All posts by George Walters

George Walters is a Canadian columnist and author with more than forty years of writing experience. For over twenty years he has written a weekly column for Postmedia Network — Canada's largest newspaper chain — never missing a single week, publishing fifty-two stories a year. Combined with his work in Reader's Digest Community Voices, World News, Country Living, The Country Register, and farm and rural lifestyle magazines across Canada, he has published well over two thousand stories drawn from everyday life. He writes about farm work, fishing, old trucks, and the kind of people you only find in small towns — but just as likely he'll hand a voice to a weathered telephone pole, or turn his eye on something happening in the world today and tell you exactly what he thinks about it. No subject is off limits. If there's a story in it, George will find it. He has been called a philosopher of everyday life, a description that came up more than once during his television appearances over the years — and it's not hard to see why. His writing has a way of making the ordinary feel worth sitting with. He is the author of eleven books, including yearly short story collections and the Clay Moretti Files mystery series. Clay is a fifty-year-old private investigator who drives a 1967 Ford Galaxie, smokes cigars, and operates by a code the modern world gave up on a long time ago. The cases are present day. The man handling them is not. All titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon. Together, George and his wife Ruth have also created Elmer Finds His Way, the first in what he hopes will be a long series of children's books. Ruth did all the illustrations, as she has for every one of George's books — and beyond that she designed and painted the covers as well. Her work is woven into every page of everything he has published. A few words from readers: "I pulled up a kitchen chair and read your story three times." "You have a way of making a person homesick for a place they haven't been to." "Thank you for writing things that make old people and kids feel the same way at the same time." All my titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.ca here.

The Road to Self-Driving Cars—A Bumpier Ride Than Expected

Back in 2016, the idea of cars driving themselves seemed just around the corner. One well-known tech entrepreneur even went so far as to say that with just a few software updates, owners would be able to sit back, relax, and let their vehicles do all the work. Fast forward nearly a decade, and while the technology has advanced, true hands-free driving still isn’t a reality.

The issue? Turns out, the hardware in many of these vehicles isn’t quite up to the task. Even models built in recent years—ones that were said to be ready for full autonomy—are now being left behind as newer versions roll out. For those who paid extra, believing they were investing in the future, this has been a frustrating ride.

Over time, several updates have promised to bridge the gap, but each new version has quietly pushed the finish line further down the road. The latest hardware might finally be capable of delivering on those early promises, but there’s still no clear answer on whether older models will get the upgrades they need.

Some owners have taken legal action, arguing that they were sold a dream that hasn’t materialized. A recent court ruling has stated that updates should be provided at no extra cost—a decision that will no doubt be costly for the company behind it all.

As for the man at the centre of it? He’s no politician making empty campaign promises. He’s a businessman and an innovator, and while his confidence might have been ahead of the technology, at least he’s still working toward the goal. If history has taught us anything, it’s that big ideas often take longer than expected.

So, will cars ever truly drive themselves? Probably. But for now, best to keep your hands on the wheel—just in case.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

“The Real Problem Isn’t Across the Border—It’s Closer to Home”

Well, as I sit here on this chilly morning, pondering on the latest headlines about this poll, I have to say, it leaves me with a sense of frustration. The Ipsos poll, which claimed that nearly 70% of Canadians hold a more negative view of the United States due to Trump’s tariffs, is one thing. But let’s take a step back and ask: where exactly was this poll taken? Who decided who should be surveyed? You see, I’ve always had my doubts about these polls. I mean, who are the people answering these questions? Do they represent the broad spectrum of opinions, or is it just a carefully curated group that gives them the answers they want? In my humble opinion, a lot of these polls can be skewed, and perhaps even rigged to produce the results someone wants. But that’s just me, George Walters, looking at things through the lens of someone who’s seen a lot of manipulation in my time.

Now, what really gets me fired up is how so many folks seem to point their fingers at the American people, as if they’re the ones behind the chaos we’re experiencing in Canada. But let me tell you, it’s not the people of the United States who are responsible for these actions. The real blame lies with the powers that be, both south of the border and right here at home. And we, as Canadians, need to wake up and realize that the folks we ought to be questioning aren’t your average American citizen. The ones making the decisions that affect our lives are the ones in charge, and that’s who we should be directing our energy towards.

As for Trump and his tariffs, let’s face it—he didn’t exactly win any popularity contests with that move. But you can’t really blame the American people for voting him in the first place. They were looking for someone who wasn’t afraid to shake things up and call out the corruption that’s been festering in their system for years. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We’ve got our fair share of corruption here in Canada, too. Politicians say one thing and do another. How many times have we seen that? How many times have we been promised change, only to be left wondering what happened?

You see, what people want—whether they’re in the States or here in Canada—is someone who’s going to fix things, someone who’s going to take a stand against the corruption that’s been eating away at our trust for too long. And it’s the same story on both sides of the border. Whether it’s Trump with his tariffs or our own politicians making empty promises, it’s high time we all wake up and demand real change. But don’t mistake that for blaming the average person on the street. We need to direct our frustrations where they belong: at the folks in charge.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Before the Internet, There Was Coffee and a Good Chat—Some Things Still Matter on Feb 7/2025

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning! The snow’s deep, the coffee’s strong, and the to-do list just got longer— which is just the way I like it.

For a change, waking up here in the north, we are in the midst of some sunshine, but it is a cool one with the temperature getting out of bed sitting at 13°F (-10°C). As the day progresses, expect some sun, then increasing clouds, with a high reaching 24°F (-5°C). Come nightfall, the mercury will dip to around 10°F (-12°C), so keep that extra blanket handy.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Saturday brings mostly cloudy skies with a high of 26°F (-4°C) and a low of 11°F (-12°C). Not much change in the temperature department, but at least the winds are keeping their calm, making it a tad more bearable for any outdoor chores or a leisurely stroll through the snow-laden trails.

Stay warm, folks, and enjoy the northern beauty that surrounds us.

Highway 522 Report: The highway is mostly bare this morning, which, for this time of year, is about as rare as a warm seat on an outhouse in January. With the sun making an appearance, it’s shaping up to be a decent day for a trip to the city—if you’re in need of groceries, supplies, or just feel like reminding yourself what traffic lights look like. Around here, we’ve got two fine hardware stores, but if you’re after things like fresh produce or, heaven forbid, something fancier than bologna, it’s a good hour and a half to civilization. As for Ruth and me, we’re all set. We stocked up a couple of weeks ago, and unless she suddenly decides we need something, I think I’ll be staying right where I am.

On another note, I spent the better part of yesterday holed up in my old woodworking shop, working away on them flutes I’ve been yammering about for the past week or so. Still plenty to do, though—turns out, making a flute ain’t just drilling a hole in a stick and calling it music. There’s a heap of tedious little details that require a fella to be on his toes every second. One slip of the hand, and just like that, what was supposed to be a fine instrument becomes next winter’s kindling.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s patience—well, most of the time. I’ll admit, if you were within earshot of my shop now and then, you might hear a few words that’d make the air turn a shade of blue not found in any paint catalogue. But that’s woodworking for you—one minute, you’re humming along like a well-tuned saw, and the next, you’re having a heated discussion with a stubborn piece of wood that refuses to cooperate.

At any rate, I’ll be back at it today, hoping to make some real progress. If all goes well and I don’t end up adding too much to the firewood pile, we just might have a nice batch of 20 wooden flutes ready in a couple of weeks. But… well, let’s not count our flutes before they’re played!

So once again, it’s time for my morning breakfast, followed by our usual morning chat over a hot cup of cocoa. Funny thing, I never get tired of these little rituals—just me, Ruth/my lovely wife, and the quiet hum of a world that, for the most part, minds its own business. After fifty-some years together, we’ve got things figured out pretty well—living life how we want, doing things when we feel like it, and not losing a wink of sleep over what anyone else thinks about it.

Some folks spend half their days worrying about keeping up with the Joneses. Me? I wouldn’t trade places with them for all the gold in the Klondike. There’s a certain freedom in knowing that the only schedule we keep is the one we set ourselves. If we feel like working, we work. If we feel like loafing, well, the porch chairs are always open for business. And if the world wants to rush around like a chicken with its head cut off—well, that’s their problem, not ours.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, my cocoa’s getting cold, and Ruth’s already giving me that look that says I better quit writing and get to sipping.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

“Trump’s 30-Day Tariff Reprieve: A Political Chess Move or Just for Show?”

Only on The Walters Post!

Well, folks, here we go again. Another day, another round of political gymnastics, and this time, it’s a good old-fashioned tariff reprieve—thirty days of temporary relief, courtesy of our southern neighbour’s top dog, Donald Trump. Now, depending on who you ask, this is either a goodwill gesture or some secretive scheme cooked up in a backroom somewhere. Me? I think it’s just another round of what I like to call “The Great Political Theatre.” Plenty of drama, lots of finger-pointing, and the occasional plot twist that keeps folks talking around their morning coffee.

Some are reading between the lines, trying to decode some hidden message in Trump’s move, like it’s one of those puzzle books where you have to hold the page up to a mirror to see the real answer. But here’s the thing–sometimes a delay is just a delay. Maybe he’s buying time, maybe he wants to talk trade with Canada and Mexico down the road, or maybe, just maybe, he enjoys seeing people tie themselves into knots trying to figure out his next move. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Of course, up here in Canada, we’ve got our fair share of folks who love to sound the alarm at the first sign of a shake-up. You’d think Trump announced he was moving the whole country south of the border. But no, it’s just thirty days. A brief pause in what will surely be another long-winded debate about who’s getting the better deal. And let’s be honest, when it comes to trade, everybody thinks they’re getting the short end of the stick—until they’re the ones holding the stick.

Meanwhile, Canadian politicians are doing what they do best: talking in circles while pretending to walk in a straight line. Our Powers that be says they’ll have a chat with Trump, which in politician-speak means a carefully crafted conversation where both sides say a lot– without actually saying much at all. That’s diplomacy for you.

Now, I’m not saying we should all sit back and ignore what’s happening, but maybe—just maybe—we could take a deep breath and wait to see how this unfolds before jumping to conclusions. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that politicians love a good crisis, and if they can’t find one, they’ll make one. Keeps the headlines fresh, after all.

So, for now, let’s enjoy our thirty-day reprieve. Maybe even take a moment to appreciate that, as for once, something in politics actually came with a timeline. That alone is a rare sight. And when the next round of trade talk theatrics begins, we’ll grab some popcorn and watch the show—because if history’s taught us anything, it’s that there’s always another act waiting in the wings.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

“Winter’s Grip Tightens: Cold, Snow, and a Battle in the Skies Over Port Loring” Only On The Walters Post

Well, folks, looks like Port Loring is in for a real mixed bag of weather over the next couple of weeks. Some will love it, others… not so much. The big players in the atmosphere are setting up quite the show—cold air trying to push in, warm air fighting back, and a few rounds of snow in between.

Starting off, expect periods of light snow today with a bit of a breeze picking up in the afternoon. Temperatures will hover around -2°C (29°F) for the high, dipping down to -13°C (9°F) overnight.

Friday brings low clouds and a bit of a dreary feel, sitting at -5°C (24°F) during the day and cooling off to -14°C (7°F) at night. Saturday, not much different—mostly cloudy, with daytime highs of -4°C (25°F) and nighttime lows of -12°C (10°F).

By Sunday, we might see a bit of sun early on before more clouds roll in. The thermometer will struggle to reach -5°C (23°F), and it’ll be a chilly -18°C (0°F) overnight.

As we move into next week, the cold tightens its grip. Monday through Wednesday looks mostly cloudy with occasional flurries. Highs will stick around -5°C (23°F) to -10°C (13°F), with nighttime temps dipping as low as -19°C (-2°F).

By Thursday, February 13, another round of snow could be on the way, with a high of -8°C (18°F) and a low of -17°C (2°F). And it won’t stop there—another system might bring more snow through the weekend, keeping highs around -6°C (20°F) and lows near -13°C (9°F).

Beyond that, expect the cold to hang around, with some sun trying to break through now and then. Temperatures will stay below freezing, with overnight lows often dropping into the -17°C to -19°C range (1°F to -2°F).

In short—cold, snowy, and plenty of cloud cover for the next two weeks. The battle between winter and a very eager spring is on, and for now, winter’s got the upper hand. Stay warm!

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]