GROWING UP ITALIAN

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My next book is Growing Up Italian. Completion is still a long way off. Yesterday afternoon, I worked on two chapters.

One had to do with a serious ear infection I got at about 3 years of age. No emergency rooms in those days for the poor. The doctor came to the house and operated on me on the kitchen table. After knocking me out with chloroform, of course.

The other was the time I came down with scarlet fever. Around age 3 again. A communicable disease. The building we lived in was quarantined. I still remember the big sign on the front to stay out. I was shipped off to the county hospital. We were on whatever was welfare those days. I was placed in quarantine.

Enjoyed the Chart Room last night. Personable Mari bartending. One of the nicest people in Key West.

A vacationing couple came in. They were from Saratoga Springs. I piped up I was from Utica. The communities are about 90 miles apart. They mentioned the gambling mogul Stevie Wynn was looking at Saratoga Springs for a casino. I shared with them that Wynn was born and raised in Utica.

There was a fisherman seated at the bar. He, Mari and I spent quite a while talking. Chickens came into the conversation. Key West chickens. They complained about the noise the roosters make. I shared with them a piece of information I came up with a couple of years ago while writing a column on Key West chickens. When a rooster coc-a-doodle-dos, he is looking to get laid. He wants sex and is announcing to hens nearby that he is on his way. Watch chickens when a rooster coc-a-doodle-dos. The hens generally run the other way!

I wear crocs. I have been wearing them for years. Probably have gone through a dozen pairs. I rarely wear shoes.

The sole wears down to smooth rubber after a while. Dangerous if the ground is wet. Slip and fall easily. The breaking of a bone always a danger. My crocs were in that condition.

There is a croc store on Duval near Irish Kevin’s. I stopped in after the Chart Room and bought a pair. Had the salesperson snip off what ever was holding them together and put on the new ones on to walk out with. I asked him to throw the old ones away. He said they did not throw them away. They are saved and shipped to Africa for use. I suggested a worn croc was dangerous. He agreed, but said something on their feet was better than nothing.

The crocs were $35. When they first came out 5-7 years ago, the same pair was $65.

When I left the croc store, I was only 3-4 doors away from Burger Fi. I opted to dine at Burger Fi. Dougie the bartender was off. I sat at the bar. Enjoyed a brisket burger. Went big time. Brisket is $2 more than a regular burger. Also ordered onion rings. I had tasted the fries the last time and was not particularly impressed. The onion rings were to die for! The best I have ever eaten!

Burger Fi is a busy place. There are two ordering lines. There were at least 10 people in each line the hour I was there. And the lines move. The place is a gold mine.

My blog talk radio show tonight at 9. Join me for a fast moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. A topic for sure involves more revelations regarding the Farm Bill. Plus, Beijing an environmental mess, how St. Valentine’s Day came to be, Connecticut and gun registrations, and more.

Enjoy your day!

 

TERRIFIC NIGHT!

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I was uncertain whether to go out last night. I thought I might just sit back and do some pleasure reading. Going out won over staying in. Glad it did.

Started the night at the Chart Room. Mary bartending. I was surprised to see Charlotte. Charlotte is from North Carolina and had returned home about two weeks ago. I thought she was not due back for a couple of months.

There is a reason for her returning to Key West so soon. Her boy friend. Skip Sher. Skip is a  new Key West radio celebrity. He does a music/talk show on 104.9 from 6 to 10 evenings. Charlotte told me she intends to move to Key West full time and should be down here in about three months. A welcome addition to the Key West family!

It was a big night at the Chart Room. Nate was there with friends. Nate my team golf partner when I played. Nate a Don’s Place and Schooner Wharf bartender.

An old friend Ron John at the bar, also. Plus Sean, Key West’s premier newsman.

Charlotte and I had a long and enjoyable conversation. I suggested she try Burger Fi. She said she intended to meet Skip there for dinner. I agreed to join them.

Burger Fi was booming. As I thought it would be. By the way, the season has arrived. No question about it. Tons of people.

Skip came in. He had left his program airing with recorded music. However, he had to return soon. He asked if I would come over later to join him on his show. I agreed.

While at Burger Fi, met Steve Lieber. He is director of Franchise Sales for Burger Fi. A nice guy.

Dougie was bartending once again. He told me they had just turned out 200 burgers in an hour. Impressive!

Skip left. Charlotte and I remained for a while chatting.

Then to the 104.9 studio. It was like the whole world was there. Met some new and interesting people. Jack Allen Terry who I already knew. He is a bartender at Hot Tin Roof. Bobbie who has run the Southern Guest House the past ten years.

And Gary Ek. A most interesting individual!

Gary is a radio man, also. His show starts at 10 when Skip’s ends. His show is from 10 in the evening till 6 in the morning. Wow!

Gary’s radio moniker is Soundman From Hell. His show is also available on the internet at www.thexkeywest.com. Gary has been doing blog talk radio for seven years. If I can stay up late enough one evening, I have to listen to Gary’s show.

I ended up a guest on Skip’s show. Two times last night. One with Skip alone, the other with Skip and Gary. Some Key West chatter followed by heavy political commentary.

I enjoyed myself very much!

As I was leaving, Gary was pitching my book The World Upside Down to his audience and that it was available for purchase on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

A terrific evening chock full of interesting people!

Tonight…..my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine o’clock. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Fast moving and timely topics. Tonight I will be revealing some shocking aspects of the new $1 trillion Farm Law, new examples of governmental waste including a $100,000 outhouse in Alaska, UN criticism of the Vatican, NSA spying on Congress, freedom of speech and speed trap warnings, and more.

Again, please join me for a fast moving half hour of political commentary. I might even throw in a bit of Syracuse basketball. Syracuse plays Pitt tomorrow night.

Enjoy your day!

 

EARTHQUAKE AGAIN

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I was surprised when I walked into the Chart Room last night and Emily asked me about the earthquake. What earthquake? Turns out there was another one about 8 miles off the coast of Cuba wednesday night at 10:20. About  seven miles below the water’s surface. I who read the newspapers all the time had failed to read yesterday’s Key West Citizen. I was unaware.

The earthquake was a 5.1 on the Rector scale. Apparently no damage anywhere. I did not feel it in Key West. Nor did Emily and others at the Chart Room last night.

I have a concern. Earthquakes in this area are uncommon. Now there have been two off the coast of Cuba in a month. Do these two earthquakes portend something? Is there a big one in the making? Should we be concerned about a tsunami?

Don’t laugh! So far the weather media has not discussed this aspect. I am not overly concerned. Such thoughts occur to me, however.

Conch Republic Admiral Frankie was part of our bar discussion last night. Besides the earthquake, the discussion involved the Olympics and skiing. Turns out Emily was/is a skier and a pretty proficient one at that. I thought she was born and raised in Key West. Not so. She was born in Indiana, spent time in Virginia and elsewhere. She developed her skiing prowess in those places.

Before heading to the Chart Room, I stopped at Christine’s opening night of her art exhibit. Christine Cordone has risen to a new level. She now has people in her paintings. I was impressed. Her water colors warm the heart and brighten a room!

Ralph Kiner died yesterday. A baseball great! Played many years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Then spent even more years as the Mets broadcaster. He is a Hall of Famer.

My recollection goes back to the mid to late 1940s. Baseball was everything. My buddies and I used to spend some summer afternoons sitting around on the floor in someone’s living room listening to major league baseball games. One of our heroes was Ralph Kiner.

Listening is the operative word in the previous paragraph. There was no television back then. It was radio!

Enjoy your day!

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

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I ate last night at the Beachside Cafe. It is part of the Southernmost complex. Sits on the Atlantic. I could taste the salt in the air.

Ordered a cheeseburger. As I devoured it, my mind went back to the Dennis Drug Store. Corner of United and Siminton. Gone several years now. A bank in its place.

I occasionally stopped by for lunch. A cheeseburger, of course. Bar stools at the counter and oil cloth covers on the tables. A from yesterday place.

Dennis had gained notoriety because of Jimmy Buffett’s Cheeseburger in Paradise. He wrote the song with Dennis in mind. He was a customer.

Don’s Place first last night.

Met Hershel’s sister. An attractive woman. Apparently here visiting. Chatted with Don. Talked with Jimmy. Said my hellos to Grant, Clara, Stan, Tony, and more.

While I was talking with Don at the bar, Dan showed up. My Skaneateles/Syracuse friend. He stopped in to say hello. Saw my car in the parking lot. Was on his way to the gym next door. As I was leaving Don’s, I decided to walk over and see how hard Dan was working out. I caught him seated at a table reading a magazine. His back was to me. I said…..Uh, uh, caught you doing nothing! Dan turned around. He was soaking wet. Sweaty as could be. Water running down off his forehead. He had just finished some machine. He was working out!

The Chart Room was relatively quiet. Emily, Che, Sean, and I talked. We agreed we all missed Peter. We are concerned about his well being.

I spent yesterday afternoon researching next week’s KONK Life column. It is going to be about the recently passed farm bill which is on its way to the President to sign. There is no question the President will sign it.

I consider the bill a rip off in many respects. A disgrace. Devious. You will find my thoughts interesting.

Christine Cordone has an exhibition this evening of her water colors. In her senior years, she has become a Key West fixture in the art field. Her exhibit is at the gallery next door to Harpoon Harry’s on Caroline. I will be there.

My recently published book continues to be on sale. The World Upside Down can be ordered from Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

SYRACUSE / DUKE BASKETBALL

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There is nothing more important today than the Syracuse / Duke basketball game. Big time! Syracuse undefeated. Duke has lost 4. However, Duke has played strong in its last six games.

The morning line is Syracuse by 4 1/2 points.

I have no prediction. My heart will be in my throat the entire game.

Change of venue! I will not be at the Sports Pub watching the game. I will be at the outside bar at Don’s Place.

I enjoyed an early afternoon manicure at Tammy’s. Love that girl! Yesterday was the Asian New Year. We exchanged Happy New Years. She explained to me the celebration (7 days), what people do, etc. A big party! Male oriented, however. The men do much of the partying, eating, and drinking. The women stay home. She and her husband are Vietnamese. Sounds like the husbands are southern Republicans!

Researched a bit for my next book Growing Up Italian. You will love it!

I am doing some minor house repairs. Things I have let go too long. Jimmy and John were over yesterday painting. Keith and Jennifer working, also. I have the house up for sale. No, I am not leaving Key West. Would like to move into town, however. Tomorrow there is an open house. I have some further things to clean up on my own today. Getting ready for the open house is a pain in the ass!

Stopped at Don’s Place first last night. I was late. Usually I am out around 5. It was after 7. I had a good time. Enjoyed the company of Don, David, Jimmy, Hershel, Erika, Tom, Nancy, Tony, and Rob. Don convinced me to watch the Syracuse game tonight at his place.

The Chart Room was next. Emily noted it was not my usual arrival time. Lots of tourists. They came in and out in droves. Met Mike and Kathy. Never met them before. They live in Key West. Mike is one of John Lukas’ partners in the Big Ten Sports Pub. A couple came in. Only to buy drinks and run off with them in hand. In plastic, of course. They were all excited. Properly so. They were having dinner at L’Attitudes.

On the way home, I stopped at Publix to pick up a few things. Met a very nice lady. At the cold cut counter. She was working behind it.

Her name is Ann. She kept looking at me. Do I know you, she asked. What is your name? We finally figured it out. She reads KONK Life and my columns. Not religiously, but frequently. She was also aware of my book The World Upside Down.

I liked Ann. Not because she read my column, though it probably contributed. I may be buying cold cuts more frequently just so I can talk with her.

I have to move my ass. Sloan will be here soon. We are having audio problems with the blog talk radio show and are speaking directly with blog talk and doing test runs this morning.

Enjoy your day!

QUIT YOUR JOB AND MOVE TO KEY WEST

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It was the dentist at 2 yesterday afternoon. I now have teeth again. Thrilled I am! The best fit ever!

When you get on in years, you will understand.

Had to test the new teeth immediately. A toasted bagel at the Plantation Coffee House. They worked!

I had some time to kill. Checked out the local books for sale. David Sloan is a famous Key West author. I saw his book Quit Your Job And Move to Key West. I read about a third of it before returning the book to its place on the rack. A fine work! It was obvious why Sloan’s writings are highly regarded. Buy the book. You will enjoy.

One of Sloan’s comments in the book…..Key West consumes more alcohol per capita than any city in the U.S. A fair statement. Correct from my perspective. The comment might suggest to some considering retiring to Key West that they should buy a bar rather than
do nothing.

Stopped at Don’s Place. Chatted with Joanie. One of the happiest people I have ever met.

Then to the Chart Room and Emily. I was the first customer. Sheila came in. The three of us commiserated. Peter, aka Captain Peter, has left Key West. After 20 years. He upped and moved to Melbourne. Just like that. A Key west icon. He will be missed.

Had to try the teeth out some more. Stopped at Outback for a prime rib. Everything worked!

You have to appreciate what I have gone through the past three years. These marvels of modern dental science cost me $35,000. I have had one problem after another the first two years. This last visit merely had to do with might be described as a mechanical tune up.

Selena Gomez. I know little about her other than she is a lovely young lady and a star. I read some where yesterday that she is keeping company with pop star Austin Mahone. Gomez is 21, Austin 17. The significant detail in the article was that Mahone lives part time in Key West. I was not aware.

Big game tomorrow night. Syracuse/Duke. This game is similar to the Villanova and Pitt games. A test for Syracuse. The game is at 6:30. I will be watching it at John Lukas’ Big Ten Sports Pub. With Dan, I hope.

Enjoy your day!

STATE OF THE UNION / TUESDAY TALK WITH KEY WEST LOU

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I can’t win. Tonight at nine is the State of the Union address. My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West L is at the same time. How can I compete with the President! 30 million people will listen to the President. Overwhelming in comparison to the 2000 that would normally listen to me. Actually, I expect everyone to listen to the President. I am sorry I will not be able to do so because of the show.

As far as my audience is concerned, it is not that bad. The interesting thing about blog talk radio is that the show is archived. It is available for listening at any time during the week following the show. What happens is that a handful of people listen to the show at nine on Tuesday evenings. 99% of my listeners are those who listen to the archived version during the week. Interesting.

For those who will listen at some point in time to my show, I will be discussing issues including the disclosure that a majority of working age Americans are on food stamps for the first time,  Ukraine out of control, the miss distribution of wealth, Monsanto’ and toxic toxins purportedly killing human embryo cells, JP Morgan’s CEO Dimon receiving a 74% raise to $20 million, Huckabee’s stupid statement about a woman’s libido, and more.

Kelly Mc Gillis continues to leave her impact on Key West. The star of  Top Gun settled at one point in Key West. She became owner of several restaurants  with her husband Fred Tillman. They are since divorced. She has no current relationship with any of the restaurants. One still maintains her name, however. Kelly’s. Mc Gillis has not stayed away. She sponsors an annual  flag football team competition for women. Called the Key West Classic. A three day event. It was held this past weekend with its usual success.

My day yesterday started with a visit to the dentist. I am back! The implants were getting loose. It was to be expected. I thought whatever was involved would only include tightening up some of the sockets, etc. However a portion has to go to the lab for  some type of adjustment. Which means that from eight o’clock tomorrow morning to eight o’clock Thursday morning, I will be without teeth. Comforting! I will not leave the house nor will I see anyone during those 24 hours!

Dan, I will not be watching the Syracuse/Wake Forest game with you at Don’s Place tomorrow night as a result.

Pete Seeger died. The American folk singer. No question about the label fitting him. Not only was he a great singer, he also was a political activist. Amongst the songs he is best known for are Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and If I Had a Hammer.

I’ve said this before. As I get older, I feel I have been a part of history. Seeger was during my time. Though a little older than me. Every time someone from my past, whether directly or indirectly related, passes on, I feel a special loss.

I started last night at Don’s Place. Had to talk to Jimmy for a while. I chatted with David. Met Roberta. Roberta is David’s new lady friend. We had a nice talk. She knows Lisa well.

Then it was to the Chart Room. Glad I went!

Charlotte was there! Charlotte from North Carolina! I love her! She visits Key West every three or four months.

Charlotte will be coming down to Key West more frequently,  she told me. Her boyfriend, who I met some three months ago, has obtained employment in Key West. He is a radio announcer. He has a show on 104.9 BX. Charlotte is all excited. This means in due course she will be moving to Key West permanently.

It was fraternity reunion night! A group of fraternity brothers were celebrating their 20th reunion. Fraternity brothers of Delta Sigma Phi. They were here with their lady friends and wives having a great time. They told me they have gotten together every year for 20 years to celebrate. God bless them!

I was driving home and decided I was hungry. I did not want to eat too much. I stopped at the Chinese restaurant in the Sears Shopping Center for a bite.

My recently published book The World Upside Down came up in conversation twice yesterday. First with my dentist. He reads my KONK Life column religiously every week. He asked where the book could be purchased. I told him on the Internet. Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com. The book came up again last night with Charlotte. She was not aware it had been published. She will be ordering it.

Enjoy your day!

MARY AND MIKE FROM BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

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Sean Kinney likes to write. It is his career, his job. He is the Miami Herald’s man in Key West.

I met Sean’s parents yesterday. Second time. Last year, also. Mother Mary and I chatted at the bar. I could see Sean in her. Her mind, her love of  reading, etc. She was interested in my recently published book The World Upside Down. Had me write the title on the back of a bar bill so she could order it. Love you, Mary!

Met Sean’s Dad at the table. Unfortunately, we only had time for a quick hello. Sean and Katherine were taking Mary and Mike to dinner at the Conch Republic.

Mary and Mike reside in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mary said she caught my blog talk radio show a few times in Biloxi.

That was last night. I spent most of Sunday writing this week’s KONK Life column. Guaranteed you will enjoy! It is a mixture of Columbus, Ferdinand and Isabella, Plato, and Aristotle. The story of a gigantic lie perpetrated on us by ignorant politicians.

I planned on meeting Peter Max yesterday. He was at an art gallery from 1-4. My day was too full. Never made it. By the time I finished the KONK Life column, it was after 5.

This is Quantum Key West Week. Top shelf sailing. The world’s finest professional sailors crewing for captain’s of industry. Big money sport enthusiasts. As exciting as the sailing may be, it is going to be especially uncomfortable out on the cold Atlantic and Gulf. No matter how well dressed everyone may be!

Busy day today. Sloan at 10. Lunch with Guy de Boer. Dinner with the grandkids. I am taking Robert and Ally out. Just the three of us.

My blog talk radio show tomorrow night at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Topics will include a stupid Florida gun law, Hawaii battling genetically modified foods, the NSA bugging Congress, a further example of bank hypocrisy, the Christopher Columbus lie, the NSA being able to get your medical records without authorization, and more. Revealing information!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

MISS VIETNAM

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It was manicure time yesterday. Tammy at Lee Nails. Tammy has a new hairdo. Outstanding! Frames her lovely face perfectly.

I have always had a soft spot for Asian women. Why, I do not know. I find them attractive. Perhaps a bit mysterious.

Tammy is short and thin. Tiny better describes her stature. A sweet face to go along with a sweet disposition. A mere 32. Looks 18.

Tammy was lovely before her new hairdo. More so now. So good, I would label her Miss Vietnam!

I spent a good two hours at the Plantation Coffee House yesterday morning. Got involved in the New York papers. I find it relaxing to sit and sip and read. The atmosphere at the Coffee House is conducive to a quiet time experience.

Chart Room big last night! Key West continues to be packed. I feel sorry for the tourists. It has been 80 degrees for months. Now we are into our first week of cold. The weather does not keep the vacationers down. They are in the bars, restaurants and coffee houses having a good time. A simple change of venue for them from the beach to indoors.

There was a buzz in the Chart Room. CNBC was in town. Some reality show. No one knew exactly which one. I was told the show helps businesses. The show people were working with one of the key lime businesses.

Kevin sitting at the end of the bar. I enjoy his company. Sheila and Peter at the bar, also. Jim Cox was back. The last one whose ashes will be placed in the bar rail.

We talked about Jim’s Dad, Jim Cox also. He was a banker. Made money when the savings and loans went under in the 1980s. Retired thereafter in his 30s to Key West. Retirement bored him. As it did me. He went into business. He designed and had made a special men’s pants. Billowy, open on the sides. Attached to the pants was a whistle. Ergo, the pants were known as whistle pants. He sold them in stores. He would also ride around on his bicycle selling them on the streets.

The senior Jim Cox became known as Whistle Pants. Similar to my being known as Key West Lou. Mr. Cox’s name appears on the bar rail as Whistle Pants.

I met Sandy from Wichita, Kansas. She was looking for a book store. Wanted to get some local books to read. I directed her. Told her also about The World Upside Down. She was very interested. Wrote down for her that it could be ordered from Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. I also recommended she read The Shack. She gave me the name of a book she thought I would enjoy reading.

I liked Sandy. Hope I run into Sandy and her husband again before they leave.

Dinner was at the Hot Tin Roof with Jim Cox. An enjoyable time. Talked of many things.

I had a simple meal. I did not wish to over eat. Shataki and mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes at the Hot Tin Roof are special.

Big basketball this afternoon! Syracuse/Pittsburgh. Syracuse remains undefeated at 17-0. Pittsburgh has lost only one game and is 16-1. Syracuse will be tested as it was against Villanova a couple of weeks ago. Though Syracuse is a 7.5 point favorite, I am uncomfortable. I plan on watching the game at Don’s Place at 4.

Enjoy your day!

PETER MAX / CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS / TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

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What a combination! Peter Max, Christopher Columbus and Tennessee Williams! The three are totally unrelated. They just happened to come up for comment on the same day.

Peter Max will be in Key West this weekend. Exciting! I have three of his works. Used to have four. Gave one years ago to one of my daughters.

Max will be appearing on saturday and sunday at the De Rubeis Gallery at 511 Duval. See the man and his work! I hope to.

Tennessee Williams will be appearing. However, not live. He left us long ago.

Williams lived in Key West some 30-40 years. His Key West home was on Duncan, one block from Lisa’s. He is known for his writings. It is not the writings which bring him to our attention at this time. It is his paintings!

I did not know that Williams painted. He did in his later years. The Custom House presently has on exhibit of  his paintings. Another must to see!

While sitting at the Plantation Coffee House yesterday, it dawned on me how tourists dress when Key West is cold. They throw anything on that they can find. Nothing matches. They don’t care. Just trying to keep warm. None would ever dress that way back home.

Stopped first at Don’s Place last night. Enjoyed David and Jeff’s company. Grant showed up just as I was leaving. Briefly chatted with Jimmy. Joanie rebuked me for passing her by without saying hello. She was correct. It was not intentional. My mind was somewhere else. She gave me a kiss and hug after hollering at me.

Especially enjoyed my evening at the Chart Room. The place was packed. Locals and tourists. Emily earned her keep last night. She was moving!

Sheila, David and Peter were there, also. I like David. He keeps telling me we are going to play billiards together. I think he is just talk (not meant offensively). I can never pin him down for an actual game.

Jim Cox was at the Chart Room. I had met him some two years ago briefly. Last night, we talked for quite a while. He is an attorney who works in house for a Dallas bank. Capital One Bank. He had a court appearance in Key West on a mortgage foreclosure case.

Jim is important? Special? I am not sure how to describe his claim to fame. Simply stated, he is one of the two remaining persons who has a  hole ready in the Chart Room bar rail for his ashes when he dies. The other is Che. The rest are gone.

Jim’s Dad Jim is already there. The two are the only father/son combination.

I suspect Jim will be the last to make it. He is about 45 years old. Che is 80.

We got into my recently published book. The World Upside Down. I suspect he is going to buy it. I told him to check Amazon.com and Barnesandnoblecom.

I read in one of the New York papers this morning that the National Security Agency bugs and stores 2 million texts a day. A disgrace! What bothers me is very few seem upset with this sort of thing. It is part of the ongoing erosion of our freedoms. Once lost, they are difficult to get back.

I started working on this week’s KONK Life column. It is going to be about Christopher Columbus. Revealing. You will not believe what I will be sharing with you. Aristotle and Washington Irving are involved also.

Enjoy your day!