Let it all hang out...

I've spoken before of my love of a good clothesline. I love the look of a well-hung line and the smell of the clothes, once dry, is incomparable. That said, I have no patience for subdivisions and neighbourhoods that outlaw the good old-fashioned clothesline.

In this day and age of environmental awareness, and when the importance of recycling can be explained by even the youngest child, why is this still allowed to happen?? There are some who feel a clothesline looks common, even tacky. These folks are often the same group that want everyone to have the same driveways, landscaping... even houses. Cookie cutter living where individual clotheslines just don't fit into their idea of a classy suburban neighbourhood. Yuck!!

I know I sound quite passionate about this, and I am. How can we support the environment we are handing over to our children and at the same time condemn the poor, old clothesline?? We can't, and I say it's time to bring the clothesline back! Our municipal governments need to amend these restrictive covenants and get back to the basics!

I know some of you might argue that you don't want to see your neighbour's undergarments while relaxing on your back deck. Of course there could be restrictions about that...even I'd agree with banning thongs and supersize brassieres from the average line!! But to put an outright ban on the whole clothesline movement because of a fear of unmentionables seems a bit prudish, don't you think??

I thought I'd leave you with a sweet poem I found in an insert from my local newspaper. The author is unknown, but I'm willing to bet that it was written by an older lady, passionate about clotheslines too!! A kindred spirit of sorts...

The Clothesline Said So Much

A clothesline was a news forecast

To neighbors passing by.

There were no secrets you could keep

When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link

For neighbors always knew

If company had stopped on by

To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the fancy sheets

And towels on the line;

You'd see the company table cloths

With intricate design.

The line announced a baby'sbirth

To folks who lived inside,

As brand new infant clothes were hung

So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could

So readily be known

By watching how the sizes changed

You'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,

As extra sheets were hung;

Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,

Haphazardly were strung.

It said, "Gone on vacation now"

When lines hung limp and bare.

It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged

With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon

If wash was dingy gray,

As neighbors raised their brows,

And looked disgustedly away.

But clotheslines now are of the past

For dryers make work less.

Now what goes on inside a home

Is anybody's guess.

I really miss that way of life.

It was a friendly sign

When neighbors knew each other best

By what hung on the line!