more swiftly than asparagus is cooked

How young is too young to baby-sit the father? This of course is one of the burning issues of our times.

On 1 side of the issue are those who believe 11 is the magic number. Then some say, 12 is better. Then there are those who say it depends on how responsible that young person is and that age is not the issue at all. I've had personal experience with this issue. My eldest daughter is now 11 years old. She is very responsible and very capable of looking after her younger sisters, one of whom is aged 9 and the other is soon to be turning 7. They sometimes like to to do kind deeds for me. One day about 3 or 4 months ago they were visiting me ( I am now seperated from my wife ) and decided to make me a pot of tea. So, I showed Julia, my eldest , how to make tea. I said, you fill the kettle with water. Boil the water and then fill the teapot with hot water. Put 2 teabags in the teapot. Stir and allow to brew for 3 or 4 minutes and then it is ready to be poured into the mug. Add 2 sugars and some milk. Stir and serve to your grateful father. I left Julia in charge and I went into my bedroom for a read of my book.

I forgot to mention, I have an electric kettle. Postera crescam laude , we grow in the esteem of future generations. So for those parent's in generations to come, I am relaying this story, bonum commune communitatis.

Luckily, I needed to use the bathroom and when I left my room I could see the stove in the kitchen, with a plastic, electric-kettle on the stove. "Ab irato ," I shouted. I was indeed a trifle irritated by this development. Sure enough; celerius quam asparagi cocuntur, more swiftly than asparagus is cooked, I had a liitle bit of a crisis on my hands.

I ran into the kitchen and saw the plastic kettle sitting on top of the burner and I could see the burner under the kettle burning brightly. Luckily, damnum absque injuria, there was damage but no one was hurt. My kettle melted but it did not catch fire. There was a lot of smoke and I had to open the windows and take them for a walk. It was a long time before that smell was completely vanquished.

I believed at that time it was a matter of, accidents do happen. Errare humanum est, or to err is human but I now think that, on reflection I will let Julia grow up a little. After all: experientia docet, experience teaches. And for those who are not swayed by this story. Ipso Facto, ignorantia juris non excusat, or if you'd prefer the more common phrase: ignorance of the law is no excuse.