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Good morning. Silence has a way of speaking first.

You know... I’ve learned over the years that the best stories don’t come from chasing them down like a dog after a rabbit. Instead they show up when you sit still long enough to let the world settle. Funny as most mornings, before the coffee’s even brewed, I find myself in that space between sleep and the day’s noise, a space where thoughts drift in like fog over a field.

That’s where the stories live. In the pauses. In the morning quiet before you’ve told yourself what to think.

People ask me sometimes, “Where do you get your ideas?” and I never have a good answer that satisfies them. The truth is, I don’t get them at all. I just listen. I sit with the silence, and after a while, something speaks. Sometimes it’s a memory that floats up. Other times it’s a question I didn’t know I was asking. Once in a while, it’s nothing more than the way the light hits the kitchen table and reminds me of something I forgot I knew.

That’s when I write it down. Not because I understand it yet, but because it asked to be written.

It’s a strange partnership, this business of listening first and writing second. You might think it would be the other way around, but it isn’t. I’ve found over the years, that the mind needs space to wander before it finds anything worth keeping. Rush it and you get noise. Wait for it and you get a story.

So yea… that’s how most of my mornings start: silence speaks, I listen, and then I write what it told me, or so it seems.

Well, I have to tell you, weather-wise here in cottage country, it’s one of those days that makes a fella or gal want to head outside to their favorite sitting spot and take in what nature has to offer. Not too hot, not too cold. The sun is shining. The leaves are in full bloom, so to speak, showing off all their colors. It’s the kind of day that makes you feel damn lucky to be alive.

Highway 522 was quite busy yesterday, with lots of trucks pulling campers, ATVs strapped down, canoes on roofs—you name it. They were all heading up and down the highway. Not sure where they’re all going, seeing as there aren’t that many stores in our area. But I suspect they know where they’re headed, and I guess that’s all that matters.

On another note, yesterday with my wife’s help, we did some more work in the old shed where we keep our pile of lumber, both used and weathered, waiting for its next life as a one-of-a-kind creation. Let me tell you, it took a bit of doing to get those boards, planks, and odds and ends into their right place so everything would be easy to reach. I thought we had it all done up nicely the day before, but nope, turns out we missed a few things. Now though, we’ve got it looking good, neat enough that even a picky friend would have to nod in approval.

You know, thinking about that, it never ceases to amaze me how much you can fit into a small space if you go about it the right way. And when it comes to organizing, my wife is a real natural. She’s got an eye for seeing possibilities where I just see clutter. Seems that within minutes, she’s come up with a plan, sorting and stacking and tucking things just so, and the best part is, it actually works.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today I’m thinking I’ll mulch up some of our maple leaves, then gather them and put them into the vegetable garden. After that, I’ll fire up the old rototiller and work them right into the soil. It should make for some rich, earth by the time next spring’s planting rolls around. My old dad always said: “George… you only get what you give back when it comes to soil,” and that is sure true.

So, yeah, that’s the plan anyway. But plans have a funny way of changing once you step outside. Sometimes I head off in one direction and end up doing something completely different. Maybe the wheelbarrow has a flat tire, or I notice the woodpile leaning to one side and decide it needs re stacking. Sometimes I just lean on the rake for a bit, watching a crow or raven circle overhead, and forget what I came out to do.

Life’s a mystery, that’s for sure, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. That’s what keeps things interesting, don’t you think?

So, with that bit of information, I’m off for my breakfast, same as yesterday: a bowl of porridge and a piece of toast piled high with homemade strawberry jam. After that, I’ll head out to the front porch to check on my old rocking chair. I could’ve sworn I heard it calling my name a few minutes ago… either that, or the old thing’s just lonely. Either way, I suppose I’d better not keep it waiting.

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

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Good morning, you know? I’ve witnessed how a simple habit, like going for a morning walk, or sitting and enjoying something as simple as a cup of coffee with your wife, “Can accomplish more than skill alone ever could.”

We’re waking up to some clouds here in cottage country this morning. But on the bright side—get it? Bright side?… we’ll be seeing some sunshine as the day moves forward.”

Highway 522 has been busier these past few days, with campers rolling into the area. If the sun shows itself and the temperatures climb, as they suppose to, I figure we’ll see even more traffic, especially from the folks on motorcycles, since their riding days are running short in this country.

On another note, sore foot and all, my wife and I managed to get the woodshed cleaned up, sorted out all the specialty lumber we keep for one-of-a-kind projects. Feels good to walk in and grab the right board without digging through a hundred of them. By the end of it, though, I was more than ready for my old La-Z-Boy and a chance to put my feet up. I’ve always said older folks need to know their limits, especially with health issues. Guess it’s about time I start taking my own advice. Sheesh.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today, depending on how my foot and side are feeling, I plan on straightening up my woodworking shop, getting it ready for some projects my wife and I have in mind for the winter. But we’ll see how that goes after I have my breakfast and a cup of hot tea, straight from England. I have to admit, those Brits do know how to make a proper cup of tea—probably better than they know how to drive on the left side of the road! We also buy the kind without any of those PFAS (Forever Chemicals) that most teas sneak in today. Thought I’d throw that in for anyone trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle—it’s one of those things not many people know about.

So with that, I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has put together for me, which will consist of some porridge made from “Stoked Oats Run of The Mill Rolled Oats.” That’s what they are called. If you like healthy porridge, give them a try…you won’t be disappointed.

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

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Good morning. You know, over the years I have found that some words look good on the surface and others aren’t until you set them free. It’s a lot like life itself, sometimes you take a step and trip, other times you move forward and everything just falls into place. You can’t predict how things will turn out until you take the chance and let your thoughts, or yourself, out into the world. That’s the only way to find out what really works and what needs a second try.

Well, the weather’s looking like we’re in for another fine day here in good old Port Loring, Ontario. The sun’s showing off, and I have to say, when it hits those leaves with all their colors, it’s really something to see. It’s the kind of day where you could take your coffee out to the front porch and just sit there, soaking it all in. Which I think I might do once I get a few projects out of the way, or maybe even before.

…..On another note, yesterday my wife and I had to head into North Bay. The trip wasn’t really planned, but it became necessary after something that happened the day before. I was out back working, minding my own business, when I stepped right onto a big, rusty nail. It went straight through my boot and into my foot… let me tell you, that’s a feeling I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

I limped inside and my wife did her best to clean it up, but then a thought hit me. When was the last time I’d had a tetanus shot? I wracked my brain and realized it must’ve been about fifteen years ago. Not exactly recent, and definitely not enough to keep me safe after something like that.

So, I started making calls. First, I tried our local nursing station, but they didn’t have any tetanus shots on hand. Next, I called Powassan—same story, no luck. Then I went down the list and tried every drug store I could think of in North Bay, and would you believe it, none of them had any either. By that point, I was starting to get a little frustrated. You’d think something as basic as a tetanus shot would be easier to find, especially around here where folks are always out working with their hands.

Finally, I tried the health unit in North Bay, and thankfully they had some. When I got there, I asked why nobody else seemed to have tetanus shots available. The Nurse seemed surprised and said every place ought to keep them on hand, particularly for those of us living up north and doing outdoor work.

The nurse then didn’t waste any time… she brought me right in, told me to roll up my sleeve, and that was that. My wife was with me, and when they learned she hadn’t had a booster in years either, they gave her one too. While we were there, the nurse let us know about a new pneumonia shot they’re offering, free of charge. It covers a lot of different strains and is a one-and-done kind of thing, so we figured, what the hell, why not? You hear about folks coming down with pneumonia after being in hospitals or waiting rooms, especially this time of year. Maybe it’s something in the air, maybe folks aren’t changing their filters like they should… I don’t know. Either way, it seemed like a good idea.

Once that was all taken care of, we stopped in at our favorite little family restaurant for a coffee (or three) and a burger. Afterward, we picked up some groceries and a few things at the local drug store as, they can prescribe more than they used to now. We then wandered around a bit, mostly me trailing after my wife limping away while she shopped. I like to think of it as keeping her company, as that was about all I was good for right then.

Any way, all things considered, it turned out to be a decent day, even if it started out a little rough. Sometimes that’s just how it goes.

So what are you up to today GW

Well, with today shaping up to be so nice, I’m planning to finish pulling the nails from those old boards I was working on… though this time, I’ll be paying a lot more attention to where I’m stepping. Still, seeing as I’m not moving around all that well yet, I think I might just spend a little time keeping that old lawn chair of mine company and soaking up the sunshine. Sometimes you have to know when to take it easy, which isn’t always simple for an old feller like me to do. I will say this though, I am getting better at it.

With that, I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me, and after that, well, we will just have to see what the day brings.

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