LOVELY EIMY PREGNANT

 

Eimy is a most beautiful woman!

I last saw her two years ago. Sleek. A lovely figure. A radiant smile.

I saw Eimy again last night. Still so beautiful. Radiant. Beaming is actually a better description. Rounded in the middle. Eimy is pregnant!

Congratulations Eimy! Mike, too!

Her family way has not detracted from her natural beauty. Only enhanced it.

Mike and Eimy live in Las Vegas. Mike is a mortgage broker. Mine, actually. Eimy, a CPA. Not working at the present, however. She is a stay at home while awaiting the birth.

They love Key West. Have visited here before. They will return.

We met at Louie’s Backyard last night for hellos. With them was Pete from New York. Pete is an old friend, also. Pete works on Wall Street. He was here with his girl friend Julie.

Pete is a charming guy. Has a unique sense of humor.

Also with them were Tim and Jenny. Engaged. Live up the road in Hollywood.

Jenny is crazy about Key West. Loves its laid back atmosphere. She wants to be married here. We briefly chatted about her options. She is tuned into L’Attitudes. They will have to work overtime to pay for the reception.

Great people! I could not join them for dinner. I had already enjoyed dinner a couple of hours earlier with the family.

We celebrated Fathers’ Day last night at Benihana. Robert was excited. His first time. Ally was haughty. She was a pro. She had been there two times previously.

Needless to say, the eyes of both were glued to the with cook and cooking process.

Robert surprised me. He was wearing a tie. He proudly told me he made the knot himself. It was not a snap on. Cameron taught him how to do it the day before. The knot was perfect. The ends of the tie met. I played dumb. Robert promised to teach me. He told me…..Don’t worry Poppa, it’s easy.

I have to start packing today. I fly to Milan Thursday. I cannot wait. I am looking forward to the trip.

Show time tonight! My blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time.

A quick half hour. I share my thoughts on current topics and issues.

Three situations I definitely will touch upon are our involvement in Syria, the new Catholic Church program requiring Catholics to act as Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses in going door to door, and a Boston Children’s’ Hospital program offering free hand transplants to children who have no hands.

Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY 45TH BIRTHDAY CHART ROOM

 

It was happy birthday time yesterday! The Chart Room’s 45th!

The Pier House may have changed/been remodeled over the years, but never the Chart Room. It is as it was in the beginning. Looks the same as when Jimmy Buffett sat in the corner singing for change.

So many people. I only knew about 20.

Charlotte came in. From North Carolina. She visits Key West 3-4 times a year. The Chart Room is her favorite haunt.

I screwed up. You recall I mentioned the peanuts were gone, but some beauty was lying in the barrel instead. I failed to recognize the lady. It was Charlotte! Sorry.

Charlotte came especially for the birthday celebration.

Marty did not come. I felt bad. Marty introduced me to the Chart Room.

Never saw Che. Everyone wanted to know where he was. I assume he showed after I left.

Met Mike from Liverpool.

I went to the bar to pay my tab. The gent sitting to my left asked if I was Key West Lou. We talked a bit. He is Mike from Liverpool, England. He is in the restaurant and bar business. He reads my blog every day! Thank you Mike. It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope our paths cross again. Keep reading!

JJ was bartending. He greeted me with a gift. A box of frozen hot dogs! Hot dogs were available free last night as they have been for years. However no more under the new management. Last night was a one shot deal. The last shot.

I left around 6:30. Decided to eat at the A & B Lobster House. The last time was a couple of years ago.

A & B is a top shelf operation. I enjoyed the Maine lobster appetizer at the bar. Filling. No dinner required afterwards.

Met some one new at the A & B. Gage. The bartender. He is originally from New Hampshire.

I was home early. Wanted to watch the Heat game. Again fell asleep. I woke with two minutes to play. I was shocked at the score.

I just found out I am having dinner Saturday night at Lake Maggiore in Italy. Hemingway’s Lake Maggiore from A Farewell To Arms. At a restaurant on the very small island of Pescatori. The island sits on Lake Maggiore.

My hometown Utica had  a Pescatori’s restaurant. I have to assume Pescatori the owner back when must have come from Pescatori Island. Most Italian immigrants took as their last names their home town or province.

There is a service at one today for my friend Cathy. At La Trattoria. It will be sad.

Tomorrow is Tuesday. Which means…..Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Blog talk radio. The show a mere four months old. Two thousand people a week follow the show. Amazing!

Join me for a fast paced half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

CATHY HOLLNER

 

“She burned too bright for the world.”

Spoken of another Cathy. Cathy of Wuthering Heights.

The words befitting our Cathy.

Cathy Hollner was my friend. She was everyone’s friend in Key West. A lovely charming person.

I first met Cathy at La Trattoria. Probably where we all met her. Kathy was a bartender and waitress. Always a smile. Always a cheerful greeting. I sometimes went to La Trattoria for no other reason than to enjoy Cathy’s company. We had similar backgrounds. Both from upstate New York. She, Albany. Me, Utica. We agreed we hated northern winters. We agreed Key West was the place to be.

Cathy got sick about three years ago. What, I am not certain. Whatever, it was worthy of several operations, The first in Miami. The surgeries and ailment took their toll. She went from a good figured woman to pathetically thin. Non recognizable. That bad.

During her illness, we spoke a few times on the phone. She telephoned me last about a month ago. Just to talk.

I saw her last about two weeks ago in Publix. I almost did not recognize her. She was even thinner. Drawn. We hugged and kissed. She told me she was getting better. She had gained 10 pounds. I could not see it.

Cathy died a couple of days ago. Sad. Very sad. I hurt.

There is a service scheduled tomorrow at one in the afternoon. At an appropriate place. La Trattoria. I will be there. As will most of Key West.

On a happier note, today is Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all who so qualify. We deserve such a day!

Yesterday was a quiet one for me. I read and watched the PGA. A tough course! Sloan snuck in for an hour. I am still learning how to post photos. Published a few to WordPress and Facebook. Anna stopped by to iron some shirts and shorts for me for Europe. I leave Thursday.

For whatever reason, I thought I was leaving Wednesday. Good thing I checked my itinerary. I can see myself standing at the Delta counter at the airport saying there must be some mistake…..can you get me on anyhow?

Florence and Venice have been added to the trip. Both places will be a first for me.

It was bocce banquet time last night at Turtle Krall. I was not up to it. Too much partying recently. Needed a light meal and sleep. No drinking.

I had dinner at Roostica. A strange sounding name. It is Bobby Mongelli’s new Italian restaurant on Stock Island. Second time I have gone.

Outstanding! Roasted chicken and potatoes. Just like my mother used to make.

The place was packed. Tables turning over. Bobby’s got another winner. He also owns Hogfish.

Today a special time in Key West history. The 45th anniversary of the Chart Room. A celebration party is scheduled from 5-8. I will be there. I would not miss it.

Marty, I hope you come in for the party! I have not seen you in ages.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

YACHT CLUB

 

The Washington, DC trip tired me out. I figured I should go easy last night. I decided on a quiet dinner at the Yacht Club. Good luck! It was like New Years Eve! People and noise. A fun time. I played and am paying this morning. I was too tired last night and feel worse this morning.

Instead of going home from the Yacht Club, I went to Don’s Place. No Don. But everyone else. Mostly from my bocce team. It was good to see everyone again.

Tonight is the bocce banquet. For the whole league. Something like 50-60 teams. At Turtle Krall. I plan on being there.

Yesterday was busy by day, also.

The morning began with the Key West Lou legal Hour. My tv/internet show. Love doing it! Post show comments indicted most enjoyed hearing about theWashington trip.

Yesterday was my last show till August. I leave on my European trip thursday. The show will go on, however. Reruns. If you have not seen all the shows, tune in. You might catch one you have missed. The Key West Lou Legal Hour is also televised saturdays at 4:30 and sundays at 3. In addition to which, it is You Tubed.

I will be doing my blog talk radio show. It is going to be exciting! I will be broadcasting from Italy, Greece and France. Live. Tuesday evenings Florida time at 9.

The show is archived and available all the time for listening. Weekly stats indicate that most of my listeners tune into the archived version.

I will continue to write my KONK Life column from where ever I am. They should be terrific! I most likely will be writing about some of my trip experiences.

Saw my doctor Jackie Lefferts for a pre trip check up. She says I am ok to go.

Spent some time at the opticians. I had three pair of glasses to be repaired. I stepped on one prescription pair. Did a number to it. Lost the lens on another. Fortunately, I found the lens. The third pair needed the frames tightened.

Now I am ready for Europe! I can see!

KONK Life has been on the stands since thurday. It carries my article on the Holocaust and my thought that man is inherently a killer. I did next week’s column yesterday.  The College Loan Program…..A Ripoff. Unfair and corrupt. The article is an eye opener. It comes out next thursday.

A busy day today. Sloan will be here shortly. I took a lot of pictures  in Washington. Want to put them on WordPress and Facebook. I hope I learn well. My plan is to post some pics every day while I am in Europe.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

KEY WEST LOU TV / INTERNET SHOW

 

Good morning!

A beautiful Key West morning. Everything as it should be. God is in His Heaven, all is right with the world.

This morning the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten my time. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy the hour with me.

Since I spent a week in Washington, I had only yesterday to prepare. Generally, I spend a bit of time each day.

The show starts with the Snowden surveillance disclosures. Then some Washington stories. You will especially enjoy Connie Picciotto’s tale. Revealing college graduation figures. Some homeless background. Especially two Florida stories I doubt either you or I knew about.  Another unusual Catholic Church announcement. And more.

Join me. On television from Key West through Miami-Dade County. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

Besides working on this morning’s show, I spent yesterday running errands.

I was out on the town later earlier than usual. Well before 5.

I started with my old friend the Chart Room. Jean Thornton, Sheila, and Peter at the bar. Emily bartending.

A Chart Room update. In my one week absence, things happened. Discouraging things. Free hot dogs are no more. The peanut barrel was empty. A different kernel was being used to make pop corn.

The bottom line. When you pay $90 million for something, you are entitled to do what you want. Including eliminating free hot dogs and peanuts and serving a cheaper pop corn. The problem is that eliminating each eats away at the Chart Room’s ambiance and character.

What next?

I was at the Hot Tin Roof before 6 for dinner. I chatted a while with congenial and able manager Joseph. Jean Thornton and a pack of women showed up. They enjoyed a drink at the bar and were off to Marquesa for dinner. An excellent restaurant.

There was  a madness to my early evening. I wanted to watch the Miami/San Antonio game at 9. I was in bed at 8:30 with the television on. The tv was still on when I woke at 3 this morning. I never saw any part of the game. I fell asleep before 9.

Such is life.

Enjoy your day!

 

HOME…..

 

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!

FORD THEATER

 

This is my last morning in Washington. I return to Key West today.

Though I began yesterday under the weather, by early afternoon I felt fine.

I took a walk. My hotel is within 2-3 blocks of most things. I ended up at the Ford Theater. The place where Abraham Lincoln was shot. The theater is now part of the National Park Service.

I did the tourist thing. I waited in line.

Upon entering, a sadness overcame me. I felt as if I was visiting a friend on view at a funeral parlor.

The theater was much larger than I had anticipated. It seats roughly 800. On the night of the shooting, it held 1,700. There was an upper area where those not financially well off could watch the play. Standing rom was $.25. Seats were $1 each. Box seats $6-$10 each.

Lincoln was seated in a box with his wife and friends. There was no Secret Service protection. It did not start till 1901. Lincoln did have one police officer guarding him. However, his function was to protect the President on his trip to and from the theater. Not while at the theater.

The villain John Wilkes Booth was friend of the theater owner John Ford. He was a familiar face at the theater. Booth was also known to the President. The relationship was described as friendly.

Booth shot the President. One bullet. It entered behind the left ear, traveled through Lincoln’s brain, and lodged behind his right eye.

Lincoln, still alive, was removed to a boarding house across the street. The Petersen House.

Lincoln was a tall man. Six feet four inches. The bed was not large enough. He had to be laid diagonally.

Lincoln wore a great coat to the theater that evening. A three quarter coat. He had purchased it at Brooks Brothers.

Lincoln died the next day, never having regained consciousness.

Someone besides Booth had to be punished. So thought the people who stood in the street between the Ford theater and Petersen House. They decided to tear down the brick theater building. Federal troops were called to protect the building.

I left the Ford Theater more knowledgeable and more sad.

The Petersen House still stands across the street. I could have toured the room Lincoln was taken to. I could have viewed the bed he rested on. It was not in me. I had had enough of Lincoln’s death.

I treated myself to lunch at the Willard House’s outdoor café. A beautiful setting. Sits on 14th Street, just around the corner from Pennsylvania Avenue. The weather was perfect. The huge trees a dark green shading the café. I had a leisurely lunch while enjoying the Washington Post.

Last night was Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. My blog talk radio show. I did the show from my hotel room. A first! I was excited. It worked.

Next week I leave for an extended European trip. Italy, Greece and France. I shall be able to broadcast the blog talk radio show from where ever I am. The shows should be terrific! I am excited.

Last night’s show was a travelogue of my Washington trip. At the beginning however, I felt compelled to comment on the surveillance news of the past few days. I refer to the government having access to our telephone call numbers and e mails, tweets, etc. A big brother scenario of a size never before attempted.

I view this overview as surveillance out of control. Protection against terrorism is important. There must be a balance, however. Our liberties must be protected at the same time. I believe…..To protect our freedom, we must safeguard our freedoms.

I will dwell on the issue further during my Friday tv/internet show, the Key West Lou Legal Hour.

Sunday or Monday night is the Chart Room anniversary party. Forty five years. I will be there!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

ANOTHER TOUR DAY

 

I wanted to visit the National Archive. Home of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. I arrived. The line waiting to be admitted wrapped around the block. I joined it. Fifteen minutes later, I was still standing in the same place as when I arrived. That was it! I would not be visiting the National Archive.

Across the street was the Smithsonian – Natural History Museum. It was not on my itinerary. My second stop was to have been the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. However, it was several blocks away and Natural History was more convenient.

If it has escaped you, I was getting tired. The Memorial tour the day before had been a killer.

The first thing that hit me when I entered Natural History was a huge prehistoric elephant. Daunting!

My grandchildren Robert and Ally would have enjoyed the dinosaurs. Many of them. Big. Their bones reconstructed.

There was also a Bone Lab. Old bones probably found in some dig were being cleaned up. Reminded me of Key West’s Mel Fisher Museum. Workers sitting around in a huge sealed enclosure wearing white coats and pants. Many with ear phones and dentist like drills. Drilling away in the process of cleaning million year old bones.

I saw two I MAX films. Actually, I was tired. This gave me the opportunity to sit and rest. First time I had seen an I MAX. Impressive! In 3D. One had to do with butterflies and the other the ocean. I had butterflies all around me during the first film. I was underwater with fish in the second.

There was a mummy on display. Royalty from the distant past.

The big deal at Natural History is the Hope Diamond. There it was. Gleaming and sparkling. Everyone stretching their necks to get a view.

Time to go. I walked outside. There is a huge stone overhang between the door and steps leading to the sidewalk. I was on it. The door had  closed behind me. Then I saw it. Rain. Monsoon like, just as in Key West.

The weather report for the day predicted rain. When I was ready to leave the hotel earlier in the morning, the sun was shining and there were no clouds. So I left my rain jacket and cap in the room.

Stupid me.

I stood around 15 minutes. I could not go back into the museum. I would have had to go through security again. The line was long and people were standing in the rain waiting to get in.

All of a sudden, a young man appeared with a box of umbrellas. $10. I bought the first one. Small collapsible type.

Off I went. In shorts, a short sleeved sport shirt and sandals.

I had about twelve blocks to walk. Washington blocks are long.

Two blocks into the walk, my collapsible umbrella collapsed. Water streaming onto me from the seams.

What to do? I am completely wet. No stores or bars to duck into. Could not enter the hallway of one of the public buildings. Not permitted. There was no alternative. I continued on my trip back to the hotel.

Never in my life have I been so wet. I became chilled. In spite of all this, I was saying to myself…..Louis, you are in great shape at 77 to be able to do this!

I woke in the middle of the night. Did not feel good. Stomach and chills. Think I have a fever. I am exhausted. My Washington experience today will be staying in bed in my hotel room.

When I returned wet to the skin, I immediately took a hot shower. Then down to the hotel bar. Two Grand Marniers and a hot cup of coffee. I thought that would keep the evil spirits away. Apparently it did not.

Dinner was at the Willard Hotel. Directly across the street from the Marriott.

The Willard is an old historical Washington hotel. Magnificent.

The waiter shared a bit of Willard history with me.

He told me President Grant enjoyed smoking cigars. His wife would not let him smoke them in the White House. He used to visit the Willard each day, sit in the lobby and light up. Persons who wanted favors from him, hit on him. Thus the term lobbyist was born.

A story I wanted to share with you. First however, I checked it out on the internet. The story was not completely true. It is commonly accepted as true. However, it is a myth. Nevertheless interesting. Grant did smoke there, his wife would not let him smoke in the White House, and people talked to him in the lobby seeking favors. The untrue portion is the birth of the term lobbyists. The term correctly comes to us from the English Parliament of the 1840s.

Interesting local lore, nevertheless.

One of the things I have observed is that Washington is a city of two type peoples. Suits and tourists. The suits are governmental people and business persons. I used to see them on my business trips to Washington. The tourist group are in shorts and tee shirts. Many with families. Visiting from all over the world.

The two are not together. They are truly separate. I have seen few suits while playing tourist this week.

Tonight is my blog talk radio show. I will be doing it from my Washington hotel room. I will probably spend most of the show discussing my Washington impressions. Perhaps a few news items. Which, if any, I have yet to decide upon.

Join me. I guarantee the show will not be boring. A fast moving half hour beginning at 9. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day! I am going to rest and get better.

THE TOUR

 

Yesterday’s adventure was a tour of the Washington monuments. Six hours. Arduous. Comparable to climbing steps in Italy and the volcano. However, I made it! I am in better shape this year than I was last year at this time.

I took a formal tour. Included were 5 hours of monument viewing and a one hour luncheon cruise on the Potomac. The whole thing fantastic! I wish I had done it earlier in life. I wished I had taken my children when they were young. I cannot wait to take Robert and Ally.

It was a uplifting experience. Emotionally moving. I was proud to be an American.

Following are the Memorials visited. The Capitol Building, Washington Monument, World War II Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, White House, and Arlington Cemetery.

The ones that affected me the most were the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Korean Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial.

I want to share some bits of information I learned.

The Washington Monument is 551 feet high. Two years ago an earthquake damaged the Monument. A 4 foot 1 inch crack resulted. Roughly 1 inch wide.

The Monument is being repaired. It is almost totally covered in scaffolding. $9 million worth. Must be more involved than merely fixing the crack.

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is the largest land wise. Several acres. Created this large in recognition of his 16 years as President. There are four separate memorial buildings. To recognize his four terms as President.

I learned about Concepcion “Connie” Picciotto. I met her and spoke with her.

Connie is a 77 year old woman. Short. Less than five feet. Weather scarred and browned skin. Very few teeth. A wig peeking out from beneath her cap.

Connie is a protestor. A long term one. The longest public political protestor in United States history. In 1981, she was concerned about nuclear weapons. She wanted universal disarmament. She pitched a small tent across from the White House on the Pennsylvania Avenue side. The tent and Connie are still there thirty two  years later. Her protests have grown. She expresses her concerns verbally and with signs every day.

Such is Connie’s life.

Think of it. She has been there through the Presidencies of Reagan, the two Bushes, Clinton and now Obama.

Arlington Cemetery stood in a class alone. Extremely moving. We did not stop. We drove by and around.

Arlington contains the bodies of over 400,000 persons. The white crosses covering each grave in perfect lines on neatly trimmed green grass.

Steps big time at some of the Memorials. I did not know if I would physically be able to handle them. Shades of Italy and Greece last year.

I did them all. With no difficulty, except sore legs on occasion from the knees down. My European trip this year should be no problem.

I did take pictures. Many. The trick now is for me to show them to you once I have separated, selected, etc. Later today or tomorrow. It will be a first for me!

Last Friday, I visited the Holocaust Museum. I was so moved by it that I wrote this week’s KONK Life column immediately upon returning to my room. The article obviously covered the Holocaust. I went a step further, however. The theme was man did not learn. He still kills. I spelled out all the genocides since World War II.

Yesterday Washington was the beginning of One Million Bones. A three day event. Paper machete, wood, and plastic bones have been created by adults and school children for three years. They were spread out yesterday on the Washington Mall. The purpose: To raise the awareness of people to genocide in today’s world.

John from Jersey will be happy. I made it to the Old Ebbitt Grill last night! Though you described it well John, the place defies description. I loved the ambiance! A piece of old Washington. I read it remains a virtual saloon Smithsonian. It is.

Washington is a lovely city. Majestic buildings, wide streets, clean. It does have a negative, however. The homeless.

I saw them everywhere. Especially yesterday morning when I left early to catch the tour bus. They were sleeping everywhere. On benches, in doorways, where ever. Most were women.

A disgrace.

Key West has homeless. They come to Key West in droves for the warm weather. We take care of our homeless. We took them off the streets. They sleep at night in a large tent on a cot with clean sheets. And get a shower. One every evening or no cot and sheets. Food is provided at a rescue mission.

Key West did not do this out of the goodness of its heart. Federal case law required it. Where is that same federal case law in our nation’s capital?

Tomorrow night my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine in the evening. A fast moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

What will I discuss tomorrow night? Probably my Washington trip. A lot to talk about.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

SMITHSONIAN

 

Five in the morning. I am doing today’s blog.

I had to get up early. I have a six hour tour beginning just after dawn. I will see it all. Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Washington Memorial, etc. I will be dead when it is over!

Yesterday was the Smithsonian! The American History portion. Spent five hours. And I did not see it all.

I was surprised to learn that the Smithsonian is five separate buildings. I visited only one.

The correct name of that building is the National Museum of American History – Smithsonian Institute. Massive. Five stories.

My hotel selection continues to have been a wise one. I was only three blocks from the Smithsonian and could walk there.

I did many of the exhibits. Not all. Impossible.

The two exhibits seeming to garner the most interest were the ones dealing with the American Revolution and World War II.

I must admit that several times I became emotional and had to wipe my eyes. That was the effect of certain of the exhibits.

Everything on exhibit. Movie stars of the 1950s and 1960s, transportation, cooking, typewriters, the civil rights battles of the 1960s, the original Star Spangled Banner, and even Archie Bunker’s chair.

I am becoming increasingly aware of my age. 77. Yesterday it kept hitting me in the face. Here I was viewing exhibits covering things that occurred during my life time. I remember World War II, the sit down counter civil rights activity, President Kennedy, President Johnson, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and more. I was a part of the history I was viewing.

There was a docent explaining things about Revolutionary soldiers. Listening in were four young girls. Maybe seventh or eighth grade. No more than high school freshmen. I joined the group.

The docent explained that 25 per cent of Revolutionary soldiers were illiterate. When wounded and hospitalized, they wanted to communicate with their loved ones back home. They could not write. A nurse would help them. She would listen and write the wounded soldier’s words on a piece of paper. She used a pencil. The docent explained the pencil became popular as a writing instrument during those times.

Pens were normally used to write. But the pens of that day required ink. The pen was dipped in a small bottle of ink. Ink was not available at hospital sites.

One of the young ladies spoke up…..Why didn’t they use ball point pens?

A gem.

I found interesting that most if not all of the Washington museums are free. No admission charge. They are owned and operated by the United States. Thousands of people visit each one every day. Old and young. From all walks of life. Many families. I felt our tax dollars were well spent. First time I have felt that way about anything involving government spending in years.

I stopped at Macy’s on the way back. Only one and a half blocks from the hotel. A huge building. A whole block long. As big if not bigger than New York’s.

I bought a pair of new boat shoes.

Stopped for lunch at what appeared to be an attractive sandwich shop. It was. The food good.

The bed was my next attraction. I was beat and it was only 5 o’clock. Watched the Belmont from the comfort of the bed. Palace Malice was impressive in winning. Just as Orb and Oxbow had been in the races they won.

John from Jersey is a loyal blog reader. We have never met. But  through blogging we have become friends. John comments frequently.

John suggested I dine at the Old Ebbett Grill. Recommended it highly. The Old Ebbett is touted as Washington’s oldest dining salon. Began business in 1856.

The Old Ebbett was conveniently located. One and a half blocks from my hotel and steps from the White House.

I called too late for a reservation. I could not be seated till 10. I intended to be in bed asleep by that time.

Instead, I opted to visit the Marriott Bar once again. I ate at the bar just as I do in Key West. Crab cakes and calamari. As I was finishing and enjoying one drink too many, two young ladies sat next to me. I was honored. There were other empty seats available. Both no more than 25.

We chatted. One thought I was a grouch. I probably was. I was tired and ready for bed. Her comments were made pleasantly and appeared not intended to insult.

I gave the ladies my best smile and talked with them a while.

They both work in conjunction with Georgetown University in arranging medical conferences. All over the world. Yesterday afternoon a week long conference at the Marriott had concluded. Surgical Abdominal Reconstruction. They were partying after a long week’s work. I begged off when they asked me to join them. Thirty years ago…..perhaps.

Enough. I have to shower and be on my way.

Enjoy your day!