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.

Living Off the Beaten Path, On April 6/2024

Good Morning! As the sun rises over the fields, lakes and streams, it’s time to take in what the day has to offer, as a new day is filled with possibilities. Myself, I always take a moment to breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the land that keeps me alive.

Starting things off, the temperature has warmed up a lot and the snow we had over the past few days has melted. Truth told, the grass is starting to green up, and it won’t be long before I have to bring out that old mower of mine. At least I think I will, as it is getting up there in years, and I am thinking I will have to buy another one soon. I just have to find the right deal, as riding mowers are expensive these days. Along with that, well-made ones are hard to find. If any of you hears of a good deal one, let me know. I just might be interested.

On another note, this is the time of year to get them seeds out, let them soak overnight in a glass of warm rain water, and then get to planting them so they will be ready to plant when your vegetable garden is ready. I will be doing that starting today. It’s easy for me to remember, as my birthday falls on April 2. And my name is George, which in itself means… Tiller of Soil. I kind of think, I was meant right from the very beginning to be a farmer, and a writer too. I believe the writer in me was meant to share knowledge and help those who may not be well-versed in certain areas.

Yesterday I worked away here on my new novel, the first in a series I want to write. It’s something I always wanted to do. I know some ask why, as you already have published seven books. Well simply put, the other books are about true life happenings, These new stories I’m writing explore our world, what it is now, and what it could be in the future. There’s a bit of love, science fiction, mystery, and humor mixed in. And there’s a big secret too, something about the start of life on Earth that might surprise a lot of people. I am hoping my writing and knowledge will take my readers on a journey that’s out of the ordinary, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep everyone with an open mind, eagerly turning the pages and wanting more!

Today though being that the weather is nice I plan on re-piling my firewood that fell over, and if warm enough I might do some front porch sittin’ with my little woman. She will be busy doing the wash, which keeps her busy along with the other things she usually does on a Saturday. We are both busy people, especially in the spring.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me and will then set my sights on what lies ahead.

You all have a great day. GW

Fishing Times For Saturday
04/06/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
10:36 AM-12:36 PM

Minor Times
5:31 AM-6:31 AM
4:54 PM-5:54 PM

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

Fishing Tip of the Day! Keep your secrets, like your tackle box: close and guarded. You wouldn’t want everyone and their grandma knowing where the big ones are hiding, now, would we?

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 Beyond the Urban Bustle On April 5/2024

Good Morning! Where the absence of sirens and honking horns is music to my ears. I hope it stays that way!

Waking up here in the north, we are seeing a wee bit more snow once again. I would say we had around 2 inches or so. But in saying that…. it won’t stick around, as the temperatures are about to climb, well above the freezing mark. Actually, starting on Sunday, you won’t even need to put on your coat when going outside. My kind of weather.

Highway 522 may be quiet, these days, but it’s got a voice all its own. It whispers tales of days gone by, and promises of adventures yet to come.

On another note, with the weather not being so nice yesterday I worked away here at my computer, and today will probably do the same. But when that sun peeks through them clouds again, and the warmth seeps back into the earth, you’ll find me itching to get out there. There’s just something about the land, that seems to call me. It’s always been that way.

Politician Fact or Fiction: Why did the country folks invite the politician to the barn dance?
Because they heard politicians were good at dancing around issues – might as well put that skill to use on the dance floor!

With that I am off for my morning bowl of Porridge and a piece of toast that my lovely wife has prepared for me, and will then set my sights on working on this new novel I am writing. It’s really starting to take shape now.

You all have a great day, and I will leave with this: “When you’re working the land, you don’t punch no clock. You watch the sky instead, see what it’s saying about rain or shine. Nature’s our timekeeper, and she doesn’t need any watch.”

Fishing Times For Friday
04/05/24

Major Times
9:44 AM-11:44 AM
10:10 PM-12:10 AM

Minor Times
5:09 AM-6:09 AM
3:29 PM-4:29 PM

I give it a 1-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

I have always said: “When in doubt, go fishing… because nothing says ‘I have life under control’ like sitting in a boat, waiting for a fish to make all your decisions for you!”

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 Last Whisper Here In The North On April 4/2024

Good Morning! And another day begins here in the great North, where the stars still shine bright, and the only traffic jam is a line of deer crossing the road.

Highway 522 is still very quiet these days, with only the locals moving around, taking in what is going on around town. But as I keep on saying, things will pick up a lot when the weather warms up a bit. Waking up, the temperature was sitting at 0.6 C | 33.08 F, and it will warm up even more as the day progresses.

On another note they were saying we were in for a lot of snow, well…. some were, but in all reality with the temperatures climbing, what we do get won’t last long. We did have an inch or two overnight, but it is melting fast, with the temperature sitting well above the freezing mark. Every day now will be getting warmer, so warm that I will get my lawn chairs out, and set them on our front porch, as my lovely wife and I are looking forward to some front porch sittin’.

Yesterday I didn’t do anything outdoors with the weather not being so good. Luke, a friend of mine, dropped by to say hello yesterday and while chatting he said, “Looks like you didn’t burn as much wood through the winter.” As I have it piled nicely under the lean-to where we keep it dry. An hour after he left, two rows fell over in one huge pile. I guess the ground must have settled, causing it to fall. So…. once it warms up, there now is a bit of work for my wife and I to do. Not that we don’t have anything else to do. Ha ha. Sheesh!

Politician Fact or Fiction: Ever notice how politicians are like the weeds in the garden? They’ll sprout up everywhere, choke out the good stuff, and still expect you to water ’em!

With that, I am off for my morning bowl of Porridge with some dark brown sugar that my lovely wife is making for me. None of that light brown stuff. The darker it is, the more molasses is in it, which in turn is very good for what ails ya, especially for removing inflammation.

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this: “In the country, we don’t just count the days, we make the days count – whether it’s planting seeds, sharing stories, or just sitting on the porch and watching the world go by That my friends is what country living is all about.”

Fishing Times For Thursday
04/04/24

Major Times
8:49 AM-10:49 AM
9:17 PM-11:17 PM

Minor Times
4:43 AM-5:43 AM
2:04 PM-3:04 PM

Day Rating I give it a 1-star rating for catching a few. Good Luck!

Patience is Key: Fishing requires patience. Stay calm and wait for the fish to come to you. Sometimes, waiting silently for a while can make all the difference. Actually, life itself is like that. 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]

Where Northern Lakes & Streams Start to Flow Again on April 3/2024

Good Morning! It’s time to lace up our boots and tend to the chores, knowing that every task brings us closer to a day not wasted.

It’s a rainy day here in the north, it started around 2:00 AM, and it will continue on for most of the day, and adding to that we could see some more snow. Depends on how far the temperature drops. The good news is, at least for my lovely wife and I we got pretty well everything that needed doing outside yesterday all done up. I even washed our car and got rid of all the salt and grim from underneath. This stuff they are putting down on the roads today, sure isn’t healthy for the bodies on our cars and trucks.

Highway 522 is still very quiet these days, but in saying that, there isn’t all that much to warrant folks to be moving around, or come to visit just yet. However, that will change in the coming days.

Solar Eclipse: I can’t help but shake my head at all the hullabaloo surrounding this solar eclipse. It seems nowadays people are taking it as seriously as if the sky itself were about to fall. Some are even going as far as declaring a state of emergency over this eclipse! There’s even talk among some groups that this eclipse spells the end of the world. The last one, well….. I kinda think they’ve been reading too many tall tales or something. Then again, they’ve been predicting the end of the world since before I can remember. Must be a bit like that broken clock being right twice a day.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it ain’t a sight to see, and each one’s got its
own kind of magic. But it seems these days, folks are taking it a mite
too seriously, if you ask me… and avoiding the end of days? Well, you might as well try to convince a chicken to lay chocolate eggs!

On another note, being that it is a touch wet a cool here this morning, I think I will continue on writing up this new novel I have been working on for the past few weeks now.

With that, I am off for a bowl of porridge and will then see what the day has in store, other than what I have planned. As I said above, what will be, will be.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when you start it with hot cocoa, you know you’re in for a good day!” 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]

What’s Happening Here at our Home In The North on April 1/2024

Good Morning! Time to greet the sun with a smile and thank the land for all it gives us.I hope you all had a Happy Easter!”

Looking outside this morning, there is no sunshine to be found, but I am thinking we should see some a bit later on in the day. Let’s hope so, as sunshine has a way of brightening one’s day… in more ways than one.

Highway 522 has been quiet for the past few days, which I chalk up to families getting together instead of traveling. For us on the Easter Weekend we enjoyed the company of our two boys who came for a visit. We don’t get together all that often, maybe twice a year if lucky being that they live so far apart, but in saying that we all had a great weekend together.

Moving along onto other things, I haven’t accomplished too much outside for the past week or so, being that the weather hasn’t been all that nice, but inside the house was another story, as I worked away here on my novel I have in the works. It is coming along, but the urge to get outside, is pulling hard on my coat strings… and truth told I am not sure which one is going to win. Ha ha.

Politician Fact or Fiction:: Politicians are like summer mosquitoes—annoying and persistent. Swat ’em away, and they’ll still come back for more, just like that pesky carbon tax bill.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast and will then see what the day has in store. Looking out, I can see a wee bit of blue sky!

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this. “As a young one, my morning routine was simple: wake up, rub the sleep from my eyes, and head straight for the old wood cook stove, where a steaming mug of hot cocoa was waiting to greet me like an old friend. ”

But in saying that, my lovely wife today picked up the reins so to speak, as we have a cup every morning after breakfast, while enjoying our morning chat. You could say It’s the glue that holds our marriage together. As, after fifty some years enjoying each other’s company, we’ve learned that keepin’ those lines of communication open is mighty important. GW

Fishing Times For Monday
04/01/24

Major Times
5:55 AM-7:55 AM
6:24 PM-8:24 PM

Minor Times
2:33 AM-3:33 AM
10:15 AM-11:15 AM

I give it a 1-star rating for catching a few. Not the best of days, but you never know! Good Luck!!

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]