Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moanEarth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snowIn the bleak midwinter, long ago We’ve had a few hard frosts, a sprinkling of snow, our first taste of winter. Today is the first Sunday in Advent; we prepare for Christmas,Continue reading “In the Bleak Midwinter”

In ‘Pollyanna’ one small child transforms a whole community. Playing her ‘Glad Game’ she tries to find good in all circumstances. Doctor Chilton describes Pollyanna’s ‘overwhelming unquenchable gladness for everything that has happened or is going to happen…’  ‘…I wish I could prescribe her – and buy her – as I would a box ofContinue reading “The Best Prescription”

It’s December 1st. In the run up to Christmas we’re hearing the standard Christmas songs. I’ve already heard Mariah Carey singing: I just want you for my ownMore than you could ever knowMake my wish come trueAll I want for Christmas is you Many of us have simple Christmas wishes… presents, food, drink, rest, warmth,Continue reading “Make My Wish Come True”

I need a new garden shed. We bought our current shed second-hand thirty-five years ago… I bought a new sack of peanuts for our birdfeeders through the winter. I put the new sack in the old shed. Yesterday morning I discovered a new hole in the new sack; the local mouse population had discovered aContinue reading “I Need A New One!”

The old nursery rhyme about Jack and Jill has many versions. This is the one I grew up with. Both children set off with good intentions, but misfortune strikes. Jack thinks only of himself, abandoning pail, water and Jill to solve his own problems. Jill’s amused by Jack’s predicament, and a disciplinary mother punishes her,Continue reading “Jack and Jill”

High tides, strong winds and erosion damage have been in the news. National news has focused on parts of the Norfolk coast; we’ve had our local share of concern and drama…The BBC reported: ‘The unexpected collapse of a cliff edge and a road has forced the evacuation of a caravan park as well as revealingContinue reading “High Tides, Strong Winds, and Erosion Damage”

I went to pour out my breakfast cereal and the box was empty… I sat to write my daily musing and my mind was empty. The old song says: When you come to the end of a lollipop,To the end, to the end, of a lollipop,When you come to the end of a lollipop,Plop goesContinue reading “The Lollipop’s End: Nothing Left”

When the night has comeAnd the land is darkAnd the moon is the only light we’ll see,No I won’t be afraidOh, I won’t be afraidJust as long as you stand, stand by me. Sometimes I feel lonely, fearful, unsure of myself. Sometimes things may appear good; sometimes bad stuff is happening and I’m at myContinue reading “Stand By Me (2)”

Yesterday twelve of us met up at Beryl’s house in Norfolk; most of us had trained together as teachers 50+ years ago. We talked, ate, walked, laughed, reminisced; we shared news about families, churches, medical conditions; we enjoyed Dave’s stories… asking for a spanner to milk a bull – and being given a ladle… beingContinue reading “Stirring It Up”

‘The History Boys’ is a film/play about a class of teenage boys preparing for the Oxford and Cambridge entrance examinations. Hector’s an unconventional, eccentric teacher, who inspires them to love learning and understand history. In the final scene Hector encourages his ‘history boys’: ’Pass the parcel. That’s sometimes all you can do. Take it, feelContinue reading “Pass The Parcel”