Earth Day seemed the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to our old friend the clothesline. Remember the days when you would spend time running through the drying clothes on your mother’s or grandmother’s clothesline? An invention that was practical, economical, environmental and even entertaining. Everyone would wash their clothes and then headed out to let them dry in the sunshine. It became a social event as neighbors would call out to one another and catch up on the latest events and goings on meeting in between at the fence line. I can remember distinctly the smell of line dried clothes…the slight crispness of the fabric after the sun baked them dry. There was no need to run the dryer unless there was snow in the air, even on crisp days there was still enough sun to dry those clothes. This meant lower electric bills and more kindness shown toward the earth.
I miss those simpler times when we worried less about chasing the mighty dollar and more about getting to know one other and living as a community. Kids played in the yard instead of being transfixed by video games and the television. They couldn’t wait to race outside after whatever meal they were being forced to eat, or immediately after school, to play with their friends. Obesity wasn’t an epidemic because children were too busy riding bicycles, playing football, jumping rope and yes playing hide and seek among the clothes on the clothesline. They were too busy soaking up sunshine, getting exercise and using their imagination. Terms like ADD and ADHD were nearly nonexistent. It makes you wonder if we are really making progress.
Sadly, the HOA (Home Owners Association) has killed the clothesline and the neighborhood charm that came with it. I have to wonder if we are even aware of what we lost when someone deemed the strung wires an eyesore. I remember times when both my grandma and mom would chat to the neighbors while hanging out clothes, blankets, pillow to fluff or even Ziploc baggies that were washed by hand and reused until they had holes in them. That was a simpler time when we were taught to appreciate the little things in life. Now we live in these little boxes in our neighborhoods closed off from the world. Many of us don’t even know our neighbors names, let alone what is happening in their lives. We might venture out to mow the lawn before heading back inside to watch television or get on the computer and disconnect from the world around us. It makes me wonder if we even connect to those who live with us?
Perhaps today, you will take a moment, wash that load of clothes and head outside and start a trend that revives the clothesline? Breathe in the sunshine, wave to a neighbor and invite them over for a tall glass of lemonade or a beer. This earth day, think about not only reconnecting with the earth, but also reconnecting with each other. A wise friend once told me, taking care of the planet is actually self preservation. The earth will be here regardless if we inhabit it or not.
I had this poem emailed to me awhile back, I hope you will enjoy it.
A Clothesline Poem (Anonymous)
A clothesline was a news forecast, to neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep when clothes were hung to dry.
It also was a friendly link, for neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by to spend a night or two.
For then you’d see the “fancy” sheets and towels upon the line.
You’d see the “company tablecloth” with intricate design.
The line announced a baby’s birth, from folks who lived inside
As brand-new infant clothes were hung, so carefully with pride!
The ages of the children could so readily by known;
By watching how the sizes changed, you’d know how much they’d grown!
It also told when illness struck, as extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too haphazardly were strung.
It also said, “Gone on vacation now,” when lines hung limp and bare.
It told, “We’re back!” when full lines sagged with not an inch to spare!
New folks in town were scorned upon, if wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows, and looked the other way…
But clotheslines now are of the past, for dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home is anybody’s guess!
I really miss that way of life - it was a friendly sign;
When neighbors knew each other best by what hung on the line.
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