ARGENTINE TANGO

Dance the Tango! The Argentine Tango!

Tonight!

Key West Theater on Eaton Street. Part of the Key West World of Culture Dance Series. Learn or watch. Your choice.

Trump on the receiving end. The tide is turning. It does not seem he can take it as well as he can give it out.

Liberty University a major Trump supporter. Liberty’s President Jerry Falwell, Jr. at the forefront. A few graduates are unhappy with Falwell’s support of Trump following Trump’s Nazi and alt right comments. So far, one hundred. They are returning their diplomas.

I have become a fan of the Justice Building Blog. Sometimes bland, sometimes humorous. Today’s on the funny side.

Trump on frequent occasion makes statements that are historically incorrect, nonsensical, just plain stupid. Some quotes attributable to Trump listed today. None said by Trump. Could have been, however.

Like…..”Nazis are people too. Americans.” How about…..”We spend all the money on nuclear weapons and don’t use them. What good are they? Or…..”Lincoln did not believe in global warming. Neither did Patton. Neither do I.”

Confederate statues and memorials being removed. Some in the dark of night. My thoughts move back and forth.

At first, I did not agree. Like it or not, the Civil War is part of American history. The Nation united following the war. Southern peoples have the right to honor their heroes of that moment in American history.

Then I heard the voices of today’s African-Americans. Most of the statues/memorials were constructed during the 1920’s by and in support of the Klu Klux Klan or in support of southern States during the 1960’s civil rights disturbances.

Their voices loud and clear. Whether a statue, monument or flag, we are reminded of our slavery heritage. These items represent a time when our people suffered.

I understood. Or, thought I did. Tear them down became part of my thought process.

Now, I find myself swaying back and forth between both conclusions.

Which brings me to Key West and the issue.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reveals three Confederate statues/memorials. One in Bayview Park. Another, Clinton Square. The third, Mallory square itself. There is a fourth I discovered myself.

The Confederate memorial in Bayview Park was constructed in 1924 by the Stephen Mallory chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of the Confederacy.

The one in Clinton Square erected in honor of Confederate veteran and Judge J.V. Harris.

Mallory Square the best of the best or outrageous based on one’s perspective.

The huge expanse known as Mallory Square is named after Stephen R. Mallory. Mallory was raised in Key West. A United States Senator representing Florida prior to the Civil War. Served as Confederate Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War. Charged with treason following the war. Imprisoned for a time. Then paroled by President Andrew Johnson.

When a U.S. Senator, his first speech was for a return to flogging on U.S. Navy vessels. The nature of the man reflected?

I am unaware if he continued to live in Key West during his Senatorial years or any time thereafter. He died not in Key West, but at his home in Pensacola.

Well my fellow residents of Key West, do we tear down the Bayview Park memorial, the Clinton Square statue, and rename Mallory Square? No thought given so far. I doubt that Key Westers really care.

One more example. Asa Forseyth Tift.

Tift was the first owner of what today is the Hemingway House. He built it in 1851. Tift owned 14 slaves. They constituted the labor force used.

Tift’s bust is located in the Memorial Sculpture Garden at the edge of Mallory Square.

Should the Hemingway House be torn down? Should Tift’s bust be removed from the Memorial Sculpture Garden?

All food for thought. What is good for Charlottesville, Baltimore and other cities, should be good for Key West. Lets have a universal application. Or, cease and desist with the removal of these historical representations.

A confusing issue for those with no ax to grind. Like me.

Enjoy your day!

 

AFRICAN CEMETERY

There is a goodness to Key West people. Unique.

Key Westers are caring. Be down on your luck and the locals rise to help.

Such is not a recent thing. The year 1860 an example.

The US Navy captured three American owned slave ships. Transported more than 1,400 of the Africans on board to Key West. These were not slaves. They had been captured in Africa and were on their way for sale in Cuba and central America. At which time they would become slaves.

They were refugees at the time of their salvation. African refugees.

Key West immediately pitched in. Constructed housing and a hospital. All in what today is the Higgs Beach area. The hospital needed to care for Africans made sick or injured during the trip from Africa to where the vessels were captured.

More than 100 died. Some believe the figure to be 245. Whatever, the dead refugees were buried at Higgs Beach.

Forgotten by time. Till 2002. Some repair/maintenance work was being done int he Higgs Beach area. A few bodies were discovered. Bones that is. Experts called in. Utilizing ground penetrating radar, the remains of more African refugees were discovered.

Certain locals got together to make sure the graves would never be disturbed. The area was determined to be an African Refugee Cemetery. The area fenced off. A series of pedestals and other items erected explaining and commemorating what lie below.

A Day of Remembrance is held once a year. Today that day. From 6-8 this evening, a ceremony will be held. African dignitaries attend from various parts of Africa. Including a King. The King has become an annual visitor.

Spent three hours late yesterday afternoon sipping, enjoying the view and chatting with others at Louie’s Backyard. The Outside Deck.

Then home. I craved the sauce and meat Fran Dixon from Buffalo had recently brought me. The food was frozen solid. I could not wait for it to thaw. Ergo, microwave required. A problem existed. The sauce and meat were frozen in a plastic container.

I telephoned Fran in Buffalo. She and Tom were in the car on their way to dinner.

Explained my plight to Fran. She said micro 2-3 minutes. The frozen block will slip out. Plastic container will not melt.

I performed as directed. No problem. Transferred the food to a large microwavable bowl. Twenty minutes later, hot sauce, meatballs and pork.

Dinner simple. Dunked bread in the sauce. Ate the meatballs and veal. Nothing left at the end. Magnifique!

I live and learn. This time via Diana Millikan.

Diana is renting an apartment on a canal running along side Hilton Haven Road. Boats are parked on the canal. The boat in front of Diana’s place is named the Head Honcho.

The toilet on a boat is referred to as the head. Perry Chaing’s business is cleaning out the heads. A big business. Name of boat derived therefrom. Head Honcho.

What I learned. Years ago, toilets/receptacles were placed at the bow or base of the bow. The head of the vessel. The splashing waters would clean the toilets/receptacles.

Today, boat owners and boats world wide are sophisticated. Head Honcho’s hired!

Head Honcho’s business in Key West is known as Marine Sanitation Solutions Inc.

Tomorrow the eclipse. The moon will block out most of the sun. A shadow will be cast over the Earth. Around 3 in the afternoon. Wear the special glasses!

St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church is located on Truman Ave. The Church was dedicated this date in 1904. Still stands more than 100 years later.

I attend Church infrequently. However when I do stop into St. Mary’s, I am subjected to the warmth of a small island Caribbean house of worship. Sun shining in. A touch of warmth. A flavor not experienced elsewhere.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

BERLIN’S ON A FRIDAY NIGHT

It had been a couple of months since my last visit to Berlin’s. It had also been a couple of months since Jenna and I were last together.

We had dinner last night at Berlin’s.

It was catch up time.

Jenna is studying for a realtor’s license. Difficult, she said. Still filming and modeling. The modeling primarily in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

I keep telling her to find a rich man and get married. She complains the ones with money are all too old. Jenna a mere 30. Seeks a contemporary age wise. Key West a difficult place for two heterosexuals to come together.

She traveled quite a bit this summer. Two weeks home in Indiana, a trip to Los Angeles to visit a girl friend, Chicago, etc. A tough life!

She leaves for a one week trip to Hawaii in two weeks.

I told her maybe if she stayed home in Key West more, she might score guy-wise.

Jenna is a knock out! No question about it. Thirty has not affected the freshness of her beauty in any way.

We laughed our way through dinner.

Jean Thornton and the ladies showed up. Sort of a girls’ club. They dine together frequently. Sweet Janyne was with them.

I had run into Jean earlier in the evening when I stopped at the Chart Room for a drink before leaving to meet Jenna.

English Peter showed up. He had been at the Chart Room earlier when Jean and I had. Peter came for a drink and ended up having dinner. Jean and I wanted to treat. We could not agree who should pay. We ended up sharing his bill.

Ran into two interesting couples.

Tim and Susie from the midwest. Middle aged. Impressed me. They kissed even when she left to go to the ladies room.

Tim and Susie have been coming to Key West for 20 years. They have a time share at Banyan Court. One problem this year. They miscalculated their week and arrived a week too early. No room at the inn.

They stayed at the new Perry Hotel on Stock Island. Absolutely loved it! View and room spectacular. Service outstanding. Cheap. $170 a night.

Another couple was from Coral Springs. Did not catch their names. The husband said, “You’re the novelist!” No one ever called me a novelist before. The sound of it felt good. I am aware that even though I write, a novelist I am not.

The couple remembered me from the Chart Room on a previous trip. That triggered my memory. They are in the real estate business. Have a boat. Come down to Key West every 3-4 weeks for a long weekend. Sleep on the boat.

Stopped at the Chart Room first. Already mentioned I visited with Jean and Peter. John, also.

Several years ago, I met an extremely nice couple. Thirty-forty years younger than me. They had a home by the cemetery and visited Key West often. We got together frequently. Then about 4 years ago, we never saw each other again. Why, I don’t know. Maybe they disliked me.

I did not have their number. The wife had mine. She would make the arrangements.

I am having a senior moment. I cannot remember their names.

Last night, I did recall their faces. They were in the Chart Room. Went over and jokingly chastised them for having forgotten me. Both laughed. The wife and I hugged. Always a sweet woman!

She said forgotten I was not. She continues to read my blog every day.

His father was with them. I told him the kids should be ashamed having cast me aside.

I left asking them to call me for dinner.

On the way to the Chart Room, I stopped at Publix. Don’t laugh. I bought 10 Power Ball tickets. Picking today. The prize $535 million.

I never buy lottery tickets. In all the years they have been out, I probably have purchased them six times. Maybe I’ll have beginner’s luck.

A good night!

Two rallies today. The nuts and anti-nuts. One in Boston and one in New York City. At noon and 1 respectively. Will watch both on TV.

Enjoy your day!

INSANITY AND INCOMPETENCE

It cannot be left unsaid. The situation worsens by day. Trump is insane and incompetent.

The brown shirts marched saturday in Charlottesville. Accompanied by those who believe white people are better than others. Accompanied by those who once covered their bodies and faces in white sheets.

All haters.

Bannon came out of the woodwork. Spoke at length about his beliefs. A revolutionary at heart. Seeking the overthrow of existing government.

Bannon Trump’s Rasputin.

Is a Reichstag next? The White House or Capitol? If so, all that will remain will be the concentration camps.

America stand up!

Impeachment will come. The grounds set forth in Article II section 4 of the Constitution: “…..impeachment for…..Treason, Bribery, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

Stopped at Don’s Place first last night. Jimmy and John at the bar. Deep sorrow. Joanie not doing well. Hospice has been called in.

Then to the Chart Room.

John bartending. English Peter at the bar. Jean Thornton and Erika Biddle stopped in.

The last time I saw Erika Biddle was at Publix. I wrote about her at the time. Went back and discovered it was April 27, 2015.

At the time, a lovely blond woman came over and said, “You’re Louis Petrone.” She was familiar with my KONK Life writings and radio show. She wanted to tell me.

When she told me she was Erika Biddle, I was ashamed. I should have been searching her out. One of my Key West idols.

Last night was the second time we met.

Erika German born. A community activist where ever she has lived. An environmentalist at heart.

She arrived in Key West in 1994. Her first thought was: “This is the only city I’ve ever visited where I am not the most eccentric person around.” She remains to this day. An intrinsic part of the community. All heart.

Erika takes up causes that others might not. Unpopular ones included. This tiny woman carries the pain of others on her shoulders.

I hope I do not have to wait two more years before visiting with her again.

I was hungry. Stopped at Outback for prime rib. Ran into Doc and his wife.

I have known Doc some 20 years. Used to play golf with him. Only know him as Doc. A retired surgeon from Philadelphia.

We chatted a bit. I rarely run into people older than me. Mentioned I was 82. They shocked me! He 83 and she 85. Both appear in their mind 60’s.

A fun conversation ensued.

Dinner tonight at Berlin’s with Jenna. For sure. She just confirmed.

Enjoy your day!

FREE CARS FOR THE POOR

Sacramento, California a great place to be poor. By poor is meant on welfare.

What follows is liberalism the California way.

A pilot program was instituted this past May. Sacramento has seven public housing communities.  One community contained 300 residents.

Sacramento has purchased 8 electric cars for use by the residents. A mini fleet. Cars to be shared. Maintenance and insurance provided. Total cost $1.3 million. Furnished by grant money.

I believe free medical is a right. My belief does not extend to cars. A step too far in my opinion.

Last night, the Chart Room first. English Peter was there. Also known as Captain Peter.

Peter originally from the British Isles. Fought for the U.S. in Vietnam. Now, a U.S. citizen. He has traveled the world. Generally alone in a small boat operated by him. Many the interesting and hairy tale he has to tell.

Peter found his way to Key West years ago. Became instantly known and liked. Such is his personality.

Peter left Key West several years ago. Moved to Washington State where he had a home. He is in Key West for a couple of weeks visiting old friends. Said he leaves when his money runs out.

Peter still looks the British gentleman. Tall and thin. White hair. A white mustache. And best of all, a British accent.

The only change in Peter is his weight. He has lost a few pounds. A kidney problem.

Sometime in the next few days, we are going to dinner together.

Stopped at Tavern ‘n Town on the way home for dinner. Salmon. The best on the island!

George bartending. We have become friends. A hard worker. Originally from Manila.

Jodyrae Campbell and husband Brian have fallen on bad times. First, George came down with cancer. Then their home burned to the ground.

There is a fundraiser for them tonight at La Te Da. should be packed. Jodyrae will liked. A singer. A few years ago, Fantasy Fest Queen.

I mentioned Mark Brann the other day. The individual who got in a fight with a lover, was stabbed in both eyes, had a piece of wood shoved down his throat, and otherwise beaten. He died yesterday. Boy friend will face a murder charge.

The preceding definitely not Key West. A shocking crime without precedent.

Pot smoking swiftly becoming a big time business. Whether medical or recreational.

A company called Bud Trader can be found at BudTrader.com. it is the world’s largest online medical marijuana marketplace.

Bud Trader is going commercial with its advertising. Nationally. Network and Cable TV. Sometime this month.

It is anticipated Bud Trader’s sales will boom. To be expected. Bud Trade’s website already receives 10 million page views a month.

On this day in 1969, Woodstock ended. Three days of music and hippie fun came to an end. In the vernacular, the grooviest event in music history. Peace, love and rock ‘n roll.

One problem however. Four hundred thousand tried to get out of the event at the same time. No way! It took 3 plus days to get everyone on the road.

My Facebook video today a bit off track. However, interesting. A for real conclusion based on a study. Titled: Female Orgasms Better in Communist Russia.

I will be doing the video later this afternoon. Key West Lou Live. Take a look. Not a joke. The New York Times posted an op-ed on the subject a few days ago.

Enjoy your day!

VICE NEWS re CHARLOTTESVILLE

This blog has been titled from day one My Life In Key West. Such is why at some point I detail my day before.

Which brings me to yesterday. I never left the house.

My yesterday was Louis glued to television and the internet. Searching information re Charlottesville. Most of it repetitious, some new.

Included was a Vice News’ report which contained an interview by a Vice News reporter. A portion of her report was a personal interview with Christopher Cantwell who appeared to be a white supremacist leader.

The reporter a slight young lady. White tee shirt and jeans. Long dirty blond hair braided. Large eye glasses.

Looked like a college student. Could not have been. Too smart. Obviously experienced. Smarter than the people she interviewed.

She did a first class job. Got the personal interview with Cantwell, became a passenger in the van transporting Cantwell and others from one place to another. She was accompanied by a top camera man. His shots of her and the scenes taken during the protest professional.

The Cantwell interview is available free on You Tube. Twenty two minutes. I recommend it to you.

I am going to share portions of the interview and comment on certain video shots of the protest with you as my blog for today. What happened in Charlottesville and in the few days since are important to all Americans. As are the rantings of President Trump yesterday.

The video started with a shot of white supremacists walking down the street carrying large torches. A long shot. Hundreds parading. Intimidating.

Reminded me of Hitler tapes showing his brown shirts parading in 1930’s Germany.

Loudly chanting in unison as they marched along: Jews will not replace us…..Blood and soil…..Whose Streets? Our Streets…..

White supremacist leader Christopher Cantwell: We make ourselves capable of violence…..Donald Trump gave his daughter to a Jew…..Jew like Jared walking around with the white girl Ivanka…..Go kill these people if we have to…..They are anti-white vermin, anti-white filth…..Jewish Communists…..We are slowly unveiling our power, you ain’t seen nothing yet…..We are part of a national movement worldwide…..

The Vice News video reported the  white supremacists to be well organized. Came ready for the event. Shields, helmets and clubs.

At one point, a group of white supremacists were at Lee’s statue and unable to get out. A crowd from the other side was closing in on them. The white supremacist leader on the phone said he would get them out and now. He had 200 men with guns.

It appeared he was not needed yet and would be called back if the 200 were required.

Police conduct interesting. I reported in my Key West Lou Live video on Facebook and in my podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou that the police did not engage. They appeared restrained. Police orders were to not engage if both sides were fighting, unless ordered to do so by higher command. The order never came.

I was correct.

The police were only authorized to move the groups along.

The Vice News video shows police standing across the way watching, not engaging. Behind barricades. There were shots of the police attempting to move the crowds along. Their efforts appeared ineffectual and were ineffectual.

Turns out, police have what they describe as a reconsidered intervention strategy. Let the protesters fight. If police intervene, the thought is the situation would be aggravated.

Charlottesville is the second time the new strategy has been used. The first was at Berkeley in February.

I suspect the police want to avoid injuries to themselves. Why shed blood for blacks who do not like them and whites who do not respect them.

Trump’s words yesterday have emboldened the Alt Right. Boston this coming weekend is going to be interesting.

Our nation is in a new day. The vermin have come out. They are supported by the President.

The onslaught must be stopped now. Otherwise, the crazies, the brown shirts and the white sheet nuts will take over. The America we know will be no more.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

KEY WEST…..TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION

 

What follows is strange and bizarre. The story not consistent with Key West’s true nature.

The saying truth is stranger than fiction applies. Without question. It would be difficult for a writer to conceive of such a fact scenario.

Sometime during the dark of monday morning, Mark Brann and Justin Tyler Calhoun were in bed. Wake and chatting. Brann 67, Calhoun 24.

The home Brann’s on 12th Street. Calhoun a lover, sometime visitor, stripper, and homeless person.

Gender confusion comes into play. Following the event, the Sheriff’s report describes Calhoun as a female, the Key West Police report a male.

Calhoun accused Brann of being a cannibal. Brann did not take fondly to the charge. A fight ensued. Brann grabbed his gun and shot at Calhoun. Missed. The two fought over the gun.

Calhoun struck Brann in both his eyes with a pen. Shoved a piece of wood in Brann’s mouth and pushed it into his throat. Then stomped on the wood to push it further into Brann’s throat. Not done yet, Calhoun took a dresser drawer and beat Brann about the head and throat.

Calhoun was bare ass. Grabbed a dress, jumped out a window, and ran off. He was subsequently arrested.

The authorities report he has generally agreed with the facts as described.

The makings of a book. A sick one.

My day was strange physically. Felt fine in the morning. All of a sudden around noon, dead tired again. Exhausted. Could not shake the feeling the rest of the day.

Terri came over early in the afternoon. Her work not yet completed. The shower head had to be replaced. Bouncy and cheery, she hopped in the shower and went to work

Job 95% complete. A part problem She will fix when next she visits. Which will be after September 1. Terri leaves thursday to New Jersey to spend a week with some old show friends. Then to Tampa for a week or more for more tests. The results will decide if she is a candidate for a heavy surgery.

I tried working on tonight’s podcast. Slow going. Got a third done in the time I would normally have completed the job.

I feel great this morning! Full of energy! Will complete the research today. The show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou at 9 tonight my time.

Without question, Trump will dominate the show. Charlottesville in all its aspects. Including the police told not to intervene in the fighting unless so ordered. Throw in a little North Korea and the half hour is gone.

The show is fast moving. Interesting. I generally come up with a piece of information not yet revealed by the media. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

On this day in 1969, Woodstock opened. Near Bethel, New York. Mostly hippies. Performers galore. Over 400,000 in attendance.

I am sure many present day Key Westers were there. I know of three. All fabulous musicians/entertainers today in their own right. Larry Smith, Christine Cordone, and Terri White.

A never to be forgotten experience.

As I have written many times, the Key West of today would not have been without David Wolkowsky. Still enjoying life at 98!

The Kress Building on Duval was purchased by David on this date in 1978. Cost all of $210,000. Can’t buy any structure in Key West today for that price let alone the Kress Building.

For years, the Kress building housed Fast Buck Freddie’s on the first floor. An extremely fine department store. Today, home of a CVS drug store.

David continues to have a connection with the building. Years ago, he created a rooftop residence. A penthouse. Magnificent!I have attended several parties in the sky. The feeling you get when at David’s residence.

I close with a complaint.

The triangle at the intersection of US 1 and North Roosevelt Boulevard is under reconstruction. To rectify a mistake during the original construction only a few years ago.

I travel through the intersection 2-4 times a day.

Where are the workers? Last week, I saw none. The week before, 3 one morning.

Typical Key West public construction.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

“GOD BLESS HIM”

I fear Charlottesville saturday may have changed America forever.

The shadow people revealed themselves in major fashion. The rodents came out of the earth, the vermin out of the walls. White Supremacists, neo-Nazis, and Klu Klux Klaners.

Accepted without proper/sufficient denunciation by Trump.

The white supremacists website Daily Stormer cheered Trump in that regard: “When asked to condemn, he just walked out of the room. Really, really good. God bless him.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Alt Right leader, Donald Trump!

An excellent Sunday!

Meet The Press.

Then the PGA. Watched Justin Thomas win by 2 strokes.

Hot Dog Church. Laurie bartending. Like her a lot. Donna and Terri. Art and George. Met a lady. A sex change person. Male to female. Many others.

Donna and Terri joined me for dinner afterwards at Antonia’s. TK bartending. A fun time.

I am an early to sleep person. Not last night. Awake till 1 in the morning. Got hooked on a couple of movies. Will pay for it today.

Another Tropical Storm. Gert. Not a problem. Way out in the Atlantic. Already started its turn northwest.

One may not turn, will increase in power to a hurricane, and head for Key West. I am preparing you for such an event.

Failed to mention one part of my Robert and Ally saturday. We did Lobster Fest between lunch at Denny’s and the Key West Escape Room. Walked Duval.

First time Lobster Fest for Robert and Ally. They enjoyed. They knew some of those working the food tents. Montessori teachers.

I sometimes think Pritam Singh does not receive the credit he deserves. On this day in 1988, Singh broke ground for Truman Annex. Since that time, he has constructed other significant sites. Ocean Edge on Stock Island the most recent.

A major contributor to the Key West scene.

I mentioned my concern re the amphitheater the other day. Had the City hired some one to run the place yet? Or was the amphitheater to be another half assed planning job ultimately costing taxpayers extra money?

The latter appears to be the case.

The City Commission announced the amphitheater’s first event will be a 4 day country music concert in February. The show is paying Key West a $4,000 rental feel. Yes, $4,000! Won’t even cover the cost for staffing, clean-up, and extra police for crowd and traffic control.

There once was a City Commission who used their heads in running Key West. Actually, keeping Key West afloat.

During the tough days of the Great Depression (1929 through the 1930’s), Key West was broke. Everyone was. The City Commission authorized the City to print money. Called it Script. Actual amount unknown. Thought to be $50,000-100,000.

It worked. The Script was used to pay City employees. Who in turn used the Script to buy things. Many merchants accepted the Script.  Key West was able to keep its nose above the water line.

How bad was bad? So bad that there was no demand to buy real estate. No one had money. There were also few foreclosures. No one had the money to buy the property afterwards from the bank.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

SHAME AND DISGRACE

 

Abraham Lincoln’s head hung in shame last night as he sat in his monument in Washington. His mind run through with the disgrace of it all.

Charlottesville, Virginia. A moment that will go down in American history. A moment when the dark side of man came to the forefront. Anti-color, anti-Semite, anti-affirmative action, and anti-establishment.

Domestic terrorists. American born and bred.

The trouble makers a significant part of Trump’s base. It cannot be denied. White supremacists, neo-Nazis and the Klu Klux Klan. Dissidents all.

From day one, Trump has encouraged violence. The manner and words he used in the primaries and election against opposition. His yells to those who spoke out against him  at rallies to be thrown out, beaten. His promise to pay the attorney bills of anyone arrested. His chants to jail Hillary.

It goes on. The man is mad. He drives those who are mad. They feed off him.

Breitbart News is a leading white supremacist supporter/outlet. West Wing adviser Steve Bannon was once its CEO. Stephen Miller, who I have likened to Joseph Goebbels, wrote for the publication.

Yesterday represented America’s Arab Spring. With one significant difference. Egypt’s Arab Spring was a protest against a corrupt government. Charlottesville’s in support of evil in its many forms.

Yesterday afternoon was Robert and Ally time. Interestingly, we discussed what was blaring on the TV sets while having lunch at the new Denny’s.

Robert and Ally had a handle on the situation. I was amazed and impressed. At 13 and 12, they understood the right and wrong of Charlottesville.

At first, I was surprised. As I thought further, not. If I and my friends had a grasp on Hiroshima at the age of 10, Robert and Ally a few years older could have an understanding of Charlottesville.

Liked Denny’s! My first time. Robert and Ally had been before and recommended that we have lunch there.

Then to a unique experience. Key West Room Escape.

I questioned when I made reservations whether Robert and Ally would enjoy it. Even if I would. We all did!

Located in the Casa Antigua on Simonton, The Escape consists of two rooms. We were locked in. We were told we had 60 minutes to find the last page of Hemingway’s A Farewell To Arms manuscript.

Not easy! Mentally arduous! Required team effort. We worked together.

I could not have provided Robert and Ally with a better afternoon. Nor Poppa. The grandkids got right into it. Their intelligence obvious. Not an easy task to find the page.

I found Robert and Ally’s mental acuteness exceeded mine. No question about it.

We failed. One step away. The last one. However, we were not able to figure out the last clue.

Young or old, go! You will leave excited. The Adrenalin running.

The proprietor is Kyle Turk. He watches at all times via hidden cameras. Periodically suggests whether you are hot or cold in your quest to discover the next clue.

Turk has come up with a winner. Different and exciting. I hope it takes hold.

I never made it to Giorgio and Sharon’s Sons and Daughters of Italy dinner party last night. I was exhausted by the hunt. Dropped Robert and Ally home. Did not stay. Went to my home. In bed at 6. Never got out.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

SIMPLY STATED…..

Simply stated…..Yesterday relatively quiet.

Laid around at home in the afternoon watching the PGA.

First stop in the evening was the Bottle Cap. A fundraiser for Sisters. I was there at the specific request of Donna and Terri.

Never heard of Sisters before. A big hearted and welcomed organization for those in need. Specifically, sick persons. Very sick.

Most Key Westers live paycheck to paycheck. No money set aside for emergencies. Now comes cancer. Can’t work. Can’t pay ordinary bills like the rent.

Sisters steps in. Pays certain everyday expenses such as rent for a brief period. A bridge for the afflicted and unable to work.

Terri was a beneficiary of such relief when she was first diagnosed.

Terri sang last night as part of the program. Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Touched everyone.

Mostly women in attendance. I noticed they were hugging and kissing at different times. More so than normal. I could understand why. Many had been stricken and survived. They were hugging some who helped them get through the early days economically.

Carmelo one of Bottle Cap’s owners. His birthday yesterday. I ran into him at the event. I was pleased to be able to shake Carmelo’s hand and wish him a Happy Birthday.

Then to dinner at Duffy’s with Donna and Terri. Terri all excited. In a few weeks she will be back in Tampa for further tests and word whether her body is prepared to receive some drastic life saving activities.

Today, Robert and Ally day. Sure I have it correct this time!

Lunch and then a visit to a new place. Key West Room Escape.

I look forward to my time with them.

Tonight, more fun! A party at Giorgio’s home. Giorgio President of the Sons and Daughters of Italy. Summertime. No meetings. Giorgio and Sharon having a social evening at their home for club members.

Buffalo’s Fran and Tom Dixon have joined. Fran is of Italian extraction. This will be their first meet with the group.

Trump said yesterday Venezuela should watch out. Indicated he was considering military intervention.

The guy is nut! He’d consider bombing Little Bo Peep!

Venezuela’s problem is four years old. A smoldering civil war in the making. However until the past two months, the people have failed to fight. They protested in numbers. no violence, however.

Now, they fight a bit. Not enough. Some killed. Not a significant number.

Two reasons we do not belong in Venezuela.

First, it is a civil war. None of our business. Second, if the people will not fight in sufficient numbers and force the overthrow of Maduro, why should the U.S. intervene? God helps those who help themselves first.

Enjoy your day!