Next project ... on the line

When we first moved into our house in 2004, this strange round contraption was attached to the wall of our enclosed patio, about 6 feet high. It took me a few weeks to get around to inspecting it closely enough to figure out it was a clothesline.

Ingenious, in good working condition, and probably about 25 years old. If you pulled it all the way out, you could attach it to a hook that was installed on the opposite wall. And it wound up like a tape measure when you let it go.

Forgive me, but I promptly detached it from the wall and threw it away. (See where it used to be, at left) Looking back, I think I didn't like how it was right outside the sliding door where you could almost hit your head on it. And I probably thought I would NEVER dry my clothes outside because I finally had my own dryer.

My goal this summer is to make use of the intense desert heat, and save some energy at the same time. I love my dryer, but it heats up the house as I'm air-conditioning it.

Seriously, it probably will take LESS time to dry my clothes in the bone-dry 110-degree sun! Can't wait to try this. On the lookout for a new (or used) contraption similar to the old one.

Wish I had some foresight back in 2004.