FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE CHART ROOM

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Yesterday’s internet show went well.

One topic received the most post show comment. It involved a Robert who wanted to become a Michelle. A convicted murderer who was spending the rest of his life in jail. He claimed he wanted to be a woman. He went to court to force the State of Massachusetts to pay for the sex change surgery. The court said Massachusetts had to pay. Taxpayer dollars to provide a convicted murderer with what the judge considered necessary medical care.

Society amuck!

I wrote a detailed article on the subject. It will run in next week’s KONK Life.

Lunched at Blossoms. The surroundings are a bit dismal. However, the food is outstanding! I enjoyed my favorite. Cuban cheese toast with tomato. Plus a large cup of Cuban coffee.

Visted with Lisa. She fell the day before. Sprained her ankle. She had it all taped up. Was hobbling around.

The Chart Room in the evening. It turned out to be my entire evening. Never made it to dinner.

Emily was not there. On a two week vacation. I missed her. Mary was bartending in her place. Always glad to see Mary.

I spent a few hours chatting with David, Peter and Che. We covered a multitude of issues. The word issues is appropriate. Everything discussed becomes a battle. We went from Jewish circumcision to cremation to literature to Greece to London to whatever else.

I learned a new word from David and Che. Reliquary. A receptacle for ashes.

There was a lovely young lady seated at the end of the bar. I briefly talked with her. She was Donna from Dearborn, Michigan. Here with her husband Rex who was not at the bar with her at the time. They are in Key West on a one week vacation. Staying at the Pier House.

By the time I left the Chart Room, it was too late for dinner. I drove directly home. Enjoyed a left over half of a roast beef sub from the day before.

Glad it is Saturday. For whatever reason, the week was tiring. I am going to rest and screw off this weekend. After Sloan leaves me this afternoon.

Enjoy your day!

 

A TURTLE STORY

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There is talk on the street. Local media is commenting. Key West’s daily newspaper the Key West Citizen reported the story in detail.

A pregnant turtle fighting for her life.  Turtle professionals fighting to save her and the more than 100 eggs she carries.

It is a story of love and compassion.

Isaac did its damage throughout the Caribbean. The U.S. Virgin Islands were hit. Isaac ran over St. Croix and its surrounding waters.

A beat up sick turtle was discovered on a St. Croix Beach. The turtle was pregnant. The St. Croix persons involved hoped the mother and eggs she was carrying could be saved. The pregnant turtle was airlifted to the Marathon Turtle Hospital here in the Florida keys.

The turtle was badly hurt. She had wide wounds on both shoulders. Thought to be from gaffing or shark bites. She was suffering from drowning. Her lungs partially filled with fluid.

The prognosis is not good. Obviously the hope is to save the mother and her eggs. If the mother cannot be saved, it is still hoped the eggs can be. The eggs then hatched. The baby turtles surviving.

So far the staff at Marathon Turtle Hospital have induced labor and the mother has released 15 eggs. It is hoped more will be able to be induced. If it is determined the mother cannot survive, a caesarean will be performed.

The released eggs are immediately placed in incubators. The incubators have sand in them from the St. Croix beach. This is so  as the eggs hatch, the baby turtles will feel they are in their natural habitat. It will help them to survive now and when they are returned to St. Croix.

Within 24 hours of the eggs hatching, the baby turtles will be flown back to St. Croix. They will be released in the sand and hopefully walk into the ocean and a full life. If the mother survives, she also will be returned to St. Croix.

Why so much time and effort for a pregnant turtle that will probably die anyhow? The reasons are two fold.

First, why not. Saving the mother and eggs is humanitarian. Some believe there is an obligation to help God’s lesser creatures. That is why we have a turtle hospital here in the keys.

The other reason is that hawksbill turtles are an endangered species. Ergo, there is a need to save as many of the eggs and subsequent babies as possible.

That is the story. I will keep you advised.

This turtle story is more important than anything else I could report today. More important than my beard trimming by Lori yesterday,  working on friday’s show and the trip photos, drinks at Don’s Place with Don, David and Herschel, dinner at Pepe’s, Clinton’s eloquent speech,Womanfest, and bocce tonight.

Enjoy your day!

 

MICHELLE OBAMA OUTSTANDING!

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I do not care whether Republican. Democrat or Libertarian, white, black, purple or green…..Michelle Obama’s presentation last night before the Democrat Convention was one of the finest speeches ever made. Put politics and other concerns aside. She did a hell of a job! You do not have to agree with her. You do not have to like her. You do not have to like her husband. But…..you cannot deny the quality of the presentation.

Being the political junkie that I am, I enjoyed the speakers last night. The Democrats came out fighting from the opening bell. Clinton should be fantastic tonight!

Yesterday was ordinary. A simple day. Ran some errands. Sat in the sun by the pool for an hour. Fell asleep in that hour. Continued working on the trip photographs. Getting closer to publishing some. Worked with Sloan.  Dinner at Outback at the bar. Me and the newspaper. Enjoyed the Democrat Convention from the comfort of my bed.

Today will probably be more exciting. Seeing Lori this morning. Need a haircut. More importantly, time to trim the beard. It is beginning to look unruly. Needs a trim every which way.

Enjoy your day!

SUNDAY

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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

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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!

BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD…..

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There but for the grace of God go I…..

Change the I to we.

A post Isaac thought.

It could have been Key West and the Florida keys rather than Louisiana and other Gulf areas.

I walked in the morning. Immediately after finishing my blog. A start.

Manicure time. Tammy time. I enjoyed her company once again.

Spent part of the day fine tuning this morning’s internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Many topics of interest to be discussed. Join me. Ten in the morning my time. World wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Bocce last night! We lost 2 out of 3 games. Not a good evening. The first game was a close one. Could have gone either way. The second game was decidedly theirs. We killed them in the third game. Our pride was at stake!

It was a pleasant evening to play. The sun set soon after starting. There was a cool breeze off the ocean. It made for a comfortable time.

Full moon tonight. Almost full last night. The crazies will be out in force.

The Republican convention instead of Don’s Place after bocce. Romney did well. It is going to be a stormy Presidential race.

Have to hustle. Got up late. The Republicans kept me up last night.

Enjoy your day!

A POLITICAL JUNKIE’S DREAM

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Last night was stay at home time. Layed back in bed and watched the Republican convention.

Ann Romney impressed me with her charm and delivery. She was every woman last night. She connected with the ladies in the audience and at home.

What she failed to do was reveal to the world the personal Mitt Romney. Nothing about their personal life, his time with their children as they grew up, etc. Other than he was a support during her medical problems, Romney the husband was missing in action. As was Romney the father.

Cris Christie did a terrific job for Cris Christie. His speech left me confused. I thought a keynoter’s purpose was to speak of the Presidential candidate and knock the opposing candidate. Not last night.

Regardless of the presentations, it was my kind of night. I am a political junkie. It was thrilling to watch. Even if the two main speakers did not go on till 10 and after. I am genrally asleep well before 10.

Key West missed the bullet with regard to Isaac. Isaac stayed a tropical storm and passed over our island quickly. Now over New Orleans, it is a #1 hurricane and is stalled for a couple of days. New Orleans is getting beat up again. Even Al Roker was taking a beating. Some day one of the hurricane TV announcers is going to get hit by a flying piece of metal or wood. Then they will all do what we do when a storm approaches….stay inside!

A special luncheon yesterday. With Robert and Ally. 5 Guys! Fun! They both had bacon on their burgers. Lisa is still not buying real bacon. The grandkids are hooked, however.

I later took them for a walk at the Weston Pier. Robert and Ally had watched Isaac on TV. They had seen Al Roker. I took them to the spot on the pier where Roker was announcing from. They could visualize it all.

I wanted to do something special with them. We talked. We agreed it was a visit to the new Pet Store on the Boulevard. The former location of Borders. We wanted to see the pets that were for sale.

The parrots and cockatoos excited them. The baby mice freaked them out. The ferrets, also.

The tropical fish were the big item of the day. There were many. The grandkids were impressed.

We were disappointed there were no puppies.

I drove Duval both ways going and returning from Weston’s. Duval was basically deserted. Less than that. It is the same every year at this time. It is the first week of school. Ergo, no family visits. Parents are broke. Spent their extra money on school clothes. It is stay at home time for them.

Wrote a bit later in the afternoon. I have found the grandkids are inspirational for my writing.

Enjoy your day!

ISAAC ONE MORE TIME

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Isaac is long gone. The aftermath good weather. Yesterday was magnificent. Today will be also.

I said yesterday that Isaac had been a nothing. I was wrong. It did cause some problems. I did not know till last night when I visited the Chart Room.

Before I tell you, let me say that whenever it rains heavy, the street in front of my home is flooded. One foot or more. It did not flood at all during or after Isaac.

Duval did, however! Front street, too! Plus some side streets. Anywhere from one to three feet.

I did not know. I never read yesterday’s local newspaper. At the Chart Room everyone was talking about the street flooding. Some showed me pics on their cell phones.

Two vessels took a beating. One was a large power boat. Sank in the water at the dock. Ass end up.The other was a sailing boat that somehow sailed off unmanned and got damaged.

Wind direction has been peculiar the past two days since Isaac passed. It is coming from the southeast. The wind normally comes from the east, northeast or northwest. When it comes from a southerly direction, bad weather is on its way. There was no bad weather yesterday and none is anticipated today.

I am sure this southerly wind has something to do with Isaac. Just cannot figure it out. Isaac is now way to the northwest of us heading for New Orleans.

Good friends Don and Chris are in town. We got together last night at the Chart Room. They hail from the Syracuse area. Don is involved with solar panels. He spends most of his time in China selling solar panel products. Chris works for the same company. She is in charge of marketing. The two travel together on many of the China trips.

Don got promoted! He is now a Vice-President. Congratulations, my friend.

Sheila, Sean and Katherine were at the Chart Room, also. Three great people. We chatted a bit.

The honeymoon is over. Robert and Ally return to school tomorrow. I am taking them to lunch today to celebrate either the end of their summer vacation or the beginning of school.

Enjoy your day!

A DISAPPOINTING ISAAC

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Isaac never made it as predicted. Not even a limp dick.

Isaac started around 1 yesterday afternoon. The winds picked up. Rain a steady drizzle. By 2, Issac was blowing. A swift wind. The rain continued  a steady drizzle. By 6, it was all over. The worst of Issac had passed Key West by.

Isaac never achieved the intensity predicted.

Good. No question about it. I would rather have it this way all the time. Preparation no problem. We have become accustomed to it. Better safe than sorry.

I do not think Isaac ever achieved hurricane level. It stayed a tropical storm. Fortunately!

Winds yesterday were generally 40 miles an hour. Gusts may have gotten up to 60.

I just walked out the back door onto the deck. A beautiful morning! Sun shining. Scattered clouds. Warm. Wind blowing. About 20 miles per hour. I suspect we will have rain off and on today.

Television reporting regarding Isaac sucked. Hype! All the time!

TV continued reporting….. IT IS COMING! THE BIG ONE! Then a nothing comparatively as yesterday turned out. I felt sorry for Al Roker. He was standing on the Weston Pier saying it is coming. It never came. The picture behind him was one of basic calm.

I went out on my deck around 3. During the height of the storm. Normally, I would not be able to do it. I would be swept up by the wind and my body would become a flying missile. They would probably find me in New Orleans.

My walk on the deck was uneventful. A strong, but not overwhelming, wind. My body did not even bend with it. A steady drizzle.

The only problem I encountered during all of Isaac was TV. During the height of the storm, my TV went off 3 times. For only 5 minutes each time.

It will take Adam a couple of days to get here to take off the plywood panels covering the doors and windows. The grandkids, Corey and I threw the deck furniture in the pool. It will be Adam’s responsibility to get it out. It is much harder to take out than throw in.

The one good thing about Isaac were the experiences Robert and Ally enjoyed and will remember. Their first hurricane. They will never forget the joy of tossing deck furniture in the pool.

Enjoy your day!

WAITING FOR ISAAC…..

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Everything is Isaac this Sunday morning in Key West. Today is the day! Later in the afternoon, Isaac will hit. Probably as a 1.

I have so much to share regarding Isaac to this point.

The first thing is how to spell Isaac. The correct spelling apparently is Isaac. Up till this morning, I have been spelling it Issac. How could I have been so wrong? Easy. I am a poor speller. However, I believe everyone was spelling it my way the past few days. The correct spelling would have been obvious otherwise. I googled Isaac. Sites came up under Issac also.

Al Roker is in Key West. Saw him several times on TV this morning. Great to have  him here! Problem is they have him standing in the wrong place. He is down on the Weston Pier. It looks like the corner opposite Orvis. Normally, national television sets itself up on Duval next to the former Fast Buck Freddie’s. Each time without failure an out of town announcer would get on live TV and tell the world that in six hours 3 feet of water would be running down Duval. It never happens!

Roker should be there. Or…..at the Southernmost cone or on the White Street Pier.

Roker is located in a bland spot.

It’s 7 in the morning. Everything looks dark looking out. Supposed to be. Every window and door, except one, on my housed is boarded over with large sheets of plywood. The job was done yesterday afternoon.

I opened the garage door to go out to the front. Wind blowing about 20-30 mph. Palm trees blowing. Everything dark. Warm. Humid. Not bad. I would call it the calm before the storm.

Opened the lone door on the back of my house capable of use. Went onto the deck. Walked to the water. My deck is huge. 144′ x 40′. Then the ocean. The back of the house looked strange. Every orifice covered with plywood. My home looks deserted. Like some one just upped and left. Abandoned

The ocean is moving. Sizable waves developing. Not yet breaking. Very few white caps. Breaking waves and white caps will come.

Lisa and family arrived in the early afternoon yesterday. Lisa said Robert and Ally were already stir crazy. She had to get them out.

They arrived timely. I was getting ready to dump the deck furniture in the pool. Corey helped me. And Robert and Ally. We had a ton to throw into the pool. Four small tables, 8 chairs, 4 chaise lounges, 9 bar stools and some miscellaneous items.

This is Robert and Ally’s first hurricane. The last storm hit Key West six years ago. Robert and Ally are 8 and 7 respectively so have no recollection of a hurricane.

They helped dump the deck furniture in the water. Laughing all the time.

Before we started the dumping process, Ally took the four noodles out of the pool. She announced they should be in the garage and took them there.

My flashlights and candles are lined up. Appropriate food and water stored.

I am ready for Isaac.

Lobsterfest party last night at the Yacht Club. Big time fun! It was sort of a pre hurricane party also.

Lobsters available buffet wise three different ways. Stuffed, broiled and boiled. All you wanted. Delicious!

I had guests. Don and Christine, David, Jimmy and Joanie, Larry and Christine, and Herschel and Erika. Everyone ate, drank, and enjoyed.

Since it was my party, at the end I did something I have been doing frequently the past few years. I ordered shots of Patron Silver Tequila for every one. A piece of lime included. A toast was made and the shots all downed at one time.

Neil Armstrong died yesterday. Eighty two. The first man to walk on the moon!

I remember the event well. As I am sure most do who were alive at the time.

It was an evening in July 1969. Later in the evening,. Perhaps 11 or better.

I did at the time and still do consider the event the greatest achievement of man in my life time. It blew my mind. Man on the moon!

My four children were aged 7-12 at the time. Lisa was the seven year old.

They were in their beds sound asleep. I woke them all and brought them down stairs to watch the event on TV. I wanted them to remember it the rest of their lives.

They do not.

Nothing to do now but wait. Wait for Isaac. I will read and watch TV. At some point, the power will go off. No more lights, no more TV. That is the uncomfortable time. Flashlights and candles do not provide enough light power for anything. I have said many times and repeat now…..I do not know how Abraham Lincoln read law by candle light.

Enjoy your day! Talk with you tomorrow. Hopefully. Probably. Definately!