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!

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

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.

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

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.

Here is a picture of a rose we planted last fall. Sure is pretty. Click on image to enlarge!

“Good morning! I have always said that the best way to double your money, is to fold it and put it back in your pocket. Now, let’s get to work.”

It’s looking like a nice morning here in cottage country. And we are even seeing some sunshine. However, we could see some passing showers throughout the day caused by that Hurricane that is coming up through the USA and into Canada. Nothing to worry about though.

Highway 522 is still very quiet, with mostly the locals moving around these days. But we are seeing a few new faces coming into our gift shop wanting that unique item, that can’t be bought anywhere else. Which is basically what our gift shop is made up of.

Bug Report: Mostly mosquitoes are bothering folks these days, thanks to the warm, wet weather. We need some sunny days to clear them out, and luckily, the forecast looks promising. But then again, Mother Nature has her own plans.

On another note yesterday being that it was a wet gloomy day, I worked away here at my computer, doing up some more stories for my newspaper columns. Actually it was a good day for writing.

Today is mowing day for my wife and I which we will get to right after breakfast. That is, if it doesn’t rain. We will see how that pans out, but if it does, we can always do it later. It’ll be there waiting for us.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “Keep your dreams big and your worries small!” GW

Fishing Times for Thursday
07/11/24

Major Times
4:31 AM-6:31 AM
4:51 PM-6:51 PM

Minor Times
–:—–:–
10:57 AM-11:57 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 just never know. Good Luck!

Sun Data
Rise: 5:38 AM
Set: 9:07 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 29 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 11:27 AM
Moon Phase

29%
Waxing Crescent

Advice from an Old Angler: If you’re having trouble with nervous fish, cast your line near floating leaves or debris. The natural cover helps disguise your bait and makes the fish less wary.