Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Thursday 19th April - Due to a busy schedule, today's flight of whimsy will have to be penned in segments. Chunks of narration conveying how my few 'to dos' are progressing, on what is forecast to be the meteorological silver-lining of recent cloud cover. Arriving downstairs this morning my wife Karen enthusiastically informed me "The... Continue Reading →
This morning, I'm greeted by a beautiful array of colours while I peer bleary eyed through my dining room window. Enhanced by the late autumnal sun, the deep orange of pyracantha, burgundy of sedum and multiple tinctures of winter pansies stare contentedly back at me. In front of me lays a view that's literally a sight for sore eyes. Basking in solar rays... Continue Reading →
I've got the last lawn cuts of the year to undertake today. It's barely a event that will gain a mention on the national TV news (or indeed locally) unless it's an incredibly slow news day. It's unlikely, however on a particularly barren Sunday in the BBC news room, who knows. The features editor may deem yarns of my garden... Continue Reading →
I ventured to a wondrous place this afternoon. In the company of my wife and mon mater we journeyed to a domain where there was a santa's grotto, a plethora of garden lighting consumables, more pot pours than the Frank Edward's Pot Pourri Emporium and bejewelled gardening gloves fit for Liberace....... Well they would be if... Continue Reading →
On Monday afternoon, while Karen was undergoing an MRI scan, I interspersed people watching with writing prose in a waiting area of the Bexley Wing, Leeds. The sonnet was written in a deliberately pretentious style, for which I make no apology. During this poem I made mention that St James (the name of the hospital currently... Continue Reading →
I spent a good part of my Saturday undertaking horticultural maintenance within the grounds of casa Strachana. Not a vast freeholding, the upkeep of the grounds is ordinarily a relatively straightforward chore, with exception of the maze - a recent self-indulgence of my wife Karen. My diminutive spouse insisted on designing and constructing the maze, such was her enthusiasm for the project.... Continue Reading →
Weeding and pruning the garden borders at this time of year can be a real pain in the ass. Endeavouring to navigate the plethora of spiders webs without it's creator ending up on your head or down your collar is a an acquired skill. Additionally, fall nuisance flies, miniscule of size but maximum of lughole itch, attempt to infiltrate the visage orifices of horticulturists,... Continue Reading →
I commence this narrative sitting at the patio table in my sanctuaire de jardin. Scanning the cornucopia of colour exhibited in the garden borders, it has occurred to me that I'm unable to recollect the names of a few plants that bring much solace. It can't be compared to the ignorance of a uninquisitive lothario who doesn't furnish himself with the moniker of... Continue Reading →
An early morning intervention of my nimbostratus nemesis scuppered todays plans of applying preservative to chez Strachan’s garden fencing. The wooden target area rendered untreatable by the thick charcoal cloud's unwelcome precipitation. Even though I applied wood stain to the majority of my fence panels last year, this task remained a necessity as areas remain untreated due to being covered by deciduous... Continue Reading →