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Good Morning! I found over the years that you can tell a real northerner as they don’t complain about the cold, they just talk about how it used to be worse.

Well, I made my way to the old woodworking shop this morning, and it didn’t take long to figure out that my wife and I have some extra work ahead of us. Turns out, we’ve got another 4-5 inches of that white stuff covering everything. Guess we’ll be busy shoveling today!

Here’s what’s in store for the weather around Port Loring.

Looks like we’ll be seeing a bit of everything today. This morning, a few snow showers are drifting in, but the sun might poke through here and there. Don’t let that fool you, though—it’s going to get breezy as the day goes on, with temperatures hovering around 32°F (0°C).

By tonight, the clouds will thicken up, and the temperature’s set to drop to a chilly 11°F (-12°C). So if you’re out and about, bundle up!

Tomorrow’s shaping up to be another cloudy one, with highs around 28°F (-2°C). And come nightfall, we’re right back down to about 11°F (-12°C) again. All in all, it’s looking like a good couple of days to keep the fire stoked and the coffee hot. If you’ve got shoveling to do, best get at it before that wind picks up!

Highway 522 is mostly bare, but don’t get too comfortable, there are still enough snow and icy patches to keep you on your toes. Or at least, they should!

Up here, road conditions don’t always decide if folks head to town, as if the coffee’s on and there’s good gossip at the local establishments, you’ll see trucks rolling in, no matter what the weather’s doing.

With things caught up in the woodworking shop, Yesterday I spent the day at my computer doing something that’s been a big part of my life for over 40 years… writing stories for the newspapers. Funny how time slips by, but one thing’s for sure: folks must enjoy what I have to say because no one’s ever told me to stop yet!

If you haven’t read one of my stories, maybe now’s the time to give one a try. You might just find a tale that makes you chuckle, gets you thinking, or… helps you see things in a new light. And if nothing else, you’ll know there’s still at least one feller out there who enjoys wrangling words on a computer… though I’ll admit, it’s not quite the same as putting pen to paper!

What are you up to today, GW? Well, with all the snow we got yesterday, it’s pretty obvious what’s on my to-do list. I told my wife the other day I was putting the snowblower away for the summer, thinking winter was finally over. But, as usual, life laughed and said, ‘Nice try, buddy.’ So, guess who’s hauling the snowblower out of the shed again? Yep, that’d be me, an old feller who thought he knew it all, until the snow decided to prove me wrong!

So, with that, I’m off for my breakfast made by my lovely wife, which will consist of a soft-boiled egg and a piece of toast. I’ll need a bit more protein this morning with all that snow to move. As for the hot cocoa, we’ll save that for after we get things cleaned up outside… tastes a lot better that way, along with our usual morning chat, of course.

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

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Good Morning!If you want to be a northerner on days like this, you’ll get used to checking the sky, the wind, and your knees before trusting the weatherman.

Heading out to my old woodworking shop this morning was a chore in itself, what with all the ice on the driveway from yesterday’s thaw. One wrong step, and I would be sitting on my backside wondering what happened.

But instead of hauling the ashes from my wood furnace to the pile like I usually do, I put them to good use, sprinkling them over the ice. Just like that, no more slipping or sliding.

Up here in the north, you have to always be thinking.

Here’s the weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario, from today through tomorrow, with temperatures in Fahrenheit first, just the way you and me like it.

Thursday, March 6:

• Daytime: Overcast skies with periods of snow, expecting’ about 1 to 2 inches (3 to 6 centimeters). High around 26°F (-3°C).
• Nighttime: Snow tapering’ off to mostly cloudy conditions. Low near 13°F (-10°C).

Friday, March 7:

• Daytime: A mix of sun and clouds, with a couple of morning snow showers. It’ll turn breezy later on. High around 32°F (0°C).
• Nighttime: Partly cloudy skies with temperatures falling’ to near 10°F (-12°C).

Weather Alerts:

• Flash Freeze Warning: Temperatures are expected to drop rapidly early this morning’ which it did, causing’ any standing’ water or slush to freeze quickly. This could lead to icy and slippery conditions.
• Winter Weather Advisory: Snowfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) are anticipated today, with northwesterly winds gusting’ up to 30 mph (50 km/h). Reduced visibility in snow and local blowing’ snow is possible.

Highway 522 is covered in snow and ice this morning, which will make traveling tricky. If you do not have to be out and about, my advice, for what it is worth, is to stay home where it is warm. The way I see it, there is always another day, but there is only one you.

Small Town Living: Living in a small northern town is something else. News travels faster than the wind off the lake in November. For example; If you buy a new shovel, half the town knows before you even get home, and the other half is waiting to borrow it.

Winter? They do not shut things down for a little snow up here. If the plow has been by and you can see the top of your car, you are good to go. And if you cannot find your car, well, that is just part of living in the north.

Seasons are simple… winter, mud, black-flies, and a few good weeks before the snow starts again. But for all the cold, the bugs, and the endless potholes, there is no better place to call home.

On another note, yesterday was another full day spent in my old woodworking shop. First off, I gathered up all the Native American flutes I have been working on for the past few weeks… or should I say months… and brought them into my wife’s studio. Now it is her turn to work her magic and make them look pretty. She has a knack for that sort of thing. Me? I just make the sawdust.

I have to say, these flutes are a lot of work, but the end results… well, you will just have to come by and have yourself a look-see… and a listen.

So what are you up to today GW? Well this morning, I will finish up the weather sticks I started on late in the day yesterday and once finished will bring them over to our little store so folks can pick up a one-of-a-kind item. There is something nice about having a couple of old folks in town who still know how to make things the way they used to be made.

Am I right? Well, judging by what we have heard over the years, a lot of folks seem to think so.

With that, I’m off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me. She always takes care of me, making sure I’m well-fed and ready to take on the day. After that, I’ll settle into my old recliner with a hot cocoa and start chatting’ with her. I tell ya, I don’t know what I’d do without her, and looking’ outside at the weather, I just might go for a second cup.

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