By Andy Valencia EV’s are in most ways simpler than their internal combustion engine cousins. There really just need to be batteries, a controller to send power to the wheels, and a charger. But these parts work hard, since we want fast recharges and even faster acceleration. Stressing electronics means failures will show up eventually….
By Gates (Pam) Johnson It’s been a rough few months. In December, I had major back surgery that would hopefully help my foot neuropathy, but would take a year to heal. Okay. I can deal with that. Not fun, but chances are good that life will get better because of the surgery. A couple of…
By Stephen Buller Capitalism is under attack by many even though it is the economic system that has brought us more prosperity than any other. Why, then? Because, at a time when the wealth divide is vast and daily expenses are stretching budgets to the limit, “capitalism” doesn’t seem to be working for most Americans….
By Anthony Latora As the days stretch into longer light and the warmth in the air begins to carry the fragrance of new blooms, nettle rises from the somber earth. For many, this plant is known through accident, or by the warnings of caregivers who remember its sharp, lingering sting. Yet what if that very…
By Richard Odell Identifying points of origin is like picking up ice cream with one’s fingers. One never gets all of it. It might be said, however, the Farmers’ Market we have today began with some now forgotten young man selling oranges by the drop-off box at the post office. This marketing genius was soon…
By Anthony Latora As I prepared to move to New Mexico in June of 2016, I searched for an herbal book about the local plants I might encounter. After a bit of digging, I settled on “Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West” by Michael Moore. Little did I know that moving to New Mexico and…
By Steven Nourse If you’re reading this someday, it means I’ve finally joined that club I once thought only belonged to grandparents. Funny how life sneaks up on you. One minute you’re young and invincible, and next you’re standing on your porch at 78, realizing that a 50-year roof warranty is more of a joke…
By Jane Valencia One late afternoon, I showed up to dance. I’d been working all day, and felt I had two left feet. I had never contra danced before, yet I was willing to stumble my way through. Three musicians opened the session with a sweet waltz. I put on a lei to designate that…
By Stephen Buller “Gold is the money of kings, silver is the money of gentlemen, barter is the money of peasants, but debt is the money of slaves.” ~ Norm Franz You and I use debt as money. “Like everyone else, you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see…
By Lyndsey Braun-Palmer There’s something grounding and reverent about the process of cleaning skulls – carefully removing the layer of tissue to study the animal’s bone structure. Each skull has its own anatomy, subtle differences that make every one unique. It becomes a quiet moment of respect, curiosity, and reflection. This one is my blacktail buck from…