Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Blessed: ‘of enjoying happiness; or, bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune.’ (Merriam-Webster) We were in a restaurant recently. My wife, Rachel, sneezed. A waitress and a random customer said, ‘Bless you.’ We smiled. ‘Thank you.’ Rachel sneezed again… ‘Blessing’ a sneeze has been part of our culture for centuries. John Aubrey in his collection ofContinue reading “Bless You“

Yesterday… …chatting to my friend Tom. Recently Tom’s had trouble with his hearing. Conversations have included ‘Eh?’ What?’ ‘Pardon?’ ‘Could you say that again please?’ Recently he’s purchased hearing aids. He doesn’t have so much money in his bank account or an excuse for not hearing his wife Jane; he does have much improved hearing.Continue reading “Don’t Have, Do Have.”

I’ve learnt another new word: ‘Co-curricular’. I know and understand ‘extra-curricular’ – activities outside the formal curriculum. Schools I worked in had an excellent variety – sport, music, drama, chess, dance, woodwork, greenhouse… that many pupils and staff enjoyed and benefited from. But co-curricular? I looked it up:  ‘Activities that are recognized by a schoolContinue reading “Co-curricular Activities“

In London we’re reminded ‘Mind the Gap’. There’s a gap between the train door and the station platform. It’s written on the platform; an invisible man tells us: ‘Mind the Gap’. Musing… The gap between what is and what should be… In our National Health Service there’s… lengthy waiting lists for routine operations… a lackContinue reading “Mind the Gap“

We see tears and celebration,for this life so dignified,bearing thanks and hearts of sadness,to the God of death and life.As he takes her to his promise,of an audience with the King,we remember all she gave us,wreaths of gratitude we bring. This new Andy Flannagan and Sam Hargreaves hymn, sung by Katherine Jenkins, is perfect forContinue reading “Tears and Celebration“

…Yesterday’s local paper… schools making impressive claims. For example: ‘A school where everyone strives for excellence every day… A vibrant and happy place with a fantastic group of young people and a wonderful team of staff who are committed to ensuring continuous improvement in a positive ‘can do’ culture, so that students have every opportunityContinue reading “When Words Aren’t Enough“

Last week I had a blood test. I phoned for the results yesterday. ‘Let me just find your notes.’ I waited. ‘You’re normal,’ I was told. My wife, Rachel, laughed. I think she has a different definition of normal. My dictionary defines ‘normal’: ‘conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected’. I had coffee withContinue reading “What’s Normal?“

Last night… …Watching the football at Carrow Road – Norwich playing Bristol City. We were soon 2-0 up. A comfortable victory looked likely. Bristol improved. The result wasn’t so certain. They scored… The crowd wasn’t happy with several refereeing decisions. ‘You don’t know what you’re doing!!’ was the angry cry around the stadium. Despite theContinue reading “You Don’t Know What You’re Doing!“

As a teacher I learnt that children were bi-lingual. One language was appropriate and acceptable in the classroom; a different language was used in the playground. Children that had extensive vocabulary, interesting content and controlled tone in the classroom displayed different linguistic skills with their friends in the playground. It’s almost a different language. AContinue reading “It’s A Different Language“

…Conversations at Men’s Shed yesterday about religion… Bill, who’s knowledgeable and open-minded: ‘I believed in the Blue Fairy… …who tells Pinocchio: ‘be a good boy and treat others well’… That’s good enough for me!’ The Blue Fairy’s actual words: ‘Children who love their parents and help them when they are sick and poor, are worthyContinue reading “What God Do I Believe In?“