USS MAINE / CEMETARY / CUSTOM HOUSE

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1898 was a significant year in Key West history. The USS Maine was sunk in Havana harbor, a number of the sailors killed were buried in the Key West Cemetary, and the Custom House  became the site for the formal inquiry into the sinking of the USS Maine.

Threats of war had prevailed. There was an inevitable feeling that a war between the United States and Spain would occur. It did. The USS Maine was sunk in Havana harbor to flame the fires of war.

Many US sailors were killed. A good number were buried in the Key West Cemetary. On this date in 1898, a dedication of the plot where these brave men are buried was dedicated. It was estimated 10,000 people attended the ceremony. Can you imagine! There were not that many people in Key West at the time. They had to have come from all over the United States.

Later, a formal inquiry was held to determine the cause of the USS Maine being sunk. The cause was clear. However rules and regulations required a hearing. The inquiry was held at the Custom House.

The Custom House had been completed on 1891. It was a Federal building. It housed the post office, custom offices and federal district court.

Today the Custom House is home to the Key West Art and Historical Society. Best described as a museum with frequent art exhibits. Dear friend Sheila from the Chart Room recently joined the staff of the Custom House. Her office oversees the waters off Key West.

Daughter Lisa is a part of the history of the Custom House. When she first settled in Key West some 15 years ago, her initial employment was at the Custom House with the Key West Art and Historical Society. She was with the organization for several years. She served as Development Director. A major fund raising effort was underway at the time to secure funds for the repair and reconstruction of the Custom House. Lisa played a significant role in the fund raising and her effort was most respectable. She did her job. She raised a lot of money.

Yesterday was a bit busy. I started with an early morning pick up of my computer from Tim Reynolds. It is now fixed. I am doing this blog on it at the moment.

I walk and then do not walk. I am becoming frustrated with myself. Realizing I need some regimentation, I went to a gym yesterday to sign up. With a trainer and everything. I went to We Be Fit. The gym that advertises on television that it can keep seniors in good shape and probably add on to their years.

I wanted to sign up. They would not let me. I first had to have a one hour consultation with whoever my trainer was to be. Whoever was not there at the time. I would get a call later in the day to schedule an appointment. No call. I will call them this morning. I find it strange that sometimes people are not anxious to make a dollar. I was there with credit card in hand prepared to pay for the whole thing up front.

I lunched at Mangrove Mama’s. I have not been there in 10 years. It is up US 1. Somewhere north of Key Haven and south of Big Pine. I ate in the bar and read the newspapers. The bar is small. A couple of booths. I sat at a booth and enjoyed a fish sandwich.

Yesterday afternoon was spent completing preparations for last night’s blog talk radio show. The show went on at 9 as scheduled.

I spoke about the Iceland revolution that we never heard about in the United states. I am going to dwell on it during my friday TV/internet show. The heart of the discussion centers on the failure of the American press to tell us about it. I blame corporate ownership of the major media companies for hiding news that might hurt them.

Protesting is getting out of hand on the streets of the Ukraine. Police joined with demonstrators yesterday in Turin, Italy in support of the protestors. Greece remains in turmoil. Africa a series of revolutionary wars.

Any one of these happenings can kindle World War III. Not the Middle East, as I have been saying. These are dangerous situations. Are we paying attention as we should? Do we care?

Buffalo’s Tom Dixon wrote and said he had ordered 5 copies of my book The World Upside Down. I wrote back and told him that made for a total of 6. His 5 and my 1! Joking, of course. I certainly hope that more than 6 have been sold.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

GREAT AFTERNOON

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I had a luncheon business meeting yesterday. I suggested the outside deck at the Pier House. The one near the Wine Galley and on the water.

It was the perfect setting. We sat and talked for three hours. The setting perfect. Out of season time so few people. No clouds. Blue water. Shiny white boats going by.

I believe the ambiance contributed to the success of the meeting.

Afterwards, I stopped at the bar. Met Carly. From the Jersey Shore. Yesterday was her birthday. I bought her a drink.

Tonight is my blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Always a fast moving and revealing half hour. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

The issues to be discussed include Obama’s new plan regarding senior drivers. They are trying to get us off the road! I consider it an insurance company motivated scam to get seniors off the road. A bit about Cheney who this week denied Mandela was a freedom fighter. Said he was a terrorist. The General Motors payback short in more than one respect. The South Carolina sheriff who refused to lower the flag to half mast in recognition of Mandela’s death. Obama had ordered it. These Southerners are an obstinate bunch! They are still fighting the Civil War more than one hundred fifty years later.

My publisher suggests that I suggest you consider buying The World Upside Down as  stocking stuffers and gifts. I so suggest. Not a bad idea. The book is a mere 116 pages. Quick reading. Best of all, enjoyable.

Dear friends and Syracuse supporters Tom and Fran Dixon arrive in Key West today for a lengthy stay. They are from Buffalo. I am sure they will be happy to get away from the snow.

In an e mail, I told Tom I would meet them at the Chart Room tonight. Cannot. I forgot the blog talk radio show. Sorry. Perhaps tomorrow night.

Got my computer back this morning. The virus cost me $125.

Enjoy your day!

AN UNDER THE WEATHER SUNDAY FOR ME

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Yesterday was a bad day at black rock. My computer got a virus. Not the kind that infects anyone but me. In addition, I felt physically lousy.

My first visit this morning was to Tim Reynolds. The computer guru. I got him out of bed. He was in his boxer shorts.

I am now at Lisa’s using one of her computers to do today’s blog.

Late morning yesterday, I began to feel lousy. Nothing in particular bothering me. Just felt drained. I was to attend Shirrel and Diane Rhoades Christmas Party in the afternoon. No way. I felt bad. I was looking forward to the party. Shirrel is the publisher of my new book The World Upside Down.

Since I was home confined, I decided to do next week’s KONK Life column. It is about oil and wars. Because my body was not functioning correctly, it took me twice as long to do.

I did go out briefly last night. Was feeling better. I had absolutely no food. My third consecutive day that way. Publix was good for me. I got to see and hug two special people. Krystal from the TV station and my friend Pati.

I feel ok this morning.

Guy de Boer sent the picture he had selected of me for the cover of KONK Life. It stunk! It was a poor me. Or maybe the real me. Whatever, I told him no way to use it. He agreed. We are going to have another photo shoot.

The KONK pic is for front page use. The whole page. To announce my book. It will appear front page the December 19th edition.

Jake has been nibbling at my feet the entire time I have been doing the blog.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST XMAS PARADE…..THE BEST!

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Key West sponsors many events and has many parades. Without question, the Christmas parade every year is the best. The parade this year was last night.

I had to arrive 1.5 hours before the parade started. So I would not have to walk a very long distance to get to the parade. The closer to parade time, the less parking available.

Stopped at Don’s Place first. It was to early to be out on the street. Everyone was there! The ladies dressed up a bit. Many with Santa Claus hats. The mood decidedly festive.

As 7 approached, I left to walk the several blocks to where I was to meet Lisa and the family for the parade. Robert and Ally arrived with plastic shopping bags to put their booty in. Float riders throw candy to the kids.

The whole town was at the parade. Half in the parade, half watching curbside.

The Christmas parade is the longest I have ever seen. Every year. Roughly three hours. Beautiful floats, beautiful people…..all in a holiday mood!

Robert’s mind works well. He reconnoiters the scene and figures out where on the curb he has to sit and how to approach the treasure coming at him from the floats. His bag was full very early. Ally on the other hand is looking around and talking with a girl friend seated on the curb next to her. Occasionally, she would look up and go for some candy.

A school friend of Robert’s was in a Santa hat and on a float that was low to the ground. He was throwing small Reese peanut butter cups to the kids. When he saw Robert, he got off and ran over to him. He handed Robert the whole bag he had in his hand. A large bag of Reese peanut butter cups. What friends are for!

There were about a dozen Santas. All did a good job. They were into their roles. Saw two Mrs. Claus’ also.

I had intended to return to Don’s Place to party after the parade. However three hours on my feet was too much for me. I was tired! Went directly home and to bed.

The morning was busy for me. Guy de Boer is the publisher and owner of KONK Life, a Key West weekly. Guy is going to feature/announce my new book to his readers. The whole front page will be a picture of me, the book, a typewriter, a pad and pen, and my glasses. It will be published in a couple of weeks. Hemingway watch out!

Afterwards, Guy and I went to breakfast. Goldman’s Deli. I get there every couple of months. It is absolutely amazing the business the place does. Every booth and table occupied. People crowded together standing waiting for a table. Reminded me of Joe’s in Utica on a Saturday night.

I have a Christmas cocktail party to attend this afternoon. Life in Key West is always on the move.

Enjoy your Sunday!

FUN LAST NIGHT…..BIG TIME

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The title could be misleading. It sounds like I might have got lucky. I did not. Nothing changes.

First, yesterday morning. I did my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Post show comment suggested the first topic discussed as the most interesting. I chatted about a recent Huffington Post survey. The question was whether Congress should be drug tested? Should Congressional members be required to periodically pee in a cup? The survey was extensive. Seventy eight per cent said yes. Seven percent no.

We should go for it! If Congress requires persons in entitlement programs and certain unemployed to be drug tested in order to receive benefits, they should required to pee in the cup also. What is good for the goose, is good for the gander!

My evening was outstanding. Started early. Too early perhaps. It was a drinking night. I am no longer accustomed to as many as I put away last night. I am surprised I slept so well and woke with no hangover.

I stopped first at the Hot Tin Roof. I wanted to autograph my new book The World Upside Down for John, the General Manager. This autographing thing is new to me. A bit humbling.

Then it was the Chart Room. I was to meet Cheryl and Roger for dinner. I enjoyed a drink with Frankie first. Then with Cheryl and Roger. Then another. Met a nice lady. Nancy. A nurse from the Boston area who recently purchased a condo in Key West.

At 8, Cheryl, Roger and I moved over to the Hot Tin Roof. An excellent meal, as usual. We all ate the same entre. Unusual. The special. Mushroom ravioli covered with an alfredo sauce. Good! Drinks also, of course.

Back to the Chart Room after dinner for a night cap. Turned out to be several. I was on a roll.

I did everything bad. Even smoked. I was bumming cigarettes from Ollie.

Alicia, David, and Sheila came in at one point. Alicia’s Dad owns the popular Fairvilla in Key West. An adult toy emporium. Alicia leaves tomorrow or Monday. I hope I run into her one more time before she leaves. She does not live in Key West.

We were sitting at the round table. Several Pier House guests joined us. All nice people. My recollection is they bought two rounds and Roger one or two more. I am not bragging. Just sharing. That much consumption is highly unusual for me. Even worse, I was not feeling it.

The Pier House guests were fun.

There was Dan and Heather. From southern Jersey. He owns a mechanical engineering business. She a stay at home Mom raising three children and a husband.

There was also Tom and Chrissy from Myrtle beach. Tom is in human relations. Chrissy a for real doctor. Her specialty is family medicine.

Another  lovely lady with them. Joan from Myrtle Beach. A waitress.

Heather and Chrissy have been friends for years. They were both celebrating their 40th birthdays yesterday.

It was a late night. Long past my bed time when I finally hit the pillow.

Tonight is one of Key West’s best events. The Christmas Parade. Floats galore. Santa Claus riding into town on the last one. Candy being tossed to the children at curbside. I will be there with my grandchildren Robert and Ally. Would not miss the parade and being with them for the event.

Enjoy your day!

 

SUNDAY AT DON’S PLACE

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Don has all the TV sets going Sunday afternoons. Pro football time.

I joined Don and friends to watch for a while yesterday afternoon. We watched from an area behind the outside bar.

Sunday afternoons are Don s are always a good time.

Mikey stopped by to say good bye. He was leaving to return to Kentucky. Don, David, Stan, and Dennis were among those enjoying the games. We were watching five at one time. Tom stopped by. He and Nicky are snow birds. They have returned from their home on the Jersey shore. Their new home. Hurricane Sandy destroyed their original home.

Cheryl and Roger were watching the games, also. Cheryl brought my book over. The World Upside Down. She asked me to sign it. I was honored! The book is my first published novel, as you are aware. It is available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

After about three hours, I moved on the Chart Room. JJ bartending. He and the wife are off to Cancun tuesday for 10 days. Peter and Sheila at the bar. Met Alicia from Scottsdale.

Jean Thornton came in. The lady I dedicated yesterday’s blog to. She was still suffering from Alabama fatigue. We sat together and chatted a while.

Danielle, one of Don’s outside bartenders, was standing at the other end of the bar chatting with some folks.

Remington recently purchased the Pier House. Remington owns/operates something like 92 hotels. JJ pointed out to be that each Remington location has what Remington describes as a Point of Distinction. At the Pier House, it is the Chart Room. Hooray! We knew the Chart Room was distinctive however  even before Remington purchased it.

Publix’s fruits are always big and shiny. Look delicious. Generally are. About a month ago, I purchased some apples. One was still sitting in the fruit bin in the refrigerator yesterday. I had forgotten it.

I picked it up intending to find a soft spoiled item. Surprised I was! The apple was as firm and as bright as the day I bought it. I bit into it. Tasted as good as if purchased yesterday.

There must be something to these genetically modified seeds! Though I wonder  whether they will be healthy for us over the long run.

Tomorrow night at 9, my blog talk radio show. A half hour of interesting and revealing chatter. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Two topics on the agenda involve the Saudis and a court/social worker system out of control.

The Saudis generally engage Ethiopian immigrants as maids. They hang them from the ceiling and brutally beat them. I viewed a video where the maid was hanging upside down and screaming while being beaten.

The court/social worker problem involves a case where a Judge ordered a caesarean to be performed. The social worker system had decided to take the baby from the mother when the child was born. They did not want to wait for the natural birth to occur.

Abuse is on the rise in many areas.

Enjoy your day!

POOR JEAN THORNTON

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Disaster has befallen a friend. Jean Thornton. A “…there is no joy in Mudville” situation. Mighty Alabama struck out!

Jean is a die hard Alabama fan. She lives and breathes Alabama. Jean got the wind knocked out of her yesterday. #4 Auburn beat #1 Alabama. With a crazy 100 yard plus run with seconds left on the clock.

Jean, my condolences.

David, my sympathies to you also.

Syracuse won yesterday. Beat Boston College with seconds left on the clock, also. 34-31. Syracuse ends the season 6-6. Makes the team bowl eligible. A disgrace. The bowl eligibility system, that is.

The system is nothing more than a way for the colleges to make more money. A team 6-6 going to a bowl! It has become dollars over academics. There is serious talk of paying football athletes at the college level. The primary argument in support of paying is the amount of money colleges are making on their football programs these days.

I disapprove.

Keith and Jennifer were over yesterday afternoon. Helping with the overgrown greenery surrounding my home.

Decided to do the other end of Duval last night. A break in the normal routine. A change of pace.

Started at 5. My first stop was Aqua. Quiet. Then to La Te Da. Tourists. Ended up having a cheeseburger at the bar at Southernmost Beachside.

Interestingly, I knew no one at the three stops. Where there were customers, they were tourists. Even the bartenders were strange to me. Obviously, I was there the wrong time of the day. Next time I will do it later in the evening. Maybe Wednesday. It has been a while since I have enjoyed Bobby Nesbitt’s early Wednesday gig at Aqua.

The Key West Citizen carried a newsworthy item this morning. Tourism has been up during the summer and fall. I am not surprised. It has been rare that there were few visitors on the streets. Another way of measuring for me is the crowd at the Chart Room. It has been pretty steady.

Enjoy your Sunday!

BLUE LAWS

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My day yesterday started at the TV studio at 10. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Once again, it was enjoyable to do.

There is always some topic that garners the most interest. I base which one on post show comments. Yesterday, it was my tirade on Black Friday. I do not mind Black Friday on Friday. I do mind it starting Thanksgiving. I believe every one is entitled to a paid day off on a holiday. Especially low paid employees. A day of rest and feast with the family.

Back when I was young and up through my early years in the practice, there were something called Blue Laws. All over the United states. Blue Laws prohibited stores from being open and selling on Sundays. The day was one of rest and also to pay homage to God. The keep holy the Sabbath thing.

Blue Laws are no more, except in a few small places. Commercial greed has won over. I say bring back the Blue Laws. Prohibit Black Friday on Thanksgiving. Give everyone a break.

I spent the afternoon writing. I have two books going at the present. One is Growing Up Italian. It covers my life from birth through college. I worked on the book yesterday. I am still at the outlining stage. Much to do. I hope to devote 3-4 hours a day to it through December.

The publisher and I are in a bit of a disagreement. I want the growing up book. He thinks I should come out with a book of essays similar to the one just published. Book publication and promotion are not my field.  I rely on the publisher. We shall see.

In the mean time, The World Upside Down appears to have been acquired by some. I am at the stage where people are asking me to autograph their copy of the book. Amazing!

Cold yesterday morning. Cold last night. In between, terrific weather. By day, high 70s. This morning 70. Cold for me. Cold for most Key Westers. I repeat myself. Once you have lived on a sub-tropical island as Key West for an extended time, your blood thins. The cold is more dramatically felt.

Last night spent at Hogfish. Had dinner with Pati. Ran into Steve. Steve is a Syracuse graduate, also. We used to watch Syracuse basketball together. Last season, he was nowhere to be found. We were happy to see each other last night. He is back. I will once again have a pro Syracuse companion at the games.

I was home early. Early enough to see a good part of the Arizona/Duke game.

Syracuse plays Indiana Tuesday night. Tuesday is blog talk radio for me. I will probably only catch half the game and that will be at home.

Enjoy your day!

THE DAY AFTER…..

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Love Thanksgiving dinner! I overate. Nothing new. I had an edge this time. Recently lost 16 pounds so there was a lot of room to do damage. The scale this morning said I only gained one pound.

Lisa cooked a magnificent meal. A typical one. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy and salad. Pumpkin pie for desert.

Ally helped her mother. She was kneeling on a chair by the kitchen cupboard. She made the salad. She mashed the potatoes. The potatoes were a first time for her. She kept asking if she they were finished yet.

Robert was quiet when I arrived. What’s the matter, I asked. His brother Cameron was home from college. Robert had taken over Cameron’s bedroom. Robert could not sleep in what he now considered his bedroom the night before. He could have slept in the room he previously shared with his sister Ally. There are bunk beds in the room. However, he thought he was beyond the bunk bed and sharing the sleeping with Ally. He slept on the couch instead. He then spoke like an adult. He told me the couch was uncomfortable and he did not sleep all night.

Jake had a field day. He was not to be table fed. However, he was there looking up constantly with those sad eyes. Jake ended up having a full meal.

Dinner was at one. I hurried home afterwards. Did not even stay for pumpkin pie. My TV/internet show this morning was not ready. Not even close as it turned out. It took me five straight hours to get it together.

Yesterday was a long pants day. First time in several months. Today the weather is back to warm. Shorts!

Many are telling me they are ordering my recently published book The World Upside Down for Xmas presents or stocking stuffers. A good idea. If you are so inclined, the book can be found on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

I am off to do The Key West Lou Legal hour. If you miss show and want to see it, go to You Tube. Enter Key West Lou and the date of the show. The show is every Friday. The show will appear at the top of the You Tube list. The show is live Friday. It is not You Tubed till Tuesday, however.

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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Happy thanksgiving!

I love family holidays. The warmth of the company, the terrific food. I am prepared to pig out at 1 when I sit down with Lisa and family.

I have a ton of comments this morning.

When I was young and into my early years of law practice, there were something called Blue Laws. These laws prohibited retail selling on Sunday. Stores were closed. It gave people a day certain for rest and an opportunity to keep holy the Sabbath.

Only a few areas today have blue Laws. I am beginning to think there should be a return of them. For Sundays and legal holidays. It bothers me the many stores that will be open today to get a jump on Black Friday. Most, if not all, should be able to kick back and enjoy a holiday.

The weather outside…..It was 60 degrees this morning. Our first really cold day. In the high 50s during the night. The high today will be 75, however. The next week in the low 80s by day and low 70s in the evening. I have come to enjoy these occasional cold days. A break from the usual.

I wrote yesterday morning about Greece and some of the poor intentionally injecting themselves with the HIV virus to obtain a government pension of 700 euros a month. The sad story of what has been going on in Greece. Turns out I was wrong. The story was false.

The scenario. In late September, the World Health Organization issued a report that a significant number of Greeks were self inflicting themselves with the HIV virus. In order to qualify for a 700 euro a month pension which they would use in turn to feed their families. Greater love hath no man…..desperate people do desperate things.

I came across the report in an article in early October. I learned long ago that you cannot believe everything on the internet. I looked for some verification/support for the story. I could find none. Ergo, I placed the tale in tha back of my mind for another day. There was uncertainty as to validity on my part.

This past Monday, the story hit the internet and media big time. Liberals and conservatists alike were reporting the story. Even Russ Limbaugh and Matt Drudge. Ugh! All of a sudden for no particular reason, the story had legs.

I reported the situation in yesterday’s blog. Even talked about it on my blog talk radio show Tuesday evening. It fit into the Greece I have come to know.

I decided to do next week’s KONK Life column about the apparent very sad situation. Around noon yesterday, I went back on the internet to verify the facts, see if anything more had developed, etc. prior to writing the column.

Shock of shocks! I discovered the story was not true. There was as much coverage as the Monday revelation.

The World Health Organization is part of the United Nations. A well respected organization. It has done much good over the years. Also known as WHO. WHO retracted their September report. The organization said it had misspoken. Instead of self inflict, the verbiage should have been inject. The increase in prostitutes from East Europe was the cause/problem. Not self infliction, though WHO admitted their were some anecdotal cases reported.  The anecdotal bothers me, however for another day perhaps.

WHO claimed an editorial error. Their error became mine and everyone else’s. Sorry.

I started last night at Don’s Place. A good crowd. Chatted with Don, Hershel, and Stan a while. Mikey was in. Mikey used to hang out at Don’s Place. An excellent golfer, we played together several times. Though I was in a totally different league. Mikey moved to Lexington, Kentucky three years ago to a new job. Likes the job and doing well in it. Mikey is in Key West for the holiday. It was good to see him again.

Toni was sitting at the bar watching Kentucky play. She is a die hard Kentucky fan. She was jumping off the stool every time Kentucky did something right. Especially when they stole the ball.

Then to the Chart Room. Chatted with Sheila, Peter, and Emily. Met Dale. He is from the Jersey shore. Sails his sailboat down every winter for a six month Key West stay. An interesting guy.

Syracuse was playing Baylor in the finals of the Maui Classic at 10. I went home to watch the game. I saw only three minutes of it. I fell asleep. I see from this morning’s news that Syracuse won 74-67. A good victory since Baylor was a ranked team. Next week, Indiana.

I wrote a couple of days ago how I could not understand why the cost of gasoline in Key West went from $3.51 a gallon to $3.69 in two weeks. This morning I read on the internet that the cost off gasoline has gone down. The average yesterday across the U.S. was $3.29 a gallon. Why then $3.69 in Key West? I will never understand. Don’t write and tell me it is the cost of driving the gasoline from Miami to Key West. Not 40 cents a gallon worth!

Tomorrow morning my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Lots of good stuff to talk about. Not including the Greece/HIV story obviously. Join me for an interesting fast moving hour.

Via television from Key West through Boca Raton on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

I finally got a copy of my book yesterday. The World Upside Down. I got to see it and hold it. Exciting! If you are interested, the book is available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com both as an ebook and a paperback.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!