Category: Musings
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Almost 6 months old…
In the recent few months I have met and held our first grandson. This smiling, happy child has captivated me in a way that I had expected, and, if I’m honest, has also captivated me in a way I had not expected. that’s down to dates and my own circumstances. I’ll come back to that. …
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Harry – Eulogy (12/7/2025)
This is one of the hardest pieces I have ever had to write and yet it was one I was honoured to write. As I type this, I’m not really sure it’s happened. Harry was one my oldest and dearest friends and the shock is still very real and raw. His family asked if I…
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Going for a pint….
Billy O Hanluain, in his beautfully observed post on Facebook, described the scene of an older couple in a café, exchanging glances and intimate moments which Billy was there to witness and describe. It was pitch perfect, gorgeously observed and done with a tenderness that’s hard to define. Check it out, it’ll do your heart…
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Moves
Some of you will ‘get’ this… What you see (part of) has been our teenage childrens’ den, a home to a huge flowing cast of their very welcome friends and my ‘study’ where I sweat buckets for a Master’s Degree. It’s almost 25 years since we moved and we’re on the move out soon. A…
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Mancini – Ghosts Of Stanford Green
Mancini have fashioned a collection of fine music here, a fecund memory vault, a soundtrack to a reverie, dark with a hint of sky, nudging at the fringes of memory. The songs hit hard, or simmer, layers underpinning the vocal, washes of instruments bringing forth strong lyrics, some breathing, taking their time, some a short…
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A Scarf…
I came across a Facebook post recently, written by Billy Ó’Hanluain… It was about how grief never allows you to make plans, in a way. It was a truly great comment and post. It set me off and this flowed out over the next thirty minutes. Here’s what I scribbled: first thought, best thought…. Usually,…
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Father’s Day 2020
Like a good number of fathers of my acquaintance I forgot all about Father’s Day this year until our son and daughter mentioned it on the past few days and sent messages. If all goes well we’ll meet up, socially distantly and mark the day. This year has made us take stock, figure out the…
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Lock In Connections
Had one of those days I will admit…there’s been a little more darkness about but I’m sure I’m not alone in this…As Dr. Winston O’Boogie (in his alter ego John Lennon) said in his wisdom: “Strange days indeed” Turns out the fall I had the other day had more than embarrassment attached. I gashed my…
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Medium Wave Maisie…
You know me, music has always been my go-to: it’s been medicine, balm, inspiration, fuel. Radio too: warm comfort, pushing images and pictures long before television, songs and chat, information, comment and a world of opportunities. It evokes strong memories. It fascinates me still and will never lose its charms. As I type, I’m listening…
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Gaeltacht Kilkenny at the Set Theatre: 31/1/2020
You know me, I love music in all its forms, in all its beauty. One of the things I love most about it is the unexpected, joyful and uplifting twists and turns it can take in your heart and, if you’re lucky, you get them frequently. Another thing is the way that a time and…
Martin Bridgeman 