Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
This morning Facebook reminded me that a year ago today I received a ticket for The Marriage of Figaro ........ I recall at the time being upbeat on receipt of this, as you can't beat a good wedding, can you?! I had chosen to take in this production after savouring my first experience of opera... Continue Reading →
Parental Guidance – This blog contains the unavoidable use of colourful language, in particular a word that rhymes with duck. Enter at your own risk! I’m 20 days into my ‘Dry January’ now. All has been well so far and I haven’t displayed any overt signs of withdrawal!......... Well, unless me sitting with the fridge... Continue Reading →
I wrote recently of my scepticism surrounding old wives tales! During that mini diatribe, I carelessly omitted to touch on the comedic value of these superstitious folk tales when misquoted! As with mixed metaphors and idioms, there is something inherently funny about people attempting to impart words of wisdom, only for them to incorrectly delivered!... Continue Reading →
Remaining sanguine has been a challenge since my wife Karen’s diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in 2010. Where The Rainbow Ends – “I Regret To Tell You…” In the absence of a possible cure, she describes herself as a ticking timebomb. I perhaps wouldn’t utilise that particularly descriptive, however, I suppose it adequately reflects the uncertainty surrounding... Continue Reading →
The monochrome scene created by thick nimbostratus clouds, with its associated precipitation, made the journey to St James’ Hospital particularly grim this morning. As I drove Karen for her four weekly treatment, the only apparent colour on display seemed to emanate from the red, amber and green from the plethora of traffic lights on York... Continue Reading →
Well we are into Christmas week. Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost’s nipping at my nose and Yuletide songs are being sung by a choir. Well that’s not strictly true. They weren’t actually chestnuts roasting, it was a different kind of nuts after I stood too close to the open flames. Additionally,... Continue Reading →
28th November is a notable day for women’s rights. On this day in 1893, New Zealand created history when it became the first nation to allow women to vote. Also on this date in 1919, Lady Astor became the first woman to sit in the House of Commons ........ Although, apparently she required a further... Continue Reading →
As I walked out of Elland Road with my son yesterday, after another awful Leeds United performance, my mind drifted back to a mild evening at the same venue on 2nd May 2001. On that night, unbeknown to me at the time, I uttered perhaps the most prophetic words I’ve said in the half century... Continue Reading →
An old geography teacher of mine once taught me “All roads lead to Rome!” Who am I to disagree with Mr Hanson, but that’s not what my GPS (Sat Nav) is currently telling me. That is clearly highlighting the road I’m currently on (B1237 York Ring Road) will lead me to the Monks Cross Shopping... Continue Reading →