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I’m forever blowing bubblesPretty bubbles in the airThey fly so high, nearly reach the skyThen like my dreams they fade and die Fortune always hidingI’ve looked everywhereI’m forever blowing bubblesPretty bubbles in the air It’s an American song, written in 1918, popular in British music halls in the early 1920s… recorded by many artists… theContinue reading “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles”

Yesterday I went with Grandson-Luca to his school for a ‘bingo event’. Children, parents and staff were everywhere. Issued with bingo sheets, we were ushered into Luca’s classroom, joining forty other adults and children. The amiable Mr Woods’ computer-generated random numbers were called out and displayed on the screen; we marked them off on ourContinue reading “A Step Into The Unknown”

Reg told us that as a four-year-old in 1947 he was watching workmen build Lowestoft’s North beach sea wall… ‘You shouldn’t be here, son,’ one man said. He was right. It was dangerous place for a small boy, alone. ‘Do you want to help me?’ a bulldozer driver called out. ‘Yes please.’ ’Bulldozer-driver lifted RegContinue reading “The Final Gift”

One word that stirs up discussion at Men’s Shed is ‘discipline’: ‘It’s not like it used to be!’ ‘Young people today are out of control!’ ‘My dad beat me and it never did me any harm!’ ‘There’s no discipline in schools!’ Sweeping generalisations lead to stories about sadistic teachers, drunken fathers and harsh military training,Continue reading “Exploring Discipline”

In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moanEarth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snowIn the bleak midwinter, long ago We’ve had a few hard frosts, a sprinkling of snow, our first taste of winter. Today is the first Sunday in Advent; we prepare for Christmas,Continue reading “In the Bleak Midwinter”

In ‘Pollyanna’ one small child transforms a whole community. Playing her ‘Glad Game’ she tries to find good in all circumstances. Doctor Chilton describes Pollyanna’s ‘overwhelming unquenchable gladness for everything that has happened or is going to happen…’  ‘…I wish I could prescribe her – and buy her – as I would a box ofContinue reading “The Best Prescription”

It’s December 1st. In the run up to Christmas we’re hearing the standard Christmas songs. I’ve already heard Mariah Carey singing: I just want you for my ownMore than you could ever knowMake my wish come trueAll I want for Christmas is you Many of us have simple Christmas wishes… presents, food, drink, rest, warmth,Continue reading “Make My Wish Come True”

I need a new garden shed. We bought our current shed second-hand thirty-five years ago… I bought a new sack of peanuts for our birdfeeders through the winter. I put the new sack in the old shed. Yesterday morning I discovered a new hole in the new sack; the local mouse population had discovered aContinue reading “I Need A New One!”

The old nursery rhyme about Jack and Jill has many versions. This is the one I grew up with. Both children set off with good intentions, but misfortune strikes. Jack thinks only of himself, abandoning pail, water and Jill to solve his own problems. Jill’s amused by Jack’s predicament, and a disciplinary mother punishes her,Continue reading “Jack and Jill”

High tides, strong winds and erosion damage have been in the news. National news has focused on parts of the Norfolk coast; we’ve had our local share of concern and drama…The BBC reported: ‘The unexpected collapse of a cliff edge and a road has forced the evacuation of a caravan park as well as revealingContinue reading “High Tides, Strong Winds, and Erosion Damage”