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.

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]

What’s happening in the Frosty Woods on March 29/2024

Good Morning! Where the chickens wake us up before the rooster, reminding us, that sometimes life’s clock don’t tick quite like we expect.

It’s a down right cool morning here, waking up in the north. Getting out of bed, the temperature was sitting at -3.9 C | 24.98 F. It will warm up a bit, but not to where a person could do any front porch sittin’.

Highway 522 is still very quiet traffic wise. One thing can be said about small towns is that, you never have to worry about finding a parking spot at the hardware store. You just pull up and leave your truck/car right out front, ’cause chances are… you’re the only one there.

On another note, yesterday once again I worked away here at my computer on my new book I am writing. I have to admit, even if it is to myself, that it’s slowly coming together. But in saying that, it has been a challenge which is what I enjoy, as my life has been full of challenges, and so far… I have overcome them all.

Politicians Fact or Fiction: “Living in the country all my life, I found that Politicians are like tourists here in the north – they’ll come and go, but they’ll never understand the real way of life up here!”

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is preparing for me and will then see what the day has in store other than what I have planned.

You all have a great day and I will leave you with this bit of wisdom that my old friend Grey Wolf told me many years ago: “In the school of nature, every creature is a teacher – from the ant showing us the value of hard work, to the bear reminding us to take time to rest and recharge.”

Click on picture to enlarge!

Fishing Times For:

Friday
03/29/24

Major Times
3:13 AM-5:13 AM
3:38 PM-5:38 PM

Minor Times
–:—–:–
8:08 AM-9:08 AM

I give it a two-star rating out of 5 for catching a few!. 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]

What’s Happening At Our Home Here in The North on March 28/2024

Good Morning! Another day, another chance to work the land and walk in the footsteps of our ancestors.

In saying that, not much will be done in the way of working the land today, with it still being quite cool outside. I also saw some flakes of snow coming down, which says that spring might be on our doorstep, but it isn’t here yet.

Highway 522 is bare but wet this morning. Traveling should be pretty good for those having to travel. My wife and I did go to North Bay yesterday, picking up a few things for Easter, along with some groceries and things. While there I took my lovely wife out for her birthday, we had a nice meal, a glass of wine, and chatted for over an hour, simply taking in each other’s company. We kind of did up two engagements at the same time, as the day before was our 51st Wedding Anniversary. That’s got to be some kind of record going by today’s standards. Ha ha. All in all, it was a great day.

On another note, being that the weather has been so cold and wet, I have been steadily working on my novel staying in side where it’s warm. I have to admit, I don’t like this cold, damp weather. I guess it’s a sign of the years catching up with me, feeling the chill in my bones like this. But can’t say I’m complaining, not when I can still get out of bed and get things done. Makes a man grateful for the little things, that’s for sure.

Politician’s, Fact or Fiction: “Back in my day, politicians were like a storm on the horizon – you could see ’em coming, but there was no telling how much damage they’d do.” Still about the same today

With that I am off for a bowl of my favorite porridge this morning, along with a piece of toast that my lovely wife is making for me, or has made for me, and will then get to seeing what the day has in store, other than what I have planned.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “A wise wanderer knows that the best adventures begin with a single step and end with a hot cup of cocoa chatting with those, he or she loves.” GW

Fishing Times:

Thursday
03/28/24

Major Times
2:27 AM-4:27 AM
2:50 PM-4:50 PM

Minor Times
7:43 AM-8:43 AM
11:09 PM-12:09 AM

Day Rating
I give it a two-star rating for catching a few. 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]

What’s Happening From My Writer’s Desk Here in the North on March 24/2024

Good Morning! Another day begins with the sun smilin’ down on us like it knows something we don’t… and maybe it does!

For a change, we are waking up to sunshine this morning, but it is still a touch cool. Our weather station is down this morning, having some issues as the power went out and something went on the fritz, and on top of that my son Karl is away on business for a week. So… it will have to wait to be fixed till he gets home.

Highway 522 is still quiet, but it will pick up in a couple of weeks when things start to warm up.

On another note, yesterday once again I worked away here at my computer on my mystery novel, and I suspect I will be doing the same today. I might mosey on out to my woodworking shop a bit later and light the stove, so things are a bit warm in there, in case the urge hits me to do some woodworking. We will see how that pans out. And if it warms up enough, my wife and I will see about enjoying our afternoon coffee on the front porch, soaking up some of that sunshine. The sun is feeling warm, but the air is cold.

But as my old Dad, being a farmer, used to say: “A late spring is nature’s way of ensuring a great harvest.”

Politician Fact or Fiction: You know, I have come to the conclusion that Politicians are like a stubborn mule – you can try to steer ’em in the right direction, but more often than not, they’ll just dig in their heels and do what they please!

With that I am off for a bowl of porridge that my lovely wife is making for me and will then see what develops, life’s like a calf learning to walk, sometimes you have to stumble a few times before finding your footing.

In closing, you all have a great day and I will leave you with another tidbit on life that I came up with being a woodworker in part “In the workshop of life, every setback is just another opportunity to sand away imperfections and reveal the beauty within.”

Fishing Times:

Sunday
03/24/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
12:05 PM-2:05 PM

Minor Times
6:38 AM-7:38 AM
6:42 PM-7:42 PM

Day Rating
I give it a 4 out of 5, 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]