Author: Laura

By Forest Riggs

Now that the chill of winter has passed and the “big†holidays and celebrations are behind us, it is time for Spring to arrive and bring with it sunshine, blossoms, new beginnings and fun times — both in and out of doors. All over Galveston, gardens are being re-dressed, damaged foliage from the freeze is being removed and the songbirds have returned to brighten the Island days. With the onset of warmer weather, spring breaks and cabin fever, folks are flocking to the Seawall, the sandy beaches and the Historic Pleasure Pier. It is a good feeling to see old Galveston come alive after a biting winter. And nothing says springtime more than Easter!

“ Easter is not a time for groping through dust, musty tomes or tombs to disprove spontaneous generation or even to prove eternal life. It is a day to fan the ashes of dead hope, a day to banish doubts and seek the slopes where the sun is rising to revel in the faith which transports us out of ourselves and the dread past into the vast and inviting unknown. â€

—Author unknown, as quoted in the Lewiston Tribune

Easter is indeed a magical time and holds special meanings and memories for just about everyone, from childhood parties in school and family gatherings for egg hunts and festive celebrations, to new “Easter clothes†being proudly worn to church or gatherings. For some, it is the one time of the year they demonstrate their “faith†by making an appearance at their place of worship and perhaps a monetary donation. It is fun to think of Easter as being baby chicks, flowers, baskets, bunnies, candy in the shape of eggs and rabbits, jelly beans of every color and foil-wrapped delicacies that rest in baskets of green, plastic “straw.â€

The gay bars on the island offer fun times as well, Easter Parades, Easter Hat contests and fabulous shows and drink specials. Even as adults, Easter has never stopped being fun!

Everyone has favorite memories of Easters passed. For some it is adult memories of gatherings with friends, celebrating with a lovingly prepared meal (usually brisket), and a gentle and fun afternoon of drinks and funny stories. (In pre-Hurricane Ike days, George Maida hosted the most fantastic Easter parties at his home filled with friends, superb food, egg-coloring contests, drinks and all sorts of related activities.) To this day, the egg coloring remains a big event for many Easter lovers, religious or not. There is something about coloring eggs that brings out the innocent child in each of us. There are memories the smell of the vinegar as it is poured into the food coloring filled cups, and the little color pills from the Paas Easter Egg kit. Brothers and sisters, and friends and relatives gather around the smelly cups — spoon or write dipper in hand — to create the perfect egg. Some use markers, wax crayons, string and all sorts of new-fangled egg dying kits. There are swirl kits, tie-dye kits and even beads and sequin kits — just about any and everything one can imagine to adorn a simple white egg. (The egg industry loves Easter and rightfully so!)

“ Easter is an arts and crafts moment where your whole family and friends can get involved. â€

—Food Network host Alex Guarnaschelli

Being a little “artsy†myself, I have always enjoyed Easter and dying eggs. I love to mix colors and decorate the eggs with various glue-on items; queens love and can work wonders with a hot glue gun! A few years ago, I heard of Silk Tie Easter Eggs, a new and interesting way to “color†eggs and it has won me over for a while now. Thanks to sweet Aunt Martha Steward, silk tie eggs gained recognition and popularity after a segment on her show, Martha Stewart Live. Making the bright, colorful patterned eggs is pretty easy and requires little time and effort. The end results, depending on what tie patterns used, range from paisley designs to intricate patterns of color that resemble the majestic Fabergé imperial Easter eggs from Russian (well, sort of).

How to make Silk Tie Easter Eggs

You will need several 100 percent silk ties of various colorful patterns (check your local thrift shops for bargains). You will also need eggs, twist-ties or string, 3 tablespoons of white vinegar, a white sheet or pillowcase, an enamel or glass pot and vegetable or olive oil.

1. Cut the silk ties into pieces large enough to wrap around a raw, white egg.
2. Wrap each egg with the silk square with printed side against egg; tie at one or both ends.
3. Wrap the silk-wrapped egg in white piece of cloth, securing end with a twist-tie.
4. Place eggs in the glass or enamel pot. Bring water and vinegar to boil. Cook 20 minutes (longer if you’re going to eat the eggs).
5. Remove from boiling water and allow wrapped eggs to cool.
6. Unwrap the silk and outer cloth from each egg.
7. Rub with vegetable oil or olive oil to brighten and polish the eggs.

Voila! With little effort, you have created edible works of art! The next thing to do is show them off to your friends and family. Easy, cheap and fun! Happy Easter Egg-making!

Forest Riggs, a resident of Galveston is no stranger to the adventures of life. A former educator and business owner, he enjoys Island life and all that comes with it. He says he is a “raconteur with a Quixotic, gypsy spirit.†He has written for several newspapers and magazines as well as other writing pursuits, including a novel and collection of short stories.

By Forest Riggs

Shiver me timbers! Spring, though it has tried, has not sprung. A clump of sand sitting in the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston has recently experienced a few cold and damp days, coupled with chilling winds that cut to the bone. Seems we have several days of glorious sunshine, then BAM! Here comes another cold spell. Most of the island flora has been tricked into early budding and sprouting. Many of the migratory songbirds have already returned and doing their best to make whoopee in the cold. Even the wretched grackles have started their huffing, puffing and strutting, trying to catch the eye of a mate. I’ve noticed similar behavior in a few humans along the Seawall and beach. What is it with spring that makes the old xylem and phloem start flowing, even in the cold!

As young children we were taught: “March roars in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.†I am ready for the lamb part. Being an anal-retentive Virgo, I have never fully understood or appreciated all the fuss that comes with those noisy Leos. Seems they always have to make an entrance.

Mardi Gras passed, and with tremendous hangovers we slid quietly (some of us with ashes on our forehead) into 40 days of Lent. Things get a little quieter as many islanders begin to prepare for spring (if and when it gets here.) Lent, confusing for many, is simply a season of reflection and renewing: Take a look at yourself, think about things you might want to change and work on. It’s kind of like a Spring Cleaning of the soul and psyche. Some feel they have to “give-up†something they love or simply can’t live without. Sometimes, this is a good thing. I had a wise teacher who once said we should “give-up†things like anger, hatred, bigotry and so forth. I’ll give it some thought.

In the next few weeks, the island will become Temporary Paradise Found, as many students will abandon their dorms, apartments and other places, to come and celebrate Spring Break. This annual period of craziness can last anywhere from a couple to several weeks, depending on the schools and their schedules. This is the time the do-gooders get away to do bad and the bad come to do the do-gooders! The traffic is nuts, the wait for service in restaurants is frustrating and the Galveston Police Department has its hand full. Like the grackle birds, young muscular, tank-topped boys in jacked-up trucks drive down from deep east Texas to perform their version of strutting, huffing and puffing. Generally, it’s a good time for all, as long as folks act remotely sane and exercise a little common sense. It’s no longer “Girls Gone Wild,†it becomes “Island Gone Wild.†The bars fill with new faces of all sorts, from seasoned repeat offenders to underage newbies trying to cop a drink and maybe find “love†or some other form of debauchery.

Lots of fun things are coming in the next few months as spring and summer finally get here. There will be home and garden shows, sand castle contests, expert drag shows and some mighty hot male dancers. I will keep you posted on who, what, when and where for gay Galveston activities.

Lastly, after a few days in a row of sunshine, I decided to take my chances on wade fishing in the bay. Just because the sun was out and my bald head burned, it did not mean the water had warmed. After selecting some prime cut bait (I like the uncut, too!), I waded out to ’nad level and was quickly reminded it’s still too early without waders! Yikes. I gave it a good try and after about 30 minutes of losing bait, hobbled to the shore. It has been a week now and I still can’t find my parts. Hopefully, the waters will warm soon and I will try again.

Having said this, the fish are biting — black drum, speckled trout, delicious flounder and even a few red fish — most caught on live bait such as shrimp. Get brave and give it a try. Get a license though; the fine is tough. Whether you catch fish or not, it’s a great way to explore the island and meet some fun locals.

Until next time, keep smiling, laughing and making the world a better place.

A resident of Galveston where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life, Forest Riggs recently completed a collection of short stories about his beloved island and is working on a novel.