Here is a picture I took yesterday of a patch of Helen Flowers, that is showing off in one of our front gardens; Thought I Would Share.

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning! Where the day’s fresh, the coffee’s hot, and there’s no rush; because out here in the country—time’s a little kinder.

Once again, it looks as if we are in for another beautiful day here in cottage country. The sun is up and starting to do its thing, and with the shadows from the pines, it sure is a sight to see. There’s just something about mornings like this that makes you feel grateful to be right where you are. And on top of that, the cool breeze carries a hint of pine, actually, you can almost taste the freshness in the air.

Highway 522 is quiet this Sunday morning. Most people are off work
and staying close to home. The usual sounds of cars and trucks are
gone, leaving the road open for deer and other animals to wander. The
only noise is the distant call of a loon over the lake, making the quiet
feel almost real.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I were kept busy chatting with folks who dropped by our gift shop, eager to pick up some of our one-of-a-kind items. It’s always nice to see familiar faces and meet new ones, especially when they leave with something handmade and special. In between visits, I managed to sneak in a bit of work on my water wheel, tweaking it here and there to make sure it flows a bit better. You could say it’s a work in progress, like most things around here, but it’s coming along nicely. Meanwhile, my ‘lovely wife‘ was busy inside, cleaning the house and doing the wash. She’s got a knack for getting things done, especially on weekends when the hydro rates are a little friendlier. Every dollar counts when you’re living up here in the north, where the winters are long, and the grocery bills are even longer.

She’s got a saying, “A penny saved is a penny that might just keep the lights on,” and I reckon she’s right. As up here, nothing gets wasted—not time, not effort, and certainly not a chance to save a bit of money.

Bug Report: Other than a few pesky nits that find their way through the screens at night, things are pretty good on that front. Actually, I’ve noticed the bugs haven’t been too bad this year. I kind of figure it’s caused by the kind of weather we have had—plenty of rain, lots of sunshine, and just enough wind to keep things comfortable. Truth be told, this summer has been one of the best I can remember. The days have been warm, the nights cool, and everything’s been just about perfect.

Now, with all this good weather, I can’t help but think about all the talk surrounding global warming. There’s no denying that the world’s changing—anyone with a lick of sense can see that. But for me, I believe it’s something that’s been happening for a long time; long before we started noticing. Hell, we’ve had ice ages, warm spells, and everything in between; Nature, well—she has a way of balancing herself out.

That said, I’m not saying we should just sit back and do nothing. We’ve got a responsibility to take care of this planet, to respect the land we live on, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Maybe we can’t stop the changes, but we can sure do our part, to make sure we’re not speeding them up. And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about—doing what we can, with what we have, and leaving the rest to Mother Nature. She’s got a mind of her own, let me tell you. To her, we’re just a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things

With that, I’m off to enjoy my morning breakfast and see what the day has in store. I’m thinking it might involve some front porch sittin’, soaking in the nature around our place, and chatting with my lovely wife. Why? ‘Just because we can.’

You all have a great Sunday—just a reminder, “Wisdom often comes from the quiet moments in between all the noise.” GW

Fishing Times for Sunday
08/25/24

Major Times
5:10 AM-7:10 AM
5:37 PM-7:37 PM

Minor Times
1:38 PM-2:38 PM
10:26 PM-11:26 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 2-Star Rating for catching a few today. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: Handlining is an age-old fishing technique that emphasizes the importance of being in tune with nature. It’s all about using your hands to feel for the fish’s bite. If you’re not sensing that tug on the line, it means you need to focus more closely on what’s happening beneath the surface.

Good Morning Folks!

The sun’s already up and work’s awaitin’, but before you get to working, don’t forget to take a moment to breathe in some of that, fresh clean northern air, and— enjoy the quiet.

Looks like we’re in for another nice day here in Northern Ontario. This time of year’s about as good as it gets—not too hot, and not too cold. It’s perfect weather for sleeping, with the windows wide open, which lets the cool fresh northern air blow in around one’s bed. And with that happening, you wake up feeling like you actually slept, which is a rare thing these days for a lot of folks.

The truth is,—it’s the kind of day, that makes you want to get outside and do something. Whether it’s fixing up the shed, cutting grass, working in the gardens, or just piddling around in the yard, the weather’s just right for it. Heck! Even the fishing’s not too bad these days,

And that sunshine? It’s like a free dose of Vitamin D3, something that everyone is lacking these days. But best of all, when the ‘work’s done’, there’s nothing like plopping down in a chair on your front porch or under a tree, soaking in what nature’s dishing out and watching the world go by It’s the kind of peace that’s pretty hard to beat.

But let me warn ya! Once you sit down, you might just start thinking you’ve earned yourself a nap. Truth told, I have been indulging in that after my lunch lately. ‘Just Because I Can!’

On another note, yesterday was a busy day for us. My wife and I took the car in for repairs, and thanks to our son, we found a decent place that does good work at a fair price. But I’ve got to say, I really miss my friend Kerry, who used to have a garage here in town. He was one of those guys who truly listened when you told him what was wrong with your car. And no matter how busy he was, he always had time to sit down and chat with me.

You know, people like Kerry are getting harder to find these days, and I really miss him now that he’s gone. He wasn’t just a great mechanic; he was also a good friend who always took the time to listen and work with me, instead of rushing me out the door. The thing is, that here in Ontario, both doctors, and honest mechanics, along with others of course, are becoming scarce, which is just plain ridiculous. I think we are wasting money on things that don’t matter, instead of investing in what truly counts—like making it worthwhile for skilled professionals to stay and work here.

The truth of the matter is, we need to reassess our priorities. If we don’t start investing in the people who genuinely make a difference, we’ll end up in a world where finding top-notch professionals is nearly impossible. That’s not a future any of us want. We also need to take a hard look at our immigration policies. Right now, we’ve got too many people coming in, without the infrastructure to support them properly. I think it’s time to slow things down until we can build up our services and systems to handle the influx. Bottom line, folks, we need to make sure we can take care of the folks already here—before we open the doors wider. It’s about finding the right balance to keep our communities strong and functioning well, which isn’t being done today. If this keeps up, we’re in for some real hard times. As a country that once was self-sufficient will soon become a country—that’s struggling to meet its own basic needs. We can’t or shouldn’t let that happen. My Opinion Only!

Highway 522 has seen a slight increase in traffic lately. This uptick is likely due to many families taking one last opportunity to enjoy the north before their children return to school. However, for my wife and I, this doesn’t pose much of a problem; as we appreciate, and like, the peace and quietness of the countryside.

With that, I’m off to enjoy breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me. It will consist of an Egg McMuffin with cheese and fresh tomatoes from our garden. You can’t beat that to get a guy motivated for the day ahead!

You all take care now, and don’t forget: “The best things in life
aren’t material possessions; they are the simple moments we share along
the way.” Which is what I try and do every morning, at least for those that tune in.

Fishing Times for Saturday
08/24/24

Major Times
4:16 AM-6:16 AM
4:43 PM-6:43 PM

Minor Times
12:16 PM-1:16 PM
9:56 PM-10:56 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 3-Star Rating out of 5 today for catching a few. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: “The best bait is patience; fish can sense when you’re in a hurry.”

Our Phlox are looking real fine this year. They’ve got a sweet smell that reminds me of cherries. It’s like they’re trying to bribe us into spending more time in the garden.

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning!

Old Truths: You can learn a lot just sittin’ on the porch, watchin’ the world go by, especially in small towns.

It’s another perfect day here in cottage country. The temperature’s just right, and there’s not a hint of humidity to speak of. Everything’s growing like it’s in a race, and honestly, I’m just trying to keep up! Truth be told, it’s been a fantastic summer so far, at least weather-wise.

Even the mosquitoes seem to be on vacation, probably off annoying someone else for a change. The sun’s shining, the birds are enjoying our bird feeder, the breeze is gentle, and I’m starting to think I could get used to this— at least until winter rolls around, which reminds me that it won’t be long before my wife and I have to put in our firewood for winter. It’s like everything around here has a mind of its own, and we’re just the unpaid help! But hey, keeps me… out of trouble… mostly.

Highway 522 hasn’t been all that busy this year. Oh, there are a few folks roaming around, but for the most part, it’s been pretty quiet. A couple of campers here and there, maybe a family out for a Sunday drive, but nothing to write home about. It’s almost as if the highway is on vacation itself. But our gift shop has seen a lot of new faces so far this year, which is nice.

On another note, my wife and I have been busy in our gardens, these days, along with other things that need attending, mostly in the mornings. My afternoons for a week or so are reserved for writing. I’m getting ahead on my stories so that when winter arrives, I can concentrate on other projects—like finally finishing that sci-fi mystery novel I’ve been working on. At the rate I’m going… it might solve itself before I do!

With that, I’m off for breakfast, which my lovely wife is making for me. After that, I’ll head out to our front porch with a cup of hot cocoa, take in the peaceful country view, and enjoy the quiet of the morning.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this to ponder on: “Enjoy the little things in life, because one day… you might look back and realize they were the big things.” GW

Fishing Times for Saturday
08/10/24

Major Times
4:27 AM-6:27 AM
4:47 PM-6:47 PM

Minor Times
11:59 AM-12:59 PM
10:23 PM-11:23 PM

Day Rating: Not the greatest day for fishing, I give it a 2-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: A stringer keeps your fish fresh until you’re ready to head home. Just tie it to a dock, the side of your boat, or a stick in the water. I’ve always said, “A fish on a stringer is like a kid with candy—keeps ’em from wandering too far away!”

Good Morning!

Old Truths: “The best way to stay young is to hang out with old folks who refuse to grow up. Like me GW!”

Well, what can I say, other than we here in cottage country are in the midst of a really nice day. The sun is shining, the lakes and rivers are calm, and the air carries that sweet scent of pine and wildflowers. It’s the kind of day that makes you appreciate the simple pleasures of life.

You can hear the distant sound of a motorboat now and then, a reminder that even in this peaceful place, folks are out and about, enjoying the water and the warm weather. The birds are singing, and every so often, you catch sight of a deer at the edge of the woods, nibbling on the fresh green shoots.

It’s the kind of day that takes me back to when I was younger, when life was a bit slower, and our connection to nature was stronger. I remember when my kids were little, and we’d spend days like this fishing off the dock, skipping stones, and just being together without the distractions of modern life. Those were good times, and days like today bring back those fond memories.

Highway 522 has slowed down somewhat, but yesterday, my lovely wife Ruth and I took a drive into North Bay to pick up a few things we needed. I have to say, there was a lot of traffic on the highways. But that’s normal for this time of year, with folks wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the cities.

The stores were busy, but not so much that we couldn’t enjoy ourselves. After we picked up our needs, not our wants, we had a Canadian Pizza at East Side Mario’s. Now, I have to tell you, that’s about the best pizza I’ve ever tasted, and I’ve had quite a few in my day. Washed it down with some iced tea. My wife and I enjoy going there. Ruth’s Italian, so we fit right in, especially with the food.

After that, we picked up a coffee at a little coffee shop and headed on home, taking in the beauty of nature as we drove. The trees were nice and green, and the wildflowers were in full bloom, making for a scenic drive.

All in all, it was one great day! Oh, and the weather couldn’t have been any better. Just a perfect day for a drive. As they say, it’s the simple things in life that bring the most joy. And sometimes, a good pizza and a drive through the countryside with a beautiful woman by your side, are all you need to set things right. Remember, folks, it’s not about what you buy; it’s about the memories you make along the way.

Bug Report: Truth be told, it’s not all that bad out there these days, other than a few pesky deer flies. Once they set their sights on you, they won’t leave you alone. Pain in the… that’s what they are.

With that, I’m off for my breakfast that my little woman is making for me. After that, I’ll see what the day has in store. I never know—every day is a new chapter waiting to be written. And as they say, the best way to face the unknown is with a full belly and a heart ready for whatever comes.

You all have a great day and remember: “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”

Wednesday
08/07/24

Major Times
2:30 AM-4:30 AM
2:49 PM-4:49 PM

Minor Times
8:46 AM-9:46 AM
9:37 PM-10:37 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 3-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: Crank baits are handy for covering lots of water when you’re fishing. Just reel them in steadily and change up your speed to see what the fish prefer. I’ve always thought of crank baits like a good story: sometimes you need to take it slow and easy, and other times you let it run wild and free. GW