From Stephanie Elizondo Griest, Writer, 7 week resident April - June 2007

Dear Denise and Pat,

My goal for 7 weeks at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center was to tackle the third draft of a memoir about ancestor-seeking in Mexico, due August 2007.

In addition to that, I

• Did three book events, 2 at KHN and one at the Lyceum in Brownville
• Applied for speaking gigs at 25 boarding schools
• Applied for teaching gigs at 20 programs
• Applied for 3 new residencies
• Booked a fall promotional tour
• Did a little research and a lot of contemplation on my next book project
• Discovered Willa Cather, thunderstorms, early homesteading history, and Friday Night Fish Fries
• Rode a mountain bike hundreds of miles
• Drank a lot of apple cider
• Met some wonderful people both at the Center and in the town, with whom I envision long-lasting friendships.

My deepest thanks for this glorious experience!

Stephanie