Varland Story - Chapter 25 - Jody

 



I would so rather be in the lab.  That's heresy in this family, after the way Mamma Zeline rhapsodized so about her plants and her boys (in that order, I think).  I keep the garden going; we're all rather fond of food. I must be missing the Earth Mother gene, though; I can't seem to enjoy dirt,sweat and bugs. Testing circuits is another story; hours can pass without my noticing.

Speaking of hours passing without noticing and missing Earth Mother genes, I'm ashamed to say that I missed my son's fifth birthday.  We were getting ready for this major integration test, and, well, it's a good thing Sunset Valley doesn't have a Child Protective Services bureau yet.

I tried to make it up to him over the weekend.  He's forgiven me, I think, but I'm not sure about the rest of the family.  They certainly didn't hold back with their disappointment in me; I think getting absorbed in a project and forgetting the time was even worse than if I'd intentionally worked half the night.  I hope they'll understand when our product goes beta.  I shouldn't divulge anything; we don't want the lab looted, but, one word:  video.

 

Bjarne is like a birthday boy himself these days.  Now that building materials are unrationed and ornamental plants are permitted, our neighbours have gone all out.  We've put up proper walls and started a lawn. 

Bjarne's found an ancient Better Homes and Gardens magazine and suggests one improvement project after another.  I tense up now at every sentence that begins with "You should plant...".

I know he's terribly busy; they call him "Leader of the Free World" these days.  So is everyone else; I'm still not up to the task.

 

Riding herd on Eyvin is a full-time job for the proverbial village. He racks up hours in detention for his inability to sit still and be quiet.

 

He's prone to flash-in-the-pan passions of about a week's duration, so far, this term he's had career ambitions for builder, firefighter, lifeguard, chef, mayor and doctor.   At the moment he wants to be a clergyman; that one's lasted nearly a fortnight.

 

Unfortunately, none of these passions involve his studies, or even sport or music. My friends in the pharma division suggest that he probably has ADHD.  They plan to make Ritalin someday, but not soon enough for Eyvin. 

 

I've put him to work in the garden, hoping it will help him find a direction and focus.  He'd rather play with the sprinkler.

For that matter, so would I. 


 

Varland Story - Chapter 24 - Bjarne

We're so close to a breakthrough I can taste it! There is no longer any reason for rationing.  Surpluses are piling up in the warehouses.  That's a carefully guarded secret, of course.  I've redoubled my commitment to win over hearts and minds, one by one, that we can end the shortages, once and for all, if we just clean house at City Hall.

It's slow going.  The oldtimers have one argument after another as to why the rationing should continue:  if we're too profligate with supplies, we might have worse shortages.  The rationing reminds us never to permit such a disaster to occur again.  Annoying the  Altos and their minions would bring back blood in the streets.There may be some truth to that last; though their extortion efforts are mostly pro forma these days, the day can come none too soon that those bloodsucking vermin are out of business altogether!

 

 

Progressive as she might be in some respects, even my dear sister-in-law urges everyone to persevere so that, in time, perhaps our children's children might see the end of rationing and shortages.  Meanwhile, be patient and thankful for all of the improvements that we've realised since our grandparents' time.

 

 

 

 

On a happier note, the garden is flourishing.  We have more fruits and vegetables than we can eat, enough to sell and even some to give as gifts.  I'm sure we'll live to see decorative gardens as well as kitchen gardens.  Mother would be so thrilled!


 

 

 



In Jody's opinion, this baby can come none too soon.  I tend to agree.  In fact, the entire family is cheering her along. 
 

Finally Eyvin makes his way into the world!

 

 

I treasure the all too rare moment with him. I strive in hopes that he'll enjoy a house and garden without remembering when buildings were limited to 8 X 8 and non-edible plants were banned.

 Where has the time gone?  My son is a toddler! 

  

My nephew turned thirteen!

 

 



 

And my brother is now an old man. 

 





Who knows where Eyvin's dreams will take him? To the garden?

 

In his uncle's footsteps to the arena?

 

 

Or will they carry him into the realm of the imagination?



Or into the sky?

Absalon's dreams carry him along the path of the minstrel.

 

 

And mine have been realized today! The last of the Alto flunkies are out and I'm in!