Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Our vegetable garden is progressing. Potatoes, carrots and onions are starting to show. Bean and courgette plants will go in this week. Good plans have been made. In a few months we shall be eating vegetables out of our garden. For many years we have dreamt of extending and improving the Seagull Theatre. We madeContinue reading “Good Plans, Sad Plans, Unplanned…”

Headline in yesterday’s paper: Southwold beach hut on market for £250k – but may sell for even MORE. The article continued: ‘For comparison, £250,000 will today also buy two terraced two-bed properties in Lowestoft just 10 miles away. Selling agents Flicks are confident the quarter-of-a-million price will be achieved.’ I enjoyed breakfast with my friendContinue reading “Cost and Value”

Yesterday we learnt of Denis Waterman’s death. We remember him as a tough cop in ‘The Sweeney’ and ‘Minder’ and more recently in ‘New Tricks’. We still enjoy TV crime dramas. At the end of many is the ‘confession scene’. The criminal is confronted with their crime and they admit to it. Previously there haveContinue reading “Confession… good for the soul?”

When all foundations have been shakenWhen I’m left standing in the darkAnd all I feel is my heart breakingYou still reign and You’re still God And when it feels all hope has fadedThe heavy questions hit so hardAnd though my soul may feel forsakenYou still reign and You’re still God A number of good friendsContinue reading “You’re Still God”

Yesterday was a good day. We drove to Lowestoft station and caught the 07.50 train to London. We have senior citizen’s railcards. I enjoy trains – no driving, traffic jams, M25, or London parking. We arrived back in Lowestoft at 21.45. All of the trains were on time, clean, comfortable, easy… And I’m grateful. WhilstContinue reading “And I’m Grateful”

Lonnie Donegan used to sing: Oh, my old man’s a dustmanHe wears a dustman’s hatHe wears cor-blimey trousersAnd he lives in a council flat Then, we had metal dustbins that the bin-men carried on their shoulders. I was brought up to get rid of rubbish. Yesterday was bin day. We put out our plastic wheelieContinue reading “Getting Rid Of Rubbish”

I saw my friend James yesterday. A close family member is very ill. James is exceedingly anxious. Their family future is uncertain. He asked me to pray 3 things for him and his family – healing, peace and strength. Healing… Earlier this week I spoke to my brother Bryan. Nearly 30 years ago he hadContinue reading “Healing, Peace and Strength”

William Shakespeare – Jaques in ‘As You Like It’: ‘All the world’s a stage,And all the men and women merely players;They have their exits and their entrances,And one man in his time plays many parts’ My life’s a play; I’m an actor. Family, friends, my local community look on as the audience; they usually seemContinue reading “Acting – with William, Stephen and Marilynne”

On last night’s news: New Zealand dropped many of its pandemic border restrictions; Muslim communities were celebrating Eid; UK chickens, kept inside because of bird flu, are given their freedom. Each of the stories suggested a similar framework   Restrictions – New Zealand have been operating strict travel restrictions; faithful Muslims have fasted through Ramadan;Continue reading “The Process of Change”

Musing… Getting old… Last week I enjoyed Michael Rosen. In conversation about his experience of hospital and Covid someone had said: ‘But he’s 74’. Rosen reflects: ‘‘But he’s 74.’ I think about ‘but’. What is ‘but’ about being 74?’ Now I’m enjoying Marilynne Robinson’s ‘Gilead’, the fictional autobiography of the Reverend John Ames, a pastorContinue reading “Getting Old – Buts, Blessings and Boldness”