“Wait, You don’t have a dryer?” my friend asked me when I casually commented on not having a dryer. I guess I thought that was normal, but judging by her response, it was not.
So, why don’t I own a dryer?
When my husband and I moved into this house there was no dryer. We talked about getting one, but I just couldn’t justify the cost (the initial cost and the monthly cost to run it) when sunlight is free. So, instead, we invested in a quality, American made clothes line. It is literally called the Best Drying Rack and they ain’t jokin’, it is!
Hanging clothes on the line is nothing new to me, I had often done this at my old house. In fact, I had many delightful chats with my neighbor while outside. We often ended up hanging our clothes at the same time. But, there was always a dryer to fall back on when I was too tired or it was too cold outside.
Now 2 1/2 years later, I would make the same decision, and here’s why…
When I hang clothes on the line I feel a connection to my great grandmother. I talk about this a lot, but it is a connection I cherish. I feel the same connection when I tie on my apron for the day and when I roll out dough for homemade buttermilk biscuits. There are days where I spend all day in the kitchen/dining room, but that wet laundry in the washer (yes, I do have one of those) forces me outside to hang it.
Those moments of hanging laundry are filled with beautiful, warm sunshine on my skin, the sound of the birds songs filling my ears and the wind blowing through the trees. I am silenced and able to enjoy God’s creation, which in our world is a rarity. Those moments are a time for thinking, praying, listening, and dreaming. I’m disconnected from the things that constantly vie for my attention. Many ideas have been birthed in my head from simply hanging my laundry out to dry.
Technology can be a good thing with boundaries, but often it robs us from the simple things in life. Things that slow us down and leave room for the quiet. Yes, having a dryer is easier and faster. Hanging the laundry takes time and more effort, but most good things often do. I think Saint Thomas More said it well, “The ordinary acts we practice everyday at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.”
~Amanda