The best laid plans of mice and men....

Well, my plans certainly went askew. For too many reason, most of which are personal, I never managed to make any progress on the book. So much has happened, turmoil and chaos, but that, too, has passed.

     In even amongst the chaos, I did manage to finish a project of mine that was five years in the making: the researching, writing and publishing of a book on small private presses in Montana and Wyoming. I got that out the door in January of this year. It is showing up in various institutional libraries across the country so it is hitting its target market.

    It is hard to believe that it has been over three years since Jan passed, but 'tis so, and I really MUST get going. It has been so long that I'm having to re-read what has gone before to refresh my memory. I admit I rather used that project as an excuse for avoiding returning to these books.

   As I once again take up my pen...well, keyboard...and assay the attempt, I am filled with trepidation, and were it not for her notes, etc., and our many and long discussions, I wouldn't think of trying to finish up.

    But finish I must.

    Wish me luck!

--Richard L. Hardesty

   9/28/25