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BERT’S BUZZ JULY/AUGUST 2025
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Under the Stars, Over the Years The Best Camping Memories Aren’t Planned — They Just Happen
Aug. 8 is Global Sleep Under the Stars Night, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years as a camper (and maybe more importantly, as a father), it’s that the best memories are rarely indoors or planned. The crackling of a fire, the cool air after a storm, the smell of pine and woodsmoke, it’s all so raw, so grounding, so real. When I’m out in nature with my kids, everything slows down. It becomes about the moment. A friend once told me, “We don’t remember days, we remember moments.” I’ve come to learn that some of our best family moments start with the great outdoors … and sometimes a little forgetfulness. Like the time I took my daughter, Bowie, camping in Jemez Springs back in 2014. She was 7 years old, bright-eyed, excited, and full of curiosity. As we drove past Bernalillo toward San Ysidro, the sky was moody and dramatic, with low clouds, streaks of lightning in the distance, and that eerie glow you get before a storm. Somewhere along the way, I got a sinking feeling. “I think I forgot the tent,” I told her. Classic dad move. I tried to sound optimistic. “If the weather stays bad, we’ll just go watch ‘Maleficent’ in the theater nearby. Let’s see what happens.” The clouds cleared like a curtain lifting on cue. We wound through the Gilman Tunnels and found the perfect spot off a dirt road, tucked beside a sparkling stream. The light was soft and golden, the world hushed around us. We cooked dinner, laid out our sleeping bags on the damp earth, and took in the scent of fresh rain and cedar. “This is beautiful,” I sighed. Bowie exhaled, too, and said sweetly, “Okay, well … time to go see the movie?”
I laughed, and once I realized she was dead set on “Maleficent” that night, we packed up, rolled into the car, and drove an hour and a half in the dark to catch the 11 p.m. showing before heading back home (an unexpected return that spooked both my wife, Marta, and our chocolate Labrador, Cody). We still talk about that night, how we almost camped, how we kind of did. It was messy, unplanned, and still entirely perfect. Then there was Viktor. He was 15 last summer when we decided to backpack into the Pecos Baldy for a three-night trip. About a mile in, I was regaling him with a memory from 1996, how I’d been out there journaling in such strong wind, the ink wouldn’t flow from my pen even as I huddled in my sleeping bag. As I told the story, it hit me like a bad punchline: I had forgotten our sleeping bags . I turned to Viktor and said, “Tonight, we’re going to sleep really comfortably.” He blinked at me. “I forgot the sleeping bags,” I confessed, grinning. “We’re hiking back to the car, heading to Santa Fe, checking into a hotel, and hitting REI before they close.” We made it just in time. Victor, who’s 6 feet, 4 inches tall, finally got a sleeping bag that actually fit him. The next morning, we returned to the trail. That night, it dropped to 25 degrees. It was August, but there we were, cozy in new gear, enjoying that biting mountain air and laughing at ourselves. He even tried catching salamanders in the lake. It’s a trip I’ll never forget. It was cold, wet, and absolutely wonderful.
a tiny Tigger backpack on another trek through the Pecos. Storm clouds rolled in as dusk approached. I asked him, “Should we keep going or stop here?” Without hesitation, he said, “Let’s camp here.” So, we pitched the tent just in time. Rain started to fall as I lit the stove just outside the tent door. I cooked us steaks and dehydrated blackberry cobbler with hands outside the tent in the rain, flipping steaks. We ate inside, warm and cozy, listening to the rain drum on the nylon roof. He still remembers that cobbler. So do I. And then there’s Isabel. She’s always been the glue in our family, the planner. Her most memorable camping experience wasn’t just about sleeping outside but about everyone being together. Still just a young teen, she organized a whole family trip to the Jemez, back near that same stream from the “Maleficent” night. This time, we had the RV, but she brought board games, planned meals, and insisted on some of the kids sleeping in the tent for the “full experience.” She led games around the fire,
Malcolm, my youngest, has his own camping tale, too. He was 5, carrying
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Backyard BBQs & Bad Decisions
A Good Host Plans the Menu, but a Great Host Plans for Safety
Summer in New Mexico means sunshine, sizzle on the grill, and good times with friends. But before you break out the beer pong table and load the cooler with your favorite drinks, let’s talk about something that isn’t quite as fun as grilled corn and music under the stars: social host liability . Yes, that uninvited guest who might crash your party ( sometimes literally ). Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that nearly 29% of traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers, and this percentage rises during the summer months. If you’re hosting a summer gathering and someone drinks a little too much, things can get messy fast. WHAT COULD GO WRONG? Friends are laughing, drinks are flowing, and the food smells amazing. Then someone gets behind the wheel after one too many and ends up in an accident. What happens next? Unfortunately, the answer may involve you. In New Mexico, party hosts can be held legally responsible if they overserve a guest who later causes harm. That includes drunk driving accidents, fights, and injuries, whether they happen on your lawn or miles away. Even if you think, “I was just being generous with the drinks,” the law might not be so forgiving. Hosting isn’t just about planning the menu but also about keeping people safe. HOSTING SMART DOESN’T KILL THE COOKOUT. The good news is that you don’t have to cancel your summer bash to stay out of legal trouble. A few smart moves can help you enjoy the fun and protect yourself: 1. Keep an eye on your guests. If someone’s clearly had too much, stop serving them. It’s awkward, sure, but better than calling an ambulance (or your lawyer) later. 2. Offer food and non-alcoholic drinks. Keep the snacks and water flowing. Coffee is great for the end of the night,
but it doesn’t sober anyone up. Let’s ditch that myth once and for all. 3. Start a ride plan early. Talk about designated drivers before the first round. Rideshare apps or a sober friend can save lives and lawsuits. 4. Ease off the alcohol as the night winds down. Make a smooth transition to dessert and sparkling water. Bonus points for fun mocktails! 5. Have a few crash spots ready. A couch, an air mattress, or even a camping cot is better than someone hitting the road after drinking. CHECK YOUR COVERAGE (BEFORE THE PARTY STARTS). Even if you do everything right, accidents happen. That’s where your homeowner’s insurance might come into play. It may cover things like injuries on your property or even legal costs if a guest causes a crash after leaving your party. However, not all policies are the same, and reckless behavior ( think: hosting a drinking contest ) might leave you unprotected. If you’re planning something big, like a wedding, reunion, or graduation bash, consider event insurance for extra peace of mind. You might also look into an umbrella policy, which kicks in if a claim goes beyond your regular coverage. FUN SHOULDN’T COME WITH REGRET. At the end of the day, we all want to enjoy those sweet summer moments gathered around the grill, laughing under the stars, and making memories. A little planning and awareness can go a long way toward making sure those memories stay good ones. If you’ve had a party incident that turned into something more serious or if you just want to better understand your rights as a host, give us a call. We’re here to help you navigate the legal legwork, so you can get back to the fun. Stay safe out there, and enjoy your summer responsibly!
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In a remarkable twist on traditional therapy, individuals battling Parkinson’s disease are finding empowerment and improved well-being through rock climbing. This unconventional approach is spearheaded by Molly Cupka, who founded the nonprofit organization UpENDing Parkinson’s over a decade ago. Her program introduces Parkinson’s patients to the vertical world of climbing, which offers both physical and mental benefits. Parkinson’s disease often impairs mobility, balance, and coordination. Rock climbing, with its demands for strength, strategic planning, and focus, serves as a comprehensive workout. Participants are securely harnessed to ensure their safety while they climb. Cupka emphasizes that the act of climbing engages the body and mind, requiring climbers to assess routes and make calculated movements, which can enhance cognitive function and physical agility. One inspiring participant is Dr. John Lessin, a former cardiac anesthesiologist diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003. Despite the disease’s progression, Lessin has embraced climbing, scaling walls up to 60 feet high. He describes reaching the summit as a triumphant experience: “I feel like I’ve conquered something. And I feel like the wall can’t beat me. I can beat the wall.” His daughter, Brittany, notes the significant impact rock climbing has had on her dad, claiming his newfound passion brings joy and a sense of accomplishment. Another climber, Vivek Puri, diagnosed at 38, refers to himself as “Spider-Man” when on the wall. He observes that climbing sessions alleviate his symptoms, particularly improving his fine motor skills. Puri’s experience underscores the potential of climbing to mitigate some of the physical challenges Parkinson’s presents. Beyond individual achievements, the program fosters a supportive community among participants. Climbers often form bonds, encourage each other, and share their victories together — it’s a great way to build camaraderie and take stress off patients! While rock climbing may not be a conventional treatment for Parkinson’s, the success stories emerging from UpENDing Parkinson’s suggest that with innovation and determination, patients can find new avenues to combat the disease’s effects. This approach not only challenges the limitations imposed by Parkinson’s but also redefines what is possible in the realm of therapy and rehabilitation.Climb on! Climbing Past Parkinson’s Rock Walls Are Helping Patients Rise Above
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helped cook, and created the kind of bonding experience you can’t schedule; you just lean into it and let it happen. Even before I had kids, camping was part of my story. One of the first times my wife, Marta, and I went together, we ended up at Cowles Campground in the Pecos. We camped near a creek, and in a surprising moment of primitive triumph, I caught four fish with my bare hands. I think I impressed myself more than I impressed her, but it’s a story we still laugh about today. Camping is a return to something simpler, deeper. A fire, a meal cooked in the open, stars overhead, and stories shared with the people you love. Those are the moments that stay with you, the ones that sneak up on you when you’re not looking, and suddenly, you’re grateful for a forgotten tent or a missing sleeping bag, because without that detour, the memory wouldn’t exist. It’s been a little while since our last adventure, but I feel it coming. Something spontaneous. Something under the stars. Something unforgettable. —Bert Parnall
VEGAN POBLANOS RELLENOS Inspired by DorasTable.com
Ingredients
• 4 poblano peppers, roasted and peeled • 10 oz vegan cheese • 3 large tomatoes • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 1/2 onion, peeled and chopped
• 2–3 cups vegetable oil • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup chickpea flour • 1/2 cup cornstarch • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 3/4 cup cold soda water
Directions 1. Using a knife, slice poblanos from stem to tip. 2. Fill peppers with vegan cheese, close, secure with toothpicks, then set aside. 3. Place tomatoes, garlic, and onion in a blender and blend until smooth. 4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add tomato sauce. Let simmer for 7–10 minutes, then set aside. 5. Combine flour, chickpea flour, cornstarch, and salt in a large bowl. Gradually pour in soda water. Whisk until it resembles thin pancake batter. 6. In a frying pan, heat 3 inches of vegetable oil, topping oil as needed. 7. Dip each chile in batter, then fry until golden, about 5 minutes each side. 8. Place chiles on a plate lined with paper towels to cool. Serve over tomato sauce!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
No Tent? No Problem. The Best Memories Are Never Planned
2 3
Don’t Let a Lawsuit Crash Your Cookout
Vegan Poblanos Rellenos
The Unlikely Therapy Transforming Lives
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Why Pets Beat Pay Raises
THE $100K REASON TO GET A PET
New Study Says Pets Are Worth Plenty
Most pet owners already know their furry friends make life better, but according to a new study, the value might be higher than anyone realized. Some researchers say it’s close to $100,000. Researchers in the U.K. aimed to measure how much happiness dogs and cats bring to people’s lives. Using data from more than 700 people, they found that owning a pet can boost life satisfaction as much as
getting married or landing a massive raise. In economic terms, it’s the emotional equivalent of earning nearly $93,000 more per year. To determine whether pets actually improve happiness, rather than the opposite — happy people are more likely to have pets — the team factored in things like age, income, personality traits, and family size. They also used a clever workaround: They asked people whether they look after their neighbor’s house while they’re away. That behavior is linked to pet ownership but not directly to happiness, which helped researchers isolate the impact of pet ownership. It’s not just a fun fact, either. Experts say findings like this could affect everything from housing laws to public health programs. If pets fight loneliness and lift people’s moods, it might make sense to rethink rules that prevent pet ownership in some apartments and assisted living facilities. While the researchers focused only on cats and dogs, the message came through clearly. Pets matter, maybe even more than we thought. And if you already live with one and know how they benefit your well-being, the science now backs you up. That wagging tail or soft purr might be worth more than you ever guessed.
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