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Good Morning! If my old Dad were here, he’d tell you, “‘”Sun’s up—don’t let it outwork you!”

It’s a cloudy, cool morning here in the north. The temperature waking up was sitting at -13.6°C | 7.52°F. Here’s what to expect for the weather:

Today: Mainly cloudy with a chance of light flurries. High around -7°C (19°F).
Tonight: Remaining cloudy with a low of -11°C (12°F).
Tomorrow: A mix of sun and cloud, with the possibility of light snow later in the day. High near -4°C (25°F).

Looks like winter’s holding its grip! Stay warm.

Highway 522 is partially covered with snow and ice, making traveling a bit tricky for the time being. With temperatures well below freezing, there’s no chance of it melting anytime soon. So, if you’re planning to venture out, a good dose of caution will be your best travel companion.

And, of course, for our local folks—don’t be surprised if you see someone tackling the icy roads in a beat-up pickup, claiming their snow tires are “good enough for another winter.” Around here, it’s not just the snow that’s unpredictable!

On another note, I finished up the handcrafted yellow pine harvest table I’ve been working on for my lovely wife yesterday. It was a satisfying project from start to finish, and I even made a video showing the entire process, which I’ll share on my YouTube Channel once I’ve had a chance to edit it. The table turned out great—sturdy, good-looking, and built to last a lifetime. But then again, that’s what you’d expect from an old craftsman with over 40 years of woodworking experience under his belt, wouldn’t you?

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed working on it, so much so that I’m almost a little sad it’s finished. Well, not completely finished—I still need to stain it and slap on a few coats of finish, which I’ll get to in the next day or so. Once that’s done, we’ll find it a home right here under our roof, and then it’ll be time to put it to good use. I think a game of cribbage and a steaming cup of coffee will be the perfect way to break it in. What do you think?

Today? Well, I’m not exactly sure what I’ll be doing just yet. But one thing I do know is that our old wood furnace will be keeping me busy. With it being so cold outside, it’s going to need feeding throughout the day. I don’t mind, though—it’s one of those chores I actually enjoy.

There’s just something about wood heat that no other kind of heat can match. No matter how cold it is outside, the moment you step back in, that warmth wraps around you like an old, familiar blanket. It’s a feeling you can’t quite explain unless you’ve experienced it yourself. And let’s not forget—it’s a lot easier on the wallet compared to oil, gas, or propane. For my wife and me, well, we wouldn’t trade it for anything. There’s nothing quite like the cozy, comforting heat of a wood fire to make a house feel like home. Which is what a home should feel like. Right?

With that, I’m off to enjoy a hearty breakfast my little woman has prepared. And then a steaming cup of hot cocoa will be the perfect companion, for the both of us, especially for a cold winter morning like this, along with our regular chat to start the day off right.

You all have a great day.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

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Good Morning! As my old Dad used to say, ‘Every sunrise is a handshake from nature—don’t leave it hangin’.

Here’s the weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario:

Today (January 14):

• Daytime: Cloudy and colder with a couple of snow showers.
  • High: -6°C (21°F)
• Night: Clear and very cold.
  • Low: -18°C (0°F)

Tomorrow (January 15):

• Daytime: Plenty of sunshine, but cold.
  • High: -8°C (18°F)
• Night: Clear skies.
  • Low: -12°C (10°F)

You know! : “It’s so cold, the chickens are lining up to sit on my old wood-stove!”

Highway 522 is snow-covered this morning in most areas, but it should start to melt off as the morning wears on. Not too many folks are out and about, aside from the locals—though around here, if you see a truck parked in the middle of the road, it’s probably just two neighbors catching up on the latest news!

On another note, yesterday was a solid day in the woodworking shop—after we tackled the snow, of course. I took care of the driveway while my lovely wife handled the decks—all three of them. She says it’s to keep them in good shape, but I think she just likes showing the snow who’s boss. Once the shovels were hung up and the cocoa mugs were drained, I got to work on that yellow pine harvest table I’m making for her. Made a lot of progress, too! If the stars align, I might finish it today, aside from staining it. But, as I always say, you never know what a day will bring—life’s got a way of surprising you, much like finding an extra screw in the bottom of the toolbox when you’re sure you used them all.

With that, I’m off to enjoy my morning breakfast—once again, put together by my little woman. After that, we’ll settle in with our usual cup of hot cocoa and have a good ol’ chat, just like we do every morning. It’s one of those simple joys, like the satisfying sound of the first crack of firewood in the stove—warm, familiar, and the perfect start to a day.

You all have a great day, and remember, the best moments are often the simplest ones—like a quiet morning shared with someone special.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW