THE DAY…..FINALLY

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This is the day. Election day. Presidential election day.

After years and months of campaigning, it is over. Fortuantely! It can and does get to be a bit too much.

I am an Obama supporter. I early voted for him last week. I am not sure he will win. For the past months, I have had doubts. On the other hand, it is incomprehensible to me why people would vote for Romney. His political affiliation has nothing to do with it. The man is basically a liar. He is also a non supporter of women’s rights. If he wins, it will be because of the economy. Things are still tough. People desperate. The desperation will drive the Romney vote.

I think Romney would make an inept President. Although of some concern, it does not bother me that much. We have survived incompetent Presidents before. My concern is whether we can survive the people who will have elected Romney. I refer to the 2 per cent and the corporations. I fear they will rape the governmental process to satisfy their own economic ends.

Whatever. We shall see.

I have been invited to an election evening party. Should be fun. I am looking forward to it.

I spent a couple of hours at the Chart Rome last night. It was Monday. Mary’s night to bartend.

Fortune befell me. I met Jennifer. We had a stimulating political conversation.

Jennifer is visiting. She is a Parrothead who came to Key West for this past weekend’s festivities. She is staying a few extera days. Jennifer is from outside Philadelphia. Bucks County. She is employed by Bucks County. Its Health Department. She is a Preparedness Planner. Her job is to deal with a disaster, if one occurs.

Sandy, New Jersey and the Presdidential election all came into the conversation. She is a Democrat who plans on voting for Romney if she gets home in time tonight. I asked why. She skirted the issue a bit. When it came to push, it was the economy.

I learned a lot about FEMA and how disasters should be handled from her perspective. Jennifer believes the federal government’s involvement should be limited to providing funds. Money. Her County and State she said are ready and trained to handle disasters. However with a major disaster, more monies are required than are available at the State level.

I learned from her. I raised the issue concerning the firemen who came in from out of state to help New Jersey. The Jersey firemen would not let them participate unless they signed a paper which in effect made them a part of the Jersey firefighter’s union. I thought that sucked.

Jennifer corrected me. The reason for the signing was to protect the out of staters in the event they were hurt. Their home states had no responsinility if an injury occurred. New Jersey had none either unless they signed up to be covered by New Jersey. The out of state helpers were volunteers. Jennifer told me this problem reared its ugly head during 9/11. Many came to help from outside New York and were injured. Many of those are still waiting for compensation.

Jennifer was proud of her job and the state of readiness she and her co workers were in. She was also proud of an additional item. Her 15 year old daughter. Her daughter frequently was mentioned.

The balance of this week is big! The Power Boat Races aka Super Boat Races. The World Championships here in Key West. The races will be Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Big expensive boats. Whole teams here. Racers and crews, wives and girl friends. The races are spine chilling to watch.

My new TV show this friday at 10 in the morning my time. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Comcast Channel 87. Available world wide via the internet. www.tvchannel19.com. The internet connection for world wide viewing is important since the show is now watched in 38 countries.

I worked a bit yesterday on the show. Two additional topics have been prepared.

One has to do with the Greek vote next week to approve further austerity cuts. The people are pissed big time. The unions have called for two days of strike before the Greek legislature votes. No one works. Not even medical staff. People have already started protesting. The demonstrations are averaging 10,000-15,000 persons a day. Tens of thousands more are expected next week.

The other topic involves Pakistan. A Muslim father threw acid in the face of his 15 year old daughter because she looked at a boy on a cycle. The thrust of the discussion involves the fact that the Quaran does not provide for such a punishment. The acid thing is the result of man made law / custom which has developed in a male dominant society that considers women possessions.

Enjoy your day!

A DISAPPOINTING EDITORIAL

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A political Sunday of sorts.

My morning started with the TV talk shows. Meet the Press and Chris Matthews, amongst others. Only one item discussed. The Presidential election.

Afterwards, I continued work on Friday’s TV/Internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Additional topics include differences between the Catholic Church and a Polish coffin maker, an expensive Anaconda, recent U.S. Supreme Court activity involving police drug sniffing dogs, Jack the Ripper, the 1965 blackout, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and John Kennedy.

Remember, I have changed broadcasting studios. As of Friday, I will be broadcasting via TV and the Internet. The show will be available on Comcast Channel 87 through out the Keys. It will be available world wide on the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

Ten o’clock in the morning my time.

Decided to get some beach time. Grabbed my sand chair and headed over to Higgs Beach. A lot of people. More than I had expected. It is getting a bit cooler. The coolness did not disuade any one from swimming. Except for me. I put my foot in and decided the water was too cold.

I brought Sunday’s Key West Citizen and a book with me.

The Key West Citizen is a good and interesting local newspaper. Never many pages. However whatever its weight, it compensates with thought provoking material. Yesterday’s editorial was no exception. I was provoked.

The editorial came out in support of Romney for President. That did not bother me. Although I am an Obama supporter, every one has a right to their own opinion.

What disturbed me was the manner in which Romney was supported. Both candidates have warts. The editorial found Romney free of warts. The editorial was a boiler plated recitation of his alleged virtues. Romney was made to appear as the seconnd coming of a Messianic figure.

The editorial disappointed me not as to its conclusion, but the manner in which it was arrived at.

Sunday dinner was the best! With Lisa and the family. Politics was a part of our evening. Political discussions amongst Lisa, Corey and I are interesting. We are not always in accord. As to Obama however, we are.

Turned out Robert and Ally had been involved in the Presidential election this past week. Both attend Montessori. First and second grades. The school conducted a mock Presidential election. They both voted for Obama. The results will not be announced till Wednesday.

I have always considered such school elections as representative of the thinking of the community. The youthful votes cast generally reflect parental poitions. Such elections are a good barometer of the real result locally.

Enjoy your day!

SATURDAY DATE WITH JENNA

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Clock changing time!

It is nice to see the sun up and shining when getting out of bed in the morning. The problem is the evenings. It will be dark around 6. Within a month, 5.

Spent most of yesterday’s afternoon working on next friday’s show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Up to this point, it was an internet show. The show has graduated. Henceforth, it will be a TV/Internet show. New broadcasgting station and everything. New call letters. The show will be available on Comcast Channel 87 for television viewing throughout the keys. It will be available world wide via the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

Ten in the morning my time.

Prepared for discussion is female viagara. Yes, it’s on its way! The purpose is to provide and/or enhance the female orgasm. The pharmaceutical industry leaves no stone unturned where a profit may be made.

I wonder if when the new prescription is available, whether it will be free to women under Obamacare? If so, what will the position be of the Republican right and Catholioc Church? Recall that the Church’s position is that sex is for procreation and not recreation.

Other topics include Oklahoma’s open carry gun law which went into effect November 1, the death of a World War II code talker, and gas shortages in the 1970s from a personal perspective.

My Saturday evening date was the lovely Jenna. A beauty inside and out! Jenna is a local TV personality and person about town.

The evening started at the Chart Room. Where else! Sheila and David at the bar. Chatted with them a bit. Jenna and I enjoyed a couple of drinks and good conversation.

Then to the Hot Tin Roof.

My Mother enjoyed mussels. She would devour them at every opportunity. The Hot Tin Roof has mussels as an appetizer. I asked for a double order. That was my meal. They were prepared in a light tastety red sauce. The bread dunking type. Delicious!

Jenna does not eat. She is a cheap date. I doubt she is even a size 2. If there is a zero classification, that is her size.

The Hot Tin Roof has a macoroni and cheese appetizer. The women seem to love it. Jennna does. She always orders the dish. Nothing else. It is a small portion. She doggy bags most of it.

After dropping Jenna home, I stopped at Don’s Place. Convenient. Jenna lives a half a block from Don’s. Chatted with Don, Herschel, Erika, Stan, and others.

Don introduced me to a new couple. Dan and Betty. Dan has been playing golf with my golfing buddies recently. The couple is from Tampa. They vist Key West often. They have a mobile home.

Dan is an Army veteran. He is able to park his mobile home at the Navy base. A good deal. Cheap. Even the bar that serves alcohol is cheap. I have been a guest a few times. Every thing is $1.

Lisa just telephoned. Daddy, come to dinner tonight.

Enjoy your sunday!

NEW KEY WEST LOU TV SHOW

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Before the announcement, I want to apologize for doing the blog so late this morning. It is a God’s in His Heaven, all’s right with the world day! I woke to the cool breeze coming through the open windows. Could see the shine of the sun and the blue sky. Decided to languish in bed. It was saturday. I got hooked on a stupid 1938 movie. The result, it is after 10 as I start this blog.

Yesterday was my last internet show with KONK Broadcasting. My last show was a great one. Unfortunately, I was the only one who heard it, no one saw it. Due to technical difficulties, everyone saw a rerun of Guy de Boer’s earleir news show. My cell phone rang incesstantly after the show. Where were you? Could not see you? Could not hear you?

Yesterday’s drama has nothing to do with my moving over to Comcast Channel 87 to do the show. The move had been in the works.

I shall however continue to do a weekly legal article in Guy’s KONK Life.

KONK Broadcasting was a beginning for me. I thank Guy de Boer for letting me do the show and I thank him for all the support he has given. He’s first class.

Ok…..next friday morning at 10 I will be broadcasting on Comcast Channel 87 aka TV channel 19. The TV portion of the show will be available through out the Florida Keys. In addition…..my show will continue to be available world wide on the internet. www.tv.channel19.com. Plus…..the show will automatically be archived on You Tube.

Wait till you see the set up friday! It’s a new world for me!

I am excited!

I wrote next week’s article for KONK Life yesterday. It has to do with when life begins. An Oklahoma anti-abortionist group sought a ballot vote to amend Oklahoma’s State constitution to read that life begins from the moment the female’s egg is fertilized. Conception. At that point, the fertilized egg is entitled to all civil and due process rights as a person. The fertilized egg is a person.

The United States Supreme Court did not agree.

This fertilized egg concept is referred to as parenthood. The case was Parenthood Oklahoma v. Barber.

If there had been a contrary result, women’s rights in Oklahoma, such as the right to choose, contraception, in vitro fertilization and the like, would have gone down the tubes. Regressed to the 1950s.

Busy day today. Sloan will be over in the afternoon to work with me. Jenna is my date tonight for drinks and dinner.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR THIS MORNING

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Today is friday. Friday means the Key West Lou Legal Hour. My internet broadcast. World wide. Ten in the morning my time. www.konknet.com/tv/personalities.

Needless to say, the week has been exciting. And sad. Joy and tragedy. I have many today topics to share with you. Comments regarding Sandy and the Presidential election, of course. Plus Panama’s desire to get into the euro, how brothels are financing Greek football clubs, Auschwitz, the first gay Episcopal bishop, the 1948 Presidential election, and the New York City police officer charged with planning to kidnap, cook and eat a woman.

In addition, a Chinese exam story, more Silvio Berlusconi, Muslims bombing a Catholic Church in Nigeria, the failure of the Personhood Amendment in Oklahoma, and more.

Please join me. Guaranteed you will not be bored!

My yesterday started with a haircut with Lori. We discussed my new beard. It is now entering its third week. Decided it was too soon to do any trimming.

Stopped at Blossoms for lunch. The best Cuban cheese toast with tomato in Key West! Stayed and read a while. Three young ladies work the place. Very young. Twenty one or under. Energetic. Helpful. Enthusiastic. Always a smile on their faces. Made me wonder if a person has to be young to smile all the time.

Publix next. Needed some groceries. I enjoy grocery shopping. I who never did it in my other life. I meet people I know. Make new friends.

Bocce last night. We played the #2 team. Prior to last night, we were ranked #5. They were good. Beat us decisively in the first game. The second game was close. We lost by a point. We were down 10-2 and came back. The third game we won. By one point.

Someone brought what was represented to be moonshine. I never tasted moonshine. Tried a bit last night. About a half inch in a cup. Commented before drinking it that I hoped it would not make me blind.

The moonshine or whatever had no effect on me.

Met an interesting couple at bocce. Jack and Var. I may not have the wife’s name correct. If not, I apologize.

Jack and Var are from Dublin, Ireland. They are here on a three week trip. Have been here before several times. A daughter resides in Key West.

Jack and Var are friends of Don. Don introduced them to me.

Jack is likewise retired. Seventy five. We are birds of a feather. We spoke of health issues. Especially heart ones. And fortunately, the vitality still within us. We spoke also of golf. Jack is a player.

Jack owned his own business in Ireland. Another daughter now runs it. The business has to do with tool making and specialized high production items. He spoke proudly of his accomplishments work wise, as he should. Boeing was one of his customers.

We also discussed the euro. Ireland got into the euro at the beginning. Still is in it. Jack said money was easy and plentiful at the beginning. Now Ireland cannot pay back its debt. Germany and the Euro Nation are on Ireland’s ass. The story much the same as with Greece, Italy and Spain.

Taxes came into the picture. Federal taxes. Jack paid 49 per cent of his salary in taxes. And our successful business people, the 2 per centers, do not want to pay 38-39 per cent!

I enjoyed my time with Jack and Var. Hopefully, we will be able to spend a bit more time together before they return home.

Remember to watch my show.

Enjoy your day!

I VOTED

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My morning yesterday started with a visit to Montessori. Robert and Ally were in a Halloween historical presentation. Each student played some historical figure. Costume and a recitation of the character.

Robert was Michael Phelps. The Olympic swimming star. Robert looked the part. A white rubber skull cap, googles, bathing suit, towel drapped over his shoulders, and all the gold medals Phelps won. Robert made each and every one of the gold medals he wore.

Ally was Clara Barton. She was dressed like a nurse. Looked like a nurse. White cap, white long dress, big red cross on the front of the dress, white stockings, and white shoes. Her hair was fixed with a bun on the back of her head. It showed beneath the cap. Ally is only 7. She looked 30. Terrific!

Both walked up to the microphone with confidence and recited their parts with no difficulty. My grandkids!

I was one proud grandfather. Lisa and Corey proud parents. Corey’s parents were in town for the event. They were beaming as well.

Afterwards, I voted.

I cast my vote at the County Office Building on Whitehead in Key West. A good crowd. Steady. The line always 5-6 persons long. Plus the 10-12 people voting.

Everyone was friendly at the polling place. I refer to the workers. Spirited and cooperative. Voters generally quiet, even where they knew each other.

A long ballot. Besides candidates, there were 8 amendments to vote on. The ballot was 4 long pages, print on both sides. Actually 8 pages of ballot material.

The amendments were too long. Were it not for TV warnings, I might have voted for a couple of things I was against. Titles were misleading. Like an amendment labeled RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. It had to do with permitting State funds to be provided churches and other religious groupos. To me, a violation of the separation of Church and State.

I felt solemn as I voted. I felt as if this was the most important Presidential vote I have ever cast. This election the most important.

I voted for Obama. I must concede that midway during the campaign, I began leaning towards Romney. Shock of shocks! However, the Romney campaign developed into one of lies. I could not live with a President who approved of deviously prepared messages.

The General Motors thing bothered me. Romney was for letting General Motors go down. He said it on TV for all to see and hear. Then he twists it to say oh no, not me. This recent Jeep thing was a disgrace. About Jeep moving to Japan. A lie again. Even Jeep’s CEO came out and said Romney was not correct.

Last night’s news justified the reasoning for my vote. The day before Romney had held a helping hand meeting in Ohio. He had people bring food which was put in a truck to be delivered to Sandy victims. Romney was shown accepting bags of goods from people and saying thank you. Turns out the Romney peoople had purchased $5,000 worth of granola bars, canned foods and diapers from a Walmart the night before. The goods were bagged and handed to people to hand to Romney. Bad!!!!!

Stopped after voting at the Plantation Coffee House. Read the newspapers and enjoyed my coffee. Smiling Diane working.

Diane told me something interesting. She has many customers. Only three drink decaf. Everyone else the real thing. She told me becausee I have to wait for a pot to be made every time I order it.

I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening writing and watching TV. Maybe someday a book. I don’t know. I keep plodding along.

Television was at its best. Delivered the drama of Sandy to the world. A tragedy. Sad.

Weather wise, yesterday was perfect. From the high 60s to the mid 70s. Sun bright. Air perfect. No humidity. Drove around town with the windosws open enjoying the cool breeze blowing in. No need for air conditioning.

Today will be the same. Whereas yesterday there was a slight movement in the palm trees, today there is none. Nothing is moving outside. The water still also. Like a mirror.

Enjoy your day!

GRANDKIDS ON STAGE AT MONTESSORI

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I am up very early this morning. I have to be at Montessori at 9:30. Montessori has what might be described as a Halloween educational parade. Each student is dressed as an historical figure. Each must give a recitation as to who they are and what their costume person accomplished in life.

Robert is Michael Phelps. A gold medal is part of his costume. Ally is Clara Barton.

Ally read some where that Clara Barton founded the Red Cross. She wanted to be Clara Barton. Her dissertation will include Sandy and how the Red Cross is helping. It was a stretch to have Ally fit Sandy into her material. Both Robert and Ally are too young to appreciate the significance of the hurricane.

A different morning today. Next to no breeze and the water calm. The lack of breeze and water movement means that Sandy has defintely left us. As recent as yesterday, the wind was strong.

I walked Key Haven yesterday morning. First time in a while. All six blocks. The wind bent me a bit when I did Floral. On one side of Floral sits the Gulf. Less than ten feet from the road. No homes to block the wind.

It was a working afternoon. Jenna and Sloan with me. At separate times. Jenna early afternoon. Sloan came at five and stayed until after six.

Key West seemed too far away when my work day was done. I was tired. I washed my face and headed over to Hogfish. Enjoyed a couple of drinks at the bar and a sandwich. Hogfish. Read the newspapers.

Have to move my ass now. I do not wish to be late for Robert and Ally’s performance. If late, Robert and Ally would be anxiously looking for me and Lisa would chastise me.

Enjoy your day!

THEO ACCEPTS PAINTING COMMISSIONS

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Sandyy a WOW!

I was hooked on the storm. Stayed in last night glued to the TV. Went to bed. Could not sleep. I was up all night following the storm.

What can I say? What can anyone say? A major disaster. Most people seem to be handling the storm effectively from the President to local fire fighters.

I was particularly impressed with New Jersey’s Governor Christie. He was on the front lines. On TV last night, he was soaking wet from the rain. I am beginning to think he is a class guy. He gave President Obama credit for his help thus far. No politics here. One responsible person helping another. A responsible person acknowledging the help.

Apparently, Atlantic City’s Mayor Langford screwed up. He told Atlantic City residents not to evacuate. Instead, he sent them to shelters. Christie was pissed off big time at the Mayor’s action.

There are many stories coming to our attention this morning on a rapid basis.

One spoke tons about Sandy’s strength. Sandy picked up railroad box cars from a siding and dumped them on the New Jersey Turnpike. Christie said cranes were working this morning to lift them off the highway.

Key West has a reputation for hurricanes. In my time here, I have never seen anyuthing to compare to Sandy. The last big time destructive hurricane was the category 5 1935 one which leveled Key West.

I did get out and about a bit yesterday.

Started with a noon manicure at Lee Nails. Love Tammy! Her poor husband was walking around with a soft cast on the bottom half of his leg. He broke the leg. Tammy said he got up off a chair and had pain. Turned out to be a fracture.

Walked Smathers Beach a bit. Then sat on one of the benches facing the ocean. Nothing but blue water as far as the eyes could see. Turned into soul searching time for me.

Then to the Plantation Coffee House. I like the place. Comfortable. Relaxing. Good people running it. Diane and Theo.

Diane was working when I arrived. No Theo. A little later I was sitting on the porch reading when Theo came up the steps. He was carrying a painting. About 3′ x 4′. It was of a Key West home. I told him how terrific it looked. I also asked who painted it. Turns out it was Theo. I did not know he painted. The painting was a commission. His first. He was excited. Diane was excited.

If any of you are considering a commissioned piece, check with Theo. Excellent work reasonably priced.

I spent part of the afternoon writing. First for friday’s internet show. Then did this week’s KONK Life article. Different Strokes For Different Countries. A take off on different strokes for different folks. Involved Greece, Italy, China, and the United States.

Busy day ahead for me. Jenna coming over at 1:30 to work with me. Then Sloan at 5. Hopefully, I will get out tonight.

Enjoy your day!

IT’S ALL SANDY!

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It’s all Sandy! Everything! The storm dominates the news. Even places the Presidential campaign on a back burner.

No wonder. Sandy is described as a superstorm. A big name! I do not recall any hurricane being so described in the 20 odd years I have had to deal with them.

In Key west, we have become accustomed to taking hurricane warnings with a grain of salt. There is always much pre storm hype. Then the storm turns and nothing happens. Hurricanes are fickle. They have been known to change course on a dime.

I do not think this one is fickle. Sandy is headed directly for the northeast. Right now it appears New Jersey and New York will experience the brunt of the storm. Though we never know for certain. Other states may come in for worse.

Sandy is a big girl! With a waist line to boot! Huge! She covers a geographically wide area.

It has been suggested Sandy will sit for a couple of days when it hits land. Sitting means it will stay over an area and not move. The worst from a mental perspective! Dark, windy and rainy outside. You stuck inside. With one mental focus: When will it end?

Point Pleasant and Ocean City are mentioned as places on the Jersey Shore where Sandy will make first land entry. I know Point Pleasant well. Summer vactioned there with the family for several years. Visted Ocean City once. In Maryland. Beautiful beaches. Perdue chicken farms blanket the area. I saw them and smelled them. I do not know what is going to be done with all the chickens to protect them.

Snow, too! My home town Utica in upstate New York is going to be buried. It is a northeaster joining with Sandy. Coupled with cold Artic air from the north.

New York City and its Battery will experience flooding as well as wind damage. Sandy is anticipated to hit at high tide which will make the floodiong even worse. Then will come the surge. Poor New York!

This storm of storms is still being felt here in Key West. Though minimally. A few days ago the wind was coming from the north and north east. The direct off spring of Sandy. Starting yesterday afternoon, the wind was and still is coming from the north west. Every time there is a northeasterly, the wind comes from the northwest. The northeaster is moving into the northeast and will join up with Sandy. A marriage of two giants!

It is also cool this morning. High 60s. Why, I am not sure. Could just be a cold front coming in.

I did not feel well yesterday. A touch of something. Spent the day laying around. Never left the house.

I feel fine this morning.

Enjoy your day!

SANDY UPDATE

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As Sandy heads for landfall in New Jersey and New York, its effects are still evident in Key West.

The weather was beautiful yesterday. No clouds. Sunny all day. Mid 80s. The one exception was the wind. It was cut in half to about 25 miles per hour from the previous day. Held steady all day. Blowing a bit less this morning.

I have two large flower pots, one on each side of the glass sliding doors leading to the deck. Filled with dirt. Rather than flowers, they have some green plant that is not affected by the salt the ocean throws at us daily. The pots are exceptionally heavy because of the dirt. I have never been able to lift them.

Yesterday, when the wind was cut in half, both pots were blown over. One broke. It had to be the wind. However, the wind was not as bad as the day before. I concluded the wind direction had changed. Not much. But enough to knock the pots over. A first! The pots have been sitting there for ten years.

I have lived long enough in Key West to have experienced a few hurricanes. I want to share some advise with my friends up north as to what to do.

1. If you know you are going to be in the path of a bad one, get out! Simply stated. It is too late when the storm hits.

2. If you remain, fill your bath tub with water. To flush the toilets. The sewers may not function. Nature does, however. The ability to flush is required.

3. Your power will go off. There will be no electric. Maybe no gas. It may be intermintent or for a few days. You must be prepared for any such eventuality.

4. Have at least 3 flashlights. Make sure they work. Even if they do, buy new batteries.

5. You need candles. There will be times you will live like Abraham Lincoln in his youth. That means matches or a lighter, also.

6. Drinking water. Buy a lot of bottled water.

7. Food. Remember, your power will be off. You do not know how long. Buy only foods that need not be cooked nor kept in the refrigerator. Your refrigerator will be useless to you also if power is off for an extended period. You need foods like crackers, cookies, peanut butter. Whatever requires no preparation. Purchase also canned foods that need not be heated. Like sardines. Make sure you have a can opener. Popeye you are not.

8. There is a small radio that operates on batteries. It is strictly for emergency purposes. It will provide weather reports, hurricane news, and updated survival advice. Nothing else. One can be bought at a Home Depot or similar store.

9. Stay in. Do not go out. You could end up in Missouri.

Last night was the big Fantasy Fest parade. I did not go. When you have seen as many as I have, you can skip a year or two occasionally.

I headed for the Chart Room early. Before 5. I wanted to get in and out. The streets would soon be blocked off. I stayed for a couple of drinks and fun conversation with Captain Peter, Sean and Katherine. Peter was going to skip the parade also. Sean and Katherine were dressed as Swiss yoddelers. They looked good! They were headed for a party at La Concha.

Many tourists in the Chart Room. In and out. All dressed in costumes. All having fun. It was another evening when the elctricity could be felt in the air.

When I drove out of the Pier House parking lot, Front Street was blocked at its intersection with Simonton. I was stuck for the parade. I would not be able to get out till at least midnight. Necessity is the mother of invention. I got out of the car, moved the barricade, drove through, then got out again and returned the barricade to its proper position. Fortunately, there were no police officers nearby.

I stopped at Don’s Place. Parade traffic no problem at Don’s. Many costumed people. Drinking and playing pool. Soon to leave to walk to the parade. The same electricity again.

I kissed and hugged Joanie. Danced a bit with her. Said hello to Jimmy. Greeted Boomer. Chatted a while with Kurt.

Then to Outback for dinner.

I was home in bed before 8:30. Watched two terrific football games. Alabama continues on its role to a national championship. Notre Dame looked fantastic. A great college football year.

Must hurry. Want to watch Meet the Press.

Enjoy your Sunday!