Only On The Walters Post

Now, I’m not here to tell folks what to think, I’m just sharing what life has shown me. Take from it what makes sense, leave the rest, but maybe let it sit with you a while.

So, there’s Carney, strutting around the Calgary Stampede wearing a cowboy hat like he owns the place. Now, don’t get me wrong, cowboy hats have their charm, but let’s just say not everyone can pull off the look. And Carney, well, the hat might be doing more work than he is.

Now some folks have that natural cowboy vibe, the face, the swagger, and the confidence that says, “Yeah, I’ve been riding bulls and riding horses since I was knee-high.” But Carney looks more like he just wandered in from a tourist bus, trying to blend in with the locals by borrowing someone’s hat. It’s not that the hat’s bad, it’s just, well, I kind of think, that Carney’s hat is the star of the show and Carney’s playing backup.

Still, you have to admire the effort. It takes guts to wear a cowboy hat in a place full of real cowboys all around. Maybe that’s the point, it’s not about looking perfect but about joining the fun, tipping your hat even if it’s a little sideways, and soaking up the Stampede spirit.

So here’s to Carney, the man, the myth, and the cowboy hat legend in his own way. Truth be told, the hat’s a lot easier to root for than the guy wearing it, but that’s just part of the Stampede story.

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

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Good Mornin’ from the North; Where the Sky’s Bigger, the Days Are Longer, and Life’s a Whole Lot Simpler.

So starting things off we’re waking up under a sky that’s partly sunny this morning, The humidity’s hanging around, but nothing one can’t handle.

By midday, temps will climb fast toward a hot 85°F (29°C). Expect plenty of sunshine with just a few clouds drifting by. A light southwest breeze will also roll in around lunchtime, just enough to stir the leaves, but not your hat.

Tonight, things will stay mild and a bit sticky, with the low sitting at 69°F (21°C). You can expect some clouds to drift in, with a 40% chance of a late-day thunderstorm. You might even hear a rumble if you’re on the porch, so keep an eye skyward.

Tomorrow rolls in cooler and wetter: highs near 75°F (24°C), lows around 55°F (13°C). Expect rain and even a thunderstorm, especially in the afternoon, so best to keep your raincoat handy if you’re heading out.

Highway 522 has been picking up traffic every day, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year. And with our gift shop and garage sale set up here at 11588 Highway 522 in Port Loring, we’ve been seeing a steady stream of new faces pulling in.

Selling a few things is always nice, sure, but that’s not the best part. The real pleasure comes from chatting with folks, hearing about what’s going on in their lives, and stepping outside your own little world for a bit. The thing is, most people have a story worth hearing if you take the time to really listen.

You know, it makes my day when someone drops by and shares a tale or two. You could say it reminds you just how connected we all really are, and we are, though not always in ways most folks truly understand. To explain it properly, well, that’s something best done face to face. Some things just don’t come through the same in written words.

But I’ll say this much. It has to do with energy. Not the kind you measure with wires and gauges, but something quieter and deeper. It’s the pull between people, the kind you feel when someone’s really present, or when a story lands just right. That energy is always there, surrounding us, and it ties us together in ways we can’t always explain, but somehow know are true.

So if you ever find yourself heading down this way, don’t be a stranger. There’s always a chair to sit on, some shade out back, and usually a bit of time to share, if the feeling’s right.

Bug Report: This morning, as I was picking rose petals for some health remedies, those pesky mosquitoes were out in full force. It was all I could do to get the petals picked, and I was more than happy to get back inside. That said, they should ease off once the sun comes out… let’s hope so.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today is shaping up to be a nice one, and with rain on the way for tomorrow, I figure I’ll get busy digging some more dandelion roots, along with comfrey roots and mullein leaves. It’s always good to have those tucked away come winter when they aren’t fresh and handy. My wife and I have leaned on them for years now to help with all sorts of aches and ailments, so having a good stock is a kind of quiet insurance.

That’ll keep me busy for most of the day, though if time allows, I might tackle cleaning up my old woodworking shop again. I’ve gotten a bit sloppy in there over the past few days, and it feels good to bring some order back now and then. And of course, we’ll be sure to make time for folks dropping by the garage sale and the gift shop. It’s always a pleasure to see new faces and catch up with old friends.

I have to tell you, this year is shaping up to be one for the books when it comes to selling flutes and the books we’ve put together that are filled with hard-earned knowledge about life, natural health remedies, and gardening. Not to forget all my stories of life in general. You know, for me, it feels good to share those stories and lessons, knowing they might help someone else find their own way. Which is the way things should be, especially in a world as complicated as we all are living in now.

So with that I am off for my breakfast once again that my lovely wife is making for me and will then head out to our front porch for a cup of hot cocoa which will give us a good start on the day ahead. You just never know what a day might bring, and I really mean that.

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

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Good morning, folks. You know, I’ve said and written a lot over the years, but mornings still find new ways to bring something to the surface.

Well, she’s looking like another really nice day here in cottage country.
The sun is shining through the pines, the morning doves are at our feeder, the bluebirds are steadily bringing food to their young who made a home in the birdhouses I built awhile back, and to top it all off, the temperatures are just about perfect.

Right now, it’s sitting at a comfortable 60°F (16°C), and by the time midday rolls around, we’ll be looking at a high of about 79°F (26°C). It’s the kind of day where one should take advantage of the nice weather while you can. Whether that means puttering in the garden, taking a walk around one’s property, or just sitting with your coffee and letting the birds do the talking.

Tonight, we’ll see things cooling off to a pleasant 57°F (14°C). Good sleeping weather if you leave the window cracked a touch.

Tomorrow’s shaping up to be a hot one. Expect a high near 86°F (30°C) with a mix of cloud and sun. The morning might start off a bit overcast, but it’ll clear some as the day goes on. Overnight temps will only dip down to around 69°F (21°C), so it’ll stay warm right through the evening.

All in all, not a thing to complain about. If you’ve got outside chores, I’d say get at them early before that heat sets in. And if not, well, maybe just enjoy a cool drink in the shade and take the day as it comes.

Highway 522 was busy with traffic yesterday, and we had another good day with folks dropping by the gift shop and picking up items from our garage sale. Hard to believe we had that much stuff tucked away that we never used, but we’re slowly working through it. Judging by how many folks are stopping in, I figure we’ll find a home for whatever’s left before too long.

Now in saying that, we’ve still got plenty to browse through, and that includes more than just garage sale odds and ends, as our little gift shop is also filled with one-of-a-kind pieces we’ve made right here on the property—things you won’t find anywhere else. And the best part? Most everything inside is marked at half price. We have deals outside and inside waiting for ya. What could be better than that?

So… if you’ve got a mind to hunt for a few treasures, drop on by. We’ll be right here at 11588 Highway 522, Port Loring, Ontario, open from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Bug Report:
Well, while we were out mowing yesterday, we sure noticed a fair number of no-see-UMS, mosquitoes, and deer flies buzzing around and bothering us. Now, I’ll admit, they don’t bite me all that often, but they sure do their best to annoy me. My wife, on the other hand, isn’t so lucky. I figure it’s because she’s a whole lot sweeter than I am—and the bugs know it, too.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my little woman’s fixing up, and after that, we’ll be out on the front porch with a warm cup of turmeric tea, watching the morning unfold. There’s always something to see around here—birds at the feeders, squirrels up to no good, and the wind dancing through the pines. It’s a peaceful place, the kind you don’t come across too often anymore. No matter where you stand on the property, it’s as pretty as a picture.

So, If you’re out and about, feel free to stop in. Between the garage sale and the gift shop, there’s plenty to look at—and while you’re here, take a stroll around the place. This property of ours is up for sale, and I’ll tell you, it’s something special. Folks always talk about waterfront, and sure, that’s nice, but in my books, being tucked just a little inland has its own kind of charm. It’s quieter, more private, and you don’t have to worry about the blackflies breeding right at your doorstep. Ha!

It’s one of those places you have to see for yourself—close to everything, but just far enough away to feel like you’ve stepped into your own little piece of country.

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