More 'splainin'

I apologize profusely to those of you who went looking for a new page of the comic on Monday the 21st.
Here is what happened:
1. I decided a series of four pages would be much improved if completely reworked into three and found myself starting over on these pages. Sure enough, they are far better, if somewhat rushed.
2. Living very near nowhere, (Skull Valley is just over the mountain from me, seriously) ISP reliability is a bit spotty. Unless you have megabucks to throw at satellite. A strong wind can cause me to lose my connection. Again, seriously.
3. actually, no problem so far. Despite several time impositions and the minimal commitment to 'the real world', everything was on track and nearly back on schedule. Then I became violently ill.
Much better now, thanks, but WHAM! Down for about two days with a half hour's worth of prep work prior to posting page 23.
Best I can figure, I ate way to much French-bread pizza loaded with a handfull of different cheese varieties and pepperoni and thick with the sauce to late at night after not really eating all day.
After about six hours and for the next couple days I suffered all of the effects of binge drinking without the fun parts. I became familiar with the acoustics of the toilet bowl, was only able to catch sleep in twenty minute intervals between serenading the commode, and squinted through a dehydration headache. I also gained empathy for the computer, HAL 9000, from '2001: A space Odyssey' as I can now relate to what it feels like as one mind slows and loses full functionality. (shiver) NOT cool. Electrolyte balance good, alternative bad.
So, to those of you who were put out by the tardiness of the last update: You may take satisfaction in knowing that I did not enjoy it one bit. No sir.