Good Morning! You know over the years I have found that: Chasing time is like always trying to keep up with life, pushing to get everything done or reach a certain point before time runs out. But time isn’t something we can control or catch; it moves on whether we’re ready or not. It’s about that feeling of life moving too fast and trying to keep up, but in the end, realizing that sometimes we just have to go with the flow and let things happen.

Moving along, it’s a crisp morning here in the north. The thermometer reads -0.2 C, or 31.6 F, so it’s a cold start. But that white out there? It isn’t frost this time. We got about an inch of snow last night, first of the season. Still, it won’t last long, as things are warming up above freezing by mid-day, and by tomorrow, rain will make an appearance.

Now, some folks go by the calendar seasons, but for me, the first snow means winter’s arrived. Fortunately, my wife and I, as always, are ready for it this year. Gardens are worked up, equipment tucked away, firewood stacked in the house, and the freezer’s full. No matter what the weather throws our way, we’ll stay warm and won’t go hungry.

You know! Living up here, you’ve got to be ready, or the north will teach you a hard lesson. I’ve seen plenty of folks move up, only to throw in the towel after a couple of winters and head back to the city life. It takes a special kind of person to make a real go of it up here for the long haul.

Another thing worth mentioning: is that taking daily vitamin D3 is a game-changer, especially when the sun’s playing hide-and-seek. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for your health<>sharpens the mind, beefs up your bones, and tells colds and flu’s to take a hike. And that’s just scratching the surface.

Now, here’s a tip<> to keep those doctor visits at bay (and we all know they love seeing us this time of year<>more patients means more cash flow!). Make it a habit to scrub your hands after you’ve been out and about<>whether it’s the grocery store, post office, or anywhere folks are crawling all over. And don’t forget your face<>give it a good wash, as it’s important too. The truth is, it’s the simple stuff, that keeps them germs at bay. Do that, my friends, and you’ll be dodging those waiting rooms like it should be. Especially this time of year!

With that, I’m off for some pancakes this morning that my lovely wife/artist is cooking up for me. They ought to keep me going, well, at least until noon. But you never know—I might just need a cookie or two with a cup of hot cocoa around 10:30 AM to keep me smiling!

Speaking of my wife being an artist, I want to take a moment here this morning to share something truly special about my wife. She’s been painting for over fifty years, and her talent is nothing short of extraordinary. Recently, she’s been transforming her former gift shop into a dedicated art studio where she can showcase her incredible work. This change is a big deal, because it allows her to display just how good she really is. What’s amazing is that she’s entirely self-taught. Her attention to detail is remarkable<>no smudge paintings here! Each piece tells a story, and her ability to capture the essence of her subjects, things, and places ares simply breathtaking. Her paintings have travelled all over the world, and it’s clear that people resonate with her unique style. Now, instead of focusing on custom requests, she’s shifting gears to create what truly inspires her. This brings a smile not just to her face, but to mine as well. It’s wonderful to see her embrace this artistic freedom. Her new studio will be a space filled with creativity and passion, showcasing her journey as an artist. I couldn’t be prouder of her, and can’t wait for everyone to experience the beauty and stories behind her paintings. If you get the chance, I highly encourage you to check out her work come spring<>you won’t be disappointed!

You all have a great day and as my wife would say: “Today is a fresh canvas<>don’t forget to add your own masterpiece to it!” GW