We all have our favourite authors from childhood; and the best ones last into adult life too. Who is your favourite? Long ago, I put together my top three: and, be warned, I’m going to post about all of them. (Honourable mentions: AA Milne, Tove Jansson, Arthur...
(NB Far wiser people than I are writing everywhere about the political, social and spiritual ramifications of the current pandemic and isolation. For the time being, I shall endeavour to make this blog a nearly corona-free zone.) We recently watched again the very first Ninth Doctor...
I hereby offer to you probably the twentieth set of thoughts you’re read on the sudden appearance into our lives of the coronavirus. Be aware that I know nothing about medicine, or indeed statistics. My attitude is coloured by my good fortune in having spent almost...
A little while ago, I was at a funeral, and one of the hymns chosen was “The day Thou gavest, Lord, has ended” (words by John Ellerton, 1826-93.) I thought: yes, that does sound from the first line like a suitable funeral hymn, but it...
Mightier Than The Sword UK Publications is revising its website. As part of this revamp, I recently received a request to write little paragraphs about the Tales from Ragaris, AND each of the books, under a whole host of supplied headings. This is where I’ve got...
On Thursday President Donald Trump (not the "heavy-weight" of my title) was acquitted by the US Senate. The day before, he gave his State of the Union address, with supporters cheering “Four more years.” Those who, like the Blogger, find this depressing, may wish to be...
I am not really capable of a proper film review, as I know so little of the process of film-making… but my friend Clint is busy, and this blog isn’t going to let the final Star Wars film pass without acknowledgement. I’m also not as good...
This post, like a football match, comes in two halves. A week today, we leave the European Union for a period of transition out. As readers of this blog know, I think this is a foolish and sad decision, but I may be wrong. But even...
Like many high streets, ours is struggling. Although we have a wonderful greengrocer/fishmonger that has been a family business for over 100 years, and two butchers, it sometimes seems that most of the premises are charity shops, nail bars, coffee shops, estate agents… or empty...
It may be otherwise with you (and we can still be friends if it is) but the three days following close of polling on 12th December were a depressing time in the Blogger’s household. It appeared that the country had looked at the various alternative...