Day 672: Baby Thomas

What a joy to hold a baby boy again!  Amy called for me to come over and meet her new grandson, Thomas.  At one month old, he weighs nine pounds and barely sleeps at all during the night so his mom and dad are very tired.  The dogs were so curious about him and a little jealous, too.  Molly and Petunia didn't get too close, but Emmet kept zipping by till he stole a tiny sock from Thomas.  Dan says he does it all the time with his granddaughters too.  Allison is an educated and informed mother.  She's read many of the latest books on raising children.  One funny change is that now the disposable diapers have a yellow strip on the front and when the baby pees, the strip turns blue.  They are so happy!

Today, I prepared a list of major tasks to work on to finish the Quest book.  There are six more chapters to revise and complete:

1. The outdoor classroom and preparation classes

2. Cost, logistics and scheduling

3. Games, songs and activities

4. Homecoming and what to do when it's over

5. Including parent tasks in the leadership chapter

6.  Revising the 1970s section to add newly discovered information.

As I began to read the text, I found many other smaller editing tasks, but I'll begin on the more significant first.  I think it's possible to do the six jobs in two months so that I can finish by Jan. 1, 2014.   I'm sure that as I work other revisions will become apparent.  Now I will feel more confident in January to begin the search for a publisher.  Steve still is urging me to approach Backpacker magazine with the proposal for them to do a story on Quest.  

Steve is out at a major fire on Route 20 in Brocton along with many other fire departments.  We had been asleep for an hour when the call came in.  He'll probably be out for most of the night.