What about Ethel?

This was so unfair! After years of dedication, this was the thanks she received?

Ethel lay on the counter, a simple yellow hand mixer, passed down through this family for three generations, staring at the new stainless steel monstrosity in front of her, the name "KitchenAid" displayed on the side.

Well, this was to be expected. In every generation she was the starter tool. The one given to the kid going to college or striking out on their own for the first time. She loved that. It made her feel like a pioneer in those black-and-white movies her latest owner, Jessie, loved so much. But that didn't mean it didn't hurt just as much every time they decided to "upgrade."

She thought back longingly to the last thing she and Jessie had made together. Banana nut bread. Another thing that had been passed down through generations. She had been there when the recipe was created. Jessie's grandmother Jamie Lynn had spent weeks working out variations until she got just the right mix. And Ethel had been her tool of choice through it all.

Maybe things wouldn't be so bad this time. Jessie was a sweet girl. Maybe she would let Ethel work on some of her smaller recipes. And after all, her joints were getting a bit stiff. Maybe it was time to retire.

But she lived for baking. The red velvet lamb cake made every year for Easter was her favorite. And brownies needed her special touch to come out just right.

No.

She needed to be used. And she would rather fry right there than watch another standing mixer take her place.