Paying More for Less

Only On The Walters Post

You know, I’ve been thinking about grocery stores lately. Don’t know exactly why, but I was standing there the other day in front of the milk cooler and it just hit me. You know that feeling when something you’ve walked past a hundred times suddenly strikes you a bit different?

There it was, a whole lineup of milk, 1%, 2%, skim, lactose-free, and then a couple jugs of plain whole milk hiding at the end, like some guilty pleasure. Funny how the regular thing became the odd one out.

At any rate, I picked up the skim milk, looked at the price and found it cost more than the whole milk. To me that seemed a bit backwards. The thing is… skim milk is whole milk with the fat taken out, then they add things back in… stabilizers, sometimes sugar to make up for the flavor that left with the fat. What most don’t know is that the fat carries vitamins and balances what nature put there for a reason. Strip it out and somehow that’s supposed to be healthier.

Once you start noticing it, you see it everywhere. I also picked up bread that stays fresh for three weeks. My grandmother’s bread went stale within two or three days because it was just flour, water, salt, and yeast. Somewhere along the way, we got convinced that natural isn’t enough.

Our grandparents drank whole milk, cooked with butter, and ate what was local. They worked hard and didn’t need labels to tell them what was good.

Anyways, maybe it’s time we stop letting marketing tell us what’s better. Makes you wonder what we’ve gained from all this improvement… and what we’ve already lost without noticing.


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]

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario Evening of Saturday, November 8th, 2025

Only On The Walters Post

Well, it feels like winter’s easing in for good now. The temperature’s sitting around 30.6°F (-0.8°C) and the air’s a bit damp at 64 percent humidity. The barometer’s reading 29.06 inches of mercury, which is on the low side, so the air’s unsettled and we might see a change overnight.

Winds are calm from the east, hardly moving. When it gets that still and the pressure’s low, it usually means clouds are thickening up and maybe a little snow or mist before morning.

Tonight: Calm and cold, staying near the freezing mark. Expect a heavy frost on anything left outside, especially metal and grass.

Tomorrow (Sunday): Starts off gray, maybe a few flurries or a light drizzle. Should climb to about 36°F (2°C) through the day, but it’ll feel colder if that east wind picks up. Could see a touch of clearing by late afternoon.

Nature’s Signs: The chickadees have been darting in and out of the feeder like they know something’s coming. Deer went quiet early, hiding away somewhere warm. When the woods go still like that, it’s a fair bet winter’s slowly closing in on us.

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

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]

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario Friday, November 7, 2025

Only On The Walters Post

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Friday, November 7, 2025

It’s a damp, chilly afternoon here in Port Loring. Last check around 12:45 PM had the temperature at 3.8°C (38°F), humidity high at 87%, and the wind drifting from the south-southwest at 11 km/h (7 mph). The barometer’s down at 966.9 mbar (28.56 inHg), so we’re looking at some unsettled weather moving through — clouds and moisture hanging around the bush.

Today: Expect clouds and drizzle through the rest of the afternoon, with the air feeling raw and damp. Temperature will hold in the 3–4°C (38–39°F) range. Not much sun in sight today, so it’s a good one to keep the coat on if you’re heading out.

Tonight into Saturday: Chilly, near 1–2°C (34–36°F), with clouds sticking around and a fair chance of light rain. The SSW wind will continue, keeping the air moist and the forest quiet but soggy.

Tomorrow (Saturday): Clouds will start to break a bit as the low moves off. Expect highs around 5–7°C (41–45°F). Some lingering drizzle in the morning is possible, but by midday things should start to brighten. Winds may shift a little west or northwest, bringing a fresher, cooler feel by evening.

Nature’s Signs: With the damp air and low clouds, birds and squirrels are keeping closer to the ground, moving cautiously, and deer will likely stick to the thicker cover until mid-morning. Mushrooms might be popping up in the wet spots — perfect little reminders that the woods are still alive even in this gray weather.

Deer Hunting Outlook: This afternoon and evening, the damp, cloudy conditions can actually be good for movement. Deer tend to move cautiously in the moist air, often using thick cover near feed areas. Best chances will be late morning into mid-afternoon and again just before dark — stay alert near the trails leading to the edges of the bush.

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]

Thoughts From the Far Edge of the Noise

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Good morning. You know: I’ve always had a knack for plain truth: “If you can’t be good, at least be useful.” It’s never failed me yet.

Backwoods Weather Report – Port Loring, Ontario
Thursday, November 6, 2025

It’s a bright, cold morning here in Port Loring with the sun shining strong around 8:30 AM. The barometer sits at 990.2 mbar (29.24 inHg), holding steady for now. Temperature’s at 28°F (-2°C), and humidity is 85%, so the air still carries that November bite. Winds are calm from the NNW, leaving the bush quiet and still — good morning for a walk or a watch from the stand.

Today: Expect sunshine through most of the morning and early afternoon, with clouds starting to build later in the day as a weak front approaches. The temperature should stay near freezing, around 30°F (-1°C), and dip to 24°F (-4°C) tonight.

Tonight into Friday: Clouds will thicken overnight, and there’s a fair chance of light rain or wet snow by tomorrow afternoon, depending on how mild the air turns. Winds will shift slightly southwest, picking up a little warmth but also more moisture.

Tomorrow (Friday): Expect a cloudy, damp day, highs near 36°F (2°C). Could see on-and-off drizzle or a bit of sleet, especially toward evening.

Nature’s Signs: The sunshine after a still, frosty night often gets the chickadees and nuthatches busy early, and you might see deer moving along the shaded edges before the sun climbs higher. The quiet morning with no wind means the woods are listening, so move slow and soft.

Deer Hunting Outlook:
This morning’s calm and clear makes for excellent hunting — best times are sunrise to mid-morning (7:00–10:00 AM). Deer will likely move again late afternoon (4:00–6:00 PM) as that next weather change edges closer. When the sun gives way to clouds, movement tends to pick up again, so keep an eye on the sky and stay ready near the trails leading to open feed areas.

Yesterday I spent a good part of the day in my woodworking shop. Dug up some of the old shelves we used to have in our gift shop before we turned the place into a cottage during COVID. Brushed them off and now I’m revamping them so they’ll be ready for use when we reopen as a gift shop come spring.

I’ve also got a few other things to make for my wife — pieces she needs for the store — and I’ll be working on those through the winter months. I have to tell you, now that we’ve settled on what we’re doing with our lives, things sure seem a lot easier.

Come spring, if you’ve never stopped by to see our one-of-a-kind items, try to find the time. You won’t be disappointed. Between our designs and my wife’s know-how when it comes to running and setting up a gift shop, well, you’ll just have to see it to believe it. And even if you’ve been in before, we’d sure like to see you again. This time around, we’ve got a few surprises that I think will keep you coming back.

So, with all that in mind, I’m off once again for the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, we’ll enjoy our regular morning chat, topped off with a cup of hot cocoa and a couple of marshmallows. Then I’ll head out to the woodworking shop—I already lit the wood stove earlier.

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]

Notes Collected Between Work and Rest

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Good morning. My old Dad always said, “The day’s only as hard as your attitude.” Easy to forget, but it’s true.

Backwoods Weather Report for Port Loring, Ontario, based on my weather station data from 7:25 a.m., November 5, 2025 (EST):


Today (Wednesday)

Air Pressure’s sitting low which often signals unsettled weather. With humidity at 86% and the air cool at 39°F (3.9°C), there’s a good chance of dampness and overcast skies, with some patchy drizzle or mist. The calm wind from the NNW suggests the system hasn’t fully moved through yet, so expect it to stay gray and chilly through the day.

Forecast: Cloudy with light rain or drizzle possible, temperature near 41°F (5°C). Winds staying light, shifting slightly west later on.


Tonight

As the pressure begins to slowly rise overnight, skies may start to break in spots, though lingering low clouds and fog patches could form. The calm air will let the temperature dip close to freezing, so frost is possible on open ground by morning.

Forecast: Mostly cloudy early, then partial clearing late. Low around 32°F to 30°F (0°C to -1°C). Watch for slick spots if you’re out early.


Tomorrow (Thursday)

If that barometer continues climbing, you’ll see a drier, brighter day. Some sunshine should return by midday with a light northwesterly breeze keeping it crisp.

Forecast: Partly sunny, cool, and calmer. High near 43°F (6°C), with lower humidity through the afternoon.


Nature’s Signs

When the wind goes still and the air turns heavy like this, birds often stay quiet and low, saving their energy. The chickadees won’t be far from the feeders, a sure hint the air’s thick with moisture. If the crows call short and sharp this afternoon, it’s a fair bet tomorrow will clear.

Best Deer Hunting Times

With the weather cool and calm, and that barometer starting to creep upward, today’s best deer movement will likely be during the early morning from first light until about 9:00 a.m., and again from 4:00 p.m. until dusk. Those are the hours when deer feel safest to move, feeding before the chill sets in for the night.

Old-Time Hunters Wisdom

My old Dad used to say, “If your breath hangs in the air and your boots crunch on frost, stay put as the deer are already moving.” He also believed a rising barometer after rain meant the woods would wake up hungry, every creature eager to feed before the next turn of weather.

So keep your steps light, mind the wind, and let the forest tell you when to move. The best hunters don’t chase the deer, nope… they wait until the woods say it’s time.

On another note, yesterday I didn’t get around to working on those flutes I’ve got on the go. Instead, I spent the day helping my wife set up our new gift shop. There’s a lot to do getting it ready as turning it from a cottage back into a gift shop isn’t exactly a simple job. But with my wife’s designer’s eye and my own expertise, we make a pretty good team. As long as our bodies hold up, given time we’ll get it all done.

The thing is, at this stage in life, we don’t exactly rush into things… though, maybe I shouldn’t say that, because once we get started, nothing seems to stop us.

Later in the afternoon, I decided to mow the grass, probably for the last time before the snow and real cold weather roll in. While I was at it, I blew a pile of leaves from the lawn into the bush that surrounds our place. Nothing goes to waste as the leaves will break down and feed the trees.

So yeah, that’s how our day went yesterday. By the time supper rolled around, I was worn down to the knots in my shoelaces, and even they were starting to loosen up a bit.

So what are you up to today GW?

Well, today I’m setting the flutes aside for a bit. I got to thinking I need some shelves to hold them all when they’re finished up, something to display maybe fifty or so come spring when we open the new gift shop.

I can see them now, lined up with all the new paintings my wife’s been planning, along with the one-of-a-kind pieces we’ve been making. We’re trying to get things ready making it into something folks will actually want to stop and see once the warm weather rolls back around.

It’s one of those things where you’ve got to build the space before you fill it. No sense having all those flutes and paintings and nowhere proper to put them. So that’s the project for today, getting ahead of it before spring comes knocking.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife has made for me. After that, we’ll sit down to a hot cup of cocoa with a couple of marshmallows… before I head outdoors for the day.

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]