we · drank · cachaca · and · smoked · the · green · cheroot

The first story in boYs, You can keep one thing, describes this old butcher shop in Bill Quay, in the industrial northeast of England - new lamb, sawdust and suet.  The story takes place in the 1960s and the butcher, Sharp's, was there until a couple of years ago, when it was bought by community spirited artist Clare Satow, whom I met as she busked with her friend and accordion at Newcastle's tyneside Sunday market.  My dear wish is to find Clare and ask her if she would play accordion while I read the story at Newcastle's fantastic Side Gallery and cafe next summer.  Are you there Clare?  How about it?  I love the way you invited local people to contribute their memories to your community textile map of Tyneside, and how, when I visited Hainingwood Terrace, you were giving a young girl from the street a swath of exotic sari silk to use in the piece.  It inspired me to start my own community art/textile project with young people here in Newfoundland, which we call The Crochet Hour.  We make one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces, and plan to have a show in June.  Amen for childhood, and mentors, and lengths of silk from India and Kathmandu!