In this Issue:

Diocese called to adventure not fear

Do Not Be Afraid: The Bishop's address to the 110th Annual Convention of The Diocese of Lexington

From the National & Anglican

Commentaries:

Reflection: From Different Voices

X-ercizing: Finding God in The Laundry Hamper

Diocesan Calendar

Past Issues

X-ercizing: Finding God in the laundry hamper

By Steve Gösser Walton

Of all the household chores and tasks that have to be completed, laundry is, by far, my least favorite.

I dislike everything about the process. Starting with the laundry hamper. It is always in the way, always full, and even when empty —- it is unsightly.

Sorting is horrible. Color, temperature, handwash, “delicates,” and piles that have to be dry-cleaned.

How much detergent to use? What temperature? How much can I cram into the washer?

I am scared of the dryer. (For some inexplicable reason I am terrified by both the dryer and garbage disposal.) There are so many settings on the dryer and I don’t know what they mean. I know “Permanent Press” doesn’t mean it. “Tumble Dry” tumbles yet doesn’t dry. “Less Dry” and its counterpart “More Dry” seem like silly names. I usually choose “Less Dry” (which turns the clothes dry) as opposed to “More Dry” (which turns the clothes smaller). So in this case, less is more and more is less. The laundry room is like a NASA control room. All lights, buzzers, knobs, and buttons.

Folding, hanging, and putting away round out the job. I make this worse by “The House Folding Rules.” Bath towels have a specific way of needing to be folded. This differs from the way dish and hand towels are folded. Different styles of t-shirts require different techniques. Sweaters have rules too. Shirts are to be buttoned a certain way and, naturally, face the correct way when placed in the closet.

The mandates are similar to something out of Leviticus or Deuteronomy.

At one time I employed a sweet and thoughtful lady to assist in the task of laundry. She even color-coded my closets. We got along famously. I miss her to this very day. The days of having “domestic help” are long over.

Since that time I have sorted, washed, folded, and hung my own things. I have detested every second of it. Yet, there was no other way, so I did what needed doing.

Now there is laundry for two. Two opinions on the ways things should

be done make things twice as difficult. “The House Folding Rules” are getting

a fair amount of opposition and have been renamed “Steve Can Fold His Own

Laundry Rules.”

I know people who love laundry. I don’t get it. My brother loves ironing his shirts. I don’t get it. To some people it is like meditation or a form of prayer.

I can’t find God in the laundry hamper.

Steve may be reached at xersizing@yahoo.com

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