As I perch in self-isolation, whilst endeavouring to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, I’m pondering who was the metaphorical Pandora who opened the box to unleash this odious coronavirus among the global family. For the uninitiated, in Greek mythology, Pandora opened a jar left in her care which unbeknown to her containing sickness, death and many other unspecified evils which were then released into the world. Though she hastily […]
It’s been a fruitful two days dans le jardin de la maison Strachan. Not only have I mowed both lawns, undertaken border work, along with jet blasting a patio, I’ve also learned the French translation of ‘in the garden at the Strachan home’. Each task was undertaken with Verve and Gusto. Well, apart from learning the smidgen of French, which I did after Verve and Gusto had gone home. I find […]
On Christmas Day I was fortunate to have the opportunity to liberate quite a few gifts from their wrapping paper incarceration. Trinkets which made me grateful I’ve such thoughtful family and friends. Bestowals whose number were heavily stacked by redolently scented cosmetic creams and sprays; circumstances sowing seeds of doubt in my erratic mind I’d may’ve subtly just been made aware of personal hygiene issues. Other bequests to this mercurial […]
With Christmas Day hurtling towards us with the speed of a linen basket escaping a pair of The Grinch’s three week worn underpants, I’m concerned to be still awaiting delivery of half the festive gifts I purchased online in the middle of November…… In hindsight, perhaps it was misguided to order my daughter Rachel a Christmas present consisting of a pet sloth family, particularly one who stubbornly insisted on walking […]
Chestnuts roasting on a open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose Yuletide songs being sung by a choir Folks dressed up like Eskimos. Excerpts from this morning’s list of distractions to yours truly’s literary flow. As you can imagine, attempting to concentrate on penning a narrative whilst your nose’s being nipped, in conjunction to the being subject to a tuneless cacophony of a choir, is challenging……. Additionally, I probably should […]
It’s Wednesday morning and I’ve just returned home after transporting two family members to Leeds Railway Station. This convivial twenty minute sojourn by car undertaken to a backdrop of tunes from the musicals on Apple Music; anthems predominantly taken from the movies La La Land and The Greatest Showman. Award winning contemporary musical refrains from the prodigious pen and creatively fertile minds of American songwriting duo Pasek and Paul. Exposure […]
It was a return whose profile paled into insignificance compared to, say, the prodigal son in the New Testament parable, or the rekindling of Robbie William’s career with band Take That. Neither was it an event which’ll shake the British music industry to its very foundations; producing vast column inches, penned with prurient glee by editors of tabloid entertainment pages. No, yesterday evenings ‘return of the Strach’ to rehearsals with […]
