CHRISTMAS DAY

A late morning brunch at Lisa’s Christmas day. The grandkids all excited. Ran outside to greet me when I arrived exclaiming…..Santa brought us new bicycles for Christmas!

That is what it is all about.

Brunch was everything! And then more!

After brunch, I remained at Lisa’s to do yesterday’s blog. My computer kaput again. The old computer at home is only good for research and reading. I cannot type on it.

I returned home early afternoon. My Christmas day was done.

I am writing/researching two books at the same time. One of them includes Lyons, France during World War II. I was into Lyons yesterday big time. The underground blowing up roads and bridges, killing specific German officers, identifying collaborators, getting into Gestapo maintained prisons to save people, and the torture and execution of underground members.

Christmas greetings were received yesterday from all over the world. Included in the group were Rita from Calitzdorp, South Africa, Anna, Antonio and Miriam from Novara, Italy, Flora from Albania, and Jenna from Indiana. Several were received from various parts of Greece.

The world keeps getting smaller.

Christmas has changed over the years. This Christmas was different from the Christmas of my youth. As many have been over the years. Square One’s Carmelo and I had this discussion last week. Nothing is the same. The only constant seems to be change. With everything.

I asked Novara’s  Anna what Northern Italians eat on Christmas day. Not a turkey. Beef is a rarity. The traditional choice is a capon.  The denutted/castrated male chicken. Big breasted, much meat. Tender and juicy.

Anna told me she boils the capon. What a waste, I thought. Why not stuff it and shove it in the oven? Not the custom, I was told. The capon is boiled and then served covered with milk. She claims it tastes good!

My grandmother would prepare two capons on the holidays. They were cheap to buy. Meat never saw any table I was at back then. I assume because of cost.

There were no Publixs or Winn-Dixies back in the late 1930s and through the 1940s. Chickens were purchased at a chicken store. There were three within a four block radius of where we lived. Only chickens sold. The customer picked out the chicken desired. All chickens were live. A person working the store would take the chicken behind the counter and start the process. It began with chopping the poor chicken’s head off.

I have no idea where a person in the United States would buy a capon these days.

Tomorrow is my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. In addition to the items forth yesterday, I am going to talk about the VA hospital that refuses to accept Christmas cards with the word Christmas anywhere thereon. No Merry Christmas at that VA hospital! Stupid political correctness. A step too far. Not representative of the United States I grew up in.

Another issue involves genetically modified fruits and vegetables. The big corporations who own the mega farms are pursuing legislation permitting their label on the foodstuffs to read “Natural.” If successful, the U.S. will be the only country in the world to so do. All other countries label genetically modified foods as being genetically modified.

The show is at 10 in the morning my time. It can be viewed on television from Key West through Boca Raton on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. The show is also available worldwide via the internet. www.weyw19.com.

Enjoy your day!

AN EVENING WITH TOM AND CINDY

 

I like Tom and Cindy. Great people! From Iowa. Black hearted Republicans, but we get along.

We had dinner last night at Square One. Cindy looked lovely. A charmer. Life has not gotten her down. One breast and one leg gone to cancer. Still cheerful! She is amazing!

They wanted to go to Don’s Place after dinner. We went. Fortunately, Don was still there. He and Tom bonded. They were talking business all night.

My day started early yesterday. The metabolic test for WeBeFit. I am in terrible shape. worse than I thought. Stayed a while after and did some time on the tread mill. Then an hour at Plantation Coffee House reading the papers.

My TV/internet show tomorrow at 10. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Via television from Key West through Boca Raton on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

My chest/rib is killing me. I did not work out today. Already! I see the doctor at 4.

Enjoy your day!

GARBAGE JOURNALISM

 

I am irritated. So let me get right to the point. I take umbrage with that segment of the Bill O’Reilly Show entitled Watters’ World. A deplorable piece concerning Key West was recently run on the show. Disgraceful. A bald faced misrepresentation.

The man is Jesse Watters. A traveling reporter. He recently did a video piece on Key West. He was here in Key West. He asked the questions and did the interviewing. Someone else filmed. The product he brought back to the Bill O’Reilly Show was unrepresentative of our community.

Watters must have envisioned the show he wanted to film. He cherry picked his characters and set  the scene. Rigged the production, in effect. He made it look like Key West was composed of homeless, derelicts, druggies, and mental defectives. He interviewed all over Key West. The Southernmost Point, the waterfront, several spots on Duval, and in front of and in the parking lot at Don’s Place.

My friend Rob was interviewed. How he got caught up with this bunch I do not know. He was the only intelligent person interviewed. That does not mean I agreed with everything Rob said, however.

The video was unquestionably insulting. It stomped on Key West with both feet!

O’Reilly and Watters chatted a bit after the video was shown. O’Reilly described Key West as an outlaw town. He said he had been visiting Key West since 1971. I would like to know when. I have never seen him or had knowledge he was here. I question whether O’Reilly is a Truman of sorts. In addition, O’Reilly appeared to suggest that Key West was not a good vacation spot for children. I do not know if he only visited the strip clubs and the clothing optional bar on top of the Bull. Did he visit at all Fort Zachray Taylor Beach, the Fort Zach Museum, The Mel Fisher Museum, the  Custom House, the Hemingway House? Did he partake of the various fishing trips,  fish off the sidewalk next to the Atlantic, experience sunset at Mallory Square? Just some of the things that parents and their children do.

Fair and balanced the O’Reilly Show was not with regard to the Watters’ World report.

There is a Key Wester who writes a blog of sorts. He goes by the name of Jester. His comments concerning this situation are better than mine. He calls it as it is in no uncertain terms. Read it. Jester/Key West.

There are honorable people in Key West. I was pleased this week to note that Home Depot had the flag atop its building flying at half mast. A respectful company . Watters should have gone to Home Depot and interviewed the staff and customers if he wanted to meet real Key Westers. Home Depot being merely one example.

Larry Smith is still on the mend. His name came up last night at the Chart Room. I was chatting with Emily and David. Then a couple sitting next to me. Scott and Cathy Walker from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. A town near Penn State. They have visited Key West before. In fact, they were here celebrating their anniversary. One year ago on December 7 they were married in Key West. Not kids. A mature couple.

Either Scott or Cathy has had a knee replacement. They told me to say hello to Larry. They had met him on one occasion and were sorry that he was no longer at the Wine Galley.

They told me their friend Mary Angel Coploff was a close friend of Larry’s and that I should mention her name to him. And let Larry know that Mary had both knees replaced at one time as Larry had. Mary did it two years ago.

Scott is in an interesting business. He builds log cabin homes. They are built for the cold. There was and is a market for them up north. There were many in the Utica area. What surprised me is that several years ago,  he was sent down here to build one on Big Pine.

Bocce season has been over for a month. We do not start again till January. This past season’s bocce party is tonight. At Don’s Place. It will be a good time!

Enjoy your day!

 

NELSON MANDELA

 

A man for the ages. A unique person. Nelson Mandela has passed on. It will be many years before the world knows another. May he rest in peace.

Show time this morning! My TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning my time. Join me. Interesting topics such as requiring all Congresspersons to pee in a cup to determine their drug free status, England running out of food, the Black Friday mob scenes duplicated where little food is available, Europe hurting so badly economically that a new industry is flourishing: renting second hand clothes, a new issue before the courts: whether chimpanzees are legal persons, and more.

The show can be viewed on television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19 from Key West through Boca Raton. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

Sometimes I am forgetful. Yesterday was one of them. I prepared for today’s show wednesday.Ttook six hours. Could not find my notes yesterday. Where they are, I still do not know! I had to redo everything yesterday afternoon. Fortunately since I knew what I was looking for this time, it took only three hours.

My first stop last night once again was the Chart Room. Chatted with Jean, Peter, Che, and Emily.

I wanted to talk with Joseph. Joseph is the Hot Tin Roof’s general manager. I went over. Figured I would have dinner at the Hot Tin Roof, also. Not only could I not find Joseph, I was not able to eat there. A private party had taken over the place.

I stopped at Outback. No room at the bar, no room at the inn. I was doing good.  BeBe was at the bar. A lovely person. I have not seen her in ages. A kiss and a hug. We agreed to have dinner together next week.

I ended up having dinner at home. Prepared by Chef Louis. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Enjoy your day!

FAIRVILLA AND NORML IN ONE NIGHT

 

Late with the blog today. Sorry.

I was driving down Duval on my way to the Chart Room last night. All of a sudden I heard…..Louis! It was Cheryl sitting at the outside Tree Bar. She and Roger were together. Looked like they were having a good time.

As soon as I entered the Chart Room, Emily told me I had missed Cheryl and Roger. No, I said. Just waved at them at the Tree Bar.

Fairvilla and NORML happened while I was at the Chart Room.

Alicia is her name. She came in with Sheila. I had met her earlier in the week. She is in Key West visiting. Her father owns Fairvilla. A huge adult toy emporium.

Fairvilla is a respected business in Key West. In other communities, you don’t want to be seen entering an adult book store. Here, no problem. About ten years ago, the Key West Symphony held a fund raiser. Where? You got it! Fairvilla. The city even closed off the street for the event. The place and area were packed. The Symphony raised a ton of money.

Occasionally, I visit Fairvilla. Like every two years. When I have a visiting guest and want to share a bit of Key West’s risque reputation with them.

Bob was sitting at the bar. We talked. He is a visiting attorney from Atlanta. Sixty one. We had much to talk about, including our hearts. Bob was visiting Key West to attend the NORML conference.

NORML is an advocacy group for the legalization of marijuana. Not just for medical purposes. Sounds good! The conference group are attorneys from all over the United States that support NORML’s goal.

Bob’s son is an attorney, also. He is scheduled to speak at the conference. Dad was in town to hear him. His son did not know he would be there.

Bob spent some time in upstate New York. Buffalo State. Undergrad and law school. Graduated cum laude in 1977. He specializes in Federal drug cases and death cases. An interesting practice.

Bob’s son and wife appeared. A good looking young man. His wife lovely.

Such was my adult sex toys and pot evening. Fooled you, didn’t I? You first might have assumed I was purchasing sex toys and smoking marijuana. Would have made for an interesting evening. However, I was not.

Took a walk over to the Tree Bar looking for Cheryl and Roger. They had left. I walked across the street to Irish Kevin’s. I love the place! I rarely go in however because of my age. Everyone is significantly younger. What I specifically like about Irish Kevin’s is that the young ladies are frequently induced by the guitar player to come on stage and show their breasts. I am a dirty old man at heart.

I had to eat. Decided on Kelley’s. Wings at the outside bar. The best wings in Key West!

I mentioned Bob Perlow the other evening. He was a waiter at Square One. I mentioned that once in his other life he wrote for Jay Leno. I learned last night that he also was a warm up comic for the Tonight Show, Cheers, Friends, and Two and a Half Men.

Tomorrow morning at 10 my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal hour. Please join me for what I guarantee will be an interesting and revealing hour. The show can be seen on television from Key West through Boca Raton on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. It is also available world wide via the internet. www.weyw19.com.

Enjoy your day!

ANOTHER DAY

 

Key West weather continues to be fantastic! Low 80s, no humidity, cool in the evening. How much longer will we be so blessed? I figure about two weeks. Then it will be long pants and a jacket.

Yesterday morning, I thought I was better. One hundred per cent. I was not. Though I was not that bad. My stomach was a bit off all day. I experienced dizzy spells. Such  being the case, I opted to spend another day at home. Not totally in bed. Finished friday’s TV/internet show and did some comfort reading.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour airs friday morning at 10. On television and the internet. Television from Key West through Boca Raton. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com. The show is available post show on you Tube

Topics will include a few words about Kennedy, how the Pentagon cannot account for $8.7 billion, U.S. dollars designated for Afghanistan reconstruction ending up in the hands of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda who kill American soldiers, Vet hospital lack of funding causing long delays in treatment leading to death, Walmart’s audacity, and more. Join me. An interesting and revealing show.

One of the books I am reading is A Short History of the United States by Robert V. Remini. I share a quote from the book with you. “It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. When the laws attempt to make the rich richer, and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society–the farmers, the mechanics, and laborers–who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. Government must treat all equally, rich and poor…”

Sounds familiar. History does repeat itself.

Who wrote these words? President Thomas Jefferson.

Enjoy your day!

 

WINTER MOVING IN

Weather changes are abrupt in Key West. We move from one season to another overnight. It looks like we are moving into winter. A Key West winter. Not so bad. Better here than up north where they have already experienced snow.

The wind was strong yesterday and from the north. Especially on the gulf side of the island. Waves and white caps were discernible in the water.

The temperature was ok, however. In the high 70s. As it will be today. The wind brings with it the cold off the ocean, however. I was out last night. A sweat shirt would have helped.

The reaction to the book thus far has been gratifying. Emails from all over. Even China. Thank you one and all. Now I hope someone buys the book.

Once again, the title is The World Upside Down. It has been published in ebook and paperbook versions. It is available via the internet from three sources: Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and AbsolutelyAmazingeBooks.com.

I occasionally get screwed up. Keith was over Tuesday night. He told me my license plate had expired. It was to have been renewed in July. I was in Greece in July. Never saw the registration renewal letter. I have been driving for three months an unregistered vehicle.

Now that I knew, I was not going to drive the car till it was registered. Ergo, I had to beg rides. Twice.

DMV Florida has stringent rules on anything and everything to do with cars. I went to the internet first to see what was required to renew a previously registered Florida vehicle. I brought everything the official State DMV site said was required. The nice lady at DMV told me I needed one other item. I said it was not on the internet. She said, I know but you still need it.

So it went. I finally got the car registered. The people at DMV here in Key West are pleasant. Rules are rules, however.

A friend in Italy emailed me yesterday to tell me I had dual citizenship. I am an Italian citizen also because one of my parents was born in Italy. My mother. I plan on doing nothing with the knowledge. I am happy where I am as I am. In spite of everything going on, there is nothing like the USA!

The Chart Room last night. My one and only stop. Visited with Emily, Peter and Sean. Peter was dressed for the weather. Long pants, a sweater and a denim jacket.

A lot of tourists. I was surprised because there is nothing of significance this weekend, other than a film festival.

Bocce tonight. The last night of the season. It will be a fun evening. Nothing at stake. We will finish somewhere in the middle of the standings.

Tomorrow morning The Key West Lou Legal Hour. My TV/internet show. Ten my time. Via television from Key West through Boca Raton. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw.com.

If you miss the show, you can see it on You Tube at your convenience. Enter Key West Lou.

Some interesting and revealing topics will be discussed. Like a U.S. accommodation of the Tea Party that is disturbing, an abuse of police power you will find hard to believe, additional poverty exploration, some cattle rustling, corporations getting bigger, how taxpayers are coming up short with regard to the GM bailout, and more.

Enjoy your day!

ALL HALLOW’S EVE

 

This is the big day! Rather, evening! It’s Halloween!

It is the night before the Christian holy day of All Saints Day.

In days of old, hallows was an interchangeable word with saints. They meant the same. Today was called All Hallow’s Eve. Over time, All Hallow’s Eve became shortened to Halloween.

Halloween’s beginnings are clouded. There is no certainty as to time and where. Many different stories. Suffice to say, Halloween has both Pagan and Christian roots. Its date of beginning covers centuries.

When I was young, my father walked with me as I went door to door tricking or treating. I did the same with my four children. I used to  stand in the shadows on the street as they went to the doors.

Lisa does the same with Robert and Ally. I generally join them. Not tonight. Bocce.

I worry when driving Halloween night. Key West children are all over the place. In the roads, also. Lighting is not the best in  Key West nor Key Haven where I live. Caution is the order of the day.

Great baseball game last night! I rarely watch baseball. I did last night. Glad I did. I was particularly impressed with the third or fourth inning where Boston got all those runs. I felt bad for St. Louis. Even with 2 out, Boston kept getting hits. St. Louis had to be saying mentally…..guys, stop…..get it over with!

My day out consisted of a trip to the bank. An exciting day.

I spent time preparing for my TV/internet show  tomorrow. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. A ton of topics. The problem this week is selection. So much has happened.

I plan on stressing poverty a bit. I feel its is exploding in our country. Plus, some NSA observations including bugging the new Pope, General Motor’s continued screwing of the American public, an example of why Golf Channel analyst Brande Chamblee is an ass, additional shocking examples of governmental waste, and more.

The show is 10 in the morning my time. Airs on television Key West through Boca Raton on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Airs on the internet worldwide. www.weyw19.com.

Also You Tubed in case you miss the show.

I bought a printer at Office Max more than a year ago. A fancy one with all of the buttons. I should have purchased the cheap one. I have never been able to make it work. Nor has Sloan nor anyone else I asked to help.

I went to a pro yesterday. A nerd. Within minutes the machine was operational. Amazing!

I have been dieting again. The story of my life. Up and down for 50 years. I know, not healthy.

I started a different type diet this time. I am just cutting back. Eating little. Around 1,000 calories a day. Walking, also. Though still not as much as I should.

I feel like a good boy. I have lost 10 pounds in 16 days.

Enjoy your day!

DOG DAY

 

A part of yesterday was dog day. Good dog day!

It started in the morning when I visited Lisa. Jake was barking like hell at me before I even came in the door. Two minutes later he was lying snuggled against me on the couch sleeping.

Fantasy Fest has something for pets. A Pet Masquerade and Parade. At dinner time. At the Casa Marina. I went. Have done so in previous years, also. Mostly dogs. All pets in costume. Well behaved. Something to see. Proud owners, also. Obvious from the smiles on their faces.

Then it was off to Sunset Pier for the Original Homemade Bikini Contest. A mob scene. Lovelies all over the place in their scanty home made bathing outfits.

I remember the first Homemade Bikini Contest. It was held some 15 years ago upstairs at Hogs Breath. A commemorative event. I was there.

I spent the afternoon re-editing my book manuscript. The World Upside Down. A series of essays. Publication slated for sometime in November. So much to do. I don’t know how we are going to make it.

Tonight is my favorite night of Fantasy Fest. Toga Party! In the street in front of Sloppy Joe’s. I go to look.  Some ladies exhibit it all in exchange for beads.

Enjoy your day!

IT CAN’T GET ANY BETTER

 

It can’t get any better. I refer to the weather. Key West is blessed this fall. Beautiful days.

At the moment, I can see the outside. I am sitting inside my kitchen looking out over the water and everything else. The water is still. As is the air. A small white cloud here and there. God is good type weather!

Makes me feel good.

I walked yesterday. Outside. On South Roosevelt Boulevard along the Atlantic Ocean. A bit humid. Made me sweat. My tee shirt was soaked when I was done.

Ate at Roostica on Stock island last night. Went specifically for the Wednesday night special. Baked chicken and potatoes. Just like Mom made!

Tomorrow morning is my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. I spent time yesterday off and on working on the show. Interesting topics. The Washington fiasco, of course. Plus, my thoughts on the Alec Rodriquez situation.

Add to these two topics, the origin of the cocktail, women not persons under Canadian law till 1929, food stamps and the shut down, cameras soon to be on shelves in super markets, a recent study suggesting Oreos as addictive as cocaine and morphine, my continuation on government waste, and more.

The show is at 10 in the morning my time. It is available from Key West through Boca Raton on television via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

The government shut down and debt limit problems were disgraceful. The Republicans should be ashamed. Especially, Tea Party members. Reports indicate the shut down cost the economy $24 billion. Take it out of the pay of the Tea Party members in the House of Representatives.

Will it happen all over again in 2-3 months? I hope not. You never know however when it comes to politicians.

Bocce tonight. I am anxious to play.

Frankie, aka Frankie the Plumber, is generally my partner. The best player on our team. One of the best in the league.

Frankie had heavy heart surgery more than six months ago. Died twice on the table.

When he returned to playing bocce, he had lost it. He was not the Frankie of old when it came to the game. We felt sorry for him. He had to be bothered by it, though he never said a word.

I am happy to report Frankie is back! The past few nights we have played, he has been the Frankie of old. I am happy for Frankie. I am happy for the team. We need him!

Enjoy your day!