This year’s choice politically is simple. The difference between good and evil. The Democrats the good, the Republicans evil. 

Trump is rot. Everything he touches. We do not want him to finish the job he has begun on our country and us.

Who the Democratic Party is this year was clear by those who spoke for Kamala Harris last night and the Democratic Party. Doug Emhoff, Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama and Barack Obama. They know and recognize the evil that Trump is. They spoke clearly of it and its danger. They spoke equally clearly about the goodness Harris returns to national politics.

A clearly sink or swim situation.

The Democratic National Convention on its first night drew 20 million viewers. Numbers are important to Trump. Ok, Donald. Twenty million surpassed the 18.3 million the Republican National Convention attracted its first evening.

Another significant number favoring the Democrats. Donald, you’re big on numbers. The Dems beat you again on this one.

Harris and the Democratic National Committee raised three times as much money in July as Trump.

Ho, ho!

Most of the money came in after Biden withdrew and it was clear Harris was going to be the candidate.

A bit of Buffet at the moment. 

Buffett’s music career begins…..He discovers Key West.

After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969, Buffett moved to New Orleans. There he often did street performances for tourists on Decatur Street and played for drunken crowds in the former Bayou Rum night club on Bourbon Street.

He was searching. In 1970, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to further his country music career. He did not get many music jobs. Ended up working as an editorial assistant for Billboard. Next he signed a two album record contract with Barnaby Records. His first album Down to Earth sold 324 copies. In 1971, he recorded his second album, High Cumberland Jamboree. Barnaby claimed the label was lost before it was released. Found however in 1976 when Buffett became popular.

In 1971, Buffett worked a Nashville night club as an opening act. At the time, his first marriage was falling apart and he was heading for a divorce.

Buffett needed a change of scenery. His friend fellow country singer Roger Jeffrey Walker offered him a place to stay at his home in Coconut Grove.

That same year, the two went on a busking expedition to Key West. Busking another phrase for street performance.

Turned out to be a wise move for Buffett.

He liked Key West so much he moved there in the spring of 1972. He got involved in the literary scene. Met writer Thomas McGuire, who married one of Buffett’s sisters. He also began running with Jim Harrison, Tom Cochoran and Truman Capote.

It was a time when sex and drugs were plentiful in Key West.

Buffett was hired by David Wolkowsky to play for drinks at the Chart Room Bar in the Pier House Motel. It was there that Buffett met his second wife, Jane.

From a connection he made in the Chart Room, he was hired as first mate on a yacht owned by Foster Talge, heir to The Rival Company. It became Buffett’s day job.

Tomorrow brings us to 1973 and more of Buffett’s musical growth.

The first electric light switches were installed in the White House in 1891 when Benjamin Harrison was President. The President was so afraid of getting electrocuted, he ordered his staff to turn the lights on and off for him.

Key West had its problems over the years in accepting Blacks. I have written often of Key West’s experiences with Blacks in the 1920’s when the Ku Klux Klan was a dominant force in the community.

There was another time. The year 1906. 

On this day in 1906, conductors and motormen of the Key West Streetcar were on strike after a white motorman named Pinder was fired for refusing to carry a group of African American patrons. The striking men wanted Pinder reinstated, that Blacks not be allowed as customers, and wages be increased as well as overtime pay.

St. Mary’s of the Sea Catholic Church on Truman Ave. is a a well attended religious facility. Always has been. Gays and straights welcome all the time.

St. Mary’s was dedicated this day in 1904.

Enjoy your day!

The Democratic Convention last night was a winner. Suggestive of the beginning of a new era. One of joy and happiness. Contrary to Trump and the Republican Party’s spewing of hatred and negativity.

One shortcoming re last night from my perspective. The time was not well organized. Ran too long. I was asleep before Biden came on. Missed what everyone this morning says was a great speech.

What I did see was a clear sign that Trump is being pushed to the edge of the cliff. 

Two significant presentations were by Ocasio-Cortez and Shawn Fain.

Ocasio-Cortez hit Trump and Republicans hard. A well done accurate attack. She has graduated from a loud mouth Congressperson last night to a statesman. Her speech rousing.

Shawn Fain is President of the UAW. He wore a tee shirt boldly lettered: Trump’s a Scab. At some point the crowd picked up on the writing as a chant and it is one that will remain during the campaign as Jail Her for Hillary did for Trump.

Jesse Jackson was a Black leader of yesteryear. One of the first openly politically unafraid Black Democratic leaders.

I have not seen nor heard about him in years. He appeared at the Convention last night. In a wheel chair. Did not speak. Happy to be there. The crowd gave him a standing rousing cheer. Well deserved! He fought political battles for his people when it was hard to do so as a Black.

A comment to yesterday’s blog. Hit me right between the eyes. It’s author may be correct: “I’m beginning to think that Trump is the ‘False Prophet’ the Bible warns us about.”

Phil Donahue died yesterday at the age of 88. He was one of the early great talk show hosts. His show ran 28 years from 1968 to 1996. Our lives sort of ran parallel time wise.

He was married to the charming Marlo Thomas, daughter of Danny Thomas. Supporters and promoters of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Some things are just down right disgusting. One involves problems women have had over the years with contraception. The Colonial era a perfect example. One of the most popular forms of contraception was the use of crocodile excrement. Ugh!

It was rolled into a ball and then inserted into the woman before any physical act took place. 

Caused all kinds of problems, medical and otherwise. Plus, did not always prevent pregnancy.

Jimmy Buffett time.

Jimmy Buffett’s early life.

Buffett was born December 25, 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Spent portions of his childhood in Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama. His parents Mary Lorraine and James Delaney Buffett Jr. died at different times in 2003. His father worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He had two younger sisters, Laurie and Lucie.

In his childhood, Buffett was exposed to sailing by his grandfather James Delaney Buffett and his father James Delaney Buffett Jr.

Buffett was educated by Jesuits (tough teachers!) as a Catholic. He served as an altar boy.

He decided in 1961 he wanted to be a musician after viewing a folk music ensemble. His first performance was a month later at a hootenanny, where he played a Stella guitar.

In the 1950’s at the age of 8 while attending St. Ignatius School, he played the trombone.

He graduated from McGill Institute in 1964.

Buffett enrolled at Auburn University. While there, he was taught how to play guitar by a Sigma Pi fraternity brother to “garner attention from girls.”

He flunked out of Auburn after one year. It was the playboy in him that caused his failure. It was 1966 and Buffett was “unable to balance his newfound interests in music and girls with his college classes.”

The same year he played “acid rock” in a band called Upstairs Alliance that was trying to sound like Jefferson Airplane.

Buffett continued college at Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in history in 1969.

While in college, Buffett had to work to subsist. He worked in a ship yard as an electrician and welder.

The Vietnam War was ongoing at the time. He avoided serving due to a college deferment and a failed physical exam.

Tomorrow, the beginnings of Buffett’s music career.

Enjoy your day!

The first anniversary of Jimmy Buffett’s death is close at hand. Key West is preparing a major celebration in honor of the man.

I have decided to share a few words each day about Buffett. A history of the major American musical figure. A son of Key West. 

I begin today.

A general introduction to Buffett.

He was born on Christmas Day December 25, 1946. Perhaps God selected that day knowing the pleasure and joy Buffett would provide. He was God’s gift to us on His Son’s birthday.

Buffett died last September 1.

He was an American singer-songwriter. Known for creating tropical rock sound and persona. Often described as “island escapism.” An approach that promoted enjoying life and following passions.

Buffett recorded many songs. Great ones! Easy to recall and sing. Like Margaritaville, Come Monday, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Don’t We Get Drunk, and It’s Five O’clock Somewhere.

He found the Coral Reef Band in 1975.

Buffett recorded 30 albums. Eight gold and nine platinum. He sold over 20 million records worldwide. Received two Grammy nominations. He will be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shortly.

He parlayed his songs, “island escapism,” and lifestyle into several business ventures, including the Margaritaville Restaurant chain, now defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise chain, hotels and other ventures.

His net worth was $1 billion. Extremely commendable. From rags to riches. From playing at the Chart Room for drinks to being a presence everywhere in the world.

Buffett’s fans number in the millions. Many known as Parrot Heads.

Tomorrow, more re Buffett’s life.

Trump has recently been claiming his and/or Vance’s campaign is being hacked. For the first time, I question the veracity of his statement.

Yesterday’s news advised Trump had failed to report the alleged “hacking” of its email system to law enforcement authorities till recently.

Taking into account Trump’s general lack of veracity, it dawns on me…..Is the man speaking truth? The FBI is now investigating the matter. Perhaps the FBI will be able to tell us truth or lie.

Hacking by foreign nations does occur and has occurred in previous elections. I’m curious if Trump’s is a valid accusation in this instance. Especially since the hacking at issue was purportedly of campaign vetting papers of the increasingly non-consequential JD Vance.

The Democratic Convention begins today in Chicago. Should be good. Harris/Walz are on an upward climb. I would anticipate their coming out of the Convention a few additional points above the Trump/Vance ticket.

The “birth” of the diamond engagement ring tradition began this day in 1477. It was the first full day of Mary of Burgundy and Archduke Maximillian of Austria’s marriage. Maximillian was thrilled with his new bride! He gave her a diamond ring.

Diamond rings were not worn by ladies up to that time. It was a male thing. Shuffling the days around a bit,  it was the beginning of the tradition of the diamond engagement ring.

Insanity prevailed in early America. The Salem Witch Trials. On this day in 1692, five more people were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. Nineteen total when all was said and done in that mentally deranged period.

Yellow fever was the epidemic of the times. Lasted more than 100 years in the U.S. 

On this day in 1793, Philadelphia was the capital of the U.S. Suffered fatally from yellow fever. The epidemic lasted some 3 months till November killing around 5,000 people.

As a young boy, I recall Blue Laws. Blue Laws prohibited businesses from operating on Sundays. The day was truly the Lord’s Day.

An example of the operation of Blue Laws was a Sunday benefit baseball game at New York City’s Polo Grounds. It resulted in John McGraw and Christy Mathewson’s arrest.

Today, Blue Laws no longer exist. Sunday is “open house” for businesses.

Bill Veeck was the owner of the St. Louis Browns professional baseball team in 1951. A promoter as well. Win games and bring the fans in!

He made Eddie Gaedel a member of the team. Eddie was a midget, only 3 feet 7 inches tall. In a particular game where he needed a man on first, Veeck sent Eddie in to pitch hit. He walked on four pitches.

Everyone then understood why Veeck had Eddie on the team.

On this day in 1993, the DOW hit a record high of 3,612. Today, it is over 40,000 on a fairly consistent basis. Closed Friday at 40,500.

Amazing!

On this day in 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the female Viagra pill Addyi. I wondered if it was still around. Have not heard of it in years whereas the male Viagra pill is constantly within one’s attention.

Addyi is still available. By prescription. Does not work as Viagra does. Viagra pushes blood into the man’s penis to gain erectability. Addyi works on a woman’s mind rather than anything vaginal. The pill is for women with a decreased libido. Addyi increases a woman’s desire.

I close with an interesting fact about a Key West physician, Dr. Enrique Rodriguez. In 1954, he was 87 years old. In an interview, he advised he had practiced medicine in Key West for 55 years and estimated he had delivered almost 10,000 babies during that time. He further advised for a number of years he was the only obstetrician on the island.

He had bag and would travel any time of the day or night! The baby decided the appointment time. 

Enjoy your day!

An interesting editorial in yesterday’s South Florida Sun Sentinel. Titled: “Lies, damn lies and Donald Trump.”

A right on quote from the editorial: “Former President Donald Trump is as unable to tell the truth as ever, but his lies these days look less like deliberate obfuscation and more like self-delusion and a diminished mind.”

What he accused Biden of now clearly affects Trump. Age and pressure.

The editorial points out at a recent Mar-a-Lago news conference, National Public Radio documented 162 untruths, half truths and distortions during the 64 minutes Trump spoke.

The editorial further projected: “He’s not all there.”

Louis asks: Do you want this now clearly demented individual running the country and the world?

I think not.

Leonardo Da Vinci was a master with words as well as the artist’s brush. I came across what constitutes a superb follow up to the Sun Sentinel’s editorial about Trump lying.

Da Vinci said: “To lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things it would take off from God’s grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble.” 

Da Vinci was saying lying is a wholly reprehensible action, considering the destruction and chaos it is sure to bring about. Telling the truth, on the other hand, can highlight the value and virtue of even the littlest of things.

I consider myself to have been fortunate to have viewed Da Vinci’s The Last Supper twice and The Mona Lisa once. As I have repeatedly stated in past blogs, The Last Supper blew my mind!

Trump is on the move with name calling. Referred yesterday to Harris as “Comrade Kamala” and her “Socialist” price control plan as “full Communist.”

At least she has come up with a plan to fight high grocery costs. Where’s Donald’s?

News reports this morning suggest Putin’s reactions to Ukraine’s Russia invasion indicates Putin “freezes” in a crisis.

The making of a movie involves financial investment. Sometimes huge. If the film fails, many lose a ton of money.

Two major films were considered shaky investments. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Titanic. Unbelievable!

Walt Disney’s wife Lillian didn’t think children would want to see Snow White. Walt Disney sort of believed her. Who would want to sit through a 90 minute Brothers Grimm fairy tale? Kids simply would not.

Snow White surprised one and all! One of the greatest films for kiddies and adults alike! A moneymaker besides!

James Cameron prayed Titanic wouldn’t lose too much money. After blowing past multiple deadlines and budgets, Cameron said, “Everyone thought they were going to lose money, and all efforts were simply to make sure the hemorrhaging was not fatal…..myself included.”

Titanic turned out to be one of the biggest moneymakers of all time!

I have decided to walk Home Depot on days I am not doing physiotherapy. There was a time years ago I use to walk all of the building with no trouble. Even with a new heart valve, Home Depot is proving a challenge.

Just getting in the store is my major problem. There is a slight incline from the parking lot into the store. That minimal height and distance knocks me on my ass. And it is only the beginning of my walk. I have to sit down soon after entering the building for a few minutes.

I am only good to do about 25 percent of Home Depot. Requires a second sit down along the way.

I sense an improvement, though small. I plan on continuing till I do the whole place with no need to sit down.

My therapists are ok with what I am doing. I am not foolish. There is a need however to improve how much I can do. They even have me practicing increased height elevation on a tread mill to get me over the incline problem.

A heart attack at my age no fun. There is a joy however to know I am still here and can improve my body to stay a while longer. Try I must and that is what I am doing.

Enjoy your Sunday! 

Following the Revolutionary War, Lafayette returned to France. He visited the U.S. again in 1824 and remained for a period of time visiting many parts of the nation he helped found. During his journey, he renewed friendships with many of our Founding Fathers and former Presidents.

When he returned to France, he brought with him a bag full of earth shoveled from Bunker Hill. When Lafayette died at the age of 74 in 1834, his son scattered that dirt atop Lafayette’s coffin together with French soil so that “The Hero of Two Worlds” could be laid to rest in American and French soil as he had requested.

To further evidence the love and respect Lafayette had for the new nation, he named his son who scattered the soils together George Washington Lafayette.

Trump is being criticized for calling a civilian medal “much better” than a military award.

The criticism is properly placed.

A civilian award could in some limited circumstance be a superior one. What I don’t know, but would not close the door.

On the other hand, a military award is generally superior in that it portends one putting his or her life in danger for love of country.

Harris responded to Trump’s statement. Her response accurate: “Trump knows nothing about service to anyone or anything but himself.”

So true!

Trump is in decline: His interviews and lies get worse. He truly has nothing of value to offer the American public. His time is passing.

One of the significant differences between Biden and Trump was pumping oil. Biden pledged when they ran against each other there would be “no more” drilling. He drilled. As Trump had before him. Even more.

It’s a delicate problem. Balancing pollution and climate change. There is the economy to consider. Even with the U.S. producing more oil than any other country ever has, even Saudi Arabia and Russia, the cost of groceries and gas at the pump have to be considered. If Harris is elected as I assume she will. She will have to come up with some sort of “balanced plan” so both the economic and climate concerns are dealt with at the same time.

A hot issue for Harris during the campaign. She must be honest with the voters, even if it causes her to lose some votes. She will lose fewer votes with a “BALANCD PLAN.” Most people in the final analysis will understand Harris is merely doing what has to be done  to help in two sensitive areas.

Now to odd ball Vance. A bad choice by Trump. A good choice for Harris.

Joanne Coles, Chief Creative and Content Officer for Daily Beast said, “JD Vance is the new Sarah Palin.”

Wowie! Trump has enough problems with Vance without this comparison.

Truth is truth, however. No matter how much it hurts.

Love Vance! Last week it was Vance in drag while in college. This week it’s Vance in high school standing in a men’s lavatory by the side of three girls pretending to use urinals as they peed.

A happy group in the photo!

It was “so good,” it was run in the 2003 Middletown High School Yearbook.

Ukraine’s swift push into the Krusk region shocked Russia and exposed its vulnerabilities. 

Keep it up Ukraine!

A year ago, Jimmy Buffett passed on. Locally and immediately, Paul Menta and Jordan Upchurch orchestrated a send-off celebration. A celebration of love.

They contacted Howard Livingston to help lead in Buffett’s “Margaritaville” in front of Margaritaville. 

This year Just A Few Friends is planning another event. This one bigger and better. If last year’s can be better.

This year’s event will be several days. It begins Sunday September 1 at 5 pm at the Truman Waterfront Park. More Buffett songs will be sung. Everyone involved wants to be sure Buffett hears the joy and happiness he gave them being shared back to him one year after his leaving.

Key West singers and songwriters C.W. Colt, Caffeine Carl and Howard Livingston will showcase the event.

Miss it not!

There has been a sense of less tourists in recent months. Hotel prices the cause? Definitely a contributing factor. Way too high.

What about the cost of restaurant food? A Citizens’ Voice comment this morning addressed the issue: “Restaurants here have lost their minds. It seems like menu prices increase weekly. Do we really think spaghetti and meat sauce is worth $38? Do we really think $19 sliders are a happy deal? No wonder visitors are not returning. Inflation is under 3 percent. Your greed is unlimited.”

I was going to CVS for my COVID and flu shot yesterday. Then read that updated COVID is up for final approval this week and should be available the following. Ergo, I am waiting. Getting nervous, however. Everyone I know getting hit again. I never have and would like to avoid it completely.

Enjoy your day!

Lower drug costs for seniors!

Yesterday, Biden and Harris announced their agreements on lower drug costs for Medicare recipients. There is a limitation in that the lower drug costs would apply only to the first 10 medications selected under a Medicare price negotiation program – whatever that means.

The program is needed. Elderly are the big drug recipients. I am 89 and take 15 prescription pills a day. Some are expensive, very expensive. I no longer carry drug insurance. I did for years. However some items not covered, some games played by the drug company ridiculous. I checked going without. Found the cost with a few providers cheaper and after some years with one, cooperative. No bullshit games. I buy my drugs directly from Walmart’s. 

Another problem with the present system is that the cost of drugs is so expensive, many go without. Not healthy.

I have believed for many years, even before I became Medicare eligible, that all types of health care should be government paid. Health care is a right. Consider what occurs without some form of drug coverage for many. Pain and suffering, discomfort, even death.

Drugs are extremely more expensive in the U.S. than most other countries. We only have our politicians to blame. Congress and even Presidents. They have permitted the pharmaceutical companies to get away with the rip-off.

Some negatives that turned out to be false.

A movie studio executive said, “TV won’t last six months…..People will soon get tired of starring at a plywood box every night.”

In February 1962, Dick Rowe was head of artists and repertoire at Decca Records. He said the Beatles and rock music would not make it. Soon after the Beatles went on to success, as did rock music in general.

Trains were becoming a bit popular in 1850. Irish Professor Dionysius Lardner said, “Rail travel at high speed is not possible because passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia.”

Re the sustainability of meat, Gustav Bischoff of the Meat Packers Association in September 1913 said, if current consumption trends continue, America in the 21st century will live “as low-caste Chinamen do now, on rice and vegetables, and like hives, slothful creatures, anemic and without initiatives.”

Moving on.

Ukraine’s offensive in Russia appears larger than just the Kursk region.

My words to Zelensky: “Go man, go! You and your people deserve this kind of retribution. War cannot be one way only. The other side only gives in if they are  knocked in!”

Russia sentenced an American woman yesterday to 12 years in prison for a donation aiding Ukraine. The woman is Kesinia Karelina, a beautician living in Los Angeles. She was visiting family in Russia when arrested at the airport as she was leaving.

The donation was around $50. That’s all. Twelve years for 50 bucks! I hope Zelensky used the money to pay for some of the fuel for one of the planes now bombing Russia.

Kesinia’s phone was examined. It found a donation of $51.80 to a U.S. based non-profit that helps children and elderly impacted by the war in Ukraine. Russia claimed the $51.80 provided “financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of our country.” Russia claimed the money was “used to purchase tactical medicines, equipment, weapons and ammunition by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”

Let’s hope Harris can get her back to the U.S. while she is President.

Secret Service screwed up again! What’s going on?

This is the best. Actually, the worst. At a North Carolina Trump rally thursday another incident. Five minutes before Trump was scheduled to arrive, a female agent abandoned her post and was found in a room breast feeding her baby. Without permission!

Not only no permission to breast feed, she also lacked permission to the have the baby with her on the job.

I cannot believe the majority of Florida citizens support the new abortion rule that went into effect today. Beginning today, people can no longer access legal abortions in Florida beyond six weeks of pregnancy, except in rare circumstances. The new restriction replaces the 15 week ban that went into effect in July 2022 shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Bad law! How do Floridians make their male dominated State Legislature get away with it?

Outstanding article in Vanity Fair 8/6/24 by the esteemed Bess Levin: Republicans Think Trump Is Having a “Nervous Breakdown” Over Kamala Harris.

He appears to be! Hip, hip, hooray!

This past year, Trump in some respect has been beaten by a woman more than one time. It is going to happen again when Harris does it!

Unquestionably, this has been the hottest year on record. Even so, the GOP platform does not mention word “climate.”

The “why” is simple. Coal and oil corporations and persons basically that are Republicans. They have banned its mention. No way they want “their people” or others to believe Trump is not for climate change remedies.

Makes one point very clear: Trump and Republicans are not for climate change.

Sad! Wrong! Sick!

Two great Americans died on this day in different years. Elvis Presley died at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 42 in 1977. Baseball great Babe Ruth died in New York at age 53 in 1948.

In their plot episode, The Lone Gunner thwarted a plot to hijack a plane and crash it into The World Trade Center. The episode aired in March 2001.

Two terrorist operated planes actually did crash into The World Trade Center six months later on September 11, 2001.

When I mention “a busy day” for me, keep in mind the six hours I have already spent doing the blog. For example, I started today’s blog last night. Spent two hours. Returned to it at 4:30 this morning. Just finishing now at 8:15. A busy day otherwise. A visit with my Mount Sinai doctor for the aortic aneurysm I still have. He is trying to decide what to do. Then a bank visit. Later this afternoon physiotherapy. 

That’s a full day for me.

Enjoy your day! 

David Wolkowsky one of Key West’s greats. The father of modern Key West. We were friends. Unfortunately, we only got to know each other the last 10 years of his life.

David made and remade Key West. He built The Pier House and The Reach. And so many other places and things. On this day in 1978, he bought the Kress Building at 500 Duval Street from Norman Artman. The purchase price back then $210,000.

The building became the home of Fast Buck Freddy’s on the first floor. Key West’s finest department store without question. Jimmy Buffett’s offices and the Sheriff Department offices were on the upper floor.

Wolkowsky turned the top floor/roof into a penthouse for himself. It was the most beautiful place in Key West. New York City style. Many the party I attended at the penthouse.

David had a strange habit. Depending on the type of party he intended, he served champagne and potato chips. For a more formal affair, he added hot dogs. Such was David!

Larry Smith and Christine Cordone are in the news today. It was on this day in 1969, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened in upstate New York. It was a watershed event in American music and culture. More than 460,000 attended the 3 day event. Once you got in, you could not get out. It was that crowded!

Larry and Christine performed. Made friends. Had a good time! They were with some of the great musicians of that time.

My landlords are Steve and Cindy Thompson. A Key West story unto themselves.

Steve began in Key West in the early 1970’s. Yes, he was here when it was the time to be here! He opened a taco shop across the street from Sloppy Joe’s. Made money. Opened two others in Key West. Eventually he owned 13 throughout Florida.

Cindy’s job I suspect was more fun. She started working for Jimmy Buffett at the Margaritaville Restaurant on Duval next to what became Fast Buck Freddy’s. Soon Buffett moved her upstairs to his offices on the second floor of the Kress Building which Wolkowsky had purchased. She worked for Buffett some 35-40 years. Those offices now closed. However, Cindy continues to be called upon to do something for the Buffett operation locally.

A cancer center will return to Key West. Baptist Health and the Miami Cancer Center will open the facility. Time and location not announced. A lease is presently being negotiated.

Zelensky is having a field day. Now that he has a bit of an air force, he is bombing Russian air fields. Putin deserves the treatment.

Henry Ford’s initial dream was a car in every driveway, Cheap, easy to use.

He succeeded. The cheap car is no longer cheap today, however. Such is life.

Ford’s second big idea was a plane in every driveway! He even had a prototype made, the Ford name in big letters on it, and a photo taken of Ford standing beside the plane with an air cap, etc. on. He was made to look like a pilot.

Unfortunately, the prototype crashed during a test flight. Ford not the pilot. Ford scrapped the whole idea.

America is still waiting for a plane for every driveway.

The Associated Press predicted in December 1958 “the woman of the year 2000 will be more than 6 feet tall,  wear a size 11 shoe, have shoulders like a wrestler and muscles like a truck driver.” The AP also predicted, “She may even be President.”

Nothing happens timely. I doubt any of the preceding will occur overall, except for a woman Presidnet. And it will have taken till 2024 for it to happen!

A 1995 student PSA 5th graders from Helena, Montana, correctly proclaimed: “By the time we’re in college, the internet will be our telephone, television, shopping center and working place.”

Bright kids!

When the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, officially ending the First World War, French Marshall Ferdinand Foch said, “This is not peace. It is an armistice for 20 years.”

The Second World War started in 1939.

Another live and learn for me. Most cartoon characters only have four fingers. Yes, from Mickey Mouse to the Simpsons to nearly all of them.

Understand, cartoon anatomy is etched in stone. One of the commandments is the fingers shall only be four.

Why? One reason design. When doing frame by frame animation, one finger less is easier. Walt Disney thought five fingers like the human hand was too crowded. He did Mickey’s hand first with five fingers. He said it looked “like a bunch of bananas.”

One country has refused to go the four finger route. Japan. It is an ethical thing with the Japanese involving superstitions and societal meaning.

Enjoy your day!

VE Day. Victory in Europe. Tuesday, May 8, 1945. Germany surrendered.

I remember it well. I was only 9 years old. I recall it vividly because of my Father. He took me everywhere with him that day.

We woke in the morning to shouting from porches and the streets. Pans banging. People were excited beyond words that the European war had ended. Everyone had a small flag hanging in their window signifying by a blue star that a family member was in service or a gold star that the family member had been killed in battle.

We lived in Utica, N.Y. The whole city closed down. No businesses opened, schools closed, public offices closed also.

My Dad hurried me to dress. We went out the door and did not return till later that evening. We went everywhere. I could sense he wanted me to remember the day.

We spent most of the day at what is known as the Busy Corners in Utica. The four corners where the busiest two downtown main streets intersected. We were right in the middle. Little room to move. People shouting and screaming all day, dancing, hugging and kissing. A woman older than me, I suspect 20ish, grabbed me at one point and began swirling me around in some sort of a dance. Dancing I knew nothing about. We apparently did pretty good. A newspaper reporter was nearby and took our picture. Arms and legs flying in every which way. It appeared front page in the newspaper the next day.

By the end of the day, I understood what a big deal Germany’s surrender was.

Today is August 8. Japan surrendered 3 months later on August 8, 1945. It was VE Day all over again. My Father taking me out for the day, people yelling and screaming, dancing, etc. The only difference was no one danced with me nor took my picture.

I have always thanked my Father for those 2 days. They were important. He wanted me to know and understand as best possible their significance.

This morning’s Citizen notes how Key West reacted to Japan’s surrender. Throngs paraded down Duval Street. The Navy Yard announced the news with 10 long blasts on the siren. All ships in the harbor sounded their whistles.

All kinds of pertinent and non pertinent information follows. 

Lines in the road on a highway. Used then and now to create lines. Which defined lanes. The whole idea was inspired by a milk wagon.

In 1911, Edward Hines came up with the idea when he saw the dotted droppings from a leaking milk wagon. It has been considered “the most important single traffic safety device.”

A study was done in England. The study involved sneezing while driving 60 mph. Determined such means your eyes are closed for 50 feet. The study further determined that drivers who temporarily lose vision in such fashion are the cause of 2,500 accidents every week in England. Hard to believe.

A way to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame even if a person is not a baseball player. A bar owner visiting the Hall of Fame slipped a photo of his Dad wearing a baseball uniform into one of the glass cases. No one noticed for six years at which time it was removed.

Death by Mount Vesuvius. The volcano erupted in 79 A.D. Pompei the most famous point of destruction. Until recently.

Herculaneum was only a few miles from the volcano. In the direct path of its hot lava and gas. Vesuvius perfectly preserved the skeletons of its victims thereby allowing scientists to study their bodies in detail. The heat caused people’s blood to boil, flesh to melt, and skulls to explode. Death occurred within seconds.

There are almost as many cars in the U.S. as there are people. The average for all 50 states is 910 cars per 1,000 citizens. The number for European Union countries is much lower. Five hundred eighty seven cars per one thousand citizens.

In the U.S., the number of vacant houses are 6 times greater that the number of homeless people.

Women still have a way to go in the U.S. The U.S. is one of only four countries in the world that does not require paid maternity leave.

Additionally, the U.S. ranks last among developed countries when it comes to paid parental leave. While many U.S. companies offer paid parental leave, the U.S. is the only advanced country without a federal law mandating it.

In a few days, Ukraine has seized a small but significant portion of Russia. Roughly 386 square miles. The key point to understand and appreciate is that such is almost as much as Russa captured of Ukraine in all of last year.

Trump is making fantasy based threats. His social media meltdown flirts with delusion.

For example, Trump claims “there was nobody there” at the Harris/Walz rally last week at the Detroit Airport. Everyone estimated the crowd to have been around 15,000.

And so forth.

Trump is falling apart. Piece by piece.

On this day in 1969, New York City held a ticker tape parade for the first men to make the moon trip. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins. Aldrin still survives.

One of Key West’s greatest housing complexes had its ground breaking this day in 1988. Truman Annex. Pritam Singh broke ground at a formal ceremony for such.

The complex has a quality and beauty which has survived.

Busy day ahead. Physiotherapy at 10. Then manicure, Home Depot and the bank. Followed with a 2:30 working session with Sloan.

Enjoy your day!

After 30 years in Key West, I have grown to like the chicken population. At first, I had a great dislike for them. Filthy germ infested creatures. Bothersome. Time and getting to know them have changed my thoughts.

Some of the things I have learned. 

When the rooster crows, it is not to wake anyone up. He wants to have sex. The next time you hear the crow, look swiftly in its direction and you will see a nearby hen. She hears the sound and runs swiftly in the opposite direction. Sex is not on her mind as it is the rooster’s.

Can’t blame the hen. Gestation is a mere 29 days. She gives birth to a number of chicks. Then assumes the motherly responsibility. Yes, the hen looks out for her own.

I discovered along the way that the rooster is a good dad, also. My initial reaction for years was that once he got his sexual drive satisfied, he cared not for anything afterwards. Actually, he does. Look closely again and observe the hen with her babies behind her. If a rooster is nearby, it is because he is being the good parent and looking after the chicks.

I recall an incident several months ago at Date & Thyme. There was a 6 inch concrete step outside. The hen and 7 chicks. The hen and 5 of them were able to leap up the 6 inch rise. Two were not. I noticed a rooster nearby watching. Must have been the dad. He went over and took each of the two that failed and lifted them up by their necks the 6 inches.

Chickens were here before me and will be after I am gone. They are an integral part of Key West society. Treat them well.

Some interesting odd ball information re crowing roosters. They crow loud. The cock -a-doodle-doo has to be ear shattering for them. Does it harm the rooster’s ear drums? No.

Roosters have a natural ear protector. When a rooster opens his beak to crow, its external auditory canals close off, protecting sound from coming in and doing damage.

Something interesting recently learned. Hens lay eggs the same color as their ear lobes. While hens lack outer ears, they have lobes on the sides of their heads. The color of the eggs laid will correspond to the color of this wrinkly patch of skin.

Some tidbits of Key West information.

On August 11, 1941, Mom’s Tea Room near Fort Taylor was raided and 3 women were arrested for prostitution. 

Mom’s was a popular place in the 1930’s and 1940’s. A bar with ladies of the night. Even in the day. A house of ill repute. A whore house.

Mom’s operated at different times at 3 locations. Two in Key West and one on Stock Island. The authorities kept closing Mom’s down. The local police were not concerned. Many were customers. The federal government’s concern was the Naval base located here. The base was large. 

The Navy was puritanical. It did not believe it proper for their men to frequent a place like Mom’s. Also important was the cost to the federal government to medically cure the various diseases the Navy men picked up.

One of Mom’s other houses was located at 1016 Howe Street in Key West.

Key West needed another cemetery. It is estimated there are 70,000 to 100,000 bodies buried in the Key West Cemetery.

The Southern Keys Cemetery was opened on Big Coppitt to help the overflow. I visit occasionally, first to chat with Jack Baron and thereafter with Bob Burton when he joined Jack.

A comment in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice did not speak well of this year’s Lobsterfest: “This Lobsterfest crowd was the worst I have ever seen. Nasty drunks, vomiting in the street, golf carts full of clearly intoxicated people and rude, entitled customers. I hope the TDC Director can earn her salary by targeting new visitors before Key West turns into a low end dump.”

Enjoy your day!

What goes around comes around.

Trump made a great choice in selecting JD Vance. Great for the Democrats!

Vance anti everything.

Two matters have arisen which may spell out where Vance really stands. One involves his use of eyeliner. Most who commented said he did. A few did not. Take a look at his face pics and make up your own mind. The other drag queens. One of his Yale “friends” released a drag photo of Vance. The blond wig did not look bad on him. No question it was him.

Trump’s niece Mary Trump is a psychologist. She says her uncle acts as he does because he has a “black hole of need.” His parents failed to give him enough attention. He needs to be “complimented” and “reassured” all the time.

Go Ukraine! Get your pound of flesh.

Ukraine is moving swiftly into Russia. Ukraine has now taken 28 Russian towns. Russia has evacuated 28,000 residents.

Time the Russian people suffer a bit. May they become aware of the tyrant Putin is and how he has lied to them re the war.

First Hamas ignited the fire. Then Israel really heated things up. Now Iran is on the way to perhaps get involved against Israel. If Iran does, the U.S. is committed to defend Israel. Not a healthy scenario developing. The U.S. now has added a submarine and another carrier to the task force it has on its way to wherever the fighting ground will be.

Not a healthy situation.

Enjoyed breakfast yesterday morning, though I could not eat. Breakfast was with Robert and Ally. They return to school tuesday. Great kids! Actually young adults. Robert going into his third year of college, Ally her second.

Enjoy your day!