I have it on good authority that the 2nd February was 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:- If it’s cloudy on first leaving their burrows spring will arrive before the vernal equinox. If it’s sunny then the groundhog will retreat into the burrow after seeing […]
One of the largest challenges I face while quilling these daily journals is crafting gags for the more whimsical lexicological offerings. Predominantly written bereft of a sounding bound, I’m writing gags which’ve not been witnessed, approved or dismissed prior to, via writesaidfred.org, launching them unceremoniously onto the worldwide web. Without prior critical feedback seeds of uncertainty manifest. Has the quip has been optimally structured? Not to mention angst as to […]
Yesterday, my East Ardsley abode (well my mum’s to be more accurate) saw the return of Mrs S senior from her week long holiday in Bridlington. Consequently, I’ve now returned to a life incorporating the old lady’s repeatedly asked enquiries, along with the home’s TV ‘graced’ with fueilletons. Soap operas which my sister Helen dubs as “Mum’s rubbish telly”. Like her daughter our mother Maggie is a bright, caring, funny lady. […]
Through latter day smoke signals which go under the guise of social media, I learned yesterday that ITV’s cop drama Vera was being filmed at the bottom of the Gateshead street where, in the 1970’s/80’s, I spent my fledgling years. This Low Fell cul-de-sac with the Chowdene estate in the southern suburbs of Gateshead, a few hundred yards from where the Angel of the North now resides. As I’d left […]
With autumnal temperatures starting to drop in West Yorkshire, it appears the season has shaken off it’s apparent indifference to conclude 2018’s warm spell. The death knell is ringing for deciduous flora and fauna that over the last eight months have graced the front and back gardens of casa Strachan. Soon it’ll be time for the garden furniture to hibernate until next March/April, not returning until post-winter dormancy ends, providing […]
Unless they introduce a ‘Best Performance Stood In A Green T-Shirt With A Collection Bucket in M&S’ category, it’s an event that’s unlikely to secure me a BAFTA nomination. Nevertheless, I thought I’d make you, my discerning reader, aware that brief clips of an interview I did with a ‘Made in Leeds’ TV reporter are currently being sporadically shown on the local Freeview channel. My fleeting TV debut featured in […]
I’m writing this piece wearing a pair of earphones in what’s turned into a futile attempt to negate the sound from a daytime TV show my wife is currently viewing. Although the gogglebox’s volume is diminished slightly by the over the head speakers, I’m still able to hear Charlie Dimmock and the Rich brothers yapping on BBC1 about an ongoing horticultural revamp. Being easily distracted and craving silence when I […]
