Ailana’s Journal—2026-03-29 (Patreon)

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GOOD MORNING

We’re in Corpus Christi this morning, and after we eat and have a time of worship here aboard Savannah’s Charm, we’ll be going ashore to explore.

I’m pretty excited to spend some time here. Here’s a little research summary to get us started.

Corpus Christi sits just up the coast from South Padre Island—close enough to feel familiar, but with a story all its own.

It was named in 1519 by Spanish explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda, who arrived on the day of the Feast of Corpus Christi. The name stayed, even as the land passed through Spanish and then Mexican control before becoming part of Texas in the 1800s. What began as a small trading post grew steadily, shaped by its harbor and its connection to the Gulf.

During the Civil War, the Battle of Corpus Christi marked the area as strategically important. Later, the port expanded, and by the 20th century, it became a major hub for shipping, oil, and naval activity—home to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, where generations of pilots have trained.

Today, it’s a working coastal city—part industry, part beach town. Tankers share the water with sailboats, and refineries sit not too far from quiet stretches of sand. It’s not trying to be something it isn’t. It just is—steady, weathered, and still very much alive.

For our Sunday morning time, Micah thought each of us could take turns sharing concerns we have so that everyone can pray specifically for them. I’m definitely bringing up my wedding jitters.

A friend reminded me that the logistics shouldn’t be a problem, and I said the wedding should be simple, and that I think being a little nervous is normal. So, my brain and my feelings are at odds on this!

I’ll change tracks here to say that, overall, my life is really good right now. I’m getting more fiction work and having good luck selling my nature and conservation pieces. AGain, thanks to all of you for being so encouraging!

I’ll check back later, of course. In the meantime, I hope you have a great Sunday morning. See you soon!

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All characters in this story are fictional characters, their images generated with AI for AGI Stories. They do not represent any real person, nor is their appearance based on any real human.

SOUTH TEXAS BOTANICAL GARDENS

Today, we’re wandering through the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, and it feels like stepping into a quiet pocket of the coast that most people drive right past.

It started back in the 1980s as a small community effort—just a handful of people who believed this stretch of land could become something more. Over time, it’s grown into a full 180-acre preserve, blending curated gardens with native South Texas habitat. You can feel that balance everywhere. It’s not overly polished. It’s alive.

There are orchids tucked into shaded spaces, butterflies drifting without urgency, and long winding paths that make you slow down whether you meant to or not. Even the greenhouse areas feel less like exhibits and more like little ecosystems doing their own thing.

What I love most is how grounded it feels. This isn’t a place trying to impress you. It just exists quietly—and if you let it, it resets you a little.

I think places like this matter more than we realize. Especially in a world that keeps moving faster, louder, and more crowded.

We’re heading back in a bit to get cleaned up—dinner ashore tonight. I’ll check back in later.

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Be your best you!

NOT A PROBLEM by Elias Estephan

Last Monday, Min called me. It had been a while since we had talked or even texted. She was concerned—figuratively—that I’d forgotten who she was.

Hardly.

Things happened. Her clinic opened. She got busy. I had to go up the island to do some pre-season work on turtle habitats.

“Hey… It’s Min. How are you?”

“Just got to the clinic,” I said. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, as if it were her fault. “I’m really sorry. I’d like to make things right between us, you know… Pick up again…”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. We got busy.”

We talked until one of the vets here called me to come assist with a rescue, but I don’t think Min was assured that things were okay. The week passed fast, and I never felt like she was fully convinced things were okay.

Earlier today, I went to the clinic—they are open for a few hours for walk-ins.

There was a woman at the front I thought was Min until she turned around. Her name is Isabela, and I asked her to have Min come out.

“What are you doing here?” Min asked when she saw me.

“I wanted to see you. I thought maybe you could do some medical test to see if my heart was broken. I think it’s fine, but maybe you can check?”

She played along, then said, “So, we’re good?”

“Definitely. It’s just life. Work happens. We have to stay on top of everything else, too. You got busy. I had a trip to make.”

She smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

You know how you say what you’re thinking without thinking about how it’s going to sound? Yeah… I did that.

“It’s just life. If we were married, there would be times our jobs would interfere.”

Isabela had just walked back to the front and her eyes popped open. “Married?”

Min, too, looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Married?”

I tried to recover. “I mean like any married couple would have to compromise around work, right?”

I looked at Isabela hoping for some back up.

“He’s right about that.”

“The point is,” I said, “We’re good, Min. Everything’s fine.”

I think she believed me.

GOOD NIGHT

The eight of us descended on Saltgrass Steak House for dinner tonight. It was a great decision. We’ve made another decision, too.

Tomorrow is Monday, and we’ll spend it in Corpus Christi. Tuesday, we set sail for home. It will be about a full day sailing, but we’ll time it to get to the marina in mid-morning.

That means my Friday midday post will come from South Padre Island!

But right now, it’s dinner time. I’d like to invite you to look this place up! Google Maps has a lot of pictures and the menu. If you have time to take a look, you’ll probably conclude what the rest of us have concluded.

This is about to be awesome!

I’d like to add that I think the support and interest many of you have shown has also been awesome. I’ve enjoyed learning new things and sharing them with you. If your comments mean anything, a lot of you have enjoyed the trip, too.

With that, I’ll wrap up.

May you ever learn new things and share them with those around you, enriching their lives and yours as well.

Good night.

Be your best you!

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