PITTSBURGH JOHN

Friday night at the Chart Room. A good night! Tons of people. Interesting people.

Sat and chatted with John for a while. From Pittsburgh. In the concrete business. Responsible for concrete sales in several states.

John visits Key West three times a year. Religiously. February, July and October.

His youthful experiences unusual.

John was the bat boy at the Pittsburgh Pirates ball field. For the opposing team. Worked with visiting stars like Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and Mike Schmidt.

Not only was he fortunate to be a bat boy to professional players, he also got to shot hoops with another baseball luminary. Rocco Clemente. John lived in the right neighborhood. The Clemente family neighbors five doors away.

Ron and Tresha from Michigan. Interesting people. Ron a psychologist. Tresha owns a Midas operation. Used to own two, sold one. Between the two, they have 5 children and 3 grandchildren.

From out of the blue came Carol. Carol from New Hampshire. She visits Key West every season for two months. Rents the same apartment on Whitehead. We met the last time she was in Key West. At the Chart Room, of course.

Her downstair neighbor was with her. From Memphis. An annual renter, also.

In between, chatted with John. The best bartender in Key West!

Stopped at Outback on the way home. Prime rib.

Sat next to two interesting people. Husband and wife. Never got their names. The conversation interesting.

He is a retired executive from a pharmaceutical house. Just behind the banks in screwing the American public.

He obviously did not agree. Gave me all the stock reasons why prescription drugs have to be so expensive.

He buys his drugs from Europe. His actions speak louder than his words.

Spent a couple of hours on the deck yesterday afternoon. Reading some Civil War history. I took my first course in Civil War history my second year in college. Have been hooked on it ever since.

Parking for charter buses the brain child of the Key West City Commission. Took away many vehicle parking places in the lot and on the street.

So far, the lot is a failure. From my perspective. I have only seen one bus parked there. One time.

This morning’s Key West Citizen has an article setting forth the glories and successes of the parking lot. My experience not the same as reflected in the article.

The article says City representatives claim 4-5 buses using the lot a day. Again, I have only seen one one time.

The City charges $100 a day to park. The lot has been open six months. The buses still parking all over Key West. Illegally now. The City is going to start ticketing the buses. Fine $250.

I assume more buses will then be parked in the lot.

On this day in 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in Key West briefly. He was driven down from Miami. Did a quick tour of the inactive U.S. Naval Base. Then on the USS Houston to watch Caribbean war games.

Trump will not be giving a State of the Union address. A new President does not make such a report his first year in office. Makes sense. He has been President less than two months.

Trump will address Congress, however. His presentation is listed as an Address. February 28.

I worry. Trump is going to go a step too far at some point. Further than any mishaps to date.

It has been reported that a plan is being circulated in Homeland Security to activate 100,000 National Guard. Purpose to round up unauthorized immigrants. In one big swoop.

Don’t know if anything will come of it. Dangerous if done. I remind you once again to recall Germany in the late 1930s and Germany in the rest of Europe during World War II. Nazi soldier driving up to homes/apartment houses to arrest Jews and other enemies of the State.

We are better than that.

Enjoy your day!

TRUMP OVERLOAD

Seventy seven minutes. The time spent by Trump yesterday being interviewed by the press.

A free wheeling interview.

Comments are many. I will limit mine to one: Overload. The President looked as if the job was getting to him. Tired. Slow. His responses not as they once were.

The specifics you can get from the media.

One thing concerns me at the moment. Those who supported Trump in the election still support him. After all that has been seen his first month in office.

I hope they will not complain if a catastrophe befalls us.

Lori for a haircut yesterday morning. I went to bed after doing the blog. Slept through my appointment. Lori took me later in the day.

Her new salon is filling out. Pics on the wall, plants on the floor.

Anna brought me home made pierogies. Always delicious!

My cooking of them has always left something to be desired. They stick to the pan, break up, etc. Anna told me how to do it.

Bring the water to a boil before placing the pierogies in. They will sink to the bottom. Stir constantly to prevent them from sticking to the pan. Stir until the pierogies float.

I stirred, they floated and none broke up.

Melted some butter. Poured it over the pierogies. Then a touch of salt and pepper. Voila! A gourmet treat!

The Chart Room last night. Chatted with David and John.

A young lady sitting to my right. I figured early 20s. Turned out to be 26. Thin. Lovely. Great skin.

A different generation. Tattoos. All over. A small diamond on her left cheek bone.

Her name Panda. Showed me her right hand. Starting with the thumb, PANDA spelled out. One letter to each appendage.

Her life not easy. She thinks she has her life finally in order. Attending college. A psychology major. Wants to help people who might be screwed up as she once was.

Lives in Fort Pierce. First time in Key West. Fun for a few days.

I wish her well.

A fellow whose name turned out to be Bill came over and asked if I was Key West Lou. He was excited. Did my heart good. He has been reading me for 10 years.

Bill is from Sarasota. His son is getting married this weekend in Key West. At the Hemingway House. Catered by La Trattoria. The reception a guaranteed winner.

Bill is a home builder. Unique. He builds homes in  the Caribbean. Starting price $12 million.

I hope we run into each other again before he leaves town. An interesting person. I would like to get to know him better. Time was limited last night. He had a slew of wedding guests with him.

Did you ever have a desire for a certain food? Of course. We all occasionally do. Mine for a couple of days was a big greasy cheeseburger.

I stopped at 5 Guys on the way home. Not greasy, but good!

I was home in bed before nine o’clock. Watched a 1932 Myrna Loy movie.

On this day in 1972, Dustin Hoffman and his family spent the weekend in Key West. At David Wolkowsky’s Pier House Motel. Today, the gigantic and elaborate Pier House Resort. Big trees from little acorns grow.

Syracuse/Georgia Tech sunday at 6:30. Syracuse needs to win. The NCAA tournament is slipping away. They are talking about Syracuse being one of the four bubble teams having to play their way in.

Russia has a spy ship 30 miles off the Connecticut coast. Opposite Groton, a submarine base.

Many getting excited. Don’t understand why. Russian ships have been in international waters off the U.S. for years. Once beyond the 12 mile limit, waters are international.

We do the same thing to them off their coast line.

No reason for excitement/concern.

Go Live with Key West Lou on Facebook doing well. In two weeks, the volume of viewers has increased 40 percent.

Take a look. See me. I talk about anything and everything several times a day. Short comments. One to five minutes.

I ask one favor. If you watch, press SHARE so all your followers will have the show made available to them. I am obviously trying to increase my viewer followers.

Enjoy your day!

VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER DAY LATE

My Valentine’s Day celebration was a day late. My podcast show was scheduled tuesday night.

Dee took me to dinner to celebrate the occasion. Note, she took me. An unusual experience. The lady pays. Loved it!

Even gave me a box of candy and a small stuffed animal. The animal to sleep with. Can’t win all the time.

Dinner at Spencer’s. Outside. On covered porch. Terrific meal. Outstanding company. We sat when the sun was shining. The view to die for. Still there when it got dark. A storm came up. Heavy rain and lightning. Wild!

Lunch time found me at the Cuban Coffee Queen. A couple of weeks since my last visit. I enjoy the place. Sat for a while enjoying a Cuban cheese toast and cold Cuban coffee. Reading the newspapers, of course.

Stopped at Publix on the way home. Needed only a few things. Cost me $63. How do families survive these days?

An interesting story in this morning’s Key West Citizen. A restoration of some of the gravestones at the Key West Cemetery.

A special grant had  been obtained. A number of graves were repaired. They were showing their age, toppled over, etc. The restorers believe the restored gravestones are good for 150-200 years.

My Facebook Go Live with Key West Lou show two weeks old today. I am absolutely impressed with the increase in viewers. Dramatic.

Take a look. See me live and chatting about this and that. Whatever moves me at the moment.

The NRA wins again!

Obama was responsible for a regulation last year prohibiting guns to be sold to persons with mental disorders. Affected 75,000 persons. A needed regulation from my perspective.

It was payback time yesterday. The Senate voted to repeal the regulation. The House had done it earlier. The bill goes to Trump for his signature. Trump will sign it.

Called political payback. Stupidity applies, also. Some nut is going to go off and kill several persons/children at one time.

What happened to conscience?

Enjoy your day!

…..ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE

In my other life as an attorney, I had a case where my client’s big old tree was hanging over the neighbor’s property, roots causing his driveway to heave a bit, etc.

The neighbor wanted the tree removed. The heaving driveway was a good argument. My client was destined to lose.

Counsel were standing alone before the Bench. No jury. Merely argument.

Opposing counsel made a good argument why the tree should come down. I knew before hand such would be the case.

When preparing opposing papers, I recalled Joyce Kilmer’s Trees. The closing stanza…..Poems are made by fools like me, / But only God can make a tree.

The lines were the basis of my argument. With three changes. I deleted the word “Poems” and replaced it with “Arguments.” I deleted “God” and replaced it with “Judge.” I deleted the word “make” and replaced it with “save.”

The new wording rhymed the same however…..Arguments are made by fools like me, / But only a Judge can save a tree.

I won. The tree survived. Joyce Kilmer the one who actually saved the tree.

Why Joyce Kilmer’s Trees this morning.

There is a 100 year old mahogany tree on Simonton. Across from the Gato Building. A huge branch hangs over the street. The branch has never been a problem. Until recently. The over hanging branch and a truck came into contact.

The truck had its roof ripped off. The truck the legal height. The branch illegal. Too low. No problem for 100 years. Now a problem. Cost Key West or its insurance company $9,000 for repairs to the truck.

Key West has a Tree Commission. The Commission wanted to cut the tree down. The public went crazy. Shouted a loud no!

The tree was saved. Legally it should have been cut down. However the public won out. A sign is going to be erected warning of the low hanging branch.

A popular result. One that will not prevent another accident from occurring, however. The City’s liability will then be two-fold.

The Kiss-In last night in front of the Custom House was a gigantic success. As reflected in the large front page photo in this morning’s Key West Citizen. The kissing looked good. Hundreds. Wish I could have been there. With a lady to kiss, of course.

My blog talk radio show was not aired last night. I could not connect with the broadcasting studio. Sloan tried also. She failed. We assume some technical problem at the studio end. I should know this morning. My apologies to all who tried to listen.

Had I known there would be technical difficulties, I would have been at the Kiss-In and later at Lynda Frechette’s Aqua Idol.

Dee called yesterday and invited me to Valentine’s Day dinner as her guest. The podcast show obviously interfered. We are scheduled to do it tonight. I look forward to being wined and dined by a much younger lady.

The Battleship Maine was blown up in Havana Harbor this date in 1898. Two hundred sixty American sailors killed.

In March, a U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry was held in Key West. At the newly constructed Custom House. Then a federal building.

One month later in April, the U.S. invaded Cuba. The Spanish-American War began.

Loud, proud, patriotic marching music is always tied to John Phillip Sousa.  Tunes like Stars and Stripes Forever.

Sousa and his family arrived this date in 1925 from Havana. They checked into the Casa Marina where they were to spend a few days vacationing.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

STEPHEN MILLER / JOSEPH GOEBBELS

Stephen Miller appeared on the Sunday talk shows yesterday. His appearances shocking.

Miller is a Senior Advisor to the President. Part of the close to Trump West Wing team. He recently distinguished himself as the preparer of the Executive Order re immigration/banning entry. The order that resulted in a court challenge which Trump has thus far lost.

Miller’s performance on the talk shows shocking. One person commented that Miller was a “talking bag of puss.” Strong language based on strong feelings.

Miller appears to me as one who has perfected lying with a straight face. He reflects a twisted psyche. A propagandist.

I found it interesting when he challenged George Stephanopoulus. Miller told Stephanopoulus that he (Miller) would decide what questions could be asked of him and what not.

A public servant?

Miller is 32. I have recently criticized his youth in holding such a high level post. One which requires experience.

Miller reminds me of Joseph Goebbels. Even looks like him. Google Goebbels and make your own determination. Goebbels was 36 when he became Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda in 1933. He had been a Nazi supporter and influence since 26.

My friends, start getting concerned. We are only at the beginning. Specifically what, I am not sure. Whatever, it definitely will be no good.

Permit a brief thought re immigrants.

The immigrants of today are the Jews of yesterday. A needed scapegoat.

I mentioned this several times five years ago when I visited Greece. Blackshirts instead of Brownshirts. Windows of retail stores owned by immigrants marked with huge Xs. Immigrants openly beaten on the streets while police turned their backs.

We are not there yet. May never be. You never know, however. Our nation is split. People angry. Lead by a person feeding off that anger.

Yesterday was a quiet day at home. Never left. A lazy day. Read, worked on tuesday night’s podcast, sat on the deck and snoozed, watched the Grammys.

Grammys enjoyable! Actually, terrific!

No Aqua Dueling Bartenders tonight.

Syracuse/Louisville. Available locally on ESPN. I may go out to watch the game.

Louisville a 4 point favorite. Louisville ranked #4 nationally.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and Louisville coach Rick Pitino best buddies. Close. Pitino was an assistant coach under Boeheim years ago. Both best man for each other. Both godfathers to certain of each’s children.

Kissing is good! No question about it. Tomorrow a big kissing night in Key West. To celebrate Valentine Day. A mass couples’ kissing at 5:30 tomorrow in front of the Custom House.

I will not be there. Unfortunately.

The History Section in this morning’s Key West Citizen has a picture of a trolley car taken in 1904. I remember street cars. We had them in Utica. My time to recall would have been 1937-40. Three to five years old. The trolley ran on Bleecker Street. Took us downtown. One to two miles.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDY BLUME

Judy Blume was and still is the guiding light to young ladies world wide. Today, her birthday. Judy born this date 1938.

Besides her many writing contributions, I mention Judy today because she is a Key West resident. She and her husband for many years.

Together with her husband, Judy manages the Books & Books. A store part of Studios of Key West. A not for profit operation.

Judy’s novels have sold 80 million books world wide and have been translated into 30 languages.

Happy birthday Judy! Thank you for being a guiding light to my daughters and granddaughters, as well as a part of the Key West community!

Ernest Hemingway’s fourth and last wife was Mary.  On this date in 1962, Mary went into a back room at Sloppy Joe’s for the first time.

In 1940, Hemingway and wife #2 Pauline divorced. Hemingway pulled up roots and moved to Cuba. He stored many of his belongings in Sloppy Joe’s back room. Never to be visited again by him.

What Mary found, dramatic. Papers and books. All original manuscripts. Some finished, others unfinished. Also, guns and hunting trophies. The paper items were blackened with mildew, eaten by rats. Uncashed royalty checks part of the treasure trove. Some rotted animal skins.

Certain of the Hemingway writings were subsequently published.

February 12 a significant date with regard to another Key West icon. “Bum” Farto. Farto was the Key West Fire Chief. He got involved with drugs. Not as a user. On this date in 1976, Farto was convicted of 3 drug violations. He disappeared before jailing. Never to be seen again.

A Jimmy Hoffa type disappearance. To this day, the question remains …..Bum Farto, where are you?

Syracuse, my Syracuse! Lost to Pitt yesterday 80-75. After 5 consecutive wins. I was hoping it would be 6.

Dinner at Berlin’s last night. Sitting next to me was Jim. A new friend. Jim is from China. On a sales trip to the U.S. Had stops in Orlando and Palm Beach. Shot down to Key West for a couple of vacation days.

We talked about everything. He shocked me with one item. I mentioned it was too bad the U.S. did not have a better relationship with China. He could not believe I said that. He told me the Chinese love Americans!

Perhaps international relations would be better left to two people chatting at a bar.

Social correctness is not going a step too far. It has acquired momentum. Now miles too far.

College students are driving administrative campus decisions. I refer specifically to the movement to rid campuses of statues, building names, etc. of any historical figures who contributed to or were part of the slavery movement.

The most recent involves Yale University.

Yale has the John Calhoun Residential College. Calhoun a great historical figure in U.S. history in the first half of the 19th century. Looking back, he was on the wrong side of history. He was pro-slavery. However half the nation was pro-slavery.

Students wanted his name removed from the building. they finally succeeded. Administration caved in. The building has been renamed the Grace Murray Hopper Residential College. Hopper was a computer genius and U.S. Navy admiral.

What has occurred at Yale, and is occurring on other college campuses, is nothing short of erasing history. History is what it is. It should be left alone. If one was a figure respected and of prominence years ago, the recognition given today should remain. We learn from history.

In 1793, Congress passed the First Fugitive Slave Law. If a slave escaped and was caught in another State, the slave was to be returned to its owner. Even by States where slavery was not legal.

George Washington signed the bill into law on February 12, 1793. Washington was also a slave owner.

Should we remove Washington’s name from all things honoring him?

Rename Washington, D.C.? Rename the Washington Monument? Remove Washington’s picture from the dollar bill?

Think about it.

Kentucky fan and snowbird Key Wester David Taylor wrote. He and wife Marilyn are back in Kentucky till April. He mentioned that gas was $1.95 a gallon in Henderson, Kentucky. It is $2.63 in Key West.

Don’t forget Aqua Idol tuesday night. Six in the evening. A singing contest fundraiser to support the Waterfront Theater. Lynda Frechette busting her derrier on the event. Support Lynda as well as the Waterfront Theater by attending. She deserves it.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou 2 7


Tonight; Trump’s conversations with world leaders. The Frank Dodd Act dismantled…despicable. Also the Yemeni debacle and Iran. Bannon; his desire to destroy the current establishment and create his vision of government. The national violence over Trump’s election and more! ALways an interesting perspective on everyday issues.

AN EVENING WITH DONNA AND TERRI

Last night, a special evening. Dinner with Donna and Terri. At their home.

Donna cooked. The food exceptional. Chicken falling off the bone in a light chicken broth. Mashed tiny red potatoes. Greens with mushrooms.

Terri has a week off from chemo. She was bright and happy as if nothing wrong. She goes to Tampa this week to see if she qualifies for another procedure.

Her stem cells will be used to make bone marrow. The bone marrow will be her bone marrow. The new bone marrow will be placed in her bones. Between the last two sentences are several steps I could not understand.

Donna looked well, also. Terri’s cancer has been a strain on her. She is an exceptional spouse. Taking excellent care of Terri.

We laughed. All night. Sat at the dinner table after dinner and chuckled away.

I was talking with some one at the Chart Room the other evening. The individual a blog reader. He thought I was actually married to Donna and Terri since I refer to them as my lesbian wives.

Manicure in the afternoon. Love Tammy!

She will be 33 sunday. Looks 17. An Asian beauty!

She has been in the U.S. 13 years. Now a citizen. A proud one.

I asked if her nail ability was learned in Vietnam. No, she said. When she arrived in the U.S., she had to work. Went to cosmetology school. Learned all she knows there.

The same for most Vietnamese who arrive in the U.S. They did not do nails in Vietnam. When they arrive, they see many of their countrymen doing nails. So they go to cosmetology school.

Pebble Beach courses the venue of this week’s pro golf tournament. I watch with interest. I know every hole.

I played Pebble Beach and its sister courses 15 years ago. All the courses extremely difficult. In addition to Pebble Beach, played Spanish Bay and Spyglass.

Pebble Beach expensive back then. Something like $175-200 a round. Today, $495. Wow! Plus caddy, golf cart, etc. The total bill today for a round has to be around $650. Fee for caddy included. Not tip. The round ends up costing $700 plus.

Syracuse/Pitt at one today. I hope I can find it on TV. Syracuse a 1 1/2 point favorite. Syracuse beat Pitt earlier in the year by 10-12 points.

The worst enemy of the people are banks. All for themselves. Screw the public. They gave us 2008 with over 9 million homes in foreclosure and 2.5 million out of work.

I characterize banks as pigs and whores.

I similarly label pharmaceutical houses. The cost of prescription drugs is off the wall.

An example. The disease is called Dushenne muscular dystrophy. Prior to this week, the drug could only be purchased in Europe. $418 for a year’s supply. The FDA approved a company to sell the drug in the U.S. $89,000!

Says it all!

The past few days, someone is getting into my comment column. Selling things. Some in a foreign language. Sloan tried to get rid of the problem yesterday. Apparently did not work. Three new ones this morning. She will be back at it today.

In the meantime, let me know if any of you know how to get rid of the intruders.

Enjoy your day!

 

GAS MONKEY A WINNER

Gas Monkey a winner!

The place is a year old. My first time last night. In 200 block of Duval. Jam packed. Tourists. Saw only three locals.

Sandwiches, fries, etc. I enjoyed an absolutely delicious grilled cheese with fries.

A group playing half way back off the street. Outstanding. Everyone watching and moving to the beat of the band.

Service excellent.

On top of which I got a 25 percent discount because I was local. In effect, I ate for nothing.

I shall return!

My evening began with a visit to heart Doctor Mc Ivor. The best! A routine visit. Nothing new to report. Thank God!

Then to the Chart Room. David and John. Good conversation. Always so.

I had my fill of Trump yesterday. He monopolizes the news. I decided to do my Go Live bits on Facebook free of Trump. I spoke about IUDs and Pebble Beach. Two interesting topics.

Trump was tiring me out. Today, I will return to him for one or two items.

Weather a bit windy today. Winds about 20 mph. Bending the palm trees. White caps. A small craft advisory has been issued. Temp will be in high 70s.

A pleasant day ahead. A manicure with Tammy at 1. Dinner tonight with Donna and Terri. Donna cooking. One of the best!

You can depend on Key West to come up with odd ball events.

First, a mass kissing event Valentine Day. Everyone at the same time. 5:30. In front of the Custom House. Beside the 25 foot sculpture titled Embracing Peace. A sailor and nurse kissing. Signifying the end of World War II.

The other event is a Domino Tournament. Valentine Day again. At the Southernmost House.

I didn’t think anyone played dominoes any more.

Pythons, iguanas…..What next? Tegu Lizards. We get them all!

Tegu lizards come from South America. They have been moving north. Some have reached areas of Florida. Others  as pets abandoned in Florida.

Presently in the southern part of Miami-Dade County and along the southern margin of the Everglades.

Hides and meat supposedly excellent. Grow to four feet. The economy of some parts of Argentina depend on the Tegu Lizard for economic survival. A big seller for their hides and meat.

Another turtle rescued! Jolly. A 330 pound green seas turtle. Sixteen miles offshore. Several participated in the rescue. Jolly caught up in three trap lines. One of his rear flippers injured.

Latest report has Jolly resting at the Marathon Turtle Hospital preparatory to surgery to repair the flipper.

Trump lost in the appellate court. He wants to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. His case is a loser. Not because of the issue. Because of poor lawyering/preparation in drawing up the executive order.

The appellate decision spells out many of the order’s errors, mistakes. A smart lawyer concerned with efficiency and getting the job done would recommend to Trump that he rescind the order. Replace it with a new executive order drawn by legal professionals complying with the contents of the appellate decision.

No one wins when the discourse between parties to a lawsuit is as follows.

Trump: “See you in court…..The security of our Nation is at stake.”

Washington State Gov. Inslee: “Mr. President, we just saw you in court, and we beat you.”

Enjoy your day!