Hello Jackson,

Sorry about the shape of The Obituary Writer. When telling a story, I need to remind myself it is in the past (past tense) and I need make to make sure Im not describing something as if its happening in real time.   

Couple things: 

*  Again, thanks.   Made your edits, all 6,000 

Ill make sure stuff I send you will be in Times New Roman, 12 pt., double space.   Not sure what happened. The change in typeface may have been due to a change from Pages 09 to the current version.

took out reference to Diamonds bruises.  I thought the reader might pick up on Diamonds dad not being the a very nice man.

knocked the squirrel count down to 2,000 (lifetime goal) and revised the porch section: Due to a hip ailment, Mr. Jenkins hunted squirrels mostly from his porch during the last 15 years of his life.  Otherwise, he would have reached his squirrel kill goal with time to spare.  It is well known that squirrels tend to shy away from porches where they are being fired upon. 

Nothing behind the name Diamond.  Thought it would he more interesting than Sue .

You had Diamond Begin to speculate about Chestersons life and I had her begin to formulate his life.  To me, formulate is what she did, she was about to create an imaginary,  life filled with over-the-top stuff.  Speculate to me meant trying to envision his actual life.  Is this a coin toss on words?  Do you buy my logic? 

 I am inclined to scrap the obit as written and have Diamond give Chesterson an interesting life.  Current version probably wouldnt read well in some parts of the country, perhaps all. Maybe too juvenile.  Ill take a little gamble here:  I dont think you cared for this piece.  Thoughts?

* btw, When I was in the Army (69-71) my last few months was at a desk working on the then Voluntary Army VOLAR initiative, Ft Carson, CO.  They were screening candidates for re-enlistment.  One guys file was marked something like Non Combat Assignment.  Reason?  Allegic to lead.