Category Archives: Uncategorized

‘Crocodile tears’ cropped up in conversation… Someone sheds ‘crocodile tears’ if they’re pretending to be sad or sympathetic. They’re superficial, insincere, hypocritical in their words and expressed emotions. I asked Mr Google. The phrase has been used for centuries. Crocodiles were thought to shed tears whilst consuming their prey. Apparently fluid from a crocodile’s tearContinue reading “Crocodile Tears”

Yesterday I was thinking about Julie Andrews singing ‘My favourite things’ – ‘Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens…’ Yesterday I was out clearing fallen leaves and I remembered ‘Autumn Leaves’, a song that we used to sing in school assemblies fifty years ago. It was in ‘ComeContinue reading “Autumn Days”

The first Friday of October – yesterday – was World Smile Day. Started by Harvey Ball, the commercial artist who created the smiley face, it reminds us of the power of a smile. Three people helped me to smile yesterday… …Wednesday was Julie Andrews’ 90th birthday. We remembered this at our ‘Singing for Wellbeing’ groupContinue reading “Smiling – with Julie, Sarah and Joe.”

Last night we went to Norwich to watch Hamilton… Recently Al’s been making a ramp. Earlier this week he completed it. He posted on Facebook: ‘Now a very disabled man can safely leave his front door without overstretching and losing his walker. For safety, non-slip paint and chicken wire will be added.’ Al’s friend canContinue reading “Hamilton – with Ramps, Deafness and Wolves”

Josh, from the Seagull Theatre, was talking about the difference between acting and performing. At drama school he was trained in acting; rehearsing for a play, the director’s requiring him to act in a particular way. He’s also a children’s entertainer – he performs with his story telling and magic tricks. I wondered whether teachersContinue reading “Lessons About Training”

Musing on two conversations… Yesterday Jack said that in any marketing programme don’t dwell on the negative but accentuate the positive… selling carpet cleaner you move quickly from dirt removal to the clean, sweet smelling final result. On Monday Chris said that I mention death too much in my blog; he wanted something more lifeContinue reading “Life, Death and the Delicate Balance”

I had this idea. I’d lead a church service with songs, readings, prayers – the usual mix, but when it came to the sermon/homily/talky-bit I’d stay seated and silent. I wanted to see how long it would be before someone did something or said something. I’d thought of lessons to draw from it, but IContinue reading “When I Have Nothing”

When Ellie was born her parents, Yvonne and Mark, were told she had Down Syndrome and would likely never walk or talk. On Saturday model and actress Ellie Goldstein danced on Strictly Come Dancing. Ellie already has an impressive list of achievements… Gucci model, Vogue cover girl, acting in Malory Towers, launching the first BarbieContinue reading “When Good News Meets Bad News”

I first heard this old song many years ago as a teenager – Mr Google tells me it was released in 1962. Country music in general, and Jim Reeves in particular, were certainly not my favourite… but I recently remembered this song. There have been times when life has been busy. There’s been plenty toContinue reading “Where Do I Go From Here?”

Yesterday, at our Music for Wellbeing group, we sung ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ – a song I always associate with ‘Morecambe and Wise’. Geoff and Mary, a couple in their eighties, were there for the first time. I’ve known them for many years but haven’t seen them for a while. Geoff looks fit, but his dementiaContinue reading “Bring Me Sunshine”