mommato3boys

Having been down in bed all day I missed all the goings on here. ((((Lois)))) it is SO good to see you post!! I hope you keep right on enjoying our story. And knowing that you have a lot of knowledge in that head of yours on plants and their medical/etc.. uses, please do post some of them here if you think they could be useful in our UNreality story!

 

As for the date...I will happily go along with what ever yall decide. Just let us know.

 

 

Now I am going to go read todays installments and see if I can come up with a little something before I end up back in bed again (pain is B A D bad today and flu still too) and unable to catch up....

 

Q

So that is how I got it..hugging Q - didn't realize I could get sick through the monitor...where is that can of lysol so that I can spray this computer down...LOL

Just joking Q the freezing cold weather has forced us to run the heat more and it had dried out the air not only at home but at work so now I have a sinus infection / head cold.

I slept like a log last night. It was wonderful. SF was already up and gone when I woke. As I got dressed and headed down stairs I smell food. But it really turned my stomach. I think all of this rain and cool weather had finally gotten to me (IRL the freezing weather has kicked my butt fighting of a cold) I grab a cup of hot chocolate and told Chef I would be back for food as soon as I found my family.

As stepped out side I noticed P W & N were saddled up and headed out to get the rest of the animals. SF and the guys decided that we would stay here for the weekend and take care of the paper work. SF said he would feel better if there were some nurses close since it seemed I was coming down with the flu. He got no argument from me. P W & N blew me kisses said they didn't want to get close. I stuck my tongue out at them, they laughed as they headed towards the river.

We will be leaving our female goats here with Mother's buck and come back in a couple of weeks to get them. I noticed that Sf had been playing with Sasha and her puppies. There is one that is following him around, me thinks we have a new member of the family especially since SF is calling the puppy Buster..."all right Buster if you don't move I am going to step on you; Busterboy you had better get back over here with your mother or you are going to get run over" LOL. W&A have talked to mother and they are taking one of the puppies also.

SF worked out a deal with one of the benefactor families and we are trading 3 of the little pigs for a male and 2 female sheep. We have also had an offer for two of our oxen. One of the other families only brought horses and they feel that oxen would do better plowing. SF said since we have 8 oxen and that since we were doing community gardening with the boys for a few years then 4 oxen would be more than enough. Especially since we have the draft horses. So SF is working out trading 4 of the oxen for a starter herd of beef.

I told him he could not get rid of the horses and we must keep enough animals to be able to produce meet and eggs for us. And when he traded try to get cattle that were not related. I wanted strong blood lines out here he agreed. SF sent A to find Mother to get me some herbal tea and pointed me towards the lodge and the bed again with the promise to wake me when it was time to sign the paper work. I asked him when the wagons arrived to please send proper bedding up stairs that I really didn't not like the sleeping bag. Not only that but I wanted my pillow.

With that I headed to bed. I have got to kick this cold or I will be of no use come next week when we break ground for the garden.

I vote that our Saturday in URL is the 4th Sat in May this year and may has 5 Sat.

Ok so I officially put my post up as to what we found in the south. It took two days to write...whew but I think I got everything covered. We are now back at the lodge asleep. We covered a lot of ground today.

Well we were up early and it was decided that we would start out and head south. As we saddled up we were greeted with clear blue skies. Most of the water had seeped into the ground over night but there were still puddles here and there. I couldn’t help but wonder how things were at the river if it was still out of banks or if it had gone down any. Had those that stayed behind got to go on to the lodge, did they find another way across? We will find out tonight. As we got closer to the little creek that ran though the land we saw signs of wagon a passing through…fresh signs of a wagon passing through. Now who is here? As we topped a little knoll we hear hooping and hollering and someone was calling us.

As we got closer we saw Mr. & Mrs. Q. They were so excited they had found their new homestead and were headed back to the group to get it deeded. We were so excited for them. Mr. Q told us we were actually standing in his turnip patch. We all laughed and said we would do I best not to trample them. SF told them we were headed across the stream to check out a place we saw from the trapper’s cabin. Mr. Q told us we didn’t have to go all the way around the lake that the stream was shallow and clear that we should be able to cross with no problem which we were thankful.

SF asked Mr. Q what he thought his property lines would be since this was the area that we liked also. Mr. Q and SF and the boys walked off checking out the land. Mrs. Q and I chatted I could tell she was so excited about her new home. It seems there is another small cabin of shorts just through the patch of woods. They are going to use that for now until they can get a barn up and the garden in. She was thrilled to learn that we may be neighbors. Like me she was wondering what was going on up river. I told her about the old homestead and how I thought it would be perfect for W&A.

The men folk came back and we all said our good-byes. Mrs. Q and I hugged goodbye with the promise of seeing each other at the Lodge later today or tomorrow. I asked her to please let W & A know we were ok and that we should be back by night fall. As we mounted up to ride off to check out the area we saw SF told me that we would not be encroaching in the Q’s if we set up our homestead the other side of the stream that the Q’s were taking the land around the lake. I felt better knowing that we would have close neighbors.

As we crossed the stream and turned southeast it was like a valley unto its own. There were many different kinds of trees from pines to oaks. I noticed wild flowers were starting to bloom. We got to the knoll we saw from the trapper’s cabin and decided that we really didn’t like it so we road back towards the stream. We were surprised to find fish in the stream. P & N said they didn’t think that this was the same stream. So we followed it on and discovered that it actually ran into the river. This stream actually comes down out of the mountains and it is crystal clear. It reminds me of the bubbling brook that we stopped at back up in the mountains. We pull out the camera and start taking pictures. As we ride into the standing trees we discover another cabin but this one has what looks like a smoke house with it. It is a one room cabin with a fire place. It is a little larger than the trapper’s cabin it does not have a loft. There is a small lean-to that looks like it was used as a stable for a horse. We would definitely need a bigger barn. This cabin would work but I would want to add to it. I looked around and realized that everyone has left me. I walk out of the back of the lean-to thinking SF had gone to the back to check things out but he is not there. So I head back to the front. I see P & N headed back down towards the stream. SF is sitting on the steps with his pipe and tears streaming down his face, he looks at me and smiles and says welcome home Momma welcome home. I smile and join him on the steps. We are at the farthest south end valley. I didn’t realize just how far up the face of the mountain we had ridden.

As we as we sat there looking out over what would be our new home P & N rode back up. It seems they have found a hot spring about 250 yards west / northwest of us. P said it felt wonderful. I asked if he got in it he said no he just stuck he arm in it. SF said we needed to be heading back. I told him I would like to stop by the homestead one last time before going back to camp that I wanted to get pictures for W&A.

Since the ground was drier and it wasn’t raining we rode a harder getting back to the homestead. It wasn’t as far as I thought it was. My heart sank as we rode up into the yard, someone was there. Maybe ever who it is won’t like it. We were quite taken back when W stepped out on the porch. We were all taking at the same time and really didn’t hear each other. SF whistled to get us to all settle down. W told us that they headed out to find us because we were out of radio range and that the others had crossed the river yesterday. Mr. H and some of the men had stayed back for a couple of days to make sure everyone was directed to the Lodge. Mr. H was kind enough to watch the other two wagons and our animals until we got back. Yes they had passed Mr. & Mrs. Q and knew we were across the stream but they had wanted to see the homestead. A was thrilled with it. She said even with the damaged barn they loved it. W said it would work perfect for what he had planned.

The water had receded and we noticed that the homestead was built right on the river’s edge and the porch was actually a pier. The pier was gone but the pylons were still there. W said it would not take much to replace the pier. By what we could figure this was once a loading dock for barges taking supplies going up and down the river. The barn was large and looked like it was actually a livery stable. There were multiply stalls and a large storage area for hay.

P told them about the hot spring he found that he was going to ask for his 40 acres around the spring. N was kind of down in the mouth so to speak. He wasn’t sure where he wanted his acreage. He thought he would just stay and help us then head up to the Lodge and see about getting land near town. He said it is not like all the good places will be gone once everyone is settled. So for now he will play it by ear and be a hired hand. He said there were enough people that would need a strong back and he could hire out to help build and plow. Since he is single he would not have to provide for a family. P agreed and said he would probably do the same thing this summer and just wait until fall after the harvest to start work on his place maybe even next spring after the plowing was done. Until then they decided that if they needed a place they could always stay at the Lodge or crash in W& A barn or our barn.

As we stood there I could not have more proud of my boys. I wasn’t too sure about how they would handle the trip but they have been real troopers. And now the two single guys to put their lives on hold and pitch in and work for those that don’t have family to help or need an extra set of hands and a strong back. They have had their share of problems and yes we have a black sheep among us but (even in RL) they have turned out to be fine young men.

As we loaded up N said he would head back to stay with Mr. H and our other two wagons and animals and the rest of us could head on to the lodge. We were set food wise since W& A brought our wagon which is the one I had been using to cook from. We loaded N down with cold biscuits, jerky, and some canned goods. It would be enough to tie him over until we get back.

Hopefully it will not take long to get our land deeded and head back across. I can’t wait to get started on the garden and SF is already designing the barn. W& A are talking about where to put their garden in and what changes they would like to make to the house and barn.

P even said that he would plow his fields for hay and food for him. Then N got the bright idea that he would go ahead and get land south of the river and plant it all in hay and wheat. He said he was sure that someone would be willing to trade for hay and wheat. He may even plant corn. He said he could do a lot on 40 acres. P & N rode ahead of us discussing how they would use their land to plant stuff that could be used to trade. P is getting his 40 acres from the hot spring back down in the valley so he would have a lot of level ground for farming. There is only a small grove of trees on his property and N decided to take 40 acres on the west side him.

W talked A into riding the horse. Told her she was going to have to get use to riding that she would not always be able to take the wagon when she wanted to go somewhere. So SF and I switched and gave them our horses and took the wagon. I happen to glance over my shoulder and see “stuff”…hey W where did all of this stuff come from. He told me that it was floating in the river. Some of the Wagoneers had lost it yesterday when they crossed and he and A saw it this morning on their way down so they stopped and picked it up. Ok so I guess we take it to the Lodge and start a lost and found.

AS we road along I couldn’t help but smile at how animated the 4 of them were. SF laughed and said if you had asked him a year ago did he think we would ever be where we are right now he would have laughed and said NOPE NO WAY AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN! He said we had come a long way haven’t we baby. I laid my head on his shoulder and with a content smug smile said we sure have.

SF woke me as we got near the river. Mr. H was there and going to help us cross. He said the river was no where near as rough as it was yesterday when everyone crossed; one of the other men suggested going up the river a little further and crossing. It seemed to a little swallower there. So SF and Mr. H rode up stream and found where he was talking about. I went to check on the animals and gather eggs. Babydoll is getting so big, she must be carrying twins. I must remember to get with that benefactor family that wanted to trade a couple of their sheep for a couple of pigs. I will look for them when we get to the lodge. I also need to check with Mother about using her buck to breed my other female. If she agrees I will leave her behind because she is about to come into season again in a couple of days.

As I got back to the river SF and Mr. H were back and it was decided that we would cross the river upstream. I wasn’t too sure about this so Mr. H had P lead his horse across and he got in the wagon to take me and A across. She refused to ride the horse across. So she and I crawled in the back just in case and Mr. H took the reigns. We made it across with no problem. Where we went across the water barely touched the bottom of the wagon. It helped also that W& A had emptied the wagon for the most part so it was really light.

Mr. H assured us he would watch our animals until we returned. He said we were not the only ones that had left our animals behind because they didn’t want to take the chance with the rough waters and loosing their animals.

From what I could see in the waning light this side of the river was just as beautiful but it just does not compare to what we found south of here. As we rode in to the yard late in the evening we saw Mr. & Mrs. Q and Mother. Mother had me wrapped in an embrace before my feet barely hit the ground. She was so excited that we had found a place and not only that but that us and the Q’s were going to be neighbors.

As we went into the lodge I remembered the stuff from the river and asked the boys to bring it in. Mother was thrilled that some of the stuff that was lost had been found and said that it could be set on the front porch since it was wet and everyone could come claim their stuff.

AS we walked into the lodge it was beautiful and rustic. Just like I wanted my house (I just don’t want it this big) Chef was there and looked to be in heaven. He had an actual stove to cook on now. He waved us over and told us to fix us a plate. Mother assured us that they could find room for us tonight. Two of the guys were headed to barn to sleep in the hay loaf and W& A said they would take the wagon so that just left me and SF needing a place to unroll our sleeping bags. Hopefully there would not be many more nights before I was back in my bed.

Dinner was over and Mother was directing me to a room where SF and I could sleep tonight. She said that there was no bedding there but at least we would have a place to lay our heads. I assured her was fine at this point I was past exhausted and really didn't care as long as it was dry. As SF and I headed to our room for the night he told me that there shouldn't be a problem with us getting our deeds tomorrow. I think if I had not been so tired my mind would have gone into over drive thinking about what all needed to be done before we headed south again. Tomorrow is another day....

I don't believe the land would have to be square or rectangle. It would most likely follow a natural boundry, as you said Q, if there is one. A river, a stream, a natural rock face, hot springs or natural springs, etc. As we've been told that we can 'find' those types of things on our land it will give us the luxury of writing them into our descriptions. If they are major things not on Michael's map they might have to be decided on but then perhaps he would be able to include them eventually on a revised map much like they did when exploring any wilderness for the first time.

I like the idea of natural boundries. Q and I have been PMing back and forth working out the details of how we are going to divide that south east corner. So we are going to be neighbors YAY...boy I feel better having a nurse close by my guys are accident prone LOL.

Beautiful...too bad the lodge is ur it would have looked wonderful over the fire place

PS ... it is not the background on my computer.

Ok are we still on yesterday in URL? I don't to get ahead of everyone.

Mother don't you know the #1 rule about water and modes of transportation...they don't mix...LOL You need to watch the news they tell you all the time that if there is water across the road do not drive in to it you never know what is underneath or how deep it really is...

Would I cross a swollen river even in URL...nope not gonna happen. Sorry call me chicken but if it is running strong and way out of banks I will sit and wait.

However, I was thinking about trying to cross over the top of the dam, you know sort like the Hoover Dam? Any idea what the dam is made of? Is it like a beaver dam and sticks and stone or is it an earthen dam made of sod? Is it wide enough for a wagon?

Even though the river is out of banks could we closed the dam long enough to get across on the south side? Or maybe that is what is wrong the flood gates need to be opened so the river can flow and then maybe we can cross up here?

Right now we are at the Trappers cabin and headed south. We are going to see what is south along the river.

Well it was decided that we would move our wagons back towards the tree line which I was much thankful of, that rising water was beginning to really unnerve me. We also decided to saddle up the horses and SF, P, N and myself would start searching the land this side of the river. A is not comfortable on horseback and opted to stay behind to tend the animals so W is staying with her. We looked at the map and decided to head south towards the Trapper's Cabin and the old homestead.

So with radios in hand and the digital camera the four of us started out. Looking back I saw the concern in Mother's and Mt. Rider's eyes but I promised them we would be extra cautious. We all had side arms and rifles. The signal of 3 rapid guns shots would be our distress call plus we had the radios. I had to pull out my stash that I had bought when we were back at the ranch when P was in the hospital but that is ok this is what I bought them for.

As we rode along the land was nothing like we expected to find. Looking past the standing water we noticed the land was rather level much like you expect to find a the floor of a valley. From what we could tell the soil was rich and fertile. Once the ground dries not only will there be plentiful grazing but lots of land for gardens. The river was swollen all the way down to the old homestead and the water was up to the porch so we did not go in. But from what we could tell it would not take much work to make it livable again. There was already fencing up and it look good for the most part. There were a couple of areas that would need work. The barn would need to be replaced. The roof looks like a tree fell though it. SF said he would probably take the barn down and rebuild it. There loft was rotted and the stalls were past repair. As we turned towards the east it was starting to get dark and we pushed to get to the trapper's cabin before night fall. We didn't want to be astride the horses in unfamiliar territory in the dark.

As we arrived at the trappers cabin we found it in good condition. Well it was dry at least and there was not standing water around the door. We did find some dry wood to start a fire. We were all wet and hungry. Since the to dark to explore we opted to start the fire and have the biscuits and venison that we brought with us. We will look around more tomorrow but for now we are rolling out our sleeping bags and sleeping somewhere that doesn't have wheels for the first time in many many weeks.

Dear Diary,

The view coming down yesterday was spectacular there were times I just wanted to stop the wagon and soak it all in. The sun reflecting off the lake was magnificent. I can’t wait to get to our new home. The trees are starting to bud the grass has that spring green look. Yes it looks like spring is in the air. Ever once in a while we catch a glimpse of baby animals, the birds are chirping. Hopefully next week or two we will have a garden planted. I noticed last night that my peppers and tomatoes were starting to come up, the lettuce is about 2 inches high and everything else in starter trays is starting to push through and sprout. Now if the cold will just go away; can’t afford to loose these seedlings.

We are finally at the bottom of the ‘hill” as it was so lovingly called only to find a river out of banks and the bridge washed away. To make matters worse it rained all night and by the looks of the standing water outside the wagon there will be no fire this morning. I am not liking this at all. I have been in one flood in before and that was in NOLA and I remember how fast the water rose (IRL it wasn’t even Katrina it was just a normal rainy day and the pump on our canal failed.)SF saw the fear in my eyes and has sent W&N back to the tree line to see where it dries out some. He is sloshing over to Mother, MtRider and Mr. H right now. He is going to talk to them about us moving away from the river some more just to keep me calm. He said if it keeps raining we may need to go back up to the brook where we stopped yesterday. At least there was grass there for the animals.

If it keeps raining like this I am not sure how or when we are going to cross the river. Nope don’t like the looks of this at all. What makes it worse this is not a normal rain it is a storm with heavy rains. That river is going to swell even more before the day is over.

Splashing through the mud

In an ox drawn covered wagon

Through the hills we go

Screaming all the way.

Wagons tilting and swaying

making hairs stand on end Oh

What fun it is to ride and sing

country songs today,

So I am not composer but hey what else is there to do besides hang on the seat for dear life. Besides being towards the back is no fun today. The trail (at least that is what I think we are on) is horrible. With all the rain and other wagons it is rutted beyond repair. Being at the back doesn’t help much either. Our 3rd wagon got stuck so we had to dig it out then lay down branches to get it going again. I lost my shoe the mud sucked it right off my foot. Thank goodness SF was close by so he could retrieve my boot for me. I had my galoshes on and they just don’t do well in mud; should have pulled out my cowgirl boots.

The view was still breath taking even though the rain and as the sun come out and hit the lake oh man it was I could do not to stop the wagon and stand up and look. They say we will be at the lodge by night fall I can’t wait. This part seems longer than the whole trail ride put together. So close but yet so far. SIGH...ARE WE THERE YET?!?!?!?

Over the hills and through the woods

To our new home we go

Mud ball battles making spirits light

Oh what fun is ride and sing country songs today

If the little stream we stopped at noon is in indication of what is to come oh my we are in for a wonderful treat. The water was cool and tasted wonderful. It was nice to go down stream a little and wash the mud off too even though it was still rather cold. I could have sat by that bubbling brook with a book all day it was so peaceful. I was so thankful when SF said he would take over the reigns and ride with me my arms had had about all they could handle after the morning episode of mud wrestling.

As we continued down towards the river SF and I talked about where we would like to build our little spot in this paradise…did we want mountains, or did we want the valley or did we want on the water? I asked if we could have all three. As we plodded along it was real quite just the sound of hooves hitting the ground, goats and sheep bleating, chicken’s clucking. Every once in a while you could hear Mt.Rider’s donkey MM but I think even the animals knew we were close and they were content with where they were headed.

Wait why are we stopping? Why are they circling the wagons? We were supposed to be at the lodge tonight. As SF sets the brake P rides up and tell us the bad news…the river is out of it banks and the bridge was gone. As SF circled the wagon into place it hit me like a ton of bricks…WAIT the bridge we were to cross is gone? Looking at the clouds and hearing the rushing water my heart sinks to my stomach. That could only mean one of two things…wait until the river goes down and build a new bridge or cross without a bridge…my vote is build a bridge. Oh I do hope my vote counts. We have come this far with just a few problems and one major problem thanks to a certain mayor. I don’t want to cross this angry river without a bridge. You know something honey I like this area just fine. This would make a good garden spot and we could build right up there…..

Well if all else fails ask Michael to email the map to you :-)

Words can not describe my first thoughts looking out over the valley...beautiful, awesome just did not describe the place. Then I saw how we were to get down and I almost lost it right there on the side of the mountain. Hummm I think I like this spot just fine. That last clearing would make a wonder place to build a house. Plenty of trees, we could have a barn up in a matter of weeks. Mother and Mt.Rider both are shaking their heads telling me it will be ok that we will make it down just fine. Looking down the trail again I don't believe them but I do trust them and Mr. H. They have gotten us this far. (I still say this side of the mountain is nice and would make a wonder homesite)

It was decided that our wagons would be one of the last going down that there was no way possible we could get them all down in one day so we would stay behind and go down the second day. This is good because they are using our horses as anchors. Mother's was the first wagon down. The guys made it look so easy all though the horses didn't think so at first. Just knew Mother was going to get trampled a couple of times. I was so glad when some one took over for her. SF, W & N were on the trail acting as guides for the wagons. P was working the horses, me I was biting my nails right beside Mt. Rider. At the end of the day I didn't think the men were going to get back up the “hill” A and I had already taken care of the other animals and the horses where given extra care that first night.

The next morning it was our turn. Mr. MtR had sent their donkey's back up to pull our cattle cart down since all of oxen were being used to pull wagons and Mr. H didn't want to tandem the cattle cart on the wagon. It was touch and go there on wagon#2 it was the heaviest since it had the cook stove in it. I just knew it was going to end up on its side. The stove shifted even after it was secured the best we could. Wagons 1 & 3 made it down with little or no problem. It was just nerve wracking. The pigs did not like the ride, we ended covering the cart with a tarp so they could not see and they settled down after that. At the end of the day we were all down the “hill” including the animals. It was so good to have the group back together even if we were all bone weary.

Mt. Rider was still in her wagon. Hopefully this extra day of rest allowed her to get some of her energy back. She is going to need it on this next downslope. It doesn't look much easier than what we just tackled. Mr. H has assured us that next slope even though it looks bad is way better than what we just came down. He said we would not need the pulley system. By the look in Mother's eyes she is not to sure about it either. But Mr. H is the man with the plan and he will get us down there. He has gotten us this far and the reward is just at the bottom of the “hill” We all set about to tend to animals. The oxen and horses were checked over real well and they were given extra portion. They worked hard the past two days and deserved a treat. Dinner was light, Chef had dinner ready for everyone and we all ate were asleep before the moon was over the mountain.

SF and I were up early and were looking out over the valley. The sight was just breath taking. It was hard to believe that we would soon be living there. Sf smiled as he wiped the tears streaming down my face. He wrapped me in his arms and assured me that this had all been worth it even to this city boy. I couldn't help but smile too, I told him I was so proud of him even if he was scared of snakes. He laughed and said at least he empties the mouse traps. Well he had me there. As we stood there looking out over our new home I wondered aloud if Mr. H had ever got a chance to check out the other side of the river. He said next time he spoke to Mr. H he would ask if not he and the boys would ride over and check it out. He asked if I had packed the digital camera and if I thought the batteries were still good...What kind of question was that...MEN...of course I packed the digital camera and I even the packed camcorder and extra batteries he just didn't know it. I couldn't leave behind all of my equipment.

People were beginning to stir and PWN were looking at the wagon wheels, none were please as to what they found. The trip down with locked wheels had worn the wheels but not beyond use. Sf said if we had to lock the wheels again then we would have to make sure that the worn part was not on the ground but we should be ok to get down the mountain.

Breakfast was a grand affair, Chef had out done himself, he said that he figured everyone would be starved this morning after two days of hard work and eating very little last night. Mother must have helped him, there were sweet rolls, biscuits, eggs, sausage, flap jacks, oh my it was a feast.

Question...Did Mr. H say what the Red R M and X stood for and if they had ever had a chance to check out the side of the lake?

OOPS Missed the post about the R is Mt. Rider, M is Mothers and X is Michael and Lori's ...Need to put that over there with the map Michael

Any I have picked out mine Also picked out a back up just in case

Sorry, there is NO little blue thing in the left hand corner nor is there a magnifying glass.

Mother it is not on the map but on the black bar where it says it has been reduced. In the left hand corner there should be a little magnifying glass next where it says it has been reduced somelike 92%. Actually all you have to do is click the black bar and it should open in the map in another window.

Well I am a southern girl so I hope to get as far south as possible. LOL

Same bat time..........

same bat station!

 

Am I THAT old! ROFL

To the Bat Wagon Robin...what we are all in wagons on the side of a mountain and you expected me to say to the Batmobile?

Have my house plans almost ready. Have my garden plans almost ready even IRL. Waiting very impatiently to roll down the side of the mountain.

MtRider [swats MT3B..... "shoots them and serves them dinner..." WHAT did she say? ]

Hey Chef can cook and old boot so that it taste good I figured trouble makers would be a breeze for him

Or we could use them as buzzard bait to keep them out of the gardens

MT3B slinking off and hiding I promise to behave.

Has there been any thought to conflict resolution, rules, etc?

Town council, mayor, etc.

-

How will it be decided if two want the same plot of land, or someone moves in and wants to build a house of worship of another faith, or everyone wants to breed their animal to the same sire, or... I don't know - someone just punches someone else in the mouth?

With the human race involved there will be conflict. To breed it out of us, would result in dead rabbit-beings. It must be dealt with.

Leah we are just going to shoot the trouble makers and serve them up for dinner

Just joking

Oh I see how you are you are just going to leave me perched precariously on this narrow goat trail on the side of this "hill" all the while I am holding my breath trying not to slip off the side. Just so I can get through this pass, around the deathtrap curve to see my new home ...and I have to hang here for two weeks????????

And to make matters worse WITHDRAWALS!!!!!!! Now just what am I going to do while the guys go play with their new toys

still love you Mother

:24:

Reading about your past has made me remember mine. All the chickens, the cows, pigs and the massive garden. I now know why my mother only spent $10 on groceries (and that was mostly cleaning supplies and personal items) when I was little. I remember plucking chickens nothing smells worse than a wet hen. Mother finally went to skinning them instead of plucking them. But we still had to pluck the turkeys she didn't want to cook the turkey without the skin. I grew up on 16 acres and I swear 10 of it was a garden every year. Well ok so 5 of it was garden. Dad always planted 3 acres of corn so that we could take some of it to the mill and have it ground into cornmeal. I remember always the first week after school was out going with my mom to pick blackberries EARLY in the morning like 6:30 right after dad left for work then coming home and taking a bath in bleach water to kill the bugs and my mother checking my head for ticks. She always made 52 1/2 pint jars of blackberry jam. Then there was strawberries, grapes, muscadines, scuppernongs. We had peach trees, fig trees, pecan trees, and apple trees. I think there might have even been a pear tree. Summer vacation was NO vacation around my house. There was always something to be picked, weeded, watered or fed.

Raja in my story is actually from my childhood. I raised a bull from when he was a baby. His momma died during delivery so we had to bottle feed him. He had a bullring and everything. He would follow me around like a puppy. Baby used to steal my dads hat when he would go out out put salt blocks and hay out in the pasture. He would grab the hat off my dad's head and run with it to get dad to chase him. It was funny to watch this huge bull try to sneak up on my dad. Dad finally quit taking the truck out to the pasture with the hay because Baby would come up and lean on the truck to get dad to scratch him behind the ears. Dad got tired of having to beat the dents out of the fenders so he started taking the tractor and flatbed wagon out there. The year that my dad hurt his back we sold off all the live stock (including Baby) except a few chickens. After we sold Baby the new owner called my dad one day out of the blue and told him that Baby had saved his granddaughters life. It seems Baby had taken a liking to her. She would feed the horses and goats apples and carrots and then she went to feeding Baby without anyone knowing it. They lived up near the TN/AL state line and she was laying outside playing with her dolls when a bobcat came in the yard. It had already killed a couple of the baby goats and it went after his granddaughter. Baby went through the electric fence and killed the bobcat. Dad explained to him that Baby was a pet more than a bull. That I had raised him from a calf and bottle feed him. Showed him in 4-H and everything. That was the reason Baby had a bullring.

Oh heart breaker. We are to make camp on this side of the mountain tonight. I know a lot of people are disappointed. Sf and I both are very disappointed. We just knew we would get to see our new home today. Oh well maybe tomorrow for lunch we can look at it and dream. SF and I both agree we don’t like the look of that pass and we sure do not want to try and maneuver it in the waning light. Plus I think the animals could use the rest as well as the rest of us. It will be a good thing that we are all well rested and fresh when we tackle the “monster” as it has become known in our family.

Wow Chef works fast. He already has fire going and I see that he is roasting chunks meat. Word has come around that he is cooking for all and if we have started dinner then if we like we could share. What a great idea I guess it is our good bye meal to this side of the mountain. I will take my squirrel dumplings over after I get the animals fed and watered.

Well with the guys unhitching the animals and feeding and watering them. I think I will feed and water the other animals. I think I will let my chickens out and let them scratch around for a little while. O look at my girls you are laying eggs again. Wow there will be enough for breakfast in the morning. And Wilma your babies are coming right along. I think I will put in a carrier by yourself tomorrow morning and then back in with them at night to help keep them warm. I think one more cat carrier here yes I do. What’s the matter Lucy don’t you want to come out oh I see you are sitting on your babies also. Well I will leave you be, here have some extra grain and some dandelions flowers. Well hello Babydoll, are you getting pudgy. I wonder if you are carrying twins. That would be so cool. Where’s the rest of the crew Babydoll oh I see them coming now…1,2,3,4….7 yep you are all here. Shoo Buttons you smell whoa man you are in full rut. I actually think you are stronger smelling out here than you were back home. Or is it just the fact the air is so clean here…huh boy is that it the air is just so clean here.

Hi Mr. & Mrs. C how are you this evening. Yes I am disappointed also I was hoping to get through the pass today also. Although, I have to agree with Mr.H I had rather tackle the pass when I am well rested and it is broad daylight. How is Missy doing, I see her running around with the other children now. No P still has the cast. Q has talked him into keeping it on until we get through the pass and down the mountain. But I am sure that the first night we are in the valley it will come off. Q seems to think if they can keep him in the cast until then he may not need the boot cast. I know I can’t believe it has been so long either. Some days it feels like we have been out here forever but then some days it feels like we just started out.

Well you be joining everyone tonight for dinner. Yes we will be there but I am not sure how many of us will be able to keep our eyes open for very long. Well if you are not there enjoy your evening and dream of your new home…good night.

Well it was another early morning. The days are getting longer and since many of us have our internal clocks set with the sun (and the darn rooster) we are up and at it earlier and earlier.

You know sitting on this bench all day one’s mind does wander. I don’t know about the rest of the group but I am getting very nervous about the downside of this “hill” We have been climbing for days now. SF and the guys rounded up some fallen trees that are still solid and are going to use that to lock the wheels. I hope it works. I just have to reminding myself that the Good Lord has gotten this far and He will see us through. Psalms 121(vs1-4): I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. (v8) The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Oh we are stopping. SF just rode by and said Mr. H is stopping us for lunch now to give the animals and extra rest. We are about to hit the last climb and pass that he is concerned about. Suddenly I am not so hungry any more. Oh well SF and the guys are unhitching the teams so I guess I need to get lunch ready. Since we are stopping a little longer I think I will go ahead and get dinner ready and then just put it in the hot box.

Some of the younger guys are playing football. It is amazing how they have adjusted to this thinner air and us older people still could use O2 thanks LOL. What? Are they trying to get Mother to play oh wait Sasha is going to play. My money is on the dog. Oh look she scored. Way to go Sasha. LOL Silly Girl.

I see SF over at Mothers wagon peeking at the puppies. Maybe he will take the hints I have been dropping and pick out a puppy. I know the guys each want a puppy for their homestead. Looks like he may have picked on out but they are still too young to separate from Sasha. We will just have to wait and see. Bossy wouldn’t you like a little puppy to play with? Ewww not the face! Yeah I know you are a good boy.

Mt. Rider rode again today. She is looking better each and every day. Me thinks she just wants to leave this mountain driving to Mr. Mt Rider LOL

I wonder if Mr. Smith and Mr. Hughes have a map of the area. If so I really would like to look over it before we arrive so I can get an idea of how the land is laid out. I will have to check with Mt.Rider and see if she knows.

Well it looks like they are giving the animals one last watering and starting to hitch them back up. Wait SF is hitching them up different….Honey why are you not hitching Raja up. Oh man look at he sores Yeah I see where switching him out to the cart will take a lot of weight off. Wait before you put that on him let me put some more ointment on there. No it is not oozing it just looks bad. Is it tender boy? How do his hooves look? I agree picking him up late in the travels didn’t help toughen the skin up under the yoke. You think it will be ok tomorrow?

Since I am walking I am going to change shoes and put on thicker socks oh and I am changing clothes also. Need something more light weight than what I have on. I will be ready see Mother doesn’t even have her wagon hitched up yet. Men