This past weekend and this coming weekend anchor two major Key West events. Womanfest and Poker Run.

Womanfest is concluding. Poker Run about to begin.

Womanfest has become a world recognized annual event for lesbians and their friends. Lesbians arrive from every corner of the earth to enjoy this special time together in Key West. The event has been on going for twenty years.

You always know when the ladies are in town! Beauities all, they crowd the streets, restaurants and bars. Party time, big time!

Poker Run brings motorcycles galore to Key West. The noise can be horrendous! The bikes come roaring down US 1 into Key West on friday. They leave with an equal amount of noise on sunday and monday.

The number is overwhelming. They drive into town in groups of 20 and 30 bikes at a time!

Once here, it is party time for the bikers, also. Eight blocks of Duval are closed off. Only the bikes are permitted. And not to be driven. To be parked for viewing. These mototrcycles are the best money can buy. Mucho expensive!

The drivers and their passengers look tough. They are not. Most are docotrs, lawyers and accountants here for a playful weekend. Most have their wives or girl friends riding on the back attired like bike girls.

Poker Run is a fund raising event. It is a 50/50 sponsorship between Harley Davidson and the Key West Sunset Rotary. The monies generated go to diabetes research, scholarships and other charitable needs.

I find it amusing that  a Rotary would sponsor a bike event. Rotarys consisit of a community’s leading business citizens. Generally reserved and staid. Bikers render a dinstinctly different and opposite impression. But it works! And it works here in Key West!

Alex Okinczyc, better known as Island Alex, is going to be on Miami Channel 10 this friday.

Two months ago, Channel 10’s news anchor Kacey Burch gave Alex a call. She was aware he had a significant bottle collection acquired from diving the ocean floor for many years. She told Alex that Channel 10 was doing a special diving show involving Mel Fisher Museum and would like to feature his bottle collection, also.

John Ferracane is Channel 10’s executive producer. He was in Key West last thursday organizing the show. He met with Alex for two hours. He also visited Alex’s home the nex tmorning to view first hand Alex’s bottle collection.

Alex also writes music, sings and blows a horn. He is often a side kick to Larry Smith.

The televison show is this friday evening at 9:30. Channel 10 out of Miami is a ABC affiliate. This is a big deal! Tune in, if you can.

I watched the Republican debate last night. Is this the best the party of Lincoln can offer? What happened to the political statesmen of yesteryear? Are they no more?

I have to hurry. Dentist appointment early this morning.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

Lovely morning! With one exception. Absolutely no breeze. It is going to be another humid day. I can feel the hunidity already.

Yesterday was strange weather wise. It rained more than normal. Off and on all day. Sometimes heavy.

NFL football started yesterday! That means Don’s Place sunday afternoons.

The place was packed. Inside and out. Everyone jovial.

I stayed about an hour. Ate a bit. Chatted with friends.

Then headed over to Lisa’s. Robert and Ally going crazy. They had a friend over for a play date. I sat quietly and read the sunday Key West Citizen.

I needed my shot of the Sunday New York Times. Visited the Coffee House. Sipped coffee and browsed through the Times.

I noticed in driving around Key West yesterday that many homes were flying the American flag. Obviously in honor of 9/11. A welcome contribution to the feeling of patrotism permeating all of us yesterday.

My game plan was to visit the Chart Room last night. I showered, shaved and dressed. The TV was on during these preparatory activities. All of a sudden Casablanca came on! The great 1940 flick starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. So much for going out! I stayed in and watched the film. One of my all time favorites! I was even dressed for the occasion!

Tonight is big! Terri White opens on Broadway in Follies. Another year, another show! Follies marks Terri’s ninth Broadway opening. Wow! What a life!

Break a leg, Terri!

Yesterday’s tenth anniversary of the dreaded 9/11 affected all of us. I cannot believe there was one American who did not feel something. The day also brought additional cautions and warnings. We were placed on alert that some sort of terrorist activity might occur.

It was a day to be better safe than sorry.

As I move into the twilght of my years, there is little I have not experinced. I would also say I have done/accomplished pretty much what I wanted to in life. But, not everything!

I never became a member of the Mile High Club!

I am a man. What less would you expect of me.

Yesterday, there was a Mile High Club experience that intertwined with 9/11. Actually, two. Both involved airplane flights. One to New York and the other to Detroit.

On both flights, it was observed that there was unusual bathroom use by more than one person at a time. Interestingly, three persons were involved on both flights. Passanger(s) became suspicious, crew warned, air traffic notified, two F-16 jet fighters sent to escort each plane and authorities boarding the planes upon landing. One plane was boarded by a swat team.

The three persons involved on each flight were taken into custody. Handcuffed. Later in the day these same persons were all released from custody without being charged. It turns out Mile High Club activity was involved. Nothing more.

The authorities felt justified in using “…an abundance of caution.” Some one commented that the F-16 fighters and other cautionary activity was a misuse of tax dollars. One person commented that if Mile High Club activity were to be barred, Osama Bin Laden would have won.The authorities also said that the activity had “…no nexus to terrorism.”

Apparently play on an airplane of the type that occurred in these two instances is not against the law.

Good, I say. Let’s not get too uptight!

I suspect my conclusion also contains a bit of the jealousy factor. Hope springs eternal!

Enjoy your day!

It was a day like all days. We were there. If not in New York City, then glued to our television sets.

9/11. A day in infamy. To be remembered the same as Pearl Harbor.

A day that proved the very shores of America were pregnable. That it could happen here.

A day that changed America.

We are no longer as care free as then. Our actvities encumbered. Airport secuirity an example. We now have a Department of Homeland Security. Experienced three wars. Whether openly admitted, feel a general mistrust of Muslims and Middle Easterners.

As a Nation, we have drifted far to the right of center. The Supreme Court is more conservative than ever. It has rendered significant decisions which empower the wealth of corporate America. To the detriment of the working class. Corporate America influences our elected representastives more today than ever before in  history.

The world no longer fears us. Oil rich nations toy with us. Food prices are out of whack. Most people do not realize that corporarte America has taken over farming to a large degree.

Greed permeates our society.

Remember Tenessee Ernie Ford. Roughly fifty years ago, he published the record Sixteen Tons. It was a remake of a song Merle Travis had introduced ten years earlier.

A key line in the song was “…I owe my soul to the company store.” We are on that path big time. We owe our souls to the company store. And each day we are “…another day older and deeper in debt.”

The middle class is rapidly disappearing. Once it was sufficiently affluent that it had acquired patrician status. No more. Yesterday’s patrician class are today’s peons.

All this has occurred in the ten years since 9/11. A coincidence, related, or a combination of both? I believe that 9/11 had something to do with it.

The trend described will not continue. The people will not permit it. It is too oppressive.

It will be interesting to see what the next ten years bring.

Where we will be on this morning in 2021.

Two in the morning. Could not sleep. So blog time it is!

Yesterday started with my internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. As usual, fun to do.

Post show comments indicate two favorite topics.

One was my walk back in history with Abraham Lincoln. His quotes and their relevancy to today. One being “…a house divided cannot stand.”

The other involved manatees. I was correct when I said everyone loves manatees! The reaction substantiates what was said on the show. Loveable big guys. They faced and continue to face extinction. Flagler’s railroad to Key West did not help the situation. Jimmy Buffett did.

I visted Lisa for a bit after the show. Then to Publix to shop. The cupboard was bare again.

I skipped my friday luncheon at Salute’s. Just not in the mood. Instead after shopping, I went home and ate some of the goodies  purchased. Followed lunch with a couple of hours of research and writing.

Big dinner last night! Corey in Key Largo on business. Lisa says come out to dinner with her and the grandkids. Of course!

Robert and Ally picked. TGIF. I really dislike that place. But Robert and Ally love it!

Both are back in school. Ally got her first home work assignments this week. She proudly told me what they were and that she was doing her home work. Robert has not had any yet.

Dinner is early when I dine with the grandkids. It was all over and not yet 7 pm. I decided to take a ride over to Don’s Place to see what might be going on.

It was too early even for my friends who frequent/live at Don’s. Don was there, however. He was setting up for a big retirement party. Some Air Force person. One hundred people expected. At the outside bar. DJ and all.

Don and I chatted briefly. Bocce, of course. We analyzed thursday’s games. In spite of losing two, we are convinced our team is good enough to make the playoffs again this season.

I did not stay for a drink. Left and was home before 8.

My big friday night in Key West!

Actually for whatever reason, I was not in the mood to visit my usual haunts and stay out a while.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

Pitch black outside. I am up early. My internet show this morning at 10. http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Join me for what will be a hard hitting commentary  involving  9/11 and today’s politics. Plus, a pleasant walk back in history with Abraham Lincoln.

I spent my yesterday finalizing today’s show and researching for my book. Both pleasurable. I have come to realize writing is much like practising law. Preparation, preparation, preparation!

Bocce dominated last evening!

We went into the match 3-0. Our opponent 1-5. We played like a 3-0 team. Our opponents did, also.

We lost the first two games. By one point each time. I do not know about the third game as I left to catch the post Obama commentaries on TV.

I only playd game one. I was teamed with our new team member, Frankie. It is a pleasure to have him on our team. He is good! No, terrific!

I never shot better. Made shots that even impressed me. However…..in a losing event.

I am not dismayed. Nor were my team mates. We’ll be ok!

Stephanie is playing in her first season. The Island Shoe Girl. She played with the opposing team last night.

Stephanie does not relent. She did not wear stiletto heals. She did wear 5 inch wedges. Takes guts! Easy to fall over! I would also assume hard to address the shot. But…..Stephanie will do as Stephanie does.

I have to hustle. My show at 10. Friday luncheon with the guys at noon. Tonight the best of all! Dinner with Lisa, Robert and Ally! Corey is overnighting in Key Largo on business. He has an address to give in the morning on slave and priate wrecks in the Caribbean.

Don’t know where we will be eating. The selection of the place becomes a game. Lisa wants one place, I another and the grandkids a third.

We shall see.

Enjoy your day!

Never made it to the golf course yesterday. I was running late. Had to push myself to make it on time. I am not pushing myself lately. Because of the blood pressure problem. It is still not under control.

A bit of caution now will insure that I am around to play another day. Many more days!

Did exercise, however. In due course, I made my way to Smathers Beach. Walked down and back. Hot/humid. Very few people. The view outstanding.

Spent a good portion of the day at home working on tomorrow’s internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. 10 am my time. http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/.

Join me for what will be another interesting and thought provoking show.

Topics include a French woman who received a judgment for $14,000 from her sexless husband, an Indonesian tale about seven dogs who ate their owner (disgusting but true), the Goodwin Liu story, a retested porn performer who came up with a negative HIV, a 9/11 comment, a walk back in history to Abraham Lincoln, a California proposed babysitter law that does not make sense, a small town in Italy talking secession and printing its own currency, California and circumsicion, the jury result in the Californuia penis amputation case, condom use by broadcasters during Irene, who hurt the manatees most, and more.

Tune in. You will not be disappointed! I assure you!

I enrtertained last night. Threw a dinner party. At the Yacht Club.

I arrived early. Wanted to be there to greet my guests as they arrived. Who do I see as I enter? My Sheila from the Chart Room. A hug and a kiss. A brief conversation. She was someone else’s guest for dinner.

Sheila is still recovering from her bicycle accident. Walking with a cane. Getting there. Hopes to return to work on the 17th.

The dinner party was terrific. Great guests. Don and Stephanie, Rob and BeBe, Herschel and Erika, David and Kurt. David and Kurt were not a couple. David’s Karen could not make it. Kurt travels alone as I do.

Have to be careful with these things in Key West.

Good food and drinks. Everyone happy. A lot of laughs. A good evening in every respect.

Afterwards, I hurried home. Wanted to catch the post Republican debate comments. Watched them. Realized I missed nothing. Fell asleep.

Bocce tonight. It was part of our conversation last night at the dinner party. The subject consumes us.

We have several new players on our team. Actually, we have too many players. Not everyone will be able to play every week. One of the new players is Frankie the plumber. Frankie is not new to bocce. Only our team. He is a star star from the tough Monday night league.

A coup that we have Frankie on the team!

Obviously, Frankie has to start. There is no question, he will be our best player. No competition for the honor!

Normally, I play the first game. Don told me tuesday I was being moved to the second or third game to make way for Frankie. No problem from my perspective. Besides fun, the name of the game is to win! I accepted my down grading like the good trooper I am. All for the team!

Last night Don and David told me I am playing the frst game with Frankie as my partner. I could not understand the reasoning as to why. But happy I am!

Enjoy your day!

I was a good boy yesterday. I walked. In the morning. Smathers Beach.

A good brisk walk. Sun burning down. Humidity a killer. Saw all of three other people during my walk. The smart ones had walked earlier when it was cool or not at all. A strong wind was blowing in off the Artlantic. 20-30 miles an hour. Carrying sand with it. The sand was biting. My trip takes me down and back. The return trip was difficult. I was walking into the wind. I had to push.

Stopped at Lisa’s afterwards. Love her!

Harpoon Harry’s for lunch. All of five  customers during the lunch hour. September is the slowest business month of the year in Key West. One reason is that it is the warmest.

Saw Michelle as I walked towards Harpoon Harry’s. We waived to each other. Michelle is a long time friend. We are also on the same bocce team. She now works for Cuban Queen as a delivery person. Michelle and her moped!

Worked on friday’s internet show.

I am going to take a walk back in history to Abraham Lincoln. His “…a house divided cannot stand” quote. We are a house divided today. And an insulting group at that. From both sides of the aisle. Some Republicans have already stated they will not be attending the President’s address thursday night to Congress. Whether you agree is unimportant. Obama is our President. An address to Congress important. Respect and duty compels everyone’s presence.

There is an excellent Lincoln book I read a couple of years ago. I commented on it in this blog at the time. It is a Lioncoln biography entitled On Becomingv Abraham Lincoln. Written by John T. Morse, Jr. in 1893.

Morse was born in 1840 and lived to 97. He died in 1937. The significance of the book is that it was written by someone who was alive and an adult during Lincoln’s Presidency. Sort of a first hand knowledge thing. Plus, the book is critical on occasion of Lincoln. Just as political books written today of today’s political figures might be. The new Cheney book being an example.

A terrific book. I recommend that you read it.

The Chart Room first last night. JJ bartending. Met Judy. It is amazing. Everytime I think I know everyone in Key West, I meet someone who has been here quite a while also. Who I have never met before. Judy has lived in Key West 13 years.

I had dinner at the bar at Hot Tin Roof. Very few customers. Just as it was at lunch. Again, it it that time of year.

John and I talked college football. We were both pleased our respective teams won this past weekend. Wisconsin killed who ever they played. Wisconsin was pre season ranked #10. John is hopeful the team will be a repeat of last year’s.

Yesterday, I reported that I had a do nothing day the day before. Several have commented it is good to experience such a day every now and then. Several however were critical that I would waste a day in that fashion.

I enjoy wasting a day every now and then. They are my days to waste. Whether in bed or up and about the house.

The recent wasted day had me up and about. It was a good Key West day from my perspective. Such a day for me means sitting outside in the sun by the pool, floating around in the pool with a noodle under my arms, and writing under the shade of the tiki hut. It also means wandering into my air conditioned home and taking a nap on cool bed sheets.

Not a bad day!

Sopmeone wrote this morning and asked about the weather. She said the September report showed rain and showers. She is due to visit Key West beginning September 16. She wanted to know if she should still come.

Of course.

It rains every day in September. It is part of our rainy season. Most days it rains 1-3 times. For 5-10 minutes. Then the sun comes out again. Or the rain may skip a day and pour during the night. Either way it is not an encumbrance to enjoying Key West.

So, come on  down!

Golf this morning. I look forward to it.

It may rain while we are playing. Probably will. Once or twice. We play right through the rain, unless it pours. Then we huddle under a tree. The rain passes quickly. One or two holes later, we are all dry from the sun and sweating from the humidity which follows a rain storm this time of year in Key West.

Enjoy your day!

I had a wonderful day yesterday!

I did nothing!

Hung around the house all day. Except for an afternoon visit to swim by Lisa and the family, I was alone. Generally with my thoughts. Little internet and TV.

Debbie Renfroe is a Facebook friend. Her message today is interesting. It perhaps explains why my generation was a bit screwed up and the one following very screwed up.

Her words…..As a child, I saw Tarzan almost naked, Cinderella arrived home after midnight, Pinocchio told lies, Aladdin was a thief, Batman drove over 200 mph, Snow White lived in a house with 7 men, Popeye smoked a pipe and had tattos, Pac Man ran around to digital music while eating pills that enhanced his performance, and Shaggy and Scooby were mystery solving hippies that always had the munchies.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Labor Day!

Do you know how Labor Day became a national holiday? To recognize the labor movement obviously. To give the otherwise proud workmen another reason to be proud. Back in the days when it was first established, of course.

The United States was born of strife and death. The Revolutionary War. Fighting and death big time. The Civil War is another example of strife and death.

The first national/federal holiday to be known as Labor Day did not occur in the United States. It happened in Toronto in 1872. Labor Day did not become a federally recognized national holiday in the United States till 1894.

There had been the Pullman strike in 1894. It was horrendous. Strife and death again. The U.S. Army and U.S. Marshalls were called in to put the striking workers down. Not nice when your own government beats its citizens up to quell a huge protest. President Grover Clevelansd was fearful that unless some significant olive branch was offered to the workers, that another and worse strike would occur. He did not want to use American power to put down American citizens a second time.

Cleveland decided to establish a national day of recognition for working people. It was to be called Labor Day.

Cleveland presented his Labor Day bill to Congress. Within six days, both houses of Congress passed it and Cleveland signed the bill into law. Six days! Would never happen in the Washington atmosphere of today! Even if the President and two houses of Congress were of the same party!

That is how Labor Day came to be.

I started my yesterday with Tammy. A relaxing pedicure and manicure. It is amazing the business Tammy and her husband do on a Sunday. Good for them!

Stopped at Lisa’s afterwards. Corey’s parents visiting. The big announcement was that Robert and Ally could ride a two wheel bike without training wheels!

We went outside. I wanted to see. Robert had it down to a science! Turn, stand, he did it all. Ally can do it, but is still a bit timid. She wants to know someone is holding the back of the seat so she will not fall. If you take your hand away, she does not fall. Not until she becomes aware no one is holding her.

I spent the balance of the day till dinner time at home writing.

It was the Yacht Club for dinner. Lisa and family and the visiting grandparents. Every one dressed a bit. Ally and Lisa in new dresses.

It was Italian Night. I have never known the Yacht Club to have one. As an Italo-American, I was concerned.

Served buffet style, it was overall good. The lasagna, especially.

We all ate big time. Robert and Ally devoured their meals. It was past their dinner time and they were hungry. We even had dessert. The We consisting of Robert, Ally, Corey and me. Two key lime pies and 2 chocolate sundays. Wowie!

It was still early when dinner was concluded, so I headed over to Don’s Place. Packed. Unusual for a non football Sunday evening. A fantasy football thing was going on in the back outside. A large group there. Both bars crowded.

I chatted with several people. Spent some time sitting next to Joanie and talking with her. I likeJ oanie. She is good people.

I want to pay Lori a compliment. She was a knockout last night! Hair and eyes done, cheeks glowing.

Of course bocce controlled the conversations. Someone showed me that the Sunday paper indicated our team was in first place. We were 3-0. No other team was undefeated. It is very early in the season.

I would like to think we could stay in first place. I doubt it. Our goal overall is to make the playoffs again. That means we have to be in the top four. And then win a game or two in the playoffs!

I had one drink at Don’s and came home. It was about eight. I immediately went to bed and slept till 5 this morning. A good night’s sleep.

This is going to be a I don’t know day for me. Nothing scheduled.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was a quiet one. Of necessity. I was recovering from the night before!

I had a haircut appoinment with Lori in the morning. When I arrived, she had a lovely in her chair. My Lisa!

It was Lori’s first day back to work from a two week vacation. She and her boy friend visited their parents in Maine and New York. New York was actually Long Island. They were there for Irene.

Lori has lived in Key West for many years. She and the boy friend have experienced a few hurricanes in that time. Including some big ones like Georges and Wilma.

The house guests turned out to be a big help. They assisted the family in preparing for Irene. Food, water, candles, battery operated lights, a battery operated radio and so forth. The prep included filling the bathtub with water to flush the toilets.

Good guests!

Lori said other than a power failure and some flooding, Irene was no big deal where she was staying.

I spent the next several hours researching. Then decided to grocery shop. Publix, of course.

The store was more crowded than normal for a Saturday afternoon. Must have been the holiday weekend. I only needed a few things. I wandered around. Took my time. I had no plans for the rest of the day.

There was a striking woman near the meats that I thought I knew. We glanced at each other. Neither of us spoke. Later, I noticed her again.  Then at the check out counter, she was behind me. She said, you’re Louis Petrone. Yes, I replied. I am Barbara Grant. I know you from Don’s Place…..You have not seen me there in a while…..I only go during the football season on Sundays.

I apologized for not remebering her. Told her she looked familiar when first we saw each other. As I was leaving the store, I recalled the Sundays and her at Don’s Place. And a pool party at Don’s home a couple of years ago when she and I chatted while floating around in the pool.

Spent the evening watching old William Holden movies on the Classic Movies Channel. He was one terrific actor.

I had the good fortune to meet Holden and know him a bit. In the mid 1970s, I started going to La Costa near San Diego. It was a health spa. Popularly known as a fat farm. You payed $3,500 a week to eat 800 calories a day and work out from 9-5.

Holden was at La Costa doing the spa thing several times when I was there. We got to be La Costa buddies.

Two things have always stood out in my mind from the La Costa experience with him. Holden was a very humble man. He was a surprisingly short man, also.

You would never know he was an international movie star or anyone of importance. His humility was a constant.

As we got to know each other better, I brought his height up. He looked like a tall man in pictures. He was about 5 foot 6 inches. However, at no time did any of his leading ladies tower over him. He laughed. Holden said that for many love scenes with various actresses, he had to stand on empty Coca Cola cases when he kissed them.

Holden passed on in 1981. He fell in his apartmenmt and hit his head. Bled quite a bit. Apparently could not move or call for help. His body was not found for four days. It was reported that he might have been drinking when he fell.

Drinking was the reason Holden visited La Costa. He was aware of his drinking problem. His trips to La Costa were to dry out.

I have a late morning appointment with Tammy. Manicure and pedicure!

Tonight, I am taking Lisa and the family, plus Corey’s parents who are visiting, to the Yacht Club for dinner. This Sunday’s buffet is special. It is Italian night.

Enjoy the Sunday portion of your Labor day weekend!