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When I was a kid I remember loving it when the clothes were finished in the dryer. For me, there was nothing better on a cold day than to pile these clothes on my bed—or the living room floor—and burrow into them, allowing the warmth to coat over me.
I know, it’s crazy.
That’s also what my mom said when she found out that I was doing it. After all, I was getting the clean clothes dirty.
I grew up, as so many of us do. When I was college-aged, I had a roommate named Ryan. We’d just returned from the laundry mat and had our clothes in garment bags and laundry baskets. On our walk back to the apartment, we were talking about childhood memories, and things we missed from the time when we were still only one digit in age.
I admitted to my childhood practice of rolling around in piles of warm clothes.
When we got back to the apartment I started working on some homework when Ryan called to me from my bedroom; he said to hurry because it was important.
“What’s up?” I asked, heading to my room.
Ryan turned to me with a grin, and indicated all of our shirts and jeans in one big pile on my bed. He winked and said, “I know that you really miss this…go head and live it up.”
He gave his hands a flourish toward the pile of dryer-warmed clothes.
“You’re kidding, right?” I asked. “That was something I did as a kid.” Did he really think that as a college student I’d be prone to doing this type of thing again?
Ryan shook his head. “Nope, I’m not kidding. In fact, you’ve even got my permission. Now go ahead before I change my mind—or they get cold.”
Needless to say, I enjoyed burrowing in the warmth of the clothing on that day, and relived a fun memory from years gone by.
This evening I went to a friend’s house for dinner. When I got home I took my laundry from the washer, and tossed it into the dryer before getting a few things done. When the buzzer went off, I put all the laundry into the basket and carried it to my room. As I got ready to fold and put it all away, I looked at that pile of clothes I’d just dumped on my bed.
Nobody else was home…
Aren’t memories of childhood wonderful?
19 comments:
LOL. Nice visual.
I am as of right now going to the safest spot in my house. Door jams right? They say we should stand under a door jam when an earthquake happens. I'm looking at the ceiling..waiting.....waiting......I know it's coming! EVERYONE LOOK OUT!!! TAKE COVER!! TF JUST DID A POST ON LAUNDRY!!!!! THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END!!!!
So, Rachel - maybe it would be okay for me to post about how cute my kids are tomorrow?
I'm just sayin'...
Uhm, when I think of my childhood, all I can think of is the food. Eating peas fresh from the garden, no cooking necesary. Chocolate chip cookies hot from the oven. Frozen concentrated orange juice from the can no water added. But no memeories of the laundry...
Loved the post! Wonderful word pictures. I have to admit, instead of rolling in the clothes, I will put them over my shoulders getting then out of the dryer instead of putting them in the basket for that same effect of feeling the warmth... I like your idea better!
I love that YOU did a post on laundry.
I've had this theory that men are just little boys in bigger bodies and you have proved me right!
Although, I admit, I've done it too.
Misti - I forgot to give credit back for the photo...I found it online. I don't usually take photos of my laundry.
Rachel - Maybe I just couldn't come up with anything better...well, I was going to blog about brownies, but decided not to as I just did about Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Gerb - Am I being mocked?
Bonnie - My recollections of the garden was that it was mostly a place to send your kids to torture them and 'build character.'
I will never have a garden...
Cee - Everybody loves warmth. If they don't then they should.
Natalie - I plead the fifth...
I just did 11 loads of laundry yesterday, with perhaps 5 more to go today; the romance of warm-fresh-from-the-dryer-clothes is so not there! My kids are still newly in love though. I think laundry-rolling is a universal of childhood!
I'm with Anaise. Now, my reasons for having 11 loads of laundry are probably a bit more to do with excessive procrastination than multiple chillens, but still. The romance of warm, just tumbled clothing is gone. The scent of dryer sheets...nice. I'll gulp it in as I fold. But that's where I draw the line. I won't inhale, as you, Jason, so obviously did. ;)
Gerb, We would never mock TF! I'm so sorry that he would even imply that! :P
You go right on ahead and post about your cute kids! I'm waitin'...
Lori and Anaise, so true......so true......so true......although I do have to say after I've washed my sheets, hung them out to dry, brought them in, and made my bed......when my bedroom smells like the fresh outdoors.......THAT is heavenly.
Oh and TF!! Never.....say never......I see a garden in your future....just because you just said the 'N' word.......
You did just do a post on laundry did you not? I'm just sayin......
Are you feeling mocked? I think it's all about perception.
cute post!!! My memories all involve trees and bikes..and pets! I think, I thought, the laundry did itself!!:)
I sadly never knew of this joy as a child. My mom always seemed to do the laundry when we were at school or asleep. I have learned of it since then and have, on occasion, sat on a chair and dumped those warm clothes on top of me to get warm.
My favorite memory of childhood? Summertime hikes with my cousins and Sunday nights on the back lawn of my grandparents house eating homemade ice cream and cake.
A - Holy Hannah…you, my friend, are a trooper. However, you created a lot of opportunity for laundry rolling. Good for you.
L - Beautifully written comment. I love the word play both you and Anaise used.
R - You're kidding about that, right?
A garden? We had one of those growing up. Pulling all those weeds during the scorching months of summer? I think not…
G - I can take it; I'm tough.
D - Ugh, you used the 'c' word. Oh well, better than a few others I suppose.
L - I knew I liked you for a reason, Linn!
S - Now it sounds like you have a blog post just waiting to be written!
Me? Kid?? Nawwwww!
it's a little late...BUT...
I would really love to give Ryan a hug! He seems like a great guy! How sweet of him to do such a thing. :]
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