LOVELY EIMY PREGNANT

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Eimy is a most beautiful woman!

I last saw her two years ago. Sleek. A lovely figure. A radiant smile.

I saw Eimy again last night. Still so beautiful. Radiant. Beaming is actually a better description. Rounded in the middle. Eimy is pregnant!

Congratulations Eimy! Mike, too!

Her family way has not detracted from her natural beauty. Only enhanced it.

Mike and Eimy live in Las Vegas. Mike is a mortgage broker. Mine, actually. Eimy, a CPA. Not working at the present, however. She is a stay at home while awaiting the birth.

They love Key West. Have visited here before. They will return.

We met at Louie’s Backyard last night for hellos. With them was Pete from New York. Pete is an old friend, also. Pete works on Wall Street. He was here with his girl friend Julie.

Pete is a charming guy. Has a unique sense of humor.

Also with them were Tim and Jenny. Engaged. Live up the road in Hollywood.

Jenny is crazy about Key West. Loves its laid back atmosphere. She wants to be married here. We briefly chatted about her options. She is tuned into L’Attitudes. They will have to work overtime to pay for the reception.

Great people! I could not join them for dinner. I had already enjoyed dinner a couple of hours earlier with the family.

We celebrated Fathers’ Day last night at Benihana. Robert was excited. His first time. Ally was haughty. She was a pro. She had been there two times previously.

Needless to say, the eyes of both were glued to the with cook and cooking process.

Robert surprised me. He was wearing a tie. He proudly told me he made the knot himself. It was not a snap on. Cameron taught him how to do it the day before. The knot was perfect. The ends of the tie met. I played dumb. Robert promised to teach me. He told me…..Don’t worry Poppa, it’s easy.

I have to start packing today. I fly to Milan Thursday. I cannot wait. I am looking forward to the trip.

Show time tonight! My blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time.

A quick half hour. I share my thoughts on current topics and issues.

Three situations I definitely will touch upon are our involvement in Syria, the new Catholic Church program requiring Catholics to act as Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses in going door to door, and a Boston Children’s’ Hospital program offering free hand transplants to children who have no hands.

Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY 45TH BIRTHDAY CHART ROOM

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It was happy birthday time yesterday! The Chart Room’s 45th!

The Pier House may have changed/been remodeled over the years, but never the Chart Room. It is as it was in the beginning. Looks the same as when Jimmy Buffett sat in the corner singing for change.

So many people. I only knew about 20.

Charlotte came in. From North Carolina. She visits Key West 3-4 times a year. The Chart Room is her favorite haunt.

I screwed up. You recall I mentioned the peanuts were gone, but some beauty was lying in the barrel instead. I failed to recognize the lady. It was Charlotte! Sorry.

Charlotte came especially for the birthday celebration.

Marty did not come. I felt bad. Marty introduced me to the Chart Room.

Never saw Che. Everyone wanted to know where he was. I assume he showed after I left.

Met Mike from Liverpool.

I went to the bar to pay my tab. The gent sitting to my left asked if I was Key West Lou. We talked a bit. He is Mike from Liverpool, England. He is in the restaurant and bar business. He reads my blog every day! Thank you Mike. It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope our paths cross again. Keep reading!

JJ was bartending. He greeted me with a gift. A box of frozen hot dogs! Hot dogs were available free last night as they have been for years. However no more under the new management. Last night was a one shot deal. The last shot.

I left around 6:30. Decided to eat at the A & B Lobster House. The last time was a couple of years ago.

A & B is a top shelf operation. I enjoyed the Maine lobster appetizer at the bar. Filling. No dinner required afterwards.

Met some one new at the A & B. Gage. The bartender. He is originally from New Hampshire.

I was home early. Wanted to watch the Heat game. Again fell asleep. I woke with two minutes to play. I was shocked at the score.

I just found out I am having dinner Saturday night at Lake Maggiore in Italy. Hemingway’s Lake Maggiore from A Farewell To Arms. At a restaurant on the very small island of Pescatori. The island sits on Lake Maggiore.

My hometown Utica had  a Pescatori’s restaurant. I have to assume Pescatori the owner back when must have come from Pescatori Island. Most Italian immigrants took as their last names their home town or province.

There is a service at one today for my friend Cathy. At La Trattoria. It will be sad.

Tomorrow is Tuesday. Which means…..Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Blog talk radio. The show a mere four months old. Two thousand people a week follow the show. Amazing!

Join me for a fast paced half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

ANOTHER TOUR DAY

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I wanted to visit the National Archive. Home of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. I arrived. The line waiting to be admitted wrapped around the block. I joined it. Fifteen minutes later, I was still standing in the same place as when I arrived. That was it! I would not be visiting the National Archive.

Across the street was the Smithsonian – Natural History Museum. It was not on my itinerary. My second stop was to have been the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. However, it was several blocks away and Natural History was more convenient.

If it has escaped you, I was getting tired. The Memorial tour the day before had been a killer.

The first thing that hit me when I entered Natural History was a huge prehistoric elephant. Daunting!

My grandchildren Robert and Ally would have enjoyed the dinosaurs. Many of them. Big. Their bones reconstructed.

There was also a Bone Lab. Old bones probably found in some dig were being cleaned up. Reminded me of Key West’s Mel Fisher Museum. Workers sitting around in a huge sealed enclosure wearing white coats and pants. Many with ear phones and dentist like drills. Drilling away in the process of cleaning million year old bones.

I saw two I MAX films. Actually, I was tired. This gave me the opportunity to sit and rest. First time I had seen an I MAX. Impressive! In 3D. One had to do with butterflies and the other the ocean. I had butterflies all around me during the first film. I was underwater with fish in the second.

There was a mummy on display. Royalty from the distant past.

The big deal at Natural History is the Hope Diamond. There it was. Gleaming and sparkling. Everyone stretching their necks to get a view.

Time to go. I walked outside. There is a huge stone overhang between the door and steps leading to the sidewalk. I was on it. The door had  closed behind me. Then I saw it. Rain. Monsoon like, just as in Key West.

The weather report for the day predicted rain. When I was ready to leave the hotel earlier in the morning, the sun was shining and there were no clouds. So I left my rain jacket and cap in the room.

Stupid me.

I stood around 15 minutes. I could not go back into the museum. I would have had to go through security again. The line was long and people were standing in the rain waiting to get in.

All of a sudden, a young man appeared with a box of umbrellas. $10. I bought the first one. Small collapsible type.

Off I went. In shorts, a short sleeved sport shirt and sandals.

I had about twelve blocks to walk. Washington blocks are long.

Two blocks into the walk, my collapsible umbrella collapsed. Water streaming onto me from the seams.

What to do? I am completely wet. No stores or bars to duck into. Could not enter the hallway of one of the public buildings. Not permitted. There was no alternative. I continued on my trip back to the hotel.

Never in my life have I been so wet. I became chilled. In spite of all this, I was saying to myself…..Louis, you are in great shape at 77 to be able to do this!

I woke in the middle of the night. Did not feel good. Stomach and chills. Think I have a fever. I am exhausted. My Washington experience today will be staying in bed in my hotel room.

When I returned wet to the skin, I immediately took a hot shower. Then down to the hotel bar. Two Grand Marniers and a hot cup of coffee. I thought that would keep the evil spirits away. Apparently it did not.

Dinner was at the Willard Hotel. Directly across the street from the Marriott.

The Willard is an old historical Washington hotel. Magnificent.

The waiter shared a bit of Willard history with me.

He told me President Grant enjoyed smoking cigars. His wife would not let him smoke them in the White House. He used to visit the Willard each day, sit in the lobby and light up. Persons who wanted favors from him, hit on him. Thus the term lobbyist was born.

A story I wanted to share with you. First however, I checked it out on the internet. The story was not completely true. It is commonly accepted as true. However, it is a myth. Nevertheless interesting. Grant did smoke there, his wife would not let him smoke in the White House, and people talked to him in the lobby seeking favors. The untrue portion is the birth of the term lobbyists. The term correctly comes to us from the English Parliament of the 1840s.

Interesting local lore, nevertheless.

One of the things I have observed is that Washington is a city of two type peoples. Suits and tourists. The suits are governmental people and business persons. I used to see them on my business trips to Washington. The tourist group are in shorts and tee shirts. Many with families. Visiting from all over the world.

The two are not together. They are truly separate. I have seen few suits while playing tourist this week.

Tonight is my blog talk radio show. I will be doing it from my Washington hotel room. I will probably spend most of the show discussing my Washington impressions. Perhaps a few news items. Which, if any, I have yet to decide upon.

Join me. I guarantee the show will not be boring. A fast moving half hour beginning at 9. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day! I am going to rest and get better.

THE TOUR

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Yesterday’s adventure was a tour of the Washington monuments. Six hours. Arduous. Comparable to climbing steps in Italy and the volcano. However, I made it! I am in better shape this year than I was last year at this time.

I took a formal tour. Included were 5 hours of monument viewing and a one hour luncheon cruise on the Potomac. The whole thing fantastic! I wish I had done it earlier in life. I wished I had taken my children when they were young. I cannot wait to take Robert and Ally.

It was a uplifting experience. Emotionally moving. I was proud to be an American.

Following are the Memorials visited. The Capitol Building, Washington Monument, World War II Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, White House, and Arlington Cemetery.

The ones that affected me the most were the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Korean Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial.

I want to share some bits of information I learned.

The Washington Monument is 551 feet high. Two years ago an earthquake damaged the Monument. A 4 foot 1 inch crack resulted. Roughly 1 inch wide.

The Monument is being repaired. It is almost totally covered in scaffolding. $9 million worth. Must be more involved than merely fixing the crack.

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is the largest land wise. Several acres. Created this large in recognition of his 16 years as President. There are four separate memorial buildings. To recognize his four terms as President.

I learned about Concepcion “Connie” Picciotto. I met her and spoke with her.

Connie is a 77 year old woman. Short. Less than five feet. Weather scarred and browned skin. Very few teeth. A wig peeking out from beneath her cap.

Connie is a protestor. A long term one. The longest public political protestor in United States history. In 1981, she was concerned about nuclear weapons. She wanted universal disarmament. She pitched a small tent across from the White House on the Pennsylvania Avenue side. The tent and Connie are still there thirty two  years later. Her protests have grown. She expresses her concerns verbally and with signs every day.

Such is Connie’s life.

Think of it. She has been there through the Presidencies of Reagan, the two Bushes, Clinton and now Obama.

Arlington Cemetery stood in a class alone. Extremely moving. We did not stop. We drove by and around.

Arlington contains the bodies of over 400,000 persons. The white crosses covering each grave in perfect lines on neatly trimmed green grass.

Steps big time at some of the Memorials. I did not know if I would physically be able to handle them. Shades of Italy and Greece last year.

I did them all. With no difficulty, except sore legs on occasion from the knees down. My European trip this year should be no problem.

I did take pictures. Many. The trick now is for me to show them to you once I have separated, selected, etc. Later today or tomorrow. It will be a first for me!

Last Friday, I visited the Holocaust Museum. I was so moved by it that I wrote this week’s KONK Life column immediately upon returning to my room. The article obviously covered the Holocaust. I went a step further, however. The theme was man did not learn. He still kills. I spelled out all the genocides since World War II.

Yesterday Washington was the beginning of One Million Bones. A three day event. Paper machete, wood, and plastic bones have been created by adults and school children for three years. They were spread out yesterday on the Washington Mall. The purpose: To raise the awareness of people to genocide in today’s world.

John from Jersey will be happy. I made it to the Old Ebbitt Grill last night! Though you described it well John, the place defies description. I loved the ambiance! A piece of old Washington. I read it remains a virtual saloon Smithsonian. It is.

Washington is a lovely city. Majestic buildings, wide streets, clean. It does have a negative, however. The homeless.

I saw them everywhere. Especially yesterday morning when I left early to catch the tour bus. They were sleeping everywhere. On benches, in doorways, where ever. Most were women.

A disgrace.

Key West has homeless. They come to Key West in droves for the warm weather. We take care of our homeless. We took them off the streets. They sleep at night in a large tent on a cot with clean sheets. And get a shower. One every evening or no cot and sheets. Food is provided at a rescue mission.

Key West did not do this out of the goodness of its heart. Federal case law required it. Where is that same federal case law in our nation’s capital?

Tomorrow night my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine in the evening. A fast moving half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

What will I discuss tomorrow night? Probably my Washington trip. A lot to talk about.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

SQUARE ONE RESTAURANT

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I had a special experience last night. Dinner at the new Square One Restaurant. Run. Don’t walk. The place is spectacular. The food exceptional.

Carmelo is one of the owners. A brilliant restaurateur. Experienced. He and his brothers started La Trattoria. Then they opened Virgilio’s. Then the Bottle Cap. La Trattoria and Virgilio’s have been sold.

It is the same Square One Restaurant. Except the colors are a warm subdued brown. The pictures  new. The menu expanded.

The food to die for! I had the seafood lasagna. I could taste every piece of fish. The pasta was light. The sauce just right.

Carmelo stopped by to chat a few times. I congratulated him on what is a winner without question.

One other observation. The place was three quarters occupied. Inside and out. This is off season. Mid week. No restaurant has that kind of occupancy. Carmelo has been open about two months. The large number of customers is a credit to the quality of the operation.

Ran errands yesterday morning. The dermatologist, Walgreen and optician.

Sloan and I worked three hours in the late afternoon. We are into me taking pictures on my cell phone and somehow getting them to my blog. Probably easy for most of you. Hard for me. A generational thing. I do not have it down yet.

I leave today for a few days of play in Washington, DC. I have never really seen the capitol. Though I have been to Washington before. It was always for business. Fly in in the morning, fly out in the evening. The few times I stayed overnight, it was dinner with clients or business associates.

I am going to play tourist. See the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and as many historical places as I can.

I will be writing my blog daily from Washington. At some point hopefully with some pics. www.keywestlou.com.

I will also be doing my tuesday evening blog talk radio show from Washington. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. My computer via Skype. I have it down. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

My friday tv/internet show is a problem. I cannot do it simply and effectively. Ergo, a rerun will be available for viewing. View, if you can. It may be one you missed. If so, I believe you will enjoy. Via television on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19 from Key West through Miami-Dade County. Via the internet world wide. www.weyw19.com.

I have picked a good time to fly to Washington. I will be traveling with Tropical Storm Andrea all the way. I question whether I will be able to fly out of the Key West Airport. Andrea should not be a problem for Key West. It will be for northern Florida and all the way up the eastern coast.

Have to hustle once again. Must finish packing.

Enjoy your day!

 

GRADUATION TIME

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A proud week in the Malcom household!

Robert graduated yesterday from the third grade at Montessori. He had a big grin on his face. So did Lisa and I. And as predicted yesterday, Lisa hit me in the ribs a couple of times with a …..isn’t he beautiful!

Cameron graduates from Key West High School friday. He did well academically and will be attending Florida State. Yesterday’s Key West Citizen front page had a picture of Cameron. He was dressed in his graduation attire and standing on a stage in front of a podium. The photo was taken monday at Take Stock in Children’s separate graduation ceremony for those the organization has worked with in their mentoring program. The same organization that sent Cameron to Mongolia and has been guiding him during his high school years.

The rain ain’t going away! Two more days of it. This time up from the south. Predicted for today are winds of 20 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. The rains will be torrential. Key West streets will flood, as usual.

Yesterday afternoon, I treated myself to peace and tranquility. A manicure and pedicure with Tammy.

Dinner at Hogfish. Me and the newspapers.

Last night was my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I did the show for the first time using Skype. A success! Finally! The audio clear and distinct.

I start my summer travels this week. The first step is Washington, DC. I will be doing my blog talk radio show from there next tuesday.

In  due course, I will be in Italy, Greece and France. Skype makes it possible for me to do the show from these far away places. You do not need Skype to receive me. Nothing changes at your end.

I wanted to do my TV/internet show from far away places. Looks like it will not be possible. Tried hard to put it together. It does not work.

Last night’s show was hard hitting as well as informative. I talked about Darrell Issa’s shortcomings, the Catholic Church’s hypocrisy, the Catholic Church and artificial insemination, Father Andrew Greeley, thong bathing suits for women being banned in Myrtle Beach, and Mc Cain, Syria and Turkey combined.

The show is archived immediately and is available for listening anytime at your convenience. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Have to hustle this morning. Seems I hustle every morning. I have an early morning appointment with the dermatologist.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

CRAIG WORTHING

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I decided to stop at Louie’s Backyard for a drink last night. It had been quite a while since I was last there.

Louie’s has the best view of the ocean in Key West. What a spot!

The bartender was Terry. We had never met before. A nice guy. We chatted a while.

His father is Craig Worthing. A radio talk show host extraordinaire!

Craig started his career in Maine. At some point, he ended up in my hometown of Utica, NY. I never met him. I am sorry I did not. He concluded his career in Miami.

Craig was well known. He was controversial. He did his show his way. Which on occasion caused  consternation.

He was his own man.

I met the son. I hope some day to meet the father.

The evening continued to be one of visiting places I had not been to in a long time. I have been thinking of weinerschnitzel lately. Where else! Martin’s! I was not disappointed. As always, excellent!

Lunch time yesterday was disaster time. I heated a container of soup in the micro. It was hot as I took it out. Too hot! My hand was burning. I threw the container towards the sink. Missed the sink. The top flew off and covered a whole section of kitchen with chicken soup. The window, the blinds, the walls on either side of the sink, the sink itself, the ice cube maker and cabinets beneath the sink.

What a mess. I spent some time cleaning it up. After first having buried my burnt hand in ice.

Tonight is blog talk radio time. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine o’clock. A quick half hour of interesting chit chat. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

One of tonight’s topics is Darrell Issa. He is the Chairman of the House Oversight Committee.

I feared Issa as far back as several months ago. I did a piece on him on my TV show. I thought he was a loose cannon back then. He definitely is now.

Fast trains another topic. Big in Europe and China. Nothing here in the U.S. Prague is magnifying its profit factor with Love Trains. Interesting.

Myrtle Beach has become ultra conservative. To be expected. A solid Republican state. Thong bathing suits have been banned on it beaches. A 22 year old female vacationer has already been arrested.

I guarantee you will enjoy the show. Join me.

Early yesterday was spent running errands. Publix for groceries, the cleaners to pick up clothes, Walgreen for a prescription.

This morning big! Robert is graduating! From the third grade at Montessori.

Montessori groups the classes into three. He moves on to a new group for the fourth grade.

Graduations are always fun. Exciting especially for the young. Robert is proud. It will be a happy event.

I usually sit next to Lisa. She pokes me in the ribs several times during these events and says…..isn’t he beautiful!

Enjoy your day!

 

CHANGE

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Change is inevitable. Especially when a property such as the Pier House changes hands.

Something new last night. As I entered the parking area, the attendant stopped me. A new one. The old ones were not rehired.

I told him where I was going. He told me they were in the process of beginning a valet parking system. He gave me something to put on my visor. He also gave me a printed stub. I was instructed to have it stamped by whoever was working in the Chart Room.

Petty!

Friends Sheila, Sean, Katherine and Peter were at the bar. Tourists came in and out.

I wanted light fare for dinner. Stopped into the Hot Tin Roof. Greeted by Joseph, the  manager. A charming personality. Warm.

My meal was light. One dozen oysters and a tomato salad. Outstanding!

I spent a couple of hours mid day continuing to work on my blog talk radio hook up. I will be traveling soon. I want to be able to broadcast from where ever I am. As close as Washington, DC, as far as Armogos, Greece. On my laptop via Skype. Think I have it worked out. I will be trying it when I do tomorrow night’s show.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou will be broadcast at 9 tomorrow night. One half hour. Topics to be discussed are always in the developing stage. I chat about most recent happenings. I suspect I will also be discussing Mc Cain’s recent Syria visit, Catholic Church hypocrisy, and Father Andrew Greeley.

Join me for a fast moving interesting half hour. You will enjoy. I guarantee it. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Father Andrew Greeley died. A Catholic priest. He was 85.

From the 1960s forward, he was a voice for change in the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, his words fell on deaf ears. The Church turned its back on him. The Bishops gave him a hard time.

He was in the forefront of two important issues. Pedophilia and birth control. The Catholic Church shunned his advice. He was considered a maverick.

As a result, Father Greeley was never more than a parish priest. No elevation to Bishop or Cardinal for him.

Eventually, he started writing. About everything. Even some interesting fiction. He published over 100 books. Ten of his novels were on the New York Times Best Seller List.

If I recall correctly, any book of his published had a guaranteed 250,000 first printing.

Father Greeley made some money. He donated most of it to charitable causes. He once wanted to donate $1 million to a particular Chicago charity. Cardinal Cody was in charge of the Chicago Archdiocese. He refused Greeley’s gift.

A good man sits with his God today. A receptive ear, I am sure.

The weather continues to suck. Rain, rain, and more rain. It is going to rain today. The weather report advises heavy rain through wednesday. If it continues as it has, I will soon be able to kayak into Key West!

Enjoy your day!

TONIGHT…..BLOG TALK RADIO

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The weeks roll by. Another tuesday has arrived. Tonight my blog talk radio show.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou is at 9. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Join me for some interesting chatter.

Tonight, I would be remiss if I did not comment on Senator McCain’s surprise visit to Syria yesterday. He came in over the border. The intimation was he snuck in. To visit with rebel leaders.

Another topic I intend to discuss involves what I term the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. Certain facts I will be sharing with you will open your eyes wide. Your first inclination will be to say….. No way!

Of course, I am happy to discuss any other issues which may be of concern to you. Merely call in and tell me.

I spent a part of yesterday doing something I absolutely dislike. Paying bills. My whole life it has bothered me. When not balancing the check book, I was researching for this evening’s show as well as friday’s Key West Lou Legal Hour.

The weather was threatening all day. Rain off and on. When on, heavy. Some thunder and lightning.

Downtown Key West was quiet last night. Most tourists had left for home.

Dee’s cousin Gloria was in from some town north of Fort Lauderdale. I joined them for drinks and dinner. The Chart Room and Hot Tin Roof.

I was home in bed by 9. Slept well.

I woke in the middle of the night to see Senator McCain on television. All smiles, surrounded by rebel Syrian forces. Dramatic. Impressive. Stupid. He should remain in Washington where he belongs.

Enjoy your day!

 

A LAZY HOLIDAY

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My yesterday was spent as a holiday should be. A day off is a day off. I appear to have done a lot. In the end, it was nothing.

I hung around the house till about 4. Read, wrote and napped. Lisa and the family came over to swim. Everyone in the pool. Except Jake! Ain’t no way he is ever going in the water.

My reading and writing was in preparation for tomorrow night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Interesting topics. Like the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church regarding providing insurance coverage for birth control. Turns out the New York Archdiocese has been providing it to union employees for 12 years. The coverage includes abortions, also. Then nutty parents who deny their children medical care on the grounds of religion. Plus, what Jodi Arias’ mistrial means as a practical matter.

Nine tomorrow night. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Don was having a holiday cookout at 3 at the bar. David cooking. Roast pork the entre. I got there one hour late. Some food remained. Very few people, however. I chatted with David and Pati.

Then off to the Chart Room. I got there early. A little before 4:30. I have never been there that early. The door was locked. JJ was inside. He opened and let me in.

I watched some golf and chatted with JJ. Then Peter arrived. Soon followed by Sheila.

John showed up. First time I met him. Originally from Kentucky, he has lived in Key West 28 years. Everyone knew him. Turns out John fishes professionally. His specialties are yellowtails and kingfish. Just him and a mate. He sells his catch to the wholesaler.

A nice guy. We had a good conversation. I look forward to running into John again.

John is a fisherman. Peter a boater/sailor. Others last night Key West locals. As the conversation grew, it got into the waters surrounding Key West, the channel vote, the reef, and other ocean matters. I was impressed as to how knowledgeable each was of matters affecting the ecology. Concerned, also.

When I left, I headed to the lobby to pick up a free newspaper. I spend enough money at the Chart Room and Wine Galley to  warrant one.

No newspapers! Gone was the bookcase where they were stacked. A chair in its place.

I hurried back to the Chart Room and announced how unhappy I was with the Pier House’s new management. Taking away the free newspapers! Cheap, I thought. JJ said wait. They did not. Yes, I said. JJ walked me over to the lobby. There they were. The newspapers. In a different place on a table in a corner.

Happy I was! Relieved also that the new owners are not tight fisted.

Where to eat? John Lukas’ Big Ten Sports Pub.

John had stopped into the Chart Room earlier. We had a drink together. I knew his place would be empty. I wanted quiet to enjoy my meal and read the newspapers. Which is what occurred. Sat at the bar. One of three customers. Enjoyed a meal of meat loaf and mashed potatoes. Divine!

I headed home. My intention was early to bed to watch the Miami/Indiana game.

When I arrived, Pati and Blackie were there. Blackie Pati’s dog. Pati’s place was being fumigated and she needed a place to stay. I had offered one of my bedrooms.

I was enjoying the game. Then I fell asleep. I conked off sometime during the second quarter. When I woke about 2 in the morning, I could not figure out who won.

That was my Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend. Seems like a lot. Was not, really. Pleasant, however.

One more day to go. I have no plans for today, other than to enjoy it. You do, also!