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Good morning, folks. Over Forty years of writing taught me patience, the kind you don’t find on the spur of the moment. Which is what is needed in the world we live in today.

It looks like we’re in for a really nice day here in cottage country. The sun is just starting to show herself, casting shadows through the trees, and it’s one of those sights that makes you want to stop and take it all in.

Today in Port Loring, the sky’s gonna be partly sunny, with the sun peeking through like she’s teasing you out for a good ol’ country day. The temperature’ll climb up to a nice, easy 74°F (23°C) which isn’t too hot, or too cold, just right for puttin’ on your boots and heading out to the lake or the garden. You might even hear the birds singin’ louder as they soak up the sunshine. If you’re anything like me, it’s a perfect day to grab a coffee and maybe sit on the porch, and watch the world mosey on by.

Come nighttime, the day’s heat’ll mellow out to a mild 55°F (13°C). So if you’re sittin’ around a campfire or star-gazin, you’ll want a light jacket or a cozy blanket. The air’ll be cool but gentle, just enough to keep the bugs down and the crickets up.

Now, tomorrow’s shaping up to be even better. Mostly sunny skies will shine down on us, pushin’ the thermometer up to around 77°F (25°C). That’s the kinda day where you wanna be outside, maybe puttering around the cottage, fixing a fence, or just kickin’ back with friends and family. The evening will settle back down to a pleasant 56°F (13°C), clear and quiet as a whisper. Perfect for sittin’ out under the stars again, tellin’ stories, and lettin’ your mind wander.

All in all, a couple of days that remind you why cottage country’s got a hold on your heart.

On another note, my wife and I managed to get our mowing done for the week yesterday. By the time we finished, we were more than ready for lunch and a cup of coffee, which we enjoyed while sitting on the front porch, taking in all our hard work.

Later in the afternoon, after catching our second wind, we cleared out all the shelves and things from the carport where we’d been storing our garage sale items. That’s where we usually park the car, so it sure felt good to have it back to normal.

It’s amazing how you can get used to things just so—and when they aren’t the way they should be, it really bothers you.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today to start things off, I’m going to straighten up my woodworking shop. It’s one huge mess out there right now—thanks to the garage sale going on for the past two months, I’ve had stuff scattered all over the place. But today, I’m fixing to get it back in shape and make it look like a proper woodworking shop again.

After that, I plan on watering all our vegetables. I’ve got a few 45-gallon barrels full of rainwater, and with how dry it’s been these past couple of weeks, those plants sure need a good drink.

If time allows, I’ll try to wash the car and put a coat of wax on it. We’ll see how that goes, though, because my wife and I also want to take some time to sit out on the swing under our old basswood tree out back. There’s nothing quite like sitting out there, just soaking it all in.

Like the saying goes; “All work and no play makes George a dull boy.” Well, the original saying that many years ago was; “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Bug Report: Truth told, things in that department is mighty fine these days, no reason not to be outside enjoying this summer weather.

Fishing Times:

Looks like today’s a good one for fishin’ here in Port Loring. Best times to throw your line in the water, are late morning from 10:30 to 12:30 and then again late afternoon from 4 to 8. That’s when the pickerel and largemouth bass are most likely to be hungry.

For pickerel, use live minnows or leeches, fish slow near the bottom around weed beds or rocks. Now for Largemouth bass they like shallow water and cover, cast your line near fallen trees, docks, or lily pads with topwater lures like frogs or poppers.

Remember, patiences is the key when fishing. And I have also found a lot of times is that sometimes it’s not just about catchin’ the fish, as it is… enjoying the quiet and the day.

Good Luck!

So with that, I’m off to the front porch with my lovely wife to enjoy a cup of tea. After that, I’ll dig into the breakfast she makes me every morning, then mosey on out to my shop and get to work.

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