Gorgeous day!

Sun shining. Blue sky with a sprinkle of small clouds. Absolutely no breeze. Water trickling along.

It is going to be a hot one!

Lisa telephoned. Ally up sick all night. Come over and babysit.

Told her I could not. Have a deposition in a lawsuit today. So Lisa is staying home.

Ally obviously has now come down with what Robert had last week. Probably most of the kids at the birthday party Sunday will also come down with it in the next few days.

That’s how it works!

I received a sad e mail this morning. From Donna. Donna of Donna and Terri.

Stacie’s baby was born here in Key West May 13. The baby had some difficulty in making it out. Was helicoptered to Miami Childrens Hospital. The baby is still on a ventilator. Say a silent prayer right now.

My grandson Robert was at Miami Childrens after he was born. Same scenerio. Helicoptered up there. Miami Childrens is a wonderful place. If anyone can help a child, it is that instiutuion.

Yesterday started with a haircut. Always glad to see Lori.

Then lunch at Lucky Day Cafe. Cuban toast and coffee.

On to Borders to continue reading the Tiger Woods book.

Home to telephone calls and paperwork. Three and a half hours.

Stayed in last night. Watched TV.

Some days I do a lot, others not so much. But the best place in the world to do a lot or nothing is Key West!

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was Sunday.

Some heavy rain in the morning.

Lasted off and on into early afternoon.

Then the sun broke through and it was another great Key West day!

Robert and Ally’s birthday party for their little friends was yesterday. From 11:30 to 1:30. Just enough time!

I arrived about noon. Lisa held the party at the house because of the anticipated rain.

I opened the front door. An avalanche of kids awaited me! It was a zoo! Little ones all over!

Twenty five young ones. Plus one parent per child.

The boys were playing together. The girls separately. Just like life.

The mothers were standing in groups chatting. No one seemed concerned about the kids. Did not have to be. They were all running around and having a good time. Bothering no one. It was their territory. They had taken over the place.

There was one father. He sat quietly drinking a beer.

This was not for me. I had an hour and a half to kill.

I found the morning Key West papers and an empty easy chair in a corner. I got a drink of diet root beer and a sandwich. Plunked myself in the chair and read.

Oblivious to everything going on around me.

I interrupted my reading to sing Happy Birthday. Then returned to what I had been doing.

Women are women. Even when they are young. I noticed that Ally and her girl friends were exchanging clothes during the party. They would appear and reappear in each other’s attire.

The birthday cakes were delicious. Chocolate and vanilla. I had 2 pieces of both.

Everyone appeared to have had a great time! Even the mothers. They had all done this routine before. Seemed to enjoy hanging around and chatting with each other.

And the kids were all good. No problem at any time.

Corey does not buy the Sunday New York Times. So it was over to the Coffee House for me after the party. Read through the interesting sections of the Times. No one around. Very quiet on a mid Sunday afrernoon.

I wanted to read more. It was over to Borders.

I have been reading the new Oprah book. However there was a new Tiger Woods novel. The True Story or something like that. I started the Tiger book. Read about 50 pages. Interesting so far. Nothing revealing.

I ran into Joe and Bob at Borders. Have not seen either in about 3 years.

Bob was a premier sales person at Fletchers for years. I bought a lot of furniture there when I first acquired my Key West home. Fletchers was an exteremely fine furniture store. Bob and Fletchers were hand in glove. Perfect together.

It was good to see them both.

Then home.

I have been staying in evenings. Probably my weight. I am still conscious of my good fortune in losing some weight. And it is easier to control it by eating home than out.

Also boring.

I heard from Tom and Cindy this morning via e mail. They are Key West snowbirds from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Tom and Cindy write me on a frequent basis. I had not heard from them in a couple of weeks. So I wrote. Turns out Tom has been sick. Apparently on the mend now.

Cindy is my one legged friend that I have written about. A personality!

I look forward to their return to Key West.

Enjoy your day!

Today is Sunday!

It is raining. Not bad. A sprinkle. But the sky is black. It will rain more.

I find the rain interesting. Yesterday was Robert’s birthday. Six years old. We did the family thing last night. Gifts, cake and Happy Birthday!

Today is Robert’s kiddies party. And Allys, also. Ally will be 5 in 2 weeks. So Lisa is having one big kids party.

Twenty five of them today. Plus parents.

The party was supposed to be at Fort Zachrey Taylor Beach. However the rain prediction for today was 40 per cent. Lisa said it was going to rain. I said no. She insisted. Her party. Her responsibility. She changed the location of the party from the beach to her home.

Lisa was correct. I was wrong. It is raining already today.

I laid in bed till 2 yesterday. Watched tv. Then got ready for Don and Steph’s party. Easy to get ready for. It was a pool party. Threw on a bathing suit and was on my way.

Don and Steph throw great parties. Good people. Generous in many ways.

By the time I arrived, every one was sitting around or floatng in the pool. Drinks and pickies were available. Every one enjoying themselves.

I stayed about 2 1/2 hours. Chatted with everyone. Don, Steph, Tom, Nancy, David, David’s son and his girl friend, Rob, Bebe, Jules, Jim, Jules’ parents, Larry, Christine and I cannot recall who else at this moment.

I left before the cook out portion of the party. Robert’s birthday dinner awaited me!

My intent was to return to Don’s and the pool party afterwards. But I was too tired. So it was home to bed.

The present I gave my grandson Robert was spectacular! Genius was involved! Ingenuity also!

Such modesty!

Robert likes to cook. Only 6 years old! Especially macaroni and cheese.

He will stand on a chair by the counter and help to prepare. He cannot go near the stove however.

Interruption. It is now pouring outside. Big time! Lisa was absolutely correct about it raining!

Anyhow…..I put together a chef/cooking/ macaroni and cheese package for Robert.

I purchased a large clothe bag. Had Robert’s name boldly imprinted on it. And Go Green! Robert is into Green. His primary aim in life is to save the polar bears.

I was able to find a chef’s jacket. Had Chef Robert imprinted on it. He looked terrific in the jacket. Just like a chef! I took some pictures with my cell phone. Wish I knew how to share them with you here. You would love them!

Threw in some dishes, utensils, macaroni and cheese. Plus a cook book. A childrens’ cook book. Dedicated solely to cooking macaroni and cheese. It is possible to find anything on the internet!

Robert went crazy! He was thrilled! He wore the jacket for about an hour. Then his parents gave him their gifts. One was an Indiana Jones outfit, including hat. Robert went from chef to Indiana Jones!

A good party! Robert was thrilled! Every one happy!

On days like Robert’s birthday, I cannot help but be reminded how lucky we are to have him. Robert was born with cancer of the liver. The tumor was larger than his liver.

Humans are not normally born with cancer. It is an after birth acquired illnes. Whatever. Robert had 2 major surgeries at Miami Chrildrens Hospital by the time he was 8 days old.

Fortunately, he is well. God bless!

I never made it back to Don and Steph’s party. I was too tired. I think it is the new heart pills. All of a sudden I get dead tired. I had to head home and was in bed sleeping before 8.

And I do not drink anymore! I could go longer on booze than I can on medication!

Enjoy your day! Still pouring outside. Hope it does not last all day.

Lisa just telephoned. See, I told you, she said!

Right she was! The rain outside my window is blowing like a monsoon! Thunder, too!

Good morning! Good morning! Good morning!

A little redundancy never hurt.

I slept a bit later. Woke at the conclusion of a pleasant dream. I feel good!

Yesterday’s radio show was fun! Love doing it!

After moving beyond the keys cockfighting arrests and Florida’s new law allowing cameras on traffic lights, I hit on two biggies. The Gulf oil spill and Elena Kagan.

I shared my thoughts re the oil spill and what people must do NOW from a legal perspective to protect themnselves. The spill is like a hurricane. It has not yet hit. There is anticipation. I believe the spill will arive in the keys at some point. Too much oil and all it is going to take is a wind shift.

The perpetrators, to wit: BP, Transocean and Hulburton, are the enemy. Not friends. Trust them not. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

My advice is that the various groups gather together. The homeowners, fishing fleets, hotels, communities. Hire the right lawyers now. Plan your battle now.

The enemy has already done so.

Government has a role, also. Many. One I would suggest to the Governor is to set up a separate court system to handle these cases. With new rules of evidence and limited appeal grounds. To expedite the slew of cases that are coming. And most importantly, to give those damaged more timely recourse to justice and recompense.

I talked at length about Elena Kagan. President Obama’s recent nomination to the United States Supreme Court. I did a detailed background report on her. We know little about her, even with the media blitz being experienced. I tried to reveal the person from her birth to the present. Family, education, jobs and the like.

After the show, I participated in a brief meeting with Gary and Larry. The new show is still a conceptual exercise. It is however starting to take shape.

Afterwards I bought a newspaper and headed to the Shrimp Shack for lunch. I enjoy the peace and solitude of sitting on the dock and spending time there.

Very few shrimp boats in. I thought they all would be docked. It was mid friday. Perhaps I was early.

A lot of tarpon in the water. Around the docks. Huge ones. Some jumping up, breaking the water.

Needed a manicure. Stopped in to see Tammy after the meeting with Gary and Larry. The place was jam packed. Giggling women all over. Two bridal groups. Tammy said come back this aftrernoon. I could not get out of there soon enough.

When I did return in the afternoon after lunch, it was quiet. Peaceful. I enjoyed the manuicure. I enjoyed Tammy.

I dieted earlier this week. Only for 3 days. Since I lost the 30 pounds about 2 months ago, I have been gaining. It is inevitable. Only 5 pounds. Normally I would say what the hell and let it go. Then the 5 becomes 10, the 10 15, the 15 20 and we are off and running!

Not this time I resolved!

I decided for the first time in my life to nip the weight problem in the bud. I was going to lose the 5 pounds. In 5 days! Back to the Medifast diet. Strictly for those 5 days. I figured that was all it would take to drop 5 pounds.

I was wrong. It took less time. In 3 days I dopped 7 pounds. At 1,000 calories a day, it was easy.

So thursday morning after stepping on the scale, I was off the diet.

I lost another pound yesterday without even trying. I am now 3 pounds ahead of the game and better than when I lost the 30 pounds.

To accomplish this success, the refrigerator had to be empty. I am easily tempted. Now that I am back to some sort of reasonable eating, I had to buy food. Yesterday after everythiung else, I stopped at Publix.

Purchased things like eggs, fruit, chicken and whole wheat bread. The chocolate covered donuts were a problem. Threw a box in the basket. Proceeded to other shopping. Returned several minutes later and took them out. Returned the chocolate covered donuts to the shelf. There are some temptations I cannot control if the food is in the house!

I cooked in last night. Two scrambled eggs and coffee. Still a bit extrme, I agree. But I prefer crawling back into eating. What I read on the scale is sufficient satisfaction.

Lisa telephoned last night. Rita had e mailed her.

Rita was nanny to the grandkids for 3 years. A good nanny! A good person!

Rita was originally from South Africa. She had children and grandchildren in South Africa. She returned to South Africa after 3 years. Periodically she and Lisa communicate over the internet. Occasionally they telephone so that Robert and Ally can talk with Rita.

Rita e mailed yesterday asking about Robert’s health. She reads this blog every day and knew he had been sick. She also watches and listens to the radio show. Wow! How we keep in touch with each other any where in the world these days!

My friend Marty. Where are you Marty! You come and go. More go than come in recent months. I need a dinner companion. Get your ass back here!

I have a pleasant day ahead. A pool party at Don’s home this afternoon. Always fun. Then dinner with Lisa and the family. It is Robert’s birthday. Six years old! A big time tonight!

Enjoy your day!

There once was a book The World According to Garp. Made into a movie. I do not recall any of the details of it.

This blog is the world according to Louis. Nothing special. Just my every day life and thoughts in Key West. Hope you enjoy it.

Radio show this morning! 10 am. KONK 1500 AM. Better still on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/ where you can see as well as hear.

A good fast moving show this morning. Exciting topics. Some not so exciting. But informative. Things you may not have been aware of.

Listen in!

Baby sat again yesterday. Robert was still sick. He slept most of the day. I saw a major improvement in him from the time I arrived early in the morning till when I left.

I am not being called upon to sit Robert today. Corey’s mother came in last night. I am being replaced by a professional. She will be with him today.

Robert’s birthday is Saturday. He will be 6. The family is gathering for his party.

Bocce last night.

Fun! A good time!

We won the first game. About 16-12. I did not play.

We lost the second game. 16-4. I did play. We all sucked. But I was the worst.

I did not want to play the third game. I did not have it.

Don said play! So play I did. Glad I did.

We won the third game 16-1. I was terrific. We all were terrific in that third game. Joanie was my partner. Ron and Don at the other end.

I was so good I even scored the one point for the other team.

I had the balls set up for 3 points for our team. Two were already there. I just had to roll my last shot in to make it 3.

A no brainer.

I screwed up! Big time! My aim and speed were off. I changed the configuration. Gave the other team a point!

Only Louis could do that!

Overall the game was good! We had 3 4’s. That’s big time!

When you’re hot, you’re hot! It took us only 11 minutes to play the third game. Unheard off! We were finished for the night and all the other matches were still in their second games.

After bocce, I stopped at Don’s Place. Glad I did! There was Kurt bartending. Wearing one of my Key West Lou tee shirts! Made me feel good.

Rob was there. He had been bartending. Just came off. We chatted a bit. He has not been playing bocce because of work. And we have not been hooking up on the golf course. I miss him and told him so. A good guy.

Time to move on. Have to get ready for the radio show. Hope you can listen in.

Enjoy your day!

Robert was sick yesterday.

Still sick today.

Lisa telephoned around 11 last night. I have babysitting duty again today.

Poor Robert. He slept most of the day. Wiped out. At one point he woke, got up off the couch and went into his bed. He wanted to sleep there.

It is amazing how frequently kids pick up a bug.

Robert has to get better soon. His 6th birthday is Saturday. Big party Sunday at Fort Zacharey Taylor Beach with his friends.

Lisa came home early. In the afternoon. My time was done. I hung around about an hour and then left.

What to do? Decided it was time for a pedicure. So it was off to Tammy. My toes are lovely!

I wrote yesterday about Drums Along the Mohawk. A 1939 film about the American Revolution.

I received a comment that thought the film was a government propoganda type film. Especially the ending when the characters become aware that the Americans had won. The film ends with everyone looking proudly upon a waving American flag.

I do not see it the way the commentator did. Definitely many Workld War II films had a propaganda line to them. But not this pre World War II film. To me the closing scene was merely an expression of American pride. The Americans had defeated the British. The people in the film had every reason to portray that pride. I felt proud watching the ending!

There is nothing wrong with pride in one’s country.

I spoke yesterday about the author of the book Drums Along the Mohawk which had been written in 1936. By Walter G. Edmonds. Edmonds lived in the Mohawk Valley area and made it the setting for the novel.

The Edmonds family home became a summer home at some point. A magnificent property set on several hundred acres of land. With a dam, streams and great fishing. Hunting. A lovely home and attendant buildings.

The property was sold about 20 some odd years ago. To Don Carbone.

A fitting person to have purchased the property.

The Edmonds family were what might be described as original settlers in the United States. The Carbone family had its beginnings as part of the massive Italian wave which immigrated to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Joseph Carbone is the Carbone patriarch. Or at least the first Carbone I recall.

Whether born here or in Italy, I do not know.

Joseph started a car selling dynasty.

It began in 1929. He opened an 8 stall garage. To repair cars, not sell them. His investment was all of $40. A lot of money back then. Joseph was 19 years old at the time.

In 1931 he expanded and started selling used cars. In 1933 he graduated to new cars. His first franchise was to sell Graham-Page vehicles. Even I do not know what a Graham-Page was. Too far back.

By 1938 he was also selling Studebakers and International Trucks.

A Studebaker I know. I recall that after World War II they looked the same from the front and back. You could not immediately tell which end you were viewing.

Joseph’s car selling business was first located on Bleecker Street in Utica. In the heart of what might be described as the Italian ghetto.

His sons Don and Al followed him in the business. Service was always foremost. Good people. I know. I bought new cars from them for over 40 years.

The business blossomed under Don and Al. Today the car dealerships include just about every make and are located in New York, Vermont and Massachusetts.

Don and Al’s children are now running the business. In the same fashion as their fathers and grandfather.

Don became very active in the civic life of the Utica community. Gave of himself and his fortune. A quiet person. Solid as a rock.

He and his brother Al had an interesting relationship in their later years. Al ran the business and Don did the community thing. That is not to say Don did not continue to have his hand in the business. He did. But they had this unique working arrangement. Don always commented on it. How Al made it possible for him to participate more fully in Utica’s life.

Which brings us to the Edmonds home in Boonville which Don Carbone purchased some 20 odd years ago.

That is how I got the opportunity to see and visit the property on several occasions.

Don fixed up the home. Kept the original flavor however.

One of the unique features of the house was the manner in which it was constructed. The house was built over a creek. Maybe 20 feet wide. Visualize a catamaran. A two hulled boat. Two legs of the house sat on the banks of the creek. The center of the house was 15-20 above the creek.

The creek ran beneath the house and was clearly visible as so doing.

Cool! Different! Beautiful!

It is amazing where things lead me with this blog. I saw Drums Along the Mohawk. Wrote about it and Walter G. Edmonds. And arrived at the Carbone family and the Boonville property.

All I hope you have found interesting.

Bocce tonight.

My radio show tomorrow morning a 10. KONK 1500 AM radio. See and hear on the internet worldwide at www.konkam.com.

Interesting hard hitting topics. Including how to protect yourself legally from the impending Gulf oil spill damage, Elizabeth Kagan, Dixie, Wisconsin weird dumb laws, New York’s expansion of gay parental rights, a comedian who won a mother in law lawsuit, the gospel and Thomas Jefferson and many other interesting matters.

Since so many enjoy the weird dumb law section, I am adding a new segment. The weird dumb lawsuit of the week. Hope you enjoy!

And enjoy your day also!

The weather continues to be terrific!

Low 90s, a bit humid and a breeze off the ocean. Perfect!

The wind off the Atlantic picked up last night. At least 30 miles per hour. I could hear it and the palm trees banging against the house each time it woke me during the night.

Yesterday was a usual day for me. A little paper work in the morning, the Coffee House to read the newspapers and then a visit with Lisa at the time when the grandkids were coming home from school.

Robert looked terrible. Sweaty and quiet. He was coming down with something. Lisa just telephoned. Said Robert was up all night upchucking, be here by 9 to babysit. I will be. No golf today.

Lisa said bring popsicles for Robert, also. He has not eaten. It will be easy. I have a box in the freezer.

I stayed in last night. My neck was still bothering me. As I have beeen reporting, it is good in the morning and then gets progressively painful durng the day. But it hurts less each day so I think I am getting better.

I am glad I stayed in last night. Got to watch Drums Along the Mohawk. A 1939 movie with Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda. About the 20th time I have seen the movie. I always enjoy it. Probably because the setting for the movie is where I grew up.

The movie concerns the Mohawk Valley in New York State. My home for 71 years of my life.

Utica is set in the center of the Mohawk Valley. Mountains all around. Everywhere you look. You must look up to see them.

Fonda and Colbert settled in Deerfield. Deerfield is a suburb of Utica.

The movie tells amongst other things of the Battle of Oriskany. Oriskany is 6 miles west of Utica. General Herkimer and a band of farmer soldiers met the British there in one of the significant battles of the Revolution.

The British had a much larger force. 1,800 strong. They were on their way east to join up with the General Bourgyone at Albany.

The British troops never made it. Herkimer and the colonists held them up in a vicious and bloody battle that lasted long enough so that the British failed to make it to Albany. As a result, Bourgyone was beaten some days later by the Americans at Saratoga.

The battle at Oriskany has been described as significant in the subsequent defeat of the British at Saratoga. The battle at Saratoga has been described as the turning point of the war.

The battle at Saratoga again was a most important one. When Bourgyone surrendered at Saratoga, the French joined the colonies in the war effort. Louis XVI thought it was a good time to stick it to the British. France’s support caused the British to have to expand its fighting to the West Indies and parts of Europe.

Ultimately the battles at Oriskany and Saratoga aided the colonists in winning the Revolution.

I felt like sharing a bit of my local upstate New York history with you. The movie brought it to mind.

One more item. The movie Drums Along the Mohawk was based on the 1936 best seller written by Walter D. Edmonds. Edmonds grew up in Boonville. About 15 miles to the west of Utica. Boonville sits on one of those mountains I described earlier.

Edmonds loved the Mohawk Valley, its history and waterways.

His family home still sits in Boonville. I have partied there many times. But that is another story. One which I will share with you tomorrow.

I am off to babysitting.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

The weather continued to be good yesterday. Mid 80s. A bit humid. However…..a breeze! The breeze is key.

My home sits on the water. There is an outside deck that is a bit large. 140′ x 40′. It sits on the ocean. There is a pool and tiki hut on the deck.

I spent yesterday morning sitting under the tiki hut. The tiki hut provided shade. The breeze off the ocean cooled me.

I started work on this friday’s radio show as I sat there.

The Gulf oil spill will continue to play a part. I warn people to get ready now before the disaster befalls the keys to fight the mighty corporate giants who are responsible. The corporations have already prepared for the battle.

I am going to talk about Dixie on the radio show. Remember the tune….. I wish I was in Dixie, hooray, hooray!

Weird dumb laws has been a weekly spot. Everyone seems to enjoy that segment of the show. So I have come up with a new and similar segment. In addition to weird dumb laws, of course. Weird dumb lawsuit of the week! There are many! World wide! The first one will come out of Bolton, England.

I headed over to the Coffee House in the afternoon to read the morning newspapers.

Two large pictures on the front page of the Key West Citizen. One of son in law Corey Malcom. The other of my friend Howard Livingston.

Corey is an archeologist. Chief archeologist for the past 25 years at the Mel Fisher Museum.

There is a sunken schooner in Key West harbor about 5 minutes out from the docks. It is the Marie J. Thompson. It went down about a 100 years ago. No one knows why.

Corey and Don Kincaid are working to set up the Florida Keys Community College with a program to study the sunken ship. The College is excited. The wreck is being incorporated into the College’s curriculum for study as part of its basic research diving course.

Corey was not identified in the picture. There was a large photo of a diver over the wreck. The diver was Corey. The article identified him prominently, however.

Howard Livingston! Keys singer extraordinaire! His picture was prominently displayed on the first page. Howard is doing a fundraising show for the Boys and Girls Club sunday at Margaretaville.

After my newspaper reading, I stopped at Lisa’s to visit with her.

Robert and Ally’s birthdays are coming up. Robert will be 6 on May 15. Ally 5 on June 1. Birthday party time! Lisa has planned a joint party sunday at Fort Zachrey beach. 25 little friends and their parents.

A lot of work! Lisa and I discussed the party arrangements. I am invited also, of course. The grandkids are excited. I am excited. Lisa a wreck over the planning.

I was set to go out last night. Stick and Stein has a pool tournament. I wanted to go over and watch. Then I was going to be at the Pier House’s Wine Galley at 9 to meet with Larry Smith, Guy de Boer and the rest of the gang involved in this developing show we a trying to put together.

I never made it.

My neck pain is still with me. I am ok in the morning. As the day develops, it gets worse. By dinner time, I was in big time pain again. So I took 3 Aleve and stayed home.

A little after 9, Guy telephoned me. He was at the Wine Galley. They were playing with the mechanics for the show. Guy sent me to my computer to view it on Youtube.

We had to play around with it for a while till the picture and voice came through properly. Saw Larry and Gigi. Looked good. Needs fine tuning. Anyhow, I played engineer last night from my home.

That as my exciting day yesterday in Paradise. The way it should be. Soft and easy.

Enjoy your today!

A strange Sunday yesterday.

When I woke, my neck felt better. As the day progressed, it got worse. Oh, the pain!

So I stayed in all day, except at dinner time.

Seems like Tiger and I have a similar problem. The sore neck that is. Nothing more. I am not that lucky.

It was Mother’s Day. I wanted to show honor to Lisa. So I showered and dressed and headed over to her home for Mother’s Day dinner.

I stopped at Publix on the way. Bought Lisa 3 red roses. $9.989. It’s the thought that counts!

I also bought some goodies for Louis. I had this sudden urge for ice cream. Half gallons were on sale. I have never bought a half gallon. I did! Cappacino with fudge ripples.

I decided to go all the way. Also bought a quart of club soda and chocolate syrup. I was going to make my own chocolate ice cream soda later in the evening. Lisa would never permit the grandkids to eat that sort of thing. Robert and Ally eat healthy.

While I was at Publix, I also decided to buy some canned peaches. I enjoy sliced peaches in a light syrup. I had been buying Del Monte’s. Then I noticed a couple of weeks ago that Dole sold a similar product for a dollar less. So I have been buying Dole.

No more!

I checked out the fine print on the Dole bottle yesterday. It reads…..F /China.

Enough said.

I did check out the Del Monte bottle also. No such labeling. I am assuming it is not prepared and bottled in China.

Lisa was thrilled with the roses! Cried! Made me feel good! Love that girl!

When I got home after dinner, it was time for my chocolate soda treat.

I took a jar with a cap that merely pressed on and sealed. Poured some Hershey’s chocolate syrup in. Then a few scoops of ice cream. Topped it off with a lot of club soda.

My intent was to enjoy something between a chocolate ice cream soda and a chocolate egg cream. To those of you who might not know what an egg cream is, it is the best!

I capped all the ingredients. Then shook the bottle. My fingers were lightly on the cap.

Suddenly there was an explosion! The cap flew off! Chocolate all over! Me, the sink, the counter, the window over the sink, the wall topping the window and the ceiling.

A real mess!

I laughed. How stupid you are, I thought.

The mess had to be cleaned up. I was concerned about the wall and ceiling. We are talking about an area ten foot square on the ceiling alone.

I got a step ladder. And bad back and all, scrubbed away. It seemed like I got the brown spots. Left wet spots all over. The success of the clean up would not be known till this morning.

It is this morning. I was…..how do you say……sort of successful. Some water spots show. The kitchen will need a paint job.

I miss spoke in yesterday’s blog. I said Harry Truman’s birthday was Saturday and there was a big celebration at the Little White House. I also said I did not attend since I was in the mood for a different sort of Key West day. I went to the beach and then to a pet parade at Geiger Key.

Truman’s birthday was not Saturday. It is next Saturday. And a big event is planned at the Little White House. His grandson will be there and many others who will speak of Truman and his Pacific experiences. Including his relationship with MacArthur.

I am an admirer of Truman. One of our great Presidents from my perspective. I wanted to share with everyone that he was being honored here in Key West, even if I did not attend the event. Maybe I will get to it this coming Saturday.

Mark Howell does a lengthy column each Sunday in Solares Hill. One of the items he commented on in yesterday’s publication was the Gulf oil spill.

Let me share some of the interesting facts he provided.

The rig was built in 2001 at a cost of $350 million. It is owned by Transocean. Transocean leases it to BP (British Petroleum) at a cost of $500,000 per day. The lease runs through 2013. BPs drilling operation costs are $1 million per day additional.

Obviously there is a lot of money to be made in petroleum production! A great investment is only made if a comparable profit is obtainable. BP’s reported profit for the first quarter of this year was in the billions.

BP does this world wide.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

I wish my Mother was here so I could wish her a great day. She passed on about 25 years ago.

Sad.

She left me and the rest of the family much to remember her by, however. Her memory is with me every day. Not a day goes by that I do not think of her.

Miss you Mom!

Let me tell you a little about her.

She was born in the old country. Italy. She was the 8th and last child in the family. The previous 7 children were all boys. Her parents felt lucky to finally have had a girl. So they named her Fortune. In Italian, Fortunata.

She came to the United States at an early age. Her family setled in New York City.

My Mother only went to the third grade. At the age of 8, it was necessary for her to go to work. She worked in a shoe factory 14 hours a day.

Somewhere along the way, she and my father met and married. They settled in Utica, New York. My birth was apparently a big deal to them both, as she used to tell me. My Father went crazy. Horn blowing and yelling and all that sort of thing.

My Mother worked in the later stages of her life. First as a receptionist for two doctors. Then as a receptinist for a dentist. For about 30 years all total. These were small busy neighborhood offices. She was the non professional staff in both. Her alone. She did it all!

She would be with me today if she were still alive. My Mother was a diabetic who did not take care of herself. So she left us early.

A good woman! Loved by all! Missed by many! Missed by me!

Yesterday was a big day. Harry Truman’s 126th birthday! Celebrated of course at the Little White House here in Key West. All kinds of activities. Speakers from his administration who are still alive. About 200 attended the festivities.

I am sorry to say I did not make it to the Truman celebration. It did not fit into the kind of day I wanted to experience.

I went to Higgs Beach around noon. The season is over. There are less people every where. The beach was quiet. Very relaxing.

I headed over to Lisa’s afterwards for a late lunch. No one home. Fortunately I have a key. I let myself in and made a sandwich.

As I was finishing, the hord returned! Ally and Robert came storming through the door. A tired Lisa followed. Then Corey and Cameron. They had been to the beach also! The beach on the other side of the White Street Pier. It has no name.

Higgs Beach and the beach they were on are all off 500 feet apart. I basically was on the other side of the White Street Pier. I wish I had known they were there.

About this time, my neck started bothering me. A dull pain. I paid no attention.

After lunch, I headed to Borders. Started the new Oprah book. Read only 2 chapters. I am not into the book yet. My neck was hurting more. So I left.

I did not want to go home, however. Too early in the day. It was late afternoon.

I headed up to Geiger Key. There was a Pet Parade scheduled.

Pet parades are big in the keys. People dress up their dogs and cats and whatever else and proudly parade them.

The purpose of the parade was to raise money for a new animal shelter here in Key West.

The dogs and cats looked terrific! And well behaved! Their owners who were parading them were so so. Some dressed in costume. Others dressed normal. Some a bit under the weather. The owners in some instances were more amusing than the pets. And in some instances should have been on the leash with their pet walking them.

My neck was now killing me. Such pain! Somehow I had sprained it. So I decided to head home where I spent the rest of the day and evening. The neck troubled me most of the night. It is much better this morning however.

It is in the low 80s outside. No clouds. Sun bright. A good breeze.

I just received a telephone call from Utica. It is snowing there! Ho ho!

Tino e mailed me. On his way back to Chicago, he detoured and went to Clarksdale, Mississsippi. I have never heard of Clarksdale. Tino had and perhaps you may have. It is the home of Delta style blues music. That is the way Tino described it. More iomportantly, it is the home of Crossroads. Whatever that is.

Tino says there is a Key West connection. Clarksdale was the childhood home of Tenesseee Williams. Williams spent many of his adult years here in Key West where he authored many of his famous novels.

Just got another telephone call. Ally. Poppa, can we come over to swim? Of course! That is Lisa’s way of warning me that I am shortly to be invaded. What a pleasant invasion!

Enjoy your day!