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Good Morning! The snow’s knee-deep, the shovel’s worn thin, and the only thing keeping me going is the thought of spring… whenever it decides to show up.

Yep it’s a cold, snowy morning here in Cottage Country, the kind that bites right through a man’s coat and makes a feller think twice about leaving the warmth of his bed. But stay put? Not a chance. Every morning my feet hit the floor, I figure that’s a victory worth celebrating.

You see, after all these years, my wife and I have come to understand something most folks don’t talk about anymore. Life ain’t about piling up money, worrying about what the neighbors think, or running yourself ragged trying to keep up with everyone else’s expectations. It’s about knowing when to work hard and when to sit back and enjoy what you’ve built.

And that’s exactly what we’re doing now. We’ve earned every bit of what we have—through long days, cold mornings, and years of doing what needed doing. And from here on out, things will get done when we see fit, in our own time, on our own dime. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that life ain’t about rushing—it’s about living.

Highway 522—well, I know it’s out there somewhere, but you wouldn’t think so with all this snow coming down. Usually, it ain’t this bad, but today? Looks more like a forgotten trail than a road. And given the shape it’s in this morning, I’d say it’s a fine excuse to stay put, keep the coffee brewing, and let the rest of the world figure itself out.

If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years is that nature don’t much care about schedules, plans, or what a feller thinks ought to get done. Snow falls when it wants, roads disappear when they feel like it, and the best way to handle it? Accept it, stay warm, and don’t go looking for trouble where it don’t need finding.

You know...living in a small town up here in the north is a lot like an old wood-stove—sometimes it smokes a bit, sometimes it runs hot, but most of the time, it just keeps folks warm and talking. We don’t have the big city rush, and truth be told, if we did, we’d probably just watch it go by from the porch, coffee in hand, and shake our heads.

Yep, small-town living might not be for everyone, but for those of us who’ve been here long enough, it’s home. And besides, where else can you get your morning news, a weather forecast, and a fresh batch of town gossip all in the time it takes to fill up your gas tank?

On another note, yesterday was another full day in the shop, working away on my flutes. Got a lot done, too. So far, I’ve filmed the whole process from start to finish, and once I get around to editing, those videos will make their way onto my YouTube channel. But that’ll be a while yet—still plenty left to do, both on the flutes and the footage.

The thing is, folks don’t always realize that making these flutes takes time—steady hands, sharp tools, and a bit of patience. But what takes just as long, if not longer, is editing the videos so folks can actually see how it’s all done without having to sit through hours of me shaping, sanding, and scratching my head. It’s a job in itself, and like any good project, it’ll get done when it gets done.

So with that bit of info on your minds, I’m off for my breakfast—hot cocoa in hand—and our regular morning chat with my lovely wife. It’s a quiet start to the day, but the best kind, if you ask me. The world may move fast, but for us, we’ve learned to slow down and savor what we’ve got. That’s a gift in itself. Here’s to another day of enjoying the little things and doing it all side by side.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW