Mornin’, everyone! “The best part of wakin’ up in the country? The peace, the quiet, and the chance to do it all again.”

It’s a cloudy, wet morning here in Cottage country and I have to say since yesterday we’ve been getting a bit of rain here in Port Loring, and while you might think it’s from that hurricane heading up the coast, it’s not directly the cause. What’s happening is a bit more complex. The local weather systems are doing their usual thing, but with the hurricane down south stirring things up, we’re seeing some extra moisture making its way up here. So, even though we’re not in the path of the hurricane, it’s still nudging our weather a bit, giving our gardens a good soak which in truth is needed. It’s just one of those reminders that even when a storm is miles away, it can still reach out and touch us in unexpected ways. Mother Nature has a funny way of keeping us all connected.

Highway 522 has been quiet lately, and that’s just how my wife and I like it. As truth told, we enjoy the peace and quietness of country living. But even with the slow traffic, our gift shop has been quite busy with folks stopping by to see what we’ve got. They’re picking up some of the one-of-a-kind items we make right here in my old woodworking shop. You know, we don’t carry offshore items, the reason being there’s already plenty of that around, and we prefer not to be sending our hard-earned money elsewhere. We’re proud to offer unique, locally crafted pieces that truly reflect the spirit of our work.

Bug Report: All is well in that department.

On another note, with yesterday’s weather being all over the place, I spent the day indoors working on stories for my newspaper columns along with a few magazines. Actually it turned out to be a productive day, though some days flow better than others.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is or has made for me and will then do some more writing. Not the greatest day for outside work.

You all have a great day, and remember: “Wisdom is like a good pair of shoes—those who need it most often seem to be walking around without it, stumbling over the same old mistakes.”

Fishing Times for Sunday
08/18/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
11:29 AM-1:29 PM

Minor Times
3:54 AM-4:54 AM
7:44 PM-8:44 PM

Day Rating: Actually if it wasn’t for the rain it’s a good day for fishing. I give it a 4-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: Learn a few simple knots to keep your hooks and lures secure. The improved clinch knot is a favorite. I’ve always said, ‘A good knot is like a good handshake—firm and reliable!’

I took another picture of a different kind of sunflower/s we grow here at our home. It brightens my day every morning, as I walk to my woodworking shop.

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning!

Being boarded out on a dairy farm years ago taught me one thing: That living in the country means-you get to greet the day-before it even knows you’re coming.

We’re in the midst of some clouds here this morning in cottage country. We did have a wee bit of rain through the night, which was much needed as the ground’s been dry, and the trees and plants were more than ready for a good drink. Furthermore, we could use a bit more, and it looks like we just might get some, off and on throughout the day. But with that said, we should be seeing a bit of sunshine as well, thrown in for good measure. Enjoy the warmth while you can.

Highway 522 hasn’t been overly busy for the past few days, and I suspect it will get even slower now that September isn’t all that far off. With kids getting ready to head back to school, many folks are busy with last-minute preparations. I have to say, summer sure has flown by; seems like just yesterday we were welcoming the warm days of summer, and now we’re already gearing up for the change of season. And not to forget that it’s almost time to start thinking about bringing in some firewood. I like to get ours in before the dampness of fall sets in, which tends to sneak up quickly this time of year.

Bug Report: No major issues this time of year, except for those pesky little nit flies that manage to sneak through the screens at night. They seem to have a knack for finding you, just when you’re cozy in bed, book in hand, ready to relax; I guess they’re just trying to get in on the bedtime story! ‘Just the same, my wife and I would be happy without them.‘

On another note, I’ve been keeping busy around the house these days. I decided to see if I could get an old gas pressure washer working, that’s been sitting around for years, all covered in dust and grime. After a bit of fussing and a lot of sputtering, it finally decided to cooperate. I then washed the whole house and, boy, I didn’t realize how dirty it had gotten! When I finished, the house looked like it had been freshly painted. It’s funny how a bit of old-fashioned know-how, and some elbow grease, can make such a big difference. And now that it’s done such a great job after being neglected for so long, I reckon I’ll have to keep it in good shape; actually I’ve got a nice place where it’ll be nice and dry for the winter-after all, it earned a little rest and comfort after proving it’s still got plenty of life left in it!

On the other side of the coin, my lovely wife has been hard at work on painting orders folks have asked for. On top of that, she’s been busy getting things ready for winter from our garden. I have to say, I feel pretty lucky to have her; she’s always working hard, and keeping everything running smoothly around here. It’s amazing how much she accomplishes, the truth of the matter is, I couldn’t do it without her.

With that, I’m off for breakfast; a bowl of Shredded Wheat for a change, prepared by my little woman, along with a piece of toast and real butter. I’m not one for that artificial stuff. Actually, I feel no one should be eating it, along with that artificial sugar. After breakfast, I’ll see what the day has in store. Right now, I’m not quite sure what I’ll be doing.

You all have a great day and remember: “Common sense is like deodorant-the people who need it most, never seem to use it.”

Fishing Times for Saturday
08/17/24

Major Times
1:00 AM-3:00 AM
10:31 AM-12:31 PM

Minor Times
2:33 AM-3:33 AM
7:13 PM-8:13 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 3-Star Rating out of 5 today for catching a few. Good Luck! ‘And don’t forget your raincoat.’

Advice from an Old Angler: A classic red-and-white bobber is perfect for beginners. It’ll let you know when you’ve got a bite. I always say; “A bobber is like a fishing alarm clock—it wakes you up to the fact that you’ve got a fish on the line!”

Rise and shine! The sun’s up, the birds are singin’, and the cows won’t milk themselves. So get yourself a movin’.

It’s one beautiful morning here, waking up in cottage country. And there’s something about the crisp northern air that makes you feel like the world is brand new each day. In my mind, there isn’t anything quite like living here in the north.

You know, living where we do, a feller learns to appreciate the simple things—like the sound of loons calling across the lake or the smell of a wood fire on a chilly evening. And there’s wisdom in that; As we don’t need the hustle and bustle to remind us we’re alive; Truth told… the rustle of leaves and the call of crows, do just fine.

Folks down south might have their cities and their fast-paced lives, but I believe that they’re missing out on something special up here—something that can’t be bought or built. Up here, it’s the simple things that remind you of what really matters, the things that make you feel truly alive. And if you ask me, there’s a bit of humor in that too. Because while others might be chasing after the next big thing, we’ve already found it!

Highway 522 is still unusually quiet for this time of year. I guess it’s a combination of being tucked away up here, along with the way the world’s turning lately. With the cost of everything going up, I think folks are keeping closer to home, watching their pocket books. But in saying that, as much as I enjoy seeing new faces passing through, there’s a certain peace in the stillness, that I can’t help but appreciate. It’s like the world has slowed down just a bit, giving us a chance to breathe. Not that I’ve got anything against city folks—everyone’s welcome here—but there’s something special about the quiet moments in our little corner of the world.

On another note, yesterday I was outside wrestling with a window that decided to crack for no apparent reason. Got the old glass out without too much trouble. Next time I’m in town, I’ll pick up a new pane and install it—should help keep us a bit warmer come winter. It’s always something with these little projects, but there’s a certain satisfaction in tackling them myself.

Meanwhile, my wife was hard at work with the tomatoes, prepping them for winter. She never seems to stop—truly a marvel of energy and dedication. I feel incredibly lucky and proud to have her by my side. If there was ever a mold for a hardworking and caring partner, they surely broke it after making her.

Do you think that might get me a pie for supper?

Today, well, to be honest, I’m not entirely sure what I’ll be doing. I’ve managed to tick off most of the things I wanted to do this summer. But you know how it goes—there’s always something that needs doing. Maybe I’ll tackle some painting on the windows, fix a few drafts around the doors, or… pull out some more of those never-ending weeds or clean my woodworking shop, and then there is that firewood that needs to be brought into the basement for winter Oh, hell, who am I kidding? It seems like I’ve still got a mountain of things left to do. Truth is, it’s like the list never ends. But hey, that’s just part of living in the country, isn’t it?

With that once again I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife put together for me, and will then head on out to our front porch and enjoy a cup of Turmeric Tea. Very healthy for ya.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this to ponder on: “A smart life is one where you don’t take yourself too seriously— whereas, laughing at yourself, keeps you grounded.” GW

Fishing Times for Tuesday
08/13/24

Major Times
6:41 AM-8:41 AM
7:07 PM-9:07 PM

Minor Times
–:—–:–
3:26 PM-4:26 PM

Day Rating: Things are getting a bit better these days, I give it a 3-Star Rating today out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: Live bait, such as worms or minnows, often works better than lures. Just remember to keep it fresh and lively. I have always said that; “Fish like live bait because it’s the closest thing to a free meal they’re going to get!”

And Gohm’s Bait and Tackle at; 18 Davis Dr here in Port Loring, Ontario, has everything you need in the way of bait along with other things.

Ask for Reg and tell him George sent ya!