A story lost to history. Italian immigrant workers were responsible for the first Rockefeller Christmas tree. It was Christmas time 1931. Early stages in the construction of Rockefeller Center. The workers primarily Italian immigrants. They thought a touch of the holiday season was required. They pooled their money and came up with a 20 foot tree. Their wives prepared garland at home which was wrapped around the tree. The decorated tree was completed on December 24th.

Big trees from little acorns do grow. The Rockefeller Christmas tree a perfect example. That 20 footer wrapped in simple garland turned into the mammoth tree electrically decorated today. An American tradition.

The rain is endless. Poured all night. Still coming down this morning. If it keeps up, the island will be washed away. I can imagine how flooded some Key West streets are at the moment. If this rain ever stops, people will kayak and swim in certain water flooded streets. It never fails!

Huge storm warnings out for Florida this weekend. A gale storm coming in off the Gulf. Big time rain and wind. Technically has not yet begun. Supposed to hit at 4 this afternoon and continue till 6 am sunday. Key West supposedly not involved. This peripheral rain and wind makes me wonder. Central Florida to be the worst to suffer. The storm to run as far south as Broward County. Wind gusts in central Florida projected to be 50-55 mph.

Syracuse/Oregon tomorrow at 1. The two schools are 2,802 miles apart. They will meet half way in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The game will be available on CBS.

Syracuse is 7-3, Oregon 7-2. Should be a good game.

My plan is to watch from Jack Flats. 

DeSantis speaks from his derriere rather than brain. He had a comment re the Satan figure beheaded in Iowa. Condemned Satanism, then followed his comment up with he would help pay the responsible culprit’s legal bills once caught. DeSantis trying to cover all bases and appeal to everyone once again. He’s worse than Trump in this regard.

Florida has become a fruitcake populace when it comes to voting. A strong MAGA population supporting Trump. A stupid governor. A Republican legislature that is off the wall with its thinking.

Linda Chaney is a Republican legislator. She came up with a bill that has already gained movement in Florida’s Republican legislature. Her bill is to define 16 year olds as “not children.” Rather as “youth workers.” She believes there is a labor shortage and children must be returned to the labor work force.

What she fails to realize is that there are tons of immigrants looking for work. Give them the jobs. That was how the U.S. handled things for years before Trump demonized immigrants.

Chaney’s bill has already passed its first of three committee votes before being submitted to the full House. It passed by a 10-5 party line vote.

Excuse me, but I  must make an observation. The sound of rain pounding on my roof at the moment is the loudest I have ever heard. Absolutely amazing. And Key West is not even a part of the pending gale storm.

Florida is not the only state off kilter. Texas is even worse. They recently had a “Holy Sexuality Week” in Texas. The scene the Abilene Christian University near Dallas. The University is openly anti-LGBTQ. The evil of homosexuality a basic belief.

Some students became upset. Two thousand signed a petition decrying the University position. The University President argued: “Opposition of homosexuality is holiness.”

The battle is on. The line drawn in the sand. A debate re the issue is scheduled for January.

An old piece of news that I only recently became aware of. Hitler planned extermination of North American Jews. Hitler’s blueprint is in book form. It clearly describes how to accomplish a North American holocaust. The 137 page report is titled “Statistics, Media and Organizations of Jewry in the United States and Canada.” It was compiled in 1944 by the German linguist Heinz Klaus at Hitler’s request and funded with Nazi monies.

Today’s podcast is 5 years old. Concerns the Pittsburg synagogue shooting which resulted in 11 deaths. The anti-Semite doing the shooting used an AR-15 rifle and 3 handguns.

The jury returned yesterday in the case against Rudy Giuliani brought by two black Georgia election workers he defamed. His statements as believed by the jury were baseless. They were the ones he made in the wake of the 2020 Presidential election.

The jury awarded the two women a total of $148 million. It was $100 million more than the women had sued for. Which is ok under most state laws. A jury may return more than the amount demanded in a Complaint.

The Washington, D.C. jury deliberated 10 hours. They believed Giuliani had concocted a fake ballot processing scheme that caused the two women all kinds of real pain and suffering. Each woman was awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $75 million in punitive damages.

Key West has a magnificent historical structure known as the Custom House. The government awarded the contract for construction on December 15, 1891. The amount $107,955.96. You can’t build anything today in Key West for that amount! Occupancy took place 3 years later in 1891.

I continue to live and learn. I always though bamboo was a part of the wood family. It is not. It is a member of the grass family. Yes, grass.

Last night was an enjoyable one. Brady’s Irish Pub. Pierogi special night.

When I arrived, the parking lot was full. Unusual. Had to park 2 blocks away and walk in the cutting wind to the restaurant. When I arrived, the place was mobbed. Every seat at the bar and tables in the bar occupied. Many standing. Most dressed in Christmas attire. Even Carola. She had tree lights in her hair and hanging from her neck.

Turned out it was trolley car night to see the homes decorated for Christmas. Planned by Ed Swift’s organization. The buses would leave from Brady’s.

Shit, I thought. Can’t sit, can’t stand. What to do! Russell saved my ass. He was seated at the bar and was soon going to leave. He gave his seat to me and finished his beer standing. Russell and I have been friends for 30 years. Became acquainted at Don’s Place. He is chef at the Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West. Lives near Brady’s. Obviously, a good guy.

He introduced me to his two friends who were seated next to him. Richard and Tracie. Richard is manager for one of Ed Swift’s companies. Tracie a manager at the A & B Lobster House. I enjoyed their company. We chatted quite a while. Richard originally from England. Tracie the Poconos. Interesting people. A new terrific acquaintance made.

The rain still pummeling down. Wind not too bad at the moment.

Enjoy your day!

A touching story on the internet this morning. What I view as making life a bowl of cherries for a brief moment in a person’s life.

I have shortened the story in the interest of time and space. The entire tale can be found in Weird Fantastic & Ridiculous Things in the World. A tear jerker.

A cab driver went to pick up a lady. She was small and frail. In her 90’s. Dressed like the 1940’s. Behind her he could see her furniture covered in white sheets. She carried a small satchel.

She gave him an address. Told the driver to take her through the downtown area first. He told her it was out of the way and would be costly. She said it did not matter. She was on the way to hospice. Her doctor told her she only had a few days to live. She had no family.

The driver ended taking her all over town. She had him stop in front of certain places and explained her life experience in front of each one.

When they finally ended up at hospice, two kindly attendants came out with a wheel chair to take her inside. She asked the cab driver how much. He said nothing…..I would want my mother to be treated as I have treated you.

The cab driver made the woman feel good. He made himself feel good at the same time.

Two nights ago, power from Islamorada to Key West was out for up to 4 hours depending where you lived. Affected were 56,000 people. The Florida Keys Electric Co. reported yesterday “high winds” caused the power failure. 

Keys people have come to not necessarily believe utility companies when they explain why something stopped working. Water and electrical companies the worst. 

I never heard high winds during the evening. Checked the weather report. Winds during the time in question were 20 mph, with gusts up to 25. Not the kind of “storm” to close down power for 4 hours. The problem with our utility companies is they fail to maintain and rehabilitate. Yet they spend money exorbitantly on salaries at the high end and in certain instances awarding board members lifetime medical insurance.

One of the greatest movies of all time premiered this day in 1939 in Atlanta. Gone With The Wind starring Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable.

Love Gable’s closing line: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

The New York Times yesterday ran an interesting story for the “frugal traveler” titled: Key West for Cheapskates. Although detailed and specific, I don’t buy it. I have been here 30 years and prices overall have become outrageous. You really have to love Key West to continue living here.

The weather continues to be chilly and rainy. Today’s high will be 74, low 70. Eighty percent chance of rain. Correct. It has been pouring heavy the past two hours. Wind 25 mph, with gusts of 30-35 mph. It will warm up 3-4 degrees over the weekend. 

Fortunate it is not Christmas yet. Santa and his reindeer would have a hard time making visits.

Podcast today 4 years old. Trump President. My ranting involves Trump’s children benefitting from Trump fund raising.

I wrote yesterday about the Satanic display erected at the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines. A “holiday” display.

The Satan display was damaged “beyond repair” yesterday.

A wacko position. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a non-religious group, is seeking to remove books from school libraries they consider dangerous to young people. The Bible on their hit list! The group claims more than 100 sexually explicit references contained therein.

Why can’t God be left alone?

A God’s in His Heaven, all’s right with the world thing follows.

A 4 month old baby boy was sucked from his home by a tornado and miraculously found alive in a tree. The baby, named Lord, and his family were in a mobile home in Clarksville, Tennessee, last week when a powerful twister ripped the roof off their mobile home and sucked Lord out of his bassinet.

Lord’s mother and father searched. Ten minutes later found Lord lying in a fallen tree in the pouring rain.

His mother thought he would be dead. Not so. Looked like ‘he was placed on the tree gently. Like an angel guided him safely to that spot.”

Have to move swiftly. A busy morning ahead including a manicure at noon.

Enjoy your day!

Satanism is a governmentally recognized religion. Would  you believe?

Sometime back around 2019 when Trump was President, the IRS officially recognized Satanism as a religion for its purposes.

Too much religion these days involved in our politics. Even Satanism popping up on a frequent basis. Iowa the latest place. In Iowa there is a Satanic organization known as the Satanic Temple of Iowa. It has on display in the State Capitol what it described as a “holiday” display. So erected with the State’s permission. It consists of a small altar on the Capitol’s first floor. Relatively near the Nativity setting.

It represents the group’s involvement in the forthcoming Iowa primary. A leader of the group said, “We’re going to really relish the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don’t have a church on every corner.”

Conservative God fearing Iowans, what is happening in your State?

I had to gas up yesterday. Cost was $2.91 a gallon. I was shocked! Cannot recall the last time gas was less than $3 a gallon in Key West. Hope it keeps going down.

I read yesterday of a way to recognize when Trump is lying: His lips are moving. Brilliant! He rarely if ever speaks the truth.

Which brings me to today’s podcast. It was done during Trump’s Presidency and involves Trump and COVID. His lips moved a lot in those days.

One of America’s most horrible days. This day in 2012. Twenty children and 6 staff members were murdered at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Eleven years later, the gun problem still exists. If Sandy Hook didn’t resolve the gun battle, what will?

Pew Research came out recently with a startling finding which was part of its report re 2023 gun killings of U.S. children and teens. The number increased 50 percent in the 2 years between 2019 and 2021. Again raising the point that the gun problem continues even after Sandy Hook. In 2019 there were 1,732 children and teen gun killings, in 2021 2,590.

Gustave Eiffel, the man who built the Eiffel Tower, was born this day in 1832.

I came across a comment this morning: “You say why, I say why not?”

Brought to mind a Philosophy quiz I took in college. I found the course a bit difficult. Also, the Professor did not impress me. The quiz asked one question: “Why?”

I thought, how stupid! After meditating for awhile, wrote my answer: “Why not?”

The C grade I received adequately rewarded my “genius” which at the time I thought was equal to the Professor’s question. I actually expected an A or F, depending how Prof reacted to my response. I assume he was confused, not sure what to do, took the easy way out and gave me the C.

Dinner last night at Brady’s Irish Pub. Fish and chips and excellent company.

It was Carola’s 43rd birthday. Everyone Happy Birthdaying her. Two persons brought in cakes. I enjoyed a piece of one. Carola’s Mom in Ireland sent her a package containing a lovely necklace and ear rings and different candies. Carola gave me a bunch of the candies which I have sitting on my desk and will pick at during the day.

Met Kim again. More recently met her at the Thai Bar. She was having dinner alone. Her husband an attorney. He was busy with something. Kim worked years ago with the Blue Paper when it was Blue. Today’s mild in comparison. We talked long covering a multitude of sins and problems.

Kim left and Whalen came by. I met Whalen for the first time last week at Brady’s. He is from Wisconsin. A Key West contractor these days.

We both recalled we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. He is a Trump supporter. Our chatting involved much political chatter. The interesting thing is we were able to discuss opposing viewpoints without getting upset with each other. Few exist today who are able to so communicate.

The proposed Missouri “abortion homicide” bill I discussed yesterday died a swift death in the Missouri House. It was withdrawn following bipartisan backlash. The Senate bill is still alive, however.

It’s 5:30 am. Lights just went out. All power gone, inside and out. Writing this note by flashlight for incorporation in the blog when power returns.

Power has returned. Off a bit less than 2 hours. I have a busy morning ahead so I am going to press with what I have.

Enjoy your day!

New York drops the ball at midnight every New Year’s Eve. An American tradition. One to be proud of. 

Key West has its own dropping New Year’s Eve. Actually, five. A Key West tradition. Which we are equally proud of.

I list the five. To inform. If you are out and about at midnight, make plans to view one. A fun event!

—–The shoe drop with Christopher Peterson at the Bourbon St. Pub.

—–The gigantic conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s.

—–The Historic Seaport/Schooner Wharf Bar pirate wench drop. Schooner Wharf Bar owner Evalena Worthington the wench. She is dropped from the mast of the tall America 2.0 ship.

—–The landing of a replica Pan Am 1927 aircraft with a costumed flight attendant at First Flight Restaurant.

—–A key lime pie wedge splashing down into a larger than life margarita glass at Ocean Key’s Sunset Pier.

Today’s podcast a real oldie. Six or seven years. Concerns Trump, the Paris Accord and pollution. I was upset when I did the podcast. Trump really irritated me in this one.

Ukraine’s President Zelensky came to Washington with his hand out and returned home with it empty. He was here to convince Congress to approve the $64 billion Biden had recommended. Republicans have been stalling approval of the request. Acting un-American in so doing. Trump and his MAGA supporters opposing the need. Failure to provide the monies could vey well lead to a Putin victory.

If the U.S. fails in this instance, we will look extremely unreliable in the eyes of the world. It will be another example of “our word” no longer can be depended upon.

Italy’s record in World War II was dismal, with one exception. Italy’s treatment of Jews.

Mussolini and a majority of Italians rejected Hitler and Goebbels’s desire to destroy the Italian Jewish population. Italy protected those of the Jewish faith in Italy itself and in Tunis and occupied France. The Italians refused to draft Jews for work or compel them to wear the Star of David. Further, Italy refused to deport Jews from Italy or Italian occupied Croatia and France to Auschwitz.

Gender issues are moving in a somewhat radical and too swift manner.

An example is a Seattle high school student. In a recent quiz, two  true/false questions give credence to the statement. One query: “Only women can get pregnant.” The student answered “true.” The other, “All men have penises.” The student answered “true.’

Both answers were marked “incorrect” by the teacher. Such ultimately led to the student receiving an F grade on the quiz.

The student’s parents are upset. They feel politics is coming into the classroom. The gender issue affecting their son’s responses a perfect example.

Bad guys, dirty pool! What is going on? How far will Trump MAGA followers go in attempting to debase opposing candidates?

More than a step too far happened to Joe Biden at the Army-Navy football game saturday. A video posted on Instagram (direct link, archive link) shows spectators chanting: “Fuck Joe Biden!”

Fact checking proved the video had been altered. The anti-Biden statement was digitally added. The original video shows the crowd singing along to a song.

Enjoyed Happy Hour at the Grand Cafe yesterday. Packed! Steve, Cindy, Joe, Jean, Eddie, Christina and I can’t recall who else. Good company all!

I mentioned yesterday that as part of the Grand’s 21st year in business, entrées were free all day to everyone. I was wrong. Not everyone, only locals. The half price on drinks and appetizers continues however to all. Tourists as well as locals.

The weatherman said it was going to rain today. It is. Appears it will do so till this evening.

Enjoy your day!

Missouri Republicans refuse to give up the battle when it comes to abortion. Their latest move is proposing legislation which would allow women who receive abortions to be charged with murder.

Cold during the night. Temperature dropped to 66 degrees. Still 66 at 7 am as I write. High today will be 74. The cut-off point for we locals, most of whom who will feel chilled at that number.

My game plan was to go out for dinner last night. Never made it. Got hung up on a modern movie version of Shakespeare’s Tempest. Filmed in 1982. A great cast: John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon, Victorio Gassman and Molly Ringwald. Most scenes filmed on a Greek isle. The pressures of life a key theme.

This was Molloy Ringwald’s first movie. She played a teenager. Later went on to major filmdom success. My recollection was a movie called Sixteen kicked her into the category. She attempted a comeback in later years as a stage actor. I recall watching her perform here in Key West some 20 years ago during that time.

Though not her first, Susan Sarandon was a young Susan Sarandon. I apparently never saw her in those days. An absolute beauty! Magnificent eyes!

Yogi Berra quotes more humorous than accurate. One of his has the ring of truth in it, though not intended as such when made: “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

Today’s podcast some 6 years old. Made following a Trump visit to Key West.

Sears has only 12 stores left in the United States.

Richard Sears and Alvin Roebuck started Sears in 1892. In its early years, it was primarily a catalogue company. By 1969, it was the largest retailer in the world. Five years later, it moved into Sears Tower in Chicago.  The Tower at 110 stories was the tallest building in the world. Today, only 12 stores remain. Why? The way of the world. Walmart, Amazon, and poor management.

Liz Cheney speaks words of wisdom when it comes to Donald Trump. She keeps ringing the alarm. Are people listening?

She is now contending that if Trump was back in the White House, his election would be our last election.

Climate change a major issue world wide today. The first ever international climate change meeting took place this day in 1915 in Paris. The group adopted the first global pact to fight climate change, calling on the world to cut and eliminate greenhouse gas pollution. 

Obviously the agreement did not work well at all. No sanctions were imposed on countries that did not comply. We are still waging the battle more than 100 years later.

Grandson Robert Malcom published another interesting article re FSU football on December 10. A story re an official visit to FSU and commit by Turner Hickman as a future Seminole. NoleGameday.com.

For those of us who recall, two famous singers of yesteryear have birthdays today. Connie Francis is 86, Dionne Warwick 83.

Tonight, the Grand Cafe at 4 for Happy Hour. Everything half price. The entire menu. Part of the Grand’s thank you and in celebration of their many years of service.

Enjoy your day!

By day, yesterday was excellent.

Sloan and I had a worthwhile 2 hours working on the podcasts. Hopefully we have things down pat now.

Spent two comfortable hours at Higgs Beach in the afternoon again. Overcast. Still comfortable. Nothing like sitting by the ocean. The sounds and smell of the water.

The evening sucked, however. Did not let it bother me. The afternoon was still in me and I refused to let anything spoil it.

It started with dinner. I decided to be good to myself. An excellent dinner. Selected Antonia’s. Closed. Pitch black inside. Strange, I thought. Closed on a sunday evening? Tons of people walking Duval. Other restaurants and bars doing a bang up business. Opted for La Trattoria. Same problem. Closed. What the hell?

Understand, I had already overwalked. Returned to my car. My right leg killing me.

Refused to let the closings get me down. Pepe’s popped into mind. I had not been there in a while. A broiled half chicken would be my meal.

Found a parking spot. People crowded outside and in waiting for a seat in Pepe’s. I asked the hostess if there were any seats at the bar. She said yes. So I plodded through the crowd. No seats available at the bar.

Where next? Decided on the Boat House. A bit of a walk. My other leg joining the right one in pain. Made it, however.

In all my Key West years, I had never been to the Boat House. The old or new. It was crowded. Found a seat at the bar. Decided I deserved a drink after all the work/walking I had done. I had not had one in 10 days. Beefeater on the rocks. Only one. And a diet Pepsi.

Ordered an appetizer for dinner. Conch fritters. Seven huge ones. Delicious. I was feeling better.

Wanted a second diet Pepsi. Took me 15 minutes to get one. Three young ladies working my section of the bar. They were tied up bullshitting with 4 older gents (younger than me) at one end of the bar. Left me and others sitting without service for the 15 minutes. Pissed me off! Some of my neighbors at the bar, also. Lousy service in the extreme!

I said nothing. I am a good tipper. Not last night. The bill was $27. Normally, I would have left a $10 tip. Left only $3. Came close to leaving nothing.

I will never return to the Boat House.

Yet, my disposition remained ok.

This morning I had a 9:30 appointment with my heart doctor. Two years and I have yet to meet him. We are down to 3 heart doctors in Key West. A nurse practitioner has been caring for me. I have come to respect her talents. Not that I have any choice.

April was not in. No one called me. I corrected the receptionist re no one had when she insisted. Said April would phone me. I insisted on a personal visit another day. Fran came out to give me a hand. She is a nurse who works under and with April. I blew. Couldn’t help it. We agreed she would call me with an appointment for next week with April.

I was not out of the office 10 minutes and getting into my car when the phone rang. A recorded message. April would call me at 11 tomorrow.

I have not dealt with that call yet. Will not have to as it turns out. April just called me. I vented again. She took my abuse and apologized, which made me feel worse. Anyhow, everything back to kumbaya with them. I have the answers April would have given me in a face to face.

I feel like a smuck, however. April has been out of work for 10 days taking care of her elderly father who is sick.

It is cool today. Seventy degrees. High will be 72. No ocean to relax by. 

Today’s podcast goes back to the early days of COVID. Greece was hard hit at the time also. The Greeks are different from us, however. They paid attention to their government. Everything closed down. People remained home. The podcast deals with my friend Theos. Following the podcast is a note I received from another Greek friend Jim Brown. Deals with how the Greek people were handling COVID also. His story similar to Theos’.

Jim Brown from Crete: “Sending Key West Lou best wishes from Crete. Lockdown has been obeyed by the people here. Sadly not earning at the moment. But health before weather as they say.”

“Big trees from little acorns grow.” Applies to goldfish in the Great Lakes where goldfish have physically grown. As large as a busty 18 inches. They are disrupting the ecosystems of the Great Lakes. They now number literally in the tens of millions.

They have become an invasive species. Who would have thought?

An example of the pot calling the kettle black. Donald Trump called Joe Biden a “real threat” to democracy.

The man is mad. The pressure getting to him. He is becoming “more explosive” than ever.

Rudy Giuliani has become equally as crazy as his comrade Donald Trump. Giuliani claims Obama has taken the U.S. back 40 or 50 years on race relations.

I don’t understand that one.

Enjoy your day!

Syracuse/Georgetown was a great game yesterday! Not because Syracuse won. Rather because Syracuse played its best ball of the season so far. Against a competent and able Georgetown team.

Syracuse won 80-68.

Syracuse has improved with each game. Hope they keep improving. Still have a ways to go. However yesterday was the best yet. Syracuse’s defense was effective the entire game. The team’s offense exceptional in the second half.

The defense kept Georgetown’s 3 point shooting the lowest for the season at 19.2 percent.

Syracuse is now 7-3. Their next game next Sunday at 1 pm against Oregon.

An unusual factor I may have advised in an earlier blog also. There was a time that a group of Syracuse fans followed me where ever I was watching the game. Anywhere from 10-20 would show up. It was Syracuse party time!

No more. Yesterday, I was the only Syracuse fan at Jack Flats watching the game.

Florida has always been a haven for sea fish, etc. who become sick in other waters. Sea turtles an example. It happened again. Frigid Cape Cod waters have affected turtles. Especially Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Fifty two were “cold stunned” and flown to 4 separate turtle facilities in Florida for saving and rehabilitation. Once recovered and Cape Cod waters become suitable to their existence, they will be returned to their natural waters.

In 1867, former Confederacy Presidnet Jefferson Davis stopped in Key West on his way to Havana where “he was going for his health.” He was not a favorite son of the Union at the time.

Actor Ryan O’Neal has died. He was 82 years old. One of his most famous roles was as the sorrowful young husband in Love Story. He received a Best Actor nomination for the part.

I missed the Christmas Boat Parade last night. Don’t feel comfortable doing a boat with the cane. Neither can I stand on shore long with the cane. Legs can’t handle it.

So I missed again what is a great Key West holiday experience. Hope many of you heeded my advice and signed up to be on one of the boats.

Trump is scheduled to testify tomorrow in his own defense in the New York civil fraud case. He will initially be questioned by his own attorneys.

The Army-Navy football game was decided by one inch yesterday. It was the final play of the game. A second or two remaining on the clock.  Navy was on Army’s 2 yard line. A touchdown meant a Navy victory. Come up short and Navy would lose. Everything was “on the line.”

It was 4th down. 

Navy tried a “tush push” quarterback sneak. Came up one inch short. Army won!

Today’s podcast 4 years old. Concerns Trump and Social Security and Medicare.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Yesterday was friday. It was a good day.

It began for me at 5:30 in the morning. I was up and completing research for the day’s blog. Finished around 8:30. Decided to hold off writing until after I had my morning Monkey smoothie fix. It was off to Date & Thyme. Returned 20 minutes later and went to work. Blog finished and published at 11:30. 

A quick light lunch at home.

Decided to go to the beach. A big deal for me. The last time was pre-COVID. As it took me a long time to start going out evenings on a regular basis following COVID, I still had not gotten into the beach routine again.

I needed a beach chair. Lisa gave me one of those big blue ones that only sits upright last Christmas. I no longer can use a sand or lounge chair. Once down, I cannot get up. Lisa’s gift was perfect.

I packed it into the car together with sun tan lotion and lipscope I had purchased earlier in the week. Even bought a new baseball cap to wear in the sun.

It was off to Higgs Beach. Set the chair up at the far end by the wharf that runs out into the ocean. Next to the Casa Marina.

Did not bother oiling up. Though warm, it was overcast. Stayed 1 1/2 hours. Felt good being out there. It was comfortable, the ocean beautiful, the smell of the ocean familiar.

Very few people where I set down. There was a woman about 10 feet off to my side going towards Salute’s. Striking I thought as I set down.

Fifteen minutes later she spoke. Asked me to watch her purse and chair as she wanted to get another glass of wine. Asked if she could get me one or a beer. I declined. Assured her I would not run off with her purse.

When she returned, we spent the next hour chatting. One of those fortuitous meetings. Her name Terri. She is in the process of moving to Key West from Ocean City, Maryland. Attractive, 50ish. A fine dining waitress there. Hopes to get similar employment in Key West. I told her, as I am sure she was well aware, no problem. Key West restaurants are crying for dining room help.

She has already rented an apartment for herself and her two labs.

She returns to Ocean City today to finalize the sale of her home there and other matters. Returns January 15.

Enjoyed Terri’s company. Would enjoy running into her when she returns.

Showered, shaved, etc. and was off to Brady’s Irish Pub and Carola. Pierogi night and Irish sconces baked by Carola.

Met a couple at the bar from northern Ohio. Here for a wedding. The service at St. Mary’s By the Sea, reception at the Hemingway House. They last visited Key West 20 years ago. I told them to read up on the Hemingway House on the internet last night before attending the wedding and reception. So much history with the Hemingway House. It would be a shame to miss any part of it.

Carola gave me two Irish sconces in a plastic bag to take home. Told me to heat and butter up before eating. I could not wait to get home to try one. Microwaved it for 20 seconds and then melted butter on top. To die for! The other I will eat later this morning for breakfast. This one with jam.

Settled into bed to watch a movie. Selected Mama Mia. A terrific musical comedy starring Meryl Streep which hit the movie houses in 2008. Saw it back then. Besides Streep who I greatly admire and enjoy, the site of the film motivated me to watch also. A Greek isle. I am a Greece fanatic. Love the country which I have visited many times for stays as long as two months.

I was not disappointed. The movie had its emotional moments which caused me to shed a tear or two.

My day could not have been better.

Hopefully today will be as good. I started today’s blog at 5 this morning. There will be no time for a Monkey smoothie fix. I have to be at Jack Flats by 11. Syracuse plays Georgetown at 11:30. Want to get a good screen and bar seat.

Should be a good game. The rivalry goes back to 1979. Jim Boeheim and John Thompson the coaches. They literally hated each other from 1979 forward. A real dislike. Not sure exactly why, but it existed. 

Both teams entered the Big East which was formed around that time. I watched most of the Syracuse home games at the new Carrier Dome from 1980 forward, plus games in the Big East end of season tournament for years in Madison Square Garden and NCAA tournament games at season end.

Thompson was so distrustful of Syracuse that when Georgetown played at the Carrier Dome he began the practice of setting up chairs on the court itself during time outs to talk with his players. The message was clear. Syracuse was a cheater.

The bad blood continued for 20 plus years till after Thompson retired. Boeheim and Thompson met at at college basketball coach conference, chatted privately and were bosom buddies from that day forward. The two men literally loved each other.

Thompson died in 2020, Boeheim now retired.

Not sure what else I have on the agenda for today following the game. May do the beach thing again. Everything stored in the car ready to go.

Enjoy your day! Hopefully as much as I enjoyed mine yesterday!

God spoke to me! Not me. House Speaker Mike Johnson.

I mentioned this yesterday. Elaborate on it today.

Speaker Johnson spoke tuesday night at the Museum of the Bible. The press was supposedly barred from certain portions of his talk. It was secretly recorded however by one of the listeners permitted to remain and released to the press.

In it, Johnson said, “I’ll tell you a secret since the media is not here. God talks to me.” God revealed to him that he would be a Moses-like figure leading the GOP and country through a “Red Sea moment.”

Shake in your shoes, my friends. The man is a wacky religious nut. A danger to society as a whole.

Trump has now made himself “Judge” in his own case before Judge Tanya Chutkan re certain of the Judge’s recent rulings. His attorneys filed a motion for an “automatic stay” on Court proceedings in the federal election subversion case against the former President. The motion says that unless Chutkan rules otherwise, Trump’s team will ignore any upcoming deadlines regarding “pretrial motions, defense disclosure relating to trial defenses and evidence, CIPA hearings, and jury selection.”

What Trump has done is to assume the responsibilities of the trial Judge in making these decisions. What balls! There is nothing in the law that permits a defendant to take over how a court will be run. Ultimately, he will expand “his assumed powers” to make himself not only judge, but also fact finder (the jury’s responsibility) and declare himself “not guilty” as to all charges.

Who does Trump think he is? Court rules are made for everyone to abide by. He does not need God to speak to him as Johnson does. He is a lord unto himself and continues to believe he can do what he wants.

Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah began last night. This year is a difficult time for persons of the Jewish faith. Anti-Semitism on the rise. Especially in Florida and a war whose effects are being felt far from the Israel/Gaza area.

Jon Rahm has abandoned the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Why? Simple. A financial package in the $500 million range.

A podcast I made some 5-6 years ago asking the question as to the reason why so many wars were being fought.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to reauthorize the ban on assault weapons. It would have covered certain semi-automatic weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines. Schumer’s motivation was the 39 mass shootings thus far this year alone. A record number.

Wednesday, Republican Senator John Barrasso objected to the proposed ban thereby effectively blocking a vote. His argument: “Americans have a Constitutional right to own a firearm.” He claimed: AR-15s “work the same way as popular shotguns and other rifles used for hunting and personal protection.”

What Barrasso and other Republicans fail to recognize is that Americans have a Constitutional right  to be free from mass killings. AR-15s should only be used in war and not to hunt deer and protect one’s self. Barrasso’s position crazy and dangerous.

Met two new neighbors yesterday. Steve introduced me to them. They live a block away. Chuck and Eloise. They have lived there some 50 years. As long as Steve and Cindy have on Olivia Street.

A great meal last night with Jean and Joe Thornton at Antonia’s. Nothing like great food and company. I particularly enjoyed the snails appetizer.

I was impressed with how packed Antonia’s was. They were turning over the tables. 

Tonight, Brady’s Irish Pub for me. Two reasons. The friday Polish pierogi special and Carola’s Irish scones. Carola is baking the scones special for me. 

Enjoy your day!

World War II, a war never to be forgotten. Necessary to be fought. Japan attacked the U.S. Violently and without warning. Retaliation/retribution correct. Warranted. 

Today is the day the attack occurred. December 7, 1941. In the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, “A date which will live in infamy.” As it has.

The Japanese attack took only 2 hours 20 minutes. Consisted of 2 separate waves, a half hour apart. Nineteen U.S. ships were destroyed or damaged, 188 aircraft blown up, 2,403 killed, and 1,178 wounded. Japan escaped basically unscathed. Lost only 29 aircraft and 5 midget submarines. Only 130 Japanese killed.

We took a beating.

The U.S. comeback began less than 6 months later. We took back Guadalcanal and bombed Tokyo.

Japan’s Admiral Yamamoto planned and led the attack. A comment is attributed to him which some historians question. It makes sense regardless. His words, “I feel all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with terrible resolve.”

Pearl Harbor occurred 82 years ago. We are not the same people. I wonder if our citizenry would react in the same fashion today as it did back then. Would half our people side with the attackers? Our internal rumblings make me fearful.

Another podcast going back 5-6 years. An appropriate title would be Hitler and Goebbels.

The weather outside was frightful during the night. Cold! Wore a sweatshirt to bed and buried myself under a heavy quilt. First time in my adult life I have been without heat.

Key West cold for me is 74 degrees. That number and anything under is hard to take. Fortunately, it is infrequent. The temperature dropped to 65 degrees during the night. The high today will be 74.

Sex was a big attraction for marriage. These days marriage also helps to keep warm on a cold night. I need a woman!

New House Speaker Mike Johnson. I continue to warn about him. 

Johnson is reported to have had a “Red Sea moment.” Speaking to a far out Christian nationalist group tuesday, he likened himself to Moses and declared God had charted his path to become their Republican Speaker. He told them God in his prayers told him to prepare.

This type thinking/belief scares me. Religion has its place, but not to the extent Johnson is claiming. God talked to me! Especially not in the mind of a person holding a significant governmental position.

A comment yesterday questioned my praise for an Irish restaurant having good Italian food. It happens. I am of Italian extraction. Grew up eating Italian meals. I know a good Italian meal when I taste one. How about this? I have recommended Harpoon Harry’s for their tuesday lasagna special. I believe the cook is Cuban.

I will be back at Brady’s Irish Pub friday night for dinner. Polish perogies. Another reason. Carola is Irish. Born and raised in Ireland. Returns for a month every two years to visit her father. She will be baking Irish sconces and will be bringing some in for me to try. I looked the Irish scones up on the internet. Described as “heaven on Earth.” I look forward to trying them.

Tonight, dinner with Jean and Joe Thornton at Antonia’s. Looking forward to it!

A smart legal move: Nuns purchased Smith & Wesson shares, then sued the Company to stop production of AR-style rifles. The nuns are composed of a coalition of Catholic nuns. The nuns claim the AR-style rifles are “the weapon of choice for numerous mass murderers.”

The lawsuit was filed tuesday in Nevada District Court.

The National Sports Shooting Foundation described the suit as “frivolous.” Described further the use of nuns in bringing the suit as a “trick.”

Bess Levin in a Vanity Fair 12/6 article: “George Santos Is Making a Ridiculous Amount of Money on Cameo.” Cameo is a platform of choice for realty TV stars, mid-tier actors, disgraced politicians, and Rudy Giuliani. Santos is on his way to making more money his first few days on Cameo than his annual Congressional salary of $174,000.

Norman Lear died at 101. A true television pioneer. Creator of such shows as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, and Sanford and Son.

A pilot in World War II, he flew 52 combat missions. Then, a comedy writer. Reported his big break came when he tricked a receptionist into giving him Danny Thomas’ phone number, then ringing up the comedy star and selling him a routine over the phone.

Time to brave the cold. Going out for my Monkey smoothie fix.

Enjoy your day!