Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Coffee Time. #2
Good morning everyone! I hope you are all well and enjoying your day so far. Muffin and I have had a great morning. She has been running around here so fast, playing with her green mouse this morning. She seems to have picked that one for her favorite toy these days. She does like to change things a bit now and then. But I could not believe how fast she was moving today.
She would run from the living room through the kitchen, the hall and into the bedroom, then back again. Sometimes carrying her mouse, other times just tossing the mouse and then running away, then coming back to sneak up on her mouse and pounce! I would then toss the mouse, she would jump for it, catch it and off she would go.
This is one of the outlets to our river.
She really wore herself out and now she is having her morning nap. It is a bit cooler this morning with a temp of 7F (-14C), but there is also wind which makes it feel colder. Still, not bad for January. But the forecast is calling for colder weather to arrive next week. We shall see if it happens or not.
Nice frosty bushes next to the river outlet.
As I sit here typing I am also enjoying my morning coffee while the sun shines in my face. Muffin has moved to her patch of sunshine. She always knows where to look for that sunshine depending on the time of day. Time to clean up my kitchen a bit and do some vacuuming today. That is something for this afternoon though.
My plants are enjoying the sunshine too, they are so nice and healthy this winter. It is cloudy most days this winter, but when the sun shines the leaves of the plants seem to take on such a bright green color, like they are jumping and dancing around for joy as the warm sun touches their leaves. Like the warm touch of the sun on my face and hands. I just got myself another cup of coffee, it tastes so good.
Walkway under the bridge by the river, looking towards the lake. That is frost on the grass, not snow, we still lack snow cover.
There are clouds all around right now, but over top of us there is a large patch of blue sky and bright sunshine. Muffin and I are soaking up that sun, enjoying every minute. For those reading my mystery story series, I said there would be a new update of characters posted Monday, I am a bit behind on that, but it will be out very soon. Honest.
Hmm, the clouds are moving closer though the sun is still trying to shine. I have talked with a couple people here who feed birds and they said there are not many birds at the feeders this year. The weather has been nice and with the lack of snow birds are able to find their own natural food easily this winter.
Some crazy people are actually driving on the lake already. That ice should not be considered safe yet. Just to the right of this pic is open water.
So, they do not go to feeders as much. But it would also be a good winter to get some different varieties of birds visiting the feeder. I do miss feeding the birds and other critters. I also miss the photo opportunities they used to give me. Oh well, things change all the time. 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 3. The Brothers.
I called Rock to see how things were where they were staying. He said only light snow at their location, but where the girls were they could get up to 3 feet of snow. That is a lot, they would be stuck out there for a long time. The mountain road is not a high priority road, so it can take days sometimes to get plowed.
The man from town does not plow the main road, but would come out as soon as possible to plow out the road on the property to the house. I tried calling Sky, but there was no service available. Perhaps the storm is affecting things. ”Hey Mr. B, I thought our phones would work most anywhere now,” I said. ”Most anywhere is the key,” he replied, “there are still a few dead areas around.”
“Naturally, and the girls are in one such area,” I said. They are well equipped though, so they should not have any problems, and since the cats have not called, then everything must be okay. It is a large 3 story house, but only half of the top floor has any furniture, all covered in white sheets. The other half of the top floor is locked and Dawn had no key for the door.
Unfortunately they did forget to bring lockpicking tools for Storm, or he could have unlocked it easily. The girls had a nice fire going in the fireplace and heater, plus the stove in the kitchen, so they were quite cozy and not really concerned. That is, except for one thing, why did their vehicles not work? Kristina did not say anything, but her and the cats took turns that night keeping watch, just in case they had visitors.
Meanwhile, back home it was an easy, relaxing day for us all. Most of the girls were enjoying some swim time in our large pool, the remainder were inside reading upstairs in the small library. Mac and Matt were out back with Tiger and Rusty. Annelie, Aasta, Kat and myself were in the main library talking. Muffin and Snow were with us too.
Baldwin was away on a business trip. We heard someone drive up to the house, so Kat went to check. ”Aasta’s brothers are here to talk with her,” she said. Aasta looked at me and I could tell she was afraid. ”Do I have to talk with them Steve?” she asked. ”No, you certainly do not,” I said, “I will go talk with them and tell them to leave.”
“No, wait, I, I will go with you,” she said, still looking scared. ”Snow, go find Mac and Matt, tell them there is trouble,” I told her. Off she went as fast as her little legs would run. Muffin came with us, as did Kat. I told Annelie to just watch from inside. ”Hold my hand?” asked Aasta. ”Of course, my sweet,” I said smiling. She relaxed when I said that.
Her brothers were standing by their car like Kat had told them. We went onto the steps. ”What do you want?” I asked. ”We just want to take Macie (Aasta’s old name) out for lunch in town and talk,” one said. ”I do not want to go anywhere with you two,” she said firmly, “I do not trust either of you.” ”There is your answer,” I said, “so you can leave now.” ”Hey, we have something here for dad,” they said, holding up an envelope.
“He is not here right now,” I said, “but I can give it to him when he returns.” Kat went down to get it. Aasta just looked at me shaking her head “no”. ”They are great pics of Macie that she gives to all her boyfriends,” said one of them, “she has had lots of boyfriends before you. Has she told you about them? She has been running around with guys for years.”
“That is a LIE!” she yelled back, squeezing my hand. ”You should look at those pics too boyfriend,” they said, “then you can see what that thing really is like. That thing is just a good for nothing…” ”SHUT UP!” I yelled, then turned to Aasta, “stay here my sweet, while I get a little closer to your brothers.” ”No, Steve, don’t,” she said with a very worried look.
But I was already going down the stairs. When I got to them I reminded them that I had told them to leave. ”I do not like to repeat myself,” I said, “so leave, now.” ”Kat,” said Aasta, “they will kill Steve, they are both tops in martial arts.” ”Muffin,” said Kat, “stay with Aasta.” ”Make me boyfriend,” said the one brother.
Before Kat got down the second brother kicked me hard in my lower back. I yelled loudly and fell. Kat was there quickly then and second brother was kicked hard, twice, falling against the car. My yell alerted the girls at the pool and they came running into the house and to the front door.
Three other men were hiding behind the car and jumped up to shoot. Kat had the first brother down in two kicks as well. Aasta got one man, Muffin tried but missed, then Mac and Matt each got one. Five of the girls quickly took me to the clinic. Mac followed behind in another car…
To Be Continued.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
