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Good morning. You know, I’ve carried my share of regrets, such as moments I failed to appreciate and chances I let slip, but never once have I regretted the life I chose. That road was mine, crooked as it was, and I would walk it again.

So, it is a bit cloudy out there this morning, and we did get some much-needed rain through the night. That said, I’m hoping we’ll see at least a little bit of sunshine today.

Here is our weather for Port Loring, Ontario, Canada:

Today (Sept 26): Mostly cloudy, with a chance of a passing shower. High around 18 °C (64 °F).
Tonight: Cooler, with temperatures dropping to about 6 °C (43 °F).
Tomorrow (Sept 27): Breezy, with a mix of sun and cloud. High near 22 °C (71 °F), low around 10 °C (50 °F).

Highway 522 saw quite a bit of traffic yesterday, with lots of trucks and cars pulling boats, ATV s, and just about everything else. The reason is that many hunters and fishermen are taking advantage of our nice weather. Truth be told, this is about the best time of year to be in our neck of the woods. The leaves are turning color, there are no bugs, and the solitude people seek can only be found in areas like ours.

On another note, yesterday I managed to finish my new desktop. I put three coats of urethane on it and let it dry in the old woodworking shop overnight. I have to say, it sure looks nice—you could call it a one-of-a-kind desk. After that, I worked a bit in our gardens, cleaning out things that are done for the year. Once that was finished, my wife and I took advantage of some sunshine that decided to show itself on our front porch. All in all, in spite of not feeling up to par, it was a good day.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today, now that I’ve finally finished the desktop, I’ll be carrying it into its new home and setting things in order. But first, I have to deal with the few wires under the desk. My son told me to tag each one so I’ll know where they go. Makes sense—otherwise, I’ll end up pulling my hair out later. I’ve always said, learn from the past and move on, though in this case, I “learn the hard way first.”

After that, I’ll lend a hand to my wife. She’s been out there working harder than most men I’ve known, putting our flower gardens to bed for the winter. Timing is everything with those gardens. Miss the window and you’ll be paying for it twice over come spring. She never misses.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made. She’s worked hard all morning, and I get to reap the rewards. After that, I’ll see what the day has in store. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll stay one step ahead of those wires.

Until next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive.
GW, From the Desk Where I’ve Seen It All.

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Good Morning, You’re Still Here, So Might as Well Read This.

Well, we are all waking up to some sunlight here in Cottage country, which is a welcome change from the dreary day that we had yesterday.

Port Loring Ontario’s Weather For:

Today (Friday, Aug 29):
Started off sunny at a crisp 49°F (10°C). Feels fresh enough to wake you up without coffee. As the day rolls on, the wind will pick up and the sunshine gives up to clouds. High of 63°F (17°C), low down to 44°F (6°C). It’s one of those days when you’re not sure if you should put on a heavy shirt or not.

Tonight:
Clouds settle in for the night, with no stars, no moon, just gray. Low holds at about 44°F (6°C). Best option? Stay inside and let the outdoors do what it’s doing without you.

Tomorrow (Saturday, Aug 30):
Clouds keep hanging around, which seems to be their thing lately. The sun might show off a bit, but don’t plan your day around it. High reaches 70°F (21°C), low around 49°F (9°C). A decent day, nothing to write home about, but not one to gripe about either.

Highway 522 has been a bit busier these past few days. Not that there’s a whole lot of places to go here in town, as we’ve only got three or four stores, maybe five if you count the LCBO. And truth be told, with the long weekend coming up, that little liquor store has been hopping.

It’s the one place that always draws a crowd. Folks stop in “just to pick up a couple of things,” but somehow those couple things turn into a bag or two. You can always tell when someone’s been there, as they walk out carrying that brown paper sack like it’s the weekend itself, all wrapped up and ready to go.

At any rate, in a small town like ours, the LCBO isn’t just another store, it’s part of the rhythm of things. Right alongside the two hardware stores, it keeps the wheels turning and defiantly the conversations flowing.

On another note, my wife and I finished stacking our winter’s firewood yesterday. It took two and a half days this year instead of the usual two, which is a sign, perhaps, that we’re getting just a touch older. Still, we enjoy the work, and there’s a deep satisfaction in seeing the last log finally in place.

There’s nothing quite like knowing we’ll be warm and cozy no matter what Mother Nature throws our way. Wood heat seeps in, warming more than just the body. There’s a quiet pride in it, too—each log a reminder of the effort we’ve put in and the comfort waiting when the cold truly settles in.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today, my wife and I are going to get the mowing out of the way for the week. The grass has eased off a bit lately, which works just fine for us. It won’t be long before it stops growing altogether for the year, and then we can turn our sights to other things.

But first, I’m off to enjoy the bacon and eggs my lovely wife is making, followed by our regular cup of tea. After that, we’ll head outside and wake up the mowers for another round.

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