MONDAY, SEPTEMBER  24,  2007       

The truck is packed, the car ready and we have finally got a full crew of people ready to go, although there have been some last minute substitutions.   Brandon has agreed to drive the car down so Dan can drive the truck.  Levi decided to not go with us this morning for reasons of his own, but Brandon brought along a young guy named Richie, who’s been living on the streets and is willing to work in exchange for room and board.  A total unknown, but we will give him a try.

Finally got on the road about 11 a.m.  The trip was uneventful, but Richie is a real chatter-box.  We arrived at the house just at dusk to a total mess.  The big oak next to the outhouse is completely uprooted and crashed across the yard.  It missed the porch by about a foot.  The branches are holding the trunk about 8 ft. off the ground in a big arch and it’s not going to be easy to cut things away and get it safely down.  

The woods everywhere are devastated as if God simply waved his hand 10 feet below the tops of the trees and cut them all off.  There is a great deal more sky and the woods seem more open though they are littered with broken branches and dead standing trees. 

And the house has definitely had squatters and is all torn up.  Drawers are emptied out, beds torn apart, food and dirty dishes, beer cans and trash all over the place, and there is an odd list of things missing.  All the power tools are gone of course and they took all the tape measures (how low is that!?!!) and most of the hammers.  One of the red gas cans that we use to haul water is gone and I hope the thieves put it in their car.  They also took the dining room clock, the old blue enamel coffeepot and some books.  They left the TV, VCR and all the good silver and other valuables.  Go figure?? 

We managed to straighten up and make up enough beds, so we could all sleep.  Emptied the truck in the dark as we have to return it first thing in the morning and get Brandon on the bus by 7:40.  We all collapsed into bed, but at least we are all here. Oh yes, we brought Wheeza, Duchess, and Mint along too.  What’s a country house without a few hounds?

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2007

Managed to get Brandon to the bus on time and the truck returned.  Dan and I stopped in town to buy groceries and got home to start cleaning up and organizing.  About mid-afternoon, Denny and Charlotte from next door pulled in.  Although we have lived within 100 yards of one another for 8 years, it was the first time I have ever met Charlotte and probably the most conversation, I’ve had with Denny.  Poor Denny is dying of untreated lung cancer and is not doing too well at all.  It seems they are having a bit of a feud with Jeff and Adrianna’s tenants. 

The new tenants keep a huge pack of assorted dogs that keep Denny awake at night and Denny thinks they are keeping too many horses on too little pasture and they are neglected.  I gather they have already had the Sheriff and Animal Control out to take a look and there is a bit of bad blood.  I heard them out, but will judge for myself.  The visit seemed to smack of getting in the first shot with the new neighbors so I won’t rush to an opinion or raise the flag quite yet.  Dan, Richie and I all took a walk down to the pond and then to the abandoned farm before supper with the dogs.  Wheeza had herself quite a frolic in the pond, chasing frogs.  A quiet night planning work and so to bed.