A few days ago I received the latest edition of New Harvest Newsletter. In it, I was appalled to read, several women wrote that clotheslines were not allowed in their neighborhoods. 
Come again???? That pretty much blew me away. First of all, how can they stop you? Oh, I know about HMAs and CC&Rs and all that but I have to say, if I spent X amount of money on a house I'm going to hang what I want where I want and anybody who doesn't like it is SOL (sure out of luck). Which is probably why my husband keeps me as far out in the boonies as he can manage 
.
All kidding aside though, when did clotheslines become something to outlaw? What does that say about this country that clotheslines offend so much they have been legislated out of existence? First of all, what is there to offend? I am trying to picture the worst things I have ever seen on clotheslines and I can't come up with anything to merit outlawing them. Anybody? Clothesline horror stories???
Secondly, they are an ecologically friendly, financially sound, passive method of drying clothes. Who could be against that? I am truly at a loss as to why a person would outlaw clotheslines. Although, from what I understand most communities that won't allow clotheslines, won't allow the flying of the flag either 
. Again I have to ask how that could offend???? Are people just too busy running others lives? I have to wonder why you want to live in such a community? What else do they outlaw???
It should be interesting in these times of economic upheaval, to see if communities over turn these rules. Will we reach a point where saving money and energy is more important than their perceived offense at the clothesline? How bad will things have to get before that happens? I wonder.... In the mean time, I am off to hang my laundry out on my heavy duty, 6 strand clothesline that came with the house. And I must admit, it was quite the selling point for me 
.
Blessings.
I must admit this is a crazy idea, to outlaw clotheslines!!! I heard in another message board about some of this going on, and it seems it was not just the ritzy areas either!! One wrote that she lived in an apartment complex where the clothelines were not allowed!!
ReplyDeleteI have a wondreful clothesline, and love it. I live in a small town that could care less if someone'e towels and undies are on the line. LOL
God's Blessings,
Amy Jo
Amen Sister!
ReplyDelete-littlemama24
We are not allowed under our HOA to have a clothes line, and it never really crossed my mind to tell you the truth. I figure it is part of the trade off....
ReplyDeleteI remember as a kid I used to hate putting the wet clothes on my Grandmother's line and then having to iron them all afterwards.
I do occasionally hang comforters and blankets outside off of the back porch out of view of the neighbors, and had considered rigging up something temporary to save on power costs, but I'm not quite sure that I'm ready to see the whole neighborhood's laundry hung out to dry....