Good morning!

Another glorious Key West day! A slight breeze. Not one cloud in the sky. Water moving gently along. Warm, of course.

Yesterday, golf!

I played terrible! Shot 123. Lost $20. Deserved to lose that much money!

I played with Tom, Tino and Yankee Jack. We laughed throughout the 18 holes. Not because of my awful play. We just had a good time. A very good time.

The golf course was crowded. Tourists. We had to wait on just about every shot. Took us five hours to play.

I hurried home after golf. Jenna was due. We had a lot of prep work ahead for my friday show. We worked a couple of hours. Did not finish. She returns at nine this morning.

I grabbed some quick shut eye. Golf always tires me out.

My evening started with Aqua and Bobby Nesbitt. By prearrangement, I was meeting Bill and June Hudson there. We had planned to have dinner together.

Between my teeth and everything else, I have not been going out much. It was the first time in months I was at Aqua. My absence apparently was noticed.

Bobby shouted a warm hello Louis from the piano as I walked in. Many friends there. Besides the Hudsons, Tom and Kathy, Lynda, Mary Jo, and more.

Mark Watson was working. I did not get a chance to chat with him, except for a warm hello. I was told that he recently wrote a play. Submitted it in some national competition. Ended up one of five finalists. Went to Chicago. Came in second.

As soon as I know more, I will share it with you. Donna and Terri arrive friday for the weekend. They will know everything.

Then the Hudsons and I went to La Trattoria for dinner.

The same thing again! Becha. Louis, where have you been? I was thinking about you today. Followed by a great hug and kiss.

We had a terrific dinner. I struggled with caprese as a starter. The cheese I could handle. The tomato I could not. I had scallops for an entre. No problem.

The table conversation was so enjoyable. Bill is a recently retired divorce lawyer from Delaware. He and June are two of the nicest people in the Keys. We have known each other for some 15 years.

After dinner, Bill and June headed to Larry’s Show at Hogs Breath. I was tired and opted to go directly home.

On the way down Truman, I changed my mind and stopped in at Don’s Place. Had a drink with Bebe and Rob.

Then home, again. Or so I thought. I realized the cupboard was bare. Publix was closed. Went to Albertson’s. They are open 24 hours.

I bought some ice cream. Sugar free. On sale. Looked good. I could not resist!

When I arrived home, I devoured the ice cream. Ate more than I should have. Sooooo good!

My doctor called  in the afternoon with my brain MRI results. I am ok. Surprisingly, nothing wrong with my head!

Tonight bocce! A money game. We play Larry’s team. A blood match!

Enjoy your day!

Black outside. Quiet, too. Cannot hear any breeze nor the water. Humid.

Going to be another terrific Key West day!

Good!

I play golf this morning. That is why I am up early. I did not play last week. Had to babysit Ally. I am anxious to play today.

I started yesterday with a walk. Per my doctor’s orders. Along Smathers Beach. My doctor keeps telling me to get a dog. That way I would be forced to walk.

Afterwards, I stopped at the Coffee House. Browsed through the New York Times as I sipped.

Spent the rest of the day working on friday’s Key West Lou Legal Hour. This past week has been full of interesting events. I am overloaded with material for the show.

Jenna telephoned. I told her about all the material I had. She is stopping in after golf to help me sort it out.

Stayed in last night. I got hooked on a series of old Ray Milland movies. One co-starred Arlene Dahl. A 1940-1950 movie star. I became acquainted with her in the 1970s on one of my trips to La costa. She was still a beauty!

May I shoot well today!

Enjoy your day!

It’s a great day today!

I feel good!

Just enjoyed breakfast. Me and the blender. Egg whites, ham and cheese. Tasty!

My yesterday started with an MRI and a chest x ray.

Spent most of the rest of yesterday writing. In between, ran a friend to the airport. Visited Office Max to fax papers to my CPA. Walked the aisles at Dollar Store.

I had a business meeting in the late afternoon at Grand Key. When the meeting was finished, I walked to the outside bar to see what was going on. Met a nice girl. Celeste. Fortyish. Slim. Blond. Tanned. Attractive.

We enjoyed a couple of drinks together.

Then I was off to Don’s Place. Visted with Rob and Bebe. Great people! Love them! And their obvious affectiuon for each other! When I walked in, Rob was rubbing Bebe’s butt. I laughingly walked up to them and said, “My turn?”

I screwed up my sleep last night. Watched two long movies. Till 3 this morning

Today is the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. The shelling of Fort Sumter.

In many respects, I do not believe the war has ever truly ended. The South has this continuing animosity towards us Yankees.

There is an excellent book on the subject. I have recommended it before. Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz. Horwitz is a Pulitzer Prize winner, though not for this book.

I have an open day. I have absolutely no idea what I will do. And that is the way it should be!

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I am up early. Have a doctor’s appoinment at 9. No big deal. An x-ray.

Still dark outside. Warm already. Another great Key West day in the making.

I watched the Sunday news talk shows yesterday in the morning. The Masters in the afternoon. Pulling for Tiger! He almost did it!

In between did prep work for friday’s internet show.

Dinner at Lisa’s. Fun! Love those grandkids!

After dinner, Robert and I watched the final holes of the Masters together. A nice feeling.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Sunday!

And happy birthday!

Happy birthday to my Father. He is 97 years old today.

His parents named him John Robert Petrone. He was born April 10, 1914.

Dad’s parents were Louis and Albina. They were both born in Italy. Southern Italy. They did not meet there, however. They met in Stamford, Connecticut.

My grandfather Louis came to this country first. Around 1912. My grandmother Albina years later.

They settled in Utica. In an Italian neighborhood. Immigrants tended then and now to group together.

My grandfather bought a six family home. Three stories high. Two apartments a floor.

My grandparents’ children all lived in the house following their marriages. At one time, I lived with my parents in the third floor front apartment.

My Father was one of seven. A sister died early in life. My Father is the last of the brood alive. His sister Mary died last year at the age of 102.

My Father quit school in third year high. He had to work. In the mid 1940s, he sort of returned to school. He studied at home. Took his high school regents with the kids. Passed. And graduated on stage. Cap and gown and all. He was proud. I was proud. I was there.

My Father first met my Mother when he was 14. As the story goes, he saw her from across the street for the first time and shouted “…I am going to marry you!”

My Mother’s name was Fortunata. Italian for Fortune. She was born in Italy. A place called Foggia. She was the ninth born of nine children. The other eight were all boys. That is why her parents named her Fortune.

Mom and Dad married in the early 1930s. I came along in 1935. I have been told many times my father was so excited that he ran up and down the street shouting he had a son!

We lived third floor front till 1941 when my parents bought a home on James Street. My Father would live there more than 60 years till he sold it and moved.

Along the way, my parents made my sister Joan. She is ten years younger than me. My mother was not supposed to have any more children after me. However, she did not want me to be alone. So my Mother gambled with her health. Forunately, everything worked out well!

In the l930s and prior to World War II, my father worked in a fishing tackle plant. Horrocks-Ibbitson. The biggest manufacturer of fishing tackle in the world at the time. Dad worked in the glue room. On bamboo poles. The dirtiest job in the place. The worst. A job that was reserved for Italians. There was a prejudice in Utica and the country as a whole at the time.

World War II came. Dad tried to enlist. He was 4F. He had a punctured eardrum from faulty medical treatment when he was young. He was totally deaf in one ear.

My Father went to work in a defense plant instead. For the length of the war.

After the war, he returned to Horrocks-Ibbitson. This time as a white collar worker. The war had changed things. He had a desk and all that went with it. He was involved in production. He continued in that field later at Bendix and then a toilet paper manufacturing plant called Sitrue. Except for several years when he served as a Deputy County Clerk.

My sister and I grew up during this time. I went off to college and law school. My sister to Florida.

My Mother passed on some twenty years ago. My Father continued to live in the house on James Street alone, until he met Frances.

After retirement, he worked in my law office till a couple of years ago. He started at 65 with many duties and responsibilities. They diminshed as he got older. He was a big help as my firm grew.

Several years ago, he developed a heart condition which minimizes his activities.

He found a friend and new partner in life about ten years ago. Frances. She is a blessing. She is now 72 years old.

They live together in a new complex for people 55 and older. They have a lovely 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment. And a shaded outside patio where my father sits and reads in the warm weather.

Except for the heart, his body is good. So is his mind. He and Francis get out at least once a week for dinner. Sometimes breakfast, also.

I think all fathers want their children to be athletes. My Father worked with me in baseball. I believe he thought I would be another Joe Dimaggio. I let him down. It did not matter. He took pride in my success as an attorney.

I hope Dad makes a 100! A 100 plus!

I telephoned Frances this morning and asked to speak with him. She told me he was still asleep. He had a bad night. Difficulty sleeping. He was worried he would not wake up to be 97!

That’s my Father!

Happy birthday, Dad!

Magnifique!

The only way to describe this Key West morning!

During yesterday’s internet show, the Key West Lou Legal Hour, I commented on synthetic drugs. The reaction during the day and last night was overwhelming! I did not realize the popularity and interest in this new type fix. People were coming up to thank me for warning them of the dangers involved. They did not know. They thought synthetic drugs were harmless.

Synthetic drugs are phony drugs. Phony pot, phony cocaine. They are drugs that mimic real drugs. With one major difference. Synthetic drugs are supposed to be harmless. They are not!

Many users of this new fun high are ending up in the hospital. Not just sick. Very sick. Since January, 2,700 users have been hospitalized. Nine died.

Usage can result in extreme paranoia. Users report seeing monsters, demons and aliens. Many reported suicidal thoughts.

Synthetic drugs are generally sold in head shops. In the form of incense and bath salts.

Interestingly, it appears the users are adults and seniors citizens. I guess everyone is looking for a quick harmless fix, regardless of age.

Synthetic drugs are not the way to Nirvana. Beware!

I apologize for pontificating. But again the reaction was so overwhelming that I felt the issue deserved to be commented on herein.

Like that last word? “Herein.” I sound like a lawyer!

On the way into town last night, I stopped at Lisa’s. Wanted to see the grandkids. Ally up and running around. Like she had never been sick this past week. Robert wanting to know if we were going to lunch again this weekend. He is on the eternal quest for a Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

I had dinner at the Southernmost’s Beach Cafe last night. A perfect setting. On the ocean.

There was a wedding going on on the beach. Reminded me of Lisa and Corey’s wedding. They were married on the same beach.

I returned to the Beach Cafe for dinner because of the mussels I had eaten there this past week. Excellent! I wanted more. I was not disappointed. They were just as good the second time.

I needed something extra.. Ordered a shrimp salad. Wow! What taste! Small shrimp sauteed in a soy sauce. To die for!

Although it is only an outside beach bar, the Beach Cafe serves outstanding food. Cheaply priced, also.

I recommend the Beach Cafe.

Enjoy your day!

Great bocce last night!

I am still on the team! I played well in the first game. From the very first shot!

We won 2 out of 3 games. Lost the last one.

This was the fourth week of the season. Each week we have won the first two games and lost the third. Badly each time. Has to be mental.

Anyhow, we are tied for second place. Not bad. We have never been that good.

After bocce, it was off to Don’s Place. Packed.

Tino and Maria had 2 female guests visiting from Chicago. I spoke to one of them for a while. Her name was Blanch. Pretty. Charming. She works for a bank.

This morning was the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Wild! Love doing the show!

Ally better. Went to school today.

Tonight? I haven’t decided yet.

Enjoy your day!

The weather yesterday turned out to be spectacular. Today is, also.

We are lucky to live here in Key West.

Sunny and warm by day. With a touch of humidity. The evenings just right. Sleep with the windows open and a blanket over you.

No golf for me yesterday. I babysat. Poor Ally. She has a bug. We colored together a bit. She slept most of the time. Would not eat.

Lisa already telephoned me this morning. Be here at 9:30 to watch Ally.

Spent last night at Don’s Place. Most of our bocce team there. I am getting beat up. The cry is play better!

Tonight is bocce. If I don’t roll them well in the first game, it will be to the bench for me!

I enjoyed the evening. Don’s attracts the best people. Besides Don himself, David, Keith, Jen, Jeff, Erica, Herschel, Boomer, Skip, and others.

Tomorrow at 10 is the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Watch on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/ or http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/. A terrific show awaits. Topics like the Barry Bonds trial, synthetic drugs, Glenn Beck, April 9th in history, the Florida court system in financial trouble, religious problems in Syria, the Wisconsin judicial election, the cruel decision in Connick v. Thompson, Prius,  Oregon conflict between medical marijuana and gun rights, Libya and US involvement, ban of baggy pants in schools, too many blacks in jail, Yale and sexual harassment, and more.

Join me!

Enjoy your day!

The glorious Key West weather departed us yesterday afternoon. It rained! Big time! Continued through the night.

I am up early. This is my golf day.The sun is still sleeping. Black outside. I cannot see the sky.

The weather report calls for rain all day. The weather report down here means nothing. Living on a small island, good and bad weather comes and goes quickly. As soon as the sun rises, Iwill be able to tell if we will be playing golf this morning.

My annual physical was yesterday. The one with the doctor. I got prodded all over.

I am basically ok. I have an xray and MRI to do Monday. Then I shall know better.

My doctor hit on me heavy regarding my lack of exercise. The gym and me came and went. She said walk. So starting tomorrow I plan on walking. Lets see if I can get into the habit.

I worked on Friday’s internet show the rest of the day.

Last night I decided to go out and try eating.Outback was my choice. The place was packed! Even the bar! A 40 minute wait. Too much for me.

I went to the Chinese restaurant instead. Figured egg foo yung would be chewable. It was not. I tried orange chicken. Wow! Perfect texture! It worked! I chewed! I enjoyed!

Lisa just telephoned. No golf for me, even if the weather permits. Ally is sick. I am babysitting.

Mothers are amazing! Robert was sick last week for two days. Lisa said Ally will get the same thing in one week. Next Wednesday she predicted. Today is Wednesday.

Today is Larry Harvey’s 90th birthday! A Key West icon. The most loved person in Key West. He will be  honored tonight at Aqua.Bobby Nesbitt singing, as usual. Howard Livingston is joining the festivities.

A big night for Mr. Harvey. He deserves it!

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

Again, another terrific day in Paradise. And again, not a cloud in the sky!

Connecticut! Not a great game. Ugly best describes it. Schocking, also. Both teams played badly. It was not basketballs finest hour.

Connecticut over Butler 53-41. Butler will have to make it again next year. Destiny is on their side.

My day yesterday was spent dealing with tax issues. It is that time of the year.

Last night started with Louie’s Backyard. Always a pleasant place to have a drink.

I chatted with people around me. There was a strong breeze coming in off the Atlantic. Many of the ladies having dinner outside saw their well done hair blowing here and there. I felt sorry for them.

Dinner was at the beach bar at the Southernmost Complex. Packed with vacationers.

I tried mussels. Delicious! I was able to handle them!

Then it was home to bed and the basketball game.

This morning I have the physical part of my annual physical. I did the blood work and all that stuff last week.

Enjoy your day!