September 17, 2026- Hana went with me to my chiropractic appointment, this afternoon. She is quiet and observant, around people she doesn’t know-especially if it is a medical facility. So, my granddaughter watched me on the massage chair and while I was being adjusted. She was not bothered by any of it, she was just taking everything in.

She does hate red lights, though. They are among the things to which she will need to get accustomed. I make silly noises from the front, to get her mind off the stopping. (She is still rear-facing in the car seat, so not being able to see the light is part of the deal.)

Hana is also getting more particular about her foods. She, understandably, will stop eating bell peppers and mushrooms, if they get soggy. Chicken and beef need to be warm, or she will push the spoon away. She also doesn’t like to overeat.

HANA’S NOTE– I am careful about what I eat. It has to taste good and not be slimy.

EXPANDING CIRCLES: South Texas- I’ve been down the Texas coast, as far as Brownsville and Boca Chica (before it became Space X Headquarters) and along the Rio Grande, as far as Laredo and in El Paso, on a few other trips. South Texas basically covers anything south of San Antonio and from Uvalde and Eagle Pass on eastward to the Gulf of Mexico. The turf- South Texas is coastal plain,in the east, with riparian plain from Brownsville to Eagle Pass. Foothills of the Balcones Escarpment extend nearly to Uvalde. The Brazos and Nueces Rivers, as well as Rio Grande/Rio Bravo, drain the region.

FIRST NATIONS- South Texas is the ancestral homeland of the Coahuiltecan, Lipan Apache and Carrizo Comecrudo peoples, all of whom claim the neighbouring Mexican states as their homeland as well. Karankawa people lived along the coast, in pre-colonial times. They have either vanished or have intermarried with other groups.

Among the coastal cities, I am most familiar with Corpus Christi. Blucher Park and the near downtown occupied me on a visit in 2012. I would also focus on Texas State Aquarium, Suter Park, the Selena memorial and USS Lexington, if I went to Corpus with Hana. South Padre Island and Port Isabel were my favourite places along the Coast, south of Corpus. Hana might be interested in the Lighthouse and Museum at Port Isabel, especially the classic doll collection. She already loves colourful dolls. The Nature Center and Boardwalk at South Padre might also prove interesting. I love the beaches there, also.
Laredo and Victoria are interesting from a historical perspective and architecturally. King Ranch is on my list, as it is one of the largest cattle and horse raising operations in Texas, and does a good job of wildland restoration, Hana would have to be 10 for the Nature Walk, though, so the King will be on the back burner for a while.

NEXT: West Texas