BUSINESS IS GOOD

This has obviously been a great week for Key West merchants. The town was packed again last night. Big time! More pedestrians on the streets than cars. Literally on the streets. Traffic a disaster.

My first stop was the Chart Room. Emily is back from vacation. She told me she went skiing in one of the Carolinas while away. Sheila and David in attendance. Offered my condolences to David re the Alabama loss.

Chatted with Sheila a while. A wonderful person!

Met Ellen. Ellen is from the Cayman Islands. She has lived there for 30 years with friend Adrian. She is a travel agent.

Ellen and Adrian visit Key west 3-4 times a year. Amazing! Leave the Cayman Islands for Key West. More fun was the reason. They are always here for Fantasy Fest. Ellen said she wears two costumes a day. One by day and one by night. She is really into it!

A bright vivacious lovely woman. I hope to run into Ellen again.

Met another local. Nick. We had never met before. Nick is in his mid-30s. He is a scuba instructor.

Stopped at Square One next. The new owner has changed the name a bit. It is Sq. 1. Who will know what I am referring to. I shall acquiesce half way. Square 1.

Mandy was not behind the bar. I was disappointed. Liked her. All of a sudden, she was behind me. Dressed, not in bartending attire. She is now the manager. Good for her!

The restaurant was full, inside and out. People waiting for a table. So too with the Italian restaurant and Orgami across the way. Another sign that this has been a hell of a business week!

Patrick Hayes aka Patty Cakes bartended at the old Square One for 20 plus years. No matter how large the crowd, he was always the only bartender. It took two last night to get the job done.

Ran into Scott. A while since I had seen him. He wrote at one time for KONK Life.

A repeat observation. Streets crowded with tourists. Restaurants full. A good sign again that business is booming.

The thought occurred as to whether there really is a 1 percent/99 percent. These were not 99 percenters celebrating. These were people a bit affluent, though nowhere as affluent as the 1 percent. It made me wonder if things just might be getting better.

Syracuse plays Virginia Tech at noon. Syracuse an 8 point favorite. I planned on watching the game from home. My TV went down this morning. I cannot get it back up. I have a call into Tim to help me. Must be fixed before noon. Otherwise, I shall be watching at Don’s Place.

The front page headline in the Key West Citizen this morning reported very good news for Key West. T J Maxx and Gap are coming to Key West! Maxx is going in the Champs store in the Sears Shopping Center. Gap into the Lewinsky Building on Duval. Gap will be a two story factory outlet.

The new stores also a reflection that the economy is recovering. Still not enough however for the downtrodden yet suffering.

Enjoy your day!

GREAT FOOTBALL

The two semi final football games represented the best college football can provide. Oregon blowing out Florida State 59-20, I could not believe. Alabama losing to Ohio State 42-35 a surprise.

David is a die hard Ohio State fan. I am happy for you David!

Oregon’s tempo impressed me. I had not seen them play before last night. Ohio State I am sure will be practising and be ready for it by game time on the January 12.

I watched the games from the comfort of my home. From 5 till after midnight. I was going to watch at Don’s Place. However the comfort of my bed seemed a better place.

I spent the entire day at home. Treated myself as if it were a holiday. Which it was. Did nothing, except for some additional research on next week’s KONK Life column. It is titled Rank Insubordination. It is about the NYPD and Mayor de Blasio. I will write the column either this afternoon or tomorrow.

How to spell the New York mayor’s name. Several prominent publications spell his name three different ways. de Blasio, Di Blasio, and Diblasio. Pick the one you like the most. I am going with de Blasio for the moment.

I noticed something interesting in the Key West Citizen this morning. Front page, upper right hand corner…..STILL 50 cents. It should be. The paper gets thinner each year.

Mario Cuomo died yesterday at age 82. A former Governor of New York. An impressive man. He had the opportunity to run for President on the Democratic ticket in 1988 and 1992. He opted not to. Why no one is certain to this day. He had a good shot at winning. Not in 1988 when Reagan ran a second time. However in 1992 when Clinton ran for the first time.

I suspect he might not have run because he thought the country was not ready for an Italo-American President. Currents of anti-Italian prejudice still existed.

Cuomo was the son of Italian immigrants. He was proud of his Italian heritage. I met him a couple of times. Initially when he was running for Governor the first time. It was at a small cocktail party. I was fortunate to have had his attention for a few minutes. Most of our conversation centered on growing up Italian. A humorous discussion.

I have been in the last two nights. Perhaps three. I cannot remember. Whatever, I am definitely out tonight. I need to socialize, to be surrounded by people.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

SANTA ON HIS WAY

Christmas 2010 I wrote a story as to how Christmas was received and how it developed in what is now the United States. The story was published on Amazon Kindle at the time.

I thought the tale sufficiently interesting to be repeated. Not once, but twice. It is in KONK Life which hits the stands at 5 today. I also basically read through the story on my blog talk radio show last night.

Christmas was not always as it is today.

For example, the Puritans in Boston in the late 1600s made it a crime to celebrate Christmas. Another example involves the South celebrating Christmas big time leading up to and at the time of the Civil War. The North did not.

Washington Irving, The Night Before Christmas, A Christmas Carol and finally…..Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, contributed to Christmas as we know it.

The Key West Citizen had the perfect editorial today. A reprint of the New York Sun’s editorial in 1897 which contained the memorable statement…..Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Went Christmas shopping yesterday. I am one of the last minute ones. Did not do well. Found nothing I liked. Everything picked over. My fault. I will be back in the stores today.

Christmas Eve is big in my family. I will be at Lisa’s tonight for dinner. Santa Claus will arrive before. 6:30 to be precise. I love it!

I arranged for Santa Claus each Christmas Eve for my children and then grandchildren. Robert and Ally are the last of the grandchildren. Kids are impressed with Santa Claus. I wanted them to be duly impressed with Poppa. I arranged with each Santa at some point to embrace me warmly and tell everyone I was his friend. The kids ate it up!

The weather this morning is lovely. Thunderstorms predicted for tonight. Already one outdoor event has been cancelled. I hope the rain holds off till we are all home in bed.

The more important concern would be Robert and Ally. Children are inquisitive. They would want to know if the reindeer were out in the rain, where are they, etc.

This morning’s Key West Citizen had a short note re Applerouth Lane. The note mentioned Applerouth was once called Smith Lane.

Applerouth is that short block between Duval and Whitehead. A narrow street. I always have thought Applerouth and its diverse stores were a true reflection of Key West. There is a bd/sm gear store. Been there for years. A couple of restaurants. The entrance to Virgilio’s.

My curiosity was piqued. Who was Applerouth? Who was Smith? I had always thought Applerouth was the name of a flower or plant.

I did a little digging. Applerouth was so named in 1981. It was named after a local merchant. William H. “Billy” Applerouth. Smith was difficult to nail down. The street was named after L. Windsor Smith. There was a District Attorney as well as a Court Clerk in the 1840s so named. Whether one and the same person, I can not be sure.

Applerouth was described as the “Jewish” merchant. I found that add on/description strange for 1981. If someone is aware why the description, let me know.

The Interview opens Christmas Day at the Tropic Cinema. Good for you, Tropic Cinema!

Enjoy your Christmas Eve!

 

TORTURE

One of the issues I discussed last night on my blog talk radio show was torture. The issue was whether the U.S. is a torturer. My thought was that if we do torture, then we are. The act of torturing in itself is a manifestation of what we are. Of what we have become. We have changed as a people since 9/11. Changed in many ways.

This morning’s KONK Life News E-Blast carries an excellent article on torture by Rick Boettger. Titled Yay! We’re Not Nazis. I recommend it to you. Boettger covers torture from a different perspective than I did on last night’s show. His observations however are right on.

My yesterday was spent fine tuning last night’s show.

Syracuse football in the news yesterday. What I am gong to share does not seem possible. Syracuse’s football attendance at home games this past season was up 6 percent. An average of 40,447 fans. Syracuse was #2 in increased attendance percentage wise. Florida State was first.

The increase accomplished with a 3-9 record. Amazing!

There is an internet video of Boeheim’s interview following the Louisiana Tech game. He was tough. He was indicating that his players are weak on basics. Like catching the ball with two hands. Things that should not have to be taught at the college level. I recommend the video to you. Easy to find on most Syracuse basketball sites.

The plane that would not fly. Sounds like the title to a book. Actually, it is in reference to Orville Wright and the first powered plane to fly. Today is the anniversary of the first flight in 1903. On the  100th anniversary of the inaugural flight in 2003, a ceremony was held at Kitty Hawk. The replica plane failed to fly!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

BOAT PARADE PICS FANTASTIC

Key West’s Christmas on the water! The Lighted Boat Parade last night.

Pictures are available for viewing in today’s KONK Life News E-Blast. Colorful beyond imagination! Boats decorated the best yet.

Today’s Key West Citizen does not carry any of the pics unfortunately. The Citizen goes to press early. Pics will probably appear in tomorrow’s edition.

I ran around in the afternoon yesterday shopping. Nothing special. Not gift time yet. Christmas shopping is generally a last minute thing with me.

Last night, it was dinner at the bar at Roostica. It kept me away from the DUI check point.

I rarely agree with a Key West Citizen editorial. Generally too far to the right. Also, I suspect most of the editorials are not written locally. This morning however I was overly joyed with the editorial page.

The editorial itself was obviously locally written. It had to do with the new food truck ordinance as proposed. The editorial was right on. It views the proposed ordinance as government run amok.

George Will is an intelligent thoughtful writer. He writes for the Washington Post and is seen regularly on television. It is rare I agree with him. He is too far to the right. However, I wholeheartedly agree with his column carried on the Citizen’s editorial page today. It concerns itself with over criminalization. I agree with everything he wrote wholeheartedly.

Since I am into the newspaper thing this morning, I suggest you read this week’s column written by me in KONK Life. The American Dream…..gone, Gone, GONE. It is on the stands all over the keys at the moment. I suggest the column to you because I believe it covers an important topic which perhaps we do not give enough thought to.

Syracuse basketball at 4 this afternoon. Syracuse plays Louisiana Tech. The Tech tells you this is intended as a warm up game for Syracuse. However based on the way Syracuse has played thus far in the pre-season, I do not know. Syracuse is a 7 point favorite.

I am not sure where I will be watching the game. Home, Don’s Place or the Lion’s Den. First time you have heard me mention the Lions Den. JDL’s Big Ten Sports Pub was sold.  I do not know who the new owners are.  I have not seen John Lukas yet to offer my congratulations and sorrow.

I seem to be into the Key West Citizen this morning. It’s the Citizen’s fault. They finally came out with an edition that has many positives from my perspective.

There is a local column in this morning’s Citizen having to do with the holidays. Christmas trees are a part of th article. It was mentioned that some people today were going into the woods to chop their tree down because it was cheaper. Cheaper now, but not when I did it!

Some forty years ago, I cut my own tree down two consecutive years. On a nearby hillside was a Xmas tree farm. You could go on and cut your own down. The cost was expensive! Probably 3-4 times more than buying it cut already from a street vendor.

Appreciate the snow is deep this time of the year up north. Utica is in the foothills to the Adirondack Mountains. The Xmas tree farm was on one of the initial foothills. Cold like you would not believe! Mouths covered with scarfs. Scarfs sticking to a person’s lips.

I thought it would be exciting for my children. They were all under 10. One or two might not yet have been in school.

Away we went. So many trees! We could not decide on the one we liked best. We kept walking. The more we walked, the farther we got from our car. I had with me a hand ax. We found the tree. Everyone was happy. I had to chop it down at the base. I had never wielded a hand ax before. George Washington I was not. It was a difficult task. A couple of swipes did not do it. The branches were cutting across my face. The ice cold wind blowing. I soon hated the whole idea.

After success at chopping the tree down, I had to drag/carry it to the car. The car seemed like 10 miles away. The kids helped me. We had high ceilings. The tree was  big. 8-9 feet tall and wide.

The kids and I did it again the next year. I seemed more adept with the ax. Still the entire event was a pain! Only to me. The children were thrilled. Which made it worth while.

I never did it again after the second year. Enough was enough.

Enjoy your Sunday!

DUI SOBRIETY CHECK POINT

I have always thought there was a degree of unfairness when police use radar or a sobriety check point. It sort of gives authorities an unfair advantage. The fact that I might be wrong being immaterial.

Florida is a screwy state when it comes to laws. One good law requires police to give notice when and where a sobriety check point will be established. Together with the hours. Fair.

There is a sobriety check point tonight on US 1 and Cross Street for north bound traffic. It has been advertised in the Key West Citizen twice this week. To be forwarned is to be forearmed. Stay away from US 1 and Cross Street from 7 to 2 tonight.

I am. Not that I get smashed and drive. I drink, but very rarely to excess. However, one never knows. Better safe than sorry. I shall either stay home this evening or limit my out of house activities to the three places that do not require me to pas through the check point. Roostica, Hogfish, and Geiger Key.

Sad that a sobriety check point is being conducted this evening. Tonight is the Lighted Boat Parade. To attend would take me into town. On the way back, I would have to drive through the check point.

I would have watched the Boat Parade from Schooners Wharf. It will be cold enough there. Around 62 degrees. On a boat, the experience 20 degrees cooler.

I wrote my KONK Life column for next week yesterday afternoon. The American Dream Revisited / Torture Pays. There is money to be made it doing sick and  distasteful things. Like torturing. The column concerns the two individuals who were paid $81 million to devise and help implement a torture system to be used on Guantanamo and other located detainees.

An interesting article. Especially where it is spelled out how the government got ripped off.

It was cold last night. Mid 60s when I decided to go out. The Chart Room friday evenings seems to be absent regulars. When  I am out and about, I am first looking for the company of friends. My sense was that the Chart Room regulars were doing the outside Galleon bar fridays. The bar is located on the water.

Ergo, I did not even stop first at the Chart Room. Went straight to the Galleon. I was wrong. No friends. No one I knew. Cold as hell! The wind off the ocean. JJ bartending. I had one drink and was gone. I decided it was too cold to stay out and went home.

I mentioned the other day that gasoline had dropped to $2.99 at the K-Mart station on the boulevard. The Shell station near my home was still $3.10. Yesterday, it dropped to $2.99.  This morning’s paper says gas prices will continue to drop. About time! We got screwed for too many years.

This morning’s Key West Citizen carried an article regarding the arrest of two local men. Alleged marijuana charges. The article also advised a continuing investigation regarding an alleged illegal gambling operation. The nick name of one of the individuals is Joe Weed. He is an $85,000 a year computer analyst for  the Monroe County schools.

I do not know whether is he guilty or innocent. I really do not care. His business, his headache. What bothers me however is that he is one of the leaders of the group protesting nudity during Fantasy Fest. Hypocrisy, assuming he is guilty.

Street demonstrations are occurring all over the world. Not just in the United States. This week alone, Greece, Italy and Haiti. Not a healthy situation. Sometimes however, it is the only way a people can be heard.

My friend Anna in Novara contacted me yesterday. There were demonstrations in 50 Italian cities. Union led. No one worked. Brought Italy to a halt for one day. Italian demonstrations are riots. Actual clashing with the police. See the pictures on the internet.

The economy is the problem. As with Greece, the austerity measures imposed on the people have become onerous. They won’t take  it any more is the message.

Interestingly, Silvio Berlusconi is back! You can’t keep a good man down. Convicted of income tax evasion and having sex with a 17 year old, he continues to hang in there. The word is he is maneuvering and pulling strings behind the scenes.

Enjoy your day!

JOANNA LEARY

Mark Howell is an author/writer extraordinaire!

Today’s KONK E-News Blast carries a touching story written by him. It concerns Key West’s beloved Peter Anderson and a former wife Joanna Leary. It also speaks of Johanna’s recent book involving her psychedelic relationship with Timothy Leary. Leary was the LSD guru of my day.

Joanna’s hippie days provide the setting.

Mark wove it all into a loving tale.

This morning’s Key West Citizen carried an interesting article about a Dan Zimmerman. A hero in his own right.

Dan suffered a massive stroke in 2005 at age 41. Right side paralyzed, left side of brain damaged. Recovery a long way back. Dan refused to give up.

On June 29 this year, he left a little town in Washington state on a three wheeled low slung bicycle. 5,200 miles later, he completed his trip to Key West. He arrived this past saturday.

He labeled his journey Road to Margaritaville. The first thing he heard as he came out of his stroke induced coma was Jimmy Buffett singing.

You have to admire the guy!

My yesterday was busy. An early morning appointment for a fasting blood test. Then a manicure with Tammy at Lee Nails. I fell asleep while she was giving me the manicure. Can’t believe it!

In the afternoon, another doctor appointment. With my heart doctor. I was experiencing some pain and swelling in the my legs. Some tests were done recently to see if I had a blood clotting problem. I love getting old. Turns  out, no problem.

The doctor’s office was busy. Many in and out. Surprisingly, I seemed to know everyone and they me. Several of them, I had not seen in years.

The heart doctor was running late. It was close to 7 by the time I got out. I decided on a drink. My diet permits it. Stopped at Don’s Place. Chatted with Jimmy and John a while. Then home after only one drink.

Syracuse basketball tonight. Love it! Syracuse plays Michigan at 7:30. The game is being shown on ESPN. I will be able to watch the first half at home. Then I have my blog talk radio show to do. I will miss the second half. Syracuse is a 4.5 point underdog.

Most of tonight’s blog talk radio show is prepared. Interesting and timely topics. Tonight, the St. Louis Ram’s five players and their support signal for Ferguson, Obama and corporate America, France’s President rejecting Obama’s plan which would result in a global oligarchy, the loss of the American dream, a white business protected by blacks in Ferguson, and more.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou airs at 9. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

 

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!

 

FANTASY FEST ALMOST OVER

All good things come to an end. This is the last day of Fantasy Fest. A children’s party this afternoon. The grand finale is a tea party at La Te Da. Called this year It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over.

Last night was the major event. The Fantasy Fest Parade. Fifty some odd floats making their way down Duval. Exciting!

I did what has become my normal Parade evening. I no longer stand for a couple of hours to watch the parade and get tousled around. I do what I call The Marty Leshaw evening.

Marty is a dear friend who spent many years in Key West. He has been away so long now it is beginning to feel like many years also.

Marty had had it with the Parade. As many of us after a while. On parade evening, he used to go to Marquesa and enjoy a long slow dinner at the bar while the parade was moving along. I joined Marty on occasion.

Marquesa is one block off Duval. I still had the itch to see some of the parade, feel the atmosphere. etc. After dinner, I would leave Marty for a short time and walk to Duval to see some of the floats and people.

I did that routine again last night, except no Marty at Marquesa.

I watched 20 minutes of the parade. The floats were fantastic. Those on the floats jovial. Thousands of people on the sidewalks. Most costumed. Many bare breasts.

It rained big time most of the week. Not last night, fortunately. The rain did not dampen the spirits of visitors. Not in the least!

Babysat yesterday afternoon. Don’t know why I use the term babysat. Ally and Robert are 9 and 10 respectively. Their Mom and Pop were costumed and downtown working the Montessori booth. Fundraising for the grandkids’ school. Both looked terrific.  They spent two hours selling jello shots, beer and water. Said they did well.

I had things to do. The grandkids were stuck doing them with me. First was Publix. I needed a lot of things. Took time to shop. Robert and Ally were bored. I felt bad.

Then to Pier 1 to look at some lamps. Pier 1 has great lamps. I thank the person who suggested Pier 1 to me. I bought none. Merely shopped. I will return tomorrow to purchase. I am sure I will be buying a table lamp. All lamps are on sale. Beautiful and reasonably priced.

Robert remained bored. Ally brightened up. She helped me select a lamp. She had a comment for each of the 20 odd we looked at.

Sloan is due soon this morning. We have work to do. I have to hustle.

Enjoy your Sunday!

MOONSHINE

This blog seems to be getting more interesting. Ladies panties, yesterday. Moonshine, today.

Till I settled in Key West, I had heard of but never seen nor tasted moonshine. Moonshine appears to be a Keys thing just as cockfighting is. A bit here and there. I have probably shared a sip on a couple of occasions over the years.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports on a “moonshine still” arrest. An apparent moonshiner advertised on Craigslist a moonshine still for sale. $375. Some undercover police authorities contacted him. Not only did he offer to sell the still to them, he also admitted having used it to make moonshine. He still had almost a gallon available.

He was arrested.

I learned something new reading the article. Not that I should not advertise a moonshine still on Craigslist. Rather, the word moonshine derives from those who made the stuff years ago in Appalachia. They worked by the light of the moon to avoid detection.

One of the best things in the Keys is the Marathon Turtle Hospital. Another heartwarming turtle story.

Sapphire is a subadult female turtle. Weighs 129 pounds. Sixteen months ago, she was brought to the hospital. She could not dive and had a breathing problem. She still cannot dive. Weights must be glued on her back to give her the ability. The weights fall off eventually and Sapphire is/would be in trouble.

Sapphire is going on a 2,500 mile plane trip to a new home. To a place called The Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista, California. There she will live in a 21,000 gallon tank of properly temperatured ocean water and be attended to daily.

Sapphire is flying via Fed Ex. Two Marathon Turtle Hospital personnel are accompanying her.

Yesterday was Rosh Hashana. To my Jewish friends and all other friends, I wish a Happy Rosh Hashana!

Which leads me to…..Donna and Terri, where are you?

Went for my back x-ray yesterday morning. No x-ray. Technician out till friday. Have to return friday morning.

My back is considerably better. If I do not use it to any extent. The steroids are terrific. Keep the pain away and make me sleep well.

Yesterday, I decided to walk at Home Depot. Felt no pain so I thought it would be ok. I walked ever so slowly. A 20 minute walk took 40 minutes. At the end, my back and leg were hurting. Pain increased during the day.

What happens when I am off steroids?

Lunched at Harpoon Harry’s. Wednesday lunch there is becoming a habit. The special a turkey dinner. All the trimmings like Thanksgiving. Delicious!

Spent the afternoon writing next week’s KONK Life column. Bank Robbers. An interesting twist on an old time story. From Jesse James to the bank robbers of today.

Ally and I still painting. Actually Ally painting and I observe, comment, and direct. She is doing well. I think she is talented.

Yesterday, Ally learned it is not all painting per se. There is work involved. We have already gotten past keeping the brushes clean. Yesterday, it was the pallet. She had left the paint globs on overnight. She had a difficult time getting the pallet clean. All part of being an artist.

I had a very enjoyable time last night at the Hot Tin Roof. My first drink since sunday. Only one. The doctor said it would be ok. The meal as usual was outstanding.

My waitress was Shanya. A young beauty. She has worked at Hot Tin Roof several months, though last night was the first time we spoke. She is from the Boston area. Of Serbian extraction. That led me into Flora and Albania. Both Serbia and Albania are parts of the former Soviet Republic.

Shanya is in love! Good for her! She soon will be relocating to St. Petersburg to be with her man.

The Hot Tin Roof is perched directly on the Gulf waters. From the second floor location where I was sitting, I could see way out to the horizon. It was 1-2 hours before sunset. The sun shining. A sailboat drifted along the line of the horizon. It was another one of those days. God was in His heaven, all was right with the world. At least in Key West.

Bocce tonight. I have only played once in the past three weeks. It was either my back or shoulder. Tonight, I plan on playing. The steroids will help. I will not be moving around as much as I did walking at Home Depot. I look forward to playing.

Enjoy your day!