OUTSTANDING THANKSGIVING DINNER

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Absolutely fantastic! Lisa out did herself. Best Thanksgiving meal in years.

Ally helped with the pumpkin and apple pies the night before.

I over ate. As was my intention. Weighed in heavily on the turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie.

Even Jake had a good time! We fed him bread and turkey from the table. Jake is a beggar. He knows how to get what he wants.

I had not seen Jake in a while. When I first entered and sat down, he jumped in my lap and started licking my face. Jake is little more than 3 years old. It took two years for him to like me. I was the enemy when I entered the house before.

My bloated stomach and I went home early. Dinner was at one. Syracuse was playing Connecticut in basketball at 3:30.

Great game! First top shelf opponent Syracuse has played this season. Connecticut ranked #18. Syracuse unranked. Connecticut a 10 point favorite. Syracuse won 79-76.

Syracuse was down 10 in the first half. Up 10 in the second half. Both quality teams.

Syracuse has four shooters. Each can shoot 3s. We could use a real big man.

I was inspired by the game.

Syracuse plays Texas Tech in the finals of the tournament this afternoon. Three o’clock my time on ESPN. Texas Tech ranked. Texas Tech beat ranked Gonzaga by 1 point yesterday.

Should be an excellent game!

Never had dinner. Took my heavy belly to bed and fell asleep early.

My KONK Life column this week is Muslim Refugees…..No. Published in E-Blast this morning. Also linked to my Key West Lou website this morning.

Could be controversial. I expected it to be.

All comments thus far agree with me. One thanked me for having the courage to write the article. I never considered courage when I decided on the topic. The issue a current one. It was not being discussed intelligently. My intent was to open the door to unspoken considerations.

A place to be this week is the Casa Marina beach.The International Sand Art Competition. Six contestants. From as far as Spain and Holland. The art structures works in progress. Worked on daily through Saturday. Sunday the winner will be announced.

I have a doctor visit at 11. All I seem to do is visit doctors. Not complaining. I will do the necessary. Health not to be screwed with at 80.

Enjoy your day!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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Happy Thanksgiving one and all! May God’s blessings fall upon each of you.

Love thanksgiving! Love the meal! Love the family time!

Last year, I was dieting. Did not partake of much that covered the table. This year, not dieting. I plan on pigging out.

What I am about to share will blow your mind.

The Pilgrims and Indians did get together for three days in 1621. Did they dine or fight? Historians not sure.

What is sure is that following the first years of Plymouth settlement, the settlers and Indians were at each other’s throats. More the settlers than the Indians. They did not get along. Money initially the problem. Who owned the land? The settlers thought it was theirs. The Indians disagreed.

Massacres became common place. The settlers massacring the Indians. In large numbers. In 1637 near Groton, Connecticut, the settlers massacred 700 Pequot tribe members. Men, women and children. In one morning. Clubbed and shot them to death. Few Pequots escaped.

As a side note, the Pequot tribe today owns Foxland Casino and Hotel in Connecticut. Larger than the Pentagon, the facility generates from gambling alone billions a year.

Settlers/colonists continued raiding Indian villages and killing the occupants for well over a hundred years. Slavery was in vogue. Women and children over 14 were herded into slave boats carrying 500 and transported to the West Indies where they were sold.

At one time, Indians were captured and beheaded. Shades of ISIS. Our predecessors did it! In a Stamford massacre, the heads were kicked up and down streets as if soccer balls.

In 1779, George Washington as head of the Colonial forces ordered a General Sullivan to eradicate the Iroquois Nation. The Iroquois had supported the British. They were a thorn in Washington’s side. Eradicate meant kill. Thousands were. The Colonial troops scalped the dead bodies. The scalps were later sold for profit.

Following every Indian massacre, the settlers/colonists would party. The party was one of Thanksgiving because they had won. Such Thanksgivings were common  place.

When Washington became President, he thought there were too many Thanksgivings. Such did not reflect well on the new country. Ergo, Washington declared there would be one Thanksgiving Day a year. The excuse given was to celebrate the new Constitution. In reality, to cut back dramatically on the number of Thanksgivings being celebrated because of the Indian genocide.

Syracuse playing basketball in the Bahamas tournament. Beat Charlotte yesterday 83-70. Syracuse looked good most of the game. They faltered on occasion in the second half which made the game closer than it actuality was.

Today, Syracuse plays Connecticut. A former Big East opponent. Syracuse’s first test of the new season. Game at 3:30 this afternoon on ESPN.

Key West pisses money away. The City Commission authorizes all kinds of mucho expensive studies and generally pays more than expected for everything they do.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports the City will be spending $754,000 on furniture. New furniture for the new City Hall. A disgrace! A waste! None of the old furniture to be used, Regardless of condition. The $754,000 figure excessive. The sellers have to be making big commissions and profit.

When will the City Commission begin spending taxpayer dollars as if such were their own money?

Eat much! Enjoy the day!

PRE-SEASON BASKETBALL POLL…..AN INSUILT

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Yes, my blood does flow orange! I am furious this morning. The Associated Press pre-season poll came out. Nowhere is Syracuse listed. Not in the top 25 or at the bottom re those teams that received even one vote.

I am not going to dwell on the NCAA findings and judgment. Syracuse will survive and excel. This year’s team is as talented as prior teams. With or without Boeheim for the fist nine ACC games, Syracuse’s coaching staff is experienced and deep.

Screw the numbers, Syracuse will be in the mix at the end of the season.

Spent yesterday afternoon working on tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Interesting topics. Highlight’s of my Looting of Social Security article, a tea party Congressman retiring after only five years because he wants more time spent with family even though Congress only works one week on and two off, religion and politics, Saudi Arabia afraid U.S. becoming anti Saudi Arabia, a Monsanto update, and more.

Join me at 9 o’clock my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Dinner with Don and Chris at Marquesa last night. Good people. Return to Key West several times a year. Don is presently spending a lot of time working in South Korea.

Fantasy Fest is over. It was obvious last night on Duval. Quiet like a cemetery.

Parrot Heads arrive wednesday. Convention time. Jimmy Buffett people. Strange as it may sound, Howard Livingston has been asked to entertain the group saturday evening at the Casa Marina.

Seaking of Howard, the front page of today’s Key West Citizen carries a photo of Howard. A detailed complimentary article. Tells Howard’s story yesterday and today. A terrific human being!

An interesting news bit in the Citizen, also. Keys Energy has a large abandoned building in Bahama Village. It has not been used for over 50 years. Keys Energy wants to give it to Key West. The facility was formerly a diesel generator plant.

Louis says, beware of Greeks bearing gifts. The building is an economic disaster waiting to hit.

Keys Energy admits there are some environmental problems. The some are gigantic. I have not seen the paperwork nor the facility. However, I spent my legal career as an environmental attorney. my work included facilities such as this one. the contamination has to be fantastic It will run down into the soil itself. Contaminated soil is one of the most expensive things to remove.

A point to be considered also is that the law generally requires the owner at the time of a cleanup to be responsible for the cost.

The building is no bargain.

The last play of the Miami/Duke game will not be forgotten. Ever. What bothers me is that post-game, the ACC suspended the referees for two games. The ACC determined post-game that the refs had not made calls it should have made during the play.

Wrong on the part of the ACC. The determination on the field is the last call. In all sports, collegiate and professional. Confusion the only guaranteed outcome of the ACC’s decision and what will follow.

Enjoy your day!

YESTERDAY’S RECOLLECTIONS

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Two of my dearest and long time friends were Jim and Sara Van Sickle. Some 20 plus years. Jim and Sara owned a small motel in New Hartford, NY, when first we met.

I remember them lucking out with the motel. A huge shopping center was to be built. The motel sat right in the middle of one of the two entrances to the shopping center. Later on, they operated a small neighborhood grocery store.

Solid people.

Both now gone.

Last night, I met their son Ron and his wife Betty. Strange as it may sound, I did not recall Ron. As soon as I saw him, I knew he could be no one else but Jim’s son. A dead ringer for his dad.

The three of us sat and chatted at the round table in the Chart Room. Much of the Van Sickle family came to mind. Ron’s sister Joyce who I knew. She and I are now FB friends. Her husband Bill, who I also knew. Lisa. Not my Lisa. Their Lisa. Knew her through her college and early teaching years. Lisa was Jim and Sara’s granddaughter.

I especially miss Jim. We had a strong bond. We were always there for each other. At the very least, communicated with each other by phone daily.

Jim and Sara…..One of the special relationships in my life.

While we were chatting, in came Sheila and Charlotte. Two lovely ladies. Charlotte spending the weekend with Sheila. Charlotte is here to run the marathon.

Ran into Dave in the Pier House parking lot. He was nearing the end of his friday night bar crawl.

I ended up having dinner at SQ 1. At the bar.

A special article ran this past week in KONK Life re SQ 1. Pictures of some of their special dishes featured. One was Shanghai spicy calamari. It looked so good, I had to try it.

The photo did not lie. Outstanding taste! A bit spicy, but good.

Nodded a hello to Mandy as I entered. Never saw her the rest of the evening. David bartending.

A fellow sat near me. Was eyeing my calamari. Asked if it was good. Absolutely! He ordered it.

His name T.J. Federer. From Louisville. Works for Humana.

His last visit to Key West 25 years ago.

We talked of many things. Horses, obviously. We hit it off. I stayed a bit longer enjoying the conversation with him.

There was a third gentleman near us. He joined the conversation near the end. Turned out he is Mandy’s husband. Mandy, the manager of SQ 1.

My morning yesterday was the anti-gravity tread mill. I am feeling that fourth day recently added on. The fourth day makes it three days in a row. I will adjust in due course. And then go to five days a week! Probably around Thanksgiving.

Rushed to do my portion of the KONK News Hour on 104.9. I get 10 whole minutes to discuss my weekly column with Guy. No radio show. Mechanical problems.

Fantasy Fest two weeks away. Crazy time! Begins with Goombay October 23.

Congressman Paul Ryan is in the news. I hope he does not succumb and take the Speaker’s post. The man is quality. Presidential timber. Although a conservative Republican, I like him. The Speaker’s job could make him enough enemies that someday down the road he would not be able to get the Republican endorsement.

Syracuse football today! Syracuse and Southern Florida. Three thirty. I am assuming I will be able to get the game on television. Hope so.

Syracuse a 2.5 point underdog. Why, I do not know. Syracuse is 3-1 and Southern Florida 1-3.

Enjoy your day!

 

HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO

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Key West is a place to enjoy life. Everywhere for that matter. However, to enjoy one must be healthy. We must take care of our bodies.

The Key West Lions Club is holding a Health & Fitness Expo. Free. A Wellness Day. On October 10, 2015 from 9 am to 12 noon. At the Lions Club on North Roosevelt Boulevard. Across from the new Starbucks which is under construction.

The purpose of the event is to help people make healthy life choices. Programs and experts will be present. Covering such problems/maladies as vitamins and supplements, chiropractic assistance, weight loss, diabetic screening, and alcohol and smoking cessation. In addition to numerous other medical problems confronting us all.

Time/space are still available for professionals who might wish to appear. Write gracy@keysinternet.com for details.

My yesterday was simple. A run to the airport, the anti-gravity treadmill and birthday dinner with Lisa and family in the evening.

We had dinner out. Then returned to Lisa’s for  cake, blowing out candles and Happy Birthday!

Robert and Ally gave their Mom interesting gifts. Robert a painting he did special for the occasion. Framed. He made the frame, also.

Ally’s was different. She purchased a jar of small seashells at Dollar Store. Thirty to 40 seashells in the jar. She took each one and wrote a small message to her mother inside. Like…..Love You!

This morning’s Key West Citizen World Almanac. Disney World opened on this day in 1971. Most interesting was the cost to attend. $3.50 for an adult. Today, $105 per person age 10 and up.

Two things re Pope Francis.

My KONK Life column this week is He Is God Like. The column was linked to my Key West Lou website this morning. keywestlou.com.

The other involves Kim Davis. It was revealed she had a secret meeting with the Pope at the Vatican Embassy in Washington during his visit. The revelation bothered me. I cannot believe the Pope is two faced.

This past year, I have been exposing the U.S. Conference of Bishops connection with the religious far right in the United States. Actually, not even a revelation any longer. Most everyone is aware.

The bishops are hand in hand with people like Jerry Falwell.

In addition to Davis, it is reported the small nun order that has sued on religious grounds the unconstitutionality of a portion of Obamacare were also present for a private audience the same day.

The U.S. Conference of Bishops are not in unison with Pope Francis’ feelings re many matters. They strongly opposed the Pope at last year’s Synod. To the point of embarrassing the Pope.

Davis is represented by Liberty Counsel. I am sure she is not paying the legal fees. Liberty Counsel is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. They oppose homosexuality activity in general. Military, employment, same sex marriage, etc.

Liberty Counsel is tight with Jerry Falwell. Falwell started and runs Liberty University. A Law School has been founded at Liberty University. It was started together by Falwell and Liberty Counsel.

A lot of detail. Where am I going? I believe the Pope was snowballed. That he knew nothing of the relationships. I strongly suspect the bishops and Liberty Counsel arranged for Davis’ secret meeting. Perhaps the nuns’ meeting, also.

At the moment, I give the Pope the benefit of the doubt. The matter is not concluded. Truth has a way of surfacing. In due course, we will know who arranged for the secret meeting, what the Pope knew, etc.

One further point. Last week, Liberty Counsel advised that a rally of 100,00 people had taken place in Peru in support of Davis. A couple of days later, Liberty Counsel admitted the representation was a fabrication.

Russia and Syria. Cause for big concern. Russia keeps spitting in our face. Putin has no respect for Obama. My initial reaction is we get out of Syria immediately. Leave Russia to fight the war. Hopefully the same success Russia had in Afghanistan will occur again in Syria.

Bocce tonight. I am anxious to play.

Enjoy your day!

80 YEARS OLD

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Eighty years old! Today. My birthday.

Eighty a WOW!

Some observations.

At this stage of life, everything is just yesterday. What happened at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc. just occurred. That recently. Which raises the question…..Where did time go? All of it. So fast!

The mind does not age. Only the body. I am still 35 mentally. I have been saying that for years. When I speak with contemporaries re being a specific age mentally, they agree.

The body breaks down. I view taking care of my body like taking care of a car. You get recommended periodic check ups. When there is a problem, you correct it. Hopefully, it is one that can be corrected. The car will last a long time. Your body, also.

Everyone looks younger. It has been that way with me for several years. Nothing strange. They are younger. It took me a while to realize that.

Dee took me out for my 80th birthday. We celebrated with brunch at Martin’s.

I had not seen Dee in a while. She looks good. Healthy. She went through a bad bout with stage 4 cancer.

Spent yesterday afternoon writing. This week’s KONK Life column. Illegal Human Trafficking. Not about young girls being scooted away for prostitution purposes. Column has to do with Uber.  An interesting expose. Tied Key West in at the end. Worth reading.

Watched the Women’s World Cup last night. Great American team! Made me proud.

How do I intend spending my 80th birthday? The same as any other day. It got me this far. Might as well stay with it. The anti-gravity treadmill at 11. Then a pedicure and manicure. Not because it is my birthday. It is time. Followed by Publix. The cupboard and refrigerator bare. The freezer close behind.

Tonight is Happy Birthday dinner at Lisa’s. Robert and Ally will make me feel special.

Greece. Yesterday’s vote says it all. The Greek people refuse to be defecated on any further. They have said loud and clear…..We won’t take it anymore!

What next? Going to be interesting.

Enjoy your day! My birthday!