NEVER IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN CONFLICT…..

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On this day in 1940, the Battle of Britain began. The Great Air War. It lasted 114 days.

Germany’s air forces significantly out numbered the Brits. The Germans more experienced. Yet the British beat the hell out of the Germans. So much so, that Hitler pulled all German air activity away from Britain and sent the planes to Russia. He could not afford to lose planes so rapidly. Germany’s air industry was unable to replace the planes as swiftly as the British were shooting them down.

Winston Churchill was preparing comments to be delivered to Parliament regarding the great victory. He penned the words while riding in the back seat of a car. Somewhat like Lincoln who penned the Gettysburg Address while riding a train.

He ran a phrase by a friend riding with him. “Never in the history of mankind….was so much owed to so few.” The word mankind seemed inappropriate to his companion. He asked, “What about Jesus and his disciples?”

Churchill changed the wording to “Never in the field of human conflict…..” The corrected sentence…..”Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

A haircut yesterday from Lori at Blown Away. Quiet. Only Lori and another working.

Summers slow for Lori. Even though there are many tourists in town this summer. Her business is made up of locals and snowbirds. The snowbirds are gone during the summer. Many locals on vacation. I was the only customer.

Lunched with KONK Life owner and publisher Guy de Boer at Roostica. We periodically get together for no special reason. An enjoyable luncheon. He has expanded KONK Life throughout the entire Keys. Key West to Key Largo.

I had some time to kill in the afternoon. Decided to write. It was back to Growing Up Italian. Two days in a row! Good for me.

Mel Fisher Days continuing. The J. B. Magruder has been commissioned into the Conch Republic Navy. Tomorrow a big day. The Duval Street festival. Afternoon and evening. The blocks around Sloppy Joe’s will be crowded. Music. Drinking, Partying. What people do at a Key West street festival.

Enjoy your day!

 

CONCH REPUBLIC NAVY GETS A NEW SHIP

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Key West adding another notable to its memorabilia/tradition book.

Mel Fisher’s search/dive boat when he discovered gold, jewelry, etc. was the J. B. Magruder. The Magruder still in operation. The vessel and its crew are in Key West for Mel Fisher Days. The Conch Republic Navy is making the Magruder part of its fleet. An honor!

The Magruder is sitting in front of Schooner Wharf. Just about every event relating to Key West days of old take place at Schooner Wharf. The key location for such Key West events. Schooner Wharf one of the few remaining places evidencing the Key West flavor of days gone by.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. I have been increasing speed, incline, etc. a bit. In spite of the air conditioning, I was sweating big time by the end of the half hour.

I had some things to take care of in the Square One area. While walking on the Duval side, I noticed a Key West Aloe store. I have walked by the site many times. Never noticed it before.

Key West Aloe was started in Key West many years ago by two fine gentlemen. They sold some 15 years ago. The new owner minimized Aloe’s presence in Key West. The plant was moved to another community. The store moved several times.

Key West Aloe the best after shave lotion! No question about it. I have been using it for 25 years. I had run out. My face missed the cooling gel.

I went quickly into the store. The gel has a newly designed container. Threw me off. I bought the gel. I cannot wait to shave this morning!

Key West Aloe is an integral part of Key West history.

Lunched at Harpoon Harry’s. Packed. Wednesday the turkey dinner special. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy. Of course, I ordered it! Cost $10.

I had difficulty parking. The large public lot across the street was full. I waited a bit till someone pulled out. As I was walking to get my parking ticket, I searched the license plates. Most out of staters. Tourists still visiting.

Yesterday’s Miami Herald carried the Key West/Uber story. It is now a crime to operate one in Key West. An excellent article.

My KONK Life column this week is Illegal Human Trafficking. The title written with tongue in cheek. It is the Uber story internationally. I close with the Key West involvement.

I wrote the article sunday and e-mailed it to the publisher sunday evening. KONK Life hit the stands yesterday.

The two columns are different. I go into detail as to who is behind the company, where the financing has been coming from, why they are so successful, etc. If such interests you, read my KONK Life column. It is also available as of today on my Key West Lou website. keywestlou.com.

United Airlines computer went down yesterday. As did that of the New York Stock Exchange and Wall St. Journal. We are told merely coincidental. I am skeptical. Find it hard to believe.

Wars today are not only fought with guns. Wars are fought economically and via hacking and/or screwing up another country’s computer systems.

Coincidence or intentional?

While enjoying my oatmeal this morning, I was leafing through AARP’s magazine which I received yesterday. I am old enough to read the AARP publication.

There was a comment regarding grieving the death of a close one. The question was how long should one grieve. The answer…..As long as it takes.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

GROWING UP ITALIAN GETTING THERE

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No question the Key West summer has arrived. Proof, the humidity and rain. The humidity is heavy. Seems like August already. A bit of rain each day. Lasts five minutes. Has already rained today. Still thundering, however. Poured a few minutes ago. Through the sunshine. Everything bright with large rain drops falling. The sun reflecting off the rain drops.

Writing takes time. Book writing. I could never understand why it took authors 2-10 years to write a book. Sit down and knock it out! Does not work that way. First one must sit and write. The hardest.

Get words on paper. Express thoughts. Make sure characters intermingle properly.

Then the best part of writing from my perspective. Rewriting and polishing. A must. Takes forever.

Growing Up Italian is still a work in progress. I spent my yesterday working on it. It had been a while. I have so many experiences to share that I can see half of what I am composing will have to be cast aside. Otherwise, the book will be War and Peace in length.

So there is no misunderstanding, I am nowhere close to finishing the book. It will not take ten years. However, a year or two more would not surprise me.

Roostica for dinner. An early one. I try to eat at Roostica on tuesday night’s before my blog talk radio show. It is located close to my home.

Bobby and Michelle at the bar. Talked with Bobby a while. They have a hit with Roostica. I highly recommend the place. The food is excellent. Prices low. Drinks just as expensive as downtown, with one difference. Roostica pours a good sized drink. Downtown the drinks are measured and small.

It was sausage and peppers last night. Good!

My blog talk radio show in the evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Spent a lot of time on Greece again. The topic deserves a lot of time! What happens with Greece and the Eurounion could impact world finances. The wrong move and a deep recession could result.

Mel Fisher Days begin tomorrow. The 30th anniversary of Mel’s treasure discovery. People remember. They are still walking around. Thirty years is not that long ago. Bobby was around and participated in the excitement of those days. He knew the players. Many will be returning for the celebration. He will be partying with them.

I saw a picture of the actual salvage vessel involved. Not what I expected. I envisioned a big sail ladened vessel. The Magruder looked like a large tug boat.

It was reported yesterday that Elena Spottswood had been reappointed by Governor Scott to the Board of Trustees of the Florida Keys Community College. Good for her! Elena is a wonderful person. Warm hearted. Concerned. One of Key West’s kindest citizens.

Wednesday begins my Louis time days. I begin writing saturday afternoon. The research for the KONK Life column. I write the column on sunday. Monday is spent researching and writing for tuesday night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday is spent fine tuning the show and doing it. If I am ahead of the game and have extra time, I write. As I did yesterday re Growing Up Italian.

Sounds like work. It feels like it some times. However, love every minute of it. After tuesday night, I need a few days off. This is the first of those days. Screw off time!

Enjoy your day!

CRAZY TEXANS

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Maybe its the smoke from the weed drifting over the border from Mexico to Texas. Whatever, our southern brethren are afflicted with the crazies.

The place,  Bastrop, Texas. They believe Obama is going to invade Texas. On July 15. There is a U.S. Army field maneuver planned for that day. Near Bastrop. One of the biggest military training exercises ever.

Bastrop believes the maneuver is really a plot to spy on Texans, confiscate their guns, and establish martial law.

Crazy!!!!!

I am not surprised. After all, former Texas Governor Perry said three years ago that Texas was considering seceding from the Union. The same Perry seeking the Republican Presidential nomination today.

I am going to address this Texas craziness in more detail on my blog talk radio show tonight. Join me. Guaranteed interesting. The details shocking.

My yesterday went as I thought, with one addition.

Started with the anti-gravity treadmill. Love it! My new friend!

Then Tammy for a manicure and pedicure. Tammy looked tired. Very. Asked her if she got to bed late last night. Yes. The family drove to Sea World in Orlando for the weekend. Left friday night after work, returned late sunday night.

They had fun! I could see it in Tammy’s eyes as she told me. The 6.5 hour drive each way was worth it. The one negative were the fireworks on the Fourth. Did not begin till 11. The parents tired. The children not.

The most interesting item re the trip is that Tammy and her husband took two days off for the trip. They generally only close on sunday. They closed saturday and sunday. First time ever. An example of success be falling Tammy and family. Good for them!

It was 1:30. I was heading to Publix. My stomach growling. Was I hungry! I decided I would stop somewhere for lunch first. The somewhere turned out to be 5 Guys. I figured what the hell, it was my birthday and I was entitled. A large cheeseburger with lots of extras on it and fries. Filling. Better described as bloating. Felt good, however.

Then to Publix. Glad I was delayed in arriving because of lunch. Saw a wonder of wonders! Maybe a special present?

Walking down the aisle before me was what had to be a lovely lady. I could not tell initially. Her back was to me. She was wearing pink shorts. Could have been undies. Did little to cover her butt. Only about the top two thirds. Forgive me friends, but I have to say it. Lovely cheeks hanging out!

I stayed behind her a couple of aisles. Why give up a good thing! Eventually, I was not the only one. The line behind me got long.

Got to see all of her. Clothed, of course. A lovely young lady. Late 20s perhaps. Very little food in her basket. All I could think was she had to be a performer at Bare Assets or one of the other Key West gentlemen’s clubs.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Spent the balance of yesterday afternoon fine tuning the show.

Topics include the crazy Texans story described briefly before, Eric Holder and the banks, a Greece update, Congress and GMOs, and a further example of China not sitting on its ass.

Should be a good show. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Last night was Happy Birthday dinner with Lisa and the family. Always fun. Robert and Ally gave me home made cards. Ally wrote on hers….You are the best Poppa ever! Anything better?

I thank one and all for the many birthday greetings received. From four continents. Amazing!

Tropic Cinema announced it is not going to be part of the 2015 Key West Film Festival. Too bad. The Festival was getting off the ground. Primarily due to the efforts of the many who support Tropic Cinema. Apparently a money issue. A contract could not be agreed to with the outside organizers.

Anna reports. Greeks happy with the vote. Though the moneyed ones still concerned. Anna is on Santorini. Town of Oia. Oia top of the line. She says most of the cave hotels redone. As was the one she normally stays in. And is staying at this season also. Tons of money spent over the winter remodeling hotel lodgings. Her cave apartment cost 220 euro a night last year. Five hundred fifty euros this summer. What a jump! Restaurant prices way up also.

She reports many Japanese visiting. Younger. 20s-40s. Spending money.

Anna needed money. She brought several hundred euros with her. She went to an ATM yesterday. Took out 500 euros. No problem. She was using a foreign credit card.

Greece is winning the battle with the Eurounion. The Eurounion will blink first. Perhaps today when they meet. If Greece were to depart the Eurounion, all of Europe could face a deep recession. Including the prosperous Germany.

Enjoy your day!

80 YEARS OLD

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Eighty years old! Today. My birthday.

Eighty a WOW!

Some observations.

At this stage of life, everything is just yesterday. What happened at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc. just occurred. That recently. Which raises the question…..Where did time go? All of it. So fast!

The mind does not age. Only the body. I am still 35 mentally. I have been saying that for years. When I speak with contemporaries re being a specific age mentally, they agree.

The body breaks down. I view taking care of my body like taking care of a car. You get recommended periodic check ups. When there is a problem, you correct it. Hopefully, it is one that can be corrected. The car will last a long time. Your body, also.

Everyone looks younger. It has been that way with me for several years. Nothing strange. They are younger. It took me a while to realize that.

Dee took me out for my 80th birthday. We celebrated with brunch at Martin’s.

I had not seen Dee in a while. She looks good. Healthy. She went through a bad bout with stage 4 cancer.

Spent yesterday afternoon writing. This week’s KONK Life column. Illegal Human Trafficking. Not about young girls being scooted away for prostitution purposes. Column has to do with Uber.  An interesting expose. Tied Key West in at the end. Worth reading.

Watched the Women’s World Cup last night. Great American team! Made me proud.

How do I intend spending my 80th birthday? The same as any other day. It got me this far. Might as well stay with it. The anti-gravity treadmill at 11. Then a pedicure and manicure. Not because it is my birthday. It is time. Followed by Publix. The cupboard and refrigerator bare. The freezer close behind.

Tonight is Happy Birthday dinner at Lisa’s. Robert and Ally will make me feel special.

Greece. Yesterday’s vote says it all. The Greek people refuse to be defecated on any further. They have said loud and clear…..We won’t take it anymore!

What next? Going to be interesting.

Enjoy your day! My birthday!

NIPPLE MOVEMENT

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A nipple movement! By ladies, supported by some men.

Active in Key West. Though I have not seen any results on the streets. Active also nationally. Nipple Movement has a Twitter page. 168,000 followers.

If I understand the movement correctly, it is to give women equal rights as men regarding public display of breasts. The right to bare them. Free the Nipple the cry!

I for one would not be opposed. Lets see ’em!

I joke. With tongue in cheek. If the women of America want this right, they should have it. Called equality. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. And vice versa.

Key West photographer Nick Dole is a leader/helper in Key West.  He photographs the nipples. What a job! Thus far 89 women showed up for Doll’s first shoot. He is going to have two more.

I recall ten years ago a national movement re the same issue. On a specified day, women across America were going to walk bare chested. A number of women said they were going to do so in Key West. The Police Chief said no. If you do, you will be arrested.

The ladies folded. My recollection is that they walked, but none exposed their breasts.

A pic solely of a woman’s nipples is easier to do. Assuming the face is not involved. Easy to be brave where identity is hidden.

Pub crawls are big in Key West. Though an excuse is never needed to drink. A pub crawl is an organized walk stopping prearranged at several bars. A drink, a tee shirt.

There was a pub crawl yesterday. To celebrate the Fourth. Called Bar Stroll Red White and Blue. In the Harbor walk area.

Last night was Tavern ‘n Town for me. Bobby Nesbitt time.

Two fellows sat next to me. We struck up a conversation. A good one. Lasted through dinner. Greg from West Palm and David from St. louis. Both originally from Columbus. They return home today, unfortunately. Hope to hear from them the next time they visit.

I spent the best part of the day researching this week’s KONK Life column. Calling it Illegal Human Trafficking.

Not what you think.

Brunch later this morning at Martin’s with Dee.

A big day in Greece. The vote! Anna failed me this morning. I have not yet received her daily report. She arrived in Santorini yesterday. I am anxious to know her further observations.

Enjoy your Sunday!

FOURTH OF JULY

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Fourth of July. Independence Day. Happy July 4th everyone!

Tonight big in Key West. Fireworks at the White Street Pier. A huge party at the Casa Marina. People everywhere watching the fireworks. Easy to watch from most places on the island. Standing on street corners and sitting on porches. Fun time!

The day has historical aspects, also. In addition to being celebrated as the birth of the United States.

Technically, Independence Day is not July 4. It is July 2. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence. Whereas, July 4 was the day the Declaration began to be signed. It was not signed by all that day. It took a month to get everyone’s signature.

The Founding Fathers thought July 2 would be forever celebrated as Independence Day. Somehow July 4 took on the honor.

Three Presidents in a row died on July 4.  John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two who signed the document. They both died on the same day. July 4, 1826. James Monroe is considered a Founding Father, though not a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He died on July 4, 1831.

Fantastic music and July 4 go together. Great patriotic songs. John Sousa type music. For years, it was the Boston Pops Orchestra. I looked forward to watching. The Boston Pops was knocked off national TV after 2012. The claim viewing was down 20 percent. The Boston Pops is still carried locally on TV in the Boston area, however.

The big musical TV event now is the Capitol Fourth. Full name, A Capitol Fourth. On the lawn of the Capitol. Five hundred thousand in attendance. Followed by  the best fireworks in the land.

I will be viewing the Washington show on TV. I gave up going to the scene of the Key West fireworks several years ago. Merely a mood change. I miss saying hello to friends. However, I enjoy the comfort of laying back and watching on TV from home and listening to some great music beforehand.

Dave was 65 years old yesterday. Happy birthday, Dave!

We partied at the Hot Tin Roof last night in his honor. David, his son Keith, grandson Justin, Jennifer, Don, Stan, Claire, and me. Fun time!

Ran into Rick Boettger and Cynthia Edwards at the bar earlier. Two great people. Their home the first of three places where I fell on three consecutive days. Rick and Cynthia speak out publicly re issues of public concern. Always correct. Enjoy them both!

Anna reports. Demonstrations every day in downtown Athens. Not just in front of Parliament. On the adjoining streets also. Bigger numbers than the first night. Last night 25,000 listened to Tsipras speak. A few blocks away, the other side was demonstrating. Fifteen thousand. The vote Sunday important.

Italy’s President came out the other day in favor of the Eurounion. Yesterday, leaders of the Italian far left were in Athens to support Tsipras’ government, which is a far left one also.

It was tee shirt time. Black tee shirts with OXI printed on them. OXI means No. Vote No to accepting the Eurounion’s plan.

Greek’s Nazi Party is known as Golden Dawn. Represents the far right. Golden Dawn has been quiet during the demonstrations. Beware, these neo Nazis are standing in the shadows in the event an opportunity arises to take control. Anna says that members of the Italian Nazi Party were in Athens wandering around. Known as Alba Dorata, which means Golden Door. They are in Athens supporting their Greek brothers.

Anna is presently on the plane to Santorini. I am interested to learn her observations of the situation as it exists on Santorini. Santorini is a prosperous island. I suspect its citizens will be in support of the euro and Eurounion.

Enjoy your Fourth!

 

MARRIED PEOPLE FATTER

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I was married 52 years. Bone thin when first married. Fifty pounds more when divorced. Now four years since the divorce. I have lost 35 pounds. There may be a reason other than dieting that caused me to be thinner.

The Journal of Social Science and Medicine recently announced that married people are fatter. Marrieds have a higher body mass index than singles.

Sounds crazy. Perhaps not. The Journal’s conclusions were based on a study. A detailed one. Ten thousand people studied living in nine European countries.

My thursday evening simple. The Chart Room first. My friends Don and Chris at the bar. I chastised them for not contacting me. I knew they would be in this weekend.

Don hit me between the eyes! I texted, left a message and e-mailed you. He had. I had not checked my phone or computer timely.

What could I say?

Tasted my first prime rib in six months at Outback later in the evening. The thin cut. Delicious!

Key West is packed for the holiday weekend. Most hotels full. No room at the inn. Tourists started coming in last night. Going to be a fun weekend!

Anna reports. Prices cheaper in Athens. No credit cards. Cash only accepted. Many tourists. Europeans and Americans. An ad hoc demonstration yesterday in Parliament Square. Those opposed to keeping the euro. Not 10,000 like the other evening. Maybe 2,000-3,000. Quiet. People of all ages milling around. Many carrying the Greek flag.

Anna reported an interesting experience. Does it reflect the Greek financial situation? I do not know. Anna was at the pay out counter in a store. She dropped a euro on the floor. The euro in coin form. A well dressed gentleman behind her quickly bent down and grabbed it. He immediately put it in his pocket.

Anna yelled…..That’s mine! He sheepishly returned the euro to her.

Don’t screw around with Anna!

Talk in recent years has been to the effect that a reason our jails are overcrowded is mandatory sentencing. Especially for minor victimless drug crimes. The move is to get many out of jail who were unfairly but legally sentenced to an unreasonable number of years.

Nancy Gertner is a retired Federal Judge. U.S. District Court. She is speaking out. Considers the War on Drugs a failure. Believes its destruction as bad as that of World War II. Compares it to Prohibition, which was a failure.

She believes a whole generation of African Americans have been lost because of the long term sentences.

Note that the good Judge had no choice when sentencing. The law was mandatory. X number of years for a particular crime.

In my mind, the situation comparable to that which existed in Nazi Germany in the mid 1930s through World War II. German judges enforced what many believed were grossly unfair and inappropriate laws. Like euthanasia and forced sterilization.

Years have passed. It is only now that some are speaking out re sentencing inequities.

Judge Gertner’s words call for attention. She should know. My problem is sitting Judges have not spoken out regarding the issue.

Enjoy your day!

ANTI-GRAVITY TREADMILL, CUBAN COFFEE HOUSE, HUMIDITY, DUVAL, ETC.

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My yesterday. Typical.

Started late morning with the anti-gravity treadmill. A wonder! Then to the Cuban Coffee House for lunch. Cuban toast and a large Cuban coffee.

Walked Duval a bit. New Gap Factory Store open. Good size. Homey. Missed the phony hostage/guest house scenario which closed two blocks of Duval. Stopped at Tucker’s. On Duval near Antonio’s. Great sports attire for men and women. Pricey. Will go well with tourists who might not care about price. Doubt many locals will buy there.

Summer definitely here. I could feel the humidity big time as I walked Duval. This is only the beginning. Wait till August and September!

Last night, Don’s Place early. Don. Stan and Claire. Jeneane and Mary from the Pier House at the bar. Sisters. Lovely ladies.

Dinner at Tavern ‘n Town. Mood music. Put me in the mood. Mellowed me right out. Did not get the name of singer. He was busy talking with others when I left.

Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights bill into law in the 1960s. He said it would “…..bring peace to our land.” Unfortunately, he was wrong. The black church burning in Georgia a few days ago proof.

The Charleston shooting was June 17. Since then, a mere two weeks, there have been seven black church fires in the South. All but two have already been declared not arson. The two, hate crimes.

I do not buy the results. The non arson ones. The judgment in each case was made by a local fire chief and department. Like the early cops shooting blacks. A Chief and Prosecutor evaluating whether the police shooting was justified.

These cases should all be investigated by top notch experienced arson people. They exist in one place. Insurance companies. They should be on the job immediately together with some expert federal officers to determine cause. The goal being an untainted report.

I wonder, how many white churches had fires during the same two week period.

Anna reports. Credit cards no good in Athens. Most merchants want cash. Will not sell without cash payment. ATM machines busy this morning. Nowhere near the crowds of yesterday morning.

Everyone is at fault to differing degrees re the Greece situation. The consensus is developing that Germany’s Merkel has contributed greatly. She has been labeled as self righteous. Also as having pushed too hard.

Would you believe…..Another Rocky film coming out. Rocky VII. Sylvester Stallone managing , not fighting. Managing Apollo Creed’s son.

Oregon legalized marijuana for personal use. Limited amounts, of course. The fourth State to do so. If anyone had told me in the 1970s and 1980s that this was going to happen, I would have thought them crazy. Similar to same sex marriage. Who would have believed?

Enjoy your day!

 

ELECTRIC STREETCARS

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Lets start with a bit of nostalgia this morning.

The History Section of today’s Key West Citizen tells us buses replaced streetcars in Key West on this day in 1926. I am impressed. Utica’s population in 1926 was well over 100,000. Key West a pip squeak in comparison. Utica did not replace its electric streetcars till the late 1930s.

I remember streetcars! I remember riding them in the late 1930s. I was probably 4-5 years old. Then they were replaced by buses. I am assuming just before World War II. The rails however remained imbedded in the streets till after the War.

Did the dentist routine early yesterday morning. I did have a problem. Dr. Lindner said I had an infection in one of the implants. The cause of the pain and swelling. Why? It happens, he said. He gave me a prescription for an antibiotic. I have thus far taken three. Pain and swelling gone.

I hurried home to fine tune last night’s blog talk radio show. The show went well. I limited myself to four topics.

The past week was a big week and I wanted to hit what I considered the major issues…..Obama and Amazing Grace, a Greek update, and two significant Supreme Court decisions.

If you missed the show, it is archived on Blog Talk Radio and You Tube. It also is linked to my Key West Lou website keywestlou.com.

Later in the afternoon was a must do trip to Walgreens. I had to pick up five prescriptions. Four that were ready to be picked up and the antibiotic. One thing I have learned is that as one matures (a nice way of saying gets older), doctors and pharmacies become necessary friends.

From Walgreens to Don’s Place. Enjoyed a drink with David and Keith.

Then to Roostica for dinner. Fried eggplant at the bar while enjoying the newspapers.

A significant portion of last night’s show involved Greece. It is the most crucial spot in the world these days. Depending on what happens, a European and/or worldwide recession could occur.

Anna arrived yesterday in Athens. She reported no lines in front of the ATMs in the afternoon when she arrived. This morning the streets are blocked with people trying to get money out of the ATMs. She sent pics.

Greek banks have been shut down for six days. Withdrawals from ATMs is limited to 60 euros a day. Yesterday, the ATMs only permitted a 50 euro withdrawal. There had been such a rush to withdraw that the banks ran out of 10 and 20 euro bills.

Anna reports the demonstration in front of Parliament last night was much larger than the night before. Last night’s was for the group that wants to remain with the euro.

This morning’s news reports that Greece apparently blinked. Greece defaulted yesterday. Last evening, the Greek government announced it would accept the Eurounion’s package with some minor changes. The Euro group is meeting as I write to decide if they will accept Greece’s submission. The Euro group has no choice. To leave Greece outside the Eurounion would be the death knell for the Eurounion.

Anna tells me yesterday hotel rates were low. This morning, they had shot up. Her hotel however was honoring her lower reservation price.

I drove by the Glynn Archer school building yesterday. Or what remains of it. It is being transformed into a new City Hall.

This renovation is going to cost Key West a bundle over and above projected cost figures. Of necessity! The building has been completely gutted internally. Only the outside walls remain. Propped up with metal beams.

The new structure will in reality be a new building with the old outside. It is going to cost a ton more than if an entire new building had been constructed.

Another alternative would have been to use the old Glynn Archer. Move only a few walls internally. Bring in new water and air conditioning systems and whatever else is required. Cosmetically finish off the rest. A new home for City Hall at a much cheaper dollar.

Typical Key West governmental bungling.

Cuba and the U.S. are going to exchange embassies this week. Good! Lets keep moving the reunion along.

Enjoy your day!