The proof is in the pudding.

It ain’t. It wasn’t.

The statement originally had nothing to do with pudding. Actually goes back to 1605. Various meats eaten at the time. Meats were referred to as “pudding.” The proof issue had to do with whether the meat was spoiled. Today extends to truthfulness.

The origin of “jazz” was not in music. It was born in baseball. Around 1910. A curve ball came to have the term jazz applied to it. Other baseball slang as the years progressed.

In the 1920s, white Chicago musicians began using the term applying it to their music.

Today, jazz is reflected in more than music. It is used to connote anything that expresses pep and vitality.

Children and their relationship to their elderly parents has changed over the years.

There was a time when the family was family forever. Whereas the elderly took care of the young in their youth, the young took care of their parents when the parents became old. No more. A tendency has developed whereby children today almost ignore their elderly parents. The old who need assistance from their children, rarely receive it. For some reason, the young today ignore the needs of their elderly parents.

There is a new popular item at bars today. Hot dogs! A hot item in more ways than one. Some served fancy. Even with caviar. Some served free.

The Pier House Chart Room was ahead of this new trend. In the 30 yeas I have been in Key West, the Chart Room always serves free hot dogs. Every night without fail.

Trump played golf yesterday at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. Dispelling rumors he was sick.

There was a time when there was a difference between a couch and a sofa. Today, none. The terms interchangeable.

Originally, a couch was to lie on. A sofa was a wood structure. People lay and sat thereon. Blankets and pillows provided.

Did you ever notice the colors of bread tags were different? Why? A valid reason therefore.

The color indicates the day the bread was baked. Monday blue, Tuesday green, Thursday red, Friday white, Saturday yellow. Note there is no color tag for Wednesday and Sunday. The reason therefore is bread is not delivered on those days.

Trump took a terrific kick in the ass when the appellate court ruled his tariffs improper. If the Supreme Court upholds the appellate decision, Trump’s economic/financial plans will be down the drain. 

Firefighting is a dangerous activity. Brave are those who do it.

ICE has no respect for them. ICE raided firefighters at the Bear Gulch fire this week and arrested those fighters they deemed were illegal and should be deported.

ICE has no respect for any type employment. Lets remove their masks and take their weapons away. Then let them fight fires. Lets see how brave they are under those circumstances. 

I close today’s blog in sadness. Syracuse was destroyed by Tennessee in yesterday’s opening football game. Tennessee won 45-26. I have nothing more to add.

Enjoy your Sunday!

We got him! An off the wall sicko who seems not able to be constrained. Not even by Trump. RJK, Jr.

I suspect Trump placed him on the Cabinet to give him a Kennedy name in support. He thought he could control him. Turns out no one can. To the detriment of the Nation.

Kennedy’s anti-vaccine position is the death knell for many. Children and pregnant women in large numbers will die if not vaccinated.

Trump cannot seem to control him. The man operates with no constraints. Wow!

A prominent D.C. person said RFK, Jr. is “weaponizing public health for political gain.”

I view Kennedy as an anti-vaccine mental case who became a most powerful person in government. And in a very short time!

I’m glad I got my shots as a kid and have continued to get all other available ones as I aged. I fear for those in society who have not, can not, or believe because of Kennedy’s bullshit that vaccines are dangerous.

Shipments to the U.S. are being cancelled. Even small items like a letter.

Blame Trump’s tariff policy. There will be fewer Christmas toys to purchase for example. All because Trump’s genius was not proper. His tariff policy was to kill and punish . He is succeeding.

“The other night, my wife asked me how many women I have slept with. I told her only you. All the others kept me awake all night. The doctor says the knots on my head should go down in about six days, but the broken arm may take a few months.” 

Humor at its best. Thought I would share this funny I came across with you.

Syracuse/Tennessee at noon today in Atlanta. Tennessee a two touchdown favorite. Preseason ranked #24. 

Syracuse went 10-3 last year. A new coach and quarterback this season. The quarterback Steve Angeli. 

Lets see how it goes. Hope Syracuse starts with a bang and wins.

Aristotle re Love: “One’s best friend is someone who, when he wishes for good things for a person, does so for that person’s sake.”

An appeals court has struck down all of Trump’s tariff plans. The Court took the position money matters are the sole province of Congress, not the President. However, the Court left the tariffs in place, though now unenforceable, pending Supreme Court appeal.

No question in my mind the Supreme Court will agree with the appeals court. The Constitution set up three branches of government. Congress was to be the sole perpetrator, enforcers, etc. when it came to money. Trump was way out of bounds with the tariffs. Look at the damage he has done with them.

What happens to the homeless Trump is removing from the D.C. streets? He has yet to make a place for them. Typical of Trump, he has failed to plan for the next step.

India has become a powerful Nation. India and Modi were best of friends with the U.S. Now because of tariffs and other “misdeeds” by Trump, Modi is becoming a close friend with China and Xi. Primarily because of Trump’s unwise tariff programs. Friendships world wide are changing. 

Fifty years ago one of my favorite shopping places was Barney’s in New York City. I just finished skimming Gene Pressman’s “They All Came to Barneys.” Exciting and true. I again was one of those.

A chic store. Considered clothes wise a “playground for adults.” For men, a sea of suits as far as the eyes could see.

Trump has to get out of Washington before he changes everything. Too had he has 2 plus more years.

I am a traditionalist. I dislike dramatic change.

In 2011, Obama was being honored at a State Dinner in London. After dinner, everyone wanted to chat with Obama. The dinner was running late. 

Queen Elizabeth was unaccustomed to the delay in ending a dinner. She wanted off to bed. She told one of her aids to get Obama off to bed, shut him up in effect. The aid was perplexed. How could he tell the President of the U.S.to stop chatting.

He did nothing. Elizabeth remained up beyond her normal sleeping hour.

Winston Churchill: “Success always demands greater effort.” He proved it.

President Eisenhower’s nickname was “Ike.” His whole life.

He had six brothers. Their nicknames were Ike. Each and everyone. Somehow short for Eisenhower. However each had something added to Ike. Big Ike, Little Ike, etc. I could not figure out if President Ike was simply Ike or had something added thereon.

Enjoy your day! May Syracuse win it first game!

There is an old story that goes back to my youth…..How Now Brown Cow. Perhaps even older. It has some application to Donald Trump.

A bull was standing top of a hill. Looking down, he saw cows in the field. He became aroused. He wanted some action. One of the cows.

There was one problem. At the base of the hill was a barb wired fence separating the bull and cows. The bull had to leap the barb wired fence to get at a cow. No sweat, he thought.

The bull came rumbling down. Picking up speed as he went. When he reached the barb wired fence, he lifted himself up and thrust forward. He didn’t make it. He left his privates hanging on the barb wired fence.

He looked at the nearest cow. Brown in color. She at him. Both sad. The bull quietly asked the cow, “How now brown cow?”

Donald Trump has been doing well. Leaping all kinds of fences. His success will not be forever. At some point, his back end will fail to get over the fence. The beginning of the end for Donald. His eyes will say to everyone “How now?” Deservedly so.

Trump has been assisting America’s enemies. One being North Korea.

Kim Jung-un has wanted nuclear weapons. As much as Trump has wanted a Noble Peace Prize.

While Trump has been diddling around believing Putin his friend, Putin has been befriending North Korea. Putin is assisting North Korea with the development of nuclear weapons.

A problem presently confronting the U.S. are relatively new college graduates. Anywhere within the last 10 years.

Jobs are scare for them. Those that find jobs are not making the bucks they thought a college degree would bring them.

The message is too many are going to college. Colleges benefitting economically, students not.

Not everyone requires a college degree to be economically successful. Plumbers, carpenters, electricians all make big bucks.

Ergo, we must stop pushing and encouraging everyone go to college.

Trump knows only one way to play. Down and dirty. Somewhat like the Mafia.

Destroy the opposition. Kill those who do not agree with you.

A prominent Democrat, a major Democratic supporter over the years, has been George Soros. Trump is now going after Soros. down and dirty.

Working on criminal charges to  be brought against Soros and his son Alex.

What goes around, comes around. Trump will have his day similarly. Trump and his sons. 

The mistake Donald is making with all those he seeks to destroy. He forgets his time will come.

A Syracuse bankruptcy judge has approved a $176 million settlement against the Syracuse Diocese for abuse by its priests over the years. Those abused mut agree to whatever piece of the settlement they accept.

On this day in 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.

Would you believe? Pablo Picasso did 13,500 paintings.

Dogs are dogs. They have similar feelings as humans. They enjoy their naps. The following saying has merit: “Let a sleeping dog lie.”

Hurricanes expected as early as mid-September. Causse will include Saharan dust and a hot sea surface.

Katrina was a notable hurricane. Made landfall in Louisiana in 2005. Killed nearly 1,400.

Ingrid Bergman: “Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better.”

Aging obviously has its benefits.

Enjoy your day!

Too many National Guard troops in D.C. They are being assigned to trash pickup and landscaping duties. Not an appropriate use of the military.

Trump Administration continues to neglect rising electricity prices. Keep getting scuttled for no good reason, setting America bad in the AI race.

Germany is tip toeing towards compulsory military service. Reason: Germany is caught between warmongering Moscow and the Trump Administration’s reluctance to pay for Europe’s defenses.

India braces as 50 percent U.S. tariffs come into effect. Another example of Trump screwing up the world.

The U.S. and India once had warm diplomatic ties. Trump ended them and imposed abhorrent tariffs to punish India over its purchase of Russian oil.

Hours after Trump authorized flag burners to be prosecuted, Jay Corey, an Army veteran, was charged for illegally setting fire to an American flag in a federal park. Corey said “it was his right as a citizen.”

The Freedom of Speech issue at the forefront. Expect it to be retested in the Supreme Court.

Trump is targeting several Smithsonian art works. None of his business. His taste may not be mine or anyone else’s. He is a major screwup.

America was satisfied with selections already made. Trump’s taste and that of othrs may differ. So what!

I have visited most of the Smithsonians. Some contained choices not to my liking. Made no difference to me. We are a large Nation and diversified tastes are to be expected.

There was a power shortage yesterday morning at the Lower Keys. From the Seven Mile Bridge to Key West. It was resolved at 9:08 am.

I never knew. Slept through the whole thing.

Another twist in the Garcia case. Kilmer Abrego Garcia is now seeking asylum in the U.S.

Why not? This poor guy has been stomped on by Trump and his people in every fashion. The U.S. owes him citizenship!

Some Alligator Alcatraz problems. Being reported that many of the contractors have links to allegations of fraud and price gouging.

Trump is crazy! Brings all kinds of lawsuits. One of the most recent involves his Administration’s Department of Justice bringing an unprecedented lawsuit. One against all of the federal District Court Judges in a State. In this instance, the State of Maryland. Difficult to understand its basis.  Whatever, it raises the question again as to whether Trump has any better to do.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud will step down next year.

William Howard Taft was physically the largest U.S. President. He had an appetite to match. His breakfast consisted of a 12 ounce steak, 2 oranges, several slices of toast and butter, coffee with cream and sugar.

No wonder he was the fattest of Presidents!

A Daily Beast comment re Trump: “Donald Trump is sucking the life-blood out of America.”

Two children, 8 and 10, were killed in the pews where they were worshiping wednesday at a Catholic Church in Minneapolis. 

Seventeen others were injured in the shooting. Fourteen were children.

Sick!

Trump Administration looking to take over Union Station in D.C. Word is the Station “has fallen into disrepair.”

I can’t but question all the things Trump and his people are assuming responsibility for in D.C. Necessary? Or are they just trying to look like they know it all/everything.

Florida has been warned to brace for a brutal winter. Even in the Keys. Expected are low temperatures and rain. Also, tropical storms in November.

Trump and Pritzker soon to go toe to toe. ICE and troops threatened soon for Chicago. Trump claims as President he has “the right to do anything I want to.” Pritzker quickly responded: “No, Donald. You can’t do whatever you want.”

There will be more shootings. Especially of children. Blame the Heritage Foundation and its promulgation of “The Essential Second Amendment.” The right to bear arms. The strength of the Second Amendment.

Its primary purpose: Self defense. Query: Tell me how “self defense” was involved in the death of the two children in the recent Minneapolis Church shootings?

There will be more irresponsible shootings with no real basis in the Second Amendment.

Wake up America! Move your asses! Be heard! Push your elected Representatives and Judges. Demand another “look at the Second Amendment.” Was it really interpreted properly?

What is next is amusing. Sick and sad, also. A sort of beware. What goes around, comes around thing.

The Minneapolis shooter had messages on his gun magazines. One read: “Kill Donald Trump.”

Enjoy your day. May it be shooting free.

Trump at it again.

The U.S. had a Department of War forever. Then around 1947, Truman opted to change it to the Department of Defense. Now Trump wants to return it to the Department of War. He intends to do so by friday of this week.

I care not what reasons Trump may give for doing so. He merely wants to continue the image he is creating of being a tough guy. Bad for him, the U.S. and other nations of the world. He should be as Presidents of the past 50 years. Let their actions speak for them!

Dogs continue in the news this week. Today is National Dog Day. Make it a big day for man’s best friend!

Trump’s move to take over the Fed adds more uncertainty to the economy. Trump seeking to personalize the federal government. Lisa Cook who he seeks to replace has been doing an exceptional job.

How can Trump handle so many jobs! Without screwing up?

Wind energy projects keep getting scuttled for no good reasons. Sets America back in the A1 race.

The price of electricity rose 5.5 percent the past year.

The solution as recommended by experts is to embrace “all” energy strategies. However people like Trump think it wrong to recognize such a strategy.

The 180 FEMA employees who criticized Trump FEMA employees not doing their jobs properly via a signed letter to a Congressional Committee have all been laid off. Retribution government on the move again!

Woe will be whatever part of the country next struck with a natural disaster!

Trump seeks expanded power over the death penalty in Washington, D.C. He wants the death penalty imposed on every person convicted of murder in D.C.

Something wrong here. Trump continues to seek expanded power in areas as a President he should stay out of. Only one conclusion to be drawn. He seeks an expanded authoritarian dictatorship. Doesn’t he have enough to do in other areas?

W.E.B. Du Bois: “Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best w0rk can be done.”

The top three airports for the most delayed flights: Dallas/Forth Worth International, Denver International, and Ronald Reagan Washington International.

Cracker Barrel announced it will keep the original “old name.” Cracker Barrel had announced it was changing its name. Massive adverse reaction nationwide. Even the White House. Cracker Barrel heard the noise and reacted!

The Key West Business Guild invites the public to a special community meeting thursday August 28 to discuss rainbow crosswalks.

Go Key West! An important subject!

The meeting will take place at the Frederick Douglas Community Center, 111 Olivia Street, tuesday, 6-8 pm.

Heroism at its best! A woman fighting disguised as a man in the Revolutionary War. Deborah Simpson, a weaver and school teacher.

Fought for more than on year under the name Robert Shurtliff. Initially tended her own wounds.

Finally too sick and hospitalized. The doctor discovered she was female.

Nevertheless, honorably discharged, received back pay, and a disability pension for wounds suffered in the War.

The American Navy in the Revolutionary War used pirate ships to defeat the British. Washington retained 800 pirate ships which destroyed 600 British ships.

Oh, the truth! It has bee revealed George Washington never cut down a cherry tree.

A fact little known. George Washington lost more battles than he won. BUT, he won the important ones and the War!

I conclude with a most serios issue. I strongly disagree with Trump’s  new “game” of having the U.S. buy into private businesses. Not the way the game and government is played.

Trump wants to get as much as he can for the “U.S. But not by buying businesses that are out on the market place competing. The 10 percent acquisition of Intel was improper. What next?

Government should not compete with private business!

Enjoy your day!

The first televised Major League baseball game took place this day in 1939. Bob Barker the announcer. Covered on NBC TV. Like watching a movie. Except the screen was smaller. Like 7 inches by 4 inches.

The Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbits Field in Brooklyn. An afternoon game.

I was 4 years old at the time. Watched the game at Larry Hastrich’s home. Our informal baseball team laid around the living room watching. I laid on the floor. 

We did not have a TV yet. I doubt anyone else’s family had one other the Hastrich’s. Did not make sense. Larry’s people and ours were all in the same financial strata. Working families. Our homes were two family ones. Most rented. Second floor.

My father was not able to purchase a TV set till after World War II. The War had not begun yet while we were watching the game at Larry’s home. It would not begin for several months.

When my Dad bought our first TV, it appeared he was the first of our social set to do so. No one else we knew had one. The company level at our home increased. Especially on friday evenings. The fights. Pabst Blue Ribbon sponsored the friday evening fights at 9. Everyone came! My father made arrangements with a funeral parlor owner friend. He would have folding chairs delivered to us every friday which my Dad and I would set up in the living room for our guests.

Understand that baseball was primarily the important sport for everyone. We kids for example would play every day at two fields. Brookside the most popular. Then a barren lot buried in the woods. Today, a neighborhood of lovely homes.

Boxing was the #2 sport. Adult men were boxing crazy. We were Italian. My parents’ friends Italian. The boxers of the day Italian. The fights in the Petrone living room were crowded!

Those were the days my friends!

Switching to Trump. He had a big Monday.

He continued his “retribution” war. This one against former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. For a purported screwup by Christie over the “Bridgeport Scandal.”

“Bridgeport” occurred in 2013.

Donald is setting the standard. He may very well be legally pursued for years after doing what he himself has been doing over the years. And that which he continues to do. What’s the saying: “What’ good for the goose, is good for the gander.” Another might be: “What goes around, coms around.”

Ghislaine Maxwell’s testimony does not sound real to me. I suspect she is testifying for Trump’s ears in hops of a pardon. Trump never in effect a part of anything or saw anything she said.

Time will tell. 

The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed the Epstein Estate client list and Black Book contacts.

Woe for many could occur down the road. The “act” meaningless without proof. It is the “lists” that could open the door and cause many to fall. Fall they will because of the lies said over the years to cover their activities.

Trump’s Executive Order re desecrating the American flag an issue decided years ago. Deeming such “freedom of speech.” Can be changed to be a crime. Would take a long time. I doubt Trump will be successful.

One of Trump’s tariff impacts hitting. And hitting hard! Its force has arrived. The tariffs on small games. Big time blow! Many small family businesses claim a 30 per cent negative revenue impact this year alone. Primarily due to a lack of inventory for Christmas. All because of Trump’s excessive tariffs. One example are Chinese tariffs which will hit 145 percent.

A death knell!

“An absolute bomb dropping on small businesses.” Games like Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble and Taboo will be hurt. Stores like Target, Costco, Barnes & Noble and other small stores along with them.

Good going, Donald!

A federal judge has temporally barred Abrega Garcia’s deportation to Uganda. Will Trump and ICE obey the Order?

Trump claims he has cleared D.C. of crime in 11 days…..What bullshit! Watch the next 11 days and 11 days thereafter. The crime numbers will increase again, fluctuate again. To the normal level they were. Not the radicalized number Trump claimed.

A U.S. News & World Report Analysis found the Labrador Retriever the “top dog breed in the U.S.”

I am not into cats. However, I came across an interesting cat item today: Eighty percent of all orange cats are male. Color is inextricably linked to a male cat’s sex.

Pillows have always been a problem for me. Prefer hard, though not too hard. “Hard” a universal word here. My desired “hard pillow” difficult to find. Hotels a problem. They must think all their patrons want “soft.” Soft become sheet level instantly.

The story of the first pillow interesting. The first pillow however would definitely have been too hard for me.

The first pillows were made of stone. The earliest pillows can be traced to Mesopotamia. To the “cradle of civilization.” Today, modern day Iran.

Around 7000 BCE, the carved stone served a practical purpose also. Helped to keep bugs and vermin out of the mouths, eyes and noses of the wealthy.

Enjoy your day!

Dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years. Technically stated, dogs have been domesticated some 23,000 years. Wow! A steady friend obviously a portion of their being.

The National Guard now carrying guns in D.C. Wrong decision! They should not be carrying weapons. In fact, the Guard should not even be in D.C. 

Wait till another Kent State occurs. Americans will not accept blood on their hands. All will look to Trump with cries of responsibility. Properly so.

No way Trump a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Trump’s most recent threat is he will be sending the military to Baltimore, also.

Erin has brought massive flooding to the East Coast.

Vance and Hegseth not without scorn. Both were heckled at Washington’s Union Station.

Egg prices continue to spike.

Trump pushing for D.C. to adopt “cashless bail.” Why? Does he fear he might have to face a “bail” situation some day?

Word is Trump will sign an Executive Order today establishing “cashless bail.”

Trump wants “cashless bail” nationwide. However, neither Trump nor Congress has authority to do so. The issue a State one.

Trump making D.C. his own personal Epcot – a political theme pert. Trump enjoys have the military around him in D.C. Shades of European dictators of yesteryear.

Big day for Parisians today! On this day in 1941, after 4 years of Nazi occupation, Paris was liberated.

The “liberal lion of the Senate.” Ted Kennedy died this day in 2009 at the age of 77.

“The Wizard of Oz” opened this day in 1939 in U.S. theaters. It will happen again soon this year.

Brit Tommy Fleetwood won his first PGA Tour Title, the Tour Championship. It took his 164th try before winning a PGA title, though having come close many times in the past. The victory had value. Fleetwood won the Fed Ex Cup and $10 million.

John McCain: “In the end, it matters less that you can fight. What you fight for is the real test.”

New dating term: “Shrekking.” A new dating trend. Basically involves intentionally dating someone you’re not “attracted to” in hopes that they will treat you better than the more “attractive” suitor out there.

Today the moon is entering a new lunar cycle The moon will be at Opencast illumination. Ergo, called the “black moon.”

Word is Trump and RFK, Jr. plan to ban COVID-19 vaccine within months.

Trump calls for ABC and NBC to be “terminated.” He wants them punished for their alleged unfair coverage of Republicans.

An interesting form of honesty. The Book Market of Iraq. Books remain in the street at night because Iraqi’s believe: “The reader does not steal and the thief does not read.”

Toothpaste composition to be improved. Hair is being added. It has been discovered hair naturally repairs tooth enamel. Stops it completely.

Maya Angelou: “The ache for home living in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”

Man and pet. In Brazil, a drunk was lost and his own bull went to look for him, found him, and took him home.

College football has arrived! Syracuse’s first game is saturday August 30th at noon. Syracuse opens against #24 ranked Tennessee in Atlanta.

Enjoy your day!

Tidbits of information.

One billion rotisserie chickens are sold in the U.S. each year.

Henry Ford built a plastic car from soybeans in 1941. His intention was to blend metal with agriculture. He created a plastic vehicle which weighed 2,000 pounds. At that weight the car was much lighter than an all steel one. However, World War II caused production to cease.

The world’s first billionaire was John D. Rockefeller. He first worked as a book keeper. Then a candy maker. Finally got into oil. Standard Oil. Made him the man he became.

Few are aware Rockefeller’s father was a “con artist.” Known as “Devil Bill.” Made a living passing as a traveling doctor, selling fake herbal cures and telling lies.

There was a time watermelons were neither red nor sweet. Were white and bitter. 

Today, 100 million are produced yearly. The largest “vegetable crop” in the world. Yes, a vegetable, not a fruit.

It was the War of 1812. On this day in 1814, the British set fire to the White House.

On this day in 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted destroying Pompeii and other nearby cites. Twenty thousand persons were killed.

America’s first great leader was George Washington. His talent revealed itself beginning in 1775 when he took command of the Continental Army as the British were occupying Boston.

Trump’s approval rating is dramatically going down. A study released friday revealed 40 percent “strongly or somewhat” approved of Trump. However 56 percent said they “strongly or somewhat” disapproved of the President’s job. Four percent were not sure.

Trump going to  Chicago militarily. He apparently is satisfied with what he thinks he has accomplished in Washington, D.C. A couple of days ago, he said Chicago was next. Yesterday, soon. Today, Trump announced Chicago will receive a few thousand National Guard members and some active duty troops.

The man is destroying America. Planting seeds of destruction everywhere.

Trump screwed up today re Ukraine. First he was going to end the war in 24 hours. Then promised to bring Russia and Ukraine together.

Thus far Trump has failed in every respect.

Yesterday, he said  a “solution,” his “solution,” in 2 weeks. Today he announced a pause in his peace effort. Doesn’t know what to do.

I think all this Ghislaine Maxwell testimony is bullshit. She is saying and doing whatever is necessary to get her out of jail.

I recall as a lawyer in Utica returning an overdue book to the library about 3 months late. On a monday evening when the place was packed.

An elderly woman was working the desk. She was less than polite. Reamed me big time! Loudly! Embarrassed me. I may have deserved it. She did not have to do it, however.

The San Antonio Public Library received an overdue book with a letter through the mail. The letter: “I hope there is no late fee for it because Grandma won’t be able to pay it anymore.

The book was late. Eighty two years late!

The library said it was the latest a book had ever been received. The book: “Your Child, His Family and Friends.” A guide for parents to help them investigate relationships. 

The book had been borrowed in 1943.

Perhaps I should have waited till dead and had someone mail it back for me with a similar letter. It would have saved me the embarrassment. Appreciate I never was late with a book again!

Enjoy your sunday!

There is a word moving about that Trump always wanted to be a big city mayor. If so, he is getting his opportunity now by militarizing Washington, D.C. and the cities he claims will follow. Trump has announced Chicago is next. Followed by New York City.

Our President is going to screw up the U.S. further as he “takes over” U.S. cities willy nilly.

Trump continues to get his nose into the Ukraine War. He has now given Russia and Ukraine 2 weeks to hold talks ending the war, If no progress, he will decide on next steps, which could include heavy sanctions or tariffs.

An example of Trump’s retributive nature. The F.B.I.’s friday morning raid targeting former Trump aid turned critic John Bolton.

Getting even part of Trump’s psyche.

A Croatian free diver held his breath underwater 29 minutes 3 seconds. A world record! Hard to believe!

Fred Klein spoke of “tricestenarian.” Big word! Did not know my friend could spell such a big word!

Actually, he was speaking of his granddaughter Maggie. A lovely young lady born in 2000.

Rodney Dangerfield. An acquaintance from years ago. Spent two of my La Costa visits partying with him evenings. What you see is what you get. Dangerfield dressed and talked as you saw him on TV and in the movies. He made millions being himself. Absolutely amazing!

One of his famous lines: “When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them.”

One of the great volcanic destructions experienced by man was Pompeii. Pompeii was totally destroyed in 79 A.D. by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The last Roman Emperor was a teenager. Romulus Augustulus resigned only 10 months before being deposed on in 476.

Julius Caesar vacationed in Baiae. A coastal retreat nestled along the Bay of Naples. Long gone now. While Caesar was alive and active, Baiae was the playground for the elite. Today lies beneath the sea. Submerged over centuries by volcanic activity and bradyseism – the gradual slide and fall of the Earth’s surface.

Rudolph Valentino died this day in 1926.

I do not buy Ghislaine Maxwell’s testimony that she never saw Trump inappropriately.

This is her chance to escape the balance of her 20 year sentence. Speaking well of Trump one way.

A pleasant afternoon ahead. A pedicure and manicure with Tammy. My first pedicure since my hospitalizations some 5 months ago.

I will find both procedures pleasant.

Enjoy your day!

One sentence in the Constitution is causing the U.S. huge problems. The sentence: “The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America.”

No President exercised its potential full power till Trump in his second term. He continues to exercise “the power” at every opportunity. Which is most. He recognizes no limits.

No President ever before tried.

Either under Trump or some future President, court tests will come. Then we will know for sure. Till then…..Chaos!

A New York Times Editorial Board Opinion Piece: “Trump’s Gerrymandering Push Is A Form Of Cheating.”

Could we expect any less from Donald?

The Trump Administration has been highlighting material dealing with topics such as sexuality, slavery and immigration it finds objectionable at Smithsonians. 

Why don’t Trump and his people leave well enough alone? Whether good, bad or indifferent, what was is. History cannot be changed or altered. Especially by a leader who has a questionable background.

More Trump. However, I want to write a different and personal piece at the moment. I will return to Trump thereafter.

Two of my dearest friends are Fran and Tom Dixon from Buffalo. I have known them as snowbirds for 15-20 years. They visit Key West 3-4 times a year. Always stay at the Ocean Key. Tom was and may still be the owner of a small piece. He was a Board Member for years. Their next visit will be during Fantasy Fest in October.

We are very close. Both are gift giving. Material and baked goods delivered personally or mailed. I do good by them.

A couple of years ago on one of their visits, they gave me a large blender. What the hell was I going to do with a blender? A cook I am not.

I impolitely expressed myself as such at the time. They both laughed. Rightfully so. The blender has become one of the finest gifts I have received from anyone at any time.

It turned me into a smoothie freak. I make a smoothie every morning for breakfast. Sometimes twice a day when I enjoy a smoothie at dinner time rather than a full meal.

My smoothie is simple. Two ice cubes, a small container of fruit cocktail, a banana and a Dr. Atkin’s Dark Chocolate Drink. Fills the blender. Delicious.

Occasionally overflows the blender a bit. Can be messy. Mentioned it to the Dixons in a phone call yesterday. I suspect my next gift will be a new larger blender.

Back to Trump.

Trump believes he is doing an excellent job in policing Washington.  A policing job not required. Comments of how bad Washington was when it is not. A visit this past week to National Guard and other policing units he brought into Washington. He brought them pizza and burgers.

Trump believes he has been “successful” in Washington. So much so that he announced he is going to other Democratic cities. Query: Are only Democratic cities criminal?

Trump is trying to selectively prosecute. Military at site just one example. Wrong and he should be ashamed. He insults the fabric of our Capitol and its people. In addition to which he wastes significant tax dollars.

Trump came out a partial winner in his civil suit in New York where the civil penalty against Trump and his sons was somewhere around $500,000. A New York appeals court said yesterday the fine was excessive and discharged it. The guilty verdicts, etc. will remain. There will need to be a new verdict.

Trump is lucky. He always seems to step in shit. Shit being a lucky result.

A terrible wrong survives. Since becoming President, Trump has ben “prosecuting” Letita James who brought the civil suit against him and his family members in New York.

Trump is expanding the power of the “police” he has brought to Washington. ICE is being joined with certain of the patrols.

Trump’s war against rainbow cross walks continue. Without local permission, The Trump adminstration removed such a cross walk in Orlando. The LGBTQ considers it an insult. A high one. Key West may soon face the problem big time. Our intersection of Duval and Petronia Streets has such a cross walk. Key Westers will fight big time!

Putin has no desire for a ceasefire, etc. He bombs Ukraine while talks are ongoing. Now he questions Zelensky’s legitimacy to sign ay type peace agreement should one be arrived at. He doubts Zelensky is legally leader of Ukraine.

A former Key Biscayne gym coach has been sentenced to jail for 12 years. The claim against him he was sexually assaulting girls he was teaching.

The Cadillac Motor Company was started this day in 1902.

Althea Gibson was the first African American to compete in a U.S. national tennis tournament. This day in 1950. I remember it well. My Dad and I watched it together on TV.

I shaved my new beard for the third time yesterday. An effort. I lack the proper experience yet to do it swiftly and well. 

Later a haircut with Lori. She does not do beards. She quickly noticed I had screwed up the neck and side burns. Asked if she could correct them. I was delighted! Beard looks terrific now!

My car broke down just before I went into the hospital with the abdominal blood leak. Such close to 5 months ago. I have not driven since. Car has been in dealer’s shop for repair. I purchased the Volkswagen new some 10-12 year go. The model not made anymore. The part needed not available. Repair man says he believes he finally got one that will work and I will have my car today. Hope so! Hard to live without a car! Bumming rides all the time.

A measles outbreak can occur soon. Don’t say no! Too many going without vaccinations. Gambling with death. Because of Trump and RFK, Jr. Stupidity.

Putin making a fool not only of Zelensky. Also “his good friend” Trump. Trump does not recognize it.

Spike in Florida condo supply is creating a buyers’ market.

Interesting. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is America’s most stolen car. Its theft rate is 39 times that of the average vehicle.

Enjoy your day!