Category Archives: Uncategorized

Saturday was Granddaughter Hannah’s 18th birthday party… We arrived to see decorations, folks in Disney-themed fancy dress, teenagers and older-folk, chatter and laughter. The evening progressed; we enjoyed conversations, drinks, music, food… Behind the seen… There was good organisation and preparation… the love of family… close, enduring friendships… a young woman growing up… lasting memories…Continue reading “Seeing behind the Seen”

Well, you wonder whyI always dress in blackWhy you never seeBright colors on my back… Johnny Cash explains why he always wears black… I wear the blackFor the poor and the beaten downLivin’ in the hopelessHungry side of townI wear it for the prisonerWho has long paid for his crimeBut is there becauseHe’s a victimContinue reading “Man in Black”

This week I’ve been clearing out my pond. Plants were tidied and re-potted, half of the water was pumped out, sludge and dead autumn leaves were carefully cleared and removed… Easily seen frogs are just starting to get active… small dragonfly larvae needed to be found and returned… newts are sometimes almost undetectable – whenContinue reading “My Newt”

Today… …Granddaughter-Hannah’s 18th birthday. There will be a family meal tonight, there’s a big party planned for tomorrow… there will be presents, decorations, eating, drinking, music, laughter, conversations, loudness… Hannah will enjoy being the centre of attention… it will be hard to keep Hannah quiet! We shall all enjoy the noise and celebrations. We pauseContinue reading “Pausing to Listen”

I rarely notice of TV adverts. Last night this powerful short film, ‘The Ultimate Vow’, promoting the Alzheimer’s Society, set me musing… It follows Adam & Laura… Adam first experiences the early stages of dementia… the illness progresses… his condition deteriorates… we hear Laura narrating her marriage vows. Recalling our marriage… I, Malcolm, take you,Continue reading “The Ultimate Vow”

I’ve learnt a new word… ‘A Creative’ …It’s an old word used in a new way. ‘A creative’ is an artist – a painter, musician, actor… When we apply for grants for the Seagull Theatre we describe ‘working with local creatives’… ‘providing employment for creatives’… ‘ensuring that our community benefits from creatives’… We provide opportunitiesContinue reading “The Creatives”

My friend Jon put this picture on Facebook: ‘Every now and again I lose a few hours “researching and developing” my ancestral knowledge. This is a photo of my great grandfather, grandfather, father and me!’ Is this a ‘Read family’ history lesson? Yes but… It’s four individual men… ordinary, yet special to their friends andContinue reading “Ordinary, Special Individuals”

The Gary Lineker saga continues… Home Secretary Sue Braverman: ‘No Immigrants’. Gary: ‘No. I don’t agree’. BBC: ‘No work for you, Gary.’ Gary’s colleagues: ‘No, we won’t work either, then.’ Football fans: ‘No ‘Match of the Day?!’’ BBC and Gary: ‘No compromise!’ Mikel Arteta responded to criticism of the celebrations, following Arsenal’s late winning goalContinue reading “No, No, No!”

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,Stories of Jesus, tell them to me. Recent conversations… helpful and constructive about prayer and forgiveness… robust and antagonistic about God’s judgement and violence… remind me how centralContinue reading “Tell me the Stories of Jesus”

This morning I read the story of Ishbi Benob… The story of David and Goliath is well-known… David, the teenage shepherd, defeats and kills the Philistine giant Goliath. David goes on to be a successful soldier and king. His personal and family life is often a mess, but as a soldier and general his recordContinue reading “Ishbi-Benob”