An unusual occurrence. This year’s Hemingway Look-Alike a Key Wester. Tim Stockwell. Congratulations Tim!

The most fit city in the U.S. is Arlington, Virginia. First in personal health and community environment. High in physical activity. Low in smoking. Strong access to parks and recreation. Many health forward infrastructures.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was born this day in 1929.

Today’s nylon toothbrush did not come along till the 1930s. Various other instruments were used in the thousands of years prior thereto.

Trump fumes as the Epstein scandal dominates the headlines. He is upset because in all likelihood, his name will be prevalent when the records are released.

Trump has turned FEMA into a disaster. Great things have gone wrong under his tutelage. He delays too long in responding to help requests and he plays favorites.

Scots dislike Trump. In spite of his golf courses.

They are protesting his visit with wit, bite and bagpipes. He is not the “MAN” he thinks he is.

Trump likes to cite specific numbers to bolster his claims. They are often wildly improbable or just impossible. Like $1.99 for a gallon of gas and 1,500 per cent in price cuts.

The intensity of a person’s walk pace helps, even for older adults. Using a walker where needed helps. I know. I have been using one in recent months.

Question raised in yesterday’s New York Times: Did Columbia’s deal with Trump save its stature or sacrifice it? No question. Total sacrifice! Wrapped in shame!

A Denver pastor and his wife face charges in a “God Injured” cryptering scheme.

Pastor Eligio Regaladon and his wife Kathryn spent more than $1 million of investor funds on home renovations, plane tickets and au par services. The pastor and his wife have been charged with 40 counts of theft, security fraud, and racketeering. They raised $3.4 million of which $1.3 was used for their personal benefit.

The pastor said he went into the crypto finances because of the Lord. He claims “the Lord told him to do it.”

Ancient/old artifacts acquire a value. An interictally shaped grasshopper from a boy king’s tomb has been valued at $675,000.

What has happened to America? The America I grew up under and have lived in for 90 years? We must wake up and shape up. We cannot continue as we have under Trump.

Nepal is a country where 76 percent of cars sold are electric Now! Why?

A new dress look abounds. Back packing. World Wide. Why not? A new look.

An Albert Einstein quote: “The most important thing is to not stop questioning.”

The area near Athens, Greece, is under fire. A wild one. People have been told to evacuate their homes. Firefighters are described to be involved in a “Titanic Battle.”

Trump and others attacked Biden near the end of his term for alleged cognitive decline. Now Trump appears to be suffering from the same and is nowhere near the end of his term.

Woe is we!

Enjoy your day!

Israel be shamed. The people who were crucified and vilified during World War II are treating Gaza in a similar fashion today. For the same reason. NO REASON!

Meals are lacking. Nurses fewer and fewer. Starvation rampant. Babies first bones and then dying. 

Why? Does not make sense.

Where is the U.N.? The U.S.? The free world? More than words are required.

The cost to renovate the “free plane” from Qatar remains unknown. Free is not free in this instance. The cost will be in the billions. And in the end, the plane will not belong to the U.S. It will become the property of Trump’s Library in 2029. 

There is an anti-Italian trend that pops up occasionally in the U.S. Unwarranted. Nevertheless still occurs.

I recall the anti-Italianism during World War II. I was only 5-10 years old. It was there. Initially Italy had been our enemy when it sided with Germany in World War II. The animosity and ill will continued for years thereafter. I recall having to fight almost every day during lunch hour or after school because I was of Italian extraction. Not just me. All Italo-Americans.

The fighting became a way of life. I came to dislike/hate many of those who opted to pick on me. Yet I and other Italians faced up to it and met the “enemy” blow for blow.

Italians were not merely disliked. They were treated as if Negro Americans. In school and employment. For many years following the war.

In my 90 years, I have seen this anti-Italianism repeated frequently.

Most recently, in Newton, Massachusetts. A somewhat affluent community. Composed of nine ethnic groups, Italians one of them. The Italian one known as Nonantum.

The Italian heritage has been obvious and significant in the 90 years. It has been recognized in a number of ways. The Italian community, stores, restaurants, Churches, community support, etc. Part of the team. However every now and then groups of anti-Italians would opt to defecate on their neighbors.

Adams Street runs through Newton. Its center road markings the three colors of the Italian flag: Red, white and green. For all years to honor Italo-American residents. A new adminstration decided to remove the Italian colors. Replaced the 3 colored line with a green line alone.

Italians were highly irritated. Insulted.

Newton also has an Italian festival once a year. For 90 years and more. Sponsored by the St. Mary of Carmen Society. Highly successful. A statue of the Blessed Mother carried down the middle of the street. Catholics walking behind carrying candles. Catholics from most states and Canada visiting to participate. The event 3 days. Food booths and musical stands galore. A religious and lay party time.

I am familiar with such a festival. We had two in Utica. One was the Feast of Saints Cosmo and Damien. Two Italian brothers of old who healed the sick. Stands galore. Italian foods of all kinds. Several bands located on corners. And the march behind the Blessed Mother. 

My grandmother made the walk every year barefoot in thanks to Mary’s response to her prayers that my grandfather not die when he came down with the flu 1n 1918 from which millions were dying. I walked with my grandmother, though wore shoes. I carried a cross also. One year my Cousin Maurice and I ran a stand. We ate more than we sold.

The Utica feast continues to this day. I occasionally think of it with a guilt feeling. It has been years since I have attended one. I might add that our home was on the direct path of the parade and right in the middle of the entire festival.

The anti-Italianism continued for many years. In college, my recollection is there were only two Italians on my dorm floor. Frank Ravioli and me. The school roomed us together.

I met a New York City young lady. She was a day hop at Mount St. Vincent College. Invited me to Sunday dinner. She and her family were Irish. During dinner, her father referred to Italians as “Niggers.” I politely challenged him. That was the end of the young lady and me.

I had no intention of returning to Utica to practice law following graduation. I was fairly smart and was offered a position with a major Washington, D.C. firm which I accepted. On the day I graduated from college, I wrote a letter to the firm withdrawing my acceptance. I had decided to return to Utica to practice. It was the family thing in me that motivated such a move. I was not aware how difficult it would be to get a Utica job.

The prominent Utica firms were anti-Italian. Italian lawyers were expected to be general practitioners. Do wills, real estate closings, criminal work and the like. None of the big stuff. Big stuff was bank and insurance work.

I could not get the type of job I wanted because of my Italian heritage. I ended up working for a female lawyer for the first year doing divorce work. Which I forever hated thereafter.

It took a while. However I ended up with my own major firm doing insurance work across the breath of New York State from Albany to Buffalo with offices in Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Albany. When I got deeply into environmental work, I had to open a New York City office also.

Much more to write about today. However I have rambled too long already.

Enjoy your Sunday!

I have grown two beards in my lifetime. One 20 years ago. My most recent over the past four months.

The one 20 years ago inadvertently removed at that time. I intended to trim the beard. My mid was elsewhere. I did not realize I had shaved half my face clean till the deed had been accomplished. What I was thinking, I know not. A trim turned into a disaster. No choice left except to shave the other half of my face completely also.

Never wore a bead since then.

My 58 days in four hospitals recently and additional time getting well gave birth to a new beard. A good sized one.

I decided to keep it. Trimmed, of course. From heavy down to 1/8th an inch. Took forever. Was difficult to accomplish. Got it done, however. Correctly so. Looks terrific. Especially with the short neatly trimmed haircut Lori gave me this past week.

I must say that weighing 100 pounds less and with the short hair and beard, I appear a new man.

Let’s hope I do not become forgetful in the near future and remove half the beard without realizing it!

“We have so much more coming in from tariffs that a little rebate for people of a certain income level might be very nice.” Trump talking to himself. Trying to sell an erroneous bill of goods to the American public. To this day, he does not understand how tariffs work!

Seeded watermelons may be returning. Why? Who needs them? I, and I assume many other, prefer seedless everything.

A portion of the Mallory Square wharf soon to be reopened. The barricade will be moved closer to the water to allow for foot traffic only.

Re Abraham Lincoln, he had big feet. Wore a size 14 shoe. Also, he spoke with a high pitched voice.

The U.S. Postal System was established July 26, 1775 by the Second Continental Congress. Benjamin Franklin was the first Postmaster.

I don’t know how Ghislaine Maxwell can help herself even by answering every question asked. Her conduct in conning young girls into sex with older men bars any assistance for her.

Trump and Powell met in the Federal Reserve. Now Trump is praising Powell. Does the meeting alone bespeak a warming between the two?

Enjoy your day!

The last couple of days have been interesting. Screw ups galore!

It began two days ago. I thought I needed a new driver’s license. Mine had expired on my birthday July 6. I had Steve drive me to the place to renew. Near the original Publix. A one hour wait. Not comfortable. Chairs hard. Between the heart surgeries last year and the abdominal blood leak this year, I lost considerable weight. From around 260 pounds down to 161. Meant no ass flesh. I was now sitting on anal bone.

When my turn came, I walked to my spot, explained my recent 58 day stay in 4 hospitals, how my license had expired, etc. The attendant checked my license. She said…..Still good! Does not expire till 2028. I had improperly read my license. Thought it expired this year on my birthday.

All ok, except I had a very sore ass!

Today another screw up day of sorts. Needed Steve again. Still not driving. Needed a haircut. At least 4 months since the last one. He drove me to Blown Away and Lori. Using a walker to get around.

Lori did a magnificent job! Took 4 months of wild hair and basically shaved it all off. Unfortunately, Lori does not do beards. This I knew. My next stop was Steve driving me to CVS on Stock Island. I needed to buy a beard shaver. Thirty five dollars later, I had one. 

We then drove down the street to Roostica for lunch on me.

I enjoyed a tender piece of mozzarella buried in a green pesce sauce covered with thin slices of prosciutto. I also ordered a side dish of thick slices of toasted bread soaked in butter. Delicious! I wanted Steve to enjoy it also. He ordered spaghetti and meatballs. Since neither of us drink any longer, it was diet Pepsis for the two of us.

The meal was excellent! Our company good!

Called Corey when I got home. Wanted him to stop by to show me how to shave my beard. He came by about an hour later with Lisa. In between, I fell again. This time in my mall abode. My ass and wheeled desk chair did not meet. When I went to sit, I ended up on the floor banging my right temple, right elbow and right hip. It was my hip that concerned me.

Lisa chastised me of course for falling. Like I did it on purpose. Still sore this morning. No serious damage. I called nurse Nancy Brown and ran it by her. I will be in touch with Dr. Norris this morning.

I still have to shave. A four month beard. Going to trim. Want to wear a short beard for a while.

Sad news this morning. Hulk Hogan died at 71. An occasional Key West visitor. Good friend to Bobby Mongelli.

News indicates Trump an unwelcome traveler through Scotland at the moment. He is visiting his golf clubs. Scots do not like him. Soon most Americans will dislike him.

Uber is now going to permit female drivers. Ask and you will receive.

If you get a parking ticket in a foreign country, expect to pay it in the U.S. Italian tickets being honored here now.

Gaza a disgrace. Starvation rampant. Something has to be done. How would the Jews feel if the situation were reversed?

In Belgium, 90 year olds have forgotten bingo. They prefer dancing!

Columbia University has agreed to pay Trump a $200 million fine. Cowards! Universities should stand and fight! 

Egypt not the home of oldest mummies. It is Chile by 2,000 years!

Trump and Murdoch/Wall Street Journal in a $10 billion defamation lawsuit initiated by Trump. Doesn’t this guy ever give up?

Florida sucks when it comes to book censorship. It is the number one state in book censorship.

Will let you know tomorrow how today’s shaving works out.

Enjoy your day!

Trump takes care of his own. FEMA gets special attention in Texas. First served. Other States required to wait. Not fair, not right.

Trump wants to rename the Kennedy Center Opera House after Melania Trump: First Lady Melania Trump Opera House.

John F. Kennedy earned the title. What has Melania done to deserve it?

Ulysses S. Grant died this day in 1885.

Paul Corcoran one lucky individual! He won 2 $1 million Powerball Lottery prizes at one time.

Key West on track to becoming quicker to get to. SPIRIT Airlines will begin running one way flights each way Fort Lauderdale / Key West in November. Cheap! $79 one way. Why drive 4-5 hours?

Speaker Mike Johnson plans to send House members home early to avoid giving Democrats the opportunity to raise Jeffrey Epstein issues. Delay and avoidance. However the exposure will come at some point. Then the Trump surprise! Will it even be a surprise by that time?

Scottie Scheffler continues to he the hottest golfer around. Won the British Open over the weekend.

Ellen De Genres says she moved to the U.K. Because of Donald Trump! She id not want to live under him any further.

The military occupied Los Angeles for 40 days. All they did was deal with one person.

Strange! Wrong! ICE lawyers are hiding their names in Immigration Court.

Even stranger! The FBI and Big Ag are treating animal rights activists as bioterrorists.

Enjoy your day!

This morning one of those days. 

I could not sleep. Awake since 2. Opted to do an early blog. Finished it at 6. Published it. Screwed up somehow. Did not publish. Disappeared. No matter what I tried, I could not find it.

Decided to skip today. However here it is 10 am and I have decided to redo the blog. You can tell I have nothing better to do.

We have been warned. Hurricane risks escalating. With the weather so hot, it may very well be the case that at some point hurricane season at its worst may be upon us.

I sense perhaps another Irma. Might give me a chance to do another Irma and Me.

My concern and that of many others is that a worse type of hurricane season confronts us. The problem involves insurance carriers. Too many natural disasters. They are running low on money. As a result homeowners and businesses are getting screwed. Insurance companies have been seeking every possible way to turn down claims. People are not being properly compensated. Lawsuits galore. People are rebuilding with their own bucks. Some settling way short. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

I sense I may be writing another novel. Another Irma. However with a much different twist. I hope not. However’ it seems such may be the case.

Trump and the Wall Street Journal have been “friends” forever. Now a breach in the relationship. Trump has declared war on the Journal. Banned the Wall Street Journal from the pool on the Scotland trip.

All has to do with the Epstein story and its publication. Trump has sued the Journal also for defamation re its publication of the story.

It now appears we elected Trump for the second time so he might exercise his power to sue in a retaliatory fashion. What a waste!

Trump continues to reflect he has a common foe: The new media.

Trump may regret having taken on Harvard. A hearing took place before Federal Judge Allison D. Burroughs yesterday in Boston. The atmosphere and questioning of the hearing indicated Trump is going to take a beating. A lawyer for Harvard called Trump’s case against it “cooked up.” The Judge appeared to agree. Judge Burrough’s decision will be interesting. I support a gigantic slap in the face for Trump.

One of Donald’s problems is he get his nose in where it does not belong. Like renaming the Washington NFL team. Trump wants it to be called the “Commanders.” Owners, etc. are happy to remain with “Redskins.”

Has Trump nothing better to do?

Trump officials are being accused of defying one in three court decisions involving the President. Defamation being charged. Three claims being made: Trump’s people defuse, delay and are dishonest. A weakening of the U.S. legal system

Vanity Fair has an excellent article titled “The Godfather Presidency: “How Trump’s Government Style Mirrors the Mob of Yesteryear”.

Mike Johnson lacking in Speaker perfection. A loser at best. Doing well with a very thin margin.

He first said everything Epstein should be public: Put it on the table! Then voted “No” to revealing election information.

Epstein’s girls were young. Generally 16 or less. Airport staff failed to comment. One reason given was that Epstein “tipped well.”

U.S. public bathrooms leave much to be desired. We are ranked in the 30th percentile worldwide. Proud we should be!

Throne Labs is coming up with a new system which in effect will make U.S. johns reflect cleanliness is next to Godliness.

The “heat” is astronomical. I’m surprised more people are not getting sick.

A bit of Keys History.

In 1953, because of pressure from the U.S. Navy, Key West outlawed B-girls from certain local bars. The Navy feared for its young sailors.

In 1907, the Key West Post Office began delivering mail three times a day: Beginning at  7:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm.

In 1943, the U.S. Navy Blimp K-74 was shot down by the German submarine U-134 about 50 miles southeast of Marathon. With the exception of one, the crew was recovered.

Enjoy your day!

Expect higher food prices in August. Thank you, Donald. Keep playing the tariff game and screwing the American public while doing so.

Certain items which will increase price wise include orange juice, virgin olive oil, avocados, imported beer, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes, corn, snap beans, cabbage and imported wine.

RFK Jr. ruining the government. He has his eyes aimed on running for President in 2028. God help us!

A quote that remains with us: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

Trump says “left lunatics” won’t be satisfied with Epstein revelations.

Heat reached 110 degrees in Central Florida on Saturday.

Today a significant one in history…..7/20/1969. Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Two hundred thousand miles from Earth…..”One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

My Father and I watched the event together.

Everything comes to an end. The U.S. Army is getting rid of its ceremonial horse units within the next year. Senior military leaders at five forts will have one year to transfer, adopt out or donate the horses under their commands.

Trump directing the blame for the Epstein crisis. He wants Pam Bondi to take blame for the crisis.

A 300 foot loggerhead sea turtle was found stuck in beach rocks at the Refuge Beach near Stuart, Florida. Took 4 men to remove the turtle so it faced the ocean and was able to return to it.

Sloppy Joe’s Hemingway Look-Alike Contest returns July 23-July 27.

Fred Klein working on the “Road Trip” from the movie Animal House. Should be interesting!

Key West freshman tennis star Andrei Lekene is in France playing in ten tennis tournaments. He wants to sharpen his game for the upcoming season.

Conservatives are conscience of their own tax cuts.

The U.S. Supreme Court is enabling Presidential Overreach wrongly so!

Trump continues to destroy the EPA from within.

Trump’s next EPA move: Making it harder to avoid getting cancer from Roundup.

I have not written for several days. Under the weather. Trying to kick back. Endurance the problem.

Enjoy your day!

It is taking forever to get better. First 58 days in 4 different hospitals. Now 3 weeks home. Everything has to do with my hemoglobin. I developed an abdominal blood leak which appears not to have corrected yet. Corrects itself, then leaks again.

In the last 5 weeks, my hemoglobin has fluctuated from the 60’s to 12.2. Up and down. Erratic.

I am thrilled with the 11.9. The key for men is 12.5. Two weeks ago I was 12.2. Hooray! The dropped to 10.6. A leak. Now up to 11.9.

Dr. Norris believes I was sick so long that it may take 3-6 months to fully recover. Whatever. I hope so. This up and down is not healthy. It leaves me generally tired. If in bed, I’m fine. Walk 20 feet and exhausted. No endurance.

As predicted yesterday, New Jersey and New York City battered by heavy rains and flash floods. Instant flooding caused by heavy rains swept the northeast yesterday. New Jersey declared a state of emergency. New York City subways flooded.

Planes, subways and vehicles affected. Climate change the cause. From Texas to New York City.

Pennsylvania affected also.

Andrew Cuomo running in New York City Mayor’s race as an independent. He could win!

Trump booed at FHA World Cup Final when U.S. National Anthem played.

Heavy rain South Florida this morning. Pouring now. Expected to do so for about 3 hours. Rain being described as a “drenching downpour.”

Ticks popping up everywhere. Why? Northeast U.S. the worst. Emergency rooms being kept busy.

Many federal workers confused. Fired, rehired, fired again.

Federal courts confusing the government. Supporting Trump when they should not be. Makes for inconsistency in government.

Taiwan is rapidly developing as a “problem child” for the rest of the world. Slowly manifesting itself as the next world problem.

Trump’s next tariff threat is an additional 100 percent tariff on Russia. On top of those already imposed.

The Iraq region is a sexual disgrace. Isis has become a global se market. Every 26 seconds, a child is sold globally.

A “good thing” in life is being celebrated. Krispy Kreme enjoys its 88th birthday July 18th. One dozen donuts only 88 cents!

Enjoy your day!

Monitor down yesterday. Ergo, no blog.

Trump threatening again. War against Russia and China. He’s nuts. Kisses away the lives of a number of your spouses, sons, daughters and grandchildren.

Trumps lies about Epstein causing him trouble among MAGA followers.

Death toll up to 129 in Texas. FEMA screwed up in Texas. Well done, Donald.

A wildfire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and closed the North Rim.

I cannot understand why so many are attacking universities and colleges.

Kennedy Center losing subsidies thereby adversely affecting the National Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. John Norris has returned from vacation. I’m glad!

Macron fears France’s freedom is being threatened. He has boosted France’s military spending.

The Waldorf Astoria is one of the nations grandest hotels. It closed for renovations in 2017. Now, 8 years later it returns.

Drones are keys to waging war today. The U.S. makes few.

Heavy rains head towards East coast. Bringing threat of flooding to New York City.

Trump diminishing U.S. national protections. Gutting weather science and reducing disaster responses.

Trump is permitting the sacrifice of the souls of universities and colleges.

Some believe the politicalized FBI has made America less safe.

Trump threatens to stop Rosie O’Donnell from criticizing him. Especially re Epstein. She now lives in Ireland. Trump wants to take her U.S. citizenship away.

Enjoy your day!

Trump claims he threatened Putin that if Putin went into Ukraine he was going to bomb the “shit” out of Putin. Not a way to handle things. Could get us into a major war.

A disaster! Should not be. Separation of Church and State a no no. Bad!

What happened. The IRS finally supported Trump’s long time promise to “free up the voices of faith.”

The IRS will now allow pastors to recommend candidates to their congregations without risking their tax exempt stats. According to the IRS, churches can be as partisan as they want.

The elderly have become irrelevant to their family of origin. The young no longer respect their elders as my generation did. I am 90 years old. We did everything and were everywhere for our elders.

My research suggests such is a common family dynamic today.

What goes around, comes around. I believe things work that work that way today, will exist tomorrow. Children who ignore their elders can expect to receive the same treatment from their young ones when their time comes.

Coca Cola is shutting down 5 U.S. factories. Mass layoffs confirmed.

ICE deceived men who were told they were being flown to Louisiana. Instead, their flight ended in Africa’s South Sudan.

Trump has sworn to destroy the EPA. He is doing so from within. He is also making it harder to sue for cancer from Roundup. Neither a good thing. The EPA is needed, has worked wonders. Is Trump out to destroy it because it goes after major corporations that kill, cause serious injuries, and destroy property values?

Superman debuted in 1941. First time on the screen in a Fleischer cartoon – faster than a bullet, stronger than a train, leaping tall buildings.

Vince Lombardi inspiring quote: “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it is whether you get up.”

A federal judge directed the Trump administration to halt arrests based on racial profiling and denying access to Congress, saying the tests are unconstitutional.

Trump and the country are opposed to each other when it comes to immigration. In a Gallup survey, 79 percent of Americans called immigration a “good thing” for the country. The finding comes as Trump pledges to carry out the largest deportation program in U.S. history.

Texas’ Kerr County did not use it most efficient flood warning system which would have diminished to a significant extent the deaths which occurred.

Ford recalls 850,000 vehicles over fuel-oil concerns.

Interesting. Massachusetts has been found to have the best health care system in the U.S and Louisiana the worst.

Enjoy your Sunday!