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Good Morning Folks… I used to tell my boys years ago that: The Best Plans Were Written in Dust on the Tractor Hood.

It is one beautiful day here in cottage country. The sun is shining, the grass is slowly turning from brown to green, and the trees are starting to show their buds, which is a sure sign that the leaves are not far behind.

As for the weather here in Port Loring, Ontario, Canada:

Today:
Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 63°F (17°C). Winds will be light and variable.

Tonight:
Clear skies, with a low around 37°F (3°C).

Tomorrow:
Another sunny day is on the way with a high of 68°F (20°C). Winds will remain light, making it a perfect day to be outdoors.

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, which will make travelling to the larger cities a go today. As for my wife and me, we’re all stocked up, as we made the trip to town yesterday. We figured that since it was a rainy old day, and we couldn’t do much outside around our home, we might as well pick up a few things we were needing.

While we were there, we stopped in for a visit with our son, and afterward, he took us out for dinner at a nice restaurant called Lot 88. It wasn’t too bad of a place to eat, a touch expensive, but then again, what place these days isn’t? Even an A&W burger meal for two people will set you back twenty-some dollars or more. The thing is, it’s only a hamburger. Sheesh. I’m not sure where they get off charging so much, but the truth is, businesses have a lot of overhead these days. Wages, hydro, rent, insurance, and even the cost of the ingredients have all gone through the roof.

That is what’s driving prices up everywhere you look. It’s not always that they want to charge so much—it’s that they have to if they want to keep the lights on and pay their staff. Years ago, things were simpler. Folks grew a lot of their own food, fixed what they had instead of buying new, and took more time to enjoy life. Today, it’s all about making money, rushing here, rushing there, always looking for the next thing. In doing so, we’ve traded some of the simple ways for what many call “progress,” but to me, it doesn’t always seem like a step forward.

At any rate, we had a nice chat with our son, enjoyed a good meal, picked up our groceries and a few other things, and grabbed a coffee for the road home. The rain never did let up, but I’ve found that no matter what kind of weather a day brings, it’s all in how you look at it. Yesterday, we made it into a good day, and that is what counts.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today, with the sun back with us, and it supposed to warm up a lot, I’m thinking I’ll get to unpacking all the things we’ve put together for our big garage sale coming up in a couple of weeks. We’ve got so much stuff that I figure it’ll take us most of the day to get everything out where folks can see it.

You know what they say—got to make hay while the sun’s shining.

So yeah, that’s what GW and his lovely wife will be up to today, along with enjoying a cup of coffee or two while sitting outside and soaking up some of that sunshine.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has put together for me. After that, we’ll be settling in with a hot cup of cocoa, and planning out the day ahead—something we always look forward to and sure do enjoy every morning.

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

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Good Morning Folks… Another Morning, another story.

​Well, she’s a wet morning here in the North, and it rained off and on through the night, and by the looks of things, the rain will continue for most of the day.

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

Today – Saturday, April 26:
Rainy and overcast, with temperatures around 46°F (8°C). We could see about 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain. Winds will be coming from the north-northwest at around 15 mph (24 km/h).

Tonight:
Light rain tapering off, becoming mostly cloudy. Temperatures will drop to around 34°F (1°C). Winds will stay steady from the north-northwest at about 15 mph (24 km/h).

Tomorrow – Sunday, April 27:
A pleasant change with sunny skies and a high of 63°F (17°C). Winds will shift slightly, coming from the west-northwest at about 6 mph (9 km/h).

Tomorrow Night:
Clear skies, with temperatures falling to around 36°F (2°C). Winds will shift again, coming from the south-southwest at about 8 mph (13 km/h).

There is also a rainfall warning in place today due to the combination of steady rain and melting snow, which could cause some localized flooding in low-lying areas.

Highway 522 is moving slow this morning, but I suspect things will pick up as the day rolls along. With all this rain, it’s not a bad day to leave the car outside — free car wash included, no appointment necessary!

On another note, with the weather not being all that great yesterday morning, I decided to get busy here at my computer. By the time the weather started to shape up, I was already too deep into what I was doing to stop. So, I just carried on working away at my desk. Some days are like that — once you get rolling, it’s hard to put the brakes on.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, seeing as it’s a pretty miserable day out there, I figure it’s a good one to stay inside and tinker away at a few projects I’ve got going here at my computer. Mind you, it is Dump Day here in the North, so I might just load up the SUV and make a run over there. Around here, a trip to the dump is about as close as we get to a town meeting. You drop off a few bags of trash, catch up on all the local gossip, and if you’re lucky, maybe find a chair or a rake that’s still got a few good years left in it. Truth be told, some days you come home with more than you left with!

So, with that all said, I’m off to grab some breakfast my little woman’s whipped up for me. After that, I’ll see what the day throws at me, planned or not. Bein’ so wet out there, I might just sit back for a spell and have a second cup of hot cocoa before I get too carried away. Days like this, a fella’s got two choices … fight it or take it easy. I’m leanin’ toward the easy side.

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

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Good Morning: My old Dad always said; “George, watch the Sky, Not the Calendar.” Lot of truth in them few words.

So here we are—April 25, 2025. That’s a date that really stands out, isn’t it? Back in the day, people would have called this a marker—a day when the past gives a little nod to the future. It feels like a great day to plant something new, fix what’s broken, or make a promise. You know, twenty-five is halfway to fifty, and that’s a gentle reminder: you’re never too far gone to start over, but you’ve been around long enough to know a thing or two. It’s a good moment to reflect and think about fresh starts!

What’s The Weather For Port Loring, Ontario, GW?

Friday, April 25, 2025

• Daytime:
  Cloudy with scattered showers in the morning, turning to light rain in the afternoon.
  High: 59°F (15°C)
  Winds: Northeast at 11 mph (18 km/h)
  Precipitation: 0.08 to 0.16 inches (2–4 mm)
• Evening/Night:
  Steadier rain overnight—good sleeping weather if your roof ain’t leaking.
  Low: 38°F (3°C)
  Winds: Northeast at 13 mph (21 km/h)
  Precipitation: 0.39 to 0.59 inches (10–15 mm)

And, as my old Dad would say. “George, a cool rain on a spring day? That’s the soil’s way of stretching before the real work begins.”

Highway 522 is picking up traffic-wise. Yesterday, while I was working outside, I couldn’t help but notice the steady hum of tires on pavement, more cars than usual, most of them local. You can always tell; Out-of-towners slow down to take in the scenery; locals slow down to see who’s in your yard and what you’re fixing or doing. …and if they don’t wave back, they’re probably too deep in thought, like wondering why their favorite fishing spot got ‘crowded’ all of a sudden.

On another note, yesterday turned out to be quite a busy day! My wife and I spent the whole day outside—I was fixing up one of our old buildings and cleaning around my shop, while she worked away in the flower gardens. I’ve got to say, they’re looking really nice now! After we finished, we took a moment to step back and appreciate what we’d done. We did our part, and now it’s up to Mother Nature. She’ll take over and bring on the spring flowers and all the leaves, that are patiently waiting for the rain and warmer weather to arrive. It sure is nice to watch everything start to grow again!

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, if the weather holds up, I’m thinking I’ll tackle a bit more work around the old woodworking shop. But if it doesn’t cooperate, that’s alright—I’ve got plenty to keep me busy here around the house. It’s a never-ending list for my wife and me, especially now that we’re gearing up for our big garage sale in about three weeks. Let me tell you, it’s going to be one huge sale! It’s amazing what two old folks can accumulate over the years. At any rate, there’ll be something for everyone, no matter their age. We’re excited to see what treasures we can pass along!

With that, I’m off once again for breakfast that my lovely wife has prepared for me. After that, we’ll settle in for our morning chat over a warm cup of hot cocoa. It’s the perfect way to start the day together!

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

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Good Morning: From Where the Only Deadline Is the Sun Going Down.

Well, she’s a cloudy wet morning here waking up in cottage country, and the temperature at the time of this post was sitting at 43.7°F (6.5°C). But in saying all this, we’re catching a touch of sunshine peeking through now and then, just enough to lift the spirits a bit.

🌤️ Today – Thursday, April 24

Well, today we’re looking at a high of about 65°F (18°C). While showers are still likely on and off, there’s a fair chance we’ll see some breaks in the clouds with a bit of sun sneaking through. Not the best day for hanging laundry or working in the garden, but if that sun holds, you might sneak in a bit of work outside.

🌙 Tonight

Temperatures dropping to about 44°F (7°C). Still cloudy, and maybe the odd shower. Good night for a hot drink and a warm blanket.

🌦️ Tomorrow – Friday, April 25

Cooler tomorrow, with a high around 54°F (12°C). More clouds and scattered showers. Could even hear a bit of thunder if it builds up enough. Dropping to 38°F (3°C) by night. Still not great for outside work unless you’re dressed for it.

At any rate, that’s the way she’s looking folk’s, a damp and grey day, but that’s spring in the north, she takes her time.

Highway 522 is quiet this morning, but it’s still early. The thing one has to realize that around these parts, folks don’t get to moving all that fast. Oh, they’re up, puttering around the kitchen, and peeking out the window, but most are still in that morning fog, holding onto a warm mug and staring off like they’re waiting for a sign from above on what to tackle first.

Truth is, out here we don’t rush into the day, we ease into it, kind of like an old tractor on a cold morning… takes a bit to get going. Most of us start with a few sips of coffee, a good stretch, maybe a word or two with the cat. And if the weather’s not looking all that inviting, well, that just makes it easier to stay put and think about the work… Instead of actually getting to it.

On another note, with the weather being so nice yesterday, I managed to get a good day’s work in on a few outdoor projects that had been waiting their turn. I got that wall put up in one of our outbuildings, and even tackled some yard work—cleaned out the fire pit from last year’s burning, and took care of a few other odds and ends. All in all, a good day, and I felt better for it by the time I came in.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, with it being so wet outside this morning, I’ll probably stick to some work here at my computer. But if the sun decides to show her face and things warm up a bit, I’ll head outdoors. We’ve got plenty to do out there, and I’m sure the fresh air will do me more good than sitting in front of this computer.

With that, I’m off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I’ll see what the day has in store. And as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we’re still seeing a bit of sunshine! Here’s hoping it sticks around.

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

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Good morning! You know… out here, the only real chatter worth listening to comes from the chickadees in the trees, not from the phone lines. But when the phone does ring, it’s rarely anyone we actually want to hear from. And more often than not, it’s a telemarketer trying to sell us something we didn’t even know we needed, or a recorded voice asking for our vote like we’ve been best friends since high school.

Well, we’re finally getting a bit of sunshine this morning, and I’ve got to say, it’s a welcome sight. The weather hasn’t been all that kind to us so far this spring… cold, damp, and downright unpredictable. I’m hoping it’ll make up for all the nonsense it’s thrown at us these last few weeks… after all, we’re closing in on May, and it’s about time we got some decent weather.

Weather Forecast for Port Loring, Ontario

April 23 to April 24, 2025

Today – Wednesday
After a stretch of wet and dreary weather, we’re finally getting a bit of sunshine. Skies will stay mostly clear, with a high around 50°F (10°C) a fine day to get a few outside chores done. At any rate, it’s a welcome change. Oh, and the wind will be light coming in from the west with dry conditions staying with us for most of the day.

Tonight
Clear and cool tonight, with temperatures dipping to about 39°F (4°C). A calm evening, good for stargazing, which we have a lot of in our area. Might be a touch damp by morning with some patchy ground frost in lower spots.

Tomorrow – Thursday
The day will start off bright, but clouds will creep in by late morning. Expect a high near 55°F (13°C), with a slight chance of a stray afternoon shower. Nothing major, but enough to make you pause before hauling out the laundry line. Overnight, it’ll cool back down to around 40°F (5°C), which means it’s still not quite time to leave the greenhouse door wide open.

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, making for an easy drive for anyone heading off to the big city for supplies. Traffic’s picking up too, mostly locals out and about, doing their rounds, either ticking off errands or, more often than not, catching up on the latest gossip. Around here, a trip to the post office can take a good hour if you run into the right (or wrong) crowd—especially those who seem to know what’s going on before it even happens.

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On another note, yesterday I spent the whole day in front of my computer, working away with my wife by my side. We’ve been going through old newspapers and magazines she’s saved over the years, scanning every page that features one of my stories. I have to tell you, we worked hard all day and still barely made a dent in what’s stacked up in boxes—hundreds of them, at least. The problem with old newspapers is they deteriorate over time, and on top of that, they’re a real hassle to move around. But now, thanks to the high-tech setup our son helped us get going, we can have every story I’ve ever written stored in one place. And the best part? It’ll show the dates and other details for each one. Pretty handy, right? Now, we can flip through them whenever we want, without all the heavy lifting.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, with the sun finally shining today, once it warms up a bit, I’ll be heading out to the old woodworking shop. There’s plenty to do—first, I’ll be cleaning things up a bit, then I’ll finish building the one wall that needed repairs on the end of one of our outbuildings. And after that? Well, we’ll see. There’s still a lot to tackle as we get ready for the big spring sale we’re planning.

So, with that, I’m off for the breakfast my little woman made for me… oatmeal, or porridge as some might call it, is on the menu this morning. After that, we’ll settle in with our hot cups of cocoa and enjoy a good chat. We always look forward to talking to each other before the day gets started.

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