Yesterday while corresponding with a gal via email who is working on a press release for my husband John, she added a personal note about how she was getting ready to hang some wash out on the line.
I emailed her back and said, “We have something in common. I love to hang my wash out on the line too. I find it so therapeutic!”
She immediately wrote back and said, “I can’t believe I finally found someone else who says this is therapeutic. When I say this to other people their eyes glaze over not understanding what I mean.”
I chuckled to myself picturing those that don’t understand this simple pleasure. Or perhaps they look at it as a chore – I don’t know. But I do love to hang out laundry on the line in the fresh air. What a treat it has been to already be doing this in March in Wisconsin! It is almost 75 degrees here today.
Every time I take my basket of clean wash out to the line I think of my grandma. I used to love to “help” her when I was little as she too, hung her wash on the line. I especially was fascinated by how she would always sprinkle the sheets with water, roll them up and put them in the freezer. I guess that helped get the wrinkles out. The gal I was emailing with said her grandma used to iron the sheets, which she couldn’t understand either. I will say I think that is kinda ridiculous – but then again, who knows, maybe that was their therapy. Who am I to judge?
But hanging my wash out brings me joy – silly perhaps – but I don’t care. I love it. I think it’s a combination of warm memories, soaking up the sun, the wind in my hair, the smell of laundry fresh off the line, and just the simplicity of it all that makes me feel so relaxed and happy. And I love when I head back to the house and see little Frankie waiting for me at the patio door – her eyes half closed enjoying the fresh air and sun too.
Do you have a household or other chore that you consider your therapy? I’d love to hear about it! This could be interesting.
PS: I hate dusting.
FYI: I had fun playing with the photo I took of my laundry on the line by using a photo editing program called PicMonkey.