"Watch out for the broken glass, put your shoes and socks on and come along with me."

The title for the post is taken from "Kentucky Avenue", one of my favourite songs by Tom Waits, containing some of his childhood memories.

It has suddenly struck me that Marcel, one of my dolls, is just the kind of a boy that could be Waits' childhood companion - mischievous yet full of energy and imaginative. Running round the neighbourhood all day, being a nuisance to the local community but at the same time charming in his own, boyish way.

And here he is, a hole in his sock and not-so-clean feet, after a busy day of climbing trees, running and making up big adventures. I envy him, I really do.