It is believed U.S. military deaths in Iran are being under reported. The number reported thus far are 18. The number suspected 22 or more. The matter under serious investigation. Responsible? Trump, Hegseth, the Pentagon, all of the preceding?

If Trump has any federal judge in his back pocket, it may be Judge Cannon. Her name back in the limelight. She released an order permanently banning the release of Volume II of former Counsel Jack Smith’s final report concerning the classified documents investigation.

Rat Catcher” was a big time job in the Middle Ages. 

A phony Time Magazine cover on the internet contains Trump’s photo with the verbiage “Asshole of the Year” beneath it. No way to speak of a President, no matter how true. It is what happens when a person becomes as unpopular as Trump world wide.

The federal government appears to have insufficient funds for cancer research, healthcare, and feeding the hungry. But the U.S. does have money for a ballroom project, golf trips, tax cuts for the rich, ICE construction camps, and fighter jet fly overs.

Some hotels are claimed to be haunted. I have been a guest at two. Never saw or felt a ghost at either. I have spent many times at the Don Caesar in St. Petersburg. A magnificent hotel! And the Bourbon Street Hotel in New Orleans on two occasions. A great hotel well located.

Theater seats are generally red. Never thought about it till I read concerning it this morning. The trend goes back several hundred years. Initially to represent the rich who were the ones who could afford live theater back then. The trend merely continues for all to utilize today, representing no particular economic class.

Beer soon may be in short supply in Germany. Sad with Oktoberfest around the corner. The cause is the heat and drought experienced this  year. Besides the water problem, beer malt is made with spring barley. Also in short supply. Beer producers switching to winter barley hoping it will work.

Speaking of Oktoberfest, it has developed into a September tradition in recent years. A Munich event. Six million will attend. Six and a half million  liters of beer will be devoured.

Hurricanes in recent years have dramatically increased the number of lizards. No one sure specifically why.

The three top U.S. airports as rated by tourists are Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Being 91, so many things have occurred in my lifetime. Rarely a day goes by that I read about something and say to myself I remember that! Today it is the nuclear underground test that took place in Nevada this day in 1957. I was in the first year of law school at the time.

James Garfield: “If wrinkles must be written on the brow, let them not be written on the heart.”

The federal ban on licensed dealers selling handguns to adults 18-20 was declared unconstitutional by the Justice Department yesterday. The Justice department believed it violated the Second Amendment.

Expect a federal case to follow.

Asshole creep! Donald Trump! He does not understand free speech and the public’s right to know. He has banned CNN and MS Now (formerly MSNBC) from the White House. He accuses them of “constant” false reporting.

LeBron James to receive even bigger bucks! He will be paid $3.9 million by the Philadelphia 76ers. It has been reported he signed an endorsement deal with the Polymarket that will pay him $15 million a year in addition.

Toys R Us is opening 120 new stand alone stores in the U.S. ahead of the holiday season.

Weather experts predict the Fall’s unusually strange El Nino will bring a wetter winter to the southern U.S.

Great saying. Sense the humor in it: “So many people these days are too judgmental. I can tell just by looking at them.”

Some products are manufactured to have a short life. referred to as “planned obsolescence.”

I recall a major one in the 1950s. Automobiles had a life of 2-3 years. Yes, they were basically obsolete after that time. People were forced to buy new cars.

People are not stupid. Their protest was loud and clear. After a very few years, Detroit got off the kick.

Bees were once used as “weapons of war.” As far back as the 11th century. England’s Henry I took bees to battle  and rammed bags of them on the horses of opponents. Victory was his!

Sea battles were also fought with bees, one ship to another in the Third Crusade. Containers of bees were catapulted one ship to another.

Yesterday grocery shopped first. Seems like everything going up. Anywhere from 2 to 20 cents. Pisses me off! The overall bill gets larger each week!

Then lunch at Denny’s. Between being sick and my car under repair, it has been a while since I have been there. A year ago, Denny’s served a $5 breakfast. A good deal! Then went to $5.99. Still a good deal! Yesterday it was $6.99. The consumer cannot win.

Car driving like new! Love it! Need a good auto repair, call Steve at Shifting Gears Automotive. 305-453-6247.

Enjoy your day!

Trump and his people are more than a few bad apples, the whole orchard is rotten.

The Kennedy Center an example. Trump’s way or the highway. He controls the Board. If his name is not permitted on the building, he is going to have it torn down. Kennedy’s name appears in only one place in Washington and that is on Kennedy Center. Trump’s is all over. A pig!

Trump’s name was to be removed per Court order. Has it? The front of the building has been covered so no one really knows. Trump and his attorneys will truly require the Lord’s assistance if Trump’s name has not been removed.

Trump’s legacies – all bad – continue to rise. What will the worst have been? I suspect a measles epidemic. I sense a national one may be coming and Trump and his people have not been paying proper attention to the problem.

Deviating for a moment to Pennsylvania, the measle problem has dramatically risen. This past week 117 new cases. Which brings Pennsylvania’s number to 751 in 38 counties since the outbreak which began in April. Raises an interesting question. Who is primarily at fault? Trump and his people? Or, Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Shapiro and his people? In due course, we will know the correct answer.

The price of gasoline in Key West is up around $4.50 a gallon. It has been rising consistently. Experts say the cost overall in the U.S. is about to take a big jump, that the worst is yet to come. Thank you, Donald!

Trump had his first large outdoor political rally this week. The big issue from his perspective was “crime.” What happened to economics. The man does not know what is going on or does not want to know. 

Beside themselves, is anyone concerned about the American people? We know Trump not. Apparently not Congress either. Congress left on a seven week vacation/recess yesterday. We live in a fucked up society thanks to Trump and the people who voted for him!

Trump plans on installing temporary warning signs outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The signs will cost roughly $84,000. They are designed to make visitors aware of ideological bias in certain of the exhibits.

Twelve total signs.

My sense is taxpayer dollars will be used to pay the $84,000. If so, should not. Trump’s personal opinion so his personal monies should be used to pay.

Another my way or the highway thing. Trump has to go!

A new name for Trump popped up. “Trumpolini.” Apparently intended to reflect “Mussolini.”‘

Big rain day ahead in Key West. Rained heavy during the night already. Woke me.

The artist Peter Max died. Psychedelic symbolized his work in the 1960s. He was 88.

Card Sound Road will have an increase in rates beginning October 1, 2026. For cars, a range between $2 and $3 per vehicle.

The Best Coffee City in America is Orlando. Portland and Miami close at #2 and #3. 

Wasps are moving north to new states. Fall the season when they soar. Problem this year is they are already soaring. More everywhere.

Wasps are “defensive” rather than “offensive.” If you do not bother them, experts claim they will not bother you. Cover your food, do not waive them away.

Warmer weather appears to be the reason why wasps are moving north. 

I do not know whether I subscribe to not waiving them away. A wasp bite hurts big time! I know. I have had a few.

The U.S. Constitution was signed this day in 1787.

Harriet Tubman escaped slavery for the first time this day in 1849

A big deal! Vanessa was the first black woman crowned Miss America. She was Miss America 1983.

Yesterday Dr. Norris. I am back to ok. May I remain that way. Followed by a visit to Tammy for a pedicure and manicure. Love receiving pedicures!

Today a noon haircut with Lori. A nurse visit following.

Enjoy your day!

More than 100,000 people in Japan are now aged 100 years or older. Actually 107,677. Women make up 88 percent of the number. Medics attribute the 100 plus years to diet and an active lifestyle. Their diet consists of less fat saturated foods than many Western diets.

Pilgrims departed from England on the Mayflower this day in 1620.

Someone determined the most popular cereal in each state. Florida is Fruit Cups. New York Cheerios.

Sam Altman is the Cofounder and CEO of “Open AI.” He says it may be time to slow down AI development.

Measle outbreak in Pennsylvania has risen to 4.

It is believed elite athletes soil themselves often. It’s part of active sport participation.

Is Iran shaping up to be a “forever war”?

The world economy is not going well for the U.S.

Mid-term elections are more and more indicating a “blue wave.” The U.S. is deserving of a Democratic victory. Trump is destroying us.

I do not understand AI. Time I began getting into it.

The Chinese government is paying attention to AI. Ours insufficiently.

Obama was one of our best Presidents. Trump not one of the worst. The worst! Trump continues to knock Obama. Is that why?

I leave Trump otherwise for tomorrow.

Yesterday an enjoyable one. I had my car! A big deal! Drove around a bit.

Later in the day it was The Grand. Enjoyed Steve, Cindy and Ellen’s company.

My food intake was a problem. I had not had calamari in months. Decided to try. Did not work. Instant choking. Matt replaced my entre with pennes in a mild red sauce. No problem.

Noon time busy today. Dr. Norris at 11, a manicure and pedicure with Tammy at noon.

I am once again beholden to Steve Welsh who fixed my car. A real mechanic! His business Shifting Gears Automotive is located at 5172 US Highway I. A tall three stall structure. I recommend him.

Enjoy your day!

I finally got my car yesterday. Returned and repaired. The problem had been a repetitive one. Never seemed to get fixed. Finally did!

The repair person responsible was Stephen Welsh, owner of Shifting Gears Automotive. His business is located on Stock Island on U.S. 1. Specifically 5172 U.S. Highway 1. His phone number 305-453-6247. Your vehicle will be in good hands. His prices reasonable also.

I spent a significant portion of my legal career doing environmental law. Clean air, clean water. As bad as Nixon may have been, we owe environmental law and its protections to him. He was the father of the EPA, the entity Trump now wishes to destroy.

Trump has had the bad habit over the years of referring to environmental concerns as the “green climate scam.” He is now planning major steps to kill environmental concerns. His aim is to remove environmental protections from coal and natural gas power plants. Such will assure Americans begin breathing their emissions. A first step to illness and death.

It makes me wonder if Trump and/or any of his family have financial involvements with companies having such emissions. Also, whether any persons involved may have contributed to a Trump campaign and how much.

Trump is also against AI safeguards. At a time the rest of the world fears the destruction it may wrought in the next 10 years. Trump blows it out. Nothing to worry about from his perspective. At the same time that China’s Xi is greatly concerned.

Trump believes a “strong President” can control AI. Who? Trump?

The Supreme Court came out with a major decision knocking Trump’s mail ballot restrictions on their ass. About time the Supreme Court came down with a decision supporting the good guys.

Pigs! Big time! It has been revealed that certain of Donald Jr. wedding celebrations were funded by a powerful Russian businessman. Does the Trump family have any honor?

Trump’s Ireland visit a major failure. He is disliked everywhere in the world.

It took several hundred years before the Catholic Church canonized a Saint. The first was Saint Ulrich of Augsburg. He was officially canonized in the year 993.

The element phosphorous was discovered by the German merchant Hennig Brand. He was trying to make gold using human urine. Can’t win them all. Did not get gold, but discovered phosphorous.

The human body temperature has always been 98.6 degrees. No longer. It has steadily declined. Now 97.5 to 97.9. Better health the reason.

One of the favorite drinks of my youth was the chocolate egg cream. Discovered it in New York City. Interestingly, there was neither egg nor cream in one. It was merely a sweet drink consisting of milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup.

Apple pie is not American. Actually born in 14th century England.

Muhammad Ali: “The man who relives the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 wasted 30 years of his life.”

On this day in 1978, Muhammad Ali won the Heavyweight Championship for the third time in his career. He beat Leon Spinks.

Google.com was registered as a domain name this day in 1997.

There is a trend recommending that shoes not be worn in a home. It brings inside the germs of the world.

Recall the song in “Mary Poppins” – “A Spoonful of Sugar.” It was inspired by the polio vaccine There was time when polio medicine had a strange taste. To encourage children to take it, the medicine was placed on a sugar cube. A song was born from it!

The difference 10 years makes In 1960, 9 percent of U.S. households had a TV set. In 1970, 90 percent.

The Super Bowl was not always popular. The first one was in 1967. There were 32,000 empty seats.

Tonight, The Grand. I will drive to it in my own car. No more cabs or bumming rides.

Enjoy your day!

The bridge that ain’t is for sale again. This time for $5,000. Trump’s promise to pay every adult American if the Republicans win the Senate and House in the mid-term elections. Even if the Republicans do, don’t hold your breath. Trump promises are without value.

Has Trump won the battle over the Smithsonian? We will not know till we know who the new Smithsonian leader is.

Oh, the lies he speaks! Trump, of course. He is back to lying about the Kennedy Center. Recall the Board has been entirely chosen by Trump. It has been announced the Kennedy Center could be closed as soon as tomorrow. The claim is the Center is so broke that bankruptcy is inevitable. The only way to keep the Center open is to add again Trump’s name to it. So say Trump’s people.

Mid-term elections are seven weeks away. The fear is that Trump will try to screw up the election results by seizing the ballots, posting troops at the polls, and reject ballots for various non credible reasons by the batch. 

A forty year old woman died from complications involving measles in Pennsylvania. She was not vaccinated. The Pennsylvania Health Department is conducting a thorough review of her case.

Oil prices rising. Jumping perhaps a better description. Higher economic problems of all types ahead.

The official drink of the U.S. open is “Honey Deuce Melon Ball Punch.” A spiked pink lemonade. A vodka drink with a touch of raspberry liqueur and lemon juice. Served 30 minutes cold . Topped with a honeydew ball.

Trump’s 660 million pounds of mystery meat in all likelihood will be dangerous to all Americans. There is no law requiring Americans to be told the source of meat purchases. There is bad meat for sale world wide. I fear Trump may purchase some or all of it. From places like Brazil and Uruguay. The meats could be beef trimmings added to fattier American cuts to mock ground beef.  Or small frozen chunks of meat kept in cold storage overseas for years. Beef from cities recognized to sell bad meat.

Beware!!!

During a Pennsylvania speech, Trump spoke/screamed of “dick sizes.” Even Arnold Palmer’s which he described as “all man.”. Not a subject for political or public discussion. At Trump’s age, guaranteed his which has shrunk or not working. 

The man is deranged.

President McKinley died this day in 1901 from gunshot wounds he received 8 days before in Buffalo. 

Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner this day in 1814. He was watching the British bomb Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. He wrote it as a poem. It was later set to music. The music became the U.S.’s National Anthem in 1931.

Grace Kelly died this day in 1982 following an automobile accident near Monte Carlo.

Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized by Pope Paul VI to become one of America’s first born Saints.

Florida’s Duval County public schools had an enrollment of 100,000 plus for more than 50 years. Last year it dropped below 100,000 to 97,475. Cause attributed to Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarships, a falling birth rate, and shifting migration.

Rain in Key West has become more pronounced recently. Today projected as a 50 percent rain day.

President John Tyler fathered 15 children. Prolific. He fathered them before, during and after his Presidency. He fathered his last at age 70.

Beaches Allied troops landed on at Normandy numbered 5.

Handkerchiefs were once considered a status symbol. Especially in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Tissues were not yet invented.

Queen Marie Antoinette preferred square handkerchiefs. She had her husband Louis XIV pass a law that henceforth all handkerchiefs had to be square. Most still are today.

Enjoy your day!

When read, Woodrow Wilson’s breakfast would appear a strange one A glass of grape juice and two raw eggs. However my father’s was even stranger for a few years. A glass of wine and two raw eggs. Doctor prescribed. I was too young at the time to understand why. Yet amazed to watch him down the wine and eggs every morning.

Syracuse lost to California 21-18 yesterday. Neither team that good. Syracuse gave up the ball 3-4 times on interceptions, kicked too often for 3 pointers. Going to be a difficult year.

9/11 a difficult day. Every year so. I cried quite a bit. I learned something this year I had not been aware of. Two days following the attack, hospital cots and beds were basically empty. Everyone initially was coming up dead.

I discussed the situation with Corey. He recalled it as such. He further recalled the initial cry for blood. Blood being drawn all over the country for its New York need. Turned out the blood was not so desperately needed. Again more dead initially than wounded and cared for in hospitals.

The thing that most bothered me and does so every year is being reminded how many jumped from 80 to 100 plus floors. Knowingly to their deaths.

Trump in Ireland yesterday. Not for government business. Personal business. One of his golf courses was holding a tournament.

The Irish dislike Trump also. Who doesn’t? The few who liked him were the businesses around the golf course.

The Oprah Winfrey TV Show ran for 24 years. Her audience numbered just under 300 for each show. One day she gave each audience member a new Buick. Buick paid for the cars. Made Oprah look good, however. Regardless who paid, Oprah was a good person loved by everyone.

Attica Prison in 1971 was a maximum security facility near Buffalo. A four day revolt occurred. Killed were 39. Twenty nine prisoners, ten guards. 

State police stormed the jail on the fourth day and put the revolt down.

I knew one of the prisoners. He was sentenced for a long time. During the revolt however he cared for some of the injured guards. He was released early because of that help.

Until recently, July 2023 was the hottest month recorded globally. August 2026 tied that July. It was hot hot!

Tupac Shakur: “Long live the roses that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.”

I came across a quote yesterday which I wrote down. Forgot to write its source also. I cannot find it though I researched the phrase at length this morning. I nevertheless share it with you  for the sense it makes: “May I always live as if I am not afraid to die.”

California has the most billionaires of any U.S. state.

Legal recreational cannabis and medical marijuana sales report over $25 billion in tax revenues for States.

Al Capone was smart. Extremely so. Until caught for income tax evasion, of course. The way he avoided getting charged for bootlegging was he never signed his name to anything.

On this day in 1948, Sister Louis Gabriel died at the Convent of Mary Immaculate in Key West where she had lived and served since 1897. She participated in the dedication of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on May 25, 1922. It was erected to specially commemorate her 25th anniversary as a nun. She prayed that as long as the Grotto remained standing, Key West would be protected from the ravage of a hurricane.

The best college town in the U.S. is Ithaca, New York. Home of Cornell University.

The heart took on a romantic meaning in the Middle Ages. Began to be viewed as a combination of the love of God and the love of man.

During World War II, a false neighborhood was created in Seattle. Its purpose to camouflage an aircraft plant. The plant was constructing B-17 and B-29 bombers. The plant was only 4 feet tall. It produced 300 bombers per month.

Baseball hats remain ever popular in the U.S. Four hundred ten million are sold annually in the U.S.

Eleven states seceded during the U.S. Civil War.

“Good health” finds its way. In 1988, 125 countries experienced polio epidemics. In 2023, only 2.

A wonder! University studies revealed in 2026 that female sturgeon native to the Great Lakes could live longer than 400 years. Wow!

China and India are competing to be the world’s number one power. Trump pushing the U.S. back to number three.

Dr. Norris called it correct again. My left foot and ankle the result of a small cut infection on my leg. A few days of antibiotics and pain and swelling gone.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Today is 9/11. The 25th anniversary of the date when terrorists attacked the U.S. The attack was a coordinated series of airline hijackings and suicides carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States.

Four planes hijacked. Two flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, a third struck the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers revolted.

Persons losing their lives numbered 2,977. Over 6,000 were injured. Even now 25 years later, injuries are appearing in many. Mostly cancer in nature.

The New York celebration today will be spectacular and sad. We will never forget.

Trump not attending. Vance will in his place. Trump not attending because he has been told he cannot speak as he wants. Since 2012, political speeches have been barred. Understandable to everyone except Trump. If he cannot rant and rave, he will stay home. He will speak instead at the Pentagon. 

Many New Yorkers left New York City afterwards and moved themselves and their families elsewhere. The fear of another 9/11 attack that great. They had experienced one and did not want to experience another. Two attorneys and their families moved to my hometown Utica. The lawyers joined my firm. I fortunately gained two excellent attorneys as a result of the unfortunate experience they had suffered.

An attack on U.S. soil. Not thought possible at the time. We learned we must always be on our guard. Especially these days.

Re 9/11, Geraldine Brooks wrote: “September 11, 2001, revealed heroism in ordinary people who might have gone through their lives never called upon to demonstrate the extent of their courage.”

One of the very best college football coaches ever Bear Bryant was born this day in 1913.

Syracuse/California football tomorrow at 3:30. An even match. Either team projected to win by 4 points.

Everything gets invented one time or another. Take “alphabet soup” for example. Alphabet soup was invented in the U.S. in 1867.

Hard to believe! Berries are typically small, juicy fruits. The pineapple is a berry!

Berries purchased and consumed big time in the U.S. In 2025, berry sales totaled $12.5 billion.

The Roman Emperor Antonius Pius died after eating too much cheese. He is considered one of the five best Roman Emperors. It took a few days for him to expire after “gouging Alpine cheese.” He was 74 years old.

Causes me concern. I love cheese and eat huge amounts of it. Generally on a daily basis.

The U.S. Mint struck 12 billion coins in 2025.

Vatican City is the world’s least populated country. Its population totals around 900 people.

Chickens are big time world wide. It is estimated 18.6 billion.

Difficult to believe! The average number of times a person blinks in a day is 16,800.

Italy produces 4.1 million tons of pasta a year. The average Italian eats 50 pounds of it.

Chef Boyardee a money making corporation. Its annual revenue each year is in the area of $12 billion.

A year was not always 365 days. The days in the longest recorded year 46 BCE were 445.

The estimated number of mountain gorillas that exist in the world is 1,063.

Would you believe most persons in the world have brown eyes? Yes, 79 percent.

U.S. paper money has seven denominations.

Trump talks about his picture on a currency bill. I am confused. I was under the impression that only the photo of a dead person could.

The world’s tallest man is 8 foot 11 inches.

Maybe we should bring Thomas Edison back to resolve ballot issues.

Edison’s first patent was for an “electric vote recorder” in 1899.

Does it rain that much in the U.S.? Umbrella sales annually in the U.S. total in the area of 33 million.

The Earth is composed more of water than land. The percentage of the Earth covered by oceans is 71 percent.

Icebergs are receding entities. Ninety percent are below the surface.

An eggplant is 95 percent water. It takes 100 days to fully mature.

The average American consumes 27 pounds of bananas each year.

Porky Pig’s debut in the movies was in the short film “I Haven’t Got a Hit” in 1935.

My ankle and foot are getting better. Pain gone. Size till an issue. I wake with the ankle and foot normal. However during the day they expand big time.

Enjoy your day!

Trump last night at the Republican Mid-Term Convention in Dallas: “Pretend I am running…..Pretend I am on the ballot.”

Go for it Republicans! Go for  it all Americans! Guaranteeing such guarantees massive Republican defeats nationwide.

I have to give credit in one area, however. I thought Trump came across better than expected. His thoughts stupid and off base. As presented however, sounded good. He did not sound fucked up to me. His ideas, yes. His presentation much better than I expected.

Many Republican candidates spoke first. Their words amazing! They were Trump doubles. One lie after another came out of their mouths. Lied about everything as Trump lies. Most if not all of our present day problems are the result of what Trump has done. Yet each and every candidate blamed Democrats. How? Open bald faced lies!

Trump is prepared to buy America’s votes in the mid-terms. He said if the Republicans win the House and Senate, he will pay a “dividend” to every American adult in the amount of $5,000. It sounded like buying votes. Yet I read 2 or 3 law professor opinions this morning suggesting such a payment might or would be legal.

Forget we are already $40 trillion in debt. The $5,000 per adult amounts to another $1.3 trillion being added onto the debt. There are 270 million Americans eligible to receive the $5,000.

Trump had only one condition. The money must be spent in the U.S. Makes sense.

Overall, the convention and Trump were failures. Trump brazen. I don’t think he knows how unpopular he is. His eyes had to tell him last night. The convention hall was not packed. Empty seats galore. Yet Trump suggested the place was full.

All last night amounted to was moving the Trump Washington circus to Dallas. He reflected an orgy of ego. That’s him!

The convention did nothing to add to Republican support in November. Donald knows the way things are going. Democrats will definitely  win the House and maybe the Senate. Let’s hope. And then Impeach Trump immediately before he does more damage to our country.

To other things.

Apple has come out with a new foldable cell phone. Cost $1,999.

The first drunk driving arrest ever was made this day in 1897. Yes, that far back! In London. An inebriated cab driver drove his vehicle into a building. He was driving an “electric car.”

Conservatist activist Charlie Kirk died one year ago today.

Golf great Arnold Palmer was born this day in 1929.

Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida this day in 2017.

I left Key West. I saw Irma had been heading straight for Key West for days. I escaped to Jean and Joe Thornton’s home in Birmingham, Alabama, where I spent 12 days. The before and after Irma, as well as the 12 days spent at the Thornton’s in Birmingham, turned into a book which I wrote: “Irma and Me.” It was somewhat successful. I suggest you would enjoy reading it today.

A study was made of the happiest and unhappiest States in the United States. Hawaii is the most happy. West Virginia the least.

El Nino could make for a White Christmas in many states not accustomed to snow at Christmas time. Worry not about Florida! Snow not suggested!

One hundred red fire ants are able to back into each other to form a living craft. They do so at times of excessive rain or drowning for some reason because of excessive water.

I do not believe Trump’s story about he and some of his workers helping to remove people from the burning and otherwise damaged buildings on 9/11. He is lying. First time he has mentioned the heroic act. The act itself not consistent with his nature. Why is this the first time mentioned?

Democrat Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman spoke via video to the Republican mid term convention in Dallas last night. I have disliked him from the time he was elected. A strange duck. He proved it last night.

My left foot still a problem. I remain in bed day and night with it elevated. Take the antibiotic. Always ok in the morning. After one hour begins enlarging, however. Pain gone so I must be making progress.

Enjoy your day!

Girl Scout Cookies are big sellers. The brand will be even bigger this year. The Girl Scouts will be selling a dog friendly desert. Brilliant! Man’s best friend! Few will deny their dog the treat.

Girl Scouts announced the dog friendly item yesterday. It is called “Patch Pals.” A soft blueberry flavored muffin.

Interesting. Concrete is literally the foundation of the modern world. Scientists are now making concrete better with human poop. It is 42 percent stronger than concrete made without.

India is the biggest source of concrete made with human poop. Plants have been constructed to handle the poop and produce the stronger concrete. The U.S. does not have such a plant yet. Aries Energy wants to create one in Newark, New Jersey. However local and other opposition are significantly delaying the company’s progress.

Key West has been fortunate in recent years re hurricanes. There have been none. Les hope the condition continues.

On this day in 1919, there was a major hurricane. A category 4. Not a direct hit, however. It passed south of Key West on a northwest track. Nevertheless caused $2 million dollars of damage.

On this day in 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Sixty million turned on the Sullivan Show to see Presley. It was the largest TV broadcast of the 1950s.

The “United States” was not our first name. Our first name was “United Colonies.” On this day in 1776, Congress voted to change our name to “United States.”

President Grover Cleveland’s wife Frances gave birth to their daughter Esther in the White House on this day in1893.

Esther was not the first child born in the White House. In 1806, James Madison Randolph was born to Marta Robinson, daughter of President Thomas Jefferson. He was the first legitimate child so born. There were earlier ones of slave extraction.

Queen Elizabeth II: “It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.”

One of America’s great Black actors was James Earl Jones. He died this day in 2024.

September is the most common birth month of the year. And September 9 the most common birth day. Based on data assembled and kept for 1994 to 2014 saw September 9 resulting in as many as 12,344 births per day.

Count back 9 months from September. Too much Christmas sex?

I was born in 1935. In retrospect, the biggest news of that year would have been the passage and signing into law of the Social Security Act. People might not have been aware at the time of its ultimate importance. Where would many be today without Social Security?

Cemetery and graveyard are not the same. The difference is were and how the dead are buried. A cemetery is the resting place for people of all faiths (or none). Typically operated by a municipality or commercial entity. A graveyard is usually church affiliated and smaller in size.

The Clancy jury voted 11-1 for acquittal. The one holdout admitted he had “reasonable doubt.” However he could not get out of his head she had nevertheless killed her three children.

Yesterday a “zoo like” one for me. My left foot continued to be swollen and painful. 

Nurse Paige came for her scheduled appointment. She was concerned. She measured and found my left ankle was five centimeters larger than the previous week. She called Dr. Norris and I was on my way.

Norris said my calf and leg below the knee were also larger.

He joined the concerned. Recall I had both legs tested for blood clots last week.   Norris was concerned I could have a stroke. The tests were negative for a stroke.

He examined the leg closely. Saw what he said was a slight cut and it may have resulted in an infection which caused the problem. Prescribed an antibiotic and told me to stay in bed with my foot elevated. Which I have been basically doing since last Thursday. Hope the problem merely an infection and gets quickly resolved.

Because of the foot, never made it to The Grand last night.

Spent my time in bed with my left foot elevated. Will do the same all day today, also.

This bullshit has to stop! I need some time free from pain and discomfort!

Enjoy your day!

The Syracuse University football season opened with a victory. A big one! Defeated New Hampshire 66-3 this past Saturday.

It’s only the beginning. I refuse to get excited till we have won four in a row.

Finances are affecting all colleges and universities. Syracuse only minimally. In a slight amount to be of no serious concern at this time. Syracuse is down financially a mere 1.5 percent. The figure is based on undergraduate enrollment.

In the 1980s and 90s, I was deeply involved with University activities. Especially fund raising. I sat on several significant committees. So to a major degree, I am familiar with University funding.

I agree with the administration’s evaluation of the situation. There is no significant problem at this time. Administration will work on the 1.5 percent and eliminate it within the year. Actually improve on it. These guys are pros.

Trump announced he will not be attending the 9/11 rally in New York City in a few days. A selfish reason. Since 2012, the rule has been no political speeches. Trump is upset because he will not be able to deliver his usual destructive words. So he picked up his ball and in effect has run off. You are not playing my way so I refuse to play!

Vance will appear in his place.

Kleenex. A great tissue paper, if not the best!

The product is sold in 78 countries.

Kleenex began during World War I as a crepe paper filler in gas masks. After the war and in 1920, the product was modified into the menstrual pad “Kotex.”

In 1924, it became “Kleenex.” Sold to women as a cold cream remover.

In 1930, it was advertised to be used as a “handkerchief,” also. It was marketed: “Don’t carry a cold in your pocket.” Its popularity rose!

In 1978, Kleenex added to its line a baby product. Diapers. Called “Huggies.” Continues to be big to this day.

Michelangelo’s David statue was unveiled to the public this day in 1504.

FSU lost to #19 ranked SMU 27-24. SMU won on a successful 3 pointer with 21 seconds left to play.

The game was played after a two hour delay because of a power shortage at Doak Campbell Stadium. Ally was at the game.

The Miami cargo plane crash on Saturday fouled up Miami air traffic afterwards big time. Cancellations and delays galore.

St. Augustine, Florida, became the first permanent European settlement in the Americas this day in 1565.

The Iran War has now cost U.S. consumers $100 billion in higher energy prices. The bill continues to rise at the rate of $1 million every 2 minutes. Than you, Donald!

Gasoline a big factor. National average now $4.15 a gallon. Nearly $1 higher than a year ago.

Trump claims the American people are willing to pay more money in order to discourage Iran from having a nuclear bomb. He does not know what he is talking about or is lying.

Key West’s Catholic Church the Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea is closed. The entire building. Services are being held outside. Asbestos the problem.

Dinner last night with the Dixons at La Trattoria. We all enjoyed a different pasta dish. Food excellent! Reasonably priced also.

My dear friends Fran and Tom return to Buffalo today. I will not see the again till Fantasy Fest.

Key West was deserted last night. The huge Buffett/Labor Day crowd left during the day.

Statisticians estimate 137 million Americans traveled this year’s Labor Day.

Yes, it is ok for women to wear white after Labor Day. The informal rule prohibiting white has been debunked. The rule was born in the 19th century as a means for upper class women to distinguish themselves. It is no more.

Social Security monies running out. Solution will be to raise payroll taxes. Republicans and Democrats agree. No problem politically.

Trump has another name change in mind. New Mexico to New America. His head is in his ass!

Research suggests dogs and other pets keep a person living longer.

Photos show Vance standing behind Trump as he farted 4 times. Photos show Vance making a face and turning his head aside.

My left foot still swollen, though less. Sleep with it elevated. Still hurts when body pressure applied walking, though less also.

Paige at 11.

Tonight, The Grand.

Enjoy your day!