Author Archives: memoirsofahusk
Precious
It’s one of those Zambian names, along with Gift, that always makes me feel good about my fellow humans. Naming a baby girl Precious is just such a joyful thing to do. Lately I’ve been wondering about the things we … Continue reading
Did you miss me?
I expect not. Though now you’ve had this reminder perhaps it’s occurred to you that it’s been a while since I posted. Don’t fetch your cuppa, though. This is merely a stopgap. Not a fully fledged rant, nor a eulogy, … Continue reading
And Charlotte sighs
Reality is fickle. The day is warm, the breeze light to non-existent. Technology tells us we’ve arrived at our destination. But technology is wrong, bamboozled by forces beyond its ken. A woman with bright red lipstick, walking a dog, stops … Continue reading
Flying down to Rio Part III. A Beetle, Jesus and crabs
By the sink in my bathroom sits a small paper bag containing pills. Lomotil, they’re called. A gift from an American colleague’s wife. Thanks to them, I no longer need to visit the bathroom several times a night, every night. … Continue reading
Flying down to, Rio Part II (the bit with the purple feet)
Beautiful. That’s Rio. Well, the public face. If you ignore the favellas. Which it’s hard to do from our hotel unless you wear earplugs. Then you wouldn’t hear the dogs howling or the shots at night. But the mountains are … Continue reading
Flying down to Rio
It’s late April, 1980 BE.* *Before Email I’m in an office in London, not far from the Houses of Parliament. Listening for the stutter of an incoming telex. Sending a telex is quite a skill, especially correcting mistakes. And I’m … Continue reading
Two booklets and a spiral. Ways of being humankind
Poetry seems to stalk the streets of Liverpool. Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration given I’m basing it on a mere two examples, but they are good ones. I’ll start with the most recent. Last year I went to … Continue reading
MEMOIRS OF A HUSK 