Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Country Pleasures! Part 1.
Hi everyone and Happy Sunday! The day began with a beautiful, bright, blue, sky. Then right around noon the clouds began to move in and now it is mainly cloudy again, but still a few blue patches up there. I love to see that blue sky, it is definitely one of my favorite country pleasures. But watching fluffy white clouds floating past is also a wonderful country pleasure and fun to see.
Muffin on her blanket.
Of course Muffin is also one of my favorite country pleasures as well. There is just something so nice and cozy to see Muffin curled up in front of the fireplace on a cold winter day, or night. It would be even better if I had that fireplace for her, but I do have a fake fireplace which looks nice anyway. I still enjoy the sight. Or curled up on her Buffalo plaid blanket. That one we do have.
Forest path by the river.
Walking down a forest path is another country pleasure that is just so amazingly enjoyable. Whether there is water close by or not, that forest path produces the feeling of solitude and calm, removing any thoughts of stress completely.
Down at the river where I often like to sit.
When there is a river close by then that is also a wonderful country pleasure that I thoroughly enjoy. I love to sit by the river’s edge on a bench and drink in that beautiful scene. It is another place to enjoy solitude and just let that stress float away down the river.
Song sparrow singing in spring.
The sights and sounds along the river are another wonderful country pleasure as I listen to the birds singing, so many different species, some very loud, others quiet. But they all blend in to produce such an amazing chorus of wondrous songs.
Common Loon.
Along the river is a great place to see the Common Loon as they first return from the south. I love to listen to loons as they call to each other with that long, sort of mournful wilderness call that is so fascinating. Or another call which sounds as if they are laughing together and just having a great time.
Wild Black Currant with new leaves and flower in early spring.
Another wonderful country pleasure is the first sight of green leaves in the spring, showing new life springing forth after the barrenness of winter has past. I usually see the tiny green leaves of the black currant first, along with their little flowers, blooming so early in the spring.
More wonderful green leaves beginning to show.
But other tiny green leaves are quick to follow as the temperature rises in the spring.
Beautiful Moon.
Then at the end of day, as the sky darkens and the stars appear, we have the moon shining every so brightly. That is truly another country pleasure to enjoy on a mild spring, or warm summer night. Country pleasures abound all around us if we just take the time to look for them.
Country pleasures can be found even within a city. I hope you have enjoyed this look at some of my favorite country pleasures today. I will share some more on another day. Have a great day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. The French Chateau Case. Chapter 5. Missing Fitters.
Jennifer caught Cynthia in the kitchen talking to the cats and overheard what she was saying, which is why she asked how old she was. “Um, are, are you going to tell Steve right away?” asked Cynthia, “Please, could you wait until after Mandar talks with him? Otherwise I will not have a chance. I have memorized the rule book and know that someone must be 18 or older to join.
But Mandar has such a cool way of talking and maybe he can convince Steve to give me a chance anyway. I just want a chance. I can be really helpful in many ways.” Then she got some cups out of the cupboard for the coffee and knocked two of them on the floor, breaking them. That is when she swore, fairly loud, just as Sky was walking into the kitchen.
“Well Midnight,” she said, quite discouraged, “guess it is back home for us.” Meower.=That okay, we have each other, two missing fitters. Cynthia hugged him. Jewel put her head down when she heard they would be leaving. Sky asked what was going on and Cynthia told her story to Sky and Jennifer. She had been in a foster home since she was 1 after her mom died, and swearing was encouraged in that home.
As she grew up she finally could hardly say 3 words without swearing. She had been put in a special school for kids that did not fit in regular schools. “We learned a lot, but nothing good,” she said, “we learned to drink, do drugs, steal, fight, lie, cheat, if it was bad, we learned how to do it.” She had been abused by her foster dad from the age of 6 to 10, when she was moved to a special orphanage for misfits.
That is what they were told repeatedly. Then when she was 14 Mandar was touring the orphanage and spotted her. She treated Mandar terribly, calling him names and swearing at him. But he took her out, gave her a job and began teaching her, correctly. Sky and Jennifer went to talk with me in the library and I then called Cynthia who came right away bringing in coffee for me and Baldwin, plus tea for Mandar.
I put Cynthia out to the team and we held a vote and she was accepted 100%. Cynthia is just 16 but is amazing at solving puzzles, problems and can fight well, use a handgun as good as Sky, Jennifer, Kat and Dawn. Mandar had a man he recommended to us also, Wee Willie, he called him. At 6ft 3 inches and 250 lbs, he seemed quite big. Rock had a cousin come out to help us right away too, Bear, and he was 6ft 4 inches and 280lbs.
Astrid brought a friend back with her also, Oskar, 6ft 2inches and 240lbs. All were voted in as members right away, but would still have to pass our tests later. Well, by the time everyone had returned, it was too late in the day for us to do anything. “We will get an early start in the morning,” I said, “Matt could not give us anything to help, the men arrived in armored trucks, light brown in color, but no identification on them.
They knew about our abilities obviously, which is why they used such vehicles. They moved quickly, knowing exactly what to do ahead of time. They were well prepared, knew the layout of our chateau and said nothing while here, apparently, according to a couple of the girls. Instead of taking their wounded, they shot them in the head to kill them so they could not talk.
This is tied to our case at the other chateau, I’m sure, so that is where we will start in the morning, so be ready to leave early. Teams 5 and 6 will remain behind to guard things, Team 4 will come with us. Teams 1 and 2 are guarding the clinic, Team 3 will be here unless we need them. Sky will stay behind on the computer, Honey will stay to help with the girls, Snow, Tiia and Bandit will also stay behind. Get some sleep, we leave early.”
“Cynthia,” said Sky, “I am making you one of Steve’s bodyguards, letter A. Do you know what that means?” “I never let him out of my sight,” she replied. “Good,” said Sky, “unless Steve needs you for something else, then he will replace you.” With our new members, there are 23 of us, mad as hornets, plus 9 from Team 4. We left early in the morning and arrived at the other chateau around 7am.
That should catch them at home. Muffin, Rusty and Ginger immediately went off looking for the cats outside. Amazingly, my back was feeling incredibly good. I went to the door and Aari opened it, but when he saw me he began to close the door again. However, Rock pushed the door open and in we all went…
To Be Continued.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
