_______________________________
The next morning the group is stirring at dawn. The Sun not yet up but the
early dawn provides enough light that we can see the outline of trees in the
distance and here and there a member of the group rising to stand and stretch.
When it is clear that they are all awake, Martha has an announcement.
Frank pats his shirt pocket and smiles when he feels a familiar friend there.
He draws out a pocket sized guide and holds it aloft.
Then, under his breath to himself as he realizes for once he, Frank, is the
hero. A slight smile touches his face. Alive again, with a role to play after
the loss of his wife Jane.
_______________________________
The group is limping along with less energy than the day before. Clara, who
is middle aged, is frankly dragging, and Netty comes up to her to take her
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sack. The group is strung out in a line. Big Tom and Colonel Cage are at the
front of the line, approaching some low rolling hills.
Frank is walking side by side with Billy, who is leaning close now and then to
look at a picture in Frank’s small pocket sized handbook on wild edibles.
Frank is gesturing, and Billy glances up now and then to look at Frank in the
face, to be polite, but clearly would rather just have the book.
Martha and Tammy are scouting as they go, only stepping off the trail for a
moment to pluck a likely weed, then sampling a leave or flower as they pick up
the pace to return to their place in line. Martha has grabbed a purple flower
off a thistle, takes a nibble and hands a bite down to Tammy for her to taste
test too. They smile at each other.
_______________________________
A large black rat snake has been startled from its nap in the sun and has
started to wriggle into the protection of some tall grass. A military boot
suddenly stomps down on the snake toward its tail, nailing it to the ground.
One of the soldiers drops a rock on the snake’s head and the snake stops
wriggling.
_______________________________
A creek, gurgling through the woods, is under both sunlight and shade as it
winds it way past tall trees and dense woods. Red has stepped into the water
on one side, scooping up a lacy light green plant growing in the water along
the bank. Red loads his left arm with the harvest while grabbing handfuls with
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his right hand, oblivious to the fact that his left side is getting muddy and
wet. He has a smile on his face. Water cress is a find on a day when even a
plain salad will be appreciated.
_______________________________
Netty and Danny are walking together, Netty almost on top of Danny who is in
the lead. She is earnestly explaining something to Danny, who has a worried
look on his face, not wanting to hear, and seems to almost be trying to put
distance between the two of them to avoid it. Netty keeps closing the gap,
though, talking nonstop.
They round a large tree and find a fallen tree trunk at the side of the path,
moldered halfway into the ground, the bark falling off. Netty points and
strides over to the trunk.
Danny has a horrified look on his face, but stops to watch as Netty kicks at
the trunk, pushing it over and dropping to her knees in the soft wood chips,
digging with a piece of bark. She pulls another, larger piece of bark toward
her and is putting white grubs on this, working quickly so the grubs don’t
escape into the soft ground. She looks over her shoulder at the reluctant
Danny, tossing him a smile.
_______________________________
Big Tom and Colonel Cage are at the head of the line. Big Tom looks over his
shoulder as they walk along a tree line and sees that many in the group are
not keeping up as they are taking time out to hunt and gather. The group is
stretched out at least a half mile long, with a gap between those following
and the two leaders. Big Tom says,
