Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Yesterday afternoon, I was in Leeds city centre with a team of volunteers collecting donations for the city's St Gemma's Hospice. Wrapped in several layers of clothing to counter the biting West Yorkshire cold, I spent three hours standing in various densely populated city streets with a collection bucket, witnessing the magnanimousness of our metropolis' citizens. Undertaking this type... Continue Reading →
I've just got back from collecting for Marie Curie Cancer Care in Leeds city centre. The location for this charitable work was the atrium at the Bridgewater Place office complex; which the morning was officially recorded as 9 on the Carol Kirkwood Effing Freezing Scale...... Bearing in mind the scale only goes up to 5, it gives an indication into how chuffing... Continue Reading →
I didn't feel compelled to sit down and pen my daily thoughts yesterday. The darkness of the place I found myself following the passing of my father overnight prohibiting any creative want....... On reflection, perhaps grieving alone in the cupboard under the stairs wasn't such a good idea after all. Our beloved family head passed away peacefully... Continue Reading →
I'm unable to visit my dad in the hospice with the rest of the family until this afternoon. The consequence of Karma, in her infinite wisdom, decreeing my past misdemeanours warrant a current existence of two close family members with incurable illness. I'm unsure what's caused Karma's wrath, but I'm beginning to regret stealing segments of my brother's Terrys... Continue Reading →
This afternoon I had my inaugural visit to a hospice, when I dropping in on a close family member. Obviously, like anyone of sound mind, these end of life care facilities aren't residences I've ever had the remotest desire to visit; either as a patient or visitor. It is taken as read that these establishments will exude calm for it's stricken patients... Continue Reading →
Scene – It’s just gone 8 pm on a Friday evening in the Burmantofts area of Leeds. The fledgling dusk is around an hour old and under lamplight outside an oncology unit and ambulance slowly approaches the entrance. Once stationary at the entrance area, an octogenarian patient is taken from the medical vehicle by portable... Continue Reading →
This mornings solar rays in East Ardsley are making a concerted effort to lift my sagging spirits. As they blaze through an open French door onto my makeshift scribing desk, I can hear them attempting to cajole me into action with the words "Cheer up you miserable bleeder, worse things happen at sea!" Actually, I've just realised that... Continue Reading →
With our family head's health taking a turn for the worse, Thursday was a particularly tough day for our clan's emotional state. Ensconced in one of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals all week, his condition appeared to be deteriorating as each day dawned. Without going into too much detail, pater's condition twenty four hours ago saw him almost fully dependent... Continue Reading →
Chamber of lingering, institution of inflicted Seemingly endless tenancy o’er seven summers; brood support plural Carer career abiding; careering confidence consequential Caricature spent emotionally; parking fees spent frequently Oppressive chamber calefaction; procrastinating in dept Radiation Unfaltering resource dedication; vocational tools medication. Jimmy’s, affectionate moniker for institute of St James Minions of Zebedee’s son challenged... Continue Reading →