Category Archives: Uncategorized

Before we were married my wife, Rachel, lived in Godstone, Surrey where the Rector was Christopher Studdart Kennedy. His father, Geoffrey, had achieved fame in the First World War. He was known as ‘Woodbine Willie’. Geoffrey was born in 1883, the 12th of 14 children. His dad was a vicar in Leeds, his family wasContinue reading “Woodbine Willie”

I continue to enjoy truisms that seem to crop up regularly. Football commentators saying, ‘It’s not over till it’s over.’ Friends describing their taste in music: ‘I like what I like.’ Shops announcing, ‘When it’s gone, it’s gone.’ My favourite? ‘It is what it is’. I’ve several friends who use this expression; one used itContinue reading “It is what it is”

God moves in a mysterious way,His wonders to perform;He plants His footsteps in the sea,And rides upon the storm.Deep in unfathomable mines,Of never failing skillHe treasures up His bright designs,And works His sovereign will. Poet William Cowper (1731-1800) wrote this old hymn as a poem entitled ‘Conflict – light shining out of darkness.’ Cowper’s motherContinue reading “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

I’m too old… Things I used to be able to do I can’t do, things I used to be able to remember I can’t remember, and the government repeatedly tell me that I’m ‘vulnerable’. Musing again on the ancient story of Joseph… who invites his dad, Jacob, to leave the famine in Canaan and moveContinue reading “I’m too old…”

Pressure, pushing down on me,pressing down on you, no man ask for.Under pressure that burns a building down,splits a family in two, puts people on streets. Musing on ‘Under Pressure’ by Queen and David Bowie, about the pressures of life and love. ‘Under Pressure’ is often on the news – describing government, the NHS, hospitals,Continue reading “Under Pressure”

I ain’t gonna be like this for ever… Things are gonna rearrange, Man I’m gonna change… This is Charlotte. A year ago she says: ’I was very unhappy, I had no confidence and my self-esteem was at an all time low… I was always tired and lacked motivation to do anything.’ Last January she wentContinue reading “Charlotte, Mr Smith and Joseph”

Musing on Joseph… and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat… Close every door to me, hide all the world from me,Bar all the windows and shut out the light.Do what you want with me, hate me and laugh at meDarken my daytime and torture my night. Where? Joseph’s in prison, the victim of a crime he didn’tContinue reading “Close Every Door To Me”

I remember as a child watching Punch and Judy shows. It was a violent, horrid story – Mr Punch, the hero, beats his wife, kills his baby – who’s then made into sausages, assaults a police officer and eventually is condemned to be hanged – only for Punch to hang the hangman! This politically incorrectContinue reading “Punch, Ploughs & People”

Musing… the Two Ronnies: Ronnie Corbett arrives at Ronnie Barker’s house with a bird in a cage. The man down the pub had sold him an ‘Argentinian racing pigeon.’ The gullible Corbett believed him. Barker can see that this bird is no racing pigeon – it’s a duck! Eventually, after arguing for several minutes, CorbettContinue reading “It’s A Duck!”

Weep with meLord will You weep with me?I don’t need answers, all I needIs to know that You care for me… I’ve returned to ‘Rend Collective’. The events of the past week – rising death rates, political upheaval in The United States (United?… somewhat ironic!) And stresses and strains in family life, the need forContinue reading “Weep With Me”