Today, strictly Key West. So much to share re our lovely island.

The weather first. Only because the past 2 days found Key West undergoing a cold spell. Temperature at night in the low 60’s. Yesterday in the mid 60’s. I am writing this blog at 9:30 this morning. Temperature 63.

Heat on!

Today’s high 74 and low 69. Tomorrow, a return to normalcy.

Manicure and haircut yesterday. Followed by lunch at Fernandy’s. Sandy’s renamed indoor restaurant on White Street.

Four found me on Laurie Thibaud’s station 107.5 FM radio show. We chatted more than an hour. Topics included the government shutdown, people going without pay, female CEO’s, and Wounded Warriors.

Fun. Laurie was born to do the show.

Walked across the street following the show to the Chart Room.

A Christopher wrote several days ago that he was going to stop in the Chart Room every evening till he caught me. He wanted his copy of Irma and Me signed and share with me an Irma experience. I wanted to save him time. Told him meet me thursday at 6.

I was there from 5:30 to 7:30. No Christopher.

Enjoyed a most interesting conversation with Tim and Madison. Visiting from South Jersey. A young couple. Tim a farmer. By choice. Not a family business. He saw it as a business to get into. Raises soybeans, corn, and barley.

The tariff wars are killing him. He cannot sell at all. Nothing. Fortunately, he is able to store his crops. What they will bring when marketable again, he does not know.

Not a happy camper with Trump.

Madison is a physical therapist.

Both love Key West. Tim’s second visit, Madison’s first.

Joann and Dave in the Chart Room again. Met them the other night. Friends of Jean and Joe Thornton. The were waiting for Janine. The 3 were having dinner at Hot Tin Roof.

Joan and Dave are from New Hampshire. This their tenth year visiting. Stay at the Pier House each visit.

Stopped at Blue Macaw on the way home. Not many people. Cold!

Spent some time with Angie. A lovely person. Inside and out.

She is the proprietor of Crystals and Coconuts across the street at 803 Whitehead. Born in the Philippines. Moved to Japan. Somehow got to Key West.

Her store a place of beauty. She sells handmade treasures such as jewelry, painted coconuts, painted buoys, and other souvenirs. Some clothes. T shirts made from the softest fabric to be found. Fisherman wrap pants.

Angie’s store off the beaten track. If you can find Blue Macaw, you can find Coconuts and Crystals. Her store is across the street from Blue Macaw.

Key West is full of writers this weekend. Many highly skilled professionals. The annual Key West Literary Seminar began thursday and continues into sunday. Certain of the more famous writers will be doing readings.

A good place for writers new and old to meet and share thoughts.

The event is being held at the San Carlos on Duval.

The little bridge that connects Mallory Square to Margaritaville is closed. Under repair.

Two projects underway at one time. The Key West Aquarium suffered damage to its seawall as a result of Irma. Being attended to at the same time that the mooring dolphin which was damaged by a cruise ship is being repaired.

Simonton, Greene, Whitehead, and Fleming names of prominent Key West streets. Named after former owners of the whole of Key West.

The year 1829. Four men owned Key West. John Simonton, Pardon Greene, John Whitehead, and John Fleming. On January 11, 1829, the four entered into an agreement whereby the island was divided into 4 parts.

The last 2 days, the name Angie Aparo has come up. Made me wonder who he is. Turns out many regard him as a great unknown musician. He has been described as “the greatest musician you have never heard.”

A legend in certain circles.

He performed many years ago at Irish Kevin’s. He returns sunday to First Flight Island Restaurant.

My sense is there will be a large crowd.

New Irma information.

Irma resulted in a population drop. The University of Florida conducted a study. Discovered every key, city and unincorporated area lost local residents between 2017 and 2018.

The loss just under 3,000. Present number of inhabitants 73,940.

Tennessee Williams resided in Key West 30 plus years. His home 1 1/2 blocks from my daughter Lisa’s.

Williams is often quoted. One that fits right into today’s happenings: “The only thing worse than a liar is a liar that’s also a hypocrite.”

Me thinks Trump wears both shoes.

Tonight dinner with Jean and Joe Thornton at Berlin’s. My first visit since the new owners decided to prohibit smoking.

Enjoy your day!

A visitor yesterday. Per agreement, we met at Louie’s Backyard. We had a drink and chatted for 1.5 hours.

Her name Claudia Tenney.

Claudia from my hometown Utica. Mid 50’s. A lawyer. Her Dad was a State Supreme Court Justice. I tried many cases in front of him.

Claudia best described as an attorney, publisher and politician. Her political life began with her election to the New York State Assembly. She recently completed her second term as a member of Congress. Defeated. Taking time off. Visiting friends in Florida and elsewhere.

We had a most enjoyable conversation. The amusing part is we really did not know each other. We are a generation apart. Did not practice in similar fields. Did not socialize. My best recollection is the only time we spoke was when I congratulated her at her wedding reception.

After drinks at Louie’s, she left for the airport. Her next stop Washington to visit friends.

Hurried to Sons and Daughters of Italy dinner meeting afterwards.

The important part of the day came next. No disrespect to Claudia or the Sons and Daughters of Italy. The Syracuse/Clemson game. Scheduled to watch it with Don, Chris, Dan, Lisa, and John at Jack Flats. I hustled over to Jack Flats.

We were there saturday. The Syracuse game that day was blacked out. Same problem last night. I said screw this, good night to my friends, and went home. Where I was confident I could get the game on my home set.

I did. Syracuse defeated Clemson 61-53.

Jack Flats needs a new TV reception system.

A busy today. Manicure with Tammy later in the morning. Followed by lunch at Sandy’s. Then a haircut with Lori. The fuzz on top of my head growing.

At 4, I do a guest hour on radio station 107.5 FM with Laurie Thibaud. Always an interesting experience. Laurie and I do well together.

I am meeting a Christopher at 6 at the Chart Room. First time. A loyal blog reader. Visiting Key West. He has his copy of Irma and Me with him. He wants me to sign it.

I will probably finish my evening off at Blue Macaw.

Key West cold last night and today. Mid 60’s. I have the heat on.

Key West can correctly be described as the island of authors. Many great ones spent some portion of their lives here.

One, the famous Tennessee Williams.

On this day in 1969, Williams became a Roman Catholic. He was baptized at St. Mary of the Sea Church on Truman Ave.

I am into births for some reason.

Yesterday, I reported out of wedlock births in the U.S. today are at a 40 percent high. Compared to 10 percent in 1970.

Another bit of birth information. The U.S. birth rate is down. America is not making enough babies to replace ourselves.

Fertility numbers for 2017 interesting. Lower in every State. Color immaterial, except where there was an increase. Black numbers were up in 12 States, Hispanics in 29 States. In no State were White numbers up.

Word of advice to those who fear people of color are taking over in the U.S. Probably already have number wise. If not, definitely in 20 years. My recommendation if the situation is of concern to any whites…..Have more sex!

Some consider the new younger female members of Congress brazen and outspoken. I view them as a breath of fresh air. The windows of the Chamber have been opened.

Two new young ladies were recently criticized for words they spoke. Racida Tisb said, “Trump a motherfucker who should be impeached.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez answered “no question” when asked if Trump was a racist.

Complain not. They were merely saying out loud what many think.

The shutdown a disgrace. I continue to hold Trump responsible. When will it end? Democratic Senators have implemented a Senate rule which prohibits any bill being voted on till a shutdown vote takes place.

Donald picked the war. Donald will lose the war. As he has most if not all that he has instigated.

Another example of the President screwing things up is Syria. He said he was pulling U.S. troops out and would do so right away. Then realized he may have created a problem. The Turks would attack and destroy the Kurds.

Trump sent John Bolton to Turkey to talk with President Erdogan. Bolton wanted Turkey’s assurances they would not attack the Kurds if the U.S. pulled out.

Erdogan in effect said up yours. Don’t tell us who we can invade and who we cannot. We will fight our battles as we see fit. He backed up his position yesterday by announcing that if the U.S. pulls out of Turkey, he definitely would attack the Kurds.

A typical Donald Trump result.

Enjoy your day!

A strange happening.

Christopher Columbus had been at sea too long.

He was sailing near the Dominican Republic. Saw 3 “mermaids.” He became excited. His crew became excited. Columbus wrote in his log the sighting of the mermaids.

Not mermaids. Manatees. Fooled Columbus. Believing the manatees to be women, he wrote they were “not half as beautiful” as they should be “as they are painted.”

A long boat ride with solely men not the way to travel!

I spend my tuesdays preparing for my podcast show in the evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Generally do not leave the house.

My show is at 9. The President opted to speak to the nation at 9 last night. Probably took most if not all of my listeners away.

I watched the President later in the evening on a rerun. Unimpressive. Totally.

He referred to the southern border as a “growing humanitarian crisis.” I agree. However, he failed to note that it is totally of his making. He is responsible for all the bad occurring.

His 9 minute presentation was totally lacking. He said nothing of any value. The shutdown continues.

Key West is a major Coast Guard station. I was surprised to learn the Coast Guard is not being paid during the shutdown. Persons who save lives and are the U.S.’s first line for interdicting drug smugglers.

Trump complains the migrants are bringing drugs into the U.S. That the opiate problem is of their making. Yet he fails to make sure those who are on the front lines combating the drug problem get paid.

Why no pay for the Coast Guard? The Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force are being paid. Simple. These service people work under the Department of Defense. For some reason, the Coast Guard was placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security when it was formed.

Note the Coast Guard personnel must work. They are deemed “essential.”

Key West can be the wrong place to become seriously sick. Yes, there is a hospital. Well staffed. Professional. However can only do do much. Serious problems require medical personnel with specialized training.

Which means Miami.

The County provides a helicopter service. Two helicopters. Available to residents free. Medical personnel on the helicopters specially trained. I am not sure whether non-residents are required to pay.

In any event, a 47 year old man staying at Boyd’s on Stock Island suffered a massive heart attack January 2. The County’s Trauma Star air ambulance transported him to Miami. He coded 5 times. He was resuscitated 5 times.

Thanks to the helicopter’s availability and the medical personnel working thereon, he is alive today. On January 7, the medical team met with him at the University of Miami Hospital. He is on his way to total recovery.

Trump won with the slogan Make America Great Again. The people bought it. They failed to realize America was still great. Trump has made it less so in 2 years.

There is a movement to Make The Catholic Church Great Again. The National Catholic Reporter carried an article recently on the subject.

The writer wrote there never was a time when the Roman Catholic Church was “great.” He wrote: “It has always been simultaneously holy and sinful because it is composed of imperfect, weak and ordinary human beings like you and me and everybody else.”

I don’t buy it. There was no reason for the Spanish Inquisition of yesterday nor the pedophilia of recent years. Religious people are supposedly better. They are held to a higher standard because of it. There is no excuse for improper conduct.

Rome has failed several times in the history of the Catholic Church. Extremely bad things occurring at the top of the hierarchy and among its priests and nuns.

Pedigree is important. Luke 12:48 tells us “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.”

I agree.

On this day in 1776, Thomas Paine published Common Sense. We are taught from the earliest grades that the desire for American independence was influenced by his writings. Many believe Common Sense moved the colonists to war. The American Revolution.

In reality, Paine was a troublemaker. Revolution his thing. Disrupt existing governments.

Sounds familiar as regards some who came to Washington with Trump.

Paine moved to England in 1787. There he wrote words of encouragement for change regarding the monarchy. A particular publication the “Rights of Man.”

England neither liked nor agreed with his thoughts. He had to leave. He fled to France.

It was the best of time, it was the worst of time for Paine to arrive in France in 1790. Revolution was brewing. The Revolution occurred 1791-92.

Paine’s political expressions at some point offended the new government He was arrested for his political opinions.

Paine returned to the U.S. in 1802 where he died in 1809.

Big day ahead. Meeting an old fried for drinks at 4 at Louie’s Backyard. Sons and Daughters of Italy at 5:30. Syracuse basketball with Don, Chris, Dan, Lisa, and John at 8 at Jack Flats.

Enjoy your day!

What a game! Clemson destroyed Alabama 44-16. Destruction the proper description.

There is no joy in Mudville this morning!

I know many Alabama fans. No Clemson fans. Perhaps now there will be many Clemson fans.

I am sure my Alabama friends are despondent this morning. Poor Jean Thornton. She lives and breathes Alabama, her alma mater. David Hecth, also. He attended Alabama.

The Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Could not have played a better game. A pure freshman. Nineteen years old. Played high school football last year. Would you believe?

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said it correctly: “Tonight we conquered a mountain that ain’t ever been conquered.”

My game plan was to watch the game with Jean Thornton at the former Irish restaurant on Duval near Truman. I forget its new name. Jean was having dinner first at Prime. I knew she would not get to the game on time. She wrote this morning that she did not make it till the beginning of the second half.

Decided to abandon Jean. Decided on Aqua’s Side Door. The Side Door’s TV screen almost the size of a movie screen. Could not get in. Ran into Laurie Thibaud. Aqua was closed to everyone except employees. Their Christmas party.

Decided to try the Chart Room. If it could get the game, I would watch it there.

Chart Room packed when I arrived. About an hour before game time. John bartending. Said he could get the game on both sets. No voice, however.

Chatted with a foursome from Cleveland. Had met them the night before. Affiliated in one fashion or another with Cleveland Clinic. Having a great time!

Ended up sitting at the bar next to Tom Sibbald. Mid 70’s. A Marco Island resident these days. His wife passed on last year. They had lived many years in Vail.

Nice guy. Enjoyed his company. We talked about everything.

The game began. Within minutes, everyone left. It was just John and me. The quiet of the Chart Room overwhelming. A new experience.

We watched the first half together.

I then decided to hurry home and watch the second half from my bed.

My podcast tonight at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. The President is addressing the nation at 9. I can’t win!

Trump advised his appearance will be 7-8 minutes. Mine goes a half hour. Join me after you listen to the President. Unfortunately not having heard his talk, I will not be able to specifically criticize it.

Join my show at some point. I will be venting. About this, that and every thing. What ever concerns me at the moment. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

I suspect Trump will lie tonight. Lies to justify a wall not needed.

The shutdown is beginning to be felt. I saw one federal employee crying this morning on TV because he needed his pay to simply take care of his family of 4. A check to check survival.

Trump does not care about him or anyone else. His concern is for his wall so he does not lose face with his followers.

I read this morning that those who receive food stamps will soon feel the crunch.

The Department of Agriculture is responsible for the food stamp program. They service 39 million people. Money will begin running out early in February. Then what?

I continue to be on the federal government’s ass for failing to do the necessary for hurricane and fire victims. Where is FEMA? Where are the federal funds? Trump goes on TV following each disaster and assures everyone the government will take care of them. He says, “There is enough money.”

I suspect there has never been enough money. Going back even to Katrina.

Michael did a number to Florida’s Panhandle. Some communities total destruction. Help continues on a very limited basis. Most communities small.

Marianna one such community. Seven thousand people. Hit directly by Michael. Looks like a nuclear bomb was dropped on the city. Federal assistance limited. Very much so. City Manager Jim Dean recently said, “The government is pulling out of rural America.”

Mr. President…..Screw the wall! Take care of your people!

A little Key West history. On this day in 1828, the Territorial Council passed an act incorporating Key West. Love it…..Territorial Council. Sounds like the Old West and Indians. Probably the same. Local Indians frequented Key West.

Note the word “frequented.” They came and used our little island as a dining place. Cooked, ate and left. They were cannibals.

Finally, Harry Truman.

Harry Truman loved Key West. Key West loves Harry Truman. Eleven visits to Key West totaling 175 days during his Presidency. This is the place he escaped to for rest and relaxation.

The Key West Truman knew was old and funky. Today, new and funky.

Truman once said, “If I hadn’t been President of the United States, I probably would have ended up a piano player in a bawdy house.”

Enjoy your day!

God is good confuses me.

The Bible replete with references to the term.

Ta’liyah Baldwin is 5 years old. She has been battling inoperable brain cancer since November 2017.

She is under the care of the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Her treatment limited to chemotherapy. The treatment leaves her lethargic and causes her to have trouble walking.

Little children often have a specific thing to which they become attached. In Ta’liyah’s case, it is mermaids. Her mother says she constantly talks about them.

Her mother contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation re a mermaid experience for Ta’liyah. The Foundation came through.

Last saturday, the Foundation sent Ta’liyah and her family to the Boca Beach Club in Boca Raton. Two women dressed as mermaids greeted them and played with Ta’liyah all day. A pair of custom fitted fins had been prepared for Ta’liyah. She was able to splash around the pool all day. Her Mom reported Ta’liyah had “the time of her life.”

Some will say God is good because Ta’liyah is receiving the best medical care and enjoyed the special mermaid experience. I ask if God is good, why did Ta’liyah get an inoperable brain tumor in the first place?

The question has perplexed me my entire adult life. Every time a major disaster affected someone I knew or became aware of.

Forget the answers of the Church and theologians. They are not responsive to “why” bad things happen, especially to a young and good person like Ta’liyah.

Sloan and I worked together for 2 hours yesterday. I have a mechanical dependency. I am not technologically adept. A generation thing. Sloan compensates and keeps me going.

Last night, the Chart Room. Missed Hot Dog Church and the Gardens. Got out too late. Went directly to the Chart Room.

John bartending. A good guy! An excellent bartender.

Local night initially. Chris and Don. We chatted a while before they left for dinner. Jean and Joe there, also. Love them! My saviors when Irma hit. Hopefully, I will be with them tonight at 8 when Alabama and Clemson play. Jean and Joe both Alabama grads. Fanatical.

I have been a steady customer at the Chart Room more than 15 years. Four to five evenings a week. The number of people I have met definitely in the hundreds. Probably exceeds a 1,000. Perhaps more.

I enjoy chatting and engaging with locals and visitors. I consider the Chart Room the cross roads of not only the U.S., but also the world.

We chat about everything. Including politics. The discussions always cordial. Even where we might not agree.

Last night, I met 2 individuals who can only be described as assholes. The issues not political.

Three from Detroit. Two young ladies and a man probably in his mid to late 30’s. First time Key West visitors.

He got into Irma. How bad could it have been? Saw nothing bad. No building damage. Trees all up.

His tone decidedly offensive. The know it all type.

Even after I explained that Irma was more than a year ago and the community had recovered, he still did not understand. I let the issue go and turned to an elderly gentleman seated on my other side.

He was even worse.

From Tampa. He had been listening to my previous talk with Detroit. His first words to me, before any other utterances, was to the effect that the people of Mexico Beach City were suffering because most failed to have insurance.

Michael leveled Mexico Beach City. Located in the Panhandle, took a direct hit at 155 mph. A small community. Working class people. No elaborate beachfront homes. By the time Michael left, very few homes were standing.

People in the Panhandle region have been complaining. Places like Panama City and Mexico Beach City. They feel they have been “forgotten.” They have. The federal government is failing to provide necessary assistance. Most persons eating off the back of food trucks. Their homes gone. Live in tent cities and shacks built from lumber left on the ground. Water and sewage remain major problems.

I did not interact with the man. Impossible to argue with a person who is convinced Mexico City Beach people are suffering because they failed to have insurance.

Stopped at Publix on the way home. An Atkins sale. My breakfast every morning is a small bottle of an Atkins chocolate drink. Contains 15 grams of protein and only 3 of carbohydrates. Bought 16 bottles.

The Duval Street cosmetic shops have been a problem for at least 2 years. Price gougers. Especially of elderly visitors to Key West.

The City of Key West is finally doing something about it. New regulations which will make it illegal to do some of the things the shops have been engaged in while ripping people off.

The first reading of the proposed law passed 5-1. The dissenting vote was by Commissioner Sam Kaufman.

The shops are owned by Israelis. He felt the new law might be viewed as anti-Semitic.

His vote does not make sense to me. True, anti-Semitism is on the rise world wide and in the United States. However, I have not sensed it in Key West. We have enough problems on our plate. No room for anti-Semitism nor should it even be made an issue.

We are One Happy Family.

Deal with the real issues. Traffic, bicycles, parking, affordable housing, etc.

Back to Panama City and the Panhandle.

Little things mean a lot. True statement.

As previously mentioned, Michael knocked the hell out of the Panhandle. Michael considered the third strongest hurricane to hit the United States in recorded history.

Tim West and his 13 year old daughter traveled to Panama City with food and supplies for a family friend. The friend’s home gone, mold all over, no water and sewer.

Tim and his daughter noticed there were many tree stumps. Most of the trees had snapped, leaving only the trunk portion.

They took yellow paint and painted happy faces on some of the stumps. Brought smiles to many faces. They somehow got more yellow paint and continued to paint happy faces on tree stumps all over Panama City.

Tim West and daughter good people!

Today an important one in U.S. history. On this day in 1789, George Washington was elected the first President of the United States.

Not as we do it today, however.

Washington’s election was not by the popular vote of the people. Ordinary citizens were not to be trusted. It was believed men of wealth should control Presidential elections.

The system at the time required voters to cast ballots to elect “state legislators.” The legislators then cast their vote for President.

The right to vote carried 2 requirements. Only men could vote and the men who voted had to own property.

We have come a long way re voting. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go.

Impeachment continues to be in the air. Today of historical significance re Presidential impeachment.

On this day in 1999, the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton began. Before the U.S. Senate. The Constitution then and now required the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to preside over the trial and the Senate to sit as jurors.

Christmas has passed. Its aura remains, however.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer the topic.

The 1824 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas mentioned Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. No Rudolph.

Rudolph the most famous reindeer of all did not arrive on the public scene till 1947. And then only as a coloring book. Soon followed by a story book. Montgomery Ward responsible. The Company wanted something Christmasy for kids.

The song not even written in 1947. No song till 2 years later.

In 1947, my boyhood western hero was Gene Autry. The original Singing Cowboy. He had become a radio legend. He recorded the new Rudolph song.

An instantaneous hit! Sales hit 2.5 million the first year. The song became the most successful Christmas recording in history after White Christmas. Remained so until the 1980’s.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday, a very busy one. From 11:30 in the morning till 11:30 last night.

I am a Syracuse fan. Bleed orange. As do my friends Don and Chris and Dan and Lisa. Don and Chris Syracuse residents, visit Key West 4 times a year. Dan and Lisa proprietors of a restaurant in Skaneateles, a smart community near Syracuse. Dan and Lisa visit the month of January each year.

We had a big lunch planned. Jack Flats to watch the Syracuse/Notre Dame game at noon. An ACC game.

Blacked out! Why, I have no idea. We were pissed.

Worked out well, however. We had a long leisurely lunch at Caroline’s on Duval.

My first visit. Here roughly 30 years and never stopped by. Caroline’s is the large open air restaurant across from Hardrock Cafe. Good place to sit and watch the world go by.

Learned later that Syracuse won. Beat Notre Dame 72-62.

I am worried about this year’s team. Played poorly in preseason games.

The evening was full.

Began at the Chart Room. Met old friends, made new friends.

First to come in was the vibrant Stephanie and husband Dan. Plus daughter Lexi and grandfather Richard. They are in town for a couple of weeks. Met Stephanie and Dan for the first time last summer.

Stephanie a go go person. Not a go go dancer. Her energy boundless. A CPA by profession. Daughter Lexi an accountant who works with her mother during the “busy season.”

Talked a bit with Dennis from southern Illinois. Near Missouri. A noticeable southern tang.

Met Frank and Mary. They have visited Key West once a year for 40 years. This year, January in Key West and February in Naples. A month in each place.

Home is Brandford, Connecticut. Near New Haven.

It was pleasant to meet them. Contemporaries age wise. Frank 81. Generally everyone I meet is at least a generation younger than me.

Frank a retired gastrointestinal physician.

Mary still working. In demand. She prepares/makes historic antique costumes for plays, movies and television. In effect, dresses the actors. In demand. The phone keeps ringing. She mentioned that she did the clothing for Paul Newman and his movie Our Time.

They are the proud parents of 3 children and 2 grandchildren.

Stay at the Galleon while in Key West.

Joe Thornton stopped by the bar for a moment. Jean was in the Chart Room also at the time. However too many people. I could not pick her out. We are having dinner together Friday at Berlin’s.

As I was leaving, I caught the eye of Stephanie and Paul. We had met last year. They are visiting for a while. I look forward to chatting with them. I was in an hurry and did not have time last night.

Next stop the Blue Macaw. Visited with Joe Phillips a while. His lovely wife Andrea at home.

Then across the street to Donna and Terri’s.

We never got to celebrate Christmas. Terri booked almost every evening. The ladies were kind. They left the Christmas tree up till we could spend an evening together. My gifts sitting under the tree.

Enjoyed a few drinks and great meal. No seven fishes. I did not expect any. Donna is Jewish.

Love my lesbian wives. We have been friends many years.

Drove by David Wolkowsky’s home on Flagler. His estate sale this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A line of about 15 outside waiting to get in. Moving very slowly. Actually not moving most of the time. I suspect a limited number were permitted in David’s home at a time.

Understandable. David’s home a collection of valuables. Each worth many dollars. The man accumulated many fine pieces in his 99 years. Too many bodies inside would inevitably mean a body and valuable item coming into contact. The piece broken.

In case you’re interested, David’s Ballast Key home is for sale. The asking price $16 million. His island home into the Gulf 16 miles west of Key West.

Key West history. Cigars a big business at the turn of the century and into the early part of the 20th century. I read a statistic today evidencing just how big. In 1922, 49,396,675 cigars were produced.

A recent UN report I found bothersome. Concerned population. Today 40 percent of all births in the U.S. occur outside marriage. As opposed to 1970 when only 10 percent were.

Another nationalistic right winger has become President of a country. A man more driven to change things than Donald Trump.

Jair Bolsonaro just completed his first week as President of Brazil. His plans receiving immediate attention include slashing taxes on the rich. Something for the poor also. He is lowering the minimum wage.

Other examples of his commitment to the rich include privatization. He intends to privatize everything. Starting with the government run power firm, 12 airports, and 4 seaports.

Why is the world turning to such men to run their governments? They promise much, deliver little. Take care of the rich to the detriment of the poor. Yet, the people buy their bullshit at election time.

Sloan due at noon. Then later I will do Hot Dog Church followed by the Gardens.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Electric automobiles are still in their youthful stage. Sometime in the future to replace fossil fueled cars.

Another mode of electrically powered transportation had its beginnings in the 1880’s and continued to be utilized into the 1950’s. Electric cars, also known as cable cars, streetcars, and trolley cars. The specific name depending from whence the source of the electricity was obtained (underground / overhead wires).

Such electric cars were a big deal. A popular means of transportation. It was that or the horse and buggy.

The use of electric cars spiraled upward as the U.S. economy skyrocketed. The roaring twenties began in 1919 and continued for the next 10 years.

Electric cars were popular in Key West in the 1920’s. No traffic congestion back then. The Key West Electric Company operated what were referred to as streetcars. A big year for the Company was 1922 when its streetcars carried 1,708,615 passengers. A record.

Henry Ford disrupted things for streetcars, etc. By 1923, there were 10,000 Ford distributorships in the United States.

Gasoline driven vehicles were on the march. Buses began replacing streetcars. Buses cheaper to operate and could hold more passengers.

The electric streetcar came and went. The gasoline driven autos of today will suffer the same fate in due course. Ironically to be replaced by electrically powered vehicles.

It’s how the world turns.

Chart Room first last night. John bartending.

Good group. Fine time. Don and Chris, Steve and Cindy, Jean and Joe, and another John.

Then to Blue Macaw. chatted a while with Andrea and Joe. Had not seen them since New Year’s eve. Mary came in. First time I have seen her since before New Year’s eve.

Then to Publix. Cupboard bare again. Spent over a $100. I was down to nothing.

Looking forward to noon today. Syracuse/Notre Dame. Opening of the ACC season.

The game a toss up.

Watching it will be exciting. At Jack Flats with Don and Chris, Dan and Lisa. Dan and Lisa fanatical Syracuse fans also. Own a restaurant in Skaneateles, a few miles outside Syracuse.

Dan and Lisa spend 1-2 months each year at this time in Key West. Today the first time this year we have joined together.

The Bible tells us, history tells us, we reap as we sow.

An international group of ecologists and economists recently predict an Apocalypse of sorts is on the way. The prediction: By 2048, many species of fish will have disappeared. The result of over fishing, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.

Their report advised that already 29 percent of edible fish and seafood species have declined by 90 percent.

The ocean’s fish are not forever. Something I assume few have thought about. I never did.

Such would/will be a disaster for the Keys. Where fishing for food and sport is everything!

Amazing. Two significant things to think about. Climate change supposedly will cause ocean waters to rise. Key West could be totally or partially submerged. Ocean front homes gone.

Now, the fish. The food supply in danger.

It’s a new world! Women are taking over. About time. Men have done a good job of screwing it up.

The CEO’s of 4 of the 5 largest defense contractors are women. Northrup Grumman, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and the defense branch of Boeing.

The walls of male dominated bastions are falling. Machismo dying. Merit winning out.

Another of Shakespeare’s lines true even in this day: ” A fool thinks himself to be wise…..”

Donald Trump.

Self thought wise man Donald Trump did it again yesterday. He either outright lied or mistakenly spoke. He claimed past Presidents supported the wall. Clinton, Bush, and Obama responded…..No way! Never said it!

Federal employees not all die hard gung ho Americans willing to suffer a bit for country and President. TSA agents are calling in sick in large numbers. Airport security problems not yet acute. Lines taking a bit longer, however.

Officials report the call ins a “mini-impact” so far.

When the furloughed and working but not being paid start getting dunned big time by their creditors, the wall will become meaningless for many. Food on the table, mortgage payments, tuition payments, etc. more important that a fool’s wall.

Enjoy your day!

Key West has experienced significant growth the past several years. More and more tourists each year. Demand brought higher prices. For everything. Vacationers willing to pay. They were visiting Paradise!

Key West however has failed to keep quality of services at a level expected. The peak has been reached and the downward slide begun.

I have written the past few years that at some point Key West was going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. The goose not yet dead, merely sick. Sick should be the warning. A warning to shape up before the goose dies and the golden egg is no more.

Two events in the last 24 hours compel today’s column.

Each involves a major hotel. Reputationwise, two of Key West’s best hotels. The Pier House and Casa Marina. The persons complaining experienced world travelers. Several times a year. Both couples additionally having visited Key West many times in the past. One 10 times. The other more than 20.

The Pier House. The couple guesting there had this to share. Rooms fine. Complaint was with service at the Pier House’s premier restaurant, One Duval.

Service slow. Help obviously inexperienced. Food presented. No silverware provided. Silverware provided, a fork used with appetizer not replaced for main course. The knife dirty with remnants of the appetizer.

Worse, the food only fair.

Breakfast the same. Though they were complimentary of the eggs benedict.

The Casa Marina. Unquestionably the best beach setting in Key West. Not as good inside the hotel itself, however.

The couple reported internally the room and services an abomination.

Mildew in the room. Could be from Irma. If so, should have been remedied by this time.

The couple enjoy coffee first thing in the morning from the pot in the room. Pot, yes. Coffee, no.

Telephoned to get it. Four different numbers called, including front desk. No answer. Finally housekeeping or some other service said they would attend to it immediately. No one ever showed up.

The Pier House and Casa Marina are two of the most expensive places to stay. Service and accommodations should be top shelf. No excuse for anything less.

Then there are those problems I myself periodically complain of. Like traffic. This past holiday the worse ever. Goes for cars, bicycles and pedestrians. All over the streets. Stop lights, stop signs, and cross walks of no consequence.

A recent study of cities with 15,00 to 75,000 residents ranked Key West #1 for bicycle fatalities and injuries.

A Master Plan was ordered by Key West to assist with the traffic problem. The plan took 2 years to be received. It will be discussed at the January 15 Commission meeting.

I know not he cost of the Plan itself. The implementation of the recommendations already public. $28.6 million.

Insufficiency of parking a complaint for many years. Whenever the City does something, parking places disappear. Difficult to understand.

The cost of parking a disgrace. The most recent raise for public parking areas raised $1 an hour. With a 4 hour limit.

The cost of a roof over one’s head out of sight. Sales prices once again extremely high. Rent levels a disgrace. Affordable housing a constant problem receiving more lip service than correction.

The working people of Key West leaving. The waiters, waitresses, bartenders and kitchen help. They no longer can afford to live in Paradise. Employers making huge profits. The help holding close to minimum wage. The State no assistance. Raised the minimum wage 21 cents an hour as of January 1.

Service less than expected because of the insufficiency of help.

There are more stores on Duval empty than I can ever recall. The reason simple. The rents were/are too high.

Gouging of tourists and help commonplace. The dollar definitely supreme to the detriment of tourists and help.

Greed kills. The goose on its way out unless things change. People who feel they did not get a fair shake when in Key West will return home with negative comments about our community. Word spreads. Just as once a great place to go, it will become ok but….

Franklin Delano Roosevelt made an observation that fits the present Key West situation: “We have always known that heedless self interest was bad morals, we know that it is bad economics.”

Key West has a new Mayor and some new Commission members. I believe Teri Johnston will be an excellent Mayor. The type of woman who takes the bull by the horns. The new Commission members toughies also.

Key West’s problems require immediate attention. Otherwise, we all will be attending the celebration of life for the goose. A sad day for the goose and a sad day for Key West.

Enjoy your day!

The Key West City Commission is sometimes like our esteemed President Donald Trump. Shoot from the hip. Know not that of which they speak.

Three local citizens came up with the idea for a tuesday afternoon tutu party. A party always a god idea. It would be a weekly event.

It was also intended that anyone wearing a tutu on tuesday be given a discount while shopping. The idea to encourage local business.

Newly elected Mayor Teri Johnston supported the idea. She issued some sort of proclamation to that effect. She has now withdrawn the proclamation.

Some objected to Tuesday Tutus. I am assuming complaints were made to members of the City Commission and/or Mayor Johnston. The Mayor withdrew the proclamation. The group pushing the tutu idea were viewed as some sort of business in effect. Our political leaders thought they should be required to be a non-profit or affiliated with some profit making business.

The City Commission capitulated. Mayor Johnston capitulated. Rush Limbaugh type comments took them down.

My suggestion to our local political leaders. Key West has significant and more important problems to deal with. Traffic being one. I cannot understand why the Commission waited 2 years for a traffic Master Plan.

Another, affordable housing. Taking down Mt. Rushmore to build housing thereon. The idea born in ignorance. Initial estimates suggested $70 million to $150 million merely to remove the mountain of buried garbage.

The small group who came up with the tutu tuesday idea should have been encouraged. Not discouraged. Simple should not be made difficult.

A good last night. At the Chart Room.

Don and Chris in town. Arrived yesterday from Syracuse. Visit 4 times a year.

Don recently recovered from hip replacement surgery. His work has him flying all over the world. Security has changed for him. No longer going through 1-2-3. Now has to go to a special security whatever and wait in line to be examined.

Chris lovely. I thought more lovely than ever. A new short hair-do.

We planed out meeting saturday for the Syracuse/Notre Dame game. We are fanatical Syracuse fans. Noon at Jack Flats.

Jean, Joe and Sheila at the round table. Sat with them a while. The best of Key West!

Next stop the Blue Macaw. A booming business last night! Appeared to be all tourists. Did not recognize any locals.

It was Terri’s night to sing. No Terri. Telephoned her and Donna. After 5 consecutive nights at the Little Room Jazz Club and an oncoming cold, Terri’s throat was beat up. I could hardly hear her speak.

I occasionally get into Key West ghost stories. One a couple of months ago involved the Hemingway House. Hemingway and one of his wives moving around at night. Could be seen through the upstair’s windows.

True or false? I don’t know. Would have liked to, however. So every night that I am returning home from Blue Macaw, I drive over Whitehead past the Hemingway House. Slow down and look up in anticipation of seeing Hemingway or his wife.

No more. Last night I almost had an accident. Did not see the car in front of me as I was looking up and back.

Came across a Hemingway quote: “For Whom the Bell Tolls was a problem which I carried each day. I knew what was going to happen in principle. But I invented what happened each day as I wrote.”

Interesting how the man wrote!

The David Wolkowsky estate sale this friday through sunday at his Flagler Street home. What excitement! Locals and tourists mentioning the event.

Today seems to be literary day. Into Herman Melville this morning, also.

Together with his masterpiece Moby-Dick.

Moby-Dick was required reading in high school. I struggled through the book. Never really understood it till years later when I reread it as an adult.

Melville shipped out this day in 1841 on the whaler Acushnet. Took him to the south seas. The trip providing the background for Moby-Dick.

He wrote the book in 1850. A commercial failure. Received only mixed reviews. It was years later before becoming recognized as a classical work.

Melville was a close fried of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Author of House of the Seven Gables. Another literary masterpiece imposed on me in my high school days.

Melville and Hawthorne were close friends. Lived in nearby towns. Hawthorne an influence on the younger Melville. Melville 15 years younger.

Melville tended to be easily excitable and erratic. Hawthorne an expert in calming him down.

Join me at 4 this afternoon on station 107.5 FM. I am guesting on Laurie Thibaud’s show Party With a Purpose.

Enjoy your day!

David Wolkowsky was a friend. A great man. A Dreamer. He returned to Key West in late 1962. His home town a community of shacks, dirt roads, and mud beaches.

David was a visionary. He saw what others could not. He knew Key West could recover the greatness it had lost.

David’s accomplishments in that regard labeled him the father of modern Key West.

David died 3 months ago at 99. Those fortunate to have known him felt an inexplainable loss. He was a great man. A simple person. He touched us.

David enjoyed several homes. His primary residence at 1014 Flagler, a roof top penthouse on Duval, and Ballast Key 16 miles out into the Gulf.

A sadness is developing within me. From friday to sunday, an estate sale will be held at David’s Flagler residence. His personal effects to be sold. Each a beauty in itself. Each a part of him.

As each item goes out the door, his life will be dissembled piece by piece.

Except for one item. The City of Key West. As Michelangelo as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Sue Puskedra of Susie’s Estate sales is handling the sale. I know Sue. A well respected women in Key West. Personally and professionally. She will make sure the disposition of David’s personal items will be accomplished with a dignity befitting the man.

Irma hit the Keys more than a year ago. Some 15 months ago on September 10, 2017.

Not to be forgotten.

Recovery still ongoing. Problems two-fold. Insufficient monies from the federal government and a slowness locally in the issuance of building permits. Much cannot be done in goosing the federal government into more promptly meeting its obligations. However County offices responsible for permitting could move faster.

A hurricane recovery does not represent ordinary times. The County should spend the money and hire the necessary additional persons required to get the job done expeditiously.

Big Pine took a major hit. People still living in tents and shacks. Time to return them to normalcy.

My podcast last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

I was tired of Trump, Trump, Trump. Decided to do a show without anything of significance involving Trump. Accomplished it. Instead of Donald, topics included anti-Semitism, Judaeo-Nazis, Israel’s influence on American legislation, Terri and how the blind can see, Rick Pitino coaching in Greece, and China having a toilet paper problem with regard to its public toilets.

There is more to the world besides Trump.

Syracuse friends Chris and Don back in Key West. They visit four times a year. Great people! Known and loved by everyone!

Fellow fanatic Syracuse supporters, of course. We have already made plans to watch the Syracuse/Notre Dame game saturday at noon. Probably at Jack Flats.

Nature is not consistent. Has strange ways.

One is the flow of water, what affects it, etc.

The time January 2, 1857. Key West’s William R. Hackley wrote in his diary that the calm weather which had lasted so long had affected Keys’ water. Fresh water from the Everglades had drifted down to the Keys. In certain areas, the water was fresh enough to drink. And drink the people did.

He also mentioned that Keys’ fish continued to die. All kinds in great numbers.

Leaves me confused. The water clean enough for human consumption, but deadly to fish. Can it be?

Major league confrontation today in Washington. Trump and eight legislative leaders. The issue the shutdown. Trump has suggested he “wants to make a deal.”

Going to be interesting!

Romney will be a thorn in Trump’s side. Not yet sworn in as a U.S. Senator, he issued an Opinion piece to the Washington Post. Romney threw the gauntlet down. The new sheriff is in town!

Romney wrote, “The President shapes the public character of the nation. Trump’s character falls short…..the President has not risen to the mantle of the office.”

Enemies within, enemies without.

The last time the U.S. was confronted with an enemy from within was the years leading up to and the Civil War itself. Then came enemies from without which resulted in wars. Included are the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II.

Today, the U.S. is first and foremost confronted by an enemy from within. President Donald Trump. A man lacking in character and morals. One leading the Nation to disruption and destruction internally and world wide.

Government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” is slipping away.

Time for Americans to stand up, speak up, and act courageously. The greatest challenge confronting this generation.

We must be up to it. To be as those World War II veterans. Those “who fought for the soul of the nation.”

That is the way it is.

Enjoy your day.