• pkhawk
      • hello Helen Dawson
      • Username: pkhawk
      • In response to: "Who are you?" I am a writer and photographer. I write recipes, how to guides, and news articles online for helium.com. I create web sites and am the editor for several blogs. I also love reading and animals.
  • pkhawk's latest answers
    • Competition in Many Interests

      • Barrel Racing

        While I try not to be really competitive, as in competing with someone, in life in general, we all have to compete to some extent. I don't really compete to beat someone, but to have fun. Even writing is competitive in a sense, and we all would like to have others read and enjoy or learn something from what we write.

        In contracting, things are by necessity competitive, as in submitting bids, to perform a contracted task, service or construction project. While some are only interested in the bottom line, that being cost, many others are also interested in the finished product, as well as the honesty and craftsmanship that is the quality of design, and installation of the contracted product. They are also interested in the reputation of the contractor(s) they deal with.

        I enjoy playing games, which by their very nature are competitive, someone has to win, and someone also has to lose. When a dog or cat breeder/handler, shows a dog or cat, they are out to prove their animal is one of the very best available, and will improve the breed. When I was showing my Boston Terrier, there was seldom real competition, as he was of the line of the winningest Boston Terriers in AKC history. Rocky seemed to know he was the best there, and seemed to say, "Im here, and the rest of you guys can just go on home." He got his championship in short order. Rocky had personality to spare, and energy that just didn't stop.

        Even riding horses gets competitive, whether it's the horse or rider. When I rode almost daily, with a friend or friends, we often ran out horses full out when we were in a wide open area. They knew we were going to have some fun, and they were up and ready for it. Dusty loved barrel racing, pole bending, and keyhole, too. Yet, when we were just trail riding, she was eager and not out of control. Actually, while barrel racing, pole bending, and keyhole, the horse is only mentally challenging itself, as there is no head to head running as in horse racing. I never did barrels in shows, but certainly did with a friend, just for fun, to see how Dusty performed. We timed each other's horse to see if they actually had what it takes for the real thing. We were careful to place the barrels at official placement, too. Dusty had plenty of heart, and I recall her timing to be about 14.6 seconds to run the barrels. That is very respectable in anybody's time book.

      • answered by pkhawk on 02/08/2011
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    • Why I'm Thankful for Caller ID

      • A trilogy? Oh My...


        Alert Coyote

        I've managed to pretty much stop most, if not all telephone solicitors calls, as I have my numbers listed with the "Do Not Call Registry." I have had my phone numbers for many years, and I still occasionally get calls for the people who had the number previously from creditors trying to locate them, and collect on some debts. I have also been told by at least one creditor that these people are still listing my number as being theirs. I also have had someone giving my home number to several local schools, as if it's theirs. I was receiving automated calls telling me of lock downs, and notifications of other school related things. I believe I have finally stopped these calls. It took several calls not only to the individual schools, but even to the district school superintendent to finally get it straightened out.

        I do receive calls from two people who call quite frequently, and though they are both nice people, they both are very stressful to talk with. One want to constantly gossip, talking about neighbors, or giving me just about everything reported on the afternoon TV news. If I don't answer, they leave a message saying they need to speak with my urgently. I can't seem to get this person to understand that if they don't stop leaving these fake "urgent" messages, that one day it may well be urgent, and no one will return the call, as they have" yelled wolf" too many times.

        I really do care about both of these people, but they cause me a lot of stress. One is a relative, and the other is a gentleman whom I had helped save some thirty cats that the county was going to trap and destroy. He says he likes having the cats around, but living at the base of the local mountains makes his cats fair game for hungry coyotes.

        He has way too many cats, (ranging from 15 to 30 or more) and really cannot afford proper veterinary care. He rationalizes that they love to have kittens, and get into fights, and roam the neighborhood, getting killed and torn apart.

        He is a lonely man, who has OCD problems and who though he cares, he will not do anything about getting his other cats spayed or neutered, or let me find homes for any of them. All except one of the original cats have disappeared, over the past two and a half years, or were killed and eaten by coyotes and/or owls.

        I have finally had to tell him to stop telling me about what's happening to the cats, as it's obvious that I care more what happens to them that he does.

      • answered by pkhawk on 02/07/2011
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    • My Must-Sing-Aloud Songs

      • There are so very many songs that I have always just had to sing aloud with every time I hear them, or they come into my head.


        I could have danced all night

        "I Could Have Danced All Night"
        "El Paso"
        "Wayward Wind"
        "How Much is That Doggy in the WIndow?"
        "Secret Love"
        and the list goes on...


        Below are the lyrics to four of my favorites:

        Eliza Bed! Bed! I couldn't go to bed!
        My head's too light to try to set it down! Sleep! Sleep!
        I couldn't sleep tonight.
        Not for all the jewels in the crown!
        I could have danced all night!
        I could have danced all night!
        And still have begged for more.
        I could have spread my wings
        And done a thousand things I've never done before.
        I'll never know What made it so exciting;
        Why all at once My heart took flight. I only know when he
        Began to dance with me I could have danced,
        danced, danced all night!

        Servant 1 It's after three now.

        Servant 2 Don't you agree now,
        She ought to be in bed.

        Eliza I could have danced all night!
        I could have danced all night!
        And still have begged for more.
        I could have spread my wings
        And done a thousand things I've never done before.
        I'll never know What made it so exciting.
        Why all at once my heart took flight.
        I only know when he
        Began to dance with me.
        I could have danced, danced danced all night!
        Mrs. Pearce I understand, dear.
        It's all been grand, dear.
        But now it's time to sleep.
        Eliza I could have danced all night,
        I could have danced all night.
        And still have begged for more.
        I could have spread my wings,
        And done a thousand things I've never done before.
        I'll never know What made it so exciting.
        Why all at once my heart took flight. I only know when he
        Began to dance with me I could have danced, danced,
        danced All night!


        "El Paso"

        Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
        I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
        Night-time would find me in Rosa's cantina;
        Music would play and Felina would whirl.

        Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,
        Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
        My love was deep for this Mexican maiden;
        I was in love but in vain, I could tell.

        One night a wild young cowboy came in,
        Wild as the West Texas wind.
        Dashing and daring,
        A drink he was sharing
        With wicked Felina,
        The girl that I loved.

        So in anger I

        Challenged his right for the love of this maiden.
        Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
        My challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat;
        The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.

        Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
        Shocked by the FOUL EVIL deed I had done.
        Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there;
        I had but one chance and that was to run.

        Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran,
        Out where the horses were tied.
        I caught a good one.
        It looked like it could run.
        Up on its back
        And away I did ride,

        Just as fast as I

        Could from the West Texas town of El Paso
        Out to the bad-lands of New Mexico.

        Back in El Paso my life would be worthless.
        Everything's gone in life; nothing is left.
        It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
        My love is stronger than my fear of death.

        I saddled up and away I did go,
        Riding alone in the dark.
        Maybe tomorrow
        A bullet may find me.
        Tonight nothing's worse than this
        Pain in my heart.

        And at last here I

        Am on the hill overlooking El Paso;
        I can see Rosa's cantina below.
        My love is strong and it pushes me onward.
        Down off the hill to Felina I go.

        Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys;
        Off to my left ride a dozen or more.
        Shouting and shooting I can't let them catch me.
        I have to make it to Rosa's back door.

        Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
        A deep burning pain in my side.
        Though I am trying
        To stay in the saddle,
        I'm getting weary,
        Unable to ride.

        But my love for

        Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen,
        Though I am weary I can't stop to rest.
        I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle.
        I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.

        From out of nowhere Felina has found me,
        Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.
        Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,
        One little kiss and Felina, good-bye.


        "Secret Love"
        Once I had a secret love
        That lived within the heart of me
        All too soon that secret love
        Became impatient to be free

        So I told a friendly star
        The way that dreamers often do
        Just how wonderful you are
        And why I'm so in love with you

        Now I shout it from the highest hills
        Even told the golden daffodils
        Just how wonderful you are
        And why I'm so in love with you

        Now I shout it from the highest hills
        Even told the golden daffodils
        Just how wonderful you are
        And why I'm so in love with you

        "Wayward Wind"
        The wayward wind is a restless wind
        A restless wind that yearns to wander
        And he was born the next of kin
        The next of kin to the wayward wind

        In a lonely shack by a railroad track
        He spent his younger days
        And I guess the sound of the outward-bound
        Made him a slave to his wand'rin ways

        And the wayward wind is a restless wind
        A restless wind that yearns to wander
        And he was born the next of kin
        The next of kin to the wayward wind
        [Instrumental Interlude]

        Oh, I met him there in a border town
        He vowed we'd never part
        Though he tried his best to settle down
        I'm now alone with a broken heart

        And the wayward wind is a restless wind
        A restless wind that yearns to wander
        And he was born the next of kin
        The next of kin to the wayward wind
        The next of kin to the wayward wind

      • answered by pkhawk on 02/06/2011
        1 favorite
        5 comments
    • Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner?

      • Cajun Campfire Breakfast with Grits

        This one's a bit hard to nail down, as many times, I will eat something for breakfast that might be considered dinner, or lunch. I might eat breakfast for dinner, too.

        I have never been really nailed down to eating one particular type of meal for any meal in particular.

        Haven't you ever eaten pizza for breakfast, or an omelet for dinner? I have done all the above, and sometimes I love beef stew for breakfast, or a bowl of yogurt for dinner. There are many times, that I will eat a ham and cheese omelet with polish sausage and a Mediterranean vegetable mix for breakfast. Sometimes, I even add blueberries on top of the veggies.

        I really do love eating something like cherry crepes, or eggs and bacon mixed in with either gently fried potatoes with onions, or with hominy grits, with melted cheese, all mixed up with my over easy eggs and crumbled bacon.

      • answered by pkhawk on 02/05/2011
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        4 comments
    • Haiku, Haiku, Haiku, 4 4 1

      • Nuts and bolts

        Why do some people
        Seem to think that you owe them
        Because they're fam'ly


        Kind love is sharing
        Ungracious ones think it's owed
        Taking advantage stinks


        Give 'til it hurts. right?
        But it must come from both sides
        Or it's just taking


        Room and board for free?
        When you're well able to work
        How selfish they be

      • answered by pkhawk on 02/04/2011
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