do it Ma, ?"
"I like to eat," Clora said tartly, "that outweighs the need to be fussy."
Both men wisely clammed up. Toby made tracks back to help Milo finish the last porker.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very good, thank you. When we kept adding babies, I thought the same thing, better to have happy kids and a not so neat house. Especially at meal times.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Pragmaticism can be a virtue especially when coupled to a sense of appropriate timing: sounds a little like 'everything in it's time'.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
I freely admit it took me a longish time to reach maturity and thank a couple of friends for their considerable help in providing bad examples and outcomes.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Folks,
we are off to play. The old folks are going to bust out and head off to see grandchildren. For once, work is mostly caught up, (mostly), and we'll be back Monday.
Everyone have a good weekend and a blessed Sunday. Pac and Mr. KC.
we are off to play. The old folks are going to bust out and head off to see grandchildren. For once, work is mostly caught up, (mostly), and we'll be back Monday.
Everyone have a good weekend and a blessed Sunday. Pac and Mr. KC.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
And the same for you & yours Ma'am
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#322
"I don't care who you are," Pricilla raised her voice several octaves, "I don't know you and I'm not about to get cozy with you, just on your say so." she flashed annoyed eyes at Spook. Spook on the other hand, felt that his rational and direct proposition was entirely in line with the times. It was his notion that if he bunked with Pricilla, he wouldn't snore.
"All you would have to do, is poke me to turn over, that's a easy way to create quiet." Besides, Spook was of the opinion that the woman couldn't possibly poke him as hard as that big dumb Big had slammed his ribs.
Now he was in a quandary. The woman didn't seem much interested in cooperating with his excellent idea, so Spook glumly had to set back on his heels and contemplate his cup of coffee.
Big, if he thought he dared, would have had a long and loud laugh at Spook's expense; but he sorta felt on probation with the darling Tilly, so he hid his smile and went to scrounge any wood he could find for the morning fire.
Tilly appeared busy with the warming kettle of breakfast stew, but she was very aware of Big and every move he made. "Sorry, but we will be on short rations this morning," she informed the man as he returned with four small branches for the fire.
"Miss Tilly, this isn't a good way to travel," Big took his hat off and rubbed his forehead. "Too many people have come this way and the land is all used up." he said softly. "I fear it will be a lean, hard and sorry time for you ladies and the Doc going South."
"I agree, but we couldn't afford the cost of the ferry across the river. That's where we are heading, to a place that Doc is from. He says we will be welcome, but we don't know how to get across the river." Tilly stirred the stew once again.
"There are two more crossings between here and the last crossing at Gulfport. But Miss Tilly, they are not the best. They are small, you would have to take a two horse team and wagon, then the other two sets. I don't need to tell you that it's dangerous and you would be vulnerable on either side. Miss Tilly, I would suggest you pass up the first crossing and go to the second." Big rubbed his chin.
"Mr. Big, I am looking into your eyes and pray that you are telling me the truth and that you are not a scoundrel that will rob and kill us." Tilly was unsmiling serious.
"Oh Miss Tilly, nooo, I'm not that kind of a man. I would be crossing with you, so no tricks. I have a hankering to be your friend, and more if ya be willing, so I mean only the best for you and the other lady." Big had his hat in his hand, looking very serious himself.
Tilly stirred again and again. looked up and favored Big with a twinkle in her eye and a sweet smile on her lips. "You are a fine gentleman, Mr. Big; I am happy to make your acquaintance."
Pricilla, Doc and Spook were busy rolling their eyes at all the schmoozyness happening over by the fire. Spook was all set to remind the aloof Miss Pricilla that he felt the same way, and she should feel honored to be the object of his affection. Doc moved between the wagon master and the snippy Pricilla, effectively cutting off the whiskered man and his sweetheart.
"I don't care who you are," Pricilla raised her voice several octaves, "I don't know you and I'm not about to get cozy with you, just on your say so." she flashed annoyed eyes at Spook. Spook on the other hand, felt that his rational and direct proposition was entirely in line with the times. It was his notion that if he bunked with Pricilla, he wouldn't snore.
"All you would have to do, is poke me to turn over, that's a easy way to create quiet." Besides, Spook was of the opinion that the woman couldn't possibly poke him as hard as that big dumb Big had slammed his ribs.
Now he was in a quandary. The woman didn't seem much interested in cooperating with his excellent idea, so Spook glumly had to set back on his heels and contemplate his cup of coffee.
Big, if he thought he dared, would have had a long and loud laugh at Spook's expense; but he sorta felt on probation with the darling Tilly, so he hid his smile and went to scrounge any wood he could find for the morning fire.
Tilly appeared busy with the warming kettle of breakfast stew, but she was very aware of Big and every move he made. "Sorry, but we will be on short rations this morning," she informed the man as he returned with four small branches for the fire.
"Miss Tilly, this isn't a good way to travel," Big took his hat off and rubbed his forehead. "Too many people have come this way and the land is all used up." he said softly. "I fear it will be a lean, hard and sorry time for you ladies and the Doc going South."
"I agree, but we couldn't afford the cost of the ferry across the river. That's where we are heading, to a place that Doc is from. He says we will be welcome, but we don't know how to get across the river." Tilly stirred the stew once again.
"There are two more crossings between here and the last crossing at Gulfport. But Miss Tilly, they are not the best. They are small, you would have to take a two horse team and wagon, then the other two sets. I don't need to tell you that it's dangerous and you would be vulnerable on either side. Miss Tilly, I would suggest you pass up the first crossing and go to the second." Big rubbed his chin.
"Mr. Big, I am looking into your eyes and pray that you are telling me the truth and that you are not a scoundrel that will rob and kill us." Tilly was unsmiling serious.
"Oh Miss Tilly, nooo, I'm not that kind of a man. I would be crossing with you, so no tricks. I have a hankering to be your friend, and more if ya be willing, so I mean only the best for you and the other lady." Big had his hat in his hand, looking very serious himself.
Tilly stirred again and again. looked up and favored Big with a twinkle in her eye and a sweet smile on her lips. "You are a fine gentleman, Mr. Big; I am happy to make your acquaintance."
Pricilla, Doc and Spook were busy rolling their eyes at all the schmoozyness happening over by the fire. Spook was all set to remind the aloof Miss Pricilla that he felt the same way, and she should feel honored to be the object of his affection. Doc moved between the wagon master and the snippy Pricilla, effectively cutting off the whiskered man and his sweetheart.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#323
If Rennie had a problem with the first set of hogs that were killed, the second set had her almost admitting defeat. All the offal and skin from the first two, had been dumped by the tree stump, obviously a place that attracted the wild hogs.
This time, there was a small band of young gilts, and in a flash, there were four of the young and tender pigs hanging in the cutting shed. Mark and Clora took one; Clora intending to dress her own hog, not quite saying that the other ladies didn't do a good job; just wanting to be in control of her own meat.
Honey and Tess were just happy that they hadn't got around to scrubbing Rennie's kitchen as spotless as the woman preferred. Dory was still somewhat laid up from her snake bite, so she sat in a chair and conducted school.
Robbie was the look out, and he was the one to spot Gary riding in with the pack horse and the riderless horse that Ricky had been riding. Calling out that a rider was approaching, Robbie alerted the clan.
Honey and Milo shared a look, and Milo went to wash his meat sticky hands. Squaring the good side of his shoulder, Milo went out to greet his brother. The two of them awkwardly using the good arms they had available.
"Milo, I'm so sorry to tell you about......" Gary started to say.
"It couldn't be helped, it's not your fault and I don't want you thinking that it is. There was no way he was going to be any different, than he was. Did he improve any at all?"
Gary simply shook his head no. "He was the same the night he died, as the first morning we left. It was a real other worldly happening, I didn't understand it then, and I don't now. I will try to explain, any time you have questions."
"Maybe later, Honey may have questions, but we're all busy butchering hogs. You got here just in time. Turn those nags out to pasture and wash your hands, we need you."
Gary didn't think Milo's words would have the effect on him, that they did. Milo was matter of fact, Gary couldn't find a condescending tone in any of it, and the fact that he was needed, set well with his soul. He felt like an accepted brother. Finally.
The young boys rode along behind the wagons, the poles of their travois making two ruts in the soft loam. Donny went ahead, to guide the wagons to the ford. It didn't look a bit different than where they crossed the Illinois river.
Jerry and company were the only people on the North side of the river and they set to carving up the deer as they camped for the evening. Two big pots of stew were set to cooking for supper. The fresh cool air a whetstone for hungry people. The youngest boy brought up three good sized potatoes and handed them wordlessly to Abby. The implied response would be, that they were contributing what they had in exchange for supper. Abby nodded and said, "we'll call you when supper is ready."
The boy nodded and scurried back to where his brother was brushing their old horse.
The men were cutting strips of meat to jerk, and Chuck cut thick steaks from the haunches. "We can eat stew tomorrow, tonight, I need a good chunk of venison tonight. Break out the frying pans Wyatt, it's steak night."
"You wanna cut two for those kids?" Wyatt asked. "It looks like they have adopted us, whether we need them or not."
"Might as well, I don't want to see them try and cross the river by themselves, they sure don't look very old to me, I wonder what happened to their folks."
If Rennie had a problem with the first set of hogs that were killed, the second set had her almost admitting defeat. All the offal and skin from the first two, had been dumped by the tree stump, obviously a place that attracted the wild hogs.
This time, there was a small band of young gilts, and in a flash, there were four of the young and tender pigs hanging in the cutting shed. Mark and Clora took one; Clora intending to dress her own hog, not quite saying that the other ladies didn't do a good job; just wanting to be in control of her own meat.
Honey and Tess were just happy that they hadn't got around to scrubbing Rennie's kitchen as spotless as the woman preferred. Dory was still somewhat laid up from her snake bite, so she sat in a chair and conducted school.
Robbie was the look out, and he was the one to spot Gary riding in with the pack horse and the riderless horse that Ricky had been riding. Calling out that a rider was approaching, Robbie alerted the clan.
Honey and Milo shared a look, and Milo went to wash his meat sticky hands. Squaring the good side of his shoulder, Milo went out to greet his brother. The two of them awkwardly using the good arms they had available.
"Milo, I'm so sorry to tell you about......" Gary started to say.
"It couldn't be helped, it's not your fault and I don't want you thinking that it is. There was no way he was going to be any different, than he was. Did he improve any at all?"
Gary simply shook his head no. "He was the same the night he died, as the first morning we left. It was a real other worldly happening, I didn't understand it then, and I don't now. I will try to explain, any time you have questions."
"Maybe later, Honey may have questions, but we're all busy butchering hogs. You got here just in time. Turn those nags out to pasture and wash your hands, we need you."
Gary didn't think Milo's words would have the effect on him, that they did. Milo was matter of fact, Gary couldn't find a condescending tone in any of it, and the fact that he was needed, set well with his soul. He felt like an accepted brother. Finally.
The young boys rode along behind the wagons, the poles of their travois making two ruts in the soft loam. Donny went ahead, to guide the wagons to the ford. It didn't look a bit different than where they crossed the Illinois river.
Jerry and company were the only people on the North side of the river and they set to carving up the deer as they camped for the evening. Two big pots of stew were set to cooking for supper. The fresh cool air a whetstone for hungry people. The youngest boy brought up three good sized potatoes and handed them wordlessly to Abby. The implied response would be, that they were contributing what they had in exchange for supper. Abby nodded and said, "we'll call you when supper is ready."
The boy nodded and scurried back to where his brother was brushing their old horse.
The men were cutting strips of meat to jerk, and Chuck cut thick steaks from the haunches. "We can eat stew tomorrow, tonight, I need a good chunk of venison tonight. Break out the frying pans Wyatt, it's steak night."
"You wanna cut two for those kids?" Wyatt asked. "It looks like they have adopted us, whether we need them or not."
"Might as well, I don't want to see them try and cross the river by themselves, they sure don't look very old to me, I wonder what happened to their folks."