Thinking at the clothesline

I really enjoy hanging out our clothes. I'm not sure why, but it is very peaceful to me. Maybe it's hearing the gentle rustling of the grass over the fence or the singing birds. When I decided I wanted a clothesline, I really wasn't sure how long I'd be enthusiastic about using it instead of the dryer. I am not an outside girl by any means. But I have been pleasantly surprised to find that I actually enjoy hanging out the clothes. I do a lot of thinking and praying as I'm hanging the clothes and listening to Caleb play. I'm thankful for these times to stop and ponder things.

Monday afternoon I was outside hanging clothes to dry. Since we had been at VBS in the morning, I was out later than normal to hang the clothes. It is much hotter at 1 o'clock than between 9 and 10 when I normally am out hanging the clothes. Another 100 degree day in Texas. As I was getting a second clothespin to hang a shirt, the wind blew and caught the shirt off the line. I thought thank you God for the breeze. Even for a moment it was nice to feel the air moving a little bit than just feeling the heat around me. I got to thinking how just a few months ago the wind was blowing so strongly that it was hard to get the clothes on the line or keep them there for very long because of the strong gusts. And a few months before that I went out but quickly turned around and came back in to the dryer with my basket because it was too cold, making my hands feel like ice with the wetness of the clothes. I have no control over the weather. The seasons come and go although sometimes here in Texas summer seems to go on much longer than I'd really like. Hanging the clothes Monday reminded me to be thankful for each day, whatever kind of weather it brings. It really serves no purpose for me or for others who hear me for me to complain about it either. I've tried to make a conscious effort not to complain about the weather and remember that each day is a gift, whatever kind of day it may be.

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"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. he changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:20--22

Afternoon surprise

This afternoon it seemed the house got darker as the sun moved behind the clouds. I thought I heard the wind but didn't pay much attention. Then I looked out the window and saw rain! Thank you God for rain! We needed it so much!

Do you know the heaviness of a laundry basket full of soaking wet beach towels? It was a nice "problem" to have though!

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"Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge." Proverbs 23:12

I love my clothesline!

It has brought happiness to my heart to use the clothesline the past two weeks. I've only used the dryer once in that time.

I feel more productive with my days for some reason when I hang the clothes out to dry. I don't know why. I noticed the first week how the days just flowed better for some reason.

It seems easier and faster to put the clothes up quickly when I take them off the line. Maybe it's because they aren't all wadded up in little balls in the basket and they go on the hangers easily.

I feel happy too to save some energy. I doubt we'll notice any difference in our electric bill but over time it might be interesting to watch.

It is nice to be out and enjoy the fresh air. I have actually enjoyed it much more than I thought I would! It's been hot, but the breeze is nice.

I have two lines strung up now and need to add lines. A couple times I've completely filled up the two lines. We have more line and there are two more sets of holes, so I'll get JMP to do that this weekend.

Caleb enjoys helping with the clothes. His fun is running through them as they blow and hiding from me in them. Aside from the first day not wanting his tractor pillowcase on the line, he has been fine with anything else I've hung.

I had a first this morning. I saw something on the bottom of a pair of Caleb's jeans. I looked closely and realized it was bird poop. That thought had never crossed my mind since I've been hanging out the clothes. It made me laugh, but I didn't tell Caleb. I didn't want him to worry about it.

Have a nice and safe Labor Day weekend!
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"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

A fun surprise for me!

Last week JMP told me my Dad had called him at work. This really surprised me and my first thought was something was wrong. Nope! Dad wanted to surprise me with some clothesline poles he made for me. JMP said he might not should tell me, but he figured I'd know something was up when he started digging two holes in the backyard. Later my Dad called and told me he had made them.

Several months ago I decided I would like to have a clothesline. We'd looked in the store but couldn't find anything. I posted an ad on freecycle to see if anyone had any clothesline poles they no longer used. A lady responded and said we could have them if we could get them out of the ground. Well we went and JMP dug and dug and eventually one of the poles broke off. It was cemented in the ground plus had lots of tree roots growing around it. He didn't have the energy that day to get the other one out of the ground, and we haven't made it back over there.

He brought them over Saturday when he came for Caleb's party. I watched them put them in the holes dug earlier in the week by JMP and Caleb. JMP said they are really heavy duty poles. Also, my Dad made them so that we can unscrew them from the ground to take with us if we ever move. Isn't that nifty!

JMP has all the stuff he needs to cement them in the ground and will probably work on it in the evening when it is a bit cooler.

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(I forgot to add this when I was typing it. I knew I was forgetting something but didn't know what it was. Usually I forget the labels!)

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you. Write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3