Customers Affected:
1,279
Outage Start Time:
Feb 23, 2025, 9:00 AM
Cause:
Replacing Hydro Pole(s)
Estimated Time Restoration:
Feb 23, 2025, 12:00 PM
All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.
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In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!
George Walters | [email protected]
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Good Morning! The rooster’s running late this morning, but the coffee’s right on time. And that is all that matters at least in this household.
So walking out to the woodworking shop earlier this morning, I noticed that it isn’t as cold as it has been, and my old shop stove still had a few coals in it from the night before. Which… made lighting it that much easier. Laid in some wood and before I turned around it was burning nicely.
Now, let’s see what Mother Nature’s got in store for us here in the north.
Today (Friday, February 21, 2025):
☀ Morning: Mostly sunny, sitting’ around 12°F (-11°C).
⛅ Afternoon: Partly sunny and not quite as bitter, climbing’ to 23°F (-5°C).
🌙 Evening: Slipping’ back down to a chilly 11°F (-12°C).
Tomorrow (Saturday, February 22, 2025):
☁ Morning: Cloudy skies with some snow rolling’ in, dropping’ an inch or two (2-4 cm).
❄ Afternoon: Staying’ cold, high around 26°F (-3°C).
🌨 Evening: Dropping’ to about 18°F (-8°C), so best keep the fire stoked.
Looks like a good day to hunker down, keep the coffee hot, and maybe get a few things done in the shop.
On another note, I didn’t get any work done in the shop yesterday. Ruth and I had to head to town for some supplies—and to see a specialist about a few things I’ve been dealing with. I won’t get into the details, but I will say this—some of these so-called medical professionals seem to have forgotten that their job is to help folks, not just rush ‘em through like an assembly line. No real conversation, no real care—just in and out. Disappointing, to say the least.
But I’ll tell you one thing—I’m not the type to just sit back and do nothing. Not me. So now, Ruth and I are going to seek out a good naturalist, someone who actually listens and understands that there’s more to health than just prescriptions and procedures. On top of that, I’ll be pulling together everything I’ve learned from my old friend Grey Wolf, along with all the knowledge Ruth and I have gathered over the years. Between all that, we’ll figure out the best path forward.
After that appointment was done, we picked up what we needed, had a nice lunch at a friendly little spot, grabbed a coffee, and made it home late in the day, worn out. So, we put our feet up, talked things over, and figured out what comes next. Life keeps moving, and so do we.
So, what’s on the agenda today, GW? Well after a good chat and a meal made by my lovely wife, I’ll be heading back to the woodworking shop to work on the flutes I’ve been shaping. They’re coming along, slowly but surely, though… there’s still a good bit of work to do.
When I work with wood, it’s not just about the carving. It’s about feeling the strength of the tree in my hands, understanding the flow of the grain. You know, the wood has its own rhythm, its own life. Truth told as I shape it, I let it guide me. The flute will play when it’s ready, when the wood and I have worked together in silence. It’s not just my hands at work…it’s the spirit of the wood showing me the way.
You all have a good day.
Until next time—keep your minds open and 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]
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“Good Morning Folks!” You know you’re in Northern Ontario when the snowplow wakes you up before your alarm does…and it’s still dark at 7:00 AM.
Well, it’s another brisk morning here in the north, with the mercury sitting’ at a nippy -8.68°F (-22.6°C). It’s the kind of cold that makes a fella think twice…maybe even three times…before throwing’ off the covers and facing the day. And for the record, I’ve always liked Fahrenheit better…gives a feller a real sense of just how cold it is.
Today: Sun’s peeking’ out here and there, but don’t let it fool ya…it’s staying’ cold. High of 8°F (-13°C), but with that wind, it’ll feel a fair bit colder. Best to keep the long johns handy.
Tonight: Clear skies, but that just means the cold digs in deeper. Temps dropping’ to -7°F (-21°C), and if the wind gets to whistling’, you’ll know it. Might be a good night to toss an extra log on the fire.
Tomorrow: A smidge warmer, if you can call it that. High of 15°F (-9°C), but don’t expect a heatwave. The sun will be out, but that just means it’s bright enough to see how much snow still needs shoveling’.
Bundle up and keep that coffee strong, as winter ain’t letting’ go just yet.
Highway 522…well, I am beginning to see a bit of pavement showing through here and there, but there are still plenty of snow-covered spots hanging on, not quite ready to give up. That is pretty much the norm for this time of year, especially with the cold temperatures we have been having.
As for the folks around here, well they are handling it in true northern fashion. Some are out early, shoveling with a coffee in one hand and a snow shovel in the other, while others are standing at the end of their driveways, staring at the snow like it might just move on its own. And then there are those who figure if they wait long enough, a good strong wind or a kindhearted neighbor with a plow might just save them the trouble. That’s what I call smart thinking, doesn’t happen all that often though.
On another note, yesterday my wife and I had a busy morning cleaning up the snow from the day before. And let me tell you, it wasn’t the light, fluffy kind that you can just brush away with ease. No, this stuff was heavy. The reason being, the snow that fell came down in tiny flakes, and when those little fellas pack together, they turn into something as stubborn as a pile of wet sand. At least, that’s how it felt to us two old timers.
But no matter, we managed to get ‘er done. We finished up just before noon, and I have to say, by that time, we were more than ready for a hot cup of cocoa. Truth be told, we had that, then lunch, and then figured, why stop there? So we enjoyed a couple more cups of coffee for good measure. Some might call that a bit much, but hey!… We figured we earned it.
I also managed to spend the afternoon working on the flutes I’ve got on the go. Not a bad day, all things considered. Had a few bumps along the way, but after all these years, I’ve learned you gotta take the good with the bad and keep on movin’. And that’s exactly what I did…just kept at it, knowing some days you win, and some days you learn.
This Morning, after breakfast…thanks to my lovely wife, of course…I’ll head on out to the old woodworking shop and carry on with the day’s work. It’s a cold one, but with the stove in the shop cranked up and doing its thing, well, what could be better than that? Not much, if you ask me. There’s just something about that warm stove, the smell of fresh wood, and the sound of the tools that just makes a feller feel right at home.
You all have a great day!!
Until next time—keep your minds open and 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]
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Good Morning! You know…winter’s got two choices—ease up or toughen us up. So far, we know which one it picked..
Port Loring, Ontario Weather Report
Well, folks, if you were hoping’ for a bright and sunny day, you might have to hold onto that thought a little longer. Here’s what’s rolling’ in for today, tonight, and tomorrow:
🌤 Today:
Expect a mix of sun and cloud, with temperatures sitting’ around 28°F (-2°C). A bit of a breeze will make it feel cooler, so if you’re venturing’ outside, best bundle up.
🌙 Tonight:
Clouds will thicken up, and there’s a chance of a few flurries here and there. Temperature’s dropping’ to about 17°F (-8°C), and with that wind, it’ll feel even colder. Might be a good night to stoke the wood-stove and hunker down with a hot drink.
🌨 Tomorrow:
More clouds than sun, with a high near 25°F (-4°C). There’s a slight chance of some light snow, but nothing’ too serious—just enough to remind us that winter ain’t done with us yet.
So, keep the long johns handy, and if you’re headin’ out, watch your step… some spots might be a tad slick. Stay warm and keep the coffee hot!
Well, folks, Highway 522’s gone and tucked itself under another blanket of snow, making travel a mite tricky today. But before we start grumbling, let’s tip our hats to those getting it worse. Back at my old stomping grounds in Coldwater, Ontario, and over in Barrie, they’re really catching’ it.
According to the weather forecast, Barrie is under a snow squall warning, expecting total snowfall amounts of 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm). These squalls are set to kick off this morning and might hang around through Tuesday, bringing near-zero visibility and making travel downright hazardous. Temperatures will hover around 21°F (-6°C) today but will feel much colder with the wind.
Meanwhile, over in Coldwater, they’re bracing for similar conditions. The forecast calls for snow at times heavy, with local amounts ranging from 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm). Winds are expected to pick up, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility. Temperatures there will be around 19°F (-7°C), but the wind chill will make it feel even colder. Travel’s not advised unless absolutely necessary.
So, while we’re shoveling’ our driveways here this morning, let’s count our good fortune—it could be a whole lot deeper. So again, stay safe, keep the kettle on, and maybe hold off on any road trips south for a spell.
On another note, yesterday was another productive day out in my old woodworking shop, working away on some flutes. Now, for those wondering, I’ve been at these particular flutes for the past three or four weeks. Some folks might think I’m taking my time, and they’d be right. But there’s good reason for it. You see, making a flute isn’t just about carving out a nice piece of wood; it’s about absolute precision. Every cut, every carefully placed hole, and every carefully crafted detail rings true in the flute’s voice. Rushing the process would only lead to a flute that looks pretty but doesn’t play worth a damn. So, slow and steady is the only way to go. No brag—just fact.
So, what’s on the agenda today, GW? Well, no guesswork needed there as after all the snow we got yesterday, our day will be spent digging’ out the driveway and clearing off the decks. That ought keep us plenty busy. The good news is, the snow’s light, which makes the job a whole lot easier. Once that’s all said and done, we’ll…see how my lovely wife and I are feeling’. But one thing’s for certain…a well-earned rest and a hot cup of cocoa will be in order.
With that, I’m off to enjoy my breakfast before I head out into the cold. Of course, that’s after I put on all my snow clothes for snow-blowing—takes me about ten minutes just to get dressed for the occasion, and my wife’s the same way. It’s a bit chilly this morning, so I’ll be adding a few extra layers to stay warm. You all have a great day.
Until next time—keep your minds open and 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]
Only On The Walters Post
These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.
So I have had numerous emails asking me what I think of these billionaires that are out there today.
Well, I’ve been around long enough to see folks get rich, stay poor, and everything in between. Seems like every generation has its fair share of people who hit it big, whether it’s striking oil, building railroads, or, these days, running tech empires. And while a lot of folks like to grumble about billionaires, I see things a little differently.
You see, I’ve spent most of my life self-employed, my wife too, and while we sure as hell never stacked up billions, we made out just fine in every way that mattered. It ain’t all about money, and that’s the damn truth. But for the folks who did make it big—real big—I got no bones to pick with them.
Take Bernard Arnault, sitting on top of LVMH with $233 billion to his name. Fashion and retail ain’t my world, but I know this—he built an empire, and folks keep buying what he’s selling. That’s business, plain and simple. Same goes for Elon Musk, who’s got $195 billion to his name because he took chances on rockets and electric cars when folks called him crazy. But crazy and smart got a fine line between ‘em, and turns out, he was on the right side of it.
Then you got Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison—all tech titans who changed the way the world works. Hell, I remember when Amazon was just a place to buy books, and now it’s a behemoth running half the internet. Facebook, Oracle, Microsoft—these weren’t overnight wins. These guys gambled on their ideas, and it paid off big. Real big.
And let’s not forget Warren Buffett, 93 years old and still outsmarting Wall Street with a fortune of $133 billion. If anyone’s got a right to say they’ve seen it all, it’s him. Then there’s Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and the Google boys—Larry Page and Sergey Brin—pioneers who didn’t just chase money, they built something that changed the damn world.
Now, here’s where my two cents come in. If it were me sitting on a pile of billions, knowing full well I couldn’t spend it all in ten lifetimes, I’d be putting a hell of a lot of it toward something good. Some of ‘em do, sure—Buffett and Gates give away fortunes—but if I had that kind of dough, I’d be making sure folks who never got a fair shake had a shot at one. Not a handout, mind ya, but a hand up.
Because here’s what I’ve learned about life: it’s all about choices and chances. Some folks take the right road, some don’t. Some get lucky, some don’t. But anyone who’s ever made it big took a risk somewhere along the way. And I respect that.
So, nah, you won’t catch me badmouthing billionaires just because they made out better than most. They played the game and won. And me? I might not have billions, but I won in my own way too. Life ain’t measured by bank accounts alone. And that’s something no amount of money can buy.
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]