Good Morning. You know, if you’re anything at all like me, the best part of gettin’ up early? You get to see the sunrise before anyone else.

Ah, it’s another fine morning here in Northern Ontario. The sun’s up, doing what she’s supposed to, warming things up just right. The birds that haven’t packed their bags yet are having a feast at the feeder, and the night air has just the right nip to make sleeping a real pleasure. I’ve got to say, with the leaves showing off their fall colors, it’s hard to beat this spot where my lovely wife and I live—it’s one of the nicest places in Ontario, no doubt about that.

But, I’ll be honest with you—living here isn’t for everyone. You’ve got to love the cold and snow because we get plenty of both. Over the years, I’ve seen folks move up here thinking they’d found paradise, only to pack up and sell their place a few winters later. It’s not for the faint-hearted, that’s for sure.

You also need to have the right tools and equipment on hand because when things go wrong—and trust me, they will—you’ll need to fix them yourself. And you’d better be ready to work. Unless you’ve got a deep wallet to hire help, you’re going to be doing the heavy lifting yourself. Not to mention, finding help out here is about as easy as finding a sunbather in January.

A warm house and a good stockpile of food are essential, too. Living this far off the beaten track, it’s not like you can just run to town whenever you need something—especially in winter. So, if you’re thinking about moving up here, give it some serious thought. If you can handle the work, the cold, and the isolation, there’s no better place to be. But if you’re not cut out for it, well, that “for sale” sign will be back up before you know it.

Highway 522—well, it’s still quiet these days, but that’s to be expected with winter right around the corner. The calm gives folks around town the chance to focus on getting ready for the cold months ahead. You’ll see them chopping wood, getting their snowblowers in working order, and stocking up on supplies.

But when they’re not busy with that, they seem to enjoy taking a drive around, keeping an eye on what everyone else is up to. It’s almost become a local pastime—seeing if the neighbor down the road has finished up his last-minute repairs, or if the garden’s been put to bed for the season. Seems like people around here get just as much out of checking on others as they do from getting their own winter preparations done!

And hey, no harm in a little neighborly curiosity, right? Just part of the charm around these parts—after all, if you’re living here, you probably enjoy a bit of friendly checking up now and then. It’s all in good fun, or at least we like to think so! Ha!

On another note, yesterday, my wife and I got the lawn mowed for the week. It’s surprising how quickly the grass keeps growing, even with these warm, dry days. Those cool nights really help by bringing in dew and keeping everything green. I also managed to apply some wood preservative to the side deck. Now it should be protected for a couple of years. It’s one of those tasks you need to stay on top of. If you let it go, you could end up facing some costly repairs. So—it’s better to take care of it now, than deal with the consequences later.

Today, I’m planning to take it somewhat easy. I might tidy up my woodworking shop this morning, but later on, I think some time on the front porch will be just what my wife and I need. We ought to enjoy this nice weather while we can, as the leaves are changing, and everything looks great right now. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, take in the view, and appreciate the moment.

With that, once again I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me, and will then retire to the front porch with a hot cup of cocoa. Where some good old-fashioned chatting will be in order. And you know what? My wife and I are darn good at it, too.

You all have a great day, and let me remind you: A day without laughter is like a tractor without fuel—just not going anywhere. So why not fill up on smiles today? GW

Good Morning! Today’s a blank page—make sure you write a story worth telling.

Looks like we’re in for another gorgeous day here in cottage country, which means I’ll be able to tackle some more outdoor chores before winter settles in. This morning, I’m planning to give my front deck a fresh coat of wood preservative. It’s starting to show a bit of wear, and I like to reapply the preservative every two years or whenever it starts looking like it needs a little extra TLC.

You might wonder why I don’t use a sealer. Well, here’s the scoop: sealing wood, as some experts suggest, traps moisture inside, making it harder for the wood to dry out. This can lead to rot from the inside out. No matter how much sealer you use, it won’t stop rain and snow from getting in. On the other hand, wood preservative lets the wood breathe and dry out while protecting it. Think of it like this: just as we need to breathe to stay healthy, wood also needs to breathe to stay strong and last longer. “But, as they say, to each their own.”

Highway 522 is quiet these days, with mostly locals going about their usual business. Our gift shop, though, has been seeing a lot of traffic lately. Folks are coming by to pick up my wife’s paintings, my books, flutes, and other unique items we make ourselves.

It’s nice to hear people appreciate finding things that aren’t mass-produced or imported. With so many gift shops filled with stuff from overseas, it’s clear that supporting local craftsmanship is more important than ever.

The truth of the matter is-–we need to focus more on boosting what’s made and grown right here at home. It’s high time we put “Make Canada Great Again” at the top of our list—starting with the things we create and grow ourselves. We should at the very least be able to feed ourselves and not rely on others.

With that, I’m off to have breakfast and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa on the front porch with my lovely wife. Then it’s time to get to work. You never really know what a day has in store. My motto? Go with the flow and take things as they come. After all, sometimes the best parts of the day are the ones you didn’t see coming!

You all have a great day and keep in mind: while the city runs on coffee and deadlines, we run on sunshine and fresh air. Although, coffee is tasty occasionally—because who doesn’t enjoy a good cup? GW

Good Morning! Country livin’ teaches you patience—just like the trees grow slow, so do the best things in life.

It looks like our day is shaping up to be another great one here in cottage country. The sun’s slowly climbing higher in the sky, giving us folks here in the north a good dose of what it has to offer – warm temps that’ll stick with us most of the day. I’ve got to say, we’ve been lucky with a downright nice summer. No one around here can or should complain about the weather this year, that’s for sure. Heck, even the mosquitoes and black-flies seemed to take it easy on us for a change.

You know, there’s something about living out here that never gets old. The mornings come with that perfect quiet, broken only by the sound of birds getting started on their day. And when that sun sets behind the trees? It’s like the world just slows down, letting you soak in the colours, and the peace of it all. We also don’t have the hustle and bustle like in the city, and I wouldn’t trade our simple sunrises and sunsets for anything. Makes you appreciate the small things – and realize they’re not so small after all.

Highway 522 is still very quiet, which is to be expected at this time of year, living where we do. No complaints, though, as my lovely wife and I enjoy the quietness. Truth be told, that’s why we moved to this area in the first place. We like the slower pace of life, away from all the noise and crowds. Not that we don’t enjoy seeing a few new faces now and then, but we’d rather not be overrun. We came here for the peace, and we hope it stays that way. Too many people takes away the charm of living out here in the country. You know, there’s something special about hearing the birds, feeling the breeze, taking in the fresh northern air, and knowing you’ve got space to breathe, elbow room so to speak. It’s the simple things that make it home, and we’d like to keep it just like that – quiet, peaceful, and ours.

With that, I’m off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has prepared for me, which consists of egg bread, smothered with Maple Syrup made right here in the north. Afterward, I’ll retire to our front porch with a hot cup of cocoa. Life is good, as it should be.

Wrapping things up for the morning. Remember, it’s not about how fast you go, but enjoying the view along the way. And where we live here in the country, the view’s pretty darn nice, at least for now. GW

Good Morning Folks! You know, if there is one thing I have learned over the years it’s that; “Living on a farm or in the country, teaches you to appreciate the small things—a warm breeze, a good meal, and a quiet morning.”

It’s a damp, overcast morning here in Northern Ontario. The rain came down off and on through the night, and by the looks of the sky, it seems determined to stick around for most of the day. The air has a crispness to it this morning, a gentle reminder that the season is beginning to shift. Tomorrow, though, the skies will start to clear, and we’ll get a break from the gloom. But don’t put away the short sleeves just yet, as by Monday, we’ll be back to some fine, warm weather, and next week’s looking to be downright nice.

Highway 522 was slow yesterday, not much traffic rolling through, but you wouldn’t know it from the number of folks stopping by our gift shop. We had a good handful of new faces, all eager to see what we’ve been working on. Honestly, I’ve been surprised by how many people have been dropping by—especially on Sunday and Monday. It’s heartening to see so many taking an interest in our handcrafted items, each one made right here on our property. There’s something rewarding about knowing folks appreciate the time and care that goes into creating something unique, something you can’t just find anywhere else.

On another note, my lovely wife and I finally got our kitchen all spruced up, along with a fresh coat of paint that really brightens the place. I have to say, it’s looking better than ever. You know, all my life, even growing up on the farm, the kitchen always felt like the heart of the home. It was where life seemed to slow down just enough to be appreciated. The smells drifting from the old wood cook stove, the warmth of a meal in the making—it drew everyone in. And if someone had a problem, well—the kitchen table was where we sat down to hash it out. And no matter how cold I was, I could always count on the wood-box by the stove to warm me up. There wasn’t a cozier spot in the house.

Even now, the kitchen is still one of my favorite places, especially when you’ve got a good cook like my little woman. She’s got this knack for turning the simplest ingredients into something that’d rival any fancy restaurant. Gourmet cooking, they call it—but to me, her meals are better because they’re made from the heart. And you know, it doesn’t matter if it’s a humble stew, or a plate of biscuits, she always manages to make it something special, with flavor you won’t find anywhere else.

Today, with it being so wet outside and our firewood all put in for winter, I think I’ll take the day off and relax a bit. Maybe I’ll even sit down and write another story for the newspaper columns I do. I write 52 columns a year for Post Media, which now covers most of Canada. Not too shabby for an old fella like me, wouldn’t you say? I have to admit, I get a kick out of it— and you know, writing has become as natural to me as telling stories around the kitchen table.

Truth be told, it’s my way of sharing what I’ve learned over the years. The lessons, the adventures, and the little moments that shaped me. Writing gives me a chance to pass those on to others, maybe even spark a bit of reflection or a smile. It’s funny how putting words on paper connects me to folks I’ve never met, but somehow, we all end up sharing a piece of the journey together, as it should be.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my little woman has made for me—best to get to it while it’s still hot. After that, well, we’ll see what the day has in store. Life’s full of twists and turns, and you never quite know what’s coming next. But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?

You all have a great day. I plan to step outside before my breakfast to enjoy a breath or two of that fresh northern air, even if it’s a bit damp this morning.

You know, city folks might have their bright lights, but nothing compares to the peace of a quiet country morning. GW