“Housework is a treadmill from futility to oblivion with stop-offs at tedium and counter productivity.”
Yesterday was a gold star day. I was busier than I have been in a long time. Maybe the weather prompted all the industry, maybe boredom. It’s difficult to decide. I emptied the litter boxes then checked the fridge for expired foods, packed the trash and recycle bags into the trunk then Gracie I went to the dump. My thinking had been to go late figuring the dump would be quiet. Wrong! It was filled with cars waiting their turns to get near the bins. We were lucky and didn’t have to wait long. When I got home, I filled three bird feeders and two suet feeders. This morning the birds were back. I watched them from my kitchen window. The regulars, chickadees, nuthatches, goldfinches, titmice and woodpeckers, flew in and out grabbing seeds every time. The woodpecker stayed a while eating suet. A gray spawn ran up and down the deck rail but didn’t go at the feeders. He was looking for spilled seeds. Yesterday afternoon I fixed all the timers so the outside decorative lights come on and go off at a decent time, not three in the morning. I did two loads of wash and didn’t leave a load in the dryer, so unlike my usual habit of letting a load sit for a week or two. This time I folded them and even put them away.
All that industry still perplexes me. Usually I plan those chores over a few days or even not at all. I don’t like to tire myself. Today I was thinking of cleaning out the cabinet but I was able to stop myself in time. Maybe I have caught the spring cleaning bug. I know I wasn’t immunized against that one. I guess I’ll have to use self-control.
When I was a kid, I didn’t have any chores to do. My mother pretty much did everything. She made my bed every day and did all the cooking and all the dishwashing. Sometimes I’d help clear the table, but that was it and it was voluntary. I never thought about it. That was the way it was in my house. My brother emptied the basket. That was his chore. He complained of inequality but nobody listened. I think it was sort of idyllic.
The day is decidedly ugly: damp, cold and grey. Showers are a possibility. My dance card is filled this week. Today is my only sloth day, and I’m taking full advantage. I figure I deserve it.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: busy day, chickadees, dump trip, empty dance card, filling bird feedres, gold star day, industrious, litter boxes, outside lights', showers, spring cleaning, washing clothes
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
March 30, 2015 at 1:11 pm
Hi Kat,
That quote is exactly how I feel about housework. I don’t mind doing the big, bull work things that only need to be done a few times a year. I hate the daily, repetitive stuff like dishes, dusting, sweeping and laundry. There is laundry in the dryer as I speak and it’s been there for a week. Saturday I went down, took out a sweater, put it on and left the rest. That’s lazy. I just didn’t have the time or energy to gather it all up, stuff it in the laundry bag and drag it back upstairs. So I didn’t.
Yesterday, I walked the dogs, played in the sun, did some knitting, read a bit. Much nicer than housework. I did cook, though. Roasted brussel sprouts. They were tasty.
Today is snow. Tiny, windblown, face-stinging snowflakes.
I see more knitting and reading on the slate for today. 🙂
Enjoy the day.
March 30, 2015 at 3:52 pm
Hi Caryn,
I too leave laundry in the dryer. I usually get it when I need more underwear. It’s not lazy. I consider the dryer as good a place as any for storage. I have sheets from the guest ed to watch but can’t see me wasting my time on just a set of sheets.
I haven’t done so many useless chores in a single day in a long while: the feeders were the only non-useless task. I was amazed at myself.
I am about to take a shower-my only active accomplishment of the day!
Have a wonderful afternoon and evening.
March 30, 2015 at 2:15 pm
I turned off all lighte yesterday, daylight saving time sort of made them unnecessary. My laundry is still hanging outside to dry, the weather hasn’t helped much to dry them. It has been foggy and the rain has been falling most of the day. We might get sunshine tomorrow so I hope that helps some 🙂
The witches will leave on their brooms for Blåkulla on Thursday night. it’s the annual ball with the devil. They’ll fly back on Easter eve night so fireworks will be used to scare them away and big bonfires will be lit. That custom is dýing out here though, for good and bad but there will be no risk of fires since everything that can burn is wet now 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
March 30, 2015 at 4:02 pm
Christer,
It didn’t rain today, at least not yet, but the day is still ugly, dark and dank. I haven’t even gone across the street to get my mail.
Those sound like great customs. I would love the bonfires and the fireworks. Too bad they are dying out.
Enjoy your evening!
March 30, 2015 at 3:51 pm
“All that industry still perplexes me.”
… guilty conscience …
Cheers
March 30, 2015 at 4:04 pm
minicapt,
The guilt is because of doing all those chores. I thought I’d rid myself of the need for industry.
March 30, 2015 at 7:59 pm
Very happy for you! I worked on my back porch most of the day, wondering where I get all of this stuff?!? I am not touching any thing more than 2 times this Spring. Once to sort, once to place or pack away ! Happy Spring!
March 30, 2015 at 8:35 pm
splendid,
Today I paid bills. I’m glad it was done but it is a depressing way to spend the afternoon.
My deck is still covered in leaves but the snow has disappeared from there. Some snow is still on the corners of streets and here and there in yards. We celebrate if it hits 40˚.
Happy spring to you too!