I made a sponge cake last week. I only have a hand mixer and sat on a stool by the counter for 15 minutes beating 9 eggs. I longed for one of those cake mixers, you know, those retro ones in robin’s egg blue and chrome, that I could just turn on and leave so I could continue my multi-tasking life. Instead I sat on a stool and watched the time on the microwave as the eggs turned to lemon yellow.

Have I turned in to Mrs. Cleaver? I grew up in the sixties, in the generation of peace and love. I’m groovy! Who is this woman who now sits on a stool holding a hand mixer?

It’s an interesting transition. Practical. I mean, we have children, careers, are involved in community, host family and friends, cook, and maintain the house, as well as our other pursuits. Hmmmmm – what has really changed? Some of my friends are playing bridge once a week. This was something that my mother did! We are involved with our children’s lives in a much deeper way than our parents, that’s for sure! I think that is because our life experience and theirs are so similar. We know exactly what they are doing! The Beav certainly didn’t invite Mom to the ACC to see the Stones…

In any case, it seems that our roles as women are, as they say in Thailand, “ same, same but different.”

I have gone from hippy to Boho chic, and not just in fashion, but in attitude as well that can be applied to various aspects of my life. Idealistic roots elegantly intermingled with New Age thinking, cultural trappings, and life 101. From aspirations of road tripping in a VW van to country excursions in a Mercedes sedan. The domestication of Jacqui happened so seamlessly that I didn’t realize it was happening. I’m actually really good with it! I treasure my home and family role.

The truth is that I don’t really give much consideration to my age or my role as a woman. I’ve never had to stake a claim to the feminine journey. It has all been very organic. I think that’s why I was taken aback when I noticed myself with the hand mixer and the attitude it reflected. I’ve enjoyed all the decades of my life, each with virtues and vanities.