Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Yesterday saw a drive to a Leeds Teaching Hospital for my wife to receive her four weekly oncology treatment, followed by an afternoon escorting mater food shopping at the White Rose Centre in Leeds. Today, there's gardening for the aforementioned Mrs Strachan senior, before a brief sojourn to the suburbs of York for some minor... Continue Reading →
The past couple of days has seen yours truly twice venturing east along the A64 to undertake decorating duties for my son Jonny and his fiancée Jenny. The destination a village on the outskirts of York, a place they'll forever recall as the locale where they climbed upon the housing ladder. The couple's exciting new... Continue Reading →
Today's my Pearl wedding anniversary. Thirty years since I walked down the aisle of a County Durham church with my new wife. On that sunny September morn, the Best Man (my brother Ian) and I arrived slightly late at the church. Our tardiness the result of our kid's watch being set to British Summer Time instead of... Continue Reading →
After a pleasant restaurant lunch to celebrate Mrs Strachan senior's birthday, late afternoon saw Mrs S junior (Karen) and me pay a visit to St James' Hospital for my spouses scheduled consultation with an oncologist. We talked Mrs Strachan senior (Maggie) out of joining us, the spouse and yours truly deeming an oncology unit waiting... Continue Reading →
The first birthday without her beloved husband. Yet another milestone to endure; one more hurdle to be leapt as part of the lady's grieving process. After 57 years marriage, prior to being widowed in October 2017, my mother's anniversary of birth today will no doubt present her with a very different experience than normal. For... Continue Reading →
Looking through my mum's dining room windows outside an uncharacteristic, almost dream like, serenity plays out in front of me. Bereft of breeze and the usual noise from nearby house builders and coyote howl, it appears life in East Ardsley has been placed on pause. This scene instilling thoughts I've stepped into an art house... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/RBHZFYpQ6nc If only I were a rich man! - A sentiment subscribed to by those who feel there's happy every afters in that there pretty green. A misguided idea believing being well off is the route to a trouble-free existence; a catalyst to a utopian place where misery and anxiety dare not darken it's door.... Continue Reading →
I'm writing this piece wearing a pair of earphones in what's turned into a futile attempt to negate the sound from a daytime TV show my wife is currently viewing. Although the gogglebox's volume is diminished slightly by the over the head speakers, I'm still able to hear Charlie Dimmock and the Rich brothers yapping... Continue Reading →
As I flounder in search of inspiration for today's literary topic, my eyes are drawn to the globe perched among the shelves of my dining room bookcase. The area of the sphere in my immediate vision the multitude South Pacific islands east of Australia. Tuvulu, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Tokelau just four of the hundreds of... Continue Reading →