Arontius of Bygelswade

.....This morning I log into my e-mail and the first e-mail I read was from Ian MacKynnes telling a group of us that Isolde the Nimble-Fingered died overnight. I hadn't seen Isolde for a number of years. We didn't run in the same crowds. But I do remember her. She was a good person although I used to frustrate the heck out of her. I was forever confusing her, even at that time, with Mistress Isolde. She was diagnosed with cancer here recently and was starting to get all of her affairs in order. This sounds tacky I know, but I'm thinking that going suddenly might be the best way to go. I've seen the lingering type and it's agony for everyone involved. But I'm certainly not the one to make those types of decisions thankfully.

.....Got to work and found out that a co-worker had died suddenly of a massive heart attack. Billy Martin. He was an engineer who worked down in the Machine Shop. Only 51 years old. Smart guy. I could give him half an idea and he'd have it drawn out on the computer along with detailed instructions on how to make it. All in a matter of hours. His poor wife. She's in absolute shock. Billy handled everything financial. His wife can't get into the safe where all the important paperwork is kept. They had six rental units around town and she has no idea what she is going to do with them. Some of the other engineers in his office are taking turns to spend time with her and help sort things out.

.....I'm hoping rather strongly at this moment that the old adage of things coming in threes is simply not true.

.....Arontius.