WHITE MEN BEHEAD TOO

Posted on by

Saudi Arabia and most Middle East countries behead. Historically, many other countries have beheaded.

It was 1637. The place Groton, Connecticut. The Pequot Indians and settlers were not getting along. Seemed the whites were on a mission to exterminate the Pequots. Several battles occurred before the Groton one. The settlers the winners each time.

Seven hundred Pequots had gathered in Groton for a green corn dance. Dutch and English mercenaries led the settler attack. All 700 Pequots were killed. By shooting, stabbing, butchering and burning.

In the victory celebration following the battle, the Dutch and English severed heads from dead Pequot bodies. Then partied by kicking the heads through Groton streets like soccer balls.

Bocci last night. My poor team still not with it. I may have to return.

The team lost the first game 16-15. Won the second 16-15. I left. Do not know the results of the third game.

The sadness of the whole thing is that the other team is in next to last place. Don’s should have killed them!

Chickens and humans have lived in peace with each other for years in Key West. Each group ignores the other.

Recently, the Key West Fire Department was called. A tragedy in the making. Two baby chicks had fallen through a storm grate. Death inevitable if not saved.

The event not a fire. Regardless of the situation not being their responsibility, the firemen went to work and rescued the two chicks. Reflects the heart and love found in Key West.

Big evening tonight at the Custom House. The Flagler Railway Exhibit opens. KWAHS and Dr. Cori Convertino’s baby. I plan on attending.

Tom told me at bocce last night that his wife Nicky’s drawing of Henry Flagler was part of the exhibit. Congratulations, Nicky!

I live and learn. Memorial Day around the corner. American flags will be flying all over Key West. Tradition dictates the American flag is to be flown at half mast till noon.

I doubt any will be. Who knew/knows?

Trump at the G7 meeting. The NATO meeting. His speech an insult to the U.S.’s European friends. The man is tasteless!

On top of which he exhibited he cares only for himself. A narcissistic bully.

Leaders of other nations were walking down a corridor. Trump apparently was at the rear. He shoved his way forward. Pushed the President of some small country out of the way so he could be up front and in the middle. Then he buttoned his jacket and looked ahead. solemn appearing. His jaw jutting out.

Reminded me of Mussolini.

Florida’s Governor Scott recently signed a bill into law removing feminine hygiene products from the sales tax. Tampons and menstrual pads. He referred to what he did as “common sense legislation.” The items being “necessary products.”

I ask why it took so long to recognize the fact.

Wear your seat belt from now till June 4th for sure. It’s click it time! Police will be looking to ticket drivers not wearing their seat belts. Includes others in the car required by law to wear a seat belt.

The ticket somewhere in the area of $160.

I got caught several years ago. I was wrong. Never the less, the size of the fine irritated me no end. Outrageous!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

KEY WEST HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE

Posted on by

I experienced a hospital day yesterday. At the Lower Keys Medical Center. Because of recent furor, I paid attention to everything.

Staff polite. Courteous. Apologetic when required. Exhibited concern.

The problem was service.

It took 25 minutes for me to get through Admissions. I was taken on time. To process me, took too much time. The computer would not print. Improper numbered form used by doctor.

The admissions person had a cold. Sneezing and spreading germs. I did not use the pen she handed me. Used my own. I was germ conscious.

I was supposed to have a CAT scan. Never happened. I have an intravenous dye allergy. Hospital and doctor’s records reflect same. No one was aware of it till the last minute. I needed a special pill to be taken over a 13 hour period prior to the scan. Which meant, no Cat scan yesterday.

Almost two hours my time AND the hospital’s wasted.

Scan rescheduled for tomorrow morning.

The three pills turned out to be a problem. Neither doctor nor hospital responsible. Walgreens the culprit.

I received a Walgreens recorded telephone message. Insurance company says no insurance…..check with my new company. Crazy. I have no new insurance company. The same one for ten years. I pay for the drug coverage a year at a time. Not due till January.

Called my doctor’s office to work the problem out.

A Walgreen screw up. They processed the prescription twice. The second apparently cancelled the first. The second however befuddled the insurance company’s computer causing the no insurance response.

There is humor to this. The pills cost $ .94. The screw up resulting in wasted time for the insurance company, my doctor’s office and Walgreens. For me, aggravation.

I am scheduled later this morning for a leg blood clot test and something else at the doctor’s office.

Terri in the hospital with all kinds of problems. Kidneys the worse. Stopped in to see her. Donna was there. As expected. Spent the night sleeping on a chair next to Terri’s bed.

Terri looked better than Donna. Terri is on the mend. A couple more days.

Aqua last night for Dueling Bartenders. I was looking forward to a couple of drinks.

Beatrix Dixie only performer dressed. Looked good, sang better. Tom and Rick not dressed. Sang well also.

Met Buzz at the bar. Another senior citizen. Originally from Oregon. Been a Key Wester for years. Lives in Truman Annex.

A new friend.

Dan and Betty, where were you? I thought you would be stopping in.

Since saturday, three different locals have mentioned a concern. A serious one from their perspective. A fear of something bad occurring during Fantasy Fest. They have a feeling.

Jenna has a model’s body. Not even a size 1. A zero.

She runs 5-7 miles most days. Works out at a gym 3 days a week.

She recently became a marathon runner. Short ones. Three-five miles. She has run two in the past three weeks. Came in first in each in the women’s division. Third overall in the first.

One of today’s Fantasy Fest events is this afternoon. The Beach Bash. At South Beach. A band. Persons attending have been asked to dress for the beach as people did when the Twist was popular. Except for bikinis, attire would be the same as today. No thong bottoms back then.

I remember when the Twist came out. An immediate hit. I recall the first time I danced it. At a Xmas office party. It was easy to do. The instructions simple. Do as you would do if you were drying your butt with a towel.

I could be wrong. I believe the Twist was the first modern day dance where people did not dance close to each other, touch.

My podcast tonight. Nine this evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Have about three hours more prep to do. Show will be interesting and in some instances revealing. Join me for a fast paced half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Several years ago, I wrote a KONK Life column titled The Charge of the Light Brigade. Alfred Lord Tennyson’s exciting poem re the fight between the Brits and Russians during the Crimean War at the Battle of Balaclava.

It comes to mind today. On this day in 1854, the battle giving rise to the poem was fought.

Certain lines memorable. Excite me whenever I hear or read them.

“Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred.”

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

A KEY WEST SUNRISE

Posted on by

I watched sunrise this morning. A Key West sunrise. It was not planned. I was up. Looked out the window and there it was breaking clean over the horizon.

Interesting I should have caught it this morning. Last night, I enjoyed Fiddler on the Roof for the zenith time. Sunrise, sunset…..

Another beautiful Key West day. This past week has been unusually good for this time of  year. May it last and what ever winter we were to have let it be behind us.

Got a pedicure yesterday. From Tammy. Lee Nails was unusually busy. Every chair taken for whatever service, every staff person working. I told Tammy she was getting rich. As I often state, she and her husband personify the American dream.

All the years I have been in Key West, there should be little I do not know about the island. Something new popped up yesterday. The Quantum Boat Races.

I know the races are here every year. I go to the waterfront to see the sailboats tied up. I have never seen a race, however.

I went to Fort Zach. Figured I would stand at the point where the rocks and beach meet. A perfect spot for watching the races. So I thought.

No way! The boats do not race/sail near shore. They are way out. Mere specs on the horizon.

Strange and not so strange things happening internationally.

We are negotiating with Iran  re nuclear arms. A big time long time process. The whole world knows. Putin continues to be smart and Iran says we do what we want to do.

Tuesday an agreement was signed between Russia and Iran. A military cooperative deal. A joint response to U.S. interference. They pledged cooperation in the “struggle.” The struggle referring once again to the interference of foreign forces in  the region. Primarily, the United States.

Query: Is Iran  dealing in good faith with the U.S. in the nuclear talks? Many think not. I am one of them. They are buying time.

Then yesterday Speaker Boehner made a startling announcement. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu will shortly speak before Congress.

Foreign affairs have generally been left to the President to take the lead. Not Congress. Boehner may think we are screwing up the Iran talks. Perhaps. He may want to make the President look bad. Perhaps. Boehner invited Israel’s Netanyahu to speak before Congress. Netanyahu constantly warns not to trust Iran re nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu may be correct. Whether correct is not the issue. Boehner in this instance went over the head of the President with regard to an international matter. A no no.

With those thoughts, I leave you.

Enjoy your day!

OVERSEAS RAILROAD

Posted on by

This morning’s Key West Citizen ran a picture of a cover of Collier’s Magazine. Collier’s is no longer in print. It was a 1912 cover. The lead in to a major article entitled Opening of the Overseas RR to Key West. The cover picture was of a train on a bridge over water.

I want to share some things I know about the railroad. Some or all you may know. Others perhaps not aware.

The railroad was completed in 1912. Construction had started in 1905. There were a multitude of building problems. Like swamps, ocean, insects and hurricanes. There were two or three during construction.

The railroad was the dream of Henry Flagler. He built it with his own money. Cost him $50 million. $1.3 billion in today’s money.

Flagler was quite elderly in 1912 when the railroad was dedicated. He had become blind. His speech contained the following words: “Now I can die happy. My dream is fulfilled.” He passed on 18 months later.

The railroad was constantly referred to at the time as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

The hurricane of 1935 was a big one. It took out about 40 miles of the bridge. No one wanted to rebuild. Many today fish and walk on portions of the bridges left standing.

Did my stress test yesterday afternoon. A biomed stress test. Hope I spelled it correctly. A piece of cake! I don’t know why I was concerned, but I was. I will get the results next week.

The only negative was I was exhausted when the test was over. Makes sense. They shoot this stuff into you which makes your heart beat faster and faster.

I stopped to see Lisa and the grandkids on the way home. Lisa asked what was the matter as I looked tired. It was that obvious.

I stayed a very short while and went home. To bed for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I was wiped out!

Another power outage yesterday. Three in two days.

State of the Union tonight. Special guests are invited to sit with the First Lady. One tonight is Larry Merlo. He is President and CEO of CVS Health. CVS is on a roll in Key West. Already have 4 stores open and operating. Working on a fifth. In the former Fast Buck Freddie site on Duval.

Merlo has to have accomplished something significant. I did a bit of digging and found out why he was invited. Last fall CVS stopped selling tobacco goods. Cigarettes. A big deal as it cost CVS a lot of money. Merlo sits with Michelle Obama tonight because of that.

Something wrong with my diet. I have been at 27 pounds for two weeks. Did not cheat once. It is getting discouraging. I need to see the weight loss on the scale. It keeps me motivated.

Syracuse/Boston College tonight. Syracuse a 9.5 point favorite. Means nothing.

My blog talk radio show tonight also. I will miss the State of the Union and the game. I will also lose some of my audience to the President’s address.

The show tonight particularly interesting. An update on the NYCPD/de Blasio situation, the story of a 9 year old boy arrested for stealing a pack of gum who was jailed, a Greece update/the election is 1/25, the State of Washington threatening to take a woman’s two month old foster child away if the whole family does not get flu shots, and more.

The show airs at 9. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

PEOPLE GALORE

Posted on by

Sometimes I think I am beginning to lose it.

I thought I had an appointment to do a special stress test yesterday at 2. For some reason, it was giving me concern. I prepped for it. Stayed in thursday night. Missed the Bocce Party. Did not drink. Skipped lunch friday.

I walked into the doctor’s office, said my hellos and sat down. The receptionist walked over to me…..Mr. Petrone, your test is not till monday.

I went out last night and had a few drinks to make up for the previous 36 hours.

Jenna was my companion. A striking 28 year old woman! Does my heart good to be out with her on my  arm. Jenna advised we had not seen each other since Thanksgiving.

We started at the Chart Room. I had arranged to meet Don and Chris and Dan and Lisa for drinks. A good time. Good people.

Then it was Louis and Jenna off to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. The place was jam packed. People waiting for tables. The bar humming.

Jenna is good company. It is constant conversation.

Don and Chris showed up a bit later. They were having dinner at the bar. They return to Syracuse tomorrow. Will not be with us for the Syracuse game this afternoon. I probably will not see them again till April.

I am watching the game at 4 at Jack Flats with Dan and Lisa. I have never watched a game at Jack Flats. When I used to try, I never could get a seat. Dan assures me not to worry. He will take care of everything.

Syracuse plays Clemson at Clemson. Syracuse a one point favorite. We shall see. My enthusiasm is contained.

Something disturbing is developing in the United States. Actually, many things. The one that concerns me today are debtor prisons. In 10 States, you can go to jail if you cannot pay certain bills. Traffic fines, for example. The problem is the incarcerated soul cannot work while in jail. The sum owed grows. He is charged with the cost of his confinement and other expenses. The bill gets larger and larger. He can never get out. Sort of like a Mafia loan. If you could not timely pay, the amount owed would double.

My KONK Life column for next week is Debtor’s Prison. I hope to write the article today before leaving for the game.

Turn a wrong into a right. I speak of Penn State and Joe Paterno. Yesterday, Penn State and the NCAA voted to reinstate Penn State’s 112 game record. More importantly, they voted to reinstate Joe Paterno.

The Sandusky scenario a perfect example of mob rule. Someone had to pay besides Sandusky. It was Penn State and Paterno. Joe Paterno’s statue was removed from campus, his name stricken from the glories of Penn State. He died soon after. Incomprehensible.

Justice was done yesterday.

Some interesting developments in the terrorist situation in Europe. It is thought the ISIS leader is holed up on one of the Greek isles. Two terrorist groups were captured near Chamonix. Chamonix is the French city I have visited several times in recent years.

I watched an interesting show on TV in the middle of the night when I could not sleep. Till recently, the girls and young ladies ISIS captured were forced to marry ISIS troops. Those refusing were killed. Not necessarily so any more. ISIS troops need blood for their wounded fighters. The girls and young ladies are used to provide it. Each person becomes a blood bank. Frequent withdrawals.

Love these people!

Enjoy your day!

AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY

Posted on by

Monday night, the Tropic Cinema is showing the classic A Place In The Sun. The movie is based on Theodore Dreiser’s novel An American Tragedy. A movie worth seeing. I have seen it several times.

The court scene in the movie takes place in Herkimer, New York. Herkimer is a small community of about 8,000. It is the county seat. Also, it is 14 miles from Utica.

The court room in the film still stands. It continues to be used on a daily basis even today. The room is of so so size. Neither large nor small. The judge’s bench, witness chair, and jury box very close. Closer than in most court rooms. The room high ceilinged.

At the time of the filming, the ceiling was a robust painting. At some time, the ceiling was covered over.

The reason for this background information is simple. I tried many cases in that court room. It had its moment in history and you felt it every time you walked into the room.

Bocce party last night. I never made it. I was feeling tired and have a stress test today. I wanted to be in shape for the stress test so went to bed early.

One event at each bocce party is the Larry Smith Award. I do not know who it was presented to last night. It is a big deal! You have to be a bit crazy or unique to win it. Maybe something else. Hard to figure.

The reason I take the time to mention the Larry Smith award is because one year I won it. A proud moment!

The Cuban Queen is a sandwich shop. Its original location was and still is the side of the parking lot next to the wharf. I went for a while. The Cuban cheese toast with tomato was outstanding. I stopped going because the place had no tables. Merely a bench to sit on. It was not to my liking. Not convenient when trying to eat and read the newspaper at the same time.

The Cuban Queen recently bought Lobo’s. They are calling the new place Lobo’s Cuban Queen. Tables as well as benches. I will have to try it. I walked by yesterday looking it over. Looked good! I cannot eat Cuban bread while dieting. The key to good Cuban bread is pig lard. ‘Nuff said.

My yesterday was a 10 am meeting downtown. Then to the Beach Bar at the Pier House for a cup of coffee and newspaper reading. Followed by a hair cut with Lori. Spent the afternoon researching next week’s KONK Life column. Debtor’s Prison. Will write the article tomorrow.

The column will also be run on my Life in Key West page. keywestlou.com. Upper left hand corner: KONK Life Key West Lou Column. Hit it. Then hit the verbiage that drops down. Hope you enjoy the columns.

Yesterday was a perfect day weatherwise. 74 degrees and cool. Cool enough for some to be wearing sweaters and jackets. Comfortable. The sun shining bright, of course.

A visit to Key West is not complete with out a ride to Big  Pine to visit the flea market. Huge and old fashioned. This weekend the 11th annual Nautical Flea Market will be held. Everything ocean involved. Worth seeing!

If you go, stop afterwards at Boondocks or No Name Pub for lunch. Makes for a perfect day.

The US and Cuba entered into an agreement yesterday making it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba. Visits will now be permitted without any special licensing. The trip must still be a supervised group one. You cannot just buy a ticket and fly down. However, all the paper work previously required has been done away with.

Big afternoon ahead. A stress test at 2. I hate them. Both the test and what might be discovered.

Enjoy your day!

 

POPE FRANCIS DOES IT AGAIN

Posted on by

Pope Francis is unique. He is different. He fights in the trenches.

Over the weekend, the Pope named 19 new Cardinals. Cardinals are one step below him in authority. Followed by Bishops.

A synod was held a few months ago. A Bishops thing. Some Cardinals in attendance. They gave the new Pope a hard time on homosexuals and Catholics who divorce and remarry.

It will not happen again if and when a new synod is held. Or any meeting of Cardinals and/or Bishops. The Pope is packing the Cardinal group. Appointing those who would be supportive of him in the future. Even a Pope has to play politics.

No U.S. Catholics were nominated. Unusual. The U.S. has long been a strong arm in Vatican politics. It was the U.S. contingency that obstructed the Pope at the Synod. Not the next time. The Pope has no time for clerical politicians. He is going to ride roughshod over them. The first step was stacking the Cardinal deck.

Yesterday’s Key West Citizen ran a major front page story on alligators and crocodiles. They are moving down the keys. Small ones have been observed south of the Seven Mile Bridge. Additionally, authorities have received 9 calls in the past 3 years re sightings between Big Pine and Key West.

Canal swimmers beware!

I learned something interesting from the article. Alligators and crocodiles cannot exist together. It is one or the other. Not in watery areas south of Miami and through the keys, however.

How lucky can we be!

Got out again yesterday. I had thoughts of Boondocks. Put the top down and away I went.

I have always liked Boondocks. Thirty miles up the road on US 1 just south of Big Pine. The food and prices a step up from Hogfish and Geiger Key. The ambiance also. I sat quietly and comfortably at the bar reading the Sunday newspapers.

Party time coming! Don and Chris arrive Saturday. Don already sent me an e-mail advising the Sunday night Syracuse game. Where will we watching, he asked. Don says Skaneateles Dan has already arrived.

I have been watching the games from home and bed recently. For whatever reason, I can get the games on one of three ESPN channels. If I am to go out, and I would enjoy doing it with friends, I suggest Don’s Place. Inside or outside bar.

Enjoy your day!