As a non-beef eater, I am happy to report that I learned a while back that I can produce a decent meatloaf made with ground turkey instead of beef. It’s been a staple since then and is excellent with mashed potatoes and green beans, or with a green salad. Perfect comfort food. But recently, I…
Category: Writing
For Liz, on Turning Forty
Today, my middle daughter Liz is the big 4–0. It’s hard to imagine how that’s even possible, since it seems like just a minute and a half ago that she was a toddler. But whether I want to believe it or not, it is true that back in 1986, little Jean Elizabeth Beaty arrived in…
Happy Birthday to my 1st Cousin Lee
My cousin Lee is six days older than I am. We grew up together and have remained friends for all of our lives. The past year has brought some health challenges to Lee, but I’m very happy to say he is slowly on the mend. Lee lives in Austin, and I’m in California, but we…
Rituals and Routines: Childhood in Midcentury America
Growing up, life settled into rituals and routines.We would get up, wash our faces, and brush our teeth.Cereal for breakfast, except for Saturdays, whenDaddy made eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gravy.Sunday dinner was roast beef or ham with green beans and potatoes.Weekday meals were steak, pork chops, chicken, or meatloaf.Friday meant fish sticks or tuna casserole.Saturday…
For Nico, on His Tenth Birthday
Today, my grandson Nico turns ten years old. As his grandma, I want to say a few things about this young man, who is so special to me. I don’t quite know how to express all the love I feel and am already certain that my attempt will not measure up to what’s in my…
A Bond That Came from Keeping Vigil
I had a nice, long talk with my little brother Sam today. Sam is five years my junior, the same age as my husband, Ray, and lives in Nashville with his wife, Jaime. He and I are both busy, and sometimes it takes a while before we figure out a time to connect on the…
Cowboy Exhibit at the Reagan Library Today vs My Experience in Texas as a Kid
Today, Ray and I went with our friends Ronnie, Art, and Joseph to the Reagan Library to see the Cowboys: History and Hollywood exhibit. There, we saw photos of real cowboys, a bona fide chuck wagon, examples of guns, rifles, hats, chaps, and jeans of the cowboy era, a map showing the cattle drives, rodeo…
Good Lord, Deliver Us
First, let me say that when we have such terrible events occurring in our country right now, it’s hard to write about anything else. I want to rant and rave about the injustice of everything that is happening, and it is good and right for me to do so. We all need to stand up…
Nothing Like a Good Binge
Sleep. I need eight hours of sleep a night. That’s usually fine—but when Ray and I stumble upon a compelling series, it’s much easier to forgo sleep than to exercise a little discipline and go to bed at 10:30 or 11 instead of 12:30 or 1. I tend to do better with a 10:30–6:30 (or…
Yes, I Still Miss George
For my brother George, on his birthday. I wish George were here. He would be appalled by our current political situation and would be a safe person for me to talk to about all the frustration, worry, and disbelief that have characterized both times Trump has been in power. He would agree with my assessment…
20 Minutes a Day 