War touches everything and everyone. The Israeli-Hamas conflict a recent example. An Opinion piece in yesterday’s Washington Post clearly identifies it: “Bethlehem usually comes alive at Christmas. Not this year. In the Holy Land, celebrations have been canceled: No parades, no bazaars, no public tree lightings. In my country, Jordan, where Jesus was baptized, our Christian community has chosen to do the same.”

Yesterday’s Stars and Luminaries noted the birthdays at 86 years of age of two major stars of yesteryear, Jane Fonda and Phil Donahue. Contemporaries of mine. Stars I grew up with.

Speaker Johnson’ wife is openly anti-gay. She took down her website last week which reflected her anti-gay advocacy. Her firm Onward Christian Counseling Service had stated homosexuality is equivalent to bestiality and incest.

Florida’s Orange County School District removed 673 books from Orange County classrooms this year because they purportedly violated State rules which prohibit making “sexual conduct” available to public school students. Many of the books are classics and bestsellers.

Included were John Milton’s Paradise Lost, John Grisham’s The Firm, John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, and John Irving’s The World According to Garp. Other classics included A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Color Purple, Catch-22, and Brave New World.

Interestingly, the Bible was not banned. Some school districts have because of its many sexual reflections. Apparently the Orange County School District was fearful of taking on God.

A Washington Post cartoon yesterday reflected that for Justices Thomas and Alito everyday is Christmas.

Today’s podcast trip back in history reflects on politicians being whores.

Syracuse won one and lost one yesterday. Won in basketball, was devastatingly defeated in football.

In basketball, beat Niagara 83-71. Syracuse played well and was even more ahead with 4 minutes left in the game. They stopped playing as they had throughout the game. They sort of walked up and down the court knowing they had won the game. Niagara closed the gap. If a few more Niagara 3s had dropped, the game could have been lost. Coach Autry was upset with what occurred and spoke clearly about it in his post game comments.

Syracuse’s play in the Boca Raton Bowl ended what was a crappy season for the Orange. South Florida beat the hell out of Syracuse 45-0. I’m glad the football season has finally ended. It was a horrible year. As the Brooklyn Dodgers of old would say, wait till next year.

Next year has all the indicia of being a much better one. Perhaps a great one. A star quarterback and new coach. Ohio State’s quarterback Kyle McCord opted for the transfer portal and signed with Syracuse for next year. He led Ohio State to an 11-1 record this past season. He and new coach Fran Brown attended the game together.

I had planned to watch the games at Jack Flats. The first game began at 5. Around 3, I was suddenly very tired. Decided to skip both games at Jack Flats and watch on TV at home. Could not get the games on TV. Only where the games stood every few minutes. It was ok. I was that tired. Missed nothing as far as the football game was concerned.

The NRA’s finances are declining. Hooray for the bad guys! May their pain continue!

The NRA’s most recent tax return shows deposits taking in $211 million last year. However, the organization ended “deep into the red, leading to a $22 million deficit.”

The return “reveals dramatic declines along almost every conceivable metric revenue, assets, member dues, lobbying, and political spending – with conversely sharp increases in legal costs and defeats.”

Couldn’t have happened to a better bunch!

A World War II hero in his own right. U.S. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe was in the midst of the Battle of the Bulge.. Hitler’s forces were initially winning. A German victory would have led to defeat of the Allied forces overall. Perhaps loss of the War itself.

The Germans offered/demanded the surrender of American forces. McAuliffe rejected in a one word response: “Nuts!”

His reply has been memorialized in history and will ever be recalled. 

On this day in 2010, President Barrack Obama signed a law allowing gays for the first time to serve openly in the American military, repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Tonight, Brady’s Irish Pub for  its friday special Polish pierogis. The place will be packed. Ed Swift’s second friday night of trolley car rides around Key West to view the beautifully decorated homes for Christmas begins from Brady’s. People will arrive early in typical Key West fashion. Dressed in Christmas attire and full of the holiday spirit.

Enjoy your day!

A change of pace blog today. Enough of Trump, anti-Semitism, wars and everything else. A day off won’t hurt.

I start with robotic sex brothels. Came across a podcast I did about six years ago on the subject. Interesting. As the podcast will reflect, robotic brothels as such failed. Due to the improvement in AI, there may be a resurgence in robotic sex extending into actual purchases for home use. Time will tell. I have lived long enough to have learned never to say never. 

A bit of additional history re robotic sex brothels. Referred to as a “doll fetish.” If robotic sex resurges as some believe it will, it will be goodbye to loneliness. For the elderly, for the bashful.

The first company that attempted to franchise robotic sex brothels was Lumidolls in 2017. Lucerne, Switzerland the location of its first brothel facility. The company’s game plan was not only to franchise brothels world wide, but also offer for sale female dolls. Lucerne lasted less than one year. Paris, Barcelona and Toronto were the next locations. Each lasted only a very short time.

Lumidolls was the franchisor for most.

Kinky Dolls another franchisor hoping to make a bundle on the concept. Determined Texas was the place for the first in the U.S. Texas being prone to accepting off the wall ideas, Houston was selected as the city of choice. Never even got to open.

The Mayor and City Council were up in arms. Since the ladies involved were inanimate objects, the usual sexual objections did not apply. A special local law was passed opposing sex with inanimate objects in a place of business. The health department questioned the physical safety of using an inanimate object for sex. The need to clean before and after. How became the question. 

The opposition won before much got finalized. Kinky Dolls decided the fight was not worth it and withdrew its application for a permit.

Some odd ball occurrences which suggest the use of robotic sex is on the rise includes the development of AI intelligence, six international conferences since 2017 re robotic sex, a study revealing 17 percent of U.S. men have tried robotic sex and/or have purchased robotic sex dolls for home personal use, and companies now gearing up to manufacture robotic dolls for use by the gay and lesbian communities.

Basic costs at the moment range between $1,000 and $2,000 to purchase. To acquire the best of the best with all the bells attached $15,000.

It was Brady’s Irish Pub for me last night. Fish and chips. Carola and a small bag of Irish cookies. A man purported to have been from Auriesville, N.Y., who turned out to be an ass.

Auriesville is about 55 miles from Utica. It is the home of a Catholic religious complex. Primarily constructed many years ago to honor Jesuit priests killed by Indians they were attempting to convert. Other martyrs are honored also.

Over the years, I probably have attended Sunday Mass at Auriesville a dozen times. Even did a retreat at Auriesville when in high school.

While I was eating, a fellow half way down the bar was shouting to someone he was from Auriesville. Told whoever he was communicating with it was in New York State. As I was leaving, I decided to stop and mention I had visited Auriesville on numerous occasions, etc. The guy looked at me like he did not know what I was talking about. I said I was from Utica. He knew from nothing.

I smiled, turned around and left.

Tonight a big evening for Syracuse. Syracuse plays basketball against Niagara at 5. At 8, Syracuse appears in a football bowl game in the Boca Raton Bowl against South Florida. I am not sure I can handle that much Syracuse in one evening. My evening would begin at 5 and end around midnight. Way beyond my bed time. I suspect I will watch the basketball game and call it a night. Also, my interest in Syracuse football this season has waned. Star quarterback Garrett Shrader will not be able to play because of injuries. The teams appear equally matched. A toss up as to who will win.

Just heard from Fred Klein. He sent a photo of a woman singing. Asked if it was Carola. Told Fred it did not look like her. Fred is due back around January 3. It will be fun to share his company again.

Nice to have done a non-political blog.

Enjoy your day!

The Key West Lou blog has made many friends for me over the years. Close personal friends. From all parts of the world.

Theo Markis telephoned yesterday from Greece to wish me a Merry Christmas. Love the man! We have become close personal friends over the years. The blog first having brought us together.  Theo and his wife now visit Key West twice a year. His next visit in 3-4 months. Can’t wait to see the both of them.

Tonight Brady’s Irish Pub. Carola, good people, good food, and good drinks. Carola has become a friend. Stories of her native Ireland, stories of her still alive Dad, Irish foods she shares with me, etc.

Carola is divorced. Lives with her 11 year old son. She is a typical mother. Especially loves decorating her home inside and out for holidays. Her Halloween decorations were terrific. Christmas even better. Her son helps with the decorating. Minimally as most children do. He held the ladder as Carola was hanging lights on the roof.

Carola shared some Christmas pictures of her home with me. I share two with you.

A Christmas surprise. The White family in Lexington, Kentucky, chop down their Christmas tree. This year’s tree was in their living room decorated for four days when a baby owl was found in the tree. It was caught and released into their yard.

A “Robert” (not my grandson) commented on my observation in yesterday’s blog re Trump’s statement that immigrants were spoiling America, poisoning our blood, etc. Robert’s comments were right on! To a T! 

     “Yes, I too read where Trump said in a public speech that it’s immigrants who are spoiling America, not himself. I immediately thought he was talking about his mother Mary, his grandfather Frederick, former wife Ivana, his current wife and her Communist parents, Victor and Amaliija Knavs.

     Then there is that boat load of different immigrants he imports every year to work at his vineyards in Virginia and the many many immigrants that can be found working at Mar-a-Lago and various golf clubs around the country.

     Amazing how this two faced walking douche bag can be taken seriously (or allowed to speak publicly).”

The Grand last night. Another wonderful Happy Hour! Guy de Boer joined Steve and I. As well as Cindy, Ed, and Christina.

Guy and Steve go back to 1974. Guy rented a room from Steve in the same house Steve still owns on Olivia Street where I am staying. Guy recalled Steve being in the taco business on Duval Street at the time. Guy met Cindy for the first time last night. Steve and Cindy married in 1980 or 1981 when Guy was no longer a tenant. 

I did not enjoy the crispy duck I had been yearning for. It was not crispy.

Today’s podcast goes back 6 years. Involves a revelation by TK concerning Irish White Slavery in the U.S. First time I ever heard of it. Probably a first for most of you.

Those of you my age or close will recall the Mickey Mouse Club. Five o’clock mondays – fridays on TV. For kids and young adults alike.

The best part were the Mouseketeers and singing along with them the Mickey Mouse theme song: M I C K E Y M O U S E, Mickey Mouse…..”

I was in college and most of the guys in  my dorm would gather for the show in the game room each day to watch the show. We all sang “Mickey Mouse” when the Mouseketeers did. Foolish perhaps, but fun. 

Those were the days!

I mention “Mickey Mouse” today because one of the original Mouseketeers Tommy Cole became 82.

A court finally said Trump was disqualified from a Presidential ballot. In this case, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Trump was ineligible to be on the Republican primary ballot based on the Constitution’s 14th Amendment “Insurrectionist Ban.”

The case will go to the U.S. Supreme Court. No one is certain which way the Court will rule. Legal experts held in the highest regard are divided.

This cold weather is killing me! Hate it! Still waiting for the floor heater I ordered from Amazon.

The temperature is 64 degrees at the moment, 8 am. High today will be 71.

A Newsweek appropriate headline: “Stop Talking About Biden’s Mental Acuity. Start Talking About Trump’s Signs of Dementia.”

Crazy, weird thinking. Steve Bannon is and has been a big Trump supporter. He is an all out advocate for tearing down the American democratic establishment.

His latest “hard to comprehend theory” calls for arming kids with guns to stop school bullying. He intends they be trained first in how to use the guns.

Pure insanity! Advocating shoot outs by children. Every school will become a shootout similar to the one historically known as Gunfight at OK Corral.

Enjoy your day!

I’m back after two days off. Sunday and monday. Sunday because I overslept and then had to hurry to catch a one o’clock Syracuse game at Jack Flats. Yesterday because of my annual physical, etc. beginning at 8 in the morning. Followed by a manicure at 10 and a couple of business matters thereafter.

The weather is off major concern. It is COLD! Eight am at the moment and 63 degrees. High today will only be 67. A  long pants day definitely.

Syracuse played Oregon sunday. The team’s finest game this season. Syracuse continues to improve with each game. Syracuse won by 20 points 83-63.

It was a comeback game, so to speak. Syracuse was down by 10 points 14-4 after 8 minutes of play. Despondency was setting in. I feared the basketball season would be as the football one. Then Syracuse started playing basketball. The team was ahead by 8 at half. Demolished Oregon offensively and defensively in the second half.

Actually, Syracuse was not playing bad in the early minutes when they wee down by 10 points. The problem was the ball was not dropping into the basket. Even easy shots were being missed.

Syracuse’s next game is thursday against Niagara. Should be an easy one for Syracuse. Never know, however. Game begins at 5.

Guy de Boer is back in town. He has been away for a couple of years racing in Europe and elsewhere. Spent some time living in the Canary Islands. Called me yesterday. Said he was back to stay a while.

Yellow fever during the Civil War was considered by some to have been more deadly than bullets. Many, in and out of the service, died from the disease.

Key West’s renowned treasure hunter Mel Fisher died at his home in Key Haven this day in 1998 at the age of 76. His 16 year search ended in success when he found the “mother lode” of the Spanish galleon Atocha in 1985.

September 11, 2001, better known as 9/11, was a devastating day for the United States. New York City’s Twin Towers came down following attack. Nearly 3,000 were killed.

It took 3 months for the fire that burned beneath the ruins to die out.

A developing reality. Young people are not attending church in increasing numbers because they are sick of preachers praising Donald Trump instead of Jesus Christ.

I heard on a radio talk show an interesting comment yesterday. It was to the effect that regarding anti-Semitism, American universities are where Germany’s  were in the 1920’s.

Scary.

Today’s podcast goes back 5-6 years. If I had to title it, it would be Politicians Are Asses.

So much the Devil and Saddam and Gomorrah talk these days. Satan has become part of our everyday discourse.

The Satanic Temple is on the move. It is in the process of launching an After School Satan Club at Chineyrock Elementary School in Memphis, Tennessee. The community is not happy about it.

The Memphis – Shelby County School District Board Chair Althea Greene told a group of concerned parents, religious leaders, and school officials, that “Satan has no room in this District.”

However, it seems the Prince of Darkness just might. The Satanic Temple says it can and already has 4 other clubs in the U.S.

The path for Satanic after-school clubs has become possible because of the ease by which evangelical Christian groups have created religious clubs which have gone unchallenged.

The Trump world is furious over the “massive” Rudy Giuliani defamation verdict.

Good! Let them be furious. Let them learn you cannot lie about important things which bring pain upon those you lied about. Let them be aware the mighty cannot defecate upon those of lesser status without recourse.

Power is no license to walk on anyone.

Trump continues to evoke Hitler when it comes to immigrants. He did so again at a recent rally in New Hampshire stating that migrants coming into the U.S. are “poisoning the blood of our country.” Hitler’s quote in Mein Kampf: “All great cultures of the past perished only because originally creative race died out from blood poisoning.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was attending a concert recently when he fell and broke his hip. He has had surgery. He is 76 years old.

His fall was a mere simple trip as was described by him. It happens as we get older.

Pope Francis celebrated his 87th birthday this past week. Happy Birthday! to a good man. The world needs more people like him.

Tonight, the Grand Cafe hopefully. Their crispy duck has been on my mind.

Enjoy your day!

A story lost to history. Italian immigrant workers were responsible for the first Rockefeller Christmas tree. It was Christmas time 1931. Early stages in the construction of Rockefeller Center. The workers primarily Italian immigrants. They thought a touch of the holiday season was required. They pooled their money and came up with a 20 foot tree. Their wives prepared garland at home which was wrapped around the tree. The decorated tree was completed on December 24th.

Big trees from little acorns do grow. The Rockefeller Christmas tree a perfect example. That 20 footer wrapped in simple garland turned into the mammoth tree electrically decorated today. An American tradition.

The rain is endless. Poured all night. Still coming down this morning. If it keeps up, the island will be washed away. I can imagine how flooded some Key West streets are at the moment. If this rain ever stops, people will kayak and swim in certain water flooded streets. It never fails!

Huge storm warnings out for Florida this weekend. A gale storm coming in off the Gulf. Big time rain and wind. Technically has not yet begun. Supposed to hit at 4 this afternoon and continue till 6 am sunday. Key West supposedly not involved. This peripheral rain and wind makes me wonder. Central Florida to be the worst to suffer. The storm to run as far south as Broward County. Wind gusts in central Florida projected to be 50-55 mph.

Syracuse/Oregon tomorrow at 1. The two schools are 2,802 miles apart. They will meet half way in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The game will be available on CBS.

Syracuse is 7-3, Oregon 7-2. Should be a good game.

My plan is to watch from Jack Flats. 

DeSantis speaks from his derriere rather than brain. He had a comment re the Satan figure beheaded in Iowa. Condemned Satanism, then followed his comment up with he would help pay the responsible culprit’s legal bills once caught. DeSantis trying to cover all bases and appeal to everyone once again. He’s worse than Trump in this regard.

Florida has become a fruitcake populace when it comes to voting. A strong MAGA population supporting Trump. A stupid governor. A Republican legislature that is off the wall with its thinking.

Linda Chaney is a Republican legislator. She came up with a bill that has already gained movement in Florida’s Republican legislature. Her bill is to define 16 year olds as “not children.” Rather as “youth workers.” She believes there is a labor shortage and children must be returned to the labor work force.

What she fails to realize is that there are tons of immigrants looking for work. Give them the jobs. That was how the U.S. handled things for years before Trump demonized immigrants.

Chaney’s bill has already passed its first of three committee votes before being submitted to the full House. It passed by a 10-5 party line vote.

Excuse me, but I  must make an observation. The sound of rain pounding on my roof at the moment is the loudest I have ever heard. Absolutely amazing. And Key West is not even a part of the pending gale storm.

Florida is not the only state off kilter. Texas is even worse. They recently had a “Holy Sexuality Week” in Texas. The scene the Abilene Christian University near Dallas. The University is openly anti-LGBTQ. The evil of homosexuality a basic belief.

Some students became upset. Two thousand signed a petition decrying the University position. The University President argued: “Opposition of homosexuality is holiness.”

The battle is on. The line drawn in the sand. A debate re the issue is scheduled for January.

An old piece of news that I only recently became aware of. Hitler planned extermination of North American Jews. Hitler’s blueprint is in book form. It clearly describes how to accomplish a North American holocaust. The 137 page report is titled “Statistics, Media and Organizations of Jewry in the United States and Canada.” It was compiled in 1944 by the German linguist Heinz Klaus at Hitler’s request and funded with Nazi monies.

Today’s podcast is 5 years old. Concerns the Pittsburg synagogue shooting which resulted in 11 deaths. The anti-Semite doing the shooting used an AR-15 rifle and 3 handguns.

The jury returned yesterday in the case against Rudy Giuliani brought by two black Georgia election workers he defamed. His statements as believed by the jury were baseless. They were the ones he made in the wake of the 2020 Presidential election.

The jury awarded the two women a total of $148 million. It was $100 million more than the women had sued for. Which is ok under most state laws. A jury may return more than the amount demanded in a Complaint.

The Washington, D.C. jury deliberated 10 hours. They believed Giuliani had concocted a fake ballot processing scheme that caused the two women all kinds of real pain and suffering. Each woman was awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $75 million in punitive damages.

Key West has a magnificent historical structure known as the Custom House. The government awarded the contract for construction on December 15, 1891. The amount $107,955.96. You can’t build anything today in Key West for that amount! Occupancy took place 3 years later in 1891.

I continue to live and learn. I always though bamboo was a part of the wood family. It is not. It is a member of the grass family. Yes, grass.

Last night was an enjoyable one. Brady’s Irish Pub. Pierogi special night.

When I arrived, the parking lot was full. Unusual. Had to park 2 blocks away and walk in the cutting wind to the restaurant. When I arrived, the place was mobbed. Every seat at the bar and tables in the bar occupied. Many standing. Most dressed in Christmas attire. Even Carola. She had tree lights in her hair and hanging from her neck.

Turned out it was trolley car night to see the homes decorated for Christmas. Planned by Ed Swift’s organization. The buses would leave from Brady’s.

Shit, I thought. Can’t sit, can’t stand. What to do! Russell saved my ass. He was seated at the bar and was soon going to leave. He gave his seat to me and finished his beer standing. Russell and I have been friends for 30 years. Became acquainted at Don’s Place. He is chef at the Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West. Lives near Brady’s. Obviously, a good guy.

He introduced me to his two friends who were seated next to him. Richard and Tracie. Richard is manager for one of Ed Swift’s companies. Tracie a manager at the A & B Lobster House. I enjoyed their company. We chatted quite a while. Richard originally from England. Tracie the Poconos. Interesting people. A new terrific acquaintance made.

The rain still pummeling down. Wind not too bad at the moment.

Enjoy your day!

A touching story on the internet this morning. What I view as making life a bowl of cherries for a brief moment in a person’s life.

I have shortened the story in the interest of time and space. The entire tale can be found in Weird Fantastic & Ridiculous Things in the World. A tear jerker.

A cab driver went to pick up a lady. She was small and frail. In her 90’s. Dressed like the 1940’s. Behind her he could see her furniture covered in white sheets. She carried a small satchel.

She gave him an address. Told the driver to take her through the downtown area first. He told her it was out of the way and would be costly. She said it did not matter. She was on the way to hospice. Her doctor told her she only had a few days to live. She had no family.

The driver ended taking her all over town. She had him stop in front of certain places and explained her life experience in front of each one.

When they finally ended up at hospice, two kindly attendants came out with a wheel chair to take her inside. She asked the cab driver how much. He said nothing…..I would want my mother to be treated as I have treated you.

The cab driver made the woman feel good. He made himself feel good at the same time.

Two nights ago, power from Islamorada to Key West was out for up to 4 hours depending where you lived. Affected were 56,000 people. The Florida Keys Electric Co. reported yesterday “high winds” caused the power failure. 

Keys people have come to not necessarily believe utility companies when they explain why something stopped working. Water and electrical companies the worst. 

I never heard high winds during the evening. Checked the weather report. Winds during the time in question were 20 mph, with gusts up to 25. Not the kind of “storm” to close down power for 4 hours. The problem with our utility companies is they fail to maintain and rehabilitate. Yet they spend money exorbitantly on salaries at the high end and in certain instances awarding board members lifetime medical insurance.

One of the greatest movies of all time premiered this day in 1939 in Atlanta. Gone With The Wind starring Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable.

Love Gable’s closing line: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

The New York Times yesterday ran an interesting story for the “frugal traveler” titled: Key West for Cheapskates. Although detailed and specific, I don’t buy it. I have been here 30 years and prices overall have become outrageous. You really have to love Key West to continue living here.

The weather continues to be chilly and rainy. Today’s high will be 74, low 70. Eighty percent chance of rain. Correct. It has been pouring heavy the past two hours. Wind 25 mph, with gusts of 30-35 mph. It will warm up 3-4 degrees over the weekend. 

Fortunate it is not Christmas yet. Santa and his reindeer would have a hard time making visits.

Podcast today 4 years old. Trump President. My ranting involves Trump’s children benefitting from Trump fund raising.

I wrote yesterday about the Satanic display erected at the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines. A “holiday” display.

The Satan display was damaged “beyond repair” yesterday.

A wacko position. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a non-religious group, is seeking to remove books from school libraries they consider dangerous to young people. The Bible on their hit list! The group claims more than 100 sexually explicit references contained therein.

Why can’t God be left alone?

A God’s in His Heaven, all’s right with the world thing follows.

A 4 month old baby boy was sucked from his home by a tornado and miraculously found alive in a tree. The baby, named Lord, and his family were in a mobile home in Clarksville, Tennessee, last week when a powerful twister ripped the roof off their mobile home and sucked Lord out of his bassinet.

Lord’s mother and father searched. Ten minutes later found Lord lying in a fallen tree in the pouring rain.

His mother thought he would be dead. Not so. Looked like ‘he was placed on the tree gently. Like an angel guided him safely to that spot.”

Have to move swiftly. A busy morning ahead including a manicure at noon.

Enjoy your day!

Satanism is a governmentally recognized religion. Would  you believe?

Sometime back around 2019 when Trump was President, the IRS officially recognized Satanism as a religion for its purposes.

Too much religion these days involved in our politics. Even Satanism popping up on a frequent basis. Iowa the latest place. In Iowa there is a Satanic organization known as the Satanic Temple of Iowa. It has on display in the State Capitol what it described as a “holiday” display. So erected with the State’s permission. It consists of a small altar on the Capitol’s first floor. Relatively near the Nativity setting.

It represents the group’s involvement in the forthcoming Iowa primary. A leader of the group said, “We’re going to really relish the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don’t have a church on every corner.”

Conservative God fearing Iowans, what is happening in your State?

I had to gas up yesterday. Cost was $2.91 a gallon. I was shocked! Cannot recall the last time gas was less than $3 a gallon in Key West. Hope it keeps going down.

I read yesterday of a way to recognize when Trump is lying: His lips are moving. Brilliant! He rarely if ever speaks the truth.

Which brings me to today’s podcast. It was done during Trump’s Presidency and involves Trump and COVID. His lips moved a lot in those days.

One of America’s most horrible days. This day in 2012. Twenty children and 6 staff members were murdered at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Eleven years later, the gun problem still exists. If Sandy Hook didn’t resolve the gun battle, what will?

Pew Research came out recently with a startling finding which was part of its report re 2023 gun killings of U.S. children and teens. The number increased 50 percent in the 2 years between 2019 and 2021. Again raising the point that the gun problem continues even after Sandy Hook. In 2019 there were 1,732 children and teen gun killings, in 2021 2,590.

Gustave Eiffel, the man who built the Eiffel Tower, was born this day in 1832.

I came across a comment this morning: “You say why, I say why not?”

Brought to mind a Philosophy quiz I took in college. I found the course a bit difficult. Also, the Professor did not impress me. The quiz asked one question: “Why?”

I thought, how stupid! After meditating for awhile, wrote my answer: “Why not?”

The C grade I received adequately rewarded my “genius” which at the time I thought was equal to the Professor’s question. I actually expected an A or F, depending how Prof reacted to my response. I assume he was confused, not sure what to do, took the easy way out and gave me the C.

Dinner last night at Brady’s Irish Pub. Fish and chips and excellent company.

It was Carola’s 43rd birthday. Everyone Happy Birthdaying her. Two persons brought in cakes. I enjoyed a piece of one. Carola’s Mom in Ireland sent her a package containing a lovely necklace and ear rings and different candies. Carola gave me a bunch of the candies which I have sitting on my desk and will pick at during the day.

Met Kim again. More recently met her at the Thai Bar. She was having dinner alone. Her husband an attorney. He was busy with something. Kim worked years ago with the Blue Paper when it was Blue. Today’s mild in comparison. We talked long covering a multitude of sins and problems.

Kim left and Whalen came by. I met Whalen for the first time last week at Brady’s. He is from Wisconsin. A Key West contractor these days.

We both recalled we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. He is a Trump supporter. Our chatting involved much political chatter. The interesting thing is we were able to discuss opposing viewpoints without getting upset with each other. Few exist today who are able to so communicate.

The proposed Missouri “abortion homicide” bill I discussed yesterday died a swift death in the Missouri House. It was withdrawn following bipartisan backlash. The Senate bill is still alive, however.

It’s 5:30 am. Lights just went out. All power gone, inside and out. Writing this note by flashlight for incorporation in the blog when power returns.

Power has returned. Off a bit less than 2 hours. I have a busy morning ahead so I am going to press with what I have.

Enjoy your day!

New York drops the ball at midnight every New Year’s Eve. An American tradition. One to be proud of. 

Key West has its own dropping New Year’s Eve. Actually, five. A Key West tradition. Which we are equally proud of.

I list the five. To inform. If you are out and about at midnight, make plans to view one. A fun event!

—–The shoe drop with Christopher Peterson at the Bourbon St. Pub.

—–The gigantic conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s.

—–The Historic Seaport/Schooner Wharf Bar pirate wench drop. Schooner Wharf Bar owner Evalena Worthington the wench. She is dropped from the mast of the tall America 2.0 ship.

—–The landing of a replica Pan Am 1927 aircraft with a costumed flight attendant at First Flight Restaurant.

—–A key lime pie wedge splashing down into a larger than life margarita glass at Ocean Key’s Sunset Pier.

Today’s podcast a real oldie. Six or seven years. Concerns Trump, the Paris Accord and pollution. I was upset when I did the podcast. Trump really irritated me in this one.

Ukraine’s President Zelensky came to Washington with his hand out and returned home with it empty. He was here to convince Congress to approve the $64 billion Biden had recommended. Republicans have been stalling approval of the request. Acting un-American in so doing. Trump and his MAGA supporters opposing the need. Failure to provide the monies could vey well lead to a Putin victory.

If the U.S. fails in this instance, we will look extremely unreliable in the eyes of the world. It will be another example of “our word” no longer can be depended upon.

Italy’s record in World War II was dismal, with one exception. Italy’s treatment of Jews.

Mussolini and a majority of Italians rejected Hitler and Goebbels’s desire to destroy the Italian Jewish population. Italy protected those of the Jewish faith in Italy itself and in Tunis and occupied France. The Italians refused to draft Jews for work or compel them to wear the Star of David. Further, Italy refused to deport Jews from Italy or Italian occupied Croatia and France to Auschwitz.

Gender issues are moving in a somewhat radical and too swift manner.

An example is a Seattle high school student. In a recent quiz, two  true/false questions give credence to the statement. One query: “Only women can get pregnant.” The student answered “true.” The other, “All men have penises.” The student answered “true.’

Both answers were marked “incorrect” by the teacher. Such ultimately led to the student receiving an F grade on the quiz.

The student’s parents are upset. They feel politics is coming into the classroom. The gender issue affecting their son’s responses a perfect example.

Bad guys, dirty pool! What is going on? How far will Trump MAGA followers go in attempting to debase opposing candidates?

More than a step too far happened to Joe Biden at the Army-Navy football game saturday. A video posted on Instagram (direct link, archive link) shows spectators chanting: “Fuck Joe Biden!”

Fact checking proved the video had been altered. The anti-Biden statement was digitally added. The original video shows the crowd singing along to a song.

Enjoyed Happy Hour at the Grand Cafe yesterday. Packed! Steve, Cindy, Joe, Jean, Eddie, Christina and I can’t recall who else. Good company all!

I mentioned yesterday that as part of the Grand’s 21st year in business, entrées were free all day to everyone. I was wrong. Not everyone, only locals. The half price on drinks and appetizers continues however to all. Tourists as well as locals.

The weatherman said it was going to rain today. It is. Appears it will do so till this evening.

Enjoy your day!

Missouri Republicans refuse to give up the battle when it comes to abortion. Their latest move is proposing legislation which would allow women who receive abortions to be charged with murder.

Cold during the night. Temperature dropped to 66 degrees. Still 66 at 7 am as I write. High today will be 74. The cut-off point for we locals, most of whom who will feel chilled at that number.

My game plan was to go out for dinner last night. Never made it. Got hung up on a modern movie version of Shakespeare’s Tempest. Filmed in 1982. A great cast: John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon, Victorio Gassman and Molly Ringwald. Most scenes filmed on a Greek isle. The pressures of life a key theme.

This was Molloy Ringwald’s first movie. She played a teenager. Later went on to major filmdom success. My recollection was a movie called Sixteen kicked her into the category. She attempted a comeback in later years as a stage actor. I recall watching her perform here in Key West some 20 years ago during that time.

Though not her first, Susan Sarandon was a young Susan Sarandon. I apparently never saw her in those days. An absolute beauty! Magnificent eyes!

Yogi Berra quotes more humorous than accurate. One of his has the ring of truth in it, though not intended as such when made: “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

Today’s podcast some 6 years old. Made following a Trump visit to Key West.

Sears has only 12 stores left in the United States.

Richard Sears and Alvin Roebuck started Sears in 1892. In its early years, it was primarily a catalogue company. By 1969, it was the largest retailer in the world. Five years later, it moved into Sears Tower in Chicago.  The Tower at 110 stories was the tallest building in the world. Today, only 12 stores remain. Why? The way of the world. Walmart, Amazon, and poor management.

Liz Cheney speaks words of wisdom when it comes to Donald Trump. She keeps ringing the alarm. Are people listening?

She is now contending that if Trump was back in the White House, his election would be our last election.

Climate change a major issue world wide today. The first ever international climate change meeting took place this day in 1915 in Paris. The group adopted the first global pact to fight climate change, calling on the world to cut and eliminate greenhouse gas pollution. 

Obviously the agreement did not work well at all. No sanctions were imposed on countries that did not comply. We are still waging the battle more than 100 years later.

Grandson Robert Malcom published another interesting article re FSU football on December 10. A story re an official visit to FSU and commit by Turner Hickman as a future Seminole. NoleGameday.com.

For those of us who recall, two famous singers of yesteryear have birthdays today. Connie Francis is 86, Dionne Warwick 83.

Tonight, the Grand Cafe at 4 for Happy Hour. Everything half price. The entire menu. Part of the Grand’s thank you and in celebration of their many years of service.

Enjoy your day!

By day, yesterday was excellent.

Sloan and I had a worthwhile 2 hours working on the podcasts. Hopefully we have things down pat now.

Spent two comfortable hours at Higgs Beach in the afternoon again. Overcast. Still comfortable. Nothing like sitting by the ocean. The sounds and smell of the water.

The evening sucked, however. Did not let it bother me. The afternoon was still in me and I refused to let anything spoil it.

It started with dinner. I decided to be good to myself. An excellent dinner. Selected Antonia’s. Closed. Pitch black inside. Strange, I thought. Closed on a sunday evening? Tons of people walking Duval. Other restaurants and bars doing a bang up business. Opted for La Trattoria. Same problem. Closed. What the hell?

Understand, I had already overwalked. Returned to my car. My right leg killing me.

Refused to let the closings get me down. Pepe’s popped into mind. I had not been there in a while. A broiled half chicken would be my meal.

Found a parking spot. People crowded outside and in waiting for a seat in Pepe’s. I asked the hostess if there were any seats at the bar. She said yes. So I plodded through the crowd. No seats available at the bar.

Where next? Decided on the Boat House. A bit of a walk. My other leg joining the right one in pain. Made it, however.

In all my Key West years, I had never been to the Boat House. The old or new. It was crowded. Found a seat at the bar. Decided I deserved a drink after all the work/walking I had done. I had not had one in 10 days. Beefeater on the rocks. Only one. And a diet Pepsi.

Ordered an appetizer for dinner. Conch fritters. Seven huge ones. Delicious. I was feeling better.

Wanted a second diet Pepsi. Took me 15 minutes to get one. Three young ladies working my section of the bar. They were tied up bullshitting with 4 older gents (younger than me) at one end of the bar. Left me and others sitting without service for the 15 minutes. Pissed me off! Some of my neighbors at the bar, also. Lousy service in the extreme!

I said nothing. I am a good tipper. Not last night. The bill was $27. Normally, I would have left a $10 tip. Left only $3. Came close to leaving nothing.

I will never return to the Boat House.

Yet, my disposition remained ok.

This morning I had a 9:30 appointment with my heart doctor. Two years and I have yet to meet him. We are down to 3 heart doctors in Key West. A nurse practitioner has been caring for me. I have come to respect her talents. Not that I have any choice.

April was not in. No one called me. I corrected the receptionist re no one had when she insisted. Said April would phone me. I insisted on a personal visit another day. Fran came out to give me a hand. She is a nurse who works under and with April. I blew. Couldn’t help it. We agreed she would call me with an appointment for next week with April.

I was not out of the office 10 minutes and getting into my car when the phone rang. A recorded message. April would call me at 11 tomorrow.

I have not dealt with that call yet. Will not have to as it turns out. April just called me. I vented again. She took my abuse and apologized, which made me feel worse. Anyhow, everything back to kumbaya with them. I have the answers April would have given me in a face to face.

I feel like a smuck, however. April has been out of work for 10 days taking care of her elderly father who is sick.

It is cool today. Seventy degrees. High will be 72. No ocean to relax by. 

Today’s podcast goes back to the early days of COVID. Greece was hard hit at the time also. The Greeks are different from us, however. They paid attention to their government. Everything closed down. People remained home. The podcast deals with my friend Theos. Following the podcast is a note I received from another Greek friend Jim Brown. Deals with how the Greek people were handling COVID also. His story similar to Theos’.

Jim Brown from Crete: “Sending Key West Lou best wishes from Crete. Lockdown has been obeyed by the people here. Sadly not earning at the moment. But health before weather as they say.”

“Big trees from little acorns grow.” Applies to goldfish in the Great Lakes where goldfish have physically grown. As large as a busty 18 inches. They are disrupting the ecosystems of the Great Lakes. They now number literally in the tens of millions.

They have become an invasive species. Who would have thought?

An example of the pot calling the kettle black. Donald Trump called Joe Biden a “real threat” to democracy.

The man is mad. The pressure getting to him. He is becoming “more explosive” than ever.

Rudy Giuliani has become equally as crazy as his comrade Donald Trump. Giuliani claims Obama has taken the U.S. back 40 or 50 years on race relations.

I don’t understand that one.

Enjoy your day!