Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Yesterday I visited ‘The Oddfellows’, a small pub in Pakefield… Rejects… In the early 18th century, Trade Guilds that had supported merchants and craftsmen throughout the Middle Ages were declining. Oddfellows, was set up to support craftsmen from an assortment of trades, often folks that didn’t fit in elsewhere – rejects, odd fellows. In particular…Continue reading “Oddfellows”

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week. The website says: Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported… Musing… Neurodiverse-City… a city where folks with Dyslexia, Autism and ADHD, are recognised, appreciated and celebrated. There’s increasing awareness and understanding, thoseContinue reading “Life in the City”

Last night on ‘Big Night of Musicals’ we watched Michael Ball sing ‘The Impossible Dream’ with ‘The Dementia Choir’. It’s a song of courage and hope, of embracing challenge and hardship, of determination and purpose… In this period of Lent we consider Jesus’ journey, the brave hero with an ‘Impossible Dream’ that he described constantlyContinue reading “The Impossible Dream”

On Sunday we saw ‘The Simon and Garfunkel Story’, enjoying greatest hits… lesser known songs… ‘Homeward Bound…’ It was thought that Paul Simon had written it during his time in England, waiting for a train at Widnes railway station; Simon said it was Warrington: I’m sitting in the railway stationGot a ticket for my destination,OnContinue reading “Not A One Night Stand”

This morning’s headline news is that Heathrow Airport is closed throughout today. A fire at an electrical substation caused local residents to be evacuated from their homes and schools to be shut. More than 1,350 flights are affected with diversions, cancellations and delays. One headline reads ‘Chaos in the Skies’. It made me smile. It’sContinue reading “Chaos in the Skies”

Yesterday… …Reading Charles Marsh’s ‘Too hard for God’… It’s 1945. The war’s ended. Marsh returns to Algeria, continuing the work that his God has called him to. There’s a desperate famine: ‘Some men managed to keep a bushel or two of wheat for sowing. These men were faced with a hard choice. They could sowContinue reading “The Hard Choice”

Ipswich-living son Andrew said, ‘Would you like to see ‘The Simon and Garfunkel Story’? It’s on at The Regent Theatre in Ipswich.’ ‘Yes please,’ we said. Last Sunday Rachel and I went to Andrew and Emily’s. We enjoyed a lovely meal with them and arrived at The Regent at about 7.20. There were no lights,Continue reading “The Tribute Act”

A fat old pigeon waddled up, really close to me in the garden. I thought how stupid he was… I was digging. A blackbird came looking for worms, close to my spade. I thought he was inquisitive, intelligent… A friendly little robin hopped up to me by the pond, looking at me quizzically. Perhaps heContinue reading “Living in Two Worlds”

Today is St Patrick’s Day. Born in Roman Britain he was captured by an Irish raiding party when he was about fourteen. Taken to Ireland as a slave he herded and tended sheep. An innocent boy was badly wronged. When Patrick was twenty, he dreamt that God told him to leave Ireland. He escaped, wentContinue reading “Getting It Wrong… Patrick, Charles & Lou”

I first met ‘I go to the rock’ as a Whitney Houston song in the film ‘The Preacher’s Wife’. There are other versions, but for me it’s Whitney’s song. Where do I go when there’s nobody else to turn to?Who do I talk to when nobody wants to listen?Who do I lean on when there’sContinue reading “I Go To The Rock”