I never left the house yesterday.

I did paperwork half the day. And prepared for Thursday’s radio show the other half.

Remember the big court settlement the States made with the cigarette industry back in 1997. Florida got $11.3 billion. What happened to it? It is one of the things I will be talking about on the Key West Lou Legal Hour.

I was getting ready to go out for the evening when I discovered the Syracuse/Georgetown basketball game was available on TV in Key West. So I stayed home!

A major game! A big encounter! An anticipated battle between old rivalries!

Syracuse had only lost 1 game prior to last night’s meeting. Georgetown 3. Syracuse was ranked #4 in both national polls. Georgetown #7 and #11.

The game started badly for Syracuse. They were down 14-0 at the start of the game. Time to worry! I was!

Syracuse came back. Big time! Syracuse was winning by 5 points at half time. And won the game by 17!

Syracuse is good this year! Perhaps great! We shall see.

That was my day yesterday. A simple one.

Today I have more paperwork. And then the dentist at noon. I lost 2 porcelin caps this past week. I must be eating iron!

Enjoy your day!

A quiet Key West Sunday yesterday.

I spent the morning in bed watching the news talk shows.

Then it was off to Don’s Place. The great rib cook off was scheduled for yesterday.

Don is brilliant! He always has something going to bring in the customers. The place was packed! People cooking/grilling every where!

I did not stay. I could not be in the company of all those delicious appearing and luscious smelling ribs and remain on my diet. So I chatted a bit and then left.

It was the Coffee House for me. I sipped coffee and read the Sunday New York Times for a couple of hours.

Then to Lisa’s. Grandkids appeared to be in better health. They were driving their parents crazy.

Lisa was working on her internet department store Via Key West.

Donna Barnett spent a lot of time with Lisa when she recently was in Key West for her daughter’s wedding. While Terri was hoofing and singing in Finian’s Rainbow on Broadway, Donna had been busy making jewelry.

Lisa has prepared a whole page dedicated to Donna’s new work. It’s terrific! Take a look! http://www.viakeywest.com/.

I have always loved Donna’s skill. Her jewelry is spectacular. On more than one occasion we have been out together and some one has come up to ask her about a neck piece she was wearing. Inevitably, Donna sold the piece literally off her neck!

I went home to watch the Jets/Colts play off game. My intent was to go to the Gardens afterwards. I never made it. I became absorbed in both games. Watched Indianapolis and New Orleans win.

A movie star of classic proportions passed on last week. Jean Simmons. She hit her movie peak in the 1940s and 1950s. British born. Lovely. She became a big Hollywood star. She starred in Hamlet with Laurence Olivier, The Big Country with Gregory Peck, Guys and Dolls with Marlon Brando, Spartacus with Kirk Douglas and Elmer Gantry with Burt Lancaster.

What a list of leading men!

She was a true talent!

Speaking of Burt Lancaster, he once made a movie here in Key West. The Rose Tattoo. Anna Mangani was the female lead. She won the Academy Award for best actress for the role.

The movie was primarily filmed in a small corner house on Duncan Street. I think of the film every time I drive by on my way to Lisa’s. The house is now run down and overgrown with foliage. A for sale sign sits in front of it. Sad.

Enjoy your day!

The saga of the Audi convertible top that would not close has come to an end. A successful one.

My top would neither go up or down.

I read the book that comes with the car. The one they leave in the glove compartment. There were 7 or 8 pages covering the convertible top. The pages required more than a Phd. to comprehend. Of no assistance!

The Audi emergency service which came with the car or which I paid extra to purchase was of no help. They would flatbed the car to the nearest Audi dealer for repair. That is Miami. My headache to get the car back. The fact that the Miami dealer is 155 miles away meant nothing. I would have had to rent a car or fly to Miami to retrieve the car.

I sought assistance from the readers of this blog. Both here and on Facebook.

The response was fantastic! E mails, telephone calls and what have you. Every one wanted to help.The suggestions were excellent. However, none hit the mark. Some I had already tried. Others were tried and failed.

Some came close to the source of the problem as it turned out. The car’s battery.

Son in law Corey finally hit on the remedy.

Corey said everything is run by a computer. The computer feeds off the battery. Some things computer operated require more battery power than others.

I did not agree. I am a lawyer and know everything. If the lights, radio and windows were working, as well as the car running, how could it be the battery?

Lisa now comes into the picture. Last year she purchased an item for me on the Home Shopping Network. A gift that cost all of $8. A small battery. About 2″ x 2″. If your car battery goes dead or neeeds charging, you plug this small battery replica into the cigarette lighter. And 10 minutes later, the car battery is charged! Or so it is claimed!

Corey says lets try it. I did. After 10 minutes of letting this “toy” do its thing, I turned the key to start the car. It still started. Then I pressed the convertible top button. The top went down. As it was supposed to. Sweet and smooth!

Corey was right! Brilliant!

Obviously my battery was weakening and could not handle the convertible top motor which probably required a bit extra juice.

I was saved! Thank you, Corey! And thank you Lisa for what I thought was a useless gift when you gave it to me. What do I know!

Last night I happily drove my self into Key West in my car. An experience that earlier in the day I doubted would occur.

My first stop was the Chart Room. Congenial Michael bartending. Frank, Sean and Katherine at the bar.

I have not seen Sean and Katherine for about a month. Our paths just did not cross. Sean continues to be Key West’s finest news reporter. Katherine just got a big promotion at the Ocean Key House. In responsibility and bucks. She is now Sales Coordinator. Good for her!

Every one asked about my convertible top. Frank did not agree with Corey or the resolution. He said there is a glich in the car. It will happen again. Get rid of it!

Dinner was at the bar at La Trattoria. Erin bartending. The place crowded, as usual. I chatted with several locals who were dining at the bar also. Had a good time!

Then home to bed.

Syracuse continues its basketball roll. Beat Marquette yesterday. Now 18-1. A good record!

Texas got beat yesterday. Actually destroyed. By Connecticut. So Texas is no longer undefeated. That should drop Texas from #1 to # 5 in the rankings and move Syracuse up from at least #5 to #4. Not much room to move when you are so high up in the rankings.

The weather is fantastic! High 80s yesterday. A bit humid. Unusually warm weather for January in Key West. Just as 42 degrees two weeks ago was unusually cold. There is global warming and it screws up both hot and cold.

Today is Sunday. Love Sundays!

My goal today is to definitely be at Kate Miano’s Gardens at 5 tonight. It has been weeks since I have made it. There is music to hear and people to see.

Enjoy your day!

Strange day yesterday.

It started with an early telephone call from Lisa. Ally had a fever again. Could I babysit for a couple of hours? Of course.

Our time went well together. Ally and mine. We talked. Watched some kid’s movie on TV. Played tick, tack, toe.

My cell phone rang. It was the doctor’s office. The x rays showed a possible compression fracture of the spine. Needed an MRI.

When Lisa returned, I hurried over for the MRI.

Most, if not all of us, have had MRIs in the past. When they first came out, MRI’s were closed. Difficult to handle! Especially for one such as me who is claustrophobic. The newer ones were open and eliminated the problem.

Sometimes Key West can be behind the times when it comes to medicine. The MRI unit for me yesterday was of the old closed type. Wow! I kept my eyes closed the whole time and my mind every where else in the world.

My doctor telephoned later in the day. No fracture. My problem must be a back sprain. Stay on the motrin. Interestingly, since I started taking heavy doses of motrin the day before, I had had no back pain. Not even a little bit.

The weather was absolutely perfect yesterday. In the high 80s with only a slight breeze. I decided to have a special lunch to go with the special day.

Stone crabs.

I went out to the Shrimp Shack and bought a half dozen jumbo ones. Took them home. Rinsed them off. And ate them sitting on my deck under the tiki hut watching the boats go by.

My back felt great! The meal was terrific! The weather spectacular! A wave of ambition overtook me. I succumbed to it. A mistake.

I decided to wash the car. Me. With hose, pail and water.

I never wash my car. Servile labor and I are not a match.

The washing went well. I decided to put the top down so I could easily clean the inside of the car. The top popped open about an inch. And stopped! And then would neither open nor close.

I tried everything. Read the book kept in the glove compartment as to what to do. The top still would not budge.

I telephoned Audi emergency service. No problem. From their perspective. They would flat bed my car to Miami on Monday to the dealer. It was my headache to get the car back to Key West afterwards, however.

No bargain!

Last time I acquire a car in Miami. Niles dealership in Key West just got a new customer.

I telephoned Corey. My son in law has a talent at fixing everything mechanical. He is coming over this morning to try. He was already on the computer last night researching the problem and telephoning me with questions.

Obviously, I never got to go out last night. No way to travel! And if Corey cannot fix the top this morning, I am going to be land locked out here for a few days.

I am not upset. I could have a compression fracture of the spine.

Enjoy your day!

Great radio show yesterday!

The best yet!

Thanks to those of you who listened in. The audience is growing by leaps and bounds.

The topics were timely.

I started with yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision giving corporations the right to make unlimited contributions for the advertising of political candidates.

I concluded the show with the trial which just started this past Tuesday in New York in civilian court of a foreign woman who is charged with attempted murder. The alleged crime having occurred in an Afghanistan police station and involving U.S. Military and FBI agents. The issue from my perspective was whether she should have been tried in a military or Afghanistan court as opposed to a civilian one. There is much background to the case. One item is that the defendant is related by marriage to Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the admitted mastermind of 9/11.

I was also pleased with yesterday’s show because I am getting better at fitting topics within the 9 1/2 minute segments I have between commercials. Not easy.

My back has been bothering me for a week. Not badly. Just consistently. I figured a week was long enough. So I saw the doctor yesterday. She ordered x-rays. I will know this morning. She suspects a disc problem. I hope she is wrong. That’s all I need at my age. I have osteoporosis so she may be correct.

Lisa needed me to babysit at dinner time. She, Corey and Robert had some event at Montessori involving Robert. Rather than stay in, I decided to take Ally to a Haitian relief benefit on White Street.

We walked. The event was nearby.

The primary reason I wanted to go was because the relief event was being sponsored by KONK 1680 AM radio. My station! The sponsor of the Key West Lou Legal Hour!

It was a street party on White. In front of the radio station. The street blocked off. Singers on a flat bed. Hot dogs, beer, huge cookies and other goodies. All free. Sort of. A donation required for whatever was consumed. A cool way to fund raise I thought.

Young ladies walking around with boxes. Just put a donation in the slot. Another good way to collect money for a good cause. And the two bicycles. Buy a chance and maybe win one.

Ally and I walked around. We bought a large chocolate chip cookie. Got a soda. And sat on the curb in front of Fausto’s eating and drinking and watching the singers and people.

The crowd grew in the hour we were there.

KONK 1680 AM is owned by Guy deBoer. He organized the event with the assistance of the station’s program director Mark “Ryno” Masca.

These guys had worked their asses off preparing for the event. And were all over the place last night.

Don Riggs, the station’s news director, was wandering around helping out also.

Ryno, by the way, is originally from Waterville, N.Y. about 15 miles south of my hometown of Utica.

DeBoer’s radio concept is exciting. His idea is to open up public dialogue and discussion on all issues affecting society. A different topic each hour from 7 am to 7 pm five days a week.

I enjoy participating. We are an on-air family.

And as evident, deBoer extends himself beyond the radio station. The Haitian fundraiser is an example.

All money raised from last night’s fundraiser and others will be used to purchase necessary supplies to be sent to Haiti. They will be delivered to that needy island by a local vessel. The Schooner Wolf will leave from Key West Bight on February 8 with the supplies.

Ally and I had a good time. She is at an age where she silently takes everything in. She absorbs.

The walk home was fun. It was dark. We were walking Duncan street. The street lights were on.
Ally got into shadows. Mine and hers. It was discovery time. She got all excited walking on my shadow!

The beauty and charm of a 4 year old!

It was still early. I had not eaten, except for a few bites of the cookie. So I decided to head out to Hogfish. Yankee Jack was singing.

What a crowd! The place was packed. Most appeared to be Yankee Jack groupies. They were sitting and drinking. Not eating. Whooping it up to Yankee’s diddies.

I enjoyed some hogfish. I enjoyed Yankee. I enjoyed the crowd.

Now you enjoy your day!

Today is the Key West Lou Legal Hour radio show!

Listen in!

1 pm!

KONK 1680 AM radio here in Key West. Anywhere else in the world on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. You can see as well as listen on the internet site.

If you would like to share a thought, comment, disagree or just say hello, call ins can be made. 305-294-2769.

Today we are going to talk politics, strange dumb laws, the 1800 Atlantic beach problem, the lobster trap case, No Name Key, taxes, marijauna, the Prop 8 trial and terrorist trials. Quite a mix!

Golf yesterday was terrific! And fun!

It was the first day of Don’s new golf league. Match play. A different opponent each week.

My partner is bocci buddy Rob. We played against Nate and Dean. I specifically played against Dean.

It was fun! It was action!

Nate is a former professional golfer. He played in the big time on tour. He now is the celebrity bartender at Bagatelle’s. Dean is chef at Pepe’s. Rob is a bartender at Don’s Place. Me, I do nothing. I am retired.

Nate, Dean and Rob all hit the ball long. Especially off the tee. I cannot get off the tee. Where they were in 1, I was in 2 or 3.

My close game kept me in the match, however.

Dean beat me by one hole on the front side. I considered it a moral victory.

On the back side, I beat Dean by one hole. The match was not decided till the 18th hole. I had to work! Such drama!

Overall, Dean and I tied. We each won the same number of holes.

A great match! I was thrilled he did not destroy me as I had anticipated.

I received strokes, of course. 14. 7 a side. I needed them.

Dean shot a 99. I a 114. A 15 point spread. The strokes were appropriate and the handicap system worked as far as we were concerned.

Rob had a hard time with Nate. Remember, Nate is a former pro. He shot a 77. Rob shot 100. Rob got 14 shots, also.

Nate destroyed Rob on the front side. However Rob came back on the back 9. Rob won the back 9. Nate won the match overall however as he won more holes totally. The front 9 did Rob in.

I thought Rob played terrifically! Especially on the back side! And against a former pro!

Afterwards, I had to hurry over to Lisa’s to babysit again. The grandkids still sick.

Yesterday was Wednesday and Wednesday is Bobby Nesbitt time at Aqua. I stopped at Aqua at cocktail time to hear Bobby. All I can say is that I enjoy his singing. Anytime you get a chance to hear Bobby, do it. He is a treat!

Later I stopped at Pepe’s for dinner. I knew it was Dean’s night off. But I had not been to Pepe’s in a while.

Pepe’s claims it is the oldest restaurant in Key West. It further claims the pirates used to meet there back in the 1700s to plan their raids on the Spanish galleons traveling the Caribbean.

Interesting folklore!

Pepe’s serves mother’s food. Overloaded dishes of good wholesome food. I had a half a broiled chicken with mashed potatoes. Great gravy covering the mashed potatoes. Yes, Mom’s cooking!

I ate all of the chicken. Picked at the potatoes. I was trying to edge back into my diet.

That was my day. Not a bad one. Actually a very good one. I played golf, saw my grandchildren, heard Bobby sing and ate a wholesome dinner. Sort of a God’s in His Heaven, all’s right with the world day!

Remember to join me on the radio show at 1.

Enjoy your day!

It happened!

Massachusetts elected a Republican to the U. S. Senate!

First time in 40 years!

A revolution is underway. An American one. Via the ballot box.

Obama’a election in retrospect was the beginning of that revolution. People were sick and tired of government as it was. Obama said he would change things.

We elected him.

Then came the governor races in Virginia and New Jersey. Democrats should have won. Especially in New Jersey. Instead, Republicans did.

Now the Senate race in Massachusetts. To fill Ted Kennedy’s seat. In a State that is solid Democratic.

The Deomocratic candidate lost. The Republican won.

The message: It cannot be business as usual any longer. A new day is upon us. The people will not silently sit by and be abused further.

Mr. President, wake up! Do that you were elected to do. Fix government!

Forget partisanship. It does not exist. Bull your way through. Do what must be done. Get the job done.

Take on the big guys. The banks and insurance companies. Take on political opponents, regardless of party. Fight! Straighten this country out!

Before it is too late!

I am back on the radio tomorrow with the Key West Lou Legal Hour. It is going to be one inteteresting show! From politics to the terrorist trials to No Name Key to the lobster trap case and more. Listen in! Watch! Call in! KONK 1680 AM radio. www.konkam on the internet. 305-294-2769 for call ins. 1 pm!

The day yesterday was pleasant. I babysat. Robert and Ally. Both sick. Fevers. Ally a bit higher than Robert. By the time Lisa returned from work in the afternoon, their fevers were gone. Not because of my expert sitting. Its just the way it was.

We had a good time. They were both up and around. We talked, played games and watched kids TV. I hate those shows! But when in Rome…..

A terrific dinner last night! I was invited to dinner by a friend. We decided on the Strip House!

I love the Strip House. The best steak in Key West. No comparison!

So what did I do? I ordered the Maine lobster!

I was not to be cheated, however. We shared. He had a strip steak.

And creamed spinach and fried onions.

What a meal!

My diet went out the window. That made two days in a row. I am in trouble. But last night at the Strip House, it was worth it! My mental justification was look at all the protein I consumed!

This morning golf. Early. Tee off is 8 am.

I am playing my first match in Don’s new golf league. Match play.

My opponent is a Don Pepe. I do not know him. He is an 18 handicap. I am a 32. That means I get 14 strokes. 7 a side.

I will still lose. Confidence is not mine on the golf course.

Don’s partner is Nate Jones. Jones played for a while on the pro circuit. He was my #1 in Don’s golf tournamant last year. Our team at the time constisted of Nate, David, Angus and me.

Jones can hit the ball longer and straighter that any person I have ever played golf with. I am glad I do not have to play him. Rob from bocci is my partner. He’s Rob’s headache.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning world!

Rise and shine!

Wow is the only way I can describe the response to yesterday’s blog. I commented on the state of our society. More precisely, the state of our minds. We are pissed off! With government, the banks and everything else!

I heard back big time! As a people, we are outraged. And I suspect the attitude sinking in is that we won’t take it anymore.

Good! About time! Shout your unhappiness from the roof tops! Till we are heard!

The special Massachusetts’ election today to seat Senator Kennedy’s replacement is evidence of the building undercurrent. Regardless of who wins the election!

Yesterday was Poppa’s day! I got to baby sit!

I took Robert and Ally to Boondocks to play miniature golf and have lunch. They were all excited! I was all excited! This was the third time we have made this excursion. So they knew what to expect.

Normally the miniature golf course is empty. Not yesterday. It was packed. We had company. Grandparents and children. Must have been the holiday.

Play was slow. We had a good time, however. Ally got a hole in one on the second hole. After taking a 12 on the first hole. She plays like her grandfather.

We had a good time. Robert and Ally were tied at the end of the match.

Then lunch. The grandkids ordered the usual. Macaroni and cheese. With a side of french fries. I was trying to stay on my diet. Could not. Ended up ordering fried calamari.

Ally did not eat much. So I ate her macaroni and cheese. Robert wanted desert. He ordered an ice cream sandwich covered with whip cream and chocolate sauce. I helped him devour the ice cream. At one point Robert got upset. He said I was eating too much. I was!

Ally started looking poorly during lunch. I could tell she was coming down with somethig. She ended up lying in my lap like a wet blanket. Her forehead was warm.

I was right. When we arrived home, Lisa was there. Poor Ally had a temperature of 103.

It’s amazing! Kids are sick all the time. Seems like every other week. The cause is school and its many sick kids. Lisa says that is how it is. However it helps the young ones develop immunities. Eventually it will all stop. She pointed out that last year, Robert and Ally were sick every week. This year, every other week.

Lisa is a mother. She knows.

It was La Trattoria last night. At the bar. Kathy bartending. No Beecha. How sad!

My friend Gary from Oswego, N.Y. showed up. He said he was in the back with his good wife Tecia and friends. I went back to say hello.

There were about 5 couples sitting in Virgilio’s. Virgilio’s monday night specialty is $5 martinis. Their table was doing well in supporting the monday night special.

I knew no one in the group, except Gary’s wife Tecia. I kissed her hello. The gal next to her was celebrating her birthday. I kissed her also. Big time! Then it became my responsibility to kiss all the women at the table. Their desire! My pleasure!

They were all volunteers at the Fort Zachrey Taylor Park, except one couple where the husband was a ranger. All enjoying their monday night martinis at Virgilio’s. A routine with them.

One of the ladies was from Canadagua. Canadagua is between Utica and Syracuse up north. It has a claim to fame. It is the onion capital of the world.

Joe and Beth Pizzo and Maurizio and Maria were seated at a table. I went over to say hello.

I have known Joe and Beth for about 10 years. Good people. Originally from the Chicago area. Joe has a doctorate in biology. He lived most of his life as a college professor. Along the way, he and Beth started a landscapping supply business. They sold plants and gardening items. One location turned into another. Eventually they had several locations going. Finally retired to Key West. They are a well liked couple.

Maurizio and Maria are new to me.

I met them first about 10 years ago at a Symphony fund raiser at their home on Flagler. My recollection of the event was their library. What a lovely room! Huge. Well appointed. Comfortable.

I never saw either of them again till October 29th of last year when I was sitting at the University of Miami Hospital waiting to be admitted. Maurizio was seated next to me. I was in no mood to chat. Nor was he. We said nothing to each other nor did we acknowledge each other.

The next time I saw Maurizio and Maria was the other night when I was leaving Michael’s Restauant. I stopped and introduced myself. Reminded them of our October 29 hospital visit. We became instantaneous friends! Even more happy that we both were now physically ok!

I was happy to see Maurizio and Maria again last night. They appear to be good people. I am sure we will get to know each other better as time passes.

A fellow by the name of Michael sat next to me at the bar. We started talking.

Michael defends us. He is a U.S. Marine pilot. Flys a FA-18 jet. He recently returned from foreign deployment.

A real nice guy! 32. A captain. Married. His wife is in the service also. A pilot likewise. She flys helicopters off carriers. They recently bought a home in San Diego. For when they are there and together.

The first and only advice I gave Michael was to get down to the Chart Room after dinner. I told him the bartender was named Michael also and was a proud Marine veteran. I hope they got together last night.

We chatted a bit about what he was doing here. Michael said his squadron was training at Boca Chica. Boca Chica is the local naval base. Jet training is not uncommon. Generally there is a carrier some 50 miles out and these pilots fly back and forth doing landings. Whatever.

Jets flying over the lower keys is not uncommon. They can be seen and heard. Noise is a problem. Over the years the communities and Navy have worked things out so landings and low flights do not take place over residential areas. These planes make a lot of noise, cause walls to vibrate and windows rattle.

We are at war. These guys are training to protect us. I have no problem with noise, etc. However many do and did. Anyhow it is no longer a problem. Landing and pass over routes have been worked out.

Except for last friday.

I was wakened by overhead planes. I thought we were being invaded. Boca Chica is all of 2 miles from Key Haven where I live.

The jets were zooming overhead!

My walls shook. My windows rattled like hell. And a large painting by Jack Baron hanging in the dining room fell. The painting had hung without problem for 10 years.

No question. It was the planes.

Michael explained why. Normally the planes land on runway 7. 7 avoids any community problems. Friday however the wind was strong. It was not safe for the planes to land on 7. The planes had to use runway 1. That brought them closer to residential areas such as Key Haven.

I told him to fly over any time he wanted or was necessary. Train as you must. You are out there preparing to protect me. The least I can do is put up with a little noise and vibration.

Michael is here another 9 days. I hope I run into him again. We are fortunate to have people such as Michael and his wife committed to safeguarding us.

Syracuse won again last night! Beat Notre Dame at Notre Dame! What a year!

Lisa just telephoned. Ally is still sick. Robert has a temperature also now. Could I baby sit? Of course! I am on my way over!

Enjoy your day!

Haiti has brought earthquakes to mind again.

I have experienced three in my lifetime. I would assume most have experienced one or more. None that I experienced were comparable to what has occurred in Haiti.

My first earthquake was in the early 1940s. World War II time. I was about 7 years old.

My Aunt Anna and Uncle Al from New York city were visiting us in Utica. I was asleep. All of a sudden I was wakened by screaming and the house shaking. I specifically remember the walls and windows vibrating.

My Aunt Anna was screaming. She wanted to be back in New York with her children. She was shouting something to the effect that she wanted to die with them.

Even at the young age of 7, I thought she was being a bit dramatic.

As for me, I guess I was too young to be afraid. The shaking house had no effect on me. My screaming Aunt did.

My next earthquake happened about 35 years ago. I was in San Diego. At La Costa. I used to go yearly in those days to the spa to lose weight.

It was 4 in the morning. Everything was shaking. Woke me. I knew it was an earthquake. I went back to sleep as soon as it stopped.

The best, or perhaps worst, earthquake experience I had was in Acapulco about 30 years ago.

My wife and I were staying at the Acapulco Princess. The Princess has a series of pools running down hill. The whole thing is set in a mountain/jungle scenerio. So you can visualize it properly, the early black and white Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan movies were filmed in the area.

My wife and I were sitting on a rock which was below water level. Our butts were on the rock. The water was high chest level.

There was a rope bridge nearby swinging in the breeze over the water. People used it to cross from one side to the other.

Behind us was the high pyramid shaped hotel building.

All of a sudden the rock moved! Sideways! Felt like a couple of feet. Probably was only inches. I looked at the rope bridge. It had stopped swaying. It was still.

I said to my wife the rock moved. Calmly. She said yes. We starred at each other. Everything was still. I looked up. I was concerned the building was going to fall on us.

Then everything returned to normal.

People kept scurrying around. No one seemed concerned.

It was only later that evening that we found out that a 6.4 earthquake had occurred. In fact, a street opened in downtown Acapulco and 2 cars drove into the huge pit.

So much for personal earthquake experiences. May we never experience that which has devistated Haiti. Give to the cause. A few dollars to help. We are all our brothers’ keepers.

I wanted to walk yesterday. My goal is to walk every day now. The weight is moving well. I have lost 24 pounds. Only 6 to go.

Just as I put up the garage door to drive into Key West to walk, it started to rain. Actually pour! Big time! Straight down. No wind. Just a torrential storm.

It never rains long in Key West. So I hopped in the car and started the 5 mile drive into town.

It did not stop raining. It came down harder!

I still wanted to walk. So I pulled into Home Depot. I have a green/blue tartan Brooks Brothers umbrella. I used it to get into Home Depot basically dry. And then I walked. For a half hour. Fast, up and down the aisles. With the Brooks Brothers umbrella in hand. What a sight!

It continued raining for about 3-4 hours.

After the walk, I went over to the Coffee House to read the Sunday papers. Spent 3 hours there sipping coffee and leafing through the Key West Citizen, New York Daily News and the New York Times.

Nothing better!

I stayed in last night to watch the Golden Globes. Jeff Bridges win for best actor in a dramatic movie role for Crazy Heart was surprising. He received a standing ovation. An old timer finally receiving deserved recognition.

I could remember his father. Lloyd Bridges. He starred in an early black and white TV series as a frogman. Then turned comedian in his later years in movies. The father had to be proud looking down on his son last night. The son also remembered to mention his father.

This Massachusetts election to fill Ted Kennedy’s seat is both interesting and troublesome. The political pundits this morning are predicting the Republican will win. If so, the Democratic majority of 60 will be gone. And probably also the new healthcare bill.

What does this all reflect?

There is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction in this country. Properly so. The economy is down. Unemployment is rampant. Foreclosures continue. The banks and insurance companies say screw you to the government and people.

The situation is much like that which causes earthquakes. Things have to move and move properly. If not, there is a glitch big time. An earthquake in one instance. A political upheaval in the other.

Something has to be done. And soon. We cannot much longer tolerate the abuse which is being heaped upon us as a people.

Obama, wake up! You can do it!

Enjoy your day! I am mine. The grandkids are off from school today because of the holiday. I plan on taking them up to Boondocks to play miniature golf and then have lunch.

I am in the mood to pontificate. So, bear with me.

If the banks and insurance companies are too big to fail, then they should not be permitted to continue as they are. If they are too big to fail, they have become too big to exist. They have become in effect monopolies. Break them up! Much as Teddy Roosevelt did. Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.

Such will not happen, however. Congress would have to act. Congress lacks the balls.

Yesterday was one wild day!

I was driving down U.S. 1 when I realized I had a flat. Turned back home. I could not make it all the way. Pulled into the parking lot of the Community College on Stock Island.

I drive an Audi. The car came with emergency service. I telephoned the number. Help was on the way!

Took an hour for the help to arrive. The delay did not bother me. I walked around the campus. There was a flea market on campus. I visited the flea market.

The Audi sevice only changes the tire. Since yesterday was the beginning of a holiday weekend, I wanted to be sure to get the tire fixed as soon as possible. So it was over to Sears. I have done business with Sears before and have found them prompt and responsible.

Turns out the flat tire was flat because of a 2 inch cut on the face of the tire. Where the tire meets the road. It was not a slash. I was told I must have run over something and the tire was cut. I needed a new tire.

The new tire thing bothered me as my lease on the car is up in 2 months. But I did not believe I should drive around with out a spare. So it cost me $145 for a new tire.

I was told it would take a couple of hours to get and balance the new tire. I said I would be back.

I went for a manicure. That was my game plan as I drove down U.S. 1 before the flat.

Tammy was busy. Come back in an hour I was told. Ok.

I went to Lisa’s. No one home. However I had my own key

Turned on TV. Did I luck out! The Syracuse/West Virginia game was on! Syracuse was ranked #5 in the country and West Virginia #9.

It was the start of the second half. Syracuse was ahead by a point. The game was up and down. Syracuse was behind at one time by 5 or 6 points. Then ahead by 10.

There was 1.5 minutes left. Syracuse leading by 10 at that point. I had to leave for my manicure appoinment. I figured Syracuse had it in the bag. I was surprisd to learn later when I returned home that Syracuse only won by 1 point! Wow!

Lisa and family came home while I watching the game. The grandkids were all juiced up. They had been to a birthday party at Montessori.

I never got out last night. I started watching TV and the mood fell over me to stay in and watch TV from my bed.

One of the movies I got to view was an oldie. I love the oldies! It was the 1946 classic Easy to Wed. The movie starred Esther Williams and Van Johnson.

Today is Sunday. Love Sundays!

The weather report is good for the day. It will be warm. I will probably walk. Then stop at the Coffee House to read the Sunday papers. Visit Lisa and the grandkids. Stop at Don’s Place for a while. Tonight Kate Miano’s Gardens. Maybe Larry Smith at the Pier House afterwards.

A lovely day in the making!

Enjoy your day!