Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Autumn and Insulators. Part 3.
Hello everyone on this beautiful autumn day in October! It was nice and sunny all day and the temperature climbed all the way to 61F, or 16C. Okay, it’s not that warm, but for this time of year it’s quite nice for us. Just a reminder before continuing with my story today. I have mentioned this before but some of you may have missed that post. My Dad passed away a number of years ago and these stories are mostly from when I was a teen.
We had a lot of adventures together and things always seemed to happen to Dad on these adventures. Things happened to me at times too, just not very often. Dad was the one who was accident prone. I am now though which is a bit odd. But let’s continue with out story. Poor Dad, he had to sit there in wet clothes. But at least it was warm in the sun. He sat on a rock far from me. “Hard to talk when you’re so far away,” I said. “It’s just fine,” he replied. Strange. “Do you think you could bring me my thermos of coffee without hitting me with it?,” he asked.
“Sure,” I said, “no problem at all.” “That’s what you said last time,” Dad reminded me. I gave it to him along with his sandwiches. “Amazing,” he said. Not sure what he meant by that. Dad yelled, almost choking on his coffee. “Don’t do that,” I said, “I almost spilled my coffee.” What a look on Dad’s face. Priceless. “You didn’t put any milk and sugar in my coffee,” he finally managed to say. “Naturally,” I said, “you told me not to because I didn’t do it right last time.”
Dad just looked. He used to do that a lot. Then dad said quietly, “oh, right, I forgot. I can’t drink this coffee,” he said, “it’s absolutely terrible.” “Why not fill your cup half full and I will top it off with some of mine,” I said, “at least it will have some milk and sugar.” Dad thought for a moment then agreed to try it. “Ugh, this is still terrible,” he said, “not sweet enough.” I didn’t use as much sugar as Dad. But at least he had no problems with his sandwiches. And he did drink some of the coffee.
I offered to give him a full cup. He accepted. So I went over and filled his cup, which he held out quite far. “Don’t trust me, do you,” I said. “Not a bit,” he replied. “Thanks. Here, you can have the rest of my coffee,” he offered. “Sure,” I said. He bent over to pick it up. I bent down to get it too. I got it first and lifted it up. Unfortunately because Dad was bent over I hit him on the forehead with the thermos. Oddly, that knocked his hat off and his glasses and caused him to spill his cup of coffee on himself. I looked and said, “did you think you were getting too dry?”
That did it. I started to laugh again. Just couldn’t help myself. Dad just looked. Then he came over and said he wanted his thermos of coffee back. “Okay,” I said, and handed it to him. Now, I just could not believe what followed. He opened the thermos and poured it on my head!! Most of it went down my back because I was wearing a hat. “AAAAAAAA!,” I said, “What was that for?”
“I thought you were looking too dry,” he said. Then he broke out with this kind of hysterical laughter. That was just so hard to believe that he would do such a thing. I thought I could get this finished today, guess not. There will have to be one more part. I hope you are enjoying this little adventure, one of our more “exciting” trips looking for insulators. Well, a lot happened anyway. Have a great week everyone and God bless!
Steve. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. The Mystery of Balding House. Chapter 8. Home.
Well, now we know that they hid listening devices in the old house, obviously in the living room since they didn’t go anywhere else. We hid some in the offices of Henderson Collectors Company, in Chuck’s office and in the main office where people first come inside. Now we know that they will be trying to get their hands on Roxie first because then Jenna will do whatever they want from her. Now, we must protect Roxie first of all and hopefully this news will help to persuade Jenna that it’s in their best interest to come here for protection.
Of course, the best way to put a stop to this whole thing is to find whatever it is these people want, and let them know we have it. That likely wouldn’t stop them from going after Jenna and Roxie though. We need them back here. We could just put them to sleep and bring them back, but that might backfire on us, it is necessary for Jenna to see the need to come here on her own. We will soon find out if that will be possible. Jennifer had let Jenna listen to the conversation of Chuck and the crooked cop so she could see the danger Roxie was in.
At first Jenna was angry that these people would hurt a 5 year old girl to get what they wanted. She was also scared for Roxie because Jenna didn’t know anything about what they wanted. Actually, she must know but for some reason she has forgotten or has deliberately shut it out of her memory for some reason. We need her to remember. Galyna has begun to work with her to see if she really knows something and just repressed the memory, or perhaps she really doesn’t know that she knows.
It could be something cryptic which to her means nothing right now but perhaps something will bring it to her remembrance at some point when something special happens. Like perhaps Roxie’s birthday, or her own birthday, though not just any birthday but a specific milestone of some kind. This is what Galyna thinks it might be anyway. I guess we shall find out, or not, eventually. “I guess it would be best for Roxie and I to go with you back to wherever you live,” said Jenna, “I hate to leave this old house, it holds so many memories of my parents and I when I was growing up. But Roxie’s life is more important than anything else right now and I need to be with her.”
“Good thinking,” said Jennifer, “we will still continue to work on this case and try to find out what these people want from you. Then hopefully we can find that item before they do. Most likely it is inheritance from your parents. Please try to think of what it might be, even once you are back home with us. We can take you both tonight which would be ideal, before these people try to get at Roxie.” “Can we get a plane that quickly?” asked Jenna, “I know you live…”
Jennifer interrupted her at that point saying it was best not to mention anything specific. Jenna understood that but was still a bit perplexed at how they would get here overnight. “Just trust us,” said Jennifer, “I will come along with you as well.” She then communicated with me that they would be coming back right away. “What is that?” asked Jenna as Jennifer was about to touch her neck with her ring. “This will keep you from getting sick on the journey,” said Jennifer, “our mode of transportation can upset your stomach if you’re not used to it.”
Soon they were in our library and since Roxie was already asleep, Jennifer didn’t have to use our drug on her. It was late, so we just took them to their room and told Jenna they can sleep as late as they want. Jenna wanted to know about breakfast so I gave her two times since we eat in two shifts. There are too many of us now to eat all at the same time. Sky brought Galyna back home too since she needs to be here to help with Jenna. The next morning Jenna and Roxie were up early and ready to join the first group of diners.
“YAY, ‘nother girl my age to play with!” said Steffie and she introduced herself to Roxie. The two of them sat beside each other and talked nonstop, then once they finished their pancakes off they went to see all the cats, at least the ones that were still at home. “I still don’t understand how you got us here so fast,” said Jenna. “Well, we do have our own jets, two of them in fact,” I said, “so we can get to where we are going much faster. No waiting for commercial airlines.” “But we left home at 6pm and arrived here at midnight,” she said, “I know it would take longer than that to fly such a distance.”
“Well, that has to remain a secret for now,” I told her, “but please trust us, we really do want to help you and Roxie by keeping you alive and helping to find whatever it is those people want.” “I do trust you, completely,” she said, “and thank you for helping us, I really don’t know how I’m going to pay you though. I don’t have money unless I sell my house and I’m beginning to think that might be the best thing to do. Then Roxie and I can start over somewhere else.” “This is a wonderful area to live,” said Jennifer, “and we could always use the extra help around here.”
“I’m not sure I could help as a private investigator,” she said, “but I’m good at cleaning and I love to cook.” That was all that Nadia needed to hear. “You hire her now,” said Nadia, “I need some good help with the cooking. Some of these other girls, no good for cooking at all, and if Misty or Cristy come back in my kitchen I will quit!” We all laughed at that one. Those twins are definitely not cooks. As we were sitting in the library later Steffie and Roxie came running in to see us. “Daddy, look, Roxie have Jenna’s heart!” she said excitedly, “and it have letters on it!”
To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
