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.

The Good Old Days Remembered

Let me know how many of you remember these old songs. I would like to hear from you. Truth be told, I can remember them all. Have a great 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]

House Cleaning Years Ago

Farmers in the past had a different way of life compared to what we have today. One of the biggest differences was the way they kept their homes clean and fresh. Without the modern cleaning products and tools, they relied on their resourcefulness and ingenuity to keep their homes clean and free from pests. In this blog post, I will explore how farmers like myself years ago kept their house clean and fresh.

Sweeping and Dusting

Sweeping and dusting were the most common cleaning tasks in rural homes. Farmers used brooms made of twigs, corn husks, or straw to sweep their floors. Dusting was done using a damp cloth, which was dipped in water and wrung out. The cloth was then used to wipe down surfaces, including tables, chairs, and shelves.

Homemade Cleaning Products

Farmers didn’t have access to commercial cleaning products, so they made their own. One popular cleaning solution was made by mixing vinegar and water. This mixture was used to clean windows, mirrors, and countertops. Another homemade cleaning solution was made by mixing lye, water, and fat. This mixture was used to clean clothes and dishes.

Freshening the Air

Farmers kept their homes smelling fresh by using herbs and flowers. They would hang bunches of lavender, rosemary, or mint around the house to keep it smelling sweet. These plants also served as natural insect repellents. Some farmers would also burn dried sage or cedar in the fireplace to freshen the air.

Pest Control

Farmers had to deal with pests like mice, rats, and insects in their homes. They used various methods to keep these pests at bay. One popular method was to sprinkle Boric Acid earth around the baseboards to deter insects. Farmers also kept their homes clean and free from food scraps to prevent pests from being attracted to their homes.

Conclusion

Farmers in the past may not have had the modern cleaning products and tools we have today, but they managed to keep their homes clean and fresh using their resourcefulness and ingenuity. They swept and dusted their homes regularly, made their own cleaning products, freshened the air with herbs and flowers, and practiced pest control. These methods may seem outdated, but they are still effective today and can be used in our homes to keep them clean and fresh.

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]

Vitamin D3

For years, I have emphasized the significance of obtaining vitamin D3 and its ability to safeguard against illnesses such as colds, flu, and other diseases. Here are some facts that I have discovered regarding this matter.

Vitamin D3, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is a vital nutrient that is essential for maintaining good health. It plays a critical role in many bodily functions, including bone health, immune system function, and inflammation regulation. While many people know that vitamin D3 is important for strong bones, they may not realize how vital it is for overall health, particularly in preventing colds, flu, and other diseases.

Numerous studies have linked low levels of vitamin D3 with a range of health problems, including increased susceptibility to infections. One of the primary ways that vitamin D3 helps protect against colds, flu, and other illnesses is by boosting the immune system. This nutrient helps to activate the immune system’s defenses, making it better equipped to fight off invading pathogens.

In addition to supporting the immune system, vitamin D3 also plays a crucial role in reducing inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can contribute to a range of health problems, including autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and cancer. Vitamin D3 helps to regulate inflammation by modulating the production of inflammatory cytokines, which are proteins that are involved in the body’s inflammatory response.

Studies have also shown that vitamin D3 can help reduce the risk of respiratory infections, including colds and flu. One study found that daily supplementation with vitamin D3 reduced the incidence of respiratory infections by 50% in people with low levels of this nutrient. Another study showed that vitamin D3 supplementation reduced the risk of influenza A by 70% in school-aged children.

While vitamin D3 supplementation can be beneficial for many people, it is especially important for those who are at higher risk of vitamin D3 deficiency. This includes people who live in northern latitudes, where sunlight is less abundant, and people with darker skin tones, who need more sunlight exposure to produce vitamin D3. Along with those working indoors.

In conclusion, vitamin D3 is a vital nutrient that plays a critical role in maintaining good health. It can help protect against colds, flu, and other diseases by boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and reducing the risk of respiratory infections. While getting enough vitamin D3 from sunlight and diet is ideal, supplementation may be necessary for some people, actually most people. So, next time you’re considering a flu shot, remember that vitamin D3 might be a better option for your overall health and immunity. And it would be a good idea to have it checked out to make sure where you’re at. I take 1000 IU every day, and so far I haven’t had a cold or flu now for over four 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]

Supper Time

Click on image to enlarge!

Here’s a recipe for mashed potatoes with butter, Brussels sprouts with a few carrots, and meatloaf:

Ingredients:

  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
  2. Place the chopped potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
  3. Add the butter and milk to the pot with the potatoes, then use a potato masher or fork to mash the potatoes until they are smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. While the potatoes are cooking, steam the Brussels sprouts until they are tender but still slightly firm, about 8–10 minutes.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  6. Press the meat mixture into a loaf pan, then bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the meatloaf is fully cooked and browned on top.
  7. Serve the mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and meatloaf hot, garnished with additional salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

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 On April 21/2023

Click on the image below to enlarge. It explains exactly what is going on these days. At least the way I see it.

Good Morning!

It’s not too bad of a morning temperature wise, with it sitting at 5.3 C | 41.54 F. It won’t warm up much more than it is now for the remainder of the day. We will also see some showers off and on all day long. The old saying April showers brings May flowers is holding true. Highway 522 is quiet this morning, but it will pick up being Friday with folks needing, or should say wanting, things for the weekend. My wife and I have everything we need for now, so we will be staying at home.

And being that my wife is still recouping from her episode with the dentist, she doesn’t feel like going anywhere, anyway. And on top of all that, the price of gas has once again gone through the roof with it sitting at $1.72 a Litre in North Bay, A crazy price that isn’t warranted. These so-called Powers that Be that are adding on this carbon tax hasn’t got a clue on what is really happening with our environment, as this tax is hurting more than it is doing any good. If asked, there would be no way they could justify it. Any money they do make from it is given away anyway. Kind of a sad state of affairs the working man/woman is living with these days.

Ah, hell! I could go on here for an hour, but it wouldn’t accomplish anything, so I am heading off for a bite to eat and will then see what the day has in store, other than all this bureaucratic nonsense that is happening these days. That’s the polite way of saying it!!Ha ha

In Closing I Would Like To Wish You Well. 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]