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Good Morning! Well, another fine morning has rolled around, and with it comes the opportunity to share a bit of wisdom learned over the years. You know, there’s something comforting about the rhythm of the seasons and the lessons they teach us.

She’s a frosty, cool morning here in Northern Ontario. But I’ll tell ya, the sun’s peeking out, and it sure feels good. Heading out to the woodworking shop this morning, I took in a deep breath of that fresh northern air, felt the sun on my face, and, well, it just hit me—how lucky a feller is to be able to do these things.

Kind of things that remind you life’s worth living.

Highway 522 has settled back down now that deer season’s behind us for most folks. Can’t say for sure how things turned out for everyone, but I’d bet the locals are smiling for the most part. My wife and I, well, we’re all set. Our freezers have enough to hold us over till spring, along with all the preserves she’s done up from the garden. I’ll tell ya, it’s a good feeling having that, especially living back here, away from the cities and big towns. We don’t get to town much, but honestly, we don’t need to.

Now, I know this way of living isn’t for everyone, and that’s alright. But for us, it’s been our life for as long as I can remember. At this stage, I don’t see us changing, and I don’t reckon we’d want to. There’s nothing quite like starting the day with nature right there, waiting to greet you. It’s a kind of peace you just can’t find anywhere else.

On another note, yesterday was one of those days when I didn’t do much besides rest. Sometimes a feller, especially one getting up there in years, knows it’s best to sit back and put his feet up. You don’t fight it; you just go with it.

It’s something you come to understand with time. Pushing through when your body’s telling you to slow down doesn’t do anyone any favors. You could say that there’s a kind of wisdom in knowing when to rest—when to let the world carry on without you for a bit while you recharge. Truth is, taking those quiet moments to pause—might just be one of the most important lessons a person can learn.

Today, well—I am thinking I might try and write up a story or two, not just sure yet, we will see what happens after breakfast.

And with that I am off to enjoy that breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me.

You all have a great day. And hey, don’t forget to take some time to enjoy the little things—it’s those small moments that make life worthwhile. I’ll be back sharing more thoughts and stories soon, so stop by again when you can. Always something to chat about around here!

And thanks for stopping by! Yesterday, November 15, 2024, around 3,400–3,500 real people visited the blog. I appreciate each and every one of you, taking the time to read and support what I share here. GW

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Good Morning! You know, one thing I have learned over the years is that: “The best lessons come from mistakes you’ll never forget.”

So it’s a cloudy morning here in Port Loring Ontario, and we’re starting off the day with the temperature sitting at 1°C (33.4°F—just above freezing. It’s one of those mornings where you can feel winter’s breath creeping in, so you’ll want to grab a jacket and maybe a hot coffee if you’re venturing out.

As the day moves along, we should see the temperature inch up to around 3°C (37°F). There will also be a mix of sun and cloud on the menu today, but don’t expect much warmth—November has its grip on us now. But in saying that, it’s a good day for splitting some wood or tackling indoor projects

Tonight, we’ll see temperatures dip back down to -4°C (24°F), with clear skies overhead. The frost will be thick by morning, so take care on the roads if you’re out and about early.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, we’re in for another chilly day. The high will reach about 4°C (39°F), with some sunshine popping through here and there. Mornings like this remind us that winter’s just around the corner, so enjoy the fresh air while you can. Which I did while feeding the birds this morning. I have to say, I sure do enjoy watching them throughout the day.

On another note, I haven’t been up too much the past few days—got a few things going on body-wise, so I’m taking the time to rest up. Seems there’s always something to slow us older folks down, doesn’t it? But hey, I can’t complain too much. I got a lot done over the summer—maybe a bit too much, considering how I’m feeling now. At any rate, it is what it is, and sometimes, you’ve just got to let your body call the shots.

Today, well, today I am not exactly what I will be doing—if it’s anything like yesterday I will be resting, but we will see.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has prepared for me. After that, we’ll see what the day has in store and, more importantly, what I’m up to tackling. Some days, you just have to play it by ear, or how one feels.

You all have a great day, and maybe take a moment to enjoy the quiet of the morning, or the fresh smell of the outdoors. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the day feel right. Take care, folks, and we’ll catch up again soon! GW

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Good morning! . As my Dad used to say, “A day well begun is a day half done. So let’s start today with purpose and if you can find it, add a smile or two.” I think it went something like that.

Weather for us today, November 11, 2024, in Port Loring, Ontario: you can expect a high of 9°C (48°F) with a chance of brief morning showers, followed by mostly cloudy and breezy conditions. Tonight, temperatures will drop to -3°C (27°F).

Along with the firewood, I did manage to get our vegetable gardens all worked up and put to bed for winter. And just a couple of days back, I got our garlic planted for next year, which will be mighty tasty come next summer. This is the time of year to get it into the ground. I even got around to cleaning out that patch of bush beside our house that’s been bugging me for years. I also got our leaves cleaned up, spreading them around our fruit trees, which will give them a bit of warmth and nourishment when things get really cold.

The mowers and other summer tools? Well—they’re all put to bed too, hibernating until spring. You know there’s something about getting everything ready for winter that just feels right. But I’d be lying if I took all the credit. My lovely wife has been busy too, stocking the freezer with preserves and homemade meals. It’s like having a little bit of summer set aside for those days when the snow’s deep and the wind’s howling. With those meals ready, she’ll have more time for her painting.

For those that hasn’t met her she’s quite the artist, her paintings have found homes all over the world, bringing a bit of northern charm and warmth to places far beyond our little town. This year, she’s been turning our gift shop into her studio, where she can paint to her heart’s content. You could say it’s her sanctuary, filled with the scent of fresh paint and canvases waiting for her touch. Come spring, we’ll be showing off her work, and I’m sure folks will love seeing what she’s created.

But in saying that, she’s also helped me with the outdoor work, too. Makes everything easier with the two of us working together. We’ve always called that teamwork, and it’s just as true now as it was back in the day. As a matter of fact I have written many a story related to what team work really is.

So, yeah, we’ve kept ourselves busy this fall. And that’s not even touching on what we did through the summer, I guess you could say that our days were full to the brim. But the good part of it all is that now, with winter settling in, we’re ready to sit back a bit, enjoy the warmth of our home and take things as they come. Enjoying one day at a time!

Today, well—with it being so wet and cool outside, I figure I’ll stick to what I’ve been doing these past few days—working here at my computer. I’m in the middle of putting together more videos, sharing stories I’ve written that I think will entertain folks of all ages. That should keep me busy for a while.

With that, I’m off for my breakfast, which this morning will be a bagel with cheese made by my lovely wife, paired with a cup of strong, perked coffee. That should keep me awake until lunchtime—though we’ll see about that!

You all have a great day, and remember to find the little moments that make life good. Stay warm, stay safe, and keep those stories alive. Until next time! GW

Good morning! Out here in the country, true wisdom comes from a bit of curiosity, a touch of wonder, and a few well-earned stories. And on top of that, every sunrise holds a secret, and every breeze whispers, “You’ve found the real way to live.”

Well, it looks as if November has put on its moody coat today. This morning is starting off cloudy, leading into light rain for the afternoon, with temperatures reaching a cozy 46°F (8°C). Tonight, the rain lingers as the temperatures cool down to 42°F (6°C). Might pay to keep a raincoat handy if you’re thinking of heading outdoors.

Highway 522 which is the only road in and out of our area, saw quite a bit of action yesterday, with lots of hunters roaming around. It’s the second and final week of deer hunting season for rifles, though those with bows will still have their turn for a while after. This year, I’ve never seen so many ATVs in the back of pickups and on trailers, which just goes to show, that people are still spending their hard-earned money.

You know, back when I hunted with my old Dad, we relied on nothing more than our two feet to take us where we needed to go. Truth be told, we liked it that way. From the moment we stepped out of the camp in the early morning, not a word was spoken. And if any instructions needed giving, they came in a whisper, or a quick hand signal; we wouldn’t dare risk spooking the deer. But times change, and so do people. They call it progress.

These days, my kind of hunting looks a little different. I’d sooner stay warm at home with my lovely wife, a strong cup of coffee in hand, writing stories for my columns. And—when or if the mood strikes, I’ll wander out to my old woodworking shop, as there’s always something that needs fixing or making. Truth be told, after a long, busy summer, hunting is the furthest thing from my mind. Still, it stirs up some mighty fine memories. Hmm, maybe later today, I’ll dust one off and write about those good old days. Just because I can.

On another note, yesterday I managed to get outside for a bit. I needed to clear some leaves from the fishpond my wife and I built a few months back—figured it’d keep our fish happy. After that, I filled up our bird-feeders, and while I was at it, I took care of our neighbor’s as well. She’s an elderly lady, around 95 years young, living alone. I built a stand for her a while back and set it up outside her window, thinking the birds might offer her a bit of company. Turns out, she’s really enjoying watching them. Seeing that makes a feller feel good—reminds you that even the smallest acts can mean the world to someone.

Years ago, gestures like that were a part of everyday life, or at least they were for my family. Helping one another wasn’t something you thought twice about; it was just what you did. But today, things have changed. Folks are so caught up in making ends meet and chasing time, that reaching out to help someone else has become a rarity. And it’s the older folks who bear the brunt of that shift, often left to navigate life alone. It’s a shame, really, to see how far we’ve drifted from those simple acts of kindness. Makes you wonder if we’ve lost sight of what truly matters.

Today, as for me, I suspect I’ll spend a good part of it here at my computer. There are still a couple of videos waiting to be edited, and I might even write up a story or two. And if time allows, I’ll wander out to my old woodworking shop and say hello to my tools and the shop itself. Now, some might find that strange, talking to material objects, but I’ve learned over the years that treating them material possessions with a touch of respect, as you would a friend, seems to make them work better.

It might sound odd, but if you really think about it, there’s truth there. Everything, whether it’s a chisel or a living, breathing soul, is made of energy. We’re all connected in that way. Just a bit of food for thought this morning—a reminder that maybe there’s more to the world around us than meets the eye.

So with that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife once again has made for me and will then enjoy the day for what it is, not for what I think it should be.

You all have a great day and remember, life’s true joy is found in the simple moments and the little acts of care. Take time to appreciate what’s around you and make today count. GW

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