Last Vestiges Of A Sane And Civil World

LAST VESTIGES OF A SANE

AND CIVIL WORLD

Written by : J R Hilton

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Sometimes we cling onto what we know and what we are comfortable with in life,  and any variations of this can throw us off and make us uncomfortable.  Adaptability is King,  these days,  and there's never been a time when we needed to adapt so quickly and often as we do right now.  Oh sure there are lots of us that don't feel we need to change or keep up with the times and their crazy goings on. These are mostly older people that know that their time left on earth is limited enough that they don't need to worry overly much and will carry on just as they always have.

The fact is that there isn't much that hasn't changed.  Cities have swollen to population sizes that have infrastructures that can't keep up to the demand.  The same people that used to be locked up in mental hospitals are mostly free to roam the streets and carve out some kind of meager existence, usually with Government assistance.  Criminals often have more rights than their victims. Jails are always at capacity or more and parole boards constantly let out offenders to make more room for new prisoners and those released often go back to what they know best and kill again.  

Hidden agendas abound in Government and the private sector that are self serving with roots in greed.  Cost of living pay rises are quickly either becoming a thing of the past or so paltry as to make a mockery of the average person keeping up with the inflation rate.

Companies use WCB to hide behind when a worker gets injured while WCB does an astounding job of blowing legitimate injury claimants away and turning their lives upside down.  I know, I'm one of them.

We have guys like Mitch Romney running for the presidency in the USA.  This guy makes George Bush look like Steven Hawking in comparison.  Not much has changed in Canada.  We are still subjected to the same kind of Governments that don't believe in transparency and let agencies like WCB run their business like the Mafia.  " We are cutting you off, there's nothing wrong with you, and if you don't like it,  well,  just piss off now !  Ha Ha you're screwed, because we can do whatever we like.  

Accountability is out the window these days with many organizations and institutions,  and with many people.  By the time we reach a certain age, we know explicitly whom we can trust and whom we cannot.  Everyone is suspect until they prove otherwise.

When we are young, we have little tolerance for the vagaries of life and other peoples differences,  are strong willed and mostly unyielding to change unless we see instant gratification connected to it.

As we get older we mellow out and become more tolerant of others,  hopefully,  and we see things differently.  We are not so quick to fight for others causes, and more inclined to fight for our own.

Death becomes more of a certain reality and makes some of us wish we could of done more with our lives and reflect on how we would do things differently if we could do them over again.  We reflect on our immortality, and if we can think long enough and hard enough we discover a kind of second chance that's always been there,  but we used life's inconsistencies as an excuse for not thinking we could have realized this earlier.  

That's the thing about life,  death,  is the only time it's truly too late to start over and do it better.  At least as a mortal. We are always stronger and more resilient than we think we are.  We go through tragedies,  misadventures,  and endure great failures and at some point, we get back up and dust ourselves off and go on our way.  

While not everyone does this or does it well, we all have the power to do it.  Without failure, successes would be little or non existent.

Life is all about trial and error.

I believe we have passed a milestone in life of gross excesses and economies worldwide are now suffering and crumbling.  Of course in some countries the excesses were only shared by the heartless murderous regimes that ran them,  but in the Western world,  excesses were enjoyed by the masses.

Having so many countries in the EU with different views and goals,  all connected to the same monetary system is proving to be baptism by fire.  Trouble is,  all these economies including our own,  are connected one way or other and have worldwide repercussions.

The present days state of affairs is nothing to brag about.  If you're still with me here, I cannot resist a chance to voice my displeasure with the way other countries are handling the crisis in Syria. It seems everyone's afraid to do anything about it and when in these modern times ethnic cleansing is being perpetuated on a scale of what is going in in Syria,  this raises serious questions.  Where the answers to these are is a mystery.  

Conspiracies are alive and well still to this day and more are coming to light all the time.  Kudos to the many people that expose these.  Corruption always hides behind whatever and whoever is willing.  There is still hope for humanity,  but how much and how soon is anyone's guess.  We just have to keep on going and keep trying and be willing to fail before we succeed.  Bottom line keep trying and try harder.  Expect change,  and embrace it.  Never stop fighting for what you believe in.

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DO HAVE A GOOD DAY

AND NEVER GIVE UP

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Jeff R Hilton

DESTRUCTING NATURE

DESTRUCTING NATURE

Written by: Jeff R Hilton

New order has taken over the last few places in Alberta where you can camp freely in mountain forests and have a vast choice of where to camp from low valleys near rivers and streams or up on higher elevations and be able to drive to them,  preferably with a 4X4 for some of the sites farther back in.

Unfortunately this new order is clear cut destruction of some pristine lands by people that have little brain capacity and no respect for these kinds of surroundings which are blatantly being  taken for granted and that these pristine wilderness areas are their right to destruct and access. Of course this will lead to,  not being able to access these places that you can camp at for free without the usual annoyances  that staying at paid private and government run campsites offer up.

The responsible Eco conscious campers that do still frequent these areas and respect nature would like to continue to have access to these areas.  Pulling out whole trees with a chain and a 4x4 because you're to stupid to bring firewood or forage for it responsibly will ensure that nobody will be able to access these last few wonderful places.

Perhaps I could offer up some tips so maybe your kids, and their children get to camp at these places as freely as we did.

If your TV set suddenly breaks down while you're out there which to me kind of defeats the purpose of being there but don't put it in the fire to see what will happen then smash it up and leave it in the bushes.  This has got to be the worst and most irresponsible thing I've ever seen in the mountains of Alberta. To the perpetrator, if you should read this, you are truly an un-muzzled boil brained miscreant.


Entering an area of dense forest and immediately getting a roaring fire going while the area is clearly marked with a total fire ban isn't what people do that actually know what the brain in their head is for.


Finding your perfect camping spot, then removing 3 or 4 trees within the sight to use as firewood isn't exactly clever either as not only is it unlawful but when other campers might want to stay there, there is suddenly not enough trees close enough to tie off tarps to.


Keeping your campsite in a complete disarray of food and garbage out in the open,  gives the bears a good reason to check out everyone's site after they tear up you and yours.


If you packed it in, pack it out. Don't leave sites strewn with rope,  nails,  broken glass,  beer can plastic rings,  live bullets,   garbage,   bags of excrement and broken equipment.  It makes the forest look too much like your back yard.


Show respect for other campers by going farther away into the bush if you plan on shooting guns and fireworks off every 5 minutes.  Respect trail signs that are marked, no motorized off road vehicles. Yes this applies to you to.


Put the fire out completely and thoroughly.  This ensures that the same forest,  may still be there next year.

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AND USE COMMON SENSE OUTDOORS

Jeff R Hilton

  

SESAME GINGER AND GARLIC BLACKENED PRAWN BAKE

SESAME GINGER AND GARLIC BLACKENED PRAWN BAKE

Created exclusively by : Jeff R Hilton

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This recipe is a 5 star * dish and a hearty meal in itself.

Ingredients :

DESIRED AMOUNT OF PRAWNS, DEFROSTED, DE-VEINED AND TAILS CUT OFF.

2 CUPS OF LONG GRAIN RICE.

10 FRESH WHITE MUSHROOMS SLICED.

3 TBSP. FRESH MINCED GARLIC.

14 MINI GRAPE TOMATOES CUT IN HALF.

SESAME GINGER MARINADE.

FRESH GROUND PEPPER TO TASTE.

STEAK SPICE,  LIBERAL AMOUNT.

SEA SALT CRYSTALS, HALF HANDFUL.

OLIVE OIL.

BUTTER.

MONTERREY JACK CHEESE,  GRATED

PARMIGIANA REGGIANO CHEESE, GRATED

PUT PREPARED PRAWNS INTO A BOWL AND COVER WITH MARINADE AND ADD SPICES.  LET MARINADE FOR APPROX. 2 TO 4 HOURS REFRIGERATED.

IN A WOK,  POUR OLIVE OIL TO BARELY COVER WOK BOTTOM.

ADD A KNOB OF BUTTER AND SOME MINCED GARLIC AND HEAT TO MEDIUM HOT.

ADD MUSHROOMS AND STIR CONSTANTLY UNTIL THEY ARE ALMOST BROWN, DO NOT OVERCOOK.  REMOVE AND SET ASIDE.

NOW WOK TOMATO HALVES ON MEDIUM HIGH HEAT WITH CUT SIDES DOWN 1ST UNTIL SLIGHTLY BLACKENED THEN STIR GENTLY FOR 5 MORE MINUTES,  REMOVE AND SET ASIDE.

DRAIN MARINATED PRAWNS INTO A BOWL SAVING MARINADE FOR LATER.

NOW ADD A LITTLE MORE OLIVE OIL AND MINCED GARLIC TO WOK AND WOK PRAWNS ON HIGH HEAT UNTIL SLIGHTLY BLACKENED STIRRING CONSTANTLY.

POUR 1 CUP OF PREPARED RICE EACH INTO TWO SEPARATE SINGLE SERVE OVEN SAFE DISHES ( PYREX ).

TOP THESE BOWLS WITH EQUAL AMOUNTS OF PRAWNS, MUSHROOMS, TOMATOES, PLACING ON TOP OF RICE.

POUR SAVED MARINADE EQUALLY OVER THE TWO BOWLS CONTENTS.

SPRINKLE WITH GRATED CHEESES OVER TOP.

PLACE BOWLS ON BAKING TRAY AND BAKE AT 350 FOR 20 MINUTES.

AFTER 20 MINUTES MOVE BOWLS UP A RACK AND BROIL FOR 6 MINUTES OR UNTIL CHEESES BROWN.

SERVE AND ENJOY !

**

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AND A GREAT MEAL TO END IT

JEFF R HILTON

Spring Into Rejuvenation

Photo by J Hilton

SPRING INTO REJUVENATION

Written by : Jeff R Hilton

Spring can never come fast enough for me,  and when it finally arrives, I like to wrest every drop of it's rejuvenating revitalizing properties I can from it.  By now the vagaries and eccentricities of winter are wearing thin and I long to drink up the warm sunshine and see it reflect on every mountain I can lay my eyes on in the Canadian Rockies.  It lifts me up and inspires me.  Makes me feel reborn again in a way only spring can.

Spring is both,  new life and old life revitalized.  Paradise is not lost,  it's all around you,  and waiting for your perusal.  Natures constant eye candy does more for the soul than anything else I can think of.  It beckons you to join in and get saturated in it's splendor.  Spring brings with it a highly positive energy that we can easily absorb and tap into. It's a new season in a new year.  The hillsides begin to green up
as the melt water flows.  Avalanches groan and grate down the mountains in the back country as ice gives way to spring sun.

Photo By J Hilton

  

So I took a little trip to the mountains for the weekend and it was much needed. Without going into detail,  my stress level has been pretty high lately and I couldn't wait to get out of the city.  It did me a world of good and while I know that certain important things to me are still out of my control,  I think I can deal with them better now as all my stress vanished quite quickly as soon as I got there.  There being the town of Canmore Alberta Canada.  It's grown substantially since my last visit but it's still an awesome place to stay and a great jumping off point for a multitude of outdoor pursuits.


Just exploring with camera in hand,  a little shop browsing and a few pleasant dining out experiences and I'm ready to fight the good fight again for what's right and proper.  Giving up on anything should never be an option.  Here below is a picture of what adventure looks like.

Photo By J Hilton

  

Get out and enjoy the great outdoors whenever you can.
It's great for body mind and soul.  Challenge yourself and vow to try at least one new thing this summer.  Chances are good that you'll be glad you did.

DO HAVE A GOOD DAY

AND EXPLORE OUTDOOR

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Jeffrey R Hilton

  

This, That, And Those Other Things, News And Muse

This, That, And Those Other Things
News And Muse

Written by Jeffrey R Hilton

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Well, things aren't moving in Syria  fast enough that more innocent people are being slaughtered daily, which doesn't surprise me.  I'm starting to think,  that whole thing is part of a wider conspiracy somehow. Why else would opponents be dragging their feet so much on this most pertinent issue?

Japan rattled by yet another earthquake of 6.2 or 3 magnitude. So far this is reported as not causing any major damage or loss of life.  Personally,  for me if I lived there, I would be seriously thinking about moving to the mainland by now.  

Here in Alberta,  winter is dragging on stubbornly while the east has been basking in unseasonably great weather including the smashing of previous records.  Unfortunately in the greater Toronto area I believe their weather is drastically affected by the high amounts of air pollution.  After a 23 year absence from Ontario I went back for 2 years and it wasn't even close to the same climate I grew up with.  Today's summer humidity there is so stifling as to be unbelievable.


It makes one wonder when you see commercials for insurance using the fact that the Canadian Government only pays up to $2500.00 towards funeral expenses, while funerals true costs are $10,000 and up.  This is so typical of our Government.  I guess we are supposed to be thankful they are offering even that paltry sum.  But how about they put the payout to $5000 to even the playing field a little more for impoverished Canadians ?


Health Canada is still letting Aspartame suck the life out of Canadians at an alarming rate.  Wake the hell up and lead instead of following the U.S like a bunch of retarded sheep.
Being proactive has never been an attribute of the Canadian Government.  As long as I waited to see the Conservative party in power, I'm beginning to have a lot of doubts as to the leaderships abilities.  I see the NDP as a real viable party to take the lead.  If we could just get corruption and dishonesty out of politics and replace it with integrity and accountability,  we would see great things accomplished.  Ya like that's going to happen !


Health Care in the U.S. is under attack,  and so it should be.  The U.S. is one of the only industrialized nations that doesn't have a health care program that provides care for everyone, which I find is outrageous in this day and age.  I think both the U.S. and Canada should take a closer look at the U.K.'s National Health Service as a model to build from.
I lived in the U.K. for 4 years and the N.H.S. is remarkable in my opinion.  People there complain a lot about it but then they probably have never been subjected to health care in the U.S. to see how good they have it.


It's really hard not to comment on the blatant and total ineptness of Mitch Romney,  and especially the fact that his comment on Russia being the U.S.'s greatest geopolitical threat and foe of the U.S. angering the Russian President.  If only Mitch had subscribed to the old adage of : If you don't have anything intelligent to say, don't say anything at all.  All I can say is that if this guy gets elected the U.S. can kiss any chances of ever being a world leader again goodbye.

***

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JEFFREY R HILTON

   

FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS 

Written by : Jeffrey R Hilton

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Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds and it's always a pleasure and exciting,  to be able to see the latest gear related to anything and everything.  Robot's that can drive a car unassisted through a road course and do better at it than you or I. Tents that can be hung off the ground,  much the same as a hammock.  Pills one can swallow that contain a tiny camera that gives a real time report on the condition of your throat and stomach.

How about a Trans-Atlantic tunnel that can shuffle passengers between Europe and the America's,  in less that an hour.  These things are in the works already.  It's also predicted that a large number of Androids will enter law enforcement,  be extremely effective,  highly intelligent  easily be able to take on 10 or 15 people under a pressurized situation and will be able to move swiftly to perform hundreds of functions in a lot less time than it takes a human to perform.

Humans are and will increasingly be able to replace worn out limbs, body parts,  and even replace skin with an artificial skin replacement.  Farming is moving and will continue to move towards indoor growing of crops as weather becomes increasingly unsettled and unpredictable.  

Super phones and computers that will leave present technology standing still.

Hopefully,  smoking will be a fading memory soon and become a permanently extinguished habit.  Aspartame will be banned totally from production within the next 7 years.  Alternate fuel sources will be discovered and enter mass production in autos within the next 12 years as oil reserves dry up.  Tires on automobiles will become a thing of the past as technology creates the ability for a vehicle to hover close to the road without making contact while driving.   

Of course with all these advanced technologies,  come warnings and dire predictions for the future,  like deadly heat waves and earthquakes that cover wider expanses and the re-awakening of faults that have been mostly inactive for many years.  There's no question,  we are really living in exciting times that are capable of delivering new technologies at a rate that far surpasses and before it.  Now if only we humans could move at the same speed to embrace peace,  tolerance of others,  and integrate fair and accountable,  responsible Governments,  then we truly would be advancing with the future.

***

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AND AN EVEN BETTER TOMORROW

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Renewal Revival

RENEWAL REVIVAL

Written by : Jeffrey R Hilton

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Everything old is new again.  Well actually it's still old, but it's increasingly in vogue these days.  Lots of old things are gaining a whole new popularity, even if they are used for something completely different than their original intended use.  Recycling is an age old pass time and anytime you can use something more than once and use it for a clever purpose is a good thing.

The truth is that there is some kind of use and afterlife for almost everything we use today.  At minimum, it's plastic or paper packaging and good only for recycling to make other paper cardboard or plastic products containing post consumer content.  When I finish using up a product in any kind of large plastic jar with a lid,  it usually goes to keeping birdseed in or to a use for gardening.  If I have enough, it goes into the recycling.

A lot of old curtains end up in the landfills and are replaced with new and more expensive ones,  but these old curtains are often overlooked as something that can be renewed by cleaning them and either bleaching them or dying them a different color and even adding a swath of contrasting other material to them and creating something really different and funky.  The material is often of fine quality as well.


Netting that typically contains onions and the like can be reused to put bar soap ends in and tie them up and fasten to your outdoor faucet for a quick hand wash while working in the garden.  Alternatively, they can be filled and fixed up with a suet mix or similar mix for birds and tied to a tree branch.  I grew up on a farm, so I'm well aware of many of these tricks of getting second uses from things.  My grand parents like many of yours,  I'm sure,  wasted nothing and were quick to scold you if they saw you being wasteful.  My grandfather used to recycle magazines by putting them in the outhouse.


People back then and in times before,  like that of the Great Depression and the 2 World Wars had to be thrifty out of necessity and became very good at it.  Of course being creative helps a lot to this end,  but what you don't know and lack in creativity can be easily found out on the web or in books on the subject.  A lot of recycled plastics are now being turned into hoodies and I think that's an incredibly creative and great use for plastic.


I've had expensive bird feeders get knocked down and broken by high winds but when the same thing happened to a bird feeder that I made out of a recycled 2 liter plastic bottle which was just as effective,  It wasn't a big deal to make another one or hang the same bottle back up if it didn't crack.

I've noticed that trendy stores are now selling cabinetry and tables that look they were originally from barns,  workshops or perhaps old quaint cottages.  This decor looks highly simplistic, stressed,  and clinically plain,  and goes for exorbitant prices.  Saw some lovely planters and planting tables at the same place,  made from reclaimed wood.


Re-purpose baby food jars to create a whimsical garden path with the jars planted upside down into the path or make them part of your tool bench to store fasteners or other small parts.  re-purpose an old wooden ladder to create an overhead rack with hooks to hang pots and pans on.  Re-purpose old sweaters and blankets to recover chair seats or reupholster furniture.  Clean up old trunks and use them as end tables or coffee tables.  When considering projects to make,  thrift stores can be a great place to start,  and take your imagination with you.


Take an old medicine cabinet and turn it into a wall mounted mini bar, particularly useful in small spaces.  Mount an old ornamental soap dish to the wall near your front door as a key dish.  Use an old toothbrush holder to hold stems of small flowers.


Some people look at an object and all they see is the object for what it is, while others have the ability to see it for what it is and several other things it could be.  An old headboard can be re-purposed as the back of a bench.  Old drawers or crates can become shelving units.  You are only limited to the extent of your imagination to create stuff like this.  Recycling to re-purpose things can be very rewarding and for the creations themselves,  the sky is the limit. 

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Jeffrey R Hilton