Columns

Correction to Pajarito Reads Column on the Books of Carolyn Neeper

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The term “self-published” is not a correct description of Los Alamos science fiction writer Carolyn Neeper’s publishing process. The books are published by Penscript, an independent publisher. Here is a link to the story, which has been corrected to reflect the proper information. https://ladailypost.comcontent/pajarito-reads-local-sci-fi-writer-carolyn-neeper-explores-creating-sustainable-society.

The second book in the series, The Webs of Varok, recently won the Nautilus Book Awards Silver Medal for Young Adult Fiction.

The reviewer, Bonnie J. Gordon, Read More

The Pain Free Athlete: Improve Your Posture Through Better Muscle Function

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Jessica Kisiel

The Pain Free Athlete
Column by JESSICA KISIEL
 
Improve Your Posture Through Better Muscle Function

Have you noticed changes in your skeletal structure when looking in the mirror or viewing pictures of yourself?

Rounded shoulders? Increased or decreased arch in the lower back? One hip or shoulder higher than the other?

These postural changes may be due to loss of function in your muscles. Remember mom’s words, “sit up straight!” Go ahead – adjust your body into a better position now. What changes did you make to achieve this enhanced posture?

Did you increase the arch Read More

Food on the Hill: Shrimp Risotto

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This week’s Recipe:

Shrimp Risotto

Photo by Sue York/ladailypost.com
 
Ingredients:
 
2 cups of arborio rice (uncooked)
6 to 7 cups of chicken stock
2 1/2 tablespoons of butter
1 cup of chopped onions
4 cloves of garlic, pressed
1 1/2 teaspoons of dried dill weed
3/4 cup peas
1/2 cup asparagus, tips are best if you can use the rest of the stalk in something else
3 cups chopped shrimp
¾ cup parmesan cheese (not the expensive stuff)
1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1 teaspoon salt
12 uncut shrimp for garnish
Some good parmesan for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
 
Directions:
 
Read More

Yang: Am I Sorry For My Mistake? Well … Kind Of, Sort Of, Maybe; Let’s Discuss

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Am I Sorry For My Mistake? Well … kind of, sort of, maybe; let’s discuss.
Column by ELENA YANG

Some people really hate to own up their mistakes, and some mistakes seem to be more difficult for people to admit. 

There are many factors for such reluctance or avoidance. Here are a few obvious ones: A person’s position of power and reputation, the amount of time lapsed from initial decision to the revelation, the difficulty of isolating causality (i.e. Did my words cause all the trouble?), or the magnitude of sheer embarrassment … etc. 

For instance, managers are never wrong, neither are politicians Read More

Solo Traveler: The Art of Renting

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Solo Traveler
Column by SHERRY HARDAGE
 
The Art of Renting

It dawned on me one day in Florence, that without engaging in the art of renting, all the travel I’d been doing for the last few years would not have been possible.

Still clearly a novice, I don’t know every website that features places to rent. A full apartment isn’t always needed or wanted, and I’m only marginally comfortable renting a room in a home and sharing the bath.

At www.airbnb.com people post their spare rooms for rent. Sometimes a private bath is included; often the bath is shared. Some furnished apartments are

Read More

A View from the Stacks: Change in the Air!

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Column by GWEN KALAVAZA
Electronic Services Manager, Mesa Public Library
 
Library Drive:

Over the next few weeks, you will see some changes at Mesa Public Library as plans get underway to improve the area in front of the library. 

Beginning May 1, the road in front of the library will be closed while crews make library drive into a one-way street, running from Oppenheimer Drive toward Fuller Lodge, as well as install a new, larger drive-up book drop. Improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks also are planned. 

The primary reason for this project is safety-related. Site lines Read More

How The Hen House Turns: A Day In Our Lives

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How The Hen House Turns: A Day In Our Lives
By Carolyn A. (Cary) Neeper, Ph. D.

A beautiful blue-sky day this morning. Bobbi goose has made a lovely round nest in the Hen House and is sitting there with her neck stretched out in the straw. I hope she’s just laying an egg.

Though she normally honks at me while I’m in the pen doing household chores, today on her nest, she doesn’t even flinch as I freshen up the straw. (You know what that means – a long-handle plastic cooking spoon and gloves to toss the clotted straw out.)

Meanwhile, in the Hen House pen, Lucy has been grazing on a handful of alfalfa with Read More

Solo Traveler: When Atheists Pray

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Solo Traveler
Column by SHERRY HARDAGE
 
When Atheists Pray

A combi in Mexico is a van, usually a Toyota, with bench seats installed along each wall, behind the driver’s seat, and across the back. Packed solid, they can hold 20 or more people.

Combi drivers have a reputation for crazy fast driving, passing other cars on blind curves, sliding over the yellow line into oncoming traffic. Yet, miraculously, you almost never hear of a combi flying off a cliff and killing everyone. The drivers are just careful enough.

But every once in a while a driver is so bad you know your time on earth is limited, Read More

Help With The Hard Stuff: ‘Contain if Necessary’

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HELP WITH THE HARD STUFF:

Part 6 (of 10) –“Contain if Necessary”
By GINI NELSON, JD, MA

My last column continued William Uri’s “third-sider” roles lawyers can play that might help you with the hard stuff, focusing on the “resolve” roles of Mediator, Arbiter, Equalizer, and Healer.

This week I want to talk about Uri’s “contain” roles of Witness, Referee, and Peacekeeper, and also a hybrid activity I believe exists especially within the context of what can be called “Divorce Wars”: equalization and containment.

I agree with Uri that “unresolved conflict escalates because no one is paying attention Read More

Money IQ: The 5 C’s of Mortgage Banking

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Money IQ
By ROBERT ORTEGA

The 5 C’s of Mortgage Banking

The five most important items when evaluating a mortgage loan application are described below: Characteristics, Capacity, Cash to Close, Character (credit) and Collateral.

Explaining the 5C’s in an understandable method is the most important tool to ensure a great customer experience.  

Characteristics

In mortgage lending characteristics are described as follows. It is the intent on every loan application to be able to describe the following.

1. What type of product is the customer applying for and knowing all of the requirements Read More