Good Morning! And as I have always said: “The secret to a long life? Keep breathin’ and don’t take yourself too seriously.”

It’s a muggy, damp morning here in Northern Ontario. The rain poured down all night, sometimes really coming down hard, giving everything a good soak. Now, let’s break down the upcoming weather.

There’s a persistent heatwave hanging around down south. Our northern climate and the occasional thunderstorm are trying to push it away, but it’s a stubborn one, bouncing back stronger each time, almost like it has a mind of its own.

Next weekend, a hefty storm is forecasted to sweep through, bringing rough conditions close to our borders, and maybe us here too. Meaning a few storms and a drop in temperatures, but nothing too extreme. Looks like we’ll be holding onto the warm weather for a while longer.

So, expect some possible storms and a bit of cooling, but it’ll generally stay pretty warm for us here in cottage country.

Highway 522 has slowed down some, but with the long weekend approaching, things will pick up by midweek. This is normal for our area during the summer months. However, many people are struggling due to excessive taxation and the high cost of living. The situation overseas with ongoing wars only adds to our concerns.

We need to stop pouring money into other countries when we need help here in Canada. Our country is heading towards bankruptcy with all this spending, and it’s not making any difference. Countries like Russia and its allies are stronger than ever. We should focus on strengthening our own nation. Right now, we are losing our ability to sustain a good quality of life. And truth told… is what our unfriendly countries want.

Helping other countries is important, but if we don’t prioritize our own needs first, we won’t be able to help anyone, including ourselves, in the future. We need to take care of Canada so we can be strong and self-sufficient, and we need to do it now………

On another note, since it was so wet yesterday, I decided to work on a few more stories for my weekly newspaper columns. It turned out to be a great day for writing, and I managed to get several done. With the weather being what it is this morning, I think I’ll keep the momentum going and continue writing. As a writer, when the words are flowing, it’s best to strike while the iron is hot!

With that I am off for some pancakes that my lovely wife is making for me and will then see what the day has in store.

Have a great day and don’t forget, a good day starts with a hearty breakfast and ends with a grateful heart. See y’all tomorrow!

Fishing Times for Sunday
06/23/24

Major Times
1:32 AM-3:32 AM
2:02 PM-4:02 PM

Minor Times
6:04 AM-7:04 AM
10:46 PM-11:46 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 3-star rating for catching a few, that is, if the rain leaves us. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: “After a good rain, the run-off brings all sorts of goodies into the water. Fish love to feed on worms and bugs that get washed in. Grab your gear and head out after a good rain for some prime fishin’.”

Good Morning! They say you’re only as old as you feel. Some days I feel 30, some days I feel 90. Today? Well, let’s see what today brings!

So… it’s been a few days since my last post, reason being my wife had another tooth break off, so two trips to town to get it fixed up. And on top of that, our air in the car gave up the ghost, which sure didn’t make the drive in and back very comfortable. But things worked out, and now we can get things back on track.

Today we will see about getting our mowing done up. I was surprised how much it has grown in the past week, being that it was so hot. I suspect, those wood ashes I put down in the spring has helped a lot. So that should keep us busy for the morning. After lunch, I have some staining to do on a new door we made a couple of days ago. After that, well, I am thinking some front porch sittin’ will be in order with a cup of sweet tea.

Highway 522 has seen a slight increase in traffic, but it remains slow compared to previous years. Interestingly, a few homes in our area have recently gone up for sale, which reveals something if you look closely. Many people believe that living in the north offers a great way of life, and it does, but you need to have the right mindset to survive. Living in the north isn’t about money; it’s about the inner strength of the individual. Some people move here, try it for one winter, and then decide they can’t handle it, saying, “To hell with this, I’m out of here.”

Bug Report: With this damp, hot weather, the mosquitoes have been really pestering everyone, and now the deer flies have joined the party in full force. Those suckers, once they find you, just won’t leave you alone. That’s when my trusty old hat comes in handy. But hey, it’s that time of year, and there’s not much you can do about it. Just think of it as nature’s way of making sure we all stay active!

I will leave this morning with this: Life in the country teaches us that hard work and humor are the keys to a good day. And with that bit of wisdom in mind… I am off for my morning bowl of cereal that my little woman has put together for me, and will then head on outside and see about that mowing.

Fishing Times for Friday
06/21/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
12:02 PM-2:02 PM

Minor Times
3:57 AM-4:57 AM
9:09 PM-10:09 PM

Day Rating; A great day for fishing. I give it a 5-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Should be no problem, putting a few in the frying pan for supper. In saying that. Good Luck!

Fishing Tip/Wisdom of the Day: “Get up before dawn and hit the water. That’s when the fish are most active and lookin’ for breakfast. And the best part is… you’ll often have the whole lake/river/creek to yourself.” GW

Good Morning! You know… I’m still learnin’ that the best things in life are the simple ones. Let’s keep it simple today.

It’s a really beautiful day here in cottage country. The sun is shining, and there’s a light breeze coming in from the south-southwest. It’s pretty hard to beat that! Starting today, the temperatures will begin to rise a bit, as they do every year, but they’ll drop back down within a few days.
I never let these warmer days bother me. When they occur, my lovely wife and I simply retire to our swing under our old maple tree and take it easy. And really, all you have to do is think about winter, which isn’t that far off, to appreciate the warm weather.
It’s also worth mentioning that some environmentalists are making a big deal out of this warm weather, I believe, trying to convince folks that global warming is getting worse to serve their own agendas. But the truth is, summer is summer and the world is doing what it’s always done for millions of years. So for me, well I will enjoy the warm weather while I can, especially since winter will be here before we know it.

Highway 522 was quiet yesterday with folks staying at home enjoying their day off work. Well, those that have a day off work. For my wife and me, every day is pretty much the same. If there’s work to be done, we get to it. Yesterday, we spent our time refurbishing our old gravel driveway. I rigged up an old blade of sorts and dragged it behind my mower, which loosened up the packed-down stones and gave them new life. It looks pretty good now, and the best part was… it didn’t cost us a cent, just half a day’s work.

Bug Report: Yesterday we hardly saw a one, it was a great day to get some outside worked done up, without being pestered by them sons a-guns.

Today, I plan to spend some time in my woodworking shop, working on a few ongoing projects. After that, we’ll see how the day unfolds. I might take it easy and give my body a well-deserved rest. It’s been a busy spring for my wife and me, with hardly any downtime. However, we’re doing the things we love, and as long as I feel up to it, I want to make the most of it. You never know what’s around the next corner.

With that I am off once again for my breakfast that my little woman has put together, and will then head on out to our front porch for our morning cup of hot cocoa, and then off to do some work. It makes one feel mighty fine just to be able to do these things.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you this morning with this: Up here in the north, we know there’s no time like now to appreciate what nature has to offer,

Fishing Times for Monday
06/17/24

Major Times
8:37 AM-10:37 AM
8:59 PM-10:59 PM

Minor Times
1:58 AM-2:58 AM
4:28 PM-5:28 PM

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

Fishing Tip/Wisdom of the Day: “Live minnows are a classic bait for a reason. Hook ’em through the lips or tail, and let ’em swim. Predatory fish like bass and pike can’t resist ’em.” And if you’re in our area… Gohm’s Bait and Tackle located at 18 Davis Dr, in Port Loring Ontario has them ready and waiting. Reg the owner is a great feller. GW

“Howdy & Good Morning to Ya! They say the early bird gets the worm, but at my age, I’m more interested in the coffee. Let’s start this day right!”

It’s one nice lookin’ day here in cottage country. The sun is shining, with just a couple of fluffy clouds drifting lazily across the sky. It’s a perfect day for relaxing on your front porch, working in the garden, or maybe throwing a line in the water to catch your supper. However you choose to spend it, today is shaping up to be a beautiful one.

On another note, yesterday, my wife and I managed to get the grass cut in the afternoon. It was quite a challenge with the heat, but we got it done, and I must say, it sure is looking nice. I can’t begin to tell you how well our vegetable garden is growing; truth be told, it has never looked this good. And with that nice rain we had, the lettuce and spinach have grown a good four inches or so. That means… we’ll be having our first lettuce salad from our garden tonight with supper. Now, what could be better than that?

Today, I’m planning to put in that row of winter potatoes so come fall, we won’t have to be running to the store. The potatoes in the grocery stores these days are getting worse and worse—soft, sprouting eyes, and sometimes even rotten ones in the bag. It’s a sad state of affairs, considering we live in a country that once had some of the greatest farmland in the world.

Nowadays, though, a lot of that good land is being covered with houses. Our powers that be keep saying we need more homes for immigrants. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s a need for new homes, but it shouldn’t be at the taxpayers’ expense. If someone wants to buy a new home, the cost should fall on them, not the rest of us.

And while I’m on the subject, there’s plenty of land out there that’s not so great for growing fruits and vegetables. That’s where homes should be built, not on our prime farmland. I also believe that too much immigration isn’t good for us either. From what I’ve seen and learned over the years, we’re going to pay the piper for it here in Canada if we don’t bring it under control.

The bottom line is, immigration as it stands now isn’t about what’s good for our country; it’s about votes. That’s my feeling on the subject. Hmm, how did I get onto that? Sheesh! Anyway, on to other things.

Highway 522 is bustling with more traffic every day now, as campers and tourists flock into our area. Many of them have been stopping by to visit our gift shop and take a look around our property, curious about how we keep it so beautiful. It seems folks always leave here with a smile and a bit of that peace we’ve worked hard to cultivate over the years. It’s mighty rewarding to see.

With that… I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has prepared for me and will then head on out to our front porch and take in our beautiful piece of paradise.

Fishing Times for Friday
06/14/24

Major Times
6:37 AM-8:37 AM
6:56 PM-8:56 PM

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

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

Fishing Tip Of The Day: Being that it is going to get hot for the next few days, you have to remember that hot days can slow down the fishin’. Keep your bait cool by storin’ it in a shaded spot or usin’ a cooler with ice packs. Fresh bait makes all the difference.

“Good morning’, the rooster’s callin’. And as I have always said: A day well begun is half done.”

Looking outside this morning, we are seeing some rain, accompanied by the sound of thunder. It appears the rain will continue for a couple of hours and should stop around 9:00 or 10:00 AM. If we’re lucky, we might even see some sunshine afterward. However, the rain is expected to return later this afternoon.

Being Thursday it’s our mowing day, but as last week, it might have to wait for a couple of hours before we can get to it. Not much we can do about that. On the bright side, the grass isn’t growing as quickly, making the task a bit easier for us two old timers.

On another note, yesterday, my wife and I spent the entire day working around our property. We got so much done, I can’t even remember everything we tackled. There’s always something to keep us busy when you own your own home. But you know, it’s satisfying to own our place outright these days. Some folks say to me, “George, it must be nice not having a mortgage and living where you do.” I tell them, “Well, you’re not wrong, but it took a whole lot of hard work and time to get here.” Seems like nowadays, some folks want everything right away without putting in the sweat and time like we had to do. Now I said some folks. Sheesh. Back in my day, you could speak your mind without tiptoeing around everyone’s feelings. Nowadays, mentioning a few folks and suddenly you’re on trial! Can’t offend this, can’t ruffle that—it’s like navigating a social minefield with a blindfold on!

Highway 522 was on the slow side yesterday traffic wise, but being that the weekend is closing in on us, it will pick up a bit.

Bug Report: Black Flies are all but gone now, mosquitoes are out there but not so bad in the sun. Actually, yesterday I never noticed any while working outdoors with my lovely wife.

With that, I am off for a bowl of cereal, and we will then have to see what this weather is going to do. If it keeps on raining I will write up a story or two for my columns, I like to have a few in reserve. If the rain stops, we will get to mowing.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you this morning with this: “Keep your boots dry and your heart light.”

Fishing Times for Thursday
06/13/24

Major Times
5:57 AM-7:57 AM
6:17 PM-8:17 PM

Minor Times
12:57 AM-1:57 AM
12:07 PM-1:07 PM

Day Rating: Not the greatest day to be out there fishing, I give it a 1-star rating out of 5 for catching a few. But if you do decide to head on out, don’t forget your raincoat and… Good Luck!

Fishing Tip/Wisdom of The Day: When the fish are nibblin’ but not takin’, try this trick: tie on two hooks about an inch apart. Thread your bait through both hooks. Sometimes, they can’t resist takin’ a second bite!