Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Around the age of forty my eyesight started to deteriorate. I went to the opticians, to my friend Martin. Martin explained to me that he’s an optometrist. Trained to examine and test my eyes, he could detect defects in my vision. The optician would advise and sell me glasses. I understood. More recently I wasContinue reading “Orthoptists, Fools and Faith”

My teenage years were mapped out by the lyrics of Beatles songs. When I was a young teenager they wrote and sung simple, happy love songs; life was uncomplicated. As I grew older their songs had deeper meaning; I started to think more… Recently my friend Robert said: ‘Would you like to borrow this?’ ItContinue reading “Love, Blackbirds and Clay Jars”

Yesterday morning at our Men’s Shed I was talking to one gent whose colourful life includes business ventures, failed relationships, children who won’t talk to him… He went through a period of loneliness, mental ill-health… Coming to Men’s Shed enabled him to get involved with life and people again. Later I went into a localContinue reading “Levels of Involvement”

When I was teaching I needed to get to know all of the children… A first group of children I knew because of their particular needs. They needed extra help physically, academically, behaviourally, emotionally… A second group I knew because they were good at stuff – those who could read and write well, the footballersContinue reading “Unnoticed, Ignored, Dispensable.”

Sometimes when I’m praying for friends, when I really don’t know what to pray, I pray a blessing on them, I love the words of Aaron’s ancient blessing: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward youContinue reading “May the Road Rise to Meet You”

Yesterday in parliament the Assisted Dying Bill was debated and voted on. For several weeks now there have been TV interviews with ordinary people expressing their views. Their experiences of life and death have lead them to different conclusions. I’ve had conversations with friends over a coffee, a pint or a church chair. Some friendsContinue reading “Life, Death and Assistance.”

When folk learn that Rachel was a nurse, she gets told about their particular ailments because, ‘You’re a nurse so you understand…’ When folk learn I was a teacher, I’m told about their teachers who were poor or ineffective. I’m also told about ‘good’ teachers who are remembered either because they were respected, their classesContinue reading “Hawks and Doves”

Yesterday kept saying ‘Christmas is Coming… Get Ready’ In our Eastern Daily Press there was an article about the Christmas event at Fakenham this weekend – including a craft fayre and a Christmas tree festival. Another article described Santa and his sleigh returning, with his helpers, to Dereham to raise money for charity. I readContinue reading “Christmas is Coming… Get Ready”

In school I used to tell of Roman craftsmen, who made sculptures out of marble. If there was a crack or a flaw in the marble some would fill it with wax – which made the statue look perfect. On a hot day, the wax melted and the imperfections became evident. The word ‘sincere’, IContinue reading “Love That’s Without Wax”

I popped round to church yesterday. I helped carry a Christmas tree. There was talk of the stable coming out(!) Some of us will be decorating the church next Saturday. Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent. We’re starting to prepare for Christmas. Wife-Rachel recently had a birthday. Son-Pete gave her a family calendar forContinue reading “Preparing, Planning, Predicting…”