SYRACUE MY SYRACUSE

A new football season. A new Syracuse team.

Syracuse lost yesterday to Penn State 23-17. I was not disappointed in Syracuse’s performance. I would rather the team had won. Syracuse played well. They could have, might have, won.

Syracuse is still a rebuilding team. They are working towards being what they once were. A great team. Oh, so long ago. It is coming, however. The team I saw play yesterday was the best I have seen in years. Everything is a step at a time. In this instance, a year at a time.

After the game, I headed down to Duval. Brewfest!

I walked Duval a few blocks. The streets were jammed with people. Stands selling beer.

I stopped into three places. Sloppy Joe’s, Smokin’ Tuna, and Captain Tony’s. Enjoyed the people and a beer at each place.

David frost died yesterday. He was 74. British. A talented journalist, broadcaster, and media personality. His Richard Nixon interviews represented his best work. Each show was dramatic and thrilling. Frost will be best remembered for the Nixon interviews.

We are in the middle of the Labor Day weekend. Labor Day used to be a big deal. Labor itself was big. I remember as a youngster the parades. Huge. Everyone marching. Everyone excited.

As labor’s influence and strength have diminished over the years, so too has interest in Labor Day as a time to remember labor’s achievements. Today, it is a time for cook outs and partying. The successes of labor are forgotten and buried in the closet.

Enjoy your holiday Sunday!

SUNDAY

 

I sometimes think I have too much on my plate.

Yesterday, I worked on the Epilogue to my trip. The photos. Still organizing and selecting. A real task when there are 600 pictures.

Work done, I decided to go to the beach. Read the Sunday papers and look at the lovely ladies.

I went to Higgs Beach. My intent was to sit in my sand chair a couple of hours. Then walk over to Salute’s for a fish sandwich.

It was not to be.

Higgs Beach stunk! In fact, most of the Atlantic side beaches smelled. Including Smathers.

Like dead fish.

It was Isaac getting the last laugh. Isaac had thrown seaweed and fish life onto the beach area and beyond. You could see where the water had come over the sea walls. The sidewalk and grass still had sun bleached brown sea weed splattered about. The water at Higgs Beach was also a disaster. Brown. Isaac had churned the bottom. The water not yet settled.

No Higgs Beach for me!

I drove to Fort Zachery Taylor Beach. Also on the Atlantic. But around the corner of the island. Fort Zach’s Beach was clean. I could see my toes in the water. There was no smell.

The beach was packed. Everyone out enjoying a lovely Sunday. Many probably transfixed from Higgs to Fort Zach.

Dinner last night with Lisa and the family. Robert and Ally a joy. As always.

Part of the meal consisted of corn on the cob. Robert had no trouble devouring his the normal way. He has teeth in front. Ally does not. Lisa had to scrape the corn off the husk for Ally. Ally put away two cobs of corn in that fashion.

Stopped at the Chart Room for a few drinks. Knew no one. All tourists.

Duval was also packed with tourists. In Key West enjoying a fun filled weekend. Merchants had to be happy. The visitors were.

Enjoy this last day of the Labor Day Weekend!

 

VALYNNE BERNETICH

 

It is Saturday morning of the Labor Day Weekend. I am mentally and physically into the holiday. I just got out of bed! Ten in the morning!

Yesterday started with my internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Fun! I enjoy sitting with the mike in front of me and sharing my views with the world.

There were many interesting topics yesterday. I was surprised at the one that received the most post show comment. It concerned Solly the hippopotamus.

Solly lived in South Africa.  He was four years old. He got involved in a dominance fight with other male elephants in his herd. He lost. He was cast out of the herd. The other elephants chased Solly away. He ended up falling into an eight foot deep pool at a hunting lodge.

Solly died after 3 days. The vet said from stress. First from losing the dominance battle and being thrown out of the herd. Then Solly’s inability to extricate himself from the pool. It was too much for Solly. His heart gave out.

There were many other tales seemingly more important. Solly obviously touched many hearts.

While I was reviewing my notes prior to the show, a couple entered the studio. I had never seen them before. I assumed they were there to see Guy de Boer, the owner. The woman said no. We are looking for you.

The lady’s name was Valynne Bernetich. His name Paul.

Valynne is a loyal reader of this blog. We communicate occasionally via Facebook. We had never met face to face.

I knew Valynne was in Key West for a few days. My evenings were not normal this past week, however. The Republican Convention kept me away from my usual haunts. I never got to meet Valynne.

She found me. Just before 10 in the morning at KONK Broadcast. She brought gifts. Two bottles of red wine. For which I thank Valynne once more.

Valynne and Paul were leaving later in the morning to return to Portland, Oregon. Soon to leave Portland. They will be resettling in San Antonio.

We talked very few minutes. My show was due to start.

I look forward to their next visit when we can spend more time together.

Lunched at the bar at Harpoon Harry’s. I had a craving for ham and eggs. Satisfied it while reading the newspapers.

Then it was up the street to the Plantation Coffee House.

Theo and Diane own and operate the Coffee House. They transplanted themselves from California to open the business here in Key West. Theo’s origins are interesting. He is originally from Holland. He has an unmistakable northwest European accent.

Dinner last night at Michael’s. Enjoyed the house specialty. A veal chop. My mouth waters even now recalling it.

Womenfest is around the corner. It is an annual international meeting of lesbians. Held in Key West. Womenfest starts Tuesday and runs through Sunday. The ladies take over the town. A few thousand of them.

Three had come in early to enjoy the holiday weekend prior to the convention. They were dining Michael’s bar, also. We chatted. Turns out they are good friends with Donna and Terri.

Stopped at Don’s Place on the way home. Kurt bartending. We talked about miscellaneous things.

Then home to bed. Almost forgot. I drove home with the top down. Wanted to see the blue moon. Saw the full moon. It was not blue. Why, I do not know.

Enjoy your day!