Happy Thanksgiving!

I am spending the day with Lisa and Corey and the grandkids. Dinner at 3. Can’t wait. Love holidays!

I have the turkey in my refrigerator. As soon as I finish this blog, the turkey and pan get delivered to Lisa.

A little Thanksgiving history.

We all think Thanksgiving got its start in 1621 in Plymouth with the Pilgims and Indians. It did not.

There was a dinner. The Pilgims were happy to have survived almost a year. They invited the Indians to join them. The party lasted three days. Research tells us they devoured 4 fowl and 5 deer. There were no pumpkin pies. They were out of flour.

The event is described as a “gathering.”

George Washington was the first to come up with the idea for a day of thanksgiving. It was 1776. Thanksgiving was celebrated one time. Some did not like the idea. One being Thomas Jefferson. Politics even then.

It was actually Abraham Lincoln who gave us Thanksgiving.

It was 1863. Lincoln felt good. The Civil War was going well. He had a new general, Ulysses Grant, who had been successful in several battles. The Emancipation Proclamation was a fact. He thought it was time to celebrate with a national day of thanksgiving.

Lincoln therefore proclaimed the last thursday in November as a National Holiday of Thanksgiving.

And it was from that time forward that we as a Nation commenced celebrating Thanksgiving.

Congress got into the act in 1941. It took them a long time to recognize a good thing. But they finally did. In 1941, Congress sanctioned the fourth thursday in Novemebr as a day of Thanksgiving.

So it was not the Pilgims, but Lincoln to whom is owed the warm family holiday of Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow is friday. Friday is radio show time. The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

10 am. Listen on the radio in the Florida keys and Cuba at KONK 1500 AM. Better yet, watch and listen world wide on the internet at www.konkam.com.

A timely show. Topics include a bit on Thanksgiving, airport security, two new American heroes,
Haiti and American dollars, lead and cadmium in drinking glasses, Tom Delay convicted, Judge Camp and a stripper, sex and female slaves, a New York mosque update, Mark Twain and journalism, greedy and greedier, a Judge’s wife resigns, Teddy Roosevelt and a famous saying, college tuition for illegal immigrants, Sarah Palin’s new book America by Heart, and more.

A full plate! Interesting and informative! Join me!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

There is no joy in Mudville…..mighty Casey has struck out!

That is how it was last night at bocce. We got our asses whipped!

Larry Smith’s team won all 3 games. I played in the first two. We only scored 4 and 3 points in those games.

Such is life!

Lunch was a happier time.

I was at Montessori sharing Ally’s Thanksgiving with her and her class. The kids sang. Then the big turkey dinner! The kids all sat at little tables. Were served turkey and all the trimmings.

You could see in their faces how happy they were!

Ally was an Indian. Cute!

As I left, she ran over and grabbed my legs and hugged me. Would not let go!

Love it! Love her!

This morning golf. After last night, I make no predictions.

Enjoy your day!

Key West weather continues to be spectacular!

I overslept. It is 9 in the morning.

The sun is bright. A few scattered white clouds. A breeze. The water blue and gliding along.

What could be better!

It was the gym for me yesterday morning. I am working out longer. My endurance is building. I boxed and did the treadmill.

Afterwards, I walked over to Don’s Place. For a glass of water. Rob bartendiong. We chatted briefly about golf.

The cupboard was bare again. So to Publix. A mistake. The wrong time.

I only had to pick up a few things. Everyone else was shopping for Thanksgiving. The aisles were crowded. People a bit testy. It was not a fun place to be.

I spent the afternoon outside sitting under the shade of the tiki hut writing. Terri was outside on the deck also. Singing and dancing about. I could almost do her show!

Then a nap. I try to get one in late every afternoon. A rejuvenator at my age!

Dinner with Jenna last night. At La Trattoria. Kathy bartending. Business slow.

Jenna and I spent a while after dinner sitting at the bar talking. She is an experienced TV personality. She is helping me with my radio show. I am trying to make it better.

Today is a big day! In about 2 hours!

Ally is in kindergarten at Montessori. The pre schoolers and kindergarten kids have their Thanksgiving party at 11. The children will sing and do skits. They will be dressed as Pilgrims and Indians. Then the big feast! Parents cook a whole Thanksgiving meal and bring it to the school. There will be many stuffed turkeys, sweet potatoes, vegetables, pumpkin pies and chocolate pies. Just as good as thursday’s meal will be!

When the kids are done eating, the adults jump in. Lunch will be terrific!

Donna and Terri are going also. Donna has 5 grandchildren living in Key West. Three have already been through the Montessori process. So she is old hat at this. Her fourth is 2 1/2 and attending pre school. This will be Terri’s first time. She is all excited!

Tonight, bocci. I know. It is tuesday. Bocce is thursday. However the season is over. We have two make up matches. One tonight.

We are playing Larry Smith’s team. It is a money match. Larry’s team is better than us this season. However, we hope to knock them off.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

A lovely Key West day!

The weather has been around 80 the past few days. With a firm breeze off the ocean. The breeze negates the heat. The end result is that air conditioning is not required. I have not used air conditioning for at least a week. Sleep with the windows open at night.

Perfect!

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Other than watching Meet the Press yesterday, I never did anything I intended.

I stayed in all day. Never left the property.

It felt good to do it.

I read the Sunday papers outside by the pool and under the tiki hut. Watched the boats go by. Chatted with Donna and Terri. And continued to enjoy Terri preparing for her Thanksgiving opening at La Te Da’s Crystal Room Thanksgiving evening. Terri sings and tap dances around the deck.

Being a star performer is not easy. It is preparation, preparation, preparation. All to make it look so effortless when finally done.

After I ran out of Sunday papers to read, I did a little writing.

Last night, television.

A lazy day. I must have needed it. I enjoyed it.

Enjoy your today!

I am overwhelmed! God must be overwhelmed also!

Thank you for the many responses offering a prayer for my cousin, Sister Rose Garramone.

I was back to the gym yesterday. Boxed for 15 minutes. The gym has a new heavy bag. Just the right weight and size. I enjoyed it.

Then the treadmill.

What a good boy am I!

Afterwards, I stopped at Don’s Place for a drink of water. I was dry from the workout and probably a bit dehydrated. Don cannot make money off me. When I am drinking, it is diet Coke. He only charges for the first one. A $1. The rest are free.

I purchased some books for the grandkids. Stopped over and gave them to them. A cut out doll book for Ally. One of those where you also cut out the clothes and attach them to the doll. For Robert, it was the same thing. Except it was planes and space ships.

I spent some time at the Coffee House. Read the New York Times.

Wrote a bit later in the afternoon.

Then decided to stay in last night. A light dinner and some TV.

I was out friday night. Met Marty and his charming wife Donna at the Chart Room. We had dinner at the Hot Tin Roof. Always good.

Host John was nervous. He is a Wisconsin grad. Wisconsin is ranked #5 nationally in football. They were playing Michigan yesterday.

I see from the score that John should not have been concerned. Wisconsin destroyed Michigan!

I continue to live in a rehearsal studio. Terri keeps practicing for her La Te Da Crystal Room opening Thanksgiving evening. She sings and tap dances. In doors and out doors on the deck. More Than You Know and Blue Skies permeated the property.

Sunday!

Love sundays!

Meet thee Press, Don’s Place and the Gardens. Hopefully I will make the Gardens tonight. And in between, the gym. I may miss pro football at Don’s Place. Basketball is upon us. Syracuse plays William and Mary at 2. If I can watch the basketball game at the Sports Page bar, that is where I will be.

My radio show The Key West Lou Legal Hour from a week ago is available for demand viewing on video at www.tikilive.com/video/28369.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I got up late! 10!

Unusual for me. But it felt good.

A most interesting radio show yesterday. Many comments afterwards. All directed to the same topic.

My Cousin Rose.

Rose and I grew up together. The early years.

Rose is ten years younger than me. She is presently 65.

Her parents, my aunt and uncle, were Fannie and Frank. Fannie was my father’s sister. Aunt Fannie passed on at age 86. Uncle Frank years ago.

Fannie and Frank went childless for many years. As the story goes, my Aunt was around 50 when she had stomach pains. They thought it was appendicitis. It wasn’t. It was Rose.

My Aunt and Uncle always said Rose was a gift from God.

At age 14, Cousin Rose went into the nunnery. It was her decsion. She wanted to go. It was not uncommon back then for girls to enter the nunnery at a young age.

My Aunt and Uncle said their gift was being returned to God.

It was not easy going for Rose’s parents. They could not see her but one day a year.

Rose was a nun. No question about it. Prayerful. Mindful. You could see it in her eyes.

Rose’s life is and has been her work among the poor and needy.

As the years went on, I rarely got to see my cousin. Generally, a wake or wedding. It has been at least ten years since I last saw her.

I received a telephone call this week. From another cousin. Rose is sick. She has leukemia. She is in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse undergoing 35 days of chemotherapy.

I telephoned Rose. Spoke with her two times. Each conversation brief. She sounds terrible.

All she said was, ” Pray for me.”

This woman who has spent her life praying for everyone else now needs the prayers of everyone else.

Please say a prayer for my Cousin.

Hello world!

Still dark outside. I am up a bit early.

The weather suddenly changed around 5 yesterday. A strong wind came in off the ocean from the northeast. Bringing a decided chill with it.

I had bocce. Changed my clothes. To long pants and a sweat shirt. I needed it.

This morning The Key West Lou Legl Hour. A big show! Great topics! Timely!

Like airport security, Haiti and American dollars, President Obama disrespected, terrorist trial result, golfer court case, stripper sued for causing whiplash, private prisons and immigration, Madoff auction results, no congressional oversight as to how money spent, Michael Vick, Truman and November 19, Mother Marianne and college tuition for illegal immigrants.

Plus New Jersey weird dumb laws, a Judge’s wife resigns, Social Security judges threatened, a walk back in history with Teddy Roosevelt, Iran and human rights lawyers, County Executive Jack Johnson and a same sex marriage update.

A full plate!

Listen in!

On the radio at KONK 1500 AM. Watch and listen on the internet world wide at www.konkam.com. 10 am this morning.

My day yesterday started with a haircut. It was Lori time!

Then one of my retirement duties kicked in. I ran errands for Lisa. The cleaners, health food store and drug store.

I spent most of the day working on today’s radio show. With broadway in the background. Terri flitting around practicing her Broadway tunes for her La Te Da Crystal Room opening Thanksgiving evening.

A doctor visit in the middle of the afternoon to get my stress and other test results. I am going to live.

Bocce last night. A bit cold.

It was a money game. We lost the first two games. We played good, we played bad. But not good enough to win. Joanie was spectacular in opposition!

I left after the second game. I still had some more work to do on today’s radio show.

Listen in at 10 this morning! I promise you will enjoy!

Have a good day!

Golf yesterday!

El magnifico stunk! I played terrible!

I lack consistency. I play well for a couple of weeks. And then…..nothing! I was toppmg the ball and all those good things!

Played with Don and Yankee Jack.

As bad as I was, Yankee was good! He was the big winner. Destroyed Don and I. Though Don won a few dollars also. I was the big loser. $12.

New Jersey’s Tom is back. It was good to see him at the golf course. He and his wife Nicki are two terrific people.

It was a strange time on the golf course yesterday. No breeze! Rare on an island. The sun was biting hot.

I live on a Broadway stage. My house guest Terri is of Broadway fame. She is preparing for her seven nights at La Te Da’s Crystal Room beginning Thanksgiving evening. She walks around the house, inside and out, singing. Yesterday it was Summertime and When You’re Down and Out.

Golf knocked me on my butt. I slept a good part of the afternoon.

Dinner last night was at the Yacht Club. With two beautiful women. Donna and Terri. A fun time.

Then to the Bottle Cap for Larry Smith’s variety radio show which was also ustreamed world wide. Great show! Larry does a big time job organizing and directing the show. Jenna was her usual magnificent self.

Terri did a guest appearance. Sang one song. It brought the house down!

Within seconds of her starting to sing, there was absolute silence. You knew you were in the presence of greatness. At the end, a thunderous ovation.

Terri is quality. A true professional.

Pati Wilson-Crimmins is a former Key Wester. She now lives in Sierra Vista, Arizona. She watched Terri’s performance via the internet. She wrote me on Facebook afterwards and said, “Terri just blew the doors off the Groove Lounge.” True.

Cheryl and Roger are back in Key West for the season. A long one for them. They will be here through April.

Cheryl and Roger are from Kankakee, Illinois. Cheryl is a beautiful woman. Both nice people. Good to have them back. They were at the Bottle Cap watching Larry’s show last night.

My good friend Mike Yutzy was in town. Just for the evening. He hooked up with me at the Bottle Cap.

Mike is from Las Vegas. He was with his girl friend of a year. First time I met her. Eimy. Pronounced Amy. She is from Hallendale. Originally from Costa Rica. I told her that was unusual. Many Key Westers and Floridians move to Costa Rica. Others vacation there. She did the trip in reverse.

A lovely woman. She is an accountant. Calls herself simply a bookkeeper.

I joined them later at Martin’s where they were having a late dinner. I like Mike and have always enjoyed his company. Eimy was easy to like. They are a couple. I wish them well!

That was my night. A busy one. A good one.

Today is going to be busy, also. A haircut this morning. A visit to the heart doctor this afternoon for the test results. And bocci tonight.

In between, I will be preparing for tomorrow’s radio show The Key West Lou Legal Hour. A multitude of topics to be covered. The terrorist trial results, Michael Vick, Mother Marianne, college tuition for illegal immigrants, the lack of Congressional oversight on spending, Social Secuity judges facing threats, a major County Executive allegedly caught with his hand in the till, the results of the Madoff auction, Iran and human rights attorneys, and more.

Listen in at 10 am friday on KONK 1500 AM radio. Better yet, watch and listen world wide at www.konkam.com.

Enjoy your day!

I did it! I survived my stress test yesterday!

Yesterday’s stress test was not my first. I have probably done a dozen over the years. However this time I was to do it with the knowledge I have a heart problem. Ergo, the concern.

It was a piece of cake!

Had a number of other tests also. Plus blood work. I get all the results thursday afternoon.

My tests took almost 3 hours. Afterwards, I headed over to Hogfish for lunch. I had had no breakfast since I had to fast for the blood work.

The weather was perfect. I read the newspapers while I ate. A ray of sun was on my back. The warmth felt terrific.

Donna and Terri are busy. Very busy. Terri rehearsed for the first time with Michael Thomas yesterday afternoon. He is going to accompany her for her seven night gig at La Te Da’s Crystal Room. The show Best of Broadway opens Thanksgiving evening. A big deal! Terri is working very hard.

Donna is the back room person of the team. She does the paperwork, negotiating, contacting, etc. A multitude of jobs.

Dinner was at the bar at Outback. Read the Miami papers and watched the Ohio State/Florida basketball game.

Outback is a locals place. Few tourists go. It is out of the way in the Sears shopping center. Mick Barnes was at Outback last night. One of Key West’s prominent attorneys. I walked by without seeing him. He called out to me.

Jackie and Michael Lefferts were there also. In fact, they sat next to me at the bar. Jackie is my primary care physician. A terrific diaognostician. Michael is an occasional golfing buddy.

I was watching TV late in the afternoon. Caught the last bit of a Washington ceremony. The President was bestowing the Congressional Medal of Honor on a soldier. His name is Sol Giunta. He is the first living recipient since the Vietnam War. Sol’s life changed yesterday. Big time!

I received an e mail later in the day from Tom and Cindy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Turns out they know Sol. He lives about a mile from them. They watched him grow up. Yesterday the center of the world was not Key West. It was Cedar Rapids!

Besidce managing Terri, Donna still has her jewelry business. She makes jewelry. Donna is having a showing of her jewelry tomorrow night. Tomorrow evening is the monthly Walk on White. Donna’s will personally be exhibiting at the Stone Soup Gallery at 802 White Street from 6 to 9. Stop in. Her work is exciting!

Golf this morning. I am excited. It has been 10 days since I played last.

Enjoy your day!

Today is the day.

Stress test at 9 am.

Yesterday started with a visit to the gym. Boxing and the treadmill.

Then a walk over to Don’s Place. Next door to the gym. I needed a drink of water.

Rob was bartending. It was noon time. The breakfast crowd was finishing up.

I was sitting next to a woman at the bar. She said…..ketchup and mustard? We both laughed. She was referring to Robert eating broccoli. I had mentioned it in yesterday’s blog.

A loyal reader!

Then to the Coffee House. Sipped and read the morning papers.

It was time for a manicure. I drove over to Lee Nails. They have moved. Still in the shopping plaza at 3122 Flagler Ave. But now in the middle. A move of six stores.

How beautiful! Modern! Colorful! Tammy and her husband have done a grat job in the remodeling.

Tammy and I visited as she did my nails. I admire her and her husband. I do not know how long her husband has been in the United States. But Tammy has been here only 8 years. They both work hard and are striving to achieve the American dream.

I think they may already have!

Lisa had jury duty yesterday. She was not picked. She does not have to return. Her jury duty is done for a year.

This was the first time for Lisa. She said she enjoyed the process.

I visted with my house guests Donna and Terri a bit later in the afternoon. They are both busy beavers. Working on the La Te Da show starting Thanksgiving evening. Doing detail work for Feinstein’s in January.

I am discovering that being a Broadway performer involves a lot of background work.

Dinner was special last night!

Kurt telephoned me. Said he had a huge prime rib that he was cooking out on the grill. Come over for dinner!

I went.

Kurt bartends at Don’s place. One of his house mates is Robert. Robert bartends at the Sports Page. Robert was there for dinner also. And Pat. Pat is Kurt’s friend from Indiana. He drove in over the weekend. He just applied for a permit to be a street performer. He wants to play the guitar and sing while meandering Duval.

There was one other guest. Carol Ann.

Carol Ann is from Big Rapids, Michigan. I have it right. Big Rapids. Not Grand Rapids.

She loves Key West. Visits 3 times a year.

It was her last night in Key West. Kurt knows her from Don’s place. I met her there 2 years ago. She is a loyal reader of the blog.

A lovely woman! Charming! We hugged and kissed when I entered.

Dinner was excellent! Kurt is a top shelf cook. He has three outstanding qualities. Besides being a nice guy. He is a bartending personality, a good cook and one of the best golfers in Key West!

Drinks and dinner were enjoyable. A lot of laughs. The wine flowed.

After dinner, Kurt decided to take Carol Ann to the Pier House for Larry Smith’s monday night jazz show. I decided not to join them. Ever mindful of this morning’s stress test, I opted to go home to bed.

Enjoy your day! I hope I enjoy mine!