Category Archives: My Opinion Only

Country Living: Daily Update on July 16/2024

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
Moon Phase is 75% percent waxing gibbous
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.

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Today’s Thoughts on July 15/2024

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
Moon Phase is 66% percent waxing gibbous
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!

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Immediate to Medium Range Weather Insights for Northern Ontario

Looking ahead for Northern Ontario, it looks as if we’re in for a spell of slightly cooler weather. Due to the depression down in the Great Plains, which is sending us some of its cool breeze. Temperatures will be running a bit below what we’d normally expect for this time of year, with daytime highs reaching about the mid 20s Celsius. And the nights will also cool down, which will make it real nice for sleeping, likely dipping down into the low teens.

We’ll also see some clouds drifting by over the next few days, maybe even a bit of rain here and there. But it is that time of year when the weather can be a mite unpredictable, so best keep an eye on the sky, if you’ve got outdoor work planned or… out on the water.

As we look further ahead, we’ll still be feeling the cool touch for a while. Come August, though, things might start to warm up a bit more, which is normal for our area. But here again, with nature, you never know for sure. We’ll take it as it comes, day by day.

And you know, yes, we’re seeing some changes in our weather these days across the globe. But if you step back and look at the grand picture, of how it’s been here on Earth over the centuries, we’re just following the same cycles that nature has seen before. It’s all part of the dance of seasons, and climate, and we humans, well… we’re here to work with it as best we can.

Keep your boots dry and your tools ready, folks. That’s the way of it up here in Northern Ontario.

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Waking Up to a New Day on July 14/2024

Here is a picture of our fishpond with the waterwheel I made last fall. I kind of think it turned out real nice.

Click on picture to enlarge!

Good Morning! You know over the years I have found that the best things in life are the people we like being with, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way. Pretty hard to beat that.

It’s a really nice day here in Cottage Country. The sun is shining with just a little haze in the morning sky, which will burn off as the day moves forward. That said, we will see increasing cloudiness, and there’s a chance of a thunderstorm in one or two spots this afternoon, and possibly into tonight. After that, we shouldn’t see any more rain for about seven days, giving things a chance to dry up. It’s like anything else…too much of one thing isn’t always good, and in this case, it’s the rain.

Highway 522 has slowed back down now, the accidents on the highway 522 and highway 69 have been cleaned up. There are a few new faces roaming around, but mostly just the locals. Normal for our area means the occasional deer crossing the road.

Bug Report: Surprisingly, it’s not too bad out there, other than a few pesky mosquitoes buzzing around, thanks to the warm, humid weather they like. Once things dry up a bit, though, they’ll be in for a rough time. Meanwhile, the dragonflies are having a feast, as mosquitoes are their favorite snack, next to the black flies!

On another note, being that my body needed a rest, I worked away here at my computer writing up stories. It was a good day for writing, as the words seemed to flow with no effort at all. Those are the days when a writer must seize the moment and keep those fingers tapping away!

Today I am not exactly sure what I will be doing, I might write some more or… I might venture out to my woodworking shop. I will see as the day moves forward. It’s nice having the freedom to choose. But that being said… my wife and I have certainly earned it over the years,

With that I am once again off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me, which will be a bowl of organic cereal for a change, and after that we will head on out to our front porch with a cup of hot cocoa in hand, and take in our beautiful piece of property.

Take care, and remember to make the most of the day, and don’t forget to find joy in the little things. GW

Sunday
07/14/24

Major Times
6:29 AM-8:29 AM
6:51 PM-8:51 PM

Minor Times
12:00 AM-1:00 AM
2:11 PM-3:11 PM

Day Rating: It should be a fair day for fishing, I give it a 3-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few, but just in case… don’t forget your raincoat

Sun Data
Rise: 5:41 AM
Set: 9:05 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 24 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 2:41 PM
Set: 12:30 AM
Moon Phase
Moon Phase is 57% percent waxing gibbous
57% Waxing Gibbous

Advice from an Old Angler: Here’s a trick I’ve learned over the years: use a small float to suspend a live minnow just above the bottom. It will linger in the strike zone longer, which gives those fish a natural-looking treat that they can’t resist.

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Early Mornin’ Reflections on July 13/2024

Here is a picture of a lily that comes up every year by our deck.

Click on image to enlarge!

Mornin’, folks! Ain’t nothin’ like a sunrise to remind you that… the best things in life are free.

This morning in cottage country, the temperatures have risen slightly, but it’s still perfect for enjoying the outdoors. The forecast promises sunny weather for the next week or more, with just a slight chance of a shower tomorrow. After that, it’s smooth sailing weather-wise.

Highway 522 was really busy traffic wise yesterday, as there were problems on Highway 69 and traffic was directed our way. There was also another accident on Highway 522 near Trout Creek closing down a portion of it. I suspect there were a lot of unhappy campers having to go out of their way to get to where they were headin’.

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

On another note, my wife and I took a trip to North Bay yesterday to pick up a few things. It wasn’t the best day for groceries, as most items had been picked over. Still, we managed to get what we needed. I’ve found it’s better to go in the middle of the week, say on a Wednesday or Thursday.

While we were there, we went to East Side Mario’s for pizza. After enjoying our meal, we headed home, stopping for a coffee along the way. It was a nice day for an outing.

Today, I’m going to relax, as my old body needs a break, after all the hard work my wife and I have done this year. It’s important not to push it too hard!

With that, I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me, and then I am thinking a hot cup of cocoa on the font porch will be in order.

You all have a great day and remember, keep chasing your dreams, one day at a time. Take care! GW”

The Best Fishing Times for Saturday
07/13/24

Major Times
5:49 AM-7:49 AM
6:09 PM-8:09 PM

Minor Times
–:—–:–
1:05 PM-2:05 PM

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

Sun Data
Rise: 5:40 AM
Set: 9:06 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 26 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 1:35 PM
Set: 12:15 AM

Moon Phase
Moon Phase is 50% percent first quarter
50%
First Quarter

Advice from an Old Angler: Try lures with built-in rattles. The noise and vibration attract fish from a distance, especially in murky water. It’s like ringing the dinner bell for ’em.

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]