All posts by George Walters

News, Information & Events

Letter To “VIRGINIA O’HANLON.

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I like to post this every year.  ENJOY!!

“DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
“Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
“Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
“Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

“VIRGINIA O’HANLON.
“115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.”

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

News, Information & Events

Merry Christmas Folks

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Well Christmas is finally upon us.  Just wanted to thank all those that have taken the time to drop by, Email, write and call me through out the year.  Sure means a lot to hear from you as it is you that keeps me writing.  Our new book “Moments In Time, should be out  around June first of 2010.  We are home for Christmas this year and family is heading our way.   So………………Merry Christmas everyone and yes, I really do mean “Merry Christmas,” not just happy holidays or happy winter break, etc.  Click On Image To Enlarge, Just For You.

Merrychristmas

My Opinion Only

Why I Do What I Do?

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You know there probably is a lot of you folks out there that think I am maybe over exaggerating a touch, when it comes to what is happening in this world today.  Well I suppose I can get up tight on a few things, but the reason in doing this is that when I see something that just doesn’t seem right, I feel that I should let you know my opinion on what I think of them.   Thing you have to remember, is that all I am trying to do is give you the other side of the coin. Now a days folks seem to pretty well believe that everything the Powers That Be tells you is the truth, when it isn’t.  No one is perfect including myself, lots are just trying to make an extra dollar, lots are pretending to know when they really don’t.  Now take the doctors here in Canada.  Say where they come from.   I would say most is of the doctors now in Canada are of an Asian back ground that we are allowing to practice in our country.  I for one don’t see why we aren’t getting an equal amount from other countries.  Say like Italy, Germany, USA, France, England, Australia, well you get my meaning, there are lots more I am sure.  The Powers That Be would like you to believe that these other countries aren’t looking to move here to Canada.  That is totally wrong, as I know for a fact of what is really happening. I have talked to numerous doctors, specialists of all kinds and they all have said they have been waiting so long for the Canadian government to get back to them that they have all but gave up hope. One lady dropped by this year a renown heart specialist from Germany.  She said she has been on the waiting list now for over five years and would just love to come here to set up shop.  Not going to happen she said, as it is all in who you are if you are wanting to move to Canada.  I believe what she is saying to be true too.  So you see,  that is why I get to talking like I do so often on certain topics, as if someone doesn’t get the other side of the story out there, folks just figure everything is ok when it isn’t, or could be better.  Had better go, got a fresh perked coffee waiting to be tasted, I have had my say for the day.  My Opinion Only

My Opinion Only

MSG Or Monosodium glutamate, a “flavor enhancer.” Pretty Well In Everything You Eat

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Lately this labelling of foods has been a big thing, as folks are now suppose to be able to tell what is in the food they are eating.  Well let me tell ya, don’t believe everything you read.   Example.

Have you noticed all the canned soups now proclaiming “No MSG” on the label? If you look closely, however, many of them are still made with yeast extract, a hidden source of MSG. Autolyzed and hydrolyzed ingredients also contain hidden MSG, so avoid any products made with those.  The only way in my eyes for a gal or fellow to eat safe now a days is to grow and cook your own.  That’s what my wife and I do and you know, it isn’t that hard.  For those that can’t plant a garden, they should then shop for locally grown produce, take it home and then get busy.  Simple as that.  To much work some say.  I say well, how much is your health worth to you?  My Opinion Only.

Health

For Those That Love To Cook

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You know I got to reading an article the other day about cooking with oil.  Here is what it says.

If you cook with oil, cook with coconut oil. It has a much higher “burn” temperature than any other oil, including olive oil. In fact, I don’t know of any oil that’s truly safe to cook with other than coconut oil.

Now in reading that it brought back memories of when I was young.  Laura the lady of the house when going to town would stop off at the feed mill and I can distinctly remember her picking up some  coconut oil every once in awhile for her cooking.  Back then it was kind of a luxury using the oil and for most parts it went into pastry and things like that.  For cooking eggs she just used good old butter as we do here today.  Nothing tastes better than eggs cooked in butter sunny side up with a touch of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.  Think I am going to have a couple right now.  Have a great day.

George's Writers Corner

Sunday Humor

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I changed the day from Sunday to Clouday as there isn’t one bit of sun in the sky in our neck of the woods.

Had an old friend of mine send me this bit of humour, some have probably read it before but for those that haven’t here ya go.

An old prospector shuffled into town  leading an old tired mule.
The old man headed straight  for the only saloon in town to clear his parched throat.
He walked up to the saloon and tied his old mule to the hitch rail.
As he stood there brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the  other.
The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, ‘Hey oldman, have you ever danced?’
The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, ‘No, I never did dance, — just never  wanted to.’
A crowd had gathered quickly and the gunslinger grinned and said, ‘Well, you old fool, you’re gonna’ dance now,’ and started shooting at the old man’s feet.
The old prospector in order to not get  a toe blown off or his boots perforated was soon hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet and everybody was laughing fit to be tied.
When the last bullet had been fired the young gunslinger, still laughing,holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.
The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double barreled shotgun, and cocked both hammers back. The loud, audible double clicks carried clearly through the desert  air.
The crowd stopped laughing immediately. The young gunslinger heard the sounds too,
And he turned around very slowly. The quiet was almost deafening.
The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the  large gaping  holes of those twin barrels.
He found it hard to swallow. The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man’s hands.
The old man said, ‘Son, did you ever kiss a mule’s behind?’
The boy bully swallowed hard and said,   ‘No. But I’ve always wanted to.’

There are two lessons for us all:

1. Don’t waste ammunition.

2. Don’t mess with old people.

Other Things

A Bit On The Meaning Of Life From My Friend Grey Wolf

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I remember one day years ago, summer time to be exact, that I was sitting with my very good friend Grey Wolf.  We got to talking about life and I asked him what he thought was the most important thing about living, along with the most hardest.   Well after a bit of sitting and not saying anything he looked up and said.  “George, for myself I had to come to the realisation that my life is entirely my own and no one else’s. In other words, I have to learn to take responsibilities for all the things I choose to do in life and if some don’t work out, so be it and I have to then learn to be able to take the consequences of those choices.”  He then went on to say that, “you know George, I honestly believe there are no spirits or gods to call on for help, in the real world, you have to deal with these things all on your own.  It’s up to you to deal with your life and yours alone. You also have to come to an understanding that this life you got now is the only life you will ever have and it’s now or never, you don’t get a second chance where your losses are made up for. Once your day is done here on this earth there is no after life as you now know it.  Bottom line is George, it’s now or never so my advice is to make the most of each day and live it.  Once these things are accepted nothing or no one will be able to hold you back from your venture through life.”  “Grey Wolfs Feelings On Life

I can honestly say that I built my life around them few words and looking back, I can’t see any flaws anywhere.

My Opinion Only

Views On Fuel For Cars & Humans

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I see in the paper that they figure they should be giving this green fuel a bit more attention.  In other words ethanol.  First off I don’t think they should be looking at this at all. What they should be doing is looking toward ways like solar, wind and things like that.  There is ways out there right now, the problem is that the huge fuel companies won’t let them surface for any length of time.  Crazy.  All boils down to money folks.  With making fuel from corn one would think that would be a good thing. They say Mother Nature is doing the job for us. Nothing could be further from the truth Mother Nature hasn’t got anything to do with it.  Read on.   The corn fuel is just taking valuable soil that could be used for food, which by the way is becoming quite scarce.  To fix that problem they are now using generic seed which is another great catastrophe.   Reason being these huge companies can pretty well put into the seeds what ever they want.  Doing so no one knows what they are consuming.  Most of the food your eating right now isn’t healthy eating.  I got a theory on what they are doing to us humans. I believe that manipulation is behind what you are eating.  You are what you eat, and what they give you to eat is what you will become. Sounds kind of far fetched for some to fathom I suppose, but trouble is, if we don’t open our eyes soon it will be to late, they will have won.  Can’t let that happen, you got to get more self reliant and open ones eyes.  What they are doing by saying going green, is just another cover up so they can merge into society what ever they so choose.   So there you go, I said my peace for today and now going to put a few of them pancakes my lovely wife made for me on a plate and cover them with pure maple syrup we made from our own trees last spring.  Mouth Watering Good.    My Opinion Only

My Opinion Only

Global Warming Question?

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I thought I would ask your views on Global Warming.  James.

Well for some that is a touchy question. But for me it is quite easily answered.  My feelings on the subject is that yes, the world is warming to a certain extent, as all the signs point to that.  The question what should be asked is, what is causing the problem.  I believe that the radiation output from the sun is what is causing the problem, as it has happened  many years ago when the dinosaurs were around.  Sure us humans have contributed to the fact a touch, but we aren’t what is causing the problem.  This has happened years ago and will continue to happen for eternity.   Who and what has gotten so many folks in an uproar all boils down to a certain group of folks that make huge amounts of money. These folks are major corporations which makes tons of $$$$, simple as that.  Things is, there is folks out there that will believe anything you tell them.  There is also a lot out there now sitting back and taking a look at the real world, and, well, that is a good thing.  It’s like the flu shots.  At first there is nothing on earth that will stop this H1N1 other than getting the flu shot, the big pharmaceutical companies and others say.  Hmmm, guess what? There is countries that doesn’t have any drugs at all and the H1 N1 is almost extinct.   Also here in Canada and the USA it has pretty well passed us by.  One thing very interesting though while on this subject.  Folks here in Canada I feel are becoming a bit more self reliant, as I see only one third got the shot and I would bet even less is getting flu shots over all.  Now that is a good thing in my eyes, just wished there was more because I am afraid of what is going to happen to all those that have been taking the shot each year in the long run.  What the problem is with the flu shots or things like global warming, is that these so called Powers That Be have corrupted a lot folks minds into thinking that all these things are good for them, when in actuality they aren’t.  So there you go, my views on the subject. Some says hey, what makes you think you know it all?  I say hey, I don’t pretend to know it all.  I just feel that when  certain folks get to spouting off their opinion,  I in turn should be entitled to my opinion and that’s what I do best.  How’s that. Thanks for the question.  My Opinion Only

Weather

SNOWFALL WARNING For Port Loring & Surrounding Areas

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..15 TO 25 CENTIMETRES OF SNOW EXPECTED BEGINNING TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY..

A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CURRENTLY OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN STATES WILL MOVE TOWARDS THE UPPER GREAT LAKES. PRECIPITATION ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM WILL BEGIN AS LIGHT SNOW LATE THIS EVENING OVER MANITOULIN ISLAND AND SPREAD NORTHWARD AND EASTWARD OVERNIGHT. THE BULK OF THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO FALL WEDNESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY EVENING. SNOW WILL LIKELY CHANGE TO RAIN FOR MANITOULIN AND ITS VICINITY WEDNESDAY EVENING. 15 TO 25 CENTIMETRES OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OVER THE ABOVE REGIONS BEFORE IT TAPERS OFF WEDNESDAY NIGHT. STRONG EASTERLY WINDS MAY WHIP THE FRESHLY FALLEN SNOW CAUSING BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. TRAVELLERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR HAZARDOUS WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH THEIR DESTINATIONS. IN THE WAKE OF THE STORM..COLD WESTERLY WINDS GOING OVER THE GREAT LAKES WILL SET UP ANOTHER LAKE EFFECT EVENT FOR SNOW BELT AREAS ON THURSDAY. ENVIRONMENT CANADA WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS DEVELOPING SITUATION CLOSELY. SNOWFALL WARNING MAY BE EXTENDED TO OTHER REGIONS LATER TODAY IF NECESSARY.
George's Writers Corner

Humor For A Friday Night Here In Port Loring

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Kind of like this an old friend sent me.  Take A Look.

*How I learned to mind my own business** *

* *

I was walking past the mental hospital the other day, and all the patients were shouting,
’13….13….13.’

The fence was too high to see over, but I saw a little gap in the planks, so I looked through to see what was going on…..

Some idiot poked me in the eye with a stick!

Then they all started shouting ’14….14….14’…

My Opinion Only

Where Did Life On Earth Come From?

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For most my life I have believed that there is some sort of life on other planets.  Today though if someone is to elaborate on the subject  he or she is called a castaway of a sort and if that’s the case, I guess that’s me.  I see today in the news that they have found a bacteria like substance under the surface of a meteorite that they have found.  That is quite interesting to me, as if what they say is correct, which I have no doubt is correct, it will put a whole new prospective on how us humans might have became as we are today or maybe how we arrived here on this planet in the beginning.

Having a different out look on life, or another term might be, keeping an open mind, I gotta’ say has done me well all the years thus far.   Yes I am different than most, I only believe in scientific facts that have been proven true, I believe and trust nature but yet in saying that, it would be an unimaginable waste, if we were to think that we were the only ones, here on this little planet.   To each their own I say, what ever you can live comfortably with, that is all that really matters. My Opinion Only

George's Writers Corner

Update On Third Book “Moments In Time”

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Thought I would let folks know I am now full swing into getting my third book done up.  Lots to do but on the bright side after two books I at least know what lies ahead.  Right now it’s picking the stories that I would like to go into the book along with editing, editing, editing and more editing.  Amazing how you can write up story then later on come up with new things and ideas to add to it.  But I enjoy doing it,  that is all that matters.  My lovely wife is working steadily on the colour scheme for the cover and along with the painting.  It will be major change from my other two books and I am sure you all will like it.  She is also working on the sketches for each story. My sons are working on the technical stuff so as you can see things are getting done.  Also got a special poem going to be going into the book which I am sure you will all enjoy.  Not written by me, but by some one close, my sister Barb.   So……………if everything goes to plan, we should have it in the stores for the first of June. Hope to see you all at the book signings.  The dates of when they will be, I will post on here and put in with my columns as time goes by. Going to be a great book for sure.  New stories, longer stories, new sketches, a poem to remember and a whole new look.  What more can you ask for.   Talk Soon.

News, Information & Events

Hiring Folks From Other Countries Question

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Hey George.  what do you think of this article I read in the paper today.

Certain groups of foreign-trained workers will know within a year of applying for certification whether their training will allow them to work in Canada, the federal government said Monday.

Beginning in December 2010, foreign-trained architects, engineers, financial auditors and accountants, pharmacists and registered nurses will be among the groups that fall under the new framework, Minister of Human Resources Diane Finley said in Toronto.

Well let me tell ya.  First off it never ceases to amaze me when our powers that be get to thinking that these things can help our economy and is good for our country.  First off there is millions of folks that live right here now out of work.  There are lots of our own for that matter that have a lot of these qualities and can’t find work.  How about putting some of our own through training to do the job, as I bet most would only need a bit of upgrading to qualify.  Second thing is, if you look at all our pharmaceutical companies now, you will find way back somewhere that they are all owned and supplied by off shore countries.  Also just take a look at who is handing out the prescriptions now  a days.  Also take a look at our most of our doctors. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what is going on here.  What ever happened to; Made In Canada, or for that matter, Born and Educated  In Canada?  One has to remember as of years ago, you have to look after yourselves before you are any good to anyone else, selfish some say.  Yes it is, but that is  the correct way of doing things   So there you go.   Again My Opinion Only

Weather

First Snow Here In Port Loring Ontario

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Well first day of any snow to speak of this morning. Started to come down yesterday around two in the afternoon and pretty well kept it up till this morning.  Today my weather station is calling for sunshine so we will see.  Didn’t get to much snow, maybe a couple inches, but enough to let a feller or gal know of what lays ahead.  Sure is pretty looking out though, with all our huge pines just drooping.  I got to say the first snow fall has a way of doing something to a feller.  If I didn’t have some things to do this morning I think I could just sit here and look out all day long.  On another note.  My lovely wife is cookin’ up some bacon and soon as it is finished on will go the farm fresh eggs cooked right in the bacon grease. Can’t be beat.   One thing I love, is my eggs, bacon too, I know it isn’t the best one could eat, but two or three times a week is fine I have found, that is if one doesn’t over do it with other greasy things.  The thing I am looking for though, is one of them old time toasters, where you put the toast in and flip the lid up and down manually. One lid on each side.  If anyone has one of them that they don’t want any-more, just let me know.  You can reach me at [email protected]   Have a great day and remember.  A day worth getting up too, is a day not to be taken for granted.    (By Me)

Health, My Opinion Only

An Apple A Day

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You know I got to thinking the  other day on how we kept up with our health, when the cold old days of winter hit us all.  Laura the lady of the house always said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, adding, so eat your apple as there isn’t a doctor for miles.  And I did.  Seems to me back then I can’t ever remember having a cold or flu.   Things like that were unheard of for most parts.   Even today I can say that I haven’t had a cold or flu in over ten years and longer, now why is that some would ask, especially these days? Well other than eating right, washing my hands and never touching my face, and rinsing out my sinus’s when I get home from town, not much.   My favourite is a good old Empire apple. They are great for baking and in my eyes hold more cures for diseases than any other.  Well maybe one other and that would be the spy, which we don’t see much of any more. I would also like to mention here Laura’s way of telling whether the apples one buys is going to be really tasty.  She would always say if it hasn’t any blush on it, not meaning chemicals, they are not going to be very tasty.  What is blush.  Well blush is sort of a shading that is put there by good old mother nature and when wiped off, the apple will polish up to a brilliant shine.  That is what you want to be looking for in the stores, which you won’t find, as most stores coat the apples with a type of wax, which actually holds all the chemicals to the skin, which in turn, isn’t good for ya.  Way to get good apples is to seek out an apple tree that everyone has forgot about or find a farmer that doesn’t use any chemicals. Not an easy chore I know, but well worth the trouble.  Click On Picture To Enlarge;  See that blush, hmm good!!   My Opinion Only

Apples at Whims Farm

Weather

Preparing A Horse or Horses For Winter.

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Thinking back to when I had horses of my own it got me to thinking of what I did in preparing them for winter.  When the cold winter weather hits, many horse owners right away bring out the horse blankets.  Myself though, I have always figured that a horse’s normal winter coat is much more insulating than a blanket, and unless the horse has been clipped, is outside without a windbreak, or has been moved to a colder climate during the winter months, it will usually actually be warmer without a blanket.
One has to remember that the longer winter coat helps to trap the body heat against the skin. Also, tiny muscles in the skin raise the hairs, creating tiny air pockets which in turn heighten the insulating effect.  So if you flatten their fluffed-up coat by adding layers of light blankets, or even one heavy one, you can actually make the horse colder. Something to think about.  My Opinion Only