By Dick Nash, and submitted to the Newsletter by Bob and Carol Landis.  Thanks!

Be it known that I, for the first two years of my life, existed, grew, and thrived on goat’s milk.  All other foods were totally rejected by my digestive system.  As a result, I concede that a goat was my “foster mother.”  She must have been a beautiful white “Nanny.”  This may account for certain personality quirks.

One of these “quirks” is making noises with my mouth when silence might be more appropriate.  One of these “noises” added my name to the Washington District Disaster Response list.

On Monday, January 19th, Bob Landis and I responded and reported to Pat Anderson, our District Coordinator.  We met at the Salkum Church and were briefed about our project.  We were introduced to Mike and Marge Leslie and billeted in their home close by.  Pat Anderson was allotted the Church Social Hall and day bed.

Our project: To repair a barn for goats and a chicken house damaged by falling trees that were downed by high winds at the time of the recent SW Washington flood.  The owner, Bruce, did not have time or resources to do the needed work, especially with hi nannies pregnant and about to unload.  He had asked the Red Cross for assistance and the chore was referred to the Brethren.

By early Wednesday afternoon the barn and chicken house were repaired and much improved.  Bob Landis had designed and built two birthing stalls and a milking “parlor.”  Bob is a handy builder.  Dick is a qualified “gofor.”

Pat Anderson and Leonard Francy worked at clearing downed trees and repairing damaged pasture fences.  Pat is a real “staple” man, and Leonard, having a lifetime in the logging business, is a woods artist.

Except for the chain saws we used we were really two hundred years’ back in time.  We used pole rafters, cut lumber from downed logs using a chain saw “mill.”  Waded in snow, mud, and rain.  We had appropriate gear and did not suffer except for heightened appetites.

Of course there is work there for years on end.  That is Bruce’s choice and problem.  We handled the emergency.

Bruce is very appreciative.  He was not aware that such assistance was available.  He had not previously been aware of the Church of the Brethren and its Disaster Response.

Bruce worked for many years as a Landscape Architect.  Insidious and persistent chemical poisoning was responsible for his present limited ability to work the hours he would like as well as for his need for help.  His problems were first considered as mental, even to the extent of committing to a mental facility.  Bruce finally recognized what had happened to him.  He had a very difficult time getting his doctors, the Social Security system, Medicare and the State of Washington to accept the fact that he had been poisoned by the chemicals used so widely in landscaping.

Our acquaintance with Bruce has made the team much more aware of the 20th Century pollution problem.  We will be more likely to vote for controls on pollution and environmental issues.

On the lighter side–the goats were French-Alpine and very well-mannered.  The Billy was a spoiled pet and had to be pushed out of the way many times.  I cheerfully accept them as “foster-family.”  Would they do the same for me?

Bob Landis, of Olympic View, provided transport to Salkum in his pickup loaded with tools.  Need a barn repaired?  Goat stalls and milking parlor?  Call Bob.

Need kind supervision?  Need barbed wire strung?  Call Pat.

Need a true lumberjack?  Trees felled?  Brush cleared?  Leonard is your man.

Need a “gofor?”  Need goat-sense?  I’m available.

Dick Nash
Olympic View Community Church of the Brethren