Good Morning! Ever wonder if we’re chasing time, or if time’s just watching us run?

Weather wise here in Port Loring: It looks like we’ll stay in this pleasant phase for a bit longer. The cooler air will likely start creeping in slowly as the month goes by, but nothing dramatic just yet. It’s towards the end of October that things might get a little more unpredictable, especially if any cold air meets up with whatever is happening over the Atlantic.

For now, though, we’re in the clear. No rush into winter—just a steady ease into the cooler days ahead. Keep enjoying this early autumn while it lasts.

But in saying all that, after today, it looks as if we will be getting some rain for the next few days.

Highway 522 is slow this morning, but that’s no surprise, it being Sunday and all. Most folks around here take the day off, enjoying the break. As for my wife and me, well, every day’s the same. We see each one as carrying its own weight, no more or less than the next. You could say that—life just flows better when you walk to the beat of your own drum.

On another note, yesterday my body decided it needed a rest, so I gave in and took it easy for a change. I spent the day tinkering away here at my computer, putting together a couple of stories for my columns. And you know what? It turned out to be a great day for it. You know, some days, the words just fall into place like they’ve been waiting for you all along. Other days? Well—it’s like they’ve up and vanished, leaving me sitting here, scratching my head and wondering where they’ve run off to.

Today, I’m thinking of doing much the same, but I’ll be putting the writing on the back burner. Instead, I’ll get into editing some YouTube videos I’ve been piecing together throughout the summer. It’s funny how quickly you can lose touch with modern technology; if you don’t stay on top of it, you might forget the ropes entirely. So, I figure it’s best to get to it now and refresh my skills before they slip away. And just a heads-up: be sure to keep an eye on my YouTube channel for some exciting new videos rolling out this winter. You won’t want to miss what’s coming next! Check it out at George Simplicity Wisdom.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me and will then settle into my lazy boy chair with a cup of hot cocoa.

You all have a great day and remember: life is like a country road—sometimes bumpy, but it’s all about enjoying the ride. So buckle up and enjoy the view! GW

Good Morning Folks! Remember, the only bad day is the one you didn’t get up to meet.

Looks like we’re in for another warm, sunny day up here in the north, and the fresh air is just waiting for us to breathe it in. The sun’s climbing a little higher as I write, but it’s sure taking its time—just another sign the days are getting shorter, and winter’s creeping closer. Most of the songbirds have already left for the year, and for weeks now, my wife and I have watched the geese fly south in their perfect V-formations. Well—most of the time, occasionally the ones behind the leader are off course a touch. Kids these days.

You know, living out here in the country, far from the noise and rush of city life, there’s a calm that settles in. No traffic, no crowds—just the sounds of the land and those peaceful moments that come with it. Every day feels like a blessing, breathing in the clean air and looking out at nature that surrounds us is sure something to see. I have found that life moves at its own pace here, and it’s the simple things that make it all worthwhile. Like sitting here in the mornings talking to you.

On another note, I finally got around to putting a coat of wood preservative on the front deck yesterday. It took some effort—getting down on my knees isn’t as easy as it used to be. And no, before you ask, I wasn’t praying! I use a brush to work the preservative into every crack and crevice, which is essential with all the rain and snow we get up here in the north. The only challenge was the sun beating down on me, but that’s actually the best time to do it. The heat dries it up quickly, just how you want it.

Highway 522 is still quiet these days, which is normal for this time of year. It’s just the way I like it—peaceful and calm. Only the locals are out and about, probably fishing or catching up on the latest gossip at the local diner. It’s the kind of quiet where you can just enjoy the calm and the occasional wave from a passerby.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me and after that, I’ll head outside to get the mowers fired up as it’s mowing day. You know—there is always something to keep us busy around the old home!

You all have a great day, and remember: Every sunrise is a new chance to make today better than yesterday. So, take a moment to appreciate the small joys—they add up to a good life. GW

Good Morning! You know, if there is one thing the farm or country’s shown me over the years, is that most problems work themselves out if you just give ‘em enough time.

It’s a bit misty here in cottage country this morning, caused with the cool night air meeting the warmer morning air. The truth of the matter is—nature’s showing us we’re in for a warm week ahead. Perfect weather for a bit of yard work or just relaxing on the porch. Truth told, the porch is looking mighty fine to me. I think I heard it calling for a bit of company?

Highway 522 has certainly quieted down recently, but we had a great day at our gift shop yesterday. A whole busload of folks dropped in, and they were all smiles, admiring my wife’s paintings, my flutes, and my books. They mentioned they were seeking out special, one-of-a-kind places and had heard about us on their travels. We enjoyed a great chat with them, and they picked out some favorites before continuing on their way. It’s sure nice to see so many people valuing homemade, unique items these days.

On another note, yesterday I started cleaning up our vegetable garden for the year, getting it ready for winter. I should be able to finish it up this morning. But I won’t till it up for another few weeks yet, as we still have some lettuce and orange peppers, and we wouldn’t want to bother them. Nothing like fresh salads right from one’s garden come supper time.

With that, I’m off to enjoy some pancakes my lovely wife has made just for me. After that, I’ll head out to our front porch for a hot cup of cocoa before getting into work. It’s sure great to do what you want, when you want, without any interference from the outside world.

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this: Country living might not have all the excitement of the city, but the trade-off is worth it when you’re waking up to a calm morning and the sound of the birds, not the honking of horns. GW

Good Morning! You know, after all these years, I’ve come to know that life’s like a good pair of boots—takes time to break them in, but once they’re right, they’re with you for the long haul.

Well, it’s been a few days since I last checked in here, the reason being that my lovely wife and I took a little trip south of us, just to see what the other half is up to. I have to say, after a few days among the hustle and bustle of city life, we sure were glad to get back to the quiet of the country.

First off, the traffic! You know! I have no idea how people handle it day in and day out. Cars whizzing by in every direction, horns blaring… not exactly what we’re used to, that’s for certain. And those houses? Packed in so tight, you could pass your neighbor a cup of sugar right through the window without leaving your kitchen. I think if I lived there long enough, I’d start missing the privacy of my own porch real quick.

Then there was the whole adventure of finding a place to stay. Now, my wife and I have seen our fair share of motels over the years, and I have to tell you, things haven’t gotten any better. Actually, years ago, things were somewhat better in a lot of ways. One thing is that, today, we’ve learned to ask for a look at the room before handing over any money, but even that doesn’t prepare you for what you find once you’re actually in it. Sometimes, what looks fine at first glance ends up being something else entirely by the time you’ve unpacked your bag. I won’t even mention the shower.

We also figured we’d try a night at the movies. Well, here again we’ve been to plenty of theaters in our day, but this one might take the cake. The place smelled like they hadn’t opened a window since the 70s, and the seats? I’d have been better off sitting on a log. As for the popcorn, let’s just say it had a texture that made me think it might’ve been leftover from the last showing of Gone with the Wind. We didn’t even make it halfway through the bucket before tossing it. And believe me, if you knew my wife’s love for popcorn, you’d understand what a tragedy that was.

Now, I know this might sound like a lot of griping, but that’s not really it as hell, I’m more than willing to pay for things if they’re worth the price— but to me, it just seems these days, you don’t always get what you’re paying for.

But all in all, we did enjoy a few days away, even if it mostly reminded us of how good we’ve got it here. There’s just something about coming home, stepping out onto your own porch, or walking around your property, taking in the stillness that city folks couldn’t even dream of. Hell, I’d bet most of ‘em haven’t heard a cricket chirp in years.

Truth be told, after this trip, I’m more convinced than ever that my wife and I got it pretty good here in the country. At least out here, if something smells funny, it’s usually just our compost pile—not the theater seats, or??

On another note, after we got home, my wife and I tackled the grass yesterday, and I must say, the property is looking mighty fine. I also noticed that traffic around here has eased up quite a bit. I’m guessing it’s a combination of the kids being back in school and the price of things, which we got a firsthand look at during our four-day trip.

Today—well, today I’m thinking of cleaning up our driveway a bit, in other words, making it look a touch nicer. Leave a driveway long enough without tending to it, and eventually, it’ll start to look like a lane-way from years ago, with all the grass and weeds that start to take over. I didn’t mind it years ago though, as it gave the place an authentic look of where one was living.

With that, I am glad to be back home, and now going to have my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me; and then will head outdoors and enjoy the remaining days of summer here in the north. And you know— while the city’s chasing its tail, I think we are pretty darn lucky, to be able to watch the world turn, one slow sunrise at a time. Life is good, my friends, life is good. GW

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Morning, folks! You know, if there’s one thing the country and age has taught me, it’s this; “Slow down, because life will move fast enough without you chasin’ it.”

Starting off the day, we’ve got a rainy morning here in the north. The rain began around 2:00 AM, and it looks like it’ll be with us on and off for most of the day, through the night, and into tomorrow. As I’ve mentioned in earlier forecasts, we’re in for a cool spell over the next few days. But don’t worry, summer hasn’t given up entirely, as we’re still in for a few more sunny days with pleasant temperatures, which suits my wife and me just fine, as we’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer just yet.

In saying all that, tomorrow will give us a glimpse of what’s to come. It’s almost like Mother Nature is giving us a heads-up to get ready. The trouble is, it seems like fewer people are paying attention to her signals these days. And with all the talk of global warming, you’d think folks would be more tuned in. But the truth is, these changes have been happening for thousands of years, and will keep on going, no matter what we do.

Speaking of being prepared, I spent a couple of days bringing in our firewood I think we’ll need for winter. Let me tell you, my old body was certainly feeling it once all was said and done. But, I’m glad to have it done before the damp, rainy weather sets in—which, as you know, can be quite frequent up here in the north. Dry wood is like a wick; when it rains, it soaks up the moisture and takes forever to dry out. Some folks wait until it’s cold outside to get their wood in, but I have found that early September is the sweet spot.

I also keep the dehumidifier running in the basement to help keep the wood nice and dry. Once the air is less humid and the furnace kicks in, I turn it off for the winter. Little things like that can save you a lot of headaches later on. It’s the way I was taught, and it’s served me well for, let’s just say, many years. Now, I’m not saying I’m old, but I do remember when the only thing on TV was snow.

And I can’t forget to mention my lovely wife, who’s been running herself ragged reorganizing the whole house lately—upstairs, downstairs, and every nook in between. She’s also been cleaning up after me, which truth told, is a full-time job by itself. That woman of mine, she’s been by my side for over fifty some years, and I am darn lucky to have her in my life.

Today, with the rain and my body still aching from yesterday’s hard work, I think I will stay inside. I’m learning that as I age, taking it easy and enjoying some downtime is more important than ever.

Highway 522 has quieted down quite a bit lately, with many folks back in their homes in the cities. I actually like it this way; it’s quieter and gives me time to enjoy what’s truly important in life.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast that my little woman has made for me and will then see what the day has in store, other than what I have planned. One never knows.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: Out here, life’s about enjoying the simple things—a contrast to the city’s constant rush. Sometimes, the best things are found in the quiet. GW

Good Morning! You know—after decades of working with seeds and words, I’ve learned that patience is what makes them grow strong.

Well, it’s a cloudy morning here in cottage country on this first day of September. We’re getting a few showers, but the good news is we should see some off-and-on sunshine a bit later. Not that I’m complaining, mind you—it’s that time of year when the seasons are changing, and the weather likes to keep us on our toes.

I’ve got to say, we’ve had a pretty good summer, managing to get a lot done around the property—and even inside the house, for that matter. One thing that surprised me was how well the equipment behaved. They only needed a few minor fixes here and there, which is a small miracle with some being a touch old. At any rate, it’s always nice when things go to plan; as there is nothing worse than starting a project, only to have something break down, and having to spend the rest of the day figuring out how to get it back up and running.

On another note, yesterday I spent the day working away inside our home, applying paint and tackling all those little things that seem to pop up out of nowhere. I thought I’d have it all finished, but—well, you know how that goes. It’s funny how just when you think you’re in the home stretch, the finish line decides to move a few more miles down the road.

Today, I’ll get back to work and see how it turns out. The silver lining is that this year, I’m feeling stronger and healthier than I have in the past two. Let’s hope it stays that way. The truth is, good health is the foundation of everything. Without it, all the projects and plans in the world don’t mean much. So, take care of yourselves, eat right, get some exercise, and just do what’s good—for you.

My wife has also been running on all cylinders—looking after the customers in our gift shop, keeping up with her housework, and following me around cleaning up my messes. Let me tell you, that’s practically a full-time job on its own! I’m sure lucky to have her; as she keeps everything running smoothly and makes each day a lot brighter. We are a team, that’s for sure, as we have worked together now for over fifty some years. Truth is, she knows what needs doing before I even realize it’s a problem!

With that, I’m off for my breakfast, which is my usual morning routine, and then I’ll get to work.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this to ponder on. “Every day is a new page, and it’s up to you to fill it with some great stories.”

Took a picture of a Yellow Rose in our garden yesterday that just opened up. Sure is pretty—and smells down right nice too!

Click on image to enlarge!

Good morning! If there’s one piece of wisdom I’ve picked up over the years, it’s this: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, because most of it is just that—small stuff.”

Looks like we’re in for another fine day up here in the north. The sun’s already peeking through the trees, casting a warm glow on everything it touches. The winds are quiet, coming in from the WNW, barely enough to rustle the leaves. And the temperature? Well, it’s one of those perfect days, when you can’t help but smile just stepping outside. Not a soul could find a reason to grumble about the weather today—it’s one of those rare days, that makes you glad to be alive.

Highway 522 is pretty quiet these days. The reason being is that a lot of folks are sticking close to home, getting things ready for the kids to head back to school next week. And with the price of things climbing, and those big corporations taking more than their share, folks are feeling the squeeze. Not to forget the taxes we have to pay for things these days, as they sure aren’t making it any easier, either. Times are tough, and truth told, people are doing what they can, just to make ends meet.

But in saying all that, living up here in the north is something special. The peace, the quiet, and the natural beauty makes it one of the best places to call home. Every day, you wake up to fresh air and the sounds of nature. It’s a place where you can truly feel at ease, surrounded by the beauty of the land. If you’re looking for a place that feels like home, this is it.

Other than that, my friends, not much else is happening in and around our small little town. It’s one of those quiet mornings where the most exciting thing might just be—a good cup of coffee.

With that, I’m off for my morning breakfast, prepared by my lovely wife. Afterward, I’ll get back to painting the kitchen—I’m slowly but surely making progress. Might even finish it today.

I will leave you with this to ponder on. The old saying goes; “The best way to predict the future is to create it—but don’t forget to take the time to enjoy each moment along the way!”

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well! GW

This should start my day off right.

Click on image to enlarge!

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.”