“Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowin'”

To celebrate her birthday, my sister and I drove down to Galveston on Friday to spend the day.  Because the beaches have become so crowded and commercial, we spent the day walking through the shops on Strand.

Galveston Island is a sand-barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico.  It’s about 100 miles southeast of Wharton.  The island is twenty-seven miles long and less than three miles wide at its widest point.  (Honestly, I used to wonder if, during festival weekends, it would sink like Atlantis.)

We had a family beach home there from 1960-2004.  I lived there for 6 years and as Glen says, “I still hear your sea winds blowin’; your sea waves crashin’”. 

Galveston is a unique place with its Painted Ladies

Bricked streets with trolley tracks

Beautiful old buildings

When I grow up, I want to live in this building!

The gulf and everything it includes – salty, sea air, breezes, sounds of sea birds, and so forth and so on.

I still miss it every day.  Sigh.

Back to Friday.  We took back roads, county and farm de market roads rather than the various highways.  That way we missed the hot mess that’s Hwy 59 and the insanity of Houston traffic.  Anyway, it’s a much nicer drive.

We arrived, parked and started walking along the wide covered sidewalks.  Our plan was to walk a ways, stop for lunch, and then complete both sides of Strand.

One of my (and Ellen’s too) favorite shops is Hendley Market.  They have such wonderful, interesting, unique, unusual, different, odd, weird stuff.  I love it there!

Little stuff you just might need.

Masks

A framed drawing

Then, along the back wall, they always have a variety of Nativity scenes, all from different countries.  Mostly, they’re all pretty normal, however these two caught my attention –

From Africa - $90

From Mexico

After leaving Hendley Market, we decided on lunch and went to Fisherman’s Wharf.  Now, normally that’s a good place to eat but like all restaurants they have their good and bad.  The menu had changed since I was there last – not much choice for lunch; everything was full entrees.  Disappointing that most of the fish choices were tilapia (not a sea fish, not local, not flavorful).  I settled on a crab cake that turned out to have no crab in it, just a tablespoon of crab on top.  Again, disappointing. 

We sat out on the deck overlooking Galveston Bay

 The tall ship, Elissa, was right next to us.

And, we looked out to a sort of oil rig graveyard

After lunch, we walked around some more.  Came across this plus a whole slew of others dressed in somewhat similar fashion with different feather headdresses. 

 Don’t know.

And, this – bet you don’t know what it is!

Wrong!  It’s a chandelier!

We went to the Galveston Art League.  I really like this -

 Artist: Martha Terrill of Galveston

She says - it comes from her interest in collecting the unusual

The Spice and Tea Shop.  A little different with all sorts of flavored salt, sugar, and pepper, a variety of herbs, and, of course, teas.

Now, there is something else that makes Galveston unique.  Everyone is buried in a mausoleum of sorts, above ground (though many of sunk to a point where just a bit still shows).  The big Broadway Street cemetery is actually a collection of seven cemeteries built over the last 176 years.  Many of these graves have been raised two or three times over the years, and when the stones were lost during the raisings, the plots were just resold and another burial took place on top. 

The cemeteries were covered with a sea of yellow coreopsis.

And then, we drove home.  A delightful day.

7 May 2019

Thursday – the midway, the games, the rides – The Carnival!

After seeing all the arts and crafts, all the show animals, along with all those participating, we walked over to the Carnival.

Carnival: “a traveling collection of amusements which include games of chance, sideshows, and thrilling rides” or “a lusty busty bawdy bitch…who has kicked up her frolicsome heels and masqueraded under many guises and names.”

Carnivals have been popular in America since the early 1890’s.  They show up during fairs, circuses, rodeos, and sometimes at your local shopping center just ‘cause. 

Sometimes it seems that things change so quickly, I don’t even recognize places or things.  However, that was not the case with the

We walked through the midway and saw

Booths of chance and luck with the carny barkers calling out - “step right up”, “win a prize”, “step right up and play the game”, “step right up ladies & gentlemen, boys and girls”.

And, of course, all the delicious, nutritious, yummy-in-the-tummy, mmm mmm good carnival food

No, we didn’t ride any of the rides.  Tickets were expensive – bought singly, a dollar apiece.  And, the rides cost 3-7 tickets per person.  And, to be honest, my ride choice these days is more this

 rather than this . . .

or

In fact, I think I’d pass on any ride with this warning  …

Don’t Ride This If

There were, of course, the “creepy” rides

No sideshow though.

It was a delightful day!

6 May 2019

Thursday – More Adventuring at the County Fair

After leaving the Crescent Hall and the Creative Arts display, we walked over to Ammann Barn.  And, oh shuckie darn, we missed the Senior Citizens Polka Dance at the Gym. 

Some of the events. 

When we found the barn, cattle judging was in process.  We stopped to watch for a while and I was impressed by several things

Cows are big – like really, really big.  These cows were not only big, they were perfectly groomed and well behaved.  As far as I could tell, each participant showed three.  The judge stood in the middle of the arena and just looked at them front-wise, back-wise and side-wise.  She never touched them, never even went close.  I just wonder, what are the judging parameters? 

For the most part, the participants were young women – I’d guess 16 to 18 years.  They hauled those cows around like they were showing off little dogs.  The cows had to stand in a specific position (front legs forward, back legs parallel, head up) and those girls pushed, shoved, cajoled, and held them just so. 

In a cow like manner, these were all pretty – well fed, washed, nice markings – not very friendly though.

We stood there and watched for a while and then, moved on.  You can only watch cows for so long. 

We passed another arena where young children were showing their calves.  I tell you what – those kiddos hauled those rowdy calves around with little problem and determination.  These two cowgirls had just returned to their holding area.

Next we came across pigs. 

Fact:  Pigs constantly communicate with each other. They have a range of different oinks, grunts and squeals which have distinct meanings.  Yep, this one saw its neighbor get dinner and was very vocal about not getting any!

Fact:  Pigs are extraordinarily intelligent. They are curious and insightful animals who are widely accepted as being smarter than most 3year old humans, dogs, and some primates.  Yep, this guy was steadily working on unlatching the gate!

Fact:  They’re actually quite clean. The pig’s reputation as a filthy animal comes from its habit of rolling in mud to cool off because they don’t sweat.  And, like the cows, in a piggy sort of way, they were all pretty.

Next – sheep.  Sheep weren’t as entertaining as the pigs or even cows.  First of all, they all looked exactly the same.  They were all the same color, same markings, same shearing, same-o-same.

And, Did You Know? – sheep are from the same family as cattle, goats, buffalo, camel, and llamas.  The oldest organized industry is raising sheep.  A sheep only has eight teeth, which it grows two a year.

Goats – the goats were more entertaining.  The hopped around in their pens and sort of played with the goat in the next pen.  Or, they stood up and looked over the fence.

Yes, yes – a few Goat facts:  Goats are herd animals and will become depressed if kept without any goat companions.  Goats’ pupils are rectangular. This gives them vision for 320 to 340 degrees (compared to humans with 160-210) around them without having to move.

The last show animals we saw were rabbits.  They were all exactly the same.  And they just sat there.

From the barn, we went over to the Ag Adventure.  It was a little Ag Learning Center.  Actually pretty interesting for those of us that are city people.  There were churns, spinning wheels, carding combs – all kinds of things used in the long past times.  There was an incubator with eggs and a couple of new chickies.

And, there were a bunch of interesting Did You Know? facts – like

How much honey does one worker bee product in its life = 1/12 teaspoon

How many kernels of corn are on a cob = 800 in 16 rows

What plant offers both food and fiber = cotton

How much milk does a cow produce in a day = 6.3 gallons and in a life time, 350,000 glasses worth

Finally, tomorrow – Going to the Carnival!

5 May 2019

Thursday – Adventuring at the County Fair

I have had a seriously busy three days and am full of stories and pictures! 

Recently I mentioned to my friend Bobby that I hadn’t been to the Wharton County Youth Fair - never - since I’ve lived here.  So, we made plans to go.  I told my sister and she wanted to come along – she hadn’t been to the fair either.  Thursday was the day (it was senior citizen day and we got in free – bonus!). 

The fair grounds are just across the river and first thing – there are no big signs or people giving directions about where to park or where to enter (weirdness, right?).  We sort of just parked along one side where there was an open fence gate.

Where we walked in, there was a very cool petting zoo.  There were

OK - I really neeeeed that turtle.

 

and
deer, goats, a porcupine,
baby cows, alpacas, donkeys.

HOW COOL IS THAT!

We walked around some and first stop was Crescent Hall where the Creative Arts were Open for Viewing.  This event is open to all ages (the youngest entrant, I saw, was 6; oldest adult) and includes cooking, canning, sewing, drawing, painting, crafting, gardening.  And here are just a very few of the things we saw –

Cooking
mostly cookies and bread

Drawing

Look closely at this one

her skirt is made from pencil shavings.

Sewing

Note: the white lines are the reflected
 lights overhead.

Crafting

a fish on a plate
made of bottle caps and pull tabs.

Crafting
these just amused me!

Crafting

Hmmm – wonder if they went to
the avid golfer estate sale??

and Crafting
Now, this was one of the adult entries
Pull tabs, crocheted together, and made
into a necklace.

Canning

oh one more

Crafting
yes – that’s a painted horse skull with
succulents glued onto it.
unusual but whatever works.

It was interesting to wander through and look.  I would be curious to know the entry rules.  And, how the judging process works.  It appeared that everyone got at least one ribbon, some got two.  I think the fair movers and shakers need to come up with a better way to display both ribbon and item.  It was difficult to see any of the canned items and often the crafts and drawings were hidden and hard to see. 

Tomorrow – cows, pigs, sheep, goats, bunnies and cowgirls

4 May 2019

May Day

Yes, I know, again – quiet for a few days.  Best excuse – the days slip past so quickly! 

I’ve been working a research project.  When I get involved with that, I tend to forget about time until my eyes are so tired, they’re about to drop out of my head.  Still, it’s interesting work and I get paid.  Always a good thing.

Then, I spent yesterday and this morning mowing and doing general yard work.  Ugh – I hate to mow.  It’s boring and the 100 ft, 900 lb cord gets caught on every little thing that sticks up from the ground, I swear, including the grass!  One more day and I’m finished.  Though, I can’t mow tomorrow or Friday or Saturday.  And, by Sunday, the whole thing will need to be mowed again.  Still, right now, it looks nice.  (Well, except for the part that's not done yet.)

Part of the yard work included getting plants ready for the Wharton Garden Club Plant Sale.  So, if you’re in Wharton Saturday, come by the library.  You can't miss us - tables and tables of plants ready for new forever homes.  I still have to finish labeling and pricing my plants.  Plus, I usually write up a little blurb about what and where each of my offerings are.  Good plants – cheap prices!

It is already May and today is May Day. . . Beltane.  Beltane is one of four seasonal festivals (Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh being the others).  In past times, it marked the beginning of the summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures.  Rituals were held to protect them from harm, both natural and supernatural.  There were also rituals to protect crops, dairy products, people and to encourage growth.  It is a spring time festival of optimism.  So, go out and dance around a Maypole or bring in green boughs and flowers or make a wish as you jump a bonfire (or candle) for good luck!

The aos sí (spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane, so if you want to keep your home safe, set out a small bowl of cream for the fairies tonight!

Today is also –

Batman Day

Hug Your Cat Day

Law Day

Lei Day

Mother Goose Day

National Bubba Day

National Golf Day

New Homeowner's Day

School Principals' Day

Silver Star Banner Day

Skyscraper Day

Stepmother's Day

Whew! Lots going one for one day.

1 May 2019

How Does My Garden Grow

Another morning spent in the yard, whipping it into shape because, as we say here,

Summer is Coming.

And, god knows, it will be here sooner than we’d like. 

As most mornings are this time of the year, I planned a work in the yard morning until it is too hot or I’m done (ha! like that ever happens – my getting done).

Yesterday my sister and I visited a local nursery looking for something-I-don’t-know-what.  Well, that was me – Ellen had a list.  And, nothing appealed to me – okay, that’s not true.  Several things appealed to me.  I just didn’t want to spend as much as was being asked. 

A bit later, Ellen mentioned that her purple coneflowers had jumped the flowerbed and were coming up in the grass.  Hmmmm – I like purple coneflowers.  That would be good for one of the two empty planters.  And, maybe zinnias in the other – even though they’re annuals, they grow well all summer and can deal with our sun and humidity. 

Out I went early with the first stop at my sister’s house where I dug coneflowers up out of the grass.  Yay!  Then back home.

Purple Coneflowers.  Are a native perennial.  They attract bees and butterflies.  They are drought resistant and often thrive in dry summers, but here they do best in morning sun as our afternoon sun will scorch the paint off cars!  They grow in any type of soil.  In the winter, they might die back to the ground but will pop back up come spring.  In long past days, coneflower was used to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malarial infections, blood poisoning, and diphtheria.  Nowadays, it is used to reduce the effects of common cold and flu, soothe sore throat, and reduce fever.  Added bonus - carrying coneflower will provide inner strength during trying times. It can also be grown around the house or brought into a house and placed in a vase to draw prosperity into the home and protect the family from suffering from poverty.  All good things.

What else is going on in my yard???

Nasturtiums.  Now, I’ve planted them several times because I like the way they look in pictures as bushy plants for borders and edges, trailing plants for walls and containers, and as climbers.  Never happens here.  While they are supposed to be grown in full sun (at least 6 hours’ worth), they don’t like our full sun come July.  So, this year I planted them in both sun and bright shade.  We’ll see.  I’m not really encouraged though.  This is such a good garden plant - the leaves and flowers are edible and have a peppery tang, even the seed pods can be pickled as a substitute for capers.  They are good companion plants, attracting hover flies, which will destroy aphids, deter stripped pumpkin beetles, repel cabbage pests and squash bugs.  And they make pretty flowers that look very cool in salads or stuffed with cream cheese or egg salad as snacks.

The Star Jasmine is looking spectacular this year.  As it happens, I sort of, uhmmm, stole a cutting.  Couple years ago, I was walking the neighborhood and saw a jasmine struggling in the yard of a deserted house.  So, I snipped of a cutting.  Rooted it and this year it looks its best!  And, smells wonderful.  Actually, star jasmine isn’t a real jasmine.  True Jasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae) while star jasmine is considered to be a member of the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family, which also includes natal plum, frangipani (or Plumeria) and oleander. 

The Gardenias are beautiful.  Actually, this picture was taken at the abandoned house next door.  My gardenia never looks like that because as soon as the buds open, I pick them and bring them inside.

What else – well,

The Plumbago is blooming

As well as the Barbados Cherry

 Begonias

 And these things – that I don’t know what they are

they came with the house.

And, finally, today is National Superhero Day.  “It's time to put on your best cape, mask, cowl, or spandex and celebrate the characters that inspire us all to be better than we ever imagined (and use superpowers to do it!).” 

28 Apr 2019