Patric Richardson - Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore

With any great Russian novel, youll likely find a cheat sheet of characters, reminding you who everyone is, particularly the secondary folks who only pop up every now and then. For Laundry Love, I thought I should do the same, especially since so many of my stories star women. (Wait a secondwhos Ruby again?) So, taking my cue from Tolstoy, my list includes personal descriptions; each ones relationship to myself; and sartorial, or clothing, preferences (of course). Feel free to refer back to the list whenever needed.

Granny Dude: While my moms moms given name was Irene, I always called her Granny Dude. She was the matriarch of our family and well respected by everyone she knew. This book wouldnt have happened without her. My love for her is absolute. Think of her as the queen mother.

Mom: Her friends know her as Wilma, but shes always Mom to me. Mom loves beautiful clothes and beautiful living, she gave me an incredible childhood, and she influenced me in many ways with her sense of style. If you want to know what a true Southern lady looks like, just look her up. Shes like Jackie Kennedy with a Southern drawl.

Nancy: Nancy is married to my dad, but calling her my stepmother sounds cold and impersonal. From the time I met her when I was twelve, shes been warm and loving. If you visit, shell have your favorite food waiting. Think of her as Florence Henderson in the role of Mrs. Brady.

Granny Martha: Old-fashioned and Appalachian, my dads mom doted on me and truly would have let me get away with murder. In my minds eye, I always think of her in a day dress and an apron, cooking soup beans and corn breadthe stuff of legend. She would have fit in perfectly on The Waltons.

Roberta: I lucked out with Roberta, Nancys mom, as wellshe was warm like Nancy and I loved her. An upholsterer by trade, she was infinitely talented with fabric and thread, so we shared that passion. The spunky character of Idgie in Fried Green Tomatoes reminds me of Roberta. In a more modern time, she wouldve beaten the heck out of the glass ceiling.

Ibb: Granny Dude's best friends name was actually Ibbiehow wonderful is that? Fun and spirited with a mischievous side, she always wore great perfume and made the best red velvet cakefor my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Combine the personality of Auntie Mame and the style of Aunt Bee of The Andy Griffith Show and youve got Ibb.

Ruby: Ruby lived on the other side of the hill from where I grew up, and was sophisticated and worldly. She taught me lessons about style and polish that I still use today. When I first read Truman Capotes A Christmas Memory, I immediately thought of my relationship with Ruby, but you can think of her as Katharine Hepburn.

Louise: My moms middle name is Louise because of this Louisea friend of Granny Dude and Granddad. Louise treated my mother like a really lucky niece, and I grew up thinking of her as a bonus grandmother. Imagine her like Julie Andrews as Maria von Trappbut maybe Bea Arthur, too, since Louise could command a room.