CHART ROOM LAST NIGHT

I spent my Saturday night at the Chart Room. Glad I did. Good company all evening.

I went initially because I was looking for Peter. Known also as Captain Peter and English Peter. I thought perhaps the rest of the locals who frequent the Chart Room might be there. I was disappointed. No one was, including Peter.

Met two interesting couples.

Unfortunately, I did not get the names of the first. The wife had run in the 5K earlier in the day. The husband was from Nebraska. I shared with him I was a Syracuse grad. I brought up way back when Nebraska was #1 in football and Syracuse upset them at the Carrier Dome. I told him I had a box at the Dome and rarely missed a game. However on the day of the Nebraska game, I had a family wedding to attend in Utica.

During the ceremony in Church, I had a small radio pressed against my ear.  I missed little.

Even the bride was interested. A Syracuse graduate also. On the way down the aisle after the ceremony, she leaned over and asked how the team was doing.

The man at the bar last night thought Syracuse won because of the noise in the Dome. He felt it affected the Nebraska players.

The other couple was Dave and Heather. Terrific people!

Dave has been a frequent visitor to Key West. His first wife and her family lived here. He recalled a memorable Thanksgiving back in the 1970s. He was in the Chart Room. Most of those whose ashes lie in the bar rail were there, also. They enjoyed turkey and each other. He described it as a special moment.

Dave is retired. Heather working towards it.

My sense is they definitely will be settling here in Key West some day. They will be welcome additions.

Dave is an accomplished guitarist and sings. He will find a new career in Key West if he desires it.

The Syracuse football season ended yesterday. Syracuse lost to Boston College 28-7. Syracuse’s season record 3-9. No where to go but up!

I worked hard yesterday. Just about all day. On my next book. My publisher wants next another The World Upside Down. It will be #2 in a series. I spent at least 7 hours on the book. Pleasurable time.

Sloan joined my around 5 and we worked together on the book and other things for an hour.

The book will not make it for Christmas. I suspect it will publish in February.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reported hogfish are being overfished. A genuine problem. Hogfish are the best fish eating in the keys! Studies are underway to determine how to rectify the problem. Probably the size permitted to be caught will be increased. It is now 10 inches. Might go to 16-20 inches. No determination has been arrived at as yet.

Most persons outside the keys are unaware how hogfish are caught. Speared! It is said hogfish are difficult to catch with hook and line. Ergo, the spearing. Interestingly, hogfish are a friendly sort and approach spear fisherman. They cannot win!

A lower keys resident by the name of Mary “Dawn” Baker died recently. I did not know her. I wish I had. Her obituary is in this morning’s Citizen. Read it. A warm and loving rendition of her life. From small town girl to airline stewardess to hippie to world traveler to Florida keys resident.

Enjoy your Sunday!