Who Knew Clotheslines Had Rules?

Many of the participants in our classes know that clotheslines have rules.  This is a fun conversation starter!

Rules for Clotheslines

1.  Wash the clothesline before hanging the clothes by using a damp cloth and walking the entire length of each line.

2.  Hang the socks by the toes, not the top, and your shirts by the tails.

3.  Line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pegs, but shared one of the pegs with the next item.

4.  Hang clothes in the proper order- whites with whites, etc.

5.  Hang the sheets and towels on the OUTSIDE lines so you could hide your "unmentionables" in the middle.

6.  Never hang your laundry on a Sunday, for Heavens sake!

7.  Always gather the clothes pegs when taking down the dry clothes.

8.  Clothes off the line by dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket and ready to be ironed.

9.  IRONED?  Well, that's another story!

Clotheslines

A clothesline was a news forecast,

to neighbors passing by.

There were no secrets you could keep,

when clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link,

for neighbors always knew

if company had stopped by

to spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets,"

and towels upon the line;

would see the "company tablecloths,"

with intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth,

from folks who lived inside,

as brand new infant clothes were hung,

so carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could,

so readily be known

by watching how the sizes changed,

you'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck,

as extra sheets were hung;

then nightclothes, and a dressing gown, too,

haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "On holiday now,"

when lines hung limp and bare.

It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged

with not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon

if wash was dingy and gray,

as neighbors carefully raised their brows,

and looked the other way.

But clotheslines now are of the past,

for dryers make work much less.

Now what goes on inside a home,

is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life.

It was a friendly sign

when neighbors knew each other best...

by what hung on the line.

If you know who wrote this, please let me know.  Enjoy!