Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
It’s April Fools Day. Consequently, we'll have a day littered with inane pranks, silly stories and tiresome practical jokes...... In other words it’s business as usual dans maison de Strachan. I find some practical jokes whimsical and innovative. For instance, yours truly was amused when hearing of a prank an acquaintance plans involving the filling... Continue Reading →
I've just returned from an essentials shop at the local convenience store. With it's checkouts fitted out with clear plastic tarpaulin, aimed at providing employees a degree of protection from the COVID-19 virus, it manifested notions within me I'd inadvertently wandered onto the kill set in an episode TV drama Dexter. On reaching the till,... Continue Reading →
I'm beginning to wander if this frequent hand washing malarky, a necessity in this stark COVID-19 era, is starting to erode away my fingerprints. I raise the topic as within the past week I've observed my devices with fingerprint recognition technology seem only to sporadically respond to my dab. My paranoia manifesting notions the access interruption... Continue Reading →
As world death rates continue to escalate at alarming rates, courtesy of our COVID-19 viral nemesis, I read with interest today's the birthday of comedian/performer Eric Idle. He the writer of Monty Python's whimsical ditty Always Look On The Bright of Life; an adage which admittedly isn't the easiest advocacy to adopt under current circumstances. Some... Continue Reading →
Day ten of isolation amongst the hallowed halls and chambers of chez Strachan. I understand that description is rather grand for a three bedroomed detached house on the Leeds/Wakefield borders. However, the poet within me was loathed to embark upon today's prose with a deeply unimaginative sentence, such as 'Day ten of being stuck in... Continue Reading →
Endeavouring to impart a little levity during these worrying times, I've mulled over various strategies in which I could maybe raise spirits amongst my readership, along with friends/followers on social media. Among these notions the production of recordings, either by video or audio podcasts of some of my narratives. My hybrid Yorkshire/North East accent, and... Continue Reading →
This morning, during a telephone conversation with her youngest son Ian, my mum felt moved to advise him her capability of coping under this dark COVID-19 landscape was enhanced by the fact she was a wartime baby. Her birthdate, one year into WWII, apparently providing her with a resilience and stoicism of which we 1960's... Continue Reading →
Commencing this journal, I'm attempting to compute the latest COVID-19 update just witnessed on TV. This concerning news, delivered during the daily UK governmental briefing, informing the British public it'll be an achievement if, amid our war with the spiteful COVID-19 pathogen, Britain keeps the nations death toll to under 20,000. A truly disquieting best case scenario!... Continue Reading →
Entering my second week of isolation in chez Strachan, I sit reflecting on what's been a productive first week with regards ticking off small projects from the chore inventory I've created myself during lockdown. With the rear patio and retaining wall jet blasted, the garage and my bedroom spruced up, both front and back gardens... Continue Reading →