A few months ago I wrote that I had chosen to be steward of my kitchen. Today I have become steward of my laundry. As I think about this, it seems like a rather silly idea, but it’s deeper than any frivolity. It’s has to do with being intentional about whatever I do. But it’s more than that. After all, I could be intentional about transferring from washer to dryer. It’s about living in the present moment, piece by piece, clothespin by clothespin, breath by breath.
Beautiful day today, beautiful enough to hang the laundry outside, but I don’t have a clothesline set up yet. That will happen in the spring. Meanwhile hanging in the cellar is going well. There is something satisfying about hanging sheets on the line that my husband set up and draping clothes on rack that I purchased. Sure it takes more time than transferring wet clothes from washer to the dryer, but, strange as it may sound, I like having this new personal relationship with my laundry.
A few months ago I wrote that I had chosen to be steward of my kitchen. Today I have become steward of my laundry. As I think about this, it seems like a rather silly idea, but it’s deeper than any frivolity. It’s has to do with being intentional about whatever I do. But it’s more than that. After all, I could be intentional about transferring from washer to dryer. It’s about living in the present moment, piece by piece, clothespin by clothespin, breath by breath.
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My neighbor's rakes I’m finding it hard to calm down after the election. Not that I was particularly involved in the doing of any campaign, but there was a great deal of energy about it no matter where I went. As the expression goes, ‘It was in the air.’ So, waking up to a groundcover of snow this morning felt very calming. Snow and silence go together. I figure that no way will I heard leaf blowers if I take a morning walk. Oh dear, it’s raining, so no walk for me. The snow will melt and the forecast is for 70 degrees and sunny on Monday. I just know those trucks transporting all that leaf blowing equipment will be out and about finishing up their fall job before snowplows get attached. Um, I wonder if rakes are becoming obsolete? The first trial-run of hanging laundry is complete. My husband has installed a clothesline, on a pulley no less, in the basement, and I have hung my first load. So far this hasn’t been simple, but I trust that some of the kinks in the process will be straightened out after a couple of more loads. Here’s what is making it NOT simple. One thing leads to another. One: The line sags so it needs to be made more taut. That can’t happen until the current clothes dry. That will happen more quickly when it gets colder and we start using our furnace. Two: Hanging with clothespins takes time. I’m going to splurge and buy a clothes rack so I can just lay socks etc. on the rungs. Three: A clothes dryer softens the laundry. Oh dear, do I want to buy fabric softener? If I do, will I remember to add it to the rinse load? Is there such a thing as biodegradable fabric softener? Should I use the dryer for certain items, such as towels? Getting this procedure in place is not simple, but in the long run it will be economical and eco-friendly. Granted, it will take a little more of my time. Let me rephrase that--it won’t be taking my time; I’ll be giving my time. Once I get into the routine, hanging clean clothes will be simple. I’ll be doing it in solitude, hanging in the NOW. And it will be silent, as far as the dryer is concerned. Oh dear, I’m not ready to let go of the furnace. I’ve decided to cut down on my use of the clothes dryer, which in turn will cut down on noise and the use of electricity. It is the green thing to do! Hanging clothes out to dry is reminiscent of a simpler way of life, but I know that those romantic Currier and Ives pictures don’t show all the hard work it took to get those clothes on the line. In fact, this project is going to take more time than heaping wet clothes from washer to dryer and then turning the dial. And yet, the task today of putting shirts on hangers and laying socks, shirts, cleaning rags, and whatever else on the drying rack was extremely satisfying—calming is the word that comes to mind. I’ve been thinking about, or I shall say, listening to the machines in my house, the machines that make noise. In my quest for more silence, are there any that I could do without? Let’s see…. • Coffee maker. Coffee perking is hardly noise, and no way would I do without my morning coffee. NO • Washer and dryer. Not too noisy. I need the washer, but what about hanging the clean clothes up to dry? I used to do that. In fact when my son was an infant we didn’t have a dryer or disposable diapers. NO, MAYBE & SOMETIMES • Vacuum cleaner. Very necessary, but perhaps I could sweep the kitchen on a more regular basis. Still, for all practical purposes, NO • Blender and food processer. Sometimes these machines offer a better culinary effect (smoothies for the grandchildren), but most often I use them for ease and to save time. However, why not grate cheese manually, or mix brownie ingredients with a big wooden spoon like in the ‘olden days’? MAYBE & SOMETIMES • Electric toothbrush. My dentist says an electric one cleans the teeth and massages the gums better, but that’s still debatable in the dental world. I like to brush manually, which may have to do with my age, so, MAYBE (with possible YES) Of course, any time I move from NO, to SOMETIMES & YES, I'going green, and saving money. |
Contact me: bobbifisher.mac@mac.com
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