96th Birthday
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!)
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!
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2022
- Mar 17, 2022 Ivy Dishes
- Jan 29, 2022 Grace Episcopal Church
- Jan 1, 2022 100 Years
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2021
- Aug 25, 2021 My Fig Tree
- Apr 28, 2021 Darlene's Shrimp
- Apr 24, 2021 Oleander Festival
- Feb 27, 2021 Great Winter Storm
- Feb 10, 2021 The Mourning Wave
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2020
- Oct 26, 2020 Crepe Myrtles
- Sep 18, 2020 Trimming the Palms
- Jul 19, 2020 The Dancers
- Jul 11, 2020 Postcards
- Jun 20, 2020 Resilience Flag
- Jun 19, 2020 Juneteenth
- Jun 10, 2020 Silk Stocking
- May 27, 2020 Tree Sculptures
- May 6, 2020 Babe's Beach
- Apr 22, 2020 Opera House
- Mar 2, 2020 Texas Heroes Monument
- Feb 15, 2020 Mardi Gras Parade
- Jan 19, 2020 St. Joseph's Church
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2019
- Dec 15, 2019 Celebrations
- Nov 6, 2019 Fresh Paint
- Oct 21, 2019 Jazz Age Series
- Oct 20, 2019 ARToberFEST
- Oct 6, 2019 Stingeree
- Oct 5, 2019 Pumpkin Time
- Oct 2, 2019 Sea Turtles
- Sep 29, 2019 Powhatan House
- Sep 24, 2019 The Dolphins
- Sep 5, 2019 Lucas Apartments
- Aug 24, 2019 Sandcastles
- Aug 9, 2019 The Daily News
- Jul 18, 2019 Beach Walk
- Jul 10, 2019 La King's
- May 25, 2019 Pleasure Pier
- May 1, 2019 Bolivar Ferry
- Mar 15, 2019 Saengerfest Park
- Jan 19, 2019 Moody Mansion
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2018
- Dec 18, 2018 The Vintage Suitcase
- Dec 17, 2018 Festival of Lights
- Dec 2, 2018 Sunday Brunch
- Nov 21, 2018 Hendley Row
- Oct 27, 2018 Island Oktoberfest
- Sep 20, 2018 The Strand Clock
- Sep 16, 2018 St. Mary Cathedral
- Aug 11, 2018 No More Shed
- Jun 10, 2018 Rosenberg Library
- May 7, 2018 Stepping It Up
- May 3, 2018 A Happy Hour
- May 1, 2018 Ashton Villa
- Apr 21, 2018 96th Birthday
- Apr 1, 2018 Seawolf Park
- Mar 27, 2018 Ball High School
- Mar 15, 2018 East End
- Feb 1, 2018 Tremont House
- Jan 26, 2018 Menardi Gras
- Jan 24, 2018 Mardi Gras Decor
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2017
- Dec 1, 2017 Miss Ruby
- Oct 8, 2017 Railroad Museum
- Oct 7, 2017 Tall Ship Elissa
- Sep 9, 2017 Star Drug Store
- Sep 8, 2017 1900 Storm Statue
- Aug 6, 2017 The Turquoise Table
- Aug 1, 2017 Bishop's Palace
- Jul 23, 2017 Garten-Verein
- Jul 21, 2017 Yard Work
- Jul 16, 2017 The Strand
- Jun 17, 2017 Stewart Beach
- Jun 7, 2017 The Original
- Jun 3, 2017 Murdochs
- May 27, 2017 Bryan Museum
- May 19, 2017 Firemen on Call
- May 13, 2017 Williams-Borden Neighborhood
- May 1, 2017 Oleander City
- Apr 28, 2017 God Winks