Category Archives: My Opinion Only

My Opinion Only, Weather, What's Happening

Life Beyond the City Limits on June 7/2024

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“Good morning! Being a farmer, I have learned that the farm teaches us that every problem has a solution – you just need to dig deep enough to find it.”

It’s a cloudy morning here in cottage country, and we are having some light rain off and on. The rain along with cooler temperatures will remain with us right up till Monday. After that… things are looking pretty good weather wise.

Bug Report: The black flies are still around, but they’re not too bad. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, are a nightmare. Those blood sucking parasites are out there like tiny vampires, ready to suck up every drop of blood they can find! Reminds me of… well, I won’t get into that this morning.

Highway 522 hasn’t been all that bad for the past few days, but that is to be expected with the not so good weather, along with the bugs. But things will pick up a bit when the kids are out of school for the summer.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I started mowing, but we had to stop because of the rain. Fortunately, we managed to finish up after lunch when it cleared up for a few hours, which was all we needed. I have to say, our property sure looks nice when it’s all manicured. No need for us to go to any resort or park, that’s for sure.

Moving along, our gift shop has seen a lot of new faces, with folks stopping by and picking up their favorite items. It’s been great to see so many people enjoying what we have to offer. The steady flow of customers has really brightened up the place, and it’s wonderful to see our shop buzzing with activity.

Today, I’m planning to tidy up my woodworking shop a bit. After that, I’ll get busy making some comfrey fertilizer and comfrey insecticide for our fruit trees. Over the years, I’ve replanted many comfrey plants, and now they’re growing all over our property. Comfrey is one of the most useful plants you can have, especially if you grow your own fruits and vegetables. Not to forget the health related benefits it offers.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife is making for me: a bacon and cheese toasted sandwich topped with some lettuce. I don’t have bacon very often, but every so often, I get the urge. Just the smell of the bacon cooking makes my mouth water. After that, a hot cup of cocoa will be in order and when finished, I will head on out to my woodworking shop.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “Sometimes the best therapy is a walk in the woods and a deep breath of fresh country air.” Which is something my wife and I have lots of here in the north.

Fishing Times for Friday
06/07/24

Major Times
12:58 AM-2:58 AM
1:28 PM-3:28 PM

Minor Times
5:22 AM-6:22 AM
10:30 PM-11:30 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 4-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few today!

Fishing tip of the Day: Over the years, I have learned that… some of the old folks got stories and tips that ain’t in any book. Listen well to those, ’cause their words are worth their weight in gold. Now mind ya I said some, not all!

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]

My Opinion Only, Weather, What's Happening

Morning Thoughts from the Countryside on June 6/2024

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Good Morning! “Remember, in life, you can’t harvest what you don’t plant. Let’s make sure we’re planting the right things today.”

It’s a bit cloudy here in cottage country this morning, but we are seeing some sunshine. We also had some much-needed rain, yesterday, which started late in the day and lasted for a few hours. It came down so hard it filled our rain barrels in about ten minutes. I am happy about that, as now we will have lots to last till our next rain. At least, I think we will, we will have to see, it all depends on how hot it gets. More heat, the more water we need.

On another note, my wife and I took a trip to visit an old friend of ours in Coldwater for a couple of days. It sure was nice to see her. After that we headed on over to Orillia to do some shopping and then moseyed on to Huntsville where we spent the night. Had a nice meal at Kelsey’s, enjoyed our room at the Best Western, had breakfast which was included with our night’s stay, and headed on home, taking in sights we haven’t seen in a while. All in all, we had a good trip, but as always, it is nice to be home. The more I see the hustle and bustle of city life, the more I love the peace and quiet of our northern country property. Living here in the countryside, I really hope it doesn’t get any busier than it already is. We moved here to enjoy the peace and solitude, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s not that we don’t enjoy the company of others, but there’s something special about the quiet charm of this place that we’d like to preserve. Simple livin’ suits us just fine.

And then when we arrived home, I booted up my computer and found that the hard drive died, so we had to take it into North Bay for my son to fix. So that will take him a week or so, as he is very busy at work. Luckily, I have him to help me out, along with my old one to fall back on, which I am using now. Other than that, things are rolling along these days.

Highway 522 is picking up with traffic every day now, with more tourists and cottage owners closing in on us, and it will remain that way now for the next three months.

Bug Report; There are still a few black flies irritating folks, but for most parts the dragon flies have cleaned them up. We have lots of them flying around my shop and gardens, which is nice to see. Some even land on my old hat occasionally for a rest. The mosquitoes are out there in full force, but as with the black flies, the dragon flies are chowing down on them as well.

With that I’m off to enjoy my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me, and then I’ll wake up our mowers since it’s mowing day for us, which will take up the morning. After that, I’ll tidy up my woodworking shop, and then if the sun is still shining, we’ll spend some time relaxing in our lawn chairs out front, taking in the sights of our new fishpond, and the water wheel I made a while back. There’s always something to appreciate living here, surrounded by nature.

You all have a great day and remember: “Life’s simple: work hard, treat folks right, and take time to watch the sunset.”

Fishing Times for Thursday
06/06/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
12:28 PM-2:28 PM

Minor Times
4:31 AM-5:31 AM
9:30 PM-10:30 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 4-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Fishing Tip of the Day: Over the years I have learned that on hot days, fish like to stay cool, just like us. Cast your line in the shady spots and under overhangs where they’re likely to be hiding. GW

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]

Gardening, My Opinion Only, Weather, What's Happening

Morning in the Countryside on May 26/2024

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Good Morning! The day’s just getting started, and it’s already looking mighty fine.

However, it is a touch foggy in some areas, which should clear out when the sun manages to break through. Now in saying that it looks as if we are in for some more rain tomorrow and into Wednesday, but after that things start to warm up a bit, and we will be seeing a lot more sunshine. At the moment, you could say we are in transition stage from spring to summer. Which is normal for our area. But things were a touch dry, and I was hoping for some rain as we planted our vegetable gardens, and nothing could be better than a nice rain to get them settled into their new home. And I have to say they are doing quite well.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I made a trip to North Bay as we were in need of a few things. We ended picking up, more than we needed, had a pizza at East Side Mario’s, grabbed a coffee at a local shop, and then headed home feeling a bit poorer. Man, things are so expensive these days. And another thing we noticed is that people are in a real hurry. A few times, folks bumped into my shopping cart, telling me to get a move on. I’ve heard of road rage with folks getting upset, but now I see it has moved onto shopping cart rage. Who knew grocery shopping would become so extreme. But all in all, other than my wife getting her hair wet and looking like a shaggy dog, as it was raining and feeling a bit poorer, we had a great day.

Highway 522 we noticed was quite busy yesterday with a lot of campers trucks, boats and ATV’s coming into our area.

Wisdom I’ve learned growing up : Don’t let a small weed turn into a big one. Pull it out fast and keep your fields clear. It ain’t always easy, but it’s got to be done if you want a good harvest.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me and I will then get to installing two new bearings to my water wheel that I made a month or so ago. Which should keep me busy for the morning, that is if the weather stays nice.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: Life’s full of ups and downs, just like the seasons. You have to roll with it.

Fishing Times For Sunday
05/26/24

Major Times
2:42 AM-4:42 AM
3:12 PM-5:12 PM

Minor Times
–:—–:–
7:06 AM-8:06 AM

Day Rating: Not the greatest day for fishing. I give it a 1-Star rating out of 5 for catching a few. But as I always say… you never know till you throw that line in the water.

Fishing Tip of the Day: When you’re out on the water trying to catch some fish, remember to keep the noise down. Fish get mighty skittish when they hear loud sounds or see too much commotion. So, keep your voices low and the racket down to a minimum if you want to reel ’em in. GW

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]

Gardening, My Opinion Only, Weather, What's Happening

Morning Moments from the Country on May 23/2024

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Good Morning: The best part of living out here away from the cities is the daily reminder that life’s richest when it’s simplest.

It’s another sunny morning here in the north and all that hoop haw yesterday, about heavy rain, hail and wind never took place, at least for us. However, it has cooled down some with the temperature climbing out of bed sitting at 15.4 C | 59.72 F. It will warm up a bit as the day moves forward, which is good as my wife and I have our mowing to do today, which should keep us busy for the morning. The weather should stay nice now for the next few days, at least that is what Mother Nature is predicting, so we will see.

On another note, my wife and I spent yesterday planting some of our vegetables in the garden. We also moved a few shrubs and other plants to spots where we think they will be happy. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, they don’t do well in the locations we choose, and when that happens, the only solution is to relocate them.

The Wisdom of Generations Past: I found that growing up in the country, means inheriting, learning a wealth of wisdom passed down from generation to generation. Whether it’s learning how to read the signs of an incoming storm or knowing which berries are safe to eat, being a country boy means carrying on the traditions of those who came before. Nowadays, there’s a lot of focus on spiritual beliefs and what comes after this life. But from my years of experience, true fulfillment comes from the here and now—learning from the past and applying that knowledge daily. The practical wisdom our ancestors left us, in my mind, holds more answers than any spiritual teachings. Of course that is just my opinion as always.

With that, I am off for my morning bowl of cereal that my lovely wife has prepared, and then I will see if that old Roper Mower of mine will start. It can be temperamental at times. Kind of like myself more often than not.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you this morning with this: “Old barns and some old folks got a lot of stories. It pays to listen to both.”

Fishing Time for Thursday
05/23/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
12:20 PM-2:20 PM

Minor Times
4:43 AM-5:43 AM
9:09 PM-10:09 PM

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

Fishing Tip of the Day: Don’t be too quick to reel in your line. Let the fish take the bait and run with it for a bit before settin’ the hook. Patience is the angler’s best friend. GW

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]

My Opinion Only

The Sound of an Owl In The Early Morning Hours

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Years ago, when my friend Grey Wolf was alive, I heard an owl outside my bedroom window on the farm. And early this morning at 2:30 AM I heard the same sound once again. I remember asking him what he thought it meant.

He said: George, when you hear an owl hoot early in the morning, it’s more than just a bird making noise. For us old-timers, and especially for those who follow Native wisdom as I do, it’s a sign, full of deeper meaning.

Owls have always been symbols of wisdom and mystery. They seem to know things hidden from our eyes. Native traditions say that owls carry the spirit of wisdom and intuition. Hearing an owl in the early morning is like receiving a message from deep within yourself. It’s as if the owl is urging you to trust your gut feelings, especially when making important decisions.

Some believe that an owl hooting in the morning means it’s time for a fresh start. Maybe it’s telling you to let go of old habits and welcome new opportunities. It often signifies change and growth, hinting that you’re about to go through a personal transformation.

For those connected to the spiritual world, an owl’s call at dawn can be a comforting sign. In many Native American traditions, the owl is a messenger from the spirit world. This might mean that unseen forces are protecting you and guiding you. The owl’s call can be a reminder that your ancestors are watching over you, offering their wisdom and support.

When you hear an owl early in the morning, take a moment to pause and think. Native wisdom teaches us to be thankful for such messages. It’s a gentle reminder to listen to your inner wisdom and stay open to the guidance of the universe.

Remember, the owl’s call is a powerful symbol. It’s telling you to trust yourself, embrace change, and know that you are never alone. The next time you hear that hoot, let it remind you of these simple truths and the rich traditions that see the owl as a bridge between worlds.

You know… after Grey Wolf told me his thoughts, for most of my life I paid attention to feelings and things around me, and I have to say it has paid off. I am thinking early this morning, it was another gentle reminder, that maybe I should be paying more attention to what is going on around and within me, and to take more heed in my intuitions. As it seems strange that the sound of the night came to me at the same time as it did…. many years ago. GW

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]