Nat King Cole. Entertainer supreme! Spectacular musician! And most importantly, nice guy!

Cole died this day in 1965. 

I met the man on several occasions while attending Manhattan College in New York City. The College was located at 242nd Street off Broadway. The end of the Seventh Avenue subway line. Forty five minutes to Times Square.

One Friday evening probably in 1954, myself and several other of my college buddies were walking down Broadway to go to the movies. Some 10 blocks away. We knew Nat King Cole’s mother lived somewhere in those 10 blocks and that he frequently visited her. We had the constant hope of meeting him.

We did one evening. He had parked his car and was walking to one of the apartment buildings. We recognized him immediately. Said polite hellos. He stopped and chatted with us a few minutes. Nice guy.

The next time I saw him was at a night club on 52nd Street. In those days, 52nd Street was one small intimate night club after another. I developed a bad habit during my four years at Manhattan College. I would take the subway to 52nd Street and sneak into one of the clubs to watch the show. Generally some form of a musical.

I had no money to buy a ticket. I learned how to wander in early from the front door or a back door and watch the show off stage from somewhere. I always went to watch when Cole was performing. He got to recognize and know me. I also used my sneak-ins at other clubs where other stars were performing.

Club managers got to know me and I would say I became regularly accepted sneak-in. Cole always had the time to chat with me for a few minutes.

Not only is Cole gone, 52nd Street as I knew it also. Such is life.

I have learned that Trump makes little news on a Saturday. Ergo, there is little reported about him on a Sunday. So my Trump comments this morning are minimal.

Trump and Steve Bannon are at war with the Catholic Church. Actually Pope Leo chastised Trump recently. Ergo, Trump type pay back time.

Bannon is questioning Leo’s election. He and Trump want to save the Church from Leo. What a joke! Evil trying to take over!

Trump and Bannon two sickos. I would not want to be either when they are attacking if either died during the time. If there is an afterlife with God, I would not want Heaven’s Gates locked to me.

Trump claims victory over affordability in recent days. He refuses to admit he has failed. Even that things not yet good, but he is working at correcting them. As far as Trump is concerned, he already has been successful when it come to economics.

 Only one more Trump item. Nice, isn’t it.

A comparison exists between Nero and Trump. Nero constructed a “golden house.” It included gilded rooms, multiple gardens, zoo-like enclosures, an artificial lake, and most importantly from Nero’s perspective, a giant statue of himself.

So much for Trump this Sunday. Three short items.

Moving on.

Chocolate prices up. Tariffs and inflation responsible. Which means Trump responsible. Coco is measured strangely. I could not figure the method precisely. Whatever it is, it went from 2,500 to 13,000 in one year.

Seventy five to eighty five percent of U.S. citizens still suffering from inflation.

There is a doctor shortage. Thirty percent of Americans do not have an established primary care physician. More doctors produced not the answer. Takes too long to make a doctor.

The answer being explored and pushed is the use of pharmacists for certain medical needs. 

Pharmacists are already trained to provide many medical services. However they are prohibited by law from so doing in many States.

Pharmacy doctors will be plentiful within the next several years. Doctoring for many illnesses will be from the drug counter.

Nearly one third of pet owners spend more on their pets than on their own needs.

I am a mac and cheese lover. Ancient Rome had an early version. Called “placenta.” Sheets of rolled out dough layered with cheese. Generally served on holidays.

All my grandparents were born in Italy. My mother was born in Italy. I have a recollection in my younger days enjoying placenta prepared by the ladies. Even referred to as placenta, not mac and cheese.

Rome’s legendary founders Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf and woodpecker. The time the 4th century BCE.

In the Rome of old, grains made up 70 percent of the Roman diet. The word “cereal” stems from the goddess Ceres to whom Romans prayed for a good harvest.

Ping-pong was originally called “whiff-whaff.”

Women’s Rights activist Susan B. Anthony was born this day in 1820. One of her better known sayings: “The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball – the further I am rolled the more I gain.”

The first Teddy bear went on sale this day in 1903.

Store owner and inventor Morris Michtom placed two stuffed bears in his shop window. He advertised  them as “Teddy bears.” He first got permission from President Theodore Roosevelt to use the nickname Teddy.

The two Teddy bears gave birth to what became a national child institution.

Modern use of the war term “shrapnel” took hold in 1940 during Hitler’s blitz of London.

Today is the 2nd day of the Twentieth Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival. Location the Truman Waterfront Park.  Go enjoy the best of Key West food in a lively festive location.

January weather finally getting better. Yesterday mid to high 70s. Today will be the same.

Pay attention to Mark Kelly. Trump trying to kill him politically. Fears Kelly. Keep Kelly in mind for your Presidential vote in 2028. Kelly presently a U.S. Senator, former astronaut and 25 year Navy veteran. Captained a carrier. Impressive! 

Enjoy your day!

Happy Valentine’s Day! May roses bloom! Nothing compares to love!

Katherine Lee Bates hit today’s atmosphere right on: “Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet.”

I am 90 years old. Divorced in 2008. Alone the 18 years since till recently. Love has bloomed again for me after those 18 years. Cheryl. The only negative is she lives in Cape Coral and we do not see each other enough. I wish dear Cheryl a Happy Valentine’s Day!

The question arises as to a most romantic place to spend Valentine’s Day. It is Key West! Considered by many to be a top romantic Valentine’s Day destination. Our island is rich in charm, sunsets and intimate boutique accommodations.  Key West is the perfect romantic getaway.

Other top choices for romance and intimate escapes include Paris and Venice. 

Something I was unaware of till today. Doubt most were. A “Vinegar Valentine” card. It is hating. The opposite of loving. The direct opposite of the ordinary Valentine’s Day card. It is people sending nasty hateful cards to those they dislike. Cards to their enemies.

Note Hallmark does not sell such cards.

 They are mocking and insulting.

Vinegar Valentine cards that have been preserved can be found at the New York Public Library.

Those who send Vinegar Valentine cards are generally pompous, vain and conceited. Also, anonymous. They do not want the recipient to know who sent the card.

I get sick of writing so much about Donald Trump. There is no choice, however. He is in the news daily. He is the news!

So here I go again with the Donald.

Trump spoke with soldiers yesterday at Fort Bragg. A campaign type address. He told the military to vote Republican.

ICE is sick. Trump is sick. ICE plans on spending $38.3 billion turning warehouses into detention centers.

Financial experts fear a new mortgage crisis. One hitting those who can least afford it. An example of Trump’s purported “financial success.”

New Trump cuts are hitting schools and social services in all States. Services cut, staffs laid off. Another example of Trump’s erroneous economic program failing. Trump claims it is successful. He is either bullshitting the American public or is blind.

Trump a warmonger at heart. The U.S. has launched a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East as Trump pressures Iran.

A Judge has rejected Hegseth’s bid to punish Senator Kelly for a video message to troops. Kelly told them to follow their conscience and the Constitution in obeying questionable orders. Hegseth is appealing.

Trump has ordered the Pentagon to buy coal power as the polluting fuel struggles to survive. An example of health taking a second seat to economics in Trump’s world.

National Guard troops removed from some cities. Quietly by Trump in January. The cities Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland.

Moving on.

Scientists thought they understood global warming. Then the past three years happened.

Five phrases stupid men always say: It’s not my fault, I already know that, that’s impossible, I don’t care, and what’s in it for me.

Health cases powering the U.S. labor market. Four hundred thousand more jobs in the past year. A booming industry!

Win some, lose some. One of the greatest U.S. male skaters in recent years did extremely poor in Olympic free skate. He was expected to win. Easily. He did not. Came in 8th.

His name Ilia Malinin. 

Fell multiple times. Such is life. He is only 21. He will be back again in 4 years.

The weather has changed for us in Key West. Warm afternoons. Evenings cool. Ok weather. 

I remind you again of Mark Kelly. The best of the best. A candidate for President in November 2026. Keep him in mind. A Trump he is not. Kelly is presently a U.S. Senator, former astronaut and 25 year Navy veteran. They don’t come much better.

Enjoy your day!

The history of Friday the 13th. Thirteen has a long history of bad luck. However it is uncertain exactly when it began to be so viewed.

Friday the 13th has earned a psychological term: Triskaidekaphobia. Big word!

Some reasons why Friday the 13 is considered unlucky. Thirteen guests attended The Last Supper – held on Maundy Thursday. Jesus was crucified on Friday the 13th. Friday the 13th the day Eve gave Adam the fateful  apple. Friday the 13th the day Cain killed his brother Abel.

Some Trump.

Trump repealed the U.S. government’s power to regulate climate.

Review of Epstein files reveal not only political figures being redacted. Now also the world of the elite. 

Numerous children buried in ICE system. ICE has to go!

ICE began by rattling big cities. Now has moved on to small town America. I repeat, ICE has to go!

Moving on.

Kissing a popular activity. It has ancient origins. Old, but not universal. Began some 21.5 million years ago. With animals who made mouth to mouth contact. Primarily great apes.

Amtrak is revamping its run down fleet. Most new trains being built in California. Slowly. Piece by piece.

Meaning of “even Steven.” A rhyming expression. An adjective meaning “equal or fair.” Came into usage in 1837 to describe balancing a canoe.

The Allies firebombed the German city of Dresden this day in 1945. The “Florence of the Elbe” was reduced to rubble and flames, 25,000 persons killed.

Actions entitling the first Medal of Honor occurred during a U.S.-Apache conflict. It was awarded to Colonel Bernard J. D. Irwin, an Army surgeon. He ultimately received the Medal for voluntarily going to the rescue of a Lieutenant and his 60 men who had been trapped by the Apache.

President Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech this day in 1905 at the New York City Republican Club involving race.

Valentine’s Day had a dirty, bloody precursor. Called Lupercalia. It was a wild Roman festival that involved blood sacrifice, drunken celebrations and fertility rites.

On this day in 1633, Galileo arrived in Rome to face heresy charges.

Krispy Kreme is offering some customers free donuts today.

La Brisa. One time THE resort in Key West. A party place. Located at the ocean end of Simonton Street. Operated by the Electric Street Railway Company. Opened this day in 1899.

It became Key West’s most popular social spot. Day time and night time. Five hundred people a day found their way there.

Reminder time. Forget not Mark Kelly. My candidate for President in 2028.

Enjoy your day!

Judy Blume has been a Key West resident for years. A popular young-adult author. One of her first and most famous novels for the young “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”

She and her husband today operate Books and Books in Key West.

Judy was born this day in 1938. Happy Birthday, Judy!

You have brought an added warmth to Key West. Felt by everyone!

Lots of Donald Trump today. Everyday, as usual.

The House defeated Trump and voted to end his Canada tariffs. Six Republicans joined the Democrats to make it possible. Just another crack in Trump’s government. It is breaking down here and there, a step at a time. 

Slow release of Epstein papers reflecting badly on Trump. Why the slowness? Will Trump be embarrassed when all the Epstein papers are released? Melania?

The Federal Aviation Adminstration shut down air space over El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday for 10 days. Without notice to anyone. Surprised local officials, disrupted travelers and alarmed many others. Big city, big shut down!

The furor following huge. The restriction was lifted less than eight hours later.

The closing down another Trump blunder!

Trump claims the shut down was because of Mexican cartel drones which were breaching U.S. air space. Trump’s excuse disputed by many.

Trump’s hands deeply in Justice Department matters. Politics have no place in Justice matters. Two recent items. Patel blatant lie before a Senate Committee yesterday and the U.S. Attorney’s seat for the Northern District of New York. Donald looking for more trouble re both matters.

A Grand Jury refused to indict six lawmakers for reminding the military to obey the Constitution. Republicans are criticizing the Grand Jury result. For shame.

Grand Juries are a Constitutional protection against unfounded prosecutions. A procedure early in criminal proceedings.

The result re the six lawmakers proves the buffer worked in this instance. Ordinary citizens said no way, Jose! They recognized the wrong of the charges. 

Enough of the Donald. 

A couple of Key West matters.

Friends of the Key West Library will host author Mirta Ojito as part of its Speakers Series at 6 p.m. February 16 at the Palm Gardens of the Library. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Public employment pays well in certain instances. The Key West City Manager has received a pay raise to $265,000.

Moving on.

A new “Wuthering Heights” movie has been released. May be the “horniest” literary adaptation ever made.

A great piece of music. “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin. Performed for the first time this day in 1924.

The wood-burning fireplace is facing extinction. Sad. I have had one in every New York State home I have owned. Each used frequently in winter months. Especially in those storms that closed Utica businesses and schools down for 3 days. The worse was the oil burner seemed to die on those occasions and the fireplace was required for one or more days. We lived in the living room where the fireplaces were always located. Slept on living room chairs and the carpeted floor.

Actually fun! The family got to know each other again. Talked. Played games. Whatever. No where to go. Roads blocked with snow. Even walking impossible. Generally 3-4 feet of snow. Streets for some reason higher.

Unfortunately, “wood burners” are turning into a “vanishing article.” Reasons threefold: Environmental, construction barriers and the lack of skills to build one.

My physical condition totally in opposition to a renewed finding that the state of one’s teeth could predict an early death. All my teeth were removed at age 26. False teeth thereafter. I am now 90. Not in the best of health the past few years, but still here. Hope to continue being here! In spite of what I share next.

You will recall I took a bad fall two weeks ago. The worst ever! One was a double hit to my head. First on a concrete pillar as I was going down. Next on the concrete walkway . Hard each time. In fact, I thought after I struck the pillar and was on my way further down that this fall was going to kill me. I have fallen many times in the past year.

Head hurt afterwards. Cat scan within 2 hours of the fall found nothing. This past Saturday I suffered a minor stroke. I kept falling to the right. Cat scan yesterday to determine if I had a brain bleed. FORTUNATELY, no bleed. I stopped falling to the right Monday.

Trouble time for me. It is one thing after another.

Remember to keep observing Mike Kelly. My man for President in 2028. I recommend him to you. He should be yours, also. Presently a U.S. Senator, former astronaut and 25 year Navy veteran. A Trump he is not.

Enjoy your day!

It’s ok to forget. Scientists generally agree. Somehow this message has failed to reach the general public.

Forgetting is recognized by those who know as a normal, healthy brain function. Cleans house, in effect. Stores material for future return.

This information relatively new. Discovered in the last 10 years. Not publicized, however.

It has been determined the brain naturally purges information to focus on what matters. The material is not lost forever. It is stored to return another day.

Forgetting is a distinct force. The brain has the capacity to separate material and forget it to return another day. It is not a glitch in the human memory system. It is as valued as remembering. Each has its own distinct capacities in the brain. Each a force unto itself in the brain.

The brain’s capacity to actively retain information is limited. Ergo certain material is moved over to the passive forget area.

Sleep an important function. Better a person’s sleep, better the forgotten material is stored for recovery.

Forgotten material in the forgotten zone is in effect stored for recovery. Without it, there would be no recovery. Humans overload their brains everyday. Without the ability to forget and recover, overload would occur in the brain and much lost rather than temporarily forgotten. The brain would dump the overloaded material never to be recovered.

I end this blog with the closing paragraph to a Times article titled “The New Science of Forgetting” by Corine Purtell. A fit ending to her lengthy article and my brief blog on forgetting being ok.

“Forgetting serves us well. It turns out useless information so we can focus on the relevant. Without it, neither anger at a slight nor the pain of grief would fade; feelings of love and attraction would not either, making it impossible to move on from relationships. Memories build in us, and forgetting chisels away the excess, shaping the way we see ourselves and the world.”

Consistent with not forgetting, keep in mind Mark Kelly as your desired individual for President in 2028.

Further consistent, my usual closing. An important one: “Enjoy your day!”

The Presidency is not the place to foul mouth anyone. A President sets the standard for Americans. If he talks dirty, calls people names, swears, makes ill advised moves, alienates people, alienates Nations, etc., he makes many Americans eventually believe and think as he does.

Not right! Not the correct American way!

One of Trumps sickening statements recently was his referral to the Obamas as “apes” in a video. He refused to delete the statement. Pressure grew and he eventually did so.

Trump has to go. The man is sick. In most, if not all, respects.

Bad Bunny will appear at the Super Bowl. Trump says he is not going. His excuse “too far.” From a man who flies everywhere at the drop of a hat. He is not going because he knows the booing against him will be great. His growing unpopularity is beginning to eat at him.

ICE is not going. I do not believe it. All those people, all those possible arrests!

Vance getting the Trump treatment. He was booed at the Olympics. 

Ho, ho! They deserve it!

Trump should not be believed when he says he is not tearing down the Kennedy Center. He lies. We know. The Kennedy family and others should fight Trump’s move with vigor. Trump was and is not a John Kennedy. He does not deserve the glory the Kennedy Center represents nor a new “Trump/Kennedy Center” would.

Will the standoff remain unsettled? Trump and the Democrats cannot agree. ICE the issue. There may be another government shutdown. Sick!

The White House has suggested the Smithsonian add a Trump section. Trump wants to be remembered. However, not this way. 

No should be the Smithsonian’s response to the request. He will be recalled as the worst President ever. He will have no competition in this regard.

Trump is seeking to scrap the Constitution. One piece at a time. He believes no one is noticing. People do and are!

The problem is not enough is being done to save it. More required. Merely opposing in Courts is not sufficient.

There is a new Dracula movie. A love story. Nevertheless, it is also described as the sickest Dracula horror film yet. 

The movie is playing at the Regal in Key West for those interested.

We are experiencing an unusually hard winter. Almost the entire country. January seems to be the worst.

Key West has been the coldest I have experienced in my 30 years here. Does not let up.

Strange also. Yesterday I was out in the early afternoon. Checked the weather before hand. Sixty two degrees. I dressed for it. Long pants and a leather jacket. I was surprised when I went out. People were walking around in shorts and shirts like it was a warm day.

It was sunny. No breeze. The 62 felt like 72.

I was correct that it was 62. I checked the temperature several times.

Amazing! Perhaps a wind off the ocean is required to add cold to the weather.

Greenwich, England is the center of time. Has been seemingly forever. Responsibility lies with King Charles II in the seventeenth century. Time generally, for his fleet, for England’s businesses were a mess. “Time” had to be regulated.

Charles created the position of “Astronomer Royal” and appointed John Flansteed to the position. An astronomer and scientist. After years of effort, all scientific in approach, a correct timetable was developed. Thus was born the Greenwich Center of Time.

A. Philip Randolph: “Freedom is never granted; it is won.”

Charles Dickens: “No one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of another.”

On this day in 1964, the Beatles arrived in New York. Beatlemania took over the U.S.

There is unquestionably a measles resurgence in the United States. So far 733 confirmed cases.

Measles must be controlled. It once was. Vaccines cannot be banned or discretionary.

Ninety one year old Vicki Stepanich had a croc sitting on her back porch for close to 30 years. She decided to sell it. She thought it might be worth $300. Sold for $32,000. Wow!

We have gone 40 years without a new antibiotic. Would you believe? Problem has to do with their making. Confusing.

Again I urge you keep in mind Mark Kelly for President in 2028. Presently a U.S. Senator, former astronaut and 25 year Navy veteran.

Enjoy your day!

Somerset Island Prep is a charter high school on Flagler Street in Key West. Its principal is Tom Rompella.

I had the pleasure of meeting Tom this past week at The Grand. What a guy!

A founding teacher at the school in 2011. Then Dean of Students. Now Principal. Three time recipient of the “Teacher of the Year” award. Passionate the best way to describe his attitude towards his work.

His approach to teaching unique. Lead to his development of the “Jet Ski” graduation tradition. Graduation takes place on jet skis and underwater. Different! So much so that CNN highlighted one of the graduations.

Tom’s approach to teaching unquestionably ahead of the times. Successfully so. Somerset fortunate to have found him.

Pope Leo has decreed ten changes with regard to Catholicism. Nothing significant. Bad enough though from my perspective that many Catholics will be uncomfortable. Some will leave the Church for a while.

Years ago, the Pope at the time made what I considered ill advised changes. None had anything to do with God and me. As the ten new changes do either. Aggravated me sufficiently however that I stopped going to Church for many years. I communicated with God privately instead.

I have returned to actively attending Church. Again I must face “bullshit changes” in my Church. I am too close to meeting my Maker. I will have to submit this time.

Odd ball things exist in our society. Strange. There is a Philadelphia bank that has a CD whose interest rate changes with whether Villanova wins or loses a basketball game. A win spikes the interest rate 4.25 percent. A loss reduces it 3.9 percent. Not sure if the system is a money winner for investors. Villanova has been having up and down seasons in recent years.

Gertrude Stein in Three Lives: “You look ridiculous if you dance. You look ridiculous if you don’t dance. So you might as well dance.”

Remember, McDonald’s is coming up with a caviar free day. February 10. It has been labeled McNuggets Caviar.” It will be available only as long as the supply lasts.

The weather continues to suck. It was 48 degrees when I woke at 4 this morning. Eight o’clock at the moment and 56 degrees. Sixty six the predicted high for today.

Horrible weather!

The Winter Olympics begin at 8 this evening American time. The Olympics will be in four different places in Italy. One the Milan area. Milan in northern Italy. French border relatively close. The Alps all over. Very surrounding. An excellent location for a Winter Olympic competition.

I know. I have visited Milan and its nearby areas many times for extended periods. I love Milan itself. More than Rome.

We live and learn. One significant and impressive item is Da Vinci’s Last Supper. It “hangs” in the basement of a Milan Church. I have viewed it on two occasions. Note I use the word “hangs.” It appears on a wall in a strange fashion. Not a usual type art work. Da Vinci painted it on a concrete wall itself. The painting a good 20 feet long and 10 or 12 feet high. Will never move anywhere.

The painting is “moving.” Each time I visited, I sat for an extended time and became sufficiently emotional that tears ran down my cheeks.

On this day in 1952, King George VI died. Elizabeth became Queen. A mere 27 years old. 

A rare jelly fish, as large as a school bus, was discovered off the coast of Argentina. Called a Stygiomedusa Gegantea. I spelled the starfish’s name correctly.

Babe Ruth was born this day in 1895.

Ronald Reagan was born this day in 1911.

Bob Marley in Zion Train: “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul.”

Forget not Mark Kelly. He should be our next President. A Trump he is not. His experience valid. Includes presently being a U.S. Senator, formerly an astronaut and 25 year Navy veteran. Trump fears him and is already on his ass.

Enjoy your day!

We know of George Washington and many other American Revolutionary heroes. Along the way, one of the most distinguished has been forgotten. His name Henry Knox. An unsung, relatively unknown American hero.

Let me introduce him to you.

Knox’s earliest days were spent as a street brawler. His constant youthful fights on the streets of Boston.

He lacked a military education. He knew where to find it, however. On the shelves of his shop, the London Book Store.

At the early age of 24, the bookseller impressed George Washington who was having difficulty taking Boston. Washington made Knox Commander in Chief of the troops in his place. Note again, Knox was a mere 24 years old. Knox was the one actually responsible for the Colonist victory at Boston. His preparation and leadership little known today. He helped win the “big one” for the American Army.

Washington was duly impressed. He chose Knox over other more experienced veterans as his chief military officer. Knox managed the logistics for Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River and the siege of Yorktown that forced the British to surrender. He also served as Washington’s Secretary of War.

Further unknown items of Knox’s life include helping at the age of 9 to help support his Mother and 7 brothers and sisters when his Father abandoned the family. He was forced to do so. Quit school and took a job at a local bookstore. He loved books. Read everything, one book after another. In 1771, at an age just shy of 21 he opened his own shop and called it the London Book Store.

He watched the Boston Massacre. Was moved by it. Showed the wrongness and meanness of the British troops. Caused him to join the rebellious Sons of Liberty and a military group called the Train. He additionally found a sister unit called the Boston Grenadier Corps.

Knox had become a revolutionary.

At the age of 23, he married Lucy Flucker. Talk of in-law problem’s. Lucy’s parents were pro English and left the Boston area for England. Lucy remained and married the love of her life.

The victory at Boston required Colonial artillery. It had none.  Washington told Knox “get me cannons.”

Knox did. The trip to get the cannons to Boston an onerous one. Knox a mere 25. Whatever, he accomplished it. Knox assembled 59 pieces of artillery. Total weight 120,000 pounds. Rivers and roads troublesome. Roads a mess since it was winter.

Took 52 days, but Knox did it. Gave Washington the ability to take Boston. 

Henry and Lucy had 13 children. Three survived to adulthood. One grandchild of the surviving three was an Admiral on the American side in the Civil War.

Knox established a “cantonment” in New Jersey.

Stationed at West Point. Later became Commander in Chief.

He was close friends with Alexander Hamilton.

He was instrumental in the Colonial victory at Yorktown,

He succeeded Washington as Commander in Chief  of the American Army following Washington’s resignation.

He became an expert in Indian affairs  and was notable in his relations with them in the northeast.

Knox unfortunately died at the age of 56 after choking on a chicken bone.

An early great American. He helped make America and helped it to succeed. Unfortunate he is not better known.

Keep Mark Kelley in mind.

Enjoy your day!

The weather key. Warming up in Key West. High expected to reach 70. May not last long. Supposedly will get cold again in a few days.

I have been in Key West 30 years. This has been the coldest January ever so far. Surprisingly so. Some Januarys remain in the high 70s and 80s. Never a touch of cold. We are entitled to some of those warm Januarys for the next few years.

My medical day began early. Sara at 7. She is my butt nurse. My bed sores are taking forever to recover. She also will become my injury nurse to take care of my fall problems. She spent considerable time on my knee.

I am feeling better. My ribs still hurt when I get up and sit down, cough or burp. Since the fall, I have been burping a lot. Something I did not do before.

Lucky I was, however. No fractures. I feel a bit better each day. Recovery in small steps, nevertheless recovery.

Went out last night. To The Gardens. Saw Steve and Cindy, Joe and Jean. Joe and Jean were to have returned to Birmingham last week. However the planes got screwed up because of the weather. They return today. They were both nice enough to walk me to my car. I needed them.

Melania got what she deserved with her documentary. Not her or the documentary’s fault. Her relationship with Donald the major contributing factor. Most things he touches or is related with, fail.

Still in a government standoff. Trump and Democrats cannot agree on one issue. If and when this bill passes, it will only extend the government till February 13. What a way to run the government!

Trump seems to come up with something new every day. Most of his ideas fail.

His newest one is to install a statue of Christopher Columbus in front of the White House. 

I am of Italian ancestry. Columbus made me and most if not all Italians proud. In recent decades he has acquired a negative appearance. Considered bad for a number of reasons. Many of his statues torn down.

It appears Donald is seeking the Italian-American vote. I know no Italo-American who looks upon Trump favorably.

Save the money Donald! I would rather a different President in the future places the Columbus statue and does it for the right reasons.

Trump has seen fit to punish Mark Kelly. Not because he did anything wrong. In fact, a federal judge announced he is “skeptical” of the charges. Trump is out to destroy Kelly because he was a growing force against Trump. Since the charges were levied, Kelly announced he definitely is a candidate for President.

As you are aware, I have been supporting Kelly openly for a while. He is a good man. A present U.S. Senator, former astronaut and 25 year Navy veteran. A Democrat who spoke out against Trump when most were remaining silent.

People live in fear in Minneapolis. Trump at fault. He could end the city’s harassment quickly if he so desired. Which he does not. Even the children live in fear. Nothing to be proud of.

Donald, get the thugs – your thugs – out of Minneapolis and Minnesota! You have the power to do so. Exercise it!

A New York Times column described described Trump as “neoroyal.” Right on! His attitude and self-importance image have rendered significant pain to the U.S. and rest of the world.

Trump and Harvard were discussing deescalating the tenson between them. Trump has acted in typical Trump style. Prior to any meeting, Trump had levied a $200 million fine. For the meeting, he raised it to $1 billion.

Trump has cut aid to Afghanistan. Hunger and deaths have followed. Especially with children. Child hunger has reached levels unseen in 25 years. 

Congratulation, Donald! The fatter you get, the thinner Afghanistan children get. Does it make you proud? Do you ever think of them?

Enough of Donald for today. 

The Patty Hearst sage began this day in 1974 when she was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

Facebook began this day in 2004. Represents what success is!

On this day in 1826, The Last of the Mohicans was published. James Fenimore Cooper the author.

He was raised most of his years in upstate New York in what is now the Cooperstown area. His Dad founded Cooperstown. 

I have reread the book several times. Cooperstown in the Utica area, something like 40 miles distant. The times represented in the book, the people, were similar to those in the Utica area at the time.

On this day in 1938, Walt Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Many times I have reseen the movie. Part of American tradition.

Japan has few trash cans. Pockets and paper bags are used. Shirts, blouses and coats are sold with large pockets for garbage usage. Most Japanese people have never seen a trash can.

Silk diapers now big time in China. A “premium essential” in many households.

McDonald’s adding caviar to its menu. Only for one day. Free. Calling it the “McNuggets Caviar.” The day February 10. The caviar will be available only as long as it lasts.

Enough for today. My ribs killing me. Dr. Blass at 3 for the cancer wound. Bed for me till then.

Enjoy your day!

Beware, Trump says G.O.P. should “take over elections.”

No way, Jose!

Trump is escalating. Calling for Republicans to nationalize elections. Another way of Trump saying he wants to exert more control over American elections. His reason is to prevent noncitizens from voting. An excuse, nothing more. Trump’s problem problem is that there is no evidence that a significant number of noncitizens have voted in any American election.

A 2024 audit by the Georgia Secretary of State found that just 20 of the 8.2 million people registered to vote in Georgia were not citizens. And that only 9 had ever voted.

Even more importantly, the Constitution controls who governs elections. The Constitution clearly states state law. A typical erroneous move on Trump’s part. I doubt he often reads the Constitution and when he does, he interprets even the clearly written his way.

Trump has screwed up the Kennedy Center. First he added his name to the structure, then fired the existing Board and appointed his own Board of Trustees who then elected him President. A quick, smooth takeover which has been rejected by most of the American public. Entertainers in huge numbers have refused to perform.

Trump apparently desperate to come out looking good in a bad action. He has announced he is going to renovate the Center. An estimated two year job.

Query: Does he have the necessary approvals? Who is going to pay for the renovation?

A wise move! The Department of Homeland Security decision to equip federal officers in Minneapolis with body cameras after federal agents in the area shot and killed two people.

It should be done with ICE agents, also. All of them everywhere!

The Trump family crypto firm sold $500 million to a U.A.E. investment firm. A wrong move! Trump doing constant governmental business with U.A.E. The transaction was earlier last year and may have been before Trump took office. Either way bad optics involved as well as the ground work having been laid for a questionable relationship now between the U.S. and U.A.E.

A Catholic bishop in Charlotte has created a major dispute within the Church under his control. He has decreed the removal of altar railings and kneelers when receiving Communion. People must stand. May kneel on the floor if they wish to do so.

I am Catholic. Attended Catholic grammar school, high school and college. Not the best Catholic all my life. However, I know the rules as learned my entire life. I am now 90 years old and back to the Church.

The bishop’s move stupid and arrogant. Through my lifetime other such changes were made. Some succeeded, some failed. All caused disruption among congregation members. I being one of them.

Kneel or no kneel not Church dogma. The bishop wrong big time. He has laid the groundwork for his parishioners to be uncomfortable and in opposition to his dictate. Some will cease going to Communion or Church itself. Most take their religions seriously.

Does the Pope have any say? The bishop has advised the Pope. I am curious what Leo’s reaction will be.

Benjamin Franklin: “A person wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.”

On this day in 2005, Alberto Gonzalez became the first Hispanic U.S. Attorney General. As a lawyer, I considered him the worst in my professional career. Before someone raises the issue, it had nothing to do with his ethnic background. He was just plain inept.

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Winter is sticking around. We didn’t need Punxsutawney Phil to tell us this year! The weather is speaking for itself.

It is so cold that frozen iguanas are falling from trees in Florida. Not surprising! Soooo cold!

I still hurt. Saw Dr. Norris yesterday. Recovery will take time. Head, rib and ankle pain continue, though less. Typing this morning difficult. My sight is screwed up. I may have to see an eye doctor.

Tonight hopefully The Grand for Happy Hour. Some salmon and good conversation with Steve.

Follow Senator Mark Kelly in the news. We need him as our next President.

Enjoy your day!