Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Today, November 5th is election day in the US. Months of campaigning… politicians have dug trenches and jumped in, defending their position. Millions of people are casting their votes; a new president will be elected.  Commentators and experts say that the result is too close to call. Half of the nation will be pleased; theContinue reading “Digging Trenches”

Weekend news… Bowers Butchers of King’s Lynn has won a national award at the 2024 UK Sausage Week competition in London. Apparently Bowers Butchers sell wild mushroom and thyme sausages, roast garlic and parsley sausages, leek and mustard sausages… and special spiced pumpkin Hallowe’en sausages. Bowers Butchers award was for their Lincolnshire sausage – aContinue reading “Testing, Tasting and National Awards”

As a child I was taken each Sunday morning to ‘The Breaking of Bread’, our church’s communion service. Eating bread and drinking wine was part of our Christian tradition, something we did as a church family each week. It’s still an important part of my faith today. Come to God’s table, for all is prepared,theContinue reading “Come to God’s Table”

Earlier this week I went to a ‘Halloween Pantomime’. I love the pantomime’s predictability. There’s always audience participation, children are invited onto the stage. There’s chaotic humour, corny jokes and a slapstick scene. ‘He’s behind you’ and ‘O no it isn’t…O yes it is’ exchanges with the audience are compulsory. The contrived and sketchy plotContinue reading “Predictable, Unpredictable and Two Otters”

Politics: Chancellor Rachel Reeve’s budget has raised taxes to the highest level ever. Labour politicians blame the Tories for the mess the country’s in; the Tories say that this disastrous budget will wreck the economy. There’ll be weaker future growth, higher inflation…  In the US the election campaign Donald Trump has filed a $10bn lawsuitContinue reading “Politics and Junk Mail”

A couple of weeks ago a group of us did some gardening at church. We spent a rainy morning pulling out weeds, cutting back shrubs, filling bags with garden waste. It looks good now; it’s the power of persistence. Yesterday I watched ‘The Haunted Hotel’, a Halloween pantomime for young children…  ‘It’s behind you!’ ‘OContinue reading “The Power of Persistence”

The Beatles sung: Try to see it my wayDo I have to keep on talking ’til I can’t go on?While you see it your wayRun the risk of knowing that our love may soon be goneWe can work it out… I love the spirit of co-operative optimism, but can we always work it out? WeContinue reading “Can We Work It Out?”

Some days I hold strong opinions; I know what I think is right. Other days I’m confused and undecided. Like yesterday… …Reading ‘Trans Formations’ by Alex Clare-Young. The cover announces: ‘Situated within the queer paradigm, this book presents the identities, insights and ideas of ten diverse trans and non-binary Christians.’ One reviewer says: ‘…A bookContinue reading “Confused and Undecided”

I love mixed metaphors. Any comments about too many cooks breaking a camels back, or a rolling stone catching a worm make me smile. I listen out for football commentators who talk about teams parking the bus with their backs against the wall or preachers telling me that I’m a lost sheep who can soarContinue reading “Planted Trees, Winding Roads and Mixed Metaphors”

Watching ‘The Voice’ last night we were reminded of the old Paul McCartney song ‘The Long and Winding Road’. The long and winding road that leads to your door,Will never disappear, I’ve seen that road beforeIt always leads me here, lead me to your door. The wild and windy night that the rain washed away,HasContinue reading “The Long and Winding Road”