On this day in 1931, Kate Smith made her debut on CBS Radio. The event coincided with her 24th birthday.

You have not heard God Bless America sung till you hear Kate Smith sing it. Search the internet, TV programming, etc. to find it.

Uplifting! It carried us through World War II.

Eighteen yeas ago yesterday was a big day in Jean Thornton’s life.

She was diving off Mel Fisher’s boat. As she was finishing her dive, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She swam over. It was a good sized emerald.

She also found some gold coins.

All from the Atocha area where Fisher had found hundreds of millions of dollars in treasure several years before.

Jean was a school teacher from Indiana. She quit her job. She and husband Joe bought a condo in Truman Annex. Their home is in Birmingham.

Jean spends a lot of time in Key West. Months each year.

As a result of her discovery, she is known as the Golden Girl.

One of her favorite places is the Chart Room. That is where we met many years ago.

I love Jean. Everyone loves Jean.

People protesting a growing event. People who are upset with the coronavirus restrictions imposed upon them. Especially the stay at home one.

It was Michigan last week. It was Michigan again yesterday. Chicago today.

Lansing is the Capitol of Michigan. They were back at the Capitol protesting yesterday. Inside and out.

I believe these protests across the country in recent weeks are the work of and financed by ultra right wing Republican groups. Their goal to upset government as we have known it. Replace it with chaos. Thereby providing them the opportunity to exert more influence and make more money.

Setting my concern aside, there is another.

Some of the Lansing protesters were armed. Their guns weapons of war.

The protesters made their way into the Capitol Building. The Michigan House of Representatives was in session. The armed protesters entered the balcony above the Chamber floor. They walked around carrying their weapons.

For some idiotic reason, visitors are permitted to carry in the Capitol building.

Intimidation? Provoke fear? You better believe it!

Lets take the scenario a step further. Suppose one of the armed protesters decides to shoot down on the Representatives below. A massacre.

A senseless act.

The face of America would change.

Trump was asked about the Michigan protesters last night. He said, They “are very good people” The Governor should “make a deal with them.”

These protests are not freedom of speech issues. Nor religious and economic ones. The issue is public health. Pure and simple.

Trump can be a horse’s ass on occasion. Bodies are piling up in New York City. No money to bury them.

FEMA has a provision that permits it to pay for burials in disaster situations. Like the coronavirus epidemic. Such not automatic, however. The President must approve.

Trump refuses to approve.

At the moment, there are 4 large U-Hauls sitting outside a Brooklyn funeral home. Bodies of coronavirus victims inside.

Trump wonders why his popularity numbers are gong down. This is an example of why.

Some things stay with a person for life. Something said, something done. Trump’s disinfectant comment one.

The Washington Post’s Dana Millbank in a recent column discussed Trump’s comment. His article titled: “Inject bleach? Trump Must Have OD’d on Hydroxychloroquine.”

Love it!

Trump may go down as the worst President in U.S. history. Barr is close behind and will be labeled the worst Attorney General in U.S. history.

This week Barr directed U.S. prosecutors to safeguard civil liberties of those protesting against State imposed pandemic orders. He signaled Justice Department support for lock down protesters by highlighting religious and economic rights.

As stated earlier, I do not see it that way. The issue is neither religious nor economic. It’s public health, stupid! The “stupid” added by me for emphasis.

The Key West police found a little boy wandering around alone last night. The boy’s picture was taken.He appeared to be 3-4 years old.

His picture was placed on Facebook. Within one hour, his parents showed up.

The matter is under investigation.

The Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest was scheduled for 7/23-7/25. In brings to Key West each year in excess of 100 Hemingway Look-Alikes. Everywhere one walks on those days, there is a Hemingway or two to be seen.

Not this year.

The event has been canceled due to the coronavirus crisis. It was decided the men participating are all in their senior years. Most, very senior. The competition would be too much of a risk.

Key West is opening “a little” come monday. Restaurants and retail stores.

Capacity limited to 25 percent at any time. Other restrictions apply.

I am curious as to how it will work out. Tourists are the money makers for Key West business establishments. There are no tourists presently in Key West.

I have been proud of our County and Key West officials to date. They have been hard ass in lifting restrictions. Even opposing some Governor suggestions.

Some locals may enjoy the restaurants. It worries me. Our numbers re Covid-19 affliction have been good. This is not the time to screw up!

People forget. Coronavris deaths March 1 were less than 100 nationally. Today, 2 months later, in excess of 60,00o. The virus moves fast!

May Johnson’s diary for this day 1896 not encouraging re May’s health. She has been confined to bed for almost 2 weeks with chills, etc. If it were today, they would think she had coronavirus or the flu. Or, the doctors may even have cured her by now.

Poor May wrote in her diary for today: “Commenced 6 o’clock to take quinine to ward off chill, took 2 capsules at 6, 8 and 10, they nearly killed me. I wrenched and vomited till I thought I should die. MY TERRIBLE DAY OF SUFFERING.”

Enjoy your day!