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.

Life Beyond the City Limits on June 7/2024

“Good morning! Being a farmer, I have learned that the farm teaches us that every problem has a solution – you just need to dig deep enough to find it.”

It’s a cloudy morning here in cottage country, and we are having some light rain off and on. The rain along with cooler temperatures will remain with us right up till Monday. After that… things are looking pretty good weather wise.

Bug Report: The black flies are still around, but they’re not too bad. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, are a nightmare. Those blood sucking parasites are out there like tiny vampires, ready to suck up every drop of blood they can find! Reminds me of… well, I won’t get into that this morning.

Highway 522 hasn’t been all that bad for the past few days, but that is to be expected with the not so good weather, along with the bugs. But things will pick up a bit when the kids are out of school for the summer.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I started mowing, but we had to stop because of the rain. Fortunately, we managed to finish up after lunch when it cleared up for a few hours, which was all we needed. I have to say, our property sure looks nice when it’s all manicured. No need for us to go to any resort or park, that’s for sure.

Moving along, our gift shop has seen a lot of new faces, with folks stopping by and picking up their favorite items. It’s been great to see so many people enjoying what we have to offer. The steady flow of customers has really brightened up the place, and it’s wonderful to see our shop buzzing with activity.

Today, I’m planning to tidy up my woodworking shop a bit. After that, I’ll get busy making some comfrey fertilizer and comfrey insecticide for our fruit trees. Over the years, I’ve replanted many comfrey plants, and now they’re growing all over our property. Comfrey is one of the most useful plants you can have, especially if you grow your own fruits and vegetables. Not to forget the health related benefits it offers.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife is making for me: a bacon and cheese toasted sandwich topped with some lettuce. I don’t have bacon very often, but every so often, I get the urge. Just the smell of the bacon cooking makes my mouth water. After that, a hot cup of cocoa will be in order and when finished, I will head on out to my woodworking shop.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “Sometimes the best therapy is a walk in the woods and a deep breath of fresh country air.” Which is something my wife and I have lots of here in the north.

Fishing Times for Friday
06/07/24

Major Times
12:58 AM-2:58 AM
1:28 PM-3:28 PM

Minor Times
5:22 AM-6:22 AM
10:30 PM-11:30 PM

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

Fishing tip of the Day: Over the years, I have learned that… some of the old folks got stories and tips that ain’t in any book. Listen well to those, ’cause their words are worth their weight in gold. Now mind ya I said some, not all!

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 Thoughts from the Countryside on June 6/2024

Good Morning! “Remember, in life, you can’t harvest what you don’t plant. Let’s make sure we’re planting the right things today.”

It’s a bit cloudy here in cottage country this morning, but we are seeing some sunshine. We also had some much-needed rain, yesterday, which started late in the day and lasted for a few hours. It came down so hard it filled our rain barrels in about ten minutes. I am happy about that, as now we will have lots to last till our next rain. At least, I think we will, we will have to see, it all depends on how hot it gets. More heat, the more water we need.

On another note, my wife and I took a trip to visit an old friend of ours in Coldwater for a couple of days. It sure was nice to see her. After that we headed on over to Orillia to do some shopping and then moseyed on to Huntsville where we spent the night. Had a nice meal at Kelsey’s, enjoyed our room at the Best Western, had breakfast which was included with our night’s stay, and headed on home, taking in sights we haven’t seen in a while. All in all, we had a good trip, but as always, it is nice to be home. The more I see the hustle and bustle of city life, the more I love the peace and quiet of our northern country property. Living here in the countryside, I really hope it doesn’t get any busier than it already is. We moved here to enjoy the peace and solitude, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s not that we don’t enjoy the company of others, but there’s something special about the quiet charm of this place that we’d like to preserve. Simple livin’ suits us just fine.

And then when we arrived home, I booted up my computer and found that the hard drive died, so we had to take it into North Bay for my son to fix. So that will take him a week or so, as he is very busy at work. Luckily, I have him to help me out, along with my old one to fall back on, which I am using now. Other than that, things are rolling along these days.

Highway 522 is picking up with traffic every day now, with more tourists and cottage owners closing in on us, and it will remain that way now for the next three months.

Bug Report; There are still a few black flies irritating folks, but for most parts the dragon flies have cleaned them up. We have lots of them flying around my shop and gardens, which is nice to see. Some even land on my old hat occasionally for a rest. The mosquitoes are out there in full force, but as with the black flies, the dragon flies are chowing down on them as well.

With that I’m off to enjoy my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me, and then I’ll wake up our mowers since it’s mowing day for us, which will take up the morning. After that, I’ll tidy up my woodworking shop, and then if the sun is still shining, we’ll spend some time relaxing in our lawn chairs out front, taking in the sights of our new fishpond, and the water wheel I made a while back. There’s always something to appreciate living here, surrounded by nature.

You all have a great day and remember: “Life’s simple: work hard, treat folks right, and take time to watch the sunset.”

Fishing Times for Thursday
06/06/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
12:28 PM-2:28 PM

Minor Times
4:31 AM-5:31 AM
9:30 PM-10:30 PM

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

Fishing Tip of the Day: Over the years I have learned that on hot days, fish like to stay cool, just like us. Cast your line in the shady spots and under overhangs where they’re likely to be hiding. 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]

Vintage Feather-Craft Aluminum Boat For Sale – Port Loring, Ontario

Howdy folks!

Got something special here for all you boat enthusiasts and vintage lovers out there. Up for grabs is my pride and joy, a classic 16-foot Feather Craft Aluminum Boat, paired with a sturdy 30 HP Johnston motor and a reliable trailer. This ol’ beauty is in mighty fine shape and ready to hit the waters again.

The Details:

  • Boat: 16 ft Feather Craft Aluminum, solid and sleek
  • Motor: 30 HP Johnston, runs smooth as butter
  • Trailer: Sturdy and road-ready, it makes towing a breeze. “New Bearings in trailer.”

Why You’ll Love It:

  • Timeless Charm: This ain’t just any boat, it’s a piece of history. Feather Crafts are known for their quality and classic good looks.
  • Condition: She’s been well taken care of over the years, and it shows. Everything’s in good working order, ready for your next adventure.
  • Perfect for Summer Fun: Whether you’re into fishing, cruising, or just soaking up the sun, this boat’s got you covered.

Extras:

  • Life jackets and a new starting battery included – just add water!

Price: $3,600

Don’t miss out on this gem, folks. She’s a real head-turner and won’t last long. Come on down to Port Loring and take a look for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Give me a holler if you’re interested or got any questions. Let’s make a deal and get you out on the water!

Contact: Email me at [email protected], or swing by the house at 11588, Highway 522, Port Loring.

Fair winds and happy boating!

George Walters

Click on images to enlarge!!!

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]

Mornings in the Countryside on June 1/2024

Good Morning! “There’s a whole lot to be thankful for today, so let’s get to it.”

It’s another beautiful morning here in Cottage country. The sun is doing its job and the temperature is sitting at a comfortable 16 C | 60.8 F. Pretty hard to beat that. Other than the trees, plants, wildflowers and grass being so green. I have to tell ya it sure is a sight to see, so nice I did a YouTube Video of our property yesterday, which I will post on my channel when I find some time. Which is scarce at the moment with all that my wife and I have on the go.

On another note, yesterday my wife and I managed to get our grape posts, anchors and wire strung, and once finished we planted our young grape vines into their new home. Waking up this morning they sure look like they’re happy, so in two to three years we will have enough grapes for making jams, jellies and maybe a bottle or two of homemade wine. I can’t wait.

Today, I am planning on installing some bearings I bought on Amazon, for my water wheel on our new fishpond, as the wheel wasn’t turning like I wanted it to. So if things goes to plan, I should have it up and running later on today sometime.

Grand Opening Today!

We are excited to announce the grand opening of our gift shop this morning! Inside, you’ll find a charming assortment of items, each one handcrafted by my wife and me right here at home.

With many years of experience in woodworking and my wife’s artistic touch, we take pride in offering unique, high-quality products that stand out from the rest.

Why visit our shop?

  • 100% Locally Made: Every item is created with skill and passion, ensuring exceptional quality and uniqueness.
  • No Offshore Items: Unlike many stores today, pretty well all our products are made right here at our home.

In a world that’s constantly changing, it’s nice to find something genuine and made with pride. So if you have a few minutes to spare, why not come and discover the beauty of our handmade goods. We look forward to welcoming you!

Highway 522 is really picking up, traffic-wise. We’ve got boats, ATVs, you name it, all closing in on us. It’s a refreshing sight for a change, and folks seem to be eager to leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind.

Bug Report: For the past two days or so, the Black Flies haven’t been all that bad, which is sure nice to see. The mosquitoes are out there, but the dragon flies are cleaning them up, along with a helping hand from the birds. Mother nature is better than any bug spray. We just have to have patience.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has prepared for me and will then get to work on that water wheel.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “Fix the fence while the sun’s shining, not when the cows are out.”

Fishing Times for Saturday
06/01/24

Major Times
7:59 AM-9:59 AM
8:23 PM-10:23 PM

Minor Times
2:18 AM-3:18 AM
2:54 PM-3:54 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 2-star rating out of 5 for catching a few.

Fishing tip of the day: “If you see Raccoons, Herons or Beavers near the water, chances are there’s fish around. Those critters know where the good spots are.” 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]

Life Away from the City on May 31/2024

Good morning! There’s nothing like a piece of the country to start the day.

It’s another sunny morning here in cottage country, 7:00 AM, and the sun is well above the tree line, which means summer is almost here.

Lately, my wife and I have been very busy doing things outdoors. Like mowing the grass, planting fruit trees, small shrubs, plants… along with our vegetable garden. We did however have to cover some things up with the frost we had for the past two nights. I kind of think, we have seen the last of it now as tonight the temperature will be hovering around the 50F/10C mark. At least, I hope it does. But in saying all that, things are really growing. Our zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce and beans are above ground showing off. Which is sure nice to see, as my wife and I are sure looking forward to some fresh, out of the garden, pesticide free salads and things.

Today I am going to see about planting some grape vines. I wanted to do it yesterday, but we had too many other things on our plate, and never got around to planting them. Today, we will see.

Highway 22 is getting a touch busier every day, but not as busy as it has been in other years. But it will probably pick up more once the kids are out of school.

Bug Report: Actually, other than the mosquitoes, things haven’t been all that bad. The black flies are slowly leaving us thanks to the dragon flies. And I am hoping the frost we had keeps the mosquitoes at bay. Again, we will see how that pans out in the coming days.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife has ready for me and will then head on outdoors.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this bit of wisdom I learned over the years: “Hard work never hurt nobody, but it sure makes the porch feel nice at the end of the day.”

Fishing Times for Friday
05/31/24

Major Times
7:11 AM-9:11 AM
7:35 PM-9:35 PM

Minor Times
1:59 AM-2:59 AM
1:35 PM-2:35 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 2-star rating out of for catching a few. Weather wise, it’s a nice day to be out on the water.

Fishing Tip of The Day: “My old Dad used to say the best fishing days are when the cows are layin’ down in the fields, and I have found that to be true over the years.”

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]