ANOTHER SYRACUSE WIN

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I was reading over my notes for last night’s blog talk radio show when the telephone rang. It was Don Manaher. Are you watching the game? What game? Syracuse and Indiana.

I had forgotten. How could I forget? I knew I would only be able to watch the first half because my radio show went on at 9. I rushed to the TV set in time to catch the first half.

I was disappointed. Syracuse had a 10-0 lead and blew it. They have done that before this season. The game was a one point difference at half time when my viewing ceased. I see from the morning news that Syracuse won 69-52. Apparently Indiana fell apart in the second half.

What I saw and what I think. Syracuse guards are outstanding. Three pointers galore this season! The problem was getting the ball inside. Syracuse cannot win on three pointers alone. I am sure Boeheim will be working on the flaw.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou went well. I particularly enjoyed my dissertation regarding the Senkaku Islands. The islands between China and Japan that  has created a developing feud between the two countries. One that could suck the United States in.

It bothers me that the media rarely sets forth the true story behind an incident. With regard to the Senkaku Islands, it is oil. I will have more to say on the issue on Friday’s TV/internet show.

My head was in the books yesterday. Actually, the internet. I was in deep research. I was interested in a Lt. Barbie. It was World War II and he was the Nazi officer in charge of destroying the French resistance in a certain part of France. He was a sick diabolical man.

Last night’s blog talk radio show is archived and available. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Last friday’s TV show was You Tubed at 5 last night. Key West Lou 11/29/13.

Enjoy your day!

HARRY TRUMAN AND BASEBALL

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Key West loves Harry Truman. Key West assumes Harry Truman loved Key West. Otherwise, why would he have made 11 trips to Key West during his Presidency. The 11 trips totaled 175 days.

Truman enjoyed the weather, the Naval base where he stayed, fishing, playing cards on a screened in porch each evening, walking the streets of old Key West and more.

Truman unquestionably is a part of Key West’s colorful past.

World War II changed many things. Baseball being one.

Presidents used to occasionally watch a Washington Senators game. Not during World war II, however. Whether because of Roosevelt’s incapacity or fear for his life, Roosevelt never made the trip to the ball park.

On this day in history, September 8, Truman went to watch the Washington Senators play. The year was 1945. World war II had recently concluded. Truman had ordered atomic bombs to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki one month earlier. The Japanese had formally surrendered on the deck of the USS Missouri one week earlier.

Historians suspect Truman attended the game to signify to the American people that the War was over and that there should be a return to normalcy.

The Commissioner of Baseball at the time was A. B. Chandler. He was with Truman. They both signed the same baseball. It is obviously worth a lot of money today.

Truman did the game big time. He brought his wife, cabinet members, and other high level Washingtonians.

I hung around the house during the day yesterday. Treated myself to a lazy day. I seem to be sneaking a lot of them in lately.

Last night was the Chart Room and Sloppy Joe’s.

I rarely do Duval Street. Ergo. I rarely visit Sloppy Joe’s. When I do, I know exactly what I will be ordering. Sloppy fries! A basket of soggy French fries covered in melted mozzarella cheese and a red sauce. Good! No, terrific!

Smoking in a place where food is served has been banned in Key West and Florida for years. Probably because of tradition. Sloppy Joe’s would not be what it was without smoked filled air. So no one stopped anyone from smoking after the law was enacted.

No more.

There was no ash tray on the table. I asked the waitress for one. She said, no. How long, I asked. A few months, she said.

Nothing is forever. Everything comes to an end.

I wonder what Hemingway would have to say about it?

Syracuse, my Syracuse! Not the better team that I thought. Northwestern beat Syracuse yesterday 48-27. Oh, well. Hope springs eternal, however. There are many more games to play and Syracuse may win a few.

I would like to remind all that my tv/internet show The Key West Lou Legal Hour is You Tubed. If you miss a Friday show or have never seen one, merely go to You Tube and enter: Lou’s Legal Hour. The show is broken into 5 segments with commercials in between. The commercials have been deleted on You Tube. You will be able to see 5 eight minute unencumbered segments.

Enjoy your Sunday!

SMITHSONIAN

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Five in the morning. I am doing today’s blog.

I had to get up early. I have a six hour tour beginning just after dawn. I will see it all. Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Washington Memorial, etc. I will be dead when it is over!

Yesterday was the Smithsonian! The American History portion. Spent five hours. And I did not see it all.

I was surprised to learn that the Smithsonian is five separate buildings. I visited only one.

The correct name of that building is the National Museum of American History – Smithsonian Institute. Massive. Five stories.

My hotel selection continues to have been a wise one. I was only three blocks from the Smithsonian and could walk there.

I did many of the exhibits. Not all. Impossible.

The two exhibits seeming to garner the most interest were the ones dealing with the American Revolution and World War II.

I must admit that several times I became emotional and had to wipe my eyes. That was the effect of certain of the exhibits.

Everything on exhibit. Movie stars of the 1950s and 1960s, transportation, cooking, typewriters, the civil rights battles of the 1960s, the original Star Spangled Banner, and even Archie Bunker’s chair.

I am becoming increasingly aware of my age. 77. Yesterday it kept hitting me in the face. Here I was viewing exhibits covering things that occurred during my life time. I remember World War II, the sit down counter civil rights activity, President Kennedy, President Johnson, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and more. I was a part of the history I was viewing.

There was a docent explaining things about Revolutionary soldiers. Listening in were four young girls. Maybe seventh or eighth grade. No more than high school freshmen. I joined the group.

The docent explained that 25 per cent of Revolutionary soldiers were illiterate. When wounded and hospitalized, they wanted to communicate with their loved ones back home. They could not write. A nurse would help them. She would listen and write the wounded soldier’s words on a piece of paper. She used a pencil. The docent explained the pencil became popular as a writing instrument during those times.

Pens were normally used to write. But the pens of that day required ink. The pen was dipped in a small bottle of ink. Ink was not available at hospital sites.

One of the young ladies spoke up…..Why didn’t they use ball point pens?

A gem.

I found interesting that most if not all of the Washington museums are free. No admission charge. They are owned and operated by the United States. Thousands of people visit each one every day. Old and young. From all walks of life. Many families. I felt our tax dollars were well spent. First time I have felt that way about anything involving government spending in years.

I stopped at Macy’s on the way back. Only one and a half blocks from the hotel. A huge building. A whole block long. As big if not bigger than New York’s.

I bought a pair of new boat shoes.

Stopped for lunch at what appeared to be an attractive sandwich shop. It was. The food good.

The bed was my next attraction. I was beat and it was only 5 o’clock. Watched the Belmont from the comfort of the bed. Palace Malice was impressive in winning. Just as Orb and Oxbow had been in the races they won.

John from Jersey is a loyal blog reader. We have never met. But  through blogging we have become friends. John comments frequently.

John suggested I dine at the Old Ebbett Grill. Recommended it highly. The Old Ebbett is touted as Washington’s oldest dining salon. Began business in 1856.

The Old Ebbett was conveniently located. One and a half blocks from my hotel and steps from the White House.

I called too late for a reservation. I could not be seated till 10. I intended to be in bed asleep by that time.

Instead, I opted to visit the Marriott Bar once again. I ate at the bar just as I do in Key West. Crab cakes and calamari. As I was finishing and enjoying one drink too many, two young ladies sat next to me. I was honored. There were other empty seats available. Both no more than 25.

We chatted. One thought I was a grouch. I probably was. I was tired and ready for bed. Her comments were made pleasantly and appeared not intended to insult.

I gave the ladies my best smile and talked with them a while.

They both work in conjunction with Georgetown University in arranging medical conferences. All over the world. Yesterday afternoon a week long conference at the Marriott had concluded. Surgical Abdominal Reconstruction. They were partying after a long week’s work. I begged off when they asked me to join them. Thirty years ago…..perhaps.

Enough. I have to shower and be on my way.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

I HAVE NEVER SEEN POLICE CHEERED

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I have never seen police cheered. Watertown last night was a first. Even during 9/11 there was not a similar reaction.

The only other time I can recall cheering in the streets similar to last night was in World War II.  On VE Day and VJ Day. My recollection is clear of people pouring out of their homes and cheering in the streets. Not for police, but for the event. The cheering was the same however.

I thought my back was getting better. Ergo, I did not take the pain pill last night that helps me sleep. I apparently needed it. I did not fall asleep till 4 this morning.

I am trying to get off the pain killers. It may not be time yet. I hurt this morning.

My back kept me in last night once more. Hopefully, I will be into Key West tonight. I think a couple of gins would help better than anything else. Another reason I am getting off the pain killers.

Key West weather continues to be perfect. Mid 80s by day. A clear sky. A slight breeze. And humid. Not bad yet. Need air conditioning, however. I am doing this blog at the kitchen counter with the doors to the deck and ocean open. It is 8:45. The temperature in my kitchen is 81 degrees. I fight air conditioning.

Today is Earth Day. Big doings in the Keys. Turtles getting a big play. Many children’s activities involving turtles. There are beach clean-ups planned and a mediation walk at Higgs Beach in addition.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour went well yesterday morning. I sat in pain. Did the show in pain. I do not know if it was obvious.

Viewers commented most about designer vaginas and tittoos. The last word is spelled correctly.

Yesterday’s show is being rerun by the television studio today at 4:30. If you missed it yesterday, you might want to watch it today. You will be able then to get the full flavor. The show is also being rerun sunday at 3 and wednesday at 6. Via television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour is now also You Tubed. The You Tube show runs one week behind. However, they are all there.

Whew! Glad I have finished. My back continues to bother me. I am off to bed.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

DON’T SIT UNDER THE APPLE TREE

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Weather change in Key West can be dramatic. Just like that.

I woke two hours ago. The sun was shining. Little breeze. Everything calm. The start of another 80 degree day.

I stayed in bed an additional two hours. Got hooked on an old movie starring Mario Lanza and Katheryn Grayson. Great singing! When I got up again, the weather had changed. Dramatically!

The wind was blowing at least 30 miles per hour. The sky was laden with black clouds. The wind off the ocean was cool and made everything on land cool. White caps on the water.

The surprise will probably have left us in an hour. That is the way it is in the keys. Someone sneezes hard and the weather turns. The weather blows its nose and everything is back to normal.

Patty Andrews died yesterday. Ninety four. She was one of the Andrew Sisters. A singing trio from World War II days. Patty was the last of the Andrew Sisters.

One of their contributions to the war effort was participating in war bond drives. In order to raise money to conduct the war, the US government sold war bonds for $17.50 which were redeemable after 10 years for $25. Everyone purchased war bonds.

It was 1943 or 1944. I was 8 or 9 years old. The Andrew Sisters were appearing in downtown Utica as part of a war bond drive. My friends and I rode our bicycles to the event. The street was mobbed in four directions in front of the Savings Bank. The Andrew Sisters sang. Songs like Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and Rum and Coca Cola. The crowd listened and then many rushed up to purchase war bonds.

The Savings Bank had a huge chain link fence around it. The links were at least 4 inches and thick as your thumb. It was announced as part of the war bond drive that day that the Savings Bank was donating their chain link fence to the war drive. A big deal! The US needed metal from where ever it could get it to make guns and ships, etc.

A passing thought. We used to pay for our wars on a pay as you go basis. Not like the last two wars that were not financed in any fashion. Wars don’t come cheap. The unfinanced two wars are part of today’s national debt.

May Patty Andrews rest in peace.

I had to grocery shop again yesterday. I needed more. I  bought more. More than the day before.

Spent a few hours afterwards at home writing. Finished a short story I have been working on. A Daughter of the American Revolution. I have written several others. I intend at some point this year to publish them. I promise.

I fine tuned tomorrow’s Key West Lou Legal Hour. Added additional topics like the prostitute who was not too bright, the Vienna Museum’s Naked Men show, the Battle Hymn of the Republic, a bit about Trygve Lie who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations, and David Letterman.

With all due modesty, it is a good show! Join me. You will find the comments made interesting and in some instances provocative.

The show is aired on television from Key West to Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. It is also available world wide on the internet. www.tvchannel19.com. Ten in the morning my time.

I babysat at dinner time. Robert and Ally performed for Poppa their parts as munchkins in the coming Wizard of Oz presentation. Ally skipped. Robert recited his 25 lines. He already has them down pat.

Then it was off to Don’s Place. Billy was intensely watching TV at the bar. Don, Tom, David, and Herschel were at the end.

Don’s grandson is in the Wizard, also. He is a clown munchkin. We will be two proud grandfathers at the event.

We talked about our beloved friend Frankie the Plumber. He is still recovering from big time heart surgery.

Larry Smith also occupied our conversation. He is having a terrific show next monday and tuesday at the Pier House’s Wine Galley. Entertainers coming in from all over the United States. I am going with Don, Steph, and Erika. Erika is my date. Her husband Herschel cannot attend.

Enjoy your day!

 

JAPAN SURRENDERS ENDING WORLD WAR II

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A simple day yesterday. Some doctoring and writing. A lot of TV watching…..the Presidential race is heating up.

Had my echo cardiogram test at the hospital. Kelley the technician. We chatted through out the procedure.

I will know no results till next week when I meet with the cardiologist.

This morning a stress test.

Arnold Horshach died. The name sounds like it came out of a Smuckers ad.

Horshach was the TV character name of Ron Palillo. The TV show was Welcome Back Kotter. A hit in the mid 1970s. Horshach was a nerd. Talked funny.

The star of Kotter was a young John Travolta. It was Travolta’s introduction to stardom.

Travolta played a cocky italian-American. Black leather jacket, black pants. The collar always up on the leather jacket. Travolta was the leader of the gang. The gang included Horshach/Palillo.

Today is a most important day in history. It marks the end of World War II. The day is also known as VJ Day. The day Japan surrendered.

Everyone went crazy that day. I was a young 10 year old. I recall that as soon as the news broke over the radio, people poured out onto their porches and the streets. Yelling and screaming. Crying. Waving the flag. Hugging asnd kissing.

My eyes fill with tears as I recollect the moment.

It was the second war to end all wars. World War I was the first. What a joke!

I have to get ready for my early morning stress test.

Enjoy your day!

DAY 21

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Today could be the most significant day in history since the close of World War II. The Greek elections are being held.

The issue boils down to whether the Greeks want to continue operating with the euro as money or would they prefer a return to the drachma. I have talked with many since I arrived in Greece. I am getting divergent opinions.

Yes, I saw grown men and women spit on the ground when they heard Merkle’s name at a protest rally in Athens. That is not all of it however. I have found the bankers and very affluent support continuing with the euros. Why not. They are doing terrific under it. Making money!.

Then there are the small businessmen. They are struggling. They want a return to the drachma like yesterday. They also want out of the European Union.

Then come the people. The Jims and Janes on the streets. Those going to work every day to put food on the table. They feel the oppression of the euro. But I suspect they will not vote in large numbers. They claim it is too late. The Mafia is controlling everything.

I find it surprising that people still revert to the Italian wrongdoers of old to blame. I think they do not really mean Mafia per se. What I sense is that they believe that government has been bought by big business. Believing that, I suspect most will not vote. Simply because they believe their votes will mean nothing. The banks and big business will control in the end no matter who wins.

Sense a similarity with the USA?

Germany could ease the pressure. Germany is making money with the euro. Germany has become in effect the banker for the rest of the euro nations. Which includes Greece.

Germans as a people tend to be anal. Black and white. By the book. Greeks on the other hand go with the flow. They take everything in stride. Are not as serious about things as they probably should be. Like money.

Germany is in a position of power. The third time they have so been in less than 100 years. The Kaiser in 1914 and Hitler in l939 were two instances. Germany felt it was omnipotent. Two world wars resulted.

This Germany/Greece thing is a war that is erupting. Except this time it is with money instead of bullets. Each can have a devastating effect. This euro thing can result in a world wide recession of a sort never before experienced.

I have a suspicion. It is based on what I have experienced and read over the past three weeks. I believe the euro people will win. Why? Because they will vote. They are doing well as indicated hereinbefore under the euro. The people on the street appear to have already given up. They will not turn out in the numbers necessary to throw out the euro and return to the drachma.

I cannot wait till later tonight to see if I have called this correctly.

The trip caught up with me yesterday. I have been at this three weeks. All of a sudden I was tired. Dead tired.

I walked into town and had lunch. Something I have not done since arriving. I then sat in the shade at the sidewalk cafe where I had lunched and watched the world walk by.

Eventually, I got back to my hotel. And my bed. I slept the afternoon away.

I was still tired when I woke. Opted to remain at my hotel and dine in its dining room. Glad I did. A great meal! The service unusually spectacular. I am staying at a small hotel. I have gotten to know everyone. This was the first time they had the opportunity to show me what they could do. They wanted to show me, to please me.

And please me they did! I won’t go through all the specifics, except to relate that the meal was heavy with tomatoes, olives, cheeses and oil. Dessert was a Greek chremboule. Two gins. Beefeater. One of the few places in Mykonos that stocks it. And a shot of something after dinner on the house.

I could not thank them enough.

I was up and out early this morning. Needed a manicure and pedicure desperately. The last ones were more than 3 weeks ago.

I had to walk up the highway about a quarter of a mile. A beautiful salon for nails and massages in a small strip mall. I was their first customer. Everyone sitting around. Ergo, I had three ladies working on me at one time. One on the toes and the other two each had a hand a piece.

A good job! I was pleased.

I asked them if they had voted. They said no. I asked if they were going to vote. They said no. Why, I asked. Mafia!

Not a bright response, but that is the way it is. Again, I have heard that same response many times over the past three weeks.

Now for the fun part of this morning.

I got hit by a car.

There are no sidewalks. The driving lanes are narrow. Drivers speed constantly. The only place for pedestrian traffic is on the edges of the road.

I was in an area that had a three foot stone wall running on both sides of the highway. Between the road edge and the wall was two feet. No more.

I was casually walking down the road against traffic. Staying in my little two feet. All of a sudden this guy came around a curve. There was no oncoming traffic. He had a good fifty feet after the curve to see me. He never tried to avoid me. He clipped my right arm with his passenger door mirror. I went flying over the wall. I looked up to see the car speed away. The driver had to feel the impact and hear its sound. The thud was loud.

I was concerned. The last thing I want is to be sick in a foreign country. There was no one around who saw or could help me. I eventually got up. My right arm beneath the elbow was sore. As was the right side of my neck.

I walked back to my hotel with no difficulty. It has been about two hours since the event and all I am experiencing is pain in the two areas I complained about. I lucked out.

So far on this trip I have survived three earthquakes and one auto accident.

I still have three weeks to go.

A beach day again today. Paradise Beach. The one two days ago was Super Paradise Beach. Two separate beaches. One old, one new. I am going to the older one today.

Enjoy your day! And be careful as you walk.

DAY 9

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I SCREWED UP. LOST TWO THIRDS OF THIS BLOG. CANNOT RECREATE NOW. HAVE TO RUN. WILL PICK EVERYTHING UP TOMORROW.

…kitchen at one end. Tables covering the rest. Nothing fancy. Very basic, except again for the view and food.

It is a fish place. Very fresh fish. You are taken into the kitchen to select your own fish. Everything is explained including weight. everything is charged by the pound.

I had scorpion and boiled potatoes. A meal to die for!

Never had nor heard of Scorpion before. A fat red fish. Fire engine red. Big eyes. Ugly. The waiter told me it would be delicious. It was.

The boiled potatoes. Oh, so good! Sliced about 1/4 inch thick. Covered with oil and lemon.

Two appetizers before. Three gins for me. Two wines for my companion.

The bill was less than $50 American money. I was not charged for the three gins and two wines. The appetizers were on the house, also. The owner’s daughter came over to tell us of the house’s generosity and encourage us to return.

The Greeks are worried about the economy. Just as Key Westers were a few years ago. They are doing everything to be hospitable and encourage return business. Tourism is their only industry.

In the few days I have been here, I have noticed that everyone, tourists and locals alike, dress sloppy. More sloppy than Key West visitors. I am getting into it. Not a bad way to live. Not to worry about one’s appearance.

I have been asking around how the economic crisis is affecting business on Santorini. The response is the same from all. It is not, except for the German tourists. Two years ago, the German tourists were openly blaming the Greeks for the euro crisis. The Greeks on Santorini got fed up with their attitude. Told the Germans in effect to shove it. The Greeks here developed the same mental frame as the early Texans….Don’t thread on us!

The aforementioned situation resulted in a resurgence of World War II ill will. Apparently the Germans committed many atrocities while occupying Greece.

The two events have resulted in few, if any, German tourists. And the Greeks do not care!

There is something happening here. You can feel it. I refer to the economic/euro crisis. It is a tinderbox waiting to ignite.

There are two major problems in the world today. One is Iran. A military problem. The other the euro crisis which I fear might explode here in Greece. If it does, it will be like the volcano explosion 3,500 years ago.

I received bad news this morning. Jenna e-mailed me that Courtney Aman died. Courtney was my trainer. A good guy. A good liver. He was only 50ish. Muscle bound. Worked out, lifted weights, trained, ran, ate properly, did not smoke or drink. Shows you what good living will do for you.

I liked Courtney. We got along well. Attended a few parties together. He was a Key West fixture. He will be missed.

Enough for now. I am getting a manicure in 15 minutes.

What a life!

Enjoy your day!