West Toward Home

The Permian Basin is a place of pump jacks, big sky, generous neighbors, stinging sandstorms, and lonesome highways. For former first lady Laura Bush, it was the scene of an idyllic childhood—and a tragic accident that changed her life forever.

Interview by Brian D. Sweany

Patient Observation

Wichita Falls was about as average a town as you could imagine. Except within the gates of the state hospital.

by Skip Hollandsworth

City of Dreams

Searching for the legendary past—and the cosmic future—in my old river city, San Antonio de Béjar.

by John Phillip Santos

Magic Kingdom

A visual tour of my beautiful, mysterious, surreal corner of East Texas.

Text by Keith Carter

Our House

Sometimes a home is more important than a hometown.

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.

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.

by Stephen Harrigan

Boy’s Life—Rick Perry

Before Rick Perry was fighting for the governorship of the second-largest state in the country, he was just a kid from Paint Creek.

As told to Jake Silverstein

Boy’s Life—Bill White

Before he was fighting for the governorship of the second-largest state in the country, Bill White was just a kid from Texas.

As told to Mimi Swartz

Behind the Lines

The Story of Us

Had the Texas myth become a straitjacket?

by Paul Burka

Growing Up

Sissy Spacek

Quitman

As told to Katy Vine

Growing Up

Erykah Badu

Dallas

As told to Michael Hall

Growing Up

T. Boone Pickens

Amarillo

As told to Brian D. Sweany

Growing Up

Norah Jones

Grapevine

As told to Jordan Breal

Growing Up

David Lee Garza

Poteet

As told to Jordan Breal

Growing Up

Brittney Griner

Houston

As told to Brian D. Sweany

Leaving

Homeward Bound

Temple

by Bryan Burrough

Leaving

Walking the Ground

Austin

by Shelby Hearon

Leaving

Childhood’s End

Mission

by Erasmo Guerra

Leaving

Urban Cowboy

Juno

by Roger D. Hodge

The Texanist

A fond look back at Temple, a.k.a. Ratsville and/or Tanglefoot, that fair burg wherein your dedicated advice columnist learned the location of the thin line between right and wrong.

by David Courtney

Pat’s Pick

Zelko Bistro

Houston

by Patricia Sharpe

The Filter: Dining

New and Noteworthy

Cat City Grill, Fort Worth and Yelapa Playa Mexicana, Houston

by Patricia Sharpe

Roar of the Crowd

Queen of Hearts

Old Testament

I had never thought about my identity as both a Jew and a Texan until my grandparents told me their stories about growing up in South Dallas in the forties.

by Megan Giller

God’s Eyes in Guatemala City

A travel writer makes her (cautious) way through Latin America.

by Tracy L. Barnett

Loving Leah

Thousands of children in Iraq have been diagnosed with congenital heart disease. Too few of them receive the surgery they so desperately need.

by Esther Perez

Web Exclusive

Web Exclusive

Where She’s From

An audio slide show of images of former first lady Laura Bush and the town that shaped her.

At Home

Beaumont is the backdrop for a rich East Texas storytelling culture, an occasional mystifying spirituality, and abundant folklore.

Photographs and text by Keith Carter

Short Cuts: Episode V

Catching up on the governor’s race—taxes, coyotes, NASCAR, and pool houses—in under three minutes.

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.

Blood Orange Marmalade

Recipe from Zelko Bistro, Houston

Huachinango Veracruzano: Red Snapper, Veracruz Style

Recipe from Executive chef Miguel Ravago, Fonda San Miguel, Austin