Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
I wrote a significant amount of the attached narrative last week as a tribute to a pooch with who I'd forged a strong bond since arriving into my life on his mother's shirttails around a year ago. Due to an amalgam of time restraints, other more pressing issues and author uncertainty around the prose, I've... Continue Reading →
It played out one year ago..... 12 months...... 365 days..... Events ensuring, irrespective of future occurrences on that date, 3rd October will remain indelibly tainted within the family as being the calendar juncture of my mums passing. The familial matriarch's protracted 2021 demise playing out in an Ossett care home; the final dark proceedings witnessed... Continue Reading →
As I begin this chronicle I’ve just returned into my mothers care home room after vacating it while nurses undertook the matriarch's personal care. While standing out in the corridor, adjacent to Maggie’s chamber, Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s emotive hymn Pie Jesu played out from a neighbouring resident’s room. The refrain’s celestial nature, incorporating prayers to a... Continue Reading →
Well, my little buddy Coco appeared to enjoy a splendid birthday on Thursday. Sure, it wasn't an occasion playing out with any great pomp and circumstance - The beautiful Labrador/retriever cross's official arrival into middle age not celebrated with a marching band, elaborate firework display or quaffing of champers. However, my poochy pal still managed... Continue Reading →
While my mother sits in her armchair watching today's funeral of Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, I'll be shredding a pile of documents in the matriarch's kitchen. Like jet blasting muck from patios, yours truly find the wanton destruction of confidential documents a cathartic experience. The bank statements, tax code documents and delinquent insurance... Continue Reading →
I've recently returned from watching an under-16 football match between my new locale Tingley and former manor Colton. A spontaneous decision resulting in a couple of hours where I got to meet up with my Colton based buddy Mike. He in attendance to watch son Sam, who plays as a midfielder for the away side.... Continue Reading →
It's Sunday evening as I commence this blog. Sitting in my dining area, I'm aware of the Strictly Come Dancing results show which emanates from the corner of the lounge. It's cheering crowd and jangle of sequins an unwelcome distraction in my attempts to wax lyrical...... God only knows why my wife Karen chose to invite... Continue Reading →
Like any person with a shred of humanity, waking yesterday to the news of Monday nights terrorist attack in Manchester sickened me to the core. Although I have strong views about the incident, I'm going to leave the journaling of actions, views and possible solutions to proper political writers. I'm keen to avoid venturing down avenues where... Continue Reading →
Well it's reached the last day of a month where several legends from the entertainment business have been taken from us. Unfortunately January 2016, as part of his pact with the grim reaper, didn't want to go with a whimper. Consequently, this morning we were hit with the sad news of the passing of broadcaster/presenter... Continue Reading →