Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
This morning the unforgiving precipitation and foreboding grey overhead nimbus clouds returned to East Leeds. The few days of respite from rain have departed and my mind turns once again to the conundrum of whether I should build an ark! In my back garden, a solitary robin shelters forlornly under pyracantha leaves, whilst feasting on... Continue Reading →
I’m sure she won’t mind me disclosing this, but my wife is 50 later this year. It is a landmark birthday that five years ago, when she was diagnosed with incurable illness, we thought she wouldn’t see. With this in mind, the family are eager to ensure this materialises into a memorable few months for Karen Strachan.... Continue Reading →
Parental Guidance – This blog contains the unavoidable use of colourful language, in particular a word that rhymes with duck. Enter at your own risk! I’m 20 days into my ‘Dry January’ now. All has been well so far and I haven’t displayed any overt signs of withdrawal!......... Well, unless me sitting with the fridge... Continue Reading →
I wrote recently of my scepticism surrounding old wives tales! During that mini diatribe, I carelessly omitted to touch on the comedic value of these superstitious folk tales when misquoted! As with mixed metaphors and idioms, there is something inherently funny about people attempting to impart words of wisdom, only for them to incorrectly delivered!... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I wrote of all things philosophy. Well not all things, I mainly conveyed the fictional philosophical words of wisdom by an equally fictional Frenchman named Aidan Le Torche. Today I want to touch upon the lower end of philosophy market. I'm referring to old wives tales which, depending on your inclination, are advocated as... Continue Reading →
Respected French philosopher Aidan Le Torche said of the weather “If it’s cold wear a coat! If it’s warm don’t wear a coat! If it’s mild wear a fleece, but not the grey one as it needs a wash!” It wasn’t the most thought provoking or inspiring piece of philosophy ever written. However, if employed... Continue Reading →
This Saturday morning sees a frosty, unwelcoming and miserable start to the day. That's not a weather report, I'm referring to the atmosphere in Chez Strachan after my daughter Rachel woke early on her day off! I told Karen that playing a bugle reveille at the crack of dawn wasn't a good idea..... Dawn wasn't... Continue Reading →
In the movie Calamity Jane, Doris Day sang:- I just blew in from the windy city The windy city is mighty pretty Well, I’ve just blew in from the Minster city, which is similarly mighty pretty! ..... Although, the guy I chatted to outside of Betty's, who got his dentures from a car boot sale,... Continue Reading →
For reasons unbeknown to anyone but God and perhaps astrologer Russell Grant, I can’t get the 1968 song ‘Lily The Pink’ out of my head this morning. The tongue in cheek song by comedy music group The Scaffold, a former UK chart topper, is currently playing on a constant loop in the capricious corridors of my mind.... Continue Reading →