Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Coffee Time! #4
Good morning everyone! It is another chilly morning, though not so bad as yesterday. It was -38F (-39C) yesterday morning, but it did warm up to -30F (-34C) by mid afternoon, not exactly super warm. Okay, it was just cold. Plain cold. Skin numbing cold. I still went shopping though. I like to be wild and crazy sometimes.
I do remember walking down to the river when it was that cold. That meant being outside for nearly 2 hours. I was dressed warm though. My winter boots are good to -49F (-45C), so my feet were always warm walking to the river. These are the first boots I have had that actually keep my feet warm. I must admit, my feet get cold very easily, so it is nice to have boots that keep them warm.
This Red-breasted Nuthatch knows how to pose.
It is snowing lightly this morning. The temp was -30F (-35C) this morning, but it has warmed up a couple of degrees already. The sun is actually trying to shine right now too. I am sitting next to my living room window, coffee beside me, enjoying the view while remaining warm. That is about as wild and exciting I want to be today.
I need to vacuum in here today, wash the kitchen floor, then try to finish the dusting. That is one problem with having lots of smaller stuff, it does take a while to dust it all. Sigh. I do not mind really, if I did I would get rid of more stuff. But I like having lots of stuff. I have all that is needed to make a new laptop table, finally.
Same nuthatch, different pose, so nice.
I was going to buy one, but I just could not find one that fit what I wanted. This is a very simple idea and it should work out very nicely. If not I will jump up and down, pull my hair and bang my head against the wall. Well, not in actual fact. But I might think about doing it. Maybe. Okay, I am just joking, for anyone who might think I am serious.
My internet has gone off 3 times this morning already, so it is taking me a long time to get this done. I am sharing some pics of my winter bird friends from a couple years ago. They always pose so nicely. Too bad that people don’t do that. Pose nicely, I mean. There are some people who will pose nicely for a pic, I just have not found any yet. Sigh.
A nice simple pose by this Pine Siskin.
So I gave up. At least birds cooperate. Well, most of the time anyway. Oh well. Maybe I should just give up photography. It does get complicated sometimes. Oh well, minor details. I hope you all have a wonderful day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. The Mysterious Hidden Cabin. Chapter 14. Helicopters.
We left our story with a shot being fired downstairs in the cabin, which directed all the men to go take a look. Prior to this Steve, Aasta, Kat and 3 cats, had been kidnapped by Lauren. Plus finally, the girls, while watching the fireplace with the secret door, suddenly hear a man’s voice behind them. Now we take up our story.
“I mean what I say,” said the man, “with this gun I can take down all of you, either killing you, or at least stopping you, within about 2 seconds. Now, you must come with me, or your friends in the other room will be killed, as will your precious Steve.” That is when Dawn called out, “Storm!” Storm came out from under the stove, growling.
Then he began his terrifying scream! Ginger came out of the other room, growling as well, and Tiger was on the counter next to the man, also growling. None of the cats had their backpacks on, something the girls regretted. The scream from Storm really got the man’s attention though, so Ginger jumped onto the man’s arm and Tiger jumped on the man’s face.
The man screamed now and Storm wrapped himself around the man’s leg, clawing and biting. As the man grabbed Tiger, Dawn turned quickly and kicked the man in the stomach, twice, saying, “You will not hurt my Steve!” Then a kick to the side of his head and he was knocked against the wall, and out.
Ginger had jumped off just in time. The guys had heard the screaming and came running back up, fast as they could, but they were getting kind of tired now after doing this a few times. The girls were standing looking at Dawn, Aari had heard her as well.
Dawn just went quietly to her mattress and lay down on her stomach. Aari followed her and sat on the floor, talking with Dawn. Whatever he said to her sure perked her up in a hurry and she soon came out to the others. ”Well, it looks like we have 2 prisoners,” said Rock, “this man and the one we found downstairs that had shot Clarence. This one might be our best chance however.”
“Sorry I kicked him so hard Rock,” said Dawn, “but he wanted to hurt Steve by killing Sky.” ”You did the right thing Dawn,” said Rock, “now, I need to go outside and call Mr. B.” Rock came back inside after a while and told the others what Mr. B had told him. Two helicopters will soon arrive and take the wounded back to safety. Plus two others will be taken back as well, Dawn and Aari.
They will be the team leaders to track down Lauren, wherever she might be. ”I think Dawn should be in charge completely Rock,” Aari said, “I do not mind taking orders from her, and if she needs help then I will be close by to help her. And between Annelie and myself, we should have enough contacts to track down Lauren.” ”Okay,” said Rock, “that is the way it will be done then.”
Just as promised the cats soon called out that the choppers were coming. The large helicopters hovered overhead while stretchers were lowered and then raised again with the injured. Bridgette had come along to replace Chantelle, so she could have a break, and Penny and Roxette also came along to help replace two of the injured girls. The choppers also dropped more supplies in for the team.
After the injured were aboard the choppers, then the others went aboard the next chopper to head back to a nearby city where a jet was waiting to bring them all back home. Rock stayed upstairs with the girls, while the rest of the guys went back down to that big safe door. Clarence had found out 2 of the numbers, so they just needed 2 more.
They brought Tiger with them this time after finding out Mac had been teaching him the fine art of opening locks. ”Why did you not tell us before?” asked John. Meow.=You not ask. ”Sounds like Clarence all over again!” said Miles laughing. ”Very funny,” said John rolling his eyes.
John held Tiger next to the big door to listen while Miles tried finding the remaining numbers. It only took 4 tries and they had the combination and opened the big door. They called to Rock and the others that the door was open. They shone their flashlights into the small, dark room. They were quite shocked by what they saw…
To Be Continued.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 