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, News, Information & Events

A Farmer’s Salute to St. Patrick’s Day

Leave a comment

Only On The Walters Post!

Back when I was a young feller, St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t about green beer or loud bars. It was about the land, the people, and a deep respect for the old ways. Farmers knew the importance of this time of year—winter was losing its grip, and the promise of spring was just around the corner. If you were lucky, you might have seen a few green shoots poking through the last bit of frost-covered soil, a reminder that the cycle of life carried on, just as it always had.

The Irish who settled here brought their traditions with them. They didn’t just wear green; they carried their heritage in their hands, in their work, and in the way they treated their neighbors. St. Patrick’s Day was a time to gather, tell stories, and remember where they came from. Maybe there was a fiddle playing, maybe a stew simmering over the fire, but it wasn’t about excess—it was about kinship.

The story of St. Patrick himself goes back to the 5th century, long before modern nonsense clouded the meaning of things. Taken as a slave, he found his way back, only to return to Ireland as a man with a mission. He wasn’t about luck or leprechauns; he was about resilience, faith, and the will to carve a new path. In a way, farmers have always understood that—there’s no luck in working the land, just hard work, patience, and a bit of hope.

So to the Irish folk, near and far, I raise my hat to you, and from one old feller who’s seen his share of seasons, may your fields be fertile, your hands be strong, and your hearts be light.

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

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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, Weather

What’s Coming for Port Loring? Weather Wise

Leave a comment

Only On The Walters Post

Short-Term (Next Week):

  • We’re in for a mixed bag. A few mild days, some rain midweek, and then another cold snap around Thursday.
  • Might see some flurries early Saturday, but nothing major.
  • Nights are still dipping below freezing, so don’t get ahead of yourself thinking spring is here just yet.

Long-Term (Next Month or Two):

  • Spring is trying to push through, but it’ll come in fits and starts—warm one day, cold the next.
  • Expect plenty of rain, and maybe even some late snow squalls before April settles in.
  • If the weather systems don’t shift enough, we could be in for a dry, warm spell later on.

What It Means for the Farm & Garden:

  • Planting: Hold off on putting anything tender in the ground. Frost is still a real threat at night.
  • Soil Moisture: Should be decent for now with the rain coming, but if the weather swings dry later, we might have to keep an eye on it.
  • Fire Risk: If we get some warm, dry air moving in from the south, it could dry things up fast. Don’t go burning brush carelessly.
  • Livestock: If you’ve got animals, they’ll be dealing with some wild swings in temps. Make sure they’ve got shelter from the wind and rain.

In short, spring is trying, but winter’s still got a few punches left. Keep the heavy coat handy, don’t trust the warm days too much, and watch the sky.

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]

George's Writers Corner, The Old Craftsman's Woodworking Shop, Weather, What's Happening

The Day Wakes Slowly in Northern Ontario on March 17/2025

Leave a comment

Click On Image to Enlarge!

Good Morning! Spring Ain’t Here Yet, But She’s Thinkin’ About It.

It’s a cold morning waking up in Whispering Pines; however, in saying that, it is sunny, which makes things, at the very least, look nice.

Today (Monday, March 17):
Breezy and colder with intervals of clouds and sun. High around 39°F (4°C), low dipping to 28°F (-2°C). Winds coming from the north at 12 mph (20 km/h) before calming down later in the day.

Tonight:
Clouds will be rolling in early this evening, bringing a 60% chance of flurries overnight. Light winds at around 9 mph (15 km/h). Low near 23°F (-5°C).

Tuesday, March 18:
The day will start off cloudy with a 40% chance of flurries, shifting to a mix of rain showers or flurries in the afternoon. South winds at 12 mph (20 km/h) will calm down later. High reaching around 48°F (9°C).
Evening will remain cloudy with a low of about 36°F (2°C).

So, whether you’re planning on cutting some wood or just sitting by the fire with a hot cup of coffee, it’s good to be prepared. And it sure doesn’t hurt to keep that umbrella close by, just in case!

Highway 522 is dry and clear of snow this morning. Mind you, with the temperature dropping last night and the rain finally tapering off, we did get a light dusting of snow—just enough to remind us that Old Man Winter ain’t quite ready to pack his bags yet. But truth be told, it ain’t much to fuss about, not even worth mentioning here on my blog.

On another note, I spent most of the day yesterday tinkering away in my old woodworking shop. Seems like every time I turn around, there’s another pile of odds and ends waiting to be sorted. I still have more to go through, trying to figure out what’s worth keeping and what should be set aside for our big spring sale. Like I’ve been saying here for the past few weeks, I swear I don’t know where all this stuff came from. It’s like the wood, tools, and knickknacks just keep multiplying when I’m not looking.

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, first off, I’m going to be putting a new tire on that old cart of mine. You know, the one I use for lugging around things that are too damn heavy for me to move by myself. I can’t be pushing my luck too much these days, as it seems the older I get, the more my body squawks at me when I overdo things.

Anyway, I picked up a new tire and tube for it last year. Now, where I put ‘em is another story. They could be buried somewhere here in the shop, or maybe tucked away in one of the outbuildings. Wherever they are, I’ll have to dig ‘em up and get ‘em installed. Truth told, i been meaning to do that for, oh, I don’t know…a few years now? Somehow, it just keeps getting put off.

The tire on there now looks like something you’d find on an old relic from the scrap yard—cracked all to pieces, cords sticking out like whiskers on a grumpy old dog. It’ll hold air for about half an hour, if I’m lucky, just long enough to move whatever I need moved before it goes flat again. And then, like always, that new tire gets put back on the old back burner.

But not today. Nope, this morning I’m gonna finally take care of that problem. With all the boxes and things I’ve got to haul for this spring sale, that old cart is gonna be my best friend. So yeah, that’s what GW’s up to this morning. I think.

Well, I suppose I best be getting on with it. The missus has breakfast ready, and if I don’t make my way to the table soon, she might just leave me to fend for myself with nothing but cold toast. After that, I’ll be settling in with a hot mug of cocoa and our usual morning chat. Funny thing is, after fifty-some years together, we still find plenty to talk about. Guess that’s how you know you’ve found the right gal.

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]

George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only

Canada’s F-35 Dilemma: A Real Plan or Just More Talk?

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.

Well, here we go again, the government is talking about reviewing Canada’s contract for F-35 fighter jets, and of course, Trump is the easy target to blame. Prime Minister Mark Carney is suggesting that maybe we should rethink our purchase from the U.S. and look at other options. But let’s be honest here—when it comes to top-tier military aircraft, the U.S. is in a league of its own. No other country produces fighter jets with the same level of technology, capability, and combat effectiveness. That’s just a fact.

So what’s really going on here? Is this a strategic move, or just another way to back out of military spending while making it look like a principled decision? Looking at Canada’s track record, it’s hard not to be skeptical,as military investments have always been more talk than action. Governments make big promises about upgrading our forces, but when it comes time to write the checks, the enthusiasm fades. The F-35 deal was already a long, drawn-out process, and now we’re talking about putting it back under review? Sounds like a way to stall, plain and simple.

But let’s play along for a moment, let’s say Canada really wants to break away from relying on the U.S. for our military hardware. If we’re serious about that, then why not take this opportunity to invest in our own defense industry? Instead of shopping around for second-best alternatives, Canada could be looking at building a real aerospace manufacturing sector right here at home. We have the talent, the resources, and the workforce. Imagine the thousands of jobs that could be created if we started producing our own high-tech military equipment instead of sending billions of dollars across the border. Not to mention, it would strengthen our economy and give us true independence when it comes to national defense.

But will the government take that kind of bold step? Not likely. It’s easier to kick the can down the road, blame Trump, and pretend like we’re making a tough decision. In the end, we’ll probably just end up right back where we started, with more delays, more excuses, and no real action. The truth is, Canada needs a strong, modern military, and that means either committing to the best available technology or stepping up and building it ourselves. Anything else is just political noise.

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]

George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only

Federal Consumer Carbon Tax to End April 1, But What’s Next?

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.

Canadians will see a drop in gas prices soon, as Prime Minister Mark Carney has signed an order-in-council to eliminate the federal consumer carbon tax starting April 1, 2025. This means the extra charge on gasoline and natural gas will be gone, reducing costs by 17.6 cents per liter of gas and just over 15 cents per cubic meter of natural gas.

The move follows years of debate over carbon pricing and its impact on affordability. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have both been vocal opponents of the tax, arguing it increased the cost of living and hurt businesses. While they welcome its removal, there’s still concern about what comes next.

Carney’s government has made it clear that while the consumer levy is going away, industrial carbon pricing will increase. That means big polluters—especially in oil and gas—will face higher costs, though the exact details remain unclear. Smith has already called for a federal election, saying Albertan’s need to know “just how badly he’s going to punish the oil and gas sector.”

So, what does this really mean for everyday Canadians? Lower fuel costs, at least for now. The carbon tax portion on gas and home heating will be gone, but other taxes remain, including:

  • The federal excise tax (10 cents per litre on gasoline)
  • Provincial fuel taxes (which vary across the country)
  • GST/HST, which is applied to fuel purchases

This change applies across the country, including Ontario. So yes, Ontarian’s will see the same price drop at the pump and on their natural gas bills. But keep in mind, the government is shifting the focus—while consumers get a break, big industries will be hit with higher levies to keep up with Canada’s climate commitments.

And let’s not forget: just because the tax is removed doesn’t mean prices won’t shift for other reasons as fuel companies and provinces could adjust pricing in different ways. And if history tells us anything, savings at the pump don’t always last.

With the April 1st timeline, some Canadians might be wondering if this is some kind of April Fools’ joke—but no, this one’s real, I think ha ha. The only question now is if we’ll see new costs creeping in under a different name.

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]