Comfort in timeless simplicity

 Savoring simple everyday pleasures

If you're familiar with my posts and writings, you wont be surprised for me to mention the simple pleasure and joy that hanging clean linen on the line gives me. Watching it billow in the sun, knowing its warmth will dry it in a way that cannot be achieved inside. Enjoying the weekly task- the rhythm and predictability and ritual of it-  and relishing the sumptuous feeling of sinking into fresh sheets at night, is something I genuinely look forward to over a weekend. 

I pondered this morning as I hung out French linen out in the still chilly early air with my wooden dolly pegs, about the generations of women (and yes I say women as it traditionally was) who've seen to this task over the centuries, using pegs just like my wooden old fashioned ones, and seizing a sunny breezy day as the perfect opportunity to dry them. OfCourse, I am grateful that mine are laundered at the touch of a button - not lugging water from a well, or hand scrubbing, or using a mangle or any of the other back breaking labor intensive tasks that befell my ancestors.  Still, it got me to thinking of these rituals and repetitive regular tasks and traditions that transition from one generation to the next. 

As our eldest left home this morning for a Saturday job, jumping in her car to travel there, I was struck anew with how fast these years go and these generations grow, flourish and become their own. My husband wondered aloud if she might fill her car back up with gas on her way home and we reminisced about his parents taking him to fill his first car, and that his grandfather did the same for his parents when they visited as young adults too. They grow and develop and change almost beyond recognition from those sweet little utterly dependent bundles that came into this world, but even as they reach their own milestones of independence, we are still there to help, guide, nurture and support- even with a tank of gas- or a listening ear, a warm home, a bubbling lasagna, or fresh linen- and unconditional love.

 I sometimes wonder what habits and rituals I partake in and enjoy- or just tick off- that my girls will continue, and perhaps reflect on how I did it, or tell their children how it was "back when".  These thoughts and musings really encourage me to take a little step back, at the same time reminding me to really be present. 

I find it comforting to feel the expanse of history that surrounds me - honoring the past but remaining present. I was reminded of how patient our parents and grandparents were recently- their lives we such that you HAD to wait for things, there was no touch of a button, flick of a switch, instant gratification. Photographs (Of which I take many every single day) were quite an event, or a moment to savor or capture- and then wait a week or so to see if you did! Shops were open much fewer hours and clearly there was no alternative- and if you wanted something you had to SAVE.  You had a pair of winter shoes- ONE. You may have had a good coat- ONE- or "Sunday best " that was definitely a thing in my childhood. Things were used until they wore out beyond repair. 

My father's favorite cheese is Cantal. Its a French cheese of several varietals, and his preferred one is that aged to 36 months- thirty-six months for the Fromager (Cheese maker) to patiently wait, ensuring the surrounding conditions are optimal for that batch, applying the techniques and traditions that have been employed for centuries. Mostly unchanged. Then, as its quite right and proper, that cheese is then truly savored, each morsel enjoyed and appreciated for the quality and the craftsmanship involved. Doesn't it taste sooooo much better for it? 

Perhaps we'd be wise to regularly take stock of what we not only take for granted but barely acknowledge- how easy and simple we have so many things now by comparison- but in the same sentiment, not to loose sight of what these "things"- be it cheese, a washing machine, or a family tradition- went through and evolved or survived in order to be part of your life, your everydays today. 

Chablis, a premium wine producer, lost 15-20% of their wine harvest at its early growth stages this spring to violent hailstorms this past week. Those poor Vinters will have to recoup what they can and press on with the season, knowing the outcome wont be ideal, but with hope and faith that the future years will be successful. They will continue with the traditional methods and time tested systems to over come as best they can. Employing patience and trust. 

By allowing a little space between our busy days and a point to reflect upon, we are allowing ourselves to truly feel the moments of opportunity as they present themselves, then consciously being in a position to choose when those moments are there to seize them.