I had a headmaster back in the Jurassic period who used to send the girls off on holiday breaks with the admonition that "fish and visitors smell after three days." I later learned that this was one of Ben Franklin's aphorisms, but at the time, it seemed pretty original to my 16 year old mind. And it's probably telling that I remember very little else about the headmaster--I'm sure he offered other lessons besides that one, but they didn't stick.
Our house is full of young men. They come and go, leaving in their wake a drift of debris--books, socks, empty soda cans. Apart from that exasperating trait, it's wonderful to have them. And in a few days, our lives will be quiet and dull once more. And while they have been here for more than three days, they don't smell yet. They may be slobs, but they take showers.
3 comments:
Apparently, my comment did not post. In my failed response I made two points: 1. I'm glad that I'm not the only mother who sees the bad (dirty socks, KFC containers, generalized mess) and the good (showers and the occasional good conversation). 2. Our dear Headmaster was good for a few other things, such as Winter Carnival & Mountain Day. His wife also made a mean Sunday supper & wore black ballet flats before they were fashionable. Cheers to you and your Joes.
Hmm--I definitely don't remember the Sunday suppers--I suspect I was not one of the elect...
But this proves again what an elusive thing memory is.
Hello...you not one of the elect? Wrong, so wrong. I was so intimidated by your ability to write a paragraph in 9th grade.
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