Artificial Christmas trees were originally invented by a toilet brush company: The Addis Brush Company, known for its toilet brushes, created the first artificial Christmas trees in the 1930s using the same machinery they used to make their brushes. Jingle Bells was originally a Thanksgiving song: Believe it or not, this iconic Christmas tune was […]
Is the Vicarage Vacant? Reimagining the Role of the Church in the 21st Century
The term “vicar” evokes images of quaint villages, traditional services, and perhaps a slightly out-of-touch figure in a dog collar. While this image might hold a certain charm, it also highlights a growing disconnect between the Anglican Church and the youth of today. Is the role of the vicar outdated? Does it have a biblical […]
Spade Review: A Hole-y Experience
Let’s be honest, a spade is a spade is a spade. It digs holes. That’s it. And all the holes, fundamentally, are the same. Sure, they might vary in depth or width, but ultimately they’re just empty spaces in the ground. You can’t really innovate on a hole, can you? It’s a void, an absence, […]
A Humorous Guide to Efficiency
The teacher says, “Double-check your work!” Your boss insists, “Make sure you double-check that email!” But let’s be honest, sometimes “double-check” feels like code for “spend an eternity scrutinising every semicolon and pixel.” Fear not, my friends! I’m here to liberate you from the tyranny of excessive checking with a revolutionary concept: the single-check. The […]
How to demolish an ice cream
Is this really a conundrum> Well I am going to make it one… so how do you conquer a behemoth ice cream sundae without making a sticky mess or missing out on any of the delicious components. Here’s my strategy for tackling this delightful challenge: Assess the Terrain Take a moment to appreciate the masterpiece […]
Beyond the Bucket and Spade: Reimagining Cornwall’s Future
Cornwall. A land of breathtaking beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. But beneath the picture-postcard scenery lies a harsh reality: a county struggling to balance its identity as a tourist haven with the needs of its own people. The tourism industry, while providing jobs and revenue, has also created a host of challenges: It’s time […]
Life’s Innings: A Cricketing Commentary on the Gospel
An alternative Gospel commentary, with a bit of a Somerset spin (pun intended!): Imagine life as a cricket match. We’re all batsmen out on the pitch, facing the bowling attack of temptation, hardship, and sin. Sometimes, life bowls us a real googly – a curveball that leaves us stumped and unsure. It can feel like […]
Life is definitely more than just fun, isn’t it? 🤔
It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of happiness, but what does that really mean? Is it that fleeting feeling of joy from a chocolate bar (though let’s be honest, chocolate is pretty amazing!), a fancy holiday, or a fat bank account? While those things can bring temporary pleasure, true fulfilment often lies […]
Foolish One Taylor Swift
“Foolish One” is a song written by Taylor Swift when she was just 14 years old. Although it wasn’t included on her debut album, it was eventually released in 2021 as part of “Taylor’s Version” of Fearless. It comes on a re-recorded album “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)”. It’s a “vault track,” meaning it was written […]
The Gospel According to the Moggy: Life Lessons from a Morris Minor
The Morris Minor. A classic British car, beloved for its simplicity, charm, and – let’s be honest – that adorable face. But did you know this plucky little vehicle can also teach us a thing or two about the Gospel of Jesus? Buckle up, because this is going to be a ride! New from the […]
Tying Your Shoelaces
The Simple Way (aka the “Bunny Ears” method): The Complicated Way (aka the “Ian Knot” – yes, it’s a real thing!): Why bother with the complicated way? Helpful hints for both methods Now go forth and tie those laces with confidence!
Morris Minors and Rusting
We have decided to move away from leasing cars and to purchase a Morris Minor once again. However, in doing so we move away from having our car maintained for us and back to us maintaining the car. A specific problem for Morris Minors is rust. We live in Cornwall and so we are surrounded […]