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Good Morning! You know, I figure the problem with a lot of folks here in Canada these days, isn’t just a lack of knowledge… it’s that what little they do know is buried under a mountain of nonsense. And truth be told, a good chunk of that mountain’s been stacked up by the very folks who are supposed to be leading us—our politicians.

Port Loring, Ontario – Sunday, April 6, 2025

Well, here we are. .April’s on the calendar, but winter’s still clinging’ to the edges. As of this morning, Port Loring’s sitting at a brisk 34°F (1°C) under partly sunny skies. Here’s how the week’s looking if you’re planning your chores, travel, or just deciding whether or not to fire up the wood-stove again.

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Forecast

Today – Sunday, April 6
High: 39°F (4°C) | Low: 25°F (-4°C)
A chilly day with low clouds hanging around. The sun might poke through now and then, but it won’t be bringing much warmth. A good day for shop work, or???

Monday, April 7
High: 36°F (2°C) | Low: 10°F (-12°C)
Heavy snow’s on the horizon and we can expect 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm). Also some colder weather will follow in behind it, so keep the shovel handy.

Tuesday, April 8
High: 28°F (-2°C) | Low: 8°F (-13°C)
Cloudy and very cold. The kind of cold that makes you hesitate at the door.

Wednesday, April 9
High: 37°F (3°C) | Low: 19°F (-7°C)
Mostly sunny but still well below normal. That sunshine’s more for show than warmth. So best bundle up and enjoy the light, but don’t leave your coat at home.

Thursday, April 10
High: 45°F (7°C) | Low: 24°F (-4°C)
Partly sunny and beginning to ease up. Might start to feel like spring is thinking about showing up, even if it’s still shy.

Friday, April 11
High: 50°F (10°C) | Low: 33°F (1°C)
Mostly sunny and milder–finally something close to seasonal. This will be the day to stretch your legs, maybe even sweep off the porch for good.

Saturday, April 12
High: 50°F (10°C) | Low: 32°F (0°C)
Bright sunshine and warming-up right where it should be.

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April in Port Loring – A Bit of History

On average, Port Loring sees daytime highs near 50°F (10°C) and lows around 29°F (-2°C) for April. Precipitation’s a regular guest, with around 12 days bringing rain or snow, totaling close to 3.5 inches (87 mm). In other words–expect mud, a stubborn bit of snow, and enough chill to keep the garden covered just a little longer.

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A Few Words of Wisdom

Best be dressing in layers this week, GW-style...long handles underneath, rain coat up top, and maybe keep a second pair of gloves in the truck. That snow on Monday won’t last forever, but it’s coming, and the cold behind it means you’ll feel it in your knuckles.

But again–by the end of the week, we’re heading into better weather, more sun, more warmth, and maybe the first real breath of spring.

On another note, the weather kept me indoors yesterday so I spent the better part of it here at my computer. The words came easy, and I ended up writing a couple more stories for the folks I send work to at Postmedia. Always gives me a warm feeling inside when an egg of an idea starts to crack open—but it never feels truly hatched until it’s been shared with the world.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, with the sun shining and me feeling not too bad-once it warms up a bit, I’m thinking I might head out and do a little work in my old woodworking shop. But for now, with the air still holding a bit of a chill, I’m staying put here at my computer. If I’m lucky, I might even manage to write up another story or two. We’ll just have to see how things pan out.

Truth be told, I never honestly know what I’m going to do from one day to the next. I make plans, but over the years, I’ve come to realize that plans are often made to be broken- and most times, that’s not such a bad thing.

And with that, I’m off to enjoy my morning breakfast—once again made by my lovely wife. After that, well, I’ll get to doing something-eventually. But whatever the day brings will just have to wait until we’ve had our regular morning chat over a hot cup of cocoa. Wouldn’t want to miss that for anything.

Truth is, a day without my sunshine—my lovely wife—just wouldn’t feel right. She brightens every morning in a way no sunrise ever could, and I wouldn’t trade that for all the plans in the world. Hmm you think that last remark might just get me a piece of cake to go with that cup of hot cocoa???

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

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Good morning. I’ve said it for years, and I’ll say it again… opinions are everywhere, but real wisdom? That’s getting mighty scarce these days, especially here in Canada.

Here’s how the weather’s shaping up for us today here in the North:

Today, Saturday, we’re expecting a mostly cloudy day with a few light showers now and then. The high will be around 44°F (7°C) and dipping to about 27°F (-3°C) overnight.

Tomorrow, Sunday, more clouds are on the way with a high near 39°F (4°C) and another nighttime low around 27°F (-3°C).

Oh and once again... I’ve always used Fahrenheit, and that’s the way it’s gonna stay. It’s what I grew up with, it’s what works, and it tells me what I need to know without any fuss. I honestly don’t care what political bunch, or government outfit decided Celsius was better, and it sure wasn’t done for folks like me. I’ve lived long enough to know you don’t toss out common sense just because someone with a title calls it progress. Thought I would toss that into the ring this morning for us old timers. Ha

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, making for a decent run if you’re headin’ to the big city for supplies. However, it might not stay that way all day though… as they’re calling’ for a bit of rain later on, so best not to dawdle if you’ve got things to do. And with spring setting in, there’s more critter movement than usual—especially deer, so it’s wise to keep an eye on the ditches and tree lines. One wrong move from them, and you’ve got more than the price of groceries to worry about.

On another note, my wife and I spent the whole day outside yesterday, working’ away like a couple of old Clydesdale Horses, getting things ready for our big spring sale. We managed to fix up a spot to start piling everything we’ve got for sale… which, at this point, is just about everything but the kitchen sink. Although, now that I think on it, we might have one of those kickin’ around too, if I dig deep enough. Either way, it was a productive day, and the kind that makes you sleep real good, and with your body letting’ you know it worked hard.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today, since the weather’s not exactly playing nice, I’m planning on writing up another story or two. In between, I’ll probably sneak into the woodworking shop to break things up a bit and get the old body moving. As the saying goes, the older you get, the worse thing you can do is sit too long. You let yourself get stiff, and next thing you know, it’s harder to get up, than it was to sit down. So, a little work, a little writing, it keeps the gears turning and the joints from rustin’.

Oh and once again before I go: It’s high time we stopped taking’ any taxes out of the working man’s paycheck. People are barely getting by as it is, and every time that check comes in, it’s like a chunk’s already been taken before they’ve even had a chance to see it. These politicians, they hide behind things like this, thinking folks won’t notice. Well, we do. It’s about time they stop skimming off the top and let the people keep what they earn. They’ve got their cushy jobs and fancy suits… how much more do they need?

With that, I’m off for my morning breakfast, once again made by my lovely wife. Hmm, I think I’ll have an extra cup of hot cocoa this morning, along with our regular morning chat, of course.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

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Good Morning! You know a Wise Man Once Said, “‘The Truth Will Set You Free’—But First, It’ll Probably Annoy You.”

For a change, we’re all waking up to sunshine here in the north. The day starts off bright with temperatures around 34°F (1°C). As we move into the afternoon, expect partly sunny skies with the mercury climbing to a high of 48°F (9°C). As night falls, temperatures will dip to a low of 35°F (2°C).​

Come Saturday, the skies will turn cloudy, bringing along a couple of showers. The daytime high will be around 46°F (8°C), so keep your rain gear handy if you’re planning to be outdoors. By night, temperatures will drop to a chilly 28°F (-2°C), so best to stoke the fire and keep warm.

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, and let’s hope it stays that way. Things have been quiet, which is about right for this time of year. But it won’t be long before the cottagers start rolling in to open up their places for the summer. After that, the boats will start showing up on the lakes and rivers, and not long after that, the tourists will be arriving.

I’ve got a hunch this year might be a good one for tourism. The price of gas is lower than it’s been in quite a few years, and that alone could encourage folks to hit the road a little more. That’ll put a smile on the faces of the local business owners, that’s for sure.

But… like always, we’ll just have to wait and see how it all pans out. The human mind? Well, it works in mysterious ways now and then.

On another note, I did manage to get a bit of work done outside yesterday. With my wife’s help, we hauled in a few more wheelbarrow loads of firewood for the wood furnace. Figured we might as well save on oil, especially with what it costs to fill that tank these days. We topped ours up, and it wasn’t even empty, yet the bill came to $1,040.00.

You know, years ago, that kind of money could’ve bought a brand-new truck. It’s hard to wrap your head around how far things have drifted.

And the part that really gets me is this—we’ve got the resources right here in our own country. Oil, gas, you name it. Yet we’re still being gouged like we’re importing it from halfway around the world. You’d think they’d cut the locals a bit of slack. But no, our own companies seem more interested in lining their pockets than looking out for the folks who keep this country running.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today… seeing as things are warming up and the sun is shining, I figure it might be a good one to tackle some more outside chores. We’ve got that big spring sale coming up in a month or so, and there’s still a pile of things that need doing. Should keep us out of trouble for most of the day… or at least until I run out of steam.

Mind you, if today turns out anything like yesterday with us hauling in firewood, I might be needing a nap by noon. Funny how that works, as back in the day, I could work circles around the clock. Now however, I bend down to tie my boots and wonder if that counts as stretching.

And these so-called “golden years”… I often wonder who came up with that phrase. Must’ve been one of those politicians… likely one who’s never lifted anything heavier than a coffee cup and a campaign promise.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me and we will then see what the day has in store.

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

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Good Morning! You know…. It’s funny how the truth is always there, but folks prefer the stories they make up instead.

She sure is a fine-looking morning up here in the north, But don’t let her good looks fool you, as she’s got a mean streak coming later today. They’re calling for some nasty weather rolling in, with a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain set to make life interesting. By tonight, the roads might turn into a skating rink.

Forecast Us Here in The North

Today (Wednesday, April 2):

High: 35°F (2°C)​

Conditions: Cloudy and breezy with periods of snow, sleet, and freezing rain developing this afternoon. Accumulations of 1-3 cm are possible, making untreated roads slippery.​

Tonight:

Low: 29°F (-2°C)​
Conditions: Continued precipitation with freezing rain transitioning to drizzle or light rain as temperatures rise overnight.​

Tomorrow (Thursday, April 3):

High: 50°F (10°C)​
Low: 27°F (-3°C)​

Conditions: Breezy and milder. Morning low clouds will give way to sunshine and areas of high clouds later in the day.

So all an all, we’ve got some not-so-good news weather-wise today, with snow, sleet, and freezing rain rolling in, but the good news is that tomorrow’s looking a lot better! Temperatures are warming up, and we might even see a little sunshine. Kinda like me… handsome as all get-out, a little rough around the edges, but still kicking, and I warm up just fine with a little sunshine too. Ha!

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, so traveling should be pretty good for now. But don’t let that fool you, keep an eye on what’s coming, and don’t wander too far from home. Reason being with the weather they’re calling for, things could turn tricky on the roads before too long.

So, yesterday, with the weather being pretty good and lots of sunshine, my wife and I decided to head into the big city of North Bay to pick up a few supplies. All in all, it was a great day. We had a meal out, did our shopping, grabbed a coffee, and enjoyed nature, and each other’s company. What could be better than that? Not much in my books… unless, of course, someone else was doing the shopping for us and paying for the meal too. Ha!

So What Are You Up To Today GW?

Well, today being my birthday—yep, this old timer made it to another one, so I’m thinking I’ll take it easy after yesterday’s trip to town. It seems I need a little time to wind down the next day for some reason. Not sure why that is, but at any rate, I think I’ll write up a story or two for my columns this morning, and if the weather holds out, I might make a dump run this afternoon. We’ll see how that works out.

Now, that’s the plan, but one never knows what a day might bring. Heck, at my age, I’m just happy I made it through another year without breaking anything important. And I’m not talking about my car! Ha! So here’s to another trip around the sun….let’s see if I can still make it to the next one without needing a map to find my way!

With that, I’m off for my breakfast, which, as always, my lovely wife has made for me. And after that, well, we’ll see what mischief I can get into… at least, that’s what my wife says. She knows me too well! Ha!

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW