Tag Archives: DIY Projects

The Future’s Bright, But I Still Prefer an Oil Lantern on January 30/2025

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Good Morning! The snow’s deep, the coffee’s hot, and I’ve run the calculations—today’s a fine day to make something of.

Starting things off: It is a cloudy morning here in Cottage Country and a touch cool, with the temperature sitting at -17.2°C | 1.04°F. The good news is it’s warming up as I type.

Weather Forecast for Port Loring, Ontario

Today (Thursday, January 30, 2025):
A mix of sun and cloud with periods of snow and flurries at times. Accumulation of 1-3 cm is expected.
High: -3°C | 27°F
Low: -7°C | 19°F

Tonight:
Cloudy with a chance of light snow. Winds shifting slightly, bringing in cooler air overnight.
Low: -7°C | 19°F

Tomorrow (Friday, January 31, 2025):
Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of flurries. A colder day ahead with temperatures dropping significantly at night.
High: -4°C | 26°F
Low: -23°C | -9°F

Weather Lore

“When the wind is in the north, the skilful fisher goes not forth.”

A north wind often brings colder, unsettled weather, making outdoor work and fishing more difficult. With today’s chilly start and incoming snow, it looks like that old saying holds true.

“Halo around the moon, rain or snow soon.”

If you notice a ring around the moon tonight, it means moisture is moving in. This halo is caused by ice crystals high in the atmosphere refracting the moonlight—often a sign that snow is on the way or continuing.

A chilly but classic winter day ahead—stay warm and keep an eye on the sky!

Highway 522 is partially snow-covered this morning, with some icy spots thrown in for good measure. But really, if the roads were bare in January, we’d all be looking over our shoulders wondering what kind of trick Mother Nature had up her sleeve. If you’re heading to town for supplies, best take ‘er easy. Then again, you should always be taking care—especially with some of the driving habits around here.

You know the type. The ones who figure if they just think about stopping, that’s good enough. Or the folks who believe four-wheel drive means four-wheel brakes—right up until they’re halfway into a snowbank, wondering how that happened. And of course, there’s always the fella who refuses to shovel off his windshield because, according to him, “I can see just fine through this little hole.”

All I can say is, keep your wits about you, give yourself plenty of time, and if you do end up in the ditch, well—at least you’ll have company.

A Bit of This and That

For the past few days, my wife and I have been busy moving snow off our decks and driveway. And let me tell you, after all that shovelling, we were about as worn out as an old axe handle. By the time we finished, neither of us felt much like doing anything—except maybe sitting back with a hot coffee and watching the snow pile right back up again. That’s winter for you.

With that chore out of the way, I decided to spend some time here at my desk, working away on a few projects while I wait for my son Karl to finish building my new computer. He’s still waiting on parts, and from the sounds of it, those parts are taking the scenic route to get here.

Today, though, I’m heading out to my woodworking shop to get back into making wooden flutes. It’s been a while, and I’m hoping the old hands remember what to do. I figure once I get into it, it’ll come back to me—kind of like riding a bike, only with more sawdust and fewer bruises. Luckily, I’ve kept plenty of notes over the years, so if my memory needs a nudge, I’ve got them to fall back on. One way or another, I’ll get to making them.

I’m also hoping to put together a video on how I go about crafting them and post it on my YouTube channel in the coming months. So, if you’re interested in things like that, you might just be in for a treat. And if nothing else, you’ll at least get to see an old feller trying to remember how he used to do things—should make for some good entertainment either way.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, we’ll settle in for our regular morning chat over a hot cup of cocoa—nothing like a warm drink and good conversation to start the day off right. Then it’s out to the shop for me. Should be nice and toasty in there now, seeing as I kept the home fires going through the night. No sense in working with cold hands if a fella doesn’t have to.

You all have a great day, and remember—winter’s only as tough as you let it be. A little warmth, a little laughter, and a good sturdy shovel can get you through just about anything.

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

Explore My YouTube Channel: The Walters Post Video Series

Hey folks:

As you may know, I’ve been sharing stories, tips, and experiences through my blog and weekly column for over 30 years, and now, I’m taking it a step further by sharing my journey through videos on YouTube! From woodworking projects and gardening tips to insights on northern life and farming, my YouTube channel covers a variety of topics that I’m passionate about.

I invite you to check out my YouTube video series, where I share everything from restoring old tools to the rhythms of life here in Northern Ontario, where winters can be tough, but the spirit is even tougher! Here’s a list of the videos I’ve shared so far, each offering something new, whether it’s helpful tips, engaging projects, or just a glimpse into life in the north. These are just a few for now, but I’ll be adding more as I go along—so stay tuned!

Watch, Subscribe, and Join the Conversation!
Click on the videos below and join me as I dive into a world of woodworking, gardening, farming, and living life in the great outdoors. I’d love for you to subscribe to my channel to keep up with all the new videos that are on the way. Don’t forget to leave a comment—I enjoy hearing from you and sharing your thoughts on these topics!

Here’s a quick list of the latest videos on my YouTube channel:

  1. Sweeping Views of Lake Huron from Bayfield’s Pioneer Park
  2. An Old Timer’s Daily Ritual Living in the North: Throughout the Winter Months
  3. A Window to the North: Brightening Up My Woodworking Shop
  4. Country Living with Cleaning Driveways and Snowy Trails, 2024
  5. Northern Ontario DIY: Building a Dream Deck for Our Cottage
  6. Making a Chopping Block, the Old-Fashioned Way
  7. Making An Ax Handle Out of Ironwood
  8. The Art of Trivet Making with an Old-Timer
  9. Installing Shelves In My Old Woodworking Shop
  10. Woodworking Wonders: My Knife/Chisel Honing Set-up
  11. Tranquil Snowflakes: Backyard Scenery with a Musical Touch
  12. Tilling the Garden & Planting Vegetables: Part 1 with Tips & Chat
  13. Tilling the Garden & Planting Vegetables: Part 2 with Tips & Chat
  14. Tackling Winter Chores Here in The North
  15. Restoring An Old Craftsman Radial Arm Saw, Part 1
  16. Restoring an Old Craftsman Radial Arm Saw, Part 2

Why Subscribe?
If you enjoy these topics, then subscribing is the best way to stay in the loop with new projects and stories! And, if you enjoy the videos, give them a thumbs up—it helps others find my channel too. Your feedback, comments, and any questions you have about what I’m doing or how I approach these projects are always welcome!

I’m looking forward to growing this channel with you and continuing to share my experiences in the North, all while building a community of like-minded people who enjoy the simple, hands-on approach to life.

As always, thanks for supporting my work, whether here on the blog or through my videos. Your support means a lot!

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

George Walters