Good morning!

What a lovely day!

I am lucky to be living here in Key West. I am sitting outside next to the pool. The ocean is ten feet away. The sun is shining. The MTV house across the way a subdued yellow. The palm tree branches a bright green. The water blue. Moving at a pretty good clip this morning. I must not forget the sky. Powder blue with smatherings here and there of white fluffy clouds.

I wish everyone could be experiencing this Key West morning. It’s a God is in his Heaven, all is right with the world moment.

I started my Sunday with Meet the Press. I was disappointed in Meet the Press and the other Sunday talk shows I watched. Much about Republican presidential politics. Little, if anything, about the New York City/Wall Street protest.

Meet the Press gave it all of 10 seconds. I kid you not. The other shows even less or nothing.

This morning was Morning Joe for me. Normally, this would be the type of issue everyone on the show would rip into. They gave the issue more than lip surface. But did not get into it as they usually would.

I sensed a hesitancy. Like lets not add fuel to the fire. My suspicion is that is what the media in genral is doing. They are fearful of flaming the fires of protest. Strange considering their past record with other issues.

Don’s Place was my first stop in the early afternoon. Pro football.

Don is a rabid Buffalo fan. He is originally from Buffalo. Yesterday, he had a group of Buffalo fans I had never seen before. Probably vactioners. Don was happy he had Buffalo fans for compny. The fans were happy they were in Buffalo heaven for the game.

Then to Lisa’s. I was early for Sunday dinner. Read the Sunday papers. Chatted with the grandkids. Robert and Ally were into their own thing and not me. It was ok by me. Gave me a chance to catch a few winks.

Great dinner! Lisa prepared a linguine with vegegtables and olive oil. The pasta was a  low carbohydrate one. The veggies were cut in very tiny pieces. All of a sudden, Robert and Ally are into no vegvetables. Lisa was fooling them. Except for one cry by Ally…..a carrot!, Lisa got away with it.

Lisa’s birthday was Friday. We celebrated it at the Yacht Club. No birthday cake, however. We had it last night. Since it was Lisa’s birthday, Corey made it. Vanilla with a soft white frosting. And sprinkles. I had two pieces!

Back to the New York City protest a bit.

I do not think it is going anywhere. I could be wrong, but that is how I see it at the moment.

Why? Because the protest is not a spontaneous one. It was planned and organized. By Democrats and union people. The grass roots ingredient is lacking.

Additionally, this protest in New York has been ongoing since September 17th. You heard me right. Two weeks later and it has not inflamed the hearts and souls of a large number of the downtrodden as yet.

So Louis thinks the protest will fizzle and die.

However, it will return. This time of its own accord. Things are that bad in this country. Washington neither hears nor understands. The proper place for a demonstration of this nature is Washington, DC. That is where the problem is. Government empowered the banks and corporate America.

This New York City group of protestors have issued a Declaration of the Occupation of New York City. I read it. A Declaration of Independence it is not! A general list of grievances it is.

I have been lazy exercising. Can’t seem to get back into the habit. My new resolution is to walk every day. That is where I am going now. I am a perfect example of the road to hell being paved with good intentions.

Enjoy your day!

Big day in Key West yesterday! The U.S. Navy’s newest vessel, the USS Spruance, was commissioned. The crowd attending the ceremony was overwhelming.

Key West has been a sigificant naval base since the 1820s. However, this is the first time a ship has been commissioned here.

The Spruance is a guided missle destroyer. It is named after the Admiral Raymond Spruance who led the U.S. Naval forces during the battles of Midway and the Philippine Sea in world War II. It is 509 feet log.

Spruance’s granddaughter formally commissioned the ship At her command to “man the ship”, 285 sailors rushed up two gangways. Impressive!

A deep feeling of pride and nationalistic feeling permeated those in attendance.

I watched the Alabama/Florida football game last night. Was I impressed! Alabama won 38-10. The ten points Florida scored were an accident early in the game. What a team!

Bad things are happening in this country. Maybe, good. I don’t know anymore.

I am referring to the Wall Street protests. Two weeks old and growing. The groups are protestiong financial and corporate greed. Many of the demonstrators are recent college graduates who cannot find jobs. Nor can they pay their rent nor put proper food on the table.

The protests spread to Boston, Los Angeles and Albuquerque this weekend.

Some are describing the protests as preparation for an American revolution. Strong words.

Several months ago, Egypt had similar demonstrations in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.Yesterday on one of the internet news sites there was a video of a Tahrir Square protestor giving verbal support to his compatriots on Wall Street via a cell phone. The Tahrir Square demonstarations which toppled Mubarek were basically by college graduates who could not find jobs.

Two weeks ago, New York’s Mayor Blumberg went on television and warned we could have “…riots in the streets.” He further indicated that most of the complainers were college graduates who could not find work. Similar to those in Tahrir Square.

I have been suggesting/stating street demonstrations could occur for two years on my radio and internet shows, as well as in some of my writings. I have been emphasizing the danger more frequently in recent weeks. A nation cannot have one per cent making all the money and the other ninety nine per cent hurting.

The cost of basics has gone out the roof. I refer to gasoline, food, and rent. It becomes increasingly difficult for the ninety nine per cent to adequately exist.

The financially comfortable middle class of the past two generations is gone. We have become the very rich and the poor.

The Wall Street protests remind me of the Vietnam ones. However with Vietnam they started smaller.  Four or five people silently walking in protest in communities across the country. As the war got larger, so did the demonstrations. Till there were thousands in the streets with resultant injuries and property damage.

The Wall Street demonstration is significantly larger in its beginnings than the early Vietnam ones. I am concerned they will go farther. As I have been warning for two years, I sense an impending violence in the streets.

I am curious how Meet the Press is going to handle the issue this morning. A brief comment? Or more?

We are in serious times.

While our government in Washington fiddles, the fires are about to start.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Good morning!

Glad to be writing early in the morning. My computer has been returned in a healthy state.

My day yesterday started with my internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Fun to do! Where else could I sit back and pontificate on a number of issues and have no one talk back to me!

Three topics appear to have generated the most interest.

Based on the feed back, my friend Jim Brown from Crete was a hit with his diddy about the cost of gas, food, power and water. Smart man, that Jim Brown.

I shared the salaries, hospitalization plans and retirement benefits of our Congressmen with the audience. A wow! Most people are unaware what a good deal these people have. And yet….they think not of us. I do not understand.

We need manufacturing jobs in the United States. They all went overseas. Many to China. Periodically I discover a Chinese produced item that sells well in the U.S. or elsewhere and bring it to the attention of the audience. My purpose is to demonstrate these items could easily be manufactured here.

One item I discusssed a few weeks ago was the American flag. We import over 3 million American flags from China each year.

Yesterday, I discussed another item which recently came to my attention. Condoms! Yes, contraceptives.

Most of Africa is ridden with AIDS. Governments pay for the condoms and distribute them to their citizens.South Africa alone imports 11 million condoms a year. From where? Mostly from China. Why can’t we make them here and sell them there?

After the show, I hurried over to Salute’s for my weekly men’s luncheon. I sat near Paul, the publisher of the Citizen, and Mike, an author. Interesting conversation. I learn a bit each week. All the participants are sharp people.

Lisa’s birthday yesterday! We celebrated with dinner at the Yacht Club. Lisa, Corey, Robert, Ally and me. We had a very good time. Loved it!

The only drawback to eating with Lisa and the family is that it has to be early. Generally six o’clock. After dinner, it is still early and the night ahead too long. I drove over to the Chart Room for a drink. The place was empty, except for Emily. Chatted with her for a while. I like Emily. She is an intellignet person, as well as good bartender. And good looking, besides!

I was home early to bed.

Enjoy your day!

Back in business! Computer fixed!

Blog late today. Will be on time tomorrow.

Big day today! Lisa’s birthday! I know I am not supposed to tell, but she celebrates number 47. She looks 27! Lisa is one happy Mom and now business person.

Lisa says Robert and Ally were all excited this morning. They were up early to wish her a Happy Birthday! They each had made cards to present her.

She loved it all! As it should be.

Tonight, we are going out as a fmily to celebrate Lisa’s birthday. Don’t know where yet.They will decide and I will follow.

Bocce last night. A disaster. We lost all three games. Not even close.

We played the number 1 team. No excuse. We were number 3. They were 11-1 and we were 9-3.

We were no where as good as they were. They were on the pollina all the time and blasted well.

Such is life!

We live to fight/play another day!

I am reading the Cheney book. In My Time. I am a little more than 200 pages into it.

My conclusions/observations thus far are simple. Cheney wrote this book for himself. To laud his accomplishments.

Cheney was born poor. He is entitled to be proud of what he has  achieved. However, he makes it sound like things just happened to him. Good things. He seems to always have been in the right place at the right time and was always picked for the next job job up the ladder.

I am at Bush I’s Iraqi war.

The war probably was Cheney’s war. He clearly sets forth that it was he who saw the danger with Iraq and set the wheels in motion for the war. No one else saw the danger as he did till he educated them on the dangers of Huessein.

He comes over as a pompous. A know it all. One who smoozed his way to the next level. One who knew how to get his way.

I look forward to reading the balance of the book.

What really is needed is a non biased biography written by a person distanced from Cheney. I am sure such an evaluation will come in due course.

My comments have been made not as a Democrat. Politics has nothing to do with it. I have read almost half the book so far. I admire his brilliance. His ability to forge ahead. His talent for making people dance to his tune.

Cheney is good!

Enjoy your day!

I’m back! Better late than never!

Computer still sick. Being fixed. I am supposed to have it back tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I write you once more from Lisa’s.

Golf yesterday!

Don, Rob, Larry and me. I lost $14. Could not be avoided. My golf companions all shot in the 80s. I shot 115.

The humidity was extremely heavy. Our tee shirts were blotched with wet spots before we even teed off on the first hole. And procceeded to get wetter as the day went on. I was sweating so much my glasses kept sliding off each time I bent my head.

The humidity got to me on the back nine. Beat! Could not wait to finish. The last three holes were especially hard to play. I felt like a man in a desert! Tired, hot, wet and thirsty!

Normally the group is noisy. A lot of kidding around while we play. Yesterday everyone was silent  the last few holes. It was the weather. We were all worn down from the heat.

Twenty minutes in the air conditioned club house corrected things. We started to chat and each owned up that it was tough on the course and that the humidity had gotten to them.

Then I hustled my sweaty body over to the dentist. I had an appointment. No time to shower first. No one minded. I apologized, of course.

Stopped at Lisa’s on the way home and waited for the grandkids to return from school. Needed/wanted their hugs and kisses.

A quick nap at home follwoed. Only for an hour. I wanted to get out.

Went to the Chart Room. Glad I did. I stayed about three hours and chatted up a storm with Emily, Sheila and David. The words came easy for all of us. We laughed a lot. I had a terrific time. I asume they did also.

I was driving home. It was late. I was hungry. I had not had dinner. Where to go?  A major decision. A desire for Chinese overwhelmed me. It was the Chinese restaurant in the Sears Plaza. I enjoyed the newspapers and orange chicken.

Tonight bocce! We are playing a good team. We will be tested.

Tomorrow at 10 my worldwide internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Watch it at 10 in the morning my time. www.konkbroadcasting.com. Great show! All kind of interesting topics. Join me.

Enjoy your day!

Sorry to be late!

Computer problems again. With the new computer. Only 2 months old!

I will probably be late tomorrow, also. But…..I will be here. I am at Lisa’s using one of her computers.

I had a big day planned. Cheney’s book. I am into it. Will leave my comments to another day. Key West items I cannot recall at the moment. My notes are home and I am here.

There has been an increase in nude and almost nude protest demonstrations world wide recently. I was going to comment in detail. But again, the notes are at home.

I’m doing good. Not really. Sorry.

The interesting thing I discovered regarding nudity involves San Francisco. There is no law prohibiting peopole from going out in public with out clothes. Totally bare ass. And some do it!

Some one now wants to have a local law passed requiring that people must wear clothes while in restaurants. Yes, public nudity while dining is permitted in San Francisco. In addition, this person wants the law to require that whenever a bare ass person sits anywhere, they first put something down under their butt.

Notice no one is suggesting that public nudity be banned. It probably would not fly.

Which brings me to Fantasy Fest. Key West is no where as liberal as San Francisco. Female nipples and genitals must be covered. Men must cover their private part.

During parade night at Fantasy Fest a couple of years ago, I was having dinner during the parade at the bar at Marquesa with Marty and his wife.. A group of eight came in. They were off a nude cruise that was docked in Key West for the night. They had a table reserved and were immediately seated.. All were dressed minimally. For Key West. Consistent with Key West laws. Women had their nipples and privates covered. The men their privates only.

Actually the men were a bit over attired. Some wore bow ties.

That’s it for today. I have to get the computer fixed.

Hope your day is going well!

Herman Cain!

Barack Obama was easier!

It rained yesterday. All day. Stopped around 6 in the evening.Three to five inches. A deluge. Knee deep in some spots.

This morning’s Citizen reports a group of tourists swam across Front Street. I believe it. I recall a couple of years ago the intersection of White and Eaton. Another low spot. It was college break time. Four college students were swimming in the intersection.

I suspect the problem has something to do with the fact that Key West basically sits at sea level. There ain’t much ground under the roads, buildings and everything else. A storm water drain problem. Ironically, the Citizen also reports that some comminssion that has been studying the problem is scheduled to meet toninght.

I had to be in 10 different places in the rain yesterday. Not really 10, but quite a few. It was me and my yellow slicker.

I drove my Volkswagen through many a deeply immersed street. Several times, I thought the water might be too high and I would stall. I even tried avoiding certain streets. Whatever, there was always a fifty foot long puddle around the corner.

All part of Key West!

Since I was out and around, I stopped at Lee Nails. Needed a manicure. Tammy. We chatted. She told me business had been bad all day, no one goes out in the rain. I did!

Robert still home confined. However, he is walking around ok. He is home more as a preventive measure. So he will not run and fall on his leg or accidently get kicked by a friend. He sees an orthopedist this morning to make sure there is no bone damage. I suspect he will be back at school tomorrow.

I babysat Robert at 3:30 when Lisa went to pick up Ally from school. The more correct version would read Robert babysat me. In that short period of time, I fell asleep in the easy chair.

My evening began at the Marriott’s Tavern ‘n Town.

Last Monday evening I had stopped at the bar and met two charming ladies. We chatted briefly. They told me they were there every Monday at cocktail time. I stopped to visit with them

Glad I did! Nice people. Interesting people.

They are Roberta and Jody. Both Key Westers.

Roberta has her own buiness. Live theater is big in Key West. Roberta does the playbill advertising for the live theaters. That little book that is handed to you as you enter a theater. Her business is called Coco Gran something Enterprises. I apologize for not recalling Gran what.

We were talking about book writing. I told them I was writing a book. Actually, three at one time. Turns out Roberta’s husband is writing one also. He is far ahead of me, however. He is done or close to being done. He may have written before. His professional name is Reef Perkins.

Roberta showed me several proposed covers for his new book Sex, Salvage and Secrets and asked my opinion as to which I liked best.

Jody sparkled my interest, also. She is the CEO of the Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice. A tough job. She has a husband. They all have husbands! He is a tennis pro.

Jody has a Masters Degree in nursing. I asked from where. She embarassingly said Yale. Nothing to be embarassed about.

An interesting thought crossed my mind as I sat with Roberta and Jody.There was a saying which still may be prevalent among single girls. All the good men are married! In my single state, I am finding all the good women are married!

Left the ladies and headed over to Don’s Place. No one there. I immediately left.

Then to the Chart Room.

Mary bartending. Three tourists at the bar. From Chicago. Had been to Key West before. Chatted a while with one of them, Eric. He is a bartender in Chicago. The other two had married here in Key West over the weekend.

These three were not missing anything. They have broken down their exploration of Key West. Eric told me that last night they were going to do “…the other side of Duval.”

I walked over to the Wine Galley. Both the Chart Room and Wine Galley are located within the Pier House complex. Larry Smith was playing.

I am glad I stopped in! I met two of the most charming women! I could have talked with them all night!

Actually there were three. You will understand momentarily why two of them were exceptional. I assure you the third will not be insulted by my preference for the other two.

They were Jodi, Maggie and Rogene. All down from Stuart for a few days.

Jodi and Maggie, two extremely beautiful women. Short coiffed white hair. Pleasantly attired. Physically short. The short had to do with the aging process and calcium loss.

Jodi was celebrating her 80th birthday! God bless! She is a mathematician.

Maggie was the elderly of the two. I think. Whatever. I may have their names mixed up. One was 80 and the other 89. I could not tell the difference age wise. Neither looked her age.

Maggie was a pilot in her other life with US Airways. I asked the big jets or regional planes. She said with pride “…the big ones.”

One of the ladies was also a trained psychologist.

No grass growing under their feet. The conversation was quick back and forth.

Let’s not forget the third lady. Rogene. Rogene was a spring chicken compared to the other two. Somewhere in her 50s, she was daughter to one of the ladies. She was probably with them to make sure they stayed out of trouble.

I am glad I went out last night. It was a great evening.

Today is an I don’t know day. The rain is behind us. Sun is shining. I am not sure what I will do.

Enjoy your day!

Good Sunday!

The weather perfect, I felt good, and a day of no ants!

I start my Sundays with Meet the Press followed by the Chris Matthew Show. I learned something yesterday.

For years, I thought these shows were genuine Sunday morning talk shows. They apparently are not. The big news Sunday morning was Herbert Cain’s straw poll victory in Florida. Neither show mentioned it. Which means…..these shows are taped earlier. Probably on Saturday.

It bothers me somewhat. Perhaps because it took me a life time to figure out this deception out.

Or maybe because as with millions of Americans, watching Meet the Press on Sunday morning is almost a religious event. Akin to going to church. For many, it has replaced actual church going. It sticks in my craw that the show is a bit of a fraud.

Early afternoon found me at Don’s Place. Pro football time. I have no particular pro favorite. I attend for the ambiance of Don’s Place.

I sat outside in the back with Don, David, Keith, Larry and Aaron. Plus, several others. Don is a die hard Buffalo fan. He was a newspaperman in Buffalo in his other life.

Buffalo was getting the hell beat out of them. They were down 21-0. I left when it was 21-3 or 21-10. The next time I turned on the game, it was 31-31 with three seconds to go. Buffalo made a field goal and won 34-31.

Don had to have gone crazy!

I spent the balance of Sunday afternoon at Lisa’s. Read the Sunday papers and took a nap on the couch. Robert is healing well and rapidly. I am amazed! People tell me children heal fast. They are correct. There was one problem. After dinner, Lisa caught Robert outside riding his scooter. I can still hear her! Robert is doing ood, but not that good.

Sunday dinner was outstanding. A turkey meal! Almost like Thanksgiving. Absolutely delicious! I was entertained at the table with the family chatter. Robert and Ally leading whatever the discourse. Both are articulate. It is amazing what their young minds can come up with.

I mentioned Diane Nyad yesterday. She is the 62 year old woman who is trying to swim from Cuba to Key West without a shark cage. She tried it in August and failed. She failed again yesterday.

Not because of sharks.

This is the season for Portugese man o’ wars. Jelly fish to me. They are all over the place. Diane was bitten badly. She only did 49 of the 103 miles. She was forced to quit. Her face and body were loaded with bites. The toxins had caused her face and body to swell. She was advised by her handlers that one more bite might be life threatening.

Diane is a determined woman. Passionate, also. She claims to live a life of passion. I suspect she will give it another try in the future. I would recommend she pick her time more wisely. When it is not man o’ war season.

I misspoke in yesterday’s blog. I referred to Herbert Cain as Howard Cain. A lapus lingua. A slip of the tongue. Thank you who brought it to my attention. I correct it here. Florida’s straw poll winner was Herbert Cain!

Terro, Terro, Terro! I continue to be impressed with their ant trap. As I wrote yesterday, I spent three weeks trying to get rid of them. My sink and kitchen cupboards were covered. I tried two other ant trap brands, 409 and scrubbing. Nothing worked. I was beginning to suspect these little things could survive a nuclear attack.

Then several of you recommended Terro. Wow! Worked over night. This is my second morning searching for them. Not even one!

My blood pressure is good! Thank God! I was starting to worry. It took time for the medication to kick in. Occasionally I am coming up with a too low reading.

I am not complaining.

Enjoy your day!

The good guy won! Me! The ants appear to be gone!

Several people in comments on this blog and on Facebook suggested Terro. It can be purchased at Home Depot. Made the purchase. Laid the Terro traps out yesterday afternoon. By night time, they were fighting to get in.  The ants were bunched in groups in front of each trap. This morning no ants!

I searched my countertops and sink closely. Could not believe it. This Terro stuff is terrific. If I ever write a Suzy homemaker column, I shall recommend it.

Thank you to those of you who recommended Terro.

Robert is on the mend!

He had a doctor visit yesterday. The wound is healing well. There is no sign of infection. The black boot was removed. He has a huge wrap around badage. Takes up most of his leg from the knee to ankle. the doctor said he must walk. Normally. He is. Limping, but doing it.

He is not ready for school yet, however. Tuesday he sees an orthopedist to verify there was no bone damage.

It is amazing how swiftly children can heal. I had visions of a Sheila situation. A long term recovery. He will be back to climbing trees soon.

There was a picture in yesterday’s Citizen of four manatees somewhere up the keys. They had come near shore and were playful with the humans in the water. The water was not even waist deep. Big and clumsy appearing, the manatees sought out humans to frolic with. Interesting.

There is a lot going on in the keys this weekend. Remember Diana Nyad? I think she is 61. She is the lady who tried to swim from Cuba to Key West in August without a shark cage. She did it years ago in a shark cage. She failed after 53 miles in August. Asthma attack, sore sholulder and what have you.

The distance is 103 miles. She is scheduled to start any day now. For some reason, her starting day is shrouded in secrecy.

I was busy yesterday.

Visted with Robert for a while. Grocery shopped at Publix. Picked up prescription drugs at Walgreens. Got Terro at Home Depot. Watched some football on TV.

I intended to go to the Chart Room last night. I needed to shave to go downtown. I looked that bad. It had been several days. I was too lazy to shave.

Instead I showered, put on a clean tee shirt and headed over to Hogfish. I brought a newspaper. Sat at the bar. Intended to have fish and chips and read my paper. Had the fish and chips. Never got to read the paper.

There were three fisherman hanging out. Not visitors. These were the guys who have been here in the keys for years who make their living by fishing and shrimping.

I thought I needed a shave. You should have seen them! Beards, moustaches and the like. Hardy guys. Friendly.

We ended up bullshitting and laughing for a couple of hours. I had a good time.

What did you think of Howard Cain’s victory in the Florida Republican straw vote yesterday? Wow!

Today is Sunday. Meet the Press shortly. Don’s Place this afternmoon for pro football. I missed last week.

Enjoy your day!

Thank you for all the emails and calls regarding my health. I seem to be fine yesterday and this morning.

More important is my grandson Robert. He did a number on his right leg. Thirty stitches. Three levels of sewing. He will be down for a while.

He spent yesterday on the couch. I joined Lisa for the day. Robert is on pain killers. He was in and out all day. Lies there quietly. Occasionally cries it hurts. You don’t dare move him even slightly. He screams in pain.

He will be ok, also. Time is his healer.

Robert is a trooper. We played fish. All of us. Including Ally after she returned from school. Playing cards made him forget.

Ally brought home from school a get well card. Robert’s class had made for him. About 3 x 4 feet. Made Robert happy. Ally scotch taped it on the living room wall opposite the couch so Robert could see it.

The weather continues to amaze me. So good! Low 90s again yesterday. Each day there is less humidity. My friends up north tell me it is cold. Mid 40s into the 50s. I do not miss it. Though I must admit that I enjoyed Fall a bit. The trees colored red and gold and the crispiness in the air.

You will recall I did not play bocce thursday evening because I was not feeling well. Our team won all three games! Big! We are now 9-3 in the standings. Obviously, my talents were not required. More interesting, our best player Frankie was in Cancun and Erika in Tampa. We won all three with three of our best players not present.

Could this be the year?

I have not run into any of my tream mates yet, but I  am sure the cry will be…..Who needs you!

I have remained at home the past few nights. Now that I am feeling better, I want to get out. I need to get out. Tonight my evening will start at the Chart Room and I don’t know where afterwards.

Back in the third century in what today would be described as old Turkey, lived two physicians. Brothers. Twin brothers. Their names Cosmas and Damian.

Being Catholic was not too popular in those days. The brothers were killed for their religious beliefs in 287 AD. Hung on crosses, beaten and then beheaded.

They are regarded as Saints by the Catholic Church.

Our family Chuch in Utica where I grew up was St. Anthony. Each year late in September,  St. Anthony sponsored a street feast honoring these two saints. I have never figured out why. Our parish was overwhelmingly Italian. The saints were Turks. To find a person of Turkish descent was like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

In any event, the feast was a big deal in my youth. I would compare it to Fantasy Fest. The streets packed. People came in from as far as Canada on buses and in cars to celebrate the feast. It was religious with street music and great Italian food. I compare it to Fantasy Fest only as to the crowds. No other similarity.

My grandmother Albina, my father’s mother, carried a three foot long thick candle in the big religious procession on sunday morning. She walked the route barfefoot. I proudly walked next to her for many years, carrying a small candle. She did the religious march and did it barefoot to thank God for saving my grandfather Louis. In 1918, there occurred a world wide flu epedemic. Many died. My grandfather got the flu. My grandmother prayed and promised God she would march in the procession thusly every year if my grandfather was saved.

He lived to be 94!

I mention the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian because this is the weekend for the feast in Utica. Not as big, not as flamboyant, not as crowded…..but still ongoing.

I miss the feast. I miss especially my grandmother and our walk together.

Enjoy your day!