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Good morning! As my old dad used to say, “George, if you want to be a northerner, you better love the smell of fresh-cut wood and the sound of geese heading north.” Well, we’ve got the fresh-cut wood…though “a year old” might be more accurate…and as for the geese, I haven’t seen any flying north just yet. But I suspect it won’t be long now.

Well, I have to tell you… either my fingers are getting old, my gloves are wearing thin, or it’s just plain cold out there this morning. I’ve been warming up in the house for a while now after splitting some wood for the furnace, and my hands are still feeling it. Makes a feller wonder if winter’s got a little more left in its bag of tricks.

Highway 522 is mostly bare, but there are still a few icy spots and patches of snow here and there. Shouldn’t be too bad for those heading into town for supplies or whatever they might need. As for my wife and me, we’ve got everything we need. In fact, we’ve been working on emptying the freezer, with my wife whipping up different meals so we can refill it this summer with fresh things. Living up here, you’ve got to stay on top of these things.

On another note, I didn’t make it out to the shop yesterday. My wife and I spent most of the morning clearing snow off the decks and out of the driveway. After that, I settled into my old chair at the computer and got to writing. Turned out to be a good day—I managed to finish four stories for my columns. When the words are flowing, I stick with it, because I know from experience that days like that don’t come around all that often.

So, what’s on the agenda today, GW? Well, since I spent most of yesterday inside, I figure it’s about time I tackled the top section of my woodworking shop. I’ve been stashing things up there for over 15 years, and at this point, I have no idea what’s even up there anymore. So, that’s the plan—sorting and straightening things out. Should keep me busy for a couple of days, give or take.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my little woman is whipping up for me. After that, I’ll settle into my old recliner, put my feet up, and enjoy our morning chat over a nice, hot cup of cocoa. As you can see, life up here in the north is pretty rough.

Until Next Time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. – GW