Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Black Bird on my Clothesline

 All my adult life I've wanted a clothesline.  My grandmother had one and I loved hanging clothes out to dry with her.  "Mac" had a washing machine right in her kitchen and a large aluminum dish pan she used to carry wet clothes to the line.  I'd give anything if I had a picture of her at her clothes line.



I'll have to be honest though, sometimes her towels were stiff as a board.  In later years she started using that new stuff -- fabric softener.  After that her towels were a "soft" kind of stiff.  I happened to like stiff towels.  I've never been better exfoliated in my life...




So, after living in a dozen neighborhoods hooked on restrictions (one being no clotheslines) I'm finally here, a place where I do anything I want.  

First on a long list of atrocities was chickens, check.  Next was my very own clothesline,  check.  


I did have one restriction of my own -- it had to be cute -- so I cut the cross boards a little curvy and added a "watch bird" for....... protection.  Yeah, that's right, protection.








I don't know what the other birds think of him but I think he's wonderful... 








Sheets on the line...


  Life is good.




I'll be linking up here:








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86 comments:

  1. Oh my. I remember the rental place my DH and I had years back that came complete with a clothesline. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Same memories of watching my Gram wash her clothes in the corner of the kitchen and haul them out to hang....I miss the loofah-like towels too :( Thanks for the memories. Love the bird!

    I now live in the burbs where these are a no-no. Laundry facists!

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  2. Your post is so timely for me! I was just sitting out back yesterday thinking of my grams and her clothesline, debating if I should ask the hubs to put one in. I don't even know how much I'd use it but it just brings back wonderful memories. I think I am going to go ahead and do it now!

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  3. Love! I also live in a neighborhood with SEVERAL ridiculous restrictions, so I can't wait be free. You think so much like me, chickens and a clothes line equal fond memories!

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  4. I just wanted to say I think your house is fantastic, just the kind of house I want to live in someday. I love the colors and the red front door. I also can't believe a neighborhood would have restrictions on clotheslines?! I remember when my nanny would hang sheets on the clothesline and I'd run through them and hide or make forts, it was one of my favorites things when I was a little girl!

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  5. I don't get the whole no-no to a clothesline rule? I've never heard that rule before. I've had a clothesline my whole life and couldn't imagine NOT having one. The only thing I don't care for is when the wind comes up huge and I'm chasing items down the pasture. I'm sure the neighbors get a kick out of it though ;)

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  6. Lindy my mom always says nothing makes sheets smell better then the fresh air. Growing up we had a clothesline and I remember always wanting to help hang the clothes on it. Martina

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  7. I would love to have a clothes line too! I have fond childhood memories, but my dear Hubs thinks that drying laundry out on the line would be too much for his allergies. *sigh*

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  8. Life IS good! I still love going home to the U.K. to be with my mum who has a clothesline. Nothing better than a crisp, stiff sheet to wake you up! My only bad memory of growing up with a clothesline is when I used to put my socks on for school (looonnngggg white ones!) and find an earwig in them! I still have nightmares about it!

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  9. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to read the comments on this one -- brings happy tears to my eyes. And, BTW, I slept on those sheets last night and they smelled wonderful!

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  10. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the clothesline ~ and I love to hang sheets on the clothesline. ZZZZZZ so comfy cozy ;-)

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  11. Such a cute clothesline...love the bird. I have one but I am too lazy to use it much. It does give a wonderful 'outdoor' feel to sheets. What a darling photo of your grandmother.

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  12. Great post!
    With all the whining the "greens" do about their carbon footprints, you'd think they would be passing laws like crazy to insure EVERYONE has to hang washing on a clothesline.
    Personally I love the smell of air-dried clothes. Your guard-bird is adorable. I want one.
    As for being stiff, if there is no wind, a couple of good shakes while they are drying will soften them just the right amount. I never use fabric softener. I think it makes towels not so absorbent.

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  13. Life is good when you have a clothesline!!!!!!!!!

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  14. I have a clothes line at our new house too and love it. I love that no one bothers me when I hang up laundry. It's a little stolen me time!

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  15. So happy for you! I miss my clothesline since we moved...but it is winter here, and not so much fun. But I know I'll miss it a lot when spring really decides to begin.

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  16. We always had a clothesline growning up and I can still remember the smell of the 'air dried' bedding! Your black bird IS adorable!

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  17. I love the fragrance of sheets that have dried in the sunshine :) Bliss!

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  18. I can smell those sheets from here... nothing like crawling into bed with nice fresh line dried sheets, no other smell like it.

    I have had a clothesline at every house I have owned. I never use my dryer in the summer.

    Are you anal about putting all the right sizes together too?... lol

    Hope you enjoy your bed tonight.

    Hugs, Deb

    PS... love the crow and but he doesn't leave those nasty marks on your clothes.

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  19. I love it Lindy. Especially your sweet blackbird. There is nothing like a clothesline. I adore seeing the clothes out there blowing in the breeze. Your little home is just darling. I ♥ it!

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  20. There's nothing like fresh linen from a clothsline.

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  21. Well, this Grammy had several clotheslines when my children were small. However, we moved to this house in the country 36 years ago and there has been NO clothesline. For several years that was fine, but in more recent years, I would love to hang out our sheets and maybe towels on a windy day. That's when they are soft and smell oh so good!! MEMORIES, love them.

    Have a God Filled Day
    Shirley

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  22. I loved your post so much, I became a follower.
    I love to hang cloths on the line. My line just happens to be on my screened in deck. Love it.
    As a youngster Monday was wash day as well as cooking beans will you washed.

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  23. My grandma had poles to hold up the line in the center when she did big stuff like blankets that were heavy. I remember helping her too. Love the thoughts.

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  24. Lindy, my grandmother (when she was alive), my Mom and I have all used clotheslines to dry our clothes. One thing I used to do is hang the towels out to dry but put them in the dryer for a few minutes and that makes them softer. I unfortunately have lived in homes that have HOA's that do not want clotheslines. The new house we will be renting, I don't think has the restriction, so I might be going back to the clothesline!! How exciting for me!

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  25. I have had clotheslines and dryers all my life, and although there is a certain romance to the clothesline, I can remember running out to pluck the towels from it as the skies opened! Exfoliating was a great side benefit-hehe! And I love your crow who is watching over your clothes! Linda

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  26. Love clothes lines! Especially for sheets, towels...not so much! The crow is perfect!!!

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  27. I am a follower and I loved your post. The bird on the line, I like it. At first I thought it was real.
    Anyway, I will remember what you said about the exfoliation after using towels hung on the line, I will tell my husband that when he asked for what he calls "the boards", I can't help it, I like them hung on the line and have some to get off right now. Our neighborhood has no restrictions and it works just fine for everyone.
    Darling post.
    betsy

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  28. I'm with you all the way! I've never gotten to have one, and now I live in the country but convincing hubs to put one up for me is going to be a long fight! There is no smell under Heaven that is as good as the smell of sheets and towels that have been out in the wind and sunshine! I put my pillows and pillow cases out on the deck so they get a little of that sweet scent! Until I get my line, it will have to do the trick!

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  29. When I was growing up we had poles made of aluminum with about 6 rows of lines strung between them. 8 kids in my family and many loads of laundry everyday. My mom was fastidious about the way the clothes were hung. I have one line and I use it occasionally in the warm months even though I swore I would never hang clothes on a line when I grew up.

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  30. Where do you find all these cute bird figurines ? The ones in your home,too. I can never find them but I love birds ( own two parrots ) :]]

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  31. I love clotheslines too, Lindy. I was tickled to be moving to the country, believing that would be one of the things I could check off my wish list, as well. Turns out, living on a country dirt road and having a clothesline just don't mix. Love that crow of yours!

    Thanks for linking to the party. I've been missin' you! ;)

    Hugs,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  32. Oh, what memories! Maybe that's why I still to this day prefer stiff towels! Growing up with line dried clothes and towels. I love that you put your special Lindy touch on the clothesline complete with blackbird!

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  33. We have clothesline at home but it's not as beautiful as yours. Yours is so classic and the effect of the wood projects a homey environment.

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  34. I love sheets that have been dried outdoors! The smell is heavenly. As for towels...well I just stick them in the dryer after I bring them in. With a Bounce sheet.
    Works like a charm...!!!
    Oh and I love your birdie!! He is adorable
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  35. Hi Lindy, Growing up it was my job to hang the clothes on the clotheslines. My mom had a dryer but rarely used it. As a child and teenager I hated this chore but now as an adult I totally get why my mom preferred a clothesline. Love the little bird. Thanks for sharing this at my party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  36. Oooh I just got my very first clothes line a few weeks ago, and I am absolutely loving it! I am hanging everything except for my hubbies work (dressy) clothes out and my laundry smells soooo great. I hang all of my linens out, and when you walk in our bedroom, all you can smell is fresh line dried bed linens. It is Heaven!!! Mine is not cute like yours tho. Oh, our light bill went down almost $90.00 this month, that is just another added bonus.

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  37. Your home is adorable!!!! And love Mr Blackbird! And the sheets on the line...I can just imagine the smell of sunshine in them!
    Thank you for linking up my friend!And....
    Thank you for dropping by Tales from Bloggeritaville. Come again...and soon :)
    Have a great day!
    Live (really LIVE)* LOVE (deeply)* Laugh (alot)
    Leigh
    Tales from Bloggeritaville
    www.lbratina.blogspot.com

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  38. Lindy, There is nothing better than smelling clothes that have been hung out on the line! As a kid, I was in charge of doing the hanging. Slid that little clothespin holder along the line..... In the winter, I can remember frozen towels and clothes.... Stiff as a board is good, any old time! Like you said- exfoliation! LOL
    I hang a few things out on hangers occasionally- those restriction covenants can be a bear.... but I figure- who sees me? Love your birdie on top of the line!! ~ Sue

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  39. aw man there is nothing better than getting sheets and towels fresh off the line.. I like them stiff too. I've been bugging Jeff to make me one where we live now. He hadnt come around to the idea yet. Love the little blackbird. nice touch.

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  40. I think I've popped in on your blog a few times but just sat down to read a few posts (visiting from The CSI Project) and I love it. I'm your newest follower.

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  41. Reminiscing, thanks for the post. Love the bird, he just look like he belongs there. I can see he has found himself a good home.

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  42. I think I'm am enjoying reading these comments better than any other post I've ever done!....
    Lindy

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  43. I just love the touch of the bird! Is it true that clothes dried on the clothesline smell really good?

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  44. Chickens and clotheslines! I'd love to be your neighbor. This is so cute, I want to include your guard bird in my next Wednesday post about other bloggers' bird/nature themed projects.

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  45. I have a girlfriend who got around the no clothesline restrictions by hiding it under the awning on her deck! Great clothesline :)

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  46. great! many years ago, I hated them~ now, love them! I really like yours~ and the bird!

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  47. I've never seen the front of your house.....soooo cute. :)

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  48. I know what you mean about the clothes line. When I was a little girl, we lived on an abandoned farm. Our clothesline was behind this once 2 room guesthouse, which was later converted into a storage shed. Many times I played house in that shed while my mom hung clothes out to dry.

    Like your past, I now live in a subdivision with restrictions, but miss having a clothesline....and a garden.....very much.

    Glad you have something to honor your past and your grandmother.

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  49. I love the curvy cross boards - if I ever get to have a clothesline, I'd want it to be cute too. The black bird is a lovely touch too!

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  50. Lindy, I love this! I remember the sheets and towels hanging from my Granny's clothesline...we stayed with her alot and I can remember it so vividly! I did a post on a clothesline because I was researching the advantages...definitely so many! My aprons are for display purposes and my twine is just hung between two trees, but it works! Hope you are well! http://threepixielane.blogspot.com/2010/07/solar-dryerthe-clothesline.html

    Christie at Three Pixie Lane

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  51. Thanks for the memories. I hadn't thought about my grandmother's clothesline in years. Because she was about 4 ft. 8 inches tall, she had poles that she could move to bring the clothes line down and then, after hanging the clothes, she could put the poles back into place to raise the clothes up away from the ground. Thanks to your wonderful blog, having a clothes line has been added to my "someday when" list.

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  52. Aren't restrictions silly? What is so awful about clean laundry?
    I just toss the towels in the dryer on "fluff" to soften them, since my children complain about how rough the towels are...
    There is nothing that smells as good as sheets dried on a clothesline.

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  53. You are so creative Lindy- always adding a little touch making things so neat!! Perfect for a clothesline!! Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

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  54. I've never heard of restrictions on clothes lines before - that sounds bonkers! I've never thought of having one before, but yours is beautiful. Something else to nag my husband to do this summer! Thank you x

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  55. Hi Lindy - what's the bird made from?
    Michael
    bluevelvetchair.blogspot.com

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  56. I love my close lines. and it is so good to hear someone else say they like lined dried towels. cause I love them the rough feel my makes you feel like your skin is softer.
    Cathy

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  57. love this post and love the wonderful bird! where did you get him?

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  58. oooh I want a clothesline too! i dont have it either but if i did, i wanted to add a watch bird too just like you! love what you did!

    Susan @http://tea-diary.blogspot.com

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  59. I have always wanted a clothes line if only for my sheets. I thought I could save money on the dryer but I know how I am. It takes too much time to hang everything! I used to hang the clothes when I was living at home as part of my chores and hated it!! Luckily there were only three of us! Your house is adorable!

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  60. We live in an upscale restricted neighborhood and we are not allowed to have clothes lines or
    fences. Or outdoor sheds

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  61. LUV my clothesline and can't wait for spring to finally get here so I can start hanging my sheets out again. I love the smell of fresh sheets from the line on my bed. Thanks for sharing your black bird, I'm going to have to be on the lookout for one for my "protection" too.

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  62. What a great idea. Who says you can't personalize your clothesline. Im totally jealous.

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  63. Lindy, I remember my mom hanging out clothes when I was growing up. It is true that the towels get hard lined dried. Nice clothes line.

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  64. Very cute. Glad you got your clothesline! Your newest follower...hope you can some and visit me sometime.

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  65. I can smell those sheets all the way in Massachusetts! Enjoy ;)

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  66. Just perfect. Love your clothesline.
    I can't understand why so many areas ban clotheslines when it is the most economical way to dry clothes and sunshine is great for killing off any germs. Glad you finally got one!

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  67. I love the bird :-) but I have to ask where on earth dont they let you have a clothesline?? Here in Qld Aus. they are just something everybody has, even in the middle of the citys, on balconies. And as Karen said, they're economical and we're repeatedly told to use them and not the dryer. I always, always use fabric softener as I really dont like stiff towels

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  68. well done!
    i'm also trying to get away from a restricted condo area! and move into the countryside! just love the freedom of it!
    love the bird!
    take care,
    Rosa

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  69. I have been on the look out for one of the round cloths lines as I have a small space I would love to hang quilts out to air, nothing like fresh air!
    I can not imagine being told what a I can or can't do in a place that I OWN! I don't tell other people what to do and I expect the same from them!
    Love the bird!

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  70. Love that clothesline. I have one also nothing better for hanging out quilts and sheets lace table clothes and of course Curtains

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  71. Great clothesline - and a great bird to protect it too!
    blessings..Trish

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  72. Love the watch bird and definitely the clothes line! Thanks so much for stopping by at Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays.

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  73. Yes...there is nothing like the smell of freshly sun-dried sheets for your bed.

    Mrs. M.

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  74. Clothesline are wonderful...I miss them. Love this simple pleasure. Your black bird is great.

    Enjoy your new freedom from "lawn restrictions".

    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  75. very cool Lindy....glad you got your clothesline and your house looks so cute and inviting.

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  77. This is great!! I love your clothesline and the little trip down memory lane. I can see my Russian Grandmother in my slippered feet when I'm out hanging my clothes. She always had knee highs on (usually rolled down around her ankles) and I could see the etched veins all over her small feet. As I've gotten older, my feet now have those same protruding veins, and when I'm out hanging the wash, I think of my Grandmother and watching her while she let us nibble on peas from her garden.
    I love your clothesline: I have one of those old hideous avacado green ones that is really losing it (it's strapped to another post to keep it upright :S ). I'm hoping one day soon IT will blow away so I can get a "pretty" clothesline like yours. :)

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  78. Clotheslines bring back childhood memories of a simpler, slower pace of life.

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  79. I love your protective bird! This is the cutest clothes line I've seen. We don't have restrictions here, but I would never have time to hang clothes anyway. Sigh. Maybe someday.

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  80. Lindy!
    I just came Gail's (MRL)and read this post. I LOVE having a clothesline. My Granmother hung out her clothes-- not my Granny so much, but the one I am endeared to the most for this activity is my Mother in law. SHE LOVED HANGING OUT LAUNDRY! I do too. It's my favorite task around my house. Crazy I know.
    ...loving my Solar Dryer, Pat

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  81. We finally live in the country as well, with a much less restrictive HOA and I've been dying for a clothesline!! I remember my mom hanging sheets out in the warm sun. There's nothing like that smell. Love it.

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  82. I love a clothesline! Sheets fresh from outside are heavenly:)

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