Five Loads in two and a half hours!

Well all I can say is “For goodness sake!” 

We had a really close shave.  Michael smelled plastic and thought it was the radiator but actually turned out to be the washing machine which had caught fire and then set the tumble drier alight too!  He then proceeded to put out said fire with water from the hose pipe!  The only thing I can think is that the short circuit thingy had cut out and so he was not electrocuted!  He DID put out the fire, but sadly my machines, one of which was only a year old were ruined.

 Now that was distressing!

However my family having been taught well over the years, mentioned cheerfully that at least they would now be able to have a go with my old mangle and green clean washing machine.  Well, we were able to use the mangle but sadly not my green washing machine as that is currently hidden under all the pile of things for the new (second hand) conservatory.  But we DID get to use the mangle. 

Mimz and Jack got up early… now there is something to mention!!! …… and we set about heating water in my huge preserving pan, truly larger than average.  We got my lovely handmade soap powder and duly sorted the washing into piles.  These piles, of course all housewives know about.  However as we wash usually on cold or 30 degrees most washing can go into the machine no problem.  Anyway we ended up with 5 piles of generous size and Mimz’s face fell as she anticipated her Saturday morning disappearing.  So I used the opportunity, ever willing, to increase both knowledge and breadth of experience.  I mentioned the fact that years ago in living memory of some, washing took all day and was usually done on a Monday, never on a Sunday.  That washing would start early in the morning, with the copper or boiler being heated up, and then started with the white wash.  We talked about what people used before spin driers or even mangles.  

Wringing posts were part of everyday life, and washing often was done communally.  Well at least they could chat while they could work.  Mimz’ face fell further.  She was not impressed by a Saturday morning history lesson or re-enactment.  Her face became more and more gloomy as the animated chat went on.

Not Jack’s though.  Oh no.  He was up for the task and couldn't wait to get on with it.  So we did.  The white wash was being pounded away using the wooden tongs I still owned in the absence of a dolly, and then wrung out to the best of our ability to save the hot water.  It WAS very hot.  

Wooden tongs.... actually I have two pairs,
but the others are in the cupboard.
Aren't they great?

Then over to the mangle.  They were most impressed.  The mangle was super-efficient, just as I remembered it, but I did have to tell Mimz to tie her hair back.  I also remembered having my long hair getting caught in the mangle.  Jack was turning the handle manfully and Mimz was gingerly feeding the rollers one sock at a time!  Well I soon changed that approach and reminded her how much we had to get on and do!  Jack was really impressed and enormously enjoyed using the mangle. Later on more strapping young folk wanted a go too and soon it became something that they had to take turns in.

We washed, mangled rinsed, mangled, rinsed and mangled again until one load was done.  Then Jack had a thought.  How were we to get it all dry?  It was raining outside! Don’t worry says I.  We have the wooden lady! 

Wooden Lady... mine is much older,
darker and more wobbly.
The plastic one?
You don't need to see it.

I dragged it out of the cupboard, and a decrepit plastic one and started to show them how to load it so that all the washing has a chance to dry.   Then, no tea break… Mimz thought she had earned one…. on to all the rest.  We went through the above process for all the wash.  However we were running out of room to dry things, so cheated and asked our neighbour if she would mind putting the towels in her drier.  Thankfully she agreed after commiserating with me on our loss. 

 What utterly amazed Jack and Mimz was that after 2 ½ hours all 5 loads were washed and drying, one way or another.  Now our washing machine takes at a minimum 45 minutes per load.  So that was good going.  Yes it was hard work, and we had to be on top of it all the time, but we got a lot done.

Would I like to do it regularly?  NO!!!  Not unless I had to.  But I could.  And now so could Mimz and Jack.  They have experienced a significant lesson in self-sufficiency and have a vague idea of the sheer physicality of the past work load of women.

What a while ago, was deemed by one at least of my offspring as ‘clutter’ was now seen for the value that it holds in my eyes.  The mangle, my galvanised wash tubs, the wooden tongs etc all are now respected not rejected as ‘junk’. 

My mangle and
galvansied tubs.

 As to my green washing machine!  Well isn't it just the way of it that it couldn't be used when it was needed?  There is a lesson there for me I think!   

   

Stweradship: its time to get back to simplicity

Hi there.  Well it seems like ages since I have had half a chance to blog.  We had our summer solstice 'do' this week end, and we were pretty sure, that like all other events so far this summer it would have to be indoors. However, joy of joys, as the day progressed the rain clouds faded away and the puddles dried up.  We lit our fire and celebrated outside.  Just as we declared "Peace in the South" the sun shone out!.  Synchronicity.

After lots of delicious food we gathered together to share ideas, poetry art etc. It soon became apparent that we had all independently come up with the theme of sustainability.  

What is sustainability? Well for me it means living as much as possible in tune with nature and her rhythms.  It means living frugally.... well that is not a choice in our case, we HAVE to live frugally.  It means, where possible, doing as much as one can oneself, to ensure that when we have to use resources, the return of those resources, one way or another, does not cost the planet and future generations more than it can afford.

Each of us have our own levels of understanding, and/or ability to live sustainably, but I am sure that there are few people who can fail to acknowledge that unless we all try to do something, then our planet and all who live on it are in for traumatic and troubling times.  

One of our group, not generally known for dire predictions and over exaggeration read from a book that had touched him deeply.  As soon as I can get the title off him, I will tell you what it was, but my Swiss cheese mind does not recall just now, but in essence it said something like this...

    "the economic system is collapsing, climate change threatens further starvation and deprivation across the world,  the seas are being fished out, the waters are becoming polluted, the land is being poisoned by chemicals, animals are treated as commodities and not sentient beings, the sense of community and belonging is being eroded and people are becoming more and more fearful."  

What a dire out look, and easy to see why so many people keep their blinkers on and refuse to see what is glaringly obvious.  

We all need to change.

We can not all make huge changes overnight.  It can be a job to know where we as the 'little people' can begin.  Well, we can all start with little changes and build them up.  Here are a few ideas. Now before you think I am getting preachy, I am still building up my green credentials, and some of these things I have only just started.  Some of these things I have done forever... and no! I am not going to tell you which things...lol.

If you, like me already re-cycle as much as you can, FREEGLE or something similar.  (For those across the oceans you may have this or 'Free Cycle).  Advertise for free items you no longer need  or want cluttering up your home and then give it away!  That's right, some one else may really value those mis-matched plates, pots, books, gardening tools.  And while freegling, see if there is something that you would value and pick it up for free. It saves landfill and is community minded.

If you have skills, and need skills see if you can join a group that barters skills.  It is community minded and enables folk to offer what they can for skills they may otherwise not be able to afford.  

Make things at home like soap powder for a greatly reduced cost - yes it works well with no nasty chemicals.  Learn how  to make your own natural cleaning materials, like surface cleaner, toilet cleaner, soap etc.  All these can be made from natural products at home, with no excess packaging and no nasty pollutants or carcinogens that can affect your precious loved ones.

Make more meals at home, buy less from the supermarket that reuses packaging which goes to landfill and takes centuries to decompose.

Try growing a few items at home, not only does home grown taste great, it is good fun and can often be done in the tiniest of spaces. The taste is something else too.... 

Maybe you don't have green fingers, well see if there is a local 'green box' delivery service where for a very small cost you can get fresh in season veggies locally grown, that reduces miles of  travel costs adding to the carbon foot print of our food.

Try to steward the use of your car.... you may not be able to walk every where, but you can be more efficient in the manner in which you plan your tasks so that you reduce the amount of times you drive out....

Don't try to do everything all t once overnight, start small, be kind and forgiving of yourself, but make those little changes.  As will I. :) There are many other ideas I am sure... please, tell us about them.. Lets hear your voices and contributions... 

You may have something to share that we can all do simply and easily.

Remember! We are only ordinary people, but even a diamond started out as a rough stone, and we can all make a little difference