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 “End of the World” Posts: Same Old Story

Only On The Walters Post

You know folks, every few months it’s the same thing. Some post pops up screaming, “Planet X is coming!” or “The world ends tomorrow! Be prepared! Jesus is the only way!” And people panic, stock up on beans, and share it like their life depends on it.

Here’s my feelings, it’s almost always nonsense. The end of the world has been coming since forever. Comets, planets, solar flares… you name it, someone said it would wipe us out. And here we are. Still walking around, spilling coffee, sneaking into Walmart without paying, and dealing with the same mess we always do.

These posts work on fear. They make you feel like the sky is falling unless you click, share, or pray in exactly the right way. And the people warning you? Most of them have been screaming this same apocalypse for years.

The thing is: Life itself is unpredictable enough, storms, accidents, stars burning out. Hell, you don’t need a viral post to remind you that the world is fragile or amazing.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. 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]

Listen Up About Those “Good Luck” Posts

Only On The Walters Post

Folks, I gotta tell you something about these Facebook and Twitter posts that claim if you don’t share them, you’re going to get cursed—or if you do, the universe will somehow reward you. That’s pure nonsense.

First off, nobody’s sitting up there checking your feed to see if you clicked share. If they were, they’d probably be busy dealing with hurricanes, politicians, and idiots trying to sneak in and out of Walmart without paying. Your little tap on that button doesn’t mean a thing.

And let’s be real—good luck doesn’t travel over Wi-Fi. And forwarding a chain email won’t make the universe suddenly say, “Oh, this one’s good. Let’s toss him a bone.” That’s not how reality works.

Here’s the kicker: these posts work on fear and guilt. That’s it. Guilt, fear, anxiety. They want you to feel like you’re failing somehow if you scroll past. You know what that reminds me of? Those old chain letters. You remember them, right? “Send this to ten people, or you’ll be haunted by a ghost.” Only now it’s Jesus holding a puppy, and the ghost is your nonexistent bad luck.

Belief isn’t something you push with a button. It doesn’t care about likes, shares, or how many people see it. Real decency shows up in the everyday things—helping a neighbor, telling the truth, being there when it matters. So don’t panic, and don’t click share out of fear. Scroll past if you want, laugh at how ridiculous it all is, and if you feel like it, do something real for someone. That matters far more than any Facebook post ever will.

Then again… some people will believe anything, as long as it’s printed in fancy letters and tells them what to do.

“Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. 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]

Notes From George Walters

Click On Image to Enlarge

Good Morning, You’re Still Here, So Might as Well Read This.

Well, we are all waking up to some sunlight here in Cottage country, which is a welcome change from the dreary day that we had yesterday.

Port Loring Ontario’s Weather For:

Today (Friday, Aug 29):
Started off sunny at a crisp 49°F (10°C). Feels fresh enough to wake you up without coffee. As the day rolls on, the wind will pick up and the sunshine gives up to clouds. High of 63°F (17°C), low down to 44°F (6°C). It’s one of those days when you’re not sure if you should put on a heavy shirt or not.

Tonight:
Clouds settle in for the night, with no stars, no moon, just gray. Low holds at about 44°F (6°C). Best option? Stay inside and let the outdoors do what it’s doing without you.

Tomorrow (Saturday, Aug 30):
Clouds keep hanging around, which seems to be their thing lately. The sun might show off a bit, but don’t plan your day around it. High reaches 70°F (21°C), low around 49°F (9°C). A decent day, nothing to write home about, but not one to gripe about either.

Highway 522 has been a bit busier these past few days. Not that there’s a whole lot of places to go here in town, as we’ve only got three or four stores, maybe five if you count the LCBO. And truth be told, with the long weekend coming up, that little liquor store has been hopping.

It’s the one place that always draws a crowd. Folks stop in “just to pick up a couple of things,” but somehow those couple things turn into a bag or two. You can always tell when someone’s been there, as they walk out carrying that brown paper sack like it’s the weekend itself, all wrapped up and ready to go.

At any rate, in a small town like ours, the LCBO isn’t just another store, it’s part of the rhythm of things. Right alongside the two hardware stores, it keeps the wheels turning and defiantly the conversations flowing.

On another note, my wife and I finished stacking our winter’s firewood yesterday. It took two and a half days this year instead of the usual two, which is a sign, perhaps, that we’re getting just a touch older. Still, we enjoy the work, and there’s a deep satisfaction in seeing the last log finally in place.

There’s nothing quite like knowing we’ll be warm and cozy no matter what Mother Nature throws our way. Wood heat seeps in, warming more than just the body. There’s a quiet pride in it, too—each log a reminder of the effort we’ve put in and the comfort waiting when the cold truly settles in.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today, my wife and I are going to get the mowing out of the way for the week. The grass has eased off a bit lately, which works just fine for us. It won’t be long before it stops growing altogether for the year, and then we can turn our sights to other things.

But first, I’m off to enjoy the bacon and eggs my lovely wife is making, followed by our regular cup of tea. After that, we’ll head outside and wake up the mowers for another round.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. 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]

Canada’s Submarine Dilemma

Only On The Walters Post

Canada’s submarines are getting old. The Victoria-class boats have served us for years, but they’re showing their age and need to be replaced. Now, the government is looking at two options from overseas—South Korea and Germany. Here’s what’s happening and why it matters.

Who’s in the Running

The South Korean option is the KSS-III. It’s a larger, modern submarine built for long missions and can carry missiles. It has advanced stealth features, can dive deep, and is designed to stay at sea for long periods. South Korea’s shipyards are ready to get started, and they say they could deliver four submarines by 2035, with more available later.

Germany’s option is the Type 212CD. It’s smaller, proven, and designed for Arctic and shallow waters. It’s reliable and already used by other navies. However, German shipyards are busy building submarines for Germany and Norway, so Canada would have to wait longer for delivery compared to South Korea.

Key Differences

Here’s the main point: The South Korean submarines are bigger, have a longer range, and can launch missiles. This makes them good for long missions, but their size might make them harder to use in tight or icy waters. The German submarines are smaller, ready for Arctic conditions, and have a solid track record, but they would take longer to get here.

Why Timing Matters

Waiting too long for new equipment has caused problems before. Steel and labor get more expensive, and costs can double over time. If new submarines aren’t ready before the Victoria-class retires, Canada could face a gap in its naval abilities. That’s why delivery speed is not just nice to have—it’s crucial.

What Canada Needs

Canada needs submarines that can operate in the Arctic, protect our coasts, and go on long-range missions. It’s also important to have Canadian involvement in training and maintenance to keep the fleet running smoothly for years to come.

The Trade-Off

There’s no perfect choice. If Arctic performance and proven reliability are most important, Germany’s Type 212CD is a strong option. But if timing and cost are key—replacing old subs on schedule and avoiding price hikes—South Korea’s KSS-III might make more sense, even if it’s larger than ideal.

Bottom Line

The time is running out, and if we wait too long, it might cost us more than we expected. In fact, by the time the first sub hits the water, it might be old enough to get a pension.

“Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive.
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]

Litter Boxes in Schools? Let’s Set the Record Straight

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You know, occasionally, the internet throws something at us that makes you scratch your head and wonder, “Did I miss a memo?” Lately, a persistent rumor has been floating around Facebook and other social media: that schools here in Canada are setting up litter boxes for students who identify as “furries.”

Well, in reality…this is not true. No school in Canada, including all schools in Ontario, has installed litter boxes in classrooms. No school board recognizes “furries” in any official capacity. Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Alberta… all have issued official statements confirming the story is false.

However, schools do allow students to express themselves within reasonable dress codes. Kids can wear fun clothes, hats, or themed outfits for spirit days or events. But this does not extend to recognizing “furries” as a formal category, and students cannot simply come to school in full furry costumes as part of official accommodation. Rules about appropriate clothing… no disruptive costumes in class, no masks that obscure the face… still apply.

So where did the rumor come from? Like most viral nonsense, it started somewhere else (the U.S.), got a little makeover online, and suddenly made the rounds here. Some folks saw it on Facebook or Twitter, read a shocking headline, and thought, “Well, if it’s online, it must be true,” and shared it faster than a kid running from chores.

The truth is much less exciting but a lot safer: Canadian schools are focused on teaching math, reading, science, and how not to eat glue in art class. There are no kitty litter stations hiding behind the lockers and no secret furry lounges in the gym.

So next time you see someone sharing this story, you can smile, shake your head, and maybe say. “Nope, schools are not giving out litter boxes.”

But hey... who knows what the future will bring? Maybe hallways that move like conveyor belts, that carry students to their rooms. Probably not, but it’s fun to imagine.

Fact-checked as of August 2025; There are no reports or official evidence of Canadian schools installing litter boxes or formally recognizing “furries.”

“Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive.
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]