Friday
May212010
My Place 3
Friday, May 21, 2010 at 12:23PM 
Line drying, May 19, 2010
Of all domestic tasks, hanging the laundry is the one that brings me the most satisfaction. First there’s the lugging of the basket of heavy, wet laundry up the steps and out the door. I like using my muscles and that uses every one of them. And then, there they are, hanging clean and bright, like coloured flags in the wind, all in order, sheets with sheets, big towels, then smaller ones, and finally the wash cloths. No perfumed fabric softener can compare with the smell of laundry freshly dried in the pristine Yukon air.
My home is on an old Canadian Air Force base, and each house once had a grey painted wooden stoop to reach the clotheslines-on-pulleys that ran from the front of the house to a big iron T-post at the edge of the street. There are a few of us who still use our front-door-to-street clotheslines, but more and more they are disappearing, strung in the backyard instead, or maybe disappearing altogether as the electric clothes dryer permanently takes its place, and children grow up never smelling fresh air dried clothing.
My home is on an old Canadian Air Force base, and each house once had a grey painted wooden stoop to reach the clotheslines-on-pulleys that ran from the front of the house to a big iron T-post at the edge of the street. There are a few of us who still use our front-door-to-street clotheslines, but more and more they are disappearing, strung in the backyard instead, or maybe disappearing altogether as the electric clothes dryer permanently takes its place, and children grow up never smelling fresh air dried clothing.
Reader Comments (3)
We have too many big trees on our lot for a clothesline--only sunny spot is in the front of the house! I miss hanging out sheets especially.
I remember the days when I had kids' clothes and diapers hanging--I always pegged the pieces in order, too.
It IS a very satisfying chore.
I agree that hanging laundry is a satisfying chore. I'm not sure I'd even call it a chore...more like a joy. There's something about looking out the window and seeing those clothes lined up in orderly fashion that calls to mind God's gracious provision. Think of all that went into that line full of clothes: God provided the clothes, the washer, the cleaning products, the line, the sunshine and fresh air, our health and strength to carry the clothes outside, etc. God's bounty, our prosperity.
I had a clothes line at my old house, and I really like having it. Like Kim, I have quite a few trees in our yard, but ever since my next door neighbour set up one of those square clothes lines in her yard, I've been watching how the sun comes and goes in the yard, and I think there is a spot for one. My daughter hangs a lot of her clothes, anyway, so I think having a clothes line would be good for her, too.