The Dishpan Chronicles Has a New Look!

It is spring, a time of renewal so it seemed to me the perfect time to embark on a makeover for "The Dishpan Chronicles". The first thing I had to do was find a good designer. Then, there were many things for me to decide like colors and fonts.

I was fortunate to find an excellent designer at Blogs Gone Wild! Thank you, Se7en for such a beautiful new look. You will find a link to "Blogs Gone Wild!" in the left column. A round of applause please for this talented man.

The first blog that I ever wrote on January 26, 2005 bore the title "Dishpan Beginnings". Since this is another Dishpan Beginning I decided to excerpt some of the original piece.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dishpan Beginnings <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

This is my first posting so I will begin by saying "Hello". I have choosen to name my blog, "The Dishpan Chronicles" because I have spent so much time, over the years, washing the dishes. Dishes are a daily "have to" and only disappear if someone labors at the unpleasant task. I was chosen to be that lucky someone at the age of 8 so have spent part of almost every day of my life at the sink, armed with a sponge, attacking the day's donations to the dishpan. That is a lot of time as I am middle-aged.

When my friends were playing outside and I was cleaning the kitchen inside, I learned how to entertain myself while going through the actions of a very boring task. I would read up to a certain point and think about what I had read or try to figure out what would happen next. As I got older, I would think out issues that had come up in school such as the American Civil War, which led me in turn, to question why the Christians in the southern sates supported and practiced slavery. That was when I was in fourth grade.

I have over the sink, over the years, written letters in my head that later make it to paper, solved family problems and applied my mind's eye to whatever art project I was currently working on. I have debated many a political issue in my head while scrubbing pots and pans and asked many difficult questions that sent me to the library in search of whatever book would feed my curiosity. The important thing is that the time spent on a dull, daily chore was not wasted. The very repetition of the tasks involved gave me the freedom to mentally travel and explore.

Now and then, I listen to National Public Radio or CNN while my hands are in the suds. This is important to me because I am a very political person. As a result of my political interests, I decided to blog, but my blog will also include thoughts about the daily happenings in my household, and some observations about living. Perhaps you could call me a kitchen intellectual. I also DO NOT THINK that one sex is superior to the other.

I have choosen the name "Kitchen Window Woman" because I have a thing about windows. To endure the time spent everyday looking down a drain, I insist that a window is necessary over the sink!! I have had the misfortune during my life of living in apartments that had no window over the sink. I was miserable! A window lets the light in and one can look up and out at the sun, clouds, trees, or persons passing by. A window offers one a view and can be opened or closed just like the eyes. I prefer to have my eyes open.

I decided to use "Kitchen" because it is the place where so many women spend their time, and it is also often the hearth and heart of the home. The kitchen is a place to practice nourishing. It is also the place where for centuries women have gathered for discussion and comfort. I am proud that I have used my kitchen time to further my intellect and broaden my world view.

A couple of brief comments before I sign off.... No, I do not have, and never have had, a dishwasher. And I am fortunate to have married a man whose sexual identity is not defined or threatened by the chores he does. My husband is a self-actualized man who sometimes washes the dishes to give me a break. He has changed diapers too, and I love him for it.

With one dishpan hand, I bid you adieu

.....Kitchen Window Woman........