As I got older and began having intimate relationships of my own, I observed that being given to hospitality was a rather rare personality trait; perhaps even a ‘yoke’ that many women were going to great lengths to get themselves free from, a leftover burden from the days dominated by the male patriarchy.  I suppose that tradtionally, most hospitality in the home was left to the homemaker.  Today, in most circles it is an abomination to admit to being a homemaker. More sophisticated and educated women prefer to say that they are ”SAHMs (stay at home moms) or WAHMs (work at home moms)”  rather than homemakers.

Well, for the record:

I don’t want a house that is so clean and ‘zipped up” it looks as if no one lives in it

I want a comfortable amount of clutter in my house, it is okay that people know I have interests and hobbies that I pursue

I like to cook, I like the small of baking bread and apple pie

I like to have an open door

I like my neighbors coming into my small studio for a relaxed cup of tea, knowing that no one is going to hurry them out.

I like not having a busy social life - it gives me more time for a real life with intimate friendships; I value the ordinariness of life that we share with each other

I like getting my hands dirty

I like the time I spend sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee and friends as we talk and laugh and watch people pass by in a rush - seeking to fill their overbooked lives;  There is so much to learn when three generations of women sit together and talk.