Good morning world!

Yesterday was a terrific one! Babysat the grandkids by day! Bocci by night!

My babysitting started earlier than scheduled. Corey telephoned to say Robert and Ally were getting ansy. Could he drop them off early?

I had them at 9!

They came through the door all juiced up! Pure energy! I thought they had chocolate for breakfast!

We played games and talked. Then we talked and played games.

Finally, it was lunch time. My plan was to take them to Hogfish. I changed my mind. Opted to stay in and make grilled cheese sandwiches.

Turned out to be a winner! We had a ball at lunch while eating them!

After lunch, it was pool time! Robert and Ally swim like fish. They will be diving for treaure in a couple of years just as their father does. The water tired them and tired me!

I needed a nap. I said lets go upstairs, turn on the TV and take a nap. Robert was for it. Ally said no. What a pain! So I said, OK Ally. You stay down stairs. Robert and I will nap alone.

It took Ally all of 2 minutes to join us. And it took each of them less than 5 minutes to fall asleep. I had Ally sleeping in the crook of my right arm and Robert out cold with his head on my chest.

And I was in and out of a light sleep for about an hour.

Then Lisa arrived and my babysitting portion of the day was over. I was ready for it to be over!

Bocci last night!

We did good! And we did bad!

We won 1 out of 3 games.

The first one we won 16-8. A knockout!

The second game we were leading 14-9. And lost 16-14!

The third game we were winning 14-8. We lost 16-15.

We played Larry’s team. Always a blood match! We limited our players to 5. We were hopeful that by playing the best, we would win. We almost did! But close is not good enough!

David, Don, Rob, Jules and I played. Why did we lose the last 2 games after having comfortable leads? I think we choked a bit. We did not have the shots at the end when the chips were down!

This is to take nothing away from Larry’s team. They beat us far and square. However, I think we gave the last 2 games to them. We lost. They did not win.

No disrespect, Larry.

Whatever, we played the best we have played in a year. I am confident we will win our share of games this year. Good bye cellar! We are leaving you!

Guess what! I get to babysit again today. Robert and Ally will be here in about an hour. I am toying with the idea of taking them up to Boondocks for miniature golf and lunch.

Talk with you tomorrow…..

Weather is the topic of the day every day at this time of the year in Key West. The hurricane season is upon us!

Key Westers are presently comfortable with the hurricane problem. The first 3 storms of the season petered out or moved in a different direction.

Speaking of weather, TV yesterday morning reported an 80 per cent chance of showers. I looked out the window. No way. I was correct.

Key West locals pay little or no attention to the weather channel. A 30 per cent chance of rain means absolutely no rain. Every other prediction is questionable.

The only time for concern with the weather report is when it says no rain. Guaranteed, it will rain!

I should have been a weather reporter. You can be wrong and still retain your employment!

I am not adversely reflecting on hurricane weather reporters. They are a different breed. I have found during the hurricane season that their projections are right on!

Even though I knew yesterday’s weather report was less than accurate, I started the morning hoping we would finish 18 holes before it rained.

No rain, Jose!

The weather was great! The sun intense, but there was a good wind. From Hurricane Bill. Just enough wind to keep us comfortable. Not enough wind to affect our game. Nor provide an excuse for a bad round!

I played with the big guys yesterday! Kurt, Don and Larry!

They gave me a ton of strokes. And I still was the big loser! $11!

Kurt was the big winner! He also picked up $35 in a side game with Don.

Larry is getting in all the golf he can this week. Next Wednesday he is scheduled for shoulder replacement surgery. It will be a while before he swings a club again!

Sunday at 9 at the Pier House’s Wine Galley will be Larry’s last Sunday Showcase till the shoulder heals. A farewell/good luck party is planned. Larry’s friends will be there. All 3 of them!
Only kidding! The place will be packed. Larry is one of the most well liked people in Key West!

I was late getting to the Chart Room last night.

Marty was finishing his drinking as I was starting. He wanted to eat. Where became the issue. We could not agree. We are becoming like the odd couple!

Anyhow he went to the restaurant of his choice. I stayed and had another drink.

I decided to go to Michael’s for dinner. Neither Marty nor I had mentioned Michael’s as an option last night.

Guess who was at the bar when I walked in? Yes, Marty! We both laughed!

Tonight bocci! We play Larry Smith’s team. They were good last year. Made the playoffs. And they won all 3 of their games last week. Whereas, we lost all 3 of ours.

However, I suspect we will do well tonight. It is always a grudge match when we play Larry’s team.

I am babysitting today. Corey is dropping Robert and Ally off at 10. I will do some pool time with them this morning. Then Hogfish for lunch. They like it there, though they prefer McDonald’s. I am not a McDonald’s person. So it will definitely be Hogfish! I took them to McDonald’s last week when I baby sat. This week it is my turn!

I some times wonder who is more of a child. Me or them!

After lunch we will be back at my home playing games till 3, when Lisa comes to pick them up.

It is absolutely amazing! Three years ago I was a successful working attorney in New York State. Now I baby sit.

Life’s normal progression! Not bad, either! A hug from Robert or Ally is more thrilling than any court room victory I ever experienced!

Enjoy your day!

A quiet Tuesday.

Robert and Ally are sick again. Kids always are sick. Their coughs are back.

I stopped over to see them. They were playing and running around. No apparent disability, except for the coughs. Lisa is medicating them and I assume they will be better in a few days.

Then to the Coffee House for a double choco mocha and to read the papers.

Lunch was at home.

Afterwards read a book outside in the shade for a while.

Then a nap inside in the cool of the air conditioning.

Last night was Outback’s for dinner! Have not been there in a long time. A juciy prime rib and baked potato for dinner. Satisfying food!

The reason I ate at Outback’s is I wanted to go to the movies. The theater is at the Sears Shopping Center. Outback’s and the movie house are close by. Walking distance.

I saw Julie and Julia. A winner! Meryl Streep is terrific! What a talent!

I am up early this morning. A full night’s sleep is becoming a problem the past few days.

Of course, it is black outside. However the ocean is moving fast. Waves are breaking on the rocks. I can hear it all from my open window.

It is hurricane Bill. Bill is moving eastward fast. Though still more than a thousand miles away, its impact is being felt here in Key West. Wind! Strong yesterday. Will be stronger today.

We are lucky. Bill is bending north and will not hit Key West nor come any where close. But I suspect we will have a rainy and windy day come Saturday or Sunday.

Golf this morning. The wind will play a decisive factor with every shot. It is going to be interesting.

Maybe with the wind so bad, I will play good!

Hope springs eternal!

There is a song from the 1950s entitled Shrimp Boats. Its refrain is “…shrimp boats are a coming, their sails are in sight!”

I am altering the verbiage a bit. “Hurricanes are a coming, their winds are in sight!”

The hurricane season is upon us. No question. Three storms in a week! All contributing to dialogue and concern among Key West locals.

The first was a tropical storm which was a nothing. Passed over us as not quite a day of rain and then moved on to the Panhandle.

The second was Ana. Another tropical storm, though more intense. When discovered, it was reported to be on a straight line with the keys. Ana dissipated yesterday in the east Carribean. It is no more!

The third is Bill. Presently a category 2, yesterday it was projected as serious and going to a category 4. Two days ago, Key West was in its cone. No longer. Bill will bend and go north. Bermuda/North Carolina are areas for concern. And it is still projected to increase in intensity to a category 4!

We missed the bullet! Good! No, great! But it is not all over! The hurricane season is with us till the end of November. And it will be a part of our conversations almost every day from now till then!

I needed some Louis time yesterday. So I bought the newspapers and went out to Hogfish on Stock Island. Fish/healthy eating was not my concern. I had a pulled pork sandwich and fries. Sat there a couple of hours and ate and read.

Last night was the same diet wise. I needed more soul satisfying food. So lasagna it was at La Trattoria!

I met Marty first at the Chart Room. Che was there also. Had a couple of drinks and solved the world’s problems.

Met a gent by the name of Parker. Parker has been a Key Wester a long time.

He is talented art wise. In 2004, Parker designed the official Fantasy Fest poster.

There is a chalk board at one end of the bar in the Chart Room. About 6′ x 4′. While we were drinking, Parker went over and drew a wild ocean scene in about 10 minutes! A sea monster! And all other types of sea urchins! All with a rolling moving sea!

Even a sun or moon! I could not tell whether whatever was occurring, happened by day or night. What did intrigue me however was the perfect roundness of the sun or moon. All done free hand!

Enjoy your day!

Sunday started early. Lisa telephoned at 8 to tell me to meet the family at Camille’s at 9 for breakfast.

A quick shower and I was on my way.

Always fun to be with the grandkids. Especially at a restaurant. They are individuals in their own right. Each knows what he or she wants.

Robert is always pancakes. And he must spread the syrup over them! Always too much! So rich!

Ally is scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast. And ketchup! She orders ketchup as if it is an entre. Ketchup on everything! Even at home! On fruit, cereal and the like. Even on lettuce!

Bocci is Thursday night. Jules and I decided to practice yesterday. For shame! But we thought it was needed!

We met at the bocci courts at 11:30. It was boiling hot and humid!

Our purpose was to learn how to blast. The fast hard shot to break up a series of balls.

We were throwing hard. The heat did us in in 45 minutes. We had to quit!

Did we figure out how to blast? With accuracy, of course. I don’t know. Jules thinks we got the hang of it. The proof of the pudding will be Thursday night.

I hurried to Paradise Cafe for lunch after bocci blasting practice. Glad I did!

It was one in the afternoon. Paradise Cafe was closing for all time! Finally and for good! The bank did them in!

It was sad.

I was the last customer at Paradise Cafe. My 15 year run had come to an end.

The owners are reopening under a new name at a new location. Blossoms! On White Street, just off Eaton. About 2 blocks from its 15 year plus location.

It will not be the same! No out door seating. Five parking spots however. And the same good cuban sandwiches we have all become accustomed to.

I wish Blossom’s good luck!

I spent the afternoon in the air conditioned cool of my bedroom watching Tiger Woods in the final round of the PGA. He was matched against South Korea’s Yang. Yang won by 3 strokes. He never succumbed to Woods in any fashion.

Woods has been playing conservatively the past few tournaments. It has been good enough to win. But not yesterday! I think he has to go back to shooting for the pin and seeking to sink the long putts rather than lagging up.

On the other hand, who am I to give advice to Tiger Woods! I, the world’s worst golfer, sharing words of wisdom with the world’s best!

Last night was dinner at the Yacht Club. Sunday night is brunch time. Always a good meal!

Two storms heading our way. The first of the season. Ana and Bill. Ana looks like a bust. Merely a tropical storm. A lot of wind and rain for a day. Bill on the other hand could be of concern. Appears to be a hurricane in the making. The cone is bending, however. It may never hit Florida or may just brush by.

Ana is due Thursday. Bill Saturday. An interesting week ahead.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Sunday!

The rain has stopped!

Wild yesterday! Poured all day.

It looks like today will be a good day. In spite of the fact that thunderstorms have been predicted.

The hurricane season is upon us. Ana due to hit Thursday and Bill Saturday.

Ana is presently predicted as a tropical storm. Bill a hurricane.

Whether each will hit Key West is another story. We must assume they will for saftey’s sake. And hope they will not!

I am watching the weather channel as I write this morning. That rainstorm that was over us big time yesterday has developed into a tropical storm in the Gulf and is heading for the panhandle.

No question. The hurricane season is upon us!

The rain yesterday made my day easy. I stayed in bed all day. Watched the PGA.

Last night I hit the Chart Room first. Thought the place would be packed. Rainy days make for busy bar times.

The Chart Room was empty. I had a drink with bartender Michael.

I opted for dinner at the Hot Tin Roof. Glad I did. Many that I had expected to see at the Chart Room were at the bar at Hot Tin Roof!

Jean, Joe, Gail, Brian, Ammie and more!

Good people all! Good company all!

Love Sundays! Meet the Press, the Sunday papers, PGA final round, the Gardens later and finally dinner at either La Trattoria or the Yacht Club.

What could be better!

You enjoy your Sunday, also!

I babysat yesterday!

An experience!

I took Robert and Ally to the Reach. The Reach has constructed an outdoor chess game.

The board is a form of ceranic tile. Layed into the ground. Each square is 2′ x 2′. The squares are black and white.

The chess pieces are 18 inches tall. A bit heavy. Colored black and white.

The pieces were heavy for both Robert and Ally. Especially Ally. But with a bit of my help and some grunting and groaning by all, the board was set up with all pieces in proper position.

Then Robert and Ally played. About mid way througfh the match and with Robert winning, Ally got tired. Or so she said. That was the end of the game!

It was lunch time. I asked where they wanted to go. They agreed. MacDonalds!

A real joy!

They had boxes of chicken nuggets and fries. Robert had chocolate milk and Ally lemonade.

I could have used a gin. But no gin was to be had! So I ordered one of those big new angus burgers. Full of calories and cholesterol! Excellent! And a diet Pepsi.

We talked. About toys and clothes and swimming. And lemonade! Robert tasted Ally’s lemonade and liked it better than his chocolate milk.

Then it was back to my house to swim. We hung out in the pool till 3 when Lisa showed up.

It was a fun day. But tiring! You have to watch them every moment. And they are pure energy.

I was whipped by the time they left. So a quick snooze was in order.

I wanted to see the new movie Hangover. It has turned out to be a surprise summer hit. It was playing at the Tropic Cinema.

I did the early show. 6:15.

A great comedy! See it! You will laugh every moment fcrom start to finish. It is a tale of 4 guys doing a one night before the wedding bachelor party in Las Vegas. A riot!

After the movie, I walked over to Kelley’s. Had wings and a couple of drinks at the bar.

Then home to an early bed. Before 9! And a good night’s sleep!

Gail Miller is a well known woman about town. A popular, likable and admired figure.

She appears to have two loves in life. Spanish dancing and photography.

I had the opportunity to view some of her photography along the way yesterday. What a talent!

I enjoy your work, Gail! And you, too!

Rain predicted for today. Who knows. Who cares.

Talk with you tomorrow.

Good morning!

Bocci last night!

We played well! But unfortunately lost all 3 games.

None of us are disillusioned. We played one of the top teams, if not the top team, in the league. They make the playoffs each season. They are good! Maybe great! Their ball control and blasting ability is impressive and difficult to overcome.

I played with Jules, Rob, Michelle, Don, David, Karen and Keith. Keith is David’s son. First time he played bocci. Did well! Better than some of us who have been around a few years.

We walked away confident that this season will be better than last and that we will win our share of games.

Time will tell whether our confidence is false bravado.

Afterwards, I went to Don’s Place for a drink. Every one was there, of course.

Don sat and talked to me. Says we need the ability to blast with skill and confidence. I agreed. So we are going to schedule a practice session over the weekend to work on blasting. Not we, me. Don conned me into assuming the responsibility.

Practicing bothers me. It means we/I are/am taking bocci too seriously. It is supposed to be fun!

It was fun last night. It will continue to be fun whether we actually practice or not!

I am baby sitting today. Robert and Ally are being dropped off before 9. Car seats being dropped off also. My daughter Lisa finally trusts me!

I plan taking the grandkids to the Reach.

Robert and Ally both play chess. For real! They learned at Montessori. The Reach has an outdoor chess game. All the peices. Each light plastic and about two feet in height. Robert and Ally will be able to move the pieces and play a game. They will be so excited! And so will I watching them!

Have a good day!

I slept late this morning! Till 7!

The previous 2 nights I was up at 3. I feel so much better this morning!

Golf yesterday probably contributed to it. The humidity and lack of breeze was horrendous. Certain of the holes are lined with woods and huge mangos. They complertely block any wind that might be blowing.

I was soaking wet and completely tired by the time we finished playing.

I played with Larry and Randy. The group gets smaller in the summer. Yesterday was the smallest when we were down to 3.

I was the big loser! So, what’s new! Nothing changes. I pay to get beat up!

After golf, I literally crawled home. And to bed! But immediate sleep was not to be mine.

Lisa showed up with Robert and Ally. Love them! But I wanted to sleep!

They left after an hour. And I fell asleep for 4 hours. I told you I was tired!

I sound like that guy in the Key West Cemetary whose stone reads…..I told you I was sick!

I finished the evening quietly. Hogfish! For a hogfish sandwich and a couple of drinks.

And then home to bed again!

Donna and Terri are finally in New York. It took them about 3 months to drive from Key West to Chicago to Detroit and then New Yok City. With multiple layovers in between. They have many friends!

It is now time for Terri to go to work. Rehersals for Finian’s Rainbow start soon. May Terri have a Tony in hand at this time next year!

Bocci starts tonight! I am excited!

I was going to practice bocci for a couple of weeks prior to starting the season. The road to hell is truly lined with good intentions! I never got around to it!

So it will be cold turkey tonight. No problem. Ninety nine per cent of the players neither practice nor train. The purpose of bocci is not the game itself. Rather it is the drinking and partying that accompanies it!

What a country, America!

I am having trouble sleeping. Here it is 5 in the morning again and I am awake and up.

TV advertsisers know what they are doing. I just turned on the television and there was an advertisement for people who find it difficult to sleep.

Yesterday was a typical Key West day. Which means a good day! Never a bad day in Key West!

I spent the morning doing paper work. I miss having a secretary and staff to whom to delegate all my mundane duties. My appreciation for secretasary and staff has grown ten fold in the three years since I have retired.

It was lunch and reading the papers at the Yacht Club.

The early afternoon saw me at Borders. It is amazing where my reading takes me. I am into my second book in a week on sociopaths.

Then to Lisa’s. I needed to be with the grandkids. Love them, dearly! They are growing by leaps and bounds, physically and mentally. A constant amazement!

Last night started at the Chart Room. A good group! Marty, Dan, Jean, Joe and Stephanie. Stephanie was having dinner later at the Hot Tin Roof with Jean and Joe. Stephanie was wearing new shoes. Sexy black spiked ones. The shoe lady!

Marty and I had dinner at the bar at Michaels. Michaels is a pleasing place. It is the atmosphere. The atmosphere has a flavor of its own. It is a comfortable place to sit back, have a drink and something to eat. And pass the time of day with who ever is seated next to you.

I stopped at Don’s Place for a night cap on the way home. Glad I did. Jules and Tom and Rob and Beebe were there.

Bocci was the conversation item. We all play on the same team. The new season starts Thursday night.

What will the new bocci seasson hold for us? We were terrific 2 seasons ago. Fighting to make the play offs. Then last season we sucked! We were the cellar team!

Golf this morning! It has been 2 weeks since I played. I am looking forward to it. I don’t care how I play, even though I complain a lot after a round. I just enjoy being out there and sharing the experience with the less than sane people I play with.

Still dark outside. I have to start sleeping later.

Enjoy your day!