History has a way of repeating itself. In this instance, Afghan babies and Central American ones.

Recall when the Mexican border was blocked. Many of those from Central America knew they would not be able to get into the U.S. Nevertheless, they wanted the better life for their children. Some of the children were babies.

Mothers knowing they would not get in, took steps to make sure their babies would. They were handed to women steps away from entry. The babies made a successful entry into the U.S.

The situation is repeating itself in Afghanistan.

Mothers are desperate to get their babies into the U.S. They know they themselves are not going to make it. In fact, many of the mothers will be killed by the Taliban as well as a number of babies. So it is with the Taliban way of life. A not so precious one.

Separating where those seeking to get out of Afghanistan may stand and where British and American solders stand, is a wall consisting of large bales of barb wire. Mothers are yelling at the allied troops to take their children. Desperation set in and they began trying to throw their babies over the barb wire.

Some make it, some don’t. Some into the hands of British soldiers in one area, others fall upon the barb wire. Some do not make it. They fall on the barb. All injured, some die.

A British officer said, “By the end of the night there wasn’t one man among us who was not crying.”

In another spot separated by barb wire, babies were thrown by mothers also. To American soldiers who suffered similarly to the British.

Friendly discourse becoming next to impossible, even among long time friends.

The place Martha’s Vineyard. Playground for the rich and famous.

This scene occurred at a popular grocery store. Alan Dershowitz and Larry David. David began by yelling at his long time friend Dershowitz re Dershowitz’s representation/assistance to Donald Trump. Dershowitz responded in a more conciliatory fashion. David would have none of it. Turned his back and walked away.

ICU beds a problem. Medical staff to operate them also.

Hospital beds across the country are rapidly filling up with COVID patients.

Some hospitals have hung out the no room at the inn signs. They have neither beds nor staff to handle the new sick.

Presently, one out of five ICUs throughout the U.S. had at least 95 percent of beds occupied last week. A figure that has doubled in recent weeks.

Alabama a scary example of the problem. Alabama has absolutely no ICU units available anywhere in the Sate. One hospital official said, “Our worst fears” have been reached.

An Alabama doctor views the lack of beds as potentially an “apocalyptic” situation.

Chris Cillizza is Editor at Large of CNN Politics. He published an article on 8/18 tilted: “Ron DeSantis Has No Idea What He’s Talking About.”

Re masks, DeSantis is taking all kinds of steps to force people not to wear them. Supporting his position, DeSantis said, “Politicians want to force you to cover your face as a way for them to cover their own asses…..even though its not proven to be effective.”

Recall Amanda Gorman, the brilliant inaugural poet. She has two new books of poems that will be published in the fall.

Hurricane Grace avoided the Keys. It went south. Making landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Winds projected at 80 mph, rains 4-10 inches, and surge if any will be 3-5 feet.

The group opposing the vaccine grows.

Washington State has one or more hospitals that do transplant work. The hospitals involved mandated  patients on transplant waiting lists would have to receive the vaccine to remain on the list.

Most of the patients refused.

Enjoy your day!

There are times where I’ll research a topic and then get not to use it. The story still interesting, but doesn’t fit another day. This happened last friday. Friday the 13th.

The story involved friday the 13th and Da Vinci’s Last Supper. I share it with you today.

Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition.

The Last Supper took place on Holy Thursday. Later that night, Jesus would be arrested. The next day tortured and crucified.

The Last Supper and friday the 13th have a relationship. Though not a friday, the Last Supper had 13 persons seated at the table. The twelve apostles and Jesus.

The 13 at the the Last Supper gave the Last Supper the bad luck label. There are several other happenings before and after that are considered the source of friday the 13th. However, the Last Supper is the one most historians consider the correct choice.

I have visited Milan several times. On two of those occasions, I visited the Last Supper.

Da Vinci’s work is housed at the refectory of the Convent of the Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

Da Vinci began the painting around 1495-1496. It took 3 years to complete. The major reason for the length of time was Da Vinci had difficulty deciding how to paint Judas’ face. He spent considerable time walking the streets of the more tawdry sections of Milan seeking the face.

The Last Supper is painted consistent with John 13:2.

The work itself is large: 16.5′ x 26.6′.

It covers the end wall of the dining room.

The medium was not solely oil. Though Da Vini’s preference was to paint with oil, the work may be properly referred to as a fresco with variations.

No canvas. The Last Supper was painted on a large wall.

The wall was sealed with a double layer of gesso, pitch, and mastic. To which Da Vinci added an undercut of white lead to enhance the brightness of the oil and tempos that were applied on top. Secco painted on dry plaster for final touches.

To the non professional eye of one such as I, it appeared to be a painting on concrete.

To the painting itself.

John the Apostle sat next to Jesus. Facing the work, John would be seated to Jesus’ left. He had a pink shawl thrown over his shoulder closest to Jesus.

Note that a docent lead the tour each time. Appeared to be well versed in all aspects of the Last Supper.

He asked that we look closely at the pink shawl. He directed us to what was a woman’s face. Da Vinci had painted a woman’s face and shoulder beneath the shawl which on a close look left no question it was there.

The docent advised it was thought to be the face and upper portion of Mary Magdalene. He further advised  it would not have been strange for her to be at the Last Supper.

She had made her peace with Jesus and was now a devoted follower. She was at the Last Supper as a server, etc. She followed Jesus around the table as he washed the feet of the disciples. She dried their feet.

Then he told us something I had never heard before. He said Mary had become of the wife of Jesus.

Some time after, I decided to research the representation. Nowhere could I find even the slightest hint that such was a fact.

As to the painting itself, I was overwhelmed the first time my eyes rested on it! The size contributed to the feeling. The work itself magnificent!

Enjoy your day!

Recall the adage a picture is worth a thousand words. The veracity of the statement is found in a photograph which is all over the internet this morning.

It bears out the “utter desperation” which presently exists at Kabul Airport.

The picture is of the inside of the body of an American C-17. The plane had taken off. Six hundred forty persons in the picture. Actually, 640 heads. A sea of heads.

A C-17 is obviously a huge plane. Some how the 640 got on board. They were not suppose to. The plane was already moving down the runway to take off. A decision had to be made. The crew made the decision to go.

Six hundred forty lives saved from suffering, many from death.

Yesterday, I danced around the point the U.S. has lost all but one war it had engaged in since World War II. That was Grenada. A bunch of old ladies could have won the war. Grenada is a small island in the Caribbean. An insignificant army. The war ended in a very few days.

All other post World War II wars the U.S. has engaged in have developed into disasters. The U.S. lost. Korea, Vietnam, Iran, both Iraqi wars, Libya, and Afghanistan.

There is a message in such a track record. The U.S. should stay out of wars against small countries.

Florida hospitals are being pushed to the limit as the state fights the worst COVID-19 outbreak in the nation. Florida presently accounts for 18 percent of new cases in the U.S.

Florida has “distinguished” itself in fighting the virus under the leadership of Governor DeSantis. Masks and vaccines are the weapons to fight the war. Proven weapons of the virus war. Yet the Governor refuses to agree. A know it all. He has continuously refused to revisit calls to enforce mask mandates and other pandemic related measures.

Hospital beds equipped to handle coronvirus cases are in short supply in every state. Florida has a distinction here also. Florida leads the nation in having the most hospital beds in use for virus cases. The number 28.2 percent.

DeSantis is on a new kick. A Trump trait. As Trump did, DeSantis is pushing Regeneron and not vaccine as the way to combat coronavirus.

Regeneron is a “short term” treatment to accelerate the curing of the virus. The patient must first get infected, however.

DeSantis is talking in dollar terms here, as Trump did in many situations.He claims the drug will “normalize hospital rates.” People will not remain hospitalized as long as they are now.

A Regeneron treatment costs up to $6,500. Who is paying the bill? Not those who get sick. So said DeSantis.  Regeneron’ manufacturers or the State? An interesting query.

Recognize again, Regeneron promotes a treatment whereas the vaccine promotes prevention.

DeSantis is  establishing clinics to provide people with free monoclonal (Regeneron) treatments. Last week, he opened four such clinics in Florida.

Why is DeSantis pushing Regeneron?

Two top DeSantis donors have major investments in the drug.

One is the Citadel, a Chicago based hedge fund. The fund has $15.9 million in shares.

The other is Citadel CEO Ken Griffin. He has personally donated $10.75 million to a political committee over a 3 year period which supports DeSantis.

An adverse mask comment in the Citizens’ Voice in this morning’s Citizen: “My kids will not be wearing a mask and neither will I. Stay housed, not scared.”

The husband/father  and family could very well become instruments of death as soon as they leave their home.

Governor Abbott of Texas is discovering retribution occasionally comes down from above.

It was reported Abbott tested positive for coronavirus yesterday.

The man anti mask and anti vaccine.

The Governor is presently quarantined in the Governor’s Mansion.

He had no prior nor present symptoms. He is not suffering nor sickly.

Interestingly, Abbott did a campaign stop a few days ago. Six hundred surrounded him .No one masked. How can the virus be traced under these circumstances?

Abbot as with DeSantis is a Regeneron/monoclonal anti body treatment supporter also.

Virginia Dare was the first child born in present day America. Born this day in 1587 on Roanoke Island, North Carolina.

Enjoy your day!

The United States, the most powerful nation on Earth, finds it difficult to extract it own people and friends from Afghanistan. Not surprising.

Other nations have failed in confrontations with Afghanistan. As far back as Alexander the Great. Great Britain and Russia, also. So why would it be surprising the U.S. failed?

Leaving in defeat unquestionably an embarrassment. If a great nations such as the U.S. has spent 20 years in a country as small as Afghanistan and not defeated the “enemy,” something is wrong. There is a message here.

We beat the big guys in World War II. Germany and Japan. What war have we won since? North Korea never capitulated. Even to this day. Whatever may have been signed or agreed to is not “adhered to” by the enemy. Kim Jung Un continues to do what he wants when he wants.

Vietnam was the worst. A war against a smaller country, a war that went on too long also. The Vietnamese whipped our ass.

The U.S. departure from Saigon an embarrassment. I thought nothing could be more embarrassing that Americans and supporters en mass on the roof of the Saigon Embassy clawing their way to get the next U.S. helicopter out. While the enemy was below shooting up at them.

I was wrong regarding emergency removals. Afghanistan in recent days worse than the rooftop scene in Saigon. Here the American planes are huge. On the tarmac in Kabul. Taking off with hundreds of people holding onto whatever they could grab on the side of the plane or running along while the plane is taking off in hopes of getting on somehow.

I blame no one and yet blame everyone. Each President during the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. Their military and other advisers in both wars.

We never got it right.

Eisenhower’s philosophy was you go in with a superior force. As he did on D-Day. No pussy footing around. Use more military than needed. Use all sorts of weaponry short of nuclear.

There is a key to insure against defeat by a minor nation. Don’t get involved in a war with one!

Big day today. On this day in 1969, the Woodstock Music Festival ended. After three days of peace, love, and rock ‘n roll.

Key West’s Larry Smith and Christine Cordone were there. Had to be college age at the time. It was 52 years ago.

Both are still performing strong and enjoying their life’s work.

Grace has abandoned the U.S. Decided not to engage us in her path. Her path is now taking her south of Cuba and into the Gulf.

Where is Henri? Significant reporting re Henri yesterday. Today, I came across none. Henri is the new kid on the block. Still gaining strength.

There is a saying let sleeping dogs lie. I would also throw in what goes around comes around.

Cuomo announced his resignation as Governor last week. An ultimate type punishment.

The Speaker of the New York Assembly is the second most powerful person in New York following the Governor. Speaker Heastie announced friday that the Assewmbly’s investigation of Cuomo would close. There would be no further move to impeach Cuomo.

Cuomo would go quietly into the night. He had no friends on either side of the aisle. Nor anywhere for that mater.

The announcement by the Speaker was friday. Over the weekend, bipartisan outrage exploded. Everyone unhappy. Cuomo needed further punishment. Everything short of burning him at the stake like Joan of Arc.

Speaker Heastie apparently is lacking in brass testicles. He is the boss. He is the second most powerful man in the State. Yet he capitulated to the mob. He advised yesterday he was reversing his position. The investigation would go on and a report released.

Strange! The purpose of the investigation and report could only be used to impeach Governor Cuomo. I ask, how do you impeach a governor who is no longer governor?

The U.S. national debt is now $21 trillion. China has been the U.S.’ #1 creditor in previous years. No more. China has been replaced by Japan. China is now #2.

The dollars owed each minuscule in comparison to the total national debt of $28 trillion. Japan is owed a mere $1.2 trillion and China $1.06 trillion.

Coronavirus numbers for Key West and the Keys continue to trend upward.

The surge is causing concern. Should Key West for example continue planning major events or cancel them now. A meeting to discuss the issue will take place at 5 pm today in City Hall. On the table are Fantasy Fest, the offshore power boat races, and the December holiday parade.

Keys data reflects 504 new COVID-19 cases last week. Yesterday alone, 69 new cases.

All Keys’ numbers by week or day contain 13 children who have become infected.

Not every country has reacted to government intervention to control the virus as people in the U.S. have. Many have. Sluggishly. However there are others in varying degrees who have not.

New Zealand has a Prime Minister and people who have their heads on straight.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister is Jacinda Ardern. Her country’s population is 5 million. Since the pandemic began, New Zealand has had less than 3,000 cases, with only 26 of that number dying.

The country did lockdowns and took other measures. The population with few exceptions did what was necessary to protect themselves.

New Zealand has been clean since February. No new cases till this weekend. One. The Prime Minister immediately announced the country would be in lockdown for 3 days. Note again, for only one infection since Ffebruary.

The Prime Minister suspects the one infection of the Delta variant.

The one infected person is a 58 year old New Zealander who went unvaccinated. His business required him to travel around New Zealand.

Lockdown in New Zealand means everyone must stay home. Busineses will be closed also except for essential services such as groceries and pharmaceuticals.

Today is tuesday. Means my blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me at 9 pm for my observations re local, national and world events. Observations delivered with a kick!

Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Children are in extreme danger in certain parts of the country. Especially in states like Texas and Florida whose Governors are beyond inept.

Revolution is brewing. The non shooting kind. Especially in Texas. You can only defecate on a people a certain length of time. Then they will rebel.

Texas is overburdened with COVID-19 cases. Hospital beds and medical staff are experiencing shortages that could result in death. Young and old alike threatened.

Texas an example where the young have been placed in extreme danger.

Clay Jenkins is titled a County Judge in Dallas County. Actually, he is County Executive. However Texans have labeled their County Execs County Judges from time immemorial. It has something to do with their Mexican heritage.

Jenkins was interviewed over the weekend. The thrust of the interview concerned COVID children and a lack of available pediatric ICU beds. The shortage significant. No room at the inn a reality. With zero pediatric ICU beds available, children are being transported to Temple and Oklahoma cities if beds are available in those places.

Jenkins said, Dallas County has “zero ICU beds for children. In order for a bed to be available for a coronavirus infected child, or even a child severely injured in an automobile accident, “you will wait for another child to die.” Yes, such is how pediatric ICU beds become available for a Dallas County child.

Though referred to as a lack of pediatric ICU beds, the problem actually is lack of medical staff to service those beds.

Children are being transported to Temple or Oklahoma City if pediatric ICU beds are available in those places.

Texas and Florida presently make up 40 percent of all new coronavirus cases in the U.S. A certain number are children. With children soon to return to school, the number of children becoming infected will increase. Especially so due to methods being invoked by Governor Abbott to disallow mandated mask wearing.

As the number of children die, their blood will be on Abbott’s hands. I am not being dramatic. A fact is a fact. His conduct speaks for itself.

A Rhode Island study was recently released. The purpose was to determine if the virus was affecting children adversely and, if so, why. Only white children were involved.

The study’s conclusion is that children are affected. Definitely.

IQ scores down by as much as 22 percent. Verbal, motor and cognitive performance all suffered. Deficiency in cognitive functioning attributed to lack of mobility and interaction at home.

Prepandemic IQ for the decade before 3/20 was 100. The number has dropped to 78 because of the pandemic.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a new “terrorist” bulletin friday. The purpose of the bulletin was to advise an increase in “terrorist” danger. Terrorism comparable to January 6.

The bulletin warned about potential “attacks” by “violent extremists” related to conspiracy theories. Three in number: Opposition to COVID measures, election fraud and Trump be reinstated, and the anniversary of 9/11 and religious holidays.

No question the hurricane season has arrived. Early, in fact. September actually hurricane month.

First was tropical storm Fred last week. For all intents and purposes, no problem for Key West. Then Grace. We are still waiting for Grace here in Key West. Not expected to be more than a tropical storm, if anything. This morning it was announced Henri is behind Grace. Could be a danger to Key West. Still not certain. Presently forming as a tropical storm east-southeast of Bermuda.

Our esteemed past President Donald Trump issued a statement yesterday. He called on Biden to resign: “Resign in disgrace.”

Amazing! The worst President in the history of the United States calling one the finest and most moral of Presidents to leave office. The resignation called for by a proven liar, dishonest individual, with a sex traffic record, who it will ultimately be proven was one of those behind January 6.

For shame, Donald!

Trump asserts several grounds for Biden’s resignation: The surge in coronavirus, the border catastrophe, and a crippled economy.

Trump claims Biden’s resignation would not be of consequence: “It shouldn’t be a big deal, because he wasn’t elected legitimately in the first place!”

This is my second tour of duty with coronavirus. Self-quarantine. Today day 29. Amazing how swiftly this first month has gone by.

I still spend a considerable portion of my day reading and writing. Watching more movies this time, however.

I love old movies. For some reason, they seem to be better this time around. The great ones!

Jean Thornton tweeted the other day how enjoyable this quarantine was bcause of the great movies.

Silent films have never been to my liking. However a few days ago, I watched the original Ben Hur starring Ramon Navarro. Even better than Charlton Heston’s which I have always enjoyed. If you get a chance to watch the silent one, do so. You will be impressed.

Enjoy your day!

So much to share, analyze, etc. this morning. This will be the largest Morning Stew ever.

No special sequence. They are going into the blog as they come up in my notes.

CDC made a mistake concerning one particular number of Florida COVID data. The CDC admitted it had over counted Florida’s cases. Not intentional. A screw up.

The CDC counted last week’s new coronavirus cases as 28,000. Actually, 18,000.

The number will be readjusted next week when 19,000 will be entered in Florida’s mix in place of the 28,000.

Indiana University mandated mask wearing. A student group went to court to reverse the decision. Lost. Appealed. Justice Amy Corey Barrett of the Supreme Court denied  the students appeal on her own without consulting her colleagues on the Court and without a formal hearing. Proper under the circumstances of the case and how it reached the Supreme Court.

The matter will shortly be heard by the full Court.

An example of DeSantis’ head stuck up his derriere. Regeneron is an antibody treatment. It was given to Trump when he had the virus. Last thurdsday,  DeSantis recommended its use to help curb the COVID spread.

I ask: Why not get people vaccinated? Get to people before they are infected with the virus. There are tons of vaccines available. I question who beside DeSantis and Trump have recommended Regeneron’s use.

Texas Democratic House members on the verge of arrest. . The Texas Supreme Court overruled the lower court decision which said the Democrats could not be arrested. The new decision said it’s ok based on the House of Representatives’ 89-12 vote to permit the same.

What next?

The U.S. has been in Afghanistan 20 years. Biden said no more. Ordered U.S. troops out.

Taliban has moved swiftly to take over the country. They are totally in control of most major cities.

The Afghan troops the U.S. spent so much money and time to train are turning and running as the Taliban arrive.

Biden and the U.S. do not look good at all.

In the past 2 days, Biden has ordered 5,000 new troops into Afghanistan to get the problem worked out, if he can. The Taliban are in the driver’s seat. They have little reason to desire any negotiation which would diminish their new present power.

Where did the money go in the 20 years? It is now being revealed that the Afghan government is extremely corrupt and it is suspected significant U.S. dollars went into their pockets. Most of which was supposed to be used to train Afghan forces.

Senator Rand Paul is another politician with his head not on his shoulders. YouTube recently blocked his comments for one week over his representation that masks are ineffective against COVID-19.

Rand retorted, It is “censorship…..very dangerous…..anti-free speech…..and anti-progress science.”

Fred missed Key West. Moved westerly as it passed Key West. Key West experienced 24 hours of off and on heavy rain and some winds. Nothing of any consequence.

Fred still on the move. At the Panhandle today. Heavy waters expected.

Grace continues towards the U.S. Key West in the cone of certainty. If it hits, it will be as a tropical storm.

Hurricane reporting not as good as in previous years. Weather people reporting using the cone alone too long. Key West always in the center of the cone. From Africa forward. Spaghetti lines needed at some point 2-3 days earlier that anticipated landfall.

Last week, I reported a Catholic Church group or two would at some point finance some entity to go to court seeking an exemption from any mandate to wear masks on religious grounds.

Biden announced last week he intended to compel mask wearing for the military. Turns out the courts have already recognized the military’s right to refuse most things on religious grounds.

Mask are next. It is anticipated that the Supreme Court would rule in favor of the exemption.

Too many freedoms being used not as intended by the people of the U.S. nor the Constitution.  And being approved by the courts.

I am the first to say “protect our freedoms.” However the people and the courts are proceeding even more than a step too far.

Last year is repeating itself this year. Street demonstrations bordering on open warfare are becoming common place again. The issue is different, however. Last year it was BLM and other “democratic groups” protesting and far righters, white supremacists, etc. in opposition. The same groups who were insurrectionists on January 6.

The issue today “masks.” Would you believe?

The mask opposition groups are getting stronger. They also appear to be more organized as time goes on. The most recent example Los Angeles saturday. A protest between pro maskers and anti-maskers.

Violence developed. One person stabbed.

The anti-maskers seem to be getting stronger and better organized. I have this gut feeling that they are being helped by and used by the same groups behind the January 6 insurrectionists.

Such should be under investigation. The far right continues to organize well. They feed the venom. There must be some with money behind them. Lets find the ones supporting these groups financially and run their asses into jail.

Another Florida shark attack. Near Key Largo. A teenager. The bite(s) to his “lower extremities.”

Further facts unavailable.

The Afghanistan turmoil continues. Keep in mind the U.S. is not the only nation to have spent a log time there. Russia was in Afghanistan before the U.S. For 10 years, 1979-1989. Left with their tails between their legs as the U.S. is now.

Afghans must be some sort of special people. Strong minded and willed. They have in effect knocked off two international giants.

DeSantis opposition is growing. The recognition proof the man does not know what he is doing.

A Florida doctor has described him as a “medical authoritarian.” A school official as the “mad king of the COVID era.”

DeSantis is unquestionably seeking a “new” aid to help people with the COVID-19 problem. He has come up with a second solution. The first was Regeneron. The latest Monocolonial anti-bodies. The two could be one and the same. I do not know. DeSantis says it is a rapid response to fight COVID-19 by administering monocolonial anti-bodies treatments to those already infected.

More importantly, we have the avoidance already. Masks and the vaccine. Why look elsewhere? He merely is doing it because he cannot find a way to say he was wrong re masking and the vaccine.

He sounds much like Trump when he was pushing the Clorox cue. Drink or be vaccinated with a bleach. Would kill the virus within minutes.

Where do these guys come from?

Are you aware that 40 percent of the new cases in the U.S. come from Florida and Texas? DeSantis and Abbott birds of a feather.

Florida’s COVID numbers from last week revealing.

Nationally based on record keeping by counties nationwide, Florida’s Broward County ranked #1 and Miami-Dade County #3. Something to be proud of Governor!

New cases last week  found Florida to have the highest number of new cases week wise since the very beginning of the pandemic, 151,415. Breaks down to an average of 21,630 per day.

Nationwide, new cases soared 700 percent since July 1. In late June, there were 10,000 new cases a day. Now, 125,000.

People are becoming concerned. The numbers are going up as new persons are being vaccinated. Friday 50 percent of U.S. persons had been vaccinated at least once. The situation slowly improving.

Andrew Cuomo.

I was a New York resident till 2006. Cuomo not N.Y. governor yet. However, I knew of him by observing his political career. He impressed me while I was a citizen. He has impressed me in his years as governor.

He is presently an item of discussion.

In the past 2 days, I have discussed his current problem with 6 people. One a male and N.Y. resident. The other 5 ladies. A mix of N.Y. and Florida residents.

Their opinions re Cuomo interesting.

The man thought Cuomo did wrong. It was against the law. He had to be made to pay.

I did not expect his response.

The ladies likewise I did not expect their responses. Each thought Cuomo had gotten a raw deal. Two recalled having grabbed my ass on occasion. Three surprised me by recalling throwing their arms around me and kissing my on the cheek at a time I was totally unaware they were coming or what they intended to do.

It seems to me the politicians, male and female, may have said kill him because they are in the forefront of the public’s eye and are expected to speak thusly.

I am done for today. Glad I was able to catch up.

Enjoy your Sunday!

One thing life teaches is that change is a constant. Nothing remains the same.

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus was the first to arrive at the concept: “There is nothing permanent except change.” He thereafter influenced among others Plato, Aristotle, and Nietzsche.

So do not be shocked with that which is to about to be shared.

The ballet has been respected as the most sensuous of dances. In major cities, a black tie affair to evidence that respect.

A new building to house the Paris Opera Ballerina was constructed in the mid 1860’s. The audience portion the same as today. Silent respectability. Behind the stage, another story. A brothel!

Erin Blackmore is an historical writer of consequence. She frequently writes for the History Channel. She also has had her works presented in major publications world wide.

Her writing versatile. She covers every subject well.

In 2018, Blackmore wrote about sex and the Paris Opera Ballerina: Sexual Exploitation Was the Norm For the 19th Century Ballerina. The story of wealthy men who turned the famous Paris Opera Ballerina into a place of ill repute.

Charles Baudelaire was a famous poet in the first half of the 19th century. He wrote, “Dance is poetry with arms and legs.” So it was and so it is. However for twenty years beginning in the 1860’s, the ladies practiced their “poetry” on their backs with their arms and legs spread. “Money, power and prostitution mingled in the glamorous…..backstage world of the Paris Opera.”

The Paris Opera Ballet, founded in the 17th century, was the world’s first professional ballet company. Preeminent then and through today.

In the 19th century, it raised the bar for dance. On the backs of exploited young women.

Women entered the ballet as young children. Trained, trained, and trained some more. Laborious the making of a ballet dancer. Most who achieved “success” found it only in small walk on rolls. The young ladies were often malnourished and dressed in hand me downs.

The young girls were called the “petite rats” of the ballet. Vulnerable to social and sexual exploitation.

A struggle. First was opera dance school. Hopefully followed by becoming an apprentice in the Opera. A “long term contract” took forever to attain, if at all.

Most were exploited by the Paris Opera’s wealthy male subscribers. Nicknamed “abbones.” Such wealthy men did not subscribe for the music, but “for the beautiful ballerinas who danced.” Behind the scenes, “sexual favors from the women they ogled on stage.”

When Charles Garnier designed the Paris Opera House in the 1860’s, he included a “separate entrance for season ticket holders.” The building included a “lavish room” called the “foyer de la danse.” The play room for the wealthy who had financed the room. It was located directly behind the stage.

Touted as a place where the ladies warmed up, its actual purpose was use by male patrons.” The place where they socialized and propositioned ballet dancers.

The ballet attire of today is tight and body forming. Sensuous without question. Sensuous in the 1860’s, though in a different fashion. Generally skirts not form fitting at all.

Due to their social status, abbones were free to socialize with the ladies.

“Epic scenes took place back stage.” It was “a kind of men’s club where they could meet and greet other power brokers, make business deals, and bask in a highly sexualized atmosphere.”

The dancers were subject to scrutiny and harassment. Expected to submit to the subscribers, noblemen and important financiers, whose money supported the majority of the Opera’s spending.”

For a girl from a poor background, a “rich man was their only chance at stability.”

A few dancers were able to get along on their merits rather than assistance by an abbones. However they were still looked down upon as suspected prostitutes.

In the 1870’s and 1880’s, Edgar Degas was an influential Parisian who could not afford the “backstage.” However his “affluent friends” secured him backstage passes so he could sketch the dancers in their natural habitat. On occasion even capturing glimpses of their real world.

Life was not easy for most of the dancers. Degas was able to pick up on it.  His portrayal of the dancers were “marked by the hateful promise of every vice.” Some Degas fans thought it unfortunate that his subjects were marked by the sordidness of the “sexual harassment that was baked into ballet.”

I do not agree. The dark visible in certain spots and suggested immorality may very well have made Degas the success he was rather than just another artist. He saw things perhaps no other could.

Enjoy your day!

Today is friday the 13th. A good day to stay home, not walk under a ladder or permit a black cat to walk in front of you. The day is considered an unlucky one in the western hemisphere.

Friday the 13th does not always occur only one time a year. In some years, up to three times.

Where did the day come from? What is its source?

Many a story behind friday the 13th. Which the real one? No one actually knows. People select which ever suits their fancy.

The most popular is the Last Supper. Jesus and his 12 disciples the evening of Holy Thursday. Thirteen purportedly for dinner.

Another source involves the Knights Templar which began with their arrest on friday October 13, 1307.

The story originates from a Norse myth. Twelve Norse gods were having a dinner party in Valhalla. There was a thirteenth god. Trickster Loki who had not been invited. His uninvited appearance made for 13 gods in attendance.

Loki killed the god Balder with a weapon which had been mistletoed on top.

It is said the whole Earth got dark, the whole Earth mourned.

As a result of Balder’s death, the combination of friday and the 13th day of the month have been considered bad and unlucky.

Return with me now to the Last Supper.

The Last Supper is a well known painting by DaVinci. It is a 15th century mural painting. Housed today in the Refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

I have been fortunate to have visited Milan on several occasions. On two, visited DaVinci’s Last Supper.

It is located on a large wall at the end of an even larger dining room.

The painting is neither small nor regular in size. DaVinci was not putting around when he decided to paint the Last Supper. I do not know its actual size. Huge the only way to describe it. Big! Also of course, spectacular.

The Last Supper is painted on the huge wall. The whole wall.

DaVinci first prepared the wall. He sealed the wall with a double layer of gesso, pitch, and mastic, with an undercoat of white leaf to enhance the painting’s brightness when it was done. Lastly, he covered the wall with secco (dry plaster).

He then painted.

In simple terms, DaVinci painted the Last Supper on some sort of concrete wall.

Very small groups were permitted in the former dining hall. There was sufficient room for many. However there was a concern that chemicals in one’s clothes and that germs emanating from the human nose might contaminate and destroy the painting. Before arriving at the dining hall, we had to take 2 separate elevators to “sanitize us” before even getting into the dining hall.

I was in awe of DaVinci’s work. I listened to the guide director’s words and then sat on a bench at a side wall for a half hour “contemplating” the work.

There were the 12 apostles and Jesus. The tour guide asked if anyone could see an additional person. No one could.

There was one in the painting.

Sitting to Jesus’ immediate left was John the Apostle. He was cloaked on his shoulder closest to Jesus in some sort of pink shawl. Looking closely at the shawl after having been directed to do so, there was woman leaning on it. Her face and upper torso.

The guide said many historians believe her to be Mary Magdalene. As the story goes, she was married to Jesus at the time. Even further, the story claims they had two children.

Mary’s purpose at the Last Supper was to help with the food, etc. Her role minor. It is further believed that she followed Jesus around as he washed the feet of the disciples. She would dry their feet.

What is it……Don’t believe everything you hear or read. I am the world’s greatest skeptic. Lawyer training does that to a person. Nevertheless, I have read parts of books and searched the internet re Mary and DaVinci’s Last Supper. There are those who believe DaVinci painted Mary into the Last Supper resting on John’s shoulder starring at Jesus.

It was not uncommon for artists in DaVinci’s day to sneak someone or something into a painting for no other reason than to see if the public could be fooled.

Fred will be visiting today or tomorrow. I may bite my words later, but it does not look that whatever is coming will be that bad. There is no calm before the storm this morning. The trees are blowing as they normally do every day.

Having so written, watch! I’ll probably have to be taken off my rooftop by helicopter.

Fred had reverted to a tropical depression. It is supposed to go back to being a tropical storm before it hits Key West and the lower Keys. Expected landfall later today or sometime tomorrow. Winds at its striking projected to be sustaining at 45 mph and gusts up to 50 mph.

I speak with some degree of authority. Key West is expected to be in the middle of the cone as Fred passes over. Never forget however wind storms of Fred’s nature are fickle. Fred may  change his mind at the last minute and turn in another direction or with a different force.

Recall Irma. It was a category 5 approaching Key West. The damage would be disastrous. Very few buildings would be left standing. I was scared and got out of Dodge 5 days before its anticipated arrival.

Irma deviated slightly as it hit Key West. Slightly moved west and dropped to a category 1. Sixteen miles later when over Cudjoe Key, it became a category 4. Much destruction. Nothing seemed to be where it belonged. Cars in the water. Boats on U.S. 1. Houses in the ocean and on land turned sideways or upside down. Furniture everywhere.

Note again, the distance between Key West and Cudjoe Key is 16 miles.

Enjoy your day!

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Insanity continues to prevail.

The Catholic Church is getting involved in an issue where it has no place. Unless of course it does so in a Christ like fashion.

The issue: Vaccination mandates are subject to freedom of religion attacks.

Those who issued such opinion are the two Bishop groups in the United States: The United Voice of the Catholic Bishops of Colorado and the Washington based Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The two organizations represent 50 percent of American bishops. There is division in the ranks re the vaccine issue as well as many others.

The two Conferences operate on a close basis with evangelical Republicans who operate with the far right politically. These bishops should have become politicians rather than priests attempting to impose non Christ like teaching on the American people.

Jesus and Pope Frances both said go feed my people. I recall nothing from my studies saying get involved in politics.

Expect some lawsuits in the near future claiming vaccines violate religious rights. They will be supported by the Bishops’ organizations and financed by wealthy Catholic laymen who have personal and political reasons for having the lawsuits brought.

Words appearing now with “personal choice” and “parental choice” are popping up. Soon it will be by the Catholic Church with “personal choice” being involved in freedom of religion cases.

One argument by the Bishops is that certain of the vaccines have abortion derived cell lives. In short, cells from dead fetus’s were used in experimentation for the vaccines. Their argument even goes to vaccines not having such cells in them at this time. The cells were only limited to cell use in the beginning.

COVID-19 is a killer. Now numbered in the hundred of thousands. Children now adding to the number on a daily basis.

I have a solution. A serious one.

Since coronavirus is easily contagious and the Delta-variant even more, the numbers of those afflicted will continue to dramatically increase.

There was a disease long ago that was horrendous also. Many lepers were sent to Molokai Island. Father Damien followed to care for them. My suggestion is we find an island for the die hard anti-vaccine, send them to live on such an island, to be accompanied by Catholic Bishops to care for them.

Such more God like than the freedom of religion issues being raised.

Fred is becoming confusing. The type of hurricane that persons should be concerned with. It first was projected to be a tropical storm. It became one. Now it has been reduced in power to a tropical depression. We are told it will return to a tropical storm by the time it hits Florida.

Winds initially projected 60-80 mph. Now, 40-60.

Certain cones has Fred basically coming right over Key West and the Keys. Fred first indicated to travel west of Key West. Now, east of Key West.

Fred first projected to hit Key West next tuesday. Then, this coming friday around 7 pm. Now perhaps as early as tonight.

The projection when Key West hits heavy rains and wind in the 40-60 mile range.

Hurricanes are fickle. Fred is fickle. Not the weather persons. They merely report their findings to provide us with the best information so we can make an educated guess as to what to do.

No one in Key West seems to be concerned about Fred at this point.

All good things come to an end. Steve Thompson’s TACOS ends today. Somewhere in time in the mid 1970’s.

Ballast Key is prominent in his last writing.

Ballast Key at one time was owned by David Wolkowsky. His personal hide-a-way. Time wise probably after Steve visited there, though I am not certain.

Ballast Key is off the Gulf side of Key West 16 miles out. Wolkowsky built a home out there. Brought water and power to the island.

He threw parties for the rich and famous. Kings, Prime Ministers, entertainment celebrities, authors, politicians, etc. The menu always the same: Hot dogs, potato chips and champagne. Provided by one of the richest men in the world at the time.

Steve’s Ballast Key story as it appears in TACOS paragraph 28, the last paragraph of the writing. Steve wrote this book 10 years ago. Perhaps he should finish it. He and Cindy are a wealth of knowledge. They have so much to tell.

All the locals used to go to Ballast Key / And I felt great when they invited me / Six miles out we came to a stop sign / Everyone turned left and followed in line / I didn’t want to seem so formal / But nothing about this seemed very normal / The island was 10 miles out in the sea / With a white sandy beach and a lone palm tree / We pulled he boats right up on the sand / Everyone looked beautiful and tanned / Then everybody took of all their clothes / I looked like a glass of milk from head to toes / I really felt like a geek / And I couldn’t sit down for at least a week / We went there a lot not just that time / But I never got used to that stop sign.

Finis.

Thank you Steve and Cindy.

My attempt at advertising is neither simple nor easy. Sloan is deeply involved.

When I decided we should look into advertising, I placed responsibility on Sloan. I would merely oversee. Sloan began. Almost immediately coronavirus became involved. Sloan became infected and was down for 14 days. Now up and around. Claims all is good. I hope so.

I am not happy with the advertising so far. No one’s fault. Start up errors. The scene is more complicated than I initially thought it would be.

I am unhappy with the same piece of advertising popping up 3 times, the location of the advertising pieces, dating sites, and the quality of those I am advertising. Too gaudy, not in good taste. Not what I wanted.

We have much work ahead.

Until we have the problems worked out, we all must suffer. I opted to jump in because I thought it would work out better time wise. It will, assuming Sloan stays healthy. In the meantime, please bear up with us.

Enjoy your day!

Coronavirus is the nation’s enemy. Big time! The virus has overcome the walls. The enemy lives with us. Gains strength each day. Making  people sick and killing in larger and larger numbers each day.

Some of what is happening.

Texas Governor Abbott issued an Executive Order banning the wearing of masks in public schools. Bexar County did not approve of the Governor’s Order. Took the Governor to court.

The judge ruled yesterday in effect that Abbott was wrong and could not order the banning. The court granted Bexar County’s request for a temporary restraining order.

The victory short lived at the moment. Abbott has appealed and the appellate court will hear arguments monday.

The decision thus far is a major victory for the County and the children it seeks to protect.

Texas is buried under the burden of more and more corononavirus cases each day. Texas hospitals are full. Hat in hand, Abbott has asked other states to help. He wants other states to take what Texas cannot handle.

Another decision rendered yesterday involving Texas. The case against  Assembly Democratic legislators who fled to Washington, D.C. to avoid arrest.

The legislature is now closed. Many of the legislators who escaped north are returning. Their reasoning being if the legislature is closed, there cannot be a quorum vote.

When the problem first arose, the Governor believed he had the right to have the Democrats arrested and under arrest be brought to the legislative Chambers thereby creating the quorum required. Then Abbott discovered Texas police have no right to arrest anyone outside the boundaries of Texas.

Abbott then came up with a new trick. He became of the opinion the legislators were refusing to do their public duty. Under this theory, he ordered the returnees to be arrested.

The Democratic returnees went to court.

The court decision came down yesterday. The court made Abbott look like an ass. Even worse, the decision was by a six member Court of all Republicans.

The court ordered police could approach the legislators if they were in Texas. Note the word “approach.” Approach yes, ask the legislator to return to the Chambers. If the legislator declined, the police could do nothing. No handcuffs, no delay, etc.

A bogus decision, in effect.

This case most assuredly will be appealed by Abbott.

The Florida Keys are being overwhelmed by the virus. Actually most of those sick have only themselves to blame.

Data indicates for the last 4 weeks, more than 90 percent of hospitalized COVID patients were unvaccinated. Smart asses all! Vaccinated and a reverse 90 percent would not have gotten sick.

Doctors are correct when they label the present surge “a vaccination pandemic.”

The Florida Keys are taking a real beating with the present surge. Yesterday the Keys set a record for new cases. Note, a one day record. Eighty nine.

Overall, 388 new cases last week.

Florida’s Health Commissioner Eadie for Monroe County (the Florida Keys) said yesterday Keys’ numbers were all going in the wrong direction. He recommended get vaccinated if you have not and wear a mask all the time. The most positive way to stay healthy and alive.

My phone rang yesterday. People to update me on what was going on coronavirus wise. The information threatening! Made me uncomfortable.

I have not been able to verify what I am about to share.

The Lower Keys Hospital Center is nearing full occupancy. Administrators have a growing concern. Persons having coronavirus 10. Two of them in intensive care. Only 1 on an inhalator. Doctors have been asked to discharge non COVID patients who were scheduled for discharge in 1 or 2 days, if safe to do so. Visitors will not be permitted, except under special circumstances.

I was wrong re Andrew Cuomo. I felt he was innocent of any of the charges and was being given a fast shuffle by fellow Democrats and certain staff.

I began mentally to compare Cuomo to Jesus. He arrived in Nazareth on thursday for the Last supper. Was arrested that night. Tried and crucified the next day. All in less than 12 hours.

Perhaps it was because I knew his father Mario.

I don’t know.

What I do know is I was wrong.

Three items from the Key West Citizen Historical column that occurred on August 11, however in different years.

William Hackley seemed to be a nice guy. Many have been reading of his Key West exploits in the mid 1850’s. What was reported is changing my mind. Perhaps he was not so nice or good.

His wrong has to do with animal cruelty. He beat his dog Spring.

It was August 11, 1856. Hackley “walked across to South Beach by the Lighthouse. Whipped Spring to make him obey and he ran home and when I returned, I chained him and whipped him well.”

Alice Reid and Mom’s Tea Room were having a hard day with the police on this day in 1941. Mom’s was a whore house. Reid the madam. Two of the girls, plus Reid, were arrested for prostitution.

August 11, 1968, was a very special day for a great man and the seed he planted. The Pier House Motel at Duval-On the Gulf was opened for business. The 50 room motel was developed by David Wolinsky. He continued to build the Pier House into what it is today.

TACOS paragraph 27 provides a sense of who you can meet in the Chart Room and what could develop.

Phil Clark worked at the Chart Room with Walter Perry / When a lady came in whose name was Mary / Phil said Walter served her more than one gin / When she started taking a liking to him / Walter asked Phil for a bottle of Bombay / And left with her at the end of the day / When they left town she was calling him honey / Oh, and did I mention, she had money / When Walter came back he was driving a Rolls / He bought the Raw Bar, Louie’s, and Sloppy Joe’s / He also bought a lot of land / The future Anchor Inn and the Taco Stand / Most people don’t know what all Walter gave us / But he played a big part in making Key West famous.

Day 24 of self-quarantine.

Enjoy your day!