years ago i remember a young man from our neighborhood trying to convince me that women should cook and clean becuase "women love that stuff, that's what they're made for"... we debated, i was appropriately offended, and i defended womens' rights to be seperate from the industry of the home and traditional roles.


this weekend though, i scrubbed my house like only a woman can. humming, "nesting", restfully sweating and caring for this gift with much happiness. i washed my car, sewed curtains, watered the dirt from the front porch, felt every curve of the bathtub under my sponge, got lightheaded in the smell of cleanser on the stove. and i felt disinctly female.


i got this resourcefullness from the women in my family. my mother sat on the bathroom floor with me and literally taught me how to clean the toilet. she made me average the price of things at the grocery store, and told me about how to save money and still eat well. we made jam and chicken, and washed the dishes together in the evenings. and today, when i clean, when i take care of myself and my home, i feel close to those female who passed before me, and sometimes, (although not all the time) i do love it.