Breakfast.

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Good morning! As my old friend Gray Wolf used to say: The eagle may soar, but the wise owl knows when to keep quiet.

Looking outside, it seems we’re in for another beautiful day here in the north. Plenty of sunshine, hardly a cloud in sight and the breeze is just right. Along with that, the temperature has settled back into the comfortable zone. Truth be told, other than a smidgen of warmth for a couple of days, and a bit too much rain, our summer has been perfect. If it keeps up like this, I might just start thinking Mother Nature’s got a soft spot for us. Or… maybe she’s just making up for last winter.

Highway 522 has seen a bit more action lately, with folks out and about looking for things to do. Seems like everyone’s trying to escape the humdrum of their own four walls. Heck, even the deer are starting to look twice before crossing!

Bug Report: Nothing to report, as things have been pretty nice out there. Even the mosquitoes seem to be on vacation! Which is fine with me.

On another note, yesterday I worked away outside on a few more projects that needed attention, and in the afternoon I took it a bit easy and wrote up another story for my newspaper columns that I write for weekly. I write 52 columns a year, which can keep a feller busy at times. And you know, in over 30 years, I’ve never missed a single one. You’d think that would be some kind of record. But the best part is, my readers keep asking for more.

Today, my wife and I are thinking of taking the day off to enjoy our property. We’ll do some front porch sittin’, relax by the fishpond, and spend time on the swing I made a few years ago—Just Because We Can!

And with that, I’m off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me. Afterward, I’ll see what the day has in store, beyond what I’ve planned. Life is a mystery. But in saying that… sometimes, the best moments are the ones you didn’t see coming.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you to ponder on this: “You don’t stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing.” GW

Fishing Times for Sunday
07/28/24

Major Times
6:22 AM-8:22 AM
6:48 PM-8:48 PM

Minor Times
–:—–:–
2:30 PM-3:30 PM

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

Advice from an Old Angler: A simple cane pole, some line, and a hook are all you need for a relaxing day of fishing. No reels, no fuss. Sometimes… the old ways are the best ways—keep it simple, and have fun!

Good Morning! Thinking back, my old dad used to say: If you’re lookin’ for a friend, try a dog. If you’re lookin’ for work, try a farm. He went on to say, And if you’re lookin’ for both, drop by and say hello.

Looks like another fine day shaping up for us here in the north. It’s a bit misty now, but the sun will burn it off soon enough. Nothing like a bit of nature’s magic to start the day, which we see a lot of, living where we do. That is, you take the time to notice.

Highway 522 slowed down a bit yesterday, but our gift shop still saw a steady stream of visitors picking up one-of-a-kind items. I have to say, we’ve had a great year so far.

Bug Report: All is well in that department. Well, except for the mosquitoes, who are clearly on vacation—they left a note saying they’d be back later on when conditions are right. Damn nice of them, don’t you think?

Yesterday, I was out and about taking care of this and that. Out here in the country, owning a home means you’re never short of things that need fixing. From mending an out building, that’s seen better days, to chasing after weeds that seem to think they own the place, there’s always work to be done.

Today, well... I am thinking I will take things a bit easy and give this old body of mine a much-needed rest. My lovely wife and I have done so many things this year around our home, that we can’t begin to remember them all. And it’s not that we’re forgetting things—just been too busy to keep up!

With that I am off once again for my breakfast that my little woman has made for me, and will then head on out to our swing by our fishpond with a hot cocoa… and take in our beautiful piece of property.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “When in doubt, take a nap and let the world sort itself out.”

Fishing Times for Saturday
07/27/24

Major Times
5:31 AM-7:31 AM
5:56 PM-7:56 PM

Minor Times
1:10 PM-2:10 PM
11:28 PM-12:28 AM

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

Advice from an Old Angler: Keep your hooks sharp with a small file. A sharp hook sets easier and catches more fish. I’ve always said; “A dull hook is like a dull knife—good for nothin’.”

Yesterday, I picked some of our first tomatoes, zucchini, along with a few beans. There’s something truly special about that first toasted tomato sandwich of the season.

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Good mornin’! You can’t unscramble eggs, but you can always make an omelette. So… make the best of what you got.

It looks as if we are in for another really nice day here in cottage country. The sun is shinning, the temperatures are comfortable, and the birds are enjoying their breakfast at our bird feeder.

Highway 522 has been picking up traffic wise, with lots of new vehicles roaming around town.

Bug Report; No complaints in that department, things are really nice.

Moving along, my wife and I managed to cut the grass yesterday and tend to our gardens. I have to say, our piece of the world is looking really nice. It takes hard work, but it’s work we enjoy, and that makes all the difference.

Today, I plan to work outside on a few projects that need my attention, which I expect will take most of the morning. After that, with the weather being so nice, I’m thinking some front porch sitting will be in order.

On another note, our gift shop has been bustling for the past few weeks with new faces coming by to pick up our unique, one-of-a-kind items. It’s refreshing to see, especially given how hard it is to find such treasures these days. As the market is flooded with offshore products that barely warrant a second glance. It’s disheartening how people have come to believe that cheap, mass-produced goods are just as good, or even better, than handcrafted items. It really makes me shake my head in wonder.

With that, I’m off for the morning breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. Afterward, I’ll head outdoors to our swing with a cup of hot cocoa—just because I can!

You know, over the years I have found, that sipping a hot drink while relaxing can really lift your spirits? It’s funny how these simple pleasures can make a world of difference in how we feel.

You all have a great day and remember: “When life gives you too many lemons, trade ’em for coffee beans.”

Fishing Times for Friday
07/26/24

Major Times
4:42 AM-6:42 AM
5:06 PM-7:06 PM

Minor Times
11:50 AM-12:50 PM
11:07 PM-12:07 AM

Day Rating: I give it a 2-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few today. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: Use a bucket with holes for keeping live minnows. Drop it in the water to keep ’em fresh. I’ve always said. “Happy minnows catch happy fish.”

Good Morning, along with food for thought: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.

It’s a rainy old morning here waking up in cottage country, but in saying that the rain should subside, and we should see some sunshine around 10:00 AM or so. Which will make it nice for some front porch sittin’.

On another note, my wife and I have been really busy looking after customers here at our gift shop for the past few days. The summer tourists are finally returning, and it’s been actually been quite busy. We’ve had folks from all over, each with their own stories and curiosities about our little corner of the world.

And between helping customers find the perfect item and sharing a few laughs, I haven’t had much time to sit at my computer and write. Yep, I do enjoy writing stories and articles, but I also like to be outside when the weather is nice. Winter is long here in the north, and you’ve got to make the most of these warm days. Whether it’s tending to the garden, fixing things around the house, fishing, going for a walk, or just sitting on the porch with a good cup of coffee, chatting with my better half, there’s nothing like soaking up the sunshine and fresh air to lift an old feller’s spirits. It’s in those moments that I feel a spark of motivation to try new things.

You know, over the years, I’ve learned that while the past holds our memories, and the present is what we experience right now, it’s the future that truly fascinates me. The past is set in stone, and the present slips away quickly, but the future is a blank page waiting to be filled. To me, it’s the promise of new adventures and discoveries that keeps life exciting. So, I embrace each new day, filled with hope and curiosity, ready to uncover the surprises that lie ahead, knowing… that every moment holds the potential for something extraordinary.

Highway 522 has picked up some with a lot of new faces roaming around town.

Bug Report: All is good in that department.

This morning with it being so wet outdoors, I will probably do some writing here at my computer, but if the sun comes out, which it is supposed to do, I will trade my keyboard for a hoe, and head on outdoors. We will see what happens, one never knows.

With that, I’m heading off for a bowl of porridge, thanks to my lovely wife who always knows how to start the day right. It should give me the fuel I need to get through until lunchtime. But let’s be honest, there’s always a chance a butter tart might find its way into my day. A little extra sweetness never hurts. Right?

You all have a great day and remember: “Worrying is like a rocking chair—it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere.”

The Best Times for Fishing on Wednesday
07/24/24

Major Times
3:04 AM-5:04 AM
3:29 PM-5:29 PM

Minor Times
9:11 AM-10:11 AM
10:29 PM-11:29 PM

Day Rating: Not the greatest day for fishing. I only give it a 1-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck though!

Advice from an Old Angler: The Johnson Silver Minnow is great for fishing in heavy cover. Put a pork rind or plastic trailer on it, and it’ll cut through the muck. Dad used to say, ‘Fishin’ with a Silver Minnow is like eatin’ pie with a fork—gets to the good stuff without makin’ a mess.’