Malcolm’s musings
Reaching Crisis Point
Yesterday, I was reminded of ‘Crisis’ four times… On Sunday, in church, considering fresh water and hygienic toilets, ‘The Great Stink’ of 1858 was mentioned… The London population had grown to 2.5 million… homes lacked flush toilets… 17th century sewers were old and inadequate… cholera outbreaks recurred… waste from homes, factories and slaughterhouses was discharged…
Water, Water, Everywhere…
Reading Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ I’ve come to the famous lines: Day after day, day after day, We stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean. Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.…
California Dreaming
I’ve been singing the old Mamas and Papa’s song ‘California Dreaming’ all week. I’d read about John and Michelle Philips writing it… living in New York… the cold winter… wishing they were back home in California… releasing the song in 1965… I remember it from my teenage years…. Then yesterday I heard the Petersens version:…
Listen With Your Eyes…
At yesterday’s ‘Singing for Health’ group we sung the 1969 Peggy Lee song: Red and yellow and pink and greenPurple and orange and blue,I can sing a rainbow,Sing a rainbow,Sing a rainbow too. Listen with your ears,Listen with your eyes,And sing everything you see!I can sing a rainbow,Sing a rainbow,Sing along with me… This joyful,…
Foundational Truth
Last night we watched the Lowestoft Players production of Dear Evan Hansen. I know the show. Friends who have seen it have said how good it is. They were right. An excellent cast created a memorable performance. Evan Hansen is a socially anxious high school student. His classmate Connor Murphy commits suicide. A note in…
All Good Gifts Around Us
Yesterday afternoon I visited Stradbroke Court, a local care home. Minister-Lou was taking a harvest service there. About twenty of us gathered in a large lounge. We sung ‘All things bright and beautiful’, Lou talked about the tomatoes growing in her garden, we thanked God for our world, prayed for ourselves and each other, sung…
The Day of Small Things
I’ve reached Zechariah in my morning Bible Readings. The exiles, led by Zerubbabel, have returned from Babylon. Zechariah the prophet has a variety of strange visions including clothes, trees and lampstands… They’re to rebuild the temple from a huge pile of rubble that needs sorting out. The task seems impossible. God says, ‘Who despises the…
It’s a Daily Habit
Yesterday… …Gill shared this poster concerning Norman, an overweight dog. Together with a picture of Norman, there’s the announcement: ‘This is Norman. Norman is not allowed treats from ANY house on this street. He has told at least four families on this street that nobody feeds him. Norman eats twice a day. Norman is a…
The Little Monk and the Fourth-Rate Bass Player
Brennan Manning tells the story of a monastery that attracted the most gifted, competent monks. One small monk couldn’t relate to the dignified holy worship of the other monks. He felt inadequate. He’d been a common circus performer. Feeling inferior and alone, whilst the other monks were celebrating high mass each day in the sanctuary,…
Hard Times Come Again No More
When I was teaching, I introduced the children to a number of Stephen Foster songs – Beautiful Dreamer, Camptown Races, O Susannah… This week I’ve been reminded of the old Stephen Foster Song ‘Hard Times Come Again No More’. Let us pause in life’s pleasures and count its many tears,While we all sup sorrow with…
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