CHRISTINA OXENBERG…..PAINTS WITH WORDS

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I read Christina Oxenberg’s latest KONK column in E-Blast this morning. Her writing continues to amaze! Outstanding! She does with a keyboard what an artist does with a brush. The written words descriptive.

She wrote in today’s E-Blast about a recent visit to Big Pine. Irma struck in early September. Its mark on Big Pine still visible.

Christina’s description of the area speaks for itself. Support my position re her unique talent.

An “apocalyptic scene…..blocks with nothing but the innards of homes…..one house stands and his neighbor is obliterated…..twisters snapping tree trunks and hurling them like javelins.”

Today and tomorrow good times to visit Bayview Park. The Annual Seafood Festival sponsored by the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association.

Great eating! Do not miss!

The State of Florida went with the Confederacy, except for one small part. Key West. Key West remained with the Union. Strategically important because of Fort Taylor’s location near Key West.

The Union retained Fort Taylor because of the prompt action by one man. Captain James M. Brannan, Commandant of the Army Barracks. He marched his men to Fort Taylor and took command of the Fort.

Fluctuating weather these days in Key West. The cold spell last week. The beginning of a new cold spell today. The high today will be 71, tonight 56 (cold!). Tomorrow, worse. Sixty five by day and 58 at night. It will remain cold for several days.

Whenever it is unusually cold up north, it is cold in Key West.

There was a time I enjoyed having a woman next to me in bed for sex. These days I would be happy to have one for body heat.

I continue to believe Trump poorly treated Puerto Rico because the people are of color. Puerto Rico still trying to get out from under. It will take years.

Trump never seems to be aware of incidental ramifications that could develop because of his failures.

U.S. hospitals have an insufficient supply of medically filled bags. Saline bags, nutrient solution bags and the like. Why? Because Puerto Rican plants produced the items. Irma and Maria put the bag plants almost totally out of business. The production situation remains fragile.

The end result is American hospitals and emergency rooms are suffering. Especially in the heavy flu season being experienced. A crisis situation. There are those that will die because of the lack of the bags.

I am a fallen away Catholic. Believe in an Almighty. Question and despair at actions of the Catholic Church.

Priests and pedophilia was earth shattering for this product of a Catholic grammar school, high school, and college.

I was taught in grammar and high schools by nuns. Brown Franciscans (robes brown) and Sisters of Charity. It never dawned on me that none were black.

There were no Whoopi Goldbergs. Recall Sister Act and Sister Act 2.

A recent study reflects of the intentional failure to admit those of color to the nunnery. The Catholic Church was discriminatory.

It’s amazing. The older I get, the more I live and learn. The Church discriminating against black women before and patient dumping which follows. Also known as hospital dumping. Patients are being thrown out of hospitals because they cannot pay. I am not referring to emergency room care.

The situation came to my attention because of a patient “dumped” at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The weather cold. Thirty degrees. A 22 year old black woman wheel chaired by four security personnel to a bus stop and left. Attired only in a flimsy hospital gown and socks.

Were it not for a psychotherapist leaving his office building across the street, this incident might never have come to light. He tried to help, get the hospital personnel to take her back inside. They refused. Smartly, he recorded everything on his cell phone and then went viral with it on Facebook.

The accidental guardian angel called 911. The police came. They got the hospital to take the woman back in.

The hospital administrator accepted responsibility for the hospital. Described the incident as a failure and isolated incident.

The story initiated a series of internet stories revealing patient dumping somewhat commonplace in the United States.

An in your face reason for the U.S. adopting universal health care. Medicare for all!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

MOTHER SETON / SISTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. JOSEPH

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Houston flooded and Trump trying to build a Trump Tower during the campaign. Big news items this morning. Yet I open with Mother Seton and the Catholic nun order she began, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph.

I saw a notation this morning that on this date in 1774, Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born. The founder of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph. Returned me to the warm days of my youth. My teenage days. High school. The Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph taught me. Henceforth to be referred to as Sisters of Charity.

My high school was in Utica, NY. Stood in the back of a large lot next to St. John’s church on John Street.

The building tiny. Three stories high. The height larger than the width of the building.

Today, the school is gone. The land the school stood on a parking lot for St. John’s Church.

The heads of Sisters of Charity were capped with big white head coverings. Looked like wings. Body attire, dark blue ankle length dresses. Tied around their waists, extremely large and heavy appearing rosary beads.

The Sisters lived in an old Victorian building one block away. Today, a deserted lot.

The Sisters were excellent teachers. Disciplinarians. In teaching and personal matters. A sister would not hesitate storming into the boys’ bathroom if she thought there was smoking going on.

I got caught. On more than one occasion. Learned from one nun as she twisted my ear: The cigarette is a dirty weed and from it the Devil doth proceed.

Didn’t do much good. I still smoke.

One of the nuns had a distinct impact on my life. Sister Gertrude. A short stout elderly woman. A craggy beautiful face.

She discovered my love for history. Did everything to encourage it. She is also the reason I went to Manhattan College. She pushed Manhattan. Her cousin was a Christian Brother and Director of Athletics.

We had to study Latin. I took three years. Thought it was stupid. During my life time, I discovered those three years of Latin did more for me than any course I studied at any age.

Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born an Episcopalian. Married at 19. Became known as Elizabeth Seton. Bore 5 children. Her husband died ten years after their marriage.

Elizabeth was broke. Her husband had become ill some time before he died. Their money was gone. The family was stuck in Italy where they had gone believing the Italian weather would be good for her husband’s health.

Some Catholic Italian friends helped. She was impressed with their kindness and charity. Studied the Catholic religion. Became a Catholic.

Catholicism was neither popular nor respected in those days. Even her Episcopalian family deserted her.

Elizabeth returned to the United States. The Baltimore area. She became involved with helping the poor and needy. Especially women.

She founded the first Catholic school in the United States. Turned out to be the beginning of the parochial school system in the United States.

A group of women flocked to Elizabeth to assist her in the good works being performed. Elizabeth felt they should become an established nunnery order within the Catholic church. She pursued and accomplished the goal. Elizabeth founded the first female apostolic community in the United States. The Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph.

In 1975, the Pope recognized her commitment and success to humanity. She was ordained a Saint of the Catholic Church. The first American born to be so honored.

As to Harvey, a catastrophe of epic proportions. I am impressed, as I am sure you are, with the neighborly assistance being provided. Neighbors helping each other. Strangers helping each other.

Makes for a good feeling after Katrina. People are pitching in and helping each other rather than complaining.

The number of dead known is 3. Some say really 5. I believe the number will be much more once the waters recede and authorities are able to conduct a detailed search.

The Washington Post reported yesterday that the Trump Company was seeking to do business with Russia in late 2015 and into early 2016. Campaign time.

It is claimed the construction of a massive Trump Tower was contemplated. Purportedly, there is a letter of intent signed by investors and Trump and Company re the projected structure.

Tunney Morgan Hunsaker. What a name? His claim to fame is that he was the first person Cassius Clay fought professionally.

Hunsaker had a mixed career. Seventeen wins, fifteen losses. He went on to become a long time Police Chief for Fayetteville, West Virginia.

He and Clay remained friends their entire lives.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

HOGFISH SHORTAGE AROUND THE CORNER

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Hogfish have been overfished!

Fishing bans go into effect September 1. Limited harvest in Key West waters. Commercial fishing banned till January 1. Recreational banned in federal waters till May 1.

Local fishermen knew the ban was coming. Will affect their incomes.

Hogfish the most popular fish for eating in the Keys. Bobby Mongelli’s restaurant on Stock Island named Hogfish. I only eat hogfish when I am there.

Mongelli said he has been aware, has made efforts to obtain hogfish from other sources. Expects to run out of hogfish on occasion never the less. Prices will go up a bit. He will be paying more for the hogfish from other areas.

My podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. Covered a range of topics. Only half the show dedicated to Trump. Fifty percent too much. However, he is the news these days everyday.

Fortunately, Trump’s rally was scheduled for 10 pm my time. Got to watch all of him!

Typical campaign rhetoric. The man is not stable. I worry even more after watching him last night. He scares me and should scare you. The man who has his finger on the nuclear weapon button.

Interestingly, the Phoenix rally was the first of Trump’s 2020 Campaign. A bit early? Why? Money? Does he pay or a PAC?

The wall. I am sick of the wall. It will never be. Neither practical nor cheap. The House will never approve the spending. If the House does, it will only be a token of what is required.

Trump threatened last night to close down the government if he does not get the wall in the new budget. The wall is another Trump campaign promise that will go unfulfilled.

Key West bars come and go. Some come and never leave.

Lazy Gecko sat next door to Sloppy Joe’s for 17 years. Did a good business. Until recently when someone new bought the building. A rent hike Lazy Gecko could not afford.

Gecko out. New owner coming in. Building gutted and under renovation at the moment. Opening anticipated early in October. Bar/restaurant will be called Duval Central. Inside, Island City Stage. Top musical performers will be brought in to entertain.The desire is to turn the place into a great music venue.

I find the desire strange. The whole island is a great music venue.

Why was the Christopher Columbus statue in Baltimore sledge hammered to the ground a couple of nights ago? The statue was erected way back in 1792.

Turns out Columbus was a slaver.

He made three trips to the New World. Became involved in the slave trade on the second and third trips.

The second trip he captured and brought 1,600 West Indian natives to Spain. Many died on route. Queen Isabella kept a number to row her galleys. Some were returned.

Good bye the Columbus Day Parade in New York City.

A confusing topic. Complicated. How far back do we go in failing to honor for other deeds those associated with slavery?

Forget not George Washington. A big time slave owner. The slaves took care of Mount Vernon, helped run Washington’s whiskey distilleries. Rename Washington, D.C.? Remove Washington’s picture from the dollar bill?

There is a saving feature in Washington’s case. He ordered in his Will that all his slaves receive their freedom.

Johnson and Johnson. Many baby back ends covered with its baby powder at diaper change time.

Some women apparently have used Johnson’s baby powder their entire lives as part of feminine hygiene. Powdered their bodies including the genital area with the talcum powder following bathing.

It took a while. However, there is now the possibility the baby powder is a carcinogenic. May be causing ovarian cancer in women who have used the powder for a number of years.

Monday, a 63 year old California woman received a $417 million dollar judgment based on the scenario described.

Not the first case to come to trial. Four others. Three resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts. One thrown out by the court.

Not the type of lawsuit the public should turn its nose up to. Over 400,000 similar cases pending.

A calamity yesterday. My water was turned off for nonpayment of the bill. $28. I was without water most of the day.

In defense, I never got the bill. It went to my old address. Never got to me, even though I placed a change of address order with the Post Office back in June.

I paid the $28 bill by phone at 1. Plus a $60 turn off/turn on fine. Asked if I would be turned on before 4. Was assured even sooner.

Came 6 and I still had no water. In spite of having made several calls advising water not yet turned on. Assured man was in the area and I was next on list or he would be there shortly.

I don’t think anyone was directed to turn the water back on.

I only received proper attention just before 6. The water board was closed. A fellow named Patrick was handling the emergency desk. He had no record of me. However, he said he would have it taken care of right away. He did. Within a half hour, I had water.

My account is now on automatic pay.

Enjoy your day!

LARRY SMITH FRIDAY NIGHT

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My good friend Larry Smith has a terrific show planned for friday evening. The location is The Studios of Key West. The time 8 o’clock. The event is a history of Larry’s music, vision and friends. More than 24 musical friends are appearing with him. A guaranteed good time! Hope to see you there!

Physiotherapy yesterday morning. It’s getting easier. Still leaves me dead tired after one hour.

Around 5 yesterday afternoon, it rained. Big time! Like a monsoon or tropical storm. A very strong wind from the northwest. My palm trees were blowing every which way. The rain coming in sideways and loudly crashing into my windows facing the water.

This morning is black. A wind, though not as strong as last night. Rain is predicted for a while this morning. It is predicted all night this evening starting at 8.

I had a good time last night doing my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

I touched briefly on Baltimore. The media had it covered. There was another police story I thought worth telling. Kinloch, St. Louis County, Missouri. Kinloch is five miles from Ferguson. Population 300.

A mature motherly appearing short black woman had won the election for Mayor with 76 percent of the vote. She had been certified by the County Board of Elections. She went to her office for the first time. The entrance to City Hall was blocked by 24 police officers.

With a population of 300, I cannot believe Kinloch has that many police officers. They had to have come from adjoining communities also. The Mayor never got in. The pictures on the internet and TV showed her standing alone in front of the 24 police officers. David and Goliath.

The police and some with them told the newly elected Mayor she was going to be impeached, fraud had been involved in her election, etc. Amazing! She got 50-60 votes in winning. Understandable with only 300 residents, including children. Fraud?

This happened last week. I have not been able to ascertain the final outcome. When I do, I will share it with you.

Baltimore last night was considerably quieter than the evening before. There were a few disturbances and arrests. No buildings burned down. Everyone on TV this morning is suggesting the worst is over.

I look at it another way. Last night could very well have been the calm before another storm. Those who rioted might have strategically withdrawn to asses the situation and plan their next moves.

I hope I am wrong.

Last night’s blog talk radio show was structured to close with the story of the Oregon bakery owners who last year refused to bake a wedding cake for a same sex marriage. I spent too much time regarding Baltimore and Kinloch and never got to it.

Worth telling, however.

What I intended to share was a determination by the State re the issue. Oregon forbids discrimination by private businesses. It is illegal for a private business to refuse service based on sexual orientation. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries recently fined the couple $135,000. An expensive lesson!

I have to move. I have a manicure appointment this morning.

It is now raining. Just like last night.

Enjoy your day!

 

ERIKA BIDDLE

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Some say Schooner Wharf is the center of the universe. I describe the Chart Rome as the cross road of the world. Publix qualifies also.

A simple super market store provides people the opportunity of greeting old friends and making new ones. Yesterday provided that experience for me.

I was pushing my cart along trying to think of what I forgot. A slight and attractive woman approached me…..I know you, you are Louis Petrone.

She spoke of reading my KONK Life column and how much she enjoyed it. I asked her name. Erica Biddle, she replied. I exclaimed…..I know of you! I had heard her name many times over the years and have been a quiet admirer of her work. I was honored to meet her and told her so.

Erika takes up causes that others might not. Unpopular ones included. This tiny woman carries the pain of others on her shoulders.

I was pleased to meet Erika. I am confident we shall meet again.

Today is tuesday. Which means tonight my blog talk radio show airs. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Join me for a fast half hour of thought provoking commentary.

Topics tonight include Baltimore, apes being people, the $135,000 fine imposed on the Oregon couple who refused to bake a wedding cake for a same sex marriage, another example of police insanity in the Kinloch community five miles from Ferguson, U.S. military spending off the wall, and more.

It was the Chart Room last night. Victor bartending.

Only one other customer when I arrived. Tim from Atlanta. He is here for a convention. Tim is affiliated with a company that makes chicken packaging equipment. All those chickens need packaging!

An interesting guy. More interesting, his work.

Tim left to be replaced with Brian and Carrie. Special people. We spent much time together chatting about everything.

Brian and Carrie are vacationing in Key West from Columbus, Ohio. In my early law career, I made many trips to Columbus. Home of Nationwide, I did some work for them at the time.

I considered Columbus in the late 1960s into the 1970s cosmopolitan. A small New York. Based on what Brain and Carrie told me, it has grown and is even more so today.

Brian is a financial planner. Carrie is the business planner for the Oncology Department of a Columbus hospital.

Both are well traveled. Carrie spent three weeks in Greece at one time. That got me started. We talked about Greece quite a while. They are considering a trip to Santorini in September. Santorini is one of my favorite places. The view from my cave apartment was like seeing the face of God. Breathtaking.

This is a first time Key West visit for Brian and Carrie. They seemed to be enjoying Key West. Hopefully, they will return.

They are staying at the Fairfield on the Boulevard. I asked how they were getting around. They rented a car. However, they soon recognized parking is a problem.

Brian and Carrie have been ubering. I was not aware ubering had come to Key West. Turns out there are three ubering vehicles. Similar to a cab/limousine service. You call the company and tell them where you are. In minutes, a ubering vehicle picks you up.

My friends Rick Boettger and Cynthia Edwards have a Letter to the Editor in this morning’s Key West Citizen. Re trees and replacement trees. Excellent! Read the letter.

Key West has a Tree Commission. Key West has a commission for everything. Too many. I believe the Tree commission is one of them. The Commission has hard and fast rules. Arbitrary in most instances. If the Commision says your tree comes down, it comes down.

Baltimore and Freddie Gray. Say what you will, Gray ended up with a crushed voice box and severed spine. Police brutality has to come into play.

I do not know how we get a handle on the police killings which have become rampant across the country. I do know that violence begets violence. That is why riots are taking place in Baltimore.

Big day in the U.S. Supreme Court. It finally hears the same sex marriage issue. Whether such is Constitutional. I predict a 5-4 or 6-3 vote in favor of same sex marriage. It will be six positive votes if Chief Justice Roberts votes in the yes column. He generally leaves the conservative side of the bench in landmark cases and votes with the liberal faction.

Enjoy your day!