Good Morning! Another sunrise here in the North, where the air is cleaner, the people friendlier, and the closest thing we have to a subway is the root cellar!”

So it’s another cloudy morning here, waking up in cottage country. And we are also having a bit of rain. I am kind of thinking it will remain cloudy for most of the day. Tomorrow however we should see a wee bit of sunshine, which should stay with us for a couple of days, but then it’s back to rain. As the old saying goes: “April Showers Brings May Flowers.”

Highway 522 is still very quiet, as is most things in our area at this time of the year. You could say that: “Up here in the North, life moves slower than maple syrup in January. It’s smooth, sweet, and takes its time.”

On another note, yesterday, I did do a wee bit of work in my woodworking shop, as I had to put a new wheel and tire on my wheelbarrow. I had it for over fifty some years and the wheel itself simply rotted away. But now it should be good for another fifty years. We will have to see how that pans out. They don’t make things as good as they used to.

Today I will do some work in the shop and after lunch my lovely wife and I will enjoy the Masters Golf Tournament. We never miss it and have watched it for as long as I can remember. We sure enjoy seeing the flowers and the land itself, it gets us ready for what’s to come here in the north.

With that, I am off for my morning bowl of porridge and will then see what the day has planned for me. You just never know.

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this: “Life in the country is like a well-aged whiskey – smooth, rich, and best enjoyed in good company. So let’s raise a toast to today, tomorrow, and all the days yet to come!”

Fishing Times for Sunday
04/14/24

Major Times
5:28 AM-7:28 AM
5:56 PM-7:56 PM

Minor Times
2:03 AM-3:03 AM
9:52 AM-10:52 AM

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

Fishing Tip Of The Day: Bait Wisely, or Fish Foolishly: Back in the day, bait was more than just a snack for the fish – it was an art form. Us old-timers could turn a humble worm into a fish magnet with just a flick of the wrist and a sprinkle of magic (or maybe just a sprinkle of Grandmas bacon grease).

Good Morning! “Another day in paradise, where the only skyscrapers are the towering trees and the only rush hour is when the deer dart through the field.”

We are seeing some clouds here this morning in cottage country, and along with them, we did have a wee bit of snow overnight. Today however we should see a wee bit of sunshine, I hope…. which will get rid of the snow we did have, which was about an inch. We did have our share of rain yesterday, as it rained pretty well all day long.

Highway 522 is still quiet, which is normal for this time of year. You know: “They say the road less traveled is the one worth taking, and on Highway 522, we’ve got plenty of room to roam. I hope it stays that way, because there’s something special about having the whole highway to yourself.” Very hard to find these days, elsewhere.

On another note, my lovely wife and I had another busy day yesterday. We ordered a new washing machine from Home Hardware, and they delivered it. The fellows that delivered it were very helpful, and put it down the stairs and into our basement. There is no way I could have done it myself. And it wasn’t an easy chore with the way our stairs are. I have to say, that folks at the home hardware store here in town are nice folks, always accommodating, willing to help with one’s needs. Especially Steve, he is my go-to guy when I need help with projects I have on the go. The rest of the staff are nice too, though, I wouldn’t want you to think I am taking anything away from them. After we had it in the basement with the help of my wife we got it hooked up leveled and working. Today being Saturday wash day, we will see how she works.

Farm Life: “I have always said farm life ain’t just about plowing fields and mending fences. It’s about respecting the land, understanding its moods and its needs. It’s about knowing when to push and when to pull back, when to plant and when to harvest. And let me tell you, there ain’t no better teacher than Mother Nature herself. She’ll humble you quick if you ain’t paying attention.”

With that I am off for my breakfast that my little woman has prepared for me, and will then see what the day has in store. Every day is different, which is the way it supposed to be.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “They say you can’t have your cake and eat it too, but here at my home my wife bakes our own cakes, frost them with homemade buttercream, and we eat them with a side of fresh-picked berries. And if that’s not living the dream, I don’t know what is!”

Fishing Times for Saturday
04/13/24

Major Times
4:30 AM-6:30 AM
5:00 PM-7:00 PM

Minor Times
1:04 AM-2:04 AM
8:54 AM-9:54 AM

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

Fishing Tip Of The Day: Fishing ain’t just about catching fish. It’s about finding what’s important in nature and in life. There’s something magical about being out on the water, away from the hustle and bustle of the world. You could say, it’s therapy for the soul, a chance to recharge and reconnect with what truly matters. Something a lot are missing these days.

Good Morning! Where the only time we’re not working is when we’re eating, and even then, our minds are working on what we are going to do next.

It’s a touch cloudy here waking up in the north, but we should see some sunshine off and on throughout the day. But in saying that, the forecast for the next three days isn’t looking all that good, with rain in the forecast. But the trees and things do need it, and along with that it eases off the threat of forest fires.

I have always said: “When the barn door’s open, the animals roam free. The same goes for opportunities. So…. the thing to do, is to keep your eyes open and grab them when they come along.”

On another note, yesterday, my wife and I worked the day away outside on the new Fish Pond we have wanted for the past few years. We did make one, when we moved here over 20 some years ago, but with all that was going on in our life’s I filled it in.

Now being that we have a bit more time on our hands, and time to enjoy it, we decided to build another. Luckily, my wife, being a Landscape Designer in the South for a good number of years, knew exactly what to do. Her experience made the whole process a lot easier. As for me, well, I did my fair share of the grunt work. One thing is for certain, being a farmer for a good number of years, I’m used to getting my hands dirty, and my boots too, as in the bottom of that hole with the surface water coming in…. there were a few times that I didn’t think I was going to get out, with my boots getting stuck in the mud. But you know what they say, tough times don’t last, tough folks do. And when we finally see those fish gliding around, along with the plants and things, and the new water wheel a turning, I am going to build, it will be a little piece of paradise right in our backyard.

With that, I am off for my morning bowl of porridge that my lovely wife is preparing for me, and will then get to making that new water wheel. Should be an interesting project and keep me busy for a couple of days.

You all have a great day, and I’ll leave you with this: “The land ain’t just dirt and crops. It’s a part of you, and you’re a part of it. I’ve learned that after years of walking its fields and feeling its heartbeat.”

Fishing Times for Wednesday
04/10/24

Major Times
1:38 AM-3:38 AM
2:06 PM-4:06 PM

Minor Times
6:57 AM-7:57 AM
10:30 PM-11:30 PM

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

“Barry & Me’s Fish Tales: Reel Tips for Real Anglers” Remember those old wiry fish may be elusive, but with a little patience and perseverance, you’ll reel them in eventually. Don’t be afraid to wait it out and let the fish come to you.

Good Morning! Another sunrise in the countryside means another day to be grateful, for wide-open spaces and the freedom to roam.

I figure myself very lucky to live where I do. I just hope it remains that way.

We’re waking up to a touch of frost this morning here in Northern Ontario. The temperature at the time of this post was sitting at -1.8 C | 28.76 F. However, in saying that, the temperature will rise a lot as the day progresses. And front porch sittin’ will be guaranteed. At least for us here in cottage country.

So yesterday was a busy day for me and my lovely wife. Seems she gets into cleaning this time of year. It’s what we used to call spring-cleaning, and when a woman has it in her blood, there is no stopping her. I guess it is the same for a man in some ways, the only difference being we seem to direct our work mode to the outdoors. Which is what I did yesterday. I started off re-piling the few rows of firewood that fell over, caused by the ground settling. After that, I did some grafting on a few apple trees I am trying to restore. With no one trimming or looking after them, they naturally went wild over the years. So last year I cut them almost in half and then thinned them out some, and yesterday took some cuttings from some good apple trees and introduced them so to speak to the wild ones. So we will see how they take, as the days move along. Some do, some don’t.

Today will be another busy day as I have to do some repair work on the back of my shop and my lean-to, where we keep our firewood. With the high winds we had last week, it kind of made a mess of things. I didn’t really know how much damage it had done until I walked around our property. So that will keep me busy for most of the day. Once finished, I will see what them lawn chairs of ours has to say.

Highway 522… where the traffic’s light, but the charm is heavy. Just the way we like it out here in the country.

Wisdom I Have Learned: “Life’s like a field, full of bumps and rocks. You can either curse the stones or use them to build your fences and paths. Every obstacle is a chance to grow stronger and wiser.”

With that I am off for another bowl of porridge with some good old dark brown molasses sugar that my lovely wife is making for me, and will then see what the day has in store for me.

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this: “In the country, we don’t just take life one day at a time, we take it one cup of coffee at a time – because let’s be honest, caffeine is the secret sauce to a good day! Along with Cocoa, as it is pretty tasty too. We enjoy a cup every morning before we start our day.”

Fishing Times For Sunday
04/07/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
11:27 AM-1:27 PM

Minor Times
5:51 AM-6:51 AM
6:17 PM-7:17 PM

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

Fishing Tip of The Day: The fish don’t care about your schedule. They’ll bite when they darn well please, and all we can do is hope we’re in the right place at the right time. Such is life, right?

Good Morning! And another day begins here in the great North, where the stars still shine bright, and the only traffic jam is a line of deer crossing the road.

Highway 522 is still very quiet these days, with only the locals moving around, taking in what is going on around town. But as I keep on saying, things will pick up a lot when the weather warms up a bit. Waking up, the temperature was sitting at 0.6 C | 33.08 F, and it will warm up even more as the day progresses.

On another note they were saying we were in for a lot of snow, well…. some were, but in all reality with the temperatures climbing, what we do get won’t last long. We did have an inch or two overnight, but it is melting fast, with the temperature sitting well above the freezing mark. Every day now will be getting warmer, so warm that I will get my lawn chairs out, and set them on our front porch, as my lovely wife and I are looking forward to some front porch sittin’.

Yesterday I didn’t do anything outdoors with the weather not being so good. Luke, a friend of mine, dropped by to say hello yesterday and while chatting he said, “Looks like you didn’t burn as much wood through the winter.” As I have it piled nicely under the lean-to where we keep it dry. An hour after he left, two rows fell over in one huge pile. I guess the ground must have settled, causing it to fall. So…. once it warms up, there now is a bit of work for my wife and I to do. Not that we don’t have anything else to do. Ha ha. Sheesh!

Politician Fact or Fiction: Ever notice how politicians are like the weeds in the garden? They’ll sprout up everywhere, choke out the good stuff, and still expect you to water ’em!

With that, I am off for my morning bowl of Porridge with some dark brown sugar that my lovely wife is making for me. None of that light brown stuff. The darker it is, the more molasses is in it, which in turn is very good for what ails ya, especially for removing inflammation.

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this: “In the country, we don’t just count the days, we make the days count – whether it’s planting seeds, sharing stories, or just sitting on the porch and watching the world go by That my friends is what country living is all about.”

Fishing Times For Thursday
04/04/24

Major Times
8:49 AM-10:49 AM
9:17 PM-11:17 PM

Minor Times
4:43 AM-5:43 AM
2:04 PM-3:04 PM

Day Rating I give it a 1-star rating for catching a few. Good Luck!

Patience is Key: Fishing requires patience. Stay calm and wait for the fish to come to you. Sometimes, waiting silently for a while can make all the difference. Actually, life itself is like that. GW

Good Morning! It’s time to lace up our boots and tend to the chores, knowing that every task brings us closer to a day not wasted.

It’s a rainy day here in the north, it started around 2:00 AM, and it will continue on for most of the day, and adding to that we could see some more snow. Depends on how far the temperature drops. The good news is, at least for my lovely wife and I we got pretty well everything that needed doing outside yesterday all done up. I even washed our car and got rid of all the salt and grim from underneath. This stuff they are putting down on the roads today, sure isn’t healthy for the bodies on our cars and trucks.

Highway 522 is still very quiet these days, but in saying that, there isn’t all that much to warrant folks to be moving around, or come to visit just yet. However, that will change in the coming days.

Solar Eclipse: I can’t help but shake my head at all the hullabaloo surrounding this solar eclipse. It seems nowadays people are taking it as seriously as if the sky itself were about to fall. Some are even going as far as declaring a state of emergency over this eclipse! There’s even talk among some groups that this eclipse spells the end of the world. The last one, well….. I kinda think they’ve been reading too many tall tales or something. Then again, they’ve been predicting the end of the world since before I can remember. Must be a bit like that broken clock being right twice a day.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it ain’t a sight to see, and each one’s got its
own kind of magic. But it seems these days, folks are taking it a mite
too seriously, if you ask me… and avoiding the end of days? Well, you might as well try to convince a chicken to lay chocolate eggs!

On another note, being that it is a touch wet a cool here this morning, I think I will continue on writing up this new novel I have been working on for the past few weeks now.

With that, I am off for a bowl of porridge and will then see what the day has in store, other than what I have planned. As I said above, what will be, will be.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when you start it with hot cocoa, you know you’re in for a good day!” GW

Good Morning! Time to greet the sun with a smile and thank the land for all it gives us. “I hope you all had a Happy Easter!”

Looking outside this morning, there is no sunshine to be found, but I am thinking we should see some a bit later on in the day. Let’s hope so, as sunshine has a way of brightening one’s day… in more ways than one.

Highway 522 has been quiet for the past few days, which I chalk up to families getting together instead of traveling. For us on the Easter Weekend we enjoyed the company of our two boys who came for a visit. We don’t get together all that often, maybe twice a year if lucky being that they live so far apart, but in saying that we all had a great weekend together.

Moving along onto other things, I haven’t accomplished too much outside for the past week or so, being that the weather hasn’t been all that nice, but inside the house was another story, as I worked away here on my novel I have in the works. It is coming along, but the urge to get outside, is pulling hard on my coat strings… and truth told I am not sure which one is going to win. Ha ha.

Politician Fact or Fiction:: Politicians are like summer mosquitoes—annoying and persistent. Swat ’em away, and they’ll still come back for more, just like that pesky carbon tax bill.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast and will then see what the day has in store. Looking out, I can see a wee bit of blue sky!

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this. “As a young one, my morning routine was simple: wake up, rub the sleep from my eyes, and head straight for the old wood cook stove, where a steaming mug of hot cocoa was waiting to greet me like an old friend. ”

But in saying that, my lovely wife today picked up the reins so to speak, as we have a cup every morning after breakfast, while enjoying our morning chat. You could say It’s the glue that holds our marriage together. As, after fifty some years enjoying each other’s company, we’ve learned that keepin’ those lines of communication open is mighty important. GW

Fishing Times For Monday
04/01/24

Major Times
5:55 AM-7:55 AM
6:24 PM-8:24 PM

Minor Times
2:33 AM-3:33 AM
10:15 AM-11:15 AM

I give it a 1-star rating for catching a few. Not the best of days, but you never know! Good Luck!!

Good Morning! Where the chickens wake us up before the rooster, reminding us, that sometimes life’s clock don’t tick quite like we expect.

It’s a down right cool morning here, waking up in the north. Getting out of bed, the temperature was sitting at -3.9 C | 24.98 F. It will warm up a bit, but not to where a person could do any front porch sittin’.

Highway 522 is still very quiet traffic wise. One thing can be said about small towns is that, you never have to worry about finding a parking spot at the hardware store. You just pull up and leave your truck/car right out front, ’cause chances are… you’re the only one there.

On another note, yesterday once again I worked away here at my computer on my new book I am writing. I have to admit, even if it is to myself, that it’s slowly coming together. But in saying that, it has been a challenge which is what I enjoy, as my life has been full of challenges, and so far… I have overcome them all.

Politicians Fact or Fiction: “Living in the country all my life, I found that Politicians are like tourists here in the north – they’ll come and go, but they’ll never understand the real way of life up here!”

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is preparing for me and will then see what the day has in store other than what I have planned.

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this bit of wisdom that my old friend Grey Wolf told me many years ago: “In the school of nature, every creature is a teacher – from the ant showing us the value of hard work, to the bear reminding us to take time to rest and recharge.”

Click on picture to enlarge!

Fishing Times For:

Friday
03/29/24

Major Times
3:13 AM-5:13 AM
3:38 PM-5:38 PM

Minor Times
–:—–:–
8:08 AM-9:08 AM

I give it a two-star rating out of 5 for catching a few!. Good Luck!

Good Morning! Another day, another chance to work the land and walk in the footsteps of our ancestors.

In saying that, not much will be done in the way of working the land today, with it still being quite cool outside. I also saw some flakes of snow coming down, which says that spring might be on our doorstep, but it isn’t here yet.

Highway 522 is bare but wet this morning. Traveling should be pretty good for those having to travel. My wife and I did go to North Bay yesterday, picking up a few things for Easter, along with some groceries and things. While there I took my lovely wife out for her birthday, we had a nice meal, a glass of wine, and chatted for over an hour, simply taking in each other’s company. We kind of did up two engagements at the same time, as the day before was our 51st Wedding Anniversary. That’s got to be some kind of record going by today’s standards. Ha ha. All in all, it was a great day.

On another note, being that the weather has been so cold and wet, I have been steadily working on my novel staying in side where it’s warm. I have to admit, I don’t like this cold, damp weather. I guess it’s a sign of the years catching up with me, feeling the chill in my bones like this. But can’t say I’m complaining, not when I can still get out of bed and get things done. Makes a man grateful for the little things, that’s for sure.

Politician’s, Fact or Fiction: “Back in my day, politicians were like a storm on the horizon – you could see ’em coming, but there was no telling how much damage they’d do.” Still about the same today

With that I am off for a bowl of my favorite porridge this morning, along with a piece of toast that my lovely wife is making for me, or has made for me, and will then get to seeing what the day has in store, other than what I have planned.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “A wise wanderer knows that the best adventures begin with a single step and end with a hot cup of cocoa chatting with those, he or she loves.” GW

Fishing Times:

Thursday
03/28/24

Major Times
2:27 AM-4:27 AM
2:50 PM-4:50 PM

Minor Times
7:43 AM-8:43 AM
11:09 PM-12:09 AM

Day Rating
I give it a two-star rating for catching a few. Good Luck!!

“Good morning, where the weather don’t care about no calendar, and we’re left scratchin’ our heads wondering if spring done got lost on its way here.”

It’s another cool morning here in the north, with the temperature at the time of this post sitting at… -7.9 C | 17.78 F. The good news is, we should be seeing some sunshine a bit later on this morning, at the moment it is cloudy. And on top of that though, things are now going to warm up a lot, which I am happy about, as I am not a great lover of the cold. I do however like the snow in the beginning of winter.

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, which will make traveling good for those having to go anywhere.

On another note, yesterday once again I worked the day away here at my computer on a novel I am putting together, had a good day and got lots written. Today, being somewhat cool outside, I will carry on.

Fishing Times For March 23/2024

“Timing is Everything: When to Reel ‘Em In!“

Major Times:
11:24 AM-1:24 PM
Minor Times:
6:22 AM-7:22 AM
5:36 PM-6:36 PM
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars – Catch a few, but keep your expectations reeled in!
And Remember!, even the best anglers can’t control the fish’s schedule. So, while timing matters, a dash of luck and a pinch of patience can turn any fishing trip into a tale worth telling! And I have told a few of them in my day!!

Politician Fact or Fiction? “You know, politicians are like a fox in the hen house – they’ll promise to guard the chickens, but in the end, they’re the ones making off with the eggs!” Damn, ain’t that the truth!!!

With that! I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me, and will then get to work.

You all have a great Saturday! And I will leave you with this: “In the fields, I’ve learned that patience is as important as the harvest itself – sometimes you have to wait for the right time to reap what you sow.” GW

Good Morning! Where the Robins look mighty confused, and the Daffodils keep their heads tucked under the snow, wondering when it’ll finally be their time to shine.

Staring things off here in the north, it is a cold morning with the temperature sitting at -12.5 C | 9.5 F. In light of that, warmer temperatures aren’t that far off, which is fine with me, as I am not a lover of the cold. Although, the cold is what keeps a lot of diseases at bay, which is a good thing, especially these days. And let’s not forget about that sunshine, giving us the Vitamin D3, we’re all lacking these days. Truth is, without it, us humans would be in some mighty dire straits, that’s for sure.

Highway 522 is dry and bare this morning, which once again will make traveling good for those in need of things in other towns.

Yesterday, I spent the whole day in front of my computer, working on my novel. Things went well, but there’s a problem I keep running into. I’ll get into writing, then stop to do other stuff. When I come back to it, I have to spend time remembering what I wrote before—like the names of characters, along with a lot of other things. It makes me understand why some writers prefer quiet places to write, without any distractions bothering them. My wife has the same problem being able to do her paintings. Maybe we should look for an out-of-the-way place in the sunny south next winter, and go do our thing. We just have to find that special place!

Today I will carry on, being that it is cold outside. We are also still feeding our wood furnace these days, which in turn saves our oil, as we have an oil furnace that sets alongside our wood furnace. Great set up for sure. We love wood heat!

Politician Fact or Fiction: You know, I kind of figure, that Politicians are like a broken record – they keep playing the same tune of ‘change’ and ‘reform,’ but the song never seems to end!

With that, I am off for some waffles this morning that my lovely wife is making for me, with a touch of Mike Clappertons Maple Syrup: Just because I can.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with these few words, that the old one told me one time while sitting on a rock beside a creek, many years ago.

“In the quiet of nature, I feel the spirits of my ancestors near, speaking through the rustle of leaves and the songs of birds.” One might have to read that a few times, to get his drift of things, but it’s there! GW

Good Morning! Where the cold nips at your nose and the wind cuts through your coat, reminding us that Mother Nature’s got a sense of humor. As, this morning, temperature wise, it seems more like February than March.

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, which will make traveling good for those heading out of town. However, in saying that it is still quiet traffic wise, with mostly the locals moving around. But we do live in an out-of-the-way area, that’s for sure. And how I know this… is by watching Nature, as here where we live, the local wildlife has more street smarts than the tourists. Squirrels stop before crossing the highway, and deer wait and look both ways at the stop signs. And occasionally, they nod at ya!

On another note, yesterday, I switched gears and went back to work on my Mystery/Sci-fi book/Novel, a project I’ve been tinkering with for a few years now. When I get those gut feelings, I’ve learned to roll with them. I figure I’ve got about a week’s worth of writing left to finish it, which all totaled is pretty good for a book. I’m hoping/wanting to make it into a series. But as it has been all my life, my mind’s always shifting. We’ll see how it goes.

Politician’s Fact or Fiction: Being a farmer for a good portion of my life, I’ve always said that… “Politicians are like a leaky bucket – you keep filling them up with your hard-earned money, but it just keeps dripping away!”

That’s all I have for this morning folks I am now off for my breakfast that my lovely wife made for me, and will then get to work.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “The stories of my ancestors are the roots of my being, grounding me in the soil of tradition and nourishing me with the fruits of their wisdom.” I guess that is why I enjoy writing as I do. GW