I have only been on a Fantasy Fest float one time. Some 20 plus years ago. My good friend Howard Livingston asked me to be on his at the time.

I was thrilled!

Never again, however. One of the most tiring experiences of my life.

A musical float. My job was to throw beads. Howard had me dress as a bum. Beads and all. Our float threw 23,000 beads. Several of us. Work. Extreme work. I was totally exhausted at the end off the evening.

Howard had it organized. A lovely bikini clad lady stood next to me. She was a bead thrower also. We held our left arms bent out. Howard had a bead runner. As the beads were exhausted from my left arm, a good looking young lady was there to relace with another armful. I would throw with my right.

A constant the whole parade time. No rest for the bum.

The float and parade itself moved slowly along Whitehead. It was when it turned on Duval that the action began. Speed picked up. The crowd huge and rowdy. I had to work like hell to keep up with the extended arms and yelling for beads.

No question, work!

At some point I observed that there were many elderly, those in wheel chairs and others disabled that were not receiving their fair share of beads. So I searched them out and threw only to them. Still many such persons. I got more tired as the blocks moved by.

My game plan for the evening was to finish the float/bead throwing and then play like hell. Good luck! By the end of the parade, I was totally exhausted. Found my car and went home. I was so tired I actually believe the car drove itself home. I lived in Key Haven at the time.

How I made it up the stairs to the bedroom, I do not know. I threw my clothes off and fell on the bed. To sleep immediately.

Howard’s float won the award for Best Musical. Would you have expected less!

I enjoyed the experience. Would never do it again, however. Too much work.

The federal shutdown has yet to affect the Keys. It will if the shutdown continues too long.

The College of the Florida Keys continues to grow. Slowly but surely. A $16,000 contribution was made to establish the Nettie Lawson Oglesbee nursing scholarship endowment fund.

My mother was born in Foccia, Italy. Named Fortunata. When she arrived in the U.S., she acquire the nickname “Nettie” by which she was known the rest of her life.

Italy plays in Key West news. The Key West High School Band will be in Italy in late December and early January. To participate in an international competition. The band is the only Florida one participating.

Find a friend at the Florida Keys SPCA. Time to take a friend home? A dog or cat?

Help keep Key West clean. On friday and some saturday mornings, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., the Key West Ploggers help to clean up some portion of the island.

Raise good, clean hell during Fantasy Fest Week. It’s fun big time!

I am not sure I will be able to handle the parade. My legs have been a mess for several weeks. Sixteen pills a day. A week in the hospital. Home in bed longer than I have liked.

Enjoy your day!