“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” ~Ernest Hemingway 50 Things I’ve Learned —some random, some not so much… Being born healthy and loved is a great gift. Being raised to be tough and independent has served me well. Great books can change the world; Beautiful writing can change the world for the better. Conversations with my dad—especially throughout my childhood—made all the difference for me. Moving, traveling and any kind of adventure make me happy and fulfilled… …So does being comfortable and relaxed at home. A perfect flour tortilla, warm off the comal, is usually the start…
-
-
Beef. It’s What’s for Barbecue.
“…Let me ride through the wide open country that I love, don’t fence me in…” ~lyrics from the Cole Porter classic, Don’t Fence Me In Did you know that many people grow up not knowing that beef makes good barbecue? Good people in good parts of the world grow up never eating brisket or beef ribs?! Did you know that? I didn’t know that when I was growing up but I found out when I moved from Austin to Chicago way back in 1991. A waitress at a famous so-called barbecue joint in Chicago mocked me when I asked if they had beef ribs (I’ve never been much of a…
-
Climbing 2020
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” ~Ernest Hemingway Happy New Year! Arbitrary or not, I love the new year. I love the symbolic nature of starting anew, setting goals, creating priorities and since I’m a love-to-check-things-off-a-list person, I also love making new lists! And so I am doing again this year—in 2020—what I do just about every new year, which is set new goals, create priorities and make some new lists. All with clear eyes, a strong heart, and the best intentions to be the best that I can be. Being the Best I Can Be…
-
No Soup For You!
And Again, If You Can’t Take the Heat… “I do not live off canned soup.” ~Charles Best I do not live off canned soup, that’s for sure. Not because I’m against canned soup—because I’m not at all, but rather, I don’t eat much soup at all. I do really like some soups (my favorite being the minestrone from Connie’s in Chicago) and of course I love clam chowder from just about anywhere in Boston. But I kind of think of those as categories in their own right. Soup isn’t something I usually make, or order in restaurants. If I do, I’m probably counting calories… But I digress. I wasn’t really…
-
Tasting 2019
“Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet.” ~Sarah Louise Delany Sarah Delany’s quote was the one I chose to lead the way in 2019, and it proved true. 2019 was definitely sweet! 2019. You tasted pretty damn good. Here are 19 random things I learned, or relearned this year: *Life with Peter is the best! *Even when they leave dog hair everywhere, they are worth having in my home and in my life—I love my Liberty and Peyton girls. *Texas gas stations are the best gas stations in the world. *Running in old running shoes isn’t a good idea. *Even in Russia, being from…
