Crepe Myrtles

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Today, a beautiful 10-foot Tuscarora crepe myrtle was planted in the southwest corner of the backyard of The Bungalow. Adding this tree to the landscape was long-awaited and much-anticipated.

The tree was purchased at Tom’s Thumb Nursery, and its crew handled the installation. As expected, all went well, and the job was done right. The correct size hole was dug. Nutrients were added to the soil. The tree was planted in the ground securely and straight up. Then, it was given the right amount of water. Afterwards, mulch was added to the area.

The crew of four made the job look easy, but it was a crew of four. Folks who think planting a large tree is a do-it-yourself project need to rethink that (unless they have lots of extra hands around to help).

Crepe or Crape Myrtles?
The crepe myrtle, commonly called the “lilac of the South,” is one of the area’s most beloved and iconic trees. It is prized for its long blooming season - in the heat and height of the summer. The way a person spells the name of this tree is interesting; it offers a clue to one’s geographic origins.

I grew up in Louisiana, enjoying the beauty of lots of crepe (with two Es) myrtles, the most commonly accepted “southern” spelling. North of some unspecified crepe-myrtle border line, it become crape myrtle.

But, despite the difference in spelling, these trees offer hundreds of blooms, colorful leaf color in fall and exfoliating bark in a variety of colors (from brown to gray to pink) in winter. To me, crepe myrtles are four-season wonders!

This is the color of the Tuscarora blossoms I’ll be watching for next summer. Can’t wait to see them!

This is the color of the Tuscarora blossoms I’ll be watching for next summer. Can’t wait to see them!

Tuscarora
I chose a Tuscarora Crepe Myrtle for the back yard of The Bungalow - for a number of good reasons.

First its color. This variety will produce hundreds of vibrant, coral-pink flowers next summer. Secondly, it can grow just about anywhere - perfect for barren areas or trouble spots. Thirdly, Tuscaroras don’t need much planting space. They are great for planting in small areas or next to structures (like my cedar fence).

The Tuscarora is also cold hardy. It can withstand temps as low as zero degrees. So, no need to worry about having to top it off during Galveston winters.

And, last but not least, Tuscaroras are highly resistant to disease, powdery mildew and leaf spot. So, fungicide treatments will not be needed. I now have a spectacular tree without the problems.

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!

Postcards

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This afternoon, like many other island history buffs, I watched “Galveston in the Rage of Postcards, 1898-1918,” a live lecture by local native son and collector Richard Eisenhour. The presentation was hosted by the Galveston Historical Foundation and accessible via Facebook and the GHF website. (I understand the presentation will now be archived and accessible via #GalvestonHistory.com).

The presentation started at 2 p.m. and lasted for about 90 minutes and, due to the talents of the presenter, the time flew by far too quickly.

One by one, dozens of historic postcards appeared on screen as the enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable Eisenhour educated us about their origins and significance.

Admittedly, I came to the presentation with high interest, as I too am (and have been) an avid postcard collector. Now, I don't claim to possess any museum-quality postcards, but I do have a personal collection that dates back to my childhood.

Long before I bought The Bungalow, I was visiting Galveston and picking up local postcards to send to friends - and to keep. Thanks to Eisenhour, I’m now looking through all of them again to see exactly what I have.

The Flagship Hotel

Eisenhour suggested looking for postcards with pictures of landmarks that no longer dot the landscape of the island, indicating those would be considered significant now.

And, guess what? I found a few postcards just like that.

Old Galveston Causeway

• One of the Flagship Hotel
• One of the Balinese Room
• One of Murdoch’s before Hurricane Ike
* One of the Old Galveston Causeway

What fun it’s been to find these old postcards and how nostalgic it is to look at them again; it’s as though I’m looking at photographs of long-lost friends.

I will always fondly remember The Flagship Hotel and The Balinese Room and Murdoch’s the way it used to be.

As for the original causeway…? Well, I don’t remember it as depicted in this old postcard. And, that’s probably good. I would not have enjoyed driving across Galveston Bay on a low bridge with such low side rails. In this case, it’s far better for me to simply hold on to this postcard — evidence of the island’s uniquely historic past.



Resilience Flag

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In the spirit of community, the Galveston Historical Foundation (#GalvestonHistory) is now selling the Galveston Resilience Flag. It bears witness to the rare ability of local citizens “to recover, rework and recover from natural disasters, while never losing sight of their shared history.”

The newly released flag is now available in two sizes, 3′ x 5′ for $39.95 and 4′ x 6′ for $89.95. Flags have grommets at the left corners, triple stitched hems, corner cross-stitching and are made from a weather-resistant polyester. Flags are now available for purchase online and can be shipped or picked up.

I learned about this flag yesterday (quite by accident) and ordered one to post at The Bungalow. I’ll be picking it up on Monday, when I return to the island.

I love the idea of the flag, and the meanings of all of the elements in its design. It will be an honor to display it - and explain the details to all who ask about it.

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About This Flag
The Galveston Resilience Flag draws upon key pieces of Galveston’s geography and history.
• A lone star, the central piece of the flag, not only denotes the State of Texas but draws from the Galveston City Company logo of 1838. The formation of the Galveston City Company was one of the earliest official steps of the formation of the City of Galveston.
• The star also honors the Juneteenth flag. Juneteenth celebrates the June 19, 1865 delivery of General Order No. 3 by General Gordon Granger, which announced the total emancipation of those held as slaves.
• Colors featured on the flag are inspired by Victorian paint palettes and early Sanborn Insurance Maps of Galveston, with an obvious reference to the contrast between water and land.
• The division line symbolizes both Seawall’s barrier between water and land as well as the building up of the island during the post-1900 grade-raising. It also references the unique angle and shape of the island as contrasted against the coastline.