THIS IS THE DAY!

 

This is the day!

I leave this morning for Italy and Greece. I will write you tomorrow from Italy.

I have never taken such a long trip. Two whole months! I am anxious to begin the venture. No, adventure.

Yesterday was busy doing last minute things. Packing took a while.

Dinner last night with the family. Fun, as always. Ally’s birthday is June 1. I will not be here. I gave her her present last night. She was excited. It was a game. I was not sure she would enjoy it. It was the right thing to get her!

Robert and Ally wanted to do something special in view of my trip. They have ice cream cards for Dairy Queen. They took me to Dairy Queen for ice cream.

Love them!

The next time you read this blog, it will be from somewhere in Italy. You will experience the trip with me.

Enjoy your day!

LUNCHED WITH A MOVIE STAR

 

Saturday morning!

Rain! It has been raining for a week. Only a few breaks for sun. We needed the rain. Enough is enough, however.

Terrific Key West Lou Legal Hour show yesterday morning. Post show comment indicated the story of courage told was the most popular. It concerned Claire Lomas who recently ran the London Marathon. All 26.2 miles of it. Took her 16 days. She is a paraplegic. Ran the race with the aid of robotic legs.

After the show, shopped Duval and Sears for sandals. Found none I liked. I will be looking again today.

I had a date for lunch. Granddaughter Ally! I was babysitting all afternoon. Lisa was busy with meetings.

Ally decided we should have lunch at Hogfish. Fun. Then we went to my home. She swam most of the afternoon. She is obviously feeling better.

Ally wanted to drive with the top down. I did on the way to Hogfish. There Ally was seated in back on her child’s seat with huge sunglasses on and her hair blowing in the wind. A movie star!

I stopped at the Town N’ Country last night for a bite. Congenial Robert bartending. I enjoyed salmon and fried calamari.

Seated nearby at the bar was a couple. The man said hello. Turns out we had met last year. I enjoyed their company. Especially his. He is a fireman who is also actively engaged in many civic community activities. It was a great conversation regarding the various problems confronting Key West. He was extremely knowledgeable.

Services for Larry Harvey today. A most beloved Key West resident! Larry passed away earlier this week at 92. His mass will be at St. Paul’s on Duval. There will be a celebration of his life later at the Hemingway House. Larry worked at the Hemingway House for thirty years. His spirit will be felt at both events.

I have yet make  my cell phone and tablet decision. Thank you for the many suggestions and recommendations. Apple or Google? I have to make up my mind this morning. I have a 10 o’clock appointment to buy.

Came across an interesting news release on Yahoo this morning. There is a 33 year old man in Knoxville, Tennessee who has fathered 14 children. He recently applied to the court to reduce his child support payments. He claims he cannot afford what he is paying as he only earns minimum wage.

The man lacks any sense of responsibility. The government should pay for his birth control. It would be cheaper than helping to support the 14 children.

It is not against the law to father children. Even outside of wedlock. How does society get this guy to stop? I can think of a solution, but society would consider it barbaric.

What bothers me most is not that society will support these children. Rather it is that they will grow up without a responsible father figure. Or any type father figure in all likelyhood.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOPPING AT SEARS / DINING AT BIG TEN SPORTS BAR

 

Ten this morning! The Key West Lou Legal Hour!

Broadcast world wide on the internet. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Join me. Fast moving and interesting.

My trip to Italy and Greece is just around the corner. About ten days away. I picked up some things for the trip. Like new shorts and bathing suits. Shopped at Key West’s store of choice for men. For women, also. Sears! There is nothing else of consequence in Key West.

Ally was still sick. I was scheduled to babysit in the afternoon. Lisa telephoned and said Ally wanted bagels. So I stopped at Publix and picked up six.

Ally looked a lot better. She had returned to the world of the living. It is amazing how young children look so beat up when they are ill. Ally was talking and coloring. The anti biotics were working.

Ate at John Lucas’ Big Ten Sports Bar. Watched Miami/Indiana. Miami obviously misses Bosh. Miami better get its game together. Or they are going to lose. They are already down 2-1. Miami was beaten by roughly 20 points last night. The difference in the score was not in any one’s contemplation.

John stopped by. Several times actually. It was his night off, but he came in any how. I like John. A good person. We have become friends.

Valerie and Clayton were at the bar talking with John as I was leaving. John gave me a hug, Valerie a kiss, and Clayton a hug. A big night for me!

Valerie and Clayton own Vino’s on Duval. A good place to stop. Enjoy a glass of wine, some good company, and watch the world go by.

I have to move this morning. Need to be at the studio one hour before the show to review my notes.

Enjoy your day!

FELL AGAIN / GREEK PEDOPHILES PENSIONED

 

My day yesterday started with an early morning dentist visit. I followed the dentist up with Blossoms. Enjoyed Cuban cheese toast with tomato and Cuban coffee. Both to die for!

Then I headed over to Lisa’s. Ally still sick. I wanted to visit with her.

I did it again! I fell! Going up the one step to Lisa’s home. Stubbed my toe. Fell flat forward on hard tile. My chin, both knees and right elbow took the brunt of the fall. Right knee a bloody mess.

Lisa ran out. Would not let me get up. Little did she know,  I could not. Finally, I made it. Straight to the easy chair and ottoman in her living room. There we were. Ally and me. Ally on the couch. Poppa in the chair next to her. For five hours!

Lisa cleaned and bandaged my right knee. I hurt all day and all night. Feel better this morning. Surprisingly, no bruises. I ache all over this morning, but no where as bad as yesterday.

Ally finally got to the doctor late in the afternoon. She has some sort of infection. She is being treated with an anti biotic. Hopefully she will be on the mend today.

I do not know why I fall. This is the fourth time in two months. Each time it occurs, it is because I stub my toe or miss a stair. I fear an aging infirmity is upon me.

Last night I spent in bed. With the computer on my lap. I published to Amazon Kindle an article I wrote about a couple of months ago for KONK Life. Titled: Greece and Pedophilia. The thrust of the column involved Greece developing a new code. It was expected to become law soon. In the code, pedophilia is one of the listed disabilities entitling a person to a government pension.

It is a crazy world! These things cannot be made up!

My concern was and is twofold. First, something is wrong wherein a government rewards a heinous crime such as pedophilia. Second, Greece is broke. On the verge of total economic collapse. Greece cannot afford this type pension. And along these lines, such is an example of why Greece is going down the tubes. Government pensions to pedophiles!

I was comparing Apple and Google yesterday. I am in the market for a new cell phone and I Pad. I was talking about some v thing. I could not recall the word. I am losing it. It was not a v thing. It was android.

Bocce tonight. I do not know if I am going to make it. My right knee is bandaged and does not bend well.

Enjoy your day!

NEW CELL PHONE AND I PAD SEARCH / 5 GUYS

Education time yesterday.

I am in the market for a new cell phone and I Pad. My present phone AT&T. I visited AT&T and Verizon. Left both places with a gigantic headache. Confusing stuff to a person of my age.

It seems Verizon might be the best deal. The I Pad would be a v something. Not Apple.

I would appreciate any suggestions. All greek to me.

Speaking of Greek, I bought some new shirts at Orvis yesterday for my Greece trip. I will be leaving in about 10 days.

Then spent some time shopping for Robert’s birthday gift. Went to the to the toy store on Mallory Square. I am not sharing what I bought Robert with you. I knew his mother would be upset. She was. You would probably be upset, also.

Lunch was exciting. We have a new place in Key West. 5 Guys.

I have heard of 5 Guys in recent years. Everyone speaks well of the operation. Key West’s is located in the little L shaped shopping mall behind the ice cream and water sports booths on the corner of Truman and Duval. It has been open about a week.

I was absolutely impressed. The best cheeseburger I have ever had.

It was assembly line preparation. One employee put mayonaise on the roll. The next mustard and ketchup. The next tomatoes. And so on. It reminded me of my former wife. She helped out at the Rescue Mission on Flagler at lunch time for a couple of years. Her job: buttering the bread.

The place was packed. A winner.

Birthday party time last night. Great cake baked by Lisa! Chocolate with a white frosting. Just what Robert ordered. Robert was pleased with his gifts and his day. He was excited by my gift. I was correct. Lisa’s eyes went up when she saw it.

Ally still sick. Low grade fever and not eating. She is beginning to look emaciated.

I watched the Miami/Indiana game last night. It looked like the start of World War  III.

Dentist visit at 9 this morning. I have to hustle.

Enjoy your day!

LAURIE FINE PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW

 

I stayed up late last night. Ergo, slept late this morning. That is why the blog is being posted so late. Sorry.

It has been announced…..Bernie Fine’s wife Laurie is holding a press conference tomorrow morning. Part of the ongoing Syracuse University  pedophile scandal.  It has been reported she will be addressing the “…false accusations and scandalous lies” spread by certain persons.

I cannot believe her press conference will add anything of substance to the matter.

Walked Key Haven yesterday morning. Up and down the streets. A picturesque walk. Some lovely homes.

Babysat later in the afternoon. Ally is now sick with what her brother had. She seems to be recovering faster than Robert did.

I began at the Chart Room last night. Mary bartending. Chatted with Jean and Frankie.

Then across the street to the Hot Tin Roof. Very, very few people. A monday night. In addition, this is a quiet time for tourists. About three weeks from now the streets and restaurants will be jammed again. School will be out. Families will be driving to Key West for their vacations. Prices for everything are generally cheaper. Merchants recognize it is a slow time. They attract families with their cheaper than ever prices. Motels/hotels can be as much as fifty percent cheaper. Dinners in many restaurants half price. You can’t beat it!

Big day to day. Robert’s birthday! He is 8 years old. I remember when he was born. We were fearful he would not live eight days. Robert was born with cancer of the liver. He had two major surgeries the first eight days of his life. Thank God he is A-OK since.

We are eating dinner at Lisa’s tonight. Lisa baking a cake. Robert’s choice as to take out. He picked Wendy’s. I do not know why. We rarely go to Wendy’s. Robert is having a cheeseburger. I am having two.

Happy birthday my beloved grandson!

Enjoy your day!

J P MORGAN CHASE, TURTLES AND THE AIRPORT

 

It was Sunday. It was Mothers Day. I said hello to my Mom up above. Told her to take care of Dad.

Then I settled in to watch Meet The Press.

This J P Morgan Chase thing is an abomination! Losing $2 billion. This morning’s news says it may reach $3 billion.

The guest was Jamie Dimon. CEO of J P Morgan Chase. What a cavalier attitude! A few mistakes had been made, he said.

This morning’s news also reports that three heads will roll this week. All top people. All earning multimillion dollars a year. One is a woman by the name of Drew. She reportedly is earning $15 million a year. None of them worth their money if they lose $2 billion.

No word yet as to whether Jamie Dimon is on his way out. He should be. He was captain of the ship when everything occurred.

No one has faith in banks any more. And properly so. First they screwed Main street. Now they are screwing Wall Street, themselves.

Later in the morning, I had an airport run. A neighbor flying out who needed a ride. This task/help is a big thing in Key West. I am always happy to do it when asked.

The airport has changed. Key West is changing. Instead of a half dozen cabs, there are close to a dozen and a half. Instead of small planes, most are jets. They arrive three at a time. The arriving area is bursting with people waiting for their bags.

I was up and out. Might as well go to breakfast.  I ended up at Harpoon Harry’s. Eggs benedict crab meat and the Sunday papers.

Mothers Day dinner was at Lisa’s. Last year we went to the Yacht Club. This year we celebrated at home. Ally was sick. It was a pleasant family dinner, except for poor Ally. She looked terrible. Face flushed, eyes half closed, quiet, eating nothing.

It is turtle birthing time again. Smathers Beach has many places where the eggs have been buried. The hatching process takes 55 days. Once hatched, there are no mothers to take care of the little ones. The mothers are long gone. The baby turtles head for the ocean. They are directed to the water by the moon light. Such is their instinct.

A few years ago, the turtles became confused. They saw the street lights. The lights are located on the opposite side of the beach. The turtles assumed the street lights were the moon. They headed for them and the street. Obviously, many were run over.

Since then, all street lights along Smathers Beach are not turned on for a three month period so the baby turtles will not be confused.

We take care of our own in Key West.

Enjoy your day!

 

BIONIC DENTISTRY / REAGAN AND THE MILITARY

 

Sunrise this morning was a fiery orange ball breaking through a bank of dark gray clouds. Pretty.

Busy day yesterday. Began with the dentist. One of my implants was screwed up. Actually, not screwed any longer. Something fell out. A tiny gasket. Took all of ten minutes to correct. These implants are amazing. I feel like the bionic man. Bionic as far as my teeth are concerned.

After the dentist, I went over to Publix. Robert was sick and had a fever. Lisa wanted popsicles for him.

I spent the rest of the day working on You Tube. The technical aspects. Like where to do the show from. It will be my home. But where specifically?  I decided to move around. Inside and out, depending on the day.

I was hopeful You Tube would be locked in by the end of this week. It will not. I now suspect it will take till the end of next week.

Lisa telephoned in the middle of the afternoon. She needed me to babysit a while. She had to pick up Ally from school. It was easy. Robert was sound asleep on the couch. He looked sick.

I spoke with Corey this morning. Robert is still aching. Still sick. But on the mend. He ate last night which was good. He was still asleep. Unusual for Robert. He is generally awake by six. It is now 8:30.

My plan was to start with the Chart Room last night. I never made it. I opted instead to stay in. I read. I am still reading Rachel Maddow’s book Drift. I dislike her writing style. Her paragraphs are loaded with details and her opinions. Too much of both. Makes for difficult reading.

The story itself is interesting, if you can hang in there. Has to do with the use of military power by Presidents. Assuming her research of the Reagan years is correct, Reagan mislead everyone as to Grenada and the strength of Communist Russia. I find it amazing that she has come up with facts to support her premise. I consider Reagan to have been one of our great Presidents. Even if what she says about Reagan is true, his results overshadow the means used to achieve them. I recall President Johnson saying once that Presidents have to be devious. He gave us Vietnam.

Enjoy your day!