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‘The Living Years’ is a beautiful, thought-provoking ‘Mike and the Mechanics’ song about a son-father relationship. Written by Mike Rutherford and BA Robertson after both their fathers had recently died, it was originally sung by Paul Carrack, whose father died when he was just 11-years-old. This version by The Isaacs caused me to reflect onContinue reading “The Living Years”

Reframe: to change the way something is expressed or considered: to put a picture in a new or different frame. (Cambridge Dictionary) Reframing a song: At ‘Singing for Health’ yesterday we sung the old Neil Diamond song ‘Sweet Caroline’ with gusto and enjoyment. I’d always assumed that ‘Caroline’ was Diamond’s wife or lover. One oldContinue reading “Reframed”

Yesterday… …at church, enjoying a visit from Lucia. Lucia is a bubbly, smiley Brazilian lady running the administration of an African hospital in Chad. She spoke with energy, enthusiasm and humour; she clearly enjoys her job involving spreadsheets, finance, business management… She spoke too of the challenges that she faces – working in English, FrenchContinue reading “Life Isn’t Always Easy…”

An old ‘Hot Chocolate’ song tells a love story: An eight-year-old girl, a nine-year-old boy in the back row of the classroom… ‘It started with a kiss’, but develops… How things start is important. Yesterday I attended a Seagull Theatre directors meeting. We reported to Grace, a representative from Arts Council England… We reported onContinue reading “It Started With Good People.”

Norwich City have appointed their new head coach. 39-year-old Liam Manning, was born in Norwich and played for the club’s academy, but spent most of his playing career in non-league football. He’s held coaching jobs at West Ham, Lommel (Belgium), MK Dons, Oxford United and Bristol City… Norwich sporting director, Ben Knapper, says, ‘This isContinue reading “Well Organised – with Liam, Kenneth & Solomon”

Yesterday as I was watering the tomatoes I was reflecting on ways that I have changed since retirement… My body and mind aren’t as quick or as strong as they once were… I’m more aware of my limitations… more aware of, grateful for the good things that I have… I spend more time just potteringContinue reading “Pottering, Considering, Musing”

Yesterday our family came round for Sunday lunch. There was the usual roast dinner – Yorkshire pudding, vegetables…. Three things: Biscoff: Granny’s deserts are legendary. Yesterday she’d prepared pineapple upside-down pudding, and Biscoff cheesecake. Both went down exceedingly well. What often happens (as yesterday) is that pictures are sent to absent friends and family toContinue reading “Sunday Lunch: Biscoff, Being There, Birds.”

Born into the family of a Methodist preacher, Stuart Hamblin was a songwriter, singer and actor, appearing in movies with such stars as Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and John Wayne. In 1949, when Billy Graham was in Los Angeles, Hamblen’s wife persuaded him to attend one of the services. During a subsequent conversation with BillyContinue reading “It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)”

Looking back… 152 years – Restoring… The fishing smack Jubilee was built in 1873, sailing from Lowestoft as part of the vast East coast fishing fleet for many years. She was bought by a Norwegian cargo company, renamed ‘Nordleys’, used as a cargo vessel, sold on to a Dutch company… This week she returned toContinue reading “Looking Back”

Yesterday evening we watched the tennis from Paris. The British fifth seed, Jack Draper was playing the Frenchman Gael Monfils. Draper had youth and stamina; Monfils had experience and the crowd behind him. Eventually Draper won in four sets. It was a thoroughly entertaining match, put on by two great athletes, playing great tennis, enjoyedContinue reading “Behind The Show”