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.

Stories From my Old Desk on May 31/2025 The Last Day of May

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One of our many gardens

Good Morning… I remember one time, my old Dad and I were enjoying a cool drink out under a tree after a long day’s work. We weren’t saying much, just letting the day settle around us. After a bit, he gave a small sigh, more to himself than to me, and said,
“You know, George… if something really matters, you’ll find the time for it. Maybe not right away, maybe not even today, but sooner or later, you’ll make room. And if you don’t, well, it probably wasn’t worth doing in the first place.”

You know, I’ve carried that line with me ever since, as life really does have a way of showing you what’s worth chasing, and what’s better left behind. That is, if you’re willing to open your mind.

Good Morning…
Well, opening the door to head outside this morning, there’s no mistaking it, the temperature’s taken a good dip since yesterday. That warm spell we were spoiled with seems to have moved on, and in its place, we’ve got that cool, damp spring air settling back in. You can feel it in your bones.

For today, Saturday:
Well… we’ll see mostly cloudy skies, with the high only making it to about 54°F (12°C). There’s a bit of a bite to the breeze too, coming out of the north around 20 km/h, and gusting up to 40 before calming down later on. Tonight’ll be on the chilly side again, with a low around 41°F (5°C) and skies clearing here and there.

Sunday’s looking a touch better:
A bit of sunshine poking through, and we might get up to 66°F (19°C) if we’re lucky. But once the sun dips, it’ll cool off fast—dropping down to a cold 38°F (4°C) overnight. Might be a good idea to throw an extra blanket on the bed.

I’m thinking I might cover my tender plants in the vegetable garden before heading in for the day.

Come Monday:
Now that’s when things start shaping up. A mix of sun and cloud through the day and warming up nicely to around 71°F (22°C). Overnight low will hang around 52°F (11°C), which isn’t too bad at all.

Highway 522: Well, it isn’t all that busy these days, not like it used to be years back.
I suppose that’s to be expected, what with the weather not exactly being all that inviting. But truth be told, there’s more to it than just a bit of rain and chill in the air. And what would that be? Well… money’s tight. Real tight. And a big part of that comes from the powers that be taking nearly half of a working man’s paycheck.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep on saying it: a man or woman works hard for that money, and not one red cent of it should be taken before it even hits their pocket. It’s theirs, earned by the sweat on their brow, not some government official pushing paper behind a desk. They like to throw around all kinds of excuses, saying it’s needed to keep the country growing. But that’s the furthest thing from the truth. The real growth, the real strength of this country, has always come from the people who roll out of bed before the sun, who keep things running, and who are already being taxed in just about every other way you can imagine.

Bug Report:
Well, yesterday, with things warming up a wee bit, the blackflies and mosquitoes decided it was time to make their grand return. It wasn’t too bad if you kept moving, but the minute you stopped to catch your breath or lean on a fence post, they were on you like a government official coming after more of your paycheck.

Now, if you’re wearing a hat, it comes in handy, not just for keeping the sun off, but for swatting away those little bloodsuckers. And I’ll tell ya, that old hat of mine earned its keep yesterday, flapping around like it had a mind of its own. Today however being so cool out there and a touch windy they won’t be as bad.

On another note:
Yesterday, I worked the day away talking to folks who dropped by our garage sale that started yesterday and runs through till Monday. We’re open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, right here at 11588 Highway 522, Port Loring, Ontario. Had a good bunch of folks coming by, picking up their choice items, but there’s still plenty left to sell. So if you’re around today, or any day this weekend, don’t be shy, come on down and see what we’ve got. Whether you’re hunting for a bargain or just want to stop and chat, we’d be glad to see you. Lots of treasures still waiting for new homes!

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today, even though it’s a bit cool out there, I’ll be carrying on with our garage sale. My wife’s been steadily putting new things out, and I have to tell you folks, I don’t even know where half of it came from. At any rate, it all has to go sooner rather than later, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Might have to dust off my old coat again, though, with this chill in the air.

With that, I’m off for my morning breakfast. And being that it’s early, I’m thinking there’ll be plenty of time afterward to sit with a nice cup of hot cocoa and have a good chat with my lovely wife. Man, we’ve been so busy these past few months, and I have to tell you, with me not being in the best shape through winter, I’m not quite sure where I’m finding the energy to get all these things done.

The good news is, I am feeling better. Reason being that I’ve been serious about some natural remedies I picked up from an old Native friend of mine, Grey Wolf. He shared his knowledge with me many years ago, and it’s been a real help lately, along with my wife’s care and support, and eating a lot better, or should I say healthier, as I work through my issues. A few folks have asked how I’m holding up these days, so I thought I’d say that with what Grey Wolf taught me, combined with my wife’s help, it’s making a real difference.

Anyway, I am starting to feel a lot better, and that’s what matters most.

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]

From an Old Timer That’s Seen It All on May 30/2025

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Good Morning… You know… with all that has been going on with our lives these days, I have found that. “Some days teach you more than you wanted to know.”

Well, it’s shaping up to be a pretty nice day here in Cottage Country. The sun’s working hard to break through, and the temperature isn’t all that bad, it feels like one of those days where you might just get a little of everything.

Any way, here’s your weather outlook for Port Loring, Ontario:

Today – Friday, May 30
Expect a mix of sun and clouds through the morning. As the day rolls on, there’s a good chance of scattered showers, especially in the afternoon. Highs will reach around 66°F (19°C), with a light breeze from the west-southwest. By evening, the skies should start to clear up, and overnight lows will dip to about 43°F (6°C).

Tonight – Friday Night
Skies will become partly cloudy as the evening progresses. Temperatures will cool down to a low of 43°F (6°C), making for a crisp night. Winds will be light, coming from the northwest at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow – Saturday, May 31
The day will start off mainly sunny, giving way to a mix of sun and clouds by the afternoon. It’s going to be cooler, with highs around 56°F (13°C). There’s a slight chance of sprinkles late in the day. Overnight, expect partly cloudy skies, with lows near 39°F (4°C).

Looking Ahead – Sunday, June 1
Sunday brings partly sunny skies, with a high near 62°F (17°C). It’s shaping up to be a pleasant day, perfect for any outdoor plans. The evening will be clear, with temperatures dropping to around 39°F (4°C).

So, keep that umbrella handy just in case, but it looks like the weekend will offer some decent weather for getting outside.

Highway 522 picked up a wee bit traffic-wise yesterday, and I suspect it’ll get even busier in the coming days, especially once the Black Flies leave us for another year.

Bug Report:
Well, with it being so cool and wet yesterday, the Black Flies weren’t all that bad. But if the sun decides to show herself today, you can bet they’ll be back out, annoying folks like they always do. And of course, we can’t forget the mosquitoes—they’re already out and about these days, hungry as ever and showing no compassion for us humans., what’s so ever.

On another note, my wife and I spent most of yesterday working inside the house since it was so wet out. We got a lot done and managed to bring even more items out for the garage sale, which kicks off today at 10:00 AM and runs through Saturday and Sunday.

Our first sale went great—we sold a lot—but after going through more stuff, we found plenty more to put out. This time around, we’re hoping to clear it all out. So if you see something you like or want, just speak up. We’ll make you a deal, guaranteed.

We’re located at 11588 Highway 522 in Port Loring, Ontario— near Home Hardware. You can’t miss us, just follow the red garage sale signs.

We’ll be open all three days from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I’ll be heading outdoors to get this garage sale up and running.

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]

Old Hands, Memories & A Cup of Something Hot on May 29/2025

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Our Home Side Veiw With Fish Pond

Good Morning… Laura, the lady that raised me, used to say: “George, you don’t need much to be rich if you’re counting the right things.”

Well, the sunshine has left us, and it took the warmer temperatures along with it. We’re getting a bit of rain coming down now, and it looks like it’ll be hanging around for a while.


Weather Forecast – For Port Loring, Ontario, Canada:

Today, the rain’s moved in, and it’s settling down like it’s got nowhere else to be. Expect light to moderate showers throughout the day, with a chilly breeze tagging along to keep things damp and cool. Temperatures will hover around 52°F (11°C) by this afternoon, which is a noticeable dip from the warm stretch we just had.

Tonight, things will stay on the damp side. Cloud cover will hold tight overhead, and there’s a good chance the rain will linger through most of the night. Overnight lows will dip down to around 43°F (6°C), so it’ll be a good night to toss an extra blanket on the bed and maybe fire up the wood stove if you’ve got one.

Tomorrow, the clouds might finally start to break up a bit. There’s still a slight chance of an early morning shower, but by late morning or early afternoon we could see some brighter skies trying to peek through. It won’t be warm by any stretch, with highs only reaching 55°F (13°C), but at least it’ll be drier.

So in short, keep the raincoat by the door today and tonight, and maybe cross your fingers for a bit of clearing come tomorrow afternoon. The garden might get a decent soaking out of this, which isn’t all bad.

Highway 522 is still slow traffic-wise these days, which is understandable, being that the weather hasn’t been all that inviting. Truth be told, most folks out this way aren’t in a rush to go anywhere unless the sun’s shining, the road’s dry, or there’s a sale up the line aways. And even then, they’ll think on it over coffee first.

Bug Report:
Well, I have to say, them there black flies and mosquitoes are sure making a nuisance of themselves these days. And my wife isn’t too pleased about it either. Can’t say I blame her, as they get up under her hair and nibble on her ears like they’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

As for me, well, they usually leave me be. I did have a couple take a taste yesterday, but I guess I wasn’t sweet enough for their liking. Still, while I was out mowing, I had to use my hat now and then to swat them out of my eyes. They were swarming so bad I almost drove the old Roper Riding Mower into the ditch a couple of times.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today’s a bit wet out there, so I’m planning on helping my wife with some work inside the house. We’ve got plenty to sort through—years’ worth of collected odds and ends. We’ve already managed to put out a fair bit, and with that, we’re gearing up for another garage sale starting tomorrow. It’ll run for three days, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, right here at 11588 Highway 522, Port Loring, Ontario.

Just watch for the red garage sale signs by our driveway, you can’t miss ’em.

And while you’re here, don’t forget to check out our gift shop. We’ve got some great deals on pieces we’ve made ourselves. My wife with her artistic flair and creative spirit, and me with wood, tools, and a stubborn streak. These aren’t mass-produced things here. They’re made slow, with care and know-how, shaped by years of doing what we love.

On another note, my wife and I decided to get our mowing for the week out of the way yesterday, knowing the rain was coming today. Took us all morning, and I’ve got to tell ya, we were both more than ready to put our feet up once we were done. Seems like every year, jobs like that get just a wee bit harder to do.

But hey—no one can say we’re not getting our exercise.

So with that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife’s put together for me. After that, we’re thinking of settling in with a hot cup of chicory coffee for a change. Not saying hot chocolate isn’t just as good,,, but every now and then, we’ve found a change can be nice. Not always, mind you, but once in a while it works out just fine.

After that, well, we’ll see what the day has in store. One never really knows, and maybe that’s half the fun of it.

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]

Garage Sale – May 30, 31 & June 1/2025 (10 AM to 4 PM)

Location: 11588 Highway 522, Port Loring Ontario

We had a great garage sale a couple of weeks back—but don’t worry, this one’s not just leftovers!

Since then, we’ve cleared out even more from the house and the woodworking shop, and let me tell you, we’ve uncovered a whole new batch of treasures. There’s a fresh mix of old tools, handmade pieces, kitchen odds and ends, vintage finds, and plenty more.

If you’re out for a drive or just looking for something to do, swing on by. You never know what you might find, and chances are, you’ll leave with something you didn’t know you needed. We’ll be all set up May 30, 31, and June 1, from 10 AM to 4 PM each day. We’d sure enjoy the visit.

One special piece that’s up for grabs is a small pine table with two drop leaves and turned legs. I made it myself a few years ago, and my wife painted a lovely design on the top. It’s time for it to find a new home, so if it catches your eye, we’re letting it go for $125. And if there are any crafters out there, well they won’t want to miss this sale.

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]

The Old Desk Still Speaks on May 28/2025

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Our Fish Pond is Starting to Look Nice now, Got the Water Wheel Working For Another Season

Good Morning… You know, I have found over the years, that there’s no shortcut to doing it right the first time.

So it’s looking as if we’re in for another nice day here in Cottage Country. The sun is showing off, and at the moment, there isn’t a cloud in the sky. There’s just something about these early morning hours that brings on a feeling of contentment up here in the north. I suppose it comes down to the quiet, the stillness, and being surrounded by nothing but nature.

Weather For Port Loring, Ontario Canada:

Today – Wednesday, May 28

It’s shaping up to be a beauty. Expect sunshine through the morning, with a few clouds drifting in later. The high will reach around 80°F (27°C). Winds will be light, and the air will feel fresh. By evening, there’s a chance of showers moving in though, so you might want to keep an eye on the sky if you’re planning to be out.

Tonight

Clouds will thicken as the night goes on, bringing a good chance of showers. The low will dip to about 53°F (12°C). It’ll be a calm night, perfect for listening to the rain on the roof.

Tomorrow – Thursday, May 29

A cooler day ahead. Expect mostly cloudy skies with occasional showers, especially in the morning. The high will be around 62°F (17°C), and the low will settle near 49°F (10°C). A good day to catch up on indoor tasks or enjoy a quiet moment or two by the window.

Highway 522 is still quiet in our area. Not too many folks moving around. But it is early in the season, and the weather hasn’t been all that nice. With that, and the price of things these days, folks are staying close to home. But in saying that, as soon as the nice weather hits, I’m sure our country style of living will start to play on the city folks’ minds, and the call of the country will be upon them. And when that happens… well, old Highway 522 will start to get busy.

Bug Report:
Well, them black flies are out in full force, along with the mosquitoes—those blood-sucking parasites. But the good news is, I did spot a dragonfly or two yesterday, and their main meal just so happens to be black flies and mosquitoes. Which means we humans and critters will get some relief in the coming days.

On another note,
Yesterday I worked the day away getting more things in the woodworking shop ready for our next garage sale this weekend. My wife’s been busy, too, clearing out more from the house. Between the two of us, we’ve rounded up a good mix of treasures—old tools, handmade pieces, kitchen odds and ends, some vintage finds, and who knows what else.

If you’re out for a drive or just looking for something to do, swing on by. You never know what you might find—and chances are, you’ll leave with something you didn’t know you needed. We’ll be set up and ready to go this weekend, and we’d sure enjoy the visit.

So, with that bit of information out in the open, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife’s put together for me, and then I’ll be heading outdoors. Still early, but there’s no sense wasting a beautiful day like this.

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]