Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Following her cardiac procedure yesterday, my diminutive spouse is sore and tired but in reasonable spirits. As I sit listening to her on the phone updating her parents, who lovingly didn’t bother contacting her yesterday, it is clear that the insertion of a stent hasn’t affected her ability to natter.........Or indeed made her mater and pater... Continue Reading →
There is a paucity of good cheer in chez Strachan at the moment. Uncertainty in many aspects of Karen’s and my life all currently contribute to a melting pot of uneasiness; causing self-doubt and the taunting our minds. Focussing on things we can change has to be our priority. However, a combination of concerns creates... Continue Reading →
On this precipitous Monday morning, I've been perusing my diary to ascertain what we have organised for the upcoming week. Despite the convenience of recording plans on the calendar app on my smart phone, the Luddite in me leads me to utilise an 'old school' paper diary. This traditional organiser exhibits a distinct scarcity of ink in the pages... Continue Reading →
As a middle aged man addled with cynicism and with bitterness to spare, it is heartening to know my erratic mind still occasionally revisits the immature double entrendre destinations of my youth. I’m not overly proud of the jokes themselves, however it is comforting to know I still have one foot in the portal of my... Continue Reading →
I started writing this narrative sat in the Oncology Institute at St James' Hospital, while awaiting Karen's oncologist appointment. It's the first of two visits this week as she has her monthly treatment on Tuesday to supplement her daily medication. When I commenced writing this, I was heartened to see the sun shining outside and... Continue Reading →
Charlie Chaplin once said "Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.". I assume he did so via a caption as all the films I saw him in he was inaudible! Despite everything, it is a mantra we as a family try to live by as much as possible. There are times when... Continue Reading →
Recently, I was saddened to hear an old friend of mine had been diagnosed with a serious illness. I’ve known Alan (the friend in question) since 1983 when, as a wet behind the ears kid, he showed me the ropes in my new role at British Coal in Gateshead. He was supposed to teach me... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I composed a narrative about my wife’s 50th birthday on Saturday. That blog had the emphasis on what reaching that milestone meant to her as the sufferer of a long term health battle. Today, I wanted to ‘add meat to the bones’ of the events that made her day so special to her. On... Continue Reading →
“We dreamers have our ways Of facing rainy days And somehow we survive….. “ Those first three lines of lyrics from Barry Manilow’s song ‘I Made It Through The Rain’ sprung to mind yesterday during a discussion with my wife on her 50th Birthday. The words made an unscheduled cranial visit while we discussed the... Continue Reading →