Saturday, June 30, 2012

WINDOW TO MY SOUL / A SONG LYRIC

HOW MANY ROADS

Written by : JR Hilton  June 30/2012

BENT AND BUSTED, I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE TRUSTED
TIME WOULD BE KIND
BROKEN AND MENDED,  I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE TENDED TO MY SOUL MORE
THE THINGS THAT I KNEW WERE IMPORTANT
I THOUGHT WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE
I WAS WRONG,  OH BOY  WAS I WRONG
TIME AND TIME AGAIN
I WAS ONCE I WAS TWICE I WAS THREE TIMES IN A PLACE IN MY LIFE
I THOUGHT THAT I COULD STAY
I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE OKAY
I WAS WRONG AND NOW IT'S ALL GONE
SCATTERED TO THE WINDS TO HANG THERE IN TIME
IN IT'S NEW REALITY

chorus

NOW EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE IS GONE
HOW MANY ROADS DO I HAVE TO TAKE
 SEEMS EVERY ONE SO FAR HAS BEEN A MISTAKE
I'M PUSHING BACK BUT I KNOW WHAT I'M UP AGAINST
ALWAYS A FIGHT TO KEEP ANYTHING I DARE CALL MINE
MAYBE ALL I NEED IS ME,  TO WALLOW IN THIS MISERY
EVEN THOUGH THAT'S NOT WHAT I BELIEVE
AND I'VE COME SO FAR
STILL LOOKING FOR MY LUCKY STARS
HOW MANY ROADS

NOW EVERY DAYS A STRUGGLE TO STAY HERE
WHEN THE SUN SHINES BEFORE THE SKIES GET DARK
CLOUDING OVER TO RAIN ON ME AGAIN
THAT GLIMMER OF HOPE AND THEN I FIND MYSELF
TAKING SHELTER PALE AS WHITE
WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE A FIGHT
IS THERE ONLY PEACE AT THE END
ALL THESE EMOTIONS DANCING IN A KALEIDOSCOPE
SHAKE IT UP AGAIN COULD THERE BE ANY HOPE
MAKE IT REAL AND MAKE IT MINE
MAKE IT SWEET LIKE BLACKBERRY WINE

SOMETIMES I WISH THAT I COULD CLOSE MY EYES
OPEN THEM AGAIN TO SUNNY SKIES
THAT GO ON FOREVER
BUT JUST LIKE ALWAYS I NEVER SEE IT FOR LONG
NEVER GET TO BE IT BECAUSE IT NEVER TAGS ALONG
FREE IS JUST A STATE OF MIND,  I CAN'T SEEM TO GRASP
HAPPINESS IS FLEETING AS SURE AS TIME IS PAST
IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON ME
HERE'S WHAT'S LEFT OF MY HEART




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J R HILTON






Friday, June 22, 2012

PETS GIVE LIFE AND HOPE

A bird in hand


PETS GIVE LIFE AND HOPE

WRITTEN BY: J R HILTON

***

While many people don't believe they are pet people and swear against owning a pet of any kind, thankfully many more do believe and reap the benefits that are many. Pets can lower elevated blood pressure just by being around them and especially giving a dog a stroke or two. Others get the same effect from stroking a cat, and still others own multiple animals.  Keeping any pet and taking care to feed it, nurture it and see that it gets proper stimulation and exercise is good therapy for a lot of things.




A pet is an excellent way to fight depression and can give older people a reason to stay active as well as teach kids to be responsible and develop bonds with animals that will parallel with life's intricacies of relationships with other people. One can learn an awful lot from animals and birds, lizards etc. Most animals have personalities as varied as humans and can be downright fun to watch, and of course as we all know nature can be cruel at times,  but when it is, it's nature doing what it was intended to do among animal species.

I love all animals, I'm just more fond of some than others. I discovered a long time ago that I have a way with birds. Whenever I enter the room where my birds are, If the room is silent when I enter, all my birds start chirping like crazy to say hello. I actively change things around in their cages, rearranging, adding or taking away stuff to stimulate their environment and appeal to their curious nature.


I love dogs but am not in a position to own one presently but soon as I can again, I will. In the meantime I will just enjoy my birds and my girls old dog that stays over periodically. We start out by teaching our dogs tricks but in the end it is they that can show us a few things, not limited to loving unconditionally.


In closing I will say once again, pets are an important part of life and pets often save lives. Go get one that suits your lifestyle and fits your budget. take care of it and it will take care of you.


***


DO HAVE A GOOD DAY
AND LOVE ALL LIVING THINGS


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JEFF R HILTON






Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Last Vestiges Of A Sane And Civil World



LAST VESTIGES OF A SANE
AND CIVIL WORLD

Written by : J R Hilton


***
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.

***   

  
DO HAVE A GOOD DAY
AND NEVER GIVE UP

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Jeff R Hilton















Sunday, May 27, 2012

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




  






Tuesday, May 8, 2012

SESAME GINGER AND GARLIC BLACKENED PRAWN BAKE



SESAME GINGER AND GARLIC BLACKENED PRAWN BAKE
Created exclusively by : Jeff R Hilton

***


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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DO HAVE A GREAT DAY
AND A GREAT MEAL TO END IT

JEFF R HILTON






















Tuesday, April 24, 2012

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












  












Tuesday, March 27, 2012

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

This, That, And Those Other Things
News And Muse

Written by Jeffrey R Hilton

***
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












   






MEMORY

  MEMORY   WRITTEN BY   JEFF R HILTON   2025   WHEN ITS GOODBYE  THERE'S NO MORE GOOD TIMES TO BE HAD  AFTER THE TEARS TO WHERE THIS LED...