CUBA EMBASSY OPENS

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The anti-gravity treadmill has an attached TV screen. I have become addicted to The Price Is Right. Never watched the show before the treadmill. Yesterday, no Price Is Right. Instead, the available stations all carried the opening of the Cuba Embassy in Washington.

An impressive event. More so because of its significance. Another step closer in the U.S. relationship with our neighbor. I was moved the moment the Cuban and U.S. flags were raised simultaneously in front of the Embassy.

It is probably because Key West is only 90 miles from Cuba. I have a great interest in the renewal of the relationship. I wanted to write a blog marrying everyday Key West events with Cuba. I found a Cuban organization that was putting together a Cuban/U.S. blog. They only wanted Cubans or persons of Cuban extraction however. I continue looking.

Went from the treadmill to Roostica for lunch. Had a luncheon meeting. I continue to be impressed by the business Roostica does. Quality and prices have to be the main contributing factors.

Spent the afternoon researching tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. The show interesting once again. Not because of me. Rather due to events which occurred this past week. Like Warren Buffet buying a Greek island , China moving its ass, the hourly and daily cost of the Afghan war, the newest way to transport cocaine, Trump, examples of how banks control us, a United States of Europe, and more.

Join me for a quick moving half hour. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

The Chart Room first last night. Only David and me. Then to the Hot Tin Roof for a bite to eat. Four “Chart Room regulars” at the bar. I have noticed recently a fall off of regulars at the Chart Room. For example, most are at the outside bar at the Galleon friday nights.

My imagination?

Today the start of Hemingway Days. Exhibits at the Custom House and Tennessee Williams.

Today special in another way. Today marks Hemingway’s birthday.

On July 20, 1985, Mel Fisher hit the Atocha mother lode. $400 million of gold, silver and emeralds. God bless America!

One of the two divers making the find was Andy Matroci. He is still alive and kicking. He lives on Eagle Street in Key West and captains the J.B. Magruder salvage boat.

The last day of the British Open exciting. Especially the four hole playoff. Zach Johnson the winner.

Johnson moving when interviewed afterwards. A humble religious man. Thirty nine, he was not ashamed to cry. He is a first class representative for professional golf.

I overslept. Have to move my ass. A haircut appointment with Lori.

Enjoy your day!

 

CONCH REPUBLIC NAVY GETS A NEW SHIP

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Key West adding another notable to its memorabilia/tradition book.

Mel Fisher’s search/dive boat when he discovered gold, jewelry, etc. was the J. B. Magruder. The Magruder still in operation. The vessel and its crew are in Key West for Mel Fisher Days. The Conch Republic Navy is making the Magruder part of its fleet. An honor!

The Magruder is sitting in front of Schooner Wharf. Just about every event relating to Key West days of old take place at Schooner Wharf. The key location for such Key West events. Schooner Wharf one of the few remaining places evidencing the Key West flavor of days gone by.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. I have been increasing speed, incline, etc. a bit. In spite of the air conditioning, I was sweating big time by the end of the half hour.

I had some things to take care of in the Square One area. While walking on the Duval side, I noticed a Key West Aloe store. I have walked by the site many times. Never noticed it before.

Key West Aloe was started in Key West many years ago by two fine gentlemen. They sold some 15 years ago. The new owner minimized Aloe’s presence in Key West. The plant was moved to another community. The store moved several times.

Key West Aloe the best after shave lotion! No question about it. I have been using it for 25 years. I had run out. My face missed the cooling gel.

I went quickly into the store. The gel has a newly designed container. Threw me off. I bought the gel. I cannot wait to shave this morning!

Key West Aloe is an integral part of Key West history.

Lunched at Harpoon Harry’s. Packed. Wednesday the turkey dinner special. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy. Of course, I ordered it! Cost $10.

I had difficulty parking. The large public lot across the street was full. I waited a bit till someone pulled out. As I was walking to get my parking ticket, I searched the license plates. Most out of staters. Tourists still visiting.

Yesterday’s Miami Herald carried the Key West/Uber story. It is now a crime to operate one in Key West. An excellent article.

My KONK Life column this week is Illegal Human Trafficking. The title written with tongue in cheek. It is the Uber story internationally. I close with the Key West involvement.

I wrote the article sunday and e-mailed it to the publisher sunday evening. KONK Life hit the stands yesterday.

The two columns are different. I go into detail as to who is behind the company, where the financing has been coming from, why they are so successful, etc. If such interests you, read my KONK Life column. It is also available as of today on my Key West Lou website. keywestlou.com.

United Airlines computer went down yesterday. As did that of the New York Stock Exchange and Wall St. Journal. We are told merely coincidental. I am skeptical. Find it hard to believe.

Wars today are not only fought with guns. Wars are fought economically and via hacking and/or screwing up another country’s computer systems.

Coincidence or intentional?

While enjoying my oatmeal this morning, I was leafing through AARP’s magazine which I received yesterday. I am old enough to read the AARP publication.

There was a comment regarding grieving the death of a close one. The question was how long should one grieve. The answer…..As long as it takes.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

GROWING UP ITALIAN GETTING THERE

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No question the Key West summer has arrived. Proof, the humidity and rain. The humidity is heavy. Seems like August already. A bit of rain each day. Lasts five minutes. Has already rained today. Still thundering, however. Poured a few minutes ago. Through the sunshine. Everything bright with large rain drops falling. The sun reflecting off the rain drops.

Writing takes time. Book writing. I could never understand why it took authors 2-10 years to write a book. Sit down and knock it out! Does not work that way. First one must sit and write. The hardest.

Get words on paper. Express thoughts. Make sure characters intermingle properly.

Then the best part of writing from my perspective. Rewriting and polishing. A must. Takes forever.

Growing Up Italian is still a work in progress. I spent my yesterday working on it. It had been a while. I have so many experiences to share that I can see half of what I am composing will have to be cast aside. Otherwise, the book will be War and Peace in length.

So there is no misunderstanding, I am nowhere close to finishing the book. It will not take ten years. However, a year or two more would not surprise me.

Roostica for dinner. An early one. I try to eat at Roostica on tuesday night’s before my blog talk radio show. It is located close to my home.

Bobby and Michelle at the bar. Talked with Bobby a while. They have a hit with Roostica. I highly recommend the place. The food is excellent. Prices low. Drinks just as expensive as downtown, with one difference. Roostica pours a good sized drink. Downtown the drinks are measured and small.

It was sausage and peppers last night. Good!

My blog talk radio show in the evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Spent a lot of time on Greece again. The topic deserves a lot of time! What happens with Greece and the Eurounion could impact world finances. The wrong move and a deep recession could result.

Mel Fisher Days begin tomorrow. The 30th anniversary of Mel’s treasure discovery. People remember. They are still walking around. Thirty years is not that long ago. Bobby was around and participated in the excitement of those days. He knew the players. Many will be returning for the celebration. He will be partying with them.

I saw a picture of the actual salvage vessel involved. Not what I expected. I envisioned a big sail ladened vessel. The Magruder looked like a large tug boat.

It was reported yesterday that Elena Spottswood had been reappointed by Governor Scott to the Board of Trustees of the Florida Keys Community College. Good for her! Elena is a wonderful person. Warm hearted. Concerned. One of Key West’s kindest citizens.

Wednesday begins my Louis time days. I begin writing saturday afternoon. The research for the KONK Life column. I write the column on sunday. Monday is spent researching and writing for tuesday night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday is spent fine tuning the show and doing it. If I am ahead of the game and have extra time, I write. As I did yesterday re Growing Up Italian.

Sounds like work. It feels like it some times. However, love every minute of it. After tuesday night, I need a few days off. This is the first of those days. Screw off time!

Enjoy your day!