The Luxury of Old-fashioned Ways

I've been absent for a few weeks tending to things with family, namely, attending a sweet wedding and rejoicing in the birth of our fourth grandchild and first grand daughter. I'm home at the casita now and back into my normal routine.

Having been away, there were things that needed tending upon my return, and I went happily about my business addressing each little task in turn. Bedding was popped into the washer, kitchen floor mopped, front porch swept and washed down, Lady Banks' rose tamed, and all my sweet plants given a generous dousing of water. I was in my happy place again doing all the small and seemingly insignificant things that bring me such joy in this little place we call home.

As the sheets were hung on the line, the sun began to kiss them just so, creating this lovely scene of pink and white against the most verdant green of surrounding grass and trees. It made me smile, and I realized how much I truly enjoy doing some of the old-fashioned things like hanging laundry out to dry.

I suppose my childhood had something to do with it. I was enamored with an old tub washer my grandmother had on her back porch. It had a roller on top that squeezed all the water out of the clothes before you hung them out. Sometimes when I would stay with her in the summers, she would let me operate the crank roller when she did her wash. It was a treat, and I loved it! My mom never had a dryer either. We always hung our clothes on the line. The towels and blue jeans would be so stiff when you'd bring them in they'd almost scratch you on first use.

Maybe it's what you're used to... or maybe it's nostalgia, but I really love doing some of these chores the old-fashioned way. I know there may be those of you who don't share my enthusiasm in this, especially when there are so many wonderful machines that do it more efficiently, but for me, it really seems a luxury to plunge my hands into a warm tub of soapy dish water or to hang the sheets on the line.

I say it's a luxury because I fully admit that at this stage of my life I have time to take things slower. A hundred plus years ago I doubt anyone relished the idea of scrubbing wash on a board and hanging it out on a line. I doubt they took notice when the sun kissed it gently and the breeze made it dance. Life was hard, and made harder by the lack of modern conveniences. As soon as one task was done it was off to the next, one after another, until rest finally arrived once the sun went down.

I get it. I do. People are just as busy today, perhaps busier because of all the modern conveniences. Now you can do two or three tasks at once thanks to programmable washing machines and dryers, and to inventions like microwaves, dishwashers, and robo vacs.

I enjoy the fruits of my labor. I like making my own laundry detergent. It works great, is tons cheaper than store-bought, and is friendlier to my clothes and to the environment. I love growing an herb garden and planting and harvesting heirloom tomatoes. I like cooking from scratch, especially when I can use my own Meyer lemons, Italian parsley, and sweet basil in dishes like my lemon linguine.

I thrill at the sight of tiny figs popping up all over the Brown Turkey in the front yard, and I look forward to trying my hand yet again at some lovely quick jam. I prune and coax and fertilize my roses. I compost. I air out my quilts and comforters and change their covers with the season. To me it is all a luxury because I have the time to enjoy it. I don't do these things every day, but when I do, it is always lovely to me. I suppose it's part of finding happiness in the small things.

One of the things I most enjoy about doing some of these old-fashioned chores is the freedom it affords me to simply think... to ponder, to plan... to pray. Many of these tasks can almost be done by rote, leaving my thoughts free to focus on other things. I dream about what the back yard will finally look like once I get it the way I want it. I plan next week's dinners in my head. I find the right words for an apology I must give... I pray for the needs of my family and my friends.

All. ALL of this is luxury to me, and I am so incredibly thankful to God that He has brought me to this place in life where everything... EVERYTHING... has the potential to bring a sense of joy, comfort, or peace. I don't do these old-fashioned things to perfection. I probably never will, but they do have a way of turning this old-fashioned heart of mine to a place of gratitude for all of life's blessings, and that truly is what I'd call...

a luxury.