Key West weather remains consistent. Cold! 63 degrees this morning.

I enjoyed doing yesterday’s radio show. Apparently many who listened and/or watched enjoyed it also. I received a ton of compliments on the World War II portion.

I did about 15 minuts on World War II. As I remembered the war. I was 6-10 years old at the time. I related homefront events that have stuck in my mind over the years. And compared them to life in the United States today with wars going on in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Homefront sacrifice is different. Actually non existant today.

I also talked about the Afghan child bride who was unhappy. She ran away from her Taliban husband. He caught her. As punishment, her husband, father in law and brother in law cut off her ears and nose. Nice people! And we have been over there fighting for 10 years. For what? The twain shall never meet between our societies.

I was up in Big Pine later in the afternoon. On the way back, the sun was setting. To my right off US 1. A bright orange ball cutting the water. Absolutely magnificent!

Tonight is the Christmas boat parade! A big deal!

A large number of boats will be decorated Christmas style. As homes are decorated. Perhaps 50 or more boats. All done beautifully!

They will be moving on the Gulf side in the area of Schooner’s Wharf.

The parade lasts about 4 hours.

I have been on a boat several times for the parade. Fun! Drinking, eating and dancing! Everyone in a festive mood.

Last year it was cold. Not as cold as this year. Nevertheless I froze my butt off! Even though I was dressed for the weather. Took the fun out of the event.

Tonight will be even colder than last year. I had two free tickets on one of the boats. I gave them away. Decided I did not want to endure the cold out on the water tonight.

I will enjoy my evening, however. Syracuse basketball! Syracuse is playing Colgate. I shall watch the game at the Sports Page Bar.

Syracuse should drub Colgate. Syracuse is 9-0. Colgate is 0-7. But…..you never know. Recall the LeMoyne game last year.

Syracuse basketball will get tough starting December 28. Big East Conference play begins. Syracuse opens against Providence. Six Big East teams are in the top 25 nationally.

It’s going to be big time basketball!

Enjoy your day!

Cold!

Colder!

Not Key West weather!

I am told it might stay this way till Christmas.

A great radio show this morning. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. 10 o’clock. Listen in in the Keys and Cuba on radio at KONK 1500 AM. Better yet, watch and listen world wide on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/.

This past week was interesting. News breaking all over the place. I shall cover most of it. From Washington to Afghanistan.

I am also going to do a bit on life in the United States during World War II. Contrast it with our present day lives with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Quite a difference!

Yesterday was mostly spent fine tuning today’s show. Later in the afternoon, I went to the gym. I am at the point where I would miss it if I did not go.

Then it was to Lisa’s. Babysitting time. Lisa and Corey had a Christmas party to attend. On the pier at Ocean Key House. The worst place for a party last night! With the cold wind coming in off the ocean!

I have become good at babysitting. I let Robert and Ally babysit me.

It was bath time. No big deal. They bathe themselves.

We played. Talked.

Lisa and Corey came home. Ally let them in. I was asleep in the easy chair. Robert in bed.

Lisa said as she came through the door, ” I told Corey we would find you (me) sleeping and Ally babysitting!”

Right she was!

When I got home, my living room was bright with Christmas colors. Donna and Terri had found my artificial tree and put it up.

Five years ago when I started living alone, I bought an artificial tree over the internet. Cost me over $400. I got a good one. With 400 lights. My thought process was it would be easy to put up and would need no additional decorations. Four hundred lights were enough.

Christmas tree decorating was never my thing. Back in Utica, my wife and grandchildren would do it.

One of the things I miss is the boxes of balls and other decorations that a family accumulates. My former wife has those. One of the tree ornaments was a small gold frame with my Mother’s picture in it. Even though she was gone, she was yet with us at Christgmas time. The grandchildren were trained to search for Grandma Petrone on the tree. Even those who never knew her.

My tree last night had balls and red tinsel. Looked terrific! Donna and Terri thought the tree was bare without additional decoration. They went out and purchased the extra goodies.

My Key West home is Christmasie and warm. Thank you, Donna and Terri!

Join me at 10 this morning for the radio show, if you can. I guarantee you will enjoy it.

Enjoy your day, also!

The weather outside is frightful…..

So goes the lament from the song.

Yesterday at this time it was 56 degrees. This morning 62. Should be warmer. It is not!

The wind is howling down from the northeast. The palm trees are bending. Waves and whitecaps in the water.

Lisa just telephoned. She is already at work. Coldest day yet, she says!

Again I recognize that I should complain not. My friends in the northeast are buried in snow and temperatures in the teens.

Played golf yesterday morning. The worst I have played in 6 months! Bad!!!

I lost $34. Never lost that much money!

Played with Yankee Jack, Robert and Rob.

Robert shot an 85 and Rob an 86. Rob shot par golf the first 5 holes. While I was shooting 8s and 9s.

No excuse.

I have to admit though it was a lot of fun! These are good guys and we had an enjoyable round.

At my expense!

I visited the gym in the afternoon. Needed to get rid of my frustrations after golf. Not really. It is my present commitment to good health. Hit the big bag a while. Then a walk on the treadmill.

Last night it was my intention to go out to dinner and then to the Bottle Cap to see Larry Smith’s show. I never made it. I was too tired. No wonder after my physical day!

I was in bed at 8 and asleep by 9!

Big night tonight! I babysit. Lisa and Corey are going to Lisa’s Christmas party. The grandkids are excited. I am excited. Should be a good time.

Tomorrow morning the Key West Lou Legal Hour. At 10. Listen in on KONK AM radio at 1500 on the dial. Better yet, watch and listen world wide on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. The show continues to be exciting and challenging!

Enjoy your day!

Cold!

56 degrees.

‘Nuff said!

Syracuse basketball! Back!

I watched my first Syracuse basketball game of the new season last night. Syracuse v. Michigan State. At the Sports Page Bar.

The game was played on a neutral court. Madison Square Garden. Syracuse won decisively. 72-58. It was Syracuse all the way!

I was surprised. Syracuse was 8-0 going into the game. Ranked #7 nationally. But had only beaten non entity teams so far. And by close margins.

Michigan State was ranked #8. A battle of giants. Syracuse’s first true test.

Michigan State’s great coach Tom Izzo said it correctly after the game. He “…felt like the New York Jets.” He also observed that his team had been “…manhandled.” Said respectfilly. His best line was something to the effect that his team did not play like blue collar workers on the inside.

Jenna watched the game with me. A good person to have by your side for an athletic event. She is a professional TV sports broadcaster. Or was till the recession caused her to lose her job.

I received an e mail yesterday from Don. Don lives in the Syracuse area and is, of course, a Syracuse die hard fan. He told me he and Chris would be back just before New Years and could not wait to join me at the Sports Page Bar. By mid January, I will be sitting with 15-20 Syracuse fans for each game!

My day yesterday started with a haircut. Lori time. Always a good time!

Then to the gym. Cold in the gym. Impossible to raise a sweat.

Afterwards, I had some time to kill. So I started my Xmas shopping. Just looked. Visited a few stores. Xmas shopping places one in a festive mood. I felt good when I was done.

It was manicure time. Visited Tammy at Lee Nails. Lori and Tammy in one day! Wonderful!

Tammy and her husband work hard at their business. It is thriving. They are experiencing the American dream. Good for them! Hard work sometimes still does have its rewards.

I returned home to some more writing. Got bored. Decided to return to the gym. Hit the bag for a while.

This morning golf! I will start play in the mid to high 50s and probably finish in the mid 60s. Temperaturewise, that is. Not scoring. Tiger Woods I am not! I will dress for the weather. Long pants, a shirt, sweatshirt and jacket. That way I can peel as I go along. If the weather permits.

Enjoy your day where ever you are! Stay warm!

Good morning!

From cold Key West!

Mid 50s.

To all my friends north, it is worse! Hang in there. Spring is only 4 months away!

I turned the heat on last night. First time.

Kurt telephoned me yesterday morning. He needed a ride into Key West. He had left his car at Don’s Place.

I took him and then stopped at the gym to work out. There was another young lady in the gym. Attractive. Tiny. Slender build. Mid 20s. And she was lifting barbells/pressing.

Puts me to shame! However I have neither the inclination nor desire to try what she was doing at my age. Boxing and the treadmill are enough.

After working out, I walked next door to Don’s Place for water. My oasis on Truman Ave. Kurt was sitting at the bar. So was Tommy. I had two glasses of water and read the morning papers.

I stayed in during the afternoon. It was warmer than being out. Did some writing and took a nap.

Last night was dinner at Outback. With Donna and Terri. Always fun when we are together.

Outback was packed. People waiting for tables. A favorite locals’ place.

Donna and Terri went out after dinner. They were heading for the Monkey Bar.

I went to Lisa’s to visit. The grandkids were already asleep. Chatted a bit with Lisa and Corey. Lisa was freezing. She was all wrapped up in a blanket.

This morning I have a haircut with Lori at 10. Then the gym.

Tonight I return to Syracuse basketball. Syracuse is 8-0. I have not seen them play yet this season. Tonight I will. They play Michigan State. I shall watch the game at the Sports Page Bar.

Last friday’s radio show available on demand at www.tikilive.com/video/28854. Take a look!

Enjoy your day!

Key West weather this past week has been a roller coaster. Up and down.

Up to a week ago, we had consistent low to high 80s weather. Then a cold front came in. 60s by night, low 70s by day. Chilly for us accustomed to warmer weather.

Yesterday was a return to normal. Warm. A return to a tee shirt and shorts.

I wake this morning to cold cold! The low during the night was 57. The high today and all week will be 65.

What is happening?

The cold front in the northeast has moved down and in.

Back to long pants, sweat shirts and jackets.

Yesterday was a good Sunday. Most Sundays are. I am from the old school. I believe it should be a day of rest and contemplation. A time for family.

There is a chap by the name of Owen Shaw. He hails from McCall, Idaho. He is a Facebook friend.

He had a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow quote on his Facebook page yesterday. It fit. “Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.”

My Sunday started with Meet the Press. From my bed.

Later it was Don’s Place for friends and pro football watching. Cheryl and Roger showed up. Good to see them. They are from just outside Chicago.

Roger bought a new moped/scooter. They came driving into Don’s. Roger operating the moped and Cheryl on the back. Like two teenagers. Except they are in their 60s. I told Roger he was crazy driving one of those things. He suggested I was an old fuddy duddy. Fart might be a better word. Probably correct.

Emmett was at Don’s, also. Michael’s bartender. I sat with Emmett for a while and chatted.

After a couple of hours of football, I said my good byes and walked next door to the gym. Convenient.

I love boxing! I work on the big bag.

While I was working out, I noticed a lovely woman came in. In her speedos and a tight athletic shirt. Probably in her mid 30s. Tiny. Slim.

She put me and every guy in the place to shame!

She commenced laying on her back and lifting bar bells!

Wow!

Then I was off to Lisa’s. I had telephoned my 5 year old granddaughter Ally earlier and asked if she would teach me how to hoola hoop. She is into it big time! Like a pro! She does the waist thing. And even around her neck.

We went to the backyard. She showed me. Explained the hip movement. Five years old!

Then it was my turn. I was a disaster! I could not keep the hoop up.

I wanted to learn as I thought it would be good exercise. I shall have to do without it.

Lisa tried. She said she could never do it when she was younger. The years did not help. She was a failure like her Dad.

Ally could not understand why we were so inept. She kept saying it was easy as she rotated the thing around her hips and neck.

My intent was to go to the Gardens last night. I never made it. I got engrossed in the golf tournament. I was pulling for Tiger Woods to win. It went into a playoff and he lost.

Tiger played well this weekend. Is he coming back? We will know next year.

Last Friday’s radio show is available for viewing 24 hours a day on the internet. www.tikilive.com/video/28854. If you have the time, watch the Key West Lou Legal Hour. The show is timely and challenging.

Enjoy your day!

Key West weather continues to be a bit nippy. Though I sense a warming trend. The cold front is supposed to lift today or tomorrow.

Bocce playoffs started yesterday at noon.

My team was not good enough to qualify. Every team I have played on has failed to qualify. Perhaps it is me.

Larry Smith’s team did qualify. Second time.

I went over to the bocce courts to watch Larry’s team in the playoffs. It was not their time. They lost the first two games and were immediately eliminated.

Bocce is a sport like any other. In order to win a championsip at the end, you must have been there a few times before.

Perhaps next year, Larry.

The Key West Christmas Parade last night was a winner! Always is!

I have concluded that small town parades are always better. They may not have the sophistication of a Macy Day Parade, but they are more intimate and personally fun. People on the floats and street know each other and aknowledge each other. Every one genuinely happy.

I have found this to be the case with the Key West Christmas Parade. Also with the July 4th Parade in Chatham on Cape Cod. I vacationed in Chatham for many years. Always enjoyed the Fourth of July Parade for the same reason I enjoy the Key West Christmas Parade.

It was a kids’ parade/party last night! As always!

My grandkids Robert and Ally sat on the curb. As the floats went by, candy was thrown. They darted to pick up the goodies. Ally was crawling around on the street on her belly reaching out for everything she could get.

All the kids were.

It was a joyous sight to behold!

There was too much, however! Too much candy! More than Halloween!

After a while, Robert and Ally’s bags were full. They were too heavy for them to hold. And they were tired. They spent the last half of the parade just sitting and watching the parade. Ignorring the candy thrown.

The best was saved for last!

Santa Claus!

My grandkids are still into Santa. They were wide eyed and in awe. Especially Robert.

God is good!

Afterwards, I headed for Don’s Place. Everyone had watched the parade. Everyone was in a Christmas mood.

Don runs a good place. Homey. It was a pleasure sharing some time with friends there last night. Many are like family.

Today is pro football. At Don’s Place. Then the gym. And hopefuilly tonight, Kate Miano’s Gardens.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Saturday!

Sushining here in Key West. Not a cloud in the sky. But…..cold! 65 degrees. I appreciate that those of you up north living in under 30 degree weather and already covered in snow laugh when I say it is cold. I ask you to understand however that one week ago it was in the mid 80s. The drop is sudden. The impact felt.

I know. Stop being a cry baby, Louis!

Yesterday’s radio show went well. The most popular issues based on post show comments were the Somali pirate trial and the Oklahoma/Sharia Law issue.

I am concerned about the Oklahoma/Sharia Law issue. It is presently in the hands of a federal judge. I am fearful of an ill advised decision.

The lovely Stephanie Kaple guested on the show during the last segment. Love her! We did a bit on airport security and safe clothes to wear. Stephanie was knowledgable. It was a pleasure sharing the time with her.

I went over to Lisa’s after the show. Had lunch with her. Corey was home. He was packing his diving gear. Wet suit included.

I asked him how he could dive when it was so cold. Both the air and water. He pointed to the wet suit. Told me however that he would still feel the cold.

Corey had lectured at the college in the morning. In the afternoon, the students were joining him on a diving exploration of a Spanish galleon sunk in Key West harbor.

I talked with Corey on the telephone afterwards. He said they were into a school of dolphins during the dive. Awesome, he advised.

I spent most of the afternoon home. Inside! Too cold for me out on the deck. Not Terri. She was in her usual place on the deck under the tiki hut. The woman is indestructable!

Later in the afternoon, I headed over to the gym. A little boxing. The black bag and I have become good friends. Followed the boxing with 15 minutes on the treadmill.

Last night was a most enjoyable evening! Dinner at Michael’s with Jenna. A long slow meal with much conversation.

Today is a big day! No question.

At noon the bocce playoffs. Larry Smith’s team made the playoffs. We are all going over to lend moral support to Larry’s team.

This season end tournament is the best of the best! Some teams have played together for years. They are extremely experienced. Their every roll true.

I wish Larry and his team well.

Tonight the xmas parade! 7 pm. I will be watching it with Lisa, Corey and the grandkids from a curb on Truman. Robert and Ally are all excited. Besides great floats and Santa Claus, the candy thrown to the kids from the floats is overwhelming. Each child will walk away from the parade with a smile and a large bag full of goodies.

Enjoy your day!

It’s cold in Key West!

I had to throw the quilt over me last night. Low 60s.

The cold does not seem to affect Terri. She sat outside all day rehearsing. She says if you are in the sun, it is ok. I do not agree. She also says the reason she spends so much time outside is because it is impossible to do so in New York City.

To top it off, she does not even dress for the weather. Merely shorts and a tee shirt.

One tough lady! Or perhaps…..one sensitive woman!

My yesterday was quiet.

It started with the gym. No problem in getting the boxing gloves on. My hands were not sweating. In fact, I did not sweat at all. It was impossible. The cool air prevented it.

Afterwards I joined my new found friends from the breakfast club at Don’s Place. For my usual glass of water.

For the uninformed, a Key West breakfast club is a bar where those who need a drink or two early in the morning go. Many are there when the doors open at 7.

My reputation may be on the line. Those who see me may think I need a morning pop or two.

I spent the afternoon writing and preparing for today’s radio show. But not outside. I am not built of the same stuff as Terri. Too cold for me!

Dinner was an event last night!

At Outback with Lisa and the grandkids. Corey had to work.

Robert and Ally are old enough now where we can converse. I enjoy them!

And can they eat! They devoured their meals! I do not know where their little bodies put all that food!

I stopped at Publix on the way home. I was out of everything.

As I moved around Publix, I saw a young man I thought had guested on Larry Smith’s show the evening before. Ruben. As I passed him, I told him how much I enjoyed his singing at the Bottle Cap. He looked at me quietly and said, “It was not me.”

I apologized and walked away thinking he probably thought I was trying to pick him up!

Oh, well!

A drunk and a gay in the making all in one day!

This morning the Key West Lou Legal Hour. 10 am. Listen on the radio in the Florida Keys and Havana, Cuba at KONK 1500 AM on the dial. Better yet, watch and listen world wide on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. Timely and interesting material to be discussed. Controversial thoughts shared.

Love my daughter Lisa! As you know, she has an internet department store Via Key West. http://www.viakeywest.com/. Yesterday she received her largest order ever! For 24 Key West bunt cakes. All at one time from one person. Big!

Enjoy your day!

Where do I begin…..

Happy Hannukah!

Yesterday was Day One. A candle lighted.

The weather!

I reported yesterday morning how great the weather was. Calm. No breeze.

Then in the late morning it got windy. I was on the golf course. The wind was a relief. It was hot! The wind was so striong that I had to go 3 extra clubs when hitting into it. Still, the sun was shining. Enough that my face was red at the end of the round.

By the time I got home, the weather had turned. It was cold! The wind was about 40-50 miles per hour. The water had 2-3 foot waves. Whitecaps all over the place.

A cold front had come in. It was sufficiently cooler that I wore long pants last night and a leather jacket.

The temperature at 8 this morning is 62 degrees. The high today will be 70. Cold for us!

The cold front will be upon Key West till at least Sunday. I know. I should not complain. People up north have freezing temperatures and in some areas like Buffalo are getting buried in snow. Nevertheless, it is still cold here in Key West! I feel cold!

Golf yesterday morning was fun. I played good and bad. A bit worse than I have been playing recently.

Played with Tom, Tino and Yankee Jack. Tom was the big winner. Yankee the big loser. I am happy. I won $4. Better to win than lose!

Big night last night!

Kurt was with me.

The evening started with the lighting of the Christmas tree at La Te Da. Big tree! Had to leave it outside. It would not fit inside. It was set up between the pool and outside dining room.

Every one there. Terri and Donna were asked to lead the crowd in the singing of Silent Night. Terri has all the Christmas caroles down to a science. I should know. I hear her rehearsing every day on the deck.

Yesterday was World Aids Day. Prior to the tree lighting at La Te Da, the group went over to the White Street Pier to honor those who have passed on because of this horrendous disease. More than 1,000 Key Westers have died over the years. The name of each decesased was read aloud.

I am ashamed to say I did not attend the White Street Pier memorial. It was too early for me. I could not make it. Everyone reported how moving it was.

Kurt and I had dinner at the Yacht Club. Good conversation and good food.

Then we hustled over to the Bottle Cap. It was time for the Larry Smith Variety Hour on KONK radio and the internet. Terrific show! Love Jenna! Alec was unusually good. The whole show was outstanding!

Lisa’s internet department store Via Key West is starting to do a big Christmas business. My tee shirts continue to lead the sales. Love it! In two days she has received orders for 29 Key West Lou tee shirts.

Take a quick peek at Lisa’s internet store. www.viakeywest.com.

Radio show time tomorrow morning at 10. The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

I am going to have a guest for one segment. Stephanie Kaple. Better known as the Island Shoe Girl. We are going to talk about airport security and how it impacts males and females, attire that might be worn, etc.

Interesting and timesly topics also. Like Willie Nelson’s pot bust, the Portland attempted bombing of a xmas tree lighting, the Mexico to San Diego drug tunnel, Pledge of Allegiance on beer cans, Congresswoman Rankin, hypocracy, Obama citizenship court case issue, Chicago taxicab king Symon Garber, the Pentagon and repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, Louisiana weird dumb laes, Bank of America revelations, tax cut for the rich versus unemployment benefits for the poor and middle class, Sharia Law in court in Oklahoma, Assange, Dream Act, Cavs owner probing James’ hiring by the Heat, Charlie Rangel, and more.

Lots of material! Lots to listen to! A fast moving and informative program!

Again, the time is 10 am Friday. On the radio, KONK 1500 AM. On the internet world wide for viewing and listening www.konkam.com.

Last weeks show is available on demand 24 hours a day on video on the internet at www.tikilive.com/video/28754.

Tonight…..Terri White! At La Te Da’s Crystal Room. A spectacular show! Live From Broadway! With a couple of Christmas caroles thrown in!

Enjoy your day!