We call it Five Minute Friday. It’s where everyone writes for five, unedited minutes all on the same prompt. This week’s prompt is LAUNDRY. Hmmm.
The initiative was started by Lisa-Jo Baker (http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/five-minute-friday-laundry/). Her rules: no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font or punctuation. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.
It started because she had been thinking about writing and how often our perfectionism gets in the way of our words. And she figured, why not take five minutes and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing.
So now on Fridays a group of people — a couple of hundred strong and mostly young mothers — who love to throw caution to the wind and just write without worrying if it’s just right gather to share what five minutes buys them. And I’m proud to say I’m one of them.
So, here goes. The timer is set for five minutes {clock starts now}
Sorry ladies, I don’t think of laundry as a chore. An adventure, yes, but a chore, No.
I do have to throw in a caveat though. While I learned the basics as a newlywed — when whites aren’t whites, when not to use bleach, how to pack the tub, etc. — I really didn’t do too much laundry until the last few years of Karen’s life and a couple of years as a widow. So, I didn’t have the endless supply of dirty clothes stuffing up the laundry shoot. I mean, how much laundry could two people — or one person — make?
And since my son and his family moved in, my turn at the tub is, well, almost non-existent.
That doesn’t mean I didn’t do laundry occasionally … including dirty diapers. Actually I liked that task. I was somehow fascinated by the way the diapers disappeared in the sudsy water and came out somewhat miraculously clean {remember these were the days of cloth diapers} … STOP
It wasn’t I didn’t want to do the laundry. Karen actually felt it was her “job” as a homemaker. Whenever I threw in a load without being asked, I would always be greeted with an icy stare. She was the laundress — for five children {six if you count me}.
Back to the adventure part. I enjoy watching the tub fill up. It doesn’t take much to amuse me, I know, but just watching the water rise over the clothes was a real rush for me. In fact, I would stick my finger in the guard to override the safety just to complete the process and start the agitation.
When the stairs got to be too much for Karen, I became the designated launderer. Invariably, she would call downstairs to make sure I didn’t fall into the tub … or get into some other mischief. I would just yell back I would be there in a minute … which of course stretched to two or five or 10. And, of course, one day she caught me … with my finger in the guard. But that’s another conversation for another day.
Well, I went well over five minutes {sorry Lisa}. But the prompt prompted me.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: To err is human, but don’t wear out the eraser before the pencil.
The Light 
Well, I must say, we share the same adventure about laundry. I’ve also done what you’ve done… Many blessings on this Friday!
LikeLike
And I thought I was unique! Blessings to you too.
LikeLike
I have to apologize. I’m just now seeing your reply here. I’ve kind of fallen off the FMF meme. I’m focusing on a different path of writing. Thank you and I pray that you’re blessed.
LikeLike
Good luck with your new direction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you @wisdomfromafather 🙂
LikeLike
Your take on laundry is similar to my husband’s – he finds an odd sort of enjoyment in the task that I’ve never understood! Maybe it’s the magic of dirty things becoming clean…
I love your “thought,” too, on not wearing out the eraser before the pencil – I need to remember and apply that!
LikeLike
It’s a guy thing. Glad you liked the “thought”. They’ve become popular. Blessings to you.
LikeLike
i, too, love laundry. not for the adventure of it, as you describe, but for the orderliness of it. i suppose i’m a confused individual, but there we are.
thank you for sharing these moments.
LikeLike
Glad to have you along on FMF. I might have a different take if I had to do it every week with a houseful of kids.
LikeLike
enjoyed your adventure….and I have to say, as a man…I can relate! (as i am sure my wife can relate to your wife’s experiences with your attempts at doing the laundry) 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you. Have a blessed day.
LikeLike
Well, this explains a little more about me and my weird quirks. I like watching the tub fill with suds. The suds are key (usually because I can’t remember if I put soap in 10 seconds prior).
LikeLike
It’s a daddy gene. 🙂
LikeLike
I purrsonally LOVE laundry. It’s a great place to deposit samples of my lovely fur!
Shrimp
LikeLike
Hmmm. Have you been to upstate New York recently?
LikeLike
um…no…the human doesn’t let me stay out after dark. Dang human.
Shrimp
LikeLike