Show time this morning!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour at 10 AM my time. Worldwide. www.konkbroadcasting.com..

In addition to topics previously mentioned, I will be discussing the recent study which indicates Ohio Medicaid cancer patients are surviving at a rate 50% less than those with insurance, Washington State about to approve same sex marriage, Pat Robertson’s claim that God told him who the next President will be, and Venezuela President Chavez’s warning to other Latin American presidents to beware of the United States –the US may be responsible for several Latin American presidents recently being diagnosed with cancer.

I boxed yesterday. Me alone. No Courtney. I got tired. But enjoyed it!

Afterwards I headed over to Lisa’s. The grandchildren are home this week. Decided to do lunch again with Robert and Ally. We went to Mattheessen’s. Then to OfficeMax. I needed some paper. I told the kids I would buy them something. They looked around. There really is nothing for children at OfficeMax. Ally found some stick on stars. There was nothing for Robert. I promised him another shopping day.

Bocce last night! Playoff game! We played off!

Our entire team sucked. No one showed any talent or ability. We were the decisively beaten in two games.

Such is life!

I have a woman in the house! For a whole week. Donna is here. Half of my lesbain wives combination. She came in after I was asleep so I didn’t see here last night .
Enjoy your day!

Doesn’t anyone play marbles anymore? It must be a lost art.

I thought surely I would receive a number of comments and emails after the marble portion of yesterday’s blog. I received none. A bad sign. Society’s values a bit misplaced. Ease up and shoot marbles!

Cold! Around 60 last night. I was watching the basketball game at nine o’clock. I needed long pants and my leather jacket. I was not the only one so dressed.

I spent the better part of yesterday preparing for tomorrow’s Internet show. The Key West Legal Hour. Could be one of the best! Exciting topics from the crazy world we live in. Included are the latest statistics regarding Ohio Medicaid which clearly show that cancer ridden patients live significantly less long if on Medicaid rather than private insurance, a dog that got drunk, Eisenhower and our inter-continental highway system, a little known fact about bullfights, the United States Supreme Court decision deciding that tomatoes were a vegetable rather than a fruit, the Catholic Church and celibacy, and more.

Great topics! Join me. 10 AM my time Friday. The show is available worldwide. http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/.

Syracuse basketball last night. Syracuse won. Beat Providence 87 – 73.

It was a close first half. Syracuse was only leading by two points at half time. Providence was playing extremely well. Providence was penetrating the zone defense and also made several 3 pointers.

Enjoy your day!

I can’t win.

I have been completing this blog late recently. I got up at six this morning to get it out early. My computer was down. I checked everything I could in the house. Nothing made it work. Telephoned Comcast. They told me there was a power outage in my area.

It is now 10 AM and I am just able to start. Sorry.

Low 50s last night. Needed everything to keep warm. The cold front will remain with us through Saturday.

Terrific lunch yesterday! Robert and Ally joined me for lunch. We went to Goldman’s. We all ordered the same thing. Cheeseburgers. It always amazes me how well my grandchildren consume food. The cheeseburgers were large. Nevertheless, they both finished them with no difficulty.

As we were sitting down, I heard an hello. I turned around and it was Howard Livingston. Howard was with his wife Cindy and their grandson Michael.

Howard and I moved away from our respective tables to greet each other. Howard’s grandson Michael calmly walked over to our table and started talking with Robert and Ally. Michael is almost nine years old. Robert and Ally are seven and six respectively. It was amazing how well these three communicated. It was as if they had known each other their entire lives.

Love Howard! Who does not. The difference is I knew Howard back when he was Howard Livingston, a Chicago businessman. Cindy is a charming lady. They are lucky to have found each other. We promised to have dinner together in the near future.

After lunch, I took Robert and Ally home. I had bought them each a bag of marbles for Christmas. This was in addition to a big Christmas present I had purchased for them.

Robert and Ally had never played marbles. I had not played marbles in at least 65 years. I promised I would teach them how to play marbles yesterday. They were excited.

We went home and immediately got down to the business of marbles. Robert picked up on it right away. He was actually very good at it. Ally had some difficulty before she was able to get into it. They loved marbles! I fear one of the marbles is going to be rolling around on the floor and someone is going to take a fall. I admonished my grandchildren the marbles are to be placed in bags when they are finished. Hopefully.

Robert and Ally also received sticks for Christmas. Recall sticks? You have a handful of sticks about 10 inches long. Drop them all at the same time on the table or floor. The purpose of the game to pick up the sticks one at a time without moving any of the others.

I showed them how. The only problem was I could not pick up more than three or four. At 76, I have a bit of shaking in my hands. It screwed up my ability to play the game. Robert on the other hand had no shaky hands. He was picking the sticks up like crazy without moving any of the others. Even Ally was better than me.

It was a big day for me! Lunch with Robert and Ally. Teaching them marbles and sticks. Nothing better! God is good.

I stayed in last night to watch the Iowa election results. Amazing! Eight votes separating the top two winners.

Today’s a new day.

As soon as I complete this blog, I am off to the gym. Boxing alone. Just me and the bags. I like it that way.
Syracuse plays Providence tonight. A late game. Nine o’clock. I will not be home in bed till after midnight. Late for me. I will be watching the game at the Sports Page Bar as usual. Syracuse should win easily.

Sandra, I will be happy to have a drink with you. Let me know when you are in.

Enjoy your day!

My hometown is Utica, New York. It is 0 degrees this morning. High will be 14 degrees..

Key West experienced a cold night last night. The front came in late yesterday afternoon. It will be with us till Saturday. The wind off the ocean from the north east is biting cold at 35 miles per hour.

The temperature dropped into the 50s last night. Cold! However, I am embarrassed to complain after noting the temperature in Utica.

Everything is relative, however.

It is going to be cold tonight in Key West. The projected low is 47°. That is really cold!

I worked out with Courtney yesterday. Weight lifting and the like. For those of you old enough to remember, I will soon look like Charles Atlas! What a joke!

I want to comment on the people who use the gym. Extremely friendly people. Mostly from other countries.The place is a United Nations.

They all have great bodies. Abs. I never had abs in my younger days not do I now. I do not believe I will ever have abs. My trainer Courtney disagrees. He dreams.

Stopped at Don’s Place after boxing. Had a cold glass of water. Spoke with Rob, Keith and Todd. The Thursday night bocce playoff game the topic of conversation.

Headed over to Publix to shop. I had run out of food again.

I experienced a first time event at Publix. I checked out. Put my hand in my pocket to get my credit card. No credit card, no money. I had forgotten both at home.

I was not embarassed. Felt stupid.. The checkout girl was very kind. We will keep your groceries bagged in the cart. Go home, get your money and come back. Which is what I did. No problem. Groceries waiting for me. The ice cream did not melt.

Robert and Ally returned yesterday. I did not get to see them. I plan on taking them to lunch today.

I came across an odd name this morning on Facebook. Elvis Hitler. Did not make sense. Googled the name. Turns out to be a band out of Detroit. The band is described as psychobilly/hillbilly. Strange name in an ever developing strange world!!

It is long pants and a leather jacket today. I am not ashamed to admit it.

Enjoy your day!

Oh, the weather!

Key West winter begins tonight. We have been lucky so far. The weather has been fantastic! However, we are into the winter season and temperatures in the 70s should have been gone by now.

A cold front is coming in tonight. It will last through Friday. A long time.  Tomorrow the temperature will be 63 by day and 52 by night. Not nice. Cold! Several bad nights ahead. Heavy blanket time. A woman would be better.

Then Saturday, the good weather returns. From Saturday forward  the days will be in the mid 70s and evenings low 60s. A return of unusual weather. Something to look forward to. We are tough people. We will guts it out this week.

It was a beautiful warm day yesterday. I sat in the sun quite a while. So much so, that my face was bright red when I went inside. I  neither wrote nor read. I merely contemplated. I thought about the past year and this new year.

Last year was good. I should not complain. However, I had some medical problems which knocked me on my ass. My teeth and my heart. It was not the problem with both that affected me. It was the treatment. Prolonged and tiring. All I ask for in the new year is good uninterrupted health.

I thought about other things.

God is good. I live in Key West. A beautiful home on the ocean. I have many good friends. What more could a person want? I know. In my particular circumstance, a woman. Santa Claus please bring me one!

Syracuse basketball late yesterday afternoon. Watched it at the Sports Page Bar. When I arrived, I was shocked. Very few seats available. People all over the place yelling and screaming. It was professional football Sunday! Not one television set was carrying college basketball.

I immediately sought out owner Patrick. I was stressed. I was there to watch a Syracuse game. I followed Patrick around the bar as he was looking for a TV set to change to the Syracuse game. One was found. Patrick advised that if anyone complained, he had turned the set back to football. Fortunately, no one complained.

I was the first of the Syracuse fans to arrive. Soon there were 20. Syracuse graduate Scott from Chicago came in with a party of six. Another SU graduate Steve, who runs a boat here in Key West, showed up with a date. There were a number of people from other places. We had a good group going.

One of the highlights of the game was the opportunity to meet Jim Boeheim’s sister Barbara. Some one pointed her out to me. I went over and introduced myself. We chatted for a few minutes. She is vacationing in Key West. Lives in Virginia. A nice woman. Very congenial. Thoughtful of  her brother’s position.

Syracuse won. Demolished De Paul by about 20 points.

Syracuse plays Providence Wednesday. Then next Saturday comes the first real test for Syracuse in the Big East. Syracuse plays Marquette. Syracuse is presently ranked # 1 nationally, Marquette # 12.

After the game, I visited the Chart Room. Glad I did. Sheila and Cindy at the bar. Got my kisses. JJ and I exchanged New Year greetings. I did not stay long. I wanted to get over to La Trattoria. It was Kathy’s first night back as bartender.

This week has been very busy in Key West. Tourists abound. More than normal. Ergo, La Trattoria was packed. There was not one seat at the bar! Kathy was good to me however. She called for a bar stool to be brought from the back room and fit me in.

Jean and Joe Thornton were on the other side of the bar. I went over and extended warm holiday greetings to both. They were just finishing up as I was starting.

Lovely Becha gave me a hug and kiss. Made my evening.

Kathy sat me next to a very charming woman. Katherine her name. I had a stimulating and knowledgeable conversation with her throughout dinner. She and her husband own some sort of electrical company  in the Toledo, Ohio area. It employs approximately 500 people. Big time! We talked about banks, insurance companies, cash flow, etc. We understood each other clearly and were on the same wave length.

Katherine and her husband own a condominium. They have been Key West snow birds for 13 years.

Poor Kathy. It was a tough night behind the bar. She worked hard. I could see her tiring. Occasionally, she would sit down on a box behind the bar to resurrect herself. Body wise, she is still about one third of her normal size. She lost a lot of weight as a result of the two surgeries.

Then it was home and bed.

Lisa and Corey expected any moment. They are returning my Christmas tree and the extra chairs I brought over to them for Christmas Eve dinner. Robert and Ally are returning today. Lisa and Corey are driving up to Florida City to pick them up. They are traveling with Corey’s parents from Cape Coral. Florida City is the mid point.

 I have missed Robert and Ally. I am anxious to see them.

My good friend Mike Yutzy was in for the weekend.  Mike is a mortgage broker in Las Vegas. He apparently is in love with Emmy who is a CPA in Fort Lauderdale. I had met her before. This is a cross country relationship. They visited with me for a while. We sat outside on the deck and chatted. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Mike.

Courtney introduced me to Carol Tedesco while I was at the gym Saturday. We talked a bit. What a nice lady! She works out with Courtney also. Carol is an artist. She told me that she recently had listed a ceramic rooster  with Lisa’s Internet department store Via Key West. Carol is happy and charming. I hope to run into her again.

Turns out Carol is married to Michael Shields. Michael is one of the founders and initial general manager/ executive director of the Tropic Cinema. He does an Internet show on movies. In fact, his Internet show follows mine on Friday. Michael is well known in the arts.

Enjoy your day!

Happy New Year!

May this be the best year yet for each and every one of you. I wish you health, happiness and wealth. In that order. If you do not have health, nothing else matters. Happiness is better than money. Unhappy is a heavy burden even though rich. And if you have health and happiness, wealth makes everything even better.

It is an absolutely beautiful morning here in Key West. The sun is shining. There is a pleasant breeze. I seem to be the only one alive. None of my neighbors are out drinking coffee or chatting. They must all still be recovering from last night.

May the beauty of this morning be an omen for the rest of the year.

I had a different New Year’s Eve last night. Dinner at Outback!

Robert and Ally are in North Florida with Cory’s parents. Lisa, Cory and Cameron joined me for dinner. I had received a bunch of Outback cash cards for Christmas. Lisa wanted an early dinner. So Outback it was.

Dinner at six. New Year’s Eve.

We had a hell of a time. I was the only one drinking. The other three do not drink at all. But we were all in a festive mood. We laughed and joked throughout dinner. I was pleased to see Lisa so relaxed. Perhaps because she has had a few days off from the kids.

New Year’s was not always January 1. It was March 25. In the 1600s and 1700s, most countries changed from a Julian to Gregorian calendar. January 1 became the new first day of the year. Even China today recognizes January 1 as New Year’s. Although the Chinese still retain their own Chinese new year about 30 days hence.

When I was younger, I was always out on New Year’s Eve. As I became older, New Year’s Eve became large house parties. As I became even older, New Year’s Eve became either my wife and I alone or my wife and I and a handful of close friends at our home.

Last night was another step in how I spent a New Year’s Eve. I was home alone in bed at midnight. Do not feel bad. I absolutely enjoyed. Had a great dinner with Lisa and family. I slept. I woke at 11:50. I watched New Year’s Eve all over the world on television. And went back to sleep. I am refreshed this morning and ready to face the new year.

The best New Year’s Eve ever was one I spent with my father alone. It was about 10 years ago. He had had a bad year health wise. I had a feeling he might not see another New Year. I opted to be alone with him
My wife went to her brother’s. My children were everywhere.

My father and I sat before the burning fireplace in my living room chatting and sipping for four hours. It was a very sensitive experience for me. Now a sentimental one. I know my father enjoyed the evening also.

Fortunately, Dad is still here. He is 97 years old.

Syracuse basketball tonight! Syracuse plays DePaul at five. I will be watching the game at the Sports Page Bar.

May this first day of the year be a good one for all!

Happy New Year! Less than 24 hours away!

I have no specific plans for this evening. I’ll take it as it comes.

Mike Yutzy, my friend from Las Vegas, is in town. He called last week. He was supposed to arrive yesterday and will leave in a couple of days. I am surprised he did not call last night. He and some friends have rented a house around the corner from La Te Da.

It was gym time with Courtney Aman yesterday. He killed me! We were working on the legs and arms with weights. With each successive session, the weights get heavier. I feel it!

I plan on stopping at the gym later this morning to box on my own.

Stopped in to Don’s Place after the gym. I needed a cold glass of water. Puff bartending. Don, David, Herschel, Billy and Joanie at the bar.

Don and David were engrossed in a conversation about bocce. The season is over. The new season doesn’t start for a couple weeks. However, you will recall that we play a side bet with three other teams.We ended up tied with another team for first. The playoff game will be Thursday night.

I wanted a quiet time last night. Did not feel like shaving or getting somewhat better attired. Hogfish became the place.

Hogfish was packed once again. The tourists and snow birds are definitely in town for the New Year holiday!

I sat at the bar alone, read the newspapers and ate. Amazing how one can be alone in a group of 300. I neither heard the noise nor sensed the crowd.

I did not sleep well last night. Tossed and turned. Awake most of the night. Could it be anxiety over New Year’s Eve? I doubt it.

Kathy telephoned. She will be back working as a bartender at La Trattoria this Sunday evening. Stop in and say hello. I am thrilled she is able to return to work so soon after two heavy abdominal surgeries. She is a good person. Everyone loves her. I love her.

Be careful tonight. Watch the drinking and driving. The authorities are out all over the place with DUI’s ready. Otherwise, have a very good time!

Happy New Year again!

As anticipated, yesterday was lovely. A comfortable 75°. Felt warmer. The 60° weather that had been projected for the evening never arrived. Last night was a comfortable cool.

A unique experience awaited me yesterday.

I spent most of the day revising my recent writings. The day was warm. I took a break and walked outside on the deck. A tree branch had been blown down. I went over to remove it. And there it was! A manatee!

I have seen several manatees over the years in Key West. This was first time I had seen one by my house. He/she was lying close to the dock.

I immediately ran down to view and communicate with my visitor. Manatees are described as sea cows. They are large hulks. Many bear propeller scars. My new found friend’s back was covered with them.

Fortunately, I have fresh water on the dock. I grabbed the hose, turned the water on and placed the end of the hose near the manatee’s mouth. The manatee took it in and swallowed away.

For those of you who may be unaware, manatees are fresh water drinkers.

I also took the opportunity to touch the manatee’s back. Then I rubbed the back. I had done this before when close to a manatee. Manatees enjoy being massaged as much as humans.

How much should a manatee drink? I did not know. When I felt the manatee probably had enough, I gently removed the hose. A few more rubs by me and the manatee headed for open water.

An interesting experience.

Last night it was Jenna and me at the Yacht Club.

Jenna has just returned from her Christmas holiday at home with her parents in Indiana. It had been a long time since she and I were out together. We sat and talked and talked and talked.

I like Jenna. She is a talented young lady. A hard worker. Her career is blossoming. She has a fantastic life ahead in the communications industry.

Enjoy your day!

As predicted, it was cold yesterday!

The high by day was 69°. By night, 63. Sixty three is cold in Key West! I needed to throw a quilt over me last night. In addition to which, I wore long pants and a leather jacket when I went out.

The cold front came and went in 24 hours. It did leave the keys however with a slight temperature change. Though the high today will be 75°, low this evening will be 60°. That is cold! Warm days and cold nights ahead of us.

I was diligently working on my Friday Internet show when I received an e-mail from Guy de Boer. Guy is the owner of the station. He advised that he was tired and that the station would be closed Thursday and Friday so he could go boating.Typical Key West. Ergo, no show this Friday. My three or four hours work yesterday may be for naught. Some material can be used the following week. Most cannot since it has become dated.

Made a quick airport run to pick up a returning neighbor.

Terrific Syracuse victory last night! Syracuse beat Seton Hall decisively. By about 30 points. It was exciting!

I was shocked when I walked into the Sports Page Bar. Key West is busting out all over! The bar was packed ! The holiday season is bringing a lot more people than normal.

About 20 persons in the bar were there for the Syracuse game. Some were fans I had met last year last year. I got to talk with some of them. We will be sitting together over the next few weeks watching Syracuse games. Syracuse’s Key West cheering section!

I sat at the bar next to Brian and Anna. Brian is a vacationing attorney from Tampa. He did not go to Syracuse. He went to SUNY Buffalo. However he grew up in the upstate New York area and is a die hard Syracuse fan. It was obvious as we chatted during the game. He he knew everything about the players, scheduling, shots, etc. I enjoyed his company.

It was only nine o’clock when the game ended, so I stopped at the Chart Room. Glad I did. There was Jean Thornton and husband Joe. They were getting ready for a 9:30 dinner reservation at Michael’s. There were some other people in the Chart Room I had met previously. We chatted briefly.

It was still early when I left the Chart Room. So I stopped at Don’s Place.

Cheryl and Roger at the outside bar. A bit cold. The leather jacket helped. I am not ashamed to say I was wearing a leather jacket. I needed it. I had a drink and enjoyed their company. As always.
Then it was home to bed.

I have a busy day ahead. Sloan will be here at nine to work with me. At some point Lisa and I have to sit down and go over some things. I believe I have a dinner engagement with some one this evening. At this particular moment, I cannot remember who. Alsheimers? Old age?

Enjoy your day!

His name is Jack Pittorino. Better known as Yankee Jack. If you asked 100 people in Key West who Jack Pittorino is, no one would know. He is Yankee Jack. Celebrity and entertainer.

Yankee Jack sings and plays the keyboard at the Bull on Duval. He only works 20 hours a week. Four hours a day for five days. Not bad.

Yankee Jack recently wrote a book. Was it Something I Sang? There are some interesting tidbits in the book I would like to share with you.

The book is dedicated to Yankee’s wife Kathryn. They met over the Internet. Married 12 years ago. Katherine is from England. Yankee says of Katherine…..You cannot bullshit this woman.

Regarding his working a mere four hours a day, five days a week, Yankees says…..There is no substitute for life in Key West.

Yankee loves being an entertainer. Enjoys being on stage. He says of his life…..When I perform it is as close to masturbation as one can get with his pants on.
All of the above is contained in the first three pages of Yankee’s new book. You can imagine what the rest of the book must be like! Read Yankee Jack’s book. You will enjoy it.

Boxed on my own at the gym in the morning. Love hitting the big bag!

Then it was to Publix. The cupboard was not merely bare. It was woefully bare. I have been living on stale bread crumbs the past few days.

Spent the rest of the day working on this Friday’s Internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Join me at 10 AM my time. http://www.konkbroadcasting.com/. A great show in development.

Last night began at the Chart Room. I knew from Facebook that Jean Thornton was returning yesterday. I hoped to run into her. I did. There she was seated at the bar with her husband Joe. Sheila and Cindy there, also. JJ bartending. Good people all!

I ate later at the bar at the Hot Tin Roof. Jean and Joe were already there.

Big night tonight! Syracuse basketball! Syracuse plays Seton Hall. Syracuse is 13 – 0 and Seton Hall 11 – 1. I will be at the Sports Page Bar at 7 for the start of the game.

Enjoy your day!