Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Yesterday wife-Rachel went with daughter-Jo to our local wildlife park. Her story of the day was of her close encounter with a lion… in a cage, behind glass. Meanwhile I was bird-watching. In a ditch, close to our house and a busy main road, was a little egret – a small heron… Rachel’s lion… myContinue reading “Freedom to Choose”

A.J. Jacobs, in ‘The Year of Living Biblically’, describes a year in which he tries to follow all the rules and guidelines he could find in the Bible… The famous ones, like the Ten Commandments or loving your neighbour, are straightforward. ‘Be fruitful and multiply’ and ‘Don’t shave your beard’ are more interesting. ‘Don’t wearContinue reading “Living Biblically”

Grandson-Luca has won a competition, designing a dress for the dame in the Lowestoft Players’ Pantomime. His had a musical theme… Pantomime dames have been around for generations. Men dressing up as women – in this case Cinderella’s ugly sisters – is a bit of fun – traditional Christmas family theatre. I know several lovelyContinue reading “The Actor’s Role and Identity”

I’ve been living to see youDying to see youBut it shouldn’t be like thisThis was unexpectedWhat do I do now?Could we start again, please? I’ve been very hopeful, so farNow, for the first timeI think we’re going wrongHurry up and tell meThis is just a dreamOr could we start again, please? I think you’ve madeContinue reading “Could We Start Again, Please?”

Yesterday… …I walked along the beach in the early morning. The sun was rising in a clear sky over the sea; a new day is coming. Dawn is getting earlier; it was cold; there was snow on the beach. Cold days will pass; spring is coming. …We went to Janet’s funeral. We’ve known Janet forContinue reading “It Is Coming”

Last night we went to Norwich to see ‘The Woman In Black’. It was excellent. It’s a play with only two actors, but I can understand why it’s been running in London’s West End for nearly forty years. Arthur Kipps looks back thirty years… As a young solicitor he’s sent to stay in a desertedContinue reading “The Power of a Story”

Yesterday… …I had lunch with Andy. Last weekend he had a good time with his daughter and granddaughter. He’s had many different jobs, seen the world, achieved a lot. Andy’s never been married, never enjoyed a settled stable relationship. Now he lives alone. As he’s getting older, he lives with regrets. Andy wishes his lifeContinue reading “Taking a Different Path…”

Yesterday I came across this C.S. Lewis quote: ‘There is a kind of happiness and wonder that makes you serious. It is too good to waste on jokes.’ When I was younger, I enjoyed Lewis’ ‘happiness and wonder’ when I was running. Forrest Gump said: ‘Now you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, butContinue reading “Happiness And Wonder That Makes You Serious”

When I worked in school there were teachers and secretaries, caretakers and cleaners, cooks and teaching assistants, experts in artistic display, communication, finance. Each brought a unique, vital contribution to the table. The children and the school community benefitted. ‘To bring to the table: ‘to contribute or supply a valuable ability or quality to aContinue reading “Bringing Something to the Table”

We moved to Lowestoft in 1986. Joining our local church we got to know a mum and her six daughters. Kim was the youngest – bright, ginger-haired, unmissable. I’ve known her through the years. She became a good friend. Early yesterday morning Kim passed away. Our friend Rebecca expressed the feelings of many: ’Your bubblyContinue reading “Kim and Martin”