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For many years The Eagles’ song ‘Desperado’ has been one of my favourites. It’s about an aging cowboy who’s struggling… He’s currently choosing independence and freedom over connection and love. The singer tries to persuade the cowboy to change… My friend Jack reminded me of the lines: Don’t you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boyShe’llContinue reading “Queen of Diamonds, Queen of Hearts”

Yesterday Jack and I were discussing politicians and celebrities, who, after many years in the public eye, ‘fall from grace’. A secret flaw is discovered; they make a bad mistake. Their fault discredits any good they’ve done. Jack reminded me of Mark Antony’s speech from ‘Julius Caesar’ – that I learnt at school: Friends, Romans,Continue reading “Bad, Good and Balance.”

At Men’s Shed yesterday a robust discussion included sweeping generalisations: All young people today… All immigrants deserve… All who are unemployed should… All religions are… Later I read of Chuck Colson enabling American politicians to meet prisoners, ‘…changing the stereotyped image of prisoners as evil, violent and dangerous individuals. Some are… but the majority areContinue reading “Prisoners, Rainbows and Two Small Coins.”

Yesterday afternoon… We went with the grandchildren to the Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Built in 1903 it’s Britain’s only surviving circus building. This year’s ‘Summer Spectacular’ included acrobats, jugglers, aerial stars, motorbike stunt riders, together with the children’s favourite, Johnny Mac, a mad Scottish comedian. With children about to return to school and the weather unpredictableContinue reading “Part of the Crowd”

Yesterday… …Pictures of Saturday afternoon’s wedding appeared on social media. I’ve been reflecting on the months of preparation… dresses for the bride and bridesmaids, suits for the gents, guest lists, invitations, church service, hotel, meal, disco… And then the day itself, friends and family turned up – best clothes, best smiles, best wishes… great service,Continue reading “Perfect Planning… Or Not”

On Friday, daughter-Jo described telling the story of the wise man who builds his house on the rock, and the foolish man who builds his house on the sand to children in Uganda. On Saturday, at Abbie and Jacob’s wedding, in church and in speeches, there was talk of building a strong marriage. Yesterday atContinue reading “My Ramshackle Shack”

Yesterday we attended Abbie and Jacob’s wedding. It was a wonderful day. The church service went well, the rain held off for the photographs, a nearby hotel provided an excellent meal, the speeches were lovingly humorous, and the disco had many up and dancing. I had many lovely conversations with friends, catching up with news,Continue reading “Raining In My Heart”

My favourite story in yesterday’s Lowestoft Journal involved a strange bet… John Duffield was dining in a local restaurant when he made an unexpected claim – that  no woman could explain football’s offside rule – an unexpected gender stereotype… Unexpectedly, Elaine Charlton gave a perfect answer. Unexpectedly John kept his word and paid Elaine £1,000.Continue reading “Dealing With The Unexpected”

This morning the sea-front was cooler than yesterday. A steady breeze blew grey clouds across the sky; there was a hint of rain. Morning conversations about the weather are often a complaint – it’s too hot, too cold, too dry, too wet… I said ‘Good morning,’ to a woman looking out to sea. ‘I likeContinue reading “I Like Days Like Today”

People sometimes tell me to ‘have fun’. I resist such suggestions. I prefer to be a grumpy old man. My aversion to ‘having fun’ has become a long-standing joke with a number of friends… My friend, I’ll call him Norman,  reminded me of this yesterday… He’d been invited by his son and family to joinContinue reading “Fun, Fun, Fun!”