Only On The Walters Post

Now, I’m not here to tell folks what to think, I’m just sharing what life has shown me. Take from it what makes sense, leave the rest, but maybe let it sit with you a while.

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about this new coin called Toncoin, with a Nasdaq company even going so far as to put a big chunk of their treasury into it. Sounds like a big deal, right? And now Trump’s got his own coin making the rounds too, stirring up the kind of excitement folks either jump on or shake their heads at. When you see stories like that, it’s easy to start wondering if these are the ones to watch, the ones that might be changing the game.

I’ll admit, it caught my attention too. You see something new gathering steam, and part of you wants to believe maybe this is the next step. Maybe we’re heading into a different kind of financial world. After all, that’s what a lot of this crypto business has been about from the beginning—change, disruption, shifting the power. And truth be told, there’s something exciting about that.

But I’ve lived long enough to know that not everything loud and shiny holds its weight. These new coins, as interesting as they are, tend to follow the same pattern. A lot of noise up front, a few big promises, maybe even a company or two backing them—but not much history to lean on when things get rough. They’re still trying to prove themselves, hoping folks will take a chance before the next thing rolls along.

And here’s something most folks won’t tell you straight: the people in charge, the banks and the powers that be, they aren’t too fond of Bitcoin. Not because it’s bad or dangerous, but because they can’t keep tabs on it like they do with everything else. When your money’s in Bitcoin, they don’t get to follow you around or decide how you spend it. That kind of freedom makes the old systems nervous. They don’t like not being in control.

Now, I’m not saying these newer coins won’t have their moment. Maybe one or two of them will find their footing and stick around. But as it stands, they’re still chasing something that’s already earned its place. Bitcoin’s been through the storms. It’s stood the test of time while others faded out. It might not grab headlines like it used to, but maybe that’s the point. It doesn’t have to.

So while it might be tempting to dive into whatever coin’s making noise this week, it’s worth asking—are you investing in something real, or just reaching for the next shiny thing? Because when the dust settles, it’s usually the steady ones that are still standing.

And remember: a paycheck isn’t government property; it’s a man’s lifeblood. Let him keep it. All taxes should be removed from paychecks.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

Now, I’m not here to tell folks what to think, I’m just sharing what life has shown me. Take from it what makes sense, leave the rest, but maybe let it sit with you a while.

Well, here we go again, another new thing being served up like it’s the answer to all our problems, this time, it’s cricket burgers. Yep, real bugs, raised on farms, ground into powder, and pressed into patties. The chef says it’s for sustainability. The menu says it’s better for the planet. And the folks eating it say, “Well, it didn’t taste like much.”

Now, I’m not here to knock curiosity or change. I’ve seen a lot in my seventy-odd years, some good, some not. But when I hear about bugs being farmed indoors and turned into food, it gives me pause. Because, no matter how you dress it up with garlic mayo or chow chow relish, a bug is still a bug. And if you’ve got to grind it to dust and hide it in beans to make it palatable, maybe that says something right there.

And another thing is, that crickets out in the wild eat a variety of natural things — roots, leaves, bits of bark. But these farmed ones? They’re raised in plastic trays, stacked like filing cabinets, and fed grain pellets. That’s not a life, that’s a machine. The same goes for farmed fish, fed unnatural diets and swimming in circles. The same goes for artificial sweeteners with names you can’t pronounce, now linked to cancers and gut problems. It’s a half-measure, plain and simple.

I raised animals the old way, outside, on pasture, under the sky, and when you butchered one, you knew what went into it, and you respected what came out. These crickets might be efficient, sure, but food should be more than efficient. It should be real. It should have texture and depth and a connection to the land, not grown in trays under a heat lamp.

Now I get that some folks are trying to do the right thing. I really do. Climate’s changing, and people want to help. But to me, the answer isn’t replacing steak with powdered insects. It’s slowing down, eating better, and respecting food again. Real foo, grown with care, not cooked up in a lab or hidden in a blender.

So no, I won’t be lining up for a bug burger anytime soon. And if that makes me old-fashioned, well… maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

“Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive.” GW

Only On The Walters Post

Now, I’m not here to tell folks what to think, I’m just sharing what life has shown me. Take from it what makes sense, leave the rest, but maybe let it sit with you a while.

Well, here we are in August, and wouldn’t you know it, the government’s gone and made some changes to how they tax liquor. Now, that’s not something you see every day.

This week, here in Ontario, they lowered taxes and markups on all kinds of drinks, beer, cider, spirits, even those ready-to-go mixes folks seem to like these days. Which I should mention isn’t the greatest to be drinking health wise. At any rate, the biggest break goes to the stuff made right here at home. So if you’re buying local whiskey or craft beer, chances are you’ll notice a bit of a drop in price. Not a fortune, but enough to maybe grab an extra bottle for the weekend without breaking the budget.

For the small businesses that make those drinks, this might be just what they need. A bit of breathing room. Less going to taxes means more staying in their own pockets, which might help keep the lights on or even grow a little. And that’s a good thing. I’ve always been a believer in looking after your own, as these folks live in our towns, hire local, and take pride in what they make. That matters.

Now, I’m not one to tell folks how to live. If a fellow wants a drink to unwind after a long day, well, that’s his business. This change might make it a little easier to enjoy something decent without feeling like you’re getting clipped at the counter. And if it helps more people discover a good Ontario brew or a small-town distillery, all the better.

But like everything, it comes down to balance or better said moderation. I figure a quiet drink, shared with good company, has its place. It’s the stories that come with it, the laughter, the old memories that surface when the world slows down for a bit. And that’s where the real value lies, not in the price tag, but in the moment itself.

So, is this a big win? Maybe. Is it worth watching how it all plays out? I’d say so. For now, if you’re someone who enjoys a well-made drink now and then, you might just be in for a pleasant surprise next time you’re at the till.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW