Hang 'em Out to Dry

A few years ago I surprised my husband with the gift of an outside clothes line for Fathers Day. He is a practical kind of guy, and even though I knew I'd be the one using it mostly, (because the clothes have to be "hung just so") -especially to avoid ironing- he loved the gift! He is mainly responsible for putting it out each summer for me, in it's hole in the backyard.

I remember growing up with a clothes line in our 100 year old house. It fit that era and especially the old home. Did I really want this now? And where to put it out of site of the neighbors and the street? (My unmentionables couldn't be in site, of course!)

Well, I have completely embraced the idea, and get a kick out of trying to do my part for the environment, and saving a bit on our gas bill as well. In fact, I was sad when we recently had a week of rain here in the Northwest. I was secretly mourning having to use my dryer and couldn't wait for the warm weather to return. Now that it's sunny and warm again, I figure I have a good two months left to "hang 'em out to dry".

I find something really calming about the process of hanging out the clothes. And the smell! I love the fresh smell when I neatly fold my clothes up when they're dry and "crispy".

I secretly think my friends are envious that I do this-as many of them say "that is so great your doing that". So, why not follow suit?

Then, at the end of the season, my husband will fold it up and store it for the winter until next years unveiling!