We forget. Think COVID behind us. Not that bad anymore.

Not so.

A recent editorial in the Palm Beach Post revealing: COVID especially dangerous to Florida residents aged 65 and older…..COVID has killed more 65 plus residents in Florida than any other State in the nation.

Public health exerts blame DeSantis’ counter productive COVID-19 policies. His leave resolutions to the individual rather than State mandates is not working. Freedom for all ages to do what they want endangers Florida’s huge elderly population. They’re left exposed and vulnerable. Many die as a result. Thirty two percent the number.

The 32 percent death rate higher than any other State. Even worse for those 85 and older.

The Florida Department of Health refer to the data in the editorial as “illiterate.”

Now for a Thanksgiving miracle. One hard to believe.

A 28 year old man fell overboard from a Carnival Valor ship 20 miles south of Southwest Pass, Florida. He was in the water more than 15 hours before found. Alive. No life jacket, water just above 70 degrees. When rescued suffering from the cold, dehydration and shock. He remains hospitalized. Recovering. Will survive.

Coast Guard officials are in a quandary how the man survived so long in the water. Kept himself afloat. Note he had no life jacket. Continued swimming around for 15 plus hours. They attribute his survival to his will to live.

Amazing!

I celebrated Thanksgiving with Don and Chris thursday night at La Te Da. Company and meal both excellent.

Arrived early. Chatted a bit with Chris. I have not seen him in a few years. Met a charming bartender. Tonto retired. Her replacement Samantha. On the drive home, noticed Christmas already in vogue with some. Three decorated on the outside. Several with decorated trees up and lite inside.

A 007 policy is working its way through the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Authorization to kill.

A vote to approve is scheduled for next week. The approval sought: To permit police to kill suspects using robots. Yes, in effect provide robots with authorization to kill.

Mechanized robot 007’s! They’ve come a long way!

Basketball and football on the Syracuse agenda today.

Syracuse plays Bryant in basketball at 4 at the Dome. Not being televised.

Syracuse/Boston College in football at Alumni Stadium in Boston at 7:30.

Syracuse and Boston College old rivals. For years, several couples made the trip every other year when the game was scheduled in Boston. So many times! A fun trip! A caravan drive. Stayed at a magnificent hotel whose name escapes me on the waterfront.

The game always scheduled this time of year. Cold in Boston! In the 40’s today. Open air stadium. Froze one’s ass off watching the game.

Afterwards Maine lobsters at the same restaurant on the water. Blue something.

Big time fun!

Been at least 25 years since my last game in Boston. At my age, doubt I will ever do another.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love holidays. Miss “my holidays.” As we get older, everything seems to change. Ergo, the “my holidays” reference.

One thing missing in my old age is the special smell associated with Thanksgiving. From the time I woke, the cooking turkey and other foods permeated the house.

Noisy, too. The women cooking and joking in the kitchen.

The smell and noise non existent the past 15 years. Thanksgiving at Lisa’s most of those years. Some Thanksgivings have been shared with friends at their homes or restaurants. Same thing…..noise and smell absent. Understandable. Not my home where the cooking and prep work being done. I am a grateful guest for dinner later in the day.

Tonight, I am enjoying the holiday meal with Don and Chris at La Te Da. The company will make up for the lack of smell and noise.

On this day in 1971, Frank Romano and Joe Liszka opened Key West Fragrance and Cosmetics on Front Street. A unique facility! No other like it in Key West or elsewhere.

Good things for the body were sold. Especially for women. The few male items included after shave lotion. I have been using Key West Aloe After Shave for 20 plus years. How good it feels!

The store was huge. Odor/smell again. Hit you in the face as you entered. Delicately, of course.

Unfortunately, the store is long gone. Sold by Frank and Joe years ago. A tiny store located elsewhere on Front Street. Manufacturing part of the business somewhere else in Florida.

Frank and Joe were active in the Key West community. Instrumental in establishing Fantasy Fest.

Both gentlemen long gone. I became friends with Frank late in his life. We met while working out at the same gym. I became a visitor to their home. Tastefully furnished with an aura begetting their store.

The new crazy Republican House leadership which takes over in January plans on investigating Fauci. They don’t like how he handled COVID. Especially the vaccination portion.

The group probably will speak well of China in some non-COVID respects. Anything to make Biden look bad.

I note in this mornings papers that China’s COVID numbers have hit record highs. How will the radical House members explain China while attacking Fauci?

For whatever reason, Pennsylvania has two communities bearing odd ball names. Names with sexual connotations. Intercourse and Blue Balls. Intercourse an appealing appellation. Blue Balls, not.

Yesterday November 23, 1984 was a significant day in the life of Doug Flutie. With a second remaining, he threw a long Hail Mary pass into the end zone which a team mate caught. The result was Boston College beating Miami 47-45.

Flutie won the Heisman trophy and then went on to playing 21 seasons of professional football.

John Kennedy was assassinated November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas.

Two days later, his assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was being removed from the Dallas Police Station to be taken somewhere else. He was being walked up a driveway from an underground parking area. Surrounded by all kinds of police. And everyone else. The driveway was crowded.

I was watching the scene on my mother in law’s TV. Thinking, how stupid! Someone’s going to shoot Oswald. And someone did!

Suddenly Jack Ruby walked up to him, shot and mortally wounded Oswald.

Live on TV.

Enjoy your holiday!

The huge Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. Each and every part already running through my head. The anticipation part of the holiday joy for me.

For many, this year’s meal is plagued by its cost. Thanksgiving dinner twice as much this year as last year.

With one exception. Cranberries! Buy more, eat more, enjoy more!

Cranberries this Thanksgiving season are 13 percent cheaper. The reason production is up 4 percent.

Cranberries normally an irrelevant part of the holiday meal. This year has relevancy.

The National Catholic Reporter (NPR) calls them as it sees them when it comes to the Catholic Church. A recent article re the U.S. Bishops’ Conference Annual Meeting reflects its independent position. The NPR reported “the U.S. Bishops’ decline into irrelevance will continue.”

The U.S. Bishops’ organization is not pro Rome. Nor is it pro Francis. Far from it. The group sides with U.S. evangelicals, the far right, Trump and MAGA. They are influenced by the likes of Steve Bannon and Newt Gingrich.

A new president was elected at the Conference. Anti-Francis. The new President is Archbishop Timothy Broglio.

He is considered a “culture warrior.”

In the 1990’s, he lacked sympathy for victims of clergy sex. He fought efforts by U.S. bishops to confront the crisis.

He failed to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neither the Bishops’ Conference nor Broglio are friends of Biden. Biden is a practicing Catholic. Yet no plans are in the works for the group and Biden to meet. Nor is such a meeting expected to be arranged. The gulf is distinct. Neither side is interested in one.

Elon Musk continues to amaze me. As does how he became a billionaire.

He appears committed to destroying Twitter. Though he does not appear aware.

Last week, he reinstated Trump to use Twitter. Yesterday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene is thrilled. She vowed to test “every limit of free speech on Twitter.”

May Musk, Trump, Greene and Twitter fail.

Washington Post columnist George Will in a recent column wrote: “Now the GOP can repent for the Trump era by denying him the nomination.”

Will the U.S. ever really have gun control? Biden’s success a few months ago the first piece of significant gun legislation in 30 years. Not enough, however.

Killings continue. Massacres common place. The nation cries out for more control. Stiffer control. Effective control.

A few days ago, killings and injuries were inflicted at a LGBTQ night club in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Yesterday, a Virginia Walmart shooting where 6 were killed and more injured.

The last day for hurricane season is next week on November 30.

Key West has a tradition. The Conch Republic conducts a hurricane flag burning ceremony on November 30. This year’s will be conducted at USCGC Ingham at Truman Waterfront Park. Live music at 4, the burning at 5.

Syracuse lost last night to St. John’s in the Championship Game of the Empire Classic in Brooklyn. In overtime, 76-69.

For me. the game a strange one. It began at 9:30. I am asleep by 9:30 most evenings. I made it last night till about 10 minutes left in the game. Syracuse winning by 10.

The game an excellent one till I fell asleep.

St. John’s came out with a tough brutal in your face defense. Syracuse quickly adapted. Game close. Syracuse up 5-6 points at half time.

Joe Girard scored 31 points the night before. Last night, he was scoreless the whole first half. I think his total was 4-5 points all night. It was not St. John’s defending him that caused his low production. He just did not have it. He appeared exhausted the whole game. Always a step behind. His shots off.

When I dropped off to sleep, Syracuse was ahead 50-40. When I woke, the teams were already into the overtime.

What I did not see was a 16-2 run by St. John’s while I slept. Turned the game around.

St. John’s outscored Syracuse in the overtime 11-4. What I did see clearly indicated Syracuse’s ass was dragging. Sloppy ball. Poor ball handling. Forget scoring.

St. John’s was not affected by tiredness, though they had the same reasons as Syracuse to be.

From what I saw during the game, Syracuse’s defense was outstanding. Dramatically improved from the night before.

I am not down on the team…..yet. They are young. Several freshman. Have the makings of a quality team. Time will tell.

Enjoy your day!

On this day in 1963, President John Kennedy was assassinated. America mourned.

Kennedy was exciting. His family and administration exciting. He brought an excitement to America.

He probably would have gone down as one of America’s finest Presidents. Unfortunately, he was not President long enough. Less than 3 years.

His major accomplishment was the Cuban missile crisis. He avoided what could have been a nuclear war with Russia. Who knows if another President would have handled the confrontation with the same skill he did.

Republicans seem to be screwing up consistently. The weekend found four in the limelight.

ASSHOLE first. Not Trump. Mike Pompeo. Remember Pompeo? Secretary of State under Trump. Graduated first in his class at West Point, magna cum laude from Harvard Law.

Pompeo wants to be President. He has been quietly seeking the Republican nomination for 2024.

He never impressed me as Secretary of State. He impresses me even less today.

In an interview yesterday, he was asked who did he consider the most dangerous person in the world. He replied, “Not Chairman Kim, not Xi Jinping, not Putin. The most dangerous person in the world is Randi Weingarten.”

My immediate reaction: Who the hell is Weingarten? She is the head of the American Federation of Teachers Union.

Pompeo has a “thing” about teachers: He is upset with the “filth teacher’s unions are teaching our kids and the fact they don’t know math and reading or writing.”

Turns out right wing extremists dislike Weingarten and teacher unions. Pompeo is selling his soul to the the extremists in his quest to get the nomination. As is everyone else on the Republican side.

Mike Pence failed to distinguish himself on Meet the Press in a sunday interview.

Pence supported Trump in everything up to January 6 while Trump was President. Pence was the “loyal” #2 man. January 6 cleansed his soul. While the insurrectionists were looking for him to hang, the gallows and rope already constructed on Capitol steps, Pence stood strong and refused to do what Trump wanted.

Pence has now decided he wants to be President. He needs the support of Trump at some point and of the extreme right. He has become a whore in his quest. A whore similar to Kevin McCarthy who knocked Trump big time re January 6 and then flew to Mar-a-Lago to kiss his ring. Pence in effect kissed Trump’s ring on Meet the Press sunday.

Among other things, Pence knocked Justice for the search warrant on Mar-a-Lago. Should have been handled differently. How, he never said. He crucified Fauci for his “vaccination” handling of the COVID pandemic.

Pence makes me sick. Strong language, I agree. The man is a religious fanatic. I have never trusted one.

Alito back in the news. Appears he “leaked” another Supreme Court decision before it was published. A 2014 case concerning access to birth control.

I have written several times over the years re Alito. He is a bitter man. Bitter because he was passed over for the Chief Justice position at one point in time. He “suppresses considerable resentment.” He “has turned out to be angry, dark, retrogressive and historically damaging.” He was recently described: “It’s like he has gained a sense of freedom to change the world in the image he has for it.”

Finally, the Donald himself.

Trump is not reacting well to GOP pleas to stay away from the Georgia runoff. Good luck! He’ll go.

Prosecutors in Trump cases continue to give me concern. There are those who are afraid to do their jobs.

Recall Alvin Bragg. Manhattan District Attorney. Soon after taking office, he announced he was dropping the case his office was investigating against Trump. Furor reigned. Two of the Assistants working on the case resigned.

Bragg apparently has now changed his mind. The rope is back around Trump’s neck. May be tightening.

His office announced the case against Trump for the $130,000 2016 hush money paid to Daniels via Michael Cohen was back under consideration. It was being “refocused.” Six years after the event giving rise to the possible charge.

Syracuse basketball.

Syracuse in the Empire Classic being played at Barclay’s in Brooklyn. Opened against Richmond last night. Syracuse won in overtime 74-71.

Syracuse plays St. John’s tonight at 9:30 in the championship game. St. John’s beat Temple last night 78-72.

Syracuse played well last night…..most of the game. Not all.

Girard had the hot hand. Scored 31 points. Twenty one in the first half.

Syracuse played a zone defense. Surprising since Boeheim had the team practicing and playing man to man in previous games.

Boeheim will admit if the opposing team is hitting its 3’s, the zone can be ineffective. It was much of the second half. Richmond was dropping the 3’s in with frequency.

Except, Syracuse’s defense “woke up” with 6 minutes to go and held Richmond to 1 point. In the overtime, Syracuse held Richmond scoreless for 3 minutes.

Wish Syracuse could play an effective defense a whole game.

Syracuse sucked off the boards. Especially the offensive ones. Lucky to have won with that problem.

I will be glued to the TV set this evening from 9:30 on.

Enjoy your day!

Buffalo’s snowstorm dominates the news. Understandable. Six and a half feet.

Buffalo had an even bigger one in 1977. Eight feet plus. Described in inches at the time. One hundred plus.

A three day storm. Biggest ever, before or since.

The snow began falling on friday January 28.

Drifts reached 30 feet in some places. Snow plows were useless. Snow too heavy and deep. Earth moving front end truck loaders were utilized. Brought in from Canada and other U.S. areas.

Snow removal a unique exercise. The front loaders filled dump trucks with snow. Toronto provided 2 huge machines which somehow became part of the dump trucks. The machines melted the snow. The water was dumped into street sewers. The water then ran into Lake Erie.

The process worked till the federal government said stop! Too many environmental issues would result.

By midnight friday, 10,000 cars were stranded in Buffalo. Two thousand on Main Street and eight thousand otherwise on City streets. The stranded vehicles affected snow removal. Buffalo hired 50 tow truck companies to remove them.

Saturday afternoon, dump trucks and payloaders were dumping snow directly into the Niagara River.

President Carter and Governor Carey issued emergency declarations.

The temperature remained a consistent minus 7 degrees Fahrenheit for several days. Winds as high as 51 mph. The winds contributed strongly to the high snow drifts.

On sunday and monday, Buffalo and surrounding communities banned unnecessary travel. A serious banning. Arrests made. Fines up to $500 and 90 days in jail. Necessary. Stranded cars prohibited streets from being cleaned. They ended up being buried under the snow. Could not be seen.

Still snowing on monday.

The sun finally broke through on wednesday February 2.

Schools remained closed till February 14. Closed a total of 10 “school days.”

Besides my research, I have to thank Buffalo’s Fran and Tom Dixon. They lived through the blizzard of 1977 and shared their recollections with me.

This past weekend’s blizzard of no effect as far as the Dixons were concerned. Early reports advised the storm would be 5-6 feet. However, a narrow one in width. The Dixon home was on the periphery. They got all of one inch.

So much for snow.

Key West has a bubba system. Those born in Key West take care of each other. Some families going back 3-4 generations. Bubbas are a closed society. Do business with each other. New residents to Key West have a difficult, if not impossible, time breaking in.

Steve Thompson ran into the bubba system in his early Key West years.

Most of Duval was bordered up in early ’73. A little business on the 200 block was all I could see. I felt lucky to find a location at 208 Duval for my first store.

Key West was just taking off and I couldn’t ask for more. I had a ten year lease and I was happy as could be.

Then they built a pizza place right in front of me. I have to admit it really did suck. But it forced me to find a second spot a few blocks up. It was probably the worst looking building in Key West. When we were finished, it was one of the best.

501 had been boarded up for years and was in bad shape. The landlord said, “Only a 3 year lease, you’ll have to wait.” He wanted to see if I would do what I said I would do. Unfortunately, I think he had some other motives too. He wanted to make sure I would fix his building first.

In my whole life, that decision was my worst. I put in tile floors, sinks, bathrooms, walk in cooler, all to City Code. I installed windows, doors, gingerbread, signs, and I was ready to fold.

The City finally gave me a permit, I was broke and who knows.

B.O. opened a fish wagon across the street with only a hose.

Luckily, the store took off from day one and did very good. My last year I asked the landlord for that extension. He said he didn’t like my manager. He would have to go. I hated to fire him, but I couldn’t say no.

In December, I met my friend Tony in Miami for our annual ski trip.. He handed me a letter from my landlord, and that was just the tip. It said I had two weeks to vacate, there were too many drunks around. I was surrounded by his bars and I didn’t even sell beer.

So that was another lesson learned the hard way. When your lease is up, you are going to pay. B.O. was a bubba and they do whatever they want. I always liked Buddy, but I wasn’t even a freshwater conch.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Eighty years old today. He is the first man of his age to serve in the Presidency.

Joe Biden has done an exemplary job so far in his two years on the job. Better and more than many have accomplished in 4 or 8 years.

I am 87. I know from experience the problems of functioning at 80 or older. For me, the mind is perfect. It is the body. Like a car as it ages, the parts wear down. So it must be with Biden. Parts are repairable, however. Which means he can handle the job. Proof is his record of accomplishments thus far.

Another evidentiary item is he seems to enjoy the work. He was born to it. His whole life from its political beginnings brought hm to this moment.

Keep up the good work, Mr. President!

I do not understand Elon Musk. He loses money like water running out of a faucet.

He spent $44 billion on Twitter, a business he did not want. In 2 weeks, he sets it on a road to destruction. Fires half the work force, imposes stringent work requirements on those who remain, etc. Worst, he now welcomes Trump back. He claims “the people want him back.”

I have known men of wealth. They covet their money. Protect it. Do not handle it foolishly. Musk deals with his in an opposite fashion.

Forbes reported this week that Musk’s net worth is now $191.4 billion. It was $387 at the beginning of the year. He has lost $195.6 billion thus far this year.

A strange businessman.

Received a call yesterday afternoon. Syracuse friends Don and Chris are in town. Invited me to dinner. I accepted.

Seven Fishes the restaurant.

I am ashamed to admit in all the years I have been in Key West, i have never gone to Seven Fishes. Not the old one or the new. A mistake on my part. I shall make up for the error in the future.

The restaurant is beautiful. Simple modern taste, yet with class.

Met the bartender Eric and host Carl. The meal outstanding. Enjoyed the scallops.

The company of course best. Met Don and Chris at the Chart Room years ago. We hit it off immediately. The Syracuse connection helped.

Don is Vice-President of a South Korean company. He spends much time in South Korea and world wide. Chris works for a company in a similar field.  Both are in sales. Chris just returned from 3 weeks in Berlin.

We enjoyed an early dinner. I was home by 9:30. The Syracuse/Wake Forest game was in its 2nd quarter. Syracuse was leading 21-10. I was a happy camper. Syracuse winning and most of the game remaining.

Typical Syracuse result. Syracuse lost 45-35.

Can’t win for losing!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Three Washington observations.

The first involves Merrick Garland’s appointment of a special counsel to pursue Trump matters involving Mar-a-Lago documents and January 6. Absolutely unnecessary!

Respectfully, Garland should get off his ass and complete the Trump investigations. There has been more than sufficient time to decide whether to indict. As far as I am concerned, Garland is avoiding his responsibility.

The Attorney General staff is sufficiently large for all Trump matters to have been completely investigated by this time.

I saw something like this coming when Garland was appointed. I said then in a lengthy blog and have mentioned several times since that a judge does not make a good prosecutor. Especially a judge of 20 years.

My opinion at the time and to this day is judges are too intent on minute detail to perform the prosecutorial function. They are concerned with crossing every t and dotting every i. No criminal case is perfect. As no defense is. There are problems with every portion. A prosecutor assembles the facts and law available and makes a decision as to whether go ahead. He has a case or doesn’t.

Garland is incapable of so doing. His mind is judicially trained. Rigidly so.

Not knocking the man. Merely saying what is.

A special counsel is only going to contribute to more delay. Provide Trump with new reasons to run to court. Trump is going to teflon himself out of an indictment.

The new House leadership a disgrace. Un-American. Instead of legislating matters of value to the American people, their obvious intent is to investigate/impeach Democratic leaders. Appeal only to MAGA supporters.

I believe their conduct will make their majority control short lived. The clear message from the American people in the mid-terms was stop screwing around, we want things done that will help us. There are more such thinking Republicans than MAGAs. The end result will be the Democrats regaining control of the House in 2024.

Finally and on a positive note, America lauds Nancy Pelosi. As she moves into the sunset, she leaves behind a Speaker record never to be paralleled. She was that good.

The only persons disparaging her are the MAGA Republicans. They know not better. Probably each is quietly aware they are inadequate in comparison.

I agree it is time for new blood on the Democratic side. Fresh new ideas. America will benefit.

The Republicans should try it. They have many young people in their ranks. The problem is they are as a whole generally whacked out. They drink Trump’s special brand of Kool Aid and dance to his tune.

Enjoy your day!

A weather man I am not. Yet I know what happens in upstate New York and Key West based on years of experience. Experience acquired by living in each area for decades.

Key West weather today 72-78. The 72 at the moment is cold. Cold for Key Westers who are accustomed to mid 80’s. Fortunately, snow will not fall. Has snow ever fallen in Key West?

Buffalo, on the other hand, is in for what has already been predicted to be an “historic storm.” Four to five feet of snow. Temperature 27-35 degrees.

Four to five feet a crippling storm. Does not necessarily mean a suffering one for most.

I spent 60 plus years residing in Utica. On the same line as Buffalo. Less than 200 miles separating the two communities. Yearly “major” snow storms generally 1-2 feet. Occasionally, the mother of all storms. Three feet plus. A few really big ones over the years. Could have been 5 feet or better.

I never minded the big storms. Meant everything closed down. Roads impassable. No one could get to work. No one could get anywhere. Everyone home confined. It was a time when families got to know each other again over a three day period. I loved it! Especially when the kids were small.

I had several law offices. One located in Buffalo. A big storm hit. My staff “lived” in the offices for 3 days. Slept on desks and the floor. Somehow were able to get food from here and there.

One concluding observation. When it is “very” cold in Buffalo and upstate New York, it is cold in Key West. Look at Key West’s temperature for today and compare it to Buffalo’s.

Being Catholic has/had its disadvantages.

There was once a time when it was a sin to eat meat on friday. I started doing Confession around 6 years of age. Many a saturday this little boy stood in line waiting to go to confession. Sweating, nervous. I had sinned. Ate meat on friday. Probably a bologna sandwich.

On this day in 1966 U.S. Catholic bishops did away with the rule meat could not be eaten on fridays, except during Lent. When they did, I was in my early 30’s so it made no difference. I did not eat meat on fridays. Probably because I would be embarrassed to confess that as an adult I had committed such a stupid minor sin.

Felt sorry for Lori yesterday. As she was cutting my hair, I asked how her leg was. Lori is a runner. Five to seven miles a day. She had complained to me two weeks earlier her leg was bothering her.

Turns out she has a torn meniscus. No running for six months. Tear small so no surgery. I feel sorry for Lori. I have known her for a quarter century. She has always been a runner.

On the way to Harpoon Harry’s for lunch, I ran into Aaron Wechter. I have not seen Aaron in quite a while. My first real male friend when I arrived in Key West years ago. It was good to run into him. I enjoyed our chat.

Aaron is a very busy man. An extremely busy Notary Public. He marries people. The biggest and best “marrying man” in Key West.

Big day tomorrow at Hogfish! Bobby and Michelle Mongelli are celebrating the 20th anniversary of opening what has become one of the most famous eateries in the Keys. Hogfish.

Festivities begin “around 4 o’clock.”

Syracuse plays football against Wake Forest tomorrow at 8 pm. Syracuse 6-4, Wake Forest 6-4. Syracuse has lost its last 4 games, Wake Forest its last 3.

I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen.

A lot of crazy people in this world. You don’t need me to tell you.

On this day in 1978, the Jonestown deaths occurred. Nine hundred eighteen cult murders and suicides. All promoted by cult leader Jimmy Jones.

Jones had formed a haven for his followers in Jonestown, Guyana.

The cult members are said to have “drunk the Kool-Aid.” All but 2 died from cyanide poisoning which was either drunk or injected. Some are reported to have consumed the cyanide against their will.

Enjoy your day! Eat bologna, don’t drink Jonestown Kool-Aid!

Larceny pays. Crime pays. Evident in the criminal tax trial in Manhattan yesterday against the Trump organization. Note Donald Trump not specifically named as a defendant in the case.

Allen Weisselburg has been the organization’s long time CFO. His CEO Trump. Weisselburg was arrested for accepting “benefits” as part of his income. Benefits that were never recorded as salary. No taxes paid by the payor or payee. He has pled guilty and agreed to testify against the Trump organization. His first trial appearance in the case was yesterday.

His testimony electrifying.

Two items especially so.

First, he testified to receiving $1.76 million in untaxed off the books “perks.”

Second, he testified that his salary was $640,000 a year, plus a $500,000 bonus. The strange part of his testimony was that he has continued to receive the six figure salary since pleading guilty. He hopes he will receive this year’s $500,000 bonus in January.

A strange deal. On the other hand, nothing appears strange where Trump is concerned.

Canada’s Trudeau and China’s Xi Jinping had “words” publicly at the G20 conference yesterday. The exchange took place following a private meeting between the two. Following which Trudeau made full disclosure to the press of what they had discussed.

Xi Jinping said their conversation was a private one covered by conditions requiring the same. Trudeau disagreed.

The two shook hands afterwards. Apparently a misunderstanding and Trudeau did not intentionally violate what has been described as “conditions.”

Harry Truman left his mark on Key West. Forever remembered. His memory cherished.

It was on this day in 1946 that Truman arrived in Key West for the first time. He vacationed for a week at The Little White House.

Truman loved Key West. He made 10 more trips. His total Key West vacation days 175.

The weather report this morning indicates a cold front arriving friday morning. Temperature will be in the mid to low 50s.

Fortunately, the cold wave will hit mainland Florida. The Keys will be affected, but slightly. Key West temperatures have recently been in the mid 80s. When the cold spell hits, the temperature will drop into the low 70s.

Note 74 and lower is cold for Key West residents. Just the way it is. Tourists will not feel it, however.

Busy day ahead. Haircut with Lori. Manicure with Tammy. Lunch at Harpoon Harry’s in between.

Enjoy your day!

It was instantaneous. The second I heard missiles had landed in Poland, my mind screamed WAR.

Poland all over. It was German troops, tanks and planes that ignited World War II. NATO stood on the ready today in the event Russia went beyond Ukraine. Should it occur, Poland was where the experts thought it would happen.

Cool heads prevailed. Investigation now suggests the cause was  wayward Ukrainian defense missiles and not Russian missiles.

It could have been otherwise. I hope it never will.

Trump announced his candidacy for President again. Reminds me of Harold Stassen. I am old enough to recall Harold Stassen.

Stassen was a young successful Republican politician. In his early years recognized as Presidential timber. Kept running however even beyond his Presidential timber years. He ran 9 times between 1944 and 1992. Never received the Republication nomination. Came close in his early runs, however.

Stassen was a successful gubernatorial candidate. Four times Governor of Minnesota and two times Governor of Pennsylvania.

This is only Trump’s third try. Hope springs eternal, however. Especially with a pompous dreamer. All he has to do is live long enough.

His speech was unimpressive. I watched most of it on CNN. FOX carried parts also. The other networks refused to cover the event.

Two significant observations.

He was consistent in lying. Never a speech without. Numerous wildly incorrect statements. Fact Checks killing him this morning.

His appearance caused me concern. I may not agree with him. Does not mean I want to see him drop dead.

He looked tired. Extremely so. Huge difference from last week prior to election day when he was full of pep and energy convinced of success. Not a wonder. Even Trump got the message. The Republican Party took the worse mid term beating ever. Within hours/days, Republican supporters were abandoning him. Even daughter Ivanka who said she would not be getting politically involved this time.

How much can one human take? Investigations, lawsuits, political failures, etc. Trump has to be beat up physically and mentally. He looked like a candidate for a stroke or heart attack last night.

The only other major die hard remaining is Arizona’s Kari Lake. Will she go quietly into the night or stand and fight?

Artemis I finally made it up, up and away! At 1:47 this morning on its fourth try. The trip to take it around the moon and back.

Lord, why in my old age must I be made to suffer the pain of Syracuse defeats? At least let them win the games the team should.

Basketball season is here. Early games against easy opponents. Last night, Colgate. Colgate won 80-68. Last year, the same. Colgate defeated Syracuse 100-85.

You forget Lord that prior to last year, the last time Colgate beat Syracuse was 1902. What happened? Why have you abandoned Syracuse? A Christian school. Methodist. That should not make any difference however.

Enjoy your day!