HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

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Happy Fourth of July!

Independence Day. The birthday of our country.

Two hundred forty two years old. It was July 4, 1776 at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia that the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

We are a young nation. Compare our age to that of European nations. Still growing. Tensions abound. The Trump era crazy and dangerous.

America celebrates. Tonight, fireworks! In Key West, off the White Street Pier.

This past week has been strange politically. Relatively quiet. We have not heard from Rudy Giuliani and other Trump cohorts who were making the news. Are they quiet because of Michael Cohen on the verge of possibly flipping?

Cohen is making noise like Trump when he wants something. He is using the media. Cohen seems to be telling the Second District he wants to jump fence and play on their side. Thus far they have not picked up on his offer.

Spent yesterday afternoon fine tuning last night’s podcast. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Thoroughly enjoyed doing the show. Covered a multitude of sins. Wish I had had more time.

Casey joined me for dinner before the show. At Roostica.

Casey and his 70′ x 30′ catamaran sit in the water off Hogfish. Casey new to Key West. Been here all of 10 days. Yesterday, he took his dingy and visited Wisteria Island. He is interested in Key West lore. The day before he went out into the Gulf a bit and did some diving.

Jennifer waited on us. It has been two years since I last saw her. She was pregnant at the time and due any day. She proudly showed me her son’s picture. Two years old. A handsome little man.

Good friends Fran and Tom Dixon have arrived. Buffalo their home. They visit four times a year. Stay at Ocean Key. Tom is on the Board.

We are doing dinner tonight. Meeting at 6 at the Chart Room. My turn to host. Probably the A&B Lobster House. Plan on calling for a reservation since today is a holiday.

Fran is concerned for me. She thinks I am not well fed. She brings me food from Buffalo. Tonight, I will receive at least 4 jars of homemade sauce containing pork, sausage and meatballs. Plus low carb bread and home made candy.

Love the woman!

You have to believe in guardian angels! God, too! Two examples evidencing why.

A few days ago, the cruise liner Norwegian Gallery was 28 miles off the northwest of Cuba. A crew member fell off the ship. His fall seen. The ship backed up and searched. Could not find him. Authorities notified. Air and sea searches proved fruitless.

The next day, the cruise ship Carnival Glory was traveling in the opposite direction. Twenty one miles off the north coast of Cuba. Saw the crew member in the water. He was rescued. In good health.

The man had been in the water 22 hours. Treading. No life jacket. Fortunately the water is warm and calm this time of year. Even more fortunate, a shark did not come upon him.

Did the man have a guardian angel? No question in my mind. God was looking after him.

A Thailand event the other example.

A 12 member soccer team and their coach got lost in a mountain gave in north Thailand. The boys 11-16.

The cave is part of a huge mountain. Full of corridors of all sizes. Some entrances small. The boys had to squeeze to get through. The team was able to get down into the heart of the mountain about one mile.

Then stuck. Water all around them. The caves have flowing water in various depths.

They could not get out. Spent 10 days in the dark and without food. Searchers and divers arrived from all over the world. A total of 1,000 looking to provide assistance. Two British divers found them over the weekend.

All basically in good health. Food, water and medical assistance provided.

At this point it is clear the kids and their coach had a special guardian angel looking over them. God directing their rescue.

The rescue is not complete however. It has been raining since the team got lost. The rainy season. Every day. The rain sometimes six inches in an hour. Cave passage ways flooding.

The team will have to swim and dive in order to get out. A mile.

None know how to swim or dive. Present plans are to teach them how to swim and dive. Then take them out. Two professional divers guiding each team person.

It is estimated the plan will take months. However so far the only way determined to get them out.

Hope the guardian angels and the good Lord stay with them.

Children detained in chain linked cages. We should be ashamed! I do not understand how Trump supporters find nothing wrong with the scenario: “They broke the law.” “They brought their children into the U.S.” “They invited what is happening to them.”

For shame!

The Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis is expressing its concern and disagreement. Statues of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus sit on the lawn of the Church in a chain linked enclosed cage.

BOB says it is a holiday. He is not writing today.

Enjoy your Fourth!

 

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF EVIDENT…..

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Happy Fourth of July! Our nation’s birthday.

Preciseness a bit lacking as to what happened on what date. Two other dates involved.

July 2nd the Declaration of Independence was signed by some members of the Constitutional Convention. John Adams initially thought the 2nd was the new country’s birthday. He wrote a letter to his wife stating such.

On July 4th, the document was presented to the Continental Congress. Presented. Not further signed.

Most of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention did not sign the Declaration of Independence till August 2nd.

Sometimes we get confused with what occurred when. For example, were Lexington and Concord before or after July 4, 1776. The shoots at Lexington and Concord were fired 445 days before.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were close social friends. However, their political philosophies were diametrically opposed.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day. July 4th, fifty years after the United States of America’s birth date.

Another President died on July 4. James Monroe five years later.

I spent yesterday afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column. It publishes wednesday. The title: Who Pays For  The Booze and Balloons? Re the national political conventions to nominate each party’s candidate for President. This year’s conventions will cost $100 million each. Where did the money come from in the past and where will it come from this year? Interesting.

Last night turned out to be one of the best I have experienced. And I have experienced a lot of good nights. It was not intended to be special in any way. Dee was taking me out for dinner. To celebrate my birthday July 6th when I shall be 81.

We dined at the bar at Tavern ‘n Town. Judy and Dee are friends.

Dee looked the best I have seen her in several years. The lady had stage 4 cancer. You would never know it. She was shinning last night.

We chatted with two couples sitting near us.

Monique and Richard. Monique works for Shriner’s Hospital. Richard is a cardiologist. Just the guy I wanted to see after this past week.

Both down from Clearwater visiting Key West.

Somewhere along the way, it got out my birthday was two days away. We had all done the where are you from thing. Me, upstate New York.

Monique did a very nice thing. She had the piano player sing New York State of Mind.

Happy birthday came a little later when Dee had a slice of cheesecake presented me with one candle on top. Everyone sang!

The other couple was Rhonda and Rob from Toronto. Three sons. No grandchildren yet. You could tell they cannot wait.

The six of us talked quite a while. Covered a multitude of subjects, including politics. Immigration and opportunity played a part in the conversation.

Good people. Enjoyed my time with them.

I happened at one point looking to my right. Down at the other end of the bar was a very attractive blond. Sharp. My glance was brief since I did not know her.

A little later, she and her husband stopped by to say congratulations. It was Lori. She cuts my hair. I go a beauty parlor for my haircuts.

Lori has been cutting my hair for 15 years. And I did not recognize her. For shame. I figured out why. She was wearing make-up. First time I had ever seen her made up. I will tell her when I see her thursday for my next haircut.

When I first started seeing Lori, I had hair. No more. It is the #1 blade for a quick go over. Receding temples have become a bald top.

First time I met Lori’s husband. Good looking. Seemed nice. They married at the Key West City Clerk’s office New Year’s eve. After living together 12 years. Their families did not know. Were upset they were not there, no bridal gown, no ceremony, etc.

The families from Maine and Long Island.

The families wanted a for real ceremony. So Lori and husband did it all over a couple of months ago here in Key West. Lori in a white gown. The ceremony at West Martello. A dinner reception thereafter.

I apologize to Lori’s husband that I cannot recall his name.

As I was leaving, Rob Di Stasi and Carmen Rodriguez wished me a happy birthday.

I never met Rob before. I have seen him playing some evenings at Tavern ‘n Town. I am glad I now know him.

Carmen Rodriguez. One of Key west’s finest entertainers. Her singing superb. Her beauty outstanding.

In  all my years in Key West, I have seen Carmen perform many times. Occasionally have passed her at the supermarket. We never talked before last night. I always wanted to know her better. I will be talking to her every time I see her from now on.

I met Bill Graham last year. He stopped by to chat. He wanted to make me aware of a 45 minute tape on the internet titled The Burned Bodies. Concerns my home town Utica.

It was a busy night! One I enjoyed very much.

Enjoy your day!

 

FOURTH OF JULY

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Fourth of July. Independence Day. Happy July 4th everyone!

Tonight big in Key West. Fireworks at the White Street Pier. A huge party at the Casa Marina. People everywhere watching the fireworks. Easy to watch from most places on the island. Standing on street corners and sitting on porches. Fun time!

The day has historical aspects, also. In addition to being celebrated as the birth of the United States.

Technically, Independence Day is not July 4. It is July 2. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence. Whereas, July 4 was the day the Declaration began to be signed. It was not signed by all that day. It took a month to get everyone’s signature.

The Founding Fathers thought July 2 would be forever celebrated as Independence Day. Somehow July 4 took on the honor.

Three Presidents in a row died on July 4.  John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two who signed the document. They both died on the same day. July 4, 1826. James Monroe is considered a Founding Father, though not a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He died on July 4, 1831.

Fantastic music and July 4 go together. Great patriotic songs. John Sousa type music. For years, it was the Boston Pops Orchestra. I looked forward to watching. The Boston Pops was knocked off national TV after 2012. The claim viewing was down 20 percent. The Boston Pops is still carried locally on TV in the Boston area, however.

The big musical TV event now is the Capitol Fourth. Full name, A Capitol Fourth. On the lawn of the Capitol. Five hundred thousand in attendance. Followed by  the best fireworks in the land.

I will be viewing the Washington show on TV. I gave up going to the scene of the Key West fireworks several years ago. Merely a mood change. I miss saying hello to friends. However, I enjoy the comfort of laying back and watching on TV from home and listening to some great music beforehand.

Dave was 65 years old yesterday. Happy birthday, Dave!

We partied at the Hot Tin Roof last night in his honor. David, his son Keith, grandson Justin, Jennifer, Don, Stan, Claire, and me. Fun time!

Ran into Rick Boettger and Cynthia Edwards at the bar earlier. Two great people. Their home the first of three places where I fell on three consecutive days. Rick and Cynthia speak out publicly re issues of public concern. Always correct. Enjoy them both!

Anna reports. Demonstrations every day in downtown Athens. Not just in front of Parliament. On the adjoining streets also. Bigger numbers than the first night. Last night 25,000 listened to Tsipras speak. A few blocks away, the other side was demonstrating. Fifteen thousand. The vote Sunday important.

Italy’s President came out the other day in favor of the Eurounion. Yesterday, leaders of the Italian far left were in Athens to support Tsipras’ government, which is a far left one also.

It was tee shirt time. Black tee shirts with OXI printed on them. OXI means No. Vote No to accepting the Eurounion’s plan.

Greek’s Nazi Party is known as Golden Dawn. Represents the far right. Golden Dawn has been quiet during the demonstrations. Beware, these neo Nazis are standing in the shadows in the event an opportunity arises to take control. Anna says that members of the Italian Nazi Party were in Athens wandering around. Known as Alba Dorata, which means Golden Door. They are in Athens supporting their Greek brothers.

Anna is presently on the plane to Santorini. I am interested to learn her observations of the situation as it exists on Santorini. Santorini is a prosperous island. I suspect its citizens will be in support of the euro and Eurounion.

Enjoy your Fourth!