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.

What’s Happening These Days

Escaping the Social Media Quicksand with a Dash of Humor

In a world where social media platforms have become our digital playgrounds, the real question that arises is, “What comes next?” Are we slowly morphing into a society that relies more on scrolling than strolling, and double-tapping rather than double-checking? It’s time to take a humorous yet truthful look at the social media frenzy that’s swept us off our feet, and how we can regain control of our lives.

#HashtagHijinks: The Social Media Stratosphere

Oh, the magical land of hashtags and filters, where a humble selfie can transform into a glamorous portrait with a swipe and a click. We’ve all seen it—friends contorting their faces into ungodly shapes, all in the name of finding that perfect selfie angle. But let’s face it, folks, we’re not all aspiring models, and the world can only handle so many pouty lips and smoldering gazes.

Reality Check: FOMO vs. JOMO

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has become our digital arch-nemesis. We’re constantly bombarded with images of friends’ fabulous vacations, gourmet meals, and picture-perfect lives. But wait, isn’t that just one corner of their lives, meticulously curated for likes and comments? It’s time to embrace the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO). Put down the phone, step out into the real world, and discover that life isn’t just about the highlights reel—it’s about embracing the messy, unfiltered moments.

Self(ie)-Discovery: A Journey Back to Reality

In a world where a carefully constructed online persona reigns supreme, it’s easy to forget who we really are. Have you ever seen a photo of yourself and thought, “Do I really look like that?” Maybe it’s time to leave behind the Snapchat filters and come face-to-face with the real, unfiltered you. Remember, the quirks and imperfections are what make you uniquely beautiful.

Escaping the Digital Quicksand: Take Back Your Life

So, what comes next after social media saturation? It’s high time we rekindle our relationship with reality. Start by setting time limits for your scrolling sessions—because let’s be honest, you don’t need to know what your aunt’s neighbor’s dog had for breakfast. Engage in activities that don’t involve screens—read a book, go for a walk, try cooking a new recipe (and hey, sharing it online is optional!).

The Punchline: Life is Calling, and It’s Not a DM

In the grand sitcom of life, social media might be a recurring punchline, but it’s not the main act. The real question isn’t just “What comes next?” but also “What’s happening now?” Let’s pause the meme marathon, step away from the cat videos, and reclaim our time for genuine experiences, real laughter, and in-person connections.

So, the next time you’re about to post a photo of your avocado toast, remember this: life’s most precious moments aren’t filtered or cropped. They’re raw, unedited, and waiting for you beyond the screen. It’s time to log off and live on—because the only thing better than a viral tweet is a life well-lived.

In a world of likes, let’s love our lives offline. It’s time to press “unfollow” on the digital realm and hit “like” on the world outside our screens.

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

The Love-Hate Relationship Between Media and Government – It’s Complicated!”

Subtitle: “A Comedic Exploration of How Journalists and Politicians Tango Through Tumultuous Times”

Introduction: Ah, the news media and the government – like peanut butter and jelly, Batman and Robin, or Monday mornings and a good cup of coffee. Their relationship is a dance as intricate as a salsa routine, as dramatic as a soap opera, and as confusing as trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions. In this whimsical exposé, we unravel the tangled web of their “mutually beneficial” partnership, proving that sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction.

Act 1: The Dramatic Tango of Crisis Creation: Imagine a world without crises – no sensational headlines, no anxious viewers glued to their screens, and worst of all, no politicians with an audience to impress. The horror! Enter the news media, with their trusty magnifying glass, seeking out specks of drama even in the dullest of situations. Need to spice up a story about a lost cat? Suddenly, it’s “Breaking News: Feline Phenomenon Grips the Nation!” The government officials, meanwhile, gleefully watch the media circus unfold, rubbing their hands together in anticipation of their time in the spotlight.

Act 2: The Grand Illusion of Response: Government officials have a responsibility – nay, a duty – to appear as though they’re responding decisively to crises. Think of them as magicians, pulling rabbits out of hats (or policies out of thin air). The media plays along, eager to capture the heroic moment when our leaders swoop in to save the day. Whether it’s declaring war on the menace of rogue squirrels or promising to eradicate the ominous bubble gum shortage, politicians are quick to seize the opportunity for a photo op, complete with a stern gaze into the camera that screams, “I’m here to fix things!”

Act 3: The Mythmaking Mambo: As the tango intensifies, so does the mythmaking. Journalists and politicians spin tales more convoluted than a season finale of a binge-worthy TV show. Suddenly, a garden variety traffic jam becomes a national crisis of epic proportions – “Traffic Armageddon: The Day the Commuters Stood Still.” And don’t even get us started on the labyrinthine narratives politicians construct to explain why they were seen exiting a donut shop at 3 AM while advocating for healthier eating.

Act 4: The Cosmic Collision of Self-Interest: In this cosmic dance, self-interest reigns supreme. Journalists need sensational stories to boost their ratings, secure their jobs, and maybe even get that coveted Pulitzer. Meanwhile, politicians yearn for reelection, striving to convince the masses that they alone possess the secret formula to solve all of society’s ills. It’s a collision of ego, ambition, and the perpetual craving for validation, all wrapped up in a glitzy package of sensational headlines.

Conclusion: So, there you have it – a backstage pass to the greatest show on Earth, where the news media and the government twirl and twist, each fueling the other’s insatiable appetite for attention. Whether it’s a joint fabrication or a genuine crisis, one thing’s for sure: this dance isn’t ending anytime soon. So, dear reader, the next time you catch a glimpse of a politician dramatically patting a firefighter’s back while the camera zooms in, or witness a journalist turning a minor hiccup into an apocalyptic ordeal, remember the intricate tango they’re performing for your entertainment. And who knows, maybe someday we’ll see them on “Dancing with the Stars: Media vs. Government Edition” – because when it comes to outlandish spectacles, they’ve certainly earned their spot in the limelight!

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]