Good Morning! You know, at my age, I’ve learned one thing, and that is that most of life’s problems solve themselves if you give ’em enough time. Or—you forget about them!

Starting things off it’s a bit cloudy here waking up in cottage country, and the weather has cooled down quite a bit, but—not cold enough to get me to lighting my wood furnace. However, we have been turning on our oil furnace for an hour or so in the mornings, as my old bones feel better when warm. For those who don’t quite understand that last bit—being young and all—just give it a few years. You’ll then know exactly what I mean without me needing to explain it.

Highway 522’s gotten busier lately, the reason being all the hunters rolling into our area. It’ll stay like this right up until Christmas. As for me, well, I don’t hunt anymore. Maybe it’s age, or maybe it’s that the cold just bites a little deeper now. Or–perhaps it’s that over the years, I’ve lost my taste for pulling the trigger. The truth is, If I want something, I’d rather pick it up at the store than out in the woods. Funny how time changes a man, things that once brought excitement now seem better left in the past.

On another note, my wife and I took a trip to North Bay yesterday to pick up a few things for Thanksgiving. We did manage to snag a nice Butterball turkey at a decent price at Metro. It sure pays to shop around—Independent was selling them at $2.99 a pound, while Metro had them at $1.99. Quite the difference in price if you ask me!

While we’re on the topic of turkeys, I’ve noticed a lot of folks these days are opting for the pre-stuffed ones. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t, but let’s just say those stuffed birds have a knack for building up things that isn’t all that good. In my mind, it’s always better to stuff it yourself just before popping it into the oven. That way, you can add your own spices, herbs, and as my wife always says—a little love into the mix. My wife swears by it, and I can’t argue, as her stuffing has me going back for seconds… thirds… and let’s be honest, I’ve been known to sneak in a fourth, especially with her homemade gravy drizzled all over it.

Damn, just writing about it made me hungry.

Today, well, I’m not quite sure what I’ll be up to. After a trip to town, it seems I need a little extra time to unwind. Maybe it’s because my wallet feels a tad lighter, as man, things sure cost an arm and a leg these days! Whatever the reason, I’ve realized that I need more time to relax after running around than I used to when I was younger. Not that I’m old, mind you! As I always say, you’re only as old as you feel. Think young, act young, and talk young. At any rate, if all else fails, I’ll just prop my feet up and take a little nap—quality relaxation is the key, after all!

With that, I am off for a bowl of cereal and a hot cross bun that my lovely wife is putting together, and then we will see what the day has in store.

You all have a great day and being so cloudy this morning, remember: “If you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine!” GW

Breakfast This Morning is an Egg On An English Muffin

Simple but very tasty!!

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning! Folks always ask how I’m still going at my age—I tell ’em it’s all about good habits and low expectations.

It’s a nice day here this morning in the north. The sun’s out, doing her thing, and what birds are sticking around for winter are at the feeder, and the fall colours—well, they’re showing off too. Reds, oranges, yellows—the kind of colours that stop you for a minute. The air is a touch cool, but the sun is balancing it out, making you just want to stand there and take it all in. All in all, it’s a pretty nice thing to see and feel first thing in the morning.

Highway 522 these days is slow at times, but as the day progresses, so do the people. I’ve also noticed there are a lot of motorcycles out and about, with riders eager to enjoy the fine weather while it lasts—and I can’t say I blame them. Having ridden motorcycles years ago, I’d describe it as the kind of day when you just want to feel the wind on your face, and see the road stretching out ahead. Kind of miss those days, with my black leather jacket—and my hair slicked back with Vaseline.

On another note, yesterday I worked outside all day, cleaning up my shop and tending to the gardens. It was a good day, in spite of the weather, and I got a lot done. Can’t beat a day living in the country doing the things you enjoy. That’s for sure!

Today, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing. It’s one of those days where I have a lot to do but don’t feel like doing any of it. You know—the kind of day where a to-do list looks more like a wish list? I kind of think that sometimes it’s just better to sit back, sip some coffee, and let the world spin for a while. After all, tomorrow is another day, and those chores will still be waiting for me.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is preparing for me, an egg on an English Muffin covered with some good old aged cheddar cheese. And after that, a cup of hot cocoa on the front porch. Why? “Just because I can!”

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with these few words that my old Dad said to me many times: “Work hard, but always take time to enjoy the view.” GW

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning! You know, the older I get, the more I realize, there’s no point in rushing, as the day’ll move along just fine without me.

It’s a cloudy morning here, and we’re getting some pretty strong gusts of wind off and on, which are knocking down quite a few of our fall leaves. It seems like it happens this way every year. On top of that, we’re in for some rain this morning and throughout the day. But despite all that, we might see a little bit of sunshine later in the day.

Yesterday, I worked the morning away at my computer, but in the afternoon, I managed to get a lot of outdoor work done. There’s still plenty to do, though—the vegetable garden needs tilling, and the grass is growing like crazy. We also have to close up the cottage for the year and winterize it, and I suppose it’s time to start thinking about putting the snow tires on the car. It feels early, but around here, the weather can change pretty fast.

On the bright side, we’ve got our firewood in for winter, and my little woman has been steadily putting away food from the garden. That’ll sure come in handy when the snow’s blowing, and it’ll save us quite a bit of money, too, considering how much groceries cost these days. I swear, every time we leave the store, my wallet’s a lot lighter.

As for today, well, it’s an adventure waiting to unfold. I do have some projects calling my name in the woodworking shop, so I might wander out there after a bit. But first, I’m going to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife is cooking up for me, there is nothing like a little homemade goodness to kick off the day! After that, we’ll just see where the winds of fate take me. Around here, plans can shift faster than a breeze rustling through the leaves! Especially this time of year.

You all have a great day and remember to keep it simple and enjoy life! GW

“A Peek at Our Fall Colors Surrounding Our Property”

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning! You know, at my age, if you wake up achin’, it’s a good sign you’re still alive and kickin’.

Once again, it looks like we’re in for another fine day here in Northern Ontario, Canada. The leaves on the trees are sure putting on a show this year. If there was a contest for the best painter, ‘Aside from my Lovely Wife‘, Mother Nature would take the top spot. Walking around the property, I can’t seem to get enough of her surrounding beauty. The colors, the way the trees sway in the breeze, it’s a reminder of how lucky my wife and I are to live here in the north. Simple as that. Nothing fancy, just pure, natural beauty.

Highway 522 was a bit busier than usual yesterday, with hunters making their way into the area. It’ll stay like that until after Christmas, I figure. Still, it’s nice to see folks out and about, enjoying themselves while this good weather lasts.

Yesterday, my wife and I took some time to sit out on the front deck with a freshly perked cup of coffee. It was real nice, just enjoying the view of our property. After that, I finally got around to cleaning up the woodworking shop, it sure was a mess after all the work I’ve been doing lately. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Where would I be without it? My old Dad always said, “Tools are only as good as the man usin’ them,” and boy, he was right. Nowadays, you’ve got fellas with gadgets so fancy, you’d think they were fixing to build a rocket. But hand them a hammer, and you might want to stand back, or put your hard hat on!

On another note, today I’ve got some more outside work to do. With the weather being so nice, I can’t stand the thought of being cooped up inside. So after my lovely wife makes breakfast for me, I’ll head on outdoors. Hmm, maybe I’ll enjoy a cup of turmeric tea on the front porch first. Good stuff for keeping the inflammation down, which is something a lot of us old timers are all too familiar with these days. ‘It’s pretty hard to beat Mother Nature when it comes to her healing properties.‘

With that, you all have a great day, and I will leave you with this. “Your life and body are like a well-tended garden—take care of it, and you’ll enjoy the harvest for years to come.” GW