Putting Up the Christmas Tree

We currently reside on what I call Restaurant Row. I know, I know. It's a dream come true. At any rate, we watched the construction of the Christmas Tree as we dined this week. Surprisingly enough, what they say is true ... if we build it, Santa will come. Let the games begin.

Deja Vu

Ah, yes, the ubiquitous cowboy boot ........ who could live in Big D (the land of denim and diamonds) without at least one pair in her/his closet?

I'll Huff and I'll Puff

Is it me ...... or

This pile of rubble used to be somebody's house.

Throwing the house out with the trash.

Too big to fall. I know. It's a curse.

And not a leg to stand on.

What used to be a house by the sea is now a house in the sea.

When Mama Nature knocks, don't hang around to see what she wants cause she's coming in whether you open the door or not.

No Fishing

People used to hang out at the end of the fishing pier here in Galveston, Texas. Some of them even caught fish. How did they get there? you ask. Well, they didn't walk on water.

You're right. It is a big jump from that one section to the next. This is the entrance to the pier, next to the sea wall, and there is a huge gap between these pilings and the end ones you see in the first photo. And we're talking concrete, people. Ain't no messin' with Mother Nature when she's in a hurricane mood.

Yes, this was a popular hangout a little over a year ago until Ike blustered into town.

Galveston, Oh Galveston

We stayed on Galveston Island for several weeks at the end of 2007. In fact we spent Christmas and New Year's Eve happily ensconced in a charming beach cottage hiding behind the giant dream home looming behind me in this photo. Notice how wide the beach is and observe the dunes in front of the mansion. Your tax dollars at work ..... millions of dollars spent to create and foster those dunes and grasses to protect the beauty of our national coastline. In Texas everyone has access to the beaches. I guess nobody can own Mother Nature - although, Lord knows, lots of people try. How much do you think a beach house like that one is worth?

Not much, as it turns out, after the arrival of Hurricane Ike in September of 2008. It is still standing a little over a year later, however. Many of its neighbors are not. In fact, do you see those dunes anymore or the tons of sand that came up to the paint marks on the supports? A victim of high winds and a strong storm surge, this house is truly on its last legs. The beach is no longer as wide as it once was, leaving the remaining homes a lot closer to the water. Waterfront property - always at a premium.

Meanwhile, I guess you really can't go home again.

Cold Front

Yes, we are wearing jackets ......... but no shoes.