Casting a Line

I love it that my friends think of me when they see something. They share things on my Facebook page or pick up something to give me or send me a note to say 'I saw xxx and thought of you.'
 That xxx is always one of two things - donkeys or clotheslines.

Yesterday, when I posted a photo of my clothesline on the first day of spring, there were a couple
 comments that it was perfect for my 'clothesline' books. Indeed, that is exactly why I took it.

At the moment, I have four books dedicated to images of clotheslines. Two of them are tiny books
 to use as a card or with a card. They are entitled 'Life Lines' because they incorporate
 another passion of mine - collected quotes. There are two larger books -
one also has quotes  and the other was commissioned to have just the images.

I love clotheslines. I love the tales that they tell. I love the act of hanging clothes out. I love arranging
 them by colour or texture or size. I love the smell of fresh sheets off the line.
I love what clotheslines represent - a simple, unhurried time with nature orchestrating the dance.

With my photography, it is just not any random clothesline that draws my attention,
makes me throw the brakes on and grab my camera. There has to either be a story there
or an artful array of happy colour or creativity.

Last year I was driving with friends in Newfoundland when I spotted this line of gloves that
 tickled my fancy.When I got out with my camera, one of the passengers commented: 'She's not 
REALLY going up  to that house, is she?'  Another commented, 'Oh yes she is. And she might even
re-arrange things if it doesn't suit her.' Of course, I wouldn't. Not because it's rude or trespassing,
 but because  you can't mess with the story, you just capture it.

Awhile back, I was driving along one beautiful summer morning and noticed a huge line at a farm house, 

way back from the road. Then I spotted another at the next farm and the next and the next. It 

became a game of 'Finding Waldo'. It went on for miles and miles. There was only one 

single place that didn't have a clothes out. MONDAY! It came back to me. 'Washday Monday'

 - a tradition of my childhood. I had completely forgotten about that; about the time that laundry

 was ONLY done on that day. It was a wringer washer, a major undertaking, not the ease

 and convenience we have with automatic washers that has made laundry into a constant 

and never ending task that is any day and too often, every day

because of the sheer amount of clothing we have now.

I am SO looking forward to clothesline season again;

 for the joy of the activity and the potential for book fodder.

CLOTHESLINE BOOKS AVAILABLE:

Click on the link to see the entire book for the first two.
That doesn't work for the two little ones - they have the photos displayed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  'Life Lines' 

Volume 1

7"x7"

40 pages

$25

          'LINES'                  40 Pages

  Just Photos 

7"x7"   

$25

                                                            Tiny Book:  3.5"x2.75" 

'Life Lines 1'

$5. each

         

                 'Life Lines 2'

$5 each

THE INSIDE SCOOP:  Tiny Book 1 ...

Tiny Book 2: