Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Coffee On Tuesday. #26
Hello everyone! I hope you are all having a great Tuesday. It is mostly cloudy with some light snow here, not enough to really measure, kind of a nuisance type snow. Just enough I have to clean off the feeders now and then or sweep the deck. The numbers of pigeons have dropped off substantially the last couple of days, so they are not coming over here now. That has helped, so the grosbeaks are back in larger numbers than before.
Yesterday and today, I have counted 35 evening grosbeaks at the feeders, with more in the trees. So, there are over 40 of them now, which is great. Plus, there are at least 25 to 30 chickadees and 5 red-breasted nuthatches. Also, there was a white-breasted nuthatch here yesterday for a while. That was nice to see, but I was unable to get a picture of it. Maybe today, if it comes back again.
There are 10 blue jays that come regularly. There is always one of them that watches for when I put out more peanuts. He then comes down to the deck and that signals to other blue jays who must be watching him from further away. They then come in as well. There are 5 pairs of them. Baxter and Betty live closest, the others are much further. But they sure come in quickly when they see Baxter coming down to the deck. They have an interesting system, watching each other like that.
Two of the pairs seem to live quite far away, so I must be the only one in the area that puts out peanuts. Or at least, I am the only one that puts out peanuts regularly anyway. I was not quite early enough again this morning, so the birds were anxiously waiting for me. As soon as I come out carrying those feeders the chickadees are all over me, sitting on me and landing on the feeders. And landing on my hand as I like to put some seeds on my hand to attract them as well. I
need to get out there while it is still dark. I would leave at least one or two of the feeders out at night, so they have them early, but the raccoons still come around at night, and they like sunflower seeds too. They also like breaking my feeders. They are nearly as bad as the bears for doing that. But soon it will be cold enough that the raccoons will stop coming around. Then I can leave things outside for the early birds.
There was a young buck out here yesterday morning when I got home from shopping. It was likely Junior, he was not afraid of me anyway, just kept on eating. Right now, there are 3 deer out here, a doe and her two young ones, both males. She is quite big and does not mind standing up to the bucks around here. Except for Major, he is a little too big, everyone stays away from him.
I have not seen him this winter yet, but hopefully he will show up one of these days. He is a ten-point buck or was last winter. I really hope he is still around. There are no birds around right now. Actually, there have been none for about an hour now which is kind of odd. That is a long time.
There is also a female downy woodpecker that comes around. She is very brave and does not mind me standing out there talking to her. I wish I could coax her to my hand, that would be so fantastic. All of these things are wonderful country pleasures, right in town. Hmm, this is longer than usual, so guess I should stop. Have a most wonderful day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2022 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. The Accidental Murder Case. Chapter 11. Plans.
I decided to call Mr. B and find out some things. “What do you have in mind Steve?” he asked. “Well, John knows the trade well enough,” I said, “and he knows what ‘the Major’ and Victor are like, I think he would be a good person for this job. But he needs a woman to go with him, to make it look more natural. Unfortunately, they may know all the girls on the team, except maybe Sky, but she is already here, which complicates things. But you mentioned another woman that would like to join us, what is she like, is she brave?”
“Well, let me put it this way,” he said, “is Sky brave?” I smiled. “Okay, that is good enough for me,” I said, “now, do you think John and her can work together?” “Not a problem Steve,” he answered, “I think John could work with most anyone, and I am sure that Crystal would have no problems with John, even though they have not met. John could fill her in on her role easily enough.”
“Good, they need to travel out here together,” I said, “that will give John lots of time to explain things to her, if she is quick to learn. She just has to play her role and not slip, or they will both be dead.” “No worries there Steve,” said Baldwin, “Crystal learns fast, she will be perfect for the job, you will see. And she will be a great addition for the team. Oh, and she is very pretty, which likely will be an advantage for this plan of yours.”
“Most definitely,” I said, “this Major will expect John to have a pretty girl by his side, goes with the job. Now, here is the rest of the plan.” I detail everything to Baldwin, the only part that almost gave him a heart attack was using his money to put in a bank account for Alonzo. But we need that to make this plan work, um, hopefully work. I really hate to ask John and Crystal to do this, it is very dangerous, and since I have never met Crystal, well, putting her in such danger is not what I enjoy doing. Not at all.
I wish that Sky and myself could do this instead, but that just would not work, not with Alonzo already knowing us. Later that morning I call Mr. B. “Are John and Crystal there as well?” I asked. “We are,” said John, “I know this Victor, he saved my life once and I promised I would do the same for him sometime. He just laughed, but now I can do something for him, that will get us in for a meeting with the Major.
Crystal will be perfect for the job too, the girls and her have been out shopping for appropriate clothes for her this morning. She has 3 outfits, all she will need.” “Well Crystal, it is nice to meet you, what do you think?” I asked, “can you do this alright?” “Nice to meet you too Steve,” she said, “and yes, I can do this. The hardest part is these clothes that John wants me to wear. That Major and any friends with him will spend their time looking at me.”
“Major likely will not,” added John, “but his helpers will.” “Good, that is a good thing Crystal,” I said, “use that, flirt with them in a quiet way, but do not talk to them unless they talk to you.” “Yeah, that is what John was saying too,” she answered, “I keep quiet unless given permission to talk.” “She will work out okay,” I said, “just keep pumping info into her, John.” “Yep, I will do that,” he said, “we cannot make a mistake on this, or it will be our last.” “Okay, you 2 can leave now,” I said, “Mr. B and I have some things to discuss.”
They left and Baldwin locked the library doors. Only Annelie, Rock and Benson were allowed to stay. “Will you be able to get her profile in place Annelie?” I asked. “No problem,” she replied, “it is all done now, just getting her birth certificate and driver’s license done as we speak, she will have it this afternoon. The Major is coming out Thursday evening, quite late, so John said he will not meet with Alonzo until Friday afternoon at the earliest, most likely at dinner though. So, they will try to see him right after lunch if possible.”
“Good, that gives us 3 days on this end to try and find out more about Alonzo and his plans,” I said, “I know he is using this castle for his forgery, and possibly for other things as well. We just need to find out where it is all happening.” We talk a bit more, then hang up. I turn and look at Sky. “You are worried about Crystal and John,” she said, “I can tell.” “Come here,” I said. Meow.=Ohhhh, they at it again. Meow,meow.=Yep, I like it, I like it. They both giggle.
To Be Continued.
©2022 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 