Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Thirty years ago today I became a father for the first time. This major life event consequential of son and heir Jonathon joined the cast of this reality show called life. A rollercoaster of a gig that my boy has thus far weathered relatively well; arriving as a thirtysomething as an engaging and grounded young... Continue Reading →
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” - WH Auden If they'd the power of speech, an observation my arid front and back lawns may've hurled in my direction yesterday afternoon. Parched from around a month bereft of precipitation, the grass blades looked a pretty sorry bunch as Tuesday teatime approached. On witnessing... Continue Reading →
Yesterday evening, as shadows lengthened while solar rays ventured ever westward, I posed sedentary at casa Strachan's patio table To counter the consequential diminishing temperatures I ignited a chiminea wood fire. A pyre which burned fervently a foot, or so, from my uncovered legs, providing a comforting warmth to previously chilled lower limbs. Fleetingly, yours... Continue Reading →
"....Oh June, like the mountains are blue Like the pine I am lonesome for you..." After bidding good riddance to the month of May and a tentative welcome to June's advent here on planet COVID, the above sentiments from Laurel & Hardy's refrain Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia play continuously on loop upon my cranial jukebox. Like... Continue Reading →
There are numerous instances on social media (SM) where individuals have posted their belief that in contemporary times smart phones are guilty of 'Big Brother' like surveillance. This paranoia fed by logging onto the likes of Facebook or Instagram timelines to witness advertisements for random products of which the 'victim' recently spoke. As I've experienced... Continue Reading →
I've just heard an ice cream van in an adjacent street, which bore the James Bond theme as its chime. Deeming this a quirky alternative from the oft heard melodic chimes, such as 'Greensleeves' or 'Whistle While You Work', this soundscape was the catalyst to a wry grin adorning my visage. The aural backdrop placing... Continue Reading →
If nothing else, the weather on planet COVID's not been overly disagreeable in the past fortnight. Sure we've experienced a few gusty days which endeavoured to blow our garden parasol, along with a cluster of garden shrubs, into next week. However, the climates been temperate enough to afford regular tendering of chez Strachan's flora and... Continue Reading →
With a soundscape of distant radio music and children's brio while frolicking in nearby gardens, GJ Strachan perches garden patio table in situ. His self-appointed mission the scribbling of a second Spring Bank Holiday Monday chronicle. Sheltering from early afternoon solar rays under a hefty parasol, I'm currently afflicted by epiphany impotence. Potential topics for... Continue Reading →
On this day in mid-1960's my younger brother Ian made his inaugural appearance into the world. Born at our Leeds home, our kid arrived shortly after Cassius Clay'd knocked out Sonny Liston during their second World Heavyweight Championship fight. With Clay (latterly Muhammed Ali) winning by first round KO, Ian didn't turn up on time to... Continue Reading →