Yesterday was another great Key West day!

Perfect weather! Happy people!

I met Marty and Mick Barnes at the outside bar at Southernmost yesterday afternoon. Marty you know. Mick is a Key West lawyer. Perhaps the best litigator in the keys. He recently obtained an $8 million result for a client after 2 trials and at least one appeal.

We chatted and enjoyed the ambiance. The setting at Southernmost is perfect. The pool was full with frolicking vacationers. The laid back atmosphere was contagious.

Driving home, I had the radio on. The station was playing a rerun of a Frank Mc Court interview made a few years ago. Mc Court is a widely respected author. Wrote Angela’s Ashes which won a Pulitizer Prize. He died last week.

Mc Court was talking about his never having gone to high school, but receiving a college degree. An intersting tale.

Mc Court was born into abject poverty. Born in 1930 in Brooklyn, the depression wreaked havoc on his family. His father took all of them back to his roots. Ireland! Mc Court’s Dad thought things would be easier there. They were not. The depression was worse. And the family was stuck there!

Mc Court did grammar school. Never high school. He had to work to help the family. To survive.

At 19, he returned to the United States. He did manual labor. Like loading and unloading ships at the New York docks.

He had a thirst for knowledge. Became a big time reader. He consumed Henry James and Dostoyevsky. Heavy stuff!

He decided he wanted to go to college. However he never went to high school. He figured it would take 5 years of night school to get his high school diploma. He did not have the time!

So he visited the admissions office at NYU. The admissions clerk was concerned he had not attended high school. A commotion was developing. The Dean of Admissions went to the counter to see what was going on. Mc Court explained to her he wanted to go to college. She said you have to go to high school first. He said I do not have the time. She asked what qualified him. He said I read. She asked what. He said Henry James and Dostoyevsky.

The end result was that Mc Court was conditionally admitted to NYU as a freshman conditioned on his maintaining a B average his first year. He did and subsequently was awarded his college degree. Without ever having attended high school!

Mc Court spent the next 30 years in high schools. As a creative writing teacher. He said the first time he ever set foot in a high school was the day he went to work as a high school teacher after obtaining his college degree.

An interesting success story!

Last night started at the Chart Room, as usual. I looked at the holes in the bar and pondered. I probably will every time I am there from now on.

Marty and I decided to eat at the bar at La Trattoria. Kathy’s night to bar tend. We like Kathy!

The bar was packed. Many interesting local people.

Paul Toppino was there with a lovely young lady. Paul always is with a lovely young lady! But this one was special. He introduced me. It was his daughter.

Paul is a Key West icon. His family is deeply imbedded in the roots of Key West.

Paul’s grandfather built US 1. All of it! He became enamoured with Key West and stayed and raised a family here. Paul is son of the son. Paul and his brothers are engaged in all sort of construction work now in the Key West area.

A good person. I am proud to call him friend.

Across the bar was Jean Thornton. What a woman!

In 1996 Jean and her girl friend Debbie Sexton were in Key West on vacation. They did the Mel Fisher Museum. Met Mel Fisher himself. An exciting thing, since Mel was originally from Indiana as Thornton was.

Jean and Debbie decided they wanted to dive and search for gold. Mel explained they first had to be cetified as divers. Also he explained how they could invest in his diving program and if gold was discovered, share in it.

The ladies did their training and became certified. They made their respective investments. And out they went on one of Mel’s ships. Their first day of diving produced nothing. They earned a second day by swabbinbg the boat’s deck and the like.

On the second day, Jean and Debbie found a 21 link gold money/wedding chain. A big find! These two school teachers in their 40s literally struck gold!

The big day was July 8, 1996.

Jean and Debbie have ever since been known as the Golden Girls!

Jean came over to chat. She brought Debbie with her. Jean is becoming a friend. Debbie I met for the first time.

All in all, it was quite a day and quite an evening!

Just when I think I have learned all there is to know about Key West, something new pops up!

I was at the Gardens last night. Sunday is music time from 5 to 7:30.

Met Ray at the bar. A local. Also a resevoir of Key West lore.

The Chart Room entered our conversation. He told me that the ashes of some Chart Room regulars rest in the bar at the Chart Room. He claimed that holes were drilled in the bar and the ashes placed therein.

I rushed over to the Chart Room. Fortunately, Che was there. I would label Che as the Chart Room historian. He probably is the oldest customer still around. Still living would be a more apt description.

I repeated Ray’s story to Che. Che says, “He’s right!” Che was surprised I did not know.

The Chart Room has been part of the Pier House for many many years. Like forever. When the Pier House was remodeled 2 years ago at a cost estimated in excess of $40 million, the Chart Room was left untouched. It is still the same small beat up room it has always been!

History lives in the Chart Room!

And last night I was made aware to what degree!

Che proceeded to give me an education.

There are several small name plates on the wood bar rail. Each has a small drilled hole above it. About 1/2 inch in diameter.

The name plates are only first names or some nick name representing the person. The holes were all drilled before any one died.

These individiuals were obviously cremated as they passed on. A small portion of their ashes fill the holes and are sealed. Che described the quanity of ashes as a “dime bag.” The remaining portion of ashes were either scattered over the ocean or sit in a urn in someone’s home.

One of the plates has 3 initials. M is the first. F is the last. I forget the middle initial. It is Mel Fisher’s. The man who struck gold when he discovered a sunken Spanish galleon off the coast of Key West some 25 years ago. $400 million in sunken gold!

Another plate is labeled Whistle Pants. I never heard of Whistle Pants before last night.

Whistle Pants’ real name was James Cox, Sr. Cox was a banker from Chicago who retired to Key West. Lore has it he used to sit in the corner seat of the bar at the Chart Room from 1 pm to closing every day.

Why the name Whistle Pants? Cox invented pants that whistled! For real! A whistle was located in a pocket and every time a leg moved, a whistle sound came forth. Cox sold the pants and the concept to some company and made a small killing! Apparently the company did not as I am not aware of whistling pants ever being for sale nation wide.

Then there is a plate named Bob. Bob I knew. My friend Bob Smith. Bob died about 4 years ago. In fact, it was Bob who first introduced me to the Chart Room and the group there. He was proud to be one of the regulars visiting the Chart Room every day at cocktail time.

You will recall that about a month ago I was at the Chart Room for a party honoring Geoff Chapman. Chapman died 3 years ago. I never knew him. He appears to have been very popular and well liked in Key West. He was General of the Conch Republic Army. Chapman’s plate is labeled Goeff.

There are only 2 plates whose holes remain unfilled. Which means there are two living members of this unique club. Jim Cox, Jr. and Che.

Young Cox is son of Whistle Pants. He is in his 40s. He does not live in Key West.

The other is Che.

Che considers himself the keeper of tradition and lore in the Chart Room. And he is! He is also its historian! Che is proud that when his time comes, he will still live on in the Chart Room when his ashes are depositied in his hole.

Che became very excited last night when I told him I was going to write about this facet of the Chart Room in today’s blog. His excitement was not one of pleasure. It was one of concern. He was afraid I would screw up the story. He wanted it to be historically correct. The subject matter demanded correctness. He even made me take notes.

Che, I hope I did you and the Chart Room properly! If I erred somewhere, it is minute and will not take away from the solemnity of that reported.

And Che, I hope it is many years before your ashes lie within that bar rail! Your friends can wait for you!

Strange day yesterday! But a good one!

A Louis day!

I slept late. Always good.

I had a haircut appointment at 11. Lori is on a month’s vacation. So her partner did my hair.

My hair is cut short. Very short. Shorter than a crew cut. A step away from being totally bald.

Lori’s partner almost went that final step! I walked out of the hair shop a cross between a bald headed Bruce Willis and some one in a concentration camp!

I stopped at Lisa’s. The grandkids were having lunch. So I had lunch with them. Robert and Ally are now 5 and 4 respectively and converse well. Always interesting!

The family had been to a yard sale earlier. Robert is a Space Wars freak. There was a big black helmet for sale. The helmet talked in the gruff way those bad guys did. All one had to do was press a button.

Robert got excited when he saw it! The people running the yard sale ended up selling it to Robert for $.25! Nice people. Thrilled Robert no end!

He had to scare me with it while I was having lunch!

I then went home for a while to watch the British Open on TV. Go Watson!

My past week had been rough. I decided to screw off over the weekend. Be nice to Louis!

So I opted for a manicure and pedicure. It was time for both.

I fell asleep during the pedicure.

When I returned home, Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over to swim. My grandchildren are fish in the water!

Speaking of fish, another shark has been spotted! A whale shark. About 25 feet long. It is sitting off Marathon in the low water. The experts say the shark is there because of the the change in tides. Whale sharks feed off small fish. Just open their mouths and gulp them in. There is a spot off Marathon where the little ones move through by the thousands.

It has been suggested that whale sharks can be dangerous. Son in law Corey says no! They are only interested in tiny fish. He has observed many in his dives and he claims they were of no concern. Each basically ignorred the other and went about their own businesses.

My heart could not handle it!

After they left, I sat down to watch some TV. It was Saturday night. I am always out on Saturday night. Not last night! For some reason, I decided to stay in. Made myself a small dinner. Had a drink with it. And then off to bed for a good night’s sleep.

The British Open is on already. Watching it is how I will spend this Sunday morning.

Enjoy your Sunday, also!

Yesterday was my son John’s 50th birthday! Happy birthday son!

I remember when he was born 50 years ago. We were living in Syracuse. It was the summer before my senior year in law school.

John was to be our first born.

His mother got the pains and we were off and running to the hospital. However, she did not want to go directly. We had to make a stop. She said she was hungry. Actually, she was scared.

We stopped on Erie Boulevard at a greasy burger joint. She had a cheeseburger and chocolate shake. She ate in the car.

Obviously she did not keep the goodies down long. It was a first time effort and who knew.

We arrived at the hospital and my wife was taken from me. In those days, husbands were not permitted to remain with their laboring wives. A barbaric thing in retrospect.

I was left waiting on the first floor and his mother was taken to the fourth floor to do her thing.

Many hours later John was born. When the nurse showed him to me, his head was pointed. Really! Iasked her about it. No problem she said. It was the forceps. And she took her hand and pushed his forehead down into normal position.

John was beautiful. I was proud of him!

His mother did not look as good. I felt bad for her.

I stayed a while and then left. I had to go to work. I was a milk man. In those days, people had milk delivered to there homes. It was not purchased in a store. And the milk came in glass bottles. Only quart size. The cream was on top. It had to be shaken to blend into the body of milk below it.

I drove a truck loaded with cases of milk. Drove standing up. I was at the dock at the usual starting time that morning. 4:15. Loading my truck. And telling everyone about my son!

We named our son John after my father. My father is still with us and 95 years old. Yesterday, on grandson John’s 50th birthday, my father fell. Broke his nose and wrist.

He’s OK, except for the discomfort. He was returned home last night and we talked. There is a birthday party for John today and my father’s concern was that he would be unable to shake hands with guests. Love the man!

Have a good day!

Good morning world!

I overslept. Rarely do. Awoke at 8. Normally up around 5. It is now close to 11.

I have been doing some law work the past 2 days. Had to finish this morning. That is why I am so late writing today.

I spent all day yesterday working. From 7 am to 5 pm. Did not stop even for lunch. Loved it! I miss legal work!

I was beat, but definitely needed to get out last night for a few drinks.

As usual, I started at the Chart Room. Then over to Kelley’s for dinner. Love Kelley’s thursday night special. Maine lobster with all the fixings!

Kelley’s bar was packed. I finally got a seat next to a lovely lady. Tall, tanned and blond.

Her name was Susan. She has lived in keys for 30 years. She has been a realtor for last 15. Sells houses from Big Pine to Key West. She lives on Little Torch Key.

She was there for the Maine lobster also.

Turned out to be a fun time! Susan is as intelligent as she is lovely. Our conversation covered a multitude of items. From religion to swimming to the economy to love.

I hope I run into Susan again. She was good company!

Enjoy your day!

I never left the house yesterday!

I had some paperwork to do. Spent the whole day and part of the evening doing it!

Except for an occasional step out onto the deck, I spent the day at my kitchen counter plugging away.

Today may be the same…..

A real quiet day yesterday!

I am hooked on the Sotomayor confirmation hearings.

I am impressed witht the Judge. Very!

Her responses to inquiring questions, if they may be called such, are thought out and to the point. Her knowledge of the law impressive. She is not and has not been a loose cannon while on the bench. She believes in the rule of law and seems to have always applied it, regardless of the result.

And that is the way it is supposed to be!

When I practiced law, I never liked appearing before a Judge who was a loose cannon. Clients were entrusting me with their cases because I was supposedly knowledgable and good. That meant I knew the law and generally could predict the result even before I walked into the court room.

That preassumed the Judge knew the law also and would follow it. Not always the case. If the Judge deviated fromt the law for whatever reason, my client and I were in trouble. If the Judge was by the book, as with Sotomayor, then we were OK.

Senator Lindsay nailed Judge Sotomayor with some negative comments made about her by attorneys who had appeared before her. He had apparently obtained the information off a web site. Made Sotomayor sound like a tyrant on the bench!

Last night one of the political talk shows said that Lindsay’s information came from an internet site evaluating judges by having attorneys write in. Sotomayor had no problem the past several years. However, since her nomination by Obama, the site had been flooded with negative comments about her.

American politics at play!

I had dinner with Lisa and the family last night.

Perogis! I have not had them in years. They were terrific!

Robert enjoyed them as I did. Ally not. She refused to eat them. That left more for Robert and me!

Afterwards Robert, Ally and I played cards. They won! I lost! They have become very good at this game called 8s! And, of course, they delight it beating me!

Other than dinner at Lisa’s, I never went out last night. Did not have a drink, either.

What a good boy was I!

I am up early this morning. the black of night is now turning gray. Key West mornings are great! Sort of seductive the way the sun sneaks up on you!

Slept late this morning!

Sun already up! Bright! No breeze. Palm tree just standing there. Water not moving.

And humid!

I walked the waterfront yesterday morning. Trying to get back into good health!

Parked my car at Paradise Cafe. Then walked over to the water. My route took me by Dante’s, the back side of Half Moon, along Turtle Kraal, the backside of Waterfront Market, along Schooner’s Wharf, outside the Conch Republic, by Alonzo’s, across the street to the Galleon, around the Galleon dock and then back again along the same route in reverse.

A good solid 30 minute fast walk!

I was soaking wet from the walk. Bought a bottle of water at Paradise and sat and read the papers. Later I had lunch at Paradise. Cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. The best!

Then to Borders for some book reading. I glanced through a work on pre Castro Cuba. What a place!

The question presently is two fold. Will Cuba ever be fully open again to U.S. citizens? What will be the impact on Key West?

Many here in Key West believe the opening is coming. And soon! And that Key West will benefit economically!

We shall see.

I stopped into the Chart Room last night. I was all alone by the telephone. The bar was empty!

Peter had already been in and gone. I called Marty on the cell. He was in Miami.

So I was alone!

Two tourusts came in and saved me. Andy and Anikue.

Andy and Anikue are from Brooklyn. Their fifth visit to Key West. They love it! They have always stayed at the Pier House.

Andy is a paramedic at a New York hospital emergency room. He runs the whole operation. Five emergency vehicles and a staff of 50 odd persons. A big responsible job!

I learned a lot about ambulance work and paramedic activity. Whether a trauma, heart attack or whatever, these people are our immediate initial chance for survival!

Anikue (that is her name!) was an attractive lady! As lovely as her name! Her job is the most important of all. She is a stay at home Mom of 3! And proud of it!

My dinner was wings at Kelley’s bar. Good, as usual!

Then home to an early bed.

I have a screw off day in the making! Nothing on my plate! Good!

I hope you can squeeze some do nothing time into your day!

A quiet Sunday yesterday!

Hung out at home. Read. Watched golf on TV. Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over to swim.

A Chart Room group dinner last night. Marty, Captain Peter, Sheila and I dined together. Good people! Good company!

Then Marty and I went over to the Pier House’s Wine Galley. Larry Smith’s Sunday Showcase!

Larry has done it again! He discovers new talent and develops that person!

This time it is Patricia Tennyson.

Patricia is a lovely 25 year old. Mother of two. A student.

And a singer!

Listening to her was an experience.

On the way out of the Pier House, I stopped into the Chart Room to say good night to Sheila. I could see her sitting at the bar. I had left her elsewhere 2 hours earlier after dinner.

Sheila was chatting with Gary and Jane. She introduced me.

Gary and Jane are visiting from Australia.

It never ceases to amaze me. Key West is a magnet drawing people from all over the world.

Such was my Sunday. Nothing dramatic. But overall good!

Enjoy your day!

Love early gray mornings!

Just as the sun starts peeking over the horizon.

A strong wind this morning. The lone palm tree outside my window is bending a bit.

Key West has several weekly newspapers. One is the KEYNOTER. Yesterday’s publication carried an article on local bloogers. One of them was me. My reporter friend Sean Kinney wrote it. The article even has a picture of me. www.keysnet.com.

I walked yesterday morning. Like days of old. I have gained 10 pounds. Time to get rid of it.

It was hot. Hot hot! Humid!

I walked from the Atlantic to the Gulf and back. Fast. 40 minutes. Soaking wet when done!

Then to Lisa’s to visit the grandchildren and have lunch. A small turkey sandwich. A good boy was I!

Last night was fun company at the Chart Room. Marty, Captain Peter, Sean, Kathleen and Sheila.

Dinner was at the bar at La Trattoria with Marty. I left him there enjoying Erin’s company and headed home.

I decided to stop at the strip club/gentlmen’s club Bare Assets for a nightcap on the way home. The last time I was there was about 6 months ago. Viewing the bare assets of the opposite sex is always a pleasurable thing.

One drink and three pole dances later, I was back in my car and on my way home. The one thought in my mind was what a sad way for these women to earn a living!

Today is Sunday. Love Sundays! I can read all the newspapers!

Very relaxing!

Till tomorrow…..