Good Morning! You know, as long as I have been walking on this old earth of ours, I have found that: “The best way to predict your future is to create it, one day at a time.”

It’s a beautiful day in cottage country. The sun is shining, the humidity is gone, and the songbirds are at the feeder. The vegetable garden looks great after the rain, and the tomatoes are ripening. The frogs in our new fishpond are active, and the goldfish are enjoying their company. You could say that living here where we do, you learn to appreciate the little things. Truth told, it’s the simple moments that make life truly rich.

Highway 522 has been quite so far this year. I suspect for some, it’s a good thing in some ways and not so good in others. But for my lovely wife and me, it doesn’t matter either way. We moved here many years ago for the quietness. I have always said that, “Peace and quiet are priceless, until you need to find something to do.”

Bug Report: The mosquitoes are annoying now and then in the shade, and we’ve got these tiny pests I call nits irritating folks, especially around running cars and trucks. Mosquitoes and nits may be small, but they sure know how to make themselves known. The best remedy? “Well… out here, you learn to swat with one hand, and hold your coffee with the other.”

On another note, I worked the day away outside around our home yesterday. Got lots done. Today, for my wife and me, it’s mowing day, which will take care of the morning. In the afternoon, I’m thinking some front porch sittin’ will be in order.

I have always said: “That hard work makes the rest all the sweeter.” After a morning of mowing, there’s nothing like relaxing on the porch, watching the world go by. Maybe share a story or two with my wife. It’s moments like these that remind me why we chose this life, living where time moves a bit slower and the joys are simple but true.

With that I am off once again for my breakfast and will then head on outdoors.

Have a great day, everyone! Here’s something to ponder on: “Life is simpler when you plow around the stump, but it sure is fun to try and move it sometimes. Thinking about that, I have to say, my wife and I have moved quite a few in our day.”

Fishing Times for Thursday
07/18/24

Major Times
9:46 AM-11:46 AM
10:15 PM-12:15 AM

Minor Times
1:45 AM-2:45 AM
6:52 PM-7:52 PM

Day Rating: Not a bad day for fishing, I give it a 3-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Sun Data
Rise: 5:45 AM
Set: 9:02 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 17 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 7:22 PM
Set: 2:15 AM
Moon Phase

91% Waxing Gibbous

Advice from an Old Angler: When you’re jigging, remember to use the lift and drop technique. Lift your rod tip slow and steady, then let it drop easy-like. This makes your jig flutter down like a scared bait fish, and that’s how you hook them big ones.

I took this picture yesterday. At first, we just had one frog in our new fishpond, but it looks as if he invited some friends. And the goldfish seem to enjoy their company.

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning! You know, over the years, I found that: “Success comes before work… only in the dictionary.”

It’s a really nice day here in cottage country. The temperature is a comfortable 19.2°C (66.56°F), the sun is shining, and there’s a light breeze coming in from the southwest. Best of all, it’s not too humid. What could be better than that? Not much in my eyes.

Highway 522 is still quiet, though it’s picked up a wee bit from what it has been. It’s nice to see a few more folks out and about, enjoying the beautiful weather.

Bug Report: All is well…even the mosquitoes have eased off a bit. Which is fine with me. Maybe they finally got the memo about social distancing!

On another note, I did some weeding in our vegetable garden yesterday, along with a few other chores. Then, since my old body needed a rest, I took it easy and wrote up another story here at my computer. It was another good day for writing. Funny how that works—some days the words flow nicely, and other days, I’m better off pulling weeds!

Today I have some more outside work that needs doing and after that being so nice outside I think my wife and I will do some front porch sittin’. Just Because We Can!

With that, once again, I’m off for the breakfast my lovely wife is preparing. Then, I’ll head outdoors. Well, after my cup of… hmm, maybe I’ll go for tea this morning instead of my usual hot cocoa. It’s nice living in the country where I can make these tough decisions. Variety is the spice of life, right?

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this to ponder on: “A good woman is like a four-leaf clover … hard to find and lucky to have, especially in a field of weeds.”

Fishing Times For Wednesday
07/17/24

Major Times
8:50 AM-10:50 AM
9:18 PM-11:18 PM

Minor Times
1:08 AM-2:08 AM
5:43 PM-6:43 PM

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

Sun Data
Rise: 5:44 AM
Set: 9:02 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 18 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 6:13 PM
Set: 1:38 AM
Over: 10:18 PM
Under: 9:50 AM

Moon Phase

84% Waxing Gibbous

Advice from an Old Angler; Occasionally, I like to give those jointed lures a go, with their bend and all. They wiggle around like a fish in distress, sure to catch the attention of those big ol’ bass or pickerel. And that might just mean a good catch for supper. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning, folks! You know, over the years, I have found that: “Life’s like a field—what you get out of it depends on what you put into it.”

It’s a bit cloudy waking up in cottage country. We did have some light showers earlier this morning, but it should clear up later, and we might even see a bit of sunshine. That would be nice, because, truth be told, we’ve had enough rain for a while. Honestly, with all this wet weather, I think my tomatoes are starting to think they’re water lilies!

Highway 522 is quiet these days, with fewer tourists and day trippers visiting our neck of the woods. Normally, this time of year brings a lot of hustle and bustle, but things are quieter now with everything going on in the country, like taxes, strikes you name it, and truth told…. I can’t say I blame folks for staying closer to home.

Bug Report: Other than a few mosquitoes, things are pretty good these days.

Yesterday, I took a break from the computer and worked outside. Spent the morning weeding most of our veggie garden and staining the new walls around the carport. Took it easy in the afternoon, needed a rest, but managed to write up another story. Turned out to be a good day, got a lot done.

Today, with it being a bit wet outside, I’ll probably work away inside here. Truth be told, I never really know what I’m going to do—I might start off heading in one direction, and end up doing a complete 180. It’s like trying to navigate without a map!

With that I am off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife is preparing for me.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this to think about: “The best roads are the ones less traveled, even if they’re a bit bumpy.”

Fishing Times for Tuesday
07/16/24

Major Times
7:59 AM-9:59 AM
8:24 PM-10:24 PM

Minor Times
12:40 AM-1:40 AM
4:31 PM-5:31 PM

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

Sun Data
Rise: 5:43 AM
Set: 9:03 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 20 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 5:01 PM
Set: 1:10 AM
Moon Phase

75% Waxing Gibbous

Advice from an Old Angler When them fish get skittish or the water’s clear as day, it’s best to give them some space. Use a long cast to keep your distance. A rod that’s longer, and a line that’s light, can help you reach the fish without spookin’ ’em.

I spotted this little feller in our fishpond yesterday, cooling off.

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good morning! Here in the country, work is never done, but the rewards are endless.

Waking up here in cottage country, we’re greeted by some fog. The good news is, it’s cooled down a bit, making for a comfortable sleep last night. As the morning progresses, the fog will burn off, and we should see some sunshine a bit later on.

Highway 522 was real quiet over the weekend, which tells me a lot of folks are staying closer to home this year, instead of traveling. Many aren’t venturing into the country because the LCBO’s are on strike, making it hard to get a cool one in remote areas. Truth be told, for a lot of folks, that’s what summer is all about.

In my view, the LCBO unions are making a significant misstep with this strike, especially during the busy summer holiday season. For now, though, it looks as if a lot of tourists are sticking close to home, where they can easily get their drinks. Another thing is, given enough time, folks might realize they can do without the LCBO altogether. And… people today it seems hold grudges.

Bug Report: Things are good in that department. My wife and I sat out on our swing yesterday by our fishpond, enjoying a cup of ice tea, and we didn’t see or feel a one.

On another note, being that my old body isn’t back up to snuff just, yet I spend the day yesterday writing up a few more stories. It was another good day for writing.

Today, well… we will see how I feel and go from there.

With that I am off for a bowl of porridge this morning that my lovely wife is making for me and will then see what the day has in store.

You all have a great day and remember: Life’s a puzzle…sometimes you just need a different perspective to see the whole picture.

Fishing Times for Monday
07/15/24

Major Times
7:12 AM-9:12 AM
7:35 PM-9:35 PM

Minor Times
12:18 AM-1:18 AM
3:20 PM-4:20 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!

Sun Data
Rise: 5:42 AM
Set: 9:04 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 22 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 3:50 PM
Set: 12:48 AM
Over: 8:35 PM
Under: 8:12 AM

Moon Phase

66% Waxing Gibbous

Advice from an Old Angler: In rivers and swift currents, ya gotta keep a keen eye for them eddies, hiding behind rocks and bends. The calm spots are where the fish like to hang out, taking a breather and grabbing a bite or two. Toss your line right into that eddy, let your bait drift natural-like, and who knows, before ya know it, you might be puttin’ fresh fish on the table!