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.

Looking At Life’s Simple Pleasures On Feb. 6/2024

Good Morning Folks! “Like a sunbeam through the barn window, may your day be bright, warm, and filled with the sweet scent of hay.”

Those were the days, getting up at 4:00 AM to milk the cows, feed them along with the others. Not to forget cleaning their stalls. You know, them critters were always happy to see me, and I can’t say I blame ’em, I was the one bringing breakfast. I was always happy to get back to the farm house after milking for mine.

Highway 522 is pretty well clear but being so cold along with a frost through the night I suspect there are some slippery sections one might have to keep an eye out for.

Old Grey Wolf, my friend of years ago, loved to tell the story of the talking trees deep in the heart of the forest where he lived. “They whisper secrets to those who listen,” he’d say with a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “But you have to have patience and an open heart to hear ’em.” I would laugh and shake my head, but deep down, I knew there was truth in his words. For in the stillness of the woods, the trees spoke volumes, sharing tales of ages past and dreams yet to come.

I sure miss our chats, but as much as I miss him, his words have never left me.

I remember listening to another old feller, years ago while enjoying a soda as he went on to say that a friend of his, got caught in a blizzard and ended up spending the night in the abandoned barn on the edge of town. Now, depending on who you ask, he said, that barn is either haunted by ghosts or home to a secret stash of grandma’s moonshine. And I am leaning towards grandma’s…. but you never know. I have to tell you, being young at the time, the tale held my interest.

On another note other than stories, yesterday I traded in my woodworking shop for my desk and worked away on editing another video I took awhile ago. It took me most of the day and will finish it up this morning. After that, I am back to my woodworking shop to make a new axe handle. I am thinking of making a video on how I go about making it. I will see how that goes.

With that you all have a great day and remember, the wind knows no boundaries, and neither should you. 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]

Everyday Life in the Country On Feb 5/2024

Good Morning! As the day unfolds, let’s remember that the best things in life ain’t found in the bright lights of the city but in the quiet moments and simple pleasures of the countryside. Or so it’s been said by a few of us old timers.

It’s a cool morning here in cottage country, but not as cold as it used to be years ago. Actually, yesterday, my lovely wife and I sat out on our front porch and had our lunch. Hard to believe we didn’t need a coat, but we sure enjoyed soaking up that sunshine and feeling like the world slowed down for a spell. And by the looks of things, the warm weather will remain with us for the next few days or so. Which is fine with me. We love our front porch! Especially this time of year.

Highway 522 is clear of snow and ice, which has made travelling quite good for the past couple weeks.

Stories of the past: Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, Dad would step outside our farmhouse and breathe in the crisp country air. With a mug of steaming coffee in hand, he’d watch as the world woke up around him—the cows grazing lazily in the pasture, the roosters crowing their morning song, and the dew glistening like diamonds on the leaves of the trees. “Ain’t nothing quite like the start of a new day in the country,” he’d mumble to himself, a contented smile on his weathered face. I sure miss his stories/humour and smiles.

On another note, once again I worked away in my woodworking shop on a project I have on the go, and made a video of how I went about making it. Which I will show folks on my YouTube channel at a later date. So far it’s been a hit with thousands of people tuning in to watch them. Quite amazing really. I never ever suspected that, so many were wanting to revive the simple life. Nice to see, that’s for sure.

With that I am off for another bowl of porridge that my lovely wife has prepared for me and will then see what the day has in store.

“And remember, you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain, but you also can’t have a rainbow without sunshine. Keep shining!” 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]

An Old-Timer’s Insights On Feb 4/2024

Good Morning! Like a fine wine, may your day be smooth, full of laughter, and leave a pleasant aftertaste.

It’s a touch cool waking up here in cottage country. But in saying that after today we will be in for some warmer temperatures which should get rid of any snow we have left on the ground. We might even get in some front porch sitting, soaking in some much-needed sunshine.

Highway 522 is still quiet these days, hardly a car moving east or west. Which is fine with me as that is why I moved here many years ago as where our farm was things were growing leaps and bounds. No room to move without someone watching you. That kind of life isn’t for me. But don’t let the tranquility fool you; life in the countryside isn’t all sunsets and sweet tea. We’ve got our share of peculiarities too, which I won’t get into. Yet, in the midst of occasional absurdities, there’s a certain magic in country living that is in my bones so to speak which can never be removed.

Reminds me of my lovely wife and I one time as we sat on the porch watching the sunset paint the sky, She would pat my hand and say, “Ain’t life grand, dear? Just look at that view! No city lights can hold a candle to this.” I would nod, a wistful smile, while listening to her gentle reassurance. “You’re right, hon,” I’d agree with a sigh. “Nothing beats the quiet of country living.”

On another note, I worked most of the day yesterday in my woodworking shop once again. Today I will do the same, I am in the midst of a project that I have always wanted to do, which I hope turns out okay. We will see later on today how that turns out. You never know what can take place when you’re working with wood.

So with that I am off for another bowl of porridge, for some reason I always enjoy it, especially on them cool days of winter. My dad would say it sticks to your ribs like glue and keeps hunger at bay. Truth told, you could probably patch up a leaky roof if you gave it half a chance

Have a great day and remember, never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction! 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]

Groundhog Day, Feb 2

They said in the news yesterday that, Ontario’s Wiarton Willie, didn’t see his shadows on Friday morning. Which in turn means that spring isn’t that far off. I am all for that.

You know, back when I was young, Groundhog Day was like a holiday. We’d all gather around, shiverin’ in the cold, waitin’ to see what that groundhog had to say. It was as if nature was telling us what the weather had in store.

But these days for most it’s all about fancy gadgets and high-tech gizmos. Instead of trusting the wisdom of the groundhog, we’re glued to our screens, checkin’ weather forecasts like there’s no tomorrow. It seems we’ve lost touch with the simplicity of it all.

We also didn’t need much to be happy back when—just good company and the promise of spring in the air. It’s a shame we’ve let it slip through our fingers in this fast-paced world.

I think we should all take a step back, remember the good ol’ days, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll find a bit of that old-fashioned joy once again. 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]

In The News Today

President’s Choice Chocolate Has Been Recalled Across Canada. The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it may contain almonds which are not declared on the label, So for those with nut problem they could cause problems, and for those that doesn’t … well, I will leave that part with 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]