Story The Long Winter

fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
No updates today or maybe tomorrow. I have some things to take care of. I hope to be home by tomorrow and I will resume.

Thanks
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 54​

Martha was milking the cow and lamenting the loss of her privacy, when Marty walked into the barn, “Penny for your thoughts,” said Marty.

“I was so happy to get our space back, I really enjoy it when it's just the two of us. It just isn't the same with the two girls there,” said Martha despondently.

“With the way the Johnson boys were acting, I don't reckon the girls will be here long. Its a good thing for the boys and the girls, if they decide they like each other.”

“Marty, you have got to stop bringing home strays. We are not going to be able to save the world. What if we fixed up a couple of the abandoned houses in the area and had them ready to move into. That way, when you drag somebody home, we can move them into a ready place, if they want to stay.”

“That sounds like a good idea, Martha, If Ron and Rodney and maybe Al could pitch in, we could have a couple of places ready pretty quick. You know, as much as I like our privacy, it is going to take a larger group of people pulling in the same direction to get this community going again.”

A horn blowing at the gate pulled Marty's attention away from the newcomers and he started toward the gate. He wasn't the least bit surprised to see Bruce and Caleb waving to him from the other side of the gate. He unlatched the gate and told them to come on in. “I think Rodney is up, I will go get him for you.”

“No, that's OK, we really don't need to see him now,” stammered Caleb. “are Susan and Sandra busy, we wanted to see if we could help them get settled in.”

“I think they are in the kitchen cleaning up the breakfast dishes, those girls can sure cook,” said Marty, laying it on thick for the boy's benefit, “They made the best scrambled eggs I have ever tasted, and their biscuits were so light and flaky, I almost made myself sick eating them. You boys go on in the kitchen there and make yourself at home, I am going back to the barn and carry the milk for Martha.”

Bruce and Caleb both almost broke into a run, each determined to be the first one in the house.

“Come on in boys,” cooed Sandra, “would you all like some breakfast?”

“That would be a treat,” said Bruce, “fact is, we left the house in such a hurry, we forgot to eat.”

Both girls giggled and Susan said, “Do you fellows know of any available boys our age, we sure would like to meet some more people our age?”

Caleb and Bruce both almost shouted, “We are your ages, Bruce is 22 and I am 20” Caleb managed to get out.

“But we are looking for possible husbands,” teased Sandra, “Do you know of any possible husband material?”

Bruce caught on and said, “Come on Caleb, let's go, I know when we are being made fun of.”

Sandra immediately began apologizing and said, “I'm sorry Bruce, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, I was just kidding. Maybe you and Caleb would like to show us around the area. Susan and I are going to try and find an abandoned home nearby and try to set up some kind of place of our own, the problem is, we don't know anything about farming or preserving food. We are going to need a lot of help. Would you two be willing to give us a hand?”

“Why Miss Martha and her sister know all there is to know about canning and drying food. Caleb and I would be more than happy to help you get a garden in, and we will be proud to take you ladies on a tour of the area,” said Bruce.

“ I wonder if them boy's has asked them girls to get married yet,” Marty laughed out loud. “I swear they were tripping all over their selves trying to get in the house. I can't imagine what it must be like for them.”

“There was another young boy tripping all over him self once, if I remember right,” Martha smiled.
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 55​

June came in from helping Martha with the chicken and found Ron lying on the kitchen floor. She turned him over and he was pasty complexioned and his eyes appeared slightly glazed. “My heart,” was all he got out before he went out again. June grabbed the radio and called for Marty, who came running. As soon as he saw his brother he told June, “help me get him in the truck, I am taking him to Doc Pritchard.”

Doc Pritchard was a retired vet, but he had done his share of delivering babies and was the only medical man left in the area. “Call Rodney on the radio and tell Janet to be ready, I will stop and get her on the way.”

June and Marty managed to get Ron in the backseat of the truck and they jumped in the front. A quick stop at Rodney and Janet's and they were on the way. “This doesn't look too good,” said Janet, “he has been over doing it for a while and Ron is not a young man. If he gets through this, he will have to slow down some.”

“Easier said than done said Marty,” Ron has never been one to sit down when he could be standing.”

The truck rattled to a stop in Dr. Pritchard's front yard and Marty lay on the horn until he saw the door opening. “It's my brother, I think he's had a heart attack,” said Marty.

“Let's get him in the house,” said the Doc, “I ain't got much medicine here, but I will do what I can.”

“Doc, this is Janet,” said Marty, “she is a nurse practitioner, let her help.”

“Come on in young'un, let's see if we can get him fixed,” said the Doctor.

Minutes seemed like hours to June and Marty as they waited. It was all Marty could do to keep June from breaking down completely. He is going to need you more than ever while he recuperates,” said Marty, trying to give her some hope. “For what its worth, there is no history of heart disease in our family, so it may not be his heart at all.”

“I just found him,” June wailed, “I can't lose him now, I just can't.”

“Nobody's losing anybody,” said Marty, trying again to comfort June. “You know as well as I do, Ron is way to ornery to just up and die. He will be all right, but it might not be a bad idea to ask for a little help.”

Marty and June slipped to their knees and started praying for Ron's recovery, Marty fervently believed his brother would be OK. They finished their prayers and not a minute later the Doc walked in the room.

“June, he has had a close call, I believe he will live, but he will never be able to work the way he has been. I have known Ron most of his life, and the fight now will be getting him to slow down. That will be your job. I had some nitro pills, but they are almost out of date. I have no idea where you will find more, but I suggest you look. |I will try to contact some of my old buddies and see if they have any squirreled away, but the main thing is keep him quiet and make him rest. I will be out your way in a day or two to check on him. That young girl, Janet, has a lot on the ball. Truth be known, she is a lot sharper than I am. Listen to her and take her advice.”
 
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fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 56​


Marty, June, and Janet, got Ron in the house and settled into bed, despite his protest. “Marty, you might as well go home, I am going to give him something to help him rest. I will call you if anything changes, but right now he needs to rest,” said Janet.

Marty thanked her for her help and told his brother and June good night and let for the house. When he got home, he filled Martha in on everything that happened, and assured her that Ron would be OK, but would have to take it easy. He called Rodney on the radio and let him know that Janet would be home shortly and she would call him on the radio later. “I'm beat,” Marty told Martha, “If its all right with you, I'm going to bed, I will give you all the details in the morning.”

Martha knew Marty was worried about Ron, so she kissed him and told him she would be up later, she had some things to put up before bed. The next morning was bright and warm as Marty woke up. “What time is it,” he asked Martha, rolling over. Martha was up and cooking breakfast, so Marty ambled downstairs after getting dressed, and asked Martha, “Why didn't you wake me up?”

“Because I don't want you to end up like Ron,” Martha said, “Marty we are getting to the point we are going to have to slow down too. What happened to Ron could happen to you or me or June or Al, or any of us for that matter. What is the point of living, if all we do is work from sun to sun, just to stay alive. Marty I'm not sure I want to survive, if this is all there is. It seems the older we get the harder we have to work. It is time to pass the torch to the younger generation. We took them in and helped them, now it their turn to help us. Mr. Johnson's boys do everything at their place, Mr. Johnson is too old to work any more and we are rapidly getting there. I want you to promise me, you will slow down,” said Martha with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Marty knew part of this was a reaction to Ron having a heart attack, but he also knew Martha was right, they both needed to slow down. Marty knew it had been a rough life for Martha, but he hadn't realized, how tough. “You are absolutely right, Martha. We need to and we will slow down. I need to bring everyone together and tell them that next year we will be scaling back the size of the garden and we will be reducing our livestock to the point there will be enough for us. Everyone will need to prepare to feed themselves. I think it is time for you and me to retire,” said Marty gathering Martha in his arms and holding her until she composed herself.

“Sit down and let me get your breakfast. Don't think for a minute, I don't know you are just saying this to appease me for the moment, but please think about it, Marty,” said Martha.

After breakfast, Marty contacted everyone on the radio and told them to come over to the farm in the afternoon if they could, he had something to discuss with all of them. While he was in his HAM shack, he turned on his HF radio and tried to catch some news about the rest of the world. What he was told shocked him. It seemed some of the more liberal states were rebelling against the new conservative government that was in place. They wanted to secede from the current union and form their on country. The new government was going to let them. The states of California and Illinois and several of the Northeastern states were going to be allowed to form their own country. The liberals that wanted to move there could do so at no peril, but the current government promised them their would be no aid now or ever. There would be no protection from outside aggression and possibly the most important, there would be no trade allowed between the new liberal states and the current USA.

Marty was stunned, how would these people survive. There could be no entitlement programs because the new country would have no tax base. There was certainly arable land in some of these states, but how would California, get their fresh produce to the Northeast and manufactured goods, what there was, would have a very long journey to get to the West coast. This was setting up to be a disaster of epic proportions. Marty turned the radio off, and thought of all the lives that had been lost to preserve the Union through the years and now, ideology, not guns, was tearing his country in half. He walked back into the house and told Martha what he had learned. Then he sat down in resignation and contemplated what it all meant to them.
 
sssarawolf

sssarawolf

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, yes sounds more like stupidity because it will not work and they will see that very quickly. Be bandit (Pirate) states in no time.
 
Siskiyoumom

Siskiyoumom

Veteran Member
I live in California and I know far more conservative type folks who would not want to succeed if the new country would be even more liberal.

The logistics of selling out and moving would be horrendous to us old folks.

Finding a new home that has a moderate climate would be ideal. We just cannot do excessive heat or snow and cold like we could when we were young folks.

I have greatly enjoyed your story.
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 57​

Evening finally came around and everyone assembled at Marty's, with the exception of Ron and June, and Marty told them what he and Martha had decided. “Martha and I have decided we're going to cut back on the gardening and livestock after the current crop is harvested. We both need to slow down and that is exactly what we are going to do. Most of you folks are younger and stronger and the future belongs to you, but, you have to willing to work for it. Martha, and I, have a pretty good store of food, for two people, and there's the rub. We never planned on having so many people here. Now we have enough to get us to the next harvest, if everything goes good, but we are only one bad harvest from starvation. We encourage you to become active gardeners. We have the resources and knowledge and good land to grow on, what we don't have to offer is labor. I guess what it boils down to is, if you want to eat, you better get busy.”

A kind of hush fell in the room, followed by a murmur and then a full on shouting match. “What will we do”, “I don't know to farm”, “We will all starve”, “Why are you doing this?”

“We don't owe anything to anyone but ourselves. We built this place with sweat and tears, we have put our entire life into making a place for ourselves, and I suggest you take the place you have and do the same,” said Martha, as Marty said, we will help in anyway we can, we will give you some of the excess livestock to get you started, you can use our equipment to start your gardens, but you need to start now, or you need to move on. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but that is how it is going to be.”

“We don't mean to sound so indifferent,” added Marty, “but with what happened to my brother, we just think it is time for us to slow down. Martha and I have done the majority of everything that gets done around here and that has to change. If you younger people don't step up, you will not be welcome here. There are too many things to get done for a group this size to let a couple of people do all the work. Susan and Sandra, you two are new here, and from what I have seen, you are not lazy. You both are welcome to stay here with Martha and me, but we will need your help in the garden and in the house. You will be treated like family, you are not slave labor, but you will have to earn your keep.”

“We will do the best we can, Mr. Marty,” said Susan, “we never meant to be a burden on anyone, but we really don't have anywhere to go. Just tell us what needs doing and we will do it.”

Rodney was next, “Marty, we would love to have our own garden, and we would have already been helping with everything, but Janet and I thought you wanted to do all the farming yourself. If you will teach me, not only will we help with your farm, we will start or own.”

“Well, I am in the same shape as Ron and Marty,” said Al, “I'm am actually the oldest one here, but, I can teach you all you need to know about equipment operation and repair. I have been selling and maintaining heavy equipment for most of my seventy two years.”

Well, I can garden,” said Barbara, “I grew up on a farm, and I haven't forgotten how to do it. Why don't we start a fall garden today, I can drive a tractor and I will help each of you get the ground ready in exchange for a little help in our garden when the time comes.”

“Now that is what I am talking about,” said Marty, “We will all have to work together. This can work, but we have to put the physical labor on the ones that can do it. Let us older folks do what we can to help, but the heavy lifting and the twelve hour days are behind me now. If some of you can pick up the slack in gardening, I can do more with the livestock. We need to grow our herd so there will be enough for all of us. I want everyone to go home and think about what we have discussed and tomorrow, come back over and let's see what everyone can do and we will go from there.”

“Poppa Marty,” said Billy, “Sissy and me will help. Please don't make us leave.”
 
sssarawolf

sssarawolf

Has No Life - Lives on TB
AHH out of the mouths of babes. They didn't know they weren't included in that lol, just like kids to think they were.
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 58​

Martha assured Sissy and Billy, that they were safe and that they would always have a home as she put them in bed. Marty echoed Martha's talk with an assurance that while there would be plenty of chores to do, they would always have a home there. Later, downstairs, Martha asked Marty, “Do you think they will sink or swim.”

“I'm not sure,” said Marty, They need to get on board and start being more involved with their own survival, or the consequences could be rather dire, I want you to start carrying your pistol everywhere you go. Never be without it.”

“Surely you don;t think they would harm us, do you Marty?”

“Martha, what if you were hungry, or worse, what if you had hungry children and someone had food, but wouldn't give you any, what would you do to feed your children?” “These people around us, by and large, are good people, but hungry people don't use the same logic as people that are well fed. I don't think Rodney or Janet are a threat to us, but there are others out there. We are not the only survivors, for that reason, please humor me and keep your pistol with you at all time. Now, let's get some sleep. I think tomorrow will be an interesting day.”

The couple were just getting up from the breakfast table when the expected knock on the door came. It was Rodney, Janet and both of their kids. “We're here to learn how to be farmers, Rodney said. I hope you will be patient with us.”

“First thing about farming,” said Marty, “is having a strong cup of coffee first thing in the morning, you kids had breakfast?”

“Yes sir, Mr. Marty,” said Billy and Sophie, almost at the same time. Mama made us eat early this morning.”

“Well you kids go with Martha and she will show you how to tend the chickens, Janet, you n=might want to tag along and learn about milking a cow,” suggested Marty.

“Mr. Marty, I was raised on a farm and I can handle milking, I would like to get a cow for us, if you know of any available,” said Janet.

“I forgot to tell you thank you for helping my brother,” said Marty, “I am sure glad you were here. Ron, might not have made it, if you hadn't been with us.”

“Don't think twice about it,” said Janet, “None of us would have be here if it hadn't been for you and Ron.”

Martha led a string of kids out to the chicken pen and after telling them to not startle the chickens, they went into the coop and began to gather eggs. They knew the eggs were fragile and they handled them as if they were fine china. Soon the basket was full and little Sophie said, “tis chicken has a lot of eggs.”

“We are letting her set those eggs,” said Martha, “soon they will hatch and be baby chicks, and then you can have some chickens at your house.”

You could tell Sophie was amazed at the prospect of chicks coming out of the eggs, the look on her face was priceless.

Marty and Rodney were warming up the tractor in the machine shed in preparation for starting a Fall garden at Rodney's house. Marty warned him not to expect too much at first, as the land hadn't been worked in quite a while. “We will make a small fall garden and then we will disc up a place for a Spring garden. We can clean out the stalls and disc in the manure and let it overwinter and then come Spring, we should be ready to plant a Spring garden,” explained Marty.

Al and Barbara showed up about the same time as Marty and Rodney were leaving to go over to Rodney's to get started. “The ladies are in the barn milking and gathering eggs,” said Marty, “We are going over to Rodney's to get started on the garden.”

“ I was going to borrow the Unimog and start on our garden,” Al shouted over the tractor, “If thats OK with everybody.”

“Fine business,” said Marty using a HAM expression, “If you need any help, we will will be back in a few hours.”

Janet introduced herself to Martha's cow and gently talking to her, she washed the udder and gently began milking. The kids were fascinated as she slowly filled the bucket with the sweet Jersey milk. Soon the ladies and kids were finished in the barn and Janet and Martha took the milk and eggs into the kitchen and strained the milk and cleaned the eggs that had anything on them. They showed the kids what needed to be done and explained to them that the farm animals never took a day off, so they had to milk the cows and feed the horses and mules and gather the eggs everyday.

“Wow,” said Bobby, “everyday.”

“Yes sir,” said Martha, “everyday, and thats only the beginning, after that, we weed the garden and check for pests, make sure the fences are all good, in addition to that, I start getting things together for lunch and if there is any laundry, that has to be done, along with several other chores that have to be done.”

“Farming is hard work, isn't it,” asked Billy?

“It is, Billy,” agreed Martha, “but it is a wonderful life. I hope you and Sissy find living here as rewarding as Marty and I have.”
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 59​

When the sun was just about directly overhead, Marty said, “Let's take a break for lunch, Rodney. We can go over some of the finer points while we're refueling.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Rodney, not wanting to admit the old man had him about ready to drop.

They knocked the dirt off their boots and went into the house where Martha had made them a light lunch and a pitcher of iced tea. The men sat down and started in on the sandwiches and Marty said, “there is a lot more to it than putting the seeds in the ground, You need to learn about rotating your crops, you really don't want to plant the same crop in the same place, year after year. I need to teach you about cover crops, so the cover you plant can add nutrients back into the soil. There is a lot to know, and I think you will remember it better, if you take some notes as we go along.”

Martha handed Rodney a pencil and a small notebook she took from some of the school supplies they had found. “Marty and I talked about this last night,” said Martha, “so while you boys were in the garden, I dug these out.”

“Rodney, I can't stress enough, how important it is that you ask questions about anything you don't completely understand, and please drop the Mr. off my name. We are both farmers and equals as far as I am concerned.”

“Thanks, Marty,” said Rodney, “Thanks for everything. Once Janet and I got our house setup, we kind of thought that would be enough. You and Martha were kind enough to stock our larder and I guess we just thought it would last forever. We will never be able to repay you.”

“Rodney, the farming community is different than what you are used to. We take care of each other, but your food comes at a cost. The sweat of your brow, the aching in your back, and never having a day off, is the cost, but the reward is good food that hasn't been tampered with and the knowledge that by your own hand, your family is fed. I'm not discounting the help from the big man, but without your labor and dedication, it doesn't happen.”

“I'll be honest, Marty,” said Rodney, “it is a lot more work than I imagined. How can you work like that at your age?”

“I just always have,” said Marty, “I was raised with the idea that if something needed doing, you just did it. Now you can sit and think on it, or plan on how you are going to do it, or try to find an easier way to do it, but the bottom line is, sooner or later, you just need to do it. The sooner it is done, the sooner you can get on to the next crisis, and there is always one more thing that need to be done.”

“I'm beginning to see that,” agreed Rodney, “We got the beds ready, now we need to plant and then it will be weeding and then harvesting and then it starts all over again.”

“You left out praying,” said Marty, “Martha and I always say a prayer before we put the crops in the ground and we always say a prayer of thanks when we harvest the crop. In between, we pray for rain and we pray that the insects won't hurt us too bad and we pray for each other. It is not a bad habit to get into. I am thinking we need to find a preacher and start having a weekly service, failing that, we need to at least have a bible study, right here among ourselves. Are you and your family Christians, Rodney?”

“”Yeah, I suppose by definition we are, but we never attended an organized church, and the kids have had no training, but we do believe in God,” said Rodney.

“If you are willing, Martha and I would like to share the good news of salvation and everlasting life with your family. Either way, you are welcome here, but I think you should give it a try. Talk it over with your family and let us know. Now, if you are ready, grab your notebook and let's get back to it.”

Marty couldn't suppress a small chuckle as he heard Rodney groan a little while he was standing up.
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 60​

By late afternoon, Janet and Martha were sorting seed and planning the fall garden. Martha was telling her what did best in this area and what to expect come canning time. The talk turned to the children and they decided they needed to start home schooling the kids. “I can do the math and sciences,” said Janet, “ but I am not as strong in history and English.”

“I think Barbara was a teacher, before she married Tony,” said Martha, “We need to bring her into the loop and see if this is something she would be willing to take on.”

“If she is teaching, who is going to help Al with the gardening,” asked Janet?

“That is the problem,” said Martha, “We need more people and we need to get some sort of commerce going. We could grow a little extra and pay Barbara for teaching with food, but what if she needs something we don't grow, she needs to be able to be paid for her efforts and then choose whether she wants to buy food or something else. I think we need a market in town. We could sell our excess produce and dairy, and buy things we aren't able to grow for ourselves.”

“I could offer medical care, but I wouldn't want to just be paid in food, sometimes there is no substitute for money,” said Janet.

“Let's talk to Marty and Rodney and see what they think. We could put out the word and start with a trading day and go from there. I know there are still a few families in town that would be interested.”

Rodney was dragging when Marty finally called it a day. He couldn't remember working this hard in his life, but at least his family was safe and he had started to insure their survival. He thought it was worth the effort and he promised himself he would give it all he had for as long as it took. Janet placed his evening meal on the table and after she and the kids were seated, he asked her if she wanted to say grace. “I'm not sure if I know what to say,” said Janet, We never said grace at my house.”

“I know how,” said Sophie, “Mrs. Martha showed me. “Everyone bow their heads.” The familiar |God is good began and Rodney and Janet shared a glance at each other and knew at that moment, that even if they didn't feel the need for religion, the kids needed something in their lives. After clearing the table, Rodney told her of the conversation he and Marty had earlier and they decided they would at least learn more.

The next morning, Rodney woke up sore, but somehow he also felt better. He knew this would be their home and he was determined to return to as normal a life as possible. He got up and started the coffee and them woke Janet and the kids. While he was getting dressed, Janet started breakfast and he told the kids as soon as they got through eating, to brush their teeth and they would all go over to Marty's and they could gather eggs and feed the chickens. Janet told them when they got through with the chickens, they could help her and Martha plant the garden.

Marty and Martha talked at length about the market idea, and while Marty thought it was a good idea, he thought that if the people in town came up with the idea, it would be better. He told Martha he would plant a few seeds in the minds of the town folk and let it be their idea. If they didn't follow through on it, then he and Martha would start it up.

“Rodney, let's ride into the town and see whats going on. I need to talk to a few folks and see if maybe we can do a little trading,” said Marty.
 
sssarawolf

sssarawolf

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you :), yes farmers were always God fearing people, sad that not as many are in this day and age. And as far as the homeschooling goes, Each subject on average should only take about 30 minutes to teach if that in some subjects.
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 61​

The first of the weekly markets went pretty well, although the crowd was rather sparse, the vegetables from Marty and Martha's greenhouse went very quickly along with the eggs and butter. It seemed nobody had any use for things they couldn't' eat. Marty had traded some .22 cartridges for some old but serviceable tools, and Rodney, traded some promised labor for some young chickens and a piglet. Soon enough, everyone began to pack up in a bid to get home before dark and the market was closed, with a promise to do it again in a week. Back at the farm, June and Ron, had walked over to Marty's to visit. It seemed to Marty that Ron wasn't getting out enough and he thought he should be further along in his rehabilitation. “June, are seeing to it that Ron is doing his exercises and walking everyday,” asked Marty”

“We are doing just fine, thank you,” said June. “If Ron doesn't want to walk, I am certainly not going to make him. He is doing just fine.”

“That's a load of crap,” countered Marty, “If you expect him to get better and have more stamina, you are going to have to insist he does the exercises that Janet and the Doc, told him to do. He will never get his strength back sitting on his butt and you catering to his every whim. Ron, what the hell is wrong with you, why aren't you doing your exercises?”

“What's the point, I am old an worn out, I will never be able to do anything again, I might as well just go ahead and die. There is nothing left out there for me,” Ron said.

“What about June,” asked Marty, “Do you really just want to die and leave her to fend for herself?”

“June would be better off with me gone. I am just another burden she don't need. Just an extra mouth to feed.”

“Well I'll be damned”, said Marty “I thought you had a heart attack, I didn't know your brain had died. Suit yourself, if you want to die, then go ahead and die, but don't tell yourself you are doing it to make life easier on June or anyone else. You are doing it because you are damn selfish and at some point you have gotten too lazy to try to get better. I think I am going to go to bed, Martha see them out.”

Ron and June exchanged glances and then you could see the fire relight in Ron's eyes. “I'll show him who is . June, let's go,” said Ron rising to his feet.

As soon as they were out the door, Marty came back into the living room and asked Martha, “Well, do you think that will get him going”?
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 62​

The collective had settled into a routine, after the morning chores were finished, Janet took the kids for the morning classes. She taught them math and science, using the books they had traded for at market. Then they were allowed free time for an hour or so, and then to the gardens and greenhouses, where they worked until lunch. After lunch they were allowed to have a free time for a n hour or so, and then Barbara took them in the house for history, English, and bible study, then they were free for another hour, until the boys were taken by Marty and the girls by Martha. The girls were taught how to make bread and help in the kitchen, while the boys were taught marksmanship and hunting techniques. They were also taught how to use the various tools that were found on a farm and how to harness the mules and to operate the tractor. Marty reasoned that he wouldn't be around forever and they would have to fend for themselves. Soon enough, he let them go and they had until supper to play on their own.

“You don't think we are giving them too much responsibility do you Marty,” asked his wife? “It seems they spend a lot of time on studies and working and not so much on being kids.”

“This is a different time, Martha,” explained Marty, “If we don't instill a work ethic in them now, while they are young, and if we don't teach them now, while their minds are open, they will have a hard time fending for their self when we are gone.”

“I know you're right dear, but sometimes, kids just need to be kids, why don't we give them a free day Saturday, and we will do what they want to do, after all, they are doing good in their studies, and I think that Sissy will be a better baker than I am.”

“I'll tell you what,” said Marty, “after the morning chores Saturday, I will take the boys fishing and you and Janet can do whatever you and the girls want to do.”

“OK, but let's not tell them until its time. You know how time drags when you are waiting on something,” said Martha.

Al and Barbara, had not been sitting idle. They had made a garden that would feed a dozen people and Al, had built two very large dehydrators for drying all the herbs that Barbara had grown in the separate herb garden. The herbs were proving to be popular at the weekly market and of course they traded with Marty and Martha, for butter and milk. Rodney was turning out to be the better trader of the group and had secured another milk cow as well as several goats. He found he could take the Unimog and travel to the surrounding farms and make a garden and his labor was well paid for. He planned it so that he could do several at a time so he made the best use of the fuel they had last. The Unimog seemed to work pretty well on the bio diesel he and Al were now producing.

“Caleb,” said Bruce, “I am going to declare my intentions to Sandra, and I encourage you to do the same with Susan. I have seen the way the other guys in town are looking at them at the market. He who hesitates is lost, brother.”

“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing,” said Caleb, “the worst that happen is they tell us to get lost. I am going over there right after lunch.”

“You boys need to remember one thing,” said Mr. Johnson, “those girls have lost their family and everything else they held dear. You be patient with them, don't go giving them no ultimatum. Be yourselves, I have taught you to be good boys and now you are good men. They may feel that they have no choice, but it is up to you to let them know you are there if they decide to take up with you, but they have to make the choice without feeling pressured.”

That afternoon, Bruce and Caleb, now seemingly more reserved, went to Marty and Martha's and asked if they could see the girls. “Certainly, Bruce,” said Martha, “You boys come on in, Marty and I were just going out to the barn.”

Martha called the girls down and she and Marty discreetly left through the back door. “Hi guys,” said Sandra, “What brings you over?”

“Well, frankly you do,” said Caleb, “Ever since you girls moved I here, Bruce and I haven't been able to think of anything else. I am just going to lay my cards on the table. In another time, I would have taken you out and gotten to know you better and, well I guess courted you proper. But now days, all has changed. Bruce and I have talked it over and we would just like to let you know that we are available, and we would be honored if you would consider us as possible husband material. Now before you say no, please consider that we have a working farm and we can take care of you. We will protect you and see that you have all you need. I am speaking for both of us when I say, we would never mistreat you and you be equals in every way.”

“Well, that is a lot to consider,” said Susan, “frankly, we have been thinking along the same lines. Maybe the world dying off like it did was a good thing, in a weird sort of way, it seems like a lot of things we would have never considered, are now a part of daily life. We have talked it over, and we think you two would make fine husbands, but let's take it slow.” With that, Sandra walked over to Bruce and gave him a peck on the lips and a hug, her younger sister did the same with Caleb. The boys said their goodbyes and walked back home, their feet not quite touching the ground.
 
K

kaijafon

Veteran Member
Thank you! :)

I sure hope the boys are gonna learn to cook and the girls how to farm..... one never knows who will be around to do what..... just a suggestion
 
fastback08

fastback08

Veteran Member
Chapter 63​

The fall gardens that had been carefully planted during the mid summer were ready for harvest. The entire group helped, with the Martha and June, doing most of the canning and instructing Susan and Sandra in the finer points of food preservation. Al and Barbara decided to dehydrate all of their herbs and peppers. Rodney and Janet helped harvest the other gardens after they were finished with theirs. It was a pretty successful harvest considering Rodney's and Ron's gardens were grown in a hastily prepared spot. Marty instructed Rodney in planting cover crops for his main garden and planting some cold weather crops in another plot. Soon, the manure had been worked into the soil and the gardens were laid by for the Winter. “Now we get a little break,” said Marty. “I think I am going to saddle one of the mules and see if I can do a little deer hunting. If you would like to go with me, Rodney, come on and I will show you the easy way to hunt, using a mule.”

“It would be nice to put some meat away for the Winter,” said Rodney, “Let me get my rifle and I will be right back.”

Marty saddled both mules and leading one, he rode the other over to Rodney's to save him a walk back. “Rodney, when you hunt from a mule or even a horse, you need to pay attention to the mule. You give him encouragement to go where you want to go, but let him pick the path. Now both of these mules have been hunted from a lot, and they know when they smell a deer, that I am going to shoot. This has happened so often, that when they smell a deer, they will stop and sort of brace for the noise. Watch your mule, he will smell a deer, long before you see one,” Marty explained.

“Will they rear up when you shoot,” asked Rodney?

“No sir,” said Marty, “these mules are not gun shy, but they might rear up if you try to make them walk over a snake.”

The two men set out across the field toward the wood line n an easy walk, neither the men or the mules in any particular hurry. It didn't take long before the mule Marty was riding to stop and twitch his ears. Marty eased his rifle into a shooting position and started carefully scanning the area ahead. Sure enough, there was a fine buck deer walking out from cover with his nose in the air, probably trailing a doe. Marty eased the safety off the M-14 and was caught by surprise as the metal butt plate pushed into his shoulder. The deer simply crumpled and dropped, without taking a step. Marty was thankful he had taken the animal cleanly without undue suffering and being as how the deer had not been alarmed, there was no adrenalin flowing to taint the meat. “Let's get this one hung up and bled out, and then we will work a little deeper in the woods and see if we can get you one,” said Marty.

They hung the deer and opened the chest cavity to let it cool as the blood drained, and after wrapping it in a little cheese cloth to keep the bugs away, they continued the hunt, this time with Rodney leading.

After about thirty minutes, they decided to turn around and collect Marty's deer and call it a day. Rodney nudged his mule forward and after about three steps, the mule seemed to lock up. Rodney watched as the mules ears twitched back and forth. He raised his 30.06 bolt action Winchester Model 70 and scanned the area and was rewarded with a big fat doe. He dropped the deer in her tracks and he and Marty repeated the earlier action of field dressing the deer. They then tied the deer across the mule and soon they were back to Marty's. Marty was quick to notice the coyote tracks and told Rodney, they were luck they came back when they did. “We will have to deal with these critters sooner or later. Maybe I can show you a little bit about trapping.”

Marty took out his hand held radio and told Martha they were bringing two deer back and for her to see if Ron was up to helping skin the deer. They planned to hang them in the barn overnight and the butchering would commence tomorrow.
 
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