Good Morning: Where each sunrise is a reminder that yesterday’s troubles are but stepping stones to today’s triumphs. Or in other words, without yesterday, the future would hold no interest.

It’s a beautiful morning here in Cottage country. The sun is shinning, bringing happiness into one’s mind. It seems I always feel better inside when I start the day with sunshine. Maybe it’s the farmer in me, as many a morning while heading back to the orchards years ago, I would have to set down and look up at the sun and take in what she had to offer. I miss my farming days, but I don’t miss the politics that started to surround it. As it is today. These fellows sit in their fancy offices and truth told, most doesn’t know one end of a pitchfork from the other.

So yesterday I did manage to head on out to my woodworking shop and worked away on a new axe handle for an axe I found awhile back, while transplanting some raspberry plants out behind our house. I call them hidden treasures, and I suspect there are millions of items hidden below the earth, waiting for someone to come along and bring them back to their natural glory. You know, I sorta feel bad for ’em. But hey, I’ve always been like that, I treat my tools and stuff like they’re alive. Truth is, they kinda are, in a way. Just like us, as they’re made up of all those tiny molecules and stuff. We’re not so different from them when you think about it.

Today I will carry on as I have a good portion of it finished, but first we are going to have to clean our driveway and our decks of snow, as we did have around 4 inches or so of new stuff, which started around supper time last night for an hour or so. Doesn’t take long to build up where we live here in the north. At any rate, we will be getting some exercise, that’s for certain.

Politician Humor: Politicians are like the weather here in Cottage Country – if you don’t like it, just wait five minutes, and it’ll change! The trouble is, it ain’t always for the better.

With that, I am off for a bit of nourishment that my lovely wife is making for me, and will then mossy on outside and wake up our shovels and snow blower.

Have a great day and remember: Here in the north, we measure distance not by miles, but by the stories shared along the way. Or at least I do. GW

Good Morning! “Another day dawns, another chance to see the world with eyes weathered by time and warmed by memories.” Speaking for myself, of course.

Walking to the woodworking shop this morning, I found the air isn’t as cold as it has been for the past two days. Which means spring is in the air, but in saying that we can still see some not so good weather living where we do.

Highway 522 is quiet this morning, which is to be expected, especially this time of year.

Remember When: Years ago, I remember when a handshake was as good as gold and a man’s word was his bond. Nowadays, you need a lawyer just to say hello.

On another note, yesterday I worked away here at my computer along with feeding my shop stove and our furnace here in the house. My wife she kept busy as usual with her housework, which is never ending, along with looking after me, and trying to keep up with her orders for our gift shop. Busy lady for sure.

Today I am thinking of doing some work in my shop, but we will have to see how that works out, my old body hasn’t been up to par for the past couple days.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is preparing for me, and will then see what takes place. One day at a time, sometimes … one hour at a time.

You all have a great day and remember: “Life in the north is like maple syrup – slow to boil, but oh-so-sweet in the end.” GW

Good Morning! They say laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. Well … let’s hope we have plenty of sunshine today.

On February twenty-four, my wife and I have always set down with the books, to see where we’re at financially … and what adjustments we might need to make it through another year. It’s important to glance ahead and consider what the future holds. As just as seeds today promise crops tomorrow, without tomorrow’s planning, there’s no harvest ahead. Taken from a farmer’s perspective.

Highway 522 is slow this morning, but the good news is, it’s clear of snow and ice, which will make traveling good for those that are in need of some supplies, that can’t be had here in town.

I have always said that you know you’re in a small town when the biggest news of the day is who found a four-leaf clover in their backyard, or who’s growin’ the tallest sunflower. Rivetin’ stuff, I tell ya.

On another note, yesterday I got busy in my woodworking shop getting ready for another project, and with that and getting it warmed up a bit, I plumb forgot about doing my blog. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Politician Humor: How does a politician resemble a snowdrift?
They both promise a lot and seem big at first, but when the sun shines like today, they disappear! It seems it’s been like that all my life, and I have been around for a while.

With that I am off for a bowl of porridge and another grapefruit that my lovely wife has put together for me, and will then see what the day has in store. I am thinking I am going to make an axe handle today for an old Walters Axe I found here on our property a year or so ago. Which should be an interesting project! I will also see about setting up my cameras, and make a video of how I go about it. It will be interesting to see how things unfold, like the story revealing itself … one grain at a time.

You all have a great day and remember: “In a small country town, you’re never lost – just temporarily misplaced, waiting for someone to give you directions, and … maybe a slice of pie.” GW

Good morning, where the stillness of the morning air reminds us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the quiet moments that make country living so special.

It’s a foggy morning here in cottage country, caused by the temperature being a touch warm meeting the cold snow. However, the sky should clear as the morning progresses, with the sun breaking through, giving us some Vitamin D3, which is what we all need to stay healthy. If more folks were taking it as a daily supplement throughout the winter months, and getting outside into the sunshine in the summer months, there would be a lot less trips needed to the doctor’s office. Another thing about vitamin D3 is that these so-called specialists in my mind should be making it part of your check-up, that is for those that gets a check-up. Others like myself, we pretty well know what is wrong with us, and lean towards fixing things on our own. But that is the way things were back in my day, and I never really changed. My old doctor retired now told me George no one knows your body better than you, all you need me for is to chat too about the things you can do yourself. Nice man for sure. It’s hard to find a doctor these days that will take the time to sit and talk to you about things. Another doctor I had many years ago owned a farm like we did and when I went to chat to him most of our chat was about what kind of fertilizer we were going to be putting down on our grapes. Had some great talks too.

Highway 522 is bare this morning, which will make traveling good for those heading on into the larger towns or cities.

On another note, that is exactly what my lovely wife and I did yesterday as we decided being a nice warm day to go into North Bay and pick up a few things that we were in need of. Had a good trip there and back, had lunch at a restaurant there in town, picked up a decaf coffee and headed on home while chatting away to each other, which by the way we are good at. As we have been at it for a good number of years. As a matter of fact, my wife and I are going to celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary next month. Hard to believe as it seems like just yesterday when we got together. Hard to find folks that stay married that long anymore, but there are a few of us old timers still kickin’.

Politician Humor: Years ago, a feller asked me, “George, how does a politician resemble a leaky roof?” “Beats me,” I replied.
“Well, I’ll tell ya. They promise to fix it, but you end up with a bigger mess when they’re done!” I believe that to be true. More so these days.

With that I am off for a bowl of oatmeal and a grapefruit from Florida this morning which will give us some added Vitamin C.

You have a great day and remember, “Troublemakers are like weeds; they’ll pop up wherever there’s fertile ground, but a good gardener/farmer knows how to pull them out.” But hey, I’ve decided to see the bright side – they may be a nuisance, but they sure do contribute to the circle of life! Trouble today, fertilizer tomorrow. GW