Radio show tomorrow morning!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour!

10 am.

KONK 1500 AM. Better yet, see and hear the show on the internt at http://www.konkam.com/.

Interesting topics! Like the Gulf oil spill. And my views on contingency lawyers and what I perceive as the inevitable Chapter 11 bankruptcy by BP. The proposed Monroe County lobbying law and my opposition to it, Portugal and same sex marriage, Pakistan and Facebook, Lithuania and rising anti semitism, work place discrimination at Citibank, Oklahoma weird dumb laws, the King of Ghana, the weird dumb lawsuit of the week, a step into history with Theodore Roosevelt, and more.

Today is Day 4 of Club Poppa. My two attendees have already arrived. They burst through the door yelling Poppa!

Robert was helping with breakfast. The box of Cheerios fell. I just finished cleaning the mess up.

Today is going to be easy. Lunch at noon at McDonald’s. Then the movies. A special day! A Shrek day! We are doing the Shrek lunch at McDonald’s followd by the Shrek movie at 1:30 at the Regal.

Robert and Ally are all excited. The lunch I can handle. The movie I doubt. This is Shrek 4. I never saw the first 3 nor had any desire to do so.

Yesterday went well.

I played golf in the morning. Lisa arranged for a sitter till I returned.

I was the big winner in golf! $12! Hit the ball well sometimes. Still have those long shots. However my short game and putting which were ok are now falling apart.

That is golf!

I played with Tom, Don and Yankee Jack. We had another foursome out there which included Larry, Kurt and Emmett.

It was a crazy group. Every one had a good time.

The humidity has arrived. It was a killer yesterday!

I was totally exhausted at the end of 18 holes. Went home. But could not go to bed. Had to baby sit.

Swam a bit with the grandkids. Then Lisa showed up at 3:30. Club Poppa closed for the day!

They left. And I went to bed. For the balance of the day and evening.

Almost forgot! I am doing a guest appearance on Stephanie Kaple’s Fashion radio show friday at 3. Same Konk station and same internet site. Tune in. Listen in. Watch. Should be interesting. We are going to talk about work place dress and the Citibank situation.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I am waiting for Robert and Ally to arrive. For Day 3 at Club Poppa.

Day 2 yesterday was busy. Tiring from my perspective. I am shot! God made mothers young for a reason.

The three of us swam for 4 hours. And I mean swam!

Lunch was under the tiki hut. I prepared it. Something different.

Sliced bananas, peanut butter and whipped cream on whole wheat bread. Healthy and easy. They went crazy! Washed it down with some kind of kiddies lemonade.

Robert and Ally were tired at this point. They fell asleep for 2 hours on the couch. I covered them. And then fell asleep myself.

My home is in total disarray. I am a neat freak.

The screen door to the deck is off the runner and I can’t seem to fix it. I had them color with washable crayons outside on the tiki bar top. It is white. Well, was white. Now multi colored. The washable crayons won’t wash off.

I went out last night. After Lisa took them home, of course.

I went to Grunt’s. First time. It is a bar located in a little old house on Caroline. Between Duval and Whitehead. Surrounded by mahogany trees.

A Key West tradition. What a beautiful place!

Larry Smith had a meeting of our group that is trying to put together a radio/internet show. We talked much. Progress is being made. Grunt’s is one of the sites under consideration to house the event.

Urbancowgirl wrote a couple of comments to my blog yesterday. She is a new found friend/reader

She thought it great that I was going to talk about same sex marriage on the radio show friday. She is apparently unaware that I speak about the topic just about every other week.

Urbancowgirl is partnered and heading for Key West this weekend. Today is the start of Pridefest 2010. Opening parties all around town tonight. She will be visiting for the event. Hope we run into each other.

I googled her name. Came up with some interesting things about Urbancowgirl. One is most worthy of mention.

She set forth a quote attributed to John Ray. Made about 1670. Ray is considered the father of English natural history. Botany, zooloogy and natural history were his specialties.

“They who would be young when they are old, must be old when they are young.”

Fits me to a T! I was always old when I was young. People used to suggest I was old before my time. In my actions and thoughts. Now I am young! At 74! I think young. I act young.

John Ray was right!

Golf this morning. I am going! No question! My time away from the grandkids. Lisa has the situation covered. She has someone coming to watch them while I am gone.

They just came through the door. All excited. Want to know what we are having for breakfast. We have agreed on waffles, cream of wheat and a cut up apple. Thank God for instant and frozen foods!

One last tidbit.

Ally and I were talking yesterday afternoon. We were telling each other stories. She has quite an imagination.

She told me that when she was a baby she was in her mother’s stomach. She was always kicking her mother. She told the story laughing. She thought it was funny that she was kicking her Mommy.

I have a picture of my Mother hanging in the bedroom. I pointed to it and asked Ally if she knew who she was. Yes, your Mommy! So I told her when I was a little baby I was in my Mommy’s belly and kicked her. Ally looked at me strangely. Then blurted out…..No! You are too big!

Enjoy your day!

We completed day 1 of Club Poppa yesterday.

A success!

Robert and Ally thrilled! Poppa dead tired!

I figured out what I have accomplished. A Club Med for kids!

We started the day with a swim. At 8 in the morning!

Then we ate. We ate all day off and on. Lisa brought snacks and I had bought some. They are sharks when it comes to eating. Ever consuming.

Late morning I drove them up to Boondocks. Miniature golf time.

They loved it!

Robert has improved. I was impressed. Ally still fumbling around. That one year makes a difference. However…..Ally got a hole in one on the last hole!

Lunch was at Boondocks. Macaroni and cheese for both. Plus a large side order of french fries.

Robert ate all his macaroni and cheese. Ally only a little. She devoured the french fries.

They love eating out with me. I permit them to cheat a bit on their mother’s rules. Lisa does not like soda for them. Will occasionally permit a diet soda. However she cuts it with water.

I let each of them have a whole glass of diet Pepsi! They loved the thought of what they were doing as well as the soda.

Of course, they both slept on the drive back.

I had to keep them occupied. So it was back into the pool.

They both swim like fish. I had them racing the length of the pool. Ally seems to be the stronger swimmer.

Time to rest. I was dead! I had them follow me upstairs. Told them Poppa was tired. They laid on the bed with me and we watched tv.

Lisa finally arrived. Just in time. My butt was dragging. This baby sitting all day is hard work.

They are back here already this morning. Seven o’clock sharp. Came through the door yelling Club Poppa!

Lisa told me they went to sleep early last night. No wonder. They were on the go all day. She also said they ate little for dinner. I fed them too much during the day.

I have nothing special planned for today. We shall take it as it comes.

Tonight is a biggie however! They are sleeping over! Me and the grandkids! It will be an experience! They have never done it before.

Neither have I.

Frankly, I think they will probably back out before it is time.

Oh…..I slept well also last night. I was exhausted!

I did sneak in a little prep time for friday’s radio show. Came up with some interesting items to discuss. Like same sex marriage, Facebook and Pakistan, and Lithuania and anti semitism.

Enjoy your day!

It is just before 7 in the morning.

The sun just came up. Still a bit gray. No clouds. Humid. Sticky kind.

I am waiting for a volcano to come through the front door. Any minute!

The grandkids are betweeen school and summer camp. This week they have nothing. So I am baby sitting. It has been decided it would be better if I did it here at my home. I have the pool.

It is going to be an interesting week. Me and them. Today I think I am going to drive up to Boondocks and play miniature golf with them. Then the three of us will have lunch there.

In between, the pool and play games. Robert and Ally have a new monopoly game for kids. They are bringing it over. They have already told me they will be teaching me the game.

The Gulf oil spill continues to be the major item of discussion and concern. If it is to come to the keys, it is still at least 10 days away. It is just hitting the Panhandle in north Florida.

This is a new experience. We do not know what to expect. We are ready for the worst, if it is so. Like the pictures on tv have been showing. On the other hand, many think the major problem will be tar balls. Hard oil balls.

The wait is a killer. You know something bad is going to happen. The when is the uncertain part.

And now we are into hurricane season. Hurricane talk is beginning. When is the issue here also. The hurricanes generally start off the west coast of Africa. There are none formulating as yet.

Someone wrote and asked if it was ok to visit Key West a week from now. Who knows. I am not the expert. But I will share my personal thoughts with the writer.

Come.

If the oil spill hits soon, it is at least 10 days away. Maybe 2 weeks. Maybe longer. We are dealing with an unknown.

You state you are staying at the Casa Marina. One of the most magnificent hotels in Key West! So you may not swim in the ocean. The Casa has two large beautiful pools! And everyting else in Key West is still here. The bars and restaurants. The tourist sights. The night life.

Finally, when again will you have the opportunity to experience an event of this magnitude. Dependiong on the severity of whatever hits, the birds may require cleaning. The bigger fish care. You could spend your vacation helping! A unique once in a life time experience!

Robert and Ally have arrived! They came through the door yelling Camp Poppa! I am in for it!

I set them up outside at the tiki hut for breakfast. I am writing this blog now at the tiki hut also. They are eating loops and chatting. Waking my neighbors. But I don’t care. Many a night they keep me up partying with their guests. This is my pay back time.

Marty is back.

We went to the movies last night. Sex and the City 2.

I was not impressed. Save your money.

I was disappointed, also. I was a fan through out the tv series. I thought the movie two years ago was terrific. The powers to be did not know when to stop and say enough!

Godfather 3 was one movie too many. So too was Sex and the City last night.

It just did not have it.

They also made the 4 women look too old. Three are in their 40s and one in her 50s. Still good looking women in today’s society. Not in the movie. Lines and wrinkles were added. Not realisitic.

I have to explain now to the grandkids the necessity of cleaning up whatever they drop on the deck. There are a few milk soaked loops. If not picked up, the bugs will invade. One of the concerns of living on a tropic island.

Enjoy your day!

I am lazy today. Just got up. Almost 9.

I laid in bed watching Errol Flynn as Lord Essex making love to Betty Davis’ Queen Elizabeth in a 1939 movie.

Yesterday started with me being a good neighbor. Took some friends to the airport.

I was up early. Too early. What to do?

I bought some newspapers and drove to the Atlantic. All of 300 feet away from the airport.

Along the beach runs a sidewalk. At certain points on the sidewalk are benches. I picked one sitting right on the edge of the wall butting the ocean. Feet resting on the wall. And read.

I could hear the water. I could smell the salt. I felt the breeze. The sun warmed me.

Lunch was a high point for me. With Tom and Chris at Hogfish. Their first time.

Hogfish is an open air restaurant. A throwback to the 1950s. It sits on the water in what is known as downtown Stock Island. A joke! One you can only appreciate if you visit the place.

I like Tom and Chris. They are from the Syracuse area and visit Key West 3-4 times a year. We have become friends.

We had good conversation.

Chris wrote me this morning. Said I kept referring to her as Cindy yesrerday and in a recent blog. Sorry Cindy! Oops, Chris! I screw up occasinally.

My apologies.

Lisa and the grandkids came over. For the whole afternoon. we did pool time a long time. I got a tan on top of my tan!

It amazes me how well Robert and Ally swim. Of course, they are in the water almost every day. Good they are!

I am a neat freak. Especially my bed. You would not know any one even slept in it.

I was watching the golf tournament after swimming. Laying on my bed, of course. Robert and Ally joined me. My bed will never be the same!

I finally sent them all home. The Belmont was coming up and I wanted to watch it quietly. Out! was the command!

I did a quiet night last night. Outback. At the bar. I have come to enjoy their steaks. Together with a baked sweet potato and steamed vegetables. The sin I commit in eating the steak is off set by the sweet potato and vegetables. At least in my mind.

Things are quieting down. Especially for a Saturday night. Outback’s was basically empty. Not many people at Hogfish for lunch. I think it is a combination of out of season and people starting to worry about the Gulf oil spill. Once it hits the Florida keys, many are going to be out of work.

The weather continues to be outstanding. Except the humidity is starting to creep in. Not bad yet. But a little heavier each day. It also has rained the past 3 nights. We are slowly moving into the rainy season.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I am writing today’s blog late. Sorry!

Got up late. Then had to drive some friends to the airport.

Yesterday’s radio show was a hit! A lot of favorable reaction afterward. From as far as South Africa. Wow!

Better than half the show was devoted to the new Arizona immigration law. …..Show me your papers! I was fortunate to have Don Riggs join me. Don lives here in Key West and is a life long radio and television newsman. He is just finishing up a one month vacation in Arizona.

Don’s observations were revealing!

Don claims from what he has seen, bigotry is not the issue. More than half of the Arizonians are Latinos who are already citizens. Don says the primary problem is an economic one. School and medical costs being at the forefront. Increased taxes another.

Arizonians are taking what appear to be drastic steps because the federal government has failed in its responsibility to protect the borders. So the people of Arizona have resorted to what might be described as self help.

Interesting.

After the radio show, I stopped at the Coffee House for some brew and the New York Times.

Then I was off to lunch at Harpoon Harry’s. Where I read the Miami paper.

I am hooked on reading newspapers. The reason is I did not do so for almost 50 years. A busy practicing lawyer only has time to read legal papers and briefs. I am now making up for a lot of lost years.

The Gulf oil spill is coming. Sure as day turns to night. It is now in the Panhandle of Florida. Starting to affect the beaches up there.

The winds have turned and the oil is starting to get into the loop current stream.

Eventually everyone from Louisiana on the west through the Carolinas on the east are going to have the same problem. Massive unemployment! The hotel and restaurant industries are tourist driven. Tourists are not going to spend their vacations where they cannot use the beaches and water. The fishing industry is doomed. Everyone in Key West will feel the impact.

What to do?

People have to think outside the box to find a solution.

I would like to make claim to a solution about to be proposed. But I cannot. It came from one smarter than me in this regard.

His name is Kurt. Kurt is a bartender at Don’s Place. Some days a scratch golfer. Lives on the water near me in Key Haven. 50ish. Street smart. Otherwise smart.

Kurt gave me a call yesterday. His solution is brilliant! Think about it for a moment before you say no.

Kurt’s solution keeps all local businesses going and helps to get the oil damaged ones cleaned up. And brings immediate income into the community.

Kurt says there is massive unemployment throughout the country. He is correct. Yesterday’s figures revealed food stamps were being given for the first time to over 40 million people.The numbers further showed that the jobless rate is at a 26 year high.

Kurt says import the unemployed from other parts of the United States to the keys. Put them to work cleaning up the mess. Cleaning the birds, the water. And whatever else has to be done. They would be payed by BP. They would stay at our hotels and eat in our restaurants. And of course do their drinking in our bars.

Kurt’s idea is not so far fetched. After 9/11, security became big time at airports. Key West did not have enough people to do the work. The federal government imported security people from all over the United States to work at the Key West airport. And payed their hotel and food bills. For several years.

The same type program is workable here. And it keeps two groups employed instead of one. The locals and people who would be imported to help.

Good idea, Kurt! Good thinking!

It turns a lemon into a lemonade!

Hopefully someone in authority will read or be sent this blog and take heed. At least consider the solution presented.

Enjoy your day!

Where do I begin…..

Radio show today! The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

10 this morning. KONK 1500 AM radio. Better yet, see and hear on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/.

Great topics!

The Gulf oil spill, the concession stand that the Monroe County School Board claims it did not authorize, the City enviromental study of the Glen Archer school and its failue to test for radon, mold and asbestos, some Mark Howell soundings, Oklahoma weird dumb laws, the King of Ghana, the weird dumb lawsuit of the week. And…..Don Riggs, alive and well, from Arizona with some insider information on the new Arizona immigration law.

People will be watching and listening from Boston to Cedar Rapids to Chicago to London to Jakarta to Crete to Milan to Trieste to Havana to Cape Town. Honest to goodness!It’s amazing!

Key West weather continues to be spectacular. Low 90s yesterday. However the humidity is starting to creep in. You can feel it.

The wind is turning. You can sense it. Which means the loop current is starting to move towards Florida’s Panhandle. Pensecola was to receive its first oil from the spill yesterday.

The oil will hit Key West in about 10 days. If not sooner!

It’s like sitting in a hospital room and waiting for a loved one to die.

Except here the body will not be gone in a few days. It will remain for years to come.

Thank you BP.

BP appears largely inept and perhaps equally criminal. Time will tell. What is bothering me at the moment are these claims offices BP is opening. One already in Marathon. Another yesterday in Key West.

It is represented that the Marathon claim office already has written checks in excess of $3million.

The fox is in the hen house!

How can anyone trust BP to evaluate his or her claim? BP is smart. They hired what BP describes as an inderpendent third party to do the claim evaluations and make the payments. BP says it is hands off from their end.

I had an old law professior back at Syracuse by the name of Lloyd. Professor Lloyd was one smart man. He always told us to watch the money. One of his favorite sayings was…..”He who pays the fiddler calls the tune.”

Isn’t it so!

Which brings me to my point. These claims, early or late, should be made and paid by an independent new court system established by the federal and/or state governments. The purpose is to expedite all claims fairly and properly in the shortest time period. And BP and its designees should not be trusted to do it.

Enough of oil for the time being. I will speak more to the issue today on the radio show.

Last night was our bocce banquet. At Don ‘s Place. Food prepared by Russ and David. Two premier chefs. One by profession and the other by love.

The menu was sliced tenderloin, creamed spinach, corn, beans and salad. All cooked outside at Don’s Place. Absolutely delicious!

The whole bocce world was there. Don, David, Russ, Larry, Tom, Nancy, Michelle, Nate, Boomer, Jules, Kathy, Joanie, Jim, Chris and many many more. A good time was had by all! Everyone was in a happy mood even before the food was served.

Enjoy your day! Listen to me on the radio if you can at 10!

Yesterday morning was a big deal!

Robert graduated from kindergarten!

He was very excited. And proud. Beaming!

He graduated from Montessori.

There were 15 5 years olds. 10 girls and 5 boys.

Each wore a blue board hat. With a tassel, of course. And a ribbon around their necks signifying year and graduate status.

A big day again for Robert. An even bigger day for Lisa and Corey. Proud parents!

Afterwards I headed over to the Coffee House. Read the New York Times. Chatted with some people.

Then it was off to home. I wanted to have lunch at home. I should have gone out. I ate too much. That is why I keep the cupboard bare. It is easier to control consumption.

I spent the afternoon doing paperwork. Followed by a nap. I sometimes think the nap is the best part of my day.

Last night I met Don and Cindy at the Chart Room. Don and Cindy are from the Syracuse area. They visit Key West every 3 months or so. Syracuse University fans also.

We have become friends.

We met by prearrangement for drinks last night.

Cindy is my kind of girl. She reads my blog/this blog religiously every day. Go Cindy!

We had a pleasant time. We are getting back together again later in the week.

I had dinner with Marty and Louis. Marty is back in town.

Louis is Marty’s handyman up in Hallendale. 30ish. Mother from Hondouras. His father from Italy. He is Spanish in appearance.

A charming personality. A bit of a rogue. I would describe him as a Spanish lover.

Louis wanted to eat Spanish food. We went to El Meson de Pepe at Mallory Square. In the last 10 years I probably have eaten there two times.

My mistake. The food was absolutely terrific! I am not generally a fan of Spanish food. Marty talked me into shrimp with green sauce. I recommend it. Together with the beans, yellow rice, fried bananas and whatever else.

We had a great meal in a pleasant atmosphere.

The conversation was all over the place. Louis and I are liberals. Marty a die hard conservative. So you can imagine the exchanges that took place.

Tonight is my bocce banquet at Don’s Place. An important occasion! A fun time!

Enjoy your day!

My Aunt Mary died yesterday.

100 years old.

God bless!

And she lived alone or with one of her children till the time of her death.

God is good on occasion.

My Father is the last of the brood. My grandparents had seven children. They are all gone, except for him. He is 96.

My Father fell last week. Broke 2 ribs and got a black eye. But he will survive. I hope he continues to survive. To 100 plus.

He too is fortunate to still live a normal existence. He lives with a lady friend. For a number of years. Frances is her name. She is a wonderful woman and takes vey good care of my Dad.

Aunt Mary had a good life. Born and raised in Utica. Married Uncle Frank. A professional boxer.
Then a barber. Uncle Frank passed on about 30 years ago.

Phil and Lois are their two children. Both retired now and in their 70s. Successful New York advertising people.

When my Uncle passed on, Phil and Lois took Aunt Mary to New York City to live. She had a new and long interesting life. Her children saw to it. Good kids.

Last night was exciting.

Ally’s birthday. Five years old.

Interesting how we talk of one going and one just starting. Such is life.

Ally had a terrific evening. No question! It was her birthday!

She was the Princess. She enjoyed us and we her. God bless!

Today is another exciting day.

Robert graduates from kindergarten this morning. He is excited! I am excited! His parents are excited!

He kept seeking reassurances from me last night that I would be attending the ceremony. Would not miss it for the world! Today is golf day. No golf for me.

I wish my Aunt Mary a warm good bye. I always liked you. You were one of my favorites. Sensitive. Talented. Enjoy the after life. Say hello to my Mother. Be grateful for your wonderful children who cared for you in every way possible. Look over them and be sure they get the same attention in return.

Enjoy your day folks!

No detailed blog today. Sorry. I have been tied up with somnething else since 5 this morning.

My day yesterday was golf first and swimming with my grandchildren afterwards. Both of which I enjoyed immensely.

The golf was not as good as last week. But still better than normal. Being with Robert and Ally is always a treat.

Enjoy your day!