Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Yesterday I watched ‘Santa and the Christmas Wish’, the Seagull Theatre’s early years Christmas show. Two weeks ago there was a script, and empty stage and five professional entertainers. The stage was transformed with a wonderful set. There were days of rehearsal. Music and sound effects were added, lighting was planned. Last week performances started.Continue reading “Plans, Change, Improvement, Success…”

Yesterday was the second Sunday in Advent – that often focuses on peace. I started the day thinking about the romantic comedy ‘Guys and Dolls’. The pious Sarah Brown, committed to the ‘Save-a Soul Mission’ falls in love with and marries Sky Masterson, a gambler who’ll bet on anything… Nathan Detroit, who runs illegal gamblingContinue reading “A Kinder, Simpler Peace”

It’s the second Sunday in Advent. I’ve spent the last week singing, listening to, Christmas songs. Many highlight Advent themes – peace, joy, hope, love, faith… Last night, on Strictly Come Dancing, one couple danced to ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’. I wondered. What if we think of this as a Christmas song? ForContinue reading “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”

Yesterday I was presented with three distinctively different pictures of Christmas… Comforting Christmas… Like most other days this week, yesterday was a carol-singing day. We sung Christmas songs at our morning Singing for Wellbeing group, then in the afternoon Singers for Wellbeing and Ukelele Strummers sung at a Christmas craft fayre at our local EastContinue reading “Christmas – Comforting, Competitive or Compassionate?”

I walked by the sea this morning as the sun was rising. The half-light meant that I couldn’t see people clearly. I said ‘Good morning,’ to people’s outlines. I couldn’t see who they were. I was speaking to silhouettes. Our Christmas plans are still being formed. We know certain events that will happen over theContinue reading “Silhouettes”

Signs of Christmas are all around: Christmas Music… Christmas songs are played on the radio. I’ve sung and played carols at least once every day for the last week… Yesterday it was our Accessible Carol Service. Many groups, including Topcats Charity, Pathways Care Farm, Lowestoft Signing Choir, and a number of accessible singing groups cameContinue reading “Signs of Christmas”

Yesterday I was chatting to my friend Adam, who’s around thirty years old. Adam, who has to live with significant autistic/neuro-divergent issues, was explaining how he’s not looking forward to Christmas, because that’s when his dad died, fourteen years ago. Later I read the old English word ‘reive’ which means to ‘rob, seize, plunder’… ItContinue reading “Changing My Nothing”

In 2009 ‘The Seagull’, our local community theatre had just been saved from closure. My friend Ian said, ‘Let’s do an evening of carols and Christmas readings.’ He arranged ‘Seekers and Dreamers’. Thirty or forty people turned up. Seekers and Dreamers has happened each year since. Bridget, Ian’s wife arranges mulled wine and mince pies.Continue reading “There was a Pig…”

I’m reading D.H. Lawrence’s ‘The Plumed Serpent’. Kay, an Irishwoman visiting Mexico, encounters Mexican people and religion that are dark, oppressed, without hope: ‘For Jesus is no Saviour to the Mexicans. He is a dead god in their tomb. As a miner who is entombed underground by the collapsing of the earth in the gangways,Continue reading “Aspects of Hope”

Last week I was chatting to a friend who hasn’t always found life easy. Concerns about family, work, church and health have affected his mental well-being. He told me that this Rend Collective song has particularly helped him. It’s a song I’ve heard before but don’t know well… Lord, whatever comesMake me steadfast, make meContinue reading “Whatever Comes”