The consistency of Key West weather is amazing! Every day the same. The only difference between this morning and yesterday is that there is not one cloud in the sky. Pure blue!

I spent Sunday morning watching the talk shows. From the comfort of my bed, of course.

I had promised to take Robert to Mr. Zs for lunch. He wanted a cheesesteak sandwich. Ally finally changed her mind and decided to join us.

Lisa was upset with me. It was after one when I picked the grandkids up. They were hungry!

We went to Mr. Zs. None of us had ever been there before. It was not for us for lunch. We did not stay.

Mr. Zs is a pizza place primarily. Hot. Warm inside. The door was open.The air must have broken down. Only two tables. I could see we would not be comfortable. I am told the pizza is terrific. I shall do a home delivery some day.

We went next door to the bagel place. Air conditioned. Good food. No cheesesteak sandwiches, of course. The place was packed. People sitting around forever after lunch. We waited 15 minutes and still had no table. We left.

By now Robert and Ally were starving. We’re hungry, Poppa!

I solved the problem. Took them to the Pier House. We sat outside on the deck by the water. The grandkids had never been to the Pier House. They were intrigued by the internal walkways. Ally said people must get lost here. Robert thought the outside walkway to the ocean was a forest. Ally was thrilled by the flowers growing along side the walk. All kinds of colors.

We had a good lunch! Cheeseburgers and fries all around. And diet soda.

We sat a long time and talked. About nothing and everything. Boring they are not!

As I was driving out of the Pier House parking lot, Michael, my bartender friend from the Chart Room, was driving in on his scooter. I looked at my watch. It was close to 4 o’clock. The time Michael starts work. It had been a long afternoon!

I spent the rest of my day writing and day dreaming.

Enjoy your today!

Sunday!

A glorious Key West morning!

The only difference between yesterday and today at this time is that there are a few scattered white clouds above.

It is a good feeling getting out of bed and walking outside in the morning. A God is in His Heaven, all is right with the world feeling!

Yesterday morning started with a walk. The Atlantic. Smathers Beach area.

I spent the rest of the day at home writing. Sat outside under the tiki hut and pecked away at the computer.

Last night was big!

Jenna and I were out together for a while.

We started at the Chart Room. A good bar. Sean and Katherine. Sheila. Michael bartending.

Then Jenna and I headed to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. Sat at the bar. John was his usual gracious self. Chris and Aja showed up. The newly weds!

Women are strange. Really?

Jenna enjoys macoroni and cheese as prepared at the Hot Tin Roof. A gourmet eatry has it on its menu! So it was macaroni and cheese for Jenna!

What does Aja order? Macaroni and cheese!

I tried to eat. Struggled through a piece of snapper and mashed potatoes. Did ok.

While at the Chart Room and Hot tin Roof, Jenna and I are watched the Butler/VCU game. Good basketball! I was sorry to see VCU lose. But, someone has to.  Especially at this stage when the best of the best are playing.

After dinner, I dropped Jenna off. I headed over to Don’s Place. Watched the Connecticut/Kentucky game there.

The bar was packed. I enjoyed the company of one and all. Angus, Erica, Herschel, Boomer, Nicky and Toni amongst others. Most were pulling for Kentucky to win. Out of respect for Mikey.

Mikey is a die hard Kentucky fan. Even his golf bag has Kentucky on it. His father and uncle graduated from Kentucky. And best of all,  Mikey is in Houston this week with them for the Final Four! How exciting!

I told Mikey before he left that I would be pulling for Connecticut. Big East loyalty!

Robert is better. It is amazing how swiftly kids recover. He telephoned me this morning. He wants to go to lunch with me. Mr. Zs. Neither of us have ever been there. Whatever he wants, I want. Ally told me she does not want to go. She does not like Mr. Zs, although she has never been there either.

Kids will be kids!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Another lovely day!

What a winter!

Spectacular!

This morning, not even a cloud in the sky. Just bright sun. A slight breeze.

Yesterday’s internet show went well. Again, it was the Campbell Soup lawsuit that got the most reaction. Campbell Soup is an American icon. How dare anyone sue the company!

I stopped afterwards to visit Robert. Sick. Poor kid. He was better last night, fortunately. I spoke with him on the telephone. He had the old bounce in  his voice. He wanted to know what he and I were going to do today.

I spent the balance of the afternoon and evening writing.

Larry Smith says I have become an artist. He considers writing an art. He is correct. Though I am not sure the artist label fits me.

Larry says the Key West atmosphere contributes to it. People settle here and develop another talent.

Great basketball today! I make no predictions. Syracuse is long gone. I am just going kick back and enjoy the games.

At some point, Jenna and I will be having dinner together.

Enjoy your day!

Late with today’s blog. Sorry.

Slept late this morning. Had to hurry to get to the studio on time to do my internet Key West Lou Legal Hour.

With all modesty, I believe this was the finest show thus far! Great topics. Timely. Interesting.

It seems the two selections which received the most post show comment involved Campbell Soup and the super market scam. The two topics are not related.

Campbell is everyone’s friend. We were all raised on Campbell soups. Campbell got sued for alleged mislabeling on one of its Tomato Soups. I am not impressed with the lawsuit. I said so.

Also suing Campbell is like suing your mother! A no no! And I said that, also!

The other topic involved food suppliers placing less ounces in a can or box and charging the same or more. The public never knows it is getting screwed!

After the show, I hurried over to Lisa’s. Robert sick again. A bug. Bad stomach and fever.

Last night was bocce. We won again! Two out of three games. Our record is now 6 wins and 3 losses. We are on a roll!

I played well in the first game which we won decisively. I sat out the second game. My teammates played well. We won again. I thought I was hot. I asked to play the last game. We lost 16-2.

We should be either in first or second place with a 6-3 record. May our good play keep up!

After bocce, it was Don’s Place. A happy bunch!

The weather continues to be spectacular. 90 degrees at the moment.

Tonight? The question mark says it all. I don’t know what, if anything, I will do. I am in Key West time.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

It appears summer has arrived in Key West. It has been humid the past few days. Especially yesterday.

I played golf in the morning. Raised a sweat because of the humidity. The air was heavier. On some shots, I had to go two extra clubs.

I thought I played poorly. I played with Larry, Yankee Jack and Robert. They thought I played well.

I four putted 3 greens.

Whatever, I was the big money winner. $6!

The winner buys drinks. The drinks cost me $7.

The humidity knocked me out. I went home to bed and slept the afternoon away.

I intended to go out last night. Never did. My preparation for friday’s Key West Lou Legal hour was incomplete. I spent four hours working at it. Jenna and I will fine tune the show later today.

This morning a dentist visit. I still have pain on one side of my jaw. Cannot chew. Hope something can be done about it.

Bocce tonight. My game better improve. David and Don are on my ass!

Enjoy your day!

I am sure you noticed that the blog the past three days has been one hugh papragraph. I don’t know what went wrong. What, if anything, I did wrong. Jenna fixed it yesterday, however. It took her two days off and on.

What would I do without Jenna! Too bad we are 50 years apart. If our ages were substantially closer, I would marry her! Assuming she would have me, of course.

The weather continues to be fantastic! The best Key West winter in years. While the north is experiencing its worst. A real bad winter up there!

Yesterday started with a business meeting at 11. Then to the Coffee House. Browsed through the New York Times and sipped. The place was packed. The tourist season is in full swing.

I did lunch at home. Me and my blender.

After lunch, I went to Lee Nails. Needed a manicure. Chatted with Tammy.

Tammy and her husband are hard working people. They seek the American dream. For some it may still be achievable. They are self rfeliant. They are proprietors of their own small business. I hope it works for them.

After the manicure, it was over to Lisa’s home.  No one there. I had to pick up some paperwork she had left for me. I stayed a while. Read the Citizen. Watched TV. Lisa has a red easy chair. It is so comfortable! I enjoy sitting in it.

Spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at home. Writing the book. Getting ready for friday’s Key West Lou Legal Hour.

Golf this morning. Larry and Jenna Show tonight. A nap in between. A good day ahead!

A Facebook comment said Jean Thornton just got out of the hospital. Did not say what was wrong with her. She was supposed to return to Key West today or tomorrow. The comment suggested she might not. Whatever the problem Jean, get better soon and return to us. You are loved by all!

Marty! Come back! I miss you!

This morning’s TV and internet news report the Libyan rebels are moving…..backward. They are in retreat. I hope it is temporary. I continue to be of the opinion that we do not belong there!

Enjoy your day!

What a night! And I do not mean out on the town! It was after midnight. I was in bed asleep. I was wakened by the wind. Howling!

Then came the rain. Slapping against the house! This went on for a couple of hours. I kept waking. Rain in the Keys is like a monsoon. Hard and sideways.

I started my annual physical yesgterday morning. One hour of blood work and prodding by the nurses. In a couple of weeks, the doctor herself gets a chance at me.

Yesterday’s weather was glorious. 87 degrees. Will be the same today. Humidity is upon us. People are talking about it excitedly. Everyone mentioning they have had to turn on their air conditioners.

I wrote quite a bit yesterday. Primarily for friday’s interent show. No problem finding topics. Everything is happening in Key west and the outside world.

I had an early dinner at Hogfish. I wanted to be home in time for the President’s address on Libya. Lobster bisque! I can handle it! Sat at the bar and chatted with some fishermen friends. These gents are true Key Westers. From another era. Always an education!

I was not impressed by President Obama’s words. I thought before the speech that we did not belong in Libya. Nothing said changed my mind.

We have to deal with our problems at home first and foremost.

The economy, the economy, the economy!

Enjoy your day!

I am up early. Still dark outside. I have an 8:30 doctor’s appointment. My annual physical. Lisa says I always seem to be going to the doctor. She is correct. That is what people do as they get older. It is what they do if they want to continue getting older!

Yesterday was a pleasant Sunday. I started my day with the morning TV talk shows. Then browsed through the Sunday papers. From my bed.

My first stop of the day was Don’s Place. Yesterday was special. At 3 in the afternoon, the Great Chicken Wing Cookout! Chicken wings galore! Of every taste and variety. Tables of them. An example of what people do in Key West on a Sunday afternoon! Unfortunately, I could not partake of the wings. Still cannot chew.

The only benefit is I am losing weight. Around 15 pounds so far.

Watched basketball at Don’s Place. And later at Lisa’s. Great basketball! This is going to be one of the strangest Final Fours ever! Virginia Commonwealth. Whoever heard of them! A #11 seed. God bless them! May they go all the way!

Dinner at Lisa’s was a personal disaster for me, also. Chicken. No matter how small I cut the pieces, the pain was too much! I enjoyed the family. Especially Robert and Ally. Poppa’s buddies!

I hurried home. I had to eat! I was starving!

A blender manufacturer should hire me to tout the many blessings and advantages of a blender! My blender produced meal consisted of Greek yogurt, sugarless chocolate ice cream, sugarless chocolate syrup, fresh strawberries and ice. Three large glasses full. Delicious!

Talk with you tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

Another lovely Key West Sunday! The morning is beautiful! As the rest of the day will be! We are blessed.

I spent yesterday sitting around writing. Primarily under the tiki hut overlooking the water. A peaceful place.

Last night was basketball! What else at this time of year? I watched at Don’s Place. With a multitude of others. Don, David, Michelle, Nickey, Boomer, Nate, Mikey, Dougie, Russ, Erica, Herschel and many others.

Butler/Florida was an excellent game. Butler goes to the Final Four for the second year in a row.

I was really into the Connecticut /Arizona game. Connecticut is the only Big East team left in the tournament. Ergo, I was rooting for UConn. I sat with Dougie and Russ watching the game. Dougie is from Hartford and Russ is a St. John graduate. We cheered UConn on. A good game. Connecticut luckly won 65-63. Great basketball!

A recent Gallup poll listed the 10 unhappiest areas in the United States. My home town was listed as #10. The Utica/Rome area.

Bob Marks is an old friend. I was best man at his wedding to the lovely Helen. Bob grew up in Utica, also. He no longer lives there nor has he for many many years. Bob made mention of the Gallup poll on Facebook this morning. That is how it came to my attention.

I always thought Utica was a great place to raise a family. It was family. My whole family was there. But that was it! Outside of family, most people were cold and distant. My friends were basically family and other Italian-Americans.

During the time I was growing up, Utica was a very waspy community. They looked down on my ethnic family. I believe that contributed greatly to a sense of not being quite happy then and remnants of the past remain to this day. The wasps are gone but the negativity they generated remains.

I often think of the contrast between Utica and Key West. People are so much different in Key West. No one cares where you came from, how much money you have or anything else. The only concern is you. Are you real. Key West is real.

Which brings me to Geraldine Ferraro. She died yesterday. Geraldine was the first female to run for Vice-President.

It was 1984 and she was asked to be Walter Mondale’s running mate. A break through for women! The glass ceiling cracked! She and Mondale got trounced by the Reagan/Bush ticket. The Republicans won 49 out of 50 States.

The campaign was a battleground. Especially for Ferraro. From day one of the campaign she was hit with ethics charges, campaign finance problems and tax problems.

 Her Husband John Zaccaro’s business dealings came into play. I thought at the time that everything and everyone came down on Ferraro with more intensity than normal. I felt it was because she was Italian-American. So did Ferraro and many in the national media.

The 1960s through the 1980s was a time when to be Italian-American was considered to be Mafia. A stigma improperly attached. You could feel it however in your dealings with those of other backgrounds. It was the same feeling generated by the wasp commity as I grew up in Utica.

That was yesterday. All a long time ago. Today is what is important.

 Enjoy your day!

What a great morning!

Sun bright. Only a sprinkling of clouds. No breeze. Water gliding by.

I do live in Paradise!

Howard Livingston said it right this morning on Facebook. I admire and respect Howard. His comment opens his good heart for all to see. “We’re happy folks on a permanent vacation.”

The Key West Lou Legal Hour yesterday morning. Viewed world wide! Amazes me.

The topics were many. The one receiving the most post show comment involved the Muslim terrorist who wanted to bomb an American city on Christmas Day 2009. The same way his compatriots had executed 9/11.

He decided on Houston. Plane ticket too expensive. He then opted for Chicago. Plane ticket too expensive. He settled on Detroit because the airline ticket was the cheapest.

Fortunately, he was apprehended before he could effectuate his plan.

I stayed home last night. The basketball was too good to miss. From the comfort of my bed, I watched two terrific games.

I thought Marquette would defeat North Carolina. Just as they had beaten Syracuse. That in your face defense. Did not work last night. Marquette got killed! 81-63!

Kentucky/Ohio was a closer and better game. Kentucky, a #4 seed, eeked out a 62-60 victory over #1 seed Ohio. One terrific game!

Ohio had to feel like hell afterwards. To be ranked #1 most of the season and the #1 pick in the big tournamnet and not make it to the Final Four. Such are the fortunes of war and March Madness. Ohio has nothing to be ashamed about. Kentucky has every reason to be proud and excited.

I have no idea what I am going to do today. Other than live my day in Key West time. What ever that is. You cannot explain it. You just feel it and know.

Enjoy!