Magic Minute Knee Deep in Grapes

By Laurie Smale

MAGIC MINUTE // When I was 15, I found myself knee deep in grapes celebrating their squashing into wine with a Sicilian family… very unusual for an Australian lad in 1962 Melbourne!

I enjoyed the festivities so much I ended up living with Peter and Maria and their wonderful family for 3 years, totally immersing myself in their language and culture, unheard of in those days.

But I eagerly took it all on and ended up with an Honours degree in Italian two decades later.

Not bad for a kid who ran away from school to work in factories because mathematics tormented him.

It was here that I met my Italian friends.

My Italian experience played a pivotal role in giving me the hope that I could be clever, and do something special with my life.

I’m Laurie Smale… Till my next Magic Minute. 🪄

#lauriesmale #lauriesmalemagicminute #kneedeepingrapes #italianculture #italianlanguage

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