The highlight of our Christmas was a visit to the Barbican Theatre, London, on Saturday 21 December 2013, to see David Tennant performing in the role of Shakespeare’s Richard II. Richard II is one of English history’s villains. So who better to play him on stage and change our view of him than one ofContinue reading “A Fresh Insight Into One of History’s Villains, With the Help of Shakespeare and David Tennant”
Tag Archives: SC Skillman
Live Christmas Present Under the Tree: One Kitten
Here is Molly who believes she makes as good a Christmas present as any other you might find under the tree.
Standing Ovations and Encores for Songlines Community Choir in Leamington Spa
On Saturday night 7 December 2013 our local community choir, Songlines, conducted by Bruce Knight, gave a concert at St Mary’s Church, in Leamington Spa, to raise money for Water Aid. It was a night where we saw and felt the power of music to bring joy and to uplift. A standing ovation and callsContinue reading “Standing Ovations and Encores for Songlines Community Choir in Leamington Spa”
Lovely Lake District in Autumn 2013
We spent a few days in England’s lovely Lake District during the recent autumn half term. The Lake District is special to me, not only because of its association with numerous famous writers, with Beatrix Potter, John Ruskin, William Wordsworth; but also because of memories from childhood holidays there, and the fact that I regularlyContinue reading “Lovely Lake District in Autumn 2013”
Why So Many of Us Love Doctor Who
So many children’s bedrooms up and down the UK and around the world must look similar to this one, in our home. In the recent celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the BBC drama series Doctor Who, the question has been posed: why do you think Doctor Who is so popular? Since everyone in ourContinue reading “Why So Many of Us Love Doctor Who”
A Review of JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy
I’m a great admirer of JK Rowling both as an author, and on a personal level. So when I knew she’d published her first adult novel, I was keen to read it. When I began to read The Casual Vacancy several months ago, I found it a struggle to get through the unrelenting nastiness ofContinue reading “A Review of JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy”
200 Years of Australian Art at the Royal Academy: Connections Between Painting and the Spiritual Realm
From indigenous art through to ‘discovery’ by European explorers, this exhibition of Australian paintings at the Royal Academy, London, in November 2013 took me on a journey through the spiritual heart of Australia. As Russell Drysdale said, “In Australia there is a quality of strangeness that you do not find … anywhere else.” Reviews of theContinue reading “200 Years of Australian Art at the Royal Academy: Connections Between Painting and the Spiritual Realm”
Friends At Last: Building Trust in the Animal World
Molly has now overcome her resistance to the idea of an alien cat in the house with her (albeit her mother) But it took Willow a little while to overcome her annoyance at her daughter Molly’s initial rejection of her. She spent a few days expressing her annoyance, and trying to exert some discipline. SheContinue reading “Friends At Last: Building Trust in the Animal World”
Mother and Daughter Relationships – Poignant Family Drama in the Animal World
Mother and daughter relationships – a popular trope in TV sitcoms/family sagas/romantic fiction/women in jeopardy/social and romantic comedies and many other stories. And in the last few days my family have been immersed in a poignant drama in our home between a mother and a daughter. A mother who was separated from her little girlContinue reading “Mother and Daughter Relationships – Poignant Family Drama in the Animal World”
Challenging False Ideas of God: The Judge-Who-Could-Never-Be-Pleased, or Perfect Love and Limitless Goodness?
‘”These things are sent to try us.” This is just one among many cliches in the English language that we use without thinking. Yet how often do we stop to realise they are meaningless? Who sends these hard things to ‘try’ us? An almighty sadist in the sky? This stands as one of the most popularContinue reading “Challenging False Ideas of God: The Judge-Who-Could-Never-Be-Pleased, or Perfect Love and Limitless Goodness?”
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