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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

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Good Morning! The snow’s knee-deep, the shovel’s worn thin, and the only thing keeping me going is the thought of spring… whenever it decides to show up.

Yep it’s a cold, snowy morning here in Cottage Country, the kind that bites right through a man’s coat and makes a feller think twice about leaving the warmth of his bed. But stay put? Not a chance. Every morning my feet hit the floor, I figure that’s a victory worth celebrating.

You see, after all these years, my wife and I have come to understand something most folks don’t talk about anymore. Life ain’t about piling up money, worrying about what the neighbors think, or running yourself ragged trying to keep up with everyone else’s expectations. It’s about knowing when to work hard and when to sit back and enjoy what you’ve built.

And that’s exactly what we’re doing now. We’ve earned every bit of what we have—through long days, cold mornings, and years of doing what needed doing. And from here on out, things will get done when we see fit, in our own time, on our own dime. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that life ain’t about rushing—it’s about living.

Highway 522—well, I know it’s out there somewhere, but you wouldn’t think so with all this snow coming down. Usually, it ain’t this bad, but today? Looks more like a forgotten trail than a road. And given the shape it’s in this morning, I’d say it’s a fine excuse to stay put, keep the coffee brewing, and let the rest of the world figure itself out.

If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years is that nature don’t much care about schedules, plans, or what a feller thinks ought to get done. Snow falls when it wants, roads disappear when they feel like it, and the best way to handle it? Accept it, stay warm, and don’t go looking for trouble where it don’t need finding.

You know...living in a small town up here in the north is a lot like an old wood-stove—sometimes it smokes a bit, sometimes it runs hot, but most of the time, it just keeps folks warm and talking. We don’t have the big city rush, and truth be told, if we did, we’d probably just watch it go by from the porch, coffee in hand, and shake our heads.

Yep, small-town living might not be for everyone, but for those of us who’ve been here long enough, it’s home. And besides, where else can you get your morning news, a weather forecast, and a fresh batch of town gossip all in the time it takes to fill up your gas tank?

On another note, yesterday was another full day in the shop, working away on my flutes. Got a lot done, too. So far, I’ve filmed the whole process from start to finish, and once I get around to editing, those videos will make their way onto my YouTube channel. But that’ll be a while yet—still plenty left to do, both on the flutes and the footage.

The thing is, folks don’t always realize that making these flutes takes time—steady hands, sharp tools, and a bit of patience. But what takes just as long, if not longer, is editing the videos so folks can actually see how it’s all done without having to sit through hours of me shaping, sanding, and scratching my head. It’s a job in itself, and like any good project, it’ll get done when it gets done.

So with that bit of info on your minds, I’m off for my breakfast—hot cocoa in hand—and our regular morning chat with my lovely wife. It’s a quiet start to the day, but the best kind, if you ask me. The world may move fast, but for us, we’ve learned to slow down and savor what we’ve got. That’s a gift in itself. Here’s to another day of enjoying the little things and doing it all side by side.

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

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Good Morning! The roads are icy, the air is crisp, and if you don’t like winter, well… it’s a little late for that now!

Well, the sun’s up there somewhere this morning, but its hard to tell with all these clouds hanging around. And wouldn’t you know it, they’re dropping a little more of that white stuff…snow. But I’ve got to say, there’s something about a morning like this. The quiet, the slow drift of snowflakes…it just does something to a feller. Makes you feel like you’re pulling in the kind of energy a man/woman needs to get through the day.

Here’s what the sky’s got in store for Port Loring:

Today:
Looks like the sun’s playin’ a game of hide and seek behind them clouds, with a few flurries drifting down just to remind us it’s still winter. Won’t be too bad, though—highs around 25°F (-4°C), which ain’t exactly balmy but could be worse.

Tonight:
Them clouds are settlin’ in like an old dog on the porch, and before long, they’ll be shaking’ out a bit more snow. Nothing too wild, but enough to keep things interesting. Expect it to dip down to around 14°F (-10°C), so best toss an extra log on the fire.

Tomorrow:
Gonna wake up to a fresh blanket of the white stuff, with 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) piling up before midday. After that, the wind might kick up a bit, and it’ll stay on the chilly side, only climbing’ to about 17°F (-8°C) before dropping’ like a rock overnight—down to -3°F (-20°C).

Bottom line? If you ain’t got to be out in it, might be a good time to hunker down with a hot coffee and let winter do its thing. Stay warm, and keep your snow shovel handy!

Yesterday, I finally got a full day in the shop, working on them flutes. Been a while since I had a stretch like that without something pulling’ me away. But wouldn’t you know it, the day rolled along just fine…steady hands, sharp tools, and wood that behaved itself for once. And with that happening I managed to get a good bit done, too, which, given how things have been going, felt like a win. Funny how some days fight you every step of the way, and others just let you work. Guess that’s the way of it, same as writing or anything else…some days, it all just comes together.

With all that said, we’ll see what today brings. I did roll out of bed a bit early this morning and got the old shop stove fired up. Truth be told, it wasn’t all that cold in there for a change…not warm enough to work bare-handed mind ya, but not bad either. Give it a little time, and by the time I’ve finished my breakfast, that shop ought to be toasty enough to get some real work done today. I have always felt there’s nothing like the crackle of a good fire, and the promise of a warm work bench to start the day off right.

With that, I’m off for a bite to eat—courtesy of my lovely wife. After that, we’ll settle in with our usual cup of hot cocoa and a good chat, the kind we’ve shared for more years than I can count.

You know, some couples seem to drift apart over time, and I reckon a lot of it comes down to not talking, not truly listening to each other. I’ve even heard of folks keeping separate bank accounts, splitting things right down the middle like business partners instead of life partners. Truth be told, I can’t make sense of that. Around here, there’s no such thing as “mine” or “yours.” It’s ours—always has been, always will be. That’s how we’ve made it through fifty-odd years together, side by side, never keeping score.

And another thing—we work together. When one of us stumbles, the other is there to pick up the slack. Kind of like that old team of Clydesdale’s we had years ago. One wouldn’t work without the other, and when one passed on, well… the other wasn’t far behind. I always figured it was a broken heart that did it.

So for now, my wife and I will carry on, sharing everything—and I mean everything. Our work, our laughter, our quiet moments, and most of all, our love. Because in the end, that’s what truly keeps a team moving forward, no matter what road they’re on.

Now, how’s that for an ending on this fine winter’s morning?

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