DEAR ALIZARIN: How I let down my mother's generation

I often think about how women of my mother's generation would be appalled by my bachelorette ways. Yes, even at my age, I just referred to myself as a bachelorette because I feel it is significant that many of my liviing habits are similiar to the typical bachelor of the movies from the 1950's and 60's. (Except for the constant stream of women floating through their apartments).

For instance, my fridge is usually fairly empty.

And, as I prepare to leave on my week's vacation, I plan on leaving the clean dishes in the dishwasher. Sorry to disappoint you mom, but I think writing this and checking my email takes precedence over emptying my dishwasher.

My mother would probably respond with a sigh and lament about how maybe she would be doing something more important if she hadn't stayed home to care of our family. To her credit, she raised two daughters who are finacially and emotionally (more or less) independent. I don't know what that has to do with conditions of dishes or the fullness of a fridge, but I am thankful for both my mother and my dishwasher full of clean dishes that will be there when I return in a week.