Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

On Facebook yesterday our friend Jon posted: ‘First Grandfather Clock repair completed’. Jon’s combined his engineering skills with patience and determination to make his old clock go… like clockwork. ‘Like clockwork’ implies dependability, precision… working well… happening in exactly the way it’s expected to… no disruptions or problems. If only life were like that… FiveContinue reading “Like Clockwork”

Last night we watched the Rogers and Hammerstein 1945 musical Carousel. With issues of domestic violence. knife crime and single parent families… with themes of ambition, dreams and hope… death, grief and regret… it speaks to life today.   Set in a fishing community on the Maine coastline, Carousel tells the story of carousel workerContinue reading “Carousel Choices”

This morning, I read, ‘Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.’ It set me musing… …Hearing motivational speakers telling me that I can achieve anything if I set my mind to it …Hearing parents tell me that only the best is good enough for their child …HearingContinue reading “When One Handful is OK”

As a child I knew of TS Elliot’s poems in ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’; more recently I’ve watched the stage musical adaption ‘Cats’… The elderly cat leader and patriarch is ‘Old Deuteronomy’ – named after the biblical book. In the Book of Deuteronomy Moses is speaking to Israel before they enter their PromisedContinue reading “Old Deuteronomy and Refuges”

Gordon was a lovely man whose funeral we attended yesterday. It was said: ‘Gordon was consistent in his faith and character… The person he was as a respected magistrate, in the Juvenile Court, working at Birds Eye, on a local high school appeals board, in his home and family, was the person we knew andContinue reading “Walking Towards Our Fears”

Yesterday in church we thought about being part of a team – in sport, in an orchestra… We considered the picture of the body – where fingers, feet, ears and eyes are all different but have an important part to play. We thought about valuing diversity, appreciating others, sharing strengths, carrying weaknesses, recognising the importanceContinue reading “Doing the Right Thing”

Sometimes my life and my mind get clogged up with events, activities, conversations, promises, people, responsibilities and general stuff of life. When I don’t have the desire or capacity to take on anymore, I appreciate something simple that can speak to my heart with gentleness and clarity… like this song by the Gettys. Listen toContinue reading “Listen To The Word Of The Lord”

In Rob Cherville’s ‘Breaking Chains’, Lizzie, seeking to escape from her life of abuse and prostitution, describes her reaction to being called ‘a prostitute’: ‘The word was a label that conveyed so much more than just the way I had earned my living. It was as though it defined my whole being; everything about meContinue reading “Prejudice and Stereotypes”

We watched the curling from the winter Olympics last night. I’m not familiar with curling, but I’ve enjoyed learning the terminology, appreciating the strategy, and recognising the skill of all involved. The GB men were in the semi-final against Switzerland. (My Scottish friends would point out that it was a Scottish team). The Swiss menContinue reading “Delighting in Failure”

I’m watching four squirrels chasing each other. They’re sure-footed, purposeful, amusing. I’m not sure of they are cross with each other, playing together or just bonkers. Normal animal behaviour seen through human eyes and interpreted as madness… Last year we watched ‘Hamilton’. The story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the UnitedContinue reading “Musing on Madness”