Second time I am writing about termites in a week. A different kind of termite. One I have never heard of nor believe experienced in my Key West home.

Called subterranean termites. The word is they are destroying Key West.

Termites come in many varieties. I thought there was only one. The kind that feed on wood in your house. Subterranean ones sort of make a line around the house outside and from there do the dirty deed.

Subterraneans are Asian in origin. They arrived in the Keys on Stock Island in the 1990’s. Entered onto Stock Island from a boat docked there.

Since that time they have developed a habitat throughout the Keys.

Subterraneans are most active in February and March. Now! They swarm during the two months having a significant impact on the Keys.

They are considered unusually bad because of their sheer numbers and potential to cause structural damage. Whereas the normal termites that are tented for in Key West are munching away on a home for several years before being treated, damage by subterraneans is an onslaught and must be treated quickly.

Harry Truman again. Beloved President. Lover of Key West. He visited again. On this day in 1950, he arrived for a three week vacation at The Little White House.

Truman made 11 trips to Key West totaling 175 days.

I wish someone had written a book about his walking experiences in the morning, the locals he met, the business establishments he frequented, etc.

Very infrequent I have come across such an item. Accidentally found in a diary kept by one of his assistants that noted every minute of every day. Unfortunately, not all the experiences I referred to were kept by the assistant. Perhaps too personal.

Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisc) is a bigot. Unquestionably. You have heard his words the past two days re January 6 where he claims he feared not because those protesting were good American citizens. Noting he would have been afraid if they were Black Lives Matter or some other black organization. He did not refer to a second group as “some other black organization.” However the implication was clear.

Most of us have had encounters with bigots over the ears. I definitely have. I learned that a bigot does not know he is a bigot. Rather he considered himself a good citizen who loves all peoples and tries to help them. The “loves all peoples” is not reflected in his everyday life, however.

A bigot is delusional.

Years ago, I had to work in front of a judge who was a bigot. Many trials. A smart legal mind. Bigoted, however.

When I tried a case before him where the attorney opposing me was a Wasp, my objections were generally denied. My opponent’s always sustained.

However if I was trying a case against a lawyer of a different ethnic background, I won. I even won when the opposing attorney was another Italo-American.

I recall one attorney who I tried a number of cases against. In front of the same judge. Not only was he a Wasp, his automobile’s license plate number read: WASP 2.

Such is life.

Even funnier, the judge invited me to his daughter’s wedding. I could never figure out why.

Poor Socrates. One of the wisest men to have walked the earth. Greek. Way back when.

Two statements by him are often found in other writings. The quotes refer to “wisdom.”

“The only true wisdom is in knowing your knowing”

“I am the wisest man alive for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”

Socrates’ wisdom did him in. His philosophy generally became diametrically opposed to the political leaders of Athens. They tried him for his “erroneous statements” and condemned him to death. It was 399 B.C.. Socrates was 71.

Socrates could have avoided death had he fled Greece. He could have. The opportunity was available. He declined wanting to make a point. What, I am not sure.

Death was by poisoning. Forced suicide poisoning. He drank the drink. Hemlock. He faced death calmly. He chatted with friends during the 2-3 hours it took him to die.

Regarding his pending execution, Socrates said, “I was really too honest a man to be a politician and live.”

Tuesday again. My blog talk radio show tonight at 9 my time. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I will be putting the show together this afternoon. Whatever it ends up being, guaranteed it will be interesting. A quick moving half hour. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

March 15 is the Ides of March. The date most significant in 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was assassinated.

Sixty members of the Roman Senate conspired to kill him. Their excuse…..He had become too powerful and his power had become a danger to Rome.

One of Caesar’s assassins was Brutus. Brutus was Caesar’s closest friend.

Caesar was stabbed 23 times. He saw his good friend Brutus standing above him just before he died. Caesar’s last words were: “Et tu, Brute.” Translated: “And you, Brutus” and “You too, Brutus.”

Makes one think what are friends for.

In any event, the scene did not play out as described. Caesar never said the words attributed to him re Brutus. Shakespeare wrote the scene and created Brutus’ words in the “Tragedy of Julius Caesar.”

March 15, 1972 important to movie goers. Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” opened. Recognized as one of the greatest movies of all time.

A report came out last week that only 75 percent of House of Representative members have been vaccinated. The 75 percent number confirmed. Twenty five percent have not been vaccinated. This number not confirmed.

The 25 percent have created a behind the scenes serious problem. The House has not yet returned to normal rules of operation. Distancing one of the problems. Voting takes 3 times longer than in pre-Pandemic times.

The Office of Attending Physician in a memo continues to recommend social distancing and mask wearing.The Office of Attending Physician is seldom heard of. Such does not diminish its important role. The Office is responsible to and for the House of Representatives, Senate, and U.S. Supreme Court.

New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo is under siege. He appears to on his way out.

There is an investigation being conducted by the Attorney General’s office. Based on allegations made by several different women.

It would be nice if Cuomo was afforded the same rights as an alleged murderer. The murderer is not condemned to death till he has received due process in the form of a trial.

The investigation, though not perfect from a legal sense, is Cuomo’s due process. He should not be hanged until the investigative report is complete and made public.

Word is Cuomo has no friends, political or otherwise. His “friends” are abandoning him like rats from a drowning ship. Apparently Cuomo is a “hardass” the way he runs his political shop.

It is also reported some of his staff workers have begun refusing to come to work.

All disturbing, but not any indication of guilt.

The U.S. over the years with accusations of sexual wrongdoing by power figures against women has become what I would describe as “Guilt by Allegation.”

Not fair, not right. Due process required in these instances.

Note, I am not suggesting his guilt or innocence. Let the investigation be the judge.

Some things happen that are hard to believe. The NCAA tournament selections came out last night. I was convinced Syracuse had little if any chance.

I was mistaken.

Syracuse has been invited to the tournament.  Even more surprising, as a #11 seed. Syracuse opens in the Midwest Region friday night at 9:40 in Indianapolis. Syracuse’s opponent the #6 seed San Diego State.

An 11th seed is not bad. If my memory is correct, Syracuse was an 11th or 13th seed when it won the Final Four. It was a #11 seed when it made it to the championship game. Whatever.

Go ‘Cuse!

Enjoy your day!

Some have arrived. Many more will be coming. College students on spring break. Barbarians one and all. Bringing with them two of the Four Horsemen: Pestilence and Death.

Pestilence the infectious COVID-19 disease. Death speaks for itself.

The coronavirus traveling with them will infect other students and locals.

Illness and death will follow.

Not worth the trip.

At the moment, the college people are just arriving. Their numbers increasing each day. The next two weeks will find Key West bursting at the seams.

No face masks. Kissing and sexual intercourse. No social distancing.

Wonderful!

Their numbers may increase unfavorably. Miami is the spring break destination this year. However Miami has not eliminated or eased up on many restrictions. Even after Governor DeSantis ordered restrictions removed 100 percent.

The merchants and residents of Miami are smarter than the Governor.

Miami curfew a problem. In bed by midnight not attractive. Unless two have already agreed to spend the night together.

Florida remains in chaos re the pandemic. DeSantis may have removed the restrictions. Makes no difference to the virus. It never went away.

Additional virus will be brought by the students to our island community. Including variants.

Guaranteed a number of locals, students, and those who live wherever they return to will be infected. Within two weeks following the end of spring break, the numbers will confirm the representation.

Local merchants and know it all students to blame. Nothing can be done. The die is cast. What will be, will be.

Key West an historical place for many reasons. Another was added this past week.

The Little White House received through the benevolence of a Texas millionaire one of Harry Truman’s limousines which was a part of his private collection.

The donated limousine was used by Truman when visiting New York City. The years 1945-1953. Nine different cities had private limousines specifically for use when the President visited.

It is different today. Air Force One carries the Presidential limousine whenever the President travels on it.

Truman’s limousine received limited service. Mileage as of this date 32,000.

The Limousin will be part of the Little White House Tour. Rides will be available. Conchs are those born in Key West. Some families are deeply rooted in Key West. Their Conch ancestors go back several generations.

Termites are Conchs in a sense. They have been a part of Key West for many many years.

Termites come to mind because of a photo in yesterday’s Key West Citizen. The picture was of Sloppy Joe’s. Not from years ago. Rather taken early in Key West’s lock down because of the virus.

The photograph was of Sloppy Joe’s. Sloppy Joe’s was tented. The first tenting in 103 years.

Hundreds of children are crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico to the United States daily. Some with parents, some without. Those without clutching a piece of paper with the name, address and telephone number of a relative living in the U.S.

A video appeared on the internet this morning showing the crossing by adults and children.

These are desperate people! It is evident in their facial expressions. Most have already traveled 2,000 miles. Determination written on the faces of adults. Fear on the faces of children. Most of the younger children terrified, crying, and worried.

Seventy five percent of the children are teenagers 15-17. The remaining 25 percent of a lesser age.

Biden has his hands full. The primary reason the numbers of those seeking refuge has increased is that Biden said during the campaign he was going to solve the immigration problem. He gave no date, however. Note he has only been President 52 days. He needs time, even though those coming to U.S. shores do not recognize the problem.

I am confident Biden will deal with the problem and not the way Trump did.

The Department of Health and Human Services are the point. It reported this past week there are 8,500 minors in shelters. An additional 3,500 stuck in Border Patrol stations waiting for beds to open elsewhere.

The average influx of minors has been 500 a day. However, this past wednesday the number hit 700.The Department further reported there has been a three-fold increase since December.

Biden has had a “tent facility” erected in Texas to ease the situation till more adequate arrangements can be made. He intends to open further tent facilities in California and Virginia shortly.

My left leg is improving. I am into my third week of problems with it. The pain was horrible. Walking next to impossible. Even with the cane.

Don’t ask me what the problem is. No one seems to know. I have had tons of tests from everything serious to non-serious. Still don’t know.

Fortunately I am happy to report the leg seems to be getting better the past 2 days. Significantly so.

My problem has nothing to do with falling.

Enjoy your Sunday! Walk, run, bicycle…..Use those legs!

I have not done a Morning stew since early December. My aching body has caused me to miss a day or two. This blog is catch up time. I am going to spell out items in the order they appear in my notes.

Enjoy.

The IRS will begin forwarding the $1,400 stimulus checks this weekend. Some already have arrived. Direct deposit will be first to receive.

Question: If culture wars are over, why is Dr. Seuss all over FOX News.

Most Republican Congressional persons are complaining the stimulus is too big. They forget the crisis is big too!

I have had one vaccine shot. My second the 27th. Vaccine distribution has been a problem in Florida. In addition to availability overall.

Spoke with a person yesterday who said he was in a chain drug store locally to pick up a few things. An employee asked him if he would like a vaccine shot saying that the vaccine would “spoil” if not used. The man got his shot. In fact, he has already had both.

Interestingly, he is not close yet to qualifying off an eligibility list. Including age limits.

I was unaware the vaccine could spoil. Did a little home work. They can.

Pfizer advises its vaccine has a life of 120 hours (5 days). If vaccine is older, Pfizer recommends the manufacturer be called for guidance.

The CDC maintains a COVID-19 Expiration Date Tracking Pool to follow the age of the vaccine at different levels.

What continues to bother me is that we have insufficient vaccine supply in various parts of Florida. Never the less, vaccine is apparently getting old/stale and may have to be disposed of without use. A disgrace.

The entire vaccine situation is in disarray. Not just in Florida. All over the U.S.

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key west loves Harry Truman.

Truman arrived in Key West on 3/12/1950 for a one month vacation.

Biden has ordered the deployment of 4,000 active duty military to help reach vaccine targets. Biden is handling the problem well. It is a war!

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reveals a “near obsession” with abortion in its opposition to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Spring Breakers are arriving. Key West beaches filling up. Many more expected.

The largest influx of college students is expected to hit Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Many believe a significant number will be unhappy with those two cities and move down to Key West.

Miami and Fort Lauderdale still have restrictions in place. The kids will not be happy.

For example, Miami has a midnight to 6 am curfew. Alcohol is prohibited on beaches.

Key West has been touted as an “open town.” Hordes will arrive.

Key West police are ready. Even horseback police officers will be involved.

St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner. The problem will be the same.

The virus will be around longer than it should because many deviate from the restrictions. Merchants as well as college guests and other visitors.

It is proper to disrespect someone who does not perform properly. Even those who lack the capacity to do good.

I speak of Florida’s Governor DeSantis. A horses ass no mater how you view him. You can’t make good out of bad.

This past week DeSantis issued an order for fines persons and businesses have paid or might have to pay for charges already made be withdrawn. Included are mask violations.

Query: How are safety rules to be enforced during Spring Break?

The “ass” is considered Pesidential timber for 2024. Amazing!

Note this is the same individual who “arranged” for vaccine to be provided to  two affluent communities in Florida because they represented some of his heavy financial supporters.

Trump has said many times that DeSantis is the best governor in the U.S. Understandable. Trump was DeSantis’ Pied Piper. He did everything Trump wanted. Bad guys. Sinful under the skin.

While everyone has suspected Trump’s financial problems n New York City would bring him down, it now appears Georgia may do it first. He is being examined down to his underwear for issues involving ballot counting durnig the Presidential election.

If such occurs, and I suspect it will, Donald’s own recorded words will do him in.

A new restaurant in Key West. The Southernmost Fish Company Restaurant. Recently opened where Michael’s did business for many years. I wish Southernmost good luck! Can’t wait for my quarantine time to be over so I can try it.

Syracuse, my Syracuse! What a lousy basketball season!

One week ago, Syracuse was off the bubble. Then Syracuse beat North Carolina State 89-68. Back on the bubble!

Two days later, Syracuse played Virginia. A better team. The game was tied. Virginia dropped in a 3 pointer at the buzzer.

Syracuse now off the bubble? Maybe not. Virginia a much better team and yet Syracuse almost defeated them. The word now is that Syracuse is an if.”

If Syracuse makes it, it is anticipated it will be as #68, the last team invited to play in the big tournament.

We will know tomorrow when the tournament choices and rankings are announced.

Merrick Garland was confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee this past week for the post of Attorney General. The Senate will confirm him, if it has not already done so.

Garland has been touted as “best” for the job for two reasons.

First, he headed the Oklahoma investigation 25 years ago. Second, he has been a respected federal judge for more than 20 years.

Both experiences qualifying on their face. However, I question such.

Twenty five years is a long time ago. No one can tell whether he is as good investigatory wise today as he was then. A good judge does not necessarily make a good prosecutor. Especially after 20 years as a judge. The mind changes. In some instances, the drive also.

I hope Garland does well and I wish him well. However, he causes me concern.

What does Joe Manchin really want? I think he wants his ass kissed. He wants to be considered a big guy in Washington circles. He  fortuitously has been placed in that position.

It bothers me.

Biden has a tremendous opportunity to accomplish much. The stimulus bill evidence of the ability he has. To move on, Biden needs Manchin’s support. More succinctly, his Senate vote.

He is the fly in the ointment.

The vaccine. Demand exceeds supply in many parts of the country. Florida, especially.

DeSantis this past week dropped the eligibility age from 65 to 60. He could drop it to 40. Would make no difference. There is not enough vaccine for the people already eligible.

Proof of the pudding are Miami, Florida City and Tampa. Lines long waiting for shots. Get to the head of the line and told there is no more vaccine. All out!

Many of these people waited hours.

“Promises made, promises kept” was a joke when it came to Trump. The only “promise” he ever kept was the tax cut for the wealthy which kept millions of dollars in their pockets.

DeSantis no better. Makes a promise. Cannot deliver. Not because he is devious. Rather he does not check facts out before he speaks.

Anyone recall Katherine Houghton? She was the lovely young daughter who planned to marry Sidney Poitier in Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn played her parents.

A terrific movie. I can’t see it enough.

Katherine is now 75 years old. Hard to believe!

An interesting fact which many may not be aware. Katherine Hepburn was Katherine Houghton’s aunt. Hepburn was instrumental in helping Houghton launch her career.

Done!

Enjoy your day!

Sorry, no blog today. Doctor visits beginning early morning.

As an authoritarian figure, Trump wanted a quasi-military force he could rely on. Such would be his first line of defense if personally endangered. A group of this nature would also exist for intimidation purposes.

Trump selected ICE to be that baby, his baby.

ICE is short for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is part of the Department of Homeland Security. It is the largest investigative  group within the DHS.

Ice was born in 2003. One of its duties to deal with border/immigration issues. They were a so so federal agency till Trump’s election in 2016.

Trump had a concern. Loyalty was most important to him. He needed a small band of marauders he could rely on to do as he dictated. To be his personal enforcement group.

He selected ICE. Made sure budget funds in significant amounts ended up in ICE. Selected a certain brand of persons to work as ICE agents.

Recall Trump’s first wife Ivana. She has mentioned several times over the years that Trump kept in  a drawer at his beside Hitler authored and other Nazi books.

Such was his bed time reading most evenings.

Trump wanted ICE to be his Gestapo unit. Loyal first and solely to him. To do that he wished as he wished

Trump succeeded.

I have written and discussed many times my fear of ICE. That it constituted an increasing danger.

If there was any question n my mind, it was put to rest the first time I saw ICE agents. Their mere appearance was enough to strike fear in a person.

Following some natural disaster (not Irma), many Key Westers were without living accommodations, water, food, etc. FEMA came in to provide such items to those in need. Persons deprived because of the disaster. What FEMA delivered was good, needed, and appreciated.

I am a curious animal. I wanted to see the operation. To understand first hand how the disaster was being handled. In the large parking lot behind the Fire Station on Simonton, huge tents had been erected. Chairs available. Social areas also available also under tents.

People were assassinated with paperwork, provided helpful information, etc.

All went well. I was impressed. My government was there and helping!

I enjoy walking around to see what is going on. I did so on 2 occasions at the FEMA site.

What failed to impress me were the ICE agents who I assume were there to make sure trouble did not erupt.

They scared me! All I could think of was Hitler’s Gestapo.

The agents were all the same. Tight muscle bound bodies.  Fair skinned/white. Primarily blonds. Each agent’s hair a crew cut. Not in recent day fashion. Rather the crew cut of many years ago. Roughly one inch tall. Stood straight up.

The men were dressed in dark green uniforms. Each carrying a side arm that was intimidating in itself. I know nothing about guns. These were big pistols for want of another description. One sitting on each agent’s hip.

It was obvious I did not belong. I was not signing up for anything. Knew no one. No one talked with me nor did I try to engage in conversation with anyone. I merely walked around looking.

The ICE agents apparently became concerned. Who is this guy? They started following me each time I was there. Never got close enough to engage me in conversation. I had no desire to speak with them.

Recall that point in the Trump era when he had immigration people going to major cities to weed out illegal immigrants. ICE accompanied the agents. The up front guys were not ICE. ICE’s function was to stand in the streets looking up at the building the immigration people were in. Intimidation time.

Immediately prior to Trump leaving office, he had the DHS enter into an agreement with ICE’s union (would you believe) giving the union the ability/power to indefinitely delay the implementation of any new policies affecting ICE.

The  agreement provided in effect the union ran ICE and not the DHS or Biden. Changes had to be made.

Trump’s purpose was to give him himself control over ICE after he was out of office. Sort of controlling things from the gave.

Got to give Biden credit. He recognized what Trump had set up. He was not going to tolerate it.

Biden almost immediately upon taking office had the DHS nullify the agreement with the Union. The grounds were that the agreement was not negotiated in the interests of the DHS nor was it in alignment with existing law.

And that is where it stands.

There are other problems as a practical matter. DHS has to transfer, terminate or in some fashion get rid of the ICE agents whose boots stomped in step with Trump. Replace them with agents who understand what democratic immigration and any other type enforcement calls for.

In short, get the Trump inspired bullies out!

Speaking of Trump. his stock seems to be going down every day. He lost the fraudulent election ballot cases, is threatening to sue the National Republican Party if they use his picture or name for fund raising, and the reception Trump received sunday night as he arrived at Trump Towers. Trump Towers was a what goes around comes around situation.

Key West and the lower Keys have been a U.S. Navy base for various purposes since well before World War II. Sometimes a bomb or other type explosive is found from days long gone by.

Such was the case on Fleming Key.

Yesterday, a 250 pound World War II era bomb was disposed of  by U.S. Navy Ordinate Disposal. They blew it up.

Safety not a problem. The U.S. Coast Guard maintained a safety perimeter around the area.

A job well done. Not the first rodeo so to speak for our professional military persons. This bomb discovery thing is somewhat of a frequent occurrence.

Enjoy your day!

The itch has begun. To leave/escape my home. Now that I have my first shot, I know the end of quarantine is near.

This morning Willie Nelson has been running through my head. Probably his most famous it: On The Road Again.

The first two lines fit my mental state perfectly: On the road again / I just can’t wait to get on the road again.

Three to four weeks from now.

COVID-19. Problems continue in Miami-Dade County.  Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami has expanded vaccine eligibility to those “at risk”  16 and up. No note from a doctor will be required to state the “at risk” condition. The note was causing too much confusion. Ergo, eliminated.

Chaos continues in Miami. Jackson Memorial Hospital an example again. Too many people showing up for shots. They are “eligible residents.” However being turned away because insufficient vaccine shots are available.

The problem for Miami ineligibles is that they are not  as the rich who live on Ocean Reef. Political contributions talk with the DeSantis administration.

The vaccine shot problem continues throughout Florida. The right hand does not appear to know what the left is doing.

I had to wait 2 months. Signed up twice at 2 different places. Still took an eternity to be called. I qualified with the first batch of eligibles at 85.

I received my first shot 2/27. My second is scheduled for 3/27. I waited roughly 2 months for the first shot on 2/27.

A process involved finally caught up with me today. I received a telephone call. From a pleasant lady who was calling on behalf of the State to schedule my first appointment.

Computers make information and data easy to keep up with. Obviously Florida is doing things half assed backwards and the process is not working effectively.

We are taught from day 1 in school that Columbus discovered America. The year also, 1492. Both facts never forgotten.

We learned a few years later in school that America is named after Amerigo Vespucci. Though I have wondered occasionally why not Christopher Columbus since he was the first to discover the New World.

The matter arises this day because it was on this day in 1512 Vespucci died. A bit of research was in order.

No question, it is from Vespucci’s first name Amerigo that America is derived.

There is also no question Columbus discovered the New World before Vespucci.

Vespucci made several trips to the New World. The first questionable and always referred to as “alleged.” That trip was 1497-1498. His further voyages 1499-1500, 1501-1502 and 1503-1504.

On his next to last trip in 1501, Vespucci landed in Brazil. He realized that Brazil and all the other New World lands he had visited were not islands. They were continents.

Which brings us to “why” America instead of Columbia for the hemispheres and the U.S.

In 1507, 2 men published An Introduction to Cosmography together with an accompanying map.

The Introduction was written in Latin. One of its authors was Ringman. He wrote that the name of the New World should be derived from that of Amerigo, discoverer and sagacious genius. The suitable name should be Land of Amerigo, or America, since Europe and Asia had received women’s names.

The Introduction was a great success. Four printings almost immediately. Considered as the Bible for New World voyages. The name America stuck.

Donald Trump has always been a popular figure in New York City. It does not appear any longer.

Trump returned to New York City sunday night at 9. Alone. I assume Melania in Florida.

When he arrived at Trump Tower, only one supporter was present. The sole supporter had company, however. A significant number of protesters who “attacked” the building. The protesters called for Thump’s arrest monday morning. Signs were carried stating “Florida Man Go home,” “Indict Trump,” and “Arrest Trump.”

Oh, how his popularity has waned. What goes around comes around. The best Thomas Wolfe’s adage,  “You can’t go home again.”

Trump was to leave today to return to Florida.

Today a big day in American history! On this day in 1959, the Barbie Doll made its debut. Still going strong in 2021.

A woman was behind the Barbie Doll. Ruth Handler. She had co-founded Mattel, Inc. together with her husband in 1945.

How did Ruth get involved? Note, Ruth purchased the rights to Barbie Doll. It had been in existence before. The first doll was named Lilli. created by another person. Lilli was modeled after a German comic strip character.

Lille was first marketed as a racy gag gift to adult men in tobacco shops. Lilli became more popular with children than adult men.

Ruth noticed that her young daughter ignored her baby dolls to play make believe with paper dolls of adult women.

Mattel began sponsoring  the Mickey Mouse Club TV program in 1955. After acquiring the rights to Lilli, Mattel began advertising Barbie directly to children via the Mickey Mouse Club.

By 1961, Barbie Doll had become so popular that a boy friend Ken was added.

Barbie Doll and the other members of her family have been accepted world wide. In excess of 1 billion Barbie dolls have been.

Barbie dolls are not cheap. Most family members sell for excessive amounts. A few are cheap. Overall however, many dolls sell today in the $60 range, new or used.

As I was printing this piece, a question arose in my mind. Why did Ruth notice her daughter was attracted to an adult looking doll rather than the normal baby doll? Could it have been that young kids are daily exposed to adults rather than babies? Ergo that would be what they wanted to play with. My observation. I could be wrong.

A border crisis is developing. In the 48 days Biden has been President. It was to be expected. Biden promised the immigrants would be let in. They believed him. He also said give me time, we are not ready for you yet. They have not given him time. Ergo, the problem.

No one is perfect. He is not a Donald Trump (said with tongue in cheek). He requires more time to get a handle on the problem. In January of this year, 78,000 immigrants tried to get into the U.S. illegally. Seventy eight thousand is double the numbs that tried to enter one year earlier in January 2020.

At this time, 4 thousand a day are trying to gain entry to the U.S. illegally. Many child en. Some of the youngest are not accompanied by an adult.

The White House presently in a quandary as how to deal with the problem expeditiously and fairly. It is expected that the number of immigrants overall will increase by 45 percent since Trump’s last year in office.

Biden’s people deny there is a “crisis.” Refer to the problem as a “challenge.” Three to four thousand a day is not a challenge. Definitely a crisis.

A possible solution is to react to the problem as was done in some areas when coronavirus became overwhelming. Get the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to “overnight” build proper living facilities which also should be operated by sensitive persons rather than the buffoons Trump relied on.

Not as an excuse, but rather a fact of life. Biden has only been in office 47 days. Give him time and your support.

Tonight, tonight my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time.

Interesting and fun. Join me for a quick moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

This morning a first. I am back to doing a normal blog. My first Greece trip has ended.

I enjoyed sharing the trip with you. Hopefully you enjoyed reading it. I received many favorable comments, except for one. A snowbird good friend. He was unhappy. He had followed it day by day 9 years ago and was bored with the repetition.

I returned to Greece the next year. I plan later this year in doing that trip. If any of you think you would not enjoy it, speak now or forever hold your peace.

I took about 600 photos of the trip. Never posted them. Sloan and I have been working on how to set them up, etc. In a week or two I will begin posting. Once a week. Eight to ten pics with some brief identifying information below. And not all 600. Not even close.

The reason I opted to run the first Greece trip again was because there was little to write about. Before coronavirus, I was out and about most evenings. There was much to report.

However, the virus has kept me self quarantined for more than a year now. Key West residents and visitors not available to me. Nor the Chart Room or any other bar.

Prior to the virus, I rarely wrote about politics and world happenings. Without Key West available, I was forced to write about those 2 areas.

An interesting observation. My readers have doubled with the changeover primarily to politics. I plan on mixing Key West and politics as soon as I am out again. I hope the new readers stay with me.

My second shot is March 27. I am told I should remain in self quarantine for another 2-3 weeks. Then ok to go out. However must wear a mask.

I can live with it.

An article in Newsmax 3/7 reported death row murderers would receive stimulus checks. Doesn’t sound right. However politics being what it is, you never know.

Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark) was interviewed by Newsmax and shared the information.

Before my sharing it with you, let me make one thing clear. I fear Cotton and those of his breed. He is a far righter. Even worse a favorite of the moneyed Republicans we never hear about. He and his friends want him to run for Presidnet in 2024.

He is of the same ilk of Senator Hawley. Birds of a feather.

One thing that has been bothering me the past couple of years is that many of the new Republican faces are Harvard or Yale law graduates. These people receive the finest legal educations which for some reason I cannot fathom sets them off on a path even beyond Trump.

Cotton provided the following examples of death row murderers to receive stimulus checks.

Dylan Roof murdered 9 people. He is on federal death row.

The Boston Bomber Dzhokhor Tsarnaev who murdered 3 people and terrorized a city.

Aaron Shamo was sentenced to life for selling 1 million fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone pills to unsuspecting buyers.

What is the justification for providing death row murderers and those sentenced to life with the stimulus? For commissary use buying cigarettes, soda pop, and candy?

Florida COVID-19 vaccine shots chaos. Distribution still sucks in Florida.

A woman in Florida City stood in line for 5 hours with her 6 month baby and when reached was turned away on some technical reason. That same day, the Florida City sites were allowing people without appointments to be vaccinated.

Eligibility requirements were screwed up. Those providing the shots were not aware who could get a shot. Eligibility practiced in an uncertain fashion, and not properly so in most instances.

The Washington Post 3/4 reported living in Texas right now feels like an exercise in survival. Citizens are caught between the power failure and Governor Abbott opening Texas 100 percent beginning wednesday.

My adult life has been governed by the philosophy that every one must have a seat at the economic table. Not just the rich. Rich, middle class, and poor alike. Each must receive the benefits of the American economy. Not however must each earn an equal amount of money.

People must be able to afford to buy things like food, clothing, and shelter.

The U.S. minimum wage for years has been $7.25 an hour. Whether rich or poor, an insufficient amount to live on. I wonder what Senators and Representatives would do if they and their families had to live on $7.25 an hour.

NBC News recently said: “The world has changed.”

In addition to every one having a seat at the table, I have also believed that if not all are and some struggle, there will be revolt in order for people to survive economically. It is the story of history.

Today is International Woman’s Day. Biden will be signing an Executive Order establishing a Gender Policy Council within the White House. Its purpose to support gender equity and Title XI policies.

Equality wise women have risen dramatically over the years. What I have observed in my lifetime alone supports the premise.

The birth control pill had something to do with it. Gave women a sense of equality and protection. The feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s likewise.

Recall around 1970, the new cigarette Virginia Slims came out directed primarily at female purchasers. Its advertising slogan: You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby!

While I was in law school in the late 1950s, there were only 2 women in my class. Today ladies make up more than half. The same is applicable to medical school graduates.

Female judges abound. Women gradually becoming CEOs of major corporations.

They may have come a long way, the ladies are going to go even further. It’s a new world!

International Woman’s day is not a new event. It was established by Clara Zetkio at an International Woman’s Conference in 1910 in Copenhagen.

My thought process has reached the point where I believe women should basically run the world. Men have for centuries and screwed it up. Let the ladies have a chance. They could not do worse and probably do better.

On this day in 1917, the Russian Revolution began.

International Woman’s Day had something to do with it.

The “February Revolution” as it is called, began over protests celebrating International Woman’s Day and riots in St. Petersburg over food rations and Russia’s involvement in World War I.

I have always found Russian history prior to, during and since 1917 interesting and exciting. Russian movies and novels have contributed to that interest and excitement.

I was fortunate while in college in the mid 1950s to take 2 courses taught by Alexander Kerensky. Kerensky was there in Russia as a prominent figure during the Russian Revolution.

At the beginning, there were 2 Russian factions. The Whites and Reds. The Whites first controlled the government. Not for long. Several months at the most.

Kerensky was the President of the White Bolsheviks. Lenin was a leader of the Red Bolsheviks. Lenin toppled Kerensky. Kerensky had to escape to save his life. He eventually ended up in the U.S.

The contrast between Lenin and Kerensky is interesting also. Probably why Lenin succeeded where Kerensky failed. Lenin came to power promising “peace, land and bread.” At a time Kerensky’s people were selling more efficient government and continued participation in World War I.

What a time in world history!

I live and learn. I seem to make that statement more frequently in recent years.

We all have heard the word misogynist. Represents men strongly prejudicial against women.

How many have heard the word misandrist. Represents hatred of men by women. The word rare. Its meaning I suspect prevalent.

Enjoy your day!

Hope you enjoyed the George Clooney video. Lynda Frechette sent it to me. Thank you, Lynda.This portion of the blog will share some interesting items involving Stanley Tucci, Ernest Hemingway and George Clooney.

The three simply are interrelated by Italy.

I begin with Stanley Tucci.

An interesting movie actor. I thought his best performance was in Pravda.

Tucci spent a good portion of the past year filming a TV series involving Italian food. Food prepared and served as only Italy can. He traveled all over Italy enjoying the culinary artistry of the country’s various regions.

The show is titled Searching for Italy. I watched it for the first time last night.

A winner!

Tucci ended the show by having dinner on Lake Maggiore. A special place to enjoy for a vacation, a drink and/or dinner. I did all three more than once.

The Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees sits on the lake’s southern side facing the tiny Borromees islands and the Alps. Everything is the Alps in this part of Italy.

I was fortunate in my travels to visit the area 3-4 times.

In Tucci’s Italian food show last night, he was pictured visiting the Grand. Walking through the first floor itself and outside the back area of the Hotel where he was shown sitting at a small table enjoying a drink.

I was immediately excited. The Hotel was never referred to as the “world famous” Grand. It was, however. I could never forget.

The first time I stopped in for a drink, I initiated a conversation with the bartender. Probably 50. We got into Hemingway. He could see my interest. He called over a thin old man with white hair. The man moved slowly. Another 5 years and I will look like him.

He served Hemingway and Hemingway’s love at the time Agnes Kurwosky. He gave me the “Grand” Hemingway history. He was the bartender back in 1918 when Hemingway visited.

He advised the present bar was not the location of the bar Hemingway sat at. He took me to a small room in the back of he hotel. No bigger than 15′ by 15′. A storage room when I visited. Full of boxes and extra furniture.

The bar itself was gone. The room had only one window. He showed me where Hemingway sat so he could look directly out the window. As we walked he shared some Hemingway stories.

I was in all my glory!

He took me outside in teh back. A huge rolling lawn with an item of greenery here and there. Small white tables and chairs hee and there.

I had 2 drinks the first time. One at theh inside bar, the other outside in the back at a small white table. I imbibed whee Hemingway had done so. In the backyard where for sure, Hemingway first sat. Then Louis. Then Tucci.

It was World War I. Hemingway had joined the Italian ambulance service. The U.S. was not yet in the war. He joined when he was 18. He was seriously injured when 19 by a mortar shell which exploded next to him.

His injuries kept him confined to a hospital for 6 months. His nurse was an American. Agnes von Kurowsky. They fell in love while she cared for him.

Near the end of his convalescence, Hemingway was given a 10 day pass. He and Agnes spent 7 of those days at the Grand Hotel.

Hemingway fictionalized Agnes as Nurse Catherine Barkley inA Farewell to Arms.

Hemingway was 19 at the time. Agnes, 26. Hemingway was desperately in love with Agnes. He thought she with him. He received a Dear John letter when he was back in the States from Agnes who still was in Italy.

The only way to say it was he way it happened. Agnes dumped Hemingway for an Italian Duke or Count who was also a Lieutenant.

History casts Agnes as a status seeker.

The two never met again.

However, they were both in Key West at the same time on several occasions. Historians tell us Agnes knew Hemingway was in town each time. Hemingway did not know Agnes was living in Key West.

Agnes and her husband had moved to Key West in 1951. She worked at the public library for years. Even inadvertently, their paths did not cross.

After Hemingway’s death, his wife Mary came to Key West. She had been advised that a room in Sloppy Joe’s was stored with boxes of Hemingway’s writings, etc. when he left for Cuba.

Mary found many things. Some that turned out to be of significant value.

Among the items she found were Agnes’ letters to Hemingway.

Mary was aware Agnes was living in Key West. She visited Agnes and gave the letters to her. The two became friends and continued to visit.

Agnes left Key West in the 1960s. She told people she left because of the Conch Train. It became too much to hear “Ernie’s girl” lives here as it went by.

George Clooney never had anything to do with Hemingway. Their connection is both lived in Italy a portion of their lives. Hemingway during World War I. Clooney has lived in Italy for many years in a home near Lake Como.

I assume Tucci and Clooney know each other as both are actors.

I live and learn. Today, an impressive fact. More than half of the coastline of the entire U.S. is in Alaska.

Next another day on my First Time in Greece. Camogli again. The Italian Riviera was not hard to take.

DAY 42…..Greece the First Time

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Key West Lou

The honeymoon is over!

I return to Key West tomorrow. Monday, not Tuesday as I thought. Fortunately, Lisa picked up on my error. She Skyped me yesterday to tell me I was going to have missed my plane if I left Tuesday.

On a trip as I have experienced, days of the week and dates get screwed up. Intermingle. Are not important.

As a result of which, a person can miss a return flight home!

My today – Sunday – now changes. No Milan. No Leonardo Da Vinci. Instead rest and packing.

I am in Novara. Drove here from Camogli yesterday afternoon. A two hour drive. Thruways all the way.

Strange traffic for a summer Saturday afternoon. None. Just me and a few other cars.

It is the cost of gas and high road tolls here in Italy.

The other vehicles on the road all passed me at 125 miles per hour. Crazy!

The clothesline saga continues. Eevry town and hamlet I drove by…..there they were! Clothes hanging ouside windows and on front porches. Even here in Novara, a classy city.

Lisa Skyped me in the afterfnoon. Fortunately. Otherwise, I would have missed my plane tomorrow. Got to see and chat with the grandkids and son in law Corey. I could tell I am really missed. A nice feeling.

Last night was another birthday dinner. My Morrocan friend Miriam cooked for me. And several others as well. A dinner party.

We started with a good champagne. During dinner, Beefeater was substituted for me. A thoughtful gesture.

Pickies to begin. Too many to describe. All good.

Then humus. Not the kind you buy in the supermarket and scoop onto a plate. Miriam made the humus from scratrch. Ground the checi beans herself.

The entre was spiedini. Small pieces of beef on a stick. Miriam also prepared some sort of wheat dish mixed with very tiny pieces of tomato and covered with just enough oil.

There was a touch of Lebanese to the meal.

Miriam exceeded herself with the birthday cake. Made by her from scratch, also. A cheesecake covered with blueberries and gelato. Of course on top 77 candles. One big 70 years old one and 7 tiny one year ones.

Everyone sang Happy Birthday! Just like in the U.S.

I was pleased with it all. My special thanks to Miriam.

Today I have to get ready for tomorrow. I will leave Novara about 6 in the morning. I have a one hour drive to the Milan airport. Then many hours in the air till I set down in Key West just after 9 in the evening.

Enjoy your Sunday!

DAY 40…..Greece the First Time

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Key West Lou

Today is special.

It is my birthday.

Seventy seven years.

A long time. Who would have thought. I still remember my young years like yesterday.

My father recently passed on at 98. His father at 94. It appears the genes may be good. I hope.

The weather. I have not spoken of it in ages. Here in mid Italy, it is reported in the following fashion. There is a heat wave coming up from Africa. When the heat wave hits the Mediterranean, the humidity will increase. Rain is also expected coming down from the Alps.

I share the weather report so you can compare it with those in the U.S. Generally the same description wise. Only the names are different.

Yesterday, I finally made Portofino. It is as good as they say, if not better. Magnificent. Beautiful.

You can feel the wealth. Huge yachts. Smart people. High end clothing shops. Everything perfect. The buildings, boats and cafes neat and orderly.

Portofino appeared to me as if it were a finely mowed lawn. Perfection!

The private homes on the hillside equally magnificent. Obviously equally expensive. Terrific shrubbery. All neatly manicured.

The negative with Portofino is that it is too expensive. Outrageous price wise. I had a gin and tonic. Seventeen euros. Roughly $20 American money.

An ordinary millionaire could not afford to live in Portofino. It is only for the very very rich.

I took a cab to Portofino. Decided to treat myself well. The thought of a train and bus really did not excite me.

The cab cost 40 euro. Not bad for a 15-20 minute drive from one town to another. We had to go up one side of Mount Portofino and down the other.

The return trip was not as easy.

I figured I would take a cab back to Camogli. I went to the cab stand. Four cabs. All beautiful. BMWs and Mercedes.

I asked the fare back to Camogli. One hundred euros. I explained I had only paid 40 euros to get there. They did not care. The cab drivers were polite, but adamant. One hundred euros or stay in Portofino.

I sat down on a bench beneath a nearby tree. What to do? I really would have been pissed off if I had to go 100 euros.

Then I saw a sign. Bus stop. At that instance, the bus came. I got on and made sure it would take me to the metro railway station in St. Margery. I probably spelled the name wrong.

I was assured it would. The cost: 1.5 euros. A deal!

I enjoyed the ride. A large comfortable air conditioned bus. Many lovelies in the their bikinis.

The bus dropped me off in front of the metro station. I went in to the counter. A ticket to Camogli, please. Three euro. I bought it. So far I had spent a measly 4.5 euros to return to Camogli.

The person behind the counter told me to hurry. The train was just arriving. I ran out and got on. One stop later I was in Camogli.

The train dropped me off at the internet store I have been using each morning to do the blog. The streets beyond are blocked off. Only pedestrian traffic permitted. A shot walk and I was at my apartment.

On rising this morning, I watched a little TV. No English speaking channels. I came upon the Wizard of Oz. In Italian. However, the songs/singing were in English with Italian sub titles. The movie was easy to follow. I must have seen it a 100 times already.

I have been enjoying breakfast at a little cafe by the sea. Tiny inside. Three small tables outside. Rosalie, sometimes Rosalia, has been taking care of me. A short thin woman in her mid 50s.

I told her today was my birthday. I was 77 years old. She started pulling on my left ear lobe. Seventy seven times. For good luck. She said that was the Italian way.

I explained how we spank in the U.S. She thought that was strange. I did not tell her that pulling on my ear lobe 77 times was strange to me.

How will I spend the rest of my birthday? Anything special? I do not know. I will take today like every day. As it comes.

An observation. Middle aged and older women dress well in this area. Nice dresses, suits and hats. Looking at them is like viewing a fashion show. This is the Italian Riviera.

Enjoy your day!

—

The veneer is wearing off. With the Democrats in control, new faces are coming to the forefront. One obviously Joe Manchin.

I called it right! The man is on a power trip. Well aware how valuable one vote is to Senate Democrats.

He beat up his party and Biden. Finally got what he wanted. Which was minuscule in comparison to what he had been talking about and everyone anticipated him holding out for.

Then having succeeded in his power grab, he wasted another 10 hours of everyone’s time. No one, Democrat or Republican, understood what he was looking for. Even his cohort in the power game Arizona Senator Sinema.

Whatever, the game should be over today or tomorrow. The Senate will vote today. The Democrats will win what will be a party line vote. Then to Biden’s desk for signing.

Biden did well in this battle. He succeeded with what will be one of the most important new laws over the next 4 years. Imagine, a stimulus bill roughly $1.9 trillion. Worth it. Needed. It will take every dollar to help the unemployed and put this country back on its feet economically.

I view Biden’s success with the stimulus bill as significant as with Obama’s passage of Obama Care.

If you live in Key West. what I am about to relate will interest you. Elsewhere, I am not sure.

Termites and cockroaches are a Key West problem. We try to live in harmony with them.

Termites are expensive. A house tenting to get rid of them costs $4,000 to $5,000. For many homes, required every 10 years. Cockroaches handled by a person’s monthly bug control company.

I learned today that termites evolved from cockroaches 150 million years ago.

Difficult to believe, though I accept it as truth. The size of a termite compared to a cockroach is a thousands times different. Termites so tony in comparison to the 1-2 inch cockroach.

When it rains, it pours! Boeing can’t seem to get out of trouble.

Thursday, a 737 Boeing made an emergency landing after an engine shut down. The flight was Miami-Newark when the pilot shut down one engine over a possible mechanical issue.

The flight landed safely in Newark.

Enjoy your day!