Live Oaks in Gulfport

The Gulf Shore is populated by these magnificant trees with several of them surrounding our condo. We've been speculating about what they are and if this is the way they look naturally. Jan had a conversation today with a Gulf Shore resident who filled her in about the trees. They are called Live Oaks because they keep their leaves all year long. They're evergreens. They don't have leaves like the oaks we know although they are related. The woman told Jan that they don't have beautiful blue water around here like some parts of the Gulf, but they have the live oaks.....they really are incredible trees. She talked to Jan about Hurricane Katrina and noted that this area will never be the same. She told Jan that Beach Road used to be the home of old antebellum homes, some 200 years old. These homes will never be rebuilt because of the cost and the cost of insurance. Taking their place seems to be giant condos....like we're staying at. According to this woman, the live oak is a protected species and contractors can't remove them. She noted that they're constantly battered by gulf storms, but continue to survive and thrive. Could I draw a parallel between Live Oaks and Little George's impact on our country? We've been battered by Little George and his band of friends, but I have to believe that our country is going to survive and thrive as we move away from the George years. Sometimes I just can't resist..............