This story makes sense. Could happen. Did happen.

A Michigan woman and her family were vacationing in a small New England town where Paul Newman and his family often visited.

One Sunday morning, the woman got up early to take a long walk. After a brisk five-mile hike, she decided to treat herself to a double-dip chocolate ice cream cone.

She hopped in the car, drove to the center of the village and went straight to the combination bakery/ice cream parlor. There was only one other patron in the store: Paul Newman, sitting at the counter having a doughnut and coffee.

The woman’s heart skipped a beat as her eyes made contact with those famous baby-blue eyes. The actor nodded graciously and the star struck woman smiled demurely. Pull yourself together! She chides herself. You’re a happily married woman with three children, you’re forty-five years old, not a teenager!

The clerk filled her order and she took the double-dip chocolate ice cream cone in one hand and her change in the other. Then she went out the door, avoiding even a glance in Paul Newman’s direction.

When she reached her car, she realized that she had a handful of change but her other hand was empty. Where’s my ice cream cone? Did I leave it in the store? Back into the shop she went, expecting to see the cone still in the clerk’s hand or in a holder on the counter or something! No ice cream cone was in sight.

With that, she happened to look over at Paul Newman. His face broke into his familiar, warm, friendly grin and he said to the woman,

“You put it in your purse.”

Certain parts of the U.S. are experiencing extremely cold weather the past few days. Fortunately, our homes and working places ae heated.

Contrast that with certain Ukraine communities where Putin has blown up energy facilities which provide heat. Leaving entire communities without any heat.

Janine Di Giovanni wrote a pointed article on the Ukraine problem on 12/23 in Vanity Fair. The title of the article says it all: “Christmas in Kyiv: The Cold And Loneliness Scared me – Not the Russian Missiles.”

Today seems to be title day. Another. An article by Woodward and Bernstein in the Washington Post 12/26: “Thought Nixon Defined Corruption. Then Came Trump.”

The January 6 Committee Report has been published. Its 800 pages is available free on the internet. It can also be purchased from commercial sources.

I would enjoy reading the whole 800 pages. Impossible for me. I have too many things to read every day. So I am forced to pick and choose. The Report’s Executive Summary is short. Eight pages. That I have read. As time progresses, I am sure I will read certain other parts, but again nowhere the entire thing.

Many of you ae similarly situated. Without the time to read the Report. I have decided to help a bit. A small bit. I will provide some interesting excerpts for the next 8 days. One page per day of the Executive Summary. A quote or two. Whatever.

Page 1 of the Executive Summary.

Excerpts from Stewart Rhodes testimony. Rhodes an Oath Keeper: He testified he was provoked to travel to Washington by President Trump’s tweets and false claims that the Presidential election was “stolen from him.” He testified that he and others believed they were attacking Congress in the manner the French had attacked the Bastille at the outset of the French Revolution. “I felt like, again, we were continuing in some kind of historical event to achieve a goal.” He further testified: “My participation in the events of that day were part of an attack on the rule of law.”

Measles and chicken pox are on the rise in the U.S. Not everywhere yet. However the heres and theres are increasing. Pay attention and if recommendations regarding shots, etc. are issued, pay attention.

Enjoy your day!

Calico Jack was a famous pirate during the Golden age of Piracy early in the 18th century. His successful career lasted only a few years. He was captured and hung for his crimes in 1770 at the age of 37. He execution by hanging at Port Royal, British Jamaica.

Though a pirate of successful reputation, he is better recalled historically because of the two female companions that sailed with him. Note  that women on pirate ships were a no no. Bad luck. Generally killed by a male ship mate. Calico’s 2 ladies were fortunate, however. They survived.

The two ladies were Anne Bonny, his true love. The other, Mary Read.

Bonny was married to another when she sailed away with Calico. Did not affect their relationship. Calico and Bonny slept as man and wife.

Read had snuck on board dressed as a male. She passed as such for a while. Eventually discovered. Her fellow male crew mates did not try to kill her. Read was one tough lady. In fact, Bonny was also. When battle was imminent, they dressed in male attire and fought and killed as men would.

Eventually, Bonny and Read fell in love. A meretricious relationship developed. Crew mates referred to them as the “Pirate Queens.”

Calico was jealous. He threatened to “cut Mary’s throat.”

Calico remained an unhappy camper. It is thought Calico’s state of mind because of the ladies might have affected his judgment and was a factor in his being captured and hung.

The weather outside continues to be frightful. Wowie! Cold!!! Temperature today will have a high of 62 and low of 55. On the low side at the moment.

This cold rare. One of its tell tale signs is water from the faucet. Extremely cold. Most times, warm. I drink bottled water cooled from the refrigerator. Not required this morning. I was rinsing my hands in the kitchen sink and forgot how cold the water would be. The cold burst was a shock.

The opposite occurs in August and July. The water from the faucet is warm. Heated warm water not required for a shower. The cold water warm enough.

Harry Truman died this day in 1972 in Independence, Missouri. He was 88 years old. Consistent with his nature and desire, he was buried in a “very subdued” and private funeral in Independence.

Robert and I visited yesterday. I am very proud of him. He has completed his first semester at Florida State University and received his final grades. Straight A’s.

Grandson, keep up the good work!

The Bible predicts sinners will diminish in number to be replaced by the good: “When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall.” Proverbs 29:16.

Steve Thompson returns! He shares his recollection of another 1970’s character. Monkey Tom.

He was my favorite artist in Key West. His shrimp boat paintings on driftwood were the best.

Junior Olympic swimmer and ex-Navy vet, he was the first Key West “character” I met. He was happily homeless and never owned a car. Hung out on lower Duval and never went far.

He slept on Christmas Tree Island every night. Swam back and forth; what a sight.

He had a pet monkey whose name was Igor, who rode on his back to Simonton shore.

He sold his paintings in front of my taco store. They were so reasonable anyone could afford. Once or twice a year he ended up in jail. They let him trade his paintings to pay his bail.

When Old Town started picking up in the Seventies, he moved to Stock Island a mile up the Keys. Everyone knew him. He drank Pabst Blue-Ribbon beer, rode his bike, sold paintings, and was happy there.

I don’t think he ever returned to Old Town, but you’re bound to see his paintings around.

Enough.

Enjoy your day!

The Catholic Church is suffering internally as is the rest of the world. Its hierarchy divided. Similar to the U.S. Congress. Right and left at each other’s throats. Especially the extreme right.

The Roman Curia is composed of those Cardinals who run the Vatican. As with our Congress, split badly philosophically. Many anti Pope Francis. Makes running the Church an unusually difficult task.

Outside influences involved. Several times I have written concerning Newt Gingrich and Steve Bannon. Both support Francis’ overthrow.

Gingrich’s wife Callista was Trump’s appointee as Ambassador to the Vatican. Provided Newt with open access to Vatican movers.

Bannon’s basic motivation in life is the overthrow of existing governments. He continues to seek Francis’ overthrow. He and Gingrich worked hand in hand during Callista’s ambassadorship. Both walk hand in hand with those bishops who oppose Francis within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bannon claims Francis is “dangerously misguided.” He refers to the Vatican as the “enemy camp.”

The Roman Curia comprises the administrative institutions of the Holy See and the central body through which the affairs of the Catholic Church are conducted. They are supposedly the group of various bureaus of the Holy See that assist the Pope in the day to day exercise of his primatial jurisdiction over the Roman Catholic Church.

The Curia is traditionally associated with members of the Sacred College of Cardinals, acting either as a body or individually as administrators of the various bureaus.

Francis has difficulty with many of them. They are opposed to “his ways” and want him deposed. Many openly buck him.

Thursday, Francis addressed the Curia. He admonished them in terms of right and wrong, good and evil.

Some of his words: “Be vigilant, evil comes back under new guises…..Before, evil appeared rough and violent, now it shows up as elegant and refined…..These elegant demons demons enter smoothly, without our even being conscious of them.” Francis encouraged those present to always put Christ at the center, warning against the temptation of putting “too much of ourselves, our strategies, and our programs” instead. “Some of our failings, also as a Church, are a forceful summons to put Christ back at the center, for as Jesus says, ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.'”

There is a message here. The saying…..God is in His Heaven, all is right with the world” is not correct. God is in His Heaven, but all is not right with the world!

Today a special one. The birth of Christ. To all, a Merry Christmas!

Best celebrated with family and friends. Not all so fortunate. Those alone will best enjoy the holiday by recollecting better times when it was spent with family and friends.

A treacherous once in a generation winter storm is pummeling central and eastern U.S. It is called a “snowpocalypse.”

Key West is experiencing a very cold Christmas Day. I began writing this blog at 6 am. Just stepped out on the front porch to “feel” how cold. Cold!!! Fifty three degrees. High today projected at 59 degrees.

Buffalo an example of how badly an area can be hit. Buffalo always has bad winters. They know how to handle the storms and are ready for them. This one unfortunately is over the top. Too much.

Buffalo is being ravaged. Hundreds stranded in vehicles in frigid cold and drifting snow. No way for rescue workers to reach them.

The entire of Erie County is without emergency service. No way for first responders to do what they normally would. A doctor was coaching a woman over the phone how to deliver her sister’s baby.

The storm has been labeled Buffalo’s worst ever.

It is reported the storm has passed. Buffalo is in the process of getting out and performing as it could not the past 24 hours.

An interesting note in today’s KeysNews. Makes reference to Christmas Day 1933 in Key West. The Manhattan Café was offering a dinner of turkey and dressing with all the trimmings for 65 cents.

Those were the days!

Enjoy your day…..best you can!

Serious discussions concerning renovating/updating Mallory Square are taking place. The issue of the area’s name has become part of the discussions. Should the name be changed. Stephen Mallory was a Confederate successionist who served as the Confederacy’s Secretary of the Navy.

My son in law Corey Malcom solved the problem.

Corey is a brilliant historian. Tom Hambright described him as a “world class historian.” The description befits him.

Corey is an archeologist by education. Early on worked in the Middle East. Served as the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum’s Director of Archeology for more than 30 years. Now Hambright’s successor as Monroe County Historian.

He is acknowledged and respected as the world authority re Spanish wrecks and slave ships. Along the way, he earned a Doctorate from England’s University of Huddersfield.

I dwell initially on Corey’s background and talents not because he is my son in law. Though I take pride in it. I dwell on his background because what he has discovered will surprise everyone: Mallory Square is NOT named after the secessionist Stephen Mallory.

Corey did some digging and discovered a 1961 letter from the Chairman of the Old Island Restoration Foundation, one of Key West’s first historic preservation groups.

Key West purchased the “Clyde-Mallory Docks” in 1952, but a plan for the area was not realized till 1960 when the Foundation began pushing for a restoration that highlighted the history of the docks. The Foundation took the lead in the transformation to “Mallory Square” which opened in 1961.

The Foundation’s Chairman Reta Savage wrote, “We have by unanimous decision named the area ‘Old Mallory Square’ in honor of the Clyde-Mallory Steamship Line.”

Corey reported Sawyer went on to make a prescient observation: “Needless to say when the dock and fishing pier are finished it will certainly be an attraction to the tourists.”

Good job, Corey! You saved Key West from some serious conflict re a name change.

Corey’s report can be read on a Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center, Facebook entry posted 12/19 titled “Who Is The Mallory Of Mallory Square? The Answer Is In The Archive.”

It is already Christmas in Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia. Less than 24 hours from now, it will be in Key West. An early Merry Christmas to one and all!

Persons of extreme wealth have always wanted to influence the U.S. government. Actually, control it. For some reason, they believe their wealth gives them a divine right to do so.

Regarding January 6, I have asked several times where did the money come from to support the uprising. Those fighting their way up the Capitol steps were not billionaires. Most were ordinary every day Americans.

It took money to get them to Washington. Transportation. Then where would they sleep, how would they eat, etc. All took money. The kind most did not have.

I was hoping the January 6 Committee might reveal who the moneybags were. They may have. The report was finally released in its entirety last night. This morning’s news contains the name of one such person who put $3 million up.

The person is 76 year old Publix heiress Julie Fancelli. She made the offer in late December 2020. The January 6 report documents a significant amount. How it was spent, allocated.

She wanted certain things.

She wanted Roger Stone and Alex Jones to speak at the planned White House Ellipse that preceded the violent march to the Capitol. Neither did. She wanted busing to be provided the insurrectionists. That she did receive.

Fancelli initially wanted to wire all of the $3 million to Charlie King’s Turning Point USA. She wanted the $3 million used to bus people to Washington. Eventually $1.25 million was.

Other monies were parceled as follows.

Caroline Wren received $200,000 as a commission for securing the money. Sixty thousand went to Donald Trump Jr.’s partner Kimberly Guilfoyle for her 3 minute speech before the rally. Roger Stone received an unspecified amount to pay for the private plane to fly him to Washington and his fee. The Republican Attorney General Association, Rule of Law defense Fund, received $150,000. Three hundred thousand went to Women For America First.

There has to be more who contributed in significant amounts. As the 800 page January 6 Committee report is dissected, we shall find out.

The issue of Confederate statues, etc. keep popping up. My position remains the same. Part of American history. Good, bad or indifferent. Leave such things alone.

What does disturb me however is when a person has an opinion re the issue based on ignorance. Does no one good.

Yesterday’s Citizens’ Voice (12/22) contained a comment re Stephen Mallory. A Key West resident who represented Florida in the U.S. Senate in the decade preceding the Civil War. When Florida seceded, he joined the government of the Confederacy as Secretary of the Navy.

Key West’s Mallory Square honors him as well as his bust in the nearby “bust garden.”

The comment that bugged me: “Mallory would never grab a person by the parsley. He only did a little bit of treason. It’s not like he tried to overthrow the country. Give him a break.”

“He only did a little bit of treason. It’s not like he tried to overthrow the government.” Let’s look at what he did. He was Secretary of the Navy in the administration of Jefferson Davis. He held the position throughout the existence of the Confederacy. He was able to shape the Confederate Navy according to the principles he had learned while serving in the U.S. Senate. His ideas included the incorporation of armor into warship construction. So much so, it became the standard in navies around the world.

Following the war, Mallory was imprisoned for more than a year. The public’s mood softened and he was granted a parole by President Johnson.

The last portion of my Christmas gift. Frank Sinatra’s My Way.

Merry Christmas!

When the new Republican House of Representatives is sworn in January 3, it will be led by a bully team. Disrespectful one and all.

An early example occurred when Zelensky was speaking before the joint session of Congress.

Since January 6, persons entering Congress must pass through special security. Makes sense. Representatives Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert are part of the bully group that will be leading the new House. They refused to go through security. Bulled their way through.

Then they sat throughout Zelensky’s address. Refusing to stand or clap. Working their cell phones most of the time.

A tough 2 years ahead.

There was a Celebration for Britney Griner this week. It was held at a church in Waco. Waco the home of Baylor University. The University in recess for the Christmas holiday.

Only 20 people showed up. Why so few? The fact Baylor in recess not reason enough. There are people who live in the Waco area.

China buried in COVID. On any given day, one million suffering from Covid. The number of reported deaths astronomical. Five thousand per day. Funeral parlors/directors cannot handle the volume.

The average number of cases is expected to rise to 3.7 million in January.

Sad! Horrible! Recall the U.S., New York City 2-3 years ago.

Enjoy your Day! Complete your Christmas shopping! I was a last minute shopper.

Volodymyr Zelensky is the 21st century Winston Churchill.

Without question.

Ukraines are fighting authoritarianism, fascism and terrorism. They are confronting evil. They are the free world’s buffer. Deserving of all the support the U.S. and NATO can give them.

Congress, especially the new House, must give Ukraine all the money it needs to fight Putin. Iran now included. By fighting Putin, the Ukraine is now fighting Iran.

This is not 1940. It is a new century. Eighty years later. Military weapons in the form of missiles have the capacity to reach U.S. shores. Opponents have the capacity to wage war on American soil with boots on the ground.

We must engage foes on their shores, not ours. We do not want blood flowing on American streets, our women and children raped, American’s executed by shots to the backs of their heads, heatless winters, etc.

On this day in 1941, Churchill arrived in Washington for a war time conference with Roosevelt.

A few days later on December 26, Churchill made his historic wartime address in the Senate Chamber before an informal meeting of Congress. His address was in the Senate rather than House Chamber because of the Christmas holiday. Most Congresspersons and Senators were home on vacation. Nevertheless, the Senate Chamber was packed. additional chairs were required to be added on the Senate floor to accommodate the overflow. The Senate gallery was standing room only.

Churchill warned “many disappointments and unpleasant surprises await us.” He pointed out the United Kingdom had been the target of a nine month long German campaign – known as the Blitz – and went on to note the Axis powers “are enormous, they are better; they are ruthless.”

These are “wicked men” he called them, and had brought evil forces into play. They must “know they will be called to terrible account.” He then slowly stated, “We are masters of our fate.”

Those members of the new House who want to trim Ukraine funding should keep Churchill’s last statement in mind.

Time to share another favorite musical tune. Part of my Christmas gift to you.

I have always enjoyed the beat to the Village People’s YMCA. Almost did not share it. While skimming the internet the other evening, I noticed Trump was now using the music to YMCA to whip people up at his political gatherings. Decided not to use it. Then thought why let Trump cheat me and my readers out of something more.

Ergo, the Village People and YMCA.

Once again, Merry Christmas!

It is fortunate the Keys has a Turtle Hospital. The Marathon Turtle Hospital. Bearer of a world wide reputation.

Twenty endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles arrived at the Marathon hospital December 9 to warm up and receive treatment after suffering “cold stunning” in Cape Cod waters.

A group of private pilots, dubbed “Turtles Fly Too,” donated their planes, fuel and time, transporting the turtles in towel-lined banana boxes.

The cold wave is coming. Arrives saturday. Every time extreme cold weather hits the northeast part of the U.S., Key West gets impacted with unusually cold weather. Fortunately, never snow.

Enjoy your day!

Crazy weather upon us. Only going to get crazier.

Began with the rain yesterday. Unbelievable. Key West day time rain storms are modest. Brief. Generally, light. Yesterday was another story.

Did it rain! Poured! With length and intensity that normally accompanies a hurricane. With one difference. Tropical storm rain rarely falls straight down. Comes in sideways. Sometimes from the bottom up (joking). Yesterday’s was straight down.

I found it welcoming. A few days ago my neighbor and I were talking about the need for an intense rain storm. One way to get your car washed. A good rain as good as a commercial washing. Can’t wait to go out this morning and see my car bright and shiny.

The weather is not going to get better. A cold artic blast is expected to cover southern Florida saturday and sunday. In time for Christmas.

Iguanas will fall from the trees! Appear dead. Merely stunned. Will recover as the weather warms up.

Key West temperatures Christmas Eve and Christmas will range from a high in the mid 60’s to lows in the mid 50’s. Long pants weather.

My Christmas gift continues. Songs I enjoy. Today New York, New York. The 3 Tenors again.

Merry Christmas again! Especially New Yorkers whose chests burst with pride when the song is played.

I wrote about the famous line “I’ll have what she’s having” in When Harry Met Sally” the other day. In a Comment  received today, I was advised it was Billy Crystal’s mother who said the line in the movie. My thanks to the person who shared the information with me. I fact checked to be sure. Make enough mistakes on my own.

Turns out it was not Crystal’s Mom. Rob Reiner’s mother Estelle. Reiner was directing the movie. Reiner convinced his mother to do it. And she did it well!

The Ukraine’s Zelensky travels to Washington today to meet with Biden during the day and address Congress this evening.

Hope Hicks back in the news. Hope a Senior Counselor to Trump.

It was revealed as part of the January 6’s final report that Hicks “pressed” for Trump to tell his followers “not to engage in violence.” He refused.

Bess Levin described Hope’s testimony: Hope “twists the knife.”

A brief insight into what scholars are saying about the Supreme Court.

They describe the Court’s recent conduct as “imperial.” Reflecting an “assertion of power.” Insisting on “dominance” and a willingness to use procedural shortcuts to achieve it.

ALARMING!

Trump’s 6 years of tax returns are being released. Going to be interesting!

Syracuse lost to Pitt last night by 2 points 84-82. Sounds like a close game. It was not. Pitt demolished Syracuse the first three quarters. Then with minutes left and Pitt ahead by 20 points, Syracuse came alive.

Syracuse’s defense pressed harder. Syracuse players found the hoop. Pitt could not score. Pitt failed to score a goal in the last 6 minutes of the game.

Pitt’s 3 point shooting was fantastic. Boeheim has always said his zone defense is not that effective against the 3 point shot. If an opposing team keeps making them, Syracuse will lose. Looked like it was going to happen last night.

Boeheim continued to be critical of his forwards in the post game interview. They are not rebounding. He is also unhappy with the defense overall.

Enjoy your day!

Twenty five movies were inducted this past week into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. One was the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

A line in the movie is among the all time greats. It’s up there with Clark Gable’s closing line in Gone With The Wind: “Frankly my Dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal were having lunch and discussing whether a woman could successfully fake an orgasm. Right there in the middle of lunch with tables full all around them full, Ryan showed she could do it. The camera switched to an older woman at a nearby table who told the waiter, “I’ll have what she’s having!”

I went out last night. Met Steve and Cindy Thompson and Laura Bateman for drinks at the Chart Room. John bartending.

Glad I went. I had a good time! Much of the talk surrounded Key West stories of yesteryear. Steve has been here since the 1970’s, Cindy even earlier from the 1960’s and Laura lived in Key West at one time for 10 years. Throw in my 30 years. People came into the conversation I have not thought of in years. Fond remembrances.

I was home early and hungry. Threw a small frozen pizza in the oven. Twenty minutes to cook. I sat and watched TV while it was heating up. Woke 1 1/2 hours later. Realized…..Oh my God! The pizza! Fearful of a fire.

The pizza was cooked. Big time! Looked like a brick, hard as a brick. No way could it be eaten, let alone chewed.

Sloan will be by tomorrow. We have some things to work on. I have added to the list how to set the oven to shut down on its own. I can’t figure it out.

Another part of my Christmas gift to you. Another video. This is one someone sent me earlier in the year. I have run it twice. I like it so much I want to share it again. Some of you may not have seen it. A happy video. I labeled it the Italian Grocery Store.

Merry Christmas! Hope you enjoyed!

Came across an article about sayings imprinted on the tombstones of famous people. Brought to mind my instructions to Lisa in the event I decide to be buried. Burial or cremation still up in the air.

I told Lisa my stone should bear the epitaph: “I knew no other way to be, I only knew I had to be me.” It guided my life.

The January 6 Committee had its last “meeting” yesterday. It referred to the Department of Justice a recommendation that Trump be prosecuted with regard to 4 different charges.

Fine! Now, let’s get to it!

So much pussy footing around where Trump and criminal charges are involved. Always seems to be a reason why in the final analysis he should not. I worry that the Justice Department will let him slide by again.

One of my biggest disappointments was Mueller’s failure to do his job completely.

I am a lawyer. I am sick and tired of hearing how difficult the burden of beyond a reasonable doubt is to meet. Every type lawsuit, every side, has burdens to meet. The burdens on each side are onerous. Lawyers are trained to meet them. The fact that Trump is a former President should not give him a free pass.

Recognize if and when Justice indicts, the government attorney trying the case will have thousands of attorneys backing him up, all kinds of sophisticated talent and an open check book to convict Trump. It is that way in every criminal prosecution. No matter how many attorney(s) Trump hires to defend him and how much money he has available to spend, it no way will it equate with what the government will be throwing at him.

That is the way it is. So the bullshitting and crying should stop. Time for the government to move its ass.

Harry Truman was a President! Trump does not even come close to measuring up to him.

Truman loved Key West and Key West continues to love Truman.

Truman spent 11 trips visiting Key West over a period of 175 days. On this day in 1949, one of those trips concluded. It was on that day  Truman returned to Washington after a 3 week vacation at the Little White House.

Pope Francis has called on the governments of Russia and Ukraine to end the war. He is being much criticized for it. I agree with the criticism. Francis’ words give the impression both parties bear some responsibility for the war. Which is not the case.

A misstep by Francis here.

Syracuse plays Minnesota in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 29 at Yankee Stadium. Should be a huge crowd. New York City is loaded with Syracuse graduates. It will be cold. The weather will affect the play of both teams.

Syracuse plays Pitt tonight in an ACC basketball game at the Dome. Nine o’clock. Both teams 8-4 and 1-0 in ACC play.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Hanukkah!

The Jewish holiday began last night. It lasts 8 days.

I know little of the holiday. Though more I suspect than most Christians. The knowledge acquired I owe to my friends Aaron Wechter and Donna Barnett. They have spoon fed me along the way during my years in Key West.

My knowledge from the religious perspective is what is limited. The “fun” parts are what I know best.

For example, eating. Many of the foods are “oily.” Fried. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts). Music another. Singing along in the synagogues. Gifts big! One a night for 8 nights. Considered by some to be an expanded reaction to Christmas.

A busy day ahead. On top of my already being behind. Spent a lot of time researching an item this morning I considered writing about. When I completed the research, I realized the issue was not worth writing about nor wasting your time reading. However it left me tired and time wise behind.

Anyhow, the January 6 Committee report will eat up most of the afternoon. I am a political junkie at heart. Would not miss it. Tonight, the Chart Room definitely. Meeting Steve and Cindy Thompson. Invited Laura Bateman to join us. She mentioned last week she would like to meet Steve and Cindy and pick their brains about “old” Key West. Laura lived in Key West for a time many years ago.

Mel Fisher an intrinsic part of Key West. Forever more.

Fisher died this day in 1998 at the age of 76. He spent 15 years searching before he found the mother lode of the Spanish treasure galleon Atocha in 1985. The Atocha was headed for Spain when it sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622.

Political theorist and writer Thomas Paine published his first American Crisis essay this day in 1776. The essay’s opening words with us forever: “These are the times that try men’s souls.”

Paine also authored Common Sense.

Some Russians believe the Ukraine War has destroyed Putin’s aura of infallibility and represents the beginning of the end for him with the Russian people.

Let’s hope so!

Enjoy your day!

Syracuse’s victory over Cornell and the death of Louis Orr lead today’s blog.

Syracuse defeated Cornell 78-63. Didn’t look like it was going to be a Syracuse victory nor the slaughter it turned out to be. Cornell came into the game as the leading scorer of 3 point baskets in the nation. It was obvious they were during most of the first half. They were dropping 3’s from all over and some from long distances. At one point, Cornell had an 11 point lead.

It was all Cornell.

Then Syracuse began rallying and finished the half tied 37-37.

The second half was all Syracuse.. Syracuse totally dominated. Defense tightened. Cornell had difficulty making 3’s.

The victory was Syracuse’s fifth straight. Syracuse is now 8-4. Play Pitt at the Dome tuesday.

Louis Orr was one of Syracuse’s all time great basketball players. He died thursday of pancreatic cancer at 64.

Orr was one of the first players Boeheim recruited and coached. Orr starred at Syracuse 1976-1980. He scored 1,487 points, recovered 850 rebounds and led Syracuse to 100 victories against only 18 losses.

Boeheim described him as a great player. Even more, a great person.

There was a personal relationship between Orr and Boeheim. Orr also coached under Boeheim 1996-2000. In Boeheim’s press conference following the Cornell game, Boeheim said, “I have had a lot of great people and great players, but he’s the best of them all.” Fighting off tears, Boeheim terminated the press conference saying as he walked away, “It was hard coaching today.”

My afternoon was spent watching the game and working with Sloan.

It’s the week before Christmas. I would like to give something to each of you in the spirit of the holiday. I have decided to share a few musical items that have moved me. Not Christmas carols, though they have moved me as they do all of us. Something more personal.

I begin my Christmas giving to you with the 3 Tenors’ O Sole Mio.

Brings tear to my eyes.

Now to Trump and his digital trading cards.

We live and learn.

Trump is not the first politician to become involved in trading card sales. The Daily Beast reported yesterday Ron DeSantis did so this past May. Yes, DeSantis paved the way. Apparently DeSantis was quite the baseball player at Yale. He published and offered for sale a collection of trading cards using photos from his days as a star Yale baseball player. He was Rookie of the Year as a freshman. He batted .336 as a senior.

Five hundred “limited edition” cards were printed and sold. The cost $49 each.

Plus, 10 numbered “relic” cards autographed by DeSantis. They were sold at auction. Six sold for $3,000 each, the other 4 for at least $1,650. Friday one was listed for sale on eBay for $9,999.95. Imagine what it will go for if DeSantis becomes President.

Query: Does DeSantis’ prior involvement in the trading card business qualify Trump as a “copy cat?” A label Trump would surely love!

So much for today. Enjoy your Sunday!