For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
We kept looking around after finding Stinger’s rifle and note. We finally found his tent very well concealed under the pines and covered with pine branches. He obviously left the area on a motorcycle, and in a hurr,y. No way to catch him now so we call Benjamin to come back and pick us up. He had stayed close to the area but far enough away to stay safe. The ladder dropped down and we climbed back into the helicopter. “Benjamin, how did Stinger manage to shoot through that window?”, I ask him.
“No idea Steve,” he answered, “this is one of Baldwin’s special choppers, it is built like a tank and with bullet proof glass, I just do not understand it. He ordered it especially for our trip today so we would be safe.” “But yet we nearly died with it,” I replied. Benjamin landed at the chateau, we now have a special helicopter pad on the property. I told everyone not to say anything about our trip until I come into the library. The cats, Kat and I go off to our bedroom and I turn on the scrambler so we can talk safely. I brought Storm with us too.
“Okay cats, I want to know first of all what you think of our new team members,” I said, “are they trustworthy?” Meow,meow.=Me think all okay, no bad thoughts about any, though something seem not quite right with human Lajla. Meow.=Me agree with Muffin, not think human Lajla bad really, but something odd with her. Meowr.=I new, not sure I should say something. “Yes, you are new Storm, but I want to know your opinion too,” I told him.
Meowr.=Okay, me agree too, human Lajla hide something, like she is spy. Others okay to me also. “Hmm, that is interesting,” said Kat, “but who is Lajla spying for? Is she working for John? She could not be the only traitor though since Candace was killed before she came here.” “True,” I said, “I do not think she is the traitor, but if she is a spy, then that would make her bad, but you cats said she was not bad.”
Meow,meow.=Still not think she bad, but maybe she is good spy. Meowr.=Oh, that is good thought. Meow?=But how she can be spy and not be bad? “Hmm, that is something to think about,” I said, “now I notice that none of you have talked with any of our new team members, is there a reason for that?” Meow,meow.=We be really careful right now because so many killed, just not want to take chances. The other two said the same thing.
“What about Aurela?”, I asked them, “she is not really a team member, what do you say about her?” Meow.=Me think she is very nice, she little mixed up maybe, but she is trustingable. Meow,meow.=Yep, me say same thing, she make good additive to team. Meowr.=Yep, me too say too, she not bad. “Good,” said Kat, “that is what I have been thinking as well. Actually I like all of them, they will add different strengths to our team.”
“Yes, I agree with all of you,” I said, “now we go and name the traitor.” The cats look at each other with ears straight up. Even Kat looked a bit puzzled as we all went down to the library. I whispered to the cats and off they went. “About time you came back,” said Baldwin impatiently, “no one will say anything.” “I told them not to,” I said, “I know who the traitor is now.” Everyone looked around. “Where is Shirley?”, I asked, “I wanted everyone here for this.”
“She got sick suddenly after breakfast,” explained Baldwin, “so she is at the clinic.” “Oh, sorry to hear that,” I said, “okay then, Baldwin, are you sure you are the only one that knew when Lajla and Meja were coming? You did not say anything?” “That is right, I wanted to make sure it was kept secret, I did not even tell Shirley,” he answered. “But you do talk to yourself a lot, perhaps you mentioned it then?”, I asked again.
“Possibly, I would never remember that,” he said, “but I see what you are saying, someone could have heard me.” “Yes, and it was your company that did the bullet proof glass in here which was not finished, putting Kat (or Jenny really) in danger.” Baldwin frowned. “This morning you ordered a helicopter for us, one of your ‘tanks’ and yet we were given a different one, so Stinger was able to shoot and kill Joshua which almost killed all of us,” I continued.
Baldwin looked right at me with his mouth open. “Hey now, that was one of my best choppers, number 10,” said Baldwin sternly. “It was number 9,” said Benjamin. Baldwin just stared. “Why…that is impossible,” he said quietly. Just then the cats came into the room. Meowr=You right, it not securing lines but listen lines. Baldwin looked at Storm. “Now, now, wait a minute…”, he said. Annelie and Kat did not want to, but they took out their guns. “It is obvious now who the traitor is,” I said…
To Be Continued.
ยฉ2022 Steve McLeod.
So there is a mole in your organization …or two moles ! Be careful ! ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ป๐ผ๐ผ๐ค
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Only one traitor and a big one at that! The clue to the traitor’s identity is there, next time we will name the person! Then we must move fast to stop the sniper.๐ค๐ฉ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ต๏ธ
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Well… I only have speculation and guess’s right now… but! If I had to guess…. Shirley would be my suspect!!๐๐๐
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Why Shirley? She is sick from some unknown source and in the clinic right now. And why would Annelie and Kat bring out their guns if Shirley isn’t there?๐ค๐ฉ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ต๏ธ
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Good Point! But perhaps Baldwin figured it out also and want to make sure he doesn’t try to stop you?๐ค๐ค
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What would he stop me from doing though? If it’s Shirley then I can’t do anything right now. All I could do is turn her over to the police anyway. Perhaps someone doesn’t want her to talk and tried to poison her.๐ฎ๐ฌ
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True, unless they are working together?๐ค
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You mean that Baldwin might have poisoned his wife?๐ค๐ฎ
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Ok you’re right!! It’s got to be his assistant!๐
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What assistant? Baldwin doesn’t have an assistant. Nope, there’s only one reason for Annelie and Kat to bring out their guns, even though they didn’t want to, they had to do it.๐ค๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐๐
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Then it has to Baldwin!!๐ณ๐ฒ
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I know! But the puzzling part is, why would he do it? He gains nothing by killing us all and why bring new people in if he’s just going to kill them anyway? All the pieces point to Baldwin, but something is still missing.๐ค
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Perhaps a setup? To make it look like him??๐ค๐ค
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Possible. But that would be elaborate setup. Could John do that? He would need help from inside Baldwin’s corporation to do it and that would not be easy without some serious help. Which brings us back to Shirley. But why would she try something so dangerous when she has everything anyway?
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Control!!
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Oooooh, she might want to control the corporation!
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Exactly!๐คจ She’s still at the top if my list!!
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But if she’s hooked up with John, then he’ll control the corporation!๐ฌ๐ฌ๐
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Better make sure it’s her, and neutralize her quickly!!
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Right, um, what if she’s already, um, you know. She did get mysteriously sick rather suddenly.
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Could be a convenient illness to get to Chung??๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ after all how many times has he saved you and the team??๐ณ๐ณ
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Oh, that would not be a good thing, and Kara is no longer there to protect him, which was part of her job.๐ฌ๐ฌ
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Better get Chung back to the Chateau!!!
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Muffin just contacted him and, and…๐๐ฌ
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Uh oh!!๐ณ๐ฒ He’s already dead!!๐คจ๐คจ
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We won’t find out until tomorrow, Muffin is holding out.๐ฌ๐
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Well… I’m certainly not going to try and convince ce her to say anything about it!! She has sharp teeth and claws!!
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Yep, and she’s sitting here using her claw sharpener now.๐ฑ๐ผ
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Polishing her nail huh??๐คญ๐คญ
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That comes after the sharpening.
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Smart!!๐๐๐
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Helps to remove the rough edges for a nice smooth scratch, she says.๐ง๐ง๐ผ
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She is very thorough!!๐๐
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And thoughtful, a rough scratch is harder to patch up.๐ฌ๐น
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See? She’s looking after your well being!๐คญ๐คญ
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I know, it’s very nice of her.๐ฌ๐ผ
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I’m sure she doesn’t want you bleeding all over the apartment ๐ ๐ค
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I think she’s more concerned with her fur, it’s hard to remove blood stains.
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That would be most likely since she’s a very clean kitty ๐บ ๐
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And she doesn’t like the taste of human people blood.
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I can’t blame her!! Way to much iron in it!!๐
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Yep, and she’s trying to watch her weight.๐๐๐น๐น
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Why is she watching it? What did it do??๐ฒ๐ณ I wouldn’t want to be around if she she’s do something!!๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ณ๐ณ๐ณ
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You’re not making fun of Muffin are you? You wouldn’t want me to tell her that would you?๐คจ
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I am not!! I’m merely stating I wouldn’t want to be her weight… I’m sure she would deal with it very sternly!
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I’ll try to explain that to her. I’m sure she will understand.๐๐ผ
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Thank you very much ๐ โบ๏ธ
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Mine pleasure is all mine!๐
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I’m very certain that it is!!๐๐๐๐
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Guess what, the snowing has stopped and it has frozen out there creating a skating rink on my deck and freezing everything with a layer of ice. I knew their forecast of snow wasn’t going to happen, I knew they would be wrong! HA! I’m not afraid of their forecasts for one minute, I’m not!๐๐
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I would respect the ice though!๐ฌ๐ฌ It doesn’t really care if you slip and get hurt!๐
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Yep, I was very careful. I was expecting it this time.๐ฌ๐
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That’s good! Now don’t forget tomorrow about it in a hurry to feed the birds!๐๐ฌ๐
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Yep, that’s for sure, yep, that’s for sure.๐๐ฌ
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Well, I must say good night Dusty, early morning, shopping time!
Good night Dusty! Sleeping good, more chattering tomorrow!๐๐๐ด๐ดโ๏ธโ๏ธ
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Good Night ๐ด ๐ฅฑ
Rest Well! ๐๐
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Good morning Dusty, how’s your day been?
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Good Morning!! It was good! I got my walk in between the rain showers so that was good also!! I heard it got cold there again today.
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Wow, that’s good, do you carry an umbrella just in case? Cold? Don’t listen to those squirrels, they don’t know what they’re talking about! It’s a beautiful, warm sunny day, don’t even need a jacket, garden centers are open and I was buying flowers….last year. Sigh. It is cold, the high today was 21, going down to 10 tonight. That snow is hard as ice again. Speaking of snow, it’s been snowing all day!
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So I’ve heard! โ๏ธ โ๏ธ ๐คญ
Did you eat your coffee โ๏ธ and coffee cupcakes ๐ง
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No coffee today at all, not even a drop, nothing, zip, zero…but I did have the coffee cupcakes, finished off the last 3, with raspberry leaf tea. Plus I had hot choco today too just to be different.๐๐๐๐๐๐โโโโโโ๐ง๐ง๐ง
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That all sounds very yummy ๐ ๐
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And good too, very good!๐Oh, I’m back.
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I was wondering about that!!๐๐
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Yep, phone call, sweeping snow off deck to put more seeds out for poor hungry little birds, feeding Muffin.๐
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Ha, remember that forecast about all the snow we might get? They were wrong, we didn’t get 4 inches, we only got 3 inches! Um, however, it is still snowing a bit.๐๐โ๏ธโ๏ธ
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I’m beginning to think you might just skip spring summer and fall this year and go right back into winter again!๐ณ
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Our snow free season is going to be a bit shorter this year, that’s for sure. Maybe next winter will be milder and less snow.๐ค๐ฌโ๏ธ
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There’s always hope!๐๐
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Precisely, that’s the optimist in me. Always looking at the bright side of things. And snow is sure bright.๐๐๐น๐น
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And shiny when it freezes!!๐๐
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Also slippery. Also hard. Also long lasting. Also cold. Also headache causing. Also knee smashing. Also….
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You forgot ankle breaking!๐๐
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And wrist spraining.๐ฌ
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And neck breaking!๐ซ๐ซ
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I’m back. Had to get the bird feeders in before it got pitch black out there since someone didn’t remind me.๐คจ
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I wonder who that could be??๐๐๐คญ
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That’s a good question, I think his initials are Dusty Boots.๐ค๐
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Huh?? Never heard of him๐ค๐ค I’m sure he must have been preoccupied and forgot…๐คญ๐คญ
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That’s what I wasn’t thinking too. Oh well. He was probably preoccupied and forgot.
That time again for us youngsters to head off to that nice flat piece of furniture that is so comfy and soft and warm and have a good night’s sleep. I can already feel it.
Good night Dusty! Have a good night Dusty! Sleep well Dusty! Chatter again tomorrow Dusty!๐๐๐น๐น๐ด๐ด
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Good Night Frosty ๐ด ๐ฅฑ
Sleep Good ๐ด
Rest Well!!๐
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Good morning Dusty! It was frosty this morning for sure! But it’s already up to 26 and sunny!๐๐๐
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Hey that’s awesome ๐
How are you today ๐ค
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For some reason my arthritis is terrible today, every joint is aching badly. But it sure is nice to see the sun shining again! We might even get up to 36 today!๐๐
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Melting the ice!
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Well, on the deck anyway, maybe some on the driveway too I hope. Oh my, I’m late, on to writing!
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Ok! Enjoy the sunshine ๐ โ๏ธ ๐๐๐
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Did you read today’s chapter?
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My answer should have arrived by now..๐๐๐
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It did, it did, you can, you can!๐๐น
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๐๐๐๐
I’m back btw!๐๐
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I noticed, how was your day?
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Good actually.. I did two walks today. One at noon and the other after work. Then I had to go mail a check at the post office and then get back and eat all before you chatted me!! It was right down to the wire… but I made it!!๐ฅต
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Wow, ten miles in one day, you’ll wear out your shoes in no time! Better watch those wires, good way to trip!๐ฎ๐ฌ๐
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I’ve already fallen so……๐คช
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Now how did you do that?
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Long story but a short trip!!๐๐๐
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Good thing it wasn’t a tall trip!๐ฌ
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Exactly!!๐๐๐๐
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Yep, one of those glllk moments!๐คช
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Absoposalutely ๐ ๐
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I’m back. Muffin woke up, needed food, needed attention. Jasper came, needed food, needed attention. All this made me hungry, needed food, needed attention. Now I’m back.๐
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Did you get the attention you needed?๐
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No, I’m terrible with giving myself attention. Rubbing my chin just doesn’t do much for me.๐๐
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I know!! There’s nothing like having someone else rubbing your chin!!๐๐
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And rubbing the tummy, doing it myself just isn’t the same. Muffin tried doing it once, but her claw got stuck. It was not a fun time I assure you.๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ง๐ง๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ
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Ooooo…. gotta watch those dew claws!!๐ฌ๐ฌ
Especially the way she sharpens them!!๐ณ๐ฒ
But a good tummy rub is tough to turn down!! Dew claws or not!๐๐๐
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She kept pulling and I tried to get her to stop pulling so I could gently ease it out, but no, she kept pulling and it finally came out. With a good chunk of skin and a fountain of blood too!๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐น๐น๐น
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Yeah…๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ Care should always be used when tugging to get it out
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I tried to explain that to her, but she figured the best way was the fast way. I totally disagree with that logic at times. Sometimes slow and easy works best.๐ฌ๐
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I’m a slow and easy type also! Nothing good comes when you rush!๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐
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I’m back, had to get the feeders in, still a few juncos out there but they have seeds on the deck to eat.
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They must have missed you…
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Yeah, the cute little critters. It’s cold out there already, everything is frozen solid.๐ฌ๐ฌ
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They go where they know they’ll be cared for!๐๐
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And I thought it was because there’s lots of food here.๐ค๐
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That could be too!! But I think they like you ๐๐
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Then why did one stomp on my foot today?
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Wanted your attention!!๐๐๐
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He claimed he didn’t see my foot.
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Maybe the sun was blinding him??๐ค๐ณ๐ฒ
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It was behind him. He thought they were logs.๐
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Well that explains it then!! You’re lucky he wasn’t a wood pecker!!๐๐๐
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Ha and ha ha! Then he would have been on my head! Ha! Beat that!
Anyway, time for bed again, seems like I just got up 15 hours ago. Good night Dusty!๐๐บ๐ด๐ด Sleep late! Back tomorrow with more chatter!๐
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Good Night ๐ด ๐ฅฑ
Pleasant Dreams ๐ด
Sleep Well ๐ฅฑ ๐ด
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Good morning Dusty! How goes the day?
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Hi! I’m here!
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Are you back from your walk or something?๐
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Yep! My alert on my phone doesn’t always go off when I’m walking and a reply comes across ๐ฌ
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Oh, that makes sense. Anyway, as I mentioned, I’m off now for a bit to write!๐
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I’ll be waiting to read how you get out of.. I mean capture sniper!๐๐
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Well, it is ready to be read if you’re ready to read! I need a nap, back later.๐ฅฑ๐ด
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Sleep ๐ฅฑ ๐ด good!!๐
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Oh I did, I did, I really did! Are you still around?
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I am still right here!๐
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Sorry I’m late, but it is so nice today finally I spent time outside and lost track of time!
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That’s alright! You have every right to do that! Did you have lots of visitors today??
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Not so many birds, but Coffee and Skamper were here, plus Jasper, Jasmine (who is getting bigger), Chase and Freddie were all here!๐
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Cool!! You’ll soon have more mouths to keep fed!๐
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Yep, I’m sure the remaining chipmunks will be out once more snow melts. Some are probably still snowed in.
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They’re probably iced in!!๐๐
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Yes, right now that snow is ice! Easy to walk on it again. That’s bad, takes time to soften it up again.๐ฌ๐
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Hopefully they have enough food to get by until it does!!๐ฌ
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That can be a problem, especially for first year chipmunks who don’t get as much time to gather food for the winter. They say that more than 50% of first year chipmunks don’t survive for that reason.
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That’s a large percent!! Amazing there are still so many ๐ณ
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Yep and they seldom live more than 2 or 3 years in the wild due to enemies.๐
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How many do they litter every year?
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Usually 4 per litter, but on a longer summer they will have 2 litters, though the second is smaller at 2 or 3. Probably why we don’t see a lot of them around out in the forest. They do better around people.๐๐ฟ๏ธ๐ฟ๏ธ
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Thank goodness for that!!
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Yes indeed!๐๐ฟ๏ธ๐ฟ๏ธ
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I completely agree ๐
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Yep, so do I! I’m doing all I can to help keep the species alive!๐๐ฟ๏ธ๐น๐ฟ๏ธ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
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And I’m sure they appreciate it very much!๐
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I like to think so anyway.๐๐ฟ๏ธ๐ฟ๏ธ๐ฟ๏ธ๐ฟ๏ธ
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I heard they call you Grandpa Steve…๐๐
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That’s Grandpaw Steve!๐๐๐ฟ๏ธ๐ฟ๏ธ
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I kinda like the sounds of that!๐๐๐
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Thank you, it seems to fit. Hmm, Muffin woke up and went to the window, seems to be staring at something. I need to go get the feeders in, back in a moment.๐
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Alrighty!
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I’m back in, it’s already freezing out there again!๐
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Is there a warming trend coming??
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It started today, hit 43! Tomorrow 46, Friday 50, Saturday 52! We’ll just stop there while we’re ahead.๐๐
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Good plan!! Take what you have and enjoy it!๐๐๐๐
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Only problem is it will be cloudy with either rain or showers. But at least it won’t be snow.
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The rain will be good for melting the ice ๐ง
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True, but it means more moisture which means the path will take longer to dry out so I can go walking. Oh, did I mention that the bears are apparently out now? I haven’t seen any here, but others have seen them around.๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ป๐ป
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Hopefully they will stay in the forest!!
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Except there is no food for them out there yet, so they just might and most likely will and I am sure that it’s quite possible, also I think it’s really likely and of course…forgot what I was going to say. Sigh.๐๐๐ป๐ป
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Keep your bear spray handy when you go out walking then!๐ณ
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I will when I go walking, but that won’t be until next week at the earliest. And now, it is time for that sleeping portion of my day which is night.
Good night Dusty! Sleep good, chattering again tomorrow!๐๐ฅฑ๐ด๐ด๐
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Pleasant Dreams ๐ด ๐ฅฑ
Sleep Well ๐ฅฑ ๐ด
I’ll be watching and waiting to hear from you tomorrow ๐๐
Good Night! ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐
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Did you fall asleep again? Or are you out shopping? Perhaps walking? Swimming? Working overtime?๐ค๐ค
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I just got in from my walk! Sorry for the delay๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
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I kinda thought maybe you were shopping since you usually answer even when walking. But that’s okay. But now I’m ready to leave and write the next chapter to my story. Have to talk later!๐
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Okay.. ๐
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Temps like that make it feel like spring again!!๐๐
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Almost anyway, still felt chilly out there due to the wind, but it was kinda warm on the deck anyway. Oh, I’m back now finally!๐๐
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Good! Is the chapter for today finished?? I haven’t had a chance yet this afternoon to read it? Can I do it now??๐ค๐
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Yeah, it’s been out since 3, go ahead and read, I’ll wait.๐
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Ok!! BRB!!๐
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