January
Finally cleaned the kitchen floor, which I have not touched since christmas. Not proud of this, but between work and illness and general lethargy, I've let dirt slide.
Keeping the dishes clean, with a machine, has been a process enough.
The floor, well, I only meant to sweep today. As I worked, I had to finish the job. Three times over the surface, sweep, mop, sponges and towels.
I can't be hand&knees scrubbing the floor without thinking of housemaids and postulants likewise arrayed over the millennium. There really is no other way to get into the corners. I hope whatever woman first lived here, a century ago, had at least one maid to help out, even if only during the day. How easy, in the cold, to neglect mopping. How easy, in the dim light, to let the grime accumulate. How much worse, with coal and fireplace ash all over, insufficient hot water, candles and oil lamps forgiving the edges a bit of muck and dust. Clothes were washed, ice-dried, but probably not enough, not really fresh. No wonder Spring Cleaning felt so necessary.
Ice forms on the windows, solidifies along the eaves. Got some desiccant, put in an empty spice jar. Seems to be doing something.
The golden light of early evening is a blessing.
Danced to La Chanson De Mardi Gras - Michael Doucet & Beausoleil Bayou Deluxe.
Keeping the dishes clean, with a machine, has been a process enough.
The floor, well, I only meant to sweep today. As I worked, I had to finish the job. Three times over the surface, sweep, mop, sponges and towels.
I can't be hand&knees scrubbing the floor without thinking of housemaids and postulants likewise arrayed over the millennium. There really is no other way to get into the corners. I hope whatever woman first lived here, a century ago, had at least one maid to help out, even if only during the day. How easy, in the cold, to neglect mopping. How easy, in the dim light, to let the grime accumulate. How much worse, with coal and fireplace ash all over, insufficient hot water, candles and oil lamps forgiving the edges a bit of muck and dust. Clothes were washed, ice-dried, but probably not enough, not really fresh. No wonder Spring Cleaning felt so necessary.
Ice forms on the windows, solidifies along the eaves. Got some desiccant, put in an empty spice jar. Seems to be doing something.
The golden light of early evening is a blessing.
Danced to La Chanson De Mardi Gras - Michael Doucet & Beausoleil Bayou Deluxe.
Posted by Zhoen on Monday, January 21, 2013
4 comments:
loving your bowls. we have a bit of a collection ourselves!
now imagine cleaning and waxing wooden floors that aren't varnished. i think of my grandmothers and feel eternal gratitude for all the amenities that make life easier today. still, there is something meditative about attacking dirt head on and thoroughly. it gives one such a solid sense of accomplishment.
Icicles here are an indication of a poorly insulated home. It isn't very common to see that around here any more.
I swept and mopped just this past weekend, but didn't get into the corners like you did.
pc,
True, but my back whines.
Phil,
Oh, this is a leaky old house. Doing what we can. Also, no gutters, we tried, they told us it couldn't be done.
Something in the air yesterday.....I also spent a fair bit of it on my knees, hand-washing floors. It was a satisfying time. It's too slippery to venture outside.
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