Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
I feel the earth move under my feet I feel the sky tumbling down I feel my heart start trembling Whenever you're around A poetic verse from the pen of American song/writer Carole King. A divulgent proclamation starting her 1971 hit named after the first pentad of the lyric. Lexilogical meanderings overtly expressing to her... Continue Reading →
Sunday 13th May - This morning, I was part of a team of marshals supporting the Leeds Half Marathon. A cathartic experience where, in our world of seemingly constant negativity, the determination, stoicism and tenacity of it's participants went towards restoring some faith in humanity. My marshalling station was located on Kirkstall Road, around 2... Continue Reading →
Monday 7th May - Sunday afternoon I spent an hour or so as part of a team of volunteers fundraising for Wakefield Hospice - The Mobile Rocket Stadium, home of local rugby league club Wakefield Trinity, our collection point. A benevolent gesture afforded to the fund-raising arm of the end of life facility under a... Continue Reading →
Friday 4th May - At school in 1970's Gateshead we were taught a song about the legend of the Lambton Worm - A tale surrounding the antics of a giant worm that folklore tells terrorised a Wearside village a few miles south of my parents Tyneside residence at that time. Yesterday, sitting in the Leeds... Continue Reading →
Sunday 29th April - Spent yesterday evening watching a Freddie Mercury tribute act at the local cricket club. The likeness to the late Queen front man was incredible, especially the facial hair, strutting gait and protruding proboscis - And that was just my wife Karen!...... The guy onstage also had a look of Mercury. When... Continue Reading →
Thursday 26th April - Yesterday evening, my spouse treat me to a splendid birthday curry in a Leeds city centre eatery. Joined by my son Jonny and his fiancée Jenny, we were in good company, enhancing the overall ambience of the meal. A Chicken Tikka & Garlic Balti was the aforementioned curry that spent around... Continue Reading →
Tuesday 24th April - I'm Bexley Wing in situ, sitting on a waiting room sofa adjacent to my wife. Our attendance at the Leeds hospital wing necessitated by her appointment for monthly oncology treatment. Patients left and right aren't clowns and jokers - Although we are 'stuck in the middle'*** of patients and their brood.... Continue Reading →
Saturday 14th April - Yesterday evening, with vocal chords smoother than a Casanova pick up line, sharp clothing smoother than the escalators on the Piccadilly Line and soul refrains smoother than a Hollywood bikini line, US jazz singer Gregory Porter hit first direct Arena, Leeds. Actually, hit is probably too strong a word - Gently... Continue Reading →
In his seminal song 'American Pie' Don MacLean spoke of taking the Chevy to the levee, where he was disconsolate to find the levee was dry. Yesterday evening I took a Metro train to see a far from barren levee - One of whom would no doubt have received MacLean's approval more than the parched... Continue Reading →