In-processing, Second half (Cumberland Series)

Discipline
Roger walked to the front of the group and said “I am going to talk about something that is going to make some of you uncomfortable: Discipline."

Then Roger’s talk meandered a bit. He gave them a rambling history of where their sect had been and the various, oppressive regimes it had endured and how they had managed.

The picture that popped into Fred’s head was of the tiny plants that grew in the cracks between the sidewalk slabs. Too small and inconspicuous to bother anybody or even get their attention. Resilient enough to withstand trampling.

Finally, Roger got back on track.

“This “campground” is our life-boat. It ain’t big. Nobody else wanted it so it was cheap. But one of Satan’s strongest tools is “coveting”. Adam and Eve coveted the knowledge of good-and-evil. Cain coveted the favor that God showed Abel. Even though this campground isn’t much, Satan is angry that it exists.” Roger said

“Even now Satan is sowing the seeds of discord and anger and envy among us knowing that it is a small life-boat, and fragile. He targets us because we are a Godly people.”

“I've been here a really long time and seen this every time this happened. Bad behavior doesn’t fix itself.” Roger continued.

“We will tell you how things have to be done. Then we will show you how things have to be done. Then we will work with you while you do things to ensure that you are doing them in the best possible way. But some people are going to test, and more than likely its gonna be one of your kids.” 

Fred looked around at his fellow trainers. Yeah, they already knew which kids were going to test them just like he knew.

“The first time it happens you get a chance to discipline your kid. We recommend cutting firewood. We got hand-saws and a mountain of wood that needs to be cut and split into 15” long stove-wood.”

“But after that, if the issue is repeated the community board will issue the discipline and ensure it is carried out. No exceptions so don’t ask for any.”

“One reason we didn’t have you unpack your vehicles and trailers is that this is a deal-breaker for some families. If you cannot abide by this, LEAVE NOW.” 

None of the trainers made a move back toward where the vehicles were staged.

The second potty break was held after the segment on Discipline.

Snakes and spiders and biting insects and nettles and Poison Oak

“We got two kinds of snakes you gotta watch out for. Copperhead can be anywhere but they are invisible in the woods when they burrow-up under dead leaves. Timber rattlers like to set up ambushes where they hunt chipmunks and squirrels running the length of downed logs. You are most likely to get bit by a rattler stepping over a log." Lliam told them.

“We keep the grass short and you won’t run into too many Copperheads or Timber Rattlers where the grass is short. Where you gotta be really careful is stepping over a log. Rattlers can see heat and they might mistake your leg for a ground squirrel and nail-ya.”

“The poisonous spider are usually hiding in wood piles. You will be fine if you always wear gloves when you get kindlin’ and if you bang the sticks together before bringin’ them into the house.”

“By the way, the plan is to have outdoor kitchens through the summer to keep the heat outside.” Alice piped up.

Then Alice continued “Most folks tend to wear long sleeve shirts and pants. Keeps the sun off ya and slows down the mosquitoes and other biting bugs.”

“Now, we are going to take a quick walk-about and Alice and I can show you prime Copperhead, Timber Rattler habitat and show you what nettles look like (and you will get to brush them to see what they feel like) an what Poison Oak looks like...but you ain’t gonna touch that.” Lliam concluded.

Food

Blain took the stage and informed the new trainers “We will be supplying the first three days of food cafeteria-style so families can focus on settling in. One person from each family to help with dish and pot washing at each meal. It does not need to be an adult but it must be somebody who knows how to scrub pots and pans and how to dry dishes.”

“Most of this segment will be about planting corn.”

“Based on historic yields, you need to plant at least 2000 kernels of corn, 200 hills of potatoes and proportionate amounts of turnips and onions and carrots per person to make it through a year” Blain told them.

“In one of our prepared garden plots, that would be about 2000 feet of row of corn and another 200 feet of potatoes. But we don’t have any more prepared plots. You will be planting in soil that until this spring was in timber. There are too many roots in the ground to till it, so Evan and I will teach you how to plant in hills” Blain said, indicating who Evan was with a nod of his head.

He had been wondering why he was here.

"Wait a minute. I gotta question" one of the men said. "How much do we plant for each kid?"

"Don't matter how old the kid is. You have to plant at-a-minimum 2000 kernels of corn and 200 hills of potatoes per person" Blain reiterated.

"That seems like a lot" the man said, questioningly.

"Are you gonna feed your kids any eggs or milk?" Blain asked. "Five laying hens eat as much as a man. Maybe you can get by on corn, beans and potatoes and such, but growin' kids need a little bit higher quality food. That comes at a price. Hens can rustle up some of their own grub in the warm weather but then need to be fed in the cold months."

“We are going to plant in hills roughly three feet apart in each direction. Can anybody tell me why I used the word “roughly”?” Blain asked. 

Fred helped him out “Tree roots?”

“Yup. Tree roots and rocks. That, and it takes time to measure. The smart money is to put a few wraps of tape on the handle of the grub-hoe” Blain said holding up the tool “that marks out 3’. Doing that will keep the person making the hills from drifting too much.”

“I am going to make the hill with the hoe and Evan is going to put in three seeds, roughly in a triangle 6” on a side” Blain said as he walked the group to some newly cleared ground. “If you are struggling with branches, stack them in a pile to burn later.”

After demonstrating about 30 feet of row with Evan pressing the seeds into the soft soil and scuffing dirt over them with the side of his shoe, Blain handed the grub-hoe to Fred and told Evan to give his seed apron to AnnMarie. “Your turn. Plant ten hills then switch tools so you have both done it.”

It only took ten minutes for all of the trainers to get familiarity with the tools.

“When do you want us to start planting?” one of the men asked. 

“You will be planting this afternoon right after lunch” Sig responded.

“But I thought we were building cabins?” he protested.

Blain spoke up. “Every kid between the ages of 10 and 16 who isn’t watching kids will be planting. Evan is 14 and he can plant just as fast and just as accurately as I can...maybe even faster and more accurate.”

Sig confirmed Blain’s pronouncement. “Men and boys over 16 will be split into two crews. We have too many men for one crew and we will be tripping over each other so we might as well be building two cabins at a time. I will ramrod one crew. Gregor will ramrod the other.”

“Children between 10-and-16 will be planting. Blain and Evan will be ramrodding them. Mothers and older sisters will help as they are able.”

Mothers have the option of pooling their younger kids and taking turns watching them or of having an older, responsible kid watch them. 

"Last thing we are going to do before we break for lunch is draw lots to set up the order for who gets to sleep in the cabins" Sig said. "After lunch, we all roll up our sleeves and get back to work. As we work we will sort out which family is gonna get which Big Brother or Big Sister."