I rarely go out in my old age. It is not my age actually that is the reason. COVID did it. I was fearful of becoming infected. Became a recluse. Stayed in. Did not go out except for doctor and hospital visits for 342 days. Now, I can’t kick the habit.

I did go out last thursday evening as I mentioned the other day. Dinner at Antonia’s with Dan and Lisa Riordon of Skaneateles, N.Y. Dan and Lisa have been Key West visitors for 18 years. Generally, the month of January. Now, January and February.

Die hard Syracuse fans.

They owned and operated a restaurant in Skaneateles for years. Sold it 3 years ago. A tough business. Now enjoying life.

I had not been out in more than 3 weeks when we had dinner at Antonia’s. The smile on our faces tell the story. We had a wonderful time!

I promised them we would go out again this week.

Picture #2 relates to another blog I wrote last week. The one where I was best man at Bob and Helen Marks’ wedding 42 years ago in Maine.

I mentioned I had hair at the time. Something lacking at this stage of my life. Several wrote and asked if I had any photos showing hair. I recalled Bob and Helen’s wedding photo and had them send it to me. I was 47 when the photo was taken.

Look at the that full head of hair! Amazing!

I was also thin. No more.

Syracuse/Notre Dame last night. A great game! Syracuse won 78-73. The victory itself not the story. it is the way Syracuse achieved the victory.

Syracuse was behind by 4 at half. No big deal. It was close most of the first half.

Notre Dame is a 3 point shooting team. All 5 players pop up the 3’s. They were dropping like rain drops. All over the place. Notre Dame made 15 3 pointers in the first 30 minutes of the game.

Notre Dame could not miss. Especially in the first 8 minutes of the second half. With 12 minutes remaining, Syracuse was down 12 points. On its way to losing. Even Boeheim thought so. In his post game interview, he said, “Heck of a comeback, we were in jeopardy.”

Boeheim’s coaching genius came into play at that point. He put 4 freshmen on the floor and went into a full court press. Turned the game around! Notre Dame lost its cool. The freshmen began making Syracuse 3’s.

Most people are unaware what a bee hive of Ku Klux Klan activity Key West was 100 years ago.

The story.

The Ku Klux Klan was established in Key West in the early 1920’s. Always a reason for something to occur. In this instance, Key West’s Black community was organizing. The white population feared the activity.

Marcus Garvey, a black man and international figure in the national black equality movement, visited Key West. Garvey was in effect the Martin Luther King Jr. of his day.

Key West leaders gathered together to establish the Klan in the Keys.

Charles Ketchum of Key West became the Grand Dragon for the State of Florida. Key West became the headquarters for the State organization. Its offices were located on Eaton Street.

Violence and terror erupted in South Florida under Ketchum. Florida experienced more lynchings per capita than any other State in the Union.

Hard to believe such occurred. Key West today is the Home of One Human Family.

A 2022 Syracuse University study found that a taxpayer in the lowest and middle income brackets was five times more likely to face an audit than a member in the highest bracket.

The millionaires, billionaires and corporations do not face the same abuse.

On this day in 2009, Pilot “Sully” Sullenberger performed the “Miracle on the Hudson.” By so doing, he averted a major disaster. His heroic display of skill and composure responsible..

Sully was piloting a US Airways flight which collided with a flock of geese. His engines failed. The plane was carrying 150 passengers and 5 crew members.

Sully safely landed the plane on the Hudson River. An impossible feat. All lives were saved.

Sully became an instantaneous American hero. Deservedly so!

Wear long pants, sweater or jacket and go to the gardens later today. A treat of treat awaits. Terri White sings!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Male legislators could end up wearing skirts and panty hose. With the skirts required to be 3 inches above the knee. I kid you not. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

The Missouri House has tightened the dress code for its female members. They are henceforth required to wear clothing covering their arms. The full requirement: Female lawmakers must cover their arms and wear blazers while in the State Capitol.

The same old story in operation again. Men controlling what should be a right solely within the judgment of a woman. It is the abortion story all over again. Men have this inherent need to dominate the other sex. I suspect because they feel the male gender is weakening and women are taking over.

Women are taking over in many respects. They are a growing power politically. Even to the level of state legislatures. They can perform two tasks at one time whereas men are lucky to do one and do it properly. How many women work full time, take care of a family, and perform a multitude of other tasks?

Again, I believe men fear women. Especially the women of today.

The strange thing about Missouri was a Republican female legislator, Ann Kelley, proposed the law as an amendment to a House dress code which was passed in 2021 which required women to wear a “dress or skirt or slacks worn with a blazer or sweater and appropriate dress shoes or boots.” Kelley’s position is that is is “essential to always maintain a formal and professional atmosphere.”

Democrats, especially the women, called it “ridiculous.” Kelley amended her proposal to include “cardigans” in lieu of jackets, but still required a woman’s arms to be covered.

So was born the new dress code for the female House members.

Beware Missouri male legislators. Ladies are tough. They have memories like elephants. They continue to grow in numbers and will be in the majority in the Missouri House and in many other states within a decade or two. Then the retribution. They won’t bother with male arms. Your lower extremities will be of concern. Short skirts and panty hose! Deserving retaliation!

It might not bother some. There must be one, two or more male members who enjoy cross dressing.

Laugh not. Did you ever think abortion would be where it is at today? Did you think in the slightest that a legislature would vote for its female members to wear clothing covering their arms today?

What has happened in Missouri is a reflection of increasing male insecurity.

A shark was in the waters of Fort Zachary Taylor beach January 8. Near the Naval Air Station property. It “appeared to be a large shark.” Its victim received puncture wounds to his thigh, knee and calf area.

We are into another cold spell. Eight in the morning and 62 degrees. The high today will only be 64 degrees. Tonight 57. Tomorrow the high 61 and low 57. Projected to warm up monday. Slowly, however. The high 70, low 66. If you are a resident, anything 74 degrees and lower is cold.

The debt ceiling problem has its beginnings this friday. Will be an increasing problem till June. If not dealt with, disaster will befall the U.S. economically. Simple.

The Republicans played the debt ceiling card twice in the past 15 years. Failed for them each time. As it will fail again. Many in the U.S. will be hurt during the process. Social Security recipients at some point will stop receiving their checks. That is when the real disaster will hit on a practical basis. Many live on the meager amounts in those checks.

Love Bess Levin! A comment by her re George Santos: “George Santos, one week away from claiming to be Ronald Reagan’s biological son.”

A falsehood, of course.

A recent Bess Levin article concerned Donald Trump and North Korea. It appears in Vanity Fair 1/13 and is titled: “Donald Trump wanted To Nuke North Korea.”

The substance of the article to the effect that Trump desired to nuke North Korea and blame it on another country. Levin claims recent information reveals Trump spent much of 2017 suggesting such action “behind closed doors in the Oval Office.”

I enjoyed a long and cheerful dinner with Dan and Lisa Riordon thursday night at Antonia’s. Our last time together was a year ago when they were visiting.

It was the first time in years I have dined at Antonia’s. Never changes. Always the best atmosphere and food.

TK was bartending. Donna and Terri enjoying dinner at the bar. it was good to see them.

Terri is singing at Kate Miano’s Gardens sunday.

Syracuse/Notre Dame tonight at 7. My fingers are crossed.

Enjoy your day!

The first bill passed by the new Republican House majority was to slash $80 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act Biden had signed into law. Told the American public the purpose of Biden’s $80 billion was to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to pursue and audit them. They also justified the slash claiming some of the monies were to arm the agents with guns. Threatening and scary.

An outright lie. The Inflation Reduction Act made it clear that the purpose of the $80 billion was to make “millionaires, billionaires, and corporations” pay taxes. The three groups that either successfully avoid paying taxes or pay little. The law also was to add technological upgrades to IRS processing.

Yesterday, it was announced that the IRS had sent out 12 million tax refunds totaling nearly $15 billion after making corrections to taxes that were filed. The refunds averaged $1,232. The Republicans have made no mention of this refund.

Why the refund? Another Biden law made it possible. The American Rescue Plan of 2021. Biden signed it into law 3/21. The portion of the law requiring the refund concerned itself with taxpayers who overpaid on unemployment compensation in 2020. It excluded “up to $10,200 in unemployment compensation from taxable income allocations.”

The refunds impacted single taxpayers and married couples whose modified adjusted gross incomes were less than $150,000 in 2020.

Doesn’t sound to me like Biden was out to get the ordinary lower echelon taxpayer?

Two years in office and Biden signs 2 laws helpful to everyday American wage earners. Yet the devious House Republicans fail to even mention it. I’m sure they were aware of both laws and how they worked. Isn’t it their job to know?

The 1915 House of Representatives are reflective of a backward and repressive mentality similar to the new Republican House members. The 1915 House rejected 204-174 a proposed Constitutional amendment to give women nationwide the right to vote.

The new Republican House has only been in business 3 days. Their extreme views are like bugs coming out of the wood work. Good! Let the nation see what and who they are. The American people do not want extreme. They do not want political wars. They want their government to care for the peoples’ ordinary everyday needs.

Such was the election message of 2022. The Republicans are deaf and blind to it. They will pay a worse penalty in the next election.

Prohibition was a national tragedy. Key West experienced its share in getting rid of the booze this day in 1925. It was “legal sunshine” day at the Key West Custom House. Authorities poured various brands of confiscated liquor into the ocean near the western foot of Greene Street.

The fish got drunk!

On this day in 1969, I sat with my father in his living room watching Super Bowl III. I will never forget. I doubt anyone who recalls the game will.

The American Football League was relatively new. The New York Jets were a member of the League. Every team in the League considered by most as second class citizens.

The game was played in the Orange Bowl. Joe Namath was the Jets quarterback. He was before the game as he is now. Loud, boisterous and confident. He repeatedly said, “We’re going to win!” No one agreed. He was laughed at.

Namath and the Jets did win 16-7.

What a game!

It was Syracuse/Virginia Tech last night. Syracuse won 82-72. Syracuse took a 20 plus lead at the beginning of the second half and never was in trouble thereafter.

Syracuse seems to improve with each game. Even the ones they lose. I hope they continue the pace. By the end of the season and entering the playoffs, they will be a power if they do.

Never had dinner last night with Dan and Lisa Reardon. He is a Syracuse fan also. We opted to watch the game instead. Dan at his place and me in mine. We are having dinner tonight at Antonia’s. It will be good to see them.

Busy day even before dinner time. A haircut with Lori at noon and manicure with Tammy at 1.

Enjoy your day!

The world is changing. Florida is changing.

Every few generations, authoritarianism/fascism seeks to control. The moment has arrived again. Democracy is at peril.

Florida appears at the forefront. The State’s role as an international right wing melting pot is on the increase. The most recent evidence is former Brazil President Bolonaros who has recently taken up residence in Orlando. He is the South American personification of Donald Trump. The recent January 6 type insurrection in Brazil proof.

Florida has become a magnet for extreme right wing types.

Trump and DeSantis are truly similar. Birds of a feather as I am prone to describe them. DeSantis seems to have captured the minds and hearts of Floridians. Listen and you shall hear in frequent days how he tells us so. He recognizes Florida is different from the rest of the country and he takes credit for it. I agree he is responsible. He has been successful in selling a bill of goods to the people of Florida.

The question is will Floridians continue to buy it. How long will the many senior go along? How long will retirees put up with what in their hearts they must know is wrong?

I worry.

The new Republican House’s first victory was monday. Passed its first bill. To reverse much of the $80 billion in extra funding set aside for the IRS in the 2020 Inflation Reduction Act.

One purpose of the Act was help the IRS close down tax cheats and refresh its outdated technology. It is anticipated the Act makes it possible for the government to hire significant additional staff to do so. The tax cheats identified as “millionaires, billionaires, and corporations” cheating the system. Many paying no taxes at all. It was assured investigations would be made of certain returns beginning at $400,000 and more. No one less would be scrutinized any more than at present.

The intent of the law again to go after wealthy tax cheats.

The new Republican House sells the Act differently. From a lying base. It claims 87,000 new agents would pursue the working class and many would be armed. If true, it would scare me also. That is what the Republicans have been selling, sold monday with the passage of their bill, and hope will arouse American voters against the IRS.

My fear is the people will buy this bullshit.

Yesterday was day 2 of the new Republican House regime. They passed another bill. One which could have immediate ill affects.

The House voted to create a special Congressional panel focused on the “weaponization of the federal government.”

The Republicans are looking for it. They will not find it. Nevertheless, they have created a bad situation. They are seeking to harness and limit the power of important federal agencies. Agencies that protect the American people daily.

Scary.

Making it even more fearful is that Jim Jordan is Chair of the new committee.

Some of the matters to be investigated include handling of school board protests, COVID maneuvers, censorship of conservatives on social media, and the FBI political system. An underlying current is that the committee intends to go after anyone it thinks has been going after Trump.

Breaking news this morning. All commercial flights across the U.S. have been suspended. A computer breakdown. The Notice to Air Missions system. It stopped working.

It is anticipated the system could be corrected this morning.

Weather killing California. A roadway collapsed leaving a 100 foot by 30 feet hole. Two cars sunk. Mud slides wiping homes and highways out.

Californians are learning that the unexpected is to be expected. Yesterday, the Monterey Peninsula Country Club unexpectedly got hit. The course is on the Pacific. A foursome was playing the 14th hole. Suddenly, they had to run like hell. A monster wave swept over the hole.

Today an interesting one in Key West history.

The year 1829. Four men owned the island of Key West. John Simonton, Pardon Greene, John Whitehead, and John Fleming. Note their last names. Today the names of some of Key West’s most prominent streets.

The four men entered into an agreement this day in 1829 dividing the island of Key West into separate parcels for each.

Dan Reardon is back in town! My friend form Skaneateles, N.Y. We are having dinner together tonight.

Syracuse/Virginia Tech this evening at 7 at the Dome. I have no prediction as to who will win.

I finish with a bit of wisdom. Confucius say: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Enjoy your day!

Kissing has its moments. A pleasant experience. Quiet enjoyable.

Romantic kissing has had its detractors, however. Referred to occasionally as “kissing killjoys.”

The biggest romantic kissing killjoys are the Christians. Sex has always had an evil connotation of sorts in the Catholic Church. Pope Clement V in 1312 decreed sensuous kissing a mortal sin. “…kissing done with intent to fornicate is…a mortal sin.”

From Pope Clement V forward, the Catholic Church sought to ban romantic kissing. Just as some Christians of today would ban pleasurable sex.

The ban did not fly with the people. If anything, it gained in popularity.

May the pleasure always be with us.

What a game last night! The National College Championship game. TCU v. Georgia.

Georgia crushed TCU 65-7. The #2 team in the country TCU was no competition for the #1.

This is Georgia’s second consecutive year in winning the title of National Champions.

Stetson Bennett was Georgia’s quarterback. “Tom Brady” in every respect.

I mentioned my trip to Club Med 47 years ago in yesterday’s blog. The trip was spur of the moment on my part. I was elsewhere and had no Caribbean beach clothes with me. My intent was to purchase a summer/beach wardrobe at Club Med.

It was not necessary.

Forty or fifty years ago, mu mu’s were a popular female attire in the U.S. Long large billowy gowns. Neck to foot. Upon arriving at Club Med, I discovered that is what everyone wore when not in a bathing suit. Males and females alike. I purchased two. One multi blue, the other multi red. Plus a pair of sandals. I had none.

I was set for the week. Most went with nothing on beneath the mu mu. The mu mu was morning, afternoon and evening attire.

It was quite a trip.

Two former Florida Keys residents on the agenda this morning.

First, Ted Williams. One of America’s greatest baseball players.

Williams had a home in Islamorada. While a star player and for many years after in retirement. Williams was an avid fisherman. Islamorada is known as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. Therein the reason Williams settled there. His home located bayside at mile marker 82.

He finally sold. The reason for selling a sad one. He said he sold when Islamorada became so busy he had to wait for traffic to subside before he could cross U.S. 1.

The other Williams is Tennessee Williams. A Key West resident for some 40 odd years. Few are aware the noted writer became a Catholic while living in Key West. He was baptized a Catholic at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church where he became a regular communicant.

Kevin McCarthy got beyond his first possible hurdle last night when the House accepted the Rules the Republicans would be governed by. The same Rules whereby McCarthy sold his soul in order to be elected Speaker. Rules that in due course may bring him down.

I thought he would not get the necessary votes last night. He did. Only one Republican voted in opposition.

Mar-a-Lago is Tammany Hall reincarnated. It seems to be working hard to become a Mafia headquarters. Some are labeling it fascist. DeSantis’ Florida being labeled fascist leaning by some also.

Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro is living in the Orlando area. Sunday, Brazil had a January 6. Bolsonaro and Trump birds of a feather.

Bolsonaro got into the U.S. on a “Head of State” visa. He is no longer head of any state. Therefore the validity of his visa is in doubt.

Bolsonaro entered an Orlando hospital sunday or monday assuming because of what was happening in his country. It is felt he is involved. He was released yesterday. His complaint was an old stabbing wound acting up.

The U.S. government has taken no position on his legal status.

Enjoy your day!

Today marks the 42nd wedding anniversary of Bob and Helen Marks.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BOB AND HELEN!

I remember the day well. As well as if it were my own anniversary.

The weather had a lot to do with it.

They were married in Falmouth, Maine. In the middle of the winter. It was minus 20 degrees. I left Utica for the wedding with a cold. Left Falmouth 24 hours later with pneumonia. Kidding, but damn close.

The wedding sentimental in nature. Helen wanted to be married in the same Lutheran church her parents had. Quant, small. She dressed as her mother had. She wore her mother’s suit and hat. Deep maroon.

Helen was lovely.

I was best man.

Bob Mazza drove me to Falmouth.

The wedding was in the evening. Following which we went to what I assume was a restaurant of historical significance. Quaint and small as the church had been. Probably constructed pre-Revolution. Outer walls merely clapboard.

The cold wind was howling. Blowing right through the clapboards. The head table was situated directly in front of one such wall. Our backs to it. I froze during dinner.

As Bob was driving me back the next morning, I thought I was going to die. I had a first class for real cold! Made a decision. I wanted sun. My plan was to burn the cold out of me. Told Bob to stop at the Boston airport. I was going to head out to a Caribbean island. He thought I was crazy. So did I. But, what the hell.

I had no beach wear. Only winter clothes for a 24 hour trip. I had a credit card, however.

In the airport, there was a booth advertising Club Med. Had never done one. Would not need many clothes, I thought. Why not.

I booked into the Club Med in Martinique. Plane was leaving in one hour. Bought a bathing suit while I was waiting.

Club Med was the perfect choice.

My first day I walked onto the beach. Received the cultural shock of my life! There were about 500 women. Topless! I couldn’t stop laughing.

Within 24 hours, the cold was gone. I felt terrific. Enjoyed the trip immensely. Did several more Club Meds over the years.

Bob and Helen worked for CNA. Both talented. Both ended up in major positions. Bob became Vice-President of CNA’s western division. Helen in charge of all asbestos cases in the U.S.

They retired to Las Vegas. A few years ago, moved to Cape Cod. The last time we were together was pre-COVID when they sailed through Key West. We enjoyed lunch at Louie’s Backyard.

It is good to get old. Better than the alternative as they say. However, we lose track/no longer see those we knew well in our younger day. I knew Bob for years before he even married Helen. I miss the friends of “my youth.”

I am a bit sentimental today. Learned yesterday that a close doctor friend of mine in Utica is dying from cancer. A matter of days. I shed a tear as I mention this. That is the way it is, however.

Bob and Helen, enjoy many more anniversaries! Together!

Bob, do me a favor. Please rerun the photo of the wedding party. I would like to share it with my readers who may never have seen it. I had hair then!

Big sport day yesterday. Football and golf.

Buffalo and New England. Great game. Especially for Buffalo who won decisively. One player on the specials team ran a kick off back twice to score. Once rarely happens. Twice in one game and by the same player, forget it! I hope Damar Hamlin was sedated as he watched the game from his hospital bed.

I was switching the dial back and forth on the TV. Watching the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

The conclusion I never contemplated. John Rahm won. It was impossible. He was 7 strokes behind when he started the day. Colin Morikawa had led for 54 holes. He was 6 strokes ahead of everyone else. He had not had a bogey in 54 holes. No way he was going to lose.

He did. He fell apart. A total collapse.

I could not believe it.

Rahm has been hot recently. He has won 3 of his last 6 starts.

A wild day ahead in the House of Representatives. I’m curious how the Rules get passed and what else will occur.

Brazil had its January 6 yesterday. Fascism on the move world wide. Trump somehow involved. Steve Bannon definitely.

Enjoy your day!

Jean and Joe Thornton are the dearest of friends. Today, they celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary. Gold plus one. Blue sapphire to be precise.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JEAN AND JOE!

They are two of the best friends I have made in my many years in Key West.

Initially Chart Room buddies. We became exceptionally close beginning with Hurricane Irma.

Jean and Joe were home in Birmingham as Irma approached. They were watching Irma’s approach as those of us who lived full time in Key West were. The spaghetti was scary. For days a straight line to Key West. Projected as a Category 5. No deviation. I knew I had to get my ass out of Dodge.

I left 5 days before Irma hit. My cautious nature at work. The game plan was to drive wherever would be safe. Weather reports advised Irma would come over the Keys and then run up the west coast of Florida. I opted to drive up the east coast. Put into Pompano the first night in a motel. Figured I was safe. Even the young lady at the registration desk thought Pompano would be safe. The motel was not busy.

The next morning around 5, I got a call. I was told I had to leave, the motel was closing down. Irma had changed course and was going to come up the east coast.

I checked the weather reports. Nothing appeared certain. East coast, west coast, center of the State. I decided to drive right up the middle of Florida on the Florida Turnpike. Keep driving that day as far as I could. Traffic was an abomination. Had been even on US 1 as I drove north out of the Keys. Move a mile or two in an hour and then 50-60 miles in an hour another time.

Needed gas. No gas. Another story for another time.

In any event, I drove straight north out of Florida into Georgia. Made it to Atlanta about midnight. Went to the big downtown Marriott. I had used Marriott for years, had their super duper card. Only 2 rooms left. Both suites. I think on the 47th floor. Not sure of the exact floor number, other than it was high.

Since I was a card holder, got the room for $135 a night. Good deal! The registration lady said they were full up because of the hurricane. Fortunately, it was not expected to reach Atlanta.

Spent two nights in the Marriott. Received an early morning call the third day. I was required to check out. The hotel was closing down. Irma on the way.

Where was I going to go? Decided to call Jean. She had said if I needed a place to stay, I could with her and Joe at their home in Birmingham. Jean said come hither, Louis. Several others and some dogs on their way also. I was on my way to Birmingham, Alabama.

I have left out of the story the minor inconveniences experienced just getting to Atlanta. Like gas was always a problem. A one to two hour wait. The bathroom another. I was at a rest area on the Florida Turnpike. Had to take a wicked piss. The line for the men’s room was like it always is for ladies. Long and ran to the outside of the building. In an hour, I moved about 10 feet, was still not in the building let alone the rest room, and my gut was ready to burst.

Screw this I thought. I went outside and walked over to a forest area to relieve myself. It was old home week. Men and women everywhere doing what I was.

Finally made it to Birmingham. The Thornton home lovely. In due course, 6 or 7 of us arrived. I was the first. Lucky. Got a large bedroom and bath.

All of us spent 11 or 12 days. Irma deviated at the last minute and hit Key West as a mere 1. It hooked back onto land 16 miles north at Cudjoe Key however as a 4 or 5.

The time as guests of the Thornton’s was wonderful, top shelf, the best, always made to feel welcome, etc.

We all did out own thing till 5 in the afternoon. Then it was 5 o’clock as it is 5 o’clock everywhere. Drinking time. The Thorntons have a large screened in porch on the rear of their home. That is where we began. A few drinks and some pickies. Dinner around 8-9. Around a large dining room table.

Joe and Jean are as loved in Birmingham as they are in Key West. Most evenings their friends and neighbors brought whole meals for all of us. Between we “guests” and Jean and Joe there were about 10 of us. The meals were ethnic denomination based. The whole meal. Cases of wine sometimes also.

Then we partied till 2-3 in the morning. Fun time!!!

There is a video floating around on the internet. It is of Jean and I jitterbugging around 3 in the morning. We did it all! Oh, what a time we had!

I was sorry to leave. We all were.

You didn’t leave right away once the hurricane had passed Key West. Can’t go back till there is electric power and water at the very least. So we stayed 11-12 days. My recollection is I left day 12. I was sorry to go. I honestly believe Jean and Joe were sorry to see us go.

I wrote a book about the experience. Titled it Irma and Me. It is available on Amazon. Cheap. Buy it if you want a blow by blow of my trip back and forth. From the moment I left to Key West till I return. Beside the stay at Jean and Joe’s, what I saw as I hit the Keys. Irma had left its mark everywhere.

Capsulating a couple of things as examples. Boats were on the highway, cars in the water, houses other that on their foundations. One thing I observed as I approached Islamorada on the return trip. A tree on my right as I drove down US 1. Sitting on some branches about 20 feet up, a large refrigerator laying on its side.

What a wind it must have been!

Enjoy your Sunday!

So much bad news. Demoralizing.

Decided to begin the blog with a few Mark Twain statements. Twain thought by many to be the greatest humorist America has produced. His comments words of wisdom.

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

One of the most exciting occurrences this week has been Damar Hamlin’s steady recovery. A step at a time. God is good. Yesterday, he began breathing on his own.

I’m surprised. Find it hard to believe. Kevin McCarthy is Speaker!

How will it work out? Will he still be in the position in a year? Six months? Three months? How much “good legislation” will be produced during his time as Speaker?

There is a degree of democracy involved. Tainted from my perspective. Significant negotiation and compromise involved to achieve an end. McCarthy’s election as Speaker. Query: Good result? Time will tell.

Another shooting. A 6 year old shot his teacher in the chest. The shooting occurred yesterday at the Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. The teacher’s condition remains life threatening. She is improving, however.

No other facts are available at the moment.

Cold outside. Bright sunshine. Nevertheless, cool. The cold wave began last night.

There has been a surge in migrants coming in boats to the Florida Keys. Over the New Year weekend, over 400 migrants arrived in the Dry Tortugas. A hop, skip and jump from Key West. Thursday, 45 more.

As much as I dislike DeSantis, I have to give him credit on this one. He didn’t waste time. He called out the National Guard yesterday. In a statement, DeSantis described the situation as an “alarming influx” of migrants.

The Dry Tortugas were closed during the week. It appears the National Guard assistance is expected to be rapid. It has been announced the Dry Tortugas will reopen at 8 sunday morning.

Syracuse/Virginia at 5 today. Syracuse the underdog. Sportscasters see Virginia winning by 2-10 points.

Syracuse has been gradually improving. The team has won 7 of its last 8 games. Hope the improvement results in a Syracuse victory!

Enjoy your day!

Today is January 6. Two years ago today, the attack on the Capitol occurred. A day of consequence in American history. To be remembered and recalled at the least every January 6.

As should December 7.

Nothing less than front page news.

Unfortunately, out local newspaper the Keys Citizen does not appear to agree.

This past December 7, no front page article re Pearl Harbor. Two or four lines in The History section on page 2. A lengthy article buried deep in the paper. Something like page 8, though I cannot recall accurately the page number.

On this January 6, the insurrectionist attack on the Capitol has been similarly ignored on the Citizen’s front page. The Today in History portion on page 2 devoted several lines to the event. I could not find anything else, though an article might have been found deeper in its 20 odd pages. The Citizen is confusing once one gets through its first 3-4 pages.

Why does the Citizen ignore the presentation of major American events?

I do not believe it is because the powers to be do not care. Rather I suspect it is money. Key West has roughly 4 employees stationed here. The rest of the Citizen is put together up north somewhere.

Money should not be an excuse. How hard is it to write an historical piece. The facts are the same. Rarely change, unless there is a new development.

Today’s Citizen had 4 articles front page. Means they were considered the most important. They were that 427 Cuban migrants had completed processing at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas, the photos and biographies of 2 of the several City Manager candidates, and the Mayor’s State of the City Address.

With the exception of the Mayor’s State of the City, the others could have been printed anywhere else. None of the 3 necessarily front page news. Room was available if those in control wanted to prepare and publish a piece involving January 6.

Keys Citizen: Time to get your act together! Do your job correctly! Stop cheating your customers!

Kevin McCarthy is doing well. He has gotten his ass beat 3 days in a row, Eleven votes and he lost all 11. How many more votes till he sees the handwriting on the wall. He does not have nor ever will have sufficient votes to win. He should withdraw and let the business of the people move on.

Embarrassed he will be. No question. However, he brought the pain upon himself.

Damar Hamlin is America’s newest hero. God bless him! The Lord must be watching over him. He has begun a slow recovery.

A class act. His first question when he came to: Did we win?

His football playing days are over. Should be. If he continues, he’s crazy. He can still enjoy his chosen profession as a coach. He will rise through the ranks rapidly.

I screwed up the Steve Thompson story about the Boat Bar yesterday. Sorry Steve, sorry one and all. In defense, Steve’s early years in Key West were exciting and successful. I got his successes muddled.

In the 1970’s, Steve had 3 taco stands in Key West. All successful. He was making money.

The Boat Bar was not next to the taco stand he owned across the street from Sloppy Joe’s. My mistake. It was located at 503 Duval. Across the street from the Kress building which became the home for years of Fast Buck Freddie’s. Next door at 501 Duval was the location of Steve’s taco stand I wrote about yesterday. It sat on the corner of Duval and Fleming. Today the home of Banana Republic.

Around the corner on Fleming was the West Key Bar. Yes, the West Key Bar. Not the Key West Bar.

I think I have it correct finally. Hopefully. It’s not always easy folks!

There is a great white shark swimming around the Seven Mile Bridge.

A lot known about the great white. Her name Sable. She was tagged last year by Ocreach. Ergo, she “pings.”

The last time Sable’s presence was noted was November. She was swimming off Cape Cod. She is now in the Keys having traveled down seeking warm waters.

Sable is 10 1/2 feet and weighs 800 pounds.

Syracuse/Virginia basketball tomorrow night at 5 pm. Virginia ranked #11, Syracuse unranked. Syracuse however has won 7 of its last 8 games. A Syracuse victory would place them in the top 25.

Too bad Dr. McIvor passed on. He was a Virginia grad. We would have been talking about the game this week.

Blood tests at the hospital yesterday afternoon. The Tampa doctor who performed the parathyroid surgery on me in July is doing some follow up work. Two calcium blood tests.

Enjoy your day!

Landlords suffering from high tenant rents. Truly paranoia! Delusional! Bullshit pure and simple!

Yet on 12/9/22,  the British newspaper The Telegraph ran an article titled: Landlords Face Crisis As Tenants’ Rent Burden Reaches 10 Year High.

Landlords feeling the crisis???  Whether in Britain or the U.S., who is kidding who? The article’s title has to have been poor writing. An editing failure. Impossible to be believable.

Amazon announced yesterday it is laying off 18,000. Claims it needs to cut costs.

The cuts will primarily hit the corporate workforce. Warehouse workers will not be affected.

Amazon had recently announced the firing would be 10,000. However decided yesterday to increase it to 18,000.

As large as 18,000 sounds, it amounts to just a little more than one percent of Amazon’s 1.5 million employees.

What will today bring in the house Speakers vote? Will McCarthy survive another day?

The two sides fight each other. A group of 20 holding off the will of 201. Issues have nothing to do with anything that involves the good of the country.

McCarthy continues to give up Speaker power to win. If he succeeds, he will be powerless. An empty victory. One of no value. History will recognize it as such.

Bess Levin at it again. Recognizing what is bad. She published on 1/3, “Greene, Boebert, Gaetz: The Worst People You Know Are Having A Fight.”

She wrote: “There are a lot of awful people in the United States Congress, but it wouldn’t be hard to make the case that Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Matt Gaetz are among the very worst of the worst. Their awfulness usually binds them, but at present, the worst people in Washington are in a fight.” Greene is supporting McCarthy, Boebert and Gaetz are against him.

Must be McCarthy promised more to Greene that he could Boebert and Gaetz.

How the mighty fall! I refer to Rudy Giuliani. His world continues to collapse.

A New York woman has filed a sexual harassment claim against him. The accuser Nicolle Dunphy. She claims “Giuliani is a sexist sexual predator and abuser.”

The case was filed via a Summons in New York Supreme Court yesterday. It relates to activities which allegedly occurred from 2019-2021. She seeks $3.1 million.

Dunphy is representing herself. Strange in and of itself.

Next a report concerning a recent “article” in the Andy Borowitz Report. I know! It’s a satire! A spoof! I only err once. Worth reporting. A little humor never hurts.

Its title “Kari Lake Furious That  Some Liars Like George Santos, Got To Win And She Didn’t.”

With tongue in cheek, Borowitz wrote that Lake said, “Totally unfair” a liar such as George Santos got to win and she did not. “Shows that not all liars are treated equally in the U.S.” Further, “I spread some perfectly normal lies about my election being stolen, and I go down in flames.” Santos “claims he did everything but walk on the moon and invent the i.Phone, and he sails to victory. I don’t want to live in an America like that.”

The Boat Bar existed on Duval back in the 1970’s. It was across the street from Sloppy Joe’s. Steve’s Taco Stand stood next door to the Boat Bar.

Steve Thompson shares his recollections of the place.

The Boat Bar on Duval was well known in the seventies. The Taco Stand had to deal with their hookers and junkies. The Key West topless bar was on our other side. They all used our restrooms when they wanted to hide. Syringes and paper towels all over the place. The cleanup crew said it was disgusting to face.

There were fights almost every night.

Everyone came to the Taco Stand for a bite. We had a good crew and they handled it just fine. It was by far the best store of mine.

Enjoy your day!