I started yesterday with a haircut. Lori. My lovely barber.

Even haircuts are better in Key West!

Then it was over to the Yacht Club for lunch. The bar was crowded. Every one was eating there yesterday. Took my time. Chatted a bit. Read the papers.

Lisa had some major dental work yesterday. A complex root canal. She telephoned as I was finishing lunch. She was home and hurting.

So I went over and sat with her for a couple of hours. Father/daughter time. A good thing!

The Chart Room was fun at cocktail time. At 6:30. Marty, Che, Captain Peter, Gary and Tescia. A little later Boomer showed up. I generally run into Boomer at Don’s Place and bocci. First time at the Chart Room.

Antonia’s recently remodeled. Marty and I opted to have dinner at Antonia’s and view the result. Magnificent! Owners Christopher and Patrick did well. The remodeling amounts to just a bit more than an updating. The place was a winner before and I am glad they did not make any major changes. If it works, leave it alone!

It was also good to see Tiffany and Jill again. Both charming ladies!

Poker Run is this weekend. The bikers are coming!

This is an annual Key West event. About 10,000 bikers and their companions will come roaring in on Friday. And roar out on Sunday and Monday.

And roar they do! Can you imagine all the noise they make. The interesting thing is most Key Westers do not mind.

Poker Run is sponsored each year by the Rotary. Yes, the Rotary. A seemingly strange combination. But it works and has worked. The Rotary will take in somewhere between $80,000 and $100,000. That money is donated to charity. This year the Diabetes Research Institute and to fund local scholarships.

In addition, the bikers are genrally affluent persons in disguise. Doctors, lawyers and Indian chiefs. They spend a lot of money whooping it up. The local merchants benefit big time.

The tide is a bit high this morning. It will get higher before the day is over.

One of the headlines in yesterday’s Key West Citizen was “Lunar Pull to Flood Streets.” There is some sort of lunar convergence that will make some of the Key West streets difficult to navigate. We are in a new moon phase at a time when the moon is closet to the earth. The closeness of the moon increases the gravitational pull.

The water runs higher. The storm sewers cannot handle the increased flow. The streets flood.

And if it rains, the situation is even worse. It is overcast and thundering now! It will be raining.

Wendy Grom is a local Key Wester. I have never met her. However I feel like I know her well. She writes on Facebook. I read her comments every day.

A few days a week she shares an interesting greeting…..Happy Humping! This woman has her head screwed on properly!

I wish you the same. And if the day does not provide such good fortune, enjoy it otherwise!

Yesterday was a mix.

My first task was to get my debit card back. You will recall the ATM machine at Bank of America had swallowed it Friday evening.

I went to the bank. Sat quietly for 20 minutes waiting to talk to an officer. I explained my plight to her. Could I have my card back? No. The bank did not have it. Why? The bank does not operate the ATM machine. Who does? Brinks. And Brinks automatically destroys all cards so ingested.

Ok. So give me another card. A replacement card. Cannot do. You have to call the Customer Service number on the back of your card. But I do not have the card, so I do not have the number.

She gave me the number.

I called. Never spoke with a real person. It was one of those computerized responses, press 1 or 2 things. It will take a week for me to receive the replacement card.

Why is everything so complex? What happened to simplicity?

Then I went for a walk. I needed the exercise. Did Duval Street from the Atlantic to the Gulf and then back again.

On the return trip, I stopped at the Coffee House on Duval. I ended up spending 2 hours there. Leafed through the Key West Citizen, New York Daily News and New York Times. And drank 2 cups of chocolate mocha, thereby waiving any benefit from the healthy walk taken. The mocha was good! It was worth it!

Lunch was at home. I made a sandwich and sat outside at the tiki hut bar in the shade. A slight breeze. Quiet and comfortable. Placed me in a contemplative mood.

It was soccer time at 5! Robert was playing. He looked good!

The soccer takes place behind the grammar school on Stock Island. Hot! No shade! No breeze!

I respect the parents who sit there for 2 hours watching their young ones. I exercised my grandfather rights last night. I left after 20 minutes.

It was off to the Chart Room!

Marty, Captain Peter and Mark were holding the bar down when I arrived.

Don and Chris Teich came in. A nice couple. First time we met. They came looking for Key West Lou. They were staying at the other end of the island at the Casa Marina.

Don and Chris are from Fulton, New York. Fulton is outside Syracuse and just a stone’s throw from Oswego. Don has a big job with a manufacturing plant there.

Don and Chris visit Key West 3 times a year. They love it here! I suspect that some day they will end up buying.

Don said he and Chris said were sitting on the beach early Saturday afternoon. Chris had her computer with her. She was concerned my blog was not yet up. Was I alive, dead or what? I did not have to explain. She had become aware of the computer problem I experienced over the weekend.

They are staying a few more days. I hope they run into Gary and Tescia from Oswego.

The best part of all this is that Don and Chris are Syracuse fans! We talked a bit of football last night.

Marty, Captain Peter and I left for dinner at the Hot Tin Roof. When we got there, the place was closed. Floors were being redone. Marty suggested the bar Berlins at the A&B Lobster House. I have not been there in 15 years. So off we went!

On the way, we ran into our reporter friend Sean. He joined us.

The food at Berlins was a winner! Big time! I had a Maine lobster, snails and pastry appetizer covered with a wonderfull sauce. To die for! Just enough. I ordered nothing else.

The movie star Patrick Swayze died yesterday. A loss. May he rest in peace.

Two of his movies are in the forefront of my mind. Dirty Dancing and Ghost. I especially enjoyed Ghost. Sensitive and emotional.

And that famous line…”Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” No one will.

Enjoy your day!

It is just after 4 in the morning. The night has been long. I have not been able to sleep well.

Such is life…..

Yesterday was a good day. It was Sunday.

I was up early. Drove over to Lisa’s. Had breakfast with the family.

Robert and Ally were painting. They paint well. Especially for young kids. Both have been painting for a couple of years. Proteges in the making!

Robert is learning to play the guitar. At 5! I am impressed! He is at the beginning. He knows his notes. He played each one for me and identified each as he played them.

I stayed a couple of hours and read the Sunday papers.

It was the start of Sunday professional football. So it was Don’s Place to watch the games in the afternoon. He has TV sets all over the place, inside and out. I sat behind the outside bar with a group. There were 5 TVs with 5 different games going on at the same time. The TV sets were lined up right next to each other.

Not confusing at all.

I was interested in the Philadelphia/Carolina game. So I basically stayed focused on that set.

I am a Syracuse University grad. Donovan McNabb is a Syracuse grad. So I am a follower of his exploits and those of Philadelphia.

I was sitting next to Larry Smith who also is a Philly freak watching the game. He was in an arm sling. His shoulder replacement is coming along well. He thinks he will be back playing piano at the Wine Galley in a week or two. Golf is another story, however. It may be months.

What a game! When I left, Philadelphia was winning 34-10.

They either have a great defensive team or were exceptionally lucky yesterday. Several interceptions, sackings, etc.

There is always next week and the weeks after which will tell.

I went home to watch the last hour of the golf tournament. Tiger won big. A talent! What more can be said.

I had dinner with friends last night at the Yacht Club. Talked with Bob Burton for a while. My old friend. I see him seldom. He and Jack Baron were partnered for 52 years. Impressive.

And then home to an early bed.

Have a good day!

I am back to normal regarding my computer. When I retuned home yesterday afternoon, it was up and running. Only took AT&T 24 hours!

Whatever, I am thrilled! I was lost without it! How dependent we become!

I had an early lunch at the Pier House yesterday. Eggs benedict. Ate out on the deck and read the newspapers.

A water spout appeared to the west. All of a sudden! A tall whirling spiral.

Everyone got excited.

I have seen them before. Larger and up close. I am always fascinated by these giants of nature.

The one yesterday came and went. It was not hovering that long nor did it come close to shore.

Threatening rain was the weather specialty yesterday. Ominous clouds all day. A few sprinkles here and there.

I spent the afternoon on the living room couch watching golf and college football. My bedroom TV is still on the blink.

Last night I took a quick ride over to Hogfish for dinner. Ate at the bar alone. A good Saturday night crowd.

Today is the beginning of Sunday professional football. That means Don’s Place! Don sets up multiple TV screens inside and out and the whole world watches pro football on Sundays there. Today is the day!

Enjoy your day!

Happy Saturday!

No blog yesterday. My computer is still down.

I had my computer guru over to discern the problem. He said it was the AT&T hookup. I telephoned AT&T. The problem was immediately diagnosed over the telephone yesterday morning around 10. They said it was there fault and my service would be up and running within 2 hours.

More than 24 hours later I am still waiting. As soon as I finish this blog at Lisa’s I am returning home to harass AT&T. The only problem is I think they are harassing me!

Lets compound the situation. Yesterday was not a good day over all.

I have 3 TVs in the house. Two are working fine. All of a sudden the one in my bedroom will not give me direct access to a picture, except for a sign telling me the picture will be up and running in a minute.

I called Comcast. No problem. Their problem.I was assured it would be remedied forthwith.

Twenty four hours later and I still do not have television in my bedroom.

The best is yet to come.

I was out of cash. I use Bank of America. It was after 5. I went to Bank of America on Flagler to use the ATM machine.

There were several people in line ahead of me. They put in their cards and got their money. Now it was my turn.

I put my card in. The screen came up a different color than normal. And the message was that the machine was out of money and I would have to go to Bank of America on Southard to make a withdrawal.

No problem.

But there was.

The machine swallowed my card. It went in, but never came out. No matter what button I punched.

The bank was closed. It is closed this morning. I have to wait till Monday to get the card back.

The card swallowing did it for me. No computer, no bedroom TV and now no debit card. What a way to live!

I stuck my friend Marty with drinks and dinner last night.

Thursday was bocci! We won 1, lost 2.

We still have not returned to days of glory. The team was winning the first game 10-2. We lost 16-12. Same thing in the second game. A big lead and then we lost 16-13. We finally looked good in the third game. Killed the opposition by a big number!

Our problem is simple. It is not that we are not good. The problem is we lack the killer instinct. We get a lead and then figure we can slide to victory. Not the way to do it! We must learn to maintain the intensity!

Key West is full of women! Womensfest! I was at the Keys Piano Bar last night. They overwhelmed the place!

I have a soccer parade to attend this afternoon. Robert and Ally will be marching with their teams and all dressed in their soccer uniforms. Exciting for them! Exciting for me!

Enjoy your day!

My computer is still down. I am at Lisa’s writing my blog again today.

Someone is supposed to come to my home to fix the computer today. I can’t wait. Terrible living without accessibility to one’s primary communication tool. It’s living alone!

Key West is into Womensfest. An annual meeting of lesbians from all over the world. A big deal!

Yesterday two movie stars of days gone by were in town. They are here for Womensfest.

Kelly McGillis of Top Gun fame. She is also a former owner of 3 restaurants in Key West.

Remember Cagney and Lacey from 1980s television? Two female cops. One of the stars was Sharon Gless. She is in Key West for the event also.

Speaking of events, I had a big one to attend last night before going out on the town. My son in law Corey has been the Director of Archeology at the Mel Fisher Museum for over 25 years. A good guy! A real good guy!

Down on the water near Turtle Krall is an old small wooden building which once housed a turtle factory. Turtle meat was considered good eating and popular at one time. The Museum recently took over the building and have been working hard on turning it into a Turtle Museum.

The responsibility for so doing and the responsibility to oversee it now that it is open is Corey’s.

And a good job he did!

Last night was the grand opening. Everyone was there. The place was packed.

It is another Key West winner.

Good job, son in law!

Robert and Ally were there with Lisa. They are 5 and 4 respectively. Robert was all over the place playing and enjoying. Ally on the other hand was fearful of the crowd. She held tightly onto Lisa’s hand all night with down cast eyes. Interesting. You would not know it the way Ally runs around the house and talks non stop. I felt sorry for her. She found her surroundings last night intimidating.

Afterwards, I went over to the Chart Room. I was late. I figured the place would be packed. It was empty!

Finally Marty showed up. Then Captain Peter. And then all of a sudden the place was packed!

Marty and I had dinner at the bar at La Trattoria. If it were not for Womenfest, the place would have been empty.

Fortunately Beecha was working. I got my usual hug and kiss.

Met a nice guy at the bar. His name is Larry. He is a retired fireman from Dallas. Has only been in Key West for 4 days. He has retired to Key West. His son teaches physics at the Key West high school.

We bought him a drink and told him about the Chart Room. I suspect he will be there this evening.

I caught President Obama’s address to Congress on a rerun in the middle of the night. He will get us to some sort of universal health care. I was bothered by the Congressman who shouted out during the President’s speech and accused the President of lying.

Where has civility and respect for position gone in our society. This type conduct is sick and appears to be a growing illness today. It is ok to disagree, to argue. But do it with propriety.

I just got a telephone call. My haircut appointment was for 10 this morning. I missed it. I forgot. Next Tuesday now. Too many mundane things on my mind.

Enjoy your day!

I am late writing the blog today. It is almost 3 in the afternoon.

My computer will not turn on at home. So I am at Lisa’s doing it now on her computer.

I am confused as to why my computer will not turn on. The telephone hook up bill is paid. Perhaps the storm yesterday did something to it.

Living without a computer is extremely difficult. The ability to communicate is as vital today as the need for food, clothing and shelter. I am lost without my computer!

Anyhow…..I already played golf today. With Don, Kurt and Yankee Jack. I started well. Played the first 6 or 7 holes quite good for me. Then I lost it! I even whiffed 3 times during the balance of the round.

The dabacle cost me only $14 fortunately. Don was the big winner.

Yesterday was very pleasant.

I had lunch with an old friend that I have not seen in a couple of years.

I first met Ann back in the early 1960s when she was a reporter for the Utica newspapers. Then she moved away to Boston and other points.

About 10 years ago, she and her husband purchased a home in Big Pine. Every one or two years we renew our acquaintance. That is what we did yesterday.

We had a 3 hour lunch at the Pier House. Got caught up to date with each other’s lives. Illness becomes a significant part of the conversation as two people mature.

It was good to see Ann and I hope it is not another 2 years before we do it again.

Marty is back! I thought he had deserted me permanently! I was beginning to develop withdrawal pains due to his absence.

We met at the Chart Room. Che and Captain Peter were there also.

You will recall that several months ago Che took a bar knife and stabbed the air filled moose that was hanging on the wall in the Chart Room. Che considers himself the guardian of the Chart Room and its history. A plastic moose did not belong!

Last night Che was all excited. There were now deer antlers hanging on the wall where the plastic air filled moose used to be. Che had hung the antlers. His brother had shipped them down to him to replace the moose.

The antlers are not too big. Rather small, in fact. I questioned whether they were for real or made from wood. Che became quite irritated with me. They are for real!

Kathleen Peace will have the final word as to whether the antlers remain. Kathleen is the Food and Beverage Director at the Pier House where the Chart Room is located. It was her air filled plastic moose that Che did in.

We shall see what position Kathleen takes. I suspect she will permit the antlers to remain.

I had dinner at the bar at Hot Tin Roof afterwards. Che stopped in for a moment. Marty and Captain Peter ate there also.

I met a charming woman by the name of Iris who also had dinner at the bar. We chatted a bit. Her father is Armando Sosa. Now 84 years old. He is well known in Key West as a violinist. Still performs on occasion. May you continue performing for a long while Mr. Sosa!

Valerie was bartending. Lovely and personable. I discovered last night she is a very proficient diver. Recently she has been diving off Buffalo in Lake Erie. Some sunken vessel there is of importance.

It is strange the things you find out about people. I look forward to hearing more of Valerie’s diving experiences the next time I am at the Hot Tin Roof.

Enough for now. I have to go home and try to figure out why the computer is not working. What a pain!

Yesterday was Labor Day. Corey had to work all day. Lisa in the morning. So I got to babysit!

I am beginning to think Robert and Ally babysit me. Lisa has them trained.

It all worked out. We watched a video of when they were small. Like 2 and 1. Still in diapers. Running around and playing.

And, of course, they both kept reminding me this was when they were small. They are 5 and 4 now.

We played a bit. Don’t ask me what. Crazy games. Mostly things they make up. Such imaginations! I go with the flow.

My afternoon was spent glued to the TV and golf. A great finish! Any one of several pros could have won. Congrats to Steve Stricker. And look what Tiger did! Shot a 63 and was only 4 behind at the end.

I had a major decsion to make last night. Shave or not shave before I went out. It had been 4 days. I was starting to look a bit grimy.

The negative side of me won out. I did not shave!

My evening started at the Chart Room. Got to share a few words with Captain Peter. He is looking well. His illness is apparently behind him.

My friends Gary and Tecia from Oswego, NY were at the bar also. Good people! They work days over at the Fort Zach beach where they also live in their RV. We talked Syracuse football. It is good to have other Syracuse fanatics down here!

Pat and Jo Ann Linehan are from Geneva, NY. I have message for them. Get yourselves down here!

Pat and Jo Ann are good friends with Gary and Tecia. They visit Key West generally during the season. They have threatened to visit earlier. Perhaps as soon as next week. Apparently the decision is still up in the air. Gary and Tecia want you down here. And I would like to meet you!

Gary and Tecia left. To be replaced by a couple from New Jersey. The Jersey folks visit Key West every year. We chatted for a long time together and with Michael the bartender.

I had planned on going out to dinner. But I had stayed late at the Chart Room. So I headed home instead, stopping at McDonalds to pick up a couple of fish sandwiches.

Enjoy your day!

Labor Day weekend! Party time! Cookouts! Picnics! And whatever!

Lisa, Corey and the grandkids came over for a cookout yesterday. We swam and frolicked. Cooked hot dogs. Turkey ones. On hot dog buns. Whole wheat. Lisa is a fanatic as to what Robert and Ally ingest.

The grankids have improved tremendously with their swimming. Robert can hold his breath and swim along the bottom of the pool for a long period of time. Ally moves around like a fish.

We ate at the bar under the tiki hut. Ally’s nose came just over the bar edge. Cute.

I spent the rest of the afternoon watching golf on TV. Tiger Woods, where are you???

Last night started with the Gardens, of course. What a crowd! Good music! Good people!

Kate Miano owns the Gardens. She has done a magnificent job ressurecting the place. It is one of the outstanding hotels, if not the outstanding hotel, in Key West. With a major financial committtment involved.

Kate was an aroused woman last night! It was as if some one had built a fire under her.

The city of Key West has decided to build a new city hall. There is no question one is needed. This issue is where and how.

Apparently a decision was made this past week to tear down the police station and build the new city hall there. The problem is the police station is directly across the street from the Gardens and its entrance. Kate is concerned with a major fall off in her business during construction.

It is called inverse condemnation. When a municipality does something that adversely affects one’s property.

Kate is serious about fighting this matter. She has already hired two law firms. One from Key West and the other from Tallahasee.

Her arguments make sense. The decision where to build by the City was apparently a swift one. Not uncommon here in Key West. The costs projected have increased over a period of a few days already. Another not uncommon feature of governmental construction. Look at the airport!

These things always have a way of impacting and increasing local taxes. Which are too high already!

There is also the issue of the City buying an already erected empty large building and converting it over into a new city hall. Kate says the City claims there are none. She found 5 in less than a week and brought them to the City’s attention.

Kate is a petite woman. Not in this instance, however. A sleeping giant has been awakened!

Beware City of Key West officials!

Afterwards, I went over to La Trattoria for a bite to eat. A decent crowd. Every one in a festive holiday mood.

Tina and Mike were sitting next to me at the bar. They are from Hartford, Connecticut. Work and live in Hartford, but own a home here in Key West also. On Passover Lane, near the cemetary. Tina is a computer guru with Travelers. Mike is a business consultant. Like many of us who traveled a similar path, I could see they eventually will settle here in Key West full time.

Kathy was bartending. Her last night for about 10 days. She leaves this morning for home (Albany), the Jersey shore and other points north. A family wedding is involved. Kathy, enjoy!

I stopped at La Te Da. Dead! No one! Like 3 at the inside bar and 2 at the outside bar. No reason to stay. So I walked across the street to the Keys Piano Bar.

The Keys had a good crowd. Not great, but enough. And a whoop it up crowd! The vacationers were in a loud party mood last night!

I had one drink and went home.

We are into the rainy season. Yesterday was bright and shiny till I was at the Keys Piano Bar. Then it poured suddenly and big time!

This morning is gray. There is a wind. The black clouds are moving by. I assume they will finally pass and it will be another great Key West day.

Talk with you tomorrow!

I am writing the blog late this Sunday morning. Very late!

Blame it on last night.

I imbibed too much! More than normal. And stayed up late also! Till one in the morning.

I woke earlier. With a big head! Tried to do the blog. My fingers and the keyboard were not matching up!

But I have finally made it! A couple of aspirins, some food and water and a little more sleep did the trick.

Last night started at the Chart Room. Initially I was the sole customer. It was me and Michael the bartender. Then a couple of people came in who I recognized. They had played pool table bocci at Don’s Place thursday night. We had great conversation regarding the new game. They think it is a winner, also. And believe we will be playing the game in the bocci off season.

The Chart Room involved a couple more drinks than normal. I am laying out last night’s drinking disaster for you.

Then to La Trattoria for dinner. It was busy. The beginning of the Labor Day weekend.

Which meant the food came slow.

Erin kept refilling my drink. I am not blaming her. I could have said no. So I drank a bit more at dinner than normal.

Now it was time for the Keys Piano Bar. Love those Broadway tunes!

The place was packed. Every one was joining in in the singing. Even me.

I was having a good time so I stayed longer than normal. And drank more than normal, of course.

Lovely Kate Miano was at the Keys. What a charming lady! I love it when she hugs and kisses me. So good!

That was last night’s partying that resulted in this morning’s tragedy!

I spent the earlier part of the day home watching college football and golf on TV.

ESPN carried the Minnesota v. Syracuse game. I am a Syracuse graduate. I was excited to be able to watch Syracuse’s first game of the season.

Syracuse lost in over time by a field goal, 23-20. No shame! A well fought game by both sides.

Syracuse football has been on a downward spiral the past several years. Syracuse football has been about as good as my golf game.

We have a new coach this year. Doug Marrone. Apparently he has a handle on the situation. Syracuse was behind 14-3 within the first seven minutes of the game. All I could think was that it was going to be another one of those years.

Then Syracuse came to life! They were leading 20-14 at half time.

Syrancuse has a defense and an offense this year. The team needs some fine tuning. It will win its share of games this year. Though not next week. Syracuse plays Penn State that was preseason rated #3.

I feel so much better now. Four hours ago was not for the living.

Enjoy your Sunday!