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Good morning. I read once that time flies. Out here, it mostly limps along, but it gets where it’s going.

You know, up here in the north country, we don’t rush much. Time’s got a different pace when you’re measuring it by seasons instead of clocks. Winter stretches out long and cold, spring mud lasts longer than you’d like, summer’s gone before you know it, and fall… well, fall’s just about perfect if you can catch it between the frost and the snow.

Now people down in the city, they’re always talking about time management, saving time, making time. Hell, out here we just let it do what it’s gonna do. The cows don’t care what the clock says, and the garden grows on its own schedule no matter how much you fuss at it.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Sunday, November 2, 2025

It’s a cool and calm morning here in Port Loring. The temperature is sitting just above freezing at 34°F (1°C) with high humidity around 83%, which tells us there’s still plenty of moisture hanging around from the past few unsettled days. The barometer is slowly rising, which is a good sign which means the low system that brought yesterday’s dampness is likely moving off.

Winds are calm out of the south, though as the day goes on, a light southerly breeze may pick up, keeping it a touch milder than yesterday. The skies have already opened to some sunshine this morning, and we can expect a mix of sun and cloud through midday, with more bright breaks this afternoon. Temperatures should climb to around 6–7°C (43–45°F) later today.

Tonight:
Skies will stay partly cloudy, and the calm air will let temperatures drop back near freezing again, around -1°C (30°F). If we get enough clearing before midnight, some patchy ground frost or light fog could form in low-lying areas.

Tomorrow (Monday):
The rising pressure trend continues, meaning drier, more settled weather is on tap. Expect a mix of sun and cloud, with highs near 8°C (46°F) and a light southwest breeze. It’ll feel like a decent fall day before the next system edges in midweek.

Nature’s Signs:
With the calm air and damp ground this morning, you might notice crows calling early a sure sign of fairer weather returning. The chickadees will likely be out and busy near the feeders by mid-morning which is another sign the skies are clearing.

On another note, yesterday I managed to do a wee bit of work in the old woodworking shop. Wasn’t what I’d planned on doing, but hell, a little’s better than nothing. Sometimes you just work on what calls to you instead of what’s on the list.

Today I’m getting an early start, reason being the time went back last night. Gave me an extra hour to get things done here at the computer. I’d plumb forgot about it until I looked at the clock this morning and thought, well now, that’s a gift I wasn’t expecting. Don’t get many of those anymore, an extra hour just handed to you like that.

So with that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me and will then get to work. Well… after our hot cup of cocoa that is.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

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Good Morning! You know, they say you can’t turn back time, but I say you can, at least long enough for another cup.

Now I’m not talking about a time machine or anything dramatic. I mean those ten quiet minutes when your coffee’s still warm and you’ve got nowhere you have to be. You pour a second cup, lean against the counter, and somehow, the clock lets up a bit and you feel it loosen its grip.

Time doesn’t stop, but for a moment, you stop letting it run your life.

I kinda think that most days, we act like we’re stuck on a track, always rushing forward. But every now and then I found if you let yourself slow down even just for that extra cup, you get a little bit of time back. It’s not the past, exactly, just a moment that truly feels like yours.

That’s my theory, anyway.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Saturday, November 1, 2025

It’s a calm, cool morning here in the Backwoods. The temperature is sitting at 35°F (2°C) with plenty of dampness in the air. The barometer’s low and slowly rising, which means the worst of the unsettled weather is likely moving off. Skies will stay mostly cloudy and gray throughout the day, maybe a bit of mist or drizzle early on, but improving some toward afternoon if that pressure keeps climbing.

Winds are light out of the west-northwest, almost calm, so the air feels still and heavy.

Tonight:
The temperature will dip below freezing, to around 25°F to 28°F (-2°C to -4°C). In saying that… if clouds clear after dark, expect frost on the roofs and a bit of ice in the rain barrel by morning.

Tomorrow (Sunday):
Well… tomorrow is looking better. The barometer should rise steadily through the day, bringing brighter skies and drier air. Highs near 41°F (5°C), with a light breeze, and that sharp November feel, that wakes you up real quick.

Nature’s Signs:
Chickadees have been darting back and forth to the feeders all morning, and the squirrels are still at it, burying the last of their winter food. The smell of wet leaves and wood smoke is hanging in the air, which is a sure sign we’ve crossed into true fall weather.

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On another note, I did eventually make it out to the old woodworking shop yesterday, but not until the afternoon. Reason being, my wife and I got to chatting over hot cocoa, and before we knew it, we glanced up at that old clock on the wall and realized it was already lunchtime.

Well, what’s a fella to do? Naturally, I had a sandwich my wife made us and a pot of fresh perked coffee, and we settled in for our usual afternoon chat.

That said, I did manage to get out there for a couple of hours and made some progress on those flutes I’ve been working on. So, all in all, not a bad day… just one that ran a little more on “hot cocoa/coffee time” than clock time.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I’m definitely heading out to the shop to work on those flutes. There’s one part… a particularly tedious job, that calls for the scroll saw. Luckily, I planned ahead and picked up a new Delta scroll saw a while back, my old one gave up the ghost, and today I’m hoping this new one will finally earn its keep.

Of course, a scroll saw is only as good as the blade you put on it…and the fella running it. So, with 25 flutes waiting, a brand-new scroll saw, a sharp blade, and an old-timer who should know what he’s doing by now…well, that’s what I’m up to today! Let’s see if the saw and I can keep up with each other.

With that, I’m off for my morning breakfast which is some porridge and a piece of toast with my wife’s homemade strawberry jam. That sweet touch should give me just enough energy to make it till lunchtime.

Of course, heading out to the shop really doesn’t get started until we’ve finished our hot cup of cocoa and had our regular morning chat. Honestly, I’m thinking I might need to set the egg timer, just so I don’t end up talking right through till lunch time again!

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

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Good morning. You know, some mornings I find myself thinking about everything I’ve lost. But then I realize—most of it seems to find its way back to me, just in a different form.

At my age, I wake up and there’s always that moment where I’m thinking about what’s gone. My dad. The old farms. Even things I can’t quite name anymore. But then, as I’m making coffee, I’ll catch myself doing something dad used to do.. maybe I’ll rub my eyebrow or tug at my ear, just like he did. And suddenly, he’s right there with me. Not really gone, just living on in the little things I do.

Or sometimes, I’ll notice the light coming through the window a certain way, and it takes me right back, reminding me of how it felt after a long day’s work back on the farm. Different place now, but the feeling’s the same.

That’s what I mean. The things that matter… they have a way of showing up again. Maybe they look a little different, but they’re still here. Just wearing a different coat.

Backwoods Weather Report
Port Loring, Ontario — October 31, 2025

Well, the barometer’s been falling, and sure enough, it’s raining out there this morning. A steady, cool rain with the air sitting around 37°F (2.8°C) and 84% humidity. The north wind’s light, about 4 mph (6 km/h), just enough to ripple the puddles. Feels like one of those gray mornings when the coffee tastes better by the window than out in it.

This afternoon won’t bring much change. The temperature might creep up to 43°F (6°C), but the clouds will hang around most of the day. The rain could ease up to drizzle later on, maybe stop by early evening. That north wind’s got a damp chill to it, the kind that works its way into your sleeves.

Tonight, once things start to clear, it’ll cool down quick. Lows near 28°F (-2°C), calm air by morning, and a good chance of frost wherever it dries up.

Tomorrow looks better. The barometer will be rising again, which means fairer skies ahead. A cold start, but some sunshine later on and highs around 45°F (7°C). Feels like November will be settling in proper.

Nature’s Signs:
Not many critters moving this morning — most are waiting out the rain. But by late day, you’ll likely see the chickadees out again, busy and chattering. And if the crows gather near the fields toward dusk, that’s a sure sign tomorrow will be clear.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I took a drive to our friends’ place to pick up some potatoes. While we were there, we were invited in for a coffee… and you know how it is, you don’t say no to that.

We sat down at the table and the woman of the house brought out a plate of cookies, the kind that are so good you almost forget your manners. Pretty soon, we were all sitting there talking and laughing, the conversation flowing just as easy as the coffee.

On the way home, my wife and I got to talking, just enjoying the drive and each other’s company and since we don’t get out all that much we decided, why not stop by and see some other friends while we were out? So we did. Ended up with another coffee, more good stories, and more laughter. By the time we finally made it home, I’d had enough caffeine to keep me up till next Tuesday and my cheeks hurt from smiling.

That’s the thing about days like that, you head out thinking you’re just picking up potatoes, but you come home with something better. A full morning, good friends, and the kind of tired that feels just right. That’s the kind of day you hold onto.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, earlier this morning I went out and fired up my old shop stove. Not as cold today, mind ya, but with this rain we’ve been having, there’s that damp chill that gets into your bones. By the time I’m done with breakfast, it should be nice and warm out there, just right for working on them flutes I’ve got in the works.

So that’s the plan, anyways. Right now I’m heading for breakfast that my lovely wife’s got ready for me. Then I’ll enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and head on out to the shop. Can’t forget that sweet treat.

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

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Good Morning. The coffee’s hot, the floor’s cold, and I’m still somewhere in between.

That’s the space where you’re not asleep anymore but not quite living yet. Body’s moving, brain’s lagging behind. The coffee pulls you forward, the cold floor reminds you you’re still here, and somewhere between those two things you find the day waiting.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025

Well, it’s a chilly morning here in Port Loring, sitting at about 29°F (-1.4°C). The air’s heavy and damp with 84% humidity, and the barometer’s dropped to 29.14 inches (986.7 mbar) which is a sure sign of unsettled weather heading our way. The wind’s calm for now, drifting lightly out of the north-northeast, but that still air seldom lasts long this time of year.

For today, expect the clouds to thicken up as the hours pass. We could see some light flurries or a touch of cold drizzle later on. Temperatures should hover right around 32°F (0°C) through the afternoon, maybe a degree or two either way. That low pressure system is likely to hang around most of the day.

Tonight, things will cool off a bit more, sliding down near 25°F (-4°C). There’s a fair chance of light snow or freezing drizzle if the dampness sticks around. The wind might pick up slightly from the east, but nothing too strong.

Tomorrow, expect it to stay mostly cloudy and cold, with maybe a few breaks of sun toward the afternoon if the barometer starts to rise again. Once that pressure begins to steady, we can look for a calmer stretch of weather heading into the weekend.

Nature’s Signs:
The birds are quiet this morning, which often means weather’s about to shift. Yesterday the squirrels were in a hurry, packing away whatever they could find which is another sign of change coming. The air’s got that heavy, still feel that sits before a mix of snow and drizzle.

On another note yesterday my wife and I went to North Bay to pick up some supplies. Had a great day other than the money we spent as well… things are sure expensive. It wasn’t long ago one could go into a grocery store and walk away feeling pretty good that the money he or she had was well spent, now a days well not so much. What once was a shopping cart full cost around fifty dollars, now you can add an extra zero onto that figure. And the worst part is a lot of things we are buying aren’t all that healthy anymore. Vegetables were good, now covered with chemicals that eventually make you sick. Meat that once was grass fed, now loaded with god knows what. Heck even what they package the meat in is pumped full of gas to keep it looking good. And the other thing is that 3/4 of the other stuff in the store isn’t something one should be even looking at, let alone buying it… chips, pop, candy, you name it. At any rate it is what it is, not that I like it mind ya, but not much one can do neither.

Once we had the groceries loaded in the car we had lunch at a restaurant we’d never been to before. Won’t mention any name. The food was so so and here again for a burger and fries times two we were almost fifty dollars lighter in our wallets when we walked out. Kind of think my wife and I are going to go back to the way we used to do things, like making a sandwich and our own thermos of coffee before we leave. Actually we used to enjoy doing that… get things done then stop along the highway, take in the sights and enjoy our meal in the car. Yep that is what we are going to do.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well today I am going to pick up some potatoes from some friends of ours, they grow their own. After that I am thinking a coffee will be in order and then will get back to making them flutes I have on the go. At least that is the plan. I did light my old shop stove earlier this morning which should have warmed things up nicely. Nothing like a warm woodworking shop let me tell ya, makes an old feller like me feel alive and wanting to do things.

So with that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me which consists of a few breakfast sausages that we picked up yesterday and an egg on an English muffin.

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