Life Beyond the City Limits on May 15/2024

Good Morning! You know…. out here where my wife and I live in the country, you learn the value of solitude, of finding peace and quiet in a world that’s always buzzing with noise. It gives one a chance to listen to your own thoughts, to reconnect with yourself, and… to find what is needed in the stillness.

Highway 522 is picking up traffic wise every day. And it will continue for the remainder of the summer. Why do they come, some might ask? Well… truth told, most come for the sights and stay for the stories. ‘Just the way it is.‘

Bug Report: Lots of blackflies roaming around these days, which means it’s a good time to get some inside projects done up. The mosquitoes are just starting, and well… they will remain with us for most of the summer. Although if it gets real hot and dry it will keep them at bay.

Yesterday I brought out my old rototiller to work up our vegetable garden. It’s good to do that a week or so before planting, as it allows the soil to breath. But just before I tilled it up I spread some manure which consisted of old crass cuttings we gathered a couple of weeks ago. It will give the tomatoes and things some great taste, along with what they need to stay healthy. I just went over it one time, and I had some issues with the one bearing that drives the tiller itself, so… it took me the rest of the day to fix that. While it was all apart in my shop I went down to Mikes, and he ordered me a new belt, which will be in later on today. I figured that would be the next thing to go wrong, so I might as well change it while I am at it.

Today I have some other outside work to be done, along with cleaning up the mess I made in my shop yesterday, so I will get to that in a bit.

Wisdom I have learned over the years: “Life in the country teaches you patience. You can’t rush the crops, and you can’t rush the seasons. Everything happens in its own time, and, well… there’s a certain beauty in that.”

With that, I am off for some pancakes that my lovely wife is preparing for me, along with some Maple Syrup that Mike Clapperton gave me while ordering a new tiller belt yesterday. It was a gift, as Ruth, my lovely wife, painted the new picture that is on all his bottles and jugs that hold his Maple Syrup. Should be a tasty treat to start the day off.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “You know, living where we do, there’s something mighty therapeutic about working outdoors in the spring. Maybe it’s the fresh air, or maybe it’s just the satisfaction of knowing… you’re one step closer to earning that cold drink on the porch.”

Fishing Times For Wednesday
05/15/24

Major Times
6:39 AM-8:39 AM
7:01 PM-9:01 PM

Minor Times
2:17 AM-3:17 AM
12:09 PM-1:09 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 1-star rating for catching a few today. Not the greatest day but hey! But… you never know. Good Luck!

Fishing Tip of The Day: Let your bait drift naturally with the current. This technique mimics the movement of natural prey and can be irresistible to hungry fish. 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.

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In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Coffee and Countryside Thoughts on May 14/2024

Good Morning! Another dawn, another chance to do right by the land… and ourselves.

It‘s another nice looking day here in Cottage country. The sun is shinning, the birds are feeding at our bird feeder… and the grass is growing leaps and bounds. Actually, in all the years I have lived here in the north, it has never been so green. However, it could be all the wood ashes I put down earlier in the year that is making it so nice. Truth told, wood ashes is better than any fertilizer that is out there today, as it is loaded with all that the grass needs to stay healthy.

On another note, my lovely wife and I made a trip to Niagara to see our oldest boy last weekend, and while there I helped him install a new door on the back entrance of his home. After that we enjoyed a drink or two together, and later on in the day they took us out to dinner for Mother’s Day at a nice restaurant there in the big city. I have to say, it was a delicious meal and a great night out. We also did some shopping and picked up our plants, for the vegetable garden, and the next day headed on home. All in all, we had a great time. The trip there and back was also nice, with lots of sunshine both ways.

Yesterday, my wife and I did some cleaning, her in the house and me in the woodworking shop. Took us most of the day. And today I am going to get my old Rototiller out and till up our vegetable garden. I did have it running earlier in the year as we needed it to work up the soil around our new fishpond. So it should start right up, but being that it is so old, one never knows. After that, I am going to do some more work on the water wheel I made, as it needs a bit of tweaking to get it running smoothly. I had to order some parts from Amazon, which should be here sometime this week. Great place to do business, especially living here in the country, off the beaten track. Saves a lot of money.

Bug Report: Lots of Blackflies out there these days, that enjoy feasting on us humans. They will remain here until Father’s Day. Although once the Dragon Flies makes their appearance things will get better as they love them, eating them by the thousands. Not too many mosquitoes yet, but they will make their grand entrance once the weather warms up some more.

Highway 522 has picked up a lot these days traffic wise, and it will get even busier once the black flies move on for another year. You know… as busy as it does sometimes get, there is one thing that we all need to remember and that is living in the country means learning to appreciate the little things, like the satisfaction of growing your own tomatoes.

With that I am off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me and will then head on outdoors and see what mischief I can get into.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: “There’s wisdom that comes from working the land, a knowing that can’t be found in books or classrooms. It’s in the calloused hands, the tired eyes, and the steady heart of a feller like myself, who’s seen it all.”

Fishing Times For Tuesday
05/14/24

Major Times
5:54 AM-7:54 AM
6:17 PM-8:17 PM

Minor Times
1:53 AM-2:53 AM
11:01 AM-12:01 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 3-star rating for catching a few today. Good Luck!

Fishing Tip of The Day: Pay attention to the currents. Fish like to hang out where the water’s moving’g waiting for their next meal to come driftin’ by. Cast your line downstream and let it flow naturally. 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.

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In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Burgers The Old Way

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’ve heard about how soaking chicken in buttermilk before frying it makes it real tender and juicy? The thing is…. it works mighty fine for beef too. And it isn’t some newfangled trend either, as it’s an old-timey tradition that folks like my Grandmother swore by. I should also mention that she didn’t swear that often, but when she did, you knew it.

Any way, she always said that, soaking ground beef in heavy cream does wonders. It keeps the meat proteins from getting all tough when you cook them up, and it locks in the juices, making for some mighty fine burgers on the grill.

If you’re up for giving it a go, just mix in ‘1 to 2 tablespoons of heavy cream per pound of ground beef’. Let it sit in the icebox overnight, then fire up the grill and enjoy the juicy results. Let me know what you think?

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.

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In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Seniors and Old Age Homes

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.

Some Doctors today are right on the ball.

During a visit to my doctor, I asked him, “How do you determine whether, or not, an older person should be put in an old age home?”

“Well,” he said, “we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the person to empty the bathtub.”

“Oh, I understand,” I said. “A normal person would use the bucket because it is bigger than the spoon or the teacup.”

“No” he said. “A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?”

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]

Backcountry Happenings on April 7/2024

Good Morning! “You know… Living in the country ain’t always easy, but it’s worth it. It’s a life filled with meaning, purpose, and a deep connection to the land. And in the end, isn’t that what really matters?”

Looks like we’re in for another sunny spell out here in cottage country, just right for getting some work done outdoors. We also had a nice visit yesterday, from Donna, a good friend of ours. We all sat down for a nice chat over a cup of tea, then went about our usual business. Makes our day when folks drop by.

Highway 522 is still busy with new folks roaming around our area taking in the sights. You could say newcomers: They’re like tumbleweeds, just with more cameras.

Bug Report; Yep, it’s that time of year again. The black flies are out in full force, and they will continue to bother folks right up until Father’s Day.

On another note, yesterday my lovely wife and I got a lot done outside in spite of the black flies, which made us happy. Today will be much the same, working up gardens, along with moving some plants that have over grown to other gardens. It’s a never ending cycle. But we enjoy it.

Living in the country: “Here in the north, simplicity isn’t just a choice, it’s a survival strategy. When you’re living off the land in the middle of nowhere, you learn to appreciate the little things… the crackle of a warm fire, the taste of freshly caught fish, the sight of a moose/deer wandering through your backyard. And you learn to laugh at the absurdity of it all, because let’s face it, life in the wilderness is one big adventure.”

With that, I am off for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife had prepared for me… an egg on an English muffin. After that, I will see what the day has in store… other than what I have planned.

You all have a great day, and I will leave you with this: Life here in the country isn’t just about what you can take from the land, but what you can give back. It’s about stewardship, about leaving this earth better than we found it, and my wife and I are continually doing that with each passing day.

Fishing Times For Tuesday
05/07/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
11:49 AM-1:49 PM

Minor Times
4:56 AM-5:56 AM
7:59 PM-8:59 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 4-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few today. Good Luck!

Fishing Tip of the Day: If you’re not catching anything, don’t be afraid to switch things. Change your bait, your technique, your spot. Keep ’em guessing, and you’ll eventually put fish on the table at the end of the 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]