Sour
A load of mildewing towels greeted me in the bottom of the washer this morning. Mildewing beach towels aren’t as bad as mildewing bath towels, because a beach towel is supposed to have a unique odor. Either sunscreen or chlorine work their way into the fibers and if a little mildew gets in its all the more authentic.
But this morning’s mildew was my fault. The load of towels sat in the washer drum, not one night, but two. Both evenings, as I got to the top of the stairs on my way to bed, I remembered the towels. I’ll go back down stairs for a cat that got left outside, but not towels.
Sour. That is what my mom called clothes that didn’t get into the dryer fast enough. Sour is what I’d call my mood after I pushed the dial to start the load over, backing up the flow of laundry.
So I was sour. After I check the laundry status in the morning, I usually check my e-mail status. There it was. I’d waited nearly two months for this email. It had the power to turn sour into sweet. I’d been waiting to hear from an agent. Lessons from the Laundry is a done deal in my mind. Now I have to convince an agent to represent me and sell the book to a publisher. My work had been highly recommended to a New York agent, but I was told by the author who recommended me that it was protocol to give the agent an exclusive. No one else could look at my work for two months.
Would I become like Oprah’s Legends Lemon Drop Martini (a chilled vodka concoction sour enough to make you pucker for several minutes) or would this email transform my mood to sweetness?
Get me the vodka. The agent was going on maternity leave and wouldn’t represent me. But, as I read the whole email, I felt an infusion of sugar. She was saying good things about my work! “Creative and practical…love the idea…wonderful proposal.” Okay, so it was a rejection but my sour mood was gone.
The emotions of my morning parallel Lessons from the Laundry. How I took something sour, laundry or a terrible crisis with a child, and turned it into something worth savoring. Have you done it? Are you relishing something today that yesterday crushed you?
I’d love to hear from you. Especially if you’re a literary agent, a mom who found mildewing clothes in her washer or someone with an excellent sour cocktail recipe!
Fondly,
Kathy
17 Responses to “Sour”
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July 27th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
kathy, i loved this piece…i can totally relate as more often than not, i am greeted in the morning with a sour load of laundry that i left there the day (or 2) before. i wonder if this is why i am often searching for the candles or room fragrances that claim to have that “clean linen” scent.
July 28th, 2006 at 10:38 am
Kathy,
What a gift your family has been given! Happy Birthday to Merritt!
I love your website! It is fun to share with other moms some of the things we all go through! Coleen
July 28th, 2006 at 11:40 am
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who leaves laundry to age overnight, and my laundry room is right across the hall from my bedroom! Thanks for making laundry more than just a chore Kathy! Keep up the good work. Great site.
July 29th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
K
Right on sister” I can totally relate. I love the website” Your so easy to relate to. Keep it up.
July 29th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Kathy;
As your brother and a semi full time stay home Dad, you and I have been blessed to spend time with are chidren. I enjoyed reading the section you listed. God has a way of teaching us about life, even through the laundry. I am proud of you!
July 29th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
Kathy,
It is such a joy knowing you and your beautiful family. If only I could snap my fingers and have this book published! Your gift of writing and mothering and doing all beautifully and with great spirit is so inspiring.
Keep it up, and know that I’m always a phone call or a plane ride away. And I don’t mind doing laundry
… K-K-K-Katy
July 29th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Hi Kathy,
Great to hear that your book is completed. I anxiously await each year your Holiday prose on blessings, miracles and other thought provoking ideas …..I can’t wait to read all of the wonderful positive analagies that are within ‘Laundry’s” pages, anticipating much laughter, tears and fulfillment from the pages.
P.S. Layndry left ONLY 2 days — now that’s REALLY good!
July 29th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Kathy,
You’re an amazing writer. You put your heart and soul into this book, while being a great mother, wife, friend, and all the other wonderful things you do. Your efforts will be rewarded and people will get to hear about one of the people I live for-Merritt.
Renee Theil
July 29th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Hi Kathy
I am a friend of your Mom and Dad’s - Really looking forward to reading the book. I know it will be published. You are a remarkable young lady!!! Keep us the good work
Toby
July 30th, 2006 at 7:26 am
I love your writing Kathy. I’m looking forward to reading the whole published work.
I have a 2-3 day old load of sour beach towels that I’m ignoring. I’m seriously thinking of moving the laundry upstairs!!
July 30th, 2006 at 6:50 pm
Hey friend!
I remember the day we had a girls week-end and you said I am starting a book! Wow your dream and vision has been reached. God has blessed you with your writings and I know it will get into the right hands! I am proud of you and anxious to read the ENTIRE BOOK!!!!!!
PS New Tide with Fabreeeze helps keep that sour smell out and sweet smell in!! HA HA. No sourness in my laundry room!
August 3rd, 2006 at 3:06 am
Hi Kathy,
Do you know how many people will be able relate to your writings? I would guess more than you can even realize.
Even though I go back MUCH farther than your contemporaries, I too had the experience of “sour” laundry. My trade off for leaving clothes in the washer was choosing to teach beautiful girls like you ballet.. I have never regretted that choice! You were special than and you are even more special now!
I can not wait to read your book.It sounds like it would really help mothers and fathers to look at life differently as they raise their families.
You have always been a beautiful person inside and out and I am so very proud of you. You are certainly blessed to have Merritt and she is blessed to have you.
Good Luck in this wonderful endeavor. Keep me posted when it is published.
Love, Pat Green
August 6th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Oh Kathy, I just discovered a treasure today, your evolving book. Life is surely endless learning and discovering. Your book holds the promise of one more avenue of enlightenment, especially in the ever unfolding realization that love is the key to our fulfillment as human beings. You and Merritt are vessels of love for all of us who have been blessed to be touched by your inspired insights.There’s no question that your book will be published.It already has so much to offer.
Bless you for your gifts which you are sharing with us all.
Love,Betty
Love,
August 16th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Kathy,
I keep reading and am getting more blown away with each segment. As some of the ladies who have responded, I am looking forward to the whole book. I’ll even buy the hard cover without waiting for the paperback. Little snippits of wisedom can be big reminders about the value of humor and perspective in everyday situations. Even the mundane ones like laundry. Thanks!
August 17th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Dear Kathy, It is a pleasure to be your next door neighbor. I remember when your was for sale. I actually prayed for the new owners. God answered my prayers BIG TIME. You and your wonderful family moved in. Thank you , Lord , for the Gillens. They are shining brightly for You, Lord. I am learning so much from their unshakeable trust in you. I feel their JOY. Sometimes I get to hold their Merritt Joy. If I feel tired or a little “down”, all I have to do is get in touch with Kathy and John or one of the kids. Energy flows from them, good energy that is “catchy”. It is from God. Now everyone can enjoy your new book, Kathy. God inspired you, you inspire me. Thanks and love, Rika
March 26th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Is this a wordpress blog? or some other software?
March 26th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Hi Mold Remover…I wouldn’t want that as my name! I checked out your web page. Is there a person behind that mold? This is a wordpress blog, why do you ask? Kathy