Ruth Altendorf
For The Observer
Meet Yvonne, the recycling champion in our family. Not much escapes her eagle eye if it has even the slightest recycling value!
Our shed has become a sorting station for just about anything: there is a bin for bottles, others for jars, cardboard, newspaper, green waste and composting — it all has its place.
Until recently however, only certain things were picked up at the curbside, others had to be brought elsewhere, a job Yvonne has shared with her husband, Phil.
Some things he even had to take to Vancouver, where they have a more comprehensive system. Needless to say that they both are delighted about our new system in Harrison Hot Springs, which picks up everything, sorts it and disposes it to the right place.
And, I am sure, Yvonne and Phil are not the only ones that are happy to get a well deserved break. Not to forget the many, many people who just don’t have the time to be so involved because they are far too busy already.
How did the change happen? Well, I think Pluto, the planet, who is in charge of rejuvenation (which includes recycling, of course) rules prominently at this time of the year and influences our doings. So perhaps it all had to happen according to the law of nature!
But, on to something totally different! Remember Chislaine, who moved back to Belgium at the end of last year? Not long ago she phoned to let me know that she is fine and getting accustomed again with the European lifestyle. She asked me to tell all her friends that she is doing well and wishes them all the best.
I was glad to hear this because I had written her twice, each time including two Observers as promised. But she only had received the second mail, perhaps because she was a bit late registering at the post office.
Shortly after she did register, a police officer came to her door and politely asked if she really was who she had claimed! Everything is fine now and there should be no further delays. But where is the first mail, including the two Observers? Perhaps they were out of luck and will come back some day, which would put them into the category of “most widely travelled Observers”, worthy of a spot in the museum!
On the other hand, if Yvonne sees them first, they will be recycled without mercy! Of course, I should have used the telephone in the first place, as I usually do. It is still the most personal, instant and cheapest communication system around with no recycling required.
And Pluto smiles!