Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Across the country yesterday 18-year-olds discovered their exam results. Granddaughter-Hannah was delighted to get the grades she needs; in September she’ll be off to university in Canterbury. Her family and friends are delighted too! Education through home, primary school, high school, college… This was the final analysis. We say that she did well because ofContinue reading “In the Final Analysis”

We’re going away for a few days. I’ve been amused by the number of people who when we’ve said, ‘We’re going on holiday’, have replied ‘Are you going anywhere nice?’ I guess the answer could be. ‘No. We’re going to a terrible place that we hate.’ ‘Hope you have a nice time,’ they conclude. IContinue reading “The Hope of Foundness”

I posted this cartoon yesterday. The optimist sees the glass half full; the pessimist sees the glass half empty… ‘Are you a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty person?’ implies there are no other options. Sometimes having only two options is entirely appropriate. ‘Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?’ Requesting a thirdContinue reading “The Third Option”

Yesterday I played chess with Roy. We sometimes meet up in a café overlooking the sea. He brings his chess set; I buy a pot of tea. We have a pleasant afternoon together. I like chess. The move of each piece is predictable; there are rules. Problems can be solved by strategies and logic. YesterdayContinue reading “Problem Solving – with Roy, Polly, Felix, Lou…”

Yesterday’s two discoveries I discovered that Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Coins are returning and will be on sale for Christmas. Discontinued in 2014, their reintroduction will delight chocolate lovers across the UK… I discovered that ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ was the first verse of a five verse poem written in 1806 by Jane Taylor, aContinue reading “Pairs of Discoveries”

Weak and wounded sinnerLost and left to dieOh, raise your head for Love is passing by Come to Jesus, come to Jesus and live Now your burden’s liftedAnd carried far awayAnd precious blood has washed away the stain So, sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus and live And like a newborn babyDon’t be afraid toContinue reading “Come to Jesus”

Our friends Kerry and Julian have been constructing a room in their loft. They planned it carefully; builders did the structural work about a year ago; Julian’s been busy gradually doing an excellent job completing it… It’s their house – made of bricks, wood… and stuff. It’s their home where their children grew up, whereContinue reading “There’s No Place Like Home”

‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ Yesterday I visited our church community café. About 30 of us, chatting, catching up with news… …good news about holidays, new jobs, good exam results, a young man who’s been clean of drugs for two months… …bad news aboutContinue reading “It’s an African Saying…”

Yesterday we continued filming for ‘The School That Grew Wings’, a film about the history of The Seagull Theatre. I was involved with some interviews… Folks shared matters close to their hearts… personal stories, enduring memories… community and friendship, lives changed for the better. I’m privileged to be part of this community. I’ve been privilegedContinue reading “Conversion, Commission, Compassion,”

My friend John is making a film called ‘The School That Grew Wings’…. Morton Road School opened in 1897, with four large classrooms for 165, 130, 60 and 60 children respectively, and a ‘marching corridor’. It served the local community well until 1939. Because of the war local children were evacuated and the school closed.Continue reading “The School That Grew Wings”