Good morning. Still without computer. Hoping to have today! However you can still catch me daily on Facebook live! I will be posting my videos as usual! And remember Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Next Tuesday @9pm. Hope you can join me.
Good morning. Still without computer. Hoping to have today! However you can still catch me daily on Facebook live! I will be posting my videos as usual! And remember Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Next Tuesday @9pm. Hope you can join me.
There is good and bad to everything. Many times the bad is hidden/forgotten. Especially in the instance where the something bad has turned with the passage of time into a shining gem.
It is the story of leprosy and Key West. One I only learned this past week.
Diana Millikan is a snowbird. Interested in history. Digs every day into Key West’s background. She brought the leprosy part to my attention. I merely read what she provided.
There was a concern on her part that perhaps nothing should be written re the subject. A negative report. I initially agreed. Then decided that what was was. Let it all out.
The Biblical plague of all time is leprosy. Monroe County, and especially Key West, had a large number of leprosy victims residing here. It was another time, another century.
Once as many as 100. One of the largest numbers in the United States. None of the victims caught the dread disease here. It was brought from the outside into the Keys.
Leprosy is not contagious. One human to another. Don’t laugh. Leprosy is spread by armadillos. I do not recall armadillos inhabiting this area.
Today, leprosy is treatable. Persons affected are no longer isolated. Since 1942, a drug called Putome is available to cure leprosy.
The problem still exists. About ten cases a year in the United States. I do not know when the last case was reported in the Key West area. Note however that two Key West doctors list in their areas of expertise leprosy.
When leprosy was rampant, U.S. residents were shipped off to Carville, Louisiana. That is where they were isolated, lived. Five thousand patients over the years. The leprosy facility was closed by the government in 1999. No new business.
However, ten elderly residents remain. They never left. They have lived there their whole lives. They were born in Carville.
James Carville comes into play. James of Democratic political fame. His great grandfather was Postmaster of the Carville area for years. Carville, Louisiana is named after him.
I received sad information from Lynda Frechette this morning. Judy Wood is dead. The exuberant charming Tavern ‘n Town bartender. I will provide more information as received.
My intent last night was to hear Terri White sing at La Te Da at a Fantasy Fest King Fundraiser for Christopher. Then to The Little Room Jazz Club to attend Larry Smith’s birthday celebration.
Made neither. For some reason, I became extremely exhausted in the afternoon. The rest of the afternoon and evening were spent in bed.
Syracuse/Virginia Tech saturday. Virginia Tech a 17 point favorite.
I wish the football season would end!
Have to hustle. A haircut with Lori at noon. Then lunch at Jay’s new Cuzzy Bubbaz. It opened two days ago.
Enjoy your day!
Key West lost another of its stars yesterday at age 99. Edward Knight.
A handful of men are responsible for the Key West of today. Knight one of them. He was a community pillar, a visionary and philanthropist. A realtor and developer.
Key West recently recognized his contributions by renaming the White Street Pier to the Edward B. Knight Pier.
He will be missed.
The weather has been everything the past week. The media suggesting a storm. People getting a bit nervous. Turned out to be nothing.
Yesterday, 99L was to hit. Merely a tropical wave. Rain and strong winds. Never happened. Yesterday was one of the loveliest days of the year. Shiny. brightly so. A bit humid. A slight breeze. Water moving fast, however.
This morning a bit darker. Has rained a bit already. Most recent weathercast says 80 percent chance of rain today. Yesterday’s rain in all likelihood.
I stepped out onto my deck. I was hit with a distinct smell of rotten fish. First time at my location.
The weather report says there is a tropical depression forming 60 miles to the south. Will be responsible for rain and wind wednesday.
All purchased for the storm has a long shelf life. I look forward at different times to meals of crackers and peanut butter and jam. Other times, to crackers and sardines.
I mentioned in yesterday’s blog that I was up at 5 yesterday morning researching this week’s KONK Life column. Wrote it yesterday afternoon. New Face In Price Gouging And Political Influence. Mylan Pharmaceuticals, EpiPen, CEO Heather Bresch, and political influence. An example of Big Pharma machinations.
KONK Life hits the stands wednesday.
Baby was vaccinated today. What was a vaccination in 1855? Was it for the baby’s fever or something else?
Tonight at 5:30, Dueling Bartenders at Aqua. Love the singing!
Afterwards at 8:30, Larry Smith at the Little Room Jazz Club.
An evening of great music.
Enjoy your day!
Two photos in this morning’s Key West Citizen kick off today’s blog.
The first of a crocodile. The picture not of concern. The place where taken is.
The four foot crocodile was photographed off the seawall on South Roosevelt Boulevard. One quarter mile from Smathers Beach.
The crocs are moving in. Not in large numbers yet. But every few months another sighted.
It bothers me. Whether Orlando was a croc or alligator, I do not recall. However, the story of the 2 year old frightening.
Many tell me the area belonged to the crocodiles and alligators before man arrived. It is their home man has taken. The crocs are merely reclaiming what was theirs.
The other photo was a 1967 one of the newly constructed Key West Towers. Ain’t no more Key West Towers in Key West. Looked like Key West by the Sea to me. Could not be, however. I have always been under the impression that Key West by the Sea was initially Navy offices and barracks during World War II.
Did a little internet searching. Hard to find a Key West Towers. Finally found an historical piece advising that Key West by the Sea was built in 1967, Ergo, Key West by the Sea initially was Key West Towers. The Navy never was involved.
My day yesterday began with a manicure with Tammy. Tammy is Vietnamese. Wears her black hair long. Yesterday it was streaked. Typical woman. She wanted a change.
Looked good. The Americanized version of a Vietnamese beauty.
We were engrossed in conversation while she worked on my nails. An hour after I left, I discovered she had forgotten to buff the nails on my left hand. One hand is bright and shiny, the other bland and dull.
I am returning thursday for a pedicure. She can fix my nails at that time.
I was hungry hungry. Decided on 5 Guys. It had been a long time. I knew I would be sorry when I finished. I was. Shot over to Home Depot to work the bloat feeling off by walking.
Last night, Aqua. Monday cocktail time is Dueling Bartenders. I enjoy the place. The mixture of music is delightful. They play and sing old, relatively new and in between music. I am not familiar with today’s music. 1940s, 50s and 60s is what I know and recall. I get my shot of it monday’s at Aqua.
Tom Luna bartending. Always bartending. A magnificent voice.
Tom has been in Key West close to 30 years. Arrived January 2, 1989 and never left. He has achieved iconic status. Everyone loves and respects him.
Goddess Galore aka Rick Dery was not to be found.
Beatrix Dixie was working the bar and singing along with Tom. I am relatively new to Aqua on a steady basis. I suspect Beatrix is new. Not sure. Whatever, she is a beauty! Sultry. sexy.
Beatrix has an ass, boobs, great legs, lovely face, wonderful hair. Even her voice is feminine. Looks real. Hard to tell.
A couple of weeks ago, Sheila was around the corner of the bar from me. Beatrix was singing. First time Sheila had seen her. Sheila came to me and said…..Would you believe! A compliment to Beatrix’s talents.
Tonight my podcast broadcast. Tuesday talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.
Generally, I am behind. This week, I have already prepared three times the material needed. My problem this afternoon will be to pick and choose. Then organize.
I am beginning to receive comments to the show. Same as those of you who comment here. One difference. So far, all nice. Listeners must be a different breed of people from readers.
Enjoy your day!
A pleasant afternoon and early evening yesterday.
Visited with a friend in Sugarloaf. Then to an early dinner at the Square Grouper.
The company good! The place special! The meal outstanding! Enjoyed fried oysters and a crispy fried hogfish.
Tonight special, also. Coffee Butler sings!
Coffee was born and raised in Key West. Sang all over the island. Retired in 2oo5.
Tonight, he and many others will sing soul. Key West soul. The show is called A Night of Key West Soul. A similar show was held last year. A hit! Tonight’s should be also.
Many local luminaries will join with Coffee. One is my friend Tom Luna. He joins with Will Thompson in singing Who Put the Pepper in the Vaseline. One example of Key West soul.
Tonight at 7 at the Key West Theater on Eaton.
This afternoon Sloan. Tons of little things to work on.
Tonight, I am not sure. Either Tavern ‘n Town or Duval for Lobsterfest.
Enjoy your day!
Going to Greece. Not me. The bartender at Roostica. For a whole month. September.
I think her name is Sarah. I will be seeing her soon again and get it straight.
We chatted long about Greece last night. I ended up the last customer to leave. They were cleaning up when I left.
The first thing I am going to do is have her read the day by day blog account of my trips. Will tell her a lot she wants to know. She intends to island hop.
Started my evening last night at Aqua. The Dueling Bartenders. Tom Luna and Rich Dery. Rich dressed. Both bars packed. Always a good time.
The best part of the evening came as I arrived home. The July 4th concerts and fireworks on TV. I kept flipping the dial among Washington, Boston and New York.
Trump says many negatives about America. He dwells on the unhappiness of Americans. I could not see it on the faces of the thousands attending the three events. It was pride time!
Before going to the TV fireworks, I watched a while the Key West ones. Terrific! Shot off Knight Pier. Watched from my deck. A perfect view. Several years ago, Jenna joined me to view the fireworks from the deck. Two lounge chairs and a bottle of Dom Perignon.
I found Key West busy last night. The restaurants packed. That is why I ended up at Roostica. The crowd surprised me. Generally the last night of a holiday weekend is dead.
Worked on my blog radio show in the afternoon. Fine tuning today for this evening’s show. Interesting topics. Like Clinton Foundation misdeeds, Italy working on referendum re out of Euro Union in the Fall, 40 percent of monies U.S. pays out each year goes to pay interest on loans, Rudolph Murdoch and Newt Gingrich digging for oil on Golan Heights, who pays for booze and balloons at national political conventions, the birth of the bikini, a GMO baby in the works, and more.
Join me for a quick moving half hour. Not just news. My opinion always shared. You will disagree with some. Whatever, the show is interesting and revealing.
Nine my time. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. The show now has some national advertisers. Means the numbers are up. People are listening. People are enjoying.
Thank you.
I will never climb the Santorini volcano. My heart won’t permit it. The doctor told me last week the reason I easily tire is the cardiomyopathy discovered several years ago. An enlarged heart.
I corrected the problem. Gave up drinking for 1 1/2 years. My heart shrunk to normal size.
The problem is 30-40 percent of my heart is soft tissue as a result. Makes it harder to push blood through my heart when I exert myself.
I am paying for my past sins. No question, as ye sow so shall ye reap.
I have a 10:30 visit with my heart doctor this morning to verify the results.
Crocodiles in the news. The Florida and Keys ones. Hatching season similar to turtles. Mother croc buries her eggs in sand.
Crocs an endangered species in Florida. Down to 200-300 in 1970s. Now estimated at 1,700-2,000.
I fear crocs and alligators. An article I read said fear not crocs. No record of a croc death exists in the U.S. Only one of a bite.
Still scare me!
God bless the French! A French designer Louis Reard introduced to the world on this day in 1946 the bikini. First time! Men and women alike have benefited. Men like to look. Women who wear bikinis happy with them.
Enjoy your day!
Key West is a tiny island. A speck in a large body of water. Probably why those who live in the ocean are important to us. Our neighbors.
Turtles are loved! There is the Turtle Hospital in the mid keys. Staffed by a large professional staff.
The staff significantly successful.
Bubbles is a sub-adult loggerhead turtle. She was found floating and unable to dive on March 15. Bubbles was brought to the Turtle Hospital. Her intestines impacted.
Bubbles has recovered. Time for her release from the hospital. Tomorrow she will be returned to her ocean home. She will be released on Sombrero Beach at 10 in the morning. Roughly 100 persons will be there to cheer Bubbles off.
Key West definitely into Pride Week. The town crowded last night. Traffic on the verge of being horrendous. Too many people on bicycles and mopeds. Accidents waiting to happen.
One of the aces of the Korean War was Capt. Manuel “Pete” Hernandez. 14.5 kills in 9 months. Hernandez was born in Key West April 19, 1925.
My KONK Life column this week appears in KONK E-Blast this morning. Corn Flakes…..Cure Masturbation. I kid you not. Corn flakes when first invented were to serve as an anti-masturbatory breakfast.
The column finishes on page 2 of E-Blast. A large picture of me tops it. The picture was taken five years ago in Greece. On the island of Amorgos. How relaxed I appear. I was!
I had a haircut appointment yesterday at noon with Lori. Forgot. Doing it a lot lately. I am rescheduled for later today.
Saw one of my doctors at 1.
Napped most of the afternoon.
The Chart Room first last night. John bartending. The new guy. A good personality. He will do well.
Then dinner at Hot Tin Roof. The charming Patty Flower took care of me.
The Democrats had a big day yesterday. Elizabeth Warren continues to impress me. She can take on Trump toe to toe.
I watched the new TV show The Girlfriend Experience sunday night. About a high end prostitute. Not sure if I like it. Moves too slow.
The show brought to mind how things have changed over the years. 50-70 years ago, the story line would not fly. The use of a swear word was enough to block release of a movie or keep a TV show off the air.
Television advertising the same way. Sanitary napkins and condoms advertised today. I remember condoms. It was 1949. I was 14 years old. Working at all kinds of jobs in a drug store. Sometimes, I worked behind the cigarette/cigar counter. That is where the condoms were sold. From under the counter, of course. Sanitary napkins were behind the women’s counter. Could be seen. Had to be requested, however.
A report from the Institute for Economics and Peace has just come out. Claims only 10 nations not at war at the present time. I question the number.
The study also listed the most peaceful nations in the world. Iceland was #1. The united states, 103. Sounds correct. Nothing to be proud of.
Religion has killed many innocents. The Salem witch hunt, for example. On this day in 1692, the first “witch” was hung. After a trial, of course. Her name Bridget Bishop. Her real crime was her morality. She was of dubious moral character. Slept around, had three husbands.
Salem an example of a society gone crazy.
Enjoy your day!
Great evening last night!
Dinner and Bobby Nesbitt in the company of June Hudson. Dinner at Tavern ‘n Town. Packed. Many locals having a bite to eat before seeing Bobby Nesbitt perform at the Tennessee Williams Theater.
Nesbitt’s Cabaret Show was his tenth successive. He has done one a year the past ten years. All at the Tennessee Williams Theater.
Carmen Rodriguez joined Bobby in the performance.
The theme/background of show was Las Vegas. From Frank Sinatra to Louis Prima and Keely Smith. Outstanding! Especially for one who lived through those years. The tunes became popular beginning with Sinatra’s 1950s Las Vegas Rat Pack days. My college years.
I looked around the room where Bobby was performing. Many familiar faces. All loyal fans and followers. Most at least twenty years. Wherever and whenever Bobby performed in Key West. Some followed him to San Farncisco and Germany also for shows in those locations.
June excellent company. I screwed up her evening a bit. There was a private party at someone’s home following the show. June and I were to go. I begged off after Bobby’s show.
I did nothing sunday work wise. Thought I was ahead of the game. Actually was not. Knew I had a big day today. Preparation for tomorrow night’s blog talk radio show. Needed to get to bed.
I was correct. I am behind. So much so that I have cancelled my time on the anti-gravity treadmill this morning.
Happily, June did not let me deter her. She went to the party.
A new show is opening soon at the Red Barn Theater. Scott and Hem. F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway together for an evening of chit chat. The play was written by Mark St. Germain. His credits include many plays, novels and TV shows. One of the TV shows in the news these days. He was the writer for the Cosby Show.
I hope to see Scott and Hem.
Another cold front coming in. High today will be 69. Will be cold a couple of days.
Lisa’s in-laws live in Cape Coral. Cape Coral was hit by a tornado last night. The in-laws fortunately only lost the screen covering the pool.
No difficulty in deciding where I will be tonight. At home. Watching the Clemson/Alabama game. I have no favorite. Jean Thornton and David Heath do. Both die hard Alabama fans. It is questionable whether Jean will survive if Alabama loses.
The day ahead pleasant for me. Researching tomorrow night’s blog talk radio show. A good five hours involved.
Enjoy your day!
Sunday was a full day for me. A good one.
I got to watch Dr. Zhivago for the umpteenth time. Always exciting! Love Russian history! The film based on Boris Pasternak’s novel of the same name.
A Russian movie I enjoy even more is War and Peace. Based on Leo Tolstoy’s book.
I have only seen the movie two times. It does not get played on TV. I saw it in a movie theater when it first came out in 1956. A few years later on TV. Since, no more. I wish Turner or someone would start running it.
War and Peace’s music got to me. Even more than Dr. Zhivago’s. The theme song is a waltz. The mind dances through many of the scenes.
The book was torture to read. Eleven hundred plus pages. The last 25 percent more philosophy rather than historical novel.
I wrote this week’s KONK Life column. Political Sexcapades. An interesting title. An interesting story. Begins with the sexual lives of those who “persecuted” President Clinton re Monica Lewinsky. It ends with the admonition that most are sinners.
Trump has threatened Clinton to be careful if she is going to play the sexism card. I warn/predict a down and dirty campaign. Perhaps the dirtiest ever.
A scenario that should not be. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone type thing.
The column publishes wednesday.
Even got to watch the Syracuse/Texas Southern game. Syracuse won 80-67.
The honeymoon is over. Syracuse play will now be in the ACC. The ACC season starts wednesday night when Syracuse plays Pittsburgh.
A quick dinner at Roostica. Sunday night is spaghetti, meatballs and sausage as my grandmother and mother prepared.
Duval and its side streets are crowded. It is like high season. A big Key West New Year’s Eve ahead.
Key West Citizen’s Keys History notes that on this day during Eisenhower’s Presidency, Eisenhower arrived in Key West to recuperate from a heart problem.
Eisenhower was probably aware of how restful Truman found our island.
Enjoy your day!