PETER ANDERSON

I never met Peter Anderson. My loss. He was a man about town. Respected. Secretary-General of the Conch Republic.

Peter died this past year. Everyone spoke well of him. As they had done during his life.

At some point, Peter and Mark Howell sat down. Probably several times. I am assuming when Peter was near death.

Peter told his life story to Howell. The story has been carried in KONK Life News E-Blast the past few days. To continue till finished.

Read it! An amazing tale. Of an amazing man.

Peter Anderson lived a full and exciting life. During which he touched many lives.

The Key West/Fantasy fest war is concluded. At least for 5 years. The principals have arrived at an understanding.

My opinion is the City Commission were pigs. Their hunger for money continues to adversely affect every part of Key West life.

Dinner last night with Tom and Fran Dixon at Hot Tin Roof. Their daughter and son in law joined us for drinks beforehand.

The party got bigger. Jean Thornton joined us. Then Stephanie Kappel.

A good time!

Fran brought me home made chocolate candy. All the way from Buffalo. Second time. Did it the last trip, also. At 10 last night upon arriving home, I attacked the bag.

The Dixons return in July.

My blog talk radio show tonight at 9. Join me. I talk about interesting things. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics include the 28 pages involving Saudi Arabia, specific examples of U.S. dollar waste in Afghanistan, hard ass Tea Partier Gov. Paul Le Page of Maine, Lincoln’s nomination and election, Russia’s deals with China and Pakistan re oil.

And the Tom Brady fiasco, Obama telling Germans to take in 1 million immigrants,  Chernobyl’s fall out, and more.

Have to move fast. I am running late. Thought I was having lunch with Donna and Terri tomorrow. Turns out it is today. I’m getting forgetful.

Enjoy your day!

 

FRIDAY NIGHT IN KEY WEST

I finally felt good yesterday. Slept well the night before. Got over the tiredness feeling.

The weather has turned. Humidity has arrived. Three or four days ago. It will now be humid through the end of September. Not bad yet. The humidity will increase with August and September being the worst months. Those two months are like living in the snow belt up north in the coldest winter months. Just opposite.

Ran some errands in the afternoon. Stopped at Don’s Place to visit. Enjoyed a diet Pepsi and chatted with those drinking stronger brew.

Got all spiffed up for last night. Even shaved.

My first stop was Louie’s Backyard. I seem to have added it to my places to have a drink recently. A beautiful spot. Boring last night, however. Very few at the bar. One drink and I was on my way.

The Chart Room was next. A big friday night!

Emily bartending. Witty as usual.

Sheila and David there. I was happy to run into Sheila. It was the first time I had seen her since her brother died. After Sheila left, David and I sat at the round table and talked about all sort of foolish things.

I met Dan and Sarah. Locals, though we had never run into each other before. Dan an old friend of Sheila’s. They both drove Conch trains at one time. Dan now tends pools.

Sarah a charming person. She is a nurse in the emergency room at Lower Keys Hospital.

As I as standing at the corner of the bar waiting to pay my tab, I started chatting with the gent on the stool next to me. His name, Ken. A retired New York City police detective. Worked narcotics. He had a slew of pictures in his cell phone which he showed me with him and thousands of pounds of cocaine he had helped capture.

I would have enjoyed spending more time with Ken. Unfortunately, he leaves to return to New York today. Perhaps next year.

Took a quick look at the Great Sea Battle from the deck of the Pier House. It was winding down. The last of the toilet paper bombs unfurling.

I decided on wings at Kelley’s for dinner. The walk over was uneventful. The season is over. Though Duval was crowded, it was not anywhere near as crowded as in season. I could walk without getting knocked around.

I was shocked as I walked up Caroline. The Brazilian steak house Braza Lena was no more. In its place was a fishery. Appropriately named Keyviche Seafood Eatery. The place was crowded. More so than when it was Braza Lena.

When did Braza Lena close down? When did the new place open? Why the change?

I was unaware of the closing/opening when they occurred. Don’t know how I missed it. I read the Citizen every day and hear the talk on the street. Neither brought the matter to my attention.

I checked the change on the internet. Could come up with nothing definitive. I have a feeling the operation may have the same owners with a different menu.

Jimmy Weekly is a Conch through and through. A for real one as well as an individual that has always had at heart the best for Key West. Jimmy owns Fausto’s. World famous Key West grocery stores.

Jimmy has been a Key West Commission member and active over the years in community affairs. He is outspoken. I rarely agree with his views. However, he always believes he is correct and moves forward undauntedly with an idea.

Jimmy recently had a quadruple bi-pass. He is at home recovering. I wish him well.

A Key West generation is passing. The torch slowly moving into other hands.

The thought occurred to me when I saw a picture in this morning’s KONK E-Blast of Kate Miano at Peter Anderson’s grave site. Peter’s ashes were being entombed. Kate was dressed in her Conch Republic uniform. Peter had been Secretary General of the Conch Republic.

Home made backyard gun ranges are legal in Florida. Someone in Big Pine has one. He practices his shooting there.

An attempt was made to stop him. To no avail. The law was on his side.

Sounds sort of wacky to me to have a gun range in the backyard. But such is Florida law. A bill has been introduced in the Florida House of Representatives to place some limits/safeguards on backyard ranges. I doubt it will get anywhere. Florida political leadership is much like that of Texas. Tough guys, don’t tread on me types.

Enjoy your day!