Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Thursday Thoughts With Coffee. #1
Hello everyone! It is a cloudy and frosty morning once again. I am quite amazed that our frosty trees are still with us. That just does not happen very often. Usually some wind and sunshine comes along and knocks the frost off the trees. But we have not really had any wind this week, though we did get 2 days of sunshine.
It has meant I have been able to get some nice frosty pictures, which I am showing again today. I hope you enjoy them. On one picture we see open water on the river on one side of a bridge, while on the other side of the bridge people are on the ice with their trucks, cars and fishing “shacks”, or “huts”, as they are called by people around here. Some are tents, some are wood structures that are towed onto the ice, one is a camping trailer.
A hole is cut through the bottom of these things and through the ice to the river water below. Then people practice the art of “ice fishing”. I am not sure why people want to fish for ice when it is easier to just make your own ice. But I guess that is just me. I tried ice fishing once. Only once. I got cold. And I got a cold. But I caught no ice. Or fish either, which is the main purpose apparently.
I was out there for hours one day. No fish. All I did was waste time and nearly freeze. Not fun. But I did not have one of the “shacks”. I sat outside. I can honestly say that was one of the most stupid things I have ever done. My apologies to those out there who may enjoy this rather odd pastime. Some of these people actually have heated shacks. Plus they have comfortable chairs in them.
Some have beds so they can nap while fishing for ice. That one I can understand. They also have TV’s. And of course, phones now, to keep themselves busy. Perhaps that would make it more fun than just sitting outside freezing. Oh well. This really is not what I planned on writing about today. It just kind of happened. That happens. To me at least. Oh right, it was that picture that got me going.
I am just having some fun here however. I am changing things a little this year. I am terrible at watching my stats, though I think they are important to check regularly, though not necessarily every day. WP has changed the stats page a bit lately. It now shows how things look compared to the previous week. It is kind of scary.
“Likes” were down a bit last week, which is okay, they tend to go up and down a bit from week to week. Last week “likes” were down about 5% over the previous week. Today I noticed they had dropped 37%. That is huge. I do have a request, please remember to press that “like” button when you come. It helps me to know if people are enjoying what I write, or not.
I know that some of you cannot press the “like” button, that is okay. Even if you just enjoy the pictures, you can still press “Like”. Thank you so much! I also want to thank all of you for your fantastic support for my blog! Well, I must be going for now, another cup of coffee is calling. Would you like to join me for another cup? Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2023 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. The Major Case. Chapter 1. The Major Returns.
While we were just finishing our reception, one of the guards came to me and called me aside. “Some guy is here to see you,” he said, “he calls himself Major, and said it was very important.” “Okay, bring him to the chateau,” I said, “but only he is allowed inside, and let him know I will be alone too, except my wife might be with me.” I went and told Sky and she did insist on coming with me. I also let Baldwin, Mandar and Rock know who was here.
It must be important for the Major to come all the way here, exposing himself to danger like that. The guard soon escorted the Major into the library and then left. “Sorry for the precaution,” I said to him, “but we have had too much trouble lately, so we are changing the way we do things.” “I understand that Steve,” he said, “I do the same thing when people come to see me.” “Well, I am guessing this must be very important for you to make the trip over here,” I said, “so, let me know what it is.”
“First, I want you to know that you can refuse this case,” he began, “and there will be no hard feelings. I heard this was your wedding day and I am sure you have your honeymoon planned already.” He stopped for a moment. “This is important,” he said, “I know you do not agree with my “business”, but this is different, yet connected. My wife and daughter are not involved in the “business”, but my two sons are. My wife did not want our daughter to get involved, and neither did I.
She also wants to stay clean and just live a normal life. However, while my wife and daughter were on a bit of a holiday, my daughter was kidnapped. The kidnappers have given me 4 days to give them $10,000,000 or they will kill her. I am supposed to pay first, then they will let her go. I am sure you know what that means.” “Yes, if they let her go, she will be sent back dead,” I replied, “or they just might keep her for other things.”
“That is right,” he admitted, “I know that I will never see her again following their rules, and I cannot go after them, because they know me. I also do not trust very many people. But I do trust you and your team. Please, help me out with this, I do love my daughter and I want her back. Something else, she will not be safe living with me. I have told her about you and your PI team, she would like to come and join you, if that is possible.
I have told her the dangers involved. She is intelligent, she knows a lot about wilderness survival, she can dismantle bombs quickly, she can already use a wide variety of weapons. I know she has to pass tests that you have, I just ask that you consider it. But right now, I just want her safely back. Here is her picture, she is young, only 20.” “She is very beautiful,” said Sky, and she looked at me.
I could see the tears in her eyes, she wants to help get this woman back. “I have to bring it before the team for a vote,” I said, “that is how we do things, but we want to help, so I will try to push for a yes vote. You are welcome to stay in here while we go present this to the team.” He agreed and out we went and gathered everyone together to tell them about the case. “Are you sure about this?” asked Baldwin, “this could involve all of you in some nasty business, and you are supposed to be going on your honeymoon tomorrow.”
“We can have our honeymoon after this case,” said Sky, “it is only four days, if we cannot find her in that time he will have to pay and hope to get her back. I say we should accept this case.” Meow,meow.=Me say yes too, human Macey in big trouble, not her fault. Meow.=Yep, me say so too. Meowr.=Me also say yes. Tandi, Mandars’ cat whispered in his ear. Meowy.=They bravest cats ever see.
“I agree my little princess,” said Mandar, “I am not a team member so I cannot vote, but if you decide to handle the case I will help out whatever way I can.” We held a vote and it was unanimous, we take the case. I went back inside to tell the Major. “All we need is some expense money for now,” I said, “did your wife have a chance to see the kidnappers?”
“Yes, but that will not help you,” he said with his head down, “the kidnappers sent her home with the letter detailing what to give them. They put the letter in her coffin.” “Oh, I am so sorry Major,” I said, “you did not mention that part.” We talked a bit more, then he left.
To Be Continued.
©2023 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 