Took some pictures around the house here. Click to enlarge.
Couple Pictures
Category Archives: George’s Writers Corner
Great Spot to hear about anything and everything concerning writing. Also information on my books, book signings, speaking engagements and events that might be happening in and around our town.
Bird Feeder Visitor
Had a Fox visit our bird feeder yesterday afternoon. Don’t see them up close very often. Click Pictures To Enlarge.
Country Woman Written By George Walters
Country Woman
It was a beauty of a day and I had just come in from doing my chores. I was sitting in my most favorite spot, in the wood box in the corner and listening to Reg talking to his Grandson and Wife. Reg was washing his hands by the sink and listening to what they had to say. The Grandson’s wife was looking out the window. “I see your wife Laura working in the garden, she sure looks happy out there. It must be nice to not have to go to work every day like I do. She sure has an easy life living here on the farm, doing what she wants, when she wants, not having to answer to any one. I got to say, I don’t think she would last one week in the city.”
Reg was standing there taking it all in and then went and sat down at the table. “Young lady, I think it’s about time you and me had a talk. That woman you’re talking about, is about the hardest working woman I have ever met. She might not have a degree of schooling hanging on the wall but she has a farm that has risen from the dirt and made into a place we can call home. She is the back bone of this whole farm, without her it would have never happened.
You say she could never live in the city and do your job, well your probably right. She hates the city, as she is a country woman. Country women are a different breed of woman. They are special, she has worked by my side for over fifty years now, through hard times and good times. She has put up with my nonsense, cooked, baked, washed and knitted my clothes when they had holes. She was there for me when we had no money to hire help, worked in the fields, helped with the milking, delivered new-born calves in the middle of winter in the snow. She has helped with getting
firewood ready for winter, splitting logs with an Axe, she has planted and worked the family garden for longer than I can remember and kept it hoed by hand. She has been there for your Husband, Father-In-Law and Myself when we were sick and nursed us back to health. Fixed our cuts and broken bones when no doctor was around. She also has been the love of my life and I will not stand here and let you run a woman down, that has done so much.
I don’t blame you though as much as I blame society. You younger folks don’t realize, that if it wasn’t for these hard-working country women, you wouldn’t have even been born. All the food that is eaten in your cities,where do you think it comes from? It isn’t grown in a grocery store. Society has you all so strung up on what you think you need in life, that you don’t take time to enjoy life.
You see that woman singing away in the garden? She is enjoying life, doing what she loves and making every minute of every day, count. When she comes in here in a few minutes, I expect you to treat her with respect, as she will you. I have had my say and these words will never leave this room.”
With that Reg got up and went outside. I watched as the Grandson’s wife got up and went to the sink. She wiped her eyes and then looked over at her husband.
“I needed that she said. I just never realized what your Grandmother had to go through, or any farmers wife for that matter.” They gave each other a hug and went outside to the garden.
I don’t know what was said after that but for as long as I can remember, I do know this. They became the best of friends from that day on.
Farm women are a different kind of woman I will say that. As my wife, she has been there for me through all our farming days and without her we wouldn’t be where we are today. The old saying, that behind every successful man is a good woman, can wrap this story up all in one sentence.
So there you have it, a conversation that I overheard, that stuck with me through life. I guess I kind of molded my life around that conversation and I do know that when it comes to country women, I got one of the best. In Closing, I Would Like To Wish You Well. GW
How Country Folks Lived Without The Corner Store By George Walters
How Country Folks Lived
Without The Corner Store
The thing about years ago, our weekly shopping trip wasn’t to a corner store. We had our own pantry where we kept all our preserves and in the Fall of each year, it was chucked full of all kinds of things. The way the winter weather was back then, folks wasn’t able to get to town for supplies. For most parts we grew our own and what we didn’t grow we bartered for.
Through the summer months we ate fresh out of the garden every day. I remember every spring, Laura and I would head off to a small clear brook, just up the road from us. It was a bit of a walk but with the trees just coming into leaf and the spring flowers showing themselves, it was sure a site to see. I used to enjoy all the smells of the bush and in my eyes there is nothing like it. In the small brook, down near the bottom, Laura would find the water crest, a small leafy plant that we used for salads. Being so fresh and tasty you could eat it right out of the water if you took a notion to. We would pick a couple of baskets and head on home.
Later on for supper we would have the tastiest salad you could ever ask for. To get some more ingredients for that salad Laura and I would head on out to the pasture fields to find morels, a type of mushroom. I got to tell you, they make my mouth water just thinking about them. They mostly grow up on knolls and in the spring of the year. If it was a good year we would have more than our share. The morels would be taken home by the basket full. A few would be then taken, washed and put in with the salad. A few more would be fried with garlic, fresh butter and cream. That would be put on top of the salad, when all said and done.
Back to our garden, this time we would pick a few tomatoes, some onions and fresh garlic tops that we planted last fall. Them all cut up and mixed in the salad, we were almost ready. The last to go in was a few chopped up apples also from our trees out back, which we had put away for the winter. Once all mixed in with the fried morels and garlic poured over the top, it was ready for us to dig in. I have to say it was sure tasty, also very healthy and the best part was, it didn’t cost us a cent, other than a bit of energy from the walk to the bush.
Most of our things came to us that way and Laura had a way of fixing them up, so that a young fella couldn’t wait to get to the table at meal times.
For winter meat we did up a steer, a pig and some laying hens that stopped laying. The hens would be kind of tough being so old but Laura would let them simmer on the old wood stove all afternoon in a big pot mixed with more fresh vegetables. After she got finished with them, the meat would fall off the bones and there wasn’t a time that anyone didn’t go back for seconds.
Once in awhile Reg would bring home a deer, to add to our meat supply and if lucky a pheasant or two. If a pheasant did come our way, it would usually go towards our Christmas dinner. Potatoes were grown by a farmer up the road, which was his main crop and we bartered hay for them. Just wasn’t worth our while to grow them ourselves at the time.
In the spring, I couldn’t wait for the sap to start flowing from the hard maple trees. We did up a few jugs of maple syrup every year and my most favorite time was when it was just starting to thicken in the big kettle out in the bush. Reg would dump it on top of a cup of fresh snow and give it to us young ones to eat. It was a treat that we all looked forward to, that’s for sure.
I guess some folks would say it’s not a life by today’s measures but for me looking back, I had everything and more than a young fella could ask for. I had a good home, warm, clean and lots of food, with folks around that cared for me.
Along with that, they taught me the real values in life and how to enjoy each and every day. Sure I had my chores to do but you know, I looked forward in doing them. Every day working with the animals, making sure they were fed and cared for, gave me a feeling of accomplishment.
My rewards were many, no, not with money but with a family, friends and critters of all kinds, along with Mother Nature thrown in to boot. Yep life was good.
Well there you have it, how us country folks lived, with out the corner store.
In Closing I Would Like To wish You Well.
Hello There!
Took these pictures heading to town the other day. They didn’t seem to mind. Click Pictures To Enlarge.
Brown Eyes Written By: George Walters
One of my very first stories, written and published many years ago. I hope you enjoy it.
Brown Eyes
It was a cold day and snow had just started to fall. Reg had gone away on business for a few days and before he left he told me to take care of things, that I was the man of the house while he was gone. It always made me feel good when he talked to me like that.
I was busy working away in the barn feeding the horses when I heard Laura calling me from outside.
“I think we might be going to get a new addition to the barn tonight. I noticed this morning that one old cow looked like she is about ready to give birth. Figures too, she said, “Reg being away an all.”
“I sure don’t know much about that part of farming,” I told her.”
She just smiled an said, “Most times they handle it all on their own.” With that Laura helped me finish up with the chores and we headed on into the house for supper.
After supper Laura said, “It’s going to be a nasty night with the way that snow is coming down. I think we had better go and bring them cows in for the night.”
After our meal settled a bit, we went out to the pathway that the cows used each morning to get to the fields and Laura hollered at the cows. Hard to believe but she would just give them a call and they would come right to the barn, all in single file. We got them all in the barn and Laura noticed one was missing.
“Darn she said, I just had a feeling that cow was going to be a problem tonight. Never fails, Reg being away, something always has to happen. Well get your big coat on George and let’s go see what’s become of her.”
The wind had picked up and the snow was really coming down. It blew so hard we could hardly see where we were going and boy was it cold. Took us a bit to find the old cow and when we did she was laying on her side.
“I think she is having a hard time with her new calf, Laura said. You move up to her head and keep her calm while I see if I can find out what the problem is.” I knew she was doing something down at the other end but if the truth be known, I didn’t want to know.
In a few minutes Laura said, “Well, that calf wants to come out the wrong way. If that happens we could lose the cow and the calf. I got to try to turn it around. You try to keep her from getting up and I will see what I can do.”
I looked back at Laura and her face was covered with snow, she was blinking trying to see what she was doing as the snow and wind whipped around her face. “Got it turned,” she said and I could see a big smile on her face. “Should be okay now.” We both stayed with the old cow and in a few minutes we were watching a wobbly legged critter trying to stand on its own, in the cold night air.
“Lets see now if we can get this old cow to follow us to the barn, Laura said. You take the calf by the ears George, lead him and if we are lucky the Mother will follow.” Sure enough she did and off we went to the barn, but only to find the calf couldn’t or didn’t want to walk in the cold. With Laura’s help we picked her up and carried her the rest of the way. We were sure tired when we got there. While Laura put the cow in her pen, I went up to the hay mow and got some fresh straw for the new calf to lay on.
“Lot better in here huh?” I asked the calf. She looked up at me with them big brown eyes and I just melted. We put the straw down and watched them for a bit. The old mother licked her new-born clean and then laid down. The calf did the same and they both looked exhausted, but contented.
Well said Laura, “How about you and I get in out of this weather and have a piece of apple pie and some hot chocolate?”
“Sounds darn good to me, I said and off we went.
Lots of things happened on the farm like that, but no matter what problem occurred, they were handled, they had to be. This was a woman for sure, a country woman, not complaining for an instant. In closing I would like to wish you well. GW
Help George Walters Spread the Word
Help Me Spread the Word
Hi Folks!
Books by George Walters:
And Just Recently:
P.S. Click Here to check out one of my stories taken from One More Story:
Click Here To Purchase My Books
Click the Facebook Like Button, LinkedIn & Twitter at the bottom of the page where it says Share.
Again, Thanks For Your Help! Means A Lot. George Walters
Natures Gateway To Health
Our latest book Natures Gateway To Health
There is so much to learn when it comes to Nature and what it can do for you.
In this book we will try to explain just what you can do for yourself and your family to gain a healthier life-style. A few changes can make a great difference. Natural remedies can be found in your cupboard or just outside your back-door.
We urge you to read this book in its entirety so that you understand and become familiar with how Nature and your body can work together.
The knowledge within this book was put together by unique people who used experimentation, hard work and even death to bring to you the abilities of what plants and Nature has to offer!
George Walters Is a Published Free-Lance Writer – For The Past 26 Years.
Bookings For:
“Meet The Author, Speaking, Signings & Seminars”
Contact us at: [email protected]
Or: 705-757-1640
To Purchase Our Books On-Line http://www.keepingnotes.com/
Other books by George Walters Short Stories for all ages
George Walters “Story Time” March 31/2016
Pains Of A Young Boy
You know I got to thinking about the different pains folks go through in life and how some have put up with them all their living days. I for one have had and still have some ongoing ones, one in particular was the day that my old Dad found me a new home and dropped me off. It was a scary time for a five or six year old not knowing what lay ahead, or for that matter what was even happening to him, as when we left that day I thought I was just going to market on a normal trip. I will always remember that day, fear, anger, hate all came into play, I was left alone with these strange folks. All that I could see was that my old Dad didn’t want me any more and I hated him and loved him for what he was doing to me. I remember running after him down the lane-way trying to catch the truck, hollering at him to come back, but of course it wasn’t to be. The old couple that was taking me in, thinking back, felt as bad as I did, as Laura had tears in her eyes too. Reg the man of the house had taken off his old hat and was kneeling down by me and was trying to assure me that things would be alright. Finally, Laura put her soft old arms around me and well, I kind of just sunk right into her. She held me for a few minutes talking so softly saying, “Don’t you worry, things will work out, you will see.” For a few weeks I really didn’t want anything to do with these strange new folks but the more days that went by, the more I started to realize that these folks really did want me and was doing everything in their power to show me. I finally dropped my defences and let life move on.
I never heard from my Dad till years later and I must say at that time in my life, I never wanted to see him again. I just couldn’t figure in my young mind why he would do such a thing. Well more time passed and I made a few friends, not too many though as they were far an in-between, living so far back in the country. I did make some good critter friends though in the early days of moving there and I got to say they helped me a lot. Seemed to me that they knew exactly how I felt and I would sit for hours talking to them. I know, sounds kind of crazy but that was the way it was. Later on I met old Grey Wolf who had a cottage a ways back of our property and over the years we became real good friends. One day we got to talking about my Dad and I told him how much I hated him and how mad I was at him. “I never want to see him for the rest of my life,” I told him. Well he listened for a bit then he said, “Boy, come over here, I want to tell you a story that my old Grandfather passed down to me, I think it might help you. He was an old Cherokee and in my mind back then, he knew all in life. The story has been handed down for years and goes something like this.”
Two Wolves
“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, fear, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.” I have to say, from that day forward I never forgot that story and over time came to forgive my old Dad, reason being, that at that time in his life he was doing what was the best for me.
George Walters Is a Published Free-Lance Writer – For The Past 26 Years.
This story was taken from my first book. “One More Story”
Interesting Article
A lesson through Nature could be learned from this article.
“A wolf pack: the first 3 are the old or sick, they give the pace to the entire pack. If it was the other way round, they would be left behind, losing contact with the pack. In case of an ambush they would be sacrificed. Then come 5 strong ones, the front line. In the center are the rest of the pack members, then the 5 strongest following. Last is alone, the alpha. He controls everything from the rear. In that position he can see everything, decide the direction. He sees all of the pack. The pack moves according to the elders pace and help each other, watch each other.”
Out For A Walk
Out For A Walk
No the white you see in the pictures below isn’t sand like I showed you in Florida awhile back. But it is nice, so thought I would share. Took a few pictures while out for a walk. Click Pictures To Enlarge.
Dec 17/2015
Getting close to Christmas, only 8 more days. Man where does time go. Seems the younger I get the faster time moves forward. I know some say old but I don’t like to think in that direction. Over the years I have found if you think old, talk old, dress old, you become old. Myself I prefer to think as I did when I was 25 or so. Keeps me fit and alive. With that my lovely wife and I were out the other day taking in an observation deck which looks out over the glades, which in turn lead towards the Gulf. Took a bit of doing to get me up there being scared of heights, but with the wife’s help I did make it up. Surprised myself. Took a few pictures which I will share below. Also one of a couple friends bikes that we met while down here. Nice folks. Nice bikes too. Harley-Davidson’s of course. Enjoy your day. GW
Few More Pictures Dec.15/2015
Great places to walk and enjoy nature at its best. Almost as nice as in Port Loring Ontario Canada. Not quite. But it is a touch warmer.
Dec.16/2015 Post
Good morning well nice day here shaping up in Crystal River and surrounding areas. Had a bit of rain yesterday but nothing that would slow a person down. Today we will head on out to a place we found that has lots of trails and do some sight seeing along with getting a bit of exercise. Then a few cool drinks are in order and soak up of that sunshine. Got to store up enough to last the remainder of the winter when we arrive back home next month. Sending along a few pictures of where we like to walk every morning. It’s about a mile walk or so from one end and back. Click to enlarge. Have a great day.
Christmas Parade Inglis Florida 2015
Had our Christmas Parade on Saturday took a few pictures. Thought I would share. Small for sure but every one sure had fun. Few drinks thrown in for good measure, everyone was happy. That is what it is all about. Click Pictures to enlarge. One thing…they admire Elvis here as there was a film made many years ago just up the street from where we are staying.
Added a picture which is self explanatory. Enjoy!
Good Morning From Crystal River Florida
Super nice day shaping up here in Florida. Just had an orange juice on the front porch now heading off on a new adventure. Why?? Well, just because we can. Yesterday wife and I went to watch the sunset on the Gulf so took some pictures. Just a mile up the road from us. Also a couple of some fishing boats heading out to check their nets. Days End. Thought I would share. Click pictures to enlarge. Enjoy your day.
Pictures From The Sunny South Dec 9/2015
Wife and I were out browsing and took a few pictures. Thought I would share. Temperatures are perfect. Canadian Dollar is outrageous. But such is life. Not letting it bother us. Too nice a country for that. And hey it’s almost Christmas. Hard to get in the mood though with temperatures being up near 80. HA HA
Harley-Davidson Bonanza Florida Dec. 6/2015
Wife and I took in a motorcycle event yesterday with all kinds of Harley-Davidson’s put out for show. I used to own one many years ago. Was a great day, free hot dogs and drinks mixed in with some country music. Thought I would share a few pictures of the bikes which I am sure some will appreciate. Click Pictures to enlarge. Enjoy and have a great day!
Pictures In & Around Port Loring Ontario
Great Country We Live In!
