Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
I'm hospital waiting room in situ as the starter's pistol signals commencement of my second blog of the day. At least I think it was a starter's gun, not the sound of a drive-by shooting on Beckett Street! Sitting in the Imaging department waiting area, the comforting heat of an adjacent radiator warms my chilled... Continue Reading →
Ordinarily, I don't watch breakfast TV magazine shows. Indifference to celebrity gossip, unashamed self publicity of guest's new books and show biz 'idols' showing similar indifference in reporter Dan Wootton's selfies, negating my desire to pay it much mind. This morning, though, I was glued to a segment of ITV's Lorraine show, featuring a remarkably... Continue Reading →
Teaming rainfall ensured the team of MacMillan volunteer marshals at the Yorkshire Marathon, of which I was a member, received a thorough soaking this morning...... Perhaps, there's something in the old adage 'no good deed goes unpunished' after all. Although, I somehow doubt it! To steal a quote oft utilised by an old acquaintance, who... Continue Reading →
The four-weekly visit for her oncology treatment is once again upon my wee missus. A scheduled sojourn that appears to come around faster ever month. Incidentally, that isn't a complaint. The diminutive County Durham lass and her clan are grateful for every goddamn second at these visits, as it means her tenacious fight continues. The... Continue Reading →
This morning, Facebook memories felt moved to remind me three years ago today I printed off 360+ pages of A4 paper containing a tome I penned in spring 2010. Not the most ecologically friendly of undertakings on my part, however, at that time hubris fed a need to possess paper copies of yours truly's art.... Continue Reading →
This morning, I was greeted at the breakfast table by the news my wife Karen was feeling under the weather. This malady another example of her bad days where her odious carcinogenic illness gains an upper hand; causing her return to bed for recuperation. Her energy drained as a consequence of her enduring physical battle... Continue Reading →
Yesterday lunchtime I undertook three hours collecting for MacMillan Cancer Support, at the Marks & Spencer (M&S) store in Briggate, Leeds. Although, I'd done numerous bits of voluntary work for various cancer charities over the past few years, it's the first time recently I've ventured down this philanthropic route. My absence from this undertaking the... Continue Reading →
After a pleasant restaurant lunch to celebrate Mrs Strachan senior's birthday, late afternoon saw Mrs S junior (Karen) and me pay a visit to St James' Hospital for my spouses scheduled consultation with an oncologist. We talked Mrs Strachan senior (Maggie) out of joining us, the spouse and yours truly deeming an oncology unit waiting... Continue Reading →
It's a cycle that seems to arrive swifter than it takes Olympic champion Jason Kenny to complete a circuit of a velodrome. For almost eight years, this cyclic event has been an undesirable but essential evil undertaken by my long suffering wife - Mandatory medical treatment required every four weeks; a crucial ally in her... Continue Reading →