A Happy Fourth to one and all!

Remember what it means! With all that is going on in our contry today, I have concern.

My morning started with a smile. A telephone call from Robert and Ally. Happy 4th of July Poppa! Lisa said they ran into her bedroom this morning with the same greeting. The good things they learn in school!

I received another Happy Fourth greeting on Facebook. From my friend Jim Brown. Jim is a Scot living on the island Crete in Greece. Thank you Jim for remembering.

A freedom confrontation of sorts is going to take place later this morning in Key West. The police announced yesterday that they will be arresting the women who will be marching at 11 on Duval with their breasts exposed. It is a gender equality issue. The police will first warn them to cover. If they fail to do so, they will be arrested.

I researched the issue for my radio show The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Did a whole segment on it 2 weeks ago.

Florida has a state statute which lists body organs which may not be publically displayed. Female breasts are not listed.

Key West has a statute which requires female breasts to be covered from the tip of the nipple back. I did not write the law. Some very precise person did. I understand the law was written as a result of female bare breasting during Fantasy Fest.

There is an obvious conflict between state and local law. I suspect in the end that state law will prevail.

There is another legal issue. A Constitutional one.

If men can go bare breasted, why can’t women. What is good for the goose, is good for the gander. It is called equal rights.

Key West will be in the evening news. A constitutional confrontation is in the making.

This local march by the women today is supported by NOW. This demonstration has national backing. I susupect the issue will be prominent as it runs its course through the courts.

It is another gorgious day outside. A good day to walk around bare breasted!

I had dinner with Lisa and the family last night. Lisa says Robert and Ally are going crazy over golf. They especially love the real golf balls I gave them the other day. She says Robert is really into it. He is getting the language down. Par, birdie, eagle, etc. And only 6 years old!

After dinner, I headed over to Louie’s Backyard. Marty had called to tell me he and Tom were there.

Louie’s has one of the best views in Key West. It sits over the wide Atlantic.

Next door to Louie’s is Dog beach. A small beautiful beach. It is so called because it is for dogs. People bring their dogs. The dogs run around, sun bathe and swim with their owners.

And poop all over the place! Humans must walk the beach with care.

Only in Key West!

I had a couple of drinks with Marty and Tom. And some good laughs.

We were talking real estate. Marty told us Jimmy Buffett used to live next door to Louie’s. I told him I looked at the same house 20 years ago to buy. It was only $70,000 at the time. Today, even in this depressed market, you could not touch it for $1 million!

Then it was home to bed for me. Marty and Tom left for dinner somewhere.

I leave for Utica, New York later today. You will hear from me tomorrow from the foothills of the Adirondacks.

Enjoy your day!

The rainy season must be moving in. It rains in the summer once a day. Around 1 in the afternoon. For about 5 minutes.

I was having lunch yesterday at Hogfish. Fried calamari. It was a few minutes before 1. It poured! Just like that! Buckets of rain. Heavy. Five minutes later it was all over.

On my way into town last night, I stopped at Lisa’s to visit the family.

They had had take out chinese for dinner. Egg foo young and ribs left. I sampled a bit. Just a little as I had plans for dinner.

Robert and Ally were practising putting. They are into golf big time since they took four hours of lessons at the golf course.

They were down to one plastic golf ball. No good, I thought. So I took them out to the car. I had 2 for real golf balls on the front seat. I gave them each one.

Excited! Wow! And they could keep them!

I anticipate a broken window shortly.

Many friends at the Chart Room last night. Marty is back. He brought a buddy Tom with him. Tom is a retired trial attorney from the Fort Lauderdale area. Che was there. And Sean and Katherine. All good people. I received a warm Happy Birthday! from all.

Marty, Tom and I headed over to La Trattoria for dinner.

Erin was bartending. I had seen her at Outback with some girl friends the night before. I told her she looked like a school girl at Outback. I observed she was wearing no make up when I saw her. She said I was right. And smiled. She will probably go without make up from now on.

Becha. Lovely Becha. She came over and hugged me and kissed me. I whispered in her ear as she held me…..marry me and run away with me. She walked away mumbling and laughing. Probably saying to herself…..this old nut!

It was the start of the 4th of July weekend last night. Key West was filling up. La Trattoria was packed.

Going to be a big weekend.

Enjoy your day!

What a beautiful morning!

Everyday is glorious in Key West!

The whole world should live here!

The sun is shining already this morning.

Across the water from me is the MTV house of 3 years ago. You know. That TV show that annually tracks the living style for a week or so of young people living in some exotic place. Three years ago it was Key West.

My neighbor rented his home to MTV for 3 months for outrageous money. It took 3 months to prep the house for the show and finally run the show.

A group of young people arrived. Lived in the home for a month.

I never heard nor saw them except on two occasions. Both involved the show participants diving off the dock into the ocean during day time hours. Whatever occurred for show purposes happened inside and late at night or in town. Times when I was sound asleep.

The house is bright yellow on the outside. Trimmed in pink and a pastel blue. When the sun is upon it, as it is now, the place is a knockout! Great on the eyes! A sight everyone should behold.

I have that view every morning.

Lunch yesterday was at Harpoon Harry’s. A locals place. An old time diner sitting in a large store front.

Management and staff are friendly. The food good. Portions large. It was a late breakfast for me. Ham, eggs and whole wheat toast.

Afterwards, I took a walk over to the watrerfront. All of one block away. To the Turtle Museum. Glanced around a bit.

I was into turtles yesterday for two reasons.

First, Ally discovered turtle eggs in the sand at Fort Zach beach Sunday. She was all excited! This is nesting season.

Yesterday, the local paper reported a turtle crisis because of the oil spill. 70,000 eggs are in danger because of the Gulf oil spill. The eggs already dropped into the sand on beaches and awaiting hatching. The turtle egg period is about 60 days.

I am referring to the eggs in the Louisiana, Alabama and Northern Florida areas. Areas already devestated by the oil.

A plan is underway to carefully recover the eggs, place them in a lab somewhere in northern Florida and have them hatch thusly. Thereafter, they will be returned to an appropriate beach and allowed to walk as nature intended into the ocean.

It is an attempt to save a species. If it fails, there will be turtles no more in the Gulf area.

Last night I was at Outback for dinner. Salmon and fresh steamed vegetables. Healthy. What a good boy am I!

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday…..one of the best days of my life!

Two big events!

A great round of golf. First in many years.

Then my 75th birthday party with Lisa and the family.

I have never hit the ball better than yesterday! Pared 3 par 4s. Birdied one par 3. I am lucky to get one par every 3 months!

Unfortunately, I coupled those great holes with four 9s, one 8 and one 7. Consistency is next on the agenda.

I hit the ball straighter and longer than in some time. My putting was outstanding. Dropped every one I should. Deadly from 5 feet.

I played with Kurt, Don and Larry. All superior golfers.

Kurt shot 81, Larry 87 and Don 91. Don had a bad day. I shot 103. Not bad for me. I am usually around 115-125. If I can avoid those 9s, I will finally break 100.

Kurt and I tied as big money winners. $22 each! Winners buy afterwards. Drinks cost us $19.50 each. So I netted all of $2.50. I did not care! Joy was in my heart! I was excited!

Tuesday I will be 75 years old. Wow! Since I will not be in Key West then, Lisa decided to celebrate my birthday last night.

We had a terrific meal. And a special chocolate cake was baked for me. Robert and Ally helped with the white frosting.

I walked into the house before dinner and the grandkids were all over me shouting Happy Birthday Poppa! They helped me blow out the candles. No, not 75. Twelve. Ally always insists on removing the candles afterwards. She licks the frosting off the bottom of them.

I ate too much. Includinjg two large pieces of cake. Two pounds extra on the scale this morning!

In between golf and the birthday dinner, I went to Borders. Continued reading Kitty Kelley’s Oprah. Started falling asleep again as the time before. I could not understand. I was not tired when I arrived at the book store.

I put Oprah down. Selected another book. Read it with no problem for a half hour. Then returned to Oprah. Same problem. I was soon very tired. Eyes narrowing. Getting heavier and heavier.

I have decided it is the book. Sounds strange. I am a big reader. Read everything. Have never had this experience before. I think Oprah is written in such a fashion to put its readers to sleep. Or maybe it is just plain boring. It befuddles me.

I am done with the book. I do not plan on returning to it. No pleasure in reading it.

I blame not Oprah. She had nothing to do with the book. It has to be Kelley’s style in writing the book. Whatever. It is no fun fun to read and will not be completed by me.

Today is a sorrowful day for Key West. Julie and Jim Nevius are leaving Key West for their home in New Orleans. A great couple. Jules was my bocce partner for 4 years. They will be missed.

I wish them well in New Orleans. They plan on buying a bar. Don’s Place type. We will all have place to visit in New Orleans!

Enjoy your day!

Good morning world!

It is still dark outside. I got up earlier than normal this morning.

Humid. More so every day. It is that time.

Yesterday started with a walk. I decided to walk Duval. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and back. Do not be impressed. It is only 20 minutes at a fast clip each way. I jazzed the trip up with ventures onto some of the side streets.

One thing was obvious. Key West has more ice cream stores this year than last. I counted 6. Last year and for many years prior, there were only 2.

Two of the stores sell only gelato, the Italian ice cream.

Some of the new stores are large and in high rent areas. Around $10,000 per month and more. Have to sell a lot of ice cream to pay that kind of rent!

Then it was to the Coffee House. No coffee for me, however. I needed water to cool my body down. Read the newspapers.

I had lunch with Lisa at her home. She goes home for lunch every day. Nice and quiet. No grandkids. Sometime that type solitude is required.

Borders was next on my list. I am reading the new Oprah biography by Kitty Kelley. Unauthorized. No cooperation involved.

So far I am unimpressed.

I have read two of Kelley’s previous works. Nancy Reagan and Frank Sinatra. Reagan I thought was terrific. Sinatra only so so.

I had a first time experience at Borders. I fell asleep. Sitting in one of those black chairs. While reading Oprah. Slept for about an hour. Head down. Book in lap.

Who is this drunk people probably thought!

No one bothered me. I am a fixture at Borders. Customers think I work there. They ask me directions. The staff treat me like one of the family. Maybe I should move in!

Dinner was at Hogfish alone. Picked up some local weeklies to read.

My dinner was unique!

I am still on a good health kick. Watching my food. Dieting a bit. Needed protein. Wanted to stay away from fried foods.

Hogfish had a fajita special. Chicken and shrimp. Good protein.

I rarely eat fajitas. Last night was the first time I ever ordered one out. Usually I will eat them at Lisa’s.

I ordered the fajita special.

One of the best meals I have ever eaten. What taste!

My Cuban waitress could tell how much I was enjoying the meal. She joked about having prepared it herself for me.

Golf this morning. Good! I have not played in two weeks. Miss it. Love to play. Competence has nothing to do with desire!

Tuesday July 6 is my birthday. I shall be 75. Wow!

I neither feel it nor think I look it. Vanity! The years have been good to me appearance wise. I do tire more easily. Forget why I walk in a room on occasion. Take a lot of pills daily. All part of the aging scenerio. Appearance a different item, however.

James Cagney was a movie star of old. Yankee Doodle Dandy was one of his more memorable flicks. Back in the 1930s he did a gangster movie. He played the bad guy. He had a line…..Live fast, die young and have a good looking corpse!

I have not lived fast. That is why the body is still in good shape. I obviously have not died young. Will I have a good looking corpse? Who cares!

I will be in Utica next tuesday. I am leaving saturday for a week.

So we are celebrating my 75th birthday tonight at Lisa’s. Lisa, Corey, Robert, Ally and me. Dinner, cake and the works! It will be fun! I do not plan on dieting.

Because of the trip to Utica, my radio show this friday and next will not be live. Tapes of previous shows will be rerun. Still listen in. The news and stories remain interesting and exciting, though a week or two old.

I do not know which tapes the station will be running.

This blog will run new every morning, however. The tale of my upstate New York exploits.

Enjoy your day!

A weather man I apparently am not!

I predicted rain yesterday. It did not rain.

Defensively, I might add that my rain prediction was based on the wind blowing from the south. Yesterday morning as I wrote the blog, it was. Then turned around. Noon it switched and came in from the east.

Oh, well.

Syracuse Universtity’s basketball team this past year was the best ever. We may have had more talent on certain teams in the past. And cetain teams did make it to the Final Four. However, this past year’s team had talent, played together and had it all going for them. Most of the time.

A star of this year’s team was Wesley Johnson. He only stayed 2 years at Syracuse. On the bench one year as a transfer. Then played last year. What a player! The star! High scorer!

No more will he be at Syracuse.

He was drafted by Minnesota. # 4 pick overall. Big time! Millions of dollars to sign.

I am happy for him. He is economically sound at a young age. Don’t blame him for going pro for the money.

But…..I think it is wrong for college students to be drafted before they finish school. True, some can’t finish academically. Whatever, there should be some rule that forces them to stay in school 4 years. Life is long. Money gets dissipated. Especially without knowledge or experience as to how to handle it.

Key West has a flagship. The Schooner Western Union. 130 feet long.

The vessel was first launched 71 years ago in Key West. Near where the Pier House sits today.

The boat has history. Laid the first telegraph cable from Key West to Cuba. And later did similar work between Florida and Latin American countries.

Now you can understand where the name Schooner Western Union came from.

The vessel fell into disarray. Needed restoration badly. About $1 million worth.

A group of locals got together to do the restoration. A non profit group was formed. Monies came in from several sources. Ed Swift and Historic Tours of America helped. First State Bank also. Plus grants from other sources.

The restoration is complete. The Schooner Western Union will be relaunched in Key West once again. Tomorrow, in fact. At the Truman Waterfront at 9 am. Attend, if you can. It should be an interesting event.

Guy deBoer is the owner of KONK 1500 AM radio station. My station. Guy sits on the board of the non profit group that directed the restoration. He and his fellow board members are to be congratulated.

Guy is to be complimented for another reason, also. KONK radio just celebrated its first birthday. It is a community radio station heard world wide over the internet. A terrific accomplishment! Just think. My Key West Lou Legal Hour is heard in Canada, Cuba, Mexico, England, South Africa, Greece, Italy and Indonesia, as an example.

A major accomplishment, Guy!

Key West was quiet yesterday. Things will pick up as the weekend approaches. It will be July 4th weekend!

I did the Chart Room last night. Very quiet. I was the only one there when I stopped in for a drink. That is quiet!

Dinner was at the bar at Outback. I am watching my weight. Outback has a 6 ounce sirloin steak with a baked sweet potato and steamed vegetables. Just right for me at this time!

Golf tomorrow morning. I am excited. I could not play last week. I am playing and riding with Kurt. A big deal! A top notch golfer. The best and the worst will be playing together. He will have to give me a ton of strokes!

Enjoy your day!

The wind is from the south this morning. The humidity heavy.

When the wind is from the south, it rains. Normally the wind is from the north or east.

Does not look or feel like rain at the moment. We shall see. And we shall see whether my weather forcasting abilities are correct.

Yesterday was Sunday. I did nothing.

Layed around the house. Watched the morning talk shows. A little sun bathing by the pool. A nap or two.

It was Lisa’s for dinner.

Robert, Ally and I watched the PGA playoff together. Robert is learning. Everytime the ball goes in the hole, he normally shouts hole in one! We were watching a par 4 being played. The pro got the ball in the cup in 3. Robert yelled…..birdie! I asked him what that was. He said he got it in the hole in 3 instead of 4.

Impressive! Wow!

Then it was home to bed and tv for me.

Nothing dramatic yesterday. Just a restful Sunday.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was a good day.

I started with a late morning walk at Smathers Beach. I am back into good health. The humidity was a killer. I was soaking wet at the end of the walk.

Then home to shower.

I was in need of a pedicure. So it was off to see Tammy. I enjoyed the manicure. Very restful.

Then with sparkling toes (ho, ho), I was off to Don’s Place. For Jim’s retirement party.

The place was packed. Everyone there to do honor to Jim. A likable guy. And to his wife Jules, also. A special woman. They make a great couple.

Respect is important. And respect was what was being shown yesterday to Jim and Jules.

Participating in the frolic were Don, Nancy, Karen, David, Michael, Cathy, Boomer, Karey, Maria, Jean, Rob, Beebe, Michelle, Michelle’s son, Joanie, Bill, Angus, Jules’ parents and many more.

The U.S. v. Ghana socccer game was playing. Every one was engrossed in the match. Many were dressed in red, white and blue for the event. I thought Joanie was the best dressed female and Angus the best dressed man. Loved Angus’ flag styled/colored top hat!

I thought about the King of Ghana. Actually the King of La. You will recaall he visited Key West about a month ago for the commeration of the 150th anniversary of the slaves being brought to Key West for safety. Some of those slaves now lie below Higgs Beach. Corey met him and spent the day with him. I wrote about him in a blog and spoke at length about him in a radio show. I thought he must be there in Africa watching the game.

As a side, my friend Rita from South Africa e mailed me after the match commenting on it and offering her condolences on America’s loss.

The food was terrific! Great ribs. The best pulled pork I have ever tasted. Cole slaw, baked beans, salads and much more. I went back for seconds on the pulled pork.

The food came from tht rib place on the Boulevard behind Checkers. It is relatively new. I do not even know its name. I have to stop there. It was that good! Lisa and Corey take the kids there. That speaks well for the place also.

After the party, I headed over to Lisa’s. I was just in time to watch Robert’s graduation video. Fun! Brought tears to my eyes! And to Lisa and Corey’s, also. Robert watched the video proudly. Ally was intent. Kept reminding us that next year it was her turn to graduate from kindergarten.

I was home before 7. Tired. Went straight to bed. Slept till midnight. Woke. And never fell back to sleep again! I suspect I am going to feel lousy as the day progresses.

Enjoy your Sunday!

I am out of bed late this morning. Got hooked on an old World War II movie and stayed in bed watching it.

Yesterday’s radio show went well. I received many favorable comments afterwards. Two segments were especially appealing to the audience.

The first had to do with my friend Cindy. Cindy of Tom and Cindy. From Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

I have written of Cindy before. Yesterday I spoke of her.

Cindy and husband Tom are snowbirds. About 10 years. Winter here in Key West.

Cindy has had a bit of misfortune in her life. Five different cancers. Seven cancer surgeries. She is missing one leg and two breasts. The leg was removed to the groin. Ergo, she cannot use a prosthesis. Her last two surgeries were for a cancerous brain tumor.

In spite…..she is clean, alive and well!

Amazing!

A terrific personality! A happy woman!

Last week she had what might be considered a minor tragedy for her. She fell and broke her arm. Not a big deal to most. But it is to her. She needs both arms to balance herself on her one leg when she is not in a wheel chair or using crutches.

The break requires surgery. She cannot have the surgery. The previous cancer treatments do not permit it. Her bones will not allow it.

So Cindy is casted. For 8 weeks. Not even the usual 6.

With all this adversity heaped upon her, Cindy is still cheerful and perky. The sun always rises as far as she is concerned!

Cindy just wrote me an e mail and thanked me for my thoughts yesterday. She and Tom watched on ustream together with several of their friends.

Cindy! Love you! This too shall pass! Key West misses you! Hurry back!

The other story that made an impact of sorts yesterday was the minie ball pregnancy. Serious at first. Then funny. A real joke! Concerns the Civil War and a rebel soldier who was shot by a Yankee. Bullets were called minie balls. The ball passed through the rebel soldiers reproductive organs and then struck a young lady standing on a nearby porch.

The young lady got pregnant.

The baby born was the original son of a gun.

If you want to know more, I suggest you look up minie ball pregnancy on the internet.

Jules is my bocce partner. I speak of her often. She and husband Jim leave this week for their home in New Orleans. No more Jules!

Husband Jim retired yesterday from the U.S. Air Force.

Jim joined the Air Force sometime after college. Went through officers training school. He retires now as a major after 20 years of service.

Major James Nevius’ retierment ceremony was yesterday at Boca Chica Air Base. I was invited. However, I could not attend.

I did hook up with every one later at Don ‘s Place where they were partying. There is a formal party this afternoon at 2 at Don’s Place. I will be there.

The party last night was fun. Of course, every one was pleasantly snockered by the time I arrived.

They were playing pool table bocce. Eventually I got to play. It is fun.

Maria and a friend were in from Tampa. Maria is Jules best friend. I like Maria. We Facebook a lot.

She partnered with me in the pool table bocce games.

Later at the bar, Maria was drinking a beer. The bottle fell over. On the both of us. My shirt, shorts and crocs were a mess. Maria was wearing long. The dress was soaked as well as her sandals.

I accused her of knocking the bottle over. She said no. It was me. Ok. I find it amusing since I no longer drink. The only sober one in the house was the clumsy one.

I stayed a little longer. Smelled like a brewery. Said my good nights and drove home with the windows open. Took a shower. Threw my clothes and crocs on the shower floor first. I had to get the beer smell off me and out of everything else.

I have decided to have a Louis day. A walk. Some newspaper reading at the Coffee House. A pedicure. A visit with the grandkids Then Jim’s party. I plan on getting to the party late. It starts at 2. I will get there at 4 when the food arrives. It is difficult for me to be in a bar for a long time without drinking.

Enjoy your day!

Today is the day!

Radio show time!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour!

10 am. KONK 1500 AM radio in the Florida keys and Cuba.

The show also can be seen as well as heard on the internet. With a change from previous weeks. There is a new internet address.

The visual portion of the KONK radio is under readjustment. Means a new way.

Stat with www.ustream.com. Then go to the top right corner of the screen and type in konk in the SEARCH box. The station will appear with several others. Click on the KONK picture. Voila! KONK will be there! I will be there!

The show today will report on many interesting topics. First and foremost is the Gulf oil spill. I will be discussing several different aspects of it from a legal perspective.

Then some issues like Presidential power, Mississippi weird dumb laws, the minie ball pregnanacy, the school concession stand, the weird lawsuit of the week involving a cell phone, a walk down memory lane with Abraham Lincoln, additional comments on the new Arizona immigration law and more.

Hope you can join me!

I am up early today. Sun just rising. Great weather! Makes for terrific days!

Yesterday started with a walk along Smathers Beach. Amazing how many people were out in the early morning doing the same thing.

Then over to the Coffee House. Read the morning papers.

I spent the day at home. Laying by the pool. Occasionally napping. Lazy.

The humidity was and is heavy. It is that time of the year. It tires you out even when you are doing nothing.

Dinner was at the bar at Outback last night. I am trying to watch it. A chicken ceasar salad.

It was still early after dinner. So I stopped at Lisa’s on the way home. The whole family was there. The grandkids hid on me. They cannot fool me, however. They are easy to find. They giggle loudly giving away their hiding places.

Robert and Ally took me into the yard. They wanted to show me how they are doing at golf. Both swung small clubs. They were hitting, or rather trying to hit, plastic balls.

Robert makes contact. A big deal! He is so excited!

Ally swings like hell. Has a lovely round arc. But rarely hits the ball. When she achieves the hand to ball coordination, she is going to knock the ball into the next yard. She has the swing.

Then it was home to bed.

Enjoy your day! And don’t forget to tune into the radio show!