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Good morning: You know I miss the days when work meant building something you could hold, not staring at a screen that stares back. There was weight to it then. You’d finish with sawdust in your hair or dirt under your nails, and your body knew you’d done something. The wood showed you where to cut, the soil showed you when to plant.

Now we push pixels around and call it progress. The screen glows, notifications ping, but nothing lasts. There’s always another email, another update, another thing tugging at your attention.

I’m not saying the old ways were perfect—a bad back at forty will remind you of that—but you knew when the job was done because you could walk around it, lean against it, rest in the shade it made.

These days, it feels like we’ve traded finishing something for never being done.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time of Report: 9:00 AM

A bright but cold start here in Port Loring this morning, sitting around 27°F (-2.5°C). The sun’s out and doing its best to warm things up, though the air’s still heavy with 84% humidity. Not a lick of wind either — calm as can be. The barometer’s steady at 1003.4 mbar (29.63 inches), which tells me the weather’s holding its own for now.

Outlook:
With the clear skies and still air, the frost will melt slow, turning to that fine sparkle you only see on mornings like this. If the pressure stays steady, we can expect another quiet night and likely the same kind of calm tomorrow — crisp air, cold mornings, and sunshine when it feels like it.

Nature’s Signs:
The chickadees were out early, chasing each other through the spruce tops, and that’s a good sign the weather will stay fair a while. The squirrels are back at it too, busy along the fence line, tucking away what’s left of the acorns. Even the lake’s got a bit of shine to it today, smooth and bright under the sun.

On another note: Yesterday I spent the day out in the woodworking shop working on those Native American wooden flutes I’m making. Got a lot done, now it’s on to the next step.

It was one of those days that reminds you why you do this kind of work. A touch cool outside, the wood stove perking away, music playing low, and the wood cooperating for once. When everything lines up like that, you lose track of time in the best way.

There’s something about working with your hands that settles a man. Each cut, each sanding, each time you hold the wood up to check the grain, you’re having a conversation with it. The wood tells you what it wants to be, and if you’re paying attention, you listen.

Days like that make an old feller feel like he’s earning his keep. Not chasing something or trying to prove anything, just making something real, something that’ll carry sound and maybe even outlast him. That’s enough.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well today I’m going to be doing the same as yesterday. I lit the old shop stove earlier which will make it nice and warm, turned on the radio which plays country western music directly from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Tennessee and after breakfast I’ll head out there.

Some folks might call that routine but I call it a good day waiting to happen.

So with that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me and will then enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while having our regular morning chat and will then get to work. That is if you can call what you enjoy doing work.

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

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Good Morning. You know, there’s a kind of peace in filling the bird feeder before the sun’s all the way up, when the air still holds that cool stillness and your breath fogs a little. I found that the birds don’t wait on the branches anymore; they land right on my hand, my hat, even my shoulders, trusting I’ll show up same as always. They never ask why, or when, or how much. They just know. That’s the deal, I guess.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Sunday, October 26, 2025

Well, we woke up to a real nip in the air this morning, sitting at around 22°F (-5.3°C), and you can feel that damp chill that sneaks into your bones if you linger too long outside. The barometer’s holding steady, which hints that things might stay unsettled for a bit. Humidity’s high at 86%, so even with no wind moving, it feels heavier than the temperature shows. The air’s still for now, but with that northeast direction showing on the vane, we could see some light cloud cover drift in later today.

Today:
Expect a cold, quiet day. The sky should stay mostly clear this morning, with clouds thickening as we move into afternoon. Not much wind to speak of, so it’ll be one of those calm, crisp days where you see your breath and smell the wood-smoke hanging low…which it is, as I lit my shop stove earlier. Daytime highs might claw their way up just above freezing if we’re lucky.

Tonight:
Once the sun dips, temperatures will drop right back down below 25°F (-4°C). If the clouds hang on, it’ll help hold in a bit of warmth, but if they clear out, you can count on frost by dawn. Could be a good night to bring in anything you don’t want frozen solid.

Tomorrow (Monday):
Looks like we’ll start out cold again, maybe some thin morning fog near the low spots. The day should turn partly sunny with light winds shifting more east-southeast, which might nudge the temperature up a notch…still chilly though, hanging in the upper 30s°F (3–4°C) to near 40°F (4–5°C).

Nature’s Signs:
The chickadees have been busy around the feeders, filling up like they sense another cold snap coming. Squirrels are quieter today, which usually means the air pressure’s making them hunker down for a spell. If you see crows flying low later in the afternoon, that’s another sign we might get a bit of weather moving in overnight.

On another note, yesterday I did get our garlic planted, which will make for some good eating next year. I don’t put in all that much—oh, I’d say two rows around 10 feet long. Enough for my wife and I and just enough to plant for the following year. No use overdoing it. However, in saying that, the price of garlic in the grocery stores is not cheap, sitting at around $5.00 for two small cloves—some more, some less. The thing you have to remember is when buying, if you see some roots on them, they’re usually grown here in Canada. But if they don’t, you can bet they’re grown in China or other countries. Best in my mind to stay way from them, as you never know what they grow them in. Meaning the soil might not be up to snuff like ours.

Anyway, after I got that out of the way, which only took me an hour or so, I got back to working on my flutes. Made some good progress too. I also have been making a video of how I go about it this time round, which I will try and put on my YouTube channel later this winter. Finding the time is the hard part, as it seems I never have a shortage of things I want to do. Not complaining, mind ya.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today I am going to get back to working on them flutes. Today is channeling out the insides, which is a tedious job to say the least, along with being damn dusty. But that new air cleaner I made the other day should help a lot, along with my Shop Vac going near where I am working. At any rate, a shower afterwards will be needed before supper. So ya, that’s the plan. But as you well know, plans have a way of not getting done sometimes. But I am hopeful.

So with that, I am off for my breakfast, once again that my lovely wife has made for me and has waiting. After that, being now that it is cold outside, will enjoy a cup of hot cocoa with just a touch of cream. Should give me that energy to kick start the day.

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

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Good Morning. You know… I learned young that chores get done a whole lot quicker when you’ve got someone else with you, even if you spend half the time gabbing instead of working.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “That math doesn’t add up.” But stick with me. When you’re working alone, it’s easy to find reasons to quit. Your back starts complaining, and suddenly the barn can wait till tomorrow.

But throw another person in, and now you’re both arguing over the best way to stack hay, or trading stories about your uncle and that time he tried to teach the tractor how to swim. Pretty soon, the work just fades into the background. You look up, and somehow three stalls are clean and it’s already lunchtime.

It’s not really about getting done faster. It’s just that good company makes the work feel less like a chore. My wife and I still work that way… we talk the whole time, and the day just disappears. And honestly, what can be better than that?

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Morning Update

It’s a cold one out there this morning, sitting just below freezing at 31.6°F (-0.2°C). We did have some frost overnight, coating the grass and rooftops. The air’s heavy with moisture, 82 percent humidity, which makes it feel a touch colder. The barometer’s holding steady around 29.55 inches, which tells me we’re in for mostly settled/good weather, though maybe a few clouds hanging around.

The wind’s quiet this morning, not even enough to move the branches yet, sitting out of the northwest. That usually means clearer skies as the day moves on. So I’d say we’ll see a mix of sun and cloud through the day, cool but calm. A good day for some yard work if you keep moving.

Tonight:
It’ll dip a bit below freezing once the sun’s gone. Expect more frost by morning, maybe a bit of fog near the low spots if that humidity sticks around. Keep an extra blanket handy if you’re the kind that feels the chill.

Tomorrow (Sunday):
Looks like more of the same, cool and mostly clear. The barometer suggests steady weather for another day or two. You might get a bit of breeze out of the northwest by afternoon, nothing serious. Just that crisp fall air reminding you winter’s not far off.

Nature’s Signs:
The jays were quiet at dawn, which often means no big weather shift coming. The rabbits and chipmunks are busy gathering their winter stores, they know the real cold’s still a bit off yet. Oh and if you see a thin line of cloud to the west near sunset, that’ll be the next change rolling in early next week.

On another note, yesterday I spent the whole day out in my old woodworking shop. Didn’t get around to working on those flutes like I planned… instead, I figured it was time to clean up and get things organized so I can actually find what I’m after.

Last time I was in town, I picked up a box fan for $36 at CTC, along with some 20×20 furnace filters. Decided I’d try making my own air cleaner for the shop. Worked slick, and it’s going to be a real help when I finally get to routering out those flutes or anything else that kicks up a dust. Simple way of doing things, and a whole lot cheaper than buying a proper air cleaner.

It took me pretty much all day, but I’ll tell you, the shop sure looks nice now. Makes a feller want to get out there and mess it up again.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I’m going to plant my garlic for next spring. I got the garden worked up about two weeks ago, so it should make for good planting. Not real sure how it’ll turn out this time, though, since I’m using some garlic I had from last year that I forgot about in the shed. Not sure if it’ll grow or not. At any rate, I’m not out anything if it doesn’t, other than an hour or so of time.

After that, I’ll get back to working on them flutes. At least, that’s the plan.

With that, it’s time again to have my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I’ll enjoy a cup of coffee this morning for a change, then head on out to the shop. “Have a great day, and don’t forget your jacket if headin out, as it’s a mite cold out there this morning.”

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

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Morning. Thinking back I remember my Uncle saying that coffee tastes better when someone else makes it. I think he just liked having company.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Well, it’s a calm one out there this morning. The temperature’s sitting around 41°F (5°C) with humidity at 78%, and not a breath of wind to be found. The barometer is steady, maybe starting to rise a touch, which usually means we’ll get a decent stretch of weather today.

Today:
Expect a mostly cloudy sky with a few peeks of sunshine through the day. It’ll stay cool, right around the low 40s, and with the air sitting still, it might feel a little damp if you’re out for long.

Tonight:
The clouds will thicken up again, and the temperature will drop close to freezing. Wouldn’t surprise me to see a light frost on the fields by morning. The air’ll stay calm and still, making it one of those cold, quiet nights.

Tomorrow (Thursday):
A mix of sun and cloud, with a slight breeze out of the northwest trying to move things along. It’ll stay cool — around 43°F (6°C) — and there could be a light shower later in the day if that barometer starts falling again.

Nature’s Signs:
The deer were moving along the back fields early this morning, noses low to the ground which is a sure sign they can smell the frost coming. The blue jays have been noisy, squabbling in the trees and at our bird feeder, which they often do before a change in weather. I even saw an old bull moose the other day while on my way to the dump out near the swamp, moving slower than usual. They all seem to know what’s on the way which is… colder nights and shorter days ahead.

On another note: Yesterday once again I made some good progress in my woodworking shop on them Native American flutes I’m making. Still lots of steps to do yet before they’re finished, but that’s the way things are when you’re making musical instruments. But then again, that’s how it is making anything in the old woodworking shop. I got a nice note from a fellow woodworker who’s been at it for over fifty years. He said he agreed with what I wrote earlier about how things just don’t last like they used to. He told me about a kitchen job he priced a few years back … the lady went with one of those store-bought ones instead. Well, just last week she called him to come fix the doors, as the hinge pockets had torn out of that MDF. Now she wants him to build new ones out of solid maple, finished proper. Goes to show, like he said, we surely do live in a throwaway society these days. That said, no one’s ever going to throw away my flutes, that’s for sure. They’re built to last a lifetime and then some if you take care of them … not like some of that store-bought stuff you see around these days. They’ve got real wood, real joints, and a bit of sweat and patience in every one.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well today I suspect I will carry on with them flutes, but one never knows, something else might strike my interest. Kinda nice being able to do that. But you know, being the age I am, I figure I earned that right. Anyway, you all have a great day. I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me, and will then see what the day has in store.

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