This should start my day off right.

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Good Morning:

You know-–after all these years, I’ve learned that a calm mind and steady hands make for a good day’s work.

And saying that—steady hands, sure come in handy when painting the kitchen cupboards, which is what I have been doing for the past three days, and let me tell you, there’s a lot more work involved in painting a kitchen than meets the eye. This is the third, hmm—maybe fourth time I’ve tackled it in the twenty-some years we’ve lived here.

You’d think I’d have it figured out by now, but every time, it feels like the cupboards have grown more corners and crevices. It’s one of those jobs that starts simple, and then sneaks up on you with just how long it’s going to take. I reckon I’ve got another two or three days before I can finally put the paintbrush down. But hey, at least I’m getting my daily exercise in, without leaving the house.

Highway 522 was quite busy yesterday with visitors dropping by our one-of-a-kind gift shop. It’s been great to see so many people, especially those from out of town, taking the time to explore our beautiful property. It’s clear that word is spreading beyond our small town, and we appreciate everyone’s interest and support.

Other than painting, my wife and I yesterday managed to get the mowing done for the week. I have to say, our property looks absolutely beautiful when it’s all finished. You know, it’s the kind of place that makes you appreciate the simple beauty of country living. Afterward, we love to sit on our front porch, with a cool drink in hand, and take in the view. It’s the sort of setting that makes folks say, “I’d love to own a place like this someday.” And who knows, maybe someday someone else—will get the chance to enjoy it just like we have.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has prepared. After that, I’ll see if my paintbrush is ready to get back to work.

You all have a great day and always remember, “life’s a journey best taken one step (or sip) at a time.” Now—where did I leave my damn coffee! GW

Good Morning! “You know, the only thing better than a country morning—is sharing it with folks who know what it’s worth.”

It’s a cool morning here in the north, and along with that we are also having some rain. Taking a look at things, based on my observations and the patterns I’ve noticed from past years, it looks like winter 2024-2025 is shaping up to be particularly challenging. We can expect colder-than-normal temperatures and a lot of snow, especially here in Port Loring and the surrounding areas. It should be noted that this winter won’t be the usual cold; it will be the kind that makes you appreciate every log on the fire, and every extra blanket on the bed.

Take the squirrels, for instance. Over the past week, they’ve been working double-time, gathering nuts and acorns like they’re expecting a long, hard winter. The deer in the area are already sporting their thick winter coats, looking like they’re ready for whatever comes their way. And even some of the birds—have begun their migration south, as if they’ve got an early warning about what’s to come. All these signs point to one thing: we’re in for a real northern winter, the kind that brings plenty of cold and snow. So—even though it’s still a bit early, it’s time to start thinking ahead. Make sure your woodpile is ready, the pantry/freezer is stocked, and—that snow shovel is where you can find it.

Highway 522 has quieted down quite a bit this week, which is typical for this time of year. However, it seems even fewer tourists are passing through compared to previous years. On the bright side, our gift shop has been buzzing with new faces, which has been a pleasant surprise. It’s always nice to see folks appreciating our one-of-a-kind items that we have to offer—even if the highway is a little less travelled these days.

On another note, we had a few things on our list that we were in need of, so we took a trip to North Bay yesterday. The weather was a bit on the warm side, but it turned out to be a great day. While there, we picked up everything we needed, treated ourselves to a delicious pizza and a drink at East Side Mario’s—honestly, I don’t think there’s a better pizza around. After that, we picked up a coffee to go, from a coffee shop in town, and enjoyed it on the drive home, taking our time to enjoy the surrounding scenery. All in all, it was a real nice day.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has prepared. After that, it’s time to tackle some painting around the house. I’m hoping to get it all done before the snow flies so we can keep the windows open and let the fresh air in—paint seems to bother me more these days. It’s amazing how the old body changes as the years go by.

You all have a great day, and remember; “Life’s too short to skip the small pleasures, like a quiet morning and a good cup of coffee.”