It has been several years since I have been in the Chart Room. Previous thereto for some 25 years I began my evenings around 6 by stopping in. Every night without fail. Knew most. Locals. It was “our spot.” Then a nasty bartender made me cease going to the Chart Room. Most of my friends stopped for the same reason.

The Pier House was recently purchased. It appears they want to restore the Chart Room to what it was when my friends and I left. New hours. Noon to midnight. A good idea!

After The Grand last night, I went over to the Chart Room. Excited I was! 

I knew no one. Which I expected. I am old now and most persons I hung out with at the Chart Room have left Key West or are dead.

A new bartender. Nice guy. Nick his name. He has been in Key West since the 1970s. Chatted with a young guy from Indiana. We had similar watches. Then a charming lady came and stood next to me. I was seated in the first seat of the bar by the door. A charming red head. Linda her name. From Breckenridge, Colorado. She and her husband have been coming to Key West for a month each year for 10 years. I enjoyed her company. Suspect I will run into her again.

I had a diet Coke and left. I did desire a drink drink. A Beefeater on the rocks. It was the Chart Room atmosphere. It has been years since I have consumed alcohol. I faltered not, however.

The Chart Room physically was the same. Including free hot dogs and pop corn.

As I mentioned earlier, I was at The Grand for Happy Hour. 

Visited with Cindy and Steve. They just returned from a Caribbean cruise. My dearest friend of friends Jean Thornton came in. With a charming lady I have not seen in years Sheila Cullen. It was great seeing Sheila again. We are physical compatriots. She is using a walker. Hip surgeries. I have been through that phase. The cane will be next for her as she progresses.

That my friends was my evening. A good one with old friends and new friends.

I was to have visited with a couple at The Grand last Tuesday who were in for Fantasy Fest. They bought my salmon dinner last year and intended to do so again this year. Of course, I was not there. Last week was a bad one for me. When I asked Matt for my bill, he said no bill. The coupe had paid for my meal last week when they had been in expecting to see me. I went to tip Matt and could not. Matt said they even left the tip.

I hope I am around to see these people next year.

Six days to the big day. Mid term election day. Vote, my friends! And if you can see your way clear, vote Democratic. Trump and his Republican compatriots have been absolute failures.

I believe Trump and his people are going to take a beating. I don’t care what Trump says. Neither he, the Executive Branch or Republicans can thwart the election. Clause 1 of Article I Section 4 of the Constitution makes it clear States control elections and not a President. Assuming the blue wave I expect will occur, Trump will try legally to overturn many elections. He will fail in each attempt. What is a further concern is what he might do to screw up the mid terms. Another January 6th?

“Coastal flood warning.”  A coastal flood is ocean water coming up trough the sewers and flooding the streets. Worse at high tide. Especially bad for auto engines. The salt water can kill them.

I had a bad experience with street flooding yesterday. Not bad for me. Bad for the guy driving a golf cart in the opposite direction. The situation occurred near Harpoon Harry’s. We were driving in opposite directions. There was some flooding. Did not appear that bad. I slowed a bit. I assume the golf cart driver did also.

We both were mid stream as we passed. My car windows were shut. He had nothing to close. He took a bath from me! He was waving his fist at me after I passed.

Abraham Lincoln was a wrestler in his younger days. It is estimated he fought some 300 matches. Only lost one.

Trump appears to have become a male butt expert. If not, at the least a keen observer of the male butt.

Candy pieces have skyrocketed! Expensive! The average cost of a bag of 100 pieces has increased 71 percent over the past 5 years. Some believe the cost of candy this Halloween has become an economic burden as so many other items have.

Enjoy your day!