Surprises abound.

Just returned from a quick jaunt to the closest market. Absolutely hauled over there and back before I started feeling any more bilious than I already did. Thankfully there were no coppers anywhere in sight.

When there I stopped to talk to an old friend who I've known since we were about 6 years old. She just floored me when she told me that a man from town who is 3 years younger than we dropped dead on the job yesterday... damn. Damn! He was one of the local VWP contingent and we have never been friends but I certainly didn't wish him any harm. His kids are all grown but this has to be a horrible shock to his family. I tried to imagine how I would feel, how I would deal with it, if something like that happened to Himself.

Then I decided it would be best to not think on that too long.

Darndest thing is it is happening more and more frequently. A dear friend died of a heart attack in 2002, several others have died of one thing or another and they've all been younger by as much as 10 years. Our whole graduating class is still alive with the exception of a long-time dumbhead who got himself killed drinking and driving back in 1995. Far as I know, everyone else is still going strong.

Just kind of makes a person think.