Catch up time. Two days of blogs in one. My comments limited to local happenings. I leave Trump and world events to another day.
The most important happening was Robert’s graduation yesterday from Montessori. In August, he will start high school.
Robert turned 14 two weeks ago. He is tall and thin, good looking. A radiating smile. Excellent student, excellent tennis player.
A good boy.
It was 14 years ago less two weeks that Robert was in Miami Children’s hospital. Within hours of being born. He had been born with cancer of the liver.
Two major surgeries the first two weeks of his life. He stands tall and healthy today anxious to move on to the next phase of his life.
God bless.
A conflict in the Malcom household yesterday. Ally’s 13th birthday. On the same day as Robert’s graduation. Ally did not like sharing HER day. She celebrates with her girl friends tomorrow night with a sleep over. The family Happy Birthday sunday following dinner.
Poppa loves you Ally. Happy Birthday!
Lets begin with thursday.
Haircut with Lori. Always a pleasant experience. Roughly seventeen years she has been my “barber.”
Followed by lunch at Sandy’s Cafe a few doors down White Street from Lori’s Blown Away.
Began thursday evening with a Meet and Greet party at Dan and Stephanie’s condo on Simonton. The candidate Greg Daniels. He is running for Utility Board Seat D.
If you live between Big Pine and Key West you can vote for Greg. He has deep utility/power experience. Close to 20 years worth.
I had only met Greg one time before. At the Chart Room several years ago. His wife Donna an accountant in Key West.
Donna is from my former home town Utica. Reason enough to vote for her husband Greg. One more reason. The most important. Both Donna and I married into the same family. Her former husband and my former wife were cousins. We survived the marriages and divorces to now live better lives in Paradise.
From the Meet and Greet, I went to the Chart Room. Glad I did! David was there! Not Chart Room David. Don’s Place’s David.
I have not seen David in several months. One of the good guys of the world. Built like and looks like Santa Claus. Has Santa’s heart. Always there to lend a helping hand.
David was at the Chart Room with his friend Robbie. They are soon off to Cozumel for a vacation. Robbie’s sister Karen was visiting and with them.
Also at the Chart Room were Phil and Nichole from Auburn, Alabama. Originally from the Chicago area.
Interesting people. Especially Phil. Phil was a banker for 25 years. Decided to change jobs. Finally did what he wanted to do from the beginning. Teach school. Took a few courses to qualify and now serves as a high school teacher.
Nichole a human relations manager.
A 52 year old homeless man ended his life thursday afternoon. He tied a rope to the railing of the Cow Key Bridge and jumped.
I think it takes more courage to kill one’s self than remain living.
Friday morning was Robert’s graduation. Two items require comment.
The event was held in the Commission Chambers of the new City Hall. Outstanding room! Worth the money! Key Westers can take pride!
The other comment concerns Trump. He complains of immigrants. He is a racist. He should have been at the graduation. Most of the graduates’ names were difficult to pronounce. Literally came from all parts of the world. As to color, tan predominated.
This is the world of today. The graduates represent America’s leaders of tomorrow. Whatever Trump may want, he cannot mold America into what he and his small band of followers might desire.
Back to Sandy’s Cafe. Convenient. Two blocks from City Hall.
At one, Emil La Voche’s funeral service at the Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea. A long name. Key West’s Catholic Church.
I only came to know Emil this past year. We met when I joined the Sons and Daughters of Italy. A quiet man. Appeared well liked by all. He led us in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each meeting.
I learned of his distinguished background only after reading his obituary. Emil spent 31 years in the U.S. Army. Retired a Lt. Colonel. Fought in Korea and Vietnam. Twice parachuted into battle.
After retiring from the military, he joined the Sheriff’s Department. Retired from that position after 25 years. Did not stop him from continuing. He followed the 25 years with another 9 helping out at the Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy.
The Church was packed. The parking lot and surrounding streets crowded with cars.
The number paying homage to Emil can best be described in one word: Respect. He was deserving of it.
A dinner party last night at Donna and Terri’s. Donna cooking, of course. What a cook! A culinary expert! The Julia Child of Key West!
George and Art were dinner guests also. George and Art have a new dog. A small black bull dog. Two weeks younger than Bear who is growing at a rapid rate. Now, huge.
The two played terrifically with each other all night. Like little kids. Best of friends.
Speaking of Julia Child, I recall seeing her kitchen when I visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History. The Museum recreated her kitchen in Cambridge, Massachusetts exactly as it was.
One housekeeping item. A screw up re my KONK Life column.
This week’s should have been The FBI of Today The Jews of Yesterday. Will not be. Last week’s column was the Right To Declare War. When it was being printed, the last 25 percent was omitted. The best part from my perspective. I described Trump and Kim’s words at the time as being who had the bigger dick.
To correct the omission, KONK Life reprinted the War Declaration article in its entirely this week. The FBI/Jews article will not appear till next week.
KONK Life also publishes for the internet its daily E-Blast. The FBI/Jews article did appear in yesterday’s E-Blast if you wish to read it early.
WordPress has begun publishing my KONK Life column on my Facebook page. You can find the article there now.
Enjoy your day!