Author Archives: Liz Barron

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About Liz Barron

Returned US Peace Corps Volunteer (Armenia 17-19). Permanent address in Washington DC. Deep roots in Northern Ireland and persistent Belfast accent. Blogger, cook, painter, mother, grandma, Scrabble-player and enthusiastic world traveller.

The Night We Shut The Place Down

Posted on November 5, 2016 by Liz Barron

The weathered wood sprite danced towards the door, shouting over a tweeded shoulder at someone unseen. “I’m away on now. Sure, I’ll see you through the week” If Richard Burton had been from Belfast, this is how he would have … Continue reading →

Posted in Belfast, down and out, drinking, eating out, errors of judgement, friendship, Shepherd's Bush | Leave a comment

Cold Feet?

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Liz Barron

I don’t own a pair of socks, and although I have many pairs of shoes, I prefer my feet to be bare when I am in the house. This won’t do in Armenia, where I now know people always wear … Continue reading →

Posted in drinking, know thyself, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Sweet Sorrow

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Liz Barron

The Curly Wurly, thin in its wrapper, looked pliant and chewy, just like a real one. The Turkish delight, made in felt, had the flaccid appearance of the actual chocolate bar. The Sherbet dip’s stem stood at exactly the right length, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in art, family, Fundraising, joy | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mother of Parliament: Thank You to Dame Rosie Winterton

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Liz Barron

Dame Rosie Winterton DBE has been relieved of her duties as the Labour Party’s Chief Whip in the latest cabinet reshuffle. She has held the position for six years, holding Labour MP’s together (at least on the floor of the … Continue reading →

Posted in friendship, house of commons, labour party | Tagged | 2 Comments

Merrily they roll along…

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Liz Barron

  The elderly and infirm in Watchet, Somerset know how to have a good time. Do you need a license for one of those? 

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Why Armenia?

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Liz Barron

My sister fears that I will spend my old age gibbering incontinently in her outhouse. My decision to leave the world of employment in favour of two years unpaid in Armenia has caused her to sputter more than usually loudly … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, know thyself, Peace Corps, personal failings, straight-talking sister, travel | Comments Off on Why Armenia?

Ungroomed for good effect

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Liz Barron

For Eileen Hughes, Kitty Barrett and Allen Rodriguez–and everyone else living with dementia. I am now a world record holder in a field event. Look out for me in the next Guinness Book of Records, under S for scarecrow. I … Continue reading →

Posted in clothes, Dementia, sporting achievements | Leave a comment

Of Luggage and Laundry

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Liz Barron

  If I am going to have a great international adventure, I will need to get a handle on my luggage. My father always advised that no-one should ever pack more than they could easily manage to move by themselves. … Continue reading →

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When Grandma goes gallivanting

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Liz Barron

My granddaughter, aged three, is now three thousand miles away. (I am the one who did the moving. I’m now in London, while she is at home near Washington DC.) She stayed with me for three days before I left … Continue reading →

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No halt for the lame?

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Liz Barron

My knees are the subject of unprecedented scrutiny, on both sides of the Atlantic. I have had to raise my hemline for two orthopaedic specialists in the last couple of weeks, for,if I am to be a volunteer in Armenia … Continue reading →

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