"Vacation" is over

Pastor Dan
Fox River Valley QZ
Eastern Wisconsin

If exercise really is the cure for what ails you, I might never die at this rate.

After a few days out of commission with the kidney stone, I have had my runner missions outside of town DOUBLED to "make up" for time lost while I was FOB. I don't mind the extra work, at least it gives me stuff to do, but it would be a lot easier to handle if it didn't feel like the Commandant still had it out for me.

My services are continuing, but morale is about as low as it's been since we arrived. Folks mainly stop by and listen as something to do, and then head on with... whatever else is next, often to see if someone else is speaking. I have a handful of consistent attenders... my wife, a kid I sometimes run with named Dave, and three blue hairs from my congregation before this all started. Rose is there out of loyalty to me, Dave comes along because I make him laugh... but those three...

Their names are Joanne, Jane, and Judy. The three J's. They had already buried most of their families before the world ended, and seem just as content to weather this world as they were the last one. Their faith... it's real, it's strong, and sometimes it's all that keeps me going.

Well, that and you guys, thanks for all the comments.

I think the government, or whoever it is organizing the QZ's, knows about Tampa. They've been muttering about it for days and then I saw your update, Jason. I am so sorry to hear about Emily, keep moving, keep going. There's got to be a place you can hole up, safe. Find people you can trust.

Though that can be hard, when some people have a huge problem trusting you. I have another run with Dave in an hour or so, gonna go spend it with my wife before we hit the road. It's so hard on her when I go out... She knows I can easily outpace Droolers and Groaners, but I've been lucky so far not to run into any screamers up close.

Hell of a way to spend your anniversary.