'Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.' John Betjeman, Summoned by Bells
When my sisters and I were wee lasses, we used to spend summer afternoons mixing up homemade perfume from rose petals in the garden. I can still remember the sweet, musty scent of our concoctions. On a beautiful sunny day at the Hanson house, spent golfing, laughing and indulging, I enjoyed some time with the cherub-like trio of sisters Erin, Ada and Amelie and decided to pass on the Macleod rose-perfume secret. We made a few adjustments in the recipe and made one batch into a love potion, with all of our kisses blown in before the fermentation process began!
I love spending time with children, because they encourage you to revert back to the clear mental state of childhood; unclouded by judgement, experience and expectation; just being present, and not worrying about the past or the future. Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardour, for their curiosity, and for the clarity and ruthlessness of their vision. We can learn a lot from spending time with them and must recognise the valuable lessons that can be learnt by following their example.
'If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses.' - Goethe
Listening to: 'New Bag' - The Exciters
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