Judy Nickell, a professional writer, began her career as a reporter for the Albuquerque Tribune. There she covered a variety of beats. She wrote the Q&A column from the 1970s through the 1980s, where this book originated. She also wrote a garden column. She is a Master Gardener and a Certified Arborist. Her book, Enchanted Gardening, is out of print. Bilingual from childhood, Judy is often bothered by improper use of Spanish on street names.