Basics in Laundry 101

See the innocent looking washing machine above? Don't let it fool you. Apparently laundry theft must be a problem somewhere in Europe because this little machine has a 3-door opening (and thus closing!) process, somewhat akin to Swiss banks, I suspect. SO first, if one is lucky and this door does not have an attitude, one opens said door on top only to encounter a second door with, thankfully, a much kinder attitude. But alas, THEN one encounters the "Swiss bank": the door on the drum that has to be persuaded to unlock itself only if one pushes in the right places, ponders the options, and doesn't get one's fingers caught or worse in the process. Then and only then is one able to load the washer.

Now, remember that one has to reverse this process to close the monster? Well, I didn't exactly remember all the steps. So shortly after I had started the cycle (that's another narrative), Larry and I heard a clanking and clunking and thumping racket emanating from the laundry area a bit like someone trapped in a manhole who has finally found the exit cover above his head but it weighs 300 pounds.

THEN, when said load was completed, you guessed it: Would that top door open even a tiny bit? NOPE! But likewise, that, too, is another story!!!!