Lifestyle

From The Examiner during the week of May 1-6, 1972: “INDEPENDENCE RESIDENTS NUMBER 115,170” – The population of Independence is now 115,170, the city’s planning department has estimated. The figure, based on city power and light company connect and disconnects, represents an increase of 1,324 persons since last year.

Dough • 2 cups flour • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon salt • ½ cup milk • ½ cup vegetable oil Meat mixture • 1½ pounds hamburger, fried with onions • 1 package taco seasoning • 1 pint pizza sauce Dressing mixture • 1½ cups sour cream or 1 cup milk, scant • 1 tablespoon sour cream and onion powder • 2/3 cup salad dressing Instructions Put dough into 9 X 13 inch pan. Spoon meat mixture onto dough, next put on dressing mixture.

• 2 tablespoons chopped or grated fresh ginger (or 2 teaspoons ground ginger) • 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil • 1 tablespoon honey • 1/2 pound cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces • 4 cups thinly sliced Napa or Chinese cabbage • 1 cup sliced red bell pepper • 1 cup sliced portobello mushrooms, sliced • 4 scallions, sliced • 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts • 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional garnish) Mix ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil and honey together in a medium-size skillet. Turn on the heat to medium-high.

• 2 ounces pecan halves (about 1 cup) • 5 cups mixed washed, ready-to-eat salad • 6 dried figs, cut in half • 4 ounces goat cheese, broken into small cubes (about 3/4 cup) • 1 cup croutons • 1 cup cooked beets, cut into quarters • 4 tablespoons reduced-fat oil and vinegar dressing Place pecans on a small baking sheet or aluminum foil and toast in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Watch to see that they do not burn.

But then the man spoke. The 97-year-old from Bal Harbour, Florida, focused on the man leaning against the wall, but couldn’t place how he knew him.

Last month I said no to an offer from a publisher, and I didn’t know if I’d ever get another one. That didn’t sit well, but I had other things to do, so I let it be and did my positive self-talk: You’ll be fine no matter what, the newspapers love you, you’ve got seven books already, and your blog is on fire. All true, and I let these thoughts comfort me — but not for too long.