What’s the Story in Dalamory

It is here.

I have seen lambs.
Happy Springtime.

Who else saw the docu-drama o­n TV last night about inter-generational strife in 2024? It made compelling viewing for o­ne who is newly aged 60. Having worked in the financial services sector for much of my life, I already knew that there was a time-bomb ticking over pensions, but to see the portrayal of the increasing poverty and anger of the young, made me very sad. It was also somewhat strange to see a call centre staffed with people who looked far older than me. Still, maybe that is a fallacy, after all increasingly these days the police, the medical services and the drivers all seem to be getting younger and younger.

There is a film-crew coming to do a reality-type morning at our Kirk Office. They are hoping to get a few minutes' worth of footage that can be included in a speech at the General Assembly in May. They are also going to take some film of the local area. All of this will probably take several hours – all for two minutes of film-time.

Shame I am not due for a haircut until tomorrow.

The assassination of Sheik Yassin has thrown the world's media into a fever of speculation about possible retaliation and consequences. It seems to me that ordinary people are becoming so stressed about all the hype, that the o­nly way they deal with it is to filter it out. It is too horrendous to contemplate. The trouble is, we feel we ought to respond. Events are presented so as to provoke a response. Perhaps the best response is to live well and to promote justice locally.

That means enjoying the sunshine, getting the everyday chores done and taking action wherever and whenever we can have an affect. I am officially back at work tomorrow; that means being back to normal – whatever that means.

Whilst off sick, I have been doing a lot of looking at birds and a lot of reading of detective novels. The sun-porch is a brilliant place to sit and survey the world and do nothing in particular. Best treats of the week have been the surprisingly brilliantly-coloured siskins and the dazzling yellowhammer sighted o­n Saturday.

I've nearly finished all the Ian Rankin Rebus series, and am about to try Quintin Jardine for size. Recommended by No 2 son, and six paperbacks o­n loan. I wonder if it will affect the preaching? More than likely, o­nce I am back at work I will be more like the recent survey which states that clergy are among those who read fiction least. I like to claim it is because ministers like reading the bible and theology, but I suspect we are all a bit driven.

In truth, I love to read and the more variety the better. Someone lent me Brick Lane by Monica Ali – a wonderful glimpse into the Bangledeshi community in East London. The trouble is I keep reading great books and wish I could write them instead.

Ah well…..one year…..

Happy Birthday to Me!
Funny how significant birthdays (ie with a zero at the end) make o­ne think back over the years. This year, it coincides with Mother's Day, so of course I have to think about my mother. I thought I was o­ne of the few people who was fixated o­n the actual time of my birth (7-05am in case you are interested), but discovered recently, that my no 3 son is equally intrigued by his own birth-time. Neither of us is interested in astrology, but we must have the same kind of mindset when it comes to detail.

I am not sure whether that is more worrying for him or for me.

This is a Convalescence Blog. I've been off work for three weeks and am now at the stage of thinking about getting myself out and about.

The trouble with blogging software is that there is no spellchecker. So I had to check how to spell convalescence – and yes that is right.

Thank you for all the good wishes and offers of help. Special thanks to John Roberts, our Lay Reader who has been taking services in my absences.

Oh dear – I am still Off Sick. So no blogging for a week or so.

Back soon.

I’ve decided to take a little blogging rest. I’ll be back online in a few days, I hope.

In case you are interested, and following o­n from yesterday's blog, the hymns are The day thou gavest Lord is ended, and Lord Jesus Christ.

Neither of these will surprise my organists.