BOB BURTON GONE

Posted on January 15, 2013 by keywestlou

Bob Burton passed on over the weekend.

Bob was one of Key West’s nicest people.

I first met Bob and his partner Jack Baron 25 years ago when I started coming to Key West. They ran the Jack Baron Art Gallery in Duval Square together. Jack did the painting. Bob handled the business end.

I loved them both. There was no other way to feel about them.

Jack died several years ago. I am confident Jack was waiting to greet his life long partner at the Pearly Gates. Probably chastised him for taking so long.

I was privileged to be invited to their 48th, 49th, 50th, 51st and 52nd anniversary parties. Outstanding! Although same sex marriage was not yet legal anywhere in the United States, these two gentlemen considered themselves married all those years.

May Bob rest in peace.

Yesterday morning was spent working on this morning’s blog talk radio show. The Key West Lou Talk Show. Then I was off to Higgs Beach. The temperature was 80 degrees.

I did not wear a bathing suit. Too cold for me! I was in a tee shirt and shorts. Eighty is warm to the tourists. They fly down for a few days. Their blood is still thick from the northern cold weather. Mine is not. I experience cold easily. Strange as it sounds, eighty is cool to me this time of year.

I sat in my sand chair for 1.5 hours and read. Tourists all around me running in and out of the water.

I am presently reading two books at one time. I am still reading the one about President Grant. I am also into a book on Eisenhower titled Ike’s Bluff. It was the Ike book I was reading on the beach.

The more detail I read about the various lives of our Presidents, the more I wonder why anyone would want the job. Grueling. Crushing. The pressure never lets up.

Picked up the virus infected computer. Virus gone. I was worried. Thought the computer was gone.

Then to my heart doctor for a routine visit. Everything A-ok.

I have written in this column, in a KONK Life article, and discussed it on my TV/Internet show. Pythons!

The State of Florida sponsored python hunt is now up to 800 participants. I think the State and hunters are crazy. They remind me of the people who went out in all size boats to capture the great white shark in Jaws. The python hunt scenario is a disaster in the making. A hunter is going to get shot by a fellow hunter or crushed by a python. Guaranteed!

Completed another Key West Lou Blog Talk Radio Show this morning. Amongst other things, chatted about a woman’s vagina and an incestuous relationship. Nothing bad. But real and truthful for sure.

I suggested that a woman’s vagina is more regulated than assault weapons. Think about it. I am correct.

As regards an incestuous relationship, one of sorts exists between the military, the military industrial complex, and Congress. Right on, again.

The statistics/analytics were available to me immediately following the show. A number listened in. No one called in, however. Please, I am trying to develop a talk show. I need you to participate. It costs nothing and gives you the opportunity to be heard.

The stats told me something interesting. People listening to the blog talk radio show are reading this blog for the first time. I would like it to work the other way, also. Go from Key West Lou to the talk radio show.

Enjoy your day!

TWO FOR ONE

Posted on January 14, 2013 by keywestlou

Bargain day! Two blogs for one.

My computer was still in the shop yesterday. Sunday morning. I had to go to Lisa’s to do the blog. My bed felt good. The bed won out! I never did yesterday’s blog. Sorry.

Following is what would have been yesterday’s blog covering Saturday’s events.

I hurried to Lisa’s and did the blog. Visited with the grandkids. Then the drive home. Bikers and runners galore. The trip took forever. There was a Triathlon with over 400 participants. Traffic diverted every where. Traffic lanes closed down to accommodate the bikers and runners.

It took me 1.5 hours to make the return trip. Normally 15 minutes. That was it! As much as I love Syracuse, no way was I going back out to fight my way to Caroline and John’s Big Ten Pub. I missed the Syracuse/Villanova game. I see Syracuse won by 11 points. Good!

Remember the Auntie Maime movie of forty or more years ago. Starred Rosiland Russell. She had a female friend staying with her. Sort of a social retard. Never went out, never dated. Then she did. There was a scene several months later as she descended a staircase. She was obviously pregnant. She shouted out, “I lived!”

I lived Saturday night!

Ate and drank.

Don and Stephanie hosted a small dinner party at the Braza Lena. I was invited.

The Braza Lena is the restaurant where they serve all the meat you want. I figured what the hell! It was time I blew my diet.

I drank and ate. Big time. Even had desert. It felt good!

The company was good, also. Beside Don and Steph, there was Herschel and Erika and David.

My car was parked at the Pier House. I walked Duval to get it. Something struck me. For the first time, I thought Duval was honky tonk. Yes, sadly it has become so. A decidedly different flavor from 15-25 years ago. I did not like it.

Now for yesterday. Sunday.

As I already told you, I stayed in bed in the morning. Comfortably buried in the sheet and blanket.

Watched Meet the Press from the bed. I was impressed with Colin Powell. As always.

Tim Reynolds called. One computer fixed. The old one. The newer one with the virus was still being worked on. I drove over to pick up the repaired one. The one I am writing on at the moment.

The virus is Money Pak. What a pain! Locks the screen. Hopefully, Tim will have it repaired by today. I am becoming uncomfortable.

Stopped at Lisa’s on the way home. Robert and Ally were doing homework. Studiously and diligently. I was impressed. I read the Sunday newspapers and then left for home.

The Seattle/Atlanta game was terrific! Especially the last two minutes. Even more so the last 20 seconds. It is called professionalism.

The big thing on the agenda today is a routine visit with the heart doctor.

Tomorrow morning at 7 my blog talk radio show. The Key West Lou Blog Talk Radio Show.

I will be there! The cell phone problem has been corrected.

The show is a one half hour talk show. I talk. You talk, if you call in.

You do not have to wait till 7 when the show starts to call in. You may call in before 7 and will be placed on hold in the order called in.

Find me and the show at www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

HIV CURES LITTLE GIRL’S CANCER

Posted on January 12, 2013 by keywestlou

Happy Sunday!

Wonder of wonders! A seven year old girl suffering from leukemia cured by the HIV virus.

Just announced. Seven year old deathly ill with leukemia. Chemotherapy had failed. In such case, a bone marrow transplant cannot be done.

The child was transferred to a super dooper experimental cancer hospital. She had 48 hours to live. Then her organs would fail. Death soon thereafter.

The parents were told we only know one more thing to do. However, we do not know if it will work. It is experimental. It is up to you.

The parents said go for it.

The doctors removed all of the girl’s T cells. They took the HIV virus and modified it. I assume that means they took the AIDS causing portion out. Each T cell was injected with the modified HIV virus. All were then returned to the girl’s body.

The HIV cells then went to war with the cancer cells and killed them.

The seven year old survived! Her cancer is in total remission two years later. She is back in school leading a normal life.

The young lady was at the cutting edge. The procedure has been tried on several others since. Some with complete success, one with partial success, and two with no success. The doctors are convinced the procedure will be perfected this year and work on most, if not all.

Wonder of wonders! God bless!

My show was yesterday. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. I told this girl’s story. The reception was overwhelming. That is why I share it with you this morning.

Later in the day, I wrote next week’s column for KONK Life. Brazilian Prostitution. Interesting. The ladies are federally recognized. Even are able to receive federal pensions.

I went out last night. Had to. I was going stir crazy. Jail would never work for me.

I visited the Chart Room. Stayed a while. Enjoyed two diet Pepsi’s. Chatted with Dave, Sheila, Sean, and Katherine. All good people.

Emily was bartending. Got a hug as I left. Unfortunately, I never got to talk with her as I was at a table tied up with the others.

My computer is sick. It happened yesterday afternoon. A virus. I am at Lisa’s doing the blog this morning.

My screen suddenly froze. I could not get out. I finally called Tim Reynolds, my computer guru. Dropped the computer off to him on the way out. He is familiar with the virus and will have my computer back to me today or tomorrow. He said there was no danger of the virus infecting other computers receiving my messages.

Syracuse basketball again today! At noon. The team plays Villanova. At the Carrier Dome. Should be a good game. I hope Syracuse plays better. Otherwise, Villanova is going to win.

Enjoy your Sunday!

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR THIS MORNING

Posted on January 11, 2013 by keywestlou

Another friday! Another show!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour this morning at 10 my time. Via television and the internet. Television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

Another terrific show!

Fiscal ceiling can be confusing. I have it worked out. Let me share with you what I have learned. Then there is Hagel and the NRA. What is and who are really behind the clamor. Plus, more.

NATE LOST BET / LOST HIS HAIR

Posted on January 10, 2013 by keywestlou

On the way home last night after the basketball game, I stopped at Don’s Place. Kurt was bartending. Several friends at the bar.

One was Nate. One of the nicest persons I have met in Key West. Every one was talking about him.

Turns out Nate is a Notre Dame fan. Said if Notre Dame lost to Alabama by more than 12 points, he would cut his hair bald. Nate’s hair was down to his shoulders.

We all know what happened to Notre Dame.

Nate no longer has long hair. He had 11 inches cut off. Not to his bare skull, however. His girl friend Missy intervened and said no way. Nate has what now might be described as a normal haircut.

Looks good. Nate has gone from Key West bartender to Wall Street banker in appearance.

Kurt was bartending. Looked like he had lost a lot of weight. He had. About 60 pounds. Looks good. My question to him was how. He is on a beer diet. He drinks a lot of beer and eats very little.

I think I am on the wrong diet!

I have a bicycle. In fact, two. One was for my former wife. I have not ridden a bike in about three years.

The bicycles have been sitting in a corner of the garage. The tires were flat. I have an air machine. Filled them. Got a wet rag and cleaned one of the bikes off. A ton of dust.

I went bicycle riding around Key Haven. Another small contribution to my good health kick.

My cell phone was the problem that kept me from getting into my blog talk radio show the past two weeks. Went to Verizon.

The problem was easily resolved. My phone had to be rebooted. Corrected several problems I had been having. I will be on the air next Tuesday morning with the radio show!

Worked off and on yesterday on friday’s Key West Lou Legal Hour. A good show in the making. Join me on television or the internet for a fast moving enjoyable hour.

The show is at 10 in the morning my time. Airs on TV via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. From Key West all the way up through Miami-Dade County. On the internet, world wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

Syracuse basketball last night. They beat Providence by around 5 points. Could have lost game.

Syracuse again did not look good. The team is not running up and down the court at a fast pace. The team is supposed to be a physical one. Last night they played a half court game. Fouls shooting sucked also till the last two minutes when they made the ones that counted.

I watched the game at John’s Big Ten Sports Pub with Dan and Lisa Reardon. A huge Syracuse crowd also in attendance.

Fun time this morning. I need a haircut. Get to see Lori. I am going to have her trim my beard a bit. It is starting to look unruly.

Enjoy your day!

DOTTI BACK IN TOWN

Posted on January 9, 2013 by keywestlou

I was sitting quietly by the computer last night working on friday’s show. The telephone rang. It was a voice from the past. Dotti.

Dotti is an old Key West friend. I have not seen her in several years. She married and moved to Mexico. She is back. Working at a jewelry store on Duval.

Are you dressed, she asked. Of course was the reply. I am at Louie’s Backyard. Meet me for a drink.

Away I went.

The evening was perfect. Stars galore. The weather cool. Dotti lovely. The diet Pepsi’s fantastic.

I enjoyed the evening.

I spent a good portion of yesterday preparing for friday’s show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. More to do.

The show is at 10 in the morning my time. Airs on television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. All the way from Key West through Miami-Dade County. The show is available in 250,00 homes via television alone.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour is also available on the internet. World wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

Join me. An interesting fun filled hour.

Syracuse basketball tonight! We are into it. Big East league play. Providence is tonight’s opponent. The game is at Providence. Seven o’clock.

I will be watching at the Big Ten Sports Pub.

This Brent Musburger thing this morning is ridiculous. The media has better to do.

Musburger mentioned on TV during the Alabama/Notre Dame game that A. J. McCarron’s girl friend was beautiful. ESPN issued a written apology.

What garbage! We go too far with political niceties these days. Suppose a female sportscaster had said A. J. McCarron was handsome? Would an apology have been warranted?

Ascertained the screw up with the blog talk radio show. I have not been able to get into the site to do the show for two weeks. Sloan figured it out. My cell phone does not take a second number after the initial telephone one. Some thing to do with programming. I will be at Verizon later to get it corrected.

Enjoy your day!

SCREW UP!!!!!

Posted on January 8, 2013 by keywestlou

It is just after 7 in the morning. I should be doing my relatively new blog talk radio show. I am not. Why? Because I am mechanically inept. I can’t get in!

I am irritated all get out! For you that intended to listen. For me.

I got up at 4 this morning for a 7 o’clock show. I was nervous.

There was really nothing to do. I was totally prepared. All that remained was call in, add my host pin, and host ID. At that point, I am ready to talk, host the show. Not today. I could not get past the host pin #. I am calling the correct number. Then, I do not know. My way is blocked at that point.

I am sure it is me.

I woke Sloan and said help. She tried at her end to get in. Did it with no problem. So, it is definitely me!

Sloan will be here this afternoon at 5 to walk me through the procedure again.

Once again, my fault. Mea culpa.

Be not discouraged. Try again next week. Please.

What else but the football game last night! Alabama and Notre Dame. No question who won. I felt sorry for Notre Dame. Not in the same league as Alabama. The sport pundits were correct.

I do not have to tell you what a big deal it has to be to win the #1 college bowl game or the professional Super Bowl. I have been privileged over the years to know winning team players from both levels. All proud of the victory. All quick to show their champion rings.

It was obvious that for each player that day was THE day. THE day the to be remembered the rest of their lives.

Key West weather continues to be outstanding. Eighyt again yesterday. Very unusual for this time of year. Normally, this is long pants and sweat shirt time. Some evenings, even a heavy jacket. For whatever reason, we are blessed this year.

I am going to feel terrible all day till I see Sloan. I do not know what I am doing wrong. I have everything printed out for me. Specific directions step by step. It bugs me!

Enjoy your day!

BLOG TALK RADIO SHOW TOMORROW

Posted on January 7, 2013 by keywestlou

Bright and early tomorrow morning…..The Key West Lou Blog Talk Radio Show. Seven o’clock. The Key West sun is not yet up at that time. But…..that is the time! One half hour of chit chat. A call in show. You can telephone me from anywhere in the world to make a statement, ask a question, challenge my thoughts, etc.

Grab a cup of coffee and join me! Topics revolve around current events. More than enough to talk about.

The show can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Nationally, pick up your telephone and call. Internationally, use Skype.

Syracuse basketball yesterday. We won. Beat South Florida 55-40.

The score says it all. Not a good game. Not up to the Syracuse standards of recent years. The team appears to be good. But not great. Two problems as I see it. Great talent not blending together. The smooth moving machine is not yet there. The other problem is that the team is like Syracuse of old. They cannot make foul shots.

I watched the game at The Big Ten Sports Bar.

It was old home week. Syracuse fans from last year gathered. It was good to see them back. All nice people.

I sat with Dan and Lisa Reardon. Dan and Lisa own a restaurant in Skaneateles, New York. Loyal Key West snow birds. They spend the month of January here each year.

Watching the game was difficult. Sin and temptation surrounded me. Everyone drinking. Beer, wine and hard liquor. Even worse, eating! Wings, nachos, burgers, and the like. I could smell every dish. Taste every drink.

I almost capitulated and ordered a drink and order of wings.

We will all be back again wednesday night to watch the Syracuse/Providence game. May providence be with me!

Tonight, the college football game of the year! Alabama v. Notre Dame. I will be pulling for Notre Dame. Though I expect Alabama to win.

I will be watching at the Big Ten Sports Bar again. This time with a different set of friends. Jean and Joe Thornton are Alabama grads. Dave attended Alabama. I will be with them amongst others.

There is a pomposity in Washington. Our Congressional leaders erroneously think they know everything. I have come up with a solution. Let them visit Key West for week. Dress down to shorts and a tee shirt. Forget shaving for a day or two. Live in Key West time.

If that does not change them, nothing will.

Enjoy your day!

SATURDAY NIGHT WITH JENNA

Posted on January 6, 2013 by keywestlou

I went out last night. A big deal. I have not been going out because of my diet. I am easily tempted. To be near food and drink is difficult.

Jenna was my date.

Just what a 77 year old needs. A 26 year old dinner companion.

We started the evening at the Chart Room. Ran into Captain Peter in the parking lot. A good man.

JJ was bartending. Jean and Joe Thornton were there. Two of the best. Alabama grads. I may watch the game with them Monday night. Told them I am pulling for Notre Dame.

Dinner was at the Hot Tin Roof. Jenna ate. She eats little, however. I had two diet Pepsi’s, a glass of water and a cup of coffee. The company kept me going.

After I dropped Jenna off, I headed over to Don’s Place. I have not been there in five weeks because of the diet. I felt like I had returned home!

Rob and Bebe, Herschel and Erika, and Boomer at the bar. Stayed a brief ten minutes talking with them. Then got out of Dodge fast! I was dying for a drink!

It is amazing! I feel so good this morning. I attribute it to having gone out last night.

Syracuse basketball today at noon. We play South Florida. I will be watching at John’s Big Ten Sports Bar. Only diet Pepsi on the menu for me.

I see in the news this morning that Syracuse is losing its head football coach, Don Marrone. Sad. Don has done a terrific job in returning Syracuse to winning football. Don is going back to professional football. He will be head coach for the Buffalo Bills.

Don of Don’s Place is a Buffalo native and die hard fan. I am confident Don will be happier with Marrone as head coach.

The debt ceiling problem gnaws at me. It should not be a problem. Never was till the Republicans made it one last year.

The Republicans are playing a dangerous game if they shut down the government as threatened. The United States will not be able to pay its bills. Any of its bills. No Social Security checks, no doctors and hospitals being paid via Medicare, no federal salaries, no nothing where federal dollars are involved. Globally their conduct could bring down our economy and that of the world.

Washington mugging the people!

People will go to the streets. There could be riots and the like. I would not expect federal troops to interfere. They are not being paid. Additionally, I cannot conceive of them exercising force against their fellow citizens under the circumstances.

It will not be as after World War I when veterans were protesting in Washington pension problems. They established a tent city. MacArthur went in with federal troops and broke up the demonstration. I have always considered the day to have been a black one in American history.

I am assuming Obama will prevent the debt ceiling crisis by exercising certain never used before Presidential powers under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Enjoy your Sunday!

LONG LOST FRIEND TO BE LOST AGAIN

Posted on January 5, 2013 by keywestlou

A long lunch yesterday at Hogfish. Interesting and pleasant. I was with an old friend. The relationship very old. It goes back to the early 1960s.

Her name is Ann Kimble. Actually, no more. That was her maiden name. That is the name I knew her by back when. She thereafter married and has been married more than 25 years.

Ann was a reporter for the local Utica newspaper. She was not native to Utica. Born in Delaware, I think. I knew her for a couple of years. Good company. An intelligent person. Wanted to write. She ultimately did publish one book: A History of the Delaware Constitution. I kid her about it.

I had not seen Ann for many years after she left Utica. About ten years ago, I was at a charity fundraiser here in Key West at East Martello. Who do I run in to? Ann! She and her husband were living in Big Pine.

So for the last ten years, Ann and I would get together for lunch or coffee like every three months.

Ann is leaving me again. Her husband is on in his years and sickly. He has to be near top notch medical care. They depart today for their new home in Naples.

Yesterday was our farewell lunch.

Ann brought her sister Melanie with her. Melanie is a retired school teacher. She lives outside Albany, New York.

The lunch was long and pleasant. I was sad when I hugged her good bye. I realized I might never see her again.

While I was waiting for the ladies to show for lunch, an Asian family sat at the table next to me. A lovely young lady. A one year old baby. The husband, a young person also. And Grandpa.

Two things garnered my attention. They ordered a ton of food. However, they ate it all. I was amazed. The other was that Junior was hungry. The mother lowered her dress and fed him. Rarely seen. Nice to observe. My daughter Beth used to do it when Samantha was a baby and we were out.

The TV/Internet show went well again yesterday. I have the The Key West Lou Legal Hour down to a science.

I spoke of many things. People are presently into the Washington political scene and the debt issues. These items were the most talked about in post show comments. Even my conservative friends are becoming a bit concerned.

My Italian friend Anna e mailed me. She is at her home on Mont Blanc. Snow and cold, she said. She plans on driving with friends today to La Thuile in the north west part of Italy. Minutes from the French border. A shopping and short get away trip.

Anna lives a picturesque life. Her mountain escape in the Alps is a Swiss type chalet. The area has a 1,000-2,000 year old castle every half mile. Her home sits half way up Mont Blanc. The view is spectacular.

I am going out tonight. I have promised myself I will not eat. I did not eat at lunch yesterday with Ann and her sister Melanie. Two diet Pepsi’s and a cup of coffee. The same tonight.

My lady of the evening is Jenna. We have not been out together since before the holidays.

Syracuse basketball tomorrow! At noon. Playing South Florida. I will be watching the game at the Big Ten Sports Page Bar. I assume I will have the company of Dan and Lisa Reardon. Syracuse fans and my friends from the Syracuse area. They are in Key West for a month. Both Syracuse fanatics as I. Any other Syracuse people out there come and join us!

We are into the start of the Big East. Now we find out how good Syracuse really is.

Enjoy your day!

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