There must be something in the air that’s making all these women toss aside their laptops in favor of a mixing spoon. I’m not judging, I’ve caught it too. Much to Michael’s enjoyment.
Last night I came home, kicked off my shoes and got to baking these delicious blondies. While they were baking, I fed the dog, picked up clutter and vacuumed the house. And as they cooled on the stove top, I made guacamole.
Then I hung up my apron, smoothed my skirt, fixed my hair and made Michael a dirty martini, which I placed lovingly next to the paper and his slippers.
Or not.
But I did (not so) secretly enjoy the role I had taken on. The role of the domesticated woman, keeping her home in order. And while part of me enjoyed watching Michael stuff his face with homemade treats, the other part of me was gagging. I imagine if I was watching one of my intelligent and savvy friends parade around in such a manor, I would hit them in the head with my stiletto.
So it’s the age-old internal struggle. Is it possible to be a strong, indepedent woman who also takes pleasure in taking care of her home and her man?
I think so. After all, despite her squeaky-clean and conservative 1950s character, Donna Reed was an anti-nuclear activist and anti-Vietnam protester. She even won an Oscar for playing a prostitute!
So while my fridge may be filled with baked goods, my closet is filled with power-shoes.
I think Donna would be proud.



7 comments
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June 6, 2007 at 12:21 pm
alissa
I definitely think it’s possible to play both sides. Besides, there is a lot of power in being able to care for your man and your abode. It’s all about choices and isn’t that all women ever really want? The power to choose for themselves what to be passionate about?
June 6, 2007 at 1:17 pm
kwarterlifecrisis
Darlin’, it is totally possible to cook, clean and attend to your man all while being a strong, independent woman. I think, at the end of the day, it comes down to me being okay with myself. As long as I can look in the mirror and like who I am, then I’m good. And who I am can very well include someone who designs a kick-ass magazine cover at work while looking adorable in Ann Taylor pants, Gap shirt and Steve Madden wedges and then goes home and throws on cut-off sweat pants, bakes a batch of chocolate chip cookies and snuggles up with her boyfriend to watch a disc of the Sopranos. As with everything in life, ya just gotta find the balance. I’m all about girl power (’I am Woman! Hear me roar!’) but, at times, I’m also all about being domestic and baking delicious treats and taking care of my man. (That was long. Sorry!)
And were those blondies not some of the most delicious things you have ever eaten?!?
June 6, 2007 at 2:47 pm
clinkny
It’s something I struggle with every day – the Domestic Goddess who wants to vacuum and cook and take the kids to Japanese/swim/piano lessons. And the Ambitious Goddess, who wants to take over the world. I know that the two can happily co-exist, with a little give and take, but it has taken a lot of re-assessing on my part to come to terms with those two sides of myself.
In sum: I get it.
Also: I am SO making those blondies this weekend.
June 6, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Mike
Delicious blondies? Remember, I tasted them.
June 6, 2007 at 7:16 pm
crystall
Don’t worry, I’m still not cooking, and don’t plan on it.
How about one of you domestic b’s mail me a tupperware of that shit? Cool?
June 7, 2007 at 12:45 pm
B.
I struggle with this ALL THE TIME. Part of me wants to travel and live in lots of place and report from exotic locations (I’m a journalist) — and a (potentially misguided) part of me plans every career step with an eye toward how it will affect my relationship. (He does the cooking though — and he’s amazing at it. See, how can I leave someone like that?)
June 8, 2007 at 12:20 am
Kateastrophe
Isn’t it interesting that most of us struggle with this? I LOVE to cook and I LOVE having a clean, yummy smelling well decorated house that I DID myself. But I LOVE my job and I LOVE everything that comes with it. I need a 48 hour day.