Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

My wife Rachel usually has a jigsaw puzzle on the go. Visiting family or friends often assist. Yesterday her latest was competed … On a good day my life’s jigsaw puzzle is coming on well. A recognisable picture is forming. New pieces are added, pieces on the side don’t yet fit in, but that’s OK.Continue reading “Life’s Jigsaw Puzzle”

Robert Pirsig, in ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’, describes two forms of human understanding – the ‘classical’ and the ‘romantic’. A classical understanding sees a world of rules, laws and reason with structure and facts, science and technology; everything’s analysed, controlled and measurable. A romantic understanding sees a world of inspiration, imagination andContinue reading “Motorcycles, Sheds, Football, Sparrows…”

At our Friday ‘Singing for Health’, we often sing ‘It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it’ with subsequent verses, ‘It ain’t what you do; it’s the time that you do it’ and, ‘It ain’t what you do; it’s the place that you do it’. In Ella Fitzgerald’s version of theContinue reading “Something You Don’t Learn In School”

On Wednesday we had our weekly church music practice. We went through our songs for this morning’s service – making sure we knew them, agreeing how they would be led. They included ‘This I Believe’, a song from Hillsong that we learnt about ten years ago. Our Father everlastingThe all creating OneGod AlmightyThrough Your HolyContinue reading “This I Believe (The Creed)”

In yesterday’s Lowestoft Journal an article was headed ‘Rare Lowestoft Porcelain Items to Go Under the Hammer’. I smiled. Apparently, Lowestoft Porcelain was first established in 1757… Household pieces such as teapots, tea bowls were produced… Specially commissioned pieces were inscribed with names and dates… The Crown Street factory closed in 1802… The auction’s onContinue reading “It’s All About Understanding”

Yesterday evening Hannah, a young teacher, was explaining to me that today she’s teaching her Year 2 class about ‘expanded noun phrases’. I had to confess my ignorance. It sounded a bit grand for 6-7-year-olds. She explained that she’ll be encouraging the children to use adjectives… instead of writing about ‘a dog’ it’s a ‘big,Continue reading “Expanded Noun Phrases”

Yesterday’s conversations… Keith’s in his seventies. Keith’s wife died a couple of years ago. He went to a good mate’s funeral last Friday. Life’s tough for him at the moment. Thom’s in his forties. Thom’s directing a play locally. His main character broke his hip, his replacement dropped out… Thom’s taken on and has toContinue reading “It’s All About Men”

At our church home group last night, we read through Psalm 145. It starts, ‘I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.’ It’s about the greatness of God, His power, reliability, compassion… We paused and reflected. Roy said, ‘I like the verse, ‘The Lord is goodContinue reading “Including All of Us”

Many hours of my life have been spent in meetings – staff meetings, committee meetings, prayer meetings… Saturday was our Men’s Shed Annual General Meeting. We reviewed our past year, discussed support we’ve received from and given to our local community, our financial situation. Some came out of interest, some came out of duty, othersContinue reading “It’s All About the Meeting”

Yesterday included my usual Sunday routine: I wrote a list for the coming week: jobs in the garden and home, computer tasks to be completed, people to meet or contact… In the evening Rachel and I went through our diaries for the week – our planned activities and commitments… I’d like a tidy week –Continue reading “Walking Trees and Harmonious Choirs”