From the journal of John Archer, the Archivist, June 6

June 6 , 2017

Well, it has been a really interesting time since we made it to Aspen. I know that Jenna wrote about the kids and their play area, she told me she did. I still have to say I was really impressed with their imagination and innovation in putting those structure together and not necessarily in the same way they were originally put together. I was also impressed with the way that Jenna and Sean and the way they stepped up and helped the younger children get what they wanted and needed. They helped the children design, plan and build their ideal play area and it's one that might come in handy if we are ever attacked by the living or overrun by the undead.

Jenna and Sean

Those two have been providing us a lot of entertainment since we combined groups. First, they both mooned over each other. Taking turns staring at each other when they thought no one was looking. Then they started flirting and "hanging out" as they like to call it. It was like watching a Lifetime TV movie happening right before out eyes. Now, they are at the hand holding stage. It's adorable.
Others are starting to have goo goo eyes at each other too. Kim, who used to be an LVN was one of the people assisting Dr Ben and had been spending a lot of time with Mike, the man who was bit. They had started having feelings for each other, but haven't been able to act on them because Mike has been so sick and on the brink of death a couple of times. The other person helping Dr Ben, Carol S. who was our secretary while we were at the camp, and the doctor himself had started dating, when he wasn't hidden in his lab. They have been spending hours since she was in school to be a pathologist and was only a year and a half from graduation before the pandemic hit.

Ashley and Gary

Then there's Ashley, one of our teachers, and Gary were looking at each other with stars in their eyes. And two of our mothers Donna (who's son is Kevin) and Michelle (who' son is Eric) have started spending time with Richard, a former button pusher, an Steve, one of our leadership committee members and a former fire fighter.
I guess for a community to grow, this has to happen, and we want out community to grow. For all we know, we are the last piece of civilization left and if the human race is to survive, we have to keep having children.
Dr Ben and Carol S. seem to be making some progress on figuring out what alllowed Henry to survive while everyone else has died who has been bit. The little bit they have accomplished just seperating out the plasma from Henry's blood and then giving it to Mike is why Dr Ben thinks Mike is still alive. He hopes that if they can do more tests and figure out exactly what is different in Henry's blood, then they can cure Mike or the sickness that is lingering still. I hope they are right.
Well, our lives are moving forward. We are making our compound more secure, teaching everyone to defend themselves and the rest of the group. People are filtering into the best positions for them and the children are getting settled in. Civilization is still in the world as long as we keep surviving.

As a writer and artist, I appreciate any readers and their comments. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Please, come read the other blog I write for our artisan collective, Raven's Castle Creations, on our website at www.ravencastlecreations.com. It includes posts on art, the mythology of symbols we use in our art, history and more! Also, come see the art we produce in our Etsy store at etsy.com/shop/RavenCastleCreations. Follow us on Twitter at @ravencastleart and on Facebook at @ravencastlecreations.