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.
George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only

Trump’s Big Game: Lessons for Canada?

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Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

It’s never easy to dip a toe into politics these days. Approving—or disapproving—of anything a leader says is like stepping into quicksand. Yet, sometimes, you can’t avoid it. Much like those annual, ahem, “digit”-al exams, politics can be uncomfortable, but necessary.

South of the border, Donald Trump is back in the spotlight, and love him or hate him, there’s no denying he’s got a knack for shaking things up. Canada, meanwhile, seems to be stumbling through a political fog, struggling with rising taxes, energy debates, and leadership uncertainty. Could it be that we might learn a thing or two from Trump’s unapologetic, albeit unconventional, playbook?

Say what you will about the man, Trump knows how to wield leverage. He understands how to turn the tables in a way that leaves allies and adversaries alike guessing. His recent maneuvers—targeting BRICS countries, flirting with Greenland, and reigniting discussions about Arctic and trade routes—aren’t random. They’re part of a strategy to keep America competitive, secure resources, and protect its global dominance. Like it or not, his approach works. Abrasive? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.

Here in Canada, we’re staring down challenges that require a strong backbone and bold ideas. The carbon tax is set to rise again, and our leadership is stuck between doubling down on policies many Canadians are weary of or backpedaling and admitting missteps. Meanwhile, Trump toys with us like a cat with a mouse, knowing full well how vulnerable we’ve become.

But here’s the kicker: Trump’s unpredictability forces people to think bigger, act faster, and confront realities they’d rather ignore. Maybe it’s time for Canada to adopt some of that boldness—on our own terms, of course. We don’t need to be a U.S. state or adopt Trump’s tactics wholesale, but we do need to wake up, take stock of our resources, and start playing smarter on the world stage.

The world is watching, and so is Trump. Let’s not be the mouse that gets cornered. 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.

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In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

My Opinion Only

My Thoughts on the Liberal Leadership Race

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I’ve seen enough politics over the years to know when something’s being planned behind the scenes. When a certain cabinet minister stepped down recently, it didn’t look like a resignation to me—it looked like a setup for something bigger. Sure enough, now they’re stepping into the race to lead the Liberals.

In my opinion, this isn’t the fresh start they’re trying to sell. This candidate was part of Trudeau’s team for years, and I don’t see how they’ll be much different. It feels like we’re getting the same ideas with a new face, and I don’t believe it’ll fix the issues we’re facing as a country.

They might be smart about timing and strategy, but leadership is about more than playing politics. From where I stand, this isn’t the change Canadians need. Just my two cents, but I think we’re looking at more of the same.

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]

George's Writers Corner, Weather, What's Happening

Cold Hands, Warm Stories from the North on January 14/2025

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Good Morning! As my old Dad used to say, ‘Every sunrise is a handshake from nature—don’t leave it hangin’.

Here’s the weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario:

Today (January 14):

  • Daytime: Cloudy and colder with a couple of snow showers.
    • High: -6°C (21°F)
  • Night: Clear and very cold.
    • Low: -18°C (0°F)

Tomorrow (January 15):

  • Daytime: Plenty of sunshine, but cold.
    • High: -8°C (18°F)
  • Night: Clear skies.
    • Low: -12°C (10°F)

You know! : “It’s so cold, the chickens are lining up to sit on my old wood-stove!”

Highway 522 is snow-covered this morning in most areas, but it should start to melt off as the morning wears on. Not too many folks are out and about, aside from the locals—though around here, if you see a truck parked in the middle of the road, it’s probably just two neighbors catching up on the latest news!

On another note, yesterday was a solid day in the woodworking shop—after we tackled the snow, of course. I took care of the driveway while my lovely wife handled the decks—all three of them. She says it’s to keep them in good shape, but I think she just likes showing the snow who’s boss. Once the shovels were hung up and the cocoa mugs were drained, I got to work on that yellow pine harvest table I’m making for her. Made a lot of progress, too! If the stars align, I might finish it today, aside from staining it. But, as I always say, you never know what a day will bring—life’s got a way of surprising you, much like finding an extra screw in the bottom of the toolbox when you’re sure you used them all.

With that, I’m off to enjoy my morning breakfast—once again, put together by my little woman. After that, we’ll settle in with our usual cup of hot cocoa and have a good ol’ chat, just like we do every morning. It’s one of those simple joys, like the satisfying sound of the first crack of firewood in the stove—warm, familiar, and the perfect start to a day.

You all have a great day, and remember, the best moments are often the simplest ones—like a quiet morning shared with someone special.

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]

George's Writers Corner, Weather, What's Happening

Tracks in the Snow, Stories Untold on January 13/2025

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Morning, folks! As my old Dad always said, ‘A slow start’s fine, just don’t stop till the day’s done.

So I noticed walking out to my woodworking shop early this morning that we had another three inches of snow. The good news is, at the moment, it isn’t all that cold, with the temperature at the time of this post sitting at -1.4°C | 29.48°F.

Today’s Weather (Port Loring, ON):
Periods of snow throughout the day, with 3–6 cm expected. High of 2°C | 35.6°F, and a low of -9°C | 15.8°F.

Tonight’s Weather:
Cloudy with a chance of light snow. Low of -9°C | 15.8°F.

Tomorrow’s Weather:
Colder with scattered snow showers, adding another 1–3 cm. High of -6°C | 21.2°F, and a low of -18°C | 0°F.

It’s shaping up to be a chilly one—stay cozy out there!

Highway 522 is partially snow-covered this morning, and with more of the white stuff coming down, traveling won’t be all that great. It might just pay to stay home today.

On another note, yesterday I got a lot done in my woodworking shop on my wife’s new Yellow Pine Harvest Table. If all goes to plan, I should be close to finishing it today. I still have to make the drawer, install the rails for it to slide on, and add the top. So yeah, there are a few things left to do, but it’s coming along nicely.

The best part? I’m really happy with how it’s turning out. It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind table, all handcrafted with care, made especially for my lovely wife. She sure deserves it after all these years. You see, for most of our lives, we’ve spent our time and energy crafting things for others—customers, friends, and our store. But now, before it’s too late, it’s time to make a few special things just for us.

It never ceases to amaze me how, just a few days ago, this table was nothing more than a stack of rough-cut pine boards standing in my storage shed. And now… well, now it’s coming together into something that’ll hold not just meals but memories. This one is special, made for someone who has stood by me through thick and thin. If you ask me, that’s a project worth taking your time on.

However, in saying all that, looking out at the snow falling, we might have to clear some off the decks and driveway before the day is through. That’s the thing about living up here in the north—you never really know what a day will bring. But hey, that’s just the way it is, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, with that, it’s time for me to head off and enjoy the breakfast my little woman’s made for me. After that—well, we’ll take the day as it comes. But first, a warm cup of hot cocoa and a good chat to start things off right.

You all have a great day, and remember—take your time, but make it count. And as my Dad always said, “A slow start’s fine, just don’t stop till the day’s done.” GW

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]