Good morning folks! As I watch the sun peeking over the treetops and feel that crisp November air, I’m reminded of what I was told many years ago. “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” And out here, we know a thing or two about balance—especially when trying to stay warm without moving too far from the wood stove!

We’re starting things off this morning here in the north with a bit of sunshine peeking through, and the temperature at the time of this post was sitting at 6.6°C (43.88°F). For November, that’s not too bad, as daytime highs in the 40s are pretty decent for where we live. By tonight, though, it’ll drop to around 27°F (-3°C). Perfect time to light the fire and hunker down for the evening.

Tomorrow looks mostly sunny, with a high of 43°F (6°C).

You know, living out here, away from the city noise, the weather becomes part of our day. It’s a reminder to slow down and take it in, whether you’re outside or watching it all unfold from the window. So, all I can say is: “Enjoy these not-too-cold days while they’re here.”

On another note, things are pretty quiet traffic-wise around our area these days. Most of the locals are back in the bush, trying to put some meat in the freezer for the winter. Now, I don’t hunt myself anymore, but I understand, with the price of meat in the stores these days. Actually, it’s not just meat—everything is costing more these days. Every trip to the store seems to empty the wallet faster than the last.

People are asking why prices are so high, and truth be told, there’s no easy answer. A lot of things come into play, and one big factor is how the country has been managed these past few years. We’ve spent money where we shouldn’t have. One thing I’ve learned is you have to take care of yourself first before you can help anyone else. If you don’t, you won’t be much good to anybody. That’s the situation here in Canada—we’ve become so dependent on other countries that we’re losing our ability to take care of our own. Keep going down this path, and the tough times we’re dealing with now —will feel like a warm-up.

Now, here’s something else. A lot of folks have strong feelings about Trump, and I understand, I really do. And I also know he’s said plenty that maybe he shouldn’t have. But here’s the thing: he didn’t get where he is without knowing how to look out for himself and, in his mind, for his country. I really do believe that if given enough time, he will make real changes and get the U.S. back on track. A country needs a leader who stands up for what’s right, not someone who bends over backward just to get votes or look busy.

These days, it feels like most politicians are sitting in their big offices, dressed up in fancy suits, telling us what we need to do without having a clue about what life is really like for the average working man or woman. The problem is, it’s not just a recent issue—this has been going on for years. The powers that be in my mind, have a track record of making decisions, that often seem out of touch with the needs of regular folks. They spend hours talking, making promises, and drawing up plans that sound good on paper but don’t hold up in the real world.

It’s like they’re playing a game where the rules don’t apply to them, and we’re the ones who pay the price. Whether it’s economic policies that don’t add up or programs that funnel money into places it doesn’t need to go, we’re the ones left tightening our belts. Sure, there are some who genuinely try to make a difference, but looking back over the years, the system doesn’t seem to change much—new faces, same old story.

It’s like trying to read a doctor’s handwriting—they go on and on, and we’re left scratching our heads, wondering what they even said. And in the end, we’re still waiting for the kind of real leadership that understands the struggles of everyday life and is willing to roll up their sleeves and fix what’s broken!

So, those are my thoughts for today. Funny how one thing leads to another, but sometimes you just have to put it out there and let folks make of it what they will.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me and will then get back to doing some work here at my computer.

Take care of yourselves, appreciate the little things, and don’t forget to find moments of peace in the chaos. That’s what keeps us going. GW