Gardening

Bumble Bees & Their Importance

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Here is a picture of a bumblebee busy at work on one of our Sedum plants. Click on image to enlarge!

There is one bee around hour home that we have a lot of, and my lovely wife and I sure do enjoy watching them working away in our gardens. What would it be?

I’m talkin’ ’bout them bumblebees. You might have seen ’em buzzin’ around your garden or takin’ a sip from some flowers. Bumblebees are them big, fuzzy bees that look like they can barely fly, but they sure can! They got a real important job to do, pollinatin’ our crops and makin’ sure we can have fresh veggies on our plates.

Now, these bumblebees ain’t picky about where they live, you might find them nestin’ in a hole in the ground, or maybe in an old mouse nest. They like to be in a quiet spot, away from all the noise us humans make. They also got a real sweet tooth for flowers, especially the Sedum plant, which we have lots of on our property. That plant’s got tiny little flowers all bunched up, and bumblebees just love to get in there and sip on the nectar.

If you want to help these little critters out, you can make ’em a home! All you need is a wooden box or an old birdhouse, and fill it with some soft materials like moss or dry grass. Make sure there’s a small hole for them to get in and out of, and put it in a quiet spot in your yard. They will thank ya for it by pollinatin’ your garden even more.

And don’t worry ’bout botherin’ these little guys. They ain’t going to sting ya, unless they feel threatened, and they usually keep to themselves. Just give ’em their space, and they’ll go on doin’ their important work, pollinatin’ our crops. So next time ya see a bumblebee buzzin’ ’round, give ’em a little wave and thank ’em for all they do for us!

Gardening

Crows

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Over the years, living where we do, my lovely wife and I have had a pair of crows that comes back every spring, and stays with us all summer long. They also raise their family, which is two, but occasionally they have three. We enjoy watching them. We also feed them any scraps we have and there isn’t a morning that goes by that they aren’t waiting for us waiting for their morning treat.

It should also be noted that Crows are some of the smartest birds out there, and they have some pretty impressive memory skills. They not only remember where they stash their food, but they can also tell which food is the freshest. Let me break it down for you.

Foremost, crows have incredible memories. They can remember individual human faces, and they can remember the locations of hundreds of food caches. They use landmarks to help them remember where they’ve stashed their food, and they can even remember the time of year when they buried it. That’s pretty impressive for a bird, ain’t it?

Now, when it comes to figuring out which food is the freshest, crows use their sense of smell. They can detect the odors of different foods and tell which ones are more pungent, indicating that they’re fresher. Crows also have a hierarchy of food preferences, so they’ll prioritize the freshest and tastiest food when deciding which cache to raid.

Now, you might be wondering, “How does this help us humans?” Well, crows are actually pretty helpful little critters. They’re known for eating insects and rodents that can damage crops, so they can help farmers protect their crops from pests. And, believe it or not, some people even use crows to help them hunt! They’ll follow crows to see where they’re caching their food, and then they’ll set up a trap in that area to catch other animals that might be attracted to the food.

So there you have it. Crows are some pretty smart birds, and they can remember where they stash their food and tell which food is the freshest. They also help us humans by eating pests and even assisting in hunting. Who knew these little black birds could be so darn helpful?

Weather, What's Happening

What’s Happening On May 3/2023

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Good Morning!

It’s another cloudy morning here, waking up. We did have a lot of rain through the night, and we could see a wee bit more throughout the day. But after today things should start to clear up with some sunshine entering into the picture; along with some warmer weather moving into our area. Which will be nice. Highway 522 was busy yesterday, with more campers moving into our area every day. It is still pretty cool for camping I would think, but then again some of these new campers are almost as nice as a home, and they have all the conveniences. Pretty amazing how far we have come over the years. I can’ remember when there were no televisions.

On another note, yesterday I worked most of the day helping my lovely wife getting our gift shop ready for our opening in June. Today I will work away here on my computer for a bit and then see what else I can do later on.

With that, I am off for a bowl of cereal. Have a great day. No Black Flies yet. GW

Gardening, Other Things

Living On a Shoestring

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Living on a shoestring is all about making every penny count. It can be tough, but with some good old-fashioned skimping you can make it work. As a country boy, I know a thing or two about living simply, and I’m happy to share some tips on how my lovely wife and I got by when times were tough.

  1. Cook from scratch

Eating out can be expensive, and buying pre-packaged meals can add up quickly. Instead, learn to cook from scratch. Buy basic ingredients like rice, beans, and pasta, and learn to make meals from them Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also healthier and often tastes better than pre-packaged food.

  1. Shop at thrift stores

Buying brand-new clothes can be expensive, but shopping at thrift stores can save you a bundle. You can find gently used clothes for a fraction of the cost of new ones. Plus, you might even stumble upon some hidden gems.

  1. Learn to mend and repair

Instead of throwing away clothes or household items that are broken, learn to mend and repair them. Sewing on a button or patching a hole can save you from having to buy new items. It’s also a useful skill to have for the future.

  1. Use coupons and discounts

Don’t be too proud to use coupons and discounts. They can save you a lot of money, especially on groceries and household items. Keep an eye out for deals and sales, and always compare prices before making a purchase.

  1. Cut back on unnecessary expenses

Take a look at your monthly expenses and see where you can cut back. Cancel subscriptions that you don’t use, switch to a cheaper phone plan, and reduce your energy usage. Small changes can add up to big savings over time.

  1. Grow your own food

If you have the space, consider growing your own fruits and vegetables. You don’t need a big garden to get started – even a few potted plants can provide you with fresh produce. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also a fun and rewarding hobby.

  1. Make your own cleaning products

Instead of buying expensive cleaning products, make your own using simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also more environmentally friendly.

  1. Learn to enjoy simple pleasures

Living on a shoestring doesn’t mean you have to give up on fun and enjoyment. Learn to appreciate simple pleasures like reading a book, taking a walk in nature, or having a picnic. These activities are often free or low-cost, but can provide just as much joy as more expensive pursuits.

In conclusion, living on a shoestring is all about being resourceful, frugal, and creative. It can be tough, but with some effort and scrimping, and determination, you can make it work. By cooking from scratch, shopping at thrift stores, learning to mend and repair, fixing your own equipment, using coupons and discounts, cutting back on unnecessary expenses, growing your own food, making your own cleaning products, and learning to enjoy simple pleasures, you can stretch your dollars further and make the most of what you have.

Have a great day. GW

Gardening, Health

Why We Should Return to Doing up Preserves

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Here are just a few of what my wife does up every summer.

Click on image to enlarge!

I had an email the other day asking me if I had any way of easing the grocery bill a bit. Well, here is what I came up with.

Back in the day, folks like my lovely wife and I relied on preserving our own food to get through the long winter months. My wife would pickle, can, and ferment fruits and vegetables, so we could enjoy them all year round. And let me tell you, it saved us a lot of money. But not only is preserving your own food a great way to save money, it’s also good for your health.

Because when you make your own preserves, you’re in control of what goes into them. That means you can avoid all the extra salt, sugar, and preservatives that are often found in store-bought canned goods. Plus, you can make sure you’re using high-quality ingredients, like fresh, organic produce that is grown right here in Canada. This can help you maintain a healthy diet and reduce your risk of health problems down the road.

Preserving your own food can also help you reduce food waste, the reason being that when you have an abundance of fruits and veggies, it can be tough to use them all up before they go bad. But by canning or pickling them, you can extend their shelf life by months, or even years. This means you can enjoy your favorite foods all year round without having to worry about them spoiling.

And let’s not forget about the satisfaction that comes with making your own preserves. There’s something special about filling up jars with your own homemade jams or pickles. It’s a great way to connect with your food and appreciate the effort that goes into growing and preparing it.

So if you’re looking for a way to save money on food and eat healthier, why not consider making your own preserves. Not only will you be getting back to your roots and embracing a bit of country living, but you’ll also be doing your body and your wallet a favor. So go ahead and give it a try – you might just be surprised at how easy and fun it is! GW

Gardening, Health

Eating Meat

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Some have asked George, what do you think about eating the meat that is out there today? Well, it’s my opinion that it’s important to eat both meat and veggies, especially the fresh organic things that are grown right here in Canada by our hardworking farmers.

First off, meat is a mighty fine source of protein and other important nutrients like iron and vitamin B12. It can help build and repair muscles, keep your immune system strong, and give you plenty of energy to work hard and play harder. But just like with anything, too much of a good thing ain’t always good. Eating too much meat can lead to health problems like heart disease and high cholesterol.

That’s where fresh veggies and fruits come in. They’re packed with all kinds of good stuff, like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Eating plenty of veggies and fruits can help you feel full, give you energy, and keep your body healthy and strong. Plus, they taste darn good, especially when they’re grown right here in Canada by our local farmers.

When you eat veggies and fruits that are in season and grown close to home, you’re supporting your local community and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. That’s because food that’s grown locally doesn’t have to travel as far to get to your plate, which means less fuel is needed to transport it.

Plus, when you buy from Canadian farmers, you know you’re getting food that’s been grown with care and attention to quality. Our farmers work hard to produce the best crops possible, using sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices that protect the land for future generations.

So, for what it’s worth, I feel it’s important to eat meat occasionally to get the protein and nutrients your body needs, but it’s also crucial to eat plenty of fresh veggies and fruits, especially the ones grown right here in Canada. Not only will you be supporting your local community, but you’ll also be doing your part to take care of your health and the environment.

That’s all I have on the subject. GW

News, Information & Events

Our Gift Shop

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I’m happy to inform you that my lovely wife and I will be reopening our small gift shop on June 1! It’s been a long winter, and we are excited to welcome back all the fine folks who came before and … to make some new friends too!

I can’t wait to see you again and catch up on everything that’s been going on. We’ve got some mighty fine new items in stock that I think you all are gonna love; and we’ll be sure to have some of your old favorites too.

So if you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to stop in and say hello! We’ll be happy to see you. Thanks for your support, and we’ll see you real soon! GW

Gardening

Putting up Birdhouses

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Here’s a blog post on why I think putting up bird houses is a good idea these days.

Nowadays, there’s a lot of talk about how we need to take care of the planet. And one way we can do that is by puttin’ up bird houses. You might be wonderin’, “Why in tarnation should I put up a bird house? Ain’t birds supposed to just find their own homes?” Well, let me tell you, there are a few good reasons why you should consider puttin’ up a bird house or two.

  1. Helpin’ Out the Feathered Friends

First and foremost, bird houses give our feathered friends a safe and cozy place to call home. With so much development happenin’ these days, there ain’t as many natural spaces for birds to nest in. By puttin’ up a bird house, you’re givin’ them a place to raise their young ‘uns without worryin’ about predators or other dangers.

  1. Keepin’ the Critters in Check

Believe it or not, birds are nature’s pest control. They eat bugs, insects, and other critters that might damage your garden or crops. By attractin’ birds to your yard with a bird house, you’re helpin’ to keep those pests in check without the need for harmful chemicals or other measures.

  1. Connectin’ with Nature

There’s somethin’ mighty special about watchin’ birds go about their daily business. They’re colorful, graceful, and just plain fascinatin’ to watch. By puttin’ up a bird house, you’re givin’ yourself a chance to connect with nature in a whole new way.

  1. Decoratin’ Your Yard

Let’s be honest, bird houses can also add a touch of rustic charm to your yard. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your style. Plus, they make for a fun DIY project if you’re handy with tools and materials.

So there you have it, folks. Four good reasons why puttin’ up a bird house is a mighty fine idea. Whether you’re lookin’ to help out your feathered friends, keep pests in check, connect with nature, or just add a bit of country charm to your yard, a bird house can do the trick. So get out there, grab yourself a bird house, and start attractin’ some feathered friends to your neck of the woods! GW

Health, My Opinion Only

A Bit On How I Feel Life Should Be

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Here’s a blog post just for you on how to live life to the fullest without worrying about the pressures of daily living, with a bit of humor and some good ol’ country boy wisdom thrown in for good measure.

Life can be tough, can’t it? There’s always something to worry about, whether it’s paying bills, getting ahead at work, or dealing with all the little stresses that come with living in the modern world. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to let all that stuff get you down. You can live life to the fullest, without worrying about all the pressures of daily living. Here’s how:

  1. Stop worrying so dang much

First things first: you gotta stop worrying so much. I know, I know – easier said than done, right? But hear me out. Most of the stuff you worry about never even happens. And even if it does, worrying about it ain’t gonna change nothin’. So take a deep breath, relax, and focus on what’s in front of you right now.

  1. Do what you love

Life’s too dang short to spend it doing stuff you don’t like. So figure out what makes you happy, and do more of that. Whether it’s playing music, hiking in the woods, or just spendin’ time with your friends and family, make time for the things that bring you joy.

  1. Don’t compare yourself to others

It’s easy to get caught up in the comparison game. You see someone on social media with a fancy car or a big house, and suddenly you feel like you ain’t good enough. But here’s the thing: you are good enough, just the way you are. So stop comparing yourself to others and focus on being the best dang version of yourself you can be.

  1. Take care of yourself

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important: take care of yourself. That means eating right, gettin’ enough rest, and exercisin’ regularly. When you feel good physically, it’s easier to feel good mentally and emotionally, too.

  1. Embrace the simple things in life

Sometimes, it’s the little things in life that bring the most joy. Like watchin’ a beautiful sunset, or sittin’ on the porch with a cold beer and good company. So don’t overlook the simple things in life. They might just be the most important dang things of all.

So there you have it. Five simple ways to live life to the fullest without worryin’ about all the pressures of daily living.

Now go out there and make the most of every dang day!

Weather, What's Happening

What’s Happening On May 2/2023

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Good Morning!

It’s another cloudy morning here waking up, and we are still in the midst of some rain, Three more days of not so good weather folks, and then we are into some summer like weather. Now in saying that once it warms up, we have to deal with them pesky Black Flies, and once they have had their meal of the year another blood sucking parasite enters into the picture. Which are called the mosquitoes. They remain with us for most of the summer. Some years they are not so bad, but other years, well let’s just say some of us humans are a bit thinner, caused by blood loss that these pesky things have removed from us. Ha ha.

But hey, other than that, it is a great part of the world to live in.

Highway 522 has started to become busy these past few days, and I have noticed some more campers edging their way into our area. And they will steadily increase as the days warm up. It is nice, to see folks out and about.

With that, I am off for a bite to eat, maybe a piece of toast with some homemade jam, I am not all that hungry this morning; and after that we will see what the day has in store.

Have a great day, better days aren’t that far off, weather wise.

Weather, What's Happening

What’s Happening On May 1/2023

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Front Porch, sitting on our small cottage deck, watching the world go by. Not today however with all the rain.

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning.

Not too much happening in and around our small town these days, other than we have had a lot of cool, rainy weather. My vegetable garden looks more like a swimming pool rather than a garden. I guess I will make a few trenches this morning, so the water can drain away. Highway 522 was quiet, but it will pick up now being Monday, and it will get even busier; now that the warmer weather is heading our way, which should arrive near the end of the week.

On another note, I worked steadily in my woodworking shop yesterday, cleaning, putting things back in their place and moving things around. Looks pretty nice out there now, and the best part is I know where everything is. It sure is amazing how one old feller can make such a mess.

Today I will see, I am not sure what I will be doing. It is still raining hard out there this morning. My lovely wife has been busy painting up new things for our store. We will have a great selection this year for folks to see,

With that, I am off for a bowl of cereal and will go from there.

Have a great day and stay safe, there is still a lot of people sick these days with colds, flu’s and other things. Kind of amazing, really, if you think about it. When everyone was wearing a mask, there was hardly any sickness to be found anywhere. No flu shots or cold medicines needed, everyone was pretty healthy. Kind of makes you think … doesn’t it? GW

News, Information & Events

Computers With Tiny Replicas of Human Brains

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Are you ready for a mind-boggling idea? Scientists are working on creating mini-brains that can power our computers. Yes, you heard that right! These mini-brains, called organoids, could revolutionize the field of computing as we know it.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Wait, we’re going to put tiny brains in our computers?
But don’t worry, these organoids aren’t sentient beings (at least, not yet). They’re created in a lab using stem cells, and they’re essentially tiny replicas of human brains.

So why are we so excited about these little blobs of brain matter? Well, for one thing, they could help us create more efficient and powerful computers. Organoids are incredibly complex structures that can mimic some of the functions of a real brain, such as processing information and recognizing patterns. By using organoids to power our computers, we could potentially create machines that are better at tasks like image recognition, natural language processing, and even decision-making.

But that’s not all – organoid intelligence could also help us understand more about the human brain and how it works. By studying these miniature brains, scientists could gain insights into conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and schizophrenia. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll be able to use organoids to grow replacement brain tissue for people with brain injuries or diseases.

Of course, there are still some ethical concerns to consider when it comes to organoid intelligence. We need to be careful not to create anything that could be considered conscious or sentient, and we also need to make sure that we’re not exploiting these tiny brains for our own gain. But overall, the potential benefits of this technology are pretty exciting.

So the next time you hear someone talking about putting mini-brains in our computers, don’t be alarmed. It might sound like science fiction, but it could be the key to unlocking a whole new world of computing. And who knows, maybe one day our computers will be smart enough to tell us their own jokes – although I’m not sure I want to know what kind of sense of humor a mini-brain would have!

News, Information & Events

How Printing Money Effects Canada

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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented economic challenges to Canada, and the government’s response to the crisis has included a significant increase in the amount of money in circulation. However, while printing more money can help stimulate the economy in the short term, there are significant risks associated with this approach, and we need to be aware of the potential consequences.

The fact is that we cannot keep on printing money indefinitely without serious repercussions. Inflation is one of the primary risks associated with an increase in the money supply, and it can quickly erode the value of our currency. As prices rise, the cost of living increases, and Canadians’ purchasing power declines. This can lead to a vicious cycle of wage and price increases that can be challenging to reverse.

Moreover, printing more money can also lead to a rise in interest rates, as lenders demand a higher return to compensate for the increased risk of inflation. This, in turn, can increase the cost of borrowing for businesses and consumers, which can slow down economic growth and reduce investment.

But perhaps the most significant risk associated with printing money is the risk of national bankruptcy. If we continue to increase the money supply without corresponding economic growth, we could end up with a situation where our debts exceed our ability to repay them. This could lead to a severe economic crisis, with high inflation, rising interest rates, and a potential default on our debt obligations.

So what can we do to avoid these risks? One option is to reduce government spending and focus on balancing the budget. This can help prevent the need to print more money to finance deficits, and it can also help restore confidence in our economy among investors and lenders.

Another option is to focus on economic growth and job creation, which can help boost tax revenues and reduce the need for deficit financing. This requires investment in areas like infrastructure, innovation, and education, which can help create new jobs and stimulate economic activity.

In conclusion, while printing more money may seem like a quick fix to our economic challenges, it is not a sustainable solution. We need to be aware of the risks associated with this approach and take steps to address our economic challenges through more responsible and sustainable means. By doing so, we can ensure a stronger, more stable, and prosperous future for all Canadians.

Weather, What's Happening

What’s Happening On April 30/2023

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Our sign out front of our home.

Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning!

So how you all doing on the last day of April? Good I hope. Man, time sure flies by these days. The weather here this morning isn’t all that good, as at the moment we are in the midst of some heavy rain. The rain will continue on for most of the day, ending late tonight. And then things will cool back down for a few days. However, by the end of the week we will start to see temperatures start to climb and things will start to look a lot more like summer. My lovely wife and I are looking forward to it. Along with some front porch sittin’.

Yesterday I kind of took it easy, recouping from the day before. My wife, however, kept busy doing the washing along with watering all her plants. That is a chore in itself, as we have lots of them. She is a worker, that one. I am thinking we will have a plant sale this year, as even our gardens outside are starting to be overgrown. And we have lots of different kinds, all perennials.

Today being a rainy day, I think I will head on out to my woodworking shop and clean it up a bit. Over winter with me not putting things back after using them, well …. let’s just say it is a mess.

With that, I am off for some pancakes this morning and will then see what the day has in store, other than what I have planned.

Have a great day. GW

Weather, What's Happening

What’s Happening On April 29/2023

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Click on image to enlarge!

Good Morning!

It’s a cloudy, rainy day here waking up. The rain will continue all day, and it will get heavier starting tonight and into tomorrow. Before it is finished, we may see between 40 and 70 mm. It may sound like a lot, but if you use the same old scale I do, it only adds up to 1–2 inches. It’s just another technique for turning something into a big deal when it isn’t. In all honesty, I think that’s why the metric system was created. Highway 522 has been quite busy for the past few days. More campers are moving into our area every day. Along with that, a lot of people are starting to put their boats in the water. Some Lakes, like Nipissing though, still have ice covering it. But it won’t last long now with the warm temperatures that are entering into the picture.

On another note, my wife and I worked all day on cleaning and moving things around our property yesterday. At the end, of the day, our bodies were tuckered out. We didn’t know we had so many parts, as they were all aching. After supper, we watched an hour of television and then went to bed. We still are a bit sore this morning. So knowing that and it being a wet day, we are going to stay inside and relax. Well, as much as we can, as today is wash day, which will keep my lovely wife busy.

With that, I am off for a bowl of cereal and will then see what the day has in store.

Have a great day!

Weather, What's Happening

What’s Happening On April 28/2023

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Good Morning!

We did see a wee bit of sunshine waking up, and if we are lucky we could see a wee bit more off and on throughout the day. And it will warm up to what we call summer weather here in the north. However, it will be short-lived with cooler temperatures along with some more rain moving into the area starting tomorrow, which will last for around three days. So the temperatures are looking like a roller-coast, up and down and all over the place for a while yet. Highway 522 has been busy for the past day or so, and I have noticed a few campers moving into our area.

On another note, I worked outside most of the day yesterday, cleaning up my woodworking shop, along with a few other things that needed attention. Today, my wife and are planning on doing some more. We will see how that pans out. We never know what a day might bring, we start off in one direction and end up, doing something totally different from time to time. We also had two Cardinals visit our bird feeder yesterday morning. My wife’s has always said, that if a Cardinal visits your bird feeder, it is someone from heaven. Could be right, no one knows for sure what the hereafter is all about. At any rate, they were nice to see.

With that, I am off for a piece of toast with some homemade jam that my lovely wife is making for me.

In Closing, I Would Like To Wish You Well. GW

Welcome to my little corner of the countryside, where storytelling meets the everyday joys of woodworking, farming, and gardening. I’m GW, a writer and published author with over thirty years of experience.