HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

 

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!

 

HIS WORDS AND LETTERS…..SPECIAL

Two years ago, I wrote an article for KONK Life involving Tennessee Williams and Frank Merlo. Merlo was the love of Williams’ life. The relationship tender and then tumultuous.

Tennessee Williams’ birthday is being celebrated this month. Many activities. One last night at Studios of Key West. His Words and Letters. Words and letters written to Williams’ closest female friend, Maria Britneva. Substantially involving the Williams/Merlo relationship.

Merlo’s influence on Williams is reflected in the fact that Williams wrote his finest works during their time together. Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Rose Tattoo, and Night of the Iguana.

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. A production well done.

Williams also wrote The Glass Menagerie. The Glass Menagerie was playing across the street at the Key West Theater while I was enjoying His Words and Letters.

Prior to the Williams’ show, I enjoyed La Concha’s happy hour while browsing the Sunday newspapers.

One of the items mentioned in yesterday’s Key West Lou video on Facebook involved outhouses. Details immaterial here. Final video comment was that Hemingway had the first indoor plumbing in Key West. Put in his home on Whitehead when he purchased it in 1931.

Bad day at Black Rock. Two basketball giants felled at the NCAA Tournament. Louisville and Duke.

So it goes

Congressional hearings begin today re Russia’s interfering in a U.S. Presidential election. Not the first time. Occurred once before. The election of 1796.

John Adams and Alexander Hamilton running for President. Great Britain and France had just concluded a war against each other. Bad feelings rampant in each country.

For some reason, U.S. support was important to each nation. John Adams, with the support of George Washington, backed Great Britain. Hamilton, France. Hamilton’s position was that France’s assistance during the Revolution mandated U.S. support.

France threatened open warfare with the United States if U.S. support was not forthcoming.

Adams was elected President. No war occurred.

I mentioned yesterday that Florida reported the screwworm problem was no more. A tried and true process had defeated the maggot type insects. The release of sterile screwworm flies. One hundred forty million since October.

Jean a female loggerhead turtle found sick in December. Taken to Marathon’s Turtle Hospital. She was impacted.

The hospital named her Jean. Cared for Jean till friday. A recovered Jean was released back into the ocean at Sombrero Beach.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF EVIDENT…..

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!