ANTONIA TRIFECTA

Spent yesterday writing. Rewrote 2 chapters of Growing Up Italian. Will I ever be satisfied and complete the book?

My house is being painted. Got a look following the second coat after I left the house on my way downtown. Cleans up good!

My first stop was Aqua for Dueling Bartenders.

Usually crowded with locals. Not last night. Total patrons 3, including me.

The best bargain in town! Rick Dery and a guest singing. The entertainment free. Goes with the price of the drinks.

Rick was especially good last night.

Dinner time. I made my way to Antonia’s.

Nicole bartending. Almost did not recognize her. She has lost 30 pounds in 3 months. KETO diet. A different appearing woman.

Another 30 to go. She will make it. She was gushing with enthusiasm.

The title of today’s blog is Antonia Trifecta. So named because 3 good things occurred while I was at Antonia’s last night. The first seeing the “new” Nicole and sharing her joy.

The second happy occurrence mine.

You recall I lost 62 pounds last year. Not an easy task. As with Nicole last night, I was excited!

The diet was Atkins. I was loyal. It worked.

Five months ago, I got sick. Pancreatitis. Not cancer of the pancreas. Merely a “mad” pancreas as my doctor described it.

Painful! Two months of suffering.

Causes of pancreatitis in order are alcohol, smoking and fatty foods.

Doctor said no more drinking or smoking. I was a 4-6 gin man a night. Smoking bad, too.

I immediately ceased drinking and smoking. The smoking desire has passed. Still miss a drink when out.

The fatty food. The Atkins diet is high protein low carb. High protein means to me fatty foods. Steaks, lamb chops, etc.

My doctor said the Atkins diet probably contributed to the pancreatitis also. He said go on a high carb low fat diet.

I did immediately. As a result, have gained 30 pounds in 5 months. So much for having busted my ass for a year losing 62 pounds.

I cannot keep to the high carb diet. I will be the fattest ever! Ergo, I decided yesterday that I had to add more “fat” to my diet and see what happens.

Last night, I had my first meat meal in 5 months. Lamb chops. To die for! I went to Heaven!

Two down on the trifecta. Nicole’s 30 pounds and my enjoying lamb chops.

The third was meeting the Scarpas. Glenn and Ashley Scarpa. We sat next to each other at the bar. A most enjoyable conversation ensued.

Glenn and Ashley are into 2 businesses. Restaurant and needlepoint design.

Needlepoint is Ashley’s baby. She is an expert in textile arts: needlepoint and quilt making. She and Glenn are in Key West to close on their second needlepoint store. They purchased a needle point design store on Fleming, across from Fausto’s.

The new acquisition has been an established business in Key West for 42 years. Named Needle Point Designs. The recent owner Julie Pischke. Julie will remain as operator of the store. Ashley will oversee from her Boca Grande home.

The Scarpas are also in the restaurant business. Big time! Own 2 Italian restaurants in Florida. Lakeland and Boca Grande. Lakeland is called Scarpa Italian, Boca Grande Scarpa Coastal.

Both restaurants top shelf.

Glenn’s Dad was born in Italy. The family originates from the Salerno area. Cooking first began from his grandmother’s basement in her New York City home. Glenn and Ashley introduced the Italian cooking to Lakeland and Boca Grande.

Both restaurants retain some of the grandmother’s dishes from New York City.

Interesting, enjoyable people.

A great Antonia evening! What more can I say!

My diet problem not sufficiently corrected when I left Antonia’s. One meal fine. Needed some more “fats.” Stopped at Publix on the way home.

What a thrill. Just buying things I have not eaten in several months. Cheeses, cold cuts, rib eye steak, etc. I was like a kid in a candy store!

I hope I can handle the protein. Time will tell. I don’t want to get heavy again. Nor do I want another attack of pancreatitis.

Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Another crazy week. I will have a lot to rant and rave about. Especially, Trump.

Join me at 9 for a quick moving and interesting half hour. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blog talkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Trump will be on the air tonight, also. TV and radio. He is speaking at a rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The House Judiciary committee is scheduled to vote 2 articles of impeachment this morning.

Pennsylvania is critical in the 2020 election. Trump won the State by a small margin in 2016.

Have to give Trump credit! He will be charged with 2 articles of impeachment this morning and come out swinging tonight in Hershey. Guaranteed to be a wild man!

On this day in 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed formally ending the Spanish-American War. The U.S. acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam as a result.

There is a significant Key West connection to the War. The Battleship Maine was initially docked in Key West when sent to Havana. The trial to determine the cause of the explosion was held in the Custom House in Key West. Many of the U.S. sailors killed in the explosion are buried in the Key West Cemetery.

The Key West Lighted Boat Parade saturday night beginning at 7. An outstanding event each year!

Boats small and large are decorated like the outside of people’s homes. Partying on each boat, of course.

The high today is 80. The weather will be on the warm side saturday night. A light jacket or sweater will be required on the boats.

I have done several Christmas Boat Parades. Not planning on it this year.

I recall one parade when it was sooooo cold! I had pajama bottoms, long pants, shirt, sweatshirt, a heavy winter jacket, gloves and a hat. I was still cold!

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

Truman left Key West on this day in 1951 after a one month vacation. His last as President. However, he promised to return the following March when he was no longer President. He actually returned many times.

China is closely monitoring U.S. Air Force activity in the South China Sea.

What does Trump expect. He has defecated on China, embarrassed China, and caused them financial problems. Just as he is responsible for midwest farmers hurting economically and certain manufacturing businesses closing. All because Trump was going to show Xi who was the tougher guy.

I am concerned Trump is pushing too far. Asians are not accustomed to capitulating. It is a “face” thing. And they do not forget. They have memories like elephants.

Japan bombed Pearl Harbor because Roosevelt imposed an embargo which deprived Japan of 90 percent of its oil supply. Is Trump doing any different with China? Only the product(s) sanctioned are different.

Two days ago, a Houston police sergeant was shot and killed. A young lady had called in to say her boyfriend was abusing her and he had 2 guns. One of the guns killed the sergeant.

Texas’ 2 U.S. Senators were saying to the Houston Police Chief how terrible it was, something should be done, etc. Senators Cruz and Cronyn. Condolences apparently were also received from Senator McConnell.

The Police Chief expressed himself in no uncertain terms when speaking to Cronyn. Following his comments.

“I’m burying a sergeant…..because they don’t want to piss off the NRA.”

“I don’t want to hear about how much they support law enforcement…..”

“Do something…..you’re either here for women and children and our daughters and our sisters and our aunts or you’re here for the NRA.”

“Whose side are you on? The gun lobby or children getting gunned down every day? Who are you coming to work for?”

Cronyn responded, “Unfortunately, legislation like this falls casualty to impeachment mania. The Chief, “Don’t tell me…..it’s all about impeachment. Because you brag every day, you and McConnell, about getting judges confirmed.”

Cornyn did not respond. The NRA has not commented.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

One comment on “ANTONIA TRIFECTA

  1. Lou, Lou, Lou. Please don’t fall into the infamous “yo yo” syndrome weight wise. Remember how good you felt when you were light. All things in moderation. I’m rooting for you, pal. Maybe your friends could do an intervention?

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