Category Archives: What’s Happening

Notes from a Life Lived in Stories on May 4/2025

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It’s looking like a real nice day here in the north. The sun is shining, the grass is greening up nicely, and the buds on some of the trees are starting to look like actual leaves. Especially the white lilac we have by the house—it’s really something. When it’s in full bloom, you can smell it no matter where you walk around the yard. Over the years, I’ve taken shoots from the original and planted others here and there around the place. There’s just something about lilacs that I’ve always liked. Maybe it’s a sign that spring has finally settled in.

On another note, yesterday I was all set to clean up my old woodworking shop. But soon as I stepped outside, I noticed a bunch of water by the house. That didn’t look right, so I took a better look and found the old outside tap had sprung a leak. It’s been there a long time, and I guess it finally gave out.

Fixing it ended up taking most of the morning. It wasn’t the easiest thing, but with the new connectors they’ve come up with these days, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be. Truth be told, I was kind of proud of myself. Plumbing’s never really been my thing—but every now and then, you figure something out, and it actually works the way it’s supposed to. That’s a win in my books.

After I got that all looked after, I had some lunch, and then my wife and I spent the rest of the day doing a bit more cleanup around the property. By the time we wrapped up, the day was pretty much gone.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today my wife and I are planning to get a bit of work done down in the basement, tidying things up. With heating the house with wood all winter, things can get a little messy down there. Not terrible, but it could use some attention.

But first, I’m going to sit down and enjoy the breakfast my little woman made for me—a soft-boiled egg and some sausages from grass-fed critters. You just can’t beat that, especially when it comes to getting a good dose of K2. That’s the stuff most folks are missing these days. Problem is, with what they’re feeding animals now, a lot of the nutrients that used to be in meat just aren’t there anymore. But when they’re raised right—on real grass and the way nature intended—you get all the good things our bodies actually need to stay healthy.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

One Writer, Many Stories on May 3/2025

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Good Morning Folks… Out here, the stories grow right alongside the weeds.

It’s a cool, wet morning waking up here in cottage country. But the good news is, things are going to start to warm up with some sunshine showing herself a bit later on in the day

Saturday, May 3

Morning: Overcast and damp, with a bit of drizzle hanging in the air.
Afternoon: Some sun breaking through the clouds, helping to dry things up a bit.
High: 52°F (11°C)
Low: 33°F (1°C)
Evening: Partly cloudy and cooling down quick.


Tonight

Mostly clear skies with a few clouds drifting by.
Low: 33°F (1°C)
A cool one—might want to throw an extra log on the fire or grab an extra blanket.


Sunday, May 4

Morning: Bright and sunny, a fine start to the day.
Afternoon: A mix of sun and cloud, just enough to keep things interesting.
High: 61°F (16°C)
Low: 34°F (1°C)
Evening: Calm and clear, with just a hint of a breeze.

Looks like the weekend’s shaping up nicely after a damp start. So, dust off those patio chairs and get ready to enjoy some well-deserved sunshine!

Highway 522 is dry this morning and traffic has been picking up. Not as much as last year at this time, but that’s understandable with the weather being the way it is. However, that’ll all change in the coming weeks as folks start opening up their cottages and getting their boats in the water—not to forget the tourists looking for new things to do and see, away from the noise and bustle of the cities.

On another note, being that the weather wasn’t so nice yesterday, my wife and I spent the day working away here in the house. We got a lot done for our sale, which is closing in fast—just two weeks now. Still lots to do, though, but we’re slowly getting things to where we want them.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today being so cool and wet outside, I’m thinking I’ll work away here at my desk—at least until the sun shows herself and things warm up a bit. And if that happens, I’ll head on out to the old woodworking shop and do some cleaning up out there.

With that, I’m off once again for the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. Then we’ll both settle into our La-Z-Boy chairs and enjoy our morning chat with a good cup of hot cocoa.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

From the Desk of an Old Storyteller on May 2/2025

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Good Morning Folks… Out here, every fence line has a story to tell, and I’ve written half of ’em.

She’s another cool, rainy morning here in Port Loring, and along with that, the wind has picked up a bit, which makes things feel just a touch worse. The good news is, we still have power—and it looks like the sun will show herself tomorrow.

Weather for Port Loring, Ontario

Today, Friday, May 2, it’s a cool and rainy day. We’re looking at a high of 48°F (9°C) and a low of 34°F (1°C). The skies are overcast, and rain is expected throughout the day, so it’s a good idea to keep the rain gear handy. Winds will be light, so it won’t feel too breezy.

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 3, things should improve a bit. Expect a high of 55°F (13°C) and a low of 34°F (1°C). The day will start with some cloud cover, but we should see some sunshine peeking through as the day goes on. It’ll be a bit warmer, so a nice change after today.

All in all, a good weekend ahead to get out and enjoy a bit of nature—just keep an eye on the skies in case the weather changes.

Highway 522 has picked up some, traffic-wise, and we can expect a lot more as the days move forward.

On another note, yesterday wasn’t a great day, so my wife and I headed into North Bay to pick up some supplies we needed. Along the way, we met a lady who had seen some of the things we have for sale on Marketplace and Kijiji. While we were there, we also filled up our gas cans… since the power was out, I figured it was best to top them up. With the way the weather has been lately, it seemed wise to have a little extra on hand.

Once we were finished, we stopped off for a pizza at East Side Mario’s and enjoyed a nice drink. After that, we picked up a coffee at our local coffee shop and headed home, taking in everything nature had to offer. All in all, it turned out to be a great day.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today, with the weather not being so good, I’m planning on scanning a bunch more newspaper columns from years past that I wrote. I have boxes of them, so by doing this, we’ll have them all in one place and no large boxes to move. Which will keep my busy for most of the day.

So, with that, I’m off for some grass-fed sausages we bought, along with a boiled egg. After that, we’ll enjoy our hot cup of cocoa and have our regular morning chat. Then, we’ll see what the day has in store.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

From Dawn to Desk: Stories in the Making on May 1/2025

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Good Morning Folks… Coffee’s hot, pen’s ready, and the buds on the trees are slowly starting to show themselves.

It’s a frosty and cool morning here in Cottage Country, with the mercury waking up at 28.9°F (-1.7°C).​ And as my old Dad used to say: “George, a warm May can fool you fast, but the ground don’t lie. Feel the soil, not the sun.”


🌤️ Port Loring Weather Forecast

Today – Thursday, May 1

Clouds will linger through the morning, giving way to periods of rain by afternoon. The high will reach around 55°F (13°C), with a low dipping to 42°F (6°C).​

Tonight

Expect continued rain through the evening, tapering off overnight. Temperatures will settle near 42°F (6°C).​

Tomorrow – Friday, May 2

The day will start with rain and drizzle, transitioning to cloudy skies by afternoon. The high will be around 53°F (12°C), with a low near 39°F (4°C).​

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, and we are seeing a touch of sunshine which is slowly getting rid of this frost we had through the night. Which in turn will make things good for traveling.

On another note, with the power out yesterday morning, my wife and I took the opportunity to go through items we’ll be adding to our spring garage sale. All in all, it turned out to be a productive day, and we got a lot done. There’s still plenty more to go through, but little by little, we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I’ve got a bit more computer work that needs my attention, and if the weather warms up a little, I plan to head out to the woodworking shop to start tidying things up. With everything that’s been going on around here the past few months, it’s gotten to be quite a mess, but it’s nothing a little time and effort won’t fix.

So with that, it’s time once again for the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. Afterward, I’ll see what the day has in store. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you can plan all you like, but the weather, the world, and life itself often have a way of writing their own script.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Starting the Day, One Story at a Time on April 30/2025

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Good Morning Folks… You know, years ago, a Handshake Meant Something and So Did Your Word.

She’s a cool morning here in Cottage Country, folks. The kind of morning where your breath hangs in the air and the coffee pot works overtime, … if you’ve still got power, that is.

Today in Port Loring, we’re enjoying plenty of sunshine, but temperatures will stay on the crisp side. The high should top out around 50°F (10°C). A great day to be outside if you’re bundling up, though not ideal if you’re relying on electricity to get things done.

Tonight, expect clear skies and a real dip in temperature, down to about 31°F (-1°C). If you’ve got a wood stove or generator, it’ll earn its keep tonight. Otherwise, an extra blanket or two wouldn’t hurt.

Tomorrow, we’ll see increasing cloud cover with afternoon showers rolling in. The high will hit around 55°F (13°C), with a low near 43°F (6°C). Good weather for rain barrels, but not so great for any outdoor chores that need dry ground.

And a quick note for our neighbors: Hydro One is still working hard to restore power after yesterday’s storm knocked out electricity across our region, including here in Port Loring. The latest estimate has power being restored sometime between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM tonight, depending on location and storm damage. Crews are out, and they’re making steady progress, so hang tight and check on your neighbors if you’re able.

​And as of this morning, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, there are no reports of washouts or major road damage along Highway 522 near Port Loring. The road is currently bare and dry, making it suitable for travel.

So yeah, it’s been an interesting few days here in and around our area with the power being out and all. For us, though, we’re making out just fine. Years back, I had my son and my wife’s brother—who’s an electrician—set us up with a generator system. It’s wired right into the house, so we can keep the essentials running when the grid goes down.

The generator handles our well pump, oil furnace (though we’ve got plenty of wood if we need it), a few lights, and some outlets—like the one I’m using right now for my computer. It’s a comfort knowing we’ve got things in place to keep on going, no matter what the weather throws at us.

That’s the thing about living in the country: you have to be ready for just about anything. You can’t depend on modern-day conveniences to always be there when you need them. I was raised that way—preparedness was just a part of life. So, even with the power out for a couple of days, life around here hasn’t changed much. Feels like a regular day, really.

We were lucky, too. On our last trip to town, I topped off two 20-litre gas cans while the price was down. That gave us just the edge we needed, and the timing couldn’t have been better

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, with the power being a bit restricted and the air outside still holding a bit of a chill, I figure I’ll spend some time working away here at my computer. I’ve got a couple of story ideas floating around in my head that I’d like to get down, but then again, I might turn my attention back to scanning old newspapers.

I wrote for quite a few over the years and have literally hundreds of clippings tucked away. Bit by bit, I’ve been scanning them so we can have everything stored digitally. It’s a lot easier than hauling around heavy boxes full of old newsprint.

My son’s been helping out by backing everything up, too—which is a good thing. You can’t always count on modern technology to hold steady, and those computer hard drives have a funny way of giving up the ghost when you least expect it.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy my breakfast that my little woman’s made for me. It’s simple but just right—some warm Shredded Wheat with a touch of honey, a piece of toast with grass-fed butter. After that, we’ll settle in with a hot cup of cocoa and get into our regular morning chat.


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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]