Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning… You know, I have come to the conclusion, after all these years, that I trust dirt under my nails more than most advice.

Starting the day here in Port Loring, Ontario, we’ve got a blanket of thick clouds overhead. The good news is, it’s not too hot, and the rain has taken a break.

Here’s how the weather is shaping up.

---

Today (Thursday, June 5):
A mix of sun and cloud, with fog patches clearing later this morning. High of 77°F (25°C). UV index is 8, which is considered very high, so don’t forget to put on a long sleeve shirt.

Tonight:
Clear skies expected, with temperatures dipping to a low of about 52°F (11°C). Great for sleeping.

Tomorrow (Friday, June 6):
Mainly sunny to start, with increasing cloudiness early in the afternoon. There’s a 30% chance of showers overnight. High near 72°F (22°C), and a low around 54°F (12°C). Almost perfect.

Saturday, June 7:
A mix of sun and cloud is expected, with a high of approximately 72°F (22°C). The evening will bring cloudy periods, and the low will be about 50°F (10°C).

---

Looks like we’re in for some pleasant early summer weather.

Highway 522 is still pretty quiet, which is about normal for this time of year. That’ll change soon enough, though, once the kids get out of school for the summer. Give it a few weeks, and we’ll be dodging campers, boat trailers, and folks trying to read a map while making a left-hand turn with their signal on since Powassan. Just the way it is out here in the country.

Bug Report:
Well, the black flies haven’t been too bad for the past few days, mostly thanks to the cooler, damp weather. But I’ve got a feeling that’ll change today, with things warming up nicely, as it’s just the kind of weather they thrive in. And of course, the mosquitoes won’t be far behind, them blood sucking parasites.

That’s the deal with living up here in the north though, it’s a beautiful place, no doubt, but it comes with a few built-in tests of patience. And one thing’s for certain: anyone who steps outside this time of year gets their exercise, whether they want it or not, with swattin’ bugs like they’re threshin’ grain by hand.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I took the morning to clean our car. After winter, it was one heck of a mess inside and out. Now it looks brand-new. After we finished, I managed to get a coat of wax on the old girl too … not my wife, I mean the car. Got it all done just before the rain started. Nice rain, too, just what our vegetable plants, which we put in the ground a week ago, needed. Saved me from watering them by hand. Seems old Mother Nature knows exactly what to do and when to do it. Most of the time anyway, though occasionally she’s asleep at the switch. But she’s getting older too.

So what are you up today GW?

Well, seeing as our grass is growing leaps and bounds, my wife and I will tackle that next. That’ll take care of the morning. In the afternoon, after that workout, I suspect some front porch sittin’ or on our swing out back under the basswood tree with a cup of coffee will be in order. Why is that? Well, around here, you learn quick that no matter how much work you do, the day’s not done until you’ve had a good rest to appreciate it.

So with all that information out of the way, I am off for my morning breakfast that my little woman has made for me. Once I’ve had my fill, it’ll be time to rouse those old mowers.

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

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good morning, from where the only deadline is the sun going down. The way it should be.

Well, waking up, it’s at least looking like another nice day here in Cottage Country.

Here’s your weather for Port Loring:

Today (Wednesday, June 4):
Expect periods of rain throughout the day, with a high around 74°F (23°C). Winds will be from the west-southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Keep an umbrella handy if you’re heading out.

Tonight:
Cloudy skies with a 60% chance of showers. Low near 57°F (14°C). Winds will shift to the northwest at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow (Thursday, June 5):
A mix of sun and clouds, with a 30% chance of showers. High around 80°F (26°C). Winds from the southwest at 10 to 15 mph.

Highway 522 wasn’t all that busy yesterday, but that’s understandable with the way our economy is going—or maybe I should say heading. But in saying that, once things start to warm up some and the blackflies leave us alone for more than five minutes, that northern pull, that urge to get up here, will settle upon folks like a second cup of coffee on a Monday morning. They’ll be packing up the SUV, kids, dog, cooler, and fishing rods, half-ready and half-lost, just to sit in traffic for six hours and call it “getting away from it all.” And you know what? We’ll be glad to see ’em.

Bug Report:
Well, I have to say, even with things warming up yesterday, the blackflies and mosquitoes weren’t all that bad. I’m kind of thinking that the cold, damp weather we had the past few days knocked a good number of them back a bit, not to mention the birds that have been picking them off pretty steady lately.

Last fall, I decided to build six birdhouses and put them up around the yard early this spring. We had to take the vacancy sign down pretty quick, because they filled up fast. One right by our driveway was claimed by a pair of bluebirds, the first time in 20 years they’ve made a home here. By our fishpond, where we placed a couple more, a pair of Swallows moved in and started raising a family. And then out back behind the house, we’ve got two more birdhouses that a couple of Wrens have taken over. Judging by how often they’re flying in with bugs, there must be a hungry bunch of little beaks waiting inside.

My wife and I sure do enjoy watching them throughout the day. It’s amazing how simple things can bring so much enjoyment—not to mention how many insects they eat, which sure makes life a lot easier, especially during blackfly season.

On another note,
Yesterday I worked the day away outside, fixing up a few things that needed attention, and chatting with folks who dropped by our gift shop and ongoing garage sale—which we plan on keeping open for another couple of months.

I have to say, we’ve had a steady stream of people stopping in, picking up all sorts of things we no longer need. That being said, we still have plenty left to sell, and my wife’s been adding new items daily—things we’ve had stored upstairs for years. So, whether you’ve dropped by before or you’re just hearing about us for the first time, it might pay to swing in now and then. You never know, there just might be something you’ve been looking for.

We’re located at 11588 Highway 522, Port Loring, Ontario, and we’re always happy to see a friendly face—new or familiar.

All in all, things have been rolling along pretty good these days.

So What are You Up to Today, GW?

Well, today—weather permitting—I’m planning on doing a bit of weeding in the gardens around the house. And if there’s time left in the day, I’ll head out to the woodworking shop and give it a bit of a clean-up. It’s been needing some tidying for a while now.

And if the weather holds off even longer, my wife and I are hoping to spend some quiet time out on the swing under the old Basswood tree out back. It sure is nice out there, I guess you could say we’ve got a bird’s-eye view of everything going on around the place.

And living where we do, there’s always something happening in nature—whether it’s the birds feeding their young or a few critters raising a ruckus, or just the breeze moving through the trees. Well… you don’t have to look far to find something worth paying attention to.

With that, I’m off for the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I think we’ll both head out to the front porch by our White Lilac tree—which, by the way, is in full bloom and smelling mighty fine—and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. Can’t beat that for starting the day off right.

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

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning… Some days start with a chore list, others with a memory.

It’s a cool morning here in Port Loring, Ontario, Canada. However, the sun is breaking through the clouds, and it’s looking as if we’re in for a pretty nice day.

Anyway, here’s the weather forecast: For Port Loring Ontario Canada.

Today (Monday, June 2): Warmer with hazy sun; smoke from distant wildfires will enhance the sunset. High: 72°F (22°C), Low: 52°F (11°C).

Tonight: Partly cloudy with a low of 52°F (11°C).

Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 3): Hazy sun; breezy in the afternoon. High: 83°F (29°C), Low: 65°F (19°C).

Wednesday, June 4: Not as warm, with periods of rain. High: 73°F (23°C), Low: 55°F (13°C).

Highway 522 was quiet yesterday morning, but by the afternoon, it picked up with lots of new faces roaming around our area.

Bug Report:
With the cold, wet weather, the black flies have slowed down some. But when the sun shows herself, they will be back with a vengeance, along with the mosquitoes. I actually dislike the mosquitoes even more than the black flies. At any rate, with things warming up today, you can bet some folks are in for a stretch of itchy, swatting days ahead.

On another note, we had another really good day yesterday with our garage sale, with lots of folks dropping by. I thought, being Sunday, it might slow down some—but nope, for most of the day, we had a steady stream of folks picking up things. That said, we still have quite a bit left to sell, so we’ll keep the sale going right up until the middle of July, or until it’s all gone. We figure we might as well get all we can out of what we have, as we worked downright hard for it over the years.

Amazing, though, how much stuff a person can collect without even realizing they have it.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today being so nice out, I’m thinking we’ll do some work in our vegetable gardens. I want to work up around the tomatoes, and we’ll be adding some grass cuttings, which we use for fertilizer. You can’t beat it once it’s had a chance to sit for a while.

The good news is, I was sure glad we covered our vegetables last night before heading to bed as we ended up with a frost, and it would’ve done some damage to a lot of the plants. Just had a feeling we might get one, and sure enough, we did. Pays to listen to those little feelings that come around from time to time.

At any rate, everything looked happy this morning when I uncovered them.

So, with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me, then I’ll be heading outdoors. Hate to waste a day as nice as this.

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

Click On Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning… Laura, the lady that raised me, used to say: “George, you don’t need much to be rich if you’re counting the right things.”

Well, the sunshine has left us, and it took the warmer temperatures along with it. We’re getting a bit of rain coming down now, and it looks like it’ll be hanging around for a while.

---

Weather Forecast – For Port Loring, Ontario, Canada:

Today, the rain’s moved in, and it’s settling down like it’s got nowhere else to be. Expect light to moderate showers throughout the day, with a chilly breeze tagging along to keep things damp and cool. Temperatures will hover around 52°F (11°C) by this afternoon, which is a noticeable dip from the warm stretch we just had.

Tonight, things will stay on the damp side. Cloud cover will hold tight overhead, and there’s a good chance the rain will linger through most of the night. Overnight lows will dip down to around 43°F (6°C), so it’ll be a good night to toss an extra blanket on the bed and maybe fire up the wood stove if you’ve got one.

Tomorrow, the clouds might finally start to break up a bit. There’s still a slight chance of an early morning shower, but by late morning or early afternoon we could see some brighter skies trying to peek through. It won’t be warm by any stretch, with highs only reaching 55°F (13°C), but at least it’ll be drier.

So in short, keep the raincoat by the door today and tonight, and maybe cross your fingers for a bit of clearing come tomorrow afternoon. The garden might get a decent soaking out of this, which isn’t all bad.

Highway 522 is still slow traffic-wise these days, which is understandable, being that the weather hasn’t been all that inviting. Truth be told, most folks out this way aren’t in a rush to go anywhere unless the sun’s shining, the road’s dry, or there’s a sale up the line aways. And even then, they’ll think on it over coffee first.

Bug Report:
Well, I have to say, them there black flies and mosquitoes are sure making a nuisance of themselves these days. And my wife isn’t too pleased about it either. Can’t say I blame her, as they get up under her hair and nibble on her ears like they’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

As for me, well, they usually leave me be. I did have a couple take a taste yesterday, but I guess I wasn’t sweet enough for their liking. Still, while I was out mowing, I had to use my hat now and then to swat them out of my eyes. They were swarming so bad I almost drove the old Roper Riding Mower into the ditch a couple of times.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today’s a bit wet out there, so I’m planning on helping my wife with some work inside the house. We’ve got plenty to sort through—years’ worth of collected odds and ends. We’ve already managed to put out a fair bit, and with that, we’re gearing up for another garage sale starting tomorrow. It’ll run for three days, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, right here at 11588 Highway 522, Port Loring, Ontario.

Just watch for the red garage sale signs by our driveway, you can’t miss ’em.

And while you’re here, don’t forget to check out our gift shop. We’ve got some great deals on pieces we’ve made ourselves. My wife with her artistic flair and creative spirit, and me with wood, tools, and a stubborn streak. These aren’t mass-produced things here. They’re made slow, with care and know-how, shaped by years of doing what we love.

On another note, my wife and I decided to get our mowing for the week out of the way yesterday, knowing the rain was coming today. Took us all morning, and I’ve got to tell ya, we were both more than ready to put our feet up once we were done. Seems like every year, jobs like that get just a wee bit harder to do.

But hey—no one can say we’re not getting our exercise.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife’s put together for me. After that, we’re thinking of settling in with a hot cup of chicory coffee for a change. Not saying hot chocolate isn’t just as good,,, but every now and then, we’ve found a change can be nice. Not always, mind you, but once in a while it works out just fine.

After that, well, we’ll see what the day has in store. One never really knows, and maybe that’s half the fun of it.

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

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Well, judging by the sky, it looks like we’re in for another really nice day. That’s just the way I like it, so with that in mind, it’s best I get to enjoying it, which I will do shortly.

Any way, here’s the weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario:

Today – Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Mostly sunny skies, with a high around 76°F (24°C). A gentle breeze from the southwest at about 5 to 10 mph will keep things comfortable. Tonight, expect clear skies, with temperatures dipping to about 53°F (12°C).

Tomorrow – Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Cloudy with sunny breaks in the morning, becoming mainly cloudy in the afternoon, with a high of 73°F (23°C). Showers are expected in the evening and overnight, with a low of 53°F (12°C).

So, it looks like today is the best bet for soaking up the sun before the clouds and showers roll in tomorrow. Enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts!

Highway 522 is slowly picking up traffic-wise these days. We’ve had a good number of new folks stopping in at our gift shop, picking up a few things, along with checking out our garage sale and woodworking items. Truth be told, we’ve had quite a few, drop by over the past week or so. But that said, we still have lots to sell, as just yesterday my wife and I put out a whole mess of new stuff we don’t need anymore.

On another note, like I mentioned above, yesterday was a day of sorting through more things for our garage sale and adding them to the pile out under the carport. It’s a good spot for it, since if it rains, we can still stay open and folks can browse without getting wet.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I want to till up the soil between the new veggies we planted the other day, as it got packed down a bit from all the planting. After that, I’ll work away in the old woodworking shop, as there’s still lots to do in there getting the tools I want to sell cleaned up and ready for folks to see. And if the weather holds—and I suspect it will— my wife and I are planning on enjoying our afternoon coffee out on the swing set I built a year or so ago. It’s a nice spot, where we set it out under the basswood tree. From there, we can pretty well see all of our property, which really is a sight to see this time of year. The trees are in full leaf, the grass is nice and green, a lot of our flowers are showing off, and the lilac bushes are just about in full bloom. And boy, do they ever smell good. Hard to find ones that still carry a scent like that these days.

Bug Report:
Well, the black flies are out in full force, annoying us humans right alongside all the critters in the wild. And if that wasn’t enough, those blood-sucking parasites—the mosquitoes—are starting to join the party. Not much we can do about them either, other than ride it out. Soon enough, the dragonflies will show up, and when they do, they’ll take care of most of the bugs for us.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me, and then I’ll see what the day has in store. One never knows what a day might bring.

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

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning… My old Dad used to say: “George, life doesn’t come with instructions — just blisters and the occasional success.”

So, starting things off this morning with this. We’re once again waking up to a sky full of clouds here in Cottage Country. Not the heavy kind that bring a storm, just those soft, slow-moving ones that make everything feel a bit quieter. It’s the kind of morning where the coffee tastes a little better and the chores can wait just a little longer. You get the feeling the day’s still deciding what sort of mood it’s in.

Here’s how things are shaping up weather-wise for Port Loring:

Today, we’re looking at mostly cloudy skies, but there’ll be some sunny patches breaking through later on. It should warm up to around 70°F (21°C). There’s a small chance of a light shower, but it’s more of a spit than a soaking, so no real reason to change your plans.

Tonight, the skies will remain partly cloudy, with a low dipping to around 52°F (11°C). Might be a good night for a light sweater if you’re out checking on the garden or sitting under the basswood tree.

Tomorrow, it’s shaping up to be a nice one, with a mix of sun and clouds, with a high near 73°F (23°C). No big wind to speak of, so it’ll be a fine day to get some work done or… just enjoy being out and about.

Highway 522 has picked up traffic wise a wee bit and will continue that way for the rest of the summer.

Bug Report:
Well, the black flies—as I’ve been saying—have been taking a bit of a break thanks to the cooler, wet weather. But late yesterday, I noticed they’re starting to roam again, drifting around and looking for fresh blood… and meat, for that matter. When they bite, it sometimes feels like they take a piece of you with them.

And then—well, if you give in and scratch it, that’s when the real fun begins. That itch digs in and just doesn’t want to leave.

But here’s a little trick we’ve found helpful. If you dab a bit of hand sanitizer—the kind with around 60% alcohol—on the bite as soon as you can, it’ll ease the itch quite a bit. Not a cure-all, but it takes the edge off.

Also, a reminder: wash all your clothes using unscented soap, and do the same with your body and hands. My wife and I stick to plain unscented soaps like Dove or Ivory up here in the north, and it really does help. You’d be surprised how much of a difference that simple change can make. Oh, and It even cuts down on mosquitoes, which, by the way, are starting to show up now too. Might be a bad year for them with all this damp weather hanging around.

On another note:
Yesterday, I worked the day away—part of it outside and the rest in the woodworking shop—setting out more of the things we’ll be putting up for sale. Between that and looking after the folks who dropped by, we were kept on our toes pretty much all day. Never a dull moment when you’re trying to clear space and make a few bucks at the same time.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, glad you asked. Today, my wife and I are planning to get our vegetable gardens planted. First, though, I need to till it up one more time. I already went over it twice earlier this month, but since I covered it with grass cuttings from the last two mowings, it needs another good working-in. That’ll help give the soil some life—and the veggies some real flavour. The kind you just can’t buy in a store these days.

You know, if someone blindfolded you and handed you one of those store-bought tomatoes, most folks wouldn’t even know it was a tomato. No taste whatsoever. These days it’s all about looks, not flavour—or what’s actually good for you.

At any rate, that’s the plan around here today. Once the planting’s done, we’ll sit back and let summer unroll around us, just the way it’s meant to.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I’ll get to work—well, right after we’ve had our morning chat and a cup of hot cocoa.

I sure do enjoy that little ritual each day. There’s just something about cocoa in the morning that sets the tone. It warms you from the inside out and slows the world down for a while. Kinda makes the day feel a little more grounded before the noise starts. You know, some folks need coffee to get going, me… I’ll take that quiet moment with cocoa and conversation any day. Especially if it’s with my little woman.

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

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning… I’ve always said: “Don’t waste a good day worrying about what might never happen.”

Well, here it is, the 24th of May, and the weather looks like it’s finally about to turn for the better—which is just what we need to get those tomato plants in the ground.

Today – Saturday, May 24:
Cloudy skies with scattered showers rolling through off and on. High around 59°F (15°C), with a low dropping to about 47°F (8°C) tonight. Light northwest breeze around 5 to 10 miles an hour. Chance of rain sits around 60 percent.

Tonight:
A few lingering showers early on, then mostly cloudy through the night. Low around 47°F (8°C), with the breeze holding steady from the northwest. About a 40 percent chance of more rain.

Tomorrow – Sunday, May 25:
Partly sunny with just a slight chance of a passing shower. High near 63°F (17°C), and cooling off to about 44°F (7°C) overnight. Should be decent planting weather if things hold.

---

If it keeps tracking this way, you might be digging in the dirt by tomorrow afternoon. Just don’t forget where you set your coffee down while you’re out there.

Highway 522 is or has been slow for the past few days. But things are about to pick up with the warmer temperatures entering into the picture.

Bug Report: Well, with this cooler weather, it’s been holding back the blackflies quite a bit, but like I keep saying, once it warms up, they’ll be back—hungrier than ever.

On another note, yesterday—despite the cool and rainy weather—I spent the day working around our home and out in the woodworking shop. I managed to get just about everything I own tagged and priced, since, eventually, it all has to go. Doing that now will make things a whole lot easier for folks when they come by to have a look-see.

And just so there’s no confusion, that means everything—including what’s in our gift shop—is up for grabs. So if you happen to stop in and spot something you like, but the price doesn’t quite sit right with you, don’t be shy. Make me an offer. Who knows, my wife and I might just take you up on it.

We had another good day yesterday too, with a nice couple dropping by. They liked what they saw and ended up buying several of my wife’s paintings along with a few other things. Still, there’s plenty left, so don’t go thinking we’ve been all picked over—that couldn’t be further from the truth.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I plan on finishing up a few things in our old woodworking shop. I’ve got a couple more items to price and tag, and then I’ll start setting things out so they’re easy to see. After that, I’m thinking a bit of front porch sittin’ might be in order—if the weather decides to cooperate. That’ll give this old body a bit of a break, too, since tomorrow I’m hoping to till up the vegetable garden again, and finally get our veggies in the ground. Far as I can tell, the weather’s looking good for it now.

With that bit of information planted firmly in your minds, I’m off to enjoy some breakfast my lovely wife’s put together for me—she’s got a way of making even the simplest meal feel like something special. After that, we’ll just see what the day has in store.

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

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning… You know, thinking on things, I have found that time has been a better teacher than any I had in school.

It is another cloudy, wet morning here in cottage country. The kind of morning that makes a fellow want to have a second cup of coffee before heading outdoors, maybe even a third if the wood stove is burning just right.

Now, if you are wondering what kind of sky you will be looking at today, and into the next couple, here is the scoop for Port Loring, Ontario:

Today – Friday, May 23:
We are sitting around 50°F (10°C), with a steady drizzle lingering like a stubborn guest who does not know when to head home. Winds will be light, maybe 5 to 10 mph, coming out of the northeast, so it is a damp, bone-soaking kind of day. Not cold, but not exactly the kind of day you want to be out mowing the lawn.

Tonight:
It will dip down to about 44°F (7°C). The rain might ease off a bit, maybe even pause for a while, but the clouds are staying put.

Saturday, May 24:
Looks like a mixed bag. Morning could surprise us with a few breaks in the clouds, but do not get your hopes up, as by afternoon, we are back into the low 60s°F (around 17°C) with a good chance of showers moving in again. Not a total washout, but I would not plan on drying laundry on the line.

Sunday, May 25:
Partly sunny with a shower in the area, high around 63°F (17°C), low near 44°F (7°C).

Traffic on Highway 522 has been pretty quiet lately. With all this rain, most folks are staying put.

Bug Report: With the weather being the way it is, the black flies are not all that bad right now. Best to take advantage of the outdoors while you can, because they will be back once things start to warm up.

On another note: Yesterday, with it being such a wet day, my wife and I took a trip into North Bay to pick up some supplies and groceries. Aside from a few showers here and there, everything went smooth. We got what we came for, had a pizza at East Side Mario’s, and grabbed a cup of coffee for the ride home. All in all, it turned out to be a pretty enjoyable outing.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, seeing as today is shaping up to be another wet one, I figured it is a good time to start tagging all the equipment and tools in my woodworking shop. In the coming days, everything I have out there will be going up for sale—it will be another big one. Not exactly something I am jumping for joy about, but… let’s just say the time feels right.

I have also done my homework, taken the time to see what things are actually worth, and every piece will be priced to sell. Fair is fair. I am not giving anything away, but I am not trying to hang onto it, either. So that is what I am up to today—getting things ready, one tag at a time.

With that, I am off for my breakfast—the one my lovely wife is making for me. A couple of breakfast sausages with a few pancakes laid out beside them. Should give me the energy I need to tackle everything out in the shop today, don’t you think?

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

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning… You know, most of what stuck with me wasn’t written on a chalkboard.

Well… she’s a cloud-wet morning here in Cottage Country.

The kind of sky that hangs low and slow, like it hasn’t quite made up its mind about the day ahead. The trees are still dripping from the night’s leftover mist, and the birds, well, they’re singing anyway—making the best of it like they always do.

Today
Expect scattered showers right through mid-afternoon, with a good chance of heavier pockets around lunchtime. Not much sunshine poking through, but it might brighten just a little toward supper. High of 52°F (11°C), and it’ll feel damper than it reads, so a light jacket wouldn’t hurt.

Tonight
Clouds will linger like uninvited guests, with a steady breeze from the northwest. Temperatures dipping to about 43°F (6°C) overnight. Could be a bit of fog forming in the lower spots after midnight, so if you’re out late, keep your low beams handy.

Tomorrow
Now here’s the shift—mostly cloudy still, but we might catch a bit of sun peeking through mid-morning. Less chance of rain, though not completely dry. Winds settling a bit, and it’ll warm up slightly to around 55°F (13°C) by early afternoon. Not perfect, but better than today, and worth getting something done outside if you’ve been waiting for a break in the damp.

Highway 522’s been quiet lately.
Could be the weather—cool, cold, and wet for days now. The kind that keeps folks indoors and the coffee pot full.

But that’s spring in these parts. One day you’re digging out your short sleeves, the next you’re hauling wood back to the porch.
It’s that in-between season. Some folks call it a transition stage.
In other words: “Don’t count on anything just yet.”

Bug Report:
Well, them pesky black flies were out a bit yesterday, but not as bad as they have been.
Reason being, the cold weather has held them back a touch.
But don’t let that fool ya, as once things warms up, they’ll be back, lookin’ for a meal.

On another note, yesterday we managed to get all our grass cut for the second time this year.
I usually do it on Thursdays, but knowing rain was going to move into our area, we figured we’d better get it done.
When the grass is wet, it’s harder to cut—and on top of that, it just doesn’t look as nice as when it’s dry.
My wife and I are fussy that way.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today—being that it’s cool and wet outside—I suspect I’ll be spending some time here at the computer.
We’ll see.
We still have a few more things to move out to the carport, where we hold our garage sale.
Still a lot we want to get rid of.

From now on, we’re planning to keep our gift shop open all summer.
And by the way, everything in there is half price.
As for the garage sale, we’re only going to have it on Fridays and Saturdays from here on out.

Oh, and the gift shop will be open every day except Thursday mornings—that’s when we do our mowing now.
That said, if folks happen to drop by and want to take a look at the garage sale items, we won’t hold them back. We’re easy that way.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my little woman’s put together for me.
After that, we’ll see what the day has in store—outside what I’ve already planned, of course.

---

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

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning… You know, I didn’t learn much from sitting still, but I picked up plenty while moving.

Weather-wise, things are looking pretty nice out there this morning. We had a few clouds earlier on, but while I’ve been writing this post, the sun is trying hard to show herself. She’s not quite winning yet, but she’s putting up a good fight.

As for today, the folks who claim to know these things are saying we’ll reach a high of around 56°F (14°C). Might be a few showers poking around later this afternoon, so it wouldn’t hurt to keep your boots by the door and maybe hang the laundry inside, just in case.

Tonight, it’ll cool down to about 48°F (9°C), which should make for some good sleeping. Just enough chill in the air to pull the blanket up over your shoulder.

Tomorrow looks like it’ll be a wet one. They’re calling for rain on and off throughout the day, with the temperature topping out at around 53°F (11°C). A little lower overnight, too—about 44°F (7°C). Could be a good day to catch up on some things indoors, or just sit by the window with a warm drink and watch it all unfold.

All in all, it’s one of those stretches of weather you can expect just about anything.

Highway 522 actually has slowed down after the long weekend. But it has been down right cool, which makes folks tend to stay closer to home.

Bug Report:
Well, the cooler weather has slowed down the black flies somewhat, which I’m sure is just fine with most folks. But they’ll be back once things start to warm up a bit, so we’re not out of the woods just yet in that department.

On another note, yesterday was a full one around our place, with the garage sale bringing folks by and a few other jobs keeping me busy from sunup to sundown. The kind of day that moves quick, even if your boots don’t.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today we’ll carry on with the garage sale, and later my wife and I are planning to get the mowing done a day early—got to beat the rain rolling in tomorrow and Friday. Doing it today will make things a whole lot nicer.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me, followed by a good cup of hot cocoa before I head outdoors.

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