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I’ve often reflected on Ben E King’s ‘Stand By Me’. Yesterday I learnt that King was inspired by a hymn written in 1905 by Charles Tindley… that I’d previously associated with Elvis Presley. Tindley (1851 – 1933) was an African-American minister.  His father was a slave; his  mother was free, so was born a free man.Continue reading “Stand by Me (Charles Tindley)”

At our Music for Wellbeing Group yesterday we sung the old Ben E King song ‘Stand by Me’. The accompaniment of ukeleles, guitar, accordion and various percussion produced a unique sound that expressed enthusiasm and enjoyment. We’ve been watching of The BBC One show ‘Race Across the World’. At the start five pairs of contestantsContinue reading “Standing By Me – with Ben, Tom and Caroline”

My friend Roy has been excited this week. Roy used to work on, and loves, the railway. Last weekend the Oulton Broad signal box was moved. It had become redundant due to advances in technology. There’ve been pictures of a crane lifting it onto a lorry. It’s been moved to the East Anglia Transport MuseumContinue reading “Who Am I?”

The old hymn, ‘Just as I am’ contains the line ‘Fightings and fears, within, without’. Over the years I’ve identified with it on a number of occasions; it’s described my anxieties and uncertainties… Yesterday we learnt of the death of Brian Wilson, of ‘The Beach Boys’. Sixty years ago, when BBC’s ‘Top of the Pops’Continue reading “Fightings and Fears… Brian, Uriah and Malcolm…”

My friend Al has had trouble with his legs since he had polio as a child. Recently they’ve been particularly painful. He has a hospital appointment this morning – at the orthotics clinic. That was a new word for me. The ‘Healthline’ website tells me: ‘Orthotics are special shoe or heel inserts a doctor prescribesContinue reading “Orthotics”

On Sunday I wrote my weekly ‘to do’ list – jobs to do, messages to send, people to see. I’ve just checked on my progress There’s twenty-nine items, four are completed. In many ways it’s a crazy system. I’ve done other things that weren’t on the list; I know I won’t complete all of theContinue reading “The ‘To Do’ List”

Yesterday was the final of the French Open tennis championship. The Italian, Jannik Sinner played the Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner won the first two sets; Alcaraz won the third. Sinner had three match points in the fourth; Alcaraz turned it round and won the set. The fifth set went to a tie break – whichContinue reading “Who Notices the Victory?”

‘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…”