Now That’s Rich
California's state flower may be a bird of paradise, but mine's an artichoke. Camarillo's blooming with them.In case anyone has a doubt about this, I’ll just go on record and say that a two-month separation is not good for any couple. One month apart, or a couple of weeks, can be invigorating. Any longer, and the culture of the partnership begins to sound and feel differe

Braised in Tears
Stella wasted little time before corralling the Eskimo in the Poolhouse for swimming fun.Twenty-four hours before arriving in Los Angeles I landed a book deal—welcome indeed, but brutal in its timeline. (Hey—be careful what you ask for, and when.) As soon as I calculated the number of recipes into the days remaining before deadline, un

What Happens in Vegas
Taffy, a third-generation melon-farmer in Utah.Green Valley, Utah to Las Vegas: 410 miles. Three states: Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Stella and I are up early because, although it may be a perfect morning, this day promises to be a scorcher; in spite of the costly last-minute repairs, I have little faith in the air-conditioning of the trusty but about-to-cross-115,000

The Far Horizon
When I finally reach the west, in all its expansive glory, my soul breathes free.Paxton, NE to Denver: 291 miles. Two states: Nebraska and Colorado. and Denver to Green River, Utah: 346 miles. Two states: Colorado and Utah. The news from Los Angeles is not good, and I must brush aside the thinly-veiled pretense that t

Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge
Grass-fed steak! Frozen beans...hmmm. So whaddaya want?Plans change. That’s the beauty of driving. Instead of laying my weary head down in Des Moines and Kearney, NE the last two nights, as planned, Stella and I bunked down in Council Bluffs, and then Paxton. There were various reasons for the change of plan (which necessitated several on-the-fly reservatio