George's Writers Corner, The Old Craftsman's Woodworking Shop, Weather, What's Happening

The Country Writer’s Notebook on March 15/2025

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Good Morning! Living where we do, if you listen close, you can hear the quiet wisdom of the woods waking up.

It’s a bit cloudy this morning here in Cottage Country. We did have a touch of sunshine sneaking over the horizon earlier, painting the eastern sky with a warm, rosy glow. Sure was a sight for tired eyes to see, and a great way to kick off the day. Nothing’ like a good sunrise to put a feller in the right frame of mind, even if the clouds are trying’ to take over.

Today (Saturday, March 15):

  • High: 56°F (13°C)
  • Low: 49°F (10°C)
  • Outlook: It’s looking like a mild but cloudy day, with some showers passing through. So, if you were thinking of digging in the garden, you might want to put that on hold—not that you’d get a shovel into the ground with all that snow still stickin’ around.

Weather Forecast For Today Here In Port Loring, Ontario, Canada!

Tonight:

  • Low: 49°F (10°C)
  • Outlook: Clouds are rolling in with a 60% chance of rain. Perfect night to kick back with a hot drink and a good book.

Tomorrow (Sunday, March 16):

  • High: 55°F (13°C)
  • Low: 22°F (-5°C)
  • Outlook: Things are warming up a bit during the day with some rain expected, but by nightfall, the temperature’s dropping like a stone, and we might even see some flurries. Winter sure likes to stick around longer than it’s welcome.

Special Weather Statement:
They’re calling for some heavy rain this weekend, with totals between 0.6 to 1.6 inches (15 to 40 mm). Funny thing is, when you hear it in inches, it doesn’t sound all that bad. Just another reason why I ain’t a fan of the metric system as it sure knows how to make things sound worse than they really are! The frozen ground isn’t soaking much of it up, so keep an eye out for pooling water and local flooding. Good day to stay dry and enjoy a little time indoors.

Highway 522 is bare and so far dry which once again will make traveling good if your in need of heading into the big city for supplies.

On another note, I spent the day once again in my woodworking shop, sorting things out and getting ready for the sale later this spring. I’m making some good headway now, which sure feels a lot better. I have to admit, when I first started, it was a real dilemma—like trying to carve a straight line out of a twisted log. But, just like any project, if you tackle it a bit at a time, the pieces start to fit together. As any woodworker would tell ya,

With that, I’m off for the breakfast my little woman’s been putting together. Then, we’ll settle in with our regular cup of hot cocoa—just like we’ve been doing every morning for over fifty years.

Until next time, keep your minds open and 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]

George's Writers Corner

Port Loring, Ontario Spring Forecast (Late March to Mid-April 2025)

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Late March:
Winter’s not ready to let go yet, and we can expect colder temperatures, with nights dipping below freezing and daytime highs slightly above it. We will also get a few more snowfalls and freezing rain are likely, especially from southern Ontario winds. Animals like deer are mostly sticking to the woods, birds are cautious, and the tree buds are swelling , but not yet opening.

Early April:
The cold lingers, but signs of spring start to show. Nights will still dip below freezing, and daytime highs will struggle to get above freezing, but the warmer air from the south will slowly push in. Squirrels and birds will be more active, but the earth is still too cold for full growth. Snow will be less frequent, but don’t expect to much of a warm-up just yet.

Mid-April:
Spring will finally take hold by mid-April. Snow will be gone, though frost may still linger in shady areas. By then, you’ll also start seeing buds open on the trees and the first green in the fields. The warmth will begin to win out, with milder days, but expect some cool nights.

So a mix of patience and watching nature will guide you through this spring transition.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and 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]

George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only

Canada, It’s Time to Stop Taking the Bait

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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, folks, it never ceases to amaze me how much we, as Canadians, let ourselves get riled up over what Trump or his more aggressive allies have to say. Take this latest mess, Trump’s guy, Howard Lutnick, spouting off about how Canada can’t survive without the U.S., how we don’t respect Trump, and how we should just be grateful and fall in line. Then Trump himself jumps in, throwing out wild talk about Canada as the 51st state, military spending, and icebreakers. And just like that, ‘the outrage machine fires up across the country.‘

But let’s take a step back and ask ourselves: why are we reacting at all?

See, in all my years raising kids, I’ve noticed a simple truth, people like Trump and his crew operate the same way children do when they don’t get their own way. They push, they prod, and they say the most outrageous things, just to get a reaction. And when they get one, well simply put... they double down because they know they’ve found a button to push. And… the more we huff and puff about every insult or ridiculous comment, ‘the more we’re just feeding the fire.‘

It’s like when a kid throws a tantrum. If you react to every little outburst, they’ll just keep doing it. But if you ignore them? They lose interest real quick, that’s exactly what needs to happen here. ‘But more importantly,‘ this should be a wake-up call for us as a nation. Instead of getting caught up in the back-and-forth, we should be using this moment to realize that ‘we need to become more self-sufficient.‘

Truth be told, Trump and Lutnick aren’t entirely wrong. Lutnick claims Canada “doesn’t exist” without the U.S., and Trump says we “pay very little” for our military because we rely on American protection. And sure, Canada has just 60 planes.

‘So…let them talk big’, make their threats, and pat themselves on the back, as it doesn’t change who we are or how we operate. But here’s the hard truth, as Trump has a point. We should have invested more in our own defense long ago. The powers that be pushed it aside, and ‘they got away with it‘, but times are changing, and now we need to step up and build our own strength. which we can do!

We have the ability. We have the resources. And with the amount of taxes the working man or woman pays, which is nearly half their paycheck going into Governments Purse, there is absolutely no excuse for why we can’t build up our own military, our own industries, and our own economy without depending on the U.S. or any ‘other country.’ The old days of sweeping things under the rug, and hoping countries like the U.S. will always have our backs are Over, Done, Finished.

The point I am trying to make is; We don’t need to validate ourselves by screaming back at every insult. We don’t need to give in to the endless game of tit-for-tat, we need to take action and strengthen our country now, sooner rather than later.

And those who think we don’t need to step up, well they are the same ones who let us fall behind in the first place. Talk is cheap, but strength is built in silence, it’s time to stop arguing and start acting, because no one respects a country that won’t stand up for itself, and right now, that’s exactly how the world sees Canada.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and 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]

George's Writers Corner, The Old Craftsman's Woodworking Shop, Weather, What's Happening

Notes from the Northern Countryside on March 14/2025

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Good Morning! As the Laura the lady that raised me used to say: “Sunrise doesn’t ask permission to shine, GW, and neither should you.”

It’s looking like we’re in for another nice day here in the north. The sun is shining, and the temperature is rising. The kind of day that makes an old feller feel like getting out to the shop and doing some work. Though, after all the sorting and cleaning I’ve been doing in there lately, it’s starting to look so organized I’m almost afraid to mess it up. Almost.

Here’s the weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario, Canada

Friday, March 14:

  • Day: Mainly sunny with a high around 56°F (13°C).
  • Night: Partly cloudy, low near 43°F (6°C).

Saturday, March 15:

  • Day: A few showers expected with a high near 56°F (13°C).
  • Night: Rain likely, low around 48°F (9°C).

Special Weather Statement:

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the weekend, indicating significant rainfall is possible from Saturday evening through Sunday night. Total rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm (approximately 0.8 to 1.6 inches) are expected, with locally higher amounts possible due to the risk of thunderstorms. The frozen ground may have a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall, leading to localized flooding in low-lying areas and water pooling on roads.

Once again, I worked the day away in our old woodworking shop, sorting out jars, boxes, and tins of things I never even knew I had. At this rate, I’m starting to think I could open my own hardware store,,,’Walters’ World of Odds and Ends.’ And let me tell you, between all the stuff I’ve been digging out of the shop and all the treasures my lovely wife has been gathering in the house, we’re gearing up for one heck of a sale later this spring. If this keeps up, folks might be leaving here with everything from antique screws to who-knows-what gadgets…most of which I’m pretty sure I saved for reasons I can’t remember!

So, what are you up to today, GW?

Well, that’s not too hard to figure out. My bench is piled high with all sorts of things I’m trying to decide whether to save or get rid of. So, yeah, that’s what I’ll be doing for most of the day, I suspect. But you know, I’ve learned over the years that you can’t look at the big picture when you’re tackling a jobs like this. If you do, you’ll just end up feeling overwhelmed before you even start. The trick is to just get to it, one jar or box or project at a time, and eventually, things all get done. And by the looks of things in my shop, I’d say I’m about halfway done! At least I think I am.

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, which should make traveling pretty good for those out and about. As for my wife and me, we’re all set, no need to head off to town anytime soon. And with the cost of food and gas these days, well, let’s just say it feels like you need to take out a small loan just to buy a loaf of bread and a jug of milk.

But, you know, in saying that, when it comes to all these tariffs, there’s a flip side. While they might raise the price of some things, they also give a boost to local production. With imported goods getting pricier, Canadian businesses have a better chance to compete, which means more jobs and more products made right here at home. That could help build a stronger economy, reduce reliance on supply chains from overseas, and maybe even lower prices in the long run.

So, while things may feel a bit tight now, there’s a chance that all of this could pay off with a more resilient local market. No need for folks to get too riled up, it’s a bit of a shake-up, but in the end, it might just be good for us all.

With that, I’m off for my morning breakfast, that my lovely wife put together for me. And after that, we’ll enjoy our usual cup of hot cocoa and have our regular morning chat, which helps keep the mind on the straight and narrow for the rest of the day… or at least, that’s the hope.

Until next time: Keep your minds open and 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]

George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only

Where Are Our Minds These Days?

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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 sure has me wondering where a lot of our minds are at these days, with all the fabricated chatter going on in Canada. It seems like not just some of the public, but also some of our so-called leaders, are all over the radio, TV, and social media, saying that because of Trump and what he’s doing, we should be doing everything we can to get back at the USA. Now, here’s the thing, like I’ve said many times before, it’s not the USA as a whole we should be against. If there’s an issue, it’s with the powers that be, and even then, whether they’re truly at fault is up for debate.

Some people are pushing for buying everything from other countries instead of the USA, and in my mind, that’s total craziness. There’s no better place to get good produce, vegetables, or even clothing than from our neighbors to the south. We should be supporting the farmers and industries there. Now in saying that, when our own farmers have crops ready, we should be buying local and supporting them. That’s just common sense. But to turn away from the USA entirely out of some grudge is a mistake.

People also need to remember that many of the countries we’re turning to instead don’t have the same safety measures in place as Canada or the USA. They’re still using pesticides and chemicals we outlawed years ago, and in some cases, their crops are grown in soil loaded with… who-knows-what. So while some folks are trying to make a point by avoiding American goods, they may be hurting themselves in the process.

Now, let me say one more thing, like it or not, I give the Americans credit for finally standing on their own two feet and the truth of the matter is, it’s something they should have done years ago, just like we should have done here in Canada, years ago. There’s something to be said about taking care of your own first.

And as for this talk about flying the Canadian flag to show our support for our country… well, that’s a great idea. But I see no issue with flying an American flag too, and I will be when we open our store. We have a lot of American friends, and I won’t be dictated into doing something that doesn’t sit right with me.

Oh, and before you go buying a Canadian flag, might pay to take a good look at where it was made. And while you’re at it, check the price, too, as it seems like some folks are using tariffs along with other things, as an excuse to jack up prices. Makes me shake my head.

At the end of the day, we need to get our minds set right. It’s about supporting what makes sense, not making knee-jerk decisions, just because of who’s in office. Let’s focus on what really matters, buying safe, quality goods, supporting our farmers, and thinking for ourselves. For a change!!!

Until the next time, keep your minds open and 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]