The attendant being handed the rose - in the photo- is my high school classmate. What a beautiful moment to capture. I grew up without indoor plumbing and washing clothes was a constant heartache, really and truly. I’m grateful there’s a clean and welcoming laundry mat in the area. A blessing.
Thank you once again for your inspiring writing. I am the second oldest of a family of 8 with a mother who worked evenings. In fifth grade I washed clothes for our family in our basement, with the exact model of machine in your picture. I pulled out clothing with a fat dowel but usually had to push clothes up to the edge with my fingers. Got my arm stuck a couple of times. Never broke any bones just a skin burn or two - there was a quick release bar like Gordon Schenck mentioned. Thankful for release bars.
Always suspected I was noticeably older than the average Leonard groupie and this thread proves it, to wit: a) the dorms and Greek houses in Iowa City in 1964 had their own laundries so the girls in the laundromat's were upper class-women/independents, I also had aged out of the dorm, every laundromat was within a couple doors of a bar, and b) am I the only one to remember the '64 classic "Leader of the Laundromat" by the Detergents? Google it, and Richard and I will sing it for you Thursday evening.
Ottumwa has a laundromat in the middle of downtown with the same owners. I have heard nothing but good things about it. New, clean, and inviting, a welcome addition to our community!
I remember getting my arm caught in my grandmother's Maytag roller just like the one in the picture, except hers had a red release bar. Learned a couple lessons that day. I also carry a set of jumper cables with me year round. Met several interesting people that way.
The attendant being handed the rose - in the photo- is my high school classmate. What a beautiful moment to capture. I grew up without indoor plumbing and washing clothes was a constant heartache, really and truly. I’m grateful there’s a clean and welcoming laundry mat in the area. A blessing.
Thank you everyone for the nice words I’m Mindi
❤️
Thank you for being you
Thank you once again for your inspiring writing. I am the second oldest of a family of 8 with a mother who worked evenings. In fifth grade I washed clothes for our family in our basement, with the exact model of machine in your picture. I pulled out clothing with a fat dowel but usually had to push clothes up to the edge with my fingers. Got my arm stuck a couple of times. Never broke any bones just a skin burn or two - there was a quick release bar like Gordon Schenck mentioned. Thankful for release bars.
Thanks Denise! Good to see you at the IFU.
I love starting a Deep Midwest substack story and think "where is this going to land?" I'm always surprised, never disappointed.
Love this.
Always suspected I was noticeably older than the average Leonard groupie and this thread proves it, to wit: a) the dorms and Greek houses in Iowa City in 1964 had their own laundries so the girls in the laundromat's were upper class-women/independents, I also had aged out of the dorm, every laundromat was within a couple doors of a bar, and b) am I the only one to remember the '64 classic "Leader of the Laundromat" by the Detergents? Google it, and Richard and I will sing it for you Thursday evening.
Yes, I watched the video! It was fun.
Hilarious! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMoen8uA-kg
A lovely story and another example of the kindness you regularly give others.
Thank you!
Ottumwa has a laundromat in the middle of downtown with the same owners. I have heard nothing but good things about it. New, clean, and inviting, a welcome addition to our community!
That will be my next visit!
I remember getting my arm caught in my grandmother's Maytag roller just like the one in the picture, except hers had a red release bar. Learned a couple lessons that day. I also carry a set of jumper cables with me year round. Met several interesting people that way.
Yes, I grew up in Iowa.
Beautiful. I love it!
Nice story
2 simple things that impacted 2 individuals and those who witnessed it. Awesome!
an article with happy news and kindness. thanks for telling us about it.
paying it forward, as some folks advocate