Donna Barnett was my house guest. She came and she went. Just like that.

Donna is married to Terri of Broadway fame. Donna is Terri’s manager. They are frequently my house guests. Love them both!

They have become Broadway people. Donna arrived Friday. We had dinner together. That was the last time I saw her, except for Mary Jo’s party yesterday.

Broadway people live on a different time schedule than the rest of us.They get up three in the afternoon. Breakfast at 5 PM. Work. Have dinner at midnight. Then go out for the evening. Return to bed at three or four in the morning.

My sleeping/wake schedule is normal. Up at six in the morning. Generally to bed by 10 in the evening.

Now you can understand why Donna and I did not see much of each other the past few days.

I started yesterday by boxing at the gym. I believe the exercise is helping. I feel better. However, I am gaining weight. Sort of an inconsistency. Soon, I will have to diet also.

Mary Jo Da Silva. To know her was a privilege.

Mary Jo came to Key West about 14 years ago. Around the same time I bought my Key West home. We became friends. Mary Jo became every one’s friend.

A  first class woman. A kind one, also.

Mary Jo was diagnosed with cancer  five years ago. She survived for a long time after the diagnosis. She handled the whole thing well. Better than most  would. She was frequently doing chemo. She was required to go to the hospital overnight for the procedure. Occasionally, I would visit with her at the hospital while she was undergoing the chemotherapy.

Mary Jo was friend to all. Crazy about dancing. You could find her most evenings at La Te Da on the dance floor.

Mary Jo died last August. There was a small party at the time. However many of her friends were gone from Key West for the summer. So a celebration of her life party was scheduled for yesterday.

Lynda Frechette and Terry Johnston arranged for everything. Mary Jo’s son Matt flew in from California.

It was a party!

There was a special tribute to Mary Jo. Mary Jo was known by her big bright red lips. She would take her tiny natural lips, coat them heavy with bright red lipstick, thereby making them larger. Her bright red lips were her trade mark.

Yesterday at the party, out of respect for Mary Jo, many of the women either had their lips bright red or wore bright red apparel. Slacks, blouses, shoes and the like.

Bobby Nesbitt was with us. A Key West singer/piano player, in addition to being friend to Mary Jo. Every Wednesday night he used to sing and play at Quest for two hours. Now it is Aqua. Mary Jo attended each of his performances. One of the songs which Bobby played each performance was Climb Every Mountain.

As Bobby played it, several of the ladies in attendance would take paper napkins, place them on their heads and form a line. They became instant nuns! And they sang and made motions to Climb Every Mountain. Ten of the ladies yesterday did the same thing. Everyone joined in to sing Climb Every Mountain. It was a teary moment.

Rest in peace, Mary Jo.

I left La Te Da and went over to the Chart Room. I was surprised at who was there. My good friend Kurt. He told me he thought I would show up and that’s why he was there. Pat and Robert with him. He also had someone I met for the first time by the name of Michael. We sat and drank a bit and enjoyed our time together.

I found Michael interesting He is a relatively young man. Around 30. American by birth. Ended up in Peru somehow and married a Peruvian lady. He lived in Peru until recently and has two children. He started a restaurant business. It went bust. He’s up here bartending and trying to put together some money to go back and reopen another restaurant

Money is different in Peru. He told me that anyone on a U.S. Social Security check could live in Peru and not need any other money. $2000 a month would be a kingly sum and more than takes care of everything. That includes a live in maid, food, medical, etc. Even nights out on the town.

Peru, here I come!

We split after the Chart Room. They were off to I don’t know where to drink a bit more. I needed to eat. Chinese entered my mind. Chinese it was. I ended up at the Chinese restaurant in the Sears shopping center.

I enjoyed the meal, though I do not believe it was that healthy for me. I read the newspapers while sitting there. It was calm and peaceful.

Syracuse basketball again this evening! Syracuse plays Villanova. Tip off is 7 PM. As usual, I will be at the Sports Page Bar watching the game.

Enjoy your day! .

A great day!

Magnificent!

I had to get out of bed a bit early this morning for one of those many bathroom visits older men need make. Afterwards, I stepped outside on the deck adjoining my bedroom. The sun was just rising. It was half risen. A bright orange fireball.

Between the rising sun and present beauty outside, this is going to be one of those terrific God given days in Key West. Guaranteed!

Gym time yesterday! Courtney Aman training me. He increased all the weights. I could feel it. Not easy. But I did it all.

I later had a scheduled visit with my heart doctor. Dr. McIvor. Finally a good visit! The first in a year. My blood pressure is finally regulated. It was normal. My fluid problem seems to have resolved itself also

The doctor visit was at 5:30. I intended to watch the Alabama/Louisiana game from my home later in the evening. Needed to eat first. So I scooted over to Outback. Ate at the bar. Enjoyed dinner conversation with the fellow next to me. He is in charge of all the Winn-Dixie pharmacies in the State of Florida. He was down here to inspect the Key West one. We get into a discussion of drugs, costs, concern for customers, etc. A very interesting conversation with a very knowledgeable man.

The game! What a game!

Alabama completely outplayed Louisiana. One of the sports writers this morning commented that Alabama’s playing was like a Picasso painting. Preparation and execution incomparable.

Over the past couple of years, I have made a good friend via Facebook. Jim Brown. Jim lives on Crete. A Greek island.

Jim was not born on Crete. He comes from Scotland. You can sense his Scottish brogue in his Facebook comments.

I am going to repeat Jim’s comment of this morning. I reprint it exactly as said by him. Misspellings and all. Jim wrote, “…tosay I will be impersonating Captain Nemo with a hint of Jacques Cousteau.”
Jim is a Key Westerr at heart. He would fit right in.

Enjoy your day!

Love Sundays! A do nothing day.

I was anxious to watch the Republican Presidential debate. It took over Meet the Press plus an additional half hour. Nothing new was learned. They all continue to be losers. Not the best for our country. Unfortunately, one may be the next President. We deserve better.

I spent the rest of the day lying leisurely by the pool. Reading the Sunday papers and sleeping.

In the evening, it was dinner with Lisa and the family. Lisa prepared a terrific salmon meal.

Robert and Ally are pogo crazy. Ally has it down now. She did well.

After dinner, Robert played games on Corey’s I Pad. Ally read a book.

Manatees are back in the news.

Sunday’s Key West Citizen had a short news article advising boaters to be on the look out for manatees. Because of the cold front and cooler water, the manatees have been congregating near power plants. The water is warmer.

Now that the weather is warm again, the water will heat up. The manatees will be moving away from the power plants That is when manatees experience their greatest danger. From moving boats.

This week has been a manatee education. First, the one at my dock. Then Jerry’s experience of swimming with one. Now the newspaper article warning us to be watchful.

Enjoy your day!

A good Key West saturday yesterday!

The weather finally changed. In the high 70s.

I got a haircut in the morning. Saw Lori!

Visited Lisa and the grandkids after the haircut. Robert and Ally pogoing all over the living room.

The highlight of my day was the Syracuse/Marquette basketball game at four o’clock. As usual, I watched the game at the Sports Page Bar. Syracuse won a close one 73-66. The second half was a your heart in your throat type game

Syracuse was winning by as much as 23 points in the first half. Syracuse was ahead by 18 points at halftime. Marquette came back in the second half. With a vengeance! With about 5 minutes to go, Marquette had brought the game down to a two point lead by Syracuse. It could have gone either way. Fortunately, it went Syracuse’s way.

About 15 Syracuse fans joined me at the Sports Page Bar.
Jerry and Patty were part of the 15. They are from the Oswego, New York area. Have been coming to Key West for many years. Finally bought a home on Angela Street last year.

Jerry told us of an experience he had yesterday afternoon. He was swimming off the Truman beach portion at Fort Zachrey Taylor. He was about 30 feet offshore. He saw this large shadow beneath them. It was about 6 feet down. He went down to take a look. A brave soul! Turned out to be a manatee.

He swam around the manatee a few times. He did not wish to disturb the manatee. The manatee decided to move. The manatee came up to the surface and started swimming. Jerry went up and joined the manatee. They swam a short distance together till the manatee changed direction to open water.

What a thrilling experience!

You will recall I had a manatee off my dock last week. This is manatee season, so to speak. The manatees come down from the north to the Key West area in the winter. They seek warmer waters.

After the game, I was walking through the Pier House complex on my way to the Chart Room. Ran into Jean Thornton in the hallway. She was leaving. On her way to Michael’s for dinner. She and Joe return to their Georgia home monday. We hugged and kissed in case we did not see each other again. A nice woman. We have a mutual admiration society going.

Had a drink at the Chart Room. Chatted with JJ. No one else I knew at the bar.

Many long distance runners in the bar.

There had been a relay race that concluded yesterday afternoon in Key West. The runners ran in teams. The race had started in Miami the day before. A 155 mile run. Each paticipant ran a certain amount of miles and then rested. Another picked up the effort. Team vans following them. The runners had slept in the vans overnight the evening before.

I did talk to a woman sitting next to me. She had run in the relay. I did not get her name. I was impressed however with the fact that she and many others had participated in a 155 mile run.
Decided to spend the rest of the evening at the Pier House. I opted for dinner at the bar in theWline Galley. I knew Larry Smith would be playing.

Larry was. He was singing some Broadway tunes and some of his own. Mary Deasy was there. She sang a couple of songs.

Larry introduced me to Gerald Adams. Adams is an attorney from the Fort Lauderdale area. He specializes in men’s rights in family law field. I looked him in the eye and said that is one tough specialty! He agreed. We had a nice chat.

Don’s Place next.

Sat and chatted with Erika and Herschel while watching the Detroit/New Orleans game. We discussed our bocce loss of a couple of nights earlier and the bowling party that is scheduled for the 21st of this month. Don periodically arranges for a bowling party I. We will go out to the Naval Base at Boca Chica. They have the only bowling alley in the area. One of our group will be a retired Navy person making us eligible to use the facility. We will eat tons of wings and pizza and drink a bit. A fun afternoon!

Jimmy was sitting near me. Jimmy of Joanie and Jimmy. Love Joanei! Joanie loves me! Not as much she loves Jimmy, however.

Jimmy was complaining that I only gave the bocce matches the other night three lines in my blog the next morning. I responded to the effect that what was there to talk about after the beating we took. Nothing.

We both agreed that Joanie had played well. She was on the team that beat us. Normally, she is yelling and screaming…..bocce! Thursday she was very quiet. Maybe that is why she played so well. She concentrated on every shot.

Angus was at the bar. Angus bar tends at Schooners Wharf. Last night was his off night. Angus is a die hard Detroit fan. It was obvious.

Todd, Boomer, and others watching the Detroit/New Orleans game also.

Then my day ended. It was off to home and bed.

Enjoy your sunday!

Busy day yesterday.

The day began with my Internet show. Two topics received significant post show comment. Ohio Medicaid and God.

Ohio Medicaid brought forth the greatest response. A problem of of concern. Medical professionals contacted me, amongst others. I learned a lot more on the subject.

God was the other issue. Everyone that commented on this topic said God had not spoken to them yesterday or any other day in their lives. In my 76 years, God has not spoken to me either. It amazes me that God speaks to Pat Robertson and certain presidential candidates. What people will say to attract a fringe element of the voting population.

It was gym time yesterday also. Courtney worked me hard. The hardest yet. He increased all weight levels. It was difficult. I was beat when I was finished. Courtney told me from this point forward we are going to push my limits each session.

After the gym, I visited with Lisa and the grandkids. Robert and Ally are still home for Christmas vacation. Lisa recovering from a head cold. Everyone in Key West has a head cold..

Robert received a pogo stick from Santa Claus for Christmas. Ally did not. Her parents bought one for her. It was received yesterday. They were both pogo sticking around the living room. Robert does it extremely well. Ally still learning. My heart was in my throat several times when she fell over.

As you are aware, Donna is visiting for a week. We went out together last night.

We started at the Chart Room. Emily bartending. Cheryl and  Roger sitting at the end of the bar. We sat and talked with Cheryl and Roger for about an hour.

As we were getting ready to leave, Sean and Katherine came in. I had not seen these two for at least a month. I missed them. I asked Sean what happened? He said they’d been away several times. He would fly in for a few days to work and then leave, etc. In any event, Sean and Katherine are the type of people that I enjoy seeing often. They are intelligent, hard working, and friendly.

Sean and Katherine are relatively new college graduates. Probably 4 to 5 years out. They are in their mid-20s. They could not get jobs where they wanted to because the economy. They both ended up in Key West  two years ago. Found jobs. Good jobs! Sean is a reporter. Katherine has an executive position with Ocean Key House.They are perfect examples for getting out there and finding a job.

Dinner was at the Hot Tin Roof. Donna and I at the bar. Although we communicate via e-mail and telephone,  it had been months since we were last together. There was lot of a catching up to do.

It was 9:30 when we left the Hot Tin Roof. I headed home. Donna had her car. She was heading for La Te Da. I heard her come in about three this morning.

The weather is supposed to turn today. Seventy five the high. The evening will be in the high 60s. Last night was sufficiently cold that I had to wear long pants, a sweater and a leather jacket. I was not the only one so attired.

Enjoy your day!

Show time this morning!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour at 10 AM my time. Worldwide. www.konkbroadcasting.com..

In addition to topics previously mentioned, I will be discussing the recent study which indicates Ohio Medicaid cancer patients are surviving at a rate 50% less than those with insurance, Washington State about to approve same sex marriage, Pat Robertson’s claim that God told him who the next President will be, and Venezuela President Chavez’s warning to other Latin American presidents to beware of the United States –the US may be responsible for several Latin American presidents recently being diagnosed with cancer.

I boxed yesterday. Me alone. No Courtney. I got tired. But enjoyed it!

Afterwards I headed over to Lisa’s. The grandchildren are home this week. Decided to do lunch again with Robert and Ally. We went to Mattheessen’s. Then to OfficeMax. I needed some paper. I told the kids I would buy them something. They looked around. There really is nothing for children at OfficeMax. Ally found some stick on stars. There was nothing for Robert. I promised him another shopping day.

Bocce last night! Playoff game! We played off!

Our entire team sucked. No one showed any talent or ability. We were the decisively beaten in two games.

Such is life!

I have a woman in the house! For a whole week. Donna is here. Half of my lesbain wives combination. She came in after I was asleep so I didn’t see here last night .
Enjoy your day!

Doesn’t anyone play marbles anymore? It must be a lost art.

I thought surely I would receive a number of comments and emails after the marble portion of yesterday’s blog. I received none. A bad sign. Society’s values a bit misplaced. Ease up and shoot marbles!

Cold! Around 60 last night. I was watching the basketball game at nine o’clock. I needed long pants and my leather jacket. I was not the only one so dressed.

I spent the better part of yesterday preparing for tomorrow’s Internet show. The Key West Legal Hour. Could be one of the best! Exciting topics from the crazy world we live in. Included are the latest statistics regarding Ohio Medicaid which clearly show that cancer ridden patients live significantly less long if on Medicaid rather than private insurance, a dog that got drunk, Eisenhower and our inter-continental highway system, a little known fact about bullfights, the United States Supreme Court decision deciding that tomatoes were a vegetable rather than a fruit, the Catholic Church and celibacy, and more.

Great topics! Join me. 10 AM my time Friday. The show is available worldwide. http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/.

Syracuse basketball last night. Syracuse won. Beat Providence 87 – 73.

It was a close first half. Syracuse was only leading by two points at half time. Providence was playing extremely well. Providence was penetrating the zone defense and also made several 3 pointers.

Enjoy your day!

I can’t win.

I have been completing this blog late recently. I got up at six this morning to get it out early. My computer was down. I checked everything I could in the house. Nothing made it work. Telephoned Comcast. They told me there was a power outage in my area.

It is now 10 AM and I am just able to start. Sorry.

Low 50s last night. Needed everything to keep warm. The cold front will remain with us through Saturday.

Terrific lunch yesterday! Robert and Ally joined me for lunch. We went to Goldman’s. We all ordered the same thing. Cheeseburgers. It always amazes me how well my grandchildren consume food. The cheeseburgers were large. Nevertheless, they both finished them with no difficulty.

As we were sitting down, I heard an hello. I turned around and it was Howard Livingston. Howard was with his wife Cindy and their grandson Michael.

Howard and I moved away from our respective tables to greet each other. Howard’s grandson Michael calmly walked over to our table and started talking with Robert and Ally. Michael is almost nine years old. Robert and Ally are seven and six respectively. It was amazing how well these three communicated. It was as if they had known each other their entire lives.

Love Howard! Who does not. The difference is I knew Howard back when he was Howard Livingston, a Chicago businessman. Cindy is a charming lady. They are lucky to have found each other. We promised to have dinner together in the near future.

After lunch, I took Robert and Ally home. I had bought them each a bag of marbles for Christmas. This was in addition to a big Christmas present I had purchased for them.

Robert and Ally had never played marbles. I had not played marbles in at least 65 years. I promised I would teach them how to play marbles yesterday. They were excited.

We went home and immediately got down to the business of marbles. Robert picked up on it right away. He was actually very good at it. Ally had some difficulty before she was able to get into it. They loved marbles! I fear one of the marbles is going to be rolling around on the floor and someone is going to take a fall. I admonished my grandchildren the marbles are to be placed in bags when they are finished. Hopefully.

Robert and Ally also received sticks for Christmas. Recall sticks? You have a handful of sticks about 10 inches long. Drop them all at the same time on the table or floor. The purpose of the game to pick up the sticks one at a time without moving any of the others.

I showed them how. The only problem was I could not pick up more than three or four. At 76, I have a bit of shaking in my hands. It screwed up my ability to play the game. Robert on the other hand had no shaky hands. He was picking the sticks up like crazy without moving any of the others. Even Ally was better than me.

It was a big day for me! Lunch with Robert and Ally. Teaching them marbles and sticks. Nothing better! God is good.

I stayed in last night to watch the Iowa election results. Amazing! Eight votes separating the top two winners.

Today’s a new day.

As soon as I complete this blog, I am off to the gym. Boxing alone. Just me and the bags. I like it that way.
Syracuse plays Providence tonight. A late game. Nine o’clock. I will not be home in bed till after midnight. Late for me. I will be watching the game at the Sports Page Bar as usual. Syracuse should win easily.

Sandra, I will be happy to have a drink with you. Let me know when you are in.

Enjoy your day!

My hometown is Utica, New York. It is 0 degrees this morning. High will be 14 degrees..

Key West experienced a cold night last night. The front came in late yesterday afternoon. It will be with us till Saturday. The wind off the ocean from the north east is biting cold at 35 miles per hour.

The temperature dropped into the 50s last night. Cold! However, I am embarrassed to complain after noting the temperature in Utica.

Everything is relative, however.

It is going to be cold tonight in Key West. The projected low is 47°. That is really cold!

I worked out with Courtney yesterday. Weight lifting and the like. For those of you old enough to remember, I will soon look like Charles Atlas! What a joke!

I want to comment on the people who use the gym. Extremely friendly people. Mostly from other countries.The place is a United Nations.

They all have great bodies. Abs. I never had abs in my younger days not do I now. I do not believe I will ever have abs. My trainer Courtney disagrees. He dreams.

Stopped at Don’s Place after boxing. Had a cold glass of water. Spoke with Rob, Keith and Todd. The Thursday night bocce playoff game the topic of conversation.

Headed over to Publix to shop. I had run out of food again.

I experienced a first time event at Publix. I checked out. Put my hand in my pocket to get my credit card. No credit card, no money. I had forgotten both at home.

I was not embarassed. Felt stupid.. The checkout girl was very kind. We will keep your groceries bagged in the cart. Go home, get your money and come back. Which is what I did. No problem. Groceries waiting for me. The ice cream did not melt.

Robert and Ally returned yesterday. I did not get to see them. I plan on taking them to lunch today.

I came across an odd name this morning on Facebook. Elvis Hitler. Did not make sense. Googled the name. Turns out to be a band out of Detroit. The band is described as psychobilly/hillbilly. Strange name in an ever developing strange world!!

It is long pants and a leather jacket today. I am not ashamed to admit it.

Enjoy your day!

Oh, the weather!

Key West winter begins tonight. We have been lucky so far. The weather has been fantastic! However, we are into the winter season and temperatures in the 70s should have been gone by now.

A cold front is coming in tonight. It will last through Friday. A long time.  Tomorrow the temperature will be 63 by day and 52 by night. Not nice. Cold! Several bad nights ahead. Heavy blanket time. A woman would be better.

Then Saturday, the good weather returns. From Saturday forward  the days will be in the mid 70s and evenings low 60s. A return of unusual weather. Something to look forward to. We are tough people. We will guts it out this week.

It was a beautiful warm day yesterday. I sat in the sun quite a while. So much so, that my face was bright red when I went inside. I  neither wrote nor read. I merely contemplated. I thought about the past year and this new year.

Last year was good. I should not complain. However, I had some medical problems which knocked me on my ass. My teeth and my heart. It was not the problem with both that affected me. It was the treatment. Prolonged and tiring. All I ask for in the new year is good uninterrupted health.

I thought about other things.

God is good. I live in Key West. A beautiful home on the ocean. I have many good friends. What more could a person want? I know. In my particular circumstance, a woman. Santa Claus please bring me one!

Syracuse basketball late yesterday afternoon. Watched it at the Sports Page Bar. When I arrived, I was shocked. Very few seats available. People all over the place yelling and screaming. It was professional football Sunday! Not one television set was carrying college basketball.

I immediately sought out owner Patrick. I was stressed. I was there to watch a Syracuse game. I followed Patrick around the bar as he was looking for a TV set to change to the Syracuse game. One was found. Patrick advised that if anyone complained, he had turned the set back to football. Fortunately, no one complained.

I was the first of the Syracuse fans to arrive. Soon there were 20. Syracuse graduate Scott from Chicago came in with a party of six. Another SU graduate Steve, who runs a boat here in Key West, showed up with a date. There were a number of people from other places. We had a good group going.

One of the highlights of the game was the opportunity to meet Jim Boeheim’s sister Barbara. Some one pointed her out to me. I went over and introduced myself. We chatted for a few minutes. She is vacationing in Key West. Lives in Virginia. A nice woman. Very congenial. Thoughtful of  her brother’s position.

Syracuse won. Demolished De Paul by about 20 points.

Syracuse plays Providence Wednesday. Then next Saturday comes the first real test for Syracuse in the Big East. Syracuse plays Marquette. Syracuse is presently ranked # 1 nationally, Marquette # 12.

After the game, I visited the Chart Room. Glad I did. Sheila and Cindy at the bar. Got my kisses. JJ and I exchanged New Year greetings. I did not stay long. I wanted to get over to La Trattoria. It was Kathy’s first night back as bartender.

This week has been very busy in Key West. Tourists abound. More than normal. Ergo, La Trattoria was packed. There was not one seat at the bar! Kathy was good to me however. She called for a bar stool to be brought from the back room and fit me in.

Jean and Joe Thornton were on the other side of the bar. I went over and extended warm holiday greetings to both. They were just finishing up as I was starting.

Lovely Becha gave me a hug and kiss. Made my evening.

Kathy sat me next to a very charming woman. Katherine her name. I had a stimulating and knowledgeable conversation with her throughout dinner. She and her husband own some sort of electrical company  in the Toledo, Ohio area. It employs approximately 500 people. Big time! We talked about banks, insurance companies, cash flow, etc. We understood each other clearly and were on the same wave length.

Katherine and her husband own a condominium. They have been Key West snow birds for 13 years.

Poor Kathy. It was a tough night behind the bar. She worked hard. I could see her tiring. Occasionally, she would sit down on a box behind the bar to resurrect herself. Body wise, she is still about one third of her normal size. She lost a lot of weight as a result of the two surgeries.

Then it was home and bed.

Lisa and Corey expected any moment. They are returning my Christmas tree and the extra chairs I brought over to them for Christmas Eve dinner. Robert and Ally are returning today. Lisa and Corey are driving up to Florida City to pick them up. They are traveling with Corey’s parents from Cape Coral. Florida City is the mid point.

 I have missed Robert and Ally. I am anxious to see them.

My good friend Mike Yutzy was in for the weekend.  Mike is a mortgage broker in Las Vegas. He apparently is in love with Emmy who is a CPA in Fort Lauderdale. I had met her before. This is a cross country relationship. They visited with me for a while. We sat outside on the deck and chatted. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Mike.

Courtney introduced me to Carol Tedesco while I was at the gym Saturday. We talked a bit. What a nice lady! She works out with Courtney also. Carol is an artist. She told me that she recently had listed a ceramic rooster  with Lisa’s Internet department store Via Key West. Carol is happy and charming. I hope to run into her again.

Turns out Carol is married to Michael Shields. Michael is one of the founders and initial general manager/ executive director of the Tropic Cinema. He does an Internet show on movies. In fact, his Internet show follows mine on Friday. Michael is well known in the arts.

Enjoy your day!