Key West is famous for many things. One are the “drops” New Year’s Eve. Certain restaurants and bars drop something or some person from high at midnight. It is Key West’s Times Square ball drop.
There are several. Three have gained prominence.
One is the Bourbon Street Pub Shoe Drop. A drag queen dropped from the second floor of the hotel portion.
Another is Sloppy Joe’s. A dropping Conch Shell.
The third is Schooner’s Wharf. A pirate wench dropped down a boat mast.
All attract crowds. Huge crowds. Each a fun event.
Staying with Key West for a moment, a piece of history. Not involving a dropping whatever. Rather, girls’ basketball.
It was on this day in 1928 that it was announced the first girls’ varsity basketball team was being organized at the Key West High School.
Some Trump. Too much Trump. Problem he was all over the place yesterday and into today.
Trump continuing to screwing around with Iran. Trump appears to enjoy the blood of war, as long as not his nor that of a member of his family.
Trump claims Iran killing “peaceful protestors.” Trump says if it continues, “the U.S. will come to their rescue.”
I have never made a New Year’s prediction. Feel compelled to do so today. It is that Donald Trump will not be President next year at this time. His “record” is coming apart. His problems manifesting themselves. He probably will have departed the U.S. and will be living in a country without extradition.
Trump claims U.S. born workers are experiencing a job boom. Data reflects to the contrary. No way, Jose! A Trump lie, misrepresentation, and/or bullshit. Your choice!
Word is Venezuela’s Maduro is holding out the olive branch. Wants to talk with Trump.
Trump’s administration has terminated Washington, D.C.’s three public golf courses. The National Links Trust has operated the courses for the past 5 years. The lease agreement was for 50 years. However, the Department of the Interior cancelled last week.
What plan does Trump have for the courses? His name? Taking them over completely and making them part of his worldwide owned golf courses?
Why can’t Trump leave well enough alone?
Thank you DT and RFK Jr. For the first time in more than 30 years, the U.S. hit 2,500 measles cases in 2025.The last time 2,000 cases were exceeded was in 1992.
Miscellaneous matters.
Snow. Heavy snowfall will continue today in northern New York State. Syracuse will get some. Not as much as the past few days.
Oswego County is north of Syracuse. It is expected snow falling on Oswego County over the next 36 hours will be considerably heavier than Syracuse has experienced.
The winter problem for the Community of Oswego and the County of Oswego as a whole is that they border on Lake Ontario. Winters are hell! Cold and snowy. I know from experience. I tried many cases in Oswego. Big ones! Very cold snowy winters.
The accident cases were big. For a community of relatively low income, they thought big when it came to awarding dollars. In one case, I walked away with a $2 million settlement the first day of trial. Received several $1 million results. Six figure results were frequent.
Hershey Chocolate was founded in 1894. The company continues to have a long life. What’s better than Hershey Chocolate candy?
Tootsie Rolls and the Korean War. Would you believe?
It was the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. U.S. Marines were in trouble. Surrounded by Chinese and North Korean forces. Radioed for help. Requested 60-millimeter mortars. Ordered them by their code name “Tootsie Rolls.”
The Marines received boxes of real candy tootsie rolls.
The Marines ate them. Ordered more of the mortar kind.
The candy served more than the one purpose of being eaten. Some of the rolls were heated and used to plug holes in bullet-ridden cars and radiators.
In the end, the Tootsie Rolls helped the Marines survive the Battle.
On this day in 1865, Joe Namath spurned the NFL to sign a record deal with the AFL New York Jets. Turned out to be a smart move on his part!
Live and learn. A polar bear’s life generally lasts into the mid 20s. If the bear is confined and receiving constant care. Otherwise, the bear’s demise is earlier.
An Ontario wildlife refuge recently held a “sweet 16” birthday party for one of its polar bears. His name Ganuk. Gifted him. An oversized driver’s license, a large toy car stuffed with tropical fruit, a pumpkin birthday cake, and wrapped gift boxes loaded with snacks.
A big day for Ganuk!
Roald Reagan was sworn in this day in 1967 as California Governor.
I had the privilege once of meeting the man. It was when he still was Governor.
I was a member of Miami’s Jockey Club for a number of years. So long that I was treated special. The maitre de saved the best table for me for dinner each evening. I rarely dined elsewhere.
One evening I came down to dinner. Walked “to my table!” Two couples were sitting there. I must have looked strangely at them. Asked me if something was wrong. Without thinking, I uttered “my table.”
By this time, I recognized one of the men. Ronald Reagan. I had heard he was at the club. Staying on a large boat in the marina.
Embarrassment prevailed! I was embarrassed by my stupid comment. They were embarrassed because they were guests in the club and had remained sitting long after dinner enjoying the ambiance.
By this time, the maitre de appeared. All flustered and embarrassed. To them and me.
We all made nothing out of it. Shook hands around. I took a table next to them. Second best, but ok.
When Reagan and his party were leaving, Reagan stopped at my table to apologize again. A gentlemen. We talked for about 15 minutes. While his friends waited at the bar.
I complimented him for the fine job he was doing as California Governor. Told him I hoped he would have the opportunity to run for President. I Would vote for him even though I was a Democrat.
I did.
Ankle till painful. Swelling going down. Must go to buy a few groceries today. The refrigerator is down to one bottle of water and one inch of orange marmalade.
I read an article earlier this morning listing Democratic candidates for President in 2028. I was disappointed. Mark Kelley’s name did not appear. Politicos do not know what they are doing if he is not in the mix. From my perspective, he was better than any of those listed.
Enjoy your day!