TURTLE DIED, PRESIDENT DID POORLY, MY BEARD IS GONE

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Three items to be discussed this morning. The turtle that died, last night’s debate, and my beard. Each will be discussed in the order of their importance. Importance from my perspective.

The turtle. Good Hope. Found August 24 on a St. Croix beach. Beat up, cut up and sick. Pregnant. Airlifted to Marathon Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys. Several surgeries. Carrying over 100 eggs. C-sectins done to extract some of the eggs. Sand brought from the St. Croix beach to the hiospital and placed with the eggs in incubators. The mission…..Save the mother and the eggs!

Good Hope succumbed yesterday. From her injuries and pneumonia. Previous to her death, 61 eggs had been removed. After her death, 58.

When the eggs hatch, the new born turtles will be flown to St. Croix and deposited on the same beach where their morther was found. That evening, the turtles will walk into the ocean guided by the moon light. The hatched turtles must be returned to the St. Croix beach within 24 hours of their birth or they will expire. Plans are in place to see that the transfer takes place in a timely fashion.

The mother Good Hope made a valiant effort to survive and give birth to the eggs within her. Roughly six weeks. Over 100 of her eggs will become turtles. Thanks not only to the courage of Good Hope, but also to the Marathon Turtle Hospital and all others involved in the effort to save the mother and her offspring.

The debate. Romney finally arrived. The President fell far short of what was expected of him.

No question. Romney out did Obama. He still spoke of many things inaccurately. However, his enthusiasm and the President’s lack thereof made Romney’s misrepresentations go unchallenged and not noticeable.

The Predident was bland and sluggish. Rarely inspiring. He failed to take advantage of the many openings Romney gave him.

I sensed from the start that Obama was going to have a bad night. The first question had to do with how would you improve the economy. The first item Obama duiscussed was education. Where was the infrastructure bill? The bill provides an immediate kick in the ass to the economy. Education is important. However, in a hierarchy of things, it is not near the top at the moment.

I still do not trust Romney nor would I want him as President. Was last night representative of how Obama has been conducting his Presidency? I cannot belikeve it.

My beard. The third item on today’s agenda in order of importance. The beard is gone!

I purchased beard trimming equipment. I took too much off on one side yesterday. Tried to balance the appearnance by taking a bit nmore off the other side. Kept screwing up. Kept going back and forth. Beard kept getting smaller. Continued to look unbalanced. Finally I said…..Screw it! I took the whole thing off!

I enjoyed having a beard. I will return to one some day.

Woodward’s The Price of Politics continued to absorb my attention yesterday. I continue to read of a President less capable than I thought. I continue to read of a Vice Presidnet who is an extremely ingenious individual. Cantor has not chaged. He continues to be a worm. Valerie Jarrett is an excellent keeper of the President’s back, but too hyper. She sees shadows where none exist.

There will be no Internet show tomorrow morning. The Key West Lou Legal Hour will not be broadcast. Sorry. The show will return next week.

My mornings are always busy. A haircut today at 10. Lori and me. An enjoyable time. She will be shocked when she sees me beardless! Lori trimmed and shaped the beard before I purchased the equipment and started doing it myself. She was responsibe for the beard’s initial shaping and development. Looked pretty good till I screwed it up.

Jean Thornton is back! Key West the better for it. Key West loves you, Jean!

It just started raining. No, pouring! the rainy season seems to me to be more than normal. In past years, it was usually five minutes a day around 1 in the afternoon. This year it pours big time several times a day.

Enjoy your day!

WOODWARD’S THE PRICE OF POLITICS

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No question. This is the rainy season!

It rained big time twice yesterday. Heavy. In between, sunshine! Hard to believe it had rained.

I needed to walk. Normally, I walk in Home Depot to avoid the heat. Yesterday, to avoid the rain.

Lunched at Hogfish. Read the newspapers. It had been a few weeks since I last was at Hogfish. There is something magical about sitting under Hogfish’s thatched roof while it is pouring outside.

I spent the afternoon at home reading. No place to go what with the rain.

I recently started reading Bob woodward’s latest book. The Price of Politics. The story of how President Obama and Congress tried to save the economy. The time frame is just before Obama took office through this past summer.

I am not deeply into the book yet. Let me share some initial impressions with you, however.

President Obama appears to be a person too much within himself. He is President. He has fixed opinions. He does not listen. Many conversations with him are one sided.

Biden is the master of compromise. Much like Lyndon Johnson. The result of many years of Senatorial experience. He would make an excellent President.

Eric Cantor. A worm.

Sloan came over at 5. We continued working on the trip pics. Hopefully next week I shall start publishing them. The next time I do a trip, the photos will be placed in the blog as that day’s blog is done. The reason I did not was that I did not know how. Still do not know how. Soon will be learning, however. Some things I am slow at.

Tonight, the first Presidential debate! I can’t wait! Love politics!

Enjoy your day!

DOWN SYNDROME BEAUTIES SWIMMING

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Key West rain is strange.

I was driving into Key West yesterday morning heading to Duval Street to walk. Sun bright in Key Haven. Streets dry. Made the turn off US 1 onto the boulevard, the road was still dry. New Town all the way down dry. Then I hit Old Town. Had it rained! Puddles everywhere. Streets wet wet.

Never ceases to amaze me.

Did I walk yesterday! All over the place. Did Duval and several of the side streets. Stopped in some stores. Even stopped in St. Paul’s Church on Duval.

For years, St. Paul’s had one hour of music at noon monday through friday. For anyone who wanted to stop in. A full range of music played. Organ and piano. From classical to Broadway.

The music hour also provided an opportunity to escape the heat and cool down..

I stopped in yesterday. No music. Church deserted. I was disappointed. If anyone knows why, let me know.

I sat a while and studied the ceiling structure. All wood. Many criss crossing beams. Interesting construction. I sense the intertwined beams has something to do with keeping the roof in place during a hurricane.

My walk took me back to Clinton Square Market. Not a locals place. A tourist location. Merchants have to do a big business in the four hours a ship is in. Apparently they do.

There is a small store called Sweets of Paradise. Fudge, cookies and ice cream. I was tempted to buy a piece of fudge. Mouth watering. I overcame the temptation, however. Not yet.

Robert and Ally have graduated. They were in an advanced swimming class two days a week for one hour each day. They became sufficiently proficient that they were promoted. To the swimming team! Now they practice one hour a day three days a week.

The name of the team? Does it compete? Against who? I don’t know. Lisa did not know. We are going with the flow.

Robert and Ally and all the participants looked good. Grammar and high school swimmers. They swim the full hour, alternating strokes. All under the guidance of coaches who constantly yell corrections to them.

My fish looked good!

The swimming takes place at the Florida Keys Community College. In the back of the college near open water is an Olympic size pool. It was filled yesterday at practice time. Easily a 100 kids in the water.

In the first lane were two lovely young ladies. One 3, the other 4. Down syndrome girls.

They were alone in the lane, except for two coaches. The coaches appeared to be college students. I watched these two young ladies practice their swimming for 1.5 hours. Each had her own coach with her at all times. The girls knew how to swim. As 3 and 4 year olds do. The coaches were there not only to watch them, but also to provide guidance and support.

Down syndrome children are natuarally happy. The two swimming exceeded the normal bounds of happiness. They were exhuberant! Having a ball!

I decided on a change of pace last night. Thought I would go to Louie’s Backyard for a drink and take it from there. As I was driving over, it rained again. Big time! I changed course and went to Southernmost’s Beachside Restauant. Open sided with a roof on top.

There I stayed for a while. Enjoyed dinner at the bar.

I observed a nearby couple drinking pina coladas. Looked good! I had not had one in years. So…..I ordered a pina colada after dinner. Good the first few sips. Then too heavy for me. I could not finish it.

Today…..I do not know. I have some work to do on the trip pics. We are close to publishing them! Sloan is coming over at 5 to work with me. Do not expect the pics tomorrow. Soon, however.

Enjoy your day!

FAT LADY SINGS

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The Ryder Cup proved once more that…..It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!

As Yogi Berra said…..It ain’t over till it’s over!

The United States was humbled yesterday. Europe deserves all the plaudits it is receiving.

Enough said about a bad day.

I bought a beard razor about three weeks ago. Many parts, connections. Several settings. Depending on the length of the beard desired. Different parts of the beard require different settings. I generally need three to do the job.

Yesterday, I screwed up! Used a #1 setting where I should have used a #3. Mowed the grass short on both cheeks. I knew I was wrong after I did one side of my face. Way too short. Should I leave the other side as is? Or, trim it short to balance with the other? I opted to go with the short cut for balance puposes.

It will grow back.

Happy birthday dinner party last night! At the Yacht Club. It was Lisa’s birthday. We were all there.

It was Moroccan night.

The sole previous time I had eaten Moroccan cooking was on my recent European trip. I made a Moroccan friend in Novara. She cooked for my 77th birthday. That meal was terrific. Last night’s meal was terrific.

Beef, lamb and chicken dishes. Cous cous. Delicious pita type bread.

Robert went crazy. Enjoyed it all. I had to twist Ally’s arm to try some of the dishes. She finally acquiesed. Was thrilled!

It was a happy occasion. Lisa enjoyed. She is easy to please. Pleasure for Lisa is to be with her family. Nothing more is required.

We went back to Lisa’s for Happy Birthday cake. Robert and Ally had made it with Corey’s help. White cake with white frosting. Why no cholcolae, I asked. Because Mommy does not like it, the grandkids reponded.

One thing never fails. The light in children’s eyes as they sing Happy Birthday and help blow out the candles.

I went shopping after dinner. At the new Publix. As soon as I walked in the door, I spotted Emily. Emily of the Chart Room. She was checking out. I went over and gave her a hug and kiss.

Emily always wears black. Must be her work clothes. I have never seen her other than at the Chart Room.

Last night she was wearing a light green loose dress. The dress played well agaisnt her pale face and light hair. A beauty!

I bought real food. Not diet food. Cheaper to eat real food I discovered. Like a 50 per cent difference.

Enjoy your day!

LISA’S BIRTHDAY!!!!!

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Today is Lisa’s birthday! My baby! The youngest of the flock!

Happy birthday, Lisa! I love you!

The Ryder Cup consumed my yesterday. All day.

The U.S. may be ahead, but the battle is not over. Not with 12 singles matches scheduled today.

Ian Poulter looked great! Five consecutive birdies! Against Tiger Woods!

I thought Tiger looked good, also. He made several cluth putts. Yet he and Stricker lost to Poulter and his partner. I sometimes think there is a black cloud over Tiger’s head.

Spent the evening with Jenna. We had not been out together in over two months.

Jenna is a terrific young lady. All of 26 years old. Does my ego good to be with her. We have become close friends over the past three years.

Jenna is a TV personality. She does a five day a week talk show on local TV. She is seen from Key West to Fort Lauderdale. Prior to Key West, she was the sportscaster for a local TV station in the Carolinas. She claims she ran up and down college football fields doing her job while wearing heels. She refused to give up the lady like symbol.

We started at the Chart Room. Sheila and JJ there. Sheila dressed in black. It was Saturday night. Looked good!

Then to Hot Tin Roof.

What a surprise awaited us. The place was packed. Just like in season. I could not believe it. Only two seats open at the bar. Grabbed them.

I enjoyed five large delicious scallops over large linguine and greens covered in a light oil. Delicious. It is so nice to be back eating everything!

Jenna had macaroni and cheese.

Hot Tin Roof has sort of a taspas menu, also. Jenna does not eat. Never eats. Runs 5 miles a day. That is why she is tall and thin. Jenna ordered macaroni and cheese. A small plate. Tapas style. She only ate a third of it. Took the rest home.

A cheap date!

Wish I could eat that little! Wish I could run 5 miles a day!

It will never happen! Not at this stage of my life.

Dropped Jenna off after dinner and went over to Don’s Place for a drink. I was looking forward to chatting with Kurt. Saturday is his night to bartend. No Kurt. His schedule has changed. No problem. I enjoyed the company of some others at the bar.

I was distraught to read this morning that two more American soldiers were killed by a supposedly friendly American trained Afghan soldier. What are we doing in Afghanistan? We initially went there ten years ago to get Bin Laden. We got him. We shoukld get out. Now. Not next year or the year after. Afghanistan is not worth one more American life.

It is the old story. You can bring a horse to water, but cannot force the horse to drink. The Afghans do not want us. They do not like us. Screw them!

Enjoy your Sunday!

MY KEY WEST FRIDAY

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I stayed in bed a bit later this morning. Watching the Ryder Cup matches. Exciting!

I have been fortunate to have attended a Ryder Cup, as well as several other porofessional golf tournaments. When at the Ryder Cup, there is tension with every shot. For the players and the spectators. The tension factor is with you all day. At the end of the day, I was always exhausted. Wiped out. Think of how the players must have felt!

Even from my bed, I was experiencing that tension this morning. Every shot crucial. Each putt important.

In all likelihood, I will spend most of today watching the Ryder Cup.

Yesterday’s Key West Lou Legal Hour internet show went well. I love doing the show. I am pleased so many watch it. The topic garnering the most interest involved my comments regarding Greece. Since I recently spent five weeks there, I consider myself a half assed authority on the country.

The point I was stressing on the show was that we do not know Greece. It is not like the Unitted States. People think differently. For example, it is considered proper to avoid paying taxes, although illegal. Not the same as in the United States where some taxes are paid and the rest hidden in off shore accounts. Greeks neither file nor pay at all. No wonder Greece has no money.

Tax avoidance is an all Greek game. The government improperly respects the game. The government fails to pursue tax avoiders. Some do get caught, however. When so, they are requied to participate in a Tax Court trial. It takes 7-10 years for a case to be reached for trial.

Greek tax avoidance…..a game all sides participate in!

After the show, it was off to the Plantation Coffee House. Diane woprking. Good to see her again. She had just returned from a one week vacation with the girls in Arizona.

I broke my diet. Enjoyed a toasted bagel! Good!

Did some writing in the afternoon. Wrote next week’s KONK Life article. The article concerns a pet cat that was taken to the vet for a flea bath and ended up mistakenly getting euthanized. The thrust of the aticle has to do with how the law evaluates the loss from a monetary perspective. A dead cat ain’t worth much! No matter how much loved and missed.

When I was driving to the Chart Room last night, I could not believe the water sitting along the curbs and covering the streets. It had rained like hell in Key West during the afternoon! It never rained in Key Havden where I live. A mere 2.5 miles north of Key West. Always interesting how strangely it rains over the island. Lisa will occasionally telephone me and say what a storm we are having! And I will ask, what storm? That is how it is.

Ran into Captain Peter on my way into the Chart Room. He was on his way out.

Emily bartending. Sheila at the end of the bar. I seated myself next to Sheila. Sheila, Emily and I chatted away the next couple of hours.

I proudly broke from the diet once again. Popcorn! Emily popped some fresh. Delicious! Would love to have her make my pop corn all the time!

Met Ollie at the Chart Room. First time. He is Oliver Kopfoid, a local. Works in sewage waste management. A scientist. He is a candidate for the Mosquito Control Board. An important position. The Board is all that stands between the populace and the mosquitos. With out the Board and the work they do, dengue fever would be a big time problem. Instead, it is merely a threat. The Board keeps the nasty critters at bay.

Ollie was interesting and knowledgable. He would make a good Board member.

I was not really hungry. The pop corn seemed enough. However, I thouight I should eat a bit more.

I walked over to the Wine Galley. Enjoyed a bowl of French onion soup.

Larry Smith playing and singing. He is the best!

Overall, it was an enjoyable evening. Returned home around 10 and to bed. Had a very good sleep.

Enjoy your day!

STORMY RAIN

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Walked Home Depot again yesterday. Don asked me why I walk inside Home Depot. It’s air conditioned, I replied. Brilliant, he said. He never thought of it.

The rains came twice yesterday. Big time each time. A good two hours in the afternoon. Briefly but heavy in the evening.

I thought bocce would have been cancelled. No. The courts were dry when I arrived to play.

We lost the first game. Close till 10-10. Then the other team broke away and beat us 16-10.

My time to play came in the second game. Only two rolls. A dark black noisy storm came in from the Atlantic. That was it for bocce. Everyone ran to their cars and scooters.

Don’s Place was like New Year’s Eve. 7:45 and no where to go! A spirited gathering.

The rain was strange last night. It did not pour every where. Rained heavy at the bocce courts. A mere sprinkle while at Don’s Place. I was home before 9. My street was unusally flooded. More extensively and deeper.

The diet is over! I decided to put it to rest this morning. Eighteen days and only 7 pounds lost. Insufficient reward/result. Depressing.

Show time this morning! The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Another terrific show! Join me at 10 my time. World wide on the internet. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

While jumping around on the computer this morning, I came across an interesting item. Today is a baseball day of note. On this day in 1941, Ted Williams ended the baseball season with a .406 batting average. No one has achieved that level of performance since.

Have to hustle to get to the broadcast studio on time.

Enjoy your day!

ANDY WILLIAMS / RONALD REAGAN / RYDER CUP

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Good morning!

A beautiful Key West day to rise and shine to!

Scattered clouds. Sunny. Humid. This is the rainy season. It will rain once or twice today. Hope it does not rain later this afternoon or this evening. Today is thursday and thursday is bocce!

I walked big time again yesterday. Twice up and down the aisles of Home Depot. Took about 45 minutes. I walk at a good clip.

Spent my afternoon writing. Rained off and on. So I worked at the kitchen counter next to the sliding doors. Doors open, of course.

I published another article on Amazon Kindle yesterday. It is the story of a sitting Texas judge who warns that a civil war is coming. If Obama is reelected. The judge believes Obama will turn the sovereignty of the United States over to the UN. He further believes the people will not stand for it and will rebel. The article is entitled Texas Judge Warns Of Civil War.

I published this same article in KONK Life several weeks ago. KONK Life’s distribution is limited Key West to Miami. My readers here are world wide. Thirty plus countries. That is why I republished the article on Amazon Kindle yesterday. To provide every one the opportunity to read it, if they so desire.

Dinner at Tavern ‘N Town last night. A prime rib. Excellent. Kept me on the Atkins diet.

I had a charming companion with me. Lu Kramer. An intelligent person. We discussed many things.

Tavern ‘N Town has a new gimmick to attract diners on a wednesday evening. I had forgotten. I did not go for that reason. But it was interesting. As well as a terrific customer attraction.

At the end of dinner, the manager comes to your table. He flips a coin. If the customer calls it correctly, there is no bill to pay. If not, the customer pays the bill with no penalty. Nothing to lose!

I lost. Called it wrong. Paid. It was a fun experience.

The Chart Room’s Emily had dinner at Tavern ‘N Town the week before. She won the toss. No bill.

Tomorrow, The Key West Lou Legal Hour. On the internet. World wide. Ten in the morning my time. People will be watching the show also from more than 30 countries. Watch, if you can. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Topics include the morning after pill for New York City high school students, a national fair tax, the purported benefits of castration, Florida’s amendment 8 which is up for vote, and more.

During last week’s internet show, I complained of the boulevard construction. A 2 year job. Key West is screwed up big time traffic wise because of it. One of my complaints was that no one was working. The day before in mid afternoon I drove the length of the job counting. Only 6 workers.

This morning’s Key West Citizen has several complaints registered by readers on the page 2 column for such purpose. From 2 to 4 workers. This is a multi million dollar two year job. Work it and get it over!

It is not the driving problem alone. The businesses along the way are being crucuified. Some down as much as 30-40 per cent.

The Ryder Cup starts today. A big deal in the world of golf! The competition will be played at the Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois.

Upstate New York, Rochester specifically, has a golf course of international reputation. Oak Hill. The Ryder Cup was played there about 15 years ago. Oak Hill has also hosted the PGA, US Open and other big time tournamnets.

I did the last Ryder Cup at Oak hill. The whole four days. Somehow I became a guest of NBC. The hotel, meals, transportation and tent were all on NBC. I was not aware I was NBC’s guest till after the tournamnet concluded.

It was an exciting event!

I have also driven to Rochester to view the other tournaments.

The big deal in watching a professional tournament is to be corpoate America’s guest. I mentioned already I was the guest of NBC for the Ryder Cup. In previous tournaments, I was the guest of Oldsmobile and IBM.

The corporate guest thing is important because each corporation has a tent. A hospitality tent. Huge. White. Aluminum poles. Air conditioned. Living room type fuurniture. Sit back in an easy chair and enjoy. Great bathroom faciliites. All day. Breakfast. Lunch. Other foods to pick at. Liquor. Huge TV sets to watch the tournament from in comfort and cool. All free!

Andy Williams died yesterday. Of Moon River fame. He was 84. Close to my age. I spent a life time listening and dancing to his songs.

Paths have strange ways of crossing. One involves Williams and Ronald Reagan. Williams was 8 years old and was part of a singing program with his two older brothers at Radio Station WHO in Des Moines, Iowa. Ronald Reagan was the Station’s young sportscaster at the same time.

Time to walk.

Enjoy your day!

FIRST TV PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE THIS DAY 1960

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This year’s Presidential campaign is moving rapidly. Tuesday next the first Obama-Romney debate.

There is another first. The first TV Presidential debate. It took place in 1960. Kennedy and Nixon.

Nixon was favored. Kennedy won.

Nixon had the reputation of being a debater. He refused to wear make up. His sweating was obvious to all watching. Beads of perspiration running down his face and dropping from his chin. Kennedy on the other hand looked cool and collected. He was wearing makeup. He also appeared more comfortable with the TV set up.

I know. I remember. I watched the Kennedy-Nixon debate on television live the evening of September 26, 1960. I was a young lawyer. Graduated from law school three months earlier. Married 5 weeks earlier.

The Kennedy-Nixon race was one of the closest in American history. One tenth of a point separated the two. In the end, Kennedy had 49.7 per cent of the vote. Nixon 49.6.

Historians tell us the deciding factor in the election was the first debate between the two. I agree.

I was up and at ’em early yesterday. Did my blog. Then out for a walk.

Walked the Home Depot. Two times. Up and down the aisles. Air conditioned.

Michael was working. For several years, he was my bocce partner. Working now interferes with his bocce playing.

Michael was a bit gutty during his bocce days. Now he is thin and trim. He says working at Home Depot is responsible. He has to wallk up and down the aisles several times a day. He estimates he walks seven miles a day on the job. Without dieting or anything else, he took off a lot of weight. Something like 20-30 pounds. Maybe I should get a job at Home Depot!

We had a nice talk.

Then to Lisa’s. My coffee machine broke. One of those that you put the little cup in and voila…..warm coffee! I gave Lisa and Corey one for a Christmas gift. They did not like it. It was stored in a back room. I asked Lisa if I could have it. Of course. Picked it up. Works good!

Spent the afternoon and early evening working on friday’s internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Lots of interesting topics out there this week. Things are happening all over the world.

I will be talking about the present Greek demonstrations. It was reported 5,000 were protesting in front of Parliament yesterday. When I was in Greece, I joined two demonstrations. Same place. 2,000-3,000 demonstrators. I will be sharing my thoughts once again about the Greek economy which is the cause for the demonstrations.

China and Japan are pushing each other. In each other’s face. I have some thoughts regarding both sides.

Other topics include 5 Guys being voted the #1 hamburger place in the U.S. Mc Donald ended up near the bottom. Plus, driverless cars legal in California, a new preventive HIV pill, a jail segregation issue involving HIV prisoners, Texas saying ok to paddling high school students, and more.

Interesting topics. Join me. Ten am friday morning my time. World wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

I am into the third week of my diet. Not doing well. Cheated two times by drinking. Should have lost more weight in spite of the drinking. I am becoming discouraged. Not giving up…..yet!

Last week I mentioned the 14 war vessels from various Nations that were docked in Key West for several days. They are part of an international war pracitice operation.

Yesterday’s Key West Citizen carried a picture on the front page of one of the vessels shooting off a drone. Drones are an integral part of the pratice. Amazing how the means of war have changed over the years. And in recnent years, seem to change more rapidly.

Fantasy Fest is on the way. Starts in three weeks. For ten days. I can see it coming. Stores are opening up on a temporary basis to sell costumes for Fantasy Fest. There are already four.

Enjoy your day!

PAN AM WORLD AIRWAYS

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I was up and at ’em early yesterday. Did my blog promptly. Then walked.

It was a big time walk. From Duval Square to Mallory Square and back. Criss crossed some of the side streets. The humidity was heavy. Too heavy. I had to take a break three times. Each time found a business with air conditioning with a place for me to sit for a few minutes.

Spent the afternoon researching and writing. Spent the evening working on friday’s internet show. I have two glass sliding doors in my kitchen. Open onto the deck and pool. The ocean about 50 feet away. There is a counter next to the sliding doors. It is where I work when I work inside.

Last night was exceptionally pleasant to work from the counter. The humidity was gone. There was a breeze coming in off the water.

I was researching a small South American air line that got started in 1920. I found it. But I found something even more important. A part of Key west history.

Pan Am World Airways. Commonly known as Pan Am.

Pan Am became one of the world’s largest international carriers. Then hard times hit. It filed for bankruptcy in 1991.

Pan Am was born in 1927 in Key West. Its first headquarters.

There was sentiment at the time that the United States needed a central American airline. To protect its economic Panama Canal interests. Ergo, Pan Am got started. The new airline provioded air mail and passenger service Key West to Havana, Cuba. The United States government provided the air mail contract thereby making the dream possible.

A problem developed. Pan Am had no aircraft landing rights in Cuba. It was obvious some heavy hitters were required to convice Cuba to grant the landing rights.

Threee of the primary founders of Pan Am were Majors at the time in the United States Army Air Force. Majors Hap Arnold, Carl Spaatz, and John Jouett. Arnold and Spaatz went on to become two of the most important U.S. generals of World War II.

Money and influence were required. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney and Averell Harriman were the backers. Harriman went on to become an important part of the administrations of several U.S. Presidents. He also served as Governor of New York.

The aforementioned individuals worked out the Cuban landing problem.

The new airline required a headquaters. In Key West. It was located in a white two story building on a corner on Whitehead Street. That building today is the home of the famous Kelly’s Restaurant.

Pan Am began business with one airlplane. An eight seater.

Some 25 odd years ago, Kelly Mc Gillis and Fred Tilman, then married, opened Kelly’s Restaurant in the former Pan Am headquarters. The restaurant is still there today doing a flourishing business.

Kelly Mc Gillis was of movie fame. Movies like Top gun, Witness, and The Accused.

I knew Kelly and Fred back when. Primarily from social gatherings. After Kelly and Fred divorced, Fred kept the restaurant. He also became my neighbior in Key Haven. Lisa and Fred are friends. Fred catered Lisa’s wedding. Did a great job!

That other airline I was searching for turned out to be a German airline out of Columbia which started in 1920. The German airline and the Panama Canal were the influences which gave birth to Pan Am.

Such is the story of Pan Am and Key West. Interesting.

Enjoy your day!