I saw a segment on the news the other night referencing the come back of the “clothes line.” I had to chuckle at seeing this and the fact that it is now being postured as a great idea for saving energy.
After watching the news segment, I reflected on the days I spent at my grandmother’s in North Beach in San Francisco and watching her wash clothes and sheets. She lived in a two-story apartment building near Coit Tower. She would walk up the steep stairs to the roof-top where a little shed housed the washing machines that belonged to her and the 3 other tenants living in the building. Each washer had a wringer next to it and a wash-board.
The process was amazing to watch as she took the clean clothes out of the washer and put them through the wringer. I was able to catch the clothes as they came through the wringer and help collect the items in a basket. She then hung them all on a clothesline on the roof. She said the clothes smelled nice and clean after the sun dried them.
As a little girl watching this process, I had hoped that someday someone could invent an easier way of doing the wash. I couldn’t imagine having to go through that chore in addition to cooking and cleaning. Well, modern technology has certainly made things a lot easier for us but I doubt my grandchildren will be reflecting on the days they watched me do the wash.
Frankly, I’m glad that we are looking to bring back some of the old ways. As much as technology has opened new doors by which we can communicate and has eased the way we do things, we have lost an art that concerns me, the art of doing for ourselves.
What would happen if the electricity were turned off tomorrow? How many would know how to cook over an open fire or open cans without a can opener. How many of us would know how to live in the same way that my grandmother did? The so-called ease of getting things done has actually become more complicated. We were excited about cell phones so we wouldn’t miss those all-important calls. People in business could now be a ring away from customers and clients. Now with the phones connected to our ears via the blue tooth, we can’t escape any calls.
Those grand days of old saw people working hard but it made many memories and they seemed to appreciate the little things in life. I can only hope that through the difficult issues now facing all of us that we will take time to reflect. As someone told me, we need to stop and smell the roses.
The events of 2008 have brought us to our knees in many ways. It has been a wake up call for all of us. The easy way is not always the best way. It’s time we look to the past for wisdom and guidance to get us through this fog of uncertainty. The strength of the American resolve goes back to our roots. The hard work that was done then seemed to proffer a more lasting memory.
It’s time to get back to a simpler way of life, slow things down and take control of our lives. 2009 will be a good time to depart from the fast moving pace and learn how to live within our means and be prepared for when the power goes out. Who knows, we may like the old ways.
I appreciate hearing your comments about this or other issues by emailing me at lkoelling@fostercity.org.
print 