Law school for me was 1957-1960. In the law of contracts we learned an engagement ring was a gift and if marriage did not occur, the finance got to keep the ring. A gift was a gift.

I thought the law unfair. Remained unfair through the years till recently in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts’ highest court reversed the long standing rule writing that an engagement ring must be returned if the wedding fails to occur. Even more important in the decision, the ring must be returned regardless of who’s at fault.

The ring in question was purchased at Tiffany and cost $70,000.

Trump is conducting himself as if he were President already. Still has a little less that two months to go. Yet he talks with foreign leaders and issues tariff threats.

The tariff threats are against Mexico, Canada and China.

Mexico and Canada are the U.S.’ two major trading partners. Mexico first, with Canada not far behind. Trump’s suggested move is down and dirty. Countries are much like people. You screw me, I will screw you in return.

Each country will suffer inflation and unemployment. Including the U.S. Inevitable.

Trump’s threatened tariff against Mexico and Canada is 25 percent which he says he will impose on day one of his administration. The tariff against China will be ten percent. China will retaliate also.

Trump claims drugs and migrants are the problem with Mexico and Canada. Drugs with China.

I’m not sure Trump sees things right and understands where the U.S. and Mexico and Canada stand in regard to drugs and migration.

I’m not sure why Trump even wants to piss off China at the moment. I’m not sure Trump even knows.

I suspect he may just be flexing his muscles.

The question arises as to whether Trump can impose tariffs without Congress.

Trump claims he is going to do it on Inauguration Day by Executive Orders. Laws have been passed over the past few decades giving Presidents plenty of authority re tariffs, especially to protect individuals harmed by global trade.

However, there is no authority for a President to do as Trump claims he will with blanket tariffs on all foreign goods.

“Campbell Soup Company” is changing its name to “Campbell’s.”

Reason: Not to shorten its name per se. Rather to make the brand relatable to today’s audience. Campbell does not wish to be known by soup alone, but to encompass its diversified portfolio of food products. Products such as Pepperidge Farm, Goldfish crackers, Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, and Prego pasta sauces.

I suggest Campbell’s by whatever name work on better controlling its soup prices. Campbell’s is cheap no more! Ridiculously high for a small sized can of soup. People would love Campbell’s more if its basic canned soup product returned to being affordable.

The number one musical album in the year 1957 when I graduated from college was “My Fair Lady.” Based on the Broadway show. The movie starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison had not been made yet.

I came across an article relating to the Rome Opera House yesterday.

I have only seen three operas in my life. I am not an opera fan. Did not find operas enjoyable. Especially where I could not understand the verbiage being sung.

My first opera was a local presentation at a Utica high school. I fell asleep. My wife kept elbowing me in the ribs to wake me.

My next was in Rome some 35 years ago. Part of my one month long family trip. Many days we did our own thing. One particular day, whatever the others were doing did not appeal to me. I decided to see an opera. It was the structure I was interested in. Not the opera being performed. The opera however made it easy. It was Bizet’s “Carmen.” I was at least familiar with the story based on my earlier readings and the movie.

The Rome Opera House was magnificent! As you would expect. Called in Rome and referred to world wide as the Teatro dell’Opera-Turismo Roma. Six stories high. The auditorium floor surrounded on three sides by floors of boxes.

I did not fall asleep.

My third and final opera was in the Milan Opera House known as the Teatro alla Scala-Milan. More than magnificent! The most famous opera house in the world. Seven stories. More modern. “Lush” the term used to describe it.

I do not recall the opera. Kept falling asleep. I was with Anna. She kept elbowing me to wake me.

Anna went to college in Milan. As an adult lived one hour away by train in Novara. She knew Milan well. Anna is the one who brought me to see da Vinci’s The Last Supper two times. Milan was her city.

From the best opera places in the world to garbage. Garbage cans to be specific.

New 96 gallon garbage carts (cans) will be provided to unincorporated Monroe County homes from Stock Island and north all the way up the Keys free. Neither residents of Key West nor any other municipality will receive them. Why not? If not, when?

Why do I make somewhat a big deal out of a garbage can? Because they are expensive if you have to purchase one.  Can only be purchased from Waste Management. Sixty five dollars! I had to purchase one once so I know. And so did others who had to purchase a new garbage can on occasion.

I close with a weather observation. 

Floridians be prepared! A brutal cold air mass is coming. Most of the U.S. will be affected.

Most of Florida will be 30-40 degrees. The Keys may not be affected.

Enjoy your day!

Bernie Sanders is correct. He tried to have a bill passed to block the U.S. from funding arms for Israel. The bill failed to pass. Did not even come close. Sanders only got 19 Democratic votes. No Republicans voted for it.

Sanders argument was simple. The U.S. is “funding the starvation of children in Gaza.”

I supported Israel’s retaliatory strikes at the beginning. Enough is enough, however. It must stop.

I doubt it will under Trump either. He supports Israel and Netanyahu. Always has. 

The U.S.’s support for its “good friend” Israel has gone on too long and too far. Netanyahu abuses the friendship. Biden abused it also by extending assistance as he has.

An anti-Semitic I am not!

War seems to have existed almost from the beginning of time. Men killing men. Century after century it grows without ceasing. There is no end in sight.

An Ernest Hemingway quote may have one of the answers why. His statement simple in nature: “There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”

Some Winston Churchill quotes.

Some may sound repetitious. He spoke with a golden tongue so repetition is acceptable where glowing words as his were spoken.

Perhaps the most famous: “We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender.”

How about: “The price of greatness is responsibility.” Wise words.

So true: “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”

One which could fit in today’s political climate: “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.”

True: “History is written by the victors.”

A social media problem. 

In researching this morning’s blog, I came across a social media article that the movie actor Leonardo DiCaprio had died. Per my custom, I immediately checked other sites to verify the statement. No one else carried it. DiCaprio is alive, well and kicking.

While researching yesterday afternoon for today’s blog, I came across an article that Chile had prohibited women from wearing clothes. No way obviously! Nevertheless, researched it to see if it had veracity. Another lie. Ladies still clothe in Chile.

Why do social media outlets do this? We were buried during the campaign with lies. 

I recall when I was a kid. My Aunt Angie told me that if something was printed in the newspaper, it was true. There are those today who are stated such and such as fact and believe what is a bald faced lie.

A dangerous situation.

Two Florida problems.

One is that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Florida. Smoking the cause. Medical professionals and people are not swift to get a Cat Scan of their chests. They are quick however for colonoscopies.

Another Florida problem is referred to as a “silver tsunami.” Especially in South Florida. Seniors without pensions or sufficient savings and living longer on Social Security are increasingly impoverished. Their children are not responsive to their parents’ needs and fail to help them.

Two baseball players.

I met Joe DiMaggio several times. The first at a Utica Italian restaurant. Ventura’s. The owner had a day once a year when he invited certain customers to dine with his friend Joe DiMaggio. DiMaggio made the trip annually for years. A golf tournament was part of the event.

The other time was at a Miami golf course whose name escapes me. A private club and course. It is located in the center of Miami. Professional golf tournaments were periodically played there. I had a condominium at the Jockey Club in Miami for six years in the 1970’s and a good local friend who was a member of the golf club. He arranged for me to periodically play and use the golf and dining facilities without having to pay the exorbitant joining fee.

Joe DiMaggio was a member. This was during his retirement days. He remembered me each time he saw me. Always came over to say hello and chat a while. A first class gentleman.

The other story involves Ted Williams. Williams was declared the American League Most Valuable Player for 1949 on this day.

Williams was also a resident of Islamorada for many years. He bought early when there was little activity. He purchased in Islamorada because he was a fisherman. Islamorada then and even today is reputed to be the Fishing Capital of the World.

Williams sold his Islamorada house when traffic got heavy and he had to wait long times for it to subside so he could cross to the other side of U.S. 1.

The strange history of “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer.” Songwriter Johnny Marks adapted a poem written by his brother in law Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward department stores. Cowboy star Gene Autry made a single of the song which was released this day in 1949. The rest is history.

Petroleum products were in limited supply in 1973. The U.S. government cut maximum speed to 55 mph as an energy conservation measure. Another conservation measure was permitting right turns on red lights.

Professional basketball player Caitlin Clark made her collegiate debut this day in 2020 for Iowa, scoring 27 points.

I close with a strange COVID story.

I discovered for the first time today that animals were also prone to being infected with the disease. Animals were a real problem in Denmark. Especially minks. Millions of animals were culled and buried. The dead bodies of the minks rose from the ground. Like rising from the dead. The cause was their bloated bodies.

Enjoy your day!

Key West weather screwed up. Sixty four degrees during the night. That’s January weather, not November’s.

I turned the heat on. 

As I am writing, it is 5:30 and still 64 degrees.

The high will be a bit better today. Seventy five degrees. The evening 72. Heat not required for either.

November 24, 1940 a bad one for England. The Luftwaffe bombed Bristol City Centre killing 200 people.

It was the first German raid on the city. Churchill said, “Hitler will have to break us or lose the war.”

Fred Astaire is noted as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. No question about it. His talents magical. His first movie “Dancing Lady” was released this day in 1933.

“Guys and Dolls” opened this day in 1950 on Broadway. Ran 1200 performances. Later made into a great movie starring Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra and Jean Simmons.

Received what was initially a strange call last night. From Ken Cummins. Who was he? I could not recall. I asked. Turns out I met he, his wife and grandson last November at Date and Thyme. Ken writes also. We had a long and interesting chat that morning. Exchanged phone numbers. Swore to call each other. Ken’s call last night was the first from either of us.

Ken lives in the Washington, D.C. area. In his 70’s. A retired private detective. Now spends his time writing short articles/stories for smaller publications. Has written some books.

We chatted about many things. I bored him with my heart attack and disc problems. He recalled my using a cane when we met. He was surprised I no longer needed it.

He is ordering Irma and Me from Amazon and promised to get back to me after reading it. I look forward to hearing from him again.

Did some grocery shopping yesterday. The cupboard was bare. Truly so. Nothing.

As I was walking past the frozen turkeys at Publix, a women I would assume was about my age was calling a Publix employee over to pick up a 20 pound frozen turkey and place it in her cart. She explained to him she could no longer lift that much weight as she pointed to her heart.

I smiled to myself. I understood. My medical limit is 10 pounds.

Syracuse won another football game yesterday. Beat Connecticut 31-24. 

Syracuse is now 8-3. Syracuse’s next game is Saturday against Miami. Miami ranked having lost only 1 game. I am sure Miami will be favored. Syracuse can win, however. Should be a great game. Saturday at 3:30 at the Dome in Syracuse.

There was a time Syracuse had a professional basketball team. Back in the late 1940’s and into the 1950’s.

My father used to take me to Syracuse to watch them play at the new Syracuse War Memorial. Sometimes the Syracuse team would come to Utica to play. The games were played at the new Utica Free Academy high school. It had a large lovely basketball facility.

While in high school, I played for Utica Catholic Academy. Never got beyond the jayvee team. The first time I got to play, I was a substitute. The game was at Utica Free Academy. I was thrilled! Excited! So much so that I tripped on my own feet at half court the first time I was running down it. I kept flaying the remaining half court all the way down trying to regain my balance. I finally ran off the court and fell flat on my face.

A distinguished beginning to my high school basketball career.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The U. S. is splitting at the seams. Yesterday’s constructive actions are fewer and fewer. The country is moving in an opposite direction. A wrong one.

A perfect example. Texas education officials have approved Bible-based lessons for K-5 schools. The program is optional. If a school district opts to provide the Bible-based lessons, it will receive $60 per student. Money talks. I suspect many school districts will go for teaching Christian beliefs to enrich their coffers.

The program is wrong. Ill bad. It teaches Christianity. What of other religious sects such as Judaism, Muslim, etc. Clearly, Texas is not promoting the religious program in a democratic fashion. It is favoring one religion over another in direct opposition to freedom of religion.

The Texas program is another example of promoting one religion over another. Not the American way. Such will ultimately disrupt society. Think back in history. What motivated many to immigrate to pre-USA. Consider also what occurred in some of the new settlements thereafter.

Texas is the third state to incorporate Christianity into the public school curriculum. The first two were Louisiana and Oklahoma.

This weekend the beginning of a major holiday week! 79.9 million Americans are expected to travel.

Robert telephoned me last night from Tallahassee. He wanted to advise he had played golf. I was thrilled to hear it.

It was the first time Robert had played since he was 5 years old. For Christmas back then, I purchased golf clubs for Robert and Ally. Also signed them up for kids’ classes at the golf course. They each lasted 2 weeks. Golf did not turn them on.

Fifteen years later, Robert is turned on after playing only one round. He rented clubs, etc. Played with friends. All incompetent.

Robert loved it! Said he could not hit off the tee nor putt. The experience however convinced him he wanted to play and become good at the game.

Poppa’s happy!

Robert Dahl: “Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.”

On this day in 1903, Enrico Caruso made his U.S. debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in Giuseppi Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”

My grandfather after whom I am named was born in Italy. I recall when I was a young boy sitting with him in his living room and listening to records of Caruso singing. How we learn, come to appreciate!

One thing leads to another. Sometimes wealth. On this day in 1909, the Wright Brothers formed a million dollar corporation to manufacture airplanes.

College football’s Hail Mary pass! On this day in 1984, Boston College quarterback Doug Flute threw a last second pass 48 yards to end the game beating Miami 47-45. Flute’s pass will never be forgotten.

Trump must wear a President’s hat, not a crown. The Constitution does not make a President king.

When I was a working lawyer, I spent much time in New York City. The experience provided me the opportunity to dine in the finest restaurants.

I have been retired 18 years. That time has been spent in Key West and Europe. Not once in those years have I returned to New York.

In my day, one of New York’s finest restaurants was The Four Seasons. The best of the best.

I discovered this morning that the year I retired 2006 was also the year The Four Seasons closed. Sad. The Four Seasons had been opened 60 years. Sixty years of high end dining.

Many believe nothing is forever. Perhaps true. The end of The Four Seasons reflects it.

Syracuse lost another basketball game last night. Lost to Texas Tech in the  Legends Classic 79-74. Both losses in the Legends Classic close. A loss is a loss however, no matter how you look at it. Syracuse is now 3-2.

I close with my back.

Oh, my back! The pain! Will it ever cease?

This has been a poor year for me health wise. First the heart attack, 3 heart surgeries and 5 1/2 weeks in Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami. Not once did I experience any pain. Even with the heart attack itself. I passed out as I was having it.

Yet this disc problem is a gigantic pain! Prevents me from doing anything. A good night’s sleep included.

Enjoy your day!

Singapore is one of the world’s most “water starved” places. 

Need/necessity drives invention. Singapore has come up with NEWBrew. Canned beer made with waste water. Presently free. 

Nicknamed “sewagebeer.” Popular with those who have drunk it.

In recent days, I mentioned cable TV is taking a nose dive. Streaming is killing cable TV.

Such perhaps explains Joe and Mika’s Trump visit saturday.

Today, it was announced MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow has taken a “seven figure” pay cut “as her ratings plummeted. The cut a $5 million one.

How swiftly things change!

Not that bad for Maddow, however. Her contract was for $30 million a year. Reduced now to $25 million a year.

Trump has picked former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to be Attorney General in place of Matt Gaetz.

In 2019, she served on Trump’s impeachment defense team during Trump’s first term. She also was one of the State Attorneys General who unsuccessfully sued to strike down the Affordable Care Act.

Now that he has withdrawn his name from consideration as Attorney General, what will Matt Gaetz do next?

It appears he has two options.

One is to take the House seat he won reeelection to in January. I do not believe his  resignation recently from the House prohibits his so doing. In spite of anything he may have said in his resignation instrument.

The other option is for Trump to appoint Gaetz to a high government position that does not require approval by the Senate or other government body.

RFK Jr. told a bunch of people the government may have “planned” the COVID-19 pandemic which killed 1.2 million Americans. He claims the planning was part of a “sinister scheme.”

A statement to be expected from a whacko who also does not believe in vaccines. Another consideration in view of his nomination by Trump for Health and Human Services Secretary is that Trump was in office at the time of the pandemic. Does that make Trump part of the “plan” and “scheme?” 

Today marks the birth date of famous comedian Rodney Dangerfield. He died in 2004 at the age of 82.

The master of “I don’t get no respect!”

We became “fat farm” friends at La Costa in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. A Perrier water and cigar evening companion.

As I have written many times, what you saw is what you got. Dangerfield was as he appeared on TV and in movies. He became a success by being himself.

The ever popular “Santa Claus Is Comein’ to Town” was first heard on Eddie Cantor’s radio show this day in 1934.

One of America’s saddest days. On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot to death in Dallas.

Tennis star Billie Jean King is 81 today. She did more for women’s professional tennis than any other person.

Key West weather. It was sunny and cold yesterday: 73 degrees. Today will be cloudy and cold also. High only 74. At the moment, it is overcast with a cold blowing wind.

I find below 74 degrees cold. Most Key West residents do. Long pants time. I have to search the closet and storage for a pair.

The weekend will be cold. The high saturday 72, sunday 74. Monday returns us to normal. Highs next week 78-80.

Syracuse played its fourth basketball game of the season last night in the Legend Classic in New York. Played Texas. It was Syracuse’s first game of the season against a significant opponent. Syracuse lost 70-66.

My back kept me home. I could not get the game on TV, only line by line scoring.

Syracuse looked lousy in the first half. Syracuse was down 41-30 at half time. Syracuse came back strong in the second half. Outscored Texas 36-29. Not enough, however. The game decided in the last minute with Texas pulling away by 4 points to win 70-66.

I could not make a judgment as to what kind of team Syracuse will floor this season. Need 2-3 more games.

I close with manatees. One of Florida’s most beloved residents. The warmth Floridians and visitors have for manatees is evident every time one is close enough to be petted and served fresh water.

A new study suggests manatees were not permanent residents of Florida until the 20h century. The study claims manatees were drawn to Florida by a warming climate and construction of power plants.

Enjoy your day!

The Wall Street Journal announced tuesday, with other media picking up on it yesterday, that Comcast is planning on selling most of its cable TV network, including MSNBC. Streaming appears to be dramatically affecting cable TV.

It would therefore appear that Joe and Mika’s recent visit to Trump saturday at Mar-a-Lago was in contemplation of a proposed sale. Not to Trump. Will Joe and Mika still have jobs if and when a sale becomes fact? Will they still earn $8 million each per year as they presently are paid?

I can understand their Trump visit under the circumstances.

A bit of politics next.

The last person determining our medical needs should be Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A medical expert he is not. He also is not his father, uncle or grandfather. He tends to be on the whacky side.

Vaccinations are an example. He is opposed to them. I believe in vaccinations. Get all the recommended shots. One of the things that probably have helped me reach 89.

The measles vaccination was not available when I was young. I got the measles. We all did. Some suffered bad reactions. One was a male 3 yar old cousin in Stamford, Connecticut. He got the measles and ended up totally deaf.

Kennedy is opposed to the measles vaccination.

The Matt Gaetz inquiry is getting more dangerous for him with each passing day. It appears he may have had sex with a minor. Seventeen years old is considered a minor. Referred to as statutory rape. Consent by the female no defense.

Now it comes out he may have paid roughly $10,000 to two young ladies, one of them the 17 yar old, to have sex and engage in drugs at parties. Parties where he did whatever was going on.

Attorney General quality he is not.

An interesting observation. Bob Woodward says Trump gave “the finger to the American people” with his Cabinet picks.

A Kareem Abdul-Jabbar observation: “Trump picks a fellow alleged sex predator to bring justice to the U.S.”

Trump has selected Dr. Oz to oversee Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. He will oversee benefits to 160 million Americans. Beware, he will cut benefits. Trump wrote Oz will “get the best results for every dollar we spend.”

A touch of Key West.

The Rose Tattoo was a 1955 movie filmed in Key West. Starred Burt Lancaster and Anna Magnani. Magnani was awarded the Academy Award for Best Performance by a Woman for her role.

The film’s final scenes were filmed this day in 1954 at the Mardi Gras Club on Duval Street.

The Rose Tattoo had many “contacts” with Key West. The house where most of the filming was done is located on Duncan Street. Two or three doors from the home of Tennessee Williams. Williams originally write The Rose Tattoo as a three act play which was performed on Broadway. He wrote the movie script also. Burt Lancaster stayed in Williams’ home while making the movie. The Rose Tattoo and Williams home are 2 blocks from Lisa’s Duncan Street home.

The issue of bikinis on Key West beaches appeared in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice. I do not understand it.

The commentor wrote: “Will the new city commission repeal their misogynistic public dress code?” Reference was to bikinis on our beaches.

Forced me to do some research. I was unaware of the prohibition.

All I could come up with was that in 1990 the State of Florida adopted a law prohibiting bikinis. Except for a 30 mile stretch of beach, no one pays attention to it. Key West could care less.

This old man enjoys sitting on a beach chair and watching the thonged and bikinied ladies walk by. I am a bit of a pervert. A voyeur at heart.

I recall many years ago renting chairs for my wife and I to sun ourselves on Smathers Beach. As I was walking to a spot, we passed two bare assed women laying on towels. Total nudity! My eyes were glued on them as we approached, reached and then passed them. I kept my eyes on the ladies and not where I was going.

My head and a bent over palm tree came into contact. I ended up in the hospital. My wife thought it was funny. I did, too.

Syracuse plays Texas in basketball tonight in the Legends Classic at Barclays in Brooklyn. I planned on watching at Brady’s Irish Pub. Will not. Spent most of last night awake again with my back bothering me. Don’t think I could stand the sitting or standing at Brady’s.

I did neurophysiotherapy again yesterday morning. Left the table hurting more than when I first got on. Beginning to wonder.

Enjoy your day!

Two great TV evenings about Leonardo da Vinci provided by PBS. Last night the second. Titled: Leonardo Da Vinci, “Painter-God.”

I had always considered Leonardo merely a great painter. One of the greatest. He was so much more, however. His mind and talents were into everything: “Leonardo da Vinci designs fanciful flying machines, studies light and shadow, investigates gravity, dissects cadavers and paints the most famous portrait on earth.”

Loved throughout Italy. He was the most courted artist, a “hero” wherever he went.

The “new” I learned last night. Leonardo was born a bastard. His father a man of influence, his mother a chamber maid of sorts. Leonardo the result of a meretricious relationship. Basically ignored by his father who married four times and had a slew of children. Leonardo had to fight his half siblings in court for his share of his father’s estate following the man’s death. Leonardo won.

He did not paint as other artists did. Artists in his day painted portrait style. Still figures. Leonardo brought human body, animal and physical movements into his works. The Last Supper for example shows the 12 Apostles as they actually looked in the 3-4 seconds when Jesus told said one of them would deny him that evening. Each portraying separate and distinct emotions!

He was not an artist alone. He became an expert as to the internal portions of the human body and their workings. He cut up one cadaver after another for years. When he started, the world believed the liver controlled blood, its creation and movement. He said no way. It was the heart. He did one drawing/design after another showing vein, artery and muscle. He said the heart controlled blood flow, etc. He noted the congestion that developed in veins and arteries as one aged which caused death.

He understood flying. Conceptualized how man would one day fly. Understood how a bird’s wings and air caused the bird to fly. 

His favorite was mathematics. He was into heavy math big time. For months at a time, disregarding everything else.

Leonardo was more scientist than artist. The scientist him reflected itself in his paintings.

Another great painting was his Battle of Anghiari. A painting I was totally unaware of till last night. The bodies of the men and horses reflecting muscles and movement.

Sometimes a person has to read a book several times to appreciate the work. So it is with the two evenings of da Vinci provided by PBS. The TV presentation has also motivated me to read more of his life. I realize I know so little of him. There is more to da Vinci than The Last Supper.

Some Key West.

Tomorrow night at 6 pm the Monroe County Library will celebrate its 65th birthday. The event will take place in the Palm Garden of the Library Building at 700 Fleming Street. A concert and refreshments will be available. Attendance is free.

One of the hosts will be my son-in-law Corey Malcom who is the Monroe County Librarian.

The way things were in Key West in 1899. A white woman and a black man were convicted in criminal court for having married. The white woman was sentenced to 5 years in prison, the black man 1 year.

In this morning’s Citizens’ Voice: “I know of a drag queen who was verbally assaulted by drunk tourists and told “Trump’s coming for you.”

Another Voice item this morning: “A black resident told to go pick cotton, and a Cuban local born here told to go back where he belongs.”

Both comments made here in Key West. Are things changing?

Seems Key Tides are more frequent. Especially at some Flagler intersections.

Today is Joe Biden’s 82nd birthday. Happy birthday Mr. President!

Actress Bo Derek is 68 today. I remember her in the movie “10” which was made in 1979. She was a knockout! Hot! Everyone was talking about her following the movie’s release.

Remained in last night. Intended to join Steve and Cindy at The Grand. Turns out Don and Chris were there also probably expecting to run into me.

I skipped. My back hurting like hell. My special lumbar brace which was to arrive monday has not yet. This morning at 10 it is neurophysiotherapy again.

Enjoy your day!

An exceptional television experience last night. The PBS showing of Leonardo Da Vinci, “The Disciple of Experience.” Two hours of the best of the best.

It was not what I expected. I thought there would be more about The Last Supper. The questions I raised yesterday about Mary Magdalene, a child, the marriage of Mary and Jesus, etc. were not entertained. The very issues raised during the lectures I received first hand in my two visits to The Last Supper in Milan.

Nevertheless, the presentation was dynamic. Outstanding. I learned so much more about Da Vinci. His genius surprising. The intelligence he applied to his paintings and sculptures.

The show continues this evening with its final two hour presentation. I am anxious to view it. I could have seen the second two hours last night. However, it was 10 o’clock and my eyes were getting heavy.

Do yourself a favor and watch the second half this evening. Such an opportunity is rare.

“Four score and seven years ago…..” On this day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.

St. Peter’s Basilica was consecrated this day in 1626 in Rome. 

It became the world’s largest Catholic Church. I can attest to the fact. Have been fortunate enough to have visited several times. So big, tiring to walk around. Tons of alters. Masses going on all day. When beat, I would go to one of the Masses and sit. Did at least a part of three Masses each day.

An interesting piece of information follows. I write about it for a particular reason which I will share at the end of the topic.

The Third Amendment of the U.S. Constitution has never been argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Let’s hope it never does.

It has seldom been used. Never directly. It is the least litigated Amendment in the Bill of Rights. Last involved in the federal appellate case Engblom v. Carey, 677 Fed.2d 737, in 1983 where national guardsmen were determined to be “soldiers” within the meaning of the Third Amendment.

What the Amendment is all about: The Third Amendment forbids the government from forcing citizens to house soldiers in their private homes without their consent during peace time.

I share the Third Amendment with you in view of Trump’s plan to immediately act on removing invalid immigrants from U.S. soil. He is talking 0ne million plus and using the military or national guard to assist. The number to be removed is massive. It will require a massive number of military to do the job. Where will they sleep? Not in the homes of non consenting U.S. citizens!

Syngman Rhee was President of South Korea from 1948-1960. His tenure included the Korean War. His grandson Thomas Rhee was my college roommate. He introduced me to Korean cooking, some of which I vehemently disliked.

Tom was exceptionally thin and generally sick with one thing or another. I told him it was so because of the food he ate.

He did not enjoy my Italian food. It was tit for tat.

It is claimed William Tell shot an apple off his son’s head. The story questionable. If true, it occurred this day in 1307.

Today in 1928 a big one for Mickey Mouse! Walt Disney’s “Steamboat Willie” was released. It was the first Mickey Mouse sound cartoon.

Key West has been without cancer services for a couple of years. A tragedy for those in need. I have several friends who have done without or traveled north for the basic attention required to keep them alive.

It has been announced that Baptist Health will open a new facility for cancer treatment in Key West. Terrific! One problem, however. It will not be till the summer of 2025.

Why so long a wait? The need is constant. It is a “now” one. Many will suffer needlessly, travel long distances for monthly care, or die without it.

It is great Baptist Health is opening a Key West facility for cancer treatment. The problem again is timing. Why can’t the Hospital do better?

Enjoy your day!

I started my morning with the neurophysiotherapy. What a session! Grueling, but good! Good in what I hope it will do for me. 

Then to Publix to pick up a few things. I was shocked! The price of something had dropped!

Bananas!

You may think no big deal. I eat one or two a day. So I buy weekly. The price has been a steady $.71 a pound for at least a year. Every week I wait for the price to go up as everything else has. This morning was a shock. The price of one pound of bananas had dropped 10 cents. Now $.61 a pound.

I bought a couple of extra bananas.

My intent this morning was to mention that the price of Campbell soups have shot up dramatically in one year. I drink a lot of soup. What was less then one dollar a can about a year ago, is now $2 plus. Comparing that increase to the banana decrease, the banana decrease should have dropped to $.35 a pound.

A special TV show this evening. Not to be missed. PBS is running a two hour show beginning at 8 pm titled “Leonardo da Vinci.”

God has been good to me in many respects. I have twice viewed da Vinci’s The Last Supper. In Milan at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Actually, the basement of what was originally a Catholic Church. High ceilings.

Da Vinci painted perhaps his greatest work on a stone wall. The painting process referred to as tempera. The painting is massive: 15 feet x 29 feet.

When The Last Supper is viewed, a lecture accompanies it. So interesting! There is a shade near the Apostle John. Is it Mary Magdalene? She appears to be holding what might be described in the shadow a child. Is it the child of Jesus and Mary? Were they married?

I do not know if these items will be covered on the PBS show. They were covered in the lectures. If so, You are in for a ride!

This is artists’ day.

One of the world’s greatest modern sculpturers died November 17, 1917 at the age of 77. Auguste Rodin.

His “great works” include “The Thinker,” “The Kiss,” and “The Gates of Hell.” I was fortunate to view each more than one time while on loan exhibit from a Paris museum to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

“The Thinker” and “The Kiss” moving. Each in its own sense exotic. The best from my perspective was “The Gates of Hell.” Tiny humans fighting to escape Hell. Pain and suffering distinct in every face. Emotional to view!

I remained in yesterday. Concerned about my back. Laid around doing nothing.

Today may be the same. I did my physio, shopping and some banking. A lot for me in a short period of time. Will probably remain in the rest of the day.

The Titanic continues to hold fascination. 

An auction was held this week re the gold pocket watch given to the ship captain who rescued 700 survivors from the Titanic. The watch sold at auction for nearly $2 million. The watch an 18 carat Tiffany one.

It was given by three survivors. One Mrs. John Jacob Astor. Two other wealthy woman joined her in making the gift. All three had been saved by Captain Robert Rostron of the passenger ship Carpathia which hurried to the sinking Titanic scene. It was dark and cold. The Titanic had already sunk. The 700 survivors were huddled in less than adequate clothes in life boats. They would have frozen to death had Captain Rostron not changed course and hurried to them.

Remember “Tom Dooley?” Great music with a great lyric.

In November 1958, the Kingston Trio’s “Tom Dooley” hit #1 on the Billboard pop chart. I recall their singing the song well. I was in my first year of law school at the time.

An example of insanity. Pure and simple.

The 918 people who died in a mass murder suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, this day in 1978. The group was led in their deaths by the cult group Peoples Temple founder Jim Jones. They drank the drink. They drank a poison laced punch. A third who perished were children.

Sick!

This one bothers me. I listen to Morning Joe every morning. I start with the 5 am portion which introduces them at 6. This morning Joe and Mika, with broad smiles, announced they had met friday with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. They kissed the ring!

Mika said it had been 7 years since they had talked. They both indicated it was time to “bury the hatchet” and “restart communications.”

Actually, they began the process of covering their asses. They have been anti-Trump for years. Trump has sworn to get media figures who were against him as part of his retribution program.

I can’t blame Joe and Mika wanting to protect their business interests. However, something rubs me wrong here.

Received an email from Fran Dixon yesterday. They were in St. Thomas. She said it had been raining and thundering all morning.

Steve and Cindy are back! Missed them!

Steve knocked on my door in the dark of the evening last night. We chatted a while. Great trip!

He said everything I had told him about Greece was true. From Athens to Santorini to Mykonos to other islands. People great! Food terrific! Everything cheap! Except for Mykonos. He was not particularly thrilled with Mykonos. Neither had I been on my 3 visits. A late night young peoples’ town. Everything gets going at 11 in the evening. I was always asleep by then as Steve was. The other thing was tourists were gouged. The only place I ever experienced it in Greece also. Everything higher than high.

Enjoy your day!

2024 has not been a good year for me physically.  However, what can a person expect at 89 years of age. First the heart attack which brought with it 5 1/2 weeks at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami and three heart surgeries. Just as I was feeling better, my back started bothering me three months ago. Diagnosis revealed 3 slipped discs at lumbar 2-5 which were impinging on the nerve and massive arthritis in the area. Big time pain with the back problem.

I find it amusing. I experienced no pain with the heart attack. Merely passed out. The back has been the worst pain of my life. I am seeing a neurologist for it and undergoing neurophysiotherapy. Just began the special physio last week.

When I am sick as I have been this year, I care nothing but getting better. The blog falls by the wayside also. It takes me 6 hours a day to research and write the blog. Difficult to do if you are hurting big time.

I am back. Not sure if the blog will be daily. Probably several times a week. When I can comfortably do so.

I began the blog some 20 years ago. For me. For my pleasure. Not to entertain readers.

It amazes me how the blog has taken off over the years. My subscribers are in the thousands and are world wide.

I began the blog by talking strictly about Key West. I was out and about most evenings 20 years ago. Did everything, attended everything. Then came COVID. I need not tell you how everything changed. I decided to totally remain  home. A person my age was an excellent candidate to get the disease and die. The only time I left home for more than 2 years was to visit the doctor or go to the hospital.

No longer could I write about Key West. I was not experiencing the town. Needed to supplement the missing Key West stories. Decided on politics. Those smart asses who read and comment re my blog, be aware that the politics at a minimum quintupled my subscriber base. Amazing! So you who say go back to only writing about Key West, I cannot because I do not go out as I used to. Which leaves me politics to discuss.

My political followers are not always the nicest of people. Many are foul mouthed and vile. Prone to write nasty things about me. Never was of concern to me. As long as people read the blog, I was happy. Differences of opinion are a way of life if you write about politics. Must say it again however, some go too far. Most recently with my absence, some had me taking off to Venezuela because of Trump’s election. One had me escaping to Puerto Rico. One even hoped I died: ” Forget about how Lou’s doing, he brought this all on himself for not supporting Trump. I HOPE HE CROAKS.”

Need I say more?

I have not commented on the election results. The media is doing enough of it. The people. for various reasons, reelected Trump. Time will tell the wisdom of their choice. One to two years is all that is required. Perhaps less.

One thing that bothers me that I will mention is that 52 percent of white women voted for Trump. Blacks and Latino ladies went for Harris.

Why did the white ladies vote more for Trump than Harris? Abortion affects them, their daughters and granddaughters. I find the 52 percent number hard to understand.

Syracuse’s Don and Chris are back for the month of November. I have not seen them yet. My back has basically kept me in. Constant pan is a difficult thing to handle.

Steve and Cindy are to return today from their one month trip to Europe. I have missed them.

Buffalo’s Tom and Fran are on a Mediterranean cruise. They will return to Key West for Thanksgiving. 

Now for my yesterday.

A doubleheader involving Syracuse. Basketball and football.

I cannot get Syracuse games on TV. Brady’s Irish Pub has become my place of choice to watch Syracuse games. It is a sports bar. 

Syracuse was playing its third basketball game of the season at 1. Football at 3. A long afternoon was ahead of me.

The basketball game was against Youngstown. Brady’s could not get the game either. So I left and returned at 3 for the football game.

Syracuse beat Youngstown 104-95 in double overtime. Syracuse’s previous 2 wins were by one or two points. Both against lesser teams. Is the handwriting on the wall that the basketball team will suck this season?

I found watching games at Brady’s while seated at the bar next to impossible. The high stool somehow aggravated my beck.

I spoke with Chrystal about it. Said I wanted to sit at a table on a regular chair to see if it helped. She had the solution! In a back dining room, there is a TV set and tables and chairs. She set me up there. It worked! I enjoyed watching Syracuse beat California 33-25. Don’t let the score lead you to believe it was a close game. It was Syracuse all the way! A 21 point second quarter solidified the win for Syracuse.

Syracuse is now 7-3.

Next Saturday it is Connecticut at noon.

While watching the game, a fellow came over to say hello. He recalled me from Antonia’s where he had been a waiter. He was with his girl fried. A physiotherapist. She and I enjoyed an interesting conversation. She presently is working with disabled children. She has a PhD. in physiotherapy. 

A gentleman close to my age and his wife sat at the table next to me. He was 86. Last name Russo. We had an enjoyable conversation about from whence our people came, etc. I was one up on him. My mother was born in Italy in Foggia.

My friend Theos telephoned from Greece yesterday. He was afraid I had died.

What will I do today? I do not know. Maybe go out for lunch. Not certain yet.

Enjoy your Sunday!