Project Laundry List

Thursday, May 8, 2008

What is an American?

Quoted is a portion of an e-mail recently received from Project Laundry list:

This AP story appeared Monday:
One highly effective way to reduce electricity use is to hang laundry on an outdoor clothesline, instead of using a dryer, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said Monday.
But many upscale housing developments ban outdoor clotheslines on aesthetic grounds, he added.

There, in a nutshell, is why state attorneys general will be key players in the battle against global warming, Wasden said at the opening of the National Association of Attorneys General conference on energy.

"We are blind to some of the simplest solutions," Wasden said. "Clotheslines are not pretty enough for our notion of the American dream."

This immediately made me think of an Amtrak trip we took on the way back from Florida a few years back and the pathetic state that America is in.

On the trip back we passed through some very sad towns. Vacant buildings, grafitti, people hanging out aimlessly no where to do anything productive if they wanted to. As much a part of America as people who live in high rises in big flourishing cities. But for some reason the hidden part of America. Who are we trying to impress by only showing the world the rich or well to do or the people who pretend to be?

Who's notion of the American Dream are they speaking of? The American dream to some is simply to move here, become citizens, work hard and have a better life. To some, who pile 10 deep in a rowboat, the American dream is to just to make it to the land. To some, who have been so conditioned that living simply is not an American dream option, the more "bling" the better no matter how it is attained. Or is the basic American dream simply being able to live the way one chooses thoroughly and completely?

Why is it that some people can decide for others what their American dream can be? That doesn't sound very American to me. I'm having real difficulty understanding the concept.

As cyber-hippie said " I think the world would be a better place if more people had a "Love Problem!" " Wouldn't that be something! What would we do without all that hate? Kind of feels like a world without hate when hanging (or taking down) clothes from a clothesline doesn't it? Calm, peaceful, serene.

But on the other hand, how would the gun manufacturers survive? After all, it's our Constitutional right to own a gun.....but not have a clothesline...Again, I'm having real difficulty understanding the concept.

NP

"A Love Problem"

I was home from work, sick, yesterday. My BF gets up in the mornings, and one of the first things he does just about every day is the laundry. As I sat, just relaxing (boyfriend's orders!) I could hear the sounds of him doing the laundry and then running it outside to hang it up to dry. (I do the laundry on Saturdays and Sundays--if there IS any on Sunday.)

The tinkle of the water hitting the tub as he wrung out the laundry and then the thump of the sliding glass door as he headed out into the yard for a hanging session were reassuring to me, solid. The sounds of home.

You caught that correctly: We do our laundry by hand, in the bathtub. The primary reason for this is we have a leak in the pipes between the laundry room and the kitchen. I have not yet had the money to get it fixed. We are both able-bodied and green-minded, so it doesn't make sense to either of us to spend the time, money, or gas to go to a laundromat. Washing it in the tub--one load a day--is our solution to this.

Since I was not allowed (again: Boyfriend's orders!) to do any housework at all, I watched him as he worked around the house. Finally, about 10pm, it was time to bring the clothes in off the lines. I offered to help, as he was working on something else--a painting project--but he declined and ordered me to stay put on the couch. Did I listen? No.

At about 10pm, I went upstairs and grabbed the basket and the pin bag and headed outside to take in the clothes. When he saw me, he said: "Hey! I think you have a listening problem, young lady!"

I responded, "No. I don't have a listening problem. I have a love problem!" Well, that hushed him up and gave the warm, night air an even warmer feel. The breezes seemed to embrace each of us, as we worked away in the little, golden pool of our backyard light. All was in harmony, moving along as it should.

I think the world would be a better place if more people had a "Love Problem!"

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

A New Patio Umbrella

Years ago I was standing in my backyard with my new umbrella style clothesline in my hand, scanning the yard for a good location. The patio off the back of the house had full sun and was especially warm due to the pavers. But I didn't want to make a hole in the patio to insert my dryer. Then it occurred to me: there was a hole in the center of my patio table for an umbrella. I stuck my dryer in there as a temporary solution, but there it lived for many years. The spot was ideal. I could place my basket on the table as well as my bucket of pins. There was room to fold the laundry right off the line. And it was easy to remove for entertaining.

Now it's time to consider it a permanent solution, and so I'll cut about nine or ten inches off the bottom of the post to make it easier to reach. Maybe this is a solution that will work in your neighborhood too.

Ellen in New Hampshire

I see you!!

Hi ~
Several days ago I was using maps.live.com to cruise the world, and CT in particular. When I zereoed in on my Farmington condo from the rear, I could actually see my laundry hanging on my illegal lines, which I have strung between the privacy walls on my back deck. How cool is that?????????? Pam in CT

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Don't Flatter Yourself

I was hanging laundry again yesterday through my window. It was a beautiful day with, what I believe, was the best nature (and enlightenment) day so far.

It started before I opened my window with the bunny I could see even without my glasses :) Unfortunately I wasn't able to open my window quietly enough to sneak it by him and he hopped away across the yard.

As I continued to hang my stuff a squirrel was walking around under the two lines that were almost full and I thought "He's not threatened by my laundry". I continued to watch as he dug something up, moved forward a few inches and re-buried it. Did you ever see a squirrel bury something close up? They pat the dirt down with their little paws to secure their planting. Too cute :)

I then looked down to see a little brown mouse, who had made a hole under my deck step, munching on some grass. Chubby little guy :)

The birds were flying around as usual. The crows were chasing off the hawks who were coming too close to their nests, no one threated by me or my laundry....

I have always taught my kids that we are not much different than the other land dwelling creatures that we share the earth with. We all have 2 eyes to see, a nose that smells, our ears all do the same thing they just look different. No one is better than the others. We all have purposes and they are all different but they are all necessary.

So as I was looking at these creatures doing what they do as I was doing what I do I realized that people who think that hanging laundry is, among other things, a sign of poverty are truly the outcasts of the world. They do whatever they can to avoid anything that has to do with the planet that sustains them. Birds annoy them, mice have no place in their world, squirrels are "just disposable rodents". They flatter themselves because they need some kind of material validation. They are so engulfed in mechanical this and technological that and they end up in a world that they have to work so hard to be a part of when the creatures of the earth will accept them in a heartbeat.

I may be over the edge in the comprehension of nature as I appreciate it but I will continue to watch the birds do what they do and learn from them. I will always think that squirrels patting down the dirt is one of the cutest things in the world and I will brake for moles crossing the road. I will continue to pick grass and dandelions for our pet guinea pig and he will continue to sleep on fleece blankets.

I don't feel like I'm in the minority anymore. After all I'm in a group with a planet, lots of creatures and lots of people who love the afore mentioned. Pretty Cool :)

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Check these out!

Friday, April 25, 2008

The Right To Dry In Connecticut

by Attorney Ryan McKeen of www.aconnecticutlawblog.com:

All of this great sunny weather prompted me to investigate the status of Connecticut’s Right to Dry Bill.

According to Project Laundry List, dryers account for 5 to 10 percent of all residential energy use.

With sky rocketing energy costs I’m happy to report that the bill has received a joint favorable report from the energy and technology committee. The bill passed the committee 12-9.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal spoke in favor of the bill and noted that 10 states have similar laws.

I’m more than a little disappointed to see that my State Representative, Richard Ferrari, voted against the bill in committee.

Is Mr. Ferrari aware that in 2007, atmospheric C02 increased by 19 billion tons over 2006 levels?

Is Mr. Ferrari unaware of the rising energy costs faced by his constituents?

Does Mr. Ferrari understand that elderly on fixed incomes are selling their houses to move into condos?

Does Mr. Ferrari understand that Connecticut residents who have lost their homes to foreclosure have no choice but to rent? People who may have lost their homes in part because of rising energy costs? People who are trying to support families on limited incomes and are faced with increasingly higher energy costs.

Mr. Ferrari and all of the legislators who voted against this bill in committee should be ashamed of themselves.

Does $4.00 for a gallon of gas mean nothing to certain legislators?

Do your part. Email this blog entry to your friends. Urge your state representatives to support this bill.

Otherwise, I’m afraid that we’ll all be left out to dry.

All of this reminds me that I need to put up a clothesline.