Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Along with millions worldwide, my wife and I have just observed a two minute silence, marking one hundred years since guns fell silent in WWI. The centenary of an armistice between the Allied countries and Germany - Ending a four year war which saw around 40 million military and civilian casualties. I wasn't sure which... Continue Reading →
It takes guts to reprise a role on stage performed with such distinction in the original movie it secured the portraying actor (Dustin Hoffman) an Oscar - An accomplishment he achieved in the 61st Academy Award ceremony (1989). A lead actor performance that possibly usurps those of the other 89 winners of the accolade, prior... Continue Reading →
I had a rare venture to church yesterday afternoon. A service to celebrate those who've passed and whose funerals had taken place at the venue during the previous twelve months. Amongst those being celebrated my father Malcolm. Amid the throng of similarly bereaved families, my mother, me and several family friends lit a candle for... Continue Reading →
In the movie Calamity Jane, on her return from Chicagy on the Deadwood Stage, it's star Doris Day sang:- "Just blew in from the windy city, The windy city is mighty pretty, But it ain't got what we got, no sirree....." Despite going on to extol the big city's tall buildings, minstrel shows, dancing girls,... 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 →
I'd a rare break from writing yesterday. Leaving casa Strachan at 7.30am and not getting home until 11.00pm rendering opportunities of putting pen to paper nigh on impossible. My destination the city of Nottingham - Robin Hood's manor, domain made famous by Brian Clough, home of Boots the Chemist and place my late dad served... Continue Reading →
There was a boy A very strange enchanted boy They say he wandered very far Very far Over land and sea A little shy And sad of eye But very wise Very wise was he Then one day A magic day he passed my way And while he spoke of many things Fools and kings... Continue Reading →
In the early 1990's, I became an avid listener of an early evening Saturday radio show conceived by BBC Radio Five (later Five Live), which was fronted by a chirpy, motormouth Londoner named Danny Baker. An audio nugget I stumbled across by accident. This a consequence of leaving the radio broadcasting when Sports Report's concluded... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, the grounds of Belvoir Castle proved to be convivial venue hosts for Mrs S and my evening entertainment. No relation to the late Record Breakers TV presenter Roy Castle, the Leicestershire fortification provided an imposing backdrop for buoyant open air concert goers. These revellers partying to disco tunes of yore, performed by wandering balladeer... Continue Reading →