Early Egyptian breakfasts consisted of bread and beer for the poor, bread and wine for the more affluent. Plus green onions for both groups. Egyptians believed green onions warded off evil spirits. Plus garlic for strength. 

Their breaths must have been horrendous!

At the start of the 1950s, gas cost $.27 per gallon. Wow! Never since! Never again!

Hurricanes were formally given names for the first time on September 9, 1950. The first storm given a name was Fox. Reason: F is the sixth letter of the alphabet and Fox was the sixth storm of that season.

It took Britain 14 years to end World War II food rationing. It did not end till July 4, 1954. The reason being World War II so devastated Britain’s economy that it took 14 years to restore.

Ellis Island closed its doors after processing 12 million immigrants. The first was on January 1, 1892. The last in November 1954. My grandfather Louis after who I am named arrived in 1912. 

The first McDonald’s franchise was opened on April 15, 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois. By 1984, McDonald’s was the largest food chain in the world.

Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law on July 30, 1956 establishing “In God We Trust” as America’s official motto.

Remember the hula hoop? I do. Even I hula hooped. It hit the market in 1958 and within the first two months sold 25 million. First year sales reached $45 million.

The Guggenheim Museum opened in New York City in 1959. Spectacular! I visited often. It was designed with a six story spiral ramp. Unusual.

Barbie was introduced on March 9, 1959. Three hundred thousand were sold the first year. I became the father of three girls in the early 1960s. Barbies were allover our home!

The White House ballroom expense was initially to have cost taxpayers nothing. So Trump told us. Financial benefactors were paying the whole thing which was estimated at $200,000 million. The cost as of March is up to $600,000 million. And taxpayers will pay for a good chunk of it.  

The cost will probably exceed $600,000 million.

Another Trump misrepresentation.

Will the Peace Agreement with Iran survive? Beware of Netanyahu.

Trump is constantly on Biden’s ass. Hillary Clinton has now joined the club. She claims his reelection bid was a “terrible mistake.”

It is years later since the election. Biden a sickly man. She should leave well enough alone.

Vance’s recent appearance on The View a disaster. He is not going anywhere if he thinks he will be the Republican Presidential candidate for 2028.

America’s first Pope is Leo XIV. America’s first Saint Mother Frances Cabrini. She was born in 1850 and died in 1917.

I am a product of a Catholic education. I recall clearly Cabrini becoming a Saint. She was discussed frequently in my schools and at home as I grew up.

Mother Cabrini was declared a Saint July 7, 1946.

A bit of the Donald.

Trump’s name was purportedly removed from the Kennedy Center early Saturday morning. The area where allegedly removed is covered. Trump’s people claim to help the removal area “recover.”

I ask whether it has been removed? If not, I would not want to be Trump when he has to face the wrath of the federal judge involved.

Trump could not have done well at the G7 meeting in Paris. Everyone dislikes him and trusts him not. 

Trump’s birthday party June 14 on the White House lawn a disgrace. A UFC fight? The photos of the attendees reminded me of those who attacked the Capital on January 6.

It appears to me Trump is making our Nation’s 250th Birthday about himself.

I visited a dermatologist yesterday. Biopsied two growths. Will find out in a week if anything serious.

Dr. Norris telephoned me yesterday afternoon. He and his family were finally home. He sounded exhausted. Was on his way to bed. The 7 hour delay in Rome between planes screwed everything up.

My back is out of whack this morning. Hurts big time. Robert was going to help me today at my storage facility. Going to call him and cancel. I can’t lift anything.

Enjoy your day!

The first roller coaster in the United States opened this day in 1884 at Coney Island in Brooklyn. It traveled 6 miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride.

In my youth, a very young one, I rode many times on the Coney Island roller coaster that existed in the late 1930s and early 1940s. My mother’s brother Gus lived in the Bronx. We visited him and my Aunt Louise many times. On Sundays, my uncle would drive us to Coney Island. He always “made me” ride on the roller coaster with him. Always in the front seat. Scared the living daylights out of me!

Time is generally scientifically controlled. A year is tied to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, a month is roughly one full cycle of moon phases, and a day is one rotation of Earth on its axis. 

Why is the length of a week seven days? The answer uncertain. Many reasons suggested. Suggested come from ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, and ancient Rome. I believe that which I learned in Catholic grammar school: God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The seventh became the Sabbath, a reoccurring day of rest. Thus the seven day week.

Ancient Romans were among history’s greatest engineers. Except for one item. Wiping their derrieres after defecating. They did not use toilet paper. Used instead a sponge brush. Referred to as a tersorium. Basically a sponge attached to the end of a stick.

Used on a common basis. The same stick/sponge by everyone. Shared. Washed in between with running water. Sometimes other items used. A scrap of cloth or a pottery shroud after the edges had been smoothed.

My opinion. We should be very grateful for toilet paper and bidets.

In 1858, Lincoln was not yet President. He was known to say even then that America was becoming a “house divided.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “From the Knicks to Trump’s UFC lawn party, last weekend showed us the best and worst of the wide world of sports.”

The UFC fights on the White House lawn were nothing more than human cockfights. Disgusting!

On this day in 1215, King John put his seal on the Magna Carta. One of history’s most important activities. The Magna Carta a cornerstone in the development of democratic England and influenced the U.S. Constitution.

“The President’s Men” was published on this day in 1974. It dealt with the Watergate Scandal.

On this day in 1946, Key West suffered a polio epidemic. Twenty cases, two deaths.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said Europe will build the New World Order and he also wrote about it.

Understandable. Trump has screwed up world order. However, I am not sure the power will move in due course to Europe. A massive responsibility to undertake. In my opinion, things will move slowly so the world can see in which direction our Congress goes and who our next President will be.

Little if any Trump today. We are all sick of hearing about him. Does not mean I will refrain from writing about him. Merely means a day off here and there does not hurt.

Yesterday throat treatment with a nurse specialist. Also, Dr. Norris and I communicated. He was in Athens preparing for the trip home. Plane screwed up. He and the family had to wait seven hours for the next flight. What a way to begin a lengthy trip home!

I see a dermatologist at noon. Small cancer growths becoming a common thing in my old age.

Tonight, The Grand’s Happy Hour. Makes me happy!

Enjoy your day!

It is time to begin paying attention to Social Security. Social Security continues to be in danger. Drastically so!

It is projected Social Security will be exhausted in just six years. That soon! Because few in government have paid attention. They may talk about it running out of money. But do nothing. Merely let the problem get worse by day.

I have decided it is time Americans are made aware of Social Security’s pending doom and insist something be done about it.

Pending doom means those receiving Social Security will see their benefits cut by 22 percent. 

Recipients are not yet yelling and screaming. They will.

The voting power is theirs. Presently 20 percent of the voting age population receive Soc1al Security benefits. Too big a number of voters for politicians to ignore. But they do! Note that in 6 years, the 20 percent will be 30 percent.

Time to get serious about the problem and attack it. It will be somewhat of a major issue in the 2026 mid-terms and a major one in the 2028 Presidential election.

The monies recipients receive is not free. It is their own money being returned. In a smaller amount, however. Employees through all their years up to when they retire have monies taken out of their paychecks and forwarded to Social Security. Employers also make a contribution.

There are presently 68 million Social Security beneficiaries. 

Trump’s 80th birthday yesterday. The major event a U.F.C. fight on the White House lawn. Can you imagine? A garbage event on White House property. Must be Trump believes he is down to U.F.C. fans to be his major supporters.

Thousands attended. I saw some photos of the “guests.” Reminded me of those who attacked the White House on January 6.

Melania sat next to Donald watching the fight.

Trump’s birthday party cost $60 million. Who paid for it?

Jane Fonda has been a stand-up American her whole life. Even during the times not everyone agreed with her.

She is now 88 years old. Still stands up for what she considers correct.

Fonda is anti-Trump. She apparently was against Trump’s 80thbirthday party on the White House lawn and the U.F.C. fight. She has an organization: “Rise Up, Sing Out. A Concert for the First Amendment.” She arranged for a major event last night at the same time some things were ongoing at the White House lawn. Her primary event was at the Town Hall in New York City.  Its purpose as set forth in its title. Basically to celebrate free expression and oppose authoritarianism. Many stars and luminaries attended including Bette Midler, Julia Roberts, and Patti Smith.

Fonda also arranged for numerous similar events nationwide which attracted thousands.

Fonda’s event an overall success.

The Iran/U.S. War off again. Doesn’t sound that way to me. Sounds Trump’s way, however. He needs it! 

Sounds like a “ceasefire” to me. Not an outright end of the war agreement. Trump views it as a “deal to end fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz.” A “limited” agreement.

It will end the U.S. naval blockade on Iran’s ports and extend the ceasefire 60 days. The nuclear issue was not addressed. Remains subject to negotiation. Trump happy. Trump says Russia and China approved. Israel not happy.

A bullshit result. Appears Iran came out ahead. Trump failed again.

A Libertarian Convention held Saturday night. Trump’s people. They booed him big time.

Moving on.

The New York Times ran an article on peas titled “How Healthy Are Peas?” The answer simple: “Peas are powerhouses of nutrition.”

The first bridge built in New York City was the King’s Bridge in 1693. The oldest bridge in New York City still standing is the Brooklyn Bridge which was built in 1883.

Rosie O’Donnell has a daughter in prison. She visited her daughter: “It was a big day for both of us.” Daughter’s name is Chelsea. Rosie said the have “gotten closer” since her daughter was sentenced to prison in October.

Theodore Roosevelt witnessed Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession from the second story of his family’s home on Broadway in New York City.

Four U.S. Presidents were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama. Trump can desire one for the rest of his days. It will never happen!

Voters are about much more than high gas prices. Even those earning good money are struggling to make ends meet.

The heat is an abomination! Hotter than hot!

I am back to several nurses a week. Comes with age.

Enjoy your day!

Finally! Said respectfully. The Knicks won their first NBA title in 53 years. The last time was 1973.

The victory took place in San Antonio. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 94-90. New York fans went crazy in San Antonio and New York City.

New York won the NBA title 4 games to 1.

There will be a ticker tape parade Thursday in New York. It will be a fantastic celebration!

The Ebola outbreak widens in the Congo. Scientists are racing in developing treatments. Testing big time. Several show promise. I hope one works.

Is Trump responsible for the Ebola outbreak? To a significant degree, yes. Trump created the perfect atmosphere for the rapid spread of Ebola in the Congo. 

Trump and Congressional Republicans are both responsible. Trump and his cohorts cut programs around the world and in the U.S. which were studying ways to combat the disease. Trump wanted to show everyone he knew how to save a buck.

Pure madness on his part. Totally irresponsible.

Trump forgot the purportedly strongest nation in the world has a continuing obligation to help protect the entire world.

God help us if Ebola reaches U.S. shores. It will make Covid look like kid stuff.

Germany and Japan are finally rearming 80 years following World War II. Blame it on Trump. He made the world so unstable that everyone now believes they have to protect themselves. They can no longer rely on the U.S. for protection. Under Trump, the U.S. has made certain countries fear they no longer can depend on the U.S. for their safety.

Trump: “I love the inflation.” It was noted yesterday that inflation under Trump reached its highest point. 

Today is Trump’s 80th birthday. I do not wish him well. He has made most Americans, Europeans and Asians less than happy. A bad man who does not deserve the best of anything from us.

Trump’s name finally removed over night on Saturday from the Kennedy Center. An “issue” exists whether it will remain off. Though one court required it be done and in a timely fashion, Trump has appeals pending to have the court’s decision thrown out and his name restored.

Is there a peace agreement yet? Trump says yes and it will likely be announced today. Iran says the timeline could be longer. 

I no longer trust Trump on the issue. Seeing is believing. Also if for real, what has Trump given up to get rid of the war? A good negotiator he is not. Especially where he is so anxious to get the war ended.

To the mundane yet important things in life.

Van Gogh is one of history’s most talented artists. His years painting were limited, however. He began painting at 27 and died 10 years later. During that time, he sold only one painting. “The Red Vineyard” for 400 Belgian francs, $2,000 in today’s money.

The Roosevelts first came to America around 1649 and began life in New Amsterdam, now New York. The first couple to arrive were Dutch immigrants. Closes Martenszen and his wife Jennetjke. From these two came U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt.

Elon Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire.

Harriet Beecher Stowe: “Common sense is seeing things as they are; and doing things as they ought to be.”

Stars and Stripes was officially adopted as the flag of the U.S this day in 1777.

One tenth of the world’s population are left hnded.

Lenny Bruce’s stand up comedy led to many of his arrests. His jokes challenged some U.S. established laws, including those involving sex. He was an anti-conformist.

Salvador Dali believed he was his dead older brother. His belief was influenced by his mother who told him he was the resurrection of his brother who had died as a toddler..

I consider Dali an outstanding artist who was also a whacko. I have one of his paintings. Unfortunately, I have kept it in storage for years. Perhaps time to look at it again.

There is an extremely rare blood type. Not well known. It is Rh-null, also known as “golden blood.” Fewer than 50 people are known to have it. A nightmare to obtain in an emergency situation.

A glorious Sunday ahead. High 80s. No rain.

Enjoy your day!

The Tropic Cinema has been hurting financially. Badly!

Management has announced the Tropic Cinema will be closing for the summer. May not reopen in the Fall.

Sad. Extremely so. A fine facility. Well located. I have seen my movies solely at the Tropic since it opened. Never returned to the Regal. 

Management says the problem is an “industrial one.” Independent theaters are having an extremely difficult time nationwide.

The Knicks/Spurs game tonight at 8:30.

I had a great lunch Thursday at Salute’s. Not just the food. Salute’s food is always good. It was the company. Lunch was with Reiley. I wish I had met him years ago. What a great guy!

Reiley is a thoroughbred horseman. Breeds and trains them at his farm in Lexington. Many end up in the big races. 

Reiley also has a home in Key West. I have to thank Fred Klein for bringing us together.

The most coveted used car in America is the Toyota RAV4. Most cars lose value as soon as they leave the dealer’s lot. The RAV4 hybrid gains.

The Congo Ebola outbreak the worst world wide at the moment. Especially among babies and the extremely young. Some medical experts claim the outbreak is already the worst in history.

Ancient Romans were among the best of what many consider the best today. Like concrete. Would you believe?

Roman concrete remains much stronger than modern day concrete. The ancient concrete survives like forever, getting stronger, not weaker, over time.

On this day in history, Miranda vs. Arizona was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. As a result Miranda Rights were established for all criminal suspects at the time of arrest or prior to interrogation.

Teenagers did not always exist. There was a time you were either a child or an adult. The mid 20th century saw the birth of the modern teenager.

Three reasons. One compulsory education. Got adolescents out of factories and into schools. The second the economic boom following World War II which created a new highly sought after demographic for companies and advertisers. The final reason the widespread adoption of cars among American families which provided 16 year olds with unprecedented freedoms.

Remember Gene Shalit? He appeared on “Today” as a movie critic and purveyor of puns for 40 years. He died yesterday at the age of 100.

I have recently written about Trump as little as possible. The man makes me sick. I assume most of you also. However, he is President and so I reluctantly write about him a bit today.

Trump has done it again. Stopped attacking Iran. A few days ago, he bombed Iran in the morning and stopped in the afternoon. He claimed once again that a “deal” was close. 

We are still waiting.

Iran and Israel have made no such proclamation. 

So far Trump has claimed 103 times the war was ending. Would you believe?

Getting Trump’s name off Kennedy Center is like pulling teeth. Too bad Trump can’t experience the activity without pain killer.

Trump tried last minute efforts to stop the removal. The Courts denied him. 

His name was to come off by midnight Friday. Trump and his people did not make it. They were taking down the name at 3 Saturday morning. 

I am not certain if the name is yet completely down.

Another Trump screw-up? Algae has formed in the Reflecting Pool. Trump’s people say it is residual.

Oil executives have put Trump on notice that gas prices will get worse.

Query: Did Trump make America’s 250th Birthday about himself?

Permit me to close about conditions in Key West at the moment. They are terrific! A position every local is taking. Even the business people.

The season is over. There is next to no traffic. Tables are available everywhere without reservation. The beaches are next to empty.

We deserve the break.

Enjoy your day!

What a game it was! The Kicks were down by 29 points. Came back to win by 1! The biggest comeback in Finals history!

The final score 107-106.

The Knicks are now winning 3 games to 1. 

New York City prepping up for a monumental overall victory!

Keep Trump out of town. He may jinx the Knicks!

Schools looked different 100 years ago. Unrecognizable in the 1920s.

Rural area children learned in one room schools. Whereas schools in the cities were large multi room buildings crowded by the fast growth of cities at the time.

Not all kids attended schools. In 1910, only 59 percent.

In rural areas, schools began later because farm children had to work the farms before offing to school. The walk to school could amount to miles thereby making actual school time even shorter. Planting and harvesting made school time even much shorter, many times the rural schools would even close for weeks at a time.

Safe sex billboards greet World Cup fans. The Aids Healthcare Foundation has rolled out safe sex billboards with soccer themed condoms in Miami. 

The Iran War is largely responsible for the highest level of U.S. inflation in 3 years. Energy prices are expected to stay elevated for some time to come.

The U.S. has bombed Iran three days in a row. I doubt Trump can bomb Iran into a peace accord.

It is a sad fact that in today’s politics a political career can be bought.

In 1776, angry New Yorkers tore down a statue of George III in a revolutionary fervor. The statue weighed 4,000 pounds. The colonists reduced the scrap metal into 42,088 musket balls.

Theodore Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt. A speech in his pocket slowed the bullet. Roosevelt insisted on delivering his remarks anyway.

Divers recently discovered the shipwreck of a World War I era Coast Guard cutter. , which vanished with 113 sailors on board in 1918. The “Tampa.” It was torpedoed by a German submarine 50 miles off the coast of Cornwell, England. The disaster was the largest single American naval combat loss during World War I.

A lawsuit has been brought to stop the U.F.C. fights at the White House during Trump’s birthday on June 14th and as part of the U.S.’ 250th Anniversary.

The lawsuits has two thrusts. One it was not authorized by Congress. The other that it is an extraordinary use of government expense to benefit other matters, including Trump personally, who is an investor in U.F.C.’s parent company.

The bones of a man who was fleeing Pompei as Mount Vesuvius was erupting 2,000 years later. He was holding a bowl over his head and a lamp light when he was killed.

Medical costs are going to be a bigger issue. Beware of Trump’s actions. Only the Democrats are concerned about keeping medical cost where they are or down from that number.

Trump’s polls continue sinking. They should. They are up because of him. Undoubtedly the worst President ever. He is destroying the U.S. and the rest of the world. Too bad the 2028 Presidential election is not tomorrow.

Hegseth is as crazy as his boss. War his thing. No wonder Trump loves him. No way Hegseth is going to lose his job.

Trump “gone” re inflation. Again he has said: “I love inflation!”

I received a telephone call yesterday from Fran and Tom Dixon. They were in Buffalo. I made a mistake in yesterday’s blog. I thought they were taking a boat trip home from Italy. Not so. Flew.

Both got in two days earlier. Shot! Spent the first day home sleeping.

Two nurses yesterday at different times. One for my butt, the other my throat. The swallowing nurse outstanding! I need more information re my problem and she provided it big time. One question leads to another. Hopefully Trump will get home from Greece soon as I have questions only he can answer.

Lunch today with Reilley at Salute’s. I am anxious to get his insights re the Belmont.

Enjoy your day!

Her name Karin. Spelled with an i and not an e. Sixty two years old. Born and raised in Germany. She has been a U.S. citizen since the days of Obama. She has resided in Key West for many years.

Met Karin yesterday at The Grand’s Happy Hour. We sat next to each other at the bar.

Our conversation interesting. 

Karin a chemical engineer. At 62, now retired. A lesbian. Formerly married to a woman. They had two baby girls. Her spouse did the carrying. Both daughters educated and thriving economically today. 

One married and has provided her with a granddaughter. The other to be married shortly. She is excited about the soon to be wedding.

I received an education on artificial insemination. I was unaware there are two ways of doing it.

Steve and I always sit together at the bar during Happy Hour. Karin asked if we were “a thing.” Confused me at first. Then understood. First time I have been so accused. I told Steve immediately. He found it amusing also.

Jean and Joe Thornton at The Grand. Great people! They return to Birmingham next Tuesday.

Reilley stopped by for a quick visit yesterday. We are having lunch together tomorrow at Salute’s.

The heat was its usual hot. Repulsive might be the word for it. Too hot every day.

I had to stop at Bank of America before heading to The Grand. Oh, how cool! I had a half hour to kill before Happy Hour. I took a comfortable seat at Bank of America for the half hour. Seemed like the entire staff wanted to help me. I explained to each I was getting out of the heat. Each responded…..Stay!…..Enjoy!…..I did!

Food stamps keep going to the dead as well as living. Via the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Last year alone, 185,986 dead people in 29 States received food stamps.

Social Security could run out in 2032 unless Congress acts. Move your ass Congress! Millions of Americans depend on Social Security.

Is the WNBC ever going to learn? Caitlin Clark saved their butts. Turned professional woman’s basketball into a success in one season. Now opposition to her successful ways is fucking up again. To the League’s detriment. Beware! If Clark ever walks to Europe, the League is dead.

The ceasefire continues to be an ongoing war/no war event. Iran shot down one of our helicopters. Trump has retaliated by bombing Iranian facilities.

Iran is launching missiles at Israel.

In spite of the U.S.’ retaliatory shooting re the helicopter, Trump is consistently sucking up to Iran. He wants the war to end! The only way Trump’s war induced problems will end.

The Daily Beast said correctly: “The only war Trump is wining is the one with us. Trump may not be able to beat Iran, but he sure is kicking the crap out of America.”

Some things that cost $1 in 1940. At a time when the average salary was $25 per week.

One dollar bought 10 loaves of bread, 3 dozen eggs, 4 pounds of bacon, 20 Hershey Bars, 20 bottles of Coca-Cola, 4 pounds of coffee, 6 gallons of gasoline, 23 first class stamps, and 1 pair of silk stockings.

Trump said on Meet the Press that gasoline prices would drop when the Iran War ended. Good luck! Not swiftly. It will take a year or better.

James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., was arrested in London.

A number of women go panty less under their skirts. The number is growing.

Trump got his come up ins in New York City Monday night: “New York hates you” and booing during the Star Spangled Banner.

Trump over indulged on the goodies in the box and even fell asleep before leaving with seven minutes remaining in the game and its outcome uncertain.

Trump’s border czar Tom Harmon says more ICE agents will be coming to New York City than ever before. It is going to be interesting to see how Mayor Mamdani handles it.

Stephen Colbert’s closing words to Donald Trump appropriate: “Go fuck yourself!”

Wrong to address a President thusly. However in Trump’s case it fits! Deserving!

The Norris family should be returning from Greece any day.

The Dixons are on a boat returning them from Italy to the U.S.

A nurse visiting me this afternoon re my throat. A problem! Local doctors want me to go to Miami for surgery. I am reluctant.

Enjoy your day!

A strong earthquake hit northwest of Cuba yesterday afternoon at 2 p.m. A big one. Magnitude 6.1.

I was lying in bed watching television at the time. I had felt no tremors or shaking when the quake was announced on TV. Telephoned Corey. He had not felt it either at the Library. However, Lisa did at their home on Duncan Street. She told Corey it was a big shake.

Media reports indicate the tremors were felt as far north as Tampa in Florida. Also felt in Mexico.

No injuries, deaths or property damage reported. The quake was about 60 miles out in the ocean and obviously underwater.

No tsunami threat was reported nor did one occur.

I have experienced a number of earthquakes in my lifetime. Everywhere. At home in Utica, San Diego, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Novara and Greece. The worst was Novara, Italy.

I was visiting my friend Anna in Novara. We had arrived the day before. Novara located in northern Italy. About 15 miles from Milan and less than a one hour drive from the French border. 

My first time in Novara. 

Anna’s home was a 10,000 square foot 2 floor apartment in a building constructed around the year 1500. Her apartment was on the second and third floors. Absolutely magnificent. Huge rooms. Twenty foot ceilings. Ceilings covered with all kinds of paintings. Mostly religious. Reminded me of the Sistine Chapel.

It was our first full day in the apartment. My first, Anna’s home. We had arrived the night before. I was in the library doing my blog. A library you would not believe. Walls of books everywhere. The room furnished with sofas, easy chairs, a huge desk and paintings. Anna was in the kitchen making lunch. Between the library and kitchen was a huge living room. A couple of houses could have fit in it.

Suddenly there was a large rumble. Big time noise. The apartment and building shook like crazy.

There was a thrust. Threw me from the desk to an easy chair about ten feet away. I could hear Anna in the kitchen. Screaming!

Neither of us was hurt nor was there damage that we could see in the apartment.

After making sure I was alive and well, Anna left to go outside to see the damage, if any. Admonished me to stay where I was. She was being protective.

Her building was not damaged. Nor was the Catholic Church across the street. However several buildings on both sides of us were partially or totally down.

It was a big earthquake!

We felt a significant aftershock about 2 hours later. A smaller one 3 hours after that one.

Anna said we were getting out of Novara. She had made inquiries and knew what roads were clear. We were going north to her home near the French border. And so we did.

Anna owned several homes in Europe. I cannot recall the name of the town we headed for. It was a series of log cabins on the side of the Alps. We stayed a few days and then headed to her apartment on the seashore. I cannot recall the nams of the seaside community either. A beautiful apartment in a large building on the water. Totally different from Greece. People wore bathing suits. No nudity. Neither the log cabin nor apartment areas had been affected by the earthquake.

We stayed at the ocean a couple of weeks. Then headed to France.

What a trip it was!

I must speak of Key West gasoline prices. One week ago $4.95 a gallon. Yesterday, $4.25. Why going down? The news suggest everything going up. I do not understand.

I read yesterday that “bike dates” were becoming popular. Why? Cheaper than I am not sure what? Bikes themselves expensive in the Keys.

The Knicks lost 115-111 to the Spurs last night. The game played at Madison Square Garden.

Trump present. Booed big time when the Star Spangled Banner played. Thousands of people outside the Garden shouting many times in unison: “New York hates you!”

It was once Trump’s home town!

Measles are on the rise. 2,030 confirmed cases so far this year.

Statistics indicate one infected person can infect eighteen others.

Thank you Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump! 

The Norris family should be returning soon. 

The Dixons getting on a boat in Italy somewhere for the return trip to the U.S. today.

Tonight, The Grand for Happy Hour!

Enjoy your day!

Golden Tempo won the Belmont! The same way he did it in the Kentucky Derby. Came from last place to win with a strong stretch drive.

Congratulations again to trainer Cherie De Vaux. She has proven professional horse training is a ladies’ world also.

Golden Tempo’s victory proved his Kentucky Derby win was no fluke.

The Race was run at Saratoga since the Belmont track is under renovation.

The homicide rate may be down, but domestic killings are not. Family killings are on the rise. Three fathers killed their families this past week.

The U.S. and Israel were close friends for years. Too close recently with Netanyahu as the Israeli leader. Trump got too intimate with Netanyahu and permitted Netanyahu to bullshit him to join Israel in attacking Iran.

Now the relationship not as it was for many years. The Pentagon senses a growing espionage threat from Israel. The Defense Department has increased the threat assessment to its highest level.

Another example of a Trump screw up. His joining with Israel to wage the war against Iran.

Trump has a plan to boost coal big time. The government has begun spending hundreds of millions of dollars to subsidize the coal industry.

Trump’s argument in supporting coal is that rising electricity prices are a national security threat. Ergo, his administration is planning to use more than $800 million of government funds to boost the coal industry.

Does not make sense to me. Coal as been a no no for many years now. The reason being there are cheaper and more efficient energy sources. Like natural gas. Also, coal is a major pollutant. Coal emits carbon dioxide, particulate matter and toxic heavy metals such as mercury and lead.

Kissing analyzed.

Kissing is technically referred to as philematology. Keep the term in mind when next you kiss another. Said with tongue in cheek.

It is possible for a woman to reach an orgasm through kissing. Good kissing could mean you will have healthy children. On the average, a person spends 20,160 minutes (two weeks) of their life kissing.

Kissing reduces stress and lowers blood pressure. A kiss results in the exchange of between ten million and one billion bacteria. French kissing involves all 34 muscles in the face, whereas a pucker kiss only 2.

Kissing for one minute burns 26 calories.

Trump says he will attend the next Knicks/Spurs game at the Garden. It is believed New Yorkers will boo Trump big time. Trump is not well liked in New York City. Some have suggested the “velocity” of the boos will abnormally affect the Garden’s structure.

The February freeze in Florida wiped out thousands of iguanas. The actual estimate is around 8,000 were killed. 

The iguanas have made a come back. The extremely hot recent months were a major help in the iguana resurgence.

Hilton is expanding in Key West. Ocean’s Edge Resort and Marina will become the Hilton Key West Resort and Marina.

Texas has two major problems. The screwworm outbreak I discussed yesterday. Also, the drought Texas has faced has caused its grass not to grow as it should. As a result, there is not enough grass to feed the cattle. Such is causing cattle to not reach normal weights. The cattle are being sold at significantly lower weights thereby bringing in cheaper dollars.

Commencement addresses are not going well for commencement speakers. Many extoll the the virtues of AI intelligence which eat up jobs. Providing therefore fewer employment opportunities. There is also the limited job opportunities for graduates overall.

The graduates cannot be blamed  for being unhappy.

Tampon, pads, and panty liner companies are being sued for millions. Why? They leak! A small element in the products causes the leaks.

The Norris family is still in Greece. Santorini or Mykonos. Not sure where.

The Dixons are in Florence, Italy.

Enjoy your day!

Tons of information today. Facts galore.

Lets begin with useless Hegseth. He is on a trip to France. Took six of his children with him. Fortunately, he covered their expenses. However security costs were strained big time.

A federal surge has more than doubled caseloads within some immigration courts. Such is causing errors and confusion.

Lies? ICE calls present detainees the “worst of the worst.” Data shows otherwise.

Trump visited Wisconsin farmers badly stung by tariffs and rising fuel prices.

The Knicks are up 2-0.

The Knicks have the fans. The Spurs a group of nuns. Salesian Sisters of St. Bosco. The ladies better pray harder! 

Nuns make great fans! I recall my Syracuse  University box days. The nuns were always my welcome guest. Franciscans from Utica’s St. Elizabeth Hospital. Football and basketball their special loves.

A 6-3 dominated Republican Supreme Court has done violence to democracy. A problem that will take years to remedy.

The Ebola virus continues to be a major threat in the Congo. 

A flesh eating fly is making an unwelcome comeback. Called the New World Screwworm. It is showing up in Texas. The fly can kill if its wound is left untended. Poses a dangerous threat not only to humans, but also wildlife and pets. Experts believe it can be contained in Texas.

The State surprisingly which ensures the well being of its citizens in cases of health, education and hope is Minnesota. Regarded the best for quality of life!

Tipping dates back to the Middle Ages. Its roots found in the feudal societies of medieval Europe. Wealthy landowners occasionally gave small sums to servants and laborers for extra effort. 

Surprisingly, tipping was deeply un-American in colonial times. Then in the 1800s, wealthy Americans who visited Europe discovered the custom and brought it back to the U.S. with them. Such was the birth of tipping in the U.S.

Americans spent $78 billion in tips in American restaurants and bars in 2023. However, a study reveals 41 percent of Americans think the tipping culture is “out of control.”

In the Fall of 1810, there was a “Republic of West Florida.” American and British settlers declared independence from Spain. The independence lasted a short time. The group was almost immediately absorbed by the U.S.

The smallest bar in Key West is on Duval Street and has a bright yellow awning with its name The Smallest Bar thereon. Only two bar stools. The place measures 6′ x 8′ in its customer standing area. A popular establishment. It has been there for years.

Blaise Pascal: “Do you wish people to think well of you? Don’t speak well of yourself.” Obviously the statement does not apply to Trump.

The Allies landed in Normandy. D-Day! Made the day June 6, 1944 forever famous.

The first drive in theater opened this day in 1933. Great in the 1950s for parking and necking. Great again in the 1960s for taking the children, putting them to sleep in the back seat with pillows and blankets, while Mom and Pop sat in the front watching the movie. No necking by then.

The prior two days in Key West had the heaviest rain I have seen in my Key West years. Apparently has ended. No rain predicted for today.

Fred Klein’s picture from yesteryear ran today.  A good looking guy in his younger days! Still is!

President William Henry Harrison died from pneumonia following just one month in office. First Lady Anna Harrison became the first  Presidential widow to be awarded a pension.

The Dixons are in Villeurbanne-sur, France today.

The Norris family somewhere in Greece.

In a light rain, I grocery shopped at Publix at 8 yesterday morning.

At noon, I was visited by Nurse Mark. At one, by Nurse Debra. Both physical therapists.

Hopefully, I will get out today. I am remaining indoors too much. Not healthy.

Enjoy your day!