TONI TARRACINO SHARES HER LEGACY

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Captain Tony is a Key West legend. An icon. Remembered. Revered.

His former bar on Greene Street still bears his name. The bar inside and out as it was in his day.

Toni one of his children. Today, a concierge at the Marriott Beachside. Plus involved in a multitude of other things like marrying people, planning weddings, painting and blog writing.

Her blog is titled Sharing My Key West Legacy. http://tonitarracino.com. One of the best I have read. She has her hands on everything Key West.

I told Toni her material was so good I would be plagiarizing her recollections on occasion.

She wrote of the West Martello Fort. Its history. Today home of the Garden Club and a wedding venue. She mentions the Autograph Tree. Never heard of it. Yet, she knew.

The tree stands at the entrance to the Fort. People have scratched and otherwise written their names and initials on the leaves over the years.

Another story involves the fish sitting on the outside of Capt. Tony’s bar.  Second floor level. People always turning their backs to the fish and trying to throw quarters into its open mouth.

Toni shared the origin of the custom.

As a girl, she helped out at the bar. There actually was a slow season then. The summer. The bar was hot. She and other staff would take benches outside and sit on them. The heat inside too much.

One of those sitting with Toni was a rabid Larry Bird fan. He used to stand, yell “top of the key” and try to throw quarters in the fish’s mouth.

Toni and friends thought it too hot for him to do it as he was. They convinced him to stand on the curb on his toes with his back to the fish.And then try to successfully throw quarters into the fish’s mouth.

A tradition was born. You know the story. A continuing event born out of heat, boredom, and today a bit of alcohol.

My Key West yesterday.

A manicure with Tammy. Business slow. Will pick up next week. Tammy said women like to pretty up for Thanksgiving.

Then a visit with  Dr. Norris. He’s not concerned with what now has been determined to be a ligament or muscle protruding on the left side of my neck. Five inches long. I feared it was my carotid and I was heading for a stroke.

A late lunch at Cuban Coffee Queen. The Queen I was at is in the bowels of Key Lime Square. As is Dr. Norris’ office. I sat looking down the Square towards Southard. It was quiet. Peaceful. Few people. Sun hitting the trees and foliage just right. A relaxing moment.

On the way home, I drove pass David Wolkowsky’s home on Flagler. Someone was working on his Rolls Royce or some ancient roadster. The hood was up. David had two vintage vehicles. Each close to 100 years old.

Last night, Blue Macaw. Enjoyed!

Joe and Andrea back after 2 weeks in Ohio. Good to see them again. Terri singing. Donna at the bar, of course.

More Key West nostalgia.

Some small guys enjoy big ladies. Especially sexually. In 1993, Rocky was out and about. Rocky a 7 pound male Chihuahua. He saw an 80 pound female Rottweiler. One or both in heat. The dirty deed was done. The 80 pound Rott got pregnant.

The Rottweiler’s owners sued. I have no idea what the offspring looked like. In any event, the Rott owners won. The court awarded them $2,567.50.

Pythons have overtaken southern Florida. Actual number unknown. Estimated to be in excess of one million. Cannot be eradicated. Hopefully contained.

The government hires snake hunters. One recently killed the largest ever. A 17 foot 5 inch python weighing 120 pounds. In the Homestead area.

Imagine the beauty wrapping itself around you.

Another problem now out of control are iguanas. The State failed to pay attention. They eat our flowers and defecate in our pools. They are all over the roadways. A danger to driving.

The State has commenced a program to get rid of the iguanas. I hope it is not too late as with the pythons.

Tonight, Syracuse/Connecticut play basketball at 7 in Madison Square Garden. Two former Big East foes. Syracuse ranked #15 nationally. Connecticut not ranked.

I will be home watching the game.

A cold spell coming in. The temperature will be 75 degrees tomorrow. Down from 85 in one day. Most Key Westers will say they love it. I will say I’m cold! Just how it affects me.

Never got to the notes re world events I wanted to share. All less than a week old. Perhaps tomorrow. I got carried away today with Key West items.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER

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My notes are piling up. Things I want to discuss. The reason for the over abundance is that too much is going on. Too much news.

I am going to briefly run through my notes today. Less they become stale. Most not even a week old.

Before so doing, permit me to share some Key West and personal items.

Never left the house yesterday. It was tuesday. My podcast at 9 in the evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I spend the day preparing and fine tuning the show.

Today, busy. A manicure at noon with Tammy. A visit with Dr. Norris at 2. Sons and Daughters of Italy dinner meeting this evening. Hopefully, a visit to Blue Macaw afterwards.

Recall I lunched with Robert and Ally monday. Robert a freshman in high school, Ally in the 8th grade. I was curious as to what they were reading. I assumed they were reading the same books in school that I read when their age. No way!

I asked them what they thought of Ivanhoe, House of Seven Gables, and Moby Dick. They did not know what I was talking about. Never heard of the books. They told me the titles of books they were required to read. I never heard of any of them.

Called as the world turns.

Guy de Boer the past year has a monthly party at his home. Tuesday nights. I can never attend because I have my podcast show to do. Guy labeled the event Boys Night Out.

The name a copy of an event Mary Lou Hoover started 10 or more years ago. First in Key West. Now, State wide. Girls Night Out.

I must make one of Guy’s parties. He invites ladies also. Mary Lou does not invite men.

Tom Luna is one the most loved persons in Key West. A bear of a man. Always ready to throw his arms around you with a big hug.

Tom has been performing Dueling Bartenders at Aqua monday nights for many years. I understand he is taking 6 months off. Why, I do not know. The past year, he has had some illnesses. Nothing of consequence. Hope all is well with him.

The notes.

Melania not just a pretty face. She appears to be exerting more influence in the White House and over her husband than previously thought.

We are told she does not like John Kelly. Has been pushing her husband to get rid of him. She may finally have succeeded.

More importantly, Melania is not  enamoured with the Deputy  National Security Adviser, Mira Ricardel. Mira a friend of John Bolton. Melania wants Mira fired. Claims she “no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House.”

Someone close to Melania said “she can be a knife fighter.”

Mira claims she has never met Melania.

The Daily Beast recently ran 2 interesting articles. One had to do with the immigration problem. The article reported “Trump’s own team knows his caravan claims are bullshit.”

The other article had to do with people of color seeking permission to enter the U.S. The article suggests the blue wave be forgotten. There is a brown wave. Trump says the brown people are coming!

The article claims Trump has been riling up his base by stoking fear of a brown wave descending on Brownsville, Texas. At the same time accusing the Democrats and George Soros of making it all happen.

The election results and Mueller investigation appear to be taking their toll on Trump. He is losing it. Spending more time in his White House apartment, avoiding Presidential duties, etc. An example one of his tweets recently re French President Macron.

Criticized Macron for the Paris Armistice commemoration event. Criticized Macron for suggesting Europe had to set up its own joint military force to protect itself. Macron suggesting Europe could no longer depend on the U.S. He asked in effect how France could walk hand in hand with Germany. Germany caused World Wars I and II.

The Communist scare in the 1950’s and 1960’s was far worse than any war scares we are presently experiencing with nations such as Iran, China, North Korea and Russia. The Red Scare was everywhere. War was imminent.

A Mrs. White was a member of the Indiana Textbook Committee. She insisted that all references to Robin Hood be removed from school books. She was concerned because Robin Hood believed in stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. The Communist line at the time was the same. Take from the rich and give to the poor.

Still have 5 topics remaining. Enough for today, however. Will get to them tomorrow.

I close with a George Sands quote: “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”

Enjoy your day!

AN AMERICAN HERO FORGOTTEN BY HISTORY

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Two men with Armistice Day stories to be told. Two men who exhibited love and respect for their country in different ways.

World War I ended on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 am in 1918. The Armistice has been signed at 5 in the morning, scheduled to go into effect at 11 that same morning.

Henry Nicholas Gunther was born in 1895 of German immigrant parents. In Baltimore. Raised and schooled there.

He became a member of the 313th Infantry Regiment. Known as Baltimore’s Own. He arrived in France in July 1918.

Gunther was involved in fighting in the Argonne on November 11. Front line. Just before 11 am, Gunter’s group was confronted by a German road block which contained a machine gun. His sergeant ordered Gunther to fix his bayonet and charge the Germans.

Gunther did as ordered. As he charged, there was a burst of machine gun fire. Gunther was killed. He died at 10:59 am.

The Americans were unaware of the truce. The Germans were. They kept shouting at Gunther that the war was over. Gunther apparently did not understand and kept coming. They shot him.

Gunther was 23 at the time. He was the last American to be killed in World War I.

General Pershing recognized Gunther at an Armistice ceremony the next day. He referred to Gunther as an American hero.

Today, Gunther is an American hero forgotten by history.

One hundred years later to the day, it was Armistice Day again. November 11, 2018. The free world commemorated the occasion in Paris. The heads of the world’s free nations in attendance.

Trump was there. In his room at the American Embassy at a very special moment.

There was a ceremony at an American cemetery. Aisne Marine American Cemetery. Fifty miles outside Paris. The final resting place of American soldiers who died at the Battle of Belleau Wood.

Trump failed to honor his country’s war dead. He did not attend. It was raining. He was the only world leader who failed to attend.

A tale of two men. One a hero. The other, I am not sure how to label.

Hemingway personally experienced war as an ambulance driver and war correspondent. He did not like war. I question how he would have addressed heroism. Whatever, he did write, “In modern war…..you will die like a dog for no good reason.”

Busy day yesterday.

My cell phone was screwed up. A simple problem I could not resolve. I am not mechanically inclined in any fashion.

Hurried over to Verizon in the Win-Dixie Shopping Center. They set me straight in seconds.

Then picked up Robert and Ally. No school because of the holiday. Robert now a freshman in high school and Ally in the eighth grade.

Both adults.

We went to Sandy’s Cafe. They’re choice. A favorite of theirs, also.

They shared with me their present day experiences.

Robert loves high school. He received an award as the outstanding freshman student of the quarter. Based on grades, activities, etc. He continues to practice almost daily his tennis. A star in making. No question he will be on the varsity team when they begin play in January. He went to a dance. With a group. Talked to girls, did not dance.

Ally a typical eighth grader. Top year at her school. A big shot. She had straight A’s on her recent report card. She is developing into a beauty. Pure femininity. She is anxious to get to high school. Her brother’s comments make her so. She knows there is another world awaiting her there.

I noticed yesterday morning a bulge on one side of my neck. Vertical. About 5 inches log. Protruding out of the side of my neck.

Panic set in. My carotid artery. I was on my way to a stroke.

Was in Dr. Ivor’s office at 3 to see nurse Susan Neill. She and McIvor have been caring for my heart for 12 years. She checked me out. Not carotid. Ran some tests. Found nothing wrong. Perhaps my weight loss had caused some muscle or blood vessel to protrude.

I felt better. Still concerned, however. I am a hypochondriac. Told her I was seeing my primary Dr. Norris wednesday for some blood results. I would see what he had to say.

Susan and I have become friends over the years. I learned yesterday was her first day at work in 8 weeks. She was wearing a big boot on one foot.

She was not a happy camper.

She was at St. Mary’s Church. Placing some flowers on the altar. As she turned to step down, she went down. Fractured some important bone in her ankle/foot. Now has screws, pins, and gross discomfort.

I hurt for her.

It was 4 in the afternoon. Too early to go home. Too early to really go out. Had a choice to make. Went out. To Blue Macaw. A couple of drinks, a light dinner and some good company.

Everyone with physical problems. Doug, who is a tour guide at the Hemingway House, is in intensive care. His heart. His co-worker Alisia told me.

Paul and Ron came in. Paul told me he is experiencing the same throat problems I complained about 6 months ago. He is undergoing a procedure friday to correct it.

What a world! What a life! It’s called getting old!

I was home by 8:30. Went to bed. Fell asleep almost immediately. Woke at midnight and could not sleep the rest of the night.

Doug Bennett writes an interesting blog…..This Week On The Island. A series of events marked with photos.

His opening and closing verbiage paragraphs always read the same. Part of the introductory paragraph: “Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.”

The last paragraph: “Key West, Close to Perfect, Far from Normal.”

I especially like his last statement.

Today, tuesday. My podcast show tonight. Nine my time. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Join me. I rant and rave about whatever moves me at the moment. A fast moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

MY FAMILY AND ELLIS ISLAND

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Ellis Island closed its doors as a point of immigration on this day in 1954. Today, it is an Immigration Museum. Visited by 2 million persons a year.

Prior to 1892, immigration was handled by the states. Effective January 2, 1892, the federal government assumed responsibility. Ellis Island was the first immigration center. The first person to pass through the new immigration center was 15 year old Annie Moore.

My family, my ancestors, passed through Ellis Island. My mother, her parents and 7 brothers. On my father’s side, his parents.

Ellis Island was named not for some public figure. Rather for the man who owned the island in the 1770’s, Samuel Ellis.

A bit of snobbery, prejudice, and caution involved in processing those arriving to the U.S. First and second class never stopped first at Ellis Island. They received a brief shipboard inspection.

Third class was another story. They were run through Ellis Island. These were the poor. The peasant and peons from the old world. My family among them.

Third class underwent medical and legal inspections. To insure against contagious diseases or legal problems that would make them a burden or danger to citizens of the U.S.

I am named after my father’s father. My grandfather Louis. He was 12 when he came over as a third class passenger. Just after the turn of the century.

He was held on Ellis Island for 3 months. Properly so. He had some contagious disease. I cannot recall what. He was treated, cured, and then permitted entry.

Two years ago, I met Valerie Leary and her husband at Martin’s. Visiting from Delaware.

Valerie together with several girl friends have been visiting Key West this past week. They did it all! Even the boat races!

Valerie and I got together last night at the Chart Room for a few drinks. An attractive woman. Fiftyish. A public servant since last we met. Now a Councilperson in New Castle, Delaware.

After a while, one of her group joined us. Megan. A lovely 27 year old. In the bug business. Her Dad’s. Will run it some day.

I filled Megan in on David Wolkowsky,  the Chart Room, Pier House and Jimmy Buffett.

The ladies were undecided where to dine. I suggested several places. Eventually the conversation worked its way to stone crabs. Neither had ever enjoyed them. I sent them to Conch Republic.

There are always 2 sides to a story. Two feelings in opposition. Especially politically.

I am unabashedly a Democrat. A Liberal. I believe government among other things exists to help the less fortunate.

There are those who do not agree with me, think Trump is the end all, etc. Roughly 50 percent of the population.

With tongue in cheek and wishing to show this blog is fair and balanced, I share with you a Letter To The Editor featured in this morning’s KONK Life E-Blast. Written by a Paul Sofranac: “Most patriots are grateful to have a President such as Donald Trump. No, he doesn’t mince words and he is not PC but he’s as solid a leader we’ve had in a long, long time. Civility? What civility? Only results count and people love a benevolent dictator, one who cares for the nation and isn’t sold out to external interests or steep state agenda. Embrace him with all your might, as your whining accomplishes nothing but to bring further malaise and suspicion of ulterior motives for your rant.”

A quote from the opposite side of the spectrum. By Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A newly elected New York City Congressperson. Defeated in the Democratic primary a multi term Congressman.

During the campaign, she said, “I’m not running from the left; I’m running from the bottom. I’m running in fierce advocacy for working-class New Yorkers.”

William Holden was a terrific actor. The best of the best. He died this day in 1981 at age 63.

I knew Holden. Met with him several times. At La Costa outside San Diego. La Costa was a resort that catered to those who wanted to lose weight, work on an addiction problem, etc.

Back in the 1970’s and into the 1980’s, I used to go twice a year. To lose weight. A problem even back then. Eight hours exercise and 800 calories of food a day. It worked.

Holden went because he was an alcoholic. He went to dry out.

We met and became friends. Evening friends after the toil of the day was complete. We would sit in the bar at night, drink Perrier and smoke cigars. Sometimes Rodney Dangerfield would join us. A trip.

Holden a most humble person. His humility absolutely amazing.

Ronald Reagan and Holden were best friends. When Reagan and Nancy Davis married in 1952, Holden was Best Man. When Holden died, Reagan wrote, “I have a great feeling of grief. We were close friends for many years. What do you say about a longtime friend-a sense of personal loss, a fine man. Our friendship never waned.”

The college football listings are out. Syracuse ranked #12. The highest ranking Syracuse has achieved in 20 years.

It’s all on the line next saturday. Syracuse plays #3 Notre Dame. Notre Dame 10-0, Syracuse 8-2.

Syracuse can win.

Dueling Bartenders tonight at Aqua. Can’t wait. The best singing in Key West for the price of a drink.

Enjoy your day!

 

IN FLANDERS FIELDS…..

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In Flanders fields poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row….. / We are the dead. Short days ago / We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,  / Loved and were loved, and now we lie / In Flanders fields….. / If ye break faith with us who die / We shall not sleep, though poppies grow / In Flanders fields.

Veterans Day is tomorrow. However Key West is celebrating it today. A big parade at 5 running from Catherine down Duval to Front Street.

Ergo, I write of Veterans Day today.

The day was first known as Armistice Day. Transitioned over the years to Veterans Day. Whereas initially to honor World War I dead, today to honor veterans of all wars, living and dead.

The poem was written in 1915 on a battlefield in France. By Lt. Col. John Mc Crae, a Canadian physician. He was inspired to write it after presiding over the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier.

World War I was the war to end all wars. Man fooled himself. History has proven the goal wrong. Man enjoys maiming and killing too much.

I have been home bound since last weekend. Car problem. Required a new starter. Everything must come from Miami. First one, not correct. Finally got the car last night. Everything in order.

Need to get out and communicate with people, enjoy a couple of drinks, etc.

Last night was not to be. Nor will tonight. Syracuse played football last night and plays basketball tonight. For some reason, I prefer watching the games quietly and alone from home.

Syracuse beat Louisville 54-23. Syracuse now 8-2. I suspect the victory will move us into the top 10.

The victory was not consequential in itself. Louisville played like Syracuse had the past 20 years. Even worse most of the game.

Next saturday, a big one! Syracuse plays undefeated and nationally ranked #3 Notre Dame. Syracuse can win. Not wishful thinking. The team is good.

Syracuse basketball tonight at 7. Syracuse v. Morehead State. Syracuse’s second game of the season. Syracuse is expected to dominate the game.

The California fires are horrible! Horrendous! TV showings reveal nothing less than pure unadulterated disaster. Hurricanes bring the same. However, a hurricane comes and goes. A fire hangs around for days.

What has FEMA been doing to help? Not much. A pattern has developed where natural disasters are involved. Government does not seem to care, have enough money, etc.

One FEMA responsibility is to refund 75 percent of firefighting costs. Trump yesterday threatened to pull all federal funding if California does not shape up. He claims the fires being out of control are due to “gross mismanagement.”

The two reasons Trump claims California is not doing the job properly has to do with water and forest thinning. He claims California is dumping water in the Pacific it could use to fight the fires. He further claims the forests are dry and subject to easy fires because of California’s failure to thin them.

Experts galore say Trump is incorrect in both instances and does not know what he is talking about. They claim climate change is the cause. The climate change argument falls on deaf ears since Trump does not believe there is climate change.

Which brings me to Michael. Post Michael, a disaster. FEMA failing. The third biggest hurricane since record keeping instituted in the U.S. and we hear nothing about what is happening in northern Florida and elsewhere that Michael touched.

The reason obvious. FEMA and other governmental agencies failing. Another Puerto Rico.

The reason money and not having learned yet how to handle large disasters.

Money, money, money. At the heart of Trump’s concern, though not openly acknowledged. Recent years have brought one disaster after another. The government failed to have sufficiently funded natural disasters.

My admonition, Trump should stop worrying about $26 billion for a wall and concern himself with mega dollars for disaster relief.

Election day clearly showed people are primarily concerned with health care. Way more than immigration problems. Does not seem to have made a dent in Trump’s thinking.

Yesterday, he signed a proclamation suspending the entry of migrants seeking asylum through our southern border points for 90 days. Normally, migrants are permitted by law to seek asylum at any border point any time. Children traveling alone are excepted from the bar.

Typical of Trump’s mean side. Civil rights groups describe his conduct as immoral and inhumane.

What happens when those seeking asylum cannot even get in to make application? Will confrontation result? Will Trump get his “invasion” and the military be permitted to shoot at the migrants?

Will Rogers was a famous humorist and social commentator. He made fun of the government. Commented on their screw ups. He once said, “Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.

Another way of intimating government would only do worse.

Rogers one smart man.

Enjoy your day!

CINDY LYNCH…..WE MET IN KEY WEST

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Cindy Lynch, a love of my life. We met about 12 years ago in Key West.

Cindy and husband Tom are from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Until recently, spent 2 months a year in Key West.

Special. She has had 7 operations for 6 different cancers. Two for brain tumors. Lost one of her legs. All of it to the groin. Cannot be fitted for a prosthetic. Uses a wheelchair or titanium crutches or skips around short distance on one foot.

Cindy falls a lot. She tries to do too much I suspect with one leg. On the other hand, she is living life. A rare personality. Always up. Never complains. Fun to be with.

Her husband Tom a gem. Retired early to care for her. With her most of the time. Occasionally, Cindy goes off on her own.

She did this tuesday. Driving their car. Involved in a three car accident. Saw a picture of the cars. Bad!

She is home recovering in bed. Next week, a parachute jump!

Ernest Hemingway penned many true words. Words reflecting his life experiences. A quote attributable to him is…..”Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.”

Makes sense. I know.

I guess I am into quotes today. Winston Churchill said, “The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.”

Sounds like some who comment to this column.

The votes still coming in. Being counted for the first time. Simultaneously, some States are already at the legally mandated recount stage. Florida and Georgia examples.

What initially appeared not to be a blue wave has definitely become one.

Another shooting. A college student hangout. Twelve killed.

A physicians’ journal recently carried an article decrying the NRA and its power. The NRA shot back. In effect saying to the doctors not your business, stay out of things you know nothing about.

The doctors hit back. One wrote and said we are involved. Challenged the NRA to stand next to a child coding from a gunshot wound.

Doctors involved in every shooting!

November 9 a day of significance.

On this day in 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. It had been up 30 years.

Two years earlier. Reagan spoke standing before the wall. He said, “Mr. Gorbachev, take down this wall.”

A story little known goes with the statement.

Reagan’s speech was constantly being revised by his speech writers in the weeks preceding his appearance before the wall. Reagan kept adding “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down the wall.” His speech writers kept taking it out. Too harsh, they said.

The day before leaving for Berlin, Reagan was going over the speech again. The words had been omitted. He asked an assistant standing next to him…..I’m the President, aren’t I? The assistant responded….Yes sir. Reagan said…..Then it stays in!

This day in 1938 significant also. Sadly, however.

An event that took place in Germany and Austria. To Nazis the evening was known as Kristallnacht. Also referred to as The Night of Broken Glass.

It was the beginning of mass suppression of persons of the Jewish faith. Occurred prior to the Holocaust. The Nazis launched a campaign of terror against the Jewish people, their homes and businesses. The event marked a dramatic escalation in Hitler’s plan to purge Germany of Jews.

Local police and fire departments were told not to interfere.

Trump held a major press conference wednesday. CNN’s Acosta and he had words. I watched the entire press conference. Acosta asked a couple of questions. The President did not like them. He became extremely abusive to Acosta.

The event was videoed.

Trump took back Acosta’s White House press credentials.

A female intern attempted to take Acosta’s mike away from him while Trump was shouting sit down. The next day when the White House announced the removal of Acosta’s credentials, the video was shown.

Not similar to the original which had been shown the night before and earlier in the day. The White House video appeared to have been doctored. The White House version indicated Acosta had assaulted the intern. Not the case. The White House presented an altered version.

Today, friday. Love going out friday nights. Not tonight. Remaining in. For a better good. Syracuse playing Louisville at 7 in football. Syracuse 7-2 and a 21 point favorite.

Love it! We have not had even close to a decent team in 20 years. Hopefully, we are there.

Enjoy your day!

 

HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS

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Nancy Pelosi in all likelihood will be Speaker again. Good and bad.

I admire her governmental skills. She knows how to run her shop. Democrats generally stay in line, follow her direction.

Her shortcoming is one most Democrats seem to have. They are lousy fighters. Lack the killer instinct. Though she and her party may know legislative success is the goal, they are ineffective in getting there.

Democrats want to be “Congresspersons.” Gentlemanly and lady like. Republicans on the other hand, want to “win.” That means playing down and dirty.

The Democrats have to learn how to play down and dirty. The end in this instance does justify the means. Democrats must learn to hit the opposition where it hurts. In the balls to use a common refrain. Clobber the Republicans. Go for the jugular.

I take the time to write this today because Pelosi has already said she will not go after Republicans the way they went after Democrats.

I think it was the famous football coach Vince Lombardi who said…..Winning is everything!

The American people deserve no less.

Key West has a lesbian Mayor. First ever. In fact, first lesbian ever elected Mayor in Florida.

Terri Johnston the lady. I know her. She is experienced government wise. A head on her shoulders. She will do extremely well.

A lesbian Mayor is no big deal in Key West. Many residents gay and lesbian. Terri’s gender preference not even an item of conversation. Whatever a person’s lifestyle an accepted fact in Key West. One human family!

Ladies beware! Watch how you bend over to put groceries in your car. A 32 year old man was arrested for reaching up a woman’s skirt and touching her butt in a Publix parking lot as she was placing her groceries in the car.

The man has been arrested.

Not a first offender. Arrested in 2015 on a somewhat similar charge. He pinched he butt of a girl as she boarded a school bus.

The best thing that may have happened to Beto O’Rourke was losing. Now he is free to consider running for President in 2020. The man is Presidential timber.

Democratic activists in Iowa and New Hampshire have asked him to visit.

Keep in mind, Abraham Lincoln ran for the U.S. Senate from Illinois in 1858. He lost. Two years later, he ran for President and won.

Water and oil do not mix. Nor does Trump and truth.

Trump held a press conference yesterday. A big one. He would have been better off staying in bed.

He was totally discombobulated. Strung out and strained. His composure and demeanor not one reflecting a President of the United States.

An embarrassing situation has evidenced itself concerning Melania and her African trip. Not her fault. I would like to know whose and why.

The Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel is in Cairo. Melania did not stay overnight. However, it appears she used the hotel room during the day for whatever.

The hotel’s regular room is $119 a night. The best accommodation, the Presidential Suite, $699 a night. Melania’s bill $95,050.

Something amiss. The U.S. government paid the bill never the less.

The bill was labeled for an overnight stay. The hotel said the cost was high because the staff spent 6 days preparing for her visit and the hotel also had to deal with Secret Service personnel prior to her arrival.

U.S. official spending records recorded the payment as “[First Lady] visit hotel rooms.”

My suspicious mind makes me wonder if  more than her visit was involved.

A lovely time of the year! Syracuse football and basketball at the same time.

The football team doing exceptionally well this season. First time in 20 years. The team plays Louisville friday night at 7. Syracuse presently 7-2 and a 21 point favorite.

The basketball team played its first game tuesday night. Beat Eastern Washington 66-34.

Syracuse plays Morehead State saturday at 7.

Syracuse preseason ranked #16. Hope it is more than just a good year for the team. All members of last year’s starting five back.

Enjoy your day!

AMERICA LOST

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America lost yesterday. Winning the House alone not result enough to claim victory. There was no blue wave. The result merely bore fruit once again that there are two Americas.

The Democratic Party could not have taken a better shot at correcting things. Women and the young joining forces with the Party. The long lines. With what result? A draw from my perspective.

The best Democratic candidates lost. Beto O’Rourke, Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams.

All made good runs. Came up short. Abrams may still have a chance if there is a run off.

O’Rourke not finished. His career has just begun. Presidential timber. He is different. America needs different.

It is a disgrace that Gillum was beat by an obvious racist. Not surprising. Trump is a racist. Indication that half the country has racist tendencies.

Each side was rebuked. I prefer rebuked where one might consider wins.

The Democrats were rebuked because they did not win the Senate and three of their top candidates failed to win.

Trump rebuked because Democrats won Congress and a significant number of governorships.

What do the next two years hold? Escalated conflict or each side reaching across the aisle? Trump has already sent out a couple of tweets this morning. He is geared up to fight.

The Democrats are sure to use their subpoena power to cause investigations.

No marriage in the making.

The mid-terms a sad result.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

A CATASTROPHIC KEY WEST HAPPENING

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A catastrophic event has occurred. Smoking no longer permitted in Berlin’s.

New owners. The no smoking rule invoked. Surprising because one of the primary new owners a smoker himself.

Please, do not bury me in e-mails about the evils of smoking. Some remain who enjoy it. A personal choice. I do not criticize those who opt not to smoke.

If second hand smoke is a problem, do not attend a place that permits smoking. Only a few are left in Key West. Many non-smoking restaurants and bars available for the multitude.

Lets me share the Berlin story with you.

Berlin’s full name is Berlin’s Cigar and Cocktail Bar. It has been a place frequented by smokers since 1947 when it was first opened as Alonzo Cothron and Berlin Felton’s Fish House.

Eventually, the name was changed to Alonzo’s and Berlin’s Lobster House. The dining institution of the day. The place for a night out followed by a Cuban cigar. The affluent then hopping a plane for a quick flight to Havana for a night of gambling. Returning in time to bed down while still dark outside.

Those must have been the days!

At some point, the establishment was rebuilt. Always a perfect waterfront site. Class before and class after the rebuilding.

Berlin’s had a cool look to it. The feeling of Rick’s cafe. Some consider the swankiest spot in Key West.

Paul Tripp was owner at the time of rebuilding. He said, “I wanted it to be a men’s club, to have a masculine feel to it.”

It did.

An intimate room. Mahogany walls. Maroon leather bound stools and large comfortable easy chairs. Cigars stored in a humidor. The perfect place to sit back and enjoy a smoke.

The present day Berlin’s has the finest filtration system I have ever experienced. Even if the person next to you was smoking a cigar, you never smelled it. The filtration system sucked up the smoke  immediately. After leaving, your clothes did not smell of smoke.

Smokers generally ate in the intimacy of Berlin’s. A&B Lobster House, the restaurant portion is extremely large with a huge outdoor balcony to accommodate everyone else.

The food at the bar and restaurant the same. Always excellent. Pricey. Worth it, however. Especially when I could enjoy a couple of drinks and cigarettes before dinner and another after dinner while enjoying the last drink of the night.

The change makes no sense. It will not increase business. It might lessen it, if anything.

The Chart Room my only stop last night. John bartending. Ran into Diesel last year. Again, last night. We spoke at length. I enjoyed his company.

Diesel is from Ohio. Retired. He and his wife Lynise bought a home in Key West several years ago. Lynise was not with him. An early to bed person as I am most evenings.

They spend 6 months a year on the island. I told Diesel he was a snowbird. He did not like the title. Preferred to be known as a transient Conch. Don’t think it would fly with the Conchs.

Cori Convertino, how I envy you! Cori was on Ballast Key yesterday!

Cori is technically Dr. Cori Convertino. She is curator at the Custom House. Over the years, she became a close friend of David Wolkowsky. David you will recall died 2 month ago.

David enjoyed 3 homes in the Key West area. One was on Ballast Key. A small island 16 miles west of Key West. A magnificent edifice planned and built by David.

Not sure why Cori was there yesterday. Wish she had invited me. I assume she was there for some reason having to do with the furnishings. David was a huge benefactor to the Custom House.

I met Fritz Adare 12 years ago at a party at Larry and Christine Smith’s home. Nice guy. He was introduced as a personal trainer. Looked it. A magnificent body. Skin like a baby’s back end. A body that sparkled.

It was obvious Fritz was a good health addict.

I rarely saw him. We would run into each other one or two times a year. Always a cordial hello and a few words.

Yesterday’s Facebook listed the day as Fritz’s birthday. I sent him a Happy Birthday!

Last night, Larry and Christine telephoned me. I knew there had to be trouble if both were on the phone together. Fritz had died several months ago. I did not know.

Strange. I never saw his obituary. Looked for it this morning. Not in the Key West Citizen. Found it in a South Bend, Indiana newspaper. Fritz died on May 29. He was residing in an assisted living facility at the time. Age, 71.

May he rest in peace.

When older people who I know pass on, I get a bit nervous. I am 83. Fritz was 71. He unquestionably was a health nut. Always working out. Took all kinds of vitamins and supplement pills. Nutrition was a big thing with him.

I do not dwell on death. Mark Twain said, “Age is not an issue of mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

What will be, will be.

An important thing in life. After saturday’s victory, Syracuse is now ranked 14th in the nation. A 7-2 record so far. Go ‘Cuse!

Enjoy your day!

 

HOT REUBEN CORNED BEEF SANDWICH

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My taste buds were in for a treat last night.

Irish Kevin’s serves a hot Reuben corned beef sandwich. Continued hearing good things about it. Decided last night to enjoy one.

I love corned beef! Like my mother used to make. Boil the meat forever. Arrived at the table juicy and moist. Fat important. We probably ate the cheap cut so there was a lot of fat. Added big time to the taste.

Difficult to get a good corned beef sandwich these days. The meat tough, cold and without fat.

Not last night! Warm, juicy, tender and with a touch of fat.

Do yourself a favor. Go to Irish Kevin’s and enjoy one!

In addition to the great sandwich, you can enjoy the young ladies stepping on stage and exhibiting their breasts.

A perfect evening!

My night began at the Blue Macaw. Crowded. A group of seniors in a long congo line. Either from the cruise ship staying overnight or they were Parrotheads. I could not tell. They were having a good time!

Philadelphia Phil and Montana bartending. Chatted at the bar with Alica, John and Fiona.

Alica was doing her grocery shopping. On the computer. Walmart. Says she saves $500 a month. Buys everything but meat and items that melt. Primarily canned goods, some fruits, paper products and make up. Delivered to her front door, no charge. Of course being from Walmart, everything significantly discounted.

Drove over to the Chart Room. Crowded, also. Standing room only. No one I knew. Nodded at John, turned around and left. It was then I decided to try the corn beef at Irish Kevin’s.

My afternoon was spent watching Syracuse/Wake Forest. Syracuse won 41-24. Now, 7-2. Fantastic! It has been years since we had such a record.

The rankings are not out till tomorrow. I suspect we will go down to around #13.

Jimmy Buffett highlighted a Democratic rally last night in West Palm Beach. Gillum, Nelson and other candidates present of course. Many Parrotheads in the crowd. Some drove great distances to be there. I would not be surprised if some drove up from the Parrothead Convention here in Key West.

Buffett changed the lyrics to Come Monday to fit the occasion. The lyrics sung last night: “Come Tuesday, things will change. Come Tuesday, we’re making a change. Its been two insane years and its time to really switch gears.”

Staying with politics, it was on this day in 2008 that Obama was elected President. The first black person to be so elected.

With the election a few days away, a few random thoughts.

As a society, we are hemorrhaging in violence. Especially gun violence. The remedy is not to arm teachers, priests and rabbis.

Universal health care required/needed. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation to be without it. Universal health care would assure everyone receiving proper treatment and at the same time stop the multitude of personal bankruptcies the result of health care costs.

Immigrants from Guatemala and Honduras have heard the call of the words on the Statue of Liberty. They are looking to the place Reagan called a “shining city on a hill.” It is so inconsistent with our values to send the military to shoot them dead at the border.

Kill someone and that person’s family and friends will not forget. Trump has broken the deal with Iran. Additional sanctions will be imposed today.

Iranian people are dying from shortages of certain necessary items. Insulin being one.

Trump’s actions an abuse of power?

A President cannot unilaterally break a treaty. The Senate approved it initially. Such is the law. The Senate must vote to break it. I also believe Trump broke the treaty to show the world how tough he is. A bully!

There is another reason. Trump and Netanyahu are birds of a feather. Authoritarians. Even before Trump’s election, Netanyahu was crying for war against Iran. He wants the U.S. and other nations to join him against Iran. Especially the U.S.

Netanyahu’s real reason is not that Iran is going to blow up the world. It is that he wants it firmly established that Israel is the power in the Middle East. Neither Iran nor anyone else.

Enjoy your Sunday!