Yellow menace, bird flu, beloved et al

Sudden death is almost becoming accustomed now. Beloved's ex-wife is Chinese. raised in Taiwan. Her two sisters made a trip to mainland China earlier this month. On return this weekI, one (a fit 60 yr old) fell into a high fever and died within 24 hrs at home, while the other sister is suffering debilitation from a severe diarrhoea at last check-in. Bird flu, SARS or what? A fit 60 yr old woman shouldn't die of unknown causes.

Beloved was winding down quietly at his blues bar last night when he had an extraordinary experience. He was becoming irritated by the brushing against his back of a woman, an older woman of age 60+, there with her lesbian lover. Eventually she spoke directly, touching his arm for vibes, and said that she couldn't do this often, but that she could sense trauma from him. That's no surprise to an old trooper, but further she told him his brother had recently died but he continued to watch over him. Beloved never over-reacts- he'd have been as laconic, phlematic as alwys. The wise crone tells him he has an old soul. When a young euphoric woman approaches, this crone says she can't read new souls like hers, and blows her off. Turning back to beloved, holding his hand, she asks if he has any other questions for her. Just like a man, he mumbles something existential and self-serving- 'que sera sera' etc. But ten minutes later she grips his hand again and says, 'Move! Just move, and don't look back. You'll be successful and happy. Don't look back'.

There's been a few crones in mylife, my mum amongst these, and also the Cecilia I met on the ferry to Gigha last year, or the summer befi=ore.

Whah? How to explain Dirk's interlocutor's perspicasiousness? We talked a little about it, me talking the mystery out of strange coincidences, echos and mirrors. I suggested instead of getting spooked out, that beloved should listen to an inner voice echoed back. Yes, he needs to move and yes, he deserves happiness.