Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

This morning I read… King David, who’s has established a strong, stable kingdom, dies. He’s succeeded as king by his son Solomon. God says, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you’. Solomon doesn’t ask for peace, wealth, a loving family, good health, or anything to do with His God and the temple he’sContinue reading “Praying for Wisdom?”

Apparently the Hokey Cokey has been around for over two hundred years. In some countries it’s ‘Hokey Pokey’ or ‘Hokey Tokey’. In Denmark, it’s the Boogie Woogie. Nineteenth century Scots called it the ‘Hinkumbooby’. Whatever. ‘You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, In, out, in, out, you shake it allContinue reading “Putting In, Taking Out”

This morning, I read: ‘David was old and full of years’. I understand ‘full of joy’, ‘full of excitement’, ‘full of charm’… but ‘full of years’? Pouring years into my life-jar that will one day become full? Yesterday I found myself singing ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’. Bob Dylan wrote it for the film ‘Pat GarrettContinue reading “Filling My Life-Jar”

Yesterday… …I learnt about ‘Botides’ …Son-Andrew and Partner-Emily told us about a recent holiday to Corfu. They saw red pots being thrown off balconies, smashing on the street below. I googled it. It’s the ancient tradition of ‘botides’. On Easter Saturday morning at 11:00 Corfu residents throw pots from their windows and balconies… Some sayContinue reading “A Celebration, a Song and a Story”

Many years ago, Christopher Trace, when presenting the children’s television programme Blue Peter, would link unrelated segments of the show with ‘And now for something completely different’. Years later, in the surreal comedy series ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’, a sensible-looking John Cleese, sitting behind a desk, in some ridiculous location – perhaps behind the barsContinue reading “And Now For Something Completely Different”

Keith and Kristen Getty wrote this song, describing it as a ‘children’s hymn’. It’s sung by their four daughters. It may be for children, but it’s certainly not childish. The Jesus, the man with power over wind and waves, calming the storm, is for us all. When my heart is filled with fearLike a stormyContinue reading “Jesus Calms the Storm”

As a young boy I enjoyed going to a friend or family member and saying, ‘You must say, ‘Just like me’, after everything I say.’ I’d then tell a little story… ‘I walked down the road.’ ‘Just like me.’ I went round the corner.’ ‘Just like me.’ I hopped on one leg.’ ‘Just like me.’Continue reading “Just Like Me”

In 1967 the Beatles sung ‘When I’m 64’ about people who were very old. My 64th birthday was ten years ago, so I guess I’ve learnt something about oldness. Yesterday taught me: …Watching Sunday’s edition of ‘The Piano’… Host Claudia Winkleman and judges Mika and Lang Lang took their piano to Manchester Piccadilly station. TheContinue reading “Lessons From Being Old”

In their famous sketch, Ronny Barker, the customer, asks for ‘four candles’. Ronny Corbett, the shopkeeper, takes out four candles. Barker repeats his request. Corbett’s confused. Barker rephrases his request… He wants ‘fork ‘andles’ – ‘(h)andles for forks” (garden forks)! Here’s my four candles: And it seems to me you lived your lifeLike a candleContinue reading “Four Candles”

In 2008 I retired from teaching. The French ‘tirer’ means ‘to pull or draw’; to re-tire is to pull back or withdraw. Sixteenth century armies retreated, retired. Nearly sixteen years ago I withdrew from the front line of teaching… Yesterday I practiced withdrawing – retirement. Not much happened. I sat at home, reflected, wrote, read,Continue reading “May Day in Retirement”