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.

Navigating the Web with Wisdom: The Case for Common Sense

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.

You know, it seems these days that there’s a lot of talk about disinformation spreading online, particularly on social media. It’s also been said that certain foreign countries are using fake accounts to spread false information, posing as regular folks and pushing their own agendas.

Now looking at it a bit closer, some people think the answer is to tighten control over the internet, clamping down on what gets posted, and who can post it. But as an old writer, with a few years under his belt, I believe there’s a simpler solution: it’s called… common sense.

Truth told, I don’t believe we need the Powers That Be to control the content on the internet like some folks suggest. Instead, we should focus on teaching ourselves, and others, how to tell truth from fiction. Simply put… when you see something online, take a moment to verify it. Check if the information comes from a reliable source, cross-check the facts, and use a bit of critical thinking.

By doing this, we can sift through the noise and find the truth. Bottom line, it’s all about not believing everything we see or read.

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]

Early Light, Simple Happenings on July 10/2024

Good mornin’! Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and grumpy before his coffee.

It’s a bit cloudy here this morning in Cottage Country, with a chance of a passing shower. The clouds will stick around for most of the day, but we might see some sunshine breaking through later on.

Highway 522 is still quiet for this time of year, which is nice in some ways, and not so good in other ways. Not much we can do about it.

Bug Report: With all this damp warm weather there are a lot of them pesky mosquitoes around our area these days.

On another note, I spent the day outside, moving one pile of things to another. It took most of the day, but I got a lot done. Those mosquitoes sure played havoc with me, though, especially in the shady areas. Wasn’t so bad in the sun. You know… if I had a nickel for every bite, I’d be rich by now.

Today, with it being so cloudy and muggy, and feeling a bit worn out from all the work we’ve been doing around our property, I think I’ll take it easy. Maybe I’ll sit in front of my computer and write up a story or two. We’ll see what happens in a bit.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me, and will then see what the day has in store.

You have a great day, and remember; “Life’s like a garden… what you plant today, you’ll harvest tomorrow!”

Fishing Times for Wednesday
07/10/24

Major Times
3:51 AM-5:51 AM
4:11 PM-6:11 PM

Minor Times
9:52 AM-10:52 AM
11:16 PM-12:16 AM

Day Rating: I give it a 4-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Sun Data
Rise: 5:37 AM
Set: 9:08 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 31 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 10:22 AM
Set: 11:46 PM

Moon Phase
Moon Phase is 21% percent waxing crescent
21%
Waxing Crescent

Advice from an Old Angler: Fish love hangin’ around rock piles. They provide shelter and attract bait fish. Knowing that, it might be a good idea occasionally to drop your line near a rock pile and jig it gently to mimic small prey. You might just hook onto a nice bass or walleye.

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]

Burdened by Taxes

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.

You know... it’s not just us seniors feeling the pinch these days…it’s everyone. These powers that be, keep piling on more taxes, and truth told, it’s getting unbearable. Just when you think you’ve saved a bit for retirement, they come knocking for more. It’s downright frustrating.

I read in the news today that now they’re talking about slapping new taxes on homes over a certain amount. For folks like us who’ve worked hard all our lives to own a home, it feels like a slap in the face. We rely on that place to see us through our golden years, maybe help with expenses like those old age homes. And now they want to take a chunk of that away too.

It’s not just about the money; it’s about fairness. We played by the rules, paid our dues, and now they’re moving the goalposts on us. It seems like every time you turn around, there’s another tax, another bill to pay.

Another thing that gets my dander up is the working man’s paycheck. They shouldn’t be squeezing every last dollar out of hard-working folks, that are just trying to make ends meet. It’s not right, and it’s not fair. Pay checks shouldn’t be touched, as we are paying enough taxes elsewhere.

To be honest, I don’t know what they’re thinking up there in those fancy government offices that the working man is paying for. Maybe they’ve forgotten what it’s like to work hard, to make every penny count. But us seniors, we haven’t forgotten. Yes, we’ve weathered a lot of changes in our day, tough times. But darn it, there’s no reason we should have to endure it now in our older days. We don’t like it, and it shouldn’t be happening. At least, I don’t like it.

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]

Morning in the North, Plain Talk on July 9/2024

Mornin’, everyone! They say the rooster crows at dawn, but it’s the hen that lays the eggs.

Once again, we had some rain through the night, and it’s a touch humid out there this morning. We could see a wee bit of sunshine throughout the day, but for the most part, it will be cloudy with a slight chance of a thunderstorm later on. Just what we need…more rain. My tomato plants are asking for life jackets. Maybe my wife and I should start planting rice instead!

On another note, yesterday I worked the day away cleaning out the shed where we keep our lumber. It sure was a job, let me tell ya, but when all was said and done, I now know where everything is, and it’s easy to get at. And it looks darn nice, too. Now, if only I could convince the lumber to organize itself next time!

Today I am planning on moving some things from one place to another, which should keep me busy for most of the day. That is, if the rain holds off.

Bug Report: Other than a few mosquitoes and some wasps irritating me, things are pretty good these days.

Highway 522 is still very quiet these days.

With that I am once again off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me and will then head on outdoors. After my hot cup of cocoa of course!

You all have a great day and remember: Keep your eyes on the horizon and your feet on the ground!

Tuesday
07/09/24

Major Times
3:09 AM-5:09 AM
3:31 PM-5:31 PM

Minor Times
8:45 AM-9:45 AM
11:00 PM-12:00 AM

Day Rating: I give it a 4-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Sun Data
Rise: 5:36 AM
Set: 9:08 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 32 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 9:15 AM
Set: 11:30 PM
Over: 4:31 PM
Under: 4:09 AM

Moon Phase
Moon Phase is 14% percent waxing crescent
14%
Waxing Crescent

Advice from an Old Angler: Deep holes in rivers and lakes often hold big fish. They provide cooler water and protection. Drop your bait into these holes, and wait patiently. The big ones are down there, just biding their time.

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]

Country Sunrise, Plain Talk on July 8/2024

Only on The Walters Post

Isn’t it about time our governments stopped taking almost half of our paychecks in taxes? We already pay enough taxes on everything else.

Good mornin’! The only thing that should be in a rush in the country is the water in the creek. Take your time and do it right.

Highway 522 remains quiet these days. It seems folks are staying closer to home, maybe feeling the pinch in their wallets. With living costs going up, many are choosing local spots over longer trips. It’s a sign of the times—people adjusting to economic pressures by keeping things local. So, if you’re traveling this way, expect an easy drive with fewer cars, reflecting this shift to more budget-friendly choices.

Bug Report: Actually, things are pretty good out there these days. That said, I had to deal with some wasps yesterday while working on one of my buildings. They didn’t appreciate me intruding on their territory. I had to gently relocate them, so I could get on with my work.

Yesterday, like I mentioned, I began cleaning out one of my older sheds where I keep my lumber for making things. Honestly, I didn’t realize I had so much stored away. It was nice to see all of it, though. Today, now that it’s all cleaned out, I’m going to organize everything neatly, so I can easily find what I need when I need it. It looks like I’ll be busy with this task for most of the day.

With that said, I’m heading off for breakfast that my lovely wife is preparing for me…a bowl of porridge this morning, a nice change of pace. Following that, as I do every morning, a cup of hot cocoa, and then it’ll be time to get to work.

You all have a great day and remember: “Hard work keeps the belly full and the heart content!” GW

Fishing Times for Monday
07/08/24

Major Times
2:25 AM-4:25 AM
2:48 PM-4:48 PM

Minor Times But Still Good.
7:37 AM-8:37 AM
10:42 PM-11:42 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 3-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few today. Good Luck!

Advice from an Old Angler: Early morning is prime time for fishin’. Fish are active and feedin’ before the sun gets too high. Get up with the sun, grab your gear, and head out. You’ll often find the best bite just as dawn breaks.

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]