Essay
63 stories
Dear Jane »
My mother-in-law knew how to sew, keep an immaculate house, and dress stylishly. In short, she was nothing like the unpolished young woman who married her son. Perhaps that’s why we loved each other so much.
May 2012 by Prudence Mackintosh
The Most Trusted Freshman In America »
Long before Walter Cronkite was the voice of the news, he was just a kid from Houston at the University of Texas, chasing girls, acting in school plays, and drinking cheap beer. Yet Douglas Brinkley, whose new biography of Cronkite will be released this month, argues that it was in Austin that the seeds of one of the greatest careers in American journalism were sown.
May 2012 by Douglas Brinkley
Where Is My Home? »
A culinary obsession that began decades ago in my grandmother’s kitchen sent me on a quest through Central Texas (and way beyond) for kolaches—not the best ones but the ones that would lead me to myself.
March 2012 by Stephen Harrigan
A Q&A With Stephen Harrigan »
The author and contributing editor on making kolaches, tracing roots, and writing personal stories.
March 2012 Interview by Doyinmola Oyeniyi
Home Run »
A jogging path along the Rio Grande was a treasured, secret place—until it became part of the front lines in a war I still don’t understand.
March 2012 by Oscar Casares
The Keys to My Heart »
For decades, I had an on-again, off-again love affair with the piano. Today, my ardor is once more in bloom—to the envy of even my husband.
December 2011
Neighborhood Association »
Why would anybody take a charming place like Highland Park, tear down the nice old homes, build new fortresses, gradually drain the neighborly spirit, and call that progress? Don’t ask me. I don’t get it either.
October 2011 by Prudence Mackintosh
Michael Brewer, 80 »
Michael Brewer, clock repairman
September 2011 As told to Jason Sheeler
Cowgirl Up »
The word probably makes you think of rhinestone-studded jeans, floppy-brimmed hats, and Nashville queens, but “cowgirl” ought to stand for the tough pioneer women who built ranches and went on cattle drives and the hardy rural women who are out there today doing their fair share of the work, usually invisibly, to maintain a majestic way of live.
August 2011 by Barney Nelson
Imaginary Friends »
Brownsville’s first federal judge was a legendary figure in my house. So legendary that I never believed my father when he said he knew the man.
December 2010 by Oscar Casares
Family Matters »
An interview with Mimi Swartz.
November 2010 Interview by Molly Bruder
All in the Family »
An interview with David Dorado Romo
November 2010 Interview by Cathy Sze
Meet the Parent »
In the year since my mother died, I’ve learned a lot of things—like how to spend time with my dad.
November 2010 by Mimi Swartz
Fish Story »
One more trip—would it be the last?—to Toledo Bend Reservoir with my dad.
September 2010 by Rick Bass
The Story of Us »
Had the Texas myth become a straitjacket?
June 2010 by Paul Burka
Where They're From
A memorable hour-long radio special based on the June issue of TEXAS MONTHLY, a co-production with KUT 90.5 FM.
June 2010
City of Dreams »
Searching for the legendary past—and the cosmic future—in my old river city, San Antonio de Béjar.
June 2010 by John Phillip Santos
Our House »
Sometimes a home is more important than a hometown.
June 2010 by Elizabeth Crook
A River Runs Through It »
At the port of entry in El Paso, I always tell the agents, “American,” but what I really want to say is “fronterizo”—I’m from both sides.
June 2010 by David Romo
We’ll Always Have Austin »
In the late sixties, the Capital City was just as thrilling, drug-addled, pompous, and aimless as you’ve heard. Especially if you came from the provinces.
June 2010 by Stephen Harrigan
Homeward Bound »
Temple
June 2010 by Bryan Burrough
Childhood’s End »
Mission
June 2010 by Erasmo Guerra
The Departed »
They say you can’t go home again—especially when pretty much your entire family has moved away.
April 2010 by Oscar Casares
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