HAVE A GOOD DAY

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I came across a quotable quote. I want to share it with you. Sensible……It’s a good day to have a good day.

May we all!

Daytime typical yesterday. A haircut with Lori. Followed by lunch at Sandy’s Cafe. Sandy’s has changed its name. Now, Fernandy’s.

Then a major event. I voted! A good crowd. Everyone quiet and serious.

As I was leaving, one of the clerks handed me a stickum. Said: I voted. I wore it with pride on my shirt all afternoon. I felt differently about voting this year. Perhaps because I hope we will be taking our country back.

Not wanting to run into Parrotheads again at the Chart Room, I headed directly to Blue Macaw in the evening. The place was crowded. I knew no one.

Blue Macaw has changed its Happy Hour time. During the summer, it was from 4 to 9. Now, ends at 7. By 7:30 the bar was desolate. I was all alone.

When Happy Hour ended at 9, the bar was still packed till 11.

Which way makes more money? Stop at 7 or 9. I don’t know. The proprietor must.

I read somewhere that the Casa Marina had opened a new bar. The HFM Sidecar. Peter Diamond was performing. Interested in seeing the new bar and hearing Peter sing motivated me to drive to the Casa Marina.

Was it busy! Parking lot traffic off the wall. No room for me. Where were all these people coming from? Then it dawned on me. The Casa Marina is the headquarters every year for the Parrothead Convention.

I did not think I could handle it. Went home.

Glad I did not opt to park 4 blocks away. I would have been disappointed. This morning’s paper indicates the HFM Sidebar will not open till monday night.

Andrew Gillum was in Key West yesterday morning. The Democratic candidate for Governor. He spoke on Higgs Beach behind Salute’s. Five hundred in attendance. The thrust of Gillum’s talk unity and progress.

I voted for Gillum yesterday. His opponent Donald Trump in every respect.

I missed the talk. Had to get the blog out. Seeing a candidate in person does not appear as important these days as years ago. Television brings the candidate and event to us several times during a day.

David Wolkowsky was a friend. Better stated, I was an admirer of David Wolkowsky. One of the best acquaintances made in my life time.

The November 1 edition of Keys Weekly ran an excellent article involving Jimmy Buffett and David Wolkowsky. Sarah Thomas wrote it. Titled: Streets You Know By Heart. It was actually the result of a personal interview she had with Buffett. Outstanding!

Wolkowsky is mentioned many times. Probably because he and Buffett were close friends. Wolkowsky gave Buffett his start at the Chart Room back in the late 1960’s.

The article the best I have read re the Wolkowsky/Buffett relationship. Very personal. A job well done by Sarah Thomas.

Trump the bully ranting and raving yesterday. Made it very clear that if any rocks are thrown at the soldiers he is bringing in to defend the border, the rocks will be considered rifles. The military will be authorized to shoot their guns in retaliation.

A horse’s ass! The U.S. Army not permitted to utilize weapons within U.S. borders. The law is the Posse Comitatus Act.

Suppose a kid throws a stone. Seven or eight years old. The soldier going to shot the youngster?

All madness!

A recent study by eminent scientists made an alarming report re climate change. Ocean waters are heating 60 percent faster than thought.

Key West loves Harry Truman and Harry Truman loved Key West.

On this day in 1948, Truman defeated New York Governor Thomas Dewey for the Presidency by a little more than 2 million votes.

Truman was the underdog throughout the campaign. Not expected to win. His victory a surprise.

The Chicago Tribune was so sure of a Dewey victory that it put out on the streets around midnight the next day’s paper with the bold  headline: DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.

H.V. Kaltenborn one of the country’s most respected radio commentators at the time. His voice unique. He announced late on election night: Dewey has defeated Truman.

It was a different day when everyone woke the next morning.

Truman was literally defecated upon throughout the campaign. A mere farmer, he was considered to have been  lucky to have had three years as President because of Roosevelt’s death.

Truman was a fighter. He took everyone on during the campaign.

Campaigns in those days were from the platform on the last car of a train. Truman went on an extensive campaign train trip. Became known as Truman’s “whistle stop” campaign. The thrust of his campaign was that the country had some problems because of a “do nothing Congress.” The country obviously agreed.

I was at one of the whistle stops. Thirteen and in the 8th grade. Myself and two buddies rode our bicycles to the railroad station to see the President. A huge crowd. We were so far back, we could see nothing. So we did what young kids are apt to do. We rode our bikes to the rear of the train directly in front of the crowd and in front of Truman. No more than 3-4 feet from him.

I enjoyed one more experience with the election. It was 1960. I was a senior in law school at Syracuse University. Truman was at the University for 2 days for various talks.

The University arranged a private luncheon for 12 purportedly outstanding students to lunch with Truman. Twelve out of 35,000. I was selected to represent the law school.

Two round tables set for the luncheon. Name cards as to where we would sit. Mine was immediately to the right of Truman. Wow!

Following the food portion of the luncheon, Truman rose to speak. He spoke of his victory over Dewey. He was like a little kid. He still was thrilled he had whipped Dewey’s ass.

He had a copy of the Chicago Tribune and waved it for all to see. He also had a recording of H. V. Kaltenborn announcing to the world Dewey’s victory. He jokingly mimicked Kaltenborn when the recording had concluded.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

WE’VE MET THE ENEMY, AND IT’S US

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KONK Life is a local once a week publication. It has an ancillary publication. E-Blast. E-Blast publishes daily on the internet. Solely on the internet.

This morning’s E-Blast had an interesting Letter to the Editor. By Key West local Roger C. Kostmayer. A man seasoned by years, knowledgeable and frank.

The letter titled Listen to Pogo. Pogo being the famous comic strip philosopher.

Kostmayer began with two factual happenings. One that the U.S. is under attack from without by Russia and from within by Congressional Republicans. The other is that the attack has resulted in a self imposed crisis.

He concludes with a famous Pogo observation…..We’ve met the enemy, and it’s us.

Spent most of yesterday afternoon working on Growing Up Italian. My grandparents were met with a difficult world in their early years here. The anti-Italian sentiment significant.

I enjoyed a 30 minute happy interruption while working on the book. Jean Thornton called. She was taking a walk in Birmingham and decided she would like to talk with me. Just pass the time of day.

That’s Jean!

It was cold in Birmingham. High 40’s or low 50’s as we were talking. She told me the evenings were in the 20’s. And I complain when it is in the 60’s!

Jean is on a diet also. Weight Watchers. Walking part of the routine.

We covered a multitude of items. Every Key West tidbit I tried to share, Jean already knew. She has her finger on the pulse of Key West constantly.

Jean and Joe will soon be off for a three week stay in Hawaii. Return home for a few weeks. Then the big one as she describes it. A month somewhere in Europe.

I could have been out with a lovely woman last night. Instead, I declined. Wanted to watch the Syracuse/Georgia Tech game at home.

I should have gone out. Could not get the game on TV. Later in the evening, the sports news reported Syracuse lost 46-41. Not a good year!

I spent the evening reading How to Win a Fight with a Conservative by Daniel Kurtzman.

Page 179 contains a brief passage titled: The Koch Brothers, GOP Corporate Overlords. The passage concludes: “…..Republicans from every state will line up at their door to grovel at their feet and ask for campaign contributions, a practice known throughout political circles as “sucking Koch.”

I initially considered leaving the quotation out as it appeared tasteless.

Turtles are taking a beating in this cold weather. Florida waters unusually cold this year. The Marathon Turtle Hospital and similar Florida facilities bursting at the seams. An overflow. Turtles everywhere.

Marathon recently took in several more turtles. From North Florida waters. The turtles described as cold stunned. Last year, Marathon flew up to Cape Cod and returned with a large number of Cape Cod turtles that were suffering from the cold waters there.

Cold water slows a turtle’s metabolism. Making the turtles vulnerable to infections and illnesses. One of the problems associated with exposure to cold waters are tumors. Some bug/virus creates the tumors in the turtles.

The hospital stay for cold stunned turtles is generally one year. Tumor resolution the primary reason for the long stay

One of the best loved men in Key West is Joseph Lyles. Affiliated for many years with the Hot Tin Roof. His most recent position as Manager.

Joseph had back problems. Underwent an operation to correct the problems. The result not good. Still has back problems, needs a cane to get about, and cannot move swiftly.

So much for continuing as a restaurant manager.

Joseph has been reemployed. At the Casa Marina. As a concierge.

Go, Joseph! All of Key West is happy for you.

Guy de Boer just telephoned. Did you see it? What? This week’s KONK Life is out. You and Irma and Me are on the front page!

As soon as I finish the blog, I will go out and get a copy.

This morning’s Key West Citizen in its Keys History section had a piece of information regarding Ernest Hemingway. On this day in 1935, Hemingway and two friends went fishing on Hemingway’s boat. All three caught a sailfish.

An unusual occurrence.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

…..ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE

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In my other life as an attorney, I had a case where my client’s big old tree was hanging over the neighbor’s property, roots causing his driveway to heave a bit, etc.

The neighbor wanted the tree removed. The heaving driveway was a good argument. My client was destined to lose.

Counsel were standing alone before the Bench. No jury. Merely argument.

Opposing counsel made a good argument why the tree should come down. I knew before hand such would be the case.

When preparing opposing papers, I recalled Joyce Kilmer’s Trees. The closing stanza…..Poems are made by fools like me, / But only God can make a tree.

The lines were the basis of my argument. With three changes. I deleted the word “Poems” and replaced it with “Arguments.” I deleted “God” and replaced it with “Judge.” I deleted the word “make” and replaced it with “save.”

The new wording rhymed the same however…..Arguments are made by fools like me, / But only a Judge can save a tree.

I won. The tree survived. Joyce Kilmer the one who actually saved the tree.

Why Joyce Kilmer’s Trees this morning.

There is a 100 year old mahogany tree on Simonton. Across from the Gato Building. A huge branch hangs over the street. The branch has never been a problem. Until recently. The over hanging branch and a truck came into contact.

The truck had its roof ripped off. The truck the legal height. The branch illegal. Too low. No problem for 100 years. Now a problem. Cost Key West or its insurance company $9,000 for repairs to the truck.

Key West has a Tree Commission. The Commission wanted to cut the tree down. The public went crazy. Shouted a loud no!

The tree was saved. Legally it should have been cut down. However the public won out. A sign is going to be erected warning of the low hanging branch.

A popular result. One that will not prevent another accident from occurring, however. The City’s liability will then be two-fold.

The Kiss-In last night in front of the Custom House was a gigantic success. As reflected in the large front page photo in this morning’s Key West Citizen. The kissing looked good. Hundreds. Wish I could have been there. With a lady to kiss, of course.

My blog talk radio show was not aired last night. I could not connect with the broadcasting studio. Sloan tried also. She failed. We assume some technical problem at the studio end. I should know this morning. My apologies to all who tried to listen.

Had I known there would be technical difficulties, I would have been at the Kiss-In and later at Lynda Frechette’s Aqua Idol.

Dee called yesterday and invited me to Valentine’s Day dinner as her guest. The podcast show obviously interfered. We are scheduled to do it tonight. I look forward to being wined and dined by a much younger lady.

The Battleship Maine was blown up in Havana Harbor this date in 1898. Two hundred sixty American sailors killed.

In March, a U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry was held in Key West. At the newly constructed Custom House. Then a federal building.

One month later in April, the U.S. invaded Cuba. The Spanish-American War began.

Loud, proud, patriotic marching music is always tied to John Phillip Sousa.  Tunes like Stars and Stripes Forever.

Sousa and his family arrived this date in 1925 from Havana. They checked into the Casa Marina where they were to spend a few days vacationing.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

PRESIDENT CARTER’S KEYS VISITS

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Happy New Year! As with practice safe sex, practice a safe evening. Drinking and driving don’t go together tonight or any night.

Most are aware Harry Truman visited Key West many times. His favorite relaxation venue. Few are aware that Jimmy Carter has been visiting the Keys annually for years. To welcome the New Year. Also, to enjoy a vacation.

I first became aware of Carter and his wife Rosalyn’s visits some 15 years ago. I was visiting Howard Livingston at his Summerland home. He made mention that Carter was staying down the road with friends. Mentioned it to me again the next year.

Carter is here for what has become a traditional post Christmas vacation. This time with an entourage. Carter, wife Rosalyn, one grandchild, ten great grandchildren, and other family members. Some 40 people.

I doubt they are staying with friends with such a large group. However, they are somewhere in the Keys this week.

As evidenced by the story and photos of Carter and some of the great grandkids in this morning’s Key West Citizen. Carter and family were at the Marathon Turtle Hospital. He and the great grandkids helped return rehabilitated loggerhead turtle Salty to the ocean yesterday.

Orange Bowl party last night. At Sharon and Giorgi’s home.

Stan a Michigan grad. An enthusiastic one. We watched the game together in his honor.

Unfortunately, Michigan lost by one point to Florida State. 33-32. Michigan played poorly in the first half. Came roaring back in the second half. The last few minutes compared to the final minutes of a pro game.

In addition to those already mentioned, the group consisted of Donna and Bob, Karon, Matt Babich and fiancée, and Paul.

Typical separation of the sexes. The ladies watched in the living room, the men in the den.

Food outstanding! Sharon, the gracious hostess, had prepared well!

I met Paul for the first time. A retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer. We spent quite a while together. Even missed part of the second half of the game. My inquiring mind enjoyed his professional experiences. He performed his professional tasks on the ground, not from a Washington office.

I learned a lot from Paul. An interesting man. I suspect we will get together again for a longer chat.

I have avoided going out New Year’s Eve for several years. Primary problem parking. I prefer remaining home in bed watching the ball fall in New York City and Sushi in the shoe at Bourbon Street on CNN.

Four drops tonight. Sloppy Joe’s, Bourbon Street, La Te Da and the Ocean Key’s Sunset Pier. A huge crowd at each venue. Bodies pressed together. By 12:15, the crowd gone. Into the bars or home.

A fun experience. I will do it again sometime when I have transportation to and back.

Dachshund Walk at noon today. Pets dressed for the occasion. Parade begins at Monroe County Courthouse on Whitehead.

The Casa Marina Hotel opened this day in 1920. A Henry Flagler enterprise. Still standing and continues to be one of Key’s West’s most beautiful places to stay. The pool and beach atmosphere outstanding.

My daughter Lori was married on the beach some 15 years ago precisely at sunset. It was figured to the minute. The sun broke the horizon as they said their I do’s.

Followed by a black tie reception.

A memorable event.

Everything seems to suggest a kumbaya situation developing between Trump and Putin. Do not rely on it.

On December 29, 1961, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev sent a holiday message to President John Kennedy. He told Kennedy he looked forward to a threshold year. He further suggested steps be taken to liquidate centers of military danger.

Kennedy sent a cordial response. Wished the Premier a Happy New Year.

Both messages claimed cooperation one to the other in the coming year.

It was not to be.

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in October 1962. We were on the brink of war. I recall the time distinctly. I was a young practicing lawyer with a wife and four children. I feared war was forthcoming. The resolution boiled down to who would blink first, if at all. Fortunately, Khrushchev did.

What happens if Putin tests Trump? Who will blink first, if at all?

Again, a safe and happy New Year!

 

MOE’S WAY

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Moe Mosher recently died. A Key West icon. Moe was a barber and entrepreneur. One of the founders of Historic Tours of America.

Moe’s barber shop was and still is on the alley running along side Antonia’s Restaurant. Next to the Cuban Coffee House. The building best described as a small white house. Front had an area with a rocking chair and reading materials next to it. Used by many.

Key West recently recognized the contributions Moe made. It has been decreed that henceforth the alley will be called Moe’s Way. A fitting tribute.

Moe a local figure of note. Julian Bond a national figure.

Julian Bond died yesterday. He was 75. A contemporary. I recall his exploits clearly. I was a young lawyer in the 1960s when Bond came upon the scene.

Bond was black. Initially a militant in the 1960s civil rights movement. He moved over to become a leader in the non-violent movement. He was anti-Vietnam. A very unpopular war. His concern was not only that we did not belong there. It was also that most of the American soldiers fighting and dying were blacks.

He was elected a Georgia State Senator. White Georgia was shocked. The Senate refused to seat him. The reasons given were he was an interloper (he would be a black in a white political body) and a rabble rouser.

Today, Bond’s life is a respected part of American history.

A big sunday for me! Work wise. It took me from 11 in morning to 5 in the afternoon to write this week’s KONK Life column. Actual writing time with revisions, rewrites, etc. It is the rewriting that takes time. I call it polishing the article.

The six hours required even though I had spent parts of friday and saturday researching the material. A lot of data involved. The primary reason it took so long to write. I had to separate the wheat from the chaff.

I titled the article Black Lives Matter / Play Tough. It ties together the Black Lives Matter group, George Soros, the Democratic Presidential campaign, and Nixon dirty tricks. Interesting and revealing. You will enjoy reading it. The column publishes wednesday.

I was able to catch the last hour of the PGA. Great golf! Whereas 20 years ago we had one Tiger Woods, today we have several. The new guys are good because Woods raised the standard. They are meeting that standard as Woods unfortunately fades into the sunset.

Dinner last night at Roostica. Becoming a usual sunday thing for me. It is the sunday special. Spaghetti with meatballs and sausage in a thick pork sauce. Just like grandmother and mother made. Love it!

Amanda was on of the ladies taking care of me. Amanda a lovely blond. Pregnant. We talked about her pregnancy. She is thrilled! Five months. Feels good. Excited. It’s a boy. Has his second name picked. After a grandfather. Does not have a first name yet.

I have to hustle. The anti-gravity treadmill awaits.

Enjoy your day!