DESTRUCTION FROM WITHIN

Wisdom from the lips of Abraham Lincoln: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

So much for what is going on in Washington.

Monday night is Dueling Bartenders time at Aqua! There I was sitting with Liz and Mary enjoying the singings of Tom Luna and Rick Dery.

Liz looked her best in a long time. She has been recovering from several illnesses. A sparkling woman at 83. A new hairdo. No more cane. Like being born again!

Then to Tavern ‘n Town for my Atkins diet meal. A juicy prime rib. Nothing else. No veggies,etc. Seventeen pounds lost so far. Next level, 20.

Glad I stopped at Tavern ‘n Town. Met Pam. A major fan of my writings. We had never met before. Seriously excited. I was afraid she was going to have a heart attack!

Pam, it  was my honor to meet you. May we run into each other again!

Pam was with Paul. And Lynda and Bob Frechette. Lynda introduced me to Pam. The four were having dinner together.

I was seated at the bar. Heard Louis from behind me. It was Aaron and Karen. On their way to the Randy Roberts show at the Tennessee Williams Theater.

One more. As I was finishing my coffee. Melissa Kendrick. I have not seen Melissa in a couple of years. Melissa is the President/CEO of the Mel Fisher Museum.

She was excited. Properly so.

On August 8, 2010, a gold bar valued at $550,000 was stolen from the Museum. The thief or thieves never apprehended. Till the past few days.

Melissa told me she had received a call during the day from the authorities. The thieves had been caught. One in West Palm Beach. The other, Rio Linda, California.

No word yet as to whether the gold bar had been retrieved.

The gold bar was an important exhibit. People could touch and lift it. The bar was secured in such a fashion it could not be stolen. It was.

The bar was discovered in 1980 by Mel Fisher. It was from the Santa Margarita. The Santa Margarita sunk in a 1622 hurricane off the Florida Keys.

As I was sitting at the bar, I marveled at what I saw.

Getting old and looking old are two different things. For example, some at 80 look 60. Others at 80 look like they are ready for the grave.

An elderly couple were dancing by the bar. For the whole hour and a half I was there. One song after another. Rarely sat. If they did, only for a sip or two of wine.

Looked 100! Old and bent. Dressed today, however. The lady in shorts. The man’s clothes up to date sporty.

The two obviously enamored. The touchings, holdings and smiles.

They knew all the dance moves. Especially the woman.

God bless them! May we all achieve what they have. The ability and desire to dance and enjoy our way through the years.

The William Tell overture in the background, the masked man on his horse shouting “Hi-yo, Silver! Away!”

The Lone Ranger!

I knew the Lone Ranger, his Indian friend Tonto and horse Silver from the radio till the late 1950’s. Then television into the late 1960’s. My children as children, the 1960’s shows.

I mention the Lone Ranger because today is the birthday of the show. It debuted this day in 1933 on a Detroit radio station. The Lone Ranger became one of the most popular western heroes of the 20th century.

He personified all that was good and noble. He did not smoke, swear, or drink alcohol. He used grammatically correct speech. He never shot to kill.

Television was relatively new in the early 1950’s. The Lone Ranger became ABC’s biggest hit.

Key West has a Tonto. A different sex from the Lone Ranger’s Tonto. I have known her 20 years. She works the outside bar at La Te Da.

Trump’s State of the Union at 8 this evening. My podcast at 9. I suspect my podcast will be more interesting. I will be listening to the State of the Union address, never the less.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou at 9 this evening my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Interesting topics. Some eye opening revealing. A fast moving half hour show.

Grab a drink, sit back and enjoy.

The best of days to you!

 

 

TONIGHT…..SANCHEZ AT CUSTOM HOUSE

Mario Sanchez, one of Key West’s greatest artist! A world wide reputation.

Many of his works will be exhibited for several weeks at the Custom House. The show’s opening this evening.

More than 70 pieces from the collection of David Wolkowsky a part of the exhibit.

I plan on attending.

Prior to the exhibit, I have an appointment with Dr. Mc Ivor to get my test results.

My evening yesterday began at 5 with Tammy. Needed a manicure.

Tammy’s 9 year old son had emergency appendectomy surgery last week. He is doing well.

Then to Don’s Place. cCatted with Don and David. Shane joined us.

I had to pull Don out so we could go to dinner. Don may be able to do without food. I cannot.

We ate at the outside bar at La Te Da. Tonto bartending. A business discussion. We compared the operations of a bar and law office. Interestingly, many similarities. Business is business.

I was home at 9. In time for the Cavaliers/Warriors game. Great basketball. If you are a Cleveland fan. I am. Next, game 7. The world championship on the table. One game for all the marbles.

I did not fall asleep during the game.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department will have its officers wearing body cameras beginning monday. A good move. All police departments should require body cameras.

My KONK Life column this week The Rape of Social sScurity. Sounds boring. Not. Extremely interesting and revealing. Everyone should read.

The column was posted on this morning’s KONK E-Blast.

Bernie Sanders ran the good race. The way it is. He should stop his campaigning or whatever he calls it. When you lose, you step back. He does not seem to know how.

He tried to climb Mt. Everest. Failed. The last 100 feet were too much for him. His effort respected.

Enjoy your day!

 

I WANT TO GO TO JAIL

I want to go to jail.

I was having a conversation yesterday with one of those who make this island the place it is.

He started by telling me…..I want to go to jail. Only for 30 days. I need a vacation.

He saw I was looking at him strangely. He said…..I’ve been there before. It’s not bad.

He continued…..I’ll get healthy. No smoking, no drinking. Food not bad. Rooms air conditioned. There are work out areas. I can get in shape. Plus, free medical. I will go to the infirmary, say I have chest pains, and get a free physical.

He was serious. His problem is figuring out what crime to commit. He did not want to hurt anyone. He did not want any bills to pay for whatever he did. days.He did not want a sentence longer than 30 days.

Only in Key West!

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Increased speed a bit. Not time. Crawling before walking.

I am a creature of habit. It was back to Cuban Coffee Queen for cheese toast and cold Cuban coffee. Read the newspapers.

Today was to be haircut day. I still am carrying scabs on my head for what was cut off. Rescheduled the haircut for next thursday.

It was humid. Stopped into Bank of America. Great air conditioning! Sat and browsed some local newspapers.

Don’s Place first last night. Busy. Busier than I have seen in a while.

Chatted with Don and David. David excited. He was wearing a hearing aid for the first time. He could hear!

Don’s wife Stephanie came in. Toni said hello. Her arm finally ok. She had shoulder replacement surgery. A long recovery. I am happy it is all behind her.

John and Billy, too.

It was over to La Te Da for dinner. Wednesday night Tonto is at the outside bar. A terrific lady!

There was  a show upstairs at 8. Ergo, downstairs was packed.

Bobby came in. He was going to the show.

I first met Bobby 20 plus years ago. My then wife and I went to La Te Da  for the Sunday Tea Dance. First time.

We looked a bit strange. Only gay men in those days. Bobby came up and asked why we were there. He explained and we left.

Bocce tonight. Last night of the season. Even though I am not playing, I remain a member.  Stop by to encourage the team. I have become a cheerleader in my old age. Without the skirt.

Many teams tied at the top. Our team one of the them. Based on tonight’s results, the team could end up in third place or sixth. Playing the number one team. Played them under a similar experience last season. They were number one and we number three. we beat them. We ended up in second, they in third.

The Country Commission approved the $12.5 million Peary Court purchase last night. A disgrace!

Three weeks ago, my KONK Life column wa Afghanistan and America’s Heroin Addiction. This week a follow up. Heroin Will Survive New Drug Bill. The new article is available today. Both columns revealing and of current importance.

What goes around, comes around. So true!

On this date in 1536, Anne Boleyn lost her head.

Anne’s move in ousting Catherine of Aragon ultimately resulted in Anne’s beheading.

Henry VIII’s first wife Catherine of Aragon luckier. She kept her head. However, the balance of her life was desolate.

She lived in a castle. One small room. Left the room only for mass. Fasted continuously. Wore the hair shirt of the Order of St. Francis.

Enjoy your day!

 

OPERATION BABY LIFT

My opening comments today are not concerning Key West. Though Key West can lay claim to similar values. Like love, conscience and humanity.

It is the story of 2,600 orphaned Vietnamese children. Many babies.

On this day in 1975, ten days of airlifting children out of Vietnam concluded. Allied forces had been defeated. It would be only 16 days later that Saigon would fall effectively ending the war.

It was imperative orphaned children be removed from the country before opposing forces took over. Some of the children Asian-American.

The decision to airlift the children out of the war zone and to safe countries was immediate. No time to think. A yes or no situation. Once made, everyone worked swiftly and diligently to accomplish the removals.

President Ford was in support of the project 100 percent. Thirty flights were planned. Other allied nations in addition to the U.S. were involved. Though the planes and crews were exclusively American.

The children were ultimately adopted in the countries which were their final stop.

A picture is worth one thousand words. No question. Search out Operation Baby Lift on the internet. The photos immediately make you appreciate the effort involved and what was going on.

Photos many. Babies strapped into boxes on row after row of airplane seats. Rows eight across. Other pics of soldiers holding babies and bottle feeding them. Children sleeping on the floor of large planes that had no seats. Close together.

I raise the question. Could such an emergency evacuation take place today? With all the furor over immigration, etc. Remember , there was no time to think. Action had to be immediate.

My day yesterday began with an airport run. I played good neighbor.

My lunch was unusual. I returned to Mangrove Mama’s. I was one of two customers. The weather perfect. I sat where I had in my previous visits. The wind direction perfect. It blew over me.

A lobster reuben again.

Then I sat there for a couple of hours. I fell into deep thinking. Meditation.

Interesting.

Last night’s first stop was the outside Aqua bar. Mark Watson. All locals. More people than during the season.

Mark is an avid North Carolina fan. We talked about the Syracuse and Villanova games. Mark knows his basketball.

Had to eat. Did not want much. Ended up at La Te Da’s outside bar. Tonto bartending. My friend of 20 years.

I enjoyed a crab dip and a few crackers.

Such was my yesterday.

Enjoy your today!

 

 

KEY WEST BORDELLO HISTORY

Key West was a different island 50-70 years ago. In many ways. One was the existence of bordellos. Houses of pleasure. A place where a small fee paid brought lots of pleasure. Customer friendly operations.

Bordellos as such no longer exist in Key West. Today similar services may be available in a gentleman’s club. More expensive however before the evening is over. Less friendly. Money  and not the  customer’s pleasure key.

I tripped onto a bit of Key West’s bordello history via this morning’s Key West Citizen’s History section. Mention was made that on this day in 1953, Mom’s Tea Room was closed. Mom’s Tea Room was a house of ill repute on Stock Island. Local authorities closed Mom’s because of Navy pressure. Back then the Navy had a huge base in Key West and exerted significant influence.

My curiosity was triggered by the mention of Mom’s in the Citizen. I did a bit of searching re houses of ill repute in the Key West area. There is not much recorded.

I discovered that a Rose Rabin apparently was the proprietor of such an establishment. I am not sure she was connected to Mom’s. I suspect she was.

Rose did run a bordello on Truman Avenue before World War II. The Navy forced her out. She opened up again on Stock Island. The Navy forced her out from there.

Rose was back in Key West after the war running a place called the Imperial Club. In a two year time frame, Rose opened and closed the place two times. The Navy forcing her to close each time.

Anyone for tea?

Yesterday was the first day of a process I believe will be good for me. Because of falling frequently in recent weeks, Dr. Lefferts referred me to physiotherapy. Body Owners on Stock Island. I was impressed.

I was there for evaluation. Took most of the hour. Inquiring questions. Concern for my problem.

Heather Smith evaluated me. Turned out, she owns Body Owners. A pleasant professional personality.

Body Owners has a tread mill which will be part of my treatment. A different tread mill! It is anti-gravity. Exercise without pain. The tread mill is a bit monstrous. You are put into a bag, for want of a better description, which is tightly bound around your waist. An air chamber inflates and it appears the wind lifts the person up. The exercise is the same. Pain and tiredness at the moment, not.

I did 15 minutes. Big for me! Felt great during and immediately thereafter. When I got home, it was another story. I was exhausted! Took a two hour nap. Slept well last night. Probably because of the 15 minutes on the machine.

Heather is a nice name. Reminded me of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. A great love novel. True to form, I could not remember the name of the book. I did when I returned home and e-mailed the information to Heather.

Heather’s name significant because the book frequently speaks of the heather on the hill. A place where the lovers met.

My evening was pleasurable. Started at Don’s Place with Don, David, Stan, Clare and Grant. Bocce the key item of discussion. Big match tonight. We are ranked #2. We play #1. A tough evening ahead!

Don and I left. Later had dinner together at the outside bar at La Te Da. Tonto bartending. Debra and Patrick gone.

I have more to share. However not the time. I slept late (blame the tread mill) and have to hustle. A hair appointment with Lori.

Enjoy your day!

I CHEATED!

It had to happen. Last night, I cheated. I am not happy about it this morning.

I have been dieting since mid November. At the moment, I am down 35 pounds. I have been stuck at 35 pounds for 3 weeks. Just as I was stuck for a period of time at 27 and 30 pounds.

My will power is not that strong. I need the encouragement of the scale. I need to see the pounds coming off.

I gave in. I ate! A full meal! First time in four months. Delicious!

I had not intended to give in. The thought had not entered my mind. I was not tempted. However as I sat at the outside bar at La Te Da, I suddenly said what the hell!

It was raspberry glazed duck. I ate it all! Plus the vegetables and delicious bread and butter.

A good boy I was not.

I woke in the middle of the night with a heavy feeling. In my head as well as stomach. Could not sleep. I still have that heavy feeling this morning.

I learned a lesson. When you have been avoiding food for a long time, you cannot dive in like I did.

As always, La Te Da was enjoyable. Don was with me. It was good to see my bartender friend of many years, Tonto.

Met a terrific couple. Joe and Jane. Their other home is New Jersey. They also own a home in Key West on Olivia Street. Six months here, six months there. Both retired school teachers. I enjoyed their company. Just my luck, there six months in Key West ends today. We will have to wait till November to continue the relationship.

I intended to attend the Jimmy Buffett concert at Higgs Beach. I got stuck home on a one hour plus business call. By the time I left, it was almost 7. Buffett was due to appear at 7:30. Parking would be a pain. I would have had to park too far away. A long walk to the concert and then back to the car did not turn me on. I went to Don’s Place instead.

All was not lost, however! The concert has been recorded for replay on margaritaville.com. It will air at specified times over the next few days. If you too missed Buffett, take advantage of the recording and watch the concert at your convenience starting today.

It was Don, David, Toni and John at Don’s Place. Don, David and I got involved in a long bocce discussion. How long can we keep playing as we have this season? We are 17-4.

Don always wants to change things. He likes to move players around. I told him to leave well enough alone. It ain’t broke. Don’t fix it.

We play again tonight.

Saw Dr. Jackie Lefferts in the morning. My body still aching from the falls I took. My left hip and butt are a  dark purple inside a black ring. The bruising is bad because I am on  a blood thinner. My ribs had started hurting. The reason for the visit. She does not think I broke one. I was sent for an x-ray and will receive the results today.

We talked about my frequent falling recently. She thinks I have a balance problem. I don’tknow. I am being scheduled for balance exercises at the physiotherapist’s.

Getting old is fun!

Enjoy your day! Don’t fall!