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.
George's Writers Corner, Weather, What's Happening

Typing Like It’s Still 1963 on May 13/2025

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Good Morning… Do what you can with what you’ve got.

So starting things off… It looks as if we are in for another really nice day here in Cottage Country.

The sun’s up, the sky’s clear, and we’re heading for a high of about 72°F, or 22°C. Just warm enough to enjoy without breaking a sweat. Tonight will cool off a bit, down around 50°F, or 10°C, and tomorrow’s shaping up much the same—maybe even a touch warmer. No complaints on this end.

Highway 522 has picked up somewhat, but not as much as it was last year. With the weather being the way it has been, that’s understandable. Things will pick up, though, as the days move forward.

Bug Report:
Well, the black flies are out now. Still not as bad as they’re going to be, but just enough to annoy folks somewhat—especially the deeper you are in the bush. It won’t be long before the critters start roaming alongside the roads and crossing here and there, trying to get away from them, so care should be taken if you’re out and about.

On another note, yesterday I had plans to get some more outside work done around the house here, but I’d forgotten my wife had a dentist appointment in North Bay. So, we headed off to town. While there, we picked up a few things we were in need of, had lunch in our car while people-watching, and then grabbed a coffee before heading back home, taking in all the spring colours along the way.

In my mind, the spring colours are every bit as nice as the fall ones, with all the trees, plants, and flowers starting to show off. Sure is a sight to see them all waking up after their long winter’s nap. All in all, a great day.

So with that, I’m off for the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me, and then I’ll see about tackling the things I planned on doing yesterday. As I keep on sayin’, life is one ongoing mystery, as one never knows what a day will bring.

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]

George's Writers Corner, Weather, What's Happening

Back When Pens Wrote Stories, Not Checks on May 12/2025

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Good Morning… It’s all right to not have it all figured out.

Well, it looks as if we’re in for another nice day here in cottage country. The sun’s just peeking up over the trees, the stripe-headed birds are out there picking off black flies, and the trees, still a little shy from winter, are finally starting to show off their leaves for summer. It’s that time again when the whole bush seems to come alive overnight.

Today’s Weather Forecast for Port Loring, Ontario, Canada:
We’re in for mostly sunny skies today, with a high reaching around 76°F (25°C). There’ll be a nice breeze from the southwest at about 5 to 10 miles per hour, just enough to keep the bugs guessing. Tonight, the skies will stay clear and temperatures will dip down to a low of about 53°F (12°C).

Looking ahead to Tuesday:
It’ll be a warm one, with the mercury climbing to around 83°F (29°C) under mostly cloudy skies. Winds will be light and variable, and by tomorrow night, it’ll cool off just a bit with a low near 60°F (16°C).

Might be a good couple of days to get some outside work done, or just sit back and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. Either way, it looks like we’ve got a good stretch ahead.

Highway 522 is getting busier every day. Even our locals are starting to move around, which means spring has officially arrived — folks are dusting off their trucks, checking if the coffee shop’s still standing, and acting like they haven’t seen each other in years, even though they bumped into each other last Thursday.

Bug Report: Well, the black flies are out, but they ain’t in full attack mode just yet. They’re buzzin’ around, testin’ the waters like they’re not quite sure if it’s worth the effort. Might be the cool mornings slowing ‘em down, but one thing’s for sure — once they get that first taste of blood, all bets are off. They go from curious to downright mean, and after that, you might as well be wearing a “Free Buffet” sign on your forehead. For some, that is.

On another note, yesterday I spent the whole day outside, cleaning up around the yard, fixing up our fishpond, and straightening out one of the sheds. I even managed to squeeze in a bit of painting here and there. All in all, it was a busy day — but a good one.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, with it being so nice outside today, I figure I’ll spend some time in the woodworking shop. And if I get a chance, I’ll fire up the old rotivator — bought that thing back in the ‘70s, and it works the soil a lot finer than a tiller. Not many folks make ’em like that anymore, if any. The vegetable gardens… are about due for their first turn over, but I think I’ll save the actual work for Wednesday, let the ground dry out a bit more.
And if the day keeps going the way I’m hoping, my wife and I will end up out under the basswood tree on that swing I built awhile back. It’s been calling for company, and I think it’s about time we gave it what it’s askin’ for.

So with that, I’m off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me — well, after she finishes watering her plants, of course. They’ve been giving her the ol’ “thirsty look” for the past couple of days, so I’m sure she’s got her hands full with that. I’ll just sit tight and try not to let the smell of coffee make me too impatient, while she plays plant whisperer.

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]

George's Writers Corner, Weather, What's Happening

Where the Stories Keep Coming on May 11/2025

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Good Morning Folks… Not every day needs to be big to be good.

It’s looking like one fine day here in Cottage Country. The sun is showing off, and the temperature is on the rise.

Today, Sunday: Sunshine from start to finish, with a high around 61°F, or 16°C. There’s a little breeze picking up out of the southwest this afternoon, just enough to keep the bugs from getting too comfortable. A good day to hang laundry, turn soil, or sit with your coffee and let the world drift by. Tonight will cool off to around 43°F, or 6°C, under partly cloudy skies.

Monday: The sun returns and holds steady. Expect a high of 72°F, or 22°C. The wind will ease off, and it’ll feel like spring has finally settled in for good. The evening will stay calm and clear, dipping down to about 50°F, or 10°C.

Tuesday: The heat keeps building, climbing up to 79°F, or 26°C. It’ll be a mix of sun and cloud, still fine weather for just about anything you’ve got planned. There’s a small chance of a shower come nightfall, with the temperature holding at a mild 55°F, or 13°C.

Looks like we’ve got ourselves a stretch of real decent weather for a change. One has to take advantage of it while you can.

Highway 522 is starting to pick up traffic-wise, with plenty of new vehicles moving up and down the road these days.

Bug Report: I’ve been seeing a few Black Flies over the past couple of days. So far, they’re not biting, but that’ll change once the temperature starts to rise. If you’re one of those folks they like to nibble on, it might be a good idea to bring out your bug jacket.

On another note: Yesterday, I worked the day away outside, fixing this and that. I had one heck of a time with the pump I use for my fishpond. In the end, I replaced it with another one I had kicking around. Took a bit of doing, but the old water wheel is back to work again for the summer—well, at least I hope it is. You never know with equipment, they always seem to have a mind of their own.

My wife, on the other hand, has been real busy reorganizing our gift shop and getting things ready for our upcoming sale here at home on May 16, 2025. The sale isn’t just for one day—we’ll keep it going until everything’s sold, even if it takes a month. Daytime hours are from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. So yeah, she’s been, and still is, one real busy lady, let me tell ya.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today I’ve got a lot on my plate—cleaning up the shop and getting everything ready for the upcoming sale. It’s hard to believe how much stuff we’ve accumulated. We never dreamed we had this much to get rid of! Not sure where it all came from… guess we’ve both been a little too good at holding on to things.

So with that, I’m off for my morning breakfast, and then I’ll see what the day has in store—aside from what I’ve already got planned. It’s always a mystery.

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]

Events, News, Information & Events, What's Happening

BIG SPRING GARAGE SALE – Starts May 16th! In Port Loring, Ontario, Canada

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Hi folks, I just noticed I had the date of the sale wrong—it’s all fixed now. Sorry about that! I’d really appreciate it if you could help spread the word again.

BIG SPRING GARAGE SALE – Starts May 16th! And will keep it going till everything is sold, even if it takes a couple of months. Hours will be 10:00Am to 4:00PM
🌼

We finally finished getting things ready for our big garage sale — and believe me, there’s a lot to go!

We’ve got just about everything under the sun:
🔩 Jars of screws, nails, bolts, nuts, and washers
🍳 Instant Pots and kitchen gadgets galore
🎣 Fishing gear, reels, a fish finder
🛠️ Rakes, hoes, shovels
💻 Electronics – keyboards, a couple computer mouses, speakers, and more cords than you can shake a stick at
📦 Boxes of old tools, electrical and plumbing items, books, toys, even some office supplies and a cash register

And that’s just the start.

This is a garage sale, so most everything is negotiable — make an offer! We want it all gone.

We’re also clearing out everything from our gift shop, filled with handmade items my wife and I created. Most of those will be half price, including some great deals on the handcrafted flutes I make.

Heck, we’ve even got a good solid cement mixer up for grabs.
Oh! And there are even a few antiques for those who like that sort of thing. I am also going to sell some of my woodworking equipment too, and I also have a bunch of lumber rough cut all kinds and sizes.

Too much to list, really. You’ve got to come see it for yourself.
Starts May16th and goes until it’s all gone!

📍 11588 Highway 522, Port Loring, Ontario
👋 Hosted by George and Ruth Walters
🚗 For those who know the area: if our driveway’s full, there’s extra parking next door at Bea’s place
📅 Mark your calendar and come on by! May 16/2025

📣 And if you’re seeing this here on my Blog, we’d sure appreciate it if you could help spread the word and let others know about the sale. Oh, and all the items are in our car port, so rain or shine the sale will go on. Might pay to bring an umbrella, though. Thank you kindly!

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]

Gardening, George's Writers Corner, Health, My Opinion Only

The Future of Canada’s Produce

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Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

So here we are, talking about growing machine-grown lettuce here in Canada, and some folks are saying it could reduce our reliance on U.S. greens. Personally, I’m all for growing our own produce, as we should be doing more of it and supporting our local farmers. Our grocery stores should be filled with fresh, Canadian-grown vegetables.

Now, while I agree with the idea of growing our own produce, I’m not sure whether we need machines to do it. With systems like this, we risk putting more people out of work, and honestly, I don’t think we need to rely on machines for growing vegetables. Being an old farmer, it just doesn’t feel right to me. There’s something about the human touch in farming—connecting with the land and working alongside nature—that can’t be replaced by automation.

That said, I do believe the U.S. produces some of the best fruits and vegetables out there. There’s no comparison to what they grow—except for us, of course. So, my approach is simple: when Canadian produce is in season, I buy Canadian. When it’s not, I turn to the U.S. It’s a reasonable balance that helps support our farmers and ensures we get quality produce year-round.

I’ve also noticed that some people are boycotting American produce altogether, and I’ve seen more imports from places like Mexico, Israel, Guatemala, Africa and others in stores. While I understand the sentiment, I’m not convinced it’s the best solution. The taste and quality of produce from these countries often don’t match up to what we get from the U.S. or Canada. And here’s another concern: we have no way of knowing what kind of soil that produce is grown in, or what chemicals are being used. Other countries may allow pesticides and practices that we wouldn’t tolerate here in Canada, as our laws are stricter for a reason.

Now, I’m not advocating for more pesticides here in Canada, as I am a big supporter of organic farming and believe that’s the direction we should continue moving toward. But the fact remains, when comparing what we grow, what the U.S. grows, and what comes from other countries, there’s a clear difference in quality and safety.

So in the end, I think the key is finding the right balance. Let’s grow our own produce when we can, support our local farmers, and buy American when our crops aren’t in season. And for anything that can’t be grown in Canada or the U.S., that’s when we should rely on other countries. But there needs to be strict rules about how it’s grown and what’s put on it. If we can’t ensure that, then we’re opening the door to more risks than we should be willing to take.

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]