04.01.15 – 1602 – Log – Audra
We are taking a community vacation of sorts. We are off to the beach for a couple of days. Miss Whitman is excited because she hasn’t been to the sea in ages. Kate is ringing her RV and the catio so that when she is ready for a break she has a familiar place to rest. Some of the brave ones are packing tents. The rest of us are doubling families up in the RV’s, so that we don’t have to bring so many of them. The children are all excited to have sleep overs on the roof.
04.01.16 – 1602 – Log – Jackson
We are at the beach. Its like my dream. Even the doggo, Kate found her and named her Bear. She said all farms have doggos named Bear, it’s a rule. She is a puppy, the children adore her.
04.01.28 – 1602 – Log – Kate
I’ve been looking into Emmy’s teacher. The one she had before their mother left. Emmy used to make herself sick just thinking about going to school so I started homeschooling. She said one odd thing about the lady one time and it has stuck with me. We have the technology available here to find out what actually happened. I’ve made several insect sized drones and sent them to view the year before Emmy, the time Emmy was in her class and the year after. There was a pattern of abuse so I moved them to the ten years before Emmy and made the observation both in school and out of school. There is a strong pattern of abuse. Oddly enough she picks on the bright, the ones that struggle, the poor children, the disabled and the shy. If you are average she leaves you alone. I’m going to try an experiment. I’ve added protections to the beach house. It has a carbon fiber nano protection dome now. I added a deck with a chair and umbrella inside the protection. There are extra chairs, and beach stuff. I want to see if she can be reformed. The world will tell me. I’ll give her the chance to do it here first, if she can’t I will present my findings to the group. I’m hoping they will allow placement with the others on thearn.
04.01.29 – 1603 – Log – Kate
I paid Miss Stoddard a visit today. Ringed right into the classroom after the students cleared out for lunch. I told her what I found, what I expected her to do and what would happen if she didn’t. Then I ringed back out. I had a bug drone to record the reaction and it was priceless. She gets three ‘mistakes’ then she goes to the beach, after that she has one hundred and eighty days to change her ways. The only thing she has to do is be able to spend an hour outside of the protection dome, then she can go home. If she can’t she can go to the prison island with Harris, Olivia and Gwen.
04.01.30 – 1504 – Log – Kate
Miss Stoddard has been installed in the cabin. She wasn’t happy about it. It only took her three Thearn days, I guess she didn’t take my visit seriously. She has a ring device in the form of an ankle cuff that is linked to monitoring devices. She will be ringed to the landing pad if/when she is attacked. I left a copy of the evidence on a tablet for her to review. I also offered the opportunity to go straight to the prison on Thearn if she wanted.
04.01.31 – 1802 – Log – Kate
Since I have crossed the line with one teacher I plan to look at Jacksons first grade teacher too. He complained about her ‘being mean’ after he moved to town.
04.02.05 – 1802 – Log – Kate
Miss Peyton is a sweet lady. I looked at years on either side of Jacks year and the time he was there, and found nothing other than him and another boy being rebuked for being disruptive. Jackson was upset about losing his doggo. It died and he was devastated. He had trouble controlling his emotions. Sweet lady that she is, she still demanded order and corrected him. His father died shortly after and they moved up our way, so I guess the hurt was still fresh for him.
She is a fantastic story teller, I have been listening to all that I can find. I wonder if she would come here?
04.02.06 – 1544 – Log – Jackson
Tyler and I went to ask Kate to borrow her tractor and the wood processor and found her absorbed in a video. The lady in the video looked a lot like one of my school teachers from when I was little. She was surprised when she got caught. It was my teacher! I was shocked. We pried the story out of her. It started with Emmy’s teacher who apparently managed to get herself a free vacation at Kate’s old beach cottage, until she can be outside for an hour or stays one hundred and eighty days, whichever comes first. After the time runs out Kate was going to petition the group and suggest that she go to the prison island with the other psychopaths. She had several thousand recorded incidents of abuse, records of complaint against her that were ignored and one incident where she stole the neighbors cat and dropped it off twenty miles away.
After that she looked into my teacher, who she says she fell in love with. Then she started looking at other questionable people that have slipped through the cracks in the system and have gotten away with in one case murder and the other pedofeelia. She put up more cottages and has them on the beach with Miss Stoddard. Both Tyler and myself recommended Ethan’s island for these two. Tyler has a few people in mind and requested training and use of Kate’s setup. I plan to join him. Its interesting the teacher can be outside of the net for about five minutes before the bugs start bothering her. The other two get attacked right away. I’m not sure its worth keeping them here for the half Thearn year to give them a chance to reform.
04.02.06 – 1724 – Log – Maci
Jack came home excited saying that Kate has criminals on the peninsula. She has the video files of what they did. She used itty bitty drones, similar to what we use for the emergency ring system, to get it. He and Tyler are going to start reviewing their own criminals tomorrow. We just got rid of people and now they are importing them. I guess the intent is to clean up the old world a little at a time. People that can be reformed go back, people that can’t will go to the prison islands. I suspect the idea will catch on. I can think of a few people that should be checked out. It’s interesting now that we are self governing, there are no qualms about managing criminals ourselves, where before we expected the ‘government’ to do it. They didn’t always do a good job.
04.02.17 – 1841 – Log – Grace
We have started a court of sorts. We have a small team that meets everyday to research and discus findings. The group varies day to day because most people want to know whats going on. We have the technologies to solve mysteries and to really find out who did what. Right now we are focused on violent offenders. When its decided that someone should be removed from society and haven’t been, we have a hearing with them. They are ringed here, shown video of their crime or crimes, and then asked if they can explain themselves. Most are speechless. One claimed a twin did it, but we provided images showing them to be elsewhere. We then ask if they would like to try rehabilitation or go straight to prison. Rehabilitation is a hundred and eighty days on the beach. They have to be able to spend an hour outside of the protective net. If they do that they get to go back. All of them have tried it. We have added the option to give up before the time limit. So far none have managed more than a few minutes outside the net.
We have a dozen cottages on the beach and are currently fabricating more. Ashley suggested that the way that we are currently managing it essentially puts them each in solitary confinement if they can’t run fast enough to make it to the next protective net before they get attacked and ringed back. There was a thought to put them in the old settlement building with the hope that they won’t kill each other. We vote on it tonight.
04.02.19 – 1933 – Log – Tyler
We had a vote to move the prisoners to the old settlement building. Everyone was for it. Kate suggested that we could also move the new cottages, so that people could choose. A substantial net for it is being worked up in Kate’s giant fabricator. We will send people tomorrow to clean out dangerous or unnecessary technology. All of the fabricators except for the food one will be removed. The kitchen will stay, we will offer suspended food items should anyone want to cook. We have one problem with Miss Stoddard. She is the only non-violent offender. Kate suggested that she could go in one of the new cottages or choose to stay where she is. They all have monitoring devices that trigger the ring, we could adjust the settings so that everyone involved in any trouble is isolated if necessary.
04.02.21 – 2000 – Log – Kate
We moved the prisoners and cottages yesterday. It went really well.
They will have companionship now. Most have chosen to live in the settlement. The settlement gives us three hundred rooms. If we set it up dorm style we could easily fit nine hundred people with minimal adjustments to the bathrooms. Ive started building the structures that most of them will move into. On the plus side we have one that has made it to fifteen minutes outside, he is doing better than Miss Stoddard who only manages about half that. I think he is going to do it, there is still good in him. Oddly enough everyone is hoping he can do it. We watch his outings and cheer for him when he sets a new best. Maci prays for him.
04.02.28 – 1810 – Log – Camden
Kate posted a ‘Cat wrangler’ position for Nemoy, I think she was hoping that Charlie would put in for it. Marley got it in her head that she wants to do it. Dakota and I think she is way too young, but we let her put her name in. She typed it in herself. Kate didn’t put an age restriction on it.
04.02.29 – 1911 – Log – Kate
Cam and Dakota let Marley put in for the cat wrangler job. I love it! She is a serious little girl and she absolutely loves him. We’ll give it a shot.
04.02.31 – 0700 – Log – Elbert
Marley is here with Cam, she is so determined to get the cat wrangler job. Kate made it as easy to do as possible. First she learned how to brush him. He loves her and was very patient. Kate told her to look out for snags and mats and if there were any bad ones to let her know so it could be fixed. Then they did play time, or as Kate says ‘wear him out time’ so that he isn’t obnoxious. Kate told her when the toy got worn out (when it stops whirling easily) to let her know so that it could be replaced. After that they fed him, Kate had the dish ready to go so all Marley had to do was get it out of the suspension unit, uncover it and put it on the tray for him. It still surprises the adults how fast the children mature. Marley is just about two here years which is equivalent to about three and a half Thearn years. Mentally she is even older. Camden has been working with her on letters and reading. She knows the alphabet and can recognize about a hundred words.
04.02.31 – 0902 – Log – Dakota
I am experiencing some cognitive dissonance. It hurts my brain a bit. Kate gave Marley the cat wrangler job and a child sized transport with preset locations to get to and from work. I looked at the settings on the thing and it’s set to ‘bubble wrap’ – it won’t let her get off while it is in motion and Kate and Cam and I will be notified when she is traveling. She is ecstatic. My baby has a job and a car. She will go for Nemoy’s breakfast and dinner. Marley didn’t want to be paid, playing with Nemoy is payment enough for her. Kate will record the hours so when she decides she wants something, it’s banked for her. She works four days on two days off.
04.03.12 – 0902 – Log – Audra
I thought Kate had lost her mind entrusting such a little girl with an important job, but its working. Kate still runs a brush over that majestic beast once a day and plays with him when he gets antsy, but for the most part Marley is the primary care giver now. She takes the job very seriously. She does a really good job pooping him out. I think that was Kate’s biggest need for him. Play time is fun to watch. Miss Whitman is pleased with his improving manners and gets a kick out of watching them play.
04.03.21 – 1000 – Log – Elbert
Kate has made a ‘mouse pit’ for the chickens. It is quite extensive, it measures 20’x40’x18”. It has plenty of hiding and living spots that the chickens can’t get in. She puts ‘boring’ foods in the hiding spots and the stuff that they love out in a protected area in the center of the enclosure. They have to go through the unprotected area to get to it. The chickens enjoy it. I believe that she wants to let Nemoy try it out as well.
04.03.21 – 2100 – Log – Audra
Oh my goodness, Kate just put in an enclosure for mice! I know they can’t get out but eww. She lets the chickens in and they enjoy it. She grows bugs for her birds too, but they are in a separate building and she kills them before she gives them to the birds, so I really don’t give it much thought.
Today she put a harness on Nemoy and then attached a leash which displeased his highness. He forgot all about it when he saw the mice. Kate set him down on the enclosure edge and unclipped the leash. He caught himself two mice, and enjoyed himself immensely. He ate the first one and the head of the second. Kate collected the body for his next meal time. He didn’t want to go back inside. She let him wander around for a while. He plopped down in the middle of the front yard and then gave her the ‘what are you going to do about it’ look. She let out the leash line and closed the door with the handle inside. She put a bowl of water out for him and he enjoyed the afternoon in the sun.
04.03.25 – 2000 – Log – Elbert
The catio is no longer satisfactory for his royal highness king Nemoy. Kate let him roam the yard (tethered) and now he wants yard access all the time. He sits at the door and yowls to be let out. Kate has installed an electric perimeter linked to a ring device on his harness. She also put a kennel in the corner to use as a landing pad. He doesn’t like being ringed, and quickly equated the sticks with the ribbon on it as something not to cross. She gave him quite a bit of space to roam around in, he seems happier to be outside in the sun. Kate has a fear of him being eaten by a raptor and him killing the little birds and critters that he shouldn’t, so she set up a couple of small drones to watch out for both. They are normally silent, but she added an alarm setting for when the prey animals come around. She also added a setting that alarms and ‘attacks’ raptors. The ‘attack’ is really just the drone rushing the animal.
04.03.27 – 1420 – Log – Camden
Nemoy has gotten himself a yard pass. Kate has a neat setup with small drones to keep him from being eaten and destroying the small animal population. Marley prefers playing with him outside. She has been spending more time with him. Kate mentioned that she has been reading to him.
04.03.28 – 1604 – Log – Audra
I caught Kate singing to Nemoy today. She was singing ‘Sweet cat-o-mine’ to the tune of ‘Sweet Caroline.’ She can’t hold a note to save her life.
Where is the brush, I can’t begin to know it
But then I see its on the lawn
Was on the shelf
And you stole it sneaky
Who’d have believed you were that strong
Hands, touching fur
Reaching out, brushing fur, deshedding you
Sweet cat o mine
(ba, ba, ba)
Play time never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe it never would
But now I
Look at the bin and it don’t seem so empty
We filled it up with only fur
And when I brush
brushing fur off your body
How can I sing when brushing you
Hands, touching fur
Reaching out, touching fur, brushing you – Reaching out, brushing fur, deshedding you
Sweet cat o mine
Play time never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe it never would
Oh no no
Sweet cat o mine
Play time never seemed so good
Sweet cat o mine
I believed it never could
Sweet cat o mine
Play time never seemed so good.
04.04.02 – 2000 – Log – Elbert
Kate looked at me oddly several days ago and said ‘Something is wrong.’ I didn’t know what and told her so. She puzzled over it for days, and then gave up and had one of her deep meditations. She is currently busy working at the terminal on something. She wouldn’t say what. ‘Its a surprise.’
04.04.08 – 1640 – Log – Camden
Kate has it in her head that Elbert needs arms with graspers. She wants to commission the programming for them. She has offered a man cave/root cellar combo fully installed as a barter. Its a generous offer, we need the root cellar. It shouldn’t take more than ten days of work. It would be a fun project too. Elbert didn’t have graspers before so it will be a learning experience for him.
04.04.29 – 1640 – Log – Jackson
Elbert has graspers now! Kate wanted them for him. Camden did the programing and Kate made him a man cave for the work. The little dude played blocks with Jack today. Cam says the fine motor skills need tweaking but he is ninety percent there.
04.05.32 – 2000 – Log – Elbert
Dakota and Maci came by to make soap with Kate this morning. Kate made some ‘rainbow unicorn’ soap for the children. When I looked it up in the entertainment files the descriptor does fit it well. Charlotte enjoys brightly colored clothes and toys, and her room is painted a vivid pink, she will like the soap. There was some ‘practical’ soap made and some ‘fancy.’
The house smelled so bad after an hour that I went to visit Jackson and the children. Kate has set me up with a specialized transport, so I am independent now. I gave young Jack, Brook and Marley rides around the yard, because Camden was visiting too. Linc and Henry were deemed too young to ride even though the dampening system would have held them on. When it was decided that the sandbox was the next play space I joined the men who were discussing how Camden’s man cave had been invaded by Dakota and the children and needed to be cleaned out. He didn’t think he needed it when he first got it, but really enjoyed having his own space once he got it. Now he wants it back. Jackson suggested putting lean to’s on the sides of it and assigning the children their own areas to put their stuff. I added ‘It will be even better if you pour a footing to get the toys up off the ground so they don’t get muddy when it rains.’ Camden liked the ideas. We discussed fishing after that. Kate consistently knows where the fish are, and Jackson thinks she uses her sky scanners to find them. She doesn’t. She just seems to know.
We went back home to start lunch in the outdoor kitchen. I could still smell the fragrance from outside. Jackson looked at me and laughed, ‘Phew, the girls like the smelly stuff don’t they?’
We didn’t actually cook, we just reheated. Now that I have graspers I can help somewhat, so I helped to unload the refrigerator.
After lunch was story time at Ashley and Ryans and then nap time.
The girls finished the soap making a few hours after lunch. Kate ringed the soap to one of the rooms in the observatory. We opened up the house and the smell dissipated.
04.06.02 – 2000 – Log – Elbert
Kate has been thinking about the prison and what we could convert it into. It does seem like a waste just letting is sit there.
04.06.03 – 0920 – Log – Annette
Kate proposed some ideas to repurpose the old prison at the meeting yesterday. One was a giant greenhouse with tropical plants in it, kind of like a biodome. Another was a sports arena, with all sorts of ball fields and courts. A water park. A drive in movie theater. Or the most boring, a protected area for gardens. The group agreed that something should either be done with it or it should be removed. We are going to brainstorm more ideas and then we’ll pick one.
04.06.03 – 1622 – Log – Jackson
Kate’s brain is going again. She want’s to do something with the prison or remove it. She had a list of possibilities at the last meeting, and now we all have homework. She had some good ideas. We need to decide whether to go with practical, frivolous or a little of each.
04.12.04 – 1832 – Log – Audra
Kate had the sock knitting machine out and was making some darling bright fuchsia socks for Charlotte when Jack came by looking for Peter. He got sucked into the process. She was finishing the heal and he was surprised by it. I think he has only had tube socks. He detests socks and shoes. She told him to go and wash his feet and he could try them on. (He was barefoot.) Charlotte’s feet are about the same size as his. If he liked them they could make a pair just for him. So he did. He loved them. They were soft and fit just about perfect. Kate took him in to her yarn stash and told him to pick out what he wanted for his socks. He picked one that was a lovely salmon. It was a soft baby alpaca/angora mix, and was labeled ‘Jack – Mitten liner.’ He said thats my name and pointed to it. I had to smile at the choice. Kate used a scanner to measure his feet and modified the pattern only slightly. She got it started and then let him run the tool. They did the toe first, which was tedious but well worth it for the fit. They read the pattern together and counted the rows. She taught him how to work the heal and then after some more easy rows finish it off. Then they did it all over again. She fabricated some shoes that Maci would prefer to not be allowed in the house. He loved those too. If the socks weren’t pink and the shoes weren’t foam rubber Maci would be ecstatic that he was willingly wearing both.
04.13.12 – 2000 – Log – Elbert
Miss Whitman passed in her sleep last night. It surprised me because she was so feisty yesterday. She had all the children in her suite to read stories to them, and had her afternoon nap in the yard. Nemoy snoozed on her lap. His manners are so much better now. They should be, he gets his way with everything. He let Jamie take his harness off last week and then followed Marley home. Kate joked that Jamie speaks cat and that Nemoy asked him to do it so he could break out and see the world. Marley was thrilled because Dakota let him spend the night. I suspect that he will go to live with her now. If he does I will miss him. He is fun to have around.
04.13.21 – 2000 – Log – Elbert
We are trying an experiment. Kate has removed the electronic fence barrier for Nemoy. If he gets attacked or stuck he will be ringed to the crate, but he can roam at will now. The drones follow him and protect non rodents. Dakota and Camden are willing to take him if he wants to go live there. Kate has given them suspended food just in case. He visits Ruby and Maxwell, he likes spending time with Barkley and Roo. They roam the neighborhood together. Yesterday they collected Bear and then went to see Dash. Dash isn’t allowed out without supervision, but they spent some time with him and then broke up for dinner. Dakota said he went to Marley for his dinner covered in tag-alongs. She pulled all of them out of his fur and brushed him. He purred the whole time and slept there.
The Great Experiment 