Good Morning. May your day be seasoned with the wisdom of prioritizing what truly matters in this mess of a world.

Well, Christmas is behind us for another year. Which means folks can get their life back to the normal way of doing things. For my wife and I we take each day for what it is. We don’t recognize one being better than another. Truth be told, that’s the way it is supposed to be, it was us humans that changed the way things are going today. I have found we have done that a lot over the years. Hell, a lot of things today that are totally wrong in my eyes, are now being forced upon us in ways to make it as if they are right. You know, I can see why some of the young and old are moving to remote areas, as they simply don’t want their minds to be corrupted … wanting to get away from these so called….. well I will leave it at that. Actually thinking about it, the main reason my wife and I gave up a lot of things we have done throughout our life, was because of the not so good things that were happening around us. I have always said that if my old Dad would be alive today, and saw what is taking place, he would be totally disgusted with a lot of folks, especially those in power, as they have the power to do something about what is taking place, and they aren’t. Anyway, not sure how I got onto that, I guess I felt it needed to be said.

On another note being Christmas yesterday I didn’t work in my old woodworking shop, I just played around here on my computer editing some videos, and my lovely wife kept busy doing her things, like housework, washing, baking and getting things ready for our store come spring, along with a lot of other things. I have to say our days are full, but we like it that way. As my Dad would say every morning. “Get up boy, we are burning daylight, and it’s not to be wasted.” There is a lot of truth in the words.

Weather wise we are still in the midst of a lot of clouds, and we will have some ongoing showers for most of the day. But in my eyes it is better than snow, as I don’t have to move it.

Today I will work away here on my computer, and maybe later on head on out to my woodworking shop, as I have a few things that I want to do.

With that, you all have a great day and stay safe, as there are a lot of folks that are down with the flu these days, along with COVID. My wife and I still wear our masks when around a lot of people. Just common sense in our eyes. GW

“Mornin’, Folks! The day before Christmas, where every sunrise carries the excitement of the night ahead.”

It is a bit cloudy waking up in cottage country this morning. But in saying that it is quite warm with the temperature sitting at 0.4 C | 32.72 F, and it will warm up even more as the day progresses and into tomorrow. Which in turn will remove most of the snow we have had so far this winter.

Highway 522 is clear and wet this morning, so if anyone has any last minute shopping to do, they should be fine heading into town. Actually, Highway 522 is so quiet at Christmas that Santa’s reindeer are thinkin’ about takin’ early retirement to graze by the roadside.

Signing off with a dash of country advice: “Life, like a good fishin’ hole, is best when shared. Grab your hot chocolate, find good company, and let the stories flow like a lazy river.”

Before I go, I would also like to say a few words about the word Christmas. It seems some these days doesn’t like saying it anymore, as they say it reflects on religion and what a shame that is. To me, when I hear, Merry Christmas, it brings back memories of childhood, family get-togethers, and all-around happiness. And thinking back, for me or our family, religion never entered into the picture. So, no matter how you celebrate, the important thing is making folks feel warm and happy inside. Cheers to good times and big smiles! Merry Christmas, y’all!” GW

“Good morning folks. Another sunrise, another chance to grow a little wiser.”

It’s a very cold morning here, waking up in cottage country with it sitting at -12.8 C | 8.96 F.

Being that Christmas is edging closer, I bet that Santa Claus has been fattening up his reindeer the past few weeks so they will be able to endure the trip around the world. You know, I think of Santa as a magical friend who makes Christmas super fun. Believin’ in Santa adds a bit of magic to the holiday season, especially for the little ones. It’s like a time when we all get to use our imaginations and dream a little. Something I believe that has been lost throughout the years. And you know, Christmas is for everyone, no membership fees or secret handshakes. Whether you go to church every Sunday or not, it’s a time to share smiles, stories, and maybe some cookies with your neighbours.

On another note, once again I worked steadily in the old woodworking shop yesterday, straightening things up and moving things around. Then in the afternoon I cut out a few things on my scroll saw for my lovely wife, as she is doing up some things for Christmas, that we can stand by our door. I am in the process of making a YouTube video that shows how we went about it.

I did light the stove in the shop earlier, so it should be warming up now, and I will head on out after breakfast, and then in the afternoon maybe do some more editing on some videos. I will see how that goes.

“Wrapping up this frosty morning chat with a bow of wisdom, a sprinkle of country Christmas humour, and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. “Life’s a bit like a tangled string of Christmas lights – sometimes you just have to laugh, untangle, and let the brightness shine through.” GW

“Mornin’ comes with a fresh start and a pocketful of simple wisdom.”

Good Morning!

It’s another cloudy morning here in cottage country, but by the looks of the sky we will be having some sunshine shortly. It is cold though, with the temperature sitting at -11.9 C | 10.58 F. It will warm up as the day moves forward.

So on another note it is getting close to the big day with Christmas only 4 days away. For my wife and I we sure do enjoy it, but in our own way. To us, it’s the magical and imaginative aspects of Christmas, with Santa as a symbol of wonder and excitement. It’s a time for children to dream and believe in something enchanting, something other than normal day occurrences. Santa, well to my lovely wife and I, he is like the grand storyteller of the season. He brings joy without asking for a sermon in return. And those Christmas trees? Well, they’re like our way of connecting to the earth, standing tall and proud like the old oaks/elders that share their wisdom.

Moving along, yesterday I worked the whole day in my woodworking shop moving things around. I also made a video of a how to do project and today will continue on with another.

So with that I am off for an egg on top of an English Muffin with some cheddar cheese that my lovely wife is preparing for me and after that we will both settle in with our hot cocoa and chat for a bit before heading out to my shop.

“Wishing you a morning as merry as jingle bells and as cozy as a cup of cocoa by the fireplace. May your day be filled with the magic of the season.” GW

Good Morning. “Like the fields, each day holds its own wisdom waiting to be harvested.”

It’s a cloudy morning, waking up in cottage country. However, it isn’t all that cold with the temperature sitting at -0.4 C | 31.28 F. We did have some snow yesterday, but my lovely wife and I did head off to the big city of North Bay to pick up a few things that we needed for our Christmas Dinner. While there we picked up some takeout and enjoyed it in our car while people watching, Had a coffee and headed on home taking in nature as it unfolded around us. It was cloudy going in but nice and sunny coming home and while we were there. It seems the further north we go, the nicer the weather is. But our small town does sit right in an area that if anyone gets snow, we do. Which is nice in some ways.

On another note, I will be jumping back into the woodworking routine today after a break yesterday. Got some rearranging to do in the shop, moving machines around to make shooting videos for my YouTube Channel easier, along with making it easier to move around.

It’s also really nice to see people liking the videos. I am getting emails and calls daily, with folks asking where to catch them. I keep saying they’re a bit rough around the edges, and I am still learning the ropes, but people don’t seem to mind. It’s nice though to know folks are enjoying the content. Here’s to making the setup smoother and continuing the woodworking journey, along with other things, sharing what I learned over the years. I have always figured, as my Dad before me, that, if we don’t share what we know, once we are gone it is gone too, but if we share it the knowledge can carry on long after we have moved on.

As my good friend Grey Wolf used to say, “Life is like learning from everything around us. Imagine it’s a bit like a journey, a journey where every day is a new lesson. Just like how we learn from the stories of the wind and the wise words of those who came before us.” I sure miss that old feller.

With that, you have a great day. GW

“G’mornin’, where the rooster’s crow is nature’s alarm clock.”

It’s a cloudy morning here, waking up in cottage country. And it is downright cool. I might have to put a jacket on when I head on out to my woodworking shop. The temperature is the coldest so far this winter, with it sitting at -9.9 C | 14.18 F. But we are closing in on January, which are our two coldest months of the year. In saying that, though, in another 8 weeks we are back into spring. So for those that don’t like the cold, it’s not all that bad.

Highway 522 is pretty well bare, but there are some snow covered areas, along with a touch of ice here and there. So care should be taken if out and about, at least till the sun comes out, which we should see a bit later on this morning. Actually, though, the highway is quiet these days and I have always said, “you know you’re in the country when the traffic jam is just a bunch of folks waving hello from their front porches.”

We did have around 2 inches of new snow through the night, not enough that I have to wake up my snowblower, which is fine with me as I don’t feel like moving snow this morning. As I’m clockin’ in more years, I’m not too keen on this cold weather. That’s why I’m stickin’ with our reliable wood heat. There’s just somethin’ about it – no other heat source on this earth can beat wood when it comes to thawin’ out these old bones. It’s like a warmth that seeps right through to your very core.

Closing this morning’s northern chat with a sprinkle of frosty humour and a cup of hot cocoa: “Life, much like a northern winter, can be cold, but a warm heart and a hot cocoa make it a delightful adventure. Here’s to warmth and laughter in your day.” GW

“Well, good mornin’! Ready for some good ol’ country livin’ today?”

It’s a rainy morning here in cottage country. But it is quite mild, especially for this time of year. The temperature waking up was sitting at 3.2 C | 37.76 F. Not as warm as yesterday but still nice. However, if the temperature drops, we could see some snow later on in the day.

Highway 522 is bare, wet and quiet these days, with most of the cottagers/tourists back at their homes in the cities. I kind of like it this way, as it gives me some time to relax away from the HUSTLE AND BUSTLE of summer and do some work in my woodworking shop.

On another note, I worked most of the day sitting in front of my computer editing some of my videos for my YouTube Channel, which is fine, but sitting for a long time without moving, isn’t the best for me body wise. So today I will get back to working in my shop and see if I can straighten myself out a bit. I sure don’t want to get back to where I was in the spring or last year, as that was quite painful.

Other than that not much else taking place around our home.

You all have a great day. GW

Good Morning: Coffee’s on, and the workshop’s callin’. Let’s make it a good one.

It’s a cloudy morning, waking up in cottage country. And we did have some rain through the night. It is also quite nice temperature wise with it sitting at 4.8 C | 40.64 F. For this time of year in this neck of the woods, no one has any reason to complain. Other than those that enjoy snowmobiling.

Highway 522 is very quiet today, as I suspect folks are heading off to the cities to do their Christmas Shopping. For my wife and I we have all we need which is each other, a warm home and food to eat. Can’t ask for more than that other than good health, of course. You know, I’ve always seen Christmas as a time to enjoy the festive decorations, good company, and, of course, the mystery of Santa Claus. It’s less about the ‘why’ and more about the ‘how can we make this season fun.’ And I have always tried to do that. And I hope I am able to continue doing it for a long time to come.

Well, that’s me for this northern sunrise. Life’s like a snowstorm – unpredictable, but a hot cocoa in hand can make it quite enjoyable, and my lovely wife just set a cup in front of me.

Have a great day! GW

“Hey folks, had a good time, didn’t we? If you want more of these yarns and nuggets of wisdom from this old northern soul, hit that subscribe button, here on my blog and on my YouTube Channel. Let’s keep the good vibes rolling, and I’ll catch you in the next tale. Don’t be a stranger—subscribe and stay in the loop!”

“Rise and shine! Let’s make this morning merry and bright, just like the Christmas lights.”

Good Morning!

Well, here it is, almost a week away from Christmas, man does time fly. In saying that, here at the Walters house, my wife was kept busy yesterday putting up our Christmas Tree. For me, Christmas isn’t truly Christmas until the tree is up, showcasing its twinkling lights and decorations. You know, we’ve got ornaments that are over fifty years old, and every single one has a unique story tied to a friend we’ve made over the years. Our tree is more than just decoration; it’s like a living memory book, telling the tales of the wonderful friendships we’ve had … and have. It’s a special time of remembrance for us. As we approach Christmas, I can’t help but think about the wonderful traditions we’ve created over the years with our boys and friends. It’s less about the religious aspect for my wife and I, it’s more about the magic of Santa, the tree, and being surrounded by loved ones.

Highway 522 is quiet this morning, hardly a car or truck moving around. I tell the city folks that come to visit our area, that they will know they are in cottage country, when the GPS says, “Turn right at the big oak tree,” and means it!

On another note, I worked here at my computer yesterday, which kept me busy for most of the day. This morning I started my wood stove in my woodworking shop and will probably mosey on out there for a bit later on, as I have a few more improvements I want to make with moving some equipment around. Seems I am always trying to make things easier and nicer. But that’s what this old feller is all about.

So with that I am off for some flapjacks this morning and drench ’em in the liquid gold, that is Mike Clapperton’s Maple Syrup. Which should sweeten me up some for the day ahead.

“Signing off this morning’s trail with a touch of north country philosophy: “Life, is like tracking a moose through the snow, requires patience and a keen eye. May your day be filled with discoveries and gentle surprises.”

Have a great day. GW

And if you enjoy my Blog or YouTube Channel, don’t forget to subscribe, it sure means a lot to me.

“Well, good mornin’ to ya! As the days get colder, the heart gets warmer, especially this time of year.”

Looking outside, the sky has some read in it, which is a good sign we might be getting some rain later on in the day. I say rain as with the temperature sitting at 4.2 C | 39.56 F it’s too warm for snow. The thing is, up here in our little slice of the North, the weather’s got more mood swings than a teenager on a sugar rush.

Highway 522 is bare and wet this morning, caused by the warmer temperatures as the pavement warms. Which in turn will make travelling good for those that are wanting to do some Christmas shopping.

On another note, I decided to give the sawdust a break and traded my chisels/saws for a digital pen yesterday. Spent the day dabbling in video editing – not your typical pastime for an old feller, but I have found over the years that variety keeps life interesting. You see, life needs a bit of a mix. Doing the same thing day in, day out? Well, that’s like eating the same meal every night – gets dull real quick. Variety shakes things up, keeps the senses alive. It’s not just about keeping busy; it’s about keeping the mind happy, excited, and adaptable.

As my old Native Friend used to say. “George “Life is a dance between the old and the new, a rhythm set by the spirits and guided by the wisdom of our ancestors. Each day is a canvas, and with it, we paint our stories with the colours of wisdom and humour.” I sure miss that old feller.

Well, that’s my sunrise chat for today, and remember, life’s like a good cup of cocoa – take it slow, savor the sweetness, and let the warmth linger.” And that is just what I am going to do now, as my lovely wife made me a cup.

Have a great day. GW

Oh, and if you enjoy my posts, don’t forget to subscribe and drop me a comment from time to time. I do enjoy hearing from folks. By simply subscribing to my videos on YouTube, along with my Blog helps immensely.

As my Grandmother would say: “The Wisdom of Waiting: A Gentle Anticipation of the Christmas Magic Ahead”

Good Morning!

It’s another cloudy morning, waking up here in Cottage Country. And it is a touch cool as to where I had to mosey on out to my woodworking shop to lite the stove. I do enjoy it however, as catching that first breath of our fresh northern air is sure something to behold. And on top of that, it wakes a feller up and cleans the mind as to what lies ahead.

Highway 522 has been a touch busy with folks moving around picking up items of choice, which I guess is a good thing. My wife and I have all we need for the big day, and we will be staying put now for a while, enjoying what we enjoy doing. It sure is nice to be able to do that. But after what we have been through in life, I kind of think we deserve to be able to do what we want to do. The thing is … is to do it.

You know, many years ago, while sitting at the table in my old Native Friend’s Cottage, I asked him what his interpretation of Christmas was. You know what he said? Well, I’ll tell ya. He said: Well, my young friend. In our native ways, Christmas is about giving from the heart, about warmth in the coldest season. It’s not about preaching; it’s about practising kindness, like sharing the warmth of a buffalo robe on a chilly night.

“What about the Christmas tree?” I asked. He looked at me and smiled. “You see, the tree isn’t just a tree; it’s a symbol of life, and the ornaments tell the stories of our ancestors. It’s a time for families to gather like the stars in the night sky, each one bringing its own light to the circle.”

He ended by saying this, which I have always remembered: “My friend, “Remember the Wisdom of the Elders.” Christmas is a time for giving, “For Embracing the Spirit of Santa,” and for sharing the stories that connect us all, like the threads in a well-woven blanket.” He ended saying this: “May your days be as rich as the soil and your heart as open as the endless sky.”

You know there is a lot to be learned by his simple spoken words.

“There you have it—a glimpse into my upbringing. Take from it what you will.”

Have a great day, make it a great day. GW

As my late Native friend would say!

“Good mornin’, where the sunrise paints the sky with tales of yesterday.”

We here in cottage country are starting our day off with some clouds, but walking to my woodworking shop to light my stove, I did see some blue starting to make its way into our area. So I suspect we will be seeing some sunshine later on. Which is nice as we do need the sunshine to keep us healthy. Even if it isn’t producing as much vitamin D3 that we need. My wife and I rectify that problem with taking a good supplement every day at noon. At noon, why, some might ask? Well, the truth is noon is the best time to be taking any natural medicine or cures/lotions, as our body is in full swing and can handle any sudden changes. Another bit of wisdom my old Native friend told me many years ago. I would suspect that if everyone took precautions, ate well and took Vitamin D3 in the winter we wouldn’t have half the sickness that is around us these days. But hey, who am I, just an old feller enjoying life to the fullest in the greatest part of the world.

On another note I worked steadily in my woodworking shop yesterday on a few projects that my lovely wife wanted to be done, and today I am making built in shelves on a wall by my desk, so I can put all these new gadgets I have on them, or better said, know where to find them. That should take me most of the day.

Closing this morning’s chat: “Life’s too short to be serious all the time. Embrace the day, dance like no one’s watching, and let the sun catch you smiling.”

Have a great day. GW

“Country mornin’ to ya, where wisdom grows with the sun.”

Well, one thing is for certain, the sun isn’t shinning down up on us this morning. Well … I guess it is, but it is covered with lots of clouds and … we are also having some snow/freezing rain. Actually, it’s quite nasty out there.

Highway 522 is snow/ice covered this morning, which will make travelling not so good. And truth be told it is a good day to stay home, there is still lots of time to do your Christmas Shopping.

On another note, I have been real busy in the old woodworking shop for the past month or so. I have redesigned it and added to it, which should make my life a lot easier and more fun. The main thing I have been working on, is setting things up, so my videos look good. So far they aren’t all that bad, but let’s say there is a lot of room for improvement. Today I am going to do another video of using my bandsaw and scroll saw as my wife has a few things for me to cut out. So … that will keep me busy for most of the day.

With that I am off for a bowl of porridge that my lovely wife is making for me and will then get to it.

I will leave you with this bit of wisdom that I grew up with on the farm: “Life’s a bit like herding cattle – it takes patience and a keen eye. So, round up your dreams and guide them to greener pastures.” GW

“Mornin’ to you and yours! Let’s make today a tale worth tellin’.”

Looking outside this morning, it is a touch cloudy. But the good news is we didn’t have any more snow through the night, as a matter of fact we did have a lot of our snow melt yesterday afternoon. However, it did take my lovely wife and I all morning yesterday to clean things up. Maybe we should have waited and let nature do it on her own? Hmm.

Highway 522 is very quiet these days. Actually, “Our town is so quiet that the snowflakes apologize for the noise when they fall.” Only in Canada A.

On another note, after we cleaned up the snow around our home, along with our neighbour’s place, I got back to my editing of these videos I have made so far. I actually did quite well, if I do say so myself. Today I will be working away in my woodworking shop, as my wife has a bunch of things she wants me to bring to life. But first a bite to eat is in order, along with a hot chocolate. I gave up coffee awhile back. Why, some might ask. Well, a sip of hot cocoa it seems is just what this old-timer needs to recapture a bit of that youthful vigor. I sure do enjoy it, especially throughout the cold days of winter.

So, I will leave you all with this: “Living where we do, here in the country, I don’t count the days; I make the days count, especially when there’s Hot Chocolate involved, or some Homemade cookies, that my lovely wife has made for me.” GW

“Good morning, where each sunrise whispers the stories of our ancestors.”

So how you all doing on this Dec Morning? Good I hope. Yea, I know I have missed a few days here on my Blog, but I have good reason, as I have been busy moving snow, working in my woodworking shop and sitting here at my computer editing some of these videos that I have made thus far. I have to tell ya, it has been a challenge figuring out how to do things. But hey! I figure I still have a few good years left to walk this land of ours, so why not try new things, go to, see new places and enjoy life amongst nature as much as I can. To me, there is nothing more satisfying than to do new things.

On another note, we have had a lot of snow lately in and around our small community. Waking up this morning, we had another four inches or so on the ground, which will mean we will have to clean our driveway once again. One thing can be said about all this snow is that we have no reason to go and buy exercise equipment to keep us fit. Not unless you’re a city slicker and well that’s another story. As a matter a fact, I wrote a story about exercise equipment years ago that folks enjoyed.

Highway 522 is partially snow covered in certain areas, but not so bad that it should stop you from heading into town to do some Christmas shopping. For my wife and I, we’re sittin’ back and while the rest of the world spins in a whirlwind of chaos, we would sooner perfect the delicate balance of sipping hot cocoa and avoiding any unnecessary movements.

Wrapping up this morning’s chat with a piece of countryside philosophy: “Life’s a bit like a country road, full of twists and turns. Enjoy the ride, and don’t forget to appreciate the view.” GW

As I used to tell our boys: “Turn the key slow, give it a moment to breathe, and then crank ‘er up. Life’s the same; take a moment, breathe, and then tackle the day.”

Good Morning!

So yea, I took a little break from sharing, but I’ve been knee-deep in sawdust over at our woodworking shop. I also have been busy with video editing—yeah, still figuring that one out. My lovely wife, she’s been busy jazzing up her studio and gift shop, sketching out ideas for me to bring to life in the workshop, along with a lot of other things. Sure, there’s a bunch on the ol’ to-do list, but I’m enjoying the ride. I have always believed in getting things done while the gettin’s good. It keeps the hands busy, the spirit alive, and the heart full.

Highway 522 is quiet these days, Rush hour: Our traffic jams involve a few folks stopping to appreciate a particularly good-looking maple/pine tree.

On another note, I will be working steadily here in my shop today, but first a bite to eat is in order that my lovely wife is making for me.

Have a great day, stay safe. GW

“Rise and shine, like the northern pines.”

Good Morning!

It’s a cloudy, snowy morning here in cottage country. Walking to my old woodworking shop, we had around three or four inches of snow overnight. As my old friend Grey Wolf would say many years ago when I was a boy visiting his cottage: Winter has laid down its ceremonial robe, transforming our surroundings into a sacred space, a canvas painted by the hand of the Great Spirit. He sure had a way of words that man, and I do miss him a lot, especially when things go wrong, as he always had an answer that made sense.

Highway 522 is snow covered this morning, but while outside I did notice the snowplow going by. I suspect though that the snow will melt as the day progresses. But in saying that, looking at the moon before going to bed last night, it was telling me we could get another inch or so later on in the day. But we will see what develops as the day moves forward.

On another note, I worked steadily here at my computer yesterday editing some more videos and will continue on today. However, the new studio desk is finished sitting in my shop, so later on we will bring it into its new home. It sure is amazing what can be made from some old pieces of lumber. From lumber to handcrafted furniture that will stand the test of time, pretty amazing. I also made a video of it being made, and will add it to my YouTube Channel in the coming days, along with some others that are in the works, and one of me building some shelves for some of my electronics here by my desk. Should be an interesting project.

With that I am off for a bowl of oatmeal and an English muffin with some of my lovely wife’s homemade jam. Which should be a tasty treat to get this old body of mine moving.

I will leave you with this: “Morning’s a bit like a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet – starts slow, but the results are worth the wait. Here’s to a day seasoned just right.” GW