LONG LOST FRIEND TO BE LOST AGAIN

 

A long lunch yesterday at Hogfish. Interesting and pleasant. I was with an old friend. The relationship very old. It goes  back to the early 1960s.

Her name is Ann Kimble. Actually, no more. That was her maiden name. That is the name I knew her by back when. She thereafter married and has been married more than 25 years.

Ann was a reporter for the local Utica newspaper. She was not native to Utica. Born in Delaware, I think. I knew her for a couple of years. Good company. An intelligent person. Wanted to write. She ultimately did publish one book: A History of the Delaware Constitution. I kid her about it.

I had not seen Ann for many years after she left Utica. About ten years ago, I was at a charity fundraiser here in Key West at East Martello. Who do I run in to? Ann! She and her husband were living in Big Pine.

So for the last ten years, Ann and I would get together for lunch or coffee like every three months.

Ann is leaving me again. Her husband is on in his years and sickly. He has to be near top notch medical care. They depart today for their new home in Naples.

Yesterday was our farewell lunch.

Ann brought her sister Melanie with her. Melanie is a retired school teacher. She lives outside Albany, New York.

The lunch was long and pleasant. I was sad when I hugged her good bye. I realized I might never see her again.

While I was waiting for the ladies to show for lunch, an Asian family sat at the table next to me. A lovely young lady. A one year old baby. The husband, a young person also. And Grandpa.

Two things garnered my attention. They ordered a ton of food. However, they ate it all. I was amazed. The other was that Junior was hungry. The mother lowered her dress and fed him. Rarely seen. Nice to observe. My daughter Beth used to do it when Samantha was a baby and we were out.

The TV/Internet show went well again yesterday. I have the The Key West Lou Legal Hour down to a science.

I spoke of many things. People are presently into the Washington political scene and the debt issues. These items were the most talked about in post show comments. Even my conservative friends are becoming a bit concerned.

My Italian friend Anna e mailed me. She is at her home on Mont Blanc. Snow and cold, she said. She plans on driving with friends today to La Thuile in the north west part of Italy. Minutes from the French border. A shopping and short get away trip.

Anna lives a picturesque life. Her mountain escape in the Alps is a Swiss type chalet. The area has a  1,000-2,000 year old castle every half mile. Her home sits half way up Mont Blanc. The view is spectacular.

I am going out tonight. I have promised myself I will not eat. I did not eat at lunch yesterday with Ann and her sister Melanie. Two diet Pepsi’s and a cup of coffee. The same tonight.

My lady of the evening is Jenna. We have not been out together since before the holidays.

Syracuse basketball tomorrow! At noon. Playing South Florida. I will be watching the game at the Big Ten Sports Page Bar. I assume I will have the company of Dan and Lisa Reardon. Syracuse fans and my friends from the Syracuse area. They are in Key West for a month. Both Syracuse fanatics as I. Any other Syracuse people out there come and join us!

We are into the start of the Big East. Now we find out how good Syracuse really is.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

STARTED NEW YEAR RIGHT

 

I am off to less than a good start this New Year’s Day.

My blog talk radio show was scheduled for 7. About five minutes ago. I could not get into it. At my end, there are several steps to set up the show. The last two would not connect. I apologize to those of you that were up and waiting to hear pearls of wisdom fall from my lips. They would have included the fiscal cliff fiasco and Hillary Clinton, off course.

Again, my apologies. This was only week 3 of the show. Obviously still some rough edges to be worked out.

I partied last night as planned!

My goal was Duval somewhere near the Bourbon Street Pub. I wanted to see Sushi come down in the red heeled shoe.

I made it. With some difficulty. Parking was a problem. Seems like I had to park ten miles away. It was a long walk to Duval Street.

People crowded like sardines in a can. All happy. No one out of hand. The pre midnight entertainment excellent. Drag ladies performing on a stage set up in front of the Bourbon Street Pub.

I enjoyed a couple of drinks. I was able to push my way into 801 for some gin.

Several years ago, I did the midnight drop at Sloppy Joe’s. Immediately following the drop, the crowd dissipated, Sloppy’s emptied out. The night was over.

It was the same last night. Once Sushi made it down, every one left. The evening was concluded. It was ok by me as I was tired.

Sloan just telephoned. I called her earlier to figure out why I could not get into the talk radio show. She does not have it worked out yet.

My government/our government disappointed me yesterday and last night. So little, so late. Deadlines seem to mean nothing to these people. They should work for a living like every one else. If a deadline is not met, you are out of a job!

Government is broke. I am not telling you anything you were not already aware of.

Hillary Clinton’s problem bothers me. I am sure it bothers you, also. We know her. She is like family. How terrible her malady! I hope her recovery is swift.

Enjoy your New year’s Day. I am going back to bed.

WENT OUT LAST NIGHT

 

I cannot diet and visit my usual haunts. The near occasions of sin are food and drink. So, I remain home evenings. My recollection is that last night was the second time in the 35 days I have been dieting that I went out.

I was excited. It was exciting.

The Chart Room was the venue selected. It had not changed. JJ bartending. Dave, Sheila, and Captain Peter in attendance.

I was good. Did not drink nor eat pop corn. Two diet Pepsi’s instead.

Captain Peter never ceases to amaze me. I learned last night he was a bird watcher.

The Captain spoke specifically of two birds. I did not know them. I know nothing about birds. He had sighted one species here in Key West. Another flying in mass over Miami recently. Both totally foreign to Florida.

The birds’ habitat is Labrador. They were far from home. Captain Peter attributes their Florida presence to Hurricane Sandy. Interesting.

Duval Street was packed. Jam packed. Traditionally, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest for Key West. Come Wednesday morning, there will be no one. You can throw a bowling ball down Duval from one end to the other without hitting any one.

Tomorrow my blog talk radio show! Seven in the morning my time. You can listen and/or call in. The show is quick moving.

This will be show #3. Help me! Not only listen, telephone me from anywhere with a comment or thought. I am going to lead with the fiscal cliff, France trying a 75 per cent tax on its millionaires, and Silvio Burlosconi having to pay his wife $3 million a month. We are not limited. Can talk about any topic you wish.

Those living outside the United States can listen in/participate via Skype.

It may be radio, but a computer is required to join me. It is a radio internet show. Found easily at www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Click on the second box that appears. The one with the date of the show. Voila, you will be in business!

I plan on going out again tonight. I will cheat, however. Plan on drinking. The game plan is to walk Duval a bit and at midnight watch Sushi come down on the red shoe at the Bourbon Street Pub. If I change my mind and stay in, I will still watch Sushi. CNN carries the drop live each year.

Hillary Clinton. How sad! How terrible! Hope her condition clears up swiftly.

Many were critical of Hillary when she announced she could not testify before the Congressional committee looking into Benghazi because  she had fallen and suffered a concussion. Many thought it was a convenient made up excuse. One of this blog’s loyal readers wrote and referred her malady as an “immaculate concussion.” I must concede, I thought ill of the situation as well. A lesson to be learned. Never jump the gun…..give a person the benefit of the doubt. Not all political figures are the same. Some tell the truth.

Enjoy your New Year’s Eve day! Better yet, enjoy this evening!

 

DOWN FOR THE DAY

 

A minor cold spell is upon us this morning. It is 68 degrees. The high will only be 73. Tomorrow a return to the low 80s, however.

The previous paragraph was written with tongue in cheek. The snow storm up north is horrendous. My home town of Utica is buried in a foot of snow.

I remember the snow and storms. It was never fun. I always hated it. Tthought there had to be a better way. Found it. Key West.

Yesterday was a real quiet one for me. I spent most of the day down.

Since Christmas eve, every time I got up I felt light headed. Like I was going to pass out. My stomach not feeling right, also. Continued through yesterday. So I stayed in bed.

I seem ok this morning. I suspect with my weight change that I may need an adjustment in the blood pressure medicine.

Since I was in bed, I missed Les Miserables again. Perhaps this evening.

Tomorrow, the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten in the morning my time. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Worldwide on the internet at www.tvchannel.19.

Join me. Another good show.

Besides the subjects already reported, I shall be discussing the fiscal cliff, the need for term limits, Bone Island, God’s gender in dispute, the Pledge of Allegiance, Ben Franklin and Poor Richard’s Almanac, the 38th parallel, and Tennessee Williams’ Night of the Iguana.

Quite a mixed bag.

Enjoy your day!

 

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR TOMORROW

 

The weather is spectacular! 87 degrees yesterday. Not a cloud in the sky yesterday or this morning. No humidity.

The north is suffering. It is cold! Below freezing. I remember those days well.

Tomorrow morning my TV debut. Last week does not count. I was only on for 4 minutes. The audio went dead. I start anew tomorrow.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour will be both televised and available via internet. Scheduled time first. Ten in the morning my time. Comcast Channel 87 for TV viewing throughout the Florida Keys. The internet showing is available world wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

There will be many United States’ viewers. In addition, people will be watching from 35-40 different countries on the internet.

Interesting topics. It has been a crazy week world wide. Topics will include the fiscal cliff, Los Angeles voting to require porn movie makers with in the City to wear condoms, Bernie Fine avoiding the bullet, an abuse of power story involving a 3 year old, a woman masturbating in a Florida Starbucks, Romney’s claim that Obama bought the election, secession, European demonstrations which have gone unreported, the Battle of Guadalcanal, Birds Eye Peas, Wendy’s, a bad Irish pregnancy/hospital situation, and more.

Join me! I guarantee you will enjoy!

I had a dermatologist visit yesterday. There was a small growth on my back. I wanted it removed. The doctor found 3 other bad things to deal with. All four were cut out. No big deal. A shot of pain killer. A slice. A band aid.

I do not know what it is. In recent years, every time I have a medical procedure, no matter how small, I get tired afterwards. Yesterday was no different. I crashed on the bed for a few hours.

Before getting tired tired, I headed over to Blossoms for lunch. Blossoms first line of business is not sandwiches. It is feed for animals. You sit with large bags of various feeds nearby. Only in Key West!

I had an interesting experience driving home.

When I purchased my Key West home 14 years ago, my island (Key Haven) was loaded with raccoons. Not rabid ones, fortunately. On the maps, my island of Key Haven was and still is listed as Racoon Key. That in and of itself tells you how many raccoons were here.

I have not seen a racoon in several years. Not even one. In their place, I have seen many iguanas. Did the iguanas chase out the raccoons? I do not know. What I do know is that iguanas are a pain in the ass! They are all over, eat your planted flowers and shrubbery, and shit all over the place. If in the pool, the pool has to be drained and cleaned before refilling.

Because of construction, I take side streets to avoid the traffic jams. I was on one of those Key West side streets yesterday. All of a sudden, there was an iguana in the road in front of me. Right in the middle. A big one. About three feet.

I slowed and beeped my horn. I stopped and beeped my horn. The iguana was completely oblivious to me. I finally got out of the car and walked in front of the iguana. About 5 feet away.

The iguana still did not move. I clapped my hands hard. No movement. I moved towards the iguana. Nothing.

I stood there looking at him. The iguana finally looked up at me. Our eyes met. He proceeded forward and walked around me.

I wonder how it will be when the pythons are here in large numbers. One thing is sure,  I will not get out of my car!

Before collapsing into bed, I published an article on Amazon Kindle: Is A Fertilized Egg A Person????? Another way of asking whether life begins at conception. A today political issue dealing with birth control, contraception, and abortion.

There were major demonstrations in Greece, Italy and Portugal yesterday. All about the euro, austerity and Germany. 70,000 persons in Rome alone. Damage and injury.

There has been little reported by our media concerning these demonstrations. Why?

Interestingly, youth make up the majority of protestors. Recent college graduates and persons in the 20-30 age bracket. The group that cannot get jobs. To place the situation in perspective, unemployment in Italy is pushing 35 per cent. Look how hard it is in the Unite States with unemployment hovering around 8 per cent. Keep in mind also that the Egyptian revolution of two years ago was driven by recent college grads who could not find employment.

What am I saying? Trying to say? I am not sure. However, it bothers me that there appears to be a concerted effort to keep the American public unaware of the demonstrations.

Romney’s comments yesterday to the effect that Obama bought the election drives home a point that I understood while the campaigning was going on. Romney just does not get it!

Enjoy your day!