Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Winter Insulators! Part 1.
It was still dark when we got up this morning and it was rather cold for this time of year. There was a new covering of snow, about 2 inches, and it was a light fluffy type of snow. And it was clear, the stars were still shining brightly. And it was cold. But at least there was no wind, so the day shouldn’t be too bad. I could hardly believe we would be going out on a day like this. Even harder to believe that I would agree to such a thing, a brief lapse in sanity I suppose. But it was what it was, and it certainly was cold. Or did I mention that already?
Hmm, the fire was crackling nicely in the antique cook stove in the kitchen. Sounded so nice. Felt even nicer. Maybe we should wait for a warmer day, I suggested. Nonsense, it’s a perfect day, said dad. Not too cold, no wind, and that pond should be nicely frozen by now, he continued. If the pond is frozen so well, how do we get at the insulators?, I asked. Those cross arms were sticking up high enough that we should be able to pull them out quite easily, said dad. And, of course, I will bring the axe just in case we need to chop a bit of ice, he added. With us standing on that same ice?, I asked again. Nothing to worry about, said dad.
Odd. Whenever I said something like that, dad always said it made him worry even more. Oh well, at least we were warm when we left. And it was now light, though the sun had not yet risen. It did look like a nice day. It would have looked even nicer from indoors by that roaring fire and drinking a nice hot cup of coffee. Sigh. We had a bit of a drive to get to this fantastic spot, which is why we left so early. Of course the little road we wanted to go on had not been plowed since winter arrived and the snow was just too deep to drive through, so… Oh well, a little extra walking isn’t so bad.
The snow had drifted on that first part of the road so it was a bit more than knee deep, not exactly easy walking. Dad went first on this part since he was bigger than me. Snowshoes would have been easier for this, I said. Actually, I had mentioned that before we left home. Forget it, said dad, this isn’t so bad and it will get better soon. Right, I thought. Dad was remembering the last time out on snowshoes. He didn’t fare so well and ended up tripping because he stepped on one of the snowshoes and found himself face down in the snow. And he couldn’t get up. Poor dad, I just stood there laughing so hard I could barely stand up. That was quite a day. But at least it was warmer than this particular day.
Anyway, once we made it to the trees the snow wasn’t so deep so walking was much easier, and faster. Finally, after what seemed like hours, we made it to the pond along the railway tracks. We made good time, said dad, less than half an hour. That’s all? We had to go downhill a bit to the pond but the snow was quite hard packed at this spot. Those trains can really whip up the wind and it packs the snow good and hard. Good time for coffee, I suggested. We just got here, said dad, let’s get some insulators first. I figured he would say that. It was cold. And windy.
This will be continued…
If you are wondering what insulators are all about, check this post I wrote; https://stevescountry.com/2019/06/14/insulators-what-are-those-things
Steve and Muffin.
© 2020 Steve McLeod.
20/20 Investigations, Inc…Chapter 8.
Muffin, where are you? She poked her little head out from a small cupboard, then came slowly over to me. How did you get your tail caught in a mousetrap? Meow. What do you mean, “never mind”? I gently remove the trap from her tail and feel to make sure everything is okay. Now be more careful, you scared me half to death with that shriek of yours. Meow? Yes, your tail is just fine, but it will likely be sore for a while. Meow, meow! Oh, you found something too? Good girl, what is it? Hmm, a book on that table with no dust on it. Hey, it’s a history book of this area and there’s a chapter marked in it.
Let’s go in the other room where there’s more light and read this chapter. We get comfortable in the old rocking chair. Okay now, let’s take a look at what it has to say, maybe we will pick up a clue in here that will help us. Look at this Muffin, it actually talks about Mrs. Baker and her family. Apparently she was quite wealthy but always invested in buying gold instead of putting her money in the bank. Some people, though, think it’s just a local legend and that she really wasn’t very wealthy at all. Well, that doesn’t help too much.
Hmm, here’s something odd Muffin. It says that Mrs. Baker only had one child, a son, yet John told us she had 2 children. There’s something wrong here Muffin, but I’m just not sure what it is yet. We definitely need to find that woman, I’m sure she’s the key to this mystery. Meow? Yes, I’m talking about the ghost. Only she’s not a ghost! Hmm, this is an odd time to get cuddly Muffin. Meow. Oh, you’re not, then what’s…Muffin points behind me with her tail. I turn around and there’s the woman, but…she’s glowing!
Okay, I don’t know how you’re doing that but we are going to have a talk, and right now! I ran over and managed to grab her arm before she could get away. She struggled like a wildcat to get free and we wrestled till we were both on the floor. Hey Muffin, I could use a bit of help here! She ran over and “Chomp”! AAAAA!!!! Muffin, I’m on your side, remember? Meow. (sorry). “Chomp”! AAAAAAAAA!!!!!, screamed the woman. I now had her pinned to the floor. Okay, now let’s do some talking, I said.
Are you going to keep sitting on me? I’m quite comfortable, I said, do some talking and I will consider letting you get up. Watch her feet Muffin. Muffin growled loudly. Okay, said the woman, please don’t let her bite me again! My name is Lydia Baker. Wait a minute, I said, we’ve been down that road already. That’s Mrs. Baker’s name, but you are not her. I’m her great granddaughter, she continued. Okay, are you John’s sister or cousin? John isn’t even a relative, he’s just after the gold, and I can prove it too!
So far you’re doing okay so I’ll let you get up. But we’re going to keep talking. Okay, said Lydia, I’ll tell you what this is all about, I have the proof in this room. Fine, let’s go see this proof. Are you going to keep holding my arm so tightly? For now…I don’t want you disappearing again. And don’t forget, Muffin is watching your bare feet. Meow! Muffin growls again. Muffin isn’t too happy that you have been scaring her so much. I had to do that, I wasn’t sure if you could be trusted.
To be continued.
Steve and Muffin.
© 2020 Steve McLeod.
