"I have an idea for your blog," my mom said a few months ago. "You should write about how people don't iron anymore."

"I know why I don't iron," I said. "Because I don't have to, and because it sucks. End of blog post." Truly, I try to avoid purchasing clothes that can't emerge from the dryer relatively wrinkle-free, and the last time I ironed a shirt I believe it was Easter, and it was my son's, and it was because he was going to be seeing my mom, and she had purchased the shirt for him. My ironing heyday was when I was a child and I received ten cents apiece to iron my mom's cloth napkins before folding them and placing them in the napkin basket (my own cloth napkins are much more wrinkled and are unceremoniously relegated to a drawer.)

But my mom really does believe in ironing. This Thanksgiving, when I hosted, I just wanted to use festive disposable napkins, but she wouldn't hear of it. She purchased cloth napkins from World Market, washed them, ironed them, and then brought them over. That's love: either of me or of a nicely pressed napkin, or both.

Maybe ironing is more of a ritual to her than a chore, but not only does she do it, she seems to hate it much less than I would if I did it as much as she does. So here is a very brief conversaion I had with her about ironing:

How frequently do you iron?
At least once a week.

How long do you iron at a time?
In the summer [when we golf] it may be as much as two hours. I keep at it until the basket is empty. Winter wear requires less ironing.

What is your favorite thing to iron? Least favorite?
Favorite - table napkins because they're easy. Least favorite - anything pleated.

Do you have any secret tips or tricks?
No. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts.

Where did you learn to iron?
My mother "suggested" I learn to do my father's handkerchiefs and her aprons when I was about 7 years old. When you're that young you're proud to have the responsibility. Of course you eventually get wise. From there I graduated to doing his shirts, spray starch and all.

What do you do while you iron?
I usually watch a ballgame or an old movie. Or I'll listen to cds from the Great Courses. If there's an opera airing that I like, I'll take that in. Nothing that takes my eyes away from the task at hand.

Why does it bother you that I don't iron?
It doesn't bother me per se. I just think things look better when they're pressed. Surely you can see the difference. Once you're finished, it's like having a whole new wardrobe!