Slings & Arrows

In the past couple of days I’ve found it difficult to find a sustained period of time to sit down and write. My busier than usual schedule the consequence of assisting other family members in the care of my dad, who has had a bad few days on his enduring recuperation from the major surgery he underwent in June. Although there has…

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Walk On The White Side

On Tuesday evening, I took a journey on foot that I’ve taken many of times over the past 47 years. A sojourn that commences with parking in the vicinity of the Dragon Pub on Whitehall Road, Leeds, with a ultimate destination of Elland Road football stadium. It’s a walk that starts with crossing Whitehall Road, followed by an amble down a bramble bush…

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Bargain Hunting

Yesterday afternoon, I journeyed by automobile to the fragrant Junction 32 Retail Outlet at Castleford. This out of town consumer utopia is my wife Karen and my ‘go to’ destination if we want a pair of jeans for a 39 pence, or a magical purchase you can’t obtain anywhere else. Quirky items such as a frying pan that can give…

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Ode to Season Moribund

Departure lounge in situ; season moribund In extremis endless; expiration imminent It’s existence torrid, elements most horrid Absent sunbeams mean visage not florid.   What comes before Fall? Pride or supplemental tempestas awful? If not will both imposters bear manifestation Prior to Midas caressing frond deciduous.   Well-wishes sent to unwell season Despite unfavourable elements…

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My Waiting Room Buddy

As a consequence of my diminutive missus’ consultation with her oncologist today, along with follow up treatment tomorrow, another round of visits to Leeds Teaching hospitals commences today. As I write this, I’m currently in the waiting room of St James’ Bexley Wing with Karen and around a score of other patients and families. It’s a light,…

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Who’s Keeping Score?

Existential canvas; footprint experiential Caricature ponders own mortality What legacy sought on mattress moribund? Indelible stamp on life’s letter his goal?   Goal evocations selfless, heritage humanity No ‘I’ in benevolent No benevolence in misguided No place like home according to girl in red shoes Karma didn’t get the email Devils and thieves do prosper…

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The Reunion

I spent yesterday afternoon residing in a Leeds bar with around 20 ex-work colleagues. Our group consisted of a motley mix of old school computer mainframe operators, IT development/support people and a man with the dubious honour of being Basil Brush’s minder. It was a cordial few hours catching up with people I hadn’t worked with for many years. That being said, Basil’s minder became…

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It’s Matrimony

Tomorrow it’ll be 29 years since I walked down the aisle of a County Durham church with my new wife. To mark the occasion, I thought I’d pen a few memories from that unforgettable service of betrothal. which I recollect as follows:- On this sunny September morn, my Best Man (my brother Ian) and I arrived slightly late…

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Just You Wait ‘Enry ‘Iggins!

Witnessing this morning’s siling rain outside, while standing to collect for a cancer support charity in M&S, a modified version of the adage ‘The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain’ manifested itself in my capricious mind. Originating in the movie My Fair Lady, the comment was used by self-absorbed linguist Professor Henry Higgins in an attempt improve the annunciation of flower girl Eliza Dolittle. The…

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