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Good Morning! Over the years I have found that: The trouble with common sense is, it ain’t so common anymore.

It’s a damp, cloudy morning here in Northern Ontario, but I can’t say I’m complaining. The weatherman did have folks bracing for the worst, but all that fuss didn’t amount to much. Oh we did have a bit of snow, but it was barely worth a mention.

Weather for us today:

Well, she’s shaping up to be a damp and chilly one here in Port Loring, with a mix of snow and rain this morning, but not much to fuss over. This afternoon looks to stay cloudy, with a high around 36°F (2°C). That said, if we’re lucky, we might just get a sneak peek of sunshine… no promises though.

Tonight, temperatures take a nosedive down to 12°F (-11°C), so it might be a good idea to keep that extra blanket on your bed.

Tomorrow, the sun plans to peek out, but don’t expect much warmth. Highs will only reach 31°F (-1°C), with a low of 18°F (-8°C).

And for those who prefer Celsius, well, I’ll keep tossing in the numbers… but I still say Fahrenheit makes more sense. When it’s 32°F, you know things are freezing—plain and simple. 0°C? Sounds like someone just ran out of numbers. And let’s be honest, Celsius has a way of making things sound worse than they are. -10°C? -20°C?

Highway 522’s wet but bare this morning, so traveling shouldn’t be too bad, just keep an eye out, reason being if the wind switches to the north, we might see some slippery spots popping up here and there. Best to take it easy if you’re heading out; don’t need anyone ending up in the ditch. Stay safe, folks!

On another note, yesterday I wrapped up another project for my lovely wife and then got busy cutting out four rustic birdhouses. Took most of the day, and by the time I was done, I was ready to hang up a sign that said “closed for business.” But a productive day is a good day as it keeps the hands busy and the mind sharp. And as as any seasoned woodworker will tell you, it’s not just about the finished project. It’s about the sawdust in your hair, the ache in your back, and the satisfaction of knowing you built something with your own two hands…even if it takes you longer than it used to.

So what’s on the agenda today, GW?

Well, first off, I’ll be bringing in some more firewood for the stove, then probably clean up the shop a bit. It’s a bit of a mess right now with shavings all over, and dust piling up like it’s settling in for the long haul. But a messy shop? That’s a sign of work being done, in my book.

I see these fancy, spotless shops with all that shiny new equipment, and I can’t help but wonder if they’re actually making anything in there. I guess it’s nice to look at, but my old tools do the job, just as well as any of that high-tech stuff. And as far as I’m concerned, a shop without a little sawdust or shavings on the floor just ain’t a woodworking shop.

Once I get things cleaned up, I’ll get to putting those birdhouses together that I cut out yesterday. Maybe I could teach the birds how to put ‘em together themselves—seems like IKEA’s got people fooled, paying top dollar for stuff they have to assemble themselves. Nah, I’ll stick to the way I’ve always done it, as a project’s not finished ‘til it’s finished.

With that, I’m off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me—a nice egg on an English muffin with some melted cheddar cheese over it. Should be mighty tasty and keep me going till lunch.

Until next time—Keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

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It’s a cloudy morning here in the north. We are also getting some freezing rain thrown in for good measure.

Weather for Port Loring, Ontario

Today (Sunday, March 30)
We’re looking’ at a mix of ice and snow, with accumulation around ¾ to 1½ inches (2-4 cm) before the day’s done. Roads will be slicker than a greased pole, so if you can stay put, that’d be the smart move. High of 37°F (3°C).

Tonight
Freezing rain’s sticking’ around, building up even more ice on everything in sight. Low of 32°F (0°C).

Tomorrow (Monday, March 31)
Not quite as cold, but still plenty of clouds. Rain and a possible thunderstorm in the morning, followed by drizzle later on. High of 43°F (6°C). But by nightfall, the mercury takes a nosedive—Low of 14°F (-10°C).

⚠️ Freezing Rain Warning
A nasty ice storm is setting’ in and expected to last through early Monday morning. Ice build-up could reach between ⅜ to ¾ of an inch (10-20 mm)—that’s enough to snap branches and take down power lines. Winds could gust up to 50 km/h (30 mph), making’ things even worse.

Highway 522’s got a bit of ice here and there, but truth be told, it’s just the beginning. With what’s headed our way, it’s best to stay put and let Mother Nature do her thing. Today’s shaping up to be a messy one, and if you don’t have to be out, you’re better off watching it all unfold from the comfort of home—preferably with a hot coffee in hand.

On another note, yesterday was a full day’s work. Spent most of the morning moving snow, which kept us busy till lunchtime. After a good meal and a bit of rest, I headed back to the woodworking shop and put the finishing touches on my wife’s project. Turned out real nice. I’ll snap a picture of it later on.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, with today being so wet and icy, I figure it’s a good time to finally get started on a couple of birdhouses I’ve been meaning to make for a while. Haven’t been feeling the best these past few days, so maybe keeping my hands busy will take my mind off things. Might need to take a break here and there—we’ll see how it goes.

It’s downright slippery out there, that’s for sure. Had to throw some salt down just to make it off the porch earlier, and by the looks of it, things are only going to get icier as the day goes on.

So, with that, I’m off to enjoy my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me. Nothing like a home-cooked meal to start the day off right. After that, I’ll see what the day has in store.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

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Well folks, looks like winter’s still got a say in things. Woke up to 23°F (-5°C) this morning, and the day ain’t looking’ much warmer. We’ll see a high around 36°F (2°C), but don’t let that fool ya, them clouds are sticking’ around, and there’s a chance of flurries now and then.

Tonight, temps will drop to about 27°F (-3°C), and come tomorrow, things get real interesting. What we’re looking’ at is a mix of ice and rain, and if it gets bad enough, we could see some power outages along with some mighty slick roads. High though will be around 41°F (5°C), but that won’t mean much, if everything’s coated in ice.

Might be a good day to stay close to the wood-stove and let spring know we’re still waiting.

Highway 522’s got its fair share of snow and a few slick spots this morning, and with what’s rolling in, it ain’t likely to get any better. If it were me, I’d be staying put as there’s always another day to get things done, and no sense getting yourself in trouble, just to run errands that can wait. Best to stoke the fire, pour another cup of coffee, Which is exactly what my wife and I will be doing here shortly.

On another note yesterday, I spent the day working on something special for Ruth’s art studio. She’s been painting since she was young, teaching herself and selling thousands of her paintings over the years. One thing she’s always wanted is a proper place to store her canvases, but they don’t make what she needs.

So… she drew up her own design, and I got all the pieces cut out. Now, I just need to assemble it, but first, we’ll have to clear some snow to get to the shop so I can finish it up. It’s coming along, and I’m looking forward to getting it done for her.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast and will then get to moving some snow, that is if my old body will let it all happen. One has to take things a bit a time these days.

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

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Good Morning! My old Dad used to say: “George… if you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re missing half the fun of living.”

It’s a cool morning here in cottage country, but at least the sun is shining, which makes a big difference when starting the day, especially when you’ve been around as long as we have. Add a little light, a little warmth, and maybe a hot coffee, things start looking up.

Weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario Canada

Today:
A chilly one out there, starting off around 21°F (-6°C) with some wet flurries floating around. By the afternoon, it’ll warm up a little to 39°F (4°C), but don’t put the coat away just yet as rain and snow might still make an appearance. By evening things will cool down to about 32°F (0°C), with those flurries still hanging around.

Tonight:
Skies will start to clear up a bit, but that means the temperature’s going to take a nosedive. You can expect it to drop down to 16°F (-9°C), so if you’ve got a wood-stove, tonight’s a good night to keep it stoked.

Tomorrow:
Well… tomorrow, a mix of sun and clouds will start the day, with temperatures hovering around 32°F (0°C) in the morning. By the afternoon, it won’t be much warmer, with it sitting at 32°F (0°C), and… there’s a slight chance of flurries. As the sun sets, it’ll dip back down to 16°F (-9°C), so best keep that winter coat within reach a little longer.

Highway 522 is clear of snow and ice this morning, which will make for good traveling for those heading to the big city for supplies. That’s exactly what my lovely wife and I did yesterday.

First stop was the garage to get an oil change and have them check our brakes. Pays to keep an eye on those things in this country—what with all the salt and whatever else they’re dumping on the highways these days. Let’s just say it sure has a way of messing things up. The good news? Our brakes are looking pretty good.

While we were there, we had them swap out our snow tires for summer ones. Oh, I know—some folks will say winter isn’t over yet, and they’re probably right. But my wife and I figured, might as well get it done. If we get a bit more snow, well, we’ll just stay put until it’s gone. At this stage in life, we’re not in a rush to go anywhere or do much of anything. That said, a person ought to make the most of a day, as there is no sense sitting around when there’s work to be done. Though, between you and me, I’ve found that if you sit real still with a coffee in hand, folks just assume you’re deep in thought. Seems to work.

It should also be noted that the folks who worked on our car are real nice—treat us with respect, and best of all, they’re honest. As my old dad used to say, “An honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.” Hard to find people like that anymore.

They’re not located in our town, but they’re not too far away, and truth be told, it’s right on our way to the city, which is a nice added bonus. And I’ll tell you, they don’t charge near as much as some places I’ve been to, especially those dealerships. Man, do they know how to empty a pocketbook.

One last thing, if you need work done, they don’t take months to squeeze you in.

After that, we made our way into town to grab what we needed, and then I took my lovely wife out to celebrate our 52nd wedding anniversary. Fifty-two years together—that’s a long time, and when I look around, I’d say it’s a bit of a milestone. In today’s world, a lot of marriages don’t even last a year. But with my wife, it’s been nothing but working together, sharing everything, and always being there for each other, no matter what comes our way. We’ve stuck together through thick and thin, and I reckon that’s the secret to making it last. We’re still going strong, and I wouldn’t trade a minute of it.

With that, I’m off for my breakfast and our hot cocoa, and then we’ll get into our regular morning chat. Since it’s our anniversary, maybe we’ll talk about when we were young and first getting together, reflect on our life together. Hmm, maybe not all of it. We’ve done so much, traveled so many roads, it would take more than one day of chatting to cover everything! In fact, we’d probably need a whole week, and even then, we’d only scratch the surface.

Until next time: Keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

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Good Morning! As my old Dad used to say: “George… never trust a fence post that leans or a fella that won’t look you in the eye.”

Well, one thing’s for sure—winter hasn’t left us yet. Waking up this morning, I had to walk to my old woodworking shop through about six inches of fresh snow. And it’s still coming down.

Here’s what the skies have in store:​

Today (Monday, March 24):

• Morning: Snow’s been falling steady, adding up to about 0.8 to 1.6 inches (2 to 4 cm).​
• Afternoon: Snow continues, with temperatures peaking around 35°F (2°C).​
• Evening: Light snow tapers off as night falls, with lows dipping to 25°F (-4°C).​

Tonight:

• Mainly cloudy with a chance of lingering flurries. Bundle up, as it’s going to be a chilly 25°F (-4°C).​

Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 25):

• Morning: Cloudy skies greet the day, with temperatures around 32°F (0°C).​
• Afternoon: The clouds stick around, keeping things cool.​
• Evening: Temperatures drop to a frosty 19°F (-7°C) under overcast skies.​

Looks like winter’s not ready to pack up just yet.

So, yeah, the weather sure isn’t the greatest this morning, that’s for sure. The good news is the snow isn’t all that heavy, which will make it a bit easier to move. The only problem is whether my old body can handle it.

Earlier this morning, sore back and all from yesterday, I had to bring some more firewood in. Figured I’d give my back a break and wheel a few loads in with the old wheelbarrow. I did manage to get three loads in, and that was all I could do. But I’m thinking, or at least hoping, that’ll be enough to see us through the rest of the cold weather.

I’ve been holding off on buying furnace oil since they say the price is supposed to drop quite a bit come April 1. That sure would help the old pocketbook. But I guess we’ll see if that prediction actually comes true, or if it’s just another one of those things folks keep saying to keep your hopes up.

Anyway, today with my back the way it is, is looking like a take-it-easy kind of day. If the snow lets up, I’ll see if I can get the old snowblower to start, that is if I am up to it. I was hoping we wouldn’t need it anymore this year, but that’s how it goes up here in the north, one minute you’re out raking the garden, dreaming of fresh veggies, and the next, you’re dragging out the snow shovels and coaxing the snowblower into cooperating.

For now I suppose I’ll just pour another coffee and see what the day brings. With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has ready for me and will then see what the day has in store.

Until the next time: Keep Your Mind Open & Your Stories Alive! GW

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Good Morning! As my old Dad used to say: “George, If you want something done right, do it slow enough to do it right the first time.”

Well folks, it’s another cold morning here waking up in cottage country. However, the sun is shining, and as I walked out to my old woodworking shop to light the stove, I could feel the warmth in the sun. That’s a good sign that spring isn’t all that far off.

Here’s the weather lowdown for Port Loring, Ontario:

Today (Sunday, March 23): We’re looking at mostly sunny skies with temperatures climbing’ to a high of 37°F (3°C). Later on, clouds might mosey in, bringing a slight chance of flurries this evening. Winds will be coming in from the southwest at 10 to 20 mph, so hold onto your hat. ​

Tonight: Temperatures are settlin’ down to a low of 24°F (-4°C). There’s a chance of snow showers overnight, so keep that wood stove stoked and cozy up. ​

Monday, March 24: Expect periods of snow throughout the day with highs around 35°F (2°C). Winds will be light, but that snow might just blanket our neck of the woods, so keep your shovel handy.

And you might want to keep that fire burning for awhile longer.

Which is what I did this morning lighting back up our wood furnace in our basement. Should keep us nice and toasty for the rest of the day. Doesn’t take much wood to keep this house warm.

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, and with the sun shining, traveling should be pretty good if you’re headin’ to the city for supplies. But, as I always say, keep your eyes peeled for deer — those critters seem to think the middle of the road is the perfect spot for a morning meeting.

On another note yesterday again I was planning on working in my wood-working shop but with the weather being not so nice and quite cold I decided to stay in the house which I did writing up a couple more stories. Good day for writing with the words flowing like a spring creek.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, I think I’ll be taking it easy today. I brought in a couple of armfuls of firewood and managed to mess up my back a bit. Not sure what I did, but it’s sure letting me know it’s time to lay low — and my wife’s saying the same thing. So, that’s what I’m going to do.

After that, if I’m feeling up to it, I’ll be enjoying the breakfast she’s getting ready for me. I suppose a fella’s got to learn his limits.

Until the next time: Keep Your Mind Open And Your Stories Alive! GW

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Good Morning! You know, over the years I have found that a man’s handshake is his word, so keep yours firm and honest.

Well Folks, the calendar might say it’s spring, but I’ll tell ya, walking out to my wood-working shop early this morning sure didn’t feel like it. More like the middle of winter. And that wind coming in from the North along with the snow—well, let’s just say I was more than ready to turn around and head back into the house.

The shop itself though was nice and warm, but it’s that stretch between the house and the shop that’ll make a fella question his sanity, for even bothering to go outside in the first place. I suppose that’s just Northern Ontario’s way of reminding me who’s really in charge around here. Any way, once I got settled in with the wood stove crackling away and the smell of fresh-cut lumber in the air, it felt like the cold was just a distant memory.

Funny thing about days like this—no matter how fierce the wind blows or how hard the snow falls, there’s something about the quiet of the shop that makes it all worthwhile. And maybe, just maybe, a fella can convince himself spring ain’t all that far off after all.

Highway 522 is white this morning, which is a telltale sign that a person should stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to be out and about. And you can bet that’s exactly what my lovely wife and I plan on doing. No sense braving the slick roads when a hot cup of coffee and a warm fire are calling our names.

Days like this, the world can wait. And if anyone needs us, well, they can always trudge through the snow and come knocking. Though, I suspect they’d rather stay home too.

On another note, I didn’t make it out to do any work in my wood-working shop yesterday, though I did keep the shop stove going, which kept things nice and cozy. Nothing like the warmth of a good wood stove on a cold day.

I do have more work that needs doing, but it isn’t in the shop—it’s over in one of my side buildings. I’ve got to sort through things in there, just like I did with the main shop. Once I get that all squared away, I’ll be ready for spring. And when the weather finally decides to warm up, my wife and I are planning one heck of a sale. The kind of sale where there’s something for everyone.

What more can I say? Not much, really. Just a waiting game now, I suppose.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, seeing as it’s nasty outside, I figure I’ll settle back into writing up some more stories for my newspaper columns. Yesterday was a great day for writing—the words flowed nicely, almost like they were waiting to be written. And by the looks of things, today’s shaping up to be another good day for writing, as the words seem to be coming pretty easily here on my blog this morning, too.

Might just be one of those days where the thoughts and stories find their way onto the page without much fuss. And if that’s the case, I sure won’t be complaining.

Well, once again, it’s that time to enjoy the breakfast my little woman has made for me. She’s one of a kind, that’s for sure. And if anyone ever wonders who the real hard worker is around here, let me tell ya—it sure isn’t me.

Just this morning, while I was out getting the shop stove going and writing this blog, she’d already straightened herself around, cleaned up the house a bit, swept the floors, stripped the bed because it’s wash day, made it back up with fresh, clean sheets, and tidied up the bedroom. And now, she’s in the kitchen making my breakfast, humming away like it’s all just another ordinary day.

I swear, there’s never a shortage of work in this house, and she tackles it all with more energy than most folks half her age. Truth be told, I don’t know where she finds the strength, but she sure does. And all the while, she’s got a smile on her face and something kind to say. She’s the kind of woman who makes a man feel like he’s the luckiest fella in the world.

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

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Good Morning! As my old Dad used to say: “If you can’t fix it with a hammer, George, you’ve got yourself an electrical problem.”

Well, folks, yesterday might’ve been the first day of spring, but you sure wouldn’t know it by what’s happening weather-wise this morning. Through the night, we got ourselves a good two to three inches of snow, and as I write this, the temperature’s sitting at a brisk 18.68°F | -7.4°C. But hey, the sun’s shining, so it at least looks a bit like spring—sort of.

Here’s the weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario:

Friday, March 21:

• Daytime: Expect a mix of sun and clouds, with a 40% chance of flurries. High around 44°F (7°C).
• Night: Cloudy skies. Low near 21°F (-6°C).

Saturday, March 22:

• Daytime: Cloudy with a 60% chance of snow or rain. High approximately 30°F (-1°C).
• Night: Partly cloudy with a 40% chance of snow. Low dropping to 7°F (-14°C).

So…. it looks like spring’s just teasing us again, like a feller waving’ a pie under your nose and then running off with it!

Highway 522’s mostly clear of snow, so traveling’ should be decent today for those making their way to the larger towns. But don’t let your guard down as there’s always plenty of deer along the roadside and crossing the highway, especially this time of year. Just the other day, on our trip to the city and back, we had to slow down for at least six of ’em crossing the road—keeps you on your toes, that’s for sure.

On another note, I finally got the main shop all cleaned up and everything sorted out. It sure was a job going through fifty years or more of stuff—felt like I was digging’ through history itself! But it’s all done now, and what I want to keep is tucked away, and everything we’re selling’ is in another spot. Feels good to have that off my plate, though I’m sure I’ll find something else to clean up next!

So what’s on the agenda for today, GW? Well, with the ground covered in ice and snow again, I guess I’ll be working away here at my computer, writing up a couple more stories for my columns. I write for the largest newspaper in Canada—been at it for over 36 years now. That should keep me busy this morning. After lunch, we’ll see what the weather’s up to and take it from there.

With that, I’m off once again for the breakfast my lovely wife has gotten ready for me. After that we’ll enjoy our regular morning chat along with our hot cocoa, and then, well, I’ll get to writing. At least that’s the plan—though, some days, the words flow like water, and other days, it’s nothing but blank pages.

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

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Good Morning! Living slow ain’t lazy not by a long shot…it’s just knowing what’s worth hurrying for.

She’s a wet, rainy morning here in the north, but the good news is, it’s not too cold outside. In saying that, the mild temperatures have melted most of our snow and ice. Oh, there’s still a bit hanging on the north side of things, but with this warmth, it won’t be around much longer.

Highway 522 is quiet this morning, with most folks around here sleeping in thanks to the dreary, cloudy weather. Can’t say I blame ’em none, but I remember years ago, a day lying in bed wouldn’t get the cows milked, or the chickens fed. And as my old Dad used to say; “A day shouldn’t be wasted.” And if there is one thing my wife and I never do…is waste a day, as our days are full, always have been, and by the looks of things these days, always will be.

On another note, I had plans yesterday to spend some time puttering around in my old woodworking shop. But like most days, things didn’t go quite as planned, as out of the blue, my wife and I decided to head on into town to pick up a few supplies, we were running low on. And wouldn’t you know it, after stocking up, we found ourselves at a fast-food joint, ordering up a burger and fries. Now, that’s not something we do very often do, but the urge got to me, wanting to see what the other half has been eating these days. I have to say that the fast food place was sure busy with folks waiting in line for their food. Taste-wise, I’ll admit, it wasn’t all that bad. But later that night? Well, let’s just say my stomach sure let me know it wasn’t happy with my lunch choices, which goes to show, some foods taste good going down, but your body’s got the final say.

At any rate, we picked up what we needed, along with a few things we hadn’t exactly planned on. Always amazes me how that happens! I swear the stores must know what catches our eye and stick ’em right where we’ll see ’em. And on impulse, we grab it, only to wonder later why the hell we bought it in the first place. But, like most things, it is what it is. Once we were done shopping, we grabbed a coffee for the trip home, taking in the sights along the way. You know, living where we do, the scenery is always changing, especially this time of year. Kind of nice, really, watching the white landscape slowly turning’ to green. So yea, all and all, other than spending money... it was one great day.

So, what’s on your agenda today, GW? Well, earlier this morning, I went out and got the wood stove going in the woodworking shop, which is burning nicely warming things up, which will make it a lot nicer to work in, once I have my breakfast. And by the looks of things my lovely wife’s got it all ready, sitting on the kitchen table, just waiting for me. After I’ve had that, we’ll have our regular cup of hot cocoa, and of course, our morning chat. Then… I’ll head outdoors to see what the day brings.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW