Trimming the Palms

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Today, the palm trees in the backyard of The Bungalow required trimming. All the hanging, dead and unhealthy fronds needed to be removed and, as always at this time of year, there were a lot of fronds that fit that description. So, as in years past, I called on the highly capable team from Tom’s Thumb Nursery to help me out.

Since becoming the caregiver to seven beautiful, and lofty, Mexican fan palms, I’ve learned a lot about the care and maintenance of them.

For example, palm trees need a full, circular canopy of healthy, green fronds to continue to grow and defend against pests. Trimming away any of the pretty green fronds is not a good idea. Doing so creates a thin and narrow “hurricane cut” that's not good for the health or look of the trees - despite the myth that doing so makes them grow more quickly and protects them during major wind storms. Oddly enough, the opposite is true. Palms are, by nature, designed to bend with the breezes. The bending is actually good for them.

I also learned that if not routinely trimmed, palm trees can pose a significant fire risk. Once the palm fronds die and dry out, they can catch fire quickly. Blowing embers from nearby fires (even from a small fire or barbecue pit) can send sparks from palm fronds to nearby homes. And, believe it or not, palm trees that are not properly pruned will often explode once they catch fire.

Thus, trimming the palms in the backyard of The Bungalow is not a maintenance issue I ignore or delay. Once I see dry, droopy fronds, I call in the experts to help me out. Luckily, in Galveston we have some really good ones.

The Dancers

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Requests to stay in The Bungalow this summer have been more numerous than usual, due to the current COVID-19 situation and a strong desire by travelers to social distance easily, cook some of their own meals and enjoy accommodations that are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and truly safe.

I couldn’t be happier! I’ve been able to share The Bungalow with families from far and near - with folks I know and others I may never meet but, now, consider friends (thanks to our many communications via text messaging before, during and after their stays).

Kaylee with Miss Ruby and her mother, Tara

Kaylee with Miss Ruby and her mother, Tara

The Dancers, their mother, Tara, and grandmother, Nina, are some of my new friends. This family, from the Dallas area, stayed at The Bungalow recently. The adorable 10-year-old twins needed to be in town to compete in Showstoppers, a national dance competition, held at Moody Gardens. The Dancers, I learned, are part of the Eminence Studio in Roanoke, Texas.

Kaylee, Miss Ruby, Nina and Taylor

Kaylee, Miss Ruby, Nina and Taylor

As it turned out, The Dancers did very well in the dance event. They took home lots of silver, platinum and crystal awards - in both solo and group competitions.

While staying at The Bungalow, the girls became somewhat enamored with Miss Ruby, the antique mannequin that graces a corner of the dining room. First, they sent me a photo of Miss Ruby wearing a new necklace. The girls said, Miss Ruby “needed some bling.”

Later, they sent me a couple more great photos of themselves with Miss Ruby.

Miss Ruby, with her new mask and a bit of bling around her neck

Miss Ruby, with her new mask and a bit of bling around her neck

I was delighted; I love seeing the faces of those who stay at The Bungalow and how they are enjoying the spaces here.

Before the family checked out, I received another photo of Miss Ruby. This time, she was wearing a mask - appropriate attire for this strange and unusual time. No doubt, it will stay in place for many months to come. It will serve as a good reminder for my future guests to “wear a mask and stay safe” while they are here!

96th Birthday

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Today is the one-year anniversary of my purchase of The Bungalow and, to celebrate, I hosted an open house for my old friends in Houston and my new friends in Galveston. At the same, I wanted to mark ceremoniously the 96th birthday of my sweet little property on the island.

Though rain threatened to dampen our spirits this afternoon, it never came; and more than 50 invited guests traveled from near and far to get here. (I love my friends!)

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Among those on hand for the festivities was my son, Matt, who got into the spirit of things by showing up in 1920s-style beachwear. He knew I planned to wear my own 1920s-inspired ensemble and would so appreciate (and be amused by) his efforts!

Matt also brought his Echo to the party and instructed Alexa to “play 1920s music.” She did as instructed, and the background sounds could not have been more perfect.

Among my many guests was Gay Paratore, a well-known Texas artist, who now lives nearby, in Santa Fe, Texas. Gay grew up in The Bungalow, but she had not been back to the house since selling it in 2009. I had spoken to her on the phone a couple of times, but had not yet met her. I was delighted she accepted my invitation to come back to her family home and be part of the celebration!

While she was here, we toured The Bungalow together, going from room to room. In each, Gay remembered something special about the space, like the wall scones in the back bedroom (her old bedroom). She confirmed they were original to the house, but noted that she believed they were now hung upside down! (Gotta blame this misstep on the last person to paint that room.)

She also pointed to The Bungalow’s wooden rocker. After studying it for awhile, she said it had, indeed, belonged to her mother. She said, “I didn’t recognize it at first. Mom always had that rocking chair sitting out there on the front porch.”

I asked if Gay if she would now like to take back that rocker. She said, “No, it belongs here!”

Since then, though, that sweet rocker has been repositioned out on the front porch - exactly where it really belongs!

Gay also told me there used to be a garage and a huge pecan tree out int he back yard. Sadly, both are gone now.

What a bummer; I would have enjoyed the benefits of each of them!