Good Drying Day
Lately I've been using the clothesline for drying, since the 60 amp circuit box doesn't like to cooperate with the electric dryer. The wind is cold and wild today. I brought about ten pair of wet jeans out there, and struggled with numb, cramping fingers to get them all attached to the line. As I pick up the last pair, an explosive gust of wind screeched between the houses and across the lawn. Every single pair of jeans I had just hung up was now spread out across the lawn at jutting angles, like tea leaves mocking my best efforts. I wondered if my neighbors witnessed this spectacle. Even in my frustration I could appreciate the humor.
I gathered them up and trudged back into the house. This day isn't working out on many fronts. I had other things I wanted to write about. And I will. But right now I need to sit, be warm, strategize about where I am going to install hooks so that I can rig up an indoor clothesline, and be sad. I'm sad today.
Due to my somber mood, it occurred to me almost immediately that the above incident is a ridiculous, movie-like metaphor for this past year. Think of the image of a woman painstakingly hanging clothes out in the freezing wind, struggling with each clothespin, only out there because her dryer is on the fritz. Almost finishing, with some satisfaction. And then watching as every article is torn off and thrown across the lawn. We see what we see. And I already said I can see how funny the image really is, and that kind of saves me, and allows me to know there is some grace in it. But still.
If you don't know what I mean, then oh well. I think it's obvious. And I let it all go. Again, and again, and again.
I gathered them up and trudged back into the house. This day isn't working out on many fronts. I had other things I wanted to write about. And I will. But right now I need to sit, be warm, strategize about where I am going to install hooks so that I can rig up an indoor clothesline, and be sad. I'm sad today.
Due to my somber mood, it occurred to me almost immediately that the above incident is a ridiculous, movie-like metaphor for this past year. Think of the image of a woman painstakingly hanging clothes out in the freezing wind, struggling with each clothespin, only out there because her dryer is on the fritz. Almost finishing, with some satisfaction. And then watching as every article is torn off and thrown across the lawn. We see what we see. And I already said I can see how funny the image really is, and that kind of saves me, and allows me to know there is some grace in it. But still.
If you don't know what I mean, then oh well. I think it's obvious. And I let it all go. Again, and again, and again.
posted by Black Egg at 3:31 PM
4 Comments:
oh I know what you mean, dear. And I think of your mantra a lot. I let it fall off me...let it fall off me...
Seeing the humor in things is good. But sometimes I go overboard and make fun of myself. Which isn't so nice. It's hard to have a balance sometimes.
Good luck with your laundry. Here's my metaphor: a girl lugs pounds and pounds of laundry down to her car, dropping a little bit out of the basket as she walks. She is shedding her clothes as she trudges through the cold. Once at the laundromat, she picks the ONE washer that smells like icky fabric softener from whoever was there before her. She sits waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for her clothes to be done. When she finally gets them out of the dryer, half of them are still soggy and they all smell horribly of that blasted fabric softener. She is out of quarters and patience.
I don't know if it's good or terrible that we both so easily come up w/ these depressing laundry metaphors, but it is kind of hilarious in its way! Good idea for a movie short, "The Laundry Chronicles."
In any case, I enjoyed reading yours. I think the phrase "Good luck with your laundry!" can be substituted for so many phrases, like "Have a good time tonight!", "I hope you get the job!", or "Happy Birthday!" Hahaha. Actually, I think I'm serious. It's a bit more honest and realistic.
yes! we should make it the new phrase to be said: Good luck with your laundry!
My mother called today and as we were talking she said: oh i should pop some laundry in today. And I found myself horribly jealous of her ability to just walk down the stairs and pop it in. Maybe a metaphor for my desired domesticity?
Then again, you meet interesting people at the laundromat sometimes.
Being able to do my laundry here at home is a huge thing for me, so I understand being jealous! But yes, you do meet interesting people at the laundromat and/or get reading (even if it's The National Enquirer) done!
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