Trump has been known to be a brilliant man. Till recent years. He has had among other things a reputation for being a ladies man. A smart and successful one. Till now I would add.

It is a basic to husband/wife relationships that a husband never invites the wife and girl friend to the same event. A major no no. Trump is losing it however in just about everything he does these days so it is not surprising that Melania and Natalie showed up at the same event. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix Indy/Car Race in Washington, D.C. on August 23rd.

Melania initially sitting next to Donald. Natalie appeared to be sitting in the row behind. Then there came a time when Melania and Donald appeared to be having words. Melania up and left. Natalie came forward to speak to Donald. That is all I was able to see on TV.

If Donald knowingly invited both, or the ladies invited themselves, or just one of the ladies was self invited, I know not. Whatever, not the time for a threesome.

FOX was screening the three. Suddenly, FOX pulled away.

Rosie O’Donnell chaired the Jimmy Kimmel Show four nights this past week. She did a number on Trump each night. He of course reciprocated in kind. One of Rosie’s comments her last evening was: “Resign and make the country great again!”

Nancy’s Lem. The “lemon” by Nancy replaces a woman’s vibrator. Supposedly much better. One woman’s comment: “This absolutely sucks!”

Looks like a lemon. Stimulates the clitoris.

I am not trying to be disgusting. Merely being informative. Sharing.

Freedom Fuel gas stations several weeks ago were selling gasoline cheaper than other stations in the U.S. Trump commented several times what a great company it was in effect and gas could be sold cheaper by other companies as Freedom Fuel was.

It was revealed this week that Freedom Fuel had in effect stolen the gasoline. It failed to pay for it. Still owed some $4 million. Such was why it could sell it cheaper. Trump and his people again failed to search/investigate something before commenting on it.

Trump is in open revolt against the Constitution. Trump’s fight against mail in ballots an example. The man is a “destroyer” of good. He exceeds even Machiavelli.

The real winner of the U.S./Canada trade war is China.

Trump’s tariffs are in many ways breaking laws. It is time for Congress and the Judiciary to step in. They are both long overdue.

Babe Ruth: “My idea of a ball player is the fellow who can take the bad breaks with a grin and come up fighting.”

“Frankenstein” author Mary Shelley was born this day in 1797. What an imagination she possessed! A woman coming up with the “Frankenstein” thriller back in those days!

Snakes actively encroaching more in Florida. Caused by rapid housing development and shifting weather patterns. The result is more snakes appearing in suburban areas.

Rained pretty good in Key West yesterday. More projected for today. Heavy. A 70 percent rain day.

Trump seriously pushing Lake America. Canada ignoring him. It will cost U.S. taxpayers a ton of money. Maps, records, contracts, etc. will all have to be changed. Trump should be forced to pay for these changes out of his pocket!

There was a time when most of Egypt was submerged beneath the sea. Teeth from five different sharks have been found recently beneath the sand.

Walmart hurting. Sad that such a giant is having financial problems. I traded at Walmart when traveling. Bought expensive fixtures cheaply as well as casual clothes. Even my prescription drugs in recent years through the mail. Generally a 30 day supply of most for from $8 to $10. I take 16 pills a day so it was a hell of a savings! It was announced this past week that Walmart was withdrawing from mail in drugs service.

The U.S. debt recently passed $40 trillion. A bit more than I have in the bank! Will it ever be paid off?

I will spend a quiet Sunday.

May you do also.

Enjoy your day!

So much to share today. 

I did not do a blog yesterday. Woke feeling 91. Spent most of the day in bed as a result.

Around 4 in the afternoon, I felt good. Actually, excellent. Around 65. It happens.

I began writing today’s blog. Continued it early this morning. A bit longer than normal. Interesting, however! Enjoy!

Who better to begin with than George Washington and the size of his home. He lived “big” in his Mount Vernon home. Would you believe, 11,028 square feet.

Washington began his home small. A simple four bedroom. As he grew, his house did also.

Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years.

Seventy nine percent of the Polish people are Catholics.

It took only 2 days to elect Pope Frances in 2013.

A Pope need not be a Cardinal in order to be elected. Rare, however. The last non Pope was elected in 1378.

John Adams was the first U.S. President to have attended college. Woodrow Wilson was the only President to have earned a Ph.D.

Harry S Truman was the last President not to have a college degree.

Eight hundred countries have released stamps featuring Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s hobby was stamp collecting. He collected 1.2 million stamps over the course of his lifetime.

It takes 66 tons of paint to coat the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower has been repainted twenty times . It takes between 18 months and 3 years to paint the Eiffel Tower.

Corey took me shopping Wednesday night again. He’s the best!

Abraham Lincoln’s salary as postmaster for the 1835 fiscal year was $55.70.

The Postal Service processes 3,684 pieces of mail per second.

The number of Continental Congress members who signed the Declaration of Independence was 56.

Thomas Jefferson was a man of many accomplishments. A very reserved person in many regards however. His instructed at the time of his death that only three were to be listed on his tombstone: Author of the Declaration of Independence, Author of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a list of persons who set an example for all to follow. At the top of his list is Dolly Parton. The three lowest are Darlene Graham, Pete Hegseth, and Log Cabin Republicans. 

On August 26,1955, 14 year old Black boy Emmett Till was brutally murdered for allegedly flirting with a white woman 4 days earlier.

Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” to the March on Washington in 1963. A little known fact is that Mahalia Jackson spoke before him and her performance prompted King  “to improvise” the “I Have A Dream” speech.

Diane Cilento 1932-2011  was an Australian who was a world wide movie star. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in “Tom Jones.” One of her three husbands was Sean Connery. She had a brother who was a brain surgeon in Utica. She visited often in the 1970s and 1980s. I knew her slightly.

Trump has asked the Supreme Court to prohibit transgenders from serving in the military.

Cursive writing has been making a comeback. I learned cursive in the first grade in grammar school. Cursive is what was taught in those days.

The Iran War is a “forever war” with no clear way to wage the U.S battle and no end in sight.

Our demented President Trump wants to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. He will never learn to leave well enough alone.

A portion of Lake Ontario sits on New York’s Oswego County. Located on the northern boundary of New York State. Oswego County basically rural for many years until three nuclear reactors were erected just off shore in Lake Ontario. The three reactors were large and easily seen from the County’s capital city Oswego.

The reactors attracted many large corporations to erect factories in Oswego because of the reactor presence. Rural became industrial.

The corporations brought environmental contamination. Big time millions of dollars. The County was sued together with the corporations for various legal reasons.

Amusingly, the three nuclear reactors were technically called the “Nine Mile Clean Energy Center.”

The County retained me. The dollars sought by the government were huge. The case was big, especially for County taxpayers. No insurance dollars were involved.

When retained, I spelled out the dangers involved for the County, what my approach to defending the County would be, the 5 year term I anticipated it would take to resolve the case, and my fee ultimately being around $5 million. My environmental cases paid well.

Sometimes a lawyer gets lucky. Items appear in a case not anticipated up front. I was able to get the County out for cheap dollars, nailed the new corporations for a major portion of the pollution and resolved the case in two years instead of five. 

The County was happy. They saved on the huge amount initially sought, my fee which was obviously less, and the voters were even happy.

The County Commission meeting at which the County Attorney announced the result was overwhelming. Everyone thrilled. I was introduced as the one “who did it.” The applause from all present was moving. 

Trump should be careful re the properties he takes over. Renaming might constitute economic problems. He may be buying the taxpayers a big dollar liability that will arise several years down the road. One of the “quirks” of environmental law is the owner at the time of suit is liable even where the owner contributed in no way to the contamination.

Rain is predicted for Key West today. Forty five percent of the weather projected to be rain. I’m not sure. Weather reporting not always reliable in the Keys.

John McCain’s life speaks for itself. A great man of high values: “Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.”

Ancient Romans treated “pooping” as a “group activity.” Open communal seating, spared sponges to wipe, rats and occasional fire flames rising from the seat sat upon.

The best weekend getaway for couples and romantic escapes: Napa Valley, the Finger Lakes, Quebec City, and Palm Springs.

One of history’s most famous actresses Ingrid Bergman was born in 1915 and died in 1982.

The best Italian feast in the U.S. is around the corner. New York City’s Feast of San Gennaro. Its history goes back to 1926. Takes over blocks of Mulberry Street.

I am very much pro-Italian. Proud of my heritage. As a result, I tried to make the Feast every year during my adult years before retiring.

This year’s Feast September 17-27.

One I shall never forget. I was staying at the Palace Hotel. I arrived with $3,000 in $100 bills. Went to the Feast the same day I arrived. Showered and dressed first. Left the cash on top of the TV set.

It was when I arrived at the Feast that I realized I had left the money in my hotel room. I rushed back. Money still sitting on top of the TV. Counted it. Not $3,000. Only $2,900. I had been had by the cleaning lady or some other hotel employee for $100. I was thrilled! Thrilled it was only $100!

Sorry I was a bit long today. A number of interesting things to share, however.

Enjoy your day!

The World Health Organization expects millions of people around the world will contact measles in 2026. The specific number projected is in the 11 million area. Africa and Asia will be the hardest hit. Europe and the Americas a close second.

Note here at the beginning that there is no specific treatment for measles. The reason why so many die. Though there is a specific and effective method to avoid getting infected. The vaccination!

Let me say at the beginning that anyone who is unvaccinated or refuse to have their children vaccinated are fools to the ultimate degree in this situation where no cure is available and death may be assured if infected.

Measles is projected to be on the rise this year in the United States. The worst numbers expected since 1991. Again, vaccination the way to avoid the problem. Yet many voluntarily go unvaccinated. Assholes to the highest degree! In the U.S., Mississippi has the highest percentage of unvaccinated persons.

Measles is making a comeback in the U.S. primarily because the number of vaccinated children has dropped off. “Herd immunity” is not available. One student gets measles and a whole class could be infected. Imagine…..vulnerable pockets of unprotected children!

In the U.S., a 95 percent vaccination rate is required for protection purposes. The number has fallen recently because of the failure to vaccinate all children. The number only needed to fall a small number of points to make an epidemic inevitable. The danger percentage 92.5 percent. A mere 3 points! 

Because many children are now going unvaccinated, the child percentage is down is a bit more. Three point six percent. 

Kennedy is to blame. Followed closely by Trump for appointing Kennedy and keeping him in office. I think Trump appointed Kennedy and continues to keep him on board to shout to the world he has a Kennedy working for him.

Parental fear re vaccinations rose as a result of a 1998 study which linked the MMR anti-vaccination shot to autism. One problem, however. The autism theory has been totally debunked. Nevertheless many parents still adhere to it.

Other reasons for failing to vaccinate involve other items of misinformation, overall safety fears, and personal and religious beliefs.

The first step to avoiding a measles epidemic is to get all children vaccinated. It is not going to happen as long as Kennedy and Trump walk hand in hand on the issue. Kennedy has to be booted and Trump supporting vaccination as the necessary first step.

One of the first impacts of the U.S./Canada trade war will be paper. Especially toilet paper. U.S. citizens will pay more for cleanliness.

Lyndon Johnson: “Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”

The Krakatoa volcano eruption in 1883 is among one of the largest in history. Killed roughly 40,000.

Some believe the 8 hour sleep is outdated. A new study suggests less is ok. A new number pops up: 6.4 hours.

Eight hours dates back to the mid 19th century when the day was split 8 hours for work, 8 for recreation and 8 for sleep. 

Republicans are scheduling a “mid-term convention.” If my memory is correct, it will be the first time mid-term convention ever. Some suspect it is Trump’s idea and he plans to use it as a fund raiser.

Trump issued a statement claiming a close relationship with Dolly Parton. Trump said, “She really liked me.” Her family is furious. There was no such relationship. In fact, many of the things she supported were not supported by Trump.

One of Parton’s supporters described Trump as a narcist with a broken brain.

The moon turns red tonight. A very deep lunar eclipse. We shall be able to see it in Key West!

The eclipse shall be visible to us beginning at 9:23 tonight. Actual red will begin showing at 10:33 p.m. Best will be at 12:a.m. The eclipse will end at 1:51 a.m.

Needed groceries again. Corey took me to Publix last night. Ran into Tammy. First time in the 25 years I have known her that I have seen Tammy anywhere but in her nail studio.

Nurse Paige visited yesterday morning. Walked me hard!

A haircut with Lori at noon today.

Enjoy your day!

Trump says the Kennedy Center could be torn down if his plans are blocked.

The man is crazy!

Trump claims “he is the affordability President.” That’s rich!

Rumors floating about to the effect Iran plans to kill Barron Trump.

Trump’s bullying has backfired. The more he bullies, the worse things get for him. His plans self-reject.

Trump wants to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. My advice: Leave the U.S. alone! Your changes suck! Generally a failure! The U.S. was ok before you became President. Did not require all the changes you have heaped upon it.

The White House lawn took a beating because of the activities Trump thrust upon it. Fix it up would have required a simple reseeding and watering. Instead Trump wants to reshape the lawn. More money, more time, more opportunity for screw ups similar to those that have occurred at the Reflective Pool.

Trump is disliked by most world leaders. At home and abroad, Trump is being met with defiance. Deservedly so.

Moving on.

Dolly Parton has died at age 80. A most beloved person.

Two measle deaths reported in Pennsylvania. The last time Pennsylvania experienced one was 35 years ago. Neither of the two dead had been vaccinated. Thank you Trump and Kennedy.

For several days, news releases have suggested we stop eating lettuce. With or without cyclosporasia outbreaks. 

Forgetfulness. Being mentally foggy. My forgetfulness has ceased dramatically. From several times a day to twice a week. I mentioned it to Dr, Norris. He explained the last head bump I received was a major one. A major brain concussion occurred. The concussion has healed. My brain now working normally. Very normal for a 91 year old person.

Interesting. Very much so. The country with the most federally mandated paid vacations days is Iran with 53. Compared to the U.S. which has only 10.

The world’s biggest waves can be found off the coast of the Portuguese resort town of Nazare. They average 100 feet.

Starbucks has returned its Pumpkin Spice Latte.

The 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote took effect in 1920.

The first televised Major League Baseball game took place in 1939.

Hegseth’s purge of top generals has left the U.S. Army rudderless.

Hegseth has to go! And his boss, Donald Trump!

I finally got out last night. Made it to The Grand for Happy Hour. Enjoyed a good time with Cindy and Steve.

Still not sleeping properly. Only three hours last night.

Nurse Paige due at 9 this morning.

Enjoy your day!

Trump is the “Tariff Terror.” So he perceives himself.

No nation wants or enjoys being hit with Trump’s tariffs. Especially the 50 percent ones. Many are standing up to Trump. Many turning to do business with China. Trump strengthens China while diminishing the U.S. How can he be so blind?

Trump refers to his most recent tariff attack on other nations as “economic asphyxiation.” He fails to see how his economic actions will hurt the U.S. in the final analysis.

U.S. Supreme Court decisions sneak in pro-Trump ones more than occasionally. Enough that I believe the time is arriving to expand the Court’s composition to include more Democrats. The first step is for Democrats to win the mid-terms.

The Court’s latest faux pas is to have supported Trump’s limitations on mail-in balloting. Trump continuously lies when he says mail-in voting allows cheating big time. 

I have had it! Get me a new Supreme Court!

Mark Twain is one of America’s greatest writers. No question about it.

One of his most popular and well regarded works is “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” It has also become controversial for some in our modern era. Why? Twain used the word “nigger” 219 times. 

For the time frame set in the book, “nigger” was the language of the day and befitted its presence in Twain’s work.

Today, the term is controversial. Creates all kinds of problems. I am thinking of writing a blog solely committed to Huckleberry Finn and the problem.

Americans are smoking marijuana more and cigarettes less.

A reader I have been, a reader I am. Periodicals, novels and the law. Poetry some. Not that much. However I am compelled to write of one poem today. A well regarded one. Ezra Pound’s “In A Station Of The Metro.” Published in April 1913. Short. Extremely so. Only two lines. Nevertheless regarded as one of the shortest great poems in English.

The poem reads: “The appreciation of the faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet black bough.”

The poem captures a fleeting moment in a Paris subway station by juxtaposing the pale sad faces of a crowd with delicate flower petals changing to a darkened wet branch.

The poem reflects how brief and fragile human life is. Just as delicate petals appear for a short time before falling, the strangers in the subway pass by quickly and vanish.

New York City Mayor Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwji took a few days off to vacation. Coxsackie, New York. In Greene County some 140 miles north of New York City. A small indescript town. They enjoyed restaurants. On one occasion, stopped in a grocery store and purchased two roasted chickens and vegetables.

Key West Womenfest returns September 2 to September 6. This year’s theme “Lost Women in the Arts.”

His name Matthew Webb. His distinction: He was the first person to swim the English Channel. Did so on this day in 1875.

The top three party schools in the U.S.: Tulane, Alabama and Florida State.

Syracuse ranked #16. Not bad. 

Unfortunately, I attended Law School at Syracuse 1957-1960. Law students did not have time to party. 

My college was Manhattan in New York City 1953-1957. Conservative. Run by Christian Brothers. We had to be in our rooms by 7 p.m. Lights out at 11. Friday and Saturday could stay out till 11.

The world’s rarest blood type is “Golden Blood.” Fewer than 50 persons are known to have it. The blood is not gold colored. Its technical name is “Rh null.”

Emergency need obviously a problem.

The breakfast of Ancient Romans consisted of bread, cheese, olives and wine. 

Dr. Norris telephoned yesterday. I already knew I had no blood clot. Other tests taken also. Every thing ok. Especially good for a 91 year old person.

I was thrilled to hear his report.

Still no car. Assured I will get it today. Hopefully!!!

Robert drove me to the laundry to pickup my shirts. Then to Tammy for  much needed manicure.

Later today The Grand’s Happy Hour. Hope I make it!

Enjoy your day!

I operate my computer via icons. The way Sloan Kelley set me up some 30 years ago. Makes it easy to find my way around.

The blog icon has worked perfectly for me all these years till one day last week. It disappeared! Actually, I must have inadvertently deleted it. I could not find it. No icon, no way could I do the blog. I am inept in many ways.

Needed Corey. He is a computer genius. I could not get him for three days. When he arrived yesterday, it took him all of 15 seconds to correct the problem. Love the man!

In addition to the blog disappearance, I had a two day blood clot problem to deal with. My right ankle and foot swelled. Followed by my left.

Saw Dr. Norris. He was concerned that my right ankle/foot had swollen prior to the left. It was always the left that had swollen first in the past. Indicated the possibility of a blood clot. To the hospital immediately!

Took two days to come to a determination. There was no blood clot. God bless America! I worry about everything at 91. Norris was worried about the right foot having swollen first.

Still without my car. It was cabs back and forth to the hospital. Twenty five dollars each way. Too expensive!

So much for the personal complaining.

Let me complain about Trump a bit.

Fifty percent tariffs back and forth between the U.S. and Canada. Best friends forever, till Trump screwed things up.

I admire and respect Canada. I have many friends there. Some thirty years ago, I visited often. I cannot blame Canada for taking the position “Don’t defecate on us!”

Too bad we must wait till 2028 for a “new President.”

Is Natalie Harp still in the White House? Disgraceful Natalie and Donald do not even hide what appears to be a relationship.

George F. Will described Trump as a “frivolous, oblivious President.”

Moving on to other matters.

A Washington Post Editorial yesterday commented on the existence of a decline in world hunger. The Editorial described it as the “fruit of growth.”

The heat world wide is dangerous. Affects everyone. The Washington Post ran an article about a woman who was “lost and confused in 100 degree heat.” Fortunately, a teen came by to help her.

There was a time when “manufactured homes” were moved to / erected in trailer parks. Money determines their location now. They are being erected in suburbia.

The California death penalty is being attacked in a new and novel way. Discrimination. The claim is a disproportionate number of those sentenced to death are persons of color, have mental illness, and/or experience financial struggles.

Thousands in Indiana are still waiting for power more than one week after a storm.

E. coli and salmonella outbreak is now being blamed on alfalfa sprouts, so says the CDC.

Bolivia has experienced its first same sex marriage.

Very few people have ridden in an Amphicar. An Amphicar is a mass produced civilian amphibious vehicle. A car that can be driven on water. Lyndon Johnson had one. He used to surprise unsuspecting guests at his Texas home by driving it into a lake without warning. 

In the 1960s, 3,878 Amphicars were produced.

Lyndon Johnson came close to never getting in line for the Presidency. He won his second Democratic primary in Texas by a mere 87 votes.

Certain Presidents were great readers. George Washington was known to enjoy Don Quixote. Thomas Jefferson was an avid reader of the classics. Abraham Lincoln read the King James Bible, Shakespeare and the poet Robert Burns. Harry Truman read everything. Dwight Eisenhower enjoyed Mark Twain and Western novels involving cowboys and cattle. John Kennedy had a diversified background and read everything. Ronald Reagan was a Tom Clancy fan.

Modern St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with huge amounts of beer and alcohol. Was not always so. Booze big time entered the picture in the 20th century.

Ireland barred alcohol the longest. Till the 1970s. Pubs were closed on March 17th till then. The reason being St. Patrick’s Day was a religious one and booze and buffoonery were not permitted.

On August 23, 1989, Pete Rose received a lifetime ban from baseball as punishment for betting on baseball.

Scientists have discovered a possible reason why some people live beyond 100. Research found some persons have a rare cell linked to fighting damaged and potentially cancerous cells.

Hope I get my car today.

Enjoy your day!

Trump and his people lie. In just about every area and every thing.

One example is non-citizen voting.

The Department of Homeland Security made a big claim about non-citizen voting in Nevada. Claimed 16,000 non-citizens voted. Told to prove it. Turns out it can’t. The count came up with 185 names.

Trump continues his anti-Smithsonian crusade. Why does he consistently act to destroy that which is good and replace it with Trump created bad?

Trump continues to meddle in U.S. democracy. Especially elections. He and his party will cause problems following the midterms and in 2028 should the Republicans lose the Presidency.

An Opinion Piece by the New York Times Editorial Board 8/15/2026: “Republicans Are Trying To Hide Their Health Care Cuts.” 

Simply stated, Republicans have been constantly chopping away at the Affordable Care Act. The Act that provided millions affordable health insurance. Trump and his cohorts have been working to demolish the achievement. Millions are losing health insurance coverage in one fashion or another.

Republicans are lying when they say they are making health care more affordable. The opposite is true. Trump and his Republicans are hell bent on ruining the Affordable Care Act.

Trump threatens to impose economic pain on countries that help Iran. He did not specify which countries, however.

He bullshits. Talks with bravado. I believe he will attempt it. He needs help in the War. He is hoping to bring some countries to their knees to force assistance.

Trump is “ballroom crazy.” He wants to build a ballroom on his golf course in Ireland. The Irish thrilled with the idea. However they have attached one condition. The golf course is contaminated/loaded with a certain type snail. Trump will have to guarantee their removal. Such has created a problem. The ballroom plan is stalled.

Grave robbing big time in Florida’s Orange, Seminole and Hillsborough Counties. Arrests being made. The thieves are not robbing bodies. They are stealing family heirlooms buried with the bodies.

Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state this day in 1959.

Some shoes are now being made out of flowers. One problem, however. They wilt within hours.

Americans had difficulty staying cool without air conditioning. Air conditioning began to be available in the early 1900s, not as good as it is today however. People would sleep on rooftops to receive night time breezes to cool down evenings.

Ah, the jobs we early get! Pope Francis was a bouncer at a night club before becoming a religious.

Alexander the Great was tutored by Aristotle.

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a newspaper column for 27 years. From 1935 to 1962. Called “My Day.”

George Washington lost more battles than he won. He is emboldened by the phrase “losing the battle but winning the war.” 

Jeet Heer in The Nation: Re Trump’s attitude about what is happening on the USS Abraham Lincoln: “Trump’s loose grip on reality could sink the Navy’s ships.”

Ronald Reagan was the first U.S. President to have been divorced. His first wife was the movie star Jane Wyman. Reagan was a movie star before becoming a politician. He starred in 53 films.

The first race of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway took place August 19, 1909.

The Beatles kicked off their first U.S. tour at San Francisco’s Cow Palace in 1964.

A recent national poll indicates a Democratic sweep in the midterms of Congress and a “strong perhaps” victory in the Senate.

If asked what the deadliest ship disaster of all time was, most would say the Titanic. They would be wrong. The worst was the ocean liner Wilhelm Gustloff. It was torpedoed in 1945 with a loss of roughly 9,000. The 1987 sinking of the Spanish ship Duna resulted in 4,386. The Titanic suffered a loss of approximately 1,500.

The two Japanese cities destroyed by U.S. atomic bombs were Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hiroshima lost 60,000-80-000 lives immediately. Nagasaki 40,000. Thousands more died in the months and years following the explosions as a result of atomic injuries incurred.

Ernest Hemingway: “There is no friend as loyal as a book.”

My visit with Dr. Norris yesterday. Extensive. He covered everything.

My left ankle has been swelling the past couple weeks. He fears a possible blood clot. Previously, only my left ankle swelled. I went to the hospital to be tested. Too long a wait. I am returning early this morning.

Still no car. Cabs were heavy expensive yesterday.

I am going to the hospital as soon as the sun rises. Do not want to wait outside in the dark.

Enjoy your day!

Shakespeare wrote his name multiple different ways. Not unusual during his time. Everyone wrote their names several different ways. It was the “way.”

No surviving document written by Shakespeare shows him using the now standard spelling  “SHAKESPEARE.”

Several different Shakespeares survive his life: “William Shakes, William Shakspe, and William Shakespre.” Again the way people wrote their names. Several different ways. Merely the custom.

A number of significant more modern writers do not believe he wrote all that is attributed to him: Henry James, Sigmund Freud, Helen Keller and Charles Chaplin. Another is Mark Twain . He was a very serious Shakespeare doubter. In his 1909 essay “Is Shakespeare Dead?” he questioned how someone whose life we know so little about could have written of life with knowledge of law, politics, language, and the wider world.

Caesar salad was not named after Julius Caesar. It was named for an Italian-American restauranteur named Caesar Cardini who served the salad in 1920 in Tijuana, Mexico. In 1938, Cardini moved to Los Angeles and opened a shop to sell his beloved man made salad dressing.

A WOW! The average strength in pounds of the human bite is 162 pounds per square inch. 

Hard to believe. Such is what scientists say, however.

Blackbeard was one of the world’s most notorious pirates. His  actual pirating career lasted only two years, however. He was killed after having been a pirate for only that short time. His legacy as a pirate however has lasted hundreds of more years than his actual pirating career.

Foot tickling is popular. Works. People laugh uncontrollably. There are 8,000 nerve endings in the human foot.

A federal appellate court has ordered the Trump administration to halt construction on the White House Ballroom by Friday. Will they? Trump will probably attempt an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court.

The National Symphony Orchestra has announced scheduling will be outside the Kennedy Center for the time being.

Repair work continues on the Reflecting Pool. Will it be done correctly this time? Will the repairs work?

The Washington Post. The real reason why many Americans are cutting ties between parents and siblings is the insistence by one over the other that it is correct in various matters. Uncompromisingly so. Estrangement is becoming common.

Sick! Love one another has gone out the window!

Sam Kaufman won election to be Mayor of Key West. I do not know him, have never met him. His track record excellent. I believe he will make an excellent Mayor. 

Trump is married to Melania. Yet it appears he is having an open affair with Natalie Harp. He took her off Air Force One with him when he left Tehran. No matter how you cut it, a President does not have an open affair as Trump and Natalie are.

Tasteless!

Our military are exhausted. Whether on land or by sea. Trump and Hegseth lack the knowledge to properly care for them. On the other hand, maybe neither care.

The U.S. could be facing a national blackout. Our power relays are aging. Some already aged. A blackout could last years. Is anyone paying attention?

A federal judge is allowing limited testing to Trump’s plan to paint the Eisenhower Building white. It now has a gray granite exterior. Note, only a small area to be tested.

Another fuck up in the making. The Judge smart to first permit a small area to be tested.

Pink lemonade invented by a circus clown who wore pink tights.

Pink lemonade does not necessarily have to be made pink. Have coloring of some sort added. There are pink lemons that produce pink juice.

Pigs don’t sweat. An interesting tidbit of information.

Porky Pig debuted in the animated short “I Haven’t Got A Hit” in 1935.

An eggplant is 95 percent water.

China is a major producer of eggplant. For real! China produced 39,318,525 tons of eggplants in 2022.

Ninety percent of an iceberg is located below the surface.

The average American eats 27 pounds of bananas each year. I do not believe it. My reason simple. Most if not all people eat bananas and bananas are heavy.

Disneyland Resort entertained its one billionth guest this year.

The number of applicants for MIT’s Class of 2029 numbered 29,281. 

There are an estimated 62 million cats in the United States.

Eighty two thousand trees are cut every year to make pencils.

I never made it to The Grand yesterday. Began feeling poor around 1 and became increasingly sick by 4.

Nurse Deborah due at 11 for a regular visit.

Still without a car.

Enjoy your day!

Bruce is a dog. Bruce through his attorney filed an emergency appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. Bruce is/was a 120 pound 3 year old Anatolian Shepherd. A lower court had found he was vicious  and ordered him euthanized. Bruce had bitten 3 people, attacked a child, and kicked over a man pushing a wheel chair.

His appeal to the Supreme Court: SAVE BRUCE!

Unfortunately, the request to the Supreme Court was too late. He was euthanized last Wednesday before the Justices had an opportunity to act.

Was Bruce’s appeal proper for Supreme Court consideration? I believe so. Especially when compared to the hundreds of Trump’s foolish court proceedings.

It is not just the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln that is having problems. The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Benfold lost power for 4 days in the South China Sea. It also has run out of drinkable water, working toilets, and air conditioning. 

Why is this happening? What is going on? Never heard of things in such numbers going on under Presidents prior to Trump.

Ah, the story of Issac Newton and the apple. Learned for the first time in early grammar school. Newton was sitting under an apple tree when a falling apple hit him on the head. A scientific discovery resulted. Gravity!

Newton did not reveal his “finding” at the time it occurred. He waited till his late life. 

The story has another version. The apple did not hit Newton on the head. He merely saw it fall. His immediate concern was why it had not fallen right or left instead of straight down. Whatever, gravity still the name of the game!

Paper money was first established by the fledging U.S. in 1775. In 1791, the U.S. was desperate for a stable form of money. Alexander Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury at the time. He initiated a new type money. Metal based, not paper yet. Coins made of copper, silver, and gold in every value.

The first $1 paper note did not have George Washington’s image on it. The image was that of Samuel Chase, Treasury Secretary at the time. It was not till 1869 (yes, that late) that Washington’s face appeared and remains to present day. 

Martha Washington made it on the $1 bill for a short period of time . In 1886 the Silver Certificate was issued. It bore Martha’s image for a short period of time. Martha is the only woman to have appeared on American money.

Ebola cases continue rising in the Congo. Number of confirmed cases reported so far 4,945.

Protect our borders!

Robert Redford: “Not taking a risk is a risk. That’s how I see it.”

Overseas traveling for U.S. citizens has hit big time! Americans want to travel, experience lots about different countries. Fifty six million traveled to Europe in 2025. Up 5.7 million from the year before. Up 32.7 million from 10 years before. 

In the U.S. we say “Once upon a time.” Other countries say the same thing using different words. Things like “Long, big ages, Once in the old days when tigers smoked cigars, and Beyond even night.” Again, same thought but different words.

More and more Americans are cutting family ties. Families, parents and children, are distancing themselves. 

It happens. I know. I have 4 children. All 60 years plus in age. We have not talked in 20 or more years, with one minor exception. Lisa and I have only recently begun exchanging a few words again. 

Sad! But that is the way life has evolved!

Leaders who start wars they should not have must be the saddest of persons. I refer to Putin and Ukraine, Trump and Iran. Both think they are big guys. They are, but not all the time as the two wars reflect.

The Supreme Court again rejected Trump’s bid to overturn E. Jean Carroll’s $5 million verdict against Trump.

Pay up Donald and get it over with! You played and now must pay!

I support Medicare for all. The U.S. is the only high income nation that does not have free health care.

The White House lawn is a mess. Huge brown areas all over the place. The result of parties Trump threw for July 4th. Why didn’t he do the necessary afterwards to fix things up. In Utica, I lived on 3 acres. I threw 2-3 100 to 200 person parties a year. My lawn got killed. You would never know it because the day after I had my ground keepers out doing the necessary to repair and renovate. Nary ever a brown spot.

Trump is opposed to voting by mail. Yet he votes by mail from Florida. Two faced!

A pleasant afternoon yesterday. Ally and Robert visited for more than an hour. Ally came to say good bye. She returns to college today. A 12 hour drive. She does not return till Christmas break The trip is too far to drive for a 4 day Thanksgiving holiday.

This was only the second time I saw Ally over the Summer. She waited tables at Alonzo’s almost every night. Made a ton of money. Worked hard for it.

She is now 20 years old. Her final college year ahead. She has matured. Looks like an adult. A woman. Absolutely beautiful! Gets good grades. Her cumulative index is 3.4.

The three of us had a ball! Dearly love them both!

I am still without a car. I was assured I will get it back “fixed” today. Hope so!

Tonight, The Grand. Hope I make it!

Enjoy your day!

In China, the number 8 is considered lucky. Extremely so. In Mandarin Chinese the number is consistent with “wealth” and “prosperity.”

So important to China is the number 8 that the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics began at precisely 8:08:08 p.m. on 8/8/08.

Trump has ordered a reduction of military exercises with South Korea. South Korea for many many years a close ally of the U.S.

Two reasons for Trump’s conduct. One, South Korea has failed to help the U.S. in the Iran War. Second, Trump says he has a “very good relationship” with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Which is like Trump saying he had a very good relationship with Hitler, Tojo and Stalin.

Live and learn. Sheep do not have upper teeth. Their upper plate is thick and tough flesh. Such helps sheep in their eating process.

Pineapples were once used as display items by the wealthy. Not used for eating purposes. In the 1700s, a pineapple cost $30,000 in today’s money. Today a “cheapie” to buy and consume. 

President Clinton admitted to an improper relationship with Monica Lewinsky this day in 1998.

Democrat John Ossoff is running for reelection to the U.S. Senate from Georgia. He is hitting Trump magnificently with every bad out of hand thing Trump has done.

I watched an old movie on TV yesterday. A criminal one. “The Miami Story.” Released in 1954. 

Portions of the movie took place at the Sans Souci Hotel in Miami. That is where my then wife and I spent our honeymoon. Even more interesting, if still married today would have been our 69th anniversary. No way, however. We have been divorced since 2008.

Hurricane Lala is a hurricane no more. It dropped below a “1.” However rain and wind continues to beat the hell out of Hawaii.

Wine bottles are designed with a “punt” in the bottom of the bottle. An indentation. 

Some bottles other than wine bottles also are designed with a punt.

Why the punt? Has to do with glassblowing. It began way before the Industrial Revolution. Glassblowing was producing bottles with rough indentations. Made it difficult for the bottles to stand without falling. So glassblowers began punting deeper. Made the indentation higher. Such remains with us today primarily with wine bottles.

The brain and belly are in “constant connection.”  Each helps digestion, work together to effect digestion. In a sense they talk to each other.

Clothing accessories were a struggle in the Renaissance era. One such item were the shoes wealthy women wore. High platform shoes called “choppiness.” Some reached nearly 20 inches high. Only the wealthy could afford them.

Two reasons. The cost of the material to make the shoe. The other that the woman wearing them required assistance from an employee to keep her up and balanced.

Hegseth said “all options” are on the table for the military. God help us! He will screw things up even more. 

Turns out the moon has caves. NASA wants to know what is inside them. NASA is studying how to shoot drones into them.

A stolen Picasso etching stolen from a gallery in 2018 was found in a vacant apartment in Milwaukee.

Cruise ships process 50 gallons of water per person per day.

My car. Hope I get it back today. Impossible to live without a car. Especially in Key West. Especially when my walking ability remains limited to one or two short blocks at a time.

Enjoy your day!