HEADDRESS BALL OR TUESDAY TALK

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A major event this evening as part of Fantasy Fest is the Headdress Ball. I have attended several times over the years. Under a big tent, always a fun event.

My blog talk radio show is also this evening. I will not be at the Headdress Ball. I will enjoy what I will be doing, however. Hosting Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Half the show will be dedicated to everyone’s friend, Monsanto. Some items you already know. Some not yet. The discussion will be revealing.

Other topics include the Putin/Berlusconi relationship, why bank systems are being hacked, the Catholic Church’s synod which rejected a more friendly relationship with gays and divorcees, and more.

The show is at 9 my time. Join me for a fast paced one half hour. www.blogtalkradio/key-west-lou.

Fantasy Fest is in full swing. A ton of events this evening. Many risqué. I have already suggested the Headdress Ball, which does not fall into the risque category. There is also Capt. Tony’s Plaid Party. Don’t bring your mother. Also, a relatively new event. I think it started last year. The Men of Labare Whitey Party. It is at Bare Assets. Instead of women stripping, men will be doing it. An evening for the ladies to whoop it up.

My favorite candidate for Queen won. ML was instrumental in helping to raise $235,000 for AIDS Help. ML’s real name is Mary-Lynne Price. Probably only a handful are aware. She is well known in the Key West community as ML.

Last night was dinner at Roostica with Jennifer and Keith. Two great young people. Hard workers.

We all screw up. Whether our fault or some other person’s. President Obama was in New York City last month. He and Michelle were having dinner at a fancy restaurant. When the bill came, Obama attempted to pay with a credit card. His credit card was rejected! The card is seldom used. The President’s residence is Washington and it was being offered in New York City. The company thought a fraud was being perpetrated.

Michelle’s card was good.

Enjoy your day!

 

ZOMBIE BICYCLE PARADE

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Another great morning weather wise! Cool! The day will warm up to the mid 80’s.

Someone told me yesterday that wednesday to friday there will be heavy rains. Several inches. If so, some streets will flood. That’s the way it is.

I was out early. Blood giving time. Part of my annual physical.

Fantasy Fest got into full swing yesterday. The Zombie Bicycle Parade. First time I have seen it. An impressive event!

Zombie in the parade’s instance means scary. Those participating looked scary! Every one of them. Gory, sick, bloody, etc. Everyone riding a bicycle.

Most of the paint jobs look professional. I suspect that the body painters of later in the week were the face painters for yesterday.

I watched the parade standing on the wall at Smathers Beach. As far as my eyes could see, they were coming and going! Both directions. Covering the full width of the road.

Lori who does my hair told me she would be in the parade. I looked for her. Good luck. It was like trying to pick out someone in the Boston Marathon. Which is what the Zombie bike ride reminded me of. A marathon.

I was busy yesterday afternoon. Running around doing little things. Even missed Don’s Place for pro football.

Sunday dinner was with Lisa and the family. Lisa prepared an abbreviated Thanksgiving dinner. A roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy and salad. Excellent!

Monsanto is being fought in every country in the world where it has been doing business. Successfully in most instances. Monsanto has found a new place to plant its seeds. Africa. Africa has Monsanto and Ebola. I am not trying to be funny. Both can be deadly.

I plan on speaking in detail re Monsanto and Africa on my blog talk radio show tuesday evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

On one occasion or another, most of us have had a credit card rejected. Obama did last month. He had dinner with Michelle at a fancy New York City restaurant. His credit card was rejected. Michelle had one that worked.

The card company later advised that the card the President used was rarely used. Ergo, they thought fraud might be involved.

Enjoy your day!

UNHAPPY WITH CATHOLIC CHURCH

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I walked outside on rising this morning. What a day! Spectacular! Bright sun. Sky perfectly blue. The weather cool. A God is in His Heaven, all is right with the world day.

However, it is not such a day. The Catholic Church has screwed up once again! Yesterday a world wide synod of bishops meeting in the Vatican stopped an attempt by Pope Francis to correct what he perceives as Church errors.

Pope Francis had proposed a welcoming of homosexuals and divorced Catholics be permitted to receive Communion. A two-thirds vote of the synod was required to approve. The correction/amendments to Church doctrine failed. More than half the bishops voted in favor. However as with the U.S. Senate on occasion, a two-thirds vote was required.

An open insult to the Pontiff. An open insult to Catholics world wide. I do not believe Catholic bishops are in tune with their flock.

Many opposing the Pope’s will were Catholic bishops. Catholic bishops have become like U.S. Senate Republicans. Similar mentalities. Catholic bishops joined with the  U.S. religious right several years ago. The two groups stand shoulder to shoulder.

I am a fallen away Catholic. Interestingly, I have been considering a return to the Church of my birth. Pope Francis the motivating influence. He was opening the windows of the Catholic Church for the first time in more than 50 years. A breath of fresh air long overdue.

Catholic Churches are empty these days. In my youth, it was difficult to get a seat at Mass. Catholic schools have closed. Only a small percentage remain open today. Churches themselves are closing. Two or three parishes joining together to make one. Poor attendance means fewer dollars to support a parish. Significantly fewer young ladies are becoming nuns. Young men not opting for the priesthood.

It will continue that way unless and until the Church recognizes what Pope Francis seeks to accomplish and support him in his endeavors. The two that failed and the more that will come. We are all God’s children.

I hope those who voted against the Pope are happy with the result. They have embarrassed their leader publicly. God’s man on earth.

Yesterday was a football day for me. Syracuse in the afternoon and the Florida State/Notre Dame game in the evening. Syracuse won! I did not expect it. Handily. 30-7. Florida State won one of the finest played college games ever. Both teams at the top of their game. Could have gone either way. Decided in the last ten seconds.

In between games, Tim Reynolds and Keith came over to set up my new flat screen TV. In the bedroom. Wow! What a picture! It was a pleasure watching the Florida State/Notre Dame game on it.

The Asia-Europe Meeting was held in Milan this past week. Interesting what happened and did not happen. Putin was to meet with Merkle. He was four hours late. He had to stop to watch a parade in some satellite country. Merkle was upset.

Later that evening, like one in the morning, Putin met with former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. They met at Berlusconi’s Milan home. Berlusconi is under house arrest for either his dalliance with a 17 year old female or income tax evasion.

The two men were together till 3:45 in the morning.

Turns out Putin and Berlusconi are friends. Close friends. For years. Putin bought a vacation home some where in Europe next door to Berlusconi’s. They have visited each other’s homes many times over the years. Their families are close.

Berlusconi remains an influential figure in Italian politics. Berlusconi is also an extremely rich man. He and Putin have large holdings in a Russian oil company. It is reported Berlusconi will be investing in further Russian oil ventures.

Fried dough. I have not enjoyed fried dough in years. I consider it an Italian delicacy. Lisa made fried dough this morning.

Robert and Ally helped. One rolled the fried dough in a bag of sugar, the other in what was thought to be a bag of powdered sugar.

Ally was the first to taste the cooked dough. She opted for the powdered sugar one. It was not powder sugar. It was flour. Someone screwed up. The incident added to the festive mood of the breakfast.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOOMBAY 2014

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Finally! Goombay arrived last night! Fantasy Fest underway!

For those who attend events each evening, it will be as grueling ten days. Fun, however!

I did Goombay last night. Each year a bit better. This year more music. Cubby holes between buildings were filled with musicians and those listening. The food appealing, as usual.

I make it a habit not to eat the food. It suits me! However for me it is not easy to stand and devour an exotic dish with people crowded around me. If you have been to Goombay, you understand.

The end of Petronia, where the main musicians play, was crowded. I noticed more and better children’s rides. Robert and Ally go tonight. A big time awaits them!

It was Don’s Party last night. Goombay always is. A crowd gathers at Don’s Place. He orders a couple of big cabs and has everyone delivered to 801. I got the starting time screwed up. Arrived at the bar too late. The cabs had left.

I opted to walk to Goombay. In fact, I walked all night. Up and down Petronia for the festival itself. Then back to Don’s Place with a stop in between at Square 1.

On the way up Truman to the event, I came in contact with three African-American nuns standing in front of St. Mary of the Seas buildings. They are stationed now at St. Mary. There is a scarcity of American girls entering the nunnery. Catholics import nuns today. As they do many priests.

We chatted a while. Great women! They must have thought what a wonderful guy I was to stop and chat with them. Actually, I was tired and resting for the next part of my walk.

Met my group at the bar at 801. A drink and I felt better. A big glass of water, also. Seated outside 801 were Pittsburgh area friends Karen and Dan. Their daughter or son and spouse were with them. I cannot remember everything. Very nice young people. Costumed for the evening.

Don’s group meets at Blue Heaven’s outside bar to conclude the evening. Always packed. It is in the middle of Goombay.

I got there first. I can only walk in a hot crowded area so long. I grabbed a seat at the corner of the bar and watched the world pass by. I decided to leave just as the rest were arriving. I had had it. I was off. Made my good byes and thanks to Don.

I still had not had dinner. Thought I would break the walk back to the car. I stopped at Square 1 to get a bite at the bar.

Lovely Mandy bartending. Such a nice person!

Met Desmond and Sandy. Originally from England. Not happy campers! They bought a house in Key West two months ago. Previously, they had been living in Naples. Tough to talk with initially. Oozing with unhappiness. They did not like this, they did not like that. Sandy asked Mandy where the mussels came from. Never heard that question asked before. Who cares. Try them. If good, try them again another time. If not, do not.

I know people either love or hate Key West? Were they part of the hate group? I did not think so.

Desmond was in the newspaper business in England. He was a radio broadcaster in Naples. Sandy was part of the fashion industry. Desmond should meet Don who was in the hierarchy of a Buffalo newspaper and later a publisher in Ohio or Indiana.

By the time I left, we were friends and they had calmed down.

I know they are reading the blog this morning. My advice to Desmond and Sandy is they go to the Gardens Hotel tomorrow evening at 6. In the back/center there will be music, drinks and people. Most will be locals. Most sociable. A taste of Key West. You will enjoy. Do not be negative. These people love Key West. You will get your heads chopped off!

ML won! My choice for Queen. Congratulations, ML!

Syracuse this afternoon. against Wake Forest. Syracuse favored by 3-4 points. I hope we win.

Enjoy your day!

 

INSANITY PREVAILS

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Key West is located in Monroe County. Monroe County recently passed what I consider an asinine law. County employees may not smoke. For new hires, not at all. Even at home. Urine testing (pee in the cup) required to catch violators.

Insanity. Next government will tell us how many times and when and where a husband and wife can have sex. Don’t laugh. Overpopulation is a fast growing problem. Why do you think Monsanto has all these Congress passed laws giving them protection in the development of genetically modified organisms.

Key West is now considering expanding the insanity. It was suggested at last night’s Commission meeting that the City look into what the County has done. Five commissioners were favorable. Only a look, however. It is the beginning. I see Key West once again getting involved in what is none of its business.

Insanity prevails.

Speaking of insanity, John Brown comes to mind. John Brown was an abolitionist and anti-slavery advocate in the 1850’s prior to the Civil War. He took matters into his own hands. He was fed up with the federal government’s delay in resolving the slavery issue. Brown and a bunch of his followers attempted a raid October 16, 1859 on Harper’s Ferry in Virginia. The raid failed. Brown was captured two days later. He was tried, found guilty, and hung on December 2. No 20 year Supreme Court appellate process in those days.

John Brown’s home was in North Elba, New York. Brown is buried there. I visited Brown’s home and grave.

North Elba is near Lake Placid. I was visiting a friend who had a summer home in Lake Placid. There was a cloudy deary rainy day. He took us for a ride in lieu of sitting around and drinking all day. The ride took us up a tiny narrow road to the top of a small hill. An equally small house at the top. Brown’s home. It is now a part of the New York State Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The house consisted of three rooms. Two down and one up. Appeared awkward to live in. Especially when I discovered Brown had fathered twenty children between two wives. Brown and Key West’s Captain Tony have something in common. Though I believe Captain Tony had more wives.

The family slept closely. Very close. Made sense. Besides insufficient space, Lake Placid is brutally cold in the winter.

I found Brown’s grave off to the side. He lies beneath a monstrous tombstone. The words on the stone reflect what today is perceived as a heroic act by many on his part.

History tells us Brown was a nut. He was obsessed with slavery. He thought it was his God directed duty to rid the country of slavery.

It was reported in yesterday’s Key West Citizen that two Disney cruise ships will be docking in Key West for two days during Fantasy Fest. These are family type vacationers. Many children.

Some kind of screw up here. Disney was made aware of what appeared to be a booking mistake. Nevertheless, Disney is still bringing the ships into Key West.

Hurricane Gonzalo is hurtling down upon Bermuda. A 4, sometimes a 3. Bermuda getting hit bad. Sunday it was tropical storm Fay. One thousand homes still without electricity. Now a major hurricane.

Saw Dr. Mc Ivor yesterday. My heart doctor. Concerned about my swollen ankles. So am I. He has prescribed a super water pill to be taken with my normal water pill. What a way to lose weight! He has also ordered an ultra sound of both legs. One ankle is swollen more than the other. He wishes to eliminate a clot factor. I love getting old!

Bocce last night. We won only one game, the last. We killed the opposition. The two lost were close. The team we played we should have demolished. We did not. We seem to play to our opposition. When we play a good team, we are at the top of our game. A so so team, we play to their level.

My Italian friend Anna e mailed me yesterday. She was in Milan. There is an Asian-European Meeting going on. Many Middle East countries represented. Anna has spent time in the Middle East. She said the Arab women were in and out of all the best stores on Milan’s most fashionable street. They were dressed as everyone else. Not black robes and face covers for them. They were attired in the finest, happy and giddy. Buying today’s most fashionable clothes. She also mentioned their faces were perfectly made up.

Bet they cannot wear their new clothes at home.

I woke at 5 this morning. Could not get back to sleep. Decided to walk. Left the house at 6. Dark. Cool. Comfortable. A great time to walk. I need a flashlight, however. Not so I can see. So the cars can see me.

Enjoy your day!

WHAT A GOOD BOY AM I

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I feel like Little Jack Horner. Remember, he sat in the corner eating his pumpkin pie, he put in his thumb and pulled out a plum,and said what a good boy am I!

I wrote again yesterday. Six hours. Drafting and redrafting six chapters for the next book in what my publisher calls The World Upside Down series. A lot of writing! I took three chapters from the unfinished rough draft of Growing Up Italian for the book. I wrote them a year ago. I am sure The Bakery one fits the Italian book. The other two I was not sure.

The Bakery is about little me and my grandmother going to the bakery a couple of blocks away twice weekly. One time for the empty flour bags. The next for the sliced bread ends. Each free.

A different chapter I call Grandpa Asserts Himself. About my grandfather in his 90’s saying in effect to the world…..Go screw yourselves! Wait till you read and how he did it.

The third is titled What Is That Noise. The story of a 40 year old man who heard the wind in the trees for the first time.

I also wrote three chapters concerning Greece. The substance of which you all may have read before. From a different slant, however. The topics include Santorini’s beauty, my inability to make it to the volcano, writing in Amorgos, and  my walk to Acropolis/Parthenon.

A good day! I deserve a medal!

The new water tank was installed. By my former bocce partner, Frankie the Plumber. I was able to shower at home before going out. You cannot appreciate what a luxury hot water is till you are without.

It was Hot Tin Roof for dinner last night. Nostalgia time again. My mother. I enjoyed mussels. A dish I rarely order. My mother loved mussels!

Fantasy Fest in a couple of days. You can feel it in the air. Taste it. The locals getting excited. Yes, locals participate. Many enjoy costuming. Some have a different costume for each day. A big time party!

The humidity is basically gone. Still warm, however. Moving towards a dry heat. Temperature still in the mid 80’s by day and mid 70’s by night.

The things I learn. Germany announced it no longer will charge tuition to attend any state run university. No tuition applies to foreign students as well. All an American would need is to know how to speak German and the price of a plane ticket to Munich.

To we in the United States, Germany’s free tuition sounds like a big deal. It is. However be aware, it was only $630 a semester before.

Which brings me to Syracuse University. Re football, Not the expense of attending. Which exceeds $50,000 a year for room, board, and tuition. Syracuse plays Wake Forest saturday. Something must be wrong. Syracuse is favored. By 3-4 points.

I have a busy day today. Haircut at 9:45, A lengthy business meeting at 10:15, a visit to my heart doctor at 1:30, and bocce in the evening. Love it! All part of my life here in Key West.

Enjoy your day! Continue Reading →

TIME FOR STONE CRABS

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Stone crab season opens today. The season runs from October 15 to May 15. I consider stone crabs the best of foods. If I were to be executed and had one last meal, it would be stone crabs.

I was first introduced to stone crabs in the early 1960s in Miami Beach. Where else but Joe’s Stone Crabs! I have been addicted ever since.

Local fisherman are not sure whether it will be a good season or bad. They never know at the beginning. Two months into the season they will.

Fantasy Fest had an early beginning this week. Not in Key West. In Marathon. A 60 year old man was arrested for running up and down US 1 bare ass.

The Pier House recently remodeled its beach bar. I lunched there yesterday. The remodeling was not extensive. It involved redoing the wall behind the bar. The wall is now covered with a huge wood panel with some insignificant design. Pretty. Not beachy, however.

I spent the whole afternoon writing. Two days in a row. I am into it.

Growing Up Italian has been set aside for the moment. My publisher insists on another World Upside Down work. The World Upside Down is becoming a series. I have promised to have it out forthwith.

I can see already the book will be a third longer than the first. I have decided to sneak in a couple of the Growing Up Italian and Greece book chapters. They will fit. The Growing
Up Italian has so many chapters already that it will probably end up a series, also.

I needed a taste of old time Key West. It was dinner at Hogfish at the bar. Chatted the time away with fishermen typical of days gone by. Bearded, somewhat toothless, extremely thin, bronzed and weathered. I enjoyed a comical time discussing the mundane.

Last night was Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I love doing the show! I appreciate all who listen.

Post show comments indicated the ebola portion garnered the most interest. All I said was cool it. Every one getting excited. McCain wants an ebola czar, a nurses’ union wants better training, Afro-Americans are saying the man from Liberia died because he was black. The last item bothers me. Not every issue is a black issue. Saying it is does not make it so. Keep playing the black card and eventually a legitimate cause will not gain support.

Friday night Goombay. Two days away. Fantasy Fest around the corner.

Enjoy your day! Continue Reading →

SQUARE ONE & LA TE DA

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Last night was a doubleheader of pleasure. Square One and La Te Da.

Before catching Larry Smith’s show at La Te Da, I stopped at Square One for a bite to eat. Square One has been a part of my Key West life for over 20 years. I became a customer when Michael Stewart first opened the restaurant.

Walking towards Square One, who should appear but Michael Stewart himself. I have not seen him in at least two years. He looked great, as usual. Thin! I hate him. He was with another old friend, John. We enjoyed a fun filled conversation.

As I was walking into Square One, I ran into Carmelo. Carmelo was the second owner of Square One. He bought from Michael Stewart. Operated the restaurant for two years and then sold. It was good to see Carmelo again, also.

Bartender Mandy remembered me. We met last week for the first time. Besides being exceptionally lovely, she is good company. Mandy worked at Sunset Key for five years before coming to Square One. She replaces Patrick behind the bar. She is as good as Patrick was. Patrick having been the bartender supreme!

Mandy is married. Her husband works at Blue Heaven. Mandy has a daughter. Rylee. Rylee opened the door to a long conversation regarding Montessori. Rylee attends Montessori, Robert and Ally’s school. She is one grade behind Ally and two behind Robert. They must know each other.

I am in effect testing the new Square One. Will I like the food? So far, good. A part of my meal last night was cream of tomato soup. Excellent! The best I have ever tasted!

Then it was La Te Da for Larry Smith’s show.

What was a construction site last week, was an open and booming bar/restaurant/hotel last night. The place is beautiful. A new top on the outside bar. Drapes in the inside bar that were absolutely lovely. La Te Da dressed up and stepping out.

Larry’s show once again the best. He is one of Key West’s premier musicians. Christine singing and Alex on the horn.

Christine amazes me. She has improved with age. Her singing spectacular! Her performance outstanding! She had it all.

Christine painted for fun for years. Watercolors. Several years ago, she started selling them. Her work took off! She is a recognized Key West artist today.

By day, Christine teaches school.

Christine has one more distinction. For those of you who may be unaware, she and Larry are husband and wife. I may have stated it incorrectly. Larry may be the one who has the distinction.

Go Christine! Love you!

La Te Da was packed for Larry. Like days of old. A comforting feeling. Many familiar faces. Aaron and Karen, Mary Deasy, Ray, Martha Robinson, Jane, ML, Robbie and Lois, and more.

Tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine o’clock my time. The tempo the same. A quick moving hard hitting half hour of political and social commentary. I call things as I see them. Join me. www.keywestlou.com/key-west-lou.

Topics include ebola, Italian medical marijuana, Jamie Dimon and shadow banking, women permitted to walk on only one side of the street in London, walruses and global warming, corporations benefiting from increased war activity, political bigotry, and more.

I have a problem. The hot water tank blew. I cannot take a shower. Which means I am confined to home till it is fixed. Waiting for Frankie the Plumber.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST READYING FOR FANTASY FEST

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This is the week! Fantasy Fest kicks off friday evening with Goombay. Key West is getting ready.

It is estimated 60,000 persons will visit Key West during the 10 day event. It has been reported hotels are already sold out. Available bookings are 30 miles and further up US 1 in Big Pine and Marathon.

Streets and sidewalks get barricaded during certain events. The barricades are laying against buildings on Duval waiting to be erected.

Body painting is a big deal. Especially for the ladies. Store front and other places already have posters up inviting people to be body painted at their establishment. Not a cheap endeavor. Cost this year will probably be between $150 and $175. One advantage is that the body paint lasts about a week. A person can shower, etc. and the body paint remains.

As an inducement, one person who provides the body painting service is offering a free touch up.

There is a charitable purpose involved in Fantasy Fest. Raising money for AIDS Help. Candidates run for King and Queen. He/she who raise the most money become King and Queen for a year. Candidates will raise six figure money. This is the closing week for the fundraising. Candidates are pushing for last minute donations. Most seeking significant check donations.

Goombay kicks off Fantasy Fest. It is held the first two nights of the event. This friday and saturday. Goombay is a family event as opposed to the next eight days which unequivocally are an adult party. Leave the kids home!

Goombay is a street festival. Food, trinkets, and clothes being sold. An area set aside for gospel and reggae music. The music outstanding!

My grandchildren Robert and Ally will visit Goombay with their parents. Poppa does Goombay late in the evening. Too late for the grandkids.

Larry Smith appears again tomorrow evening at La Te Da. His show begins at 9. It was a blast last week. Will undoubtedly be as good, if not better, this week. If you are in Key West, I suggest you go. I plan on being there.

I have decided to add a musical introduction and closing to my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Larry has been helping me put something together. Five to six seconds. Never thought it would be that hard to come up with something that short. We have not finalized on anything yet.

Yesterday was Don’s Place for pro football. I got there a bit late. No place to sit. I stood a while and then thought this is not for me. I went to Salute’s and sat outside by the door. A shady area. I enjoyed some refreshment and read the sunday papers. I also watched the ladies in their bikinis on the beach. It is thrilling to be a dirty old man!

I was home early in the afternoon. My ankles coming along. Still large. I put my feet up for four hours. It helped.

I cannot explain why. My book The World Upside Down is having a resurgence in sales this past month. Happy I am! If you would like to obtain a copy, the book is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

I almost forgot. For shame. Today is Columbus Day. For persons of my heritage to take special pride in. I am of Italian extraction and proud to be so. My mother was born in Italy. My father here, of parents who were born in Italy.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

THREE BLIND MICE

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Three Blind Mice. We all recall one of the first children’s nursery rhymes learned.

Three Blind Mice was published on this day in London in 1609. The author was Thomas Ravenscroft, an English musician and folk music composer.

Three Blind Mice was not a nursery rhyme when first published. It took till 1842 to become one. Ravenscroft’s 1609 version was a tale referring to England’s Queen Mary. It told of her blinding and executing three Protestant bishops. Another variation is that she merely had them burned at the stake.

The 1842 publication was in a book of children’s literature. It was the first time the diddy was identified as a nursery rhyme.

Regardless from whence it came, the nursery rhyme is the one we learned to love as children and taught our children in return.

Syracuse football was at noon at John Lukas’ Big Ten Sports Pub. Syracuse played Florida State. Number one ranked team in the country. Florida State was in no danger of losing its ranking. Florida State beat Syracuse 38-20.

Syracuse looked good in the first half. Three times they were under 10 yards at the goal line. Each time, Syracuse failed to get the ball over. It might have been a different game if they had.

Florida State is a powerful team. When they hit, they hit! Syracuse had to feel physically beat up last night.

Peti still tending tables at Lukas’ place. Rob was bartending the back bar. I have not seen Rob in a couple of months. Missed him.

I left at the end of the first half. I could not stand the beating Syracuse was taking.

I watched the first half with my legs up on a chair. Ankles still swollen with fluid. I thought I had the problem beat. Had not taken a water pill in two days. I was wrong.

When I got home, I took a water pill and two potassium pills. Then laid down and watched the rest of the Syracuse game. Followed it up with most of the Notre Dame/North Carolina game. Dr. Mc Ivor says it is best to lie flat after having taken the pill. He claims it works better.

My ankles were still swollen when I went to bed last night. I had stayed in. I wanted to keep my feet up as much as possible.

Such was my exciting Saturday. Two hours at the Sports Pub. The rest of the day and evening at home working on my ankles. At the very least, restful.

Enjoy your Sunday!