The big item of discussion here in Key West is the oil leak. There is concern, concern, concern!

And properly so. If it reaches Key West, and all believe it will, the impact will be massive and take years to resolve. Tourism and fishing will take major hits. And there is nothing else from an economic perspective here.

In the meantime, life goes on. Sunday is Mother’s Day. Gift time!

Consider Lisa’s internet department store for Mom’s gift. http://www.viakeywest.com/. Quick and easy to order. Various prices. Interesting and charming gifts.

My day yesterday started with a visit to Lori for a haircut. I like her. A good person.

Lori is a runner. She ran in the marathon last week on the 7 mile bridge. Finished in better time than she expected. She was all excited. Properly so.

Then It was over to the Coffee House to sip and read the papers. Everyone said you’re early. Haircut was my response.

My nails were long. So I followed coffee and the papers with a manicure.

Tammy is a lovely Vietnamese woman. Mid to late 20s. Short and thin. Long flowing velvet black hair.

When I walked in, she was no where to be seen. At least by me. I asked one of the other nail ladies to telephone her. She lives upstairs.

Everyone laughed. Tammy was there. She was seated behind the counter. She is so small, I could not see her.

Last night was La tratoria for dinner.

It must have been ladies’ night! The bar was full of lovelies. All women, no men.

A good place for me to be.

Becha was there. It was her night off. She was partying at the bar. Came over and gave me my hug and kiss. Love Becha!

Barb came in. Runs the Art Bar. Of Art Slut fame. She sells tons of black tee shirts with white print. The white print reads Art Slut.

And many other ladies I knew, but whose names I could not recall.

A smorgasborg!

Friday’s radio show is around the corner. In addition to amazing Grace, the oil spill, New York dumb weird laws and Florida gay adoption, I am going to chat a bit about the recent change in law/regulation which now will permit women to serve on submarines. I have a tie back to the Civil War that you will find interesting.

The radio show is friday morning at 10. Called the Key West Lou Legal Hour. KONK 1500 AM radio. Seen and heard world wide on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/.

Golf this morning! Whoopie! Hope I continue to ht the ball long and straight. I have confidence I will. We shall see.

Enjoy your day!

Wow did I start something with my mention of amazing Grace the past few days!

People are e mailing, telephoning and talking to me about Amazing Grace. They are listening to my Crete friend Jim Brown’s video. They are listening to other videos. They are sending me renditions by other singers and groups. Even Larry Smith was playing Amazing Grace last night at the Wine Galley.

I started my day yesterday with a visit to the doctor. Everything ok. Thyroid still off. We are lowering the dosage a bit more. The thyroid problem is the result of losing 30 pounds. I am now overdosed.

Had a late breakfast at Lucky Day Cafe. Cuban toast and coffee. Read the morning papers.

Then I took a walk. A long one. I have stoped walking. Bad! Need to get back to it. It is my only form of exercise.

I walked the Atlantic. From the airport to 1800 Atlantic and back. Along smathers Beach. A long walk. A very long walk! I was tired when I was done. It was about 85 degrees. A blazing sun. And humid.

I worked for a while in the afternoon on this coming friday’s radio show. Amazing Grace will finally be a discussed topic. Also the oil spill, New York weird dumb laws and Florida gay adoption. Researching those topics took up my afternoon.

Michael was bartending last night at the Chart Room. Che and Captain Peter were there when I arrived. Che wanted to know where Marty was. I said he has left us. No longer loves us. He has returned to Hallendale.

Turns out Che is into horses. Racing horses. He was talking about the Kentucky Derby. Che thinks the horse who came in second will win the Preakness.

Che got into Saratorga. He has been a visitor on occasion. So have I. Utica is about a one hour drive from Saratoga. We exchanged Saratoga stories.

I had an 8 o’clock meeting in the Wine Galley with Larry Smith and Guy deBoer. Larry and I were there. No Guy. I telephoned the two numbers I have for him. No answer.

Guy, you forgot us!

I waited a half hour and left. Stopped for a few minutes in the Chart Room. And then home.

Bought some chocolate covered donuts on the way home. I was in the mood.

Yesterday was a typical Key West day. As it should be. Quiet and easy.

Enjoy your day!

Jim Brown from Crete sent me a video he made of Amazing Grace celebrating his Mom’s life. She passed on a few years ago.

I was so taken with the video, I wanted to share it with you. I am not computer literate. I tried to make it part of my blog yesterday. It did not work. That is till last night. Ergo many of you may have missed it.

Son in law Corey finally figured out how to do it and retaught me again last night. This morning I am providing you with Jim’s video. I received it via You Tube. Listen to it. It is short.

http://www.youtube.com/user/jimbolou15#p/a/u/0/BE1rGl9H6Do

Amazing Grace has been all over my blog this week. Its story has yet to be told. I will be sharing what I have learned about Amazing Grace with all of you on my radio show friday. KONK 1500 AM radio. To be seen and heard on the internet world wide at http://www.konkam.com/.

I shared a hen story with you a couple of days ago. The story was correct. My conclusion incorrect.

I told you about a Canadian law that permitted hens to be raised in the back yard of a person’s home but prohibited roosters to be raised with the hens. The purpose of the law was to encouarage home egg production.

I asked how could the hens make/lay eggs if there were no roosters around. I assumed roosters were necessary for sex purposes to make the eggs.

I was wrong.

Live and learn.

Hens do not need roosters or chicken sex to make eggs. You heard me correctly. Roosters are not required. Roosters are only needed if the eggs are to be fertilized so little chicks can be made.

A long time reader of this blog, Kerig B of Toronto, Canada brought my error to my attention. I checked out his info on the internet. He is correct! Thank you Kerig B!

I spent some time with the grandkids yesterday morning. We played cards. Fish. They won all the games. I won none. I am beginning to think that subconsciously I let myself lose and them win to make them happy. Or am I kidding myself? I just may be inept.

Lunch was at the outside deck at the Pier House. Read the newspapers. A beautiful day.

Spent the afternoon finishing my reading of the The Help. A good book. About the American south in the 1950s. I recommend it.

I decided to stay in last night. Had a sandwich and went to bed early.

About 8:30 the telephone rang. It was Howard Livingston. He was at the Pier House with Larry Smith.

We have not talked in a while. He wanted me to come over and join him. No, I said. I am in bed for the night. An example of old age having set in.

It was good talking with Howard. It has been a while. We will hook up soon.

I have an early morning appointment with the doctor. It seems that is all one does when a person gets old. Visit the doctor!

Kurt just telephoned. He wanted me to play golf with him this morning. His group needed a fourth. Told him I no could do. Doctor visit. I would have enjoyed playing golf with Kurt. The last time I rode with him he shot a 72. I a 120. He never complained about my slow play and searching for my ball all the time in the woods. He is a true gentleman!

Enjoy your day!

Good morning world!

It’s Sunday!

The best day of the week!

God gets his due. And so do all of us. A day of rest.

I spent quite a while yesterday visiting with the grandkids.

Robert wanted to play bingo. So the three of us did. Robert, Ally and me.

I did not win one game! It’s like being on the golf course or bocci courts. I can’t win! Even playing kids!

Later in the afternoon I sat home reading The Help. Really a good book! The American South in the 1950s.

Jim brown is a friend. A Facebook friend.

Jim lives in Crete. An island in Greece. He is probably around 30. Married. Has a young son. A musician.

Jim and I exchange greetings every couple of months. He reads my blog/this blog. He also evidences a sense of humor.

A nice guy. I hope to meet him face to face some day.

This past week I have mentioned Amazing Grace a couple of times. I will be discussing it at length on my radio show next Friday. Amazing Graced is that church hymn generally heard at funerals.

Jim wrote me yesterday on Facebook about Amazing Grace and his Mom. He also shared with me a video he made about his Mom wherein Amazing Grace is an important part of the message.

I was touched by the video. I want to share the video and his message to me with you.

“Not sure if it is the same thing i read on your blog Amazing grace, but it was the anniversary of my mums death on 25th april this year and i put together a few pics to my bands acoustic type version of amazing grace. we did this live first time on the beach as a tribute to my friends wife who died here on crete a few weeks ago, so i thought i would use it for my wee mammy, a very sad day indeed”

This is Louis. Click on the line below below. Return here after you listen to the video. http://www.youtube.com/user/jimbolou15#p/a/u/0/BE1rGl9H6Do

Another teriffic radio show yesterday!

With one difference.

Normally I speak of many things. Sort of hit and run. Keep everything short and lively.

I could not do that yesterday. Current legal events control. This past week was loaded with major events that had or would have a major legal impact. The oil spill, immigration and financial reform. Each required a little more explanation and exploration.

There was so much material that I never got to everything I wanted to talk about. I was especially disappointed that I could not share my findings on U.S. laws affecting slave ships, John Newton and Amazing Grace. The three are tied together. Next week.

There was a meeting scheduled immediately after the radio show. Guy, Larry and I discussed the variety show concept Larry has. Not sure where all this is going. We shall see.

Started my evening with the Chart Room, as usual.

Susan the new bartender is doing great! A natural at the job! A pro!

Notice that I refer to Donna as a bartender and not a barmaid. A couple of years ago there was another Donna bartending at the Chart Room. I used to refer to her as a barmaid. She took offense. Said she was a bartender! So bartender it is. Must have to do with equal rights.

I had dinner at the Pier House deck. A pleasant place for outside dining.

Lynda and Bob Frechette were nearby.

The Wine Galley is immediately off the outside deck at the Pier House. It is Larry Smith’s room. He has entertained there for years.

So inside I went after dinner.

Larry was playing and singing. Pepe was on the drums. Mary Deasy was in the audience and sang a few numbers.

Gigi wa there as a spectator also. Gigi is part of this Larry Smith variety show that is still in the conceptual stage. She and I will be participating in it together.

Gigi is only 26. Worldly however. Tall, thin and beautiful. A professional model from her teens to last year. Worked in New York, Paris and London. Big time! Got tired with it all last year. Moved to Key West for a new life.

Met Don Burns. An author. Has published several books. The most recent Stuff to Spy For. He has a book signing at Borders today at 1. Stop in. You will find Don and his book interesting.

Don is no stranger to Key West. He is out of Tampa. Used to be in the advertising business. One of his accounts was Key West Aloe. He is good friends with Frank Romano.

Larry introduced me to the audience. He asked me to share some of the dumb weird laws I had talked about earlier in the day on the radio show. A good thing I no longer drink! I could not have handled it if I did.

I told the group about the Illinois chicken law that prohibits a rooster from crowing within 300 feet of a house. My question, which the audience picked up on immediately, was how can the rooster read the law so he would know how to conduct himself.

The other strange legal tidbit I shared with them was the Illinois law which prohibits mosquitos from flying over and through a particular town. Again how would the mosquitos know and understand the prohibition so as to comply with it.

Afterwards one of the guests came up to chat with me. I apologize for not recalling his name. Think it was Larry also.

Anyhow, he was originally from Canada and now works in Louisiana. He will be retiring next year and moving back to Canada.

He shared with me a law that was passed in some Canadian community several years ago.

Homeowners were permitted to keep hens on their property. However roosters were prohibited. The purpose of the law was to encourage egg production.

The question he raised, and I am sure you have it already, was how could the hens make eggs if there were no roosters!

Strange laws all over the place!

The Kentucky derby today!

I enjoy horse racing. I am not a bettor. Not even a gambler of any sort. I respect money too much. I had to work hard to make it.

I enjoy the beauty of a race horse, however. What an animal!

TV tells us it is going to be a wet rainy Derby. Too bad. Not fair. Means much of the training was for naught. A muddy track generally results in an unexpected winner.

I probably will watch the race at Don’s Place. He has a party starting at 4. I watched there last year. Fun! Food and drink. The ladies in their bonnets.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

Rise and shine!

Another great day about to embark upon us!

But at this moment just after 6 am, it is pitch black outside!

This morning the Key West Lou Legal Hour! Please listen in. At 10 am. KONK 1500 AM radio. Better yet, on the internet world wide to both see and hear. www.konkam.com.

Some of the topics to be touched upon and their legal implications include the oil spill, Y-Net and the Monroe County School Board, financial reform, Illinois weird dumb laws, immigration, Eisenhower and a stimulus package, recognition of Israel, Amazing Grace and more.

The afternoon was overcast yesterday coupled with a cool breeze from the ocean.. I sat on my deck and read for a couple of hours. I am mid way through The Help. A book about the American South in the 1950s. It is presently #2 on the New York Times best seller list. A friend loaned it to me. I am into it enough to say it makes for interesting reading. I enjoy anything about the South that helps me to comprehend what motivates the South of today.

Bocce last night. It started raining about an hour before. Lightly and then a bit heavier. Enough to screw up the court surfaces. Bocce was called off.

I went over to Hogfish. Because of bocce, I had not eaten. Enjoyed fish and chips and read the newspapers.

The long cold spell affected the iguanas. They burrowed deep to avoid the cold. There were few to be seen.

All of a sudden in the past two weeks, there are iguanas all over the place. Especially on the golf course. Running all over, climbing trees. Especially energetic.

I figured the warm weather brought them out. I was wrong. I read somewhere a couple of days ago that this is iguana mating season. They are chasing each other!

Hope you can join me for my radio show a 10!

Enjoy your day!

An outstanding time on the golf course yesterday!

I hit the ball longer, farther and straighter than I have in 10 years!

Wowie!

I did not win. No problem, though. Lost all of $2. Tom was the big winner with $8.

Played with Tino and Yankee Jack, also. Tino’s last day of play with us till the fall when he returns. At this very moment, Tino and his good wife Maria are on their drive back to Chicago. They will be missed.

On my way out last night, I stopped at Publix and bought the grandkids some ice cream. Ice cream on the stick. Vanilla covered with chocolate.

Actually, the ice cream was for Robert. Last week I bought Ally an egg slicer. Robert was offended that I did not buy something for him at the time. The ice cream was Robert’s egg slicer.

Robert was excited. I had purchased a whole box. I told him to share with his sister Ally. She was standing there. He said no. She won’t let me use her egg slicer.

I dealt with the problem. He shared. It was like trying to get the bank reform bill to a favorable vote in the Senate.

Then to the Chart Room.

Marty is back! Finally! My dinner date.

He had a friend with him. Luis. A good looking individual from Houndouras originally. Late 30s. Lives in Fort Lauderdale. Takes care of Marty’s house in Hallendale. A charming outgoing personality. We had a lot of laughs over the course of the evening.

I chatted a while with Michael and Captain Peter. The oil spill. It is the item of discussion every where in Key West. We live on an island. The spill will eventually reach our beaches. It will affect our economy.

There is concern. Validly.

Met Susan. Susan is the new bartender at the Chart Room. It took a long time to find a replacement for Mark. Michael was there last night training Susan. She needed no training.

Susan is an outgoing personality. She will do well at the Chart Room.

Dinner was at the bar at La Trattoria. The three gringos at the bar. Well, actually two gringos and Luis. We had a good time.

Luis is not new to Key West. He has been here before. He wanted to go to Virgilio’s after dinner. Virgilio’s is the night club behind La Trattoria.

I have not been to Virgilio’s in well over a year. Why, I don’t know. The place is alive. People enjoying themselves.

This was to be Luis’ place last night. He fit right in. A good looking guy. A terrific dancer. An instantaneous hit!

Marty and I left after a while. Luis did not need us.

I was walking on Duval towards my car when I heard Louis! shouted from across the street. It was Jean Thornton. We missed each other for a whole week. And now we keep running into each other. Even on Duval.

I crossed over and joined her. A golden girl in every respect!

She was with the shoe girl Stephanie Kaple.

Stephanie is one terrific person. She works with the homeless. She has an affintiy/addiction to female shoes. Every free penny she has goes into buying another pair of shoes. And cheap they are not!

Stepanie is intellectually talented. She writes a weekly blog. Deep. She starts off talking about shoes and somehow turns the dialogue into a treatise on some world shaking problem. Her blogs are all very well done.

You can read Stepanie’s blog at http://www.theislandshoegirl.com/. I recommend it!

Stephanie shared a piece of information with me I was unaware of. She is going to do a radio show also. Good girl, Steph! I wish you luck!

She will be on KONK radio as I am. You can hear her on fridays at 3. I am not sure whether she will be starting this week or next. However look for her and listen to her show. The topic will be fashion.

Speaking of radio shows, mine is tomorrow at 10. KONK 1500 AM radio. See and listen on the internet world wide at http://www.konkam.com/.

Enjoy your day!

Golf this morning!

I can’t wait. I am anxious to play.

Hope I hit the ball as well as last week before I tired. I will be drinking water today.

Yesterday by day was a quiet one. I stayed home buried in paper work again.

Terri opened monday night in the musical Chicago. I was all over the internet trying to find her reviews. I could find none.

I telephoned Donna in New York. Where are Terri’s reviews? There are none, she said.

Chicago is an ongoing musical. 13 years. When an actor goes into an already running Broadway play/musical, critical reviews are not conducted.

I did not know. We live and learn.

Donna said Terri was terrific, rewiews or not!

Speaking further of Terri, she was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award. As Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Finian’s Rainbow. Her competition is Angela Lansbury for her performance in A Little Night Music.

Good company Terri is keeping!

The Tony nominations are announced May 4. That is the big one! Lets hope Terri is among those nominated.

I had an 8 o’clock meeting at Larry Smith’s home last night. To work further on our tv/radio show idea. I had to eat first. So I stopped at Lucky Day Cafe. It is about 2 blocks from Larry’s. Enjoyed a grilled cheesesteak sandwich and read the newspapers.

The meeting at Larry’s went well. We sit and talk. This whole thing is still in the development stage. Henry brought a CD of some of last week’s work. Good! He knows what he is doing.

Larry, Alex, Henry, Adare and Doc Covan were in attendance.

I do not know what will come of this. But we are moving ahead. Though slowly.

On the way home after the meeting, I stopped at Lisa’s. Corey was in the living room. Lisa in bed on her computer. Robert sleeping next to her. Ally in her own bed asleep. A typical American family settling in for the evening.

Lisa lives near a Dairy Queen. Soft ice cream. I have not indulged in almost a year. I had the desire last night. I stopped and bought a cone of soft chocolate. Small, of course.

When it was handed to me, I thought it was too big. It had been a long time. Was it good! Iam glad I did it. There was no guilt involved.

Friday will soon be upon us. That means my radio show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. 10 am. KONK 1500 AM radio. On the internet to see and hear at http://www.konkam.com/.

One of the persons I plan talking about is John Newton.

Newton was a slave trader. One of the last. Part of a group outlawed by the United States government in the early 1860s. Newton’s claim to fame is that he found God thereafter and became a minister. And wrote that great hymn that is genrally played at funerals. Amazing Grace.

Got to get ready for golf. Hope I hit them well!

Just received a telephone call from Utica. It is snowing. Snowed yesterday also. Has it ever snowed in Key West? The weather presently is in the low 80s by day and high 70s by night.

To my friends up north, come join me!

Enjoy your day!

I slept with the glass sliding doors to my bedroom open last night. It was that kind of an evening.

My bed faces east. When I woke this morning, I could see the sun rising over the horizon. A bright yellow ball.

God is good!

I was right about yesterday. The telephone call came from Lisa just after I finished the blog. The grandkids were sick. Would I babysit? Of course!

They were not that bad. Both had a few sneezes. Ally a slight temperature.

I spent the morning watching them. It was like a workout at a gym.

We played hide go seek. They had just learned from one of their friends. So they taught me. I had to go to a corner of the kitchen, cover my eyes, count to 10 and shout…..ready or not, here I come!

I am a quick learner.

We played for over an hour. Robert and Ally were easy to find. They giggle when you get near them. I fooled them once. They could not find me. I stood in the tub with the shower curtain partially drawn. My high point of the day!

Then we played bingo. A variation of the usual game. This one is done with letters so they can learn the alphabet and words. They beat the hell out of me. For real! They were both excited that they were winning and I could not.

Lisa came home early. I left. Went to Lucky Day for lunch. Cuban toast with tomato and melted cheese.

As I was leaving Lucky Day, Jan walked in. I had met him Sunday. He operates the mechanical portion of the Shell station on the boulevard. My rear light had gone out. It took Jan and one of his helpers 45 minutes to replace it. These Audi lites are difficult to remove. When he had finished, I asked him how much. He said nothing. I was embarassed and gave him $20. I had to fight him to take it.

We chatted for a few minutes at Lucky Day. A nice guy. Give him business, if you can. I think he operates the car wash also.

Then to Publix. The cupboard was bare again.

I have spent a week trying to hook up with Jean Thornton. She is one of Mel Fisher’s Golden Girls. She was vacationing from Indiana, dove off a Mel Fisher ship and found gold and jewels. Changed her life!

She now dives everywhere in the world. She also has a place at Truman Annex here in Key West.

We have been e mailing each other all week. When are we going to see each other again?

Yesterday at Publix. As I was leaving, she was pulling out a cart. We hugged. She has lost weight. About 15 pounds. Looks good! I told her so.

She told me she was going to hear Corey’s talk later in the evening. I told her I would be there with Lisa.

I stopped at the Chart Room first last night. Who was there? Jean Thornton! We enjoyed a nice conversation.

Lisa and Corey showed up. We had planned to meet there. We had dinner at the Pier House outside on the deck. It was a perfect evening for such a dinner. Calm and peaceful. Larry Smith stopped by to say hello.

Then it was off to the Mel Fisher Museum. Corey is the Chief Archeologist there. Has been so for close to 25 years.

He was giving a lecture last night on the last three slave ships.

Corey is the world expert on Spanish galleons and slave ships in the Caribbean.

An interesting talk. Slave ships in the United States ended their existence in the early 1860s. Corey traced the history and laws regarding slave ships from the inception of our country to that time.

Corey is an engrossing speaker. Moreover, he is an adept investigator. He digs for little pieces of information and then traces those tidbits till he discoivers the true story. So it was last night. His investigatory prowess was evident.

Corey had to stay after the lecture to speak with guests. I drove Lisa home. Then I drove Vanessa the baby sitter home.

All in all, it was a good evening.

Enjoy your day!

Dark outside.

Black.

I can hear the breeze.

It is going to be another great Key West day.

I spent yesterday morning in bed watching the Sunday TV talk shows. Immigration is steaming up. Because of the Arizona situation. It is going to be interesting to see if Obama and Congress deal with the problem at this time or let it sit into next year.

It was the Shrimp Shack on Stock Island for lunch.

The Shrimp Shack has been open and closed for the past two years. It is open once again. This time to stay I believe.

Inside it is a fresh fish store. One of the best around. It is where I buy my fresh catch and stone crabs.

Outside the dock is now covered with tables. Laquered and painted. The painted ones are bright hues. All covered with brightly different colored umbrellas.

Sitting next to the dock on the water are shrimp boats. There were 9 yesterday morning. Old, beat up. Probably 50 plus years old. They go back to a time when shrimp was king in Key West. A time before the shrimp farms of South America sprang up.

There is still a market for Key West shrimp, however. These boats go out every Monday and do their thing. They stood proud and tall yesterday. Manifesting a confidence borne of time and experience.

I sat at one of the tables right on the water. Spent about 3 hours there. It was comfortable. Just warm enough. Coupled with a cool breeze off the water.

I read the Sunday papers, gazed at the people, enjoyed the boats and contemplated. I was in a good place at a good time.

I also ate. A reuben mahi mahi sandwich and cole slaw. The sandwich was to die for.

It was Sunday dinner with Lisa and the family. I will probably end up baby sitting some time this week. Both Robert and Ally were sneezing.

Tonight I have a date! A sweet young lady! My daughter Lisa!

Corey is doing a talk at Mel Fisher at 8 on slavery. He is the world expert on American slavery. For real!

Lisa will join me at the Chart Room at 6. I want to show her off. Then we will have a light dinner at the Pier House on the outside deck. Followed by a short walk to the Mel Fisher Museum to hear Corey’s talk.

Speaking of Lisa, I recomend a visit to her internet department store. www.viakeywest.com. Mothers Day is around the corner. What better place to buy a special personal gift for Mom!

I have to kill some time this morning. I do fasting blood work at 8:30. The mind is a wonderous thing. I always seem more hungry at a time like this.

Enjoy your day!