The Pork and Beans War
A fictionalized account from a real dispute.28 total reviews
Comment from Cindy Warren
I'm trying to picture the dreaded Canadian hoards with blood in their eyes, hell bent on getting those oxen back. LOL As a Canadian myself, I can't quite imagine it. And would an American trudge through ox shit and mud to kidnap a few castrated bulls? Anyhow, it made for an interesting story.
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2012
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I'm trying to picture the dreaded Canadian hoards with blood in their eyes, hell bent on getting those oxen back. LOL As a Canadian myself, I can't quite imagine it. And would an American trudge through ox shit and mud to kidnap a few castrated bulls? Anyhow, it made for an interesting story.
Comment Written 02-Sep-2012
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2012
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Thank you, Cindy. Canadian hoards, right? History can be very entertaining. Peace, Lee
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Oops, I guess the lack of sleep is beginning to show. I'm sure Canadians wouldn't hoard. Better look out for the hordes, though. LOL
Comment from Cumbrianlass
Very interesting. You know I like when you take a piece of history and add your own slant on it. You re-write it without re-writing it, if that makes sense.
I was unaware of this particular part of our shared history. I always enjoy your stories, Lee.
Shite stick?
Think I'll have beans on toast for supper.
Av
x
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2012
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Very interesting. You know I like when you take a piece of history and add your own slant on it. You re-write it without re-writing it, if that makes sense.
I was unaware of this particular part of our shared history. I always enjoy your stories, Lee.
Shite stick?
Think I'll have beans on toast for supper.
Av
x
Comment Written 02-Sep-2012
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2012
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Thanks so much, Av. I couldn't resist this historical nugget. So far no one on either side of the border has ever heard of it.
That's my kind of war.
Even though I've never had it, I'm craving ox-tail stew for dinner. Help me.
Peace, Lee
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I'll send you a thermos full. LOL!
Ox-tail beef is some of the most tender, but there's so little of it.
I'm with you on the 'war' path.
;o)
Av
Comment from Lon Frank
Lee, I wonder how many people (like me) have never even heard of this little footnote war. I love the way you tell history through characters which come alive and may be found roaming the pages of any history. Good job, my friend, both at education and at writing!
Lon
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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Lee, I wonder how many people (like me) have never even heard of this little footnote war. I love the way you tell history through characters which come alive and may be found roaming the pages of any history. Good job, my friend, both at education and at writing!
Lon
Comment Written 01-Sep-2012
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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Thanks, Lon. I doubt one in a thousand people on either side of the border knows anything about this 'war'. That's why I had to write about it. I'm delighted you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
Comment from Slush Pile
This story's wonderful dialect lent a great deal to it's realism and humor! Nicely written. Nicely researched. Two thumbs UP for this one!
Your title is the first thing that grabbed my attention.
And then, with your amazingly descriptive opening of : "There would be no dawn that morning, but the low, weeping clouds were beginning to turn a slightly lighter shade of forlorn gray", I knew I was in the hands of an experienced writer!
Extremely well done... thus, the six stars!
Blessings, Slush Pile (denny)
This is a wonderfully descriptive open image!
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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This story's wonderful dialect lent a great deal to it's realism and humor! Nicely written. Nicely researched. Two thumbs UP for this one!
Your title is the first thing that grabbed my attention.
And then, with your amazingly descriptive opening of : "There would be no dawn that morning, but the low, weeping clouds were beginning to turn a slightly lighter shade of forlorn gray", I knew I was in the hands of an experienced writer!
Extremely well done... thus, the six stars!
Blessings, Slush Pile (denny)
This is a wonderfully descriptive open image!
Comment Written 01-Sep-2012
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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Ah, Denny, thank you so much. I was afraid this piece would retire without a six--late week posting can do that. I'm delighted you picked out that line. It's one of my faves.
Thank you again. Peace, Lee
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I am a horrible history student and to be honest I never heard of this war. I am not sure it made history books, it might have, anyway. I enjoyed your way of telling the story.
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2012
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I am a horrible history student and to be honest I never heard of this war. I am not sure it made history books, it might have, anyway. I enjoyed your way of telling the story.
Comment Written 01-Sep-2012
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2012
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Not to worry, Barbara, this war was a just a footnote. But I enjoy digging things up, and turning them into fictional stories.
I stumbled across The Pork & Beans War and just couldn't resist putting my own special spin on it. I'm glad you enjoyed.
Thank you. Peace, Lee
Comment from forestport12
This caught my attention. I love stories about the 1800's skirmishes. I got lost in a French village near New Brunswick once. Hauntingly beautiful places and the picture captured the story and setting nicely. Another wonderful contribution to the literary world. Stan
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2012
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This caught my attention. I love stories about the 1800's skirmishes. I got lost in a French village near New Brunswick once. Hauntingly beautiful places and the picture captured the story and setting nicely. Another wonderful contribution to the literary world. Stan
Comment Written 01-Sep-2012
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2012
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Thank you, Stan. I love learning about these forgotten moments in history, then writing some imagined account of it. I'm glad you enjoyed. Thanks again. Peace, Lee
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I love historical fiction but many genres. Some history is more intriguing to me than others. Good going.
Comment from irishauthorme
Wow, I kind of count myself a history buff, but I will have to look this one up. Good dialogue, the wry sense of humor that prevails in the military(Been there, done that) when a much-touted assignment proves to be an exercise in futility.
Also shows the average intelligence of the guy you got stuck with on patrols.
Neat story, liked those 'steaming piles.'
Cheers, irish
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2012
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Wow, I kind of count myself a history buff, but I will have to look this one up. Good dialogue, the wry sense of humor that prevails in the military(Been there, done that) when a much-touted assignment proves to be an exercise in futility.
Also shows the average intelligence of the guy you got stuck with on patrols.
Neat story, liked those 'steaming piles.'
Cheers, irish
Comment Written 01-Sep-2012
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2012
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Hey, irish. When I stumbled upon some notes from this 'war' I couldn't resist imagining a story. A twenty year dispute with no blood? I figured I had to make my story a little absurd. I'm glad you enjoyed. Thanks, friend. Peace, Lee
Comment from eborchert
I liked the story. The banter flowed well enough and it didn't lack for description. I would say, those oxen must have been sick or something to drop that much fecal matter, but stranger things have happened. I noticed you italicized 'war prisoners' to add emphasis, but it confused me. I couldn't think of anything with a title to match it or a work of that name. You might want to consider single quotations. All in all, a good piece of prose.
Happy writing and good luck.
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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I liked the story. The banter flowed well enough and it didn't lack for description. I would say, those oxen must have been sick or something to drop that much fecal matter, but stranger things have happened. I noticed you italicized 'war prisoners' to add emphasis, but it confused me. I couldn't think of anything with a title to match it or a work of that name. You might want to consider single quotations. All in all, a good piece of prose.
Happy writing and good luck.
Comment Written 01-Sep-2012
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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Thank you, eborchert. Yes, I did mention the oxen were sickly. Even so, I probably got carried away. I italicized 'war prisoners' to denote irony. I felt single quotations were too obvious. I'm delighted you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
Comment from N.K. Wagner
There's an enterprising sort in every company, Lee, and you've introduced one in Private Stewart Balfour. He's opportunist, strategist, and a dollop of entrepreneur (I suspect) and full of ox droppings. I sure am glad cooler heads prevailed. Dem Canucks is dangerous folk!
Still can't give you a real 6, but you can add my virtual one to your collection. :) nancy
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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There's an enterprising sort in every company, Lee, and you've introduced one in Private Stewart Balfour. He's opportunist, strategist, and a dollop of entrepreneur (I suspect) and full of ox droppings. I sure am glad cooler heads prevailed. Dem Canucks is dangerous folk!
Still can't give you a real 6, but you can add my virtual one to your collection. :) nancy
Comment Written 31-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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Thank you, Nancy. Yeah, I wanted Stewie to seem overzealous until the very end when we discover he's really only looking for relief from pork and beans. Glad you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
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:D N
Comment from sibhus
Gee, Mr Humpswhistle History sure is interesting ha, ha. Ok< I have heard some wierd stuff before, The Blawk Wars of Illinois Abe Lincohn spent like 3 months running around in circles and getting drunk never seeing an Indiana once. I have not heard of this before and your version was highly entertaining and provbably more accurate. good stuff Lee.
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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Gee, Mr Humpswhistle History sure is interesting ha, ha. Ok< I have heard some wierd stuff before, The Blawk Wars of Illinois Abe Lincohn spent like 3 months running around in circles and getting drunk never seeing an Indiana once. I have not heard of this before and your version was highly entertaining and provbably more accurate. good stuff Lee.
Comment Written 31-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2012
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Thanks, sibhus. History has so many interesting backdrops to plop an improbable story into. I'm glad you enjoyed. I'll have to look up the Black Hawk Wars. Thanks again. Peace, Lee
