September 13, 2026- Hana interacted with other children, this morning, as her grownups enjoyed a fine breakfast at Fairview Farmers, which is Collin County’s equivalent of Zeke’s Eatin’ Place, with a Swedish twist. She smiled and called out to a couple of girls, one of whom gave up her doll’s high chair, so that Hana could have a place to sit. Yes, to a three-year-old, Dolly needs to feel included. The little girl “explained”to her doll that “they could share a spot on the bench, so the baby could have seat”. Hana had a harder time, when a man about her Dad’s age smiled at her, from another table. At first, she was scared, but studied him carefully for a bit, and felt okay afterward.

She is continuously practicing taking steps, either by scooting or by taking my hands and following me, almost as if we are dancing. She is also able to stand up on her own, for slightly longer periods of time. Her “talking” also has more context and is accompanied by clear body language. She also understands when her parents correct her and does not seem at all sensitive at being admonished. The love we have given her has been a good foundation.

HANA’S NOTE– I made my way halfway around the play pen, just holding onto the fence. I will be walking soon.

EXPANDING CIRCLES- Texas is the second largest state, in area, and second largest, in population. So, besides being Hana’s home state, it has the pride of place in certain areas. “Texas-sized” has come to mean huge. There is a 64-ounce steak, with trimmings, on offer, in at least one establishment in Amarillo. I have been to all parts of Texas, so let’s take the regions, as they might unfold for my granddaughter.

North Texas- Fort Worth was my first large North Texas city (2012). Log Cabin Village was most interesting to me, as a history buff. I met the Winters family, at Log Cabin Village. Their younger daughter was fascinated by the preserved heritage of LCV. Perhaps my granddaughter will be, too. She is certainly interested in how things are put together. Interesting, too, were The Stockyards, from a cultural point of view. The Botanical Garden is likely the first place I would want to take Hana, as a place of natural beauty, and the most impactful spot in town.

Dallas was a focus, a couple of years later. Pioneer Park, with its cattle and cowboy sculptures, was the most interesting place I went, and is the first place I’d bring Hana, I would also take in Dallas’ Botanical Garden, and we’d want to go to the zoo. Dealy Plaza gave me pause, being the site of the first great tragedy of my youth: The assassination of John F. Kennedy. The iconic red sandstone Courthouse, aka “The Red Museum” is still a place I’d like to spend time.

Cleburne, south of DFW, and Sherman, north of us, are smaller cities that I found interesting for their local history. Sherman figures in the gradual unfolding of the Civil Rights of Black Americans. Denison, on the Oklahoma border, has the boyhood home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. That was interesting to me. We’ll have to see whether Hana is a history buff.

NEXT UP: East Texas