Sitting in front of the woodstove and feeling the heat
Comfy slippers are now in my feet
Staring at the flames dancing in the old firebox
My feet are warm in my nice woolen socks

A February evening at the cottage and feeling no pain
Watching Coach's Corner with Cherry and Maclean
The Leafs and the Habs are tied at a goal apiece
Life is good all bundled up in wool and fleece

Looking out the front window, the snow is quickly drifting
I'm warm and cozy inside and it's quite uplifting
Feeling like a good old Northern Ontario pioneer
I'm cheerful and smiling as I crack open a beer

Suddenly a dreadful feeling comes over me
I must run to the outhouse since I can't let it be
But nature calls and the cold sure is numbing
As I now sit here wishing I had indoor plumbing

Good morning neighbor, how are you today ?
Interesting times at your house, I must say
I am right beside you and looking in your yard
Wondering if life is easy for you or if it is hard

As I look at what’s happening over our fence
I think of our relationship and try to make some sense
Can we talk about it ? Are you feeling okay ?
Or are you distraught and in total dismay ?

Did you expect to win or were you surprised you lost ?
Are you paying the price to find out the cost ?
Or are you finding value in what you have bought ?
Or finding some meaning in what you’ve been taught ?

I know we do not share the same address
And to know what you are feeling is anyone’s guess
Because it’s really not my business what goes on in your house
But I do care about you, your kids and your spouse

Will our lives change in our neighborhood ?
Will we all be worse off or will it be good ?
I am your friendly neighbor, living right next door
Wondering what you are thinking and what is in store

I may be a southern hombre or a northern canuck
And as your neighbor, I really do wish you the best of luck
Your happiness is important to me because it affects my life
And for us it cuts both ways just like a knife

So between you and me, if I may be so bold to ask
Answering my question may be a difficult task
Our yards, our neighborhoods and our world is so small
"So would you like to mend a fence or build a wall ?"

I first heard about it at the age of 21
My friends from the North were talking about the May Run
"What's the May Run ?" I did inquire
They told me "it's about going in the bush and building a campfire"

It seemed kind of odd as I had never heard that before
I was used to hearing Victoria Day weekend or the May two-four
It's the start of camping season but I must not forget to mention
That up here it's in another totally different dimension

Having not been raised up here, I guess I will never truly understand
How the May Run captivates so many people in this part of the land
Is it because the winters are so long and so harsh ?
Or is it this need to get bitten by black flies and to survive in a marsh ?

Many folks talk about it candidly and some have no shame
Many are bush people going into the wild to play their game
Many anglers look forward to this weekend with only one thing in mind
It's to catch that big trophy fish that's one of a kind

Whatever is your reason to enjoy life outdoors
Make great memories with you and yours
Cheers to the long weekend and have lots of fun
Enjoy your weekend and have a safe and happy May Run !!

The winter’s frozen calmness delivers an echo of silence
And brings with it an absence of conflict or violence
In this deaf wilderness, the trees seem frozen in death
Only the wind gently whispers a lively breath

In a quiet place where the sun and peace are found
The silence is shattered by a pesky sound
They gobble and cackle and yelp and bawl
They all congregate here from spring until fall

As the southern sun gets hotter and shines so bright
All get ready to take their flight
Honking and chirping wherever they roam
Together they make their way back home

In a very short time, all will see
Flying above us, a big giant V
Winter's slumber so peaceful and mild
Will be awakened by the call of the wild

Mother Nature will have spoken
In the wilderness, all will be woken
And by the same token
Winter’s silence will again be broken