Something really crazy happened yesterday. I hesitated to tell about it on here, but those of you who live close can watch out for us and those of you who live far away can pray.
It was a beautiful day~ it got up to the low 50s yesterday, which felt wonderful! The neighbor kids came over to play and Greyley and Indigo took them down to the barn. We have games down there and lots of room to play. Nate and I decided to take a short walk and then went down to the barn to check on the kids. I noticed a game out on the floor downstairs that was out of place and thought I’d ask the kids about it when I got the chance. I was surprised they had gotten it out and played with it there in the back of the barn. At this point, they were upstairs playing tag and having fun.
We all came back downstairs and while we were looking at the game that had been left out, noticed a tarp hanging that hadn’t been noticeable when we first walked in. Nate said, “What is this? Did you put this up?” I said, “No, I didn’t! Did you?”
I think we both knew the other hadn’t put it up, it was just a little nervous energy coming out because we were getting a strange feeling…
And then he looked into the tarp…and then I did…and then we got WAY weirded out.
Is your heart pounding yet? Mine was. And actually is again while I’m writing this…
Someone’s living in the barn. Or was. And will be back…I’m pretty sure.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, two Survival Manuals and another book about the Wiseman’s House or something like that…
Remind me to put The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on my reading list.
I walked in and picked up the books to see if there was a name in them. They were from Goodwill or another used bookstore. I don’t know why I thought there might be a name. It seemed all the possessions in here were precious ones, I thought the books might be too.
The cot with the helmet breaks my heart. Knowing how cold the winter was, I can’t imagine trying to get warm in here. It also seems like he has a pretty good set up.
The only sign of messiness was the packaging to the tarp that he left out on our table, which is set up just outside his space.
About a month and a half ago, I saw lights out there and told Nate about it. I thought at the time that someone was out there and then dismissed it. I’d say a handful of times this winter, I’ve thought about someone living out there…not like I really believed it, but it crossed my mind and I can’t say it ever has before.
I didn’t feel scared when I was in there, but last night when I went to bed and also at 4 this morning when I woke up in a sweat…yep, then I felt a little afraid.
The police came out. They said it was the strangest thing they’d ever seen. They wondered if he was reliving a desert experience, with the sand on the floor…or if that was just a way of telling if anyone had been in there.
If you’re reading this…
Dear Mr. Patriotic Squatter,
We are packing your things and putting them outside. We’ll cover it with the tarp so the radio doesn’t get ruined. Please come get it all right away. Please don’t startle us while doing so.
Thank you for not stealing anything. Thank you for not messing anything up in the barn.
I am so sorry you don’t have a home. I’m glad that you found a safe place to lay your head. But now I don’t feel so safe and I can’t have that for my children. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for serving our country. I really appreciate that.
God bless you,
Barn Owner
P.S. I’ll be sending you your portion of the electric bill by the end of this month. You don’t know me (at least I don’t think!), but if you did, you’d know that was a joke.
P.P.S. The title was uncalled for, I sincerely hope you have a sense of humor.
So…there you have it. You just never know what a day will bring, do you. We are taking steps to secure the barn, have asked our neighbors to help us keep an eye out and the police will be watching out too. Please pray for us that this won’t turn into anything scary or dangerous.
A little later…
Nate and I were watching the sun rise…both a little anxious about this whole thing. All of a sudden, after I’d published the first part of this post…it hits Nate that Someone whose name rhymes with Sconathan had asked to use the barn to shoot a music video for Someone whose name rhymes with Crian. I was out of town at the time, so I didn’t know this was going on. Nate never saw any of the footage or what they were doing out there, but…we’re pretty certain that’s what this is.
Why it didn’t all get put away is now the mystery of the day. 🙂 Ahem…
OK, we’re breathing easier. Feeling a little silly and aggravated that we lost sleep over this.
I’ll let you know when the music video comes out.
Nate’s going to make me some tea with that teapot. I’m taking the flag…just because.
Maybe that will almost make up for the worries my brain has had to endure for the last 16 hours.