The Migrant, by Paul Alkazraji “The opening lines make you, the reader, feel that the story has already been rollicking along like a bolting horse, and it is a pace that the storyteller never eases up on.” (from the back cover) -o-O-o- As a member of my neighbourhood book club, I’d just dawdled through theContinue reading “A Wonderful Read from the Balkans”
Category Archives: Stories
Duelling Non-Banjos
Do you ever find yourself thrust into the spotlight and wonder, how on earth did I get here? 25 years ago I became the most unlikely junior football manager of my son Tim’s team. There was nobody else available; my only credential was my willingness to help. I didn’t know one side of a footballContinue reading “Duelling Non-Banjos”
Amy’s New Friend
a story for Sam and Grace, by Grandpa John “What a nice set of biscuits you’ve made!” said Grandma, spooning a few crumbs into her mouth. “But this time, Amy, there’s one more job to do before you lick the spoons. We’ve got to put smarties in the middle to make their noses, then someContinue reading “Amy’s New Friend”
Beauty from Ashes 2
In ‘Beauty for Ashes’, I tell the story of Jennie Butchart’s wonderful garden on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and describe our visit last month. I quoted the wonderful Biblical promise made to the people of ancient Judah who were in exile, Isaiah chapter 61 vs 3: “To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to giveContinue reading “Beauty from Ashes 2”
Easter People
(Continued from ‘Bad Thursday’ and ‘Why Good Friday’s Good’.) Wendy’s café. Saturday before Easter, One year on “What a difference a year can make!” remarked Ben as he sat drinking his coffee. “When I think back, I felt my life didn’t amount to anything worthwhile. My only aim was to lower my golf handicap, butContinue reading “Easter People”
Why Good Friday was Good
The cover picture is by ChilVera, via Pixabay Saturday before Easter Day (continued from ‘Bad Thursday’) “C’mon Wendy, talk to us” we said, as she flitted too and fro amongst the dozen-or-so other café customers. Saturday morning was ‘peak hour’ when working people joined us ‘economically inactive’ folks. A leisurely breakfast cooked by somebody elseContinue reading “Why Good Friday was Good”
Bad Thursday
that is, the Thursday before Easter “Aw, thanks Wendy,” we said, as the café owner deposited a tray on our table. This held four steaming mugs of tea; our bacon sandwiches; jars of ketchup and brown sauce. It was warm for the time of year, so we’d decided to sit outside looking onto the road,Continue reading “Bad Thursday”
Ordeal in the snow
“It should be here any minute now.” The six of us gazed hopefully up Nelson Street in Bradford city centre. One after another, buses were cautiously negotiating their way through the snow drifts, pulling to a stop beside the three shelters. Our own stop was positioned round a bend on a road called Hall Ings,Continue reading “Ordeal in the snow”
As Many as the Stars, Concluded
If you missed Part 1, please don’t by-pass this post. I think the story is mind-blowing! Here’s the concluding sequel to my post about Robert Glover and his ministry, ‘Care for Children’. In Part 1, I explained how Robert and his family had established a remarkable work in Shanghai, seeing 500 orphanage children transferred intoContinue reading “As Many as the Stars, Concluded”
Out of Time
Cover photo is featured in a Youtube tutorial by Victoria Williams, (my musictheory)(@musictheoryexpert) 29th November, 2024 “Wot!? Why’s the piece finished when we’re only half way through it?” Katie and I stare at each other in disbelief. Somebody has blundered. But, as all experienced musicians do, we shrug our shoulders and prepare for the nextContinue reading “Out of Time”
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