Thursday, September 22, 9:45 PM. Garrett.

Claire is sick and we’re all supposed to stay away from her. She seems okay. You can tell she doesn’t feel great but she tries to act cheerful.

We didn’t go hunting today. We know where there are some deer now. We’re going to set up deer blinds near the feeders where we saw them, to hide in when we hunt. I’ve been practicing my target shooting and getting better and better. It’s good if you try to squeeze the trigger when your heart’s not beating. My shoulder is really sore but I think I’m getting used to it.

Mom says I’m getting really big muscles. I pretend I don’t notice but actually she’s totally right. I never wanted to be a jock. We walk a lot every day and sweep out the barn and carry big bags of horse food and all that sort of thing. That’s what’s doing it. I’m not as strong as my dad and probably won’t ever be. He’s really strong. He can lift like a 200 pound sack right off the ground.