I fell in love with writing when I was in fourth grade.
After penning -- more like drawing and wallpapering -- "The Missing Diamond of Chateau Frontenac" in fourth grade, I knew I wanted to write for the rest of my life.
At first, as this epiphany came around the time John Jakes' "North and South" was made into a miniseries, I wanted to write sweeping Civil War dramas. Then, as I started sneaking episodes of "Knots Landing" and "Dynasty" on the little color TV I won through TBS' "Gilligan's Island Castaway Quiz," I developed a passion for soap operas and wanted to create my own one day.
In seventh grade, I did just that and started mailing them once a week to my cousin, Missy, the lone subscriber to Teen-Zine magazine, of which I was writer, editor, illustrator and publisher. In addition to music and style news (all of which I pretty much made up), I wrote a serial about these twin sisters -- Kristin and Kristian -- who lived in a suburb of San Francisco. One of 'em, poor thing, had amnesia, was kidnapped, became addicted to valium and had a worthless husband who was cheating on her with the sister. Goodness ... Oh, and there was murder, aplenty. Mostly, I'd get bored with a character and off them, usually with a firearm. Or they'd just disappear into the sudsy ether. Sigh ... Good times.
I thought about Missy and my silly scribblings quite a bit on Tuesday, which was her birthday. She's 8 and a half months my junior by age but 10-plus years my better in the maturity department. Seriously, she was always so patient with me and gracious to let me send her stuff, read it and STILL claim me as family. She's an extra special person for that -- AND a fabulous cook, to boot, as she got it honest from our grandmother and her own mama, Aunt Sarah.
As I hope we have one more soup-worthy cold spell, I asked Missy to share her famous recipe for taco soup.
Missy's Taco Soup
1 pound lean ground beef
1 can niblet corn
1 can cream corn
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and oregano
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1. Brown ground beef, drain. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer under med-low heat. Serve with corn chips or cornbread. Top with shredded cheddar and/or sour cream if desired -- "And I so desire," Missy said.
Peace, love and fictional murder ... XOXO
