Another beautiful morning! Absolute calm once again. No breeze. Everything still. The water like a mirror.

Busy day yesterday.

I joined the lobsterfest celebration. Marks the opening of the Florida lobster season. Did the Duval crawl. Instead of booze, I sampled a couple of lobster delicacies. The best was a broiled lobster tail covered with hot butter.

Protein and cholesterol in one shot!

The highlight of my time on Duval was Howard Livingston and his band Mile Marker 24. When ever and where ever he performs, Howard makes everyone happy.

A stand was erected at the corner of Duval and Green Streets. Right in front of Sloppy Joe’s. Howard was one of the performers. Love Howard! We have been friends for almost 15 years. From  Chicago industrialist to singer and composer of Key West songs. Two successful careers in one life time. And a nice guy to boot!

I stopped at Home Depot afterwards. Not to walk. To shop. Finally, Home Depot may make some money on me!

My master bedroom is 14 years old. Needs some updating. The carpet is so old it does not come clean when washed. Has to go. I did not want carpet again. The choice is tile or wood. I am zeroing in on wood, though I have not made a final decision. May even have the walls painted a different color from the present white.

Looking to change lamps, get a new mattress, spread, etc.

A new project being undertaken!

Then a stop at Publix. I have food. Lisa did not. Lisa and family have been on vacation for a week up north visiting Corey’s parents. Lisa telephoned to say they were coming in last night and would I shop for some groceries so the kids would have fresh food in the house. My pleasure!

I spent a couple of hours watching the PGA. Anyone’s tournament. I felt sorry for Jim Furyk. He was about 2 strokes off the lead, when he put a ball in the water on two consecutive holes. Tough!

The course appears tough, also. The greens seem to be extremely difficult to putt on.

I went to the movies last night! I do the movies in streaks. Don’t go for months and then do 2 or 3 in a week.

Last night it was The Help. Based on the 2009 best seller by the same name. A story of black domestic help in the south in the early 1960s. My friend Jackie had given me the book to read before she left Key West. The movie was as good as the book! I recommend it. Although heavy in parts, it has some off the wall humor to balance the emotions.

I stopped at Tavern ‘n Town on the way home. Convenient. Located in the Marriott at the corner of the Boulevard and US 1. Enjoyed calamari and a couple of drinks. Chatted with some tourists.

Big morning!

First, Meet the Press. Michele Bachmann is the sole guest. She won the Iowa straw poll yesterday. I think Bachmann is a nut case. The only way I can describe her. One of my Iowa friends is a staunch die in the wool conservative Republican. He says the straw poll is a waste. It is too early in the process. Additionally, he does not believe Bachmann will be a contender long. She will fade as the process moves forward and not be the nominee. Interesting perspective.

The other reason that this morning is a big one is that I shall see the grandkids! It has been a long week without them. Lisa is a good daughter. She made sure they telephoned me each day.

That is it for today!

Enjoy your Sunday! 

I am up late this morning. Almost 9:30.

I got hooked on a 1935 James Stewart movie. Stayed in bed watching it. It was compelling. I had to know how it ended. The movie concerned a World War I love story.

Lunch yesterday was at Salute’s The friday luncheon group. Interesting banter. One of the members just returned from a fishing trip to Alaska. His name is John. He is obviously a for real fisherman to have traveled that far to enjoy the sport. Especially when our waters are filled with all kinds of fish.

John took his 87 year old Dad with him. Lucky John, lucky Dad to have been able to share the trip together. They fished the southern Alaskan waters. The fjords. Salmon were plentiful. Some halibut.

I spent the afternoon watching the PGA. Tiger did not even make the cut. Sad. I have been saying he probably has lost whatever he had forever. I always felt his mental concentration was key to his success. Once the marital problems surfaced, his concentration was side tracked to other things. I doubt the degree of concentration he had can ever be recaptured by him.

It is ironic. Tiger’s great play inspired the next generation of golfers to higher levels of performance. Which translates into lower scores. The younger players now beating him would never have been this good had Tiger not raised the performance level as he did.

Tiger may win again. But never will he achieve the degree of excellence he had in the past. His time is behind him. He should not be ashamed. It was a hell of a ride!

I stopped at the Chart Room last night. Ed Little’s party. Stayed a short bit and left. The place was packed. Many had to stand outside. A tribute to a Key West icon.

I was heading to Louie’s Backyard for a drink. My cell phone rang. It was David of David and Karen. I had seen them gassing up in Key Haven earlier. They wanted me to join them. They were heading for Sweet Tea to eat. I said I was not interested in eating yet. Needed a couple of drinks.

The next time David and I talked I was home in bed and they were at Captain Tony’s. I never got to eat. I enjoyed a few drinks and went home to bed. I also never got to hook up with two of the nicest people in Key West.

My internet show was not run live yesterday. As I explained a couple of days ago, the studio would be closed on friday due to vacations/trips. One of my old shows was rerun. Apparently many watched it. I heard from a ton of people how good it was. Those who wrote included Rita from Calitzdorp, South Africa, Anna from Milan, Italy and Angie from Jakarta, Indonesia.

Modern communication continues to astound me!

The weather outside is beautiful. Another great Key West day in the making.

This is lobsterfest weekend. I may walk down Duval. The street will be closed off and there will be tons of stands selling fresh Florida lobster cooked in all different ways. You eat from a paper plate while standing in the street. There will be music and all sort of things going on. Except for the food, the atmosphere reminds me of the Feast of Saints Cosmo and Damien in the old days back in Utica.

Enjoy your day!

NOTE: This post script is being added one hour after the above blog was published. Jean Thornton  telephoned me. That was not Ed Little’s party last night at the Chart Room. It was in honor of Captain Tony. How embarassing. After a while, one party is like another!

Good morning world!

What a morning! Absolute calm. Not one iota of breeze. The water a mirror. It does not appear to be moving. Tide out. Some sun. Some gray clouds. Some black clouds.

The calm before the storm. It is going to rain at some point. No great prognostication! It rains a bit every day this time of year.

I recall hurricane Georges several years ago and the calm before the storm. I had a party planned the evening before it hit. The party had been planned for several weeks. A big one. 200 invitees. Catered.

About 150 showed up. The other 50 had left town in anticipation of Georges. I decided to stay and go thru with the party.

A great party! And, oh so calm! Nothing was moving that night. No breeze. Water still. A perfecrt evening.

It was the calm before the storm.

My family and I decided the next morning to get out of Dodge. We drove 12-15 hours to Miami. Got a plane out to Utica the next morning.

Georges hit Key West and did much damage the evening of the day we left.

Yesterday was screwed up.

I spent the entire day at home writing. If I ever finish, I hope some one reads one of the books I am writing. I am far from completion, however. Sat outside under the unbrella and sometimes under the tiki hut. When I got hot and the sweat unbearable, I jumped in the pool.

Stayed in last night. I was anxious to watch the Republican debate from Iowa. Somehow I/it got screwed up. I was watching CNN, MSNBC and FOX. I arrived at the conclusion that the debate was not till 11 because of Iowa’s difference in time.

I stayed awake till 11. Which is difficult for me since I am asleep much earlier. When I went to the TV at 11, I realized there was a screw up. All that was on were the post debate reviews by the various channels.

It has to be my old age!

I have a gecko friend.

Geckos are those tiny creatures that look like little lizards. Small and thin. About two inches long. Bother no one.

Geckos are common in the keys.

About two months ago, I noticed one in my bedroom. I normally catch them and take them outside. They are harmless and I see no reason to kill them. They are also swift. I was not able to gently apprehend this one.

I am not sure if it is a he or she. Whatever, it has taken up permanent residence in my bedroom. I have a four poster bed. Every evening without fail, it is hanging sideways on one of the posts on the headboard. Fortunately, the one farthest from me.

I do not bother the gecko. The gecko does not bother me.

I read some where recently that geckos are territorial. I can attest to that fact.

Enjoy your day!

We are into the rainy season. It rained heavy during the night. Lightning flashing in through the windows.

This morning it is absolutely beautiful! Bright sun, little breeze and not one cloud in the sky. But…..it will rain during the day at some point. For 5-10 minurtes. Then the sun returns and the humuidity shoots up.

Key West weather is dependable.

Yesterday’s blog touched many. My comments received regarding the Wisconsin recall election. If comments were bullets, I would be full of holes. Actualy, some did agree with me.

This nation of ours is on a far right ride for a while. The Wisconsin vote made that clear. The majority of comments reflected such.

I see things the other way.

Back in my college days, I recall doing some reading on the  indispensable opposition. It was part of one of my political science courses. I sense I am now one of those. One of the indispensable opposition. The far right does not understand the plight of the have nots. And with our dwindling economy, the have nots grow each day. The right talks in platitudes. Neighbors will help each other. I do not buy it. Fifty years ago, yes. Now, not so much. I believe the haves have a blind eye to the suffering of most trying to get along in the American economy today. In many instances, to exist.

So…..I shall speak out on occasion and those of you who disagree will shoot me and my beliefs full of holes.

Golf yesterday! Another bad day at black rock! Two weeks in a row I have played horribly. There is no excuse for it.

I played with Kurt, Rob and Aaron. Kurt and Rob played a money game. Rob won again. I did not play for money. Fortunately! I played leisurely. Took a few mulligans. Several. Moved the ball a bit for a better lie on occasion.

I was hungry. The refrigerator was empty. I went to Harpoon Harry’s for lunch. Sat at the bar, ate a full turkey dinner and read the newspapers. Harry’s was air conditioned and cool.

I was tired. Took a three hour nap.

Skipped dinner. The turkey lunch was too much.

Jean Thornton is back in town. She texted me that she was taking Sheila to the Chart Room. Could I make it? Never did. Sheila, I love you but had other plans..

I wanted to go to the movies. It had been a long time.

I took Barbara. We went to see the new Ape movie. I found it ok. Not great. Nothing like Planet of the Apes or its two successor films. Worth seeing, however.

Ate some pop corn.

By the time the show was over, I was hungry. It was around 9:30. The cupboard was bare again. I need to shop today. I had to eat. We stopped at Marriott’s Tavern ‘n Town.

Robert a top notch bartender. Charming. Barbara and I shared a small pizza and a piece of key lime pie. Around 10 last night. Not healthy! But, oh so good!

Sadly, I will not be doing the Key West Lou Legal Hour tomorrow morning. I was advised yesterday the studio would be closed for a few days. Guy the owner is visitng his lady friend ML in Annapolis and they are participating in a sail boat regatta somewhere in New Jersey. Jenna leaves today for a long week end in Indiana. She is visiting her grandmother and attending a friend’s wedding. Guy and Jenna run KONK. The operations. One of them has to be there to turn on the machines, etc. No one else knows how.

KONK being closed tomorrow is typical Key West. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than enjoying life. Even a broadcating business. Sailing and visiting grandma take precedence. I agree.

All is not lost, however. One of my old shows will be rerun. So if you are still inclined, please listen in at 10 am my time at http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/.

What does bother me is that I had some new and interesting topics to discuss. Like the Wisconsin vote, the barring of circumsicion thrown off the San Francisco ballot, Viber Erect, a new Missouri law forbidding teachers and students from communicating on Facebook unless a parent has access, the recent Dodd-Frank Act and its implication for gold purchases, guns on campus in Texas, and more.

Lisa just telephoned. She wanted to know what I was going to do today. I said I did not know. That is the way most of my days are. What happens, happens. Generally for the good, fortunately.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I am up early. Pitch black outside. This morning, golf!

There is a message in the Wisconsin recall election results. Beware!

As far as I am concerned, the good guys lost.

The results clearly indicate the way America wants to go. Conservatism. Radical conservatism. Not the good old fashion kind.

The pendulum will swing back some day. It is too far to the right not to. In the mean time, middle class America will further erode. Many of those who supported the Wisconsin recall results will realize the error of their ways. They are middle class also and will feel the deprivation.

The result is a victory for corporate America over the working class.

When people in general realize what is happening, they will be in the streets. It is inevitable.

Mary Jo died. I wrote about her yesterday. Everyone wrote about her. One terrific obituary in the Key West Citizen. It suggested she danced through the pearly gates.

Mary Jo, you touched many. Keep dancing!

I spent two hours yesterday in the dentist chair. No pain. Worked on fitting the implants.

I am totally impressed with the procedure at this point. Just wish it were over!

Got a haircut yesterday. Lovely Lori.

Lori looked terrific. Better than usual. She was out on her boat Sunday. The blond hair and deep tan are a perfect combination. She leaves this weekend for a two week trip up north to visit family. One of her stops will take her as far north as Maine.

Barbara is visiting. We hit the Chart Room first last night.

Keith Little was at the bar talking to Mary who was bartending. Her one night a week.

Keith is brother to Ed Little who died a couple of days ago. I never knew Ed Little, nor was I even aware of him. Strange! Because the Chart Room was his favorite haunt also.

Turns out Ed came in around 10 every evening. I would be long gone. My Chart Room time is 6-8.

I learned much about Ed last night. He was a diver, was with Mel Fisher when the gold was first discovered, etc. And…..a nice guy to boot! I telephoned son in law Corey. Do you know Ed Little? Yes. Well. We dive together. We also served on the board of the Key West Historical Newspaper as officers at the same time. A good guy!

I feel bad we never met. His friends are having a Key West send off for him this weekend at the Chart Room. I hope to be there.

Barbara and I had dinner at the Hot Tin Roof. John was all excited. His Wisconsin team is ranked #10 preseason in football. I told him to beware. I recall almost 25 years ago when Syracuse was ranked #1 preseason in basketball. The opening game of the season was at Springfield, home of the National Basketball Hall of Fame. Syracuse was playing North Carolina. I chartered a plane to fly to the game. Syracuse lost!

So much for preseason rankings! Based on my Syracuse experience,  I consider them a jinx!

Golf this morning. I have to hustle. The guys I play with tee off earlier and earlier.

Enjoy your day!

Mary Jo Da Silva has left us. She passed on yesterday morning.

God is having His hands full with her! She will rearrange Heaven a bit and keep Him jumping!

Mary Jo and I met when we both were relatively new to Key West. I cannot recall where we met. But a bond developed between us.

As I think about it, a bond probably developed between Mary Jo and every one she met.

She loved to dance. La Te Da was one of her favorite places to hang out and dance. Especially at the Sunday tea dances.

Mary Jo was special. She was of Portugese extraction. And let you know it!

She fought cancer for 5 years. Never complained. She was supposed to have died 4 years ago. A “last” brthday party was thrown for her at La Te Da. The whole world was there to honor her…..and say good bye.

She fooled all of us.

A Key West icon has left the fold.

It finally rained properly yesterday. We needed it. The rain poured straight down for about one half hour. No wind, no side blowing rain, no monsoon type rain. Just an ordinary rain storm.

Emily petered out. Tourists were worried a week ago. The storm never even reached the shores of the United States. It did some damage to Haiti and brushed the Bahamas. Then it fell apart.

I dined at Outback last night. Alone at the bar.

Some wonder why I frequent Outback when there are so many good restaurants in Key West. For two reasons. The first has to do with my appearance. Sometimes I do not shave for a week at a time. Last night I had a five day beard. Although Key west is casual, I feel I would be insulting owners and guests if I joined them in such a scrungy state. The other reason is that Outback is near my home. A quick drive.

I enjoyed a rib eye last night. Medium rare. Delicious.

It is wonderful to be able to chew again!

Today looks to be busy.

The dentist first. I am close to being done with my jaw and teeth. Not quite yet, however. Then a haircut. Love visiting Lori! Plus other things to do.

Enjoy your day!

I was a good boy yesterday morning. I walked!

Home Depot. Where else.

Then to Walgreens. Needed a prescription filled. It is amazing how many pills you are required to take as you get older. These pharmaceutical companies are getting rich! Sadly. The bill to seniors is too much, regardless of insurance. I have just discovered the donut in my private drug policy. It is enough to drive one to drugs! Drinking is passe.

Then to Hasrpoon Harrys for Sunday brunch.

The place was packed. No room at the bar. I took a small table. Grabbed some Sunday newspapers before sitting down. I spent two hours picking at an omelette and reading.

I planned to go to the beach afterwards. I have a golfer’s tan. My body is white.

I keep a sand chair and beach towel in the trunk at all times. I am what is known as “beach ready.”

I decided on Higgs Beach. My luncheon Friday had turned me on to the place.

It was a wonder! Bikini’s everywhere! Age had no bearing!

I looked for a while. Then fell asleep for an hour.

That was enough beach for me.

The balance of the afternoon was spent at home watching golf on TV. Tiger did not distinguish himself. He was no different than before. His former caddy did, however. Steve Williams carried for Scott who won. Williams also had some unkind inferences regarding Woods when he was interviewed after the tournament. His ill feelings run deep.

Last night was Hogfish. The place was quiet. I sat at the bar, picked at a piece of snapper, and read the local weekly papers.

This morning is lovely. It will rain a bit off and on. Nothing to spoil the day. It is that time of the year.

Enjoy your day!

The Washington debacle of the past month has left us in a bad way. How bad remains to be seen. I fear the worst is yet come.

Our government is dysfunctional. More need not be said. The obvious speaks for itself. However, I would like to share quotes from three American figures of note regarding elected officials. Two of the speakers are for real, one fictional.

Harry Truman…..”My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politicain. And to the truth, there is hardly any difference.”

Will Rogers…..”The world is full of politicians, but very few statemen.”

Forrest Gump…..”Stupid is as stupid does.”

The major and only event of yesterday was a manicure. With Tammy, of course. Fortunately, I had an appointment. There were two groups of  happy giddy women getting manicures and pedicures for weddings later in the day. Standing room only for the waiting!

Lisa and Corey visited in the afternoon. Swam in the pool. We chatted. I continue to be impressed with Lisa’s progress in her new business. Social media marketing. She is at the cutting edge of where marketing is today. Smart businesses need her. There are few having her talent and knowledge in the media
marketing area.

My Father telephoned at one point from Utica. He wanted to know how I was and how bad the rains were. What rains, I asked. He said he was watching the news and the report was tropical storm Emily was bombarding Key West with heavy rains and wind.

The sun was shining, nary a cloud in the sky and the temperature 92 degrees.

This frequently happens. The national media often misrepresent/magnify weather conditions here in the keys. I recall a hurricane that had been threatening us. One of the national TV channels was parked on Duval near La Concha. The TV announcer looked down Duval toward the Gulf and announced that in 6 hours there would be 4-6 feet of water running down Duval towards his position. It never happened. It did not even rain.

I spent the other parts of my day and evening writing. It is amazing how in my old age I enjoy remembering and composing from my experiences.

Today is Sunday. Love Sundays! I have two minuites before Meet the Press.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Another great morning! God is good!

Yesterday started with my internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

It was wild! Not the content. The location and operation of the show itself. Murphy’s law. Everything that could screw up, did screw up.

KONK has moved its studios. Now at the end of Applerouth Lane. The Whitehead end. Yesterday was my first day in the new studio. It is in the moving in status. The set up still a work in progress.

I do not know if the air conditioning was working. The broadcasting studio itself was small. The window open and an over head fan going.

The view from the window was an accurate protrayal of Key West. A touch of Whitehead and the Courthouse. An appropriate setting for a legal talk show. In addition, people were waving as they walked by.

Wires hanging all over the place. Could be seen on screen. The machinery before me was set up a bit diffrently. You cannot see the machinery. I can. It is there for me. But my mind was not readily adapting to its new location.

I screwed up major time. Talked through the first three commercial breaks! A no no.

On top of it all, some people in certain locations could only see me, not hear me. Cindy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Rita in Calitzdorp, South Africa.

Bottom line…..the content was good, the presentation left something to be desired.

Post show comments suggest two topics stimulated viewers the most. I thought it would have been Washington. Or maybe China’s credit rating. Instead, it turned out to be Donna and Terri’s remarriage and free birth control for women.

Needless to say, I have a huge female following!

Lunch was at Salute with the friday discussion group. A multitude of sins were discussed. I am still new to the group. Interesting people. Interesting minds.

We sat outside at Salute’s. Next to the beach. I could see all the prettiy ladies walking about. I arrived at an interesting conclusion. Most of the women, regardless of age or body shape, were wearing bikinis. One piece bathing suits were not to be seen. Our table of men took note.

I stopped by Lisa’s for a while. She was working hard. Her new business, The Social Suite, which provides internet marketing and consulting services, is going well. She is busy busy!

The grandkids are away. Visiting with Corey’s parents in north Florida. I miss them. Lisa misses them more.

I was Tom and Karen Dixson’s guest for dinner last night at La Trattoria. It was one of the finest dinner experiences I have had in a long time. These are two wonderful people. It was a most enjoyable time.

Tom and Karen are from Buffalo. Tom is one of the owners of the Ocean Key House. I look forward to their next visit and spending time with them again.

Lest I forget, it was great seeing Becha. She has not been working my past few visits. Her hug and kiss always makes my day.

I have to move on. A manicure this morning with Tammy.

It’s a tough life!

Enjoy your day!

The world is crumbling around us. I fear for life as we knew it. It may be a long time before it returns, if ever.

A sad start to today’s blog. But negativism is all around us. It is how I feel at the moment.

Today is friday! Friday means the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten this morning on the internet worldwide. http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/. Join me for some interesting observations.

The show starts with a little Will Rogers and Harry Truman. A lead into Washington today. Then the proposed deep water channel in Key West, Donna and Terri’s remarriage, New York gay marriage opponents, free birth control for women, and more.

I finalized today’s show yesterday. Then refined it with Jenna. My guru.

Donna emailed me. Terri and the Follies show are in a state of refinement. Twelve hours a day for the September 12 New York opening. Dress rehearsal previews begin in about two weeks.

I find it interesting that a show that has already had a one month success at the Kennedy Center in Washington requires more work. Terri told me once that is how show business is. No matter how good, you always work to make it better.

Borders is closing. We all know. Sad.

Borders became my library in Key West. I was almost a daily visitor. It was peaceful and calm. I enjoyed sitting in those little black chairs and reading.

I am one of those who contributed to Borders’ demise.

I rarely bought a book. I sat in Borders and read them for free. Every two or three months, I would purchase a book. One for me to take on a trip or some reading for the grandkids. Also, I occasionally needed a beach book. A book is easier to read at the beach than a newspaper.

I really put the nail in the coffin six months ago when I purchased an Amazon Kindle. That was the end of Borders for me.

Many years ago my Congressman up north said of our local airport: Use it or lose it. We lost it. The same with Borders. We failed to use it.

Catch my internet show at 10!

Enjoy your day!