Howard Livingston!

Premier entertainer!

A star!

More importantly, my friend. Before he was famous. Now that he is a success.

It was announced recently that Howard is going to be the Grand Marshall of the Fantasy Fest Parade. Good for you, Howard! Congratulations!

Four years ago Howard decided to sponsor a float in the Fantasy Fest parade for that year. He telephoned and asked if I wanted to be on the float. Did I! I had never been! Yes, I swiftly responded!

It was an experience!

The float had a hippie theme from the 1960s. Howard costumed us all. I wore a psychedelic tee shirt with a large crazy hat. Each of us on the float had a part to play. Mine was twofold. To throw beads, of course. And suck on an Arab dope pipe at the appropriate time.

The float had a musical theme to it. A big moment for the float was when we were before the Judges’ stand. We had about 2 minutes to do our thing. Howard jumped into the street, played his guitar and sang. My responibility was to suck on that pipe! It was one of those huge vases with tubes coming out. One of those tubes was in my mouth. Howard’s admonition before the parade while we were pracicing was to suck really hard when we were before the Judges’ stand. Suck I did! I thought my eyeballs were going to pop out!

Unfortunately the pipe was empty! I was sucking nothing!

Howard’s float won the Best Musical Float award! Four years later he is Grand Marshall!

I am proud of you, Howard!

There were a few interesting things which occurred during the parade.

We threw out to the screaming crowd 22,000 beads. A lot of beads! I was totally exhausted at the end of the parade from tossing a portion of them. It was work. For real!

I expected to see many bare boobs and other intimate female parts. All in solicitation of beads. Forget it! Hands up to receive the beads, yes. Bare breasts, no. I was disappointed!

There was a woman standing next to me on the float. I had seen her around Key West. Did not know her name. We were sort of partners in tossing beads.

She was scantily attired. A couple of pasties on her nipples A bikini bottom. Nice to look at!

A week later, I was at the Symphony. I saw her in the lobby. I walked over, smiled and said it was good to see her….. with her clothes on. She looked at me strangely. Later I saw her at intermission. What the hell! I went over and said the same thing to her again. Politley again, of course. She was with her husband or boy friend. I repeated the words quietly to her and walked on.

A few minutes later some one grabbed my arm. It was her! What are you talking about, she asked! Firmly! I smiled and told her. Turns out it was not her! Not who I thought she was! She was not the woman on the float with me!

I could not find a hole deep enough to jump in! Embarassed!

I explained to her and the gentleman with her who turned out to be her husband.

At the end, they both laughed. Fortunately for me! The episode brought us together and we are best friends to this day. Strange how life works!

I was at the new County Courthouse yesterday. First time. What a beautiful building! The people of Key West and Monroe County should be proud.

I ran into one of Key West’s top attorneys, Mick Barnes. Charming as well as talented.

Karen of Karen and David is one of my best friends. She works in the Courthouse.

I was sitting at a table in the hallway. Karen came out of the ladies room, looked at me, turned and walked away. Feel bad Karen that you did not recognize me nor aknowledge me. Maybe it was because I was dressed. Jacket, shirt and long pants.

I lunched at Hogfish. Read the newspapers. Such a relaxing atmosphere!

I became extremely tired in the afternoon. I suspect it is one of my heart pills. The beta blocker seems to have a cumulative effect on me. I will get suddenly tired and be tired for several hours. I ended up going to bed and sleeping for two hours.

I stopped at Lisa’s on the way into town last night. The grandkids were just finishing their baths.

We talked.

I asked Robert what was new in school. He is in the first grade at Montessori. He said he was Laundry Technician for the week. Laundry Technician? Yes. What is that? Turns out the students use clothe napkins at lunch. He collects them, takes the name tags off and returns them to the teacher. She in turn takes them home and washes them each evening.

Robert said last week he was the Copy Writer. What does a copy writer do? Writes copy Robert said laughingly. A comedian in the making! As Copy Writer, his responsibility is to go to the copy machine daily and make whatever copies are necessary for whatever.

Ally piped in. She is at Montessori in kindergarten. She was not to be outdone by her brother. I am the Duster! It is her week to dust the class room each day.

Then to the Chart Room.

One of the Chart Room regulars is Sheila. Sheila of trolley car fame! She drives one for a living!

I read in Facebook yesterday that she is have a total hysterectomy next week. I wrote and offered to help in any way. Take her to the hospital, sit with her, whatever. Sheila only has a bike. Can’t see her coming home from the hospital on a bike!

I also commented, perhaps lamented is the better word, that we would never be able to make a baby because of her surgery! Assuming at my age of course that my sperm can still swim!

I saw Sheila at the opposite end of the Pier House parking lot when I arrived. She was walking with Sean and Katherine. Sheila shouted across the parking lot…..” I want to make a baby with you!”

Charming. A lovely person. I wish her well next week.

Dinner was at the bar at The Hot Tin Roof. John manages the restauant. He was all excited. His Wisconsin tem has won three straght games! They are ranked in the top ten!

John was also excited by business last night. Things are slow this time of the year in Key West. Very slow. Many restaurants close down for the month.

John did 74 meals last night! The place was packed!

Radio show time tomorrow morning. 10 am. KONK 1500 AM radio. Live for viewing on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. Tune in for The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Interesting and informative!

Enjoy your day! Time for me to run to the TV to watch President Clinton on Morning Joe.

Dark outside. Very dark.

There cannot be much breeze. I cannot hear wind.

I do hear the water moving, however. I am sitting about 40 feet from the ocean. In the kitchen with the sliding doors open. I can distinctly hear water moving, slapping against the rocks.

The sun was out yesterday morning around 9. I decided to walk. Smathers Beach. Got started and…..it poured! The rain would not stop. Came down big time! For about 20 minutes.

There is no place to hide at Smathers Beach. I got soaking wet. I said the hell with it! I kept walking in the rain!

Afterward it was home to a warm shower.

I spent some time yesterday afternoon at Borders reading. Quiet. Comforting.

Then I decided to go to K-Mart. Tee shirts on sale.

There are not many places to buy male clothes in Key West. Probably because not much in the way of clothes is required. Tee shirts and shorts are the attire of the day. Every day.

Sears is the big store for men’s clothes. However, friend Aaron told me of a tee shirt sale at K-Mart. Only $3 a shirt. I looked. I saw. I bought not. Junk. Terrible material. Thin. And I am sure the shirts would have shrunk 100 per cent after a first washing.

As I was driving out of the shopping area, I saw an old friend. Ann. A newspaper reporter in Utica in the 1960s. Now a resident of Big Pine.

I had not seen Ann in about 6 months.

I beeped. We talked. Decided to talk further. We ended up sitting outside Papa John’s. Only in Key West!

We had a good talk. I hope it is not 6 months before we hook up again.

Chart Room last night! A decent crowd. Susan bartending. I had a couple of drinks and made idle chatter. Ate some pop corn.

I decided on La Trattoria for dinner. I was in need of some Becha attention!

It was not to be. La Trattoria was closed. Pitch black inside. The stools stacked on the bar. Closed for a couple of weeks. As many Key West restaurants are. September is the slow season and many close down for part or all of the month.

I was with a friend. Where to eat? We decided on making it a big night. The Strip House. A fine place for steak. Probably the most expensive restaurant in Key West.

A perfect evening for The Strip House. The weather lovely. We sat on the outside porch. Overlooking the ocean. There was slight breeze. A full moon. The sound of the waves in your ears.

The meal was outstanding! As anticipated!

A sirloin medium rare. We shared it. The portions are large. Onions and potatos. An appetizer to start.

Again, a glorious meal!

Then the bill. Expensive as had been anticipated. $42 for the steak alone.

I noticed an extra $5 charge on the bill. For sharing. I have been a loyal cutomer for years. Never noticed a sharing charge before.

I was pissed! Business is slow in Key West. Because of the time of the year and the recession. Most restaurants are having half price sales on everything on the menu this month. Just to get customers in! And The Strip House has the audacity to now charge $5 extra for sharing a $42 steak!

Someone upstairs in management has their head in their ass!

I said nothing to the waiter. Not his decision.

But I am writing about it this morning. Why?

The Strip House is a chain out of New York City. Someone in New York management is aware each time I mention The Strip House in this blog. It gets back to me. So I am using the blog as a vehicle to let someone upstairs in the chain of command know that this $5 sharing charge is rediculous. An insult. Get rid of it!

Let me further evidence the stupidity of the $5 charge. There is no restaurant in Key West that charges for sharing. From the smallest to the largest. I should know. I have eaten in most if not all of them.

Word has it that a new television station will soon open in Key West. A for real TV station. With drama and comic shows, weather, news and talk shows. Many with a Key West slant.

Sounds interesting! Should be a winner!

Today is Wednesday. Golf day. No golf for me. Unfortunately I have business to attend to this morning. Which means my priorities are screwed up!

Enjoy your day!

The seasons are changing. It is less noticeable here in Key West. Sort of sneaks up on you.

I left Lisa’s last night at 7:30. I realized the sun had set! An hour earlier than one month ago!

The temperature is different also. A month ago, it was 8-10 degrees warmer. In the high 80s and low 90s. Yesterday the high was 81.

Less humid, also.

The mornings have changed. It is 6:30 and still dark outside. The sun will not rise till about 7:30.

I started yesterday with a walk. I am not yet into a good health kick. But I am trying! The walk was at Home Depot. Once around takes me about 20 minutes. Covers each and every aisle.

Soon I will be moving outdoors. With the humidity diminishing, walking outside will not be a problem.

I am thinking of joining a gym. I am moving towards good health! It takes me time to get there!

The gym on Truman next to Don’s Place. It is old and beat up. Large. Has all kinds of equipment.

My reason for eventually joining this particvular gym is its boxing equipment. It has three bags. I have visited all or most of the other gyms in town. They either have one or no bags.

I box a bit. Have my own gloves. Had a room created for boxing in my home back in Utica. I would like to box a bit again each day. Great exercise! The entire body moves!

I am thinking about it. This is the Louis process. I have not joined as yet. Soon, however.

Lunch yesterday was at Lucky Day. Cuban toast with melted cheese and tomato. Owner Jana has a terrific personality. The place was full for lunch yesterday. I was happy for her.

I have been on a family kick the last two nights. Dinner with Lisa and the family.

Last night I had to eat with them! Lisa cooked one of my Mother’s favorites. As her Grandmother taught her. Chicken, potatos and peas in oil broiled in the oven. To die for! We ate good and in a party atmosphere. Lisa was proud of her culinary efforts. She spoke of her Grandmother. We all enjoyed!

Tonight I am out on the town! I have done the fmily thing enough. Need a break. As my friend Howard Livingston would say, I need some Key West time!

Enjoy your day!

I am up early. Still dark outside. I can hear the wind in the palm trees. I can see nothing.

Friday’s radio show did not make it onto the internet for viewing world wide. I did not know it while the show was airing. However based on the number of e mails since, I have become aware. Sorry. The term is technical difficulties.

A loyal watcher of the internet show is Rita. She also is a daily reader of this blog. Rita lives in Capetown, South Africa.

Rita e mailed me over the weekend. Told me about her inablility to internet view the show. She also shared with me a very pleasant item.

Rita and I have become Facebook friends. We commnicate occasionally. She is aware of my interest in art. She has a similar interest.

In addition to lamenting about her inability to see and hear me friday, she attached a video for my viewing. It was a smorgasborg of Van Googh paintings. One step better. With Don McLean singing Starry Starry Night in the background.

Moving! A WOW!

McLean wrote the lyrics to Starry Starry Night in 1971. The song is based on Vincent Van Googh’s works. They individually appear and are fitted to the words of the song. Or the words are fitted to the art. Whatever.

The paintings were all done by Van Googh during his stay at the asylum at Saint-Remy.

I recommend you watch the video. It is powerful! www.youtube.com/watch?v=dipFHJckZOM.

My day started yesterday with Meet the Press and the Chris Matthews Show. Then the Sunday papers.

The early afternoon at Don ‘s Place. Pro football. Screens everywhere. Inside and out. The whole world enjoying the games with Don. Like Aaron, Alec, Rob, Beebe, Erica, Herschel and more. David did the barbecuing. His son Keith assisted him.

When I returned home, Lisa and Corey were here with the grandkids. Swimming. I joined them for a bit.

Family time continued into the evening. Sunday buffet at the Yacht Club. Lisa, Robert and Ally joined me. Corey was off to a Key West wake at Fort Zach. Cameron was home studying for a test.

Enjoyed Mad Men last night. If you do not watch it, do. Get into it. A terrific story line.

I admire the show’s writers. There are 18,000 sub plots. How they think of some of them, I do not know. But it all works and fits together.

The sun is finally up! But not shining through the clouds. The wind is unusually strong. From the northeast. Igor. My palm trees are bending.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning world!

Sunday morning in Key West!

Spectacular!

Sun shining. Blue sky sprinkled with white clouds here and there. Colors vibrant. Blue water. Green mangroves and palm trees. Yellow MTV house across the way.

There is a breeze. Strong. Off the Atlantic. Expected to get stronger.

Key West is feeling the effects of Hurricane Igor which is heading towards Bermuda. Stronger than normal wind. Waves in the water. Choppy seas. White caps starting to form.

Igor is no danger to Key West. It will not even come close. However nature has an ever expanding thrust. Igor brings us wind and choppy seas. And along the eastern seaboard of the United States, rip tides.

Today will not be a good boating or fishing day in the keys.

Yesterday was spent doing paper work. Every now and then a necessity.

I needed copies and to fax some documents. My combination printer, fax, etc. is broke. Someone said go to Office Max.

Terrific!

Office Max has a whole section dedicated to copying, faxing and other office needs. I did it all! And for less than $3!

When I returned home, Lisa and the grandkids were in the pool. I joined them. Robert and Ally swim so well! Not uncommon for children here in the keys. Water every where. Kids grow up in the ocean and pools and become excellent swimmers at an early age.

I dined at Hogfish last night. Love the word “dined” as it applies to Hogfish. An old thatched roof restaurant. Beat up. Sitting in one of the worst areas of Stock Island.

But loved by everyone. Good food! Cheap prices! Great company!

I ate out on the dock. The sun was just setting so it quickly became cool. Tarpon were off the dock. People were throwing food into the water. The fish broke through the surface and grabbed at the food. No place for a human hand!

Hogfish was my dinner choice. Tasty, as usual.

I watched an old movie on TV last night. Budapest. Starred Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. It was about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

I was a senior in college at the time. Manhattan College in New York City.

The Revolution began on October 23, 1956 and ended about 2 1/2 weeks later on November 10, 1956.

The Hungarians were winning till the Russians sent in the tanks on November 10th. The Revolution ended the same day. The Russians did not screw around. They sent in a gigantic force to put down the Revolution. And succeeded! Again, in one day!

Two hundred thousand people had to flee the wrath of the Russians.

Fifteen of them ended up at Manhattan College.

College age men. Late teens. Early 20s. They were welcomed with open arms.

I became close to them. We would sit and chat evenings after dinner.

Their story was interesting.

We were not revolutionaries. Never thought of initiating a revolution. We were out drinking beer one night. As college kids normally do. The Russians had been unusually difficult in recent days. We were a bit drunk. We started driving around yelling at groups of Russian soldiers and throwing beer bottles at them.

Eventually the Russians started shooting at us. We graduated to guns and molotov cocktails. Most of us had never shot a gun before.

All of a sudden revolution was in the air! We were winning. Until the tanks came in! Tanks, tanks, tanks! So many. Overwhelming.

The revolution was over.

We had to flee. The Russians were brutal. Our friends were being rounded up and shot.

Free nations all over the world took these fleeing Hungarians in. Many were placed in colleges. The 15 at Manhattan College an example.

Good guys all!

Interestingly, they all spoke excellent English. They had learned it as part of the Russian educational system in Hungary.

I have never seen any of them since I graduated. It would be interesting to know how they fared in America.

Enjoy your day!

Great radio show yesterday!

Most of the show was dedicated to National Constitution Day. Yesterday. It was the 227th birthday of the U.S. Constitution.

Initially through Facebook, I made a friend in Indonesia. She and her friends religiously watch my radio show over the internet. And she equally religiously reads this blog.

Religious is the operative word here.

Sometimes we e mail each other.

Our Constiution guarantees people living in the U.S. certain freedoms. One is freedom of religion.
Indonesia has either the largest or one of the largest Muslim populations in the world.

My friend is not a Muslim. Though she is Indonesian. She and her ancestors have lived in Indonesia for generations.

My friend is Catholic. As is her family.

She once wrote and told me of the life of a Catholic in a Muslim country such as Indonesia.

Her Church is occasionally vandalized. Sometimes they must practice their faith in private.

She is occasionally beaten on the street. The beatings are swift and sudden. Because she is Catholic.

Our government permits a proposed Muslim mosque to be built less than 2 blocks from the site of 9/11. Her Muslim nation wreaks havoc on her Church and her personally.

Freedom of religion works differently in our two countries. Better stated, it appears non existant in one of them!

This is Poker Run Weekend in Key West. Motorcyclists from all over are here! Male and female alike. All similarly attired. Jeans, boots, headbands and leather. Tough looking! Mean appearing! All as gentle as babies. Doctors, lawyers, CPAs and the like on a fun weekend.

Duval is closed off. Bikes line both sides of the street. No recession here! These are expensive machines! As much as an expensive car!

A strange thought crossed my mind last night as I looked at Key West’s visitors and cycles. What would Harry Truman have thought? He loved and enjoyed Key West. My guess is he would have probably joined in on the festivities. At least attire wise. Harry, yes. Bess, no.

When I got home, I went to the internet to see what Truman was up to on this weekend years ago.

Turns out that on September 18, 1948, Harry Truman was campaigning for President. He was on the rear platform of a train in Chariton, Iowa giving a political speech. Candidates campaigned from the back of trains in those days. It was called whistlestopping.

Truman was giving the Republicans hell. He told the crowd that they were receiving top dollar for their pigs and corn. Thanks to him and the Democratic Party. He referred to the Republicans and their Republican controlled Congress as a “…do nothing Congress.” The transcript of Truman’s remarks were concise and hard hitting. His words would have equally applied in today’s political climate.

Ally telephoned me last night. Just as I was going out on the town. She has learned how to telephone. Dial. She insisted I stop and see her.

I could never turn down the request of a lovely lady. Especially not Ally.

I stopped by. We did our hellos and kisses. I stayed a few minutes and left.

Sean and Katherine were at the Chart Room. Good people. Mid 20s. Tomorrow’s leaders. Our country is in good hands!

Also at the bar were Don and Chris. I knew they would be in Key West this weekend. They had e mailed me.

Don and Chris are from the Syracuse area. They visit Key West several times a year. Love it here!

We met through this blog. Chris is a loyal reader. Every day! She recites my tales almost word for word.

They both are employed by a solar panel manufacturing company back home. Don had just returned from a lengthy trip to China. He has been there on business several times this past year.

Don looked good. He had to feel like crap. He had flown back from Shanghi to Chicago. Arrived in Chicago yesterday morning. Chris met him. They then hopped on a plane to Key West.

I had dinner at Michael’s. I went to chat with my bartender friend Emmett. He was not there. On vacation.

Michael’s was packed. I have never seen it so crowded. Even in season. Between the visiting bikers and locals, there was not an empty seat in the restaurant.

I asked the waiter if they had expected such a crowd. No way, he said. Not even half. The staff had to work their butts off last night. Michael’s was obviously understaffed for the crowd.

But, they did a good job!

I met an ineresting chap at the bar. He lives in Key West. Though I had never seen him before.

He was with a couple.

Their appetizers were 2 meals off the regualr menu and one off the lite menu. One of the mains was a whole Maine lobster.

Then they ordered again! You read me correctly! They ordered another whole meal. Three different meals from the regular menu.

I asked if the last time they had eaten was two weeks ago. He laughed.

The fellow I was talking with apparently makes his living taking tourists around town. He must also get a cut of the bill from the house.

A position for me to consider. Ho, ho!

Enjoy your day!

This is a special American day. It is National Constitution Day! A happy birthday day for that great document, the United States Constitution.

223 years old! The Constitution was signed by 50 plus delegates on September 17, 1787.

This day has been a special occasion from a legal perspspective since 2002 when then President Bush so decreed. Special events all across the land today will include celebratory events on college campuses. Part of Bush’s decree. Further per his directive, these events are financed with federal funds.

Locally, there will be a massive celebration at the Florida Keys Community College on Stock Island. It is co-sponsored by the Key West Civilian Review Board. Joining in the festivities will be the President of the Florida Bar Association, Maryanne Downs.

My radio show is this morning. I am doing the first 30 minutes in celebration of National Constitution Day. I will even have a guest for the first half hour. Stephen Muffler, the Executive Director of the Key West Civilian Review Board. Boring it will not be.

The second half of the show will include some factual tidbits I discovered about the Constitution, an inquiry as to where is the Mel Fisher Museum’s gold bar, a marijuana purchase in Montana, the Ines Sainz saga involving female sports reporters in a male locker room, two funny lawsuits of the week involving Nevada, Montana weird dumb laws and an impeachment trial going on in the United States Senate this very week.

The time is 10 am. KONK 1500 AM radio. Even better, watch and listen world wide at http://www.konkam.com/.

It rained all day yesterday. Off and on. That is two days in a row. Highly unusual.

Bocce last night. I was concerned we might not be able to play. The courts are clay. They would be wet and I anticipated puddles.

No puddles. But wet. Damp wet. It was decided play could proceed.

Everyone was happy! No one wants to miss bocce here in Key West.

We played through the evening. It rained off and on. Generally light sprinkles. On one occasion, a bit heavier. But hearty folks all! The games went on!

You really had to throw the ball! The dampness caused the ball to roll slower than normal. Much slower. The goal in bocce normally is to get the ball close to the polina. Last night, it was to get the ball down the court. Distance was the key. Forget getting close.

We did good! Won 2 out of 3 games. Won the first 16-4. I thought…..oh boy! We are going to have a terrific night! Then we got beat in the second game 16-3. We won the final game 16-4 again.

It was fun!

I was headed for Don’s Place afterwards, when I decided I was hungry. Bad! I ended up at TGIFridays. All that wonderful greasy food! Wings, mozzerella sticks and potato skins.

So much for dieting last night! And at 10 o’clock!

I have a good attitude about dieting. Once it’s blown for a day, go for it! I returned home and ate a ton of cookies. Oreos.

Not good for my health I admit. But I felt terrific when I went to bed on a full stomach.

The sun is up. But I can’t see it. A large blanket of clouds overhead. Another rain day in the making I fear!

Enjoy your day!

I really screwed up yesterday.

It’s a generational thing.

I noted on Facebook that someone wished everyone a Happy Hump Day. Humping to me is having sex. That is one of the ways it was referred to in my earlier years.

I thought the Facebook admonition nice. The practice of which also lent itself to good exercise. So I recommended and wished it upon everyone yesterday. Have a Happy Hump Day I said!

Lisa telephoned me later in the morning. Do you know what Hump Day means? Yes. I explained it to her as I have here. She said, no. It means happy Wednesday. It is to celebrate th middle of the week!

As I said, it is a generational thing. I prefer my interpretation. But I am willing to accept the new. With one observation. No wonder people seem to have less fun these days!

It rained big time yesterday! Off and on. Poured. Unusual in Key West. Even at this time of year.

We were on the first tee yesterday morning. It started coming down. We had to hurry back to the club house. The rain delayed our start about an hour.

Golf was fun despite the on again off again rain. I played with Don, Aaron and Dave. Plus a new guy. Michael. Michael is my doctor’s husband.

Michael had not played in a couple of months. He had a rocky front nine. And then his true self came through on the back. He was really hitting the ball!

I had a fair day. Hit some good shots. Some poor ones. Overall I was pleased. Even won $3!

Lisa and Corey had a meeting at Montessori for Robert in the early evening. So I babysat.

I ran a putting competition for them on the carpet. From 10 feet, each of them can drop a putt 2 or 3 consecutive times. They are improving! I had each of them read to me. Big improvment in just a couple of weeks. Especially in Ally. Then it was bath time. Neither wanted my assistance. They draw their own water, bathe themselves, wash their hair and returned to me in their pajamas.

After Lisa and Corey returned, I headed over to Outbacks for dinner.

Key West’s Outbacks is an interesting place. All locals. Rarely a tourist. Everyone knows everyone. I enjoyed my dinner and the peole I ran into. I had a 6 ounce sirloin and a baked sweet potato with nothing on it. Protein and good carb. I cheated on the golf course, however. We were running late because of the rain and I was starving. I had a hot dog!

Bocce tonight!

Love bocce!

There are 12 courts. Twenty four teams. Anywhere from 4 to 14 members per team. Around 120 will play. Plus spectators. Those assembled are from all walks of life. From the homeless to professional and business people. From gays to staights. All having a fun time.

My health kick fommented some comments. Some adverse. Some ventful. OK by me. Enjoy receiving comments. Good, bad or indifferent. That means I am being read. A bit of controversey never hurt.

The initial success of modern day America started with the World War II generation. After the fighting was over, they wanted the best for themselves and their families.

Then came the next generation. Their children. I am one of them. I was born in 1935. Was 5 to 10 years of age during the years the war was fought.

We took the tools our parents provided. Primarily education. And worked to make America an even better place for us and our children.

We did pretty good.

With one mistake. We made made it too easy for our children. They are the baby boomers. I look upon them as the age of entitlement. The wantabees. They want everything. They expect everything. But do not necessarily want to work as their parents and grandparents did.

There is a greed factor to it.

I suspect such is a major reason we are in the economic predicament of today.

This same genration is less tolerant of others. Perhaps they have not lived long enough to realize life changes as we age, as do our wants, desires and needs.

When I was younger, I sailed a lot. Used to live 4 people on a sailboat for two weeks at a time. Dove. Swam. Ran. Walked. Worked out.

I was always dieting. Watching what I ate. My weight problem is more a genetic one. My body is like my mother’s. She was big! I have always fought it. So I have dieted all my life.

There comes a time when a person does not want to sail any longer. Sailing does not turn me on anymore. The one or two times a year I have a desire to be out on the ocean blue, I telephone one of my many friends with a boat. I used to swim an hour a day. Healthy though it may be, it does not turn me on anymore. Nor does the sun. I was always lying out in the sun. No more.

I am 75. I do what I want. As it should be.

Only those a bit older may understand what I am about to say. At a mature age, the body dictates what you can and cannot do. What you will and will not do.

Tomorrow is Friday. Radio show time! The Key West Lou Legal Hour. 10 am. KONK 1500 AM radio. Watch and listen world wide on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/.

I have a guest tomorrow for the first half hour of the show. Stephen Muffler. Stephen is an attorney, Executive Director of the Key West Civilian Review Board and teaches constitutional law at the college level in Miami.

Tomorrow is National Constitution Day. Stephen is joining me to discuss the day and constitutional issues. Should be interesting! Join us, if you can.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was day one of a return to good health!

I walked. At Home Depot. For a half hour. Long enough. I walk fast.

Maybe I should get a job at Home Depot. Michael from my bocce team went to work there several months ago. He lost 15 pounds! It shows! He has thinned right down!

I asked Michael what diet he was on. None, he said. It’s the job! Home Depot employees constantly walk. Nothing has changed in Michael’s life but the job. He still eats the same.

Good health will continue this morning. It is Wednesdy. I play golf on Wednesday. Golf is always exercise for me. I play poorly. So I hit more shots than most. Throw in some practice swings and I am really working out!

I even ate better yesterday.

Lunch was at the Yacht Club. Hogfish on whole wheat. With some sweet potato fries on the side. I ate only a few of the fries.

Lunch was with Jenna and Larry. We talked radio. Tonight is Larry’s variety show. Jenna is his co-star. They do a Regis and Kelly Ripka thing. Listen to the show at 9 on KONK 1500 AM radio. Better yet, watch and listen on http://www.konkam.com/.

I felt like being good to Louis in the afternoon. So it was off to Lee Nails to see Tammy. My sweet Vietnamese friend. Pedicure and manicure. Both! A big afternoon!

Then to Publix. Had to change the mix of foods at home. Wandered around and bought all kinds of healthy things. Yogurt, fruit and the like.

It was me and the newspapers for dinner last night. I ate alone. At Hogfish. Fish and chips. Hogfish again! Ate little of the fries. What a good boy was I!

The sun is just coming up. Another great Key West day in the making! The temperature hit 96 yesterday. Humid. However the evenings have been decidedly comfortable. Not warm. Not cool. Just right.

There is a strong wind this morning coming in off the Atlantic. From the northeast. Going to affect the golf game! We will have to play taking the wind into account on most shots. Love it! It gives me an excuse every time I screw up a shot!

My friend Maria from somewhere in northern Florida wished everyone a Happy Hump Day on Facebook this morning. I do, too! May we all get lucky! A form of exercise. Good for mind and body!

Enjoy your day!

I had a physical a few weeeks ago. My doctor said I appeared sad. A little, I said. She said, no wonder. You stopped drinking and smoking back in October because of your heart problem. You went on a diet and lost 30 pounds. You watch what you eat since. And you were just divorced so you are without sex.

You have no crutches in life! They are all gone!

She was right!

I decided to do something about it. The question was what?

Drinking and smoking were no good for the heart. Could very well lead to my death.

Sex is not that easily obtainable. Especially at 75. Nor easily doable.

The only viable alternative was food!

So I have been on an eating jag!

Absolutely teriffic! Has done wonders for my state of mind. I feel good!

But not without a penalty. Everything good is ok in moderation. To overdue bad. I have been bad. About 15 pounds worth and a bit of a gut!

It has to stop. I have to return to sad. Today is the day. Healthy eating begins again!

As an example of how bad I have been eating, yesterday I had lunch at Hogfish. Not fish. Liver and onions fried in oil. Delicious! Should have added a few extra exclamation points! That good!

For dinner, Chinese. All that salt or whaever it is! And I did it all! Egg drop soup, egg foo yong, pork fried rice, egg roll and ice cream. Plus a fortune cookie, of course.

It was the fortune cookie that put me over the top! Ho ho!

Some one commented yesterday to my blog regarding eggs benedict on Sunday. Accused me of not eating healthy. The commentator was absolutely correct! I have been on a binge. It has been fun. I enjoyed every morsel!

But today I stop. I hope.

I will be sad. But I will live longer.

That is, unless I get hit by a car. Then the dieting and deprivation will have been for naught.

I am reminded of a big fat comedian of yesteryear. His name escapes me.

He was on the Johnny Carson Show. He had just returned from a one month stay at Duke University. Duke had a rice program in those days that did wonders for the obese. He sufered through it for a whole month.

On the plane back to New York, he opted to eat. They fed you in those days. He ate everything. And because he was a celebrity, they gave him more. And he knocked down a couple of drinks.

When the food on the plane first came around, he thought for a moment. He should not indulge. Then it occurred to him. The plane could go down. He might die. Then what difference would his not eating have made!

So he ate!

I hope my mind does not work that way.

Enjoy your day!