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Good Morning, Folks. Some mornings feel borrowed, like you’ve been gifted time from an old friend. This is one of ’em.

Well, looking out my window here by my desk, it sure feels like we’re in for a good one. The kind of day that starts out soft and slow, with a sky that’s clear enough to lift your spirits before you’ve even had your second cup of coffee.

The sun’s already working its way across the yard, casting long shadows off the fence posts and making the grass look just a little greener. It’s sittin’ at a comfortable 78°F, which is about 26°C for those who like their numbers that way. There’s a light breeze out of the southwest, just enough to rustle the lilacs and keep the blackflies guessing.

Tonight’ll be calm and clear, cooling off to around 58°F, or 14°C, which means good sleeping weather if you’ve got the windows open and a quilt at the foot of the bed. And tomorrow, well, it’s shaping up to be a fine one too. They’re calling for 82°F (28°C) and sunny, so if you’ve got outdoor chores piling up like we do, it might be a good time to cross a few things off the list.

One has to take advantage of this nice weather while you can.

Highway 522 is still quiet these days, traffic wise. But then again, we do live off the beaten track, where not too many folks come pokin’ around until the weather starts to cooperate, which by the looks of things is about to happen with summer now just around the corner.

That said, I’ve noticed more and more new faces showing up these past couple of years. A lot of folks have been packing up and heading north, and honestly, I can’t say I blame them. When you look at what’s going on in the world, or more to the point in the big cities, it starts to make sense. Crime is climbing, houses are being built so close together you could almost shake hands with your neighbor while sipping your morning coffee, and the air down there is thick with things I won’t even get into. Let’s just say it’s no wonder so many folks are walking around with allergies and sniffles they can’t quite explain.

And the crowds, damn! The last time we took a trip down south, it was a full-time job just trying to sort out all the different nationalities bustling around. It’s something to see how much our country has changed. I’m not saying change is always bad, but if I’m being honest, I don’t believe it’s all been for the better.

Bug Report

Well, I’m happy to say most of the blackflies have left us for another year. And with this stretch of warmer weather settling in, them blood-sucking parasites we call mosquitoes might not be too bad either. They’re not fans of the heat, mostly because they’re so small, the sun dries them out and finishes them off pretty quick.

Now in the shade, that’s a different story. One still has to be careful come evening, especially if the doors or windows are open. They’ll sneak their way into the house, and once they’re in, well… when it’s time to sleep, they can sure be irritating.

We picked up one of those bug zappers and set it on the kitchen table. Before heading to bed, we switch it on and let it draw them in. Keeps them off us while we sleep. Works slick too. The thing is, living in the country, you learn quick that you’ve got to be on your toes, whether it’s bugs, weather, or something unexpected showing up at your back door.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I had a lot going on, so we didn’t get around to making a morning post here on the blog. We get a few of those days now and then, days when there’s so much on the to-do list, there just aren’t enough hours to get through it all.

But that being said, we still managed to knock off the things we had planned, and on top of that, we had quite a few folks stop by, picking up things from our garage sale. We’re keeping it going every weekend right through to the end of July.

We sold a fair bit yesterday, but there’s still plenty left, and like I always say, my wife and I don’t know where it all came from. It’s simply amazing how much a person can collect over the years without realizing it.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I’m planning on working outdoors, as there’s a few things around the house that need tending to. And with the sun shining the way it is, I sure don’t want to be stuck inside.

On top of that, our little gift shop is open for the season now, and between that and all the garage sale items we’ve got set out, there’s plenty to keep us busy. But truth be told, we enjoy it. Especially this time of year, when the days are warm, and folks start getting out and about again.

It’s a good kind of busy, though. The kind where the work feels more like a day well spent.

So with that, I’m off to have breakfast my little woman’s made for me, then I’ll head on out to the front porch with a nice cup of hot cocoa and take in the view of our beautiful piece of property. Sure is a sight to see this time of year.

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

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Good Morning, Folks. The sky’s got that look today, like it’s deciding whether to rain or just brood awhile. I know the feeling!

And with that, here’s the forecast for today for us in cottage country.

Today, Thursday, June 12

Daytime: Expect hazy sun, with a high near 66 °F (19 °C).

• Tonight: Skies will clear out after sunset. Temperatures will dip to around 42 °F (5 °C) under mostly clear skies.

Tomorrow (Friday, June 13)

• Daytime: A mix of clouds and sunshine, with a chance of a passing shower or two in the afternoon. Highs around 61 °F (16 °C).
• Tomorrow night: Remaining cloudy, with lows near 46 °F (8 °C).

Highway 522 is still pretty quiet these days, but we did have a lot of new vehicles going by the house yesterday. There was an accident over near Britt—another one between a transport and a car, so they rerouted all the traffic off Highway 69 across to Highway 11. In all my years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many transport-related accidents. It’s no real surprise, though, when you look at who they’ve been letting behind the wheel lately. The old-time drivers, the ones who’d been on the road for decades, they knew how to handle those big rigs. These days, a good number of them just don’t have that same experience or training, and it shows.

Bug Report:
Well, I’m happy to report that yesterday I spent the whole afternoon out in our vegetable gardens and didn’t see a single black fly. Not one. The only pest that showed up was a deer fly, and if you’ve ever met one, you know they don’t come to visit, they come to bite. Once they find you, that’s it. You’re their afternoon project. I swear, those things are like flying bloodhounds with wings and a bad attitude.

On another note, like I mentioned earlier, I managed to clear out some weeds in our vegetable garden and hoe up the soil around the tomato plants. It took some doing, but I’ve always enjoyed working the land. Been that way all my life. There’s just something about the smell of freshly turned soil and being surrounded by growing things that settles a person down.

Back when I was farming full-time, I used to say, “You can tell how your day’s going by how the dirt feels under your boots.” If it’s soft and rich, chances are you’re doing alright. And if the weeds pull easy, well, that’s just a bonus.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today’s mowing day here at the Walters home, which I suspect will take up most of the morning. The good news is the grass has finally slowed down a bit, and we just might be able to start mulching it. That makes things a lot easier in the long run. But we’ll see how it goes once we get into the thick of it, so to speak.

With that, I’m off once again to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me, and then I’ll head on outdoors. One has to take advantage of this nice weather while you can.

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

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Good Morning Folks.
It’s a new day, and I’m reminded how farming and writing have something in common. What would that be? Well, I found that you can’t rush either. Both need patience, steady hands, and the kind of care that only comes with years under one’s belt.

Well, she is another rainy old morning here in Cottage Country. The kind of day that makes one think that an extra cup of coffee/cocoa might be in order before heading on out to the old woodworking shop.

Here’s what the weather’s cooking up for us in Port Loring, Ontario, for today, tonight, and tomorrow:

Today (Tuesday, June 10): We’re looking at a mostly cloudy day with a good chance of showers. Temperatures will reach a high of around 62°F (17°C). The wind will be coming from the southwest, around 11 mph (18 km/h).

Tonight: The rain should taper off, leaving us with partly cloudy skies. It’ll cool down to a low of about 50°F (10°C), which means it might be a bit chilly out there.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, June 11): We can expect a mix of sun and clouds, with a chance of passing showers. It’ll warm up a bit, with a high near 70°F (21°C).

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Highway 522 is still slow traffic wise these days, which is understandable being that the weather sure hasn’t been the greatest so far this spring. But, with all that said, the trees are sure enjoying the moisture and cooler temperatures.

Bug Report: With these cooler temperatures and wet weather, the bugs have slowed down some, but don’t you fret because they’ll be back, seeking out some fresh, warm blood in the coming days.

On another note, yesterday I worked the day away, fixing up a few things around the house. Seems like there’s a never-ending list of chores that always needs attending to. Which, in a way, is a good thing, because it keeps the old mind entertaining good thoughts and staying sharp, just like a well-used saw.

So what are you up to today, GW? Well, today I suspect, given that it’s raining outside, I’m thinking I’ll get to fixing up some window frames that are in need of repair. As much as I hate to think this way, winter will be coming, and it’s always best to be prepared. Besides, this is the time to do it, when it’s nice and warm outside.

So, with all that in mind, I’m off for the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. Then I’ll settle into my old Lazy Boy chair and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while having a morning chat with my little woman. What would a day be without that? Not much in my eyes, that’s for sure.

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

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Good Morning… My old Dad used to say: “George, some folks talk wisdom, others carry it in their boots.”

So starting things off, we are having a bit of rain here this morning, which is just what our tomato plants need, along with the trees too. One thing about the land up here in the north, is that most of it is sand and rock, and that makes it dry out much quicker than a lot of other soils. But under that sand, at least around our place, is clay. That’s a good thing because it keeps everything in balance when the hot weather rolls in. It holds the moisture down deep where the roots are growing, which is a whole other world most folks don’t even think about. These days, people seem more focused on what they can see, not on what they can’t. Kind of a shame, in my eyes, because there is a whole lot more to this world than what meets the eye.

Anyway, today in Port Loring, Ontario, we can expect light rain this morning, with a high around 75°F (24°C). The rain will give way to partial sunshine and possibly a thundershower later in the day, and tonight will cool down to lows near 54°F (12°C) with some lingering showers.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, it will be cooler, with highs near 65°F (18°C). Rain is likely in the morning but should clear to periods of clouds and sun in the afternoon. Overnight lows will drop to about 51°F (10°C). Nice sleeping weather.

Highway 522 is still quiet around here, along with highways 11 and 69. There are plenty of truckers, but not too many tourists just yet, which is understandable given the state of the economy and the weather that hasn’t been very kind over the past couple of months.

Bug Report: Well, yesterday I noticed the black flies have eased off some, but we’re not done with them just yet since Father’s Day is still coming. Over the years, I’ve found they usually stick around until then, annoying folks. That said, if the dragonflies get busy doing their job, things will improve even quicker. But here’s the thing… with all this spraying for underbrush in our forests these days, it’s slowly taking a toll on the dragonflies and other insects, and it’s not just them. The folks spraying these chemicals don’t take into account what these chemicals are doing to our water supply, and they don’t give it a second thought.

On another note, yesterday after our trip south for a couple of days, my wife and I tried to take it easy. Well, if you count me making a sign she wants to paint for a customer, along with her doing the laundry, making meals, cleaning the house, and plenty of other things, then maybe we/she didn’t get all that much rest after all. Still, we both did manage to squeeze in a game of horseshoes and a cup of coffee on our swing under the basswood tree, which was a nice change of pace.

So with that, I’m off to breakfast, and then I’ll see what the day has in store. I’ve got some things to take care of in my old woodworking shop, and since it’s raining outside this morning, what better place to be?

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