EDITING

Posted on by

I have written a few books over the past several years. I have finally decided to publish one. The book is in the final stages of editing. The title is The World Upside Down.

A fun time last night!

First was the Chart Room.

Surprise! Charlotte was in town! Lovely Charlotte. From Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte visits Key West 3-4 times a year. The Chart Room is her favorite haunt. She is lovely and cheerful. A hug and kiss from her exciting!

Charlotte has always been a loner on her trips to Key West. Not last night. Charlotte is enamoured. She has a boy friend. Skip. Skip is a radio announcer. A nice guy.

My heart is broken!

Sheila and Peter were at the bar, also. JJ bartending.

In came Jaime! Another lovely! Jaime is from Raleigh, South Carolina. A big day and evening for her. It was her 30th birthday!

I normally would not mention a woman’s age. However, Jaime was happy and telling everyone so I assume it is ok. Jaime was sitting at the end of the bar on a stool with her feet up on another stool holding court. She was openly discussing what she had thus far done and not done in her life. An interesting review. She still has a lot of living before her.

Interestingly, it did not appear Jaime was upset about having reached 30. Most people these days are. I can assure everyone it is not the end of the world. I am 78 and still enjoying. And on rare occasion, experiencing something new.

Happy birthday again, Jaime! Enjoy your birthday and Key West! Come back and visit us soon!

A bunch of tourists were standing nearby. They were discussing their high school days. Back in the 1980s. Poor me. My high school days were from 1949 to 1953.

I stopped at Don’s Place on the way home. For one drink. I ended up staying quite a while.

Everyone was there. Including Don, Larry, David and Stan. I enjoyed the balance of my evening chatting with them. Good people all!

While at the Chart Room, JJ handed me a business card that some one had left for me. A week ago.

It had a brief note written on the back. It was from Buffalo’s Bob Saraceno. He had stopped in looking for me. Sorry I missed you, Bob. Next time we will get together for sure.

In the last 10 days, I have visited doctors for two problems. My blood pressure was out of control. My ankle was killing me. The heart doctor increased one of my blood pressure medications. The foot doctor soft casted, ace bandaged and booted my leg. My blood pressure is fine. A bit on the low side. My ankle has not hurt since it was wrapped.

Amazing what a few days can do!!

Syracuse won big yesterday. Beat Wagner 54-0. Now that we have proven we can beat the little guys decisively, lets schedule more of the big guys. You have to play the best to be the best and establish credibility.

I have to move fast. Sloan will be here to work with me on the book at 10:30.

Enjoy your Sunday!

SISTERS OF CHARITY

Posted on by

It is amazing the different things that come into play with this blog. My opening comments today involve the Sisters of Charity. A Catholic religious women’s order.

My high school back in Utica, NY was taught by Sisters of Charity. The nuns with the big white head dress. You could not miss one. The white head top that resembled a bird’s wings. Topping a blue frocked full length dress. A lovely face in between.

Today is the day in 1975 that Pope Pius VI declared Elizabeth Ann Seton a saint. Seton possessed two significant characteristics from my perspective. She was the first born American to become a Catholic saint. She also was the founder of the Sisters of Charity.

We heard much of her in high school.

One particular Sister of Charity had a decided impact on me. Sister Gertrude. She taught me history. She sensed I liked history and encouraged my studies in the area. She took me beyond the class books. She was also responsible for me going to Manhattan College. Her cousin was a Christian Brother and Director of Athletics. Sister Gertrude made sure I got accepted.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I share the observance with you because of Robert. As most of you are aware, he was born with cancer. After two major surgeries during the first eight days of his life at Miami Childrens Hospital, Robert is ok. God love him!

We generally think of older people and cancer. Walk the hallways of Miami Childrens Hospital. You will see and never forget that children are afflicted also.

My ankle has not hurt since the doctor soft casted, ace bandaged and booted me. Amazing! The boot is cumbersome. I complain not, however. I cannot wait to be rid of it though.

Spent a couple of hours at Don’s Place last night early in the evening. Don, Hershel and Stephanie there. Don and Steph had ridden over on their scooters prior to going to a movie.

Friend David was at Don’s also. David from the Chart Room. First time I have seen him at Don’s.

I got the bocce report for last Thursday. We lost all three games. The last 16-0. I would like to say it was because I was not there. Ho ho. It would not be true, however. We played the #1 team. They win everything almost every year. They are next to impossible to beat. By any team.

Don and Hershel told me we lost the first game 16-14. close. They further told me that in spite of the 16-0 beating in the last game, the other team told them we had scored the most points overall against them this season.

A moral victory.

My plan was to grab David and head over to the Chart Room. I was tired all of a sudden. Begged off. Went to Publix instead to shop and then home.

David told me Emily is still employed by the Pier House. The reason she was not there thursday night was because she is on vacation.

Permit me to remind you once more that The Key West Lou Legal Hour is You Tubed. My own You Tube site. Enter Lou’s Legal Hour. Take a look.

Syracuse football again today! My Syracuse! I bleed for Syracuse. My blood is traditional orange.

Syracuse plays Wagner today. Wagner. No disrespect, but there was a time when Syracuse would not even consider having a Wagner on its schedule. We have fallen. I know we are rebuilding. However, the return to days of glory seems to be taking forever. When?

Syracuse University itself screws the program up. I know. I was actively involved with the University for years. I had a box at the Carrier Dome. I was Chairman of the Law School Board of Visitors, made significant contributions not only to the University but also to its sports programs. I was a small big shot. I was invited to the Chancellors box, to his home, to special black tie events, etc.

Here is what happens.

The football program is going well. Syracuse is a top 10 or 20 team. A bowl game every year. Money coming in from the program.

Universities are run by the faculty. Not the administration or a successful sports program. The faculty is made up of mental giants. Book smart. Reality dumb.

At the height of a sport program’s success, the faculty gets uncomfortable. Too much emphasis on the sport. What is the purpose of a university, they ask. To run a sport program or teach? Teaching wins out in their minds. Recall again, the faculty is the power in running a university.

The professors decide it is time to cut back on support. That means funding. The university does. The program goes down hill. Coaches hired are not as good, players do not desire to attend a school whose program is in a downward spiral, teams of lesser stature are scheduled.

The faculty is happy. Intellect over brawn has succeeded.

Everything is cyclical, however.

The economy takes a turn. A university needs money. Fewer students applying, faculty salary levels in danger. It looks to the down trodden football program. They, including the faculty, decide to reinvigorate the program. Money is thrown in. Better coaches hired. Everyone becomes aware the school is rebuilding. Good athletes begin to consider the school again.

That is where Syracuse is today and why. Now in a rebuilding posture. By University intent. The program’s success does not come over night. It is a 10-15 year effort.

A bad situation, to say the least. During my Syracuse University experiences as a sort of affluent alumnus, I became aware that the worst enemy of the sports program was the faculty. Their heads always in the clouds, their feet never on the ground.

Enjoy your day!

HARRY TRUMAN AND BASEBALL

Posted on by

Key West loves Harry Truman. Key West assumes Harry Truman loved Key West. Otherwise, why would he have made 11 trips to Key West during his Presidency. The 11 trips totaled 175 days.

Truman enjoyed the weather, the Naval base where he stayed, fishing, playing cards on a screened in porch each evening, walking the streets of old Key West and more.

Truman unquestionably is a part of Key West’s colorful past.

World War II changed many things. Baseball being one.

Presidents used to occasionally watch a Washington Senators game. Not during World war II, however. Whether because of Roosevelt’s incapacity or fear for his life, Roosevelt never made the trip to the ball park.

On this day in history, September 8, Truman went to watch the Washington Senators play. The year was 1945. World war II had recently concluded. Truman had ordered atomic bombs to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki one month earlier. The Japanese had formally surrendered on the deck of the USS Missouri one week earlier.

Historians suspect Truman attended the game to signify to the American people that the War was over and that there should be a return to normalcy.

The Commissioner of Baseball at the time was A. B. Chandler. He was with Truman. They both signed the same baseball. It is obviously worth a lot of money today.

Truman did the game big time. He brought his wife, cabinet members, and other high level Washingtonians.

I hung around the house during the day yesterday. Treated myself to a lazy day. I seem to be sneaking a lot of them in lately.

Last night was the Chart Room and Sloppy Joe’s.

I rarely do Duval Street. Ergo. I rarely visit Sloppy Joe’s. When I do, I know exactly what I will be ordering. Sloppy fries! A basket of soggy French fries covered in melted mozzarella cheese and a red sauce. Good! No, terrific!

Smoking in a place where food is served has been banned in Key West and Florida for years. Probably because of tradition. Sloppy Joe’s would not be what it was without smoked filled air. So no one stopped anyone from smoking after the law was enacted.

No more.

There was no ash tray on the table. I asked the waitress for one. She said, no. How long, I asked. A few months, she said.

Nothing is forever. Everything comes to an end.

I wonder what Hemingway would have to say about it?

Syracuse, my Syracuse! Not the better team that I thought. Northwestern beat Syracuse yesterday 48-27. Oh, well. Hope springs eternal, however. There are many more games to play and Syracuse may win a few.

I would like to remind all that my tv/internet show The Key West Lou Legal Hour is You Tubed. If you miss a Friday show or have never seen one, merely go to You Tube and enter: Lou’s Legal Hour. The show is broken into 5 segments with commercials in between. The commercials have been deleted on You Tube. You will be able to see 5 eight minute unencumbered segments.

Enjoy your Sunday!

THE BAND IS PLAYING

Posted on by

When my children were small (oh, so long ago!) and it thundered big time, we used to tell them it was a band playing in Heaven. They came to accept the explanation and it soothed them.

Lightning was hard to explain. We let them curl up with us.

Thunder and lightning are different on the ocean. This morning is overcast and the band plays on! It has not stopped thundering for two hours. Loudly. Like the sky is going to crack open.

A couple of nights ago, I was driving home and observed bright lights in the sky. Lightning! Out over the ocean. When the lightning occurred, the sky lite up as if it were day time.

I enjoyed a treat yesterday morning. I got to watch my TV show from my bed uninterrupted. Because of technical difficulties, I was required to record my friday show thursday morning. A one time event. Worked out well for me. I was impressed with the show. First time I had seen it all, including commercials, uninterrupted. Excuse my humility.

Wrote a bit afterward.

Sloan arrived mid afternoon. It took us quite a while to figure out and eliminate the crackling sound that occurred during last tuesday’s blog talk radio show. I hope it is now ok. I will not know till the next show on tuesday night.

Big time last night! Dinner with Jenna!

Jenna and I have not been out together for at least four months. We had an especially good time!

Jenna does my ego good. She is 27 and I am 78. Besides which, she is a knockout!

We have become very good friends over the past five years.

We stopped for a drink at the Chart Room. Emily was bartending. She came over to me. She appeared concerned. Where have you been, she asked. We have been worried.

It had been better than a week since I was in the Chart Room. The last time there, I mentioned concern with my blood pressure problem. Then I dropped out of sight. She and my bar brethren thought something bad had happened to me.

Nice of Emily and nice of the others to be concerned.

Except for bocce, I did remain home every evening.

Jenna and I picked at this and that at the Hot Tin Roof. Included were a dozen raw oysters and shataki. Shataki consists sushi which you cook/heat a bit yourself over a tiny grill brought to the table.

We had fun.

The Key West Citizen made mention this morning that a prior owner of Sloppy Joe’s bought the property in 1917. It was a restaurant at the time called Victoria’s. The property was purchased for $7,800. $7 million would not buy it today!

Syracuse football tonight. Against Northwestern. Northwestern is ranked #19 in the country. I suspect Syracuse will give Northwestern a battle. Syracuse could win. Syracuse looked good last week in losing to Penn State.

How swiftly fortune passes by! Last week’s Syracuse/Penn State game was nationally televised. No national TV for Syracuse this week.

Enjoy your day!

SYRACUE MY SYRACUSE

Posted on by

A new football season. A new Syracuse team.

Syracuse lost yesterday to Penn State 23-17. I was not disappointed in Syracuse’s performance. I would rather the team had won. Syracuse played well. They could have, might have, won.

Syracuse is still a rebuilding team. They are working towards being what they once were. A great team. Oh, so long ago. It is coming, however. The team I saw play yesterday was the best I have seen in years. Everything is a step at a time. In this instance, a year at a time.

After the game, I headed down to Duval. Brewfest!

I walked Duval a few blocks. The streets were jammed with people. Stands selling beer.

I stopped into three places. Sloppy Joe’s, Smokin’ Tuna, and Captain Tony’s. Enjoyed the people and a beer at each place.

David frost died yesterday. He was 74. British. A talented journalist, broadcaster, and media personality. His Richard Nixon interviews represented his best work. Each show was dramatic and thrilling. Frost will be best remembered for the Nixon interviews.

We are in the middle of the Labor Day weekend. Labor Day used to be a big deal. Labor itself was big. I remember as a youngster the parades. Huge. Everyone marching. Everyone excited.

As labor’s influence and strength have diminished over the years, so too has interest in Labor Day as a time to remember labor’s achievements. Today, it is a time for cook outs and partying. The successes of labor are forgotten and buried in the closet.

Enjoy your holiday Sunday!

BIG SATURDAY…..LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Posted on by

A big day today! Saturday of the Labor Day Weekend. America will be partying.

Two major happenings in Key West.

This is the weekend of the Key West Brewfest. Beer galore! Everywhere! People will be consuming.

The Brewfest is well planned. More events than you would have thought. Everything involves beer, of course. There is a beer school, beer breakfasts, beer dinners, beer seminars, beer brunches, a beer football tailgate party, beer parties otherwise, and a beer tasting festival.

Key West is packed this weekend. Some to merely enjoy the island and its waters. Others to enjoy the Brewfest.

Boating will be exceptionally heavy this weekend. I am sitting on my deck composing this blog. Boat after boat has gone by and is going by me. Big and small. People already partying on the boats. They are heading out either to fish or enjoy a day at one of the keys.

Key partying is popular. Most boaters have their special key. It is for them a private gathering place. Friends in other boats will join them. The boats are beached. An all day cookout ensues. The beaches are lovely. The water clear. The booze flows. A good time is had by all.

I will do a bit of the Brewfest today. I will not be boating. No one invited me.

The major event in my day involves Syracuse football. It begins! Syracuse is playing Penn State at 3:30. The game is being televised on ABC and ESPN2. Penn State is an 8.5 point favorite.

All I can say is…..Go ‘Cuse! We love you!

As reported yesterday, due to technical difficulties my tv/internet show was not broadcast. However, I did do a recording which at some point this week will appear on You Tube.

I now have my own You Tube account. It is under Lou’s Legal Hour. Three weeks of shows are already posted. Take a look. Again, Lou’s Legal Hour.

I spent most of yesterday afternoon and into the early evening writing next week’s KONK Life column. A New Way To Wage War. Cyber war is not the wave of the future. It is already here. Computer hacking will be as volatile and painful as bombs and missiles.

This past week’s hacking of the New York Times website by the Syrian Electronic Army turned me onto the topic.

I was tired when I finished writing the article. It was not within me to take a shower and get dressed to go into town. Instead, I cooked a light meal and went to bed early.

I will make up for last night’s absence today.

Enjoy your day!

SYRACUSE, MY SYRACUSE!

Posted on by

 

I did not get home and to bed till one last night. Overslept this morning. Have the Key West Lou Legal Hour at 10. The blog will have to be quick.

Syracuse won last night! Beat Indiana 61-50. A sweet victory. I never expected it. On to Marquette saturday. Another tough game. Marquette beat Syracuse during the season 74-71.

I am starting to become a believer. Just maybe…..

Yesterday morning was  a haircut and beard trim with Lori. Spent the afternoon fine tuning today’s show. Ten this morning my time. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Via television and the internet. TV from Key West through Miami-Dade county via Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19. On the internet world wide. www.tvchannel19.com.

Interesting topics. Like Cyprus and the banks, the rich get richer, $6,000 for a Supreme Court spectator seat, birth control Boston College style.

Join me. You will enjoy.

Bocce last night. We lost all three. Close games, Nevertheless we lost. I played the first game with Frankie. We were losing 9-2. We came back. Still lost 16-15. I did not have the stellar performance as last week. My playing was back to normal.

Stopped at Sandy’s on White Street for a bite on the way to Don’s to watch the game. Enjoyed a Cuban cheese toast with tomato. I was sitting outside. A huge dog came over. I do not know what kind. Big and white with brown and black spots.

He looked at me with big sympathetic eyes. He was hungry. I shared have my sandwich with him. He stayed the whole time.

A police officer arrived. He came to eat. Saw my friend. Told me he had to take him to the pound. No collar or tag. I felt terrible.

I am going to check tomorrow to make sure his owner found him. It would be a crime to do away with him.

Don’s Place for the Syracuse/Indiana game. Don an Indiana fan. David watched with us. Dee came during the game and stayed a while.

Hershel and Erika, where were you? Both die hard Indiana fans. In the middle of bocce, they put on their Indiana sweat shirts to aggravate me. I would have enjoyed watching the game with them. And smiling big at them when Syracuse won!

That’s all folks. I have to hustle.

Enjoy your day!

 

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Posted on by

 

My friday morning TV/internet show takes quite a bit of time to put together. Some time is devoted to preparation each day. Then the Wednesday or thursday before, several hours.

I enjoy the research. I enjoy putting the show together. I enjoy doing the show.

However problems arise which can be frustrating.

I was 4 minutes into the show yesterday. All of a sudden Jenna burst into the studio. You’re not on….. something’s wrong, she exclaimed.

I sat and waited. Four minutes later Krystal said everything was ok and start the show anew. Which I did.

It was a good show. Many interesting topics. Especially Berlusconi’s wednesday exploits. He knocked Germany’s Merkel. Publically told the whole world she had a “…fat ass” and would probably be a poor sex partner. He did not state the last part as delicately as I have.

The next thing I learn is that a Naples court has issued bench charges against Berlusconi for allegedly paying a 50,000 euro bribe to a politician from another party.

And you thought American politics was rough!

Anyhow…..I do not know if anyone could understand yesterday’s show. I have been told by some who tried to listen that my voice was coming over in a loud screech. So much for the technical difficulty having been resolved.

I apologize. Hopefully it will not happen again.

Key West weather sucks today. It did last night, also. It will till tuesday. It is cold!!! Sixty two degrees at the moment. Longs pants days. Sweater or a sweat shirt underneath a jacket.

Almost like being up north!

Not really.

After my failed show yesterday, I visited Lisa. It was time for another father/daughter talk. We seem to be having many lately.

Last night the Chart Room and Wine Galley.

Chart Room packed with tourists. To cold to be out on the street. I sat at the end of the bar. First talked with Don from Cleveland, then Peter and Don, then Peter alone, then new friend Lynn, then Lynn and Ollie. In between I exchanged a few words with the lovely Emily.

I was hungry. Walked over to the Wine Galley. Had a light meal and enjoyed Larry Smith’s singing. Larry undoubtedly a Key West talent.

Today, Syracuse basketball once again. For sure. Syracuse and Louisville go at it at noon. I am going to watch the game from the comfort and warmth of my bed.

Enjoy your day!

WAVES IN THE POOL

Posted on by

 

The sun is shining. There are no clouds in the sky. The temperature is 74 degrees. However, it is cold at my house.

My Key West home sits on open water. Any wind from the north, northwest or northeast hits it head on. Ocean wind is always cold. Even in the humid heat of summer.

The wind is still blowing today. Around 20 miles per hour. It is hitting my pool perfectly. There are waves in the pool.

Did the Key West Lou Legal Hour yesterday morning. My TV/internet show. There were some technical difficulties at the beginning. The audio was screwed up. No one could hear me. Otherwise, the show went well.

My Mc Cain comments to the effect the once hero was now an arrogant old man initiated quite a deal of comment. Most agreed with me.

The other topic that generated a great deal of interest had to do with the 60 year old woman who just won a $1 million lottery. She wanted to give back, help others. Since 2008, this woman and her mother were financially destitute. They relied on charitable organizations to get along.

One such organization provided toilet paper to her and her mother. One roll per person per month. Apparently not enough. She wanted to send a truck load of toilet paper to the organization.

Visted Tammy for a manicure after the show. Tammy’s company is always a pleasant experience. I could not help wondering what Vietnam has been without her.

Tammy became a US citizen last week. I shook her hand in congratulations. She is proud.

When I returned home, it was time to do next week’s KONK Life column. The publishing deadline was 5 o’clock.

I wrote about China and its one baby per couple rule. China is now considering going to two babies. Together with the reasons therefore. Read the article if you have the opportunity. It is interesting. An eye opener.

Dinner with Jenna was to end my day. I called and canceled. I was tired. I had been tired since the day before. Decided to go to bed instead. I did. Fell asleep early. I feel energized this morning.

Do not think I am letting Jenna get away. In place of dinner last night, we have decided to attend a performance at St. Paul’s Church this evening.

Remember Sound of Music? The story of the von Trapp family escape from Nazi Germany in the late 1930s. Lots of children.

One of the von Trapp granddaughters is singing tonight at St. Paul’s. I am excited. I am sure the program will include songs from Sound of Music.

I saw my first Broadway shows in 1960. The second was Sound of Music.

Syracuse/Pitt basketball at noon. I am concerned. More than ever.Though Syracuse is ranked #6, it is going to be difficult to stay in the top ten. Our sixth man has been benched for academics for several weeks. This week a starter had knee surgery and is on crutches. The team only went 7 deep at the beginning of the season. We are in trouble.

I have decided to watch the game from the comfort of my bed. It is being broadcast on ESPN.

Ed Koch died yesterday. A great New York City Mayor, a respected voice since he left office, and an all around good person. The world has lost a great one.

May he rest in peace.

Enjoy your saturday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SYRACUSE NUMERO UNO

Posted on by

 

Syracuse won yesterday! Beat #1 ranked Louisville.

It was a game of games! March Madness! The Final Four! Great basketball!

What a game!

Sixth ranked Syracuse won 70-68.

One of the finest basketball games I have seen. And I have seen many.

Does this make Syracuse #1 nationally? I think it should. Syracuse has only lost one game. There are about three other teams left who have lost one game, also. Syracuse should come out on  top of the heap because of the Louiville victory. Many prior to yesterday’s game considered Louisville man for man the best team in the country.

I watched the game at John’s Big Ten Sports Pub. John had 3 TVs set up for the Syracuse game.

I watched the contest in the back bar room with Don, Chris and Dan. Plus, several other Syracuse fans. It was high fives all around at the end!

Don has a friend, Ed. I have never met Ed. Ed was in Des Moines, Iowa yesterday. Ed apparently a die hard Syracuse fan, also.  He kept calling and texting Don every few minutes during the game.

Prior to yesterday, I thought Syracuse would lose. I am glad I was wrong. The reason Syracuse won was they made their foul shots, controlled the defensive backboard, and Trisch scored 18 points in the first half. Syracuse finally blended and played as a team.

I say Syracuse has earned the #1 ranking. We shall see.

Stan Musial. A baseball immortal. Member of the Hall of Fame. A giant. Musial died yesterday.

Today, he is sits with other comparable baseball greats in the heavens above. Persons like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, and Ted Williams.

I have a Key West friend of many years who lives on Cape Cod. Musial is her uncle. He is her father’s brother. Dee. Dee also has a home on Cudjoe Key. Dee is most likely with the family in St. Louis today. My condolences, Dee.

When I was a grammar school kid, baseball was big in my life and that of my friends. We were all die hard Yankee fans. A few also liked Stan Musial. So we would listen to St. Louis Cardinal games too. Note the use of the word listen. We would lie on a living room floor and listen to the games on a radio. No TV back then. It was the mid 1940s.

We headed over to the Chart Room after the game. JJ bartending. Captain Peter, Sheila, Frankie, Sean and Katherine, plus a big tourist crowd, present. We celebrated the Syracuse victory.

Captain Peter is 70 years old. I am 77. He always offers me his seat when I arrive at the Chart Room. Makes me feel ancient!

Friend Anna in Novara is celebrating the Feast of San Gaudenzio today. In italian, Fiesta San Gaudenzio Novara. The holiday is some what like the Feasts of Sts. Cosmo and Damien that my family celebrated in my youth. Fanfare, food. Roasted chestnuts are a favorite.

Anna will visit today the Basilica of Saint Gaudenzio. The Church. Then home to cook a big holiday meal for the family. The same as was done back in Utica on the feast days of old.

Do not forget. My blog talk radio show tuesday morning at 7. Current events, plus anything that comes to mind. A talk show. Call and chat with me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

It’s sunday. Don’s for football playoffs this afternoon. Maybe a stop at the Gardens afterwards. I have not been in ages.

Enjoy your day!