Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Mother's Day has been and gone. With the family matriarch edging towards her seventh week in a stroke ward, there wasn't opportunity for my siblings or me to spend the day in the company of mater. Consequently, thanks to COVID edicts, our gratitude, love and reverence for the old lady had to be delivered via... Continue Reading →
Overnight, during a particularly disturbing slumber, my night visions incorporated scenes of being imprisoned in a Turkish jail, similar to that experienced by Billy Hayes in 1978 movie Midnight Express. Unlike the character played by Brad Davis who attempted to smuggle hashish out of Turkey, though, my misdemeanour causing deprivation of liberty was smuggling Pontefract... Continue Reading →
During the French Revolution in the late 18th century the nation's queen, Marie Antoinette, was attributed to've displayed a glaring lack of humanity, disdainfully informing France's starving populace to quell hunger pangs by eating cake. I'd doubt any attempts to facilitate the Great French Bake Off came to pass on the back of the monarchs... Continue Reading →
Under current COVID-19 restrictions, the cliche of everyday being Groundhog Day has been mooted frequently. However this week, on 2nd February, marks the actual Groundhog Day. An occasion citizen's of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, observe the behaviour of local groundhogs as they emerge from their burrows. In particular their reactions to that day's meteorological conditions. Folklore decreeing:-... Continue Reading →
"Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness the world affords." Samuel Johnson The above proffering from acclaimed 18th century scholar Doctor Johnson, whose grasp of the English language is mooted by many, including my colonic irrigation therapist Niahm, to've been unsurpassed for over 250 years. Despite his amazing insight into... Continue Reading →
Today, due to an itinerary containing domestic chores of higher priority, GJ Strachan's daily journal commenced later than usual. As a consequence of beef casserole preparation, along with ironing a pile of recently laundered clothes, my arrival at the laptop keyboard was delayed until the sun'd already passed over the yardarm. Incidentally, use of 'the... Continue Reading →
As alluded to in yesterday's narrative Variety Show, last night was Zoom quiz evening. Three hours during which seven like minded fellows engaged in inquisitorial combat. It's victor afforded the spoils of a half empty 2 litre bottle of Castrol GTX motor oil and a bag of scampi that'd lain unloved for 17 years in... Continue Reading →
Today sees the second anniversary of me suffering a heart attack. A major life, and nearly death, event making me acutely aware of the exactitude of oft used old cliche 'Live every day as it's your last'. Admittedly, I still don't always adhere to that mantra, however, the episode has instilled in me a stronger... Continue Reading →
I'd a fractured slumber overnight; my disrupted sleep pattern proving as erratic as Mr Magoo's driving skills. Falling asleep at 9pm, during an episode of Netflix drama 'Unbelievable', I woke around 12.40am disorientated, wondering why I was wearing a Scooby Doo fancy dress outfit. Footnote - A fractured slumber isn't to be confused with a... Continue Reading →