My dear friend Fran Dixon sent me photos she took in Palermo, Sicily. One showed wet wash hanging from windows and balconies of an apartment house. Apparently common in Sicily.

I have spent much time in Italy. The Italians do the same. The reason being they do not have the energy to heat dry. Ergo they still resort to the way wet clothes were dried hundreds of years ago. Italy turns the air conditioning off at 8 or 10 in the evening. Again to conserve energy. Not enough electrical power available.

Poor homes and expensive ones all the same in this regard. A very beautiful Italian home will have clothes hanging to dry on its front porch.

Fran flies home to Buffalo tomorrow. Tom will meet her with open arms at the airport. In three weeks, both will return to Key West for a few days. Can’t wait to see them again.

One of Key West’s strangest stories involved Karl Tanzler aka Von Cosel. He was an x-ray technician who fell in love with a tubercular patient named Elena Hoyos. She died. He dug her grave up. Took Elena’s body to his Key West home where he lived with it for seven years till discovered. Kept her in bed. Did many necessary things to keep her body “fresh.” He actually slept with her for the seven years. He may even had sex with her. When Elena’s body was discovered, she had a vaginal tube in the appropriate place.

Elena’s body was removed and buried in the Key West Cemetery. Tanzler avoided criminal charges for some reason. 

After Elena was properly buried and Tanzler supposedly left Key West, a violent explosion blew her grave up.

The end of the Tanzler/Hoyas story.

John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln in the head, which ultimately killed him, this day in 1865. Booth yelled “The South is avenged!” as he jumped on the stage following the shooting.

The wheel is one of history’s oldest inventions. Goes back to 3500 BCE. Even older is alcohol. Invented/perfected thousand of years before the wheel invention.

Hard to believe…..Women were the first alcohol/beer brewers. By law. The Code of Hammurabi. Not only as to beer, also as to tavern ownership. Women only.

Sixty two percent of American adults drink alcoholic beverage today.

Time for a bit of Trump.

Is the Trump blockade working. A Chinese vessel was permitted to go through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump playing favorites? China coming out ahead in many respects with the Iran War.

Experts say Trump’s blockade will result in bigger economic risks.

Trump experiencing a huge backlash for his Truth Social photo depicting hm as Jesus. The man is sick. The furor following caused him to first say it was intended as him portraying a doctor. Bullshit! He finally removed the photo. 

A sicko he is.

Trump mocking Iran’s little speed boats when conflict with U.S. vessels occur. Trump forgets U.S. PT boats in World War II. Damage, if not a sinking, will occur to some U.S. boats.

Trump cannot win a war with Pope Leo. Everyone loves Leo! In addition to which Leo makes sense whereas Trump does not.

Some things I do not understand. Trump has provided a map showing the location of US. vessels during the blockade. Stupid! Nothing like giving the “enemy” a helping hand!

The U.S. is negotiating a 20 year “suppression” of all nuclear activity with Iran. Word is Iran would accept 5 years.

Lunch yesterday at Roostica with Theos and Dina. Been at least two years since my last visit. The waitress hugged me. She looked terrific! She has lost at least 40 pounds. Good for her.

I enjoyed polenta and meatballs. Theos and Dina a huge pizza. Apparently Greeks are pizza crazy.

They then dropped me off at Dr. Blass’ office. I may have finally reached the end re my ankle and head. Good! The treatments were not always painless.

Enjoy your day!

Corruptness oozes out of the White House.

For example, Trump has a two week cease fire with Iran. It has nothing to do with the failed Pakistan peace talks. The cease fire has roughly a week left before it expires. Trump announced that at 10 a.m. this morning he will block waterways to and from Iran with U.S. vessels. Means an aggravation of the war.  Most countries who depend on oil going through the Strait of Hormuz will move carrying valuable oil to all parts of the world. 

Prior to the cease ire, it was revealed in excess of 100 ships transverse the Strait daily. A big deal if Trump is successful in reopening the Strait. Wrong because of the ceasefire. I suspect Trump will also in due course charge each ship/country a fee for providing the reopening. Therein might lie the true reason why Trump wants to control naval movements through the Strait. One thing about Donald, he is always ready to make a buck.

Were you aware Trump considers himself the second coming of Christ. I think he is the ant-Christ rather than Jesus reincarnated.

Recently Trump issued a photo of himself in which he pictures himself as Christ. That alone should buy him a ticket to Hell!

In any event, the photo has him touching/anointing the forehead of someone. Some believe the person being anointed looks like Epstein. 

It is now being revealed that the Pakistan peace talks failed becuse the U.S. was “demanding,” rather than “negotiating.”

Hegseth’s “gospel” is really one of “carnage.” Jesus superimposed to make the Iran War a religious undertaking, when in reality it is a blatant improper undertaking.

Staying with Epstein, Melania appear to have dug herself a grave. Her address last week claiming she was Epstein free was impressive and believable. Good luck! Appears not so. Her and Donald’s former friend Amanda Ungaro has threatened to blow the whistle on Melania. Today purportedly the day for the Melania “black wash” to be revealed. Lets see what is revealed. Many now believe Melania went public last week with her “Epstein free” comments knowing Ungaro would soon be blowing the whistle.

I received a telephone call yesterday from my dear friend Fran Dixon. She and her two sisters are presently in Palermo, Sicily. Some 20 odd photos accompanied an e-mail she also sent me. Sicily beautiful! Ancient columns which reminded me of those in Greece. Dishes of food. All appeared “yummy.” Pictures of Fran which also looked good. Love the lady!

The girls return to the U.S. Wednesday. Two weeks later, Fran and husband Tom will skip down to Key West for a few days. I look forward to seeing them.

McIlroy won the Masters. A fantastic golfer!

Trump’s friend Orban lost in his Presidential reelection bid yesterday in Hungary.

Trump keeps making noise about Cuba. My sense is he sees it as an easy takeover. He is probably wrong again.

Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel appeared on “Meet the Press” yesterday. His message clear. If Trump attempts a military takeover: ‘We’ll defend ourselves, and if we need to die, we’ll die.” He added, Cubans are ready to “give our lives for the revolution.”

A busy day today. Lunch with Theos and Dina at Roostica. Dr.Blass later in the afternoon re my ankle which is close to total healing and my head growth which he removed. The head biopsy was uncertain, so Dr. Blass removed the corrupted area. Bled big time and took stitches. I find out today if the piece removed (a chunk) was cancerous.

Enjoy your day!

I recall the story of the brown cow that ran down a hill at the end of which was a barb wire fence. The cow intended to jump over the fence. He did not quite make it. Left his testicles hanging on the fence.

Reminds me of the failure of the Iran War talks. I superimpose in my mind Trump in place of the cow. He really has got himself hung up. A war that he should never have started. A war with all kinds of negative effects for the U.S. and world at large.

I ask: What now, Donald?

China acted brilliantly for China. China worked the Iran War effectively. China and Iran weaponized the global economy to beat the U.S. at its own game. Trump not the mental genius he thought he was.

Gasoline prices a potent Democratic tool. Think…..Trump gave it to the Democrats!

Trump has a foul mouth. Uses “fuck” often. Democrats have begun using it. Minimally. No where as often as Trump.

Democrats should cease and desist. They should not become similar to Trump in this regard. Not the American way. I want to see the U.S. return to the way it was before Donald.

Hungarian elections today. Orban has been President for 16 years. Trump and Vance support him. Orban running second in race projections.

Moving on to other matters.

The patent for the first portable typewriter was issued in the U.S. this day in 1892. I used a portable typewriter while in college in the mid 1950s. We were not into computers yet on a volume basis.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt died this day in1945. An outstanding American President left us.

Joe Louis was a boxing great. He died this day in 1981.

Louis was Heavyweight Champion before World War II. Ceased professional boxing during the War while he served in the military. After the war, he returned to a brilliant career.

In the years immediately following the War, we listened to Louis’s fights on radio. Not at home. We would go downtown in Utica to the Stanley Theater which had huge waiting room area. And a radio! Packed we would listen to the fights. No TV yet.

The world’s deadliest “animal” is the mosquito. Kills about 760,000 humans a year. Mostly via malaria.

McIlroy had a bad 3rd round in the Masters yesterday. Shot one over par 73. Now tied for first place going into today’s final round.

The oldest photo of a U.S. President is that of John Quincy Adams taken in 1843. The photo was sold in a 2017 auction for $360,500. 

The Vikings actually beat Christopher Columbus to North America in the year 1,000.

Ants have three “castes:” Queens, workers, and males.

Enough.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Since the stroke, I have not slept well. Three hours a night generally. Last night different. Big time. I slept from 11 last night to 8:30 this morning. Never woke once. Wow! What a difference it makes. I feel different this morning. Energized. Full of piss and vinegar.

Hope the sleep pattern continues.

One problem, however. I am still researching today’s blog. Going to write a short one. Otherwise, I will be at the blog till mid afternoon.

I stayed with Artemis II from 7 last night to just after 10. I was proud with what had been accomplished. Three Americans and one Canadian on a 10 day trip around the moon. And they precisely landed the capsule in the Pacific at exactly the 8:07 p.m. time predicted. In the place they were supposed to land. All four happy. Joke full even when they were removed from the capsule.

The trip was international. Many of those working on the ground were part of a European group.

The next time we will land on the moon. Two or three such trips and we will be ready to head for Mars.

The peace talks begin today. Who knows how they will work out. Trump yesterday reiterated his total decimation claim if the talks failed. 

Peace may be impossible even from Iran’s perspective. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said his country is “resolute” in taking revenge against the U.S. Something I have said any times in previous blogs. Revenge is part of Iran body and soul.

Trump’s war of choice has come a war of regret.

Trump planning an Arch de Trump. Twice as large as Lincoln Memorial. It will stand near Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Initial anticipated cost $15 million. Don’t buy the figure! I am sure it will cost more as most Trump projects do.

I have a concern. Many claim it is fascist in appearance.

How does Trump get out of the war without people saying he surrendered?

I watched Melania the other day and her….. I have had nothing to do with Epstein. I thought she was stupid in making the speech. Few have made her a part of Epstein’s sexual girls. All she did by speaking was open the door re her involvement which was never really an issue.

First her husband did not know she was going to make the speech. Now it appears he did.

And it further appears her relationship with Epstein may have been more than nothing. I am not saying sexual. However pics and letters are suddenly popping up.

McIlroy is doing great at the Masters. He leads by six strokes after two rounds.

Kareen Abdul-Jabbar: “Asking questions is the only real protection we have.”

Los Angeles and certain parts of Southern California are being hit with a surge of typhus cases. Fleas the problem. Fleas from rats, opossums, and roaming cats.

A Texas couple thought a racoon got stuck in their chimney. The noise was “crazy.” It was not a racoon. It was a man who turned out to be a burglar.

Enough.

Enjoy your day!

Iran gets more and more complicated. Blame Trump and Netanyahu.

Trump was in a hurry to avoid his horrendous claims as to what he was going to do to Iran, including nuclear destruction. He was thrilled to get a ceasefire. Obviously the document was not properly scrutinized. Israel and bombing Lebanon remains a problem not addressed. Confusion exists.

Israel says Lebanon not part of the ceasefire. Pakistan says it was. 

Iran was to open the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, it has mined the Strait.

The ceasefire shaky. Very much so. Will it hold? Would surprise me if it did.

Trump is reluctant for the war to continue. He is keeping the U.S. on the ready, but reluctantly so. He merely wants to declare victory and get out.

What next? Who knows!

In the meantime, I expect gasoline prices in Key West to hit $5 a gallon by the weekend.

Trump is back on an old kick. He is blaming NATO for the Iranian problems. Amazing how the U.S., until recently the most loved Allied nation in the world, is now the most disliked by its former friends. Trump has done a magnificent job! He must be removed from the Presidency before he does worse, if worse is possible.

Military registration a problem? I don’t know. May be.

All males and male immigrants 18-25 are required to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Registration has dwindled in recent years. A process is in the works “for automatic registration” which will begin in December. The government says the purpose is to strengthen the system. More plainly said, I suspect it is to increase the pool of men eligible for the draft. Warmonger Trump so inclined. He apparently wants to assure the U.S. is capable to wage war where ever and when ever.

Trump has become “military war crazy.”

In addition to China, Russia is sharing some of its U.S. military knowledge with Iran. Great friend Putin is of Trump! Who needs a friend like Putin!

Trump has announced a 50 percent tariff on any nation supplying weapons to Iran.

Barron Trump has started a drink company. He is one of five partners. The company is called Solos Yerba Mate Inc. Mom Melania is one of the five partners. The drink a coffee one. The company recently announced its first flavor. Pineapple-coconut. The brew is expected to be available in May.

On this day in 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered his 28,000 troops at the Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia ending the Civil War.

A day and time of sorrow for U.S. and Filipino troops. On this day in 1942, 78,000 troops on Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. Twelve thousand Americans and sixty six thousand Filipinos.

Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs reached #1 in the U.S. as “best.” Exceeding even Harvard who was ranked #3. Syracuse tied with Indiana University for the #1 spot.

The Maxwell School was near the law school at Syracuse when I attended. We were permitted to take one or two courses at Maxwell which would count towards our law degree. Maxwell had an outstanding reputation even back in the late 1950s when I attended law school. I took two courses. I have no recollection what they were.

Fran and her two sisters are all over the place in Sicily. I can see them pointed out as “those American ladies.”

A well organized trip. Today they are in Trapani from which they will also visit Selinuinte and Arici. I have never heard of any of these cities. Probably because I never visited Sicily. Fran has opened the door for me.

The ladies have six days left in their trip. Then home. Fran not for long. She and husband Tom will be returning in 3-4 weeks to Key West.

Yesterday a visit with Dr. Norris. Merely a check-up. 

Enjoy your day!

Trump blinked. Fortunately. The annihilation he was claiming was inconceivable. Even to the extent of nuclear destruction.

Iranians not stupid. They had thousands of citizens on the bridges. Children included. Waving huge Iranian flags over them. I doubt even Trump would have bombed the bridges with them upon it.

Trump’s bravado and off the wall threats turned most of the world against him. Except Israel, of course. Netanyahu conned Trump into the war and is happy the U.S. is in it. Netanyahu’s war desires exceed even Trump’s. 

China and Russia had to be thrilled that Trump has worked his way into a corner with the 8 p.m./midnight end of the world existence for Iran.

I said in yesterday’s blog I expected Trump would back off. He always does. He did. Fortunately! The ceasefire a strategic victory for Iran. Trump makes it sound as if the U.S. won. No way. Before the war, Iran had no formal claim to the Strait of Hormuz. The ceasefire agreement gives Iran a sense formal control over the Strait to Iran.

I would be surprised if the ceasefire holds. Crazies in a sense on both sides. 

Trump’s threat to kill off 90 million people and 6,000 years of existence made no sense.

Iran still has to get even. The conflict will continue one way or another till it does so. Iran will ultimately get the revenge it seeks. Trump wanted the war for two reasons. One to accommodate Netanyahu who bullshitted him. The other to remove U.S. attention from the Epstein files. No matter what Trump does, the files will be properly revealed in due course and I suspect to Trump’s detriment.

Trump is an evil psychopath. 

Christina Canterucci: “Trump is not only the most dangerous American President of the nuclear era. He is something terrifyingly new.”

The Iran War not the only dangerous thing Trump has gotten us into or is getting us into. Voting within the U.S. another. One where he is trying to bring control of voting under the veil of Washington. The Constitution says voting within States’ rights.

Trump wants to control voting. He continues to work on various phases to hopefully achieve that which he seeks.

The Department of Homeland Security is overpaying for warehouses. Intending to use them as jails to accommodate ICE and other special federal agent prison needs. As Rachel Maddow said: “Smells like corruption.”

Golf icon Butch Harmon says Trump will never be a member of Augusta National Golf Club. It has to do with Trump’s personality. Larger than life does not fly at Augusta. Trump does not align with the dignity and discretion expected. Harmon said: “He’s full of himself. His personality doesn’t fit the profile of an Augusta member.”

Trump’s personality continues to slide downward. Now at minus 17 points. The lowest of any President.

Key West temperature today will hit a high of 82 degrees.

I had a wonderful time yesterday at The Grand’s Happy Hour. My friends Theos and Dina arrived from Greece. They joined me. Nothing like Greek friends! Special people. I know from my many times in Greece and visiting friends like Theos and Dina.

I will see more of them during their week long visit here.

Today a big time visit with Dr. Norris. My concierge. He will straighten out one or two things for me.

I am feeling better. Not where I should be yet though.

Enjoy your day!

Religion the best of the best. Better to have God on your side than opposed. Most religious persons exercise their religious beliefs internally and quietly. Personal to themselves. Those who flaunt it another story.

Take Hegseth, for example. In recent weeks an open religious fanatic. Hard to believe. His boss Donald Trump likewise. As many others in the White House.

My sense over the years has been that those who suddenly go to God big time and publicly are frauds. They are in a pinch and need public help to support an erroneous deed. Iran in this instance.

Hegseth likens the Easter rescue of the U.S. airman to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sick!

Hegseth and Trump are turning Iran into a “crusade” rather than a war.

Trump and his aids now bring God into the war on a major sale.  Trump said, “God supports the U.S. cause in Iran.” They invoke God’s support openly and publicly. Why not? When you have little or nothing going for you and seem to be losing when you should be winning, God is a safe choice to go to. Privately, fine. Publicly as Trump and Hegseth are doing, no!

Makes my stomach turn.

Epstein’s brother indicated recently that Trump had involvement in his brother’s murder. Hard to believe, if true.

The White House proposed new ballroom is causing Trump all kinds of problems. Now revealed that a hospital/medical facility will be part of it beneath the ballroom. Why when a President is minutes from the world’s finest medical facilities? Is it because Trump wants no one to know when he is sick? Sick the man is, in more ways than one. 

We would not know of the hospital portion were it not for the recent federal court decision.

Trump could not speak properly to the kids at the annual Easter Day Egg Roll on White House grounds. Donald stood with a huge Easter bunny by his side. He spoke to the children about the Iran War.

Makes no sense.

ICE keeps busy. Disgustingly so. ICE arrests in the D.C. region have reached nearly 20,000 in the first part of Trump’s second term.

Tonight at 8 p.m. a key time in the Iran war. If no sort of negotiation or compromise, Trump will rain “hell” on Iran. I do not believe it will happen. Trump always finds a way to avoid major sensitive conflicts, except for the initiation of the War itself.

A U.S. official described Trump as “most bloodthirsty, like a mad dog.” Another claimed him “unhinged.”

Trump referred to former President Joe Biden as “mentally retarded” two times yesterday. The label better fits Trump himself. 

Enough of the Donald. We move on to other things.

The Artemis II crew has flown farther from Earth than any humans before.

Final Four. NCAA Champion. Michigan. Michigan defeated Connecticut last night 69-63. Connecticut did not have it the whole game. Congrats to Michigan.

Key West gasoline averaging $4.80 a gallon. I was with Corey last night when he had to gas up. Cost him $64. I expect Key West will be over $5 a gallon by the weekend.

Disgraceful!

Another 80 degree day ahead for Key West.

Key West officials have designated the month of April as “Conch Republic Month.”

On this day in 1935, Joseph “Sloppy Joe” Russell purchased the building on the corner of Duval and Greene Streets. He moved his Sloppy Joe’s Bar into it. Still in business today. Big time! Packed day and night.

South Pacific opened on Broadway this day in 1949. Popular. Ran almost 5 years. One of Oscar and Hammerstein’s best musicals.

Thomas Edison held 1,093 patents.

The price of the first Ford Model T was $850.

A recent study about the effects of pornography on the human brain. Not healthy!

Makes the viewer feel good. However the study’s conclusion stated pornography watching resembled opioid addiction and enhanced noticeable decline in cognitive function.

Wow!

My Greek friends Theos and Dina have arrived! We will be doing The Grand’s Happy Hour together later today.

Enjoy your day!

How much worse can Trump get? A valid question. To some he is losing it. To others he has already lost it.

His comments Easter Sunday morning a disgrace. They were as the wrath of God. However, he is not God. He vowed to invoke a wrath in God like fashion upon Iran if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped in one.” He claimed he would unleash “hell.” His comments strewn with strong swearing.

An interesting time for such comments. Easter Sunday morning while at the same time Pope Leo was preaching peace.

Trump was overnight in Walter Reed Hospital.

Many believe he has dementia. Profoundly so. Some arguing for Amendment 25 to be invoked. Many in U.S. and Congress describing Trump as a “deranged lunatic” and “unhinged madman.” 

Iranians are taking the position the recovery of the U.S. airman was not an easy task for the U.S. Two U.S. planes were shot down during the process. The Iranians believe they did well in opposing U.S. forces. 

The tenor of the U.S. and Iran much different. Iran’s position is Trump lied about the recovery and its ease for the U.S. One thing seems to be developing out of the war. Iran is not going to give up…..even easily. They have deep pride running back 6,000 years. Win, lose, or draw…..Iran is going to come out of this war a major respected power.

One thing I fail to understand are the threats going back and forth between the U.S. and Iran. Even to the extent of what damage will be caused by one against the other next.

A new way to fight a war from my perspective.

Dementia experts claim a complicated career is linked to a lower risk of dementia in later years. Roles like managers, lawyers and doctors are considered to be high complexity jobs. Trump’s career may have been varied, but not complex as described. No wonder he is now claimed to have dementia.

Religion a recent thing with Trump and Hegseth. Trump has had a portrait of Jesus hung in the Oval Office. All of a sudden, it is being advised Trump went to Church 2-3 times a week in his early formative years. “Convenient” we are told today and not in any of his previous years. The point being made is Trump grew up with God, assuming the representation is correct and not a lie.

I don’t buy it.

China is benefiting big time from the Iranian War. Sales of Chinese electric vehicles and solar panels have surged since the start of the war.

Trump’s attacks on CNN have resulted in uncertainty as to whether CNN will survive.

The relationship between Trump and Musk is being strained. Trump needs money and Musk is not paying him certain monies he owes him. Musk still owes Trump $100 million of a $300 million 2024 pledge.

Hegseth is getting pressure from officers and soldiers in Iran. He also is in fear of getting fired by Trump.

Artemis II makes its first lunar flyby today. Exciting!

Money seems to be wasted on the strangest scientific studies. How about one re farting? The issue studied was whether women or men farted more, etc. Smell and intensity the issues. It was determined women smelled worse and their farts were more intense. Has something to do with hydrogen sulfide in their bodies. Men more gas at one time, a larger volume.

I made a mistake re Fran’s travels. Solely Sicily. She will not be going into Italy.

Today Fran is in Arigento and the Valley of the Temples. Her latest favorite food is prickly pears. She also has had the opportunity to view the official book containing her grandfather’s birth and marriage records.

Pam Bondi will probably face disciplinary proceedings before the Florida Bar Association. She could be disbarred. Her track record on behalf of Trump contained many questionable activities.

Key West weather will hit 80 degrees this afternoon. A bit cloudy at the same time.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Easter!

A most religious Christian holiday. Yet bounding with fun. Easter egg hunt, Easter baskets, huge family dinners, great food, etc.

The key to the holiday found in Matthew 28:6: “He is not here, He has risen.” Christ rose from the dead!

A major Catholic holiday. Not only Easter Sunday, but the entire week preceding. Good Friday, the day Christ was crucified one of them. Many employers close down at 3 in the afternoon or all afternoon to permit persons to spend three hours in Church experiencing the Crucifixion religiously.

Not Hegseth. The Pentagon has a Friday afternoon religious service to commemorate Christ’s crucifixion. The newly religious Hegseth sent out a memo advising everyone welcome, except Catholics. He spelled out clearly no Catholics. Twenty five percent of Pentagon staff are Catholics.

Apparently Hegseth does not like Catholics.

Trump furious.

A whistleblower advised Hegseth has been drinking on the job. Recall he promised during his Congressional review prior to actually becoming Secretary that he would no longer drink.

Perhaps Trump should fire Hegseth during his current “firing mood.”

Seems more and more whackos are developing in the U.S. Would you believe there are women in the U.S. who believe women should give up the right to vote. Leave voting strictly to the men. The husband. One vote per household. The theory for such absurdity is based on “biblical patriarchy” where the husband is everything and the wife nothing. The ladies supporting and living the concept believe we would be better off if women did not vote.

Crazy!

The missing F-15 airman shot down in Iran has been recovered by U.S. forces. He has some injuries, but will be fine. Trump said it took “dozens of aircraft” to effect the recovery. Further details unavailable at the moment.

Fran and her two sisters still in Sicily. Nissoria today. I suspect Sicily will never be the same because of their visit. In a day or two, they should be in Italy proper.

My Greek friends Theos and Dina arrive Tuesday for a visit. Greeks are wonderful people. I look forward to seeing them again. 

I came across an article on what is to be seen by looking into a volcano. I did once. About 15 years ago. A Greek isle with a volcano. I took a boat trip to the island. Once there, I regretted it. The walk up the hill a killer. Thought I was going to die.

Made it to the top and front of the group, however. Looked in. Awesome. Impossible to describe. Scary. For some reason, I found walking down the hill more difficult than going up. The steepness was difficult for me to handle.

As part of the volcano package, there was the opportunity to swim in a pond at the base of the volcano. Water warmed by the volcano. I took a dip  like every one else. I was bare ass as most others.

One thing that concerned me was that I was the only one who seemed to have a difficult time walking up and down the volcano. I realized why when frolicking with every one else in the pond. I was 75 years old. Everyone else was a kid. Twentys to mid thirtys. 

Oh well, I made it in any event! I did not die. That is how the trip affected me. I laid flat on the boat for the return trip. I needed to.

Artemis II at the moment is closer to the moon than earth. I continue to wish the crew well. In my lifetime, I have seen two of the  ships blow up and the crews killed.

Trump is considering executing an Executive Order giving him control over the scheduling of college sports. God help us!

China having a field day teaching Iranians how to overcome our military equipment.

I repeat from yesterday’s blog. Trump “not taking” Cuba. He is “starving” it into submission. The Christian way of doing things.

My head finally stopped being painful from the cancer removal. I observed the wound when I changed the bandage. The thing is stitched.

Enjoy your day! The holiday also if it is yours!

My dear friend Fran Dixon is literally eating her way through Sicily. She and her two sisters. They have returned to their ancestral homeland. Food apparently a big time interest. Fran an exceptional cook. She would know good food when she sees and then tastes it.

Gelato big in Sicily. She has consumed orange, lemon and almond. Pistachio figs, ricotta cannoli, pizza with Buffalo mozzarella and olives (Fran a pizza freak), and pasta Norma with egg plant. Plus, I don’t know what else.

The ladies are moving fast. Soon will be into Italy itself. 

Continue enjoying the trip ladies!

From Sicily to O.K. Corral.

The gunfight at O.K. Corral did not take place at O.K. Corral. We live and learn!

It actually took place down the block behind a photography studio on Kennedy Street near Third Street.

Thirty shots were fired during the fight. The gunfight lasted all of 30 seconds. Shooters on both sides.

Since then, more than 40 movies have featured the fight. However each labeled the site where it occurred O.K. Corral. Perhaps a more sexy name for a big time gun fight than behind a photograph studio.

Gerry McNamara has been named Syracuse University’s new head coach. Hip, hip, hooray! I am thrilled!

He is “orange” through and through. Played on the NCAA Championship that Syracuse won. I was at the Final Four games when it happened. My recollection was they were played in New Orleans. He was the starting guard. Played terrific! They all did!

His recent coaching experience was at Siena. He brought them to the year end NCAA tournament, though they lost in the first round. It was a first for Siena however that they made it to the tournament.

Everyone expects big things again from McNamara. He learned under Jim Boeheim who coached him. I do not expect big things the first year. He has to build, etc. But I am confident it will happen sooner than later.

Staying with Syracuse, the Central Administration announced it was dropping 84 majors. All were involved in the classics, ceramics and Italian. Courses will continue in the subjects, however. Just no more major studies per se.

Why did a senior U.S. Senator, a war hawk at heart, bachelor and 70 years old, spend last weekend at Disney’s? He said because he liked Disney’s. He made the trip alone.

The Senator tough guy Lindsay Graham.

I enjoyed Disney’s several times. The last time 40 years ago. Then my grandchildren got too old and busy for Disney for a number of years. Not a trip I would have made alone.

Key West weather has been consistently good. Around 75 degrees each day.

However Key West gasoline prices not good. Increasingly bad. I thought we were knocking on the door of $4 a gallon. I may be wrong. Some say they have seen it as high as $4.40. Whatever, all the stations will be $4 plus next week. Soon thereafter, $5 a gallon. Inevitable.

The Lower Keys Medical Center issued its report for 2025. Overall, a good one.

Too many details to itemize each. Let me evaluate the hospital from my perspective. I have been an in bed and merely a test patient for 25 years. In my initial experiences, the hospital sucked. No more. Top shelf, first class. If your problem is one too sophisticated for them to handle, they ship you off to a bigger Miami hospital immediately.

I am pleased with the doctoring and nursing received. Even the lay staff.

One complaint which happened this year. I had a stroke. Required several cat scans of my head to determine if any bleeding. I had to take the third one about one week post stroke. I was an out patient. Dr. Norris was concerned and did not want me to wait. “STAT” I believe is the term used to make sure a patient was attended to immediately. I was a stat. Took me 3 hours before I was attended. Even after Norris or his staff called after 2 hours when I called and complained to Norris’ staff. Still took me another hour to get the cat scan.

Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated this day in 1968 while standing on a balcony outside a Memphis motel where he was staying.

On this day in 1960, Ben Hur won 11 Academy Awards.

Now to Trump. Very little. I am sick of writing about him. He is a major screw-up. I will be simple and brief today.

He is in deep shit trouble with the courts. Defies decisions, merely refuses to comply with them. If he did not have Executive Orders to sign at his desk, he would have little to do.

Two things specially bothering me today.

Two U.S. planes have been shot down in the Iran War the past few days. What happened to “air invulnerability” that both Trump and Hegseth have been proclaiming?

It was reported yesterday that China has begun helping Iran to handle certain U.S. jets. One was the first one shot down.

My other concern is Cuba. The people are reportedly starving. Trump always talks kindly about them, how he may take them over to help them, etc. Seems to me he is trying to starve them into submission.

Enough of Trump. Enough of everything for today.

Enjoy your day!