The rain started slowly this time. Giving my Mom enough time to call for us. But she really did not have to, all the children in our little colony were running to the same place: the clothes lines. It had rained for weeks. Finally, there had been a break in the weather. For days, everyone lined up at the two washing machines to get their clothes and linens done. People were running out of clothes to wear. Everything was a muddy mess. No one could afford for the newly cleaned clothes to get wet.
We all hustled and ran for the clothes. Each group of children around their Moms pulling the clothes off. The littlest ones were grabbing the clothespins and putting them into the cloth bags. We were successful. None of our clothes got really wet. While Mom went back to our bungalow to hang our clothes up on the porch, I remember helping my Grandma take off some of her clothes off the lines.
At least we did not have to go to a laundromat to clean our clothes! This was important as most of the moms up for the summer did not have car with them in the 1960s. Having to go to the laundromat was a major ordeal especially with all the little children. I guess sometimes someone did go. There was always one husband/father up there for the week who could run this errand as needed.
For us there was a little shed that held two washing machines. Our moms would put their laundry basket in a line so everyone knew who went next. They left their laundry soap and change in the basket as well. The person before them would empty out their laundry from the machine and put the next wash in. I think it cost 50 cents to do a laundry. Then they would tell the next person that their wash was up, so they knew when to go get it and start the next load. How they knew, I don’t know. Perhaps everyone had different colored baskets or different laundry soap, but they knew. It is a mystery to me.
Laundry days were usually Wednesday and Thursday. Everyone wanted the laundry done before the weekend when the Dads would be up. But during this time of endless rain, occasionally the Dads would have to take the laundry to the laundry mat. I got to go with my Dad once. It was quite the adventure. Long lines, as everyone needed clean and dry clothes. I remember where the laundromat was, just outside of Kauneonga Lake on the road to White Lake and to ice cream, Candy Cone. Of course, I remember, because once our washes were in the machines, Dad and I went for ice cream while we waiting to go put them into the dryer. Then we stayed close to the laundromat, to get our clothes as soon as they were done.
So many laundry memories came rushing back to me due to a painting. A distant cousin of mine, {her grandmother and my maternal grandmother were first cousins. (See blog below.)} did a series of paintings that she then gave to people who made a donation to her chosen charity, an animal shelter. One painting touched my heart. I made my donation.
In my mind this painting was like a calm and practical Chagall painting, but instead of animals or couples flying above a town, it was a zaftig woman walking across the laundry lines with a laundry basket on her head. The colors, the story of the painting, the atmosphere just yelled Catskills in my mind. Laundry Day! Joy! I had to have it.
When it arrived, the memories started crowding into my mind of the year when the laundry never dried. How when the sun finally came out and stayed out, all the Moms and grandmas were so filled with joy that they could get their clothes clean. How they rushed to do laundry. I think they agreed that everyone could do one laundry and then go through again. Everyone had to get at least some laundry done before it rained again.
I think they felt like the woman in the painting, just tripping above the clotheslines in happiness. Finally, finally we all had clean and dry clothes!
Of course, I had to hang the painting in my laundry room. Every time I look at it, I remember how lucky I am to have a washer and dryer of my own. That I do not need to hang my clothes outside to dry depending on the weather. That the joy of laundry should be with me all the time!
https://zicharonot.com/2015/06/13/finding-katie/
https://zicharonot.com/2014/10/07/oh-how-i-dream-about-ice-cream-in-the-catskills-in-the-summer/
T
zicharonot 
The painting is absolutely wonderful and the perfect picture to go with your sweet memory and laundry room 🙂
Thank you. I thought so as well. It just brings me joy.
Wonderful and sweet memories! The painting is delightful.
Thank you.