Phyllis Diller (1917- 2012)

From the archives of All things Ironing - Phyllis Diller (July 17, 1917 – August 20, 2012)

Sadly, Phyllis Diller died today, aged 95.

We remember Phyllis for her zany sense of humor, being the only quoted comedian to venture into the world of ironing.

Phyllis Diller (1917-2012)

"The only time I ever enjoyed ironing was the day I accidentally got gin in the steam iron."

Phyllis Diller

"I buried a lot of my ironing in the back yard."

Phyllis Diller

"I'm eighteen years behind in my ironing."

Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller was an American actress and stand up comedian, although she would probably prefer comedienne.

 

Phyllis created a stage character of an eccentric, wild-haired, zany housewife who made self-deprecating jokes about her age and appearance, her terrible cooking, and a husband named "Fang". We will miss her.

"Thank you for the best times Pyllis. Rest In Peace."

Henry Yuzuru Sugimoto (1900-1990)

From the archives of All things Ironing - Irons in oils.

Henry Yuzuru Sugimoto (1900-1990)

Henry Sugimoto - Susie ironing in room at the interment camp

Henry Yuzuru Sugimoto, an Japanece American artist, teacher and a survivor of Japanese American Internment, born in Wakayama, Japan in 1900 a son of a displaced samurai.

In 1919, he immigrated to the United States and changed his name to Henry. He graduated high school in 1924 and went on to study at California College of Arts and Crafts and the California School of Fine Arts (now the San Francisco Art Institute).

In 1928, he went to France to study at the Académie Colarossi in Paris.


In 1932, Sugimoto returned to California where he enbarked on a one-man show at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. The show became the foundation of his professional career.

Sugimoto was living in the United States when the United States declared war on Japan in the Second World War. He was interned with Japanese-Americans in Jerome War Relocation Center from October 1942 through June 1944 and at Rohwer War Relocation Center until August 1945.

David McCosh (1903-1981)

From the archives of All things Ironing - Irons in oils.

David McCosh (1903-1981)

David McCosh - A woman ironing (1931)

David McCosh, an American painter and teacher, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1903.

In 1922, he first studied art at Coe College and a year later embarked on six years of study at the Art Institute of Chicago, from which he graduated in 1926. In 1927, McCosh won a prestigious John Quincy Adams Fellowship, enabling him to travel and paint in Europe up till 1928.

In 1930, while painting in Oyster Bay, Long Island, McCosh met Anne Kutka, a gifted painter her self. The two were married in New Mexico in July 1934.

In 1932, McCosh began teaching at the Art Institute and at the Stone City Art colony in Iowa and two years later accepted an appointment at the University of Oregon, where he taught painting, drawing, and lithography until his retirement in 1970. McCosh died in Eugene in 1981.

"Learning to paint is learning to see, not to recognise familiar things."

Although McCosh put a lot of energy and thought into teaching, painting was the focus of his life. Despite experimenting with many styles his paintings were based on careful observation. “Learning to paint,” McCosh said, “is learning to see, not to recognize only familiar things.”

Beautiful Victoria

When we are not ironing - Daytrip to Country Victoria.

Every now and then, when the daily grind gets to us, a quick remedy is a day trip to the Victorian countryside.  Kinglake, so devastated during Black Saturday three years ago is just an hour or so drive from the City.  Come through St. Andrews and you might catch a weekend market.  The road to Kinglake here is winding and narrow, but offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. 

Kinglake sign

This area was burned to the ground three years ago and the scars are still visible, but between the black stumps, new growth of lush green has erupted as the bush is recovering.

Make sure to stop off at the Kinglake township and visit the local stores. The locals, traders and shop keepers can do with the extra business and appreciate that we remember what they've been through when the fires ripped their lives and community apart.

Kinglake pub

You can't miss the Kinglake pub. It is one of the great "Country Pubs" in the region. The food is of excellent quality and value for money with hearty country style meals. Most of the herbs and veggies used are grown in their own veggie garden. They also offer coffee and cakes all day every day and delicious cooked breakfasts on the weekend.

By now, we can not resist and point the steering wheel down a side road that winds its way to Yea, and then its on to Alexandra and Eildon before the waether turns.



The Cathedral peeking over the hill near Taggerty

Streaks of sunlight filter through an eucalypt plantation

Brewing storm on the horizon

A solitary gum tree lit up briefly before the sun disappeared behind the clouds for the day

Returning through Healsvile, we drive by French's Laundry which burned down on July the 10th this year.

90 years in business and employing 30 people, it was a bit of a blow to Healsville.  Remarkably though, the community has rallied behind devastated owner David Nguyen and his staff, with the Healesville Football Club letting the business use its Don Rd rooms as a headquarters.



Not much remains of French's laundry after it was consumed by fire

French's are now operating from a temporary factory in Hunter Rd, until the owners find a bigger factory to move into.


The folks at French's Laundry have been looking after our customer's linen and large laundry for 20 years, so it is good news to hear they are battling on, saving the 30 jobs and rebuilding. There is that remarkable country spirit again.

Miles of Ironing

From the archives of All things Ironing - Miles of Ironing.

I have not been able to verify the original source of this story, having found various web articles claiming authorship but all having identical text. In essence, they were quoting a survey from 2008 which came up with some startling results which I will try to relate to you for the purpose of your entertainment.

photo modified by Osca

According to the survey -

Men iron a whopping 73 miles in their entire lifetime

while

Women iron an impressive 215 miles.

215 miles is roughly equivalent to 8 marathons.
That is a bout 2 whole days of ironing each year.

The poll, of 3500 adults found that 45% of men deliberately do the ironing badly

so their loving wife will take over.

25% of men admitted they still get their mums to do their ironing.

The poll also showed that the average person will iron 20 bits of clothing every week, including four pairs of trousers, 15 tops or shirts and a piece of underwear.

According to the survey, 3pm on a Sunday is the favourite time to do the ironing.

A quarter of the people who took part in the survey described ironing as 'theraputic'.

1 in 5 admitted they used ironing as an excuse to get away from husbands/wives, children etc.

Moreover, half admitted they had ruined clothes due to their lack of skill in ironing.

We say - All the more reason to call Osca and let us take the ironing off your hands.