A Small Note from the North on April 20/2025

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Good Morning! A slow start in the country still beats a fast pace in the city.

It’s a bit on the cool side this morning here in cottage country, and I have to admit, I’m not entirely thrilled with what I’m seeing outside my window. I won’t say exactly what it is—but let’s just say I’m not putting my snow shovel away anytime soon.

Weather Forecast Port Loring Ontario Canada:

Today – Tuesday, April 15th
Woke up to a cool one, sitting around 37°F (3°C), and it hasn’t warmed up much since. The kind of morning where the coffee needs to be extra strong. Rain’s been falling off and on, but now it’s got that look—y’know, where the flakes start to sneak in like they’re testing the waters. We might see somewhere between half an inch to just over an inch (1 to 3 cm) of the white stuff before day’s end. Winds are starting to pick up too, so keep the wood stove going if you’ve got one. I lit our wood furnace back up this morning. High of 40°F (5°C), low dropping to 25°F (-4°C) tonight.

Tomorrow – Wednesday, April 16th
Might be waking up to a dusting—just enough to make you second-guess putting those boots away. But the skies should clear up some, maybe even a peek of sunshine if we’re lucky. Still on the chilly side though, with a high around 42°F (5°C) and dropping to 22°F (-5°C) once the sun tucks in for the night.

Highway 522 is still pretty quiet these days, which isn’t all that surprising—and it’s carrying a bit of a wet shine to it this morning. So far, the snow isn’t sticking, but that could change as the day rolls on. Let’s hope it doesn’t. I think we’ve all had just about enough of Old Man Winter for one year.

On a different note, I spent the better part of yesterday right here at my desk, working away on the ol’ keyboard. Got five stories written, which made for a mighty fine writing day. The words just poured out, smooth and steady—like sap running on a warm spring morning. I sure love when that happens. I like to get ahead while the weather’s still dreary, ’cause once it warms up, I’d rather be out soaking up the sunshine than cooped up inside staring at a screen.

So, what am I up to today?

Well, seeing as the weather isn’t exactly inviting, I figure I’ll spend a bit more time writing up some stories. I’ve got to send in my weekly pieces to the folks I write for, which I’ll get to here in a minute. After that, I’ll sit down and enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. Then… well, I think a hot cup of cocoa is in order, followed by a nice chat with her.

She’s been busy as all get out for these past few months, sorting through household items for the big sale we’ve got coming up in a few weeks. That woman of mine never slows down, lucky to have her.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Today in Cottage Country: April 14, 2025, Through My Eyes

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Good Morning! When the wood stove is burning nicely and the coffee’s strong, even Mondays feel like old friends.

Weather Outlook for Port Loring, Ontario

Monday, April 14
A grey and damp day ahead. Light rain through the morning will carry on in patches through the afternoon, with the odd break here and there. Temperatures will rise to a high of 54°F (12°C) and settle down tonight to about 35°F (1°C). A good day to stay close to the fire, maybe catch up on a bit of work in the shop or house.

Tuesday, April 15
Tuesday brings some cooler weather with it, and a mix of rain and snow showers moving through. We could see snow amounts anywhere from 0.4 to 1.2 inches (1–3 cm), especially by late morning into the afternoon. Winds will pick up a bit, making it feel colder than the thermometer says. Daytime highs will hover near 40°F (4°C) and drop to 25°F (-4°C) by the time night rolls in. Might be another good day to keep the kettle warm and the wool socks close.

Highway 522 is wet this morning and pretty quiet, with hardly a car in sight. But then again, it is still early. Yesterday was a different story, with plenty of folks out and about. In any case, it is what it is—and best to enjoy the peace while it lasts. It won’t be long before folks start rolling in to open up their cottages, along with day-trippers wandering through, looking for things to see and do.

On another note, my wife and I spent most of the yesterday working outside. We got a lot done, though there’s still plenty left to tackle. But with the rain today, it looks like outdoor chores will be taking a back seat for now.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, like I mentioned earlier, there’s not much I can do outside with the rain coming down. But we’ve still got plenty to keep us busy indoors—mostly sorting through more things we’re planning to put out for sale next month. It’s shaping up to be one heck of a sale, let me tell ya—something for everyone, no matter the age or whether you’re a man or a woman.

And along with that on our list of things to get done, I just might sit myself down and write up another story or two. We’ll see how the day unfolds. Truth be told, my wife and I have a habit of starting out doing one thing and somehow ending up doing something completely different. No rhyme or reason around this house, that’s for sure.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has prepared, and then I’ll let the day unfold as it will. It might not be the finest day weather-wise, but every new day holds possibilities—it all depends on what you make of it.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Coffee, Country, and Common Sense on April 13/2025

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Good Morning! If your porch chair’s got more stories than the news, you’re sittin’ in the right spot.

Port Loring, Ontario Weather Forecast
Sunday, April 13 – Monday, April 14, 2025

Today – Sunday, April 13
It’s a sunny start to the day here in Port Loring. Expect a high around 60°F (16°C) this afternoon. Winds will be light from the southwest, around 10 km/h. It’s a good day to get outside, maybe clean up the yard or go for a walk.

Tonight
Clear skies will stick around, with the temperature dropping to about 41°F (5°C) overnight. A cool but calm night.

Tomorrow – Monday, April 14
Monday will be much the same. A mix of sun and a few clouds, with a high near 63°F (17°C). Winds will be a bit stronger from the west at about 15 km/h. No rain expected, so it should be another decent day to be out and about.


Highway 522 is bare and dry this Sunday morning, making for good traveling for those heading to the larger towns for supplies.

On another note, yesterday, my wife and I spent the morning outside cleaning out one of our side buildings. After lunch, I made a run to the dump, then settled in to watch the Masters Golf Tournament.

It was a great day of golf. Rory McIlroy lit up the course with a historic start—six straight holes of three or better, including two eagles and three birdies. He finished the third round with a 6-under 66, putting him at 12-under for the tournament and giving him a two-shot lead heading into today’s final round.

Right behind him is Bryson DeChambeau at 10-under, and not far off is our own Canadian, Corey Conner’s, sitting in third at 8-under. He’s been steady all week, and it sure would be something to see him make a strong run today. Ludvig Åberg and Patrick Reed are tied at 6-under going into the final round.

The final round of the Masters gets underway today around 9:40 a.m. Eastern, with the leaders teeing off a little later in the morning. You can catch the live coverage on CBS from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and it’s also available for streaming if you’ve got access to that.

As for the weather down in Augusta, Georgia, it’s looking just about perfect—sunny skies, a high around 68°F (20°C), light winds, and no rain in sight. Should make for a great day of golf.

I’m really looking forward to watching how it all plays out. Here’s hoping Conner’s keeps the Canadian flag flying high!

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, this morning I’m planning to fix up one wall on one of our outbuildings—it’s seen better days. Once that’s done, I’ll start getting the inside organized so we can figure out where to place all the shop items we’re planning to sell or get rid of next month. That’ll likely keep me busy for most of the morning. After that, I’ll be settling in to watch the final round of the Masters—wouldn’t want to miss that.

So with that, I’m off once again to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I’ll see what the day has in store—besides what I’ve already planned. A new day means a new start, and after that… who really knows?

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Why Pork Deserves a Second Look: By GW

Only On The Walters Post!

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

There’s a lot of noise these days about what we should and shouldn’t eat. Every week, it seems there’s a new study telling us to ditch this meat or that one. For a while, pork got thrown under the bus, and I think unfairly so.

Growing up, pork was a staple. Not just bacon and sausages, but pork chops, roasts, and hams—real meals that filled the belly and gave you energy to get back out in the field. And it tasted like something.

Nowadays, folks seem to think pork is either too fatty or too risky. But the truth is, it’s leaner than it used to be, and safer too. Cuts like pork loin, tenderloin, or even a well-trimmed shoulder roast are right up there with chicken when it comes to fat content—sometimes even better.

And here’s something most people don’t know: pork is packed with B vitamins, especially B1, which is hard to come by in other meats. It’s got iron and zinc too, and that matters for people our age who still want to keep the old engine running smooth.

Now, I’m not talking about cheap, processed stuff loaded with salt and mystery bits. I’m talking about real pork. The kind you raise yourself or buy from a farmer who treats his animals right and doesn’t pump them full of antibiotics. I’ve eaten that kind of pork most of my life, and I’ve never had a doctor tell me it was the problem.

Another plus? In Canada, they don’t allow hormones in pork. That’s more than I can say for some beef you’ll find in the cooler.

If you’re still worried about safety, just cook it properly. The old days of frying pork into shoe leather are gone. A nice roast brought to temperature and left to rest is moist, tender, and makes for good leftovers too. Add some garden carrots, a bit of onion, and maybe a side of potatoes—now that’s a meal.

Now I still like a good steak occasionally, and chicken has its place, sure. But don’t let the health fads fool you—pork, done right, is still one of the best meats you can eat. Affordable, flavorful, and full of the kind of nutrients that fuel real work. It’s the kind of meat that’s fed generations, and I say it still deserves a place at the table.


Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]