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Abandoned - Cottage Grove - Story 42

Started by Abandoned, May 17, 2019, 10:24:20 AM

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Abandoned

#15
Chapter 7


  In early winter of year 3, we realized that no one had gone out to gather walnuts in fall, so we all took to the forest to find what we could before winter.  Being neighbors, Karolee and I walked together to the walnut grove.  She told me not to wander past sight of the walnut trees, the grove bordered a large forest and Lornelius would never forgive her if she allowed me to get lost.  What?  At my surprised expression she went on to say how worried he was when I was lost in the forest back in Smallville.  He was the first to go looking for me before they were even sure I was lost.  She laughed and said it was like him not to have told me and she bet I didn't know he had a crush on me for years.

  I did not get lost in the walnut forest and I did not mention the conversation to Lornelius.  Since we only found a few walnuts he decided we should build a gatherer's cottage in the walnut grove.  The walnut forester only planted and cut trees, it was up to the laborers to gather the nuts.  A gatherer could collect the nuts as well as the wild foods in and around the grove.

  In early spring of year 4 we considered planting a tiny peach forester near the plum trees but a large herd of deer was grazing there and another herd was near the wheat field.  We had some venison but could use more.  We had plenty of wool but our leather supply was low.  It was decided to build another hunter's cottage.

  On my way back from another riverside forest walk I went past the flax patch and saw it was doing quite well.  I found some wild blue morning glories along the forest path and I dug some out and planted them next to the animal shed.  Lornelius built a small trellis for me.  One day while I was watering them, Karolee, came over to ask if I would help make clothes whenever there was a lot of available materials.  We could watch the children at the same time.  We were becoming good friends and we were both expecting our 2nd child soon.  A tailor workplace was set up right outside the seamstress cottage.

Abandoned

#16
Chapter  8


  In summer and late summer Karolee and I each had a 2nd baby girl.  Back in spring Helenor in the manor house gave birth to her 4th child and almost died in the process.  It made us realize that we needed a church and cemetery and we agreed the church should be in a prominent spot.  We choose the clearing across the river and built 2 bridges to access the area.  By late autumn the cemetery was cleared and partially bordered by a hedge and the church construction was well underway.  The finishing touch was the cross placed on the gable above the door.

  Year 4 had been another dry year and crops were suffering especially south of us. Felica, the seed merchant, and Eleany, the food merchant, had little to trade but said there was a need for fresh fruit and cooler clothes.  It remained dry throughout the year and again there was no snow in winter. 

Abandoned

#17
Chapter 9


  In early spring of year 5 we built a well by the animal shed to make it easier to water the animals, and the fruit foresters began watering the fruit trees.  Once that was done they would move on to other jobs, the fruit trees would continue to do well and produce fruit on their own.  Both foresters remarked that it was so dry that rabbits were seen drinking water from their buckets.  The fruit gatherer pointed out the fact that we were in need of more storage units.

  We examined our inventory records and saw that the only surplus fruit we had was berries. We needed a full size orchard if we wanted to trade fruits to help others who had none.  Lornelius did not want more trees cut down when it was so hot and dry, he was adamant that the forest south of our house remain untouched.  Our peach seedlings would be planted in an orchard across the river by the church where there was plenty of open land. 

  Our wheat had done well despite the heat and dryness.  We had a surplus on hand and thought it was time some of it was milled into flour.  The harvest and the mill was completed just before we finally got some much need rain.  Maybellar had another flax patch cleared and began transplanting flax in the rain.  We expected another mild winter but we worried that the rabbits in town might not find shelter or enough food over the winter so a hutch was built behind the manor house near the river.

Abandoned

#18
Chapter 10


  Spring of year 6 was just beautiful.  The flax patches were both blooming beautifully and the new peach orchard was doing well.  A market was built by the orchard to serve as storage until such a time that a worker would be needed to keep it fully stocked.  That time may be sooner than we thought.  That spring 9 migrants arrived, farming had become too difficult for them in the last few years because of  the dryness.  They lost the last of their fruit trees over the past winter.  We began building 3 houses for the new families on the other side of the river.  Two of their children became students shortly after they arrived.  The teacher at our outdoor classroom said 12 students were all she could teach at one time.  Two other children were about to reach school age, we needed a school.

  Chal, the resource merchant, stopped at our trading post but had only dry thatch for trade which we did not need.  He told us that he and other merchants would not want to take berries in trade because berries would not last long in this heat, maybe in fall or winter.  Although our pear and plum harvests had improved it was still berries that we had a surplus of.  We thought perhaps it would be a good idea to make fruit jam with our berries and wild honey.  The keeping quality would be much greater.

  The new school was finished just in time for the new student to begin his education, and by spring of year 7 two of the new families had newborns.  Cottage Grove had a population of 61, 25 adults, 13 students, and 23 young children.

Abandoned

#19
Chapter 11


  In spring of year 7 , our new bakery had just been completed when three more migrant families arrived.  They had been farming not that far away and had several years in a row of poor harvests, and they lost the last of their farm animals due to the drought.  They would gladly stay with us if it meant no longer struggling on their own to survive.  One family settled by the new bakery and Armina said she had recipes for herb bread and nut bread that she would gladly share with the baker.  The second couple settled across the river and knew how to fish so a new fishing pier was built near their house.  The third couple moved into the new house built next to one of the families that arrived the year before.  The new couple brought some apple seeds with them but a small plum forest would be planted behind their house.  A large apple forest would be planted next to the peach orchard.  Autumn was a good time to plant fruit trees.

  I had been working as preservist since before the new families arrived, and I was looking forward to enough plums to make my favorite fruit jam. The new fruit trees should do well, we had a bit more rain this year then in the past 2 or 3.  In fact when it began to sprinkle one autumn day, I rushed home to take the laundry off the clothesline.  I was just in time to see Lornelius and Karalee emerge from the forest.  Lornelius had been working as a builder but after the 3 houses and fishing pier were completed he took over as hunter close to home.  He had a reason to be in the forest, but Karalee was still the tailor, what reason did she have for being in the forest with Lornelius?  I knew they were old friends but was there something here I was not seeing?  I saw she had dirt on her dress.  Was Lornelius cheating on me?  When I asked at dinner how his day had been, he simple said "the same as usual".

Abandoned

#20
Chapter 12


  All three riverboat merchants, Felica, Elany, and Chal, agreed that transporting fresh fruit in the hot and dry summer months was not profitable, no one wanted to trade for over-ripe fruit.  It would be best if we stored the fruit to trade during the cooler fall and winter seasons.  Before the end of year 7, a warehouse was built not far from the trading post. 

  In spring of year 8, the new apple forest and plum forest were doing well.  A gatherer between the two would gather fruits from both forests plus all the wild foods in and around the forests.

We had some welcome rain that spring.  The first warm and sunny day, Lornelius said he had a surprise for me and wanted me to go for a walk in the forest with him.  I was surprised.  I eagerly agreed.  He lead me to the opening in the forest where I saw him with Karolee last autumn but that thought did not dampen my enjoyment of the spring day and walk in the forest too much.  The sun was warm and the spring birds were singing as we enter the forest and walked along the wood stepping stone path.  We came to a beautiful pond and there was a fantastic wooden garden swing to sit upon and enjoy the view.  The path continued on through a beautiful birch grove decked out with new spring leaves.  We emerged into a clearing where another wooden swing waited invitingly.  There were wild blue flax and beautiful yellow daffodils blooming.  At my amazed expression, Lornelius smiled and said he had been working on this project for several years.  Last fall the boatman brought the daffodil bulbs and Karolee helped him plant them.  He wanted me to have a place I could walk in the forest whenever I wanted to without getting lost.  I was speechless, with tears in my eyes I gave Lornelius a big hug.  He hugged me back.

Abandoned

#21
Chapter 13


  The forest path was as beautiful in autumn as it was in spring and summer.  Lornelius and I met often on the path while he hunted.  Karolee told me she had had all she could do to keep it a secret, she knew I would love it.  She knew I liked the daffodils back in Smallville where one of her neighbors had a patch of them. Karolee asked one of the boatmen to get some of the bulbs for her when he was in the area.

The river boatmen often delivered messages between friends and family and did small errands.  They were our source of information and would tell us if there was a disease outbreak or serious illness anywhere along their routes.  Lornelius thought we should be prepared and build a hospital just in case it was needed.  Behind the church across the river was a good spot that was more isolated from the main part of town.  We woman made sure there were enough linens and other supplies to handle any type of outbreak.

  We could not help but notice that there was a lot of fruit not being collected in the apple forest.  The gatherer had a large area to cover and was doing her best.  The laborers were sent out to help pick up the crates of apples and another worker was assigned to the gatherer's shed.  A small storage shed was built there as well.

  We had a good supply of plums so I had been making fruit jam with the plums and as a result we then had even more berries than before.  I suggested to Alfreddy, the baker, that he might like to have my jelly bun recipe since we had plenty of herb bread, and the jelly buns would use those berries.  He could easily make the jelly himself from the berries.

  The recipe was quite simple to make, just take basic bread dough and divide into rolls.  After they have risen you poke down a spot in the center to put a spoonful of jelly or jam.  Sprinkle on a topping made from crumbling together 2 tbsp of butter, 1/2 c flour, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, then bake.  The buns became so popular that Alfreddy wanted a berry patch closer to the bakery.

moonbelf

Your story telling and creativity is wonderful. Thank you for this :)

Abandoned

Thank you @moonbelf , that is nice to hear  :)  Glad you like the story.

Abandoned

#24
Chapter 14


  The next few years were busy ones making sure everything was running smoothly.  In year 10 our storage units were filled near capacity.  We built several sheds but the storage space was not enough, a small barn was built and more fruit and fruit jam was moved to the warehouse to wait for cooler weather.  At the end of year 10 our food supply and surpluses of other items were very good and we continued building more storage units.  We discussed building more cottages since there were a number of adult children still living at home, however none of them were old enough to marry.  They were better off living at home for the time being rather than living alone.

  We were beginning to see a bit more rain but temperatures were still warm.  Our wheat harvest did good, year after year, and our totals of gathered fruits and wild foods was also high.  The traders that came to port were disappointed to leave without the needed fruits and linen clothes but what little they brought to trade we did not need.  We knew others needed those items so we ordered potatoes, eggs, and milk.  In year 12 we order coal from Chal, the resource merchant.

  During year 12 we kept a close eye on the number and age of the adult children living at home, and the age of the school children and those approaching school age.  Lornelius and I did not want any of the children missing out on an education.  Our children were all students  ages 10, 8, and 7.  The  population of Cottage Grove at the end of year 12 was 76, 42 adults, 25 students, and 9 young children.  We would need more cottages and newborns soon.

  During year 13 we began laying the foundations for cottages and huts.  The construction would be completed as needed.  Our coal was delivered in spring and Chal was very happy to trade for items needed by folks downriver. We assigned another trader and began moving more of those needed fruits, jams, and linen clothes from the warehouse to the trading post. 

Abandoned

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Abandoned

#26
Chapter 15


  By spring of year 14, a forester was busy planting our 2nd small pear forest.  The plum and apple forests were doing well, and so was the peach orchard.  When Maurie, the general goods merchant, arrived it was still cool enough to transport fresh fruit.  We traded for eggs and potatoes.  Maurie was amazed at how well our fruit trees had done and how Cottage Grove has grown since he first stopped here 12 years ago. 

  Not only did the fruit trees do well, but our walnut grove was quite large and dense and very productive.  The town had certainly grown.  It has a mill and bakery and a large wheat field.  The berry, herb, and flax patches are beautiful as well as productive.  Hollyhocks and morning glories bloom beautifully around town, and wood stepping stones pave the roads in the main part of town and into the forest as well.  The forest trail winds past a beautiful pond and into the clearing of a peaceful birch grove where a garden swing awaits. 

  Across the river is a hospital and cemetery which we were lucky enough to have never used.  The sight of the church in its prominent location is a constant reminder how blessed we have been.   We felt lucky indeed when Maurie returned in spring of year 15 and told us of the tragedy that occurred last year in Summerset Swamp.  Giant mother frogs invaded the settlements killing and maiming hundreds of swamp dwellers.  Several river boatman were still missing.

On June 1st of year 15, the front church yard was the site of Cottage Grove's first wedding celebration.  The ceremony took place that morning in the church and there was a wedding cake and decorations and two buffet tables of food set up outside.  Folks could stop by anytime during the day to congratulate the newlywed couple.  Ervine and Uniqua would live in the newly completed cottage behind the church.

   In early summer Cottage Grove's population is 76, 53 adults and 23 students.  There are no young children but there will be many more weddings and newborn babies in Cottage Grove in the years to come.  As you can see, weary traveler, Cottage Grove is a beautiful and peaceful place to live and more cottages are being built.  You are welcome to stay, just don't wander far off the garden paths. 

The End
 

kid1293

Well done! :)

There are nice things in this world too. Why didn't Lornelius and Krissy marry?

Abandoned

Thank you

They were already married, I hope, they had 3 children  ;D  I had no goal for the story other than to make it look pretty  ;D so I thought first new couple being married was a good ending.

Abandoned

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