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Good Morning. You know if asked I would say that our old coffee peculator tells my wife and I when it’s time to stop thinking… and start living.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario Monday, December 8, 2025

Well it was one of those mornings where the cold feels like it has teeth… temperature sitting at about –12.28 F (-24.6 C). The kind of cold that makes the boards on the porch creak a little different when you step out. Humidity is up around 84 percent, so that chill settles right into your coat. Barometer is down at 29.52 inches, which usually hints at weather trying to change its mind. Hard to say which way yet. Wind is hardly moving at all, coming out of the northeast but dead still.

Highway 522 is not too bad, though there are some icy snow sections throughout, so take it easy if you’re headed out.

For today it will stay bitter cold, no surprise there. Clouds will drift in and out, might feel heavier later on with that low pressure. Nothing in the way of wind to push it around though.

Tonight the cold will tighten up even more. The still air will let it settle right down into the low spots. Roads will shine up in places.

Tomorrow looks much the same… cold hanging on, maybe a bit more cloud cover.

Nature’s signs were simple enough. The trees were holding that thick white coat of frost and snow, not falling off even when the sun tried to touch them, which tells you the air is staying cold and heavy. You don’t hear or see many birds at the bird feeder on mornings like this. The sky had that pale washed-out look that comes when the clouds are out there somewhere but not in any hurry to show themselves.

On another note, yesterday I spent some time working in the woodworking shop, but for the most part, I stayed in the house taking care of various repairs. It seems there’s always something that needs fixing when you own a home. I’m not complaining, mind you as having a home isn’t something everyone gets to have these days. Ours is a bit on the older side, but I have to say, it’s built a lot better than many of the new ones you see today.

I also managed to write another story for my weekly newspaper column. I like to stay ahead by keeping a few stories written in advance. I did notice, though, that they’ve stopped printing the Nugget Extra; I guess it just wasn’t paying off like it used to. It’s a sign of the times, as most people now read the news online. That being said, for those who enjoy my weekly stories, you can still get an online subscription at a very reasonable price, which means you’ll continue to have access to my column each week. You can subscribe here: https://eeditionnugget.pressreader.com/north-bay-nugget.

If you do sign up, I’d really appreciate it if you left a note for the editor letting them know you enjoy my column. Every bit of feedback helps and goes a long way in supporting my work. Just a thought!

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So, with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has prepared for me. Afterward, I’ll be heading out to the shop to put the final touches on those flutes I’ve been working on. Once I’m done, I’ll bring them inside, and then my wife will work her magic on them. That’s what we call teamwork around here.

Have a great day and stay warm—it’s a cold one out there! I’m hoping my wood-stove in the shop is doing its job and keeping things cozy.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW