Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Necessary Surgery: Dan Snow says: Today, August 12th, in 1865, Joseph Lister was the first surgeon to operate using an antiseptic. Influenced by Louis Pasteur, Lister believed that infection frequently caused post-operative death: ‘His surgeons had to wash their hands, their instruments and the operating surfaces in carbolic acid solution.’ Lister’s death rate dropped; otherContinue reading “When Good Things Hurt”

Men’s Shed on Saturday… I joined other old men drinking tea, eating bacon rolls and doughnuts… looking back, reflecting on their lives… Granddaughter-Hannah yesterday… spent the afternoon with us, Sunday lunch, sitting in the garden… A twenty-year-old looking back, looking forward, reflecting… Matthew Chapter 1 this morning… reading the beginning of Mattew’s gospel: ‘A recordContinue reading “Unique Lives”

It’s strange how childhood memories sometimes come from apparently nowhere… Recently I recalled my Mum singing ‘The Stranger of Galilee’. I guess Dad would have played it on the piano… Mr Google, on various sites, tell me that Lelia Naylor Morris wrote it. Born in Ohio in 1862, the fifth of seven children, Lelia learnedContinue reading “The Stranger of Galilee”

Earlier this week I was chatting with Des, who’s involved with running the Seagull Theatre. We were talking about the range of activities and clubs for children and pensioners, folks with physical and mental disabilities, and the efforts made to include all. There was a particular issue: Should a disabled girl in a wheel chairContinue reading “Inclusion, Exclusion and Boundaries”

We lose things… our car keys, credit card, the odd sock – that went in the washing machine but never came out. We lose our way… when walking round an unfamiliar town, driving in the countryside, taking the wrong turning. Losing people can be ambiguous… If I said, ‘I lost my daughter many years ago,’Continue reading “Losing It”

Every morning I go to the bathroom, shave, shower… Looking in the shaving mirror what would I like to see? A newspaper report states that one in four primary schools – more than a million primary pupils – go to schools without any full-time male teacher. Experts warn of a rise in misogyny due toContinue reading “Looking in the Mirror…”

Yesterday my friend Jack mentioned the ‘horse and water interface’. He was referring to the old English proverb, ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink’. Mr Google tells me that it was recorded as early as 1175 in ‘Old English Homilies’ and it appeared in John Heywood’s 1561 publication:Continue reading “The Horse and Water Interface”

On Saturday we went to Norwich for the football, our final pre-season friendly, against the Dutch side Breda. We have a new manager, Liam Manning, and a number of new players, so we weren’t sure what to expect. The team looked strong, skilful, well-organised; we won 2-0. New players were good; the manager has startedContinue reading “The Best Person for the Job”

This morning I had a weird dream: We were staying at someone’s house. We needed to come home; we couldn’t… There was a car to drive; I didn’t know how to… We had extra stuff to bring; it wouldn’t all fit in… We had to return the car to its owner; we didn’t know whereContinue reading “Anxiety and Stress”

Yesterday I read the words of the Jewish prophet Micah: And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ ‘I reflected on his world of international conflict and spiritual decline 2,700 years ago. Today’s world of war, injustice and hunger, where theContinue reading “God of Justice”