Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning. You know, over the years I have come to realize, that school taught me to read, but the fields taught me what really matters.

It’s a cloudy morning waking up here in the north. The sun showed herself briefly earlier, just enough to tease us before ducking back behind the clouds. The air feels thick, like it’s holding its breath, waiting to see what the day will bring. However, it will get to a high of 78°F (26°C) today and there is a chance of showers. Truth told, it’s shaping up to be one of those warm, muggy days when the weather can’t make up its mind.

Looking Ahead:

• Tonight: The skies are expected to clear up, giving us a low of 61°F (16°C). A good night to sit out and enjoy the calm after the day’s humidity.
• Friday, May 16: Warm temperatures continue, with a high of 74°F (23°C). However, be prepared for periods of rain, a possible thunderstorm and possibly some sunshine later on in the day. The evening will cool down to 57°F (14°C).
• Saturday, May 17: The day starts breezy with a couple of showers, but we can expect intervals of clouds and sun as it progresses. Temperatures will reach a high of 65°F (18°C) and drop to a low of 45°F (7°C) at night.

Highway 522 is picking up more every day now, with folks opening up their cottages and getting their boats ready for the season. Well, I should say some are. That used to be the trend—fishing, that is—but with all the new kinds of folks coming in, it seems like that part has slowly faded. Sad to see, really. These days, it’s all about speed boats, jet skis, and big pontoon boats where people can sit and party out on the water.

I have to say, things sure have changed over the years.

I remember heading out with my old dad many years ago, just the two of us and a wooden fishing pole. We’d dig for worms earlier that morning and toss ’em in an old tin can. No fancy tackle or gear. Maybe a baloney sandwich tucked into a paper bag, and a cool drink of spring water from the dipper in the pail to wash it down.

Simple days, but I’ll tell you, those were the ones I really enjoyed. Just being with my dad, quiet moments shared between bites, both from the fish and our sandwiches. No engines roaring, no music blasting across the lake. Just the sound of water lapping at the boat and the occasional splash of a fish jumping. You know, it wasn’t just about catching fish, it was about being there with my Dad enjoying the peace and quietness of what nature had to offer. Miss them days.

Bug Report:

Well, them blackflies are out in full force now, buzzing around and annoying folks left and right. Not much a person can do about it other than make the best of things. One bit of advice—don’t go slathering yourself in smelly perfumes or soaps. All that does is make things worse.

Me, I stick to good old unscented Dove or Ivory—and not much of that either. My wife’s the same way. She washes all our clothes with unscented soap, which helps more than folks might think.

I’ve been seeing a lot of people using that DEET stuff, thinking it’s the magic answer. But I swear, soon as those little pests catch a whiff of it, they start ringing the dinner bell—”Hey boys, we got some ripe ones over here!”

On another note, yesterday, my wife and I spent most of the day getting our first mowing done for the year. Took a bit of doing, seeing as it was the first cut and the grass had been growing by leaps and bounds. But once it was all said and done, it sure looked nice.

I’ll say this, though—we were both more than ready to sit back and relax after all that.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today—if the rain holds off—I’m planning on working up our vegetable gardens. I’m really looking forward to the smell of the freshly turned soil. There’s just something about it, I’ve always liked. I guess that’s the farmer in me.

Anyway, that’s the plan for today, that is if my old rotivator behaves. She’s from way back in the sixties, and being that old, she can get a bit temperamental from time to time. Which, to be fair, I can understand—being a touch older myself.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I’ll sip on a hot cup of cocoa while we have our morning chat—and then, well, we’ll just see what the day really has in store for me.

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