Oh, about 50 Barnes gathered in Houston for Thanksgiving.

The Statesman is back, baby. Just spent a full hour reading the Sunday paper, which included engrossing stories by Lily Kepner, Kerry Heath, Sarah Smith and others. (Since you asked, several by me, too.)

Southern California ritual: First meal after landing enjoyed at the Lighthouse on San Diego Bay.

California vacation books: 2 old, 2 new, all compelling.

Coming soon to a shop near you: Volume 5 of "Indelible Austin."

In our countdown of Top 21 or 22 of my stories for May 2025, I don't want to leave out the four "Think, Texas" digital newsletters that went out FREE on Tuesdays. They link to dozens of history articles published in Hearst Texas newspapers. Sign up here: profile.statesman.com/newsletters/...

'Loyal and loving native son': Ben Johnson writes compelling yet critical history of Texas. www.statesman.com/story/news/h...

HELP OUT: Have you attended — or volunteered for — SXSW during its 38-year history? Please help us with a retrospective story about the Austin festival and conference with your (printable) thoughts on its evolution.

Last night of the 2025 Winter Reading Retreat. We've gone through every sort of winter weather during the past two weeks. Now mild and comforting.

Evidence of avians. (Snow on Texas coast through Wednesday.)

Beach snow on the Texas coast. Second time in four years.

Lord love an empty winter beach. The 31st Winter Reading Retreat begins!

It's a full month until the 30th annual Winter Reading Retreat at the beach in late January. Yet Kip and I are already choosing our books.

If you missed Sunday's print edition of the @statesman, you missed dozens of stories by local journalists. Many of them are associated with our annual Season for Caring campaign, managed beautifully by @nicolevillalpando.