The cold front has arrived!

It is 68 degrees at 7 this morning. Down from around 88 degrees yesterday morning. A 24 hour drop of 20 degrees!

The high today will be 75. Cold for us here in the keys!

I should not complain. I am not complaining. The break in weather is refreshing. It will only last 2 days. Besides, look how cold it is up north. In the teens in Utica in upstate New York this morning. My home town.

Yesterday was a very good one.

I stayed home again during the day. However I was fruitful. I did not just lay around and sleep. I caught up on paper work and watched some college football.

The evening started with the Chart Room. Jean Thornton was there! She has returned! She has been back in Key West a few days, but our paths had not crossed. Jean had been up north caring for her 91 year old mother.

Welcome back Jean! You were missed!

Jean has many claims to fame. She has a sweet disposition. Lovely. Caring. And so forth. Her public face is that of a Golden Girl. Some years ago she dove with a Mel Fisher excursion and found gold and other valuable pieces of jewelry. A big find! She was a school teacher who was visiting Key West at the time. She no longer teaches. She now spends most of her time in Key West. And continues to dive!

Jean was with her friend Stephanie Kaple. Stephanie is the island shoe girl. A shoe fanatic. She spends every free dollar she has on shoes. All kinds! Name brands! Expensive! But a smart buyer she is. She charts the sales.

Stephanie also writes a blog. www.theislandshoegirl.com. She starts with shoes and kicks into some deep social issue. It is amazing where Stephanie can take us from shoes to world and human concerns.

Stephanie works with the homeless. That is her earthly calling. She is well educated and experienced for the responsibility. She runs a non profit in Key West that cares for the homeless.

Then to Antonia’s for dinner. A good crowd.

Charlie and Regina were seated at the bar. Charlie and Regina are my neighbors here on Key Haven. They live about a block from me.

I have known them both for a long time. As neighbors and acquaintances I would occasionally see at Antonia’s and La Te Da. Charlie has run a successful moped business here in Key West for years. He has a large place for his business on Truman.

Charlie has a hobby. He collects classic cars. An expensive hobby!

Classic cars cannot be left sitting out. The sun and ocean salt would kill them here in the keys. They must be garaged.

Key Haven is considered a prime residential area. It is about 2 miles outside Key West. Key West’s business and professional people make their homes on Key Haven.

Key Haven is high rent. No place for a garage to house classic cars. It would not look right.

Across the street from his home there was an empty lot. On the ocean, of course. Charlie purchased the lot and constructed a garage that looks like a house for his classic cars. And no one complained.

Smart man, Charlie!

Regina and Charlie are both nice people.

Last night Regina really touched my heart!

When she saw me coming through the door to Antonia’s, she called me over. I read your blog she stated with enthusiasm! She told me she was looking up Key West lobster on the internet and up came Key West Lou. She was not awsare that I wrote a blog. She read one, then another. She said she spent 4 hours going back and reading the blogs! She reiterated my activities, my grandchildren and everything else I write about.

I was impressed! I am impressed! I have a new fan! And such a nice one!

There was a lone seat at the bar. Fortunately next to a lovely young lady. Stephanie. It was my night for Stephanies! First at the Chart Room with the island shoe girl. Now at Antonia’s with another. Both young. Both knock outs.

Antonia’s Stephanie was only 28 years old. However she has lived in Key West for several years. At one time she owned and ran a bridal coordination business. She is now employed by Noble House as Ocean Key’s banquet manager. One of her responsibilities is wedding coordination.

Turns out Stepanie also is friends with my daughter Lisa. A small world!

To top is off, Stephanie is from upstate New York also. Rochester. And she and her parents are Syracuse fans!

It was fun having Stephanie for a dinner companion.

I am looking out the window. The wind is blowing big time! It is coming down on us from the north. TV says the winds today are 20-30 miles per hour. I can see waves and white caps in the ocean.

My office window is closed this morning. I can stand the humidity, but it is way too cold to leave it open this morning. We will not need air conditioning today!

It is Sunday. Lisa just telephoned and told me to come over for breakfast. So that will be my first stop of the day. At some point I will end up at Don’s Place to watch pro football. Probably will need to wear a sweat shirt. Tonight, hopefully the Gardens.

Enjoy your day!

Slept late this morning. I am up a couple of hours later.

What a difference 2 hours makes! The sun is shinning bright. The water blue. There is a warm breeze coming in the window. And it is still humid!

The difference is like day and night! Because it is!

The TV is flashing news reports about the big snow storms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Glad I am in Key West! Had enough of that in my former life!

There is only one way to beat those ugly winters. Jump in your car and drive south. All the way! To the end of the road! And then you will be in Key West, the southernmost point in the United States!

I had an unusal day yesterday. I felt liked staying in bed all day. So I did. Every now and then the body and soul call for it.

I read a bit, watched TV and slept off and on. I continue to read the Lincoln book. Lincoln had an interesting life. Makes you wonder sometimes how he made it to the Presidency. Sort of like Obama’s early years.

I discovered yesterday that Lincoln was a postmaster in the 1830s. He was the postmaster for some small town in Illinois. When the mail arrived, he would stuff it in his hat. Then when he walked around town and ran into some one who had a letter, he would take off his hat and pull out the letter for delivery on the spot.

I did get up around 6 and went out. I enjoyed the evening.

Started at the Chart Room. Mark was throwing a 1980s party at 9. I was there around 7. Mark was already dressed. A long black wig and moustache. Dark sunglasses. Clothes appropriate to the era.

These friday night parties are turning into events. A good crowd each friday. I have to attend one of them soon.

Then to Hot Tin Roof for dinner at the bar.

I was watching the Yankee game at the bar. A couple sat next to me. Ren and Amanda. From Columbus, Ohio. On vacation here for a week.

Ren is a general contractor in Columbus. He used to live in Key West and worked as a general contractor here for a number of years. Then came Hurricane Wilma about 4 years ago. Wilma was the one that dumped about 6 feet of water across the island. No one had money to immediately reconstruct. The insurance companies were screwing every one. The wind company blamed the damage on water. The water company blamed the damage on the wind. No one was getting paid. To this day there are still claims pending.

Anyhow, Ren left Key West to find paying work and ended up in Columbus.

He was with Amanda, a lovely young lady. A hairdresser in Columbus. She was enjoying her first time in Key West.

They have had an interesting week. They eat fish every day. Smart! It is all fresh. And they charter boats and go out on the water every day. The weather is excellent. The water calm.

A perfect Key West vacation!

I like the Hot Tin Roof. The ambiance is perfect. The restaurant is located in the Ocean Key House. The restaurant and hotel are part of the Noble House chain. A well run operation.

The restaurant sits on the Gulf. Only feet away. And the Ocean Key pier where Key West/Carribean music is played all evening. People eat, drink and dance out on the pier.

John Lukas is General Manager of the Hot Tin Roof. We have become friends this past year. He does a first class job as General Manager. He is gracious and cordial. On top of everything. The food is masterful. And John is always there to greet you with a handshake and smile. The Noble chain is fortunate to have him.

After dinner, I was in the mood to continue my evening. Why not! I was well rested after spending the day in bed!

I wandered over to the Keys Piano Bar. I love piano bar music and the New York performers who sing there.

Rebecca came in. A lovely lady! She walked right up to me. Said you don’t remember me. I said no. She said I am Rebecca. We met last year at Donna Barnett’s Fantasy Fest party. I was the woman with the big bare boobs! I still did not remember. Perhaps if her breasts were bare last night I might have recognized her! We kissed and chatted about Dona and Terri’s soon to be wedding in New York City.

Kathy Kaefer and Mark Watson were singing last night. Talents! I enjoy listening to both of them.

Kathy is a dynamite looking red head from New York. She is here on a 3 week gig. Mark is a Key West regular. Probably has achieved icon status already on the island. A sweet charming guy! Loved by every one!

Kathy sang some real oldies that touched my heart. One was “You’ll Never Know.” I remember it well. The song always reminds me of the first time I heard it. It was during World War II. Yes, I am that old! But I was a mere youth at the time. Between 5 and 10.

My Mother’s 2 brothers, Uncles Gus and Al, had come to visit from New York City. We went to the Avon theatre while they were in Utica. George Murphy was starring. A song and dance man at the time. I do not recall the movie. But I do remember Murphy singing the song.

Murphy later went on to be a one term United States Senator from California. He was the first movie star to go into politics big time. You might say he was a precursor for Ronald Reagan.

Then Kathy got into some Nelson Riddle. She sang “It’s Magic.” A 1960’s hit! I was older by then. Actually 25 and had just graduated from law school.

In between, I got to talk with Kathy and Mark.

A good evening overall! I left the Keys bar with a warm feeling.

Back to the weather. It may be warm and humid now. I assure you it is very humid. I am beginning to sweat from the humid air blowing through the open window.

The high today is projected at 88. However tomorrow or Monday the cold spell up north will make its affects felt in the keys. The high will only be 77. A major drop in temperature! The low will be 68. That is cold in Key West!

Have a good day where ever you are!

The weather is crazy good here in Key West. Hot! 91 yesterday.

Last night was unusual weather wise. The humidity was actually overbearing.

Normally once the sun sets, it cools down this time of year. We were playing bocci. The sun set. There was absolutely no breeze. And we play on the Atlantic! The water was dripping off all of us. My tee shirt was soaking wet as if I had been playing golf in the hot sun.

No complaints, however. Better than the snow and cold weather up north.

Today the high is going to be 88. And 88 tomorrow, also. Then on Sunday a cold spell is going to hit the keys. The temperature is going to drop to a high of 77. It’s a tough life!

Bocci was terrific last night! We won all 3 games! The first 2 decisively. The last was a squeeker. We were down 15-14. Rob and I had the game in our hands at our end of the court. I shoot first. My 2 balls sucked. Rob came through, however! Hero time! He scored the winning 2 points!

Lisa’s internet Key West department store is up and running. Called Via Key West. Visit it if you have a moment. http://www.viakeywest.com/. It’s an easy trip. A lot of Key West goodies available for purchase.

One of the items is a Key West Lou tee shirt. Lisa’s idea. She is driven by paternal respect. Who would want to walk around with a typewriter and my name on their chest? The whole world we hope!

That ballon and lost child story yesterday was horrendous! I was glued to the TV. I did not see how the boy could be landed safely. The 6 year old was not in the ballon. Turns out he was hiding in the attic. This morning the news shows are suggesting perhaps a hoax. Hopefully not. It would turn out to be a sick scenerio.

Still dark outside. Black. I am up early. Very early. But the sun will rise and it will be another fantastic Key West day!

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I am up at that in between time this morning. It is not dark. Black as I describe it. Yet the sun has not risen. It is like life. Everything is gray. Actually quite pretty. I see the silvery ocean and lone shadowy black palm tree outside my window..

Played golf yesterday morning! My neck held up.

I am excited. I played the best golf I have in ages! Shot 103. That is 20 strokes better than normal.

I played with Don and Yankee Jack. Don was hot. Shot a 79. Yankee did well also. Shot 98.

Because of the crazy side bets, I only lost $6. A good day in that respect also!

Robert is better. Though he had to stay home yesterday. He will be off to school this morning.

I spent the afternoon resting and reading. Golf knocks me out. Remember I am 74.

I continue to be into the Lincoln book. I apologize for being repitious. However, the book’s author lived during the Lincoln years. It is so exciting to read the words of one who was there!

With the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars, we have seen many soldiers redeployed several times. A rather new situation. They either must go because we now have a professional army or they volunteer.

Prior to the Iraq war, such deployments were not common. A soldier went, did his war service once and that was it.

During the Vietnam War, I knew two individuals who signed up for second tours of duty in the jungles of Vietnam. They believed that strongly in the mission there. I thought they were crazy. They could get killed! But they believed and wanted to do it.

Which brings us to Abraham Lincoln.

In 1832 Lincoln was living in Illinois. An Indian chief by the name of Sacs was in a dander and started a big time war against the Illinois settlers. It was known as the Black Hawk War.

Lincoln and some of his young friends volunteered.

In those days, officers were selected by vote. Yes, the troops voted for who they wanted to lead them. And yes, Lincoln was elected to be Captain of his group.

Lincoln’s tour of duty ran out. He signed up for a second tour. He and some of his friends. This time however he had to do it as a private.

Lincoln believed Sacs was a bad guy and had to be brought down. He voluntarily redeployed, using today’s vernacular.

Last night started as usual witht the Chart Room. A good crowd. Sean and Katherine were there. Katherine had a girl friend, new fellow employee and new resident of Key West with her. Candice. A beauty!

I caught Shiela as she was leaving. She was on her way out as I was on my way in. I have not seen her in ages. Her day job is driving one of those tourist trolley cars around town. A good lady in every respect!

Then to La Trattoria for dinner.

I was sitting at the bar when Tosh walked in. I had sat next to him at the bar Monday when I dined at Antonia’s. He joined me at the bar.

Tosh is short for Jon McIntosh. Jon is a local artist. Does some great stuff. Take a look at his web site http://www.jonmcintoshartwork.com/. He is presntly showing at the Green Street Gallery.

We had an interesting evening discussing art. He from the artist’s perspective and me from the collector’s.

I heard from Donna and Terri yesterday. They are in New York City and have been for a while. Terri is starring in the Broadway revival of Finian’s Rainbow which opens October 28.

Donna and Terri are getting married on November 1. On the stage of the theatre where Finian’s Rainbow will be playing. New York does not recognize same sex marriages. So they will be scooting at some time over the border to Connecticut where such unions are recognized to retie the knot.

Donna and Terri are excited. They had just returned from a fitting for their wedding apparel.
They are both wearing leather. One purple and the other red.

I had to tell them I would not be able to attend the wedding. I have to be in Miami during their wedding time and cannot cancel my time there. Sad. I wanted to share their day with them and I know they wanted me there for this happy occasion.

The sun is coming up. The gray outside my window is turning a light yellow. Another great Key West day in the making!

Enjoy your day!

Let the canons roar! The drums play! Sixty six trombones be heard!

Lisa’s internet department store Via Key West is open! www.viakeywest.com.

Take a look! Enjoy reviewing the items offered!

I am proud of the site! I am proud of Lisa! A big job! You did it! I wish you every success!

My little girl!

Enough of Via Key West for now.

Yesterday was a bad one for grandson Robert. He was sick. He must have a bug. He was upchucking all day. Actually sleeping and upchucking all day.

I stopped by in the morning. Lisa thought he might be better. She asked me to buy some popsicles for him. Robert enjoyed one. He slept. And then gave it up. Poor kid.

I left to run some other errands. Stopped for lunch at Lucky Day. Cuban toast with tomato and melted cheese. Read the papers.

Then back to Lisa’s. Robert was still sick. I hope he had a good night. It is too early to telephone yet.

Poppa was not well yesterday either. But no where as sick as poor Robert.

I woke yesterday morning with a very sore neck. I must have slept wrong. It hurt all day. I was walking stiff.

It is still a bit sore this morning, but much better. I am going to chance golf. Foolish I know. But I enjoy playing.

Because of the sore neck, I stayed in last night.

The weather has been fantastic here in Key West. And should continue that way for the next two months.

The locals are starting to get excited about Fantasy Fest. It will start shortly.

Hope I make it through 18 holes. Worry not. If it hurts to play, I shall stop. I am only a bit of a fool!

Have a happy day!

I am up later this morning. And so is the sun. Another great Key West day in the making!

Yesterday was a terrific one people wise.

It started at lunch. My luncheon companion was Maxine Makover. A charming lady.

Maxine is one of the owners of Knit Wits. Knit Wits is located on Whitehead, behind the Mel Fisher Museum. It is part of that series of small stores elevated above street level and fronted by a long white railed porch.

Knit Wits is a yarn shop. They sell yarn. And it is a winner! People continue to purchase yarn for knitting and what have you in spite of the economy. Probably because it is reasonably priced and provides a calming affect when used.

The store has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. The word that best describes it might be enticing.

A knitter I am not not. So much of what Maxine explained to me about the activity was a learning experience. The thing that made the largest impact on me was that people have to be able to “feel” the yarn before they buy it. It is all in the feel! Interesting. The feel thing came up when I suggested that selling yarn had to be a big time internet business. Maxine said no. People want to be physically present in order to feel.

I learn something new every day!

We talked of our families. Maxine’s son is Travis Fine. A former actor. Now a screen writer and director. As a result of which Maxine has become a film investor and part time movie producer.

The interesting people we meet in Key West!

Travis has written a screen play entitled The Space Between. It is a 9/11 film about a stewardess and 12 year old passenger who are grounded on 9/11 in Amarillo, Texas. The boy’s father was in the World Trade Center on 9/11. The stewardess has to get the boy back to New York City immediately following the tragedy. The boy is Arab.

Production of the film is underway at this time.

The stewardess is played by Melissa Leo. Melissa is known to all for her many TV series roles. Especially, All My children and the Young Riders. She received an Emmy nomination for All My Children.

Most significantly, Melissa was nominated for an Oscar this present year of 2009. She was nominated for the Academy Award as best actress for her starring role in the movie Frozen River.

Melissa and Travis are long time friends. They starred in various TV shows in the past. Their most recent performances together were in Young Riders which had a successful run on TV for several years.

What a combination! Melissa starring! Travis writing and directing! And Key West’s own Maxine producing!

Last night started at the Chart Room. Captain Peter and Michael. Good conversation. Interesting people all!

I decided to have dinner at Antonia’s.

Good bar companions during dinner. A restauranteur from London named Mitchell. He and his wife used to vacation in Key West yearly. She died 15 months ago. This was his first trip back.

Mitchell was seated to my left and Stash, a local artist, to my right.

Somehow the conversation got around to 9/11. Not at my suggestion. It just happened. You will recall that 9/11 was part of my luncheon conversation with Maxine.

Mitchell I believe raised the subject. He pointed how all of England was saddened by our tragedy. Apparently the whole world. He and his wife visited Key West soon thereafter. His impression was that the saddness here was not as pronounced as elsewhere.

My mind ran back to the time trying to recall. I had been in New York at the time and returned to Key West soon thereafter.

Stash interjected before my thought process had been formulated. He was in New York on 9/11. He returned to Key West soon thereafter. He drove back.

He said that the emotions were running high as his trip started and into the mid Atlantic states. Flags everywhere. Feelings could be felt at each stop.

Then the atitutde and atmosphere began to diminish. The farther he got from New York City, the less attention people seemed to give to the 9/11 national tragedy.

Interesting observations from both which made for interesting conversation.

I stopped at Don’s Place on the way home for a night cap. Ran into golfing buddy Randy at the outside bar. Had a drink with him. Went inside. Spoke with Michelle. A very nice person. She is a part time bartender at Don’s and plays bocci with us Thursday nights.

Then home to bed.

Enjoy your day!

Dark this morning! Pitch black!

I am up early again.

There must be a strong wind. I can hear the ocean big time through my window.

There is nothing more refreshing than lying in bed in a dark room and listening to the water.

Yesterday started as a typical Sunday.

I ran out early to buy the local Sunday newspaper.

Then a light breakfast outside by the water. Read the newspaper, of course.

Meet the Prerss followed. Then a couple of reruns of the Sopranos. Love that show!

I spent part of the afternoon at Don’s Place watching pro football. Five games at one time. I am glad I do not do it every day. I would end up cross eyed!

It is more than the drink and food that make Sundays at Don’s such a good thing. It is the camadreship! Everyone knows everyone. And everyone is happy to see, greet and socialize with each other.

Afterwards, I was off to Lisa’s to see the family. Ally was not there. She was at a girl friend’s house playing. A first! She had never been dropped off by her mother for a prearragned play date. Lisa said Ally asked her when she dropped her off whether she would be returning to get her. She required the reassurance. Cute! Part of growing up!

I watched the President’s Cup while at Lisa’s. And watched Lisa continuing to tweak her interent department store Via Key West which is to open soon.

Via Key West is coming together.

Some great art. Watercolors by local icon Christine Cordone Smith. Photos by William Gatz. Mixed media by Michael Anderson.

The jewelry is equisite! By the talents of Donna Barnett and Laurel Denny.

CDs by Yankee Jack and others.

Local books by local authors. Some one is always writing about Key West.

Tee shirts. Local in nature.

She has something called Tropical Treats. It is a winner! Big time! Oprah did her 25 favorite things in 2004. One was baked goods. The baking winner is being featured by Lisa. The Key Lime Bundt Cake is to die for! I tried it over the weekend.

And other things. Like bath salts, tiles and wood pieces.

Soon Via Key West will open! Be sure to take a look at it.

I left Lisa’s for home. My intention was to watch the end of the President’s Cup and then go to the Gardens for some good music and good company.

I never made it to the Gardens. I got comfortable at home. Perhaps lazy is a better word. In any event, I opted to stay in and just lay around.

It was a pleasant evening.

I trust today will be a good one. I wish an enjoyable day to all!

It continues to amaze me how many people read this blog. And their locations!

Yesterday I received an e mail from Jim Brown.

Jim lives in Crete. Crete is one of the Greek isles. Jim loves Crete’s warm weather, island living and his new grandson. He works two jobs. His evening work is as lead singer in what he describes as a rock, blues soul band. Jim claims he is living his dream when doing it.

Sounds like our Howard Livingston.

Jim’s comment was received over Facebook where my blog runs daily also.

Good hearing from you, Jim. Keep enjoying your life. I hope I get out your way some time and we can tip a few together! Or, you come here! It matters not which island we enjoy each other’s company on. As long as we enjoy!

I lunched at the outside beach bar at the Pier House yesterday. Warm. Humid. It was leisure time. I read the papers and observed the ladies.

Then to Lisa’s. She was seated at the kitchen table with her computer dutifully working on her internet department store Via Key West. The grandkids were building things with blocks. Cameron was in his room playing the guitar. And Corey was doing something upstairs.

Stayed a while.

I spent the rest of the afternoon at home watching the President’s Cup. Good competitive golf!

Last night started as usual at the Chart Room. Marty, Captain Peter and Frank. Michael bartending. A drink or two and some easy conversation.

Then Marty and I were off to La Trattoria.

Beecha welcomed me at the door. Always love to see Beecha!

Erin was bartending.

Marty treated me to dinner.

We had discussed going over to the Keys Piano Bar after dinner. Marty changed his mind as we left La Trattoria. By the time I got to my car, I changed my mind also. So it was home to bed.

Today is Sunday. Love Sundays! The Sunday papers, Meet the Press, Lisa and the family, the Gardens and Kate, the Wine Galley and Larry and what have you.

Enjoy your day! I plan on enjoying mine!

The cold spell has left us. It is warm! Yesterday hit 90! However we were blessed with a strong breeze from the east. There where white caps on the Atlantic.

When Paradise Cafe was forced to close down, the ownership moved a block away to Blossom’s. Two of Paradise’s employees opted to start their own place. They opened a sandwich type shop on Bertha, just off Flagler. It is called Lucky Lady.

I stopped at Lucky Lady for lunch yesterday. What a great place!

Big inside. Tableclothes. Unusual in a sandwich shop.

The sandwiches and prices were the same as Paradise. Why not! That is where they learned!

I enjoyed my cuban toast with tomato and cheese. Sat at a corner table and read the newspapers. And watched the customers come and go. Try the place! You will enjoy Lucky Lady!

I spent the afternoon painting a bit and continuing to read the Lincoln book.

Interesting the things we learn. Lincoln as we all know came from poor stock. Not an unusual occurrence in these United States. Look at Obama.

Lincoln’s father had his drawbacks. His mother was illegitimate. His people came from Kentucky before settling in Illinois. There were Lincolns however that came over from Europe soon after the Mayflower. They settled in Massachusetts and apparently were quite successful socially and economically. In his early years, Lincoln would sometimes suggest that he was of the Massachusetts clan.

Last night I intended to do the Oktoberfest party at Don’s Place and then the Lace and Leather party at the Chart Room.

I did neither.

That is one of the things that is nice about Key West. Your options are many. You are free to go with the flow or do what you want.

I decided to do differnetly last night.

I met Marty early at the Chart Room. It turned out neither of us was in the mood for the parties. We both wanted to see the Couples Retreat movie which opened last night at the theatre in the Sears shopping Center. So it was off to the shopping center.

We intended to have a quick bite at Outbacks. The place was packed. Friday night and every one had money in their pockets. So we went over to the Chinese restaurant a few doors away. We ordered too much and ate too much.

The Couples Retreat movie is a comedy. It featured Vince Vaughan as one its stars. I like Vaughan. A funny guy.

Although the movie was only rated C+, it was a hoot! I laughed throughout. I have learned that these movie ratings mean little.

The movie was packed. Not a seat left. Unusual. And the crowd consisted of all generations, except for teenagers.

Experiencing the crowd, it occurred to me that when the economy is bad, people seek cheap light hearted amusement to relieve their anxieties. Couples Retreat was just what the doctor ordered!

Yes, I thought the movie was economically reasonable. $7 for a senior ticket! I remember on the other hand when I started going to the movies. The James Street theatre in Utica. It was four cents! That price bought 2 films, a cartoon and a serial.

This morning I have a painting to finish. Then to Lisa’s. I have not seen the grandkids since Tuesday.

Lisa is busting her butt tieing up the loose ends on her internet department store Via Key West which is soon to open. Perhaps this next week.

I am up early this morning. Black outside my open window. It will be another glorious Key West day. And with a good cool breeze. I can hear the ocean running rapidly beneath my window and the waves hitting on the rocks below.

Enjoy your day!

THE chicken was at bocci last night!

It was a first!

A rooster! Tall and majestic. Red and brown. Proud.

He was all over the courts. Running from one to the other. Preening. Naturally avoiding the balls. And trying to avoid the balls.

No one shot at the rooster intentionally. But he was nuts to be there! Liking running back and forth across an eight lane highway at high traffic time.

Whatever, the rooster finally learned and disappeared. He probably said to himself these humans are nuts! They’re trying to kill me!

Bocci was a big night all around last evening. Landon Nordeman was there.

Landon is a New York professional photographer. He is in Key West for a few weeks at The Studios of Key West. He spotted the bocci courts and the throng of people. He decided to stop. What a night he had!

He took pictures and made recordings. The jumping, the finesse, the yelling, the screaming, the cursing. He recorded it all!

I hope we get a chance to see and hear the results.

I got to talk with Landon a bit. An interesting guy. Into his business. Relatively young. Probably around 30. I checked him out on the internet this morning. In 2006 a major photo organization selected him as an”…emerging photographer to watch.”

I checked out his protfolio on the internet also. He has an interesting sensitivity when it comes to selecting subjects for his work. A winner in the making!

So far 2 big things at bocci. And now for the third. We won 2 out of 3 games. Hip, hip, hooray!

Jules was our star! She played the first 2 games we won. We benched her for the third so all could play. A mistake. It was the third game we lost.

Whatever, 2 victories is good! In the last 4 weeks we have won 8 and lost 4. Not bad. Better than losing 12 in a row like we did last season.

After bocci, I went over to Don’s Place for a drink. Ran into Randy. Randy is a golf friend. He does not play bocci. He is a good golfer. We had a drink together at Don’s outside bar.

Speaking of Don’s Place, tonight is the big Oktoberfest Party. German food and beer. Everyone go and enjoy!

And when you have consumed enough brockwurst, wienerschitzel, hot potato salad and beer, go over to the Chart Room for the Leather and Lace party. If you do not wish to be a participant, you can always watch. I have to believe the watching will be good!

Yesterday was quiet. Breakfast at Blossom’s for cuban toast and coffee. Lunch at Harpoon Harry’s. I spent the afternoon reading. I enjoyed 2 books that I am reading simutaneously. One is about Abraham Lincoln and the other the very early history of my hometown Utica.

Both have a similarity. A connection. I am into the early 1800s in both books. Our nation was rough and rugged at the time. Whether it was upstate New York or somewhere in Illinois, things were the same.

Lisa continues to fine tune her internet department store Via Key West. I suspect it will be ready to go sometime next week.

Enjoy your day!