Cut the first 500 words out of Blob (they were stupid words), ripped the middle out of it, stuck it up front as a hook, flashed back to the drive and I think it works better now.
Oh. Also added 250 new words to it (thanks, Pike--great suggestions), and I'll be picking up on other peeps suggestions as I go forward. Then I'll go back and do it again, 'cause it will need at least another edit.
This story needed sitting. I was too close to it. Once I gave it two weeks and went back to it, I couldn't believe some of the crap I wrote. I couldn't see it earlier. And, Lordy, did the crits help. I think it may turn out okay in the end. Thanks one and all.
eta: And about dog walking. I'm all for that.