LYNDA FRECHETTE

Her name is Lynda Frechette. One of the nicest people in Key West. A dynamo. Involved in all sorts of Key West activities.

I ran into Lynda and her husband Bob last night at Tavern ‘n Town. It had been a while. We exchanged warm pleasantries.

Lynda also does a blog. She has been doing it for years. More years than mine. It is called Key West With Lynda. Purportedly a Key West social calendar. Actually more. It is sprinkled with love. I recommend Lynda’s blog to you.

It was Bobby Nesbitt time last night at Tavern ‘n Town. Many of his friends in attendance. Me included. He is probably Key West’s premier vocalist.

Seated next to me at the bar were Lisa and Allen Taylor from Cape May, New Jersey. One of my old haunting grounds. I spent many a summer at Stone Harbor. We would occasionally drive to Cape May for dinner. Lisa and Allen are snowbirds. They are down six months a year. They own a home in the Sanctuary on the golf course.

In their other life, Lisa and Allen owned three restaurants in Cape May. Allen is a chef by profession.

Enjoyable people. I hope to run into them again.

When the Marriott Beachside first went up, I did not think it would succeed. Too far out of the way. It has. Big time! The success of Tavern ‘n Town an example.

Several new motels are under construction immediately across the street from the Marriott. I suspect each will be successful, also. The bar/restaurants especially. A whole new social area opening up.

Sloan was over in the afternoon. I have her working on the new musical introduction to my blog talk radio show. She is the one who will be responsible for adding it into computer format.

Heard from an old friend yesterday. A telephone call from Rose Ann. I have known Rose Ann from the time she was 20. She is now 66. We have not seen each other in close to 20 years. Yet every year or so, I received a telephone call from her. Our conversation picks up as if we had talked the day before.

I admire Rose Ann. First time we met was in a courtroom. She was suing my client. I destroyed her. She lost. The defeat had a dramatic effect on her life. Changed her life completely. Rose Ann had a tough time for many years thereafter. However, she pulled herself up by her bootstraps and has had a very successful life since.

I met Rose Ann again after the trial about 2-3 years later. I was having lunch in a restaurant. All of a sudden, I got hit hard in the head with something. It was Rose Ann. She was a waitress. She hit me with her order pad. She started in immediately. Do you know what you did to me, she shouted.

We have been close friends ever since.

Syracuse football. Oh, what a year! Lost again yesterday. This time to North Carolina State. We are now 3-6.

There has been an ongoing investigation of Syracuse sports covering the last 10-12 years. The emphasis seems to be more on the basketball program rather than football. The results should be forthcoming soon. I hope they are not bad and in no way adversely reflect upon my friend Jim Boeheim.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

PERFECT WEATHER

The weather has been absolutely perfect the last two days. As good as the weather generally is in Key west, this was better. Unique. Bright sunny days, blue skies, temperature in the mid 80s, and cool. It is the cool that made the two days different. You could actually feel the coolness from the moment you rose in the morning.

My day ran at its normal pace yesterday. A lengthy business meeting in the morning, a pleasant lunch at Geiger Key, and worked on this evening’s blog talk radio show all afternoon. Topics developed for the show include 400,000 rape kits sitting on shelves not being tested, Frankenstein returns-GMO animals being created, the question whether ebola is natural or lab created, and the man who called a suicide help line and ended up being shot to death by a police SWAT team.

The show is at 9 this evening my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Join me. I guarantee you will enjoy.

My bed broke! In the middle of the night, the front mattress end collapsed. I was doing nothing at the time. Sleeping. No claim to fame here!

The bed broke not last night, but the night before. I called Keith and he came over before supper yesterday to fix it. It was not a bed board. My 16 year old bed’s frame side board and front board became separated. Keith repaired it.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports that Starbucks will soon begin work on its new place on North Roosevelt Boulevard. It will be where the former Checkers was located. Opening will be some time next year. I look forward to it. I enjoy a good coffee house and Starbucks is one of best. The one in La Concha downtown does not appeal to me. Too small. Claustrophobic.

I have become a poor Syracuse fan. Disappointed in the football team, I have not paid attention. I did not notice till this morning that Syracuse lost 16-6 to Clemson saturday. Clemson was ranked #22 nationwide. The score represents a victory for Syracuse.

This saturday Syracuse plays North Carolina State. Syracuse is a 3-4 point favorite. North Carolina state has lost its last four games. Syracuse four of the last five.

I do not know if I will be watching. There are enough things in life which make me unhappy. I do not need to add to the burden.

Everyone takes photos. The cell phone has opened a new era of fun for all. Many persons exchange nude pics of themselves. Not a good thing!

A young lady was arrested on a DUI charge in California. While being booked, a police officer went through her cell phone pics. He removed her nude pics. The cell phone had nothing to do with the charge or arrest. The police officer showed the pics to other police officers.

Turns out a number of police officers at the station did the same thing. They referred to it as a “game.” Another example of police power abuse.

Enjoy your day!

 

MAILING CHILDREN / AN INFANT INDUSTRY

Pay the postage, affix the stamps, put a name tag on ’em, and mail them out! Children!

There was a time. Like 1913. The U. S. Postal system was looking for new ways to make money. Someone came up with the idea of parcel posting children. Babies and small children. They had to weigh 11 pounds or less.

Not an expense. To ship a qualifying child from Stratford, Oklahoma to Wellington, Kansas cost 18 cents for postage. The child was delivered to the post office and arrangements made. Thereafter the child traveled with a postman to the final destination.

The system did not last long. Fortunately, it was stopped before one of the “child packages” got lost.

I have to thank Ryno for this interesting piece of information. Ryno posted it on FB this morning. Ryno grew up about 15 miles from my hometown and is now a local Key West radio announcer. One of the best. When I started internet broadcasting several years ago, Ryno taught me. He took me into the broadcasting studio, told me to punch this then that, etc, and left me. I knew from nothing what to do before I arrived and after he left!

I am glad that for all intents and purposes the Syracuse basketball season is over. I could not take much more. Yes, Syracuse will be in the Big Dance starting next week. As a 7 or 8 seed. Not a #1 seed as anticipated as recently as two weeks ago. Syracuse has lost 5 of its last 7 games. The team went 25-0 before disaster struck.

The season has exhausted me. Wiped me out. Too many emotional games. I do not give Syracuse much hope in the big tournament. If the team wins two games, it will be lucky. I am of little faith.

Last night, Syracuse lost to North Carolina State 68-63. Syracuse was a 9 point favorite.

I watched the game at Lukas’ Sports Pub with Don, Chris and Ed. Don flew in from Korea thursday. Spent friday in South Beach. Now winding down in Key West for a few days.

Met Nancy last night. She is the owner of Salsa Loca, John Lukas’ new partner in the Big Ten Sports Pub. Nancy is the food end of the operation. A nice lady. However, we did not start off well. She is a North Carolina State graduate. I told her I would eat elsewhere after Syracuse lost!

I spent several hours yesterday editing some chapters from Growing Up Italian. Writing is easy. It is the editing that is a pain. Takes 3-4 times longer  than the writing. Necessary, however. Editing polishes the writing. Big time!

The MTV house sits across the water from me. In all its colorful glory.

There are college kids staying this week. It is Spring Break time. The MTV home and property are huge. A separate gym building, in addition. Tennis courts and a basketball court outside.

The college kids are all males. I counted 20 yesterday morning sitting on the deck, shoulder to shoulder. Who was fishing, who was chatting, who was sleeping, who appeared to be getting over a hangover, etc.

There is a large bus parked next to the gym. I assume the guys rented it for the trip to Key West.

One problem. No, they not noisy and rowdy. Actually, quiet quite. No girls. I have not seen one young lady since they arrived sunday. Highly unusual! I suspect the group may be part of a gay fraternity.

St. Patrick’s Day is monday. The Key West party started friday. Everyone doing the Duval Crawl. Wearing St. Patty Day tee shirts, green hats, and drinking green beer. Day and night. The party will continue through monday. The partiers having a good time. If it rains, guaranteed the sewers will overflow green.

I am perplexed by the loss of the Malaysian plane. In this day and age, how can a large jet with well over 200 passengers disappear. I read this morning that the Malaysian government has hired  a shaman to help locate the plane. A shaman is a person with extra mental and telepathy powers. They see, hear and feel where others cannot. Comparable to one who claims to be able to talk with the dead.

Modern science is amazing!

Enjoy your day!

 

DON AND CHRIS BACK

Don and Chris hail from the Syracuse area. They visit Key West a half dozen times a year. They have returned! Came in last night. Friend Ed is with them.

Their favorite haunt is the Chart Room. I am sure they drank with Emily last night. We are meeting tonight at 7 at The Sports Pub to watch the Syracuse/North Carolina State game. Ed, also.

I am sure Don and Chris were shocked to hear JJ was no longer at the Chart Room. When I diet, I do not drink. I try to stay away from bars.  I fear succumbing to the near occasion of sin!

I do not know why JJ is no longer at one of my favorite drinking holes. He is now at the Tiki Galleon. I have never in all my Key West years drunk there. I will now, however.

Syracuse and North Carolina State met once during the season. Syracuse won by one point 56-55. A different time, however. Yersterday’s success does not guarantee today’s. What has gone before does not count. It is the post season and some teams have improved vastly. Some just get pure lucky. Tonight’s game will be interesting.

An example of getting lucky, etc. was last night’s game between Villanova and Seton Hall. Seton Hall won. Over a Villanova team ranked #3 nationally and considered a #1 seed in the Big Dance.

Enjoyed lunch wednesday with June Hudson at Geiger Key. Fun! Two old friends chatting away!

June leaves tomorrow for her home in Delaware. She is driving back alone. Does not seem to concern her.

June is going to Italy for 10 days in June. With her 14 year old granddaughter. The two alone. June is excited. She said her granddaughter is, also.

Bocce last night. I did not go. I would have passed out bending over to pick up the balls! My cell phone is on the blink this morning so I do not know if we won or lost.

Got a tweet from a voice from the past. Kurt Lubs. One of Key’s Wests most famous bartenders, he left more than a year ago to return home to Indiana. He will be in next week. Terrific! A friend!

Strange weather the past 24 hours. Temperature dropped to 64 last night. I could have used a body next to me. Presently, 68. Will reach mid 70s in the afternoon. Tonight, high 60s.

After the Syracuse game, I will be heading over to Don’s Place. Grant from Bad Boy Burritto will be on national TV at 10. The cooking channel.

My book, my book, my book! Buy it! People are. I should not complain. However, it would be nice if more did. Trust me, you will enjoy it. The World Upside Down is available as an e book or soft back cover on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. My picture on the cover alone is worth the price of the book!

Enjoy your day!

 

TEAM OF DESTINY?????

It happened again last night! Syracuse won a squeaker in the last few seconds. It was Syracuse over North Carolina State by one point. 56-55.

Tough on the heart!

Too many close games this season. Extremely close. I think there have been eight close games. All eight could have gone the other way and Syracuse would not even be ranked.

Whatever, we are 25-0. There has to be a message in that number of wins and no defeats. Could it be…..Team of destiny?

It was a screwed up basketball day yesterday. The game was scheduled for 3. I was at the Sports Pub at 3. No game. No one could figure out why. I headed over to Don’s Place to see if he had the game. No game. Toni figured it out using her I phone. The game had been pushed up to 7 because the North Carolina State team had just arrived. They were supposed to have  come in the night before.

I returned to the Sports Pub for the 7 o’clock tip off. Still could not get the game. John Lukas spent a good 15 minutes on the phone with his provider. They knew from nothing. No game continued.

John happened to mention there was a way to bring in whatever national channel was carrying the game. He did not know how. He needed a TV/computer guru. A lovely blond spoke up and said she understood what had to be done. She did. Five minutes later we were watching the game.

The lovely lady was Keegan from Rochester. A die hard Syracuse fan, she was enjoying the game with Jeremy. Also at Keegan’s table were Jackie and Bard. I assume from Rochester or Syracuse. All family.

I love Jackie! When I introduced myself, she said…..I read your blog every day! Thank you, Jackie! It was a pleasure meeting you. Hope we run into each other again soon.

I mentioned I had recently published my first book. Keegan was interested in the title, how to obtain it, etc. I told her it would be in the blog in the morning. The book is titled The World Upside Down. Available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Though I used both Key West Lou and Louis Petrone as my names, the book sellers are using Louis Petrone as the author. Tie it in with the book’s name when searching.

My good friends Dan and Lisa were sitting with me for the game. Dan and I seemed to be moaning in unison. The games are not getting any easier. Dan and Lisa have house guests. Dave and Karyn from Auburn or Baldwinsville. I am not sure which. Born and raised in one and now live in the other. Wherever Dave and Karyn are from, they were nice people. I suspect we will all be together for the Boston College game Wednesday night.

I stopped at Don’s place on the way home. Don’s place had the game. They watched it on ESPNews. Don does not have the basketball package, John does. You figure it.

It was hip, hip, hooray! The bar knows I am a Syracuse fanatic. I sat a while and had a drink with Stan and Clara.

When I was driving into Key West for the 7 o’clock game, there was a sight to behold! I came in via the North Roosevelt Boulevard. Palm trees had been planted along the way. About every 40 feet. Tall and straight. Strange palms. The scene beautiful! Made me think the aggravation has been worth it.

I have to get out of my home later this morning for several hours. The realtor is having another open house. I will be taking my computer with me. I have to write this week’s KONK Life column. Either at the bar at Don’s Place or the Plantation Coffee House.

Enjoy your Sunday!

OPENING NIGHT AT BOCCE

You win some, you lose some. We only won one game last night.

Played Larry Smith’s team. A money game/a blood match. We won the first game 16-15. A battle! We lost the second game 16-15. Another battle! They out did us in the third game.

I played the second game. I was not up to par. I was not getting the ball there. The courts were damp from the rain and I did not have enough umph  to get to the polina.

Captain David has redone the parings. No longer will I be playing with Frankie. Keith is my new partner. We will work well together. Keith had a good evening last night.

I spent some time yesterday afternoon at the Plantation Coffee House. Had lunch there. Coffee and a toasted bagel. Read the newspapers. Chatted with Diane.

Before I forget, Happy Valentine Day! I have no one to give candy and flowers to at the moment. I am uncertain whether I will be out tonight. This is the busiest night for restaurants in Key West. Like New Years Eve.

After the Coffee House, I headed over to see Tammy. It was time again for a manicure and pedicure. Ran into Martha Robinson. I had not seen her for a while. A charming lady. One of Key West’s leading citizens.

Stopped at Publix on the way home. Needed food again. Basics. Bananas, grapes, strawberries, bread, and milk. The wrong time to shop. Too many people. Only four empty carts available when I arrived at the store.

Ran into Karen at Publix. Another person I have not seen in a while. She congratulated me on my book The World Upside Down. Said she had been trying to buy the soft cover edition. Each time she looked, there was a waiting period/backlog of 4-6 weeks. I suggested she order it and wait. The backlog has been that way since about a week after the book came out. I told her to check amazon.com and barnesand noble.com.

Italian politics is back in the news. Prime Minister Enrico Letta is resigning as of today. His own party dumped him. Mark what I am saying. Burlusconi will be back! Not soon, but soon enough. Not as an elected official. Rather as the power behind the throne.

I love talking politics with my Italian friends. Every politician they do not like  they refer to as Mafiosa.

Italy presently has 45 per cent unemployment. The highest in 40 years. It is right behind Greece on the poor economy list.

I have a bug up my ass again. A situation has developed in Connecticut. The State passed a gun registration law. It went into effect. A very low percentage of known gun owners registered their weapons. We are noyttalking about handguns. The law covered those modern day machine gun types.

Very few  gun owners registered the guns per the law. An act of civil disobedience or does it border on anarchy? Interesting.

A society cannot survive where its members decide for themselves which laws to follow and which not.

Syracuse/North Carolina State tomorrow. We should win. My recollection is North Carolina has lost 8 games. Syracuse, none. But…..Syrcuse is due. Most Syracuse wins have been close this season. I wish we would win one going away. My heart cannot take these last second (note not minute) victories.

Enjoy your day!