PREQUEL to BLURRY MOUNTAIN: “THE UNSETTLING”
©️2026 Donald Whelpley
Several mentioned they wanted to read “more” about Blurry Mountain*, a short story from Christmas 2024. I thought I would, then I thought maybe I should write how we got here. Who founded the farm? Looking back at the early 1800s I had fun and learned much. Not only who, but how? Back then (as even today) one couldn’t expect smooth sailing.
CHAPTER ONE. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS.
Grigor Hughes was dissatisfied. His father had willed him half of this farm, the stony half. Every year something hindered the crop. Drought (rare but too little rain at the wrong time is bad, too). Too much rain (common). Infestations. Late frost. Early fall (common). He fed his family but struggled to pay the taxes and buy seed. He could foresee a bad year coming when the county Anglesey would take his land and home on Anglesey Island if things didn’t change. He had a herds of sheep and cows (if he hadn’t they would not have survived this long). The average weather in summer rarely moved above 20 C. (70 F.). Wool sweaters were not only a fashion statement, they were required except mid-summer. It was always windy on the island and often damp, thus the need for a fire in the fireplace even on the warmest days. Clouds, fog, and rain were common…he could wish a bit more sight of the sun.
That wasn’t the only thing that brought dissatisfaction. The Welsh church had been going through upsetting changes. In England they had the Methodist revivals. In Wales they had their own, but separate revivals. In England, the revivals were led by those of Arminian doctrinal beliefs. In Wales the revivals were pursued by those of Calvinist beliefs. The changes in the church caused disruptions. He was not comfortable with the proposed establishment of the Calvinistic Methodist Presbyterian Church of Wales. One’s relationship with God cannot be codified or regulated by men. He was, above all else, a deeply spiritual and devout man.
Third, he was not getting on well with his brother Aidan. Aidan had the other half of the farm, the rich bottom land. He wanted Grigor’s half, too, but he didn’t want to pay for it. Then, Aidan’s wife was a pagan and often offensive about faith, making fun of those who chose to worship a god. That created bad blood.
To make ends meet Grigor worked a few days every week for a local builder. His skills included foundations and rough carpentry. He knew a little about building solid structures, and the importance of a solid foundation. An immovable foundation was worth more in the long run than walls or cabinets. His father had taught him well.
His farm was not far from a series of mounds (or cairns) and they could see them from the front porch to the northwest. Perhaps some of his great ancestors were buried in those passage tombs. He had no proof. And it hardly mattered. That wasn’t his religion or his family’s spiritual custom now. At some point his family had converted to Christianity. Some might think it was just another false belief system. Perhaps a hope built on something man-made. It wasn’t. His grandfather made it clear that he believed because God had spoken to him. Man-made customs and beliefs have a serious problem compared to that. Man’s customs, idols, and religious events never say a thing, people do all the talking. However, when God speaks to a man the man usually is surprised. Thus the story of God speaking to grandfather Alwyn Hughes was repeated often in the family. What did God tell him? That was curious. He was told that one of his grandsons would go to a place which had never been seen and there he would see everything. Who would make that up?
Looking ahead he saw only one good option: Sell the farm, animals, and furniture. He wished he could sell it to Aidan, but Aidan was stubborn and did not have the temperament to treat Grigor fairly. So, he would sell, pay the taxes, and use what remained to start a new life for his family in the New World. It couldn’t be any more difficult, he thought. He was wrong, but he wouldn’t know that until much later.
(Look for Chapter 2 in a few weeks. Don)
*Christmas On Blurry Mountain ~ Part 1 of 4 ~ Part 2 of 4 ~ Part 3 of 4 ~ Part 4 of 4
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
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