Years were spent to achieve a reduction in smokers in the U.S. Trump has thwarted the process. Slowed it down, turned it around.

The Centers for Disease Control and Protection has been shut down for more than a year. Noteworthy is that tobacco companies last year gave millions to political organizations supporting Trump. Proving again money talks. Big time!

Tons of interesting things to share with you this morning.

Senator Mitch McConnell is out of the hospital. Now in a rehabilitation facility. The claim is he had a fall and then contacted pneumonia. Obviously McConnell is not yet well enough to return to the Senate.

Senator Graham died of “aortic dissection.” A problem that is deadly, sudden and difficult to treat. “Like a knife in the back,” one expert said. It is a rip in the aorta, the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An unquestionable emergency! Fifty percent make it to a hospital and only half of them survive.

One reason college graduates are without jobs is there has been a mismatch between the skills they learned in college and an employer’s needs. An example being there are many jobs available in the medical field, yet an insufficiency of educated persons for them.

Interesting. The Mafia ran an entire American city, Providence, Rhode Island, for more than 30 years. Their power ran to Las Vegas as well as the Rhode Island state government.

The U.S. and China race for biotech superiority continues. China may be moving ahead. The U.S. falling behind under Trump.

With the U.S. and Iran fighting again, the cost of oil is rising. Gasoline pumps may soon reflect the trend.

Word is Putin has turned Japan into a den of spies.

Other nations in the world are cutting ties with the U.S. It is already causing us to suffer financially. It will get worse. Thank you, Donald Trump!

Barry Goldwater: “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Words contained in Goldwater’s 1964 Convention speech. Strong words. I was watching Goldwater on TV with my father. We had to rerun his words several times to grasp what we assumed was the intent of his words.

Humans, especially Americans, are becoming “touch starved.” Researchers claim our health can suffer when we don’t experience enough physical contact. I buy it! I feel it! I do not get enough physical contact at my age.

Modern cemeteries bury the coffin a mere six feet down. Not six feet actually. As a practical matter, a mere three feet when you consider the size of the coffin and a concrete vault.  Rather shallow!

Desserts my grandmother made. My father’s mother was born in Italy. Her cooking talents were the best! She could make a tough piece of round steak taste like filet mignon. Her deserts were top shelf. They are long gone today.

Like junket. Something between pudding and a giggly gelatin. Unfortunately disappeared from Italian tables in the 1970s.

Then there was potato candy. Potatoes and pounded sugar. A flexible dough the result. Unfortunately, no more.

Names of people, places and things change with time. For example, the Rocky Mountains were once called the Stoney Mountains. The Rockefeller name was once spelled with an n: Rockenfeller.

What U.S. city suffered the largest snow blizzard ever? Saratoga, N.Y., in 1888. Nearly five feet of snow over a period of three days. Wow!

The New York City subway opened in 1904.

Booze up the young! Until 1956, French children attending school were served wine  with their lunch.

“Senator” comes from the Latin word “senex. “Strictly interpreted means “old man.”

The first Black U.S. Senator was Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi. He was elected in 1870. The U.S. has had 14 Black Senators in its history.

Winston Churchill was hit by a car in New York City in 1931. Churchill’s fault. He was looking the wrong way. He was hospitalized and regardless of fault collected $2,500. He took the money and went to the Bahamas to recover in style.

Interesting blog today.

The heat in Key West still a killer.

Enjoy your day!

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham died last night. He was 71. His death “brief and sudden.” He served four terms in the U.S. Senate. He was in the process of running for his fifth term. Prior to being a Senator, he was a member of the House of Representatives for several terms.

He also served in the U.S. Air Force. A member of JAG.

He was a strong supporter of President Trump.

A Republican, Graham’s political philosophy a simple one. His goal always to sit next to the seat of power. Whoever was the Republican President. I would describe him as a “black hearted Republican.” Not meant in an insulting fashion. He was a Republican!

May he rest in peace.

This Mitch McConnell thing is frightening. He has been in the hospital just 2 days short of one month. And the public does not know why!

My cynical nature is at work. Are the Republicans keeping his condition secret for political reasons. Should the Senator die, his Democratic governor would be able to appoint a Democrat to McConnell’s Senate seat. It would affect the balance of power in the Senate. Especially with Senator Graham’s death last night.

Pope Leo XIV a tough guy! A good man! The Catholic Church, especially the Papacy, are in turmoil. Has been for many years. Even before Leo. Cardinals like U.S. Senators want to exercise power beyond what they should. Leo will not stand for it. He is Pope and he calls the shots!

Mae West: “I’ve been rich, I’ve been poor. Rich is better.”

A disgrace. Only half of Americans have a retirement account in their current jobs.

The U.S. and Iran are keeping at the warfare. Shooting at each other on a constant basis again.

Iran insists on controlling the Strait of Hormuz. Why not? It’s their property.

The mighty U.S.is no longer respected by the rest of the world. Trump blew the U.S.’ stature.

I worry about today’s college graduate. Most cannot find jobs. And if they are fortunate to do so, the first year is referred to as an “internship” and they are not paid. My grandson Robert is still looking. Interviewing across the country. In his free time, he is working at a rum parlor in Key West.

He did not go to college to remain n Key West. His goal is to move on.

The roaring ’20s in the U.S. was a period of economic prosperity and social change. The Second Industrial Revolution had made the U.S. a global economic powerhouse. Many Americans were living in cities, many had electricity, the economy was booming.

U.S. forces have spent the past two days attacking Iran. The attacks the most recent of the war. In the two days, the U.S. hit more than 170 targets.

Job finding a difficult task in the U.S. these days. Especially for the young. A third of young adults, especially recent college grads, still live with their parents.

On this day in 1804, Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Burr was Vice President at the time. Political antagonists. Hamilton had been vehemently opposed to Burr’s election. Hamilton savagely attacked him. Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. An “affair of honor” from Burr’s perspective.

One rendition of the duel is that Hamilton intentionally shot upward wasting his shot. Burr did not waste his. Shot Hamilton, the bullet entering near his spine. Hamilton died the next day.

Burr was not the best of Americans as history has proven. The U.S. lost a good man in Hamilton.

Enjoy your Sunday!

I have been sick a few days Ergo, no blog. Tiredness. Big time. Sorry. Thrilled to be back.

I liked our White House the way it was. All of Trump’s machinations not required. As with most things, he has screwed the White house up.

His most recent “must” are the “door dings” on the tall White House columns.

I never heard of a door ding before. Research indicated it is like a ding on a car. A very small intrusion. Not enough to be called a dent. No bigger than a “pinky fingernail.”

Trump claims they were recently spotted. By the Secret Service who brought them to his attention and recommended they be corrected.

I only came across the purported Secret Service involvement one time in my research.

Repair has already begun. The pillars have been draped. Who is doing the work? How much will it cost?

Other renovation work includes the ballroom. When will it be completed? Anyone working on it presently? My recollection was it was going to be free. Paid for my third parties. Then it may have been said Trump might be paying. Now it appears to be tax dollars.

The Reflective Pool. A disaster! You know all there is to know from media releases. A sad joke.

The Rose Garden. Paved over? Fixed over? I am not sure.

Additionally the Cabinet Room,  South Lawn, and Oval Office. Plus the now suggested fencing around White House grounds.

I read in a few places this morning for the first time that Donald and Melania would like to make over the White House to appear as close as possible to Mar-a-Lago. Their actual home they admire so much.

Qatar’s gift. Now made over by Trump to be Air Force One. Trump used Qatari’s gift to fly to Turkey for the NATO Meeting. He did not use it to leave.

Two reasons. One I buy, the other bullshit.

Turkey and Iran are next door to each other. Directly adjacent. They have a land border 332 miles long.

Trump flew on the Qatari plane to Tehran for the NAATO meeting. He flew the old Air Force One home.

Trump’s reason in the Qatari Air Force One being flown to England was to give U.S. military in England the opportunity to view the new Air Force One. The other reason and the one I believe is the old Air Force One was used to protect Trump. Apparently the Qatari plane was not yet completely renovated. It had no way of warding off bombs, missiles or drones. Made Trump susceptible to being killed.

Khomeini’s funeral procession was taking place in Iran while Trump was leaving. The morning of the day Trump was to leave, he had declared the ceasefire ended and described Trump’s leaders as “scum.” Large signs along the funeral procession path read “KILL TRUMP.” Never forget Iran’s retaliatory sensibilities.

For protection purposes the old Air Force One was called into play and the new one sent to England. 

On July 10, 1821 the American flag was raised for the first time in St. Augustine and the Spanish flag lowered ending Spanish rule in Florida.

These things don’t happen. Like a passenger being sucked out of a plane window during flight.

A Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air was flying from Greece to Germany. A passenger seated next to the widow was sucked outside when the window blew out. The man out the plane with his feet still inside. His wife was holding on to his feet trying to pull him in. Passengers helped and he was pulled back in.

His only body damages were friction marks.

Lucky man!

Crazy weather will continue.

Meteorologists warn most of the lower U.S. States will swelter under an unusually large, strong and long lasting heat dome that will “spike” temperatures in a “significant and dangerous” way. The heat will start this weekend and last one week. Abnormally hot weather!

I find it hard to believe it could be worse! The past month or so is the hottest I have experienced in Key West in my 30 years here.

Nurse Paige was with me yesterday. She worked me. I begin my exercising and short walking today.

Enjoy your day!

An E. coli outbreak has hit Florida and Georgia. Linked by the FDA and CDC to a Publix sold brand of frozen blueberries which also spread to six other states. Twelve persons infected in Florida and Georgia. Eleven in Florida and one in Georgia. Involved were GreenWise Frozen Organic Blueberries. 

Children under 5 and adults over 65 have the greatest vulnerability. 

Publix has recalled the 10 ounce bags from their Florida stores and those in 8 other states.

The problem appears to have involved frozen GreenWise blueberries sold in stores before July 3, 2026.

The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel carried articles relating to the problem.

Present life expectancy in years is 77.5.

In 1971 the 28th Amendment was adopted which lowered the voting age to 18.

Electric powered cars have been with us for a long time. In 1900 they accounted for one third of all vehicles on the road.

The very first electric car was designed in the 1830s. Batteries were the problem. Took till 1881 to acquire effective ones.

The cost of an electric car in 1912 was $1,750. Today over $53,000. Contrast it with Ford’s Model T in 1912 which only cost $650.

The U.S. Coast Guard performs 45 search and rescue missions daily.

There are presently six American flags planted on the moon.

An “official military flag” has 13 symbolic folds.

Fifty six delegates signed the Declaration of Independence.

There are three species of elephant. The African Savanna, the African Forest, and the Asian.

A part of the modern automobile which took a long time to come into permanent use. The seat belt. The first patent for one was obtained in 1885.

A wonder! The size of a kangaroo at birth is 2.5 centimeters. The size of a grape.

African elephants have long term pregnancies. The gestation period of an African elephant is 22 months. The longest pregnancy among land mammals.

Mosquitos have six legs.

Hard to believe. The miles of blood vessels in the brain total 400.

A Florida mother in the Orlando area has sued a “group house” after her son lost 2 fingers to flesh eating bacteria. I’m shocked the bacteria is in the states!

Skin tight pants and shorts worn by woman is mandatory attire in the Olympics. The reason is such reduces air resistance which obviously is helpful in winning.

Trump asserts himself whenever he can. No, when he wants. The most recent his call to the head of FIFA re the banning of a player. 

Trump gets his nose in everything. In a sense he is Pinocchio. His nose in everything gets considerably bigger.

The man is a disgrace!

American beer is not popular in Germany. Especially Budweiser.

Non alcoholic beers are very popular in the U.S. And good! The better ones have flavor, aroma and the mouthful taste of real beer. Magical!

A recent study determined O’Doul’s Premium Golden is the best non alcoholic lager. 

Interestingly and reflecting on non alcoholic popularity, there are 200 brands in the U.S and 473 worldwide.

One of our greatest problems is our quest for unity. Not that we spend that much time seeking it. We have to find the unity factor. Perhaps when Trump is no longer in power, it will return.

The real subtle issue at the present Turkey NATO Meeting is whether Europe can lead. The U.S. is no longer a dependable leader. Trump screwed everything up in that regard! 

Alcatraz was once the most infamous prison in the U.S. One surprise is that it only remained open 29 years. Why did it close? Money. It cost too much to operate. Today, it is part of the National Park Service and receives 1.5 million visitors a year.

The largest serving inmate at Alcatraz was imprisoned 26 years.

The Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall. I visited two times. Once as a child with my father. Then as a father when I took my four children. A great family experience to visit. The recollection remains a life time.

The Statue receives an average of 3.7 million visitors a year. 

Thomas Edison was an “early genius.” He received his first patent at age 22.

The longest serving English monarch was Elizabeth II. She served 25,782 days.

The first multilevel parking garage was built in 1918.

Estimates exist for everything! Like the largest number of people to have ever lived. The number 117 billion.

Americans spent approximately $36 billion on each recent Mother’s Day.

Allied troops who landed in Normandy numbered 156,115. They were opposed by 50,000 German troops. Eisenhower knew what he was doing!

I never made it to The Grand yesterday. Started feeling poorly in early afternoon. Sadly, that’s the way it goes.

Enjoy your day!

My 91st birthday yesterday one of the finest I have ever experienced. Amazing because of what I did.

My morning was spent with Corey working on the computer printout of some of the paintings I am offering for sale. Then an egg lunch at Denny’s Hideaway. Followed by a quick trip through Publix. The cupboard was bare again.

Just about 1 pm when I arrived home. My great day began then!

It was a slew of birthday cards and a ton of telephone calls till mid evening. I heard from people I have not had any communication with in years. Absolutely terrific! Great conversations, great memories. The cards had long handwritten messages. Thank you one and all! Love you all!

I had planned on dinner alone probably at Antonia’s. At my age, I am alone. Most my age are. Contemporaries long gone. Dead or moved away. Dinner alone did not appeal to me, but I thought it better than nothing.

One of my callers had my dinner delivered. A huge Italian meatball sub from Mr. Z’s. I never left the house once it was received. Delicious! My thanks to Fran Dixon who telephone ordered it for me from Buffalo.

A strange birthday. However, I could not have asked for more. A perfect one!

Seaweed time. The Atlantic beaches stink. Smathers, Higgs and Casa Marina beaches suffering therefrom.

What did Victorian ladies carry in their purses? They carried back then: Items of importance to them such as calling cards, money, writing materials – a small pencil and slips of paper, handkerchief, aromatics – smelling salts – female fainting was common back then, gloves, and a needle and thread for sewing.

A lot to carry in a relatively small pouch.

Cinderella was first found in the ancient tale  “Thodopis”, recorded around the 1st century BCE/CE. Later resurfaced in the 9th century in the story of “Yeh-Shen.” However as we know it today in all its detail was rewritten in the 17th century by the Italian Giambattista Basile. He contributed the wicked stepsisters and dazzling palace.

Remember Braveheart. A terrific movie starring Mel Gibson. Gibson wrote and rewrote most of it.

Turns out the movie was a total falsehood. Not one “fact” therein was correct. Facts were manufactured by Gibson to make the film work as an exciting one. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and I am sure most of you did also.

Trump a cheapo! Since he in effect took over Venezuela, the U.S. has taken out $8 billion in oil money. So far Trump has only allowed $300 million in quake aid.

The NATO meeting to be held in Turkey later this week should prove interesting. Trump is going. Confident I am sure that the heads of all other nations will suck up to him because he considers himself a “power person.” His ass to be kissed. 

I am curious to see what happens.

On this day in 1456, the Catholic Church corrected a wrong. It formally acquitted Joan of Arc, 25 years after burning her at the stake. The Church would have acted better had it not burned her at the stake in the first instance.

Trump recently said, “Nobody is laughing at us anymore.” Who is he kidding? He bullshits himself. The whole world laughs at us because of him.

Trump’s Fourth of July was a disaster! No question about it. He deserved it!

Bill Clinton: “What Trump said at Mount Rushmore should worry every American.”

Crowds chanted “Death to America!” as Khamenei’s casket wound through the streets of Tehran. Friends? I doubt they ever will be. 

I am still concerned about Iran retaliation. “Get even” is part of their beliefs. Trump should be continuously concerned.

Trump is trying to screw up the Smithsonian as he has everything else. 

I visited the various Smithsonian museums on more than  one occasion. I found nothing anti-American about them. Trump’s concern is that they probably do not meet up to his name and standards. As they should not.

While more people are being diagnosed with cancer today compared with fifty years ago, the good news is that fewer people are dying from it.

Walmart has announced price cuts. One example beef. Down 15 percent. Trump tried to take credit for the Walmart cuts. Shortly after Walmart’s announcement, How the man lies!

Humphrey Bogart: “Things are never so bad they can’t be made worse.”

A typical Buddhist metta saying. A “metta” is a “loving kindness meditation: “May I be happy, may I be well. May I be kind towards my suffering. May I cultivate more kindness within my heart. May I cultivate more peace within my heart.”

Tropic Cinema may not die. Talks are ongoing with the Performing Arts Center of Key West to explore ways for the Tropic Cinema to remain open. Great!

American Jews used to be gun shy. No more. The rise of anti-Semitism around the world concerns them. A self-defense non profit is offering gun training classes to the Jewish community in 56 chapters across 23 states.

Today being Tuesday, later today it is The Grand for Happy Hour. I will be there. 

Last week I left before the Happy Hour had concluded. The bar stool was hurting my back. I should not have.

One of the telephone calls I received last night was from Don and Chris Teich. Old friends. Go way back in Key West. I recall attending their fabulous wedding many years ago.

I have not heard from them in years. Thought they had given up on Key West. Whatever, they were here last Tuesday and went to The Grand looking for me. I had left. They plan on returning for the whole month of November. We will be together again. What a time we will have!

Enjoy your day!

Today is my birthday. Ninety one years old!

Interesting. Wild in a sense.

My body feels it. My mind not. My mind is as sharp today as it was years ago. I suspect the blog has kept me mentally alert.

My day will be as all others in recent years. Quiet. I may buy myself a special dinner this evening. Depends how I feel.

A portion of yesterday was spent with Corey and Robert. They were helping with the assemblage of the art work I acquired over the years. Both extremely helpful.

I am concerned about the pending heat wave that is supposed to hit Wednesday. A bad one on an already bad one!

How does Trump see his place in history? Comparable to historical greats. The most powerful men who ever existed. Including the bad guys. I suspect persons such as Attila the Hun, Caesar, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler and Mao Tse Tung.

Power the key. As Trump recently said, power alone is not enough. Such a person must be willing to use it. Trump believes he is such a person as he is convinced he is willing to use power and has.

Ben Harrison’s latest musical wonder is around the corner.: Clouds Over the Sunshine Inn. July 14-18 at the Fringe Theater. Go! The worst thing that will happen is you will have a good time!

Interesting. In 2025, independent sellers on Amazon employed over 2 million people in the U.S. in the support of their businesses.

The Battle of Gettysburg ended on July 3, 1863. It was the most decisive battle of the Civil War.

George Washington took Command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775. From there ultimately to first President of the United States. A long and dramatic career.

The Keys Publix Proposal adds 130,000 square feet to what presently exists. A City Commission is presently studying the Proposal. Area will be added for anchor tenants. However the plan does not contain any portion for residential housing. The Proposal in my opinion should not be approved unless it has some residential housing. Key West is desperate for housing.

Carmen Rodriguez has returned! She is singing at various locales about town. Visit one and sit down to an evening of pure joy listening to her sing. She is one of the best! 

George Washington, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were considered the most humorous of the Founding Fathers.

Venezuela had been warned its public housing towers might crumble in a quake. They did. Big time!

Enjoy your day! My day!

My cousin Maurice died two days ago. We had not talked in 19 years. He was two years younger than me. We grew up together, were close. He ended up living in Bowie, Maryland and I had settled in Key West.

We had an argument 19 years ago. The issues important to the both of us, but in the final analysis bullshit items. Nevertheless we never saw nor talked to each other for the past 19 years.

I cried instantaneously when told yesterday of his death. He has been in my mind since and the way we had drifted for 19 years. A waste! I am shedding tears as I share our relationship with you at this moment. Our separation a shame. The issues that we drifted over were not that important when reflected upon.

I missed the Washington fireworks and Trump’s speech last night. No way could I stay up that late for either. After having read this morning’s New York Times report re Trump’s address, I missed nothing. It was his usual deriding of others. This “communism” thing he should stop. He is creating an issue where there is none.

I found it interesting that over 400 “fascists” were permitted to march yesterday in Washington. Hitler’s people ok to Trump. Does not surprise me. He has read Hitler for years and I suspect admires him because he was a power person. Trump considers himself a power person.

Corey worked with me yesterday afternoon with my art collection. I am putting it together in hopes of selling some pieces. I acquired over 100 works in my lifetime. Roughly 50 are of value.

Yesterday, Pope Leo urged the U.S. to welcome, protect and assist immigrants. His message in effect that Trump should not treat immigrants as he does.

On Mount Rushmore, Trump moved from “patriotism” to “communism.” He’s playing an old game. Trying to make trouble.

He referred to his Democratic opponents as “evil communists.” Socialism and communism are not the same. Does not bother Trump, however.

Trump continues to believe his face should appear on Mount Rushmore. Difficult to understand. He in no fashion has traits consistent with those whose faces already appear.

While Trump, his family and friends make tons of money off the Crypto Coin, retail investors have lost $3.8 billion.

Today’s job market may be described a a “purgatory one.” For adults as well as recent college graduates.

The question has recently arisen as to what the cost is to take over Madison Square Garden for an event. The marriage of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce brought it to the forefront.

Rent alone is $600,000 to $800,000. For a 1,000 guest wedding with all the food, drink and frills, $10 to $12 million.

Had to be one hell of a wedding!

A stomach illness is spreading across the U.S. Cyclospena. More than 400 people have been infected in 18 states. It is caused by a parasite  which is transmitted through food and water contaminated with feces. It causes stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and severe diarrhea. No deaths have been reported yet. New York, Texas, Illinois and Michigan have the most cases.

The Abraham Lincoln penny entered circulation in 1909.

The first Farmer’s Almanac entered circulation in 1457 in Europe. It was first published in the colonies in 1639.This may be its last year. Publication is in September. The word is it will be no more thereafter.

There is always someone local who has fireworks and seems to blow them forever on July 4. Began a couple of blocks from me last night at 9. Ran loud for 2 hours.

What follows is interesting.

In 1776, Philadelphia was the largest city in the colonies. Thirty to forty thousand people. Some cobbled streets. Others dirt and gravel. Children dressed like miniature adults. Children’s clothes had not become common yet. By 1776, the Revolutionary War was almost one year old. Women fought in the war also. They were deeply involved in the day to day battles.

I expected that if there was to be a fireworks fire last night it would occur in Washington. I was wrong. One did occur in New York City, however. The Brooklyn Bridge. Caused by fireworks and garbage. Looked big time. It was not considered so. Nevertheless it did take 31 fire crews to put it out.

Robert and I will work on the art compilation again tomorrow. On my birthday unfortunately. However must do what has to be done when my help (Robert) is available.

Today will be a screw off Sunday for me. Not sure yet what it will amount to.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The opening passage to the Declaration of Independence. Adopted in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, signed on August 2, 1776. Both wickedly warm days. No air conditioning, of course Men wearing heavy wool waist coats. Only open windows for air. Grossly insufficient. Nevertheless, the United States of America was born.

 I fear today may be a “tinderbox Fourth.” Trump has planned the biggest fireworks display ever. A combination of fireworks and heat could start a fire on Washington grounds. A possible calamity in the making.

It only takes one small spark landing in dry vegetation under the right conditions to start a fast moving wildfire.

If so, it would be another Trump faux pas.

The fireworks plan is it will take 40 minutes and be seen for a mile across Washington. It will launch from eight barges on the Potomac River, with additional sites running the length of the Reflective Pool. The poor Reflective Pool!

The size of the fireworks will probably set a Guinness world record. It could also spike the pollution previously mentioned in the form of soot and heavy metals. Nothing Trump does would surprise me.

Lets hope none of the bad things occur.

I have been fortunate to have experienced two July Fourth  events in Washington. I stood with the crowd on grounds near the Reflective Pool. Exciting! Singing and music preceded the fireworks.

Some are paying big dollars this year to view the fireworks, etc. Must be Donald’s friends. Tickets were sold to watch the activities from the Kennedy Center rooftop. The cost $25,000 for 36 persons. Who pockets the money? The U.S. government, the Kennedy Center or Trump himself?

New York City will have a special event for the Fourth. A parade of “tall ships.” Old time sailing vessels from 20 nations.

My oldest daughter Beth and her husband Marc live in Wellesley. A Boston suburb in effect. They are also boating fanatics. They own a large motor vessel which is parked in a marina about two blocks from the huge shopping center in downtown Boston. Many the night I have slept on board and was out on the water with them. Marc an expert large boat handler.

A couple of times the “tall ships” came into Boston Harbor on a U.S. holiday. We were out to greet and share time with them, of course. “We” included the whole world! I never saw so many boats!

They were exiting days. One that those in the New York area will experience today. Lucky them! That good!

Elsewhere throughout the U.S. many will enjoy cookouts with family and friends. Great eats and company!

Trump spoke at Mount Rushmore yesterday to honor Teddy Roosevelt. Recall how Trump has “intimated” he belongs on Mount Rushmore. In a pig’s eye! The last place he belongs!

Enjoy your Fourth! God bless our Nation! It will survive Trump! Hang in there!

Trump’s 250 Event and things surrounding it are falling apart at the seams. I will not recite them all. You read and hear about them every day.

There are two new, however.

One involves the Freedom 250 Stage. It collapsed during rehearsal. 

The other even worse from my perspective. The food at Trump’s Great American State Fair was virtually inedible. There were overwhelming complaints about the food offered for sale. The failure quality wise. Prices on the high side also. Bad food, high prices…..a great combination!

The Donald knows how to throw a party!

Hard to believe, but Abraham Lincoln could have sent a fax. Or, perhaps received one. Japan also had fax capability in the early 1860s.

The first fax came upon the scene in 1843.  It was in existence while Lincoln was practicing law in Illinois.

The fax was “commercialized” in 1863. Lincoln may have used it in his last years in the White House.

On July 2, 1964, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. I consider Johnson one of our best Presidents. His Senate experience served him well as President.

Coca-Cola was originally called “Pemberton’s French Wine Cola. John Pemberton was a Civil War veteran who concocted the drink. At the time he was suffering from a saber wound and morphine addiction.

He formulated the “Pemberton drink” by copying the popular cocaine infused Vin Mariani wine that Popes and Presidents were drinking at the time. 

As Pemberton’s health decreased, Asa Candler stepped in and turned the company inro Coca-Cola in 1892.

I reported yesterday on the Texas nun ICE arrested. Further news reveals she is Black and has been a nun for 10 years. She did not have her papers on her, however. Nevertheless, ICE should not arrest the religious. Going a major step forward, ICE should arrest no one. They should be eliminated. A very unAmerican group!

Trump likes to do things in a big way. The fireworks at the White House on July 4 for example. The biggest ever. None in the past even compare. Over a 40 minutes time frame, 850,000 fireworks will be shot off. Figures out to be 354 every second. A real wow!

Hope it works that way! Most things Trump has worked on for the Fourth weekend have failed in one fashion or another.

Pope Leo XIV is having his problems. I give him credit, however. He is the boss and is running the Catholic Church as he believes it should be run. For years, the Papacy was intruded upon and tried to be run by power crazy wannabes. Those who wanted to exercise Papal authority. 

Under Leo, no more. 

A Church Society appointed four new bishops after Leo told them not to. Leo in effect has fired the Society and refused to recognize the bishops.

Congressional Republicans to a large degree support the high gasoline prices. They support Trump and the Iran War. Ergo, they have no choice but to support the elevated gasoline prices.

I suspect many will lose their seats in the midterm elections.

Euthanasia is legal in Canada. Since 2016. The law is called “Medical Assistance in Dying.” Requires the assistance of a trained medical practitioner who by law does it via injection.

Since 2016, 76,475 persons have died utilizing the law. The deaths represent 4.7 percent of all who died during that time.

New York City was hit by the heat wave yesterday. The temperature registered 100 degrees.

New York City has already projected to be “unhealthy” on Thursday. It is claimed the temperature will hit 111 degrees.

The heat wave has been ongoing in Europe for several weeks. It is causing Alp glaciers to melt. An uncommon occurrence. There is always ice at the top of the Alps!

I have spent many years in northern Italy and parts of France where the Alps are overwhelming and the glaciers in Summer remaining. Never hot enough for the Glaciers to melt.

My friend Anna had a home in northern Italy. It sat on the middle of the Alps. In Summer when the heat was horrible, we would leave her Novara home and go to the Alps accommodation. Cool!

What I share now I shall never forget. It was July 11 of some year 15 or 20 years ago. I rose at 7 and per my custom went out on the balcony to view the mountain and glaciers. What I saw blew my mind. Note again it was July 11. Everything was covered with snow! The balcony and the Alps all the way up to the glaciers. 

I could not believe it! Woke Anna immediately! She was surprised. A first for her also. She who had spent time in that house off and on for some 40 years.

Strange weather apparently does happen. By noon, the snow had all melted. I never saw it again in the Summer in all my trips to that house.

I reported yesterday that Trump’s earnings for 2025 based on his federal filing was $2.2 billion. A tidy sum!

I came across this morning Melania’s report. She did not do as well as husband Donald. Melania earnings were reported as a mere $17.3-18.2 million.

Poor Melania!

That’s it for today my friends.

Enjoy your day!

Will you marry me? Ho ho and a bottle of rum! However beware where the question is asked.

Two people climbed to the top of the Empire State Building this past week. The “needle.” The very top!

When they completed the climb, they unfurled a large black flag which appeared to be posted to an Instagram.

The couple Angela Nikolau age 33 and Ivan Beerkus age 32. They were arrested by police following the event.

Lovers! Beerkus proposed to Nikolau after reaching the top. The Instagram shows Beerkus getting down on one knee to propose.

Crazy! Stupid! Dangerous! No question, love is strange!

The Reflecting Pool might also be called “A Giant Duck Death Trap.”

The Pool’s present status is it is under “permanent repair.” So sayeth Trump. Trump further says the repair will come around July 4. Hope so! Doubtful, however. The National Park Service said in a court filing yesterday that it will “drain and repair the …..Reflective Pool after July Fourth celebrations…..conduct repairs, including assessing and repairing any damage to the lining.”

There is a Billionaires’ Vagina Club. Would you believe!

For women. High class monied ones. The physician specialist maintains her offices in the Silicon Valley. Whereas some doctors specialize in longevity, Dr. Sally Greenwald focuses on a woman’s “sexspan.”

Hers a booming business!

Putin faces increased pressure as Moscow is again attacked by drones.

When will the Russian people say they have had enough and dump Putin? Perhaps never. Fear a strange thing.

Russia’s death toll in the Ukraine War is 1.4 million. Ukraine has lost 600,000.

In most of the U.S., executions are a thing of the past. However, there is one State that has not slowed down. Executes at an increased pace. Our beloved Florida! Since January 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis has been signing death warrants at a record acceleration rate.

The number of Florida executions since that date is 32. In 2025 alone, Florida accounted for 40 percent of all executions in the U.S. A modern state record. Twenty seven in 2025, five thus far in 2026.

Does DeSantis and/or the people of Florida  have a “killing nature?” Something does not make sense here.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

ICE arrested a nun walking to Church. A massive bipartisan eruption occurred. Democrats and Republicans alike. 

You don’t arrest a nun!

The nun was attired as one. White from the top of head to her toes. No way to determine she was other than a nun.

Sister Leticia Ugboaja was released several hours after her arrest in South Texas. 

ICE is clamping down. Recently has been significantly increasing the number of arrests it makes. In the past five days alone, arrests have shot to 10,000. Double the number of arrests it usually makes.

“Extreme heat” will build across the country beginning Wednesday. Key West in the area of the “extreme heat.” All we need! More extreme heat piled on the extreme heat we have been experiencing this past month.

Trump and family reaped vast financial rewards from a “meme coin” that generated losses for hundreds of thousand s of investors. Proving once again Trump and his people take care of themselves with little to no regard for others.

Venezuela is overwhelmed with thousands of dead bodies following the earthquakes. What can be done with them?

A seaport is turning into a temporary morgue. The bodies at the seaport are being moved into refrigerated containers in preparation for the possibility of mass burials. Deaths to date number 2,295. A miniscule number. Many many more yet to be found and buried. The number could be as high as 10,000. Burial bags have been ordered to cover that number.

Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh stressed the central bank could “deliver price stability.” A point he has emphasized repeatedly since taking over in May.

Warsh’s representations re anything are questionable. He is a recent appointment who was appointed by Trump. So they sing the same tune. More aptly stated, Warsh sings Trump’s tune.

Recall that Trump has consistently claimed inflation is not a problem. Trump has reiterated several times re inflation: “I love the inflation.”

U.S. prices have risen at a faster rate in the past 3 years. The May Consumer Price Index noted the 3 year high  was 4.2 percent. A wow!

Trump claims rising costs are a temporary energy driven side effect of the war against Iran and predicts prices will “come down like a rock” as soon as the conflict ends.

The war never seems to end. Prices will not come down as fast as they went up. They never do. Trump wrong again.

Bob Marley: “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”

The Tennessee Williams Museum is moving. July 5 it will close at its Truman Avenue location. It will reopen in the Fall at 604 Whitehead Street.

The two Key West Publix locations will soon be redeveloped. The Sears one has already begun. Big changes ahead for all stores in the Center. The Fay’s one under review by the City at the moment as to its proposed changes.

Though difficult to accomplish, I hope some rental units could be added. One or two floors would be a big help to our community.

Nurse Valerie visits me at noon today. Paige later in the day hopefully.

I have been receiving a number of calls and messages wishing me a Happy Birthday! The day is July 6. Yesterday a call from Jean Thornton and a message from Lynda and Bob Frechette. A few days ago a gift from Fran and Tom Dixon. Others I cannot recall at the moment. The mind gets a bit weaker each year. 

Thank you one and all.

Enjoy your day!