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Good Morning! As my old Dad used to say, ‘Every sunrise is a handshake from nature—don’t leave it hangin’.

Here’s the weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario:

Today (January 14):

• Daytime: Cloudy and colder with a couple of snow showers.
  • High: -6°C (21°F)
• Night: Clear and very cold.
  • Low: -18°C (0°F)

Tomorrow (January 15):

• Daytime: Plenty of sunshine, but cold.
  • High: -8°C (18°F)
• Night: Clear skies.
  • Low: -12°C (10°F)

You know! : “It’s so cold, the chickens are lining up to sit on my old wood-stove!”

Highway 522 is snow-covered this morning in most areas, but it should start to melt off as the morning wears on. Not too many folks are out and about, aside from the locals—though around here, if you see a truck parked in the middle of the road, it’s probably just two neighbors catching up on the latest news!

On another note, yesterday was a solid day in the woodworking shop—after we tackled the snow, of course. I took care of the driveway while my lovely wife handled the decks—all three of them. She says it’s to keep them in good shape, but I think she just likes showing the snow who’s boss. Once the shovels were hung up and the cocoa mugs were drained, I got to work on that yellow pine harvest table I’m making for her. Made a lot of progress, too! If the stars align, I might finish it today, aside from staining it. But, as I always say, you never know what a day will bring—life’s got a way of surprising you, much like finding an extra screw in the bottom of the toolbox when you’re sure you used them all.

With that, I’m off to enjoy my morning breakfast—once again, put together by my little woman. After that, we’ll settle in with our usual cup of hot cocoa and have a good ol’ chat, just like we do every morning. It’s one of those simple joys, like the satisfying sound of the first crack of firewood in the stove—warm, familiar, and the perfect start to a day.

You all have a great day, and remember, the best moments are often the simplest ones—like a quiet morning shared with someone special.

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

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Morning, folks! As my old Dad always said, ‘A slow start’s fine, just don’t stop till the day’s done.

So I noticed walking out to my woodworking shop early this morning that we had another three inches of snow. The good news is, at the moment, it isn’t all that cold, with the temperature at the time of this post sitting at -1.4°C | 29.48°F.

Today’s Weather (Port Loring, ON):
Periods of snow throughout the day, with 3–6 cm expected. High of 2°C | 35.6°F, and a low of -9°C | 15.8°F.

Tonight’s Weather:
Cloudy with a chance of light snow. Low of -9°C | 15.8°F.

Tomorrow’s Weather:
Colder with scattered snow showers, adding another 1–3 cm. High of -6°C | 21.2°F, and a low of -18°C | 0°F.

It’s shaping up to be a chilly one—stay cozy out there!

Highway 522 is partially snow-covered this morning, and with more of the white stuff coming down, traveling won’t be all that great. It might just pay to stay home today.

On another note, yesterday I got a lot done in my woodworking shop on my wife’s new Yellow Pine Harvest Table. If all goes to plan, I should be close to finishing it today. I still have to make the drawer, install the rails for it to slide on, and add the top. So yeah, there are a few things left to do, but it’s coming along nicely.

The best part? I’m really happy with how it’s turning out. It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind table, all handcrafted with care, made especially for my lovely wife. She sure deserves it after all these years. You see, for most of our lives, we’ve spent our time and energy crafting things for others—customers, friends, and our store. But now, before it’s too late, it’s time to make a few special things just for us.

It never ceases to amaze me how, just a few days ago, this table was nothing more than a stack of rough-cut pine boards standing in my storage shed. And now… well, now it’s coming together into something that’ll hold not just meals but memories. This one is special, made for someone who has stood by me through thick and thin. If you ask me, that’s a project worth taking your time on.

However, in saying all that, looking out at the snow falling, we might have to clear some off the decks and driveway before the day is through. That’s the thing about living up here in the north—you never really know what a day will bring. But hey, that’s just the way it is, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, with that, it’s time for me to head off and enjoy the breakfast my little woman’s made for me. After that—well, we’ll take the day as it comes. But first, a warm cup of hot cocoa and a good chat to start things off right.

You all have a great day, and remember—take your time, but make it count. And as my Dad always said, “A slow start’s fine, just don’t stop till the day’s done.” GW

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

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Good Morning! Rise and shine—or at least rise. The shine will come once the coffee kicks in!

Weather Forecast for Port Loring, Ontario

Things are about to get interesting around here. Over the next few days, a big storm system is brewing out west and heading our way. They’re calling it a “Border Tracker” storm, and it’s expected to roll through Ontario, bringing snow and colder air as it moves along.

Tonight and Tomorrow (Jan 12-13)

Tonight, the clouds will thicken up, and some light snow will start falling. Temperatures will hover around -2°C (28°F). By tomorrow, Monday, we’ll see on-and-off snow through the day, adding up to about 3–6 centimeters. It’ll warm up a touch, reaching 1°C (34°F) by afternoon, but expect it to cool right back down to -8°C (18°F) at night.

Looking Ahead

As we get into Tuesday and Wednesday, colder air will really settle in. Tuesday will see light snow again, with highs of -3°C (26°F) and dropping to a bitter -18°C (0°F) overnight. Wednesday looks to be the coldest so far, with daytime highs of -5°C (23°F) and nighttime temperatures sinking to -19°C (-3°F). It’ll stay cloudy, and we might see more flurries.

The Bigger Picture

Later this week, we’ll start feeling the effects of that Arctic air moving south from the Yukon. If the forecasts hold along with Nature, we could be in for heavier snow and some icy conditions, especially as the storm front moves in. Best to stock up on what you need and keep the snow shovels handy. I went out this morning and gave my snowblower a pat telling it to get ready.

Stay safe and stay warm. Winter isn’t done with us yet!

Highway 522 is partially snow-covered, with a few icy spots here and there, but overall, if you need to head to the city, the roads aren’t too bad. Just take your time and drive according to the conditions. That said, this is Northern Ontario, and we all know how quickly things can change.

Before you head out, make sure you’ve got a good warm blanket, a set of battery cables, a basic medical kit, and a couple of bottles of water—or better yet, a thermos of hot coffee. And don’t forget to top off your gas tank. It’s always better to be prepared than caught off guard. They call it preventative maintenance, but I call it good old-fashioned common sense.

Keep safe out there, folks! You never know what you might run into on these back-roads.

On another note, I spent the better part of yesterday working away in my woodworking shop. I managed to get the legs and rails all glued up for the Yellow Pine Harvest Table I’m making for my lovely wife. She’s been wanting one of these for over twenty-five years—designed by her and brought to life by me.

I did make her one many years ago out of white pine, but back then, times were a bit tighter. A fellow came along who wanted one in the worst way, and, well, we sold it. I’ve always felt a twinge of guilt over that. She never complained, of course, but I knew it meant a lot to her. Now that life has slowed down some, I figured it’s about time I make it right and build her another one.

She deserves it, let me tell you. There isn’t a harder working woman in the world, and I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t be where I am today without her by my side. She’s been my rock, my partner, and my biggest supporter through thick and thin. This table might just be wood and glue to some folks, but to me, it’s a way of saying “thank you” for everything she’s done and continues to do.

Today, well, I’m hoping to finish cleaning up the glue on the legs where I joined them together. After that, if time allows, I’ll get started on making the drawer. She wanted one to tuck a few things into—our crib board, for one, and a couple of other odds and ends she has in mind. Now’s the time to get that done and put it all together while the top is still off.

After that? Well, I’m not quite sure. Maybe I’ll sit down here at my computer and write up a story. It all depends on where my mind’s at—or, more importantly, how my body’s feeling. We’ll see how the day unfolds.

And if my old Dad was still around I reckon he’d lean back in his chair, maybe with his mug of coffee in hand, and say something like this:

“Son, you don’t rush a good thing. Whether it’s building a table or writing a story, you do it when your mind’s clear and your hands are steady. A job done half-hearted ain’t worth doing. But when you take your time and put your heart into it, well, that’s when you end up with something worth keeping—just like that table for your wife.

And don’t forget—sometimes it’s okay to let the day decide what gets done. Life has a way of leading you where you’re supposed to go, if you’re willing to follow.”

Seems to me, there’s a lot of truth in those words.

So, with that, I’m off to enjoy some homemade cranberry pancakes this morning, topped with a handful of fresh raspberries we froze from last year’s pickings. That should hold me over till lunchtime, no problem. After that, my lovely wife and I will sit down for some hot cocoa and a good chat. Not much we don’t talk about, and the best part is, our conversations always seem to wander into the most interesting places. It’s those little moments that make the day special.

You all have a great day. Take a moment to enjoy the little things—whether it’s a good meal, a warm chat, or just the quiet of the day. Life’s made up of those small moments, and they’re worth holding onto.

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