In the grey over cast sky, that barely allowed light, the horse plodded the edge of the river.
It is a keen eye and ear that kept you safe from harm, the thought rolled through his
brain as he rode. He watched the horses ears for any sign trouble, it had saved him before.
Evan was thinking of the start up of the radio station and getting a network of electricity
to a few of the locals. A couple with children in an old "Preppers" bunker 6 miles west.
A few others in a rock quarry to the south, kind of a man made box canyon with a narrow
entrance fortified with a wall of war vehicles. And his cousin Mike in the buried airstream trailer
miles east. He was the sort of guy that could pet your dog, then pick up a rock and crush it's skull,
so it wouldn't give him away. A product of the Chinese hordes. A good cook though he once made
a very tender roast from a very old horse.
He approached the river bridge marked with 3 crosses in black paint, his directions, were to
head 2 clicks east on the road, but to stay in the south tree line. An old county highway sign
said H-34, as he rose out of the river bed, the horse's ears twitched and turned back behind them,
he knew he was being followed, but could see no one.
Riding at a gait he turned into a row of cedar trees and stopped, dismounted quickly and unsheathed his sword. Evan held the reigns tight and pulled the mare close to the tree.
Crisp leaves gave away the following spy, he walked into the tree line, and was affronted by
a thick forearm and the butt of a sword.
"Geezus!, My Da said you were coming , but I didn't know I would be killed!"
Evan pulled the boy to his feet, and held him fast with his sword.
"Your father got the radio?", "Take me there, and no fast moves."
"You come with medicine for my sister?", the young boy asked.
" What's wrong with her? She got the Pox?", Evan quizzed.
"No the fever from dirty water", the boy stated.
The boy was forced to walk ahead of the horse a few paces,
and Evan sheathed the sword.
"Your Pa, he fought the Hordes?"
"Ya, who didn't?", the boy said.
" You're too young to remember the Hordes."
" My Da told me about 'em and I'd a killed as many as I coulda'"
" Well we're here", The young boy removed a few tree branches and a camo
tarp, to reveal an old Preppers steel entrance.
" God bless those old Preppers", Evan said, "Saved half the nation in the
Hordes wars."
Evan carried his kit down a steel ladder along with an old 9mm, He didn't want
to be someone's last supper.
Instead he was greeted by a lanky man with sunken chest, worn face, and brown eyes
that at one time were trusting, but now jumped about.
" Are you the man I radioed?" Evan took his hand shook it and said "Yes. Where's the
girl?"
"Down here, she cant shake the fever."
" I don't have much for meds, some anti- diarrheal and Tylenol and 10 tabs of antibiotics",
" Oh and my wife sent chicken soup."
"You have chickens?"
"Well not really, but I have trapped a few prairie chickens."
The conversation continued late into the night and it was good to laugh and
take stock in another.
They spoke of the radio and Evans plan for a broadcast and to get the electricity
to others.
"Hell, maybe one day we could string wire down here to you all.", Evan bragged.
"You sleep here by the stove and ride out tomorrow. I can never repay you enough
for your help, and the meds for my daughter."
He slept under an old blanket on the floor, his 9mm, under his pack next to him.
Lost is the soul of a boatless man
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
She Never Touched The Ground
The morning rose without consequence. It began with the breakfast mess and the smell of strong of coffee on the stove.
Lily's father appeared from the lower decks with a box marked shortwave radio.
Atop the box was a manual marked Seimens SWT-2.3-101 tattered as it was it was a manual
for our homes inner workings.
Lily quizzed,"Whatcha' got Daddy?"
"It's a box for the future", her father replied.
The time that morning was spent digging through the box of stuff and the diagrams
of the manual. Lily, small as she was fell upon something in the box that she exclaimed,
"It's a picture of Grandpa, What's he got?" Her Grandfather held strange antenna it was
circular with a hoop shape on top. The base held a black box about the size of a car battery.
"I don't know", her father said. " Maybe it's something important maybe not"?
Lily went back to Betty Ruth and said," He doesn't know a good thing when we see
it.
Lily's father continued with the shortwave, plugged it in to the household electric,
waited for it to warm up, put his ear to the speaker, just as a voice broke through.
"Pon-Pon does anyone have survival medical kit ", "I am located 40 miles north of
Ames Ia.", " please respond".
Lily looked as though he had opened Pandora's box, " Daddy we have to save them"!
" Lily that's 20 mi. from here!", what would you and mom do?"
"What is that daddy going to do", Lily looked at him, knowingly.
The day hadn't started the way he planned but, he knew he had to ride if he would
make it by nightfall if he was to help whomever had come across the air.
He also knew that anyone out there with a 2 way was worth meeting.
Stringing a quick split wire antenna he responded to the pon with a
request for location.
They responded with a location and a warning of "Stay away from the roadways,
and stick to the river bed.", And who ever you are God bless you."
He told mom he had to go and kissed them both and dropped down the tower on the
service crane onto the top of the barn platform at the bottom. It was a small wire cage reserved
for the crane on the outside of the tower. Depending on the wind it dropped to the
front, side, or back of the barn roof.
Lily's father saddled the horse, and loaded his med bag, and a rifle, with his trusted sword
slid in the sheath just under his saddle bag.
He said a prayer, and kicked his horse alive and headed south.
The thought was , what am I doing, but, his heart was telling him this is good.
Lily told Betty Ruth that her dad was brave and on a mission from God,
"besides the world depends on us."
Lily's father appeared from the lower decks with a box marked shortwave radio.
Atop the box was a manual marked Seimens SWT-2.3-101 tattered as it was it was a manual
for our homes inner workings.
Lily quizzed,"Whatcha' got Daddy?"
"It's a box for the future", her father replied.
The time that morning was spent digging through the box of stuff and the diagrams
of the manual. Lily, small as she was fell upon something in the box that she exclaimed,
"It's a picture of Grandpa, What's he got?" Her Grandfather held strange antenna it was
circular with a hoop shape on top. The base held a black box about the size of a car battery.
"I don't know", her father said. " Maybe it's something important maybe not"?
Lily went back to Betty Ruth and said," He doesn't know a good thing when we see
it.
Lily's father continued with the shortwave, plugged it in to the household electric,
waited for it to warm up, put his ear to the speaker, just as a voice broke through.
"Pon-Pon does anyone have survival medical kit ", "I am located 40 miles north of
Ames Ia.", " please respond".
Lily looked as though he had opened Pandora's box, " Daddy we have to save them"!
" Lily that's 20 mi. from here!", what would you and mom do?"
"What is that daddy going to do", Lily looked at him, knowingly.
The day hadn't started the way he planned but, he knew he had to ride if he would
make it by nightfall if he was to help whomever had come across the air.
He also knew that anyone out there with a 2 way was worth meeting.
Stringing a quick split wire antenna he responded to the pon with a
request for location.
They responded with a location and a warning of "Stay away from the roadways,
and stick to the river bed.", And who ever you are God bless you."
He told mom he had to go and kissed them both and dropped down the tower on the
service crane onto the top of the barn platform at the bottom. It was a small wire cage reserved
for the crane on the outside of the tower. Depending on the wind it dropped to the
front, side, or back of the barn roof.
Lily's father saddled the horse, and loaded his med bag, and a rifle, with his trusted sword
slid in the sheath just under his saddle bag.
He said a prayer, and kicked his horse alive and headed south.
The thought was , what am I doing, but, his heart was telling him this is good.
Lily told Betty Ruth that her dad was brave and on a mission from God,
"besides the world depends on us."
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
She Never Touched the Ground
The gray sky behind his broad shoulders with the whoosh, whoosh,
are the earliest memories, I have of my father.
I was born high atop a Siemens wind turbine on what used to be my Great Grandfathers
farm. I was given tasks at a young age, but was never allowed below the 30 meter deck.
It was said that the rats below that would carry you into the bottoms and devour you.
I grew to know that the stores below were grains and other sustenance for us but the other
dangers where not for little girls.
Father busied himself daily with "things", dealing with others, and the threat of the nomads.
He was a wide eyed, bearded man with blue eyes and thick eyebrows. He was not tall,
but broad at the shoulder, and forearms as round as a piece of fire wood. It was told he once
picked up a heavy piece of iron off his father, that fell on him during the Hordes of China.
I gave myself to the winds of the aviary at the top of the 88 meter tower. My father had
constructed a wire bird trap at the top baited with grain and mice in order to trap birds.
I loved the peaceful feel of the 'top' as Dad put it. I could sit forever waiting for a turtle dove,
or pigeon to come take bait, and become a temporary pet until eaten.
My father had a few raptors red hawks, bald eagles, and once a golden eagle.
He told me that raptors were the only birds worth saving as the had lived through the
End of Times War between all nations. Although I knew the other birds that we ate were
survivors too, He favored the big raptors as supreme.
The End of Times War occurred when the worlds finances had run it's course, kind of like
when someone wins all the hotels at Monopoly, It's great until the other countries without food
or a source of means, encouraged the war.
It had come to a boiling when China in 2025 had become a superpower and called it's
loan on the US. The US bristled and began a war on another blank check.
It would consume both countries to the brink of starvation, along with the allies that sided with
both.
In a last defiant effort the US was about to launch a nuclear bomb, when the Pacific rim
near China erupted in the most spectacular earthquake ever recorded. A Tsunami went so
far up the Yellow river that the Himalayas were waterfront property. 3 million were killed
the first day, tens of thousands followed after from aftershocks, and disease.
Perhaps Divine intervention, maybe dumb luck, it was the saving the earth needed even though it
plummeted the earth into an ice age that would last a century and take 80% of the population.
The Hordes of China continued for another 25 years, Two generations of revenge and pillage
of the North Americas. More a rebellion, than a war. but never ending.
The stories of Great grandfather fighting that war are an echo of my childhood.
I can hardly remember my grandfather, the man who would recite the tales, over and over.
Even in his final days he was heard to say " Chinese, Slant eyed bastards."
I only remember father saying how we must somehow put this back together again.
"What, can we do", I would ask. " How can we make sense of a broken world", Her soft voice
said.
"Lily, I want to make a radio station, and sell our electricity.", daddy said.
" I want people to be happy and love again", " and tomorrow is the day...."
Lily, looked up at him, "A radio station, what's that"?
"It's something that people will listen to like they used to", He said
Off her father went down into the bottoms to find something, something that would change
the world.
Lily looked at her cloth doll and said;" A radio station, he's really lost it now!"
" Last time it was a hawk trap, what next Betty Ruth?"
The doll offered it's same mute response.
" Well it's bed time anyhow."..
are the earliest memories, I have of my father.
I was born high atop a Siemens wind turbine on what used to be my Great Grandfathers
farm. I was given tasks at a young age, but was never allowed below the 30 meter deck.
It was said that the rats below that would carry you into the bottoms and devour you.
I grew to know that the stores below were grains and other sustenance for us but the other
dangers where not for little girls.
Father busied himself daily with "things", dealing with others, and the threat of the nomads.
He was a wide eyed, bearded man with blue eyes and thick eyebrows. He was not tall,
but broad at the shoulder, and forearms as round as a piece of fire wood. It was told he once
picked up a heavy piece of iron off his father, that fell on him during the Hordes of China.
I gave myself to the winds of the aviary at the top of the 88 meter tower. My father had
constructed a wire bird trap at the top baited with grain and mice in order to trap birds.
I loved the peaceful feel of the 'top' as Dad put it. I could sit forever waiting for a turtle dove,
or pigeon to come take bait, and become a temporary pet until eaten.
My father had a few raptors red hawks, bald eagles, and once a golden eagle.
He told me that raptors were the only birds worth saving as the had lived through the
End of Times War between all nations. Although I knew the other birds that we ate were
survivors too, He favored the big raptors as supreme.
The End of Times War occurred when the worlds finances had run it's course, kind of like
when someone wins all the hotels at Monopoly, It's great until the other countries without food
or a source of means, encouraged the war.
It had come to a boiling when China in 2025 had become a superpower and called it's
loan on the US. The US bristled and began a war on another blank check.
It would consume both countries to the brink of starvation, along with the allies that sided with
both.
In a last defiant effort the US was about to launch a nuclear bomb, when the Pacific rim
near China erupted in the most spectacular earthquake ever recorded. A Tsunami went so
far up the Yellow river that the Himalayas were waterfront property. 3 million were killed
the first day, tens of thousands followed after from aftershocks, and disease.
Perhaps Divine intervention, maybe dumb luck, it was the saving the earth needed even though it
plummeted the earth into an ice age that would last a century and take 80% of the population.
The Hordes of China continued for another 25 years, Two generations of revenge and pillage
of the North Americas. More a rebellion, than a war. but never ending.
The stories of Great grandfather fighting that war are an echo of my childhood.
I can hardly remember my grandfather, the man who would recite the tales, over and over.
Even in his final days he was heard to say " Chinese, Slant eyed bastards."
I only remember father saying how we must somehow put this back together again.
"What, can we do", I would ask. " How can we make sense of a broken world", Her soft voice
said.
"Lily, I want to make a radio station, and sell our electricity.", daddy said.
" I want people to be happy and love again", " and tomorrow is the day...."
Lily, looked up at him, "A radio station, what's that"?
"It's something that people will listen to like they used to", He said
Off her father went down into the bottoms to find something, something that would change
the world.
Lily looked at her cloth doll and said;" A radio station, he's really lost it now!"
" Last time it was a hawk trap, what next Betty Ruth?"
The doll offered it's same mute response.
" Well it's bed time anyhow."..
Monday, November 4, 2013
Soda Bottle Kid
Tank was sitting on the edge of the creek with most of the other gang,
When Rodney rattled up in Lenny's International.
"Hey guys", Rodney hollered.
" I know you been waiting, I been waiting too." Rodney announced.
"Today we win, we win our money and our bikes and something more,
We, I mean I, know we win something more, that's friendship."
" You guys are my friends. more than that you are my brothers."
At that Rodney started to tear, "you are the best friends, a guy could ask for"!
Travis and Josh came over to throw their arms around him, then Tank boosted
him on his shoulder, Rodney felt ten ft tall.
Rodney broke open the 2 coffee cans and started counting, All tolled each of the
boys got 63 dollars, Dooley's money still held by Sheriff Tom.
I want to tell you all the boys got new bikes,
Travis bought a used dirt bike.....
Josh got a ten speed and it got stolen at a football game....
Ton and Tank got some cruiser bikes and actually rode to school
and lost weight for wrestling freshmen year.
Brian put some more money and bought a killer Stingray 5 speed.
Rodney returned home that day, to find his mom, and a dilapidated old house.
"So this is us", Rodney posed.
" Yes the rent is paid, the car has gas, and you and I are free almost,
I still owe the court 60 dollars for the divorce.'
Rodney handed his Mom 60 dollars ....... She started to ask.....but there was no answer.
That Christmas there was this new blue bike, a 10 speed, Rodney knew it came full circle.
He saw Lenny kiss his mom again, but it wouldn't last another year.
She had grown so much in the last few years Lenny would have faded
more than her blue jeans.
They see each other at the Hinky Dinky every now and then, smile but withdraw,
maybe someday.....
Rodney rode that bike 'til the wheels fell off his Senior year.
He dated his Jr., and Sr. year Roxanne for awhile then a Sophomore
girl Theresa, the rest of High School.
He would drive the Turnpike cruiser til it blew it's head gasket
one night his freshman year at college.
Tho' we work so hard to "make it", I still feel we are that kid,
collecting bottles, making friends, planning great things.
But don't tell them no, don't ever tell them they cant,
never ever tell a child that they can't. For as we learn it is the youth
that has ever changed anything. Our future relies on them.
The Soda Bottle Kids....
When Rodney rattled up in Lenny's International.
"Hey guys", Rodney hollered.
" I know you been waiting, I been waiting too." Rodney announced.
"Today we win, we win our money and our bikes and something more,
We, I mean I, know we win something more, that's friendship."
" You guys are my friends. more than that you are my brothers."
At that Rodney started to tear, "you are the best friends, a guy could ask for"!
Travis and Josh came over to throw their arms around him, then Tank boosted
him on his shoulder, Rodney felt ten ft tall.
Rodney broke open the 2 coffee cans and started counting, All tolled each of the
boys got 63 dollars, Dooley's money still held by Sheriff Tom.
I want to tell you all the boys got new bikes,
Travis bought a used dirt bike.....
Josh got a ten speed and it got stolen at a football game....
Ton and Tank got some cruiser bikes and actually rode to school
and lost weight for wrestling freshmen year.
Brian put some more money and bought a killer Stingray 5 speed.
Rodney returned home that day, to find his mom, and a dilapidated old house.
"So this is us", Rodney posed.
" Yes the rent is paid, the car has gas, and you and I are free almost,
I still owe the court 60 dollars for the divorce.'
Rodney handed his Mom 60 dollars ....... She started to ask.....but there was no answer.
That Christmas there was this new blue bike, a 10 speed, Rodney knew it came full circle.
He saw Lenny kiss his mom again, but it wouldn't last another year.
She had grown so much in the last few years Lenny would have faded
more than her blue jeans.
They see each other at the Hinky Dinky every now and then, smile but withdraw,
maybe someday.....
Rodney rode that bike 'til the wheels fell off his Senior year.
He dated his Jr., and Sr. year Roxanne for awhile then a Sophomore
girl Theresa, the rest of High School.
He would drive the Turnpike cruiser til it blew it's head gasket
one night his freshman year at college.
Tho' we work so hard to "make it", I still feel we are that kid,
collecting bottles, making friends, planning great things.
But don't tell them no, don't ever tell them they cant,
never ever tell a child that they can't. For as we learn it is the youth
that has ever changed anything. Our future relies on them.
The Soda Bottle Kids....
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Soda Bottle Kid
Rodney emerged from the haymow an hour later.
Clipper was milling around the stalls of the barn hoping to
find a mouse or other varmint.
It started to sink in about being a jerk, and struggling with
his feelings of being somewhere new.
"Clipper, We got a new place with Mom, we have to make the best of it."
Rodney headed for the house to find his Mom and Lenny moving boxes to
the rooms they belonged in and laughing about something silly.
He smiled to see his mother happy, and took a new look on his surroundings.
Sure the old house needed paint, but the inside was as grand as the day it was built.
All the natural woodwork was in tact and the rooms with wallpaper,
spoke of a day long ago. Cherubs, and ivy and something, that looked like trophy
cups and olive branches. Rodney especially liked the old carriages with footmen
and the dogs chasing them. "Look, Clipper he looks like you!"
" Mom, where are you?", Rodney asked as he climbed to the top of the grand staircase.
Around the corner he saw his mom kissing Lenny.
"Oh hey Rodney" , Lenny said. " How was the barn Lil Brother?"
"Okay, So which room is mine?", Rodney asked, as if he hadn't seen anything.
"Sunrise or Sunset?" Lenny said.
"What?", Rodney quizzed.
"Do you want to see the morning sun or sunset?", Lenny responded.
" You can have the east room or the west room.", his Mom smiled,
"I'm taking the bedroom downstairs."
" I used to watch the sunrise before, I think I will watch it set for a while now."
"The west room it is,"Lenny laughed.
" Mom can I ride back with Lenny?"
" I got to talk with Tank and the boys later", Rodney said.
He needed to set up the meeting on the money and tell them where he moved.
He needed to tell someone that he saw Lenny kissing his Mom!
Tune in next week........
Clipper was milling around the stalls of the barn hoping to
find a mouse or other varmint.
It started to sink in about being a jerk, and struggling with
his feelings of being somewhere new.
"Clipper, We got a new place with Mom, we have to make the best of it."
Rodney headed for the house to find his Mom and Lenny moving boxes to
the rooms they belonged in and laughing about something silly.
He smiled to see his mother happy, and took a new look on his surroundings.
Sure the old house needed paint, but the inside was as grand as the day it was built.
All the natural woodwork was in tact and the rooms with wallpaper,
spoke of a day long ago. Cherubs, and ivy and something, that looked like trophy
cups and olive branches. Rodney especially liked the old carriages with footmen
and the dogs chasing them. "Look, Clipper he looks like you!"
" Mom, where are you?", Rodney asked as he climbed to the top of the grand staircase.
Around the corner he saw his mom kissing Lenny.
"Oh hey Rodney" , Lenny said. " How was the barn Lil Brother?"
"Okay, So which room is mine?", Rodney asked, as if he hadn't seen anything.
"Sunrise or Sunset?" Lenny said.
"What?", Rodney quizzed.
"Do you want to see the morning sun or sunset?", Lenny responded.
" You can have the east room or the west room.", his Mom smiled,
"I'm taking the bedroom downstairs."
" I used to watch the sunrise before, I think I will watch it set for a while now."
"The west room it is,"Lenny laughed.
" Mom can I ride back with Lenny?"
" I got to talk with Tank and the boys later", Rodney said.
He needed to set up the meeting on the money and tell them where he moved.
He needed to tell someone that he saw Lenny kissing his Mom!
Tune in next week........
Friday, October 18, 2013
Soda Bottle Kid
Authors note., It has been sometime since I have written.
I have allowed life to consume a part of me lately,
perhaps the last few years have elapsed.
So I return timidly to a story of a brave young man.
Rodney awoke to Lenny's horn on the International, coming up the drive.
"Mom, Lenny's here!,
"I know, Kate's voice lilted with some excitement.
"Where are we going to move to?", Rodney quizzed.
" It's a big house south of town."
Rodney looked at Clipper, "I hope it has a barn."
"I hope it has a creek and pond and a lot of timber to hunt squirrels."
"Howdy", Lenny poked his head around the corner , his blue eyes
and bearded face beaming. "Ready to go Lil brother?"
Rodney, turned and threw a big smile and hug at Lenny.
"I'm so glad to see you" But before he could finish Lenny turned to Kate
"Are you ready?" He looked deep into her eyes. "I think we should get the
beds and big stuff first", "Then we can spend the day getting the boxes
into the car and truck". Lenny had a sense of calm purpose amidst the
chaos.
The truck roared to life with the first load, and they rolled down the gravel.
Rodney and Lenny with Kate behind in the car.
At the stop sign they turned south on the pavement each of them smiling from
the sunshine and the promise of a new start.
"Lenny, I'm worried about Mom", Rodney confided after a few miles.
"You can't change things, Lil Brother", Lenny spoke in a serious tone.
" You need to know that, now matter how you try, You can never change
what happens between other people."
" I want to make everything okay," Rodney replied, "I want to take care of her."
"I know, I do too." Lenny confided.
With the jolt of the truck they turned into a drive with the most run down house
Rodney had ever seen.
" Is this it?" " Yep, It's a little rough. Lil Brother but it's home, for now.",
Lenny smiled and added," It has a barn!"
The Turnpike cruiser followed into the drive, Kate emerged and said," home sweet home".
"Mom, It's a dump, how will I get to town to see my friends?"
The words fell out of Rodney's mouth before he thought.
Lenny shot a glance at Rodney, but it was too late.
His mom started to tear. Rodney knew he had messed up, "I'm sorry"
sputtered out of his mouth but, his apology was mute as his mom started to cry
into Lenny's shoulder.
He ran to a foreign rundown barn and hid in the haymow.
His own tears starting to sting his eyes....I'm such an idiot he thought...
Authors note, I will try to stay at it.
Feedback welcome.
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Soda Bottle Kid
I got good news, Sherrif Tom, says we're all off the hook.
" thats's great! " Travis almost yelled "My Dad is so pissed."
"I cant even leave the house."
Then he called, Josh, It's all cleared up No charges,
"Rodney don't talk to me ever!" My mom is so
upset.
Rodney rode home,sank down outside the house and
turned to Clipper, " I did the right thing ,
why do they hate me? The dog looked at him and didn't hate or
even feign some kind of empathy.
He hugged the dog for his honesty.
Mom needs our help, "Clipper we got to move to a new place" .
The dog lapped his face and flopped on his back for more scratches.
Just then Mom pulled up in the Mercury.
An uneasy look on her face, she came from the back of the car with
a bag of groceries and some papers.
"Mom are you ok?", Rodney quizzed
"Yes, his Mom sobbed. " I Am ...
"Mom ? " She began to cry and sank to her knees.
"Oh Rodney, how can I ever get away from this?"
The Divorce papers crumpled next to her.
Rodney listened for over an hour about the troubles of a woman
beaten down by a suppresive man, the loss of her true love and the
need for a new life.
" Mom, we can start over. Dad always said, "We can start over".
She fell and they wept together. " Mom, I always love you"
Tomorrow, we start over, a new place, a new life, and new friends.
Rodney slept in the house for the last time, He drempt of blue bicycles and
Roxanne's sweater wrapped around his his neck.
" thats's great! " Travis almost yelled "My Dad is so pissed."
"I cant even leave the house."
Then he called, Josh, It's all cleared up No charges,
"Rodney don't talk to me ever!" My mom is so
upset.
Rodney rode home,sank down outside the house and
turned to Clipper, " I did the right thing ,
why do they hate me? The dog looked at him and didn't hate or
even feign some kind of empathy.
He hugged the dog for his honesty.
Mom needs our help, "Clipper we got to move to a new place" .
The dog lapped his face and flopped on his back for more scratches.
Just then Mom pulled up in the Mercury.
An uneasy look on her face, she came from the back of the car with
a bag of groceries and some papers.
"Mom are you ok?", Rodney quizzed
"Yes, his Mom sobbed. " I Am ...
"Mom ? " She began to cry and sank to her knees.
"Oh Rodney, how can I ever get away from this?"
The Divorce papers crumpled next to her.
Rodney listened for over an hour about the troubles of a woman
beaten down by a suppresive man, the loss of her true love and the
need for a new life.
" Mom, we can start over. Dad always said, "We can start over".
She fell and they wept together. " Mom, I always love you"
Tomorrow, we start over, a new place, a new life, and new friends.
Rodney slept in the house for the last time, He drempt of blue bicycles and
Roxanne's sweater wrapped around his his neck.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Politics
If I listen long enough to you,
I'll find a way to believe it's untrue
knowing that you lied straight faced while
I cried, still I look to find a reason to believe.
Have we all paused this year, Can one among us
have the strength to lead. I could make a difference.
But lack the clout it takes to run.
The preface of my run is simple tho.
Every man living under a bridge or in a
Stone mansion pays 10 percent when he earns it
and pays 10 percent when he spends it. no exceptions.
No IRS No special treatment, It would be the norm.
The money would first go to the state, taking care of
the poor sick and old, the highway etc.
the balance of all sent to the federal Gov to
handle foreign affairs.
No money would be given to foreign countries without
public vote.No money would be given to hostile countries no exceptions.
Our infrastructure, taking precident, no country outside of ours
would ever be more important.
This would be dismissed by higher thinking beings, but the masses would get it.
as we become less affluent and more the masses, et tu Brutus,,,.....
I can say no more, can you?
I'll find a way to believe it's untrue
knowing that you lied straight faced while
I cried, still I look to find a reason to believe.
Have we all paused this year, Can one among us
have the strength to lead. I could make a difference.
But lack the clout it takes to run.
The preface of my run is simple tho.
Every man living under a bridge or in a
Stone mansion pays 10 percent when he earns it
and pays 10 percent when he spends it. no exceptions.
No IRS No special treatment, It would be the norm.
The money would first go to the state, taking care of
the poor sick and old, the highway etc.
the balance of all sent to the federal Gov to
handle foreign affairs.
No money would be given to foreign countries without
public vote.No money would be given to hostile countries no exceptions.
Our infrastructure, taking precident, no country outside of ours
would ever be more important.
This would be dismissed by higher thinking beings, but the masses would get it.
as we become less affluent and more the masses, et tu Brutus,,,.....
I can say no more, can you?
Sunday, August 19, 2012
The Soda Bottle Kid
Rodney didn't sleep at all that night. The thought of Josh and Travis getting
arrested spun over and over in his head.
At dawn he pulled on his clothes, shoes and back pack,
told his mom he had to do something, kissed her goodbye.
He put Clipper on the porch, so he wouldn't follow, pumped
the pedal twice and swung his leg over.Riding to town he
kept thinking, this is my fault... If only I hadn't... and I got to make
this straight...
The first mile of gravel took an eternity, the hill down the pavement
he coasted his mind still going, Only if, The gang hadn't painted Dooley's
shed.
I'm going to tell the Sherrif the truth about Dooley he has to listen.
Rodney cranked on the bike, down the hill, over Beaver creek bridge
and up the other side past the feed store and bait shop until he was in front
of the Sherrif's office.
Rodney pushed the heavy wooden door, it felt like he was opening a tomb.
A round faced woman sat behind the dispatch counter, Blue eye shadow and
too red lipstick asked Rodney ", Whatcha need sweetie?"
Uh ,Uh I need to talk to the Sherrif I guess, It's about Pat Dooley's
He arrested the wrong guys......well a sorta.. I mean kinda .....",Rodney stammered
"He's uptown at the coffee shop, I can get him on the radio?", "Oh sure"'
Rodney mumbled.
" Tom , Tom , I need you back at the station, some kid here says he has info
on the Dooley break in.", " 10-4, give me 10 minutes, JXK 2154 out."
Rodney turned to the dispatch lady, " Are the 2 guys that got arrested still
here?" Oh no we don't keep Juveniles, the Sherrif takes them home to the parents."
Rodney thought about that for a while then, " So if I get arrested, I don't go to the
jail cell?"
" Oh no honey, not unless you did something really bad", She smiled. " Like
robbed the bank or stole a car."
Rodney's mind flashed to the bus, he thought he'd leave that part out.
Just stick to the Dooley thing his head swimming now.
The Sherrif walked in, a tall thin man with grey hair and a bushy moustache.
He turned to the lady," Marge we'll be in my office", " now young man what's
this all about?"
He led him down the hall to his office, a desk with a stack of papers and
a sign that read Sherrif Tom Holtmeyer.
The Sherrif turned to him, "Well what can you tell me about Pat Dooley's?"
Rodney swallowed hard," Well sir... I gotta tell you the whole story first....
My gang, I mean the boys club were working for pop bottles, so we stopped at
Mr. Dooley's about 3 weeks ago to see if he had any. He said yes but we had
to paint his shed for them. So the next saturday we show up and paint his shed,
Then he found out we used his whiskey for paint thinner, and o man did he go crazy..
He started swinging his cane and cussin, so we beat it outta there."
Tom looked at Rodney with a smirk," Yeah that's what the Travis kid said,
So when did you take Pat Dooley's bottles? " Uh It was 3 nights ago I think,
I'm not sure., Rodney started to sweat a little.
" So the night before you got back from camp?" The Sherrif looked stearnly
down at Rodney.
" Well uh no I guess not... I mean we kinda didn't go to camp....",
Sherrif Tom looked as if it made a little more sense to him, turned to Rodney,
" I take it you are the mastermind of all this, I couldn't get anything outta your buddies."
'They tried to tell me they took 50 cases of bottles by themselves, and hauled them away."
" You got a bunch a good friends they wouldn't rat you out", Now tell
me the rest of this story, and I think we can let this go.", Tom kinda half smiled as Rodney
continued,"So we all formed a chain gang.........Then ........... dropped the bottles and Dooley
heard the noise........... Then ........ He shot me and my buddy patched me up..
"Whoa!!, "You say Dooley shot you" " Yes sir",Rodney showed him his hip
with the 7 holes.
" I think I heard enough.",
The Sherrif looked out the window, he thought long and hard about when he was
a kid growing up, all the adventures, the things he learned, He turned to Rodney
"I think we'll keep this between you and me", Rodney looked up and said,"
You mean I'm not getting arrested, I can go?"
"You told me the truth , you were honest, remember that", Sherrif Tom turned to
look out the window again....
Rodney asked, "Are the charges dropped on the gang then?"
Tom turned," Yes, but leave Ol' man Dooley alone would you?"
"Yes sir" with that Rodney ran to the front of the office.
Marge peered over the counter," Everything Okay?"
"Oh, yes Mam", Rodney opened the same heavy door with ease this time.
He rode to the pay phone at the bait shop and called Travis and Josh.....
Tune in next time....
arrested spun over and over in his head.
At dawn he pulled on his clothes, shoes and back pack,
told his mom he had to do something, kissed her goodbye.
He put Clipper on the porch, so he wouldn't follow, pumped
the pedal twice and swung his leg over.Riding to town he
kept thinking, this is my fault... If only I hadn't... and I got to make
this straight...
The first mile of gravel took an eternity, the hill down the pavement
he coasted his mind still going, Only if, The gang hadn't painted Dooley's
shed.
I'm going to tell the Sherrif the truth about Dooley he has to listen.
Rodney cranked on the bike, down the hill, over Beaver creek bridge
and up the other side past the feed store and bait shop until he was in front
of the Sherrif's office.
Rodney pushed the heavy wooden door, it felt like he was opening a tomb.
A round faced woman sat behind the dispatch counter, Blue eye shadow and
too red lipstick asked Rodney ", Whatcha need sweetie?"
Uh ,Uh I need to talk to the Sherrif I guess, It's about Pat Dooley's
He arrested the wrong guys......well a sorta.. I mean kinda .....",Rodney stammered
"He's uptown at the coffee shop, I can get him on the radio?", "Oh sure"'
Rodney mumbled.
" Tom , Tom , I need you back at the station, some kid here says he has info
on the Dooley break in.", " 10-4, give me 10 minutes, JXK 2154 out."
Rodney turned to the dispatch lady, " Are the 2 guys that got arrested still
here?" Oh no we don't keep Juveniles, the Sherrif takes them home to the parents."
Rodney thought about that for a while then, " So if I get arrested, I don't go to the
jail cell?"
" Oh no honey, not unless you did something really bad", She smiled. " Like
robbed the bank or stole a car."
Rodney's mind flashed to the bus, he thought he'd leave that part out.
Just stick to the Dooley thing his head swimming now.
The Sherrif walked in, a tall thin man with grey hair and a bushy moustache.
He turned to the lady," Marge we'll be in my office", " now young man what's
this all about?"
He led him down the hall to his office, a desk with a stack of papers and
a sign that read Sherrif Tom Holtmeyer.
The Sherrif turned to him, "Well what can you tell me about Pat Dooley's?"
Rodney swallowed hard," Well sir... I gotta tell you the whole story first....
My gang, I mean the boys club were working for pop bottles, so we stopped at
Mr. Dooley's about 3 weeks ago to see if he had any. He said yes but we had
to paint his shed for them. So the next saturday we show up and paint his shed,
Then he found out we used his whiskey for paint thinner, and o man did he go crazy..
He started swinging his cane and cussin, so we beat it outta there."
Tom looked at Rodney with a smirk," Yeah that's what the Travis kid said,
So when did you take Pat Dooley's bottles? " Uh It was 3 nights ago I think,
I'm not sure., Rodney started to sweat a little.
" So the night before you got back from camp?" The Sherrif looked stearnly
down at Rodney.
" Well uh no I guess not... I mean we kinda didn't go to camp....",
Sherrif Tom looked as if it made a little more sense to him, turned to Rodney,
" I take it you are the mastermind of all this, I couldn't get anything outta your buddies."
'They tried to tell me they took 50 cases of bottles by themselves, and hauled them away."
" You got a bunch a good friends they wouldn't rat you out", Now tell
me the rest of this story, and I think we can let this go.", Tom kinda half smiled as Rodney
continued,"So we all formed a chain gang.........Then ........... dropped the bottles and Dooley
heard the noise........... Then ........ He shot me and my buddy patched me up..
"Whoa!!, "You say Dooley shot you" " Yes sir",Rodney showed him his hip
with the 7 holes.
" I think I heard enough.",
The Sherrif looked out the window, he thought long and hard about when he was
a kid growing up, all the adventures, the things he learned, He turned to Rodney
"I think we'll keep this between you and me", Rodney looked up and said,"
You mean I'm not getting arrested, I can go?"
"You told me the truth , you were honest, remember that", Sherrif Tom turned to
look out the window again....
Rodney asked, "Are the charges dropped on the gang then?"
Tom turned," Yes, but leave Ol' man Dooley alone would you?"
"Yes sir" with that Rodney ran to the front of the office.
Marge peered over the counter," Everything Okay?"
"Oh, yes Mam", Rodney opened the same heavy door with ease this time.
He rode to the pay phone at the bait shop and called Travis and Josh.....
Tune in next time....
Monday, July 23, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
That night at the drive-in was wonderful, Lenny eased and laughed, Rodneys mom
opened and talked of her high school days. Rodney and Clipper gobbled cheese burger and fry baskets in the back, Clipper ate off everyones ice cream cone. Rodney thought he might puke from a final rootbeer float.
On the way home Rodney asked, where they might move to, "I don't know his mom smiled ", We'll find a place , and Lenny can help us move.? Half asking and hoping.
Rodney drifted to a life with a new bike and a smaller yard to mow.
All that was held up by the Blue Ford pickup of Edwin Forman in the drive as they pulled up..
Irene , Rodney and Lenny crept in the drive,Irene apologizing for the event that could happen.
Lenny said," So your ex is a dick? He laughed a little." I'm used to that."This changes nothing
about our moving agreement does it"?
Mom turned and said,"You don't have to do this.
Lenny said," I got this". Jumped from the car and met Ed coming from the house,
nothing was heard between Lenny and Ed, but Ed smiled and waved and carried his box to
his truck and left... Rodney and Irene stood dumb.... What had Lenny said???
" Well we had enough fun today better get going", Lenny parted, started the International and drove away.
Rodney and mom stood speechless in the drive.
" Rodney, that is one good friend you got.", mom said
" I know", Rodney replied, "we better go to bed"
" Yeah, It's been a long day", his mom replied.
They went inside to the phone ringing, " Hello, Rodney, this is Ton, the sheriff arrested Travis and Josh
for robbing Dooley's shed. We could be in for it. We could go to jail man....
Tune in next time........
opened and talked of her high school days. Rodney and Clipper gobbled cheese burger and fry baskets in the back, Clipper ate off everyones ice cream cone. Rodney thought he might puke from a final rootbeer float.
On the way home Rodney asked, where they might move to, "I don't know his mom smiled ", We'll find a place , and Lenny can help us move.? Half asking and hoping.
Rodney drifted to a life with a new bike and a smaller yard to mow.
All that was held up by the Blue Ford pickup of Edwin Forman in the drive as they pulled up..
Irene , Rodney and Lenny crept in the drive,Irene apologizing for the event that could happen.
Lenny said," So your ex is a dick? He laughed a little." I'm used to that."This changes nothing
about our moving agreement does it"?
Mom turned and said,"You don't have to do this.
Lenny said," I got this". Jumped from the car and met Ed coming from the house,
nothing was heard between Lenny and Ed, but Ed smiled and waved and carried his box to
his truck and left... Rodney and Irene stood dumb.... What had Lenny said???
" Well we had enough fun today better get going", Lenny parted, started the International and drove away.
Rodney and mom stood speechless in the drive.
" Rodney, that is one good friend you got.", mom said
" I know", Rodney replied, "we better go to bed"
" Yeah, It's been a long day", his mom replied.
They went inside to the phone ringing, " Hello, Rodney, this is Ton, the sheriff arrested Travis and Josh
for robbing Dooley's shed. We could be in for it. We could go to jail man....
Tune in next time........
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
The phone rang " Rodney" It's Thomas, his Mom said. Rodney ran to the phone.
" Ton What's up." " Rodney, Travis and Josh are takin Dooleys bottles to the store",
They want the money for their bikes and to settle up. "
"Those Idiots" " All of Dooleys bottles are Squirt and the Sheriff knows it too.
Can you stop them?"
" They left the camp an hour ago , by know they have have pulled the boat outta
Little Beaver Creek and headed for Hinky Dinky."
" Ton you got to stop them!"
Rodney hung up the phone as Lenny pulled in the drive.
"Hey Mom the moving guy is here"
The walk thru the side yard to the drive was slow and Lenny left the cab of the
truck like a snail." Mom this is Lenny, He's an expert!" Rodney said nothing else.
"Hi, I'm Irene ,.... "Lenny , uh Leonard, I guess, I am pleased to meet you,"
" So which is it Lenny or Leonard?"
" My friends call me Lenny."
"Mom we should go to AW Rootbeer in the Mercury," Rodney poked.
"Ok, Let's go," his mom replied.
"My Treat,Lenny said.
Rodney rolled down all the windows, and put Clipper in the back.
I hope Josh and Travis don't get caught, Rodney thought as they drove off.
" Ton What's up." " Rodney, Travis and Josh are takin Dooleys bottles to the store",
They want the money for their bikes and to settle up. "
"Those Idiots" " All of Dooleys bottles are Squirt and the Sheriff knows it too.
Can you stop them?"
" They left the camp an hour ago , by know they have have pulled the boat outta
Little Beaver Creek and headed for Hinky Dinky."
" Ton you got to stop them!"
Rodney hung up the phone as Lenny pulled in the drive.
"Hey Mom the moving guy is here"
The walk thru the side yard to the drive was slow and Lenny left the cab of the
truck like a snail." Mom this is Lenny, He's an expert!" Rodney said nothing else.
"Hi, I'm Irene ,.... "Lenny , uh Leonard, I guess, I am pleased to meet you,"
" So which is it Lenny or Leonard?"
" My friends call me Lenny."
"Mom we should go to AW Rootbeer in the Mercury," Rodney poked.
"Ok, Let's go," his mom replied.
"My Treat,Lenny said.
Rodney rolled down all the windows, and put Clipper in the back.
I hope Josh and Travis don't get caught, Rodney thought as they drove off.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Waves
Tomorrow may come but the waves soak my toes now,
The thought of past loves, of battles lost, perhaps to love again.
Fading into an abyss I like to call memory, a sandy beach that I have landed.
Sailing, tying knots and setting proper reef to the main.
The Virgins, the Martins, the Abacos all a dream for a flat lander
still their waves call, leave it, the mess, take leave, wander.
It calls to something deep inside, the waves, the wash, the sand.
Compelling to search for a distant shore, a new world, a new plan.
As the waves of Grief flow over you, sorrow of the death.
Struggle to assume a new life, take a deep heart breaking breathe.
I must leave you ashore and depart to save my life .
I sail away, sand, island, waves breaking on my toes, Forgive me...
I am only a man......
The thought of past loves, of battles lost, perhaps to love again.
Fading into an abyss I like to call memory, a sandy beach that I have landed.
Sailing, tying knots and setting proper reef to the main.
The Virgins, the Martins, the Abacos all a dream for a flat lander
still their waves call, leave it, the mess, take leave, wander.
It calls to something deep inside, the waves, the wash, the sand.
Compelling to search for a distant shore, a new world, a new plan.
As the waves of Grief flow over you, sorrow of the death.
Struggle to assume a new life, take a deep heart breaking breathe.
I must leave you ashore and depart to save my life .
I sail away, sand, island, waves breaking on my toes, Forgive me...
I am only a man......
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
His Mom left for work after the Sheriff quizzed her, Rodney went downstairs
and made peanut butter toast. His Mom left a note take care of Clipper and
pack up your old stuff to move to our new place. He chewed and fed crust to Clipper.
"I dont like the idea of moving, he said to Clipper. Clipper begged for more crust,
Rodney showed empty hands so the dog would believe him, I want Mom to be happy,
but I think she is worried about you and me.
Just then Lenny rattled up in the ancient International pickup.
"Hey, lil brother how's the combat wounds, I'm sorry I coundn't catch up the other day."
" Lenny!," Rodney smiled as Lenny got out of the truck. " Man, I can't tell you how glad
I am to see you. Rodney, I been so worried about you, is your leg ok?"
Rodney smiled and said", Yeah but my mom is in a bad way, She and Ed
split up and she and I have to move, I don't know where, but, could you help with your
pickup ? "Yeah I can help, are you sure your leg is ok?
"Yes, Lenny I'm ok I just worry about Mom and Clipper and how we can make it.
Lenny propped against the truck, "Did you know the Sheriff has been around?"
"Looking for the boys who robbed Dooley's shed?"
" I told the son-of-a-bitch that Dooley was a nut case."
"The sheriff seemed to agree that the old guy was a nut, and I don't think that
anything will happen."
"I will look for a place to rent for you and your Mom, Are you sure you are ok, lil brother?",
Lenny asked again.
Rodney smiled," I am now, Lenny you are one of my best friends, Can you stop later,
I want you to meet my Mom."
" Uh I guess," Lenny stammered
" After 6 ok ", Rodney said.
Rodney's Mom was home from the cafe job at 5:30 and was surprised to see Rodney at home,
"Rodney are you ok?", she asked " Did you pack up things like I said?"
"Yes Mom, I even hired a moving truck", Rodney beamed.
"What, his Mom smiled, " What are you talking about?"
"I got a truck to move us, He will be here at 6 to meet us for the job."
" If you make a good supper he might charge us less" Rodney mused.
" Rodney, you scamp who have you talked to?", his Mother plied.
Rodney just smiled...........
Tune in next time
and made peanut butter toast. His Mom left a note take care of Clipper and
pack up your old stuff to move to our new place. He chewed and fed crust to Clipper.
"I dont like the idea of moving, he said to Clipper. Clipper begged for more crust,
Rodney showed empty hands so the dog would believe him, I want Mom to be happy,
but I think she is worried about you and me.
Just then Lenny rattled up in the ancient International pickup.
"Hey, lil brother how's the combat wounds, I'm sorry I coundn't catch up the other day."
" Lenny!," Rodney smiled as Lenny got out of the truck. " Man, I can't tell you how glad
I am to see you. Rodney, I been so worried about you, is your leg ok?"
Rodney smiled and said", Yeah but my mom is in a bad way, She and Ed
split up and she and I have to move, I don't know where, but, could you help with your
pickup ? "Yeah I can help, are you sure your leg is ok?
"Yes, Lenny I'm ok I just worry about Mom and Clipper and how we can make it.
Lenny propped against the truck, "Did you know the Sheriff has been around?"
"Looking for the boys who robbed Dooley's shed?"
" I told the son-of-a-bitch that Dooley was a nut case."
"The sheriff seemed to agree that the old guy was a nut, and I don't think that
anything will happen."
"I will look for a place to rent for you and your Mom, Are you sure you are ok, lil brother?",
Lenny asked again.
Rodney smiled," I am now, Lenny you are one of my best friends, Can you stop later,
I want you to meet my Mom."
" Uh I guess," Lenny stammered
" After 6 ok ", Rodney said.
Rodney's Mom was home from the cafe job at 5:30 and was surprised to see Rodney at home,
"Rodney are you ok?", she asked " Did you pack up things like I said?"
"Yes Mom, I even hired a moving truck", Rodney beamed.
"What, his Mom smiled, " What are you talking about?"
"I got a truck to move us, He will be here at 6 to meet us for the job."
" If you make a good supper he might charge us less" Rodney mused.
" Rodney, you scamp who have you talked to?", his Mother plied.
Rodney just smiled...........
Tune in next time
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
The day past and not much happened at camp after the Dooley
adventure. The talk was of payback and the excitment of the previous night.
Rodney lay in a rack thinking of everything that happened in the past month.
The world full of people and how they walk on this earth hurting, stealing , cheating
making their way. The thought of "I wont be that way", rolled though and out again,
I've done all this stuff and envolved other people, man if ever this is told I will be
burned at the post.
"Ton , I dont want to cash Dooley's bottles today", "Let's just get ready to get to
the church and get back to our families."
"Ok, Rodney, tomorrow looks better any way", Ton smiled and went to tell the others.
Rodney drifted again of how they had come to earn money for the bikes and pull off one
of the greatest capers in all Springtown, the bus the camp trip and best of all Dooley's.
Next morning they all packed up their gear and walked the 2 miles of track behind the
feed store and to the Methodist Church, piled everything dirty and soiled against a faux
delivery bus, it was 10 am. A full hour before the parents were to arrive.
All the guys got in with parents looking back at Rodney and smiled and waved.
Except Josh, he just kinda nodded, flashed the peace sign. " Call me ", he said.
And disappeared, about the time Rodney's Mom showed up.
" Did you have a good time honey"? , his Mom smiled as she quizzed about the
camp adventure. Rodney feigned the camp follies, canoeing, horse riding, and
archery. The Olympic games and capture the flag.
It sounds like you had fun, her voice dropped and said, " Honey, Edwin and I split
and He moved out. Rodney, could have jumped out of his seat, but he was so wiped
out. " It's just you and me now but, we have to move....I cant do the rent at the farm house..
Rodney was silent...., this is all too much, he started to say something, but it came out as
"Oh that's ok, It'll work out..." The swirl of everything sank with it's full weight on his 13 yr
old mind. " Mom would it be ok if I went to bed early?"
"Sure, what ever you need to do.", they pulled in the drive , Rodney's gunshot began to
pain him. "Are you ok?" his Mom asked. "Yeah I just hurt my leg playing flag football."
, Rodney faked.
Arriving home Clipper jumped and licked him all over as he got out of the car.
" good boy, Good Boy!, Back off dog" ! , He laughed as the dog held him down and
loved him up.
" I guess he missed you" ,his Mom said.
"I think so, Rodney said
" I missed you too," his Mom pulled him up and hugged and kissed his forehead.
That night Rodney fell fast asleep and dreamed he was flying over Springtown with
Clipper and they looked down at all the little people and farm houses. He saw Dooley
in his lawn shaking his fist in the air, but he couldn't touch them. He even tried to shoot
at them but missed. The crack of the shotgun woke him up, but he fell back asleep with
his dog at the foot of his bed.
The next morning he looked out the window of his bedroom, to see his mom talking to the Sheriff
in the drive. His mom was saying " I'm sure it wasn't him he just got back from camp."
Rodney sunk under the covers, Dooley called the Sheriff??? OH Crap!!
(Tune in next time).
adventure. The talk was of payback and the excitment of the previous night.
Rodney lay in a rack thinking of everything that happened in the past month.
The world full of people and how they walk on this earth hurting, stealing , cheating
making their way. The thought of "I wont be that way", rolled though and out again,
I've done all this stuff and envolved other people, man if ever this is told I will be
burned at the post.
"Ton , I dont want to cash Dooley's bottles today", "Let's just get ready to get to
the church and get back to our families."
"Ok, Rodney, tomorrow looks better any way", Ton smiled and went to tell the others.
Rodney drifted again of how they had come to earn money for the bikes and pull off one
of the greatest capers in all Springtown, the bus the camp trip and best of all Dooley's.
Next morning they all packed up their gear and walked the 2 miles of track behind the
feed store and to the Methodist Church, piled everything dirty and soiled against a faux
delivery bus, it was 10 am. A full hour before the parents were to arrive.
All the guys got in with parents looking back at Rodney and smiled and waved.
Except Josh, he just kinda nodded, flashed the peace sign. " Call me ", he said.
And disappeared, about the time Rodney's Mom showed up.
" Did you have a good time honey"? , his Mom smiled as she quizzed about the
camp adventure. Rodney feigned the camp follies, canoeing, horse riding, and
archery. The Olympic games and capture the flag.
It sounds like you had fun, her voice dropped and said, " Honey, Edwin and I split
and He moved out. Rodney, could have jumped out of his seat, but he was so wiped
out. " It's just you and me now but, we have to move....I cant do the rent at the farm house..
Rodney was silent...., this is all too much, he started to say something, but it came out as
"Oh that's ok, It'll work out..." The swirl of everything sank with it's full weight on his 13 yr
old mind. " Mom would it be ok if I went to bed early?"
"Sure, what ever you need to do.", they pulled in the drive , Rodney's gunshot began to
pain him. "Are you ok?" his Mom asked. "Yeah I just hurt my leg playing flag football."
, Rodney faked.
Arriving home Clipper jumped and licked him all over as he got out of the car.
" good boy, Good Boy!, Back off dog" ! , He laughed as the dog held him down and
loved him up.
" I guess he missed you" ,his Mom said.
"I think so, Rodney said
" I missed you too," his Mom pulled him up and hugged and kissed his forehead.
That night Rodney fell fast asleep and dreamed he was flying over Springtown with
Clipper and they looked down at all the little people and farm houses. He saw Dooley
in his lawn shaking his fist in the air, but he couldn't touch them. He even tried to shoot
at them but missed. The crack of the shotgun woke him up, but he fell back asleep with
his dog at the foot of his bed.
The next morning he looked out the window of his bedroom, to see his mom talking to the Sheriff
in the drive. His mom was saying " I'm sure it wasn't him he just got back from camp."
Rodney sunk under the covers, Dooley called the Sheriff??? OH Crap!!
(Tune in next time).
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Soda Bottle Kid
The boys spent a day moving the raft and fishing boat,
behind Dooley's farm a 1/4 mile north on Beaver Creek.
It was the night that the boys waited for a half lit moon,
and still.
They stationed themselves along a long pine grove behind
Dooley farm.
One by one they stealed along the fence in preparation
of the removal of bottles from Dooley's shed.
Rodney said, "I want the best men up front, Josh
then Travis down the line Then the guys that can carry a lot.
Ton and Tank and then the pack up crew, Brent and Brian
to load the boats.
Rodney went to the shed and smashed the pad lock with
a 2 lb hammer. then ran behind the shed to make sure he hadn't been heard.
He then motioned to Josh to start hauling cases of bottles out of the shed.
Rodney was near the side of the house so he could hear if Dooley awoke.
Josh carried the bottles to the start of the grove handed to Travis, who then carried
100 yards and handed them to Ton, who then carried them to the end of the grove.
Handing them to Tank who brought them to the top of the bank of Beaver Creek.
Brent and Brian carried them down the bank to the boats.
It was 11:42 pm all was going as planned the bottles were nearly emptied of the
shed when Josh tripped and made a loud crash. The crash may not have
awakened Dooley but the "Oh Fuck" out of Rodneys mouth outside the house
startled the old man from his dream of Ireland and childhood, and how he had
dropped a flat of eggs in front his Dad. The first time he uttered the words.
"Josh Go", were the next words outta Rodneys mouth, by then Dooley had grabbed
his trousers, jacket and shot gun. Rodney ran to the grove, Josh a good 50 yds
ahead turned to see Dooley level his gun and shoot into the night.
Rodney kept yelling "Run" as the whole gang relayed down the line "Run"
By the end of the grove they had all gathered, Then starting down the bank
of the creek, Rodney fell, Ton and Tank grabbed him up and carried him.
At the boat, Ton said," Rodney you're bleeding!" " I know it burns",
the boys put him in the boat and started down stream, Rodney looked
at some pellet holes in his thigh, Josh said you need to see a doctor,
"Ton, get out and go get Lenny", Rodney said.
Ton ran a 1/2 mile to Lenny's that night, never stopping, he ran like
he never had before.
Pounding on the door he yelled, " Lenny you got to help, Rodney's been shot!
Lenny came out "what are you talking about?" Ton, panting, " OL man Dooley shot
Rodney, you have to come!
Lenny grabbed his army kit and ran to the pickup with Ton.
"Thomas how bad is it?" " His leg is bleeding" and he fell and couldn't walk",
Ton said. Ton started crying, Lenny said, " that crazy ol man shooting a kid what was he thinking."
Ton said," we were robbing our bottles he owed us, He went crazy I guess."
Lenny turned into the field behind Ton's house and Ton opened the gate,
"I hope they have made it this far now." Arriving at the cabin Brian and Brent were
pacing around outside. Josh ran to the pickup and said," hurry, I don't think it's bad, but
he's in pain. Lenny entered the cabin, Rodney said, " I think I screwed up,
It really hurts bad, Can you fix it?"
" Let's take a look little brother," Lenny opened his kit, "It's a good thing I was a medic in Nam,
drop those shorts and let's see." Lenny asked for the flashlights to shine on Rodneys wound
then looking close he said "I think you'll live, only 7 pellet holes that I can see", He then shot
Rodney with a small amount of Morphine, and started digging out the pellets with long tweezers.
Rodney started to drift and talk about being in love with Roxanne, and he would be a hero after
being shot. " Lenny said, " All done lil brother, but I think you should go to the hospital."
Rodney said," And ruin everything?, We worked so hard !"
Lenny saw something in Rodneys' eyes that said it all, "All right but if you get infection,
it's all on you." Rodney said," Lenny, You're the best". Lenny said " I'll check on you tomorrow,
when does this camp thing end? "Day after tomorrow," Rodney said. "We have to meet
at the Church lot at noon like nothing ever happened." Yeah like nothing ever happened",
Eh, lil brother." with that Lenny shook his head and smiled . " I love you ,lil brother"
then turned and left.
Rodney drifted to sleep, the boys talking about how brave they were and
James Bond didn't have nothing on Rodney and the rest of the gang.
How Lenny the Hippy was the coolest guy with all his medic stuff from Nam.
How he helped steal the bus and save Rodney.
Tommorow we'll cash the bottles and give Rodney a big cookout.
Ton and Tank went to the house to get bandages and peroxide
and a surprise for the party.
I'll see you next time for another adventure with the Soda Bottle Kid.
behind Dooley's farm a 1/4 mile north on Beaver Creek.
It was the night that the boys waited for a half lit moon,
and still.
They stationed themselves along a long pine grove behind
Dooley farm.
One by one they stealed along the fence in preparation
of the removal of bottles from Dooley's shed.
Rodney said, "I want the best men up front, Josh
then Travis down the line Then the guys that can carry a lot.
Ton and Tank and then the pack up crew, Brent and Brian
to load the boats.
Rodney went to the shed and smashed the pad lock with
a 2 lb hammer. then ran behind the shed to make sure he hadn't been heard.
He then motioned to Josh to start hauling cases of bottles out of the shed.
Rodney was near the side of the house so he could hear if Dooley awoke.
Josh carried the bottles to the start of the grove handed to Travis, who then carried
100 yards and handed them to Ton, who then carried them to the end of the grove.
Handing them to Tank who brought them to the top of the bank of Beaver Creek.
Brent and Brian carried them down the bank to the boats.
It was 11:42 pm all was going as planned the bottles were nearly emptied of the
shed when Josh tripped and made a loud crash. The crash may not have
awakened Dooley but the "Oh Fuck" out of Rodneys mouth outside the house
startled the old man from his dream of Ireland and childhood, and how he had
dropped a flat of eggs in front his Dad. The first time he uttered the words.
"Josh Go", were the next words outta Rodneys mouth, by then Dooley had grabbed
his trousers, jacket and shot gun. Rodney ran to the grove, Josh a good 50 yds
ahead turned to see Dooley level his gun and shoot into the night.
Rodney kept yelling "Run" as the whole gang relayed down the line "Run"
By the end of the grove they had all gathered, Then starting down the bank
of the creek, Rodney fell, Ton and Tank grabbed him up and carried him.
At the boat, Ton said," Rodney you're bleeding!" " I know it burns",
the boys put him in the boat and started down stream, Rodney looked
at some pellet holes in his thigh, Josh said you need to see a doctor,
"Ton, get out and go get Lenny", Rodney said.
Ton ran a 1/2 mile to Lenny's that night, never stopping, he ran like
he never had before.
Pounding on the door he yelled, " Lenny you got to help, Rodney's been shot!
Lenny came out "what are you talking about?" Ton, panting, " OL man Dooley shot
Rodney, you have to come!
Lenny grabbed his army kit and ran to the pickup with Ton.
"Thomas how bad is it?" " His leg is bleeding" and he fell and couldn't walk",
Ton said. Ton started crying, Lenny said, " that crazy ol man shooting a kid what was he thinking."
Ton said," we were robbing our bottles he owed us, He went crazy I guess."
Lenny turned into the field behind Ton's house and Ton opened the gate,
"I hope they have made it this far now." Arriving at the cabin Brian and Brent were
pacing around outside. Josh ran to the pickup and said," hurry, I don't think it's bad, but
he's in pain. Lenny entered the cabin, Rodney said, " I think I screwed up,
It really hurts bad, Can you fix it?"
" Let's take a look little brother," Lenny opened his kit, "It's a good thing I was a medic in Nam,
drop those shorts and let's see." Lenny asked for the flashlights to shine on Rodneys wound
then looking close he said "I think you'll live, only 7 pellet holes that I can see", He then shot
Rodney with a small amount of Morphine, and started digging out the pellets with long tweezers.
Rodney started to drift and talk about being in love with Roxanne, and he would be a hero after
being shot. " Lenny said, " All done lil brother, but I think you should go to the hospital."
Rodney said," And ruin everything?, We worked so hard !"
Lenny saw something in Rodneys' eyes that said it all, "All right but if you get infection,
it's all on you." Rodney said," Lenny, You're the best". Lenny said " I'll check on you tomorrow,
when does this camp thing end? "Day after tomorrow," Rodney said. "We have to meet
at the Church lot at noon like nothing ever happened." Yeah like nothing ever happened",
Eh, lil brother." with that Lenny shook his head and smiled . " I love you ,lil brother"
then turned and left.
Rodney drifted to sleep, the boys talking about how brave they were and
James Bond didn't have nothing on Rodney and the rest of the gang.
How Lenny the Hippy was the coolest guy with all his medic stuff from Nam.
How he helped steal the bus and save Rodney.
Tommorow we'll cash the bottles and give Rodney a big cookout.
Ton and Tank went to the house to get bandages and peroxide
and a surprise for the party.
I'll see you next time for another adventure with the Soda Bottle Kid.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Soda Bottle Kid
The boys found a orange glow that morning, as they woke.
A day that would live in their memories the rest of their lives.
They started by filling the fishing boat with flats of bottles.
The same boat that wouldn't float a month ago. A piece
of rubber innertube and some silicone and plywood screwed
to the side of the boat deemed it worthy.
Then loading the raft to an equal height.
The Shop teacher would be proud.
Tank and Ton were ass deep in water loading bottle flats as high
as they could stack them. Rodney, Josh, Brent and Brian shagged bottles
to the boat. The plan was to float the whole mess down the stream and
off load them behind the Hinky Dinky. Then Melody, Roxanne and Roberta were
to cash them in, and bring the money to the boys along with a load of
hotdogs, beans and soda. for a big party.
That was the plan anyway, Rodney and Ton sat atop the load of bottles
as they floated down the creek. Brian, Travis and Brent followed with the raft.
The first 100 yards was good poling left and right
as they approached a bend in the creek a sand bar held the boat fast.
The raft dammed behind them. Tank and Josh who had followed on
the banks behind them, jumped in the water to free the boat and raft from the sand.
A task that would take a 1/2 hr and would not be the last portage of the day.
All tolled the 4 mile trip would take all day and then shag the bottles
up the bank, and in the store. The girls wondered why they took so long,
and would help get unloaded.
It prove to be a very long day.
And by days end, everyone decided that the party was in order.
All the supplies were gathered by the girls and loaded in the boat.
Then the boys pulled the boat with a rope back up stream to camp.
The raft was tied off to a tree 'til next day, and all gave a hooyah
to the days work.
Rodney's mom had finally let the cat out of the bag, She told Ed
that it was over, He, in a rage drove down the road, but came back,
She just happened to look out the window and saw him rip up the drive.
Coming out the door he grabbed her by the arm and then as he reached
for her throat. In a blink, Clipper had his arm in his teeth, and with his full
weight pulled him to the ground. Ed, screaming and punching wildly at the dog,
as Clipper continued to growl and bite at him. It was a struggle to get the dog off
of him. "Just get the fuck outta here Ed! ", she screamed. He left but, not after
screaming obscenities as he drove away.
Rodney, I hope you're ok. she prayed that night, Your dog saved me,
He's brave like you. Good night.
Rodney and the gang started a fire in preparation for the dogs and beans.
The girls did the "I'm sleeping over at eachothers house " to avoid detection
and rode bikes to the farm field. It was a great event when the boys counted money.
275.65 divided by7 is 39.37 just shy of the total needed for bikes.
Add that with the money we have in the can 186.35 divided by 7 is 26.62.
The bikes we want are 79.99 we are short 14.00 each.
It was Dooley's bottles plus scrounging for more the rest of camp.
That night the cook out was great, Melody had brought some Boones Farm
Wine from her house, and Tank liberated some beer from his dad's
basement fridge. As the night progressed, the boy's got drunk and tried to
make out with the girls even with the numbers offset.
Rodney and Roxanne, Travis and Roberta, and Thomas and Melody
were the last to be surrounding the fire. I think it was that way, when they all awoke.
snuggled in sleeping bags, in the cabin. Another memory..........
Tune in next time....
A day that would live in their memories the rest of their lives.
They started by filling the fishing boat with flats of bottles.
The same boat that wouldn't float a month ago. A piece
of rubber innertube and some silicone and plywood screwed
to the side of the boat deemed it worthy.
Then loading the raft to an equal height.
The Shop teacher would be proud.
Tank and Ton were ass deep in water loading bottle flats as high
as they could stack them. Rodney, Josh, Brent and Brian shagged bottles
to the boat. The plan was to float the whole mess down the stream and
off load them behind the Hinky Dinky. Then Melody, Roxanne and Roberta were
to cash them in, and bring the money to the boys along with a load of
hotdogs, beans and soda. for a big party.
That was the plan anyway, Rodney and Ton sat atop the load of bottles
as they floated down the creek. Brian, Travis and Brent followed with the raft.
The first 100 yards was good poling left and right
as they approached a bend in the creek a sand bar held the boat fast.
The raft dammed behind them. Tank and Josh who had followed on
the banks behind them, jumped in the water to free the boat and raft from the sand.
A task that would take a 1/2 hr and would not be the last portage of the day.
All tolled the 4 mile trip would take all day and then shag the bottles
up the bank, and in the store. The girls wondered why they took so long,
and would help get unloaded.
It prove to be a very long day.
And by days end, everyone decided that the party was in order.
All the supplies were gathered by the girls and loaded in the boat.
Then the boys pulled the boat with a rope back up stream to camp.
The raft was tied off to a tree 'til next day, and all gave a hooyah
to the days work.
Rodney's mom had finally let the cat out of the bag, She told Ed
that it was over, He, in a rage drove down the road, but came back,
She just happened to look out the window and saw him rip up the drive.
Coming out the door he grabbed her by the arm and then as he reached
for her throat. In a blink, Clipper had his arm in his teeth, and with his full
weight pulled him to the ground. Ed, screaming and punching wildly at the dog,
as Clipper continued to growl and bite at him. It was a struggle to get the dog off
of him. "Just get the fuck outta here Ed! ", she screamed. He left but, not after
screaming obscenities as he drove away.
Rodney, I hope you're ok. she prayed that night, Your dog saved me,
He's brave like you. Good night.
Rodney and the gang started a fire in preparation for the dogs and beans.
The girls did the "I'm sleeping over at eachothers house " to avoid detection
and rode bikes to the farm field. It was a great event when the boys counted money.
275.65 divided by7 is 39.37 just shy of the total needed for bikes.
Add that with the money we have in the can 186.35 divided by 7 is 26.62.
The bikes we want are 79.99 we are short 14.00 each.
It was Dooley's bottles plus scrounging for more the rest of camp.
That night the cook out was great, Melody had brought some Boones Farm
Wine from her house, and Tank liberated some beer from his dad's
basement fridge. As the night progressed, the boy's got drunk and tried to
make out with the girls even with the numbers offset.
Rodney and Roxanne, Travis and Roberta, and Thomas and Melody
were the last to be surrounding the fire. I think it was that way, when they all awoke.
snuggled in sleeping bags, in the cabin. Another memory..........
Tune in next time....
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Would You?
In the centrifuge of this world, would you dare to elect someone who is suspect?
In a U tube video, In a News Article, Fox or CNN?
Can You be easily swayed by a brief, slightly, a sound bite?
Then you too are the sheep, when will we be led by a Man, A Woman
A Brilliant mind not killed buy what Politics have created?
Does anyone posses the skills to lead, all I see is a dynamic around the
fringe with the brilliant minds to lead, but we have created an environment
where those gifted are shunned or slammed for personal quirks.
Do we have to collapse to achieve a champion? Do we have to be so desperate
that we grasp at the next best thing. Could you possibly have a better idea?
Does the common sense in this nation fall deaf to the odd kid in the class who
thought running for mayor would be cool? Does running for office appeal to
any normal kid? When did leadership politically fall to the faint weak of heart?
I think of our ancestors Scottish Warriors, Danes, Vikings, Normans, Sword wielding men
their wise advisors, and their lead. Are their no brave anymore? Not even a Joan of Arc?
Sorry Sarah, I just didn't see it. Does the populus need to think that a self governed body
is better. State by State? District By Dictrict? Would Arizona get all the guns and Mexicans?
Should we give California and movie rights back to Mexico? I mean they did have it first.
I would gladly give Iowa back to the Lakotas, Fox and Sacs etc. It beats Terry Branstad.
Perhaps The Great Spirit, a knife and arrow would bring prosperity. At least it would be
equal man to man.
In a U tube video, In a News Article, Fox or CNN?
Can You be easily swayed by a brief, slightly, a sound bite?
Then you too are the sheep, when will we be led by a Man, A Woman
A Brilliant mind not killed buy what Politics have created?
Does anyone posses the skills to lead, all I see is a dynamic around the
fringe with the brilliant minds to lead, but we have created an environment
where those gifted are shunned or slammed for personal quirks.
Do we have to collapse to achieve a champion? Do we have to be so desperate
that we grasp at the next best thing. Could you possibly have a better idea?
Does the common sense in this nation fall deaf to the odd kid in the class who
thought running for mayor would be cool? Does running for office appeal to
any normal kid? When did leadership politically fall to the faint weak of heart?
I think of our ancestors Scottish Warriors, Danes, Vikings, Normans, Sword wielding men
their wise advisors, and their lead. Are their no brave anymore? Not even a Joan of Arc?
Sorry Sarah, I just didn't see it. Does the populus need to think that a self governed body
is better. State by State? District By Dictrict? Would Arizona get all the guns and Mexicans?
Should we give California and movie rights back to Mexico? I mean they did have it first.
I would gladly give Iowa back to the Lakotas, Fox and Sacs etc. It beats Terry Branstad.
Perhaps The Great Spirit, a knife and arrow would bring prosperity. At least it would be
equal man to man.
Soda Bottle Kid
Authors Note:
My apologies to my readers for the lapse of story and the
reread produced a character error.
Melody's brothers name is Steven not Chris as portrayed in
an earlier post.
My life continues as hectic as ever and I muddle though
a story that sometimes becomes larger that the boy it is about.
Please accept my humble apologies.
Douglas Botkin
My apologies to my readers for the lapse of story and the
reread produced a character error.
Melody's brothers name is Steven not Chris as portrayed in
an earlier post.
My life continues as hectic as ever and I muddle though
a story that sometimes becomes larger that the boy it is about.
Please accept my humble apologies.
Douglas Botkin
Soda Bottle Kid
Ton crept up behind the barn that morning to see his parents hook up
the boat for their trip to the Canadian boundry waters.
After they left he went back to the camp to tell the boys they were free to campfire
cook and that Camp Wanamaka was officially on.
Rodney let out a whoop of freedom, as did the others , 10 days of unsupervised camp.
"Let's make a fire and cook breakfast", Tank said.
A pile of fire wood and lighter fluid was combined to create a blaze in a hurry.
" My Dad says let it cook down to a red glow to make for good cookin'"
Josh said, but the boy's were too hungry to let the fire go that long and were cooking
hotdogs and trying to fry bologna on a too hot fire.
At the end of the on slaught I don't think it mattered.
The boys cooked all manner of things and kept the fire going.
Marshmellows Hotdogs A frypan produced fried bologna and some eggs
from Ton and Tanks hen house.
Life was good that first day at camp.
A call to meeting was sounded and they all gathered around the fire.
Rodney started with," We must gather our resources and get all the bottles cashed in
by camps end." "That means floating all this, he waved his hand over the flats of bottles,
down Beaver creek to the back of the supermarket and cashin them in, without being detected.
Josh said," and Ol man Dooley's bottles too!!
Rodney turned in astonishment, He stammered "Yeah Dooley's bottles too!!"
The whole gang cheered . Josh looked at him with the encouraging look of a life friend.
Rodney said," Then tomorrow we move!"
He had no idea what was going to transpire in the next few days.
He had no more clue than his mom did, She was working through the reprecussions
of telling Ed that she wanted a divorce. It frightened her like the thought of taking the
bottles from Ol man Dooley's shed, frightened Rodney.
His heart felt in control, but his mind was scattered all over.
The meeting ajourned, The balance of the day was spent making preparatioons for the next
days float down Beaver creek, and the covert operation to Dooley's shed.
That night around the fire, the talk turned to Dooley's mission, and that all great movies involed
a chain gang when it came to moving high explosives, prisoners of war, etc.
The plan was to make a delta force and a chain gang with a diversionary
bottle rocket display if it was warranted. It would be less dramatic, but still had casualties.
Tune in next time to see what happens.
the boat for their trip to the Canadian boundry waters.
After they left he went back to the camp to tell the boys they were free to campfire
cook and that Camp Wanamaka was officially on.
Rodney let out a whoop of freedom, as did the others , 10 days of unsupervised camp.
"Let's make a fire and cook breakfast", Tank said.
A pile of fire wood and lighter fluid was combined to create a blaze in a hurry.
" My Dad says let it cook down to a red glow to make for good cookin'"
Josh said, but the boy's were too hungry to let the fire go that long and were cooking
hotdogs and trying to fry bologna on a too hot fire.
At the end of the on slaught I don't think it mattered.
The boys cooked all manner of things and kept the fire going.
Marshmellows Hotdogs A frypan produced fried bologna and some eggs
from Ton and Tanks hen house.
Life was good that first day at camp.
A call to meeting was sounded and they all gathered around the fire.
Rodney started with," We must gather our resources and get all the bottles cashed in
by camps end." "That means floating all this, he waved his hand over the flats of bottles,
down Beaver creek to the back of the supermarket and cashin them in, without being detected.
Josh said," and Ol man Dooley's bottles too!!
Rodney turned in astonishment, He stammered "Yeah Dooley's bottles too!!"
The whole gang cheered . Josh looked at him with the encouraging look of a life friend.
Rodney said," Then tomorrow we move!"
He had no idea what was going to transpire in the next few days.
He had no more clue than his mom did, She was working through the reprecussions
of telling Ed that she wanted a divorce. It frightened her like the thought of taking the
bottles from Ol man Dooley's shed, frightened Rodney.
His heart felt in control, but his mind was scattered all over.
The meeting ajourned, The balance of the day was spent making preparatioons for the next
days float down Beaver creek, and the covert operation to Dooley's shed.
That night around the fire, the talk turned to Dooley's mission, and that all great movies involed
a chain gang when it came to moving high explosives, prisoners of war, etc.
The plan was to make a delta force and a chain gang with a diversionary
bottle rocket display if it was warranted. It would be less dramatic, but still had casualties.
Tune in next time to see what happens.
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