A misty morning scene from the heart of the countryside. Take a closer look to soak in the quiet comforts of the day ahead.

Good Morning Folks! I hope you all had a great weekend.

You know, where my lovely wife and I live in the countryside, mornings still unfold in a way that feels untouched by time, filled with a peace that the city could never quite match. I’ve come to treasure the quiet and the space, far from the hum of city life. Yet, I can’t help but notice the world closing in a bit—more folks seeking out this simplicity, drawn by what we’ve known all along. Progress, they call it, but there’s a part of me that wonders.

It makes me think back to those old farmers of the 1800s, folks who went days without seeing a soul, just land stretching as far as the eye could see. I imagine them at the breakfast table, leaning over their coffee, saying, “Well, dear, if this keeps up, we might just have to pack our things and head farther west. It’s getting crowded around here.” They were looking for the same peace we find in our mornings, and when others drew near, they’d keep moving, chasing that quiet as best/long as they could.

So, here’s to enjoying what we’ve still got while it’s ours to hold. May this morning bring you the kind of calm that’s been handed down through the ages—the kind found when neighbors were as scarce as hen’s teeth, and peace stretched from one horizon clear to the other. In a world that’s always changing, sometimes the best we can do is enjoy these moments that remind us of how life was meant to be.

How’s that for a morning’s intro, from an old writer—among other things.

Anyway, it’s a cloudy, wet morning here in the north. We had some rain through the night—not all that much, mind ya, but enough to keep a sensible person indoors, or in my case, out in the woodworking shop. Yesterday, I got to puttering around in both places, and I’ll tell ya, there’s something downright satisfying about moving from one project to the next, knowing time’s finally your own.

They say freedom is for the young, but truth told, I figure it takes a lifetime to understand it. The real trick to freedom isn’t just time on your hands; it’s knowing what you’re doing with it that makes the difference.

Today, well, being it’s a wet one out there, and I don’t much feel like lighting the stove in the shop. I think I’ll stick to the computer this morning. Yesterday, I spent the better part of the day wrestling with my external mic for making videos. Tried every trick I knew, but that thing wouldn’t cooperate for love nor money.

In the end, I threw up my hands and called my son, Karl. Now, he’s a real expert with technology. Linked right up to my computer, and in less than an hour, he had things sorted out. Truth be told, most folks—including the ones who made the mic—probably wouldn’t have been able to fix it. If it wasn’t for him, that mic would’ve probably found its way to the trash.

I’m mighty lucky to have him around. And my other son, Craig, well—he’s just as smart in his own field. Damn fortunate, I am, to have both of them. They’re not always by my side these days, living so far apart, but they are always just a call away when something needs doing, or goes wrong, as family should be.

With that I am off once again for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me and will then see what the day has in store.

You all have a great day and remember, life’s a lot like the weather out here: it may change on a dime, but there’s always something good in it, that is if you take the time to look. GW

Tap on the picture to enlarge it and enjoy the scene up close!

Good morning! Rise and shine, as the sun won’t wait all day, and neither will the coffee pot!

It’s a clear, brisk start for us here in the north, with the temperature sitting around 1°C (34°F)—though with the wind, it feels closer to -10°C (14°F). By mid-morning, it should warm up a touch to about 4°C (39°F). Perfect for a walk or some outdoor work, that is, if you don’t mind bundling up a bit. Clear skies ahead, too!

But I’ve got to say, heading to my woodworking shop around 7:30 AM, watching that sun creep up over the horizon—it’s a sight that never gets old. There’s just something about a Northern sunrise that stirs the soul, makes me feel like it’s going to be a good day.

Highway 522 had its fair share of traffic yesterday, at least, what we’d call traffic up here! Folks were out doing their usual rounds, maybe hoping to spot something new, or just checking in on the usual sights to make sure nothing’s moved since last week!

Yesterday was one of those good, productive days, where I managed to stay at the computer long enough to finish up some new YouTube videos, and even got a fresh story written for my newspaper columns. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of accomplishment when things fall into place. I do enjoy writing, but I’ve come to know over the years, that it only works when I’m in the right frame of mind. If I’m not, well, every word feels like a struggle, and I’m just spinning my wheels, so to speak. But when the mood’s right, it’s a whole different story—the work just flows.

Today’s got that familiar Northern chill, so I’ll likely be inside again, working on a few projects here at my desk. But first, I’m heading out to grab some garden soil—a bit of an odd winter ritual my wife and I swear by. We scoop up fresh soil, pop it in two containers, and come evening, we settle in, resting our feet in it while watching TV or reading a book.

Now, it might sound a bit strange, but there’s real magic in that soil. Grounding like this does wonders, not just for relaxation, but for the whole body. We’ve found it eases aches, soothes tension, and even seems to boost our energy. It also helps with all sorts of ailments, from inflammation to stress, and I can tell you firsthand it makes for some of the best sleep around.

We’ve been at this for years, and honestly, it’s become as essential as a warm cup of tea on a cold night. There’s nothing quite like the feel of rich, earthy soil, as it connects us to nature, leaves us feeling rejuvenated, and gives the neighbors something to wonder about when they see me hauling dirt indoors in November!

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made. After that, it’s time to get to ‘work’—although, I’m not sure, I can really call it that. For me, the things I do each day feel more like a mix of tinkering, creating, and a good dose of just plain enjoying life. It’s hard to call it work when every project is something I look forward to, whether it’s working in the workshop, jotting down a new story, or getting my hands dirty in the garden.

I suppose that’s the beauty of doing what you love. You don’t watch the clock or count the hours. You just follow where the day takes you, and somehow, it all feels right. So here’s to another day of good food, good company, and good work that doesn’t feel like work at all.

You all have a great day, and may it be filled with just the right balance of work and a bit of simple enjoyment along the way. And if things start to feel a little too heavy, pause for a moment and let yourself take in the small comforts—a warm drink, a quiet moment, a glimpse of sunshine. Sometimes, it’s those little things that carry us through. GW

Hi folks, a while back, I wrote a post about what we might expect for the cold season here in Northern Ontario, but with all the signs pointing to a more intense winter than usual, I thought it was worth another look.

As the days get shorter and there’s more frost on the ground each morning, we know winter isn’t far off. Now, I could tell you what the weather folks are predicting, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that nature has a way of telling us what’s coming, long before we hear it on the news.

You just have to look around.

What the Animals Are Telling Us

I’ve been watching the squirrels this year, and let me tell you, they’re hustling like I haven’t seen in a while. They’re packing away food faster than ever, even those stubborn little chipmunks around my garden. In my experience, when the critters get busy like this, it usually means one thing: a cold, hard winter. Those little guys seem to know we’ll be getting our fair share of snow and cold, and they’re making sure they’re ready for it.

And the birds—well, they packed up and left pretty early this fall, in big groups, too. When the geese take off that fast, it’s nature’s way of saying, “Buckle up. Winter’s coming in full force.” They don’t wait around if they know it’s going to be tough here. If the birds are leaving early, we’d better start thinking about battening down the hatches ourselves.

Trees and Plants Giving Their Clues

The trees have a way of telling us what’s coming, too. The evergreens around here are as thick as I’ve seen them in a while, almost like they’re bundling up for what’s ahead. And if you look closely, some of the older trees have rougher bark this year, which isn’t something I take lightly. It’s like the trees themselves are putting on another layer to protect against the cold.

Even the maple and oak leaves seem to be hanging on longer this fall. It’s like they know they’ll be buried under a heavy load of snow before too long, and they’re taking their time letting go.

Early Frost and Heavy Dew – Cold Signs All Around

I’ll tell you, we had some pretty thick frost early on this year. That frost isn’t just pretty to look at; it’s a warning that the ground’s cooling off quicker than usual. When that happens, it usually means we’re in for a deeper freeze come winter. And the morning dew has been heavier than normal too—nature’s way of saying there’s more moisture in the air, which probably means more snow.

What We Can Expect

So, here’s my take, based on what nature’s telling me: get ready for a good, old-fashioned Northern Ontario winter. We’re probably looking at colder temperatures, maybe even a few long stretches of real bitter cold, and more snow than we’ve seen in a while. It’ll be one of those winters where we’ll all have to keep the shovels handy and make sure the woodpile’s well stocked.

If you ask me, here’s what to do:

1. Get Ready Now: Follow the squirrels’ lead—get your supplies together, stock the pantry, and have a backup plan for those cold snaps.
2. Check the House: Make sure the place is sealed up tight. Cold drafts have a way of sneaking in during winters like the one that seems to be headed our way.
3. Embrace It: Winters like this can make for some good stories by the fire, so let’s enjoy what’s coming our way.

So, if you’ve got a gut feeling this winter’s going to be one for the books, you’re probably right. Nature’s been giving us the signs for months now, and they’re hard to ignore. Here’s to a season of braving the cold, watching the snow fall, and making the most of these long winter days here in the north.

Stay warm, everyone! And don’t sell them Snowmobiles just yet. GW