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HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND NOVEMBER 2023
How Writing Shaped My Career FROM HIGH SCHOOL ESSAYS TO PROFESSIONAL LEGAL BRIEFS
Writing isn’t easy, and I won’t pretend it is! But it has become a significant part of my career and life. November is National Novel Writing Month, and while I have published two books in the past, I don’t plan on releasing anything new this fall. Instead, I want to share how writing has been my passion. Back in high school, I never considered myself an exceptional writer, but I did at least have decent grades. It wasn’t until my sophomore English class that my teacher, Mrs. Favor, encouraged me to pursue writing further. It was when we were learning how to write a polished essay with all the right components. When the essays were graded and returned, Mrs. Favor went on and on about some student’s incredible paper, and I started thinking, “I wonder who she’s talking about?” That was until she dropped my name, and I was pretty stunned! That gave me the confidence to keep honing my skills, leading to my continued interest in writing during college. My writing has always been geared more toward technical than creative. So, when law school came around, I kept my grades up and practiced perfecting writing law briefs and other technical documents. I was even accepted as a brief writer for our law school’s moot court team, and one of my briefs won the Best Brief Award, which was published in a law review journal! This was pretty exciting for me then and would lead me to write law briefs for lawyers once I graduated from law school. It was an incredible way to gain more experience, and I even considered making it my career at one point. But I knew I wanted to be more hands- on with clients and directly help others. Now, with my own firm, I use my writing to educate others and spread the word about our team. I started out this venture with blogging! I wrote around 10–12 blog posts about the car accident process in Texas, anywhere from the moment you get into a crash to the moment you sign your settlement or head to trial. I made sure I wrote all the details others might brush over. Since it was for clients and readers who aren’t accustomed to law procedures, I knew I couldn’t assume everyone
knew what I did. After some time, I decided to consolidate these blog posts into a full-blown book! I put the pieces together, filled in the gaps, enhanced the writing, and published it. You can download the free eBook version of “The Insider’s Guide to Texas Auto Accident Claims” as well as my second book, “The Insider’s Guide to New Mexico Auto Accident Claims,” written for those in New Mexico, which has different laws and protocols. I give a copy to every new client, not just to show I know what I’m doing but to help answer any questions they may have. I’ll admit it. I’m proud of these books and the amount of information they cover! While I’m unsure if I will write any more books, I keep a journal that I try to write in regularly. It’s my way of practicing my writing and decompressing from my day. I honestly think journaling can help many people, and I encourage you to try it! You don’t have to churn out a whole book for National Novel Writing Month, but you can jot down your day in a journal. If you want to check out my two books, visit ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com. Happy writing!
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Not every personal injury attorney is the same. Your case likely has a lot on the line, and you want to ensure you’re hiring someone who will do their best to ensure you receive the justice you deserve. Unfortunately, not all lawyers out there have the best intentions. I wrote a whole chapter on the subject in my book! So, before you choose an attorney, look for these red flags that indicate they are only here for your money. Be cautious of some TV/radio lawyers. The world is filled with charlatans, and most of them will have some form of television or radio advertising. I’m not denouncing all TV attorneys, but many out there have given lawyers a bad name. Some can be good! But, to play it safe, you should always do your homework before hiring an attorney you saw on TV. A quick Google search can show you whether or not they are the real deal and will have your best interest at heart. Some TV lawyers run “personal injury” mills and think of clients more as numbers in a marketing budget than as good people with bad injury problems. Beware attorneys with countless practice areas. If you head to an attorney’s website and see a never-ending list of practice areas, run as fast as you can. There’s no way anyone can master so many fields, ranging HOW TO SPOT PERSONAL INJUR THE DOS AND DON’TS OF HIRIN
Whether it’s your boisterous toddler or rowdy pup, a perfect pile of autumn leaves might be too good to resist! You probably remember the days when you also jumped into a crunchy orange leaf pile without a second thought. But why do humans and dogs love jumping into huge piles of leaves? The main (and most obvious answer) is because it’s fun! For kids, dogs, and even some adults, jumping and rolling around in the fall leaves is a satisfying form of play that releases energy. While this may be the simple reason for humans, there are a few more reasons your canine companion can’t resist a tower of leaves. Instinct to Dig Digging is a dog’s favorite pastime that dates back to their wolf ancestors. Just as natural as sniffing and barking, digging is an ingrained behavior for dogs, and they want to follow their instincts the moment they see a leaf pile. Whether they’re digging in to rest in the cool leaves or demolishing the pile entirely, your dog is just doing what dogs have always done. Irresistible Seasonal Scents Our sense of smell doesn’t even come close to dogs’ incredible scent skills. While we have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have anywhere between 125–300 million! This means they can smell countless
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other scents we can’t, and autumn may bring some exciting aromas your dog hasn’t experienced
in a while. The result? They’ll dive right into a leaf pile and get sniffing!
Marking Territory Another scent factor could be your dog wanting to claim a particular leaf pile. We already know dogs use their scents to mark territory, and rolling in a beloved pile of leaves is a way to infuse their scent. After diving head first into some leaves, they leave their scent behind so other animals can smell them and know that the leaf pile has already been claimed!
Whatever the case, jumping into a pile of leaves is completely normal — and fun! — for both humans and dogs.
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OUR TIPS FOR A HEALTHY THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION The Importance of Balance in Holiday Eating Most of us try to stay healthy as best we can all year long, but when the holiday season comes around, we often throw our usual healthy routines out the window. Especially with Thanksgiving, we decide it’s the time to overindulge, whether drinking or eating. Overconsuming during the holidays will quickly leave you feeling sluggish, both physically and mentally. The key is balance . We always hear about balanced lifestyles, but what does this mean? Well, you don’t have to hold yourself back from a slice of your favorite pie. You just want to ensure you’re not eating a whole one because you think you won’t get a chance to do so for most of the year! With balance, you eat what you want, lift those restrictions, and see that you can enjoy eating and drinking in moderation. Start the day right! What’s the best way to balance overeating? Get moving! Fortunately, you can start Thanksgiving right by participating in the YMCA’s Turkey Trot here in El Paso. Don’t feel intimidated if you’re not exactly a frequent runner. The race offers the 5K Run Turkey Trot and the 1-Mile Fun Walk. When incorporating physical activity into your routine, you can do whatever you feel comfortable with and safe accomplishing. Throw around a football or stroll through the park. Getting your steps in and breaking a sweat is all you need to offset the day’s feast! Practice mindful eating this season. You may have heard of mindfulness and how it involves being present in the moment. Mindful eating is all about paying attention to your body and feelings as you’re eating. Usually, we’re digging in and eating another portion or drinking another glass without thinking twice about it.
DISHONEST RY ATTORNEYS NG YOUR NEXT ATTORNEY
from family law to personal injury. Many of these attorneys are just trying to make a quick buck and are often not focused on winning your case. So many protocols and strategies go into each field, and a lawyer should be an expert in one area of law. They can’t be sufficient in all of them. Avoid attorneys with zero reviews. If you search for someone online and can’t find any reviews or testimonials, it’s time to keep searching for an attorney. That’s a poor sign and often means they do not have the experience to close your case. Recommendations from friends and family are the best way to find a lawyer, but online reviews are also incredibly helpful to see who is credible and who isn’t. Ignore lawyers who call you first. Finally, never hire an attorney who contacted you first! That’s called “running the case” and is 100% illegal. These lawyers are out for your money, not to help you. Ignore their calls at all costs, and report them to your local state bar organization!
BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO
INGREDIENTS
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2 cups butternut squash, cubed
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 cups sliced leeks
4 garlic cloves, chopped
8 sage leaves
1 cup Arborio rice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp nutmeg
When practicing mindful eating, you’re attentive, and when you sense you’re full or had enough, you actively stop. You’re using all your senses, cherishing every bite, and eating slowly to know precisely when you’re full. Mindful eating doesn’t just help prevent overeating; it also allows you to enjoy your food even more! Don’t beat yourself up too much about cutting sugar or running every day this season. Take this time to unwind, relax with loved ones, and mindfully indulge in your favorite meals. We’ll be trying our best! Happy Thanksgiving to your family from the Harmonson Law team!
5 cups veggie or chicken stock
2 to 3 handfuls spinach
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. On a parchment-lined sheet pan, toss squash with 2 tbsp olive oil. Roast until tender (30 minutes) and set aside. 2. In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and add leeks. Sauté until tender, then add garlic and sage. Sauté for 2 more minutes. 3. Add rice and sauté for 1 minute, stirring. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add 1–2 cups of stock to cover the rice and bring to a simmer. Cook until the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add broth 1 cup at a time, stirring occasionally until rice is plump (20 minutes). Stir in spinach, roasted squash, and Parmesan cheese.
Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
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Clark Spreads Knowledge Through Writing
Explore the Instinctual Call of Crisp Autumn Leaf Piles
What Are a Personal Injury Lawyer’s Red Flags?
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Butternut Squash Risotto
Celebrate Thanksgiving With Mindfulness and Balance
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Tips to Make the Best Thanksgiving Turkey
The turkey undoubtedly takes center stage among the many culinary delights that grace the Thanksgiving table. While there are plenty of methods for cooking a turkey, many chefs and home cooks swear by the “mayo method” as the best way to achieve a moist and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey — here’s why! Moisture Lock One of the biggest challenges when roasting a turkey is maintaining its moisture. The mayo method involves slathering the turkey with a layer of mayonnaise before roasting. Because mayonnaise contains oil, it helps lock in moisture during cooking, resulting in a juicy and tender turkey. Mayo Magic: The Secret to Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey
Even Browning Applying mayonnaise to the turkey creates an even and beautiful browning effect on the skin. This enhances the visual appeal and contributes a succulent and slightly crispy texture. Spice Kick Don’t worry — you’re not using only mayonnaise on your turkey. The mayo method serves as an excellent base for your choice of seasonings. You can create your own mixture before applying it to the turkey. Thyme, parsley, garlic powder, sage, cayenne, and rosemary are all great options. Simple Preparation The mayo method streamlines your preparation process — here’s what to do: • Allow your turkey to thaw. Create your custom mayonnaise by mixing it with your seasonings of choice. • Dry the turkey with paper towels and season it with salt and pepper. • Gently separate the skin from the bird and slide in cubes of butter. • Rub the entire turkey with your mayonnaise mixture, inside and out. • Bake at 450 F for 30 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 325 F and cook for 15 minutes per pound.
Flavor Infusion If you’re a mayo lover, you’ll agree it’s delicious! While it gives the turkey a subtle and rich flavor, the result doesn’t taste like mayonnaise at all! (Mayo haters can breathe a sigh of relief.)
This Thanksgiving, give the mayo method a whirl — you and your guests won’t be disappointed!
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