A Good Turn Every Day

Contemplating the mountain of dishes in the sink last night I suddenly experienced a bizarre flashback to the Brownie Guide Handbook, which, if I remember correctly, had an illustrated chapter on the Right Way to do the Washing Up. "Glasses must always come first" suddenly popped into my head. I think there was even a drawing of an eager little Brownie, resplendent in short dress and pompom hat, happily helping Mother- decked out in a lovely smock- sort through the bone china.

Where has that memory been all my life?! 20 years have gone by without me thinking about the Brownie Guide Handbook. I couldn't help but shudder. What were Brownies all about anyway? I think I remember vaguely according to The Handbook (which I hope and pray has moved on from the 1960's edition I inherited) it started when Lord Baden Powell, famous for his dubious affections for the Cub Scouts he invented, needed to placate those pesky girls who also wanted to Think of Others Before Themselves, and so invented some tripe about staring into a pool and seeing a magical creature who would help with the housework?

Even though our Brownie pack was anything but magical and domesticated (although we did boast a fabulous toadstool) I harbour very fond memories overall. It was at that age just before the cruel, life-scarring "Who is Cool" index kicked in: yours truly was even a Sixer. Of the Elves! I believe that the magical creature connections have since been dropped. And those dodgy short brown dresses as well. And those pompom hats. But the mind does boggle as to how exactly Brownies are functioning in the 21st Century, what with all those fun tales in the media as to how primary school kids like to amuse themselves in 2005. I'm assuming that the Washing Up chapter has been replaced by something infinitely more terrifying.

Just to piss off Lady Baden Powell from her heavenly vista, I started with the frying pan.