There is a time to fight and a time not to do so. There is a time to stand for rights. There is no time for elected officials to act as cowards and fail to do what is correct.

The issue involves Key West’s rainbow crosswalks at Duval and Petronia Streets.

In the dark of the night. At 3 in the morning. City personnel painted black over the rainbow crosswalks. The City lacked the courage to do it openly. Even more, they lacked the courage to fight the battle openly and in the light of day. In support of Key West and its gay community.

No matter how you cut it, Key West is an LGBTQ+ community. Yes, our gay population has diminished over the years. Still considerable, however. Businesses continue to thrive who solely seek gay customers.

Vote everyone out who supported this sneaky devious move. Elected officials are elected to fight for what the people want. Appears Key West presently has a no balls adminstration. Our female leaders no compunction.

I have recently written two or three times re the issue. I wrote concerning Florida’s Governor and State Legislature. Both recently came out and said in effect they did not understand the crosswalk issue. Neither was opposed to them. Such being the case, where the hell were they and the Key West officials when the planning for the paint over event was taking place?

For shame!

This morning’s New York Times ran a photo of Epstein and several others. One person in the photo was blocked out. Thought to have been Donald Trump.

Epstein was holding a large check made out to him for $22,500 sign by D.J. Trump. The check purportedly for a woman both men were or had dated.

Trump denies his signature or check. Claims no knowledge of the event.

Time will tell.

Apple has introduced a new slimmer iPhone.” Less phone for more money.” Tinier, but more expensive.

Ollie North and Fran, key figures in the Iran-Contra scandal in 1980’s, were married. Both widowers. North 81, Hill 65. The marriage took place August 27.

LeBron James misrepresented.

LeBron was in China for Nike. Questioned at a public interview. His comments later reported in a newspaper also. Made it appear he had been interviewed by a Chinese newspaper for publication which again was not the case. LeBon took a beating till the matter was straightened out.

A Mussolini TV show born. Will start on MUBI in the U.S. next wednesday. The actor playing Mussolini has a line…..”He wanted to “Make Italy great again.”

“Kissing Bug” disease epidemic in the U.S. Contacts noted in 32 states. Referred to in some places as a Chagas disease.

Not mononucleosis.

Called “Kissing Bug” because the bug bites the face, generally around the eyes and mouth.

If left untreated, can cause heart or digestive problems or even death.

Trump went to dinner in a D.C. restaurant with Cabinet and staff members. His first Washington meal outside the White House this term. A group of women stood and shouted: “Free Washington, free Palestine, Trump is the Hitler of our time.” They were swiftly expelled by Secret Service.

A new Girl Scout cookie: Exploremores-a rocky road ice cream inspired sandwich cookie.

I finally got out last ight. The Grand. Limited myself to a bowl of tomato soup.

Unusual weather yesterday. Lets go back about 10 days. Has rained like hell every day! Not yesterday. Sunny. A very hot and  humid 90 degrees. The heat a killer!

Today, we are already back to rain storms.

Today a manicure with Tammy at Noon. Followed by a Smiley at Date and Thyme afterwards. Then have to pick up cleaned starched shirts at the laundry.

Date and Thyme is located on Fleming Street a block or two below the Library. It was my favorite for years. The best smileys. Then I got sick for two years. The heart and abdominal bleed. Stopped going. Went no where. Decided to return. Date and Thyme has the best health foods around. Try them and see.

I was greeted like a long lost war hero who had just returned. The staff made me feel spectacular!

Tonight an early dinner at Brady’s Irish Pub. Italian lasagna cooked by a Cuban the wednesdy specialty. Carola from Ireland bartending. I want to arrange seating and TV time for friday when Syracuse plays Colgate. The food specialty friday Polish Pierogis.

Amazing the food variations available. And all good!

Enjoy your day!

One of my dearest Key West friends over the years has been Jean Thornton. She and husband Joe Alabama graduates and fanatics. Fanatics till two weeks ago when FSU destroyed Alabama.

When Irma befell Key West and the Keys generally, I escaped to their home in Birmingham, Alabama for 12 days. It was a party!

My relationship with Jean has strained the past year. Prior thereto, we would frequently dine and drink together. My abdominal bleed kept me from seeing people, dining out, etc. Including my beloved Jean.

As a result, she refrained from calling me so much. Could not blame her.

Last night, I received a call from Jean. She was home in Birmingham, wanted to hear my voice and let me know she would be returning to Key West in about two weeks. Her call was also prompted by an Irma picture from 8 years ago of me sitting in her family room in Birmingham while escaping Irma.

I made my excuses for neither going out with her nor speaking with her the past year. She understood. Reminded me my bed in her home was still available in the event needed.

Jean does not read my blog. No one’s blog that discusses Trump and politics. She can’t stand Trump and hates reading about his exploits. She understood however that I had to write much about the man since he WAS THE NEWS every day.

Nevertheless, I want my beloved Jean to read one of my blogs. Ergo, I dedicate today’s to her. Promise no Trump.

I share with her some interesting but oddball stories. Few will be familiar with them.

Ghosts in the White House? Yes. Several stories. I share two involving Abraham Lincoln.

The source most credible. Winston Churchill. Churchill encountered Lincoln in the Lincoln bedroom, under strange circumstances.

Churchill had just stepped out of the bath and was “wearing” nothing but a cigar when he saw the former President by the fireplace. “Good evening, Mr. President,” Churchill reportedly said. “You have me at a disadvantage.” Indeed he did, but it’s hard to imagine anyone else being so witty in that moment.

It isn’t just humans who felt Lincoln’s presence. Ronald Reagan’s dog felt comfortable roaming every room in the White House, except the Lincoln bedroom. He would just stand outside the door and bark. Never entering.

Then there’s Mary Had A Little Lamb. About a real schoolgirl and her lamb.

Poet Sarah Josepha Hale first published a version of the poem in 1830. Fifty years later, an elderly woman named Mary Sawyer wrote about the real Mary. She was that Mary.

Mary Sawyer wrote pretty much the version we know and love today. Mary had rescued the lamb, repaired its health and raised the lamb.

The accurate detailed story is Mary had found the abandoned lamb, cared for it and then brought it to school. Hidden in a basket which she kept at her feet till the lamb bleated.  Caught. The teacher permitted Mary to take the lamb home at lunch time.

In a letter included in a 1928 book detailing the story, Sawyer says the lamb grew and had a few lambs of her own.

Kissing under a mistletoe was born under strange circumstances.

The practice classic. Mythology classic.

According to legend, the Norse god Baldur was killed by a sprig of mistletoe. He woke at 1 am fearing every plant and animal species were out to get him. His mother and wife visited every plant and animal asking he be left alone.

They forgot to ask the mistletoe. A sprig of the evergreen ultimately killed him.

His mother, the goddess  Frigia, wept tears that turned into white berries on the mistletoe. She was able to revive her son. As a result, she proclaimed the mistletoe the plant of love.

And now to the final oddball topic. Since we are both college fanatics, you Alabama and I Syracuse, I opted to search out oddball mascot names and their history.

Not intending to be insulting, mighty Alabama was not listed. I was surprised. One of the most powerful football teams ever, I would have assumed its mascot would be listed. Especially because of its size. Consistent with the quality of the team it represents.

Alabama’s mascot is an elephant. Big in and of itself. Named Big Al. Consistent with Alabama’s record. I had to call my grandson Robert to get it. He had it at the tip of his fingers.

Syracuse’s mascot is listed.  Otto the Orange.

Oto’s history.

Syracuse selected orange as its color/hue in 1890. No deviation over the years. Never changed. Syracusans love being known as The Orange.

Otto is an orange. Became the Syracuse mascot in the early 1980s. Prior thereto, the Syracuse mascot was  gladiator, goat, and dog that wore a blue baseball cap.

Syracuse got a new Dome in 980. One that I immediately purchased a 16 seat private box and bar in. Made me a steady patron for years. Missed only one game and that was because of a family wedding. I cheated, however. Listened to the game on my cell phone during the ceremony in Church.

A new Dome meant new other things.

Early on, a former student, Eric Heath, began appearing at games attired in the orange regatta with a blue baseball cap. The University was not polite to him for years. He was a paying customer. Had to but a ticket to get in.

He became known as Otto the Orange.

Popular he was, however. He ran all over the court. Everyone loved him.

In 2004, Nike proposed some changes at the Dome. One was get rid of Otto. Students and alumni rose in unison in opposition. Otto remains.

Jean, again no adverse knock re Big Al. An intimidating name. His appearance has to be intimidating also.

Your blog! Your day!

Can’t wait till we get a new President so you will be reading all my blogs again.

Enjoy your day!

Trump rebranding Department of Defense to Department of War, a “signal to adversaries America’s readiness to wage war to secure its interests.”

Trump is a Noble Peace Prize freak who wants the award desperately. It seems strange for someone who is supposedly interested in peace to stress the primacy of war.

Trump was met with mostly boos at U.S. Open as security delayed the match. The delay was 45 minutes as Trump was shown on screen and was met with an avalanche of boos. Each time mostly boos and few cheers.

More older people are dying after falls. In 2023, the most recent year data was kept, more than 41,000 Americans died from falls.

I am concerned. I have fallen 5-6 times in recent years. Hard falls. Head always involved. For a guy 89-90, not healthy.

Deaths from falls have also tripled in the last 30 years.  Among those over 85, death rates jumped to 339 per 100,000 in 2023 from 92 per 100,000 in 1990.

And I use a cane! I have 4. At home and in the car. I still fall.

Culprit for Americans is considered to be prescription drugs. I take 15 a day. Older people in Japan and Europe fall much less. They take fewer drugs.

Syracuse came from behind to beat Connecticut in overtime 27-20. Syracuse’s next game is Friday evening at 7 against Colgate.

Enjoy your day!

The GOP’s uneasiness about RFK does not appear to shake Trump’s faith. I would not expect it to. Nothing seems to bother Trump.

A U.S. recession could easily occur before Trump’s “golden age” impacts us. Most of what Trump is doing does not do the economy any good.

Maryland is not waiting for Trump to intervene in their State. It has deployed more law enforcement to Baltimore in anticipation of Trump’s threats.

Trump has launched his War Department rebrand without Congressional approval. Not the way to do it legally.

Putin threatens more troops to Ukraine as Europe readies post war force. Moscow claims no security guarantees needed if a peace deal is signed.

Who is Putin kidding?

Exchanging wedding bands is fairly modern. Historically, men did not wear bands. Women generally have as a gesture that the woman had entered into a marriage contract.

In the 1940s, men’s wedding rings became socially acceptable. Came to recognize the romantic link between the man and woman Cost was also involved. Male rings became affordable from World War II forward.

Came across a list of names and the year which male and female names were most popular. I was born in 1935. Most popular name was Robert. Robert was most popular for several years before and several years thereafter. The female name Mary was similarly popular in 1935 and for years before and after.

On this day in 1901, President William McKinley was shot by a 26 year old anarchist in Buffalo. He subsequently died from one of the three wounds he sustained. He developed gangrene to one of his wounds. The gangrene had gone undetected for several days.

Theodore Roosevelt was immediately sworn in as President.

The U.S. presently experiencing tensons with Venezuela. As a result, the U.S. has moved fighter jets to Puerto Rico.

Trump says “he’s not messing around.”

As of 2024, 1,135 billionaires were living in the U.S. Their collective worth $5.7 trillion.

A first! Magellan’s ship Victoria completed a circumvention of the globe in 1522.

The weather is making me uncomfortable. Very heavy rains in Key West the past several days. While other areas of Florida experienced no rain

Experts however predict a peak hurricane season with storms poised to form on all sides.

Rain, rain, go away. EVERYONE wants to play.

Including, Louis. I spent 58 days in the hospital followed by 2-3 months of home recovery. I am a pale face. Need a bit of sun on my face for a few days,

Thousands of Washington, D.C. citizens have been marching in protest to federal law enforcement tactics. They feel their civil rights are being battered. They are also sensing a state of constant fear.

Tom Hanks insulted by a West Point alumni group. Trump was instrumental in cancelling the prestigious Sylvanus Thayer Award to “an outstanding citizen” who did not attend West Point, but has a distinguished record of service that exemplifies the Academy’s ideas: “Duty, Honor, Country.”

A strong happening. One hundred lightning bolts strike Earth every second on average. Reason: The Earth’s atmosphere is filled with electricity.

Death comes in many forms and for many reasons. Euthanasia has become an epidemic in Canada. First legalized in 2016. Since then, 60,000 Canadians have died via euthanasia. 

A massive cultural shift in how people live and die in Canada.

Enjoy your day!

In a little covered speech last week, the President of Portugal referred to Trump as “a Russian asset.”

Freedom first: “If the federal government is really concerned with crime they would deploy security to every school in the country to PROTECT our most vulnerable citizens, our children. Spend money on children instead of imaginary crime in D.C. and where ever else Trump wants to send SS troops.”

Supreme Court Judges are concerned. Believe “someone is going to die.” The Judges feel thrown under the bus “by Trump’s use of the Supreme Court.”

Vance leaves much to be desired. He says Senators are “full of shit” after RFK hearing.

How is Trump’s health? He would rather talk about the state of his soul. Neither appears in good shape.

Armed troops on U.S. streets. For many, Trump makes that seem normal.

Kennedy is on thin ice. GOP Senators signaling Trump of the fact. Trump does not appear to be listening.

I am 90 years old. Old! Feel and don’t feel it. Depends on the day of the week.

There is another elderly person. Female. Older than me. Ninety nine. Eva Marie Saint. God bless!

Iran has almost no water left. Twenty eight million people without water.

The Chinese Communist Party is unscrupulous. An evil cult.

The Key West Police Department reminds the community that altering or painting public property without authorization is against the law. Recently several crosswalks were painted. Bullshit laws should not be followed. Such laws should be withdrawn.

A handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence by 33 year old Thomas Jefferson will soon be available for viewing. Only four copies available.

Next year, the U.S. celebrates its 250th Anniversary. One of the four copies will be on display at the New York Public Library beginning July 1, 2026. You may wish to see it.

Joe Scarborough ripped RFK’s testimony: “He just lied repeatedly.”

Hegseth declared he has “absolute authority” to kill suspected drug addicts.

Trump no longer optimistic about ending  Ukraine War. He says Russia has become lost to China.

Jesus Christ: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.”

Hard to understand. Trump is scrubbing slavery from our historical sites. He has ordered up an incomplete and self-serving vision of American history. Why?

A Democratic plight. A serious one. Fewer voters are registering as Democrats.

The U.S. was close to India for 30 years. Trump blew that up in a few months. The decision is now for India to make. Does it want to go with a capricious Trump or hedge its bets through a reproachment with China?

Powerball has risen to $1.8 billion. Third largest available payment in U.S. history. Odds of winning 1 in 292,201,338.

The U.S. added a paltry 20,000 jobs in August. Between May and July, a similarly dismal report. The average 29,000 per month.

Another place where jobs are being dramatically reduced. DeSantis wants to end, if he already has not, mandatory vaccines in Florida for polio and measles.

The biggest U.S. oil companies are eliminating thousands of jobs. Conoco Phillips of Houston one that has announced plans to reduce its global work force by up to 25 percent.

Enjoy your fewer work days.

Enjoy your limited day!

Release or not release Epstein files? Confusing. Trump prefers them hidden. Most others want their contents revealed. Truth can be painful.

A federal appellate panel in a 2-1 decision rejected Trump’s usage of the Alien Enemies Act. The Court found no necessary “incursion” had occurred.

Boy, is Trump’s Administration screwing things up: Pentagon plans 600 military lawyers to backfill required judges. The 600 are not qualified however to sit in judgment on the cases they will be judging. They lack necessary training and experience.

Trump says he’s getting ready for Chicago. Wrong! A disgrace in the making!

A repetitious statement: Children in Gaza are starving to death.

A priest told a crowd: “Americans will die because of Trump’s Medicaid cuts.”

Rumored Trump may be covering for prominent people in not wanting Epstein file contents disclosed.

Alexander the Great’s tutor: Aristotle. 

Alexander was 13 years old when his father called upon the Greek philosopher to tutor his son.

“Eat crow” means “a person admits he was wrong or accepts that one has been deflated.” A walk of shame.

Eric Trump wrestled this weekend. Against a Japanese Yokozuna over the weekend. Of course, Trump got beat.

A federal court has held the Trump Administration cannot withhold federal funding from Harvard. The Court ruled cancelation  of research grants and other federal actions amounted to “retaliatory unconstitutional conditions, and unconstitutional coercion.”

Florida moves to end all school vaccine mandates. Florida becomes the first State in the Nation to do so.

Trump is growing frustrated with Putin. Unhappy with Putin’s actions in Beijing.

States plan on snubbing Kennedy. States announce plans to coordinate on vaccines. The Nation will not accept Kennedy’s anti-vaccine program. The people understand Kennedy’s anti-vaccine program is an “access to death.”

Trump is anti-wind. Proof evident in the Transportation Department. Six hundred seventy nine million dollars has been canceled from Offshore Wind Projects.

Ukraine students have started their new school year. In underground class rooms. Safety a first consideration.

The Metropolitan Opera is turning to Saudi Arabia to help solve its financial problems.

The New York Bar Foundation’s 75th Anniversary to be celebrated Friday, November 7, 6:30-10:30. A professional gala.

Jimmy Buffett loved and remembered: Several thousand persons covered Duval Street August 31 during a Memorial Parade in Buffett’s honor.

Ocean acidity reflected in the fact that shark teeth are starting to corrode causing holes and structure damage.

Cause is water temperature change. Salt level changing as a result.

The ocean’s PH has dropped from 8.2 to 8.1. Tiny. However represents a 30 percent increase in acidity.

Putin and Xi discuss longevity through organ transplants. Speaker Johnson considers their talk significant.

The rain is horrendous! Almost constant! Heavy! For several days. Today the worst. Rained 90 percent of the time. Tomorrow expected to be almost as bad.

There are 55 million foreign Visa holders. All will be investigated by Trump. He seeks deportable activities.

Crazy! A whacky idea! Only Trump could come up with it! Trump says he wants to try to get into Heaven. A noble idea. Requires money, he says. He is asking people to donate $15 to his cause.

The man is sick!

Since my lengthy illness and recent hospitalization, my body is still not functioning correctly. My sleep pattern is off. Way off! Yesterday I fell asleep at 4 pm and woke at 1 am. Every night is screwed up like this. Dr. Norris says it will take additional months for my body to straighten out.

Key West is in the middle of Womenfest. Runs from September 3-September 7.

The event has been celebrated some 20 odd years.

Thousands of lesbians and similar persons will participate. A special event this year…..Jell-O Wrestling.

Joe Di Maggio and Marilyn Monroe married around this time. Unfortunately, the marriage only lasted nine months.

Excellent Citizens’ Voice today: “If we can’t have the rainbow colored roadway, why not paint the sidewalk instead?”

A strange situation has developed re the special painted intersections. Florida’s Governor and Legislature agree they both support the paintings. If such is the case, why all the bally-ho regarding them?

A wow revelation! The Key West City budget. Read the following: “Watch the City budget hearings this week about pay increases. They will say 2.9 percent  increase for staff and CBA for union employees – meaning they get what is in the union contract. That actual number is 12 percent. Why is the administration allowed to cover up the disparity? We need full transparency in the budget.”

Gabrielle is the “maybe” next hurricane. Presently might take one of two paths. Could become a tropical depression or storm over the weekend. Could completely miss Florida by shooting north as it approaches. If it does make landfall, it is expected to be a big one!

RFK, Jr. faced a Senate grilling today. A vaccine skeptic. He has spawned national confusion and questions re the state of public health if vaccines are permitted to continue.

He is not h s father by any means. Not even close. It appears the public is developing a growing distrust for the man.

After 30 years of warfare, Apache leader Geronimo surrendered to government troops. He and his troops fought hard those 30 years. Then reached a point of exhaustion and were also outnumbered by Union forces.

Comedian Joan Rivers died September 4, 2014, one week after going into cardiac arrest following a relatively simple medical procedure on her vocal cords. 

Sad!

Those were the days. The time of for real school segregation.  Blacks bared from entering segregated schools.

On this day in 1957, Arkansas troops blocked a Little Rock High School from permitting black students from entering. The troops were armed.

U.S. swimmer Mark Spitz won his seventh gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Wow!

The top five best cities for retirees in the U.S. are Orlando, Scottsdale, Minneapolis, Miami and Tampa.

Enjoy your day!

THIS BLOG WAS WRITTEN AND ATTEMPTED TO BE PUBLISHED YESTERDAY. WOULD NOT PUBLISH. MY COMPUTER ON THE BLINK IN THIS REGARD. FINALLY GOT COMPUTER FIXED TODAY. COST CLOSE TO $200. WELL WORTH IT. GLAD TO HAVE THE COMPUTER BACK WORKING ONE HUNDRED PERCENT.

For one of America’s greatest leaders formal education was limited to grade school. George Washington. Our first and very successful President.

Taught himself mathematics in his elder years. Became an adept fan of geometry.

Amazing!

Thomas Jefferson had no formal education at all. Yet he became a self-taught architect.

Abraham Lincoln signed the bill creating the Secret Service the same day he was assassinated. At the time it was not intended to safeguard Presidents. Rather its purpose was to safeguard the U.S. monetary system. At the time one third of U.S. currency was forged.

Only one police officer went to the event with Lincoln where he was shot. No one knows where that sole officer was at the time of the shooting.

James Madison was physically the shortest President in history. He was 5 feet 4 inches. Lincoln was the tallest at 6 feet 4 inches.

We know Thomas Jefferson wrote the Constitution. We do not know for sure who wrote an equally important document the Declaration of Independence. A relatively unknown is thought to perhaps have done so. Timothy Matlock, a Clerk to Continental Secretary Charles Thompson.

Matlock could not acquire a Congressional seat nor achieve a higher position at the time due to his background. He was a big time gambler and had served time in debtors’ prison.

The Eiffel Tower shines hot. Very hot. Burning hot. For real. The metal used in its construction the cause. Especially under the blazing sun in the summer. Alternatively, when the weather is cold the tower shrinks. As much as six inches. The top also sways in a heavy wind. As much as three inches side to side.

Avocados are Mexico’s major fruit. Nationally and as an export.

Trump has been responsible for nearly one half million federal workers losing their union rights.

A Middle Age myth. People consumed tons of beer as opposed to water because water was dirty. False. They drank more water. People knew of its value and how to keep it clean. Drank less beer and wine. The two drunk merely for fun purposes.

Trump says he is awarding Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Why? He is a proven wrong doer and not deserving.

A repetitive comment. One that America should pay attention to: Medicaid cuts threaten rural hospitals and access to maternity care.   

World War II ended 80 years ago in Tokyo Bay. Japan formally surrendered 27 days after an atomic bomb had killed 70,000 in Hiroshima.

I recall the day, though I was only 10 years old. My friends and I watched on TV and discussed the surrender at length. The War had been and was everything for us even though we were young. 

The War ended 125 days after Hitler shot and killed himself. A man who slaughtered 60 million people.

The War also ended 218 days after Auschwitz was liberated by the Russians.

Ties between Russia and China are at an “unprecedented high level.” Keep it up Trump! You are screwing up America’s position in the world.

A number of colored young are going MAGA.

An 8 year old boy was bitten by a shark off Key Largo. A serious bite. Jackson Memorial Hospital saved his leg.

Florida leads the world in shark bites.

Afghanistan had a 6.0 magnitude earthquake Sunday.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese President and revolutionary, died in 1969. A significant figure in the Vietnam War.

Why do we blow out candles on a birthday cake? A custom of ancient origin. The Greeks first, soon followed by the Romans.

During the 18th century, the custom was extended and believed to be a way to carry desires to the gods.

I finally drove a car yesterday. My car. It was finally fixed and returned to me. I had not driven in roughly five months. The time frame began with the 58 days I spent in hospitals and my subsequent recovery time. I am still recovering.

Driving a car after a long period like riding a bicycle. No problem. It was as if I had driven consistently prior to yesterday.

Let me tell you…..Great to have the car again! Yesterday merely drove around a bit. This morning more!

I was up and out at 7. Had breakfast at Goldman’s. Picked up some items at Paper Max. Bought groceries at the super market. Stopped to pick up some items at CVS.

Tired! The running around, eating, shopping, etc. Not the driving. Whatever, still wonderful to be behind the wheel and driving!

Enjoy your day! 

Good morning! It’s Monday! Labor Day besides!

A boy wounded in the Minnesota Church shooting asked the doctor caring for him: “Can you say a prayer with me?”

The two leading Republican candidates for President in 2028 are Vance and Donald Trump, Jr. Yes, Junior is in the running big time. Either candidate would not be good for America.

If things continue as they are, whoever is the Republicn candidate will not be a problem. Trump contines to drive the U.S. into the ground. Economy and in every other way.

Tariffs on imports to increase dramatically soon.

A tsunami is coming. Not good. A big bad economic wave all because of Donald Trump. A man who many of today’s employees voted for in the last election and will suffer because of their choice.

A little of Syracuse’s history against Tennessee Saturday. Syracuse’s defense stunk. Example is the yardage the team gave up in the first quarter alone. Syracuse yielded 178 yards to Tennessee while only gaining 34. Angeli played well as quarterback. Gaining 274 yards.

Overall a bad day for my Syracuse team.

There are 65.1 million household dogs in the U.S.

I just learned…..All dog breeds are devolved from wolves, regardless of shape and appearance, today. For example, a small 4 pound Chihuahua and a massive 23 pound Mastiff are both members of Canis lupus familiaris and direct descendants of the wild wolf.

Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote: “Time ripens all things. No man is born wise.”

Don McPherson died at the age of 103. He was the last known surviving American Ace Pilot from World War II.

Trump can be a grumpy old man. Obviously! He had a rant this past week. He was unhappy with the work of one of the men on the Rose Garden. He yelled at the guy.

A little boy asked why God created Grandmas. Many responses. The boy finally came up with his own answer: “Well, God made Grandmas to love and care about us. That’s all I know.” Said with a sweet shrug.

His grandmother was 101. He called her “MamMa.” Referred to her as “King of the world.”

Today is more than just Labor Day. On the beautiful side, it is Daffodil Day. Beautiful yellow flowers! Also Chicken Buy or Boy Day, Footy Colors Day, and Ginger Cat Appreciation Day. Would you believe?

An interesting foot/health experience. A few days ago, my right foot and ankle were swollen. About three times the normal size. I called my doctor. Dr. Norris. He stopped in. Told me I had an infection in my ankle/foot. It would occur in my left foot shortly also. Gave me a prescription for furosemide. My daughter Lisa picked up the prescription. Took one pill at 6 that evening. Another at 6 the next morning. My let foot had swollen by that time. The next morning the swelling was gone in both feet. Took another pill as a precautionary measure. Both feet ok now.

Moral of the story. Call your doctor immediately and follow his instructions precisely.

I had a similar problem several years ago Did not seek medical attention for a few weeks. Ankles got much larger. Took forever to remedy. Moral again is seek medical attention immediately.

A stupid screwup that neither the Governor nor Florida Legislature will assume responsibility for. Each blaming the other.

I refer to the multi-colored street lanes/intersections. Generally considered gay. State law says they must go. Municipalities upset. Finally has reached a point where the Governor says Legislature wanted it and Legislature said it was Governor’s idea. In the meantime, cities are fighting the State who keeps trying to enforce the law no one wanted.

Instead of being assholes and resolving the matter together forthwith, the Governor and Legislature are merely finger pointing at each other.

Immigration agent a sneak. A Custom and Border Protection Agent looking for people to arrest and throw out of the U.S, did the sneaky devious thing. Went to work for a college to solicit new students. A college that had many Latin applicants.

The agent a bad person! Typical of today’s government personnel in this area.

As RFK, Jr. upends America’s public health system, it’s mazing how Trump supports him. Or is it? Trump supports in the final analysis most things destructive to America.

Trump must be given credit. He has forced 20 national leaders into a meeting in China. Some previously U.S. enemies, some friends. All fear Trump and U.S. today. Xi and Putin brought them together.

Another Trump victory? His actions continue to endanger the U.S.

Jelly fish abound. An overabundance from mid to northern Atlantic shores of U.S. No one sure why. Many persons being bitten.

Grandson Robert telephoned me yesterday. He was all excited by the FSU victory over Alabama. Ran on the field afterwards with everyone else. Hugged the players he was close to. Said his throat was still sore from the yelling during the game. He also said the excitement was so high that he and others stood during the entre game.

An unexpected FSU victory.

He could not understand Syracuse’s loss. He knows the new coach. Top shelf.

Bad things happen to good people. Their reactions interesting. When today’s Queen Camilla was 17 she was on a train. Some guy began groping her.  She reacted appropriately. Hit him in the balls…..”in the nuts” with the heel of her shoe. That was the end of the episode.

My Labor Day will be quiet. Steve is back. He may call me with a suggestion of what we can do. Otherwise, I will be glued to the TV.

Enjoy your Labor Day!

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!