We have no television in our African home, by choice as much as anything. But there are plenty of DVDs on the living room shelves, including The Waltons, something we watch as a matter of routine on Sunday evenings. Liz and Jon are especially eager to find what happens to their namesakes – Elizabeth and […]
In war there is no colour TV Read More »
So Jon went with the neighbour kids to see crocodiles in a place called Mpigi, a few hours away. Back home for dinner, this was the conversation. Jon: ‘And, Dad, did you know that there was one that was 63 years old and another that was 84!’ Me: ‘Come on, really?’ Jon: ‘Yeah, Dad, really!’
Crocodile eats 80 men, dies of stress Read More »
Speaking about the nature of God, my students will forgive me for inviting you into a recent class. And so will Jon. My class consists of a small number of Americans who meet in my Ugandan living room once a week to learn what they can about creative writing. They get their formal credit from
‘Daddy, I want to be an artist …’ Read More »
We’re at the supper table with tacos and raw carrots and mom is not around and Jon looks at Liz and asks me if it’s possible for her to have a baby. ‘No,’ I said. This was my mistake. I should have just asked for more food or let out a good belch before pushing
Am I a boob, or what? Read More »
The thing about being a kid is that everything is so big, often bigger than in real life. Your home and neighbourhood, the bully at school, your parents … Everything but your younger sister, that is. It came up yesterday when I carried Jon on my shoulders along a dirt road here in Uganda. Am
Swimming in December is one of the perks of living in Africa, and besides in phys-ed at school – where they drill them quite hard – sometimes we all go to another nearby pool where I took the kids for a break the other day. Liz was showing off her dives, how small a splash
Several girls appear to be flat out in love with my son. They’re in his class. He’s 7. Two have proposed. The third has asked him if he’s ever kissed a girl on the lips. This unfolded when Jon was class VIP the other day. He was in front, in his VIP chair, answering questions
Too young to marry Read More »
Thinking of Hannah, our six-year-old. Like many Ugandans, this girl is built solid. She could probably kick both Liz and Jon’s butt at once if ever really put to the test. I foresee Olympic medals around her neck one day, which isn’t a bad retirement plan for mom and dad. Some of you know that
A deflating request Read More »
