Annarchy

Thank you for bringing this back up. I was looking for a better source than I have for this year's gardens.

back Marjorie.

Thank you all for your prayers, she can use them. I got a call from her this morning, she 3 weeks into chemo and daily radiation treatments with 3 more weeks to go. She requested prayers to handle the pain.

Our little group gathered at Big D's. A small tree with paper ornaments and a crocheted angel on top, brightened the corner next to the wood hopper. The aroma of turkey and oatmeal cookies wafted through the house as the men sat around the fireplace and the women busied ourselves in the kitchen cooking, all of us reminiscing about the past year. IRL, we had a quiet humble Christmas, the best gift of all was our health, safety and a nice meal.

Simply Blessed

Edna

Awesome score Momo. I traded $25.00 of manufacturers coupons for free groceries from our local store. They can use them, I couldn't. They called it even.

So far, this is all I have planned: Smoked Cornish Hens Cornbread Stuffing Mashed potatoes

My sister has been diagnosed with cancer. They are starting chemo & radiation and more tests and have warned her she will be burned after her treatments. That was hard to hear because I know several people who went through that... and didn't survive. I'm sending her a box of aloe plants today, I hope it helps. Thank you all for your prayers.

Congratulations!

Wow, it has been a year. I still think of this thread quite regularly. ... What would we be doing? ... How would things be going? ... etc. After the last arrivals, most of the valley got busy stocking, storing and preparing for winter. Everyone worked hand in hand to make the best of what was available. Trading their excess for someone else's excess. It was wonderful to see how needs were met. The Lodge had a huge communal garden that everyone helped create, maintain and harvest. The goal was to provide for anyone who needed additional assistance during the winter. Winter came and snowed like crazy. Most folks were snowed in, but the messenger system kept a trail going. The big lake froze over by December and many teams were seen ice fishing for the Lodge's 'Storehouse of Assistance'. By mid February, the snow melt was creating torrents of water rushing down from the mountain tops filling all the rivers and creeks beyond their banks, and had completely washed out the road we came in on.................. Happy Anniversary Dang.... I need to get a life.......

I inherited one that needed salt, steel wool and hours of elbow grease to remove the crud/rust 20 years ago.

Wow, I didn't know that they don't like it, I hope it works. I got to MIL's yesterday, as I stuck my key in the door, the distinct smell of moth balls slapped me in the face. She has them everywhere and claims they keep all the 'nasty 'lil creatures' away. LOL They repel me rather well too, at least until my senses adjust, then the only time they are noticeable is when we go through the doors. Maybe I can convince her to change her method. Probably not.

I think about it occationally, when I get a moment away from real life. I imagine this and that. What we did with this, and how we did that. Sometimes, the story line comes out of nowhere and I think what could have been. [Garden harvested, meat, veggies, herbs and fruits dried for winter, stored in the root cellar. We found a crate of vintage wine bottles while dismanteling the plane. After throwing a party at the Lodge, we used the empty bottles, laid horizontal, as windows in our home, and saving a sample for future brew, LOL!] See what I mean?.... I just can't seem to avoid thinking of what could happen if it were real. Contingency plans are a wonderful thing... Maybe if I can find the time, in all that is going on in real life, I might get the urge to write. For now, the yoke of real life is keeping me busy most of the time.

Antik & Sasebabe

Real Life got real busy, time escaped me and deadlines loomed. (There's still a few irons in the fire that need to be tended.) I had no time to even think about the story, let alone read it. I could go on and on about it all, but I'd bore you all to death. Now, I am trying to find time to catch back up on the story, (from page 4 forward). However, I'm still only getting about 10 minutes a day on line to check my mail. Today's a rare moment and I've had a little more time. Wow, just the little I had a chance to read, things have changed drastically! Heading home now. TTYL

The last couple of weeks were busy. {IRL too} DH took off early in the mornings down to MJX's, the messenger had told him that the B's, KW & James were all meeting there to get things going. I spent the first days collecting grass, herbs and berries and drying them in the kiln, except the grass, that was spread out in the loft of the barn to dry. I did find a couple of apple trees along the tree line in the upper meadow loaded with little green apples. I harvested some carrots and peas, diced them and spread them out on cookie sheets while I waited for the herbs to finish drying. Then, set to gathering wood for the wood pile. DH showed up in the early evenings looking beat from working hard. MJX had found caves near the hot springs large enough to make rooms and decided to build their house adjoining them. James and some of the B's men plowed their fields while other groups cut trees for their cabin. He mentioned M spent most of the day with X tending the animals and sorting through their stuff in their wagons. The rest of the week was much of the same. Wednesday night, I separated Little Lady and her little one in the barn. I wanted to see if I would get any milk. Thursday morning, her udder was taught. Not much of an udder, someone must have made her a member of the IBTC, they are only about 2" long, if that. My hands seemed so huge when I tried to grasp and squeeze. I ended up stroking from the top down with my thumb and index finger to get a stream to come out. I managed to get about 2 cups before she got tired of me and began fidgeting. It was time anyway to let the little one feed. Chick-chick has been leaving me an egg daily in her nesting box and I put them with the milk in the kitchen cellar. While gathering wood in the forest NE at the foot of the cliffs, I came across a massive grape vine draping the cliff completely covering what seemed like a small cave. I made a note and decided, for safety sake, I would wait until DH was with me to explore it. Needless to say he wasn't home 3 minutes before I began rattling off about finding it. They had managed to get quite a bit of their field plowed, a timber fence and their barn finished. KW would be coming back and staying with us until he was able to survey his land and find an appropriate place for his homestead. Friday night both DH & KJ returned and we chatted around the fire pit for what seemed like hours before retiring for the night. By the time I got up Saturday, they were at the lakeside with their snorkel gear on heading into the water. I got my tea and watched as they went out. They were out there about an half an hour before J crested the hill coming up the road with a set of oxen in tow with their yoke and rolls of rope. The guys were all smiling as they hooked up the rope and swam back out in the lake. DH popped up out of the water then KW, gave the thumbs up signal and J began walking the ox. You could tell the moment the slack came out of the rope. The ox halted, then, their muscles began to ripple as they exerted every bit of strength they had for a couple of seconds, before instantly easing up. DH popped back up, another thumbs up and back down he went. This went on for about 5 minutes before the silvery white carcass of the planes cabin cleared the water near the shore. The ox shouldered back into their yoke until the wings of the plane barely broke the water line, when the guys stopped the ox and unhitched the rope. They gathered around the shore talking, laughing and pointing at it. J clasped DH's hand pulling him into a bear hug with a hearty slap on the back, rolled up the rope, nodded at me and headed back towards home. We spent the rest of the day, scrounging around inside the cabin area. DH found and old rifle stuffed under one of the seats completely covered in rust. Anything made of cloth was unidentifiable, but the foam was still in tact on the seats. We found several pieces of luggage in the back with rusted locks and latches, we took the cases out and put them on the bank for inspection later. A large trunk in the back took all of us to scoot up and through the doorway and up to the waters edge. We all stood on the bank for a while looking at everything discussing and planning what we could use all the parts for. Sunday we got up early and headed for Big D’s after feeding the animals. We didn’t let them out because we were not going to be there most of the day. James was tending their animals when we arrived. He ribbed GS about actually being early for a change. I smiled, shook my head and headed in to see Mom. {IRL: We had to go to take care of her last week.} Big D was in the kitchen pulling out a roast while Naomi was preparing a salad for Sunday potluck. I was pleased to see the shelves in the kitchen were finished and James had enclosed most of them and made a door for the pantry. As we headed for the lodge, MJX met up with us and followed us in. Services were lovely, as usual, and DH had exchanged his books at the library. It was wonderful to see everyone! I needed the people contact after being alone most of the week and found myself chattering about this and that while everyone else did the same. One big conversation weaving in and out of each other with hugs and handshakes filtered in. We headed home mid afternoon, saying our goodbyes with warm hugs and hopes to see each other next week. Monday we opened the suit cases and blackish muck gushed out. Metal things like nail clippers were barely recognizable, but the combs and brushes, buttons from the clothing and other plastic items seemed unharmed. We laid the stuff out to dry wondering who, when, and why. The rest of the week GS & I busied ourselves gathering wood and grass, dismantling the plane, drying veggies and smoking the fish we've been catching. Saturday we took a break from our routine and went hunting to the north of us, up into the mountain side above the big falls. We saw several herds of deer, a few elk and a group of goat on the cliffs. We headed back toward home before we came across a 3 prong buck grazing unaware in one of the small meadows. He brought it down and we tied it on a sapling between us, then hung it in the barn after gutting and salvaging the internal organs. All week I've been anxious for Sunday to come. The messenger had brought news that the mule train had made it in. I kept hoping for any of the packages I'd order before we left. Maybe we'd get the ones we ordered at the towns on the way.

Daylily, I hope you do come in on the next wagon train, too. My allergy is lifting. Seriously, my back will not let me lift heavy things. I really am a "5 pound weakling" - broke it too many times and messed up the spinal column. The secret to moving things is fulcrums and pivots. Amazing what you can do when you need to.

Ummmmmm.. chocolate..... Sorry folks, things here have been overwhelmingly busy. I've just barely been able to catch-up reading to date, today. MIL had another TIA-stroke We'll be going to her place this week. Oh, good news did happen this weekend with MJX IRL, M's gonna have another baby! They're so excited!

Monday I was up before dawn. The sounds and snores of people sleeping, braking the silence from the last few days, echoed through the rooms. I went out with my books and started the fire pit, then sat and listened to the crackling of the fire in the stillness of the morning as I read. I let the animals out of the barn as the sky lightened, then worked on cleaning up their messes. By the time I finished, KJ and J were standing near the fire waiting to the coffee pot to heat up. They talked for quite a while, wanting to get to the land to get their homes set up and prepare for winter. KJ was going to be north of Big D and northeast of us, while MJX were going to be down near the hot springs between the Lodge and us. They had fallen in love with the area and M insisted it would be perfect for them. J seemed quite pleased about their choice and was chattering about doing an adobe home for its climate control effects and versatility. Mid morning the messenger came and delivered Mother's letter. He gave MJX and KJ a note from Mr. S wanting a meeting about final arrangements for their land. Little X came out and climbed up into J's arms, laid his head on his shoulder and nodded off again. M & GS808 came out and got a cup of coffee. J handed off X to M and he and KJ went to feed the animals. M and I talked about everything from the stove to the cellar, crocheting to weaving, flora and fauna and how she couldn’t wait to get settled in. They were going to head to the Lodge after lunch and camp out on their land. By then KJ & J were back and KJ said he would go with them to the lodge, but wanted to leave one of the wagons with us until he could come back and get it. M pulled out a box of cereal and handed it to X. She said she brought a bunch of stuff for us, but would have to unload and organize things in order to get to it all. I always worry when she does that to me, last time she gave me a bobbin lace kit and we made lace for months. LOL We made arrangements to go and help them get their place going and would see if we could find some extra hands at the Lodge to help. They gathered their animals, hitched up and headed back down the road. I felt relieved they were here but amiss that they were leaving so soon even though I knew why. My dearest and I sat on the porch, he had a book and I had my tablet. Dear Mother, I got your letter today, it was such a joy to hear from you. I hope all is going well for you and yours. Things here have quieted down, our company has decided to get working on their places as soon as possible and have left. I wanted to tell you to set the hides in the river, if you can. The running water helps remove some of the crud and makes the job of softening them much easier. That’s the way the Indians used to do it. If I had a river close enough I would have done it that way myself. The wolves come through occasionally, but for the most part are leaving us alone. However, I did have to secure the door thresholds to keep them from digging under. It doesn’t seem to be a big pack, maybe 5 or 6 of them. It’s time for me to start something for dinner. Respectfully, Annarchy

Friday, July 2 Last night I woke in the middle of the night to the sounds of the wolves. Sniffing around the doors, I could hear the muffled thumps of their paws running to and fro, with an occasional yip and growl. The animals were shut up in the barn as planned and I knew they were secure. DH had insisted and reminded me several times..."don't forget!" The relief of knowing that didn't help me to sleep so I stoked the fireplace and got me a cup of tea and did my morning studies. Around dawn, I grabbed my utility belt, opting to take the Subcompact XD 40 today, because I'm a little more accurate with it. The sky was light and I could see footprints from the wolves all around the yard. As I opened the barn door, I could see where they had tried to dig their way under the door. Thankfully, they didn't have much luck and looked like they gave up for the time being. Little Lady and her little one were nestled in the back of the barn near the coops. I decided to make a brick footing for the barn door to deter any more attempts. Around mid-morning the messenger came by and dropped off a letter from Big D, asked if all was OK and mentioned they were doing well getting the train down the mountain, then, he headed back down the road. Before he was out of sight, I opened my letter with excited anticipation. Dear Annarchy, Hope you are doing well. We are fine, don't worry. Naomi is a dear and is handling everything just fine, though we are both missing James terribly. He always does the outdoor work and poor Naomi has blisters on her hands. She won't listen when I tell her to take it easy, just like you don't listen to me. The garden is growing really well and we have been harvesting and preserving as much as possible. We have put some aside for you and GS808. I hope to see you two soon. Love, Mom I refolded it and put it in the house on the hearth, then went out and checked the garden. Most of it was growing nicely, but those darned wolves had trampled on a couple of the plants when they passed through, they should be fine, I hoped. With the bricks mixed, formed and set to dry, I rummaged through my art supplies for a pen and my writing tablets. I wanted to send a note to everyone! I set them near the fireplace for something to do in the evening by the firelight and went back out side and started the water in the canal for the garden. While the canal was filling, I dug the footing strip under the barn door and made cob from the remainder of the brick mixture, then started the water at the top of the garden rows. I grabbed the telescope and went to the top of the cliffs and sat down, peering down at the lodge to see if I could recognize anyone. There was really not much activity there at all so I gathered an armload of grasses and alfalfa and went back down to the house. By that time it was time to pull the water pipes anyway. Lil Lady was in her pasture and the chickens were scratching around the mound of dirt from the footing trench. I checked for eggs, but she still isn't laying. I gathered more wood for a while, stacking it in the wood pile next to the house, shoveled poo from the barn into a bucket and took it out to the area we've set up next to the mulch bin. Not very scientific, just a pile of leaf litter and a pile for the poo, but it will work. Around noon, I focused on taking care of the deer skin. It was hard and dry so I placed it hair side down in the water and placed rocks on top of it so it could soak, then noticed the wolves had tried to get into the smoke house too. It looked like they almost made it in, by the size of the hole, so I went to work preparing a footing for it too. By mid afternoon, the bricks were set enough to use and I poured some cob in the footing holes, plopped the bricks on top and covered them with the last of the cob, hoping there was enough day light and warmth of the day to set the mixture. Aaawww shucks! Now how am I gonna get the animals in the barn without them stepping in it?!!? I grabbed the axe and chopped a couple logs in 1/4 pieces and laid them across the threshold. I pulled the skin out of the water and laid it on the sandy beach, using handfuls of sand, scrubbing it in a circular motion removing the sinews, meat and fats that remained from skinning it, then took it in the barn and laid it out in the loft. As the sun was touching the mountains, I put the animals back in the barn and locked 'em in, grabbed an armload of wood for the fireplace and prepared the tinder for my evening fire. Picked up my tablet and pen went out and sat on the porch and began writing letters with Frank on his tether at my feet. I wanted to know if Big D, AH or Mother had had any problems with the wolves. Saturday, July 3 All had been quiet during the night, or at least I didn't wake up until after dawn broke. I made a cup of tea on the coals in the fireplace and went out to see what the day would bring, let the animals out and checked the hide. It was drying and looked like I'd be able to work with it today. After hanging my laundry, I grabbed my backpack and headed up to the cliffs. Looking out across the valley, I could see quite a bit of activity at the lodge, chiding myself for not bringing the scope with me, then headed for the berry bushes near the forest line. Many were still green, but there seemed to be enough to do something with. I gathered quite a bit and headed back home, not wanting to be gone too long in case something were to happen. I've been extremely cautious of my surrounding since the wolves have made themselves a regular presence in this area. Back at the house I smashed the berries, all but 2 handfuls, into a puree and spread them thinly on a piece of aluminum foil and put them on the kiln to sun dry, and made a small pie with the left over, anticipating the arrival of my dearest and KJ. The messenger came and told me they were fine and were going to continue to make sure everyone got to where they needed to. The rest of the day, I busied myself with anything I could think of doing. Barn poo cleaned out, replaced the grass bedding, no eggs, gathered more wood, gathered more grass for winter. Went up to the cliffs, with the scope and peered down at the lodge for a while. People, wagons and animals were everywhere, but I couldn't make out the faces. I gathered more grasses and alfalfa and headed back and worked on the hide, rubbing, pulling and stretching it as best I could over a taught rope tied between two trees. Late in the afternoon, I started the fire pit and rigged up a tee pee over it and draped the skin on it, then added some wood, I had soaked for 10 minutes, to smoke cure it. With the animals buttoned up and dusk encroaching, I started the kitchen stove, baked the pie and settled in next to the fireplace with tablet, pen and jerky. Today I wanted to send a note to Q & M23B to see how they were getting along with all the new arrivals. Sunday, July 4 I'd fallen asleep next to the fireplace wrapped in my sleeping bag, until Frank stuck his nose in my ear. He was awake and I should be too, I guess. I got my tea and went outside. The sun was cresting the eastern mountain top. After letting the animals out, I gazed down the road. Would my dearest come home today? I hoped so. When the messenger arrived mid morning, he told me they were planning to head up today. I almost whooped for joy, I missed him so. Anticipation hit me, adrenalin kicked in and I almost fell over my own two feet. My mind was whirling with things to do to accommodate his arrival. Food! What to make? Ribs and.... salad... maybe potatoes. I grabbed my gallon jar and put a couple of tea bags in it for sun tea, checked my supply of potatoes, and snipped some spinach leaves from the garden. I couldn't sit still, constantly glancing down the road. By noon, I was a wreck, worry kept nagging... where were they? Finally, I saw a wagon crest the hill, then 4 more!! Gunslinger808 was driving the first wagon, then KJ. I squinted to see who was in the next wagons. M, was that really her? and J in the next wagon with X? Wow, I couldn't believe it. James was bringing up the rear with a horde of animals. 3 cows, 2 goats and 4 sheep. I almost started crying, I couldn't believe they had come, how did they know where we had gone? After the initial hugs and squeals they ushered the animals into the pasture. We had a chance to talk. Seems, KJ had come looking for us and when he got to our house we were gone, that's when he called and found us. M met him in town and he filled her in and they decided to travel together. They said the local prisons had lost control of their populations and overtaken the area. Their only option was to get out as quickly as possible. We spent the rest of the day talking, catching up on the news from over the mountain and dreaming of a better life in the safety of this valley. Edited: Spelling

Morning came early. I had trouble sleeping waking to every little sound, I felt so alone. Around dawn, I crawled out of my sleeping bag, got dressed and went out to start the fire. Stars still filled the sky with a sliver of light gracing the eastern mountain tops. I laughed at myself for using the fire pit instead of the stove or fireplace, but there was still some comfort in knowing the fire pit would provide some security around the house. After getting my tea, I walked over to the barn and let Lil Lady and her little one out. They weren't in a big hurry to leave the barn, but at least, if they wanted to they could. The chickens have had free range in the barn and were up in the loft. I checked the nest but it was empty. As light filled the sky, I began thinking what needed to be done. KJ had said he was coming and I didn't have a clue what he was bringing or if he'd even have a plan. I looked around and wondered if we would be able to handle an extra person. The garden was growing well, several of the seeds we planted didn't sprout, so I planted some extra in the bare areas. Humph, so much for "guaranteed to grow" on the packages. I gathered grass and piled it in the back of the loft, thinking how far behind I am in preparing for winter. Every 'what if' seemed to be racing through my mind. The rest of the morning I gathered dead fall wood and stacked it near the smoke house, then worked on slicing stips of the deer meat for smoking/drying. After filling one of my large kettles to the brim, I started a pot of brine boiling to dip the meat, then, hung the stips in the smoke house, started a fire and shut the door. I sat down at the fire pit and stirred the ashes, scraping the excess into one of the buckets, then added some water. We were running low on soap and I wanted to try to make lye. Then, I decided to go for a walk up to the meadow above our homestead. I walked over to the ledge and sat down gazing off across the valley. I could see specks moving around the lodge area and wondered if they had made it down off the mountain yet. A few bees were buzzing around and I watched them for a while. They were flying down the cliff side almost like they were following a trail. I moved over some and looked down again near where they were coming from. Somewhere down the cliff they were thicker. Courious, I headed back to the house and went up to the cliff face looking in the general area they had been the thickest. Near the top of the cliff near the forest line was a small opening full of bees doing their business, in and out, out and in. Making a mental note, I went back to gathering more wood. Winter was really beginning to bug me. How would we have enough? Food, heat, water? I sighed and kept on. Late in the afternoon, I sliced a nice steak and gathered a handfull of spinach from the garden, threw it on the grill and boiled the spinach. I took it in the house and started the fireplace. Frank sat with me for quiet some time before I decided it was time for bed.

I've used the plastic wick holders that float on the oil, but for long term, the plactic will warp from the heat. The slit lid works well, but I usually use thinner wicks instead of the large width wicks. My thicker wicks I cut into thin strips and they work just fine. ETA: spelling

Saturday morning after my studies, I untied the knotted ropes and rehung my clothes line. If he wanted clean clothes, he'd just have to find another way to deal with the plane. James showed up shortly after I hung the laundry and we spent all our time working on the house, finishing the kitchen, stove, living room & fireplace. When the messenger showed up, he and GS808 talked for quite a while. He looked at me and mentioned they were taking letters on their routes. I thanked him and said I'd probably have letters going out about once a week or so. Sunday, we went to the Lodge, hitchhiking a ride with Big D at the "Y". My dearest headed for the library to exchange books and I took some more dried herbs to the medical building, then went in for services meeting my dearest as we sat down with Big D. After services we had time to socialize and I was surprised how much I missed talking with the ladies. The Ladies that wanted the tatting lessons decided to postpone it until everything settles down. Everyones conversations were fixed on the incoming group and who, what and how. GS808 had mentioned he and James would take their wagon up towing the 4 wheeler. We spent the afternoon and evening digging the root cellar next to the kitchen, then retired for the day in the living room in front of the fire place. Up before dawn on Monday, I wrung out yesterdays laundry and hung it to dry. Lil Lady seemed extremely distressed most of the day. I kept an eye on her, but she stayed close to the barn in the pasture, grazing occasionally, as we worked on cobbing the walls of the root cellar and set the footing for the walls. James showed up mid-morning and he and DH worked on making planks for the floor/door and steps going down. By mid after noon they had completed the stairs and the floor. The walls were almost finished and they set in the framing for the shelves for the pantry above the cellar. James spent quite a bit of time talking with GS808 before heading back to his place. I had to ask if he was coming tomorrow and DH said "Yeah". He has become quieter than usual and I've had to probe him for any information at all. I guess I'll have to start writing letters to get any info 'cause he certainly isn't sharing. Tuesday was much of the same, except, Lil Lady gave birth to a beautiful golden tiny girl during the night. She was nursing when I got up, but, I couldn't find the afterbirth to bury it. Nature has a way of taking care of itself sometimes. With James's help the pantry for our kitchen was finished before noon and they worked on the patio roofing using lentels and log pillars. He looked at me once and said, "You've gotta make the terra cotta tile floors, but...." he hesitated for a moment and continued, "I might send Naomi down to give ya a hand." We let Frank loose in the house and he went nuts, dancing, prancing, and ferreting out every nook and cranny before settling down between my feet near the fireplace and passing out while I stroked him. My dearest and I sat by the fireplace as dusk consumed the land. His plans were to go over to Big D's tomorrow evening and he and James would head up the mountain with everyone else to help at the pass to bring everyone down. I will stay and take care of things here. Wednesday James came over in the buggy and they set to work on our smoke house. He said he & Naomi had gone to the little cabin north of them, and dismantled it, to use the planks and hinges. By noon they were done and my dearest gave me a hug and kiss and they headed down the road towing the ATV. I finished the day cleaning up the area, checking on the calf and chicks, then settled with Frank in front of the fire place .

LOL, I've been lost for some time, hiding out up north. Annarchy: Me Gunslinger808, aka GS808, GS, my dearest: My DH Frank: The ferret Little Lady aka Lil Lady: The heifer w/calf Hen & Rooster - 4 chicks 2 Turkeys/Male & Female: Not really named, other than 'Tom' Big D: MIL James: Her butler Naomi: Her maid 1 horse 2 Ox and the rest of the turkeys Coming to the Valley in WH2: KJ - age 30 (Widowed) Female Jersey Cow 1 Hen MJX - M: age 30 The Mom J: age 35 The Dad X: age 4 Their Boy Animals: Sissy Pig aka Scissor: Pot belly pig (She wouldn't let me leave her, LOL) Franchesca aka Franny: Bull Mastiff Dog Rest of the animals: TBD, I need to call her and get her list..................