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, My Opinion Only

Trump Orders 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Movies

Leave a comment

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.

Honestly, I think this is a great move, as these days, most of the movies and shows coming out of other countries are just plain awful. Same plot lines, same acting style, same everything. My wife and I can usually guess what’s going to happen before the scene even finishes. There’s no real story anymore—just recycled themes with no heart.

We’ve found ourselves turning back to the old classics, shows like Becker, The Bob Newhart Show, and Gunsmoke—those had something special. The writing was sharp, the characters had personality, and even the animals seemed to have a sense of humor. And the kids? Well hell, they could really act, not just pose for the camera.

And for the record, I’m from Canada—and I’ll say this, we could use some fresh, good-quality shows and movies made here too. Truth is, most of what’s coming out of Canada these days isn’t much better. Not much substance, nothing that sticks with you.

So yeah, if this tariff brings focus back to real storytelling, solid acting, and something original for a change, I’m all for it. Hollywood used to have soul, maybe this is what it needs to find it again.

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

The Country Where Stories Grow on May 5/2025

Leave a comment

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning. As Laura, the lady that raised me used to say: “George, The Day Won’t Wait, But You Never Skip Breakfast.”

It’s another nice day here in cottage country, sun is out and things has warmed up some.

Port Loring, Ontario – Weather Forecast

Today (Monday, May 5):
Mild and mostly cloudy throughout the day.
High: 71°F (22°C)
Low tonight: 56°F (13°C)

Tonight:
Staying mostly cloudy with a mild breeze.
Temperatures will dip to about 56°F (13°C) overnight.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 6):
Mostly cloudy with a chance of a few afternoon showers.
High: 72°F (22°C)
Low tomorrow night: 48°F (9°C)

Looking ahead to Wednesday:
Cooler with some cloud cover and a possible morning shower.
High: 55°F (13°C)
Low: 29°F (-2°C)

If you’ve got chores to do outside, you best getter done before that midweek chill sneaks in.

Highway 522 is picking up traffic-wise with lots of new faces roaming around town. City folks, you know—they roll in with their fancy coffees, Bluetooth headsets, and cars that look like they ain’t never seen a gravel road.

On another note, my wife and I had a real busy day working in our basement, cleaning things up and sorting through what we’re putting out for the garage sale. By the time we were done, we were more than ready to sit down. I swear, I discovered muscles I didn’t even know I had.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, being so nice out and knowing we’re in for cooler, rainy weather after tomorrow, I’m thinking it’s time to get some outside work done, breathe in the fresh air, and then settle in for some front porch sittin’. One has to take advantage of this nice weather while you can

So with that, I’m off for my morning breakfast that my little woman has made for me, and then we’ll enjoy our hot cocoa along with our regular chat. Might even take it outside and soak up some of that sunshine. We’ve got this nice little cove we sit in on these spring mornings—a peaceful spot tucked out of the way where we can take in the nature all around us, and believe me, we’ve got plenty of it right here by our home.

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, What's Happening

Notes from a Life Lived in Stories on May 4/2025

Leave a comment

Click on Picture to Enlarge

It’s looking like a real nice day here in the north. The sun is shining, the grass is greening up nicely, and the buds on some of the trees are starting to look like actual leaves. Especially the white lilac we have by the house—it’s really something. When it’s in full bloom, you can smell it no matter where you walk around the yard. Over the years, I’ve taken shoots from the original and planted others here and there around the place. There’s just something about lilacs that I’ve always liked. Maybe it’s a sign that spring has finally settled in.

On another note, yesterday I was all set to clean up my old woodworking shop. But soon as I stepped outside, I noticed a bunch of water by the house. That didn’t look right, so I took a better look and found the old outside tap had sprung a leak. It’s been there a long time, and I guess it finally gave out.

Fixing it ended up taking most of the morning. It wasn’t the easiest thing, but with the new connectors they’ve come up with these days, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be. Truth be told, I was kind of proud of myself. Plumbing’s never really been my thing—but every now and then, you figure something out, and it actually works the way it’s supposed to. That’s a win in my books.

After I got that all looked after, I had some lunch, and then my wife and I spent the rest of the day doing a bit more cleanup around the property. By the time we wrapped up, the day was pretty much gone.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today my wife and I are planning to get a bit of work done down in the basement, tidying things up. With heating the house with wood all winter, things can get a little messy down there. Not terrible, but it could use some attention.

But first, I’m going to sit down and enjoy the breakfast my little woman made for me—a soft-boiled egg and some sausages from grass-fed critters. You just can’t beat that, especially when it comes to getting a good dose of K2. That’s the stuff most folks are missing these days. Problem is, with what they’re feeding animals now, a lot of the nutrients that used to be in meat just aren’t there anymore. But when they’re raised right—on real grass and the way nature intended—you get all the good things our bodies actually need to stay healthy.

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

Weather Outlook for Port Loring, Ontario Canada

Leave a comment

Only On The Walters Post

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Sunday, May 4
Today will bring mostly sunny skies, with a high of 64°F (18°C). Winds stay light, and the afternoon should feel comfortable if you’re out getting things done. By evening, temperatures dip into the mid-50s before settling near 42°F (6°C) overnight. Skies stay mostly clear.

Monday, May 5
The day starts off with some sunshine and a morning low around 48°F (9°C). By the afternoon, it warms up to about 70°F (21°C), though clouds will start thickening up. Showers are expected to roll in late Monday night, with an overnight low near 55°F (13°C). It won’t be a washout, but enough to keep the ground damp.

Medium-Range Forecast (Through Mid-May)

Looking past Monday, the pattern stays unsettled. We’re in one of those spring stretches where we get a few warm, dry days, then a cold front reminds us we’re not quite there yet. Temperatures will run up and down, with daytime highs generally bouncing between 52°F and 68°F. A few sunnier afternoons might brush 70°F, but that warmth won’t stick around for long.

Nights will remain cool, with several droppings into the mid-30s to low 40s. There’s even the potential for a light frost on the colder ones—still a bit risky if you’re thinking about getting a jump on the garden.

We’ll also see periods of showers mid to late week, with systems tracking through from the west. These will be scattered and hit-or-miss, but enough to keep things muddy between dry spells. Overall, the pattern across eastern Canada is stuck between colder air to the north and brief warm surges from the south, but no strong heat ridges are building in. So, while it’s not cold, it’s not the start of summer either.

Long story short—expect typical up-and-down spring weather. No big extremes, just a slow crawl toward real warmth. Patience will pay off.

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

One Writer, Many Stories on May 3/2025

Leave a comment

Click on Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning Folks… Out here, the stories grow right alongside the weeds.

It’s a cool, wet morning waking up here in cottage country. But the good news is, things are going to start to warm up with some sunshine showing herself a bit later on in the day

Saturday, May 3

Morning: Overcast and damp, with a bit of drizzle hanging in the air.
Afternoon: Some sun breaking through the clouds, helping to dry things up a bit.
High: 52°F (11°C)
Low: 33°F (1°C)
Evening: Partly cloudy and cooling down quick.

Tonight

Mostly clear skies with a few clouds drifting by.
Low: 33°F (1°C)
A cool one—might want to throw an extra log on the fire or grab an extra blanket.

Sunday, May 4

Morning: Bright and sunny, a fine start to the day.
Afternoon: A mix of sun and cloud, just enough to keep things interesting.
High: 61°F (16°C)
Low: 34°F (1°C)
Evening: Calm and clear, with just a hint of a breeze.

Looks like the weekend’s shaping up nicely after a damp start. So, dust off those patio chairs and get ready to enjoy some well-deserved sunshine!

Highway 522 is dry this morning and traffic has been picking up. Not as much as last year at this time, but that’s understandable with the weather being the way it is. However, that’ll all change in the coming weeks as folks start opening up their cottages and getting their boats in the water—not to forget the tourists looking for new things to do and see, away from the noise and bustle of the cities.

On another note, being that the weather wasn’t so nice yesterday, my wife and I spent the day working away here in the house. We got a lot done for our sale, which is closing in fast—just two weeks now. Still lots to do, though, but we’re slowly getting things to where we want them.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, today being so cool and wet outside, I’m thinking I’ll work away here at my desk—at least until the sun shows herself and things warm up a bit. And if that happens, I’ll head on out to the old woodworking shop and do some cleaning up out there.

With that, I’m off once again for the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. Then we’ll both settle into our La-Z-Boy chairs and enjoy our morning chat with a good cup of hot cocoa.

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]