When I place a call to 276-388-3111, I get a "busy" message.
suggesting that there is a short circuit, most likely outside the house.

I spoke with Carolyn Tracy on the telephone:
a) two weeks ago, Ed slipped on the ice and lacerated his scalp
which was repaired with 12 clips. The skull was not fractured.
b) Carolyn will check on the house and ask the telephone company to
repair the line.
c) Carolyn reports that a house burned to the ground at the bottom
of the hill, and suggests that that the telephone line to our house 
might have been damaged.

I hope that you are well.