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Good morning. You know, over the years I’ve found that even an old notebook has something to say, That is… if you listen close enough. Pages worn thin, ink faded, corners bent, there’s still a voice tucked inside. Sometimes it whispers what you once forgot, sometimes it reminds you of a promise you never kept. And then other times, it just sits quiet, letting you realize that words you wrote can surprise you years later.

Well, looking outside here this morning, we are in the midst of some clouds, but, in saying that, the temperatures are holding steady at a comfortable level.

Today (Thu, 18 Sep):
Mainly cloudy. Fog patches dissipating this morning. Wind becoming north at 20 km/h this afternoon. High of 19°C (66°F). UV index 5, or moderate.

Tonight:
A few clouds. Winds from the north at 20 km/h, becoming light this evening. Low of 3°C (37°F), with a risk of frost.

So with the temperature dropping tonight, I reckon I’ll throw an old tarp over the veggies out in the garden, just to be safe. We’ve still got tomatoes, lettuce, and kale coming along real nicely, and I’d hate to lose them to a bit of frost.

Highway 522 is real quiet traffic-wise these days, with most of our tourists closing up their cottages for the winter. But, that being said, we’ve seen an uptick in motorcyclists out enjoying the nice weather, taking in the sights while they still can. And there sure is a lot to see around here, especially this time of year, with the leaves all starting to show their colours.

On another note, my wife and I took a little trip south for a couple of days to visit a farmer friend of ours. While we were there, we picked up a fifty-pound bag of his Huckleberry Gold potatoes and some squash. These potatoes have a beautiful purple skin and a nice yellowish inside, and they keep well through the winter. There’s nothing quite like fresh, farm-grown potatoes—especially when they’re organic.

He’s been growing potatoes for as long as I can remember. Actually, we used to sell our peaches when we were farming right beside him at the Oshawa Market, many years ago. It was real nice to see him again. After our visit, we slowly made our way home, taking in the sights—it’s kinda nice to see what others are up to. All in all, we had a good time, but I have to tell ya, it sure was nice to arrive back home.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I’m planning to clear out some of the old plants that are pretty well done for the year in our vegetable gardens. After that, I’ll get back to gluing up a new top for my writing desk here. I managed to get all the pieces planed down a few days ago, so they’re ready to be put together. So yeah, that’s what I’ve got planned—along with a bit of front porch sittin’, too, if the weather holds.

So with that, I’m off once again for my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me—some porridge is on the menu this morning. After that, we’ll see what the day has in store, other than what I’ve already planned. You never know what a day will bring.

Until next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

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Good Morning. You know, I often wonder if the meaning of life isn’t hiding in the pauses we skip right past. Those little silences between words, the quiet stretch between chores, the still moment when nothing much seems to be happening. We treat them like dead space, but maybe… that’s where the real weight of living sits. Not in the noise we make, but in the things we don’t notice. Food for thought on this fine Sunday Morning!

It looks like once again we are in for another nice day here in the North. Other than some clouds that might hang on throughout the day.

Highway 522 has slowed down a lot from what it was, and I see a lot of folks putting their boats away for the year. The steady summer traffic has faded, replaced by the quieter routines of autumn. Docks are starting to look emptier, and the cooler air has everyone preparing for the colder months ahead. It’s a clear sign that the season is changing, and the lakes, rivers, and streams are settling in for a long winter’s rest, not to forget the trees, which are starting to show their colors. And I have to say they are sure looking nice.

On another note, yesterday I managed to put the first coat of paint on the old wooden horse I am restoring. My wife will now add her touches, and then it will be ready to set back outside for all to see… and for the kids to sit on when they drop by for a visit. As I mentioned in other posts, I’ll take a picture for you to have a look at when it’s all said and done.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today I am going to be starting another project in my old woodworking shop. I have a desk here in the living room that I use for writing, but it’s not exactly what I like, so I’m planning on adding a new wooden top. When that’s finished, my wife is going to put a sign of sorts on the front of it with a logo that says “One More Story,” which is what I write under, in my newspaper columns, magazines, and a few other places. Kinda fitting, I thought. And again, when it’s all said and done, I’ll take a picture of the desk before and after to show you. Hmm…. maybe I could even make a YouTube video about it, I’ll see how energetic I get. At any rate, I first have to pick out some nice yellow pine from my stash and get it planed down, which I’ll do this morning. Yesterday, I installed some new planer blades, which will make the job a lot easier. So, yeah, that’s what I’m going to be doing today.

So with that, I am off to have the breakfast my lovely wife is making for me, which will be a few homemade pancakes with, of course, a layer of fresh syrup over the top. If I’m lucky, she might even add an egg easy-over on the top, along with some grass-fed bacon. That should hold me for the morning. After that, I’ll enjoy a cup of hot English tea we order from Britain while sitting on our front porch. Pretty nice way to start the day, don’t you think?

Until next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

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Good morning, you know, the older I get the more I’ve noticed that the past doesn’t really stay behind us, it just waits until we’re tired enough to listen. And I been doing a lot of that lately.

Well, looking outside this morning, it really looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day. Once again, the sun is shining, and I have to say, our property is looking especially nice. You know what I love the most? It’s the way the sunlight hits the trees and the shadows stretch across the open areas. There’s just something about that moment that makes me want to pause, sit back, and truly take it all in.

Highway 522 is still quiet these days, as are our stores around town. It really lets you know that the season has changed—which is just fine with my wife and me, as we enjoy the quietness of the country that surrounds us. That said, things will pick up a bit when hunting season arrives, but that’s still a ways off yet. Deer season usually starts around the second week of November. Still, time sure seems to be flying by fast these days.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I managed to get our mowing out of the way for another couple of weeks. I have to say, it really makes the grounds look mighty nice… so nice that some front porch sittin’ will definitely be in order after breakfast. We also had a lot of folks drop by our gift shop yesterday, even though I somehow forgot to put up our open sign. Not sure how I managed that… probably too much on my mind. But in true small-town fashion, people found their way in anyway. Actually we had ourselves a great afternoon, sold a bunch of books, some flutes, some small wooden items we made, and a some of my wife’s paintings.

We also had a lot of our American friends stopped by, which is always a treat. I sure do enjoy hearing what’s happening south of the border. You know over the years, we’ve made some great friends in the good ol’ USA—honest, salt-of-the-earth folks who understand that if your boots are muddy, you probably got something done today. The kind who’ll swap stories about just about anything, share a laugh if you’re still in your overalls at noon, and know that “fresh air” sometimes smells like a little manure.. That’s real country friendship… where nobody cares if you forgot your sign, as long as the coffee’s hot and the stories are good. And I have to tell ya I have plenty of them.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has set in front of me. After that, we’ll both head out to the front porch and then? Well, then I’ll think on what I want to do today. Just because I can. Sometimes, that’s the best plan of all.

Until next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW