FIRST DAY BACK

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There is that song that goes…..Back home in Indiana. Well, I am back home in Key West. Yesterday was my first day. I loved it!

Jet lag hovers over me. Not bad. A bit of a heavy head. Feel pressure on top. Otherwise not yet a problem. I woke yesterday morning at 4. Went to bed last night at 9. Woke this morning at 5. No sleeping or tiredness in between. I hope the trend continues in this fashion.

Yesterday morning’s first task was unpacking. Tons of dirty clothes. I already have Anna here this morning working on them.

It was great to sleep with air conditioning. I missed it in Italy. Horrible sleeping! Even with two fans blowing on me. Slept with the windows wide open. The mosquitos came in. Good for 8-10 bites a night. The choice was simple. Air or mosquitos. Breathing won out.

I had to renew my driver’s license. Lisa drove me. My license had expired while I was away. I did not want to drive without a valid license. It would be just my luck to be stopped or have an accident.

Took two trips to the Motor Vehicle Bureau to get the license. I failed to bring all necessary documents the first time. My old driver’s license, passport, and medicare card were not enough. Needed a recent bill directed to my present address and the Social Security card itself. I did as directed and was successful the second time around.

I do have a complaint, however. The woman who took care of me the first time was a bitch. First class. Bordered on rude. No smile. Seemed to take pleasure in my having to get additional documentation and return.

When I returned, she was not there. A man took care of me. A gentleman. Had a sense of humor. Explained some new things to me. Like the need for the gold star in the upper right corner of the new license.

The gentleman obviously enjoyed his job and people. The woman should be transferred to a basement job to work in solitary and have no contact with Motor Vehicle Bureau customers.

It was now after 3. I had not eaten since a cracker and cup of coffee around 7.

Some typical American foods are not available in foreign countries. Like simple ham and eggs. I had a craving! I was off to Harpoon Harry’s. Enjoyed the eggs, ham and buttered whole wheat toast. Did not touch the potatoes.

By the way, I lost weight on the trip. Eight to 10 pounds. Even though I was eating, it was generally only two meals a day. Add the walking and the weight loss becomes understandable.

Hope I can keep it off!

The heat and humidity in Key West is heavy. Much heavier than in Novara. We in Key West can tolerate it because we are in and out. Of our air conditioned homes, cars, restaurants and stores. Ain’t no air conditioning in Italy. There has always been a power shortage and the medieval buildings have walls too thick to work through.

Italians complain, but do not use the minimal air conditioning available to them. The air conditioning in a car is an example. No one turns it on. Gas is expensive. Like $14 a liter. Italians fear running the air conditioning will use too much gasoline. A fallacy. However, they will not listen.

My stop of choice around 5 was Don’s place. Don was still away in Indiana. He returns this evening. David, Hershel, Rob, Jimmy and Toni were there. I was glad to see them all. I assume they were equally happy to see me. I chatted for quite a while with David and Hershel.

Love Toni! She reads my blog religiously. Always tells me when I return from a trip how she daily followed it and how enjoyable my reports were.

Thank you, Toni!

I really was out of food! Away two months. It was Publix time. Loaded up. My usual American diet. Different from the recent European one. I worry I am going to gain the weight back.

Actually, I did not diet at all while on the trip. It would have been stupid. I was away to have fun. My meals were totally different. Fattening I would have assumed. Like a couple of hot rolls every morning. Generally, one filled with chocolate and the other covered in sugar. In Key West , it is fruits, whole wheat bread, and the like. No sweets!

I have returned just in time. David and Hershel told me bocce starts next week. Terrific!

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LISA AND COREY

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Today is Lisa and Corey’s wedding anniversary. Congratulations and much love!

They are going out to night to celebrate. Which means I am babysitting. For several hours. We will do dinner and at this point I do not know what else.

Bocce last night. We did it! We won the money match!

We won 2 out of 3 games. The first we lost 16-14. The second we won decisively. The third we won 16-15.

It was a battle!

It was Larry’s team we defeated.

Jessica plays on Larry’s team. She is also Shane’s girl friend. Shane likewise plays on Larry’s team. Jessica has an interesting job. She works for the State. Her responsibility is watching and preserving the reef. She frequently dives the reef as part of her job.

I have been put to shame!

An old and dear friend is Bob Marks. I was best man when he married Helen a long time ago. Bob and Helen were recently in Greece. They visited Santorini as I did last summer. You will recall I failed in my attempt to climb to the top of the volcano. Bob tried and succeeded! On the same day, he climbed up the donkey steps. Perhaps even a more arduous feat.

Bob did it all at 75.

I hate you, Bob!

Show time this morning. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning my time. On television and the internet. Television via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

A good show today. So much going on in Washington and the world. Join me for an interesting and informative hour.

Enjoy your day!

SHOW TIME AT 10

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The weeks keep rolling by. Friday again!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour broadcasts at 10 this morning my time. Via television and the internet.

Great topics. Some Washington highlights involving the IRS, Associated Press and Benghazi. Regarding some things with which you may not be aware. Then a Bangladesh update followed by a Syrian rebel story that guaranteed you will find disgusting, 813 new Saints, some Turkey info, and more. The more includes a new federal regulation that scares me and should scare you.

Join me. On television from Key West through Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

Bocce last night!

The cookout was great! I enjoyed a hamburger and hot dog. All cooked on site on a charcoal grill.

We lost all three games. We did not play well, we did not play poorly. We just did not have enough. The games were close and then slipped away at the end.

Next season!

Uncertainty continues to prevail at the Pier House. So I was informed by some one close to the situation. I have not visited the Chart Room since monday. Hope to this evening. I should get a better feel for the situation then.

Have to hustle. Show time soon.

Enjoy your day!

 

PARTY WITH HELL’S RANGERS TONIGHT

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Hell’s Rangers! Would you believe! Yes, here in key West. A bocce team!

Tonight is bocce. Our team (Don’s Place) is playing Hell’s Angels. Don told me last night we are going to party. Our team will be providing the liquid refreshments. The Hell’s Angels food. Sort of cook out time. I anticipate the food will be terrific.

Notice how some times bocce becomes incidental to whatever else is going on.

I shopped for Robert’s birthday gift yesterday. I did not want to buy him clothes. He has everything else…..basball glove, bat, basketball, soccer ball, books, etc. He even has his own tablet.

I finally decided on a $50 gift card for the movie theater at Sears. He is into movies. Goes with Lisa and the family. $50 will just about cover one show. Terrible!

Robert’s birthday was fun. Dinner and cake. Chocolate with chocolate frosting. Robert’s choice. I ate two pieces. We blew out the candles and sang Happy Birthday! Jake could have cared less. He aimlessly wandered around.

Dinner and cake done, it was still early. I stopped at Don’s Place. Caught Don, Hershel, and Tom. Then there was just Don and me.

All in all, a good evening.

I spent most of the day yesterday working on friday’s Key West Lou Legal Hour tv/internet show. A lot happening. I plan on talking a bit about how women in Saudi Arabia are treated as opposed to here in the U.S., the Associated Press, IRS and Benghazi of course, Greece, France and the euro, a new law that should make you uncomfortable, the Syrian rebel eating a soldier’s heart, and more.

I watched a film of the Syrian soldier incident on the internet yesterday. Gruesome!

The Pier House? I know no more. Rumors abound all over Key West. When there is something concrete, I will share it with you.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

I BABYSAT JAKE

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It is amazing what my life has been relegated to. It is only seven years ago that I was handling multi-million and billion dollar environmental lawsuits.

Today it is babysitting the family pet. Yesterday was Jake’s day. I babysat him!

I was driving to get my glasses fixed. Lisa telephoned. Where are you? I need you right away. I have an appointment outside my home. There is no one to watch Jake.

I sat Jake for two hours. I had some apprehension. Jake and I have not bonded well. He growls at me. I think it is my voice.

As soon as I arrived, I sat on the floor with him. Rubbed his head. Then his back. Then Jake turned over. He wanted his belly rubbed.

I periodically fed him a pretzel.

Thereafter, I sat on the couch watching the golf tournament. Jake sat on floor next to my feet. He kept looking up at me with those big sad eyes. A rub or two and he was content.

I think Jake and I have made it. We are finally friends!

My morning started with a haircut. Lori also cleaned up my beard where I had missed.

Then to Publix for some groceries. Not much. The bill was $60 plus. I do not understand how families do it. What with the high cost of food and gas.

Bocce last night. A good time. Very warm. The sweat was running off my forehead.

We won 2 out of 3 games. Not good. We played the newest team. They had only won 3 games before playing us. They beat us in the second game.

We almost lost the third. A young lady who had never played before played for the first time. At the beginning it was obvious she was a novice. Then God was on her side! She was devastating. Almost caused us to lose the third game.

We destroyed the other team in the first game 16-4. As it should have been all three games.

Larry Smith brought his Mom to watch. Larry yells and swears a lot when playing bocce. He expresses himself. His mother had to think…..I did not teach him to behave like that!

I think Larry’s mother is 86. She has it all going for her. Sharp. Does not look her age either.

Finished the night at Don’s Place with other bocce players.

The federal government issued some numbers regarding the diversity in hospital costs. The report was a study based on Medicare and Medicaid charges. An amazing revelation! Hospitals in the same community charge different prices for the same surgery/care. Close to a $100,000 difference in some instances.

Hospital expenses are a killer. As are drug costs. I hope Obamacare gets a handle on these items.

A Great White shark has been sighted off Marathon. You will recall one was sighted off Key West last week. It is not certain whether it is the same shark or another. The suspicion is it was another. That is the fourth sighting in recent weeks.

Great Whites are not common to our waters. Scientists say they have traveled this far south this year because our waters are warmer than normal.

Authorities are trying to tag the Great Whites for all obvious reasons. So far they have not succeeded in tagging even one.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour at 10 this morning. I recorded the show wednesday because Krystal would not be available today. I plan on watching myself from the comfort of my bed.

The show will be available on its usual venues. Television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. All the way through Miami-Dade County. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

Topics include some interesting items regarding global warming, my thoughts on Benghazi, some revealing historical data, psychiatric patient dumping, Bangladesh, euro problems in France, Germany and Spain, and more.

Join me. An interesting show. A bit of an eye opener.

Enjoy your day!

 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES…..

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Most of yesterday, I was in a stupor. This morning I feel great! Rarin’ to go!

During my recent back problem, I was on pain killers. I had difficulty sleeping. So I took Advil-PM. Supposedly helps to relieve pain and makes a person sleep. It did. I slept terrific the two nights I took the Advil.

I have had trouble sleeping the past few days. Two nights ago, I decided to pop an Advil-PM. I slept 10.5 hours straight without waking. Wow!

A problem was evident when I woke yesterday morning after my long sleep. I was heavy headed, moving slowly. The word stupor I used earlier is the correct description. I even had trouble doing yesterday morning’s blog.

I was still in the condition described when I went to the TV studio at 3 to record friday’s show. My sense was whatever my thoughts were, the words were coming out slowly. My biggest problem was pronunciation. Bangladesh and blasphemy would not come out right. I finally looked the camera in the eye and said…..I have difficulty pronouncing big words!

I am anxious to see friday’s show. To see how bad it all came out.

Krystal was engineering the show. She said she could see nothing wrong. I don’t know.

If you are interested in watching, the show is available via television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19 from Key West through Miami-Dade county. World wide via the internet. www.weyw19.com.

The Key West Lou Legal hour airs at 10 in the morning my time.

The show is also You Tubed. People are apparently viewing the show on You Tube. Many who are unable to watch at 10 in the morning have told me they are watching the shows at their convenience via that mode.

Returned home after the recording and decided to trim my beard. A mistake! I was still feeling tipsy. I ended up chopping my moustache too short on one end. Went back to the other side and cut some off to balance it. Cut more than I should have. So it was back and forth. Needless to say, my tache is a bit shorter this morning.

I also did a number on my neck. Irritated the hell out of it.

By dinner time, I felt better. The clouds had left me. I was famished. Dee joined me at the Yacht Club for dinner.

Bocce tonight! Can’t wait!

Enjoy your day!

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

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There is a sense of pride in living on an island where writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams once resided.

Williams lived in Key West for well over 30 years. As I mentioned earlier this week, his former home is one block from Lisa’s.

Today’s Key West  Citizen notes in its Keys History section that on this day in 1955 “…Key West resident Tennessee Williams” received the Pulitzer Prize for his Broadway hit Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

I never saw the play. I did see the first movie made of the play. It starred Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman.

Thunder by the ocean is special. At least to me. I have always enjoyed the booming sound while next to the water. I recall years ago when I frequented the Jersey Shore. I would sit on a bench during a heavy rainstorm under an umbrella enjoying the drama of it all.

Yesterday was a similar morning in Key West. It thundered all morning. My home is on the water. No need for a bench or umbrella. It was a thundering morning followed by some heavy rains.

The weather forecast is for similar rains today. At the moment, it is overcast. No rain yet. My concern is that tonight is bocce. We cannot play on a wet/flooded court.

I worked most of yesterday on friday’s Key West Lou Legal Hour. Some terrific topics. Like the Catholic Church becoming too political, a millionaire child support fight, cancer doctors attacking drug companies, psychiatric hospital patient dumping, money rip offs  such as Karzai, extra terrestrial hearings and Con Edison, what we are not told about Social Security, the Bangladesh building  collapse, horse meat being produced in the United States, Syria and chemical weapons, the Japanese war crimes trials, Machiavelli, Joe DiMaggio, and more.

A combination of diverse subjects. A lot to cover. It will be a fast moving interesting hour. Join me. Via television from Key West through Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. World wide on the internet. www.weyw19.com. Ten in the morning my time.

Last night started at Don’s Place. Don wanted to join me for dinner. We stopped at the Chart Room first. Ran into fellow Manhattan College alumnus Jack Kelley. The three of us went over to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. The dinner conversation was interesting.

While I was at the Chart Room, a fellow by the name of Jerry came over to introduce himself. He is a local, though we had not met before. He lives on White Street. He told me he reads this blog every day. Thank you, Jerry. And thank you to every one else who does so also.

I screwed up already this morning. I had a 9 am appointment with my heart doctor. Not to get the results of my CAT scan. Rather for a 4 month check up of how I am doing in a special study I agreed to be a part of. Has to do with fish oil and specifically how it affects the heart. Some miniature aspect is being studied. World wide. I am one of many in the study.

I forgot blood work was involved. Fasting blood work. I ate. Must return monday at 9 to do it correctly.

Enjoy your day!

 

GREAT SEA BATTLE

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The Great Sea Battle is tonight! At 7. The waters off Ocean Key House. The Conch Republic and the military forces of the United States. Do not miss it!

The Coast Guard cutter will not be there. Sequestration. There is a replacement. Conch Republic officials have kept the replacement secret. We will find out this evening.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour this morning at 10. An eye opener as I get behind the scenes a bit. Available on television and the internet. Television from Key West through Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. On the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com

Join me. I guarantee you will enjoy the show.

Yesterday began with a haircut. I thought my beard trim of the day before was well done. Lori did not. She shaped the beard up. Oh, well. A barber I am not.

Then took a walk along Duval. I was downtown and thought I should put the time to good use.

Lunch was at Blossoms. My usual Cuban toast sandwich. Read the Key West Citizen. On page 2 there was a picture of Tennessee Williams standing on the front porch of his home. Williams lived in Key West for more than 30 years. His home was on Duncan Street. Lisa lives on Duncan Street. One block away.

Spent the afternoon fine tuning today’s TV/internet show.

Bocce last night. A disaster. We lost all three games. No one was on, except perhaps Keith who played the first game. It is beginning to look more and more certain that we will not be making the playoffs.

I have a heart doctor appointment at 3 this afternoon. To get the results of my electrocardiogram test.

My friend Anna lives well. She slept in Courmeyeur, Italy last night. In the heart of the Alps. This morning she is driving to Chamonix, France to shop at a fruit and vegetable market. Followed by lunch in Geneva, Switzerland.

What a life!

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST LOU TV SHOW TOMORROW

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Tomorrow morning at 10 my time…..The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Via television and the internet.

Stimulating topics. Like the Boston bombings from several different perspectives, the New England-New Jersey tsunami risk, a dirty Tulsa dentist and an equally dirty Philadelphia doctor, food poisonings on the rise, Congress mini-managing rather than legislating, an NRA tee shirt gets an eighth grader suspended from school and arrested, kilts enhancing sperm count, more avalanches, the TSA pocket knife issue, FBI arresting the wrong person in ricin case, and more.

One of the more includes U.S. hospitals shipping immigrant patients back to their home countries to avoid the hospitals getting stuck with non-covered medical costs. The hospitals even pay for their flights to where ever they came from. An example of care being overridden by cost. A shame situation.

The show can be seen on television from Key West through Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. On the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

Again, 10 tomorrow morning.

I trimmed my beard yesterday. All of it. By myself. First time. I have been doing part and Lori part. I figured it was time for me to do it all. Came out good!

It was wonderful getting out last night!

My evening started at Don’s Place. Don, Jimmy, Hershel and another person playing cards at the bar. Erika having a drink. I stayed a while. It felt good being there.

Then to the Chart Room.

Emily had the popcorn waiting. Finger licking good! Just enough butter and salt.

Kisses from Sheila and Jean who were sitting at the bar.

Buffalo friends and Key West lovers Tom and Karen Dixon were in. Spent some time with them. Good people. Good company. It is a family trip for the Dixons. Met their daughter and her husband. They have a son here also. Did not meet him. He was in bed resting from the rigors of Key West.

Dinner at the Hot Tin Roof with Jean and Frankie. Dined with celebrities last night. Jean is Key West’s  Golden Girl. Frankie is the Admiral of the Conch Republic Navy.

This is Conch Republic Week. The nation that seceded has survived 31 years.

Big doings tonight. The parade down Duval. Described as the World’s Largest. People step off the curbs, come out of restaurants, etc. to join in the walk.

I made a mistake yesterday. Misinformed you. The Conch Republic Sea Battle is not saturday. It is friday. Tomorrow night. At 7. Get to the gulf side of the island early to get a good spot to watch from. The event is very much worth seeing.

Bocce tonight. I missed last week. I am anxious to play tonight. I was advised our team won only one game last week. Probably because I was not there. Only joking! We are not doing well this season. I doubt we will make the play offs. But…..We are having fun!

Larry Smith will not be playing tonight. He has a special show at the Wine Galley. I attended his last special event. Terrific! Limited seating, an admission fee, great entertainment. I recommend the event to all.

Enjoy your day!

 

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR TV SHOW TOMORROW

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The Key West Lou Legal Hour tomorrow morning at 10. Available via television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Available world wide on the internet. www.weyw19.com.

This has been an action packed week. Topics tomorrow will include the Boston bombings, the Senate gun bill vote, Pope Francis and the nuns, Guantanamo, North Korea, an update on the Greek euro problem, Florida snail invasion, another 911 abuse, a new study regarding bras, kayak fishing in Hawaii, a $100,000 parking fine, and more.

Join me. An interesting and informative show. I guarantee you will enjoy it.

My back. Oh, my back! Still in pain this morning, though considerably less. Still bad, however. Cannot sit, stand or lie down. This morning’s blog is difficult to do. The pain takes my breath away.

I did Motrin by day yesterday. Helped. Till it wore off. Did Advil with benadryl last night. Terrific stuff! I slept like a baby. Back to Motrin this morning. It has yet to kick in.

I shall survive.

Thank you to the several who telephoned and asked if there was anything they could do. Key West IS family.

Bocce tonight. Good luck! No way I am going to make it. I cannot bend from the waist, let alone squat.

That is the end of today’s blog. I basically did nothing yesterday. Ergo, there is little to report today. Sorry.

Enjoy your day!