Monday, Monday. There is an inherent surge that kicks in from decades old habits on a Monday. For one thing, it’s laundry day. Mom would have either Elvera or me out before we had a chance to do anything else and that was to wipe off the clotheslines with a clean damp cloth. If it meant that we had to get to it before the school bus for Elvera or for me before I walked to the rural school, it was not to be left undone. Just how much dust can land on clotheslines from one week to the next was immaterial. Mom’s laundry techniques were second to none. The wringer washing machine had two tubs side by side for rinsing after the washing machine had agitated to its heart content. I will say that Mom had the whitest of whites and the cleanest of clothes right down to the rag rugs that were the last load to be washed.

For me this morning I had one cup of coffee complete with a teaspoon of sugar and a bit of cream in me when I hit our bathroom where the stackable washer and dryer are. I started the wash water for the washing machine with my liquid soap in the bottom of the tub and filled the softener portion in the center hub of the machine. As water filled I was adding my sorted clothes. Once the lid was shut, I headed for my two mile walk.

Coming back from my walk about 40 minutes later, I had time to fill my coffee cup with straight black coffee and enjoy a few sips before the laundry was finished spinning and then swapping it from the washing machine to the dryer.

Yes Lena, the Monday surge is still here for getting the laundry going but . . . my oh my, I feel so spoiled. Lena’s laundry Monday was a full day that wrapped up with some ironing being done as the breeze had taken out many of the wrinkles as the clothes blew on the clothesline. The hot iron finished it before the clothes was taken into each respective closet. Oh yes, even Dad’s work shirts got a touch with the iron as well as pillow cases. If I am vigilant with hangers at the clothes dryer as the cycle is complete, no ironing is needed. My oh my, I feel so spoiled.