26 Comments
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Belinda Corrigan's avatar

Oh Maggie please paint that picture it sounds delightful I would certainly relate to it love your descriptions love your sit spot and your country style stories thank you

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Nancy Bodily's avatar

Maggie! I'm going to slap your bright and gorgeous word painting right next to my memories of Grandma Melita who pinned clothes on the line in a dress and apron, galoshes, her panty hose sagging down. This northern Utah pig farmer brought joy into this world. She was fierce and kind, a woman wild with indignities, who knew how to cook a pot roast. And hers was a Sears Kenmore washer. So nice to visit your work again. It's been a while. No worries though, I've saved them all, and always they take my breath away--Nancy B

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

Gorgeous imagine Nancy! What a woman x

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Kim Berry's avatar

My household appliance signed a suicide pact and all died within a week of each other 2 weeks ago: waging machine (12 years service, a Bosch), dishwasher (8 years on the frontline, also a Bosch), the microwave and the TV. The washing machine arrived on Friday, the dishwasher was installed this morning. I give thanks I’m not at a place in life where we could replace them with minimal financial grief. But as I watched those machines hauled away, I couldn’t help but think of all those loads, clothes or dishes. They did well.

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

I googled the comments on your post about washing machine death as J stood in Harvey Norman reading out brand names and prices for me. So I’m indebted to your washing machine dying just before mine! May the next generation work just as hard! x

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Shelley Baird's avatar

I hope that portrait of you gets painted - it sounds amazing! And what a tribute to all of the unseen domestic chores that must be done in order for life to keep moving forward. Thanks for all the recommendations - I have tabs open waiting to be read this afternoon xo

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Michelle's avatar

At first I thought I hope someone paints that portrait one day, but your words describe it so perfectly anyway, so perhaps best left in the reader's imagination. x

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Caterina's avatar

"If" you were an artist...[cue: cough].. but you ARE an artist, drawing the most vibrant of writings that bring colour, vibrancy and smiles to heart and mind. I love washing machines appearing in art, music, science, whatever. It is a valid reminder that domestic life is Life (says she whose day is gobbled with cooking...sigh... oh my). Work delayed (yet again) but wow...that domestic distraction tasted good:)

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

Love the domestic in art too Caterina!

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Genevieve's avatar

Those Mieles are something else. Takes two men to deliver them. Fabulous machines. I enjoyed your free share of emotions about laundry, and have had some interesting moments myself admiring shades of blue, gray, duck egg blue sheets, purple blue and gray blues on the line. Maybe I need to take up some sewing again myself. Thank you Maggie.

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

Oh I think you should!! 💕

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The Garden at Moorfield's avatar

I have never loved reading about a washing machine so much in all my life! I could see all of it xo

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

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Amy's avatar

Maggie, you are an artist! An artist with words. You paint the most wonderful images that appear in my mind like a movie screen as I read your words. What would we do without washing machines!!!

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Lynne Tocher's avatar

I loved "the washing machine" I have had many over my long life, the first saw me through two babies and was a wringer one!

When the last one died I was able to get on the computer and order a new one, before breakfast!

What a thrill , no money worries. Bliss

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

How utterly perfect, I love this comment

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Marilyn Lebeter's avatar

I loved your self-portrait with clothes line. Someone should absolutely paint that!

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Cam Mac's avatar

You could never have written this about a Dyson. Just saying.

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

😂

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Moira's avatar

If I were an artist … I needed to read this exquisite piece over and over until it became a painting in my mind. It really awakened something in me though I’m not sure what.

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

This makes me very happy. May the ideas flow!

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Jane Rawson's avatar

Maggie, I love this - I might go give my Bosch a kiss for all it's done for me these many years. Utterly gorgeous, thank you. (And thank you also for the recommendation of Big Girl Small Town, which I really enjoyed - what a strange book it is, masquerading as a very normal, mainstream book.)

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Jane Rawson's avatar

oh and thank you for that Alexander Chee list! I am in tears (of laughter, and also tears).

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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

Yes! A strange book masquerading as a mainstream one. So surprising! And am currently falling in love with my new Bosch 😂

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Jill Griffiths's avatar

Somehow, amid moving and resettling, I missed this post. What a delight to have found it sitting waiting for me in the depths of my inbox today. As always, thank you Maggie.

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Jan 31, 2023
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Maggie Mackellar's avatar

Thank you for this beautiful image of your grandmother and your small self x

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