Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Wandering Through Wednesday. #18
Good morning to all of you! It was such a beautiful sunny morning earlier, then the clouds moved in and now it feels quite chilly again. The forecast states that it will be sunny all day, guess the forecasters forgot to tell the clouds that little bit of information. Seems like the forecasters would be able to see all this cloud cover out there before issuing their forecast this morning. But perhaps the clouds hid behind a cloud so they could not be seen.
I just could not resist that one. Oh well. Because of the sun and all the birds around I decided to go out for some pictures before writing my post this morning. In 10 minutes it was cloudy. It takes about that long for the birds to start coming back to the feeders after I go out. I stayed another 10 minutes but the clouds got heavier and it became quite dull out there, not exactly the best for good photos.
It does work with birds at the feeders, but it still looks nicer with the sun shining. Especially with certain birds, like grackles. They are really a beautifully colored bird when seen in the sun. One was a purple head, one was a blue head and the other was part of both. Then with their shining bronze bodies having that metallic sheen, they are beautiful. Even though they might not be the nicest bird to have around, they can take over a feeder and eat everything in sight.
But really, all birds look more colorful in the sun. Sometimes clouds can be good for certain types of photos, but I still prefer sunshine. It was so nice standing on the deck early this morning and listening to that chorus of birds in the trees, warming themselves in the morning sun. A robin had been singing since before daybreak, such a wonderful spring treat. A white-throated sparrow was also singing, and the fox sparrow.
So far there is only one of each, which is very odd since it is so late for both of them. A south wind is supposed to start up today so maybe that will bring in more birds. I hope so. After Friday we will be back to several days of clouds and rain, plus cooler temps again. But all of May is supposed to be like that, cooler than normal and more rain than normal. That will cut down on my photo opportunities, so I will have to be busy on the nice days.
Yesterday was certainly nice and sunny and I managed to get a lot of good photos of birds at the feeders. Plus a few of chipmunks coming onto my lap to get peanuts. If the sun actually comes back out today I am going to check the path to the river and see how far I get. While standing outside this morning I heard a loon calling, oh, that was so beautiful. I just love the call of the loon. Great way to start the day. Well, thank you very much for joining me this morning everyone! Have a great day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin. (Praying for the people of Ukraine)
©2022 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. The Sniper Mystery. Chapter 11. Found.
Baldwin had already gone back to the chateau with Jennifer, so 7 of the girls and Benjamin were there and they started a search of the chateau. Kat phoned Baldwin, “What? How could he disappear?”, yelled Baldwin. “I have no idea, there is no way out of here without our special pass cards, they are the only way to open any of the doors,” she answered, “how many security people did you leave here?”
“There should be 8 over there now,” Baldwin said. “There are 9,” said Kat, “and one is wearing special dark glasses to help him see better he said.” “That one is not mine!”, yelled Baldwin, “get him, I want him!” Kat hung up and found Rock and told him. Rock quickly found the man with the glasses, picked him up and slammed him against the wall. Kat took his glasses off but it was not Stinger. “Who are you?”, asked Kat.
The man just spit in her face. Wrong thing to do with Rock holding him against the wall. He then slammed him twice more against the wall and then hit him hard in the stomach. The man groaned and his head dropped. “Don’t kill him Rock, Baldwin wants him,” said Kat. Then she saw a piece of paper sticking out of his shirt pocket. “Hmm, what is this?”, she said and took it out. It was a note that read, “Steve is outside under the oak tree.”
They ran out there and sure enough I was lying on the ground, unhurt, except for my original wound. They brought me back in to my room, then Kat and a couple of men took the guy back to the chateau. After dropping him off they quickly returned to the clinic. Chung met Kat, “it is Muffin’s heart, but I am sure she will be okay,” he said, “but she will have to be careful from now on.” “That will be hard for her,” said Kat, “what about MC?”
“He was hurt worse than I thought at first,” he said, “much bruising and broken bones, but he too will be okay in time.” “And the girls?”, she asked, not really wanting to though. Chung’s always optimistic smile vanished and he shook his head. “We do all we could,” he began, “Aurela has died, not yet sure about Lajla, it does not look good for her.” He then went to look at me. Kat was starting to get more angry by the minute.
Stinger must be stopped, but now he has others working with him, that will make it more difficult. However, she determined to get him no matter what. It was my turn for surgery, Annelie was out and back in her room. As they took me in the room, Chung turned to Kat, “Steve has had many injuries before…”, he said, “please do not expect too much.” He then followed the other doctor into the operating room. Kat sat down, was Chung trying to tell her I would not make it?
Rock sat down with her. “Hey, don’t worry Kat, Steve will make it,” he said. “How come you are not with Annelie?”, she asked. “The doctor said she would be sleeping for a while yet,” he said, “and Mriya is with her right now.”
Meanwhile, back at the chateau… “This guy showed up at the gate,” said one of the men to Baldwin. “Hey Mr. B, Jake here to help out if I can,” said Jake. “Just a minute,” said Baldwin, and he called for Jennifer. She came into the library. “Jake, I don’t believe it,” she said surprised to see him, “what are you doing here?” “Hey Jenny girl,” he said, “I come to help.” “So this is really Jake?”, asked Baldwin. “Yes, he sure is,” said Jennifer, “though I am sure surprised he left home!”
“Hey, I got some news that might help,” he said, “Stinger is hooked up with that John you are always looking for.” “We thought that,” said Baldwin, “we just don’t know where John is right now.” “Well, he is not here,” said Jake, “he’s in London right now. But the Stinger is here with some of John’s men.” “That is how he got in here,” said Jenny.
“Right you are girl,” said Jake, “do you know of a place that is known as a hilltop mansion?” “Yes,” said Baldwin, “it is on the other side of town and up for sale.” “And that is where Stinger and friends are staying right now,” said Jake. Jennifer called the others down to meet Jake and give them the news. “I will get more men together,” said Baldwin.
“No, this is for us,” said Jenny, “besides, it will be easier to surprise them with fewer people involved.” “So right Jenny girl,” said Jake, “and I’m coming along on this one.” Jennifer was about to say something. “I’m going,” he said to her, “this is my fight now too.” Jenny smiled, “Okay Jake, you are definitely welcome to come along.”
To Be Continued.
©2022 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 