This site first publishes a journal of life on the Uganda Equator. It features the experiences of a rather green Irish academic who literally sold everything and packed her factor 20 along with some books and a guitar to start a new life in a sunnier climate. The blog is a sort of cross between Bridget Jones and Bill Bryson if I can categorize it as such. I enjoy writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it. Second, as the start-up journey has been told, I have taken to using this blog to ramble a bit about subjects that interest me. Happy reading!
Jacana Days: Thoughts from Abroad
Life in Uganda and Random Thoughts from a Sixty Something
Professor Carabine,
Having obtained a few years ago a copy of your superb monograph, The Unknown God, and recalling how you began your epilogue, upon encountering the following couple of stanzas, I thought you might find them somewhat enjoyable, even if you may already know of them.
When Noah left the Ark, the animals
Capered and gambolled on the squadgy soil,
Enjoying their new-found freedom; and the birds
Soared upwards, twittering, to the open skies.
But one soared higher than the rest, in utter ecstasy,
Till all his back and wings were drenched
With the vivid blue of heaven itself, and his breast scorched
With the upward-slanting rays of the setting sun.
When he came back to earth, he had lost the Ark;
His friends were all dispersed. So now he soars no more;
A lonely bird, he darts and dives for fish,
By streams and pools –places where water is–
Still searching, but in vain, for the vanished Ark
and rain-washed terraces of Ararat.
The Kingfisher, John Heath-Stubbs
Best regards,
Michael Ewbank
Dear Michael,
Thank you for the wonderful poem. I did not know it. I am glad you liked the book. Unfortunately, it is out of print but I have received an offer to update it and have it reprinted. That will mean very early mornings at the desk given my administrative duties!
All the best, Dee Carabine
My father’s family, the Wright’s, lived at 72 Cavendish St and the boys were good friends with a Jackie Carabine. My father Louis was b1928 on Climate St and had brothers Malachy, Jackie, and Gussie, as well as a sister Mona. Most his family emigrated to the US in the 1950s. My sister and I always thought Jackie Carabine to be quite handsome in a James Dean sort of way in the photos! Just thought I’d share.
Hiya Maeve. Great to hear from you. I remember when we got our first B&W TV way back, your dad Louis tried to get it working with my Dad. I often heard the name when I was a small kid. I guess they lost touch after that. Jackie died in 1999 with Parkinson’s Disease after transitioning from iron moulder to Judo teacher. Thanks for getting in touch!
Hi Dee,
Happy New Year from Scotland. Do send me an email so we can keep in touch and get your news.
Douglas and Patricia