The world changed saturday morning when Hamas attacked Israel. The Middle East is too important and influential in world affairs for it not to be so. Every nation is affected.

One initial question is whether the Republican House of Representatives can change also. The U.S. war mentality is decidedly up front. Guns do not have to go off on U.S. soil in today’s climate for such to be so. The attack on Israel is far more important and delicate than the one on Ukraine.

I worry the House Republicans will not be able to handle it. Republicans and Democrats must be on the same side where acute war threatening issues are at hand. An actual attack on the U.S. is not the time any more. The time is NOW for team play.

Republican reaction thus far has sucked. They are playing the blame game instead of standing together. I watched two Republican Congressman throw the blame ball at Biden’s head with the Iran fungible issue. They were adamant. They had a new word, a toy, to play with. Fungible. I wonder if either had ever heard of the word before saturday.

The Republicans need a Speaker who understands cooperation as opposed to opposition when it comes to today’s military/war issues.

Two U.S. Congress members were in Israel saturday when the attack occurred. Both Democrats, not that such matters. If they were Republicans, their reactions would have been the same.

New York Rep. Dan Goldman was there with his wife and children for a family bar mitzvah. They were scared. Sat out the attack in a stairwell. All have returned safely to the U.S.

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker was jogging when the bombs began falling. He was in Israel on an economic mission re the Abraham Accord. He sat out the attack in a stairwell. He and his staff have returned safely home also.

Both men and those with them feared what was occurring. Thought the attack horrific.

Seven hundred Israeli and visitors dead. Four hundred Hamas persons. The numbers on both sides will rise dramatically.

Netanyahu promises retribution on a massive scale. I listened to an Israeli Lt. Colonel on TV yesterday. He was inflamed. He viewed the attack as Israel’s Pearl Harbor and 9/11. Assured retribution big time.

I could not help but agree. At least 100 hostages have been taken. Among them some Americans. Mostly Israeli women, children, the elderly and disabled. Brutality treated as taken. Videos support the meanness of the event. Rapes reported.

Netanyahu promises “mighty revenge.” I am quick to agree. However, I worry that Netanyahu has spoken them. He is in trouble. Unpopular with Israelis prior to the attack. Under indictment. I fear he will use the “war” to save his ass. Who was it that said…..You go to war with the men you have.

“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Hebrews 10-30. And “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself,” Leviticus 18:19, do not apply. Both statements have been determined to be inapplicable when a nation has been offended such as Hamas as done to Israel or Japan to the U.S. with Pearl Harbor. 

I agree Hamas must pay. Evil in such circumstances must be returned with evil. An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, situation.

So let us not cry out too much, too hard, when Israel lays the hammer on Hamas.

Words of wisdom for today. Found in Kareem Abdu-Jabbar’s blog this date.  Kareem drew on Pogo’s words in Walt Kelley’s poster for Earth Day 1970, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Kareem’s comment: “We have met the enemy and he is us. How else do you explain a rapist and fraud who wanted to suspend the U.S. Constitution being the front-runner for President?”

Enjoy your day! A thoughtful one.

Trump has been sharing  a sketch of Jesus Christ sitting beside him at counsel table in the New York City fraud case. Jesus apparently portrayed to reflect Trump’s innocence. 

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar commented on the sketch in his 10/6 blog. Kareem saw another possibility. Jesus was crucified with two thieves. Reflecting as Trump sat next to Jesus in court that Trump is a thief, but Jesus would comfort him as He comforted the two men hung on each side of Him. The sketch having nothing to do with innocence.

My discomfort with the Syracuse result yesterday compels a prompt expression today. Syracuse fell to North Carolina yesterday 40-7.

Why? What is going on?

North Carolina destroyed Syracuse. North Carolina undoubtedly the superior team yesterday. May be one of the best in the Nation.

However Syracuse is not lacking. Garrett Shrader is an outstanding quarterback. He can pass and run. He has excellent receivers. The defensive line is outstanding. The offensive line concededly needs some work.

If the team is that good, why has it looked so bad in its last two games? It has to be the coaching. Get rid of Coach Dino Babers! There is no reason to hang on to a guy who has great playing talent and some excellent coaches working beneath him. The cry was out last year to let him go. Money became the problem. For Syracuse to negate Babers’ contract would have cost something like $6 million. Pay him at the end of this season and get rid of him!

Babers’ blundering has become too much for me. Besides failing to make the quality players he coaches produce, he is guilty of stupid errors in judgment. Like opting to kick the ball on 4th down in the last quarter when Syracuse was losing by some 30 points. It was 4th and 5. He should have gone for it. What did he have to lose? Syracuse had already lost the game!

I apologize for my attitude. However, my dear Syracuse is getting to me in my old age! I hope the basketball team does better.

Key Westers are a people of honor. Most motivated by that which hopefully will keep Key West funky. A different place. Naples, Palm Beach and Nantucket we ain’t!

A new award has been established. The “Key West Weird Award.”  The first goes to a man recognized by everyone by his running daily on North Roosevelt Boulevard. Douglas Miller. He runs at dawn or dusk, shirtless, in red shorts adorned with flashy reflections. His long hair tucked into a big, red wide brimmed hat. He proudly always carries a large American flag.

Miller has been so running for several decades. Now receiving official recognition for his positive contribution to Key West’s unique culture.

How large is the Hamas/Israel conflict now and how large will it be? How many nations will openly join in? I refer to those who may become a part and are “friends” or “blood brothers” to Hamas.

Hamas is one large tight city. People make up its constituency, not military installations. Israeli retaliations cannot help but kill and injure Palestinians living there. The world must recognize this as a fact before complaining about citizens being killed. For some reason, persons over the years have forgotten wars cannot be waged without citizens being killed and injured.

There is already talk, and perhaps correctly, that Iran is behind Hamas. Israelis will go after everyone involved in the attack upon them. And properly so. I believe for a number of reasons Japan deserved the two atomic bombs dropped on them. Wars cannot be won without ordinary citizens being killed. I believe the Ukraine problem cannot be resolved without some Russian people suffering and dying in the process as the Ukrainians are.   

Note this war is only 24 hours old. Even Lebanon got in the act yesterday. Lebanon is reported to have been bombing Israeli communities in the north. Israel returning fire, of course.

Yesterday’s Hamas’ attack already indicates 600 dead Israelis. The number not total yet. The 600 only reflects those reported by hospitals to have died. The non-hospital dead and those not yet reported missing and unaccountable remain to be added.

Things are only going to get worse before better. Lets hope better comes soon before the Hamas attack becomes the match to ignite a gigantic war among hot headed neighbors who have hated each other for years.

The COLA Social Security increase to be announced October 12.

Coffee prices are on the rise. Especially, latte. The additives giving the coffee flavor have increased in price. Increases in coffee and milk generally in the past 3 years also. The overall increase is 15-17 percent.

Sergeant Alvin York’s bravery and fame were established this day in 1918 at the Argonne Forest in France. He killed more than 20 German soldiers and captured 132 more.

York was awarded the Congressional Medal Honor for his exploits.

Years later, a movie was made about his heroics starring Gary Cooper.

Enjoy your Sunday!

After months of 2-3 attacks a day, Gaza has opted for all out war against Israel. Palestinian militants launched a series of surprise assaults early today against Israel. Major assaults. Air, land and sea.  

Forty one Israelis killed thus far. Just under 800 treated at hospitals for injuries. Communities captured. Israel set back on its heels for the moment.

Netanyahu announced Israel is at war. Condemns Hamas for its unprovoked, heinous attack.

The Biden administration says it stands firmly with Israel.

Permit me to be philosophical for a moment.

War is in man’s blood. There is a war or wars everywhere on the Earth all the time.

“The war to end all wars”…..What a joke! The number of wars since World War I has been endless. The blood shedding speaks for itself.

The Gaza-Israeli conflict must be confined as the Russia-Ukraine one. The alternative obvious: All out nuclear devastation.

There is a lesson to be learned here. Our conflicted Congress must start working together. Otherwise, the conflicts of other countries will creep into our being and make the U.S. susceptible to being beaten.

Citizens’ Voice today. Words of wisdom: “Keep Halloween fun and keep giving out candy. Trick or treat happens one day a year. They can eat fruits and nuts the other 364 days.”

Happy hour yesterday at Thai Island. Usual good time had. Enjoyed with Steve, Cindy, Ellen and Amy. Amy a 30 year Key West friend whose acquaintance recently renewed.

Syracuse/North Carolina today. Syracuse 4-1, North Carolina 4-0. North Carolina ranked #14 nationally.

North Carolina favored.

Game time 3:30 pm on ESPN.

I hope Garrett Shrader is in top shape and able to perform well.

Enjoy your day!

The numbers are out re September job growth. Phenomenal: 336,000!

Surprised me. Sure it surprised most of you. Democrats were hoping for around 180,000. Republicans lower and all over the place. I saw one prediction at 120,000.

Unemployment 3.8 percent. 

Inflation, though constantly severely criticized by Republicans, continues to be the lowest of any major industrial country in the world.

So why all the negatives re the economy? People are not listening to Biden. For some reason, too many only listen to Trump. When will they learn the man knows little and also lies.

Pray tell, who will be the next Speaker? Going to be interesting. Don’t see it being resolved in one day.

Abraham Lincoln was a politician. He worked with everyone, both sides of the aisle, anyone who could help him. He knew how to give a little to get a little. A virtue few politicians know or practice today. They are hard ass/adamant in the positions they take.

Biden has a “hot potato” to deal with in producing aid for Ukraine in the near future. It will be destructive for our Nation’s image and his if he fails.

Biden errs in going ahead in building/completing one wall on the U.S.-Mexican border. He should have left the money sitting till a time came when he could use it as he saw fit.

Biden has to do something NOW with immigration. Too much out of hand. He has to stop anyone coming across the border, even the legals. At the same time, he needs to get financial help to the U.S. cities presently bearing the burden of the abnormal immigration influx.

Trump is terrific. It is now revealed that he disclosed nuclear submarine secrets to an Australian at Mar-a-Lago who in turn shared the information with others who then told even others. Some 45 persons learned these “secrets.”

Smith is investigating.

Giuliani hurting financially big time. The IRS placed a lien on his Florida condo because he owes around $550,000 in taxes.

Mike Lindell, the My Pillow Guy, who was and is a major Trump supporter hurting big time financially also.

Amazing how everyone who got close to Trump is getting burned. Their problem is they went to bed with a dog who had fleas.

Putin suggests Prigozhin and his associates were drunk and that is why their plane crashed. The world is laughing at his representation. The general consensus is Putin arranged for the deaths.

On this day in 1927, the era of talking pictures arrived. “The Jazz Singer” opened starring Al Jolson singing.

Caused the motion picture industry to change abruptly from silent to talking films.

Eaton Street is in much worse shape than Flagler. Flagler’s manhole problem no comparison to the problems confronting drivers on Eaton.

The Senator Menendez and wife Karen corruption case has taken on a new twist. Something about an automobile accident in which Karen was driving the car car which resulted in the death of a pedestrian. Reports of the incident suggest a cover up. The Senator and Karen were not married at the time. Somehow she ended up with a new free Mercedes-Benz because of the incident.

Trump speaks insanely many times. Without sufficient or at times any thought. His most recent sounds like an order: “The Supreme Court must intercede” to help him with a “barrage of lawsuits.”

Amazing! One way or another, Trump is responsible for all of them. Following which he brings a multitude of generally baseless motions and appeals to delay things.

Enjoy your day!

Only in Key West!

Last night was a good one!

Happy Hour at The Grand.

Steve was back. Been gone two weeks. Family rented a house up north in Florida and got together. It was good to see him. Cindy partying somewhere else with her girl friends.

Matt bartending.

I sat between two Lisas. Lucky me.

One was Lisa from Toledo, Ohio. She was with her husband Greg. They have been frequent Key West visitors for 17 years. Generally twice a year. They have stayed everywhere on the island. They have a 30 year old daughter who is involved in security work.

Lisa and Greg retired school teachers.

Lisa is a cancer survivor. Twice. Breasts. One gone, The other taken care of with a lumpectomy. She now knits hats for cancer survivors. Those who lose their hair during treatments.

We had an interesting conversation re mastectomys, a woman’s pride afterwards with the new breast, etc.

Greg and I were not next to each other so had little opportunity to chat. Lisa told me golf is his life. Five to seven times a week. A 7 handicap. Bless him! Fortunate me we did not talk. I am a 35 handicap and would have embarrassed myself.

The other Lisa a neighbor, though we had never met. She lives on the golf course, also.

We discussed the neighborly attitude of our fellow golf course neighbors. Few talk with each other.

Lisa a 60 year old hair stylist who specializes in electrolysis. Her husband Bill has been a tent specialist all his life. The have been married 30 years.

A charming woman. Always a smile.

The Lisas left. Jeff was seated two seats away.

Jeff a 53 year old resident of Naples. Visits Key West every couple of years.

His business extremely interesting. He found his niche in life. His company Passionte Petari-s. Hope I got the name right. I was on my third drink as I was talking with him. It somehow involves the Petaris Restaurant in Bonita Springs. What his company does is contract with name theatrical acts. On their final night wherever appearing, it is customary to throw a party. His company does it nonmatter where. A top quality event provided.

If I’m lucky, I should run into the Two Lisas and Jeff again in the next week.

Tonight, I will be with Steve again. Thai Island bar. Like I wrote earlier, I’m glad he’s back.

Key West’s COVID of 1899 continues to be yellow fever. The total up by 22 making it 960 Key West cases for 1899.

Certain Key West residents back then questioned whether the “yellow fever” was for real. They questioned the validity of the disease as was done by some with COVID claims years later. The outbreak not genuine and medical care not necessary. The dissidents wanted doctors to stop worrying people about yellow fever.

People never change!

On this day in 1953, former California Governor and Republican Earl Warren was sworn in as the 14th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. A conservative as a politician, he became a liberal while serving on the Supreme Court. He delivered the unanimous ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.

President Eisenhower nominated Warren to be Chief Justice. He said many times thereafter, Warren was the worst mistake he made as President.

How much more can House Republicans be screwed up?

I ask the question. Not sure of the answer.

Whoever is running the House Republicans at the moment appears to be playing vindicative kid stuff.

The first thing the new interim Speaker, North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry, did tuesday was kick some House Democrats out of their office space.

Nancy Pelosi received an email advising her she was losing her Capitol office space and was required to “vacate the space tomorrow.” The locks would be changed at that time.

Pelosi received the email while in California attending Senator Feinstein’s wake.

What bullshit!

Strike time in vogue!

Starbucks, UAW, movie writers and actors first. Now, 75,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers. The largest health care workers strike in U.S. history.

Biblical support: “The Lord is My Shepherd.” Psalm 23:1.

Jim Jordan Speaker?

One of Trump’s closest supporters. Similar relationship Himmler to Hitler.

McCarthy’s defeat was an “earthquake.” A small handful of extremists won. Their “victory” a loss for good government and democracy.

The solution a simple one. Responsible Republicans must step up to save their party and Nation. They must ask of their dissenting colleagues: “Have you no sense of decency?”

Enjoy your day!

The damages portion of the civil case brought against Trump by the New York’s Attorney General begins today. Last week, the Judge found there was sufficient evidence to render a summary judgment decision that Trump was guilty of outright fraud. Such leaves only the damages portion of the case to be decided. That is the part of the case that began today.

Trump is appearing. A picture has already been on the internet showing him sitting at counsel table between his attorneys waiting for the trial to begin. The visitor portion behind him shows a packed courtroom.

The case is non jury which means  the Judge will decide how much it will cost Trump for his many business wrongdoings where he inflated the value of his assets to secure favorable loans and insurance terms.

The Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava conflict on the green of the 18th hole. The facts are well known and need not be repeated here. My feelings concerning the issue are that LaCava was wrong. 

McIlroy still had to putt. A birdie putt if made would split the match rather than award a whole point to the U.S. LaCava interfered with McIlroy’s lining up the putt. LaCava continued to wave his hat even following McIlroy asking him to move.

The green belongs to players first, caddies second. LaCava was out of hand. Justifiably excited. Nevertheless, he overstepped his bounds.

LaCava’s “sin” had to be an extreme one. McIlroy said LaCava’s actions made him the maddest he has ever been in his golfing career.

There are good policemen. An Alabama experience proves the point.

The “thief” Kate Johnson. She receives monthly pay of Ghc720 per month. She cares for herself, 2 daughters, 2 grandchildren and a niece. She lost her paycheck the week before the incident to be described.

The children/dependents she cares for had not eaten for 2 days. She went to buy eggs. Only had 50 cents. Stole 5 eggs instead. One for each of those she was supporting.

She got caught. The police were called. Told her story to Officer William Stacy and a store staff person. They decided not to press charges.

Officer Stacy bought her a dozen eggs.

Later that week Officer Stacy, along with a few others, came to Johnson and gifted her with 2 trucks of food to feed her family.

Proving some policemen are good. God is good.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar writes a blog also. He has been doing so for years.

One of his comments in today’s blog involves Trump. He spells out Trump wants to murder shoplifters. In so doing, the U.S. would be following the policies of Iran, China and North Korea where thieves are executed.

Trump stated his position at a GOP luncheon friday in California: “Very simply, if you rob a store, you can fully expect to be shot as you are leaving the store. Shot.”

My thought: Trump’s position justifies “murder” by police officers. imagine Kate Johnson in Alabama and her theft of 5 eggs. If a police officer had been in the store at he time of the theft, she could have been shot with impunity.

Her death would have been a punishment far greater than the crime committed. And don’t say it could not happen. We live in crazy times. Deaths by police officers have occurred with little or no justification in recent years all over our country.

Additionally assume Johnson was shot and killed in her theft of 5 eggs, who would take care of her 5 dependents? The State in the final analysis. The tab being paid with taxpayer dollars.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) will forever be remembered for his January 6 actions. He was videoed climbing the steps of the Capitol as the insurrection was forming, turning to face them with a raised fist and smile in support of them.

He has a history of being anti-union. Nevertheless last monday, he visited striking auto workers in Wentzville where he called himself “pro-worker” and encouraged higher pay for auto workers. 

The auto workers did not “buy” his Johnny come lately “recent support.” They let him know they were aware of his anti-union positions and that he took contributions from auto companies.

Hawley has a 0% agreement rating with the UAW and an 11 % approval rating with the AFL-CIO.

Hawley’s lies did not fly.

Enjoy your day!

The Dome was packed. Forty thousand strong. Excitement running high. Syracuse prepared to beat Clemson.

Never happened. Clemson destroyed Syracuse 31-14.

Such is life!

The handwriting was on the wall early in the first quarter. Syracuse turned over the ball twice leading to early Clemson touchdowns.

Clemson was ready for Garrett Schrader. Its defensive line was on top of him constantly. Forced most of his long passes to go long or be out of bounds when caught. Schrader never got his personal running game going. Again, Clemson on top of him constantly.

Some of Coach Dino Babers decisions were lacking. He seems to be learning on the job. The most outlandish, on a Syracuse 4th and 10 he had Denaburg attempt a 57 yard field goal. No way Jose! He had never made one that long or tried one that long before. He came up short.

Clemson was the better team. Yesterday. The Syracuse coaches have to figure out how to work around a fast moving defensive line in future games. Everyone is going to do it.

The Ryder Cup. Play began at 5:30 this morning. No problem for me. I generally rise 5-5:30 to begin work on the blog. Got a got night’s sleep beforehand to make up for the night before.

The U.S. down 11 1/2 – 5 1/2 to start on this final day. Fourteen and one half points needed to win. It’s 11 am at the moment. Score Europe 14, US 10. Our guys are trying hard. Can they make it? Would be the miracle of miracles!

I am adding this at 11:15. Europe just won 15-11. Two matches still ongoing. They play till everyone is done. However, the conclusion is clear. Europe the winner. Europe played fantastic the first day and a half. Made the US look inept. The US finished well nevertheless.  Wait till next year!

Halloween is coming! With a surprise this year. A big one. Pumpkins will be bigger than normal. The reason: The wet summer preceded by a hot June. Perfect conditions for growing larger than normal squashes of every variety.

France has the Olympics next summer. Higher than normal tourists this past summer. And…..An increase in bed bugs! Even on trains and in movie theaters.

Paris is particularly affected. The problem is so bad the government has advised insurance companies to add eradication costs to coverages.

So many things Congress has to deal with and fails to do so. Especially the House of Representatives.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is leader of the small mad MAGA group who take their marching orders from Trump. Gaetz vows he will move to vacate Speaker McCarthy this week. He’s upset McCarthy backed the measure to prevent a government shut down last night.

The kook wants to be governor of Florida. He’s worse than DeSantis!

My home town is Utica, NY. This time of the year, it experiences “Indian Summer.” An example is this mid week when it will be in the 80’s (Indian Summer) and by the end of the week in the 50’s (closer to normal this time of the year).

The way it has been, is, and always will be.

The government shut down has been averted. For 45 days. Hopefully it will be resolved by then. 

My immediate concern now is Ukraine. Let’s get the necessary done re Ukraine. It was left out of the package that averted the shut down. We are protecting our asses when we help Ukraine in its war with Putin.

A suggestion has been made to name A1A as the “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.”

Forget it! Buffett stands for smiles and joy. Most of A1A is horrible to drive. It runs through many cities along the Atlantic seaboard in Florida. Where traffic is heavy, slow moving and carbon monoxide infested.

Never a joy to travel!

Exception: US 1 from Key West to Florida City. Part of A1A or A1A part of US 1. Whatever.

Got my COVID and flu shots at CVS on US 1 on Stock Island Friday. Took all of 10 minutes for paperwork and shots. No appointment required. CVS staff pleasant and courteous.

Happy Birthday Jimmy Carter! Ninety nine years old! 

An amazing person! God bless him!

A progressive Democrat was caught on video pulling a fire alarm in order to delay the government shut down vote in the House. Speaker McCarthy had handed out a 70 odd page bill covering what he claimed “everyone” would find amenable. He refused however to provide time to read it. Just vote! his declaration.

Who could trust him?

Now some Republicans want the Democrat who pulled the fire alarm to be arrested. McCarthy should be the one arrested for trying to force a piece of important legislation down the throats of the House without members having an opportunity to read it. 

I find the Democrat Congressman’s action by pulling the alarm no different than Lincoln’s when he was in the Illinois State Legislature. The opposition had locked all the legislators in the Chamber. No one could get out. The purpose was to have a quorum so a certain bill could be passed. Lincoln jumped out a second story window to avoid remaining.

Good going, Mr. Lincoln!

Enjoy your Sunday!

I need sleep! My ass is dragging!

Another night of watching the Ryder Cup. Been up since 1:30 am. I’m destroying myself! And for what? The USA team sucks!

We are into the second half of the second day at the moment. The USA team has started well. Hope they keep it up. 

Dinner at Brady’s last night. Sat with Richard at the bar. An old friend from Don’s Place. Chef at Half Shell Raw Bar. Good company.

Enjoyed perogies. Amazing…..An Irish pub that serves great Polish perogies and Italian lasagna and chicken parmigan!

Hope I can stay awake for the Syracuse/Clemson game which begins at noon.

That’s all for today. I’m beat. Have nothing more to give.

Enjoy your day!

Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) died. Ninety years old.

A dedicated public servant for 50 years going back to her time in local public office in California. Her Senate reputation that of a work horse as opposed to a show horse.

Yes, she did out spend her years in the Senate by a year or so. However, she earned that time.

May she rest in peace.

Syracuse/Clemson tomorrow. Syracuse a 7 point favorite. Available on ABC at 12 noon.

Ted Williams is one of America’s greatest baseball players. A legend. It was September 1960 and the last day of the season. He played in a doubleheader. Went 6 for 8. Drove his batting average to .406. The last player to hit .400 since Bill Terry in 1930. No one has done so since Williams did in 1960.

Williams finished his career with a .344 batting average. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame immediately upon eligibility in 1966.

What is most interesting is that Williams achieved his baseball distinctions while having spent time serving in World War II and the Korean War as a Marine fighter pilot. For certain of those years, he was wingman for John Glenn.

I write about Williams for a second and more important reason. He lived a significant number of years in the Florida Keys. In his later years as a player and in retirement. In Islamorada at mile marker 82. 

Williams was a fisherman. Not sure what he loved more. Fishing or playing baseball. He selected Islamorada for his home as Islamorada was and still is known as the Fishing Capital of the World.

He finally sold his home in Islamorada for an understandable reason. He said he sold it when he had to wait to cross U.S. 1 because of the traffic.

Greta Thunberg is a force in the modern climate change revolution. She was a mere 16 year old when in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit she chastised world leaders for their inaction in the face of threatening climate change. She warned: “Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up, and change is coming whether you like it or not.”

Note her words: “…..change is coming.” Spoken only 4 years ago. Right she was!

Today is National Coffee Day. There is a second coffee day also – International Coffee Day in 2 days on October 1. Coffee consumption is so powerful it deserves two days for celebratory purposes.

Americans drink 517 million cups of coffee a day. That’s more than any other beverage including water.

The Ryder Cup.

Europe has a commanding 4-0 lead after initial four ball matches which began at 1:30 am ET time. The Europeans looked far superior to the Americans.

The handwriting was on the wall and obvious with Hovland’s play on the first 2 holes. He chipped in on the first and sunk a long putt on the second. His team had an early 2-0 lead and won 4-3.

I woke at 2:30 am and watched on TV. It turned out not to be worth losing sleep over.

An interesting story in this morning’s Key West Citizen occurred this day in 1847. A “ship boy” was rescued from the schooner St. Mary’s which had been wrecked at the Dry Tortugas. “He” was discovered to be a girl, surprising crewmates and rescuers.

The girl, Johanna, was taken to Key West and placed with a family. The community was divided over her “donning attire not belonging to her, some admired her pluck, others found it offensive.”

There had to be a story here. I researched it briefly on the internet. Found nothing.

Neville Chamberlain: “Peace for our time.” I have always believed Chamberlain simply stated got bullshitted by Hitler.

His words those of appeasement. Detrimental. Their failure a warning for all time not to try to appease a dictator. Millions subsequently died when Hitler voided the agreement.

On this day in 1938, British, French, German and Italian leaders concluded the Munich Agreement by allowing Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland.

On this day in 1978, I was godfather to a newly baptized niece. I had not been to Confession, Mass or Communion in 20 years. I did it all preparatory to my godfather function.

Mass, Communion and Baptism were in the morning. Later that day, I was lying on a chaise lounge in my brother in law’s back yard enjoying a party honoring the Baptism when the news was announced that Pope John Paul I had died. He had only been Pope just over one month.

I laughed. Thought it funny. I go to Mass and Communion, and the Pope dies. Not funny, though at the time it struck me as such.

It was 15 years more before I did  Confession, Mass and Communion again. No relationship between John Paul’s death and the time involved in my failing to adhere to the rules of my Catholic faith. Merely part of my being a fallen away Catholic.

Government shut down possible this weekend. Hope it gets averted. Nothing good can come of it.

Wake up America! Start voting for people who are not power crazy MAGA nuts.

Enjoy your day!

Tell me why?

I go to Walgreens for COVID and flu shots and have to make an appointment. I go to CVS and they will take me immediately without an appointment. Doesn’t make sense. 

I take 17 pills a day. Walgreens lost me as a customer several years ago because I got sick and tired of putting up with their bullshit and waiting in non moving lines for my prescription drugs.. There have to be others like me who went elsewhere.

I did not get my shots yesterday at CVS. I planned on going out in the evening and wanted to enjoy a few drinks. Today or tomorrow I will get the shots.

It was the Thai Island Bar in the early evening. Enjoyed a California roll and Kim.

Kim a beautiful 35 year old who looks like she’s going on 25. Works with Island Dental as a receptionist. A terrific conversationalist. Enjoyed my time with her. 

Forgetful me. I left my credit card on the bar. Kim ran after me to return it.

I may make appointment for dental work at Island Dental so I can run into Kim again.

Home and in bed at 8. Got comfortable to watch the Republican debate at 9. Never saw it. Fell asleep. Woke at midnight.

From what I saw of the reruns and heard on the talk shows this morning, the debate sucked. I missed nothing.

Two most important issues were in the news yesterday. A judge in New York having found Trump guilty of business fraud and Trump’s text that General Milley deserved execution. Not even covered during the debate. Moderators’ fault. They should have raised both. FOX was sponsoring the event. Guess that explains it.

We are a screwed up Nation. Republicans love Trump by a wide margin and he does not even debate. Democrats worry about Biden’s age. They forget Trump is only 3 years younger. More especially, I consider Biden to be one of the best Presidents we have had. He saved us from the debacle Trump left us in.

Actress Bridget Bardot is 89. She was the hottest thing going in movie films in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Introduced the bikini. I remember her well.

Carl Hiaasen is a successful author. He writes for adults and middle grade readers.

I never heard of him. Till yesterday. Morning Joe gave him a full 20 minutes interview with everyone questioning him. Each excited about his new book Wrecker which was published two days ago on 9/26.

Wrecker sounds specially interesting. It is Key West based.

Its “hero” is 15 year old Valdez Jones who calls himself Wrecker because his great, great, great, great, great grandfather salvaged ships for a living. Is it destiny, irony, or just bad luck when Wrecker comes across a speedboat that has run aground on a sand flat? The boat people do not want Wrecker to call for help. In fact, they’ll pay him to forget he even saw them.

Wrecker would be happy to forget, but he keeps seeing these men all over Key West. At the marina, even in the cemetery. And now they want more than his silence. They want a lookout.

The story involves Wrecker’s deep dive into their shady dealings. 

The story takes place during the pandemic. Key West’s mask wearing history is briefly referred to. As a result, cries are already being emitted demanding the book be banned from libraries. Such bullshit. Wreckers is good enough for 20 minutes on a top talk show and not enough for some local nut(s).

Wrecker has significant Key West value. Covers Key West’s history of the vaccine, the environmental impact of cruise tourism, and the effects of COVID 19 on both people’s lives and criminal activities.

A must read.

Today another “shame” by House Republicans. They will hold their first hearing on the Biden “impeachment inquiry.”

 Within hours, certain House Republicans will have closed the government down. That is where their attention should be directed. Not at Biden. The charges are not new. Old! They have been debunked over and over again for years.

Enough for today. Ryder Cup on TV!

Enjoy your day!