I am at the Grand Galvez, a hotel built on the beach in Galveston, Texas, in 1911, and recently restored. It is a study in old opulence. It felt upon entering like I was walking back in time. It is Titanic-esque--huge sparkling chandeliers; thick, heavy woodwork; gilding, mirrors, ornate honeycomb tile, imposing carpeted staircase. You can forget AI exists here.. I love it.

With me is my youngest daughter Stella. We are the guests of my childhood friend Tony and his daughter, Olivia, who is celebrating her 14th birthday. Tony's husband is in China coaching Olympic basketball. Stella and I were summoned to facilitate birthday festivities as Tony is also attending a conference with other optometrists at this hotel. He knew he could count on us. Stella and I excel at bringing party energy.

The first day we arrived, the four of us embarked on a dolphin tour in Galveston Harbor. I learned there are 1,000 dolphins living in the harbor, and each one eats about 30 pounds of seafood per day. Texas A&M researchers were able to count the number of dolphins here by using underwater cameras, recording and sorting them according to their dorsal fins, which are apparently like our fingerprints. So that is how you can tell 1,000 of them apart.

There were babies with their mothers. The guide told us babies are born about the size of a Nerf........

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