The journal

Practical notes from our San Antonio desk: seasonal checklists, day-trip kits and care for pets and backyard birds.

Hard freezes are rare here, but they happen. A short checklist for power, warmth and the kitchen, put together before the first cold front.

Fall color, river crossings and big skies are under two hours from San Antonio. Here's the small camera bag we'd pack for the drive.

Warm afternoons, cooler mornings and a sky full of migrating birds. A seasonal routine for the dog, the cat and the feeder.

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