A POLITICAL JUNKIE’S DREAM

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Last night was stay at home time. Layed back in bed and watched the Republican convention.

Ann Romney impressed me with her charm and delivery. She was every woman last night. She connected with the ladies in the audience and at home.

What she failed to do was reveal to the world the personal Mitt Romney. Nothing about their personal life, his time with their children as they grew up, etc. Other than he was a support during her medical problems, Romney the husband was missing in action. As was Romney the father.

Cris Christie did a terrific job for Cris Christie. His speech left me confused. I thought a keynoter’s purpose was to speak of the Presidential candidate and knock the opposing candidate. Not last night.

Regardless of the presentations, it was my kind of night. I am a political junkie. It was thrilling to watch. Even if the two main speakers did not go on till 10 and after. I am genrally asleep well before 10.

Key West missed the bullet with regard to Isaac. Isaac stayed a tropical storm and passed over our island quickly. Now over New Orleans, it is a #1 hurricane and is stalled for a couple of days. New Orleans is getting beat up again. Even Al Roker was taking a beating. Some day one of the hurricane TV announcers is going to get hit by a flying piece of metal or wood. Then they will all do what we do when a storm approaches….stay inside!

A special luncheon yesterday. With Robert and Ally. 5 Guys! Fun! They both had bacon on their burgers. Lisa is still not buying real bacon. The grandkids are hooked, however.

I later took them for a walk at the Weston Pier. Robert and Ally had watched Isaac on TV. They had seen Al Roker. I took them to the spot on the pier where Roker was announcing from. They could visualize it all.

I wanted to do something special with them. We talked. We agreed it was a visit to the new Pet Store on the Boulevard. The former location of Borders. We wanted to see the pets that were for sale.

The parrots and cockatoos excited them. The baby mice freaked them out. The ferrets, also.

The tropical fish were the big item of the day. There were many. The grandkids were impressed.

We were disappointed there were no puppies.

I drove Duval both ways going and returning from Weston’s. Duval was basically deserted. Less than that. It is the same every year at this time. It is the first week of school. Ergo, no family visits. Parents are broke. Spent their extra money on school clothes. It is stay at home time for them.

Wrote a bit later in the afternoon. I have found the grandkids are inspirational for my writing.

Enjoy your day!

A SUMMER SATURDAY IN KEY WEST

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Lisa had given me my marching orders. I was babysitting for a couple of hours Saturday morning so she could get her hair done.

Robert and Ally were waiting for me. I told them Pepe’s or Harpoon Harry’s for breakfast. They had never been to Pepe’s and were a bit reluctant to go. I said…..you must go. We went. No room at the inn. I did not want to stand on the sidewalk waiting for a table. We walked down the street to Harpoon Harry’s.

Robert and Ally were comfortable there. They had been to Harpoon Harry’s many times. We had a long slow breakfast. Talked of many things important to children. Like Disney World. I asked if they knew Bugs Bunny. They did. I told them how Friday was his birthday. He was born on July 27, 1940. His first film came out. Wild Hare. I explained to them what a hare was.

Returned the grandkids to Lisa. Went directly home. Worked about three hours writing. Tried to do it outside. Could not. Too humid. Exceptionally humid. Worked inside in the comfort of air conditioning.

Needed a break. Drove to the Plantation Coffee House. Enjoyed a cup of coffee and read the newspapers.

When I returned home, Lisa and the grandkids were in the pool.

Jenna and I went out together last night. My date!

Jenna had not seen me since my return from Europe. My beard blew her out. She liked it.

We hit the Chart Room first. JJ, Frankie and Che there. Jenna and I did not communicate much with them. She was interested in my trip. It consumed our time at the Chart Room.

Dinner was at the bar at Michael’s. Suzette bartending. I had the veal chop special. To die for. Jenna had the coconut shrimp appetizer. Jenna is a cheap date. She does not eat.

We had a good time at Michael’s. Besides the trip, Jenna brought me up to date on her activities as a TV anchor.

I dropped Jenna off after dinner and headed over to Don’s Place. It was next to empty. Kurt bartending. We chatted a bit.

Erika and Herschel were shooting pool. Herschel had been hypnotized earlier in the day. He is trying to stop smoking. It might work. He snuck a puff or two afterwards and upchucked.

Sloan is due later in the morning. I have a lot of catching up to do.

Tonight the bands will play and the drums roll. Donna and Terri are returning. They will be my house guests for ten days.

Enjoy your Sunday!

BABYSAT BY DAY / BILLY AND CINDY SCHOTT BY NIGHT

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My internet show tomorrow morning at 10. Ten my time. World wide. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Join me.

In addition to topics set forth yesterday, I am going to chat a bit once more about Sharia law. There have been some recent interesting revelations. Some time will also be dedicated to a discussion of puppy mills and the Amish and Mennonite involvement with them.

An interesting show. Miss it not!

Babysat all day yesterday.

Robert, Ally and I drove to No Name Pub for lunch. We destroyed ourselves. Robert and Ally enjoyed foods their mother Lisa keeps away from them. It is a grandfather’s responsibility to provide such pleasures.

No Name Pub is an interesting place. it is located in the woods no where. Hard to find. Always packed. No Name Pub also has a distinctive history. In the 1930s, a brothel operated on the second floor.

After lunch, we were off to Boondocks for miniature golf. Robert and Ally played. I refereed and offered suggestions. They played equally well. They ended in a tie. Robert and Ally enjoyed the competition.

Some how Robert won a free ice cone. We had two. One for each. I tried both. Tastey and refreshing.

Then to my house for swimming. Lisa arrived later to pick them up.

I took a quick half hour power nap. Needed it.

I was scheduled to have dinner with Billy and Cindy Schoot last night. Met them at the Chart Room. Sheila was there. With family and friends from Indiana. Talked a bit with them.

Dinner was at Hot Tin Roof. A long leisurely dinner. Great conversation. Many laughs.

Yesterday was National Tequilla Day. I ordered Patron Silver shots for the table. It was that kind of evening.

Have to hustle. I have a ten o’clock hair appointment.

Enjoy your day!

DAYS 43 and 44

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I am back!

In lovely humid rainy Key West!

Truly, there is no place like home. My pillow and mattress. My bathroom. My comfort and comfort factor.

There is a movie called Independence Day. One of the Quaide brothers is in it. The crazy one. I think Randy. At the end of the movie, Quaide opts to fly his plane into a huge war vessel from outer space. One that has been destroying earth. He knows there is a nuclear bomb stuck in an opening to the air vessel. As he aims his plane for it in order to destroy the enemy and of necessity himself, he shouts with a smile on his face…..I’m back! That is how I feel.

Good does not accurately describe the trip. It was trerrific! Two months in three foreign countries. What could be better!

This is a two day blog. Sunday, my last full day in Novara. Monday, my trip home.

I tried to do the blog yesterday in Atlanta between planes. Too tried. No way could I do it.

Sunday was full of last minute details.

Terrific lunch! A fresh fish. Broiled whole. A bit of oil.

Shopped. For Robert and Ally. Found a lovely white shift dress for Ally. It matches the one I bought for Lisa in Athens. Found a great bathing suit for Robert. I never bought anything for Corey or Cameron. Saw nothing that turned me on. They will get my best wishes and an apology.

I spent a portion of Sunday afternoon reading a couple of English newspapers. British. Hard to come by. I love reading and missed it a lot on the trip. Not enough English material available.

Then a Sunday afternoon nap. Followed by packing. Always a pain.

I was surprised that my bags were less full than when I left. I could not have become such a great packer in such a short time. This morning I received an e mail. I left a lot of stuff in the apartment in Novara.

Some observations I would like to share with you. Some previously mentioned. However, worth mentioning again.

When I was preparing to leave for the trip, many people told me to be careful. Europpeans did not like Americans. I did not know what to expect.

They were all wrong. One hundred per cent. The Greeks and Italians I met all loved me and Americans. They want to know more about us. They want to live here. Two asked me to take them with me when I returned. They were serious. This is the land of milk and honey from their perspective.

In Greece, Italy and France all one hears music wise are American songs. Sung in English. In Greece where I spent about four weeks, I only heard Greek tunes 3 times. Never in Italy or Greece. They are American crazy!

They like Americans on a personal basis, also. They sought me out for conversation purposes. They have an unending interest in us and our ways.

Greeks work hard. Harder than most. Harder than the Italians.

Greeks try to make a buck when they can. Their season is 6 months. They work 6 months. Seven days a week. Twelve hours a day. I did not meet one Greek who did not work that shift. The Greeks understood you have to make it when you can.

The Italians must have enough money. They close from 12-3. Nothing is open on Sunday. Including restaurants. Saturdays are slow business days also, in the sense that little is open.

Greeks and Italians hate Germans. Both got screwed over by Germany in World War II. The feeling still exists. That is why Merkel’s Germany is so disliked by Greeks and Italians. World War II was only 65 years ago. Recall how we still fight the Civil War in the United States and that war has been behind us more than 150 years.

Of the three countries visted, each had its own unique personality. The people each different. I liked the Greeks the best. Warm. The Italians are stand offish. The French snobbish. They think their s–t does not stink.

I could not sleep Sunday night. I had to rise at 4:30 to drive one hour to Milan to be at the airport and check in 2 hours before flight time. In Europe, if you do not check your bags 2 hours before, the bags do not get on the plane. You are told this by the airlines constantly.

I was up at 4:30. I slept little worrying that I might not wake timely.

It was a pleasant drive to Milan. No traffic to speak of.

The Milan to Atlanta Delta flight was 10.5 hours. A long time. I read one whole Girshom novel, 2 English newspapers and a Time magazine. Plus watched a movie. Time moved quickly for me.

I had a 5 hour lay over in Atlanta. A killer. I started falling asleep in the airport. I kept fighting the sleep for fear I would miss my plane.

Lisa and the grandkids met me at the Key West airport. A grand feeling to see them! Robert and Ally ran to hug and kiss me. They had both made a welcoming home card for me. It was wonderful to see Lisa, also. Robert and Ally were in their pajamas. It was past their bed time.

I finally got to bed at 11 last night. Slept two shifts of 2.5 hours each. Otherwise wide awake. I figure I have at least 5 days of jet lag with which to deal.

Customs in Atlanta was a big deal. A lot of it. Europe no where as thorough as we are.

There was a young man in front of me. He was stopped 3 times and questioned. One time the dog sniffed his bag. I thought he was dead there. He got through. Till the end. Then security came over and took his passport and him.

My shaved head now has hair. Short, but obvious. I am going to keep it. However, a trim needed which I hope I can get from Lori today.

I grew a beard. Well, lets say I am trying. I have not shaved in over 5 weeks. I think I look gritty. Everyone including Lisa likes it. I will live with it for a while. What I love about the beard is that I do not have to shave. I have always hated shaving.

DAY 44 is the end of the story of my trip. As said before, I am back. Tomorrow the blog will return to normal. And shorter. I had to write long blogs on the trip to be sure I shared everything with you.

There will be an epiloque of sorts. In one to two weeks. I took or had taken over 600 pictures. I want to put some together and share them with you. Things like Louis and the volcano, the monastery steps, and the like.

Who knows, there might be a book in all this.

Thank you for bearing with me through this almost seven week trip. Love you all!

Enjoy your day!

There are certain givens in any community. In Key West, chickens and cats.

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There are certain givens in any community. In Key West, chickens and cats. Chickens running up and down the streets. There are also an unusually large number of cats. The reason is the rodent problem.

Any island is encumbered with rats/mice/rodents. Whatever you wish to call them. Key West is no exception. You hardly ever see them. However, they are there.

Common wisdom tells us that if there is a living cat in the house, the rodents stay away. I do not have a cat.

Friday night I was sitting at the kitchen counter working on the computer. I began hearing a whinny scratchy noise. It got louder. It was coming from a closet in the kitchen. Sounded like mice.

Understand that I am a coward. No way would I open the closet door to check. Instead, I called Adam. Adam takes care of my property. Mice removal falls within his job definition.

Adam came by yeaterday morning to check. No mice or rodents of any nature visible. A couple of new holes heading to the crawl space under the house, however. The mice probably came and went.

I told Adam of the shrill noise I had heard. It was like scratching on metal.

My only use for the small closet is to store wine. There is a metal wine rack. There were roughly a dozen bottles sitting in the rack.

Adam told me my nocturnal visitors had tried to get into the wine. Every bottle had the paper covering torn away. Every bottle had the cork chewed in  some fashion.

The dirty things were trying to get at my wine collection!

Adam left traps in case the vermin return.

I babysat yesterday morning. Early. At least for me. 8:30. I had told Robert and Ally we were going to breakfast. I left the place up to them. They have been everywhere. They decided upon Harpoon Harry’s. We had a great breakfast. No child portions at Harpoon Harry’s. Robert ate 3 stacks of pan cakes. Ally eggs, bacon, potatoes and whole wheat toast. They order for themselves. I drank coffee. Still not chewing.

We had a good time! Talked the whole time.

Afterwards, we walked the waterfront. They like to look at the boats. They have been there many times with their Dad. Robert pointed to a boat in the distance and told me it was a glass bottom boat. So people could see under the water. We walked over and examined the boat. Robert was correct. It was a glass bottom one.

Last night was Geiger Key. I have not been to Geiger Key in ten years. I stopped going because the customers all seemed to live on Geiger Key. They were snooty and clickish. I was an outsider who never was given the opportunity to become one of the gang. Geiger Key is the only place in the keys where I have found this attitude.

I gave it a shot last night. Several people recently have told me how great it is. Friendly, also.

Bobby Mangella (I probably spelled his last name wrong) bought Geiger Key last year. Bobby also owns Hogfish, one of my favorite spots. Bobby did some remodeling and changed the menu to coincide with Hogfish.

It was different! People were nice. Everyone talked with each other. A couple of my fishermen friends from Hogfish were there. I had a good time. The food, a given. Good.

It is raining this morning. A slow steady drizzle.

The weather has gone back to being fantastic. Low 80s by day. 70s by night. No humidity day or night. No need for air conditioning. Sleep with the windows open. The only thing that might interrupt my sleep is the sound of the water.

Enjoy your Sunday!

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A reminder regarding my radio show The Key West Lou Legal Hour. It has a new day and time. Fridays at 10 in the morning.

KONK 1500 AM radio. See and hear on the internet at www.konkam.com. Telephone to talk with me on air at 305-294-2769.

One of the interesting matters to be discussed friday is a Texas capital punishment case. Capital punishnment means a murder case with a death penalty.

The female judge and male prosecutor had a love affair described as “torrid.” Not proper. It took almost 20 years for the affair to be admitted/proved. The defendant in the meantime sat on death row.

Texas’ highest appellate court heard defendant’s appeal. Defendant claimed the judge had a conflict of interest. The appellate court turned the defendant down. They said his appeal on the conflict issue was too late under Texas law. Apparently procedure took precedence over the sexual relationship.

The defendant asked the U.S. Supreme Court this past week to hear his case.

Weatherwise, yesterday was a dream! A Key West day! Warm and comfortable. A beach day.

It does not seem to be lasting. It is pouring outside. And poured all night. I was awakened by the thunder a few times. There is nothing as loud as thunder over the ocean! Blasting!

I spent some time at Borders yesterday. Still reading Game Change.

Palin was selected as VP too quickly. She was ill prepared. Her prep was poorly devised. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not the other way around.

Then to the Coffee House to read the newspapers. I feel comfortable there. I sit in a big wing back. I enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings.

A new store has opened in Key West. A Dollar Store. It opened last week. An event for Key West!

I visited the Dollar Store yesterday. That is what one does who is retired and living in Key West.

I was impressed!

The place was packed. About 150 people. Many I knew. Pushing carts around and filling them up!

I have not been in a dollar store in 30 years. So I found the experience interesting. And admittedly a bit exciting.

People were buying off the shelves like a hurricane or snowstorm was on its way!

The products available reminded me of a supermarket. Without fruit, produce and meat products. Everything else, though. Bottled and canned. Attractively so. Except little if any name products. The bottles looked the same. The brand name was different.

Cheap prices! Nothing over a dollar. Many times multiple items of the same product for a dollar.

Whether a reflection of the times or what, it appears the Key West Dollar Store is going to be a success.

Last night was Syracuse basketball. Syracuse played Providence at Providence. A good game. Syracuse ahead by 12, then Providence ahead by 5 and finally Syracuse winning by double figures.

Villanova saturday night. The big one!

I watched the game last night at the Sports Page Bar. Skaneatles’ Dan and Lisa were with me. Steve showed up around half time. And there were a slew of other Syracuse fans.

Lisa continues to work diligently on her internet department store Via Key West. She has some new products and some sale items. Take a look. Something may appeal to you. www.viakeywest.com.

Today is wednesday. Golf day. If the rain lets up, that is. Whatever, I cannot play. I have paper work to get out this morning. Terrible how I permit outside factors to influence my Key West existence!

Enjoy your day!