< Previous10 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2023 I got in touch with my great-grandmother through owls. Specifically, my great fear of the nocturnal birds of prey. I never met Carrie Nevill Morris, born in December 1866 in Galveston. Remarkably and mysteriously, she was, at age 76, listed as “mother” on my mom’s birth certificate. I come from a family of secrets and superstitions, the latter perpetrated largely by my great-grandmother and handed down to me. Superstitions are like that, inherited like eye color or dimples. The wife of an Austin police chief, Carrie for long stints raised my mother when her son Mack, my wayward grandfather, was doing time for some crime or another, typically tax evasion or gambling. A stern Scot, my great-grandmother instilled in my mother Bible verses and an irrational fear of owls. Scottish lore has it that seeing an owl in daylight is bad luck. My great-grandmother believed it meant great calamity and death. My mother took that to mean any owl, even images of the bird on stamps or T-shirts, and forbade them crossing the threshold of our house. This caused complications, because my elementary school mascot was an owl, its image embla- zoned on all school accessories. Although I’ve always considered myself a rational person, I’ve never been able to shake the superstition. But I’ve tried to embrace the more positive superstitions about owls, such as they’re wise and act as guides and messengers from the spiritual realm. And in a sense, they are messengers, connecting me to my great-grandmother, who played such a big role in shaping my mother, who helped shape me. I was comforted by the many responses on our Coast Monthly Shorelines question: “What’s your biggest supersti- tion?” I wasn’t the only one who inherited superstitions, as you’ll read. The answers are fun and enlightening. I also was comforted by a 2019 Medical News Today report that billions of people in the United States and across the world are superstitious. A quarter of adults in the United States consider themselves to be so, and recent trends reveal younger people are more superstitious than older adults. In fact, 70 percent of U.S. students rely on good luck charms for better academic performance, according to reports. The fascinating thing about superstitions is believers believe them despite knowing, on some level, that they can’t be true, according to the report. And superstitions can even have a healthy effect, “evolving” to produce “a false sense of having control over outer conditions” and “reduce anxiety,” the report went on to say. One superstition I didn’t inherit is a fear of black cats. I’ve rescued some and they’ve brought only good to my life. In this issue, you’ll meet other owners of black cats who feel the same. We hope it encourages more adoptions of the much-maligned felines. This issue celebrates all that’s scenic and fun about fall on the upper Texas coast — beautifully adorned porches, haunted tours and the endless fascination with pirates. We wish you a safe, happy fall. LAURA ELDER Coast Monthly FROM THE EDITOR AN ECHO FROM THE BEYONDIS YOUR HOME MISBEHAVING? Perform a Forensic Review Mold | Moisture | Warped flooring | High humidity | HVAC failures | Odd smells Indoor health concerns | Contaminates | Staining | Water damage | Comfort issues Swollen trim | Building defects | Bad workmanship | Poor design | Mysteries "We had moisture and construction issues that NO one could solve or address - but Toner Home Matters DID. After diagnosing our issue, we followed the "prescription" we needed. We would venture to say that Toner Home Matters SAVED our home." SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WWW.TONERHOMEMATTERS.COM Actual Google Review Find out what's wrong, why it happens, and what to do about it12 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2023 SHORELINES WE ASKED ON FACEBOOK: When walking with a loved one, you never walk on either side of something or someone lest you invite something to come between you in the future. Usually ends with me walking back around something my son let come between us. I’m not takin’ any chances! Antoinette Perry Lynch I’m superstitious about taking bananas on a boat. I was taught that it’s very bad luck and I will not allow anyone to bring bananas when we fish. Bobby Martin Walking with someone and split- ting the pole. And the number of three sixes. Deeva Brantley Always staying the path as someone you don’t want to part with, so if a pole or something separates you from them, you both must participate in saying something that would go together and right the wrong — and it was alike subjects — bread and butter, salt and pepper, that sort. Donna Heinrich I’m really not superstitious, but why take chances? I can say I never step on a foul line on a ball field, I do toss salt over my shoulder if I spill some and if I’m walking with someone and a pole/post/person comes between us, I say “bread and butter.” John DeLapp I am not a superstitious person, but my grandmother had so many. I will share a few: on a road trip, a black cat ran across the road in front of their truck. She made my grandfather take her home — trip over. You absolutely could not open an umbrella inside. If you come to my office on a rainy day, there are open umbrellas drying all over. I think of her every time. Keisha May Heck What’s your biggest superstition? I am superstitious about and avoid driving long distance on major holidays. Never say “It’s been a slow shift” — it will become bonkers in a matter of minutes. If you are walking with someone and something comes between you, say “bread and butter” so your con- nection/relationship stays intact. I had heard the lore about cardi- nals being a “visit from heaven.” I didn’t give much credence to this until I was at my late parents’ home, showing my son their wedding album. I glanced out the window, and there was a male and female cardinal sitting together on a branch adjacent to the window. Holly Hopkins I’m superstitious about hurricanes. If you talk about them during hur- ricane season, then one will surely come your way. Or maybe that’s hurricane PTSD. Laura Manning Stokes I was told by an old Galvestonian that if you see three waterspouts at the same time over the Gulf of Mexico, that means a hurricane is a comin’. The day before I evacuated for Ike, I saw three wa- terspouts at once while standing on Pier 37! Nelda Engstrom black cat when it crosses the road in front of my vehicle and the black cat stops and looks at me — that makes me backup and turn around … if nobody is behind our vehicle. Johnny Lisa Halili broken glass, black cats. Good omen: cardinal, pelicans flying in groups, rainbows, mock- ingbird, dolphins. Eliza Thomas Quigley We were always told not to step on a crack in the sidewalk. I don’t know why but I still skip the crack. LOL. Stacey Gottlob Owls are definitely messengers. Daniel Leggett My grandmother passed on to my mom and she passed on to me: If a black cat crosses your path, you have to stop and spit. I will pull over if I’m in my car! Linda Dobbs Willis We had three huge owls in a tree in our front yard years ago. everyone said it was a bad omen. Judy Peterson-Fowler I had an owl come to my house and I never felt like it was an omen. I wasn’t sure why he came, but I tried to help him. Katherine Pollock Mine are mostly nautical in nature from my time in the Navy and Merchant Marines. Absolutely no whistling in the wheelhouse because you’ll whistle up a storm. Another is reaching up and swiping a finger across the headliner in a vehi- cle while running a yellow/red light. Keeps you from getting pulled over. Kerry B. Burts Little known fact: If you scratch the ceiling of your car with your finger when you’re going through a yellow light, the light won’t turn red on you. Bernice Torregrossa My mom always went out the same door she came in. Barbie Schwalm Miller exiting through a different door than the one used to enter. Forest Riggs Finding feathers ... messages from our heavenly loved ones. Sandy Hancock Foster When you see a red cardinal, it’s a loved one who has passed, visiting from the other side. Carly Suzanne birds in the house! Missy Miller Some people believe seeing a cardinal is a sign that a dead loved one is with them in spirit. GeTTY IMAGeSTo fi nd care near you, visit houstonmethodist.org/clearlake or call 281.333.8899 . surrounding communities We offer a full spectrum of care, including: • Primary care physicians for you and your family, providing personal care and service • Specialists with innovative treatments and customized programs • Collaborative teams of experts using the newest technologies and latest research 45 45 225 146 DICKINSON 96 FRIENDSWOOD TEXAS CITY PASADENA DEER PARK NASSAU BAY 528 518 LEAGUE CITY 270 2351 HOUSTON METHODIST CLEAR LAKE HOSPITAL Clear Lake Hospital Breast Care Emergency Care Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Primary Care Specialty Care HOUSTON METHODIST LEADING CARE where you need us14 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2023 FEATURE PICTURESQUE PORCHES Islanders greet fall with creativity and coastal décor story by SHANNON CALDWELL | photos by STUART VILLANUEVA (Above) Colorful pumpkins frame the stairs leading to the front porch of Gaby and John Zatarain’s home in Galveston’s Evia neighborhood. (Opposite) Gaby Zatarain chose pumpkins of different shapes, sizes and colors to decorate the front steps. W hen fall arrives on the upper Texas coast, islanders like to rediscover their porches as places to cel- ebrate their design style, enjoy family life or gather with friends. Decorating their front porch is a family affair for Galveston business owner Gaby Zatarain, her husband, John, training to be a surgeon at the Univer- sity of Texas Medical Branch, and their children — Isabella, Gonzalo and Lucia. “My husband loves design and architecture, and it was his idea to make our stairs a design feature of our home,” Gaby said. “We all decorate the porch together for fall, then Halloween and, of course, Christmas. We also like to garden together as a family.” The Zatarain home in the Evia neighborhood, known for its picturesque porches, has sweeping stairs from the sidewalk to the front door and double-galleried porches, providing an expansive canvas for the family’s creativity. When decorating, Gaby makes the door and stairs a focus 16 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2023 FEATURE with a fall-inspired wreath and potted plants and pumpkins. “I usually choose décor in different fall colors from orange, pink and peach,” Gaby said. “We love coastal colors and have a lot of blue and white in our house, so I try to include coastal elements. This year, we had blue pumpkins decorated with fishing nets created by my mother-in-law. I love texture, too, and we like to include rattan and raffia in our décor.” Her love of texture, color and design is key to her successful jewelry and accesso- ries company Gaby & Grace. It began three years ago with a $150 investment in a small collection of earrings she sold to friends. Today, she has a successful online store. Her merchandise is stocked in 250 stores nation- wide, and in early September, she will open her first permanent brick-and-mortar store at the Sugar Cubes in Evia, which previously were sites of pop-up shops. The new Gaby & Grace store will feature the intricately beaded earrings and colorful accessories for which Gaby is known, along with clothing and a new personal styling service for women who want help to put together a complete look. “I want my business to celebrate the Southern woman and bring joy to all wom- en,” Gaby said. “I come from a family of entrepreneurs and named my business for my mother, Grace, who is my inspiration and support. My business is one with pur- pose, I’m so proud of the artisans in India who use generations of knowledge to create our accessories. We also like to give back to the community. For example, I run project graduation where we provide dresses and accessories for Ball High.” Ashley Garcia has lived in her Evia home for just one year and loves her front porch, she said. “It is shaded and I get a nice view of the lake,” she said. “It is one of my favorite places to be.” Originally from Pennsylvania, Ashley and her husband, Jeff, first lived in Galveston from 2012 to 2016 while he was a medical (From top) Gaby and John Zatarain and their children, Isabella, Lucia and Gonzalo, like to decorate their porch together for fall, Halloween and Christmas. They also like to garden together as a family; nautical and beach themes blend with fall decor; blue pumpkins decorated with fishing nets, starfish and shells were created by Gaby’s mother-in-law. (Opposite) The Garcia family, from left, Jake, Jeff, Luke, dog Bruce, Ashley and Lily, loves to spend time outdoors. The children love the Halloween decorating season while mom prefers Christmas. See how Tom’s Thumb by Cornelius Nursery in Galveston styled the Garcias’ porch for fall on Page 22.18 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2023 FEATURE resident at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Missing Galveston, they returned in 2020 with Jeff working as an oral surgeon and Ashley, who is a dentist, being a stay-at- home mom for their three children — Jake, Luke and Lily. “They are only little for a short time, and I didn’t want to miss anything,” she said. Ashley loves fall, and although she occa- sionally misses the snow of her hometown, she appreciates Galveston’s cool fall breezes. “My kids play basketball, baseball, soccer and dance, so we are outside a lot,” she said. “Also, cooler weather means we won’t have to walk our new Labrador puppy, Bruce, at 10 o’clock at night anymore.” A fall family tradition is visiting a pump- kin farm in Alvin and although her children don’t like to scoop pumpkin “guts,” they do enjoy carving pumpkins. “We put them on the front porch, and seeing how proud my kids are to see their pumpkins all lit up makes it all worthwhile,” she said. Ashley likes decorating her porch for fall and Thanksgiving but said Christmas is her most favorite season of all and a time when she decorates not only her porch but nearly every room in the house. “For decorating, my kids love Halloween the best,” she said. “If they had their way, there would be skeletons everywhere.” Halloween also is a favorite fall holiday for Suzanne Brayman, sales manager for the Evia neighborhood. “My neighbors have a party every year and I love to dress up,” Brayman said. “One year, I went as the Tippi Hedren character from “The Birds” movie with stuffed birds and blood all over me. Another year, I was Puss in Boots and had a make-up artist paint my face.” Brayman loves Evia for its small-town feel, she said. She began working for the Sullivan Brothers Builders, who developed Evia to reflect the charm of Old South port cities, in 2014 and has seen the neighbor- hood grow to about 300 homes. In 2019, she purchased a two-story home with up- and-down porches. “My house is teal — the color is called Great Falls,” she said. “I joke they had to retire the color after painting my house so it’s the only one in the neighborhood. My porches are very Galveston with lots of bright and fun décor. Red is my signature color and I have an eclectic design style.” Brayman loves to switch up her porch décor for different seasons and celebrations. One of her favorite things to do in fall is have her girlfriends over to drink watermel- COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2023 19 on margaritas on the porch, she said. A natural raconteur, Brayman has a host of entertaining stories about her world travels as a Braniff International Airlines flight attendant, a shoe model for iconic American designer Halston (her feet have been featured in Vogue magazine), and her hunting adventures. The best place to hear her stories? Her front porch, of course. Suzanne Brayman’s porch in Galveston’s Evia neighborhood is a spooky spectacle, featuring numerous skeletons, cobwebs and other traditional Halloween decorations.Next >