A cold Sunday yesterday.

Around 64 degrees. I know. I should not complain. My dear friend Bill Hatfield from Oneida, NY wrote and told me it was minus 7 at 6 yesterday morning. Real cold!

I grocery shopped big time. I have noticed that Sunday is the busiest day at Publix. I would have assumed it was either Friday when people got paid or Saturday. Neither. Sunday Publix is always packed. A zoo!

Met Sandra at the Chart Room last night. A pre-arranged hook up. Sandra is from Virginia and visiting Key West.

We chatted a while. It was time to eat. The Wine Galley. Twice in one week for me.

Sunday is Larry Smith’s big night at the Wine Galley. He showcases one performer. Last night it  was a female singer. I never got her name. I am ashamed. In any event, she was absolutely outstanding! She did a medley of Gershwin tunes.

Busy day today.

Lunch with the grandkids at I Hop. The gym with Courtney afterwards. Tonight Syracuse basketball. Playing Pittsburgh. Sandra is joining me for the game. We will be watching at the Sports Page Bar with Don and Chris.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Sunday!

Let’s get to it.

My friend Jim Brown from Crete, Greece, has come up with a new line. Jim is originally from Scotland. Ergo he not only speaks with an Scottish brogue, he writes with one.

Today’s Jim Brown tidbit of wisdom: “… yi cannot beat the love of a good woman.” I appreciate the line is old. It sounds better when Jim says it however.

Sports Page Bar at six last night. Syracuse/Providence game.

I was shocked when I walked inside. Place was packed. People every where. All watching football. I was the only Syracuse fan at the moment. I searched out Patrick the owner. Where am I going to watch the Syracuse game? Worry not, he said. I saved a TV screen for you. And he took me to it.

Patrick is a good man.

I was soon followed by about 15 other Syracuse fans from the Syracuse/Oneida area.

Syracuse demolished Providence. 78-55. Syracuse winning by such large numbers is becoming a habit. I await Syracuse’s first defeat. It is inevitable. No one goes undefeated any more.

Syracuse generally has two runs a game. One in the first half and one in the second half. These runs are like a tsunami.

Good friends Don and Chris from Syracuse joined me. We watched the game together. Then ran over to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner.

It was like no room at the inn. The place was packed. We fortunately found a table in the bar. Tomorrow sail boat week starts in Key West. The sailors were out partying at the Hot Tin Roof.

After dinner, I drove Don and Chris to the Casa Marina where they are staying.

On the way home, I decided to stop at Don’s Place for a drink. Glad I did. Spent a lot of time talking with Don. Also got to see David, Boomer, Kurt, Russ, Toni and PD.

Part of my time was spent watching the New England/Denver game. New England destroyed Denver 45-10. The result was surprising. All week prior to the game, the sportscasters were knocking New England quarterback Tom Brady. His year has been less than terrific. Most of the talk concerned Tom Tebow. The new kid on the block. Everyone thought Tebow and Denver would decimate Brady and New England.

It obviously did not happen. Brady had one of the outstanding games of his career. Tebow did nothing.

Today is Sunday. Most important thing I have to do is grocery shop. I have been out of food for about five days. I have already been in the back of the freezer and rear of the cupboards. When I say there’s nothing here, there is nothing. Ergo, grocery shopping will be the first thing I do.

Enjoy your Sunday!

How does the song go….. The weather outside is frightful…..

It is cold this morning! It was cold last night! A cold front came in late yesterday. It is supposed to leave tonight. The temperature today will not even hit 70. The high is projected at 67.

Yes, I am complaining!

My day yesterday started with a visit to the gym. Spent an hour with my trainer, Courtney Aman. I told him when I arrived how tired I had been the past few days. Courtney put me through a series of exercises to move my blood around. He must have. I felt terrific at the end of the session.

Visited with Lisa for a while. Some father/daughter chitchat.

I had no plans for last night. Just knew I had to get out. I had spent the past 2-3 evenings at home. I headed over to the Chart Room.

Syracuse’s Don and Chris were there! I had not expected to run in them. Our plan was to meet tonight for the Syracuse game and dinner afterwards. It was good to see them. We chatted for about an hour. Then they were off to dinner at L’Attidues.

I told them it was not the place to go last night. Too cold. They disagreed obviously. L’Attitudes is located on a small island off Key West and has an open air dining room. I don’t think it has an enclosed dining room. You can only get to the island by boat. It had to be cold, cold, cold.

I will be meeting up with Don and Chris just before the start of the Syracuse/Providence basketball game tonight. The game starts at six. We will be watching at the Sports Page Bar. Syracuse should have no problem. They played Providence 10 days ago and won easily. You never know, however.

While we were chatting in the Chart Room, Larry Smith came in. He was on his way to work. The Wine Galley is also part of the Pier House. Larry has been the premier performer at the Wine Galley for well over 10 years. It is his room! I introduced Larry to Don and Chris.

After Don and Chris left, I remained at the bar chatting with Emily for a while. I like her.

Were to have dinner? I decided to visit the Wind Galley to listen to Larry Smith while dining. Turned out to be the right decision.

Larry was at his best! I was in the Wine Galley for well over two hours. Larry entertained the entire time. He was magic.

Michael Dennis the author was there. Michael and I are friends. Michael has been writing mystery novels  the past several years. Their loci is generally Key West. He writes well. I recommend his books for reading.

Met a new couple last night. Jack and Pat. They are vacationing in Key West. Have been here many times before. Used to live full time in Fort Lauderdale. Now somewhere in New Jersey.

Jack is a Princeton graduate. Then he went on to Temple Law School. He even obtained a Masters degree  from Temple in taxation. I was impressed. Taxation is not an easy study.

He played basketball and football while at Princeton.

Jack came into the Wine Galley in a motorized chair. Drove around the room searching for a table. The room was full. I was alone in my table. I told Larry to send them over to join me. Which he did.

Jack has Lou Gehrig’s disease. Has had it for six years. He had visible problems from the illness. Nevertheless, his personality was good and he did everything to have a good time. He had a martini. He was able to drink it without any assistance. The glass may have wobbled on the way up and was lucky to find his mouth, but he did it. He sang along with Larry.We conversed. Jack’s wife Pat  interpreted on occasion.

Pat is lovely. A terrific woman. She was at his every beck and call. Actually, Jack did not do so bad. Pat watched him to make sure he did not get into any trouble. A good woman. A loving woman. A lucky man.

I hope to run into Jack and Pat again as they will be in Key West for a while.

Sandra, you are not reading your private messages on Facebook. Please do so.

Have a great Saturday!

Yesterday turned out to be one the quietest I have had in Key West.

I had some blood work done in the morning. In the afternoon, some tests at the hospital. Merely check ups. Nothing supposed to be wrong.

After the hospital tests, I was exhausted. It had nothing to do with the tests. Or maybe it did. I don’t know. All I do know is I could not wait to get home and hop in bed.

And bed is where I stayed the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Which means I missed a lot of fun last night.

I telephoned Don at Don’s Place to tell him that I would not be attending the bocce party. Then placed a call to the other Don to tell him I would not be joining he and Chris later at the Chart Room.

I was not disappointed I did not go out. Every night is party night in Key West. An evening off every now and then does not hurt.

A manatee comment. I have written about manatees recently three times.. Suddenly every one is coming up to me with a manatee sighting story. Each person excited. This is the season. Manatee season. The manatees seek the warmer waters of the lower Florida keys this time of year.

My show this morning. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. I am up for it. Not tired this morning. Slept like a baby all  night. Join me on the Internet at 10 am my time. http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/.

Enjoy your day!

A Comcast problem again. Can’t get power to my modem.

I telephoned Comcast this morning. Ran through all the tasks I was asked perform. Take this out, hook that up, wait a minute, etc. Finally, I was told no power. They would have to send a repair man to my home.

Today is thursday. I telephoned at 8 am. I was also told no repair man available in my area till monday at 8.
Comcast! Do not know why I stay with them.

I have devised a back up system, however. Necessity is the mother of invention.That is how I am able to blog now.

Not much happened yesterday. Only two things. In between I worked on friday’s Internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. 10 am my time. Worldwide. http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/.

An excellent show! Topics like the American girl deported as an illegal alien by the U.S. government, a handcuffed man who stole a police car, the suspected murderer of a young lady in Aruba 5 years ago pleads guilty to another murder in Peru, Zimbabwe banning the sale of second hand underwear, an exploration of friday the 13th, Greece and pedophilia, another U.S. Supreme Court decision screwing the American public, and more.

It was manicure time. Tammy. What a beautiful woman! With an equally beautiful personality to match!

Last night, Syracuse basketball! Syracuse demolished Villanova. Wowie!

I was tired and watched the game from my bed instead of the Sports Page Bar.

Just as the game started, I received a text from Don of Don and Chris. They are from the Syracuse area and visit Key West several times a year. Where are you? Game starting!

I had forgotten last night was their first in town and we had planned to watch the game together. Texted back my apologies.

At half time, Don wrote that he and Chris were the only Syracuse fans there. I was not surprised. I always watch at the Sports Page Bar. The 15-20 other fans are splitting their time this season between the Sports Page Bar and Jack Flatts. Turns out I am the only loyal Sports Page Bar customer, except when I stay home.

Hope to see Don and Chris this evening.

I have my bocce banquet tonight at Don’s Place. 6:30. Everything will be over by 8. Then I will be off to the Chart Room.

Sandra, do you have a Facebook name? If so, please provide it.

Enjoy your day!

Donna Barnett was my house guest. She came and she went. Just like that.

Donna is married to Terri of Broadway fame. Donna is Terri’s manager. They are frequently my house guests. Love them both!

They have become Broadway people. Donna arrived Friday. We had dinner together. That was the last time I saw her, except for Mary Jo’s party yesterday.

Broadway people live on a different time schedule than the rest of us.They get up three in the afternoon. Breakfast at 5 PM. Work. Have dinner at midnight. Then go out for the evening. Return to bed at three or four in the morning.

My sleeping/wake schedule is normal. Up at six in the morning. Generally to bed by 10 in the evening.

Now you can understand why Donna and I did not see much of each other the past few days.

I started yesterday by boxing at the gym. I believe the exercise is helping. I feel better. However, I am gaining weight. Sort of an inconsistency. Soon, I will have to diet also.

Mary Jo Da Silva. To know her was a privilege.

Mary Jo came to Key West about 14 years ago. Around the same time I bought my Key West home. We became friends. Mary Jo became every one’s friend.

A  first class woman. A kind one, also.

Mary Jo was diagnosed with cancer  five years ago. She survived for a long time after the diagnosis. She handled the whole thing well. Better than most  would. She was frequently doing chemo. She was required to go to the hospital overnight for the procedure. Occasionally, I would visit with her at the hospital while she was undergoing the chemotherapy.

Mary Jo was friend to all. Crazy about dancing. You could find her most evenings at La Te Da on the dance floor.

Mary Jo died last August. There was a small party at the time. However many of her friends were gone from Key West for the summer. So a celebration of her life party was scheduled for yesterday.

Lynda Frechette and Terry Johnston arranged for everything. Mary Jo’s son Matt flew in from California.

It was a party!

There was a special tribute to Mary Jo. Mary Jo was known by her big bright red lips. She would take her tiny natural lips, coat them heavy with bright red lipstick, thereby making them larger. Her bright red lips were her trade mark.

Yesterday at the party, out of respect for Mary Jo, many of the women either had their lips bright red or wore bright red apparel. Slacks, blouses, shoes and the like.

Bobby Nesbitt was with us. A Key West singer/piano player, in addition to being friend to Mary Jo. Every Wednesday night he used to sing and play at Quest for two hours. Now it is Aqua. Mary Jo attended each of his performances. One of the songs which Bobby played each performance was Climb Every Mountain.

As Bobby played it, several of the ladies in attendance would take paper napkins, place them on their heads and form a line. They became instant nuns! And they sang and made motions to Climb Every Mountain. Ten of the ladies yesterday did the same thing. Everyone joined in to sing Climb Every Mountain. It was a teary moment.

Rest in peace, Mary Jo.

I left La Te Da and went over to the Chart Room. I was surprised at who was there. My good friend Kurt. He told me he thought I would show up and that’s why he was there. Pat and Robert with him. He also had someone I met for the first time by the name of Michael. We sat and drank a bit and enjoyed our time together.

I found Michael interesting He is a relatively young man. Around 30. American by birth. Ended up in Peru somehow and married a Peruvian lady. He lived in Peru until recently and has two children. He started a restaurant business. It went bust. He’s up here bartending and trying to put together some money to go back and reopen another restaurant

Money is different in Peru. He told me that anyone on a U.S. Social Security check could live in Peru and not need any other money. $2000 a month would be a kingly sum and more than takes care of everything. That includes a live in maid, food, medical, etc. Even nights out on the town.

Peru, here I come!

We split after the Chart Room. They were off to I don’t know where to drink a bit more. I needed to eat. Chinese entered my mind. Chinese it was. I ended up at the Chinese restaurant in the Sears shopping center.

I enjoyed the meal, though I do not believe it was that healthy for me. I read the newspapers while sitting there. It was calm and peaceful.

Syracuse basketball again this evening! Syracuse plays Villanova. Tip off is 7 PM. As usual, I will be at the Sports Page Bar watching the game.

Enjoy your day! .

A great day!

Magnificent!

I had to get out of bed a bit early this morning for one of those many bathroom visits older men need make. Afterwards, I stepped outside on the deck adjoining my bedroom. The sun was just rising. It was half risen. A bright orange fireball.

Between the rising sun and present beauty outside, this is going to be one of those terrific God given days in Key West. Guaranteed!

Gym time yesterday! Courtney Aman training me. He increased all the weights. I could feel it. Not easy. But I did it all.

I later had a scheduled visit with my heart doctor. Dr. McIvor. Finally a good visit! The first in a year. My blood pressure is finally regulated. It was normal. My fluid problem seems to have resolved itself also

The doctor visit was at 5:30. I intended to watch the Alabama/Louisiana game from my home later in the evening. Needed to eat first. So I scooted over to Outback. Ate at the bar. Enjoyed dinner conversation with the fellow next to me. He is in charge of all the Winn-Dixie pharmacies in the State of Florida. He was down here to inspect the Key West one. We get into a discussion of drugs, costs, concern for customers, etc. A very interesting conversation with a very knowledgeable man.

The game! What a game!

Alabama completely outplayed Louisiana. One of the sports writers this morning commented that Alabama’s playing was like a Picasso painting. Preparation and execution incomparable.

Over the past couple of years, I have made a good friend via Facebook. Jim Brown. Jim lives on Crete. A Greek island.

Jim was not born on Crete. He comes from Scotland. You can sense his Scottish brogue in his Facebook comments.

I am going to repeat Jim’s comment of this morning. I reprint it exactly as said by him. Misspellings and all. Jim wrote, “…tosay I will be impersonating Captain Nemo with a hint of Jacques Cousteau.”
Jim is a Key Westerr at heart. He would fit right in.

Enjoy your day!

Love Sundays! A do nothing day.

I was anxious to watch the Republican Presidential debate. It took over Meet the Press plus an additional half hour. Nothing new was learned. They all continue to be losers. Not the best for our country. Unfortunately, one may be the next President. We deserve better.

I spent the rest of the day lying leisurely by the pool. Reading the Sunday papers and sleeping.

In the evening, it was dinner with Lisa and the family. Lisa prepared a terrific salmon meal.

Robert and Ally are pogo crazy. Ally has it down now. She did well.

After dinner, Robert played games on Corey’s I Pad. Ally read a book.

Manatees are back in the news.

Sunday’s Key West Citizen had a short news article advising boaters to be on the look out for manatees. Because of the cold front and cooler water, the manatees have been congregating near power plants. The water is warmer.

Now that the weather is warm again, the water will heat up. The manatees will be moving away from the power plants That is when manatees experience their greatest danger. From moving boats.

This week has been a manatee education. First, the one at my dock. Then Jerry’s experience of swimming with one. Now the newspaper article warning us to be watchful.

Enjoy your day!

A good Key West saturday yesterday!

The weather finally changed. In the high 70s.

I got a haircut in the morning. Saw Lori!

Visited Lisa and the grandkids after the haircut. Robert and Ally pogoing all over the living room.

The highlight of my day was the Syracuse/Marquette basketball game at four o’clock. As usual, I watched the game at the Sports Page Bar. Syracuse won a close one 73-66. The second half was a your heart in your throat type game

Syracuse was winning by as much as 23 points in the first half. Syracuse was ahead by 18 points at halftime. Marquette came back in the second half. With a vengeance! With about 5 minutes to go, Marquette had brought the game down to a two point lead by Syracuse. It could have gone either way. Fortunately, it went Syracuse’s way.

About 15 Syracuse fans joined me at the Sports Page Bar.
Jerry and Patty were part of the 15. They are from the Oswego, New York area. Have been coming to Key West for many years. Finally bought a home on Angela Street last year.

Jerry told us of an experience he had yesterday afternoon. He was swimming off the Truman beach portion at Fort Zachrey Taylor. He was about 30 feet offshore. He saw this large shadow beneath them. It was about 6 feet down. He went down to take a look. A brave soul! Turned out to be a manatee.

He swam around the manatee a few times. He did not wish to disturb the manatee. The manatee decided to move. The manatee came up to the surface and started swimming. Jerry went up and joined the manatee. They swam a short distance together till the manatee changed direction to open water.

What a thrilling experience!

You will recall I had a manatee off my dock last week. This is manatee season, so to speak. The manatees come down from the north to the Key West area in the winter. They seek warmer waters.

After the game, I was walking through the Pier House complex on my way to the Chart Room. Ran into Jean Thornton in the hallway. She was leaving. On her way to Michael’s for dinner. She and Joe return to their Georgia home monday. We hugged and kissed in case we did not see each other again. A nice woman. We have a mutual admiration society going.

Had a drink at the Chart Room. Chatted with JJ. No one else I knew at the bar.

Many long distance runners in the bar.

There had been a relay race that concluded yesterday afternoon in Key West. The runners ran in teams. The race had started in Miami the day before. A 155 mile run. Each paticipant ran a certain amount of miles and then rested. Another picked up the effort. Team vans following them. The runners had slept in the vans overnight the evening before.

I did talk to a woman sitting next to me. She had run in the relay. I did not get her name. I was impressed however with the fact that she and many others had participated in a 155 mile run.
Decided to spend the rest of the evening at the Pier House. I opted for dinner at the bar in theWline Galley. I knew Larry Smith would be playing.

Larry was. He was singing some Broadway tunes and some of his own. Mary Deasy was there. She sang a couple of songs.

Larry introduced me to Gerald Adams. Adams is an attorney from the Fort Lauderdale area. He specializes in men’s rights in family law field. I looked him in the eye and said that is one tough specialty! He agreed. We had a nice chat.

Don’s Place next.

Sat and chatted with Erika and Herschel while watching the Detroit/New Orleans game. We discussed our bocce loss of a couple of nights earlier and the bowling party that is scheduled for the 21st of this month. Don periodically arranges for a bowling party I. We will go out to the Naval Base at Boca Chica. They have the only bowling alley in the area. One of our group will be a retired Navy person making us eligible to use the facility. We will eat tons of wings and pizza and drink a bit. A fun afternoon!

Jimmy was sitting near me. Jimmy of Joanie and Jimmy. Love Joanei! Joanie loves me! Not as much she loves Jimmy, however.

Jimmy was complaining that I only gave the bocce matches the other night three lines in my blog the next morning. I responded to the effect that what was there to talk about after the beating we took. Nothing.

We both agreed that Joanie had played well. She was on the team that beat us. Normally, she is yelling and screaming…..bocce! Thursday she was very quiet. Maybe that is why she played so well. She concentrated on every shot.

Angus was at the bar. Angus bar tends at Schooners Wharf. Last night was his off night. Angus is a die hard Detroit fan. It was obvious.

Todd, Boomer, and others watching the Detroit/New Orleans game also.

Then my day ended. It was off to home and bed.

Enjoy your sunday!

Busy day yesterday.

The day began with my Internet show. Two topics received significant post show comment. Ohio Medicaid and God.

Ohio Medicaid brought forth the greatest response. A problem of of concern. Medical professionals contacted me, amongst others. I learned a lot more on the subject.

God was the other issue. Everyone that commented on this topic said God had not spoken to them yesterday or any other day in their lives. In my 76 years, God has not spoken to me either. It amazes me that God speaks to Pat Robertson and certain presidential candidates. What people will say to attract a fringe element of the voting population.

It was gym time yesterday also. Courtney worked me hard. The hardest yet. He increased all weight levels. It was difficult. I was beat when I was finished. Courtney told me from this point forward we are going to push my limits each session.

After the gym, I visited with Lisa and the grandkids. Robert and Ally are still home for Christmas vacation. Lisa recovering from a head cold. Everyone in Key West has a head cold..

Robert received a pogo stick from Santa Claus for Christmas. Ally did not. Her parents bought one for her. It was received yesterday. They were both pogo sticking around the living room. Robert does it extremely well. Ally still learning. My heart was in my throat several times when she fell over.

As you are aware, Donna is visiting for a week. We went out together last night.

We started at the Chart Room. Emily bartending. Cheryl and  Roger sitting at the end of the bar. We sat and talked with Cheryl and Roger for about an hour.

As we were getting ready to leave, Sean and Katherine came in. I had not seen these two for at least a month. I missed them. I asked Sean what happened? He said they’d been away several times. He would fly in for a few days to work and then leave, etc. In any event, Sean and Katherine are the type of people that I enjoy seeing often. They are intelligent, hard working, and friendly.

Sean and Katherine are relatively new college graduates. Probably 4 to 5 years out. They are in their mid-20s. They could not get jobs where they wanted to because the economy. They both ended up in Key West  two years ago. Found jobs. Good jobs! Sean is a reporter. Katherine has an executive position with Ocean Key House.They are perfect examples for getting out there and finding a job.

Dinner was at the Hot Tin Roof. Donna and I at the bar. Although we communicate via e-mail and telephone,  it had been months since we were last together. There was lot of a catching up to do.

It was 9:30 when we left the Hot Tin Roof. I headed home. Donna had her car. She was heading for La Te Da. I heard her come in about three this morning.

The weather is supposed to turn today. Seventy five the high. The evening will be in the high 60s. Last night was sufficiently cold that I had to wear long pants, a sweater and a leather jacket. I was not the only one so attired.

Enjoy your day!