Happy New Year!
I have a feeling of contentment and I must give credit to my dishwasher. As in, my dishwashing machine. I don’t have like, a personal dishwasher who washes my dishes. That would be extremely weird.
My dishwasher is to thank because though yesterday’s shows were amazing, though we’re at the start of a fresh year, it’s important to stay in the moment and at this moment, my dishwasher is running. For me, the sound of a dishwasher washing dishes is heaven sent. (A washing machine or dryer does it for me, too, but I don’t have one of those in my unit.) When I was growing up, we didn’t have a dishwasher: It was all hand-washing, all the time. When I moved to Chicago, the apartments I could afford were most definitely not dishwasher-level apartments. I’ve lived in a lot of different places and maybe there was one in there at some point but really, not till I was 31 did I have a dishwasher of my very own. My love for these machines, I assure you, is real.
It’s the quiet whish and swish. It’s the click when you shut the door and the “thwonk” as the latch locks. When I was cutting fabric a little bit ago, I decided I needed more water in my water glass. I went into the kitchen to get it and ah, yes, there was the sweet hum of the dishwasher, confirming that the machine was busy with its task: sudsing up and rinsing off and washing daily dishes clean. Maybe it’s the sound of “I don’t have to do that” that makes it so sweet; maybe it’s the sound of technology that moves me. I mean, I have no idea how a dishwasher works. All I know is that icky dishes go in and pretty, shiny, dry dishes come out. It’s pixie dust in there.
The sound of a dishwasher running is the sound of calm, I suppose. Calm and reassurance. It’s like, “Dishes are being cleaned in here. Go do that other stuff you need to do. I’ve got this.” The sound of a dishwasher running is the sound of a peaceful home.
I wonder if some are laughing at me right now, waxing on about the sound of a dishwasher. But the simple things in life, if they can make us happy, this is lucky. The happily-running dishwasher does it for me, what can I say?
You all mean so much to me. I’m not good enough with words to tell you — each one of you — just how much I appreciate you. There is no PaperGirl without you. May 2017 be a year that brings extravagance and passion, art and love; may it bring wild, ecstatic compassion and connection — but may it also bring simple pleasures. If you look around, you might find they’re already with you.
Mandy Laseter
I read this with the whish swish of my dishwasher in the background. Lol
Carol
I feel exactly the same way! It’s so nice to hear it “working” while I’m reading, or sewing or doing something else that I want to do. (And washing dishes has never been on my want-to-do list!)
Pip
I love my dishwasher too, and you’re right the dishwasher in the photo is a beaut, I have one very similar 🙂
Pat Hicks
Mary I appreciate with your busy schedule you enjoy the soothing sound of the dishwasher.
Enjoy start up of your classes.
Judy Forkner
24 years ago we moved into our house which has a very open floor plan. kitchen & living room are open to each other & the original dishwasher was SO LOUD. I think we replaced that dishwasher about 10 years after moving in. The “new” one is so much quieter! That makes me SO happy! It used to be difficult to carry on a conversation in the living room, if the dishwasher was running. Now we can barely hear it in the living room, & we can even carry on conversations in the kitchen!
Melissa cooper
My new dishwasher thrills me too! It is so quiet that a little red light shines on the floor to let the owner know it is running and has a skinny third rack at the top for all those long skinner items like spatulas and serving spoons. It’s a Bosch.
Susan
You have such a beautiful way of appreciating everything. Thank you! It is contagious and we all need more.
Martha
I recently upgraded from a portable dishwasher to a built in, thanks to a remodel. The quiet and the joy of no longer dragging the machine across the floor and hooking it up to the sink is immeasurable.
Baa Goldfarb
We had a dishwasher when I was growing up, I remember my dad laying on the floor arms under the DW repairing “things” more often than not. He passed that repair gene on to me. I don’t know how many times I’ve fixed our washer & dryer. A $15.00 dollar part & 30 min work means I can buy groceries, fabric, patterns, chocolate, & pay bills vs purchasing a NEW machine. My son once said Mom why don’t you just buy a new dryer. Lol that was the day I passed on the repair gene to him.
Yvette
OK I’m one of the weird ones, I don’t use my dishwasher only when I have company. I love washing dishes. For me it’s very relaxing. I look out my kitchen window see the wildlife(bunnies, quail, blue birds….) roaming around. Looking at my valley and checking out the weather.
Yes I know that sound and yes I love that my dishes are squeaky clean, but for me I love hand washing. 🙂
Catherine
Mary you are truly a genuine person and your appreciation of a dishwasher is refreshing. I love reading your blog and look forward to it
MichelleM
My husband has made up a little song about how much he loves the dishwasher-you are not alone
JuliaP
Ok, I had to comment on this post. When my sons were little I kept telling them that people remember the little things in their personal life then the big things. It’s usually the little things in life that bring a smile to your face. For instance, I can remember my oldest son cleaning the stovetop for me when he was about 8 years old. So enjoy the the little things in life, they truly are treasures to cherish!
Nadine
I love that you wrote about your dishwasher! I love my dishwasher also— in fact- I love all of my appliances and talk about them frequently. They free me up and make my life easier!
Pam Williams
I also love the dishwasher washing
Sound. But my dishwasher is so
Quiet that I have to listen very hard
To hear that it is running. It’s so
Different than my former dishwasher
That sounded like the local 8:30
Coming in on Track no 2.
Paule-Marie Bunyan
I love my dishwasher as well. We had a portable one when I was growing up. I was ecstatic when my parents bought one. I hated and still do hate doing dishes by hand. My newest one is so quiet, I have to look at the lights and get close to it to see if it is really running. I put everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, except the cast iron in it.
Sarah
You are so right about reveling in the little joys of life. If we think about it, there are SO many, as in running potable water, hot water at the turn of a tap, light to work & play by with the flick of a switch and more, and more and more. So enjoy already.
Matt Maldre
The dishwasher is a magical box.
Jessica Orika
I just had to comment on this… The soothing effect of a Dishwasher. You’re not alone. I love the sound as well, especially after a long day at work. Your Article made my day! Thanks for sharing.
The Mystery, The Pageant - Mary Fons
[…] much I relished this. I hotdog relished it. Me, mysterious? A woman with a sock monkey mascot? A woman who still doesn’t have a new dishwasher? […]