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Ambassador
1,452,769
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I don't know who wrote it or I would have credited it.

Being Green
Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the much older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this 'green thing' back in my earlier days."
The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future
generations."She was right -- our generation didn't have the 'green thing' in our day.Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over.

So they really were recycled.But we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day.Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings.  Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags.But too bad we didn't do the "green thing" back then.We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.But she was right. We didn't have the "green thing" in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that young lady is right; we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.

In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.But she's right; we didn't have the "green thing" back then.We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.But we didn't have the "green thing" back then.Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service in the family's $45,000 SUV or van, which cost what a whole house did before the "green thing." We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint.But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the "green thing" back then?

Nov 17, 2015 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning William. We have recycled for a long time.

Nov 17, 2015 06:05 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Super-efficient, low-water-use washer. Low energy dryer. Heat pump hot water heater. High SEAR air conditioner (rarely used because we have good fans). Compost kitchen and yard waste. Recycle 80+% of all trash.

Nov 17, 2015 04:06 PM
Ambassador
3,164,269
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

recycle, repurpose and compost. I have done all three for years.

Nov 17, 2015 02:28 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

We use motion lighting and programable thermostats. We also have very energy efficient windows and tankless gas on demand water heaters. I cook with gas too. 

Nov 17, 2015 11:20 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

William,

We bring our own bags to the market, LED lights, organic potting soil, organic plant and flower food.  We recycle, and our next home will have solar and a tankless unit.  A

Nov 17, 2015 08:39 AM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Recycling, solar panels, and of course green paint.

Nov 17, 2015 03:17 AM
Rainmaker
323,664
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Painted the kitchen an aqua blue-green.

 

Seriously, Replaced outdoor eve lights with motion sensitive LED lights, covered overhangs and gables with maintenance free Siding, facia and soffit.  Will soon install new insulated garage doors.

 

Installed electronic monitored Water heater, and had firebox safety checked and upgraded.  Thermostat converted to digital, and temperature adjusted to lower winter and higher summer temperatures.  Installed a new roof and ventilators.  Married off my daughters to reduce water consumption. ;)

Nov 17, 2015 02:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Oh, I'm a big fan of a substantial living: I drive hybrid, I use only energy efficient appliances+ windows and doors, as little plastic as possible( bags and bottles) with reusing them, healthier food and filtered water, composting, furniture and decoration restoration( reusing),etc. etc. 

Nov 18, 2015 01:01 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,387
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Added insulation, a smart thermostat and recycle regularly!

Nov 17, 2015 08:30 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,931
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

didn't kill my plants....

Nov 17, 2015 10:48 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I am a green slackard.  I even hoard the old fashioned light bulbs to use when I'm having a party.  They make me and my guests look better.  Seriously, most of my appliances and my central air are pretty efficient.

Nov 17, 2015 10:35 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I have replaced some old windows with double paned ones. 

Nov 17, 2015 10:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,577,943
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I remember to turn off the lights when I don't need them. 

Nov 17, 2015 10:10 AM
Rainer
279,354
John Crosby
Real Property, Inc. - Marblehead, MA

I got a battery powered lawn mower and it is terrific, not noisy, no oil, no gas, no smoke, does what I need it to do and recharges over night.

Nov 17, 2015 09:25 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

William - Nothing else, just light bulbs. Actually, we did buy a new A/C unit a few years back. We tried solar water heater, but that was just a huge mistake. Paid a fortune and never saved any money, then the solar unit got destroyed in a storm.

Nov 17, 2015 08:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I keep the thermostat low in the winter and high in the summer.

Nov 17, 2015 06:01 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

William Feela I do not see much of a GREEN movement here in our neighborhood.

Obviously not into it, yet.

Nov 17, 2015 05:46 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Unfortunately nothing since I am in a condo and the "green" movement hasn't really taken hold here in Louisville. 

Nov 17, 2015 04:26 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I recently had new windows installed.

Nov 17, 2015 04:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

William Feela Triple pane windows through the house.

Nov 17, 2015 03:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Recycle.

Nov 17, 2015 03:09 AM
Rainmaker
631,962
Vern Eaton
Askov, MN
Realtor 651-674-7449

New windows and re-insulated the attic..

Nov 17, 2015 11:15 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I've changed railings around my deck.... replaced fencing....have exterior motion lighting....

Nov 17, 2015 09:39 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

We recycle.

Nov 17, 2015 09:02 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I hven't even done the light bulbs, William! But I do recycle.

Nov 17, 2015 08:45 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Wednesday morning William. I did install foam insulation in the walls to upgrade the old deteriorated insulation and I also installed a radiant barrier in the attic.

Nov 17, 2015 06:34 PM
Rainmaker
940,545
David Alan Baker | Laveen & South Phoenix Realtor
Keller Williams Realty Phoenix - Laveen, AZ
Your local Expert

Radiant barrier, solar water, solar panels 36.

 

Frankly, I would not have done any of it, except the solar panels.  Water heater (solar) and radiant barrier were a waste.

Nov 17, 2015 12:04 PM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

William,
I’m careful about my energy use but I have a recently built house so there isn’t much more to do without spending a ton of money.

Nov 17, 2015 10:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Improved the HVAC system.

Nov 17, 2015 07:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

In our area "brown" is beautiful mandated by our Governor Mr. Jerry Brown. He is trying to make water rationing a perpetual event. 

As for me and my brown lawn. Got this notice today:

Your landscape conversion to drought tolerant type has been approved.

It will take about 80 summer months to regroup the water saving. 

One more-our outdoor frogs live inside the outdoor toilet since their pond has been dry.....

Nov 17, 2015 05:42 AM
Rainer
94,105
Val Evans
Scottsdale, AZ

Our home is very green. We have thermal pane windows, LED or fluorescent bulbs, high R rated insulation, 15 seer rated heat pumps, and we recycle. In addition to all of that, we have 2 wood burning fireplaces which heats our home (when needed) during those cold spells we may occasionally have. We burn at least a couple cords of wood each year. Saves us from having to use that icky icky electricity that may derived from coal burning power plants. 

Nov 17, 2015 04:24 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Hmmm, every 90 days the guy from Tru Green puts chemicals on my grass that can cause dog to loose their hair and could cause spontaneous dog squatting.  The latter seems to be happening too often.

LED lighting. tankless water heater and cork flooring.

Nov 17, 2015 02:39 AM