Your friend,
Flo Richards
Dear Flo,
We're all looking forward to seeing you at the meeting.
The city council was feeling so pleased with itself for closing the main streets to vehicular traffic during the day. But they have to open them for deliveries at night, of course, or all the stores would go out of business. So come start of business the next day, there it is—making outdoor Grantville smell all rustic. And, if anyone steps in it, making indoor Grantville smell all rustic for the rest of the day. Not to mention what the rural roads look like, and the streets in Deborah!
The garbage guys say there's no real market for it. Or, at least, that there's some market, but not enough in Grantville itself, so that it doesn't pay enough to cover the costs of collection and transportation out to the farms. Sort of like recycling used to be.
Your friend,
Veleda Riddle
* * *
Dear Flo,
I hear you're planning on doing something about the horse manure problem. May I suggest a money-making idea? I'm not yet sure where the best location would be for a composting operation, but I know that as a gardener, I would pay for manure composted with straw.
I know someone from one of those new chemical firms was also stopping by to see if he could get my chicken manure for a nitrate farm. Have they stopped by asking about sheep manure?
Anyway, the gardens need good compost. I might even buy some if it were delivered. The nitrate farms need good manure, too, and might even pick it up, free of charge.
Your friend,
Fran Genucci
P.S. Are the Methodist ladies planning on hosting the Catholic ladies this month, or is that second Saturday of next month?
Dear Flo,
I, along with my class, have been watching the stories about your ram and I may have a suggestion for a use for the wool that doesn't meet the standards for clothing. Our Junior ROTC class has a problem in finding cleaning supplies for our target rifles. Wool-tipped swabs are perfect for putting a final coat of oil on the bore of a larger bore rifle. Obvious the quality of the wool is of little matter as long as the fibers are of a reasonable length.
A number of the younger children are sending you their drawings of Brillo in another package, but I did not want my letter to get lost in the shuffle.
P. Henry Johnson
Grantville Middle School
Dear Veleda,
I agree completely about the rustic smell. Enough is enough. Market or no market, expensive or not, Something Must Be Done.
Fran Genucci seems to think a composting operation is the answer. I simply don't have the time or the space for this operation.
Perhaps the kids involved with the 4-H club might like to get involved with this. They've certainly done a good job of salvaging plants.
I know it wouldn't be popular, but have you considered a "pooper scooper" law? I'm sure most of the ladies of the town would vote for it. If we got enough signatures, surely the city council would listen. I don't care how big a pooper scooper would have to be, the amount of manure on the streets and roads is getting completely out of hand.
I'll see you at the meeting.
Your friend,
Flo Richards
Dear Fran,
According to Veleda, the garbage guys don't feel there is any profit to be made from a composting operation. Like you, I feel that there is some profit potential there.
Unfortunately, I just don't have the time or space to run this type of operation. I suggested to Veleda that we might try and interest the 4-H Club.
I believe that the second Saturday of next month is when the Methodist ladies host the luncheon for the Catholic ladies. I could be wrong about that, and will check with Mary Ellen Jones to be sure.
You are coming to the League of Women Voters meeting, aren't you? See you there.
Your friend,
Flo Richards
Dear Mr. Johnson,
The drawings were adorable. Please let the children know that I really appreciate them.
I would be perfectly willing to provide the Junior ROTC class with some of the lower quality wool. Please let me know just how much you need. We don't have a huge amount of the lower quality wool, but I'm pleased to find another use for it. The pincushions are proving to be rather popular.
I do hope that the children will be able to make the swabs themselves. I'm afraid that things are pretty busy just at the moment so we won't be able to make the swabs.
I would appreciate a receipt for the wool. Taxes, you know.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.
Regards,
Flo Richards
* * *
Dear Flo,
Someone suggested horse diapers. I saw some of those bags on horses when Tom took me to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell.
Those are just a very few horses, though—for historical carriage rides. Here in Grantville, we've got thousands of horses it seems like, every day. It looks like we're going to keep on having them.