My Fig Tree

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When I purchased The Bungalow in 2017, there was an eight-foot fig tree adding its charm to a corner on the east side of the backyard.

Admittedly, I didn’t pay much attention to it at first, despite my Italian heritage and the significance of fig trees in our family history.

That changed when it was time to remove a rusty, old chain-link fence and have a cedar privacy fence installed. Sadly, one of the main branches of that fig tree was an obstacle to the new construction.

The fence builders suggested I simply have the fig tree cut down!

Little did they expect me to vehemently object, stop the work at hand and tell them more than they ever wanted to know about fig trees!

Little did they know the fig tree has always been a symbol of abundance, fertility and sweetness. Little did they know that the fig tree’s abundance of leaves and fruit make it a great shade tree (as little sun passes through their branches.). Little did they know that’s why so many Italian immigrants (like my grandfather) planted fig trees before they planted anything else in their gardens.

I told them, “Many varieties of fig trees originated in Italy, a country very dear my heart!”

I told them, "Fig trees produce delicious fruit. They can grow to heights of 15 to 30 feet; some of them reach up to 50 feet.”

The fence builders listened with more respect than interest but, finally, the crew boss offered another suggestion, “If you really want to save that fig tree, we could simply lop off that one large branch over there. The tree won’t look too good, but it should survive. But, it may not bear fruit for awhile.”

Without hesitation, I agreed to that plan! And, I’m glad I did.

Today, my treasured fig tree is still standing; it’s taller, fuller and prettier than ever! Yearly, it produces the sweetest fruit, and harvests are always plentiful.

As a result, I've collected a lot of recipes using figs. Most were found in Italian cookbooks. I’ve learned to make fig jam and fig chutney, fig pudding, pies and tarts. I learned to add figs to salads and how best to serve them with cheeses and meats and on pizzas.

I’ve also learned that ripe figs can be put in the freezer to eat (or cook with) later on.

Oleander Festival

The Bungalow has been booked nearly nonstop since the first week in March, so my stays on the island have been confined to a day and night or two between outgoing and incoming guests, mostly on weekdays. So, being here for a weekend of fun is a rare and wonderful opportunity for me to reconnect with my island friends and take part in some of Galveston’s special attractions.

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Betty Head Oleander Garden Park. 2020

Betty Head Oleander Garden Park. 2020

The International Oleander Festival was scheduled for today and, as a new member of the hosting organization, I definitely wanted to attend and support this annual event. The festival is the group’s primary fundraiser of the International Oleander Society (based right here in Galveston). Proceeds help maintain the Betty Head Oleander Garden Park, located at 2624 Sealy.

I arrived at the festival about 10 a.m., right after the gate of the park opened. I met my friend, Marlee, there and, together, we walked around, checked out the lovely potted oleanders for sale and the offerings of the food and merchandise vendors, and enjoyed listening to live musical performances.

Sadly, due to the Great Ice Storm in Texas in February, the park was not in its best condition. The once-beautiful oleander bushes had all been pruned down to near their roots to give them a chance at a second life. We could see the pruning was effective; new and lush green leaves were sprouting forth from all quite nicely.

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Our visit to the International Oleander Festival proved to be a delightful exercise. We looked beyond the status quo of the garden and looked forward to a re-visit next spring and, especially, the return of the beautiful blooms of Galveston’s beloved oleander bushes.

The Mourning Wave

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The Mourning Wave: A Novel of the Great Storm, was released in September. Shortly afterwards, a copy was gifted to me by a friend who knew how much this book would be of interest to me.

William B. Murney, circa 1899. Photo courtesy of Rosenberg Library

William B. Murney, circa 1899.
Photo courtesy of Rosenberg Library

The Mourning Wave was written by Gregory Funderburk, a native Houstonian, former lawyer and, now, a minister at South Main Baptist Church in Houston.

Reportedly, Funderburk had been thinking about the Great Storm of 1900 for decades. As a child, he went to Galveston often with his family on vacations. He remembers staying at a hotel near Gaido’s and The Seawall one night during a terrible rainstorm. He recalls watching the storm and envisioning, even then, what it must have been like to be on the island that fateful night in 1900.

According to Funderburk, thoughts of the Great Storm stayed in his head for years before he set out to write this book.

The Mourning Wave recounts the frightening moments and hours of September 8, 1900, when the most deadly storm in American history made landfall on the beaches of Galveston Island. It tells the story and enormous challenges of three young boys as they struggled to survive the storm that destroyed their home, St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum, and killed all of its other inhabitants.

The surviving orphans were Will Murney, 14; Albert Campbell, 13; and Frank Madera, 12.

The book introduces readers to these and other real-life characters, as well as local and national historic figures on the scene during that time. It relates powerful recollections of the storm survivors — about their own struggles to survive, about their heartbreaks over the thousands of lost souls and about their shock and acceptance of the destruction of their homes, their city and their very ways or life.

At the same time, and importantly, The Mourning Wave offers guidance for anyone facing grief, uncertainty and anxiety in the aftermath of a tragedy. (So timely as our world continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.)

The Mourning Wave asks an important question: Can moments of beauty and redemption arise from chaos in a storm-driven world?

Children, nuns and priests on the steps of St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum, circa 1892. Photo courtesy of Rosenberg Library

Children, nuns and priests on the steps of St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum, circa 1892. Photo courtesy of Rosenberg Library

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!

Island Oktoberfest

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This morning, I drove over to the First Lutheran Church of Galveston to attend the 37th Annual Galveston Island Oktoberfest. Though this event is considered the premier fall festival on the island, I had never been to it and, to be honest I didn’t know much about it.

Fortunately, a few days ago, a good friend enlightened me. She told me all about the big event and added, “You must go; you’ll love it!”

This friend, a BOI (Born On Island), knows exactly what’s what in Galveston as well as anyone I know.

So, I took her advice; put on the closest thing I had to German garb, and headed out.- expecting to have a fun and festive afternoon. And, I did!

Approaching the entrance to Oktoberfest, I heard the brassy sounds of German folk music and was greeted by a cadre of festival faithfuls, all were dressed as if they had just flown in from Bavaria. The men wore brown lirederhosen, with shoulder straps, buttons embellishing the front and tan trimmings. Underneath, they all had on off-white shirts with lace up collars, matching brown and tan hats and, of course, white knee socks.

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The women strolling about wore Alpine Dirndl (blue, green or black ones mostly) with edelweiss, enzian and almrausch floral embroidery. On top, all wore neat and tidy embroidered white aprons. Many - no matter their age - wore their hair in pretty braids.

Needless to say, the authentic German music and the costumes set the stage perfectly, and I eagerly moved forward, eager to participate in these annual festivities.

Inside the gates, on the grounds of the church, a couple of hundred others had already assembled - all were either manning or patronizing dozens of booths featuring German food and beverages, as well as several play stations for kids. Like everyone else, I strolled around to see everything, stopped often to say “hi” to friends I bumped into and enjoy, like them, a sampling of the tasty bites, including Bratwurst, a personal favorite.

After an hour or so, I started looking for the arts and crafts booth. I soon discovered the artisans had set up their pop-up shops inside the Lyceum Chapel, an elegant, mid-19th century Victorian structure situated right next the church. Walking into The Lyceum, I was taken aback by the beauty of the building and by the fact that I wasn’t even aware of its existence!

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Soon, I learned from another BOI that The Lyceum underwent extensive renovation and restoration about a decade ago, with work completed in the summer of 2009, Now, The Lyceum is one of the Island’s premier venue for weddings, receptions, meetings and other special events.