Good Morning: “Another day, another blanket of snow covering the ground, which reminds us … that winter ain’t ready to let go just yet.”

Heading to my woodworking shop this morning, I would say we had around four inches or so of the white stuff. And the temperature has dropped back down to where it isn’t going to be melting all that fast. But in saying that, warmer weather isn’t all that far off, and here in the north we are used to most of what Mother Nature sends our way. At least for us old timers.

Highway 522 in spite of the snow is bare and wet, which will make traveling fair for those in need of things in the large towns. For my wife and I we pretty well have all we need as we did get to North Bay the other day and picked up what we needed. My wife had a dentist appointment there in town. The deal with our medical system today? Well, some say we’re lucky in Canada because most things are covered. Yeah, maybe to some extent. But the truth is, it’s … the working folks who end up footing the bill. And let’s not forget, the government doesn’t have its own stash of cash. Nope, it all comes from us, the taxpayers. The government doesn’t create jobs in the same way businesses do. Instead, the jobs within the government are funded by taxpayers, essentially by the working men and women who contribute through taxes… and? It’s just us, handing over our earnings so they can do their thing. That’s the real deal, plain and simple.

Anyway, enough of that. Yesterday, I didn’t get to do my post here on my blog, as I got tied up with some other things that needed attention. Today I will be working away here at my computer for a wee bit, then my wife and I will move some snow. I am thinking I will wake up my snowblower one more time. We will see how that goes.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me and will then get to work.

You all have a great day and remember: “Life in the country is a lot like fishing – sometimes you catch a big one, sometimes you’re just happy to reel in a big stick, and sometimes … if you’re like me, you fall asleep with the line in the water!” GW

Good Morning! Another day closer to warmer weather, longer days, and the simple joys of country living.

But walking out to my woodworking shop this morning, the weather looks more like winter than the coming of spring, as everything is/was covered in a blanket of snow. I guess Mother Nature has a bit more to get out of her system. My old Dad used to say: “In spring, don’t cast a clout ’til May is out.” (Meaning: Don’t shed your winter clothing until the end of May, as unexpected cold snaps can still occur.)

Highway 522 is bare as most has melted, with the temperatures hovering a touch above the freezing mark. Away from the highway, though, the snow’s still clinging to everything, making it all look like something out of a postcard.

Yesterday I once again worked away here at my computer, or should say for the morning, and then later on I did a bit of work in my shop. All in all, my day was full, as was my wife’s. It seems there is always something that needs doing when you own a home, especially in the country.

On another note, I did light my shop stove this morning so it would be nice and warm to work in a bit later on. I have a few projects on the go that I would like to finish up. We also had a few visitors at our bird feeder this morning, some wild turkeys. They seem to drop by for a visit a few times a year. And they also know that I won’t hurt them, as they come right up to me asking for some feed. Kind a nice to be able to get close to nature on her own terms. But then again … I am a likable kinda guy, right?

Click on images to enlarge.

Politician Fact or Fiction? You know, over the years I have found that politicians are like the town gossip: they’re always stirring up trouble and spreading rumors!

So with that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has ready for me, and will then see what the day has in store. I never know, I head off in one direction and totally do something else.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “Living in the country means never having to say you’re busy – unless you count watching the clouds drift by or counting the turkeys out by the bird feeder!” GW

Good Morning! And being morning and walking around outside, I noticed that the trees are starting to show off their buds, and the critters are starting to stir: Like they know something good’s about to happen.

However, it’s a cloudy morning in cottage country, the temperature is hovering around 0.3°C | 32.54°F. We won’t be seeing much sunshine for the next four days. It seems that Old Mother Nature is busy doing her thing, and thankfully, us humans haven’t managed to mess with her work … much. But, some folks keep trying, which, to me, isn’t a good idea. To me, Mother Nature’s like the mind—mysterious. Maybe it’s best we don’t try to figure it all out. Let her be, I say.

Highway 522 was a bit busy yesterday with folks moving around. But that is normal for us on a Friday. Seems everyone is happier on Fridays. Mondays, well … that’s another story. For my wife and I each day carries its own weight; none holds greater importance than the next. It’s simply a matter of perspective that some days seem more significant than others. Whether it’s Sunday or any other day of the week, they are all important, at least for us.

On another note, I didn’t do all that much yesterday, but I did start editing another video, and I am hoping to finish it today. After that, I have to do some searching on the internet for some more books to read, as I am all out of westerns. I enjoy reading them at night in bed. It’s getting harder and harder to find them these days. But in saying that, I know there’s a whole world of stories out there just waiting for me, I just have to find them.

Politician’s, True or False? My old Dad used to say, “Politicians are like the local diner – they’re always open for business, but you never quite get what you ordered!” Same as it is today.

With that settled, I’m off to grab a bite of breakfast, cooked up by my lovely little woman. Once we’re done, we’ll enjoy a nice hot cup of cocoa and some good ol’ chatter. After that, we’ll just have to see what the day’s got in the cards for us.

With that I will leave you with this: The old one knows, and said from time to time, that even the chickens take their time crossing the road, stopping to scratch, peck, and ponder life’s big questions. Maybe we humans can learn something from them few words? GW

Good morning, where the soil’s startin’ to thaw, and it’s time to start thinking ’bout what we’re gonna plant in our gardens.

We’re in the midst of a lot of clouds this morning here in Cottage country. And it has cooled down a wee bit from yesterday, with the temperature sitting at -0.1 C | 31.82 F. It will warm up a touch as the day moves forward. The weekend once again isn’t looking all that good, with more rain in the forecast. Lately, the weekends haven’t been all that good weather wise. But we do need the rain as it gets the plants and things motivated for what lies ahead.

The old one used to tell me: If the ravens/crows flies low, prepare for a rain to blow. They were flying low this morning.

On the topic of birds, my wife and I have seen a few flocks of geese for the past few days flying over our home. Another sign that spring isn’t all that far off. They were heading in both directions. I guess they couldn’t make up their minds. Can’t say I blame them neither.

Highway 522 is bare and dry, which will make traveling good for those in need of things in the larger towns. I think we are good for a while.

On another note, my wife and I did do some more yard work yesterday, taking in some sunshine that we humans need to stay healthy. Later in the day, I woke up our garden hose and put it to work washing our car. I have to tell ya, it sure was dirty with all the salt that they put down on the highways these days. Chase is smiling now and just a shinning. We named it Chase the day we brought it home. Just like my Dad and his Dad before me, we’ve got a habit of naming the things we own. And after all, they are made up of the same molecules as humans are, or sort of. Makes you wonder about the connection between us and everything else in this big ol’ world, doesn’t it?

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has waiting for me, and will then see what the day has in store. I don’t quite know just yet what I will be doing.

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this piece of wisdom that arose from my very good friend Grey Wolf, who taught me a lot while growing up: I call him the Old One!

Find harmony in all you do. Work, play, rest – each has its time and place. Balance is the key that unlocks the door to a life well-lived.’ He was a smart old feller and I really miss those times we spent chatting by the creek near his cabin. GW

Good Morning! Where the smell of thawing mud and fresh-cut grass is better than any fancy perfume in the world. Other than my wife’s orange blossom perfume she used to pick up, when we went to Florida years ago for a well eared rest throughout the winter months. But ya, it’s pretty hard to beat what Mother Nature has to offer.

You know ...it’s easy to forget the simple pleasures, the beauty that surrounds us every day. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years on this earth, it’s the importance of slowing down and taking it all in.

My wife and I always take a few minutes every day to sit together, watching the world do its thing – it’s like hitting that pause button on all the craziness. In doing so we then start noticing the small stuff, like the way the wind whispers through the trees or the way the sky changes colors at sunset.

And you know what? When we take that time, our minds sorta clear up. We start seeing things differently, understanding things, and each other better. Try it sometime, you might be surprised at what you find … or see.

Highway 522 is picking up a wee bit traffic wise, with a few folks with 4x4s moving into our area. Before long, the cottages will be open, and the parks will be full of campers. It’s all rather nice, in its own way. But I do hope in the coming years, that we don’t lose the tranquility that surrounds us, as there’s a certain magic to this place, that I’d hate to see lost in the shuffle. But …that’s just me.

On another note my lovely wife and I did some more cleaning up around our property yesterday, moved a few more small trees, and later on I went and visited a friend of mine here in town, we had a couple hour chat about different things, which was nice for a change. It sure is a pleasure to have friends who see things eye to eye with ya’. But I’ll tell ya’, they’re scarce as hen’s teeth these days.

Today I have some work to do in my woodworking shop, and will get at that after I have my breakfast that my lovely wife is preparing for me.

Politician Humor: You know, in our neck of the woods, politicians are like the weather: always changing and never quite what you hoped for!

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “Life’s lessons are like the stars in the sky – they guide you home, but sometimes they lead you on a wild goose chase.” GW