Ironing For Jesus

This is the best. But then I have to stop for today, as there is just too much wonderful laundry songs stuff out there today. I really have to DO my laundry.

Mary Jo Coady of Methuen claims that residue on her iron is in the image of Jesus Christ. Coady said the appearance reassured her that "life is going to be good." (Boston Globe)

Poetry, Clotheslines and Rain

Here's a great collection of poems about clothing: from the Academy of American Poets.

It's a good thing to find today, as I'm trying to find online the manufacturer of my new clothesline, because I need a replacement pole, because it's not working yet. This is a sad tale. Franslei mounted the unit out of which 5 lines pull (wacky syntax) on the wall of the garage. That worked. But the bracket which receives the bar to which the 5 lines are attached at the other end (better syntax) doesn't mount properly to the fence opposite the wall. Too low, too crooked. So, instead of hanging laundry in bliss last weekend, I cried. Disappointment is rampant as we move into this new terrific house. We'll get there, it's true.

So, the AAP's collection of poems is mostly about clothes. Lots of shoes. But I need a poem about clotheslines, so here is one of my favorites, by Jorie Graham, from a Vassar website, 'Words in Flight' -- an English Thesis by Shari Margolin.

"The Geese"by Jorie Graham

Today as I hang out the wash I see them again, a code
as urgent as elegant,
tapering with goals.
For days they have been crossing. We live beneath these
geese

as if beneath the passage of time, or a most perfect heading.
Sometimes I fear their relevance.
Closest at hand,
between the lines,

the spiders imitate the paths the geese won't stray from,
imitate them endlessly to no avail:
things will not remain connected,
will not heal,

and the world thickens with texture instead of history,
texture instead of place.
Yet the small fear of the spiders
binds and binds

the pins to the lines, the lines to the eaves, to the pincushion bush,
as if, at any time, things could fall further apart
and nothing could help them
recover their meaning. And if these spiders had their way,

chainlink over the visible world,
would we be in or out? I turn to go back in.
There is a feeling the body gives the mind
of having missed something, a bedrock poverty, like falling

without the sense that you are passing through one world,
that you could reach another
anytime. Instead the real
is crossing you,

your body an arrival
you know is false but can't outrun. And somewhere in between
these geese forever entering and
these spiders turning back,
this astonishing delay, the everyday, takes place.

(She ends her sentences with prepositions sometimes. Poets are allowed.) (Her poem doesn't have a moon in it, but this beautiful photo calms me.)

Oh Wow Two In One Day

Here's another really wonderful website: Project Laundry List. Great work, and a very cute logo.

And here is their Mission Statement and their list of Principles.

Mission Statement
Project Laundry List is making air-drying and cold-water washing laundry acceptable and desirable as simple and effective ways to save energy.

Principles
* It is not enough to define a problem and offer no solutions.
* Our consumption patterns create the demand for electricity.
* The generation of nuclear power is an inefficient energy source producing an abundance of hazardous waste of which we cannot safely dispose.
* Raising awareness of existing alternatives to nuclear power and large hydroelectric projects will help people and corporations to make appropriate technological choices.
* Nobody should have to live, work, or play near a nuclear facility.
* No culture or community should be destroyed by a hydroelectric facility or any other monolithic corporate project.
* The sun is the most powerful nuclear reactor and can serve many purposes—none of which should be ignored.
* All citizens nation-wide should have the legal right to hang out their laundry.
* North Americans, as all people, must lead by example.
* Frugality, or thrift, needs to be a universally practiced virtue.

A Name I Like, A Lifestyle That Amazes

I found a blog today written by a stay-at-home, homeschooling, 6 kids (yikes!) gal with a nice, peaceful smile. I like the name of her blog, "The Laundry Line." Her lifestyle impresses and amazes me -- I always feel so thankful to realize that there are women in the world to love to raise children. My own mother was one of them, it's true, but I am not. It's not a complicated or long story, and not unique to me, but it does still give me pause that I can adore my children, relish my family, and still not really like motherhood all that much! One of the best things about this woman's blog is the beautiful laundry line photo she has. See it there, or see it here.

Hard is Soft and Life is Both

This is the first blog entry I've had the energy for since mid October -- we are moved back into our new/old house now, so I hope I'll have more time soon. I don't have much of my own right now, but I did find some lovely photos. This seems to fit my mood today.

Knitting is a way of calming my anxieties, and I'm amazed by these objects -- knit guns. From one of my favorite websites: Accidental Mysteries. The artist is Theresa Honeywell.

Knitting Art & Woman's Work

I found a remarkable book at my local library, Knitting Art: 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists. I want this book, to own. I love so much about it. I'm too busy doing my own laundry today (at Alice's house because my machine is broken) to post about all the things I love about this book; it has to go back to the library, though, so I am putting it here to not forget. Michelle said she liked the string people on the cover (I did my laundry at her house on Friday).

Karen Searle, who edited the book, and is herself an amazing knitting artist, has a website worth exploring.

And here is more about her book. Worth owning.

Knitting Art: 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists
Author: Karen Searle

As some knitters craft mittens and sweaters, others find themselves taking flight into the realm of art. Some become true fiber artists, creating exhibition-quality quilts and sweaters and shawls, yarn mobiles and sculptures and gigantic abstract installations. An exploration of art knitting, this book profiles eighteen of the most prominent and intriguing practitioners of this craft-turned-art. Karen Searle, herself a recognized fiber artist, examines the works and inspirations of each of these knit artists. Numerous photographs illustrate each profile, documenting these artists' work and at the same time offering inspiration to those who might transcend the purely practical aspect of knitting. Among the artists encountered here are such nationally known knitters as movement founder Katharine Cobey, Carolyn Halliday, Debbie New, Lisa Anne Auerbach, Lindsay Obermayer, Kathryn Alexander, and others.

Who wouldn't be in love with (or creeped out by, but in a good way) Lindsay Obermayer's sweaters? Gorgeous colors and wonderful woman shapes and a tiny bit too close to this menopausal woman's heart/home. Her collection Woman's Work is soothing and scary. Knocks me out. What do you think?

Art, Women, Clothes, Laundry

A great New York Times slide show today, with vivid images of an art show called "Ready to Wear" captured my attention today. (Sorry Mr. Obama, although I was happy to hear about your prize and Bo's birthday.)



Here's a photo "Mumbai Laundry", and the link.

Laundry Day Random Findings

I googled "Laundry Day" and so many wonderful things came up. Photos, businesses, parties. Here are a few:

Laundry Day (Phoenix, AZ)



Dr. Horrible 2nd Day "Laundry Day"

A flicker photo of flea market laundry hanging on the line.



And would you believe it, an entire live rock concert experience in Antwerp Belgium! Here are some photos.

Clothespin Tree

Enough said.

Space for the New Laundry Lines

A few posts ago I put up some photos and adverts for the new laundry lines I want at the side of my new garage/nook space. Here's a photo of where the new laundry area will be -- currently still under construction.





Use your imagination.

Memories of Switzerland

This photo was taken by my father in August 1975, when our family traveling in the Netherlands and Switzerland. This is my mother and her friend Trudi, hanging sheets. It was obviously interesting enough for my dad to capture the image, and it's beautiful enough for me to share with you. Sheets require a high line. I often have to fold mine in quarters to keep them off the ground. Having a mountain side view helps a lot. All for love.

August Rain Mountain Laundry

We were in Alpine Meadows, last month, and we had a thunder/lightening storm, and hail, while my laundry was on the line, under the deck. I hoped it would stay dry there, but alas, I was forced to use my dryer. Got some great shots, though.

Cabinets in the Laundry Room

These are Beechwood. I think the rod is too low over the "sink" -- or where the sink will be. What do you think? I'm not sure I need that shelf at all.

Shopping

We're going to be moving back into our newly remodeled house soon. This means I have to buy a new clothes line. The old clothes line went the way of the dilapidated deck to which it was strung. I have a new space, outside the garage and nearer to the washer, and I also have a dedicated laundry room now!













This website, The Clothesline Shop, has many interesting items and good pictures. I had no idea, and I am in complete laundry heaven. The only question for me is, how much space do I have? I really like the indoor models, too, retractable and hidden. What fun.

This is what I really wish we could have: a field of laundry.

Long Time No Blog: Was Waiting for the Perfect Story

YSaC, Vol. 375: The starch helps you stay up.

So, I've been absent, it's true. Now I'm back. I love this story about somebody who doesn't know what an ironing board is. Check it out. The photo of the beautiful colored ironing board covers is the best part.

Laundry Color Therapy

I've got four new photos today. First, a photo my friend Michelle forwarded to me from her friend Xiena. I think it's in Venice. I want to know why all the sheets are the same (incredible) colors. I'm imagining a Buddhist boarding house?

The next two pictures are from my friend Carolina's art collection -- scarves and pillows with her amazing vibrant colors painted on silk. She says you can wash them by hand in cold water, line dry and cool iron. Sounds like laundry to me.

Finally, a picture of dirty laundry being created. An amazing catch in center field, and an amazing legacy of dirt and grass stains to prove it. That boy of mine is now 13, and I have a feeling I'm in for a lot more dirty laundry before he and I are through.

New Laundry Room

I think this is cheating, technically, but here's a photo of my new laundry room -- almost.

Clothes Pins, Icicles, and Eavan Boland

So much is going on -- I think I'm going to keep this blog as a way to think about laundry and domestic work, but I'm going to move the stuff about my thesis (Eavan Bloand and domestic imagery in her poems) to my poetry blog. Too much to keep track of in different places.

But, so you don't feel bad, here's a new laundry photo from Spring Break. I left my clothes line up under our house in Alpine Meadows last fall and it seems the icicles have found it. Lovely and cold. And another photo of how neatly teenagers can hang up their wet snow clothes when they have listened to their mother harping about it for enough years.

Laundry as Loss Consultant

I'm doing laundry in my little rental house now, as a way to relieve the stress of moving, of dust, of January, of everything. Here's some ways that laundry can soothe the sould.

The next photo is a still life I call "Laundry and Bike" -- I think it's Mathew's. (His name really only has one "t") The globe is important, too, because you never know when you'll need one. I think today's blogging is getting out of control, and the dryer is beeping. I do put some things in the dryer -- for a little while.