Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

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”

It’s good to complete a project. Yesterday at Men’s Shed it was good to see some projects that had been completed… Jerry’s wooden man, Larry’s hedgehog home, Steve’s garden planters. Over recent weeks we’ve seen them take shape and now they’re finished. Of course there are many as yet incomplete projects… Richard’s garden home forContinue reading “Facing a Task Unfinished…”

At Men’s Shed we know and care for each other in an old-manly sort of way. Many of our conversations are unprintable, lacking in any social acceptability or political correctness. Like teenagers we have our own culture that you have to be part of to understand! Mac’s, a lovely guy, an ex-milkman whose language andContinue reading “Unusual Compliments”

I’m reading about the history of fishing in Lowestoft… Two hundred years ago men in a local community would form ‘companies’. Company boats would go out to shipwrecks off the coast, risking the lives of crew members, often competing with other companies to get to the wreck first. The money to be made in salvageContinue reading “Values and Priorities”

I was introduced to the mnemonic KISS – ‘Keep It Simple, Stupid’ – on school management courses. I enjoyed looking round the room and considering the head-teachers, some of who took themselves very seriously, being referred to as stupid. On Saturday we watched the launch of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship rocket. We heard about ElonContinue reading “KISS: Keep It Simple…”

I, the Lord of sea and sky,I have heard My people cry.All who dwell in dark and sin,My hand will save.I who made the stars of night,I will make their darkness bright.Who will bear My light to them?Whom shall I send? This last week has constantly reminded us that we live in a suffering world.Continue reading “I the Lord of Sea and Sky”

Headline in yesterday’s Lowestoft Journal: ‘Pakefield chalets facing demolition due to coastal erosion.’ The article explained: ‘Three chalets that perch precariously on a vulnerable clifftop are to be demolished.’ Due to unprecedented rates of coastal erosion one chalet on the site was demolished last year, and these properties were deemed unsafe. Weather permitting, the demolitionContinue reading “Close To The Edge”

I continue to enjoy reading the Bible: a couple of chapters each day; the complete Bible each year. Old stories read in a fresh light, new insights not noticed before. The depth of mystery that’s beyond my intellect, the spiritual truth that’s beyond my experience, yet the simplicity that a child can appreciate and understand.Continue reading “Peace At All Times And In Every Way”

Last night I had a weird dream. I was on holiday in a foreign city. My friends all left me. I was given a van, but the roads out of the city were blocked; then someone drove my van away. I couldn’t speak the language, I had no money, I was lost and alone. IContinue reading “Moving On”