Photo by Salt Water New England

Sunday, February 9, 2020

A Pleasure to Handle...

Hand Washed - Photos by Salt Water New England
There are two approaches to chores.  One is to automate or outsource them.  The other is to have and use things that are truly appreciated, and are a pleasure to handle.  While both have their merits, we as a society may be currently overly focused on the first and under-appreciating the second.

Laundry

11 comments:

  1. AverylFebruary 9, 2020 at 9:01 AM

    I agree and love homemaking for many reasons; taking care of things I appreciate is a big one. I have erred on the side of keeping too many things for a "special occasion" but have since put most into daily service.

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2020 at 9:43 AM

    I work full time but relish my weekends at home doing "chores." It does not feel like work to me. It is truly enjoyable to make and keep a nice home.

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  3. Heinz-Ulrich von BoffkeFebruary 9, 2020 at 10:00 AM

    Good points. I for one have never minded mindless tasks like folding and stowing clean laundry, unloading the dishwasher, and running the vacuum. All contribute to keeping the house straight and a pleasure to be at home in (terrible sentence, I know). We also stress to our 10-year old son that simply taking a few minutes to address a chore or two a day (plus putting things away as soon as one has finished with them)greatly reduces the time necessary for household chores.

    Best Regards,

    Heinz-Ulrich

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2020 at 1:01 PM

      Your habits and mine are similar. Ironing shirts is not even frowned upon here. The tactile aspect of small, daily chores seem part of my body rhythm. Reading and writing can go on at length. We can stare at a screen for so long. But when we awake the DNA seems to say “do.”

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    2. SusanFebruary 9, 2020 at 2:47 PM

      I love folding clothes and polishing silver (maybe I was a domestic in another life), but I find them to be very soothing tasks when I do them mindfully.

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  4. Susan R.February 9, 2020 at 10:35 AM

    With seven rooms, three and a half baths and three levels, my house seems almost impossible to clean by myself. I decided long ago that there were some things I would do myself and the rest would be "outsourced". I do not allow outsiders into the bedrooms of our home (several reasons on that one), but I do have my wood floors, windows (outside) and blinds cleaned by tried and trusted people. While I wouldn't say that I enjoy cleaning house, it certainly doesn't bother me either.

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2020 at 8:17 AM

    So very true! Thank you!

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  6. andrewFebruary 10, 2020 at 10:50 AM

    Love the shirt with green, yellow and red stripes. i ditched sending shirts to the cleaner a while ago - i prefer how they feel when i launder and iron them myself. I also repaired our roof recently, but we're outsourcing the full replacement in a few months.

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  7. SartreskyFebruary 10, 2020 at 3:31 PM

    The philosopher Roger Scruton wrote, "In much of our human activity we are 'home building,' erecting in the teeth of change and decay, the permanent symbols of a settled form of life."

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  8. Heinz-Ulrich von BoffkeFebruary 11, 2020 at 8:57 AM

    Anonymous and Susan, I too have, as my great grandmother reportedly once observed about another family member, "the soul of a chambermaid."

    Best Regards,

    Heinz-Ulrich

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  9. RCJHFebruary 12, 2020 at 8:10 PM

    I get pleasure and a sense of accomplishment taking care of my own home. No I didn't reroof house or paint the exterior, but I do maintain my yard, and clean the and vacuum, etc. Heck, I even polished the silver tea and coffee service yesterday. I use it regularly so polishing is quick and easy. It was good enough for my grandmothers it is good enough for me.

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