Greening Bay Cottages
Ontario Fishing at Greening Bay Cottages, Callander, Lake Nipissing
May 16, 2008
Howdy folks!! Hope you enjoy your first long weekend of the season. It's beautiful and sunny here today and looks like it'll hold out for the majority of the afternoon and early evening. Rain in the forecast for the weekend but doesn't mean we'll get it. Hopefully just some showers passing through. Couldn't believe the price of gas yesterday. It's up to $1.32 here so if you're heading north, fill up before you come!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
What costs nothing is worth nothing.
Anon.
May 15, 2008
Well we're pumped and ready for the long weekend to begin. Other than a few last minute things to attend to, we're good to go. Bring on the fish!! Unfortunately, not calling for great weather this weekend - which has been the case nearly every year since we've been here. Calling for showers tomorrow and rain on Saturday. I'm trying a new "rum runner" rib receipe for some friends sometime this weekend - likely on Saturday as it's going to be so poopy out. Just an update for those who are interested...as it was raining (hard!!) most of the day yesterday, I saw that the two kittens were both curled up with each other on a blanket I put down on some chairs in the hut for them. They are just the sweetest little things. Glad to know they are still alive. I'm going to slowly wean them off of catfood once they get a little bigger or else I'll have to look after them indefinitely. Could be worse, I suppose. Deer aren't coming up anymore which means the food is plentiful in the bush. All the male ducks are hovering around in front of our place so assume the females are all nesting. 'Tis the time of the season...Hope everyone filled their gas tanks up yesterday because the gas prices were up already this morning. Long weekend, go figure!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
A fair price for oil is whatever you can get plus ten to twenty percent.
Anon.
May 14, 2008
We still haven't gotten the rain as forecasted for today although the wind was blowing pretty good this morning and it is overcast. Pretty much guaranteed we'll get something, just a matter of how much. We could use a little rain even though Lake Nipissing levels are within spring run-off range. There was an article in "The Nugget" this morning stating that the fishing is going to be phenomenal this spring. Alot of 12-15" caught last year which would have grown. Still, unless they've grown a couple of inches, you'll have to release so the article was somewhat contradictory. I guess we won't know until it opens this Saturday at 12:01 a.m. I will for sure have an update on our fishing report come first thing Sunday morning - want to wait to see how Saturday's evening fish goes.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Our minds are lazier than our bodies.
La Rochefoucauld
May 13, 2008
I certainly hope everyone had a great weekend and spent some quality time with your mommys. It was nice here weather wise for most of the weekend. Didn't get the rain as forecasted yesterday but calling for it tomorrow. This is going to be a very busy week for me as all the cottages need to be opened, the store/office cleaned out, boats in the water - Dan only has one more to put in and is currently repairing the transom as there was some damage to it. If it's not one thing, it's another...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
If you keep your mind sufficiently open, people will throw a lot of rubbish into it.
William A. Orton
May 10, 2008
Was quite a nice day for working yesterday. Managed to get my new garden in but managed to fry my back in the process. Moving a little slow today - that's what I get for overdoing it!! Still, I have lots to do and am getting started on cleaning up the office/workshop this morning. Save some more yardwork for this afternoon as I'll be able to wear shorts and get some sun. High of 17 forecasted today but think it'll get even warmer. A lot of trailer park tenants are here this weekend getting things organized for next weekend. The grounds are still a little wet so giving it the weekend to dry out before allowing vehicles in the park. Water levels on Lake Nipissing are right where they should be so we're good to go for the opening fish. The trusses came in for the fishing cleaning station yesterday so Dan's finishing it today except for the tin roof which should be in early next week. Man, what a sweet building - I'm so impressed with my man!! He does good work!! The fishermen are going to have hard-ons when they see this puppy!! Hope that didn't offend anyone but I'm sure you get the drift...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
All our talents increase in the using, and every faculty both good and bad, strengthen by exercise.
Anne Bronte
May 9, 2008
Had my first "Thursday's Girl's Night" last night and it was quite fun not to mention enlightening. Glad to know I'm not hanging around with a bunch of "not-rights" because we didn't male bash once. Good food, couple of glasses of wine and a nice relaxing atmosphere was just the ticket for me yesterday. It was a very long day for me as I had to get the public washrooms opened for the season and then do a town run to get supplies for opening weekend next Thursday. Beautiful and sunny today. Only calling for high of 10 but already feels much warmer than that. Going to be a great weekend by the looks of things.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
A man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry.
Ecclesiastes 8:15
May 8, 2008
Aaaawwwwwww. Went in to put some food down for the kittens in the quansan hut and the two of them were cuddled together on the seat of one of our alpines. They jumped down when I came in but didn't leave the hut. I should be able to catch them if I so desire and would love to find homes for them but have to do it soon because they are feral and the longer you wait, the more wild they become. If I didn't already have two indoor cats of my own I'd be inclined to raise them myself. They sure miss their mommy because they are living in the hut by the looks of things. Weather today is windy and cool but sun is clearing away the cloud cover. Should be really nice by noon. Calling for high of 14 today and looks to be a nice sunny weekend although still mid-teen temps.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Man's many desires are like the small metal coins he carries about in his pocket. The more he has the more they weigh him down.
Satya Sai Baba
May 7, 2008
What a great "working outside day" yesterday turned out to be. We got quite a bit done and are making progress as far as getting ready to re-open for the season. Should be good to go by the middle of next week for sure. Also have some good news for you cat lovers out there. Momkat's kittens are still alive even though I haven't yet seen them. I checked the food I put out yesterday periodically and it was slowly getting eaten - was completely gone this morning and there was evidence they had been sleeping in the quansan hut. Hopefully they'll survive but there are so many predators around only time will tell. Not so nice today. Overcast and calling for showers all day but sunny again tomorrow and Friday. Still don't know if we'll be able to turn the water on in the park - still frost and pretty wet in some spots. Heard on the news that Toronto gas prices went up to $1.23. BIG DEAL!! It's been $1.30 here for over a week so count your very small blessings people!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The forces in a capitalist society, if left unchecked, tend to make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
Jawaharlal Nehru
May 6, 2008
Well this website, at least the past few days, hasn't been very upbeat and unfortunately have something sad to report again today. Remember the feral mom cat I've been mentioning periodically on our website (with two kittens)? Well I went to feed her this morning in the hut she's been living in all winter and found her dead just inside the door. She was in excellent condition and not a mark on her so we think she'd been poisoned. There is one person, who shall remain nameless, in our park that we caught being very careless with poison (our dog Tar had a bag of it in his mouth) and he was told not to use it anywhere outside of his trailer. Well I immediately went and checked under his trailer and there is evidence of poison but I'm going to confront him first before accusing. He's in deep doo doo in that's the case. It's such a shame that such a nice animal (sorry to all you cat haters out there) to go in such a painful way - especially after surviving the winter. I buried her in a special place. I haven't been able to find her kittens and suspect that if she nursed them after eating the poison, they are dead as well. Needless to say I'll be on the lookout for them in the days to come. Okay, enough gloom and doom for one day...Weather is beautful today, nice and sunny, great outdoor working weather. Dan has the walls pretty much completed on the new fish cleaning station and now just has to wait for the roof trusses to come in. I've been doing yard and garden clean up and transplanting, moving, planting, etc. Also picking away at the spring clean for the cottages (laundry mostly). Oh yeah, something really neat...Dan and I were sitting on the deck last night and an osprey flew within feet of us with a nice size walleye in it's tallons. Anybody says there's no walleye in this lake are wrong!! Too cool. Soooooooo, I'm heading out right shortly to ENJOY and APPRECIATE nature.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
There is more stupidity around than hydrogen and it has longer shelf life.
Frank Zappa
May 5, 2008
Got the second cherry tree planted yesterday. Had a problem determining where to actually plant it as it is in honour of Helmut "The Captain" Bauer who passed away last June. Helmut was a long time friend and mentor of Dan's as he was growing up. Actually, Helmut's son Pete was our best man at our wedding. The Captain loved his boat and kept it in a marina next to a trailer park and I really wanted to plant the tree by our marina but there isn't enough sun so opted to put it at the entrance of our trailer park so (this is going to sound really corny but...) Helmut can watch over our park. Here's to you Captain, bottom's up!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Death - the last voyage, the longest, the best.
Thomas Wolfe
May 4, 2008
Managed to plant one of my sour cherry trees yesterday before it started to pour rain. We planted the tree for Howard Johnson who has been a wonderful guest of ours many times. Howard is one of the most sweet, selfless, thouughtful 80's+ American's we've ever had the pleasure to know and who came spring fishing here every opening weekend since we've owned Greening Bay. He initially started coming to Lake Nipissing 40 years ago with a huge group of fishermen but his group had dwindled to only 4 remaining. He contacts us every winter to see how we are doing and to make sure his reservation is secure. Last spring I didn't think he looked that healthy and we didn't hear from him this winter or spring. When I tried to contact him at home, his number had been disconnected. We have no way of getting a hold of him so my gut tells me Howard has passed away or is in a nursing home. Either way, in honour of Howard, I planted the sour cherry overlooking our bedrock as I spent numerous hours discussing gardening with him as his wife was also an avid gardener. Kudos to you Howard and God bless.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
At last God caught his eye.
Harry Secombe
May 3, 2008
We got dumped on last night - major rainfall but no thunderstorms as forecasted. Overcast again today although the sun is really trying it's best to come out. Warm wind currently coming through temps already at 13 degrees. Going to pick up two sour cherry trees today but don't know if I'll get them in the ground just yet. Weather is still too iffy. Going to Shawn DeGagne's buck and doe tonight. He's actually putting on a pair of antlers and letting people take target practice at him (for a price) with a paint pellet gun. Also has a band playing so looking forward to a good time...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
A man's ruin lies in his tongue.
Egyptian Saying
May 2, 2008
Was a beautiful day yesterday, nice and sunny, fairly warm. Today, not so nice. Calling for rain and only a high of 10. Remember I mentioned about the feral cat having kittens in the rafters above my office? Well I thought they had died but saw Mom cat with two kittens yesterday. Look to be about 8 weeks old. Pray to God she doesn't have anymore. They likely won't survive with all the predators around here but if she managed to keep two this long one never knows. I don't encourage feral cats but as long as they don't get out of control it's good to have them around - I have a major problem with moles digging up the grounds. On to another topic...Meph and boys did a great job on the new fish cleaning station. The concrete slab and all block/brickwork is now complete and Dan ordered the roofing materials, etc. for Monday. For pictures on the new station to date, go into our photo gallery under "comradarie" - they are the 3 latest pictures at the bottom of the section...click to enlarge.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Man at the bottom is an animal, midway, a citizen, and at the top, divine. But the climate of this world is such that few ripen at the top.
Henry Ward Beecher
April 30, 2008
Meph and the boys started our new fish cleaning station this morning. Doing the concrete blocks and then the bricks for us. Going up in God speed. Should be done by the end of the week for sure. Trailer park isn't going to be happy though. Suppose to open the park this weekend but the weather conditions won't allow for it. Still frost in the ground which means we can't turn the water on. Plus the park is extremely wet right now so we won't let anyone drive in - calling for rain ALL weekend anyhow. Nice. We get teased with marvelous weather thinking an early spring and the sh*t that was in Alberta (record snowfall) hits us in way of cold weather and snow also. Is threatening snow today but mostly sunny so not too concerned.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Don't fight forces; use them.
Buckminister Fuller
April 29, 2008
It snowed nearly all day yesterday with accumulation early on in the day. Snow pretty much gone this morning although it went to -1.1 overnight. Only going as high as +6 today but sunny so far. Warming up as the week progresses. Had 4 deer up on the our rock last night just before dusk so got a good look at them. Still a little skinny but the grass is starting to come really well now so shouldn't be too long before they stay in the woods.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
What you get free costs too much.
Jean Anouilh
April 28, 2008
What's up with this weather? I was wearing shorts yesterday and woke up to snow this morning. Still snowing and I'm not liking it!! Didn't go below freezing last night so guess that's something. All the ice is off the lake so that's something - and we thought we could launch the pontoon this weekend...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
A cynic is a man who, when he smells the flowers, looks around for a coffin.
H.L. Mencken
April 26, 2008
We finally got the rain we needed. It started raining late afternoon yesterday and continued through the night. Even had some cool thunderstorms - nothing severe but gave a nice light show over the lake with a little rumbling. Must have been a fairly large front going over because the thunder went on for hours. It's sunny this morning with a high of 17 already but that's going to be the last of it. Going down to -1 tonight and cool all next week. Predicting a low of -6 overnight Thursday so hopefully the forecast doesn't pan out. Daffodils and tulips are all coming up, don't want the weather to kill them. John Barber (friend from Calgary) is visiting so likely "get into it" this afternoon. Currently have our first guests in of the season - girls' weekend. They look like they're hurting just a tad this morning...good for them!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
It is often easier to fight for principles than live up to them.
Adlai Stevenson
April 24, 2008
Well my books are all done/caught up and the gov't. has received it's cut on my hard earned money. Dan is currently waiting for the cement truck to show up. He's formed up the floor for the new fish cleaning station and is now waiting on the cement pour. Gonna be a nice one. Will be bigger and more efficient than the current one - which is soon to be toast!! We have guests checking in tomorrow so that's it for peace and quiet around here!! Feel badly for them as it's suppose to rain Friday and Saturday. Article in the paper last night states that the natives are asking if anyone finds gill nets on the lake to cut them. They are doing the same as if there are nets out there, they have been placed there by renegades. After May 10th (when the walleye spawn if officially over) they will then place their nets out. As least everyone is cooperating with each other this year...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The peak of tolerance is most readily achieved by those who are not burdened with convictions.
Alexander Chase
April 22, 2008
Although it felt like and threatened to all day, we never did get any rain yesterday. Lake Nipissing levels are rising slowly but still need some rain. Have to see what happens after they open the dam. Saw a beaver swimming by in front of our house yesterday. Can't believe the wildlife around here right now - no people, that's why. Lots of nests being built and flowers are starting to come up now. Temperatures have been just gorgeous. Summer like conditions today. Already 17 and it's not even 10:00 yet. Get my butt in gear so I can get outside...Congratulations to Marty and Tracey on selling their house, I hope the family thoroughly enjoys the new one!!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The most important thing a father can do for his family is to love their mother.
Theodore Hesburgh
April 21, 2008
Our bonfire/beach party was a success although it could have been a little warmer. The ice kept sinking sending pockets of cold air on shore but it was all good. It's been increasingly getting warmer each day (highs of 25) and night (only went down to 7 last night) but we need rain. Water levels on Lake Nipissing are low and until the walleye spawn is over and they open the dam they won't rise. Calling for possibility of showers today, possibly even a thunder storm. Just as well as I'm going to be cooped up in the office for the next couple of days.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Sometimes I wish life had a fast forward button.
Dan Chopin
April 19, 2008
The frogs were singing last night (early this year) which means the walleye spawn is on!! When the frogs are singing it means spring is definitely here. When the frogs stop singing it means the walleye spawn is over. Betcha just learned something new today. We are having a beach party this afternoon as it's suppose to be sunny with a high of 23. I just hope the ice doesn't sink as the fog created by it makes it chilly. It was sinking yesterday. Get the old bonfire going if that happens. Likely get a bocci ball tourney going as well. Should be a great day!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.
Tennessee Williams
April 18, 2008
Weather has been just perfect. Way too nice to be indoors doing bookwork yesterday so got started on the property cleanup. Isn't a whole lot to do really as we did all the raking, etc. during the fall but it's still nice to be outside. Birds are mating like ninety right now...lucky buggers. Check out our fishing report today as there is actually something to report.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The nicest thing about the promise of spring is that sooner or later she'll have to keep it.
Mark Beltaire
April 17, 2008
Left the house open overnight as it only went down to 9 degrees celcius. Got up to a high of 18 yesterday and suppose to be even warmer today but with rain moving in overnight. The osprey showed up yesterday and are currently flying overhead making alot of noise. This is the time of year where they are most visible (although you see them throughout the summer, usually hunting alone or with their young) as they are mating and collecting debris such as seaweed from along the shorelines. Too cool to watch them. Glad they just eat fish though. Hate listening to critters scream. Aren't I the morbid one today?
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The landscape should belong to the people who see it all the time.
Le Roi Jones
April 16, 2008
Another beautiful day on the south shore of Lake Nipissing!! Even warmer today than yesterday and a nice southerly breeze happening. Only thing I don't like about spring?? Tax man cometh!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to get the most feathers with the least hissing.
Jean Baptiste Colbert
April 15, 2008
I must have brought the Mexican sunshine home with me because the weather's been terrific since I got home. Making it difficult to get my butt in gear as I'm walking around looking at all the "new arrivals" as in wildlife. Been sunny and mid-to-high teens and suppose to say that way all week. Calling for rain Friday but back to the nice stuff again on Saturday. Saw two eagles this morning but still haven't seen the return of the osprey yet. Should be anytime and it's something to see. You actually hear them, before you see them. They come in a large flock but only a couple of them nest in our bay area. Lots of Candian geese migrating with the smaller flocks stopping here. Our bay is half open and I suspect it will be completely open by the end of the week. Then we just have to wait for the wind to break up the rest of the lake. Dan's started doing some work on the boats in the fleet that need it. Was grating the beach with the tractor this morning but there's still alot of frost about 10 inches down. Guess we just have to be patience even though we're both itching to get our outside jobs done.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The future comes one day at a time.
Dean Acheson
April 13, 2008
Sorry I haven't updated this for a while but I just got back from Manzanillo, Mexico. What an awesome time I had. Glad I'm back though so I can give my liver a rest. Besides, gotta make some money to replenish my bank account!! Met great people and hung out with them most of the week so would like to say "hola" to Mark and Shawn from Ottawa, Amanda and Tyler from Kitchener, Christine and Shawn from Barrie and Brenda and Dave from the States. Hope you guys all survived the recovery. Wait until you get into work tomorrow and see how full your in-boxs are!! Took me 4 hours to get through mine!! Getting back to the blog, didn't run into any snow on the way home until we hit Sunridge and it was coming down hard in the North Bay/Callander area but didn't stick around as it was +5. Only went down to -4 last night and is suppose to be beautiful most of the week - one can hope. Got some amazing pictures of the deer last night. The geese and ducks are back and saw a robin yesterday as well so spring is definitely here.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses.
Cato the Elder
April 3, 2008
Been awhile since I've blogged. Dan got back from Florida on Tuesday afternoon. Drove straight through from Clearwater and took him 29 hours with few breaks. I'm leaving tomorrow morning for Mexico so there won't be any update until after April 14th. Weather has been iffy lately but spring is here. The eagle returned yesterday and saw it again this morning as well as ducks and seagulls. Lake just starting to open around tributaries and suspect it'll open more next week as calling for mild temps. Will let you know when I get back from Mexico...
March 27, 2008
Well I'm on the mend although still not 100%. Whatever I have is sure hanging on. Apparently there is what the doctor's up here are calling "the 100 day flu". My luck, that's what I have. Woke up with two ear aches this morning but seems to be "unplugging" somewhat. Bookings are coming along nicely for the spring fish so hopefully we didn't take too many this winter. :0) I managed to get the entranceway, hallway, bathroom and kitchen all painted this week. Finishing off the trim today hopefully. Dan is suppose to be leaving later this week (from Florida) and driving home via Washington D.C. Hope he takes the time to do some sight seeing while he's there. I haven't had a cigarette since he left for vacation (March 13th) so hopefully I can keep it up!! Weather is getting to just below zero during daytime highs but colder at night. Warm temps coming in the forecast for next week. We actually had a few flurries overnight but hear Windsor area is going to get hit with 15 cm today. Nice.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Better silent than stupid.
German proverb
March 24, 2008
Still no spring weather. Was -17.2 when I got up this morning. Only went as high as -8 yesterday. I'm getting annoyed at this weather!! The cold/flu is rampant up here and I've been sick for a solid 7 days. Literally flat on my back on the couch with no energy at all. Going to do some painting this week so hopefully won't have a relapse. I'm sure those poor kittens have died. Haven't heard them for days and even if the Momkat moved them, they would have froze to death in this weather. Poor little things, what a shame.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself.
D.H. Lawrence
March 22, 2008
I really wish Mother Nature would make up her mind. It went down to -13 last night and is suppose to be even colder this evening. Day time highs have been varying from above to just below zero. I could definitely do with a bit of spring about now. The slow thaw process is good for us but still....hope everyone has a very Happy Easter weekend.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support.
Fulton Sheen
March 20, 2008
Currently experiencing light to heavy flurries this morning but clearing this afternoon. High of -1.6 right now, didn't get much colder overnight. Haven't heard the kittens overhead for the past two days so think "Mom Cat" might have moved them. Haven't taken the time to look for them but I'm willing to bet they're in one of our ice huts. Don't know why animals do stuff like that, the kittens were perfectly fine where they were. Dan called from Florida. He wasn't feeling all the great when he flew out of Toronto and turns out he has an ear infection. He's on anti-biotics for it but that's likely going to affect how much he can drink. Poor guy. Finally gets to take vacation and ends up sick. I'm sure his liver will thank him. He did manage to score some "bench seat" tickets to the Tampa Bay hockey game (thanks Billy) this coming Tuesday so maybe we'll see him on t.v.?? Not much going on around here. Nearly all the huts are off the ice now, only a few left remaining which will likely come off this weekend. I really wish some nice weather would come through here...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Get your facts first, and then you can distort 'em as much as you please.
Mark Twain
March 19, 2008
Weather has been really mild. Went up to +6 yesterday but we still managed to get some flurries. Really large accummulation flakes but they didn't stick around due to the temps. Lake Nipissing looks opaque this morning for some reason. I think it's going to break up quickly this year although they are calling for colder temps to move in later this week. Hardly any huts are left on the ice which is unusual but due to the conditions I think everyone's moving quickly on it.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The Lord said "let there be wheat' and Saskatchewan was born.
Stephen Leacock
March 17, 2008
HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!! Since I'm of Irish decent, I should really go out and tip a few sometime today but that's not gonna happen. I'm sure all the parties were last Sat. night anyhow. Lots of huts came off the ice yesterday as the conditions were really good for it. There are still a few out by Lonely Island but that's it for our area. I really think spring is coming early this year as I saw a chipmunk and seagull yesterday. When I checked my book (I record the weather and animal sitings/departures) from last year, I didn't see a chippie until the first week of April. I had seen a few ducks over North Bay last week so am assuming the water is open on Lake Nipissing over by the water treatment plant. Our creek is running and is opening up a path along the shoreline so if this mild weather keeps up, the bay will start to open. Hardly much snow left.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Power only tires thoses who don't exercise it.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
March 15, 2008
Beautiful day yesterday!! Reached a high of over +8 degrees celcius and sunny for the most part. Lots of activity out on Lake Nipissing later in the afternoon as some smart people where actually taking off their ice huts. There is absolutely no snow left on the ice and a lot of standing water. Lots of thawing around our property with grass showing here and there. Don't think (knock on wood) we'll be experiencing any flooding this year. It didn't even go below zero overnight and is currently standing around 4 degrees.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Woe to the house where the hen crows and rooster keeps still.
Spanish proverb
March 14, 2008
The airline lost Dan's luggage yesterday. He was the only one missing it and was suppose to get it back later last night. We got about 3 inches of snow total yesterday. Only went down to -6 overnight and rising to above zero today. Mild temps forecasted for the next week or so. Hopefully alot of huts will come off the ice this weekend. I don't know why people wait so long to take them off and risk them falling through the ice - NOT good for the environment people!! Booked my trip to Manzanillo, Mexico yesterday. Going from April 4-12th. Can't wait!! Was thinking about Cuba but just really don't want to contend with the bugs - get enough of them in beautiful Northern Ontario during the summer!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Let there be spaces in your togetherness
Kahlil Gibran
March 13, 2008
Dan should be landing in Tampa right about now, hope he had a decent flight. Left our place at around 2:00 this morning for the T.O. airport. Decided to get some bookwork done and to my surprise, we've had some additions to the property overnight in the way of kittens. There is a feral cat I've been feeding all winter (although don't see her much) so she wouldn't starve to death. Soft touch that I am. Soooo, now as I sit in my office, I get to listen to the kittens meuwing incessantly for Mom. At least she's taking care of them because no way on earth am I climbing up into the rafters of our building - God knows what else is up there. Eeewwww. Should have figured though because she's been living up there all winter (the heat rises from our wood burning stove). Wait'll Dan hears this one...he'll be tickled, I'm sure.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Real maturity is the ability to imagine the humanity of every person as fully as you believe in your own humanity.
Tobias Wolf
March 10, 2008
Well we took a couple of days off to enjoy with friends. They have all since gone home after a really nice fish fry on Thursday, cabbage rolls and perogies on Friday and pizza on Saturday. Now it's time to get back to work. Things to be done before Dan takes off for Florida this week. And many thanks to Marty who brought it to my attention that my daily blog wasn't showing. It was just a matter of clicking one button that I must have accidentally turned off.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Every gain made by individuals or society is almost instantly taken for granted.
Aldous Huxley
March 4, 2008
My what weather we've been having. Dan took all our huts off the ice on Sunday except for one which we are going to use this week. We've called it a season to guests for ice fishing and it's a good thing. We actually had open water in our bay this morning as the thawing over the weekend and the heavy rains yesterday started Moose Creek running. It's a big area that's open but we are able to get around it to get the last hut off after we're done using it. High winds kept me up all night last night but it only went from +7 to -9 so not that drastic. Could have been alot worse. There are some strange huts around our shack so think there was some more movement overnight from huts not being tied down. Dan's winterizing the last of the cottages today and we have company coming tomorrow so hopefully the fishing will be good - high pressure system came in so if it holds, we'll get some fish.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Anything that comes easy, comes wrong.
Josephine Tessier
March 1, 2008
We finally got the badly needed snow overnight - about 3". Enough to slick the path anyhow. Was -10 at 5:00 this morning and suppose to warm up to -4 this afternoon. Still some flurries going on and overcast so am going fishing this afternoon to show the boys how it's done. I can't believe the walleye misses...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Don't blame the mirror if your face is faulty.
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol
February 26, 2008
Was overcast most of the day yesterday and winds really picked up mid-afternoon. Strong current at our fishing hole for sure. Didn't get much more snow which is needed but they are calling for some tomorrow. Cold front came in and went down to -20 last night. Sunny today with a high of -9 expected.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.
Confucius
February 25, 2008
Got up to 0.7 yesterday and only -5 overnight. FINALLY got some much needed snowfall - about 2.5 inches overnight. Still have some flurry actiivity happening this morning but it's suppose to clear. Fishing should be good this morning although our guests didn't make the morning run until around 9:00. Hoping to get out there again this afternoon after my work is done.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
A man never tells you anything until you contradict him.
George Bernard Shaw
February 24, 2008
Was a beautiful day on Lake Nipissing yesterday although the wind picked up for a while. Sunny and calm most of the day. Went to a high of -3.7 and only -8.8 this morning when we got up. Going to around freezing (0 to -1) today. Got work to do so won't be fishing today. Maybe later in the week. Got some disturbing news last night. Mr. Rowe of the MNR thinks the Natives are gill netting 4 times the amount as originally thought. Don't know what they plan to do about it but guaranteed it'll be the taxpaying citizens of Ontario that'll pay for it!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The greatest joy in nature is the absence of man.
Bliss Carmen
February 23, 2008
Was -17 when we got up at 5:00 this morning and at 9:00 it is already -9. I am definitely going fishing this afternoon. Take my "comfy" chair and a little vino and parking it about 100 yards from our huts so I can concentrate on my lines without too much noise from our guests. Can't wait. Currently a bit overcast which will help the biting but wouldn't mind if it's sunny this afternoon.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Man is a complex being: he makes deserts bloom and lakes die.
Gil Stern
February 22, 2008
It is absolutely gorgeous today. High so far of -5 and sunny. Wanna be fishing but waiting on some check-ins so likely won't get out there today. Tomorrow for sure!! Gonna take Tar (my lab) for a walk and exercise on the lake a little later. Feels like spring today...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Nature never die betray the heart that loved her.
William Wordsworth
February 21, 2008
Well yesterday late afternoon, early evening and late evening proved to be quiet eventful and pleasant for me. First of all I caught my limit yet again in walleye. Then when we got on shore that evening, I happened to look up in the sky pointing out to our guests where they may be able to see the lunar eclipse when a shooting star passed by. Unfortunately, it did die, just sort of peetered out. Then at 10:00, I ventured out in my p.j.'s and saw the lunar eclipse which was completely visible in a sky full of stars. Tried taking a picture but my camera just wasn't powerful enough. Gorgeous!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
We must seek the illusion which makes us appeals to our temperament, and embrace it with passion, if we want to be happy.
Cyril Connelly
February 20, 2008
Sorry haven't updated lately - been very busy. My "cottage cleaning helper" decided to take vacation so I'm on my own. Reeking havoc on my back but getting everything done. Haven't had any time to fish though which is really upsetting because it's been pretty good. The full moon was so bright last night it woke me up at 4:15 this morning because my bedroom was full of light. The lunar eclipse is this evening so am hoping to get a decent picture of it if we can see it.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
You can observe alot by just watching.
Yogi Berra
February 17, 2008
Dan banked the shacks yesterday afternoon and was out tying them down this morning in anticipation of the storm that's rolling through this afternoon. He also stocked up on extra gasoline just in case we lose power (for the generator). Mr. Doom and Gloom is always prepared for the worse and we wouldn't have it any other way. Looks like it's going to hit our area around noon and continue through the evening. Freezing rain does a number on the power up here so we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Gonna be a chore getting our guests off the ice if it gets really bad but we're keeping an eye on everything. Fishing should be good for the duration of the day though. If Mrs. Talbot happens to be reading this...you're boys are fine and loving the fishing!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
They sicken of the calm that know the storm.
Dorothy Parker
February 16, 2008
As everyone came in last night, haven't had any fishing going on until this morning. Was ssooo cold when we got up at 5:00 a.m. - it was -27 celcius. Don't know how the fishing is going to be as the temps and pressure systems have been all over the place. Calling for a winter storm tomorrow which could bring snow, freezing rain or rain. Just have to wait and see what we get thrown at us.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Experience is the name so many people give to their mistakes.
Oscar Wilde
February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day. Hope you all enjoy yourselves....
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Love is nature's second son.
George Chapman
February 12, 2008
Dan and I finally had a nice relaxing day yesterday. He rented some really crappy movies while I read and slept most of the day. We received an email from Chris Futko's group who left here Sunday afternoon and didn't get home until Monday. Figures it took them 22 hours to get home from here. Of course that doesn't include having to get a hotel room for the night. Apparently Hwy. 11 was closed and all the traffic were having snowball fights to pass the time. That wouldn't been cool to see.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
No one thinks of Winter when the grass is green.
Rudyard Kipling
February 11, 2008
Dan and I are taking a much needed day off today. Already stoked the fire and did the emails so we're going to spend the day being couch potatoes. It's very cold this morning (-23) and don't think there will be a whole lot of activity on the lake today. Suppose to stay cold through night time temps. but not bad through the day.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
There is a secret person undamaged in every individual.
Paul Shepard
February 10, 2008
Dan had to take one group of guys out in a complete white-out this morning. Thank God he has a GPS and knows how to use it!! Was snowing and blowing pretty good. The snow has settled down on shore and it isn't as windy but the cold front coming in is going to come in quickly so suspect it'll be windy all day. Definitely fishing in a hut this afternoon!! It was pretty windy for me on the lake yesterday but I stuck it out and was well rewarded. Having a fish fry tonight for supper and likely a glass or three of wine as we can actually take a day off tomorrow - first one in 14 days!! Dan's biting at the bite for rye and diet!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Whiskey drowns some troubles and floats alot more.
Robert C. Edwards
February 9, 2008
It's currently overcast but very mild. Went up to +0.1 yesterday and they were calling for colder than that. Calling for -2 today so will likely go up to about 4 or 5 degrees celcius. Definitely going out again (off by myself) for a bit and see if I can actually catch something I can keep. Light flurries going on and I think the fishing will be pretty good today.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
If I try to be like him, who will be like me?
Yiddish Proverb
February 7, 2008
Looks to be partly sunny to overcast this morning. Calling for -6 today with snow in the forecast for the next few days, which we badly need. Busy, busy this weekend so hopefully our guys will catch some fish!! Not that I really care, but isn't it something that's come to light regarding Britney Spears being drugged by her agent I think his is. Certainly explains alot!! What a piece of work that guy is. Hope he goes to jail...
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
All celebrated people lose dignity on a close view.
Napoleon Bonaparte
February 6, 2008
Got colder overnight. Was -3.3 when I got up around 2:00 (my back is bothering me) but when I got up at 5:30 was already -8. Was -10 by 7:30. Cold front definitely came in but without the wind. Dan has since breathed a sigh of relief. Overcast to sunny today. Got a little snow overnight but could certainly use some more. Wish me luck at the chiropractor's today. Hate getting my back adjusted but am much better for it!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
If you won't be better tomorrow than you were today, then what do you need tomorrow for?
Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav
February 5, 2008
Break my little heart. I had to do a minnow run first thing this morning so was just dusk out. Couldn't avoid it and hit a hare (had it's beautiful winter white coat). At least it died instantly and I moved it off the road - sure the ravens or something else will not let it go to waste. Man, I HATE road kill. On a happier note...we didn't get the bad weather as forecasted. Got some snow overnight and it's just drizzling out right now. Making for a great fishing day as it's completely overcast. Temps hovering around zero but suppose to drop today and this evening only going to -12 tomorrow. Need the cold so bring it on.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.
Ashley Briliant
February 4, 2008
Still holding our breath until we see what the weather is going to throw at us. Hopefully we'll dodge a bullet this time but one never knows. What about the Super Bowl XLII last night? Was really hoping the Patriots