I am still in Phoenix. And so is the cold front.

It failed to rain yesterday as predicted. However the winds were strong. There are palm trees here as in Key West. They were bending in the wind.

When I purchased my Key West home 12 years ago, I had several large grown palm trees planted. I learned at the time that the palm trees came from Arizona. Yes, Arizona grows palm trees for reasale world wide. It surprised me that Florida did not grow its own palm trees, but rather imported them.

Because of the weather, the Grand Canyon trip did not take place. I am rescheduled for today. It is raining outside. Has rained all night. I am assuming the Grand Canyon will not be again today. Sad. It appears exciting. I have been looking forwad to it. A combination jeep and helicopter exploration.

I toyed with the idea of driving to Tombstone instead yesterday. Wanted to see OK Corral. Decided against it. A 3 hour drive each way.

Mike Yutzy telephoned me. Mike is a former Phoenecian. He now lives in Las Vegas. He reads the blog. Knew I was here at his old stomping grounds. He suggested I visit Old Scottsdale and Fashion Square.

I did.

Wow!

The wow is for Fashion Square.

Fashion Square is a shoppoing mall. A big time one! I thoroughly enjoyed walking its corridors and stores.

Stores like Barneys New York, Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Gucci, Ferragamo and Tiffany’s. Magnificent! The best of the best!

Quite a contrast from Key West where Sears Roebuck and Ross are primary shopping places. But when tee shirts and shorts are the basic dress for the day any day, who needs or wants more!

Nevertheless, it is good periodically to surround yourself with better. Sort of a clothing fantasy fest.

I did a quick study of Fashion Square’s history. It is the largerst mall in Arizona. It is the largest mall in the southwest. Two million square feet of retail space. Rated one of the top ten most profitable malls in the United States.

And no wonder! Everything being sold was expensive. Very expensive! Its clientle equally affluent. Older. Mature. Obviously well heeled. The women dressed elegantly. Even the men. Expensive pants and shirts. Polo and Brooks Bothers.

The ladies were especially sharp. Many in dresses. Regardless of age, above the knee. Well above the knee. Tastefully. And boots! Many above the knee. Stylish indeed! And most were women 60 plus.

Last night I went to the movies again! I am on a movie kick!

Saw the Wall Street sequel with Michael Douglas. It had poor reviews. But I wanted to see it anyhow. I should have paid attention to the reviews. It moved too slowly. I fell asleep at some point and woke just as the movie was ending.

There is a Margaritaville in the piazza near my hotel. A big Margaritaville! Two stories high. And packed each evening. Jimmy Buffet should be proud!

Howard Livingston is my friend. He is in ascendancy. Another musical star coming out of Key West. Soon he will be starring in his own TV show about the keys. On Direct TV. Going into 32 million homes at one time! A big deal!

I thought of Howard as I walked by Margaritaville last night. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if some day this country was covered with Mile Marker 24 restaurants!

It could happen!

Johnny Sheffield died yesterday. Who was Johnny Sheffield? Boy in the early Johnny Weismuller Tarzan films of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Tarzan’s adopted son. Sheffield did not become an adult actor. Instead he went off to college and got a business degree. He ended up a successful realtor and contractor. He was 79.

Enjoy your day!

I was up early yesterday morning. Had to be. Someone was picking me up at 6 am. The start of my hot air ballon adventure.

I sat in the back of a van. It was a 1/2 hour drive to a small airport to meet others in our group. A total of twelve of us.

We were then driven another 1/2 hour to the launching site.

The highway runs through the desert. At some point, the van made a sharp turn into and onto the desert itself. And in we drove!

We met up with the ballon and a crew of workmen. The ballon was deflated and rolled up. It was being taken off the back of a truck. Then spread deflated and flat along the desert floor.

Air was injectd. No, we did not have to blow it up ourselves! It took a while for the ballon to fill. We were told when inflated, it would be 8 stories high. Two hundred feet tall by 100 feet wide.

I thought they were kidding!

They were not!

It was!

Big!

Awesome to look up and see.

We piled into a tiny basket beneath the ballon. All twelve of us and our pilot Captain Bill.

And away we went!

It was nothing like I expected. The uptake was smooth and easy. The whole trip was the same. Whether high or low or sideways, it was as if floating. Softly.

Captan Bill provided a running dialogue. He was terrific! We learned much about the desert, its animals, winds and the geography of the area.

It was cool. Tending towards cold. I had been warned to dress for cold. I did. Long pants and a leather jacket.

The desert was not as I expected. My vison was miles of soft flowing sand. No. It is hard crusted sand. Your feet did not make an indentation. Rocks galore. Every where. Muted red ones. Dull black ones. My thought was a volcano must have once tread here.

A lot of vegetation. Cactus trees galore. Different types. All explained from the air by Captain Bill . Plus other type greenery. Not flush. Here and there erupting from the crusted sand.

Captain Bill explained there are different levels of desert. The area we were flying over minimally qualified to be called a desert. Somewhere else there is that desert of the movies.

We finally landed. The landing area is not pre selected. It depends on the winds. Tracking vehicles followed us below on the desert floor. Our landing was somewhere in the desert.

Now came breakfast!

This air ballon thing was a class act!

Two folded picnic tables were set up near the shade of a lone tree. It was warm now that we were down on the ground. Tableclothes appeared. With clothe napkins to boot. Crystal champagne glasses. China. Silver.

We had champagne and orange juice. Did the air ballonist toast. Ate. Sliced apples. A pastry filled with chocolate pudding. A ham and egg quiche. Cheese.

Do I recommend the air balloning experience? Definitely! And if you are going to do it in the Phoenix aea, I strongly recommend Hot Air Expeditions. http://www.hotairexpeditiomns.com/.

Met some interesting people during the ballon adventure.

There was a whole family from the western Massachusetts area. From grandmother to granddaughter. The step dad was a retired Marine.

The granddaughter, daughter, stepdaughter was Cassandra Tessier. 19.

An obviously much loved person.

Several months ago she had a double lung replacement. Life saving. It was celebration time!

There was a couple from Scotland. Told me their favorite place to vacation was the United States. They visit every year. A different part of the United States.

The husband is a realtor. He rents properties.

We talked briefly of many things.

These Scottish travelers had previously visited Key West! Made the drive down from Miami. Were impressed with the view along the way.

He was a golfer. We talked of how far the ball goes in the Phoenix area. Phoenix is about 4,000 feet above sea level. The air is thinner. The ball has less resistance. He visted a driving range. Claims he hit the ball an extra 50 yards off the tee. I believe him. I recall when I have played here in the past how long my drives were.

We got into Obama. I told them I had the seeds of disillusionment festering in me. He was sad. He told me the rest of the world looks to Obama to bring the world out of this recession. As America goes, so does every other nation! He told me Scotland and England’s future definitely depended on our successfiul recovery.

We were driven back to the airport where we had started our little adventure together. Whereas we were all quiet on the trip to the ballon, we were chatting like lifelong friends on the return trip.

Then we parted. I was sad.

I had worn my Key West Lou tee shirt. Questions were asked. I am sure that several of my new found friends will be reading this morning’s blog. And hopefully forever more!

I was tired. Exhausted. When I got back to the hotel, I went to sleep for 3 hours. It was not the early morning start. Six here is 9 back in KeyWest. I am still on Key West time.

It had to be the air. All that fresh air while gliding along in the ballon. I slept the sleep of the dead.

My evening was the same as the night before. An early movie and dinner. Same theater and same restaurant. I am on vacation. I can do what I want.

Saw Secretariat. About the horse that won the Triple Crown in the early 1970s. Great movie! Touched the emotions! Brought tears to my eyes several times.

Dinner was at the same steak house as the evening before. However before I could eat, I had to return to the hotel to change. A cold front had come in. Just like in Key West. I needed to change from shorts and a shirt to long pants, a long sleeved shirt and my beat up leather jacket.

Then to bed.

This is supposed to be Grand Canyon day. I don’t know. Weather reports are not good. Rain predicted. We shall see.

Enjoy your day!

I am up very early. Phoenix time. 3 am. Don’t feel it, however. I am still on Key West time where it is 6 am.

I have to be up early. I have a 6 am appointment.

I am playing tourist. I am being picked up at 6 for an air ballon ride. Over the desert.

Breakfast was Zen type yesterday morning.

I am staying at a terrific hotel. The Rennissance in Glendale. The hotel has a just right size outdoor inner court. About 300 feet by 100 feet. The hotel is Spanish in style. The inner court shrubbed minimally. Tiny birds fluttering about. An effect achieved. Peaceful!

Then a walk. I wanted to explore the area.

Not much to explore.

My hotel. A Hampton Inn nearby. Two stadiums. Both an 8 iron away. One the home of the Coyotes, the Phoenix hockey time. Called Jobs.com. The other the Phoenix University Stadium. This Stadium will be home to the January 10, 2011 Super Bowl game! Wow!

There is also a commercial area. Perfectly situated for the crowds attending events. Bars, restauants and stores galore. A community unto itself.

Otherwise nothing! Just acres and acres of parking lots and desert. All with a towering mountain range in the background.

I took a ride. About 15 minutes driving away, discovered a terrific shopping mall. Big time! All the best stores. It was a pleasure walking through.

I also found a Fuddrukers! It has been 15 years at least since I was in one. The last time was Coconut Grove.

For the uninitiated, Fuddrukers is a steak/hamburger place. Steak sandwiches to die for! I had two! What the hell, I am on vacation!

Fuddrukers is like Smuckers. With a name like that, it has to be good!

The commercial area adjoining the two stadiums by my hotel also includes a movie house. An AMC. 20 theaters in one building. Each one huge.

The theater is open all day and into the late evening. Cost. Only $5.25! No senior discount at that price.

I saw The Social Network. The Facebook story. Mark Zuckerberg’s tale. He is still in his 20s. He is referred to as the youngest billionaire in the world.

A very good movie. Especially if you participate in Facebook, as I do. I recommend the movie. I suspect it will receive Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor.

I went to the late afternoon show. 4:40. One strange thing. Only 3 of us in the theater watching the movie. Me and a young couple in the back row.

I walked out of the movie house at 7 into a lovely restaurant. A steak house. I had dinner outside. Watched the world walk by as I ate.

Then back to the hotel to bed. It was only 9 in the evening Phoenix time. But it was midnight Key West time. And I am still on Key West time.

I am watching Morning Joe as I write this blog. Strange. It is 3:15 in the morning here. Really 6:15 back East.

Join me tomorrow for a report on the air ballon ride.

Enjoy your day!

I am in Phoenix!

I am on Key West time! It is 7 am in Key West. Three hours behind here. It is 4 in the morning in Phoenix.

I arrived late. Got lost. Had to eat. Ended up going to bed at 1:30 Key West time.

Lisa and the family drove me to the airport. The grandkids yelled I love you Poppa! as I headed into the airport. All of a sudden, the van door slid open. They were still yelling. We did not kiss you! It was back to Robert and Ally. The plane could wait.

Flew Delta. Had 2 bags. Counter lady said you can only take one bag. I said I did not know. Both bags large. I acted confused. I was. I never heard only one bag. She said only in Key West. The take off strip was too short for their larger jet. Weight had to be controlled.

I could not even carry it on.

One will have to go stand by, she said. And the bag was so marked.

The last time I flew a long distance was about 6 years ago. London. It was also the last time I was on a huge jet. Then however I flew first class. Sat in the first row on the aisle.

The Atlanta to Phoenix flight was on a large plane. Carried 275 passengers. Stewardess said it was full.

A cattle car. Seven across. Several sections. I was seated about 10 rows from the rear.

A bit tight. Not bad, though. I read the whole trip.

Rented a car.

The car rental places are not at the airport. Several miles away. A shuttle bus takes you.

I prepare for everything. I am anal. I had googled for driving instructions from the airport to the hotel. The location of the car rental place threw the instructions off. Dramatically. The attendant at the car rental place knew from nothing. Not a highway. Not the hotel. I could not help thinking he had to be one of those guys who snuck over the border.

I got lost. About 30 miles lost. I ended up driving north when I was supposed to be driving west. Finally figured it out. Eventually based on pure instinct and raw luck, corrected my mistake and found the hotel.

I was tired and hungry. My bones ached from sitting in the tight plane seat.

The coffee shop at the hotel did not appeal to me. The bell boy said go out the front door, take a right and walk about 1,000 feet. You will find many restaurants.

He was correct.

The University of Phoenix stadium is next door. A whole eating and drinking area is next to it. Reminded me of an Italian piazza.

I ended up eating at some cowboy beef place. Outside. Watched Donovan McNabb play while eating.

There was a lot of noise coming from the inside of the restaurant. After I ate, I wandered inside to see what was going on. A lovely young lady riding a mechanical bull.

Just like Key West’s Cowboy Bill’s. I have never been to the new Cowboy Bill’s in Key West. I have never seen anyone ride a mechanical bull. I had to come to Phoenix to experience the sight!
It was something! She rode the bull like hell! Stayed on a long time. All I could think of was my testicles would be in my throat if I ever tried it!

I am going back to bed. It is still the middle of the night here.

Oh, my stand by bag made it!

Enjoy your day!

Stone crab season opened this week!

Love stone crabs!

If I were to knowingly have a last meal, it would be stone crabs!

From all indications, the stone crab season should be a good one. The stone crabs are plentiful. The prices right. For the fisherman and the consumer.

Unfortunately, I will not get to enjoy my favorite food until I return from Arizona one week from now. I leave on my trip later this morning. While I am gone, my house guests Dona and Terri will hold down the fort and watch the house. I told them, no rowdy parties!

From stone crabs to pastrami. Yesterday I had a desire for a New York type deli sandwich. It was lunch at Goldman’s. Pastrami on rye with Russian dressing. Hot pastrami. Not as good as the Stage Door Deli, but good!

I spent the better part of the afternoon packing and chatting. Chatting with Donna and Terri. A most interesting couple! Love them both! Who would have known in my conservative other life that two of my best friends in my old age would be lesbians!

Terri was nervous. She had a show last night. I have learned that as professional as she is, she still gets knots in her stomach before a show. A Broadway star!

Terri was singing in an AIDS Help fund raiser last night at the San Carlos. She and several other performers. She was terrific, as usual! And so was the rest of the ensemble!

Before arriving at the San Carlos, I stopped at the Marriott Beachside. It is on the corner of US 1 and the Boulevard. I have to pass it on the way into town so it was an easy stop. I went to listen to Bobby Nesbitt for a bit. He is now singing there Saturday evenings. A talent!

Terri and Bobby in one night! A REAL doubleheader!

I was thrilled to learn when I returned home last night that Wisconsin had defeated #1 ranked Ohio State. Handily. I actually had no favorite. However I was pulling for my friend John. John the manager at Hot Tin Roof. He is a Wisconsin graduate and as avid a Wisconsin fan as I am a Syracuse fan.

Tomorrow I write from somewhere in Phoenix.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday’s radio show appears to have been one of the best yet.

The topic that seemed to have generated the most post show discussion involved Social Security. I spoke of the anticipated failure by the present administration to provide for a cost of living increase to recipients for the second year in a row.

I was correct. Soon after the show, Washington announced that the cost of living increase would not be paid again this year.

A shame.

The banks get TARP money, the banks get bailed out, AIG gets bailed out, but 58 million senior Americans get deprived of a lousy 3 per cent increase in their monthly checks.

Before some of you get all crazed out over my position, remember that Social Security is not charity. Every working American payed into the fund over the course of their working career. They are being paid back their own monies. And the return is significantly less than the contribution.

The problem is the federal government has not left those monies sitting in an account to be drawn on as needed. The government has borrowed the funds. There is no money in the account! There has not been for years.

The radio show was interesting. Even more, it was fun to do.

After the show, I joined Lisa and Ally. Ally had the day off from school. Lisa took the day off from work. They were doing an Ally day.

Ally wanted to go to the Butterfly observatory on Duval. She had been there before. I had not.

An experience! Lovely! Peaceful! A huge forested room with butterflies flying all over. All colors.

Ally showed me everything! Took me around on a guided tour of sorts.

We all had lunch at Camille’s. Ally’s choice. Her day, again.

We parted after lunch. I went home to do bills. A chore I hate. Lisa went for a pedicure and took Ally with her.

I was sitting out by the pool later in the afternoon talking with Donna and Terri when Lisa and Ally showed up. To swim. Only Ally swam. The water was cool. The heater is broke. I have to have it fixed.

I am leaving for a vacation tomorrow. My first in years. When you live in Key West, every day seems like a vacation. So you forget to pack the bags and take off for a week or two.

It is time. I am going.

I have decided on Arizona. My base will be Phoenix. I have been there several times before for Syracuse football games so I am not unfamiliar with the area.

There are some things I want to do.

I want to play golf again there. The elevation is high. There is less air resistance. The golf ball travels farther. I want to enjoy that experience.

I have never seen the Grand Canyon. I will next week.

I always wanted to take an air ballon ride. Never did. Will do so next week, also. Preceeded by a sunrise champagne desert breakfast.

There is a town called Cave Creek, just outside Phoenix. A tourist place. A throwback to the old west. I want to visit it.

If time permits, I would like to drive to the border and see the immigration problem first hand.

That is my next week. Maybe I will do none of the above and just lie around the hotel. Whatever, it will be a vacation!

And…..I will write my blog every morning and share with you with my preceding day’s activities.

Enjoy your day!

Radio show this morning!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour!

10 am. Listen from Key Largo to Havana, Cuba on the radio. KONK 1500 AM. Watch and listen on the internet world wide at http://www.konkam.com/.

I am upset! I will be respectfully chastising my President for his approach to the mortgage foreclosure problem, his failure to provide Social Security recipients with a cost of living increase two years in a row, and his handling of the don’t ask, don’t tell issue. Plus other topics such as a walk back in history with Harry Truman. Today is October 15. Sixty years ago on this same day Truman met with MacArthur at Wake Island.

I will update you on the Arizona immigration crisis and make comment on how Russia is handling the uprise in neo Nazism. Plus…..Alabama weird dumb laws, the weird lawsuit of the week and a few stories about some just plain dumb criminals.

Join me!

It rained yesterday. All day. Sloppy.

I started the day with a haircut. At Blown Away with Lori. The shorter my hair, the more frequent I need a haircut. I do not understand.

Then to the Coffee House. Read the Key West Citizen. Leafed through the New York Times. Very few people. It is a quiet time for Key West.

Ally was sick yesterday. Lisa kept her home. A stomach bug. I stopped by to visit the both of them.

Ally seemed to be in good shape. Lisa said I cauget her bewtweeen upochuckings. Poor kid!

Ally read to me. She is proud of her ability to read. I am impressed by how rapidly she is improving her reading skills.

Lunched at Hogfish. Under a thatched roof with rain coming down big time around the place. A lot of people. Maybe because of the rain, people had nothing better to do yesterday but eat. And drink. Except for me.

I fine tuned today’s radio show in the afternoon. Then napped a bit.

Last night I went out with Donna and Terri. They started early. We met at the Chart Room. Then to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. John was happy to see us. The weather was keeping everyone away. Dinner was good. Donna and Terri always good. It was a pleasant evening.

Remember to tune into the radio show at 10!

Enjoy your day!

A weather man I am not!

I predictred rain yesterday. Did not play golf. Figured it would pour.

I was wrong!

Around 9 the sky cleared and the sun came out. And stayed out! All day! It was a typical glorious Key West day.

Good morning!

Rain! Big time during the night! Paula.

Paula has graduated. From a tropical storm to a hurricane 2. It is presently south of Cuba and near Hondouras. The projections indicate it will miss Key West. Only a 20 per cent chance it will hit the keys at all. Paula is presently bringing rain to Key West, even though it is still 400 miles to the south.

Today is Wednesday. Wednesday is golf day. Not today.The heavy rains during the night and the distinct probablility of rain this morning suggest no golf today.

Yesterday was a good day. A very good one. Especially the evening.

I have house guests. Donna and Terri. I saw Donna for the first time yesterday morning while I was doing the blog. She had just rolled out of bed. Looked terrific! A great hairdo! Ho ho! A wrinkled tee shirt. A hug and kiss for Louis.

I ran errands in the morning. Then to Lady Luck for lunch. My body craved a cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. The diet was out the window! I capitulated!

Owner Jana looked good! Shorts and a tee shirt. Key West attire for male and female alike. She was wearing a baseball cap. Backwards. Looked terrific on her!

Then home and some paper work.

Terri was sitting on the front porch. It was pouring. Heavy.

Terri is always outside. Generally by the water. Yesterday the water was all around. I commented on how she is always outside. She says she loves it! Especially here in Key West at my home. She said it is impossible to experience the outdoor feeling in New York City. Too many tall buildings. She loves the view, the smell, the taste and the sounds. The water in the ocean passing by and the rain drops on the shrubbery in front especially.

A sensitive woman! Maybe that is why she is a Broadway star!

Donna, Terri and I had dinner at La Trattoria. A fun evening! I love these girls! We get along terrifically! It was laugh, laugh, laugh.

After dinner, we decided to walk the few blocks of Duval to the new Vinos. On the way, Mark Watson came out of Aqua. He saw us and walked across the street. A great singer and bartender. A good person. A close friend to Donna and Terri.

Vinos. My first time there. Just opened a couple of weeks ago. A wine bar. Proprietors are friends Clayton and Valerie.

It is located on Duval, a couple of doors from Croissant de France.

Wow! Beautiful! Reflects careful planning and great taste. I would not have expected less from Clayton and Valerie. Even the unisex bathroom is done well!

They erected an outside porch. Perfect for two tables. Jutting out onto Duval. Good for sitting and watching the world go by. Which is what we did.

Many friends.

Jean Thornton. She has been back about 3 weeks and last night was the first time we ran into each other. One of Mel Fisher’s Golden Girls, she has a personality equal to the gold and jewels she discovered beneath the water.

Another Donna. Donna Ruebeling Bruton. I had only met this Donna one time previously. Last April at the Chart Room. She then returned to somewhere in the west or midwest to live. Recently decided to return to Key West. I feel like I know her better than a one time brief meeting. She reads my blog every day! Religiously! A loyal reader! She writes me. So we have become friends via the internet. I know her well as she does me.

I enjoyed my time with my other Donna last night.

Captain Frank was there also. A Vice Admiral in the Conch Republic Navy, Frank also captains a vessel for another.

Ray was there. I am ashamed to say I know nothing about him. I have seen him and chatted a bit in the past at the Chart Room. Seems to be a nice guy. When I went to pay my bill, I was told he had picked up the tab for everyone.

We all sat at a round table on Vinos’ porch and chatted. And laughed. It was a good time!

Again, Vinos itself is magnificent. Clayton and Valerie are to be complimented. They are proud of their accomplishment. They were walking around like new born parents.

The sun is now up. Sort of. White and gray clouds. Sun trying to peek through. The rain has stopped. Judgment time. Reconsideration time. Can I play golf this morning?

I have decided the course will be too wet and that it will rain further during the morning. I just left Don Manaher a message telling him I was not playing.

Tonight is Larry Smith’s variety show at the Bottle Cap. 9 pm. Listen and watch on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. Terri is doing a guest appearance. She will be singing Summertime.

Enjoy your day!

Rain! Heavy this morning!

I am not good at predicting the weather. But I am sure it is going to rain all day. Would bet money on it!

Where is it coming from? Paula? Paula was a tropical storm off the Yucatan. This morning it has been upgraded to a 1 hurricane. Its effect is sweeping across south Florida. So sayeth the weather reports. So it has to be Paula.

Son in law Corey knows about these things. Last night he told me there was a storm brewing to the south that would hit Key West next week. Paula? Or another?

Whatever, if it does, it will be the first storm to hit Key West this year.

Golf yesterday!

I could not wait till Wednesday. It had been two weeks since I played. I was anxious to get out. l played with Larry, Chuck and Mark.