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This is the story of the end of life journeys of two dissimilar but treasured people. One was the author's wife, Chris, who joined him on a path that brought them close to the community of people whose ancestors were among the first European settlers of New Mexico. The other, his friend, Baudelio, was the last of a long line of pioneers who found a home in the high country of northern New Mexico. The story had its final act for Chris and Baudelio at close to the same time but in far different ways: hers from the anguish of Alzheimer's, his from the slow decline after a lifetime of hard work. Other characters are the people met along the way and the places where they came together. One place was Santa Rita, the ephemeral Hispano community where they built a straw bale cabin. Another was the roadside café in a small town on the way to and from the remote cabin.
About the author
HARLAN FLINT's connection to things Spanish began when he started to learn the language at the Putney School in Vermont under the guidance of a Jewish woman, a native of Spain who was a refugee from General Franco's regime. His interest in the language and Spanish culture has lasted a lifetime. Flint attended Swarthmore College and the University of New Mexico where he later earned his law degree, after three years in the army. He began his career as a lawyer in Santa Fe, specializing in New Mexico water law, and later was a corporate executive for twenty years before returning home to Santa Fe. His interest in the subject of this book began thirty five years ago when he and his family bought an old Hispano homestead in northern New Mexico. He is also the author of "Journey to a Straw Bale House" and "From There to Eternity: Alzheimer's and Beyond," both from Sunstone Press.
