Malcolm’s musings
Colin the Caterpillar
Yesterday’s news included the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral plans, Tory sleaze, covid vaccines… and Colin the Caterpillar. ‘Colin the Caterpillar’ is a chocolate roll cake sold by Marks and Spencer. Since its introduction in 1990 Colin has acquired and retains a reputation for his distinctive, consistent high quality. More than 15 million Colin cakes haveContinue reading “Colin the Caterpillar”
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Sailor…
Yesterday I had conversations with an optometrist, engineer, teacher, banker and insurance man… I remembered saying, ‘tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief’… whilst counting cherry stones… Whichever word was the final cherry stone indicated my future. Apparently this goes back to ‘William Caxton’s ‘The Game and Playe of the ChesseContinue reading “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Sailor…”
On Top of the World
David Ksieniewicz was golfing in South Carolina last week. His shot landed on an alligator lying near a pond. The alligator didn’t move… Golf-playing friends make excuses; I don’t recall any being alligator-related! Apparently the U.S. Golf Association rule book makes allowances for alligators: ‘Rule 16 covers when and how the player may take freeContinue reading “On Top of the World”
Lessons of Musing
A year ago I started a blog, 300-320 words each day. It wouldn’t be a nice, cheery, Christian thought for the day, nor an evangelistic, preachy Bible study containing comfortable or familiar clichés. My friends are Christian, sort-of-Christian, used-to-be-Christian and definitely-not-Christian. Conversations usually start with the ordinary, everyday, personal, humorous or sad… They may thenContinue reading “Lessons of Musing”
Musings Anniversary
I’ve written my daily ‘Malcolm’s Musings’ for a year. It seems a good time to review… I retired from teaching in 2008, grateful that I was still (relatively!) fit. There were problems and challenges at home and church but life was good. I took on additional responsibilities in church, studied (MTh in Applied Theology) andContinue reading “Musings Anniversary”
Priorities: Patch, Geoff and Solomon
Last week we watched the Robin Williams film ‘Patch Adams’. Based on a true story it tells the story of trainee-doctor ‘Patch Adams’. Rebelling against the cold, soulless methods of his training, Patch upsets the hospital authorities by bringing joy and laughter to the sick and dying, and demonstrating warm-hearted compassion. He says: ‘If youContinue reading “Priorities: Patch, Geoff and Solomon”
Were You There?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Were you there when they crucified my Lord?Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.Were you there when they crucified my Lord? I first heard this old African-American spiritual when I was a child. I answered, ‘No’. My literal, childish brain was right… For as long asContinue reading “Were You There?”
The Duke of Edinburgh
Over the last 24 hours there have been a succession of written and spoken tributes paid to HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His life of selfless service, pursuit of integrity, sense of duty and hard work have been recognised and commended. His willingness to stay out of the limelight and be the ‘unsung hero’,Continue reading “The Duke of Edinburgh”
Future Planning
Today’s Lowestoft Journal discusses the ‘controversial plans to replace the beach huts on Lowestoft seafront’ : ‘The plans have divided opinion among locals, with some branding the designs “hideous” and “too modern” while others say they are “beautiful” and “just what Lowestoft needs”.’ Then there’s the plans for the third river crossing. My friend JackContinue reading “Future Planning”
Resilient
Many years ago I visited a colleague headteacher in his school. Spud Murphy was a good, well respected head, with a quirky sense of humour. I watched Spud take school assembly, telling the story of Mr Smith and Mr Jones. Both lived by the seaside; each built a house – one on a sand foundation,Continue reading “Resilient”
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