mommato3boys

As we rode to The Q's we noticed their crops looked as bad as ours but the sun was making them stand back up. Mr Q was in the yard when we arrived and he said they had fair well. Nothing major and everything was dry. He asked how we did we told him about N's cabin and the crops but the only other major damage was wndows. Sf told him we faired rather well since we were on the moutain and formed over us and moved throught the valley. If had come from the north we would have lost everything. We didn't stay we told him we were headed to the lodge to get information on everyone else and that we would be back tonight. Mr. Q said before we left that he would be glad to help rebuild N's cabin if we had mind to before he got back. SF thanked him and told him that is exactly what we planned. Especially since he went to help bring the newcomers in. As we rode up to the lodge we noticed Mr. S standing in the front porch of the lodge (well what was left of it) listening to messanger that had just returned from Mother's. It seems that they had crop damage and they have some animals they can't get to becuase of rising water but over all they all safe and sound. We saw W&A wagon so we knew they were there. Mr. S stopped and told us that W&A were inside and that they had told him about N's cabin. He said he would get some people together and they would be out Thursday and Friday to help rebuild the cabin. He asked if we could have it cleared by then SF told him that it should be cool enough by Monday that we could start clearning it. We discussed the damage to the lodge Mr. S said it wasn't as bad as it looked. The porch had lost it roof and there were a couple broken windows the real damage was the green house. He said it was damaged pretty bad. We shared the news that The Q's faired well no major damage just a lot of crop damage but Mr. Q had hoped that since the plants were so young that they would recoup. Mr. S agreed with Mr. Q he said that would be one saving grace a lot of the young tender plants would bounce back if they were just beat down but those that were twisted he was pretty sure were lost. Mr. S asked about P's place we told him that the rice and some of the other crops had washed away the corn was beat up pretty bad as well as the wheat. We told him that he had lost some windows and his door was ripped off but we repaired that and had plexi-glass for the windows. We went inside the lodge and found W&A I asked if they had heard how everyone made out and they said no that only the messenager from Mothers had returned. While sitting there having coffee some of the B's group come in and said Mr. S had just told them about N's place and to expect them first thing Thursday. A couple said they would come out and help clear the place also. SF thank them. I told SF&W that they needed to go hunting again. That if I had to feed these guys for a couple of days we would need more than what is left of meat. SF said they would take care of that tomorrow. We all left and headed back to the moutain. We left W&A at their place. A said she would be doing laundry tomorrow and I told her that was my plans also. W suggested that A bring her laundry up to the cabin where and we could just wash it all together. I told her that was fine with me. That SF said it would get more lines up today. So she said she would see me in the morning when W came up to go hunting. W said he would ride over and tell the Q's about the lodge and Mother's and let them know there would be a cabin raising on Thursday. I thanked him and told him to be sure and tell Mrs. Q we were all ok. As Sf and I rode back to our place we stopped in the lower pasture and let the animals out and herded them back to the barn. Tink was happy to see us well she was happy to see Molly. Sf and I made quick work of the evening chores then we got the clothes lines up. Then came the real work...clean up. SF said all the limbs could be cut up and made into fire wood so we stacked it beside the barn to dry. The spring was up to the bottom of the bridge but it should be down by morning. SF check the bridge and said it was still secure. The hot spring wasn't so hot right now but it was still hot enough for a shower. Dinner was light it was the left over bear steaks and biscuits from breakfast. Sf said the lights were working again in the cave. He was glad that I remember to put the solar panels in the cave. Then it hit me we had not even looked at the wind turbine. We headed that way but we knew before we got there that it was destoryed. We found parts and the blades along the way. It had snapped off about half way up. SF said it could be repaired that the blades had just come off they didn't look broke but that it would need a better pole. He said he guess he knew now why they were alwasy mounted on a pyrmaid like thing in all the old movies. We both laughed. I said it was a good thing W had gotten his up yet. We gather up the pieces we could find and headed back to the cottage. SF said we would deal with it after N's cabin was rebuilt. As we settled in to bed that night we gave thanks for the good Lord's protection and mercy. We both knew it could have been a lot worse.

SF and I woke early this morning the sun was just coming over the mountains. We had only had a couple hours of sleep. Tink had delivered her filly this morning around 2:00. Momma and baby are doing fine. Tink was a real trooper she did everything herself. She is gonna make a good momma too. She took right to cleaning the little filly and nudging it to nurse. I think it was trying to stand even before it had been fully delivered. We left Tink around 2:30 after we made sure that the baby would nurse and it was dry. I headed out to the kitchen to start coffee then we both headed to the barn there were limbs down everywhere the corn was bent over but SF said since it was not twisted it would probably stand back up. The animals were a lot calmer this morning. Everyone went to the lower pasture with no probably. We kept Tink and baby in the corral today. We also kept Molly and one of the Mules so we would have something to ride today. Bryce and Boss were down in the pasture already. Even through they were still puppies Bryce and Millie were taking their job seriously. Millie has become clingy here lately. She stays right by my side. Sf said she senses something wrong with my hearing and won't leave me. It seems to have eased his mind that the pup has become my protector. After moving the chicken tractors back out in the yard out of the barn we headed back to the kitchen for breakfast. It was going to be a big breakfast neither of really ate anything yesterday so this morning we were starved. SF got the binoculars out and looked down to N's cabin it was still smoking but he said it looked like it was out he couldn't tell be he didn't think any of the fields burned. From what he could see of P's place it looked ok but the crops took a beating. I sent SF to the cave to get the venison steaks I had canned. We heard Boss barking and I told him to bring two jars that I suspect that is W&A Boss is barking at, SF looked at me funny. He said how can you hear Boss barking but not me calling your name. I told him because Boss was on my good ear side and I am tuned in to listen for them barking since they are with the animals. He just shrugged and headed to the cave. When he got back W&A where pulling up in the yard. They had brought a wagon. A asked if that was Tink's baby in the pasture and I told her yeah that she delivered about 2:00 this morning. I told her it was a little filly. Sf asked how their placed held up. W said that the river was up but it was not in the yard. W also said that they lost some the roof off the barn and they have a broke window but it was mostly the crops that took the hit. The corn that was not covered is laying down and the wheat was pretty much beat to death. The buckwheat was not up good yet but what was up had been pounded back into the ground. W said they rode by P&N's places and N's cabin was a total loss. P lost windows and a door but those could be replaced. The crops that were covered were not too bad but they did have some damage but nothing like what the uncovered crops took. SF said after breakfast we would go and uncover everything and survey the damage. I told him I would like to go and check on The Q's he said we could do that as soon as the crops were uncovered. While A&I cleaned up breakfast SF&W went to saddle the mule and Molly. We were going to use the wagon to throw all the covers in then divide them up and wash them. SF said he would put up more clothes line for me today after we got back from checking on everyone. One we arrived down in the valley the more I saw the more my heart sank. I couldn't stop the tears. SF&W got the door back on P's cabin and A&I boarded up the windows until we could get the plexi-glass cut and back down here. N's place was still hot but SF was right the rain had contained the fire just the house and some of the yard was burnt. We pulled the sod roof of half expecting it to blaze back up but it didn't there was nothing left to burn. A&I dumped the rain barrels on it while SF and W took buckets to the river and got water to pour on it to make sure it was really out. Some of the sod could be used again so we watered it and left it laying in the yard. The chimney still stood and W&A check it out and said with a good scrubbing it could be still used. We racked the ashes around to make sure there was no hot spots. W&A said they would take our sheets and stuff back up to the cabin and we could ride on over to The Q's and check on them. They said they would meet us at the lodge.

Friday, June 18 We did thinks backwards this morning. We ate breakfast first then I went to do the chores in the barn. SF headed to the cabin to start work on the floor. I had problems getting the animals out of the barn this morning. I knew I was in trouble when the pigs would not go out. The piglets tried but Momma pushed them back. Then I tried to drag Molly Girl out and I thought she was going to take my head off. The ewes backed up in the corner of their stalls and were protecting their babies. What in the heck is going? Then it hit me lower pressure was coming, both SF and have arthritis and both ached this morning that could only mean…STORM SYSTEM coming through. That meant rain. Well I gave in and left the animals in the corral for the day and just put out hay. I headed to the cottage to tell SF what was going on and he suggested that we get the blocks out of the rain because they still were not good dry. So we hauled the blocks inside the cottage. Just as we got the last block in Bryce and Millie tore out to the ledge and started barking. SF picked up a rifle and headed out after them. SF said it was a rider coming fast…liked the devil himself was after him. It was a message from Mt.Rider and a barometer. We have one somewhere I just haven’t unpacked it. The rider said it has drop since he left Doc and the Mrs. at the lodge. OH CRAP not good. SF asked if he had been by W&A and he said no he had just left The Q’s and hit us then had planned on heading there. SF told him that he would warn them to go on to the next person. SF grabbed a set of reigns and popped the bit in Molly’s mouth and off they went. He didn’t even take the time to saddle her. He yelled back to pull out everything I could find to cover crops. I quickly started grabbing sheets, blankets, quilts, buckets, grates anything I could find. I even pulled out the plastic we had brought for row covers for next year so that we could start the garden early. I quickly covered the kitchen garden and said a prayer that the green house glass would survive. I had just about all of the circles covered on the ledged when I saw SF, W&A headed my way. They had stopped and put out all the sheets and blankets they could find which wasn’t many. We did not have near enough to cover all of the crops. I noticed they were covering only the crops that had gone in first and anything that was at least knee high. Maybe we would have enough cover I doubted it. I grabbed my bike and headed down the hill with what was left of my covers stuffed in one of the boy’s sea bag. We could hear the thunder rolling in the distance it was getting closer. We had to make choices as what to try and save. GRAINS we had to save as much of the grain as we could. There was no way we could get the fields covered that P&N planted but we covered as much as we could. A & I took the horses over to P&N’s places and got the bedding off their bed and anything else we could find. The storm was coming from the southwest so hopefully we could make a tent that would shield as much as possible. I was sick just thinking about the loss we were about to endure. We covered as much as we could then SF and W flew out of here headed over to The Q’s to help them A went home to put their animals up and I headed back to get ours back the barn. By the time I got back up the mountain it was raining and it was a stinging rain. I could tell it was going to turn bad and quick. I opened all the stall doors and the animals in the corral all found their way in while I untied the goats. Bryce and Millie started herding the goats to the barn. Boss was on the ledge watching for SF. He would run to me then back to the ledge. After all the animals were in I got the stall doors to the outside closed every one settled down but Tink. She was turning in circles and dancing. She didn’t want me to touch her. She kept nudging her belly like she had colic. I noticed that the wax had left her teats and they were starting to drip. OH great just what I need…Tink was going into labor. I left her and went to the cabin. I knew we would need light so I wanted to get the battery powered lights for the barn. I didn’t want to take any chances with oil lamps out there. I ran to the spring house too get food and saw the solar panels so I quickly yanked them into the cave so that they would not get smashed. That is when I remembered the ones at the cottage so I went flying there to get them under cover also and back to the cave to get food. The wind was howling by now. It had been several hours since the rider left I couldn’t tell what time it was from the sun because the clouds were so dark and ominous. Back home we would have been heading to the basement. This was tornado weather but I don’t recall of hearing of tornados here. Boss was having a hissy fit himself I noticed him barking but I couldn’t hear him over the wind and thunder. I started calling him but he wouldn’t come so I went to get him and saw SF headed up the side of the mountain and I barely could see W in the distance. I finally got Boss to come with to the barn when he saw that was the direction that SF was headed. Molly was giving it all she had she didn’t like this weather. By the time they made it to the barn it was hailing. It wasn’t big yet just pea size but still big enough to do damage. The lightening is what scared me. It was making the hairs on my arms stand up. The thunder and lightening were coming right on top of each other so that told me that the storm was right on top of us. The hail was bigger I could hear it hitting the side of the barn. SF was drying and brushing Molly and I was with Tink. She still was no letting me too close. She would let me pat her head but when I tried to work my way around and check her she would side step. Finally once SF was finished I held Tink’s head while he checked her but he said that the muscles still looked too tight. We left her then SF said he would check her again when he come out to feed them tonight. It was still hailing so we were stuck in the barn. There is no way we could get to the cabin with out being pelted to death by the hail. As I stood and watched the storm move across the valley it was like watching something in slow motion. From our view it was a show of magnificent power. I thought about those headed to the Rocking J. I hoped they were there already and they were undercover. I say a quick prayer for their safety. Just when we thought the worst was over a huge lightening bolt come out of nowhere and struck the valley. The thunder was deafening. Just as quick as the hail came it moved on. It was over W&A headed north. I prayed everyone was safe and in doors. We needed a siren at our end of the valley to sound to warn the other end. As we ran for the cabin we saw smoke. SF ran in and got the binoculars and we went to the edge of the ledge where I watch the sun rise. It wasn’t W&A’s place it was further north. It was N’s place SF said that N’s house was on fire. My heart sank; I knew he would be crushed when he got back. SF said there was no way we could get down there to save it he also said with the rain coming down it would keep it from spreading. As we stood there getting drenched we watched the cabin burn, the storm more through and we watched streams fill up and ponds go out of banks. SF said the kids were far enough back that they should not get flooded, especially since the snow had long since melted. We trudged back through the rain to the cabin both with heavy hearts; as soon as the storm passed we would go out and check the damage. Half our crops were beaten down. I had an enormous amount of laundry now because we used everything we had to cover the crops. Since the hail had passed and the rain softened we uncovered the garden plots on the ledge and the kitchen garden. I stood on the back porch and stripped out of the wet clothes and let the rain wash over me. My tears mixed with the rain as it ran down my face. SF had started a fire in the fire place to knock the chill off and to dry our shoes and clothes. He rain out to the summer kitchen and got a couple of buckets of hot water so we could wash the mud off. After washing I just wrapped up in my robe and sat in front of the fireplace drinking hot tea. I asked SF how many logs had they cut for the floor of the cottage. He knew exactly where I was headed and answered not that many. It was dark so we would have to till morning to go down in the valley; there was no way we would be able to get down there tonight. SF went and pulled out the walkie talkies he said he hoped W remembered we had them. He turned it on and tried calling them but they didn’t answer. He said he would leave it on just in case. Our clothes were pretty much dry so we put them back on and headed back out to the barn. It was still raining we walked to the ledge and SF looked again and said the house was down but was still smoking. The best he could tell it had not spread so we headed to the barn. When we entered the barn we didn’t see Tink she was down so I went to her and SF took care of the animals. It was going to a long night on the mountain.

(IRL still struggling with muscle spasms, can't take the meds and work so this was actually the post I had started for yesterday but I changed it to today. Now I should be caught up) Thursday, June 17 After a day of a pure unadulterated pity party I had cried myself to sleep. It was all so overwhelming. Someone turn the light out oh wait that is the sun…close the curtain! I don’t wanna get up please don’t make me get up. Quit your nose is wet…wait wet nose means 4 legged beast. Just how did you two get in here much less get on the bed? SF wasn’t in the cabin so I picked up brat 1&2 and stuck them out side. They beat me back to the bed got on the basket at the end of the bed climbed n the chair and then jumped on the bed and sat there looking at me all innocent. Now I have to wash the sheets again because there are little paw prints everywhere. I gave up the idea of going back to bed so I got dressed after chasing my clothes all over the cabin. The little sneaks wanted to play. First it was my underwear then my socks then my shoes. My poor shoe laces are just strings. I am not sure I should tie the laces or braid them back together and then tie them. Alright you two lets go, you know something SF is right you two need names. How about Mutt and Jeff or Pete and Repeat? I headed to the barn to find SF. He had turned the pigs out babies and all. The sheep were down in the pasture also. Molly was there but no Tink and no goats. I heard the goats fussing when I opened the door and I found Sf checking out Tink. It seems she is further along than we thought. Her udder has extended and the milk veins under her tummy are large, her tummy is getting pointed and her tail is starting to stick out. This all means she is within weeks of delivering. Sf decided that she would stay in the corral that he didn’t want her in the lower pasture in case she went to labor. After we got Tin settled in the corral and the goats milked and tied out we started looking over the barn to see just where we could put Tink. None of the stalls were really big enough for her to lay down and for us to get in and work with us if she needed help except the milking stall, it was huge and it opened into the corral. So we cleaned one of the front stalls and moved the “stuff” from the milking stall down there except the milking stand we set it up in the isle so I would have more room. We then hauled in fresh hay got the stall all set up as a birthing stall. I brought the animal first aid kit back there and SF went and got a rope and come-along just in case we needed it. He went ahead and hooked the come-along up in the rafters but left the rope hanging on the outside of the stall door. Since we don’t know any history of Tink we are guessing this may very well be her first foal. Since she is a Belgian draft horse she is huge she is 18 HH. This should be interesting. She is kicking up a fuss out there she doesn’t like the corral she wants to be in the pasture with Molly. I hear Molly in the pasture too, they don’t like being separated. So I went and got my book on horses and we checked her against the book. Since her teats are not filled out SF went ahead and took her to the pasture. I closed up the birthing stall and left it. Guess I will be reading up on horse birthing. The puppies were sitting at the barn door just waiting. Boss was in the pasture with the animals. I told the puppies they were to be in the pasture with Boss, they looked at me then down at the pasture and off they went. You would think they understood. Later I looked down at the pasture and sure enough the puppies were sitting beside boss. Yep they need names. Humm I wonder what SF would think of Lord Bryce and Lady Millicent. Will have to run those by SF…Bryce and Millie. Ok now to feed the humans. I stopped and gathered eggs on the way back and had almost a dozen so I think I will make pasta tonight. For now I will make biscuits and eggs and grits we haven’t had grits in a while. SF finally commented on the “yellow” bricks. He asked what we were going to do with them all. I told him they were for the kitchen. He got his coffee and sat down and just looked at me. What? Just where are we putting these in the kitchen? I reminded him about the wall and I decided I wanted a pantry a big pantry. So he went into the cabin and got a notebook and pen them came out and drew the cottage. He said now show me so I drew out the walls and the pantry. He obviously needed another cup of coffee because he was not getting it. He just shook his head. He kept looking at me strangely all through breakfast finally I got tired of it and said What? He smiled and said oh nothing I was just trying to gauge if you were still in melt down mode of if you had pull yourself together. I couldn’t help it I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed. He said I take that as you are in recovery mode. I told him not yet but I am getting there. He took me in his arms and said no matter what we will get through it and we will get through it as a family. Now chin up we have a kitchen to design. After breakfast and before headed back to the Q’s we walked though the cottage and staked out where walls would go. SF said they should have the walls finished and the roof on today over at the Q’s so we will be able to start on the floors and inside wall tomorrow. He said would probably be late when he gets home tonight they are going to stay and work as long as they have day light.

Wednesday, June 16 I am sick of planting, I am tired of laying stone. I want running water, a real toliet, and a refrigerator. There is this little man running around the inside of my head with a sledge hammer banging away. And I want everyone back in the valley safe and sound. I am homesick today. I miss my family and my friends that were left behind. I am worried about my boys and those that we have coming. I miss the internet and phone. (IRL I am having spasms in my back and can't sit long so I am taking my pity party and going to bed)

Ok so I got behind on posting. I type in word then copy and paste over here. So today I got Sun, Mon and Tue posted. Hopefully today I will get my act together and get it finished and posted.

Tuesday June 15 Well SF and W have gone back over to The Q’s to cut more lumber. They seem to think that they will have all they need cut today. SF pulled out the chain saw since it was just the 3 of them. He said they had gotten enough cut for The Q’s now he wanted to cut some for W&A and start cutting for R&V and for our floor. It rained a little the other night and by the looks of it the new cottage roof will be nice and dry. A and I worked on getting the sod on it yesterday. We got as far as we could reach without climbing on to the roof. SF and W finished it when they got home and then watered it good. So hopefully when the next rain comes through we can check for leaks. The solar panels are up and the wind turbine is working so we are in business with lights and the freezer!!! I will have ice again. I think that is the thing I miss the most is my refrigerator. I miss being able to just open the refrigerator and take out ice cold lemon aid or ice cold milk. Now I have to trek off to the cave. Oh one other thing W built me some steps for the cave now I don’t have to climb in and out. He even built a little porch (stoop) like at the top so I can set my baskets down and close the door. It took all of Sunday afternoon and all day yesterday for the batteries to charge. I didn’t realize we had totally drained them. W said they had drained also by us not using them. I can’t wait till the freezer is working. They way W has it set up is it will run straight from the convert then once the convert is not producing it will draw from the batteries. SF said that we could freeze the meat then this winter pack it in sawdust and set it in the very back of the cave where it will be the coldest. He said that way when the days are short the freezer won’t drain the batteries and we can still have lights. It is something to think about. If nothing else it will give me time this winter to prepare and can the meat. Today we made more bricks and by noon we had nice little maze going. We stopped because we were not sure how many bricks we would need. Next we got to thinking about how we were going to cover the bricks. I wanted natural colored walls in the sitting area of the main room so but I wanted yellow walls in the kitchen. So we went on the hunt for dandelions to dye the stucco with. We hit pay dirt. The valley below was covered in yellow dandelions. We gathered two 25lb flower sacks full. We carried them back to the cottage and boiled them man oh man was that yellow water. It was so yellow it looked brown. So we made a few more bricks using the yellow water and they can out gold looking. I was disappointed I was hoping for sunshine yellow. A suggested leaving them this color then ragging a white wash over them. She said that would give them a marbled look. Humm she did pay attention when we painted the house back home. Ok back to the library to see if they have a recipe for white washing. Wait I have all those old homestead books in a crate somewhere maybe there is a recipe there. We continued making yellow bricks until Sf & W got home. We didn’t have near enough but we probably had enough for one side of the divider wall. Now I have to make enough for the pantry. SF and W laughed but I told he this way we didn’t have to paint…he stopped laughing then and thought it was a pretty good idea. Hummphhh…MEN! I still owe him a dunking too. After W&A left I got SF to walk down to the pond with me because I want to see how we could build a pier (I thought I was being sneaky) so we get there and we are looking then just when I thought he wasn’t paying attention I shoved him and he lost his balance and away he went. But at the last minute he grabbed my arm and I went too. NO FAIR! He was the only that was supposed to get wet now we are both wet. He is laughing and I am steaming. Although the water felt wonderful after we had been hot and sweaty all day. So we started dunking each other. By the time we got out we were water logged and it was a very long walk back up to the cabin especially with him still laughing. He hugged me and told me to give it up I would never win. OH look here comes dog 1 and dog 2. He said we are NOT naming them Dog 1 and Dog 2 I said you wanna bet. He said he would name them. As we come back up from the pond we heard one of the goats so we went flying to the bank where I had them staked out. We got there just as her water broke. SF untied her and got her back in the barn. He left me to tend her while he brought the other animals in and fed and watered them. By the time he got back to me she was having problems. I went and scrubbed up I knew I was going to have to help her. I checked the baby and discovered the feet were bent under…oh great here we go in between contractions I pushed the little thing back and straighten its legs with the next contraction she delivered him just fine. He was a big boy. We were busy toweling him down and getting him cleaned up when the second one came. Second one! The first one was almost on his feet as soon as he born. The second was also a boy but he was about half the size as his brother but just as determined to stand. He was up in matter of minutes and both were nursing when we went back to the cabin. Since the sun had gone down our wet clothes were cold. SF grabbed the shower bags and filled them with water from the cook top’s reservoir. I gathered towels and soap and headed to the shower in the back. The shower felt good but my mind was wandering. I have to feed SF grrrrrr I have no quick meals ready. This life sure has it draw backs at time. I may just pull out the peanut butter and have peanut butter sandwiches tonight. I need to put some more dry beans on to soak….hey I am out of water. I need a bigger shower bag. I quickly dried off and dressed. Then headed to the cave to find food, just as I got there SF was coming out he had taken over dinner. He found left over grape leaves and a little slab of roast left. I let him have the grape leaves and I made a sandwich. Then it was lights out.

Monday, June 14 Well I thought I would be up and out early. I was just up early. SF refused to let me go with him this morning. He said it was too dangerous. I argued until I had no voice left and I still lost. W even took his side the traitor. So A& I stayed behind and worked on our roof. Her idea not mine. Mine was to wait until guys had enough time to get there then A&I go exploring but she shot that down. So we laid sod…BORING!!! While laying sod I decided that we would do the wall to divide the main room and we would build cubbies into the walls so I will have bookshelves for cook books and places to sit oil lamps and things we use. I am even building a pantry but it will have a rock floor so that it will stay cool. This way I won’t have to make so many trips the cave. The canned items will go in the pantry during the winter and the stuff that we store like potatoes, pumpkin, apples etc will go to the cave. After we got as far as we could with the roof A&I started making adobe blocks for the inside walls, first we build a couple of frames then we got to play with mud. After we got the hang of it it wasn’t so bad. We only did a few to see how they would do. The first set never dried. The second set crumbled, so we mixed the two perfect. We made several more just to make sure we had it right and they all turned out pretty good. They held together just fine. Dinner last night was stuffed grape leaves. I was bad I know I made A go with me where I had found the grape vines early and I gathered grape leaves. She wasn’t too comfortable there because she is not a good shot. I told her all she to do was be my ears so she agreed. We even picked some more berries while we were there. After we got back we quickly constructed a drying wrack and spread out the berries so they would dry. I am not getting enough to make jelly yet but to many for muffins or cobbler. SF was thrilled with the stuffed grape leaves even though I used goat instead of lamb they still turned out pretty good. I wonder if is possible to can grape leaves. Hum will have to ask Mother. Next time I see her.

Sunday, June 13 W&A did not go with us today so we rode the horses to the lodge. W&A were digging the footing for the extension to the front of the cabin plus they wanted some down time. They have been real troopers helping us get the cottage finished before P&N get back with Connor and Aidan. I know they need to add on to their place quickly also. Once we arrived at the lodge we saw Mother’s family but Mother and hubby were not with him her mom told me that Mother had stayed behind to help with the birthing of a calf. It seems that Mother’s group is having a population expansion like we did. Which reminds me I have a note to put on the board about the piglets. We saw Dr. Mt.Rider and spoke with him he said the Mrs. was round here somewhere but he wasn’t sure where. I didn’t see the Q’s I guess they didn’t make it. Yesterday they had planned on coming but weren’t really sure. Mr. Q wanted to get started on the addition as quickly as possible plus they were still adding to their garden like we were and probably everyone else that had family coming in. I saw SF and Mr. S in a deep conversation I figured I would leave those two be. I ran into some of B’s group and Missy found me. Hard to believe that child had such a hard trip here. She asked about P and I told her that he had gone with the other men to bring the newcomers here. That is when she told me her other grandparents and aunts were coming. She was so excited. I saw her mom and she told me that yes her husband’s parents and sisters had decided to join them. They had been robbed several times and his father had been beaten so he decided it was best to get his wife and daughters some place safer. She said they were sheeple and that this would be a real eye opener for them. I asked if she needed anything and she said maybe after they arrived they would need help building but right now they were just working as hard as they could to get their gardens doubled and their house finished. I told her to send the messenger if we could help and she said she would. We said our goodbyes and I headed to the library. I was looking for a book on stucco. After the service we stayed for lunch. It seems my darling has loose lips. Several people had heard the story of my grounding due to loss of hearing. Even Mr. S said something to me. Just wait till I get SF home. He will be the one to take the dunking in the cool spring this time…the blabber mouth. We stayed for lunch which was fun. I miss those evenings around the camp fires. On the way back we stopped by W&A to check on them. They had the footings all dug and had gotten about a 3 foot wall up. W said he ran out of logs. He and SF figured out how many more they would need then we headed back to our place to tend to the animals. Boss and the puppies were on the porch when we arrived. The puppies ran all over Boss to get to us. I still haven’t figured out how in the world we ended up with both puppies. Oh well they’re cute little butterballs. Sf was laughing at them tugging on his pants leg wanting to play. He said we really need to name them. Names yeah ok…dog1 and dog2…SF just rolled his eyes. With the animals tended to I turn my attention to dinner. I went and dug out the last of the bear steak that we did not do anything with, and the last two sweet potatoes. I put the potatoes in the coals and so they would cook while I started trying to find some way to cook the steak. I found some oil and vinegar type Italian dressing and marinated the steak in it. I let it set for about 30-45 minutes while I gathered greens for dinner. While I was out there I saw some blooms on our tomato plants that we planted when we arrived. Oh my stars I just realized they have been in the ground for weeks. These are some that I had started in pots and when we arrived put them in the ground and they really took off. So with the salad done the potatoes done I grilled the steak and it nearly fell apart on me. It tasted pretty good also. We turned in as soon as it got dark. We knew we would be up and out early.

Rub a dub dub I am up to my elbows in laundry. Yuck....I had rather scrub toilets instead of doing laundry. I shouldn't complain it had drastically reduced since the boys have moved out on their own. But SF sure can get rank after a day of laying stones or chopping trees. I have got to get back on schedule of doing a load every other day instead of leaving it all to do in one day. I ran out of clothes line and had to use the bushes for stuff. W&A came up again this morning and helped finish the outside walls of the cottage and put the roof frame on. Now all that is left is to lay sod up there. They got the supports in and the styrofoam insulation (we used the styrofoam we had packed the plexi-glass in no since in wasting anything) laid down and then the waterproof plastic down. This afternoon SF and I will work getting the sod laid. W came around to where I was doing the laundry and said he and A were headed out that they were not going to stay for lunch. They were acting weird when they left here...oh well. SF went to wash up and pulled out the BOBs...wait you can't have anything out of there. He just smiled and said watch me. He pulled out some of the food and stuffed in saddled bags, grab my hand and lead me to the barn where Tink and Molly Girl were saddled. He said this is my reward for not pitching too big of a fit for being grounded. We were going to have a picnic lunch and then look for berries and stuff. He had a couple of bags tied on the back of the horse. I was so happy. We crossed the stream and headed around the face of the mountain towards the trappers cabin the other side of The Q's. We found all sorts of trees I wasn't sure if they were pear trees or apple trees I can't tell them apart. I did find a couple of grape vines and more wild strawberries. I asked SF if we could take some to The Q's he said he had no problem with it. We gather Q a bag of wild strawberries and raspberries. Those raspberries looked so good but I can't eat them. I gathered some for W&A also. We stopped at the waterfall that fed the stream that ran down to The Q's and had our picnic lunch. After lunch we rode on to the trapper's cabin and found more wild grapes and a few walnut trees. Then jack-pot....pecans!!! That was an awesome find. Not only that but there was a bunch of seedlings. SF dug up about 12 of them and we are going to take them back to our side of the mountain and plant them out behind the beehive house. We turned back towards The Q's since the sun was getting on over in the sky. We crossed the stream and found them fishing. Mr.Q looked like he was jus so content sitting there with his pole in the water. Q was excited about the strawberries and raspberries. SF gave her 4 of the pecan seedlings to plant in their yard. We may not live to see their fruits but they will offer shade. Then SF had to go and ruin everything by telling Q that I was grounded and told her the whole sorted story. She was working a good head of steam when Mr. Q took pity on me. He laid his hand on her should and said honey I think SF has already punished her enough do you think? That took the wind out of her sails real quick. I owe Papa Q big time. She did hug me and tell me to be nice and not wander off and scare SF. She said that if I ever want to go exploring that she would go with me. I thanked her and I hugged and thanked Mr. Q too. He whispered and said he could tell that I was not happy about the whole situation. Talk turned to the new additions coming in and they told us they were getting orphans and SF told them about Connor and Aidan. SF told Mr. Q that as soon as he was ready to start cutting logs and expanded the cabin to let him know. It was just him and W but they could still help. He told SF that he had already started cutting but he didn't have anywhere near enough. So Sf told him that he and W would be over Monday to help cut some logs. They were going to have to cut some for the addition to W&A place any way so why not cut them all at one time. Q asked if I had heard if anyone had pigs they were wanted to sale or trade. I told her that Pepper just had a litter of 10 and I had put Oscar and Rose together since she had come in to season. Mr. Q asked what bred where the piglets I told him that they were Durocs. Q asked if I thought they would be big enough to process this fall. I told her I planned on processing them in November once the weather turned cooler. That my parents and grandparents always did their slaughtering in December but we are will probably have snow by then so I was thinking mid-November. Mr. Q asked if Sf if he was interested in possibly trading or selling a couple. Sf told him he was sure we could work something out. I asked Q if she had planned on slaughtering these or if she wanted a breeder pair. She said both. She said that they had heard some of the B group had some they were bartering with but she also wanted a breeder pair. I told her that I would get her a male from this litter and then a female from Rose's litter so that they would be from different stock. Pepper had actually been bred to one of the B's groups male because Oscar wasn't quite old enough to for stud service when she came in to season. The Q's invited us for dinner but SF declined he said he didn't want to be on the trail in the dark with Tink since she was pregnant he didn't want to risk a fall. (now Sf is acting strange something is going on and I am not in on it.) I asked Q if they were going the lodge tomorrow and she said they planned on it. They wanted to see if there was any word from those that went out. I told her me too. We left them as they were gathering up their fish headed back to their cabin. We rode in silence for a while. I asked Sf what was going on first W&A were acting strange and now he was acting strange. He said nothing was going on. Yeah right. We went up the back side of the barn so that we could tend to the animals. By the time we had finished brushing down Tink and Molly (and feeling Tink's baby move) and tend to the other animals it was getting dark. I asked SF what he wanted to eat he said another one of those calzone things that I cooked last night sounded good. So we headed around to the cave and I had LIGHTS!!!!! W&A had come back and put the solar lights in the cave. YAY now I didn't have to juggle the flashlight basket and back out of the cave. I look at SF and he was grinning like a possums. So we gather what we needed and headed to the summer kitchen were I had a light also. I was a happy camper when I went to bed. I had to go exploring, and I had lights.

Dear Diary, I can not believe today is June 11. Some days it seems like we have been here for ever and some days it seems like we just arrived. We are all guessing that the newcomers will be here the last of June first of July. I will be so glad to have all my family back safe and sound within these mountain walls. Even after my late night writing I was up and out on my ledge watching the sunrise. As I trudged off to the barn I saw SF sitting on the porch drinking his morning coffee watching me like a hawk, he was still troubled over my hearing. I think it was bothering him more than me. But then again I have always been hard of hearing in that ear. It is just something I have lived with. I stopped and gathered the eggs and set them in the summer kitchen then went to turn the animals out. Today all the animals would go to the lower pastures even Pepper and her piglets. We were trying to save the corral grass for bad weather days and for winter also. I turned the ewes and lambs out first; the lambs were having a blast running and jumping. Next were Molly and Tink then the pigs. I thought Oscar was going to run over Rose he was moving faster this morning than I ever remember. Last to go were the goats they had to wait until I was done milking. I hope Mr. Rock has been able to locate a couple more Nubian nanny goats for me, especially now with the boys coming to stay here. We are going to need more milk. A had already said that she would be using goats milk with the baby instead of cow’s milk. I guess I could send the milk down to her and bring the cow up here. Once I finished with the goats I staked them out on the side of the hill so they could clear some under brush for me. You would have thought they were in goat heaven. Even the baby goats were trying to help. They were so cute. After about an hour though they gave out and found a sunny spot and took a nap. I was surprised and pleased to see that the pups had gone in to protection mode. I had put Boss with the animals in the lower pasture hoping he would alert if anything came around. The pups went with him. I figured they would romp and play with the lambs and piglets but they sat right by Boss like they were full grown and had been doing this for a long time. By the time I got back to the summer kitchen SF had pancakes ready and W&A were there with him eating. I could tell they were deep in conversation when I approached and quickly changed the subject. A looked like she was about to cry. Now what? Did a rider bring bad news? When I joined them at the table I asked why all the long faces and SF said there were no long faces everyone was still half asleep. Yeah right but I didn’t push it. W said he had come up to help his dad with the chimney and walls. SF said with all 4 of us working on the stone walls we should be ready for the roof tomorrow, Monday at the latest. Then we could start on the inside. The inside??? I haven’t even considered the inside. So the topic turned to how we would finish the inside. We were going to have to insulate it some how. I made the comment something like what I wouldn’t give for one of those insulation blowers and insulation about now. W said it sure would make the job easier wouldn’t it. Sf suggested that we do something like stucco on the bedroom wall that way the stucco would seal the rock and mortar, he said as soon as we finish the walls and roof and then we would experiment with making stucco and tinting it. I asked about the floor and SF said he assumed I would want to do rocks. I asked about adobe bricks, he thought about it for a minute and asked how would I mop them? I didn’t think about that. Maybe we should just do hardwood floors. SF went on to explain that he had found some cedar trees he was going to use to build the closets. There would be no other walls that needed to go up unless I wanted a wall in the common room to divide it up so we would have a sitting area and a kitchen area. He said I didn’t have to decided now….to have a wall or not have a wall that is the question…Can I have cubbies in the wall? W chuckled, A said what a wonderful idea and SF said I wasn’t asking for much was I? Nope just cubbies. We all headed for the cottage. A and I worked on walls while SF and W worked on the chimney. I could tell SF and W were talking and W would look over my way every once in a while. I would catch bits and pieces. It seems that SF told them that I was restricted to the yard and that I was a brat about but after the cougar incident last night I backed down. I heard W say cougar rather loudly, well loud enough to get A’s attention and SF shhhh’d him but it was too late A started crying and she went into drama mode about me loosing my hearing. Which earned SF a scathing look from me and W gave A a scathing look but she didn’t see it she was still clinging to me bawling like a baby. After we got A settled down and back to work SF took W to the cave and showed him the cougar. I think SF was just a mite bit proud but that is neither here nor there LOL. Lunch would be pizzas, this way I could use the adobe oven in the yard. Oh I had cooked bread and biscuits in but not pizza. So I left everyone laying stones and I headed the cabin and cave to gather up stuff to make pizza. I took a moment to check on the animals and was pleased to see everything was ok. Boss was lying on the ground with his head on his paws and he had a pup on each side of him sound a sleep, poor babies the sunshine was just too much for them. The baby goats were staying close to momma. I didn’t tie them I knew they would not wander off. Back to pizza making, I found canned cheese, some dry veggies that I plan on rehydrating and some deer sausage. I went and found my pizza paddle. How that thing survived the trip I have no idea but it made it…it and my pizza stone. I had taken the first pizza out the oven SF, W&A came in. Looked pretty darn good if I do say so myself. They had the first one just about finished off when I pulled the second one out. I asked if they wanted me to make a third one and they said no they were just about full. So I saved the left over dough to make hot pockets tonight. Humm I wonder how long it will take them to cook; maybe I should start them to cooking now. I know it takes forever for rice to cook up here. That is what I am having the hardest time getting used to, the cooking differences in the altitudes. It takes longer for water to boil, rice to cook, noodles to cook. Less baking powder, less this more that. Oh well I guess I have the rest of my life to get the hang of it. A pitched in and helped clean up the lunch mess. I told her to take the pizza back with them for later. She said she had a deer roast on cooking for tonight but she was sure that W would eat it before he went to bed. When we joined SF&W again to lay more stones I reminded W that we needed to get the solar panels set up. He surprised me and told me that the wind turbine that he was working on looked like it was going to work. YAY I could use my freezer again!!! He said he wanted to hook up a couple of batteries to see if turbine would charge them. He said the batteries would charge then we would have lights in the cave and the freezer would be working again. SF&W had made great headway with the fireplace they had it about even with the walls. Maybe a couple of more hours we will have the outside walls up; then comes the roof---YIPEE. We worked on for several more hours. The sun was almost to the top of the western mountains when SF called it a day. If we had had about 3 more hours we would have been finished, oh well there is always tomorrow. W went to the lower pasture and herded the animals back to the barn and SF fed them while A and I brought the goats in. W caught me by myself and hugged me. He asked me not to give dad a hard time about being restricted to the yard. I told him I had given in and would not cause a fuss for now. W said that is what he was afraid of, I just smiled and said son I love you and take the left over pizza home with you for a midnight snack. He laughed and said he loved me too. He headed to the donkeys that he and A rode up on. It seems A is more comfortable on a donkey than a horse. Said she didn’t have as far to fall. Well I would have to say I think a donkey is a little more sure footed up here on the mountain than the horses are. SF was already getting his shower water so I heated more water added to the reservoir and started on the hot pockets. I got the small jar of pheasant and then some onions and mushrooms, cheese, and from my kitchen garden - some baby spinach leaves. Ok so this was going to be bigger than a regular hot pocket maybe more like calzone size, sure hoped SF was hungry. I rolled out the pizza dough and put all the stuffings one side then folded the dough over and pinched the edges together. I then brushed it with melted butter and garlic. Then I stuck it in the adobe oven. I got out my big pots and put water on to heat then headed around to the back porch and set up the tub. I knew it would take a while for the calzone to cook in the adobe oven so I quickly got the tub ready and used all the water in the reservoir and the water that was heating on the cook top. It wasn’t hot hot but was warm enough to do. So I hauled it all around to the back porch where the tub was. SF saw me and brought the rest of the hot water. As I sank in to the warm water all I could think about was this must be heaven…and that is where SF found me an hour later sound asleep. SF woke me up and said that he was going to have to do something about making that tub a little more private before the boys got here. But I like having nature in my tub room. He said he would give me a sky light. He suggested that we move it closer to the hot spring so that it would be easier to get hot water that way. I told him whatever that was his project. He just better come up with something quick because they would probably be here at the end of the month. I slipped on my robe and my flip flops and headed to check the calzone but it wasn’t in the oven. SF said he forgot to tell me but it was already on the table that is why he had come to get me to start with. After dinner while he had his pipe and I cleaned up the kitchen SF started doodling with the bathhouse. So far it looked pretty good. We will see.

Just to let y'all in on a little secret the past two days have been more real life than non real life. Yes I am loosing my hearing faster than we expected. So far it is just one ear. We are going to try a hearing aid but the doctor said there is no guarantees since the problem is background noise. My ear can't sort the two out. Needless to say I have had my world rocked this week. Oh and yes I did scare SF half to death I didn't hear him calling me and he couldn't find me.

Dear Diary, I snuck out to write this I am sitting here with the lamp buring low to save on oil. I can see SF asleep in bed, I left the door open so if he woke he would see me and not panic. I have caused him enough heartache the past two days I don't want to cause him any more. I was in my usual spot when SF found me this morning. Except instead of watching the sunrise I was being entertained by the moose(s) down at the pond. SF sat beside me and watched the baby moose(s) (there were 3 of them) playing in the pond while momma moose (s) grazed and got their fill of water. Papa moose was in the tree line drinking out of the stream that feed the pond and scraping the trees with is antlers. SF said he was marking his territory. Papa moose saw/heard us first and sent out a warning. Momma’s herded juniors into the trees quicker than you could say butterscotch. They are majestic animals…to be so big they are so graceful even the babies were graceful. Well except for Hubert, he didn’t look as big or as old as the others he was still wobbly and he stayed by his mother’s side and didn’t play in the pond. Makes me think he wasn’t very old at all. Well with the morning show over SF was headed to the barn to handle the morning chores and I headed to the kitchen to cook breakfast. After I made bread and biscuits I went to gather eggs and then I remembered we have deer sausage so I went to the cave to get sausage and decided to go ahead and cook a roast for dinner since I gathered wild garlic and onions yesterday. So I grab one of the baskets by the door and started gathering up stuff I was going to need then headed for the exit. Since the cave entrance was about 3 feet off the ground I was backing out of the cave on my hands and knees so I could pull the basket along with me. Just as I got my feet dangling out the entrance I felt something wrap and my waist I screamed and SF laughed as he sat me on the ground. He asked me if I thought the boogie man was getting me. So he was speaking to me again I reached for the basket but it was just out of my reach so SF grabbed it and headed back to the kitchen. Humph now I was the one glaring. I started the sausage to cooking and check the biscuits before starting on the eggs (which I realized I never gathered so I would have to run out and get a few.) SF was sitting quietly in the corner watching. He still was not really speaking to me. Just as I pulled the biscuits out of the oven he walked over and sat the pan of sausage off the heat and tossed me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and told me it was time for my punishment. Punishment?!?!?! After my punishment which was a dunking in the pond (this is the same pond that is fed by the cold spring so it was a bit on the chilly side since the sun was just barely over the mountain.) Hey I didn't dump you in the pond when you were almost killed by the bear. By the time I got back to the cabin my teeth were chattering. SF stood at the door of our bedroom and watched as I striped out of the wet clothes, my goose bumps had goose bumps. He walked over and wrapped one of the bath sheets around me and told me I could not longer leave the yard without someone with me, especially with loosing hearing in one ear (IRL too, back ground noises make it difficult for me to hear I have to watch people's lips when they speak if there is a lot of back ground noise). I told him I had Boss with me. He said Boss didn't count he couldn't shoot a gun. I said I bet Boss could he just smiled and said no matter I still could not wander off on my own. Breakfast was definitely going to be late maybe we will just have brunch instead. After brunch of cold biscuits and sausage with berries and cream we finished the outside walls of one of the additions and started work on the other addition. Around 3:00 we could smell the venison roast and SF's tummy started rumbling. So I left him laying the stones while I went and worked on lupper (hey brunch is breakfast/lunch why can't we have lupper- lunch/supper) I made creamed potatoes opened the last jar of asparagus and made gravy form the juice off the roast. I was slicing hot fresh bread when SF joined me. He said after we ate we would work on the common room of the cottage. I asked him if he thought we would get it finished in the next 4 weeks. He said there was a lot still to be done. It needed doors, windows and a floor. Plus we had to build a fireplace. He said his goal was to have at least one bedroom finished before the boys get back. Sitting there staring at the cottage a wave of hopelessness just washed over me. We were racing the clock and right now those clock hands were moving a lot faster than we were. The gardens were no where big enough at least all of the potatoes I had are in the ground. If they all produce we will just have to live off potatoes for the next year. Now that I was grounded to the yard I couldn't search out wild plants and berries. I guess I will just have to get A up here to go with me oh wait she couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if she tried, dang it. I will have to figure out something. SF could tell something was bothering me and asked me what was wrong. I told him it was the fact that he had me grounded to the yard that I need to be able to hunt wild greens, nuts, fruit trees and berries. He said the subject was closed and was not going to be reopened for discussion. That he was not giving on this. I just gave him and evil look and stuck my tongue out at him. I couldn't help it he just made me so mad. He laughed and kissed me on the top of my head and said he was going back to lay some more stones. I told him I would handle the evening chores and that we would have sandwiches later tonight from the left over roast. I got busy cleaning up. I sliced what was left of the roast and wrapped it in foil for later; then headed to the barn for the evening feeding and milking. Pepper let me handle her piglets this evening. Tomorrow we would let them outside with her in the pen. I had milked the goats and put the animals up for the night. On the way back I remembered I didn't gather the eggs this morning so I stopped to do that and I was still fuming about being grounded. Obviously I was mumbling louder than I thought because whenever I would look SF's way he was laughing. I couldn't help it I stuck my tongue out at him again and he caught me. This time he didn't think it was too funny he just gave me a sad smile. I know I was being a brat but dang I can take care of myself. I headed to the cave to put the eggs and milk away then I was going to help lay stones again. The sun was moving over the mountain when we finally called it a day. There was barely any moon tonight so it getting dark rather quickly. I headed to the rain barrels to get water while SF headed to the summer kitchen to get warm water. When he built the grill and cook top in the kitchen he also built in a reservoir for water so I would always have warm water. He filled the shower bag and headed to the back of the cabin where we had the camp shower set up. I took a bucket of water in the cabin and washed up since I had already had two baths already (the dunking in the pond and then the hot tub bath to warm up) afterwards I headed back to the kitchen to fix sandwiches. While looking for a green veggie for lupper I ran across a jar of bread and butter pickles so I opened them and went to our BOBs and dug out the chips that were in them. Since we had not used the BOBs on the trip here there was quite a few "treats" still in them but the guys didn't know about them and I planned keeping it that way. I had found some wild strawberries yesterday and used the left over biscuits from brunch to make strawberry shortcakes as dessert. I had just sat everything on the table when SF came in. He had on jeans and flip flops and was towel drying his hair. He plopped down at the table and patted the seat next to him. We sat there in silence eat for what seemed like forever. After he finished eating he leaned back and propped his feet up in the chair across from him and smoked his pipe while I washed the few dishes that were dirty gathered up the leftovers to go to the cave. As I started for the door to head to the cave SF picked up the rifle that always stood loaded in the corner and motioned me back to the table. When I looked at him kind of strange he pointed out the cougar that was up on the ledge over the hot spring. He told me to stay where I was. He left and went in the cabin and out the back door. The puppies had the attention of the cougar so he missed SF sneaking out the back of the cabin, I am sure the sliver of the moon helped too. I heard a pop and then saw the cougar roll down the mountain side. I sat the stuff down and unclipped my side arm and meet SF as he was headed over to check on the big cat. He slit the throat to make sure it was dead he stood up and looked at me. There was hurt in his eyes I had not seen there before. He simply said this is why I don't want you out by yourself. You were oblivious to the cougar. You didn't hear the pebbles he knocked down as he walked out on the ledge. He told me that he had yelled my name yesterday for about an hour and there was no response. Then he said what would have happen if a wild animal had come upon you while were gathering berries. I remember then that Boss had been growling and bristling up but I didn't see anything, maybe I didn't look high enough. I remember also how Boss kept looking back the way we came but he never left my side he probably did hear SF yelling. I wasn't about to tell SF about any of that I was in enough trouble as it was no need in making it worse. I couldn't say anything there was a lump in my throat the size of a base ball. I just stood there with my heart in my throat looking at my husband as he struggled to keep his cool. I knew then he wasn't really angry with me but angry at my situation and himself for not protecting me better. SF found a young sapling that had been knocked down when they were cutting trees for the barn and he broke the limbs off. We took our belts and tied the cougar's feet together so we could carry it on the pole. I helped SF get it in the cave and he hung it for it to finish bleeding out. Later as we were lying in bed I apologized for being a brat. I told him I knew I was going to have to be extra cautious since my hearing was getting worse and I would start wearing the hearing aid even though I didn't think it helped. I broke down and told him he was right about being oblivious but that I let my guard down when they are with me because I know they hear stuff before I do. He told me I couldn't do that. He reminded me we had discussed this before we left and I had promised that I would bow to his rules if he saw that my hearing was getting worse. I felt even worse. I even got brave enough and told him that yes I was stupid yesterday and about Boss growling and how he kept looking back the way we came. But I was just so happy to find the berries and wild greens. I could tell that maybe that wasn't quite the right thing to say because he stiffened up and held me even tighter. I admitted defeat and promised not to leave the yard without someone besides Boss with me and I would start paying better attention and quit depending on them to hear for me. He hugged me tighter and said thank you. I don't think he trusts me but I will be better about paying attention. Turning the lamp down I intended to crawl back in bed without waking SF. Just as I pulled the sheet up he rolled over and wrapped me in his arms. He asked me if I wrote a book in there...BUSTED! I told him I didn't mean to wake him. He said when I got up it woke him and he enjoyed watching me write. He said he could read what I was writing just by watching the expression on my face. He said he didn't mean to make me a prisioner but he no intention of letting me out of his sight. Maybe when the saint pups get old he will give me more freedom but I doubt it. I guess until then I will just have to work harder to get the cottage finished so that he will have more time to go exploring with me.

Journey entry June 9 The storm rolled through last night and rattled our little cabin. We discovered we had a leaky roof also. Thank goodness we will soon be in our solid cottage that won’t shake when a stiff wind blows through. Sorry I get a little antsy when strong winds blow, hazards of growing up in tornado alley. I hope those traveling are safe. I left SF in bed and went to sit ridge and watch the sun rise and I could see the brown fields slowly turning green. Our little corner of the world sure is coming to life. The puppies were being rambunctious this morning and poor Boss was just taking it all well that was until one of them bit his tail. He sent them high-tailing it back to the porch yelping all the way. Boss watched them until they go on the porch then lay back down beside me as if to say there now they have been scolded and sent to their room. I told him not to worry that when we went to check out the berries we would make sure they stayed behind. I swear I thought he smiled at me, silly old dog. I finished my hot chocolate and headed to the barn for morning chores. After everyone was fed and turned out into the grazing area I milked the goats and gathered the eggs. I let both ewes stay in the corral today since it still has a lot of grass I figured they could stay one more day close to the barn. I also left Pepper in her stall which she didn't like but I have to get SF to help me. We need to check teeth, trim cords and tails today. So we are going to have to banish Pepper from the barn today. On the way back to the cabin I gathered eggs and moved the chicken tractors so the chickens could scratch fresh ground. Since we are getting so many chickens we need to build either more tractors or a large chicken run to put these in. Something else to think about. The breakfast was just about finished by the time SF joined me. I decided to make this a big meal and then we would have a big lunch and small dinner tonight. By the looks of the lettuce we will have a salad for dinner. The pups were right on SF heels as he headed to the summer kitchen. We have started eating our meals out here since it is shaded. As we set down to eat I asked him did he want to work the piglets first or wait till later. He said no we would go ahead and get what needed to be done out of the way this morning then he could work on the walls of the cottage. I told him after we were finished with the piglets I was headed out to check the berries to see if there were any ready to pick. I also wanted to scout around for some wild greens to go with the lettuce, maybe even some wild garlic and onions. SF helped do dishes then we headed to the barn. Pepper wasn't too sure about going out but SF lured her out with some grain. I closed the door behind her and she was not happy about that. While we tended to the piglets they squealed which had her in a fit and head butting the door. Finally we got the stall cleaned fresh straw down and added extra food and water we opened the door for her. Good thing we set up so that we could open and close it from out side the stall. She was not happy and let us know about it. But all was forgiven when she found her babies and they started feeding. At least their sharp little teeth were not cutting her anymore. Boss and I left SF laying more rocks the pups fussing because I had put them in their little fenced area, which they are rapidly outgrowing. As I head around the face of the mountain to where we found all the wild berries Boss was growling and snarling. I check the gun on my hip and swung the rifle back around in front of me. I didn't hear anything but since I am almost deaf in one ear Boss had a major advantage over me. We finally got to the wall of thorns and they were just loaded with blackberries. Some were ripe but most were not. I will have to come back this weekend or the first of next week. It looks like there is going to be a bumper crop of berries. There were a good bit of berries and I found wild greens, garlic and onions. Hummm it was later than I realized by the time I got back. The sun was well on over in the western sky. As I walked up I noticed W&A there and SF was loading the weapons. I noticed a couple of mules and Molly was saddled. Obviously they didn't realize I was there because when I asked what they were doing they all jumped and SF yelled at me wanting to know where I had been (he used a several extra adjectives). I held up the berry bucket and the bag of greens. I reminded him I had gone to pick berries. Still yelling he demanded to know (there were those adjectives again) if I knew what time it was. No I guess around 2:00. If it was humanly possible for steam to come out of some ones ears it was coming out his ears. W&A hugged me good bye and told me they were glad I was home safe and sound (W whispered in my ear that dad couldn't find me earlier and had come and got them to help him look for me he told me to play nice that dad had been really scared ha they were just chicken they didn't want to witness the fight that was brewing) To be honest SF has never spoken to me like that and it shocked me. So after the kids were gone we were having a stare down. He had his arms crossed glaring at me. Maybe I shouldn't have but I felt like a kid again and mouthed off. I was standing there glaring back and said What? I was gathering berries? He stomped off mumbling (actually I think he was cussing) under his breath. Boss and I just looked at one another. I unloaded the rifle (hum maybe that is why he stomped off I was armed with rifle and side arm and all he had was a side arm hehehe) and put it away. I gathered a basket and headed to the cold spring to wash the berries. As I walked by the cottage I could still hear SF mumbling (remember I am deaf in one ear so he probably was doing little more than mumbling), maybe I should pay Q a visit and let him cool off (now who was being the chicken) I glanced back over my shoulder and caught him glaring at me again. He glared at me the whole time I was at the spring washing the berries and all the way back to the cabin. When I walked in side and caught sight of the clock I saw why he was so angry with me. It is 5:00 - OH CRAP I was in serious trouble. OOPS!!! I wonder if blackberry cobbler will appease the angry beast outside.

June 8 Yesterday wore me out what I would not give to have a hot tub right now (even IRL) I think that will be P’s next task once he is back…build me a hot tub. I now know why my great grandmother and grandmother walked learning over…it was from staying bent over while garden all day. I sure wish I had found a seeder before we left, not to mention SF had me lying rocks all of yesterday afternoon. Yesterday morning we planted seeds and cut out more sod until it got really warm. We already had a good sized plot cleared that we were using to stagger planting in to extend the harvest through the summer so we finished planting it with early harvest items. We then cut sod and dug another plot where we planted beans, peas, and direct seeded tomatoes and bell peppers and sweet banana peppers W&A had come up to help, SF sent them back down in the valley to cut sod and dig 3 more potato fields. Before they left I went to find the rest of my seed potatoes. While I was pulling out the rest of the seed potatoes I ran across 10 pounds of peanuts. W was so excited he said that he would personally dig the field for them. It was decided that the peanuts would be planted down near them also. I hope we get enough of a harvest to make peanut butter. The cotton will just have to wait a year. There is no way I can deal with it this year. This morning I told SF I would tend to the animals that the horses’ hooves needed to be check and possibly filed. So he headed to the field to finish the melons and winter squash and I headed to the barn. I stopped to gather eggs out of the chicken tractors and was greeted by another set of chicks. Finally our last brooder hatched out her biddies. She hatched four of the five. That gives me 22 chicks….chicken and dumplings yummy. Actually I have put the rooster in the larger chicken tractor with 3 hens so maybe we will get some more biddies before long. Once I finished milking I started feeding the animals and discovered a couple of pleasant surprises. One of the ewes we traded for had in the process of lambing so I ran to get SF. Of course W&A were close enough to hear me hollering so they rode up. She delivered twins with no problem, they are so cute. We moved her and the lambs into the empty stall buy herself. The other ewe looks like she may lamb any day. Once we got the sheep settled I went to feed the pigs while SF cleaned up and discovered Pepper, one of the sows had given birth during the night. We now have 10 piglets. SF just rolled his eyes, poor guy he will never finish the garden at this rate. Pepper wasn’t too pleased when we opened the stall door but when we put food and fresh water out she let us clean her stall. She stayed between us and the piglets. SF said we would give her time to calm down and get used to us being around before we try and handle them. There were several that had good Duroc markings and one is solid red, I hope it is a male. If it turns out that it is a male I will use him to breed with Rose the other sow since he is from different stock than her. She is half Duroc and Durocs are the fast growing pigs and usually weigh out the most. While I stood watch for Paul to clean the stall he found one dead piglet but he just put it the wheel barrel and rolled out. I don’t think she noticed. SF, W&A headed back to the garden while I went to work on hooves and that is when I got the last surprise. Tinkerbelle is pregnant. I noticed she was getting rounder and here I thought it was just because she wasn’t working as hard any more. But while I was brushing her this morning and checking her hooves I got kicked and she wasn’t the one that kicked me. I think she was as surprised as I was. I laid my hand on her side and felt the colt move. Since we got her December I don’t think her previous owner realized she was pregnant. Great I have nothing to go by here. I checked her bag and tits but they have not started filling out so I am guessing she is probably about 7 months. If I remember correctly horses are 11 months. Tink I sure wish you could talk you could help me out a lot here. All I know is she is pregnant and this is her first colt; let’s if she is 7 months and it is now June that means see will have and October delivery. Oh great just what I need a winter colt. Tink any possibility you are at least 9 months along. Don’t look at me like that I am thinking about your baby here. Well just snub me, lift your foot good girl. By the time I finished with the animals it was time to start lunch. W&A arrived with SF just as I was setting stuff out for burritos. Over lunch we discussed what we had planted how much needed planting and what we could do about adding a small room their cabin. W said he did not want add towards the water so it would have to be added on the front of the house. A asked if they could add like 10 feet to the front so that she could have a larger pantry. SF said didn’t see why not since the fire place was on the front of the house they could just leave the existing wall and then add all the way across the front. That way they could just divide the room in half and use half for the nursery and a closet and then have the other half for the sitting room. SF said might be possible to open the fire place from the back side so that it would heat the sitting room. He told W to count the logs that were there and so that when they started cutting logs for R&V a place they could cut some to expanded their cabin also. At lunch W&A brought up the buckboard loaded with sod for the roof so after we ate we stacked sod. After the sod was stacked W&A headed back down to finish the potato fields, they had finished planting the sweet potatoes were planted yesterday and the red potatoes were planted this morning now they wanted get the Irish potatoes done. SF told them to take a break this afternoon and go fishing. W said he wanted to go swimming. SF told him the water was probably still too cold but to go for it. I said I wanted to go swimming but SF told me tough we had walls to work on. So we went back to laying rocks for the outside walls. Once we matched up the rocks and attached the smaller domes to the big dome SF took one dome and I took the other. The sun was almost over the mountain when Boss and the puppies came romping around the cottage. Boss had his bowl in his mouth as if to say dinner time. SF went to do the evening feeding while I fixed sloppy Joes (ok so it was sloppy bear) and hashbrowns, just I sat everything on the table SF holler that he needed help. When I got to the barn the other ewe was in distress. She was having problems. So we set about working to save her and the lamb. Finally we were able to get the lamb pushed back and get the legs straight and the head straight and on the next contraction the she delivered just fine. It was a big lamb so we were surprised short time later when a second lamb appeared it was way smaller than the first one but it was strong and was standing within 30 minutes. So now we have 4 baby lambs. I looked in on all the babies while I was in the barn. Both ewes were good mothers and Pepper happily grunted at me when I gave her an extra scoop of grain. She got up and walked over to me as if to say look what I did today. She even let me scratch her ears. While I cleaned the kitchen SF went out side I thought he was smoking his pipe until I heard him call me from the back porch. He had hauled some of the water from the hot spring over and filled the hot tub. I could tell he had had a shower. As I sank down in the hot water I couldn’t help but think it had been a good day on the backside of the valley. Yep it had been a good day that was until I heard the thunder in the distance. I prayed it passes on by and misses the group headed to the Rocking J.

I crawled out of bed before the roosters this morning. The clock said 3:30, SF was sound asleep and I had not slept. I could not toss and turn anymore. I fixed a cup of hot coco and eased out on the front porch. My mind had been racing since last night when SF told me about Connor (13yr) and Aidan (9). Sf did tell me that I needed to brush up on my sign language because Aidan was deaf and had been since birth. It was peaceful on the porch. The animals had not even started stirring. Boss whimpered a little when I sat down but he curled up at my feet and settled down. I sat there in the dark for the longest time. By the time I finished my hot coco the sky was starting to steak in shades of pinks and reds. There were lots of horse tail wispy clouds. That is where SF found me around 5:30 curled up on the lounge chair with a blanket. He brought me another cup of coco and a left over cinni-roll; he brought his coffee and a cinni-roll for him and joined me. We sat in silence for a while before he asked if I was upset because he did not ask me about taking the boys in. I told him no I wasn’t upset maybe a little hurt that he didn’t think I would agree but I would be ok. He apologized and said that he was just so shaken when Mr. S was telling him about the boys that he wasn’t thinking straight. He said the reason he didn’t ask me is he knew we were probably the best to handle Aidan and his hearing disability since we were all pretty much fluent in sign language. I smiled and told him it was a good thing P went so that he could talk to Aidan maybe that would make things easier for Connor also, knowing that they would be living with a family that would accept Aidan. SF agreed. We sat there discussing the additions to the garden. SF asked how much I thought we needed to add and I told him we needed to triple them at least so that R&V will be able to store some for winter also. He asked if we had enough seeds, I just smiled. He had no clue as to just how many seeds I did have. He laughed and said by that smile I take it we could feed the whole valley including the ones coming for winter. I said possibly if every seed produced we would be ok. Some of them were old but that I had been rotating them as I used them. We discussed what we needed to focus on and we both agreed grains like rice, oats, corn and wheat. I told him that we would plant wheat in the fall also but that I was planning 12 acres of wheat per person. On non-irrigated fields you can get on the average 40 bushels per acre and a bushel weighs about 60 pounds. On the average you will need 600 pounds of grains per year per adult. That includes corn, oats etc. So I am figuring what is not eaten will be fed to the animals next year or sprouted or planted as seed. Right now we have 75 acres of wheat planted for ourselves and we will need another 125 acres just to take care of additional family and R&V and family. I know we will plant some in the fall but I can’t depend on that what happens if that crop fails. I have some now but no where near enough and I have no clue as to what V was able to bring. I know the boys don’t have anything nor does Kyle and Sean. I just how those boys are not starving. You and Wesley need to go hunting again in a couple of weeks and we need to stock the cave with enough meat for a month. I have a feeling we will be too busy to hunt. I will get A up here to help me can some of it up. We can eat a good bit of fish but we don’t need to be wiping out the river, streams and ponds of fish either. If V was able to bring animals we will need more corn to feed them. SF could tell I was beginning to work up into a good panic mode and he stopped me dead in my tracks. Honey, not all of people coming in are your responsibility. They knew what they were getting into we will provide for Kyle and Sean plus Aidan and Connor and the baby but everyone else will be able to pitch in and help. We will get through this winter. We may not have what we want to eat but we will not starve. Now breathe. Go get dressed and we will work on the garden before it gets too hot then after lunch we will work on the cottage. Right now those are my two main priorities. I knew he didn’t buy all of that that he just tried feeding me but I knew he was right about most of it. I could not single handle care for those coming in they would all be to pitch in and help also. Ok get dressed, feed animals and plant more veggies….got it

see next post

Are we going to start a new thread in a couple of weeks titled "new arrivals" or something like that?

After the service and the meal everyone was departing I went to say good bye to mother and told her if she needed us to send someone for us and we would come help. She said she would she asked me to check on the Q's often I told not to worry. That we could see their the smoke from our cabin and someone checked on them weekly but now that her family was coming we would be spending more time over there now helping them get more of a garden in. I asked if anyone was helping the Mt. Riders that I knew they were getting some opharns and family in and see said that some from the B group was there helping them. Mother told me that she had she had heard that Annarchy was getting a new member that a young man they had raised was coming in with the wagon train. We said our goodbyes and went our way. I saw Sf and the family talking to Mr. S. P&N saw me coming and said somethig to SF. They headed over and hugged me and told me they would be pulling out before sun up in the morning that they would see us in about 4-5 weeks. P told me that N had told him about the list and the sock and they had decided to split it between them just so that if anything happen hopefully one of would get through with the money. As we joined SF I heard Mr. S say something like don't you want to talk it over and he said no that it would be ok. Mr. S looked at me kind of funny and SF took me by the arm and led me off. Something was not right but SF was not talking right now. As we were mounting up one of the ladies from the B group came running up to A and asked her to wait just a minute. I looked back and saw a couple of kids struggling across the yard with something that looked like a bed. The lady said that her baby had out grown the baby bed and was giving it to A for the baby that was coming in on the wagon. Not only that but she had all sorts of baby clothes. The lady told A that she almost dumped them on the other side of the mountain but something would not let her. W got down of the wagon and thank her and loaded up everything. He asked if there was anything that they needed and she said that if W&A had any chickens or small barn animals that they could spare. W told her that he was sure he could come up with something. She smiled and gather up her children and headed back. I told W that we would see what we could spare and the nodded and headed off. We went on head of them and headed home. I could tell something was bothering SF. Sf cleared his throat and said we need to get the cottage finished ASAP and add a couple of extra rooms to it. I looked at him and questioned the extra rooms. He said that we would be adding to our family. Excuse me ! adding to our family, I don't think so we took care of that remember. He just looked at me and told me that there were a couple of troubled teens at the Rocking J and that Mr. Rock was at he wits end with them. That if they didn't find a family to take them in he was going to have to turn them over to the state. He looked at me then and told me that he had told Mr. S that we would be taking them in. The look he gave me told me that he would take no argument from me. He has never given me that look before and I was sure there was more to this story that he was not saying. So we road in silence. As we turned from the river I remember what Q said about the bear and I told SF that the Qs had seen a momma bear and cubs. He said that was probably her mate he had killed. We worked in silence after arriving home, we took care of the animals afterwards SF went to dig the footing for another doom room to attach to the cottage good thing we are building round buildings they were easy to attach on to. I could tell that Sf was working off a head of steam he was angry but I didn't know why. As the sun went down I walked over to the cottage and told him that dinner was ready. He had accomplished a good bit. He had the footings for a small room dug and he had busted out some of the wall that we already had laid so that he could install a door. He told me tomorrow he would add another dome on the other side for our room and that the big doom would be the kitchen and family room. He said everything would still fit together like we had orginally planned. He went to wash up and I went to set out dinner. After we ate and everything was washed and put away. I found Sf sitting on the front porch looking out over the valley. I joined him and we sat in silence...the boy's father was murdered and their mother raped and murdered in front of them. They were just 9&12 when that happen. The oldest just turned 13 a couple of weeks ago. They have been in and out of the system they had been separated and the 13 year old ran away and found his younger then they both ran away. Mr. Rock found them hiding out in the cabin on the back 40. Mr. S said that they had been a well-to-do family and that their father had been a manager of one of the local bank branches. Their parents had hid them told them not to come out for anything. They watched as their father's body had been dragged through the street and heard their mother screaming. We sat in silence and I knew I would not argue and he knew it too.

Q you are no longer my favorite person and just think she lives closer to me...go south of A's place and when you think you are going to run out of map there I am. P & N are next to W&A on the river. Mother can I move close to you so you can protect me to? Like you those techs hate seeing me. I grew up learning IV not IIII but my grandmother had a clock that had IIII on it.

I finally opened the packages last night and found yeast and dough enhancer I was so happy as much as I love sourdough bread I am kind of tired of it. So this monring I made BIG cinni-rolls. Oh they were so good and gooey. YUMMY. The other package were certain female articles of clothing There was a note from Mrs. J telling me I had quite a few larger packages that will come with the wagon train. Oh I hope it is the screening I ordered for the solar dries. There was also a letter from my brother telling me he too had signed on to ride as security for trucking companies. That he would not know when I would hear from him again. He gave me a cell number and an email address. He said he put another 400 minutes on my prepaid cell phone and that it was good for a year. He said if nothing else he could leave me voice mails. I guess I need to pull out the cell phone and the solar charger and see if we get signal out here I doubt it. I reread the letter from V and her family then I realized that there was no post mark on the letter itself that they were actually at the ranch waiting to come here. Then I read the letter from Deerslayer it was postmarked so I knew when she sent it they were not at the ranch and their plans were not quite clear. I just hope they are ok and can make it to the ranch. Last night SF & I had stood outside looking out of the land trying to decide where we could add more gardens. We figured we needed to triple the gardens in order to be ready to help R&V and their family this winter. SF said that we had about 2 weeks to get seeds that took 100+ days in the ground. After the middle of June we shouldn't plant anymore unless they were planted in the green house. I told me no only repopulating items like aspagrus or lettuce etc would in the green house. My goal was to make it self-sustaining. This morning found us hooking up oxen to the one wagon we haven't modified. We hooked up a mule to the animal cart. We took the harness that we had for the other oxen and headed to the lodge. P&N were only taking two horses so that would leave us with two horses and two donkeys. Oh and the bikes. The guys decided the bikes would not go this time. As I looked in the wagon I was surprised to see the amount of ammo that was packed. N saw the look on my face and put his arm around me and said "Mom it is just in case you had rather we be over prepared than under prepared right" I knew he was right but it bothered me that they would be facing more dangers than when we traveled through there. I asked him if he thought the would be able to get into town he said he wasn't sure but he would ask Mr. Rock about using one of his trucks if it was really important. I gave him an envelope and an old sock with coins and cash in it and a list. I told him about the baby that was coming and some things and the list was some things that were needed that we were not prepared for I told him not to risk his life but only if Mr. Rock thougt it would be safe to go into town. I told him no one else knew about that envelope and I wanted it to stay that way. He asked if P knew and I told him no but that he could share it with P after they left. I told him that maybe he should talk it over with P and if they came up with a good deal to go for it. He asked what was in the sack and I told him cash, silver coins and some of the gold and silver nuggets I made out of my gold jewerly and silver serving platters and bowls I melted down before we left. N was shocked he didn't realize what I had done with all of that stuff. He thought I had sold it all. I told him to get with Mr. Rock and see what the possiblity of getting the stuff on the list. If you can't get it in town then leave him some nuggets for him to work with, but not all of them. I gave P&N each the backpack of food I had prepared for them and I told them I had written what each was and how to prepare it on the plastic bag. P was thrilled he said he didn't think he could handle N's cooking for too long. N said my cooking I thought you were cooking. I left them to finish packing their supplies and I joined SF at the horses. He asked what was that all about I told him I have them their backpacks of food he laughed and said they were thankful they would not starve I chuckled and said yeah something like that. As we mounted up I stowed the seeds I had brought along in the saddle bag in case everyone decided to start a community garden at the lodge for those coming in. I noticed that W was withdrawn and moody this morning and A didn't look too happy either. I knew W thought the world of A's brothers and that he had asked them to come with us when we left so I am sure that was not the problem. SF saw the concerned look on my face and leaned over to say that W was struggling with the fact he was about to become a father not to just a 9 year old but to an infant also. I smiled and told SF he would make a good father that he had had a wonderful example. SF chuckled and said he didn't know about that but that yes W would make a good father. Sf told me not to worry about it that W had a few weeks to adjust and warm up to the idea, he siad that W was just in a state of shock right now that he would be ok. He said that W had even asked him to help him build a crib. I knew then everything would be ok that he was not totally against the idea like SF said he was just in shock. There was a lot of activity in the yard when we pulled up. Mr. S & H both greeted us. As I went to find Chef and give him the bear meat I heard SF explaining what all we had brought with us. Mr. H was pleased to see that they would have one more wagon to leave at the top of the mountain so that they could switch stuff over and send the ranch's wagons back. He was thankful for the extra harnesses and the animal cart. I found Chef in the kitchen packing up food to forh the men. He said they would be traveling fast and would not always stop to eat. That they had hoped to make the ranch in just days instead of weeks. He said that the riders that had brought the messages and packages had already left and had take all the oxen that were here at the lodge and the wagons that were left at the top of the moutain. Chef did tell me that Mr. S was concerned about the water situtation and that he was hoping to have everyone back here by the end of the month. Because some of the springs we used along the way tended to dry up in July and August. Chef was thrilled to see the bear meat he said that would go along way to feed the men. I told him I had packed enough food for P&N for two weeks. He assured me that they would be at the ranch by then. He said the plan right now was to travel as hard and fast as the animals could handle then rest 4-5 days while the wagons were being loaded and then head back at a much slower pace. That with the wagons empty they would be able to travel twice as fast as we did plus the days are longer not only that but they will not have to stop and milk and tend to animals. That the oxen and horses will be turned loose to graze at night and given grain in the morning before heading out. I asked him if there was any plans for a community garden and Chef said he had a garden started but it would need to be expanded. I gave him my seeds that I brought and assured him they were extra. I told him there were just some last minute packages of seeds I had picked up in the store before we left and I wasn't sure what all was in there because I had just grabbed and I had packed bag and all. He started flipping through them and said I could feed everyone with what all was in there. I laughed and probably not but that he was welcome to them. He was thrilled, he said they would be planted next week. That the men that were staying behind as guards would also be helping expand the gardens and expand the lodge. Chef asked if we were expecting anyone and I explained about my friends and A's brothers coming. I also explained about the baby. Chef was overjoyed he said that there were no babies in camp just small children. I told Chef I would see him later and headed out to find my family. As I stepped in to the yard I heard my name it was Mrs. Q they had just arrived. She asked if I had seen anyone else and I told her no that we had just arrived ourselves and I had taken the bear meat in to Chef. Q and I linked arms and went off to see just who all was here, who was going and who would be staying. We both said that the valley was in for a few surpises we looked at each other and laughed. Q said great minds...I said I know. Q was concerned about getting her family shelter built by winter. I told her that we would have another barn raising that I suspected that is what we would do for a lot of those coming in. We would all have to pitch in and help. She asked about our cottage and I told her that right now it was on hold that I needed to triple my garden in the next month to help R&V get through the winter. That once they arrived it would be too late to plant some of the longer gestation vegestables so I was getting them in the ground this next couple of weeks. She agreed and said that her gardens would need to expanded...more than tripled but she wasn't sure how they would go about doing that. I told her we still had the plow and disc and we could come over and help. As we walked on we continue discussing the garden then we heard Q's name being called.

We were up early (I don't think we ever slept after reading and re-reading the letters) My sister and her family will not be joining us they will be going to my bil family's safe zone which is in WY somewhere. My nephew used to work for a sporting good store and use to coordinate big game hunts in WY for doctors and lawyers back home (IRL) so on one of the trips he bought a hunting lodge there. So the family if going there. The letter was dated over a month ago and it was mailed from a different state so I doubt they got my letter. She did give me another address to write to so I have another letter ready to go when the guys leave tomorrow. There was also a letter from my bil it was also from 2 months ago. He decided not to join us but had hooked up with some old Marine Brothers and was running security for convoys...my heart sank but I knew that this was what he felt he needed to do. There was a letter from V and her family. Things had gotten really bad up north where her oldest daughter was (sil is Coast Guard) and they went to get her but got cut off from getting home. She said T(sil) had warned her not to put details in the letter but just to say they were fine and to expect them shortly. Wow V is coming. For T not to let her put anything in the letter makes me wonder if they made the ranch yet. The letter is about 5 weeks old. I was surprised to see a letter from Deerslayer. Last I heard from her her husband was working in Austin and would be there for a few months. She said things were bad and they left there. But she didn't say anything else. Did that mean they were going back home to LA or coming here. What I would not give for internet or even phone service about now. These letters have left us hanging and I want answers.... We headed out to W&A to check on them when we arrived A was distraught. It seems her mother's health was not going to allow her to make it but that her two younger brothers were being sent on Well one brother is almost 20 so he will be bringing the youngest who is 9 to A. There was also a letter from a friend that was sending her baby to A. She could not care for it and her parents also. She could not move her parents and since she had planned on giving the baby up for adoptions she is giving it to A. K will also be bringing the baby. W had talked about going with P&N but N said no that they needed him to stay here and help triple the gardens. We we discussing when where to put the gardens when Mr. S arrived again. He said he saw us coming down and heading to the old homestead so he changed directions and headed over here. He had brought some wheat and corn seeds to go along with what I had. The corn was field corn and he said the more he thought about it the more he realized we were going to need lots of field corn. He also had about a half of dozen guys with him to help plow the fields. He wanted to get this done before he left. Mr. & Mrs. Q rode up just then and Mr. Q agreed to help. Mr. S had brought the plow and disc from the lodge and W pulled out our plow and disc so away they went. A, Q and myself all started talking at once then stopped and laughed. Q went first and told us about her family and how her Army son had found her. She was so relived to know that he was alive but that he didn't stay he was headed back to the ranch to help bring those there to the valley. We hugged her and told her don't' worry she would see Jerry again. Then it was A's turn and told us about the letters she had received. How her and W were going to be parents and that her oldest brother was bringing her youngest brother and the baby to her. From what we could gather in the letter the baby was just days old when K left with it. He had managed to get on a convoy headed this way So we figured the baby would be at the max 6 months old when it arrived. A started brainstorming what all she would need for the baby since didn't have anything. Q looked at me and I could see in her eyes if I was going to tell A about the baby chest I had. I grinned and wrapped my arms around A and told her not to worry about it that we would work things out when the baby arrived. As she walked off Q looked at me funny. I explained that I did not want to get her hopes up that I wasn't sure K would make it safely with the baby or not. She agreed, she said we could have a big baby shower for A when the baby arrived. I asked if she was going to the meeting tomorrow and she said yes. I told Q about my friends coming and about the letter I got from Deerslayer. We moved on to the garden then. I shared my thoughts about a big community garden and she agreed that a big garden by the lodge would be wonderful she said she had some extra green beans seeds she would donate. I had some squash I even had a bunch of pumpkin seeds that I would donate. We were standing there talking when a rider road up with a note for Q from Mt.Rider. I asked him to wait and quickly penned a note to both Mother and Mt.Rider about the community garden and asked if they could please try and meet us at the lodge tomorrow. As he left Mt. Rider was hooping and hollering like I had never seen. It seems that Mt. Rider was getting a instant family. A family WHAT?!?!? As I read the letter Q was laughing and said the kids would be in serious trouble of being loved to death by Mt. Rider. I just thought about all the material I had it would come in handy. Well A brought us back to reality when she started hauling out stuff to feed the men with. I was so proud of her she had come a long way from being a spoiled brat who thought of nothing but having a good time to being a level headed young woman. I knew when she was like this she was trying to stay busy and not think. I smiled I knew in my heart she would be a good mother and W would make a good dad. No matter how much they said they would never have children I could tell they loved kids. The men arrived then and said one field was finished and that they had started on the next field. I was surprised they had already turned and disked one field but they had been out there hours and with as many hands as were helping I guess they were through with one field. Mr. S said that he was going to try and get a total of 4 fields turned if I would see to the planting. Lunch was over and the men were headed back out to finish plowing and A asked that we help her decide how to arrange the house since there would be 3 extra people now. I reminded her that Kyle was old enough to his own land claim that he might not want to stay here. She said she hadn't thought about that he would need a place for now. I told her the baby could stay in the room with until it was older since it may still be feeding in the middle of night. So we started rearranging their bedroom to make room for a crib. Then we moved on to the extra bedroom which was a mess. She was using it as a storage room. I told her we had an air mattress that K could use but we would need to build a bed for S since he would be living with them. We would also have to make a mattress for him. And since we didn't have any feathers yet it would to be hay for now. I told A we could take apart some of the crates and use them as slats for the bed. Maybe we could use the crates to build a baby crib. By the time the guys were back we had cleaned out the second bedroom and had started constructing a bed. Q was working on sewing a mattress out of ticking I had dug out. We watched as the Q's headed home they declined dinner saying they wanted to get back before dark so they could tend to chores. Mr. S and his group didn't return with Sf and the boys they headed back to the lodge. P&N stayed long enough to eat then headed back to their places so they could get their stuff packed up ready to go. SF I climb in the wagon and headed back to our place. Many thoughts were running through my head as I head out to help with the chores. Dinner would be simple we would have bean burritos. As we settled in for the night my thoughts were still running wild between the garden, the additions to our family coming in, and of my sister and her family.

It was around lunch time when Mr. S & Mr H arrived with P&N some thing was terribly wrong I could tell just by the look on their faces. S&H were plesant and did a tour of the place even braved the cave. Then came the meeting. They asked if we could spare our oxen that they were getting ready to bring some more people in from the Rocking J. Whew that is all they wanted was our oxen sure they could use them no problem. Then P spoke up and said he and N would be going back....BACK?!?!?! My world just came crashing down as I went to speak and say NO SF laid his hand on my shoulder and said "well son if that is what you feel you must do" N agreed that it was. With their military training they felt they would be more help on the trail than some of the other men. My heart went from its normal place to my throat to my stomach in less than .5 seconds. By the look in their eyes I knew nothing I could say would make a difference. Mr. H could tell I was struggling with this and assured me that they would returned. I smiled through the tears and told him nice try but I knew the possiblity of that. He just nodded. Mr S did ask us how we were doing on seeds for items like wheat and corn. I told him I had enough for a couple of years without saving in of the new crop. He asked if I would plant an extra 40 acres of corn and wheat. Just to help out with the group coming in since they would not get here in time to start a garden. I told him I had no problem with that, that seeds were a small price to pay for what we had received. I also suggested a community garden for those comming in. If everyone that was already here donated one kind of seed that we would have a garden going and probably some ready to harvest when they arrived. Both of the gentlemen thought it was a wonderful idea. Mr. S suggested that we try to be at the lodge for the Prayer meeting this week that they were having a meeting afterwards. We said we would be there. As Mr. S&H started to leave Mr. H handed me a packet of letters and couple of small packages. He said more packages had made it to the Rocking J and would come on the wagon train. SF asked if they would need our animal cart. That it would not be as rough to get back over the mountain as a wagon. Mr. H said he would think about it and asked if we would bring it Sunday just in case. When Mr. S&H left I sat there looking at P&N P knew I was upset that I did not want them leaving the valley. N reached over and laid his hand on my and said "Mom you know we love you but this is something we feel we must do. We can not not help. You and dad taught us that we are to help those in need and right now those people who are our family and friends need us." Darn kid I knew he was right and he knew I knew he was right but that did not change how I felt. I looked at them both and said I don't like it but if you feel this is what you must do then so be it. I asked when they were leaving and P said Mr. S told them to come Sunday prepared to leave. We went on to discuss their cabins and they said that they were pretty much finished they just lacked glass for windows. They would be moving what animals they had at their place to W&A tomorrow. They hugged our necks and told us they loved us then they headed back to their place to get ready to go. SF looked at me and said I know I am headed to gather up ammo know. I told him to be sure and include arrows. I found my supply of zip lock bags and started dividing out dry food for them to take with them. Tomorrow I would get some of the bear and venison out of the smoke house for them to take. I figured Chef would go back with them so that he could cook for those coming to join us so I will take him a good bit of this bear for the trip. I know they will not have the old farmstead to raid except for fresh greens out of the green house. The root cellar and smoke will have gone to waste by now. At least they will not get caught in a freak snow storm. But we are in tornado season on the plains. I went to look at our grain supply and decided that we would send all of the grain that we had left for the oxen with them. We even managed to cut some hay so we will send a good bit of that also. I went to look for a camping gear so I could dig out the rest of our waterskins. They are going to need lots more water this trip since the temperatures are warmer. I wonder who all will be coming on this group if any of our family and friends will be joining us. That is when i remembered the letters. One was from my sister, one from SF youngest brother and there was a couple from friends. I opened the letter from my sister first... Dear Sister, Things here are really bad. We are trying to get out of here we are taking mother with us as far as she will make it. We may have to bury her along the way but it is no longer safe for us. We have everyone gathered and ready to leave. Daughter and family and Son and family will be going with us. I am not sure when you will hear from us again.... My heart dropped to my stomach again. I could not continue reading the letter. I knew what all she was going to say without looking at it. I am sure the other letters say about the same thing.

Well even after sleeping late yesterday I still fell into bed exhausted last night. I weeded our garden, started the skins to soaking and helped P get my square foot boxes in the green house. Today, I was back at work on the skins. The goat skins were easy to clean since they were smaller. The deer skin wasn’t too bad but that bear skin wow I couldn’t believe how big that thing was. I worked all day in the summer kitchen scraping and cleaning the skins and stretching them on frames. The day pretty much passed in a blur. Since it looked and smelled of rain W&P stayed down in the valley to help N finish up his cabin. It had to get it closed in and quickly. By lunch time they had laid the last stone and were putting the sod roof on. SF and I rode down after lunch and found them still working on it. They had not stopped for lunch yet they wanted to get it finished because they were headed over to W’s to help mend the corral fences. They were moving the large animals closer in since the clouds were really rolling in now. SF and I rode on over to take a look and decided that we would start splitting logs. By the time the boys arrived and ate we had enough logs spit that we were able to mend the small corral. It was starting to drizzle so SF said we needed to get back and get our animals under shelter. By the time we arrived it was a steady rain. The chickens were already in nest boxes in their tractors. The pigs were all huddled near the gate of their stalls waiting for us to open them. The goats were not happy and were letting us know they were not happy. I quickly went to untie them and they beat me to the barn. We got the horses in and unsaddled and brushed down, then headed to the summer kitchen to make sure that the animal skins were in the middle and were not getting wet. SF said we should close the shudders just in case the wind started blowing. So the summer kitchen was closed up and secured. We were both soaked to the skin and muddy when we finally made it in the cabin. SF started a fire in the fire place and I fetched some water out of the water barrel so we could wash up. The rain barrels were catching the run off of the roof and were filling up so I was please as punch with that. It didn’t take long for the water to heat up enough for us to wash the mud off. SF said he wasn’t hungry yet so he gathered up his pipe and went to sit on the front porch and watch the rain. SF had built a covered walk way to the cave so I went and got the two steaks I did not can and brought them and started them marinating. I figured I could set up the grill grate in the fire place and grill the steaks there. Since we didn’t have any fresh potatoes I decided on hash browns and eggs. I even make some sourdough biscuits. Everything was ready to cook but I just covered it and left it for now and joined SF on the porch to watch the rain. It looked like it was here for a while the clouds were heavier looking than before and the rain had picked up. Thank goodness the gardens had taken root and the seeds would not wash away.