Recent Entries to this Blog More small pleasures
Posted: 29 Sep 2023
Ain't no cure
Posted: 05 May 2023
Men, and women
Posted: 01 Mar 2023
Small Pleasures
Posted: 19 Jan 2023
Place names in Texas
Posted: 06 Sep 2022

All Entries
 


Hanging out laundry

Category: Farm Doings | Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 7:00 pm

I do enjoy hanging laundry on the line. I think of the bag my mother had for clothespins, and of the bag I use that was given to me by an elderly lady who thought I could use a clothespin bag.
When we moved to the farm one of the very first things I wanted was clotheslines. We put them up, made extra posts that would support the lines when I hung something heavy, and I put my clothespin bag into use.
After getting the clothing or linens clean in the washing machine, I pile them in my big wicker basket, grab the clothespin bag, and go out for several minutes of sheer enjoyment.
This morning as I was hanging sheets on the line, I saw a flock of Cooper's Hawks fly over. Two circled over the orchard area, then were joined by six or seven others. They flew big circles over the pasture, then headed east. I stood holding a wet sheet, wide-eyed, and thoroughly entranced by the fly-over.
There are two large cedar trees near our clothes lines. When I go out early in the morning to hang clothes, the cardinals, sparrows, and occasional dove serenade me. They like to spend the night in the shelter of the cedar branches. When I go to get the laundry off the line, there are mockingbirds sitting on the fence and holding sing-alongs. Occasionally a barn swallow decides to swoop over. Luckily they are fast moving birds and don't leave deposits on the clothing!
As I'm leaving the house I often brush against the rosemary growing near the kitchen. That lovely smell lasts until I get to the scent of the rose in the corner of the fence near the clotheslines. While hanging laundry I can smell the rose, and I still have a lingering scent of rosemary.
When I bring the laundry in to fold, I still get the fresh scent of outdoors. I fold our sheets carefully and put them into the blanket chest my husband made years ago. There are two bunches of dried lavender in the chest to give a nice scent to our bed linens. The lavender will need to be replaced this year.
Doing laundry can be a chore, or it can be a small everyday pleasure.



This blog entry has been viewed 330 times
You're reading one of many blogs on GardenStew.com.
Register for free and start your own blog today.


Comments

 

Frank wrote on Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:30 am:


This might sound strange coming from a 35 year old man but I also love hanging out washing/laundry and also folding. It's a constructive process you can perform without thinking. I often have good ideas while dealing with laundry :)




 

2ofus wrote on Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:31 pm:


It is great that you notice the little things that so many people miss. I love the smell of bedding that has been hanging outside to dry.




 

Netty wrote on Sat May 09, 2015 11:56 pm:


I like hanging my laundry outside too. For me, it's more about saving electricity $$ then watching the wildlife ... I watch/listen to that when I'm out in the garden. But something about climbing into bed when I have fresh, air dried linen makes me smile.





Leave a Comment


Login or register to leave a comment.