Yard Work
When I bought The Bungalow, the backyard was a mess.
The yard was full of towering “volunteer” trees, so the lawn below got very little light. Bare spots in the lawn were everywhere, and muddy areas were common after a rain shower. Clearing out all those unwanted, problem trees was, quite obviously, step one.
Next, there was a chain-link fence - a very old one. It was rusted out and falling down. The gate to the alley was missing. And, on top of that, some of those “volunteers” had sprouted up along the fence line, and their large branches had twisted and/or knocked down parts of the fencing. It was bad!
Friends who saw the backyard before I bought The Bungalow were not impressed; all thought the tasks ahead were too much to take on. They just couldn’t see, as I did, what the backyard could be!
As it turned out, I was able to obtain recommendations for the help I needed right away, and all phases of the backyard project were addressed and completed quickly.
On Day One, 13 giant “volunteers” were removed, and the remaining trees (six very tall palm trees and the one camphor tree) were professionally trimmed.
On Day Two, Southwestern Fence Company crew showed up to remove and haul away that tacky old chain-link fence.
On Day Three, the posts were set for a beautiful 6.5” cedar fence.
On Day Four and Five, the fence went up all around the yard, and two gates were installed.
On Day Six, automatic, dusk to dawn lights were installed.
At the end of Day Six, I sat outside with friends, wine glasses in hand, toasting my newly improved backyard. Before nightfall, I was making plans to go shopping for outdoor furniture first thing the next day.
A week later, Tom’s Thumb Nursery’s landscaping team showed up to create three large flowerbeds around the palm trees - and to present the professional landscaping plan I requested.
At some point, tropical flowers and other plants will make themselves at home in my backyard. But, for now, I think it’s pretty - just the way it is right now - just as I envisioned it all along!
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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