Not bad this morning.

It is early. Around 5. I am writing this blog and listening to Hello Dolly on TV.

What could be better!

I have a distinct recollection of having seen Hello Dolly on Broadway 3 times. With 3 different leads in the starring role. Dolly had a long run and that is how they did it. One was Carol Channing. I cannot remember the other two. Though their faces are clear in my mind, their names are not. Clearly Alzhiemers in the making!

I spent yesterday morning doing paper work. I had let things slide. There was a ton of catching up to do.

I got out for lunch. Hogfish. Had hogfish sliders. So good! And read the newspapers.

Then it was Borders and Sarah Palin’s Rogue book.

I still cannot put my finger on her. I have formulated no conclusions yet. Except that she continues to be every woman, every person. I read of her Mayor’s race and time in Wasilla yesterday. Wasilla had no paved roads. Not even the main ones. Mud. She had the roads paved.

A major accomplishment when you think about it.

On the other hand, can you imagine the once Mayor of a town with unpaved roads as the leader of the free world?

Lisa interrupted me during my book reading with a cell phone call. She had a big day yesterday sales wise. Her Key West internet department store Via Key West is taking hold. The key lime bunt cake and fudge are big items. And Key West Lou t-shirts. Someone bought 3 of the t-shirts in one order yesterday.

I returned home around 4. Worked on this Thursday’s radio show. Stayed with it till just after 6. By that time I felt too tired to go out. Telephoned Marty and told him he had to survive last night without me. Had a sandwich and went to bed.

If you enjoyed last week’s radio show, listen again this week. If you did not like it, listen again and give it a second shot.

Watch if possible on the internet via u stream.

The show’s format will be the same this week as last week’s. I am going to hit on several today legal topics. Tiger Woods is still with us. The American girl who was just sentenced to 26 years in jail by an Italian court. The Key West extended contract with Waste Management. And more.

1 pm on Thursday. Konk 1680 AM radio. Outside Key West proper listen on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. The show and all of KONK radio is now u streamed with a video broadcast at www.ustream.tv/channel/konk-am. By u streaming, you can listen and watch at the same time.

I am trying to develop a call in show. Which means some listeners/watchers must call me with a question, comment, greeting, etc. Call ins to 305-294-2769. Also known as 305-294-CROW.

I finally found out what the CROW stands for. People calling in!

So do it!

If you do not wish to telephone, you can write in a question or comment on the u stream site and I will respond to it.

Still dark outside. Dolly Levi is having dinner and dancing at the something Gardens. And this is the end of today’s blog.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was not a typical Sunday. I slowed down. I was feeling a bit under the weather.

I watched the TV news talk shows in the morning. Hit Don’s Place soon after 1. The games had already started. Chatted with Don, Tom, Tino, Rob, Michael and others.

Rob is going to be my golf partner in the new golf league Don is putting together. We will play well as a team. We did in bocce and so it should roll over.

I sensed something coming on. So I left Don’s Place early.

Stopped at Lisa’s for my Sunday hello. Always good to be with her and the family. Read the Sunday newspapers while there.

Started to feel worse.

Opted to go home. It was not even 3 in the afternoon yet.

I went straight to bed. And stayed there till this morning.

I think I feel better.

Tino telephoned me last night. Every one telephoned me. Each time I started to fall asleep, the telephone rang!

Tino called to tell me that a couple showed up at Don’s Place after I left. They were on vacation from Kankakee, Illinois. About an hour south of Chicago.

They were looking for Key West Lou.

Spoke with Tino, Don and Rob. Told them they read the blog every day, were vacationing in Key West and thought I would be there. How nice! I hope we run into each other at some point this week.

Today is December 7. A famous day in American history. An infamous day. Pearl Harbor!

It is also a big well recognized day in Milan, Italy. It is the feast of Saint Ambrogio. Americanized, his name is Saint Ambrose.

My name is Louis. In Italian, it is Luigi. So there is no offense in referring to the Saint as Ambrose.

The lights just went out. The power is dead. The power always goes off in the keys. I am now typing this blog by the weakened light of the computer screen. A bit difficult. But doable.

Lisa telephoned on her cell. Her power is down also.

The lights just went on. Hooray! Back to normal!

And back to Saint Ambrose.

The Italians celebrate his day big time. Especially in Milan where he sat as Bishop.

Ambrose was born in Germany around 340 AD. Not an Italian. He died in Milan in 397 AD.

Ambrose was rich. Also, a big time political figure. This is before he became Bishop of Milan. This is before he was even a priest. In fact, it is even before he was baptized a Catholic.

The Church had its problems even back then. Powerful political figures were elevated to lofty Church positions.

The Pope wanted to make Ambrose Bishop of Milan. A big job! But he was not even a baptized Catholic. Ergo, he was not a memebr of the Catholic Church.

No problem. He was sprinkled with water and baptized. A week later the Pope officially made Ambrose Bishop of Milan!

I do not know why the Pope made Ambrose bishop. Whatever he may have expected from Ambrose did not materialize. Ambose took the job seriously. He was not just another political hack.

He gave all his lands and money to the poor. Shades of Saint Anthony. He commenced living the ascetic lifestyle.

Ambrose was not married before he became Bishop. Nor did he marry afterwards. Nor did he fool around.

Clergy were permitted to marry in those days under certain circumstances. Ambrose would have nothing of it.

Theodosius was Emperor at the time. He and Bishop Ambrose had a falling out over some issue. Bishop Ambrose forbad the Emperor from partaking of the Sacraments, including receiving Communion. It took seven months for Theodosius to see the light of day. When Theodosius corrected what Bishop Ambrose thought were his errant ways, the Bishop returned him to the Sacraments and the right to receive Communion.

I tell this story on this special day because it reflects what some of the Catholic Church hierarchy are attempting to do with certain elected officials over the abortion issue today.

Nothing changes.

The Catholic Church in one of its corrupt times still had members who believed and lived God’s life. As it is today.

I do not know who is right. This abortion issue is difficult. I believe in separation of church and state.

Is refusal to offer communion a violation of that separation? Is abortion a violation of God’s law?

Enjoy your day.

The Christmas spirit is upon me!

The parade last night did it!

Great parade!

I watched it from the curb on Truman just off White. With Lisa, Corey and the grandkids. It is all about the children! It is all for the children!

There were tons of them. All initially hesitant! Then excited! And when Santa Claus finally appeared at the end of the parade, they went crazy!

Ally was shaking she was so excited! Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Santa Claus…..escaping from her lips.

Robert and Ally did good candy wise. So did all the kids. The floats and parade walkers all handed candy and beads out. Young ones scurrying all over the place to pick up the goodies.

There was a lot of candy and beads.

Ally finally figured it out. She just stood there and kept her goodie bag open. The parade people came to her and filled it!

Robert darted here and there picking things up. He missed little.

I watched with a sucker in my mouth. It was good!

The parade was long. Warm. Very Christmassy. Never boring.

It was Key West!

After the parade, I kissed the family good night and headed to Don’s Place. It was only 8 o’clock. I chatted with Don, David, Jim, the two Michaels and I can’t remember who else.

We talked about the new golf league Don is starting. I am thrilled to be playing. As long as I get my strokes. I will probably get the most since I am the worst player on the island. OK by me. The strokes even things out. Sometimes. There are days when even strokes do not help.

Some of the ladies were running around dressed as elfs. Steph, Nancy and Jules amongst others. From head to toe. Costumed to perfection. Red, green and white. Elf caps. Legs and arms that looked like candy canes. Even big slippers with rounded toes and bells.

Don has a new inside bar maid. Mickey is her name. A beauty!

I left early and headed home. I had missed dinner so I stopped at MacDonalds. Two fish sandwiches and a bag of fries. I consumed the fries on the drive home. Ate the fish sandwiches as soon as I hit the house.

This is day 40. No alcohol or cigarettes.

Sometimes it is not easy. Like last night. I was dying for a cigarette at Don’s Place. Everyone was smoking and drinking. Sin was all around me. I had to get out!

I am still considering a diet. Why not give up food also! Do it all at once!

It is 5 weeks since I stopped smoking. I have gained 10 pounds in that time. It is true what they say about gaining weight when you stop smoking. I also find I am eating a bit more. Food tastes so good! My taste buds are back!

Today is Sunday. A good day. The good day.

The talk shows this morning. Especially Meet the Press and then the Chris Matthews show. Don’s Place for pro football. At some point Lisa’s. I would like to make the Gardens tonight. It has been several weeks since I have been there.

Enjoy your day.

There was no need for air conditioning last night. I slept with the balcony doors to my bedroom open. The doors face east.

When I woke this morning, better described as when my eyes opened, I could see orange streaks across the sky through the open doors.

Beautiful!

I lunched at the Yacht club yesterday. With Santa Claus! He was at the bar also. Not drinking, of course

Bill Murphy is a memebr of the Yacht Club, also. A big man physically. With an equally big for real beard. He is Santa Claus in every respect, even in regular attire.

I did not know Bill was the one playing Santa these past few years. I picked up on it from his conversation. I complimented him. He is one of the best Santas I have ever seen.

Beside playing Santa, Bill is the proprietor of Fairvilla in downtown Key West. A most successful business.

Mrs. Claus was there also. Bill’s good wife Shari. A nice lady. Very attractive. And their teen age son. I think there is a baby somewhere in addition. A wholesome Key West family.

The Tiger Woods story intrigues me. After lunch I went to the Coffee House on Duval to have a coca mocha and read the New York papers.

Tiger’s story is a sad one. For his family also. What makes it even sadder is that it is a personal one. Between Tiger and his wife. But by the nature of things in today’s society, it is open and page one news.

Is there more marital deception today than in day’s gone by? Or is it that the media does not respect the privacy that was once provided in situations of this nature?

My sense is that women cheat big time also. It seems that women’s rights, the work place and birth control have provided license to the female gender to break marital bonds on occasion. Not all women, but enough. And it must be recognized that although many men cheat, not all do.

If such is the case, why do we only hear about men meandering? Women seem to have a free ride in this regard. What is good for the goose, is good for the gander! Fair is fair! Let it all hang out! Or better, put it back in the closet where it was and make it no one’s business but the husband and wife.

Then I was off to Lisa’s. It was after work for her and she was home. On the couch covered with a blanket and a box of tissues next to her. What Robert first had, and then Ally, Lisa now has. A mother’s plight!

Speaking of Lisa, only 20 days to Christmas. Visit her Key West internet department store for some of your Christmas shopping. www.viakeywest.com.

I started the evening at the Chart Room. Quiet. Hooked up with Marty. I am glad he is back. Missed him. He’s good company.

We decided on Marquesa for dinner. It was not to be. The place was crowded and was setting up for a party of 20.

So we headed for La Trattoria. Packed also. But after a brief wait, we were seated in the bar.

By the way, I am still not drinking nor smoking. 39 days today! What a good boy am I!

Marty had a Manhattan in his hand as we moved to our seats. There was a lovely woman seated at the bar. 30ish. Blond. Wearing a short black skirt. A bit of her butt was in evidence. A leopard blouse. And a big black purse hung on the back of her bar stool.

Somehow Marty fell into her…..and spilled his Manhattan all over her! All I could hear as I moved on was the woman saying…..”The purse cost me $500!”

Marty apologized ever so humbly. She calmed down. Marty bought her party a round of drinks and every one was happy.

From where I was sitting, I could see the woman drying herself off. Especially her derriere. I was glad Marty had been so clumsy!

We had a pleasant dinner. With good conversation.

A friend of Marty’s named Paul came by to say hello. He was sitting at the other end of the bar.

When it came time for the bill, the waitress told us Paul had paid. Apparently Marty did Paul a favor and Paul was recognizing the favor by picking up the tab. Good for Marty. Good for me, too. My bill got picked up also. But not right. I did not know Paul nor had I done anything for him. I went to Paul and tried to pay. He would have none of it. A gentleman and a sport.

Tonight is another big time in Key West! The annual Christmas Parade!

The Christmas Parade is Key West at its best!

Small towns seem to do parades better than other communities. They may not have all the big inflated animals or huge floats or big bands. But they do have heart! And it is evidenced here in Key West.

I will be watching the parade with Lisa, Corey and grandkids Robert and Ally from the curb on Truman. The grandkids can catch the candy thrown and be up close when Santa Claus comes by.

There is one other small town parade that sticks in my mind. For many years, we summered in Chatham on Cape Cod. One year we were there for July4th. The best Fourth of July parade ever!

The small towns do do it!

See you at the parade tonight!

Yesterday’s radio show was apparently a success!

So I am told!

I am happy with the result. I felt good doing the show. Great topics. Stimualting. Tiger Woods, the teacher contract, the Destin beach dispute now before the U.S. Supreme Court, health legislation and California insurance companies investing in Iranian industry.

Two telephone call ins and one written one on the internet. Progress! I am trying to stimulate more call ins. Doing good. There have been 4 shows thus far. No call ins for the first two. One for the third. Three in effect for the fourth.

Yesterday was a first for the Key West Lou Legal Hour. Not only was it on KONK 1680 AM radio, but also could be visually seen world wide over the internet. www.ustream.tv/channel/konk-am.

I continue to be impressed and amazed by what can be accomplished with computers and the internet! We live in a wonderful time in this regard.

After the show, I hurried over to Lucky Day for a late lunch. Cuban toast with tomato and melted cheese. So good! And got to sit quietly and read the newspapers.

Last night was a big deal! Better than the radio show! Santa Claus.

Santa Claus was at the Yacht Club. Robert and Ally, too. And Corey and Lisa.

We had a wonderful time! The excitement! The kids running all over the place! You had to be careful walking because they were playing on the floor all over. Dinner afterwards. A special menu for the kids. Macoroni and cheese, pizza, chicken fingers and grilled cheese sandwiches. Adults had a turkey dinner. The kids were able to eat the turkey dinner also. But with the kiddie food available to them, they had no interest in turkey.

I don’t know what it is, but everyone claims that their this year’s turkey was the best ever! Ours was! And the turkey at the Yacht Club last night was absolutely moist and delicious. A winner!

How is it that everyone’s turkey was the best ever this year? I bet that a year or two from now we are going to find out that the turkeys were injected or fed with something special this year to make them so good. If true, I hope that whatever was done turns out not to be so bad.

Speaking of Santa Claus, there are only 21 days to Christmas. Amazing! This year has moved so fast. The holiday shopping season is upon us. Explore Lisa’s Key West internet department store for gift selections. An easy and fun way to shop. Many reasonably priced items. www.viakeywest.com.

Very humid yesterday. Humidity was at 80 per cent at 8 in the morning!

High today projected at 84. Going to be humid again. Perhaps a bit of rain.

Not a bad Key West day in the making.

The TV is full of news about snow being expected today in Houston. Apparently snow is a rarity there. Another example of the screwy weather we have beeen experiencing the past few years. And there is no global warming?

Love Howard Livingston! My friend who became a star!

Howard and his Mile Marker 24 group are playing tonight at Schooner Wharf. See him! He’s worth the visit!

Enjoy your day!

My radio show today!

Listen in!

1 pm. KONK 1680 AM radio. You can listen outside Key West on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. Telephone in your questions, comments and what have you to 305-294-2769. Also known as 305-294-CROW.

And to SEE and listen, KONK 1680 AM is now u streamed! You can see me doing the show at www.ustream.tv/channel/konk-am.

The Key West Lou Legal Hour today is a timely one! I am going to talk about this weeks’s issues. Like Tiger Woods, health legislation, the pending U.S. Supreme Court case involving Florida beaches, the Monroe County teacher contract, the Key West/Waste Management contract that never went out to bid, and California insurance companies investing in Iranian oil and Iranian nuclear, energy and banking industries to the tune of $12 biilion.

Pretty good!

And PLEASE…..telephone in with questions and comments. I would like this to be a talk show. I need you to do that!

It is similar to requiring two to tango. It takes two to do a call in talk show. Please, call me!

Yesterday was golf. I could not have played worse. Even topped the ball on occasion.

I was the big loser. Tom the big winner. Played with Tino and Aaron also.

It took us forever to play. Grueling. The snowbirds are back. The course was a bit crowded. A lot of two somes. It took almost 5 hours to play. Coupled with the weather which turned humid, I was wiped out.

I spent most of the afternoon into the early evening putting the finishing touches to today’s radio show. I had intended to have dinner with Marty. Yes, he’s back! About time! He deserted me for a while.

Marty and I sometimes have different tastes. He wanted to start his evening at the Chart Room. I wanted to catch Bobby Nesbitt’s opening Wednesday cocktail gig at Aqua. So we agreed to meet at Antonia’s at 8 for dinner.

It was not to be. I was pooped. I made a sandwich and crashed in bed.

Tonight is big! Santa Claus time!

The Yacht Club is having its annual Christmas party for members’ children. This will be the fourth consecutive year I will be there with grandchildren Robert and Ally. And Lisa and Corey, of course.

Robert at 5 is questioning the validity/existence of Santa. His school buddies are allegedly telling him the truth. Ally still believes.

Always a fun time! I am looking forward to this evening.

Speaking of Christmas, only 22 days left till the big day! It is shopping time. Explore and do some of it at Lisa’s Key West internet department store Via Key West. http://www.viakeywest/. Quick and easy.

Lisa telephoned me last night all excited! She had made her first sale outside the United States. Canada. Toronto to be specific. She had to go into her soft wear program to see if it could handle sales beyond U.S. boundries. It could!

The order was for the Key Lime Bunt Cake. A winner! They are selling big time.

Enjoy your day!

The weather is again perfect. 80 by day. Just right by night. No air conditioning required. I sleep with the windows and doors open.

I am up early this morning. Pitch black. With one difference this morning. And it is a beautiful one.

It is 5:30 am. There is a full moon. It is reflecting big time off the water. Bright! A delight!

Big news!

The radio show. Actually the station. KONK 1680 AM.

KONK 1680 AM continues to progress as a radio station. It is only a bit more than 6 months old. Its success is making rapid progress!

KONK started as a local radio show. An AM station. Call ins permitted. Then it progressed to availability over the internet. You could listen outside of Key West proper over the internet at www.konkam.com. World wide! I know. I have listeners in Europe and Asia.

Now all shows on radio station KONK 1680 AM can be SEEN! Yes, seen!

All the talk shows are made available world wide via a live video broadcast. www.ustream.tv/channel/konk-am.

Please tune in to both see and hear.

Isn’t modern science wonderful! Thank you Bill Gates and all those who followed you!

And please do not forget tomorrow while listening to my show the Key West Lou Legal Hour at 1 pm that I solicit your call ins. I want to hear from you. Your thoughts. Telephone 305-294-2769. Also known as 305-294-CROW. Chat with me.

Tomorrow’s show will cover this week’s interesting legal happenings. Such as Tiger Woods’ problem.

I was out of the house at noon time to see my internest. Got my swine flu shot. She (yes, my doctor is a female) was delighted by my no drinking and no smoking regimen. When I graduated from high school, we sang Onward Christian Soldiers at graduation. I went to a Catholic high school. I now feel like singing Onward Good Health!

I am entertaining the thought of a diet. I am really geting into this health thing.

I lost 50 pounds in 4 months 3 years ago. Had gained 20 of it back over the past 3 years. Then my health problem, no exercise and now no smoking have added another 10. So I am 30 pounds back.

Not good.

I would like to wait till after Chrsitmas. But that might be another 10 pounds. As I said, I am thinking about it. No mental committment yet.

Lunch was at the Yacht Club . Read the newspapers.

Then to Borders for more of Sarah Palin’s Rogue book. I still do not know what I think of the book or her.

The cupboard was bare again. To Publixs. Spent all of $16. That is why the cupboard is so frequently bare. It’s a game. I try to escape with the smallest grocery bill possible. I am probably a pychiatrist’s dream in this regard.

Visited Lisa. She was home. Because Ally was home. Ally is sick again. A low grade fever. Her brother Robert had one a few days ago. It was inevitable. Ally had to come down with whatever Robert had.

Ally was awake and cranky during the night. So Lisa slept with her. Lisa tells me she thinks she now is coming down with whatever Ally has.

Such is life! Such is family life! Such is motherhood!

Only 23 days to Christmas! Ho Ho is coming! Remember to do some of your Christmas shopping on Lisa’s internet department store Via Key West. www.viakeywest.com.

Golf this morning. I can’t wait! Love it!

Enjoy your day!

Today is December 1st. How fast the year has moved along!

Only 24 days to Christmas.

I have already arranged for my good friend Santa Claus to visit the grandkids Christmas eve at dinner time. Robert and Ally are convinced he and I are buddies, talk on the telephone and have lunch together occasionally when he is in Key West preparing for Christmas.

I love it!

Speaking of Christmas, Lisa’s internet department store Via Key West is a great place to do some of that Christmas shopping. Easy to do. Many items reasonably priced.

Lisa describes her Key West items as uniquely funky and fabulous. Take a look and decide for yourself. And if you like, purchase an item or two. http://www.viakeywest.com/.

The first thing on the agenda yesterday was a visit to one of my doctors. He was proud of me! Day 34 of no booze or cigarettes. I continue to think I am like little Jack Horner…..what a good boy am I!

I have to see another doctor today. My internest. I finally will be able to get a swine flu shot. We, over 65, had to wait. We are the last to receive the protection.

Someone recently mentioned I looked pale. How one does that in Key West, I do not know. I looked in the mirror. Yes, I needed some color!

So I have been driving the past few days with the top down on the convertible. Yesterday I was driving down Duval and past Fast Buck Freddies. There was a woman in front wearing a Key West Lou t-shirt. I was so excited, I almost had an accident! First time I have seen someone other than me wearing one.

With no undue modesty, it looked terrific on her!

I was sorry there was no way to stop and for me to talk with her.

The Key West Lou t-shirt is for sale only on Lisa’s Via Key West internet store.

Last night was Robert’s last soccer game. A big time! The kids were all excited.

I am not sure who won. I never am at these games. However winning and losing is not important. If one of these 5 year olds gets a good kick, that is reason for the kicker and whole team to celebrate. If a goal is scored, the whole team goes crazy. I saw one player run out on the field after a player from the opposing team scored. He was so excited that someone, anyone, had scored!

After the game, trophies were given out to all team members. Many the proud player who slept with his trophy last night.

I spent some time yesterday working on this week’s radio show. Thursday at 1 pm. KONK 1680 AM radio and on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/. Call ins at 305-294-2769. Also known as 305-294-CROW.

Please listen. And call in with a comment, question or criticism. I am trying to develop the radio show into a full time talk show. Help me.

After soccer, it was the Chart Room. I walked in. There were only 4 people and Michael the bartender. The 4 customers appeared to be tourists.

I said hello to Michael and headed for the popcorn machine. All of a sudden I heard…..he’s Key West Lou!…..from a couple of the guests.

Turns out these vacationers had been looking for me for 4 days. So they said. After chatting with them for a while, I believed them.

The 4 were Tom and Stacey Wiederin and their friends Greg and Barb. All vacationing here from Carmel, Indiana. Tom is a director of human relations for a chain of car washes.

Tom and Stacey have visited Key West several times before. In fact, they were married in Key West a few years ago. The wedding was planned to be on the Sebago boat. It rained heavy the night before and bad weather was reported for the wedding day. Sebago telephoned and said no boat wedding. Where to go? They ended up being married in the lobby of the Pier House before it was remodeled.

Stacy told me her husband Tom reads my blog religiously everyday. He must. He knew everything I wrote about in intimate detail. He knew of Lisa and the grandkids. He even knew of soccer.

Stacey said they had spent their trip this past week visitng the places I mention in the blog. Only those places. They ate at the restaurants I frequent and drank at the bars I mention. All the time looking for Key West Lou.

Good people! Love them!

Yesterday they went out to Hogfish for lunch. First time there. Tom admitted that they were all questioning my judgment as they drove along Stock Island to Hogfish. The derelict mobil homes are not a pretty sight. But they were pleased with Hogfish itself.

They leave today to return to Indiana. I look forward to hooking up with them when they again return.

Indiana people are a special breed. Son in law Corey is from Indiana. So is Jean Thornton. They are solid wholesome people. All alike.

Afterwards I was over to Antonia’s for a light dinner. The bar was packed. Mostly tourists. Only one empty seat available at the end of the bar.

Next to a lovely young lady. Sandra Price.

Sandra is from Boston. Very attractive. 30ish appearing. Admitted to 41 which was hard to believe. She works for Bank of America. A troubleshooter in internal affairs.

Charming and sweet.

Sandra is vacationing on a quickie trip here in Key West for 4 days. Staying at the Hyatt.

I have family living in the Boston area. My daughter Beth and her family. Beth and son in law Mark have had boats over the years. Nice ones. Big ones. They have parked their boats at Lewis Wharf. Sandra knew Lewis Wharf. I mentioned the Sailloft nearby where I have had many a drink and fresh Maine lobster. One of her hangouts.

It was that kind of an evening. Good conversation.

Then home to bed for me. Early. It was before 9 o’clock.

Enjoy your day.

Sunday has passed once again.

Yesterday was a good one.

I layed around in the morning watching TV talk shows. Especially enjoy Meet the Press and Chris Matthews. Read some of the Sunday papers.

Lunched in. Still working at the Thansgiving turkey. Lisa gave me some to take home. Almost all gone. I made myself a turkey sandwich.

Then to Don’s Place to watch pro football.

It was a second coming! I have never seen so many people at Don’s Place on a Sunday! At least twice the usual crowd!

It was soon obvious why. Yesterday was the annual Chili Cook Off at Don’s Place. A big deal! Thirty entries. Huge bowls of chili. All kinds. Some even made corn bread.

Everyone was walking around sampling the chili.

I tried a bit from a few bowls. All good! I could not figure out how the judges could determine a winner after sampling all 30 entries. Their taste buds had to be screwed up after the first several samplings.

My cell phone rang. It was Lisa. Could I babysit?

Soon I was alone with the grandkids. I decided to take them for a walk. We ended up at Dairy Queen. Do they know what they want!

Robert asked for a swirl cone. Ally a chocolate cone with sprinkles. The last time I took them it was vanila in cups and a spoon. They have graduated!

I graduated a long time ago. I had a chocolate cone.

I decided to test them. I asked if they would share their ice cream with me. Ally was all for it. Robert wanted to know how much. I said half. Robert said no. Only a little bit. He pointed to about 20 per cent. We negotiated. I got up to a third.

I tried to use the experience as a teaching tool. I doubt I succeeeded with Robert. Ally was no problem since she obviously already understood the sharing concept.

After sitting, I returned home for a time.

I have discovered a new TV channel. New to me. Comcast channel 169.

Old movies. Especially musicals.

Yesterday, it was On the Town with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. A 1949 flick. It was about sailors hitting New York City on shore leave.

The music!

The original score was by Leonard Bernstein. The story by Broadway’s Betty Condon and Adolph Green.

The movie opens at dawn. Sailors are departing their ship for a New York City shore leave. Of course, they are lead down the gang plank by Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. And all are singing the immortal New York, New York.

What could be better!

Last night I had dinner at the bar at La Trattoria. Glad I did! I had a terrific time!

Jean Thornton was there. She is back in town. Good for Key West! She is the best!

Jean is one of the Golden Girls. She was a 40ish Indiana school teacher vacationing in Key West when she went diving with the Mel Fisher crew and discovered gold on her own. Her life changed immediately! She no longer teaches school. She is now a big time driver not only here, but all over. And has discovered more treasure!

Mike and Tina came in. I have not seen them in several weeks.

Mike and Tina have a second home here in Key West. They live in Hartford, Connecticut. They flew down the day after Thansgiving for a quickie and are leaving today.

Mike and Tina had just finished what they described as a spectacular sushi meal at Ambrosia.We spoke of the benefits of eating sushi. One being good for the weight. All that protein.

Then they told me they were at La Trattoria for dessert. Cannolis. Oh, well!

I am ashamed and embarassed. I was having such a good time at La Trattoria that I let the time slip by. I had intended to go to the Wine Galley for Larry Smith’s Sunday Showcase after dinner. Kathleen Peace was singing.

I love Kathleen. I love her voice.

I never made it!

Sorry, Kathleen.

Mark Watson is already a Key West icon. A sweet guy. Presently does most of his professional singing at the Keys Piano Bar. I consider him a friend.

Mark reported in Facebook this morning that he dropped his cell phone in the toilet. I did this once several years ago. The moral of the story is that men should not pee and talk on the cell phone at the same time.

Anyhow, Mark was lamenting at the cost of a new cell phone.

Jon Allen commented on Mark’s plight. He said the same thing happened to him. He heated the oven to 200 degrees and turned it off. The cell phone went into the oven. Stayed there till the oven cooled. He claims the cell phone then worked!

What do you have to lose? The cell phone is already no good once it hits the toilet.

On the other hand, I am not sure if Allen was joking. His comment seemed serious. You decide.

Christmas is coming. Take a look at Lisa’s internet department store Via Key West for interesting gifts. www.viakeywest.com. No fuss. Pick out an item, press a button or two and your gift selection is on its way.

Enjoy your day!

The cold is supposed to start moving out today. Key West will return to normal. The high today is projected at 78.

It was cold during the night. Had to throw the quilt over me. It was not a night to sleep alone. It would have been good to have had a body next to me.

I had lunch and read the newspapers yesterday at Hogfish.

Hogfish is open air. A floor with tables. A thatched roof. No side walls. On the water. The cold was blowing in.

I sat on a side where the sun was covering the table. Added a bit of warmth.

Later, I was home watching TV and had a big time nostalgia day!

It was a movie. Singin’ in the Rain. Starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. A classic!

I enjoyed the film immensely! I thought what could be better!

Something was.

Immediately following Singin’ in the Rain, on came a two hour show about the singing stars of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. A wow!

At my age, I can remember going to the movies back in the late 1930s and then thru the following years. It was a time of radio. No television. Movies were cheap.

As kids we did neighborhood movie houses. For me back in Utica, N.Y. it was the Family, Rialto and James Street theatres. Definitlely every Saturday afternoon. Sometimes one night a week with my mother.

Movies were cheap back then. They did not break the bank to attend. I can recall paying 2 cents at the Family early on. Then things went up in the 1940s. 4 cents and then 6 cents.

And for those humongous sums, one got to watch 2 films, a serial and a cartoon.

The TV show following Singin’ in the Rain covered all the great movie singers.

Started with Nelson Eddy and Marie McDonald. Eddy had a booming voice. He played a Canadian Mountie in one film. He and McDonald sang a song that brought chills to me then and yesterday when I heard it again. I never knew the song’s name, then or now. I just liked it.

Dennis Morgan. A good looking guy who started as a singer in the 1930s. Ended up doing straight dramatic roles in the 1940s. One of his best was God Is My Co-Pilot, a World War II flick.

All of a sudden there was Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell tap dancing. Beautiful!

The show further included Jimmy Durante. He sang as well as joked.

Elizabeth Taylor. Yes, she sang. Or so I thought. Yesterday I found out her singing voice was always dubbed. She was so busy making one film after another that the studio could not afford the time to train her voice.

Lena Horne!

Then Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly in Take Me Out To The Ball Game. A singing movie about the early days of baseball.

June Allyson, Jane Powell and Peter Lawford!

Allyson was purported to be MGM’s biggest musical attraction. Powell’s voice was loud and powerful. Moved walls!

Lawford camed to Hollywood during World War II. Ended up a star. Married into the Kennedy clan. Was brother in law to Jack, Robert and Ted Kennedy. He was also a member of Frank Sinatra’s rat pack.

Of course, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.

Garland had a magnificnet voice! Yesterday they replayed her singing You Made Me Love You and On The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. Songs of yesteryear. Johnny Mercer won his first Oscar for Best Song with the Atchison tune in 1946.

Mickey Rooney was always around. In early films with Judy Garland. Then in everything else over the years. I think he is still with us.

For an old guy like me, it was a wonderful afternoon. These were all musical stars I saw in my early days. And remembered!

A good afternoon.

Now to the present.

Syracuse played good basketball this week also. Beat Columbia and Cornell. No big deal since Ivy League schools are not in the same class as most schools Syracuse plays. Cornell could have been a problem. They were very good last year and made the big tournament. It is anticapated they will again this year. Cornell is probably the best of the Ivy schools. I was concerned that Cornell might upset Syracuse. Fortunately they could not and did not. It was a blow out.

Lisa keeps working her internet department store Via Key West. Her product line continues to expand. Yesterday she added some beautiful island bathrobes.

Christmas is upon us. Shop the season with Lisa at www.viakeywest.com. A great and reasonably priced gift idea might be a Key West Lou t-shirt. Why not!

Today is Sunday. My day! Love it! The Sunday papers, Meet the Press, pro football at Don’s Place, dinner with Lisa and the family, friends at the Gardens and finally Larry Smith’s Showcase at the Pier House.

Tonight, Larry Smith is featuring Kathleen Peace. One of the finest voices anywhere! Powerful! Beautiful!

I love Kathleen! I love her singing! Join with me tonight in enjoying Kathleen at the Wine Galley at 9. A moving experience!

Enjoy your Sunday!