Author Archives: memoirsofahusk
“Fildes, – . Infant. Rode over by the cavalry.”
He was the first person to die. Knocked from his mother’s arms and trampled as the horsemen rode in, freshly-sharpened sabres slashing. It was Monday, 16 August 1819. A sunny day in Manchester. Why did a blameless young child die … Continue reading
“Nothing is perfect. There are lumps in it”
I was going to use the first bit of that quotation: “Finality is death. Perfection is finality.” but I thought it was a bit depressing. It comes from, ‘The Crock of Gold’, written in 1912 by Irish poet, novelist and … Continue reading
Fairies and minnows, Codlins and scones
‘Did you wish?’ I say. He didn’t. He caught the fairies, let them go – and didn’t even wish. We’re walking along the canal near Rufford Old Hall in Lancashire. The clump of conjoined fairies – aka fuzzy, aerodynamically perfected … Continue reading
Two-stepping Stetsons and a bear with no face
Saturday night in Dripping Springs, Texas. It’s not, as you might think, named after the effect of high-summer heat and humidity on the human body. No. It’s Dripping Springs because of the fresh water that attracted the first settlers. Well, … Continue reading
‘Liebchen – sweetness – what watch?’ ‘Ten watch.’ ‘Such watch?’
Casablanca. That sweet German couple sitting in Rick’s. Drinking farewell brandies. Speaking English. Practising for America. Flying via Lisbon, no doubt. Where we’re heading next. By train. Trains run to timetables. Hours and minutes are important. Clocks (and watches) are … Continue reading
‘Hey guys – guess what we found? AMERICA!’ (Not us – we find heavenly islands & divine food)
Vigo. Every time I read that I hear, ‘the Carpathian’ – for some reason not unconnected with Ghostbusters 2. The train chatters through countryside dotted with elevated grain-stores. Verges starry with morning glory. It skirts the broad river to deposit … Continue reading
MEMOIRS OF A HUSK 