I apologize for my continued repitition concerning the weather. But…..it is so good! Never better at this time of year. And this morning is no different. Sun, minimal breeze, slow moving water, a few clouds scattered through out the sky.

God is good!

Yesterday was a quiet one. I stayed home during the day. Researched a lot. Did some writing.

One of the things I wrote was my Amazon Kindle legal blog of the day. It was entitled “McDonald’s and Happy Meals.” Happy Meals are under attack. There is a federal court lawsuit to eliminate the toy from the package.

What a reaction! You would have thought I was talking about eliminating Social Security and Medicare!

The message was loud and clear. Don’t screw with Happy Meals!

Two examples of the reaction include Tom Dixon and Jimmy Pirate Jowsey.

My Buffalo friend Tom Dixon wrote: “DON’T mess with Happy Meals…40 million adults were weaned on Happy Meals.”

Jimmy Pirate Jowsey wrote: “First Cracker Jacks and now this? What is this world coming to?”

I did go out for a couple of hours early last night. Stopped at Don’s Place.

Jeff was there. He is going on a 36 hour trip tomorrow. He and some others are attending the Marlin game at noon Wednesday. Then to Hard Rock Casino. They hope to be back in time for bocce Thursday night.

Lori and PD at Don ‘s also. I received a hug and kiss from each. Made my evening!

What will today bring? I do not know. And that is the way it should be!

Enjoy your day!

Nice day!

I cannot remember Key West weather being this consistently good in many years. 80s by day. Cool in the evening. Open window weather to sleep by.

We celebrated Easter with Sunday Brunch at the Yacht Club. It was a special Easter Sunday brunch. even the Easter bunny was present. Robert and Ally received Easter baskets from him.

We sat outside by the water under a tent. Robert and Ally are old enough now that there is no rush at these events. They sit and talk with us. We converse.

A manitee had been sighted earlier in the dock area. We went looking for the manitee. Robert and Ally had never seen one. Unfortunately, the manitee was no where to be found.

Robert and Ally gave me a chocolate bunny. Actually, it was from Lisa’s heart. Lisa knows I enjoy the thin chocolate bunny at Easter. Not the thick hard one. She has given me one for years.

The chocolate bunny sits in the refrigerator. Later to day I will try a piece.

I needed groceries. Headed over to Albertson’s after brunch. Publix was closed due to the holiday.

I hate shopping in a supermarket I rarely frequent. I did nor know where anything was.

All of a sudden I heard…..Poppa! Robert and Ally ran over. They were grocery shopping with Corey and Lisa.  The grandkids spent their time going from their parents to me and back. They were a big help shopping. If I listened to Robert and Ally, my cart would be overloaded! They try to buy everything!

I watched Morning Joe for a while this morning. They show is being broadcast from London. The Royal Wedding is Friday.

Joe and Mika were sitting outside. I immediately recognized where they were. Or so I believe. Trafalgar Square.

Seven yearts ago, I had legal business in London. At Lloyds of London. I stayed at a hotel on Tafalgar Square. I could see it on TV this morning. I recognized the area. Believe I saw what was Nelson’s Column, a huge statue.

If I am wrong and it was not Trafalgar Square, I will receive many emails today telling me so.

London was beautiful and interesting. Truly an historical place. I would enjoy returning.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Easter!  Happy Holiday!

Things change with time. Especially holidays. One of the items I will miss most on this Easter Sunday are two special Italian dishes. Actually desserts of sorts.

One is gazzad. I am not sure I am spelling it correctly. Perhaps gozzad. Or something else. Whatever.

Picture a huge round baked pie 4 inches high. It is made from Italian ricotta, chocolate candy, cherries and some other fruits. It is surrounded top, bottom and sides with a thick crust.The top crust is crispy. The side and bottom crust softened by the ingredients and having a flavor of its own.

Delicious! To die for! Fattening! Three million calories!

The other dish is sausage pie. Made like a regular pie. Top, sides and bottom crispy crust. Inside ground saugage, eggs and cheese. Also delicious! You can’t stop eating it! Even though it sits like a rock in your stomach afterwards!

Lisa telephoned around noon yesterday. She and Corey wanted to drop the grandkids off. They had to do Easter bunny shopping for Robert and Ally.

The grandkids and I had a good afternoon!

When they arrived, I was watching a great World War II movie. Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. Spencer Tracey and Van Johnson. Robert and Ally wanted to watch SpongeBob. I said no. When I am at your house,  I watch what you want on TV. I watch spongeBob. In my house, we watch what I want.

Sounds mean. Not really. They kept squirming however, asking to swim. I gave up after five minutes and told them to put on their bathing suits.

We all swam. Even me. They are fish. Take after their father Corey who is an archeologist for Mel Fisher Museum and dives wrecks.

At some point, I suggested a picnic. They were game. I laid a huge towel out by the pool. We had sandwiches, cookies and juice.

Then back in the pool. Them, not me. I can only take so much. I got them to race each other. I lay on the chaise lounge and played starter.

When they were tired, we called it quits.

The three of us ended up watching the golf match on television. No problem this time. No cries for SpongeBob. The grandkids are into golf at 5 and 6 years of age. They have their own clubs. They are official members of the Key West Golf Club.

Ally was cute. Every time a pro golfer made a putt, she shouted hole in one! Whether 10 inches or 10 feet.

Last night Jenna and I went out.

She was a knockout! Lovely blue dress. The right high heeled shoes. Tanned. Hair flowing.

I was proud to have her on my arm!

We had a drink and then headed over to Ambrosia for sushi. A great meal! Even better conversation.

After I dropped Jenna off, I stopped at Don’s Place for a night cap. Another good time! Chatted with Erica, Herschel, Tino, Toni, Boomer and others. The conversations at Don’s Place would make great TV entertainment!

Enjoy the Holiday!

If you missed reading my blog yesterday, it was because I did not do it till 5 in the evening. A long story. Please go back and read it after this one.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour was fun and interesting yesterday.

I retold the story of Bank of America and demonstrators that I reported earlier in the week. Some disgruntled persons were walking on the sidewalk in front of the bank on Flagler carrying signs. Like “F–K BANK OF AMERICA” and “PAY YOUR CORPOATE TAXES.”

I chatted a bit about how with government being broke, services to people will lessen. It is a fait accompli.

It seems to be affecting the justice system first.

Vallejo, California, a community of 120,000, went bankrupt. Had to cut its police force back to 40 per cent of what it was. Prostitutes from nearby communities became aware enforcement was reduced. The new big business in Vallejo is prostitution. Hookers and johns vist the community day and night. The citizens got upset. They have resorted to self help. They formed a committee and are policing the situation themselves.

Then there is the recent scare with the Florida court system. Less than two weeks ago it was announced the court system’s budget was running out. My recollection is the court’s fiscal year is July 1. It was reported the courts would have to close till then and employees furloughed. Within hours the Governor and Chief Justice got together and resolved the problem. They borrowed the money from reserves. Which means the court system will have an additional $70 million plus problem in the new fiscal year. A band aid resolution.

This past week an Alabama judge advised he had to adjourn a major murder trial indefinitely. A high profile case. He did not have the money for bailiffs and security.

Such represent that which is to come. Soon things like garbage collections will be reduced, as well as other state and municipal services. Until we get our house in order!

I spent quite a bit of time on the new Key West school construction.

There is a 25 foot height building requirement in Key West. The school being built is 56 feet tall. Partially constructed. Affects a residential neighborhood. No one taking responsibility. Every one involved pointing the finger at another.

This school too tall is the beginning of another Key West governmental screw up. All involved seem to have been asleep at the wheel.

I say reduce its size immediately, or tear it down. It is an eyesore and a monstrosity, as well as an insult. Coming over the Palm Avenue bridge, it looks like the middle finger sticking up!

Key West weather continues to be spectacular. Mid 80s by day. Cool at night. Sleep with the windows open.

God is good!

Enjoy your day!

Better late than never!

It is almost 5 friday afternoon. Tino just telephoned and woke me. Are you ok? Where’s the blog? I had been in a deep sleep. Jenna called immediately after Tino. Are you ok? Louis, you sound disconcerted!

I was. Still groggy.

I had my internet show this morning. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Overslept. Interesting. Maybe something is wrong with me. Anyhow, I rushed to the station intending to do the blog after the show.

I never got to it. Then, I forgot. Terrible!

I had a luncheon scheduled after the show with one of my neighbors. Andrew lives across from me in the MTV house. It was the first time we  broke bread together.

Andrew is in his early 50s. Has his home here in Key West and another in Switzerland. Perhaps others, also.

We ate at Louie’s Backyard outside. A pleasant day for it. Warm without heat. A cool refreshing breeze blowing in off the ocean.

We spent a couple of hours together. I enjoyed his company. Hope we get together again soon.

After lunch, I had to stop at Lisa’s. The grandkids are home from school. The plan was to color Easter eggs. We did. Robert and Ally were excited. I was, also. Lisa and I were concerned they would screw up. Drop a cup of coloring or break an egg. They were pros. It was Poppa who screwed up!  I dropped an egg!

When I returned home this afternoon, I fell asleep on top of the bed. A good deep sleep till Tino telephoned.

Now you know why I was late with the blog today.

Last night was one of the best times I have ever had playing booce. Every member of our team thought they had the best time, also.

And we lost 2 games!

We played the Bubbas. They are in first place. They are always in first place. They are the very best. These guys have been playing together for 15 years. They even practise. Every shot is precsion.

I was benched for the first game. I have not been playing well. We lost a close one 16-15. I was given the opportunity to redeem myself in the second game. We lost 16-14.

Each  game was close. Competitive all the way. We played as good as them. Shot for shot.

I played well enough in the second game that I was permitted to play in the third. It was close. We won! 16-15!

What a night! To have played three such competitive games is unheard of. At the end, both teams were congratulating each other big time. It was the intensity of the matches.

We were in third place going into last night. We will drop a bit.  But we are all fired up. If we could play the best as we did last night, we can play anyone!

Watch. We’ll probably lose our next 5 or 6 games. Oh, well. It was great feeling in any event.

After bocce, I went over to Don’s Place with everyone. We were going over every shot. Where could we have done better? Where did we screw up?

During the day yesterday was busy for me.

Robert and Ally attend Montessori. Ally is in kindergarten and Robert the first grade. Yesterday was show time for them! I had to be at Montessori at 9:30 to hear Ally sing. I had to return at 1:30 to watch Robert perform. I enjoyed! A proud grandfather was I!

I will share this morning’s show with you tomorrow.

Enjoy your day! Oops! I mean enjoy your evening! It is close to that time!

I saw a strange thing Monday night on my way to Passover Seder dinner.

I was driving down Flagler past Bank of America. There were about 30 demonstrators on the sidewalk carrying signs. Like “F–K BANK OF AMERICA” and “PAY YOUR CORPORATE TAXES.”

Shade of things to come?

Not enough jobs and the increasing cost of gasoline and groceries can tick people off. The banks have gotten richer while the middle class has become poor.

Golf yesterday morning. Played better than last week. Could not putt, however. Three putted most greens.

It was hot! About 90. It hit me. After a while, I felt like I was swinging my full golf bag instead of one club.

Played with Tino, Aaron and Bill. Plus a new guy. Nick. Nick and I had met before. He works at Sears Auto where I buy tires.

It was home to bed for me immediately after golf. I was exhausted. I collapsed on the bed in mgloriously air conditioned bedroom and fell asleep!

I was not in the mood to go out last night. Still a bit tired. Plus, I did not want to shave. I hate shaving.

I knew it was best to get out a bit, however. I took a soothing shower and headed for Don’s Place. Spent time at the bar with Don. We talked of many things. One of them was bocce. We play tonight. We play the #1 team, the Bubbas. Don is going to have me play games 1 and 2 instead of 1 and 3. He thinks I cannot take a break. Need to go immediately from one game to another to retain and improve my momentum. We shall see if he is correct. He is also not going to be my partner tonight. Keith will be joining me. No problem. Keith has been rolling them the best in recent weeks.

And you thought bocce was not important!

David was chatting with Don, also. Son in law of Nancy and Michael. 34. Father of a seven month old son. And owner of Island Dogs.

Island Dogs is the bar/restaurant on the Pier House property. It sits on Front Street just steps off Duval. A popular tourist spot. Even more popular since David acquired it. You can tell from his converdsation that he is a business man. He knows what everything costs, margins of profit, etc.

I met David the first time at a pool party at Don’s home about three years ago. We had a lengthy conversation while in the pool. He was looking for a place to buy at the time.

I am impressed with David.

Busy day ahead today. Ally is in a show at Montessori at 9:30. Robert’s show is at 1:30. I have a business luncheon at noon. And I still have several hours of work to do for the Key West Lou Legal Hour tomorrow morning. Plus bocce tonight.

Wow!

Enjoy your day!

Good day yesterday!

What day isn’t if your lucky enough to live in Key West!

I started the morning with a haircut. Lori. Always lovely. Always personable. She is looking like a California beach girl lately. Deepening tan, long blond hair. She recently acquired a kayak. Spends her weekends and free time out on the water.

Hurried home as soon as Lori finished me up. Donna waiting. Had to take her to the airport. We had a little time. Chatted out under the tiki hut. Then to the airport.

I shall miss Donna and Terri. They are good friends.

I spent the afternoon writing. It was hot. I was under the tiki hut. Shaded. Fortunately, there was an excellent breeze blowing in to cool me.

Last night was special for me.

Steve Purciello is a loyal reader of this blog. He is from New Jersey. He, his wife and friends, are here for the week. We agreed to hook up at 6 at the Chart Room.

I enjoyed my time with these fine people. We laughed, we talked seriously.

All four are in the education field. Beside Steve, there was his wife Helen. Their friends were Dan and Sue. New Jerseyites all. Unhappy with Gov. Christie. Ergo, we had much to talk about.

The conversation was intelligent and stimulating.

I was especially taken with Dan. No insult to the rest. Dan was an assistant football coach to Dick MacPhearson at Syracuse in the 1980s. He was there when the Carrier Dome opened. I had a box seating 16 with a bar in the new Dome.

We chatted a bit about Syracuse football and basketball.

I mentioned my Amazon Kindle legal blog. Sue had a Kindle. She has already emailed me this morning that she subscribed to the legal blog.

Thank you, Sue! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!

Afterwards, I headed over to Don’s Place. Quiet. Very quiet. Spoke with Russ and Harry at the bar. Watched part of the Knicks game with them.

I had stopped in the night before with Donna for a drink. Russ saw us sitting at the bar. Last night he commented…..what a lovely lady! He had that twinkle in his eye like…..you lucky dog! Russ reads this blog every day. I said that was Donna, one of my lesbian wives! No, he said, not believing.

Lesbians can be hot looking women, also!

Then it was home to bed.

This morning golf. Ho, ho. How will I play?

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

Another good Key West day in the making!

My yesterday started with Jenna. A good way to start any day!

Jenna helps me with my internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. She is my producer.

We worked a couple of hours in the early morning together.

Got a maincure later in the afternoon. Tammy lovely as usual. The place was busy.

Last night was big! Passover Seder. I am Catholic. I onl;y share my religion with you because earlier in the week I mentioned I would be doing Seder last night and suddenly everyone thought I was Jewish.

I’m not even circumcised!

I have been doing Seder with Donna and her family for several years. I am honored that they ask me to join them for their special Jewish holiday.

Donna has four children. All adut adults. Donna has a hard and fast rule. The family MUST come together for Passover Seder. In recent years, they travel from afar to celebrate as a family unit in Key West.

Scott is the oldest son. Lives in Cambridge. Married to Kathy. He has a Doctorate in Organic Chemistry. A smart guy! He is Chief Chemist for the drug company Merck.

Donna’s daughter Stacie lives in Key West. Married to Rob. They have five children. Stacie used to work full time. Now has no time. Too many kids. They range in age from 11 months to 13 years. She still gets a few hiours a week in as a bookkeeper at Salute’s. Rob is a school teacher.

Son Derek lives in Detroit with his love of 8 years, Sandhya. Derek is a rock and roll musician.

Sandhya is a strange name. Sandhya’s parents were well educated. Her mother has a Doctorate. Her parents owned and operated Waldorf Schools. Sort of like Montessori. A concept before its time. Her parents were also hippies. Ergo, the name Sandhya. It means the moment between twilight and dusk.

Brett is another of Donna’s sons. He is gay. Lives in New York City with his partner of many years, Tal.

Brett is a wrter. He published the Gay Uncle’s Guide to Parenting. He writes a column two times a week on the intenet for Vanity Fair. If I recall correctly, the columns are entitled “Stick Shift” and “Car and Driver.”

Brett is obviously into cars and knowledgable. Besides a salary, there is an additional benefit to the Vanity Fair columns. Where ever he goes, he is able to order any type high end car to drive. Free! It always awaits him at the airport. He flew to Miami and drove to Key West. The car: A brand new $210,000 Bentley coupe.

A job with benefits!

His partner Tal is a writer, also. He has been writing a book for two years which is under contract with Simon and Schuster for publication.

After family dinner and chatter, Donna and I headed home. She was beat! She had been at Stacie’s all day cooking brisket, turkey and what have you. I suggested we stop at Don’s Place for a drink. Which is what we did. Chatted a bit with Russ, Bebe and Rob. Mikey said hello. Met Pietra there for the second time. Hope I spelled her name correctly. A beautiful woman.

Saw Michelle on my way out. Told her show up for bocce this week. She missed last week.

I have a bit of a hangover this morning. It was the wine. I did it all at dinner last night. Sang, read, ate certain foods,  and leaned left and sipped wine at the appropriate times.

I do not like wine. I rarely drink it. I blame my sluggishness this morning on the wine.

Donna leaves at noon. I will drive her to the airport. Terri left early Sunday morning. Follies rehearsals.

Enjoy your day!

Back in the 1980s, Regine’s was the place to party in New York City.

A bar, a restaurant, a discotheque. Actually first a discotheque. The bar and restaurant were additional amenities.

Fun! No question about it! I was there every time I was in New York City. Every night.

The bartender and I became good friends. His name unfortunately escapes me. I felt like I owned Regine’s. It was mine!

Regine’s founder was Regine. She ultimately opened 25 clubs world wide. Besides New York,  there were Regine’s clubs in Paris, Monte Carlo, Rio, Saint Tropez, Cairo and London to name a few.

I never met Regine. While I was doing her New York club, she was doing her others world wide.

Regine is now 81. I know. Never mention a woman’s age. But, why not! She was and still is a success in many respects. Also, I am 75 soon to be 76. I am learning that age is just a number and one can still enjoy regardless of age.

Regine was born in Belgium of Polish-Jewish parents. World War II arrived. Regine spent those years hiding from the Nazis in occupied wartime France.

Regine is credited with inventing the modern day discotheque. That is what her 25 clubs were. She personally taught the twist and other disco dances to royalty and other celebrity types.

She had a hit record. To a terrific song. The French version of I Will Survive.

She has.

Why am I telling you all about this woman?

Simple.

Regine has a roll in Follies which opens next month in Washington, DC. The same show my Terri is in.

Donna and Terri were with me this weekend in Key West. They mentioned a Regine in the show that was fun, had an accent and was an overall good person. They have become friends. Terri mentioned Regine had a club in New York City and others world wide. Immediately, I remembered the club in New York. Donna and Terri’s Regine is one and the same as my Regine’s.

A small world.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Palm Sunday!

I recall when I was a little boy. Palm Sunday was a big deal. Most of the family went to Church. Even those that rarely went. Everyone wanted to get palms.

There was a big family dinner. Family dinners in those days included grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. Everyone who attended brought a palm. A kiss and exchange of palms always took place.

Certain of the family were adept at making crosses and other things from the palms. After dinner they would sit around doing so. I watched. I tried. I could never get the hang of it. I both admired and envied their ability.

The men would eventually fall asleep in the living room. The ladies remained in the kitchen washing dishes and cleaning up. I played games with my cousins.

Those days of yesteryear are no more. Fewer attend Church. Churches provide less palms. Family dinners are not the same.

This is what occurs with the progression of time. I do not like it.

I did like last night, however!

What a night!

Terri White sang!

The San Carlos was packed. Excitement was in the air before Terri’s performance. Excitement permeated the theatre throughout her performance.

Terri is Key West’s Broadway star! A professional in the truest sense. You could see it. Feel it. She has it all!

Jenna was my date. We had a drink at La Trattoria before the show. After the event, there was a party at the Gardens. Lovely. A huge crowd. Good food, good drink, good company.

It was late. I dropped Jenna off.

Stopped at Don’s Place on the way home. Had a night cap with Russ. Saw Mikey.

By the time I got home, it was after one in the morning. Not my style. But I did have a good time!

Donna and Terri arrived four in the morning yesterday. Their late night flight Miami to Key West got screwed up. They had to drive in. They slept till noon. Terri rehearsed all afternoon. Then did the show and party last night. She flew out of Key West at six this morning. She has rehearsals later this morning in Washington, DC for Follies.

A hard working trouper!

Donna is still with me. Her family has all arrived. Passover Seder dinner tomorrow night. I cannot wait. Then Donna leaves Tuesday morning to join Terri.

I did not go to Church. There will be no palms for me. No exchange, either. There will be no large Palm Sunday dinner.

Things change.

However…..I will enjoy another terrific Key West Sunday! Something I did not have back then. New is not the same. Different can be hard to adjust to. But new can be good!

Enjoy your day!