[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e took a trip to the coast and we took our two-year-old Catahoula mix dog with us. The only place we ever go is to Port Aransas, because Janie, my wife, has such fond memories of the place; she and her cousins and their parents spent hours looking for shells and generally enjoying the funky wonder of the place. And we have to cross on the ferry and we have to spot a dolphin and eat pretzels so that we will have good luck for the coming year.

Having those obligations behind us,...