JAKE SICK

Posted on by

Pets get sick. When it happens, it is a calamity.

Jake was sick yesterday. Up chucking and diarrhea. Would not eat. His eyes sad.

Lisa rushed him to the vet. Jake had a bug. Sounds human. A shot. Some intravenous fluid. He was dehydrated.

The medical report this morning is that Jake appears on the mend. He is eating a bit.

Jake was not the only one who saw a doctor yesterday. I had a return visit with Dr. Lefferts to get my blood results. Everything ok. Obviously, the steroids had screwed up the previous blood test.

Keith stopped over to do some work on my bedroom. I am in the process of remodeling it. Since I am no longer married, it will be a bachelor’s pad. It is being decorated as such.

Dinner last night at Geiger Key. You cannot beat the place for restfulness! Such is the feeling I get every time I am there. It is the surrounding water and mangroves. Like being held in the palm of someone’s hand.

No Syracuse football this weekend. Fortunately. A week off before the last two games of the season.

Syracuse has had good and bad seasons. I remember when Syracuse was third in the nation when I was in law school. We had some excellent teams in the 1980s. The pendulum swings back and forth. For whatever reason, we have been on the losing side of the pendulum too long. It seems stuck. I hope next season reflects a return to days of glory.

I was surprised last night when the news showed Obama and his administration claiming a major break through with China. From my understanding of the agreement, the United States has to  produce results before the Chinese. Also the wording the agreement is weak. It is “intended” these things be done.

Putin is the one who scored prior to the China meeting. This past week Putin announced a new and additional 30 year agreement with China to build another pipeline to China. The agreement includes a 30 deal whereby China will buy gas from Russia.

That was not all Putin accomplished. It was also announced this past week that Russia and Iran have made a deal. Russia is going to build eight new nuclear units for Iran. The announcement coming while the United States is negotiating a nuclear agreement with Iran.

When it comes to one upmanship, Putin does well.

Enjoy your day!

PERFECT WEATHER

Posted on by

The weather has been absolutely perfect the last two days. As good as the weather generally is in Key west, this was better. Unique. Bright sunny days, blue skies, temperature in the mid 80s, and cool. It is the cool that made the two days different. You could actually feel the coolness from the moment you rose in the morning.

My day ran at its normal pace yesterday. A lengthy business meeting in the morning, a pleasant lunch at Geiger Key, and worked on this evening’s blog talk radio show all afternoon. Topics developed for the show include 400,000 rape kits sitting on shelves not being tested, Frankenstein returns-GMO animals being created, the question whether ebola is natural or lab created, and the man who called a suicide help line and ended up being shot to death by a police SWAT team.

The show is at 9 this evening my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Join me. I guarantee you will enjoy.

My bed broke! In the middle of the night, the front mattress end collapsed. I was doing nothing at the time. Sleeping. No claim to fame here!

The bed broke not last night, but the night before. I called Keith and he came over before supper yesterday to fix it. It was not a bed board. My 16 year old bed’s frame side board and front board became separated. Keith repaired it.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports that Starbucks will soon begin work on its new place on North Roosevelt Boulevard. It will be where the former Checkers was located. Opening will be some time next year. I look forward to it. I enjoy a good coffee house and Starbucks is one of best. The one in La Concha downtown does not appeal to me. Too small. Claustrophobic.

I have become a poor Syracuse fan. Disappointed in the football team, I have not paid attention. I did not notice till this morning that Syracuse lost 16-6 to Clemson saturday. Clemson was ranked #22 nationwide. The score represents a victory for Syracuse.

This saturday Syracuse plays North Carolina State. Syracuse is a 3-4 point favorite. North Carolina state has lost its last four games. Syracuse four of the last five.

I do not know if I will be watching. There are enough things in life which make me unhappy. I do not need to add to the burden.

Everyone takes photos. The cell phone has opened a new era of fun for all. Many persons exchange nude pics of themselves. Not a good thing!

A young lady was arrested on a DUI charge in California. While being booked, a police officer went through her cell phone pics. He removed her nude pics. The cell phone had nothing to do with the charge or arrest. The police officer showed the pics to other police officers.

Turns out a number of police officers at the station did the same thing. They referred to it as a “game.” Another example of police power abuse.

Enjoy your day!

 

ROBIN WILLIAMS RIP

Posted on by

A man who brought so much joy to others apparently was not happy within himself. Robin Williams passed away yesterday by his own hand.

Everyone knows of his major accomplishments. Permit me to share one less known with you.

In the late 1960’s and through the 1970’s, I spent much time in New York both on business and pleasure. I have always had a fanatical interest in art. I stole at least an hour a day on most trips to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Heaven to me!

Many times after the visit, I would sit on the steps in front of the Museum. wWth hundreds of other people. On occasion, I would enjoy a hot dog and can of soda while sitting there. Generally there was a mime performing. Always enjoyable to watch.

Twenty years later, I was watching a talk show on TV. Robin Williams was being interviewed. It was there I learned that he had spent several years performing as a mime on tghe sidewalk in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Let the band play, the canons roar! Northern Roosevelt Boulevard was open yesterday. aAl five lanes! The official opening is at 2 today. I was able to drive into town and out on the Boulevard with no holdup or difficulty. I was at the point where I thought the time to do so would never return.

My yesterday began with a business meeting, then lunch with the grandkids, and dinner at Geiger Key.

The afternoon was spent working on tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou. Join me at 9. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Interesting topics include the chamber of horrors occurring on Mt. Sinjar, police brutality, Saudi Arabians being anti-Christmas, an Indianapolis man who won two separate $1 million lotteries within 3 months, a man whose penis was amputated by mistake, and more.

I have to move fast this morning. I have an MRI scheduled at 10:30 of my right shoulder.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

LAZY DAY

Posted on by

Started my yesterday with the gym. Nothing different. Grueling. I get through it by saying to myself…..Louis, this is the best thing you have done for yourself in years!

My plan for the rest of the day was to work on tonight’s blog talk radio show. My preparation was 70 percent complete. However, I could not get going. I did not seem to care. I just wanted to take it easy. As Howard Livingston would say, I was in Key West time.

I did nothing. Which means I have to do it today.

I went out for dinner last night. Geiger Key. Glad I did. Very few customers. Quiet and peaceful. Sort of went with the mood I was in. I enjoyed my time there.

I mentioned yesterday Phoenix’s Wally Collins won the Hemingway Look A Like Contest. Further mentioned that it generally took 10 years of participation before a person became a winner. Not in Wally’s case. He has only been participating 6 years!

When I went to bed, the sky was a bit overcast. Looked like it might rain. It did. Poured! Wind howled! I went out on the deck this morning. My deck chairs are blown all over and toppled. They are heavy. Had to be a strong wind.

Lisa and family were returning from the grandparents who live somewhere in northern Florida. About an 8 hour drive. The car died in Florida City. The family, including Jake, spent the night in a motel. They are hopeful they can get the car repaired and get back on the road today.

It was party time for Robert and Ally. Pizza delivered to the room. I am not sure what Jake ate.

Tonight, my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine in the evening. One half hour. Fast moving and interesting. Revealing. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics will include why the recent epidemic of police brutality situations, CIA owing Michigan more than $20,000 of employee withholdings for state income taxes, a real expose re the Detroit water problem, what happened to the 219 girls abducted in Nigeria, Microsoft to lay off 18,000 in the next 12 months, Muslim honor killings up, RJReynolds hit with a $23 billion jury verdict, Venezuela now taxing air (you read it correctly), and more.

If you are unable to listen this evening, the show is archived immediately. Additionally it is now available on my Key West Lou Facebook page every day.

Enjoy your day!

 

FAIR SKINNED, GREEN EYES, RED HAIR

Posted on by

I began sunday with a walk at Home Depot. Twice around. Forty minutes. At a fast clip.

Outside was too humid to walk. The humidity is heavy for this time of year. It feels like August and September. If it is this way now, how will it be in August and September? Makes me wonder if global warming is at play.

The first storm of the season is somewhere off the east coast of Florida. Arthur. It is questionable whether Arthur will develop into anything. It is predicted to turn just before hitting Florida and moving north. Nothing to be concerned with in the Keys. Unless Arthur is fickle!

Driving home from Home Depot, I saw Red Zorro. I see Zorro 3-4 times a week. Many locals and tourists have seen him. He is a runner. Short and thin. Wears only shorts. Plus a big brimmed red hat. Something like Cardinals wear. Except, larger. He generally carries a large American flag on a pole across his shoulder. And shouts “whoop!” as he runs by.

Red Zorro is a Key West fixture.

My KONK Life column is due at the paper on wednesday each week. It is does not appear in print till one week later. I sometimes get tired, forgetful, what have you and am late getting the column in. As late as sunday night or monday morning. Much to the chagrin of publisher Guy deBoer.

Yesterday, I decided to get the column done early. I spent the afternoon doing it. The research had been done the day before. It is titled Politics As Usual. The story of Eric Cantor’s downfall and what has resulted therefrom. You will enjoy it.

I did not e mail the column to deBoer. Early delivery might spoil him. I am holding it till due day wednesday when with a touch of the keyboard, the article will be in his hands.

Dined at Geiger Key last night. Gray sky. Humid. I enjoyed a hogfish sandwich while starring at the open water. It was a contemplate my navel time.

Friend Anna is on the Greek isle of Fourni. Fourni is part of the Greek archipelago islands. Very small. Less than 1,000 inhabitants. Quieter than Amorgos.

Anna wrote that many of the local Greeks are fair skinned, have green or blue eyes, and red hair. Pirates are involved. Hundreds of years ago, corsairs (pirates) used Fourni as their home port. The corsairs were fair skinned, green or blue eyed, and had red hair. They intermingled, copulated and/or married the local ladies. The corsair gene is still there to this day.

Greece is full of fascinating revelations. Recall Amorgos and Greek food. It was my grandmother and mother’s Italian cooking I was eating. Greece way before the birth of Christ, sent a large number of its people to settle southern Italy and Sicily. They remained, married, etc. They brought their Greek cooking with them. That cooking became southern Italian cooking as we know it today..

It also suggested to me I must have Greek blood in me. My people came from southern Italy.

Have to hustle. Torture at the gym with Albert at 11.

Enjoy your day!

 

FRIDAY the 13th

Posted on by

Be careful! Today is Friday the 13th!

Many have a fear of Friday the 13th. The fear has a name. Friggatriskaidekaphobia. Frigga is the name of a Norse goddess for whom friday is named. Triskaidekaphobia means fear of Friday the 13th.

A mouthful!

Bush 1 only served one term. I believe however that he was one of our better Presidents. If he had not raised taxes after promising not to do so, he would have been reelected.

Yesterday was Bush 1’s birthday. Ninety years old! He has a physical incapacity. I was not aware till yesterday when I read about it. He has lost the use of his legs. Totally. He is either in a wheel chair or a motorized cart.

The President wanted to celebrate his birthday by parachuting out of an airplane. He has had previous experience. He was shot down twice over the Pacific during World War II and made 2-3 jumps in his later years. Barbara was opposed. Son Bush 2, also. Father won!

The President was harnessed to another and together they leaped from a plane. To a safe landing. Everyone was overjoyed. The President that he did it, the family that he survived without additional injury.

A rare man.

A belated happy birthday, Mr. President!

I love the Turner Classic Movie Channel. I woke this morning to Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. Key West is Hemingway country. He lived here 10 years.

I have seen the movie many times. Read the book. Visited several times Lake Maggiore, the primary site of the story.

Lake Maggiore is beautiful. Sits at the northern tip of Italy between Italy and Switzerland. I have visited both ends of the lake and places that Hemingway frequented.

Let me share something I only recently learned. We know Hemingway wrote with a unique style. I describe it as abrupt. Short hard hitting sentences. The words pulled no punches. Things were described as they were.

Early editions of A Farewell to Arms were censored. Yes, censored. Shit, fuck and cocksucker removed. Replaced with dashes. Hemingway did not appreciate the situation. Apparently there was nothing he could do about it.

He took two copies of the book and wrote the words in over the dashes. One of those books he gave to another author of note, James Joyce.

The only other place where the book can be read/heard totally as written is on certain audiobooks that were prepared uncensored.

I enjoyed a quiet busy day yesterday.

Lunched at Geiger Key. It was a rainy drizzly day. Gray. Few customers. The setting pleasant, however. Peaceful. The staff became excited at one point. A number of lobsters were discovered beneath the dock. We all took a look. There they were!

Someone mentioned how large they were. I did not correct her. Everything looks big beneath the water. Not so when brought to the top. I recall the first time I went diving for lobsters. I saw huge tentacles beneath a rock. I rushed to the surface and yelled to my companions on the boat that I had discovered the largest lobster ever. They laughed. I went back down and got it. The body was five inches long and the tentacles not much longer.

Spent the afternoon preparing to write next week’s KONK Life column. I will write it this morning. About the close to 50,000 children that have crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico into Texas. What a story! These kids made a Pied Piper trip without a Pied Piper.

Went to La Te Da for an early dinner at the outside bar with Tonto. Tonto was not working. I craved La Te Da’s lacquered duck. It was terrific when last I had it. It was not as good last night. I was disappointed.

I was early to home to watch the Heat/Spurs game. A disaster! I was pulling for the Heat. I have come to the conclusion that the Spurs are unquestionably the better team. Amazing! The Heat have so much top quality talent. Perhaps their time has passed. One or two key additions to the team for next season might be ripe for consideration.

Enjoy your day! Watch out for black cats and ladders!

 

A NEW STAR IN THE HEAVENS

Posted on by

She shines bright! Maya Angelou.

My admiration for people who rise above all sorts of adversity to succeed for themselves and others is without reservation. Maya Angelou was one of those persons.

With all the reading I have done in my lifetime, I am ashamed to say that I never read her autobiographies. Not even one. However, I have read  some of her poetry books. Especially when my favorite reading place in Key West was Borders.

I have always had an interest in poetry. Tried my hand at it as far back as college. Not for me. The talent was lacking. Though I could not write, I could read. I never read any of her poems back then. I am not sure any were as yet published. This is back in the 1950s.

There were times when I have wanted to favor someone with a special gift. I would give a book of Angelou’s poems.

Maya Angelou was frequently referred to as the…..Black woman’s poet laureate. She was a poet laureate regardless of color.

It was back to the gym yesterday morning. I survived another hour. The workout was harder. i suspect each day will be more difficult. I did it without injury. I am being handled differently this time. The first time back in Decmeber, it was like being slammed against a wall. This time it is a step at a time. A short step.

I got tired again in the afternoon. A bit sore here and there. Muscular. I went to bed and took a nap. Felt fine afterwards. I am free until monday when I will have my third session.

Stopped at Don’s Place around 6. Chatted with Don and David. Exchanged hellos with Stan, Clare and Hershel.

Then to Geiger Key for dinner. It was still bright. A couple of hours of daytime left.

Geiger Key is a good change of pace. Not as crowded as normal. The season is over. I sat at the bar and enjoyed a reuben. All the while looking out over the calm water.

This blog is a bit late this morning. I had to get out of the house early. Someone who might be interested in buying was stopping by with a contractor.

I am doing the blog at Lisa’s. I am at the kitchen table and she at her desk. Neither bothering the other. Each intent and busy.

Enjoy your day!

I AM CONFUSED

Posted on by

There has been a recent increase in the cost of gas. We are told it is the Russia/Ukraine confrontation which has caused it. I do not understand. We get very little, if any, gas from the pipelines running across Ukraine.

As usual, the oil companies are taking advantage of a crisis. The price of gas has been gone up everywhere, including the United States.

Louis’ confusion arises from a local situation.

I live outside Key West on an island referred to as Key Haven. A Shell station sits at the entrance at US 1. For two days, the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline has been $4.07. I noticed yesterday the cost at the Shell station at Kennedy and the Boulevard was $3.89. I was by the Shell on Geiger Key at lunch time. The cost $3.89. An $ .18 per gallon difference. The Boulevard Shell station is 5 miles from the Key Haven Shell. The Geiger Key one 7.5 miles.

Do you blame me for being confused? Rip off time. At least as regards the Key Haven Shell.

Haircut with Lori yesterday morning. It now takes longer to trim my beard that cut my hair.

Then visited with Lisa for a while.

I planned on writing next week’s KONK Life column in the afternoon. I stopped at Subway to grab a sandwich to take home. I needed to conserve time. The column would take most of the afternoon to complete.

Buy stock in Subway! I walked in at 12:15. The line was backed up almost to the door. Fifteen persons. No way was I going to wait. Besides being in a hurry, I hate lines.

I do not know what possessed me. However, I said the hell with it and headed up to Geiger Key. Several miles past my home. That is how I discovered that the Geiger Key Shell was selling gas $.18 a gallon cheaper.

I thoroughly enjoyed my fish sandwich lunch. Geiger Key is a relaxing place to eat.

Next week’s KONK Life column did not take as long as I thought. The title is Muslims Taking Over Sweden. I had researched the topic thoroughly prior to yesterday. I was able to complete the article in two hours.

I have not written a KONK Life column for several weeks. I took a few weeks off. Next week marks my return. With a new column title. The Key West Lou COMMENTARY. Over the years, I drifted away from a legal column to commenting on events in general. Ergo, the COMMENTARY.

Bocce last night. Horrible! Horrendous! I obviously played poorly as I expected. I had not played in five weeks. Overall however, we were not with it. Lost the first two games 16-2 and 16-1. I participated in the 16-1 defeat. The third game was close. However, we lost 16-13.

What has happened to us?

Someone asked in a Comment received this morning if bocce being played in Key West meant there was a robust Italian community. Quite frankly, I doubt that many Italians reside in the Key West area. The large number of people playing bocce come from all ethnic and economic backgrounds. The bocce courts are a United Nations unto themselves.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

HOW DID MAGELLAN DO IT?

Posted on by

Magellan sailed around the world hundreds of years ago in a boat constructed of wood.

A 75 foot replica of the ship Magellan sailed broke its rudder near Cudjoe Key. The Coast Guard came to the rescue. Minimal repairs were made. The ship is now docked at the Outer Mile Pole for further repairs.

How did Magellan make it without a Coast Guard? What did he do if and when a rudder broke? Did any repair facilities exist in the parts of the new world he explored?

You must admit. Quite a feat Magellan accomplished!

I finally got out yesterday!

Lunched at Geiger Key. Sat at the bar. Enjoyed looking at the people and view. In between sightings, read the newspaper.

Dinner was at Roostica. The last time there, I noticed the ladies at an adjoining table consuming an antipasto. The ladies and the antipasto both looked good! I ordered the antipasto last night. I suggest you order it the next time you are at Roostica. Beautiful to look at. Tasty to eat. Much too large for one person.  I took more than half of it home.

The Keys History section in this morning’s Key West Citizen contained an interesting note. Fifty years ago this March, total house sales for the month were $1,638,250. Today, many of the larger homes sell for that amount and more.

I am on my soap box again. Two short comments.

History does repeat itself. Many fail to recall. George Santayana said it best: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

The Supreme Court decision this week triggered much discussion re the financing of political campaigns. There is a simple solution. Have the government finance campaigns and limit the time for campaigns. It bothers me that the wealthy are able to exert so much influence in a campaign. Additionally, limit campaigning in a Presidential race to two months. We now are into a two year cycle for Presidential campaigns. Too much!

My book! My book! My book! Available for purchase on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. The World Upside Down.

The Cow Bridge Race at noon today. My enthusiasm is waning. It is not the distance. It is the parking. I will probably have to walk a mile each way from where I park and return. Too much!

Enjoy your day!

DON AND CHRIS BACK

Posted on by

Don and Chris hail from the Syracuse area. They visit Key West a half dozen times a year. They have returned! Came in last night. Friend Ed is with them.

Their favorite haunt is the Chart Room. I am sure they drank with Emily last night. We are meeting tonight at 7 at The Sports Pub to watch the Syracuse/North Carolina State game. Ed, also.

I am sure Don and Chris were shocked to hear JJ was no longer at the Chart Room. When I diet, I do not drink. I try to stay away from bars.  I fear succumbing to the near occasion of sin!

I do not know why JJ is no longer at one of my favorite drinking holes. He is now at the Tiki Galleon. I have never in all my Key West years drunk there. I will now, however.

Syracuse and North Carolina State met once during the season. Syracuse won by one point 56-55. A different time, however. Yersterday’s success does not guarantee today’s. What has gone before does not count. It is the post season and some teams have improved vastly. Some just get pure lucky. Tonight’s game will be interesting.

An example of getting lucky, etc. was last night’s game between Villanova and Seton Hall. Seton Hall won. Over a Villanova team ranked #3 nationally and considered a #1 seed in the Big Dance.

Enjoyed lunch wednesday with June Hudson at Geiger Key. Fun! Two old friends chatting away!

June leaves tomorrow for her home in Delaware. She is driving back alone. Does not seem to concern her.

June is going to Italy for 10 days in June. With her 14 year old granddaughter. The two alone. June is excited. She said her granddaughter is, also.

Bocce last night. I did not go. I would have passed out bending over to pick up the balls! My cell phone is on the blink this morning so I do not know if we won or lost.

Got a tweet from a voice from the past. Kurt Lubs. One of Key’s Wests most famous bartenders, he left more than a year ago to return home to Indiana. He will be in next week. Terrific! A friend!

Strange weather the past 24 hours. Temperature dropped to 64 last night. I could have used a body next to me. Presently, 68. Will reach mid 70s in the afternoon. Tonight, high 60s.

After the Syracuse game, I will be heading over to Don’s Place. Grant from Bad Boy Burritto will be on national TV at 10. The cooking channel.

My book, my book, my book! Buy it! People are. I should not complain. However, it would be nice if more did. Trust me, you will enjoy it. The World Upside Down is available as an e book or soft back cover on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. My picture on the cover alone is worth the price of the book!

Enjoy your day!