MALCOM FAMILY DAY

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Big day yesterday for the Malcom family!

Son in law Corey made the newspaper big time. The Key West Citizen ran a major story on Corey . Front page and all of the back page. Two pictures of Corey. One on each page. Both of him under the water doing what he does. Searching for slave ships.

Corey and  a Mel Fisher team were sent to the Bahamas to search for a specific sunken slave ship. They found it!

Corey knows his business. One does not just go out and say lets dive here. There are months of research involved. Studying old maps and reading anything in writing that speaks of the ship sought. Corey did it all. The work proved fruitful. He and the team discovered the sunken vessel.

The grandkids had a big day yesterday, also. Robert and Ally went to the Symphony. All Key West school kids probably went.

Montessori spent time the past couple of weeks explaining to the students what a symphony was, what would be heard, etc. Robert and Ally were advised that the Symphony was a dress up event. Both insisted on wearing  their best.

Ally was beautiful in a new dress and long stockings.

Robert wore a tie, long pants, and real shoes. He insisted on the tie, long pants, and real shoes. The pants he had. Lisa and Corey had to buy him for real shoes. Brother Cameron provided an old snap on tie.

Lisa posted a picture of them on Facebook yesterday. They looked terrific!

Lisa said when they returned home, they were all excited. Especially because the Star Wars theme was played.

I spent some time at the TV studio getting ready for today’s show. Jenna and Crystal a big help. Crystal is the engineer.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour is on air this morning. Live on TV and the internet. Comcast Channel 87 throughout the Florida Keys. Via the internet world wide. www.tvchannel19.com. Ten my time.

Watch and enjoy! Interesting topics!

After the TV studio visit, I headed over to Lisa’s. A couple of the biopsy wounds are on my back. They had to be cleaned and covered with some kind of anti-bacterial stuff. I could not reach them. Lisa had to do it for me.

I took care of Lisa once. Now she takes care of me.

I was a bit lazy this week. Did not have all my show material put together. I did it yesterday afternoon and last night. Meant I could not make bocce. No time. I was sorry to miss. We were playing Larry’s team. We are all friends. It would have been ball busting fun!

That is it for this morning. Again, please join me for the show at 10. The first topic alone will cause a reaction in you. Either tears or shocking disbelief or both.

Enjoy your day!

 

I VOTED

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My morning yesterday started with a visit to Montessori. Robert and Ally were in a Halloween historical presentation. Each student played some historical figure. Costume and a recitation of the character.

Robert was Michael Phelps. The Olympic swimming star. Robert looked the part. A white rubber skull cap, googles, bathing suit, towel drapped over his shoulders, and all the gold medals Phelps won. Robert made each and every one of the gold medals he wore.

Ally was Clara Barton. She was dressed like a nurse. Looked like a nurse. White cap, white long dress, big red cross on the front of the dress, white stockings, and white shoes. Her hair was fixed with a bun on the back of her head. It showed beneath the cap. Ally is only 7. She looked 30. Terrific!

Both walked up to the microphone with confidence and recited their parts with no difficulty. My grandkids!

I was one proud grandfather. Lisa and Corey proud parents. Corey’s parents were in town for the event. They were beaming as well.

Afterwards, I voted.

I cast my vote at the County Office Building on Whitehead in Key West. A good crowd. Steady. The line always 5-6 persons long. Plus the 10-12 people voting.

Everyone was friendly at the polling place. I refer to the workers. Spirited and cooperative. Voters generally quiet, even where they knew each other.

A long ballot. Besides candidates, there were 8 amendments to vote on. The ballot was 4 long pages, print on both sides. Actually 8 pages of ballot material.

The amendments were too long. Were it not for TV warnings, I might have voted for a couple of things I was against. Titles were misleading. Like an amendment labeled RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. It had to do with permitting State funds to be provided churches and other religious groupos. To me, a violation of the separation of Church and State.

I felt solemn as I voted. I felt as if this was the most important Presidential vote I have ever cast. This election the most important.

I voted for Obama. I must concede that midway during the campaign, I began leaning towards Romney. Shock of shocks! However, the Romney campaign developed into one of lies. I could not live with a President who approved of deviously prepared messages.

The General Motors thing bothered me. Romney was for letting General Motors go down. He said it on TV for all to see and hear. Then he twists it to say oh no, not me. This recent Jeep thing was a disgrace. About Jeep moving to Japan. A lie again. Even Jeep’s CEO came out and said Romney was not correct.

Last night’s news justified the reasoning for my vote. The day before Romney had held a helping hand meeting in Ohio. He had people bring food which was put in a truck to be delivered to Sandy victims. Romney was shown accepting bags of goods from people and saying thank you. Turns out the Romney peoople had purchased $5,000 worth of granola bars, canned foods and diapers from a Walmart the night before. The goods were bagged and handed to people to hand to Romney. Bad!!!!!

Stopped after voting at the Plantation Coffee House. Read the newspapers and enjoyed my coffee. Smiling Diane working.

Diane told me something interesting. She has many customers. Only three drink decaf. Everyone else the real thing. She told me becausee I have to wait for a pot to be made every time I order it.

I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening writing and watching TV. Maybe someday a book. I don’t know. I keep plodding along.

Television was at its best. Delivered the drama of Sandy to the world. A tragedy. Sad.

Weather wise, yesterday was perfect. From the high 60s to the mid 70s. Sun bright. Air perfect. No humidity. Drove around town with the windosws open enjoying the cool breeze blowing in. No need for air conditioning.

Today will be the same. Whereas yesterday there was a slight movement in the palm trees, today there is none. Nothing is moving outside. The water still also. Like a mirror.

Enjoy your day!

GRANDKIDS ON STAGE AT MONTESSORI

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I am up very early this morning. I have to be at Montessori at 9:30. Montessori has what might be described as a Halloween educational parade. Each student is dressed as an historical figure. Each must give a recitation as to who they are and what their costume person accomplished in life.

Robert is Michael Phelps. A gold medal is part of his costume. Ally is Clara Barton.

Ally read some where that Clara Barton founded the Red Cross. She wanted to be Clara Barton. Her dissertation will include Sandy and how the Red Cross is helping. It was a stretch to have Ally fit Sandy into her material. Both Robert and Ally are too young to appreciate the significance of the hurricane.

A different morning today. Next to no breeze and the water calm. The lack of breeze and water movement means that Sandy has defintely left us. As recent as yesterday, the wind was strong.

I walked Key Haven yesterday morning. First time in a while. All six blocks. The wind bent me a bit when I did Floral. On one side of Floral sits the Gulf. Less than ten feet from the road. No homes to block the wind.

It was a working afternoon. Jenna and Sloan with me. At separate times. Jenna early afternoon. Sloan came at five and stayed until after six.

Key West seemed too far away when my work day was done. I was tired. I washed my face and headed over to Hogfish. Enjoyed a couple of drinks at the bar and a sandwich. Hogfish. Read the newspapers.

Have to move my ass now. I do not wish to be late for Robert and Ally’s performance. If late, Robert and Ally would be anxiously looking for me and Lisa would chastise me.

Enjoy your day!

TOMORROW’S INTERNET SHOW

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Tomorrow is friday. Friday means The Key West Lou Legal Hour. My internet show. World wide. Ten in the morning my time. KONK Broadcasting. www.konknet.com/tv/personalities.

Great topics. Interesting. Some thought provoking. Included tomorrow is the story of a girl raised by monkeys in the Columbian jungles, the United States suing Bank of America for mortgage fraud (about time!), the story of two new Catholic saints who both had ties to my hometown, the first televised Presidential debate, cow manure being used at a Vermont ski resort to generate electricity, an Arizona ski redsort making snow from sewage, the man with size 24 feet, Panama wanting to use the euro as legal tender, a French man who died in bed whose body was not discovered for 15 years, the Miami Archdiocese filing a lawsuit over birth control, and more.

Of course, there will also be comment regarding the Presidential race.

I spent most the day yesterday working on tomorrow’s internet show. I also published a new article to Amazon Kindle: The Popcorn Lung Lawsuit.

I was a babysitter when Robert and Ally got out of school. Picked them up. Always a thrilling experience! Ally was quietly sitting on a bench waiting for me. Robert walked out a few minmutes later. Both could not wait to run over and hug and kiss me. God is good!

We went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. Then to the gas station. I was near empty. I asked if either wanted to hold the pump. No. Neither was interested.

Then home to Lisa.

The Chart Room was my first stop last night. Early. Actually before 5. Emily bartending. Still setting up. I do not think I have ever been to the Chart Room that early. Had two drinks and chatted with Emily. I like her.

Emily made fresh popcorn. The best! Buttery and just enough salt.

Since it was so early, I decided to walk Duval a bit. Glad I did. I am a voyeur at heart. I saw enough to satisfy me.

A significant number of women of all ages walking around exposing their breasts. Most were spray painted with a palm tree or bird or what have you. Some of the younger ladies were basically bare ass. A slight thong and painted breasts. Such beauty!Magnificent!

Some men were wandering around with next to nothing on. One was a gentleman easily weighing over 400 pounds. He had a g string type thong on. It barely covered his privates and covered his ass not at all. He was a hit! People were going up to him and putting dollar bills inside the g string.

There was electricity in the air. The crowd was building. The evening would provide a fun time for all involved.

I wanted to sit and watch. I walked myself out on the European trip. I ended up on the second floor of the Bull. On the terrace sitting on a stool. Duval and all its excitement below me. I chatted for a while with a Jersey couple seated next to me. The lady was kind. She had two roses made from palms. She gave me one.

Then to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. On the way, I stopped at the Chart Room for a minute. Saw the lovely Jean Thornton and Captain Peter at the bar. Hellos and hugs exchanged. As I was leaving, I spotted this lanky young man standing at the end of the bar. He was dressed like a Swiss yoddler. The hat and short pants with shoulder straps.

He looked like Sean Kinney. Could not be, however. Sean was in Arkansas for the week. So I walked by and said nothing. It was Sean as I later found out. My apologies Sean for not saying hello. And a chastisement for not saying hello to me!

Dinner was great. I was into my appetizer, when Jean walked in. I invited her to join me for dinner. We had a good time!

Jean was going to at least three Fantasy Fest events after dinner. I went home to bed. I cannot keep up with these young people!

Sandy is with us. Ran over Cuba during the night. Winds all night. Around 30 miles per hour. Dark and overcast this morning. A light rain. The weather the result of Tropical Storm Sandy. Soon to be a #2 hurricane. It will not hit the Florida keys. However, Key West and the rest of Florida will experience adverse weather from Sandy for the next couple of days.

Sandy will not affect Fantasy Fest, unless it pours during the float parade saturday night.

Tonight is Pretenders at the Pier House and Toga Party at Sloppy Joe’s. My favorite Fantasy Fest evening. Especially the Toga Party. It empties into the street. Something to see!

I shall see neither event this evening. There is no bocce scheduled. However, we have a bocce make up game to play. It is being played tonight. Duty ahead of pleasure. I will be at the bocce court instead of on Duval with all the crazies.

Enjoy your day!

DOWN SYNDROME BEAUTIES SWIMMING

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Key West rain is strange.

I was driving into Key West yesterday morning heading to Duval Street to walk. Sun bright in Key Haven. Streets dry. Made the turn off US 1 onto the boulevard, the road was still dry. New Town all the way down dry. Then I hit Old Town. Had it rained! Puddles everywhere. Streets wet wet.

Never ceases to amaze me.

Did I walk yesterday! All over the place. Did Duval and several of the side streets. Stopped in some stores. Even stopped in St. Paul’s Church on Duval.

For years, St. Paul’s had one hour of music at noon monday through friday. For anyone who wanted to stop in. A full range of music played. Organ and piano. From classical to Broadway.

The music hour also provided an opportunity to escape the heat and cool down..

I stopped in yesterday. No music. Church deserted. I was disappointed. If anyone knows why, let me know.

I sat a while and studied the ceiling structure. All wood. Many criss crossing beams. Interesting construction. I sense the intertwined beams has something to do with keeping the roof in place during a hurricane.

My walk took me back to Clinton Square Market. Not a locals place. A tourist location. Merchants have to do a big business in the four hours a ship is in. Apparently they do.

There is a small store called Sweets of Paradise. Fudge, cookies and ice cream. I was tempted to buy a piece of fudge. Mouth watering. I overcame the temptation, however. Not yet.

Robert and Ally have graduated. They were in an advanced swimming class two days a week for one hour each day. They became sufficiently proficient that they were promoted. To the swimming team! Now they practice one hour a day three days a week.

The name of the team? Does it compete? Against who? I don’t know. Lisa did not know. We are going with the flow.

Robert and Ally and all the participants looked good. Grammar and high school swimmers. They swim the full hour, alternating strokes. All under the guidance of coaches who constantly yell corrections to them.

My fish looked good!

The swimming takes place at the Florida Keys Community College. In the back of the college near open water is an Olympic size pool. It was filled yesterday at practice time. Easily a 100 kids in the water.

In the first lane were two lovely young ladies. One 3, the other 4. Down syndrome girls.

They were alone in the lane, except for two coaches. The coaches appeared to be college students. I watched these two young ladies practice their swimming for 1.5 hours. Each had her own coach with her at all times. The girls knew how to swim. As 3 and 4 year olds do. The coaches were there not only to watch them, but also to provide guidance and support.

Down syndrome children are natuarally happy. The two swimming exceeded the normal bounds of happiness. They were exhuberant! Having a ball!

I decided on a change of pace last night. Thought I would go to Louie’s Backyard for a drink and take it from there. As I was driving over, it rained again. Big time! I changed course and went to Southernmost’s Beachside Restauant. Open sided with a roof on top.

There I stayed for a while. Enjoyed dinner at the bar.

I observed a nearby couple drinking pina coladas. Looked good! I had not had one in years. So…..I ordered a pina colada after dinner. Good the first few sips. Then too heavy for me. I could not finish it.

Today…..I do not know. I have some work to do on the trip pics. We are close to publishing them! Sloan is coming over at 5 to work with me. Do not expect the pics tomorrow. Soon, however.

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!

 

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!