A Grateful Legacy: Supporting wise elder, poet and community cook Bashka Jacobs

Bashka Jacobs is more than a poet and a talented cook—she’s a living legend whose life embodies the vibrant, boundary-pushing spirit of the 1960s. Now 86 years old and living in Columbus, Ohio, Bashka’s journey has taken her from the countercultural epicentre of Haight-Ashbury to the spiritual heart of India and beyond. Along the way, she left an indelible mark on countless lives through her cooking, poetry, and open-hearted generosity.

I met Bashka in the early 1990s at a Javanese ashram while living and working in Solo, Indonesia in my early twenties. From that first meeting, her warmth, wisdom, and unique way of viewing the world captivated me. She has been my dear friend and mentor ever since, inspiring me with her stories, creativity, and unshakable spirit.

Countercultural History

In the 1960s, Bashka’s home on the corner of Haight and Ashbury became a haven for artists, musicians, and dreamers. She cooked for the Grateful Dead and served ice-cold punch filled with rose petals to Jefferson Airplane. Her poetic reflections capture these extraordinary moments:

"It was the 1960s, and

it was star dust,

it was portals,

it was THE Dead…

Mickey Hart on the drums,

Jerry Garcia and Mountain Girl…

It was cooking for one hundred people when Goldfinger was to arrive

at the Ranch in Novato."

Bashka’s kitchen was a sanctuary for creativity, and she nourished both the famous and the unknown. She recalls feeding Jimi Hendrix before he became a global icon:

"Of course I remember

feeding Hendrix in the Panhandle,

Digger bread;

He was not famous, just a good guy

Who made great music and was hungry."

At Jefferson Airplane’s gatherings, her touch was unmistakable:

"Of course I remember the parties at the

Airplane House where we floated

ice cubes of roses in the punch

and watched everyone nibble at

the petals."

A Life of Nourishment and Generosity

Bashka’s life wasn’t just about feeding people—it was about creating community, bridging cultures, and fostering understanding. Her poetry reveals her deep connections and the lessons learned along the way:

"We split up a head of broccoli to feed,

Looking in dumpsters for yesterday’s food,

Somehow we fed them,

And the musicians on trucks in the Panhandle

who became famous."

Her journey eventually took her overland to India, where she cooked alongside spiritual teacher Ram Dass in the toilet factory where he was living (!) and explored the spiritual dimensions of life. Even as her path evolved, she carried the lessons and memories of Haight-Ashbury with her, always finding ways to nourish those around her.

Kitchen Catastrophe?

Today, this remarkable woman faces a challenge that no cook or poet should endure: her kitchen is without an oven or a fridge. For someone whose life revolves around food and creativity, this is devastating.

Bashka has given so much to the world—her cooking, her poetry, her spirit of generosity. Now it’s our turn to give back.

How You Can Help

Thanks to Eileen, a fellow Advantages of Age r, we’ve launched this GoFundMe to replace Bashka’s oven and fridge. This isn’t just about appliances—it’s about restoring the tools she needs to continue her life’s work.

Bashka’s words remind us of the joy and connection she’s brought to so many:

"Of course I remember

dancing in my satin slip, my hair piled high,

arms outstretched, ears pierced

by the Bear’s sound system

that still lingers till today."

Together, we can ensure Bashka continues to inspire, create, and nourish for years to come.

Donate Today

Please donate, share, and help us spread the word: https://gofund.me/90721f39

As Bashka once wrote, reflecting on her journey:

"It seems to me that we were always arriving."

Let’s help her arrive at a place of comfort, creativity, and joy once more.