STOCKING SHELVES IN SUPER MARKET

It was October 3, 1951. I was 16 years old, a junior in high school. My after school job was working in a super market. That day, stocking shelves.

Professional baseball was big back then. The fan base equivalent or better than pro football and basketball combined. Truly at that time, the All-American sport.

The National League had ended in a tie. The New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers. Both teams long gone from New York City today having moved west.

The supermarket owner permitted the game to be broadcast over the loudspeaker system.

The Dodgers were favored. They had led the League. New York was 13.5 games behind in August. Then won 16 straight.

The bottom of the 9th. Dodgers winning 4-2. One out. Giants batting. Bobby Thomson at the plate. A respected hitter. Ralph Branca had come in as relief pitcher for the Dodgers. A respected pitcher.

Willie Mays was in the batter’s circle. A rookie. It was thought Branca would walk Thomson to get at the still inexperienced Mays.

He did not. He pitched to Thomson. There were 2 men on base. Thomson hit a home run.

Everyone went crazy! All over the U.S. In the super market. I went crazy. The sports announcer went crazy.

Thomson’s home run is described as “the shot heard round the world.” The event one of the most memorable in sports history.

New York went on to be defeated by the New York Yankees in the World Series.

My podcast last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Love doing the show! Began with my concern for the U.S. I believe we are disintegrating as a nation.

Tonight, the Blue Macaw. Terri sings!

My girl! Love her! Admire her!

It dawned on me this morning that October means Goombay and Fantasy Fest. The end of the month. Something to look forward to. Both different flavors. Both enjoyable.

I wrote the other day about the mosquito danger in North Carolina. Too much water. Mosquitoes coming out big time. Could be illness causing. An epidemic possible.

Someone commented and asked what about Big Pine and surrounding areas following Irma last year. Good question! Never gave it a thought.

I tried to get a hold of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District for first hand information. They apparently operate like Comcast. I am still waiting for a response.

I am assuming both areas suffered a different impact.

Note that mosquitoes are a major south Florida concern. Especially in the Keys. We have a Florida Keys Mosquito Control District headed by an elected Board. Many employees. Planes to spray. Vehicles to spray.

Standing water for many days was not a major concern following Irma. Our flooding was different from North Carolina’s. The Keys’ concern was debris standing on the side of roads for miles and miles. The wet debris and humidity that followed made the debris a breeding place.

Mosquito District personnel were out immediately searching for new breeding pockets. They dealt with the problem immediately.

I am not aware of any significant mosquito problem as a result.

A job well done.

North Carolina on the other hand was hot with floods. Big time. Ten to 20 feet in height. Some lasting 10 days or more.

As the water receded, most of North Carolina became a major breeding ground for mosquitoes.

I assume the State is involved with the problem and dealing with it at this point.

Whether North Carolina was as prepared as the Keys is another story.

“If it don’t fit, you must acquit.” Famous words from the O. J. Simpson murder trial.

A glove was a key piece of evidence. The prosecution had Simpson try the glove on during the trial He could not get it on. Too small. Too tight.

What no one seem to have picked up on at the time was that the glove had become wet and shrunk. Whatever, it was one of Simpson’s passages to an acquittal. The jury acquitted him this day in 1995.

Saturday coming up. Syracuse/Pitt. Syracuse a 5 point favorite.

Enjoy your day!

FLOODWATER MOSQUITOES

Mosquitoes are a problem in the Keys. We protect against them. In certain areas, pay taxes for the purpose.

For us in Key West and nearby, there is a Mosquito Control District. Professionally run. Governed by officials elected directly to the Board.

The Mosquito Control District does a good job. It would be hell living here without the organization’s assistance.

It is constantly drummed into our heads that the smallest accumulation of water can be a breeding place for mosquitoes. Can you imagine if we experienced a flood?

North Carolina has because of Florence. Flood waters for about 10 days.

The mosquitoes have gone crazy!

They are reported to be 3 x’s the size of a normal mosquito. They have reached an epidemic level. Began flying around 3-4 days following initial flooding.

Experts tell us that the eggs being hatched now would normally not have been hatched for a year. Accelerated the process. Sending billions into the air.

Last night, Blue Macaw. Joined up with Andrea and Joe. Lovely Montana and Philadelphia Paul bartending. Doug, Angie, John Fiona, Mary, and Alicia drinking along in the back bar area.

I only had one drink. Still a bit run down from the cold. Left after about an hour.

The diet has shrunk my stomach. I stopped at Five Guys on the way home. One large cheeseburger. Did not eat the buns. Only the meat and cheese. Could not finish it.

Iguanas have been a pain for at least 10 years. Tourists say….Oh, they’re beautiful! I tell them, try living with them.

They eat your flowers and shrubbery. Defecate in the pool.

They should be shot!

Key West has finally formally recognized the problem. The iguana population grows daily. An invasive species. No natural predator. Roam freely as the chickens do. Except, more iguanas than chickens.

The City announced it will begin dealing with the iguanas October 1. One problem. They are not sure how.

Typical Key West.

Today’s weather forecast is for sun, showers or thunderstorms. It is only 10 in the morning and we already have had all three. The weatherman’s humorous byline following the forecast: Be ready for anything!

I look forward to the afternoon. Syracuse/Clemson football beginning at noon. Syracuse a 25.5 point underdog. Yesterday I reported the spread as 13.5 points. Read the wrong line in the newspaper.

This is the best team Syracuse has had in years. I am curious to see how the team fares against a mighty one such as Clemson.

Watched the Ryder Cup yesterday. Up at 3 this morning to watch the 2nd day. The U.S. sucks! Europe whipping our ass.

I do not understand. The U.S. rarely does well in the Ryder Cup. Yet we have the same competent players as the Europeans do.

It has to be embarrassing for our players. Something is lacking.

Big day today. National Coffee Day. Many coffee providers are offering free coffee.

I wrote a major article for KONK Life several years ago re the issue of giving a police officer the finger. Not grounds for an arrest. Extending the middle finger, giving the finger, flipping the finger, is Constitutionally protected free speech.

The issue continues to come up every few years.

A police officer stopped a woman for speeding. Instead of a ticket, he gave her a warning. As she left, she gave the officer the finger. He stopped her again. Gave her the speeding ticket this time. For the same act of speeding for which he had given her a warning.

A federal court said no way. The woman merely expressing herself. Protected free speech. The judge threw the speeding ticket out.

Sheldon Adelson is a prominent American. Extremely wealthy. A casino billionaire. A Zionist and a conservative.

He is recognized as the largest donor in U.S. politics. He was the top donor to Trump’s campaign and the Republican Party in 2016. In recent months, he is reported to have donated $55 million to help keep Republicans in control of both houses of Congress.

Too much money power in the hands of one man!

I close with a few random thoughts re the Kavanaugh/Judiciary Committee hearing.

With the one week delay and FBI investigation, America will now learn the truth. Good, bad or indifferent for those involved. The chips will fall as they may.

If Kavanaugh guilty or misrepresented in any significant way, he could also lose his present Circuit Court judicial seat.

Senator Flake deserves a medal and our thanks. Merely for making the way for the FBI to get involved. It took courage for him to stand against Tump and his Republican colleagues. Don’t bother telling me he was not going to run and so courage does not come into play. There is always another day when he might have wanted to return to politics.

The Committee hearing was additional proof that the wheels of government are breaking down. Citizens should not have to go to Washington and fill the halls fronting on their representatives offices to be heard. To get right things done.

Go Orange!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEAR IN TOWN

There is a bear in town. By name only.

Donna and Terri’s family now 3. A dog. Named Bear. A golden retriever. Eight weeks old.

A baby!

Met Bear last night. Enjoyed dinner at Donna and Terri’s with Bear.

Bear arrived the night before. Flew in from Detroit. Spent 11 hours in a cage.  A 3 hour stop over involved.

Cried all night. Can’t blame him. Stripped from his mother and 8 brothers and sisters. A new environment.

Talked with Donna this morning. He cried again all night. Terri does the night shift.

The game plan is to have Bear trained as a guide dog. Terri is blind in one eye and the other is going. The eye problem has nothing to do with the cancer. Terri is in remission and beaming.

The new Key West Amphitheater presently featuring a four day musical festival. Appears a success. Many tourists in town for the concert. When not at the Amphitheater, they are filling the downtown bars known for good music.

Apparent reason for the early morning shooting at Banana Bay Resort coming to light. Drugs. Police found 4 adults, 3 children and the drugs in one room. Lots of drugs. Marijuana, crack and powder cocaine, MDMS, and drug paraphernalia. All wrapped for sale. In a car outside, oxycodone pills.

Frequent Key West visitor Don Teich spends most of his year working in Asia. He and Chris Maxam are to be married in several weeks here in Key West at the Hyatt.

I mentioned Hemingway recently. For some reason, Don was in Spain. Pamplona to be exact. Where the bulls run. He sent me a photo of him running on the street where the bulls run. At night. Don running, no bulls behind him.

Courageous!

Pebble Beach Golf Tournament this weekend. Watched a bit.

What a course! I played it and its sister courses several times. Pebble Beach the most difficult course I ever played. The pros have their work cut out for them this weekend.

What does a husband do if his wife cheats? Leave, shoot the wife, shoot the lover, whatever?

Marital infidelity appears to have been dealt with in a different fashion in 1829 in Key West. A Mexican Naval officer named Charles Hawkins fought a duel with William Allison McRes, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Four shots fired. One man shot in the wrist, the other in the thigh.

Satisfaction obtained.

Why the duel? Hawkins saw McRes leaving his wife’s bedroom via the window.

Anna wrote to tell me one of the African negros involved in the voodoo killing was apprehended in the Milan railway station. Brought back memories.

About 10 years ago, Anna and I were in the Milan station. I fell down the stairs. Did a number on my arm. An open cut and bleeding.

Anna panicked and rushed me to a drug store in the plaza. She was going to take care of me. Needed bandages, etc.

The bandages, etc. were behind the counter. Anna is yelling for help. The girl was slow. Anna went behind the counter, grabbed what she needed, and wrapped me up.

As I think back, it may have been the first of my falls.

A new mosquito killer is being tested in Miami. The concern dengue fever and ZIKA. The company MosquitoMate.

Male mosquitoes are sterilized in a lab. They are then incapable of impregnating females. The males do not bite, have healthy sex drives, and will mate with females whose eggs then won’t hatch.

Six thousand were dropped on Brewer Park in South Miami thursday. It is expected that over a six month period, a total of six million will be released.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander. And vice versa.

California Assemblywoman Christina Garcia has been active in the local and national #Me Too Movement.

A male staffer said that in 2014 following an Assembly softball game, Christina approached him, squeezed his buttocks, and tried to touch his crotch. He told two friends immediately afterwards.

Both the Assemblywoman and male staffer agree she was drunk. She has no recollection.

The matter is under investigation.

Ian Welsh is an English blogger I recently began reading. His most recent blog concerned gender pay equality. Women should be paid as much as men for doing the same job.

He reported how the British Broadcasting Company was handling the situation. The BBC is the largest public broadcaster in the world. Twenty thousand nine hundred fifty full-time employees. An additional 35, 402 part-time, flexible and fixed contract staff.

Rather than increase women’s salaries, the salaries of men are being decreased. As much as 30 percent. All in an effort to tackle the gender pay crisis.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

United States Being Destroyed By Its Own

Trump the Pied Piper again. Leading his followers in an attempt to demean and demolish Justice in the United States.

His attack directed at the Department of Justice, FBI, and the Judicial System. His wrongdoing monumental in comparison to Nixon’s wrongdoing.

This is the most dangerous time in the history of our country.

We are being destroyed by our own!

Yesterday, friday. It was different for me. Normally, I am out and about on a friday evening. Not last night.

I worked once again in the afternoon on my next novel. Growing Up Italian. The words were flowing well. I ended up working till 11 in the evening.

I have been at the Italian book four years. Irma’s acceptance has motivated me to get the book to the publisher’s desk.

Irma and Me continues to be available on the internet at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and KoboBooks.

The “bad guys” are back. Oxitec. The issue 2-3 years ago re testing a purported mosquito killer on Key Haven was killed by the people in a general election. At the time, the Florida was involved in oversight.

Oxitec has reapplied to test in the lower keys. The application this time to the EPA. Scares me. Trump’s EPA is not concerned about you and me. Only corporations.

Oxitec seeks permission to test without specifying where.

Ollie, get your team back together. The fight continues!

Syracuse/Georgetown today at 12:30. Georgetown a 5 point favorite.

Two foes of yesteryear. While both were members of the Big East. Every game to the death!

Coaches Jim Boeheim and John Thompson actually disliking each other. No friendship till a couple of years after Thompson retired. Boeheim and Thompson ran into each other. Thompson extended his hand. Saying something in effect to Boeheim that he really had not liked him.

The coaching giants friends today!

Big day in American history. On this date in 1771, the Boston Tea Party. An act of rebellion if there ever was one. Great for the colonists’ cause.

Rebellion happens. A people who think they are getting screwed will react in such fashion. It could happen again.

It was bound to happen! Sexual harassment in reverse. A male reported having been harassed by a female several years ago. In the political arena, no less.

Andrea Ramsey had announced she was a Democratic candidate for Congress. The Congressional District in Kansas. She dropped out of the race this week.

A male subordinate claimed she sexually harassed him in 2005. He claimed she fired him for refusing her advances.

Works both ways. What is good for the goose, is good for the gander. What is good for the gander, is good for the goose.

A new word in the Oxford Dictionary. Youthquake. Defined as “a significant, cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people.”

The word the result of the wakening of millennials seeking change during the past 12 months.

Will the birth control issue ever leave us?

Trump issued a new rule re birth control. One which could significantly reduce women’s access to free birth control. He expanded religious exemptions to include non-religious entities.

In two instances. One to include publicly traded corporations. The other permitting denial on moral grounds (an extension of religious grounds).

A Federal District Court Judge temporarily blocked the new Trump rules.

Enjoy your day!

PHILIPPINE’S DONALD TRUMP

Interesting blog talk radio show last night. Some topics revealing.

One of the topics involved the Philippine’s new President Rodrigo Duterte. Elected May 1. The Philippine’s Donald Trump.

Duterte decided to eliminate drugs. Immediately upon taking office. Secret forces searched for dealers and users. Yhey were not arrested. Rather, killed on sight. No trial, no nothing.

Duterte has been successful. 1,500 killed so far. 400 for drugs. The rest for various reasons. All killed forthwith.

Duterte has a toilet mouth.

The UN criticized him for the killings. Violated human rights.

The US Ambassador complained also. Duterte called the US ambassador an “annoying, homosexual, son of a bitch.

Re the UN, “If you’re a rude son of a bitch, we’ll just leave you.” My way or the highway.

RE the UN again, “I don’t give a shit about them…..they are the ones interfering.”

Re human rights violations in the US, Especially police/black killings, “The Americans are killing the black people there, shooting them down when they are already on the ground…..if just 2 or 4, it’s still human rights violations.”

Another topic involved 5 year old Ormon Daqneesh. The boy seated on an orange seat in an ambulance, What appeared to be blood splattered on the sie of his face. His eyes sad.

A 2 minute video. Pictures made therefrom. Viral over the internet with over 700,000 viewing.

Some believe the video/pics are phony. Planned. Not blood on the boy’s face. A multitude of other reasons.

It is claimed the photographer has no other videos or pics listed anywhere in the world on the internet. Who is he? The claimed name is Mahmoud Roslan.

Which story is correct? I don’t know. Is the issue being discussed? Yes.

Yesterday was a tough day for me. I did not sleep well the night before. Felt like a zombie all day.

Caused my fine tuning, etc. of last night’s show to take 2 extra hours.

The rainy season is definitely upon Key West. Poured all day yesterday. Intermittently, but extremely heavy. All night also. This morning, too. With lightning and thunder big time.

My fellow senior citizens, recognition of a sort awaits. A helpful one. September is Healthy Aging Month. Exercise, proper eating, etc. Can’t hurt.

Today is screw off day for me. The start of my weekend. Love wednesdays!

History repeating itself today. On this day in 79 AD, Italy’s Vesuvius exploded. The volcanic eruption buried Pompeii. Today, a major volcanic eruption hit central Italy. Many villages destroyed. Look like our Baton Rouge. A strong quake.

Recall several years ago on my first trip to Italy. I was staying at Anna’s apartment in Novara. Third floor. Working in the library. All of sudden, things started moving. Pretty good. I could hear Anna screaming. Between shocks and after shocks, the quake kept up several hours. Fortunately, Novara was on the periphery.

I must admit, I was concerned. I thought the 1,500-year-old building I was staying in was going to collapse. The shock sensations were that bad.

Another day in the life of William Hackley. This day in 1855, his diary mentions “Baby is a little unwell.” Matilda’s boil on a breast broke. Another has developed on her other breast. “I think her milk much affected and disagrees with the baby.”

Not easy to feed a baby back then. Nor easy for a mother to breast feed.

I continue to worry about Baby.

Mosquitoes, Zika, in the news daily. Properly so.

I read something this morning that the French take care of the mosquito problem by opening their windows and placing flower pots of geraniums on the windowsills. Keeps the mosquitoes out.

Geraniums carry an oil with a scent. Citronella. A natural mosquito repellent.

KONK Life hits the stands today. My column this week is Teaching to the Tests Fails. About the education of our young. You will find it revealing.

Enjoy your day!

 

EVERYTHING GREEN TODAY

St. Patrick’s Day again! Everyone Irish!

This is Spring Break time in Key West. Will add to today’s revelry.

The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade occurred in New York City. Irish soldiers serving in the British Army in 1762 decided to celebrate their homeland.

I marched twice in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parades. I was in Manhattan College’s Air Force ROTC. Still recall the sharp eyes right each time we passed St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Another recollection is the partying. Big! The best day of the year!

Visited the dentist yesterday. Check-up time. Even implants get checked.

The dental assistant doing the checking irritated me. She kept treating me like an old man. Late twenties lady. When she mentioned how sad it was that I was unable to get out evenings and party, I said…..Lady, I party more than you and have more fun than you!

Started the evening at Don’s Place. Don, Stan and Clare. Great conversation. The conversations should be recorded and placed on You Tube.

Don and I were to eat together. Don decided he was not eating. I had to eat. Skipped lunch. I was famished.

I went to Outback. Thought I might not be able to get a seat. Outback is crowded during season same as Duval restaurants.

The place was empty. Only about 1/3 full. Four persons at the bar, including me.

One of the best evenings I have enjoyed chatting with those round me.

To my right, a couple. We started with the NCAA tournament. Then the Hungarian revolution, Hungary today, Flora, Albania, and cursive writing.

Never got their names. He was 80, she 43. He the best 80 I have ever seen. Still working. At Publix. A butcher. She originally from Hungary. Has been in Key West three years.

They were celebrating their two year anniversary. I congratulated them. Two years married or partnered? No. Two years living together? No, we live separate. We met two years ago.

Typical Key West. Any reason to celebrate.

We got into handwriting. I mentioned my column re the issue. She knew kids are not being taught to write today. He did not.

A waitress overheard the conversation. She came over and joined in. Knew everything about cursive writing. Was unhappy her children were not being taught handwriting.

The fellow several seats to my left joined in. Then came over. He was really into the failure to teach cursive writing in most schools today.

My KONK Life column was Goodbye Handwriting.. Of all the issues I have written about over the years, this garnered the most comment. In writing and on the street. I was amazed! I feared people might be bored with the subject.

The Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board met with County Commissioners last night. The Board is pushing for a new building. $4.2 million. It would require raising taxes 10, 15 and 14 percent respectively over the next three years. The group insisted taxes had to be raised immediately.

The Mosquito Control group is an entity unto themselves. They do an excellent job. Ergo, no one bothers them. They generally ask and receive. High ranking staff are paid excessive salaries. Extremely so.

I say lets hold up a moment. The group has brass testicles asking for an immediate tax increase to pay for a building not yet even approved by the County Commission. Some Commission members heard the $4.2 million figure for the first time.

My immediate concern with the Mosquito Control Board is its intention to test GMO mosquitoes. The Mosquito Control Board wants to test them for the British Company Oxitec. The test would take place on the island where I live. Key Haven. Key Haven  is small. You could put it in your back pocket.

I am opposed to the testing. I do not believe my neighbors, our island and I should be used as guinea pigs.

After six years, the FDA came out last week with its determination re the use of GMO mosquitoes.. The FDA said the process was effective and safe. I questioned it then and now.

There is a lot of preaching going around that the use of GMO mosquitoes should not be held up in view of the safe and effective declaration by the FDA.

Sometimes people do not know. Many not properly informed.

The FDA regulates the genetic material introduced into the mosquito. The genetic material is safe and effective for mosquitoes. No federal determination has ever been made with regard to its safety as regards humans.

My message simple. Do not be mislead when told the FDA ruled safe and effective.

Fantasy Fest is back in the news. Some City Commissioners want the City to stop making its contribution to Fantasy Fest. The group who run the event are unfunded this year. The several year contract with the City ran out. Fantasy Fest is six months away.

There is no rush in arriving at a determination apparently. The vote to extend the contract one year while matters are further looked into has been adjourned one month.

Typical of governmental mentality in the Keys. Determinations are made too fast or too slow.

Enjoy your day!