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Good Morning… My old Dad used to say: “George, life doesn’t come with instructions — just blisters and the occasional success.”

So, starting things off this morning with this. We’re once again waking up to a sky full of clouds here in Cottage Country. Not the heavy kind that bring a storm, just those soft, slow-moving ones that make everything feel a bit quieter. It’s the kind of morning where the coffee tastes a little better and the chores can wait just a little longer. You get the feeling the day’s still deciding what sort of mood it’s in.

Here’s how things are shaping up weather-wise for Port Loring:

Today, we’re looking at mostly cloudy skies, but there’ll be some sunny patches breaking through later on. It should warm up to around 70°F (21°C). There’s a small chance of a light shower, but it’s more of a spit than a soaking, so no real reason to change your plans.

Tonight, the skies will remain partly cloudy, with a low dipping to around 52°F (11°C). Might be a good night for a light sweater if you’re out checking on the garden or sitting under the basswood tree.

Tomorrow, it’s shaping up to be a nice one, with a mix of sun and clouds, with a high near 73°F (23°C). No big wind to speak of, so it’ll be a fine day to get some work done or… just enjoy being out and about.

Highway 522 has picked up traffic wise a wee bit and will continue that way for the rest of the summer.

Bug Report:
Well, the black flies—as I’ve been saying—have been taking a bit of a break thanks to the cooler, wet weather. But late yesterday, I noticed they’re starting to roam again, drifting around and looking for fresh blood… and meat, for that matter. When they bite, it sometimes feels like they take a piece of you with them.

And then—well, if you give in and scratch it, that’s when the real fun begins. That itch digs in and just doesn’t want to leave.

But here’s a little trick we’ve found helpful. If you dab a bit of hand sanitizer—the kind with around 60% alcohol—on the bite as soon as you can, it’ll ease the itch quite a bit. Not a cure-all, but it takes the edge off.

Also, a reminder: wash all your clothes using unscented soap, and do the same with your body and hands. My wife and I stick to plain unscented soaps like Dove or Ivory up here in the north, and it really does help. You’d be surprised how much of a difference that simple change can make. Oh, and It even cuts down on mosquitoes, which, by the way, are starting to show up now too. Might be a bad year for them with all this damp weather hanging around.

On another note:
Yesterday, I worked the day away—part of it outside and the rest in the woodworking shop—setting out more of the things we’ll be putting up for sale. Between that and looking after the folks who dropped by, we were kept on our toes pretty much all day. Never a dull moment when you’re trying to clear space and make a few bucks at the same time.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, glad you asked. Today, my wife and I are planning to get our vegetable gardens planted. First, though, I need to till it up one more time. I already went over it twice earlier this month, but since I covered it with grass cuttings from the last two mowings, it needs another good working-in. That’ll help give the soil some life—and the veggies some real flavour. The kind you just can’t buy in a store these days.

You know, if someone blindfolded you and handed you one of those store-bought tomatoes, most folks wouldn’t even know it was a tomato. No taste whatsoever. These days it’s all about looks, not flavour—or what’s actually good for you.

At any rate, that’s the plan around here today. Once the planting’s done, we’ll sit back and let summer unroll around us, just the way it’s meant to.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I’ll get to work—well, right after we’ve had our morning chat and a cup of hot cocoa.

I sure do enjoy that little ritual each day. There’s just something about cocoa in the morning that sets the tone. It warms you from the inside out and slows the world down for a while. Kinda makes the day feel a little more grounded before the noise starts. You know, some folks need coffee to get going, me… I’ll take that quiet moment with cocoa and conversation any day. Especially if it’s with my little woman.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW