PAT CROCE

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Pat Croce has come into our lives.

I was babysitting for a couple of hours yesterday. When I went to pick up Robert and Ally, Robert showed me a book he had purchased earlier in the day at a garage sale for $1. The Pirate Handbook by Pat Croce. He is into pirates.

I asked 9 year old Robert if he knew who Jim Croce was. He did not. I proceeded to tell him about the Pirate Museum that no longer was, the Rum Barrel, Island Dogs, and the Green Parrot. He knew of the Rum Barrel having seen it while riding by. He knew not the other entities.

I explained who Pat Croce was. The Philadelphia 76ers, his entrepreneurial background. Robert was duly impressed.

We were going to lunch. We had earlier decided on the Ocean Key House deck. The grandkids enjoy sitting by the water at a colorful table under an equally colorful umbrella. Robert had the hot dog the last time we were there. Delicious! I had tasted it. Robert and I both wanted a hot dog. Ally never changes. A cheeseburger and French fries.

We discussed stopping at the Rum Barrel. The Ocean Key won out because of the hot dogs.

The Ocean Key House deck was a mistake. The hot dogs were nowhere as good as the last time. Robert and I looked at each other after our first bites. Bad! Robert finished all of his. I not even half. Ally of course put everything down. They are good eaters.

Our waitress irritated me. From the second we sat down, it was like she did not want us there. Cool. Showed us none of the cheerfulness she showed other customers. Robert and Ally both made mention that she did not like us. We needed more diet soda. Could not even get the waitress’ eye. Never the less, she was running around refilling free glasses of water at two tables near us.

We were customers, too! The grandkids and I discussed the situation. I explained to them she probably thought we would not be spending much money or looked like we were poor tippers. The situation quietly irritated me a bit. The three orders of fries cost $2.50 extra for each of us. The sodas were equally as expensive. No water for us. We were spending money!

My heart is always in the right place. I said nothing and left her a 20 per cent tip on a $53 bill.

We agreed we would not be returning soon. Not because of the waitress. We did not like the hot dogs.

We further agreed the next time it would be the Rum Barrel.

My afternoon was spent finishing this week’s KONK Life column. It is about Iceland’s revolution that had its beginnings in 2008. The one we never heard about. The thrust of the column is the U.S. mainstream media’s silence. Which I attribute to the mega corporations that own our TV, radio, newspaper and magazine outlets.

The column was a bit long. Detail was required that made it long. I had to cut it in half. A Part I this week and a Part II next week. Guy de Boer was going crazy over the phone. Too long to print!

I am still autographing books. My recently published one. The World Upside Down. An interesting experience.

The book is available on the internet in e book and soft cover paper back. Love the cover! Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and Absolutelyamazingebooks.com. The book makes for a thoughtful Christmas gift.

My blog talk radio show tomorrow night at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Two things for certain I will be discussing. The winds of revolt in Italy and questioning why McCain was in Ukraine. He has become an irritating troublemaker.

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!