The closest friend in my adult life has died. Bob Mazza. A 32 year veteran of the Utica Police Department.
My sorrow runs deep.
Bob passed on at 82. He was one year older than me.
He was already a police officer several years when I returned to Utica to practice law. Somehow we met. He thought I lacked street smarts, needed help. He glued himself to me.
When not working, Bob was with me all the time. Always there for me. I was there all the time for him. We had bonded.
We traveled together. All over. He accompanied me whenever I traveled. Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Saratoga, New York City, San Diego, Las Vegas, Miami, etc. We even did a week in Martinique.
He was there for my family, also. Always dependable.
Oh, the stories I could tell. Both amusing and serious. Not mentionable here, however.
Age and distance separated us. We last were together 10 years ago when he visited me for two weeks in Key West. I had moved to Key West. Bob, to Syracuse. We telephone chatted for a while. Less and less frequently. Now in reflection not for several years. Sad.
Bob appeared to be a tough guy. I use the words appeared to be. He was really a softy. He spent most of his police years as head of the Homicide and Burglary Squads. The bad guys feared him. Respected him. It was all in the image he portrayed.
When my time comes, I hope Bob is waiting for me at the Pearly Gates. There is no one I would rather spend Eternity with.
Another sad report.
Going live with Key West Lou will not debut today. While playing around with the site yesterday in preparation for today, I discovered two problems. Beyond my abilities to correct. Sloan not available till wednesday. So it looks like thursday or friday for the first show.
Sorry.
A disenchanted Key West Lou group, who nevertheless continue to follow me, will comment I never meet self-imposed deadlines, etc. The same people who criticize my positions, thoughts, etc.
I am a perfectionist. Always have been. Anal to a fault. Such is what made me a success as a lawyer. I cannot go public with the new snow unless and until I am satisfied.
Hang in there!
A weather forecaster I am not. However, I have learned the few times the wind has come from the south in Key West, a storm followed. Generally, a big one. Yesterday the wind was from the south. About 20 mph. Enough for the palm trees to bend. The sun shining.
I said a storm is coming. Checked the weather reports on the internet. Nothing. A beautiful sunny day. Twenty percent chance of rain. Which means no rain.
I wrote about the south wind in yesterday’s blog.
About 4 yesterday afternoon, TV was interrupted to advise a major storm moving up from the south. Tornadoes possible. The storm was going to run over the Florida Keys and Miami. Would hit around 1 in the morning.
It hit at 11 last night. Howling winds and heavy rain. Winds still howling, though less. No tornadoes in Florida. However, tornadoes hit Georgia bad. Seventeen dead. Whole areas destroyed. Mississippi had problems also.
The south wind. Recognize it. Respect it.
I was sad last night. Bobby dead. Decided to have a few drinks and quietly recollect our times together.
First stop was the Chart Room. Chatted with Victor. Mentioned the south wind. He had read about it earlier in yesterday’s blog. He decided to telephone a neighbor while we were talking to go over to his house and close the outside blinds.
Then Sloppy Joe’s. Not a usual venue for me.
A few more drinks. Watched the country music entertainers.
Sloppy’s menu has changed. My fries covered in chopped beef, mozzarella and sauce no longer on the menu. I enjoyed an order of wings instead.
I continue to be reluctant to criticize Trump. Give him a chance. He is the only President we have.
However, I must render two admonitions.
The first what one of the female speakers said during the Women’s March: It is not….I the president, it is…..We the people.
The other from me…..The campaign is over. It is time to govern.
Enjoy your day!
“I am a perfectionist. Always have been. Anal to a fault. Such is what made me a success as a lawyer. I cannot go public with the new SNOW unless and until I am satisfied.”
Emphasis added. What an amazing place for a typo.
My condolences on the passing of your dear friend.
That kind of friendship transends time and space, it doesn’t diminish even when distance or life separates.
Louis, I hope that you can attend your friend’s funeral or celebration of his life. In today’s KWC about Hackley and his report on the weather – where in KW is that ‘piazza’ that he mentions? I know what piazza is in Italy but KW? Who knows?