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 Musk Misunderstanding: A Call for Perspective

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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.

It’s baffling to see so many eager to tear down Elon Musk, especially from those who claim to care about the environment among other things. The truth is, Musk has done more to push humanity forward through Tesla’s electric cars and SpaceX than most could ever dream of. Oh sure, he’s made mistakes, who hasn’t, but his contributions are undeniable.

Meanwhile, in Canada and beyond, billions are being wasted while crucial sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and self-sufficiency are underfunded. Farming, once the backbone of our nation, has been replaced by imports, leaving us vulnerable. Why? All to save a buck. The same can be said for healthcare, where inefficiencies are running rampant.

Musk, for all his flaws, is working toward a more efficient world. He’s cutting waste, streamlining processes, and making the tough decisions that many others avoid. It’s something we should’ve been doing long ago.

If we focused more on supporting local farmers and investing in our own industries instead of relying on others, we’d be in much better shape. The truth is, we’ve lost sight of the values that made us strong: self-reliance and practicality.

Instead of tearing down those who are trying to make a difference, we should be backing them. Again, Musk may not be perfect, but his work is shaping a better future for all of us and that’s the rest of the story as an old feller years ago used to say.

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]

Hearing About a Takeover? It’s All Hot Air

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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.

Lately, there’s been a lot of noise about the United States annexing Canada, some treating it as a serious concern, others as political theater. Either way, it’s a pointless discussion that stirs up division.

This speculation isn’t new. Political figures have tossed around the idea before, but this latest round is reckless… not because an invasion is likely, but because it fuels unnecessary tensions.

What’s troubling is that many of the loudest voices aren’t even from Canada. It’s always outsiders stirring the pot, telling Canadians how they should think and feel. This isn’t about serious policy; it’s about distraction.

Now, I believe in free speech. People have the right to write what they want, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t upset others just the same. Stirring up fear over something so unlikely does more harm than good, and at some point, you have to wonder what the real motive is.

Canada and the U.S. have a long, complicated relationship, with working together when it makes sense and clashing when it doesn’t. But the idea of an American takeover is laughable. The logistics alone make it impossible, and the last thing the U.S. needs is another endless conflict.

However, if it ever did happen, Canada wouldn’t stand much of a chance. Our military is small, the population spread thin, and resources, well lets just say… limited. Resistance wouldn’t last long, and that’s the harsh reality.

At its core, this isn’t about war. It’s about headlines, fearmongering, and distraction. Instead of focusing on real issues like the economy, trade, and energy independence, people are getting caught up in wild speculation.

Canada isn’t going anywhere folks, and the U.S. isn’t going to invade. It’s time to move on from these imaginary problems and focus on real ones.

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 Weathered Writer’s Notebook on March 30/2025

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It’s a cloudy morning here in the north. We are also getting some freezing rain thrown in for good measure.

Weather for Port Loring, Ontario

Today (Sunday, March 30)
We’re looking’ at a mix of ice and snow, with accumulation around ¾ to 1½ inches (2-4 cm) before the day’s done. Roads will be slicker than a greased pole, so if you can stay put, that’d be the smart move. High of 37°F (3°C).

Tonight
Freezing rain’s sticking’ around, building up even more ice on everything in sight. Low of 32°F (0°C).

Tomorrow (Monday, March 31)
Not quite as cold, but still plenty of clouds. Rain and a possible thunderstorm in the morning, followed by drizzle later on. High of 43°F (6°C). But by nightfall, the mercury takes a nosedive—Low of 14°F (-10°C).

⚠️ Freezing Rain Warning
A nasty ice storm is setting’ in and expected to last through early Monday morning. Ice build-up could reach between ⅜ to ¾ of an inch (10-20 mm)—that’s enough to snap branches and take down power lines. Winds could gust up to 50 km/h (30 mph), making’ things even worse.

Highway 522’s got a bit of ice here and there, but truth be told, it’s just the beginning. With what’s headed our way, it’s best to stay put and let Mother Nature do her thing. Today’s shaping up to be a messy one, and if you don’t have to be out, you’re better off watching it all unfold from the comfort of home—preferably with a hot coffee in hand.

On another note, yesterday was a full day’s work. Spent most of the morning moving snow, which kept us busy till lunchtime. After a good meal and a bit of rest, I headed back to the woodworking shop and put the finishing touches on my wife’s project. Turned out real nice. I’ll snap a picture of it later on.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, with today being so wet and icy, I figure it’s a good time to finally get started on a couple of birdhouses I’ve been meaning to make for a while. Haven’t been feeling the best these past few days, so maybe keeping my hands busy will take my mind off things. Might need to take a break here and there—we’ll see how it goes.

It’s downright slippery out there, that’s for sure. Had to throw some salt down just to make it off the porch earlier, and by the looks of it, things are only going to get icier as the day goes on.

So, with that, I’m off to enjoy my breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me. Nothing like a home-cooked meal to start the day off right. After that, I’ll see what the day has in store.

Until 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]

The Truth About U.S.-Canada Travel & Other Things: Don’t Believe the Hype

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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.

Lately, headlines have been blaring that airline bookings between the two countries have collapsed by 70%. If that were true, airports would be ghost towns, airlines would be in full panic mode, and flights would be half-empty. But that’s simply not the case. The truth, as usual, has been stretched to fit individuals that enjoys doing these things.

The claim suggests that bookings have plummeted due to tariffs, political boycotts, or other grievances. However, a closer look at real data presents a different picture. Yes, travel between the two countries is down, but nowhere near 70%. It’s a fraction of that number, with clear economic reasons behind it.

A weaker currency makes travel more expensive. and economic uncertainty has people tightening their budgets, and airlines have made small adjustments to their schedules, cutting a minor percentage of flights. These are normal market fluctuations, not signs of a major political statement.

The idea that most people are boycotting travel just isn’t true. While a vocal minority may try to push it, the reality is different. Many still own property, travel regularly, and maintain strong ties with the USA. People aren’t abandoning trips—they’re simply making more cautious financial decisions.

So why are we seeing exaggerated claims? Sensational headlines get clicks, and some are quick to push a dramatic story. But the truth is far less extreme: travel has dipped slightly due to economic factors, not widespread political sentiment.

So the next time a headline claims that travel between these two countries is in free-fall, take a step back. Look at the real data, not just the eye-catching claims meant to stir controversy.

Strong ties remain with the US, and no amount of media hype is going to change that.

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]

Morning After the Storm: Snowdrifts and Coffee Tales On March 29/2025

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Well folks, looks like winter’s still got a say in things. Woke up to 23°F (-5°C) this morning, and the day ain’t looking’ much warmer. We’ll see a high around 36°F (2°C), but don’t let that fool ya, them clouds are sticking’ around, and there’s a chance of flurries now and then.

Tonight, temps will drop to about 27°F (-3°C), and come tomorrow, things get real interesting. What we’re looking’ at is a mix of ice and rain, and if it gets bad enough, we could see some power outages along with some mighty slick roads. High though will be around 41°F (5°C), but that won’t mean much, if everything’s coated in ice.

Might be a good day to stay close to the wood-stove and let spring know we’re still waiting.

Highway 522’s got its fair share of snow and a few slick spots this morning, and with what’s rolling in, it ain’t likely to get any better. If it were me, I’d be staying put as there’s always another day to get things done, and no sense getting yourself in trouble, just to run errands that can wait. Best to stoke the fire, pour another cup of coffee, Which is exactly what my wife and I will be doing here shortly.

On another note yesterday, I spent the day working on something special for Ruth’s art studio. She’s been painting since she was young, teaching herself and selling thousands of her paintings over the years. One thing she’s always wanted is a proper place to store her canvases, but they don’t make what she needs.

So… she drew up her own design, and I got all the pieces cut out. Now, I just need to assemble it, but first, we’ll have to clear some snow to get to the shop so I can finish it up. It’s coming along, and I’m looking forward to getting it done for her.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast and will then get to moving some snow, that is if my old body will let it all happen. One has to take things a bit a time these days.

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]