Good Morning! “You know, the only thing better than a country morning—is sharing it with folks who know what it’s worth.”
It’s a cool morning here in the north, and along with that we are also having some rain. Taking a look at things, based on my observations and the patterns I’ve noticed from past years, it looks like winter 2024-2025 is shaping up to be particularly challenging. We can expect colder-than-normal temperatures and a lot of snow, especially here in Port Loring and the surrounding areas. It should be noted that this winter won’t be the usual cold; it will be the kind that makes you appreciate every log on the fire, and every extra blanket on the bed.
Take the squirrels, for instance. Over the past week, they’ve been working double-time, gathering nuts and acorns like they’re expecting a long, hard winter. The deer in the area are already sporting their thick winter coats, looking like they’re ready for whatever comes their way. And even some of the birds—have begun their migration south, as if they’ve got an early warning about what’s to come. All these signs point to one thing: we’re in for a real northern winter, the kind that brings plenty of cold and snow. So—even though it’s still a bit early, it’s time to start thinking ahead. Make sure your woodpile is ready, the pantry/freezer is stocked, and—that snow shovel is where you can find it.
Highway 522 has quieted down quite a bit this week, which is typical for this time of year. However, it seems even fewer tourists are passing through compared to previous years. On the bright side, our gift shop has been buzzing with new faces, which has been a pleasant surprise. It’s always nice to see folks appreciating our one-of-a-kind items that we have to offer—even if the highway is a little less travelled these days.
On another note, we had a few things on our list that we were in need of, so we took a trip to North Bay yesterday. The weather was a bit on the warm side, but it turned out to be a great day. While there, we picked up everything we needed, treated ourselves to a delicious pizza and a drink at East Side Mario’s—honestly, I don’t think there’s a better pizza around. After that, we picked up a coffee to go, from a coffee shop in town, and enjoyed it on the drive home, taking our time to enjoy the surrounding scenery. All in all, it was a real nice day.
With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has prepared. After that, it’s time to tackle some painting around the house. I’m hoping to get it all done before the snow flies so we can keep the windows open and let the fresh air in—paint seems to bother me more these days. It’s amazing how the old body changes as the years go by.
You all have a great day, and remember; “Life’s too short to skip the small pleasures, like a quiet morning and a good cup of coffee.”