old – Figments of a DuTchess

Culture/History, Inspiration, Technology

Green from a different perspective

Posted on January 17, 2019January 18, 2019 by Marion Driessen

Today a friend of mine e-mailed me this text. I don’t know who wrote it, but I want to share it. From one generation to the next.

Yesterday after shopping at our local supermarket, I was in the queue at the checkout and heard the young cashier suggest to the much older lady that she should bring her own grocery bags, because plastic bags are not good for the environment. The woman apologized to the young girl and then sighed. “We didn’t have this ‘green thing’ back in my earlier days.”

The young clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. You folk didn’t do enough to save the environment for future generations.” The older lady said, “Ah, I see.” Then she continued.

“Back then, we returned milk bottles, lemonade bottles and beer bottles to the shops. The shops then sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so those same bottles were used over and over, thus REALLY were recycled. But we didn’t have the ‘green thing’ back in our days. Continue reading “Green from a different perspective” →

Travel theme: Cream

Image• Posted on May 16, 2017June 3, 2017 by Marion Driessen

Silent Sunday

Image• Posted on December 11, 2016December 9, 2016 by Marion Driessen

Photo Challenge: Future

Image• Posted on April 8, 2016 by Marion Driessen

Photo challenge

Travel theme: Slow

Posted on December 5, 2014December 5, 2014 by Marion Driessen

click for details

< Slow down at Ailsa’s Travel Theme Photo Challenge.

Six word stories

6WSC: Youth

Posted on October 2, 2013February 10, 2016 by Marion Driessen

My own entry in the Six Word Story Challenge: Youth

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REAL YOUTH WILL NEVER BE TAMED

photo: Google Images

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<< If you want to read other six-word stories, or participate in the writing challenge yourself, then hit the button!

Inspiration, Personal, Poems

Let it Be. Let it Go. Make it Glow!

Posted on February 25, 2011February 25, 2011 by Marion Driessen

What does aging do to us? In Does Age Matter you can read some random – not too serious – thoughts on our daily physical deterioration. For example:

Gravity will take a stronger hold on various body parts.
After a night out, two days of recuperation are necessary.

Today’s question is: What gets better with age? Ah, interesting. For me the main thing that gets better with age is

the ability to let go

Letting go of your free and independent life when the children are young.
Letting go of your children when they in turn step into their own free life.
Letting go of high expectations of others, and in stead searching and finding your own way.
Letting go of thousands of things you worry about, but can not change.

Of course I still fret over things, but I’m learning to ease up, to relax a bit more. To allow things to happen. To not be in control all the time. My mother tells me the same thing:

I don’t worry about everything and everyone anymore. Each person needs to live his/her own life and face the responsibilities and consequences of his/her actions.

When growing older, the path before us becomes ever clearer, distractions are more transparent and you can and want to focus on what really matters in life. And that is very important, because you have only one life and the years flash by with accelerating speed! Do not let the outer world rule your life, but take firm control and spend it wisely.

Go on a ghost hunt every now and then! It is not big deal if you fail, because you can always start anew. Stay young at heart and keep moving. Chase your dreams and make them come true, don’t let them fade away! Keep what is really important, what you cannot do without. As for the rest…
Let go.

People change and move on. Friends share the same path for a while – months, years, decades, even a lifetime. They will take a turn every now and then, to find the way ahead together or on their own. Maybe in the future their roads will cross again, hearts drawn together by deep friendship. Relationships and love may end, but it is not the end of the world. It is only change.
Let go.

Things you can not change
let them be

Things you do not want
let them go

But dreams you cherish
MAKE THEM GLOW!