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.

You know I’ve had coffee in many places over the years, truck stops, fishing/hunting camps, along with old general stores with a pot sitting on a hot plate by the till. Places where folks sat, talked, and shared a laugh or a worry. That was the kind of coffee shop I knew and grew up with. And I should mention that I didn’t go there just for the coffee either, well I did, as they sure made it mighty tasty back then, some even added a touch of Chicory. But I also went for the company, the steady routine, and maybe a doughnut that didn’t look like it was made in a hurry by a machine, or leave a taste in your mouth for hours after eating it.

But I’ve been watching what’s happened to our small Ma and Pa coffee shops, and I don’t like the turn it’s taken. We used to have local spots that stayed open for years, even decades. Then along came the big chains. At first, they seemed alright. Canadian Branding, warm colours, friendly ads. But here is the thing, over time they started replacing the little shops one by one quietly. They Just moved in, and the others couldn’t compete. Lower prices and faster service did the trick.

Another thing I noticed is that coffee today doesn’t taste the same. Oh, my wife and I, we’ve bought bags at the grocery stores, probably more than we should have, but what I found was that you never know what you’re going to get. One bag tastes alright and the next is flat, bitter or just plain dull. Makes me think they are not picking for quality anymore, just for what is cheapest that week. It does not matter if it is from halfway across the world, or grown under poor conditions. As long as it is cheap… it’s in the bag.

Then there is the seating. Years ago, you could sit down with a buddy and take your time, but now they are tearing out the chairs and downsizing the space, telling folks it’s all about efficiency. The truth is, they do not want you hanging around. Less space, means fewer people to clean and less staff to pay and a quicker turnover. Get your drink and get out. That is the new model, and it does not matter if it kills the spirit of the place.

Another thing is, the donuts are smaller than they used to be, no question. Same price less product. It’s what they call… shrinkflation and another quiet trick they do not talk about.

I am also starting to wonder what is in all this stuff. With everything we are learning about PFAS, those forever chemicals showing up in cups lids and wrappers, who is to say we are not getting a dose with every hot drink or baked good? Nobody is out here testing that cup you are handed, and when a company is more focused on saving money than serving people, health usually takes a back seat.

Here is the last bit that makes me think, and in not a good way. One of the largest coffee shops in Canada isn’t even truly Canadian anymore. The branding still plays that tune, sure. Maple leaves on the cups, smiling faces in the ads. But most of the ownership now sits outside the country. Decisions are not being made for Canadians, or by them. They are being made in boardrooms somewhere else by folks who have likely never stepped into a small-town coffee shop in their life. The money leaves the country… just as fast as it comes in.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open and Your Stories Alive. GW

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’s the thing. I read in the paper today, that wine imports from the U.S. are way down, about 94 percent, according to the LCBO. Hard to believe. Anyway, some folks might not think much of that, but to an old feller like me, who used to grow grapes and sell them to folks right here in Canada, who turned them into wine, it says a lot about the direction we’re heading.

But in saying that, maybe that drop isn’t such a bad thing, not if it gives folks a reason to start buying the wine made in our own backyards. The thing is, we’ve got farmers across this country working the land, tending vineyards, and keeping small wineries alive, and that kind of effort deserves more than just a nod. When you pick up a bottle that was grown and made right here at home, you’re not just getting something good to drink, you’re keeping fields in use, putting money in a neighbour’s pocket, and helping this country hold on to something real.

I spent a good portion of my life farming, building, and raising a family through years that taught you to stand on your own feet and lean on each other, when you had to. Back then, we didn’t need to look far for what we needed. What we used was built close to home, grown by someone you knew, and it lasted because pride went into making it. But…somewhere along the way, we gave that up for convenience, and now our shelves are full of goods made in places that don’t hold to the same values or standards. That’s not progress, that’s a problem.

If we want to turn this around, we need to get back to basics, and it starts with how we buy and who we support.

First, we should be choosing Canadian whenever we can, food, wine, tools, lumber, whatever it is. If we can grow it or make it here, that’s what we ought to be reaching for.

Second, when we do need something from outside, it should come from folks who still care about what they’re making, who put in the work to get it right, and who take pride in sending out something that lasts.

Third, we’ve got to think more carefully about the kind of people we’re welcoming in to help build this country. It shouldn’t be about where someone comes from, but about what they bring to the table … good trades, real skills, and a desire to make this place stronger, not just benefit from what’s already here.

We’ve been through tough times before, and we pulled through by sticking together, making do, and standing behind our own. There’s no reason we can’t do that again. The answers aren’t fancy or complicated. They’re plain as day. Support the people around you. Buy what’s built to last. And take pride in what we can still do with our own two hands, right here at home.

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

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.

It was spring, and the election was just around the corner. George and Joe, two old-timers who’d seen a lot in their time, sat on the porch, sipping their coffee. The conversation turned to the election, and things weren’t looking too good.

“Have you been seeing what’s going on online?” Joe asked, frowning. “Someone’s saying one of the candidates wants to sell off farmland to foreign companies. I don’t know if that’s true, but it sure doesn’t sit right with me.”

George nodded slowly. “That’s the problem these days. People can post anything online, and others believe it. But we don’t know who’s behind those posts. Some of that stuff could be coming from other countries, trying to mess with our vote.”

Joe looked at him, puzzled. “You mean someone else is stirring the pot here? Making us believe things that aren’t true?”

“Exactly,” George replied. “It’s not just a few people in Canada arguing over politics anymore. Other countries—places like Russia or China—can create fake accounts or spread stories that divide us. They’ve got ways of making us believe things that aren’t facts.”

“That’s scary,” Joe said. “What can we do about it?”

George sighed. “Well, it’s up to folks like us to know better. We’ve been around long enough to see when something doesn’t add up. But the younger folks—those who get their news from Facebook or whatever—don’t always question what they see. That’s how these countries can cause real damage, without ever even stepping foot on Canadian soil.”

Joe thought for a moment. “Guess it comes down to making sure people know what’s true. If they start spreading lies or half-truths, that’s how they win.”

“That’s right,” George said. “We’ve got to make sure we don’t fall for it. And we’ve got to teach the younger crowd along with some of the older ones to do the same.”

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