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Good morning. I used to think hard work made a man tired. Turns out it mostly just makes him honest. And if you’re lucky, honest enough to admit you’re tired too.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Sunday, December 14, 2025

Well, this morning started out cold enough to make a man rethink about getting out of bed. The thermometer at our weather station read -8.7°F (-22.6°C) just before eight, with the humidity sitting at 85 percent. The barometer is low at 29.27 inches (991.2 mbar), but it’s rising, which is a good sign. Wind is light, around 15 km/h (9 mph), enough to push the wind chill down near -22°F (-30°C) in the open spots.

Skies are partly cloudy, that pale winter sun trying but not really doing much for warmth. Visibility is good, the kind of cold, clear air that makes sound travel farther than it should. You can hear someone chopping wood a mile off.

Today:
A mix of sun and cloud, with about a 30 percent chance of flurries early, then mostly just cold and quiet. Winds stay light, up to 15 km/h (9 mph). High around 10°F (-12°C), but it won’t feel like it. Wind chill near -27°C (-17°F) this morning, easing some by afternoon.

Tonight:
Cloudy early, then becoming partly cloudy later this evening. It will remain cold, with a low near 1°F (-17°C). If there’s any breeze, wind chills could dip to around -6°F (-21°C). Winds will stay light, up to 15 km/h (9 mph).

Tomorrow, Monday:
Mainly cloudy, with flurries becoming more likely as the morning wears on, jumping to about a 70 percent chance. Winds will stay light, up to 15 km/h (9 mph). High around 25°F (-4°C). Wind chill near -19°C (-2°F) in the morning, easing to something closer to tolerable by afternoon. Monday night drops back down to around 0°F (-18°C) with a few flurries still possible.

Best deer movement times along Highway 522 line up early this morning and again toward dusk, especially with the rising barometer and light winds. Cold like this keeps them moving between bedding and feeding, but not much extra wandering.

Nature’s signs:
The cold has a tight feel to it today. Snow’s crunchy underfoot, pine trees are stiff and quiet, and even the clouds look thin and brittle. When the barometer starts climbing like this, the woods seem to hold their breath. Its like winter settling back into its chair for a longer sit.

On another note, I spent the whole day yesterday in our old woodworking shop making picture frames. I’ll be working on that for the next few days, as come spring, the frames will complement my wife’s paintings that she’s working on now.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my little woman has made for me, along with a Florida grapefruit—none of those ones from Africa or Israel. You really can’t beat Florida grapefruit this time of year. Have a great day!

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

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Good Morning. You know one thing about living here in the North you can always tell a lot about a day by how much snow we had overnight.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Saturday, December 13

As of early this morning around eight o’clock, the temperature at the station was 24.8 F which is minus 4 C, with humidity sitting near 86 percent. The barometer is low at 28.85 inches, showing the system that brought last night’s snow is just moving out. Winds are generally out of the west to northwest.

Overnight we picked up around six to eight inches of snow. Roads are snow covered, and care will be needed if traveling, especially along Highway 522, where conditions may be slick and visibility reduced at times.

Today will stay cold with a high near 27 F, minus 3 C, feeling closer to 18 F due to the wind. Winds from the west around 7 miles an hour, gusting near 19. There remains a 40 percent chance of a few flurries, with little additional accumulation.

Tonight turns partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to about 12 F, minus 11 C, feeling closer to 1 F. Northwest winds near 6 miles an hour. Snow chances drop to around 30 percent.

Tomorrow morning, Sunday, will be mainly sunny but cold. Temperatures near minus 2 F, about minus 19 C, with a north wind around 7 miles an hour, making it feel closer to minus 15 F. Snow chances remain low at 20 percent.

Nature’s signs:
Fresh snow has quieted the woods. Trees are holding still, and the deer tracks stand out sharp against the white. Winter is settling in here in Port Loring.

On another note, yesterday I worked the entire day in the old woodworking shop. This time, I am making some picture frames for my lovely wife. It takes a bit of figuring out, but now that I have made some templates, making them will be much easier.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, as you can see by the picture above, we had quite a bit of snow overnight. With that in mind, it looks as if our morning’s work is cut out for us, cleaning out the driveway and decks. After that, I suspect a coffee will be in order. So yea, we will definitely be getting our exercise this morning.

With that, once again, I am off for my breakfast, which will consist of a bowl of porridge that my lovely wife has made for me. None of that stuff they say is good for you; the kind I buy is made from real oats. The thing is, most of the regular kinds are not all that healthy for you. In case you’re interested, here is what I eat—and they make really good cookies, too: Stoked Oats Run of The Mill Rolled Oats. You can buy them on Well.ca online. If you enjoy a good bowl of porridge occasionally, or cookies, it’s best to order more than one, as you’ll be glad you did. Have a great day.

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

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Good morning. You know… my old shop door every-morning still creaks the same way it did years ago. Funny how some sounds don’t age a bit.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario Thursday, December 11, 2025

Walking to the woodworking shop this morning, the thermometer read 5.7°F / -14.6°C, with the air thick at 86% humidity. Barometer sat at 28.84 in-Hg, steady, telling us nothing wild is moving in fast. Wind’s calm, dead northwest at zero, but it’s enough to make you notice the cold.

Today’s sky will be partly sunny but very cold. Highs will barely scrape 14°F / -10°C, lows around 2°F / -16°C, so dress for it if you have to step out. UV is low, max 2.0, nothing to worry about, just glare off the snow and ice to keep in mind. Winds picking up to around 8 mph NW later.

For those thinking of traveling north to North Bay for groceries or supplies, Highway 522 is mostly bare, but there are some icy and snowy sections, so take it slow and watch for the slick spots.

Looking ahead to Friday, a bit of a reprieve. Highs will reach 24°F / -4°C, lows 12°F / -11°C, mostly cloudy with a couple of snow showers. Wind shifts W at 6 mph. Snow… not to much but what we do get will be, the kind of snow that makes the morning walk crunchy underfoot.

Nature’s signs today: The trees are brittle with frost, and even the chickadees are hunkered low in the brush, keeping their feathers tight. Lakes and creeks are quiet under the cold, ice forming slowly along the edges, no cracking yet, just the still weight of winter settling in.

So with that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me, and will then see what the day has to offer. One never knows.

Have a great day!

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