WINTER MOVING IN

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Weather changes are abrupt in Key West. We move from one season to another overnight. It looks like we are moving into winter. A Key West winter. Not so bad. Better here than up north where they have already experienced snow.

The wind was strong yesterday and from the north. Especially on the gulf side of the island. Waves and white caps were discernible in the water.

The temperature was ok, however. In the high 70s. As it will be today. The wind brings with it the cold off the ocean, however. I was out last night. A sweat shirt would have helped.

The reaction to the book thus far has been gratifying. Emails from all over. Even China. Thank you one and all. Now I hope someone buys the book.

Once again, the title is The World Upside Down. It has been published in ebook and paperbook versions. It is available via the internet from three sources: Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and AbsolutelyAmazingeBooks.com.

I occasionally get screwed up. Keith was over Tuesday night. He told me my license plate had expired. It was to have been renewed in July. I was in Greece in July. Never saw the registration renewal letter. I have been driving for three months an unregistered vehicle.

Now that I knew, I was not going to drive the car till it was registered. Ergo, I had to beg rides. Twice.

DMV Florida has stringent rules on anything and everything to do with cars. I went to the internet first to see what was required to renew a previously registered Florida vehicle. I brought everything the official State DMV site said was required. The nice lady at DMV told me I needed one other item. I said it was not on the internet. She said, I know but you still need it.

So it went. I finally got the car registered. The people at DMV here in Key West are pleasant. Rules are rules, however.

A friend in Italy emailed me yesterday to tell me I had dual citizenship. I am an Italian citizen also because one of my parents was born in Italy. My mother. I plan on doing nothing with the knowledge. I am happy where I am as I am. In spite of everything going on, there is nothing like the USA!

The Chart Room last night. My one and only stop. Visited with Emily, Peter and Sean. Peter was dressed for the weather. Long pants, a sweater and a denim jacket.

A lot of tourists. I was surprised because there is nothing of significance this weekend, other than a film festival.

Bocce tonight. The last night of the season. It will be a fun evening. Nothing at stake. We will finish somewhere in the middle of the standings.

Tomorrow morning The Key West Lou Legal Hour. My TV/internet show. Ten my time. Via television from Key West through Boca Raton. Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw.com.

If you miss the show, you can see it on You Tube at your convenience. Enter Key West Lou.

Some interesting and revealing topics will be discussed. Like a U.S. accommodation of the Tea Party that is disturbing, an abuse of police power you will find hard to believe, additional poverty exploration, some cattle rustling, corporations getting bigger, how taxpayers are coming up short with regard to the GM bailout, and more.

Enjoy your day!

BOOK PUBLISHED!

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Let the drums roll out, let the trumpets blare…..My book was published this morning!

The World Upside Down has gone on sale.

I cannot tell you how excited I am! It is the first time I have ever done anything like this.

The book is available in two versions. Ebook and paperback. It can be found on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and AbsolutelyAmazingEBooks.com. In addition, Amazon Kindle.

I hope you enjoy reading it.

Enjoy your day!

VETERANS DAY PARADE TERRIFIC!

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Yesterday morning found Duval and Mallory Square quiet. The powerboat races were over. The participants had left town.

Things changed by late afternoon. Key Westers and tourists joined to celebrate Veterans Day. The curbs were crowded the whole length of the parade.

I was correct when I suggested earlier yesterday that small town parades were the best. Yesterday afternoon’s parade did not make a liar out of me.

Participating were the coast Guard, a Navy contingent, policemen on horses, high school students including cheerleaders and band, and two special cars carrying World War II veterans. The World War II veterans received loud cheers.

There were floats. Candy was thrown from the floats to children. The kids were running out to pick the candy up from where it landed on the street.

A special touch was the handing out to viewers of small American flags. Proudly waived during the parade by young and old alike.

I was watching the grandchildren earlier in the day. We walked around Mallory Square. Ended up at the Ocean Key House for lunch. Outside on the dock. Ally wanted an aqua colored table. Robert wanted one with an umbrella. Both requests were accommodated.

It was a first time visit for Robert and Ally. They enjoyed the whole scene, especially the boats. We were seated by the rail with the ocean immediately below us.

I never know what we are going to talk about. I let the grandkids take the lead. Robert got into evolution. Nine years old! He explained we were descendants of monkeys, baboons, and apes.

I asked…..What about Adam and Eve? I was shocked. Neither had ever heard of Adam and Eve. I got into God created the world, then Adam, and finally Eve. A first for them.

Tuesday again. Blog talk radio time. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. This evening at 9.

I wait till the day of the show to decide content. Things move so fast in today’s world that many times yesterday’s news is old hat.

I suspect I will be discussing whether Hilary Clinton’s time has passed for the Presidency. My concern is she represents a different generation. Perhaps we need a person closer to today’s problems. I have some things to say about General Motors which you will find interesting. Egypt and democracy is another topic.

Join me. The show is only a half hour. A fast moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

SMALL TOWN PARADES

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Over the years, I have come to realize how enjoyable small town parades are. In some instances, the best!

Two small town parades stand out in my mind. One is the Fourth of July parade in Chatham on Cape Code. I not only enjoyed the parade, I had an overwhelming sense of patriotic pride as I watched it. The other is Key West’s Christmas Parade. You have not seen a Christmas parade till you have seen Key West’s. It is miles long. Children everywhere.

I have never seen Key West’s Veteran’s Day Parade. Hopefully this afternoon at 4 I will.

Veteran’s Day. A special day set aside to honor those who sacrificed for our country. Actually, sacrificed for you and me. I never served. I was part of the Korean War generation. The war ended my senior year in high school and I went to college instead of into the Army. By the time Vietnam was in full swing, I was a practicing attorney with a wife and four children.

Some things bother me about our soldiers and veterans. Permit me to share a few with you.

Our government talks a good game, but plays a poor one. The number of veterans with disability claims not being paid attention to is enormous. About half a million. Money is the problem. The House of Representatives should be ashamed to have forgotten these warriors of yesterday. House members talk a good game about supporting the military. In reality, they fail.

I worry that we now have a professional army. Such makes a military take over of the government easier. Anything is possible today.

Contractor soldiers. Our shadow army. Private mercenaries in the pay of the United States. Wrong that we use them. It is the military complex having become stronger. The controls over them are significantly less than over the real military. They answer not to government. Rather to the corporations for whom they work.

Finally, we cannot fight everyone’s battles. In the last decade, we have had boots on the ground in too many countries. Many of these involvements were none of our business. We paid not only with money, but also the lives of our young men and women.

Consistent with the previous thought, we cannot bring democracy to other nations. They are and will be what they want to be. Our system of government is not for everyone. True democracy is leaving people alone to decide for themselves what type of government they wish.

I spent six hours yesterday finishing this week’s KONK Life column. Doolittle’s Raid. I wrote it for two reasons. First, it is Veteran’s Day time. The second is that most people under 50 probably do not know what Doolittle’s Raid was. It concerns me that many are unaware of their history. I learned of Lexington and Concord, the steam engine, and whatever else, in grammar school. Are students similarly taught today? What is taught concerning World War II?

Dinner last night with Lisa and the family. Always a joy!

I am a lucky man. Lunch 2 out of 3 days with the grandkids. I am babysitting today.

Enjoy your holiday!

LUNCH WITH TOMORROW’S LEADERS

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I enjoyed lunch yesterday with two of tomorrow’s leaders. My grandchildren, Robert and Ally. Always an experience!

We ate at Lobos. First time for all of us. Lobos is that little outdoor place with picnic tables on the pathway from Duval to the parking lot behind Antonio’s. We keep looking for new places to eat.

Lobos has to be a gold mine. The place is small, but was packed. Mostly tourists. Drinking beer and wine one after the other. One table of ladies champagne. Bottle after bottle.

Some clever/interesting comments arose during the luncheon. Everything originated in their minds and came out of their mouths. Like why do people always give the President a hard time? Perceptive, I thought. We want a Butterball turkey for Thanksgiving. Mom never makes one. Why Butterball, I asked. Because there is a ball of butter in it, replied Robert.

Sleeping Thanksgiving weekend will be a bit of a problem. Cameron will be home from college. Robert has taken over his bedroom. Robert will have to move into his sister’s bedroom and sleep in the bunk bed. He was not happy! Plus, the grandparents will be sleeping in the upstairs bedroom.

Spent some time in the afternoon working on the KONK Life column for this week. A little nationalistic pride. The topic is one few people are aware of. I only know because I am old enough to. Most who came before me are dead.

The topic is the Doolittle Raid. A World War II tale of pride and heroism.

I received an email from the publisher of my soon to be published book. The World Upside Down. The email had attachments consistiong of a 6″ x 9″ formated manuscript, the jpg cover, and the back cover text. Exciting! Another closer to publication!

Syracuse beat Maryland 20-3. Unexpected. I am proud of my alma mater. Syracuse is now 5-4. One more victory and Syracuse will receive a bowl bid.

I was unaware the game was to be televised. It was no big deal so as to be on national or regional TV. But there it was! I watched the game from 4 to 8. Never went out of course. The game kept me glued to the TV set.

I thought Syracuse played well. The best I have seen them play this season. The defense played especially well causing some fumbles and interceptions. I read a post game review by a sports columnist in a Maryland paper. His take was that Maryland handed the game to Syracuse because of their sloppy play. He had it wrong. The Syracuse defense caused Maryland to play poorly.

Go ‘Cuse!

Enjoy your Sunday!

WHERE HAVE CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY GONE?

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This morning’s news carried the story of two U.S. Navy admirals who have been suspended pending further investigation in a major bribery scandal involving a Singapore defense contractor. Several other high ranking Navy officers were previously removed from duty. The two Admirals are at the top of Naval intelligence.

It has to be the pinnacle in one’s life to have achieved Admiral status. The ultimate in respect goes with the status.

When I read something like today’s news report, I wonder what has happened to character and integrity. It was important once to each individual. Today, it appears it not as important. If I am correct, it is a cancer eating away at our society.

I add most of our Congressmen to the group. Where has honor gone?

Reviewed some new numbers yesterday for this blog. It is now being read in 68 countries. Amazing! The last time I looked it was 49. There was a definite upswing in readers in Sweden and Hong Kong. The blog took a nose dive in South Africa, however. My friend Rita in Calitzdorp, tell me what is happening!

Talking about the blog, permit a suggestion. I know a large number read the blog every day. Most by dialing up Keywestlou.com and reading it on Facebook. Why go through all that work. SUBSCRIBE instead. In the upper right hand corner is the word Subscribe. Click on and you will then receive the blog directly in your email every day. What could be easier?

Yesterday was another simple laid back Key West day. Visited Tammy for a manicure at noon. Tammy is Vietnamese. She has lived in the United States about 15 years. She recently became a citizen. A proud one.

She has two children. Approximately 3 and 5. American holidays are strange to her. She is taking them a step at a time.

This was the family’s first real Halloween. It is also the first Halloween Tammy and family have their own home. They did tricking and treating early. Then greeted other children at their door. Tammy said they ran out of candy after one hour and had to use her children’s stash.

I bug Tammy every year about Thanksgiving. She is not there yet. Cooking a turkey intimidates her. She still feeds her family Vietnamese style. Tammy says in a few years when her kids understand Thanksgiving, she will learn to cook the meal.

Wrote the rest of the day. Hope some day people read what I am writing. One of the other books  is Growing Up Italian. I like it. Hope others will, also.

Speaking of books, I am waiting for the publisher to advise the date of publication of my first one. The World Upside Down.

We worry about hurricanes in Key West. Every Fall. A typhoon is a hurricane by another name. Atlantic storms are labeled hurricanes and Pacific ones typhoons.

The Philippine typhoon that hit yesterday was enormous. It is claimed to be the worst storm in recorded history. It ended up a category 4, close to a 5. Winds 147 miles per hour. Gusts up to 170 miles per hour. So far only 12 have been reported dead. I suspect the worse is not yet known. I fear the final number will exceed 1,000.

A category 4 would wipe out most of Key West. Especially one close to a 5. A 5 definitely would knock everything down.

If you will recall, Andrew was a category 5. It went through Homestead. I drove through Homestead three weeks after the storm. I could not believe what my eyes beheld. Not a building was left standing.

I pray we never get hit that bad in Key West.

Syracuse plays again today. Maryland. The Vegas line has Maryland a six point favorite. We shall see.

I am anxious for this season to be behind us. Syracuse is a building team. We expect the team to do better next year.

Enjoy your day!

 

A BAD BOCCE NIGHT

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There is no joy in Mudville…..Mighty Casey has struck out!

So it was with bocce last night.

Let me put it in perspective.

It was a money game. The championship game in effect of the 5 team mini league we have within the big bocce league. We were tied for first place with the team we played. Whoever won 2 out of 3 games, won it all!

It wasn’t us. We lost all three.

That is not what made it bad. Defeat is easy to handle. It was how we lost in the first game that bothered us. We were winning 13-3. We lost 16-15.

Says it all!

Momentum, the tempo, was set. We lost the next two also. Though with dignity.

My day started yesterday with a Lori visit. Needed a haircut and beard trim. Then to the Plantation Coffee House. Said hello to Diane and read the newspapers.

The afternoon was non eventful. Stayed home researching and writing. However, did it outside under the shade of the tiki hut. Every now and then, I would dunk myself in the pool to cool off. Sometimes laid out a but till the sun dried me off.

It is Friday. The weekend is here. I have nothing planned. Such a weekend normally turns out to be pretty good. We shall see.

No TV/internet show this morning. I have been replaced for a live showing of the power boat races. I return next Friday.

Enjoy your day!

TWO BLOG DAYS IN ONE

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The frustrations involved with modern machinery.

WordPress is important to everrything I do involving Key West Lou. Without WordPress, there is no Key West Lou.

Such it was yesterday. WordPress was not resdpondiong correctly. Actually, not responding to me at all. Sloan finally got it worked out with them. Thank you Lord for Sloan!

Since I was not able to do the blog yesterday, I am doing a double header today. Enjoy.

My blog talk radio show wet well Tuesday evening. I hit poverty big. I also used a new headset and microphone. I was looking for better clarity. Apparently, I got it. I heard from about a dozen people that my voice came through loud and clear. Three of those commenting were listening from as far away as Novara, Italy, Calitzdorp, South Africa, and Jakarta, Indonesia.

I had a luncheon appointment at Salute’s tuesday. I was stood up. It was an established author. I ate alone. I told the author afterwards that I would not be buying his next book. He apologized. He had forgotten. The funny part is he had done the inviting, not me.

Though alone, lunch at Salute’s was pleasant. Ate outside. Terrific views of the beach and water.

Election results. Without question, the results showed an unhappiness with the Tea Party. On the other hand, I view it merely as an indication. Next year’s Congressional elections are a long way off. Much could happen in one year to demonize the President and return the Tea Party to its more favorable position.

The Tea Party bothers me. One reason is that the losers tuesday were still hard assed. No humility. They were going to go on and fight even harder.

I am waiting for the publisher to let me know the publication date of The World Upside Down. My first book. I feel like a woman waiting to give birth to her first child.

It has been difficult, at least for me, to get the You Tube thing straightened out. Notice, I have not mentioned You Tube in a week. There are new instructions. Hopefully the last.

Both for the TV/internet show and the blog talk radio show, go to You Tube and enter key west lou. That’s all. I have decided to join both shows together on You Tube. To separate them would be a mess. It meant that key west lou could only be used to gain entry to one. Needed another name considerably different from key west lou for the other show.

To the computer geniuses who read me: Help me. How do I get the most recent shows to appear at the top or first in the listing of shows. Most recent date first.

We have made one other change. You will not have to view five separate segments to see the TV/internet show. It is being posted as one unit. There will be an abrupt break and return when the show goes to commercials. All of a second or two. that’s all.

Enough for tuesday. Lets move on to wednesday.

Disaster! An arm on my newest set of glasses fell off. Just like that. I assume it can be fixed. I searched and found one of the smallest screws I have ever seen. It had to have fallen from the glasses. My optician is away till next Wednesday. No problem, I have another set. In fact, I have several sets of prescription glasses in all shades and colors.

Walked yesterday a bit far for me. I was ambitious/energetic for some reason. Walked the Atlantic on South Roosevelt Boulevard from the airport to 1800 and back. I have not lost a pound in several days. Have not gained either. I am still eating little. I keep getting on the scale hoping for a three pound drop all at one time.

Don’s Place first last night. One drink. Chatted with Keith and Jen.

Then to the Chart Room. Surprisingly, very few customers. The powerboat people apparently were not drinking at that time.

Emily bartending. Key West’s oracle of wisdom. Peter and Che at the bar.

Met a lovely lady. Cheryl. She knew Emily. Cheryl used to live in Key West. Had to go north to North Carolina several months ago to care for her mother. Now she is back. Cheryl is an ultra sound technician. She is working at the Advanced Urgent Care Center on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

A nice person. Hope I run into her again.

The TV and radio shows take time to prepare. Especially the TV show. I finished my research and prep one day early this week. By Wednesday afternoon, I was done. I was pleased with myself. It meant I could screw off this afternoon.

Krystal called me late yesterday. There will be no show Friday morning. The television studio will be filming live the power boat races starting at 10. My show was scheduled for 10.

I complained a bit. All the work I had done! Krystal said to use it next week. I cannot. Most of the material is stale by then. Oh, well.

An important historical event took place on this date in 1918. The start of the Russian Revolution. The one between the White Bolsheviks and the Red one’s. A fellow by the name of Kerensky was a White Bolshevik and the first Presinet of free Russia following the Czar’s dethroning. Philosophical differences arose. Lenin was head of the Red group. Finally, the Reds beat the Whites. That is the war that started on this day in 1918.

Kerensky had to flee Russia. Flee or be killed. The choice was simple. He left. He eventually ended up in the United States.

Why the Russian history lesson? I was fortunate to have known Kerensky.

It was 1956-7. I was a senior at Manhattan College. A history major. One of my courses was Russian history from around 1880 to a couple of years following the Revolution. Kerensky taught the course. He was my/our professor. Imagine how exciting it was to hear from the lips of a man who not only lived during those years, but also was the important leader of one of the two revolutionary groups.

Bocce tonight. I look forward to it. Our last money game. We have to win 2 out of 3 games to come in first in the 5 team mini competition we also play.

Enjoy your day!

DON’T TREAD ON ME…..NAVY AND TEA PARTY CONFLICT

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U.S. Navy Seals have been told they no longer can wear the Continental flag and snake patch on their jacket shoulders.  The patch symbolizes Don’t Tread On Me. The reason is some what associated with political correctness. The Navy claims the symbol is associated with radical groups. Without so  stating or signifying, the flag of the Tea Party is a Don’t Tread On Me one, also.

The topic is # 1 for discussion on my blog talk radio show this evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Followed by cattle rustling, truck hijackings, and Tide thefts being on the rise and why.

Join me at 9. A fast moving half hour of interesting and revealing information. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Ran around a bit during the day yesterday.

Visited the Radio Shack. I do tonight’s blog talk radio show via Skype. Need headphones and mike for clarity. The set I have been using was falling apart. The new one appears to work fine. I tested it this morning.

Then Publix. Always fun. There may be a story in my Publix exploits.

Home Depot the final stop. Walked the aisles. Everyone of them.  A 25 minute jaunt.

I am in need of an air compressor. Nothing fancy. To put air in the bicycle tires and so forth. Adam bought one for me two years ago. He always used it. I let him do whatever had to be done. Adam was not available. So I tried to put air in the tire. The machine did not work.

Adam had purchased it at Home Depot. I decided to pick one up yesterday. I found the exact same one boxed. Read the directions. Lo and behold! It had to be plugged in! Ran on electricity. I did not know. Did not figure it out because the cord was wound into the machine. It could also be old age catching up with me.

I did not buy a new one. Later today I will try the one I have again. Plugging it in first, of course.

Wrote the rest of the day. Put together tonight’s blog talk radio show.

The weather continues to be spectacular. Around 80. However last night and this morning forceful winds. Coming off the Atlantic. Strongest yet this Fall. Not hurricane strength. Could be tropical storm strength, however. Palm trees and shrubbery bending big time. Waves in the pool.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WORKS TOO HARD

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The title is a joke! We all know better!

It is however the title to my column in this week’s KONK Life which will be published Thursday. What it concerns is the fact that the House only worked 126 days this year and plans on working  113 days next year. The point of the article is if House members only work part time, they should be paid part time.

I believe you will find the column interesting.

The weather fantastic! Low 80s yesterday. The cool breeze off the ocean makes everything comfortable. It is a strong wind. At least 30 mph this morning.

I walked in the late morning yesterday. Parked the car at Square One. Headed toward the Atlantic. Went through the Southernmost Complex. Then the Reach. Followed the same path on the return trip. The walk took me through parking lots and garages, pool areas, and beaches. Excellent sight seeing. The water generally in my view.

Stayed in the rest of the day. Some reading, writing, and napping.

Permit me to share progress with regard to my book which will be published sometime this month. When I know the exact date, I will share it with you. The title is The World Upside Down.

The cover was finally agreed to by all concerned yesterday. I never realized how much time goes into a book cover. I like it. I hope you will. More so the book itself, of course. Parts of the book are still being edited.

We live and learn. Especially me. I refer to the following.

Tide is being stolen off store shelves in big numbers. Some stores to the extent of $10,000 to $15,000 a month. The stealing is across the United States. Why is Tide detergent all of a sudden in such big demand by thieves?

Tide is now a currency in the drug trade. It is used to purchase marijuana and cocaine. Interesting in itself. More interesting would be to know how the drug dealers turn the Tide into hard dollars.

Enjoy your day!