Not my usual Cocktails at 7 friday nights with friend Cathy in Seattle. Yesterday was boys’ night out. Four of us at Guy deBoer’s home for drinks.

A terrific two hours.

Guy deBoer had set up the event at his home so Fred and I could meet. Fred is a labor lawyer from New York City. He has a home in Key West, also. There is a connection between Fred and I. He too writes a blog. Friday Night with Fred. Read it. You will enjoy. www.gothamnetworking.com/blogs.

Fred is a labor lawyer closing in on retirement. Seventy nine at the moment.

Fred and I have communicated via e-mail a few times. It was Guy who brought us together.

Last night was our first face to face meeting. Fred’s friend David Berger was with us also. Berger a mere 65 and already retired. A Long Island doctor. Anesthesia his specialty.

He too has a home in Key west.

Fred a Syracuse graduate. He was wearing s Syracuse T shirt last night. We were at Syracuse a brief time together. One year. Fred was an undergraduate University freshman and I a senior in the law school. We never met back then.

A lot of Syracuse talk ensued. Some of Fred’s fraternity brothers were football and basketball players. Like Ernie Davis and Dave Bing.

We spoke of Joe Biden. Another Syracuse alumnus. The law school.

David had spent some time in Syracuse as a student. Although Upstate Medical is not a part of the University, it sits right next to the campus. Doctors to be and for real ones staff the facility.

Guy’s race came up. Time was spent discussing the race. I am ashamed to admit I did not know it was such a big deal.

Called the Golden Globe Race. Not run every year. The first was 1968, the last 2018.

Guy’s race is labeled Golden Globe 2022. The race begins September 27, 2021. Ends 530 days later in 2022. The race begins somewhere in the Canary Islands. It is the longest and loneliest race in the world. Each boat is piloted by one person. No one else on the boat for company or to help.

Guy solo! All alone by the telephone as Irving Berlin once wrote. I’m not sure if even telephone service is available, however.

Buy’s boat the Tashiba. Thirty six feet long

The trip non-stop.

I thought 412 days of self-quarantine was difficult. Guy is going to do 530 on the high seas which probably will have its moments for concern.

Guy, I think you’re crazy. I wish you well, however.

Do not plan crossing the Seven Mile Bridge saturday from 6-9 in the morning. The Annual Seven Mile Bridge run will be taking place. A thousand plus will be making the run.

Read an article this morning that Trump’s donors are flocking to Florida Governor DeSantis. Now I am convinced Trump’s supporters were and are crazy.

I have for the past year pointed out how incompetent and inept DeSantis is. He is a lousy Governor, he would make a worse President. Trump constantly referred to DeSantis as the best governor in America. No wonder, DeSantis did everything the President suggested.

The title of the article referred to is “A Nicer Version of Trump.” We can do without DeSantis.

Insanity prevails in the Halls of Congress. Especially the Senate.

I cannot understand how some Senators think.

Josh Hawley was an open supporter of January 6 before it even began. Ted Cruz for all his intelligence and experience has lost it. He probably thinks his conduct will buy him the Republican Presidential nomination in 2024. Will he be surprised!

Whatever, both are targeting Major League Baseball for its position re the new Georgia voting laws. Both want Major League Baseball “to pay.” Their voices in unison with Trump who said, “I would say boycott baseball.”

Not what is happening in this country. What has happened in this country?

Ivanka Trump in the news in a good way. She got her first vaccine shot yesterday.

She reacted like most others who have or are getting their shots. Thrilled! She told the world on Twitter. Again on Instagram with a photograph of her receiving the shot.

She said in Twitter and Instagram, “I got the shot. I hope you do too.”

Republican donors and fans are upset. They view her as a turn-coat.

Virginia Torrelino and I are Facebook friends. Have been so for quite a while. She lives in the Philippines.

Loves music! Says “music is my stress removal friend.”

Recall the Three Tenors. What great singing!

A couple of weeks ago, I came across a 3 person group who sang like the Three Tenors. In fact, held themselves out as  Three Tenors. Ages between 30 and 40.

I saw their video on the internet. Decided a few days later, I wanted to share it with everyone who reads my blog. The three sang that well.

When I went find it, I could not. Knowing how Virginia feels about music, I asked her to look. She is. In the meantime, Virginia sent me a video of the original Three Tenors Luciano Pavarotte, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras. A performance they gave in Italy in 1994.

Moving!

Enjoy your day!

A great lunch yesterday at Geiger Key! The location, atmosphere, people, and food!

I had a ton of things to do between late morning and early afternoon. Decided to go north for lunch rather than south. Geiger Key.

Geiger Key is a ramshackle open air restaurant located on the ocean. It has been there as long as I can remember. A place I have been eating at least once a month for 25 years.

A good crowd still lunching when I arrived. One end of the bar was empty. Six seats. There I opted to sit. Away from everyone.

It felt strange to be around people with my mask off.

From the moment I sat, this is a good choice Louis kept running through my mind.

One of the waiters stopped by. “You’re Louis Petrone the lawyer, aren’t you?” I was apologetic. I could recall neither his face nor name. Politely told him so.

He said he was not surprised. It was 20 years ago. He was a waiter at Louie’s Back Yard when I frequented the place.

He called over two waitresses and another waiter to introduce me to them. I was embarrassed. He kept stressing “lawyer” like I was someone important. They appeared impressed, however. Chatted with me a while. Returned off and on to talk a bit more.

Introduced me to Lou. The bartender. Roughly a 21 year old beauty. She had finished college and came down to the Keys in October. Loves the area. One drawback, however. Everyone a bit old and on vacation.

I probably would have felt the same if I were she.

Key West and the lower Keys have changed in various ways over the years. Thirty years ago there were an equal number of young and old. What impressed me the most was they socialized together. Many parties back in those days. The mix always the same.

Today primarily a 50ish place. Still friendly and fun. Though the disparity in age is obvious.

Bobby came in and came over to say hello. Bobby owns Geiger Key. As well as Hogfish. The same menu at both places.

We got into the pandemic. Bobby was excited. He had received his second shot yesterday. Amazing how people are thrilled to have received their shots!

My fish was spectacular. A huge thick piece of fried Mahi Mahi. Accompanied by some sort of avocado sauce.

Spent well over 2 hours at Geiger Key. By the time I got home, it was pushing 5. I decided the day had been good. I felt good. Did not feel like going out again. Stayed in and watched TV.

I recommend Geiger Key. It is about 15 miles up U.S. 1. Then a left on Geiger Key Road and a 3-4 mile ride on Geiger Key Road to the restaurant.

It is 11:30 and I have just begun the blog. Began as usual at 6 am. For some reason, I could not get on the platform for my show till an hour ago.

Running late.

Guy deBoer contributed to the lateness. He called me at the last minute to fill in on his morning show. Which I enjoy doing, so I cannot complain.

Spoke with Sheila Cullens soon after arriving home. She was all excited. She was on her way to the Airport to pick up Jean and Joe Thornton who were arriving. Key West will shine brighter with them here for the next month.

The blog is shorter than normal today. Reflects however a happy Geiger Key afternoon.

Enjoy your day!

A right on COMMENT in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice: “Governor DeSantis doesn’t want the federal government dictating how and when cruise ships can sail out of Florida ports, but he’s fine with Tallahassee telling Key West how to manage its ports. That doesn’t square up. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”

I believe the DeSantis’ path taken has nothing to do with the quality of Florida harbors. It is DeSantis sucking up to his affluent Florida business donors.

There is a special honor and pride in being a “conch.” A conch is a person born in Key West.

Where does the label conch come from?

In modern U.S. today, many fly balloons in front of their homes to signify a new birth. The conch shell had a similar purpose.

In days gone by when a new born arrived, it was noted by the proud father putting a 3-5 foot stick in the ground and placing on it a conch shell. Conch shells are large. Some as big as a football.

Thus was born the term “conch” to signify a Key West new born.

Karl Tanzler aka Count von Cosel in the news again.

The Count was in love with the younger Elena Hoyos Mesa. She died at a relatively early age.

The Count had a tomb built for her in the Key West Cemetery. Therein lies the reason for a phase of the Count von Cosel story being reported today. KONK Life and the Citizen ran a photo of the mausoleum the Count had constructed. Massive for one body. Beautiful.

Elena was laid to rest.

As discovered seven yeas later, in the dark of night the Count removed Elena’s body from the mausoleum. He took the body to his home where he lived with his Elena unknown to anyone.

When seven years later it was discovered Elena’s remains were in the Count’s home, the body was removed and the Count charged. Nothing ever came of the charge for some reason.

Elena was not returned to the mausoleum for reburial. She was buried elsewhere so the Count would not be tempted to steal her again.

The Count left town. Hours after he left, the mausoleum blew up.

Thus ended the Count/Elena story.

Biden has announced the removal of all American troops from Afghanistan by September 1.

I agree the U.S. should get out. We have been in Afghanistan 20 years and accomplished little if anything. Except in some fashion for permitting the poppy growth to flourish.

The U.S. presently has 3,500 troops in Afghanistan.

I disapprove of a specific date being announced by which the U.S. troop contingency would be removed. It tells the enemy (whoever they may be at the moment) to sit back and relax. Stop the fighting at their end. Then after the U.S. troops leave, get busy again in killing, looting, and making war in and out of Afghanistan.

A stupid move on Biden’s part. Not wise militarily.

The departure also represents what can be described as another American defeat since the end of World War II.

Netanyahu continues to be a major threat to peace in the Middle East.

Netanyahu is another Donald Trump. A bully and liar. A deceiver. Perhaps a thief. He is under indictment on several corruption charges.

Netanyahu wants Iran defeated and a new regime to replace the present one. He is convinced Iran is out to get Israel. He is correct. The abuse Netanyahu has been heaping on Iran since the Trump yeas and now were generally uncalled for.

Trump emboldened Netanyahu in every conceivable way. They need not be itemized. The world knows.

This past week a bomb planted by Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, blew up their main and back up electrical power lines to Iran’s nuclear center in Natanz.

The purpose was to sabotage U.S. peace talks with Iran. The talks recently underway. The issue resumption of U.S./Iran talks about the dormant nuclear deal. The one Trump threw out early in his administration.

One news agency described Netanyahu as behaving like a “sneaky saboteur.”

Putin has returned as an active aggressive player on the world stage. He had Trump conned for 4 years. Got away with many things. With Biden, it is not the same.

Putin is one smart individual. He sees the political discord in the U.S and has decided he can step actively back onto the world stage.

He is getting ready to attack Ukraine as he did Crimea. Russian troops are on the border on 3 sides.

Putin’s popularity has been diminishing at home. He needs a war to boost his fading popularity.

Biden’s recent reference to Putin as a “killer” bothers him.

Almost simultaneously, Putin got his vaccine shot and put 28,000 troops on the Ukraine border.

What Putin wants is a “mano-mano” battle with Biden. It would make him look good. Not a war exactly. Merely confrontations that makes it appear war is an excellent probability. Such would return Putin’s image to Vlad the Terrible.

What Putin is telling the world at the moment is “I’m back!” He is pushing for a confrontation with Biden to prove it.

Biden was preparing to send U.S. warships to the Ukraine area. Putin retorted with a warning to the U.S. that the U.S. should stay far away for “their own good.”

Enjoy your day!

One police shooting after another. We forget the other kind. Ordinary people killing ordinary people. Lay persons shooting in schools and churches. Random street shootings.

This one is sick. Sick, sick. I don’t know how else to describe it.

The shooting death of an 11 month old baby girl Dior. Her shooting inexplicable.

Sunday night in Syracuse, New York. Three children in the back seat of a car. Eleven month old Dior and two other children 8 and 3 years old.

Dior’s mother Desiree. Not in the car. The car was being driven by her cousin Shakema.

Shakema reported a car pulled up along side her. The window on the the car’s passenger side rolled down. She could see a man look back into her car between the front and back seats.

The man suddenly began firing a gun into the back seat.

Eleven month old Dior was shot 3 times. She died. The other two children were also shot. They are expected t0 survive.

The car then drove away.

Dior’s mother Desiree is expecting May 11. She passed out three times upon being made aware of her baby daughter’s death. Desiree would have been one year old in 18 days.

A suspect has been arrested. A 23 year old man. No further details available at this time.

We are a sick society. Alleged good people like police officers shooting good non police citizens. Persons going on a rampage and shooting wildly inside schools and churches. Incomprehensible killings such as 11 month old Dior’s.

It’s only getting worse. Will it ever stop? Not soon, I fear. Perhaps, never.

A police officer not knowing the difference between a taser and a gun. How can it be? Not an infrequent occurrence as it turns out. News reports this morning indicate such.

The most recent such shooting occurred in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Ten miles from where the Chauvin police killing is being tried.

In another stupid traffic stop involving excessive police force, Daunte Wright was killed. The police officer saying she thought she was tasering him.

I am coming to the conclusion that a bad cop is being equated to the saying there is always a bad apple in every basket. My thought process is there may be only one good cop in the basket.

The police traffic stop in Windsor,Virginia late December. Recently came to light because the Army Lieutenant involved has brought a federal case against the police officers involved.

Carson Nazario is a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was driving a new SUV. Cardboard plates on the vehicle. The rear one taped to the back window.The Lieutenant was waiting for the metal ones to arrive.

He was in uniform.

Two police officers spotted him. They claim they went after him because of “no tags.” Erroneous based on the facts.

The Lieutenant I suspect was “Black smart.” It was dark where the police were trying to get him to stop. He put on his emergency lights and drove 1 1/2 miles till he came to a brightly lit gasoline station.

While there, he was pepper sprayed and held at gun point. Cops screaming at him. Later the police officers said they considered the situation a “high risk traffic stop.” Covering their asses.

The facts suggest it was 2 white police officers chasing a vehicle which had a black person operating it. When finally stopped, the police treated the Second Lieutenant in uniform as they did other black drivers.

No ticket given nor an arrest made. The police advised the Lieutenant not to make any trouble, etc. or they would charge him with something and ruin his military record in the process.

Police excessive force a story which has become part of the American landscape in the last 20 years.

The island of St. Vincent has experienced several volcanic eruptions this past week. People have been told to evacuate. Cruise ships are arriving to take them off the island.

The Prime Minister advised that those who have not received the coronavirus vaccine will not be evacuated. Some were those who did not consider the vaccine safe or for some other odd ball reason refused to be vaccinated.

Which means those not vaccinated will be left to fend for themselves. Not a welcoming thought when poisonous smoke, hot ash and even hotter lava is feared will cover the island

Nora O’Donnell on CBS Evening News reported: “We went from vaccine passports being a conspiracy theory to ‘fuck you die’ so fast.”

A message to those in the U.S. who refuse to be vaccinated. If an emergency situation as has arisen on St. Vincent occurs here, you will be left on the ocean in a row boat without a paddle.

On this day in 1992, The Bridges of Madison County was published. A modern day Romeo and Juliet with its lovers older people. A big seller!

A movie followed. Starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.

A massive power outage yesterday. 3.5 hours in late morning into early afternoon. Another one around dinner time for 1.5 hours.

I had nothing. I hate it when that happens. Especially when the computer is down. I am one of those who is constantly on the internet.

A friend cell phoned me from New York. Hey, understand you have a big power failure. Thirty thousand affected. Covers the lower half of the Keys.

He was not aware as to the cause. It had not been reported.

I told him the problem arose because of one of two reasons. Either a car or truck on U.S. 1 had driven into some power facility. Or, a boat got screwed up in the power wires under or near the Seven Mile Bridge. Both happen frequently.

Turned out a sail boat got caught up in the power wires at the Seven Mile Bridge. Live in the Keys long enough and you know about such things. Their frequency makes you aware.

It was reported the winds and waters were a bit rough and the sailboat could not be removed yesterday. Winds 40 mph. Whipped up the ocean a bit.

Being out sunday must have been too much for me. Never got out yesterday.

My game plan was to go out at 5. A few stops downtown. Drinks and dinner. Meet interesting people to chat with.

What happened is I laid down at 3 for a nap. Never woke till 7. Still had to shave, etc. and drive to Duval. I would not be there till 8:30.

I am early to bed and early to rise. Would not have worked for me.

Today is tuesday. My blog talk radio show tonight. I will be working on it from about 2 this afternoon till 8 in the evening. I never go out on a tuesday.

Join me for the show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Love doing the show which I am proud to say has an excellent following.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was the day! Out of the house and out and about after 412 days of self-quarantine.

It was 3 in the afternoon. I was excited. Opened the door and stepped outside. Almost turned around and went back in.  The humidity was horrendous. Heavy! I then recalled humidity begins being heavy after Easter.

My first stop was COLLECTIONS Key West. An art gallery. Read about it in one of locals last week. COLLECTIONS was having an open house Sunday from 1-6.

Location on Stock Island. Stock Island not necessarily known for art galleries. I telephoned the number on the ad. Talked to some woman. She instructed me to park at Hogfish. Then walk back behind Hogfish till I saw two red doors.

I had never been to the back of Hogfish. A different world.

Signs made it possible to find COLLECTIONS easily. The walk back was quite a distance for me and my cane, however. Especially on stones.

Reached my destination. Second floor. Met charming Karen Wray, one of the owners.

I was taken by what she had available. If you want to experience something different in a different setting, visit COLLECTIONS. Telephone for an appointment. 305-923-4778.

It was a turn on for me. It was old Key West. Old!

The paintings, wood work and artifacts primarily from a different time. Even the room was special. Wood walls. Not sure what kind. Whatever, added to my viewing pleasure.

Karen knowledgeable and pleasant . Enjoyed talking with her.

Her husband did much of the wood pieces available for sale. Karen told me his workshop was about 100 feet away. Stop in. I did.

No one there. Doors wide open.

I was impressed with the machinery and tools. Her husband must be a wood master. I have known a few men capable of good work with wood. I was familiar with what a master’s place would look. This one looked that way. I could vision the man after he was working with a piece taking his hand and rubbing it along the piece he was working on.

My trip back to the car was a bit difficult. I went the wrong way. Zigged when I should have zagged. All I could see was a marina with boats. Most big. Could not see Hogfish. I was somewhere out in the Atlantic.

Fortunately ran into a couple. They set me straight. I was going in the wrong direction.

Something else that was appealing. The structure behind Hogfish is from another era, also. Wild!

When I reached the car, I noticed I was not tired. Surprising. Note that I have not been out of the house in over a year except for doctor and hospital visits. Each time was able to park 50-100 feet away.

Drove to the Pier House. Surprised the traffic on U.S. 1, the Boulevard and Eaton Street was light. Half of what I expected. Pulled into the Pier House. Parking lot half empty. Walked to the Chart Room. Knew it had not opened yet.

Sad to see it closed.

Hit the Beach Bar. Knew I would find Janine. A 20 year fixture there.

A beautiful woman!

We chatted a bit. Told her I was looking for Tammy. She was not sure where. Could be Sloppy Joe’s or the Ocean Key bar by the water.

Another long walk to the Ocean Key bar. Tammy and I saw each other at the same time. She ran around the bar and gave me a big hug. Love her!

The bar half empty. I was concerned about seating. Did not want to be near anyone. Took a seat with the guy to my left 6 feet away. To my right, 3 empty seats close together. Close to where I was sitting.

A young couple eventually sat down. He was right next to me. Like 2 feet away. Then he started talking to me. He was breathing on me!

My mask was off because I was enjoying my first drink in months. A Hendrick’s. They did not  have Beefeater.

Now the fun started for me. People to talk with!

Tammy introduced me to her two cohorts working with her. They returned frequently to chat. I also engaged with the people on both sides of me.

The guy to my left was from Ohio. Probably in his 60s. Our conversation was golf. The Masters and some of the players.

Talked to the couple on my right. Young. From Wisconsin. Down for the weekend. They were happy to be here. This had to be the trip of a lifetime for them. Their enthusiasm was obvious.

They return home today.

I asked where they were eating last night. They had reservations at Bagatelle. Told them a great choice. Excellent food. They would enjoy.

They were thrilled to hear my words. Apparently they were not certain if they had selected a good restaurant.

Sitting at the bar and talking with people made me feel good. Something I have been doing for over 20 years in Key West. It was as if I had returned home.

Then the walk back to my car. Not a short one.

Drove to Lisa’s. First time I have been allowed in the house in 412 days.She did not want to be in my home and I was not to be in hers. The coronavirus fear. I understood.

I stayed only 5 minutes. I was welcomed! Even Jake was thrilled to see me.

Then home. I was only out and about for 3 hours. Surprised I was not tired from all the walking. Though I must admit I slept well last night.

Mask wearing. What mask wearing? I wore mine. I would be surprised if even 5 percent of the people I saw were wearing masks.

Stayed in last night. Watched the end of the Masters and then a movie. I felt good. Did not want to spoil the feeling by overdoing.

An interesting factor. I did not feel for a moment as if I were returning somewhere after a long time away. It was like I had been out and about the day before.

Obviously did not see anyone I knew other than those already mentioned. Many have left. Some working in different places. I will catch up with many by week’s end.

Spoke with Jean Thornton in Birmingham this morning. She and Joe are flying in wednesday for a month’s stay. It will be good to see them. My benefactors for 12 days when I escaped Irma.

I plan on being out again tonight. Where, I know not.

Enjoy your day!

This is the day! After 412 days, my self-quarantine ends!

I have received both shots and waited 2 weeks before going out.

I am excited.

I’m even going to shave. My last shave was a few weeks ago.

My intent is to start out with a visit to an art gallery I’ve never been to before. Then find an open air bar to have a drink. I have no idea what will follow.

My father’s birthday was yesterday. Born in 1914, he would have been 107 years old.

He did not quite make it. Passed on 9 years ago at 98. Not bad!

He was in relatively good shape till the end.

Longevity seems to run in my Dad’s family. Hopefully, it is a part of me. My grandfather made it to 94. My father’s sister my Aunt Mary to 102.

Later years are interesting. I find I am my father. I am were he was at 85. Not just physically and mentally. Disposition wise also.

Happy birthday, Dad!

In addition to being a unique story, what follows is also a happy one. It involves superfetation. Never heard the word till I read the story.

Superfetation is where a woman gets pregnant while already pregnant. The mother here ended up having “twins.”

Superfetation is not common. The last study done was in 2008. Up to that time there had been less than 10 such births ever.

Jenna Romaine wrote the article. It was published in Changing America 4/9/21. I highly recommend you go to it for no other reason that to view a photo the very young twins today. A touching sight.

Basically, the story involves a U.K. woman. Thirty nine yeas old. Never pregnant before. She and her husband had been trying. She was undergoing fertility treatments at the time she became pregnant. Her doctor and others in the medical profession have said the fertility treatments had nothing to do with the double pregnancy.

The woman conceived a second baby 3 weeks after conceiving the first. Her obstetrician Dr. David Weller said, “It just doesn’t happen.” He has been delivering babies for 25 years and never came across a similar story.

The first sonogram showed a single fetus. The second was done 12 weeks later. Twins! Medical staff and parents surprised!

Technically, the babies are not twins. Merely described that way. They are separate pregnancies where a woman already pregnant conceives a second time.

When a woman gets pregnant, her body undergoes hormonal changes that impede her conceiving a second time.

Obviously not the case here. Instead of ovulation stopping, the mother released another egg 3-4 weeks later, which miraculously fertilized and implanted in her uterus.

The exact cause of such an occurrence not known.

The second baby is actually 3 weeks younger than the first.

The doctors were concerned the second baby would not survive. The 3 week difference affects rate of development.

A typical delivery time is 40 weeks.

The umbilical cord of the fetus of the second baby was not functioning correctly. A Caesarian had to be performed.

All’s well that ends well. Noah is the older. He spent 3 weeks in neonatal intensive care. His sister Rosalie, the second. She spent 95 days.

Both are home now and thriving.

Again, the picture accompanying the article must be seen. So beautiful! So Moving!

No age is attached to the photo. I would suggest the babies are 4-5 months at best. Noah is one third larger than his sister.

The photo shows them laying next to each other. They are holding hands. The mother said they do it automatically when laid down next to each other.

I have twin grandsons. Now in their early thirties. When young, they did strange things that only could be attributed to their having been close together for nine months.

Trump invited a group of big dollar donors to Mar-a-Lago last night. In his 50 minute speech, he was Trump 100 percent.

He called McConnell a “dumb son of a bitch.” He was “disappointed” in Mike Pence. He called last year’s Presidential election a “fraud.” He mocked Tony Fauci.

One thing you can say for Trump, he’s consistent.

Enjoy your Sunday! I hope I do mine!

It is claimed Winston Church made the greatest speech in modern history.

It was June 4, 1940, The British were trapped at Dunkirk and facing annihilation. His own party lost confidence in his leadership and urged him to sue for peace with Hitler. Churchill stood alone with the British people.

Churchill addressed Parliament that historic day. He thundered he and the British people would fight “on the landing grounds, and in the streets, and on the beaches, and in the fields, and in the hills. England will never surrender!”

Courageous words at a time when England was at its lowest ebb.

Years later, John Kennedy shared his impression of Churchill’s words: “He marshaled the English language and sent it off into battle.”

One of Hemingway’s better remembered statements: “An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools.”

Hits home for me!

For years, friday night was couples night. My former wife and I would go to dinner with two other couples. The people and conversation always the same. The conversation never deviated.

The ladies were close friends and pretty much dominated the conversation.

It became too much for me. The solution came soon. When we arrived where ever we were to eat, I had 3 Beefeaters on the rocks in rather rapid succession. Followed by at least 2 more during dinner.

No problems! I handled these evenings for years afterwards. Smiled through dinner. Uttered an occasional yes , how wonderful, really?

Made it through the night. Hemingway was absolutely correct.

Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Truman. How many times do I say it! Never boring. Always true.

On this day in 1950, Truman returned to Washington after a month’s rest in the Key West sunshine. Good for him!

McConnell was quick to respond to Biden’s friday announcement that he was appointing a Commission to study the Supreme Court.

McConnell came back with a swift statement that Biden’s move was a “direct assault on an independent judiciary!”

Makes me laugh.

McConnell is a whore. He speaks through both sides of his mouth on every issue. He led the war for 10 yeas to pack the Court from the Republican perspective. He accomplished it. The Court now is 6-3 with conservatives in control.

McConnell was open about his aim over the years. His party and many conservative groups wee constantly lauding him.

There is nothing democratic about a Court overloaded with members of one party. The correct mix should be 4-4 with the 9th jurist a swing vote. Like rolling dice to achieve.

The Democrats cannot permit the Court to remain as it is. Neither fair, balanced nor democratic. Unless some sort of packing is permitted, what Congress and the President may want to do is meaningless. The Court will continue to be the final arbiter leaning to the conservative right in most instances.

Note that a 9 member Court is not sacrosanct. There have been differing numbers in different periods of American history.

Last night was Cocktails at 7 with Cathy in Seattle. It had been a bit of time since we last met via Skype.

As usual, pleasant. Nice lady.

We touched on many subjects. Nothing boring.

Occasionally cooking becomes a topic. She has cooked her whole life. I am a newbie at it. She has helped me with many of the simple things like how to defrost frozen meats and fish, what to throw away out of the freezer after months of sitting there, how to prepare certain dishes, etc.

A new one came up last night.

Somehow we got into egg salad. I told her I did not like store bought. Nor did I enjoy making it myself. The egg boiling, cooling, removing the shells, was too much for me. Not from a labor sense. It forced me to do things that did not turn me on. Cathy came up with the solution! Buy already hard boiled and shelled eggs. Simple from that point forward to prepare egg salad.

The eggs Cathy recommended came with this morning’s grocery delivery. I plan on making egg salad this afternoon.

It amuses me how my years of legal training are of no value in my attempts at cooking.

Tomorrow a big day! A very big one! I am leaving the house. Going out into the world. Associating  with virus laden people.

Today marks my 411 day in self-quarantine. A good boy I have been.

I am now 2 weeks past the second shot. Doctor says go out and enjoy! Keep wearing a mask and social distancing wherever you can.

Enjoy your day!

A David and Goliath situation may be developing. Waste Management wants to increase its charges for residential and commercial waste hauling. Mid stream!

Waste Management has a 4 year contract. It ends this year. Its last day 12/31/21. Waste Management has advised the City it would like to increase it charges since whatever they are doing is bringing in insufficient funds.

The contract was negotiated in good faith. By both sides. A strange request. Waste Management is big business. If there is a problem at their end, they can absorb it. Key West cannot. It would result in a significant increase for trash removal neither side anticipated.

Key West residents have taken a massive beating this year due to COVID-19. Things are tough for the people of Key West, also. However Key West is not a deep pockets community that can absorb an increase at this time.

No way should the increase be agreed to. The City Commission must stand tall and reject Waste Management’s request.

Economists have consistently told us this year that the one percent made billions of dollars. Whereas the 99 percent zip. Waste Management should dip in its own pocket to take care of what is their problem.

Needless to say, negotiations for the new contract to cover beyond 12/31/21 will be interesting. The City Commission will be earning their pay with this one. Whatever, the City Commission should remain hard ass in negotiations and let the chips fall where they may. There is always another garbage collector out there who would love to have the Key West account.

Mom’s Tea Room in the news again. Mom’s was a happy whore house for years first in Key West and then on Stock Island. Mom’s popped up in the news this morning as part of Keys’ History. Mom’s Tea Room on Stock Island burned down this day in 1953.

Mom’s Key West operation initially was at 1016 Howe Street in Key West. She was closed down and moved to Stock Island.

Mom’s was owned by Mrs. Griffin aka Alice Reid. The Madam of Madams!

Mom’s was shut down several times. All at the behest of the U.S. Navy who thought the activity in the houses was immoral and a place where venereal disease was transmitted.

Local police did not care as the Navy did. In fact, nowhere on police books in both communities was Mom’s listed. Those were the days.

Two of Mom’s girls committed suicide. Cecilia Thompson Trunk in 1941 and Rita Brown 1952.

When arrested, Reid was charged the same each time. I mention it only because it fits into a sex scandal in our nation today. Reid use to import her working girls from out of state. Generally, Georgia. A federal crime. The charge was transportation across state lines for purposes of white slavery. “White slavery” referred to today merely as “sex.”

Keys residents care about “theirs.” Which includes fish in the oceans.

Tuesday, an 11 foot female sawfish weighing between 400-500 pounds was found dead near Marvin Key. The body was immediately transported to Port Chester, Florida to determine cause.

Sawfish are a protected species under the Endangered Species Act.

Had the sawfish been found alive but hurting, it still would have been sent to some facility with experts to care for her.

Matt Gaetz getting a lot of publicity recently. All of which it can be assumed he dislikes.

A most recent example of publicity involves a billboard on route 485 near Hub City. The billboard a picture of Gaetz with the following notation below it: “Matt Gaetz wants to ‘date’ your child.”

Marion Anderson is a famous Black singer of days gone by.

In 1939, she was denied use of Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. by  the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Anderson was one up on the white Daughters. She instead performed April 9, 1939 at the Lincoln Memorial.

Rudy Giuliani fueled many false stories during the campaign. Generally one percent truth. Everything else blatant falsehoods. Most of the ‘stories” told when he was Trump’s “personal attorney” and constantly in and out of the White House.

Georgia’s Lt. Governor blames Giuliani for the recent adverse voting legislation. He says Giuliani would sit for hours “blasting” Georgia legislative members with phony information re ballot fraud.

The legislative members bought it. The result the new legislation which is an insult to all Americans, white or black.

Recall John Boehner (R-Ohio) when he was Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was part of the group successful in impeaching President Clinton.

Boehner now several years into retirement. Wrote a memoir: “On the House: A Washington Memoir.” In it he clearly states he regrets not fighting against the impeachment: “I was not on board at the time, I won’t pretend otherwise. But I regret it now. I regret that I didn’t fight against it.”

Boehner claims Representative DeLay pushed for the impeachment. DeLay was #2 in the House at the time. He claimed the impeachment would help Republicans win more seats in the next election.

I have not enjoyed Cocktails at 7 in a while. Tonight a return to the festivity.

The lady in Seattle is Cathy. Cathy was visiting Key West 2 weeks ago. We have never met. We are pandemic virtual friends.

Carol wanted me to have dinner with her, etc. I refused, explaining my time in self-quarantine was not over. Ergo, I passed. Makes me wonder if the opportunity will ever arise again.

Enjoy your day!

Religion has been known to do more harm than good. From the Crucifixion of Christ to the Spanish Inquisition to the Crusades to the Salem Witch Hunt to religious conservative groups in modern day politics.

The Catholic Church a present day example.

Saving souls does not mean suppressing the vote in Georgia.

Major Catholic funders and power brokers are among those spearheading voter suppression efforts. Conservative Catholic philanthropists and pro-life leaders are key players behind efforts to limit voter access in a number of states.

Their efforts could obstruct the right to vote for economically marginal populations and racial minorities for years to come.

A number of Catholic organizations and donors pumped millions into the 2020 Presidential election and Georgia’s January Senate run offs.

The Catholic organizations and donors remind me of the inquisitors who sat in judgment of Joan of Arc. Hard headed and blind doing what they believe is God’s work.

In the wake of the 2020 Presidential election and Georgia’s January run offs for 2 Senate seats, a number of Catholic lead organizations and donors pumped millions of dollars into voter suppression efforts. Under the banner of “election integrity.”

Not all Catholic organizations and political donors are guilty. There are many who view voter suppression initiatives as a betrayal of Catholic values and a perpetuation of the false claims by Trump that the election was stolen.

The list of the anti-Christ types include organizations and persons whose names are not well known. The Susan B. Anthony List is one. A pro-life advocacy organization that together with other related entities committed to spending $52 million spearheading Trump’s pro-life activities in the 2020 election.

Individual donors sit on major public boards and those religiously based. Providing opportunities where from their own pockets or those of a board millions can legitimately be funneled into the coffers of those working to suppress voter participation laws.

Ernest Hemingway in the news big time in recent days. The PBS Ernest Hemingway 3 day 6 hour series Conversations with Hemingway one.

Notation by many that on this day in 1928, Hemingway and his wife Pauline arrived in Key West for the first time on the Peninsular & Occidental steamship from Havana. A 1 or 2 day visit turned into 10 years.

Eudie Pak wrote The Many Wives of Ernest Hemingway which was published in Biography 3/20/19. Pak did an update which was published in Biography 4/6/21. An interesting article.

As is well known, Hemingway in a career spanning almost 40 years enjoyed the company of 4 wives. Whether married or not, he was rarely without a woman by his side.

Hemingway’s 4 wives were Hadley Richardson, Pauline “Fife” Pfeiffer, Martha Gellhorn, and Mary Welsh.

Certain of the wives formed a bond. Wife #4 Mary Welsh described the “wife group” as “Hemingway University.”

Trump has finally spoken re Matt Gaetz. His comment was limited to he never discussed a pre-emptive pardon with Gaetz.

Trump believes he is the Almighty. Right or wrong, can do anything he wants.

He is doing it again. The repetitive credit card charges. Trump believes they are proper. He intends to begin using the same method once more to raise funds.

Not the best of mornings. I fell. Been a while since I have fallen. Stubbed my toe going up the stairs. I was almost to the top. I was carrying in one hand a large plastic glass containing a chocolate protein drink.

The drink is all over the carpet and on the wall. Ten feet high on the wall.

The wall doesn’t look bad. A Picasso.

Of course, I got hurt. My right knee bleeding. My head and neck ache. My forehead hit the wall and must have bent my head and neck back.

Tell you why this happened. A friend recently sent me a book on how to avoid falling. I began reading it. The subject matter not exciting in itself. I should have finished. I will now.

Too late to have helped me this morning, of course.

Enjoy your day!

Will we ever have true gun safety? Gun safety significantly better than today. Not merely something peddled as “gun safety.” A real move forward in correcting a problem contributing to the death of Americans every day.

Gun safety has a tendency to move backward when it should be moving forward. Iowa the latest example.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law permitting residents to buy and carry guns without permitting required.

Specifically, the law eliminated the requirement for law abiding Iowans to obtain a permit to purchase a hand gun from private non licensed sources. Additionally to carry a weapon, Iowans will no longer need to have a permit.

Big day in Sloppy Joe’s history!

On this day in 1935, Joe Russell moved his bar from one location to another. His original bar was on Greene Street, a few doors off Duval. Where Capt. Tony’s is located today.

Joe had a rental dispute with the landlord. He opted to move instead of paying the increase in rent.

The new location remains to this day the site of the world famous Sloppy Joe’s. Located on Duval at its intersection with Greene Street.

Joe’s friends, including Ernest Hemingway, helped him move. They participated in carrying everything from the old location to the new one.

There are so many Hemingway stories. Each pleasant in and of itself.

Hemingway said following the publication of A Farewell to Arms, “I rewrote the ending to Farewell to Arms, the last page of it, thirty nine times before I was satisfied.”

No wonder A Farewell to Arms and his other publications were so well received. Perfection in expression!

I am not happy with Joe Manchin. My disapproval for his methods is growing. He has become a squeaky wheel, power mover, and obstructionist. An opportunist as well. He immediately recognized the value of his one vote in a divided Senate and is using it to advance his causes, whatever they may be.

He is grabbing “the reins of history.” A phrase he once use in a statement regarding himself and West Virginia: “I want each and every West Virginian to have bragging rights. I want to stop playing defense and start playing offense. So, together, let us grab the reins of history.”

Matt Gaetz reminds me of the old Christian song that begins “Onward Christian soldiers.” Every day a new “fact” in his story.

I have wondered why Gaetz did not approach his “friend” Donald Trump for a pardon. Turns out he did. It was refused.

Wow! If Donald wouldn’t do something for him, who would?

Enjoy your day!