STAY OUT OF MY BEDROOM!

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Two years ago, I wrote a KONK Life column entitled Stay Out Of My Bedroom! It had to do with the morning after pill and politicians who were against it.

I find the need to write a brief bit bearing the same title. Stay Out Of My Bedroom! This time regarding the Catholic Church.

One of the topics discussed last night on my blog talk radio show involved Bishops and birth control. It was revealed monday that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had written a letter to the House of Representatives requesting THE GOVERNMENT BE SHUT DOWN, unless religious employers were given a special right to deny birth control coverage to their employees. In effect, an alteration of certain provisions of Obamacare.

I was confused. I am confused. Just two weeks ago, Pope Francis said the Church had been too obsessed with gays, birth control and abortion. Too doctrinaire. The issue required a new look.  The Bishops apparently did not hear the Pope. The U.S. Bishops are involved once again politically with regard to the birth control issue.

The Good Book says…..render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, to God the things that are God’s. Sounds like separation of Church and State to me as set forth by Jesus himself centuries ago.

I am willing to listen to my priests preach whatever they like from the pulpit. That is their venue. I am adamantly opposed to the Church becoming involved in the political arena, however.

Another part of this whole thing that bothers me involves food. The House of Representatives recently passed a bill removing $40 billion from the food stamp program. A program that helps feed the poor, old and young alike. Free breakfasts for children are on the way out. Milk for babies  whose mothers cannot afford the sustenance is being denied to babies at this very moment because of the government shutdown.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York is the President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. A very humorous man. A very fat man. Extremely. His body structure suggests he is eating. And eating well. Though many in his flock are not.

Somewhere along the way, Cardinal Dolan forgot two things. First, the Pope is his boss. How can he come out so forcefully against an item that the Pope recently said was subject to review? Second, how can he support a government shutdown that is contributing to the poor having less food available, especially milk fed babies?

Cardinal Dolan and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are wrong, wrong, wrong! They are the Tea Party of the Catholic Church.

Enjoy your day!

TV/INTERNET SHOW AT 10

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I am up before everyone this morning. 5:30. The Key West Lou Legal Hour at 10 this morning. I have to review my notes in final preparation for the show.

This will be my first show in nine weeks. My absence due to the European trip.

Join me at 10. I guarantee you will enjoy! On television from Key West through Miami-Dade County. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyew19.com.

Lunched at Hogfish yesterday. Several people asked about the trip.

Jenn came in. She was on the run. Looking for a waitress/bartender job. Her present employer is closing down in a month. Jenn is a terrific person and hard worker. Anyone out there in need of good help, give a holler.

Bocce last night. First match of the new season.

The courts were a bit wet. Especially ours. The sun does not hit it during the day. I would describe the texture of the clay as close to muddy.

We played.

We won the first game 16-5. I played the first game. I was the worst player on our team. The softness of the court slowed my ball. I had difficulty adjusting.

We lost the second game. 16-7. I did not play.

I do not know what happened with the third. I knew I had to be up early this morning. Ergo, I left before the third game was over to get home to bed.

We played Larry’s team. It was a money match. Larry and Don were absent in New Orleans. The games were quiet without Larry. Chris tried to take over the role of shouting, etc. It was not the same. Chris is too nice to be Larry.

Enjoy your day!

HOME…..

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I am back in Key West!

I missed Key West. This is home.

The trip back was uneventful. Delta did its duty by God and country.

Washington, DC was a great place to visit. Probably a good place to live, also. Neat is the term to best describe it. Quiet and clean. Well organized. People and vehicles moved in an orderly unhurried fashion. People welcoming.

An All American City. As it should be!

I would like to return.

As reported, I got rained on big time in Washington. When I landed in Key West last night, I could see it had rained heavy yesterday. Large pools of water on the runway. Streets flooded in certain areas on the drive home from the airport.

No food. I was hungry. No lunch during the day. I headed over to Hogfish. That is when it hit me how much I had missed Key West. Hogfish is Key West. It is my kind of place.

Publix is on the list of things to do today. A necessity.

I have to get ready for tomorrow’s tv/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. I screwed off while in Washington. The show is nowhere near ready. I will be spending some time today preparing.

I will definitely be commenting on the surveillance issue in the news. The government’s collecting of telephone numbers and e mails. I have opinions to share. Washington’s homeless another issue. The only negative I found with the city. Plus whatever my research today develops.

Join me for the show. Ten my time. Available on television from Key West through Miami-Dade County via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Worldwide on the internet. www.weyw19.com.

Till tomorrow…..enjoy your day!

GRADUATION TIME

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A proud week in the Malcom household!

Robert graduated yesterday from the third grade at Montessori. He had a big grin on his face. So did Lisa and I. And as predicted yesterday, Lisa hit me in the ribs a couple of times with a …..isn’t he beautiful!

Cameron graduates from Key West High School friday. He did well academically and will be attending Florida State. Yesterday’s Key West Citizen front page had a picture of Cameron. He was dressed in his graduation attire and standing on a stage in front of a podium. The photo was taken monday at Take Stock in Children’s separate graduation ceremony for those the organization has worked with in their mentoring program. The same organization that sent Cameron to Mongolia and has been guiding him during his high school years.

The rain ain’t going away! Two more days of it. This time up from the south. Predicted for today are winds of 20 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. The rains will be torrential. Key West streets will flood, as usual.

Yesterday afternoon, I treated myself to peace and tranquility. A manicure and pedicure with Tammy.

Dinner at Hogfish. Me and the newspapers.

Last night was my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I did the show for the first time using Skype. A success! Finally! The audio clear and distinct.

I start my summer travels this week. The first step is Washington, DC. I will be doing my blog talk radio show from there next tuesday.

In  due course, I will be in Italy, Greece and France. Skype makes it possible for me to do the show from these far away places. You do not need Skype to receive me. Nothing changes at your end.

I wanted to do my TV/internet show from far away places. Looks like it will not be possible. Tried hard to put it together. It does not work.

Last night’s show was hard hitting as well as informative. I talked about Darrell Issa’s shortcomings, the Catholic Church’s hypocrisy, the Catholic Church and artificial insemination, Father Andrew Greeley, thong bathing suits for women being banned in Myrtle Beach, and Mc Cain, Syria and Turkey combined.

The show is archived immediately and is available for listening anytime at your convenience. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Have to hustle this morning. Seems I hustle every morning. I have an early morning appointment with the dermatologist.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

HURRICANE SEASON ALMOST HERE

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What a beautiful morning! The kind that tells us to worry not, a good day is ahead.

This morning’s Key West Citizen had an article on hurricanes. Specifically about shelters available on the mainland for Keys people.

What struck me as interesting was the mention that hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through November 30. When I purchased my Key West home 15 years ago, the hurricane season started  August 1 and ended October 31.

In 15 years, the starting date has moved up 2 months and the closing date extended 1 month.

The reason simple. Hurricanes have come earlier and later over the years.

June 1 we will start worrying. We do every year. The dread is always there. The question. Will it happen this year?

You never know.

I do not walk enough. Not even close. Yesterday, I decided to. I picked the right day. It was 92 degrees! I did walk. In home Depot.

Spent yesterday afternoon working on last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Enjoyed an early dinner alone at Hogfish. Me and the newspapers. A lobster role.

Last night’s blog talk radio show was wild and wooly. I may have stepped on some toes.

Normally, I receive 0-3 calls after the show commenting on something I said. Last night there appeared to be a deluge.

Two issues hit sensitive spots and/or interested listeners.

The first involved Oklahoma’s Senator Tom Coburn. No one was on his side. The Senator said yesterday that he was opposed to federal aid for Oklahoma if there were not corresponding federal budget cuts. I stated Coburn was speaking for his ideology rather than his constituents. Not proper, I thought.

The other topic involved the new Vermont death law. Suicide is permissible by those suffering and dying. A doctor may now prescribe the drug to cause death and teach the sick person how to administer it to himself or herself.

I was opposed to the new law. I stood almost alone. I received telephone calls from those approving of death in such a manner. There are many Hemlock SSociety supporters out there.

I look forward to this evening. I am having dinner with Keith and Jen. We are going to Bobby’s new pizza/pasta restaurant on Stock Island.

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT!

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One of the nice things about living in Key West…..I saw the sun rising this morning. A bright golden ball.

The band is playing. The drums roaring. Today is grandson Robert’s ninth birthday! An event! We celebrate tonight with dinner and cake. This will be Jake’s first birthday party. I wonder how he will react.

Nine years ago today was a tragedy. Robert was born…..with cancer of the liver. The tumor larger than his liver. Robert had two major surgeries the first 8 days of his life. At Miami Children’s Hospital. A great place.

Robert is ok today. You would never know he came into this world facing great odds.

I have yet to buy my grandson a birthday present. As soon as I finish this blog, I will be off on the search. Not easy in Key West. Stores are limited for a gift for a 9 year old. For me it will be K-Mart and Sears. Ain’t no place else to go!

Yesterday’s Key West Citizen in its historical Key West section made mention of Thelma Strabel, a book she wrote, and her obtaining a building permit to build a home in Key West. The year was 1940.

What captured my attention was the name of book. Reap The Wild Wind. It was made into a movie. I recall it clearly. About salvaging out of Key West back when. John Wayne and Paulette Goddard starred in the film.

I have seen the movie. I did not like it. The reason simple. John Wayne played a bad guy. The only John Wayne movie where he was not a hero. It did not fit his mold.

Reap The Wild Wind was written in 1940. Made into the movie mentioned in 1942.

Thelma Strabel scored with the book! The Saturday Evening Post serialized it. The movie followed.

Strabel took the Saturday Evening Post monies and built a home at 400 South Street. It became the southernmost house in the United States. Her property attracted visitors galore.

400 south Street was supposedly the last house on the block. Looking south, a person could almost see Cuba.

Strabel’s home no longer exists. It was torn down by a subsequent purchaser and a larger home built.

I am not sure exactly where 400 south Street is. I do not know if the number still exists. I assume it is whatever the last house is on South Street. Next to the present day tourist attraction recognizing the spot as the southern most point in the United States. Today or soon, I am going to go to that point and see if I can locate a #400. I will share my finding with you.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. My blog talk radio show. Loved doing it! Glad many of you are listening via the internet. The show is archived and can be heard anytime.

I spent yesterday afternoon working on last night’s show. Breaking news daily so there is always last minute adding, detracting, and/or editing to be done.

Monday night I had dinner at Hot Tin Roof. With three lovely ladies. All related. Jenna and her Mom and Aunt who were visiting. I had a wonderful time. How could I miss? The only man in the company of three women!

I have done two recent blogs regarding the Pier House. Zeroed in on the Chart Room and Wine Galley. I am absolutely amazed at the response. Everyone loves the Pier House! Especially the Chart Room! All are saddened by the sale. All hope the two special rooms remain as is and open.

Enjoy your day!

 

LONG WEEKEND

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I have a long weekend ahead. Unusual.

Fridays I do the Key West Lou Legal Hour in the morning. In the afternoon, I write my column for KONK Life.

All  I will have this friday is the KONK Life piece.

Krystal is my engineer at the TV studio. She is necessary to doing the show. No Krystal, no show. Krystal is off friday. Instead of no show, we are recording the show today for friday showing.

My awareness of no Krystal friday took place yesterday. The show obviously was not ready for recording today. Ergo, I busted my butt yesterday and will do so most of today getting ready for the 3 this afternoon recording.

Without the Legal Hour to do on friday and in spite of still having to do the KONK Life article, it will be a long weekend for me.

I had my blog talk radio show last night. I was ready for the show by 5. Decided to go out for a light dinner. It was Hogfish and a pulled pork sandwich. Read the newspapers.

Kathy or Katey came over to kiss me. I am not sure which name it is. I will refer to her as Kathy for purposes of telling her and her parent’s story.

Kathy presently works for TSA or some private company at the Key West Airport. Security is her job. Kathy is in charge of checking bags, making sure shoes are off, etc. as passengers go through the line. She has been at it a few years. She is now an officer.

Her parents are the Michaels. For many years, the parents owned and operated Paradise Cafe. How I loved the place! It was my breakfast haunt. The best cuban toast with tomato and cheese in Key West! I would sit outside and read. Talk with others there. Wave to friends as they rode by on their mopeds.

The Michaels sold Paradise Cafe. There is now a second group that has purchased the property since the sale. The new group does not sell Cuban sandwiches. I am not sure what it is they actually sell. It must be good. The place is packed every day. My problem is I did not enjoy the new food and stopped going. I miss the old Paradise Cafe!

I initially met Kathy at Paradise Cafe. She helped her parents.

Kathy was celebrating her birthday last night. Happy birthday and thank you for stopping by to say hello.

The blog talk radio show went well last night. I did it from my deck. The weather was perfect and there was no noise. I could not even hear the water running by.

Covered basically two topics. Financial ripoffs by government, drug companies, and corporate America. The second topic involved my Church, the Catholic Church.

Both topics were discussed in last friday’s tv/internet show, also. Last night with elaboration.

As regards the Catholic Church, I shared new found information. The U.S. Bishops Association (everyone today has an association) spent $26.6 million last year for lobbying. Against  things like birth control, contraceptive use, same sex marriage and similar matters. The social considerations facing America today.

What galled me is those dollars are a lot of money and could have been put to better use. It would be better if the Bishops had spent the money feeding the poor. That kind of money provides a lot of fish and many loaves of bread. The Bishops would be more Christ like spending the money on assistance to the poor rather than on lobbying for legislation that does not necessarily impact on their lives.

Another sore spot with me is the story of a Cincinnati school teacher. She taught in a Catholic school. She and her husband had difficulty conceiving. They resorted to artificial contraception. Successfully. She lost her job. She was told that her conduct in utilizing artificial insemination to get pregnant was not within the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

Mark Sanford was elected to Congress yesterday. He today is a new Congressman from South Carolina.

Mark has a checkered background.  Simultaneously I think of the admonition…..let he who is without sin cast the first stone. It will be interesting watching how Congress receives him and the job he does.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

AVALANCHES

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There was an avalanche in Washington State yesterday. Three persons injured. One dead.

Why am I writing about an avalanche as I sit here in Key West basking in 80 degree weather? It has to do with Chamonix.

You will recall I spent two days last summer in Chamonix. Chamonix is in France. The village sits in a valley beneath Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps and all of Europe. I was impressed. Majestic. Even in the summer, the top third of Mont Blanc was covered in snow and ice.

Two weeks ago, there was another avalanche. In Chamonix. Three killed.

Both avalanches reported a similar cause. Melting spring snow. Avalanches occur. The ground  surface snow opens creating huge craters.

People either get buried in the snow as it passes over them or they drop into one of those never ending openings. And die, unless fortunate to merely be injured.

Avalanches have become more recent the past ten years.

Scientists attribute that fact to global warming. The temperature at the higher levels has been steadily increasing. The snow melts faster. Avalanches become more frequent.

The problem remains a minor one, however. There is agreement that global warming will not become extremely dangerous regarding avalanches for at least another fifty years.

There is still time.

I had a be good to Louis day yesterday. Layed around the pool a bit. Watched the Masters from my bed. Napped.

I felt bad for Tiger Woods. A two stroke penalty. I agree, better than disqualification.

Today is the final round of the Masters. At least a dozen players can win. It will be interesting.

I did get out last night. Hogfish. Enjoyed a hogfish meal. Hogfish stuffed with crab. Oh, so good!

I have a birthday party to attend at 6 this evening. At the Chart Room. Che is 80 years old!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

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Friday again! Time for my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten this morning my time.

I was going to open with my thoughts on why many hate Obama. I have moved that topic to #2. The opening topic will involve International Women’s Day. Which is today.

Key West has a very limited need at best for such a holiday. Everyone is equal in Key West. A recent study named the four places in America where women earned more than men. Key West was one of them.

The celebration of the holiday in Europe and Asia is interesting. The history of the day likewise.

You can enjoy Louis’ comments regarding International Women’s Day and many other topics by viewing Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Television viewing available from Key West northward through Miami-Dade County. The show is also available worldwide via the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

It was Hogfish for lunch yesterday. I was playing bocce in the evening. When I play, there is no time for dinner. I try to have a larger lunch than normal to compensate.

Debra was hosting. We have become friends. She has worked in television and radio. A very knowledgable person.

It was cool even at lunch time. Hogfish had their overhead heaters on.

Bocce!

First time I played this season. I did good and bad.

We lost the first game decisively. We were behind in the second 14-6. Ended up losing 16-14. We had a run! I believe I blew the opportunity to win with my first shot at the end. I threw an Alice. I was way short.

I left early. I do not know the result of the last game.

Frankie played. First time since his big time heart surgery. He was my partner in the second game.

Frankie is a bit thin. He could use another 20 pounds. He appeared energetic. I worried about him. He was chasing the balls, bending over to pick them up, blasting, and so forth. I told him I would do it. He did it for me back when I was having heart problems. Frankie said no. There was nothing I could do.

My dear friend Pati came over to say hello and chastise me. She is more my liberal than I. Way to the left. She disagreed with recent environmental comments I have made. She will be on me for the next month!

I am going to have a be good to Louis day. After the show, a manicure and pedicure with Tammy! I sometimes think I should have been a woman. Women’s bodies get better attention than a man’s.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

COLD FRONT HITS KEY WEST

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It started yesterday afternoon. A cold front came in. A damp one. It will be with us through monday. High 60s by day, very low 60s by night.

Get out the long johns!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour this morning. Great TV and internet viewing. Topics like Burlusconi saying Germany’s Merkel had a fat ass, the Oreo and Walmart, Bud Beer allegedly watered down, Exxon winning again in court, the Keystone Pipe Line, use and abuse of 911, a lawyer locked in jail, and more.

The show is at 10 this morning my time. It can be viewed on TV on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19 from Key West through Miami-Dade County. It is also available world wide on the internet. www.tvchannel19.com.

My yesterday began with a visit to Lori for a haircut. She trimmed my beard a bit, also. All five chairs in her beauty parlor were filled. Another sign Key West is experiencing a very good season.

Then to the dentist. For only a five minute adjustment. Or so I thought. I spent 1.5 hours in the chair. No pain. All mechanical. I have another appointment scheduled for tuesday. When will it end?

The diet ended a month ago. However, I have been watching what I eat. As a result, I have lost an additional  4-5 pounds. The effort has been to avoid fats. Blew it yesterday at lunch time!

I have been dying for a Cuban cheese toast with tomato. All that delicious melted butter. Cuban bread made from pork lard. What a marriage of ingredients!

I did it! Magnificent! It had been four months since my last one. If I am to maintain my present body shape, it will have to be four months before I have another.

Bocce last night. Turned into a weather disaster. The cold front moved in dramatically just as we were to start playing. It rained. Lightly, then heavy. You could see the water starting to pool on the clay courts.

The rain was cold. The dampness ate through to the bone. About 15 of us were huddled under a tree with room for five before the games were called.

Everyone went to Don’s Place. Where else? It is like a private club.

I was hungry. Did not eat prior to leaving for bocce. Decided on Hogfish. The rain had stopped.

Hogfish packed also. Another sign the season is upon us.

I grapped a newspaper and sat at the corner of the bar. The lobster bisque is the best. I ordered a bowl to warm up. It was lobster night for me. I followed the bisque up with a lobster roll.

I knew no one. I spoke with no one. I was content with the newspaper.

Again, please watch my show this morning. You will be entertained!

Enjoy your day!