It must be some sort of deep rooted primeval urge that makes one feel the need to SPRING CLEAN !!
It always happens at this time of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. Possibly it is something to do with the Jacarandas which are peeping slightly in purple shyness from some very special trees right now. Maybe it is the scent of the Syringa blossoms (a love hate battle rages within most savage breasts at this time )
Maybe it could be the bouganvilla which are stunning in the extreme this year, maybe the "yesterday Today and Tomorrow" bloom, with that exotic heady scent invades our cleanliness urges.
Or possibly the glorious perfume that exudes from the Moon-flower, whose massive trumpet flowers fall too quickly especially in the November wind
Whatever it is, I can feel it welling. Being of slightly short stature and of growing short sightedness, I seldom notice cobwebs, dust and grime. But suddenly in November, my eagle eye can spot a speck, a fleck, a mite of house dust and I am out there, spit polish and all.
Down come the curtains, out comes the feather duster, the washing machines roars all day long, the steam cleaner steams furiously, the soap powder in the shops becomes scarce and everyone thinks there will be a shortage and starts hoarding accordingly.
"Out damned spot" I shriek in rage, Mother's voice rings in my ears from up above "Cleanliness is next to Godliness now dear !!"
"All will come out in the wash" I can hear her as clear as a bell.
The Bridge Girls are sad, they are surely missing my company, but I well know that It's hard to be brilliantly skilful and attentive when you have an overwhelming desire to be clean.
The school committees are marking me as absent but I have a wonderful excuse "Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run."
At this time of the year I worry that I might suffer from Ablutophobia - Fear of washing or bathing or possibly Amathophobia - Fear of dust.
Is there a not a hint of Bacillophobia - Fear of microbes or even a smidgen of Bacteriophobia- Fear of bacteria
Heehoo starts muttering about OCD, he sends me links on the e mail of strange blog sites the latest with the surprising title "What is Fear Of Dirt "
Each year apparently this surprisingly common phobia causes countless people needless distress. To add insult to an already distressing condition, most fear of dirt therapies take months or years and sometimes even require the patient to be exposed repeatedly to their fear.
It is however believed that not only is this totally unnecessary, it will often make the condition worse. And it is particularly cruel as fear of dirt can be eliminated with the right methods and just 24 hours of commitment by the phobic individual. Known by a number of names - Rupophobia and Fear of Dirt being the most common - the problem often significantly impacts the quality of life.
It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences fear of dirt in their own way and may have different symptoms.
And so .... until Spring is Sprung and the Grass is Riz - look for me under the feather duster or standing firmly arms akimbo, next to the washing machine.
The biggest worry is, what happens when a Southern Hemisphere lass visits the Northern Hemisphere, does the same primeval urge attack one in SPRING TIME there
I sincerely hope not cos I am totally all washed out !!