The Right to Dry

Here in Kansas, we're enjoying the last few days of a glorious "Indian Summer" after a very chilly, rainy October, and I'm so very glad to have the opportunity to use my laundry line a few more times before my laundry days become captive to the electric dryer.
Now don't get me wrong -- I know I'm extremely blessed to HAVE a dryer and the choice to use it on rainy days, snowy days, night time...really any time I want.
That is a choice that the majority of laundresses the world over don't have.
But just because I OWN a dryer doesn't mean I have to use it exclusively. I love hanging out the laundry - Free light! Free heat! Free air! And a lovely smell and sunlight stain removal to boot.
You might find it interesting then, that the "Right to Dry" is becoming an increasingly public struggle in many communities, even as the awareness of energy usage and environmental stewardship issues also increase. (Soapbox alert!!) Dryers use 10-15% of our nation's domestic energy...and while no one should be FORCED to hang laundry on a line, I don't think anyone should be prohibited from it either, just because a laundry line hung with towels or t-shirts doesn't maintain the upperclass facade many suburban subdivisions desire. Those same celebrities who ask us, "How do you "green your routine"" on prime time TV live in neighborhoods that explicitly prohibit the airing of public laundry. That's not just incongruent...it's wrong.
What about your neighborhood? Are you allowed to peg your pants? If not, you might consider visiting Project Laundry List, a non-profit organization dedicated to "making air-drying and cold-water washing laundry acceptable and desirable as simple and effective ways to save energy."
Tell your story, donate your money or time, send in photos of your laundry on the line, and be inspired!
Now, get to work! It's Laundry Day!

hums and purrs

We have been adjusting to a more rigorous pace of life this last month - - more children being schooled, lots of gardening and preserving, getting back into the swing of participating in (and teaching) homeschool co-op - and so I have been a somewhat removed from this blog as of late. Mea Culpa!
In my absence, read this excellent bloglet from Large Family Mothering about getting your home - the people and priorities side as well as the material side - in order. I know you'll be inspired!

Enjoy...and then get to work!

The Cart Before the Horse

Rule of Ten Challenge, Day 5

Today we are continuing with Rule of Ten Challenge! Can you find ten things in your home that you no longer need, use, want...or simply can't find a "home" for?

Here are my ten for Monday:
1 broken heating lamp (we have tree frogs!)
3 unused "Kandoo" wipes boxes
4 empty, somewhat scrunched Kleenex boxes (I admit that once I find a Kleenex box I like, I tend to keep it and refill from those ugly brown-marble designed ones. Three of mine were Christmas designs...I can always buy more at Christmas!)
2 lovely drinking glasses which are eternally, unchangeably stuck, one in the other. They've been sitting on my counter for weeks and weeks, mocking me. Do I really think that TODAY is the day they will come unstuck?

Rule of Ten Challenge, Day 4

Today was a bit of an opposite day: Instead of focusing on what was going out, I had to focus on what was coming in! A new piano - well, new to me. It belonged to my Grandmother, given to her by my Grandfather in 1954. It's beautiful and it even smells like Mammy! (She resides in assisted living now, and doesn't play anymore, though she still loves old music.)

My mother also brought me a beautiful mountain dulcimer, larger than the one I already had. Both instruments were built by my Grandfather, and I'm really enjoying learning to play them.
So, following the 1-for-1 rule, at least TWO things needed to leave my home today!

My ten for Today:
- 3 children's books that were duplicates (kept the nicer copies)
- a huge pile of newspapers into the recycling bin
- a very old pair of running shoes, never worn
- a broken plastic pitcher
- 17 old children's toys, no longer played with. My kiddos helped me choose.
- my glass measuring cup - has NO lines on it anymore. I replaced it with one that DOES have lines. Very helpful to be able to see how much you're actually measuring. ;)

What are your Ten for Today?

Rule of Ten Challenge, Day 3

Today I sorted through my sheet music and found ten items which I no longer use. These went into the Goodwill bag in my car, for drop off!

What are your ten for today?

The Rule of Ten Challenge, Day 2

Blessedly, the genetic disease Rattus Packicus seems to have skipped a generation (or two or three) in my family, and I don't suffer from it. I'm not one to hold on to a bunch of stuff just for kicks. My one exception? Greeting cards. For a while there, I thought I would put them in the scrapbook albums...only now that I've gone digital, it's definitely not happening. I won't throw them all away...the first ever card my hubby gave me, the first "Congratulations on being pregnant" for the first baby, some extra special cards from my children....Call me a sentimental schmuck, but I'm keeping them. And there's nothing wrong with that. They simply must stay organized, and in their own home.
However, lately my "schmuckiness" has gotten out of control. So today, I'm recycling nine greeting cards that have overstayed their welcome and are now collecting dust on the piano.
Item number ten? A canning jar with yellow tempera paint...painted shut, and taking up room in my craft cabinet.

What are your ten items for today?

Get to work!

The Rule of Ten Challenge, Day 1

Day 1:
Not hard to find 10 things...found multiple "piles" with more than 10 like and unnecessary items together.
Today? 9 Tupperware containers with have no lids, and 12  lids which have no containers.

Total count: 21 items out of my cabinet, out of my kitchen, out of my home. Freedom!