Wayne Gray

Thanks for the nice message, Jeffrey! I like these folks, too, and their determination and grit are admirable. They learn what they don't know and make what they don't have. And that's because they have to. People do what they must, and we're watching that here. Thanks again. See you back here soon.

Thanks, Tony! I’ll do my best to keep it going. 🙂

Logistically, centralizing services does make a lot of sense. And Buck is right—this design has been passed down through history and reappears in many cultures across continents. So something about it works well enough to warrant repetition. Ah, fire. If you've ever played Project Zomboid (the game this story is based on), you would know precisely how fickle and dangerous it can be. Even when you think you've got it all figured out, and have planned for every eventuality, a few in-game hours later, you're watching the fire you confidently started blocks away consume your base you worked so hard to build. If I sound like I know this from experience, it's because I do. So. Yes. They'd better be careful. 😉 Thanks for reading and commenting. More to come.

Flaming Zombie Apocalypse. That sounds a bit like a punk band. LOL We will have to see how this plan goes. There are a few ways it can go wrong, not all anticipated by our crew. I suppose we'll find out if they get lucky, or if the fates have decided another path for them. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Garrett is a handy guy to have around. And he’s a good example for Shannon too. They’re both learning how to be men, and how you do that is watching others. But everybody has a place and a role to fill. Garrett is important out in the world, but he takes a backseat to the others when back at the farm. And that’s fine. Thanks for reading and for the comment!

You’re welcome, Chris. Thanks for reading and for the comment. More to follow.

Good call. Zombie soot is likely not great for the lungs or belly. As for how they’re getting along … I thought about that. I think people would largely set aside petty differences and find a way to coexist. Thanks for reading and for the comment. And we’ll have to see about that sleeve contraband you mentioned. 😉

You’re not wrong about consequences. Maybe one of those will be to find additional survivors. I suppose we’ll see. Thanks for reading and for the comment, Dave!

August 08, 1993 Saturday 645AM Mmmm. Wow. Yeah, I definitely like having our own cabin. Making as much noise as we want when messing around is just fun. Crap, running late. Gotta get out to the crew working on the tower. Till next time! August 08, 1993 Saturday 1120 AM Oops. I'm so embarrassed. Well, he was going to find out, but I didn't want it to go quite like this. Apparently, Russell had been up and walking around the yard early this morning, per doctor's orders, to get

My husband's boyfriend made it, so I'll ask him. The texture on it was GREAT. It was the best meatloaf I've had in a while.

Wow. Great to hear you're getting back on your feet. That takes work and grit, and you're doing it. Nice job. Honestly? It sounds like fertile ground for a story. 🙂 Take care, and drop by more often.

@kbois wow. Thank you! I mean, aren't you scared the govt will come after you now that you know "everything?" Be careful out there! Also ... wow. Again. LOL.

Turkey meatloaf, little potatoes split and coated in olive oil, ranch seasoning, and lemon zest, and glazed carrots all are in the oven. We'll eat a bit late, but it'll be worth it. This house smells fantastic. I hope you're all doing well on this Tuesday.

I'm going to forever put quotation marks around "shoe size" in my mind now.

See. We write. Sometimes, we write HOT stuff. Sometimes we write erotica, and sometimes it's just flat out, unapolegetic porn. So that response? Perfection.

Sorry you're feeling "blah," tim. Let folks take care of you. you'll be back to sneaking donuts in no time.

spyke may be onto something here, Chris. You didn't do so, but patients who say things like "It feels like I'm swallowing glass" usually end up with strep throat. Get checked out if it doesn't clear up soon. Folks who ignore strep can have autoimmune issues later, so you don't want to ignore it. Plus, a simple course of antibiotics will make you feel a world better if it is strep. Feel better soon. EDIT: The tired comment also makes me wonder if it's mono. If you and hubby are not above making out with others, it's possible. It's a super simple test to determine both mono and strep, so do your best to get to a clinic.

I’ve been taking more time off lately. I’ve got over a month banked, and I accrue about 2.5 days a month, so I take at least a day off to extend a weekend. I could use more, but not until I get a manager in place and trained. As it is, I get called and messages on days off, so there’s no real point. Lol Take that MH day, kbois.

Good! He's a "to the point" kind of guy. Accepting, loving, protective too. What's not to like?

Hey. First, thanks for taking the time to comment. That's always appreciated. Second ... I can't recall where I said this, but I'll repeat it. Most Americans are about three months of no work away from homelessness. It doesn't really matter what the reason is - most people in the US cannot handle that long of a gap in income. Few of us are immune to that. A medical issue, a bad string of jobs that don't work out, or housing falling through, and we're untethered - ground under the wheels of the systems we used to be a part of. This story shows how a productive person can have this happen to them, despite their wanting to rise above these new, undeserved circumstances. I'm sorry you've hit a rough patch. Those happen to many of us, and our saving grace has to be those who love us. Don't be hard on yourself. Ask what you would do for those who are now doing for you. Would you do the same? Would you help them if you could? I'm betting you know the answer. So, accept that grace given. Remember it. Return it when the time allows. Anyone looking for a way to stand on their own will find their feet. You'll get there. Thank you for reading. And good luck to you. I'm glad you have found some hope here.

Thanks, lucretiaseeks. I read a piece concerning how the GOP is essentially screwed. They are hostage to someone who commands legions of rabid followers. They know their jobs and perhaps lives are forfeit if they resist. So. They don't. They give up their power for the illusion of control and security. Many hate what is happening, but they have no courage. So here we are, where any backbone is reason to proclaim that person unfit, unclean, and disloyal. This is why the only lever left is the judiciary. That's it. Well. And in the end, authority only exists for one reason. Because it is ALLOWED to exist by the people affected by that authority. That authority will vanish under a wave of rebellion, anger, and righteousness when pushed too far. That isn't far off. This administration won't last four years. Not in a country like mine - where a lack of reasonable gun laws have allowed firearms in so many hands. Maybe legislators will realize this and act before that happens. Or maybe not. Regardless, this administration won't last four years. Things will get worse before they improve. But they will improve. One way or another. EDIT: I'm so sure this term will not last the full four years because before he was even elected, we saw two attacks on him. Notably, those came from the right, not liberals. He has encouraged his followers to solve problems with violence, and they will eventually see him as a problem. When they cannot get life-saving healthcare for loved ones or put food on their tables, they will ultimately realize they're being lied to. The past has proven they're capable of knowing where the problem lies. Give them no other choice, and they'll take the only route they know.

Thanks, Flip-Flop. I actively went searching for anti-nazi symbolism, and this really fit the bill. James did a tremendous job incorporating the two into a great, coherent design. Lots of meaning. Personalized, and ever-pertinent.

Thank you, Reader. I’m super happy with how it turned out.

Thanks, Chris. I love it.

He did. I forget what a tremendous talent he is until I see him work, and then I am reminded in the best way. Thanks, kbois.