Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman. Forever more.

It was 1948. The week in which Truman unexpectedly won the Presidential election. Truman said he was in need of a vacation. He was going to Key West.

He arrived in Key West the evening of November 7. His administrative team was with him. Bess and Margaret could not come on such short notice. They were not expected till sunday morning November 11.

For whatever reason, Truman decided neither he nor his team would shave till the ladies arrived. Each began growing beards and moustaches.

Truman referred to his small developing beard as “chin whiskers” and “goatee.” A moustache was on the way also.

Truman and his buddies permitted their beards and moustaches to “flourish.”

The reporters did little to bother Truman re the face hair. He was told the press had put a “lid” on the matter. No one’s business but the President’s. Would not happen in a similar fashion today.

On thursday, Truman was poolside. One of the reporters however politely asked, “Is that a Van Dyke?” Truman replied,  “No, it’s not a Van Dyke, it’s a Jeff Davis.”

Truman silently thought for a minute and added to his response, “If I kept it I would look like Jeff Davis, Uncle Sam, and Abe Lincoln, my Uncle Rube andmy two grandfathers.”

Bess and Margaret were due sunday morning. Truman told everyone beards off before the ladies arrive. He doubted Bess would like how they looked.

Beards and moustaches came off.

Truman’s experiences were recorded in logs. The person doing the recording was Commander William M. Rigdon. Rigdon was the Assistant Naval Aide in the White House from 1942-1953.

Included in the logs were matters of national and international importance. As well as things like the beards, Truman’s poker games, and the college football games they all betted on one season.

Beards have gone mainstream. Men are back to growing them. Even me. I am in my sixth week and the beard looks terrific at this point. Too bad Truman could not let his grow six weeks. What a difference a few weeks makes!

The weather man reports humidity has been unusually high September and October. No question about it.

Such being the case, it was time for my air conditioning unit to go kaputz. The air conditioning man is here now working on it.

Reminds me of winters up north. On the coldest evening of the winter, the oil burner would go down.

Friday night a major event at the Key West High School. Homecoming.

A very special evening for Ally. Her first formal dance, her first date. Ally wasn’t the only one excited. Lisa, too. Lisa was with Ally every step of the way preparation wise. From new shoes, the dress, manicure and pedicure, hairdresser, etc.

Robert went, also. He is a sophomore. Went the year before. No date, but had a good time. This year no date again. Enjoyed himself even more. I suspect because he danced. Dancing was not his forte last year.

I was thrilled for Ally. However, more thrilled for Lisa.

Made it to Dueling Bartenders last night. Arrived a bit late. Stopped at Tammy’s for a manicure.

Jean, Lynda, and Mary at the bar. Terri singing. Mary told me as I walked in the ladies, except for Terri, said to each other, “All of Lou’s girls are at the bar!”

Donna showed up later. She has been having a lot of medical problems in recent months. She has recovered well. She loses the brace on her knee today. It was put on bcause she fell and broke her knee. She is still using a cane.

The Golden Years are wonderful. Except a cane becomes part and parcel thereof. Just like a ton of medical visits, emergency room visits, etc.

Bob was with Lynda. Joe left Jean a few days ago to return to Birmingham.

John from the Chart Room showed up. I have not seen him in a while. Not drinking keeps me away from the dens of iniquity I enjoyed all my life.

He came to see me. Much appreciated. John is a good guy. Forty four. Young! Compared to me at least. Told me he had been having chest pains. Did a stress test 6:30 yesterday morning.

Tonight, tonight, like every tuesday night…..Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. So much to talk about. Please join me. Listen to me rant and rave for a half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Powerboat Races this week. Practicing till wednesday. Wednesday the races begin.

Jean Thornton called this morning and suggested I watch the boat races with her from Ocean Key’s deck. I would have loved doing it. Unfortunately, doctoring/testing most of tomorrow because of what happened a few days ago.

Then comes thursday. Another doctor visit for the same reason.

Congratulations to Fran and Tom Dixon. The best of the best. Their daughter was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force this past weekend. They both attended the event.

Daughter is Frances Jo Dixon. Fourteen years in the military. Eight on active duty. The past six in the National Guard.

Frances Jo is pregnant. Just under 7 months. Her uniform still fits.

Between the service and now, she earned an MBA from Harvard. On the staff now of Boston Consulting. A high earner. Her hard work over the years paid off.

Key West is a small island. 1 1/2 x 4 miles. A good surge could carry us out to sea.

Global warming may be hurrying such an event.

Whenever it rains, Key West streets flood. Not all. A certain…..more than few.

Used to flood following a heavy rain and be gone in hours. No more. Takes 4-5 days for the flooded streets to drain.

Every year the problem is more evident. Enough ice continues breaking away in Antarctica and most if not all of Key West will be gone.

The year 1906. On this date, 9 inches of rain fell on Key West in a 48 hour period. Water only flooded the intersection of Southard and Margaret Streets. The flooding took a mere 24 hours to dissipate.

Key West is much bigger now. More areas to flood. The only safe point in the event of severe flooding will be Solares Hill.

I worry a mass flooding of Key West is inevitable. We do not seem to be doing much to prevent it. Homes on the ocean will disappear first. Then the water will move towards the heart of the island.

When? Who knows. Sooner rather than later. Ten to 20 years. Could be.

Can’t believe it! Did a whole blog without once mentioning Trump. What a good boy am I!

Enjoy your day!

Still here! Alive and kicking!

Let’s not forget thrilled!

Simply stated, woke 2:30 in the morning with severe chest pains. I have had some over the years. A few heart problems at this stage of my life. Pain the worse this time!

Being stupid, I lay there saying to myself the pain would go away, it was nothing. Took about 3 hours to totally subside.

Called m primary and heart doctors. Pain on wrong side of my chest to be my heart. Maybe an embolism. Whatever, get to the emergency room.

Spent 7 hours being tested. Could find nothing.

Interestingly, from the moment I arrived at the hospital I felt absolutely fine! So it goes.

There will be more tests this week. The cross the elderly bear.

Time to join the world of the living. Dueling Bartenders and La Trattoria tonight.

I thank all who communicated with me in one fashion or another for their concern and well wishes. In a time of stress, they mean a lot.

One more item of concern. Syracuse got beat 58-27 by Boston College saturday. Caused me more pain than the pain in my chest!

My lesbian wives Donna and Terri are celebrating their 11th Anniversary today! God bless them both! Love them!

They were married on the stage of the theater in New York City where Terri was appearing in Chicago as Matron Moma Morton.

I was supposed to be there. Never made it. Instead I was on an operating table at the hospital in Key West having 25 percent of my colon removed. The surgeon thought I had cancer. I did not. The problem was a ruptured appendix.

I keep thinking I am going to need that 25 percent some day.

A few days ago, I wrote re iguanas. It was the opening to the blog of that day. Titled “Iguana Genocide.”

I strongly recommended they be killed! Reasons set forth clearly and distinctly.

I assumed those not living with iguanas would write and say how cruel, so beautiful, how could you, etc. Not one such message.

Saturday’s Key West Citizen carried a front page article concerning iguanas. The lead story.  “Invasive Iguanas.” A picture of an iguana wrapped around a power line.

The thrust of the Citizen’s story was similar to mine. Get rid of them!

I was glad for once that someone thought along my lines. The Citizen described them as “one of the Florida Keys biggest nuisance animals.”

The Citizen story dwelled primarily on the damage iguanas are doing to utilities. They have bonded with electrical substations. Love transformers. Causing major outages.

The Keys are the only part of Florida bothered by iguanas. The utilities in the rest of the state have a similar problem. However, caused by another culprit. Squirrels.

The Keys local utility company has entered into a contract with Greenjacket Inc. To provide and install animal guards around the transformers. Cost $91,600.

Trust me, it will not be the end of our iguana problems. In the final analysis, it will cost even more to deal with the problem with no adequate result.

Local governments and the state are to blame. They let the iguanas hang around some 20 years before deciding to do something about them.

I compare the iguana problem to Florida’s python one. The state waited too long. Now over 1 million pythons in Florida. The number growing. The state conceding it cannot eradicate the python population. Rather, the hope is to control it.

HAyward MCkee (his name is so written) became a friend during Irma. He was one Irma’s escapees that ended up at Jean and Joe Thornton’s home in Birmingham.

I see him occasionally in Key West. A rather serious person. Not so if what I am about to share is any indication.

A HAyward comment appeared in this morning’s Facebook.

“My girlfriend invited me to her house where I found her sister alone. So I sat there waiting for my girlfriend while her unbelievable sexy sister was sitting there with me. A few moments go by, then she comes up next to me, and whispers in my ear ‘we should have sex before my sister comes home.’ I immediately got up and turned around to walk to my car. I found my girlfriend standing by the door, at which point she hugged me and said ‘you’ve won my trust.’ Moral to the story, always keep your condoms in your car.”

Some El Presidente stories.

The California fires have gone wild again in the past two weeks. Trump claimed for the second time yesterday that the fires are caused by California not “sweeping” its forest floors.

The message was directed to California’s Governor Newson who is a political foe of Trump.

Trump also claimed a “terrible job of forest management” was being done.

As with the last wildfires several months ago, Trump asserted California should do as Finland does and “rake” and clean its forests.

He said he was going to cut off federal funding that normally would be provided to help California with recovery.

Typical of Trump pronouncements, he was wrong with the Finland comparison. Typical. He knows not that of which he speaks.

Professor Leskinen is a woodlands expert among other things.

The Professor said he did not know what Trump meant by “raking” and “sweeping.” He suspected Trump misunderstood when he spoke with one of his Finnish counterparts several months ago.

The Professor went on to emphasis there is a difference between Finnish forests and California ones.

Finnish forests have an extensive network of roads which act as fire breaks and provide quick access to emergency services. He also represented that Finnish forests are small individual ones, separated by lakes and rivers.

There is also a difference in the type of trees and other vegetation with those found in California. Finnish trees are less flammable than those found in California.

The Professor went on. Cooler conditions on average exist in Finland than the hot dry weather in California.

The Professor continued that Finland benefits from a network of volunteers who make up an effective early warning system, thus enabling fires to be doused before they spread.

Another area of claimed knowledge by Trump is the border wall.

In September, Trump said the new walls or repaired ones were “virtually impenetrable” and could not be climbed to  get over.

Here it is a mere 2 months. A certain area has had the new walls or repaired walls erected. The report thus far indicates the walls are failing. Smugglers are sawing through. Powerful tools being used. Cordless reciprocating saws that cost less than $100.

Trump and his people are now saying all walls can be gotten through. Has not sounded that way to me since Trump got in office till now.

Conservative Buzz is running an internet ad re Trump described as an INQUIRY: “Does Trump deserve a second term.?” The wording nor precise from my perspective. Should have read: “Does the U.S. deserve a Trump second term?”

Trump has recently been doing 1-2 political rallies a week. I have questions. The inquiring mind wants to know.

Who pays the costs for Air Force One?

Who pays the crew’s time?

Who pays the Secret Service time? If extra Secret Service is required, where does the money come from to pay them?

Who pays local police for their time?

How quickly are these bills paid, regardless of source?

What I am asking is whether government monies pay, Trump’s personal funds, or Trump political funds.

Enjoy your day!

;

So much to share this morning. Calls for a Morning Stew.

Welcome to Morning Stew #24.

At a Trump rally in Tupelo, Mississippi last night, the President described impeachment as an “attack on democracy.” Impeachment is not the attack. The attack is the President himself.

At the same rally, Trump discussed Beto O’Rourke. O’Rourke announced yesterday he was withdrawing from the race for the Democratic nomination. Trump said Beto “quit like a dog.” Plus it is reported the President used words that could not be printed.

A class act, our President!

Dresden was and still is a major German city. The Allies bombed the hell out of it during World War II.

Dresden as with all other German communities, quickly adapted following World War II to a way of life similar to that of most Allied communities. Nazism was totally and absolutely rejected.

Things have changed.

Dresden has a “Nazi emergency.” “Nazinotstand” the term. Means Dresden has “a serious problem…..open democratic society is threatened.”

A neo-Nazi mayor has been elected. Does not mean Dresden has become a Nazi bastion. The City Council voted in favor wednesday night 39-29 in support of a resolution reflecting and showing their dismay for the neo-Nazi mayor and the wave of neo-Nazism which is creeping over Dresden.

The resolution is intended to show the City Council’s position in opposition to neo-Nazism and their opposition to the growth of anti-Islamism in the Dresden. The resolution reflected the City Council’s commitment to fostering “a free, liberal, democratic society that protects minorities and resolutely opposes Nazis.”

Anti-Islamism is on the rise. Sometime in October, demonstrations began. Weekly, every monday night. Described as” an anti-Islam Pegida movement.” Pegida stands for “Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West.” Islamophobia at its worst.

Most of the world is moving to the right. Not a healthy situation.

Tomorrow (Sunday) is National Sandwich Day.

Last year many of the chains gave out free sandwiches. This will not be the case this year. Most are advising customers how to sign up for apps. that will assist in ordering.

Subway is doing something . I think a buy one, get one free deal. McDonald’s is giving out coupons directing customers to go to McDonald’s apps and take advantage of any benefits available therfein. McDonald’s is returning to Happy Meals in a limited fashion also. Described as retro Happy Toys from 1988.

All confusing this year. Last year was much easier when most of the chains invited a person in for a freebie.

Syracuse/Boston College at noon. Boston College a  3 point favorite. Hope Syracuse wins. I am screwed once again. The game is being carried on ACCN. ACCN and Comcast have not made their dollar deal yet for Syracuse games. Ergo, we Syracuse fans are left out in the cold.

On this day in 1948, Harry Truman defeated Thomas Dewey  for the U.S. Presidency.

Much amusement involved in the result.

Dewey was predicted winner by political analysts and polls. Truman was going to get buried. The Chicago Daily Tribune went to press early election night putting newspapers on the street bearing the headline: Dewey Defeats Truman. H. V. Kaltenborn was the radio man of the day. No TV back then. A much respected radio commentator. He had a very distinguishable voice. Before the results were all in, he went on national radio and announced Dewey the victor.

Truman got them all!

Truman the farm boy who became President. No college education. However a man of honesty and integrity as the nation knew.

After his victory, Truman announced he was going to Key West on vacation.

My life was fortunate to cross paths 3 times with Truman. The most memorable occurred my last year of law school at Syracuse.

Truman was coming to visit the University. Two days. Don’t be shocked. Syracuse was known as a Democratic bastion at the time. The visit was several years after Truman finally left office.

A private luncheon with Truman was scheduled for the purportedly “twelve outstanding students on campus”. As luck would have it, I was selected to represent the law school.

Even better, seating for the 12 plus the former President was at 2 round tables. Six at one, 7 at the other.

Seating was at the discretion of the University. My name card was immediately to the right of Truman. I got to sit next to him for a good 2 hours.

Most of Truman’s comments had to do with the 1948 election. He had a copy of the Chicago newspaper which he had exhibited to us. He also had a recording of Kaltenborn’s words that Truman had lost. He talked about both with a chuckle in his voice. He got ’em!

On November 1, 1950, an attempt was made on Truman’s life. The President and his wife were living in Blair House at the time. The White House was being remodeled.

Around 2 in the afternoon, 2 Puerto Ricans who supported Puerto Rico independence ran up the front steps and reached the front door of Blair House. Shooting along the way.

One assassin was killed as was 1 Secret Service officer.

Mr. and Mrs. Truman were upstairs and never in danger.

The assassins’ acts did not make sense. Truman was openly for Puerto Rican autonomy.

The surviving assassin was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. Truman commuted his sentence to life imprisonment.

Trump has become a Florida resident. Cut the ropes that bound him to New York.

No one seems unhappy. The Mayor and Governor in effect said good riddance to bad rubbish.

I can understand Trump wanting to leave. He has been for many years unpopular in New York. The City only gave him 10 percent of  the Presidential vote. Additionally, he has never been accepted by the elite, socially, or those in politrics on a personal basis. His reputation and personality make such understandable.

Even as President, he has not been assimilated by New York City’s bigwigs.

Can you imagine, not wanting the President of the U.S. as a friend!

There will be no unhappiness in Mudville that Trump has opted to become a resident of Florida. His residence Mar-a-Lago.

I do not see any social benefit to Trump living full time in Mar-a-Lago. Palm Beach is a seasonal community. A warm weather venue. Otherwise, the homes are empty. Who will he socialize with?

Many retire for tax reasons to Florida. With his income coming from many areas and sources, it will not be easy for a good portion of his income to go tax free.

The Sistine Chapel. Beauty beyond description. As if the hand of God painted the ceiling rather than Michelangelo.

The Sistine Chapel with its newly painted ceiling was opened to the public on November 1, 1512.

Thirty five years ago, I was fortunate to visit the Sistine Chapel. My then wife, children and my parents with me. I was in awe!

The Sistine Chapel was crowded. Shoulder to shoulder, body to body. Heads tipped up.

Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes took several years to complete. The most famous The Creation of Adam. The arms of God and Adam stretched toward each other almost touching.

God is in His Heaven in the ceiling as conceived and painted by Michelangelo.

At one point, my father and I were standing in the middle of the Chapel. My father look at me and told me, did not ask, “What’s the big deal?” I smiled. I had no response.

I could not blame Dad. It was hot with all those bodies crushed together, painful for the neck, tiring to be on one’s feet since it took forever to reach the Chapel through a long narrow crowded hallway.

Many years ago, I wrote an article for KONK Life spelling out how prisoners were entitled to the very best medical care. Some what difficult to understand when you realize how many persons in the U.S. cannot afford health care. Yet we provide it free to those who have broken the law.

The scenario is the result of the U.S. Supreme Court case Estelle v. Gamble decided in the 1960’s.

The situation comes to mind this morning because of Steven Hayes. He is serving 6 life sentences in a Pennsylvania jail. Sentenced because of his part in the murder of Hawke-Petit and her 2 daughters. He and an accomplice perpetrated a home invasion and brutally killed the three. First with beatings. Then dousing with gasoline. Finally setting the whole house on fire.

Hayes has been receiving hormone therapy in prison as part of a gender transition. He says he is in reality a female.

A Pennsylvania statute limits medications per inmate to $600 a month. It prohibits/refuses to pay for any surgery related to gender modification.

I am not aware whether the statute not allowing any payment for gender modification has been tested in a federal court. I would assume the Estelle decision would override it.

The reason behind the Estelle decision is that prisons/the state is required to provide the “very best medical care.” Translated means a right to adequate medical care. Failure to so provide constitutes a violation of the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The filming of the Rose Tattoo began this day in 1954 at a house on Duncan Street. Two doors from Tennessee Williams’ home. Tennessee Williams wrote the play which was the basis for the movie.

Change the clock again. Do not forget to turn your clock back one hour tonight before going to bed.

Enjoy your day!

No blog today. Finished rough draft. Interesting. Chest pains. Doctor wants me in the hospital. I am on the way. I will finish the blog tomorrow. Hopefully.

After 1 in the afternoon as I begin today’s blog. Medical tests this morning took longer than expected.

Some idiot wrote in Citizens’ Voice this morning that iguanas should be treated better than they are. Key West is overflowing with iguanas. The writer thought it wrong that Key Westers run around with guns shooting them.

I am unaware of anyone ever shooting iguanas with real bullets. Bebees yes.

If you are local and fortunate to live in the keys, one of your worst enemies is the iguana. They do not bite. You can walk up to one and it will not move.

They can be germ carriers. Salmonella.

The biggest problem is they destroy gardens and landscaping. They also defecate in your pool.

You may think so you plant new flowers. New plantings expensive down here. Many flower gardens extensive. My home for 23 years in Key Haven had large floral areas. The iguanas feasted on them 2 or 3 times a year. Even greenery.

They defecated in my pool on 2 occasions. The pool was large, had to be emptied and refilled with special chemicals added.

The flowers and pool replacement activity expensive.

I am for killing the iguanas in mass. A genocide is in order.

Crazy I am not. New York City and Hawaii consider them exotic pets and prohibit their existence or being kept. Hawaii tough on iguanas and anyone who might keep them for pets or otherwise. The penalty 3 years in jail and up to a $200,000 fine.

I read several months ago that the State was concerned by the growth of the iguana species in Florida. They wanted to take hold of the problem so it would not get out of hand as the pythons have.

I think the iguanas are already out of hand. Florida has waited too long.

The article mentioned that iguanas now could be killed. By a bebe to the head or crushuing the head. Apparently a humane manner of doing away with the iguanas.

Makes me laugh. From a handful of pythons in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew hit Homestead, there are now in excess of 1 million pythons in Florida. The State admits the situation is out of control. Never will pythons be totally eradicated. The hope is to control their number.

The State soft pedaled with the pythons as it is with the iguanas. They can only be killed by crushing their skulls or shooting them in the head.

Twenty years ago, my  friends and I began seeing a strange new species on the golf course. Relatively small. A foot long at best. Most green. Sitting in trees.

It was the beginning of the iguana invasion.

Now they are generally 1.2-3.3 feet long. Some grow as large as 5-6 feet. Look like miniature dinosaurs.

Iguanas are native to Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. A food in each place. Supposedly tastes like chicken. Described as “chicken of the trees.”

I have never met anyone who has eaten one.

My advice once again: Kill them all! Before the problem is out of hand as with the pythons.

There is a new butcher’s shop in town! At 1202 White Street. Named the Local Butcher and Market.

It will be the only butcher market per se in Key West. Fausto’s has 2 small supermarkets. They sell good beef. Expensive, however. I am not aware how expensive the new market will be.

I know this. Publix and Winn-Dixie’s beef and other meats are not worth the money we have to pay.

Speaking of meats, scientists are predicting that there may be an extreme shortage of protein available a year from now. The swine flu the cause.

It is rampant in some areas of the world. No cure available. One quarter of the world’s pigs have already been wiped out. Not a problem in the U.S. yet.

It is anticipated people will go to other meats when pork is not available. The problem then is the price of non -pork meats will rise dramatically. The law of supply and demand.

I read one of the finest magazines I have ever seen this morning. Keys Woman. Outstanding!

Generally directed to women, it covers a multitude of items affecting them but rarely considered.

I live and learn. Womankind ran an ad. The ad mentioned: “Did you know your ear lobes are supposed to line up with your nipples?”

Obviously directed to women. I checked my physical features. Looked in the mirror. For my ear lobes and nipples to line up my head would have to be at least one half larger.

A few ads are directed to men. Perhaps because women might indirectly benefit from the treatment offered. An ad by a male doctor specializing in erectile dysfunction.

The magazine is free throughout the keys. Look for it where free weeklys are found. I discovered my copy at the Marriott Beachside.

This weekend the Race World Offshore Key West World Championships. From 11/3-11/10.

Wild!

Great boats. Huge cigar types. High speeds. In excess of 100 miles per hour. Helicopters zoo0ming over. The loudness makes you think you are in a war zone.

The boats owned by the very rich. An expensive sport. The owners come in with crew members and required mechanics. Not a cheap sport.

I met Tara last night. Tara of Gone With the Wind. Just as lovely. However much nicer. A sweet woman.

Tara and her husband Gerry were staying at the Pier House. I ran into them at the Chart Room.

A great couple! I enjoyed their company tremendously.

Married 3 years ago. Second marriages for both. Each has 2 children in their 20’s.

Tara and Gerry live in Nags Head, North Carolina.

Both have interesting occupations.

Tara went out of her way to tell me she had been a math major in college. A tough major! I could not handle the math in high school and college. Not my forte.

Today, Tara is a bigwig in the banking/investment world. She provides IT support for the entire east coast for an American financial group.

Gerry in an interesting field also. He is a realtor dealing in shopping centers and other large commercial developments.

They have a side business called Destination Venue. They organize and plan weddings, corporate meetings, etc. world wide.

Spur of the moment people. Know how to live. They had checked out of the Pier House yesterday and were waiting for Uber to take them to the airport. While waiting, decided they wanted to stay in Key West another night. Went back inside and reregistered for the extra night.

Tammy was at her usual best last night. All excited! She was on a float for Fantasy Fest. The Princess. They came in 2nd for Best Float. Won $2,500.

I asked how they split the money. They did not. They are saving it for next year to help finance a bigger and better float.

I enjoyed last night.

ISIS announced it had selected a new leader to replace Baghdadi. He was not identified.

My concern is where and how ISIS will retaliate for Baghdadi’s death. Wherever, however, will not be good.

Enjoy your day!

I have not worn pajamas in 50 years. I have not thought about pajamas in that time either. Someone in Key West did, however. A reader asked in this morning’s Key West Citizen in the Citizens’ Voice column why pajamas have breast pockets.

Not necessarily the most earth shattering topic. However it piqued my curiosity.

The question was not asked properly. It suggests all pajamas have breast pockets. Not so. Must distinguish between female and male.

The ladies pj’s are without pockets. The reason being pajama designers feared the pocket itself or the pocket with something in it would ruin the beauty of the body covered. In other words, screw up the appearance of the breast line.

Men on the other hand have breast pockets. One. Considered a problem, however. Some men might put the pj’s on several hours before bed. During those hours put a pen in the pocket. Or, some upty men might add a handkerchief to the pocket. Considered unsightly.

Other than children, does anyone wear pajamas today?

On this day in 1946, the final paperwork was signed for the construction of the Kress Building. It would be located on the corner of Duval and Fleming.

Today, the first floor is a CVS.

For many years however it housed Key West’s finest department store. Fast Buck Freddy’s. A beauty inside and out. The window displays Fifth Avenue.

On the roof was a penthouse. Created for David Wolkowsky. Mr. Key West. The father of modern Key West. The person without whom Key West would not be as it is today.

David died a little more than a year ago. We were friends. I had the opportunity to visit his home in the sky on occasion. His parties the best in Key West.

Fast Buck’s is gone, David’s rooftop home empty. Sad. A certain best of Key West is no longer.

Halloween tonight. Ghosts and goblins everywhere.

Exciting.

Halloween is also known as All Saints’ Eve and All Hallows’ Eve. Tomorrow is the the Catholic Church’s Holy Day of Obligation. Known as All Saints’ Day. Halloween the precursor/prelude to the religious holiday.

As with many holidays, Halloween has pagan roots. The ancient Celtics enjoyed harvest festivals on what is now Halloween evening. Debauchery, drink and wanton behavior.

This evening will be a macabre one. Witches, skeletons, ghosts, cobwebs and headstones.

The trick or treat evening.

May the children enjoy!

Stayed in last night. The seventh and final game of the World Series. Washington beat Houston 6-2.

An enjoyable evening. Munched on some food I should not have. Too bad I no longer drink. I would have enjoyed a couple.

The California fires like something we have never seen. Damage beyond comprehension.

The Reagan Library is in the heart of one of the conflagrations. God was looking out for the former President’s Library.

Reagan’s daughter Patti Davis said, “My father’s library will likely survive the fire, but the California of my youth is gone.”

Recall all the noise re the Keystone Pipe Line several years ago. Certain Indian tribes were especially  concerned. Their ancestral burial grounds were in the area. They and others were worried about the pipe leaking.

The Keystone people said in effect worry not, it will not leak.

Guess what? It is leaking. In North Dakota. The pipeline owner has shut the pipeline down. The group trying to find the cause and remedy it.

In the meantime, the leak area is 1,500 feet long by 15 feet wide.

October 29, 1929, a bad day in American history. Remembered as Black Tuesday. The stock market crashed. The worst in U.S. history. The 2008 recession kid stuff in comparison.

Men threw themselves off roof tops and out of windows.

Enjoy your day!

I was bald for more than 10 years. A month ago, I decided to grow hair again. To go with the beard I was growing.

The hair grew for a month. An absolute disaster! Was coming in every which way. Probably would have straightened out in due course. I could not wait. It was bothering me.

Yesterday, I had Lori take it all off. I am back to pure bald. Love it!

The beard is coming in well. I have a feeling it will be with me quite a while.

American Airlines announced a direct flight Boston to Key West. For a limited time. Once a week beginning  February 15, 2020 and ending May 2, 2020. Saturdays only.

American is looking for the in season crowd. A good business move. The tourists will enjoy and Key West will benefit.

My blog talk radio show last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Covered 3 topics. California fires, problems in Syria, and Key West.

A good show. Enjoyed doing it.

The demise of the Volkswagen Beetle has been announced for the second or third time in its history. The 2019 model is the last one that will be rolled out.

The model returned to the market after a brief non -manufacturing period in 2011. I have one. A convertible. Bought the model in its first year. Still own it in its last year.

In the auto resale business, cars that come out for the first time the year of purchase are worth extra dollars on resale. So too with cars owned the year manufacture was terminated.

My Volkswagen has both ends of the spectrum. Curious to see what it will bring when sold.

ISIS leader al-Bagadadi was buried yesterday. His body dropped from an airplane into the ocean. As Ben-Laden’s was. Winners do not want the body of a losing leader to be buried where his followers can pay homage to the memory of one that was considered evil, corrupt, etc.

There are 2 wars that never seem to end. The wars on terrorism and drugs. Think how many years the U.S. has been waging both.

Too many American lives lost. Too many lives in general lost.

Trump and the U.S. lie. Putin and Russia lie.

At issue, the oil in Syria. The oil that Trump says he has sent U.S. tanks and troops to protect. The next day, Putin announced he was sending tanks and troops in to protect the oil.

Both men are accomplished liars.

They both claim the oil at the present time. Oil that was little mentioned till the past week.

The Russian Defense Minister yesterday published evidence that the U.S. had been and was smuggling oil out of Syria. Air high photos were shown of U.S. trucks and military troops protecting the oil as it was being driven out of Syria.

Whenever there was a problem in the U.S. oil carrying trucks being disturbed, U.S. military aircraft were called in for protection.

Russia claims the U.S. controls a company called “Sadcap.” The company is engaged in the export of the oil. Russia further claims the income from the oil’s sales goes to personal accounts of U.S. PMCs and Special Forces.

One barrel of smuggled Syrian oil is worth $38 a barrel. Russia claims the U.S. has been taking in income in the amount to $30 million a month. Russia further claims the Pentagon and Langley have and are ready to defend the oil fields from “mystical hidden IS cells.”

True or false?

My suspicion is Russia is lying. How could the U.S. have been moving all that oil and no one knew about it.

Time will tell.

James S. Sherman died this date in 1912. He was Vice-President of the United States at the time.

I mention Sherman because he was born and raised in my hometown Utica. Represented the Utica area for many years in Congress. Maintained his personal residence in Utica at the time of his death.

I enjoy walking through cemeteries. Not because I enjoy the dying. Rather it is the history that can be learned. Wording on tombstones reveals a lot about an area.

One of Utica’s larger cemeteries is Calvary. On one on my walks, I thought I saw a tombstone in a heavily worded area. I made my way through the foliage.

There sitting was one of the most beautiful stones I had ever seen. Sitting on the edge of a rise overlooking Utica. Could not be seen from that side for the same reason it could not be seen from the back. The overgrown foliage of the years.

It was Sherman’s stone. Majestic. I knew even before I read what was on the stone that it had to be over the grave of an important person.

After Tuesday Talk last night, I watched the World Series. Excellent game. Tonight, I will watch the World Series again. The last and deciding game. Should be exciting.

I am not a baseball fan per se. Too slow for me.

I have probably attended every major sporting event in the U.S. Except for one. The World Series. Proof the game fails to turn me on. However, I enjoy watching a game or 2 of the World Series each year. On TV, not in real life.

Enjoy your day!

Birds of a feather! Mussolini and Trump. Both know it alls. Not open to advice. Listened/listen to no one.

On October 28, 1940, Italy invaded Greece. Turned out to be a disastrous military campaign for Mussolini’s forces.

Mussolini surprised everyone with the invasion. Even Adolph Hitler. Hitler told Mussolini to not invade Greece. Mussolini assured Hitler he had no such intention.

On the very day Mussolini invaded, Hitler is reported to have told him it was “a major strategic blunder.” Hitler wanted Mussolini to concentrate on Africa. Mussolini already had his “major victory” in Ethiopia. Hitler wanted the Italian forces to continue onward to Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Mussolini was accustomed to doing things his own way. He thought he knew everything. He failed to even advise his military Chief of Staff he was invading Greece. His Chief of Staff found out from news releases following the invasion. Mussolini’s generals warned against the invasion. He failed to heed their advice.

Mussolini was convinced he could defeat Greece in a matter of days. Militarily and for another reason. He had set aside millions of lire to bribe Greek politicians and generals.

The Greeks pushed Italy out of their country in one week. Back to Albania from whence Mussolini had commenced the invasion. Mussolini spent the next 3 months trying to stay alive in Albania.

During the same time frame, half the Italian fleet was crippled at Taranto by a British carrier based attack.

Mussolini was humiliated. Hitler was pissed. He had to change his war plans. No longer could he depend upon Italy’ fighting the African battle. He had to send his own troops in. Troops he had planned to use elsewhere.

What follows is not intended to reflect on Trump. I merely wish to show how authoritarian figures could end up.

On April 18, 1945, Mussolini, with his lady friend, was attempting to escape to Switzerland. They were caught. Italian partisans shot and killed them both.

Their bodies were taken to Milan. The dead bodies were hung upside down from a metal girder at a gas station in the Piazzale Loreto. The Italian people spit, beat, abused, and shot at the bodies.

Two days later, Hitler committed suicide in a bunker in Berlin.

The day after Tump announced ISIS leader Bagadadi had been killed, I wrote the Devil should be given his due. Trump should be congratulated. He had finally accomplished something of value.

Since that time, I have become uncertain. Is Bagadadi really dead? His underwear and a blood sample allegedly taken from the site of his death to test for DNA could have been acquired from another place/source.

Trump has reported Bagadadi was crying as he ran down the tunnel. Why? Death he could not have feared. If he was killed, there were some 21 virgins waiting for him. The number I am not sure is accurate. You are all aware however that Muslims fighting for their religion do not fear death. Their heaven will be a glorious one.

Trump has generally failed to tell the truth in the past.

There are 5 previous instances where Bagadadi’s death has been reported: Killed in a U.S. airstrike 6/12/16, killed in a Russian airstrike 5/28/17, killed in a Syrian attack 6/11/17, an Iranian leader reported “he’s definitely dead” 6/29/17, a Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed his death 9/11/17. He has been reported killed most recently 10/26/19.

Not that their word is any more reliable, Russia announced yesterday it was not aware of Bagadadi’s death. The Russian Defense Ministry said Trump’s report was merely propaganda.

Tough when you tend to believe neither Trump nor Putin. Both are liars. Putin the better and more successful.

I continue to accept Trump’s announcement of Bagadadi’s death, though my belief is waning.

Trump’s announcement that he was sending in U.S. tanks and troops to protect the oil amusing. Two weeks ago, he purportedly pulled all U.S. troops out. After a few days, it appeared he had done so. He sent them to Saudi Arabia to be used if necessary.

Now Trump is back in Syria. In the north, in Kurdish lands.

Lives had been destroyed and persons displaced because of Trump’s concession in a telephone call with Erdogan on a sunday night that he would pull U.S. troops out of Syria.

Trump’s acton in that telephone call and since reflect a mental attitude similar to Mussolini’s as set forth earlier.

Russia announced they had tanks and soldiers going into Syria to protect the oil a couple of days ago.

I have written and spoken in the past 6 months that the Syrian conflict was over oil. I was right. It is. Trump and Putin are racing in to protect the oil. Iran and Turkey expect some if not all of the oil. Trump suggests a deal might be made to share.

Good luck! I cannot see Russia, Iran or Turkey wanting the U.S. as a partner in the oil. In the next 2 weeks there probably will be an interesting confrontation re the oil.

One final point re the oil. The U.S. does not need it. Oil from shale has put the U.S. on top of the world productionwise.

Everyone has forgotten the Kurds in the coming oil dispute. They will want a piece of the action.

Enough of Trump and world events for today. Time for Key West.

CBS reported 60,000 at saturday night’s Fantasy Fest Parade. I talked to some I know who attended. They thought the crowd was smaller than normal, the 60,000 figure not correct.

The Parrot Heads will be in this weekend. From thursday through saturday. Their 28th anniversary.

The Parrot Heads are Jimmy Buffet lovers. Could be described as a fan club. Referred to as Parrot Heads because of the goofy hats they wear.

They represent another breed of America. The opposite of Fantasy Festers. You will find none of them bare assed or bare boobed. Nor heavy drinkers. Conservative Americans all.

A great white shark has been reported off Key West shores. A 2,200 pounder 15 feet 5 inches in length. The shark was tagged with a tracker last year. That is how Key Westers know it is out there.

Not sighted yet, however.

Note I have pics for the first time. Sloan worked it out for me.

In 2 of the pics, Buffalo’s Fran and Tom Dixon. In the third, I do not know who she is. She was body painted and as I walked by admiring the goods, she asked if I wanted to take a picture with her. I was pleased to do so.

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

Join me. So much to talk about. I have not decided yet what I will be ranting and raving about. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

I saw a different Donald Trump on TV this morning. He was announcing the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last night.

U.S. military personnel on a special mission in North Syria successfully attacked and killed the leader of ISIS.

The Trump I saw this morning was humble. Modest. I would have expected the Trump we have all come to know.

He was reading. From a screen that must have been directly in front of him.

How this raid in north Syria ties in with all we have heard in the past 2 weeks with the U.S. in and out of Syria, I do not know. Confusing.

The death of the ISIS leader was a major accomplishment for Trump. As he himself described, it was “very big.”

The Masquerade March was friday night. A traditional Fantasy Fest event. Different from other events.

Thousands of participants. Al costumes. Mostly locals. Costuming the direct opposite of toga party and other events this past week. Clothes on rather than off.

My hairdresser Lori participates every year. She, her husband, and friends dressed as the Village People. They had music playing. The recording sang and they sang.

The marchers festive though sedate.

The march begins at the cemetery. Goes up Fleming. Not sure where after.

There are parties galore along the way. Porch parties. Drinking and whooping it up. Cheering the marchers on.

I have never marched. I have participated by attending several porch parties over the years.

The Fantasy Fest Parade was last night.

I did not attend. It is not just age, parking a big problem. I live one island up. Need to drive in. No matter how early I got to the parade in yeas past, it did not work for me. I had to park a mile away and walk or parked somewhere that my car was towed. Towed 3 times. Cost over $200 each time to get my car back.

The last time, it ws 2 in the morning and pouring. My car gone. Called Donna. Got her out of bed. She drove me to Stock Island to recover my car.

The cost was $225. I gave the guy a credit card. He said we don’t take cards. I said I only have a $100 on me. He said, no problem. We’ll take the $100.

Rip off?

Sandy Feet is a commenter to this blog. This morning she wrote the crowd not as big this year. Does not surprise me. I suspect Fantasy Fest in general is receding as time goes by.

I was on a float one year. Howard Livingston’s.

First and last time for me. Bead throwing too much work! I and my fellow floaters were exhausted by the time the parade ended. We threw out 23,000 beads. Maybe 10 of us.

There is an exceptional thrill during the parade. The floats come down Front Street. as soon as the turn is made onto Duval, it is a different world! Thousands of people. As far as the eye can see. An overwhelming feeling. All screaming at the top of their lungs.

Who to throw beads to? Everyone yelling with raised arms for beads to be thrown to them.

I went a different route.

I noticed early on there were many people in wheel chairs. Up front. But could not move around to get beads. they were being cheated.

So I made it my responsibility to throw them beads. Most of the beads I threw were to the wheel chair persons. I would get their eye and aim. Generally the beads ended up right in their laps.

Halloween is 4 days away. I enjoyed Halloween when my children were young. I enjoyed it with Robert and Ally as they were growing.

My kids are all in their 50’s and early 60’s. Robert and Ally are now 15 and 14. They don’t want to walk with Poppa while they do trick or treat. Or whatever they do at their present age.

A major joy in my life is no more.

An adult event Halloween can be found from 6-9 at Mary Ellen’s on Applerouth. Three hours of viobrator races. Worth seeing. Betting involverd. The receipts go to charity. A significant amount has been raised in the 2 years the races have been held.

Yes, “Vibrator” means vibrator. The sexual toy.

Olga hit Louisiana with heavy rains yesterday. Pablo now a tropical storm in the Gulf. Around the Azores at the moment. Will not be a danger to Florida.

Spoke with Lori yesterday. Hate my hair! The gel, also! We’re going back to a bald head. The only hair on my head will be the beard.

She laughed. I did, too. My appointment is tuesday at 3:15.

Heinz makes ketchup and mayonnaise. Heinz has combined the 2. Called “Mayochup.” Described by one who tried the new product as a “total gastronomic protonic reversal.” Whatever that means.

Our freedos keep getting eroded. An example is a debtor’s prison situation. Debtor’s prisons are illegal in the U.S. Everywhere in the U.S. No exceptions. Or, supposedly so.

A Philadelphia Court involved.

Maurice Hudson is 29. He received 2-4 years on a burglary charge in 2009. Served his time.

The Judge a Genese Brinkly. She keeps calling him back to court.

Attached to Hudson’s sentence was $1, 941 in court costs.

He served his time. He never paid the court costs. The Judge wants the costs paid. Each time Hudson appeared re the court costs, he told the Judge he is a “struggling father.” He is raising “two kids with special needs.” He works a part time job as a janitor for which he is paid $150 a week.

The Judge recently told Hudson she was sick of his excuses. She sentenced him to state prison for 1 1/2 – 3 years for not paying the court costs. The Judge said, it was “absolutely necessary to vindicate the authority of the court.”

What happen to debtor’s prison being illegal?

Someone estimated the cost of incarcerating Hudson to 3 years in jail for failing to pay the court costs of $1,941. It will cost taxpayers $180,000.

As Forrest Gump said, “Stupid is as stupid does.”

Mighty Casey struck out again yesterday. Syracuse lost to Florida State 35-17. There is no joy in Mudville! Probably won’t be the rest of the season.

Syracuse played its first exhibition basketball game last night. Beat Daemen 90-71. An exhibition game.

Small schools play the larger ones at the beginning of the season for more than experience. The larger school is more affluent than the little one. The bigger school pays the small one six figures to come and get beat.

Sloan coming over at 1. Big afternoon ahead. Much to do.

Enjoy your Sunday!