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Good Morning. My old Dad used to say, “Even a dull axe cuts if you swing it enough.” I didn’t realize he meant that about people, too.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Thursday, November 20, 2025

Walking to the woodworking shop this morning, the cold hits you right away… 26.4°F (-3.1°C)—the kind of chill that settles on your coat and just stays there. With humidity sitting at 87 percent, the air feels heavier than the numbers say. And with the barometer down at 29.33 usually hints the weather has something on its mind.

There’s also no wind to speak of… the air is dead still. And as most of us old-timers have noticed, on mornings like this, is that sound carries for miles. A truck door slamming half a mile away sounds close enough to touch.

At any rate I don’t see much warming today. It might brighten for a short spell, but with that barometer sliding, I wouldn’t be surprised to see light snow by late afternoon or after dark. Tomorrow should be much the same: cool, maybe a breath of wind if this system decides to move along.

If you’re thinking deer, the better chances look to be mid-morning and again that last hour before dark. Cold, still air makes them move slow and careful, so patience earns its keep.

A few notes from nature: the spruce tips were stiff and frosted when I looked out. The sky had that pale, flat look, no texture in it at all, which usually means moisture’s not far off. And there weren’t many birds moving at our bird feeder this morning, the whole area feels like it’s waiting.

On another note, yesterday didn’t go quite as planned. I had things to take care of around the house, so I didn’t get to spend as much time working on those flutes as I’d hoped. Even when I did manage to carve out a few hours, a few unexpected hiccups cropped up, some days just go that way. Still, all in all, it wasn’t a bad day. Sometimes you just have to roll with it and take what progress you can get.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I’m planning to tackle our electric stove and see if I can swap out the part I ordered from Amazon a few days back. As I mentioned before, one of the burners decided to quit on us, so we’ll see if this new part does the trick. If it works, I’ll have a happy wife… which, as we all know, is a real win.

Right now, the stove’s kind of like a three-legged dog… it still gets around, just not quite the way it’s supposed to!

So, with that bit of information, I’m off for my bowl of porridge, courtesy of my lovely wife. After breakfast, I’ll see about fixing that stove of ours. Once that’s tackled, a cup of tea will be in order, and then I’ll head out to the woodworking shop. At least, that’s the plan.

Have a great day!

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

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Good Morning. My old Dad used to say, “Some days you drive the tractor, some days it drives you.” Life’s about knowing which kind of day you’re having.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Monday, November 17, 2025

Well, I stepped out earlier than I meant to—just one of those mornings where you wake up and the house feels a bit cooler than usual. The yard had that stiff, frozen look, and the quiet was thick enough you almost didn’t want to break it. Our weather station’s saying 26.8°F (–2.9°C). Humidity’s up at 79%, and the barometer’s sitting low at 28.93 inHg. You can tell by that number alone the air’s thinking about something. Wind’s pointing north but not even a whisper out there.

So for today:
Looks like the cold plans on sticking around. The still air makes it a bit easier than a windy day, but it’ll numb your fingers quick if you’re out there fiddling with anything metal. With the pressure sitting where it is, clouds might build through the day, maybe a touch of unsettled weather later on—though nothing wild. It’s just that kind of low, quiet November mood.

Tonight will probably dip a little colder once the sun gives up.
Wouldn’t surprise me if the frost thickens right up.

Tomorrow might turn a shade brighter if the barometer decides to climb.
Hard to trust it yet; mornings like this hold back more than they give.

For deer hunters, the best times look to be just at first light and again late afternoon.
Cold mornings like this make the woods slow right down. Deer will move—just not in a hurry. You’ve got to sit still longer than you want to.

As for nature’s signs—not much sound out there. Trees locked still, not a shake out of them. The sky had that dull edge along the treeline, like it can’t decide if it wants to lighten or darken. Didn’t hear the chickadees much, which usually tells me the weather’s gearing up to shift, even if it hasn’t shown itself yet.

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On another note, this morning before first light I fired up the shop stove, which should take some of the chill off. Yesterday slipped by in the old woodworking shop, working on those flutes I’ve been shaping. Got a couple far enough along that they’re starting to look like real flutes, so today I’ll keep at it and see where it goes.

Later, some friends stopped by. We had one of those long, easy chats you only get out here, where nobody’s rushing. After they left, I stoked up the wood furnace, here in the house as we got it going now, and after that settled down with my feet up for a bit. All in all, not a bad day. Even my old body cooperated.

You know... living out here away from the cities, there’s a kind of satisfaction in the simple routines—warming the shop, working with your hands, sitting with friends. Kinda, makes you appreciate the slow, steady rhythm of country life. Oh… and appreciate what you have.

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So, what am I up to today? GW

Well, today I’m planning to spend some time out in the woodworking shop—something I always look forward to, especially when it’s cold and the skies are grey. Truth is, there’s really no better place to be… unless it’s sitting with my lovely wife, sharing a good chat over a cup of fresh-perked coffee.

You know… at my age, you really learn to appreciate these simple comforts. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that you have to be honest with yourself and your thoughts. It’s the little pleasures that truly matter.

With that, I’m off once again for the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. Afterward, we’ll sit down together for our regular cup of tea and morning chat, a daily ritual I wouldn’t trade for anything. A day just wouldn’t be a day without that bit of time together to start things off right. Then, I’ll head out to the shop and see what the day brings.

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

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Morning. Dad liked to remind me, “The world don’t wait for your boots to be tied.” I’ve tested that theory. He was right.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Sunday, November 16, 2025

Well… the morning didn’t stay quiet for long. When I first looked out, the yard felt kind of paused, like everything was holding its breath. Then that north wind started nudging through, not hard, just enough to move the tops of the pines and let you know the day had changed its mind.

The numbers are the same on our weather station, 31°F (-0.4°C), humidity sitting at 87%, and that barometer low at 28.57 inHg, which, around here, usually hints that the weather might wander a bit.

Wind’s up now, steady enough you notice it walking from the house to my woodworking shop.

Today:
Mostly clouds, maybe a weak bit of light pushing through once in a while. With that breeze, you could see a few flurries drifting in, nothing serious. Temperature will hang right near freezing, just cold enough to bite a little if you stand in the open.

Tonight:
Slips back below freezing. The wind should start to settle down. Could be some patchy snow sliding through after dark, more of a dusting mood than a storm.

Tomorrow:
Looks like another gray day, still close to freezing. Low pressure hanging around without much energy behind it… just that dull November feel we all know too well.

Best Deer Hunting Times:
With the morning wind, they’ll stay tucked in for a bit. Your better window is late morning — around 10:30 to noon. Evening should be decent too, 3:30–5:00 PM, if the wind backs off like it usually does.

Nature’s Signs:
You can see the change out there… the spruce needles shaking loose the frost they held at dawn, the birch tops leaning a touch. A couple crows riding the wind low across the back field, calling like they’re arguing about something. The clouds have stretched thin and long, sliding quicker now… carrying just enough weight to think about snow but not enough to promise it.

On another note, well, the past few days I’ve been working inside the house here. Our electric stove, one of the burners isn’t working, so I took it apart and found where the coil plugs into the porcelain part. It was about shot. So I went online to Amazon and found a part I’m hoping will do the trick. $20.00 is a lot better than coughing up around $700 for a new stove.

Before that, though, since it’s been a touch cool, I decided to light the wood furnace for the first time this season. Once it got going nicely, I have to admit, it felt really good. Got it burning away this morning too. Nothing out there today that can match wood heat, well, hot water heat is nice too.

Highway 522’s been pretty quiet the past couple weeks. Most of the tribe has been back in the bush, trying to scare up a deer or two. Some get lucky, some… well, not so much. You can tell the difference between the old hands around here and the city folks who come up for a weekend. The city folks, bless ’em, show up in brand-new camo and boots that haven’t even smelled dirt yet, wandering around like they’re on a nature walk instead of hunting. The old timers, they know which ridge holds a deer at first light, which maple hides a trail, and they move like it’s second nature, like they’ve been doing it since they were knee-high to a sapling.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today, now that I have this other stuff looked after, I’m planning on getting back to making those flutes I’ve been working on for the past couple months. Got them right where I want them, all set to shape them into looking like a flute. So yeah, that’s what I’m up to today… or should I say, that’s the plan. Have to see how it works out in the hours ahead.

With that, I’m off for a bowl of organic oatmeal, which we used to call porridge, that my lovely wife is making for me. After that, I’ll enjoy a cup of tea for a change, and then I’ll head out to the woodworking shop. Should be warm out there by then, since I started the shop stove earlier this morning before daylight.

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

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Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Monday, November 10, 2025

Good Morning:
It’s a cold start today with temperatures sitting at 20°F (–6.6°C) and the air feeling heavy, thanks to 83% humidity. The barometer remains low at 29.17 in-Hg indicating little change in the weather. Winds are calm from the north-northeast, barely a whisper, leaving the woods still and quiet, as if they are holding their breath. The first snow of the season has arrived, about half an inch settled overnight. It’s just enough to dust the trails and branches, making everything look refreshed and ready for winter.

Today’s Forecast:
Expect mostly cloudy skies and heavy, with not much wind. The high will reach around 28°F (–2°C), keeping a cold bite throughout the day. A stray flurry or two may pass, but nothing significant is expected beyond the morning’s light snowfall.

Tonight:
The sky stays overcast with temperatures dropping to about 14°F (–10°C). Fog may settle in low areas, and frost will coat the morning snow, making the trails crisp underfoot. Winds remain calm from the north-northeast, and the quiet makes the woods feel larger and even more peaceful.

Tomorrow (Tuesday):
The morning begins near 19°F (–7°C), rising to about 28°F (–2°C) by afternoon. Clouds may break slightly, allowing for glimpses of weak sunlight. Light winds from the north could ruffle the frosted branches, and if the snow firms up overnight, conditions will be ideal for tracking.

Best Deer Hunting Times:
Deer are moving slowly in this cold. The best windows today are early from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and again late in the afternoon from 4:00 to 5:30 PM before dusk. With calm winds, your scent will linger, so move slowly and carefully. Tomorrow, mid-morning could be more promising as the light strengthens and deer resume browsing.

Signs from Nature:
Gray clouds hang low over the hills, frost sparkles in the pale sunlight, and the first snow crunches beneath your boots. Branches remain still in the calm air, and every so often, you can see a bird or squirrel moving about, but mostly, it’s the snow, the frost, and the stillness that tell the story. Winter has arrived folks, leaving its first quiet mark of the year, and you can feel its presence if you pause and take it all in.

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With that I am off for my breakfast my lovely wife has made for me and will then head on out to the old woodworking shop and get to working on them flutes I have on the go. Should be warm enough out there by then… as i lit the shop stove earlier.

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