I should have watched the sinking of the Vandenberg yesterday! My golf game sucked!

I topped the ball on the front 9 and sliced it on the back nine!

My play on 18 reflected my game yesterday. 18 is a long par 5. After my first 2 hits, I still had not reached the ladies’ tee! My next 2 shots were in the water. That was it! I packed up and went home!

The buzz on the street last night was that the Vandenberg sinking was both exciting and spectacular. Apparently all went well. Boom and the ship went down!

There were many vessels out there to view the occasion. Small and large alike. Sail and power. One person told me it reminded him of the Normandy invasion!

There was a slight delay. A group of turtles were in the area. The blasting/sinking had to wait till they were safely out of the area. Amounted to about a 15 minute delay.

Last night was fun. Donna and Terri took me out to dinner. I have not really spent much time with them in the past 3 weeks.

We had dinner at the Hot Tin Roof. Part of the Ocean Key complex on Mallory Square. A Noble hotel.

The food, service and view were spectacualr! Especially the view. The setting sun, the boats, the people! A wow!

I had a touching experience over the holiday weekend.

On Memorial Day, I was seated in Borders reading the Harry Truman book. A small group of about 6 people came in and over to the seating area where I was. Various ages. All women.

They appeared to be mentally and physically challenged. A nice way of saying handicapped. They were in the charge of a 35ish woman. Who was in total control of the group.

Some took seats around me.

Next to me sat an elderly appearing woman. Tiny and frail. No teeth. She just starred. I smiled. No reaction. Where ever she was, she was. And apparently content.

One of the group wanted to buy a book. She had $20. The book she selected was $27. I was very impressed how the person in charge explained the money difference to her and guided her in seeking out a book she could afford. But always calmly trying to make her understand why she could not have the more expensive book.

The charge woman was obviously a professional and very caring of those under her watch.

One of the women was very attractive. Beautiful! Young. 25-35 I would estimate. Dressed lovely. But then they all were.

This young lady required the use of a walker. Her body was partially malformed. One hand had crooked fingers, one arm sort of swung, a dragging leg. Possibly cerebral palsy.

She sat about 10 feet away from me. The charge person had given her a large book with pictures and words to enjoy. Her head was constantly down as she became engrossed in her reading.

All of a sudden, a young mother and her 5 or 6 year old daughter were between us. The mother was chastising the daughter for running around and misbehaving a bit. The mother then went on to review with her daughter the book the daughter had selected. Mother and daughter talked back and forth for 3-4 minutes. Then they left.

As they walked away, the lovely lady across from me lifted her head. Starring straight ahead, she recited the mother/daughter conversation which had just taken place word for word. I swear, it was that precise! All 3-4 minutes of it!

Then she lowered her head again and returned to her book reading.

She was probably autistic. Reminded me of Dustin Hoffman in that movie he made with Tom Cruise.

The things we see in life! The things I see in Key West!

But more importantly, the things some of us are compelled to experience in life! I hope God does hold each of us in the palm of His hand!

This is a day of consequence for Key West!

One which will be remembered in its history!

The town is excited!

The USS Hoyt S. Vandenberg is being sunk off Key West to create an artificial reef! One for marine life and divers alike to enjoy!

Tourism is the major industry of Key West. It is the only industry! The reef will be a major attraction.

There were Sink the Vandenberg parties all over Key West last night in celebration of the event. Pulic and private parties alike.

The Vandenberg is a proud ship. It is entering what might be described as its third life.

The ship was first commissioned in the midst of World War II. It was named the USS Harry Taylor. It carried soldiers and supplies first to the Pacific. Later across the Atlantic. It served best at the end of World War II when it returned soldiers home from Europe.

It was mothballed in 1958.

Then in 1961 the US Air Force needed a ship to spy on the Russians. It was Cold War time. The Taylor was taken out of mothballs. It was recommissioned and renamed the USS Hoyt S. Vandenberg. It spent much time in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia watching over Russia’s activities.

The ship was retired again in 1983.

Two names, two lives. It was time to rest in peace and enjoy that long rest in rusted splendor with all the other vessels that had protected us over the years.

But rest was not to be.

Ten years ago some locals decided that what Key West needed was a new and more vibrant reef. We have a natural one, but time and man have diminished its beauty and effectiveness. It was decided to buy a retired vessel and sink it!

The process had already been tried twice in 2 other places in the world. With success! Fish naturally gravitate to the site and a new reef is developed. A divers’ heaven!

The vessel was found. The Vandenberg. Now 10 years and $8.6 million later, the day has arrived! The feeling of anticipation is similar to a long awaited childbirth.

Explosives have been set. Later this morning they will be exploded. Assuming all goes well, the ship will sink within minutes to the bottom of the sea.

A site has been selected 6.5 miles out. The depth is 140 feet.

Four 4 ton anchors will lock the Vandenberg into position.

The Vandenberg is 522 feet long and 100 feet tall. The top of the ship will rest 40 feet below the surface.

A big day in the making! No question. A major Key West day!

Now for an update on the grandchildren.

I thought they were getting better. They were not. Both now have been diagnosed with walking pneumonia.

Robert is making headway. Ally got worse. The medicines were not working for her.

This has to end soon. Their poor little bodies are taking a beating. Actually, they both look good. And are active. However both continue to run low grade fevers, cough and are tired off and on.

Lisa is staying home the rest of the week to make sure they get proper attention. I have been fired! No, not really. She is being the good mother and doing what must be done.

Today is Wednesday. Golf day!

I have a choice this morning. I can go out on a boat and watch the Vandenberg sink or play golf. Perhaps my head is not in the right place. Golf is my choice! I know that which I enjoy!

Have a good day!

For whatever reason, last night was an unusually good one!

I did nothing special. Started out as usual at the Chart Room. Sat and passed the time away with friends at the round table. Then to La Trattoria with Marty for dinner at the bar. Kathy bartending. A special personality. She recently had to put her dog/best friend of many years down. Sad.

Marty and I talked like two old farts. We were reminiscing of our early New York and Miami days. 1960-1970s. At one point Marty said we were beginning to sound like old men. I said no, not like. We are!

I was home early again to watch the second half of the basketball game. Again, I fell asleep! There is a pattern developing here.

George McGovern visited Key West this past week. He is the former US Senator from South Dakota and the Democratic Presidential candidate in 1972.

He was here to speak at a special event at the Little White House.

An interesting background. Bomber pilot in World War II. 35 missions. College professor. Senator. Presidential candidate. Icon.

He ran very poorly in 1972. Nixon defeated him soundly! I think McGovern only carried one state. He did not even carry his home state.

Interestingly, Nixon soon after came under scrutiny for Watergate and had to resign from office. As McGovern stated while here in Key West, had he, McGovern, been elected, the country would have been sparred the Nixon debacle.

I remember the Mc Govern/Nixon race in 1972. I did not think Mc Govern stood a chance. He was the nominee of the new Democratic Party. The one formed after the Humphrey loss to Nixon in 1968. Humprey, too, never stood a chance. He was nominated in Chicago. Protestors and demonstrators were jammed outside the convention hall. TV carried it all live. Even the brutality of the Chicago police. This was Vietnam time. Everything and everyone was on edge!

Following Humprey’s loss, the Democratic Party developed new rules for how its Presidential candidate was to be picked. It opened the process. Widely I thought. McGovern was the first candidate under the new rules. He paid the price! The country was not yet ready for dramatic change. Or a Presidental candidate chosen by the masses rather than the political bosses.

McGovern was a step too soon.

It is interesting how Key West continuues to attract national figures. It is generally the Little White House and/or Harry Truman that bring them here.

Another nice day in the making. Enjoy!

Good morning! Enjoy the holiday!

I got up early this morning. It was still dark. I decided to take a brisk walk on the ocean at Smather’s Beach.

The sun was just breaking over the horizon as I started the walk. Pretty. There was a cool breeze coming off the Atlantic. By the time I finished my walk, the sun was up and blazing. It was hot! I was soaking wet!

Then drove over to Paradise Cafe to read the papers and have cuban coffee and toast.

There is this elderly gentleman who runs every day on Roosevelt Boulevard. You can’t miss him! He is always attired the same. Fire red shorts and a fire red hat. The hat is like those that priests wear at the Vatican. Round in the center with a long round brim. Actually, the guy looks weird!

He weighs no more than 120 pounds. Probably in excellebt health. The benefit of running.

This morning he was carrying an American flag as he ran. Not a small one. Rather large and attached to a wood pole.

He never missed a step.

Today he did not look out of the ordinary. He was an American! and proud of it!

I had a quiet day yesterday. Hung around the house till dinner time. Then celebrated Lisa and Corey’s sixth wedding anniversary with the two of them and the grandkids. Lisa cooked.

Robert and Ally are on the mend. Corey is now sick with whatever they had. He looked and felt lousy. Lisa is probably next.

I was home early and to bed. I wanted to watch the basketball game.

Instead I got hooked on the PBS show celebrating Memorial Day. Spectacular! Tear jerking!

We have to see our veterans to fully appreciate the sacrifice they are making. The wounds some of them will carry for life speak to that sacrifice and the debt we owe!

I caught the second half of the game.

Lebaron James cannot do it all alone. He scored 41 points and that was not enough to win. Some one else has to step in and help or Cleveland will not be proceeding into the championship series.

Enjoy your cookouts! Enjoy your families and friends!

Our next holiday is all of five weeks off! July 4th!

The sun is starting to sneak in this morning. The tide is out. No breeze to speak of. Calm.

The beginning of another good day in Key West!

It was hot yesterday! Boiling! The kind of heat that made even walking a chore.

The island is packed with tourists for the Memorial Day weekend. The hotels are full. But the tourists are not spending money. The restaurants and bars were empty last night. I suspect that most of the holiday visitors drove down for the weekend and are families. They are here for beach, sun and some extra fun. And it is pizza in the room at night!

I spent four hours at Borders yesterday afternoon. I am engrossed in the Harry Tuman book. I am into his school days in Independence and the stirrings of his feelings for Bess Wallace. I will probably spend a few hours there today. The book has captured my interest.

Visited with the grandchildren. Robert appears on the mend. It is amazing what modern day medication can do in a short time. He is far from well yet. But decidedly on his way. Ally plays nurse to Robert. She is very serious about it. Not playing.

Love them both!

A big night last night!

Started as usual at the Chart Room. Marty, Captain Peter and Sean. And a few tourists who stopped in. Nothing big.

Then to Michael’s for dinner with Marty.

Bart was there. Bart used to own Alice’s with Alice. Now he sometimes helps out at Antonia’s. Bart and Antonia owner Christopher are good friends.

I was sitting next to Bart. I had not seen him in a while. We had an interesting conversation. I vented a bit about my recent frustrations with Antonia’s. I am sure Bart will convey them to Christopher.

Where to go next? The three of us, Marty, Bart and Louis, ended up at La Te Da. Debra and Patrick time! Love Debra’s singing!

The crowd was not as it should have been. But those there were dancing up a storm!

One drink was enough for me. I headed home to catch the end of the Los Angeles/Denver basketball game. There was 8 minutes left when I climbed into bed. The end of the game is always the best. That is when everything happens!

I fell asleep before the game was over. Slept the night away with the lights on. Had to look on the internet this morning to see who won.

Today is a special day. Lisa and Corey’s sixth wedding anniversary! Congratulations to them! It has been some 6 years!

Dinner tonight with Lisa and the family. I offered to babysit so Lisa and Corey could go out. But they said no. They just want a special family dinner at home. And so it shall be!

Enjoy your day!

Memorial Day Weekend!

Key West is packed! No room at the inn!

There was an excitement in the air last night. You could feel the holiday. People were happy and having fun.

Marty and I met for drinks at the Keys Piano Bar. It was the Keys because Bobby Nesbitt was playing at cocktail hour. He is the best!

Then we headed over to Louie’s Backyard. Mine in name only! Wish I owned it!

We ate upstairs at the new tapas restaurant. Good! Cheap! What a view!

Grandson Robert has finally been properly diagnosed. He has been sick with an off and on fever and cough for just over a week. Plus always tired. He has pneumonia.

I feel bad for the little one. However, he is finally getting medicated. He got a shot and is on a heavy dose of antibiotics. So he will get better.

Prior to yesterday, the diagnosis was he had the bug/a virus and time would heal him. No meds required.

Makes you wonder!

I saw something awful yesterday! Terrible! Sick!

For the past two weeks, the papers have advised that some religious nut was coming to Key West this weekend to protest the gay life here. It’s a free country. There seemed to be a community consensus to ignore the person.

I must have seen the beginning of this bigoted onslaught ysterday.

There were a number of protesters, for want of a better word, on the corner of the Boulevard and US 1. 12-15. They were carrying signs. “God hates fags!” “God hates Israel!” “Kill more soldiers!” And some other similar type ditties I cannot specifically recall.

They also had an American flag. A large one. When they crossed the street, one of the protestors dragged the flag along the ground like a beach towel.

These protestors were not adults. Not one of them. They were all children! Teenagers at best!
I would suspect between 10 and 16 years of age. Boys and girls alike. Clean cut. Happy and cheerful in all they were doing.

My judgment is that they were not Kest West residents. Probably from outside the area. Brought here for planned weekend demonstrations.

I am an attorney by profession. I respect the First Amendment right to free speech. Which includes flag desecration. But to use children to spread one’s vile thoughts! A step too much! Over the line!

I hope this is the most publicity this group will get. I doubt it, however. This is only the tip of the iceburg. A well planned invasion is upon us.

A strange occurence yesterday.

I was lazy. Spent the day hanging around the house. Mostly in bed. That kind of day.

Marty called at dinner time. He is back in town. He wanted to go to dinner. Square One. I was not in the mood. Too elegant for me last night. Told him I thought I would go to Schooner’s Wharf, have a couple of drinks and probably a fish sandwich at the bar.

We were on different wave lengths. So we agreed not to meet.

I stepped out of the shower at 7. My cell phone rang. It was Dan Manaher of Don’s Place. “Where are you?” “Home,” I replied. “When are you coming?” “Coming where?” “To the bocci party!”

I forgot! Last night was the bocci banquet at Don’s Place for our special 4 team group. Our second annual such party!

We had talked about it for 3 weeks. All of us. Bocci is important! The banquet even more important!

Don and I had chatted about it several times. Jules, who was in charge of awards, and I talked about it many times, also. Michael was responsible for the menu. He and I discussed the party and menu more than once.

And I forgot!

Alzheimer’s!

I was there in 15 minutes. Everyone was already partying. Most had already eaten. Food left, however.

I had a wonderful time!

My bocci friends are all good people!

There were several awards. Jules, Larry, Amanda, Chris and a couple of others received trophies. Well deserved! All happy to be recipients! And the rest of us happy to see them recognized!

Larry’s team was the big winner. Yankee Jack wrote a special song for Larry to commerate the event. Yankee stood next to Larry with his arm around Larry and sang it to him. Amusing to observe. Big Yankee and tiny Larry. One squeeze of Yankee’s arm and Larry would have been annihilated!

The words Yankee wrote fit the occasion. More importantly, they fit Larry!

Next year I am going to write the event on the back of my hand in indelible ink 3 weeks in advance of the bocci dinner. That way, I will be sure to remember! That is, if I have not already been confined for Alzheimer’s!

Good morning world!

Nice day today. At least at its start.

Sun bright, few clouds, water crawling along.

The problem is the rainy season. It is upon us here in Key West. It rained off and on yesterday and last night. No big deal. But it was there. And is here.

Today will probably be the same. However at this point in the early morning, it could not be better weather wise!

Robert appears to have recovered. Lisa just called. No fever. Slept well. Ate breakfast. Good! He wants to go to school. A good sign also. I am awaiting another call as to the school decision. If he does not go, I will be hastening over to baby sit.

Last night was Bobby Nesbitt time at Aqua. A good locals crowd. To listen to great singing!

The locals at Bobby’s Aqua performance are always the same. We are, in effect, groupies. Oh, well! Nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to Bobby! One of Key West’s most spectacular performers!

Then to one of my favorite haunts for dinner. La Trattoria. I was in a carb frame of mind! Lasagna! I wish I could say it was calorie free!

I walked over to the Keys Piano Bar. Terri was scheduled to sing. No Terri! I asked Mark Watson, “Where is Terri?” “Home sick,” he responded. “She threw out her back.”

I was on the telephone calling her. Got Donna. Yes, Terri’s back went out. Remember that Terri is a career dancer as well as singer. Her hoofing over the years has resulted in a lame back.

Donna was on her way to the drug store to get some hot/cold packs. Terri has to sing tonight. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday she is perforfming in a musical at the Red Barn Theater. The show must go on!

I am looking out my open widow here by the desk. I can see the ocean and the top of one palm tree. The sun shining on all. And I can also hear the sound of the water moving by.

What could be better!

God is good!

I am late with the blog today.

Normally I do it early in the morning. However the site would not come up this morning. It was down for some reason.

So I left to play golf. Today is Wednesday. Golf day. Lisa gave me the day off from babysitting. She stayed home to watch poor Robert who is still sick.

I am at Lisa’s now. Robert is sleeping. Still has a temperature.

Golf went well. I played with Yankee Jack and Aaron. Yankee and I played a money game. I won $2! Better than losing!

I baby sat Robert yesterday. The fever keeps hanging in. Doctor says not to worry. I worry. Lisa worries. If it follows Ally’s situation, the fever should break in the next day or two.

My first stop last night was the Chart Room. Sat at the round table with Captain Peter, Sean the reporter and a couple of other locals. Felt like I was at the round table at the Algonquin!

Rain was the main topic of conversation. It has been raining heavy the past two days. I was informed that the rainy season is upon us. About a week early. It normally starts with the hurricane season which is scheduled to begin June 1st.

I find the rainy season amusing. Just last week the newspaper informed us that we had to cut back on water usage. The drought in the keys was the worst since 1932. One of the restrictions was that lawns could only be watered one day a week and only for ten minutes. Now a week later and we are getting buried in rain! And it is anticipated to continue on a daily basis! Hopefully the drought problem will correct itself in short order.

I had an interesting experience at the bar at La Trattoria last night. Not very crowded. I was sitting alone in the corner having dinner. Erin was bartending.

At some point a woman and two men came in. They sat at the bar one seat away from me.

They were visitors. Tourists.

The woman appeared to be in her 50s. The men 40 to 50. The woman was bleached blonde. Attractive.

They were talking loudly and sharing with Erin.

They had just arrived in Key West yesterday. She had rented a home in Key Haven for the week. The two men were staying with her. Between last night and this morning, four more men would be arriving and all six men would be spending the week with her.

I say no more. The intimation was there. Erin was tongue tied.

I live in Key Haven. A family island. The professional and business people of Key West make their homes there.

We never had this before! At least not that I know of! Definately not an only in Key West thing!

I am going to sit with Robert a bit. He just woke up. Lisa is working from home.

Have a good day!

Up early!

Raining outside. Big time! Had to close the terrace doors as the carpet was getting wet.

The weather report indicates showers all week. Yesterday was not bad. No rain by day. Then a big 5 minute shower at dinner time while I was sitting in the Chart Room.

Robert was sick yesterday. It was baby sitting time again. I am getting good at this. And making macaroni and cheese for lunch!

Someone asked me yesterday if I made it from scratch or out of a box. I am a pro! I do it all myself! Robert was duly inpressed. Without goading or asking on my part, he commented that my macaroni and cheese was better than his mother’s! A compliment! Of course, it has to be. I load it up with everything I can find!

Drinks at the Chart Room last night. With friend, Captain Peter. A wise man. I enjoy conversing with him.

Later, dinner at the outside bar at La Te Da. Met an interesting individual. Allen. Originally from Poland, he is into house rentals. I got an educatiuon.

People can’t afford to buy. People can’t afford to sell. Nor can they afford long term rentals like one month. So one week rentals have become the big thing. Most of the clientle are from Miami and points north in Floida. They hop in their cars and drive down for a week. A cheap vacation!

Allen told me his company gave up sales and long term rentals. They are devoting themselves exclusively to the weekly rental market. And their numbers are up significantly from previous years!

It is called adapting to the market.

Then across the street to the Keys Piano Bar. Terri was singing. Donna watching. A kiss from both. One drink. And home I was!

In between all this baby sitting, I continue to read a book on Harry Truman’s life.

There is a saying…..like father, like son. True in Truman’s case.

When Truman was President, his daughter Margaret was trying to forge a career as a professional singer. Semi classical and popular stuff. She was not that good. One critic really lambasted her in his column. A very unfavorable review.

Truman was highly irritatedf. He knocked the hell out of the critic who had knocked the hell out of his daughter. Said the critic deserved a punch in the nose and he would be happy to give him one!

Harry Truman grew up in Indedpendence, Missouri, as we all know. A typical family. Father, mother, sisters and Harry. His father’s name was John. John was built like a modern day jockey. Short and thin. But a tough honest person in every respect. The in your face type.

And very protective of his lady folks. If any one spoke ill of his wife or daughters, John Truman was quick to confront them and physically knock them on their asses.

Thus did Harry Truman acquire his defensive nature as regards his daughter.

The things we learn at home. They are the best!

I suspect I have one last day to baby sit. Today. I promise one thing. No macaroni and cheese. I am getting sick of it!