ROBERT / SUNSET KEY

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Today’s Key West Citizen gives rise to my first two comments this morning.

My grandson Robert just turned 12 years old. He is in the sixth grade at Montessori. A piece of his art work is on the front page of today’s Citizen in the upper left corner under Weather.

My first reaction to the painting was Robert paints much better than that.

I read the caption underneath. Robert Malcom….. Montessori Charter School….. First grade. My Robert? Robert is not in the first grade.

Did some quick digging. Turns out the painting is by my Robert. Done by him when he was in the first grade and published by the Citizen at that time. Something like six years ago.

The Citizen appears to recycle these paintings. They rerun them over the years.

A small painting in a small corner by a small person. Would it not be better if the Citizen ran the children’s current art work? A small thing to ask for the small people.

Staying with the Citizen, I learned something interesting from its Today In History section.

I always thought Sunset Key got its beginnings many years ago as a garbage dump. I was wrong. The Citizen set forth the correct story this morning.

In 1965, Key West’s main shipping channel was dredged. What to do with the fill? 1.1 million cubic yards of the fill were dumped where Sunset Key sits today. Created a 30 acre island. Which years later become the beautiful Sunset Key.

Spent yesterday afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column. To Bee or Not To Bee. Not Shakespeare. Rather, the story of bees in warfare. Hits the stands wednesday.

Last night, Tavern ‘n Town. Expected an all alone evening. Had my newspapers.

Turned out to be a lovely evening. Most enjoyable. A not alone one. Victoria sat next to me at the bar. Never met her before. However, we engaged in an evening of interesting fun filled chatter.

Victoria is a local. Works for PayChex. Has worked for PayChex a long time. She was celebrating her birthday.

We talked of Greece (where she has visited), travel, and Key West relationships.

A good evening.

News! Tropic Cinema will soon be showing first run movies. A big deal for Tropic Cinema.

How does the song go? The weather outside is frightful…..

Not here in Key West. Sunny all day. Temperatures in the mid to high 80s. Even humidity. The humidity showed up about a week ago. It will probably remain. Key West’s summer has begun.

Enjoy your day!

FRIDAY THE 13th

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Friday the 13th. A good day to stay in bed!

The day is the most superstitious day of the year. An ill omen permeates the day. An unlucky 24 hours. So it is believed.

Why friday the 13th? Two reasons. Jesus died on a friday. Thirteen persons had dinner at the Last Supper the night before.

So feared, during the Middle Ages no weddings were held on the day. Nor did many begin a journey.

Americans paid no attention to friday the 13th till the early 1900’s. In 1907, Thomas W. Lawson wrote a popular novel. Friday The Thirteenth. The boom disseminated the superstition big time.

Not all nations pay attention to the day as a superstitious one. Spain, Greece and Italy do with a variation or two.

Spain and Greece fear tuesday the 13th. Not friday. Italians, friday the 17th. Italians consider the 13th a lucky day.

Paraskeoidekatriaphobia. Big word. Too big even for the national spelling bee. It is the official name for fear of friday the 13th. Of Greek derivation.

A wonderful day yesterday!

As one gets older, the body becomes a garden. Things grow. Different shapes and sizes. Different colors. Some could become dangerous if not removed. All must be removed. The growths cannot be tested unless removed and sent to a lab.

My growth factor  is substantial. Yesterday, I had 28 removed. All on my face and head. They didn’t look bad till the doctor started snipping away. I looked beautiful afterwards. Ugh! Will continue to look beautiful for a week. It will take that long for the wounds to clear up.

Under the circumstances, I did not go out last night. A lot of oozing. Tonight, I will be out and about. All 28 spots covered with Vaseline. No one will love me.

My home town Utica, NY experienced an early summer yesterday. The temperature hit 80.  A cold wave coming in. It will arrive in the next few days. Probably down into the 50’s.

Sex perversity knows no bounds. We know it goes on. Sometimes however we are shocked where it is discovered/exists.

A part time Arkansas judge for 30 years recently resigned his judgeship. Following investigation. He was giving reduced sentences to young men in exchange for sexual favors. Generally done at his home. He liked to take suggestive photos. There are thousands of them. Sometimes, he paid the boys. By check. Investigators have the checks.

The judge even did it one time in open court. He had the boy show his back end. The judge photographed  him. Then dismissed the case against the boy.

I cannot understand why it took 30 years to discover what the judge was doing. Where were court staff and attorneys? Many had to be aware and said nothing.

This blog is carried on a dozen different sites. A new one was just added. Tumblr. The blog can be found at .keywestlou.tumblr.com/

I am not suggesting you change the site you are presently using. I merely wanted to reflect the growing nature of the blog.

Enjoy your day!

 

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

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I enjoyed a cheeseburger in paradise experience yesterday. Before elaborating, a conflict requires explanation.

I have always been under the impression Jimmy Buffett wrote Cheeseburger in Paradise at a drug store once located on the corner of Simonton and United. An old time drug store. A bar with stools that swiveled. Several tables with old time rubber checkered tablecloths.

Buffett enjoyed cheeseburger lunches there. I did, also. Years later, of course. The cheeseburgers were good. I went however for the Buffett memory.

Recently, I was advised that Buffett did not write the song at or about the drug store. Rather, Buffett was on a Caribbean cruise and only had canned vegetables and peanut butter to eat. He dreamed of a cheeseburger. The first island stopped at, Buffett got himself a cheeseburger. Cheeseburger in paradise!

I do not buy the Caribbean story. I have never heard any other than the drug store one for 25 years.

Which brings me to why I am writing about Cheeseburger in Paradise this morning.

I started my evening yesterday at Aqua’s back bar. Mark Watson and friends.

Then decided to take a walk on Duval. Just a couple of blocks. Walked past Margaritaville. Stopped. Why not go in? In 26 years in Key West, I have only been inside twice.

Sat at the bar. Ordered a cheeseburger, of course.

Seated next to me were Dan and Anna from Grand Rapids, Michigan. We chatted. About Flint water, Michigan’s governor, and many other things.

Dan and Anna are around 70. Retired. Children gone. Seeing the world now.

Dan was involved in the manufacture of furniture. I learned that Grand Rapids is known as the Furniture City. Anna, a retired kindergarten teacher.

A good time.

My morning began with the anti-gravity treadmill. I cut everything back another 50 percent. Even time. Only on the machine 15 minutes. Learned something. I went back to my big time speed too soon. I have to crawl before walking. I was not tired at all afterwards nor any time during the day.

Then a Cuban cheese toast and Cuban coffee at the Cuban Coffee Queen.

It took forever to place my order.

There were two couples placing their order in front of me. Probably my age. They only wanted coffee. They asked the counter girl every conceivable question about each of the coffees. Then the sweeteners. What would she recommend? Finally, one guy and one woman walked away and left the completion of the order to the other two.

Came time to pay. Counter girl gave them the check. Oh no, we want separate checks!

Fortunately, I was in good humor. Actually found the whole thing interesting.

I have to compliment the counter girl. Took it all in stride with a never ending smile.

Not the end of the story.

When all four were seated at their table, the ladies took four subs out of their bags. Subs they obviously had purchased elsewhere.

Several years ago, the DC Madam was arrested. Her list of 800 plus prominent Washington big wigs confiscated. Louisiana Senator David Vitter’s name was on the list. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President at the time.  That was the end of that. Though he was reelected to the Senate by Louisiana a couple of years later.

Recently, someone went to court to have the entire customer list released for public viewing. The reason being there were names thereon of persons possible candidates for the 2016 Presidential election.

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the request to release the names. Without opinion.

Greece, my Greece! I love Greece!

Greece has had and continues to have big time financial problems. Greece had to be bailed out by the Eurounion. What was unknown at the time was that the bailout dollars were required to meet bank obligations. Shades of the U.S. We bailed the banks out directly.

A study was released last week showing that 95 percent of the monies loaned went to pay off Greece’s bank obligations. Only 5 percent to help the Greek people in crisis.

I spoke to this in a blog last year. Also, on my blog talk radio show.

Many say Greece placed itself in the debt position. So screw them! All must agree with me however that the Eurounion arranging for the multi-billion dollar loans was only to save the European banks’ asses. Not help the Greek people.

Enjoy your day!

LAZY LUNCH AT LOUIE’S BACKYARD

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Lunch yesterday could not have been better! Lazy and long. Great company. Excellent food.

Donna, Terri and Louis at Louie’s Backyard. We lunched as one. Too many bloody marys, followed by Maine lobster rolls.

It was catch up time. We have not been together in at least three years.

My lesbian wives are returning. In six weeks they will be back in Key West. Forever.

They have already rented a lovely condo near Salute’s. Two blocks off the ocean.

My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night.

I stayed away from politics. The primaries are crushing.

I mentioned Venezuela’s Maduro had shortened the public employee work week two weeks ago to four days a week. Not enough electric power.

This morning a news flash popped up on the internet. Maduro has further slashed the work week to two days. No bargain. The employees only get paid for two days.

Maduro says it is because of a drought which is affecting water necessary to produce electricity. A crock. It is because Maduro has not spent monies to keep the dam and electrical system in good shape. Everything is falling apart.

Shades of what could happen to our infrastructure.

Keep in mind that Maduro’s first debacle was running out of toilet paper four years ago. Still not enough toilet paper.

I share this item with you, also. I got into government waste again. Congress authorized and the President approved $600 million to boost the Afghanistan economy.

Part of the money went to transport nine blond male goats to Afghanistan. Female goats were waiting in Afghanistan. Purpose to help the wool cashmere business.

Monies also went to build a laboratory to certify that the wool cashmere was the best ever. The scenario was to produce 350 jobs.

There is no record of monies spent. Where the money went, etc. unknown.  There also is no cashmere business. It is suspected the Afghans ate the nine goats. Could be. Goats are the number one dish in Afghanistan.

Manatees in the news. Tomo-Belle is a female manatee that has been under observation since 1993. She recently gave birth to twins. Tomo-Belle and her two calves were seen swimming this past week in a Siesta Key canal.

The shame of it all. On this day in 1867, John Milton was blind and broke. He sold his copyright of Paradise Lost for ten pounds.

Greece has a special place in my heart. When in Athens, I stayed at the Grande Bretagne. The finest hotel I have ever spent time at anywhere in the world.

I recall one of the staff telling me that the Germans used the Hotel for their headquarters during World War II. I thought at the time and still do, a shame!

On this day in 1941, the German Army ended Greek resistance throughout Greece. Except for Crete. Fifteen thousand seven hundred Greeks died defending their homeland.

The Cretes would not give up. They fought the Germans forever. Ultimately, they too were overcome.

My KONK Life column this week is Lincoln: Nomination and Election. Hits the stands today.

Wednesday! Love wednesdays! Wednesday is my screw off day. I write almost full time saturday through tuesday. Wednesday is the start of my weekend. My friday.

Enjoy your day!

THE SQUEAKY WHEEL

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It is time again! For the handful of righteous to complain about Fantasy Fest. Specifically, the nudity. More hearings. Press attention.

The group is a squeaky wheel. Receives more attention than deserved.

Fantasy Fest is an adult party. If the nudity offends, stay away!

Dinner at La Trattoria by the Ocean last night. Food good. Food always good over the years.

I tried Open Table to make a reservation. For 7 o’clock. Received a confirmation. Arrived at 7. The hostess told me my table was still occupied. I asked how long a wait. She did not know.

She had already noted I had an Open Table reservation. I reminded her of that fact. Give me any table. She said the next one. I told her I would be at the bar.

Forty five minutes and two drinks later, I returned to her. Asked pleasantly when I should start complaining? About what, she asked. I told her and reminded her of our earlier conversation. She remembered neither me nor the reservation.

She told me my Open Table reservation showed a no show/cancellation.

Politely, I said just give me a table. She looked up and said, Oh, I see one over there.

Ordered. A century later, still no food. A long wait. No drinks, either.

I do not know whose fault it was. I suspect the hostess. I was there on time. She probably failed to click some part of the Open Table program..

Anti-gravity treadmill in the morning. Research in the afternoon. Next week’s KONK Life column will tell the story of a female pirate.

US 1 and Northern Boulevard are both dangerous travel lanes. An accident slows down traffic and sometimes causes delays of 3-4 hours.

A three car crash occurred on US 1 yesterday. On Niles Channel Bridge. Minimum injuries, fortunately. Police directed traffic over one lane for two hours. During that time, traffic was backed up 8-10 miles in both directions.

An interesting fact. Locals do not seem disturbed when delays occur. An accepted part of the Key West life style.

Harry Truman. Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman. Visited our island 11 separate times for a total of 175 days.

In 1953 after leaving office, Truman decided to tale a family vacation to Honolulu. Wife Bess and daughter Margaret joined him. A Kansas City newspaper made it sound like a desertion of Key West.

Nothing farther from the truth. Truman returned several times to Key West after he left the Presidency. Stayed at a private residence those times.

Commercial air travel was not yet in vogue. It was a train from Kansas City to San Francisco. Then a boat to Honolulu. The Union Pacific Railroad and the liner President Cleveland.

Truman had been to Honolulu one time before. On his trip to Wake Island to chastise General Douglas MacArthur. When he landed in Honolulu, he refused a flower lei. Said it was not appropriate for a President to wear. On the later trip no longer being President, he accepted the lei.

The Catholic Church has screwed things up more than once over the years. Religion in general has.

On this day in 1633, Galileo made his first appearance before the Roman Inquisition. He was charged with heresy for advocating the earth revolved around the sun and not vice versa. The Catholic Church disagreed. The Church claimed the earth and not the sun was the center of the universe.

My problem is not with the Church’s ignorance. It is why the Church was even involved in an astronomical/scientific issue. One that had nothing to do with saving souls.

Greece, my Greece. Poverty and hard times still abound.

The Eurounion imposed a new and more severe austerity program on Greece last year. Since that time, farmers have had their social security payments tripled and their taxes doubled.

Last month, the farmers protested. In Athens. Eight hundred strong. Drove their tractors into town and blocked a main thoroughfare. A demonstration followed. Soon a battle between farmers and police. The farmers defended themselves against the police with tomatoes and shepherd’s crocks.

Question: Why was this scenario not reported to us by the media? I have no recollection of reporting or discussion.

If I am correct, it is further proof that the news we receive is selective in nature. I blame the corporations owning the various news media. They call the shots.

Enjoy your day!

NO BLOG TODAY

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No blog today. I have poison in my pen. Better I write nothing at all.

U.S. WAR READY?

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Poker Run 2015 is over. Most of the bikers left Key West yesterday afternoon. Roaring. In greater numbers than they came in. As many as 40 at a time.

Those who did not leave yesterday will leave this morning. The roar again.

A successful weekend. No trouble. The bikers not a problem. Bars had to do a big business.

I spent many hours yesterday writing this week’s KONK Life column. It publishes wednesday. The column took unusually long to write. Details. The title: U.S. War Ready? I strongly suggest you read it. Not necessarily for pleasure. For information you may not otherwise be aware.

Roostica for dinner. Spaghetti with meatballs, sausage, and pork. Just like my Grandmother made!

Olga waited on me. Obvious she is from another land. She has an accent. Business was slow. We had a chance to talk.

I was interested in where she came from and details of life there. Olga was born and raised in the old Soviet Union and then under whatever the name of her free country. I could not catch the name. It was not familiar.

Her homeland is far to the east in Russia. Near the Chinese border.

We talked of education. Interesting. Most stories similar to Flora’s. Some different.

Olga loves the USA!

The New York Times carries a shocking front page news release this morning. Afghan village commanders have sex slaves they keep handcuffed to their beds. Young boys. Apparently part of Afghan tradition. Called bacha bazi.

American soldiers could hear the boys screaming at night. They were told not to pay attention nor interfere. It was part of Afghan custom and to be tolerated.

What the hell are we doing over there? Their ways are thousands of years old. We will change nothing.

Pope Francis arrives tomorrow. He will speak at some point to a joint session of Congress. Some Republicans are complaining. and not with the respect the Catholic leader is entitled to.

The complaining Republicans think the Pope is too liberal. He believes in climate change, equality of pay, is opposed to gun manufacturers. All social problems. All within the purview with which he should have concern. All matters Republicans prefer to ignore.

They fail to mention the Pope is anti-abortion.

Greek elections a surprise. Tsipras reelected. His Syriza Party won handily. A sign the Greeks respected his efforts in spite of the fact that he failed regarding the Eurounion debt. I am confident Tsipras will take another shot at the problem in due course. Never say die!

Oh, my Syracuse! Three consecutive wins. The true test next saturday. Against ranked LSU. The Vegas line is LSU by 24.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

GOODBYE ERIKA…..HELLO FRED

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Erika fizzled out over Cuba. No hurricane problem now for Key West. Some heavy rain and 40 mph wind gusts for two days.

We can use the rain.

One potential hurricane leaves and another enters. Fred the name of this one. Now off the coast of Africa. Where most hurricanes have their start. It will be at least 10 days before we know if Fred is going to be a problem.

The media tends to hype things. Especially the Weather Channel this morning. Makes the rain sound like a big problem.

The Weather Channel just showed a live video of Miami and the rain they were having. Heavy. Windy. Impressive. Bone dry here in Key West. We are 150 miles south of Miami.

Tavern ‘n Town’s Judy told me last night she left Key West for the first few hurricanes when she first was here. Even her furniture went with her. Nothing happened. Finally got disgusted and decided to stay for Wilma. Judy, her furniture and car, took a beating.

Spent most of yesterday researching this week’s KONK Life column. I will be writing it today. An interesting topic. Private prisons. Involved is bribery corruption involving a judge who was sentenced to 28 years, a slavery exception to the 13th amendment, chain gangs, and Wall Street banks. Publishes Wednesday.

Tavern ‘n Town last night. Bobby Nesbitt entertaining.. Bobby recently returned from a cruise gig. He leaves for Germany soon for his annual one month entertainment spree there. Including Oktoberfest.

Met Liz from Boston. Was in Miami for a business meeting. Shot down to Key West for a couple of days of fun and relaxation. Her third time here. Always stays at the Marriott Beachside. Charming. Enjoyed my time with her at the bar.

Tavern ‘n Town has two hostesses. Both beautiful. Ludmila and Moldova. Ludmilla new to the team. Every guest is greeted with a smile. All assistance provided.

The highlight of the evening involved Food & Beverage Director Dave Talpasz. Soft spoken. Unassuming. He runs an excellent shop.

Dave has been recognized for his fine work. He is the Restauranteur of the Year for all American Marriotts. Includes North and South America. I am thrilled for him. The recognition well deserved based on how he manages his responsibilities at the Marrott Beachside..

There was a large picture sitting on an easel at the entrance to Tavern ‘n Town. In it are Dave and my friend Robert Spottswood. The Marriott and the Spottswood Companies jointly operate the Marriott Beachside. The picture announces Dave’s recognition by the Marriott chain.

American Pharoah suffered his first defeat yesterday in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. American Pharoah was the Triple Crown winner this year.

American Pharoah got cheated. His owner should have put him out to stud after the Triple Crown victories. Instead, he got greedy. Ran him in additional races. I assume to make more money.

This morning’s news has the owner now thinking that perhaps he had gone too far. Whatever, get American Pharoah in fields of green where he can spend the rest of his days in the company of female counterparts.

Owen Labrie is the young man convicted of sex charges with a 15 year old girl. Owen a senior at a private school. He was to enter Harvard next month.

I will not bore you with the details of the sex activities. You all know. The media covered this story 110 percent. I do have an observation, however. Things have changed. When I was a high school senior back in the early 1950s, actual sex was an unattainable dream. The best a young man could hope for was to touch a girl’s breast. Outside her clothes!

Maduro is the inept President of Venezuela. First his people ran out of toilet paper. Then food. Both continue in short supply.

Immigrants are pouring over the border from Columbia to Venezuela to escape the drug wars. Maduro is pulling at his hair trying to figure out how to feed them and provide them with toilet paper.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

POOR EMILY

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The Chart Room’s Emily has a problem. An eye problem. She is in Miami having it attended to. Hurry back, Emily. The Chart Room was not the same without you last night.

My day yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Stopped steroid treatment two days ago. Back still holding up.

Went to the bank. Needed to hit the ATM.

Then to Harpoon Harry’s for lunch. Harpoon’s wednesday lunch special is a turkey meal. Like Thanksgiving. Turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. All buried in gravy.

The Chart Room last night. Mari standing in for Emily. A good locals crowd. Enjoyed myself. Finally got to see Jean Thornton. Chatted with Sheila and David. Said hello to Kevin.

Met a popular Key West local. We had never met before. Sean came to the end of the bar where I was sitting. Sean and his wife Helen own the Grand Vin. Since 1997. Wine and beer. Best known as a place to sit and sip good wine. Grand Vin is the white house with a large round porch in the 1100 block of Duval.

Sean had a good sense of humor. I enjoyed my time chatting with him.

He is off to England today. His wife Helen is English. They are attending a baptism. Sean is of one of the Protestant faiths. I, Catholic. We got into a lengthy dialogue re baptism and confession.

I was at the Chart Room to meet Grant. We were going to have a drink together and then have dinner at Hot Tin Roof. Grant never showed.

I dined at the bar at Hot Tin Roof. Quiet.

Vanessa hosted. A lovely lady. Very beautiful. A Conch.

Anna left Amorgos at 6 this morning. A nine hour ferry boat ride to Athens. Sounds horrendous. Not really. When I did it for the first time several years ago, I thought how horrible it was going to be. To the contrary, it was fine. Actually, terrific. An experience.

The ferry boat is huge. Carries 500 people plus vehicles. Top floor is what we in the U.S. call a first class lounge. In Greece, referred to as business class. Greek business class is U.S. first class. An extremely large room with all type comfortable chairs. Great food. Fine service. Huge windows. I read, slept, ate and watched the Greek isles move by.

Greece and Key West have some things in common. One is immigrants arriving by water.

A few days ago, 87 Syrians landed on my favorite island Amorgos. They were in what I would describe as a large dinghy. Escaping the war.

The immigrants were provided medical attention, showered, fed and sent off to Naxos. Naxos is an island near Amorgos I never got to. The Mayor of Naxos welcomed them. They were provided with travel documents. Necessary to get to where ever they wanted to go. Most will not remain in Greece. They have other destinations in mind. Greece has made it easy for them to get where ever. Which means, the Syrian immigrants are out of Greece in a very short time.

Wisdom involved.

My KONK Life column this week is The Stealing of America. How money has bought our elected officials. The column hit the stands yesterday. It was linked this morning to my KONK Life website.

Republican Presidential debates tonight. Starting at 5. I am a political junkie. Love it all! I will sit at home in a comfortable chair watching the debates.

Food a problem. Cup board bare again. Very. I will be shopping later this morning. Buying the usual and also some special goodies to enjoy this evening while watching the debates.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

MORE JUDY BLUME

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Great writers have found their way to Key West over the years. Judy Blume one of them. Judy calls Key West home. Still writes. Her books have sold 88 million volumes.

She is the icon of children, teen and adult fiction. Her writing personal. Especially her earliest works which were and continue to be helpful to young ladies world wide. Her books concerned issues facing young women growing up. Things like periods, birth control, and anxiety about bra size.

Her early works were censored. They were penned at a time when sex and puberty were not matters for public discussion.

Today’s Guardian carries an interesting article. Titled The Ten Best Judy Blume Quotes. I never read the Judy Blume books for young ladies. Periods and bra size were never my concern. The quotes indicate the need for what she wrote and what I missed. Missed I believe as a father. The matters she wrote about were better left to mother.

Some of the quotes set forth in The Guardian.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get married. Why would I? All it does is make you miserable.”

“Like my mother said, you can’t go back to holding hands.”

“That’s not a bad word…hate and war are bad words, but fuck isn’t.”

“Are you there God? It’s me Margaret. I just told my mother I want a bra. Please help me grow, God. You know where.”

My KONK Life column this week was published yesterday. It is carried in today’s E-Blast and has been linked to my website keywestlou.com. Titled We Lost Our Way. About screw ups which reflect our moral compass has been lost.

Greece. My Greece. Woe!

Greece is and has been since 2010 a nation under occupation. Economically. The Euro nations dictating policies and priorities. In every conceivable way. Micro managing. The noose was placed around Greece’s neck. The Euro nations led by Germany squeezed Greece tighter and tighter.

Blame not Greece alone. The Eurounion bears responsibility. It has had the governmental control of Greece in hand for five years. Things have not gotten better in that time. Worse, actually.

Enjoy your day!