HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE MANAHER!

Posted on by

Big night last night! A surprise birthday party for Stephanie Manaher.

Her sixtieth. I know it is not normally considered good taste to reveal a lady’s age. I doubt Stephanie would mind in this circumstance. Sixty is a milestone. A day to reflect and be proud of husband, children, grandchildren, friends, and material accomplishments.

Stephanie has them all! God has been good. He helped her make it through disappointments as well. Last night was Stephanie’s time to look back and say to herself…..I did it!

It was a great party! As stated, a surprise. Stephanie’s three daughter were present. One from Chicago. Her grandchildren. Guests from out of town and locally. The locals included Stephanie’s fellow teacher friends. She has always been particularly proud of them and her association with them. I have always thought teaching was Stephanie’s escape time from Don.

The party was at the outside bar at Don’s Place. Great food. Excellent company. Terrific music. Larry, Christine and Alex did double duty. They were guests and entertained as well.

It was a family and friends evening. Everyone warm and happy. A rare time.

Congratulations, Stephanie! May you live another sixty years and be as vibrant and happy as you were last night!

MASTER OF MY FATE…..CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL

Posted on by

I came across this quote in yesterday’s Key West Citizen. it was buried on a back page. Easy to miss. The quote is by William Ernest Hemley. The purpose in sharing it is that there may be a person out there who could use the boost it gives.

“I am the master of my fate; the captain of my soul.”

Hope it helps someone.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour was yesterday morning. The show went well. I was pleased. The material was excellent and flowed easily. Post show comments revealed the breast implant explosive situation and the implications of Bradley Manning’s transgenderism garnered the most interest.

I have decided to write next week’s KONK Life column on the issue of Bradley’s transgenderism. Contrary to what a U.S. Army spokesman said yesterday, taxpayers will be paying for his hormone therapy and sex change operation. You can bet money on it!

Jenna was at the television station. I had not seen her for well over two months. First, I was away in Europe and then she in Los Angeles on vacation. It was good to see her.

Crystal engineers my show. She was at the studio, also. Does a terrific job.

Two lovely women taking caring for me. I am a lucky man!

Truly being back in Key West involves visiting places I frequent and enjoy. I had already done the Chart Room and Don’s Place. For lunch yesterday, it was Blossoms. I was really home! Cuban cheese toast with tomato and a cup of Cuban coffee.

Ran into Michael Dennis. One of Key West’s leading authors. Michael has published several books. Good reading!

The Chart Room last night. The ravishing Emily bartending. Sheila, Katherine and Sean there, also.

Met Tom from Annapolis at the bar. He is a lieutenant with the fire department and also a nurse. A nice guy. He was spending a few days at the Pier House. Yesterday, he had gone out fishing. Caught several different fish. The Pier House restaurant gladly cooked them for him.

Then to Don’s Place. Chatted with Erika, Hershel, David, Ron, and Michael. Most bocce team mates. David our captain. Ergo, bocce the item of discussion.

We played lousy thursday night. The whole team. We know it. David was pointing out the errors of our ways. In a nice fashion, of course. Like how the worse game he has ever saw was our 16-1 loss in the second game. Hershel and I played in the second game.

I started having trouble with my cell phone and tablet on the European trip. Could not keep them charged. Was getting all of six hours on the cell phone.

I went to Verizon. Was told I needed a new battery. Bought one. Cell phone still would not hold a charge.

Sloan suggested earlier this week that perhaps my cord had become defective. I have several and use them interchangeably. I went out and bought some new cords.

I am into the fourth day of my cell phone charge. Wonderful!

I share the cord information in the event any of you are experiencing a similar problem.

Enjoy your day!

DOMESTICATION AND WHITE BREAD

Posted on by

I have been divorced enough years that I have become domesticated. I can do for myself. Which includes simple cooking.

Since my return from Europe, I have gotten into poached eggs. I do them well. My problem has been the bread. As with most, I only eat whole wheat or bran bread. Neither offers the same taste with poached eggs as with the white bread my mother and former wife used.

I went to Publix yesterday to buy a loaf of white bread. White American bread as it was called back when. Guess what? There ain’t no white bread! Not quite true. I did find two different brands of sliced white American bread. That’s all! Everything was whole wheat or some sort of bran. There was no Wonder Bread on the shelves!

White bread has been successfully demonized!

I bought a loaf of the white. Made poached eggs immediately upon returning home. I was correct. White bread was required. The taste was magnificent! Reminiscent of old!

Spent a part of yesterday finalizing this morning’s tv/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten this morning my time.

The past week has been crazy news wise. Ergo, a lot of goodies to talk about. Like the terrorists newest ploy breast implant explosives. Also, an exploration of transgenderism as induced by Bradley Manning. Interesting topics!

The show is available on television from Key West through Miami-Dade Counties via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

Bocce last night. We got killed! Badly! Lost all three. Only scored one point in the second game. The saving grace is that we were beaten by the Hell’s Rangers. Even their name was daunting. They were #1 in the Thursday League last season and #2 overall in the playoffs.

Have to hurry. Need to review my notes for this morning’s show.

Enjoy your day!

BRADLEY MANNING WANTS TO BE A GIRL

Posted on by

Just when I think I have heard it all, that I can not be surprised, something occurs to prove me wrong.

This morning on the Today show it was announced that Bradley Manning wants to be a female. He said in a written statement read that he wishes to be referred to from this point forward as Chelsea and hopes to immediately begin hormone therapy.

Manning is 25 and was sentenced this past week to 35 years in jail for leaking 700,000 pages of secret government information. He was considered by many to be a hero rather than a wrongdoer.

The only advice I have for Manning is to watch out when he is in prison.

Worked a bit yesterday on tomorrow’s television/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Compiled interesting information. Bradley Manning, of course. Then the Muslim treatment of Christians in Egypt, breast implant bombs, Obamacare and spousal coverage, Pope Benedict’s God told me to resign statement, ingesting tapeworms to lose weight, insulting the office of President, Rudolph Valentino, The Butler, and more.

Join me. Ten Friday morning my time. On television all the way up the Keys and through Miami-Dade County on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

I guarantee you will enjoy the show.

Spent a significant portion of yesterday working on my first book to be published. A reality in the making.

Worked with Sloan for two hours organizing and editing material for the book.

Babysat from 5 to 7. Enjoyed the time immensely with Robert and Ally. We talked about school, teachers, Jake and Monopoly. I heated their dinner and sat and chatted with them as they ate.

Jake and I continue to have problems. I think it is my voice. If I forget and speak loudly, he feels threatened.

The grandkids wanted me to play Monopoly with them. I agreed. By the time the fight was over as to who was going to be banker, who got what piece, and the board set up, Lisa returned. I had to go. We agreed to play another time.

Drinks and dinner last night at the Yacht Club. I was heading for Don’s and the Chart Room, stopped into the Yacht Club for a drink, and never left.

Bocce tonight. I hope. It has rained heavy the past two days. It has already rained heavy twice this morning. In between, the sun shines bright. It is going to take a lot of sun today to dry the courts.

Enjoy your day!

IT RAINED…..RAINED AGAIN…..RAINED SOME MORE

Posted on by

August and September are Key West’s rainy season. Yesterday was an example.

I was driving into Key West in the early afternoon. I had a 1:30 appointment with Lori for a haircut. It had not rained up to that point in Key Haven where I live. Threatened, but no rain.

When I was half way down the Boulevard, I ran into rain. It soon became obvious that it had been raining heavy in Key West for quite a while. The roads were flooding.

By the time I reached the parking lot behind Antonia’s, it was impossible to see more than 5-10 feet. I sat in my parked car waiting for the rain to stop. It did not. Finally, I said screw it! I was dressed for the rain. My blue rain slicker, a hat and crocs.

I stepped out of the car. My left foot was immediately covered with water. Above my ankle. It was at least 6 inches deep.

The whole parking lot was in that condition.

I walked to Lori’s. Got soaking wet on the way. My blue slicker finally had it. I have owned it for about 10 years. It has been everywhere with me, including Europe. A couple of holes developed in the neck line. I was drenched!

Lori’s hair dressing salon was taking on water. Towels were strewn on the floor on the street side to absorb the water as it came in.

Lori dried off my wet back.

The Key West Citizen reports items of local interest. Sometimes too much. Important national news is not always printed. I looked at this morning’s paper to read the Citizen’s report on yesterday’s deluge. Fully expecting it to be there. Nothing!

I returned home immediately. Had to finalize my notes for last night’s blog talk radio show.

I enjoyed an early dinner at Roostica’s on Stock Island. Lasagna. I could only eat half. There is another meal in the refrigerator.

Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou was a pain! Show time was 9. I could not get in. Apparently, technical difficulties at Blog Talk Radio’s end. After 15 minutes, I was able to connect via telephone.

I did an abbreviated show. Fifteen minutes. It irritates me when this happens. I had prepared for 30 minutes. I do not know how many were still tuned in. Few I would assume. Fortunately, the fifteen minutes are archived.

I probably talked too fast. I felt like I was in a race.I wanted to cover the Egyptian situation in detail. Also, the breast implant bomb story. I could only get a bit of each in.

The North Roosevelt Boulevard construction is a disaster. Two lanes into town. The return trip on Flagler.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports the Key West City Commission voted last night to go to three lanes sometime in October. Two one way, the other in reverse. The disaster will continue and be greater! Guaranteed!

I have only two things scheduled for today. Sloan in the afternoon and babysitting at 5. I plan however to be out tonight. I need some Chart Room and Don’s Place.

Enjoy your day!

THE BUTLER…..A WINNER!

Posted on by

I went to the movies last night! First time in months.

The Butler. One of the finest movies I have ever seen! Do not miss it!

It is the story of a White House black butler who served eight Presidents. The movie follows the civil rights movement.

Emotional! I was constantly shedding a tear.

The two stars were exceptional! Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey. Whitaker is the butler and Oprah his wife. Academy Award performances.

John Cusack played Nixon. Admirably!

Per my usual custom, I had dinner at Outback first. A prime rib. I have not had beef in three months. None in Europe. It was good, but too much. My stomach has shrunk.

I spent the day organizing, editing, and rewriting my book. I assure you I will publish it well before Christmas. It is not easy work. Especially when you are seeking perfection. Hopefully, there will be no Robert Clooneys in the book.

Join me tonight for my blog talk radio show. I guarantee you will enjoy. The reason is the topics I will be discussing.

I am going to hit the present Egypt situation inside and out. The media fails to provide us with the full picture all at one time. I will try.

The other topic involves breast implants and security.

It was announced late last week that terrorists have come up with a plan to avoid airport detectors and overall scrutiny in general. Breast implants in women containing high end explosives. The x-ray machines that were introduced in the last two years cannot detect anything in a woman’s breasts or in a person’s body cavity. The explosives are triggered either by a chemical or someone away from the woman with a press button device. No outside wires or anything of that nature.

I want to talk about the implants because they reflect the ineptitude of TSA and Homeland Security. We always react to something. We are never pro active when it comes to airport security.

I question why Muslim women are so willing to carry explosives. There are no 17 virgins waiting for them on the other side.

Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou is at 9 this evening. One half hour. Turn on your computer as you would a radio. I will be there. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

NIPPER

Posted on by

I spoke of my grandfather’s victrola yesterday. The big black hand cranked type. I mentioned the picture of a dog on the inside of the top.

Nancy from Canada e mailed me. She told me the dog’s name was Nipper.

Thank you, Nancy. I am impressed you knew. I did not and doubt many did.

Yesterday was research and writing all day. Worked on my book. Spent 3 hours editing next week’s KONK Life column. Titled: Character. A reflection on the lack of character in certain present day political candidates. Like Spitzer and Weiner. The column also reviewed the sexual lives of many past Presidents. I distinguished their extra marital experiences from those of Spitzer and Weiner.

I live and learn. Warren Harding was one of our worst Presidents. Not when it came to sex. He used to enjoy sensual pleasures with a Nan Britton in a broom closet in the White House.

Character will be available for reading in next thursday’s edition of KONK Life.

Enjoyed a pleasant dinner with Dee last night at the A&B Lobster House. On the pricey side. But good!

One of the A&B bartenders was a dead ringer for Robert Clooney. Go have a drink and see. The resemblance is amazing.

This week’s KONK Life article is out on the stands. It concerns itself with the rise of Nazism in present day Greece. A revealing column.

I mention that the government, police and Greek people stand quietly by as the Greek Nazi blackshirts beat people, crucify immigrants, salute Hitler style, have a flag with a swastika on it, have a growing youth movement, play their theme song Auschwitz at rallies, and more.

The silence is overwhelming. The government is quiet because its leaders want to stay in power. The police are non responsive because half of them belong to the Nazi party. The people say nothing because they fear.

Sound familiar? Without a doubt. A replay of Germany in the late 1920s into the early 1930S.

Yesterday, I came across a quote that fits the Greek situation perfectly. It is attributed to Martin Niemoller who was a Protestant Pastor in Nazi Germany.

“First they came for the communists, but I was not a communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the socialists and the trade unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Enjoy your sunday!

RETURN TO NORMALCY CONTINUES

Posted on by

I love being back in Key West!

Things continue to return to normal. Which means I am going out and enjoying myself in Key West fashion. My Key West state of mind has returned.

Did the Key West Lou Legal Hour yesterday morning. Just me and Crystal. Mary Deasy was at the studio. Jenna deserted me. She was in Los Angeles enjoying an extended weekend. We spoke long distance Thursday night.

The Nazi/Greek story impacted most people. I received the most comments regarding the issue post show. Basically, people were shocked that a Nazi oriented group can be gaining power again.

I had to go grocery shopping for the third time this week. The cupboard was bare when I returned from Europe. Anna had thrown everything out.

Bought a lot of fruit. Including figs. I cannot tell you how many figs I ate in Greece. In Santorini and Amorgos, my landlords brought me fresh figs daily. Large and plump. Everyone has a fig tree on the Greek isles.

I enjoyed three figs for breakfast this morning. Hope they are not fattening!

Sloan and I spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon organizing some of the material I will be using in my first book to be published. I will be working further on it today.

Later in the afternoon, I enjoyed an old time favorite of mine.

Mario Lanza was a big time singer back in the 1950s and 1960s. He sang great love songs and opera. He made movies. One was with Ann Blyth. It was the life of Enrico Caruso.

My grandfather turned me on to Caruso. He had a victrola. The one with the dog next to its name on the inside of the top cover. The victrola was big and black. It stood at least four feet tall. It was not run on electricity. It had to be hand cranked. Just like automobiles of old.

My grandfather had a collection of Caruso records. He played them constantly. I would be with him. His playing the records with me sitting along side him developed a love in me for Caruso’s singing. Which made me appreciate later in life the great voice of Mario Lanza.

It was the Chart Room and Hot Tin Roof last night. Enjoyed the company of Emily, Sheila, Jean and Stephanie, amongst others. Stephanie looked especially stunning.

I chatted a bit with Joseph at the Hot Tin Roof. I ordered a book he recommended from Amazon yesterday. I am anxious to start reading the book. It is a heavy political work.

Someone last evening filled me in on my team’s final bocce game thursday night. You will recall I was tired and left to go home to bed after the second game. We won 16-15. Can’t get any closer than that! We won 2 out of 3. Not a bad start.

When I returned from Europe a week ago, the downstairs air conditioning unit was blowing hot air. Sub-Zero came and fixed it. I got up this morning, it was blowing hot air again. I do not know about Sub-Zero’s weekend service.

Enjoy your day!

TV/INTERNET SHOW AT 10

Posted on by

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!

BACK TO KEY WEST NORMAL

Posted on by

Another beautiful Key West morning!

Slightly overcast. Probably will rain a bit. Maybe 10 minutes. This is the rainy season.

It was Tammy time once again yesterday! I needed a manicure desperately. For the first time in two months, my nails look good. No one is as good as Tammy.

Europe was a disaster regarding manicures and pedicures. Last year, I got a bad finger infection from an equally bad manicurist. This year while on Amorgos, I received a manicure and pedicure from the same woman. At the same time. She cut me seven times. I was sure I would end up with a bad infection or two.

As soon as the woman left, I took my bottle of Beefeater and poured gin all over my cuts. Fingers and toes. It worked! No infection.

I was lucky. It was not a waste of good gin.

Tammy was excited to see me. Not because it was me. She had exciting news to share. She and her husband bought a house on Seidenberg. They close Friday. Two parking spots, a mother in law cottage and pool included with the three bedroom home.

I wish them much good luck and happiness. It is a fulfillment of the American dream for Tammy and her husband. They arrived here ten years ago from Vietnam. They have a thriving business and now their own home.

Lunch with the grandkids.

After some discussion, they decided on I HOP. They ate a lot. Me, too. Philly cheese steak sandwiches, a cheeseburger, fries, and onion rings. They told me about their two week trip to visit Corey’s parents in northern Florida. They visited Busch Gardens. The roller coaster ride excited them the most.

Robert mentioned they needed school supplies. School starts Monday. I took them to Office Max.

Ally grabbed a cart. Ally, why a cart? We will need it! We did. Bought a lot.

School supplies are different today from what I needed back when. I recall never having to buy anything but books. Robert and Ally needed everything. The economy, I guess. What I got for nothing in my day, the kids have to pay for today.

I spent the balance of the afternoon and last evening working on friday’s tv/internet show. Never went out.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour is at 10 tomorrow morning my time. Via TV from Key West through Miami-Dade County. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com

In case you miss the show friday morning, it is You Tubed and available 24 hours a day.

Topics to be discussed are interesting. Some revealing. Like the growing power of the Greek Nazi party, the United States bungling of the Egyptian problem, two of the candidates for New York City Comptroller with checkered backgrounds, former Governor Spitzer and a woman who claims she was a madam and supplied him with girls. Only in America!

Also my thoughts on the recent stop and frisk decision, a topless activist who is on a hunger strike in jail, the Israeli-Palestinian talks, the least honest city in America, French approval of same sex marriage opening the door to unusual new employment, Guantanamo prisoners demanding Fifty Shades of Grey, and more.

Tonight, bocce! The start of a new season. Exciting!

Don will not be there. For shame. He is in New Orleans on a golf trip with Larry. Erika and Hershel are on vacation somewhere. We will be short staffed. Gives us an excuse if we lose. I hope we do not need an excuse.

Enjoy your day!