Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

When the night has comeAnd the land is darkAnd the moon is the only light we’ll see,No I won’t be afraidOh, I won’t be afraidJust as long as you stand, stand by me. As I’ve been re-reading the story of Job I’ve been reminded how alone he felt: ‘(God) has alienated my brothers from meContinue reading “Stand By Me”

Yesterday was national fish and chip day. We were told that the ‘crown jewels of fish and chip shops in Lowestoft according to Lowestoft Journal readers is the Golden Fish on Blackheath Road’. If it’s the crown jewels does it sell goldfish? As a child on a Saturday morning I listened to ‘Children’s Favourites’ onContinue reading “Fish, Chips, Boniface and Hope…”

Terry and Christine have been spring-cleaning their beach hut – revealing dust, sand and who-knows-what in dark corners. It’s amazing how much stuff can fit in to one small hut…. And once it’s taken out it has to go back in again. Paul the electrician is here this morning. He’s fitted a new light inContinue reading “Beach Hut Spring-Cleaning”

The last few days I’ve been listening to a band called ‘Foxes and Fossils’. A man and his musician friends… his daughter and her singing friends… so there’s younger women and older men – hence ‘foxes and fossils’. I love the idea of young and old working together. Their music isn’t bad either…. I particularlyContinue reading “Dedicated To The One I Love”

Musing on ‘Tell it like it is’. When does an idiom becomes a cliché? Yesterday ‘telling it like it is’ included ‘no covid-related deaths’, ‘seaside businesses doing well in the good weather’ and, ‘should we delay the final June 21st lifting of Covid-restrictions?’ Apparently ‘We should delay June 21st’… to mid-August?’ Would we jump fromContinue reading “Tell It Like It Is”

I’m re-reading the ancient, timeless story of Job. Today it was chapter 2. Some believe it was initially written as a drama to be performed in Greek theatres…. Today we remember it’s 100 years since the Tulsa Massacre, described as the ‘single worst incident of racial violence in American history’. I confess – it’s theContinue reading “Job and the Tulsa Massacre”

The Jews and other ancient societies passed on their stories, traditions and history to their children: ‘Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to theirContinue reading “Tell Your Story”

Lessons in love I will follow himFollow him wherever he may goAnd near him I always will beFor nothing can keep me awayHe is my destiny I will follow himEver since he touched my heart I knewThere isn’t an ocean too deepA mountain so high it can keepKeep me awayAway from his love I firstContinue reading “I Will Follow Him”

I’ve read the end of Nehemiah. Having rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem they’re rebuilding its community: ‘These were the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth…’ The list continues. Name after name after name… I enjoy reading the Bible. StoriesContinue reading “Meremoth”

My friend Patrick regularly uses the expression ‘twaddle and poppycock’ – to refer to an opinion, allegation – or anything that he regards as meaningless nonsense… Apparently twaddle is of unknown origin. The only suggestion is that it’s linked to the idea of ‘twiddling your thumbs’…pretty valueless Poppycock comes from two old Dutch words ‘pap’Continue reading “Twaddle and Poppycock”