This is the day!

Radio show time!

Ten this morning! The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Join me at KONK 1500 AM radio. Even better, watch and hear world wide on the internet at www.konkam.com.

Some great topics. Some hot topics.

The Gulf oil spill! Big! In the forefront of everyone’s thoughts. An impending doom, perhaps.

Other topics include extremism in our thinking, Kentucky weird dumb laws, the weird dumb lawsuit of the week–involves dog poop, the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding life terms for minors in non murder cases without a chance for parole, cockfighting and a lead contamination lawsuit.

Join me! Again, at 10 this morning.

I spent yesterday morning completing preparations for today’s radio show. It had to be done. There was no place to go. The weather outside was very uninviting. Pouring and pouring and pouring. Like it was never going to stop.

It finally did stop in the early afternoon. The sun came out. Bright and hot! And the humidity!

I spent a couple of hours at Borders. Continued to read The Tiger Woods Story. A good book! I have finally come to that decision.

Turns out Tiger’s father was a playboy. Interesting. The fruit does not fall far from the tree.

His mother was a big infuluence in his life. I had always thought his father was the overwhelming influence. His mother had a major hand in his mental devleopment and toughness also. Her Muslim and Asiatic backgrounds impacted Tiger.

Bocce last night.

The courts were a mess from the rain. They had not totally dried out yet. Slow.

The sun was burning hot. Very little breeze. And buggy. Those little things that get in your face.

My sneaks got loaded with the wet clay from the court. They are sitting on a newspaper in the kitchen. I am going to run them through the dishwasher this morning. Fear not, I have done it before.

Bocce was fun last night! We won 2 out of 3. Good for us!

It was the last night for two reasons. This was Jules and Jim’s last evening playing bocce. Jim retires from the Air Force next month and they are retiring to New Orleans where they have a home. Last night was also the last night of the season. No more bocce till sometime in August.

After bocce, we all headed over to Don’s Place. Where else! The best venue for drinking in Key West! Owned by one of the best people in Key West, Don Manaher! A former newspaperman from up north. He now operates the most popular drinking establishment for locals in Key West.

We were a good group. A fun group. Kurt bartending. Rob and Beebe sitting at the bar as I walked in. From bocce, Larry, Tom, Nancy and Joanie amongst others. Don also, of course.

When I started the blog this morning, it was gray outside. I just looked out. The sun is up and shining bright. Very little wind. The water moving at a steady gait. It is going to be one terrific Key West day!

Enjoy your day!

Ally was sick yesterday. I babysat.

She was quiet in the morning. Got better as the day progressed. Complained of being hungry at one point. I gave her some dry cereal. A little later a popsicle.

By afternoon she was up and running. You would never know she had been upchucking all night. No fever. Her stomach had settled. Her personality returned.

I worked on tomorrow’s radio show and played with her.

We played cards. Fish. I always lose. I do not know why. I do not try to lose. It is worth losing, however. She gets all excited beating Poppa!

Interesting radio show tomorrow. Things like the gopspel and Thomas Jefferson, the Guilf oil spill, booms and the oil spill, a lead contamination lawsuit worthy of mention, a comedian who won a mother in law lawsuit, the Key West Police Station locked door policy and much more.

Listen in. 10 am. KONK 1500 AM. On the internet worldwide at www.konkam.com. You can both see and hear on the internet.

I was walking Duval last night on my way to dinner at La Trattoria. Ran into Stephanie. The Key West Shoe Girl. We are all Key West something!

Stephanie does a radiio show on KONK 1500, also. At 3 pm tomorrow. A fashion talk show. She told me tomorrow’s topic involves wedding gowns. Like I told her, something I would be intrested in! Ho ho! However I will tune in. She is a genuine personality worthy of attention.

I had dinner last night with a lovely young lady. Jenna. All of 24. Archaic me at 74 and Jenna at 24.

We had an interesting and lengthy dialogue. The gigantic age difference had no bearing. I could have been 24 as well or she 74.

Jenna is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Educated if I recall correctly at Ball State. Wanted to be a sportscaster. Became one. Then the recession hit. She found herself out of work.

Decided Florida was the place she wanted to be. Ended up in Key West. Works two part time jobs. One at the radio station. KONK 1500. That is where I met her. Another with a digital video company.

She aspires to another sports broadcasting position. She is determined. She will eventually find one. And Key West will lose her.

I cannot stress too greatly the impact the Gulf oil spill is having on Key West. That is all people talk about. And these concerns and conversations are taking place even before any of the oil has hit.

It has to arrive at some point. It will enter the loop current and make its way over a one to two week period to the Florida keys. Fish will die, hard shell breeding beds destroyed, the mangroves eradicated, the reef contaminated and much more.

It has all the making of economic as well as enviromental devestation.

A tragedy waiting to occur. Like you know the end of the world is coming soon. And you can do nothing about it.

All because of greed. Man’s greed. Unbridled. When are we going to wake up and harness the haves who feed off the rest of society. There is a lesson to be learned here. More than one lesson!

I obviously missed golf yesterday. That is 3 weeks in a row. Just as I started to hit the ball well, I stopped playing. I am sad!

Bocce tonight. Last game of the season.

Tonight will be Jules’ last night at bocce. Her husband Jim is retiring from the Air Force next month. They are moving to New Orleans. My partner will be gone!

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was not a typical Key West day for me. I stayed in and worked all day! Sometimes you must. I did. And I did!

Today will be different.

Ally is still sick. Poor kid! Poppa babysitting today.

I stopped over last night after completing my day at hard labor. Ally was seated on the couch watching tv. In her jammies. Covered with a blanket.

Her eyes were heavy with fever. Her face blank. She was not talking. Just starring.

Robert was the same way last week.

After visiting with Ally, I headed into town. I had not been out in a few evenings.

The Chart Room first.

I was remembered!

Michael, Che and Captain Peter. And a vacationing lawyer from Pittsburgh. Good conversation. No world problems solved, however.

I wanted a quiet dinner somewhere. I decided on Outback. I have come to enjoy their rib eye steak. Delicious and cheap. With a sweet potato baked and swirling in butter and some steamed vegetables.

There are few people at Outback during the week now. It is no longer the season. Actually all restaurants are quiet this time of year.

I took some newspapers with me and sat at the end of the bar. No one around me. Enjoyed the meal and the newspapers.

Then home to watch the primary election returns. America is pissed off! The results show it. The general attitude is throw the bums out!

If an economy is bad, everything is bad. Until the economy is corrected, things are going to be in upheaval in this country and elsewhere.

Jim Brown is my friend living on Crete. Crete is a Greek island. We are both island dwellers.

Jim is originally from Glasgow, Scotland. A musician by profession. Now married and with family.

A happy sort. He would fit in here in Key West without any problem.

I am happy to report that Jim is another friend who is succeeding in the entertainment industry. First, Terri White. Now, Jim Brown.

Jim just got a movie part in a Greek movie being shot on Crete. The movie is called The Island. He is playing a British soldier who can speak Greek.

Go for it, Jim! Big time! May you some day win an Oscar!

Time to get ready for Ally. Hope she is better this morning. If she is, we will play. Bingo, cards, whatever.

Ally will be 5 June 1. She is developing into a lovely young lady. Beautiful smile. She wanted long hair. Lisa let it grow. It looks terrific.

She has a tough personality. Strong willed. Takes no gruff from her older brother Robert. She’s the boss!

The Gulf oil spill continues to be of concern. If and when it hits the so called loop, the current will bring it here. It may have already started. No one is certain. Yesterday about 20 black oil balls showed up on keys’ beaches. They have been tested and the consensus is that they did not come from the spill. If not, then from where? We have not had this problem before.

Listen to my radio show friday. KONK 1500 AM. See and hear on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. I am going to have much to say about the spill.

Enjoy your day!

Gorgeous day!

Sun shining. Blue sky with a sprinkle of small clouds. Absolutely no breeze. Water trickling along.

It is going to be a hot one!

Lisa telephoned. Ally up sick all night. Come over and babysit.

Told her I could not. Have a deposition in a lawsuit today. So Lisa is staying home.

Ally obviously has now come down with what Robert had last week. Probably most of the kids at the birthday party Sunday will also come down with it in the next few days.

That’s how it works!

I received a sad e mail this morning. From Donna. Donna of Donna and Terri.

Stacie’s baby was born here in Key West May 13. The baby had some difficulty in making it out. Was helicoptered to Miami Childrens Hospital. The baby is still on a ventilator. Say a silent prayer right now.

My grandson Robert was at Miami Childrens after he was born. Same scenerio. Helicoptered up there. Miami Childrens is a wonderful place. If anyone can help a child, it is that instiutuion.

Yesterday started with a haircut. Always glad to see Lori.

Then lunch at Lucky Day Cafe. Cuban toast and coffee.

On to Borders to continue reading the Tiger Woods book.

Home to telephone calls and paperwork. Three and a half hours.

Stayed in last night. Watched TV.

Some days I do a lot, others not so much. But the best place in the world to do a lot or nothing is Key West!

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was Sunday.

Some heavy rain in the morning.

Lasted off and on into early afternoon.

Then the sun broke through and it was another great Key West day!

Robert and Ally’s birthday party for their little friends was yesterday. From 11:30 to 1:30. Just enough time!

I arrived about noon. Lisa held the party at the house because of the anticipated rain.

I opened the front door. An avalanche of kids awaited me! It was a zoo! Little ones all over!

Twenty five young ones. Plus one parent per child.

The boys were playing together. The girls separately. Just like life.

The mothers were standing in groups chatting. No one seemed concerned about the kids. Did not have to be. They were all running around and having a good time. Bothering no one. It was their territory. They had taken over the place.

There was one father. He sat quietly drinking a beer.

This was not for me. I had an hour and a half to kill.

I found the morning Key West papers and an empty easy chair in a corner. I got a drink of diet root beer and a sandwich. Plunked myself in the chair and read.

Oblivious to everything going on around me.

I interrupted my reading to sing Happy Birthday. Then returned to what I had been doing.

Women are women. Even when they are young. I noticed that Ally and her girl friends were exchanging clothes during the party. They would appear and reappear in each other’s attire.

The birthday cakes were delicious. Chocolate and vanilla. I had 2 pieces of both.

Everyone appeared to have had a great time! Even the mothers. They had all done this routine before. Seemed to enjoy hanging around and chatting with each other.

And the kids were all good. No problem at any time.

Corey does not buy the Sunday New York Times. So it was over to the Coffee House for me after the party. Read through the interesting sections of the Times. No one around. Very quiet on a mid Sunday afrernoon.

I wanted to read more. It was over to Borders.

I have been reading the new Oprah book. However there was a new Tiger Woods novel. The True Story or something like that. I started the Tiger book. Read about 50 pages. Interesting so far. Nothing revealing.

I ran into Joe and Bob at Borders. Have not seen either in about 3 years.

Bob was a premier sales person at Fletchers for years. I bought a lot of furniture there when I first acquired my Key West home. Fletchers was an exteremely fine furniture store. Bob and Fletchers were hand in glove. Perfect together.

It was good to see them both.

Then home.

I have been staying in evenings. Probably my weight. I am still conscious of my good fortune in losing some weight. And it is easier to control it by eating home than out.

Also boring.

I heard from Tom and Cindy this morning via e mail. They are Key West snowbirds from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Tom and Cindy write me on a frequent basis. I had not heard from them in a couple of weeks. So I wrote. Turns out Tom has been sick. Apparently on the mend now.

Cindy is my one legged friend that I have written about. A personality!

I look forward to their return to Key West.

Enjoy your day!

Today is Sunday!

It is raining. Not bad. A sprinkle. But the sky is black. It will rain more.

I find the rain interesting. Yesterday was Robert’s birthday. Six years old. We did the family thing last night. Gifts, cake and Happy Birthday!

Today is Robert’s kiddies party. And Allys, also. Ally will be 5 in 2 weeks. So Lisa is having one big kids party.

Twenty five of them today. Plus parents.

The party was supposed to be at Fort Zachrey Taylor Beach. However the rain prediction for today was 40 per cent. Lisa said it was going to rain. I said no. She insisted. Her party. Her responsibility. She changed the location of the party from the beach to her home.

Lisa was correct. I was wrong. It is raining already today.

I laid in bed till 2 yesterday. Watched tv. Then got ready for Don and Steph’s party. Easy to get ready for. It was a pool party. Threw on a bathing suit and was on my way.

Don and Steph throw great parties. Good people. Generous in many ways.

By the time I arrived, every one was sitting around or floatng in the pool. Drinks and pickies were available. Every one enjoying themselves.

I stayed about 2 1/2 hours. Chatted with everyone. Don, Steph, Tom, Nancy, David, David’s son and his girl friend, Rob, Bebe, Jules, Jim, Jules’ parents, Larry, Christine and I cannot recall who else at this moment.

I left before the cook out portion of the party. Robert’s birthday dinner awaited me!

My intent was to return to Don’s and the pool party afterwards. But I was too tired. So it was home to bed.

The present I gave my grandson Robert was spectacular! Genius was involved! Ingenuity also!

Such modesty!

Robert likes to cook. Only 6 years old! Especially macaroni and cheese.

He will stand on a chair by the counter and help to prepare. He cannot go near the stove however.

Interruption. It is now pouring outside. Big time! Lisa was absolutely correct about it raining!

Anyhow…..I put together a chef/cooking/ macaroni and cheese package for Robert.

I purchased a large clothe bag. Had Robert’s name boldly imprinted on it. And Go Green! Robert is into Green. His primary aim in life is to save the polar bears.

I was able to find a chef’s jacket. Had Chef Robert imprinted on it. He looked terrific in the jacket. Just like a chef! I took some pictures with my cell phone. Wish I knew how to share them with you here. You would love them!

Threw in some dishes, utensils, macaroni and cheese. Plus a cook book. A childrens’ cook book. Dedicated solely to cooking macaroni and cheese. It is possible to find anything on the internet!

Robert went crazy! He was thrilled! He wore the jacket for about an hour. Then his parents gave him their gifts. One was an Indiana Jones outfit, including hat. Robert went from chef to Indiana Jones!

A good party! Robert was thrilled! Every one happy!

On days like Robert’s birthday, I cannot help but be reminded how lucky we are to have him. Robert was born with cancer of the liver. The tumor was larger than his liver.

Humans are not normally born with cancer. It is an after birth acquired illnes. Whatever. Robert had 2 major surgeries at Miami Chrildrens Hospital by the time he was 8 days old.

Fortunately, he is well. God bless!

I never made it back to Don and Steph’s party. I was too tired. I think it is the new heart pills. All of a sudden I get dead tired. I had to head home and was in bed sleeping before 8.

And I do not drink anymore! I could go longer on booze than I can on medication!

Enjoy your day! Still pouring outside. Hope it does not last all day.

Lisa just telephoned. See, I told you, she said!

Right she was! The rain outside my window is blowing like a monsoon! Thunder, too!

Good morning! Good morning! Good morning!

A little redundancy never hurt.

I slept a bit later. Woke at the conclusion of a pleasant dream. I feel good!

Yesterday’s radio show was fun! Love doing it!

After moving beyond the keys cockfighting arrests and Florida’s new law allowing cameras on traffic lights, I hit on two biggies. The Gulf oil spill and Elena Kagan.

I shared my thoughts re the oil spill and what people must do NOW from a legal perspective to protect themnselves. The spill is like a hurricane. It has not yet hit. There is anticipation. I believe the spill will arive in the keys at some point. Too much oil and all it is going to take is a wind shift.

The perpetrators, to wit: BP, Transocean and Hulburton, are the enemy. Not friends. Trust them not. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

My advice is that the various groups gather together. The homeowners, fishing fleets, hotels, communities. Hire the right lawyers now. Plan your battle now.

The enemy has already done so.

Government has a role, also. Many. One I would suggest to the Governor is to set up a separate court system to handle these cases. With new rules of evidence and limited appeal grounds. To expedite the slew of cases that are coming. And most importantly, to give those damaged more timely recourse to justice and recompense.

I talked at length about Elena Kagan. President Obama’s recent nomination to the United States Supreme Court. I did a detailed background report on her. We know little about her, even with the media blitz being experienced. I tried to reveal the person from her birth to the present. Family, education, jobs and the like.

After the show, I participated in a brief meeting with Gary and Larry. The new show is still a conceptual exercise. It is however starting to take shape.

Afterwards I bought a newspaper and headed to the Shrimp Shack for lunch. I enjoy the peace and solitude of sitting on the dock and spending time there.

Very few shrimp boats in. I thought they all would be docked. It was mid friday. Perhaps I was early.

A lot of tarpon in the water. Around the docks. Huge ones. Some jumping up, breaking the water.

Needed a manicure. Stopped in to see Tammy after the meeting with Gary and Larry. The place was jam packed. Giggling women all over. Two bridal groups. Tammy said come back this aftrernoon. I could not get out of there soon enough.

When I did return in the afternoon after lunch, it was quiet. Peaceful. I enjoyed the manuicure. I enjoyed Tammy.

I dieted earlier this week. Only for 3 days. Since I lost the 30 pounds about 2 months ago, I have been gaining. It is inevitable. Only 5 pounds. Normally I would say what the hell and let it go. Then the 5 becomes 10, the 10 15, the 15 20 and we are off and running!

Not this time I resolved!

I decided for the first time in my life to nip the weight problem in the bud. I was going to lose the 5 pounds. In 5 days! Back to the Medifast diet. Strictly for those 5 days. I figured that was all it would take to drop 5 pounds.

I was wrong. It took less time. In 3 days I dopped 7 pounds. At 1,000 calories a day, it was easy.

So thursday morning after stepping on the scale, I was off the diet.

I lost another pound yesterday without even trying. I am now 3 pounds ahead of the game and better than when I lost the 30 pounds.

To accomplish this success, the refrigerator had to be empty. I am easily tempted. Now that I am back to some sort of reasonable eating, I had to buy food. Yesterday after everythiung else, I stopped at Publix.

Purchased things like eggs, fruit, chicken and whole wheat bread. The chocolate covered donuts were a problem. Threw a box in the basket. Proceeded to other shopping. Returned several minutes later and took them out. Returned the chocolate covered donuts to the shelf. There are some temptations I cannot control if the food is in the house!

I cooked in last night. Two scrambled eggs and coffee. Still a bit extrme, I agree. But I prefer crawling back into eating. What I read on the scale is sufficient satisfaction.

Lisa telephoned last night. Rita had e mailed her.

Rita was nanny to the grandkids for 3 years. A good nanny! A good person!

Rita was originally from South Africa. She had children and grandchildren in South Africa. She returned to South Africa after 3 years. Periodically she and Lisa communicate over the internet. Occasionally they telephone so that Robert and Ally can talk with Rita.

Rita e mailed yesterday asking about Robert’s health. She reads this blog every day and knew he had been sick. She also watches and listens to the radio show. Wow! How we keep in touch with each other any where in the world these days!

My friend Marty. Where are you Marty! You come and go. More go than come in recent months. I need a dinner companion. Get your ass back here!

I have a pleasant day ahead. A pool party at Don’s home this afternoon. Always fun. Then dinner with Lisa and the family. It is Robert’s birthday. Six years old! A big time tonight!

Enjoy your day!

There once was a book The World According to Garp. Made into a movie. I do not recall any of the details of it.

This blog is the world according to Louis. Nothing special. Just my every day life and thoughts in Key West. Hope you enjoy it.

Radio show this morning! 10 am. KONK 1500 AM. Better still on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/ where you can see as well as hear.

A good fast moving show this morning. Exciting topics. Some not so exciting. But informative. Things you may not have been aware of.

Listen in!

Baby sat again yesterday. Robert was still sick. He slept most of the day. I saw a major improvement in him from the time I arrived early in the morning till when I left.

I am not being called upon to sit Robert today. Corey’s mother came in last night. I am being replaced by a professional. She will be with him today.

Robert’s birthday is Saturday. He will be 6. The family is gathering for his party.

Bocce last night.

Fun! A good time!

We won the first game. About 16-12. I did not play.

We lost the second game. 16-4. I did play. We all sucked. But I was the worst.

I did not want to play the third game. I did not have it.

Don said play! So play I did. Glad I did.

We won the third game 16-1. I was terrific. We all were terrific in that third game. Joanie was my partner. Ron and Don at the other end.

I was so good I even scored the one point for the other team.

I had the balls set up for 3 points for our team. Two were already there. I just had to roll my last shot in to make it 3.

A no brainer.

I screwed up! Big time! My aim and speed were off. I changed the configuration. Gave the other team a point!

Only Louis could do that!

Overall the game was good! We had 3 4’s. That’s big time!

When you’re hot, you’re hot! It took us only 11 minutes to play the third game. Unheard off! We were finished for the night and all the other matches were still in their second games.

After bocce, I stopped at Don’s Place. Glad I did! There was Kurt bartending. Wearing one of my Key West Lou tee shirts! Made me feel good.

Rob was there. He had been bartending. Just came off. We chatted a bit. He has not been playing bocce because of work. And we have not been hooking up on the golf course. I miss him and told him so. A good guy.

Time to move on. Have to get ready for the radio show. Hope you can listen in.

Enjoy your day!

Robert was sick yesterday.

Still sick today.

Lisa telephoned around 11 last night. I have babysitting duty again today.

Poor Robert. He slept most of the day. Wiped out. At one point he woke, got up off the couch and went into his bed. He wanted to sleep there.

It is amazing how frequently kids pick up a bug.

Robert has to get better soon. His 6th birthday is Saturday. Big party Sunday at Fort Zacharey Taylor Beach with his friends.

Lisa came home early. In the afternoon. My time was done. I hung around about an hour and then left.

What to do? Decided it was time for a pedicure. So it was off to Tammy. My toes are lovely!

I wrote yesterday about Drums Along the Mohawk. A 1939 film about the American Revolution.

I received a comment that thought the film was a government propoganda type film. Especially the ending when the characters become aware that the Americans had won. The film ends with everyone looking proudly upon a waving American flag.

I do not see it the way the commentator did. Definitely many Workld War II films had a propaganda line to them. But not this pre World War II film. To me the closing scene was merely an expression of American pride. The Americans had defeated the British. The people in the film had every reason to portray that pride. I felt proud watching the ending!

There is nothing wrong with pride in one’s country.

I spoke yesterday about the author of the book Drums Along the Mohawk which had been written in 1936. By Walter G. Edmonds. Edmonds lived in the Mohawk Valley area and made it the setting for the novel.

The Edmonds family home became a summer home at some point. A magnificent property set on several hundred acres of land. With a dam, streams and great fishing. Hunting. A lovely home and attendant buildings.

The property was sold about 20 some odd years ago. To Don Carbone.

A fitting person to have purchased the property.

The Edmonds family were what might be described as original settlers in the United States. The Carbone family had its beginnings as part of the massive Italian wave which immigrated to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Joseph Carbone is the Carbone patriarch. Or at least the first Carbone I recall.

Whether born here or in Italy, I do not know.

Joseph started a car selling dynasty.

It began in 1929. He opened an 8 stall garage. To repair cars, not sell them. His investment was all of $40. A lot of money back then. Joseph was 19 years old at the time.

In 1931 he expanded and started selling used cars. In 1933 he graduated to new cars. His first franchise was to sell Graham-Page vehicles. Even I do not know what a Graham-Page was. Too far back.

By 1938 he was also selling Studebakers and International Trucks.

A Studebaker I know. I recall that after World War II they looked the same from the front and back. You could not immediately tell which end you were viewing.

Joseph’s car selling business was first located on Bleecker Street in Utica. In the heart of what might be described as the Italian ghetto.

His sons Don and Al followed him in the business. Service was always foremost. Good people. I know. I bought new cars from them for over 40 years.

The business blossomed under Don and Al. Today the car dealerships include just about every make and are located in New York, Vermont and Massachusetts.

Don and Al’s children are now running the business. In the same fashion as their fathers and grandfather.

Don became very active in the civic life of the Utica community. Gave of himself and his fortune. A quiet person. Solid as a rock.

He and his brother Al had an interesting relationship in their later years. Al ran the business and Don did the community thing. That is not to say Don did not continue to have his hand in the business. He did. But they had this unique working arrangement. Don always commented on it. How Al made it possible for him to participate more fully in Utica’s life.

Which brings us to the Edmonds home in Boonville which Don Carbone purchased some 20 odd years ago.

That is how I got the opportunity to see and visit the property on several occasions.

Don fixed up the home. Kept the original flavor however.

One of the unique features of the house was the manner in which it was constructed. The house was built over a creek. Maybe 20 feet wide. Visualize a catamaran. A two hulled boat. Two legs of the house sat on the banks of the creek. The center of the house was 15-20 above the creek.

The creek ran beneath the house and was clearly visible as so doing.

Cool! Different! Beautiful!

It is amazing where things lead me with this blog. I saw Drums Along the Mohawk. Wrote about it and Walter G. Edmonds. And arrived at the Carbone family and the Boonville property.

All I hope you have found interesting.

Bocce tonight.

My radio show tomorrow morning a 10. KONK 1500 AM radio. See and hear on the internet worldwide at www.konkam.com.

Interesting hard hitting topics. Including how to protect yourself legally from the impending Gulf oil spill damage, Elizabeth Kagan, Dixie, Wisconsin weird dumb laws, New York’s expansion of gay parental rights, a comedian who won a mother in law lawsuit, the gospel and Thomas Jefferson and many other interesting matters.

Since so many enjoy the weird dumb law section, I am adding a new segment. The weird dumb lawsuit of the week. Hope you enjoy!

And enjoy your day also!

The weather continues to be terrific!

Low 90s, a bit humid and a breeze off the ocean. Perfect!

The wind off the Atlantic picked up last night. At least 30 miles per hour. I could hear it and the palm trees banging against the house each time it woke me during the night.

Yesterday was a usual day for me. A little paper work in the morning, the Coffee House to read the newspapers and then a visit with Lisa at the time when the grandkids were coming home from school.

Robert looked terrible. Sweaty and quiet. He was coming down with something. Lisa just telephoned. Said Robert was up all night upchucking, be here by 9 to babysit. I will be. No golf today.

Lisa said bring popsicles for Robert, also. He has not eaten. It will be easy. I have a box in the freezer.

I stayed in last night. My neck was still bothering me. As I have beeen reporting, it is good in the morning and then gets progressively painful durng the day. But it hurts less each day so I think I am getting better.

I am glad I stayed in last night. Got to watch Drums Along the Mohawk. A 1939 movie with Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda. About the 20th time I have seen the movie. I always enjoy it. Probably because the setting for the movie is where I grew up.

The movie concerns the Mohawk Valley in New York State. My home for 71 years of my life.

Utica is set in the center of the Mohawk Valley. Mountains all around. Everywhere you look. You must look up to see them.

Fonda and Colbert settled in Deerfield. Deerfield is a suburb of Utica.

The movie tells amongst other things of the Battle of Oriskany. Oriskany is 6 miles west of Utica. General Herkimer and a band of farmer soldiers met the British there in one of the significant battles of the Revolution.

The British had a much larger force. 1,800 strong. They were on their way east to join up with the General Bourgyone at Albany.

The British troops never made it. Herkimer and the colonists held them up in a vicious and bloody battle that lasted long enough so that the British failed to make it to Albany. As a result, Bourgyone was beaten some days later by the Americans at Saratoga.

The battle at Oriskany has been described as significant in the subsequent defeat of the British at Saratoga. The battle at Saratoga has been described as the turning point of the war.

The battle at Saratoga again was a most important one. When Bourgyone surrendered at Saratoga, the French joined the colonies in the war effort. Louis XVI thought it was a good time to stick it to the British. France’s support caused the British to have to expand its fighting to the West Indies and parts of Europe.

Ultimately the battles at Oriskany and Saratoga aided the colonists in winning the Revolution.

I felt like sharing a bit of my local upstate New York history with you. The movie brought it to mind.

One more item. The movie Drums Along the Mohawk was based on the 1936 best seller written by Walter D. Edmonds. Edmonds grew up in Boonville. About 15 miles to the west of Utica. Boonville sits on one of those mountains I described earlier.

Edmonds loved the Mohawk Valley, its history and waterways.

His family home still sits in Boonville. I have partied there many times. But that is another story. One which I will share with you tomorrow.

I am off to babysitting.

Enjoy your day!