peace – Figments of a DuTchess

WPC: Favorite Place

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Marion Driessen

My sanctuary in Portugal: a simple wood cabin that has everything we need. Here I find peace to write, to have long conversations with my muse. To relax and read, far way from every day stress. The cabin is situated on a ridge and overlooks a wide valley. On a clear day, you can even see the ocean in the distance. Several picturesque villages are only a fifteen minute drive away, and the rough coast offers several hiking paths.

Can you see why it is my favorite place? And if you do, would you like to share a simple breakfast in the morning sun with me?

click!

My entry in this week’s challenge:

Share an image of your happy place, a secret spot you love, or a faraway location you return to again and again.

< check out the other entries in The Daily Post Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge: Satisfaction

Image• Posted on July 28, 2017 by Marion Driessen

Photo Challenge: Solitude

Image• Posted on February 3, 2017February 21, 2017 by Marion Driessen

Photo Challenge: Relax

Image• Posted on December 2, 2016 by Marion Driessen

Travel theme: Mellow

Image• Posted on August 15, 2015August 15, 2015 by Marion Driessen

Border hopping, Haiku, Photo, Photo challenge

Travel theme: Peaceful

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Marion Driessen

come and sit with me

find peace in my arms and breathe

where quiet surrounds

– please click the photo for a larger image –

–

<< under the button are more peaceful moments.

Biker Witch, Photo, Photo challenge

Weekly Photo Challenge: Thankful

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Marion Driessen

The WordPress Photo challenge of this week is very similar to the Free Write Friday post I published earlier: Gratitude, where you can read about my reasons to be grateful and thankful.

For this photo challenge I have chosen: PEACE. I am thankful for each country, each region and village, even each house, where peace has won over war. Let’s be thankful for that, and strive for more, much more peace.

~ click the photo for a larger image ~

Why this peace sign was upside down, is a mystery to me. But you know what? This way it resembles the \/ sign even better.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

________________________________________________________________

Find more Thankfulness at Sara Rosso’s Weekly Photo Challenge.

Culture/History, News, Photo, Six Word Saturday

6WS: Liberation Day in the Netherlands

Posted on May 5, 2012May 5, 2012 by Marion Driessen

Six Word Saturday:

________________________________________________________________

They Came To Reclaim Our Freedom

In the Netherlands, Liberation Day (Dutch: Bevrijdingsdag) is celebrated each year on May 5th, to mark the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II.

The nation was liberated largely by Canadian troops, with the assistance of the British and American Armies (see Operation Market Garden) and French airborne (see Operation Amherst).

THANK YOU!!!!

On the 5th of May 1945, the Canadian General Charles Foulkes and the German Commander-in-Chief Johannes Blaskowitz reached an agreement on the capitulation of German forces in the Netherlands in Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen. One day later, the capitulation document was signed in the auditorium of Wageningen University, located next-door to the hotel.

After the liberation in 1945, Liberation Day was commemorated every 5 years. Finally, in 1990, the day was declared to be a national holiday, when the liberation would be commemorated and celebrated every year.

On May 4th, the Dutch hold the Remembrance of the Dead for the people who fought and died during World War II, and in wars in general. There is a remembrance gathering in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam and at the National Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam. Throughout the country, two minutes of silence are observed at 8 p.m. On May 5th, the liberation is celebrated and festivals are held at most places in the Netherlands.

________________________________________________________________

Want to play along? All that’s necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words.

<< Click the button for more Six Word Saturday.

Culture/History, Personal

Morning Ritual

Posted on October 20, 2011August 14, 2017 by Marion Driessen

Habits. They might seem dull and boring. But habits also give comfort and peace, as they allow the mind to relax and help to prepare for the day to come.

Every morning the usual and hurried actions: get up, shower while wondering what clothes to wear, get hair under control, eye liner, mascara, head towards kitchen for breakfast. Run, Dutchess, run!

But then the world suddenly stops for a while. You see, downstairs there will be a small tin can waving at me. And it won’t be ignored! It will stamp its metal feet and rattle to get attention if needed. This little innocent object forces me into a ritual each morning. And I love it. The tin contains ‘Morning Tea’, with lemon balm and lemon grass plus dried leaves that give this reviving herbal tea a hint of flowers. And a slightly red hue. The taste is refined, light and refreshing.

The cup of tea accompanies me upstairs to my writing den, where I check my mail and read blogs in the early morning. It’s not the special effect of the tea that is dear to me, for there is none: no caffeine. It is the whole setting: finding my inner balance before the madness of society barges in.

Somewhat later a nonchalant glance at the clock regularly sends me into a slight panic (as I tend to forget the time up there) and kicks me into action again. But I wouldn’t want to miss this morning ritual for the world. It brings me peace.