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!

Miss Ruby

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When I bought The Bungalow, there was a female mannequin waiting to greet me. She was dressed up in Mardi Gras garb (beads and all) and leaning strategically against the northwest corner wall in the dining room. I found out later that a previous owner had found her stowed away in the attic; he believed she had been there for decades.

He liked her. Thought she would add visual interest to the decor and be a great conversation starter. I thought so too, so I’ve kept her and, now, she’s part of the family.

I named her Miss Ruby, after my mother. She does, in fact, resemble her - if you squint your eyes just so. Like my mother did, Miss Ruby keeps an eye on everything but keeps her opinions to herself. Yep, she’s a keeper!

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Miss Ruby has acquired quite a wardrobe in recent years. In the photo here, she’s wearing the purple skirt she had on when I first met her, but she also owns beachwear, a Mardi Gras dress and cap, an Astros t-shirt and a long black velvet skirt and Victorian bonnet to wear for Dickens on The Strand weekend.

Dressing her is difficult, though. She weighs a ton (well, not literally), but a lot. So, wardrobe changes are fun but not as frequent as you she might like.