It is just before 7 in the morning.

The sun just came up. Still a bit gray. No clouds. Humid. Sticky kind.

I am waiting for a volcano to come through the front door. Any minute!

The grandkids are betweeen school and summer camp. This week they have nothing. So I am baby sitting. It has been decided it would be better if I did it here at my home. I have the pool.

It is going to be an interesting week. Me and them. Today I think I am going to drive up to Boondocks and play miniature golf with them. Then the three of us will have lunch there.

In between, the pool and play games. Robert and Ally have a new monopoly game for kids. They are bringing it over. They have already told me they will be teaching me the game.

The Gulf oil spill continues to be the major item of discussion and concern. If it is to come to the keys, it is still at least 10 days away. It is just hitting the Panhandle in north Florida.

This is a new experience. We do not know what to expect. We are ready for the worst, if it is so. Like the pictures on tv have been showing. On the other hand, many think the major problem will be tar balls. Hard oil balls.

The wait is a killer. You know something bad is going to happen. The when is the uncertain part.

And now we are into hurricane season. Hurricane talk is beginning. When is the issue here also. The hurricanes generally start off the west coast of Africa. There are none formulating as yet.

Someone wrote and asked if it was ok to visit Key West a week from now. Who knows. I am not the expert. But I will share my personal thoughts with the writer.

Come.

If the oil spill hits soon, it is at least 10 days away. Maybe 2 weeks. Maybe longer. We are dealing with an unknown.

You state you are staying at the Casa Marina. One of the most magnificent hotels in Key West! So you may not swim in the ocean. The Casa has two large beautiful pools! And everyting else in Key West is still here. The bars and restaurants. The tourist sights. The night life.

Finally, when again will you have the opportunity to experience an event of this magnitude. Dependiong on the severity of whatever hits, the birds may require cleaning. The bigger fish care. You could spend your vacation helping! A unique once in a life time experience!

Robert and Ally have arrived! They came through the door yelling Camp Poppa! I am in for it!

I set them up outside at the tiki hut for breakfast. I am writing this blog now at the tiki hut also. They are eating loops and chatting. Waking my neighbors. But I don’t care. Many a night they keep me up partying with their guests. This is my pay back time.

Marty is back.

We went to the movies last night. Sex and the City 2.

I was not impressed. Save your money.

I was disappointed, also. I was a fan through out the tv series. I thought the movie two years ago was terrific. The powers to be did not know when to stop and say enough!

Godfather 3 was one movie too many. So too was Sex and the City last night.

It just did not have it.

They also made the 4 women look too old. Three are in their 40s and one in her 50s. Still good looking women in today’s society. Not in the movie. Lines and wrinkles were added. Not realisitic.

I have to explain now to the grandkids the necessity of cleaning up whatever they drop on the deck. There are a few milk soaked loops. If not picked up, the bugs will invade. One of the concerns of living on a tropic island.

Enjoy your day!

I am lazy today. Just got up. Almost 9.

I laid in bed watching Errol Flynn as Lord Essex making love to Betty Davis’ Queen Elizabeth in a 1939 movie.

Yesterday started with me being a good neighbor. Took some friends to the airport.

I was up early. Too early. What to do?

I bought some newspapers and drove to the Atlantic. All of 300 feet away from the airport.

Along the beach runs a sidewalk. At certain points on the sidewalk are benches. I picked one sitting right on the edge of the wall butting the ocean. Feet resting on the wall. And read.

I could hear the water. I could smell the salt. I felt the breeze. The sun warmed me.

Lunch was a high point for me. With Tom and Chris at Hogfish. Their first time.

Hogfish is an open air restaurant. A throwback to the 1950s. It sits on the water in what is known as downtown Stock Island. A joke! One you can only appreciate if you visit the place.

I like Tom and Chris. They are from the Syracuse area and visit Key West 3-4 times a year. We have become friends.

We had good conversation.

Chris wrote me this morning. Said I kept referring to her as Cindy yesrerday and in a recent blog. Sorry Cindy! Oops, Chris! I screw up occasinally.

My apologies.

Lisa and the grandkids came over. For the whole afternoon. we did pool time a long time. I got a tan on top of my tan!

It amazes me how well Robert and Ally swim. Of course, they are in the water almost every day. Good they are!

I am a neat freak. Especially my bed. You would not know any one even slept in it.

I was watching the golf tournament after swimming. Laying on my bed, of course. Robert and Ally joined me. My bed will never be the same!

I finally sent them all home. The Belmont was coming up and I wanted to watch it quietly. Out! was the command!

I did a quiet night last night. Outback. At the bar. I have come to enjoy their steaks. Together with a baked sweet potato and steamed vegetables. The sin I commit in eating the steak is off set by the sweet potato and vegetables. At least in my mind.

Things are quieting down. Especially for a Saturday night. Outback’s was basically empty. Not many people at Hogfish for lunch. I think it is a combination of out of season and people starting to worry about the Gulf oil spill. Once it hits the Florida keys, many are going to be out of work.

The weather continues to be outstanding. Except the humidity is starting to creep in. Not bad yet. But a little heavier each day. It also has rained the past 3 nights. We are slowly moving into the rainy season.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I am writing today’s blog late. Sorry!

Got up late. Then had to drive some friends to the airport.

Yesterday’s radio show was a hit! A lot of favorable reaction afterward. From as far as South Africa. Wow!

Better than half the show was devoted to the new Arizona immigration law. …..Show me your papers! I was fortunate to have Don Riggs join me. Don lives here in Key West and is a life long radio and television newsman. He is just finishing up a one month vacation in Arizona.

Don’s observations were revealing!

Don claims from what he has seen, bigotry is not the issue. More than half of the Arizonians are Latinos who are already citizens. Don says the primary problem is an economic one. School and medical costs being at the forefront. Increased taxes another.

Arizonians are taking what appear to be drastic steps because the federal government has failed in its responsibility to protect the borders. So the people of Arizona have resorted to what might be described as self help.

Interesting.

After the radio show, I stopped at the Coffee House for some brew and the New York Times.

Then I was off to lunch at Harpoon Harry’s. Where I read the Miami paper.

I am hooked on reading newspapers. The reason is I did not do so for almost 50 years. A busy practicing lawyer only has time to read legal papers and briefs. I am now making up for a lot of lost years.

The Gulf oil spill is coming. Sure as day turns to night. It is now in the Panhandle of Florida. Starting to affect the beaches up there.

The winds have turned and the oil is starting to get into the loop current stream.

Eventually everyone from Louisiana on the west through the Carolinas on the east are going to have the same problem. Massive unemployment! The hotel and restaurant industries are tourist driven. Tourists are not going to spend their vacations where they cannot use the beaches and water. The fishing industry is doomed. Everyone in Key West will feel the impact.

What to do?

People have to think outside the box to find a solution.

I would like to make claim to a solution about to be proposed. But I cannot. It came from one smarter than me in this regard.

His name is Kurt. Kurt is a bartender at Don’s Place. Some days a scratch golfer. Lives on the water near me in Key Haven. 50ish. Street smart. Otherwise smart.

Kurt gave me a call yesterday. His solution is brilliant! Think about it for a moment before you say no.

Kurt’s solution keeps all local businesses going and helps to get the oil damaged ones cleaned up. And brings immediate income into the community.

Kurt says there is massive unemployment throughout the country. He is correct. Yesterday’s figures revealed food stamps were being given for the first time to over 40 million people.The numbers further showed that the jobless rate is at a 26 year high.

Kurt says import the unemployed from other parts of the United States to the keys. Put them to work cleaning up the mess. Cleaning the birds, the water. And whatever else has to be done. They would be payed by BP. They would stay at our hotels and eat in our restaurants. And of course do their drinking in our bars.

Kurt’s idea is not so far fetched. After 9/11, security became big time at airports. Key West did not have enough people to do the work. The federal government imported security people from all over the United States to work at the Key West airport. And payed their hotel and food bills. For several years.

The same type program is workable here. And it keeps two groups employed instead of one. The locals and people who would be imported to help.

Good idea, Kurt! Good thinking!

It turns a lemon into a lemonade!

Hopefully someone in authority will read or be sent this blog and take heed. At least consider the solution presented.

Enjoy your day!

Where do I begin…..

Radio show today! The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

10 this morning. KONK 1500 AM radio. Better yet, see and hear on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/.

Great topics!

The Gulf oil spill, the concession stand that the Monroe County School Board claims it did not authorize, the City enviromental study of the Glen Archer school and its failue to test for radon, mold and asbestos, some Mark Howell soundings, Oklahoma weird dumb laws, the King of Ghana, the weird dumb lawsuit of the week. And…..Don Riggs, alive and well, from Arizona with some insider information on the new Arizona immigration law.

People will be watching and listening from Boston to Cedar Rapids to Chicago to London to Jakarta to Crete to Milan to Trieste to Havana to Cape Town. Honest to goodness!It’s amazing!

Key West weather continues to be spectacular. Low 90s yesterday. However the humidity is starting to creep in. You can feel it.

The wind is turning. You can sense it. Which means the loop current is starting to move towards Florida’s Panhandle. Pensecola was to receive its first oil from the spill yesterday.

The oil will hit Key West in about 10 days. If not sooner!

It’s like sitting in a hospital room and waiting for a loved one to die.

Except here the body will not be gone in a few days. It will remain for years to come.

Thank you BP.

BP appears largely inept and perhaps equally criminal. Time will tell. What is bothering me at the moment are these claims offices BP is opening. One already in Marathon. Another yesterday in Key West.

It is represented that the Marathon claim office already has written checks in excess of $3million.

The fox is in the hen house!

How can anyone trust BP to evaluate his or her claim? BP is smart. They hired what BP describes as an inderpendent third party to do the claim evaluations and make the payments. BP says it is hands off from their end.

I had an old law professior back at Syracuse by the name of Lloyd. Professor Lloyd was one smart man. He always told us to watch the money. One of his favorite sayings was…..”He who pays the fiddler calls the tune.”

Isn’t it so!

Which brings me to my point. These claims, early or late, should be made and paid by an independent new court system established by the federal and/or state governments. The purpose is to expedite all claims fairly and properly in the shortest time period. And BP and its designees should not be trusted to do it.

Enough of oil for the time being. I will speak more to the issue today on the radio show.

Last night was our bocce banquet. At Don ‘s Place. Food prepared by Russ and David. Two premier chefs. One by profession and the other by love.

The menu was sliced tenderloin, creamed spinach, corn, beans and salad. All cooked outside at Don’s Place. Absolutely delicious!

The whole bocce world was there. Don, David, Russ, Larry, Tom, Nancy, Michelle, Nate, Boomer, Jules, Kathy, Joanie, Jim, Chris and many many more. A good time was had by all! Everyone was in a happy mood even before the food was served.

Enjoy your day! Listen to me on the radio if you can at 10!

Yesterday morning was a big deal!

Robert graduated from kindergarten!

He was very excited. And proud. Beaming!

He graduated from Montessori.

There were 15 5 years olds. 10 girls and 5 boys.

Each wore a blue board hat. With a tassel, of course. And a ribbon around their necks signifying year and graduate status.

A big day again for Robert. An even bigger day for Lisa and Corey. Proud parents!

Afterwards I headed over to the Coffee House. Read the New York Times. Chatted with some people.

Then it was off to home. I wanted to have lunch at home. I should have gone out. I ate too much. That is why I keep the cupboard bare. It is easier to control consumption.

I spent the afternoon doing paperwork. Followed by a nap. I sometimes think the nap is the best part of my day.

Last night I met Don and Cindy at the Chart Room. Don and Cindy are from the Syracuse area. They visit Key West every 3 months or so. Syracuse University fans also.

We have become friends.

We met by prearrangement for drinks last night.

Cindy is my kind of girl. She reads my blog/this blog religiously every day. Go Cindy!

We had a pleasant time. We are getting back together again later in the week.

I had dinner with Marty and Louis. Marty is back in town.

Louis is Marty’s handyman up in Hallendale. 30ish. Mother from Hondouras. His father from Italy. He is Spanish in appearance.

A charming personality. A bit of a rogue. I would describe him as a Spanish lover.

Louis wanted to eat Spanish food. We went to El Meson de Pepe at Mallory Square. In the last 10 years I probably have eaten there two times.

My mistake. The food was absolutely terrific! I am not generally a fan of Spanish food. Marty talked me into shrimp with green sauce. I recommend it. Together with the beans, yellow rice, fried bananas and whatever else.

We had a great meal in a pleasant atmosphere.

The conversation was all over the place. Louis and I are liberals. Marty a die hard conservative. So you can imagine the exchanges that took place.

Tonight is my bocce banquet at Don’s Place. An important occasion! A fun time!

Enjoy your day!

My Aunt Mary died yesterday.

100 years old.

God bless!

And she lived alone or with one of her children till the time of her death.

God is good on occasion.

My Father is the last of the brood. My grandparents had seven children. They are all gone, except for him. He is 96.

My Father fell last week. Broke 2 ribs and got a black eye. But he will survive. I hope he continues to survive. To 100 plus.

He too is fortunate to still live a normal existence. He lives with a lady friend. For a number of years. Frances is her name. She is a wonderful woman and takes vey good care of my Dad.

Aunt Mary had a good life. Born and raised in Utica. Married Uncle Frank. A professional boxer.
Then a barber. Uncle Frank passed on about 30 years ago.

Phil and Lois are their two children. Both retired now and in their 70s. Successful New York advertising people.

When my Uncle passed on, Phil and Lois took Aunt Mary to New York City to live. She had a new and long interesting life. Her children saw to it. Good kids.

Last night was exciting.

Ally’s birthday. Five years old.

Interesting how we talk of one going and one just starting. Such is life.

Ally had a terrific evening. No question! It was her birthday!

She was the Princess. She enjoyed us and we her. God bless!

Today is another exciting day.

Robert graduates from kindergarten this morning. He is excited! I am excited! His parents are excited!

He kept seeking reassurances from me last night that I would be attending the ceremony. Would not miss it for the world! Today is golf day. No golf for me.

I wish my Aunt Mary a warm good bye. I always liked you. You were one of my favorites. Sensitive. Talented. Enjoy the after life. Say hello to my Mother. Be grateful for your wonderful children who cared for you in every way possible. Look over them and be sure they get the same attention in return.

Enjoy your day folks!

No detailed blog today. Sorry. I have been tied up with somnething else since 5 this morning.

My day yesterday was golf first and swimming with my grandchildren afterwards. Both of which I enjoyed immensely.

The golf was not as good as last week. But still better than normal. Being with Robert and Ally is always a treat.

Enjoy your day!

We start today with a rembrance of Memorial Day.

Twenty five years ago I vacationed for three weeks with my family in Italy. My wife, 3 of my children and my parents. We rented a villa on the Mediterranian in Livinia.

Nearby was Anzio. The place where the Allied troops landed in Italy during World War II.

I was wandering around alone one morniong and came upon what appeared to be a military cemetary. It was. A British military cemetary from World War II. We have all seen the type. Perfect rows of crosses as far as the eye can see. Meticulous grounds.

I walked among the graves. Reading the inscriptions on the graves as I did.

Sad. Very sad. So young. Many in their late teens. Most under the age of 25.

Then I came upon a series of crosses that bore the following inscription: Known to God Alone.

It was too much for me. I started crying uncontrollably.

World War II had had a treffic impact on me. I was 5 to 10 years old durng the war years. Everything was the war! Family members in the sevice. Soldiers coming and going. Air raid drills. Blue and gold stars in the windows. Families huddling by the radio for any little piece of war news. Rationing. Stamps for everything. And so on.

I hurried back to the villa to get my children. I wanted to share this experience with them. Three of my children had made the trip. John, Lori and Lisa. John had just graduated from law school. Lori and Lisa still in college.

I took them back to the cemetary. I was excited. I kept telling them this great thing I had found.

When we arived, I threw open my arms to show them. We walked. I talked. Explained.

Nothing.

The cemetary had no impact upon them. It was just another sight to see. They did not appreciate where they were nor what they were experiencing.

I soon realized why. Their lives had no connection to the war. Mine had.

Yesterday was Sunday.

I spent the morning in bed watching Meet the Press and the other news talk shows.

Then it was to the beach for me. Higgs Beach. Alone. Lisa telephoned that the rest of the crew had to head up to Sugarloaf Key for some event Cameron was performing in.

I am always ready for the beach. My sand chair and a towel are always in the trunk of the car.

Higgs Beach was packed. Good! The holiday weekend was a success! Visitors were here!

The weaather was perfect. Warm. No humidity. A bright sun.

I read the newspapers, people watched, especially the women, went in the water frequently to keep cool and slept a bit.

It was soon mid afternoon and I was hungry. I decided on BO’s. Drove over. I could not find one parking place! Even in the large public lot.

So much for BO’s.

I headed for the Pier House. I can always park at the Pier House. I am a good customer and well treated.

I had a late lunch on the outside deck overlooking the beach and water.

The Pier House’s beach and bar area were packed also. Every one partying.

Read some more newspapers while enjoying fish and chips.

One of the newspapers contained bits of local history. I have been in Key West so long I think I know everything about the place. Periodically I am proven wrong. Yesterday was one of those times.

It is common knowledge many famous people made Key West their home or visited here frequently at different times. Truman., Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Burt Lancaster, Audobon and more.

I thought I knew of them all.

How about Gloria Swanson!

She lived in Key West for 4 years. I knew it not! Did you?

Swanson’s father was in the Army and stationed here. She was in her early teens those 4 years. They lived in Army barracks at what is now Peary Court.

While living in Key West, Swanson made her stage debut.

It was 1911. She was 12 years old. The IOOF had a theater on the first floor of the Lodge. The Lodge was located on Caroline Street. Swanson made her stage debut at that theater.

A decade later she was a big time star in Hollywood. First in silent films. Then in talkies. She received 3 Academy Award nominations. The last for the 1950 film Sunset Boulevard in which she starred with William Holden.

Swanson periodically returned to Key West to visit.

Why did I not know this? Why did many of you, if not all, not know of Swanson and Key West? Key West embraced all other notables who spent some time here. I suspect thare is more to this story.

This morning golf. With Tom and Larry. I will not be able to play Wednesday. Robert is graduating from kindergarten at 9:30 in the morning. I have to be there! I want to be there!

Enjoy your day!

It is 7 am. I am compelled to speak of the weather again this morning. It is absolutely perfect!

Blue sky, blue water, sun shining and no movement. None at all. Not even the slightest brezze. It is as if the world stopped.

The pastel green and yellow homes across the way are reflected in the water.

Beauty abounds!

This glorious weather will not continue. Soon humidity will start to set in. Then the humidity will become unbearable. By mid august, you will be able to cut it with a knife.

Such is the weather in the keys.

The Gulf oil spill is in its sixth week. Still no solution. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Good? Bad?

The Florida keys are still ok. The oil has not entered the loop current and made its way south to us. But at some point it will. A shift in the winds and we have had it!

In the meantimne, everything is normal in Key West. Fishing good, fish good to eat, tourists seem to be coming. The national news media paints a bit different picture. Enough to scare some tourists away. Not fair. There is no problem here. Yet. And when it comes, there will be probably two weeks notice that it is on its way. It will take 10 to 14 days for the current to bring the oil here.

What a major screw up!

I babysat yesterday morning. Lisa and Corey both had to work.

Robert and Ally wanted to play bingo. I have never won even one game playing bingo with them. Yesterday I did! One game. They were excited. I was excited. Ally turned out to be the big winner. First time for her. Robert had a long face cause he lost.

Lisa was home by lunch time. I had lunch with her and the grandkids.

Then it was off to the Coffee House to read the New York Times. A good steady crowd. Reflective of the holiday weekend.

Dinner was at Lisa’s with the family. Except for Corey. He was still working.

Corey is big into slave ships. A world recognized expert with regard to Spanish galleons in the Caribbean and slave trade in the same area.

A couple of years ago, slave graves were discovered at Higgs Beach. Corey studied the situation. He was able to determine from whence they came, the ship involved and so forth. Through Corey’s efforts, those of the Mel Fisher Museum and others, a special area was marked off at the beach and a monument placed commerating the bodies of those slaves who still lie beneath the sand of the beach.

Yesterday the King of Ghana was in Key West. Ghana is in Africa. His purpose to explain and in a fashion apologize for those that were captured in Africa and sent to our shores. Black tribes captured other black tribes and sold them to slave traders.

I could not make the event. And I have not talked with Corey yet. I telephoned this morning, but Lisa said he was still asleep.

My understanding is that there are many Kings of Ghana. Each state or governmental area has a king. And each goes by the title of King of Ghana.

No more do I know. Except that the King’s visit was a big deal here in Key West yesterday and Corey had to be with the King most of the day. I will share more with you tomorrow after I have had an opportunity to speak with Corey.

After dinner, we all wanted ice cream. So it was off to Dairy Queen. I lead such an exciting life!
Ally convinced me to try sprinkles. She loves sprinkles! So I had rainbow sprinkles on my chocolate cone.

Strange the things that trigger memories. This is Memorial Day Weekend. War movies abound on TV. I woke this morning to Battle Cry. A 1953 film starring Van Heflin and Tab Hunter.

It was September 1953. My first week in college. Manhattan College in New York City. Frank Ravioli from New Haven, Dick Lewis from Albany and I took the subway to Times Square. We went to the movies. To the Paramount. And saw Battle Cry.

Four years later, we graduated. I have never seen Frank or Dick since. Sad.

The game plan for today is Fort Zachrey Taylor beach with Lisa and the family. The weather is perfect for it. My body could use a bit of color. And the grandkids are fun to be with at the ocean.

Enjoy your day!

Another gray peaceful morning. I am up early. Before nature and the rest of the world.

Yesterday morning was my radio show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour.

I enjoyed doing it! And based on the post show comments, I think people enjoyed receiving it.

The big news here in the Florida keys of course is the Gulf oil spill. It is six weeks since the oil started erupting. So far, so good. No oil here in Key West. But it will come. It has too. The winds will change. The spill will enter the loop current. And the oil will slide down into the keys.

I spent a considerable time discussing the new Arizona immigration law. …..Show me your papers! From the perspective of the people of Arizona. I did my homework. Read some Arizona newspapers, their editorials, letters to the editor and talked with some people out there. A different story developed.

Basically Arizonians are pissed off. Illegals are crossing the border in signigficant numbers each day. Drugs, gangs, murders and the like are overwhelming what was once a sedate State. The federal government is responsible for border protection. It has failed. Basically done nothing. So Arizona has resorted to self help. This bad peiece of legislation is one part of it. There is more to come.

The white man seems to have a consistent pattern. Whether Massachusetts Bay or the West, the white man came, was befriended by the Indian and then displaced the Indian.

Back in 1870 Phoenix had its first federal census. There were 240 people. 124 were Mexicans. More than half the population was Mexican.

The whites were immigrants. They came to Arizona in covered wagons. When they arrived, the Mexicans welcomed them with open arms. Taught the whites how to build their homes and businesses out of adobe bricks.

The territory had its first elected Marshall. Henry Garfias. Not an Irish cop. A Mexican. This was the rough and tumble 1870s and 1880s. Henry was purported to be the fastest gun in the territory. I doubt anyone asked Henry for his papers.

Together the Mexicans and whites built a city and a state. Now the two groups are at odds.

An interesting situation. A sad situation.

After the radio show, I went over to the Coffee House. It is like a required fix. Coffee and the New York Times.

Lunch time came. Where? I decided on Harpoon Harry’s. Marty had put the bug in my head the day before.

Harpoon Harry’s always has a nice crowd of locals. A lot of hellos are exchanged. The owner and staff are very warm and welcoming.

The special was scallops. Delicious! And cheap. All of $8! One of the benefits of living on an ocean island.

Harpoon Harry’s is located just off the waterfront. So I decided to take a walk along the docks.

Beauty as far as the eye could see! The blue of the ocean, the white of the boats.

I stopped into the Turtle Museum. Have been there many times before. Walked around. Could not help but think that a year from now there probably would be a new section showing the oil impact on the turtle population.

Then to Borders. Finished the Tiger book. Good, but not great. Something that some one authored quickly and had it published just as quickly to get something on the shelves for quick sale. The book was interesting. But merely a reiteration of what has been reported in the newspapers and on tv. The real story has yet to be told.

I had a quiet evening in last night. Early to bed. Slept well. Up early this morning.

It is Memorial Day Weekend. Normally Key West would have a lot of tourists. There has been talk that the hotel/motel reservations were down a bit with cancellations because of the oil spill. I will have a better sense of the impact, if any, when I walk the streets later this morning.

Enjoy today and your holiday weekend!