Clotheslines

                                                     A clothesline was a news forecast
                                                     to neighbors passing by
                                                     there were no secrets you could keep
                                                     when clothes were hung out to dry

                                                     It also was a friendly link
                                                     for neighbors always knew
                                                     if company had stopped on by
                                                     to spend a day or two

                                                     For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
                                                     and towels upon the line
                                                     you'd see the "company table cloths"
                                                     with intricate designs

                                                     The line announced a baby's birth
                                                      from folks who lived inside
                                                      as brand new infant clothes were hung
                                                      so carefully with pride

                                                     The ages of the children could
                                                     so readily be known
                                                     by watching how the sizes changed
                                                     you'd know how much they'd grown

                                                     It also told when sickness struck
                                                     as extra sheets were hung
                                                     the nightclothes and a bathrobe too
                                                     haphazardly were hung

                                                   It also said "Gone on Vacation"
                                                   when lines hung limp and bare
                                                   it told "We're Back" when full lines sagged
                                                   with not an inch to spare

                                                   New folks in town were scorned upon
                                                   if wash was dingy and gray
                                                   as neighbors carefully raised their brows
                                                   and looked the other way

                                                   But clotheslines now are of the past
                                                   for dryers make work much less
                                                   now what goes on inside a house
                                                   is anybody's guess

                                                   I really miss that way of life
                                                   it was a friendly sign
                                                   when neighbors knew each other best
                                                   by what hung on the line

                                                   Author Unknown

I wish I could take credit for this one but I can't. It was given to me by a dear friend, Malinda Wiggins. We both agreed that others would enjoy it as much as we did.
I can honestly say that clotheslines are not gone for me. In the warm months, I still hang my clothes on the line. I start when the weather warms up in early spring through late fall. The main reason,is, I love to smell the freshness of clothes that's blown all day in the wind, especially the bed linens. The second reason,is how much it really saves on the electric bill.. Of course there's always more ironing to do, (not my favorite job).  I just wonder what the neighbors say, one thing's for certain, they won't see any undies, they're hidden behind the sheets.... Blessings, susie