Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Yesterday, I was talking to an acquaintance who told me that their new years resolution was to stop smoking. It was a bit of a surprise as I hadn’t realised my 10 year old nephew was a smoker, but credit to the kid for trying to break the habit! That was only a joke by... Continue Reading →
It's 1st January 2016. As I attempt to build my narrative, the living room clock stares back informing me it's 11.15. Well it was when I started writing that sentence, it’s actually 11.17 now. When I complete this monologue it’ll probably be about 13.00; unless I stop for lunch, which will add fifteen minutes to... Continue Reading →
Well here we are on the last day of 2015. Very shortly, Julian Calendar's latest offspring, who shall be nameth 2016, will make an appearance. It is anticipated, the announcement of the arrival will be made live on TV by Jools Holland, around midnight. I plan to toast the appearance of the offspring with a... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I wrote of festivities at Chez Strachan on Christmas Day. I couldn’t share the taste of the turkey dinner or the mince pies via the medium of blogging. However, my narrative of around 800 words will have hopefully given a taste of my family’s experiences on this special day in the calendar. To avoid... Continue Reading →
It’s the 28th December. The Advent calendars are down, the turkey’s been consumed, the clementines (along with anything healthy) remain uneaten and the traditional photograph in the Christmas jumper has been taken. As the old saying goes it’s “all over bar the shouting”. I’m not sure when the shouting will take place, however I suspect... Continue Reading →
Well we are into Christmas week. Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost’s nipping at my nose and Yuletide songs are being sung by a choir. Well that’s not strictly true. They weren’t actually chestnuts roasting, it was a different kind of nuts after I stood too close to the open flames. Additionally,... Continue Reading →
Well it’s 17th December and the festive feel in Chez Strachan is slowly intensifying. How can you not feel festive when you’re greeted with the words ‘Front Bottom’ from behind window 17 on my Tourettes Advent calendar?! To add to the yuletide spirit, the unmistakable smell of spilt wine, satsumas, and the newly printed Christmas... Continue Reading →
This morning I put my Christmas tree up. I wouldn’t say ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ as penned by lyricist Meredith Willson in 1951, but a decorated tree, along with the smell of pine and cinnamon, have definitely made the house feel more festive. I find something strangely therapeutic about decorating a... Continue Reading →
We have another visit to St James’ Hospital tomorrow, for Karen’s third appointment of the week. There is a saying that “Good things come in threes.” To plagiarize the irascible waster Jim Royle (in the comedy The Royle Family), I would add the suffix of “My arse!” to that sentence. They also say that “Good... Continue Reading →