Washday with Lucy

A Piedmont Porchlight Story

I did something this mornin’ that was so like my little Mawmaw. I’ve been smilin’ about it ever since.

Having been born in 1899, you can imagine that Mawmaw didn’t grow up with, or even spend most of her adult life, with the modern conveniences we all take for granted. She never had a washdisher or a deep freezer. The modern appliances in her kitchen consisted of an electric percolator, the “Frigidaire”, and an electric toaster. Pawpaw always preferred toast over biscuits at every meal.

After a time, it was decided that Mawmaw was getting’ a bit long in the tooth to be manhandlin’ the wringer washing machine and two number 10 washtubs before hangin’ the laundry out to dry. So, Ol’ Man Wright bought her an automatic washing machine and a dryin’ machine and put them right inside the very house! In the kitchen, no less!

To say that Lucy was less than enamored by the new-fangled machines would be an understatement of epic proportions. As I used the machine to wash and dry my hospital uniforms, Mawmaw would pretend to be doin’ something else in the kitchen, so she could watch over me. “That machine’s gonna to tear up your clothes, boy!” I assured her it wouldn’t.

After I popped my shiny white uniforms out of the dryer and onto hangers with nary a wrinkle in sight, I could tell she was impressed. Would she say so? Not in a hundred thousand years!

She slowly came around, of course. First, she allowed it would probably be alright to wash Ol’ Man Wright’s overalls and my blue jeans in the machine. The denim was pretty durable, so not likely to be destroyed by the machines. It gave Pawpaw and me great joy when we finally saw her putting her dresses in the laundry. It had taken some time, but we’d finally won her over.

Now, what was it she did that I caught myself doin’ this morning? Well, I had put in a load of pants to wash last night. When I started to put them in the dryer this morning, I saw the legs had become all tangled and twisted. I swear, it looked like they came out of a dog’s mouth! So, I shook out as many wrinkles as I could and neatly folded them before layin’ them in the dryer.

All at once, the memory came back to me. I saw Mawmaw doin’ that very thing every week.

“Maw, why’re you foldin’ the clothes before you put ‘em in the dryer?”

She gave me that exasperated look that said she was pretty sure I was plumb outta my mind. “Well, boy, I don’t want them to be wrinkled when they come out!”

History repeats itself.

About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.

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